Patents Represented by Law Firm Rogers, Eilers & Howell
  • Patent number: 4478420
    Abstract: A soccer training and practice device that comprises a trampoline forming a playing surface in communication with a rebounder, and elastic ball-retaining cords, supported by collapsible safety poles, enclosing the playing surface. The rebounder's sides can be solid or of resilient netting, and the angle of the bottom of the rebounder with the playing surface is adjustable to control ball return speed. The rebounder and ball-retaining cords may be separately provided for addition to an existing trampoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Inventor: Gregory E. Sowards
  • Patent number: 4477083
    Abstract: A sports training and practice device that comprises a trampoline having a resilient surface forming a playing surface, an arm extending from the trampoline, and a ball-like bag resiliently mounted to the outer end of the arm. The inner end of the arm has a collar for installation over one of the legs of the trampoline, and permits relative sliding and rotational motion therebetween. The collar and arm are slid and rotated on the leg until the bag is at the desired height and distance relative to the playing surface, and the collar is engaged to the leg at that point by tightening a bolt threaded through the collar to impinge on the leg. The bag and arm may be separately provided for addition to existing trampolines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Inventor: Gregory E. Sowards
  • Patent number: 4473967
    Abstract: A fish-trapping device has a feed pan therein which initially contains a substantial amount of feed; and that feed performs the dual functions of (a) helping to keep that device in position to enable fish to freely enter it and (b) enticing fish to enter that device. After substantial numbers of fish have entered the fish-trapping device and have eaten sufficient portions of the feed in the feed pan, that device will automatically and silently trap the fish therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Inventor: Eugene M. Poirot
  • Patent number: 4466137
    Abstract: A garment has an automatically-adjustable-length drawstring with readily-flexible ends that can be tied to enable the garment to accommodate a large number of waist sizes; and that drawstring will automatically expand as the circumference of the wearer's waist increases during breathing in or movement of the wearer's body, and that drawstring will automatically contract as the circumference of the wearer's waist subsequently decreases during breathing out or movement of the wearer's body. In doing so, that drawstring will hold the waist of that garment against drooping relative to a user's waist. A resilient, extensible section between the readily-flexible ends of the drawstring will automatically and continuously maintain an effective, but lower-than-normal, value of frictional force between the waist of the garment and a wearer's waist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Angelica Corporation
    Inventor: Arturo S. Carnaghi
  • Patent number: 4465946
    Abstract: A frame assembly for an electric motor stator is described. The frame includes at least three arcuate units for encircling a wound core of an electric motor stator. The assembly further includes a means for interlockingly engaging the arcuate units so that the units may be maintained about the stator prior to welding. The interlocking means extends from at least one end of each arcuate unit. The interlocking means may include an overlapping portion extending arcuately outward from one end of an arcuate unit and an underlapping portion similarly extending from an adjacent arcuate unit so that the overlapping and underlapping portions may interlockingly engage with one another during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Century Electric, Inc.
    Inventor: H. Robert Springer
  • Patent number: 4465173
    Abstract: In a coin selector having a coin rail interposed between a main plate and a bracket, a true coin chute and a false coin chute disposed in parallel on the downstream side of the coin rail, a coin judging section for judging whether a coin moving along the coin rail is true or false and a gate lever driven by a command issued from the coin judging section to selectively guide the inserted coin to the true or false coin chute, the main plate has an opening disposed on the downstream side of the coin rail, the true coin chute is mounted on one surface of the main plate and the false coin chute is mounted on the other surface of the main plate in a manner that one end of the false coin chute is adjacent to the opening, so that the false coin moving down along the coin rail is guided into the false coin chute through the opening by the gate lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Domen, Fumio Masuda
  • Patent number: 4465300
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a truck type vehicle comprises a trunnion shaft rotatably mounted to the axle with a pair of spring supports mounted to the trunnion shaft, a pair of coil springs extending between the spring supports and the chassis, a pair of torque rods rotatably mounted and extending between a chassis member and the axle seat, and a torsion roll bar pivotally connected to and extending between the suspension on each side of the vehicle and the chassis frame. In an alternate embodiment, a single piece axle seat and spring support assembly is bolted to the axle for mounting of the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Inventor: John E. Raidel, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4465298
    Abstract: A suspension system for a drive axle includes an angular torque beam fixedly secured to the axle, one or two air springs extending between the torque beam and the chassis, and a universal joint comprised of two transversely mounted rubber bushings mounting the forward end of the torque beam to the chassis. The drive axle suspension may also have a beam guide mounted to the torque beam and extending upwardly adjacent the chassis frame, or a cross radius rod to limit lateral movement. Another embodiment of the suspension is for a steer axle which has a straight torque beam and either an outboard beam guide or an aft vertical rail guide to limit the lateral displacement of the suspension with respect to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Inventor: John E. Raidel, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4465920
    Abstract: A D.C. welder includes an engine-driven D.C. generator, a polarity-revers switch which can change the direction of current flow through the field winding of that generator to provide a positive or negative polarity at the welder output terminals, a circuit that automatically permits only uni-directional current flow through that field winding during the starting of the engine, and a further circuit that energizes a solenoid to close contacts which enable that generator to operate as the starting motor for that engine but which thereafter de-energizes that solenoid and then keeps it de-energized until the engine is at, or close to, rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Teledyne-Walterboro, a Division of Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold C. Hoyt, Jr., William J. Greene
  • Patent number: 4464559
    Abstract: An electric welder has magnetic cores with windings thereon which perform the functions of transformer windings as well as the functions of magnetic amplifier windings. The secondary windings, on each pair of those magnetic cores, are connected in series relation; and, similarly, the control windings on that pair of magnetic cores are connected in series relation. One of those control windings can have the voltage across it reduced to essentially-zero to cause a high voltage to be developed across the control winding on the other of that pair of magnetic cores--with consequent prompt saturation of that other magnetic core and with the development of an output pulse by the secondary windings on that pair of magnetic cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: Teledyne-Walterboro, a Divison of Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Greene
  • Patent number: 4463430
    Abstract: A microprocessor based pellet mill controller provides fully automatic, programmed operation of a pellet mill with operator selection from among several operating system parameters to control a pellet run. The controller comprises an operator's console having a plurality of switches to permit operator selected between manual or automatic control of individual equipment in the mill; a plurality of switches to permit operator selection of a pellet formulation and mill load; a plurality of digital displays to monitor the status of ingredient input rates and total, and system operating parameters and totals; and a plurality of display lights to cue the operator and indicate equipment status. A software package is disclosed for achieving fully automatic operation, the microprocessor being capable to re-programming to alter its mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Beta Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Volk, Jr., David Garner
  • Patent number: 4461470
    Abstract: A video controlling and viewing system has a tiltable platform which supports a chair in spaced relation to a console that has a video screen; and a user seated on that chair can manipulate the control element of that console to simultaneously (a) move the views on the video screen up and down and also rotate them in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction and (b) tilt the platform oppositely of the movement of the views on that video screen. The programming means for the console is independent of the driving means for the platform to some extent but the control element of the console will cause the view on the screen to shift in one direction while the platform is tilted in the opposite direction. Cables, drums and motors are used to tilt the platform while views are being displayed on the video screen, and they automatically return the platform to a "home" position at the conclusion of the displaying of those views.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: Mark E. Astroth
    Inventors: Gary D. Astroth, Allen F. Miller
  • Patent number: 4454465
    Abstract: The electric generator of the present invention has a plural-section main nding; and it uses uni-directional devices to permit current to flow through various sections of that winding as the rotor poles move away from various of the stator poles of that generator but to prevent current flow through those various sections as those rotor poles approach those stator poles. By preventing current flow through those various sections, as those rotor poles approach those stator poles, the present invention relieves the field winding of all need of overcoming the magnetomotive force of that main winding. As a result, fewer ampere turns are needed to enable that field winding to provide the magnetomotive force for that main winding.In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, an exciting winding has sections thereof that are wound on poles which have turns of the field winding wound thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: Teledyne Walterboro, a Division of Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Greene
  • Patent number: 4453118
    Abstract: This disclosure depicts a starting control circuit for a multispeed alternating current motor having at least two run windings and at least two start windings and a mechanical rotational output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Century Electric, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham R. Phillips, Marvin J. Fisher
  • Patent number: 4451935
    Abstract: A first wall and a second wall coact with a portion of a head covering section of a head covering to define an inner pocket and an outer pocket. The first wall is taller than the second wall to define a flap-forming portion; and a fold in that first wall permits that flap-forming portion to be moved outwardly over and downwardly below the level of the upper edge of the second wall to block the entrance to the outer pocket. That fold has a curved configuration in plan view so it tends to hold the flap-forming portion adjacent the outer face of the second wall as long as that fold exists. When the flap-forming portion is moved upwardly away from the outer face of the second wall to a position wherein it is generally in register with the lower portion of the first wall, a curved configuration of that lower portion of the first wall will resist movement of that flap-forming portion outwardly over and downwardly below the level of the upper edge of the second wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Inventor: Edward W. Henschel
  • Patent number: 4452005
    Abstract: A feed-holding member entices fish into a fish-trapping device which has an "exit only" closure for an outlet opening thereof. A "live net" is connected to that fish-trapping device adjacent that outlet opening, and, when the fish have satisfied their appetites, they will attempt to escape from the fish-trapping device. In doing so, the fish will open the "exit only" closure and pass through the outlet opening into the "live net"--which will hold the fish until they can be removed from that "live net".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Inventor: Eugene M. Poirot
  • Patent number: 4451775
    Abstract: A circuit for use with an induction generator. The circuit is arranged to initiate operation of the induction generator as a motor to bring the system up to operating speed and subsequently to rearrange the system automatically to cause the induction generator to operate in a generating mode. The automatic reconnection is effected as an incident of the motor reaching a preselected speed. Determination of the preselected speed may be effected by voltage responsive means in one form of the invention, and by centrifugal switch in another form of the invention. The control is effected by suitably selectively connecting the phase winding of the generator. In the illustrated embodiment, a starting capacitor and a power factor correction capacitor are automatically connected at proper times in the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: Century Electric, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham R. Phillips, Norvell G. Prudot
  • Patent number: 4447986
    Abstract: An adjustable rolling type boxcar door has a main panel and a telescoping adjustable panel at its bottom for adjusting the overall height of the door to fit a variety of door openings. The adjustable panel is slidably retained between side frames in the main panel by stop blocks mounted along the inside edges of the side frames. The width of the door may be also adjusted by positioning a spark strip either closer or further away from the inside edge of the door opposite the closure mechanism. A pair of double roller, pivotally mounted bogeys are mounted in the adjustable panel and support the door from a door track mounted to the side of a boxcar. The double roller bogeys provide an improved traverse mechanism for supporting the considerable weight of a boxcar door and carrying it across what may be an uneven and rough track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Assignee: Missouri Pacific Railroad Company
    Inventors: James H. Wilkins, Mark Payne
  • Patent number: 4448304
    Abstract: A remount kit for stone-bearing rings includes a support that releasably holds a plurality of specifically-different rings, each of which is formed and dimensioned to represent a ring to which at least one stone can be secured, and a plurality of stud-mounted stones, each of which is formed and dimensioned to represent a stone that could be secured to at least one of the rings represented by the plurality of rings. The studs of the stud-mounted stones are dimensioned to project inwardly of the finger-engaging surface of a selected ring, of the selected plurality of rings, whenever one or more of the stud-mounted stones is disposed in juxtaposition to that selected ring to illustrate the position or positions which the stone or stones, represented by the stud-mounted stones or stones, would occupy when secured to the ring represented by the selected ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Assignee: Eisenstadt Company
    Inventors: Michael Weinzettel, Walter Weeks
  • Patent number: 4445707
    Abstract: A first embodiment of a suspension supports a vehicle from a drive axle and includes a forward hanger and a rearward hanger depending downwardly from the chassis, an axle seat assembly attaching the suspension to the axle, a first torque arm pivotally connected between the axle seat assembly and the forward hanger, a second torque arm pivotally connected between the axle seat assembly and the rear hanger, a central elastomer spring mounted between opposing surfaces of the torque arms, and an upper radius rod pivotally connected and extending between the forward hanger and axle seat assembly to form a parallelogram with the first torque arm to control and stabilize the axle. A second embodiment of the same suspension mounts a vehicle chassis to a steer axle with the radius rod being offset inwardly and the axle seat being mounted to the top of the steer axle to accommodate space limitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Inventor: John E. Raidel