Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Ronald E. Smith
  • Patent number: 5498395
    Abstract: A collection and separation funnel for urine, other body fluids, or environmental samples has dual downspouts so that liquid entering the funnel flows in part down a first downspout and in part down a second downspout. A centrifuge tube is releasably connected to each downspout to receive the liquid. This enables detachment of the centrifuge tubes for delivery to different laboratories. A stand releasably receives the lowermost ends of each centrifuge tube so that the device is free standing and need not be held at the time of liquid collection. A lid is provided for the funnel to facilitate its transportation, and individual lids are provided for each centrifuge tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Inventors: Glenn A. Moore, Jr., Christopher J. Mannari
  • Patent number: 5492325
    Abstract: A game device has a flat, circular bottom wall with a plurality of ball-receiving wells formed in it and a transparent dome-shaped cover that captures a plurality of balls within the device. Some of the wells have a number shape, and each of those wells are color coded. The game is played by inverting the device and restoring it to its upright position or by shaking it until all of the balls have entered into the wells. The number of balls within a well are counted and multiplied by the number of the well into which they have fallen to arrive at a total for that well. Depending upon the color of the well, the total is either added to or subtracted from an earlier total and the process is repeated to arrive at an arithmetic sum. A pair of wells are also formed in the shape of a multiply sign and a divide sign and the arithmetic sum is multiplied by the number of balls in the multiply sign-shaped well and that number is divided by the number of balls in the divide sign-shaped well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventor: Albert J. Hawver
  • Patent number: 5487529
    Abstract: An improved flow-through washing and scrubbing brush handle for interconnection at one end to a source of pressurized water such as a garden hose and connectable at the other end to a flow-through type scrub brush or the like. The device includes structure for varying water flow therethrough for delivery into the scrub brush and further includes a telescoping structure which releasably secures a selected overall length between its sliding inner and outer tubes. Unique sealing arrangements also prevent water leakage anywhere along the device, including from between inner and outer tubes. A loosely fitting locking collar has a recess formed in it so that it includes a pair of circumferentially spaced apart opposed ends and a pair of stop members that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another by a greater distance than the spacing between the opposed ends. A longitudinally extending protrusion formed on an .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Duane H. Newville
  • Patent number: 5477424
    Abstract: A tell-tale construction includes an optical fiber ribbon that emits light along its length to make the tell-tale visible at night. The optical fiber ribbon is housed between a pair of plastic strips having the size, flexibility, and weight of a conventional tell-tale, and the plastic strips are transparent or translucent so that the light emitted from the ribbon is visible through the plastic. In a preferred embodiment, a light emitting diode is modified by forming a slot in its leading end so that a first end of the optical fiber ribbon is insertable into the slot, in alignment with the light-emitting anode of the LED. In other embodiments, a central light source is employed and optical fibers deliver light to each tell-tale to eliminate the need for a light source associated with each tell-tale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Inventor: Douglas G. Mocha
  • Patent number: 5472426
    Abstract: Arthroscopic cervical discectomy instruments include a push knob for a guide wire, a pair of telescopically mounted dilator tubes, one of which includes a water port so that the tube provides the additional function of an irrigation tube, a ligament cutter, a continuous suction punch, a cervical osteotone, a cervical cureet, a nucleus extractor and a cureet nucleus extractor. The dilator tubes, the ligament cutter, and the continuous suction punch are all centrally bored to receive the guide wire. All of the instruments are of arthroscopic proportions and each instrument, exclusive of its handle, is slideably insertable through the bore of the largest in diameter dilator tube. The largest in diameter dilator tube serves as a dilator, an irrigation tube, and as the main sheath through which the other tools are inserted. In a second embodiment, the pair of dilator tubes are replaced with a plurality of telescoping dilator tubes of progressively larger diameters and shorter lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: B.E.I. Medical
    Inventors: Alfred O. Bonati, Philip J. Ware
  • Patent number: 5471810
    Abstract: A steel center axis force member passes through a steel buckling-restriction member. A stick preventing coat is disposed between the surface of the center axis force member and the buckling-restriction member. Thereby, a buckling-restriction bracing member having a narrower body and lighter weight can be provided to facilitate a rapid manufacture with lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Sugisawa, Hideji Nakamura, Atsushi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5471008
    Abstract: An apparatus for inputting MIDI information output from a sequencer or a keyboard and performing a predetermined process on the input MIDI information in accordance with an instruction from an operation panel to alter that information to new MIDI information or to generate new MIDI information in the apparatus in accordance with an instruction from the operation panel, and for outputting the altered or generated MIDI information to a tone generator to provide tone generation or the setting of a machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujita, Seiji Nakano, Katsushi Ishii
  • Patent number: 5466526
    Abstract: This invention relates to knitting and textile for underwear, socks and stockings comprising fiber containing metal, which includes fiber materials mixed-spun with 2-50% polyurethane elastic fiber to which platinum and at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, and titania are mixed as essential components. The metal oxides or platinum are mixed in the polyurethane elastic fiber to provide expandability. Electromagnetic radiation (far infrared radiation) liberated from the metal oxides is emitted in close contact with the human body, permitting infrared radiation to warm the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventor: Katsumi Magata
  • Patent number: 5464741
    Abstract: A phosphorescence assay system. The phosphorescent label for immunoassays is palladium (II) octaethylporphine alphaisothiocyanate. The labeling agent has a Stokes shift of not less than 150 nanometers. Method for preparing the palladium (II) phosphorescent label is also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Henwell, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Hendrix
  • Patent number: 5462075
    Abstract: The method relates to a method and a device for controlling the flow of a liquid. In a well (10) having at least one inlet (11) and one outlet (12) the areas of said inlet (11) is adjusted in dependence on the liquid level in said well (10) by a floating body (13) controlled by said level. Said well is provided with an inlet tube (15) ended by said inlet (11), and at least one outlet (12), a floating body (13) arranged movable in a vertical direction in said well (10), and a slide (14) arranged in said well (10) in front of said outlet (12), said inlet tube (15) and said slide (14) being movable in relation to each other in dependence of a movement of said floating body (13) so as to close adjustably by said slide said inlet (11) of said inlet tube (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Mats Persson
  • Patent number: 5457917
    Abstract: Modular roof panels having sloped top surfaces and flat bottom surfaces are interlocked in edge-to-edge relation to one another to form a monolithic roof where the roof is pitched to provide moisture run off but where the space covered by the roof has a ceiling that is not pitched. Thus, the side walls of the structure have a common height. In a first embodiment, the top and bottom surfaces of the panels are covered with a skin, and in a second embodiment only the top surface is so covered. The first embodiment is used in original roof construction and the second is used in roofover construction. In both embodiments, the core material is preferably expanded polystyrene and the skin is preferably metallic. The skins are bent to interlock contiguous panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Ramp R & D Co.
    Inventor: Michael J. Palmersten
  • Patent number: 5454156
    Abstract: An annular tool for insertion of stator coils to a stator includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced pivotally mounted cuff support fingers to facilitate separation of the tool from the stator after the coils have been inserted. The tool is in the form of an annular base member having a central opening that receives a conventional insertion tool. An annular shoulder formed in the base member supports a stator about its periphery during the coil insertion process. The cuff support fingers are biased into a position of repose where they extend radially inwardly into the central opening. When the coil insertion process is completed, the fingers pivot upwardly to allow the tool to slide downwardly with respect to the insertion tool so that the tool is separated from the stator and coils. The completed stator and coils and the tool are then removed from the insertion tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: Charles W. Morr
  • Patent number: 5454155
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for interconnecting with a lanyard a handle and lever arm of the type used in rapid inflation applications includes apparatus for impaling a first end of a lanyard with multiple spikes to secure the first end to a handle and further includes apparatus for sandwiching the second end of the lanyard between a plug and a bore formed in the lever arm. The lanyard handle is made with a channel having spike-receiving cavities along its extent, and the spikes on a spike-carrying strip impale the first end of the lanyard when the strip is press fit into the channel. At the opposite end of the lanyard, the bore and plug are flat and wedge-shaped in configuration so that pulling on the lanyard exerts a wedging action between the plug and bore to tighten the grip on the second end of the lanyard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: Glenn H. Mackel
  • Patent number: 5450684
    Abstract: A trigger shield sandwiches the trigger guard and trigger of a weapon between a base plate and a cover plate to prevent accidental discharge of the weapon. In a first embodiment, a plurality of posts tipped by resilient barbs interconnect the base and cover plates in sandwiching relation to the trigger guard and the plates cannot be separated until the barbs are compressed. A release plate for compressing the barbs is placed into overlying relation to the cover plate and the release and cover plates are then removed as a unit to remove the trigger shield from the weapon. In a second embodiment, the cover plates of a weapon handle are pivotally mounted to the handle so that they can pivot into shielding relation to the trigger guard. In a third embodiment, a single post has a first straight part that extends through apertures formed in the base and cover plates and includes a second part that flares out and locks in a cam over center configuration to prevent facile retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Jon H. Harris
  • Patent number: 5451092
    Abstract: A combination chaise lounge and massage table is easily and quickly convertible from one configuration into the other. A hollow pedestal provides the support for the lounge and the table and a storage space for the miscellaneous attachments that are used with the combination article of furniture. In the chaise lounge configuration, a plurality of elongate bias members that end in handles are removably mounted to the front end of the lounge and to the seat back so that numerous exercises may be performed. The seat and seat back of the lounge are hingedly mounted to one another and the seat back is hingedly mounted to the pedestal to enable facile positioning of the seat and seat back in a common plane. One end of the pedestal is elevated with respect to the other end so that the massage table is inclined from the horizontal to enhance its beneficial aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Arnold L. Gray
  • Patent number: 5448865
    Abstract: Panels having foam cores covered by metal skins are interlocked along their respective sides by forming bent parts in the metal skins that interlock with one another. A first interconnecting member is generally hook-shaped and projects outwardly. Its counterpart is also generally hook-shaped and extends inwardly. The counterpart slideably receives the first interconnecting member, transiently deforming as the first interconnecting member enters it, and returns to its position of repose when the first interconnecting member is fully received therewithin. The foam cores of abutting panels are also sculpted to interlock with one another. An elongate, channel-shaped stiffener member has a flat base and upstanding side walls, at opposite sides of the base, that are received within the area bounded by the hook-shaped outwardly projecting part of the first interconnecting member. This enables construction of modular panels of up to forty feet in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Inventor: Michael J. Palmersten
  • Patent number: 5447372
    Abstract: A basket is so disposed that a portion of the outer periphery thereof is faced to the inner peripheral wall on one side of the tank. The starting materials thrown from the hopper portion formed on the other side of the tank which is opposite to the above inner peripheral wall, are efficiently premixed by the secondary vanes that are rotating near the center of the tank under the basket. The grains of the blend are dispersed by the primary vanes that are rotating in the basket 20 and pass through the slits formed by numerous wires having a circular shape in cross section in the side wall of the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Araki Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Araki, Hideyuki Araki
  • Patent number: 5445386
    Abstract: A device is retrofit onto the striking face of an existing putter to change the characteristics of the striking face. In a first embodiment, the device includes a first part and a second part and the second part is bent at a ninety degree angle relative to the first part. The second part overlies a top edge of the existing putter to align the first part with the striking face of the existing putter. A first side of a double-sided pressure sensitive tape overlies the rear side of the first part and a second side of the tape is covered by a sheet of paper that is peeled off by a consumer when the device is to be attached to the existing putter. When the second side of the tape is exposed by peeling off the paper that covers it, the second side of the tape is placed into overlying relation to the striking surface of the putter to attach the first part of the device in overlying relation to the striking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventor: Perry C. Marshall
  • Patent number: D362819
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: John W. Stannard
  • Patent number: D363171
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Russ Kramer