Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Ronald E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6398959
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a unique apparatus and method for treating and reusing the wastewater discharged from agricultural animal farms. The apparatus and method of the present invention may be readily-sized and configured depending upon the amount and constituent(s) of the wastewater to be treated. In a first embodiment, the apparatus and method of the present invention is designed to be a zero discharge system in which no wastewater will be discharged or land applied. In use, the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may actually require addition of make-up water during periods of low rainfall to make up water losses due to evaporation and drift. It is contemplated that the only byproduct of the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may be a beneficial sludge if a sufficient number of installations are operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Agrimond, LLC
    Inventors: Alfredo J. Teran, John R. Derrick, Jr., Nidal A. Samad, W. Todd Willoughby, Richard G. Wood
  • Patent number: 6390123
    Abstract: A substantially leak-free bailer includes an improved valve assembly at its lowermost end. A valve body is mounted to the lowermost end of a valve stem and the valve stem is slideably received within and guided by a central bore formed on a support member that spans the hollow interior of the bailer at its lowermost end. The valve body may be hemispherical, frusto-conical, or elongate and downwardly tapered. The valve seat is configured to match the contour of the valve body. An annular ridge circumscribes the valve seat and serves as a barrier to particulate matter so that the valve body sits in the valve seat without interference from such particulate matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: David W. Pratt
  • Patent number: 6386411
    Abstract: A boat support apparatus includes a hitch member adapted to be secured in cantilevered relation to a trailer hitch of a vehicle. A center bar extends longitudinally from the hitch member and provides the base for the apparatus. A pair of transversely opposed front vertical supports and a pair of transversely opposed rear vertical supports are mounted in longitudinally spaced apart relation relative to one another on a pair of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced apart support beams. The support beams are connected in parallel relation to the center bar by transversely disposed cross supports that are supported at their respective mid-points by the center bar. The forward vertical supports have upper ends disposed at a higher elevation than upper ends of the rear vertical supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventors: Steven C. Gates, Richard H. Gates
  • Patent number: 6378695
    Abstract: A conveyance system has movable guide rails that can be positioned close to one another when small packages or articles are carried by the system or further apart from one another if the conveyed packages or articles are large. The spacing between the guide rails is controlled by a linkage arrangement that includes a center link mounted for conjoint rotation on a longitudinally disposed drive shaft. Each opposite end of the center link is pivotally attached to an outer link and the outboard end of each outer link is pivotally mounted to a slideably mounted mounting block to which is secured a rail support for holding a guide rail. The drive shaft is rotated manually through a control knob or the rotation is performed by a reversible motor. Alternatively, a bell crank rotates the drive shaft in a first direction to cause convergence of the guide rails and in a second, opposite direction to cause divergence of the guide rails. In a second embodiment, the conveyor system has a curvature formed in it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Rhett L. Rinne
  • Patent number: 6376951
    Abstract: 13A cover for a marine generator that attenuates the noise produced by the generator when operating and shields the generator from overhead water damage. The cover includes a substantially water resistant flat top wall having a layer of sound-absorbing material secured to its underside. The flat top wall is supported by four leg members and is disposed in closely spaced apart relation to the top of the generator. Some parts of the generator can be serviced when the flat top wall is locked into place and all parts of the generator can be serviced when the flat top wall is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Tampa Armature Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall R. Moore
  • Patent number: 6374627
    Abstract: A data center having multiple rows of computer racks for holding heat-generating computer equipment is cooled by a liquid overfeed air conditioning unit that provides supply air at a temperature of about forty degrees Fahrenheit (40° F. or lower). The air conditioning unit is positioned outside the data center. Ducting from the heat exchanger outlet of the unit is connected to supply registers mounted in aisles that are provided between the rows of computer racks so that very cold supply air enters the space between the racks. Each computer rack includes vertically spaced compartments that house computer components to be cooled. At least one circulation fan is associated with each compartment and causes supply air to flow through the compartment to cool the components. The supply air gradually warms as it flows through successive compartments and is approximately 72° Fahrenheit when it reaches a return register in the ceiling of the data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventors: Donald J. Schumacher, William C. Beckman
  • Patent number: 6375582
    Abstract: A training device worn by a golfer includes a first shoe retainer that is secured to a first shoe of the golfer and a second shoe retainer that is secured to a second shoe of the golfer. In a first embodiment, a housing is pivotally mounted to a toe end of the first retainer and a post is mounted to the toe end of the second retainer. An axle is rotatably mounted in the housing and a first tape measure is coiled about the axle and has a first end secured to the axle. A second tape measure is coiled about the axle and has a first end secured to the axle in diametrically opposed relation to the first end of the first tape measure. The axle is biased so that both tape measures are coiled about it when in repose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: George P. Harris
  • Patent number: 6368308
    Abstract: A syringe has a slide member slideably mounted on the barrel of the syringe, and the slide member is interconnected to a plunger that is slideably mounted in the barrel so that movement of the slide member effects simultaneous and corresponding movement of the plunger. This allows a syringe operator to perform aspiration and injection in sequence with one-handed operation of the syringe. The slide member is mounted near the leading end of the barrel in trailing relation to the leading end of the plunger so that the operator can see the leading end of the plunger and control its instantaneous position by sliding the slide member with a thumb or finger. The hand position of the syringe operator does not change, assuring that precise needle positioning can be made and maintained even during procedures such as sclerotherapy where needle positioning is critical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Michael E. Nerney
  • Patent number: 6361568
    Abstract: A prosthetic device having a socket adapted to receive an amputee's limb is provided. A sleeve is adapted to overlap the juncture between the socket and the amputee's limb. The sleeve includes an air outlet valve to permit air to escape when the amputee's limb is inserted into the sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve is a resilient air-permeable member that creates a partial vacuum between the limb and the socket to securely retain the prosthetic device to the amputee's limb. The sleeve and valve arrangement of the present invention permits an amputee to comfortably and effectively wear a prosthetic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Alps South Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Hoerner
  • Patent number: 6350244
    Abstract: A bioabsorbable marker is placed in soft tissue such as breast tissue near a lesion during a biopsy procedure. If tests prove the lesion to be malignant, the marker indicates the location of the lesion and the marker is removed surgically together with the lesion. If tests prove the lesion to be benign, there is no need to surgically remove the marker due to its bioabsorbability. One or more markers may be carried in an elongate, flexible marker carrier that is ensheathed within an elongate, flexible outer sheath. The flexible outer sheath is slidingly introduced into the proximal end of a biopsy needle until its distal free end protrudes from a port formed in the distal end of the biopsy needle. Retraction of the outer sheath relative to the marker carrier then exposes the marker carrier. The markers exit the marker carrier under their own inherent bias or an auxiliary bias is employed to eject them from the marker carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Biopsy Sciences, LLC
    Inventor: John S. Fisher
  • Patent number: 6346000
    Abstract: Stacked computer modules are mechanically and electrically interlocked by relative rotation between a top plate of a lower module and a bottom plate of an upper module. Each module has a unique shape that identifies it as being compatible with other modules of the same shape. A pair of diametrically opposed sockets extend radially from a central hub that depends from a vent aperture formed in the bottom plate of the top unit. Upon rotation of the upper unit, these sockets respectively engage a pair of diametrically opposed plugs secured to a bottom wall of the top plate of the lower module. The interconnection of sockets and plugs provides electrical and data communication between the modules as well as a mechanical interconnection. One socket/plug combination is dedicated to power and the other socket/plug combination is dedicated to data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Tom Orr
  • Patent number: 6322439
    Abstract: A hatch for venting enclosed spaces has at least one carriage slideably mounted on a circular track so that the hatch may be opened in any direction to provide maximal ventilation. The circular track has a “T”-shaped cross-section that is slideably engaged by the carriage. The carriage carries a lockable hinge that interconnects the carriage and a hatch door. In operation, the carriage is moved around the track until the hatch door is oriented with respect to wind so that an optimal amount of air is directed by the hatch door into the enclosed space to be ventilated. The carriage can be locked into position at any preselected point on the track. The lock is spring-loaded and it is therefore easy to unlock the carriage and re-position it when the wind changes directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Robert C. David
  • Patent number: 6316845
    Abstract: A portable, battery-operated AC electromagnetic yoke for detecting surface defects in ferrous materials by employing an AC magnetic field. The yoke includes a circuit that produces a quasi AC square wave voltage. The resulting AC magnetic field is the required inspection method of common practice and is capable of demagnetizing upon completion of inspection. A first bank of batteries supplies approximately sixty volts positive DC and a second bank of batteries supplies approximately sixty volts negative DC to power transistors that are in electrical communication with the yoke. Logic circuitry is employed to switch the respective banks of batteries on and off to simulate an AC circuit. The logic circuit includes a clock for generating pulses that are fed to a phase splitter circuit and to a delay and pulse shaping circuit. The respective outputs of those circuits are fed to logic gates that are in electrical communication with a voltage level shifting circuit that triggers the power drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Parker Research Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Morrow
  • Patent number: 6305532
    Abstract: A travel tray includes a flat support surface having a raised lip extending around its peripheral edge. A concave front wall is configured and dimensioned to accommodate the natural abdominal curvature of a user's torso. An aperture is formed in the support surface to receive a tapered beverage container of relatively large size. An adaptor is detachably secured to an annular raised lip that circumscribes the aperture. The adaptor reduces the diameter of the aperture so that it can accommodate a beverage container of smaller size. The adaptor ring is stored beneath the travel tray when not in use. The annular raised lip that circumscribes the aperture prevents spilled food or liquids from entering the aperture and spilling onto the user's lap. The raised lip that extends around the peripheral edge of the flat support surface provides the same function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Scott T. Overkamp
  • Patent number: 6296801
    Abstract: An endotracheal tube having utility in one lung ventilation has a curvature of predetermined radius formed in its distal end so that it is easily introducible into a left bronchus or a right bronchus of a trachea. The curvature is produced by first inserting a straight copper tube into the distal free end of a conventional straight endotracheal tube. The copper tube is then bent into the desired radius of curvature and the distal end of the endotracheal tube is inserted into an oven at a temperature of about one hundred seventy degrees to soften the thermoplastic materials of which the endotracheal tube is made. After the thermoplastic materials have softened and conformed to the curvature of the copper tube, the distal end is allowed to cool and the copper tube is then removed therefrom. When cooled, the distal end of the endotracheal tube maintains its curvature when the copper tube is withdrawn due to the thermoplastic quality of the materials from which the endotracheal tube is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Leonides Y. Teves
  • Patent number: 6286880
    Abstract: A bailer that is substantially leak-free includes an improved valve assembly at its lowermost end. In a first embodiment, a valve body in the form of a hemispherical ball is mounted at the lowermost end of a straight valve stem. The hemispherical ball seats in a valve seat that matches the contour of the hemispherical exterior surface of the ball. In a second embodiment, the valve body and the matching valve seat are both frusto-conical in configuration. In a third embodiment, the valve body and matching valve seat are tapered downwardly to form an elongate, narrow slot. A fourth embodiment adds a guide member to the third embodiment structure to ensure seating of the downwardly tapering valve body in its valve seat. In all embodiments, the valve stem is slideably received within and guided by a central bore formed in a support member that spans the hollow interior of the lowermost end of the bailer, and the valve body is covered with a cushioned material of uniform thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: David W. Pratt
  • Patent number: 6283816
    Abstract: A miniature kite that flies indoors or outdoors is made by cutting a small piece of tissue paper into any preselected shape, including the shape of a standard diamond-shaped kite. Toothpick-like sticks serve as the frame of the miniature kite and are adhered to a first side of the kite body to form a frame that maintains the preselected shape. Two elongate ribbons are secured to one another at their respective leading ends and are secured to the trailing end of the kite body. In a first embodiment, a string is attached to a triangular flap that is adhered to a second side of the kite body. The flap is folded at its base so that it lies in a plane perpendicular to the kite body when functioning. In a second embodiment, a unique tool is used to facilitate the kite-making process. The tool includes a pair of laterally spaced apart upstanding posts mounted on a base. The end of a kite string is looped around the posts and tied into a knot to form a loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Ricardo Pascual
  • Patent number: D456254
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Michael G. Cousin
  • Patent number: D458098
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Mark Hastings
  • Patent number: D458341
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: David W. Pratt