Patents Represented by Law Firm Ross, Clapp, Korn & Montgomery
  • Patent number: 5584402
    Abstract: A rack for storing and dispensing a supply of bags incudes a base member. The base member includes a track extending between first and second ends of the base member. The rack has first and second ends and is adapted for supporting a supply of bags. The rack includes structure for engaging the track of the base member. The rack is slidable on the base member between a bag loading position in which the rack first end is disposed adjacent to the base member second end, and a bag storing and dispensing position in which the rack first end is disposed adjacent to the base member first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Vanguard Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Johnson
  • Patent number: 5584093
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the interior surfaces of an air duct includes a housing. A conduit having an intake opening at one end thereof and an exhaust opening at the opposite end thereof is coupled to the housing. Brushes are mounted to the housing for sweeping engagement with the interior surfaces of the air duct. A vacuum supply is provided to the conduit, such that dust and foreign matter which is loosened by the brushes is drawn into the conduit at the intake opening for transport to the exhaust opening. A video camera is mounted within the housing and spaced forward of the brushes for generating an image of the interior of the air duct. A display displays the image generated by the video camera during an air duct cleaning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Clean-Aire International, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph V. Melendres
  • Patent number: 5577808
    Abstract: A ground supported vehicle for excavating the ground is extremely large and must be dismantled into several sections in order to transport it down a roadway or a railway. The vehicle has a mid-section that is located between opposed ends. A digging apparatus wider than the vehicle is attached within a lower part of the vehicle mid-section, and can bear the entire weight of the vehicle in order to apply an unusually heavy load onto the digging apparatus. The digging apparatus is rotatable mounted on a massive shaft that is anchored at the center of gravity of the vehicle. Digging teeth are arranged on the outside surface of the digging apparatus so that the teeth dig into and excavates the ground when moved against the ground while rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Trencor, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry F. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 5573502
    Abstract: A display panel for use with a blood mixture fluid delivery system, which system has mechanisms for infusing blood mixture fluid to a patient and for controlling characteristics of the fluid delivery system. The display panel includes a visible schematic representation of a blood mixture fluid flow path through the fluid delivery system and visible displays of two or more of the controllable characteristics of the fluid delivery system, which visible displays are positioned along the schematic representation of the blood mixture fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Quest Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. LeCocq, Thomas C. Thompson, Kenneth A. Jones, Martyn Abbott, Albert M. Davis, Andrew P. Mattson
  • Patent number: 5569082
    Abstract: A method and system for playing a player interactive lottery type game includes a gaming piece which includes a predetermined code having data indicating whether the player wins or loses the game, the data being unrecognizable to the player, such that the player does not know the outcome of the game prior to play of the game. The code is entered by the player into a processor. The processor presents a game of chance to the player on a display for interactive play by the player, and the player controls game play by inputting game parameters to the processor. The processor controls the outcome of the game of chance played by the player based upon the code entered by the player. A display provides an indication to the player of a game win or a game loss based upon the code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventor: Perry Kaye
  • Patent number: 5566708
    Abstract: A valve connector system for attaching a metal or plastic valve to a plastic pipe, the system including a valve with an externally threaded inlet port, a tubular adapter having an annular flange and a sealing member, a threaded lock nut for attaching the adapter to the valve, and a tubular plastic coupling for use in cementing the free end of the tubular adapter to the free end of the plastic pipe. The annular flange of the tubular adapter preferably abuts against the open end of the valve inlet port and the annular sealing member provides a water-tight seal between the tubular adapter and the inside diameter of the valve inlet port. The threaded lock nut has female threads to engage the externally threaded valve inlet port and an annular flange that abuts against the back side of the annular flange on the tubular adapter to hold the sealing member of the tubular adapter in sealing engagement with the inside diameter of the valve inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: LSP Products Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Billy J. Hobbs, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5565633
    Abstract: A spiral pig apparatus is provided for axial movement through a pipe of the type having a cylindrical interior surface defining a central axis. The spiral pig apparatus includes a first and a second section coupled to each other for axial movement of both sections and for relative rotation between the first and second sections. A first plurality of wheels is attached to the first section. Each of the first plurality of wheels is attached at a first rolling angle, relative to the pipe axis for rolling contact with the interior surface of the pipe, and for supporting the first section spaced inward from the interior surface of the pipe. A second plurality of wheels is attached to the second section. Each of the second plurality of wheels is attached at a second rolling angle, relative to the pipe axis for rolling contact with the interior surface of the pipe. The second rolling angle is different from the first rolling angle of the first set of wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Timothy K. Wernicke
  • Patent number: 5564176
    Abstract: A kit is disclosed for use in replacing damaged hose segments of high pressure hydraulic hoses having press-fitted, straight or curved reusable end couplings. The disclosed kit includes at least one pair of support blocks; at least one mandrel having an outside diameter corresponding to the inside diameter of each hose segment to be replaced; at least one removal plate having a centrally disposed aperture corresponding to the outside diameter of each hose segment to be replaced, an elongated slot providing access to the aperture from one side of the plate, and a recess defining an annular shoulder around that portion of the aperture not communicating with the elongated slot; an adjustable pressure plate for use with hose assemblies having curved end couplings; and a U-shaped pusher bar for use with the adjustable pressure plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Sure Hydraulic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry S. Garcia, Lee R. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 5565162
    Abstract: A method of molding an article of fiber reinforced material includes a step of providing a mold in the shape of the article for receiving fiber material. The mold includes a top and a bottom. A source of liquid resin located exterior of the mold is provided. The liquid resin is supplied from the source to the bottom of the mold and contacts the fiber materials. The liquid resin is allowed to wick throughout the fiber material from the bottom of the mold to the top of the mold through capillary action while the source of liquid resin is moved from the bottom of the mold to the top of the mold thereby saturating the fiber material with the liquid resin. The liquid resin is then allowed to cure, and the article is then removed from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Composite Manufacturing & Research Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Foster
  • Patent number: 5561942
    Abstract: A hand-portable fire ant killing device for vaporizing liquid resmethrin and infusing vaporized resmethrin throughout a fire ant mound on ground includes a dome, sized for fitting over a fire ant mound to be exterminated, having a top and an interconnected lower lip for contacting the ground entirely around the fire ant mound and for forming a closed interior chamber above the ant mound, a lightweight, high temperature gas discharging device which is mounted on the top of the dome, a high temperature gas discharging manifold directed into the closed interior chamber between the dome and the ant mound, a tank for containing resmethrin without pressurization which is mounted on top of the dome and a metering chamber and conduit which are connected for delivering a predetermined amount of resmethrin by a force overcoming the pressure in the dome for vaporization therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Inventors: Matthew W. Mugno, John F. Mugno
  • Patent number: 5554013
    Abstract: A fluid infusion pump includes a disposable cassette having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid chamber between the inlet and the outlet. There is a fixed wall of the fluid chamber and a movable wall of the fluid chamber. A pump body receives the cassette in a fixed operating relationship such that an actuator in the pump body is activatable for reciprocal advancement and retraction with respect to the cassette and is adapted to confront the movable diaphragm when the cassette is received in the pump body. There is a detachable coupling between the actuator mounted in the pump body and the movable wall so that fluid is expelled from the fluid chamber on advancement of the actuator and positively drawn into the fluid chamber upon retraction of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: McGaw, Inc.
    Inventors: Dana J. Owens, Aaron Raines, Ed G. Rasmussen, David G. Ozinga, David J. Harrison, Carl R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5555163
    Abstract: A miniature light string display container for selectively displaying a plurality of light bulbs of a miniature light string in a desired arrangement, including a container with a front display panel having an array of regularly spaced mounting openings therethrough, which openings are sized for securely receiving light bulbs of a light string at least partially therethrough in a desired arrangement or pattern which is selectable on the array of mounting openings. The display container also includes a reversibly openable entry panel with a closed position and an open position, in which open position a rear surface of the display panel may be accessed. Electrical connection wire is extendable through the display container, when closed, for connecting the string of lights to an electrical power source, so that the pattern of inserted light bulbs is illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Richard R. Pisani
  • Patent number: 5551759
    Abstract: A dual use belly-dumping and end-dumping vehicle includes a frame mounted on wheels for transport and a pivotable hopper carried in the frame. A lower pivot element is mounted to the frame with a corresponding lower pivot engaging element mounted on the hopper. An upper pivot element is also mounted on the frame with a corresponding upper pivot engaging element mounted on the hopper. Lifting cylinders are mounted between sides of the frame and sides of the hopper for pivoting the hopper at the lower pivot element between a horizontally held position and a first angled position at which the hopper is disengaged from the lower pivoted element and engaged at the upper pivot element so that it is pivoted to a second angled position for dumping materials from the end of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: JHC Ventures, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregg M. Hoss, James E. Thompson, Thomas F. Johnson, Martin Kirbie, Andrew J. Speer, III
  • Patent number: 5549359
    Abstract: A dual use belly-dumping and end-dumping vehicle includes a frame mounted on wheels for transport and a pivotable hopper carried in the frame. The hopper is provided with angled side walls and end walls defining a top opening and a bottom opening. A pair of hopper bay doors are pivotably connected through a pair of pivot arms to the end walls of the hopper. The hopper bay doors have an inwardly pivoted position at which the hopper bay doors cover the bottom opening and an outwardly pivoted position at which the hopper doors pivot in opposite directions from each other to uncover at least part of the bottom opening. Each door of the pair of bay doors pivots about separated pivot points on the end walls, which pivot points are spaced apart from a center line of the hopper a predetermined distance which is less than one-half of the distance between the center line and each respective side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: JHC Ventures, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregg M. Hoss, James E. Thompson, Thomas F. Johnson, Martin Kirbie, Andrew J. Speer, III
  • Patent number: 5546978
    Abstract: A replacement faucet sprayer hose installation kit containing a hose segment having predetermined standard male and female fittings permanently attached to the opposite ends thereof, and a plurality of male and female adaptor fittings adapted to selectively interconnect the male and female hose fittings to the water outlet line of a faucet and to a pull-out faucet spray head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Plumbmaster, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Parker
  • Patent number: 5547051
    Abstract: A protective tote bag is for covering and carrying a briefcase of the type having a handle at the top and having a length, a height and a width defining a rectangular shape. The protective tote bag includes an enclosure which is formed of a protective fabric material and having two closed sides, two closed ends and a closed bottom defining a rectangular shape sufficiently large for accommodating the briefcase to be covered and with a closable opening along a top edge thereof. A support strap having a width corresponding to a minimum width of the briefcase to be covered is securely fastened as through stitching and along two ends extending around the bottom of the enclosure. A shoulder strap is securely fastened to the support strap at each end of the enclosure so that it extends above the closable opening at the top edge of the enclosure to form a loop which has a sufficient length for supporting the tote bag over a human being's shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventors: Martin D. Bartscht, Morgan S. Gibbens
  • Patent number: 5544977
    Abstract: A tool and method for splitting an existing underground polymeric pipe into a plurality of strips and for expanding the strips and the surrounding ground to permit replacement of the existing polymeric pipe along its length from an entry excavation to an exit excavation without excavating entirely along the length. The tool includes a nose sized smaller than a minimum inside diameter of the existing polymeric pipe, a blade unit attached to the nose having a plurality of cutting blades extending therefrom radially outward about an imaginary central axis, each of the plurality of cutting blades having a forward opened "V" shaped cutting edge sized larger than a maximum outside diameter of the existing polymeric pipe for cutting the existing polymeric pipe into strips along the length thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Lone Star Gas Company
    Inventors: Jerald A. Cravy, Clarence D. McCall
  • Patent number: D373395
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Chih-liang Chen
  • Patent number: D373756
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Chien-shu Chen
  • Patent number: D373948
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Gary Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis L. Etzel, David E. Moomaw, Andrew G. Avinger