Patents Represented by Attorney Roy E. Mattern, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5054299
    Abstract: Jewelry, having no fasteners, is made initially in a planar form of a molded rubber or a molded rubber-like plastic material, having, essentially throughout a central portion thereof, bendable metal. This bendable metal is preferably composed of one or more readily bendable wires, such as hay bailing wire. The ends of the wire are preferably folded back to create overall blunt end portions of these wires. The bendable metal, when bent to a desired configuration, stays in that configuration, until changed by the wearer of this bendable jewelry. The exterior of the metal when covered by the moldable material remains well below the surfaces of the moldable material. The bendable metal has a high fatigue life. This bendable jewelry, so made, is conveniently manipulated and worn by all persons, and especially by children, and also especially by arthritic persons of all ages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: Susan C. Maveety
  • Patent number: 5041040
    Abstract: A motorboat is controlled by a following water skier, when he or she is solo waterskiing, without the assistance of any driver. Optionally, a driver may operate the motorboat while towing a water skier, and an observing passenger is viewing the water skier. Optionally, a driver may operate the motorboat, with or without a passenger, and not towing a water skier. Motorboat operational controls, located both at the control center of the motorboat and on the skier's tow handle include: start and stop the motor; increase or decrease of throttle settings; select cruise speeds; turn left or right; actuate horn; automatic switches to stop engine when water skier removes his or her hands from tow rope handle and/or falls. The control signals are transmitted via electronic circuit wires extending throughout the center of a tow rope assembly and beyond. Optionally, control signals are transmitted by ultra high frequencies and related signal equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Inventors: Ronald O. Jones, Wayne T. Yutani, David E. Bender
  • Patent number: 5038622
    Abstract: A strain gage assembly is secured between two initially longitudinal locations on the exterior of a flexible elongated member, such as a steel structural cable, or an electrical transmission cable, or a glass fiber optic communication cable, to thereafter upon the subsequent pre-stressing and/or the possible excessive straining of the cable, create an observable or transmittable reading of the excess tensile and torsional strain being sustained by the flexible elongated member. This assembly, in one embodiment, has an in line arrangement of a vibrating wire strain gage, the vibrating wire thereof secured to a calibrated coiled spring, in turn secured to an inner tube shaft, in turn telescopically fitted within an outer tube shaft, secured to the vibrating wire strain gage. Using two spaced securement means, this strain gage assembly is secured to the exterior of a flexible elongated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Inventor: Willem B. Tijmann
  • Patent number: 5033131
    Abstract: An infant or small child stands on an adjustable height platform within a containment in the form of a hollow support while being showered with water, via a flexible hose or tube from an existing water supply, to a shower spray nozzle adjustably affixed to the shower containment's sidewall. The shower spray nozzle adjusts vertically to direct water spray at various levels on the infant or small child's body. The shower spray nozzle is easily removable for hand held use and even more precise control of the water spray. The invention is adapted for support on a single rail of a conventional bathtub, and adjustable to fit various width tub rails. The invention alternatively stands on three legs providing for use in a conventional shower stall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Inventor: Jack R. Paden
  • Patent number: 5018564
    Abstract: A fabric is cut, sewn, and furnished with Velcro or other hook and loop fastener portions to become a cover to be removably positioned about a drive mechanism of a bicycle to protect this drive mechanism from the accumulation of dirt. A back elevational side of this fabric cover has spaced circular cuts with access cuts to these spaced circular cuts, thereby forming an access flap. These cuts accommodate the fitting of this back elevational side about both the rear axle and the pedal axle, and alongside the drive chain and the sprocket of a bicycle. After the fitting of this back elevational side about a rear axle and a pedal axle, Velcro fastener portions are used to keep the access cuts closed together when this cover is in use. A front side, which is continuous throughout, is thereafter secured to the back elevational side, where not previously initially sewn together to make this cover, by using components of Velcro fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventors: Gregory V. Anglin, Robert W. Richmond
  • Patent number: 5016387
    Abstract: A fishing lure has a tear shaped buoyant body to which reflective surfaced fins are secured. The fins are made of a material having a memory to always return to their original shape and contour. The fins may be composed of a clear material with a Mylar laminate. The fins are secured in positions to cause the spinning of the buoyant body when the body is pulled through the water. The finned lure creates flashes via the reflective surfaces when pulled. The fishing lure is threaded along the leader using a central longitudinal hole thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventor: Paul A. Beaupre
  • Patent number: 4990244
    Abstract: Processes and apparatuses are provided for hygienically returning for reuse in subsequent manufacturing processes, the original liquid absorbing materials and moisture sealing materials of used single use collecting and/or absorbing products, previously worn by infants or adults to absorb urine and/or to collect feces. These human wastes are washed out from single use diapers, one use adult diapers, and other like purpose products, and directed into municipal sewer systems, or other systems ending in the treatment of sewage. These used single use collecting and/or absorbing products are heated to reach temperatures high enough to liquidize adhesives originally used, where necessary, to hold together the original liquid absorbing materials and moisture sealing materials, and then the liquidized adhesives are drained clear of these materials. Preferably, this removal of adhesives is completed during the washing of these one use products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Gene F. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4979612
    Abstract: The professional or do-it-yourself person, i.e. woodworker or metalworker, while working on wood and/or metal projects, has a handy tool for cutting production sandpaper and emery paper, supplied commerically in sheets of approximately nine by eleven inches, and for storing both new sandpaper sheets and still usable used sandpaper sheets or emery sheets, keeping them in a ready supply of flattened sandpaper or emery sheets, avoiding any curling of the new or used sandpaper or emery sheets. This tool is a container having a top and bottom with a 180 degree opening hinge along one common side, with all the other common sides, when closed, contacting one another, to complete the full enclosure of this tool for the convenient carrying and storing thereof, while keeping the sandpaper and/or emery paper flattened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Inventor: Roger H. Melbye
  • Patent number: 4970464
    Abstract: When observing or setting changeable positions of respective movable components of a machine, such as movable saws of a multiple cut sawing machine, each linear position-displacement transducer used has the wave guide housing thereof, made of sufficient length to receive, instead of one permanent magnet, several overall cylindrical electromagnets serving as flux generators. Each electromagnet: has a centered hole, to permit the movement thereof along the wave guide; and has four electromagnets equally radially spaced in a radial plane, with their commonly positioned north poles, forming an overall central north pole, surrounding the center hole, which is formed by a non ferrous tube, and with their radially spaced south poles being adjacent to an encircling soft iron band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Inventor: Jack Williams
  • Patent number: 4955641
    Abstract: For use in underground sealed liquid distribution systems, embodiments of pipe seals are used to seal between various components used, such as pipes to manholes, pipes to reservoirs, pipes to pipes, repair couplings to pipes, couplings to corrugated pipe and between corrugated pipes, and tee connections to sewer pipes. In each embodiment of a pipe seal, a circumferential seal is initially substantially inserted in a circular receiving volume of a circular positioner. In some embodiments of these pipe seals, each circular positioner has two circular receiving volumes, each one receiving a circumferential seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventor: Larry G. Dent
  • Patent number: 4951923
    Abstract: When insulated electrical wires are to be drawn into electrical junction boxes and beyond through metal electrical conduit boxes, an electrical wire guide, made of plastic, serves to first guide the hook end of a metal fish tape out of a junction box, and then to guide its return carrying with it one or more insulated electrical wires through the electrical metal conduit to the next junction box. The electrical wire guide directs the insulated electrical wire or wires into and out of the electrical junction box without these wires making any direct contact with the junction box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Inventor: Richard P. Couture
  • Patent number: 4946388
    Abstract: A dental articulator, having an interim used tripod, reproduces the relationships of the jaws and teeth of respective dental patients. Their upper or maxillary jaw and their lower or mandibular jaw dental casts are positionable in their neuromuscular resting position, or in their full teeth contacting centric occlusion position. Lower and upper trays, are formed like art portions of full display dental casts, and adjustably connected together in opposed disposition, by a U shaped rigid upright support. Dental plaster is used to position and to secure the lower dental cast in the lower tray, while also using, during this interim, a tripod especially preadjusted to the cant of the occlusal plane of a patient's teeth, as determined and recorded from an observance of a patient's lateral cephalometric head X-ray film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Inventor: Wayne A. Bolton
  • Patent number: 4943075
    Abstract: A pair of wheeled skate-skis, equipped with hand moved operating control cables to initiate bicycle wheel type caliper operated frictional braking pads contacting wheel rim sides to slow down and/or to stop, are provided for use by a sportsperson who enjoys skating-skiing on the level, going uphill, and/or coasting downhill. To further improve the sportsperson's control of his or her overall movement, while on these wheeled skate-skis, his or her sport shoes, are conveniently, removably, and securely, positioned on these wheeled skate-skis by wraparound binding portions, which during skating and skiing movements are held firmly in place by using "Velcro" or "Dual Lock" fasteners or like functional fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Inventor: Patrick G. Gates
  • Patent number: 4928977
    Abstract: A toy for throwing, bouncing, and catching has a cylindrical padded hand gripped rod, which extends at each end to and partially into respective high bounce balls. The balls each have a cylindrical recess with a respective clearance tapered entry, formed from a previous spherical portion of a high bounce ball, or so directly formed upon molding the initial form of the respective high bounce ball. Such clearance tapered entry of each high bounce ball improves the recovery of each ball during and after being impacted under striking load conditions, and thereby improves the longevity of the high bounce balls and the overall toy. A padded sleeve conforming to the hand gripped cylindrical rod has tapered ends to also provide clearances, where the padded hand gripped rod meets the high bounce balls, to likewise improve the longevity of the overall toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Inventor: Timothy D. Chambers
  • Patent number: 4914856
    Abstract: A bait container is made from acryloitrile butadiene styrene, known as ABS, plastic tubing and ABS plastic sheets, the latter preferably being white. Cut circular white ends are adhesively secured in place at the ends of the cut tubing, during the assembly of this bait container. A panel of the cut tubing is cut away to create an entry for the bait. The panel is pivoted back into place to contain the bait. A latching of a handle, secured to the panel, keeps the panel in place. In other portions of the hollow cylindrical body, formed by the closed end cut tube, closely spaced radial slots are formed to controllably release the bait, while keeping many forms of marine life from entering into the interior of this bait container. A stainless steel rod or wire extends throughout the bait container and beyond, terminating in hooks, which are adapted to receive holders positioning this bait container within a crustacean trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Inventor: Garrett R. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 4903796
    Abstract: Work supports, which are quickly assembled and quickly knocked down, are used singly and with others, with and without accessories, for many purposes. When not in use, these work supports are conveniently carried and stored. Each work support has a pair of leg assemblies, wherein each leg has an overall planar triangular shape made of continuous pipe, arranged, via bending, with a horizontal lower pipe side for ground or floor contact, and two upstanding opposite slanting pipe sides, which are secured by welding to the underside of a large pipe. This larger pipe serves as a horizontal cross bar sleeve. Eac triangular planar shaped continuous pipe leg is positioned at a five degree cant with the horizontal cross bar sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Inventors: William A. Magyar, Jack R. Sloboden
  • Patent number: 4879965
    Abstract: Airport twenty-four hour pilot information markers are provided to tell the pilot: upon takeoff or landing how many feet of runway remain; before takeoff or after landing what taxiway he or she is to follow; what is the direction, inboard, outboard, north, south, east, or west, etc.; what is the intersection; what is the holding position; and/or what is the destination; etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Inventor: Irvin L. Valley
  • Patent number: 4875296
    Abstract: An anatomical measuring device for the convenient, quick, and accurate, measuring of the respective circumferences of portions of one's body is provided by attaching a measuring tape, so the zero dimension of the tape is at the zero dimension of an elongated planar finger held handle on the inside planar surface of the handle, then looping the tape about the circumference of a selected portion of one's body guiding the free end of the tape from the outside planar surface down through a transverse slot in the planar handle, guiding the free end of the tape from the inside planar surface back up through another transverse slot spaced from the first transverse slot in the planar handle, thereafter pulling the tape until the tape snugly fits around the selected portion of one's body, and remains frictionally positioned about the elongated planar finger held handle and then reading the circumferential dimension being sought, at the location where the measuring tape bears against the zero dimension of the elongated
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Inventors: John P. Holzmeister, June Holzmeister
  • Patent number: 4867426
    Abstract: An archer's fletching jig is supported by an arrow, on which pre-shaped fletching material is to be arranged at preselected radial spacings of either four fletches at 90 degrees, three fletches at 120 degrees, or four fletches at the combined 75 degrees and 105 degrees, and then to be accurately adhered on the arrow shaft. Different molded part embodiments of these arrow held fletching jigs, each arranged for a specific radial spacing of fletches, all have a respective arrow upper end cap. The latter has a centrally located upstanding nock alignment pin, and the former has a centrally located hole to surround an arrow shaft. On any flat surface, the arrow lower end cap is placed to receive and to hold the nock of an upright positioned shaft of an arrow. Then respective clamp receivers are selectively spaced about the upstanding arrow shaft, and then depending ends are tapered to match a tapered upstanding receiving interior volume of the arrow lower end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventor: Gary D. Mellick
  • Patent number: D305878
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Inventor: Victor L. Schneider