Patents Represented by Law Firm Ryan, Kees & Hohenfeldt
  • Patent number: 5624159
    Abstract: A narrow seating device or chair including a support caddy having lockable ground engaging caster wheels and a seat portion for a patient undergoing a medical test. The seat portion is mounted on the support caddy and tiltable to a plurality of tilt positions. The seat portion has a convexly curved surface which rests on spaced apart rollers on the upper side of the support caddy to enable tilting. A linear actuator having a first end attached to the support caddy and a second end connected to the seat portion provides for tiltable movement of the seat relative to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Vess Chairs, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Celoni, Judith I. Kulpa, Michael F. Conmy
  • Patent number: 5549108
    Abstract: A cardiac diagnosis and treatment system comprises a support carrying at least two electrodes. A conductor is associated with the support for selectively directing electrical signals to and from each electrode. The conductor includes a first buss for delivering power from an external power source, a second buss for transmitting electrode signals to an external signal processor, and a third buss for receiving control signals from an external signal source to multiplex the electrode signals from the electrodes through the second buss. A conduction line conducts power, control signals, and electrode signals from the external sources to the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart D. Edwards, Thomas F. Kordis, David K. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5469346
    Abstract: A device which can be set to start a light flashing unattended at a predetermined time. The device includes a light and a battery, together with a small electronic clock. The clock has a display for displaying a time, a memory for holding a settable alarm time, and alarm output terminals for outputting a signal at a pre-established time stored in the memory. An electronic control circuit receives the signal from the clock at the pre-established time, and causes the light to begin flashing at that time. In the embodiment shown here, the control circuit flashes the light for a predetermined time, and then turns the light off. In this embodiment the device includes a casing, and a switch mounted in the casing and electrically connected between the battery and the light. By this switch, the light can be turned on and off in a manner generally conventional for a flashlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Paul R. Haut
    Inventors: Paul R. Haut, William Schuster
  • Patent number: 5464461
    Abstract: A filter assembly for a coolant air stream flowing through an LRU box has a base frame with a large opening superimposed on the perforated top surface of the box. A filter element is superimposed over the opening and a cover having a large opening is hinged to the base frame and latched thereto with its opening aligned with the other opening. The filter assembly is clamped by means of a harness to the LRU box with a clamping band that wraps around one end of the LRU box and one end portion of the base frame simultaneously. Spring tensioned cable sections attach to the band and extend diagonally along the sides of the LRU box and then through eyelets on the opposite end portion of the base frame so the cable develops a vertical component of force for clamping the assembly to the LRU box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Electronic Cable Specialists, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Whitson, William K. Siebert, Kenneth B. Raihala
  • Patent number: 5464495
    Abstract: Containers are transported on rotatable support plates which are arranged in a circle on a rotating turntable. The leading edge of a label is adhered to a container as it orbits past a vacuum-type label transfer drum. A curved guide which is tangential to the cylindrical body of the container as the orbiting and rotating container passes it causes the label to wrap completely around the container. One of a circular array of heat sealing elements which are rotating with the turntable adjacent each support plate is cammed radially outwardly of the turntable into contact with the region on the container where the trailing end overlaps the leading end of the cable. This fuses the ends of the labels together. The cam profile is adjustable in length to keep the time during which the heat sealing member is in contact with the label ends overlap constant independently of the rotational speed of the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Krones AG Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Erich Eder
  • Patent number: 5447080
    Abstract: A sampling cavity for sampling molten metals includes a cavity body for receiving a measured sample of a molten metal, and, an insert containing a material for promoting carbide formation in the molten metal as it cools, the insert being in the form of an enclosed capsule formed of thin polymeric walls containing the material in finely divided solid form. The insert may be adhered within a fill inlet passage or attached at the bottom of a cup sampler having an open top either by being adhered directly to the cavity surface or by being supported in a supporting means such as a pair of fingers projecting from the bottom of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Midwest Instrument Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Falk
  • Patent number: 5444466
    Abstract: The problem of getting inked printing applied to and permanently adhered to a fluorocarbon insulation material on wires or the surface of a fluorocarbon sheath covering a plurality of twisted insulated wires where the sheath also becomes twisted and contoured is overcome by treating the fluorocarbon surface with an electrical corona to etch it and alter its surface characteristics and then printing the desired information on the sheath with an ink jet printer which can reach into the depressions in the sheath which result from the sheath being twisted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Electronic Cable Specialists, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Smyczek, Youssef Azmani, Jerry R. Harrison
  • Patent number: 5443327
    Abstract: A reusable support structure for installing a trench liner in a trench formed in the ground, and a method for doing so. The support structure includes a crossbar having two ends and spanning the trench. The top end of a threaded rod is adjustably connected to the crossbar by a nut threaded onto the rod above the crossbar. The bottom end of the threaded rod is connected to the bottom or floor portion of the liner by a nut threaded onto the rod below the bottom floor portion of the liner, the threaded rod thus passing through the liner floor. A plurality of these trench liners are installed in the trench, and are connected together by one or more tabs at one end of each trench liner that coact with the opposite end of the next adjacent trench liner to connect the two trench liners together. The top nut then rests on the crossbar, supporting the rod, and in turn the trench liner, at the proper height in the trench, the height being adjustable by turning the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Neenah Foundry Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Akkala, Andy Aylward, Tim J. Koller
  • Patent number: 5442728
    Abstract: An interactive patient assistance device houses a compartment for storing a testing device. A delivery mechanism makes the testing device available to the patient in response either to a prescribed schedule stored in resident memory or upon a command signal from the patient. The schedule may also be altered by a prescribed command issued by the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: HealthTech Services Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Kaufman, Shelly Hyland, Michael A. Lesczynski, Calvin L. Bryant
  • Patent number: 5441378
    Abstract: A dolly which can be easily placed under a snowmobile, to lift the front end of the snowmobile for easy movement and storage. The dolly includes a support frame, rollably supported on casters. A lift lever is pivotably attached to the support frame. A contact pad is mounted to a lift end of the lift lever, for contacting the underside of the snowmobile. The lift lever can move the contact pad between two positions, a raised position and a lowered position. The lift lever includes a latch for latching the lever with the contact pad in the raised position. An extension lever is removably attached to a lever end of the lift lever, to give additional leverage for lifting the snowmobile. Various embodiments are disclosed to accommodate structural differences among various makes and models of snowmobiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: Craig Puls
  • Patent number: 5441142
    Abstract: Containers such as bottles are conveyed on a conveyor belt in single file between parallel infeed guide rails above its laterally opposite edges to a transition region where the parallel guide rails become confluent with smoothly S-shaped transition side rails that diverge but ultimately become parallel in a container discharge region with the conveyor belt running centrally between them. A flexible and swingable diverter blade has one end fastened down stream of the transition region and has a slider on its other freely movable end. The slider is guided on a rod that extends across and above in the belt in the upstream transition region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Krones AG Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Egon Schneider
  • Patent number: 5441079
    Abstract: A plurality of manifold valve assemblies each including a generally vertical valve cylinder having an inlet port at its top and at least two outlet ports near its bottom. A single actuator valve is fitted for closing each of the ports, each including a valve actuator, an actuator rod attached to and actuatable by the actuator, one end of the rod projecting outward from the actuator, and at least one valve plug attached to the projecting end of the actuator rod. Two of the three valves have rods that are coaxial with each other, the rods being independently actuatable by their respective actuators, both closing in the same direction so that no valve cage or bonnet is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Tri-Clover, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Zimmerly
  • Patent number: 5439024
    Abstract: A gate valve assembly is provided which includes a valve body having a fluid passage extending laterally therethrough which has an inlet end and an outlet end, with means at the inlet end and at the outlet end to connect the valve body to a fluid conveying conduit. The passage has a bottom surface coplanar with the bottom of the conduit and is free of recesses capable of preventing the drainage of liquids. An axially extending valve chamber intersects the passage and is disposed perpendicularly to the axis of the passage, the chamber having an elliptical cross-section with its widest dimension perpendicular to the passage. An axially and non-rotationally movable valve member is fitted closely within the chamber and has an internal, downwardly tapered hard, core member formed of metal, glass ceramic or hard plastic material. The core is surrounded by an elastomeric elliptically cross-sectioned outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Tri-Clover, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Zimmerly
  • Patent number: 5440294
    Abstract: A system for remotely sensing the delivery of mail to a mailbox uses a transmitter mounted on the mailbox. The transmitter generates a prescribed signal when the door of the mailbox is opened. The system also uses a receiver adapted for placement at a location remote from the transmitter. The receiver has two receiving circuits. The first receiver circuit generates a mail arrival output in response to receipt of the prescribed signal from the transmitter. The first receiver circuit maintains the generation of the mail arrival output regardless of continued receipt of the prescribed signal, until receipt of a prescribed termination command entered by the user. This way, the user knows when the mailbox door has been opened. The second receiver circuit generates a receiver locator output separate from the mail arrival output in response to receipt of the prescribed signal from the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventors: Ellen L. Mercier, Carl E. Mercier
  • Patent number: 5435584
    Abstract: A frame having rear suspension system for a two-wheel cycle such as a bicycle or motorbike. The suspension system includes a tubular shock absorber whose outer tubular housing is integrated into a cast or machined lower lug. Several of the main frame tubes and the pedal shaft bearings are also mounted to this lug. By integrating the outer tube of the shock absorber into the tube junction lug, a substantial savings in weight and components is obtained in the chassis assembly while still providing a suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Buell Motor Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik F. Buell
  • Patent number: 5429321
    Abstract: A device for receiving, storing and redispensing a flexible elongated article having a circular cross-section with a generally uniform diameter such as a rope, electrical cord or hose is provided. The devices have a body portion containing a slot for sequentially receiving single loops of the elongated article. A bracket, slot or aperture is provided as means for attaching the device to a supporting surface. The supporting surface can be a wall or post, a belt worn around the waist of a person, or, in the case of an electrical cord, a portion of the cord adjacent to an electrical appliance to which it is attached. The width of the slot at its narrowest portion is sufficiently less than the diameter of the elongated article to restrain movement thereof along the lineal axis of the elongated article while permitting insertion and removal of the article in said slot in a direction perpendicular to that axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: H. Kurt Skyba
  • Patent number: 5427444
    Abstract: A directional detector for use with a mobile storage system including at least a first movable storage unit with a prime mover adapted to move the shelving unit along a path of movement, and at least one blocking object, such as a second movable storage unit, a stationary storage unit or a wall, positioned on the path, there being an aisle formed therebetween. The directional detector detects the entry of an obstacle into the aisle and prevents movement of the first unit until the obstacle is detected to have left the aisle. The detector includes two light source-detector pairs, the source and detector of each pair mounted to each of the first unit and the blocking object on opposite sides of the aisle, and facing each other. A control unit is connected to the light detectors of the pairs and receives signals therefrom, indicating whether or not the detectors are receiving light from the sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Spacesaver Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick J. Griesemer
  • Patent number: 5427126
    Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning a plurality of service tanks located at different sites spaced widely apart from each other. A set of storage tanks is located at one site, for storing cleaning solutions, each cleaning solution being recirculated through a respective recirculating line from each storage tank. The cleaning system further includes cleaning stations, one for each service tank assembly, each located close to its respective service tank assembly, each cleaning station having a connection to each recirculating line. Each cleaning station includes a wash/motive tank for a washing liquid, a rinse tank for a rinsing liquid, and an outlet line leading from each of the wash/motive tank and the rinse tank. Liquid is conveyed from the outlet lines of the wash/motive tank and rinse tank to the respective service tank assembly via a feed line. A return line is adapted to return liquid from the respective service tank assembly. An eductor has a vacuum opening connected to the return line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Tri-Clover, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Carney, Richard Kramer
  • Patent number: 5425196
    Abstract: A device for attaching fishing bait to a supporting surface such as a belt worn around a fisherman's waist includes a hook which is attached to a flexible strap. The strap has a pair of opposed broad sides, each of which are juxtaposed to a lid. The lids and the strap are secured to each other by a mechanical fastener passing through a central opening in each of the lids and an end of the strap. The lids are provided with threads for engagement with jars of fishing bait. Preferably the strap is formed of a flexible fabric and the hook is connected to a buckle passing through the strap, the hook being rotatably attached to the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Magic Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Donn F. Schwarze
  • Patent number: 5423878
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a probe having a tip portion, a first electrode mounted on a terminal free end of the tip portion and a second electrode spaced along the tip portion from the first electrode for supplying a reference potential. The probe is constructed so as to hold the first electrode in contact with tissue of an in vivo beating heart with a positive pressure without causing macroscopic damage to the heart tissue while orienting the probe such that the second electrode is spaced from the heart tissue. A stylet is retractably mounted within the probe, for allowing a physician to maneuver the probe through a vein or the like. Once the probe is in position, it may be replaced by a probe of a different shape. The probe may also be retracted while being inserted, for preventing internal injury to the patient. The stylet may have a noncircular cross-section for restricting directions in which it can bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Franz