Patents Represented by Law Firm Schmidt, Johnson, Hovey & Williams
  • Patent number: 4692232
    Abstract: As industrial waste water is passed through an electric field between a pair of uninsulated electrodes, suspended solids and other constituents are acted upon in a manner that encourages them to flocculate. In order to assure that the water is exposed to the field for a sufficient period of time, a normally closed shut-off valve in the outlet of the treater stays closed until electrolysis commences, whereupon gas pressure from such action actuates a diaphragm member which in turn closes a switch to open the outlet valve. A float control associated with the inlet of the treater responds to the drop in water level within the treater by opening an inlet valve to permit the introduction of additional liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Inventor: Arthur S. King
  • Patent number: 4691847
    Abstract: The actuating lever of the dispenser has a rigid valve flap integral therewith which covers the spout outlet to close the same when the actuating lever is in its normal, undepressed position but which then lifts off the outlet to open the same when the lever is depressed in a pumping stroke. One embodiment employs a reciprocable pumping piston at one end of the dispenser body and a free-floating take-up piston at the opposite end of the body which responds to the evacuationof material within the pump chamber to take up the space otherwise occupied by the evacuated product. Another embodiment utilizes a pumping piston which starts at the lower end of the dispenser body and is progressively drawn up toward the opposite end during successive pumping strokes by a rod connected to the actuating lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Realex Corporation
    Inventors: John M. B. Ford, David G. Moore
  • Patent number: 4690359
    Abstract: An adjustment bracket especially useful for adjusting the height of a floor or roof section relative to supporting floor joists or rafter is provided which serves to quickly and inexpensively correct for humps or dips in flooring base material or roof plywood caused by warpage in the material or sags in the joist. The bracket preferably is in the form of an elongated L-shaped body with a section-engaging leg integrally connected to a support-engaging leg. The section-engaging leg preferably includes a plurality of axially coincident, spaced apart, laterally centered slots and a pair of marginal, circular, laterally centered set holes. The support-engaging leg preferably includes a plurality of elongated, axially parallel, laterally centered slots whose axes form an oblique angle relative to the axis of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Inventor: Randall L. Phillips
  • Patent number: 4688759
    Abstract: A low cost, tiltable vehicle support stand is provided which is inherently stable in use and is designed to develop a righting moment during vehicle setup operations so that a vehicle can be quickly and easily elevated to facilitate work theroen. The preferred support stand includes a relatively wide base having an elongated, transversely extending beam secured thereto; a pair of padded vehicle-engaging members are shiftably mounted on the beam and are spaced apart a distance greater than the effective width of the base. In this manner the center of gravity of a supported vehicle lies in a plane which passes between the lateral side margins of the base, even in the event that the stand or vehicle-engaging members are located asymmetrically relative to the underside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Gray Automtive Products, Company
    Inventor: Joseph L. Gray
  • Patent number: 4688459
    Abstract: A punch assembly is provided wherein individual punches may be quickly released and extracted from a punch ring by depressing an elongated retainer member positioned adjacent and transverse to each of the punches. The retainer member has walls defining a concave groove, and the retainer walls are selectively engageable with complemental, groove-defining walls of each punch. A spring normally biases the retainer member to a position where the retainer walls tightly engage the punch walls and thereby retain the punch within a bore of the punch ring. When the punch must be removed from the ring for repair or replacement, the retainer can be depressed against the bias of the spring and shifted to a position wherein the groove-defining retainer walls disengage the groove-defining punch walls, thereby enabling the release of the punch from the punch ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Didde Graphics Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Wayne L. Osborn, Monty L. Neff
  • Patent number: 4686894
    Abstract: A cooker for continuous grilling of hamburger patties and the like uses a shiftable grid which intermittently lifts the patties off a stationary grid and effects advancement after each lift-off until a U-shaped path is traversed extending initially through and terminating beyond one end of the cooker exteriorly thereof. The patties travel upwardly along a straight line with respect to a first pair of legs of the grids and then upwardly and arcuately with respect to a pair of first grid quadrants, whereupon they invert and drop such as to travel upwardly and arcuately with respect to a pair of second grid quadrants. Finally, the patties travel upwardly along a straight line with respect to a pair of legs of the grids forming the final stretch of the travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Inventor: Marshall Long
  • Patent number: 4687665
    Abstract: A method is described for the production of large quantities of biologic which serves as an immunomodulator and also to decrease the concentration of serum cholesterol and triglycerides. In practice, an animal such as a goat is injected with a virus (preferably a normally immunosuppressive Parvovirus) and allowed to react to the virus for a period of time to generate the biologic in its blood serum; blood is then withdrawn from the animal and the serum fraction thereof, containing the desired biologic, can be used in fractionated or more highly purified form. Examples are also provided of use of the biologic as an immunostimulant and for reducing serum cholesterol and triglycerides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Clinical Reference Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Stout
  • Patent number: 4686820
    Abstract: As the tractor and baler are driven straight down the windrow, hay is picked up and placed upon a platform conveyor which transfers the same rearwardly toward the baling chamber, during which transfer a deflector diverts the crop stream into an appropriate one of three axial sections of the chamber as determined by sensing and control mechanism associated with the baler. As the hay builds up in one of the sections, the sensors of the mechanism compare the size of that portion of the bale with the bale portion in the next adjacent chamber section, and once the differential between the two bale portions reaches a certain predetermined level, the control mechanism swings the deflector to its next position, directing hay into that next adjacent section to build up that portion of the bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Kansas State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Bryan K. Andra, Kent D. Funk, Clyde J. Lang, Philip Todd
  • Patent number: 4686711
    Abstract: An eye protection device for the window of a welding hood or shield includes a first stationary screen portion and a second screen portion which is reciprocable toward and away from a position in the window. A drive for the movable screen portion is connected to a control device which has a manually operable switch to initiate movement of the screen toward the window before the commencement of a welding operation. Additionally, an electro-optical sensor is connected to the control device to provide emergency actuation of the drive if the manual switching element is not used. Preferably, the control also includes a timing element connected to the electrooptical sensor which moves the second screen portion away from the window if the welding light is not detected after a certain period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Impexor AG
    Inventor: Hermann Budmiger
  • Patent number: 4687576
    Abstract: In a sewage treatment system having a series of generally concentric, ring-like treatment tanks, a siphoning head used to withdraw sludge from the bottom of the clarifying tank is propelled slowly and smoothly through its tank by the moving current of sewage in an adjacent tank. Overhead bridge structure supporting the siphoning head in the clarifying tank also overhangs the next adjacent tank and supports a depending baffle which is impinged by the flowing sewage in the adjacent tank. The baffle is positioned closely adjacent the wall between the two tanks such that eddy currents set up in the vicinity of the baffle as the latter is acted upon by the flowing sewage have the effect of entering transfer passages between the two tanks to clean out clogging debris and grease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Inventor: John C. Hardison
  • Patent number: 4687023
    Abstract: A check valve assembly includes a generally bell shaped casing having a flared, open end section and a fluid inlet in opposed relation to the flared end section. A body removably connected to the casing covers a portion of the flared end section and has a fluid outlet as well as two spaced, outwardly extending ball guiding members which are matingly received within opposed walls of the casing. The ball guiding members are configured to shift the ball along a path of travel between a first, flow impeding position adjacent the fluid inlet and a second position spaced from the inlet and disposed laterally of a substantially straight fluid passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: The Marley-Wylain Company
    Inventors: Joe A. Harbison, Darryl M. Nielsen, Dorothy D. McDaniel
  • Patent number: 4688143
    Abstract: An improved, lowcost double-fused vacuum switchgear apparatus designed for underground electrical distribution systems is provided which makes use of a specially configured oil tank-defining wall and insulative protective fuse well sleeves to give enhanced protection to workmen performing unauthorized energized servicing of the unit, while also using a minimum of dielectric oil and separate wall components. The preferred tank includes an oblique sidewall eliminating unnecessary oil space in the tank, while each fuse well is equipped with an insulative sleeve which guides fuse removal and installation and largely prevents short-circuiting even during energized servicing. The fuse assembly preferably includes a current-limiting fuse and a series-coupled expulsion fuse, the latter being oriented in the wells for directing conductive arcing gases downwardly and away from the switchgear components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: A. B. Chance Company
    Inventor: Lloyd R. Beard
  • Patent number: 4687128
    Abstract: A corrugated board display structure has tabs for readily connecting a horizontally extending shelf to an upright support in such a manner that the load capacity of the shelf is significantly increased. Edge segments formed in an upright, folded portion of the shelf bear directly in end-to-end engagement with edge segments adjacent upstanding tabs of an upright support, and the depending tabs of the upright portion connected to the shelf are received behind the upstanding tabs of the upright support in order to thereafter retain the edge segments in continuous, flat contact. The longitudinal axes of the ridges and grooves of the corrugated panel forming the upright support are in generally parallel relationship to the longitudinal axes of ridges and grooves of the corrugated panel comprising the upright portion, so that the columnar strength presented by the corrugations of the support resist the load presented by the corrugated upright portion without bending of either corrugated panel in lateral directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: E and E Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger L. White
  • Patent number: 4686502
    Abstract: A current limiting fuse has an electrical subassembly which includes fusible elements that are helically wound about a plurality of support plates which, in turn, are secured on each end to a terminal bracket. A leg member electrically and mechanically interconnects the terminal bracket to an end cap assembly fixed to a fuse housing and is flexible for allowing variation in distance between the end cap assembly and the internal subassembly such as would occur when the fuse is exposed to thermal excursions. The flexible leg has a portion which extends in generally transverse relation to the longitudinal axis of the subassembly, and the leg portion is swingable in an arc as the associated end cap assembly shifts relative to the position of the terminal bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: A. B. Chance Company
    Inventors: Delbert R. Parker, Daren A. Clark
  • Patent number: 4684043
    Abstract: The actuating lever of the dispenser has an integral valve flap which covers the discharge outlet of the dispenser when the lever is in its standby position, and in order to augment the sealing capabilities of such flap during shipment or storage prior to customer acquisition and use of the dispenser, a disposable sealing tape is provided which is factory-installed so as to overlie the outlet between the latter and the covering valve flap. The tape is provided with a layer of adhesive to promote retention of the tape in sealing relationship with the outlet, and a tab portion of the tape extends from the outlet and is adhered to adjacent portions of the dispenser in such a manner as to facilitate grasping and removal by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Realex Corporation
    Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Robert N. Hills
  • Patent number: 4684876
    Abstract: An alternating current voltage regulator is provided which clips the maxima of the positive and negative portions of the incoming alternating current wave form at a regulated level thereby producing alternating current output wave form, and which varies the regulated output voltage level in response to changes in output current. The preferred regulator includes two electrically independent regulating sections, one for clipping the positive portion of the alternating current wave form and the other for clipping the negative portion of the incoming alternating current wave form. Preferably each independent regulating section includes means for sensing the positive and negative portions of the output current respectively and for varying the regulated level of the positive and negative output voltages respectively in response thereto. A second embodiment is illustrated using the amplifier as part of the current sensing means for use with high load current applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Inventor: Kirby B. Creel
  • Patent number: 4684331
    Abstract: A slinger for a submersible electric pump protects a motor shaft bearing as well as a shaft seal. The slinger is provided with four, inclined, curved projections or vanes which are operable to propel sand or other potentially abrasive, grit-like contaminants away from an area adjacent the shaft seal. A pair of outlet slots disposed horizontally adjacent a lowermost portion of the slinger cooperates with the vanes to enable passage of the contaminants to an area external of the pump, such that the contaminants do not accumulate within the pump itself and the likelihood that the contaminants will enter the first pump stage is significantly reduced. Each of the vanes has a face inclined slightly relative to the frustoconical outer surface of the slinger, and each face terminates in a curved leading edge and a curved trailing edge. The vanes direct the contaminants toward the lowermost portion of the slinger where maximum outward thrust is developed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: The Marley-Wylain Company
    Inventors: Nyle D. LaGrange, Darryl M. Nielsen, Charles F. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4684044
    Abstract: The actuating lever of the dispenser has an outlet valve flap integral therewith which moves in a shearing action across the outlet of the discharge spout as the actuator is returned to its standby position such that the returning valve flap cleanly slices through the bead of viscous product adhering to the spout and this fully separates the dispensed bead of product from that remaining behind in the spout. A lost-motion action permits the valve flap to uncover the spout outlet before further depression of the actuating lever shifts the pumping piston through its dispensing stroke to force product out the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Realex Corporation
    Inventor: Donald D. Foster
  • Patent number: 4684046
    Abstract: An economical, non-clogging apparatus for dispensing premeasured amounts of liquid from a container placed on a shelf is provided which contains no spring, has a secure shipping mode, permits one-handed operation, has few moving parts, and avoids liquid wastage by preventing inadvertent removal of the rotatable outer cap. In preferred forms, the apparatus includes a tubular, stationary member received partly within the container's outlet neck a tubular, movable member coupled with and received partly within the stationary member, and a stem co-axially received within the movable member and coupled with the stationary member. These components cooperatively define a measuring chamber, an inlet opening, and an outlet aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Realex Corporation
    Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Phil L. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4682750
    Abstract: Twin linkage assemblies shift a support platform between a low profile, fully collapsed position and a fully extended position of a height suitable for supporting a workman underneath an aircraft or for supporting, for instance, an engine at a comfortable working position. A hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly is connected at opposite ends to swivel members and torque arms, the latter of which are connected to short links which in turn are coupled to linkages interconnecting a base and the work supporting platform. The torque arms, in cooperation with the swivel members, facilitate swinging of the links and linkages to reduce the force necessary to separate the platform and base to a value smaller than would otherwise be required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Eidos Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Rudolph, Donald J. Maxwell