Patents Represented by Law Firm Stein, Schifino & Van Der Wall
  • Patent number: 5874848
    Abstract: An electric current sensor employing a Hall effect generator and a ferrite substrate to be used in the measuring of electrical currents flowing in a current carrying conductor comprising a toroid core having a first and a second gap, a Hall effect generator, a current source, an amplifier, and a trace configuration positioned on the substrate for electrically coupling the amplifier to the Hall effect generator. The toroid core and ferrite substrate forming the complete magnetic circuit for the flow of the magnetic field. The trace configuration thereby being routed so as to be exposed to the magnetic field in two different impinging directions so to compensate for any unwanted induced voltages from being introduced into the output voltage thereby achieving an improved transient response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Bell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Drafts, George V. Grama
  • Patent number: 5868647
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing, preventing, lessening and treating the incidence and severity of Repetitive Strain Injuries ("RSI") comprising a combination of computer software and hardware that provides a "prompt" and system whereby the computer operator exercises their upper extremities during data entry and word processing thereby maximizing the excursion (range of motion) of the joints involved directly and indirectly in computer operation. In summary, the apparatus and method of the present invention includes 1) specialized target means with optional counters which serves as "goals" or marks towards which the hands of the typist are directed during prolonged key entry, 2) software that directs the movement of the limbs to and from the keyboard, and 3) software that individualizes the frequency and intensity of the exercise sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Robert J. Belsole
  • Patent number: 5868592
    Abstract: A swim fin having open instep and heel portions. The swimmer's foot is retained in the fin by means of an instep strap configured to pass over the instep of the foot and a heel strap that surrounds the heel of the foot. The instep strap passes through a pair of longitudinal slots in the planar foot portion of the fin and up and over the foot such that the ends of the instep strap are secured at the instep. Preferably, to facilitate adjustments, the ends of the instep strap overlap one another and are secured with hook and loop fasteners. A locking strap overlays the instep strap at the instep of the foot and further secures the fin to the foot. The instep strap conforms to the instep of the foot and lends itself to enclasping the arch of the swimmer's foot. Preferably, the heel strap is integrally formed from the instep strap and the ends of which overlap one another are secured with hook and loop fasteners. A heel locking strap overlays the heel strap at the ankle and further secures the fin to the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Zeagle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Bulin, Mark Lee Pecoraro, James H. Wittstruck
  • Patent number: 5870181
    Abstract: A laser radar (LADAR) including an acoustic-optical (AO) laser scanner for deflecting a pulsed laser beam through a plurality of angles, means for diffracting the deflected laser beam from the acoustic-optical laser scanner into a plurality of laser beams and a linear detector array including a plurality of detector elements respectively positioned to receive reflected energy from the respective plurality of laser beams such that a line scan is produced composed of a plurality of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Alliant Defense Electronics Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Clarence C. Andressen
  • Patent number: 5867422
    Abstract: A programmable memory circuit including the facility to reconfigure it's format
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventor: Lizy Kurian John
  • Patent number: 5850598
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a homodyne receiver and a process for direct conversion of angle-modulated carrier signals, especially those that have a d.c.-voltage component in the converted signal (IF). With many types of-modulation the (short-time) d.c. component of the conversion signal contains information about the modulating signal. Additional d.c. offsets are usually separated out by using a bandpass for the IF signal. In the process, however, the information-containing d.c. components of the converted signal are lost; as a result the demodulated signal is disturbed and in particular the distortion factor is raised. To avoid this the invention provides that the local oscillator for generating inphase and quadrature signals has a frequency offset from the carrier frequency of the receiver signal so that the frequency differential between carrier and frequency and oscillator frequency is in the transmission band of the bandpass used to suppress undesirable mixes, carrier reminders and d.c. offsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Sican Gesellschaft fur Silizium-Anwendungen und Cad/Cat
    Inventor: Hermann Behrent
  • Patent number: 5849790
    Abstract: The present invention discloses (mono)ethylenediaminenitroplatinum (IV) complexes of with ligands of oxides of nitrogen, and their synthesis, which, in vivo, may be reduced to produce "cisplatin" type platinum(II) antitumor complex and nitric oxide, which also reportedly has anti-tumor activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: The University of South Florida
    Inventors: Jay W. Palmer, Joseph A. Stanko, Said M. Sebti, Julia R. Burdge
  • Patent number: 5833094
    Abstract: A hangable liquid containing apparatus for dispensing a liquid such as gasoline. The apparatus comprises a container adapted to hold the liquid, hanging means for hanging and supporting the container formed from the flexible side walls of the container, an elongated nozzle assembly comprising of a hose and nozzle, and a vent positioned in the container. The container of the apparatus is to be hung above the ground and out of the way of the hazards typically associated with storing and dispensing liquids such as combustion. The hose is primed with gasoline by pressing on the side of the container and then the apparatus uses gravity to dispense the fuel from the nozzle. Moreover, the apparatus utilizes the side of a wall to provide additional support and stability while being hung up away from the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Jody L. Willis
  • Patent number: 5835997
    Abstract: A wafer shielding chamber assembly for a semiconductor wafer probe station that minimizes the volume of space about the semiconductor wafer so as to minimize air currents about the wafer. The chamber is formed by positioning an annular spacer ring onto the annular periphery of the wafer chuck. A lid is positioned to free-float underneath the support ring of the probe station. The free-floating of the lid permits the upper surface of the spacer ring to engage the lower surface of the lid as the wafer chuck is moved in the z direction and, upon further z movement, moves the lid into the z direction, while still permitting x & y movement between the two. A center hole is formed through the lid. The center hole provides access for the micropositioners contact probes to the wafer. A cylindrical cap assembly is positioned on top of the lid concentric with the center hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventor: Abdullah M. Yassine
  • Patent number: 5832543
    Abstract: A disposable portable pocket spittoon comprising a container having a top access opening. A means for selectively closing and opening the container is connected to the container. A fill funnel is inserted through the top open end and suspended within the container in order to direct spittle within the container. An absorbent material is retained within the container to immediately absorb a tobacco chewer's expectorate and which will not release the expectorate. This spittoon is intended to be used with only one hand and permit concealment of the container in a tobacco chewer's pocket with out spilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Bossmere Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Fredrick F. Bosserman
  • Patent number: 5826397
    Abstract: A collapsible display system for securing cladding panels, containing information material, capable of being configured into multiple configurations and, therefore, adaptable to the space allocated to a vendor. The present invention comprises a plurality of hub members connected with a plurality of support members. The hub members are spaced apart from one another defining a plurality of adjacent box-like units wherein adjacent units share common hub members. Diagonal support members are pivotly coupled to the hub members between the front and back of the display system in a scissors-like manner. Horizontal support members having a pivot point at their midpoint are pivotly connected between pairs of adjacent hub members. The lengths of the horizontal support members are greater than the distance between each pair of hub members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Charles K. Armold
  • Patent number: 5819873
    Abstract: A ladder bracket for supporting and suspending a ladder therefrom adjacent a side wall of a structure wherein the ladder bracket is comprised of a back member having a first and second extension arm extending horizontally outward therefrom such that a lock plate is coupled to the distal ends of the extension arms to facilitate the securing and locking of the ladder to the ladder bracket. The lock plate is coupled to the second extension arm such that it pivots in a vertical plane to thereby provide access to the ladder bracket. The lock plate further providing for the use of a padlock thereon to secure the ladder bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Ernest D. Higgins
  • Patent number: 5810753
    Abstract: A device adapted to be worn by a user to protect an elongated portion of the user's body. The device comprises a support member positionable on a user's body adjacent to the elongated portion of the user's body to be protected. A pair of anatomically linear load-bearing members are included. The load-bearing members are coupled in laterally spaced relationship with respect to the support to define an elongated space therebetween. The load-bearing members and space therebetween are essentially parallel with each other and parallel with the elongated portion of the user's body to be protected. Further included are retention means to maintain the support member in position on the user's body with the space between the load-bearing members overlying the elongated portion of the user's body to be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Mark A. Eberbach
  • Patent number: 5794844
    Abstract: The invention comprises a multiple point latching system for use with postal box clusters. In particular, the multiple point latching system comprises a latch bar, a track member, a plunger assembly and a plurality of latch plates. The latch bar is slidably coupled relative to a center partition in the postal box and includes a plurality of latches thereon. The latch bar slides in a vertical movement within a track member which is coupled to the center partition of the postal box. The plurality of latches on the latch bar present a plurality of latch points which aggregate to achieve the securement of the postal box cluster. The multiple point latching system further comprises a plunger assembly which is coupled to the center partition and which supplies a force that acts upon at least one master door to thereby force at least one master door open upon an unlatching of the latches. Hence, a single lock having multiple latch points is used to access and subsequently secure the entire postal box cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Cutler Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 5792961
    Abstract: A portable fastener tester system for measuring the pullout strength of a fastener that is comprised of an electronic processing unit electrically coupled to a load cell, an optical reader, an opto chopper disc, and a display, a motor having a shaft coupled to a small drive gear which engages a large drive gear, and a tester assembly comprised of a driving member, a case housing, a power nut assembly and a captured nut retained within the power nut assembly. The captured nut is forceably rotated by the motor and engaged small and large drive gears so to foreceably translate the driving member upward through the power nut assembly thereby applying a pulling force on a fastener being tested. The load cell being utilized to transfer the pulling force from the driving member to the fastener, electrically sense the applied force and transmit data to the electronic processing unit for being displayed to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Giebner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Giebner, Christopher S. Giebner, Donald K. Matthews
  • Patent number: 5785290
    Abstract: A multi-platformed apparatus, which can be attached to a leg of a table to serve as a holding device for containers of individual portions of food and drink. The apparatus is constructed of rigid material reshaped into a vertical spine (16) and, as extensions of the spine (6), two horizontal platforms: the beverage deck (12) comprising a hole (8) for cup holding and a plate deck for plate holding. (24). The plate deck (14) is recessed under the beverage deck (12) as the result of the formation of a 45 degree angle at the beverage deck border (20--20) and another 45 degree angle at a point designated as a heel (22--22). The apparatus is made attachable as a result of a clamp (26) which is permanantly affixed to the exterior of the spine (16) and which, because of its gripping ability and its male velcro lining, enables the host apparatus to be attached to the leg of a table permanantly dressed with the corresponding female side of the velcro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Ernestine Harris
  • Patent number: 5785864
    Abstract: An efficient, economical, portable, movable, and compact apparatus and method for treating a fluid with ozone comprising multiple pressurized contact columns which are arranged in a hybrid parallel and series column configuration, which utilizes a unique control system and piping arrangement to improve the efficiency of the mass transfer of ozone into the water and increase its solubility by increasing the contact time between the water phase and the gas phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: AJT & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfredo J. Teran, John R. Derrick, Jr., Nidal A. Samad, Igor A. Vassiliev, Carlos V. Diaz, W. Todd Willoughby, Louis V. Mangicapra
  • Patent number: 5755785
    Abstract: A method of repairing a cornea of an eye. A donor material of living tissue in the shape of a partial sphere having an exterior Bowman's membrane of living tissue, is first die cut to define an outline configuration including a central extent and a plurality of tabs extending outwardly therefrom. The tabs are then shaved to remove substantially all of the donor material therefrom leaving substantially only the Bowman's membrane. The eye to be repaired is then punched to form a central aperture in the cornea having a size and shape essentially that of the central extent of the donor material. A plurality of pockets are incised from the central aperture into the cornea, the pockets being positioned and sized and shaped to receive the respective shaven tabs when the central extent is positioned within the central aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: The University of South Florida
    Inventors: J. James Rowsey, Joseph Patrick Collins
  • Patent number: D403004
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Inventor: Kenneth B. Kaye