Patents Represented by Attorney Thomas C. Naber
  • Patent number: 6984781
    Abstract: A method for formulating music, methods for formulating individual musical elements for utilization in formulating music, and methods for expanding and/or modifying the musical elements for utilization in formulating music. The musical elements are mathematically derived from origination elements as non-limitedly exemplified by intervals, chords, chord progressions, arpeggios, and instruments, thereby providing a vast array of new elements as attained from mathematical manipulations of such origination elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen M. Mazzoni
  • Patent number: 6209502
    Abstract: An intake manifold for a four-cycle internal combustion engine with multiple stages to reduce imbalances in volumetric efficiency and air/fuel ratio. The intake manifold utilizes at least two ram stages coupled by a plenum chamber. The first stage includes a ram tube that carries the air/fuel mixture from the carburetor, or throttle body to the plenum chamber. The second stage includes at least two ram tubes that carry the air/fuel mixture from the plenum to a plurality of intake valves through cylinder head intake ports. The plenum chamber acts as a buffer between each intake valve and the carburetor or throttle body. The air/fuel mixture enters the first stage ram tube and passes into the plenum chamber. These gases then pass into either one of the second stage ram tubes, depending on which cylinder is at its intake stroke. By drawing the air/fuel mixture from the plenum instead of directly from the first stage ram tube, differences in the air/fuel ratio and volumetric efficiency are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventors: Gregory G. Davis, Kenneth Thurm
  • Patent number: 5492299
    Abstract: The present invention is a bookstand for a book. The bookstand comprises a back panel having a top, a bottom, a front side against which a book can rest and a back side. Projecting outwardly from substantially the bottom of the back panel is a lip panel upon which a book can be placed. The lip panel has projectable therefrom a plurality of page retainers for maintaining interfacing book pages open, with each page retainers having a distal end movable toward the back panel. Such movement of one page retainers is independent of movement of another page retainers, thereby allowing positioning of one page retainers near one interfacing page of an open book and positioning of another page retainers near the other interfacing facing page. In a preferred embodiment, each page retainers comprises a rod having a distal end and a proximal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventors: Nicholas Thermos, John P. Cleveland
  • Patent number: 5485676
    Abstract: A carpet cutting knife guide for cutting overlapping adjacent edges of two pieces of carpet to be laid adjacently on a floor. The guide has two lateral members substantially parallel to each other and spaced from each other. A platform member extends from the first lateral member to the second lateral member and has an opening through which at least a blade of a carpet cutting knife member can pass to thereafter be positioned substantially at the floor. The opening has in conjunction therewith at least one friction fit means whereby a portion of the knife member can be releasably retained. The platform member is constructed of a flexible material such that exerting a force thereon causes the knife member to limitedly move substantially perpendicularly toward the floor. Wheels are provided for manually moving the guide over the overlapping edges of the carpet to be cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Inventor: Mark A. Terhorst
  • Patent number: 5417004
    Abstract: A bullet starter for loading a conical hollow-point bullet into a barrel of a muzzle loading firearm. The starter comprises a handle and an impact member, with the impact member comprising an outwardly protruding starter pin in communication with the handle. The starter pin is insertable into a hollow point of a hollow-point bullet, and has a diameter less than the diameter of the hollow point and a depth greater than the depth of the hollow point. These diameter and depth characteristics assure that only the floor of the hollow point has significant impact contact from the impact member when impact is applied to force the bullet into the barrel, and that the nose of the hollow-point bullet is substantially untouched by the impact member and therefore not deformed. The starter pin can be releasably retained and therefore interchangeable with differently-sized pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: Joseph H. Krantz
  • Patent number: 5357301
    Abstract: A photographic camera having a camera body and a plurality of film-bearing film chambers positionable within respective portions of a receiving chamber within the camera body. The camera body has a single lens situated in alignment with one of the portions of the receiving chamber, and each of the film chambers has a shutter which is opened when that particular film chamber is positioned in the receiving chamber portion having the lens. The remaining film chambers are positioned within the other portions of the receiving chamber and can be individually withdrawn for subsequent placement in the lens-bearing portion of the receiving chamber when the original film chamber is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventor: Derek V. Prosser
  • Patent number: 5171272
    Abstract: A hand operable, two-component fluid pump for inflating an inflatable penile prosthesis. The pump comprises a high-volume, low-pressure first pump component and at least one low-volume, high-pressure second pump component. Fluid to be pumped to the prosthesis is housed within the first component, and each of the first and second components is in valved communication with the prosthesis and in valved communication with each other. In a preferred embodiment the second pump component is disposed within the first pump component. The pump preferably can be implanted within the user, with the most preferable implantation site being within the scrotal sack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: American Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dezso K. Levius
  • Patent number: 5147385
    Abstract: A method for using stent which is a hollow, cylindrical structure made of a synthetic substance which becomes plastic and malleable in a temperature range from 45.degree. to 75.degree. Celsius. The stent is brought to the desired site, for example a stenosed section of an artery, by means of a heatable balloon catheter. The stent is heated at the site to be treated and whilst in the plastic state is expanded through dilatation of a balloon. After being cooled to body temperature the expanded stent retains the form achieved. The body fluids bring about complete biodegradation of the implanted stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Schneider (Europe) A.G.
    Inventors: Andreas Beck, Norbert A. Nanko
  • Patent number: 5127917
    Abstract: The probe is provided at its distal end with an olive-shaped tip which is solidly joined to a shaft. The shaft is provided with a wire made of stainless steel as well as a spring. The maximum diameter of the tip is preferably approx. 1 mm. The guide catheter is suitable especially for recanalization of coronary and completely obstructed occlusions. The probe is preferably applied together with a baloon catheter itself known.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Schneider (Europe) A.G.
    Inventors: Werner Niederhauser, Bernhard Meier, Urs Bannwart
  • Patent number: 5098381
    Abstract: A catheter for treating an obstructed blood vessel comprises an elongated tubular body having an internal lumen, a proximal portion and a distal portion, and includes an inflatable dilatation element on the distal portion thereof. The dilatation element is in communication with the lumen and is adapted to be inflatable and deflatable by the application of a suitable therapeutic tissue dissolving fluid pressurized within the lumen. The dilatation element includes a wall having microporus openings adapted to be permeable by the fluid applied to inflate the dilatation element. The fluid, which is pumped into the interior space of the dilatation element, under sufficient pressure, presses through the microporus wall directly on and into the adjacnet tissue. The fluid tends to dissolve the tissue, thereby treatment time is considerably shortened and the long-term success of the treatment is improved, since the impairing tissue is not only dislodged but also dissolved from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Schneider Europe
    Inventor: Ernst Schneider
  • Patent number: 5061267
    Abstract: A balloon catheter for rechanneling stenoses in body passages, in particular of coronary and peripheral arterial vessels, has a microwave antenna provided in the interior of the balloon, which antenna is connected to a microwave generator by way of a coaxial cable. By action of the microwaves on a microwave-absorbing dilatation liquid and/or a metallic coating on the envelope of the balloon, the catheter is heated and the vessel wall is subjected to thermal aftertreatment to prevent restenosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Inventor: Andreas Zeiher
  • Patent number: 4991588
    Abstract: A guide wire for an intravascular catheter is disclosed. In one embodiment, the guide wire has Doppler means positioned on the distal end, with preferred Doppler means being piezoelectric ceramics or piezoelectric polymeric materials, both having electrical leads connected thereto. In another embodiment, the guide wire has a Laser Doppler means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Russell Pflueger, Cliff N. Cottonaro, Scott M. Evans
  • Patent number: 4978341
    Abstract: An introducer valve has a connecting housing enclosing a generally cylindrical elastomeric valve body having a proximal end, a distal end, a central axis, and a central longitudinal opening. The central opening has a proximal aperture tapering inwardly to the central axis and has a distal aperture tapering inwardly to the central axis, and is adapted to receive an elongated guidewire or catheter element. The valve body has an exterior surface which tapers from the proximal end inwardly and from the distal end inwardly generally parallel with the respective apertures (in a somewhat hourglass configuration). The central opening of the valve body is normally sealed closed, and further surrounds and seals a penetrating catheter which is introduced or changed within the valve. The valve further comprises an elastomeric ring which circumscribes the center of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Schneider Europe
    Inventor: Werner Niederhauser
  • Patent number: 4957111
    Abstract: A steerable catheter having a Doppler crystal at the tip to measure the velocity of blood in vivo--and inferentially the blood flow. The catheter includes two passageways, one passageway being exposed to the blood stream with the other passageway containing the electrical leads to the Doppler crystal. The one passageway is dimensioned for receiving a wire guide for accurately manipulating the catheter. Preferably, the catheter incorporates an inflatable angio-balloon operable to distend the blood vessel in the region of a stenosis. Thus, blood flow can be determined in the region of the stenosis before and/or after the vessel is distended. The passageways are preferably defined by a pair of generally concentric tubes with the Doppler crystal doughnut-shaped and sealingly disposed at the tip of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Huntly D. Millar
  • Patent number: 4472149
    Abstract: A water-going vessel propelled via a plurality of parallel sets of two underwater turbines disposed along the underside of said vessel, with each turbine mounted on respective retractable struts. A plurality of sets of turbines extend from respective turrets disposed along the longitudinal midline of the underside of the vessel, each of said turrets rotatable through 360 degrees and each having extending therefrom one turbine set. Hull construction pieces of the vessel preferably comprise an outer and an inner containment wall within which a plurality of touching hollow spheres are sandwiched and wherein a plurality of individual lengths of high strength sheaths are within respective tubes which are parallel with the containment walls and disposed within intrices formed by the spheres. The individual lengths of sheaths are connectable to each other to form a network of sheaths encircling the hull. Stress can be introduced and adjusted within each length of sheath which is a part of the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Inventor: James S. Ballantine
  • Patent number: 4452484
    Abstract: An improved walker, wherein the improvement comprises:a. a tray having slidable supports removably mountable within brackets disposed on the rear legs of the walker, with said tray further having hooks engageable on a horizontal support rod of the walker for storage;b. a removably mountable seat whose two lateral edges each extend beyond and rest upon support rods, with said seat having lateral movement stops to prohibit seat movement during use, and with said seat further having hooks engageable on a horizontal support rod of the walker for mounting or for storage; andc. a back rest disposed behind and mounted to an upper support rod extending between the legs at the front of the walker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Inventor: Peter M. Pastor
  • Patent number: 4389197
    Abstract: A water-going vessel having a plurality of water intake turbines extendible and retractable in unison beneath the underside of the vessel. Hull construction pieces preferably comprise a plurality of hollow spheres sandwiched within containment walls, with each sphere in contact with and secured to every adjacent sphere thereto, and further secured to touching containment walls. One preferred turbine has, in sequence, (1) two water intake tunnels having disposed therein rotatable independently controllable tandemly disposed blade groups which spiral water there through in inwardly projecting angles; (2) a mixing chamber wherein water angularly exiting each tunnel collides and proceeds linearly; (3) a venturi constriction passage wherein gas is introduced into water traveling there through; and (4) an exit passage wherein gas is introduced into water traveling there through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Inventor: James S. Ballantine
  • Patent number: 4302873
    Abstract: A dislodging tool for dislodging a mounted wheel from a drum of a vehicle. The tool comprises, firstly, a base member having one end internally threaded to be threadably engageable and rotatable on a drum stud projecting through a stud hole of a wheel mounted on the drum. Secondly, the tool comprises a collar member having at least one ear element extending laterally therefrom, the collar member being slideable onto the base member and retainable thereon. Thirdly, the tool comprises a bar member for each ear element of the collar member, the bar member being passable through an opening in a mounted wheel and having at one end thereof a hook to engage the outer lip of the inside surface of said mounted wheel, with the bar member being mountable on the ear element. Relatedly provided is a dislodging and dismounting tool for dislodging and dismounting a mounted wheel from a drum of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Inventor: Morris Rotman
  • Patent number: D273962
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Inventor: Stephen J. Fromm
  • Patent number: D274069
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Inventor: Stephen J. Fromm