Patents Represented by Attorney Thomas P. Liniak
  • Patent number: 5928711
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a barrier coating on a portion of discrete objects such as fasteners utilizing a liquid coating material is provided. The present invention introduces either a plurality of loose or interconnected parts onto a magnetized conveyor system and optically senses when parts are present. When parts are sensed, the sensor triggers a discrete shot of liquid coating material such as a fluorocarbon to be deposited onto a predetermined portion of each part. These parts can then be transferred to a second magnetized conveyor system that supports an opposite surface of the parts than the first conveyor. The invention can also remove excess coating material and also be provided with dryers or heaters to fix the coating material to the parts if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: ND Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Wallace, Charles M. Stempien, Joseph A. Lopetrone
  • Patent number: 5518768
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the application for one or more deposits of material to a succession of discrete articles such as fasteners as is provided. The method and apparatus of the present invention deposits a droplet or extended bead of thermoplastic or thermoset material onto the surface of a part that is urged into a postion once it solidifies to extends above the surface of the part to create assembly resistance when the part is assembled into or over another part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: ND Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Wallace, Charles Stempien
  • Patent number: 5492130
    Abstract: An improved biopsy needle is disclosed in a negative pressure biopsy needle comprising a cannula axially mounted to an elongated chamber with an inner solid stylet initially positioned with a cutting tip externally of the cutting edge of the cannula and extending axially through the elongated chamber exteriorly to an enlarged plunger with an annular plug mounted on an intermediate section of the stylet within the elongated chamber, whereby on relative movement of the elongated chamber and cannula away from the plunger, negative pressure will be effective within the cannula as it penetrates into tissue to core a biopsy. A spring biased mounting device is also provided to initially hold the cannula, elongated chamber and inner stylet and to move the elongated chamber and cannula relative to the inner stylet on firing a holding means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventor: Rei-Kwen Chiou
  • Patent number: 5460702
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying water is provided for use in both recreational and industrial settings. The present invention significantly lessens or eliminates the need to use toxic chemicals in the purification process and achieves purification by altering the molecular structure of the water to free radical forms of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: NOGSYS Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Birkbeck, Todd A. Gregorcic
  • Patent number: 5426130
    Abstract: An adhesive system capable of use to secure two substrates to one another. The adhesive system uses a resin and a hardener which are encased in a polymerized, integral film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: ND Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Thurber, Richard B. Wallace
  • Patent number: 5375048
    Abstract: A frame (2) for a collapsible lampshade comprising: upper (4) and lower (6) support members spaced in parallel planes; a plurality of peripherally spaced rib members (8) extending between the support members (4 and 6), each rib member (8) being pivotally mounted at one end (10) to the upper support member (4) and at the other end (12) to the lower support member (6) and having a hinge located intermediate said ends, and a spider member (14) having a central hub (16), and a plurality of radially extending struts (18), each strut (18) being affixed at one end to the hub (16), the other end (20) being pivotally attached to a slide (22) mounted on one of the rib members (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventor: Charles F. Barnes
  • Patent number: 5353346
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and classifying signals that are the additive combination of a few constant-amplitude sinusoidal components, herein called N-tones. The attributes of this method and apparatus include provision of superior classification performance with an algorithm of low computational complexity. The method includes filtering to remove extraneous signal components, separation of the incoming signal into one or more output streams and segmenting these output streams into blocks of successive data samples. The magnitude of the data within each block is estimated along with the frequencies of the dominant spectral components. The frequency estimates are then used as part of the configuration process of a set of notch filters for removal of the identified dominant spectral components. The newly-configured notch filters are then applied to the same data blocks and the magnitudes of their outputs are estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: MPR Teltech, Limited
    Inventors: Neil B. Cox, Edwin L. Froese
  • Patent number: 5336177
    Abstract: An integral penetrating surgical drain device is taught that is formed of a flexible tube having a first imperforated end section, a second perforated end section, and a penetrating element mounted to the first end section, whereby the drain device may be used to exit the drain tube from the body cavity and through the body wall and to complete connection to a suction drain unit, without the necessity of removal or attachment of other elements to the drain device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Inventor: William Y. Marcus
  • Patent number: 5334558
    Abstract: A glass composition and method of use having unique crystallization and crystal remelt properties is disclosed. The glass composition consists essentially by weight percent on an oxide basis:about 40-65% Ag.sub.2 Oabout 15-35% V.sub.2 O.sub.5about 0-30% PbO.sub.2about 0-20% TeO.sub.2The present invention also contemplates a unique, essentially resin-free organic system that utilizes the novel glass composition described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Diemat, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond L. Dietz, David M. Peck
  • Patent number: 5308922
    Abstract: A fastening system comprises a housing having a closed end and an open end. A first mixable fastener component is disposed within the housing at the closed end and defines a first volume, the first volume being substantially devoid of gas. A rupturable skin overlie the first component proximate the open end for maintaining the first component within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Reactive Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Wallace, Mark C. Thurber
  • Patent number: 5307203
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for easily and accurately aligning confocal tandem scanning reflected light microscopes having scanning disc hole diameters as small as 20 microns are described. The method involves the observation and analysis of Moire and other patterns of light occurring within the microscope, and using the apparatus to make very sensitive adjustments that result in a fully aligned, rugged, and stable confocal tandem scanning reflected light microscope offering improved resolution, contrast, and optical slicing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Tandem Scanning Corporation
    Inventor: James D. Hill
  • Patent number: 5202365
    Abstract: The problem of the potential for creation of a reactive noncompressible crust in a fluid adhesive mixture comprising a deposit of an uncured curable fluid curable resin composition and a deposit of a fluid curing agent wherein the deposits are separated by a thin flexible barrier film formed from the interaction of the cured resin as reacted by the curing agent, is overcome by including with the fluid curing agent a thickener in an amount sufficient to render the fluid curing agent non-free-flowing at room temperature and preventing the formation of any substantial amount of noncompressible crust in the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Reactive Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard B. Wallace
  • Patent number: 5171036
    Abstract: A flexible energy absorbing strap is provided to limit downward travel of a suspension system in reaction to rebound forces. The strap requires and uses connections already existing in the suspension system for attachment, and provides two flexible bands between the suspension beam and the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: The Boler Company
    Inventor: Joseph M. Ross
  • Patent number: 5076876
    Abstract: A stable Tl.sub.2 O.sub.3, V.sub.2 O.sub.5, P.sub.2 O.sub.5 glass composition for a die attach paste requiring no resin and having a glassy edge temperature of below about 350.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Diemat, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond L. Dietz
  • Patent number: 5052276
    Abstract: An improved diaphragm, which operates and has the structure of a short-thick beam, is comprised of a plug having a channel, a tire cord reinforcement is bonded to the plug, an elastomer cured to the reinforcement means, and a sleeve bonded to the elastomer. This diaphragm is capable of being used in many applications, particularly, fluid-handling devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Inventor: George H. Halsey
  • Patent number: 5047719
    Abstract: An improved flexible coil array for nondestructive reflective-mode eddy-current testing of conductive members is disclosed. The assembly comprises a flexible substrate having a first array of coils formed on one side thereof. The first array of coils are connected in series in parallel columns. One end of each of the rows is connected to a common ground connection, while the other ends of each row are successively connected to a source of excitation energy. A second array of series-connected rows of coils, orthogonal to the columns, is formed on the opposite side of the substrate. Again, one end of each of the rows is connected to a common point while the other end of each of the rows is successively connected to means for detecting a voltage induced on the coils of the row. The voltage will vary if one of the coils is disposed in juxtaposition to a discontinuity of the member to be inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: The Failure Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Johnson, Yehuda Krampfner
  • Patent number: 4967954
    Abstract: An adjustable rail seating and fastening device that maintains and adjusts gauge of a rail and secures a rail to a rail support or tie plate, positively engages the rail support at both ends of the device, and provides a biasing element to maintain the engagement between the device, the rail support and the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: American Track Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans von Lange
  • Patent number: RE34522
    Abstract: The method of making a friction locking fastener of the type having in the thread grooves a first deposit formed of a mixture of an uncured epoxy resin and a radiation-curable, film-forming material, and a second deposit of a fluid curing agent and a radiation-curable, film-forming material. The deposits are made in the thread grooves at circumferentially spaced locations so that a very thin coating of the radiation-curable, film-forming material develops at the surface of each deposit. The deposits are subjected to high intensity ultraviolet radiation for a few seconds to transform the coatings developed on the surfaces of the deposits into thin, continuous, flexible, non-tacky protective films which cover the still fluid deposits in the thread grooves of the article. Alternatively, when one or both the resin and the curing agent are microencapsulated. They may be contained in a single mixture which includes the radiation-curable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: The Oakland Corporation
    Inventor: Richard B. Wallace
  • Patent number: D358304
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: Thomas F. Hoddinott