Patents Represented by Attorney Thomas R. Weaver
  • Patent number: 8289155
    Abstract: There is provided a method of electronically gathering, storing and reporting information pertaining to the transport of material, such as water, from one location to another location. The invention permits rapid receipt of such information by interested parties to thereby permit timely action and/or oversight where such information indicated the need for such action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Charles E. Keith
  • Patent number: 8273406
    Abstract: This invention provides a process for coating particulate solids with a curable novolac resin without employing heat as a step of the process, comprising placing an epoxy resin which is curing on the particulate followed by placing a novolac resin capable of being heat cured on the epoxy resin before curing of the epoxy resin is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Fritz Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Ferrell, Jr., James J. Lavene
  • Patent number: 8273426
    Abstract: A capsule having a reactive chemical enclosed in the hollow interior thereof, and at least one coating in direct contact with and surrounding the reactive chemical, wherein the coating is a heat-cured thermosetting synthetic resin. The capsule can also include a second coating which is in direct contact with and surrounds the heat-cured thermosetting synthetic resin. The reactive chemical is not reactive with, soluble in or a solvent for the coating, or coatings, which surround the reactive chemical in the hollow interior of the capsule. The coating material is not soluble in water, but is permeable to water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Fritz Industries, Inc
    Inventors: Steven B. Laramay, James J. Lavene
  • Patent number: 8177375
    Abstract: A protective cover for the front and rear lenses of a barrel of an optical instrument such as a set of binoculars. The cover includes a removable shield for each of the lenses, wherein each shield is attached to a support which is removably attached to a barrel of the binoculars. The cover is constructed of flexible materials having elastic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph E. Shelby
  • Patent number: 7947745
    Abstract: An aqueous fluid having a viscosity greater than the viscosity of water is contacted with a water soluble material for a time and at a temperature sufficient to reduce the viscosity of the aqueous fluid to a value which is less than about 10 percent of the initial viscosity of the aqueous fluid. The water soluble material is an alkali metal peroxide or a combination of an alkali metal peroxide and a transition metal-containing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignees: Fritz Industries, Inc, FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Steven B. Laramay, Charles George, Henry A. Pfeffer, III
  • Patent number: 7223827
    Abstract: A composition and a method of using the composition to adjust the permeability of a subsurface formation is disclosed. The composition is a water insoluble gel made by cross linking a water soluble polymer. The water soluble polymer is made by polymerizing a precursor composition, wherein the precursor composition is a mixture of an acrylic acid compound and a reactant comprised of a divalent metal salt of the acrylic acid compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Fritz Industries, Inc
    Inventor: Edward E. Miller
  • Patent number: 7179485
    Abstract: This invention discloses, as an article of manufacture, a capsule having a hollow interior and an enclosing wall, referred to as a membrane. The membrane is not soluble in water, but is permeable to water or an aqueous solution. The membrane is comprised of a first material and can also include a second material. When the membrane is comprised of the first material and the second material, then it is referred to as a composite material wherein the first material forms sporting matrix having the second material fixed in the matrix. The first material is a urethane/vinyl hybrid polymer and is not soluble in, reactive with or a solvent for the second material. The second material is a particulate solid, different from the first material, and is not soluble in, reactive with or a solvent for the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fritz Industries, Inc A Texas Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Schneider, Steven B. Laramay
  • Patent number: 7097773
    Abstract: This invention provides a process for reducing the concentration of chloramines, chlorine, ammonia, nitrates and nitrites in saline and fresh waters by adding to the water a treating material selected from alkali metal and alkaline earth metal formaldehydesulfoxylates in a dry or solution form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Fritz Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffani Furlough, Kevin A. Senkevech
  • Patent number: 7007518
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the rotation of a gear comprising rotating a cam which causes the linear movement of a rod to control the rotation of the gear, wherein the cam rotates within a confined space but not around a fixed axle. The apparatus is particularly useful for controlling the opening and closing movements of a handcuff whose operating elements are comprised of a swing arm and at least one gear having teeth which engage the teeth of the swing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: William D. Taper
  • Patent number: 6978644
    Abstract: A solenoid operated mechanical mechanism for controlling the rotation of a gear comprising the use of a first linear element which moves in response to an electrical current to cause the rotation of a cam which, in turn, causes the movement of a second linear element which controls the rotation of a gear. The solenoid operated mechanical mechanism is particularly useful for controlling the opening and closing movements of a handcuff whose operating elements are comprised of a swing arm and at least one gear having teeth which engage the teeth of the swing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: William D. Taper
  • Patent number: 6732797
    Abstract: A method of forming a cementitious plug in a well is disclosed. According to the method, a well is selected for treatment which lacks sufficient formation pressure to cause well fluid to naturally flow to the surface of the well. In addition, a formation penetrated by the well has unobstructed access between it and the surface. Having thus selected a well for treatment, a liquid slurry comprising a cementitious material, whose density is greater than the density of the well fluid, is introduced into the well. The slurry is permitted to drive the well fluid into the formation. Sufficient slurry is added to the well to fill the well to the surface. The slurry is then permitted to set into a hardened mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventors: Larry T. Watters, Freddie L. Sabins
  • Patent number: 6684666
    Abstract: A set of handcuffs having an improved locking mechanism. The critical element of the locking mechanism is the utilization of a locking gear set that replaces the conventional pawl. The teeth in the locking arm are matched to the locking gear set and are always in constant and full contact with the locking gear set. This invention also uses a cam/cylinder locking device that controls the movement of the locking gear set. In the normal cam position the locking gear set will only turn in one direction, thus enabling the locking arm to close. In the second cam position the locking gear set will not turn in either direction. The cam can be rotated, through the use of a cylindrical key, in either directions. Rotation in one direction will select one of two locking positions. Rotation of the cylindrical key in the opposite direction will free locking gear set to rotate in the opposite direction thus disengaging the locking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: William D. Taper
  • Patent number: 6655097
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of using the apparatus to temporarily support a utility pole is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a plurality of structural elements which are hinged together to form an articulated frame. The frame is adapted to be connected to a pole and caused to conform to the slope or angle of the pole with respect to the ground. The frame is also adapted to conform to the slope of the ground in which the pole is embedded. The articulated frame of this invention finds particular utility in supporting a utility pole installed in ground subject to collapse due to excavation in the vicinity of the pole. In this regard, the frame is useful to obviate the need to temporarily reroute a power line erected in the vicinity of earth removal operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Billy E. Poolaw
  • Patent number: 6568224
    Abstract: A set of handcuffs having an improved locking mechanism. The critical element of the locking mechanism is the utilization of a locking gear set that replaces the conventional pawl. The teeth in the locking arm are matched to the locking gear set and are always in constant and full contact with the locking gear set. This invention also uses a cam/cylinder locking device that controls the movement of the locking gear set. In the normal cam position the locking gear set will only turn in one direction, thus enabling the locking arm to close. In the second cam position the locking gear set will not turn in either direction. The cam can be rotated, through the use of a cylindrical key, in either directions. Rotation in one direction will select one of two locking positions. Rotation of the cylindrical key in the opposite direction will free locking gear set to rotate in the opposite direction thus disengaging the locking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventors: William D. Taper, Gary S. Frost
  • Patent number: 6564725
    Abstract: This disclosure provides an article of manufacture for supporting a load. The article can be employed to store a load under static conditions for an extended period of time, and can also serve as a platform for supporting the stored load while the load is being lifted from one location and transported to and placed in another location. The article is comprised of a plurality of separate planar elements which are releasably, but rigidly, connected each to the other to facilitate transport, assembly, repair and replacement of the parts. In one aspect, the article is comprised of a load contacting component featuring a structural system comprised of ribs located in one of the said planar elements inserted into and stabilized by slots located in another of the said planar elements. In another aspect, the load contacting component can be releasably attached to another of the said planar elements to form a rackable pallet capable of supporting a load in an open rack drive-through storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Ronald G. Hale
  • Patent number: 6562768
    Abstract: This invention provides a tapping composition, a method of making the tapping composition and a method of using the tapping composition to cut internal threads on the surface of a hole drilled in metal. The tapping composition of this invention is comprised of a uniform blend of a glyceride, a liquid hydrocarbon oil and a polyvinyl chloride resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Ronnie L. Gregston
  • Patent number: 6547959
    Abstract: A method for treating compounds which contain reactive sulfur is disclosed, wherein the treatment produces compounds which contain sulfur in a non reactive form. The method is based on the use of an oxidizing compound selected from the group consisting of water soluble inorganic persulfates, water soluble inorganic and organic adducts of hydrogen peroxide and mixtures thereof. The method is particularly useful in preventing stress corrosion cracking of stainless steel and in preventing auto-ignition of pyrophoric iron sulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: United Laboratories International, LLC
    Inventor: Jack G. Frost
  • Patent number: 6491490
    Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and a method of using the apparatus to lift a load, such as one end of a vehicle, to enable movement of the load from one location to another. The apparatus is comprised of an elongated member, such as a beam, and a winch slidably mounted on the elongated member which, in combination with the load itself and a stationary base, such as another vehicle, operates to lift and move the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: Wayne G. Trobee
  • Patent number: 6462011
    Abstract: This application discloses a composition for and a method of using the composition to disperse hydrocarbon based components into a liquid carrier. The composition is comprised of a lower alkyl ester of a fixed oil, such as a modified vegetable oil, in combination with at least one other compound which enhances the ability of the ester to form an aqueous emulsion which can separate and which can alter the wetting character of the ester. The method comprises contacting a material comprised of hydrocarbon based components with an effective amount of composition for a time and a temperature sufficient to disperse the material into a liquid carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: United Laboratories International, LLC
    Inventors: Bevan C. Collins, Larry D. Martin
  • Patent number: D538513
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Peter F. Serratelli