Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Thompson Coburn
  • Patent number: 6389678
    Abstract: This invention relates in general to dynamoelectric machines, and in particular to a method of fabricating a low cost salient pole stator assembly for a salient pole motor. Low cost salient pole motors are constructed by minimizing stator core stack height or core stack material and maximizing winding slot fill in the motor design process. Thereafter, the windings for the motor design are formed externally of the motor on high speed winding machines and transferred to axial insertion devices. Transfer to the axial insertion devices may be either accomplished automatically or manually. Thereafter, the windings are axially inserted into the stator core. After insertion, the salient pole stator assembly generally is processed like a conventional distributed winding induction motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Ackermann, Vernon E. Kieffer
  • Patent number: 6389895
    Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon. The wheel balancer also includes a rotation sensor for measuring the rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations resulting from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly and a motor operatively connected the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby rotating the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit for controlling the application of power to the motor is also included. The control circuit controls the application of power to the motor to rotate the wheel/tire assembly and to actively hold the wheel/tire assembly at desired positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Michael W. Douglas, Paul Daniel Parker
  • Patent number: 6389638
    Abstract: A container assembly includes a one piece container body and a press member connected to the container body. The container body includes a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall to define a liquid reservoir. One of the side walls includes a wringing surface. The press member is operatively connected to the container body for movement of the press member between a wringing position and a non-wringing position relative to the wringing surface of the container body. The press member and the wringing surface define a mop receiving volume. The mop receiving volume has a volume V1 when the press member is in its non-wringing position and a V2 when the press member is in its wringing position. The volume V2 is less than the volume V1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Dickinson, Bradley D. Gale
  • Patent number: 6386031
    Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor for measuring rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis and a vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations resulting from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly. A motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis to rotate the wheel/tire assembly is also included. The wheel balancer further includes a control circuit for controlling the application of current to the motor to rotate the wheel/tire assembly at a plurality of sustainable speeds. The control circuit may also be adapted for determining from vibrations measured by the vibration sensor at least one weight placement position on the wheel/tire assembly to correct the vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Michael W. Douglas, Paul Daniel Parker
  • Patent number: 6387062
    Abstract: A massage apparatus comprises a support structure, a plurality of massaging arms operatively connected to the support structure, and an actuating mechanism. Each massaging arm has at least one massaging finger adapted to impart a massaging force to a user. Each massaging arm is moveable relative to the support structure in a manner to move its corresponding massaging finger relative to the support structure between a rearward position and a forward position. The actuating mechanism is adapted to engage the massaging arms in a manner to sequentially move the massaging fingers between their rearward and forward positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Albert Edward Moore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6386123
    Abstract: A blower for a high efficiency furnace is provided with an increased interior space for accommodating an impeller of maximum practicable diameter. The blower includes a blower motor and a blower housing having a bottom piece and a top piece assembling with the bottom piece to define an interior of the blower housing. The top piece includes an annular lower support portion for supporting the blower motor and an annular upper portion extending above and around the lower portion. The upper portion has an outer peripheral edge and lugs extending outward beyond the outer peripheral edge. The lugs have lug holes to receive mechanical fasteners to secure the blower housing to an external device. The head of the mechanical fasteners are positioned above the lugs on the upper portion of the top piece. In this arrangement the diameter of the bottom piece is not limited by a need to accommodate spacing for the head of the mechanical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Jakel Incorporated
    Inventor: William Stuart Gatley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6386799
    Abstract: An air flow control mechanism for a multi-channel air conveyor enables the flow rate of air ejected from air outlet orifices of inner channels of the multi-channel air conveyor to be adjusted without changing the flow of air ejected from air outlet orifices of the outer pair of air conveyor channels of the multi-channel air conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Ouellette Machinery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Ouellette
  • Patent number: 6382882
    Abstract: A spacing tool is adapted for use with a conveyor that conveys plastic bottle containers of the type having a neck ring, a neck below the neck ring, and a body below the neck. The conveyor has a pair of support flanges that are spaced laterally from one another by a distance smaller than an outer diameter dimension of each container neck ring, but larger than an outer diameter dimension of each container neck. Thus, each container can be supported between the flanges with its neck ring in engagement with upper surfaces of the flanges. The conveyor has a pair of container guide rails that are spaced from one another by a distance larger than an outer diameter dimension of each container body so that each container can move along the conveyor between the guide rails. The spacing tool comprises a spacing member having a head portion, a neck portion below the head portion, and a spacing block below the neck portion. The head portion has a first outer diameter dimension larger than the spacing between the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Ouellette Machinery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Ouellette
  • Patent number: 6383496
    Abstract: Attenuated immunogenic bacteria having an RpoS+ phenotype, in particular, Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi having an RpoS+ phenotype and methods therefor are disclosed. The Salmonella have in addition to an RpoS+ phenotype, an inactivating mutation in one or more genes which render the microbe attenuated, and a recombinant gene capable of expressing a desired protein. The Salmonella are attenuated and have high immunogenicity so that they can be used in vaccines and as delivery vehicles for genes and gene products. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the vaccine delivery vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventors: Roy Curtiss, III, Cheryl A. Nickerson
  • Patent number: 6378882
    Abstract: An exercise cycle comprising a frame, a hinge, and a drive mechanism. The frame comprises a forward frame member and a rearward frame member. The hinge operatively connects the forward frame member to the rearward frame member such that the forward and rearward frame members are pivotally moveable relative to each other about a hinge axis between operable and stowable positions. The drive mechanism includes an endless loop assembly. The exercise cycle is configured such that the frame may be folded without removal of the endless loop assembly. The cycle further includes left and right linearly reciprocating assemblies. The left reciprocating assembly is configured for being moved back and forth with foot pressure and hand pressure from a user's left hand and left foot. The right reciprocating assembly is configured for being moved back and forth with foot pressure and hand pressure from a user's right hand and right foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: John Devine
  • Patent number: 6378834
    Abstract: A hub ring employed in mounting a rotating shaft of an electrical device, for example an electric motor, to a supporting bracket reduces or eliminates the transmission of vibration from the shaft to the supporting bracket and is provided with an integral locking mechanism that automatically secures the hub ring to the supporting bracket when the hub ring is positioned on the bracket without the need for separate attachment parts and/or fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Gerald N. Baker
  • Patent number: 6374867
    Abstract: A liquid container comprises a container body, a hollow fill/drain conduit and a retaining member. The container body includes a base and at least one side wall extending generally upwardly from the base to define a liquid reservoir. The side wall includes a first port adjacent to the base. The fill/drain conduit has a first end and a second end. The first end of the conduit includes a first connector adapted for connecting the first end of the conduit with the first port in a manner to permit fluid communication between the conduit and the liquid reservoir via the first port. The second end of the conduit is moveable relative to the first end of the conduit between a stored position and a drain position. In the stored position, the second end of the conduit is positioned above a maximum recommended liquid level of the liquid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Contico International, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Tony Maiuro
  • Patent number: 6371720
    Abstract: An apparatus that is one part of a conveying system for transferring objects, such as bottles, where the apparatus arranges the objects in layers on a pallet is improved by the addition of sensors that provide early indications of movements of component parts of the apparatus to a control unit of the apparatus where the signals are used in a more time efficient operation of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Ouellette Machinery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Ouellette
  • Patent number: 6365372
    Abstract: A protein, SRCAP, is provided. The protein is capable of co-activating CREB binding protein (CBP) mediated transcription, as well as activating transcription without CBP. SRCAP is a Snf2 family member. As such, it has ATPase activity. Fragments of SRCAP are also provided, as are polynucleotides encoding SRCAP and its fragments. Antibodies that bind to SRCAP are also provided. These compositions are useful for enhancing transcription in cells and patients. The compositions are also useful for reducing transcription in cells and patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Saint Louis University
    Inventors: John Chrivia, Peter Yaciuk
  • Patent number: 6360880
    Abstract: A two axis bottle guide rail change over apparatus for an air conveyor supports a pair of guide rails and is operable to simultaneously adjust a lateral spacing between the pair of guide rails and/or simultaneously adjust a vertical positioning of the pair of guide rails relative to the air conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Ouellette Machinery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Ouellette
  • Patent number: 6359008
    Abstract: An acylamino acid for enhancing the bio-availability of substances in organisms by permeabilization of cell membranes, the acylamino acid having general formula (I) wherein R1 is hydrogen, a primary, secondary or tertiary alkyl or alkenyl group and R2 is hydrogen, a straight or branched chain alkyl group or a straight or branched chain substituted alkyl group, the substituted being selected from thio, thioether, hydroxy, carboxy, quarternary ammonium, amide, heterocyclic, benzyl, substituted benzyl, amino, substituted amino groups and difunctional alkyl groups linking to the nitrogen atom. A preferred acylamino acid for incorporating into an animal or fish feed is 2-palmitoylaminoproprionic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Lovesgrove Research Limited
    Inventor: David J. Garnett
  • Patent number: 6357932
    Abstract: An assembly used to adapt a BNC type connector of a microsurgical optic fiber instrument to a threaded SMA type bushing of a light source includes an adapter that can be threaded on the bushing of the light source and is also connectable to the BNC connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Synergetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Auld
  • Patent number: 6352287
    Abstract: A planar form or structure is used to create a thin card capable of receiving and retaining printed indicia, including written signatures, on both opposing surfaces. The structure and related method allow the exposed carrier surface and the underlying release agent layer to receive and retain printed indicia, including written signatures, while retaining an extremely thin, yet tear-resistant, card structure. The release agent layer solidifies from a liquid to form a film capable of receiving and retaining printed indicia, written signatures, and the like which may be printed or written upon through the peeling away of the transparent lamina layer to expose the underlying release agent layer for receiving the indicia. The resulting structure preferably exhibits a flexibility due to its thickness lying within the range of 15-30 microns plus the thickness of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Strata-Tac, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles L. Casagrande
  • Patent number: 6352786
    Abstract: A process for preparing a fire-resistant cellulosic material which comprises contacting cellulosic material with an aqueous solution of aluminum phosphate wherein the molar ratio of aluminum to phosphorous is less than 1:1, optionally containing a metal oxide, to form an initially treated cellulosic material containing aluminum phosphate and an increased amount of water, removing water from and curing said initially treated cellulosic material to form a fire-resistant cellulosic material. The cellulosic material is preferably wood and the wood is preferably a shingle or plywood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Astaris LLC
    Inventors: Rose P. Arshinova, Edward J. Griffith
  • Patent number: D456381
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: GPX, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Momsen, Jung Cheng Liu, Randy Chang Wei Tze