Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Thompson E. Fehr
  • Patent number: 6826886
    Abstract: A capital to be placed upon a hollow column having a non-uniform cross section with a maximum inner dimension and a minimum inner dimension. The capital has an ornamental upper portion attached to a neck. The neck possesses a maximum outer cross-sectional dimension which is intermediate in size between the maximum inner cross-sectional dimension of the portion of the column intended to be occupied by the neck and the minimum inner cross-sectional dimension of the portion of the column intended to be occupied by said neck. The neck also has a minimum outer cross-sectional dimension smaller than the minimum inner cross-sectional dimension of the portion of the column intended to be occupied by said neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Barney J. Auman
  • Patent number: 6823948
    Abstract: A slopeboard mounting device having a rigid shaft that is attachable near a first end to a slopeboard frame and having near a second end a mechanism for indicating the desired location of a mounting lug. The rigid shaft has such a shape and size that the indicating mechanism is maintained at a desired position with respect to the first end of the rigid shaft which is the same position as is desired for a lug pivot point to have with respect to the slopeboard frame. And, preferably, the shape and dimensions of the rigid shaft are selected such that any obstructions are avoided by such rigid shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Jenkins, Flint Hamblin
  • Patent number: 6820311
    Abstract: A locking mechanism having a serrated rod that fits into an aperture of a rotatably mounted block when biasing which pushes the block toward the direction of insertion is reduced. Pulling the serrated rod, after insertion, in the direction from which insertion occurred tends to increase biasing and, consequently, decrease diameter of the aperture projected perpendicular to the length of the serrated rod thereby retaining the serrated rod within the aperture. An end of the serrated rod that does not have the serrations can be formed into a loop for attaching a belt or have screw thread for connection to a bar. The belt or bar would restrain a person or physical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Stanley J. Checketts
  • Patent number: 6814829
    Abstract: An improved method for the manufacturing of wavy pre-preg material that moves a first group of rollers in a transverse and a longitudinal direction with respect to a second group of rollers, to place a sinuous waveform in a fiber reinforced matrix for the manufacture of a wavy pre-preg material. The fabrication of wavy fiber pre-preg (fibers pre-impregnated with epoxy resin as an example) can be accomplished with an automated control system that permits the creation of non-periodic or mixed waveforms. The improved apparatus for this process allows for a more accurate placement of fibers, production of a wider variety of usable waveforms, and increased quality of pre-preg produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: William F. Pratt
  • Patent number: 6810543
    Abstract: A pillow (or several pillows depending upon need/size configuration) having unique shapes for placing between an individual's back, head, backside, legs, arms (or any combination thereof) and the floor, ground, bed, table or other surface to provide anatomical support as opposed to simply providing cushioning between the body on the underlying surface. When the individual is lying on his or her back, the pillow provides for proper alignment of the body to relieve pressure on joints, nerves, muscles and skin. Its unique posturing permits the body to relax and rest more comfortably and also potentially increase blood flow and nerve transmission throughout the body or through specific areas of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Apollo Fuhriman
  • Patent number: 6808459
    Abstract: An amusement ride with cable-launched carrier having one or more towers with the upper portion of at least one such tower being flexible. Each tower supports a cable. Attached to the first end of such cable is a means for propelling a carrier that is attached to the second end of each cable. The means for propelling is a high-speed winch, a fluid-powered cylinder having a continuous cable, or a fluid-powered cylinder having a non-continuous cable. Optionally, a controllably rotatable seat can be attached to the carrier; a harness connected to a serrated rod that slides into a biased block holds each participant to the seat; and a spring, weight, or pressurizable cylinder prevents each cable from becoming slack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Stanley J. Checketts
  • Patent number: 6782671
    Abstract: A sheet of shingles for application to the ridge or hips of a roof. Two or more shingles are arranged in a generally straight line with the tops of adjacent shingles generally aligned with one another, with the bottoms of adjacent shingles generally aligned with one another. The second edge of a prior shingle overlaps and is above the first edge of any immediately subsequent shingle. Two or more mechanical fasteners are placed in the overlapping area of adjacent shingles to connect such shingles, leaving the corners unattached so that the upper, overlapping corners can be lifted to nail the lower, overlapped corners to the roof. Tar is placed between the overlapping and the overlapped corners in order to utilize solar energy to seal the corners of the adjacent shingles to one another after the nails have been inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventors: Jay S. Timbrel, Denise M. Williams
  • Patent number: 6742509
    Abstract: An airfoil launching system having a rod with a structure attached to a first end of the rod. A pusher holds a ring airfoil and has a sufficient coefficient of friction that the ring airfoil will generally rotate with the pusher and is rotatably and slidably mounted on the rod. Propulsive force is provided by resilient bands connected to the structure outward from the rod and to the pusher outward from the central aperture of the pusher. A grip attached to the pusher is utilized to draw the pusher toward the second end of the rod, thereby stretching and energizing the resilient bands, and also to rotate the pusher and, consequently, the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventors: John W. Hunter, Robert M. Fryer, Philip J. Sluder, Robert A. Rauch
  • Patent number: 6709341
    Abstract: A wheel chair-accessible billiard table having a table top with a bottom being substantially parallel to the upper surface of the table top, smooth, and free of any obstruction. A central support column is below the table top, and the central support column is on a base. The central support column has dimensions such that the large wheels and pilot wheels of a wheel chair as well as the arm rests of a wheel chair can be moved under the bottom of said table top, and the base is low enough to avoid the foot rests of a wheel chair while also having lateral dimensions such that a foot rest of a wheel chair will contact the central support column before a pilot wheel of the wheel chair contacts the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Duane D. Giles
  • Patent number: 6705032
    Abstract: A holder for construction plans having a cylindrical rod rotatably mounted between a first perpendicular segment attached to the first end of a base and a second perpendicular segment attached to the second end of the base. A first end of the cylindrical rod passes through the first perpendicular segment and can be used to rotate the cylindrical rod. One end of the construction plans can be folded and inserted into a longitudinal groove that exists in the cylindrical rod. Optionally, a peg removably fits into an opening transversely located in the rod to prevent the rod from slipping from its intended position; and magnets may be attached to the bottom of the base to hold it releasably on a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Ryan C. Hoth
  • Patent number: 6702559
    Abstract: A template for creating designs upon a surface. The template has apertures that are so positioned and shaped as to create the desired design upon the surface after such apertures have been filled with mud and the template has been removed. The template is a substantially planar structure which has a thickness equal to the desired depth for the desired three-dimensional design and adequate length and width to accommodate the length and width of the desired design and which is substantially impervious to the mud. Optionally, the template the template is permanently shaped so that when the template has been placed in position for the creation of the design, no gap will exist between the template and the surface upon which the design is to be placed. One or more edges of the template may be shaped to accommodate the shape of a structure which is on or rises from the surface on which the design is to be applied and which is adjacent to the location where the design is to be placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Jimmy W. Norman
  • Patent number: 6703742
    Abstract: An electric motor with rotor being a drive wheel. The drive wheel has one or more permanent magnets attached to said drive wheel with opposite magnetic poles adjacent to one another. One or more electromagnets are attached to the structure to which the drive wheel is rotatably connected. A sensor determines the location of the permanent magnets. This information is utilized to assure that the electromagnets are energized only when the resultant magnetic fields will interact with the magnetic fields of the permanent magnet to produce a force on the drive wheel that will cause rotation in the desired direction. Three principal embodiments are employed. In a first embodiment, a computer periodically activates a switch to send pulsed voltage to the electromagnets; the percentage of the period of each pulse during which the voltage is non-zero determines the speed of the drive wheel. In a second embodiment, the computer is replaced with a timing circuit that controls the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Adam K. Brandley, John R. Irwin
  • Patent number: 6691353
    Abstract: A pillow having a unique shape with rounded cuts for placing between an individual's side and arm to provide support when positioned along the arm at the elbow. When the individual is lying on his or her side, the pillow provides for proper alignment of the shoulder, arm, scapula, and neck to relieve pressure on joints, nerves, muscles and skin. Its unique posturing permits the body to relax and rest more comfortably and also increase potential blood flow and nerve transmission throughout the arm and shoulder complex. It is beneficial to those who suffer from a variety of shoulder problems, arthritis and sports related injuries and fatigue in addition to those who are convalescent, bedridden, computer operators, overhead throwers, data entry personnel and anyone who uses their shoulder and arm for an extended period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Apollo Fuhriman
  • Patent number: 6689278
    Abstract: A combined filter for removing an aqueous fluid and entities, such as bacteria, existing in such aqueous fluid, from a nonaqueous fluid is described. The combined filter consists of a hydrophilic filter and a hydrophobic filter that are arranged in fluid communication and serially to be placed along the flow path of a fluid. The hydrophilic filter and the hydrophobic filter may touch one another or be located some distance from one another. Also, a structure may be inserted into the space between the hydrophilic filter and the hydrophobic filter that will maintain the space between the hydrophilic filter and the hydrophobic filter without significantly restricting the flow of fluid. And, in one embodiment, the combined filter may be composed simply of material having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristics on the molecular level. Preferably, however, the filters and spacing structure are contained within an encasement having an inlet and an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas K. Beplate
  • Patent number: 6670495
    Abstract: A process for producing ferrous picrate and a fuel additive containing ferrous picrate involving placing wire composed of an alloy of iron in any solution of picric acid in a solvent that is known in the art for reacting with iron to produce ferrous picrate. The wire can be suspended in the solution or placed upon the bottom of a reaction vessel that holds the solution. Preferably the wire is loosely coiled, at least when placed upon the bottom of a reaction vessel. Also preferably, after a concentrated fuel additive has been prepared, to the concentrate is added so much of a pre-mix solution produced by the steps of (a) dissolving picric acid in the same kind of solvent that was utilized to produce the solution into which the steel wool was placed and (b) removing water from the precursor to the pre-mix solution thus produced and so much of the same kind of alcohol that was utilized to produce the solution into which the steel wool was placed that the final product produced thereby contains approximately 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: David M. Stewart
  • Patent number: 6652564
    Abstract: A spinal therapy machine having an inflatable bladder. A rigid restraint running around the bladder causes the inflation to rise rather than to expand outward. Rings connected to the ends of the bladder are slidably attached to one or more posts that extend generally perpendicular to whatever structure upon which the bladder is placed. Either a control unit operated directly by the user or a computer direct the inflation of the bladder and, consequently, the elevation of a pad removably attached to the top of the bladder. Inflation is provided by a vacuum motor preferably connect to the bladder with a large tube in order to enable rapid changes in the degree of inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventors: Robert D. Harris, William R. Hachtmann
  • Patent number: 6629500
    Abstract: A coaster having a first vertical segment connected to a parabolic segment that is connected to a second vertical segment. The carrier is raised up the first vertical segment by any means that is well known in the art. The carrier descends under the force of gravity and may either oscillate or be braked. Optionally, the track rolls about its longitudinal axis during the first vertical segment. The seats in the carrier are preferably in a tilted position so that when the carrier is vertical with the seats facing downward, the participants actually tilt forward past vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: R. Trent Hansen
  • Patent number: 6609347
    Abstract: A method for constructing a column and panel concrete fence which includes two or more columns, each of which comprises two portions which are separated from one another along one or more planes that are essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column. A first half of a column is placed upon each of two or more footings. Then the ends of concrete panels which run between successive columns are placed upon such footings. Preferably, the panels are composed of two or more panel units which are mirror images of one another. Next a second half of each column is placed upon each of the footings. And, as a final step, concrete is poured into the resultant column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Brian Morrow
  • Patent number: 6599161
    Abstract: An airfoil launching system having a rod with a structure attached to a first end of the rod. A pusher holds a ring airfoil and has a sufficient coefficient of friction that the ring airfoil will generally rotate with the pusher and is rotatably and slidably mounted on the rod. Propulsive force is provided by resilient bands connected to the structure outward from the rod and to the pusher outward from the central aperture of the pusher. A string guide is rotatably attached to the rod and has apertures through which generally non-resilient cords, the first ends of which are attached to the pusher outward from the central aperture, pass. The second ends of the generally non-resilient cords are connected to each other, preferably with a pliable grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: John W. Hunter
  • Patent number: 6588129
    Abstract: A greeting card having a first section containing a pre-colored drawing or photograph to provide whatever guidance a person desires for placing colors in segments of a line drawing which corresponds at least to a portion of the pre-colored drawing or photograph and which is contained on a colorable second section of the greeting card. Preferably, the first section of the greeting card will also contain a first textual message, preferably a greeting; and the second section will contain a second textual message, preferably encouragement to color the line drawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Josie Holland