Patents Represented by Attorney W. Thad Adams, III
  • Patent number: 5542187
    Abstract: An alignment assembly and method is provided. The alignment assembly is located adjacent to one end of a structure to be erected, and cooperates with a like assembly located adjacent to an opposite end of the structure for vertically aligning a surface of the structure as it is being erected. The alignment assembly includes a base having first and second spaced-apart legs for being driven into a supporting surface, and a web for interconnecting the first and second legs and maintaining the legs in spaced-apart relation. An upright is removably attached to the web, and extends vertically upwardly between the first and second legs of the base. A guide line is secured to the upright, and extends laterally from the first alignment assembly to the second alignment assembly. The guide line is moveable vertically along the upright to maintain the surface of the structure in vertical alignment as the structure is being erected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: William H. Oakley
  • Patent number: 5535468
    Abstract: A safety pillow assembly is provided for use by an infant to prevent suffocation of the infant when lying in a face down position thereon. The pillow assembly includes a hollow, rigid core having spaced-apart top and bottom walls defining an air reservoir. A multiplicity of openings are formed in the core for allowing substantially unobstructed passage of air into and out of the reservoir. An air-permeable, cushioning sleeve encloses the core and provides a soft comfortable surface to cushion the head of the infant. The sleeve allows a free flow of air from the reservoir through the openings in the core and to the infant when lying in a face down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Wayne B. Mallernee
  • Patent number: 5533212
    Abstract: The invention is a combination moisture management panty and panty hose system for women. The moisture management system includes both a panty and panty hose. The panty includes a moisture management panty shield for being positioned in the crotch area of the wearer during garment wear. The panty shield has a first fabric layer with a skin side surface including moisture wicking fibers for residing next to the skin during garment wear. These such fibers wick moisture outwardly away from the skin towards drier areas of the garment for evaporation. The pair of panty hose is worn in combination with the panty, and includes a moisture management crotch gusset for being position adjacent to the panty shield in the crotch area of the wearer. The crotch gusset is constructed of an open mesh fabric for receiving moisture from the panty shield, and for facilitating the flow of air through the gusset into the panty shield. The open mesh fabric promotes moisture evaporation from the panty shield and the gusset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Intelpro Corporation
    Inventors: Herbert L. Moretz, Daniel L. Brier
  • Patent number: 5529658
    Abstract: The invention is an improved membrane press, and method of elevating a workpiece above the supporting surface of a work base. The membrane press includes a work base having a supporting surface for carrying the workpiece, and a foil-pressing frame positioned above the workpiece for heating and applying the laminating foil to the workpiece. The improvement in the membrane press includes a plurality of workpiece-lifting pedestals residing substantially beneath the supporting surface of the work base. A piston is located beneath each pedestal, and responds to the placement of the workpiece onto the supporting surface of the work base. The piston imparts an upward force on certain ones of the pedestals residing adjacent to and beneath the workpiece to raise the pedestals and workpiece upwardly above the supporting surface of the work base. The raised pedestals permit the top surface, corners, and peripheral borders of the elevated workpiece to be laminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Hartmut Diekwisch
  • Patent number: 5529181
    Abstract: A garment display package and method is provided. The package includes a web folded to define a bottom wall and spaced apart front and back walls for locating a garment therebetween. The bottom, front, and back walls collectively form a garment receiving opening having a width greater than its height. A hanger is located on a widthwise dimension of the back wall for hanging the package from a supporting structure for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Kemfast Sportsox, Inc.
    Inventor: Marci A. Brier
  • Patent number: 5526623
    Abstract: A pre-cast reinforced concrete structural beam comprises an upstanding web (136) and at least an inwardly directed flange (138) at the base of the web, the face of the web which is innermost in use and/or the upper face of the flange having surface irregularities (236,140) formed therein into which a cast in situ floor slab can penetrate to form a mechanical lock with the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Roxbury Limited
    Inventor: Roger A. Bullivant
  • Patent number: 5526589
    Abstract: An athletic shoe including a shoe upper and an outsole connected to the shoe upper is provided. The outsole defines a plurality of spike receiving openings therein. A plate is located between the shoe upper and the outsole, and includes a plurality of spikes attached thereto. The plate is movable within the upper between a spike-exposing position whereby the plurality of spikes extend outwardly through respective openings formed in the outsole, and a spike-retracting position. An inflatable bladder is located between the plate and the outsole. When inflated with a fluid, the bladder lifts the plate upwardly into the spike-retracting position, and holds the plate in the spike-retracting position during shoe wear. An exhaust communicates with the bladder for exhausting the fluid contained in the bladder. When the fluid is exhausted, the plate is movable into the spike-exposing position by the weight of the wearer during shoe wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Inventor: J. Charles Jordan
  • Patent number: 5526671
    Abstract: A leveling apparatus for leveling a die mounted on die posts on a die base. The die base has first and second die posts on which is mounted a die for adjustable vertical movement. A first motor is operatively connected to the first die post for moving the first die post in a vertical direction. A first vertical position sensor cooperates with the first motor for sensing the vertical position of the first die post. A first servo-feedback device interconnects the first motor and the first vertical position sensor for transmitting a vertical position signal from the first vertical position sensor to the first servo-feedback device. A second motor is operatively connected to the second die post for moving the second die post in a vertical direction. A second vertical position sensor cooperates with the second motor for sensing the vertical position of the second die post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Inventor: Larry A. Polen
  • Patent number: 5524378
    Abstract: A fishing lure includes a hook having an elongate shank, a weighted head connected to the shank, and a barbed end. An arm is connected to the head of the hook, and includes a free end thereof extending outwardly from the hook. A chamber is connected to the free end of the arm. A plurality of steel shot are contained in the chamber for producing a rattling noise as the fishing lure is drawn through the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Robin C. Hood
  • Patent number: 5524379
    Abstract: A fishing lure includes a hook having an elongate shank, a weighted head connected to the shank, and a barbed end. An arm is connected to the head of the hook, and includes a free end thereof extending outwardly from the hook. A chamber is connected to the free end of the arm. A plurality of steel shot are contained in the chamber for producing a rattling noise as the fishing lure is drawn through the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Robin C. Hood
  • Patent number: 5524807
    Abstract: A fastener tool is provided for attaching a protective strip to a corner formed by two intersecting walls. The fastener tool includes a handle for being gripped by a user. First and second fastener guns are supported by the handle at a predetermined angle in relation to each other and to the intersecting walls. The first and second fastener guns drive respective fasteners into the protective strip and intersecting walls thereby attaching the strip to the corner. A trigger mechanism is connected to the handle for actuating the first and second fastener guns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Robert Bullard
  • Patent number: 5524779
    Abstract: The safety closure includes an outer closure member having cylindrical interior walls, and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is nested within the interior walls of the outer closure member, and permits normally free rotation of the outer closure member relative to the inner cylinder. Complementary screw threads connect the inner cylinder to a mouth of the container, and cooperate with the outer closure member to lock the safety closure onto the container. A key is permanently secured to the safety closure for unlocking engagement of the complementary screw threads. The key is manipulated by a user to prevent the normally free rotation of the outer closure member relative to the inner cylinder, thus permitting the safety closure to be removed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Curtis E. Faile
  • Patent number: 5522478
    Abstract: The invention is an improved membrane press, and method of elevating a workpiece above the supporting surface of a work base. The membrane press includes a work base having a supporting surface for carrying the workpiece, and a foil-pressing frame positioned above the workpiece for heating and applying the laminating foil to the workpiece. The improvement in the membrane press includes a plurality of workpiece-lifting pedestals residing substantially beneath the supporting surface of the work base. A piston is located beneath each pedestal, and responds to the placement of the workpiece onto the supporting surface of the work base. The piston imparts an upward force on certain ones of the pedestals residing adjacent to and beneath the workpiece to raise the pedestals and workpiece upwardly above the supporting surface of the work base. The raised pedestals permit the top surface, corners, and peripheral borders of the elevated workpiece to be laminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Smartech LLC
    Inventor: Hartmut Diekwisch
  • Patent number: 5520364
    Abstract: A detachable weight assembly holds a cover in a desired position solely by gravity. The weight assembly includes a weight sufficiently heavy to immobilize the cover by gravity. A fastener is secured to the weight, and includes a spring-loaded clip for releasably attaching the weight to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventors: Shawn E. Bloxson, Gregory M. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 5520021
    Abstract: A fabric tape having loops for complementary attachment to a hook-carrying member of a hook-and-loop fastener assembly. The fabric tape includes a fabric backing having a front face and a rear face; and a multitude of elongated yarn loops formed on the front face of the backing, at least some of the loops defining a clockwise-extending axis with reference to the front face of the backing and at least some of the loops defining a counter-clockwise-extending axis with reference to the front face of the backing. The loops are positioned in uniform ranks and files on the front face of the backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Aplix, Inc.
    Inventor: Pierro R. Clerici
  • Patent number: 5519949
    Abstract: An improved clothes dryer includes a heated drying chamber, a drum mounted for rotation in the drying chamber to tumble articles of clothing, and a door which is opened to permit placement and removal of articles in the dryer and is closed during the drying process. The improvement is tumble-preventing means for positioning an article in the drying chamber for drying without tumbling. The tumble-preventing means includes a clothes bag for being trapped between the dryer door and the drying chamber for restraining in the drying chamber the article to be dried. The clothes bag positions the article at a height within the drying chamber sufficient to prevent rotation-causing contact between the article and the rotating drum. A locking clip is located outside of the dryer for being attached to the clothes bag. The locking clip prevents the clothes bag from being dislodged by rotation of the drum from its trapped condition between the dryer door and drying chamber during the drying process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: Pressley T. Gibson, Jr.
  • Patent number: D370757
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: McKechnie UK Limited
    Inventors: Stephen C. Loftus, James W. R. Fathers
  • Patent number: D371070
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Kemfast Sportsox, Inc.
    Inventor: Marci A. Brier
  • Patent number: D371821
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Robin C. Hood
  • Patent number: D372669
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Masayosi Mazda