Patents Represented by Attorney Waddey & Patterson, P.C.
  • Patent number: 7000789
    Abstract: A reversible child-resistant closure system including a closure and container. The closure has a child resistant mode when applied to the container in a first child-resistant position and has a non-child resistant mode when applied to the container in a second non-child resistant position. The closure includes an outer cap and an inner cap. The inner cap is coaxially positioned and nested within the outer cap such that a plurality of angular abutment surfaces of the inner cap engage a series of angular abutments of the outer cap upon rotation of the outer cap to rotate the inner cap in a closing direction. However, upon rotation of the outer cap member in an opening direction in the absence of an axial force, the angular abutment surfaces of the inner cap cam over and past the series of angular abutments of the outer cap, preventing rotation of the inner cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Tri State Distribution, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Miceli, Joseph Miceli
  • Patent number: 6999221
    Abstract: A bimorphic polymeric photomechanical actuator, in one embodiment using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as a photosensitive body, transmitting light over fiber optic cables, and controlling the shape and pulse duration of the light pulse to control movement of the actuator. Multiple light beams are utilized to generate different ranges of motion for the actuator from a single photomechanical body and alternative designs use multiple light beams and multiple photomechanical bodies to provide controlled movement. Actuator movement using one or more ranges of motion is utilized to control motion to position an actuating element in three dimensional space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignees: Alabama A&M University, The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Sergey S. Sarkisov, Michael J. Curley, Grigory Adamovsky, Sergey S. Sarkisov, Jr., Aisha B. Fields
  • Patent number: 6994894
    Abstract: A method of depositing a solid film on a substrate in which a stream comprising particles suspended in a transport gas is moved through a heating zone. The particles are combined with the transport gas from a powder feeder operatively coupled to a gas flow tube. The particle stream is directed toward the heating zone by ejecting the powder stream from a nozzle connected to a distal end of the gas flow tube. A radiation source is directed at the suspended particles as they move through the heating zone so that the particles heated to a molten state. The droplets are undercooled in a cooling zone before impact with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventor: William Hofmeister
  • Patent number: 6990690
    Abstract: A protective sports glove used to protect the fingers, the hand, the wrist, and at least a portion of the forearm of a user of the sports glove. The protective sports glove comprises a hand portion, including a palm section and a back section, a plurality of finger portions extending from the hand portion, a thumb portion extending from the hand portion proximate to the finger portions, and a cuff portion attached to the hand portion distal from the finger and thumb portions. The cuff portion includes a plurality of protection sections extending from the hand portion and aligned substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of sports glove. The hand portion, finger portions, and thumb portion include multiple protective elements used to protect a user's hand, fingers, thumbs, and wrist from impact during participation in the sporting event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: J. deBeer & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Gait
  • Patent number: 6982874
    Abstract: A thermal solution for an electronic device, which is positioned between a heat source and an external surface of the electronic device and/or another component of the electronic device, where the thermal solution facilitates heat dissipation from the heat source while shielding the external surface and/or second component from the heat generated by the heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Martin David Smalc, Gary D. Shives, Robert Anderson Reynolds, III
  • Patent number: 6969330
    Abstract: A metal baseball or softball bat may be improved both for durability and performance by selectively placing a layer of polymer material around portions of the bat. In one embodiment, the barrel portion of the bat may have a polymer layer directly laid up upon the metal bat frame. In a second embodiment, the barrel portion of the bat may include an outer metal sleeve placed about the metal bat frame, with an exterior polymer shell being formed on the outer metal sleeve. In a third embodiment, an intermediate portion of the bat adjacent a zone of maximum bending stress may be reinforced by the placement of a polymer outer layer on the metal frame of the bat adjacent the area of maximum bending stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Worth, LLC
    Inventor: Ricky Meeker
  • Patent number: 6969193
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an ankle and foot immobilizer has a base, a spine perpendicular to the base, and a shoulder perpendicular to both the base and spine. A foot cover is rotatably attached to the shoulder and engageable to the foot so that the sole is either resting upon the base to obtain a top view of the foot or so that the sole is resting against the spine to obtain a side-view of the foot. A vertical leg support that is releasably attached to the spine is provided to secure the leg in a vertical fashion. A horizontal leg support that is releasably attached to the spine is provided to secure the leg in a horizontal fashion. The base can have a cassette holder so that a separate cassette holder is not required. The immobilizer has an anchor that can be releasably secured to a standard x-ray table such as a suction cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Modern Way Immobilizers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jimmy Pigg
  • Patent number: 6966854
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a pre-manufactured or pre-formed pocket. The present pocket is secured using cross lace pieces and either runners or throat tie downs to be attached to the frame. Generally, the runners are made of a top runner piece and a bottom runner piece that are stitched together. In between the top runner piece and the bottom runner piece there are placed any number of cross pieces and cross lace pieces. The cross pieces maintain the maximum distance between the runners. The cross lace pieces are used to tie to secure the pocket to the frame. Either throat ties or the runners are then used to secure the bottom portion of the pockets to the throat of the frame. The top runner piece and the bottom runner piece can be secured together in any way including stitching or adhesive. Another embodiment creates a pocket from one or more sheets of material. A die or knife is used to cut the material into the desired shape. In that way a piece of material can be cut into a mesh pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: J. deBeer & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Gait
  • Patent number: 6960840
    Abstract: The invention provides integrated turbogenerators having a turbine wheel, a compressor impeller, and a motor generator mounted to or mechanically constrained to a common shaft, and improved components and configurations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Capstone Turbine Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Willis, Paul Berner, Guillermo Pont, Joel Wacknov
  • Patent number: 6956339
    Abstract: A hoist synchronization apparatus and method using a master controller operating software that provides a pulse reference to a slave controller. The slave commands its motor to rotate at the speed conveyed by that pulse reference. The slave controller monitors the pulse feedback from both the master encoder and the slave's encoder and compensates for any position error by adjusting its motor output speed. In addition, the slave controller includes the capability to automatically resynchronize the hoists. Resynchronization is accomplished by storing position error generated when either the master or the slave is run independently and correcting for the error when both units are operated at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Magnetek, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron S. Kureck, Eric L. Schlevensky
  • Patent number: 6951352
    Abstract: Included is a flap board book having at least one page constructed of a first piece of grayback board and a second piece of grayback board wherein each piece of grayback board has a front and a back side. Each front side includes a coating adapted to accept printing. The first piece of grayback board includes a rotateably attached section positioned to allow viewing of a portion of the backside of the first piece of the grayback board and a portion of the backside of the second piece of grayback board. The portion of the backside of the first piece of the grayback board and the portion of the backside of the second piece of the grayback board includes a flashing adapted to accept printing ink. In this invention, only the portion of the back of each grayback board piece has been flashed, or treated. This treatment enables these portions, and only these portions on the flashed side of each piece, to properly accept printing ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: The Clever Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew M. Hyde
  • Patent number: 6948222
    Abstract: A hand held power assisted apparatus is provided for assembling a rigid tube into a flexible hose in an automobile assembly line environment. The apparatus includes a frame with first and second gripper assemblies mounted on the frame. An actuator assembly is connected between the frame and the first gripper assembly for moving the first gripper assembly toward the second gripper assembly to insert the rigid tube into the flexible hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Integral Automation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry R. Greer, Donald R. Kelley
  • Patent number: 6935709
    Abstract: A housing for an electronic apparatus capable of being mounted in a rack by a rack ear is presented, the housing including an upper housing portion having a top and left and right sides, wherein each of the sides of the upper housing portion has an upper groove portion defined therein, the upper groove portion formed by a indentation formed in each of the sides; a lower housing portion having a bottom and left and right sides, wherein each of the sides of the lower housing portion has a lower groove portion defined therein, the lower groove portion formed by a indentation formed in each of the sides, wherein the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion cooperate to form the housing, and further wherein, when the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion are combined to form the housing, the upper groove portion and the lower groove portion combine to form a track groove shaped to receive a rack mounting ear are formed on the left and right sides of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Gibson Guitar Corp.
    Inventors: Mark H. Powell, Etienne H. Iliffe-Moon, David Wathen
  • Patent number: 6933509
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for hardening a metal article, comprising a holding device, an energy beam generator pointed at the holding device for directing energy beams at the holding device, and a cycling system supporting the holding device, wherein the cycling system varies the location of the holding device relative to the energy beam generator. The apparatus includes an energy beam delivery instrument system positioned between the energy beam generator and the holding device so that the energy an energy beam delivery instrument directs the energy beam to the holding device. Also, the apparatus includes an auxiliary heating device engaging the holding device, wherein the auxiliary heating device heats the metal article independently from the energy beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Allasso Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter J. Chappas
  • Patent number: 6931231
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting an audio signal output through a stereo headphone jack into an infrared remote control signal. The invention utilizes the audio output to generate positive and negative pulses for operating two infrared light emitting diodes placed in parallel with opposite polarities. This allows for multiple devices with audio output jacks to be utilized as remote control devices. This connection also allows for doubling of the audio output frequency to generate infrared signals at frequencies above the normal capabilities of the audio output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Griffin Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Griffin
  • Patent number: 6926161
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reversible child resistant cap and a closure system having two positions, the first being a child resistant position and the other being a non-child resistant position. The cap is characterized in that it has a closure plane, a circumferential outer skirt for engaging a container, and a circumferential resilient depending inner member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Tri State Distribution, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Miceli, Joseph A. Miceli
  • Patent number: 6927250
    Abstract: The invention may be practiced to make graphite composites. Preferred composites which may be made in accordance with the invention include conductive polymeric composites (thermally or electrically), paint composites, battery composites, capacitor composites, and pollution abatement catalyst support composites. One method of making the graphite aforementioned composites includes introducing an intercalant into at least one interstice of at least one flake of natural graphite. The method also includes introducing a fluid into the at least one interstices of the flake. Preferably, the fluid comprises at least one of a sub-critical fluid, near critical point fluid, or a supercritical fluid. Furthermore the method includes blending the flake with a polymer, thereby forming a graphite-polymeric composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technology Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Kaschak, Robert A. Reynolds, III, Daniel W. Krassowski
  • Patent number: 6926636
    Abstract: A differential power coupling for generating forward and reverse motions and allowing stopping of the rotation for a vehicle using a rotational power supply to power a variable speed transmission having first and second outputs. The power coupling uses a rotational outside gear with an outside face coupled to the first power supply, a rotational support body coupled to the second power supply and adapted to rotate axles of differential gears around a central axis, and at least one differential gear rotationally mounted on the axle attached to the rotational support body and coupled to the inside face. The differential gear is further coupled to the output shaft and adapted to create a fully variable rotation of the outputs shaft including forward, reverse and stopped rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Jerry Luper
  • Patent number: 6923631
    Abstract: A flexible graphite sheet exhibiting enhanced isotropy is provided. In addition, an apparatus, system and method for continuously producing a resin-impregnated flexible graphite sheet is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Angelo Mercuri, Joseph Paul Capp, Michael Lee Warddrip, Thomas William Weber
  • Patent number: D512419
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Gibson Guitar Corp.
    Inventors: Henry E. Juszkiewicz, Kris O. Carter, Timothy M. Nugent