Patents Represented by Attorney Watts Hoffman Co., LPA
  • Patent number: 7128177
    Abstract: A safety system for a riding lawn mower that prevents powered operation of a PTO driven implement while in reverse unless an override switch is “ON”. The override switch may be a sustained action two position switch and the PTO driven implement may be a lawn mower blade. In one embodiment, the override switch does not allow the engine to start if the override switch is on. In one embodiment, the override switch cooperates with an operator presence switch to prevent operation of the PTO driven implement when the override switch is on and the operator is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur James Harvey, Theodore G. Wetzel
  • Patent number: 7114749
    Abstract: A splash guard assembly for an over the highway vehicle and a kit for making the assembly are disclosed. The assembly includes a contoured splash guard and an intermediate mounting element for positioning between the splash guard and a vehicle side panel. The guard and the element are complementally contoured to fit together. The element is also contoured to fit a specific vehicle panel adjacent a wheel well of a vehicle having such panel. When assembled the element and panel are interconnected to enable mounting of the guard. Fasteners securing the element and guard together and the element to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventor: Douglas K. Ward
  • Patent number: 6998538
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hybrid electrical cable providing for power transmission or distribution and data and/or voice signal communications. In one preferred embodiment, the hybrid electrical cable includes a power cable having a group of one or more high voltage power conductors for conducting power and one or more groups of low power signal conductors for transmitting voice and/or data and/or control signals. The cable further includes a power cable insulation jacket overlying the group of one or more power conductors. The power cable insulation jacket includes a soft magnetic material, preferably a soft ferrite magnetic material, for RF absorption. The cable additionally includes an outer grounded metallic jacket or sheath overlying the power cable, the power cable insulation jacket and the one or more groups of low power conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ulectra Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Fetterolf, Sr., Charles S. Blichasz, William L. Donmoyer, Arthur H. Heuer, Alberto E. Planas, Sr., Alberto E. Planas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6923173
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high efficiency hot air furnace including a heat exchanger assembly located in a heat exchange chamber through with comfort air is passed to be heated. The heat exchanger assembly includes a drum like combustion member located in the flow path of comfort air. A supplemental heat exchanger or condenser is disposed in the flow path of comfort air upstream from the combustion member. A transfer channel extends from one end of the combustion member and communicates combustion products to the condenser. The combustion member includes an insulating material on the inside portion of the cylindrical wall. A diffuser is located within the combustion member which prevents the burner flame from extending into the transfer channel. The burner includes a blower for urging combustion gases through the heat exchanging assembly. Intake air for the blower is provided by an air intake chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Marty L. Schonberger, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6889416
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention concerns a process for forming two tone muntin bars. Method and apparatus of the invention uses an elongated preformed muntin bar member that has a treated portion of an exposed surface of the muntin bar member. An elongated strip of covering material is provided for controlled application onto a specified portion of the treated portion of the muntin bar material. The elongated strip of covering material includes an adhesive that causes the covering material to adhere to the muntin bar member. The muntin bar member and the covering material are brought into contact with each other to cause the covering material to overlie and adhere to the muntin bar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Bryan McGlinchy
  • Patent number: 6887387
    Abstract: A skimmer for removing oil and paramagnetic chips from a contaminated body of machine tool coolant. The skimmer includes a frame and an endless tube partially trained within the frame that defines a travel path. The path of the tube includes a first section within the body of coolant and a second section out of the body of coolant. The skimmer further includes a magnet disposed within the tube, a drive system mounted to the frame and operatively coupled to the tube to power travel of the tube, and a wiper connected to the frame at a position along the travel path. The wiper is advantageously positioned adjacent to the tube such that the wiper removes oil and metal chips carried by the tube. A receptacle is includes that delineates a collection space positioned below the wiper to receive oil and metal chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Abanaki Corporation
    Inventor: Mark T. Hobson
  • Patent number: 6877488
    Abstract: An integrated fuel management system and method for controlling the fuel storage and delivery in a vehicle. The fuel management system includes a fuel storage tank for storing fuel in a vehicle, a vapor collection canister located within the fuel storage tank, a vent actuator coupled to the vapor collection canister for venting gas from the canister during a vent operation, and a purge actuator coupled to the canister for purging fuel vapor from the canister during a purge operation. A variable speed fuel pump is disposed within the fuel storage tank for delivering fuel to a fuel delivery line for an engine. The fuel management system has a controller provided in a module disposed in communication with the fuel for controlling the amount of fuel pumped with the variable speed fuel pump to deliver fuel to the fuel delivery line and further control the purge and vent actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: John Washeleski, Randall L. Perrin, John E. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6851624
    Abstract: A deicing system for use with a vehicle. Apparatus of the system has an inlet port for receiving a fluid; an outlet port for dispensing a heated fluid; an electrically conductive tube connecting the inlet port and the outlet port for heating fluid passing through the tube from the inlet to the outlet; and a control circuit for energizing opposite ends of the coiled tube with a voltage to heat the tube and the fluid passing through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: David Shank, John Washeleski
  • Patent number: 6835090
    Abstract: A sealed electrical assembly that includes a housing having an opening at an end. An electrical device is positioned in the housing. The electrical device includes a lead that extends out of the open end. A cover is positioned within the opening. The cover includes a plate portion and a tab portion spaced apart from the plate portion. The tab portion extends into a cutout in the housing that is located between the plate portion and the housing end to position the cover with respect to the housing. A sealant is disposed around a perimeter of the plate portion to provide a seal between the cover and the housing. A portion of the sealant is disposed in a space between the cutout and the plate portion to prevent leakage through the cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Eric Liedtke
  • Patent number: 6774377
    Abstract: A lens structure for use with an ion beam implanter. The lens structure includes first and second electrodes spaced apart along a direction of ion movement. The lens structure extends on opposite sides of a beam path across a width of the ion beam for deflecting ions entering the lens structure. The lens structure include a first electrode for decelerating ions and a second electrode for accelerating the ions to cause ions entering the lens structure to exit said lens structure with approximately the same exit trajectory regardless of the trajectory ions enter the lens structure. In an alternate construction the lens structure can include a first electrode for accelerating ions and a second electrode for decelerating ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Rathmell, Victor M. Benveniste
  • Patent number: 6745460
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention concerns a process for forming two tone muntin bars. Method and apparatus of the invention uses an elongated preformed muntin bar member that has a treated portion of an exposed surface of the muntin bar member. An elongated strip of covering material is provided for controlled application onto a specified portion of the treated portion of the muntin bar material. The elongated strip of covering material includes an adhesive that causes the covering material to adhere to the muntin bar member. The muntin bar member and the covering material are brought into contact with each other to cause the covering material to overlie and adhere to the muntin bar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Bryan McGlinchy
  • Patent number: 6698821
    Abstract: A vehicle having an occupant space within a cab is disclosed. The cab has an access door providing access to the space. The door includes a novel hinge mounting construction including a hinge mounting plate. The plate is moveable over a limited adjustment range. A hinge plate locator sized to mate with complemental surfaces of a hinge leaf is provided. The locator is connected to the plate and moveable with the plate as the plate is moved within its adjustment range. A fastener is provided to fix the locator and plate in an adjusted position such that the door may be removed and remounted without repeating an initial locating adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolaus G. Racz
  • Patent number: 6630028
    Abstract: A system for controlled dispensing of a material onto an elongated window component. A nozzle dispenses the material into contact with a surface of the elongated window component at a delivery site located along a path of travel of the elongated window component. A conveyer moves the elongated window component along the path of travel relative to the nozzle at a controlled speed. A metering pump delivers controlled amounts of the material to the nozzle. A pressurized bulk supply delivers the material to an inlet to the metering pump. A controller regulates the speed of the metering pump to control the flow rate of the material dispensed by the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Briese, Timothy Bryan McGlinchy
  • Patent number: D504642
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruben Perfetti, John Martin, Martin Luckhaus, Bo Sun
  • Patent number: D505619
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Waxman Consumer Products Group Inc.
    Inventor: Paul K. Metaxatos