Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Watts Hoffmann Fisher & Heinke
  • Patent number: 6161400
    Abstract: A cut-resistant fabric machine-knitted two-ends-in from two different yarns, one of which contains cut-resistant fiber and the other of which contains fibers having a hardness that tends to dull a cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Whizard Protective Wear Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph Hummel
  • Patent number: 6157007
    Abstract: An improved heater assembly for use with a chafing dish having water and food pans with complemental peripheral flanges is disclosed. The assembly includes a corner piece sized to be interposed between such flanges to maintain at least portions of such flanges in spaced relationship when the chafing dish is in use. The assembly also includes an immersible heater element sub-assembly including an upstanding arm connected to and depending from the corner piece. The sub-assembly including an encased electrical resistance heater loop having end portions connected to the arm with the arm and loop being sized to position the loop near a bottom of such water pan and immersed in water when such chafing dish is in use. Side and end arms are connected to the corner piece and adapted to be positioned respectively between side and end portions of such peripheral flanges. The spacer arms are each of thickness from a thick portion near the corner portion to a thinner remote end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Chesterfield Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Chester B. Scott, III
  • Patent number: 6153146
    Abstract: A slag control body transfer and automatic release apparatus for carrying and releasing a slag control body and a molten metal receptacle adapted for subsequently guiding the slag control body are disclosed. The molten metal receptacle includes top and bottom end portions and an interior region therein, the bottom end portion including a discharge nozzle disposed therein for discharging molten metal from the interior region of the molten metal receptacle. A guiding opening is disposed in the top end portion for aligning the slag control body within the opening as the slag control body passes through the opening and subsequently falls into the interior region of the molten metal receptacle. The guiding opening is tapered inwardly in a direction from the top end portion to the bottom end portion. The transfer apparatus includes a hook apparatus that automatically releases the slag control body as the slag control body is lowered towards the inwardly tapered opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Inland Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Ted C. DeMarco
  • Patent number: 6152517
    Abstract: A cover assembly (10) for a pick-up type of vehicle (28). The assembly comprises a frame (12) and spring urging arrangements (32) extending downwardly from the sides of the frame (12) to each side of the vehicle. A flexible cover member extends over the frame (12) and arrangements (32). The cover member (24) is selectively rollable onto or off rollers (22, 52) such that the height of the assembly (10) automatically raises or lowers as a result of the amount of cover member (24) unrolled and by virtue of the spring urging arrangements (32) maintaining the cover member (24) taut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: William David Steadman
  • Patent number: 6152691
    Abstract: A nonmetallic pump for pumping molten metal includes a base with an impeller chamber, at least one molten metal inlet opening to the base, at least one molten metal outlet opening from the base, and an impeller connected to one end of a motor driven shaft and rotatable in the impeller chamber. The base includes a shell portion and a one-piece insert formed of nonmetallic heat-resistant material disposed in the impeller chamber. The insert includes a generally circular bore in which the impeller is disposed and a wall extending so as to form a spiral-shaped volute opening around the bore. An egress channel extends from the volute opening toward the molten metal outlet opening. Also included are methods for making the insert and base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Bruno H. Thut
  • Patent number: 6150947
    Abstract: A programmable sound effects device which utilizes a motion-sensitive mechanism for selecting unique sound effects. The device is comprised of an electronic motion-sensitive actuator, a sound effect storage media for storing a plurality of predetermined sound effects, and a playback mechanism for audibly emitting the motion-activated sound effects. This device is designed to be used with amusement and entertainment type products such as toys, games, dolls, and props, with exemplary uses in toy swords, drumsticks, magic wands, and the like. A preferred embodiment is comprised of a unit which is physically incorporated into the handle of a toy sword. As the user moves the toy sword in a predefined manner, the motion-sensitive actuator senses the motion and plays out a plurality of unique sound effects as a function of the user's movements. The motion-detection algorithm which triggers the different sound effects is programmable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: James Michael Shima
  • Patent number: 6145417
    Abstract: A plier for inserting and removing retaining rings and other purposes. The plier is convertible for alternately closing and opening of the jaws as the handles are closed. The handles and jaws are rotatable about a pivot shaft. Cams effect movement of the key members between a first position wherein a first key member connects a first handle to a first jaw and a second key member connects a second handle to a first jaw whereby the jaws move inwardly as the handles move inwardly and a second position wherein the first key member connects the first handle to the second jaw and the second key member connects the second handle to the first jaw whereby the jaws move outwardly as the handles are moved inwardly. The plier includes a storage cavity for tips and tip change tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Stride Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryle E. Bates, Scott Kalanish
  • Patent number: 6148258
    Abstract: An integrated electronic starting control system module for diesel engines which provides unique packaging with integration of a multiplicity of features previously unavailable or available only in separate control modules. Integrated into one modular device are improved glow plug and starting system control, monitoring, protection, and diagnostic features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: Mario Boisvert, David W. Shank, Timothy J. Rigling, Ronald L. Ballast
  • Patent number: 6143784
    Abstract: A method of reducing muscle fatigue during exercise or for treating chronic heart failure, the method comprising increasing the concentration of TCA cycle intermediates in the muscle mitochondria by the administration of pyruvate to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Paul Leonard Greenhaff, Elizabeth Jane Simpson, Dumitru Constantin-Teodosiu
  • Patent number: 6134971
    Abstract: The present invention is a novel electronic technique that detects stress/strain in any conductive or semiconductive material. The technique is based on passing a current through the material of interest and analyzing the low frequency voltage fluctuation. The voltage fluctuation is very sensitive to the amount of stress present in the sample. The voltage fluctuation is a result of interactions between the imposed current and material itself. The technique is many orders of magnitude more sensitive than any present method. The technique is suitable for sensitive measurements without a strain gauge. The technique is not limited by sample size, and provides a simple, fast, nondestructive and on-site evaluation of stress/strain in a material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: University of Hawaii
    Inventors: Anupam Misra, James R. Gaines, Richard Rocheleau, Steven Song
  • Patent number: 6137112
    Abstract: An ion implanter including a time of flight energy measurement apparatus for measuring and controlling the energy of an ion beam includes an ion source for generating the ion beam, an ion acceleration assembly for accelerating the beam resulting in the beam comprising a series of ion pulses having a predetermined frequency and beam forming and directing structure for directing the ion beam at workpieces supported in an implantation chamber of the implanter. The time of flight energy measurement apparatus includes spaced apart first and second sensors, timing circuitry and conversion circuitry. The time of flight energy measurement apparatus measures an average kinetic energy of an ion included in a selected ion pulse of the ion beam. The first sensor and a second sensor are disposed adjacent the ion beam and spaced a predetermined distance apart, the second sensor being downstream of the first sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Edward K. McIntyre, Kevin W. Wenzel, David R. Swenson, Ernst F. Scherer, William F. Divergilio, Kourosh Saadatmand
  • Patent number: D432706
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: The L.D. Kichler Co.
    Inventor: Nelson J. Bleisch
  • Patent number: D433111
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: F F Seeley Nominees Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Sydney Wright
  • Patent number: D434176
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: The L. D. Kichler Co.
    Inventor: Libbe A. Milicia
  • Patent number: D434520
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: The L. D. Kichler Co.
    Inventor: Libbe A. Milicia
  • Patent number: D434521
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: The L. D. Kichler Co.
    Inventor: Libbe A. Milicia
  • Patent number: D434547
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: Karen J. Kim
  • Patent number: D435128
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: The L. D. Kichler Co.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Nicholas
  • Patent number: D435312
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: The L. D. Kichler Co.
    Inventor: Libbe A. Milicia
  • Patent number: D435499
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Stahl/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Joseph G. Smith, Richard R. Lewellen