Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Watts Hoffmann
  • Boring head cutter
    Patent number: 6857488
    Abstract: A tunnel boring including a rotatable head is disclosed. The head has a cutting face transverse to a head axis of rotation. A plurality of cutters are mounted in the face each on an associated one of a plurality of hubs. The hubs mounted for rotation about a respective hub axes. Each such respective hub axis is in an imaginary plane intersecting another imaginary plane including the head axis. Each of the cutters has a cutting edge symmetrical about another imaginary plane which is skewed with respect to the respective hub axis of the associated hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: Robert X. Pastor
  • Rotary knife having vacuum attachment
    Patent number: 6857191
    Abstract: A rotary knife having a ring blade that defines a closed loop cutting surface for cutting material which the ring blade contacts during rotation. Materials cut using the blade such as meat cut from a carcass or trimmed from a piece of meat are suctioned away from the blade. The material is drawn into a blade housing which supports the ring blade. A housing body has a wall that defines a housing interior into which material separated by the cutting surface of the ring blade moves as it is cut. The blade housing body defines a bearing surface that is defined by a wall of the housing body that supports the ring blade and allows the ring blade to rotate with respect to the blade housing. Alternate coupling designed of the housing body allow the blade housing to be coupled to a suction tube for withdrawing meat from the interior of the blade housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Whited
  • Raised flooring system and method
    Patent number: 6857230
    Abstract: An improved pedestal for a flooring system of the type which utilizes prefabricated base panels installed in side by side relationship to support a series of upstanding pedestals positioned in a geometric pedestal array is disclosed. The pedestals support further panels which define chases. Working floor panels are mounted atop caps which form tops of the pedestals. In one embodiment the caps each thread into a threaded bore in a pedestal body for leveling adjustments. Novel feet project downwardly from the pedestal bodies to provide positive locks with the base panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: David D. Owen
  • Optical scanner with segmented collection mirror
    Patent number: 6834805
    Abstract: A multiple working range scanner includes a collection mirror which is segmented, with each segment having differing optical properties, such as focal length, optical axis, and so on. Differing segments or combinations of segments deal with reflected light received at differing working ranges, and direct it to a photodetector. In another embodiment, beam shaping may be applied to an astigmatic laser beam, for example by means of a part-concave mirror, to create an x waist in the beam which is further from the scanner than the y waist. This provides enhanced performance when the scanner is used on a bar code symbol which is not accurately aligned. In order to provide improved optical alignment within a bar code scanner, the collection mirror may be adjustable both in the x direction and in the y direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Dvorkis, Edward Barkan, Howard Shepard, David Tsi, Mark Drzymala, Harold Charych, Raj Bridgelall
  • Vibration compensation system for tire testing systems
    Patent number: 6834559
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the measurement of force variation in a tire (20) being tested on a tire uniformity machine. The apparatus includes a loadwheel assembly (500) including a rotatable loadwheel (510) connected to load sensors (530, 540) for detecting forces imposed on the loadwheel (510) by a tire (20) being tested. Vibration sensors (700, 702, 704) are associated with the loadwheel assembly (500) for detecting vibrations in the loadwheel (510) caused by forces other than the forces applied by the tire (20). Means is provided for subtracting the vibration induced forces from the tire (20) imposed forces in order to provide more precise tire uniformity data. The vibration sensors (700, 702, 704) which comprise accelerometers are used to determine vibration induced forces in the lateral and radial direction with respect to the loadwheel (510).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Beebe
  • Integrated vehicle communications display
    Patent number: 6828924
    Abstract: A communications system for use in a vehicle that allows the user of the communications system to safely communicate from inside the vehicle. The communications system includes a memory for storing messages that will be transmitted by the driver to a receiving party, a sensor for sensing movement of the truck, a display unit coupled to the memory and the sensor for selectively displaying stored messages, a selector for selecting at least one stored message to be communicated to the receiving party, and a transmitter for transmitting the one or more stored messages. The display unit selectively displays the stored messages based on whether or not the vehicle is stopped preventing the operator from being distracted while driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommy Gustavsson, Riley Muse, Michael Blackard, Jon Quigley, John Bate, Brian Kidd
  • Knittable yarn and safety apparel
    Patent number: 6826898
    Abstract: A cut-resistant, machine knittable, composite yarn that utilizes a yarn or fiber strand or component of normal strength (no greater than 10 grams per denier tenacity) liquid crystal polymer, to provide a composite yarn of comparable high cut-resistance to composite yarns of similar construction that utilize high strength synthetic yarn or fiber. Also protective articles of apparel knitted from such yarn, specifically a cut-resistant protective glove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Wells Lamont Industry Group
    Inventor: Joseph Hummel
  • Valve lifter
    Patent number: 6820581
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a valve lifter for use in an internal combustion engine. The valve lifter comprises a body adapted to be reciprocally slidable within a valve lifter bore of an engine. The valve lifter includes a rotably mounted cam roller engaging the cam lobe of a cam-shaft where the cam lobe operates to drive the valve lifter body towards a valve open position. The valve lifter may also include an auxiliary roller rotatably mounted in the valve lifter body and engaging the cam roller where the force from the cam lobe is transferred to the lifter body through both the cam roller and auxiliary roller. The present invention includes a method of making a valve lifter by creating grooves in the walls of the recess to aid in the lubrication of the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Morel Motorsports, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Vene
  • Retrieval device
    Patent number: 6814739
    Abstract: An endoscopic surgical device for retrieving severed tissue or foreign bodies from within a subject is disclosed. The device comprises a support unit and a tissue retrieving net system. The net system is carried by the support unit and may be inserted into the subject through an orifice or small incision and operated to retrieve tissue that has been severed by a conventional method. The net system comprises a net, a net actuator, a net deployment and retrieval assembly for transmitting motion between the net and its actuator. The net system further comprises at least one net connector disposed such that only one connector is within an articulation zone, defined by locations of severe bending of the device during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: U.S. Endoscopy Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean J. Secrest, Marlin E. Younker
  • Toilet tool holder
    Patent number: D500423
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Waxman Consumer Products Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Rich
  • Toilet tool holder
    Patent number: D500619
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Waxman Consumer Products Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Rich
  • Switch
    Patent number: D500744
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan L. Michaud
  • Housing for a water treatment unit
    Patent number: D501240
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Kinetico Incorporated
    Inventor: Erin Riddell
  • Fairing trim piece for an over the highway truck
    Patent number: D497130
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruben Perfetti, John Martin, Michael Sorrells
  • Bumper for an over the highway truck
    Patent number: D497335
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Bird, Ruben Perfetti, John Martin
  • Static switch method and apparatus
    Patent number: RE38625
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing alternate current paths to a junction through different sets of gate controlled SCRs coupled to the junction. The method starts with the step of initiating a switch from an active set of SCRs to an inactive set by removing a gate signal from two parallel connected, opposite sense current carrying SCRs which in combination carry AC current in either direction. Removal of the gating signal is often initiated, for example, in response to an indication that one alternating current source is faulty so that a switch to a second source is initiated. Current is then sensed through the two SCRs of the active set to determine a current carrying state for each of those two SCRs. After the state of the current carrying SCRs is determined the current carrying state of the SCRs is confirmed during a delay time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Danaher Power Solutions LLC
    Inventor: James M. Galm
  • Handle for an over the highway truck
    Patent number: D498655
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruben Perfetti, John Martin, Michael Sorrells
  • Upper housing for a water treatment system control valve
    Patent number: D499170
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Kinetico Incorporated
    Inventor: Stuart Park
  • Cab skirt for an over the highway truck
    Patent number: D499679
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruben Perfetti, John Martin, Michael Sorrells
  • Body portion for a fluid powered diaphragm pump
    Patent number: D500325
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: The Gorman-Rupp Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Reynolds, Michael R. Forsythe