Patents Examined by Allen N. Shoap
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Patent number: 6684748Abstract: An apparatus for cutting optimally sized fruit and vegetable pieces comprised of a dump chute, a trough, a conveyor, a drive means, at least one sensor, a programmable logic controller (PLC), and a cutter assembly. The apparatus is configured to receive materials from a source, load these materials onto a conveyor move these items by means of the conveyor to a cutting portion where the materials are cut into appropriate sized pieces, as determined by a programmed logic sensor based upon the input from a plurality of sensors and pre-selected criteria from a user.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
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Patent number: 6681493Abstract: Portable circular saws are taught that may include a base and a saw unit pivotally coupled to the base. The saw unit may have a circular saw blade that is adapted to laterally pivot relative to the base. A stopper may be provided to allow an operator to selectively stop the saw unit at a second pivot angle that is between a first pivot angle and a third pivot angle. Preferably, the stopper may have an operative position and a non-operative position. In the operative position, the saw unit can pivot from the first pivot angle to the third pivot angle without stopping at the second pivot angle. In the non-operative position, the saw unit can pivot between the first pivot angle and the second pivot angle. A first stopper may be provided to permit the saw to be selectively stopped at a small angle pivot position (e.g. 0°) before a minimum pivot angle (e.g. −5°). A second stopper may be provided to permit the saw to be selectively stopped at a large angle pivot position (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2000Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Makita CorporationInventors: Shinsuke Mori, Katsumi Okouchi
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Patent number: 5893504Abstract: A backpack for carrying foldable chairs and other accessories comprises an outer envelope open at one end into which a foldable chair is placed, a pair of spaced straps mounted at one end to the outer surface of the backpack and extending over the outwardly extending legs of the chair and being removably coupled to a mating strap attached to the mid point of the opposite outer surface of the backpack. The backpack further includes a first zippered compartment extending horizontally across the outer surface and including a mesh pocket mounted at an intermediate position thereon. A drawstring is mounted along each end of the envelope opening to secure the chair in place. The backpack also includes a reinforcing strap mounted horizontally to the surface at the upper end thereof and having one end of a pair of shoulder straps mounted thereto at an intermediate position and a handle mounted thereto at the upper portion of said reinforcing strap to be used with a second handle on the other side of the opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1998Date of Patent: April 13, 1999Inventors: Lee Baronian, Peter Marzulli
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Patent number: 5752615Abstract: A container including a base and an associated cover which form an enclosure for blister packs, pills, medication or other small articles. The container includes at least three latches located around the perimeter of the container to hold it closed. The latches can only be disengaged by applying pressure to all the latches simultaneously. In addition, the latches are spaced from each other so that two hands are required to simultaneously release all of the latches. Openings are advantageously placed near the latches to allow the user to exert inward pressure on the walls of the container, which pressure acts to disengage the latches.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1997Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Assignee: Magenta CorporationInventors: Richard W. Hofmann, Alex J. Kutaj
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Patent number: 5417340Abstract: A hinge construction for the effectuation or hingedly articulated connection between a lid and an aperture which is located on a plate member. More particularly, there is provided a hinge structure which facilitates a spring-biased floating sealing connection between the lid and a surface about the aperture on the plate member, which may be a component of a mechanically interlocked switch box cover, adapted to impart a uniform sealing pressure to a gasket interposed between structure mounting the lid on the hinge and the surface about the aperture. The hinge arm portion depending from a disc-like member which rotatably mounts the cup-shaped lid, is provided with a hinge pin-receiving through hole of an essentially oblong cross-sectional configuration along its length, and in which the major axis of the oblong hole extends generally perpendicular to the plane of the lower surface of the disc member which has a sealing gasket for contacting the surface about the aperture in the plate member.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1993Date of Patent: May 23, 1995Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventor: John C. Anthony
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Patent number: 4962938Abstract: A gasket with a first layer and a second layer of gasket material joined to the first layer with a sealant chamber formed between the two layers is provided. The first and second layers have a plurality of first passageways that are sealed with a rupturable membrane to protect the sealant contained within the sealant chamber. The gasket has at least one second passageway to accommodate flow ways and fastener devices associated with two the opposing surfaces to be sealed with the aid of the gasket described herein. The gasket has a circumferential compressible barrier means to provide a barrier to the flow of the sealant into the second passageways.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1989Date of Patent: October 16, 1990Inventor: Robert T. Cooper
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Patent number: 4566129Abstract: This invention relates to a resealable bag apparatus (10) having front (13) and rear (14) bag panels that are releasably secured together by a pair of enclosure arms (18, 19) that are in turn releasably secured by a flap member (26), and the apparatus is further provided with a tamper proof sealing unit (100) that extends from the rear face to the front face of the apparatus (10) thru a suspension aperture (27).Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1983Date of Patent: January 21, 1986Inventor: Douglas D. McNamee
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Patent number: 4418852Abstract: A spare tire carrier attachable to the underside of a trailer or other vele not equipped with an interior spare tire storage space. The carrier includes three or more transversely extending roller support units located to underlie a surface of the tire when it is in its stored position. During manual movement of the spare tire to or from its stored position the rollers turn on their rotational axes to facilitate tire motion. The carrier can be constructed in different sizes for use with different vehicles and spare tire sizes. The carrier is preferably formed from standard commercially-available structural components, such as rods, bars and tubes, thereby facilitating use on military vehicles where the low volume usage does not warrant an expensive tooling investment.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1982Date of Patent: December 6, 1983Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Israel M. Grinwald
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Patent number: 4406386Abstract: An article carrier for mounting on a substantially flat exterior surface of a motor vehicle and a bracket for the article carrier. The article carrier has two slats secured to the surface in a spaced apart, parallel relationship. One bracket is removably fastened to each of the slats. A movable fastening member depending from each bracket selectively secures the bracket in a fixed position along the corresponding slat. The article carrier also includes a transverse rail fastened at each of its end to one of the brackets.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1981Date of Patent: September 27, 1983Assignee: Masco CorporationInventors: William Rasor, Gary M. Cronce
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Patent number: 4394929Abstract: A double-walled vacuum insulated cryogenic liquid container wherein the access conduit is composed of a material whose strength increases with decreasing temperature with the conduit having a wall thickness which varies in a manner such that when the container is holding a cryogenic liquid, the ratio of bending moment stress in the conduit due to a selected applied force to the strength of the conduit material is substantially constant along the length of the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1981Date of Patent: July 26, 1983Assignee: Union Carbide CorporationInventors: Nandlal P. Patel, Roger J. Dolida
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Patent number: 4149663Abstract: A wire basket with a bail type handle or dual bail handles which are removable and may be flexibly attached to the basket.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1977Date of Patent: April 17, 1979Inventor: Richard L. Agar
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Patent number: 4142756Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for closing the inlet pipe of a container, such as the fuel tank of a motor vehicle. The arrangement includes a cap having a handle portion as well as a fastening and sealing portion. The handle portion is connected to the fastening and sealing portion by a releasable clip connector which becomes disengaged when excessive forces are applied to the handle portion. In addition to or instead of this arrangement, the free end of the inlet pipe and at least the fastening and sealing portion of the cap are surrounded by a protective collar.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1977Date of Patent: March 6, 1979Assignee: Volkswagenwerk AktiengesellschaftInventors: Bodo Henning, Heinz Otto, Helmut Kruger
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Patent number: 4133560Abstract: A plug and its attaching hole for use in removably securing an accessory to a pressure container. This plug includes a head portion and a reduced diameter or shank portion continuous with the undersurface of the former. Build-up portions are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shank portion, while cut-away portions are provided in the peripheral edge of the plug-attaching hole defined in the wall of the pressure container. Upon insertion of the shank portion of the plug into the plug-attaching hole, the build-up portions formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shank portion of the plug are mated with the cut-away portions, and then the plug is turned through a given angle so that the build-up portions may engage the inner peripheral edge surface of the plug-attaching hole provided in the wall of the pressure container.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1977Date of Patent: January 9, 1979Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masakazu Ishikawa, Tsutomu Chuwman
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Patent number: 4124138Abstract: A protective device for use with a drinking container is disclosed for protecting a person while drinking from the container. The protective device may be used as a moustache protective device or may be used for preventing ice within the liquid container from contacting the upper lip of the person drinking from the container. The device includes a shield having an aperture with tabs extending from opposed sides of the shield. The tabs are established for contacting the outer circumference of the drinking container when the shield is positioned over the opening. The aperture provides control liquid flow from the drinking container to the person. Resilient means including a first and a second resilient arm grasp the outer circumference of the drinking container for retaining the shield to the container.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1977Date of Patent: November 7, 1978Inventors: William Saliba, Juliana M. Hoefling
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Patent number: 4109813Abstract: Plastic articles and apparatus for making the same in which a preformed sleeve is placed over a core, a parison is injected around the core and sleeve in a parison mold and the parison is blown in a blow mold together with the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1975Date of Patent: August 29, 1978Inventor: Emery I. Valyi
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Patent number: 3951297Abstract: An anti-siphon fluid tank adaptor to prevent the insertion of a siphoning tube while nonetheless permitting rapid filling of the tank.The adaptor comprises an extension firmly secured to the tank and a tubular sleeve firmly welded to the extension and having an end portion within the tank covered with a conically-shaped member. The sleeve is provided with several holes about the circumference of the sleeve and one end of the extension is provided with means for receiving a cap for closing the entire adaptor.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1974Date of Patent: April 20, 1976Assignees: Carlos A. Riquelme, Paul KeeleInventor: Ronald J. Martin