Patents Examined by Amanda J. Hoolahan
  • Patent number: 6598556
    Abstract: The present invention is an aerodynamic wind riding antenna ornament comprising a main body adapted to be rotatably and slidably attached to an antenna mast. The main body has an aerodynamic lifting surface to harness airflow from the movement of a vehicle to move the ornament up and down the antenna mast. The main body also has an aperture of sufficient size to allow for the device to freely slide up and down an antenna mast. Retaining means is removably coupled to the aerodynamic lifting surface near the aperture to prevent the aerodynamic wind riding antenna ornament from sliding off the top of the antenna. The retaining means can comprise a snap-on clip, spring-like clip, or a portion of an ornamental figure removably coupled to the main body. Optional stopper clamps can be removably coupled to the antenna to restrict where the device travels on the antenna. The device can have optically perceived indicia to increase the appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Jim McCafferty Productions, Inc.
    Inventor: Ron Peters
  • Patent number: 6594911
    Abstract: Using an inertial master box mounted on a carrier for measuring its movements with respect to a geographic frame of reference of fixed directions along three axes Xg, Yg, Zg, a measuring method provides for continuously measuring an orientation of a frame of reference Xm, Ym, Zm tied to the inertial master box. Positioning is provided by applying a sequence of cycles of eight inversions of the inertial master box while keeping the axis Ym in a direction parallel to the axis Yg. A first motor causes a gimbal to pivot on a first axle secured to the carrier, while a second motor causes the inertial master box to pivot about a second perpendicular axle secured to the gimbal. A processor calculates three attitude angles by running a first inertial navigation program of the strapdown type and controls the first and second motors by running a second program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Sagem SA
    Inventors: Etienne Brunstein, François Neytard
  • Patent number: 6591511
    Abstract: An improved framing square having integral features for automating the marking and cutting of angles. The square contains two sliding carriages—one in the body and one in the blade. Each carriage has a deployable pin. In order to set an angle, the user first deploys the pins in each sliding carriage so that they protrude downward from the square. Next, the user sets the sliding carriage in the body to the desired position and locks it in place. The user then sets the sliding carriage in the blade to the desired position and locks it in place. The two pins protruding from the sliding carriages are then butted against the board to be cut. Once they are in place, the blade of the square will form the correct cutting angle across the board. Since many common cuts employ a twelve inch base leg, the invention includes another feature: Rather than set the sliding carriage within the body to twelve inches, the user may opt instead to deploy a fixed pin located in the body at the twelve inch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Trinvent, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Carroll, John Wiley Horton, Stephen M. Marshall
  • Patent number: 6578511
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an all-purpose, pneumatic powered signaling device including a first component capable of transmitting signals above water and a second component capable of transmitting a signal beneath the water. The first component includes a pneumatic air horn and the second component a diaphragm and piston. A button actuator is selectively depressed to create a flow passageway from a source of compressed air to the first and second components. A selector switch is selectively adjustable to allow a stream of compressed air flowing through the passageway to enter either the first or the second component and transmit a signal above or below the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventors: James T. Dexter, David A. Hancock
  • Patent number: 6561122
    Abstract: Unique transparent polypropylene articles that can be tailored to become opaque when exposed to a sufficiently high temperature and which returns to substantially the same transparency level upon cooling. Such formulations include non-polypropylene polymeric constituents that exhibit refractive index measurements similar to the base clarified polypropylene at lower temperatures, as well as melting temperatures well below that for the base clarified polypropylene. Upon exposure to temperatures in close proximity to the melting temperature of the non-polypropylene polymeric constituents, the refractive index for such constituents will then become modified to the extent that the overall article appears at least partially opaque. In particular, the non-polypropylene polymeric constituents should exhibit melting temperatures well below that for the base clarified polypropylene, from about 60 to about 100° C. (well below the typical polypropylene melting temperatures of roughly about 160-190° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Jenci Kurja, Stephane Berghmans
  • Patent number: 6530157
    Abstract: The invention is a multiple size workpiece positioning device for the precise positioning or centering of workpieces, such as semiconductor wafers, in a processing station. The inventive includes a plurality of ring bars that may be pivoted on one end. The distal end of the ring bars form a circular shape that may decrease or increase in diameter as the ring bars are pivoted. This movement may be used to position or center the workpiece. A single combination pin or two pins of different heights may be mounted on the distal end of the ring bars. A combination pin or a rest pin and an alignment pin may be used to support the bottom of the workpiece to provide a contact point for an urging force on the edge of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Process Integration
    Inventors: Robert D. Henderson, Matthew J. Gossett, Dennis Turensky
  • Patent number: 6526666
    Abstract: A novel archery device which defines the position of the arrow rest so that upon release of the bowstring the arrow is center-shot, i.e., it will fire straight ahead with optimum flight. The device has a visible light source arrow rest adjustment fixture which is temporarily secured to existing site mounting holes on a riser portion of a strung bow and includes an aligning component. The aligning component can move both laterally and pivotally so that a light emission from the fixture can transverse the entire length of an arrow attached to the nock point/portion of the bowstring and rest on a properly positioned arrow rest so that the arrow when fired has optimum flight. The light source can be a visible light beam, a laser light beam, and the like. The fixture is simple, lightweight, portable and accurate. The fixture can be easily removed prior to shooting the arrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Archer's Concept's Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Lastinger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6505412
    Abstract: A pipefitter's protractor is used to measure the angle between two separate pipes having an intersecting point. The protractor assembly includes a pipe attachment bar secured to the squared end of one pipe, with a protractor arm extending from the center of the pipe attachment bar and concentric with the centerline of the pipe. The protractor extends from the arm, with the arm and protractor rotating about the pipe attachment bar fitting to align the protractor plate coplanar with the plane defined by the pipes. The protractor is adjusted along the protractor arm to position the protractor origin at the intersection of the pipe centerlines, and a line is run from the origin to the center of the second pipe. The angle between the pipes and the distances from the protractor origin to the ends of each pipe are then used for fabricating an elbow to join the pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventor: Eugene Hauzie, Jr.