Patents Examined by Caroline D. Dennison
  • Patent number: 4995208
    Abstract: A skylight adapted to fit within the opening of a roof or the like having a peripheral curb frame which is fixed to the roof about the opening. The frame is constructed of a plastic material and includes a retainer for securing the skylight cover over the curb frame. A securing clip is employed for providing positive interlocking with the curb frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Wasco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sampson, Sean Flanigan
  • Patent number: 4987705
    Abstract: A skylight adapted to fit within the opening of a roof or the like having a peripheral curb frame which is fixed to the roof about the opening. The frame is constructed of a plastic material and includes a retainer for securing the skylight cover over the curb frame. A header gasket is provided between the curb frame and retainer and interlocks respectively therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Wasco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sampson, Sean Flanigan
  • Patent number: 4977914
    Abstract: A slip resistent apparatus for walking aids such as canes, crutches and walkers is disclosed. The apparatus provides a spring biased, lever actuated, selectively operable, ground engaging probe slidingly displaced within the vertical structure of the walking aid. The probe is a pointed elongate rod. A hand operated lever with attached actuating arm is affixed to the walking aid and rests against the upper portion of the rod. Actuation of the lever transmits a compressive force to the spring biased probe extending the pointed tip to make engagement with the ground, thus providing a slip resistant walking aid. The sliding rod is adjustable in length to accommodate different heights of walking aids and is adapted to fit the different types of walking aids including canes, crutches and walkers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Inventor: Charles W. Smerker
  • Patent number: 4972634
    Abstract: A portable wall assemblage is provided in a multiple of interlocking rigid panels. The portable walling can be removably affixed immediately adjacent an interior wall without the use of nail or screws. Each interlocking rectangular panel is formed of a fire retardant, acoustical material which can be trimmed with a household utility knife. One side of the panel is affixed with a thin layer of decorated paper or fabric for aesthetic purposes while the other side of the panel supports peripheral ridges which space the panel from the wall surface. These ridges against the wall produce an enclosed air space which provides an added measure of sound absorbtion. A central transverse seam allows folding of each panel for easy storage and transportation. Spring biased U-shaped capping brackets on the top edge of each panel provides pressure type frictional maintenance of the assembled panels vertically between the ceiling and floor of a room. The panel assemblage can be free standing or placed flush against the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Inventor: Gregory M. Dresden
  • Patent number: 4971088
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for preventing the slippage of a cane-like handle is provided, the apparatus including an interior portion and an exterior portion. The interior portion is formed of an anti-skid material for gripping the cane-like handle. The exterior portion is also formed of the anti-skid material, the interior and the exterior portions being cup-shaped, with an open end and a spherically-shaped closed end. A plurality of protuberances are formed on the exterior portion of the apparatus to deter slipping of the cane-like handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: John J. Lyng
  • Patent number: 4969302
    Abstract: A siding panel with a cover sheet of hardboard fixed by an adhesive to an underlying backerboard of resin foam. Preferably the panels are installed with their longitudes extending horizontally. Each panel is secured to a wall frame by nails passing through spaced apart holes through the cover sheet adjacent its upper longitudinal edge and a locking structure adjacent the lower longitudinal edge of the panel. In the first course of panels the locking structure engages a starter strip nailed to the wall frame and in each succeeding course of panels engages the upper edge of an adjacent panel in the immediately preceding course. The locking structure is a tongue and preferably an adjacent recess in the lower longitudinal edge of the backerboard which when installed receives and interlocks with the upper nailed edge of the cover sheet of an immediately adjacent panel or a flange of a starter strip simulating an upper edge of a panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Abitibi-Price Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Coggan, Bertram C. Culpepper, Jr., James A. Pozzo, Michael J. Sommer, Richard C. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4967531
    Abstract: The partition wall units include panels with mitered tubular frame strips, posts, raceways which also can be adapted for baseboards, and covering edge strips. Most of these units include a groove along an outer edge into which are removably mounted interlocking or interhooking key members having uniform C-shaped cross-sections. These C-shaped cross-section key members on adjacent edges slideably engage each other to form cylindrical apertures between the two interhooked C's. Self-tapping screws are then screwed into these cylindrical apertures near the ends of the adjacent strip for locking the two units together. The substantially rectangular tubular frame strips around the panels have mitered joints which are connected by a pair of longitudinally complementary angle blocks with complementary grooves along their legs between their abutting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Lippert Holding Company
    Inventors: Christopher D. Giles, Steven E. McNeal
  • Patent number: 4959901
    Abstract: A portable inflatable shelter (10) for temporarily covering a portion of an object, such as an aircraft engine (12), while partially resting on another portion of the object, such as an aircraft wing (13), includes a plurality of inflatable interconnected tubes (15-25) which carry fabric (26) extending therebetween. When the tubes (15-25) are inflated, the shelter formed thereby includes a roof section over the portion of the object, side sections on each side of the portion of the object, a front access opening, and an overhang section resting on the other portion of the object. The shelter (10) is erected by positioning the uninflated shelter adjacent to the portion of the object to be covered with the front access opening facing the ground. Guy lines (31,33) are then attached from one of the side sections of the shelter to a first point (32) on the ground. Additional guy lines (34,36) are attached from the other side section to a second point (35) on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: SMR Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Parish
  • Patent number: 4958651
    Abstract: A device for a mobility cane which assists in the cushioning of impact and the avoidance of obstacles. The impact cushioning component can be adapted at either end of the cane or built into any portion along the length of the cane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: Emile G. Najm
  • Patent number: 4951696
    Abstract: A hunting stand useful to provide an elevated hunting station for rifle and bow hunters has a basket shape and comprises a structure having a flat bottom member, a plurality of support members extending upwardly from the base to a top rail which encircles the space above the base member, and a seat supported by the upwardly extending members at a position between the base and top rim; spike means project from the rear of the base and top rim members for engaging the tree where the stand is mounted, and a pair of sleeves extend downwardly from the front of the base member for receiving the side pieces of a ladder extending from the ground to the stand. In a first embodiment of the invention, the several parts are welded together to form a rigid, permanently erected hunting stand; in a second embodiment of the invention, the several parts are rotatably and releasably connected to form a collapsible hunting stand capable of folding for easy storage and transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Inventor: Gordon E. Jones, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4949740
    Abstract: This invention provides an inclement weather protective hood device against weather conditions for wheelchair occupants. The device comprises a symmetrical collapsible tubular detachable structure covered by a two toned transparent plastic covering, clear in front and sides, and tinted top and back. The two toned covering will permit chair occupant to have good visibility and to be seen more easily by pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: Barry J. Friday
  • Patent number: 4949519
    Abstract: A space dividing wall panel system having a non-metallic edge cap which is channel shaped in cross section, including a bight and first and second depending leg portions. The edge cap is attached to an outer edge of a wall panel by a plurality of metallic spring clips which are fixed to the outer edge. Each spring clip includes first and second upstanding leg portions having flanged ends which define a plurality of spaced teeth. The dimension between the depending leg portions of the edge cap is less than the dimension between the teeth of the upstanding leg portions, such that the edge cap may be forced downwardly over the spring clips, causing the upstanding leg portions of each spring clip to flex inwardly such that the teeth non-destructively bite into the edge cap and resist dis-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Robert E. Jeffers
  • Patent number: 4944322
    Abstract: A foldable tent structure is provided wherein a plurality of pole clusters is utilized. Each pole cluster has three poles which form an inverted Y-shape, the poles being loosely connected at the center of the inverted Y so that each of the arms may articulate relative to each other. The poles forming the two arms of each inverted Y extend to the ground and the poles forming the stems of each Y extend upwardly and are connected to each other at the top of the structure. A foldable membrane is provided which is connected to both ends of each pole by a clip whereby a foldable tent structure is provided which may be assembled and disassembled repeatedly without separating the foldable membrane from the poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventor: Robert E. Gillis
  • Patent number: 4944123
    Abstract: An elongated stiff but flexive and longitudinally bowable inclined push stick is provided including an upper end engageable with the top plate of a wall frame and equipped with subfloor surface engaging and penetrating teeth on its lower end. The upper end of push stick is engageable with the top plate of a first wall frame adjacent a second relatively angulated wall frame relative to which the first wall frame is anchored and the teeth on the lower end of the push stick are engaged with the subflooring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventor: David Larrieu
  • Patent number: 4944054
    Abstract: A kinetic therapeutic table 10 having a frame 12, a planar patient support 14 mounted to the frame 12 for rotation about an elongate axis substantially aligned therewith and adjustable vertically at its foot 20 and head 18 ends. A patient support 14 drive motor 28 provides rotary drive to the patient support 14 through a worm gear 40 locked to a gear linkage, so that it may be stopped and held by the worm gear 40 in any angular position by switching power off to the motor 28. The worm gear 40 is manually disengageable from the remainder of the gear linkage to enable manual movement of the patient support 14 to a horizontal position. A locking pin 76 is automatically biased against a drive ring 22 and springs into a pin hole 78 therein when the horizontal position is reached. The patient support 14 is mounted at one end of its pivot axis to the frame 12 by a ball 19 and socket 21 connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Thomas J. Ring
    Inventor: Clayton E. Bossert
  • Patent number: 4942895
    Abstract: A tensioned tent structure includes a flexible covering having a vertex portion and spaced corner portions and which has a selected geometrical shape in the erect position. The tent structure further includes an anchor for securing each corner portion to the support surface and a pole assembly that supports the covering in an erect state with the vertex above the support surface. The pole assembly has an extension and contraction mechanism to vary its effective length to apply upward force to the vertex portion thus tensioning the covering to draw it taut. The broad method of the present invention thus contemplates the broad steps of providing such a flexible covering having a vertex and corner portions, securing the corner portions to the support surface, positioning a pole assembly in an upright position between the support surface and the vertex portion and forcibly expanding the pole assembly to tension the flexible covering in a taut condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Inventor: James P. Lynch
  • Patent number: 4942710
    Abstract: An expansion joint assembly for use between elongated, adjacent, relatively shiftable, joint-defining structural sections (e.g., floor sections) is provided which exhibits three degrees of freedom for accommodating essentially all relative movement of structural members. The preferred assembly is fire-rated and includes a pair of elongated metallic supports adapted for fixed attachment to a corresponding structural section adjacent an expansion joint, together with an elongated, flexible, U-shaped bridging member. Connection between the bridging member and the supports is provided by means of interfitted, longitudinally shiftable U-shaped elements respectively secured to the supports and the adjacent edges of the bridging member. The metallic supports preferably include abutment structure overlying a corresponding interfitted pair of connection elements, in order to maintain the elements in their proper orientation, even in the event of vertical shifting of the structural sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Balco International, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger L. Rumsey
  • Patent number: 4942709
    Abstract: A display component for an exhibit or the like. The generally rectangular panels which make up an exhibit have peripheral edges formed with elongated channels parallel thereto which are entered through entry openings located in the edges adjacent to that edge. Connector members include generally flat bases from which locking pins extend perpendicularly, each pin having a flag adjacent thereto. To connect a plurality of panels together, the pins of a given connecting member enter the entry openings and hence pass along the channels of two panels which are to be joined as the flags associated with each of the pins engages in a slot along that edge of the panel which is engaged by its respective pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Inventor: Michael P. Waldron
  • Patent number: 4941495
    Abstract: A convalescent aid is disclosed for assisting partially incapacitated persons in sitting down or standing up from an elevated surface. The convalescent aid of the present invention includes a pair of parallel spaced-apart handle portions which may be grasped by a person to support his or her body weight while sitting down or standing up. In one embodiment, the aid can be positioned for use on top of the elevated surface such as a bed or sofa, for example. In an alternate embodiment, the aid may include extended front legs which extend down to the floor, thereby providing a more stable support for the person's weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Inventors: Marion E. Boyce, Henrietta E. Boyce
  • Patent number: 4938243
    Abstract: A foldable shelter is disclosed having a flexible skin with an inner U-shaped support frame and a pair of resilient top support members attached to the exterior of the top of the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Inventor: Michael R. Foster