Patents Examined by Charles Jordan
  • Patent number: 6655317
    Abstract: A poultry feeder having an adjustment mechanism which adjusts the relative positions between the feeder tower and the feeder bowl to control the amount of feed entering the bowl that is readily adjustable, and, at the same time, enables the feeder bowl, the grill and the adjustment collar to freely rotate relative to the feeder tower to prevent damage to the adjustment mechanism when the grill and/or the bowl is contacted by the feeding birds. A lower edge of an adjusting collar rests on a shoulder portion of the feeder tower when the poultry feeder is suspended above floor level. The relative positions between a bottom of the feeder tower and the feeder bowl is adjustable in a plurality of discreet positions. Each of the plurality of discreet positions provides a different clearance between the bottom of the feeder tower and the bowl, thus controlling the amount of feed which may enter the bowl from the feeder tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Val Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick W. Steudler, Jr., Jeremy L. Parsons
  • Patent number: 6539873
    Abstract: A shotgun shell flight path indicator is described which in general includes a shell casing having a primer end having a primer, a propellant disposed within the interior of the casing proximate to the primer adapted for ignition by the primer, and a non-combustible indicator positioned within the casing. The indicator generally includes a base positioned proximate to the propellant where the base has a sufficient mass and size for unaided observation following discharge from a shotgun barrel. The indicator may include ballast integral to the base and pedals extending outwardly from the base to assist in aerodynamic drafting behind expelled shot to visually represent the flight trajectory of the expelled shot of a shotgun shell. The indicator may further include a plug disposed in the casing between the ballast and the propellant where the plug is adapted to compact the ballast within a ballast pocket integral to the base upon discharge of the shotgun shell to reduce peak barrel pressure for a shotgun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: E. Wendell Diller
  • Patent number: 6105504
    Abstract: Actuating circuitry which may be used with a contact exploder, useful on a orpedo, for example, which is sensitive not only to direct hits but also to abrasive damage or sea water exposure caused by grazing contact, but insensitive to changes in its velocity or momentum or unwanted environmental background, such as shock, vibration and electromagnetic field variation. The exploder includes a normally insulated and shielded wire which traverses that part of the surface of the missile which is most likely to make contact with a target. The wire is so connected into associated actuating circuitry that it will cause explosion if: (1) even grazing contact with a target causes removal of even a small amount of the insulation and shielding of the wire, which causes grounding of the circuitry at the wire; or (2) even grazing contact opens or breaks the wire at any point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1969
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Dwight T. Ayres, Carroll L. Key, Jr., Miles T. Pigott, George F. Wislicenus
  • Patent number: 5932832
    Abstract: A resistant initiator for an automobile passenger restraint system which includes a shell casing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Contact pins connect the initiator to a mating electrical connector of a vehicle. A metal oxide varistor disposed in the shell casing provides electrostatic discharge and EMI/RFI rotection for the initiator. A glass to metal seal header is formed in the shell casing and includes an integrated circuit for igniting the pyrotechnic material disposed in a charge holder attached to the shell casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Hansen, Mark B. Woodbury, Virginia E. Chandler, David B. Monk, Harry W. Miller, II, Gerold W. Pratt
  • Patent number: 5926987
    Abstract: The cartridge indicator is a rod slidably mounted in a cavity in the breech slide of a firearm to allow checking for the presence of a cartridge in the chamber. The rod has a check end which protrudes out of the breech slide as biased by a spring at the chamber end of the rod in the cavity. The chamber end of the rod has attached a chamber pin which slides in a pin cavity in the breech slide. When the check end is pushed into the breech slide by the user, if the chamber has no cartridge, the chamber pin moves into the chamber and the check end is pushed into the breech slide thereby indicating an empty chamber. If the chamber pin encounters a cartridge, the check end can not be pushed into the breech slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Peter Novak
  • Patent number: 5890449
    Abstract: A combination torpedo tube test plug and muzzle door for a torpedo tube iudes a circumferential land formed at an extreme muzzle end of the torpedo tube. The circumferential land has an inner peripheral diameter less than an inner peripheral diameter of the torpedo tube, and an inner peripheral transition surface contiguously joining the inner peripheral surface of the torpedo tube. An abutting face is formed on an end of the muzzle door facing the circumferential land. A lip extension extends from the abutting face. The lip extension includes an outer peripheral surface mating with the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential land, and a device for selectively securing the lip extension to the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential land, wherein separation of the muzzle door from the torpedo tube is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Paul E. Moody
  • Patent number: 5892805
    Abstract: A reactor water clean-up system is provided with a first filter demineralizer having a filter resin containing an alkali substance and a second filter demineralizer with a filter resin not containing an alkali substance. The reactor water is supplied to the first filter demineralizer during the term from the starting operation of the preoperating test of the nuclear reactor and of each fuel cycle to 2000 EFPH. The alkali substance contained in the filter resin is guided into the nuclear reactor to change the pH of the reactor water in the nuclear reactor to the weak alkali side. The Cr quantity which is taken in the oxide film of the fuel cladding tube surface is reduced. After 2000 EFPH from the starting operation, the supply of the reactor water to the first filter demineralizer is stopped, and then, the reactor water is supplied to the second filter demineralizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Yamane, Yamato Asakura, Katsumi Ohsumi, Kenichi Ito, Noriyuki Ohnaka, Naohito Uetake, Motohiro Aizawa, Akira Ichimura
  • Patent number: 5883255
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating viral infections by using antiviral substituted indolizino?1,2-b!quinolinone compounds, antiviral substituted indolizino?1,2-b!quinolinone compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: SmithKline Beecham Corporation
    Inventors: David Alan Berges, Robert Philip Hertzberg, Randall Keith Johnson, William Dennis Kingsbury
  • Patent number: 5866837
    Abstract: An intercept missile testing method which includes the steps of launching a test missile threat from a first location on a substantially vertical trajectory, e.g., with a flight path angle greater than about 70.degree., towards an intercept point, and launching a test intercept missile from a second location on a substantially vertical trajectory, e.g., with a flight path angle greater than about 70.degree., towards the intercept point. The flight paths are selected so that the test intercept missile will intercept the test missile threat exoatmospherically, at an intercept (engagement crossing) angle of less than about 30.degree.. Preferably, the launch velocities and trajectories of the test intercept missile and the test missile threat are selected so that the intercept will occur exoatmospherically when the test missile threat is on a downward trajectory at a velocity of 5-8 km/sec, while the test intercept missile is on an upward trajectory at a velocity 5-9 km/sec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Earl U. Biven, Gary C. Mikelson, Gary A. Scapellati
  • Patent number: 5866838
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a low cost and highly accurate precision guided system suitable for use in conventional aircraft launched bombs. The system includes a kit mounted upon the nose of the conventional bomb which replaces the conventional fuse disposed in a fuse well, the kit including guidance electronics controlling a self-contained jet reaction device and GPS P-code receiver electronics. The bombs are readied for discharge by radio frequency signals broadcast from the aircraft into the bomb bay which transfer initial GPS data and commence operation of a gas generator which powers the jet reaction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Mayersak
  • Patent number: 5867550
    Abstract: In a fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor and a process for the production of a screen plate for a foot of the fuel assembly, a particle trap is disposed in the foot of the fuel assembly in order to protect fuel rods of the fuel assembly from damage by foreign bodies. The particle trap is formed of a one-piece screen plate into which holes in the screen plate are worked by electrochemical material erosion. It is thereby possible to produce holes with geometrical dimensions and shapes which can only be achieved with difficulty in a casting process or by mechanical machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernd Beuerlein
  • Patent number: 5862618
    Abstract: An elongated opaque member having a longitudinal recess including a fluorescent mark at the distal end thereof viewable only by the shooting eye of the shooter when the elongated member is mounted at the proximal end of the gun barrel. The fluorescent mark typically comprises an elongated plastic member partially extending forward of the elongated opaque member, or alternately within the distal end of the elongated opaque member and revealed by an aperture provided within the elongated opaque member. Further alternate embodiments provide additional contrasting fluorescent material surrounding the fluorescent mark for enhanced sighting accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Gary R. Brown
  • Patent number: 5864594
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for replacing the existing lower internal components in a nuclear reactor vessel with new components. The alignment of the new lower internals to the pressure vessel and the existing upper internals is achieved by customizing the new lower internals on-site based on alignment measurements obtained by gages installed on the new core barrel and the existing upper core plate. The gages allow the custom machining of radial support keys on the lower portion of the new core barrel and the custom drilling of upper core plate alignment pin holes in the new core barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard J. Balog, Bruce W. Bevilacqua, Ronald J. Hopkins, Arthur W. Kramer, Donald G. Sherwood
  • Patent number: 5859886
    Abstract: A fuel assembly for a boiling water reactor comprises a bottom tie plate, a top tie plate, and a first and a second group of vertical fuel rods, each including a column of fuel pellets surrounded by a cladding tube. The second group of fuel rods has a shorter active length than the first group of fuel rods. Both the first and the second group of fuel rods extend between the bottom tie plate and the top tie plate. The second group of fuel rods comprises a fission gas plenum surrounded by a plenum tube arranged above the cladding tube. The main part of the plenum tube has a cross-section area which is smaller than the cross-section area of the cladding tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Atom AB
    Inventor: Olov Nylund
  • Patent number: 5857280
    Abstract: A trigger mechanism for a semiautomatic firearm whereby a spring loaded hammer strut acting through a lever system puts a light pressure to hold a sear in a locked position and whereby recoil after firing causes the sear to return to a locked position before release of firing pressure on a trigger through action of the lever system and a trigger reset system; a trigger pull spring acting to return said trigger reset system to firing position after pressure is released on the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Arnold W. Jewell
  • Patent number: 5857644
    Abstract: The invention describes a target approach procedure for a guided, mobile missile for use against ground targets, particularly bridges, roads, rail junctions, hangars, shelters, command posts, harbor installations as well as ships, in which the missile is released at a great distance from the target and flies automatically to the target, with guidance by parallel lines that characterize ground structures, and hits it from the most favorable approach direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Manfred Kusters
  • Patent number: 5856629
    Abstract: An unmanned armored minesweeping vehicle includes a vehicle body having a heavily armored vehicle part; a power plant accommodated in the vehicle part for propelling the vehicle; a vehicle steering control accommodated in the vehicle part; and a simulating arrangement for disguising the vehicle as a target for triggering the mines to be cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Industrie AG
    Inventors: Hermann Grosch, Knut Kruger, Werner Hasse
  • Patent number: 5851023
    Abstract: A passenger-side air bag device is provided including a door comprising a cover body and a side wall portion extending downwardly therefrom. Lock legs are disposed on the cover body and are configured to lock the door to the inner circumferential edge of an opening portion of an instrument panel. A housing constructed and arranged to be fixed to a car body includes slot portions into which the side wall portion of the door is fitted, and pawl portions for locking the circumferential edges of the lock holes of the door side wall portion to thereby prevent the door side wall portion from coming off from the slot portion. Gaps are provided in three directions between the door and the housing to compensate for any misalignment between the door and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Toyoda Tosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norinari Nagata, Yuji Kuriyama
  • Patent number: H1770
    Abstract: A floating roof tank is provided having a fixed vertical pole disposed through an opening in the floating roof. The vertical pole serves as both a gauging pole and an anti-rotational pole. The gauging pole is perforated to allow the free flow of liquid into and out of the gauging pole. A float is disposed within the gauging pole. The float has a pair of spaced-apart seals which effectively prevent the escape of vapor from within the tank through the gauging pole. Other seals effectively prevent the escape of vapor from within the tank around the periphery of the gauging pole and around the periphery of the roof itself. The gauging pole, in combination with the double sealed float, provides the operator of the tank with the ability to sample the tank from the top of the gauging pole, rather than having to stand on the floating roof itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Inventors: Stephen F. McJones, Robert J. Middlemore, Richard Zelenkow
  • Patent number: H1905
    Abstract: An endocardial pacing and/or cardioversion/defibrillation lead having a plurality of electrodes and a mechanism for adjusting the exposed surface area of one or more electrode and/or the position and/or angular orientation of an electrode along a lead body. A fixed exposed, flexible, elongated commutator surface is provided extending along the lead body intermediate the proximal and distal lead body ends coupled by an electrical lead conductor extending to the proximal end of the lead body. A movable electrode assembly is provided that fits over and slides along the lead body, including the fixed commutator surface, that supports an exposed movable electrode on it. The movable electrode assembly includes at least one flexible, elongated, movable commutator surface within it that is electrically connected with the movable electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. S. Hill