Patents Examined by David Lee
  • Patent number: 5983885
    Abstract: A natural draft, gravity feed pellet stove. The body of the stove is formed by a vertical section of large diameter pipe, with an air intake pipe extending from the back of the stove to below a combustion grate. Pellet fuel is discharged onto the grate through a slot at the bottom of a hopper, and the grate is sloped so that the pellets roll away from the slot and over the grate as they are combusted. The combustion gasses flow into two exhaust pipes, each having a diameter similar to that of the intake pipe so as to establish a 2:1 exhaust/intake flow ratio. Cross-drilled reburner tubes are installed across the intake ends of the exhaust pipes to provide additional air for complete combustion. The bottom plates of the storage hopper are free from attachment along their lower edges, so that these expand and contract on a continuous basis with changes in the temperature of the stove; this causes cyclical distortion of the plates which shifts the fuel downwardly towards the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Michael A. Jarvi
  • Patent number: 5984670
    Abstract: A burner for liquid and/or gaseous fuels (A, B, C) for a premixing combustion system in graduated load operation of a combustion chamber includes at least one inner partial body (2) that extends in the flow direction; at least one outer partial body (4) which extends conically opposite to the inner partial body (2); and at least one other surrounding pipe (8). The inner and outer partial bodies form a central flow structure, whereby the two are supplied with the flow in effective connection with each other with combustion air (13, 14, 15). The main part of this combustion air (13) then flows through the two partial bodies through air inlet slits (11, 12) and forms one rotational flow in each of the adjoining flow chamber (5, 7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Robin McMillan, Ennio Pasqualotto
  • Patent number: 5983882
    Abstract: A barbecue grill apparatus is provided for cooking food items, including a housing having a housing bottom wall and a housing side wall, an upright grill support member extending centrally within the housing, and at least two food supporting grid sections mounted one above the other on the grill support member, at least one of the food supporting grid sections being mounted rotatably relative to the other food supporting grid section, so that one of the grid sections is rotatable to a position underneath another of the food supporting grid sections. The apparatus preferably additionally includes a fuel supporting grid mounted to the grill support member below the at least two food supporting grid sections and spaced above the housing bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Frank J. Ceravolo
  • Patent number: 5979437
    Abstract: Air control apparatus for a fireplace prevents or inhibits the buildup of soot and dirt on the inside surface of the glass doors of the fireplace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: H. Alfred Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 5971751
    Abstract: A safety apparatus of a piezoelectric lighter includes a pressure absorbing device disposed in a cap cavity of a casing of the piezoelectric lighter, a holding means integrally affixed to an interior surface of a thumb-push cap for rigidly holding one end of the pressure absorbing device in position, and a receiving means provided in the cap cavity for receiving and supporting another end of the pressure absorbing device in position. Therefore the pressure absorbing device is vertically held between the thumb-push cap and the ceiling of the casing for urging the thumb-push cap at an upper normal position thereof and providing an additional press resistance to the thumb-push cap, so as to resist a downwardly press force applied by an under age child on the thumb-push cap while an adult is capable of pushing down the thumb-push cap easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Chun Ching Yeh
    Inventor: Thomas Ping Hua Lee
  • Patent number: 5971744
    Abstract: Purging of a gas supply line is effected using a serviceman's purging tool having a hose for attachment to the supply line with an opposite end of the hose attached to a burner nozzle carried on a support frame. The burner nozzle is arranged to generate a stream of the gases exiting from the pipe to be purged. The frame carries a receptacle for a propane torch and angles the burner of the torch so as to be directed across the stream of gas from the supply pipe. The burner from the torch thus provides combustion of the purged non-ignitable products from the supply pipe until the ignitable gas reaches the nozzle whereupon the ignitable gas is ignited indicating that the pipe is purged. The receptacle comprises a cylindrical sleeve for receiving the tank of the propane torch and a bracket for guiding the nozzle of the torch across the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Timothy C. Eaton
  • Patent number: 5957067
    Abstract: In the case of a ceramic liner for combustion spaces, comprising at least one wall element (3), made of refractory structural ceramic and having at least one through-opening (6), and a fastening element (4), consisting of refractory structural ceramic, per opening (6), the fastening element (4) is resiliently fastened by its foot in a metallic holding device (5) fastened on the metallic supporting wall (1). The head (20) of the fastening element (4) rests in the opening (6) in the wall element (3).The wall element (3) is designed in the form of a box, having a base (25) which runs parallel to the metallic wall (1), having an inside wall (23) which surrounds the opening (6) in an annular manner and is supported directly or indirectly on the metallic supporting wall (1), and having outside walls (24) which extend up to the metallic supporting wall (1) without touching the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Klaus Dobbeling, Armin Heger, Andreas Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 5954491
    Abstract: The water jacket face of a burner nozzle for a synthesis gas generator is protected from hot gas corrosion by an annular heat shield of high temperature melting point material. The heat shield element is secured to the water jacket face by means of six, for example, radially aligned bayonet mounts. Along each of the radial mounting lines, a pair of radially aligned posts project from the water jacket face. Blind sockets in the heat shield back side surface are aligned to receive the posts therein. Radial bayonet channels between the heat shield face side and backside surfaces connect the inner outer heat shield perimeters through the posts and post sockets. Bayonet wires through the bayonet channels secure the heat shield position relative to the water jacket face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Woodward Clinton Helton, Daniel Isaiah Saxon, Stacey Elaine Swisher, Gary Scott Whittaker
  • Patent number: 5951276
    Abstract: An electronic control circuit (10) for a gas oven including a hot surface igniter (24) which is heated through the application of electrical current to a temperature sufficient to ignite gas supplied through an electrically actuable gas valve (26). The applied current is regulated by a micro-controller (20) which controllably gates on a triac (14) while taking into consideration a sensed current level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventors: James R. Jaeschke, Gordon B. Spellman
  • Patent number: 5950617
    Abstract: An accessory support system attachable to the exterior of a motor vehicle supports recreational accessories such as grills, table tops and umbrellas for use out of doors. The system comprises a lateral support assembly adapted to connect to the trailer hitch of a motor vehicle, and one or more vertical support means adapted to engage one or more recreational accessories such that the accessories are supported in a position suitable for use. The lateral support assembly may include a first lateral support rod adapted at one end to removably engage a vehicle trailer hitch and adapted at the other end to rotatably couple to a second lateral support rod via a vertical coupling means. The second lateral support rod can include a distal end portion adapted to engage a vertical support rod which supports grill means. The grill means may be positioned within about a 270.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: William D Lorenz
  • Patent number: 5947105
    Abstract: A portable stove and a method for fabricating portable stove from an ammunition box. The stove uses the ammunition box as the body for the stove. An outlet is incorporated into the lid area of the ammunition box to allow for the attachment of a flue duct to the hollow body. A door with vents may also be included in one of the sides of the ammunition box so that fuel may be burned within said hollow body and the products of the burning of the fuel may escape the hollow body through the outlet and into the flue duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: 20 M M Hotbox Corp.
    Inventors: Clayton Scott, Terry M. Richardson, Michael Skeens
  • Patent number: 5947114
    Abstract: A central solar receiver comprising a tubular housing with a central axis, a radiation admitting aperture and an absorber chamber having an outer wall, two oppositely located ends, an inner-wall-forming substantially tubular transparent window co-axial with the tubular housing. The solar receiver further comprises injection means near a first of the oppositely located ends and at least one egress opening means near a second of the oppositely located ends. The injection means are capable of injecting into the absorber chamber a multicomponent fluid mixture comprising at least one radiation absorbing component and are so designed that the fluid mixture is injected into the absorber chamber adjacent and essentially tangentially to the outer wall, whereby contact between the mixture and the window is reduced. The egress opening enables the egress of the fluid mixture from the absorber chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Avi Kribus, Pinchas Doron, Jacob Karni
  • Patent number: 5947716
    Abstract: The water jacket face of a burner nozzle for a synthesis gas generator is protected from hot gas corrosion by an annular heat shield of high temperature melting point material. The shield material is formed into two ceramic rings that face or cover the nozzle water jacket face. A circular joint between the outer perimeter of an interior shield annulus is stepped to provide a protective lap with the interior perimeter of an exterior shield annulus. The interior ceramic ring is secured in place around the burner nozzle orifice by external lugs projecting radially from the nozzle extruder lip. A second set of external lugs is provided around the outer perimeter of the water jacket face. Internal sectors within a perimeter cuff bracket secure the outer ceramic ring to the water jacket face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kevin Gerard Bellamy, Woodward Clinton Helton, Daniel Isaiah Saxon, Stacey Elaine Swisher, Gary Scott Whittaker
  • Patent number: 5944009
    Abstract: A portable grill which permits adjustment of a food support platform in three dimensions. A ground support accepts a trussed stanchion and permits rotation of the stanchion. The ground support can be a tubular ground stake or may comprise a support stand. A swing arm is reciprocally mounted to the stanchion and supports one or more couplers having support hooks, a chain and an "S" hook. A harness is suspended from the S hook and secured to a cooking platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Kris T. Scheller
  • Patent number: 5941627
    Abstract: The lighting conductor rail system comprises a lighting conductor rail which can be mounted onto a ceiling with the aid of ceiling mounts, as well as luminaire adaptors which are mounted on the lighting conductor rail and which hold each a spotlight, or the like, and electrically connect it to the conductors of the lighting conductor rail. The lighting conductor rail is composed of a carrier profile of a flexible metal which has a flat strip-like shape with a web that projects at a right angle and has a mushroom-shaped snap-in head. Said carrier profile can be assembled under a preload together with a cable profile which consists of a rubber-like material and is shaped like the segment of a circle. The lighting conductor rail can be bent into the desired shape and has a great stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Dominic Sacher
  • Patent number: 5938428
    Abstract: A spark igniter mechanism is provided for a torch having a burn tube. The spark igniter mechanism includes a one-piece housing and an igniter which is held against the burn tube by the housing. The igniter includes a spark wire which extends through an opening formed in a wall of the burn tube. The spark igniter mechanism further includes a fastener which secures the housing is to the burn tube. In addition, an adhesive may help to further secure the housing to the burn tube. The spark igniter mechanism of the present invention facilitates the use of a single igniter design with a plurality of torches. Furthermore, the mechanism is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: Roger Palmer, Mike Ridley, Al Hyde
  • Patent number: 5934894
    Abstract: An apparatus is described which preferably includes a rolled tobacco products cavity for storage of rolled tobacco products, a lighter cavity for receiving a lighter, and a clipping aperture having a cutting door movable thereover to cuts the lengths of rolled tobacco products inserted therein. A refuse cavity may be included in the apparatus adjacent the clipping aperture to store clippings from the rolled tobacco products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Cigler
  • Patent number: 5934788
    Abstract: A trim for a recessed lighting utilizing a carrier having a first member with a flange extending outwardly from the same. The member includes an opening to permit light to pass from a lamp. A yoke is also found in the trim of the present invention and includes first and second legs connected by a bridging member. The yoke includes a mechanism for rotating or folding the same toward and away from the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Prescolite-Moldcast Lighting Company
    Inventor: Denis G. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 5934270
    Abstract: A heat exchange device is disclosed herein to be used in conjunction with a standard fireplace. The heat exchange device is made from a continuous tube fabricated into loops that surround the burning fuel. The ambient room air, introduced through an opening for air entry into the tube, is blown through the internal lumen of the tube fabricated into loops, the external surfaces of which are in direct contact with burning fuel and flame. The air passing through the internal lumen of the tube fabricated into loops is heated to a high temperature by the burning fuel and flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Sinil Kim
  • Patent number: 5931577
    Abstract: A series of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) flexibly interconnected to form an string is useful for forming displays with various patterns of LEDs. In the present invention, such a string of LEDs can be readily mass-produced by attaching the LEDs to a foldable flexible substrate. The substrate is then folded and inserted into a flexible transparent holder. The spaces between the holder and the substrate are filled with resin. In another embodiment, the substrate, with the LEDs attached, are held by fork-shaped tools in the space of a mold and the mold injected with molten resin. Before the resin cools completely, the tools are withdrawn and the resin permitted to fill in any voids left behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Atex Corporation Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Ishibashi