Patents Examined by Gary L. Smith
  • Patent number: 5092556
    Abstract: A flag support for a sprinkler head of the type having a cover plate attached to an internal supporting mechanism by means of one or more screws, the flag support being a two part device consisting of a lower member of plastic material and an upper member of rubber or plastic material which is more resilient and softer than the material of the lower plastic member, the upper rubber member being attachable to the lower plastic member, the plastic member being attachable to the cover plate by a suitable adhesive material and having therein openings of sufficient size and number to permit access to each screw on the cover plate using a conventional screwdriver without requiring the removal of the plastic member from the cover plate, the flag support having a center opening therein substantially equal in diameter to the diameter of the wire or rod of a flag device to be supported on the sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Inventors: Gary E. Darling, Patrick J. McMillan
  • Patent number: 5092147
    Abstract: A steering lock device includes a housing and a key cylinder rotatably disposed in the housing. A generally cylindrical member is rotatably disposed within the housing coaxially with the key cylinder. The cylindrical member includes an outer wall with a groove having a first circumferential groove section, a second circumferential groove section axially spaced from the first circumferential groove section, and a junction section connecting the first and second circumferential groove sections. A first surface is disposed at one end of the first groove section at the junction section and inclined at a predetermined angle to the first groove section, and a second surface is disposed at the end of the second groove section at the junction section and arranged generally perpendicular to the second groove section. A latch is slidably disposed within the housing and includes a first end projecting outwardly from the housing and a second end projecting within the groove in the outer wall of the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Kokusan Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nissan Shatai Company, Limited
    Inventors: Haruo Mochida, Yoshio Watanuki, Etsuo Nara, Mikio Masaki, Mitsuo Kamata, Taizo Wada
  • Patent number: 5092008
    Abstract: A sheet-like mat capable of providing a comfortable resting environment by adsorbing sweat emitted from a body of a user or moisture in underwear, bedding or the like. This sheet-like mat can be obtained by dividing an inside of a mat cover into a plurality of bag-like spaces and arranging a bag-packed drying agent in each bag-like space, respectively. A drying agent sheet may be used in place of the bag packed drying agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Esu-Oh Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takemi Okubo
  • Patent number: 5092142
    Abstract: An improved bicycle lock, featuring a U-shaped shackle, a cross bar and means for securing one to the other, is disclosed. The means for securing the shackle to the cross bar also functions as a fulcrum, permitting a tilting movement between the two parts, required in assembling and dissassembling them. The means further includes a locking mechanism removably mounted in the cross bar in between the shackle's legs, and features a dead bolt. The cross bar extends beyond the shackle's legs less than twice the diameter of one of those legs, resulting in a compact and sturdy design. A plastic cover encloses at least the cross bar and is preferably formed of two parts slidably fitted over the cross bar, with means for securing the two parts to one another. Preferably, an environmental protection means is provided for the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Kryptonite Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Zane, Peter L. Zane
  • Patent number: 5092004
    Abstract: A restraint device is provided for securing and supporting an infant. The device includes a shell assembly formed to include a chamber sized to receive the infant. The shell assembly includes first and second spaced apart side walls and a generally rigid end wall defining a boundary of the chamber. In one embodiment, the rigid end wall includes a yieldable section movable between a fixed first position and a yielded second position in response to a force acting against the yieldable section. In another embodiment, the restraint device includes an upper shell portion coupled to a lower shell portion and a foldable seat situated inside the lower shell portion to provide means for supporting a lower portion of an infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Cosco, Inc,
    Inventors: Richard E. Cone, Donald L. Gerken
  • Patent number: 5090158
    Abstract: This support consists of a panel (11) and of a window-lift (13) plate (12) preassembled with the panel. This support is fastened to the door frame (3) on the one hand by fastenings between the panel (11) and the frame (3) and on the other hand by fastenings between the plate (12) and this same frame (3). It may be mounted in the door after the fittings (15, 16, 17 . . . ) have been preadjusted and enables them to be serviced conveniently without having to disassemble the whole of the support, while at the same time having a reduced cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Carlo Bertolini
  • Patent number: 5090216
    Abstract: An enhanced gemstone that has a semiprecious gemstone having a crown member with a table surface and a conical seat centered in the table surface. A precious stone is set in the conical seat with the pavilion member of the precious stone matching the angle of the conical seat. The precious stone is secured in the conical seat with means such as cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: CJC Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Waugh
  • Patent number: 5090070
    Abstract: A variable height bed for use in hospitals, extended care facilities and the like. The bed incorporates a base or stationary frame and an elevating frame interconnected and nesting with the stationary frame. The elevating frame has an operative range of about twenty inches, from a minimum height of approximately ten inches above the floor to a maximum of approximately twenty nine inches above the floor. The bed structure provides for substantial clearance under its midsection and includes means for elevating without the use of a manual cranking operation. Guard rails located along the sides of the bed can be moved completely out of the way of the bed sides when required; and means are provided for immobilizing the bed at any location of the elevating frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: University of Alberta Hospitals
    Inventor: David S. Heinz
  • Patent number: 5088779
    Abstract: A door latch release mechanism has a housing adapted for mounting in a door jamb, a striker mounted on a shaft in the housing for pivotal movement between a door lock tongue engagement position and a door lock tongue release position, and a stop mounted in the housing. The stop has a portion capable of contacting the striker so as to latch the striker and prevent pivoting thereof from the door lock tongue engagement position. This portion of the stop is generally semi-circular in cross section. The stop is rotatable on its axis so that rotation of the stop to an effective extent releases the striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Harcor Security Seals Pty Limited
    Inventor: Frank Weiss
  • Patent number: 5088236
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pivotable glazing for a balcony. There are previously known balcony glazings which comprise four or more panes which move in an overlapping manner on two adjacent tracks. Such a structure requires considerable sealing and frame structures which detract from the outer appearance of the building. Furthermore, the balcony aperture can be opened at maximum 50%, and it is difficult to wash the outer surfaces of the panes. According to the present invention, these disadvantages are eliminated by fitting all the panes of glass adjacently in the same double-rail track. At the upper edge of each movable glass pane (1) there are two slides (3, 4), of which one moves on a straight outer rail and the other on an inner rail, which curves inwards and towards the side wall (13) of the balcony. Within the curved portion (18) of the inner rail the trailing edge of the pane turns inwards and the pane can be opened against the side wall (13) of the balcony.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Lemminkainen OY
    Inventor: Niilo Karhu
  • Patent number: 5088136
    Abstract: A mattress for use on a hospital stretcher has an upwardly facing support surface which can support a patient. The top surface of the mattress has a plurality of small, parallel ribs which extend transversely of the mattress, and which resist sliding movement of the patient lengthwise of the mattress while simultaneously facilitating sliding movement of the patient transversely of the mattress. The mattress has bevels extending along opposite sides of the support surface, the support surface being provided on a sheetlike material which extends from a lower edge of one bevel to a lower edge of the other bevel without intervening seams extending lengthwise of the mattress. The sheetlike material is preferably a laminate which includes a rip-resistant scrim layer made of a closely woven spun polyester material and two vinyl layers disposed on respective sides of the scrim layer, the ribs being provided in one of the vinyl layers on a side thereof remote from the scrim layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Martin W. Stryker, Richard J. Bartow
  • Patent number: 5088644
    Abstract: A conduit member includes a forward first, second, and rear second section connected by a "U" shaped central section to transport a vehicle member between the forward and rear sections about a track utilizing a pulley system to effect reciprocation of the vehicle member within the conduit member. The vehicle member includes a bottom cavity for receiving newspapers therewithin aligned with a lower slot within a forward wall of the forward section. An upper mail cavity is mounted within the vehicle aligned with an upper door for receiving mail therewithin. A cam track mounted upon the vehicle effects reciprocation of an indicator flag within the forward section to provide visual indication of mail to be picked up by an associated mail carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: James Scott
  • Patent number: 5087006
    Abstract: The subject apparatus is used to reduce the effective width of a slot. The apparatus is a liner installable in the slot and retained in the slot by engagement of projections from the exterior surfaces of the liner with holes in the slot surfaces. The liner is resilient. Its sides are flared and then flexed flat upon installation in the slot. The restoring force caused by the flexing helps hold the projections in the holes and the edges of the liner against the sides of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Inventor: Robert A. Wrench
  • Patent number: 5085395
    Abstract: The security apparatus and kit, as well as the method of using them, includes a security device or cradle for receiving and restraining equipment, to be protected. Adhesive material extends along and is affixed to a substantial portion of the underside of the device, and forms a bond to the upper surface of a supporting surface. A restraining arrangement of the device surrounds a portion of the portable equipment to be secured, which includes a lockable arm which moves between an opened and a closed position to permit the equipment to be received and retained lockably within the device, and yet be readily unlocked and opened by authorized personnel. In order to remove the security cradle from a supporting surface once it has been bonded adhesively thereto, a dispenser of releasing agent cools the adhesive material to disable temporarily its adhesive bond, and permit the apparatus to be bonded subsequently to another surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Mardesich Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne K. Frater, Joseph C. Spitzer
  • Patent number: 5084921
    Abstract: An apparatus for lifting, lowering and transferring a bed patient between supine and sitting positions is formed by a mobile frame supporting an upright standard pivotally supporting manually moved patient sling lifting arms. Manually operated gearboxes on the lift arms angularly rotate a sling shaft connected with respective ends of a patient supporting sling. The lift arms are spring biased upwardly to assist a caretaker in lifting the patient supporting sling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Inventor: George W. Hicks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5085386
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a paintbrush holder comprising a structure having a forward face, generally of constant width at the bottom region thereof, and tapering upwardly to a brush handle receiving slot which includes two arms either side of the slot which project forward of the face. The holder at the bottom edge includes a container engaging arrangement adapted to engage the rim of a conventional paint can and support the holder at an upwardly extending angle outwardly from the rim of the conventional paint can. Preferably, the paintbrush holder is of a one piece structure and can advantageously be made by injection moulding. In a preferred form of the invention, the paintbrush holder is nestable, one within the other, for convenient storage by various merchandisers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Thomas W. Hicks
    Inventors: Thomas W. Hicks, Ron Hodgins
  • Patent number: 5085006
    Abstract: A weather strip to be attached to a flange formed along a door opening or a door frame of a motor vehicle, having a trim portion, a sealing portion formed on an outer surface of the trim portion, and two flange retaining lips projecting from each of opposed inner surfaces of the trim portion inwardly for holding the flange. A notch is defined longitudinally in a root portion of one flange retaining lip projecting from adjacent and open end of one of the opposed inner surfaces, which is on the opposite side of the trim portion from the sealing portion. When the weather strip is attached to a thicker flange, the one flange retaining lip is ripped off along the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keizo Hayashi, Kiyoshi Shigeki, Kazuo Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5083399
    Abstract: Disclosed is an insulated metal door edge guard having a stainless steel body, a PVC cover, and a sheet of colored PVF. The PVC cover is coextruded completely around the metal body in strip form. Then, before the heat of the coextrusion step is lost, the PVF sheet is laminated onto one surface of the PVC cover. The combination is then roll formed into a door edge guard having a base and two legs. The ends of the legs are folded inward to form two beads. The PVC cover has two regions of decreased thickness on the interior of the beads to facilitate the roll forming of the beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Adell Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald R. Schotthoefer
  • Patent number: 5083515
    Abstract: An inexpensive light weight system for attaching, supporting and suspending an item on or from a host surface without the need for tools to secure said item. The system comprises: (1) a base member attached to a host surface, the base member having a means for receiving a removable spacer member; (2) the spacer member having a first end for manually securing to the base and a second end opposite the first end which is provided with a means for receiving a coupling means, the spacer member being capable of damping vibrational energy originating with the host surface; and (3) the coupling means for manually attaching the item to the second end of the spacer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Seksaria, Henry Burgert, James D. Klingensmith
  • Patent number: 5083448
    Abstract: An electromechanical door lock comprises a lock body (1), in which is a dead bolt (3) which can be dead locked in its protruding position and electrically withdrawn into the lock body, a latch (4) which is spring loaded to be protruding from the lock body and which centralizes the dead bolt in an opening in a striking plate (18) arranged for the door lock, and force transmission means (8-14) for transmitting force from an electrical operating device (7) to the dead bolt (3). Said latch (4) includes in a way known as such a body member (4c) moveable inside the lock body to which is jointed a wedge-shaped member (4a, 4b), protruding at least partly out from the lock body when the latch is in the protruding position, so that the latch (4) can be pressed inside the lock body when a force acts on said wedge-shaped member (4a, 4b) from either side of the lock body in the direction of the door opening or closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Oy Abloy Security Ltd.
    Inventors: Vesa Karkkainen, Keijo Lehikoinen