Patents Examined by James Miner
  • Patent number: 5562467
    Abstract: An electrical interface (210) for an electronic device (200) includes an integral connector portion (215). The connector portion (215) has protected connector contacts (220) which provide an electrical signal path to the internal circuitry of the device. The electrical interface (210) has a contact surface (112) disposed proximate to the connector portion (215) and interface contacts (117) electrically decoupled from the connector contacts (220). The contact surface (112) is responsive to a mechanical force, to electrically couple at least one of the interface contacts (117) to at least one of the connector contacts (220).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Davis, II, Benjamin J. Hafen, Julio A. Abdala, Steven J. Finch, Brock J. Langan
  • Patent number: 5561941
    Abstract: A coating (17) and a method for its preparation are disclosed which will restrict the movement of insects over a skewed surface (15) to which the coating is applied. The coating (17) is an adherent thin film comprised of particles of less than 5 microns. The dispersions are prepared using a surfactant. The surfactant may be removed, at least in part, from the film by leaching or evaporation. The dispersion may also include a dispersing agent which need not be removed from the film. Stabilizing agents may be added to protect the dispersions from freeze/thaw cycles. The coatings (17) are preferably applied by spraying or roller coating the dispersion over the surface (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Consep, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger H. Long
  • Patent number: 5561940
    Abstract: An annular body member is of a size capable of allowing an animal to move at least partially through it. A snare line with a running noose therein encircles the exterior surface of the body member and has an anchored end. A trigger is disposed laterally across the interior of the body member and is a flexible type netting which the animal engages when entering the trap. The trigger is positioned to dislodge the snare line when the animal enters the trap. The snare line has elastic characteristics and is capable of engaging and binding around an animal entering the body member to hold the snare line in place until its running noose is tightened by movement of the animal away from an anchored end of the running noose. The trap can be used below ground in a burrowing animal runway or it can comprise an above ground baited housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Inventor: Francis S. Miyasaki
  • Patent number: 5560145
    Abstract: A fishing tackle system adapted to attach to a seat bottom. The fishing tackle system includes a fishing tackle box and a member coupling the fishing tackle box to the seat bottom. The fishing tackle system desirably includes a removable tray adapted to individually contain fishing lures in compartments integral to the removable tray. The fishing tackle system also desirably includes a beverage container receptacle adapted to accommodate a beverage can or bottle in a substantially upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventor: Dennis L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5560141
    Abstract: A fishing lure assembly is provided which includes a pair of floatable lures for attachment to a fishing rod line for casting. Each of the lures have a hook for impaling fish and the proximal or front lure is lighter in weight than the terminal or rear lure to maximize the casting ability of the user. The proximal lure includes an internal triangularly shaped wire web which provides structural integrity to the three eyelets thereon. Two of the eyelets are for line tying and the third eyelet allows convenient affixing of a hook. An intermediate flexible line allows the two lures to be spaced apart approximately 0.5 meters to increase the chances of two fish being simultaneously caught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Inspiration Lures, Inc.
    Inventor: Doyle E. Hodgin
  • Patent number: 5560146
    Abstract: An automatic trap for catching cockroach independently of the size, volume or weight thereof, comprising a box with cockroach collecting cavity having an upper surface with a trap opening, at least two separate coplanar plates being provided to close said trap opening in a close position. Each plate has an electrical conducting portion connected to a control circuit which, in turn, is connected to a driving mechanism capable of being actuated to move the plates away from each other into an open position for uncovering the trap opening and providing access to the cockroach collecting cavity. When a cockroach simultaneously touches the electrical conducting portions of the plates, the portions are put into electrical contact because of the conductivity provided by the cockroach body, so that the driving mechanism is excited by the control circuit to move the plates to their open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventor: Daniel F. Garro
  • Patent number: 5557878
    Abstract: A depth metering float for use with a fishing line, the float having upper and lower outer shell sections rotatable relative to one another and a carriage assembly located within the shell and adapted for rotation about a central axis relative to the shell. The fishing line is passed through the interior of the float and a brake mechanism associated with the carriage assembly serves to selectively clinch the fishing line to stop passage thereof through the float when a desired depth is reached. Located within the carriage assembly is a buoyant drum that rotates about a drum axis perpendicular to the central axis. The fishing line engages the drum so that the drum turns as the fishing line descends. A gear train connects the drum to the carriage and rotary movement of the carriage relative to the shell assembly ultimately actuates the brake mechanism to clinch the fishing line after a predetermined amount of drum rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: American Sport Lure, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles A. Ross
  • Patent number: 5556022
    Abstract: A polar motion bond head for bonding semiconductor devices includes voice coil motors for providing positioning motion to the bond head, and a vision system that has an optical path that allows the camera to see all polar positions with the image staying on the camera centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: John W. Orcutt, Galle Lin
  • Patent number: 5555670
    Abstract: An anchor includes an anchor or weighted portion shaped to engage the bottom of a body of water. An upstanding shank in the form of a hollow cylinder extends from the anchor portion. The interior of the cylinder defines a bait compartment to receive a quantity of fish-attracting material. A removable cap closes the hollow shank to secure the fish-attracting material in the bait compartment. A ring is secured to the shank for attachment to an anchor line or chain. The shank is provided with at least one perforation to permit the fish-attracting material to mix with water surrounding the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Richard V. Troutman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5553413
    Abstract: A device for bow fishing which renders less likely an arrow will pass completely through an impaled fish. A sliding-stop is oriented on an arrow shaft forward of a drawn, cocked bow. Upon contact with the fish, a pointed head of the arrow passes into the fish, pushing the sliding-stop rearward on the shaft of the arrow, ultimately contacting a fixed stop disposed at a trailing portion of the shaft. Fishing line connects the arrow to the bow to retrieve the fish impaled on the arrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Gregory T. Gannon
  • Patent number: 5548919
    Abstract: A trolling assembly is shown using a single planar board having a buoyant body with weights that are adjustable for fishing on the port or starboard side of the boat. The fishing line is used to tow the assembly and to retrieve it when the catch is brought in. The fishing line is adjustably rigged for water conditions, matching the attack to the conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: Carl E. Hicks
  • Patent number: 5546695
    Abstract: A fishing reel for receiving signals from an underwater sensor assembly includes a housing having a receiver disposed therein. The fishing reel receiver is adapted to recieve signals from under water sensors which provide data related to fish catching conditions proximate a fish attractor such as a lure. The fishing reel further includes a transmitter which transmits signals to an output module. A fishing line is provided having an inner line for transmission of electrical signals disposed within an outer line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Alexander G. Langer
  • Patent number: 5546693
    Abstract: A hinged fishing rod holder allows the base portion to be fixed in the sand or ground, with the opposite rod holder portion being hinged or pivoted to the base portion. The two portions are formed of tubular material, and are concentric with one another when extended to position the fishing rod in a fishing position, with the hinge assembly having a stop to prevent relative motion beyond the aligned position in a forward direction. When a fish is hooked, the angler may grasp the rod and pull it rearwardly to set the hook, and also to pivot the rod holder portion rearwardly to an essentially vertical intermediate position, where a predetermined interference in the hinge holds the rod holder and rod vertically. With the rod holder and rod in this position, a fish may be reeled in and easily removed from the line, and the hook rebaited as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventors: Stanley C. Stockton, Mary J. Stockton
  • Patent number: 5544442
    Abstract: A multiple fishing hook and leader storage device is disclosed including a reel including a tube, two end plates and a plurality of discs. The tube is formed in a hollow elongated cylindrical configuration with two ends and an outer surface. Each end plate is formed in a planar circular configuration with a central aperture and an outer perimeter including thumb knurling, one end plate being releasably coupled to each end of the tube, the tube including an elongated rectangular shaped line coupling region extending longitudinally across the outer surface of the tube from one end plate to the other. An elastomeric coating is positioned around the outer surface of the tube except for the line coupling region, the discs being fabricated of elastomeric materials and radially positioned along the tube at equidistantly spaced intervals. One large aperture and one small aperture is positioned within the line coupling region adjacent to each disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Jamie Perkins
  • Patent number: 5542207
    Abstract: A process for eradicating termite infestations in a structure and preventing the reinfestation thereof includes the steps of identifying infested wood members, impregnating the infested wood members with a borate solution, and injecting an amorphous silica gel dust into structural voids adjacent to the exterior of the structure. The borate solution, which is applied to surfaces of the infested wood members, kills existing infestations of kaloterme. The amorphous silica gel dust is electrostatically charged as it is injected into the structural voids so as to cling to the surfaces of exposed wood members. This forms a shield against future infestations. Termite barricades impregnated with the borate solution are also inserted into selected wood members of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Home Saving Termite Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne F. Morris, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5542205
    Abstract: The invention is an improved fishing pole holder and automatic hook setting device with an improved latch release mechanism. A fishing pole holder arm pivotally mounted on a vertical support member is held in a generally horizontal and cocked fishing position against the tension of a spring interconnecting the holder arm and the vertical support member by means of a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is a roller nut rotatably attached to the holder arm and a pawl-ended latch arm pivotally interconnected to the vertical support member. A trigger arm pivotally attached to the vertical support member, when pivoted forward by a tug on the fish line acts to disengage the pawl from the roller nut by means of a link arm interconnecting the trigger arm and the latch arm. When the pawl disengages from the roller nut the holder arm rotates suddenly upward under the action of the spring, setting the hook in the fish's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: Lester Updike
  • Patent number: 5542772
    Abstract: The invention is related to an articulated joint fitting preferably for automotive vehicles with a wobble gearing to create a swivelling motion of the joint parts. As a development of the articulated joint fitting, a reduction of costs is achieved in that the spur gear wheel is composed of a plurality of elements and a simplified adjustment of the eccentric with respect to one of the articulated joint fittings is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH & Co oHG
    Inventors: Gerhard Reuber, Hans G. Menne, Gavriel Shafry
  • Patent number: 5540011
    Abstract: A species-selective field trap for flies which comprises a receptacle (1) having a removable lid (4), the receptacle forming a substantially closed chamber(s), when the lid is in place, within which a source of chemical attractant vapor attractive to the selected species of fly and unattractive to most other species of fly is positioned in use. The receptacle having a substantially opaque upper, in use, end (2, 4) which is colored as a visual attractant to the selected species of fly and having one or more small apertures (6) in a side or the lid, thereof adapted to closely accommodate passage of the selected species of fly therethrough. The apertures being the primary and preferably the only means by which the chemical attractant vapor is emitted from the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: W. H. Knights & Son
    Inventors: Muree R. Groom, Colin Hawkes, James Braven
  • Patent number: 5537776
    Abstract: A fishing line connector having a shank, a coiled member, defined by a plurality of uniformly spaced, contiguous coaxial coils arranged in longitudinally extending relation and having an axial opening therethrough, and an open-ended eye loop. The connector provides a knotless connection for a fishing line when the line is wrapped around the coiled member in alternating longitudinal directions and snapped into the open-ended eye loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Leonard J. Gilard, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5537773
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a fishing rod handle which, when holding the fishing rod at a position forward of its normal holding position (e.g. between the reel and the tip of the fishing rod), allows the fishing rod to be held stably, thereby improving the ability to manipulate the fishing rod. The handle includes a reel leg mounting portion 18 which locates the legs 14A,14B of a reel 14 on a reel leg placement surface 18B and fixes the reel legs 14A,14B with front and rear hoods 12A,12B. The reel leg mounting portion further includes a reduced portion 18C diametrically opposite the reel leg placement surface 18B. An expanded portion 22 is located between the reduced portion 18C and a constricted portion 20C, and swells generally oppositely from the reel leg placement surface 18B. The extended portion 22 is contoured and sized so as to be readily and comfortably received in the palm of an angler's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.
    Inventors: Teiji Matsubara, Tomoyoshi Tsurufuji