Patents Examined by Lisa M Saldano
  • Patent number: 6978500
    Abstract: A bed for a person is provided. The bed includes a frame, a deck, and a mattress. The bed further includes a plurality of foot-operated controls configured to control features of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene E. Osborne, John W. Koenig, Glenn C. Suttman, Matthew Visca, Jack Wilker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6976807
    Abstract: A portable breakwater system for use in a body of water includes first and second support members adapted to be positioned on the floor of the body of water and a curtain attached between the first and second support members. The first and second support members allow the curtain to freely rise in response to a wave in the body of water so as to attenuate the wave. Each support member includes a base plate and a frame assembly extending upwardly from the base plate. The base plates can be anchored to the water floor with one or more weights. The frame assemblies include pivoting or telescoping sections that permit the curtain to rise in response to a wave. Alternatively, the curtain can be attached to pre-existing underwater structure, such as the support members of a dock located in the body of water. In this case, the curtain is attached to the support members via attachment sleeves that are slidingly mounted on the support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Cabins to Castles, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen King, Lisa M. Burns
  • Patent number: 6932541
    Abstract: A wave forming apparatus has a channel for containing a flow of water with an inlet end connected to a water supply, a base, and spaced side walls, a weir in the base at the inlet end of the channel, and at least one bed form in the channel downstream of the weir. The bed form has an upwardly inclined upstream face extending downstream of the leading end, an upper portion, and a downwardly inclined downstream face extending from the upper portion to the trailing end. A primary flow path for water extends over the weir and bed form. A secondary flow passageway extends through the bed form, with a first end adjacent the trailing end of the bed form, and a second end in the bed form upstream of the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Bruce C. McFarland
  • Patent number: 6929425
    Abstract: An erosion control system is provided which generally includes a flexible composite blanket or matting including a core layer bonded between an upper and a lower netting material, and an upper layer made of a biaxial geogrid. The matting has a flat upper surface without any substantial three dimensional features in which to trap sediment. The matting has a relatively high aerial density of about 0.7 pounds per square yard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Greenfix America
    Inventors: Mark W. Kimberlin, Kurt Chirbas
  • Patent number: 6926471
    Abstract: The invention concerns a protective barrier installed across a slope. The invention is characterized in that the net is maintained by several supports each having a first mast pointing downstream and whereof one end is fixed to an anchoring point in the ground and a second mast bearing on the ground, the two masts mounted side by side in a crossover geometrical relationship defining a predetermined angle which is determined by the type of use of the protective barrier, i.e. for falling rocks or to protect against avalanches; with the free ends of the masts having stays installed between the masts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Mecanroc
    Inventor: Pascal Rambaud
  • Patent number: 6925663
    Abstract: A crib device is provided for raising and lowering the dropside of a slatted crib. The dropsides are fitted with side rails attached to the outer slats. The side rails are channeled to receive a rod. The side rails fit within corner legs which are slotted to receive the side rails. The corner legs are also channeled to receive a rod. When the side rails are fitted within the corner legs, a slide rod is positioned through the respective channels. A latching mechanism is used to lock the dropside in place via a latching rod and latch rod recesses, which are located on the corner legs. When the latching mechanism is activated the dropside moves vertically along the slide rod with reduced risk of injury to both the user of the crib and the occupant of the crib as the outer slats block unwanted access to the slotted region of the corner legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventors: William E. Peterson, Jr., Manuel Cardona, Andrew De Palma
  • Patent number: 6905287
    Abstract: A fish ladder for incorporation between ends of a water structure that includes at least a pair of separate sleeves that are each formed from a puncture resistant flexible material, contain a volume of water and may have a closed end or ends for resting on edge portions of a flat base plate of the fish ladder. The flat base plate includes a pair of parallel spaced apart upstanding side walls that are individually extend across the flat base plate. The upstanding side walls each include pairs of spaced apart channels extending from the side walls, with the pairs align to receive flat rectangular dam sections fitted therein, forming interior dams that a flow of water, as travels through the fish ladder, fills between as pools that fish, traveling up stream, jump between, to travel up the fish ladder and exit into a body of water that is contained by the water structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventor: David Doolaege
  • Patent number: 6905289
    Abstract: Sediment control devices and systems are provided. The device generally includes a core made up of granular material encased within a puncture resistant fabric, a compressible layer enwrapping the core and a geotextile fabric outer casing. A plurality of such devices provide a system for controlling erosion and sedimentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventor: Peter S. Sanguinetti
  • Patent number: 6902352
    Abstract: An apparatus for improving soft ground, in which cement slurry is vigorously discharged from an injection rod by highly pressurized air, thus allowing hardening agent to evenly infiltrate the soft ground, is disclosed. The apparatus includes an injection rod (20) having an injection pipe (10) into which fluid is introduced, and an outer casing (12) disposed around the injection pipe (10) with an air feeding path (14) therebetween, one or more injection holders (40) coupled to an outer surface of the outer casing (12) to be positioned at different levels and to be inclined downward, and a bit (30) coupled to a lower end of the injection rod (20), and having jet holes (60, 60a), which are inclined downward and in which inclined jet nozzles (70, 70a) are inserted, and a cutting water nozzle (74) provided at its center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Yong-Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 6893193
    Abstract: A fiber block segment suitable for controlling erosion and stabilizing soil is described that comprises an elongated fiber block formed of a densely packed elongated thick fibrous material. The fiber block is wrapped with a fabric around three sides so that the fabric defines a top anchor portion and a bottom anchor portions extending from the block. The fiber block is securely attached to the wrapped fabric by another fabric or twine spanning the fourth side of the block. Additionally, the fabric is wrapped only up to the edges defining one end (a male end) and beyond the edges defining the opposite end (the female end) to define a pouch-like structure at the female end. The fiber block is made of coconut fibers (coir). The fabric is woven from coir twine, and coir twine secures the fabric to the fiber block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventor: B. Lanka Santha
  • Patent number: 6884004
    Abstract: An tensile reinforcement-to retaining wall connection for a retaining wall (10) having stacked tiers (14, 16) of blocks (12) having channels (52, 54) in opposing surfaces (48, 50), which channels (54, 56) in adjacent tiers (14, 16) align to define a receiving conduit (18) between the adjacent tiers. An isolator sheet (20) overlies the channels (52) in the blocks (12) of the lower tier (14) at selected vertical intervals in the wall (10). A tensile reinforcement sheet (28) partially overlapped (26) defines a pocket (24) that receives a connector bar (22), which sit on the isolator sheet (20) in the receiving conduit (18). A portion of the tensile reinforcement sheet (28) extends from the wall (10) for receiving backfill to mechanically secure the wall to the backfill. The isolator sheet (20) protectingly reduces abrasion of the tensile reinforcement sheet (28) in the receiving conduit (18). A method of connecting a tensile reinforcement to a retaining wall with reduced abrasion is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Geostar Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Scales, Thomas E. Evans, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6884002
    Abstract: A reconfigurable barrier system (10) is provided. The system (10) includes a plurality of support units (100) spaced one from the other, with each support unit (100) having at least one engagement section (110) defining an elongate channel (112). System (10) further includes at least one retention unit (200) that is substantially impervious to liquid, and is supported to extend between a pair of support units (100). Each retention unit (200) is formed with a pair of opposed engagement portions (212) which slidably engage respective ones of the support unit channels (112). Each retention unit (200) is also formed with a seal portion (220) that extends along a longitudinal edge of at least an intermediate portion (214) between the engagement portions (212). A barrier section (15) is defined by each pair of support units (100) and the at least one retention unit (200) supported thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Charles L. Fuller
  • Patent number: 6877177
    Abstract: A bedding foundation is manufactured with a cover having a welt cord extending upwardly to create a seal when a mattress is placed on the foundation. The cover is made using a two stage process. During the first stage a sewing machine is used to join a welt cord to a web of border material. In the second stage a second sewing machine sews a piece of non-skid decking to the border assembly. Fullness may be incorporated into the border material to enable the cover to fit around the corners of the bedding foundation with the welt cord being spaced inwardly from the perimeter of the foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Steven Marcangelo
  • Patent number: 6874976
    Abstract: A common feature of the method and apparatus for multipoint grouting resides in using a multiple injection apparatus having a plurality of unit pumps in one plant, driven independently of each other and controlled by a centralized control device. The plurality of the unit pumps are connected through ducts to a plurality of injection pipes each having an outlet, inserted in a plurality of injection points in ground. By operations of the plurality of the unit pumps, ground improving material is injected from the plurality of the outlets into the plurality of the injection points in the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Kyokado Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunsuke Shimada
  • Patent number: 6874974
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel design of reinforced soil arch which can be used to construct bridges, overpasses, snowsheds, landslide or rock fall protection structures, and the like. More particularly, this invention pertains to an innovative use of mineral soil (clay, silt, sand, gravel, cobbles, boulders, broken rock or mixtures of any or all of the foregoing) to construct a reinforced soil arch that can be used for numerous purposes. A method of constructing a reinforced soil arch comprising constructing an arch utilizing a combination of layers of compacted mineral soil and reinforcement in a manner that supports both the dead load of the structure and a live load imposed on the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Terratech Consulting Ltd.
    Inventors: Calvin D. VanBuskirk, Ronald J. Neden
  • Patent number: 6869255
    Abstract: A structural pile assembly includes a driven pile and pressurized grout contained beneath the pile so as to exert an upward force on the pile. An enclosure, such as a bladder or bellows, is filled with grout from a reservoir via a conduit which preferably extends axially along the length of the pile and is left in place after the grout hardens. A pressure gauge measures the pressure of the grout within the enclosure, permitting the direct measurement of end bearing and side bearing capacities of the resulting pile assembly. The load bearing capacity of the pile is enhanced by the pressurized grout, and is preferably at least twice the end bearing capacity of an unpressurized pile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventors: August H. Beck, III, Philip G. King
  • Patent number: 6866449
    Abstract: An anchor block construction (10) for attachment to an escape line (100) extending from a drilling rig (101) wherein, the construction (10) includes a concrete block member (20) having a base (21) with a plurality of downwardly depending anchor leg members (30), at least two inwardly angled sidewalls (22) (24) provided with anchor rod members (40) (40) disposed in recessed receptacle elements (50) and a top surface (26) likewise provided with an anchor rod member (40?) disposed in a recessed receptacle (50) wherein, the escape line (100) is intended to be secured to a selected one of the sidewall anchor rod members (40)(40) which is disposed beneath the midline of the concrete block member (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventor: Kevin Riddiough
  • Patent number: 6863475
    Abstract: An apparatus and a process for injecting fluids while prevents backflow are provided. The apparatus comprises a) a hollow core pipe with an open end and a closed end, and containing exit ports in the peripheral wall that are closed when there is no, or low fluid pressure; b) a stationary valve seat, fitted in the pipe; c) an axial sliding plug, disposed to be received in the valve seat where there is no or low fluid pressure thereby closing the exit ports wherein an increase in fluid pressure causes the plug to slide toward the closed end and the opening of the exit ports; and d) a spring held in place between the slidable plug and the closed end, the spring continuously urging the plug in a direction away from the closed end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: George Ellis DeVaull, III, Donald Lee Tharpe
  • Patent number: 6857153
    Abstract: A patient support including a frame, a head portion, a foot portion, a seat portion, and a light assembly supported by the foot portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Ruehl, Jeffrey R. Welling, Brian Wiggins, Matthew W. Weismiller, Sandy Richards, Brent Goodwin
  • Patent number: 6854935
    Abstract: A method of reducing ground disturbance during freeze-thaw cycles. The steps include excavating soil from an area affected by ground disturbance due to subsurface flow and subsequent freezing of water. A subsurface layer of thermal insulation is then laid over the affected area, thereby thermally insulating the affected area from freezing. The subsurface layer of thermal insulation has a top surface and a bottom surface. A subsurface layer of wick material capable of drawing water away from the affected area by capillary action is also laid parallel to one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the subsurface layer of thermal insulation positioned in a path of the subsurface flow of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignees: Diamond J. Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Maxwell Andrews