Patents Examined by Nancy P. Connolly
  • Patent number: 5328294
    Abstract: A manhole casting setting fixture includes a pair of spaced parallel frame rails connected by a plurality of transverse struts. Four loop handles are secured at opposite ends of the frame rails to facilitate manual manipulation and transportation of the fixture. A pair of clamp mounting blocks are positioned in juxtaposed relation centrally on bottom surfaces of the frame rails. A pair of lead screws extend through respective threaded coaxial bores in the mounting blocks and include handle portions to facilitate manual loosening and tightening of the lead screws. A pair of arcuate clamping jaws are rotatably mounted on oppositely directed end portions of the lead screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Rex Miller
  • Patent number: 5313681
    Abstract: A seal for a vertically storing dock leveler employs a foam pad connected to the underside of the deck. As the leveler is lowered, the pad contacts the shelf on to which the leveler is mounted and deflects inward and compresses to seal the space between the underside of the leveler and the shelf. The pad is a tapered foam with a fabric covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: The Serco Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 5310277
    Abstract: A device for impeding the motion of a land vehicle is provided including a net having a first and a second end wherein the ends are separated to provide an elongated net arranged for grabbing a motor vehicle. A first braking device and a second braking are provided. The first braking device includes structure for slowing down the motion of the vehicle, and the second braking device includes structure for further slowing down and stopping the motion of the vehicle. The first and second members of the first braking device are shorter in length than the first and second members of the second braking device, such that the first and second braking device function stepwise with the first braking device braking the net first, and the second braking device braking the net second. The net is also formed of warp elements defining a vehicle wheel engaging structure which extends around the wheel of the vehicle when the vehicle runs over the net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Arrestarum Ltd.
    Inventor: Jarmo Uotila
  • Patent number: 5303993
    Abstract: A container having a plurality of receiving compartments is provided. Each of the receiving compartments have a base plate, a spring-loaded lockable slider member for engaging a magnetic tape cassette, locking devices, each of which including two adjacent independently pivotable rocker arms, and a sliding element on the base plate. The respective rocker arm matching the orientation of the magnetic tape cassette is brought into engagement by the sliding element provided with wedge-like control members to lock the reel hubs. To be able to use the same containers also for magnetic tape cassettes with closed reel hubs that are used for open reel hubs, the slider member is provided with centering elements and the sliding element is displacable by the centering elements into a middle position when the slider member is moved outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Christoph Stephan, deceased, by Isle Stephen, heir
  • Patent number: 5302051
    Abstract: Blade applicator assemblies for resurfacing apparatus are provided for mounting forwardly and rearwardly of the apparatus frame. Each forward and rearward blade applicator assembly comprises an elongated base member, and an elongated blade assembly mounted to the base member. The rearward blade applicator assembly also includes an elongated roller extending rearwardly from the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Koter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack H. Wilson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5302050
    Abstract: A device for bridging expansion joints in bridges or the like is provided with parallel lamellae arranged at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the traffic route. The lamellae are supported on at least two inclined traverses which are pivoted and movably supported at both sides in the joint edges, which bridge said joint diagonally with respect to the longitudinal axis, and are rotatably and movably guided in sliding drag bearings at the bottoms of the lamellae. The inclined traverses are arranged parallel to each other, whereby the support width of the lamellae is always uniform. At least one longitudinal traverse which is movably connected the longitudinal direction with each lamellae via sliding bearings fixed at the bottoms of the lamellae is provided for, preferably at the edge, for taking up the forces which inevitably occur due to movements of the bridge superstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Friedrich Mauerer Sohne GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gunter Buckenauer, Christian Braun
  • Patent number: 5299884
    Abstract: A watertight chimney assembly prevents infiltration of water in the region between a manhole cover support frame and a concrete manhole assembly. The watertight chimney, in one embodiment, is comprised of a pair of tubular telescoping sleeves each provided with a flange for mounting respectively to and between the top lip of a manhole assembly and the bottom surface of a flange on the cover support frame supported a desired distance above the top of the manhole assembly to maintain the cover frame at proper grade. An O-ring seated within an annular groove provided in one of the tubular sleeves provides a sliding watertight seal therebetween. The sleeve flanges are arranged and compressed between the cover support frame and manhole assembly and contribute to the watertight seal. One of the sleeves is reversible to increase the telescoping range between a minimum and a maximum extension. In an alternative embodiment, the internal surface of the manhole opening constitutes one of the telescoping members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Poly-Tec Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly
  • Patent number: 5294210
    Abstract: Automated system for pothole repair including apparatus mounted upon a vehicle for detecting the presence of a pothole and alerting and/or slowing and/or halting the vehicle responsive to such detection. Sensors measure the size of the pothole and/or monitor the filling of the pothole to automatically terminate the filling operation when completed. The sensor outputs are used to determine either level of repair material or volume thereof. The sensors and dispenser (or dispensers) are automatically moved to the desired locations. The filled cavity may be compacted and/or cured. Filler material may be selectively delivered from one or more than one dispensing nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Inventor: Jerome Lemelson
  • Patent number: 5288163
    Abstract: A surface movement guidance system for airport traffic of a continuous elongated row of one or more indicia extending lengthwise along a route on the airport surface to be traversed by the traffic, which indicia convey information about position on the airport surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventor: William D. Munson
  • Patent number: 5288164
    Abstract: A vehicle barrier for positioning on a roadway or the like includes a support plate adapted for placement across a roadway, a plurality of tread supports formed in series on the support plate with a space between adjacent tread supports, a rod having a row of spikes attached thereto and being rotatably disposed across the support plate so that the spikes are movably received between respective spaced tread supports, a tensioning device for maintaining the row of spikes in a first, upwardly extending position and a device for lowering the row of spikes into a second position between the space tread supports. With this vehicle barrier, a vehicle approaching the barrier from one direction can cause the row of spikes in the first position to rotate downwardly to the second position when its tires impact a spike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventor: Ralph G. Nasatka
  • Patent number: 5286136
    Abstract: An energy absorbing roadway barrier for dissipating kinetic energy upon impact by a moving vehicle includes an elongated core of reinforced high density concrete having barrier anchor members attached from the elongated core to a position for anchoring the barrier. An elongated barrier portion is formed around the elongated core and around the core anchor members to form a road barrier. The barrier portion is formed of lightweight concrete using lightweight resilient polymer pieces formed in a cement and water mixture and an interlock portion is formed on each end of the road barrier to connect road barrier sections. The lightweight concrete may be pieces of chopped up vulcanized rubber, such as chopped up used tires which have been prepared and coated and mixed with a cement mixture, alternatively lightweight polymer such as polystyrene, which may be chopped up used polystyrene being recycled can be incorporated into the barrier portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventors: Theodore O. Mandish, Doneath M. Mandish
  • Patent number: 5282693
    Abstract: An elastomeric sealing apparatus for waterproofing a joint opening between two generally parallel structural members in highways, bridges, parking structures and the like. The sealing apparatus comprises an elongated web shaped elastomeric body member which assumes a bowed contour after installation and which spans a joint opening defined by the faces of two confronting structural members such as roadway slabs or the like. The body member has side flaps extending integrally along each longitudinal edge thereof. The side flaps are adapted by steps and outward bias for adhesive bonding to the joint faces so as to provide watertightness, easy installation, and long term resistance to climatic conditions and structural movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Inventor: Ralph D. Daily, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5277516
    Abstract: This invention describes the design and method of installation of wild animal highway warning reflectors. The reflector consists of a transparent plate having a flat light entrance surface and a backside reflection surface from which the reflected light is dispersed. The rear surface is comprised of many reflecting toric surfaces arranged vertically and horizontally side-by-side. The new design of the toric surfaces and the unique method of installing the reflectors provide complete reflected light coverage for all variations of roadside terrain to warn wild animals that wish to cross a highway at night. To an animal each reflector glitters with colored light. As a vehicle passes, animals see an unnatural, sequence of lights coming from a plurality of reflectors located along both sides of the highway. Installation of these warning reflectors adjacent to highways where wild animals frequently cross has led to a considerable reduction of the number of accidents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: John R. Strieter
  • Patent number: 5276930
    Abstract: A folding bridge comprising the two sections (27 and 28) hinged together about a hinge pin (43). The hinge being arranged such that when the bridge is folded together for transportation the sections (27 and 28) at least partially nest inside one another in order to reduce the overall height of the folded bridge. The invention also provides a folding bridge in combination with a vehicle for launching and recovering the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventor: Thomas S. Parramore
  • Patent number: 5277513
    Abstract: A low-profile snowplowable pavement marker is disclosed including a base member and a retroreflector. The base member has two arcuate-bottom keel members interconnected by a support member. The upper surfaces of the keel members define inclined ramps. The spacing of inner surfaces of the ramps allows retroreflectance of oncoming light while accommodating larger plow blade angles encountered in higher speed plowing. The support member has a central planar support surface for carrying the retroreflector and upwardly facing curved top surfaces providing relief in the base member between the ramps and in front of the retroreflector to allow tires of approaching vehicles to wipe the lens assembly. The housing of the retroreflector is molded from long-glass-fiber-reinforced composite thermoplastic material with a recess for accommodating a retroreflective lens element of a different thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Stimsonite Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Flanagan, Sidney A. Heenan, Henry R. Krepel, Richard M. Steere
  • Patent number: 5277515
    Abstract: Disclosed is an extruded, low density, non-outgassing ethylenic polymer foam containing 30-85% open cells and the remainder closed cells and having an essentially integral surface. The foam possesses superior compression recovery and lower compression resistance when compared with similarly comprised ethylenic closed cell foams and superior moisture resistance and handling characteristics when compared to open cell foams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Applied Extrusion Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward E. Hovis, Eric D. Johnson, Michael J. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 5277486
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for merchandising product by gravity feeding that product to the front of a rotatable shelf. The product is supported upon a shelf which is in turn supported from a low friction support for rotation about an axis slightly tilted relative to a vertical plane with the shelf slightly tilted relative to a horizontal plane. The orientation of the shelf is such that the low point of the shelf is at the front of the shelf so that when displayed product is removed from the front of the shelf, the center of gravity of the shelf shifts and the weight of the product remaining on the shelf causes the shelf to rotate so as to relocate new product to the front of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Rafael T. Bustos
  • Patent number: 5275501
    Abstract: A quick opening manhole cover assembly is provided which is suitable for use with virtually any shape manhole cover of a pressure vessel. The assembly broadly includes a manhole cover having outer dimensions which are less than the inner dimensions of the manhole so that the cover can pass freely therethrough. The assembly also includes a structure for raising and lowering the cover into and out of the manhole. A sliding lock mechanism is located above the cover and is engageable to prevent axial movement of the cover. A safety mechanism is provided to prevent the lock from disengaging when the vessel is under pressure. Once the lock is engaged, the cover is raised and a seal carried atop the cover provides a fluid tight sealing engagement of the cover. The pressure within the vessel urges the cover further upward to further ensure the integrity of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: The Pfaudler Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Franklyn J. Amorese, Robert R. Loomis
  • Patent number: 5273374
    Abstract: A dowel setting device which can be employed together with a formless paving machine is described. A plurality of booms is pivotably disposed, looking in the direction of travel, ahead of the vehicle body and ahead of devices for tamping the concrete. Dowel retrievers are located at the ends of the booms. In a loading position, the dowel retrievers retrieve dowels from a magazine. Following a pivot movement, the dowel retrievers assume a setting position in which they extend, looking in the direction of travel, from the front into the area where the concrete is beginning to set. The dowels are ejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventors: Erhard Thoma, Michael Weinberger
  • Patent number: 5269625
    Abstract: A manually operated trowel is used for finishing wet concrete. The float portion is a rectangular plate-like structure with a handle mounted to its top center region. The handle may consist of several extensions. The base of the float has three distinct regions that extend along the length of the float. The front and rear regions are of a smooth texture while the center region, extending between the front and rear regions, has laterally extending teeth-like V-grooves. The grooves extend below the smooth surfaces of the forward and rearward regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventor: Stanley R. Stewart