Patents Examined by Ramon S. Britts
  • Patent number: 6308780
    Abstract: Run into a well, e.g., in a tube, on a pipe string is a hydromechanical cleaner. The bridge is washed out by the direct desending flow of drilling mud pumped through the pipe string 2. The cleaner is moved downward as the bridge is washed out by moving the pipe string. Ascending flow of drilling mud rotates cleaning heads in opposite directions. Cutting knives of the cleaning heads mechanically remove deposits from the walls of tubing 1. Deposits from the walls are removed mechanically during running of the cleaner into the well and during its lifting from the well. Products of the washed out bridge and deposits are removed from the well by an ascending flow through the side branch pipe of the wellhead circulating head. The device for embodiment of the method includes also a mechanism for moving the pipe string and a pump unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventor: Alexei Alexeevich Efimkin
  • Patent number: 5839844
    Abstract: The endplate of an arch shape cross section leaching chamber for dispersing liquid in soil has an inlet duct which enables the pipe delivering liquid to the chamber to be at higher elevation than the top of the chamber. Liquid flowing from the duct is guided downwardly by a channel and onto an integral baseplate extending into the chamber, to lessen any erosion of the soil within the open bottom of the chamber. Preferably, the endplate has double walls which, with sidewalls, form the channel. And, a slot opening near the bottom of the inner wall discharges the liquid into the chamber interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Infiltrator Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Nichols, Bryan A. Coppes
  • Patent number: 5649786
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making service connection to polyethylene replacement sewer pipe. Specifically, the method involves the steps of (1) locating the service; (2) excavating an opening less than two feet in diameter from the surface to the polyethylene replacement pipe at the service; (3) introducing a fusing apparatus on top of the polyethylene pipe and fusing a stack to the polyethylene pipe; and (4) drilling a opening into the polyethylene pipe through the fused stack. Before drilling the opening into the polyethylene pipe, the stack may be tested to make certain that there are no leaks in the fusing step and that the stack is securely connected to the polyethylene pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: TTI Trenchless Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cleve C. Reber, Kurt S. Myers
  • Patent number: 5639181
    Abstract: A milling machine equipped with tires of compression-memory solid rubber. The milling machine includes a frame, a plurality of wheels supporting and propelling the machine over the paved surface and a cutting assembly rotatably mounted to the frame for removing an upper layer of paving material from a paved surface. In a typical arrangement, the milling machine has two front wheels and one rear wheel. Both front wheels and the rear wheel are typical equipped with tires made of solid rubber having a durometer rating in the range of 45 to 60. Typically, the front wheels are adapted to be turned through a 45-degree range and the rear wheel has a turning range of about 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: George W. Swisher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5586413
    Abstract: A hanger for plant pots having an upper hanger hook, a downward interim depending portion with a section laterally displaced from a vertical line from the hanger hook through the area of the center of gravity of a flower pot. The laterally displaced section is so displaced as to be clear of contact with the flower pot supported by a semi ring bottom continuation of an inwardly directed connection section from the laterally displaced section. The hanger may be provided at the upper end with a hanger extension for hanging therefrom various display items with the semi ring bottom acting as a support for the assembly on a supporting surface. In an inverted version of the flower pot device an end extension thereof is shaped for insertion in and support by earth. Another embodiment is formed from a metal tube with a support rope passed therethrough whereby the suspension height of the device is adjustable by the rope being held in a groove in the lower end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Arie N. Sharon
  • Patent number: 5561924
    Abstract: In a scraper, or the like, having as its purpose the cutting of a level swath in an earthen terrain, and receiving the earth cut from the terrain, in which the cutting blade is mounted, in a level attitude, to a scraper frame, which frame is itself mounted on wheels for movement along the terrain, means for adjusting the wheels relative to the frame so as to maintain the level attitude of the blade over uneven terrain, or under conditions of uneven loading of the earth removed from the swath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas N. Ramey
  • Patent number: 5549160
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for plugging a tubing string of a fluid producing well below a sucker rod driven progressing cavity type pump uses a valve means inside of the tubing string below the pump, the valve means being actuatable by displacing the rotor of the pump axially within the stator by vertical movement of the sucker rod string. The valve means can comprise a valve seat fixed to the inside of the tubing below the rotor and a valve member fixed to the bottom end of the rotor and adapted to be brought into sealing engagement with the valve seat by downward movement of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: National-Oilwell Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Dan Bownes, Darren Wiltse
  • Patent number: 5545802
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method of treating a container holding a contaminated substance. The invention includes puncturing the container at different positions to allow the introduction of a disenfecting agent and a drainage of the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Yves Narbonne
  • Patent number: 5542781
    Abstract: A removal apparatus which includes a container adapted to store removed soil, which is supported from the end of a crane, which applies a downward load on the container to keep it against the contaminated soil and advancing forward. The removal apparatus features a replaceable blade which is attached at the forward end of the container at a predetermined level to define the depth of the cut. Vertical cheek plates are attached at either side of the container to cut the end of the soil at the outer edges of the blade and to provide vertical side wall support to confine the soil within the container. Front and rear dust control chambers are provided which restrict the movement of airborne contaminants. The container includes a sensor to monitor the level of contaminated soil remaining after a cut. Prior to removal, an initial survey is made of the area is made using a sensor capable of determining the level of the contaminants in the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Sonsub, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Yemington, John H. Skaggs, William R. Bath
  • Patent number: 5540519
    Abstract: An extremely light-weight, portable floating power vibratory concrete "Wet Screed", which is hand operated by a single finisher in order to strike off, tamp and smooth freshly poured concrete using only perimeter slab forms or curbs. The unique angular design of the enclosed hollow screed blade allows the operator to lower the handle and effectively use the rear 60 degree angled surface of the screed blade to cut down the height of the concrete to the desired grade, or raise the handle to effectively use the front 60 degree angled surface of the screed blade to float and maintain the desired grade. The flat aluminum bottom extending from the front angled surface to the rear angled surface of the screed blade functions to produce a smooth, near final finish while the vibratory action tamps the rock down and works the fat to the concrete surface, thereby substantially increasing the finishing time while making the finisher's job much easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: Doug J. Weber
  • Patent number: 5539946
    Abstract: The stiffening girder type suspension bridge according to the present invention is designed with a smaller dead load under normal conditions, and applied with a temporary dead load as an additional mass to improve the static characteristics and aerodynamic stability when the bridge is subjected to particularly violent storms that result in significant vibrations and swaying of the bridge. The present invention bridge structure is highly economical. A passage is provided in the stiffening girder at the center of its width along the direction of the bridge axis, so that a temporary dead load as an additional mass can be moved into the passage. Under normal conditions, the passage is kept empty of the load. When an imminent storm is anticipated, a given amount of liquid or solid is transferred into the passage located within the stiffening girder to temporarily apply a given amount of temporary dead load to the stiffening girder during a storm to control vibrations of the bridge caused by the winds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Kawada Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Tadaki Kawada
  • Patent number: 5540516
    Abstract: An advertising display method involves marking grass sports fields by bending the grass blades in definite zones and bending or leaving them straight in other zones in order to form an image or a word. The difference in the direction given to the grass blades is quite visible to the spectator. The grass blades are directed by means of an apparatus mounted on rollers which runs on the grass surface. The apparatus also has brushes and/or additional rollers which rotate to straighten the grass blades on definite sectors. The sectors form an image or the letters of a words. The engines which drive the apparatus and the brushes and/or rollers are electrical and are controlled by a computer. The image or word to represent on the grass, as well as the position of the apparatus on the surface to work, are entered in the memory of a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Athar International Services SA
    Inventors: Carlo Nicodemo, Ewald Mohring
  • Patent number: 5540518
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling striping equipment mounted on a vehicle includes a controller. The controller receives signals from a distance measuring device and various sensors. The controller also receives operator input via a console having operator controls. Based on the operator input, the controller determines striping commands which instruct the controller to cause the striping equipment to paint a painting pattern. The controller generates a striping program during a striping operation by saving the striping commands as a function of the measured distance. Using a previously saved striping program, the controller can cause the repainting of a previous striping operation. The controller also monitors striping operational data as a function of the distance travelled, and performs diagnostic functions to determine malfunction of the striping control system and the controller itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Linear Dynamics Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Wambold
  • Patent number: 5533837
    Abstract: An anchor adapted for providing retention strength to a retaining formed of a plurality of superimposed blocks having opposed faces adapted to lie one on top of another. One of the faces, of at least some of the blocks, has a longitudinal channel therein disposed spaced from a rear wall thereof and extending along a longitudinal axis of the block. A transverse groove is provided in the top face and extends from the longitudinal groove to the rear wall. The anchor has an elongated stem section, a hook end adapted for engagement in the longitudinal channel, and an opposed anchor end for engagement with back-fill material disposed behind the retaining wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventors: Horacio Correia, Charles Ciccarello
  • Patent number: 5529434
    Abstract: A paving material machine having a frame with an end-to-end tunnel for paving material capacity. The machine also includes an electro-hydraulic drive system using rotary transducers. In a configuration for laying down paving material, the machine has a front hopper for receiving paving material from trucks and a conveyor to transfer paving material rearward through the tunnel. A diverter plate and feed augers are mounted at the rear of the machine to regulate the paving material out of the rear of the tunnel. A lay down screed is located behind the feed augers. In order to improve turning characteristics in a system featuring a positive traction device, the drive system is connected to rotary transducers which measure the direction and degree of wheel turn. Using the input from the rotary transducers, the drive system allows a speed differential between the inside and outside wheels in a turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: George W. Swisher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5529429
    Abstract: A collapsible traffic control assembly comprising a plurality of cylindrical segments selectively positionable relative to one another into a secured outwardly extending operative position or collapsed position wherein the segments are concentrically disposed within a housing. The housing of the assembly is adapted to allow a nesting stacked array of a plurality of such housings when the cylindrical segments associated therewith are disposed in their stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Oscar D. Pelegrin
  • Patent number: 5526544
    Abstract: A deployable bridge having at least one bridge section which includes a base body; and a road section articulated to the base body for pivotal movement about a horizontal pivot axis oriented transversely to the length of the base body. The road section has a first pivotal position in which the road section lies lengthwise on the base body. The road section has a second pivotal position in which the road section is in a raised state relative to its first pivotal position. There is further provided a pivot shaft mounted on the base body and having a horizontal pivot axis oriented transversely to the length of the base body. A support member adjoins the base body and is articulated to the base body by the pivot shaft. The support member has a first pivotal position in which it is in a flat-lying state. In such flat-lying state the free outer end of the support member projects beyond the outer end of the road section in a direction away from a location situated at midlength of the bridge section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Krupp Fordertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Hans N. Wiedeck, Wolfgang Diefendahl
  • Patent number: 5527134
    Abstract: A reel pipelaying vessel includes pipe conditioning apparatus located at its stern. The pipe conditioning apparatus includes radius control apparatus for imparting a substantially uniform curve to the pipe after it is unspooled from the reel, straightening apparatus for imparting a reverse bending force to the pipe opposite to the curvature imparted to the pipe by the reel, and an apparatus for guiding the pipe into the water after it emerges from the straightening apparatus. The pipe conditioning apparatus is pivotable about a pivot axis to adjust the pipe entry angle at which the pipe enters the water. Endless pipe conveyor apparatus is arranged around the radius control apparatus to convey the pipe over the radius control apparatus in the passage of the pipe from the reel into the pipe straightening apparatus. The position of the downstream end of the radius control apparatus is adjustable relative to the pipe straightening apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Stena Offshore Limited
    Inventor: Carlos E. Recalde
  • Patent number: 5527128
    Abstract: A ground covering is provided by linking together individual elements; the elements each comprise a first portion and a second portion linked by a hinge allowing the connected elements to be rolled up in the form of a carpet for easy storage and transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Portapath International Limited
    Inventors: Christopher C. Rope, Pamela A. Rope, Ian M. D. Gaylor
  • Patent number: 5524310
    Abstract: A portable halfpipe and method for quickly constructing the same is disclosed. The portable halfpipe includes a left arcuate module, a right arcuate module, and preferably, an intermediate planar module therebetween. Quick release connectors are used between the modules to allow the modules to be quickly connected and disconnected. Ideally, the quick release connector is a rotolock which includes a male portion having a rotatably mounted hook therein and a receiving post mounted in a cooperating female portion. The male and female portions are affixed in modules to be joined together. The engagement of the hook with the receiving post causes the modules to abut and clamp together. The method includes abutting modules together and rotating hooks to grasp receiving members thereby clamping the modules together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Mark Farnen