Patents Examined by Richard C. Pinkham
  • Patent number: 4832345
    Abstract: An improved golf teeing apparatus adapted to automatically tee a predetermined number of golf balls in time sequences selected by the golfing participant. The apparatus comprises a housing having a ball inlet opening in a side portion thereof, a housing cover assembly having a tee access opening therein, and a ball hopper connected to the housing via a ball delivery conduit such that gravitational single file ball travel is achieved through the ball delivery conduit to the ball inlet opening of the housing. A ball support assembly is disposed within the housing for receiving one ball at a time from the ball delivery conduit, and for supporting the golf ball at a selected height above the housing cover so that the golf ball can be struck by a golf club. The ball support assembly includes a vertically disposed tubular member having a ball receiving opening communicating with the ball inlet opening of the housing, and a piston member disposed within the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: E-Z Drive, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond D. Monasco
  • Patent number: 4832338
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device which serves as a stand for a golf club. In addition the device can be used to mark the location of the ball, clean the accumulation of debris from the bottom of the golfer's shoe, and clean the debris often formed on the face of a golf club. The device consists of a rod with various bends so as to lodge a golf club. The rod is covered with a frictional material to aid in the balance of the golf club. There is a first vertical member which is used to stand the device erect in the ground. Above and connected to the vertical member is a C-shaped frame which is used to support the shaft and head of a golf club when the club is not in use. The first standing member has a spiked end for facilitating the insertion of the device into the ground. The spiked end is also used to remove dirt and grass from the sole and heel of the golf shoes, as well as to scrape dirt that may be lodged in the grooves of a golf club's face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Michael Magazzi
  • Patent number: 4832029
    Abstract: A radiation arrangement provides heat to a bed surface for accommodating a patient thereon. Heat sources are arranged at a spatial distance above the bed surface in such a way that uniform radiant warming of the bed surface is obtained and that sides of the bed surface are maintained clear of radiation to facilitate access by persons attending the patient so that these attending persons are not subjected to the radiant heat especially in the region of the head. The arrangement includes small-surface heat radiators which are located and spaced vertically above the corner points of a polygon border enclosing the bed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Dragerwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jochim Koch, Wolfgang Franz
  • Patent number: 4830369
    Abstract: A baseball pitching practice device comprising a support frame to which is independently supported a plurality of panel members disposed side-by-side and forming a target area. Each of the panels has a designated segment portion of the target area. The target area includes a central strike zone area delimited by some of the panel members. One or more normally-open electrical contacts are associated with each of the panels and closable upon the application of an impact force on an outer surface of its associated panel. A display device is provided to identify which panel has been subjected to an impact force. A visual display identifies the panel having been impacted and also provides a numerical read-out of a total numerical value with each of the panels having independent numerical values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventor: Leandre Poitras
  • Patent number: 4830374
    Abstract: A baseball game apparatus including a simulated baseball diamond fitted with an air jet for projecting a low density ball toward a batting device by which the ball is struck, in the right hand or left hand mode, with various degrees of batting power while the ball is airborne. The batting power is adjusted, within the control unit, by interchangeable gears or handles each having a different length lever arm. The ball is projected toward the batting device by an air jet and lofted through the strike zone by a ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventor: Thomas A. Follo
  • Patent number: 4830373
    Abstract: An improved soccer ball having a star/hexagon cover and a method for stitching same. The star/hexagon cover comprises alternating star-shaped and hexagonal panels stitched together by cross-seams. Each cross-seam is formed by intersecting two standing seams at the point where the apexes of two star-shaped panels meet the vertices of two hexagonal panels without stitching the apexes of the star-shaped panels together. The improved soccer ball construction allows the player to have greater control over the ball due to greater strength, durability, shape retention capability, and grip over the conventional pentagon/hexagon soccer ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventors: Rudolf Dehnert, Peter R. Dehnert
  • Patent number: 4830379
    Abstract: A rodeo board game wherein players attempt to maximize their earnings by attending rodeos in various cities noted on a game board. The rodeo locations are indicated in spaces located around the perimeter of the board and form a path for movement of game pieces or tokens. The designated rodeo location spaces on the board indicate various earnings which are added to performance earnings at each rodeo. Each player is provided with a token which is moved around the board traversing the rodeo locations, as directed by a spinner. Separate sets of "Rank" cards and "Average" cards determine the performances and performance earnings of each of the players at the various rodeo locations according to the position of the spinner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventors: Kent J. Richard, Bryan S. Courville, Shawn E. Legros
  • Patent number: 4830368
    Abstract: An energy absorbing rotatable base for baseball and softball. An anchor post is fixed to the under side of a top plate. Four equally spaced steel bearing balls are also fixed to the underside of the top plate. A bottom plate has a central opening rotatably disposed over the anchor post. Four holes in the bottom plate are aligned with the four balls. A spring biasses the bottom plate toward the top plate. The bearing balls permit the bottom plate to rotate relative to the top plate and anchor post, and the balls and holes index the rotational position. Layers of foam padding are secured to the bottom plate and enclose the base assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventors: Paul G. Green, Gregory C. Gayne
  • Patent number: 4830372
    Abstract: A device for practicing the motor skills associated with striking a moving ball. A series of balls are successively released from a ball magazine and deflected into a batter's hitting zone. Apparatus is provided for predetermining the approximate post deflection trajectory of each ball, thereby selectively positioning each ball within the batter's hitting zone. A timing feature for signaling deflection of the ball is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: James F. Outlaw
    Inventors: James F. Outlaw, Aaron L. Lucius
  • Patent number: 4830371
    Abstract: A new type of baseball and softball practice hitting device which is easily adjusted for use in training young ball players comprising a planar base to which is attached vertical sections, the top end of the pedistal being fixedly attached to a baseball or softball, and the bottom end of said vertical pedistal being fixedly attached to a coil spring which in turn is attached to a pivoting member which permits the pedistal to be inclined to the side, back or front depending on the desired position of the ball and then locked in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Grand Slam, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Lay
  • Patent number: 4828977
    Abstract: A method of demonstrating the advantage in production efficiency of non-synchronous conveyor lines over synchronous conveyor lines. There is provided an elongated diagram illustrating parallel conveyor lines with an equal number of paired, opposed operator work stations in each line, one line representing a synchronous line and the other line representing a non-synchronous line, the non-synchronous line being provided with queue patterns between each work station. There is an electrically controlled work station box between each pair of opposed synchronous and non-synchronous work stations on the mat, each box having a set of "go/no-go" visual indicators. A signal controller is coupled to each of the operating station boxes, the controller being programmed to provide control signals in a random fashion to each of the paired work stations. A plurality of workpieces are provided for each conveyor line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas O. Blunt
  • Patent number: 4828258
    Abstract: A spinning top game toy includes a disk-shaped playing board with three groups of upstanding pedestals mounted to the periphery of the board and a central pedestal extending upwardly from the board adjacent the center portion thereof. The upper surface of each pedestal is adapted to retain a spinning top thereon. A plurality of spinable tops are adapted to spin on the upper surfaces of the peripheral pedestals and a bonus top is adapted to spin on the upper surface of the central pedestal. The bonus top has a central spindle that has an upper surface adapted to retain a spinning top. The game is played by two or more players who, in turn, each spin the bonus top on the central pedestal and then move the spinable tops among the peripheral pedestals in a preselected sequence. Points are accumulated for successful moves of the tops until one of the tops or the bonus top stops spinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Inventor: Paul H. Gebert
  • Patent number: 4827910
    Abstract: Whereas the mouth, pharynx and larynx can be inspected by direct vision or by indirect mirror vision, the most widely used instrument for personal endoscopy is the laryngoscope. Through the years many modifications have been made to improve laryngoscopes. But in considering laryngoscope improvements it should be understood that frequently the instrument is employed in emergency situations where the length of time taken to insert the laryngeal blade is critical. Improvements which demand careful manipulation, and thereby result in loss of valuable seconds, are not the most desirable. By this invention a laryngoscope blade which comprises upwardly extending appendages at either side of the tip of the blade and a jog between the appendages such that a fork-like guide is formed is provided which can be more rapidly introduced. This construction facilitates moving the epiglottis forwardly, and provides a better view of the trachea. It also shortens endotracheal intubation time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Inventor: Malcolm R. Mathews, III
  • Patent number: 4828262
    Abstract: A ball hitting practice device including a supporting base, a vertical support post, and an elongated support bar pivotally attached to the support post for movement between operative and inoperative positions. A protective net is supported in cantilevered relationship to the elongated support bar so that a major portion of the net extends downwardly toward the ground at a distance away from the support bar. A ball, which may be a baseball, softfall or tennis ball is suspended by means of a cable from the elongatged support bar, and is provided with a visual indicator, such as a fluorescent stripe about its middle portion, to aid the user of the device. The cable may also be provided with a kinetic energy damping device to more effectively control the ball and to reduce the interval between successive swings at the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Inventor: Douglas R. Henley
  • Patent number: 4828268
    Abstract: A game board is provided for use with a strategy game of the type in which at least two opposing players move diverse playing pieces over the game board in simulated combat. The game board comprises a plurality of planar board pieces each of which are substantially identical to each other in shape and size. In addition, indicia is formed on one face of the game board pieces which is representative of a land terrain condition. To form the game board, the board pieces are placed closely adjacent to each other so that the indicia on the game board pieces are visible from the top of the game board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Inventor: Norman H. Somerville
  • Patent number: 4827894
    Abstract: A crossbow, which exhibits a support (2), provided with the arrow guide, and a bow (3) which can be drawn by a string (4), is made ready for shooting by drawing device (19, 22). The drawing device consists of a draw lever (19) rotatably mounted in support (2) of the crossbow and a pusher (22) pivoted on the latter, a pusher which works with shooting slide (14) connected to string (4). On the upper side of support (2) a centrally running longitudinal groove (11, 26) is provided in which drawing device (19, 22) can be inserted in its rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Inventor: Werner Schallberger
  • Patent number: 4828259
    Abstract: A sports racquet, for example for tennis, includes a main frame member defining a head portion, a throat area, and a shaft portion. A throat bridge spans the opposed legs of the main frame member in the throat area to define, with the head portion, an enclosed area for supporting strings. The throat bridge includes a pair of upper and lower bridge sections which extend generally transversely and are spaced apart longitudinally to define a cutout area therebetween. A piece of vibration absorbing material is positioned between the upper and lower bridge sections. The upper and lower bridge sections and vibration absorbing piece have aligned holes for receiving strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Prince Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Davis
  • Patent number: 4826164
    Abstract: Pitching training apparatus including selected target areas, each in the form of a frame supporting a ball catching device, such as a net. One target area is generally elongate and rectangular, with another target area being of a configuration corresponding to a rectangle with a corner removed, with a portion of both of these target areas being in those areas of the strike zone corresponding to inside or outside edges and the corners of a strike zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Inventor: Gary J. Butcher
  • Patent number: 4826166
    Abstract: A ball target assembly (10) for providing target practice and practice of timing in relation to the movement of a ball through the air. The device (10) comprises a frame section (12) positioned in a substantially upright position providing support for the device on the ground, a movable boom section (16) pivotally attached at the top and in front of the frame section (12) providing horizontal and vertical reciprocal movement of a ball receiver target section (66) to restore the target to a flush-upright position after being struck by a moving ball, a cable support system (85) providing support between the frame (12) and the target (66) so that the target (66) remains in the flush-upright position in a selected stationary position, and a backnet section (20) comprising a sack-oriented netting material received by the rearward portion of the frame (12) for timely collection and retrieval of the moving balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Inventors: Richard M. Baker, Jeffrey L. Jones
  • Patent number: 4826179
    Abstract: A projectile toy and method of using same wherein the projectile toy has a weighted nose and segmented fabric tail attached thereto. In flight, the tail is subjected to aerodynamic forces which create an unpredictable fine trajectory and points are gained by catching the toy by a tail segment having values roughly proportional to the difficulty of catching that particular segment of the tail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Inventor: Michael L. Callaghan