Patents Examined by Sarah E. Suereth
  • Patent number: 7367332
    Abstract: A folding camping stove. The folding camping stove may be formed in a clamshell configuration, having two clamshells that fold outward to expose at least two cooking surfaces. Two pivot points are provided on the folding camping stove. Each of the clamshells folds about a separate pivot point. Fuel trains for the clamshells are positioned at the pivot points. A regulator and manifold assembly is provided for providing gas from a canister to the folding stove. The manifold splits the gas coming from the regulator and directs it to opposite sides of the folding stove. Each of the clamshells includes a cooking grate. The cooking grates appear symmetrical from a top view, but are slightly offset relative to one another so that the clamshells may be folded inward relative to each other and the grates may nest together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Mosher, II, Stuart L. Meether, Mitchell L. Wilgus, Joshua M. Wright
  • Patent number: 7325543
    Abstract: A covering material for solar thermal power generation system, characterized in that it is made of a film which has a tensile yield strength of at least 10 N/mm2 according to JIS K7127, a solar radiation transmittance of at least 85% according to JIS R3106, and a retention of at least 80% against the initial value of the tensile breakage strength after 5000 hours of the sunshine carbon arc lamp weather test according to JIS B7753.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Tatsuo Momii, Satoshi Shiratori
  • Patent number: 7263988
    Abstract: A portable grill apparatus including a frame having a plurality of leg members pivotally attached to a support rod. An arm member is also pivotally attached to the support rod and extends outwardly therefrom on both sides of the support rod. A pair of rail members is suspended from the arm member. A firebox is supported by the rail members such that the rail members and correspondingly the firebox are suspended above the ground surface. The arm member pivots on the support rod to adjust the orientation of the rail members and correspondingly the firebox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Mark A. Viers
  • Patent number: 7258117
    Abstract: A heat-producing agglomerate contains particles of an acidic component selected from acid anhydrides, acid salts, and mixtures thereof, or a basic component selected from bases, basic anhydrides, basic salts, and mixtures thereof, or a mixture of such acidic and basic components. The heat producing agglomerate provides high heat output at a controllable rate of heat generation, minimizes safety and environmental risks, and is useful as a heat-producing component in self-heating packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Innophos, ,Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Payen, Robert Finn, Joseph Mitchell, George Carl Harmsen, Dennis L. Myers, Joseph Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 7252504
    Abstract: A secure and convenient igniter includes a trigger and a security element. The trigger is pivotally connected to the igniter for actuation of the igniter. The security element is pivotally connected to the igniter so that the security element normally locks the trigger and can be pivoted in order to set the trigger free for pivotal movement. Pivotal movement of the security element and pivotal movement of the trigger can be done in a smooth sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Arlo Lin
  • Patent number: 7243647
    Abstract: A device for controlling the gas-burner rings of a cooking surface includes a gas tap equipped with a control knob and a catenary element for control of ignition of the gas-burner rings. The catenary element includes a microswitch actuated selectively by a bushing carried via snap action by an axially mobile element of the gas tap provided with the control knob. The bushing is made of a synthetic plastic material and includes a sleeve for installation on the mobile element of the gas tap and a flange configured to bear upon the microswitch to actuate it as a result of a motion of translation of the mobile element of the gas tap. The bushing is internally provided with a detent and has a radial slit, which interrupts its continuity and in a corresponding angular position of which the bushing is also provided with a pair of opposed circumferential slots that interrupt the continuity of the detent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: ITW Industrial Components S.r.L.
    Inventor: Daniele Pianezze
  • Patent number: 7241135
    Abstract: A modulating gas burner control system using closed loop feedback from a flame rod which provides a signal that varies with gas pressure and which provides combustion air fan control to accurately control the heat from the system without use of expensive control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Sybrandus Munsterhuis, Rolf L. Strand
  • Patent number: 7225804
    Abstract: A simple, highly reliable automatic motor driven oven door latch for an oven self-cleaning operation. To ensure that the motor has operated correctly and has not stopped in a null position, the motor is provided with a start pulse and the location of the latch or locking member of the latching mechanism is monitored to guarantee that the locking member has moved to the correct position. If the locking member has not moved to the correct position, then the motor is provided with another start pulse and the location of the latch or locking member of the latching mechanism again is monitored to again ensure that the locking member has moved to the correct position. This sequence can be repeated on opening and closing of the latching mechanism a desired number of times to guarantee that the locking member has moved to the correct position when locking or releasing the oven door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Charlie Bruce Simmons, Jr., Manfred Staebler
  • Patent number: 7223098
    Abstract: An ignition unit promotes the efficiency of assembly because connections on the high voltage output side and the ground side are completed by a single operation, when an ignition electrode part and a main unit are connected together directly. A guide rail of the main unit is insertion-engaged into a slit between clamp pieces of a bracket so that the main unit is mounted onto the bracket. With the insertion engagement, a high voltage output terminal receives therein a high voltage input terminal of a spark plug supported by the bracket, a plate terminal which is a part of the bracket is driven into a ground-side connection terminal, and a convex portion of a projected piece is engaged into an engagement hole, for positioning and slipping-off prevention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Noritz Corporation
    Inventors: Hideya Suyama, Atsushi Yoshimoto, Kozo Uehara, Masaaki Kumon, Satoshi Nakai, Kazuya Kawauchi, Takuji Saiki, Shingo Kimura, Naomi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7146975
    Abstract: A realistic gas fire log system providing log movement during use to enhance the realism of a fireplace system, comprising a ceramic fiber top, molded to look like charred embers or ash ported with one or more holes and recessed at the bottom to form a cavity, a steel pan sealed to the bottom of the ceramic fiber top, forming a chamber; a gas supply, gas control valve and a venturi fitted in an orifice through the pan, and including a log movement mechanism comprising an armature for pivotable attachment to one end of a fire log resting over a second fire log including two or more log sections connected by a spring and an activating mechanism, which armature causes the hinged log to collapse downwardly when activated and reposition into its original position when the fireplace is turned off. The log movement mechanism can be incorporated into existing gas fire log systems or made part of the original equipment of a gas fire log system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Desa IP, LLC
    Inventor: John A. MacPherson
  • Patent number: 7140362
    Abstract: An outdoor cooking apparatus is provided which comprises: a housing having an open upper end, a closed lower end, and at least one sidewall extending between the upper and lower ends; a pipe having an open upper end and an open lower end; a cover having an opening therethrough and mounted on the pipe such that the pipe adjacent to its open upper end is closely received by the opening in the cover, the cover being adapted to fit over the open upper end of the housing; a combustibles receptacle having an opening therethrough and being mounted on the pipe such that the pipe adjacent to its open lower end is closely received by the opening in the receptacle, the receptacle also having a periphery and being receivable within the housing such that the periphery is spaced from the sidewall of the housing; at least one food grill mounted on the pipe between the cover and the combustibles receptacle, the food grill(s) being receivable within the housing; and a support and vertical adjustment mechanism for supporting t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Johnny R. Johnston