Patents Examined by W. Morris Worth
  • Patent number: 5007365
    Abstract: An air-leak indicator, comprising a tubular body which includes all assembly members, is partly transparent and can be screwedly mounted to a tire's air valve; a tire value actuator projection which acts to operate and open the associated valve when tubular body is screwed to a tire valve; a visual indicator piston which has bands of green, yellow and red fluorescent colors graduated in its outer periphery and can reveal that color graduation through tubular body's transparent section in dependence upon the associated tire's internal air pressure movement; a spring or any other suitable resilient body with one end connected to the indicator piston lower end; and and end cap which covers the tubular body top and is provided with at least one breather in the center or other suitable places thereof. If screwed to each tire valve of a vehicle, it can indicate each tire's internal air pressure situation for user to make eye-inspection anytime even in night.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Inventor: Feng-Lin Hwang
  • Patent number: 5007367
    Abstract: A helium balloon is attached to, and in communication with a helium bottle and has attached thereto four guide lines so that selected lines can be pulled as needed to guide the balloon through clearings in overhead foliage. When not in use the lines are wound on a spindle to be packed with the deflated balloon. The spindle carries an arrowhead to be extended from one end thereof and driven into the ground to anchor the guide lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Matteucci, Shirley J. Rager, Ambrose P. Maher
  • Patent number: 5005511
    Abstract: Air-driven, low-frequency sound generator with a positive feedback system, comprising, as a sound emitter, an open resonator (11) for the generation of standing gas-borne sound waves which produce a varying gas pressure inside the resonator; and feeder (10) with a tube (14) for the supply of pressure gas to the resonator and a back and forth movable springing valve slide (15) whose position remains unaffected by the pressure gas and which regulates the gas flow from the tube while creating a modulated flow of pressure to the resonator. The tube is surrounded by a surge tank (13), connected to the pressure gas source, and the valve slide is arranged as a piston movable inside the tube and is set to regulate a connecting opening (20) between the surge tank and the inside of the tube. This opening is situated at one end surface (19) of the piston and said end surface is being exposed to the inside of the resonator by means of the one end of the tube communicating therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Infrasonik AB
    Inventor: Mats A. Olsson
  • Patent number: 5005513
    Abstract: A balloon signalling system which includes a hollow flexible casing having a container section with an upper open end and a bottom closed end, and a cap for placement on the upper end of the container section. A hollow flexible flask having an opening is disposed in the container section. Disposed in the flask is a reactable material which when contacted by a certain solution, produces hydrogen gas. Also disposed in the flask is a cartridge which is breakable when bent, with the cartridge containing the certain solution. A string or other tether is held in the container section of the casing, with one end of the string being attached to the casing. Also included is an inflatable balloon dimensioned to fit in the cap when deflated and having a mouth through which gas may pass into and out of the balloon. Positioned in the mouth is a one-way valve for allowing hydrogen gas to enter the balloon and for preventing discharge of gas therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignees: Norman Van Patten, Blaine Van Patten
    Inventors: Norman Van Patten, Blaine Van Patten, Vernon Dillenbeck
  • Patent number: 5004355
    Abstract: A temperature measuring apparatus includes a tubular bulb thermometer disposed in a receptacle having a liquid isothermal bath therein. The bulb of the thermometer is sealed in the receptacle and a transparent cover member surrounds the receptacle and thermometer to protect the receptacle and thermometer. However, if breakage does occur, the cover member prevents any leakage or pieces of the thermometer or receptacle outside of the cover member. A U-shaped bracket having a magnet thereon is used to attach the cover member to a vertical wall as well as to space the cover member from the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Streck Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne L. Ryan
  • Patent number: 5003911
    Abstract: A signal object such as a colored ball is mounted to hang in front of the windshield of a RV when the TV antenna is up and to rise out of view when the antenna is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: Charles F. Keil
  • Patent number: 5003912
    Abstract: An interlocking stackable, plastic barricade includes two identical integrally molded plastic panels which are hinged to pivot around a common axis. Each panel includes at the left and right edges a pair of interlocking elements--one being a protrusion at one edge and the other an indentation at the other. When the barricades are stacked, this pair of interlocking elements mate together to form a stable stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: Kurt W. Thurston
  • Patent number: 5003913
    Abstract: Chain elongation indicator and method for use with a chain having a first link reference point on a first link and a second link reference point on a second link. The indicator includes an indicator body having first and second indicator reference points, such that the distance between said first and second indicator reference points corresponds to a predetermined percentage distance between first and second link reference points of a non-elongated chain. The first indicator reference point is aligned with the first link reference point on the first link of the chain, and the second link reference point is aligned with the second link reference point on the second link of the chain, so that the distance between the first link reference point and the second link reference point may be observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: David G. Jensen
  • Patent number: 5003630
    Abstract: A pressure garment has one or more bladders defined by flexible micro-porous material consisting of at least two layers, one layer being hydrophilic and facing inwardly towards the wearer's body, and the other layer being hydrophobic and facing outwardly away from the wearer's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: David Clark Company Incorporated
    Inventors: John W. Bassick, Edward A. Dubois
  • Patent number: 5002006
    Abstract: The invention contemplates a personal safety device in the form of a whistle which has the appearance and action of a police whistle, while providing for retention of and ready access to essential items and data, such as a key, a pay-phone coin, and various personal-identification data and/or emergency instructions. The cylindrical body of a whistle is extended at one or both axial ends, beyond internal closure of a cylindrical ball-race whistle chamber. Such extensions define axially open chambers for retention of a key, a coin and other items; the mouthpiece arm of the whistle establishes a passage for tangential delivery of blown air to the ball-race chamber, and provision is made alongside this arm for separate accommodation of the stem of a key which is accessible via one of the axially open chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Inventor: Harriet K. Ehrenreich
  • Patent number: 5000044
    Abstract: A pivoted float contains a solid-state inclinometer which produces sensitive electrical output responsive to angular displacement of the float from the direction of gravity. The float is capable of resolving very small changes in liquid level in a vessel, and thereby indicating or warning of small leaks from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Inventors: Dennis M. Duffy, Gary G. Small
  • Patent number: 5000040
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a previously unattainable yet desirable function of monitoring at a remote location and/or in a remote (non-intrusive) manner the condition of a valve operator to signal a need for more thorough inspection and for possible maintenance of the valve or valve operator; the method and apparatus including the relating of power parameters such as motor power and motor power factor to the valve operator stem load, setting up a control value for the power parameter based on a maximum allowable operator thrust depletion; and periodically monitoring actual power parameter values at a remote location for comparison to the control value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Movats Incorporated
    Inventors: Arthur G. Charbonneau, Stanley N. Hale, Edmond A. Sayed
  • Patent number: 4995733
    Abstract: The invention concerns a measurement sensor for the detection of temperatures in metal or alloy melts. This measurement sensor consists of a thermocouple (41) surrounded by a ceramic capillary (24) which is closed at its end by means of an adhesive (45) or the like. This measurement sensor is directly, i.e. without further sheathing, introduced into the melt (FIG. 3a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Leybold Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Friedrich-Werner Thomas, Jurgen Schadlich-Stubenrauch, Alfred Hediger
  • Patent number: 4995330
    Abstract: A signaling arrangement for a remotely located delivery box, such as one used for receiving newspapers, presenting a control plate assembly movable from a first position to a second signaling position upon placement of an article in the box. The control plate assembly includes a signal plate on a portion thereof and a free end cooperable with a latching element affixed to the box for maintaining the control plate assembly at an article awaiting condition. In other words, simple pivotal action signals the presence of a delivered article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Inventor: Billy G. Likens
  • Patent number: 4991536
    Abstract: A marker for locating an underground object such as a utility line. The marker is attached to a line by wrapping a portion of the marker about the line and inserting an end of the marker through an aperture located between the ends of the marker. A collapsible tongue forming the end of the marker enables the marker to release from the object that it encircles when a tugging force of a certain magnitude is imparted to the marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Epic Corporation
    Inventor: Jerome F. Moshofsky
  • Patent number: 4991435
    Abstract: A liquid level indicating system particularly applicable to monitoring the fuel level in a motor vehicle includes an anti-slosh feature incorporated into a system amplifier to substantially eliminate fluctuations in the fuel level indicated by a fuel gauge driven by the amplifier. The anti-slosh feature is provided by limiting the slew rate of the amplifier during normal operation of the system. The slew rate is limited by using a limited current source to provide dc bias current within the amplifier such that the output can change only at the limited slew rate. To make the system respond rapidly upon start up of a vehicle including the system, the normally limited current source is supplemented by a secondary current source which provides substantially higher dc bias current within the amplifier and accordingly a substantially higher slew rate for the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Vincent Colarossi
  • Patent number: 4989536
    Abstract: An antenna clamp comprises complementary halves configured to fit onto the mast and tip of a vehicle antenna to hold the cord of a banner-like object. A cap-like structure is pressed over the assemblage to hold it in place and is itself held frictionally and/or by securing elements. The antenna clamp is designed to swivel with the wind and have no effect on antenna or reception. It will not come off at random but can be removed only when intended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventors: Richard E. Liming, Treesa V. B. Liming
  • Patent number: 4989537
    Abstract: A brake wear indicator for an air brake system that includes an actuator having a diaphragm adapted to move within the actuator in response to air pressure, and a push rod mechanically coupled to the diaphragm and extending from the actuator through an opening in the actuator wall. The brake wear indicator comprises marking means having a generally cylindrical outer surface, a longitudinal axis, a distance indicator on the outer surface, and means for securing the marking means to the push rod within the opening. The marking means thereby provides a visual indication of the position of the push rod along such axis at the opening. In a preferred embodiment, the marking means comprises a tubular member having an internal diameter large enough to accommodate the push rod, and an outside diameter small enough to permit the tubular member to move through the opening, and a flange having an outside diameter too large to fit through the opening. An indicator formed integrally with the push rod is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventors: Jerry W. Hutchinson, Sr., Jerry W. Hutchinson, Jr., James C. McMinimee
  • Patent number: 4989990
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for providing an indication of a temperature state of open container bodies during in-line handling. The container bodies are conveyed along a conveyance path, with the openings of the container bodies being freely accessible. A pyro-electric detector is positioned along the conveyance path of the openings facing the conveyance path of the openings. An opening of one of the containers is detected upon reaching a position opposite the pyro-electric detector, and the pyro-electric detector measures heat radiation from the opening detected as having reached the position opposite the pyro-electric detector. The heat radiation measured determines the overall thermal energy content of the open container body as the temperature state thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Martin Lehmann
  • Patent number: 4987849
    Abstract: A signal device consisting of first and second inks applied to a surface. The first ink is sensitive to either light or air. The second ink is stable in the presence of light and/or air. The surface having first and second areas, wherein the second ink is applied in work or character form to said first area to form a signal word. The first ink is applied to the second area and is of a color so as to cooperate with the second ink to camouflage the signal word. A protective shield blocks the sensitive ink from exposure to light and/or air, wherein after a metered period of time of exposure to light or air the sensitive ink fades such that the contrast in color between the faded sensitive ink and the stable ink reveals the signal word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Inventor: Daniel A. Sherman