Patents by Inventor C. Thomas

C. Thomas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5010564
    Abstract: A mechanism for selective translation of an object along first and second axes comprises a frame, a carriage mounted on the frame for sliding movement with respect to the frame along the first axis, a holder for said object and an intermediate mounting means coupled to the holder and the carriage for mounting the holder on the carriage for sliding movement with respect to the carriage along the second axis. A motor is provided for selectively driving a first shaft and a drive/brake assembly provides a second shaft. In a drive mode of the assembly the second shaft is allowed to be driven synchronously with the first shaft and, in a brake mode of the assembly, is held non-driven while the first shaft is being driven. First and second endless belts are coupled to the first and second shafts, respectively, for receiving selective rotational movement therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Eureka X-Ray Tube, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4993759
    Abstract: A gate latch for use with a gate mounted for pivotal movement relative to a stationary fence includes a transversely extending latch bar secured to the gate and a latch member pivotally mounted on a mounting plate secured to the fence. In a first embodiment, a safety latch attachment includes an adapter plate configured for partial overlying attachment adjacent the latch mounting plate and having a reciprocal spring biased plunger in alignment with a transverse aperture formed through a latch frame on the mounting plate. When in a latched position, the plunger prevents the pivotal latch member from being unlatched. A pulley guided cable is connected to retract the plunger to allow the gate to be unlatched. In a second embodiment, the safety latch attachment mechanism is provided as an integral unit on a common mounting plate with the pivotal latch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Peter C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4985021
    Abstract: A system for protecting an individual against injury or infection from a sharp instrument such as a needle or syringe includes a sheath slidably attached to the mounting. The sheath is locked in an open position during use of the needle and syringe. After use, the sheath is rotated to unlock the protective mechanism. A spring urges the sheath over the needle, thereby enclosing the needle and protecting anyone handling the instrument from injury. The sheath is maintained in its enclosing position by a locking flange in the interior of the sheath which engages an abutting ring on the mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Jeff Straw
    Inventors: Jeff Straw, C. Thomas Sylke
  • Patent number: 4983809
    Abstract: Floor tiles, such as asbestos tile flooring, attached to the floor by thermoplastic adhesive are removed by using a radiant heater (30) made of a plurality of panels to radiantly heat the top surface of a plurality of tiles. To provide uniform temperature across the width of the tiles being heated, the panels along the sides of the heater are provided with a higher power density so that they are at a higher temperature. The heated tile thermally conducts heat to the thermoplastic adhesive beneath the tile causing the adhesive to soften, thereby allowing a set of vacuum cups (66) to pull a tile off the floor by suction and carry the tile into a container (24). Tile sensor (38) senses the temperature of the tile floor while heater sensor (40) senses the temperature of the heater (30), facilitating controlled removal of tiles from the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: UAS Automation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Maiette, Stephen T. Starre, Dayton C. Thomas, Craig E. Crandall
  • Patent number: 4981470
    Abstract: An intraesophageal catheter comprising a tubular body, a pH sensor extending through the interior of the tubular body for pH measurement, and a balloon inflation pressure sensor communicating with the interior of the tubular body. The tubular body is comprised of clear polyvinyl chloride material and has a radiopaque stripe extending longitudinally along the tubular body. A plurality of circumferential gradations are marked on the tubular body. The pH sensor has a head portion fastened to the end of the tubular body and a conductor connected to and extending from the head portion to the other end of the tubular body. The head portion is comprised of a polycarbonate material having a smooth surface. The balloon inflation pressure sensor is a balloon that is positioned on the tubular body part from the head portion of the pH sensor. A balloon inflation channel extends through the interior of the tubular body and communicates with the balloon molded to the exterior surface of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Synectics Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Thomas Bombeck, IV
  • Patent number: 4975538
    Abstract: This invention presents novel 2-azetidinone compounds which are useful as antibacterial agents to eradicate or control susceptible microbes of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.401 and R.sub.402 are the same or different and are (a) hydrogen, (b) (C.sub.1 -C.sub.12) alkyl (c) (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) alkenyl, (d) (C.sub.2 -C.sub.8) alkynyl, (e) (C.sub.3 -C.sub.10) cycloalkyl, (f) phenyl optionally substituted with from one to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl, and (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkoxy, (g) benzyl optionally substituted with from one to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl, and (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkoxy, (h) --CH.sub.2 --O--CO--CH.sub.2 --NHR.sub.420, (i) --CH.sub.2 --O--CO.sub.2 --R.sub.430, (j) --CH.sub.2 F, or (k) --CHF.sub.2 ; wherein R.sub.420 is (a) hydrogen, (b) --COH, or (c) --CO--O--C(CH.sub.3).sub.3 ; wherein R.sub.430 is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.8) alkyl, --(CH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Barbachyn, Steven J. Brickner, Richard C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4968253
    Abstract: A nail polish display stand is formed from a cylindrical housing having an open top end and a hollow interior defined by an interior side wall and an interior floor. A plurality of steps are formed in the interior side wall and form perpendicularly intersecting horizontal annular and vertical cylindrical surfaces. The steps increase in diameter from the interior floor to the open top end of the housing. A plurality of various different shades of nail polish color samples are displayed on the horizontal and/or vertical surfaces of the steps. The color samples may be individually provided on artificial nails secured on the steps. The nails may be mounted on a plurality of spaced arcuate mounting surfaces or may alternatively be secured within a plurality of pairs of spaced slots on the steps. The display stand allows an extremely large number of different color shades to be displayed in a small space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventor: Peter C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4967385
    Abstract: A microprocessor-based electronic control system for a powershift transmission having at least one proportional actuator, such as a solenoid-operated proportional valve, is disclosed. The controller operates a plurality of on-off solenoid valves and the solenoid-operated proportional valve to provide operator-selected gear shifts in both forward and reverse directions having controlled clutch engagements achieved by modulation of clutch engagement pressure by the proportional valve. The key parameters associated with the gradual clutch engagement are all easily varied by the controller, most under program control during operation, to provide for optimized clutch engagements for smooth gearshifts. The key parameters include: fast-fill clutch delay, initial clutch engagement pressure, rate of increase of clutch engagement pressure, and the length of the reduced pressure clutch engagement interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: J.I. Case Company
    Inventors: Kevin L. Brekkestran, John C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4952811
    Abstract: A tunable infrared detector employing a vanishing band gap semimetal material which is provided with an induced band gap by a magnetic field to allow intrinsic semiconductor type infrared detection capabilities. The semimetal material may thus operate as a semiconductor type detector with a wavelength sensitivity corresponding to the induced band gap in a preferred embodiment of a diode structure. Preferred semimetal materials include Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te, x<0.15, HgCdSe, BiSb, .alpha.-Sn, HgMgTe, HgMnTe, HgZnTe, HgMnSe, HgMgSe, and HgZnSe. The magnetic field induces a band gap in the semimetal material proportional to the strength of the magnetic field allowing tunable detection cutoff wavelengths. For an applied magnetic field from 5 to 10 Tesla, the wavelength detection cutoff will be in the range of 20-50 microns for Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te alloys with x about 0.15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: C. Thomas Elliott
  • Patent number: 4949414
    Abstract: A low air loss patient support system includes a plurality of identical multi-chambered inflatable sacks. A restrictive flow hole connects two adjacent chambers disposed predominately to one side of the centerline of the sack, and each side is separately pressurizable under the control of a microprocessor and a plurality of pressure control valves with pressure transducers and a plurality of flow diverter valves for switching between different modes of configuring the manner in which the sacks are pressurized. The system includes a modular manifold for mounting the pressure control valves, and a modular support member for mounting the sacks via quick-disconnect couplings and having air flow channels defined therethrough. The support system effects a method of rotating or tilting the patient that depressurizes one side of the sacks while increasing the pressurization of the opposite side of the sacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: SSI Medical Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. C. Thomas, James R. Stolpmann, William T. Sutton, James J. Romano
  • Patent number: 4938508
    Abstract: A gate latch for use with a gate mounted for pivotal movement relative to a stationary fence includes a transversely extending latch bar secured to the gate and a latch member pivotally mounted on a mounting plate secured to the fence. In a first embodiment, a safety latch attachment includes an adapter plate configured for partial overlying attachment adjacent the latch mounting plate and having a reciprocal spring biased plunger in alignment with a transverse aperture formed through a latch frame on the mounting plate. When in a latched position, the plunger prevents the pivotal latch member from being unlatched. A pulley guided cable is connected to retract the plunger to allow the gate to be unlatched. In a second embodiment, the safety latch attachment mechanism is provided as an integral unit on a common mounting plate with the pivotal latch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Inventor: Peter C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4907066
    Abstract: A planar interconnect using selective deposition of a refractory metal such as tungsten into oxide channels is disclosed. A layer of silicon dioxide as thick as the desired tungsten interconnect is placed on the surface of a substrate such as an integrated circuit wafer. Thereafter, a layer of silicon nitride about 100 nm thick is formed on the silicon dioxide. Channels are formed in the silicon dioxide by patterning and etching the composite dielectric layers. After the photoresist is removed, silicon or tungsten atoms at 40 KeV are implanted in the silicon dioxide channels, the silicon nitride acting as a mask. Typically, a dosage as high as 1.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-2 is used. The silicon or tungsten implant allows seeding of the tungsten or other retractory metal. The silicon nitride mask is selectively removed by a hot phosphoric acid solution, and a metal film is then selectively deposited to fill the channels in the silicon dioxide layer, which then forms a level of interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Thomas, S. Simon Wong
  • Patent number: 4895080
    Abstract: A freight pallet may be formed in a wide variety of user determined configurations by assembly of a plurality of interlocking construction units. Each of the units has a square thin support plate with a projecting rib extending along a first pair of adjacent perpendicular side edges. A complementary formed groove extends along a second pair of adjacent perpendicular side edges of the support plate. A right angle corner support member is perpendicularly attached at each corner on a bottom surface of the support plate. Each pair of adjacent corner support members are connected by a support brace. The construction units may be assembled adhesively or through thermoplastic bonding by forming portions of the projecting ribs and complementary grooves from a thermosetting plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Inventor: Peter C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4895870
    Abstract: Spectinomycin analogs of formula I, wherein R is alkyl, are used in the treatment of gonococcal, non-gonococcal and post-gonococcal urethritis and chlamydia infections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Gary E. Zurenko, James J. Vavra, David R. White, Richard C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4872286
    Abstract: Locking mechanism for locking and unlocking a sliding-type door. The mechanism for the most part is mounted externally of the door, and includes a pivoted, frame-mounted locking member pivotable between locking and unlocking positions. A dead latch latches the locking member in its locking position. An air cylinder is actuated, first to release the dead latch, and then to shift the locking member to its unlocking position. A door-carried locking member also is provided for locking the door at a region remote from the region locked by the frame-mounted locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Pacific Security Systems of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred J. Peirish, Theodore E. Schmidt, William C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4857321
    Abstract: A skin ointment, comprising about twelve (12%) percent by volume mink oil; about nine (9%) percent by volume lanolin; about four (4%) percent by volume zinc stearate; about four (4%) percent by volume octylmethoxycinnamate; about four (4%) percent by volume methylgluceth--10; about four (4%) by volume peg 100 stearate; about three (3%) percent by volume cetal; about three (3%) percent by volume peanut oil; about two (2%) percent glyceral monostrearate; about two (2%) percent acetylated lanolin alcohol; about one (1%) percent spermaceti; about one (1%) percent propylene glycol; about one (1%) percent panthenol; less than one (1%) percent tocopheryl acetate; and, about forty-seven (47%) percent by volume water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventor: William C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4855913
    Abstract: A microprocessor-based electronic control system for a powershift transmission having at least one proportional actuator, such as a solenoid-operated proportional valve, is disclosed. The controller operates a plurality of on-off solenoid valves and the solenoid-operated proportional valve to provide operator-selected gear shifts in both forward and reverse directions having controlled clutch engagements achieved by modulation of clutch engagement pressure by the proportional valve. The key parameters associated with the gradual clutch engagement are all easily varied by the controller, most under program control during operation, to provide for optimized clutch engagments for smooth gearshifts. The key parameters include: fast-fill clutch delay, initial clutch engagement pressure, rate of increase of clutch engagement pressure, and the length of the reduced pressure clutch engagement interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventors: Kevin L. Brekkestran, John C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4853594
    Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp including a phosphor layer disposed between corresponding lamp electrodes that are adapted to apply an excitation potential to cause the phosphor layer to emit light, the front lamp electrode being light-transmsisive to radiation from the phosphor layer, has an improved front lamp electrode consisting of a thin layer of light-transmissive binder containing a distribution of discrete gallium-doped zinc oxide particles. A method of forming the lamp is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Rogers Corporation
    Inventor: Alan C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4841678
    Abstract: A tool sharpening apparatus is set forth particularly for use in combination with grinding wheels wherein multi-adjustment and angularly displaceable supports cooperate to present a desired complex presentation of tool faces to be sharpened. Particularly a base supports a first protractor support by an associated tongue and groove arrangement wherein a second pivotal support is angularly displaceable relative to said first protractor support. A third laterally adjustable support cooperates by a further tongue and groove arrangement with said second pivotal support to secure adjustably a fourth depth adjustment support to orient a tool face relative to a grinding wheel. A fifth protractor support is secured to said fourth depth adjustment support wherein a sixth tool holder support is angularly adjustable relative to said fifth protractor support. Accordingly, any desired grinding of a secured tool may be effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Inventor: Peter C. Thomas
  • Patent number: D306512
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Inventors: Keith C. Thomas, Raymond F. Potter