Patents by Inventor Charles C. Edwards

Charles C. Edwards 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: 6779251
    Abstract: An assembly method for a vehicle anti-theft key having an embedded resistor pellet is provided. The resistor pellet includes a flange at one end which abuts one side of the key blade when the opposed end of the pellet is inserted into a through opening formed in the shank portion of the key blade. With the resistor pellet loosely positioned within the through opening, a second flange is attached to the end of the pellet that was inserted through the through opening, thereby capturing the pellet within the through opening by the two opposed flanges. In one embodiment, the second flange is formed in place by employing a polymeric molding process, such as a thermoforming injection molding process. A handle for the key is efficiently formed substantially simultaneously with the second flange using the same polymeric molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Hurd Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Banks, Charles C. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20030132831
    Abstract: The design of a vehicle anti-theft key with transponder enhances manufacturability and protects the transponder from damage due to mechanical shock. The key includes a shank, a transponder, a shuttle, and a head. A transponder recess formed in the shuttle is sized to tightly receive the transponder, and a shank recess formed in the shuttle is configured to receive one end of the key shank. The key is assembled by inserting the transponder in the transponder recess and the key shank in the shank recess. A key head is then positioned about the shuttle, transponder, and shank end, preferably by means of a polymeric molding process. The transponder recess and shank recess are configured to ensure proper positioning of the transponder and key shank in their respective recesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: David C. Banks, Charles C. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20030079336
    Abstract: An assembly method for a vehicle anti-theft key having an embedded resistor pellet is provided. The resistor pellet includes a flange at one end which abuts one side of the key blade when the opposed end of the pellet is inserted into a through opening formed in the shank portion of the key blade. With the resistor pellet loosely positioned within the through opening, a second flange is attached to the end of the pellet that was inserted through the through opening, thereby capturing the pellet within the through opening by the two opposed flanges. In one embodiment, the second flange is formed in place by employing a polymeric molding process, such as a thermoforming injection molding process. A handle for the key is efficiently formed substantially simultaneously with the second flange using the same polymeric molding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: David C. Banks, Charles C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5772662
    Abstract: A modular femoral internal implant system for use in the treatment of femoral disorders resulting from injury, disease or congenital defect includes at least three interconnectable components: 1) an elongated epiphyseal/metaphyseal implant, 2) an intramedullary rod and 3) an angled side plate having an elongated plate portion adapted to be secured to the outer cortical wall and a hollow sleeve adapted to extend into the femur. The epiphyseal/metaphyseal implant can be connected to either the angled side plate or the intramedullary rod. The system may also include an elongated bone plate connectable to the angled side plate, one or more additional epiphyseal/metaphyseal implants of variable length, an additional angled side plate, a distal buttress plate connectable to the elongated bone plate, and a plurality of bone screws of a universal design. Preferably, many or all of the components of the system are made of an inert, resilient titanium-base alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Howmedica Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Chapman, Charles C. Edwards, Dana C. Mears
  • Patent number: 5364398
    Abstract: A modular femoral internal implant system for use in the treatment of femoral disorders resulting from injury, disease or congenital defect includes at least three interconnectable components: 1) an elongated epiphyseal/metaphyseal implant, 2) an intramedullary rod and 3) an angled side plate having an elongated plate portion adapted to be secured to the outer cortical wall and a hollow sleeve adapted to extend into the femur. The epiphyseal/metaphyseal implant can be connected to either the angled side plate or the intramedullary rod. The system may also include an elongated bone plate connectable to the angled side plate, one or more additional epiphyseal/metaphyseal implants of variable length, an additional angled side plate, a distal buttress plate connectable to the elongated bone plate, and a plurality of bone screws of a universal design. Preferably, many or all of the components of the system are made of an inert, resilient titanium-base alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Chapman, Charles C. Edwards, Dana C. Mears
  • Patent number: 5201735
    Abstract: Apparatus for fixing a fracture of a bone including an elongated body member having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone; a tab member having at least one aperture to allow for passage of a screw for fastening of the tab member to the bone; and a bolt for selectively removably coupling the tab member to the proximal end of the body member. Preferably, the tab member is of a hollow cylindrical configuration and removably interlocking the first plate member to a second plate member. In another embodiment, the apparatus include a body member for insertion into a bone cavity, the body member having at least one aperture disposed in close proximity to its first end to allow for passage of a screw for fastening the body member to the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Chapman, Dana C. Mears, Charles C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5190544
    Abstract: A modular femoral internal implant system for use in the treatment of femoral disorders resulting from injury, disease or congenital defect includes at least three interconnectable components: 1) an elongated epiphyseal/metaphyseal implant, 2) an intramedullary rod and 3) an angled side plate having an elongated plate portion adapted to be secured to the outer cortical wall and a hollow sleeve adapted to extend into the femur. The epiphyseal/metaphyseal implant can be connected to either the angled side plate or the intramedullary rod. The system may also include an elongated bone plate connectable to the angled side plate, one or more additional epiphyseal/metaphyseal implants of variable length, an additional angled side plate, a distal buttress plate connectable to the elongated bone plate, and a plurality of bone screws of a universal design. Preferably, many or all of the components of the system are made of an inert, resilient titanium-base alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Chapman, Charles C. Edwards, Dana C. Mears
  • Patent number: 5122146
    Abstract: Fracture reduction tool is disclosed for use with a guide wire for reducing a bone fracture. The guide wire is of a uniform diameter and has a beaded end for placement into the medullary canal. The tool includes an elongated hollow shaft which can be passed into the medullary canal of the fractured bone through an entry hole prepared in the bone. The shaft has a bore along its length through which the guide wire can selectively pass. The shaft and/or the guide wire can be manipulated into and within the respective medullary canal portions of the fractured bone by translational and/or rotational movements so as to reduce the fracture. The tool also includes a measurement sleeve which moves over the shaft and provides a determination of the length of a nail to be inserted into the medullary canal of the reduced bone. A handle for the proximal end of the shaft allows for ease in manipulation of the shaft and guide wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Chapman, Dana C. Mears, Charles C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5066296
    Abstract: Apparatus for fixing a fracture of a bone including an elongated body member having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into the intramedullary canal of the bone; a tab member having at least one aperture to allow for passage of a screw for fastening of the tab member to the bone; and a bolt for selectively removably coupling the tab member to the proximal end of the body member. Preferably, the tab member is of a hollow cylindrical configuration and removably interlocking the first plate member to a second plate member. In another embodiment, the apparatus include a body member for insertion into a bone cavity, the body member having at least one aperture disposed in close proximity to its first end to allow for passage of a screw for fastening the body member to the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Pfizer Hopsital Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Chapman, Dana C. Mears, Charles C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5041114
    Abstract: A modular femoral internal implant system for use in the treatment of femoral disorders resulting from injury, disease or congenital defect includes at least three interconnectable components: 1) an elongated epiphyseal/metaphyseal implant, 2) an intramedullary rod and 3) an angled side plate having an elongated plate portion adapted to be secured to the outer cortical wall and a hollow sleeve adapted to extend into the femur. The epiphyseal/metaphyseal implant can be connected to either the angled side plate or the intramedullary rod. The system may also include an elongated bone plate connectable to the angled side plate, one or more additional epiphyseal/metaphyseal implants of variable length, an additional angled side plate, a distal buttress plate connectable to the elongated bone plate, and a plurality of bone screws of a universal design. Preferably, many or all of the components of the system are made of an inert, resilient titanium-base alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Chapman, Charles C. Edwards, Dana C. Mears
  • Patent number: 5001914
    Abstract: A pick-resistant lock having a housing and a keyway cylinder rotatably mounted within the housing includes a plurality of tumblers and a lock bar associated with the cylinder to render picking of the lock difficult by conventional techniques. The housing has a cylinder-accepting bore provided with a pair of locking grooves arranged so as to face one another. The tumblers and lock bar are movable into and out of locking relationship with a corresponding one of the locking grooves and along parallel paths when the cylinder is positioned in a lock mode position. Springs mounted within the cylinder urge the lock bar and tumblers against one another and toward positions out of the locking grooves while maintaining the lock bar in a locked relationship within its corresponding locking groove so that the cylinder is prevented from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Hurd Lock and Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 4896661
    Abstract: A forceps for use in orthopedic surgical procedures having readily interchangeable tip elements and a reversible ratchet mechanism, for controlling the tip elements. A variety of tips for compression and distraction are provided. The ratchet mechanism permits controlled increments of force to be applied to the tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Pfizer, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Bogert, Michael W. Chapman, Charles C. Edwards, Dana C. Mears
  • Patent number: 4776330
    Abstract: A modular femoral internal implant system for use in the treatment of femoral disorders resulting from injury, disease or congenital defect includes at least three interconnectable components: (1) an elongated epiphyseal/metaphyseal implant, (2) an intramedullary rod and (3) an angled side plate having an elongated plate portion adapted to be secured to the outer cortical wall and a hollow sleeve adapted to extend into the femur. The epiphyseal/metaphyseal implant can be connected to either the angled side plate or the intramedullary rod. The system may also include an elongated bone plate connectable to the angled side plate, one or more additional epiphyseal/metaphyseal implants of variable length, an additional angled side plate, a distal buttress plate connectable to the elongated bone plate, and a plurality of bone screws of a universal design. Preferably, many or all of the components of the system are made of an inert, resilient titanium-base alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Chapman, Charles C. Edwards, Dana C. Mears
  • Patent number: 4600000
    Abstract: An external fixation system includes as one of its frame components at least one dynamic coupling which is mounted to a respective frame rod. The coupling includes a sleeve member telescoped over the rod with a stop member on the rod on each side of the sleeve member. The stop member located toward the bone fracture may be adjustably locked to change its position on the rod and thus permit selective controlled sliding movement of the rod in the sleeve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Inventor: Charles C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 4569338
    Abstract: This invention provides a sacral fixation screw comprising a housing having an aperture in the top surface thereof for engaging a driving device and an opening extending laterally through the housing, the opening having top and bottom walls which may be double beveled to provide a smaller opening at the center of the housing and a threaded shank extending perpendicularly from the side of the housing opposite to the surface having the aperture therein. The present invention further provides a sacral fixation device comprising the above-mentioned screw and a hook. A method for applying a spinal rod to a patient's sacrum is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Inventor: Charles C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 4567884
    Abstract: This invention provides a spinal hook comprising a body having a rod receiving bore therethrough, a connecting portion and a shoe portion, the connecting portion extending along a plane approximately normal to the axis of the base and the shoe portion extending in a plane from the connecting portion and terminating in a tip on one end and joined to the connecting portion on the other end. Preferably, the side of the body facing the shoe portion has a convex curved outer surface to allow a closer fit to a vertebra to which the hook is attached. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the tip of the shoe is disposed closer to the body than the remainder of the shoe by either forming an acute angle between the shoe and the connecting portion or bending the tip of the shoe. The shoe may be tapered in both width and thickness and the connecting portion may be tapered in width from the body to the shoe to provide better fit between the hook and the vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Inventor: Charles C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 4369769
    Abstract: A spinal fixation device in which sleeves or spacers are placed over or around spinal rods in order to obtain better reduction of spinal fractures or spinal deformities. The sleeves can be made in various thicknesses so that the surgeon can obtain optimum fixation in each case. The sleeves can be made of any biologically compatible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Inventor: Charles C. Edwards