Patents by Inventor David H. Strain

David H. Strain 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: 5173333
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for discharging the internal surface of a plastic pipe (12) provides a saddle (32) having an internal cavity (35) formed therein for permitting threadable engagement of a shaft (24). The shaft (24) has a cutter (40) at one end for penetrating the plastic pipe (12) upon engagement. The shaft (24) also has a nozzle (28) formed adjacent to the cutter (40) for spraying an antistatic fluid (26) into the plastic pipe (12) for discharging the plastic pipe (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Oren Tranbarger, Clarence R. McGinnis, David H. Strain
  • Patent number: 4484906
    Abstract: A rotor adapted for containing a plurality of sample tubes and for retaining the contents of such tubes if any should rupture while in the rotor. The rotor includes an upper shell and a lower shell connected by a central hub interposed therebetween. Provision is made for coupling the hub to a drive shaft. The upper shell has a substantially frustoconical shape and a recessed top surface. The top surface has a form generally corresponding to the interior of an inverted frustum. A plurality of sample tubes are disposed in a circular locus in the top of the rotor. The lower shell of the rotor has a bottom formed with upturned inwardly sloping conical sides. The sides are disposed such that their uppermost portion is proximate the upper shell. In the event that one or more tubes ruptures while in the rotor, the contents will be retained in the lower shell rather than spilling into the rotor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: David H. Strain
  • Patent number: 4449965
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shell type centrifuge rotor formed as a frustoconical shell having a circular rim adjacent at least one end thereof. The lower end of the shell is open, whereas the upper end has a conical recess and a central opening. The recess has an inverted frustoconical sidewall, with a plurality of apertures equally spaced therein and disposed an equal distance from the central opening.A tube holder is mounted in each of the apertures for receiving a centrifuge test tube. The tube holder has a flange configured so as to fit the surface contour of the conical recess so that the flange fully contacts the wall of the conical recess when the tube holder is mounted in the aperture. A hub is mounted in the central opening of the conical recess and couples the frustoconical shell to the centrifuge drive shaft. Means are secured to the hub for partially enclosing the lower end of the frustoconical shell to reduce the windage of the rotor to a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: David H. Strain
  • Patent number: 4412830
    Abstract: A cover having a free-turning knob in its center for use on the rotor of a centrifuge. The knob includes tool means for coupling the knob with a threaded fastener securing the rotor to a drive shaft. Thus, when the cover is positioned on the rotor, the threaded fastener securing the rotor can be tightened or loosened by a turning of the knob. The rotor can thereby be removed and replaced without the use of external tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Strain, John H. Sutton, III