Patents by Inventor Dennis L. Wheeler

Dennis L. Wheeler 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: 8407875
    Abstract: A tool for fastening fencing material to a post with a staple. The tool includes a base plate; first and second handles; first and second crimping arms, and a cam operatively engaged with the first handle. A slide is operatively engaged with the cam. The first and second handles and the first and second crimping arms are pivotally interconnected and attached to the base plate so that when the first and second handles are pivoted towards one another from an open position, the cam advances the slide, which advances the staple so that the crimping arms may crimp the staple to the fence post. A method for attaching the staple to a fence post is also described and claimed. An inventive staple is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventors: Bryce N. Gray, Dennis L. Wheeler, Vance T. Countryman, Paul A. McBride, Russell R. Myers, Cody S. Curtis, David W. Allan, Ryan A. Lingmann
  • Publication number: 20090314379
    Abstract: A tool for fastening fencing material to a post with a staple. The tool includes a base plate; first and second handles; first and second crimping arms, and a cam operatively engaged with the first handle. A slide is operatively engaged with the cam. The first and second handles and the first and second crimping arms are pivotally interconnected and attached to the base plate so that when the first and second handles are pivoted towards one another from an open position, the cam advances the slide, which advances the staple so that the crimping arms may crimp the staple to the fence post. A method for attaching the staple to a fence post is also described and claimed. An inventive staple is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Bryce N. Gray, Dennis L. Wheeler, Vance T. Countryman, Paul A. McBride, Russell R. Myers, Cody S. Curtis, David W. Allan, Ryan A. Lingmann
  • Patent number: 5735020
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is directed to a torsion spring counterbalance assembly for closures, preferably for aircraft doors, although it is applicable to closures in other environments. The counterbalance system is designed to reduce the total assembly weight by 50% relative to a steel spring assembly. A helical torsion spring is mounted on one or both sides of a support housing, the springs preferably being made of a fiber-reinforced epoxy. Duplicate springs (same part number, wound and loaded in the same direction) may be used on the left and/or the right sides of the assembly to reduce tooling cost and part inventory cost. Operating with duplicate springs is accomplished by placing fixed spring mounting plates for both springs on the left and the rotating end plates for both springs on the right. Both fixed end plates mount to the housing assembly while both rotating end plates mount to the torque output shaft. Similarly, end plates, torque tubes and shock support tubes, bearings, clips, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Hercules Incorporated
    Inventor: Dennis L. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5157223
    Abstract: A structure for attenuating explosive shock waves to prevent propogation of accidental explosions by sympathetic detonation of adjacent explosives comprising bidirectionally symmetric layers of material of consecutively increasing or decreasing acoustic impedance laminated about a center layer. The structure may be made by combining several materials, as in consecutive layers of aluminum, plastic, and a rigid foam surrounding on both sides a layer of steel; or, two materials, as in a center layer of Kevlar.TM. surrounded on both faces with layers of plastic. The plies comprising the layer of Kevlar.TM. are canted with respect to the plastic layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Dennis L. Wheeler, Eric J. Blommer
  • Patent number: 4989493
    Abstract: A structure for attenuating explosive shock waves to prevent propogation of accidental explosions by sympathetic detonation of adjacent explosives comprising bidirectionally symmetric layers of material of consecutively increasing or decreasing acoustic impedance laminated about a center layer. The structure may be made by combining several materials, as in consecutive layers of aluminum, plastic, and a rigid foam surrounding on both sides a layer of steel; or, two material, as in a center layer of Kevlar.TM. surrounded on both faces with layers of plastic. The plies comprising the layer of Kevlar.TM. are canted with respect to the plastic layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Eric J. Blommer, Dennis L. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4768418
    Abstract: A structure for attenuating explosive shock waves to prevent propagation of accidental explosions by sympathetic detonation of adjacent explosives comprising bidirectionally symmetric layers of material of consecutively increasing or decreasing acoustic impedance laminated about a center layer. The structure may be made by combining several materials, as in consecutive layers of aluminum, plastic, and a rigid foam surrounding on both sides a layer of steel; or, two materials, as in a center layer of Kevlar.TM. surrounded on both faces with layers of plastic. The plies comprising the layer of Kevlar.TM. are canted with respect to the plastic layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Eric J. Blommer, Dennis L. Wheeler