Patents by Inventor Donald D. Smith

Donald D. Smith 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: 5587321
    Abstract: A culture plate apparatus having circular culture wells arranged in a cluster includes a moat surrounding the cluster with a cover for enclosing the wells and the moat with a head space therebetween. When the moat is filled with water or buffer solution, the moat maintains temperature uniformity among the wells and maintains uniform humidity in the head space thereby preventing nonuniform evaporation from the wells while reducing evaporation overall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: University of Kansas
    Inventors: Donald D. Smith, Christopher B. Cohick, Herbert B. Lindsley
  • Patent number: 5417008
    Abstract: A downrigger line release device includes a clamp mounted to a fishing line, a coupler mounted to a downrigger line, and a swivel connector pivotally interconnecting the clamp and coupler to one another. The coupler includes a flexible retainer element convertable from a rolled-up condition in which it slidably receives the downrigger line to an unrolled condition in which it releases therefrom in response to a predetermined force being applied to the retainer element so as to permit uncoupling of the fishing line from the downrigger line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: Donald D. Smith
  • Patent number: 5412897
    Abstract: A downrigger weight assembly includes a casing having forward and rearward compartments and a middle compartment threadably and sealably attached at opposite ends to the forward and rearward compartments so as to tandemly arrange the respective compartments. The forward and rearward compartments have reversely tapered configurations and define respective front and rear hollow cavities. The middle compartment has a cylindrical configuration and defines a hollow central cavity. A cartridge for holding fish bait or attractant material is disposed in the front hollow cavity of the forward compartment. A weighted body is disposed in rear hollow cavity of the rearward compartment for providing ballast. A downrigger line release device includes a clamp mounted to a fishing line, a coupler mounted to a downrigger line, and a swivel connector pivotally interconnecting the clamp and coupler to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Inventor: Donald D. Smith
  • Patent number: 5167343
    Abstract: A receptacle for facilitating separating of recyclable trash includes a container body, flat panels for forming a plurality of adjustable-size separate compartments in the container body, and an upper lid hingedly mounted on the container body. A bag retaining arrangement is mounted on a top rim or an interior ledge spaced below the top rim of the container body. A can crusher module is removably mounted to opposing portions of the interior surface of an upper portion of the container body so as to overlie one of the separate compartments in the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Inventors: Betty J. Winfrey, Donald D. Smith
  • Patent number: 5099623
    Abstract: A prefabricated wall insert unit is disclosed for rapid installation in a wall having an outer surface, an internal space, a ceiling plate, and a floor support. When installed, an exterior assembly, with upper and side perimeter attachment areas, projects away from the outer wall surface. A header is fastened to the exterior assembly proximate the upper perimeter attachment area and is within the wall internal space immediately below the ceiling plate. At least two side support members are fastened to the upper support member and to the exterior assembly proximate the side perimeter attachment areas. When installed in the wall, the header and each said side support member are within the wall internal space and each side support member extends from the header to proximate the wall floor support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventors: Donald D. Smith, Randell J. Wishart
  • Patent number: 5072852
    Abstract: A receptacle for facilitating separating of recyclable trash includes a container body, flat panels for forming a plurality of adjustable-size separate compartments in the container body, and a single-stage single-level lid hingedly mounted on the container body. Alternatively, the receptacle can have a two-stage bi-level lid and bag retainer assembly which includes a lower annular bag retainer member and an upper cover member. The lower bag retainer member is hinged and releasably matable to the container body for holding and securing an open top edge of trash bags on the container body. The upper cover member is hinged to the lower annular bag retainer member for opening and closing and can have slidable doors to permit access to the separate compartments in the container body and the trash bags held therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Inventors: Donald D. Smith, Betty J. Winfrey
  • Patent number: 4473548
    Abstract: A method of immunizing cats against shedding of Toxoplasma oocysts is described wherein cats are given a primary Toxoplasma infection, preferably by feeding of tissue cysts, and are chemoprophylactically treated to suppress oocyst shedding as a result of the primary infection. thus, the treated cats are given immunity to oocyst shedding without the necessity of initial shedding. The treating agent is preferably monensin given with the cats' daily ration at a level of at least about 200 mg. monensin per kg. of cat food. Other useful treating agents include salinomycin or a combination of orally administered sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: The Kansas University Endowment Association
    Inventors: Jacob K. Frenkel, Donald D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4391822
    Abstract: A method of preventing, or at least substantially minimizing, shedding of Toxoplasma oocysts by cats is described which can be begun after infection of the cat and may serve to reduce the contamination with infectious oocysts of soils around areas of human habitation. The method involves administration, in effective amounts of a drug agent selected from the group consisting of monensin or salinomycin. The administration is preferably oral, and can be accomplished by mixing the drug with the cat's food or via a slow release dosage form. The drug treatment is normally commenced within about two days after infection, and is continued for a period of at least about two weeks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Kansas University Endowment Association
    Inventors: Jacob K. Frenkel, Donald D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4132181
    Abstract: A fertilizer knife assembly is capable of being connected to an agricultural implement and is operative for flow of fertilizer into a furrow opened by the knife assembly. A wear point of cast chrome alloy iron has a leading portion and a shoe portion in engagement with and secured by welding to a leading edge and a free end respectively of an elongated shank capable of being connected to an agricultural implement. An elongated fertilizer tube is positioned adjacent a trailing edge of the shank and has one end portion thereof secured to a trailing end of the shoe portion of the wear point. An elongated shield is spaced from and surrounds an exterior surface of the fertilizer tube and has opposite side edges thereof secured to the shank trailing edge by hard facing welding in a manner to protect the fertilizer tube and define an air space surrounding the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1979
    Assignee: Ace Service Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald D. Smith, Otis L. Davis, III, Richard Heiniger
  • Patent number: 4001533
    Abstract: The control for electric sump pumps is operated by a pair of weights operatively attached to the control which has a sealed non-magnetic material housing having a downwardly open recess extending thereinto from its lower surface. A normally open microswitch having a spring control arm extending therefrom and movable downwardly to close the switch, while a permanent magnet is positioned on the arm directly above the recess, and a magnetic metal means is slidably positioned in the recess and operatively connects to the weights. The magnetic metal means attracts the permanent magnet when the metal means is at the upper portion of the recess and this closes the switch arm with the position of the metal means in the housing in relation to the magnet being controlled dependent upon the water level in the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1977
    Assignees: Robert M. Keener, McNeil Corporation, George T. Buskirk
    Inventors: William James Conery, Donald D. Smith