Patents by Inventor Donald L. Summers

Donald L. Summers 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: 4957271
    Abstract: A meat mold cover assembly that is simple in construction, easy to engage and disengage from the mold, adds only a small additional volume to the space occupied by the product, and promotes the production of a molded product having uniform dimensions is provided by the use of an internally biased cover assembly that uses points of supports spaced along the length of at least one side of the mold to allow easy release and attachment of the cover assembly to the mold and integral biasing means acting on the lid along at least two lines of action to provide a balanced pressure on the meat. In a more specific form the cover assembly provides these benefits by using at least three spring assemblies that act directly on and within the periphery of the lid on at least two lines of action. The springs are counter acted by a cover support. The support is attached to at least two opposite sides of the mold through one or more hold down bars and pivotable links to engage each side of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Inventors: Donald L. Summers, David J. Summers
  • Patent number: 4788844
    Abstract: An apparatus for straightens long slender shafts by moving a force couple over the length of the shaft as the shaft is rotated. The force couple is applied by two or more contact points with at least two contact points being located on opposite sides of the shaft. The contact points are mounted on a movable base. A pair of parallel guide rods receive the base and restrain the base against movement in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. A lever, pivotally mounted to the base, holds one of the contact points. Movement of the lever controls the magnitude of the force couple and movement of the base relative to the shafts. The lever can be manually operated to lend simplicity to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Inventive Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Summers, David J. Summers, John G. Tolomei