Patents by Inventor Earnest Pringle

Earnest Pringle 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: 8539671
    Abstract: A method of repairing a used electrode device is disclosed wherein a used electrode assembly has an inner conductor with an integral electrode tip; the inner conductor is encapsulated in an insulator body having an outer conductor and an outer electrode tip; and an outer sleeve is attached to the insulator body, the sleeve being filled with a particle suspended fluid and the sleeve being retained by a metal ring at the location of attachment to the insulator body prior to removing the inner conductor from the insulator body; the electrode assembly is placed in a fixture with a collet holding the metal ring in place; the sleeve is pushed upon to release the ring; and the inner conductor is pressed with the integral electrode tip while holding or restraining the insulator body to apply a force sufficient to disengage the inner conductor from the insulator body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: HealthTronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Earnest Pringle
  • Patent number: 7707717
    Abstract: A method of repairing a used electrode device 1 is disclosed wherein the method has the steps of providing a used electrode assembly 1 having an inner conductor 9 with an integral electrode tip 3 encapsulated in an insulator body 8 having an outer conductor 10 and an outer electrode tip 4C; and pressing the inner conductor 9 with integral electrode tip 3 while holding or restraining the insulator body 8 to apply an force sufficient to overcome at least partially the adhesion forces at the mating surfaces of the inner conductor 9 and the insulator body 8. Thereafter by grasping an end 9A of the inner conductor 9 opposite the tip 3 while holding the insulator body 8 and withdrawing the inner conductor 9 from the insulator body 8 the parts can be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Healthtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Earnest Pringle
  • Publication number: 20100101067
    Abstract: A method of repairing a used electrode device 1 is disclosed wherein the method has the steps of providing a used electrode assembly 1 having an inner conductor 9 with an integral electrode tip 3 encapsulated in an insulator body 8 having an outer conductor 10 and an outer electrode tip 4C; and pressing the inner conductor 9 with integral electrode tip 3 while holding or restraining the insulator body 8 to apply an force sufficient to overcome at least partially the adhesion forces at the mating surfaces of the inner conductor 9 and the insulator body 8. Thereafter by grasping an end 9A of the inner conductor 9 opposite the tip 3 while holding the insulator body 8 and withdrawing the inner conductor 9 from the insulator body 8 the parts can be separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: HEALTHTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Earnest Pringle
  • Publication number: 20080146111
    Abstract: A method of repairing a used electrode device 1 is disclosed wherein the method has the steps of providing a used electrode assembly 1 having an inner conductor 9 with an integral electrode tip 3 encapsulated in an insulator body 8 having an outer conductor 10 and an outer electrode tip 4C; and pressing the inner conductor 9 with integral electrode tip 3 while holding or restraining the insulator body 8 to apply an force sufficient to overcome at least partially the adhesion forces at the mating surfaces of the inner conductor 9 and the insulator body 8. Thereafter by grasping an end 9A of the inner conductor 9 opposite the tip 3 while holding the insulator body 8 and withdrawing the inner conductor 9 from the insulator body 8 the parts can be separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: LITHOTRENDS, LLC
    Inventor: Earnest Pringle