Patents by Inventor Geoffrey D. Rapp
Geoffrey D. Rapp 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).
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Patent number: 9089980Abstract: A power operated rotary knife having a reusable handle assembly and disposable blade support assembly including a head portion and a blade support portion extending from the head portion, wherein upon completion of a tissue debriding operation on a donor, the used blade support assembly is removed from the handle assembly and disposed of, the handle assembly is autoclaved/sterilized and a new, sterilized blade support assembly is affixed to the handle assembly prior to a subsequent use. The knife includes an attachment assembly to releasably attach the disposable blade support assembly to the handle assembly and a retainer structure positioned in an annular groove formed in a bottom surface of the blade housing portion, the retainer structure bearing against an annular rotary knife blade and the blade housing portion to permanently retain an annular body section of the blade in the annular groove.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Whited, David Curtis Ross, Dennis R. Seguin, Jr., Geoffrey D. Rapp
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Patent number: 8968107Abstract: A flexible shaft drive transmission for transmitting rotational power between a drive motor and a gear train of a power operated tool. The flexible shaft drive transmission includes an elongated drive shaft assembly including a rotatable drive transmitting shaft assembly extending through an outer casing. The shaft drive transmission includes a motor end coupling affixed to one end the outer casing and adapted to be releasably connected to a mating coupling of the drive motor. The motor end coupling includes a coupling body having an outer surface tapered region tapering from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter at a distal end of the tapered region to facilitate insertion and proper alignment with the drive motor coupling. The drive transmitting shaft assembly includes a driven fitting having a plurality of drive faces surrounding an axially extending locating member for engagement with a mating drive fitting of the drive motor.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey D. Rapp, Scott M. Muniga, Marinel Rosu, Jeffrey A. Whited, Nicholas A. Mascari
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Publication number: 20140298965Abstract: A power operated rotary knife having a reusable handle assembly and disposable blade support assembly including a head portion and a blade support portion extending from the head portion, wherein upon completion of a tissue debriding operation on a donor, the used blade support assembly is removed from the handle assembly and disposed of, the handle assembly is autoclaved/sterilized and a new, sterilized blade support assembly is affixed to the handle assembly prior to a subsequent use. The knife includes an attachment assembly to releasably attach the disposable blade support assembly to the handle assembly and a retainer structure positioned in an annular groove formed in a bottom surface of the blade housing portion, the retainer structure bearing against an annular rotary knife blade and the blade housing portion to permanently retain an annular body section of the blade in the annular groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Whited, David Curtis Ross, Dennis R. Seguin, JR., Geoffrey D. Rapp
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Patent number: 8756819Abstract: A power operated rotary knife having a reusable handle assembly and disposable blade support assembly including a head portion and a blade support portion extending from the head portion, wherein upon completion of a tissue debriding operation on a donor, the used blade support assembly is removed from the handle assembly and disposed of, the handle assembly is autoclaved/sterilized and a new, sterilized blade support assembly is affixed to the handle assembly prior to a subsequent use. The knife includes an attachment assembly to releasably attach the disposable blade support assembly to the handle assembly and a retainer structure positioned in an annular groove formed in a bottom surface of the blade housing portion, the retainer structure bearing against an annular rotary knife blade and the blade housing portion to permanently retain an annular body section of the blade in the annular groove.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery Alan Whited, David Curtis Ross, Dennis R. Seguin, Jr., Geoffrey D. Rapp
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Publication number: 20130178296Abstract: A flexible shaft drive transmission for transmitting rotational power between a drive motor and a gear train of a power operated tool. The flexible shaft drive transmission includes an elongated drive shaft assembly including a rotatable drive transmitting shaft assembly extending through an outer casing. The shaft drive transmission includes a motor end coupling affixed to one end the outer casing and adapted to be releasably connected to a mating coupling of the drive motor. The motor end coupling includes a coupling body having an outer surface tapered region tapering from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter at a distal end of the tapered region to facilitate insertion and proper alignment with the drive motor coupling. The drive transmitting shaft assembly includes a driven fitting having a plurality of drive faces surrounding an axially extending locating member for engagement with a mating drive fitting of the drive motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey D. Rapp, Scott M. Muniga, Marinel Rosu, Jeffrey A. Whited, Nicholas A. Mascari
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Publication number: 20110247220Abstract: A power operated rotary knife having a reusable handle assembly and disposable blade support assembly including a head portion and a blade support portion extending from the head portion, wherein upon completion of a tissue debriding operation on a donor, the used blade support assembly is removed from the handle assembly and disposed of, the handle assembly is autoclaved/sterilized and a new, sterilized blade support assembly is affixed to the handle assembly prior to a subsequent use. The knife includes an attachment assembly to releasably attach the disposable blade support assembly to the handle assembly and a retainer structure positioned in an annular groove formed in a bottom surface of the blade housing portion, the retainer structure bearing against an annular rotary knife blade and the blade housing portion to permanently retain an annular body section of the blade in the annular groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2011Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Whited, David Curtis Ross, Dennis R. Seguin, JR., Geoffrey D. Rapp
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Patent number: 7710714Abstract: A housing for a scale or load cell controller suitable for use in harsh environments. The housing includes a moisture-resistant front display unit coupled to a rear interface and mounting unit. The front display unit includes a front housing, a back housing, and a frame overlying a boundary or seal region between the front and back housings to provide a double moisture-resistant seal between the front and back housings. The front display unit defines an interior region including a display and a plurality of user input keys and controller circuitry. The front display unit is removably attachable to the rear interface unit. A moisture-resistant seal is also provided between the front display unit and the rear interface and mounting unit. The rear interface and mounting unit defines a recessed area supporting a battery pack, a power supply and an interface circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey D. Rapp, Robert Scott, Richard P. Bozzi, Dennis R. Seguin, Jr.
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Patent number: 7153202Abstract: Helical members applied in flexshaft assemblies for retaining lubricant inside a flexshaft casing 22. The helical members have a helix that is opposite of a helix of wires that make up a flexible drive member. The helical members direct the lubricant away from an end of the flexshaft assembly that the helix of wires tends to direct the lubricant toward.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2005Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Marinel Rosu, Dennis R. Seguin, Geoffrey D. Rapp
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Patent number: 7070494Abstract: Picking fingers suitable for use in automatic defeathering machines. The picking fingers are suitable for mounting to circular openings in a mounting plate. The picking finger includes an elastomeric picking finger body and a retainer for securing the picking finger to the mounting plate. Three embodiments are disclosed which provide for installation of the picking finger body from a back side of the mounting plate. Each embodiment features a different retainer component. A fourth embodiment is disclosed which provides for installation of the picking finger body from a front side of the mounting plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2005Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey D. Rapp, Jeffrey A. Whited
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Patent number: 6655033Abstract: A pneumatic hand tool comprises a tool body communicable with an operating air source, a pneumatic motor supported by the tool body, and a control valve for controlling air flow to the motor. When the control valve is in an open condition the motor is operated to drive the tool. When the valve is in a closed condition it cuts off the supply of operating air to the motor. In the closed condition the control valve communicates with air at ambient atmospheric pressure so that source air leaking from the control valve is vented away from the motor to preclude unintended motor operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Bettcher Indusrties, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Herrmann, Geoffrey D. Rapp, Shawn A. Mills
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Publication number: 20030070301Abstract: A pneumatic hand tool comprises a tool body communicable with an operating air source, a pneumatic motor supported by the tool body, and a control valve for controlling air flow to the motor. When the control valve is in an open condition the motor is operated to drive the tool. When the valve is in a closed condition it cuts off the supply of operating air to the motor. In the closed condition the control valve communicates with air at ambient atmospheric pressure so that source air leaking from the control valve is vented away from the motor to preclude unintended motor operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2001Publication date: April 17, 2003Applicant: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Herrmann, Geoffrey D. Rapp, Shawn A. Mills
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Patent number: D548121Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey D. Rapp, Dennis R. Seguin, Jr.