Patents by Inventor Ian M. Chong

Ian M. Chong 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).

  • Publication number: 20040206859
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning a powered tool are provided. A support member has an adjustable length between a first end and a second end. A control device is operably coupled with the support member. The control device is configured to receive a supply of a motivating force and to receive a user input. The control device is further configured to direct at least a portion of the motivating force to the support member to direct the support member to at least one of extend or contract as indicated by the user input received. A tool bracket configured for receiving a tool is disposed at the first end of the support member is tiltable relative to a position of the support member. A base end is disposed at the second end of the support member. The base end is configured to engage a supporting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Ian M. Chong, Jeffrey B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6202985
    Abstract: A tool for lifting and removing heavy lids, such as manhole covers and similar articles. The tool includes an elongate lever with a handgrip at the upper end and a pivot head at the lower end. Wheels on the pivot head provide a pivot axis, with a hook being mounted in front of the pivot axis and a footplate being mounted behind the axis. The hook is inserted in an opening in the lid, and the lid is then lifted and removed by pulling back on the lever and stepping down on the footplate. After removal, the lid can be transported by rolling the assembly over the ground using the wheels. The invention thus facilitates removal and installation of heavy lids with minimal strain and potential injury to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Group 3 Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian M. Chong, Randolph F. Miller, Jeffrey B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4192070
    Abstract: An orthodontic device comprises means defining a passage for an arch wire and means defining a tension spring for bearing against the arch wire. The tension spring has a free end portion for bearing against the arch wire and is fixed at its other end relative to the rest of the device. The tension spring locks against the arch wire to prevent relative movement of the arch wire to the device toward the other end of the spring and yields to the arch wire to permit relative movement of the arch wire to the device toward the free end of the spring. The device may be used in combination with a conventional buccal tube or orthodontic bracket, being located mesially or distally thereof or integrated with the buccal tube or orthodontic bracket. The device may further comprise a member having a channel defined through it. The channel is of larger cross section than the cross section of the arch wire to permit free movement of the arch wire in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Inventors: Marc S. Lemchen, Ian M. Chong, Carlton Klein
  • Patent number: 4141956
    Abstract: A cold sterilizer comprises a tray for containing a sterilant and instruments to be sterilized, a lid fitting over the tray, a timer for measuring the period for which the instruments are to be contained in the sterilant to effect sterilization and means for resetting the timer to its original setting for a sterilization upon lifting the lid from the tray during the sterilization. The sterilizer may further comprise means for locking the lid onto the tray and means operatively connecting the timer to the locking means so that the locking means is locked while the timer is timing a sterilization and the locking means unlocks when the period for which the timer is set has expired. There may also be provided means for manually overriding the timer and unlocking the locking means during a sterilization and for thereupon resetting the timer to its original setting for the sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1979
    Inventors: Marc S. Lemchen, Ian M. Chong, Carlton Klein