Patents by Inventor James W. Downs

James W. Downs 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: 5417647
    Abstract: A mechanical device for alleviating pain from swelling caused by Baker's cysts and the like comprising a rigid arcuate tubular element placed in the cavity behind the knee joint and fastened by straps placed over the knee at the femur and the tibia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: James W. Down
  • Patent number: 4858090
    Abstract: An ellipsoidal reflector system concentrating energy utilizing two effects- one being that light passing through one focus of an ellipse will tend to line up with the major axis after each reflection, combined with the other in the properties of ellipses rotated off-axis having one distributed focus and one point focus. After a few reflections light having originally passed through one focus is, for practical purposes, running along the major axis even though the major axis is approached as an asymptote. This energy concentration system would be quite useful as a source of highly collimated light such as would be more practical for field surveying work than, for example, lasers, for optical alignment, and fiber-optic carrier media input. In addition to light some of these ellipsoidal reflector systems for concentration of energy are also effective for ultrasonics and/or shock waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventor: James W. Downs
  • Patent number: 4754381
    Abstract: An ellipsoidal reflector system concentrating energy utilizing two effects--one being that light passing through one focus of an ellipse will tend to line up with the major axis after each reflection, combined with the other in the properties of ellipses rotated off-axis having one distributed focus and one point focus. After a few reflections light having originally passed through one focus is, for practical purposes, running along the major axis even though the major axis is approached as an asymptote. This energy concentration system would be quite useful as a source of highly collimated light such as would be more practical for field surveying work than, for example, lasers, for optical alignment, and fiber-optic carrier media input. In addition to light some of these ellipsoidal reflector systems for concentration of energy are also effective for ultrasonics and/or shock waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Inventor: James W. Downs
  • Patent number: 4739152
    Abstract: An elongated, coiled, electrical resistance heating filament is positioned along the major axis of an ellipsoidal reflector with its inner end positioned at the inner focus of the reflector and with the coil extending outwardly toward but short of an annular rim defining the front of the reflector. The coiled filament is supported by a pair of power supply leads connected to the inner and outer ends of thereof and forming stiff conductive support pillars mounted in a thickened support and seal portion at the apex of the reflector. The front of the reflector may be closed by a glass plate sealed to the annular rim. A secondary reflector may be provided on the major axis of the ellipsoidal reflector between the outer end of the coiled filament and the annular rim. The secondary reflector may be a figure of rotation of any shape, e.g., parabolic or conical, capable of throwing energy that would otherwise escape back through the coiled filament and serves to conserve energy and shield the eyes of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Inventor: James W. Downs
  • Patent number: 4356880
    Abstract: A sonic reflector comprising three mutually perpendicular walls of sound reflective material each of a generally right triangular shape. Plural arrays of such reflectors provide acoustical panels useful in assisting performers in monitoring their own performance on stage and in delivering enhanced sound to the audience. Plural reflector arrays have wide applications where it is desirable to return sound waves to the vicinity of the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Inventor: James W. Downs
  • Patent number: 4274099
    Abstract: A radio frequency RF reflective surface of randomly deposited conductive roving lifted from the surface of a reflector mold after having been bonded with such as a polyester resin or epoxy resin. The roving in the form of a chopped element layer of fiberglass having a conductive material coating on the fiberglass is deposited from a chopper gun to cover an entire surface in the form desired for RF reflection and then, without interruption, non-conductive roving is used in the chopper gun to build up the necessary thickness and structural strength in the antenna with a bonding resin being simultaneously applied to fix the roving in place in the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1981
    Inventor: James W. Downs