Patents by Inventor John E. Bernacki

John E. Bernacki 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: 20040038109
    Abstract: An improved perimeter gasket is provided for use with a bipolar plate in a fuel cell assembly. The improved dielectric perimeter gasket comprises a base portion, at means for forming a primary seal with an adjacent bipolar plate, and a flange extending radially from the base portion for assuring that adjacent bipolar plates cannot make electrical contact. The flange may be coextensive with the edges of the bipolar plates. The gasket may be provided integrally with the bipolar plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: John E. Bernacki
  • Patent number: 6536115
    Abstract: The present invention provides a knife with a replaceable blade which is spring-biased in the retracted position. The knife is designed such that the blade can only be extended by exerting a downward force and by turning the handle with respect to an inner housing. The handle has a tab affixed to the inside wall of the handle. The inner housing has an angled slot in its wall adapted to receive the tab. When the blade is fully retracted, the tab rests on the shoulder at the top of the inner housing. A straight downward pressure on the handle causes the tab to engage the shoulder and will not allow the blade to extend. When the handle is rotated, the tab enters the slot and the blade is forced downward. As this occurs, the blade extends through a slot at the bottom of a blade cover. When the blade is removed from the object to be cut, the spring forces the handle to move with respect to the inner housing and causes the blade to retract within the blade cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventors: James Tabbi, John E. Bernacki, Christopher J. Hughson, James A. Herley
  • Publication number: 20020004985
    Abstract: The present invention provides a knife with a replaceable blade which is spring-biased in the retracted position. The knife is designed such that the blade can only be extended by exerting a downward force and by turning the handle with respect to an inner housing. The handle has a tab affixed to the inside wall of the handle. The inner housing has an angled slot in its wall adapted to receive the tab. When the blade is fully retracted, the tab rests on the shoulder at the top of the inner housing. A straight downward pressure on the handle causes the tab to engage the shoulder and will not allow the blade to extend. When the handle is rotated, the tab enters the slot and the blade is forced downward. As this occurs, the blade extends through a slot at the bottom of a blade cover. When the blade is removed from the object to be cut, the spring forces the handle to move with respect to the inner housing and causes the blade to retract within the blade cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: JAMES TABBI, JOHN E. BERNACKI, CHRISTOPHER J. HUGHSON, JAMES A. HERLEY