Patents by Inventor John F. Thomas
John F. Thomas 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: 8182749Abstract: A device, such as a home air freshener, which is mounted to the main positive pressure air duct of a forced air furnace heating system and or a central air conditioning system by which an outside agent, such as an air freshener, is introduced into the air duct for the distribution to areas served by the air duct system. By means of a sub-duct properly positioned in the path of the airflow, the device can create a low pressure area in the sub-duct which will draw and distribute the air freshener and thus operate with out means of outside pressure, power, or moving parts.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Inventor: John F. Thomas
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Publication number: 20090162244Abstract: A device, such as a home air freshener, which is mounted to the main positive pressure air duct of a forced air furnace heating system and or a central air conditioning system by which an outside agent, such as an air freshener, is introduced into the air duct for the distribution to areas served by the air duct system. By means of a sub-duct properly positioned in the path of the airflow, the device can create a low pressure area in the sub-duct which will draw and distribute the air freshener and thus operate with out means of outside pressure, power, or moving parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventor: John F. Thomas
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Patent number: 5549513Abstract: A roof structure, which has a plurality of concrete tiles arranged in overlapping rows on a roof support structure, is provided with a roof ventilation device for venting the underside of the roof support structure. The device receives and integrates with a plurality of shortened tiles in an upper row so as not to disturb the appearance and continuity of the roof structure. A hollow upper portion of the roof ventilation device forms part of a ventilation path which extends from outside the roof structure to one or more apertures in the roof support structure and has a plurality of baffles disposed therein for preventing entry of rain water. A length of mesh mounted within an inside portion of the roof ventilation device at the back of the upper portion prevents entry of insects, vermin and debris, while foam strips mounted on the mesh seal the space above tiles in a lower row.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1993Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: Monier Roof Tile Inc.Inventors: John F. Thomas, Anthony F. Gillett
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Patent number: 5341617Abstract: A roof tile fastening arrangement secures each of a plurality of concrete roof tiles, disposed in side-by-side relation, to a birdstop mounted adjacent the lower edge of a roof support structure, by a plurality of clips extending between and secured to the side edges of the tiles and to the birdstop. Each of the clips has an upper curved lip portion extending over the side edge of an associated one of the tiles. In a first embodiment, each of the clips has a lower hook portion which hooks to a different one of a plurality of drain slots adjacent the base of the birdstop. The clip is made of resilient material and has a curved body portion which may be flexed to facilitate installation of the clip and which then assumes the curved configuration to hold the clip in tension between the side edge of the associated tile and the associated drain slot in the birdstop.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1993Date of Patent: August 30, 1994Assignee: Monier Roof Tile Inc.Inventors: John F. Thomas, Paul S. Hensey
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Patent number: 5323580Abstract: A roof tile fastening arrangement secures each of a plurality of concrete roof tiles, disposed in side-by-side relation, to a birdstop mounted adjacent the lower edge of a roof support structure, by a plurality of clips extending between and secured to the side edges of the tiles and to the birdstop. Each of the clips has an upper curved lip portion extending over the side edge of an associated one of the tiles. In a first embodiment, each of the clips has a lower hook portion which hooks to a different one of a plurality of drain slots adjacent the base of the birdstop. The clip is made of resilient material and has a curved body portion which may be flexed to facilitate installation of the clip and which then assumes the curved configuration to hold the clip in tension between the side edge of the associated tile and the associated drain slot in the birdstop.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1992Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: Monier Roof Tile Inc.Inventor: John F. Thomas
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Patent number: 5255483Abstract: A vehicle panel/window assembly and accompanying methods of manufacture are disclosed utilizing a composition to eliminate or minimize squeaks or other undesirable noises that often originate from the panel/window and vehicle body interface during vehicle movement. The squeak resistant composition may be applied to the polymeric gasket as an in-mold release agent, as an in mold-coating, or applied after gasket manufacture and comprises a waxy material softening at above about 80.degree. C. and a lubricant.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1991Date of Patent: October 26, 1993Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Raj K. Agrawal, John F. Thomas
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Patent number: 5004293Abstract: A cargo truck which includes a cab and a body portion connected to a frame chassis. The cab and body are interconnected for travel therebetween by a passageway which is sealed by a connecting boot to prevent ingress of moisture and to reduce vibrational forces on the body during road travel.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1990Date of Patent: April 2, 1991Assignee: Cargo Master IncorporatedInventor: John F. Thomas
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Patent number: 5000161Abstract: An aircooled smokestack. The smokestack has passages within it for air or her cooling fluid. The fluid circulates through the smokestack, cooling off the internal and external surfaces. The cooling fluid is then aspirated into the stack gases near the top of the stack, thereby film cooling the upper portion of the interior of the stack. Cooling air is also aspirated into the flowing gases at the top of the stack, thereby cooling the gases as they leave the stack.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1974Date of Patent: March 19, 1991Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Robert W. Keimel, Arthur C. Keimel, John F. Thomas
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Patent number: 4524941Abstract: A rearview mirror support bracket is disclosed having a body defining a front surface, a rear surface, a top end and a bottom end. A pair of elongated, spaced, opposed clips are formed on the back surface of the body. The clips define grooves for receipt of a windshield mounted button. The body has an I-beam configuration in cross section and includes a central web and front and rear flanges defining the front and back surfaces. A wall surrounds the opposed clips and defines an open end through which the button may be slid. Resilient tension and support members are defined by the rear flange in the clip area. At least one resilient retainer is defined by the rear flange. The retainer engages the button and retains the bracket on the button after assembly. The front flange adjacent its lower end defines a spherical ball which is adapted to be snap fitted into a correspondingly configured socket included in a mirror case assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1981Date of Patent: June 25, 1985Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Denis Wood, John F. Thomas, Jr., Barry Dipper, Philip D. Stegenga, John H. Veltkamp, William L. Katsma, Robert L. Norton
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Patent number: 4502248Abstract: The specification discloses a vehicle window assembly including a slidable window glass supported by and guided along only one edge of the glass. More specifically, the assembly comprises a window glass, a molded guide bonded to one edge of the glass, and a pillar defining a channel in which the guide is slidingly received. The pillar and guide cooperate to permit the guide to move axially within the channel and to prevent the guide from passing transversely out of the channel so that the window glass must travel in a linear path. Also disclosed is a latch supported by the glass and extending through the guide. The latch includes an actuating portion located outside the pillar and a catch portion located and hidden within the pillar.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1982Date of Patent: March 5, 1985Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: John F. Thomas, Jr., Cleon C. Morgan
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Patent number: 4436371Abstract: A day/night rearview mirror assembly for vehicles including a one-piece, molded, resinous mirror case having flexible, resilient portions and a substantially rigid pivot actuator which is biased by the case into either a day or night position. Movement of the actuator changes the position of the case and mirror element thereby changing the amount of light reflected. An interference fit between supports for the actuator within the case and the pivot actuator expands and pre-stresses the case to provide a predetermined biasing force which must be overcome by a pivoting force to move the actuator between its positions. A continuous lip extending around the periphery of the case allows snap-in insertion and permanent retention of a preferably prismatic mirror element. The retaining lip is sized to maintain coverage of the edge of the mirror element even during flexing of the case while the actuator is pivoted.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1981Date of Patent: March 13, 1984Assignee: Donnelly Mirrors, Inc.Inventors: Denis Wood, John F. Thomas, Jr., Barry Dipper
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Patent number: 4435042Abstract: An inside rearview mirror assembly for vehicles preferably including four parts, namely, a molded breakaway mirror support bracket, a molded mirror case, a prismatic reflective mirror element, and a rigid, molded pivot actuator for moving the case and mirror element between day and night positions for reduced glare. The support bracket has a body with an I-beam configuration in cross section and vibration reducing ribs extending between front and rear flanges adjacent a central web defining the I-beam shape. Resilient clips define grooves for receipt of a windshield mounted button over which the bracket is slid and snapped on. Resilient tension and support members are included along with at least one resilient retainer to keep the bracket on the button. The case includes a peripheral lip allowing snap-in insertion of the mirror element and flexible resilient portions which provide a biasing force urging the pivot actuator into either the day or night position.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1981Date of Patent: March 6, 1984Assignee: Donnelly Mirrors, Inc.Inventors: Denis Wood, John F. Thomas, Jr., Barry Dipper, Philip D. Stegenga, John H. Veltkamp, William L. Katsma, Robert L. Norton
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Patent number: 4396221Abstract: A hinged window assembly for vehicles adapted to be installed substantially entirely from the vehicle exterior. The assembly includes a window pane and at least one hinge preferably bonded with a suitable adhesive directly to the window pane surface without any hinge securing structure extending into or through the window. In a preferred form, the hinge is formed from flexible, resilient metal and cooperates with a sealing weather strip forming a seal between the preferred glass window pane and a vehicle body. Preferably, the fastening structure for attaching the hinge to a vehicle body is concealed from view behind the assembly when viewed from the vehicle exterior.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1980Date of Patent: August 2, 1983Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Cleon Morgan, John F. Thomas, Jr., Raymond A. Meyer
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Patent number: 4364595Abstract: A lightweight, economical window assembly for vehicles which is assembled to a vehicle as a unit preferably from the exterior, while providing strength, decorative trim, as well as a sealing function. The assembly includes a window pane, one of several types of decorative frame or trim members surrounding the pane, and one or more attaching members secured directly to the pane but concealed from view from the exterior of the assembly. Preferably the pane is glass and the attaching members are metallic studs rigidly and securely bonded directly to the glass surface with a suitable adhesive system such as that marketed under the Tenabond trademark.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1980Date of Patent: December 21, 1982Assignee: Donnelly Mirrors, Inc.Inventors: Cleon Morgan, John F. Thomas, Jr., Raymond A. Meyer
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Patent number: 4228898Abstract: A reclosable carton and blank therefor are provided wherein the interior of the carton is formed into a pair of upright continguous compartments. The carton includes a pair of wall panels and a pair of narrow side panels. The upper sections of the panels converge towards one another to effect top closing of the carton. A top closure flap is foldably connected to one of the wall panels and retains the upper sections of the wall panels in convergent relation. The upper section of each side panel includes a center segment having tapered side edges and gusset segments foldably connected to the tapered side edges and to the adjacent peripheral portions of the wall panel upper sections. When the top of the carbon is initially closed, the gusset segments of each side panel are disposed in face-to-face contacting relation and are sandwiched between corresponding portions of the wall panels.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1979Date of Patent: October 21, 1980Assignee: Packaging Corporation of AmericaInventors: Charles R. Zeitter, John F. Thomas
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Patent number: D347483Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1990Date of Patent: May 31, 1994Assignee: Monier Roof Tile Inc.Inventor: John F. Thomas
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Patent number: D348317Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1992Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: Monier Roof Tile Inc.Inventors: John F. Thomas, Scott W. Fechner