Patents by Inventor Leonard A. Ficken
Leonard A. Ficken 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: 10034470Abstract: A mole trap includes a molded housing with first and second portions. One of the portions includes two molded posts. A trigger and release plate are each pivotally mounted on one of the two posts, and are substantially encased within the housing. The trap may include a first shaft connected to a trigger pad, and a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is slideable with respect to the second shaft, which is connected to a plurality of tines. A release is operative to hold a trigger in a set position, and thereby hold the spring loaded second shaft in the set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release in response to an upward force applied to the trigger pad, wherein the release is operable to release the trigger in response to the displacement, wherein the trigger is operable to release the spring loaded outer shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: SENORET CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Stewart Clark, Leonard A. Ficken
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Patent number: 10021874Abstract: A mole trap includes a molded housing with first and second portions. One of the portions includes two molded posts. A trigger and release plate are each pivotally mounted on one of the two posts, and are substantially encased within the housing. The trap may include a first shaft connected to a trigger pad, and a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is slideable with respect to the second shaft, which is connected to a plurality of tines. A release is operative to hold a trigger in a set position, and thereby hold the spring loaded second shaft in the set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release in response to an upward force applied to the trigger pad, wherein the release is operable to release the trigger in response to the displacement, wherein the trigger is operable to release the spring loaded outer shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: SENORET CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Stewart Clark, Leonard A. Ficken
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Publication number: 20170064941Abstract: A mole trap includes a molded housing with first and second portions. One of the portions includes two molded posts. A trigger and release plate are each pivotally mounted on one of the two posts, and are substantially encased within the housing. The trap may include a first shaft connected to a trigger pad, and a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is slideable with respect to the second shaft, which is connected to a plurality of tines. A release is operative to hold a trigger in a set position, and thereby hold the spring loaded second shaft in the set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release in response to an upward force applied to the trigger pad, wherein the release is operable to release the trigger in response to the displacement, wherein the trigger is operable to release the spring loaded outer shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: SENORET CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Stewart CLARK, Leonard A. FICKEN
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Publication number: 20170064940Abstract: A mole trap includes a molded housing with first and second portions. One of the portions includes two molded posts. A trigger and release plate are each pivotally mounted on one of the two posts, and are substantially encased within the housing. The trap may include a first shaft connected to a trigger pad, and a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is slideable with respect to the second shaft, which is connected to a plurality of tines. A release is operative to hold a trigger in a set position, and thereby hold the spring loaded second shaft in the set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release in response to an upward force applied to the trigger pad, wherein the release is operable to release the trigger in response to the displacement, wherein the trigger is operable to release the spring loaded outer shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: SENORET CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Stewart CLARK, Leonard A. FICKEN
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Patent number: 9370176Abstract: A mole trap includes a molded housing with first and second portions. One of the portions includes two molded posts. A trigger and release plate are each pivotally mounted on one of the two posts, and are substantially encased within the housing. The trap may include a first shaft connected to a trigger pad, and a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is slideable with respect to the second shaft, which is connected to a plurality of tines. A release is operative to hold a trigger in a set position, and thereby hold the spring loaded second shaft in the set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release in response to an upward force applied to the trigger pad, wherein the release is operable to release the trigger in response to the displacement, wherein the trigger is operable to release the spring loaded outer shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: SENORET CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Stewart Clark, Leonard A. Ficken
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Patent number: 9351482Abstract: A mole trap includes a molded housing with first and second portions. One of the portions includes two molded posts. A trigger and release plate are each pivotally mounted on one of the two posts, and are substantially encased within the housing. The trap may include a first shaft connected to a trigger pad, and a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is slideable with respect to the second shaft, which is connected to a plurality of tines. A release is operative to hold a trigger in a set position, and thereby hold the spring loaded second shaft in the set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release in response to an upward force applied to the trigger pad, wherein the release is operable to release the trigger in response to the displacement, wherein the trigger is operable to release the spring loaded outer shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: SENORET CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Stewart Clark, Leonard A. Ficken
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Publication number: 20140196356Abstract: A mole trap includes a molded housing with first and second portions. One of the portions includes two molded posts. A trigger and release plate are each pivotally mounted on one of the two posts, and are substantially encased within the housing. The trap may include a first shaft connected to a trigger pad, and a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is slideable with respect to the second shaft, which is connected to a plurality of tines. A release is operative to hold a trigger in a set position, and thereby hold the spring loaded second shaft in the set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release in response to an upward force applied to the trigger pad, wherein the release is operable to release the trigger in response to the displacement, wherein the trigger is operable to release the spring loaded outer shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: Senoret Chemical CompanyInventors: Stewart Clark, Leonard A. Ficken
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Publication number: 20140190069Abstract: A mole trap includes a molded housing with first and second portions. One of the portions includes two molded posts. A trigger and release plate are each pivotally mounted on one of the two posts, and are substantially encased within the housing. The trap may include a first shaft connected to a trigger pad, and a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is slideable with respect to the second shaft, which is connected to a plurality of tines. A release is operative to hold a trigger in a set position, and thereby hold the spring loaded second shaft in the set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release in response to an upward force applied to the trigger pad, wherein the release is operable to release the trigger in response to the displacement, wherein the trigger is operable to release the spring loaded outer shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: SENORET CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Stewart CLARK, Leonard A. FICKEN
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Patent number: 8640379Abstract: A mole trap includes a molded housing with first and second portions. One of the portions includes two molded posts. A trigger and release plate are each pivotally mounted on one of the two posts, and are substantially encased within the housing. The trap may include a first shaft connected to a trigger pad, and a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is slideable with respect to the second shaft, which is connected to a plurality of tines. A release is operative to hold a trigger in a set position, and thereby hold the spring loaded second shaft in the set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release in response to an upward force applied to the trigger pad, wherein the release is operable to release the trigger in response to the displacement, wherein the trigger is operable to release the spring loaded outer shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Senoret Chemical CompanyInventors: Stewart Clark, Leonard A. Ficken
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Publication number: 20120000114Abstract: A mole trap includes a molded housing with first and second portions. One of the portions includes two molded posts. A trigger and release plate are each pivotally mounted on one of the two posts, and are substantially encased within the housing. The trap may include a first shaft connected to a trigger pad, and a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is slideable with respect to the second shaft, which is connected to a plurality of tines. A release is operative to hold a trigger in a set position, and thereby hold the spring loaded second shaft in the set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release in response to an upward force applied to the trigger pad, wherein the release is operable to release the trigger in response to the displacement, wherein the trigger is operable to release the spring loaded outer shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: Senoret Chemical CompanyInventors: Stewart Clark, Leonard Ficken
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Publication number: 20020092861Abstract: A magazine vending machine provides a plurality of vending mechanisms in a series of rows and columns in a glass front cabinet. Each vending mechanism includes a magazine dispensing mechanism for individually dispensing customer selected magazines and a pusher plate assembly that can be locked in a rear most loading position to allow the operator to fill each vending mechanism with magazines. The magazine dispensing mechanism includes a microprocessor and sensor arrangement which determines the height of magazine dispensed from the magazine vending mechanism and makes adjustments to the magazine dispensing mechanism operation according to the height of the magazine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2001Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventors: Harry J. Zerwig, Gary N. Birk, David W. Duncan, Leonard A. Ficken, Paul K. Griner, Gregory S. Ivey, Charles W. Percy, Frank L. Walter
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Patent number: 6264060Abstract: An auxiliary dispenser for a merchandise vending machine of the type comprising a cabinet, a delivery bin at the front of the cabinet, near the bottom, and means in the cabinet above the bin for dispensing merchandise to the bin, the dispenser adapted to be mounted behind the bin, below the dispensing means. The dispenser comprises a bank of at least one generally inverted-J shaped magazine for holding articles. The bank is preferably pivotally mounted at its upper end to pivot upwardly to facilitate filling. Each magazine has a generally vertically extending straight portion and a forwardly extending curved dispensing portion. A spring-biased guide member urges articles in the magazine upwardly toward the curved dispensing portion, the guide member can be releasably locked at the end of the magazine to facilitate filling. An ejector member is mounted for reciprocal motion generally transverse to the magazine to push an article upwardly out an opening in the top of the magazine.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2000Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Crane Co.Inventors: Gerald J. Podgorny, Leonard A. Ficken, Frank W. Krockenberger
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Patent number: 5375737Abstract: A vend door assembly for a vending machine from which articles are selected from a supply area and then deposited into a common vending area of the vending machine and which provides a customer access opening through which articles can be removed. It includes a delivery compartment mounted for pivotal movement between a receiving position in which articles are received through an opening therein from the article supply area, and an article retrieving position in which the opening therein is pivoted and aligned with the customer access opening in the vending area so that a customer can remove the articles from the delivery compartment.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1993Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: Unidynamics CorporationInventor: Leonard A. Ficken
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Patent number: 5344050Abstract: A moisture reduction system for an automatic vending machine of the hot beverage type which utilizes a movable brewing chamber that opens for the addition of product, such as coffee. The system has a suction tube disposed adjacent the product supply tube and brewing chamber in its product fill position, which draws off moisture from the open chamber so that it does not accumulate on the product supply tube. A filter is disposed at the end of the suction tube to prevent product dust, such as coffee grounds, from being sucked into the tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1993Date of Patent: September 6, 1994Assignee: Unidynamics CorporationInventor: Leonard A. Ficken
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Patent number: 5330078Abstract: An additive overflow reduction system for an automatic vending machine of the hot beverage type which has storage containers for additives such as dry creamer arid sugar and which feeds the additives to a mixing bowl by use of an auger-type feed mechanism. The system includes a reduced area outlet and a minimized volume of product retained adjacent the outlet to allow as little volume of product as practicable to remain in the area of the opening after material has been feed from the opening. A portion of the last flight of the auger is disposed perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the auger to reduce the force on the retained product that would otherwise tend to force the product out of the opening if the machine is vibrated or bumped.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1993Date of Patent: July 19, 1994Assignee: Unidynamics CorporationInventors: Leonard A. Ficken, Franklin D. Newkirk
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Patent number: 5236103Abstract: A refrigerated food module stores and dispenses refrigerated foods from within a housing of a vending machine. The vending machine is of the type adapted for storing unrefrigerated foods and has a selection panel from which foods can be selected. The selected food is dispensed to a receiving device from which it can be retrieved by a customer. The refrigerated food module includes an insulated housing for containing the refrigerated foods and a self-contained refrigeration unit for cooling the insulated housing. Dispensing mechanisms are located in the insulated housing for dispensing a selected refrigerated food to the receiving device. A portion of the insulated housing is movable between a closed position in which it is in sealing engagement with the insulated housing and an open position in which the dispensing mechanisms in the insulated housing can dispense the refrigerated foods to the receiving device.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1991Date of Patent: August 17, 1993Assignee: Unidynamics CorporationInventors: Leonard A. Ficken, Donald G. Hovinga
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Patent number: 5190228Abstract: A coffee grinder mount assembly for mounting a coffee grinder to a housing by a support member. The assembly located adjacent a coffee bean storage bin for receiving coffee beans therefrom for grinding. The assembly having a mounting bracket for supporting the coffee grinder and fixedly attaching it to the housing. The mounting bracket including a sliding mechanism for moving the coffee grinder between an operating position where the coffee grinder may be operated to grind coffee or like food product suitable for brewing, and a servicing position where the coffee grinder is disposed remote from the storage bin. The coffee grinder being movable with the sliding mechanism in a linear direction away from the operating position and then pivotable with the sliding mechanism to the servicing position.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1991Date of Patent: March 2, 1993Assignee: Unidynamics CorporationInventors: Leonard A. Ficken, Robert J. Reese, Andrew F. Poag
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Patent number: 5172828Abstract: A cup dispenser for dispensing cups from a stack of nested cups each of which has a rim wherein the stack being dispensed is held up in dispensing position in a dispensing opening, the lowermost cup of the stack being released to drop down and the next cup being held up to hold up the remainder of the stack, first and second reverse stacks being held adjacent the opening, one or the other of these reserve stacks being moved into dispensing position in the dispensing opening in response to depletion of the stack in dispensing position.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1991Date of Patent: December 22, 1992Assignee: UniDynamics CorporationInventors: Leonard A. Ficken, Gerald J. Podgorny
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Patent number: 5139127Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine is provided and is of the type having a cup station, a cup holder for holding a plurality of cups, a cup delivery for delivering one of the cups at a time to the cup station, a beverage dispenser for dispensing beverage to the cup station, and controller for controlling operation of the cup delivery and the beverage dispenser. The controller being adapted to initiate a cycle of operation of the machine upon activation of the controller wherein the cup delivery delivers a cup to the cup station from the cup holder and the beverage dispenser dispenses a predetermined quantity of beverage to the cup in the cup station. The improvement comprises a detecting mechanism for engaging and detecting the presence of a container inserted into the cup station prior to activation of the controller.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1991Date of Patent: August 18, 1992Assignee: Unidynamics CorporationInventors: Leonard A. Ficken, Mark S. Schmitz
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Patent number: D315174Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1987Date of Patent: March 5, 1991Assignee: UniDynamics CorporationInventor: Leonard A. Ficken