Patents by Inventor Michael G. Bell

Michael G. Bell 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: 6199891
    Abstract: A safety connector for securing a trailer to a towing vehicle having a trailer hitch mounting member. The safety connector includes a trailer hitch adapted to be secured to the trailer hitch mounting member of the towing vehicle. The trailer hitch has a lower portion adapted to extend a distance below the trailer hitch mounting member when the trailer hitch is secured to the trailer hitch mounting member. A spool is connected to the lower portion of the trailer hitch such that the spool is positionable below the trailer hitch mounting member. The spool has a first shoulder portion spaced a distance away from the trailer hitch mounting member, and a medial portion positioned in between the first shoulder portion and trailer hitch mounting member. The medial portion has a diameter less than the diameter of the first shoulder portion. A base plate is connectable to the trailer. The base plate has a thickness less than a length of the medial portion, and a slot formed therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: BTH L.L.C.
    Inventors: Farron L. Bell, Michael G. Bell, Charles M. Lynn
  • Patent number: 5808540
    Abstract: In a biofeedback device adapted for sensing position of the Transverse Abdominis Muscle (TAM) on small excursions of the abdominal wall including a sensor which changes resistance on a change in dimension thereof in any direction. The sensor element includes a plurality of interlaced electrodes in juxtaposition with a resilient antistatic device. A particular implementation is in the form of a two pole sensor incorporated into a bio-feedback monitor. The sensor is physically attached to the monitor which can be worn on the belt or at or near the waist line. A lever on the back of the monitor rests against the body and engages the sensor comprising a variable resistance foam component. Pressure exerted against the lever, when the TAM is relaxed causes a change in the resistance which energizes the electrical circuit above a given threshold and causes a variable pitch sound to be generated or alternatively drives an electrical vibrator motor at a variable speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventors: M. Rex Wheeler, Michael G. Bell, Shawn R. Hill
  • Patent number: 4928939
    Abstract: A locator and clamping means, for accurately locating and securing a workpiece onto the flat workplate or bed of a machining tool wherein the bed is of the type having a plurality of spaced grooves with one set disposed at right angles to another set, consists of jig into which the workpiece is secured and which has a flat surface wherein three accurately positioned non-aligned holes are located and consists of dowels removably secured within said respective holes and protruding therefrom. In addition, three apertured keys are slidably disposed within the grooves in the bed so that each key is capable of receiving one dowel. To facilate the insertion of each dowels into a respective aperture, the dowels are tapered and each aperture in the respective key is congruent to the taper. Then, when the three dowels engage the three keys, the jig and, in turn, the workpiece is acturately positioned on and secured to the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Inventors: Michael G. Bell, Robert L. Stevens
  • Patent number: 4579374
    Abstract: A joint structure between two pipes includes hollow members, one on each pipe, and a clamp embracing the hollow members. Each hollow member has a lip at its end which is adjacent to the other hollow member and the lips are held in mutual engagement by the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Hymatic Clamps International Limited
    Inventor: Michael G. Bell
  • Patent number: 4179316
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for surface hardening metals by means of a concentrated beam of electrons. The electron beam is directed and focused to a desired spot on the surface of the said workpiece and is caused to move incrementally from one to the next of a predetermined pattern of points on the work surface. The beam is directed to each point in turn for a predetermined length of time and moved from point to point at a relatively rapid rate. The pattern is projected over the desired surface of the work a predetermined number of times so that the material to be heat treated is brought above the transformation temperature and maintained below the melting temperature by close control of the electron beam parameters. A programmable computer retains in its memory a number of predetermined displacement patterns for the electron beam and controls all the electron beam gun parameters and all machine functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Assignee: Sciaky Bros., Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Connors, Douglas D. Bass, Michael G. Bell, Stanley L. Ream