Patents by Inventor R. Graham

R. Graham 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: 5906024
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to an improved vacuum cleaner comprising a foot, a handle pivotally mounted to the foot, and a vacuum motor mounted to one of the handle and the foot. The foot has a suction inlet fluidly connected to the vacuum motor and an agitator brush rotatably mounted to the foot. The improvement relates to a wheel assembly comprising a housing, an axle mounted to the housing and at least one wheel rotatably mounted to the axle. The housing has an integrally-molded flange extending therefrom. The wheel assembly rollably supports the vacuum cleaner on a floor surface. A channel is formed in the foot and is adapted to pivotably mount the housing flange for movement between a first and a second position. In the first position, the wheel assembly supports the suction inlet at a first distance relative to the floor surface. In the second position, the wheel assembly supports the suction inlet at a second distance therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Bissell Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Jailor, Scott R. Graham, William H. Frederick, Jeffrey A. Hall, Steven K. Meek, Eric R. Metzger
  • Patent number: 5893202
    Abstract: A tool and method by which an inner oil seal may be installed in the hub of a wheel assembly which is in a normal upright position. The tool comprises a shaft with a tool mounting plate affixable to the outer end of a hub with the tool shaft extending axially therethrough and terminating in a threaded end. A seal locator and pusher is slidably mountable on said tool shaft from the threaded end thereof. The locator and pusher has a portion facing the tool mounting plate on which the inner seal may be slidably mounted. The opposite face of the locator and pusher is provided with a thrust bearing and thrust washer. The tool includes a nut engageable on the threaded tool shaft end. The wheel assembly is removed form its axle and is maintained in an upright position. The seal mounting tool is bolted to the hub. The inner oil seal is mounted on the locator and pusher which is mounted on the tool shaft from its threaded end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Chiquita Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Graham, Rodney R. Phelps
  • Patent number: 5863095
    Abstract: Lobed resilient lumbar pillow adapted to support the lower back of a person either sitting or reclining against a suitable article of furniture. The pillow has two integrally formed side lobes extending laterally apart from one, and another integral lobe extending upward from the midpart of the top of the pillow. Along its vertical bisector the top lobe surface is preferably recessed notchlike from its edge to accommodate a user's spine. The pillow is filled with resilient contents, such as elastomer, fibers, gas, particulates, or mixtures of two or more thereof, or partly filled with liquid, so as to flex to fit a user's spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventors: John Michael Rivard, Wendy R. Graham
  • Patent number: 5813093
    Abstract: A hinge assembly which has a limited number of stable positions and in which the hinge automatically moves to the closest of such stable positions is disclosed. The movement of the hinge is accomplished in one illustrative embodiment by positioning the protrusion on one of a pair of ramps inclined opposite to one another and toward the adjacent recess so that the parts of the hinge rotate relative to one another, moving the protrusion into the adjacent recess. The protrusion is pressed against the ramps and the grooves by a connecting portion that joins the arm portions and is flexed when the hinge parts are assembled so as to bias the arm portions toward one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph James Giordano, Jr., James R. Graham, William Vincent Jackwicz, Pratod V. Kasbekar, Harish Shankar Mangrulkar, Romano M. Zambon
  • Patent number: 5784981
    Abstract: A boat anchor assembly which allows the boat anchor to be retrieved easily, even when fouled in rocks or debris on a lake bottom, for example. The anchor includes a V-shaped anchor, structure for attaching an anchor line to the end of the anchor shank, an anchoring line, and a breakable tie. The end of the anchor line is attached to the anchor crown and removably attached by a tie to the structure for attaching an anchor line to the end of the anchor's shank. The tie will break when sufficient force is applied to the anchor line, thus to transfer the pulling force exerted by the anchor line from the end of the shank to the crown so that the anchor may be easily pulled from any entanglements. The entire V-shaped anchor is coated in a plastic or other suitable material to prevent rust, and the arm and shank of the V-shaped anchor are tapered towards their ends so as easily to penetrate a brush pile or rock bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Leonard R. Graham, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5780572
    Abstract: A method for increasing the conductivity of a composition of a polyaniline salt of an organic acid is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the composition with a polar organic solvent that is capable of solubilizing the organic acid without solubilizing the polyaniline salt. Also provided are coating compositions which can be prepared by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventor: Charles R. Graham
  • Patent number: 5720380
    Abstract: A reverse buckling disk has an annular retaining flange for mounting in a flow passageway. The annular retaining flange is integrally formed with a central domed portion having a concave side and a convex side. The disk has a predetermined material thickness and domed height for establishing a rated pressure at which the central domed portion reverse buckles. A metal cutting element or knife is fixedly attached to at least a portion of the convex side of the central domed portion in surface-conforming relationship. The metal cutting element has a thickness greater than the thickness of the disk material and has at least one knife point thereon for cutting the disk as the central domed portion reverse buckles at the rated pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co.
    Inventor: James R. Graham II
  • Patent number: 5661277
    Abstract: A differential pressure flow sensor for use in a flow passageway of very low pressure flow lines and utilizing at least first and second conductive membranes in superimposed relationship having center portions constructed to create a discontinuity to allow a predetermined flow rate therethrough. A conductive strip is in juxtaposed relationship with the superimposed membranes and has a normally closed switch position. When the flow in the flow passageway exceeds the predetermined flow rate, the pressure against the flexible membranes opens the switch of the conductive strip and provides an electrical indication of the open switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co.
    Inventor: James R. Graham, II
  • Patent number: 5560074
    Abstract: A convertible vacuum cleaner operable in both on-the-floor and above-the-floor cleaning operations is shown. Depending upon the location of the handle which is pivotally supported by the vacuum foot, a conversion valve interconnected to the handle automatically converts the vacuum between on-the-floor and above-the-floor cleaning operations. The conversion valve includes a flapper valve member which is actuated between a first position blocking fluid communication between the vacuum motor and the brush roll chamber and a second position blocking fluid communication between the vacuum motor and the accessory hose. The valve member is actuated between these two positions by a pin and actuator arm provided on the pivotally mounted valve member. The pin is received in a contoured groove formed on the motor housing and the motor housing is securely mounted to the handle and pivotally mounted with respect to the foot and valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Bissell Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Graham, Eric R. Metzger, John J. Jailor, Gary L. Smith
  • Patent number: 5544385
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner filter bag mounting assembly comprises a bag mounting member having a fixed plate which is secured to a housing of a vacuum cleaner and a hinge plate which is pivotally mounted to the fixed plate through a living hinge. A channel is formed on the outside surface of the hinge plate for a receipt of the vacuum bag collar and an air deflector extends outwardly from the fixed plate for insertion into the filter bag. The bag mounting member is preferably integrally molded from a single injection-molding operation. An outlet tube is integrally molded to the fixed plate and has bag-retaining projections on an outer surface and a deflector at the end to deflect particles downwardly into the filter bag. The filter bag is retained in the operating condition by the bag-retaining projections on the outlet tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Bissell Inc.
    Inventors: John Jailor, William H. Frederick, Steven R. Umbach, Scott R. Graham, Kenneth L. Roberts, Eric R. Metzger
  • Patent number: 5527172
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming flat top foam buns or slabs which features positioning solely one sheet of film material to each side of a rising foam body. The single side sheet is positioned in contact with the rising foam on one side and in contact with a rigid side wall on the opposite side. Also, the single side sheet positioned between the rising foam and stationary side wall represents the only material between the side wall and foam material. The side film has a bottom edge which originates below a reference plane lying flush on the bottom supporting surface of the foam bun once it has reached an essentially full rise position. Preferably, bottom and side conveyors are provided near the full rise position of the foam material and the side film is redirected from an upwardly inclined edge arrangement to a horizontal edge arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Carpenter Co.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Graham, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5517338
    Abstract: Composite mirrors on a substrate comprising a mixture of up to 20 percent of polymer and at least 80 percent of metal clusters, e.g. of gold, palladium or silver, which have a nominal diameter less than 100 nanometers and which are agglomerated in a layer conforming to the surface of the substrate. Composite mirrors are produced by coating a substrate with a solution comprising at least 80 percent solvent, e.g. water and alcohol, and up to 20 percent of a mixture of up to 20 percent polymer, e.g. methylcellulose, and at least 80 percent metal, present as a salt of volatiles-forming anion, e.g. silver lactate or palladium acetate; dry films of polymer and salt are exposed to heat or ultraviolet light to convert the salt to metal clusters. Polymeric mirrors are especially useful for making reflection holograms on polymeric surfaces embossed with a latent holographic image in a relief pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: George D. Vaughn, Charles R. Graham
  • Patent number: D364621
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: John E. Clarke, David C. Danielson, Bernard A. DeSiena, Sonia M. Estevez-Alcolado, James R. Graham, Michael L. Moroze, Daniel J. O'Donnell, Donald A. Palaski, Dhirendra M. Patel, Robert T. Saizan, David C. Stowers, Susan L. Tuttle
  • Patent number: D379810
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Giordano, Jr., James R. Graham, Joel T. Holl, William V. Jackwicz, Pratod V. Kasbekar, Harish S. Mangrulkar, Michael L. Moroze, Michael J. Nuttall, Joseph J. Rizzo, Christopher A. Robinette, John H. Schaffeld, Susan L. Tuttle, William E. Venth, Karl E. Werner, Romano M. Zambon
  • Patent number: D383127
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph James Giordano, Jr., James R. Graham, Joel Thomas Holl, William Vincent Jackwicz, Pratod V. Kasbekar, Harish Shankar Mangrulkar, Michael L. Moroze, Michael John Nuttall, Joseph J. Rizzo, Christopher A. Robinette, John Henry Schaffeld, Susan L. Tuttle, William E. Venth, Karl Edward Werner, Romano M. Zambon
  • Patent number: D383128
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph James Giordano, Jr., James R. Graham, Joel Thomas Holl, William Vincent Jackwicz, Pratod V. Kasbekar, Harish Shankar Mangrulkar, Michael L. Moroze, Michael John Nuttall, Joseph J. Rizzo, Christopher A. Robinette, John Henry Schaffeld, Susan L. Tuttle, William E. Venth, Karl Edward Werner, Romano M. Zambon
  • Patent number: D383129
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph James Giordano, Jr., James R. Graham, Joel Thomas Holl, William Vincent Jackwicz, Pratod V. Kasbekar, Harish Shankar Mangrulkar, Michael L. Moroze, Michael John Nuttall, Joseph J. Rizzo, Christopher A. Robinette, John Henry Schaffeld, Susan L. Tuttle, William E. Venth, Karl Edward Werner, Romano M. Zambon
  • Patent number: D385553
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph James Giordano, Jr., James R. Graham, Joel Thomas Holl, William Vincent Jackwicz, Pratod V. Kasbekar, Harish Shankar Mangrulkar, Michael L. Moroze, Michael John Nuttall, Joseph J. Rizzo, Christopher A. Robinette, John Henry Schaffeld, Susan L. Tuttle, William E. Venth, Karl Edward Werner, Romano M. Zambon
  • Patent number: D392283
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph James Giordano, Jr., James R. Graham, Joel Thomas Holl, William Vincent Jackwicz, Pratod V. Kasbekar, Harish Shankar Mangrulkar, Michael L. Moroze, Michael John Nuttall, Joseph J. Rizzo, Christopher A. Robinette, John Henry Schaffeld, Susan L. Tuttle, William E. Venth, Karl Edward Werner, Romano M. Zambon
  • Patent number: D399382
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventors: John Michael Rivard, Wendy R. Graham