Patents by Inventor R. Thomas

R. 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).

  • Patent number: 5440632
    Abstract: A reprogrammable subscriber terminal of a subscription television service which can have the control program code of its control processor modified by downloading new program code from the headend. The control processor stores a boot program in an internal read only memory. Upon start up and resets, the boot program determines whether the control program should be changed from a command sent from the headend. The command, termed a parameters transactions, includes the number of expected download program code transactions required to complete the control code modification, the memory space areas where the code is to be loaded, and the channel over which the download program code transactions are to be transmitted. The channel is tuned and when the boot program receives all the download program code transactions accurately and stores them, the boot program will cause the control program to be restarted at a selected address of the new or modified control program code which has been downloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventors: Kinney C. Bacon, R. Thomas Haman, David B. Lett, Robert O. Banker, Michael P. Harney
  • Patent number: 5433948
    Abstract: The present invention features isolated DNA encoding allergens of Dermatophagoides (house dust mites) particularly of the species Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, which are protein allergens or peptides which include at least one epitope of the protein allergen. In particular, the invention provides DNA encoding the major D. farinae allergens, Der f I and Der f II and DNA encoding the major D. pteronyssinus allergens, Der p I and Der p II. The present invention further relates to proteins and peptides encoded by the isolated D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus DNA, including proteins containing sequence polymorphisms. In addition, the proteins or peptides encoded by the isolated DNA, their use a diagnostic and therapeutic reagents and methods of diagnosing and treating sensitivity to house dust mite allergens, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventors: Wayne R. Thomas, Kaw-Yan Chua
  • Patent number: 5385206
    Abstract: In the removal of particulates from a wellbore, such as in air drilling for hydrocarbon recovery, a mixture of an amphoteric foaming agent and, typically, an anionic surfactant is employed. An aqueous solution thereof having a pH of at least 9.5 is used to generate a foam for removing the particulates; then the foam is collapsed by the introduction of acid to reduce the pH below about 4, the particles are removed mechanically, the pH is restored to greater than 9.5, and the foaming solution is returned to the wellbore. The solution may be used several times; partial losses of foaming agent in the process may be easily replenished with each cycle. Cationic surfactants may be used instead of anionic, with foaming and foam collapse being controlled at opposite pH's. Savings are realized in water, drilling chemicals, and settling pits and the like for removing particulates from the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Clearwater, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5383103
    Abstract: A flashlight wand attachment including a wand member having a truncated generally conical portion and an opposing member. The attachment also includes threads for fastening the wand member to the opposing member when the wand member is disposed at one end of a wide portion or lamp housing of a handle member or flashlight, and the opposing member is disposed at an opposite end of the wide portion or lamp housing. Fastening the wand member to the opposing member in this way operably connects the wand attachment to the handle member. The present invention also includes a method of attaching a wand attachment to a flashlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventors: Ricky C. Pasch, David R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5379702
    Abstract: A railroad freight car including a cargo well for carrying optionally either intermodal cargo containers or highway semitrailers has a side sill structure including a deep rectangular top chord and a depending web, supporting a well floor structure. Each side sill has a height above the well floor, and a spacer is connected to the car body by an attachment which permits the spacer to be pivoted between a raised position clear of the well floor and a lowered position upwardly adjacent the well floor. The spacer has a predetermined height sufficient to support a trailer located in the cargo well, with its wheels resting on top of the spacer, high enough to locate lifting points on the trailer above the height of the side sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Gunderson, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Saxton, Gareth R. Thomas, Charles C. Hill, Kenneth L. Weselake
  • Patent number: 5378089
    Abstract: One or more hot melt tanks are each periodically supplied by an air conduit which automatically transfers pellets from a storage container. A transducer assembly, positionable in the container, includes a vacuum transducer for the pick up of glue pellets for transfer via the air conduit. A vibrator imparts motion to the pellets to prevent bridging of same. Each hot melt tank includes a level switch with a probe which provides a signal to a control panel having relays which in turn actuate solenoid valves for the delivery of a pressurized air flow to one or more vacuum transducers. A portion of the pressurized air flow is bled off for supplying the vibrator in place on a base of the transducer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: R. Thomas Law
  • Patent number: 5376830
    Abstract: A slope compensation circuit for use with current-programmed switching DC to DC converters is provided which allows operation of the switching converters in the 1-2 MHz range. The circuit avoids feedback of an output voltage which includes the effects of a partially discharged slope capacitor without adding unnecessary delay by using a switch to bypass the discharging slope capacitor and coupling an input stage of the slope compensation circuit to an output driver. A delay in feeding back the output of the slope compensation circuit is provided to assure that the bypassing switch has settled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Ashley, Michael J. Johnson, David R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5373107
    Abstract: An insulating cover for a wire joint has a body which defines a lumen particularly adapted for receiving a crimp sleeve type wire joint. Longitudinal or coaxial ribs adjacent to a closed end of the lumen define an inside diameter which engages a relatively smaller joint, and the ribs are sufficiently flexible and the body stretchable so that the cover can alternatively receive a larger joint. A flexible skirt depends from the body and an elastic strap extends from the skirt with a ring retainer on the strap so that the strap can be extended through the crotch of the joint and secured to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventors: John R. Thomas, Chris W. Korinek, Robert W. Kruse
  • Patent number: 5368434
    Abstract: A self-propelled straddle carrier for straddling, lifting, supporting and carrying heavy loads directly under the structure of the vehicle. A main frame including a pair of spaced-apart, longitudinally extending side beams and arch-shaped cross beams is supported on wheels and strut assemblies. The interior sides of the wheels, strut assemblies, side beams and the cross beams form a tunnel-shaped load carrying space defining the inner envelope of the carrier, while their exterior sides define the outer envelope of the carrier. A tong assembly, including a tong actuator and a pair of depending tongs is suspended from the main frame for vertical movement up and down in the tunnel-shaped load carrying space. All components are removable from the tunnel for straddling loads, yet remain within the outer envelope during normal transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Kress Corporation
    Inventors: Edward S. Kress, Dennis R. Thomas, Michael A. Rabas
  • Patent number: 5366884
    Abstract: A purified low molecular weight endoglucanase II from Acidothermus cellulolyticus (ATCC 43068) is disclosed. The endoglucanase is water soluble, possesses both C.sub.1, and C.sub.x types of enzyme activity, a high degree of stability toward heat, and exhibits optimum temperature activity at about 81.degree. C. at pH's from about 2 to about 9, and at a inactivation temperature of about 100.degree. C. at pH's from about 2 to about 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Midwest Research Institute
    Inventors: William S. Adney, Steven R. Thomas, Rafael A. Nieves, Michael E. Himmel
  • Patent number: 5357005
    Abstract: Method for treating surface of dielectric polymer with water vapor plasma to form reactive sites and grafting a reactive polymer thereto to tailor the properties of the dielectric polymer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen L. Buchwalter, Charles R. Davis, Ronald D. Goldblatt, Richard R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5346858
    Abstract: The invention is a method of preventing active metal circuit corrosion on a semiconductor device. Non-corrosive multi-layers of metals are applied over the entire surface of a semiconductor, and then the multi-layers are etched to separate the portions on device contacts from the portions on the non-contact areas of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: James R. Thomas, Larry W. Nye, Richard M. Brook
  • Patent number: 5341200
    Abstract: A removable process unit for an electrostatographic printing machine has a photoreceptor, a frame having a longitudinal axis to movably mount the photoreceptor therein parallel to the longitudinal axis, a cleaning sump extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and adjacent the photoreceptor, a toner transport to transport toner cleaned from the photoreceptor toward one end of the sump, the toner sump having an aperture at one end, a cover for the frame at the one end thereof, the cover including a cavity with an aperture in communication with the aperture in the sump for storage of cleaned toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Karlene R. Thomas
  • Patent number: D350847
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Inventor: Phelan R. Thomas
  • Patent number: D358051
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Inventor: Phelan R. Thomas
  • Patent number: D362884
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Ben Hogan Company
    Inventors: R. Thomas Blough, Eugene L. Sheeley
  • Patent number: D362885
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Ben Hogan Company
    Inventors: R. Thomas Blough, Eugene L. Sheeley
  • Patent number: D362886
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Ben Hogan Company
    Inventors: R. Thomas Blough, Michael E. Finn
  • Patent number: D362887
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Ben Hogan Company
    Inventors: R. Thomas Blough, Eugene L. Sheeley
  • Patent number: D362888
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Ben Hogan Company
    Inventors: R. Thomas Blough, Michael E. Finn