Patents by Inventor Robert L. Brown

Robert L. Brown 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: 6378420
    Abstract: A filter system for a deep fat fryer is described. The filter system can be used in a single fryer or with two or more sequentially operated fryers. In the later case, a common filter pan is used with a horizontal filter in the pan, disposed below a common drain pipe. A return pipe is mounted in the center of the filter. This pipe is connected to a pump inlet so that oil to be filtered is admitted to the pan above the filter, and filtered oil is removed from the pan through the filter. Filtered oil is then circulated by the pump through a three port valve to return the oil to the appropriate fryer tank. If the valve is closed the oil will be routed through the valve to an adjacent tank valve for admission to that tank so that a single pump may be used for a plurality of tanks. An optional flush system can also be provided so that oil can be used to flush a tank manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Pitco Frialator, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Savage, Nathaniel A. Lambert, Martin W. Lawrence, Robert L. Brown
  • Patent number: 6106362
    Abstract: A toy vehicle having a hinged body that oscillates in response to the operation of a motor drive assembly. The toy vehicle includes a chassis having a plurality of wheels, a motor drive assembly mounted to the chassis and being operatively connected to at least one of the wheels, a body mounted to the chassis by a hinge, and an actuating cam operatively connected to the motor drive assembly and engaging the body. The hinge permits the body to move about the hinge, and the actuating cam thus imparts pivotal movement to the body about the hinge in response to operation of the motor drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan R. Keller, Robert L. Brown
  • Patent number: 6106275
    Abstract: An injection press apparatus for molding/joining separate parts. The apparatus having a work table with first and second work stations for injecting material into a mold. A movable extruder/injection assembly is provided which has an extruder portion for extruding material, and an injection portion for injecting material. The extruder portion and injection portion are in fluid communication such that material is provided from the extruder portion to the injection portion prior to injection of material from the injection portion to the mold. The injection portion of extruder/injection assembly has a nozzle assembly for receiving and injecting material from the injection portion to a self-actuating mold clamp assembly at the first or second work stations. The first and second work stations support the mold clamp assembly which receives the molding material. The extruder/injection assembly is movable between the first and second work stations by a shuttle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: GenCorp Inc.
    Inventors: Edward F. Huff, Robert L. Brown, David E. Baxter, deceased, Gregory L. Baxter, Walter Hunnicut
  • Patent number: 6029776
    Abstract: The invention relates to holding device adapted to attach to a ladder having rungs. The holding device comprises: (a) a substantially flat holder member defining a holder plane; (b) a hook adapted to engage one of the rungs, the hook being adjustable with respect to the holder plane, and lockable in at least two orientations with respect to the holder plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Robert L. Brown
  • Patent number: 6026518
    Abstract: An eyewear lens frame constructed of plastic and rubber like materials that has the added advantage of collecting, transferring and disposing of forehead perspiration through its member parts. Perspiration runoff is captured via a lip seal where it becomes congregated in a collection trough. Excess run off flows through the absorption cutouts where they amass in the frame canal. These fluids become gravitationally expelled out the ends of the frame arms via an inter connecting network of canals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: Robert L. Brown
  • Patent number: 6023829
    Abstract: A modular injection molding machine has an extruder/injector assembly, a carriage assembly for carrying the extruder/injector assembly, a first clamping apparatus for holding an associated first mold, a main frame assembly which supports the first clamping apparatus and, a first adder module assembly. The first adder module assembly is selectively operatively connectable to the main frame assembly and is used to support a second clamping apparatus at any selectable laterally spaced distance. The carriage assembly selectively carries the extruder/injector assembly between the first and second clamping apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: MTI ( Manufacturing Technologies International Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Boyd, Robert L. Brown, Max J. Miller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5843487
    Abstract: A modular injection molding machine has an extruder/injector assembly, a carriage assembly for carrying the extruder/injector assembly, a first clamping apparatus for holding an associated first mold, a main frame assembly which supports the first clamping apparatus and, a first adder module assembly. The first adder module assembly is selectively operatively connectable to the main frame assembly and is used to support a second clamping apparatus at any selectable laterally spaced distance. The carriage assembly selectively carries the extruder/injector assembly between the first and second clamping apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: MTI (Manufacturing Technologies International Corp.)
    Inventors: Thomas J. Boyd, Robert L. Brown
  • Patent number: 5835786
    Abstract: Computer apparatus 10 provides the working condition of fan 12 therein to user display device 10D. Fan 12 has rotating blade 12B for moving a flow of convective cooling air. The fan also has motor winding 12W which receives working current for causing the blade to rotate. Current monitoring circuit 14 is responsive to the working current for determining the present fan working condition. Display message generator 16 is responsive to the present fan working condition from the current monitoring circuit for generating a user message containing the present fan working condition. A central processing unit (CPU chip) 10C controls the operation of the computer apparatus. The CPU employs a multi-task operating system such as 3.1 windows which permits non-disruptive interruption of system functions in order to the present user message containing the present fan working condition to the user display monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Micronics Computers Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Brown, Techeng Lin
  • Patent number: 5830390
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a nonsynchronous system for continuously molding articles from a material cured by the control of temperature and pressure. The apparatus includes a multi-section self-clamping mold, a controller system, a material injector, a transfer system, a curing apparatus for curing the articles, and a mold separator-assembler. The method comprises pre-treating and then assembling the mold in a clamped condition. Under the control of the controller system, the mold is then injected with material from the injector, and moved by the transfer system through the curing apparatus to cure the material within the mold. Once cured, the controller system moves the mold to the mold separator-assembler via the transfer system. The mold is then disassembled into sections, the molded article is removed, and the sections are pre-treated and reassembled, for the next injection operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Gencorp Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Brown, Michael K. Parrent, David E. Baxter
  • Patent number: 5791326
    Abstract: There is disclosed a toy projectile launcher having a slidable launch tube capable of sliding in a cylinder to compress gas and receiving that compressed gas to launch a projectile. The toy projectile launcher may also include focusable lights that improve accuracy up to a certain distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Brown, Michael A. Moore, Hampton R. Woodhouse
  • Patent number: 5781932
    Abstract: A forehead perspiration collector and discharger constructed primarily of various sizes of vinyl or rubber tubing. The larger sized tube of the device having absorption apertures rests upon the wearer's forehead for taking in perspired fluids whereby the smaller tubes direct any contained excess fluids out to the rear discharge site. An elastic cord is joined to sliding cord retainers which rides over the tubular sides of the device which serves as an adjustable enclosure for securing to a wearer's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Robert L. Brown
  • Patent number: 5740556
    Abstract: Headgear being an absorbing forehead perspiration collector and discharge device using primarily impermeable materials comprising a soft pliable absorbing body that features a fluid barrier with absorption apertures. The extremities of the absorbing body has a junction with a pair of attachable conduit assemblies being the means for fluid discharge. The pliable absorbing body member envelops an absorbent material and when this forehead section is secured to the wearer's head utilizing its unique attachment means it serves to block and absorb forehead perspiration flow. The plug ends of the conduit assemblies are adaptable to a support means for the benefit of dark shaded lens frames. When sweaty fluids reach excessive levels in the absorbing body they flow out through the attached conduits assemblies. The conduit assemblies also serve to secure the device to the wearers head which is effectively achieved with the aid of sliding elastic cord retainers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventor: Robert L. Brown
  • Patent number: 5715802
    Abstract: There is disclosed a projectile launcher with a firing mechanism that can be either hand-held or secured to a body plate. When secured to a body plate, the firing mechanism is attached to a conduit that has on its distal end, a secondary launch tube that can be hand-held or secured to head gear worn by the user and aimed with sights mounted on the head gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Moore, Robert L. Brown
  • Patent number: 5711285
    Abstract: There is disclosed a wrist-mounted projectile launcher having pivoting launch tubes and a handle that remain in inoperative and convenient positions until it is desired to launch projectiles. The launch tubes and handle are spring-loaded and moved to operative positions simply by pushing a button. A selector valve mechanism can be used to select which of the tubes will launch a projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph C. Stewart, Daniel G. Meiser, Robert L. Brown
  • Patent number: 5643614
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing molded articles from a continuous, nonsynchronous system using multi-section, self-clamping molds. The apparatus is a mold separator-assembler having an elevator, and a horizontal position mover for disassembling the mold into sections, tracks for receiving sections of the self-clamping molds, and a track mover for moving the mold sections along their respective tracks to parallel, co-planar work stations. Once the molded article is removed at one of the work stations using an intermediate mechanism, the main sections are pre-treated and then reassembled using a second elevator and second horizontal position mover, for the next injection operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventors: Robert L. Brown, David E. Baxter, Gregory L. Baxter
  • Patent number: 5640756
    Abstract: An automated continuous manufacturing system which includes a rotatable work table having a plurality of work piece supports for maintaining work pieces during operation of said system, and a plurality of work stations for performing cleaning, pretreatment, treatment or assembly tasks on work pieces secured to said work piece supports. Each of the tasks performed at the work table is performed at a respective work station. Certain of the work stations comprise a removable station subassembly for performing a specific task. The removable station subassemblies are removably engagable with the rotatable work table and may be replaced with an alternate removable station subassembly for performing a desired alternate task. One of the work stations is an assembly station engaged with the rotatable work table for receiving work pieces from their individual work piece supports. The assembly station further includes a removing subassembly for removing the work pieces from the work piece supports for further assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: GenCorp Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Brown, James J. McDonald, Max J. Miller, Jr., David E. Baxter, deceased
  • Patent number: 5622736
    Abstract: An apparatus 10 for removing a mold section C from a molded part M. The apparatus 10 includes a base frame 11 supporting a driver 12 and a power supply, and a support member 16 for engagement with the molded part M. The driver 12 is engaged with and driven by the power supply M. The support member 16 has a clamping station for receiving and clamping the mold section C engaged with the molded part M. The clamping station 20 also has an open position for receiving the mold section C engaged with the molded part, and a closed position in which the mold section and molded part are clamped within the clamping station. The clamping station 20 further includes a heater 44, to assist with partial heating of the molded part M and mold section C prior to removal of the molded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: GenCorp Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Brown, Todd A. England, Daniel L. Goodell, David E. Baxter, deceased
  • Patent number: 5621813
    Abstract: A substrate alignment and exposure system is disclosed The alignment is performed by capturing an image of the substrate with a pattern recognition system, determining the offset from the alignment and moving the substrate relative to the reticle to be in alignment. A first optical alignment system which captures an image of a position of the substrate off of the primary axis of the exposure optics is used to perform pre-alignment. A second optical alignment system captures an image of the reticle and the substrate through the lens of the exposure optics. The pattern recognition system recognizes the alignment keys on the reticle, alignment targets on the substrate, and computes their positions and displacement from alignment. The relative alignment can be direct or inferred. Any angular and translational misalignment is calculated. The pattern recognition system then moves the substrate to be in alignment with the reticle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Ultratech Stepper, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Brown, Hwan J. Jeong, David A. Markle, David S. Pan, Richard B. Ward, Mark S. Wanta
  • Patent number: 5609275
    Abstract: A metering apparatus 10 for continuously supplying a specified amount of fluid material F to a desired surface. The apparatus 10 includes a reservoir 14 for maintaining a supply of fluid material, a housing 16 having a central bore 22 therethrough, a receiving opening 24 for receiving fluid material from the reservoir 14 to central bore 22, and an exit opening 26 through which fluid material exits the housing 16. A rotatable screw member 28 is provided engaged through the housing 16 within said central bore 22, and a driver 37 engaged with the screw member for rotating the screw member within the bore at between approximately 1 rpm to 2,700 rpm, and preferably approximately 1,750 rpm, in order to continuously supply fluid to the exit opening 26. At this operating level, fluid material is provided from the exit opening 26 at a flow rate of between approximately 1 to 23 grams/min, and in a thickness of approximately 0.001 to 8 mils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: GenCorp Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Brown, William H. Miller, David E. Baxter
  • Patent number: D368280
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Tonka Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Brown