Patents by Inventor Theodore W. Ryan

Theodore W. Ryan 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: 4934861
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching external stores or loads on a thin walled pole includes a first, open ended and externally threaded hollow sleeve defining a shoulder at one end, and a second, open ended and internally threaded hollow sleeve. An elliptical disk mounted to one end of the second sleeve defines a second shoulder. An other end of the first sleeve is threadable in an other end of the second sleeve to form a hollow sleeve assembly of variable length. The elliptical disk has an elliptical projection which fits in an elliptical hole of a thin walled pole when the hollow sleeve assembly is fitted therein. By using an external tool to relatively rotate the first and second hollow sleeves, one can tighten the hollow sleeve assembly to provide an expansive prestress and support for a bolt which passes through the hollow sleeve assembly for attachment of stores or loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: The University of Alabama
    Inventors: George E. Weeks, Theodore W. Ryan
  • Patent number: 4542655
    Abstract: A borehole stress-meter includes a resiliently radially expandable hollow body within which can be positioned a gage plug having strain gages fixed thereto. The interior section of the hollow body is tapered, as is the gage plug so that advancement of the gage plug within the hollow body will cause the gage plug to become prestressed. The hollow body can be inserted into a bore drilled in earth material whose stress is to be measured by an installation or setting tool. Subsequently, the gage plug is advanced within the hollow body so as to prestress the gage plug. The setting tool is then removed and stress may be measured by an appropriate strain indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: University of Alabama
    Inventors: Duk-Won Park, Theodore W. Ryan