Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Bridges

Thomas L. Bridges 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).

  • Publication number: 20040158259
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, examples of a shunt passer or like surgical instrument configured for receiving different-sized positioning locators of an image guided surgical system. In one example, the surgical instrument includes portions having different diameters for receiving the different-sized affixation mechanisms for the positioning locators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Freas, Thomas L. Bridges
  • Patent number: 5826540
    Abstract: A squirrel-resistant bird feeder includes an inner seed-containing cylinder having a central upwardly-extending rod for mounting on a support and side openings for providing bird access to the seed. A hollow cylinder having a top surface with a central opening from about which a central hollow baffle depends controls seed levels while passing seed to lower dispensers. A relatively-movable outer cylinder guards the inner seed-containing cylinder and has side openings which align with the inner cylinder side openings when in its normal or home position to which it is urged by a tension spring. A squirrel alighting on the bird feeder moves the outer cylinder relative to the inner one against the tension of a spring to where their side openings are nonaligned to preclude squirrel access to the inner cylinder seed. A pin and slot arrangement insures opening aligment in the home position. The outer cylinder is formed of gnaw resistant materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Thomas L. Bridges
  • Patent number: 4239270
    Abstract: The operating rod of an automotive door lock is provided with a connector member which, in turn, is engaged by a knob having a cavity to receive the connector member. The outside dimensions of the knob are larger than the aperture in the casing, thus preventing the knob from being depressed. The cavity in the knob is sufficiently large to permit the connector member and thus, the rod, to be in its advanced, or unlocked position, while remaining entirely within the knob. This arrangement permits one to pull upwardly on the knob thereby unlocking the door, but prevents one from manually depressing the knob or the connector member and thus, the rod, to thereby lock the door. A car key, however, can be inserted through the top of the cavity to urge the connector member and the rod to the retracted, locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Inventor: Thomas L. Bridges