Patents by Inventor William E. Portz

William E. Portz 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: 4848073
    Abstract: A lawn rake includes a tine receiving rake head molded of a plastic material as an integral unit structure and includes a handle receiving portion and at least one tine mounting portion. The handle receiving portion includes a generally centrally located elongated socket portion for receiving therein one end of a handle. The socket portion includes a circumferential groove formed in the wall defining the socket. The groove has a solid wall portion and a slotted wall portion. A spring-like member has a first end connected to the rake head adjacent the tine mounting portion and a second end terminating in partially annular portion. The partially annular portion is adapted to pass through the slotted portion of the groove to be seated within the solid wall portion thereof. A handle is inserted into the socket portion of the rake head for securing the partially annular portion of the spring in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Germain, William E. Portz
  • Patent number: 4573311
    Abstract: A lawn rake having an improved means of tine containment. The tines are positioned and locked within a spreader bar heretofore used primarily for maintaining a spacial relationship between adjacent tines. Additionally, the tines are anchored within the rake socket portion by means of a spring clip which also coacts with a stiffener spring engaging the spreader bar to enhance fixed tine location within the rake head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: True Temper Corporation
    Inventors: Neal J. Ipema, William E. Portz
  • Patent number: 4093031
    Abstract: A pendulum type hoe has a stirrup-shaped blade mounted to the fork of a handle for limited articulation. Inturned flanges of the blade engage hourglass shaped openings in the fork arms, the flanges being retained between reinforcing bars which project through the openings and afford strength, wear resistance, and limited resilience to the blade. The fork is made in two separable parts whereby any component of the hoe may be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Assignee: True Temper Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Portz
  • Patent number: 4005862
    Abstract: A tubular structure for a tennis or like game racket is formed from modified metal tubular members arranged in a spaced oval relationship forming a racket portion. The modified tubular members include an annular recess and retaining means for retaining individual holding means to maintain the racket cross strings permanently taut and in a spaced relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1973
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1977
    Assignee: True Temper Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Portz, Eugene W. Fileger
  • Patent number: 3981502
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a tennis racket comprising a frame member shaped to provide a racket loop, a throat comprising convergent portions at one end of the loop, and a handle. A yoke is provided across the throat to close the loop, said yoke being of laminated construction and having laterally directed grip portions embracing the frame member on either side of the throat. Said yoke is adapted to mount a stringing insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1976
    Assignee: True Temper Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Portz
  • Patent number: 3948519
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a game racket having a frame formed from a single length of tubular framing shaped into an oval and having parallel extensions for the handle. The extensions are provided with connectors which space the extensions a fixed distance apart and provide interlocking means for securing the extensions to each other. Handgrip means in the form of two complementary sections encase distal end portions of the extensions and the connectors to provide a grip for the racket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1976
    Assignee: True Temper Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Portz, John T. Kanne
  • Patent number: D287218
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Portz
  • Patent number: D293196
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Germain, William E. Portz