Patents by Inventor William H. Thead

William H. Thead 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: 6298834
    Abstract: A fuel vaporizing attachment for vaporizing fuels used to power a liquid fueled internal combustion engine. Conventional liquid fueled, internal combustion engines typically include at least one fuel line, at least one fuel metering device, at least one air intake, at least one cylinder and at least one heat source, such as an exhaust manifold, a radiator or a battery. The fuel vaporizing attachment is disposed on the fuel line proximate the metering device. The fuel vaporizing attachment includes at least one fuel conduit disposed between the fuel metering device and the air intake for enabling the flow of fuel therebetween, and at least one medium for transferring heat from at least one heat source to the fuel conduit such that the fuel conduit is heated and fuel passing through the fuel conduit is vaporized prior to entering the at least one air intake of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Safe Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Thead, William H. Scalia, Jr., Randall S. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6158314
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for disabling and disposing of a single-use hypodermic syringe from re-use by severing the syringe barrel above the syringe needle and collecting the severed portion of the barrel, including the syringe needle directly in an associated, puncture-resistant receiving receptacle. The apparatus includes a severing means having an opening for receiving at least that end of the syringe having a needle attached thereto and a syringe stop for delimiting the passage of the syringe into the opening and stabilizing the syringe in the opening as the syringe barrel is severed from the syringe above the syringe needle, and a collection receptacle having an open end adapted for receiving the severing means and for collecting the severed portion of the syringe barrel including the syringe needle directly therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Post Medical
    Inventors: William H. Thead, David R. Thead, John C. Evans
  • Patent number: 5188598
    Abstract: A device for safely removing contaminated needles from syringes without exposing medical personnel to unnecessary health risks. The device requires only one hand to operate; medical personnel simply insert the syringe and press downwardly. The pressure exerted by the user causes disconnect gears to engage the collar of the needle and unscrew the needle from the syringe, at which time the needle falls into a container. The device includes means for forcing needles into the container when the rubber portion of an unscrewed needle gets "trapped" in the disconnect gears, and also includes means for preventing further disengagement of needles when the container cannot safely accommodate additional needles. Also included in the disclosed device is an opening for receiving needles other than the type that can be disconnected by the gears. The container includes a recess for storing a permanent lid, which is applied to the device when the container is full and ready to be disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Post Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Thead, John C. Evans
  • Patent number: 4986811
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for removing disposable needles from syringes, which requires only one hand to operate and which exposes the user to minimal risk of contact with the contaminated needle. The user inserts the syringe and presses downwardly, whereupon disconnecting gears engaging the collar of the needle unscrew the needle and allow it to drop into a container. Return springs then automatically return the device to its original configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Post Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Thead, John C. Evans
  • Patent number: 4171804
    Abstract: A disposable, compact respiratory exerciser having a housing defining a vertically upstanding chamber attached to a base. A first opening or aperture is defined in a lower portion of the housing and connects the interior of the housing with the ambient environment. A tube is connected between a stem that surrounds and extends from a second opening or aperture defined in another portion of the housing and a mouthpiece. Guide members are positioned on an interior wall of the housing and extend vertically from the base towards the top of the housing. The second opening communicates with an air passageway defined within one of the guide members by its interior walls and a wall of the housing. The passageway opens into or communicates with the interior of the housing near the top of the housing. A piston is loosely fitted within the housing on the guide members in such manner that withdrawal of air from the housing at or above a predetermined rate causes upward movement of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1979
    Inventor: William H. Thead, Jr.
  • Patent number: D254324
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Inventor: William H. Thead, Jr.