Patents Issued in October 9, 1990
  • Patent number: 4961384
    Abstract: A hypervelocity penetrator for an electromagnetic accelerator that includes nosetip section that is made of a composite material that is ablative, an intermediate section of a heavy metal such as tungsten or tungsten alloy, and a rear section that is made of ultrahigh-strength material such as steel alloy with the rear section being hollow to provide a cone-shaped penetrator that has a center of gravity that is forward of the center of pressure of the penetrator structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: David C. Sayles
  • Patent number: 4961385
    Abstract: An automated transportation system utilizes the force of gravity to propel vehicles along a system of cables. The cable may be manipulated through a hydraulic system to adjust their slope in a manner allowing vehicles to travel thereover in one direction or another. Savings in energy accrue through the use of the present invention which facilitate its use throughout the world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventor: Elie S. Abouzakhm
  • Patent number: 4961386
    Abstract: Gravity fed trolleys are stacked up for storage on a rail and the lead trolley is accelerated downstream away from the stack by an air operated device that includes a single bellcrank with trolley engaging surface portions that not only hold back the stack, but that also accelerate each trolley away from the stack to avoid depending solely on the potential energy of the trolley to move it out of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Gerber Garment Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Kuchta
  • Patent number: 4961387
    Abstract: A cover assembly is used with any one of a plurality of hopper cars each including a top side having a trough hatch therein, coaming extending around the perimeter of the trough hatch, and hinge pin brackets attached to the top side of the hopper car at one of a plurality of predetermined vertical heights relative to an upper edge of the coaming. The cover assembly permits the hatch cover to be fastened to hopper cars having hinge pin brackets provided with pin axes located at one of the plurality of heights relative to the upper edge of the coaming, and includes a hatch cover and a universal hinging system for use therewith. The hinging system includes a bracket and a plurality of hinge eye plates. Each of the plurality of hinge eye plates includes a bracket connection surface defined in a plane and an eye segment defining a opening having a central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventors: Ken L. Kneebone, James E. Head
  • Patent number: 4961388
    Abstract: An ironing table assembly (10) of the type for movement between stored and work positions and particularly adapted for fixed connection in a closet (12). The assembly (10) includes a support member (20) which may be secured to the closet floor (16) and the closet rod (14). A pivot member (48) is pivotally secured to the tubular member and presents a tubular portion (54). A table (42) is included and has a guide rod (58) depending therefrom. The guide rod (58) is slideably retained in the tubular portion (54). An arm (62) is pivotally connected to the tubular support member (20) at one end and is pivotally mounted to the bottom of the table (42) at the other end. The arm (62) guides rotational and translational movement of the table (42) in a fore and aft (Y-Z) plane from the upper stored position to a knife edge position. The table is then rotated to a lateral (X-Z) plane to the lower work position. A socket member (66) limits rotational movement of the board from the knife edge to the working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Lear Siegler Commercial Products Corp.
    Inventor: Danny Simpson
  • Patent number: 4961389
    Abstract: Direct coal-fired gas turbine systems and methods for their operation are provided by this invention. The gas turbine system includes a primary zone for burning coal in the presence of compressed air to produce hot combustion gases and debris, such as molten slag. The turbine system further includes a secondary combustion zone for the lean combustion of the hot combustion gases. The operation of the system is improved by the addition of a cyclone separator for removing debris from the hot combustion gases. The cyclone separator is disposed between the primary and secondary combustion zones and is in pressurized communication with these zones. In a novel aspect of the invention, the cyclone separator includes an integrally disposed impact separator for at least separating a portion of the molten slag from the hot combustion gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Paul W. Pillsbury
  • Patent number: 4961390
    Abstract: Perforated plugs fitted into combustion air holes in a rotary combustor in which combustion air for burning municipal solid waste passes through the perforations to prevent molten aluminum and fines from passing through the perforations and the method of preventing molten aluminum from passing through the perforations using the plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Graham A. Whitlow, Suh Y. Lee
  • Patent number: 4961391
    Abstract: A thermal treatment process employs an indirectly fired rotary kiln in which matrix material contaminated with organic substances such as dioxins, PCBs, PAHs, fuel oils, and the like is heated as the material is advanced through the kiln to cause components of the organics to be released as vapor. Purge gas of low oxygen content is conducted through the kiln at a relatively low velocity of from about 0.5 ft./sec. to about 10 ft./sec. to gently sweep the vaporized components of the organic substances from the kiln and to minimize the entrainment of solid particulates, and to produce an off gas mixture including the vaporized components. The off gas is conditioned after removal from the kiln to render it acceptable for discharge to the atmosphere. The oxygen concentration in the kiln is maintained at a sufficiently low level to substantially prevent combustion of the vaporized organic components in the kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: International Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kai K. Mak, Rudy G. Novak, Robert D. Fox, Richard W. Helse
  • Patent number: 4961392
    Abstract: A self-locking mechanical steering helm for a boat includes a worm gear set having a worm fixed on the steering wheel shaft and a worm gear clustered with a cable sprocket for controlled the movement of the steering cable which extends to the outdrive of the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignees: Jim Danbom, Jan Danbom
    Inventor: Elmer I. Ballard
  • Patent number: 4961393
    Abstract: A ship or other marine surface vessel to be protected against torpedo or missile attack tows therebehind an articulated train of floating projectile barriers. To defense on attack, the ship circles away from the attacker to a position behind a trailing portion of the floating barrier train. Each floating barrier includes a solid wall, torpedo intercepting keel or hull which is buoyant, horizontally stabilized and supports thereon a missile intercepting fence extending above the surface of the water. Provision is made for drawing projectiles to the floating barriers and for determining the position of the attacker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventor: Myles N. Murray
  • Patent number: 4961394
    Abstract: A floating rescue or bathing island comprising several segment-shaped floating elements linked together to form an annular or circular disk as viewed from above. The floating elements are releasably connected to one another by their lateral surfaces. Each floating element comprises a plastic shell filled by expanded foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Nautico Gesellschaft fur Planung und Vertrieb von Rettungs- und- Badeinseln m.b.H.
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Fornoff, Michael Kruska
  • Patent number: 4961395
    Abstract: A multi-pontoon amphibious vehicle with an improved track securement and guide means for the track to prevent "track throw" or loss and minimize wear while operating at speeds of up to twenty miles per hour. The vehicle includes two spaced-apart parallel pontoons joined by a centrally located operator's platform structure, with each pontoon having a moveable endless cleated track for propulsion, with the track supported on its pontoon by fore and aft multiple sprocket wheel sets and a series of larger bogie wheels at its botton and guides at its top. Each track comprises a parallel set of continuous endless belts carrying a series of laterally disposed cleats with drive lugs, which lugs are engaged by the teeth of four sprockets wheels per track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Coast Machinery
    Inventor: John B. Coast
  • Patent number: 4961396
    Abstract: A jet propulsion boat having an improved arrangement for rigidly affixing a trim adjusting plate to the underside rear portion of the boat hull and which permits adjustment of the trim angle of the plate. In one embodiment, an angle adjusting means is threadably connected to the trim adjusting plate and passes a threaded fastener that affixes the angle adjusting means and the trim adjusting plate to the hull. In another embodiment, a shim member is interposed between the trim adjusting plate and the hull for effecting trim adjustment of the trim adjusting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaishi
    Inventor: Souichi Sasagawa
  • Patent number: 4961397
    Abstract: The challeng craft is a paddle craft constructed of wood, plastic, and cloth with two wood interior support frames which are removable. The hull of the paddle craft is constructed of four pieces of wood attached with cloth so that when the interior support frames are removed the craft is foldable. This makes transportation of the craft easy. The paddle craft also had closed cell foam sponsons along the sides of the craft to provide stability in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventor: Gordon Trone
  • Patent number: 4961398
    Abstract: A davit assembly for use in supporting a vessel in either of two alternative positions, comprising a generally upright frame and a vessel support arm pivotally attached to the frame for movement between a first position where a first portion of the support arm is adapted to support a vessel in a substantially horizontal orientation, and a second position where a second portion of the support arm is adapted to support the vessel in a substantially vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Mountain Marine, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Anderson, Jr., Robert O. Perry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4961399
    Abstract: An epitaxial reactor for processing a plurality of semiconductor material wafers by exposing them to a reactive gaseous flow is provided with a support of the planetary type. The vessel in which the reactive gasses are in contact with the wafers (1) is constituted by a cylindrical member (19) having a vertical axis and which surrounds the planetary wafer support (3, 4, 5) as closely as possible. The cylindrical member is hermetically sealed at its lower and upper sections by a bottom formed by a plate (7) and a top formed by a plate (8), and a roughly flat cover (9) covers this arrangement. An inlet aperture for the reactive gas is located in the center of the cover, opposite the center of the planetary support. This central aperture has for its object to introduce the reactive gasses discharging into the vessel via several concentric funnels (26, 27, 28), whose flared ends face downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Peter M. Frijlink
  • Patent number: 4961400
    Abstract: An apparatus for aerating fish ponds utilizes a cylindrical brush mounted for rotary motion below the top of a dam or headwall. Water passing over the dam and falling into a fish pond below the dam falls onto and over the cylindrical brush causing the brush to rotate. The rotating brush breaks up the falling water into droplets as the water passes through the brush bristles. Below the rotating brush, the water droplets fall through an air-water mixing zone where atmospheric oxygen is dissolved by the water droplets thus increasing the dissolved oxygen concentration of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Clear Springs Trout Company
    Inventor: Danny K. Lapray
  • Patent number: 4961401
    Abstract: A portable manger divider that is easily attached to, and removed from, a stall frame and stanchion for livestock which includes a flat rectangular divider provided with upper and lower mounting means which abut to, and engage, a vertical member and are maintained in engagement by a mounting means disposed intermediate the upper and lower mounting means. A horizontally extending member which engages adjacenty disposed vertical portions of the stanchion and/or stall member may extend across horizontally spaced apart stanchion or stall members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventor: John E. Hellerman
  • Patent number: 4961402
    Abstract: A device for suspending a horizontal heat exchange tube on a vertical support tube is provided comprising:(a) an element for securing the horizontal tube, in the general form of a cradle, consisting of two symmetrical cylindrical cross-bars and two connecting members for the cross-bars in an arc of a circle;(b) two elements for securing the vertical tube, each comprising a plane portion provided on their side facing the vertical tube with two lateral edges and an oblique portion forming a folded-over part; these elements interlocking by engagement of their recesses with the wedge-shaped parts of the cross-bars of the securing element for the horizontal tube, and being welded to the vertical tube along the lateral edges of their plane portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme dite: STEIN INDUSTRIE
    Inventor: Gilbert Delsol
  • Patent number: 4961403
    Abstract: An engine generator set includes a frame mountable to the underside of a vehicle floor or chassis. An engine and a generator are both resiliently mounted to the frame by way of shock mounts and enclosed by a cover. The engine has an exhaust pipe extending downwardly through an opening in the bottom of the cover. A muffler mount is secured to the frame and has elastomeric joints. A muffler is resiliently mounted to the muffler mount by the elastomeric joints and is connected to the exhaust pipe through a flexible pipe. This arrangement serves to reduce the engine and generator vibration that is transmitted to the muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Kawaguchi, Masaaki Endo
  • Patent number: 4961404
    Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine with an intercooler has a pump with a single drive shaft which drives two sets of vanes. One set of vanes circulates coolant through a circuit including the engine block, and the other circulates fluid through a circuit including the intercooler. Around the rotary impeller of the pump is a clearance to allow communication between the circuits. Thus, the intercooler can function as an intake air heater when cold-starting the engine, idling without supercharging, or operating the engine in the region of low engine rpm's.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Itakura, Yoshinari Takakura, Toshio Tanahashi
  • Patent number: 4961405
    Abstract: A air shroud for cylinder and cylinder head assemblies of air-cooled compressors and engines of the type having a cooling air fan for producing an axial flow of cooling air and an array of cylinder and cylinder head assemblies arranged in the path of the axial flow and extending radially relative to the axis of said flow. In particular, the shroud has a flow channel portion of a polygonal segment shape which wraps around the periphery of the array of cylinder and cylinder head assemblies and forms an air channel from the cooling air fan to the cylinder and cylinder head assemblies and which is fastened atop each of the cylinder and cylinder head assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Bauer Processed Air, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Dorsch
  • Patent number: 4961406
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and device for optimizing the air-fuel mixture burn rates of an internal combustion engine in accordance with detonation limited control parameters during low speed, light and heavy load operating conditions. In particular, the present invention is preferably used with an engine having variable valve events that provide for a low speed, small valve event, and for earlier than normal intake valve closing. The method and device herein including phasing control of the operation of the camshaft of the engine with the operation of the crankshaft of the engine. The invention herein also including sensing of engine load and detonation. The phasing is controlled by a servo motor in response to signals produced from the sensing of load demand and/or detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Investment Rarities Incorporated
    Inventor: Corliss O. Burandt
  • Patent number: 4961407
    Abstract: A rocker arm for a rocker arm assembly of an internal combustion engine. The rocker arm includes a pushrod portion for engaging the distal end of the pushrod and for movement between a raised position and a lowered position, the pushrod portion having a pushrod seat cast thereinto for receiving the distal end of the pushrod; a valve stem portion for engaging the distal end of the valve stem for movement between a raised position and a lowered position; and an intermediate portion fixedly connecting the pushrod portion and the valve stem portion to one another, the rocker arm attachment the pivotally attaching the intermediate portion of the rocker arm to the rocker arm support structure to allow the pushrod portion and the valve stem portion to pivot between the raised and lowered positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Competition Cams, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. McWhirter
  • Patent number: 4961408
    Abstract: A piston has a head portion and a skirt formation, a gudgeon pin by which the piston may be pivotally connected to a connecting rod is supported transversely of the skirt formation, the skirt formation is defined by a pair of part cylindrical skirt portions, the gudgeon pin connecting the skirt portions together and interengaging formations are provided on the head portion and skirt portions to locate the skirt portions axially with respect to the head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Jaguar Cars Limited
    Inventor: Bryan N. V. Parsons
  • Patent number: 4961409
    Abstract: An improved control apparatus includes an auto-choke for an engine provided by interlocking a choke lever and a throttle lever of a carburetor by way of a temperature-sensitive interlocking rod. The choke lever of the carburetor is provided with a spring for resiliently biasing the choke valve toward its open position. The interlocking rod is made of high molecular material such as high molecular urethane elastomer or the like and has a buckling threshold which varies in dependence upon the temperature. Upon fully opening the throttle valve when the engine is cold, the interlocking rod acts so as to close the choke. Whereas, when the throttle valve is opened when the engine is hot the interlocking rod acts to open the choke under the biasing force of the spring. A speed regulating device is connected to the throttle lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kobayashi, Shunichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4961410
    Abstract: A crank angle detector includes a first generator 2 for sequentially generating a first signal including a plurality of first pulses corresponding to the number of engine cylinders in two crankshaft revolutions, and a second generator 3 for generating a second signal in two revolutions including a plurality of groups of second pulses, each group of second pulses having a condition which corresponds to a specific period of the first signal and which is different from those of the other groups. A cylinder discriminator 4 is connected to the first and second generators for discriminating the operating strokes of the respective cylinders by detecting a specific pulse condition of the second signal which occurs within a specific period of the first signal. In a preferred embodiment, each of the second pulses has a width less than that of each pulse of the first signal, and each group of second pulses has a total sum of rising and falling edges which is different from that of each of the other groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masami Matsumura, Masahiro Hayashi, Atsushi Ueda
  • Patent number: 4961411
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders and fuel injectors provided to inject fuel in a sequential fashion for the respective cylinders. Fuel injection is made twice from a given fuel injector. The control circuit calculates a first value for the amount of fuel injected from the fuel injector during the first fuel injection and a second value for the amount of fuel injected from the fuel injector during the second fuel injection. During transition of the engine operation, an engine load variation is produced between the times at which the first and second values are calculated. A correction factor is calculated based on the engine load variation with an estimation of a first value to be calculated for the cylinder when the fuel injected during the first and second fuel injections is charged in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventors: Katsunori Oshiage, Yasutoshi Nanyoshi
  • Patent number: 4961412
    Abstract: An automotive engine has a purge system for purging fuel vapor in a canister to an intake passage of the engine, and a learning control system. Fuel injection pulse width is determined by using a learning coefficient derived from learning memory. The learning memory stores a plurality of learning coefficients which are updated with change of characteristics of elements of the engine. When the purge starts, the learning coefficients stored in the learning memory are stored in an updating memory as updating coefficients. When the purge is cut off, the learning coefficients in the learning memory are updated with updating coefficients in the updating memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Furuyama
  • Patent number: 4961413
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly for controlling the recirculation of exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine having a base with an exhaust gas chamber formed therein, a valve member mounted within the exhaust gas chamber for metering the flow of exhaust gas therethrough, a one piece bearing having upper and lower bearing members for precise positioning of the valve member within the exhaust gas chamber, and a valve stem support assembly for mounting the valve stem relative to the actuator having means for allowing lateral movement between the actuator and the valve member thereby eliminating side-to-side loading and resultant binding of the precisely positioned valve member within the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thaddeus J. Grey, Charles W. Braun, Dwight O. Palmer
  • Patent number: 4961414
    Abstract: A fiber optic endoscope has a shaft with a varying outer diameter. The distal end of the shaft is sufficiently small in outer diameter for maneuvering it through various body canals, while the overall length of the shaft is rigid enough to allow axial and rotational translation of the shaft when controlled manually from a handle at the proximal end. The endoscope shaft may be n stages of different outer diameter or it may be uniformly tapered along its entire length. Either a step-tapered or a uniformly tapered version may include a flexible tip portion at the distal end of the shaft which is controllable from the endoscope handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Candela Laser Corporation
    Inventors: George E. Cho, Horace Furumoto
  • Patent number: 4961415
    Abstract: Nonwoven web comprising thermoplastic meltblown fibers or filaments predominantly present as agglomerates or multiple fused fiber areas. Such agglomerates in the web act as columns and impart a desired degree of strength and resistance to compaction. In contrast to prior art webs where such agglomerates have been considered undesirable, the webs of the present invention find particular utility when formed into cylinders as filter plugs for smoking articles. In smoking articles of the invention, the filter plugs have a desired pressure drop while demonstrating an unexpected degree of firmness, all at an economically attractive cost. Preferred embodiments include those where the machine direction strength to cross machine direction grab tensile ratios in the range of from about 1:1 to 4:1 and the fibers or filaments are made from polypropylene. Other embodiments include webs and filter plugs containing additives distributed throughout the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Fred R. Radwanski, Donald F. Durocher, Leon E. Chambers, Jr., Loyd G. Kasbo, William F. Cartwright, Robert G. Geer, Edward P. Bullwinkel
  • Patent number: 4961416
    Abstract: A leg brace usable after knee ligament surgery utilizing first and second members which are held to the femoral and tibial portions of the leg. A hinge mechanism is also included in the brace for permitting pivotal rotation between the first and second members with the bending or flexion of the knee. A bar is extended across a selected portion of the leg. The bar is biased against the leg by a spring to prevent translation between the tibia and femoral for a particular angular range of extension of the knee portion of the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Orthopedic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Moore, Steven Lamb
  • Patent number: 4961417
    Abstract: A surgical dressing adapted for fastening around orthopaedic fixator pins and similarly shaped surgical devices adjacent their sites of entry to and exit from the body, comprises a pad of resilient and absorbent material adapted to be folded around one or more fixator pins in apposition to the sites of entry and/or exit from the body; a friction member to be interposed between the pad and the fixator pins to inhibit movement of the pad along the fixator pins; and a clip adapted to be fastened around the fixator pins and at least a part of the resilient pad to clamp the pad in position around the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Protectair Limited
    Inventors: David E. Young, Kenneth P. Davis
  • Patent number: 4961418
    Abstract: Physical therapy appliances for use in treatment of minor muscle, ligament, joint and similar injuries to promote healing and comfort during periods of both physical activity and physical inactivity comprising generally sleeve-like wraps of a heat-retaining composite material of resilient foam bonded between a single-jersey knit cover and a pile-surface inner knit fabric which stimulates the skin surface, wicks perspiration away from the skin surface and permits circulation of air adjacent to the skin surface beneath the foam layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventor: Mark McLaurin-Smith
  • Patent number: 4961419
    Abstract: An underwear garment that is specially constructed to be worn by men having semi-rigid penile implants. The construction includes not only a general type of a brief but also an athletic model, each of which is adapted to include a specifice type of front panel interior pocket or envelope that is constructed of a plurality of panels of material with each panel contributing a particularly desirable retention function. The envelope consists of outer paneling which exerts significant inward retentive pressure against the body and penis while a next layer of soft, thick batting material provides cushioning thereby to avoid abrasive tendencies of the structure. Finally, the inner contacting panels which directly envelope the penis are formed of a very soft fabric having a smooth surface in actual contact with the organ. The alternative sports model necessitates a stronger waistband elastic which, in turn, requires that a soft fabric window portion be placed adjacent the upper portion of the penis member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventors: Alice K. Tribble, Joe L. Tribble
  • Patent number: 4961420
    Abstract: A gas mask is provided which includes a facepiece including a front portion of semi-rigid rubber highly resistant to chemical agents and a sealing skirting of soft rubber having a high mechanical resistance, co-vulcanized with the front portion of the facepiece. A nozzle, connected to a half mask situated inside the facepiece, is tightly fastened to the front portion of the facepiece. An inflow opening and an outflow opening are provided which are substantially coaxial and are located in the lower portion of the nozzle. The inflow opening places the interior of the facepiece into communication with the external atmosphere and the outflow opening places the interior of the half mask into communication with the external atmosphere through an inflow chamber and an outflow chamber which are separated by a partition. The inflow chamber communicates bilaterally with a space located between the half mask and the facepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignees: Industrie Pirelli S.p.A., Minestero Della Difesa Direzione Generale A.M.A.T.
    Inventors: Giulio Cappa, Romano Moscatelli, Paolo La Torre
  • Patent number: 4961421
    Abstract: A locking device for releasably securing a first member to a second member which second member has an opening therein for receiving a portion of the first member, a groove in the portion of the first member within the opening, a cylindrical pin in the second member extending across the opening in the first member and in the groove in the second member in one angular position thereof, a portion of which pin is removed so that in another angular position the pin does not extend into the groove in the first member. In one modification, the pin is bowed slightly to provide spring like interference to movement thereof. In another modification, the central portion of the pin is eccentric whereby the central portion of the pin extends into the groove in the first member in one rotated position of the pin, and is completely out of the groove in another rotated position. In a further modification, the second member includes a cylindrical selecting part and a rotatably mounted securing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignees: Joseph J. Berke, George H. Muller
    Inventor: George H. Muller
  • Patent number: 4961422
    Abstract: A system and method for producing volumetric conductive hyperthermia for the treatment of a cancerous tumor in a patient. The location and volume of the tumor are determined with the aid of a CT scanning system, and an array of probes each containing a heat-emitting element is formed by interstitial implantation in the tumor in a predetermined pattern for volumetric heating using a template for guiding the probes into parallel alignment in the tumor. The template is affixed with respect to the patient's body and with respect to the imaging plane of the CT scanning system. After implantation, the probes are connected to a manifold connector which is in turn connected to an external control system capable of independently controlling the probes while monitoring various analog and digital values representative of system performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventors: J. Alexander Marchosky, Christopher J. Moran, Neal E. Fearnot
  • Patent number: 4961423
    Abstract: A rate responsive pacer is disclosed which alters the pacer's escape interval in response to the patient's metabolic demand. Metabolic demand is determined from the patient's respiration rate which is extracted from spontaneous muscle signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Gian C. Canducci
  • Patent number: 4961424
    Abstract: A therapeutical device using ultrasonic vibration includes an ultrasonic vibration generator for generating ultrasonic vibration in the axial direction of the device and in a direction different from the axial direction of the device, an amplifier connected to the ultrasonic vibration generator for amplifying the ultrasonic vibration generated, and a vibration transmitting connected to the amplifier member for transmitting the ultrasonic vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kubota, Masakazu Gotanda, Shinji Hatta, Hitoshi Karasawa, Tetsumaru Kubota, Takeaki Nakamura, Syuichi Takayama, Hiroshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 4961425
    Abstract: A system for automatically determining the outline of a selected anatomical feature or region (e.g., in a slice of magnetic resonance data) and then making a quantitative determination of a morphometric parameter (such as area or volume) associated with the feature. A volumetric measurement of the feature is made by determining for each slice the areas within the outline for the feature and summing the areas for all the slices; the outlines are based on intensity contours, where the intensity of the contour is intermediate that within and outside of the feature; the intermediate intensity is chosen objectively based on a histogram of intensity levels; interpolation is used to assign contour locations in areas where the intensity of the contour is not present exactly; the accuracy of the outline is improved using an edge-optimization procedure in which the outline is shifted transversely to the location at which an estimate of the derivative (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David N. Kennedy, Pauline A. Filipek, Verne S. Caviness, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4961426
    Abstract: NMR imaging data are acquired using a variable phase-encoding gradient. NMR non-imaging data are acquired using fixed phase-encoding, and motion data are derived from such NMR non-imaging data. Gating data are extracted from the motion data and used to select from the NMR imaging data to produce gated image data. The gated image data are used to produce a reconstructed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Spraggins, Steven F. Owens
  • Patent number: 4961427
    Abstract: An ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus which transmits an ultrasonic wave into a subject under observation, detects the velocity of movement of a moving reflective member such as blood flow within the heart or a coronary artery of the subject, and displays the detected velocity information as an image. The apparatus transmits an ultrasonic pulsed wave into a subject, receives the echo reflected from the subject, converts the clutter signal contained in the received signal into a complex clutter signal in a complex signal converter, and uses this complex clutter signal as a complex reference signal for mixing with the received signal to produce a complex signal.When the complex clutter signal is used as a complex reference signal in this way, it is possible to obtain a complex signal free of the velocity information related to slow moving members such as the blood vessel wall and the heart wall which is contained in the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Aloka Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouroku Namekawa, deceased, Naoki Namekawa, heir
  • Patent number: 4961428
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a plurality of signals provided by an array of electrodes disposed on the surface of the body further comprising a reconstruction of the electrical activity on the surface of a selected interior organ according to the plurality of array signals and a selected model of the body in the region of the interior organ and the electrode array. The reconstruction includes assumptions made according to a priori knowledge of the selected model and permits reconstruction of the electrical activity on the surface of the interior organ and can further provide practical solutions with underdetermined sets of equations. The present inventions further includes reconstruction including a power spectrum analysis of the array signals to permit detection and localizing of a predetermined physiological condition. The power spectrum analysis may further include a frequency domain analysis according to the minimum relative entropy of the measured signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignees: Northeastern University, University of Maryland
    Inventors: Chrysostomos L. Nikias, Dana H. Brooks, John H. Siegel, Miklos Fabian
  • Patent number: 4961429
    Abstract: An arterial pressure pulse is sensed and the next succeeding Korotkoff sound is sensed and the time lag between the two is measured. When the time lag between the two cannot be measured, the cuff pressure can be taken as a true measure of diastolic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventors: Kuo Wei Chang, Shine Chang
  • Patent number: 4961430
    Abstract: A biopsy punch for extracting cervical tissue comprises a tubular housing having a cutting means slidable therethrough for slicing a strip of tissue from the cervix tip protruding into a tissue port. Three embodiments are presented illustrating various cutting edges for the cutting means. The first embodiment presents a bevelled cutting edge with piercing point for initially piercing the tissue. A second embodiment presents a mounting block for the cutting edge with the block key locked to the housing in slidable movement therethrough. A third embodiment presents a cylindrical cutting edge for providing a conical slice of biopsy tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventor: John Sheahon
  • Patent number: 4961431
    Abstract: A toilet device with a health examination system, includes a urine sampler for sampling a portion of urine from a urine receiver, a urine analyzer for measuring the proportion of a particular constituent of the urine, a measuring unit for measuring at least one of the blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature of a user of the urine receiver, and a display unit for displaying the results of measurement by the urine sampler, the urine analyzer, and the measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Toto, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Ikenaga, Toshifumi Shigematsu, Akio Kusumoto, Kimiyoshi Yamamoto, Masatoshi Yada
  • Patent number: 4961432
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting biological fluids and handling the same into a sample for testing comprising a tubular container having open ends, one of which is removably secured to a collection storage unit. A shuttle assembly constructed of a cylindrical hollow piston defining a chamber, a top cover covering one end of said piston and a second cover with an aperture and a connector covering the second end of the piston is slidably mounted in the tubular container. An "O" ring is mounted on the exterior surface of the piston to form a fluid tight seal between the "O" ring and the interior surface of the tubular container with the connector being removably secured to a resin/sample container so that movement of the piston in the tubular container carries the resin/sample container into the collection storage unit and forces fluid collected in the tubular container to flow through the resin/sample container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Cancer Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventor: Raouf A. Guirguis
  • Patent number: 4961433
    Abstract: A guide wire assembly comprising a guide wire with first and second conductors which extend along the length thereof. The guide wire also comprises a flexible cable having first and second conductors which extend along the length thereof. A connector assembly is provided for interconnecting the flexible cable to said guide wire and interconnecting the conductors carried thereby. The connector assembly includes a male connector with a sleeve and a conductive core which is mounted in the sleeve. An insulator is mounted in the sleeve and insulates the conductive core from the sleeve. A conductive band is carried by the insulator and is spaced from the sleeve. The first and second conductors are disposed within the sleeve. The first connector is connected to the conductive core and the second conductor is connected to the conductive band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Cardiometrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Christian