Patents Issued in March 26, 1996
  • Patent number: PP9482
    Abstract: A new rose variety of the miniature class having a compact, vigorous growth habit; excellent post-harvest shelf life; ease of propagation by softwood cuttings; larger foliage and flowers than POULvic; and flowers borne in clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Bear Creek Gardens, Inc.
    Inventors: Mogens N. Olesen, Pernille Olesen
  • Patent number: PP9483
    Abstract: A new rose variety of the miniature class having a compact, well-branched habit, good production of flowers in clusters, attractive red flowers and long shelf life as a potted rose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Bear Creek Gardens, Inc.
    Inventors: Mogens N. Olesen, Pernille Olesen
  • Patent number: PP9484
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Ilex plant found as a openly pollinated seedling of Ilex Hybrid `Mary Nell`. The new variety expresses a very high concentration of anthocyanin in new growth which matures to a lustrous green color. This plant is superior in development of an upright, dense, globose shaped canopy with attractive spiny leaves and orange-red fruit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignees: Jack M. Magee, Flowerwood Nsy Inc.
    Inventor: Jack M. Magee
  • Patent number: PP9485
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Ilex plant found as an openly pollinated seedling of Ilex Hybrid `Mary Nell`. The new vareity expresses a very high concentration of anthocyanin in new growth which matures to a semi-glossy green color. This plant is superior in development of a dense, upright, pyramidal shaped canopy with attractive spiny leaves and an abundance of red fruit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignees: Jack M. Magee, Flowerwood Nsy Inc.
    Inventor: Jack M. Magee
  • Patent number: PP9486
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Ilex plant found as an openly pollinated seeding of Ilex Hybrid `Mary Nell`. The new variety expresses a very high concentration of anthocyanin in new growth which matures to a semi-glossy green color. This plant is superior in development of a dense, upright, pyramidal shaped canopy with attractive spiny leaves and orange-red fruit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignees: Jack Mitchell Magee, Flowerwood Nsy Inc.
    Inventor: Jack M. Magee
  • Patent number: PP9487
    Abstract: A new amd distinct variety of Ilex plant found as an openly pollinated seedling of Ilex Hybrid `Mary Nell`. The new variety possesses an upright, pyramidal growth habit, flowers which produce functional pollen and ovaries, attractive orange-red fruit, unusual dull green foliage, and distinctly arranged leaf serrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignees: Jack Mitchell Magee, Flowerwood Nsy Inc.
    Inventor: Jack M. Magee
  • Patent number: PP9488
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of geranium known by the cultivar name `Lorca` is characterized by a pink with red/purple flower color, a semi-double flower form, medium green foliage, medium height, large umbels and early flower response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Gerd Endisch
    Inventors: Gerd Endisch, Ursula Endisch-Burmeister, Wolf Endisch
  • Patent number: PP9489
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of geranium known by the cultivar name `Faro` is characterized by a signal red flower color, a semi-double flower forum, dark foliage, medium height, large umbel, long pedicel, medium flower response and good heat and rain resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Gerd Endisch
    Inventors: Gerd Endisch, Ursula Endisch-Burmeister, Wolf Endisch
  • Patent number: PP9490
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of geranium known by the cultivar name `Areno` is characterized by a pink flower color, a dark red eye on all pedals, dark foliage without zonation, a compact habit, early flower response and heat tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Gerd Endisch
    Inventors: Gerd Endisch, Ursula Endisch-Burmeister, Wolf Endisch
  • Patent number: PP9491
    Abstract: A Ficus plant having dark green leaf blades and a variegated lighter green irregularly shaped section on mature foliage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: The Plantenkwekerij P. Van Geest B.V.
    Inventor: J. van Geest
  • Patent number: RE35187
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing for fluids. The apparatus generates its own positive pressure from a prestressed elastomeric material. The dispenser includes a resiliant bladder of generally tubular shape having an open end into which an internal prestressing mandrel is inserted to prestress the bladder in both the radial and axial directions. The mandrel has at least three fins joined along longitudinal edges to form a plurality of passages, the bladder being joined or otherwise secured to the mandrel at both ends, and the passages being in communication with a valve means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Norman Gortz
  • Patent number: RE35188
    Abstract: In a reel for a fruit machine, a reel has standard symbols or fruit, on which secondary symbols, for example, numbers, are superimposed. The reel has a first, inner strip on which the standard symbols appear, the strip being carried by a reel drum. The secondary symbols appear on a second, outer strip glued to the first strip. The second strip is mostly transparent so that the standard symbols may be viewed with the secondary symbols superimposed on them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Bell-Fruit Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventor: Terence Howard
  • Patent number: RE35189
    Abstract: Drive arrangement comprising a collectorless d.c. motor and a rpm-regulating arrangement. The motor comprises a permanent-magnet rotor and a stator winding arrangement. The latter is connected to a current source in dependence upon angular-position signals by means of an electrical commutation arrangement. The rpm-regulating arrangement produces a regulator signal that is a function of the deviation of the rotor's actual rpm from a desired rpm. There is provided an arrangement for modulating the regulator signal in synchronism with the rotation of the rotor. As a result of the action of the modulation arrangement, the current flowing in the stator winding arrangement between each two successive commutation operations initially builds up beginning at a point in time at least approximately coinciding with the point in time at which the commutation occurs, and the drops off again until a point in time at least approximately coinciding with the point in time at which the next-following commutation occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Papst Licensing GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Mu/ eller
  • Patent number: RE35190
    Abstract: A plug-in power supply includes a housing dimensioned to fit into a space designed to accept a circuit breaker in a load center to provide D.C. power from an A.C. main power. The housing encloses a circuit card that has components that are connected between A.C. inlet terminals and D.C. output terminals to provide a peak current for a short duration, limit the output to a D.C. voltage maximum, and interrupt the output current when the output voltage drops below a certain level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Henry J. Zylstra, Kenneth W. Erickson
  • Patent number: RE35191
    Abstract: A HACT device employing a thin-film overlay of a more strongly piezoelectric material can operate as a delay line and as a tapped delay line, or transversal filter, while requiring less total power for the SAW clock signal. The increased electrical potential per unit total SAW power thus realized facilitates coupling between the total SAW energy and the mobile charge carriers. Some materials systems, such as a GaAs substrate and a ZnO thin-film overlay, will require an intervening thin-film dielectric layer in between the HACT substrate and epitaxial layers and the thin-film piezoelectric overlay. This may be necessitated by chemical, semiconductor device processing, or adhesion incompatibilities between the substrate material and the thin-film overlay material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred S. Hickernell, Frederick Y. Cho, Frederick M. Fliegel
  • Patent number: RE35192
    Abstract: A method of administering post-operative anesthesia directly to the surgical site through a catheter introduced into the site during the post-operative procedure. The flow of medication into the catheter is regulated by a micro-bore cannula that insures delivery at very small rates. The plunger of a spring-loaded syringe creates the pressure that causes the medication to flow through the cannula and catheter into the wound. Because of the spring's nonlinear characteristics within the range of stroke of the plunger, the pressure exerted on the liquid gradually decreases with the expansion of the spring. By appropriately sizing the spring and the inside diameter of the cannula, a device is developed that administers the required dosages of anesthetic continuously and at decreasing rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Phoenix Surgical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: H. William Reese
  • Patent number: 5500951
    Abstract: A shock absorbing strap cover is made of a resilient pad having a mounting portion for mounting the strap cover to a strap. The pad includes surfaces defining contact face on one side and a non-contact face on the opposing side. The non-contact face faces toward the strap and the contact face faces away from the strap when the strap cover is mounted thereon. The pad is made up of cushion members that are located side-by-side to one another. The cushion members are compressible and cushion any loads applied through the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Danmar Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Marchello
  • Patent number: 5500952
    Abstract: The invention is a self-contained protective device/system designed to protect the hips, pelvis, buttocks, and coccyx areas of the user. The device may be worn outside of the clothing. Because it is small in size and lightweight, it may be easily put on and removed and does not interfere with body movements. It contains the following components: an inflatable air bag folded into pleats, a battery, a gas cartridge, sensors to determine angular motion and acceleration, a triggering/valve mechanism to release the gas and a relief valve. When the user falls, the sensors automatically release gas from the cartridge and inflate the airbag assembly, forcing the folded pleats to fully cover said areas of the user's body. After use the relief valve is opened to release air from the airbag assembly, the pleats are reinserted into the system and the invention is ready for reuse after the spent cartridge is replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Marshall J. Keyes
  • Patent number: 5500953
    Abstract: Known protective helmets used for motorcycle riding, flying and snowmobiling employ transparent visors that have heating elements to reduce and attempt to eliminate the build-up of ice, condensation and fog. A double-lensed face shield is provided with a pair of electrodes formed on an inner face lens, in the air pocket formed between the inner face lens and the outer weather lens. Substantially across one entire surface of the inner face lens is formed an electroconductive film. An upper electrode extends from a first end along an upper margin of the inner face lens on the film to a second end. On the opposite lower margin extends on the film a lower electrode from a first end to a second end. An insulated contact passes from one side of the inner lens to the other and connects the first end of the lower electrode with a conductor which extends on the opposite side of the inner lens towards the first end of the upper electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: 546401 Ontario Limited
    Inventors: Douglas A. Reuber, Amsey Buehler
  • Patent number: 5500954
    Abstract: A safety system shield which protects the head, facial, throat, and upper thorax regions of the body from exposure to biological, chemical, and physical matter that may take the form of solids, liquids, or aerosols, and includes a thin flexible shield which is curved, and transparent. It is shaped to rest on the anterior shoulder, and thorax region of the body, thereby allowing the head to look in any direction. This relieves the wearer's head of the weight of the shield while affording maximum protection. The safety shield system is ultra-light weight thus, reduces wearer's fatigue, and eliminates headaches, resulting in the enhancement of safety, and the reduction of accidents. The safety shield is flexible allowing it to conform to the size, and curvature of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: J. Prime Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack V. Smith, Jesse M. Carter
  • Patent number: 5500955
    Abstract: The invention relates to a knee pad for athletes which has a cushion part which covers the front and side of the knee and fastening means surrounding parts of the thigh and of the lower leg in the region of the knee, and in order to obtain optimal protection it proposes that the fastening means comprise two fastening strips which are connected, extending approximately parallel, to the cushion part (1) at two different heights, and that the cushion part (1) has a stretchable elastic region (6) between the attachment of the upper fastening strip (2) and the attachment of the lower fastening strip (3), said elastic region connecting two less stretchable cushion regions (4, 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: J.G. Karl Schmidt GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Adrian-Marius Gongea
  • Patent number: 5500956
    Abstract: An athletic glove especially adapted for handling a basketball includes a palm layer and a top layer sewn together at their lateral edges to provide a substantially partially thumbless, fingertipless, wristless, four fingered glove body construction having the outer surface of the palm layer being covered by a plurality of rubberized protruding friction elements having a hemispherical shape substantially the same size and shape as protruding elements upon the surface of a basketball. The palm layer and the top layer are made of a spandex type material adapted to stretch and closely conform to the anatomy of the hand of a wearer of the basketball glove. The glove resists rotation and reversal of direction of a moving basketball approaching and contacting the hand of a basketball player. The glove also dampens impact, so that the basketball has less of a tendency to jump out of the hands of a player during a fast moving basketball game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventors: William V. Schulkin, Mark C. Mirken
  • Patent number: 5500957
    Abstract: An improved surgical glove is provided having reinforcing pads formed over the distal finger and thumb pulps and over the metacarpal-phalangeal joints. The fingertips and thumb tips are the most likely region of a surgical glove to be accidentally penetrated by a needle during a surgical procedure. The remaining portions of the surgical glove are of conventional thickness and flexibility, thereby assuring adequate mobility of the fingers and hand, such that precise surgical procedures may be performed while using the improved glove. A method for forming the glove and a glove mold are also disclosed. The glove is formed by dipping a glove mold in a liquid such as latex. The glove mold has recesses on volar sides of distal ends of the digits to retain a greater thickness of the liquid to form the reinforcing pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Daniel T. Stein
  • Patent number: 5500958
    Abstract: A seal plate attachment for earmuffs. The seal plate attachment has a first and second portion including substantially flat surfaces, outer perimeters, and inner perimeters defining central openings. The first portion of the seal plate attachment includes a first channel extending around a section of the outer perimeter. The seal plate attachment second portion includes a rim, projecting inwardly from and extending around a section of the outer perimeter. The rim of the seal plate attachment second portion forms a second channel to oppose the first channel on the seal plate attachment first portion, allowing the second portion to be slidable relative to the first portion. An improved earmuff design includes rigid earcup elements, a connecting band, and soft sealing elements in combination with the seal plate attachments for earmuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Cabot Safety Corporation
    Inventor: Robert N. Falco
  • Patent number: 5500959
    Abstract: A support belt has a cinching system which incorporates two or more rings and results in a reduction of the force required to secure the belt around a user's waist. An elastomeric material may be deposited on the interior surface of the belt so as to increase the resistance of the belt to turning around the waist when the belt is being tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Edward H. Yewer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5500960
    Abstract: A flushing system is provided for an outdoor portable toilet of the type having a cabana containing a waste material storage tank upon which a toilet structure is positioned for the deposit of toilet waste material into the tank by gravity. A separate fresh water tank is removably positioned outside the cabana against its rear wall and is connected, through a pipe, to a control valve, which, in turn, is connected to a flushing mechanism and a pump which conveys liquid to the flushing mechanism when actuated. In addition, a waste tank pipe extends into the waste tank and a filter through which waste liquid may be drawn from the waste tank to the valve and then pumped to the flushing mechanism. The valve may be set to draw liquid either from the fresh water tank or the liquid from the waste water holding tank or, alternatively, from neither tank, so that the unit may be operated without flushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Poly-John Enterprises Corporation
    Inventor: Richard L. Tagg
  • Patent number: 5500961
    Abstract: A flush control mechanism including a first trip handle turned to lift the tank ball of the water tank of a ballfloat toilet for allowing the full volume of water to be drawn out of the water tank, a second trip handle turned to lift the tank ball for allowing a half volume of water to be drawn out of the water tank, a float ball assembly controlled by a swivel block and the second trip handle to force down the tank ball when a predetermined volume of water is drawn out of the water tank after the second trip handle is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Jin-Bo Tsai
  • Patent number: 5500962
    Abstract: An outdoor toilet cabana is formed of pair of side walls whose opposite vertical edges are bent to form angled corner sections having their free edge portions bent into vertical strip-like flanges that extend in approximately the same plane towards the opposite, corresponding flanges of the opposite wall. A rear wall has side edge strip-like portions that are aligned in approximately the same plane as the flanges of the side wall. Extruded strips are formed with oppositely opening channels to receive the adjacent side wall flanges and rear wall edge portions. These channels are deeper than the portions of the flanges and rear wall strips received therein so that they can accommodate variations in wall dimensions while still providing a rigid cabana of pre-determincd size. A doorway is formed between the flanges on the forward side of the side walls. A substantially continuous extruded doorway edge strip extends along the jambs and the header of the doorway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Polyjohn Enterprises Corporation
    Inventor: Richard L. Tagg
  • Patent number: 5500963
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel device for fixedly attaching and securing at least one horizontal supporting tubular frame structure between a pair of vertically positioned end frame members of a bunk bed, whereby the attaching and securing device includes a pair of elongated tubular support frame members, each having depending wedge-shaped tongue members fixedly secured adjacent each end of the frame members so as to be receive in corresponding brackets fixedly attached to the oppositely disposed side posts of the end frame members. An elongated screw is positioned through each post and into each tubular support frame member in which is mounted a nut member adapted to receive the threaded end of the screw, whereby the tongue members are secured in place within sleeves formed in the respective brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: John Yeh
  • Patent number: 5500964
    Abstract: A method for converting a patient bed or chair to a patient manipulating device by selecting a kit including a subframe having a central hinge plate carrying a pair of left and right articulated wing support devices for complementary conformity to the underlying support surface. An opening is cut in the back support of the bed and chair, the subframe installed thereover and a pair of left and right actuators inserted behind such support surface and coupled with such wing devices to selectively raise the respective wings upwardly relative to the sub-frame and patient support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: National Health Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Oivind Bergersen
  • Patent number: 5500965
    Abstract: A cushion for the seat of a chair is provided, having at least two groups of cyclically inflatable tubes (4, 6, 8, 10), each group comprising at least one tube. Control means (18) inflates and deflates each group sequentially. The cushion also has a buffer chamber (12, 14) maintained by the control means (18) in communication with the inflated group or groups of cyclically inflatable tubes. The buffer chamber comprises at least one inflatable buffer tube which provides a part of the sitting surface of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Pegasus Airwave Limited
    Inventors: Angus P. D. Hannagan, Michael A. McGrath
  • Patent number: 5500966
    Abstract: A tool for facilitating the movement of a zipper including a handle, an arm connected to and extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the handle, and a zipper flap receiving area formed in the arm at an end opposite the handle. The zipper flap receiving area serves to receive a zipper flap therein. The handle is integrally connected to the arm. The arm has a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface. The zipper flap receiving area extends into the first side surface and through the arm from the top surface to the bottom surface. The zipper flap receiving area is a slot formed in the arm having an opening in the first side surface. The arm also has a tapered surface formed at an end opposite the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Alan Wheat
  • Patent number: 5500967
    Abstract: A liquid fabric softener or treating liquid dispenser for a washing machine having a parabolic or egg-shaped body portion from which radially extends an annular rim portion. The rim portion rests upon a top surface of an agitator and is held in place thereon by a removable, resiliently press-fit cap. The rim portion has a series of bosses extending upwardly therefrom and a series of notched openings formed therein. The bosses space the cap member from the upper surface of the rim portion. During operation of the washing machine in a spin cycle, treating liquid within the body portion of the dispenser flows upwardly along an inner surface of the cup body, downwardly through the notched openings in the rim portion, and into a holding chamber provided within the hollow interior of the agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Wilson, James M. McGee, Loween Clayberg, Curtis J. Conklin
  • Patent number: 5500968
    Abstract: A dock leveler comprising a ramp hinged at its rear end to a supporting structure and movable between a generally horizontal position and an upwardly inclined position. A lip is hinged to the forward edge of the ramp and can be pivoted between a downwardly hanging pendant position and an extended position. Interposed between the ramp and the supporting structure is an inflatable bag, while a second inflatable bag interconnects the ramp and the lip. Blowers mounted beneath the ramp supplies low pressure air to both bags, and inflation of the first bag will move the ramp upwardly to the inclined position, while inflation of the second bag will move the lip from the pendant to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Kelley Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles H. Hodges
  • Patent number: 5500969
    Abstract: A dual polarity commutated roll attracts toner and debris particles loosened into a particle cloud from the photoreceptor surface by an acoustical horn. The particles are attracted to and adhere to the commutated roll, whether right or wrong sign (i.e. positive or negative), and are removed from the roll, as the roll rotates, by a scraper blade. The particles are collected in a waste container as the particles are removed from the roll surface by the scraper blade. Residual particles that are not attracted to the commutated roll, are removed from the photoreceptor surface by a spots blade. The cleaning system does not contact the photoreceptor, thus, increasing cleaner and photoreceptor life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Bonislawski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5500970
    Abstract: An automatic toothbrush to optimally clean at least two sides of a tooth or a row of teeth comprising a cleaning head with a substantially U-shaped support to which are mounted clusters of bristles. The clusters of bristles are mounted on self-positioning pivoting levers of the U-shaped support in order to clean even little accessible tooth locations. Using at least one mechanical and/or electromagnetic drive means, control is made possible of a phase-shifted, impulsive motion of the support relative to the automatic toothbrush and of the pivoting levers with the cleaning bristles relative to the support to implement a cleaning or wiping action by the clusters of bristles from the gum to the tooth crown while, in the opposite direction, the motion takes place with at least reduced pressure applied to the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Wilhelm Maurer
    Inventors: Wilhelm Maurer, Andreas Maurer
  • Patent number: 5500971
    Abstract: A hand-scrubbing brush has drive mechanism, a housing accommodating the drive mechanism, the housing having a kidney-shaped profile, a plurality of rotational bodies equipped with bristles arranged rotatably in one narrow side of the housing along a line adapted to a kidney shape of the profile, and a mechanism for transmitting movement of the drive mechanism to the rotational bodies so as to drive the rotational bodies in form-and force-locking manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Hartmut Springmann
  • Patent number: 5500972
    Abstract: A scrubber for cleaning a dorsal portion of an individual. The inventive device includes a plurality of cylindrical brushes each symmetrically oriented about an individual axis. The brushes are coupled to rotating assembly for spinning each brush about its individual axis and simultaneously rotating the brushes about a common center axis. The handle extends from the rotating assembly to permit manual manipulation of the device during a bathing procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: David C. Foster
  • Patent number: 5500973
    Abstract: A plaque removing device adaptable to a water supply and which includes a flexible conduit, an interchangeable toothbrush, a plurality of bristles, and a rinse reservoir. The flexible conduit contains a rinse conduit and at least one water conduit. The flexible conduit has a flexible conduit first end that is connectable to the water supply and a flexible conduit second end. The interchangeable toothbrush has an interchangeable toothbrush head portion and contains a rinse passageway that communicates with the water conduit and at least one water passageway that communicates with the at least one water conduit. The toothbrush is disconnectingly attached to the flexible conduit second end so that the interchangeable toothbrush can be changed for user preference. The plurality of bristles are located on the toothbrush head portion and communicate with both the rinse passageway and the at least one water passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: John J. Phelan
  • Patent number: 5500974
    Abstract: A dredging device includes a casing in which a substantially U-shaped frame is pivotally mounted. A stem portion is rotatably mounted on an upper wall of the casing. A first axle has an upper end securely attached to the stem portion. A drive gear is fixedly mounted around a lower end of the first axle. A second axle is rotatably mounted through a lower section of the frame. A driven gear is fixedly mounted around an upper end of the second axle. A threaded groove is defined in an inner wall of the second axle. A third axle has a first end rotatably mounted through a mediate portion of a side section of the frame. A transmission gear is fixedly mounted around the third axle and meshes between the drive gear and the driven gear. A reel is securely mounted on a second end of the third axle. A length of stranded rope is wound around the reel and has a free end extending through the threaded groove in the second axle to outside of the lower wall of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Chung K. Wu
  • Patent number: 5500975
    Abstract: A toothbrush having two types of bristle end forms. Filaments, each having a tapered end and a ball-like end, are bundled, and folded in to a U-shape bend in a manner that the tapered end is projected from the ball end. The tapered end is inserted into a periodontal pocket by the projected length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Taihei Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Sano
  • Patent number: 5500976
    Abstract: A cyclonic power wash system uses high pressure, high temperature water for selectively cleaning large, flat, concrete or asphalt surfaces. The sprayed water is reclaimed by vacuuming it through holes in the bottom of a reclamation ring attached to the underside of the mobile cyclone sprayer, filtering the vacuumed water and returning it to a storage tank for re-use by the system. The filtration tank initially filters out large matter in an inlet trough and smaller matter in a plurality of cascading chambers. A rotary union in the sprayer prevents the water, passing from the inlet of the rotary union to the discharge thereof, from leaking through or around a seal formed by pressing together a pair of hard, durable sealing surfaces, for example, silicon carbide, one of which is non-rotatably slidingly received in an upper recess of the union's fixed housing and the other, affixed to a spindle rotatably received and retained in a lower recess of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Cyclone Surface Cleaning, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Rohrbacher, Judith M. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 5500977
    Abstract: A novel upright, hot water carpet cleaning extractor is disclosed. The overall configuration and operation of the extractor is similar to that of a typical upright vacuum cleaner and may be similarly operated in both the forward and reverse direction. The herein taught extractor comprises a base frame including the floor suction nozzle, suction fan, cleaning solution distributor, and a removable combination air/liquid separator and recovery tank. A manipulative push-pull handle is pivotly attached to the base frame having a removable cleaning solution supply tank supported thereon. The herein taught upright extractor is easily stored, self contained, easy to operate and requiring minimal effort by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Gregg A. McAllise, Jeffery A. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5500978
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner apparatus is disclosed, including a housing and a blower disposed in the housing. There is a power source for driving the blower and a substance collection container is detachably engaged with the housing and includes an inlet portion formed therein. A suction section extends generally between the blower and the substance collection container and includes a first port disposed in the container. An intake section is engaged with the inlet portion of the container and includes a second port disposed in the container. An actuator selectively connects the blower with the power source to operate the blower and opens the first and second ports to create a vacuum in the container such that the air and accompanying substances are drawn through the intake section into the container. The actuator also selectively disconnects the blower from the power source and closes the first and second ports to terminate air flow and restrict substance movement into and out of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Morris M. Levine
  • Patent number: 5500979
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a housing having a bottom portion with wheels. A handle rod with a handle for guiding and pushing the vacuum cleaner across a floor is connected to the housing. A suction blower with a drive motor is positioned in the housing. The housing comprises a brush roller chamber with a rotatably driven brush roller with brush elements positioned therein. The housing has a suction slot through which the brush elements of the brush roller extend. The housing further comprises a receiving chamber positioned between the brush roller chamber and the suction blower with a removable dirt collecting container received therein. The dirt collecting container has sidewalls wherein a first one of the sidewalls faces the brush roller chamber and has an inlet slot extending substantially over the length of the brush roller chamber for allowing passage of a suction air stream entering the suction slot into the dirt collecting container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Firma Fedag
    Inventor: Peter Wo/ rwag
  • Patent number: 5500980
    Abstract: A carpet securement includes a polymeric body with a longitudally extending groove in its bottom surface. Tacks or other fasteners protrude upwardly through the body. The tackheads or other drive elements of the fasteners may be lodged within the groove and serve as a bearing element to help support that portion of the body bridging the groove. The body may also be provided with a downwardly projecting riblike support rail inside the groove to help support the body. A groove minimizes the weight of a polymer incorporated in the securement body and further permits flush seating of the fasteners without localized overstressing of the polymer. In an extrusion process useful in making the body or other polymeric elements, sizing dies are provided with devices for maintaining a fluid film between an extrudate passed through the die and the contact surfaces of the die itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Morrow Associated Enterprises
    Inventors: Darrell R. Morrow, Leslie D. Morrow
  • Patent number: 5500981
    Abstract: A handle device for luggage includes a pair of tubes slidably engaged in two conduits. A number of depressions are formed in the conduits, and the tubes include a pair of resilient members secured to the lower ends for engaging with the depressions so as to position the tubes relative to the conduits. A handle is secured to the other ends of the tubes. A bar is slidably engaged in the handle and coupled to the resilient members for disengaging the resilient members from the depressions and so as to allow adjustment of the tubes relative to the conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Shu-Mou Ho
  • Patent number: 5500982
    Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus of the present invention has a body portion with a keyboard on a front upper part thereof, and a display portion which is connected to a higher position at the rear of the body portion through a hinge portion such that the display portion is folded down and pulled up with respect to the body portion. The display portion is provided with a large-sized display screen such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) on a front surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takashi Hosoi
  • Patent number: 5500983
    Abstract: The invention relates to a corner cabinet hinge (30) for hanging a free panel (14b) of a two-panel corner cabinet door (14) on the panel (14a) that is hung by a hinge on the carcase supporting wall. The hinge (30) has two members which are associated one with each of the door panels and which are formed as a hinge cup (38) disposed in one of the door panels, and as a hinge arm (34) mounted rotatably in the hinge cup and adjustably fastened to the other door panel. In the area where the hinge arm (34) is journaled in the hinge cup (38) a thrusting device is provided which in the closed position of the door (14) biases the door panel into a position in which the panel assumes an angle of slightly more than 90.degree.. The thrusting device has a pusher displaceably mounted in the hinge cup and biased against the end of the hinge arm that is journaled in the hinge cup, plus a cam surface formed on this end of the hinge arm, which the pusher attacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Mepla Werke Lautenschlager GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Reinhard Lautenschla/ ger
  • Patent number: 5500984
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a housing and a door hinged to the housing. The hinge carries a door opening/closing apparatus in the form of a follower slide member carried by the door and arranged to slide upwardly along a camming slide member during opening of the door, and to slide downwardly along the camming slide member during closing of the door to assist in such closing. The follower slide member is able to rotate slightly before making contact with the camming slide member upon initial opening movement of the door so that the opening/closing apparatus does not increase the force needed to initially open the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun Sub Lee