Samples -- Issued Patents & Publications

Manhole debris-catching system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A debris-catching system for preventing debris from falling into the pipe opening at the bottom of a manhole catch basin. The debris-catcher comprises two semi-circular halves hinged together such that the two halves may be folded and inserted into a manhole opening. The debris-catcher comprises aligned apertures that allow it to be hooked and lowered into a manhole. The two halves are opened up to form a circular blocker which sets on the manhole bottom flat base. The debris-catcher allows normal effluent flow through the manhole while in place. The debris-catcher floats and will do so during an overflow condition. Further, the debris-catcher will resume its protective function after an overflow condition has subsided.

Electronic advertising display and public internet access system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A computer controlled digital electronic display system for disseminating targeted public advertising, at select times and in select locations, in combination with a system for providing publicly available Internet access. It is designed to provide wireless connectivity between portable consumer electronics and the Internet. Also described is a business method for the placement of revenue generating Internet services including wireless based transactions, funded essentially by advertising revenue.

Open-web-joist load-support system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
Shown is a clamping system with multiple clamps that work in combination with each other to support a load attached to an open web joist. This clamping system is typically used to clamp a piping system, of the type commonly used to suspend a basketball backboard and basket, to an open web steel joist of a gymnasium. The clamp combines a prior art "horizontal" clamp subassembly, which clamps to the opposed "lips" of the open web joist, with a second clamp subassembly which provides a "vertical" clamp centered within the horizontal clamp, supported above the open top portion of the open web joist and extending through the open middle portion of the open web joist.

WIND POWER SYSTEM   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A system for the generation of electrical power (100) using an improved 600-watt to 900­-watt wind turbine system. The system comprises a wind driven generator (116) utilizing an array of uni-directional carbon fiber turbine blades (120), an air-ducting nose cone (118), and a supporting tower structure. Additionally, a method of blade fabrication utilizing expanding foam, to achieve improved blade edge strength, is disclosed. The support tower (101) utilizes a compressive coupler that permits standard fence pipe to be joined without welding or drilling.

Fire-control sprinkler system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
This invention provides for a valve system for use in fire suppression systems that provides pressure relief, pressure testing, and drain/test fluid flow capability. The valve system consists of a valve body with an attached riser. Adjustably attached to the riser is a rotary handle for raising and lowering a spring loaded valve stem. A blocking plug is provided for attachment to the handle which operates to block the movement of the valve stem during pressure testing of the fire suppression system. A tension disk is adjustably attached to the inside of the riser to manually adjust the spring tension. In addition, a means is provided for preventing system fluid from contacting the spring.

Wind power system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A system for the generation of electrical power using an improved 600-watt to 900-watt wind turbine system. The system comprises a wind driven generator utilizing an array of uni-directional carbon fiber turbine blades, an air-ducting nose cone, and a supporting tower structure. Additionally, a method of blade fabrication utilizing expanding foam, to achieve improved blade edge strength, is disclosed. The support tower utilizes a compressive coupler that permits standard fence pipe to be joined without welding or drilling.

Exterior wall sealing system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A system for sealing the gaps that occur along the perimeter of a building envelope, particularly along with installation of an exterior finish system channel, or screed, as occurs in the installation and application of stucco. It is common to have gaps occur between the channel, base plate, and foundation of the building envelope. The system utilizes a foam sealing element in combination with the channel, caulking, a fiberglass netting that is installed along the bottom of the channel and the face of the foundation, and, an adhesive sealant that seals and adheres the fiberglass netting to the foundation. The system includes several embodiments for use in either new construction or as an aftermarket product.

Bed lifting system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A bed lifting system utilizing a unitary block having bed leg receiving cavities, each of different depth, on reversable top and bottom sides of the block. One of these sides has four round cylindrical bore holes for stably supporting a bed leg (with or without a small wheel) at each of four different elevations. The other side has four cavities shaped to support a large bed leg wheel at each of four elevations. Extension blocks are provided for fitting over the unitary block to further raise the bed leg.

Mobile phone power adapter system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
The ornamental design for a "mobile phone power adapter system", as shown and described.

Crutch and cane holder system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A crutch and cane holder attachment for attaching to the rear vertical surface portion, below the seat and preferably just above a rear deck, of a motorized wheelchair-scooter, of the type used to transport a disabled person. Such motorized wheelchair-scooters are typically provided in grocery stores and other retail establishments for use by disabled persons. The adjustable crutch and cane holder will accommodate storage of crutches or canes regardless of the angle of attachment of the holder to the motorized wheelchair-scooter or the slope of the wheelchair seat-back. This adjustability provides that the crutches will not hit the user in the head or interfere with the seat-back when utilizing a seat that swivels. The low mounting height provides for a minimal distance above the floor that the crutches or cane must be lifted to accommodate storage.

Bi-fold box door system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A utility box, of the type found on utility trucks, having a vertically-openable door which stores by resting on the top of the utility box. The door has as upper segment and a lower segment connected by a first hinge; and the upper segment is connected to the utility box top by a second hinge. The lower segment is about twice the height of the upper segment. Because of this construction, the door may be opened and closed nearby another vehicle or structure, since the maximum horizontal extension needed (from the box) to operate the door is about the same as the height of the smaller upper door segment.

Exterior lighting systems   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
Several matching exterior lighting systems for use on property having electrical service wiring. Lighting fixtures are made of pipe or wood, preferably PVC pipe or redwood. Several embodiments can be installed directly in the ground, while other embodiments can be installed on the vertical exterior surface of a building, or on the top of a wall. In all embodiments, the lamp and electrical connections are housed within the same enclosure, and no separate electrical box is needed. The embodiments made of pipe are coated with stucco, brick, stone, tile, wood, aluminum sheet, or copper sheet, to protect the pipe from environmental degradation. The preferred coating is stucco, and the invention includes a new method of applying stucco to a circular cylinder and manufacturing an article. All embodiments have elongated rectangular windows parallel both to the florescent light bulb, and to the axis of the cylinder, with translucent lenses to allow light to escape. The circular embodiments each have a single lens that covers all of the windows. In several embodiments, the florescent light and light bulbs can be accessed by removing the top of the light and lifting out the lamp which is hung from the top.

Hammer-ripper excavating system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A hammer-ripper system for use with the mounting on the boom arm, of an excavator/backhoe, of a conventional hydraulically-operated hammer fitted with a "shortened" chisel. A "ripping-type" device like a chisel tooth mounts to a lever with its pivot point attached to the side of the hammer. One end of the lever extends to be impacted by under the shortened chisel, while the other end extends inward. Thus, the tooth end can be placed under embedded boulders and used to hammer (using the transmitted reciprocating action of the hydraulic hammer), and pry or break up the boulders from underneath with the combined hammering and ripping action.

Pipe connection system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A pipe connection system has a non-threaded, quick-pipe connection for connecting pipe in a pressurized system, for connecting piping components within a fire sprinkler system, including a flow switch to a fire sprinkler system riser port. A male and female member are attached through the use of a through-slot in the female member that aligns with a groove in the male member such that a locking clip may be inserted through the female and male members when they are joined, thereby blocking the members from being dis-joined. An O-ring seal in a groove on the male member and sealable bore on the female member allow for a sealed and pressurized piping system.

Interpreter certification system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A method for testing and certifying interpreter's knowledge in specific industries and language pairs. Certification is accomplished through testing, training, service observation and customer feedback. Certification testing is conducted using tests developed for a specific industry and language pair. Testing is conducted telephonically strictly adhering to a fixed protocol. Test scoring is accomplished using a dictionary of terms for each industry and language pair which indicates level of accuracy for each possible interpretation.

System for one-touch bible book selection and viewing   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A hand-held system for user selection and display of electronically stored Biblical information. More specifically, a portable electronic bible system having a Bible book selection keypad with dedicated Bible book keys to provide one-touch Bible book selection and viewing. The system comprises additional keys for selection of a desired chapter and verse. Biblical and menu information is viewed on an LCD display. The system is battery powered with an optional A/C adapter. A data transfer port allows supplemental Biblical information to be transferred and stored in the memory of the system. System components are contained in a two-part hinged housing. A method of use and methods of acquiring supplemental Biblical information are also described.

Interactive internet shopping and data integration method and system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A method and system for interactively shopping for groceries, especially on an Internet web site, where the user may create a shopping list, shop for items from the list at a selected Grocery Storey store, arrange for pick up or delivery of the selected items and payment, or to download the list to a PDA or for printing with the store's layout for use in the store. Users are required to register and provide specific demographic information (useful to Manufacturers and stores) to be eligible to receive the benefits of use of the web site, such as menu creation, coupon downloads, menu planning, and recipe input. Shopping lists may be created from a single input screen using standard language text; and products may be automatically suggested to the user based on best regular price or retailer's specials. Recipes may be altered to meet numbers of servings or dietary requirements and changes stored for future use.

Event chair cover system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A system for attaching accessories to a chair back. The chair-band system provides a material-covered elastic band with one or more removable attachment systems in the face of the band that allow for accessories, such as decorations, to be attached to the band. It also provides a chair-band that stretches to fit over the back of a chair and grip it tightly. The accessories are connected to an attacher that attaches to the band. In addition, the system provides for a business method for using elastic bands, decorations, accessories, signage, and attachers, with the following steps: warehousing a large plurality of elastic bands, decorations, accessories, signage, and attachers; permitting each customer to select an appropriate number and kind of such elastic bands, decorations, accessories, signage, and attachers; renting or delivering to such customer such appropriate number and kind of such bands and either one of the following: such decorations, attachers and bands, or specially providing for such customer custom decorations usable with such attachers and bands.

System for holding an indwelling catheter   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A system for holding an indwelling catheter above the heart of a patient wearing one. When a patient has a central line placed, the catheter is sutured into the patient's chest and the external portion of the catheter, the portion that remains outside the patient's body, must be carefully protected and kept sterile; and it must also be carefully held above the level of the patient's heart and the insertion point of the catheter so that the patient's blood does not flow back into the catheter, potentially causing life-threatening clotting or infection. A sterilizable, disposable hanger, which is connectable to the port end (the external end) of the catheter, can be suspended from a necklace or neck cord by passing the neck cord through apertures in the hanger. This system allows a patient to hang the catheter from a neck cord. Using the hanger frees patients from using tape on their skin or pins in their clothing to hold their catheter in place.

INTERACTIVE INTERNET SHOPPING AND DATA INTEGRATION METHOD AND SYSTEM   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A method and system for interactively shopping for groceries, especially on an Internet web site (108), where the user may create a shopping list, shop for items from the list at a selected Grocery Storey store, arrange for pick up or delivery of the selected items and payment, or to download the list to a PDA (407) or for printing with the store's layout for use in the store. Users are required to register and provide specific demographic information (Figure 37) (useful to Manufacturers and stores) to be eligible to receive the benefits of use of the web site, such as menu creation, coupon downloads, menu planning, and recipe input. Shopping lists may be created from a single input screen using standard language text; and products may be automatically suggested to the user based on best regular price or retailer's specials. Recipes may be altered to meet numbers of servings or dietary requirements and changes stored for future use.

Hands free cellular system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
The ornamental design for a "hands free cellular system", as shown and described.

Overflow drain outlet cover system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A system for covering drain pipe outlets, particularly, as they exit a building. The system includes a band that is tightened around the exterior of a pipe as it protrudes through the side of a building. Attached to the band is a hinged cover which is sized to entirely cover the pipe and hidden hinge. The cover may be covered with material to match or complement the building exterior surfacing, such as paint or stucco. In addition, the band portion may also include one or more restictors, such as bars, to prevent unauthorized access or debris from entering the pipe. The system provides for multiple size covers and bands for a wide variety of pipe sizes.

Hands free cellular system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
The ornamental design for a "hands free cellular system", as shown and described.

Mobile percussion instrument field rack system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A mobile percussion-instrument field rack that holds a multiplicity of percussion instruments such that one or more percussionists can play at the same time. The field rack is foldable and easily transported, preferably in between the seats of a bus. It has large wide wheels attached to a center portion of the rack with a fixed stable wheelbase which is independent of swinging and height-adjustable side wings of the rack. It is exceptionally stable and comprises a distinct upper and lower framework which utilizes a two-point clamping system for improved securing of the instruments.

Custom ankle brace system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A custom ankle brace which is made to compensate for debilitating conditions of an individual patient's ankle area. The brace is custom made by creating a negative cast of the patient's foot/ankle/lower-leg; and then prescribed markings are included on the negative cast by the castmaker to indicate the desired geometry of support. The markings are transferable to a positive cast to inform the bracemaker. The custom brace has inner and outer material layers with a stiffening element within, all fitted to the shape of a built-up positive cast, the stiffening element having a unitary horizontal partial sole portion and vertical back-and-sides-of-leg portion. The stiffening element, made from a thin polymeric sheet, is vacuum and heat fitted to the built-up-positive cast.

Lure retrieval system   (PDF ,  Text only,  Figure 1)
A fishing lure retriever system for retrieving an artificial fishing lure that has become snagged in underwater debris. The fishing lure retriever provides a round cylindrical hollow body, preferably a heavy metal such as steel in construction, which is removably attached to a fishing line through a spiraling diagonal slot in the body such that the retriever is centered around the fishing line and can impact the debris that has snagged the fishing lure. The fishing line is prevented from slipping out of the retriever by the spiral shape of the slot and U-shaped blockers blocking the slot ends. In addition, the retriever has chains weldably attached to the bottom end portion of the retriever to capture the hooks of the snagged fishing lure. Furthermore, the fishing lure retriever has a retrieval line attached to an upside-down-V-shaped bar welded to the top of the body for pulling on the retriever. The capturing of the hooks and combined impacting of the debris and pulling of the retrieval line attached to the V-shaped bar combine to efficiently retrieve a snagged lure.