Bizarre Patents
Pet Toilet-Like Water Disk and Food Storage
One pet-friendly inventor patented "a device for watering pets, e.g., a dog or cat." The device, he helpfully noted, "has the general shape of a toilet."
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 5655731 | Hub for holding tape in a wound configuration A peripheral portion in a hub is hollow, flat and defined by a pair of spaced and parallel surfaces. An annular periphery in this portion holds a tape in a wound configuration. An additional portion integral with the inner periphery of the peripheral port... | 08/12/1997 |
| 5640332 | Multimedia graphics system Words of different types of digital information, including standard interframe video (SIF), graphics, television and audio are transferred preferably in packets between a controller, storage memory and shift registers (e.g. FIFO's) individually associated... | 06/17/1997 |
| 5640162 | Digital-to-analog converter with binary coded inputs to produce a plurality of outputs in the form of thermometer code Binary bits of least binary significance are converted to a corresponding analog output. Binary bits of increased binary significance are converted to a first plurality of thermometer outputs. A plurality of switching assemblies, each preferably recursive... | 06/17/1997 |
| 5640670 | Narrow-band quadrature demodulator for recovering analog video and digital audio in a direct broadcast system A direct broadcast satellite sends subscribers signals received from an earth-station transmitter and typically having a 10 MHz bandwidth, 6 MHz for an analog video station and 4 MHz for up to 24 digital audio stations. When a subscriber selects one of th... | 06/17/1997 |
| 5638131 | Method to synchronize video modulation using a constant time base Successive pixels representing video data in successive lines in a raster scan are buffered. Each of the lines has a sync pulse defining the line beginning. A phase adjustment is determined between the sync pulse, preferably at a particular level in the s... | 06/10/1997 |
| 5631461 | Apparatus for, and methods of, detecting the direction and focal properties of neutral particle beams A source wire is in the path of a neutral particle beam formed from positively and negatively charged particles (ions) and neutral particles (atoms). The source wire strips electrons from the negatively charged particles to neutralize these particles and ... | 05/20/1997 |
| 5631593 | Adjustable delay line A plurality of binary signals each having first and second logic levels respectively representing a binary "1" and a binary "0" and each indicating a binary digit of an individual binary significance cumulatively represent an adjustable delay to be provid... | 05/20/1997 |
| 5627396 | Micromachined relay and method of forming the relay A bridging member extending across a cavity in a semiconductor substrate (e.g. signal crystal silicon) has successive layers--a masking layer, an electrically conductive layer (e.g. polysilicon) and an insulating layer (e.g. SiO2). A first elec... | 05/06/1997 |
| 5627885 | System for, and method of, transmitting and receiving through telephone lines signals representing data Analog signals representing individual digital values (&#b1;1, &#b1;3) pass through a telephone line to a receiver. These signals may be first provided in a pseudo random sequence. A linear echo canceller and a first adder eliminate, to an extent, echo si... | 05/06/1997 |
| 5623117 | Delay ordnance system A pancake-configured housing holds first and second printed circuit boards. The first board includes electronic circuitry providing an adjustable timing delay and a first switch manually operated from a position external to the housing. The second board i... | 04/22/1997 |
| 5620933 | Micromachined relay and method of forming the relay A bridging member extending across a cavity in a semiconductor substrate (e.g. single crystal silicon) has successive layers--a masking layer, an electrically conductive layer (e.g. polysilicon) and an insulating layer (e.g. SiO2). A first elec... | 04/15/1997 |
| 5608403 | Modulated radiation pulse concept for impairing electrical circuitry An electron beam is generated in a packetized form defined by pulses having a duty cycle of less than 1:1000. Each pulse may have a width of approximately one microsecond (1 μsec.) and may be separated by approximately one (1) second from the next pulse.... | 03/04/1997 |
| 5604741 | Ethernet system Four (4) unshielded twisted pairs of wires connect a hub and a computer in an Ethernet system: one (1) pair for transmission only, another for reception only and the other two (2) for transmission and reception. The signals in the wires are in packets eac... | 02/18/1997 |
| 5602495 | Apparatus for providing an output voltage with substantially identical rising and falling characteristics An inverter receives an energizing voltage with a particular magnitude (e.g. 1.5 V) at a first terminal and produces the voltage at a second terminal. The received and produced voltages are differentially introduced to a stage which produces a single-ende... | 02/11/1997 |
| 5596284 | System for, and method of, minimizing noise in an integrated circuit chip The noise from the effects of currents through distributed capacitances between electrical circuitry on an integrated circuit chip and the chip substrate is minimized, especially for analog circuitry mixed on the chip with digital circuitry. The invention... | 01/21/1997 |
| 5593478 | Fluid fractionator A rotary valve at the inlets of a plurality of columns cyclically (1) selects first columns on a cyclic basis to receive compressed air, adsorb nitrogen and other components in the compressed air and pass oxygen and argon to a user (e.g. patient), second ... | 01/14/1997 |
| 5592359 | Transducer First and second units have similar, preferably substantially identical, constructions. Each unit is preferably cylindrical and has an outer electrically conductive shell preferably made from a metal. A dielectric material, preferably a ceramic, abuts the... | 01/07/1997 |
| 5583315 | Ammonium nitrate propellants A propellant with a long shelf life that is smoke-free when combusted. The propellant may have the following composition when the propellant includes a reinforcing agent. ______________________________________ Approximate Percent... | 12/10/1996 |
| 5579301 | System for, and method of, managing voice congestion in a network environment A first voice channel transmits voice signals into a second voice channel through a plurality of network nodes and data links. Preferably the voice signals are in packets each having a plurality of bits containing voice information and each having at leas... | 11/26/1996 |
| 5571607 | Thermoplastic thermoformable composite material and method of forming such material A thermoplastic resin defines a core of a thermoformable thermoplastic composite material. The core is sufficiently thick to provide for a shaping of the composite material at an elevated temperature to any desired configuration. First and second layers o... | 11/05/1996 |
| 5554950 | Delay line providing an adjustable delay in response to binary input signals A plurality of binary signals each having first and second logic levels respectively representing a binary "1" and a binary "0" and each indicating a binary digit of an individual binary significance cumulatively represent an adjustable delay to be provid... | 09/10/1996 |
| 5542041 | Apparatus for, and methods of, providing a universal format of pixels and for scaling fields in the pixels Raster display memories are often arranged to output groups of pixels in progressive blocks, each having a plurality of pixels and each pixel having a plurality of fields. The fields in each pixel may provide color, overlay and cursor information for an i... | 07/30/1996 |
| 5541598 | Current cell for converting a binary value to an analog value A digital value represented by binary signals is converted to a corresponding analog value by three (3) current cells, preferably C-MOS p-type, in a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The three (3) transistors, preferably disposed on an integrated circuit... | 07/30/1996 |
| 5539857 | Heater block for injection molding with removable heat conductive member in groove in heater block A heating block made from a heat conductive material has a passage through which a fluid heated by the heater can flow. A groove preferably having a looped configuration extends into the block from a peripheral surface in the block. A heater made from an ... | 07/23/1996 |
| 5538757 | Method of making thermoplastic composite material A thermoplastic composite material may be formed by supplying the thermoplastic material to the opposite surfaces of the fabric material and by then passing the resultant material through the spaces between progressive pairs of rollers. The rollers in eac... | 07/23/1996 |
| 5537267 | Apparatus for, and methods of, processing a slave cassette to obtain a transfer of an image on a master tape to a slave tape in the slave cassette Slave cassettes each including a slave tape and having a peripheral groove are stacked in a first station. Gripping fingers movable into the grooves in the forward cassette and the next cassette grip the forward cassette. During the pivoting of the casset... | 07/16/1996 |
| 5525412 | Thermoplastic thermoformable composite material and method of forming such material A thermoplastic resin defines a core of a thermoformable thermoplastic composite material. The core is sufficiently thick to provide for a shaping of the composite material at an elevated temperature to any desired configuration. First and second layers o... | 06/11/1996 |
| 5526197 | Tape drive system A thermomagnetic layer on a slave tape has a Curie temperature above which it loses, and below which it stores, an image. Such layer is heated above the Curie temperature just before such layer records an image. To compensate for image stretching in such ... | 06/11/1996 |
| 5523897 | Tape duplicating system Master and slave tapes respectively move on a pinch roller from a first supply reel to a first take-up reel in a first cassette and on a capstan from a second supply reel to a second take-up reel in a second cassette. The pinch roller locked in a first po... | 06/04/1996 |
| 5521539 | Delay line providing an adjustable delay First and second complementary input voltages control current flow through first and second switches (e.g. semiconductor devices) each respectively connected in first and second control circuits with a first constant current source. When the input voltage... | 05/28/1996 |
| 5519546 | Apparatus for, and methods of, recording signals in tracks on a memory member without using reference indices such as clock signals A head records a track (e.g. a servo track) in a memory member outside of a clean room without using reference indices. In each of a plurality of cyclical movements (e.g. revolutions), signals (e.g. servo signals) are recorded in the track in an individua... | 05/21/1996 |
| 5513817 | Servo system A master tape movable in a closed loop including a pinch roller transfers a mirror image to a slave tape movable in a closed loop including a capstan. A thermomagnetic layer on the slave tape has a Curie temperature above which magnetic information is des... | 05/07/1996 |
| 5513976 | Nozzle for heating and passing a fluid into a mold A nozzle has a runner for passing fluid through the nozzle. The fluid is heated as it passes through the runner. The temperature of the fluid may be regulated. The fluid flows from the runner into a well formed in a nozzle well insert which is disposed on... | 05/07/1996 |
| 5513921 | Forms stacker Distressed forms or sheets folded at progressive lengths are lifted from a first platform, processed as by a printer and then stacked on a second platform on the other side of the printer from the first platform. The platform is disposed on tubular suppor... | 05/07/1996 |
| 5511074 | Voice/fax digitizing rate negotiation for switched connection in a network environment A calling station sends to a called station a call request package including the address of the called station and the information digitizing rate of the calling station. The packet may also include the address of the calling station. The called station s... | 04/23/1996 |
| 5507230 | Self-powered delayed ordnance An input electrical pulse as from an input mechanism is rectified and converted to a direct voltage, which may be regulated in magnitude. The regulated direct voltage may be introduced to a timing circuit which produces a signal after an adjustable and pr... | 04/16/1996 |
| 5503508 | Apparatus for, and method of, drilling lug holes and valve stem holes in motor vehicle wheels A member is disposed against a motor vehicle wheel at a position near the center of a bore for receiving the wheel axle. The member may be a collet expansible radially against the annular wall defining the central bore. Alternatively, a ring may be moved ... | 04/02/1996 |
| 5500892 | Echo canceller Analog signals representing individual digital values (+3, +1, -1, -3) of data pass through a telephone line to a receiver. These signals may first be provided in a pseudo random sequence. A linear echo canceller and a first adder at the receiver simultan... | 03/19/1996 |
| 5499579 | Delay ordnance system A pancake-configured housing holds first and second printed circuit boards. The first board includes electronic circuitry providing an adjustable timing delay and a first switch manually operated from a position external to the housing. The second board i... | 03/19/1996 |
| 5495819 | Endothermic gas generator for use in a device propulsion An enclosure has stationary walls and a ram dividing the enclosure into first and second sections and movable in a particular direction to enlarge the first section and reduce the second section. A device (e.g. a projectile) is disposed in the second sect... | 03/05/1996 |
