Did You Know...
...that the inventor of the electric motor was a blacksmith named Thomas Davenport? Described as "a brilliantly unsuccessful inventor", Davenport invented the first rotary electric motor. In 1836 he headed out -- on foot -- from his Vermont home to file a patent application at the Patent Office in Washington, D.C. By the time he got there, he had squandered away his money and couldn't afford the $30 filing fee so he turned around and went home. When he later mailed in his application with money he'd raised, the Patent office was destroyed in a fire. He did finally get credit for his invention on Feb. 5, 1837.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8180053 | Secure communications system with assured synchronization for data exchanged among system ports A secure communications system has at least one processor and a control bus. A number of ports, each having a different fixed address, are coupled to the control bus. The processor assigns each port the address of another port whose data the port is permitted to rec... | 05/15/2012 |
| 8162997 | Device for treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocations A surgical fastener system for acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations, includes a first fastener having an elongate body, and an inner pair of openings centered on the long axis of the body. A closed loop stitch passes through the openings, and the length of the ... | 04/24/2012 |
| 8155045 | Supporting mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) and point to multi-point (PMP) communications among nodes in a wireless network Nodes in a wireless network participate in either point-to-multipoint (PMP) or MANET/mesh communications with other nodes on one or more shared channels of the network. A first or base station node transmits a downlink signal having a time frame structure of determi... | 04/10/2012 |
| 8072992 | Interfacing real and virtual networks in hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) simulations Real and simulated (virtual) networks are interfaced with one another for carrying out hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing and evaluations. A simulated network is modeled at a workstation by running a network simulation or discrete event modeling tool on the worksta... | 12/06/2011 |
| 8049667 | GPS antenna array and system for adaptively suppressing multiple interfering signals in azimuth and elevation An antenna system has N antenna units stacked on a mast. Each unit has elements for responding to, e.g., GPS signals, and a phasing network that produces mutually orthogonal primary and auxiliary pattern modes at corresponding mode ports of the unit. A number of pow... | 11/01/2011 |
| 8045574 | Contention protocols for wireless medium access in communication networks Wireless medium access in a communication network having a number of terminals is controlled by defining protocol message units for transmission by a given terminal which units correspond to operational states of at least one of the terminal and the medium. A number... | 10/25/2011 |
| 8032032 | Bi-directional optical link between multiple data sources and a processing node in an avionics platform A fiber optic link for platforms with data sources including, e.g., sensors, cameras, radars and antennas. An array of optical transmitter/receiver pairs is coupled to an integrating network of the platform. Data modules are each coupled to certain ones of the data ... | 10/04/2011 |
| 7944559 | Airborne hyperspectral imaging system A hyperspectral imaging system has fore-optics including primary, secondary and tertiary fore-optics mirrors, and an imaging spectrometer including primary, secondary and tertiary spectrometer mirrors. Light from a distant object is collected by the primary fore-opt... | 05/17/2011 |
| 7924747 | Enhancement of node connectivity in a wireless communications network with changing topology via adaptive role changing A process and system for enhancing connectivity among nodes of a wireless communications network by adapting to changes in the network topology. Nodes of the network are configured to operate according to either (i) an ad hoc protocol wherein a given node assumes a ... | 04/12/2011 |
| 7839321 | Radar cable detection system Ground clutter is effectively separated from true signals echoed by a cable in the flight path of an aircraft, by encoding a transmitted pulse wave in a radar system with at least one transmit (TX) coding sequence, so that received signals echoed by the cable on whi... | 11/23/2010 |
| 7821994 | Supporting mobile Ad-Hoc network (MANET) and point to multi-point (PMP) communications among nodes in a wireless network Member nodes of a wireless point-to-multipoint (PMP) network may participate in mobile ad hoc (MANET) or mesh communications with other nodes on the same channels used by the network for PMP communications. A PMP network base station node transmits a downlink signal... | 10/26/2010 |
| 7751566 | Apparatus using a time division multiple access bus for providing multiple levels of security in a communications system Systems including both distributed and centralized architectures for providing multiple levels of security using “virtual” switches. Ports and channels are assigned the same time slots on a TDMA bus only when they have matching security levels. ... | 07/06/2010 |
| 7676673 | Multi-level secure (MLS) information network A method of enforcing a network security policy including mandatory access control (MAC), discretionary access control (DAC) and integrity control for a secure information network, includes operating a transport guard within a memory partition logically between a pr... | 03/09/2010 |
| 7656851 | Adaptive message routing for mobile ad HOC networks Domains are formed in a mobile ad hoc network by exchanging topology update messages among neighboring nodes, each message including the node coverage of the originating node. The node having an optimum coverage of its neighbors becomes a domain lead (DL) node, and ... | 02/02/2010 |
| 7271965 | Wideband apochromatic lens system A wideband, e.g., 550 nm to 940 nm, apochromatic lens system for use with an external aperture stop, includes first, second, and third optical groups having, in order, positive, negative, and positive powers. The first group includes four optical elements having, in... | 09/18/2007 |
| 6133795 | Oscillator circuit A stabilised voltage controlled oscillator circuit comprises a closed loop circuit containing a voltage controlled oscillator (34), a local oscillator (40) and a harmonic mixer (38) that mixes a stabilised local oscillator (LO) frequency signal and a radi... | 10/17/2000 |
| 5959227 | Music cymbal mute device A mute device for a cymbal of the kind mounted on a cymbal post. The device include a strike plate assembly having a mount for engaging an upper part of a cymbal post, and at least one foot projecting from the strike plate assembly to rest on the cymbal. ... | 09/28/1999 |
| 5893552 | Clamp A clamp for clamping a workpiece comprises a base member a clamping member mounted on the base member for linear movement relative thereto and a drive member mounted on the base member for rotary movement relative thereto. First and second cam elements co... | 04/13/1999 |
| 5892169 | Music drum mute device A mute device for use with music drums including tom-toms, snares, and the like. The device includes a drum stick strike plate, and at least one sound post projecting from the strike plate. The sound post contacts the drum skin at a location where the ski... | 04/06/1999 |
| 5860639 | Clamp A clamp for clamping a workpiece comprises a base member, a clamping member mounted on the base member for limited linear and rotational movement relative thereto and a drive member mounted on the base member for rotational movement relative thereto. Firs... | 01/19/1999 |
| 5857737 | Clamp A clamp for clamping a workpiece includes a body member having a bore with a longitudinal axis, a plunger mounted in the bore for sliding movement relative to the body member and a handle pivotally mounted on the body member and operative to drive the plu... | 01/12/1999 |
| 5829729 | Book stand A collapsible stand (1) for a book has, when erected for use, an upper member (7) that provides a support surface for a book, first and second side wall members (8) that are hingedly connected to the upper member (7), and front and rear wall members (10,1... | 11/03/1998 |
| 5818381 | Electronic viewing aid An electronic viewing aid according to the present invention comprises a small-scale, portable personal radar system adapted to be worn by a person, which radar system includes a miniaturised radar front end assembly (22) operating with millimeter wavelen... | 10/06/1998 |
| 5791624 | Portable music desk A portable music desk, including a cylindrical container for storing a length of flexible sheet material. The container has a outer tubular wall with an axially extending slot opening, and an internal winding mechanism for retracting the sheet material th... | 08/11/1998 |
| 5788505 | Medication status device A medication status device for reminding a person, particularly a child, to administer insulin or other medications. The device includes a display board having which a graphic image that is attractive to the person. Medication confirmation indicia on the ... | 08/04/1998 |
| 5765242 | Hand sanitizing apparatus Hand sanitizing apparatus for use in combination with existing wash basins having a water supply. A person's hands are washed and dried while held at a sensed position below the apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing adapted to be supported a given h... | 06/16/1998 |
| 5742664 | X-ray patient assist handle arrangement An adjustable handle arrangement for helping a patient to stand steady for X-ray exposure imaging, includes a track assembly adapted to be mounted on a wall of an X-ray examination room. An assist handle mechanism includes an elongate handle height adjust... | 04/21/1998 |
| 5737990 | Apparatus for making miter joints Miter joint cutting apparatus includes a base, and an adjusting member mounted on the base for relative sliding movement to a position along the direction of a saw line. A workpiece locating mechanism is mounted on the base for angular adjustment with res... | 04/14/1998 |
| 5689822 | Wireless coupled adapter for decoding information from a broadcast signal to which a radio is tuned A wireless adapter for decoding information from a broadcast signal to which a radio is tuned. The radio emits a local signal that serves to identify the broadcast signal, and a coupling part in the vicinity of the radio responds to the local signal. The ... | 11/18/1997 |
| 5638059 | Audible altimeter for parachutists The invention relates to an audible altimeter for use by parachutists. The altimeter comprises a sensor means 6 for sensing ambient air pressure, an electronic processor 5, a sounder device 4 and control buttons 2,3. The electronic processor 5 is programm... | 06/10/1997 |
| 5491555 | Measurement referencing and transferring instrument A measurement referencing and transferring technique includes locating a platform base at a working location, mounting a sighting mechanism having a sighting axis on the platform base, and sighting a selected point on a first object in a given direction f... | 02/13/1996 |
| 5474558 | Procedure and system for spinal pedicle screw insertion Pedicle screws are inserted in spinal vertebrae in a manner to reduce the likelihood of nerve damage caused by improper screw placement. A screw opening is started in part of a skeletal region, e.g., a pedicle of a lumbar vertebra and an electric potentia... | 12/12/1995 |
| 5470297 | Aerobic exercise equipment Aerobic exercise equipment includes a frame body having a base portion that rests on a floor surface, and a seat portion. Shaft portions fixed with respect to the frame body define pivot axes aligned with a front edge of the seat portion. A pair of arm ex... | 11/28/1995 |
| 5465437 | Bathing appliance for handicapped persons A bathing appliance enables a handicapped person to wash comfortably and safely inside a shower stall or in a bathtub. The appliance includes a base frame constructed to rest firmly on a floor of the stall or bathtub, and a chair seat on which the handica... | 11/14/1995 |
| 5385038 | Vehicle wheel clamp A wheel clamp assembly to be applied on a road wheel of a vehicle to prevent unauthorized operation of the vehicle. The assembly includes a first elongate arm member and a catch member at one end of the first arm member projecting transversely of the firs... | 01/31/1995 |
| 5379875 | Coin discriminator and acceptor arrangement Discrimination between genuine coins and unacceptable coins (i.e., slugs) deposited in a coin-actuated vending machine, is achieved by guiding a deposited coin for movement along a guide path, and positioning a disk-shaped coil which forms part of an osci... | 01/10/1995 |
| 5351725 | System for monitoring fills of liquid in a tank container and ongoing liquid condition A system for continuously monitoring fills of liquid such as fuel oil in a tank, and the condition of the liquid. A dual in-line air bell structure senses fluid pressure at upper and lower locations inside the tank, the locations being spaced a known dist... | 10/04/1994 |
| 5337041 | Personal safety guard system for stray person or pet A personal safety guard system enables a guardian or caretaker of a person or pet to transmit an alarm condition signal from a hand-held unit carried by the guardian. When the alarm condition signal is received by a portable alarm unit adapted to be worn ... | 08/09/1994 |
| 5248060 | Theft deterrent device for newspaper dispensing machines A theft deterrent device restricts the number of newspapers or other periodicals that can be retrieved from a newspaper vending machine at one time. The device includes a cover gate forming a generally T-shaped opening with a vertical passageway and a hor... | 09/28/1993 |
| 5214792 | Broadcasting system with supplemental data transmission and storge A broadcast receiver or monitor unit receives and decodes items of information pertaining to broadcast program material, such as the title of a broadcast musical piece, the artist name, tape/CD catalog number, and the like. The information items can be di... | 05/25/1993 |
