Did You Know...
...that the video game, Pong, was invented by a guy who graduated at the bottom of his engineering class? Nolan Bushnell spent more time running the games at a local amusement park than he did on his studies at the University of Utah. His dreams of working for Disney's amusement empire were dashed when the company wouldn't hire him. Taking a boring job, Nolan daydreamed about electronic versions of popular games. He invented Pong, the first video game, and went on to found Atari Co.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7753422 | Apparatus for suspending a log An apparatus for suspending a log comprises a cable having at one end a knob to be hitched into a hitching body. The hitching body which is provided for this purpose with a longitudinal opening is pivoted to a swivel head between a closed position in the swivel head... | 07/13/2010 |
| 7651142 | Automatic release attachment for kites and the like, and method of use An automatic release attachment automatically releases a tension line engaged to the attachment when the tension in the line exceeds the tension rating corresponding to a tension release settings selected by an operator. A hook assembly, which can be part of the att... | 01/26/2010 |
| 7530613 | Apparatus for connecting and disconnecting two objects An apparatus for connecting and disconnecting two objects comprises: a housing formed as a hollow type, and having one closed end to which a first object is connected and another opened end; a coupling portion mounted in the housing so as to be movable in an axial d... | 05/12/2009 |
| 7422257 | Truss gripping hook Cable supported hook apparatus provides a U-shaped upward facing opening for transporting a truss. A cam pivotably mounted opposite the opening has a serrated edge opposite a handle. A slot in the opening permits a spring to urge the cam from a released orientation ... | 09/09/2008 |
| 7367528 | Airport system for operations, safety, and security A new and improved airport concept is disclosed herein. Redesigned aircraft would be allowed to dock in the terminal instead of pulling up to loading bridge. The nose section of the aircraft would tilt upwards or to the side, either before or after the aircraft ente... | 05/06/2008 |
| 7364111 | Reel consisting of a metal strip with loops The invention pertains to a reel, which consists of a metal strip with loops, in particular a clip reel for packaging equipment. The reel must have at least three coils with its free end extending into the direction of unwinding. The reel also features a retaining d... | 04/29/2008 |
| 7331621 | Dump box A dump box including a pair of opposing side walls joined to a bottom and a back; and a cable, including front ties, at least one front connector, at least one front cable, each front tie being sized and configured to selectively secure to the connector, the front c... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7261257 | Cargo aircraft An aircraft for carrying at least one rigid cargo container includes a beam structure with a forward fuselage attached to the forward end of the beam structure and an empennage attached to the rearward end of the beam structure. Wings and engines are mounted relativ... | 08/28/2007 |
| 7175216 | Latch mechanism A latch mechanism (7) includes a latch member (8) movable between a release position and a latched position, an operating member (34) movably coupled to the latch member (8), the operating member (34) being movable between a first ... | 02/13/2007 |
| 7059644 | Truss gripping hook Cable supported hook apparatus provides a U-shaped upward facing opening for transporting a truss. A cam pivotably mounted opposite the opening has a serrated edge opposite a handle. A slot in the opening permits a spring to urge the cam from a released orientation ... | 06/13/2006 |
| 7044522 | Passive capture slip-proof chain handling hook A chain hook with no moving parts that is capable of passively capturing and supporting both sides of a given chain link. The hook is provided with dual support surfaces that support the link and prevent disengagement of the hook while under load. A horn between the... | 05/16/2006 |
| 6957838 | Truss lift stiffener A stiffener device for use in moving a truss is disclosed. A crane lift cable is attached to a spreader bar. Two lines from the spreader bar attach to the truss to move the truss using a crane. A stiffener body attachable to the truss by brackets allows the stiffene... | 10/25/2005 |
| 6896305 | High-load capability non-explosive cable release mechanism A high-load capability non-explosive cable release mechanism for retaining the adjacent ends of two cables and releasing them upon receiving a signal from a remote source. The cable release mechanism has a casing for housing two non-explosive actuators (NEAs), which... | 05/24/2005 |
| 6715809 | Remote attachable/remote releasable hook A remote attachable/remote releasable hook apparatus comprises a hollow braid rope or cable, a tail having unidirectional properties, wherein the tail preferably includes a leaf chain or roller chain threaded or braided through the hollow braid rope or cable, and a ... | 04/06/2004 |
| 6654990 | Quick-release hook A quick-release hook comprising a latching hook locker, a spring, a pair of latching hooks, a pull lever and a main body. One end of the latching hook locker is shaped into a cylinder and the other end is shaped into a frustum. The latching hook locker al... | 12/02/2003 |
| 6597755 | Apparatus and method for installing nuclear reactors A nuclear power plant (18) and its heat exhanger (26) are enclosed in an envelope (22) which is suspended above a bored shaft (14) from a support stem (30). When appropriate, the stem (30) can be melted by a furnace (34) to drop the envelope (22) to the b... | 07/22/2003 |
| 6565136 | Lifting device for palletized loads A lifting device for a pallet comprising a rigid lower L-shaped lifting frame having a pair of lower rigid legs for inserting within openings in a pallet having a load thereon. The L-shaped lifting frame includes upwardly extending back frame members exte... | 05/20/2003 |
| 6126115 | Apparatus for retaining and releasing a payload An apparatus for latching an object, such as a payload for a space vehicle, includes an expandible latch which is shifted between a relaxed open condition and a flexed closed condition by actuation of a pair of temperature-responsive members, such as shap... | 10/03/2000 |
| 5820181 | Remote maneuver snap-hook making it possible to make a rope fast The snap-hook (2) comprises a tilting finger (5) provided with a pivoting lever (10) intended to bear or not on the external edge of the body (4) of the snap-hook according to the position of the lever (10) with respect to the tilting finger (5), the leve... | 10/13/1998 |
| 5722709 | Separation device using a shape memory alloy retainer A retainer made from a shape memory alloy (SMA) is utilized in a separation device that is particularly useful for space applications. Upon being heated to a restoration temperature, the retainer changes from a constricted state to an expanded state. In i... | 03/03/1998 |
| 5688012 | Launching device A device in a lifting crane for releasing and recovering a load provided with a recovery cable comprises a lifting yoke having an aperture extending in a lifting direction of the lifting yoke, the recovery cable being slidable through the aperture; two lo... | 11/18/1997 |
| 5651570 | Cam operated tool for proximate or remote holding of an object A tool for releasably holding an object includes a receptacle having an outer sleeve and a rotatable inner sleeve. The inner sleeve is coaxially positioned within the outer sleeve and includes a locking member. An insert which is adapted to be operably as... | 07/29/1997 |
| 5597191 | Auto release choker A choker hook is connected to a choker cable and is used for pulling a log from its felled position to a desired location. The choker hook is remotely released from the log without manual intervention at the desired end position. The choker hook has a con... | 01/28/1997 |
| 5415446 | Safety apparatus and method for using the same Apparatus and method for securing an anchor strap in a relatively fixed position at a location which is spaced a substantial distance from a fixed surface wherein the anchor strap has a relatively flexible intermediate portion, a relatively rigid one end ... | 05/16/1995 |
| 5312152 | Shape memory metal actuated separation device A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator predeformed in tension actuates a separation device mechanism. A segmented nut, which engages a threaded bolt to be held and released, is held together by a nut retainer that is movable with respect to the nut and is af... | 05/17/1994 |
| 5161705 | Dismounting device for heavy load hoisting member After a heavy load hoisted up by a hoisting member is downed on the predetermined place, the hoisting member can be automatically dismounted from the heavy load by using the dismounting device. The hoisting member consists of a upper hoisting member and a... | 11/10/1992 |
| 5102176 | Releasable lock mechanism The base (46) of a release hook (22) is located between two side members (30, 32) of a hook guide (20). A first end of the hook base (46) carries a first slide pin (50) having end portions projecting into a two-part slot (38, 40) of the guide (20). The se... | 04/07/1992 |
| 4968080 | Device for attaching a lifting mechanism to a container or the like A device for attaching a lifting mechanism to a container provided with an aperture through its end wall comprises a probe member secured to the lifting mechanism and including a head portion for location through the aperture in the end wall of the contai... | 11/06/1990 |
| 4958872 | Tensile force transmitting device, in particular a lifting device A traction device, in particular devised as a lifting device, comprises a first engagement member (2) for engagement to a first coupling member, an intermediate portion (5) and a second end portion (6) adapted to form an attachment loop by the free end (7... | 09/25/1990 |
| 4815780 | Apparatus for detachably connecting a tool to a manipulating device The invention provides an apparatus for detachably connecting a tool to a manipulating device, e.g. an industrial robot. The apparatus includes a tool holder and a coupling member fastened to the robot. The coupling member has a free frontal surface on wh... | 03/28/1989 |
| 4789194 | Lifting device for containers A lifting device for handling flat racks or containers fitted with ISO corner castings comprising a main support plate having a lifting pin projecting from one face for engagement in an end aperture in an ISO corner casting and a tubular support on the pl... | 12/06/1988 |
| 4772056 | Static latching arrangement and method A latching assembly for use in latching a cable to and unlatching it from a given object in order to move an object from one location to another is disclosed herein. This assembly includes a weighted sphere mounted to one end of a cable so as to rotate ab... | 09/20/1988 |
| 4703967 | Self-locking double retention redundant pull pin release A double-retention redundant pull pin release system is disclosed. The system responds to a single pull during an intentional release operation. A spiral-threaded main pin is seated in a mating bore in a housing, which main pin has a flange fastened there... | 11/03/1987 |
| 4671554 | Hoist coupling The device is an improved hoist coupling for use with anchors having an anchor shaft terminating in an anchor head and embedded in a concrete load in such a way that a portion of the anchor shaft and the anchor head is exposed and protrudes from the concr... | 06/09/1987 |
| 4647095 | Hoist cable coupling device (for suspended loads) A hoist cable coupling device comprising a lower scissor-like part and an upper doughnut-shaped part, in which blades of the scissor-like part extend through the ring part and are locked in place when suspending a load. Hoist cables are attached to its up... | 03/03/1987 |
| 4644617 | Releasable locking coupling or support device A releasable locking device comprises a tubular housing (180) having a pair of rotary pawls (182) mounted therein. The angular position of the pawls are controlled by spring-loaded balls (183). A line (179) passing through the housing has a collar (184) t... | 02/24/1987 |
| 4634164 | Hoisting assembly with quick-release hoisting shackle A hoisting assembly with a quick-release shackle for the connection of a hoisting harness to an anchoring member embedded in a precast concrete building element, for the tilt-up and transport of the latter, the assembly comprising a ring part reaching thr... | 01/06/1987 |
| 4609219 | Suspension grapple A suspension grapple adapted especially for use in transferring nuclear fuel assemblies to a reactor core, a fuel pool and the like. It includes a hook swingable into and out of engagement with the fuel assembly, a first lock mechanism for automatically l... | 09/02/1986 |
| 4595223 | Remote control line assembly An assembly comprising a line member and an extension member for remotely attaching and detaching a line, such as a boat-mooring rope, to an eye member, such as an eye bolt on a mooring buoy. The line member includes a fastener comprising a carabiner or o... | 06/17/1986 |
| 4587922 | Device for suspension and release of a lifeboat A device for the suspension and release of a lifeboat comprises a holding member (5) pivotally mounted in a support (1) for attachment to the boat, and in which a pair of concave gripping rollers (6, 7) are pivotally mounted for engagement with a spherica... | 05/13/1986 |
