Robert Lee Rawls

US Patent:

8479353, Jul 9, 2013

Filed:

Jul 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/460833

Inventors:

Rod Drivstuen - Monroe WA, US
Robert Lee Rawls - Woodinville WA, US

International Classification:

A47L 5/38

US Classification:

15301, 15315

Abstract:

A hose valve for central vacuum cleaning systems that employ retractable suction hoses of the type that retract into a system vacuum pipe. The hose valve comprises a valve box with a connection port wherein a locking assembly is secured within the valve box. The locking assembly includes a compression cylinder. A cylindrical deformable sleeve is coaxially disposed within the compression cylinder. The deformable sleeve is radially inwardly deformable responsive to an axial compressive force. A thrust means is provided for engagement with the compression cylinder to impose a compressing force on the deformable sleeve. The thrust means being axially movable from a first unlocked non-compressing position where the deformable sleeve is in its non-deformed condition, to a second locked compressed position where the deformable sleeve is compressed to cause deformation with its walls collapsing radially inward to form a seal around a retractable hose disposed through the locking assembly.

US Patent:

20110047868, Mar 3, 2011

Filed:

Aug 25, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/547254

Inventors:

Shanthala Mudegowda - Woodinville WA, US
Robert Lee Rawls - Woodinville WA, US

International Classification:

A01G 9/16
F24F 7/00

US Classification:

47 17, 454254

Abstract:

A one piece, nestable, portable mini-greenhouse and plant protector for use in a substrate, such as soil, to protect plants and seedlings from extreme weather elements, bugs and pests. The mini-greenhouse has a light-transmitting shell that forms a protective chamber and integrated legs that act to anchor as well as support the shell. The legs can be fully or partially inserted in the soil providing options for a closed or ventilated protective chamber. The unit has concave channels that facilitate watering without disturbing the apparatus. It has unique light filtering and dispersing properties to aid creating a nurturing and growing environment.

US Patent:

53485190, Sep 20, 1994

Filed:

Aug 24, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/934293

Inventors:

Jeffrey T. Prince - Grass Valley CA
Robert L. Rawls - Davis CA
Philip T. Dempster - St. Helena CA
Jody Ono - Davis CA

Assignee:

Loredan Biomedical, Inc. - West Sacramento CA

International Classification:

A63B 21005

US Classification:

482 6

Abstract:

A horizontal support arm is mounted for upward and downward movement on a vertical support column. An interface unit having an actual mass value is disposed on a free end of the horizontal support arm and is adapted to be grasped and lifted by a human subject. A simulated mass value independent of said actual mass value may be set for the interface unit, and the amount of vertical force exerted by the human subject upon the interface unit is measured. An exercise control unit provides for controlled vertical movement of the interface unit as a function of the simulated mass value such that the interface unit responds to a lifting force by the human subject in a manner that simulates the inertia of an object having a mass value equal to the simulated mass value in a gravitational field.

US Patent:

53123131, May 17, 1994

Filed:

Mar 31, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/860722

Inventors:

Fred H. Holmes - Gore OK
Robert L. Rawls - Woodinville WA
James A. Duncan - Renton WA

Assignee:

Stairmaster Sports Medical Products, Inc. - Kirkland WA

International Classification:

A63B 2100

US Classification:

482 95

Abstract:

An upper body exercise apparatus to assist an exerciser to do chin-ups and dips. The apparatus includes a frame having a base, a support for the exerciser, and chin-up handles and dip handles extending from the frame. A motive device provides for movement of the support vertically between a lower position and an upper position. Angular displacement of the platform is prevented by coupling the platform to a guide device which constrains the support to travel along a predetermined path. The guide device can comprise a wheel and track system. Binding of the wheel and track system is avoided by providing a force to the wheel and track system which tends enhance tracking.

US Patent:

54999596, Mar 19, 1996

Filed:

Jul 12, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/137078

Inventors:

Fred H. Holmes - Tulsa OK
Robert L. Rawls - Woodinville WA
James A. Duncan - Renton WA

Assignee:

StairMaster Sports/Medical Products, Inc. - Kirkland WA

International Classification:

A63B 2106

US Classification:

482 95

Abstract:

An upper body exercise apparatus to assist an exerciser to do chin-ups and dips. The apparatus includes a frame having a base, a support for the exerciser, and chin-up handles and dip handles extending from the frame. A motive device provides for movement of the support vertically between a lower position and an upper position. Angular displacement of the platform is prevented by coupling the platform to a guide device which constrains the support to travel along a predetermined path. The guide device can comprise a wheel and track system. Binding of the wheel and track system is avoided by providing a force to the wheel and track system which tends enhance tracking.

US Patent:

20190365175, Dec 5, 2019

Filed:

Jun 4, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/430752

Inventors:

Rod Drivstuen - Monroe WA, US
Robert Lee Rawls - Woodinville WA, US

International Classification:

A47L 9/24
A47L 5/38

Abstract:

A hose valve sub-assembly designed for use in central vacuum cleaning systems that include a retractable suction hose. The hose valve sub-assembly comprises an end nozzle arranged for attachment with the end of a suction hose and a seal-ring arranged for attachment to a valve box. The seal-ring defines a radially disposed inner surface for receiving and engaging the end nozzle and comprises a radially biased pin for locking the end nozzle the seal-ring. The end nozzle comprises a radially disposed O-ring groove arranged to receive an O-ring for sealing the end nozzle to the inner surface of the seal-ring. The end nozzle also comprises a radially disposed locking track having a first end that defines a first opening arranged to receive and engage the biased pin of the seal ring when the suction hose is pulled through the system vacuum pipe. The locking track includes an opposing second end that defines a second opening arranged to receive the biased pin of the seal ring when the vacuum suction hose is inserted through the valve box, into the seal-ring. With this configuration, the end nozzle is rotatable from a first disengaged position where the biased pin is adjacent one of the two openings, to a second locked position where the biased pin is in the locking track of the end nozzle, between the first opening and second opening.

US Patent:

20170127897, May 11, 2017

Filed:

Oct 5, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/286431

Inventors:

Rod Drivstuen - Monroe WA, US
Robert Lee Rawls - Woodinville WA, US

International Classification:

A47L 9/24
A47L 5/38
B23P 19/04

Abstract:

A hose valve for central vacuum cleaning systems having retractable suction hoses that retract into a system vacuum pipe. The hose valve comprises a valve box, a chamber connection port, and a system pipe connection port arranged to securely engage the chamber connection port. A locking assembly is radially disposed about a locking assembly axis between the chamber connection port and the system pipe connection port. The locking assembly comprises a coaxially disposed compression cylinder having a radially outer cylinder surface arranged to define symmetrically disposed helical grooves. A cylindrical deformable sleeve is coaxially disposed adjacent the compression cylinder and is radially inwardly deformable responsive to an axial compressive force. A thrust ring is disposed adjacent the chamber connection port and defines a radially inner surface having opposing inner post groove followers arranged to engage the helical grooves of the compression cylinder to urge the compression cylinder axially toward the system pipe connection port to compress the deformable sleeve to form a seal around a vacuum suction hose.