William A Watkins

US Patent:

8474205, Jul 2, 2013

Filed:

Nov 8, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/291690

Inventors:

William R. Watkins - Grapevine TX, US

International Classification:

E04B 1/00
E04B 5/00
E04B 7/00
E02D 27/00
E02D 27/32

US Classification:

52292, 52284

Abstract:

A foundation footing () has a support framework () encased within concrete (). The support framework () includes elongate members () formed of timber, such as telephone poles, which extend the full length of the footing (). Brackets () rigidly securing terminal ends () and intermediate portions () of the elongate members () in fixed relation. The brackets () have steel plates () disposed beneath the elongate members () and binding chains () secured to the steel plates (). The binding chains () are preferably loosely secured around the elongate members () until being encased within the concrete (), which rigidly secures the binding chains () to the elongate members () and the elongate members () to the steel plates (). Grooves () are formed into the elongate members () to increase the bonding between the elongate members () and the concrete ().

US Patent:

20120177450, Jul 12, 2012

Filed:

Jan 6, 2011

Appl. No.:

12/985778

Inventors:

Francis X. Phillips - Azle TX, US
Gail E. Phillips - Azle TX, US
William R. Watkins - Dallas TX, US

Assignee:

T-LOCK LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY - AZLE TX

International Classification:

E02D 29/02

US Classification:

405284

Abstract:

A retaining wall system for use in retaining a backfill particulate mass is formed by at least one retaining wall unit. The retaining wall unit has a substantially upright forward wall having a rear surface for abutting against the backfill particulate mass. A substantially upright stem wall extends rearward from the rear surface of the forward wall. The stem wall has opposite substantially upright sidewalls. At least one of the sidewalls has a series of longitudinally spaced apart elongated grooves that slope upward toward the forward wall.

US Patent:

55408907, Jul 30, 1996

Filed:

Jan 3, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/176876

Inventors:

Frederick L. Clark - Plano TX
Kendall B. Hendrick - Southlake TX
Larry W. Moore - Plano TX
Kevin M. Cloonan - Round Lake IL
William J. Kanewske - Pleasanton CA
Douglas D. McDowell - Wildwood IL
Richard L. Vickstrom - Algonquin IL
William E. Watkins - Cedar Hill TX
Gilbert Clift - Mesquite TX

Assignee:

Abbott Laboratories - Abbott Park IL

International Classification:

G01N 3700

US Classification:

422102

Abstract:

The present invention is a capped-closure mounted on a container for storing reagents for use in an automated analytical instrument having an actuating device mounted thereon. The capped-closure comprises a base being generally cylindrical, wherein the base has one end opening to the container and the other end having an opening through which the reagents can be aspirated. The capped-closure further comprises a lever assembly pivotally mounted on the base. The lever assembly has one end which forms a cap operable to seal the opening the base sufficiently tightly to prevent evaporation from the container. The other end of the lever assembly forms a tab operable to pivot the lever assembly to a substantially perpendicular position with opening of the base when depressed for exposing the opening of the base to a device for aspirating the reagent from the container. The capped-closure finally comprises spring mechanism connected between the base and the lever assembly for urging the lever assembly to the substantially perpendicular position.

US Patent:

56100698, Mar 11, 1997

Filed:

Oct 27, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/549020

Inventors:

Frederick L. Clark - Plano TX
Kendall B. Hendrick - Southlake TX
Richard R. Martin - Irving TX
Larry W. Moore - Plano TX
William J. Raymoure - Lake Bluff IL
Paul R. Schrier - Carrollton TX
Edna S. Walker - Chicago IL
Donny R. Walker - Coppell TX
Gary E. Winter - Hanover Park IL
Kevin M. Cloonan - Round Lake IL
David A. Yost - Poolesville MD
John M. Clemens - Wadsworth IL
William J. Kanewske - Dallas TX
Douglas D. McDowell - Wildwood IL
Carl M. Oleksak - Fort Worth TX
William D. Rumbaugh - Carrollton TX
B. Jane Smith - Vernon Hills IL
James A. Vaught - Euless TX
Apparao Tayi - Grayslake IL
Robert A. Wohlford - Irving TX
James E. Mitchell - Lake Barrington IL
Robert B. Hance - Evanston IL
Peter A. Lagocki - Park Ridge IL
Richard A. Merriam - Dallas TX
Charles D. Pennington - Lake Zurich IL
Linda S. Schmidt - Mundelein IL
Adrian M. Spronk - Lindenhurst IL
Richard L. Vickstrom - Algonquin IL
William E. Watkins - Cedar Hill TX
Gilbert Clift - Mesquite TX
Alyn K. Stanton - Barrington IL
David B. Hills - Plano TX

Assignee:

Abbott Laboratories - Abbott Park IL

International Classification:

G01N 3500

US Classification:

436 49

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for washing clinical apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is a device for washing clinical apparatus, wherein the clinical apparatus is employed, at different times, to contain a first test substance during a first testing step and a second test substance during a second testing step subsequent to the first testing step. The apparatus comprises a device for supplying a wash solution to the apparatus, and for varying the quantity of the wash solution supplied to the apparatus. The apparatus further comprises a control unit for controlling the device for varying quantity to vary the quantity of the wash solution in proportion to the potential for contamination between the first test substance and the second test substance contained in the apparatus.

US Patent:

55784941, Nov 26, 1996

Filed:

Feb 13, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/600321

Inventors:

Frederic L. Clark - Plano TX
Kendall B. Hendrick - Southlake TX
Richard R. Martin - Irving TX
Larry W. Moore - Plano TX
William J. Raymoure - Lake Blluff IL
Paul R. Schrier - Carrollton TX
Edna S. Walker - Chicago IL
Donny R. Walker - Coppell TX
Gary E. Winter - Hanover Park IL
Kevin M. Cloonan - Round Lake IL
David A. Yost - Poolesville MD
John M. Clemens - Wadsworth IL
William J. Kanewske - Pleasanton CA
Douglas D. McDowell - Wildwood IL
Carl M. Oleksak - Fort Worth TX
William D. Rumbaugh - Carrollton TX
B. Jane Smith - Vernon Hills IL
James A. Vaught - Euless TX
Apparao Tayi - Grayslake IL
Robert A. Wohlford - Irving TX
James E. Mitchell - Lake Barrington IL
Robert B. Hance - Evanston IL
Peter A. Lagocki - Park Ridge IL
Richard A. Merriam - Dallas TX
Charles D. Pennington - Lake Zurich IL
Linda S. Schmidt - Mundelein IL
Adrian M. Spronk - Lindenhurst IL
Richard L. Vickstrom - Algonquin IL
William E. Watkins - Cedar Hill TX
Gilbert Clift - Mesquite TX
Alyn K. Stanton - Barrington IL
David B. Hills - Plano TX

Assignee:

Abbott Laboratories - Abbott Park IL

International Classification:

G01N 3510
B65D 5104

US Classification:

436 54

Abstract:

The present invention is a method for opening and closing a cap pivotally mounted on a container for storing reagents for use in an automated analytical instrument. The cap has one end for sealing the container and a tab extending from the other end for pivoting the cap. The method comprises the steps of positioning a closed container adjacent an actuating device mounted on the analytical system. The method further comprises the steps of projecting the actuating device against the top of the tab to pivotally open the cap to a position sufficiently vertical for aspirating reagent from the container, and retracting the actuating device from the cap to a position above the pivotal mounting thereof. The method comprises the final step of causing relative motion between the cap and the actuating device so that the actuating device drags along the top of the cap pivotally closing the cap to provide a sufficient seal on the container preventing evaporation of the reagent therefrom.

US Patent:

55759785, Nov 19, 1996

Filed:

Jan 3, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/176551

Inventors:

Frederick L. Clark - Plano TX
Kendall B. Hendrick - Southlake TX
Richard R. Martin - Irving TX
Larry W. Moore - Plano TX
William J. Raymoure - Lake Bluff IL
Paul R. Schrier - Carrollton TX
Edna S. Walker - Chicago IL
Donny R. Walker - Coppell TX
Gary E. Winter - Hanover Park IL
Kevin M. Cloonan - Round Lake IL
David A. Yost - Poolesville MD
John M. Clemens - Wadsworth IL
William J. Kanewske - Dallas TX
Douglas D. McDowell - Wildwood IL
Carl M. Oleksak - Fort Worth TX
William D. Rumbaugh - Carrollton TX
B. Jane Smith - Vernon Hills IL
James A. Vaught - Euless TX
Apparao Tayi - Grayslake IL
Robert A. Wohlford - Irving TX
James E. Mitchell - Lake Barrington IL
Robert B. Hance - Evanston IL
Peter A. Lagocki - Park Ridge IL
Richard A. Merriam - Dallas TX
Charles D. Pennington - Lake Zurich IL
Linda S. Schmidt - Mundelein IL
Adrian M. Spronk - Lindenhurst IL
Richard L. Vickstrom - Algonquin IL
William E. Watkins - Cedar Hill TX
Gilbert Clift - Mesquite TX
Alyn K. Stanton - Barrington IL
David B. Hills - Plano TX

Assignee:

Abbott Laboratories - Abbott Park IL

International Classification:

G01N 3500

US Classification:

422104

Abstract:

A sample container segment assembly for use in an automated, continuous, and random access analytical system is disclosed. The assembly includes a sample container which is received by a sample container segment, and the sample container segment is received on a carousel of the automated analytical instrument. The test sample container includes an upper skirt and a body having a reservoir for receipt of the test sample. The segment includes a base, a frame, and a handle. The frame has a shelf for which the upper skirt of the test sample container rests on, and has openings for receipt of the body of the sample container. The carousel has a carousel trough for receipt of the base of the sample container segment, and has a plurality of alignment pins disposed in the carousel trough. The base of the sample container segment has a circular slot and an elongated slot for receiving the alignment pins and positioning the sample container segment relative to the carousel. The sample container segment can include a liquid level sensing sleeve which is made of a conductive material and surrounds the reservoir of the test sample container inserted therein.

US Patent:

56353642, Jun 3, 1997

Filed:

Jan 3, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/176173

Inventors:

Frederick L. Clark - Plano TX
Kendall B. Hendrick - Southlake TX
Richard R. Martin - Irving TX
Larry W. Moore - Plano TX
William J. Raymoure - Lake Blluff IL
Paul R. Schrier - Carrollton TX
Edna S. Walker - Chicago IL
Donny R. Walker - Coppell TX
Gary E. Winter - Hanover Park IL
Kevin M. Cloonan - Round Lake IL
David A. Yost - Poolesville MD
John M. Clemens - Wadsworth IL
William J. Kanewske - Dallas TX
Douglas D. McDowell - Wildwood IL
Carl M. Oleksak - Fort Worth TX
William D. Rumbaugh - Carrollton TX
B. Jane Smith - Vernon Hills IL
James A. Vaught - Euless TX
Apparao Tayi - Grayslake IL
Robert A. Wohlford - Irving TX
James E. Mitchell - Lake Barrington IL
Robert B. Hance - Evanston IL
Peter A. Lagocki - Park Ridge IL
Richard A. Merriam - Dallas TX
Charles D. Pennington - Lake Zurich IL
Linda S. Schmidt - Mundelein IL
Adrian M. Spronk - Lindenhurst IL
Richard L. Vickstrom - Algonquin IL
William E. Watkins - Cedar Hill TX
Gilbert Clift - Mesquite TX
Alyn K. Stanton - Barrington IL
David B. Hills - Plano TX

Assignee:

Abbott Laboratories - Abbott Park IL

International Classification:

G01N 3353
G01N 33538
G01N 33546
G01N 3500

US Classification:

435 792

Abstract:

A method for verifying that an assay methodology is properly performed, that assay reagents employed possess the necessary potency for accurately performing such assay methodology, and whether or not test samples or assay reagents have been tampered with or are adulterated, is described. The method is performed by employing an assay verification sample, comprising a positive analyte component and the test sample under analysis, wherein the assay verification sample is analyzed employing the same assay reagents and essentially the same assay methodology employed to analyze the test sample. The method is particularly useful for performing heterogeneous immunoassays on an automated continuous and random access analytical system.

US Patent:

57628785, Jun 9, 1998

Filed:

Sep 9, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/713553

Inventors:

Frederick L. Clark - Plano TX
Kendall B. Hendrick - Southlake TX
Richard R. Martin - Irving TX
Larry W. Moore - Plano TX
William J. Raymoure - Lake Bluff IL
Paul R. Schrier - Carrollton TX
Edna S. Walker - Chicago IL
Donny Ray Walker - Coppell TX
Gary E. Winter - Hanover Park IL
Kevin M. Cloonan - Round Lake IL
David A. Yost - Poolesville MD
John M. Clemens - Wadsworth IL
William J. Kanewske - Dallas TX
Douglas D. McDowell - Wildwood IL
Carl M. Oleksak - Fort Worth TX
William D. Rumbaugh - Carrollton TX
B. Jane Smith - Vernon Hills IL
James A. Vaught - Euless TX
Apparao Tayi - Grayslake IL
Robert A. Wohlford - Irving TX
James E. Mitchell - Lake Barrington IL
Robert B. Hance - Evanston IL
Peter A. Lagocki - Park Ridge IL
Richard A. Merriam - Dallas TX
Charles D. Pennington - Lake Zurich IL
Linda S. Schmidt - Mundelein IL
Adrian M. Spronk - Lindenhurst IL
Richard L. Vickstrom - Algonquin IL
William E. Watkins - Cedar Hill TX
Gilbert Clift - Mesquite TX
Alyn K. Stanton - Barrington IL
David B. Hills - Plano TX

Assignee:

Abbott Laboratories - Abbott Park IL

International Classification:

B01L 300

US Classification:

422102

Abstract:

A sample container segment assembly for use in an automated, continuous, and random access analytical system is disclosed. The assembly includes a sample container which is received by a sample container segment, and the sample container segment is received on a carousel of the automated analytical instrument. The test sample container includes an upper skirt and a body having a reservoir for receipt of the test sample. The segment includes a base, a frame, and a handle. The frame has a shelf for which the upper skirt of the test sample container rests on, and has openings for receipt of the body of the sample container. The carousel has a carousel trough for receipt of the base of the sample container segment, and has a plurality of alignment pins disposed in the carousel trough. The base of the sample container segment has a circular slot and an elongated slot for receiving the alignment pins and positioning the sample container segment relative to the carousel. The sample container segment can include a liquid level sensing sleeve which is made of a conductive material and surrounds the reservoir of the test sample container inserted therein.