Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael J. Porco
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Patent number: 6179091Abstract: A wear detection probe for a braking element includes a holder with opposed front and rear ends. A portion of the holder near the front end is configured to retain a detection wire. Thus, after sufficient wear of the brake and the holder, the detection wire will be broken to produce a signal indicative of brake wear. The holder includes two arrangement grooves extending from the abradeable portion of the detection wire to the rear end of the holder. The wear detection probe further includes a rib. The extreme rear end of the rib may include a slot, and a heat shrinkable tube may surround the wires and engage partly in the slot.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventor: Hitoshi Takanashi
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Patent number: 6177660Abstract: An auxiliary heater is provided for heating a fluid flowing through a pipe. The heater includes a conductor mounted in proximity to the pipe. A magnet is opposed to the conductor with a small gap therebetween. Relative rotation is generated between the conductor and the magnet. The rotation causes the conductor to be heater by slip heat generation. The heated conductor, in turn, heats the fluid in the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1999Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha LimitedInventors: Masayoshi Usui, Hiroshi Inoue, Kazunori Takikawa
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Patent number: 6174203Abstract: A connector is provided with a highly reliable noise removing function. The connector includes a magnetic element (30) at a rear end portion of a housing (10), and tabs (14) are inserted through a rectangular hole (31) which is a through hole formed in the magnetic element (30). The housing (10) is provided with a magnetic element receptacle (24) having a rectangular tubular shape for enclosing the outer circumferential surface of the magnetic element (30). One end surface of the magnetic element (30) is exposed to the outside from the rear end surface of the magnetic element receptacle (24). Since the magnetic element (30) has its outer circumferential surface enclosed by the magnetic element receptacle 24, it can be protected from contact with other parts and prevented from being cracked.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Sysytems, Ltd.Inventor: Kazuhiro Asao
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Patent number: 6170153Abstract: To effect accurate positioning and avoid interference of a terminal fitting with a wire guide member. By lifting and lowering guide members 112, 113 formed with Y-shaped wire guide slots 112F, 113F, respectively, a wire W is brought to a terminal mounting position. The wire W and the terminal fitting mounted on the wire W will not interfere with the guide members 112, 113, and the wire W can be more accurately positioned by the Y-shaped wire guide slots 112F, 113F.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1999Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventor: Masaharu Ichikawa
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Patent number: 6171150Abstract: A connector is provided with a ground terminal, and a side type retainer is mountable in the connector. A connection element receptacle 20 for accommodating an electrical connection element 3 is provided inside a connector housing 2. A retainer 4 for locking the electrical connection element 3 is mounted in a retainer mount hole 25 formed in the upper surface of the connector housing 2. Further, a ground terminal receptacle 29 for accommodating a ground terminal 5 is provided in the bottom wall of the connection element receptacle 20. In this way, since the retainer 4 is assembled at the side of the electrical connection element 3 opposite from the ground terminal 5, it can be constructed as a so-called side retainer.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1999Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Masashi Saito, Takashi Koide, Masahiko Aoyama
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Patent number: 6168620Abstract: An instrument is provided for supporting a tubular vascular graft during endovascular implantation and methods for use thereof. In one embodiment, the instrument is formed from two flexible guidewires bent to each define a loop and two straight portions. In a second embodiment, the instrument is formed from two flexible guidewires bent to define outwardly-biased tines, wherein, threads are sewn to portions of the vascular graft and connected to the tines. The instrument is collapsible due to the flexibility of the guidewires used to form the instrument. In an uncollapsed state, with a length of graft material being mounted to the instrument, the loops or tines may bias the graft into a semi-expanded state with a passage being defined through the graft. An unexpanded stent is introduced into the passage of the semi-expanded graft to both further expand the graft and provide reinforcement.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2000Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Montefiore Hospital and Medical CenterInventor: Andrew Kerr
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Patent number: 6161579Abstract: The connector system comprises an upstream tubular body (1) capable of being connected to a pressurized-fluid line and in which there is placed a first shutter (18) bearing against a seat (6) under the action of a spring (20) upstream of the shutter. A downstream tubular body (2), that can be plugged into the upstream tubular body (1) and is capable of being connected to a line receiving the pressurized fluid, contains a second shutter (49) bearing against a seat (38) under the action of a spring (51) downstream of this shutter and of spring force equal to or less than that of the spring (20). A push-rod (24) and a tubular wall (25) which are fixed to the first shutter (18) downstream thereof interact with a push-rod (55) fixed to the second shutter (49) upstream thereof and with an upstream edge (57) of the downstream tubular body (2). The upstream tubular body (1) is mounted in a socket (29) provided with a counterbore (31) and with a catching groove (32).Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Interlemo Holding S.A.Inventor: Fran.cedilla.ois Vulliet
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Patent number: 6162540Abstract: An insulated wire is provided with excellent heat stability and strippability. The wire is coated by a resin composition obtained by mixing 10 parts by weight or less of calcium-zinc stabilizer, 2 to 10 parts by weight of hydrotalcite and 0.1 to 1 part by weight of stearic acid to 100 parts by weight of vinyl chloride resin. This wire is most effective when the size thereof is 0.3 to 2 mm.sup.2 and the thickness of its insulation coating is 0.2 to 0.5 mm.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2000Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Kazunori Tsuji, Masashi Sato
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Patent number: 6161283Abstract: A connector is provided to make terminal fittings unlikely to be struck against external matter. The connector is for use with a circuit board in which terminal fittings are bent downward after being pulled backward of a connector housing 1 so as to be connectable with a circuit board 5, protection walls including an upper protection wall 10 extend behind the connector housing 1 to surround the terminal fittings 2 lest the terminal fittings 2 should project. Thus, the protection walls prevent the terminal fittings 2 from being directly struck by an external matter. Furthermore the invention relates to an improved method for producing a connector.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ldt.Inventor: Koichiro Tokuwa
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Patent number: 6159492Abstract: A drug or other medication is incorporated into a candy and is molded onto a lollipop stick. A medicated lollipop is safely and conveniently stored by mounting the end of the lollipop stick remote from the medicated candy to the inner surface of a childproof cap. The lollipop then is inserted into a container, and the childproof cap is releasably locked with the open top of the container. The medicated lollipop can be accessed as needed merely by opening the container. Additionally, the medicated lollipop can be temporarily stored away from the container merely by converting the cap, and supporting the medicated lollipop by the cap.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1999Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Inventors: Cheryl Manzone, Madeline Colussi
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Patent number: 6159047Abstract: A connector is provided for production by a mold having a simple configuration. Inner surfaces of opposite side walls of a cavity (11) of the connector housing (10) are formed with guiding grooves (16) for permitting the passage of restricting projections (24) when a properly oriented female terminal fitting (20) is inserted. In the outer surfaces of the opposite side walls of the connector housing (10) are formed guide grooves (18) for permitting the passage of engaging projections (42) of a retainer (40). Through holes (17) are so formed in the side walls of the connector housing (10) as to provide partial communication between the guiding grooves (16) and the guide grooves (18).Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1999Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventor: Nobuyoshi Tanaka
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Patent number: 6152960Abstract: A femoral component of a knee prosthesis includes a bearing surface defined by a smooth, continuous surface which in one embodiment is entirely formed by a series of three segments of surfaces of revolution, the respective shapes of which are generated by rotating a common generating curve around three separate generating axes at respective pairs of major generating radii and through respective angles of rotation. The central segment of the surfaces of revolution constantly maintains the substantially same contact configuration with the superior bearing surface of a bearing insert over a range extending from full extension (0.degree. of flexion) to at least 45.degree. of flexion and up to 105.degree. of flexion. The maintenance of the substantially same contact configuration ensures area, point or line contact between the articulating surfaces which reduces contact stress and wear in flexion.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1999Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Biomedical Engineering Trust IInventor: Michael J. Pappas
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Patent number: 6146214Abstract: A retainer is provided to increase a locking force of the retainer and to ensure an accurate detection of insufficient insertion. The retainer 30 is provided with locking struts 32 which can enter behind secondary locking portions 26 of terminals 20 in their proper insertion positions. A pair of projections 33 further project from the leading end of each locking strut 32. The two projections 33 are spaced such that a contact portion 21 of the terminal 20 can be held therebetween. If the retainer 30 is pushed to its full lock position after the terminals 20 are inserted, the locking struts 32 enter behind the secondary locking portions 26 while the projections 33 are holding the contact portions 21 therebetween. An engaging area of the retainer 30 with the terminals 20 is increased by providing the projections 33 and, accordingly, a locking force is increased.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2000Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Hisashi Konoya, Hideto Nakamura
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Patent number: 6146200Abstract: A cap is provided for preventing the deformation and breakage of tabs in a hood-less type male connector. The cap 3 is integrally made of a synthetic resin, and a cap main body 12 for surrounding tabs projecting from the front end surface of a connector housing 1 is formed at a front part of the cap 3. Behind the cap main body 12 is formed an engaging portion 11 for engaging the cap 3 with the connector housing 1. The engaging portion 11 is comprised of a tubular portion 11A to be mounted on a front end portion of the connector housing 1 and a pair of elastic pieces 11B extending from the left and right side walls of the tubular portion 11A. Further, retainer protecting ribs 16 project upward and downward from a rear end of the tubular portion 11A so as to prevent retainers 8 in their standby positions from shifting to their locking positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1999Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Osamu Ito, Mitsuru Ito
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Patent number: 6141871Abstract: Busbars to be connected with a pair of terminals of a fuse are formed from one conductive plate and thus can be arranged in the same layer in an electrical connection box. First and second busbars 13, 14 to be connected with a pair of terminals 11, 12 of a fuse 10 have coplanar base plates 13a, 14a. Bent portions 13b, 14b are provided at the leading ends of the respective base plates 13a, 14a and also are coplanar. Distant side edges of the bent portions 13b, 14b are provided with folded portions 13c, 14c which are parallel with each other and with the side surfaces of the base plates 13a, 14a. Slits 13d, 14d are formed by making cuts from the upper ends of the opposite folded portions 13c, 14c, so that the pair of terminals 11, 12 of the fuse 10 can be pressed into the slits 13d 14d to connect the fuse electrically with the busbars. The first and second busbars 13, 14 are formed by punching one conductive plate and are arranged in the same layer inside a casing.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1998Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventor: Kouichi Okada
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Patent number: 6144020Abstract: An apparatus is provided for simultaneously generating a fluid flow and heating the flowing fluid. The apparatus includes a conductive material provided on at least a part of a member which is rotated. The rotatable member generates the flow of the fluid to be heated. Magnets are opposed to one side of the conductive material with a slight gap and are mounted within a casing for the rotatable member. Fluid flows through the casing and is heated due to a slip heat energy generated by rotating the conductive material relative to the magnet.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1999Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha LimitedInventors: Masayoshi Usui, Hiroshi Inoue
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Patent number: 6137056Abstract: To facilitate the processing of a shield layer of a shielded cable, an inner tubular member 20 is inserted between a braided wire 3 and an insulation coating 4 of a shielded cable 1. An outer tubular member 10 already mounted on the shielded wire and positioned in its standby position is fitted on the inner tubular member 20. Then, the braided wire 3 is fixed by being held between the inner and outer tubular members 20, 10. Since the outer tubular member 10 is made of a conductive resin material, when it is connected with a housing 27, the braided wire 3 and the housing 27 can be electrically connected.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1999Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventor: Sho Miyazaki
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Patent number: 6135160Abstract: A multi-wound stainless steel pipe produced by plastic-deforming a hoop material made of a stainless steel sheet applied with a Cu-brazing material on the surface thereof to a multi-wound pipe and after melting the brazing material between the walls of the multi-wound pipe, cooling the molten brazing material, wherein the Cu-brazing material between the walls and the Cu-brazing material at the surfaces of the inside surface and the outside surface of the pipe are diffused into the base material at a depth of from 0.5 .mu.m to 15 .mu.m and bonded thereto. The multi-wound stainless steel pipe is excellent in the pressure resisting strength and working strength and has a high quality.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1999Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Ltd.Inventor: Keizo Sugao
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Patent number: D435149Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1999Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Inventor: David A. Kleinberg
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Patent number: D435605Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1999Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Inventor: Tony J. Azar