Patents Examined by James C. Yeung
  • Patent number: 6638056
    Abstract: A piezoelectric lighter incorporates with a safety arrangement which includes is movably mounted on a casing in a vertical movable manner wherein a guiding slot is provided on top of the casing to communicate with an exterior thereof. A locking member includes a locking arm disposed in the ignition cavity and an operation button slidably mounted on an ignition button. A resilient element is adapted for applying an urging pressure against the locking arm so as to normally retain the locking arm in a locking position. In which, in the locking position, the locking arm blocks up the ignition button from ignition. In order to ignite the piezoelectric lighter, a user's thumb must operate the operation button for moving the locking arm to an unlocking position. Then, the user is able to push the ignition button downwardly to ignite the piezoelectric lighter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Ying Wen Luo
  • Patent number: 6638060
    Abstract: An everlasting candle comprising a wax body with a recessed hollow in its top for receiving an insulating container, and a smaller holding container with an annular rim set within the insulating container and communicating with the insulating container only by the rim (thereby to provide an insulative airspace between the two containers), the holding container being suitably dimensioned to replaceably receive a tea light votive candle. In use, the replaceable tea light votive candle within the everlasting candle burns with the same flame as a conventional paraffin candle, and will be liquefied and consumed during use. However, since the main wax body of the everlasting candle is separate and insulated from the replaceable tea light votive candle, the wax body of the everlasting candle will not be liquefied or consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Enchanted Meadow Products Inc.
    Inventors: David Rivard, Ojong Setiawan
  • Patent number: 6634352
    Abstract: A venting system for a direct vent fireplace or other direct vent appliance to direct combustion gases to an exterior area. The direct venting vent pipe facilitates unrestricted lengths of pipe installations. The vent pipe has a double wall construction forming an interior axial passageway and a coaxial outer passageway. The double walls are spaced apart by an insert to maintain coaxial spacing. Sections of the vent pipe are lockingly connected to prevent separation and ensure sealing connection between the pipe sections. Elastic seal members are utilized between the matingly connected sections and a mechanical lock assembly prevents separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: American Metal Products Company
    Inventor: Dennis Maiello
  • Patent number: 6632082
    Abstract: A lighter is provided. The lighter includes two spaced apart nozzles. Upon manual actuation of the lighter, each nozzle produces a separate flame, and the flames intersect to produce a single flame in region spaced apart from the body of the lighter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Colibri Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew D. Smith
  • Patent number: 6629523
    Abstract: A heated make-up air system comprising a duct structure having a direct gas fired burner mounted therein. Adjacent the burner there is provided an opening for permitting air to flow there through. Mounted adjacent the opening one or more pivotally mounted panels or profile plates. The moveable panels or profile plates are spring-biased to assume a normally closed position. However, the moveable panels are moveable from the closed position to an open position in order to control air flow through the duct structure and past the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Captive-Aire Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J. Saltzman, William B. Griffin
  • Patent number: 6626661
    Abstract: An improvement for an ejector having at least one discharge port effective for delivering a flow of fuel into a heating system such that flue gas in the heating system is entrained in the flow of fuel. The improvement comprises the ejector having an aerodynamic shape effective for increasing entrainment of the flue gas in the flow of fuel at the region of discharge adjacent the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Zeeco, Inc.
    Inventors: Darton J. Zink, Rex K. Isaacs, Tim Kirk, John McDonald, Cody L. Little
  • Patent number: 6623267
    Abstract: An industrial burner assembly comprising a manifold with a fuel inlet and a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of elongated burners positioned radially about the longitudinal axis having fuel ports in communication with the manifold and fuel inlet, wherein each elongated burner has an outer mixing tube, an inner mixing tube positioned coaxially within the outer mixing tube to form an annular space therebetween in communication with the fuel port, the inner mixing tube having an inner surface forming a passage for air flow through the burner assembly, and a plurality of apertures formed in the inner mixing tube to allow introduction of fuel from the annular space into the air flow passage to provide for efficient mixture of air and fuel in the burner assembly prior to combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Tibbs M. Golladay, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6622717
    Abstract: An over-the-range hood covering a larger space above a gas range to efficiently discharge fumes, oil droplets and odors generated from the gas range to outside of a room is provided, in which a pair of guide rods is included, each of which is coupled to respective side plates of the over-the-range hood by a pivot to be rotated forwardly, and a pair of wing plates rotatably connected to the pair of guide rods respectively by a holding unit. The over-the-range hood enables an amount of odors, fumes and oil droplets diffused into the room to be minimized, thereby maintaining pleasant room air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gong-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 6622718
    Abstract: A thermal flask has a body and a vacuum solar heating device. The solar heating device is detachably mounted on an opening defined in the hollow body. The vacuum solar heating device has a transparent tube, a connecting collar and a solar energy absorber. The tube has an inner wall, an outer wall, a closed end, an open end and a vacuum chamber defined between the inner and outer walls. The connecting collar is mounted on the open end of the tube and has an inner thread screwed onto an outer thread formed around the opening in the hollow body. The solar energy absorber is mounted in the tube to absorb solar energy and radiant heat. Accordingly, the vacuum solar heating device can heat the liquid in the flask, and the temperature of the liquid will be maintained for a desired long time while traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Chih-Min Lu
  • Patent number: 6619950
    Abstract: A candle maintenance device according to the invention preferably has a body with a handle portion to grip the device. A trigger is used to engage a wick cutting element and lighting element. The wick cutting element preferably includes a cutting actuator mechanism, cutting guide and cutting device. The lighting element preferably includes a fuel cell for housing a fuel, fuel lines and an igniter source. A candlewick placed in the wick cutting element will be drawn into or forced against a cutting device such as a cutting blade. Contemporaneously with the cutting of the wick, the lighting element will release fuel from the fuel cell and ignite the fuel via the igniter source. The fuel is discharged through piping to a location in close proximity to the cutting device. An igniter source causes a spark to ignite the fuel thereby igniting the wick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: John B. Ricci
  • Patent number: 6616443
    Abstract: An igniting rod which ignites by the operation of an operating member comprises a lock member for locking said operating member during a non-use state. The igniting rod automatically returns to a locked state after ignition. The invention improves operability, simplifies assembly and reduces the number of parts by eliminating an urging member. A lock portion of said lock member, which interferes with a part of said operating member, is disposed such that it is displaceable as said lock member is elastically deformed from a fixed portion where the lock member is fixed to a main body portion. The elastic force returns the lock portion to a locked position. A protruding lock release portion is provided for releasing the lock portion, the lock release portion being provided with a smooth curvature on which a finger F for operating an operating portion of the operating member can simultaneously rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Tokai Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Saito, Toshihiro Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 6615822
    Abstract: Gas cooking appliance comprising a gas burner equipped with a gas injector 1 fixed to a support 3 and a gas supply tube 2; the support is a sheet metal plate 3 with a through-aperture 4; the injector 1 is fixed to the end of the tube 2; the injector 1 and/or the tube 2 extend through the aperture 4 with the injector 1 and tube 2 one on each side of the plate 3; and a radial annular flange (6) is provided on the tube 2 and situated under the plate 3, being clamped in a sealed fashion against the peripheral edge of the aperture 4 and/or bearing surface 12 of the injector 1 so as to seal between the tube 2 and the injector 1 and between the top and the underside of the plate 3 around the edge of the aperture 4, and to hold the injector 1 secured to the tube 2 centrally in the aperture 4 in a predetermined axial position above the plate 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Sourdilon
    Inventors: André Moreau, Christophe Trochou
  • Patent number: 6615823
    Abstract: A method for combusting a wood log includes positioning the log within a combustion chamber with the log first end positioned above the log second end so that the log longitudinal axis is generally angled relative to and adjacent the chamber base wall and so that the log and the chamber base wall define a generally triangular air volume therebetween. The log is maintained in the angled configuration during at least part of the combustion process. A log supporting structure facilitates use of the method. The structure includes a supporting rod and a spacing base extending from the latter for resting on the base wall of a combustion chamber. The spacing base has a generally flaring configuration and allows gas to flow between the chamber base wall and the supporting rod in a first flow direction generally parallel to the supporting rod, and in a second flow direction generally perpendicular to and away from the rod from the log first end toward the log second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Jacques Forand
  • Patent number: 6615818
    Abstract: Fixed outer barbecue modular structure for cooking food, comprising three modulus, a first base modulus which defines a lower larder modulus defined by a base panel, to which two side panels are assembled, a closing back plate and two manhole doors; a second modulus which defines cooking means comprising an inserted base over the former modulus to which two sides are assembled, a bottom plate, a closing rear plate, a barbecue plate and a metallic grate; and finally a third an last modulus comprising an inserted base over the former modulus, wherein a fumes hood and a cowl diffuser are assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Griselda Noemí Jimka, Victor Jorge Puvi
  • Patent number: 6609513
    Abstract: There is disclosed a novel flat heating surface type gas stove which is capable of heating a heating substance across a heat resistant glass at a practically applicable heating efficiency, thereby overcoming any inconvenience resulting from the exposure of flame and facilitating the cleaning of the gas stove. This gas stove 10 comprises a heat resistant glass top plate 12 which is disposed over a burner 15, wherein a gas-permeable porous body 40 is disposed below said top plate 12, and a space between said top plate 12 and a surface of said gas-permeable porous body 40 is assigned to a combustion space S. Combustion gas generated is designed to be discharged through said gas-permeable porous body 40. As high-temperature combustion gas passes through said gas-permeable porous body 40, radiant heat B is generated from the surface of said gas-permeable porous body 40. Since the heating substance 4 is heated by both of heat conduction and radiation, high heating efficiency can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Tokyo Gas Company Limited
    Inventors: Yutaka Yamada, Kiyoshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6607376
    Abstract: A low NOx burner nozzle assembly for a radiant wall burner includes an elongated hollow burner tube and a discharge nozzle. The burner tube defines a conduit for supplying a mixture of fuel and air to a radiant combustion area of a combustion zone that surrounds the nozzle assembly. The discharge nozzle is mounted on the tube at the downstream end of the conduit adjacent the radiant combustion area and the same is adapted for directing the mixture of fuel and air into the radiant combustion area in an essentially radial direction. The discharge nozzle includes a plurality of flow directing members arranged in an array which extends circumferentially around the discharge nozzle, and the same are arranged to define therebetween a plurality of passageways which extend in a generally radial direction. The passageways are arranged so as to have different respective flow areas. The discharge nozzle also has an end cap to prevent axial flow of the primary air/fuel mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: John Zink Company, LLC
    Inventor: Roger L. Poe
  • Patent number: 6604939
    Abstract: A piezoelectric lighter incorporates with a safety arrangement which includes an ignition button, having an actuating cavity, slidably mounted on the casing in a vertically movable manner, an actuating member including a pusher arm extended into the actuating cavity, and a resilient element disposed between the pusher arm and the ignition button for applying an urging pressure against the pusher arm so as to normally retain the pusher arm in a safety position. In the safety position, the pusher arm is positioned away from the depressible end of the gas lever with a predetermined distance, and in the ignition position, the pusher arm is moved to a position that when the ignition button is depressed downwardly, the pusher arm is driven downwardly to depress the depressible end of the gas lever for releasing gas, so as to ignite the piezoelectric lighter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Kin Chung Li
  • Patent number: 6604937
    Abstract: A coherent jet lance and operating method wherein the need for a lance extension is eliminated using a single ring of ports to deliver flame envelope gases around the primary gas jets to maintain the gas jets coherent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William John Mahoney
  • Patent number: 6604940
    Abstract: A method for mounting a wick within a wick sustainer is disclosed. The sustainer has a base, a barrel and a passage that extends through the sustainer. The passage has an upper region occupied by the wick and a lower region occupied, at least partially, by the sealant. Sealing the lower region of the passage is accomplished by injecting the sealant into the passage, thereby preventing the fuel from contacting the portion of the wick that is retained in the upper region of the passage. Fuel reaches the flame of the burning wick only through the portion of wick not held in the sustainer, so the flame is extinguished once the fuel descends below the top of the sustainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Lumi-Lite Candle Company, Inc.
    Inventor: George G Pappas
  • Patent number: 6602068
    Abstract: A burner assembly that overcomes problems experienced in the prior art. One embodiment provides a burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source. The assembly has a burner body with a contoured upper surface and a burner pan with a gas inlet aperture therein. The burner body is connected to the burner pan. The burner body and burner pan are spaced apart to form a gas distribution chamber therebetween. The burner body has a plurality of gas apertures extending between the distribution chamber to an upper surface of the burner body. The gas apertures are positioned to allow the fuel gas to flow to selected areas on the burner body's upper surface for combustion to create a desired flame at selected locations relative to the upper surface. In one embodiment is a contoured upper surface with a plurality of peaks and valleys forming simulated coal or ember members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Travis Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Atemboski, Leslie E. King, Kurt W. F. Rumens