Patents Examined by Richard A. Wintercorn
  • Patent number: 5418642
    Abstract: Collapsible light-shielding device (3) for a displaying screen (2), having a number of annular strips (5', 5) concentrically nested and essentially enclosing one another in a tight manner, which strips are suitable to be fixed in front of a displaying screen and in that case surround the screen. Furthermore, the strips are adapted to slide over one another between a pushed-in position, in which they essentially cover one another, and a pushed-out position, in which they are essentially uncovered. Preferably, the strips (5, 5') have a decreasing wall thickness, viewed in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: E.A.G. Herkstroter
    Inventor: Anthonius F. M. Bende
  • Patent number: 5416561
    Abstract: An image exposure apparatus and method generates a first optical image light and a second optical image light. The first optical image is input to a read side of a spatial light modulating element, and the second optical image light is input to a write side of the spatial light modulating element, so that the first optical image light is modulated by the second image light to be output from the read side again; and exposing the light sensitive material to the output image from the read side, that is the both images are combined, or the intensity of both image lights are modulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Sawano, Mitsuyoshi Ichihashi, Koichi Kimura, Kenichi Nakagawa, Nobuo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5414558
    Abstract: A screen is used for a projector and includes a metal plate body and a plurality of elongated parallel streaks. The metal plate body has a concave reflection surface which is horizontally straight and vertically curved and which has a predetermined radius of curvature. The streaks protrude uniformly and densely from the reflection surface of the metal plate body and extend from the top end of the reflection surface to the bottom end of the reflection surface in a generally vertical direction. Any adjacent pair of the streaks are sized and spaced apart from each other at an interval of less than 5 microns so that the streaks function as a concave grating. The concave reflection surface is coated with a transparent film by immersing the metal plate body in a caustic solution so as to decrease interference from light sources other than the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Inventor: Shy-Loong You
  • Patent number: 5414491
    Abstract: A sheet material holder includes a vacuum platen defining a plurality of arrays of vacuum channels corresponding in number and size to a plurality of sheet material sizes on one surface thereof and including a corresponding plurality of distinct vacuum plenums communicating with the arrays of vacuum channels; a vacuum pump; a corresponding plurality of remotely actuatable valves connected between the vacuum plenums and the vacuum pump; a corresponding plurality of flow sensors for sensing the flow of air between the plenums and the vacuum pump; and logic and control means connected to the flow sensors and the valves for sensing air flow between a plenum and the vacuum pump and actuating the corresponding valve. Sheet size is automatically inferred by the pattern of valves that are actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert C. Bryant
  • Patent number: 5412450
    Abstract: A photographic printer for printing negative images on a negative film onto photographic paper. The printing direction can be changed over between "lateral" and "longitudinal" without changing the feed direction of the negative film. A reflecting mirror is inclined by 45.degree. with respect to the optical axis of the light emitted from a light source to the negative film and is supported to be rotatable about the optical axis. A driving unit is provided to rotate the reflecting mirror by 90.degree. about the optical axis between a reference position and a second position. Exposure stages are provided on the optical axes of the light beams reflected by the reflecting mirror when the mirror is in its reference position and second position, respectively. The photographic paper is guided through the exposure stages. According to the position of the mirror, negative images are printed on the paper at one of the two exposure stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Kojima
  • Patent number: 5410936
    Abstract: Disclosed is a musical instrument bridge for supporting a set of strings above a front face of a musical instrument. The bridge comprises a plate, a mounting block, and a plurality of fingers. The plate is attachable to a rear face of the instrument. The plurality of fingers are attached to the plate and extend towards a front face of the instrument. Each finger has a resonant frequency that is related to a predetermined pitch of the string supported by the finger. Each finger is designed to vibrate in a plane that is parallel to the front face of the instrument but to reduce vibration in a plane perpendicular to the front face of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: The 2TEK Corporation
    Inventors: Lynn K. Ellsworth, John D. Shaneyfelt
  • Patent number: 5408297
    Abstract: An image transfer apparatus, which comprises a platen (8) to which an image-forming material is to be attached and a transfer cylinder (1) to which an image receptor is to be attached, and which is for transferring an image formed in a photosensitive layer of an image-forming material to an image receptor by the introduction of the image-forming material and the image receptor into a nip formed by the platen and the transfer cylinder by the rotation of the platen and the transfer cylinder, the apparatus having an image-forming material attaching device comprising a device for holding the top end side of the image receptor to a platen surface along the entire width of the image receptor and a device for holding the bottom end side of the image receptor to a platen surface along the entire width of the image receptor, the device for holding the top end side being a pin bar (13) having pins protruded from an inside of a blanket (10) in a slope portion (12) continued from a partial cut-off portion formed in the p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Toyo Ink Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Matsuo, Takayuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 5406038
    Abstract: Briefly, according to the invention, there is provided a shielded speaker. The speaker (10) has a diaphragm (18) coated with a metal layer (28). The coated diaphragm prevents the transmission of unwanted electromagnetic or radio frequency radiation from the front side (22) of the speaker to the rear side (24) of the speaker. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a shielded electronic device is provided. The device consists of a housing (40) that has an opening (42) for a speaker (10) and a shielding means (44) contained within the housing. The speaker has a diaphragm coated with a metal layer. Disposed within the housing is an electronic device that is susceptible to or emits electromagnetic radiation. The electronic device (46) is coupled to the speaker and the speaker is mounted in the housing such that the metal layer is electrically coupled (48) to the shielding means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Reiff, Mac W. Branan
  • Patent number: 5406350
    Abstract: A microfilm camera which is adapted to photographing images on a reduced scale of documents placed on a support table and to photograph a mark also on the film in the vicinity of each image thereon so that the location and/or size of the original image corresponding to the document photographed can be located from the size and location of the marks by automatic retrieval equipment. When a bad or unsatisfactory exposure is made, the operator merely presses the appropriate button(s) and the unwanted image on the film does not receive either an image address or an image mark and for all intents and purposes, the image is "lost" on the roll of film. The unwanted image is on the roll of film, but it cannot be automatically retrieved because the image does not have an image mark associated with it. This error correction is accomplished by having the document photographed and the film moved a distance of at least one image frame before the image mark and image address are applied to the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stephen H. Wilcox, Paul G. Graham
  • Patent number: 5406351
    Abstract: A photolithographic system wherein optical fiber routing is used to combine two or more ultraviolet light sources for reticle illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Sardella, Gregory J. Stagaman
  • Patent number: 5404197
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved device for transporting photographic negatives mounted on carrying cards to the optical stage of a photographic printer. A storage bin houses a plurality of the carrying cards prior to being transported to the optical stage of the printer. A first vacuum member releasably engages one of the carrying cards and transports that carrying card to a predetermined intermediate location. A second vacuum member operates to transport the carrying card between the intermediate position and the optical stage of the photographic printer. A third vacuum member operates to transport the carrying card from the predetermined intermediate position to a discharge bin. A secondary carrying card transport assembly is adapted to transport at least one carrying card having a secondary photographic negative mounted thereon to the same predetermined location to simultaneously transport multiple negatives to the optical stage of the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Inventor: Ray Hicks
  • Patent number: 5403979
    Abstract: An acoustic shell tower module of sound enhancing character assemblable with other such towers to form an orchestral shell, has a first sound enhancing panel mounted on a generally horizontally rearwardly extending counterweighting base. A second sound enhancing panel is mounted for vertical telescoping movement from a storage position, generally horizontally aligned with the first panel, upwardly to a raised position in which it extends above the first panel to form a sound reflecting and enhancing upper extension thereof, and a system is provided for easily raising and lowering the second panel and retaining it in raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: StageRight Corporation
    Inventors: Orley D. Rogers, James F. Jenne
  • Patent number: 5402263
    Abstract: A rear projector for projecting an image onto a display screen mounted on a frame. The frame includes first and second pairs of oppositely disposed mounting members having surfaces adapted to contact the screen. Each mounting member of the first pair is formed of first and second inwardly angled portions which meet at a juncture in a middle region of the member. The screen is coupled to the surfaces of the first and second pairs of mounting members to form an inward curvature of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kita, Yasuaki Nakanishi, Shintaro Takahata
  • Patent number: 5402205
    Abstract: An alignment system for a unit magnification system (such as a Half-Field Dyson system) for use in microlithography is provided. The alignment system provides for aligning a pattern on a reticle with a complementary pattern on a wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Ultratech Stepper, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Markle, Gerald J. Alonzo, Hwan J. Jeong
  • Patent number: 5400118
    Abstract: A method for imaging film with color separations and text which eliminates manual stripping and the use of mylar carriers. Color separation data from a color scanner is stored digitally on a computer. Text is input directly into the computer. The data for the images and text is manipulated digitally to compose a page layout. The computer then instructs an image setter to image the complete, composed page onto four pieces of film in the four color printing colors--cyan, magenta, yellow and black. The imaged film is used to make lithographic printing plates for color printing. The image setter used in the method includes a specially pinned drum having pins corresponding to pins used during imposition. Blank film has prepunched holes corresponding to the pins on the pinned drum so that the imaged film comes off of the drum with images and text in position and register relative to the pin holes. The labor intensive steps of manually stripping film onto mylar carriers is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Publishers Press, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Simon
  • Patent number: 5399843
    Abstract: A mechanical counter having number wheels rotatably mounted on a shaft with interleaved pinion carriers has a drive gear at one end fixed to the shaft and an end wheel rotatably mounted at the other end and retained by a washer press fit on the shaft. The end wheel has a cavity in its outboard side for receiving the washer, the cavity depth being greater than the washer thickness. The washer is installed by a press tool having a flat surface which engages both the washer and the outboard side of the end wheel to simultaneously advance the washer and seat the parts on the shaft. Then the washer and the bottom of the cavity are spaced by an amount providing the end play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Jean M. Buechler, Walter J. Nill
  • Patent number: 5400114
    Abstract: A rear-projection screen for a rear-projection image display comprising a Fresnel lens sheet (2) and a lenticular lens sheet (3), or a Fresnel lens sheet (2), a lenticular lens sheet (3) and a light absorbing sheet (4). The entrance surface (21) of the Fresnel lens sheet (2) or the entrance surface (41) of the light absorbing sheet (4) is formed by contiguously and vertically arranging a plurality of horizontally elongate lenticular lenses. The thickness of the Fresnel lens sheet (2) is approximately equal to that of the lenticular lens sheet (3). The entrance surface (31) and the exit surface (32) of the lenticular lens sheet (3) are formed by contiguously and horizontally arranging a plurality of vertically elongate lenticular lenses. Particles of a light diffusing material, which is essential to the prior art rear-projection screen, are not necessarily dispersed in the base sheet (30) of the lenticular lens sheet (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiko Yoshida, Koji Hirata, Hiroki Yoshikawa, Masayuki Muranaka, Isao Yoshizaki, Atsuo Osawa
  • Patent number: 5400177
    Abstract: A screen is disclosed for viewing depth of field images. The screen includes a curved prismatic screen mounted between a flat image and a viewer. A light hood may be provided to reduce glare and other effects of ambient light. Further protection from ambient light may be provided by coating the screen with an anti-reflective coating. Image quality for a video image or the like is provided by restructuring the image into smaller image elements. The present invention may find particular application in medical and obstetric imaging such as sonograms, musculo-skeletal imaging, vascular imaging, angiograms, angioplasty, dental probes, catheter probes, ear probes, endoscopy, laparoscopy, pelviscopy and arthroscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventors: Tony Petitto, Stanislaw Loth
  • Patent number: 5400178
    Abstract: A rear projection screen unit in a large-size picture display system, composed by combining a plurality of rear projection screen panels arranged in a lattice square with at least one ordinate and abscissa beams disposed between the adjacent screen panels, wherein each of said screen panels intersects with each of said beams which themselves intersect with each other to form the lattice square, and each of said screen panels and ordinate and abscissa beams are connected together by a multiple mortise-and-tenon joint. The lattice square is installed in a outer frame and stressed in the four directions by a resilient members provided on the outer frame. The disclosed structure has minimized the width of the non-effective area in the screen unit, and realized a high reliability in installing strength of the respective screen panels in an integral body suitable for the large-size picture display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadayoshi Yamada, Katsumi Goto, Matsuo Ochi, Tsuyoshi Shimatani, Yoshinobu Maeda
  • Patent number: 5396311
    Abstract: A filter for use in a projection photolithographic system comprising:a circular light-impervious part for screening substantially 100% on the pupil of a projection lens the 0th-order diffracted light of a pattern to be projected on a substrate;a ring-like translucent part concentrically contacting the periphery of the circular light-impervious part to transmit on the pupil part of the 0th-order diffracted light and the +1st- or the -1st-order diffracted light of the pattern; anda ring-like light-pervious part concentrically contacting the periphery of the ring-like translucent part to transmit substantially 100% on the pupil the .+-.1st-order diffracted light of the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Fukushima, Takashi Sugihara, Junkou Takagi