Patents Examined by Ruth C. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7000291
    Abstract: A money clip comprising a generally flat housing having an internal cavity and an elastic band secured to the housing for encircling and holding a wad a paper money between the band and housing. A magnifying glass is normally concealed within the cavity and is pivotally connected to the housing. The magnifying glass may be manually swung outwardly and inwardly of the cavity, to a location adjacent the housing, through an opening formed in the housing. The magnifying glass may be swung outwardly of the housing temporarily and by manually holding the clip with magnifying glass positioned over an object the print on the object may be read by the user, without disturbing the wad of paper money held by the money clip. Thereafter, the magnifying glass may be swung back into the housing cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Edward A. Fuller
  • Patent number: 6990833
    Abstract: A circular cut diamond, with appropriate dimensions, to greatly enhance the brilliancy, scintillation, and dispersion of a circular cut diamond and to produce a larger-looking diamond per unit volume as compared to the current standard Ideal Cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Allen L. Smith
  • Patent number: 6988296
    Abstract: A money clip having jaws connected by a throat that provides spring action to urge the jaws together, a pair of operating levers slidably mounted respectively on the jaws, and a device that emits and receives radio waves, electromagnetic waves, light waves, sound waves, microwaves or a combination thereof and other electronic media for the purpose of transmitting and receiving wireless data from and to other base transmitters/receivers being disposed on one of the operating levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventors: Ronald M. McGarity, Erich McArthur
  • Patent number: 6981299
    Abstract: A container (120) includes a closure device (121). The closure device includes interlocking fastening strips (130, 131) and a slider (132) slidably disposed on the fastening strips for facilitating the occlusion and deocclusion of the fastening strips. The slider (132) includes a top portion (140) and first and second side portions (142, 144). The slider additionally includes shoulders that merge into the first and second side portions and prevent the slider from being disengaged from the fastening strips. The slider includes long length front shoulders (150, 156) and long length rear shoulders (162, 164) in conjunction with shorter length front shoulders (152, 154) and shorter length rear shoulders (160, 166). If an upward force (180) is applied to the slider (132), the longer length shoulders are designed to remain engaged with the fastening strips when the side portions of the slider are forced to flex outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventor: Alan F. Savicki, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6978517
    Abstract: A low-profile, durable mounting clip for holding personal devices. The mounting clip may have an essentially inverted “L” shaped configuration including a foot portion having engagement elements for attachment to corresponding engagement elements on a housing of a personal device. A leg portion provides for attachment to an undergarment or other suitable article of clothing. A heel portion located between and connecting the leg portion and foot portion allows the foot portion to flexibly and durably retract from the housing. The mounting clip may include a snap tab beam locking mechanism having a barb for interlocking with a bump provided on the housing or a rotatable cam locking mechanism having one or more radial snap tabs having engagement elements for engaging corresponding surfaces on the mounting clip. The mounting clip may have an essentially inverted “C-shaped” configuration including a first foot, a second foot, and a leg portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Collins, Sheldon B. Moberg, David S. Kimball, Timothy J. Payne, Lance E. Shetler
  • Patent number: 6966102
    Abstract: A belt adjuster, the belt adjuster includes a base, holes used for penetrating the belt are located in both sides; an adjustable support, a snap two slippers and a spring are interacted each other, the slippers controls the fastening of belt by means of pressing the snap; a top, which connects the adjustable support, the snap and the slipper are steadily located within the adjustable support, and the pressing area of the snap is projected in outside the top, the belt passes through the presetting holes, in order to that the belt is fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: QDS Injection Molding LLC
    Inventor: Chih-Cheng Shiue
  • Patent number: 6962063
    Abstract: An arrangement of stringed magnetic and non-magnetic beads worn as a necklace or bracelet in loops about the user resulting from contact together of the magnetic beads and the size of the loops determined by the number of non-magnetic beads therebetween, in which the stringing is according to facilitated counting of a uniform ratio of the non-magnetic to the magnetic beads rather than tedious counting of individual beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Irwin Pearl
  • Patent number: 6948219
    Abstract: A latch system for attaching a child seat to an anchorage of a vehicle seat includes a first latch device connected to a first end of a length of webbing, an adjuster connected to a second end of the length of webbing, and a second latch device. The adjuster has a plate member extending from one end, and the plate member has a connection opening formed therein. The second latch device includes a main member having a hook formed at a first end and a connection aperture at a second end that is distal from the first end. A portion of the second end of the main member passes through the connection opening, and a portion of the plate member passes through the connection aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Baku Kakuda, Douglas R. Bodmann, James M. F. Hutchinson, Michael L. Longenecker, Joshua O. Mullen
  • Patent number: 6944918
    Abstract: A clip is provided for use on a loose-leaf binder having a spine with front and back covers and a plurality of rings for holding paper in the binder. The clip includes a U-shaped member having a base and outer legs adapted to engage outer surfaces of the binder covers, and a pair of inner legs extending from the base and being spaced from the outer legs so as to be adapted to engage the inner surfaces of the binder covers. A strap has a first end connected to the base of the U-shaped member and a second end with a loop adapted to be attached to the top binder ring to prevent the clip from becoming lost when detached from the binder. The clip has a small profile, with a width of approximately ¼ inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Accu-Mold Corp.
    Inventors: Eric E. Woolson, Gregory E. Peterson, Roger A. Hargens
  • Patent number: 6942416
    Abstract: A device for attaching a handle or handlebar to a portable tool to be adjustable about two parallel axes in order to increase the range for the adjustments of position of the handle or handlebar relative to the tool. The device can also be used with existing tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Göte Karlsson
  • Patent number: 6942417
    Abstract: A telescopic mechanism, especially for steering columns of motor vehicles, with an internal element (10), which has a flattening (12) at least on one side, and an external element (14), which is complementary to the internal element (10) and in which the internal element is guided with roll barrels, which roll at the flattening (12), wherein at least some of the roll barrels are constructed as hollow elasticity bodies (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Jörg Schwarzbich
  • Patent number: 6939073
    Abstract: In the aerospace field spacecraft components are held together by separation systems until a specific time when they must be separated or deployed. Customarily a threaded joining bolt engages one of the components to be joined, and a threaded nut is placed on that bolt against the other component so they can be drawn together by a releasable locking assembly. The releasable locking assembly herein includes a plunger having one end coupled to one end of a plunger bolt. The other end is flanged to abut and compress a coil spring when the plunger is advanced toward the interface plane between the two components. When the plunger is so advanced toward the interface plane, the end of the plunger bolt can be connected to the joining bolt. Thus during retraction the joining bolt is drawn to one side of the interface plane by the force of the expanding spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Rafiq Ahmed, Robert J. Wingate
  • Patent number: 6938440
    Abstract: An apparatus for the distribution and display of jewelry includes a plurality of precious or semi-precious gems coupled together in a “T” shape with at least one horizontalbar and one downbar, the horizontalbar having clasps at both ends and the downnbar having a clasp at one end. The apparatus further includes a clothing article requiring at least one strap for support with a semi-permnanently attached loops being configured to receive a respective attachment device. The apparatus further includes a flexible strand or chain having attached loops at both ends, each of the loops being configured to receive a respective attachment device. The jewelry article is designed in order to be distributed and displayed as an integral structural member of the clothing and jewelry combination or the flexible strand or chain and jewelry combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Michele Smith Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Michele Smith
  • Patent number: 6938305
    Abstract: An electrical assembly includes an electrical convoluted tubing, at least one electrical conductor and an electrical tie. The electrical convoluted tubing includes an outer surface having a plurality of generally parallel, annular convolutions defining respective grooves therebetween. Each groove has a width. The at least one electrical conductor is positioned within the tubing. The electrical tie is positioned around the tubing and includes a head and an elongate strap. The elongate strap has opposing sides and an end. The end is attached to the head. At least one of the sides has at least one longitudinally extending rib, with each rib having a width which is less than the groove width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Dekko Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott A. Garver
  • Patent number: 6935804
    Abstract: A clamping element with a sliding block is provided for fixing in an undercut groove with a narrower insertion area and a wider groove base, as well as a device for fixing cam rails to a machine part, with a clamping element having the sliding block and with grooved rails having the undercut grooves. The vertical spacing of two second parallel side surfaces of the sliding block corresponds to the width of the undercut groove base. There is a blocking member connected to the sliding block. The dimension a1 or b1 generally being selected with a reduction within the tolerance range compared with the dimensions a or b. The blocking member may have a stop face for a cam rail and in particular the blocking member may have a groove for the positive lateral fixing of a cam rail. An area corresponding to the blocking member can also be constructed in one piece on a cam rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Karlinger
  • Patent number: 6931695
    Abstract: A buckle comprises a male portion, a female portion and a push button. The male portion comprises a base and at least one locking leg having a release tab. The female portion comprises a hollow body and a catch for locking the locking leg to the female portion when the male portion is inserted into the female portion. The push button is inserted into the female portion and is adapted to move longitudinally toward and away from the male portion. The push button has a base, a spring mounted on an inside surface of the base and at least one release prong. Depressing the push button causes the release prong to slide between the catch and the release tab, to release the release tab from the catch, and causes the spring to push against the male portion and eject the male portion from the female portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 6928701
    Abstract: An improved cable tie is provided for securely bundling one or more wires or the like. The cable tie includes a buckle formed by a buckle housing having a double-ended barbed insert mounted therein. The buckle housing defines an anchor slot open at one end for seated reception of a first end of a flexible cable strap, with the barbed insert gripping and retaining the strap therein. A through channel is also formed in the buckle housing and accommodates unidirectional slide-through passage of an opposite or free end of the strap, with the barbed insert gripping and retaining the strap free end against withdrawal relative to the through channel. This flexible strap can be formed from a high strength material such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) suitable for use in a relatively high temperature environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Physical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles G. Hutter, III
  • Patent number: 6921227
    Abstract: The retaining spring is used for detachably connecting two components. The retaining spring includes a retaining plate attached to one component and an engagement spring which is moveably guided on the retaining plate between an engagement position and a released position in the direction of attachment. The engagement spring is provided with a catch edge for securing over an engagement projection which is provided on the other component. A slanted insert limb used to raise the engagement spring when the slidable component is moved in the direction of attachment. In order to connect and detach the two components with greater ease, even when space is lacking in the area immediately surrounding the connection points, the engagement spring is maintained in a position of engagement on the retaining plate by an engagement means acting against the resistance of the spring in the direction of attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: A. Raymond & CIE
    Inventors: Michael De Jong, Frank Lindemann
  • Patent number: 6910826
    Abstract: A breakaway coupling for a light pole or the like is disclosed and is utilized on each of the anchor bolts of the foundation for the pole. Each of the couplings comprises a metal coupling nut which has a plurality of radially spaced-apart and vertically disposed slits formed therein which extend thereinto to create weakened areas or zones in the coupling nut. The coupling nut is embedded in a fiber-reinforced material which provides the necessary hoop strength to the coupling nut. The base plate of the pole is positioned on the upper ends of the coupling nuts and is secured thereto by bolts extending downwardly through the base plate of the pole. If the pole is struck by a vehicle, the fiber-reinforced body members, as well as the coupling nuts, fracture to permit the pole to break away from the foundation. The fiber-reinforced body member of the coupling not only adds hoop strength to the coupling nut, but prevents the metal coupling nut from being exposed to corrosive elements such as salt or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Armand A. Damiano
  • Patent number: 6908273
    Abstract: A releasable security fixing system comprising a bolt (3) having a head and a shank. A security nut (7) which is engageable threadingly with the shank of the bolt and a cupped collar (5) having a hole in the cupped end to fit over the shank of the bolt and having a length greater than the projecting end of the shank of the bolt when installed, and being open at the other end to receive the security nut. The security nut has a circular periphery and is provided with a plurality of grooves (77) cut into one end of the nut and extending away from said end. A complimentary key (10) is provided for fitting and releasing the nut. The shank of the bolt is such that, in use, the shank of the bolt projects beyond the security nut in its installed position, and the key having an aperture to receive the projecting end of the bolt shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Inventor: Sean Kenneth Mackay