Patents Examined by Sean Pryor
  • Patent number: 5966814
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tune-producing feeding utensil, such as a spoon or a fork. In the case of a spoon, the spoon mainly includes a metal bowl portion, a plastic handle portion, and a metal back cover. The handle portion is provided with compartments for receiving a circuit board and two serially connected button cells, as well as a shallow groove around the compartments for receiving a gasket. When the back cover is fitted onto the handle portion, the circuit board and button cells are sealed in the handle portion and the gasket is tightly pressed against the shallow groove to make the handle portion watertight. When a baby uses the spoon to feed itself with one hand holding the handle portion at the back cover and its mouth contacting with the bowl portion, an integrated circuit on the circuit board is actuated to cause a tune-producing device attached to the back cover to send out music or voice. The music or voice is helpful in encouraging the baby to enjoy feeding itself concentratively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Michael Lin
  • Patent number: 5964136
    Abstract: A trimming shears for sheets and strips having two shears frames arranged opposite one another and on supports and being rotatable about a central vertical axis. A pair of vertically stacked adjustable roll blades are mounted in each shears frame at diagonally opposite horizontal corners of the shears frames. The roll blade pairs are rotary driven by gears and couplings to cut the sheet or strip edges. The roll blade pairs are adjustable both vertically and horizontally to accommodate different material thicknesses and widths. The roll blade pairs are arranged in the shears frames such that when the shears frames rotate 180.degree. about the central vertical axis, the position of the roll blade pairs is transposed--with the first roll blade pair taking the position of the second roll blade pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gerhard Bittner
  • Patent number: 5961020
    Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for breaking a web along spaced lines of weakness. The invention includes a compact breaker bar assembly comprising at least one breaker bar in a gap. The apparatus also includes driving apparatus to power the breaker bar assembly in breaking the web. In some embodiments, one or more breaker bars engage and stress the web along a single transverse line across the web, breaking the web. In other embodiments, at least first and second breaker bars engage and stress the web along spaced first and second transverse lines across the web. The breaker bars can be mounted on one or more rotary elements, or can be mounted on one or more belts or other breaker bar carriers, traversing closed-loop paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: CMD Corporation
    Inventors: John Schmidt, Charles H. Sauder
  • Patent number: 5957022
    Abstract: A workpiece-supporting fence has a pair of movable fences movably attached to a fixed fence which is secured to a base of the device in which the fence is being used. The pair of movable fences are located on opposite sides of a working tool such as a saw blade. A fixed clamping arrangement is associated with each movable fence and provides a single point actuation member for each movable fence to clamp the movable fence to the fixed fence such that the movable fence is vertically aligned and flush with the fixed fence. In one embodiment, each movable fence is provided with a gap-filling flap which is pivotably secured to the movable fence to be movable between a lower and an upper position. In its lower position, the gap-filling flap minimizes the gap between the movable fence and the working tool. In its upper position, the gap-filling flap provides additional support when working with taller or thicker workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Stumpf, Daryl S. Meredith, John W. Miller, Michael L. O'Banion
  • Patent number: 5957018
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for cutting up an element used in the construction of a nuclear installation for dismantling. The element is placed on a support and pushed toward a shearing tool having a blade pitch angle of 30.degree.. As the element is pushed, the blade performs a first shearing operation. Then a releasing stop controlled by a jack releases the element from the blade. Operation continues until the element is cut up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Schultz
  • Patent number: 5957025
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bale slicer that processes large forage bales into a form useable by TMR mixing systems. The bale slicer is simple to operate, reduces the power required to process a bale as compared to other bale processors and processes forage bales into a size suitable for use as feed. The bale slicer includes a main frame, bale chamber, platforms, a cutting mechanism, and power mechanism. The bale slicer utilizes a slicing motion by the cutting mechanism to process the large forage bales. The forage bale to be processed remains stationary and is held in its compressed form by the bale chamber during slicing. The cutting mechanism passes by the bale chamber in order to slice the bale. At the end of each slice made by the cutting mechanism, the forage falls to the floor and the bale drops down in the bale chamber in preparation for the return pass by the cutting mechanism. The fallen forage is then ready to be transported to a TMR mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Dennis R. Buckmaster, Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 5943782
    Abstract: A chain saw guide bar includes outer side surfaces, a longitudinal groove having side walls, and two edge surfaces. Each edge surface interconnects a side wall and an outer side surface to form therewith inner and outer corners, respectively. To edge-harden the guide bar, the edge surfaces, inner corners, and outer corners are heated above 750.degree. C. Then, the edge surfaces and inner corners are rapidly cooled, i.e, quenched, but the outer side surfaces are cooled more slowly, whereby the inner corners are given a higher hardness than the outer corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Sandvik AB
    Inventors: Arvo Leini, Erik Sundstrom, Mats Lundstrom
  • Patent number: 5943931
    Abstract: A workpiece-supporting fence has a pair of movable fences movably attached to a fixed fence which is secured to a base of the device in which the fence is being used. The pair of movable fences are located on opposite sides of a working tool such as a saw blade. A fixed clamping arrangement is associated with each movable fence and provides a single point actuation member for each movable fence to clamp the movable fence to the fixed fence such that the movable fence is vertically aligned and flush with the fixed fence. In one embodiment, each movable fence is provided with a gap-filling flap which is pivotably secured to the movable fence to be movable between a lower and an upper position. In its lower position, the gap-filling flap minimizes the gap between the movable fence and the working tool. In its upper position, the gap-filling flap provides additional support when working with taller or thicker workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Stumpf, Daryl S. Meredith, John W. Miller, Michael L. O'Banion
  • Patent number: 5943930
    Abstract: In an apparatus for shearing multi-walled workpieces, such as metal framing studs, a pair of base supports are spaced relative to each other to define a blade gap therebetween, and a guillotine-like blade is slidably received within the gap for shearing the workpieces. A pair of first supports, each defining a plurality of first support surfaces, are each slidably mounted on a respective base support. A pair of second supports, each defining a plurality of second support surfaces, are also each slidably mounted on a respective base support, and the second supports are spaced apart from and face the first supports to thereby define an adjustable-width channel therebetween. Each of the first, second and base supports defines a blade-like edge located adjacent to and defining the blade gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Wayne C. Fasske
  • Patent number: 5941151
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a workpiece's surface position. One embodiment of the invention includes two conductive bodies that are insulated from each other. During a surface position determining operation, one of these bodies has a first potential, while the other body has a second potential. These bodies are then moved towards a conductive surface of the workpiece, until both of these bodies are electrically detected to contact the surface. Finally, the distance that one of these bodies traverses is used to identify the position of the surface of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson, Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony A. Amon, Anthony M. Rogers, Michael A. Morasci
  • Patent number: 5937724
    Abstract: A scroll saw with an adjustable tensioning mechanism includes a housing having an inner surface and a pivoting arm having a rearward end disposed within an opening in the housing. A first blade clamp is disposed at the forward end of the pivoting arm and secures the upper end of a saw blade. The lower end of the saw blade is secured in a second blade clamp disposed at the forward end of a lower arm. A wedge is disposed within the housing, in contact with the inner surface of the housing. The wedge also is disposed in contact with and translatable along a surface of the pivoting arm. A rod is linked to the wedge at one end and extends through the pivoting arm. The rod includes an upwardly turned arm. A cam having a spiral track is rotatably mounted at the front of the pivoting arm with the upwardly turned arm disposed in the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. O'Banion, Louis M. Shadeck, Thomas R. Sommerville, Robert P. Welsh
  • Patent number: 5933960
    Abstract: A shaving apparatus to be drawn by a user across an area of skin in a shaving direction for removing hair from the area of skin includes a handle to be held by the user, a cutter device mountable on the handle, and a hair erecting device mounted forwardly of and adjacent to the cutter device. The hair erecting device features a rotary assembly with a plurality of axially extending projections for engaging the hair of the user, and a drive mechanism for driving the rotary assembly. The projections of the rotary assembly engage the hair of the user and erect the hair so as to improve operation of the cutter device. The shaving apparatus may be implemented with the hair erecting device attached to the handle and the cutter device in the form of a replaceable cartridge. A rear roller may be mounted behind the cutter device for dispensing a chemical composition onto the skin of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Joseph Avidor
  • Patent number: 5934164
    Abstract: A cutting system for removing at least one section from a workpiece. The cutting system includes a frame that supports a first saw assembly for cutting at one end of the workpiece and a second assembly for cutting at the other end of the workpiece. The first saw assembly supports a stop having an up position (non-cutting position) or a down position (cutting position). For measurement purposes, the one end of the uncut workpiece is placed next to the stop in the non-cutting position and during the cutting operation the stop moves below the workpiece. The cutting system also includes a first clamp connected to the first saw assembly and a second clamp connected to the second saw assembly or the frame. The first and second clamps have either an opened position or closed position. The workpiece is secured when the first and second clamps are in the closed position. The closed position also enables the operation of the first and second saw assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: V.P.T. Equipment Co.
    Inventor: Otis Barto Whatley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5934166
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus is disclosed for cutting a workpiece. The cutting apparatus includes a base that includes a support to support the workpiece, and a cutting blade pivotally connected to the base that includes a first cutting edge and a second cutting edge. The cutting apparatus further includes an operator connected to the cutting blade to operate the cutting blade to cut the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignees: Dennis F. Herlihy, John Herlihy
    Inventor: Dennis F. Herlihy
  • Patent number: 5934534
    Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for breaking a web along spaced lines of weakness. The invention includes a compact breaker bar assembly comprising at least one breaker bar in a gap. The apparatus also includes driving apparatus to power the breaker bar assembly in breaking the web. In some embodiments, one or more breaker bars engage and stress the web along a single transverse line across the web, breaking the web. In other embodiments, at least first and second breaker bars engage and stress the web along spaced first and second transverse lines across the web. The breaker bars can be mounted on one or more rotary elements, or can be mounted on one or more belts or other breaker bar carriers, traversing closed-loop paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: CMD Corporation
    Inventors: John Schmidt, Charles H. Sauder
  • Patent number: 5931070
    Abstract: A table for fixing a workpiece is driven and controlled by a position control means in a CNC unit through servo motors. Approach of a press tool to the workpiece is started by a press operation control means in the CNC unit through a servo motor at the time prior to the time, at which the position control of the table is completed, by predetermined time. Afterward, the press tool is controlled according to operation data stored in a press operation storage means in the CNC unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Fanuc., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichiro Miyajima, Teruo Masuda
  • Patent number: 5924618
    Abstract: A magnetic device (22, 222 or 322) for scoring glass (150) and a method for using the device to score glass. The system (100) for use with the device includes a scoring board (12), a scoring guide (18 or 218) and the device. The scoring guide has a smooth, flat outer surface (18E or 218C) and is constructed of either a magnetic or magnetically attractable material. The device includes a body (24 or 325) and a blade unit (26). The body has a smooth flat end and is preferably magnetic. Alternately, the flat end is constructed of a magnetically attractable material. To score glass, the glass sheet is placed on the scoring board and the guide is mounted on the board over the glass. The guide is mounted adjacent and parallel to the line to be scored on the glass. The flat smooth end of the device is mounted on the flat smooth outer surface of the guide so that the blade (26B) of the blade unit is aligned with the line to be scored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Donald A. Doak
  • Patent number: 5920992
    Abstract: A pizza cutter with a dull convex cutting blade and a handle having two upwardly tilting ends. The non-cutting edge of the blade is fixed into a downwardly extending portion of the handle member. One end of the handle member includes a substantially oval opening for accommodating the fingers and the opposite end of the handle member has a straight handle. Each handle has a plurality of finger receiving indentations, adapted to receive the index, middle, ring, little finger, and/or thumb of a user. In use, the hands assume their respective positions at the opposite ends of the handle. The hands are alternately moved in a rocking motion while applying a downward pressure on each handle, to cut a pizza. By requiring the placement of each hand on a specific portion of the handle member, a user's fingers will not be inadvertently placed under the blade and injured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventors: Joshua J. Watermolen, Steve J. Peters
  • Patent number: 5921161
    Abstract: An improved conversion device for use with hand-held power tools having a rigid base portion firmly affixed to a work surface. An elongated arm is affixed to the base allowing the arm to slide longitudinally on the base and above the work surface for substantially the full length of the arm. A power tool is mounted to the distal end of the arm, the blade or other tool head of the power tool projecting downward through a hole in the arm. The arm can be adjusted and fixed in position to set the distance between the blade or other tool head and a side-facing guide surface on the base according to the dimension of a cut to be made in a work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Robert M. Newell
  • Patent number: 5920990
    Abstract: A wire cutting tool includes a jaw defining a cutting edge and at least one cavity disposed in sufficient proximity to the cutting edge so that a wire being cut by the cutting edge is swaged into the cavity and held therein after the wire has been cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: H&M Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur J. Mooney