Patents Examined by Thomas J Druan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6584690
    Abstract: A shaving assembly for simultaneously applying a shaving preparation and removing hair in a single step includes a base having an upper end, a lower end and a hollow space between the upper and lower ends, whereby the hollow space defines an opening at the upper end of the base. The shaving assembly includes a receiver for a razor, such as a cartridge receiver for a razor blade cartridge, that is connected with the base and that is disposed at the opening at the upper end of the base. The cartridge receiver has a perimeter and the opening at the upper end of the base completely surrounds the perimeter of the cartridge receiver. The hollow space of the base is adapted for containing a shaving preparation, such as a soap cake, a liquid soap, shaving cream or a body wash and may be combined with skin beneficial ingredients and/or scent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: Glennis J. Orloff, Robert V. Lozeau, David Dombrowski
  • Patent number: 6575070
    Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a sheet of material along a preselected line. The apparatus includes a table having an upper surface sized and shaped for receiving the sheet of material. In addition, the apparatus includes a wire positionable adjacent the upper surface of the table and generally vertically below the preselected line on the sheet of material when the sheet of material is received by the upper surface of the table. Further, the apparatus includes an elongate guide positionable above the sheet of material when the sheet is received by the upper surface of the table for holding the sheet of material in position with respect to the wire and the upper surface of the table. The apparatus also includes a device engageable with the wire for pulling the wire upward through the sheet of material to cut the sheet of material along the preselected line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Friedrich Peyerl, David S. Alvarez, Paul S. Manicke
  • Patent number: 6539633
    Abstract: The invention relates to a razor (1) whose head (2) is provided with a protective member (4) in which it engages in removable manner for the purpose of protecting the cutting blade(s) (3) before use and possibly also after use, the razor (1) having at least one tongue (6) fixed either to the head or to the protective member, and engaging respectively either on a portion of the protective member or on the head in such a manner as to be broken on first separation of the protective member (4) and the head (2). The protective member is preferably a cap (4) that engages removably on the head (2) of the razor to protect the cutting blade(s) (3) before and after use, and the tongue (6) is fixed to the head (2) of the razor, engaging a portion of the protective cap during removal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Societe Bic
    Inventor: Jean Bernard Rebaudieres
  • Patent number: 6508147
    Abstract: The present invention has several aspects to it, one of which is the provision of a chisel point which is straight and tapered from its thinnest part at the extreme front to a thicker part at the rear thereof for causing a sweep to wear longer than prior art sweeps. This sweep also improves soil penetration and is self-sharpening. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an earth working sweep having a front end, a right side, a left side, and a central upper portion for connecting the sweep to an implement. It also has a right rear wing portion and a left rear wing portion with an intermediate portion connecting the front end to the central upper rear portion and the left and right rear wing portions. A right edge and a left edge have concave edges on the front and convex edges on the back so as to form a somewhat S-shaped configuration which reduces scrap when being made and adds to the longevity and performance of the sweep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Douglas G. Bruce
  • Patent number: 6502313
    Abstract: An edge trimming tool for trimming the edge of a piece of material. The edge trimming tool includes a trimming head rotatably attached to a handle. The trimming head defines a first cylindrical section having a peripheral surface and a pair of substantially flat side surfaces. The trimming head also defines a second cylindrical section extending laterally from one of the side surfaces of the first cylindrical section. The second cylindrical section also includes a peripheral surface and a side surface located opposite the first cylindrical section. The intersection between the outer peripheral edge and one of the flat lateral edges of the first cylinder defines a substantially sharp cutting intersection adapted to be used for cutting the material to be trimmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Jérôme Bilodeau
  • Patent number: 6477776
    Abstract: A pair of rotational peeling pliers. The pliers include an upper and lower half part and an adjustment member, wherein, the middle sections of the upper and lower half parts are connected to form an upper and a lower clamping arm on the front section as well as an upper and lower handle on the rear section of the pliers. The upper clamping arm has a knife, and the lower clamping arm has wire recesses. When one of the recesses is filled by a wire, and the upper and lower clamping arms are pressed to get close to each other, the knife cuts into an outer insulation layer on the wire to peel it. The adjustment member includes a fixing seat, the knife and an adjustment portion. The fixing seat is inserted in the receiving groove with the bottom thereof fixedly clamping the knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Hanlong Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Beam-Chi Jee
  • Patent number: 6463663
    Abstract: A folding saw in which either the edge of the blade, the handle or both are curved, to prevent the edge of the blade from being exposed when blade is folded so that the saw can be handled safely. The protective cover in which the edge of the blade can be nestled is placed inside the housing groove of the handle having a semi-U-shaped cross section for housing the blade. The protective cover is retractable with respect to the housing groove, and when the blade is folded, projects out of the housing groove and covers the edge, which may be exposed. The protective cover is preferably energized by a spring so that it covers the edge whenever the blade is folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kanzawa Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuniyuki Kanzawa
  • Patent number: 6457394
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a paper wiping material includes a toothed spur mechanism which includes an arm which pivots counter to an elastic return relative to a pivotally mounted cutter blade holder. The arm includes a curvilinear section having a plurality of teeth which engage a fixed rack. The engagement defines an angular sector bounded by the initial contact area between the teeth of the fixed rack and the arm, the pivot axis of the toothed spur mechanism and the cutting surface of the cutting blade which extends approximately 160 to 170°. The elastic return includes a first end which is fixed to a tab of the blade holder and a second arm which is fixedly attached to the arm permitting an elastic interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Maurice Granger
  • Patent number: 6457621
    Abstract: A device for separating the rod and cap of a connecting rod by breaking includes a fixed expansion mandrel half on a fixed device part a mobile expansion mandrel half on a device part which moves in the direction of expansion, and support elements for the rod and the cap. The device has a long service life without operational problems and can separate the rod and cap of a connecting rod from each other with a high degree of precision. To this end, the adjustable support elements are arranged on the fixed device part and the fixed support elements are arranged on the mobile device part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Alfing Kessler Sondermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hähnel, Horst Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 6453559
    Abstract: A safety knife comprises a handle and a blade mounted on the handle so that a part of the blade projects from the handle. Two retractable safety guards are also mounted on the handle, overlying opposite sides of the projecting portion of the blade. Each guard is spring-loaded so that pressure from the material being cut causes the guards to retract into the handle as the blade cuts into the material. A manually controlled locking device normally prevents the guards being retracted but, when operated, allows the guards to retract. The guards automatically extend, under the action of springs, when the knife is removed from the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventors: Peter Jonathan Marshall, William Alfred Ireland
  • Patent number: 6439088
    Abstract: Vegetation trimmers and methods for reconfiguring a trimmer are provided. A coupling mechanism permits reconfiguration of the trimmer between a first, e.g., trimming, configuration and a second, e.g., edging, configuration. The coupling mechanism may, in one embodiment, be used to couple a handle assembly with an extension tube. By rotating the handle assembly relative to the extension tube, the trimmer is moved between the trimming and edging configurations. In one embodiment, the mechanism may apply a biasing force to the handle assembly relative to the extension tube. The biasing force tends to bias the trimmer towards and retain the trimmer in the desired configuration. To switch the trimmer between configurations, the operator may impart a twisting force between the handle assembly and the extension tube where the twisting force is sufficient to overcome the biasing force. Optionally, a longitudinal force may also be applied before or during the application of the twisting force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Gregory B. Eytchison, John Mark Buber, Robert C. Johnson, Jeffrey E. Zander
  • Patent number: 6438851
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a circular saw aligning device which is not only easily releaseable but also entirely removeable from functioning engagement with either a specially made or prior art portable circular saw. An abutting assembly of the device rotates from an engaging position to a non-engaging position so the saw can be used without interference. This rotation is also the first step in removing the device entirely from the saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Lev Laltoo
  • Patent number: 6418626
    Abstract: A pair of pruning shears has two bodies pivotally mounted together with a pivot, a spring connected between the bodies, and a lock device arranged near the pivot. The lock device comprises a step hole defined in one of the bodies near the pivot, a locking hole defined in the other body, a latch post moveably mounted in the step hole, a biasing member to support the latch post, and a knob. The knob is rotatably mounted on the body with the step hole. The knob has a bottom abutting the latch post and a cavity defined in the bottom. When the bodies are pushed toward to each other, the step hole will align with the locking hole. The latch post can be pushed to engage with the locking hole by the bottom of the knob. This can provide a secure positioning effect to the latch post. The latch post will not escape from the locking hole when the pruning shears bump with another object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Ming-Shan Jang
  • Patent number: 6418826
    Abstract: A slicing apparatus for dividing a compression-molded article of laminae is provided with a dividing knife that reciprocates within a horizontal plane, and the dividing knife has a cutting edge in the shape of a V directed toward the compression-molded article, and cuts into the compression-molded article while holding the article from both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Suzuki, Yoshihiro Yamazaki, Koji Shimada
  • Patent number: 6393954
    Abstract: The present invention eases possible rubbing between an upper cutting edge and a work cutting surface of a work cutting apparatus during the elevation of the upper cutting edge to prevent the upper cutting edge from being worn in order to increase its lifetime. In a device for cutting a work by elevating and lowering a movable upper cutting edge 12 relative to a fixed lower cutting edge 13, an upper-cutting-edge, tight-contact avoidance device 10 is provided for widening the clearance between the upper cutting edge 12 and a work cutting surface. The device 10 is comprised of a clearance adjustment mechanism 22 for adjusting the clearance between the upper cutting edge 12 and the lower cutting edge 13, and control device 35 for regulating operation of the clearance adjustment mechanism 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshihiro Yonekura
  • Patent number: 6393704
    Abstract: A self-leveling eating utensil having a handle and a food carrier rotatably coupled to the handle. The food carrier may be coupled to a shank which is, in turn, rotatably coupled to the handle. The food carrier is positioned offset from the handle and the shank to weight itself into a self-leveling position with the food-carrying surface thereof positioned to carry food without spillage. A weight is preferably provided on the shank to further weight the food carrier into the self-leveling position. The weight may be formed at the free end of the shank opposite the food carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the weight is formed as a bend in the free end of the shank in a direction toward the food carrier. Preferably, the handle is formed to permit decoupling to clean the interior thereof and recoupling to use the eating utensil once again after cleaning. Such handle is formed from first and second handle halves which are readily coupled, decoupled, and recoupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: David Tompkins, Gerard D. Byrne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6389701
    Abstract: A hand tool is fitted with a fixed shield and a movable shield which is rotatably mounted around the fixed shield. The two shields are aligned with one another by each shield being keyed into a countersunk washer formed with an anchor slot for the fixed shield and a semi-annular guideway for the movable shield. A torsion spring normally biases the movable shield into a closed position about the fixed shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Gyros Precision Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Friedland
  • Patent number: 6374498
    Abstract: A portable pruner comprises a shearing part, a transmission part and a driving part. By using the compound casing tube to achieve rigid axial transmission, the pruner is simple and handy in construction, and accurate and easy to pruning. It can be disassembled into several portions easy to carry and assembled at different lengths depending on the requirement, its effects of cutting are dependable, and so the portable pruner is suitable for pruning branches of various heights in extensive orchards and gardens, while ensuring the safety of the operation. At the same time, the efficiency of pruning trees is improved considerably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Changzhe Liu
  • Patent number: 6370996
    Abstract: This invention is primarily a device to help prevent inadvertent carriage travel while using a radial arm saw and to facilitate feed speed control of the saw carriage, allowing operators with limited experience to use the saw with greater confidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: John Tedrick
  • Patent number: 6364188
    Abstract: A tape dispenser comprising a hub unit and a housing that can be removed from the hub unit to dispense tape. The hub unit comprises a hub for holding a roll of tape, and two flanges, one on each of the opposite ends of the hub. One of the flanges optionally has a cutting edge along a portion of its outer periphery for severing tape pulled over the cutting edge. A plurality of tabs are provided generally adjacent the periphery of at least one of the flanges. The tabs tend to prevent accidental unwinding of tape from the tape dispenser unit. The housing covers the periphery of the flanges (including the cutting edge if provided).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Wayne K. Dunshee