Patents Issued in February 24, 1998
  • Patent number: 5720074
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a noise reduction system which can effectively reduce noise is disclosed. The noise reduction system has a casing, a motor cap disposed in the casing such that it can surround a motor, a first sound-absorbing material provided in the inner wall of motor cap, and a second sound-absorbing material provided in the inner wall of the casing. The noise reduction system lengthens the fluid path in the vacuum cleaner so that air can fully contact the first and second sound-absorbing materials, thereby reducing the noise caused by friction between the sucking air and elements of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jae-Duck Lee
  • Patent number: 5720075
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a suction apparatus to be connected to a machine of the textile processing or prepration industry connected to a suction system (1a, 1b, 14) with a work area (a) and a first suction apparatus (3) which is stationary in the surrounding of the work area for the aspiration of fibers, small parts and/or particles (dirt) from the work area. With it a machine cleaning system is created which is able to clean problem zones of the work area of a machine without imosing a load on the space surrounding the machine. This is achieved if a second suction line (4, 16) in form of a hose that is flexible at least in sections the end (6) of which opening towards the work area (A) of the machine is freely movable for cleaning while its end attached to the machine is connected to the suction system (1a, 1b, 14) in order to introduce the aspired dirt into the suction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Rieter Ingolstadt Spinnereimaschinenbau AG
    Inventor: Becker Rudolf
  • Patent number: 5720076
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has wheels which can rotate in one direction only, when the body of the cleaner is inclined to the horizontal, such as when the cleaner is disposed on a flight of stairs. A prop provides alternative or additional support by engaging the stair surface. The invention reduces the possibility of the cleaner rolling off the stair tread and falling down the stairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Goblin Limited
    Inventor: David Michael Clark
  • Patent number: 5720077
    Abstract: A running member is attached rotatably to a body member, and a working member is attached movably to the body member. Therefore, in a large area, a work can be carried out efficiently even in a corner portion, and a desired work can be implemented even in a narrowed portion by shifting the working member to a working area and directly operating the working member in the narrowed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoko Nakamura, Hideaki Nakanishi, Yuichi Kawakami, Nobukazu Kawagoe, Shigeru Oyokota
  • Patent number: 5720078
    Abstract: A suction device for removing liquids from a surface such as a floor. The device includes an air chamber formed from a top and a bottom plate, each of the plates having a respective top and bottom surface. The air chamber is in fluid communication with a fitting adjacent thereto. The bottom plate includes a plurality of holes therethrough. The bottom surface of the bottom plate additionally includes fabric adjacent thereto and feet to hold the bottom plate of the device up off the floor to enable fluid to be suctioned through the bottom plate holes and into the chamber via a conventional source of suction. The device is also arranged to be located beneath an area where fluid is escaping for directly receiving and evacuating fluid that would otherwise fall on the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: J. Aaron Heintz
  • Patent number: 5720079
    Abstract: A propping device includes a mounting seat mounted detachably on a baby walker, and a rotatable member mounted pivotally on the mounting seat and including a flat abutting plate portion positioned on the mounting seat above a lower end of the caster. A locking unit can lock automatically and releaseably the abutting plate portion on the mounting seat when the abutting plate portion is rotated relative to the mounting seat to a horizontal location under the caster. When the caster is lifted, the rotatable member can be rotated so as to turn the abutting plate portion to the horizontal position so as to abut the abutting plate portion on the ground, thus preventing rotation of the caster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Chih-Huang Yang
  • Patent number: 5720080
    Abstract: A door closure for a patio sliding screen door includes an elastic band having one end connected to the sliding screen door and its opposite end connected to the door frame to bias the sliding screen door toward a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Brainstorms, LLC
    Inventor: Gary T. Rose
  • Patent number: 5720081
    Abstract: A two-component tool handle, comprised of a yoke member having yoke arms and a grip member, constructed so as to allow the grip member to be lockingly secured to the yoke arms upon simple rotation of the grip member when inserted in yoke arms, to thereby lock the yoke arms together and thereby form a D-shaped tool handle. Detent means, preferably in the form of a protruding member on the grip member, and a recessed portion on the yoke arm members, or vice versa, are provided, which snap into engagement upon the grip member being rotated within the yoke arms from a first position to the third (locked) position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Paul C. Aquilina
  • Patent number: 5720082
    Abstract: An adjustable gate latch has a striker bar (70) and a latch component including a base (10) with a track (17). The latch assembly slides along the track (17) when engaged by a striker (70) that is out of line with the latch member (50). This automatically compensates for relative movement between the gate and the associated gate posts. An adjustable hinge (80) has one of its hinge plates (82, 84) slideable vertically on the hinge pin (90). it is biased to a centre position by a spring (92). Alternative embodiments of the hinge have the moveable hinge plate threaded onto the hinge pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: William Rossmo
  • Patent number: 5720083
    Abstract: A method for separating woody material from plant fibers is disclosed which includes the provision of a plurality of woody material bending regions with the plant material being fed to a first and then a second one of the bending regions as bending and pulling surfaces are moved through the bending regions. The bending and pulling surfaces move through the regions at different operating speeds so that the bending and pulling surfaces in adjacent bending regions will pull on the plant material to separate the fibers from the woody material. As the bending and pulling surfaces primarily impart a pulling or stripping force on the fiber along its length where the fiber has its most strength, the woody material can be dislodged and stripped away lengthwise with minimal damage or breakage of the fiber. The step of providing bending regions can include the step of providing first and second sets of fluted rollers having bending and pulling radially extending flute surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Durafibre Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Leduc, Leslie G. Hill, David H. Kelly, Mark A. Stratton
  • Patent number: 5720084
    Abstract: A securing device includes a base capable of being fixedly disposed on a side of a footwear, a receiving member pivotally connected to the base, a toothed band having a head pivotally connected to the receiving member and an actuating member slidably received in grooves defined in the receiving member. The base has a first hook member extending upwardly therefrom. Two springs are disposed between the receiving member and the actuating member which has a second hook member extending downwardly from a bottom thereof so as to be engaged with the first hook member. The actuating member has two stops extending from the bottom thereof and the receiving member has two slots defined therein for the stops to be movably received therein such that when pushing the actuating member toward the head of the toothed band, the first hook member and the second hook member are disengaged from each other so that the receiving member together with the head of the toothed band can be pivoted to loosen the toothed band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Chin Chu Chen
  • Patent number: 5720085
    Abstract: An arrangement for fastening a wristlet onto a watch the middle-case of which is provided on its lateral sides with case-flanks to support lugs for the fastening of the wristlet and formed with holes for the axial engagement of the ends of the lugs and wherein at least one flank is movably mounted with respect to the case so that it may perform a movement for disengaging the lugs from their engagement holes and a pivoting movement into a position in which the ends of the lugs are remote enough from the flank formed with their engagement holes in order to permit the withdrawal of the ends of the wristlet from the lugs by a translational movement in the axial direction of the lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Jacques Benedict
    Inventor: Christophe Bernard
  • Patent number: 5720086
    Abstract: A clamping collar for sealing by perimetrically connecting the axially aligned ends of two parts which are circular in external transverse cross-sectional shape. The collar includes a strip formed into an open loop, V-shaped in longitudinal section, having two circumferentially opposite ends, and a tightener for extending force on the ends for circumferentially tightening the collar on the ends of the two parts. The tightener includes a separator for separating the two ends when the collar is loosened, for facilitating the opening and removal of the collar from the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: ABA of Sweden AB
    Inventors: Roger Eliasson, Morgan Ryhman, Philippe Bechler
  • Patent number: 5720087
    Abstract: In the production of slat packages for Venetian blinds, the slats are placed over each other and introduced between a first and a second transverse band in double rungs in carrying bands or ladders including bands or cords. The slats are conveyed one by one to the carrying band and lifted after being introduced into a double rung to enable mechanical introduction of the slats between the double rungs. A double rung is stretched between two teeth projecting over the plane in which the slats are conveyed. A slat is conveyed forward until it has passed under the first of the two transverse bands, and the slat is then lifted so that when further conveyed it passes over the second of the two transverse bands. The slat can be lifted by an inclined plane placed between the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: A/S Chr. Fabers Fabriker
    Inventor: Arly Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 5720088
    Abstract: In a transfer machine tool with a rotary table, the machining units with horizontal axes are arranged in orientations which do not coincide with the radii of the rotary table and the workpieces being machined are mounted on piece-holder plates which are fixed to the rotary table but are rotatable about vertical axes perpendicular to the plane of the rotary table; for each advance of a workpiece being machined from one work station to the next, the respective plate is rotated through an angle of between 0.degree. and 45.degree. relative to the radius at the next station, the angle possibly being added algebraically to the angle of rotation necessary when the face of the workpiece to be machined is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Riello Macchine Utensili Spa
    Inventors: Andrea Riello, Zeno Borsaro
  • Patent number: 5720089
    Abstract: A tool turret for machine tools has a turret housing and a turret head rotatably mounted in the turret housing about a rotary axis and lockable in selected angular settings relative to the turret housing. A carriage supports the turret housing and guides movement of the turret housing relative to a machine tool support in a Y direction transverse to the rotary axis. A carriage guide is on the tool support for guiding movement of the carriage. A carrier plate is part of the carriage, and extends in a plane defined by the Y direction and an X direction or a Z direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Sauter Feinmechanik GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Dieter Sahm
  • Patent number: 5720090
    Abstract: A machining apparatus is disclosed which includes a rotatable tool turret having a plurality of modular machine tools removably supported thereon in circumferentially spaced apart relationship, a transmission assembly for effectuating the indexed rotation of the tool turret, and a multi-disc variable-speed drive system for independently driving each of the modular machine tools supported on the tool turret.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Prestige Cabinetry and Finishings, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard J. Dawson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5720091
    Abstract: An indexing mechanism for providing intermittent rotation to a device includes a rotatable driven member having a pair of spaced oppositely disposed arcuate slots and a driving member having a pair of angularly spaced driving rollers engageable with the slots for rotatably accelerating and decelerating the driven member. The driven member locking rollers adjacent the slots engageable with the outer periphery of the driving member to prevent rotation of the driven member when it is not being indexed by the driving member. The indexing mechanism further includes a positive lock mechanism actuatable by a cam follower that rides within an endless cam track in the driving member. The positive lock mechanism is actuated by the cam follower to engage the indexed device and prevent rotation of the device when it is not being indexed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: L&P Property Management
    Inventors: John A. Garrett, Terrance L. Myers, Jerry J. Reece
  • Patent number: 5720092
    Abstract: A vehicle space frame is built up piece by piece into an initial or rough frame, consisting of standard, cylindrical metal tubes welded to matching cylindrical plugs of hollow, nodal joints. All weld seams are circular and, therefore, easily and quickly formed, and the initial frame need be formed only with the accuracy that plugging the ends of the tubes into the joints will achieve. The entire interior of the initial frame is then clamped between a large pair of dies with mating cavities, and hydroformed to provide a final frame with the desired non cylindrical cross section and accurate, final shape and form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Chi-Mou Ni, Charles J. Bruggemann
  • Patent number: 5720093
    Abstract: A method of building outdoor furniture in which the components being a plurality of patio squares (24), hollow tubes (28), 90 degree elbow joints (30), 45 degree elbow joints (30a), 22.5 degree elbow joints (30b), tee joints (32), end caps (34), braces (36), hinges (38), screws (40), bolts (42), washers (44) and nuts (46) can be assembled together to construct a lawn chair (48), a table (72) or a lounge chair (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: James Herbert Yoder, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5720094
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for pre-creeping a force applying spring blade member having characteristics for ordinarily generating a higher than required initial force in a controlled force applying process. The apparatus includes a retainer that can be packed and sealed within storable container. The retainer includes a first set of walls defining a first slot for receiving and retaining a first edge of a generally rectangular spring blade member, and a second set of walls defining a second slot for receiving and retaining a second and opposite edge of the blade member. The second slot is in communication, and forms a blade creeping angle, with the first slot. The blade creeping angle and a controlled aging period of time for a packaged blade member are selected so as to cause the blade member to precreep through a precreep phase during the controlled period of time in accordance with a bend induced therein at the blade creeping angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Carter, Geoffrey C. Williams
  • Patent number: 5720095
    Abstract: In a method for producing helically wound lock-seam tubing, a metal strip is fed to a forming heed in which the tubing is formed. In order to prevent lock-seam slip, a clinching roller device forms interlocking spaced deformations on the lock-seam. An apparatus for such production comprises a clinching roller provided with a recess for forming the deformations against a counter roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Protol A.G.
    Inventor: Kenneth Lennartsson
  • Patent number: 5720096
    Abstract: A locking fence for a power tool such as a chop saw, or for a work surface of a workbench, is capable of being moved to a selected location on the chop saw base or work surface and oriented at a selected angular orientation relative to the chop saw blade. The fence is locked simultaneously in such location and orientation when an operator rotates a cam actuator to lift a first clamping member away from the fence, which in turn draws a second clamping member into clamping engagement with the underside of a workpiece support of the base, and which further forces a cam portion of the actuator against the fence. No tools are required to lock or unlock the fence. The fence defines an arcuate slot for enabling the angular orientation to be adjusted. The arcuate slot is maintained in juxtaposition to a slot formed in the work surface for enabling movement of the fence to its selected location on the workpiece support or work surface, by linking screws linking the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: A. Nelson Dorsey
  • Patent number: 5720097
    Abstract: Insulating strip material for dynamo-electric machine parts (e.g., for armature core slot liners) is fed out intermittently by a reciprocating assembly which releasably clamps the strip material during at least a portion of the assembly's stroke in one direction. The material that has been fed out is cut off, formed into the desired shape (if necessary), and inserted into the dynamo-electric machine part during further motion of the reciprocating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Axis USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio Randazzo, Antonio Lumini, Rossano Galassi
  • Patent number: 5720098
    Abstract: The invention presents a method and a correspondingly designed probe for achieving uniform stress distribution when experiencing deflection. The probe has a top edge, a bottom edge, a tip, and a beam portion defined by selecting an inflection point along the top edge, such that the beam portion is contained between the tip and the inflection point, and the bottom edge below the beam portion is approximately straight, while the curvature of the top edge of the beam portion is fitted to a parabola. The tip has an outer edge, an inner edge, and a point of contact at the location where the outer and inner edges join. The inner edge is approximately straight while the curvature of the outer edge is fitted to a second parabola. The probe is preferably mounted in a support structure having a groove for receiving the probe such that the beam portion is free to move vertically in the groove and constrained laterally to prevent side-buckling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Probe Technology
    Inventor: January Kister
  • Patent number: 5720099
    Abstract: An elongated implantable electrode assembly includes a set of electrode pads arranged in a pre-selected pattern, and a plurality of longitudinal wires, each wire being connected to at least one pad. The electrode assembly is formed by first depositing the pads on a sacrificial layer, adding wires to the pad, embedding the pads and wires in a carrier and then removing the sacrificial layer. These steps can be performed using photolithographic techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: John L. Parker, Claudiu Treaba
  • Patent number: 5720100
    Abstract: A microelectronic assembly (10) includes an integrated circuit die (12) that is mounted to a printed circuit board (14). The integrated circuit die (12) overlies the printed circuit board (14) and includes an active face (26) that faces the printed circuit board (14) and is spaced apart therefrom by a gap (30). A plurality of solder bump interconnections (32) extend across the gap (30) and connect a plurality of board bond pads (22) with a plurality of die bond pads (28). A polymeric precursor (13) is dispensed onto the printed circuit board (14) about the integrated circuit die (12) and is curable to form a polymeric encapsulant (16). The polymeric precursor (13) is drawn into the gap (30) and forms a fillet (34) overlying the printed circuit board (14). A frame (18) is embedded in the fillet (34) and the polymeric precursor (13) is heated to cure the polymeric precursor (13) to form a polymeric encapsulant (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Skipor, Daniel Roman Gamota, Chao-Pin Yeh, Karl W. Wyatt, Wen Xu Zhou
  • Patent number: 5720101
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a harmonic drive transmission assembly for use in contamination free manufacturing fields such as computer chip making. The harmonic drive unit includes a flexspline having a diaphragm at one end and an outwardly flared lip adjacent its other end which is integrally connected to a mounting flange. The flexspline including the diaphragm and mounting flange are all integral with one another, all being machined from a single piece of steel bar stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Boston, Inc
    Inventors: Steven J. Foley, Joseph A. Michaud
  • Patent number: 5720102
    Abstract: A method for making a drive line slip joint assembly of the type having a slip yoke and a yoke shaft, the yoke shaft telescopically engaging an internal bore through one end of the slip yoke, the yoke shaft having an externally splined portion with splines extending radially outwardly from a central axis, and the slip yoke having an internally splined portion with splines extending radially inwardly toward the central axis, with the splines of the yoke shaft intermeshing with the splines of the slip yoke to form a driving connection between the yoke shaft and the slip yoke, includes coating the splines of either the yoke shaft or the slip yoke with a low friction coating, heating the yoke shaft and the slip yoke to a temperature sufficient to soften the low friction coating, centering the yoke shaft with respect to the slip yoke, inserting the yoke shaft into the internal bore of the slip yoke, and cooling the yoke shaft and slip yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Virginia L. McClanahan
  • Patent number: 5720103
    Abstract: A pair of self-opening scissors or shears, or an attachment which can be used with conventionally designed scissors or shears, particularly of the kind used by barbers or the like. The invention uses a pair of inserts for the finger holes of the scissors, connected by a band of an elastic material which serves to provide a self-opening force. The inserts fit into the finger holes, simultaneously holding the elastic band and reducing the size of the finger holes for smaller hands. The self-opening finger inserts of the invention can be used with existing scissors, or built into new scissors at time of manufacture without requiring major redesign or changes in manufacture. The scissors with the invention will reduce repetitive motion injury while remaining conventional in shape and feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Heritage Cutlery, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne West, John Carney, Christopher Olix
  • Patent number: 5720104
    Abstract: A compact, reliable and convenient drywall-sheet trimmer has opposed cutter disks (7, 8) positioned rotationally in opposing walls (3, 4) of a trimmer channel (2) having a slide bar (19) that is adjustable in positioning intermediate the opposing cutter disks and a channel bottom (21). Pinion teeth (25) on an adjustment shaft (24) are rotated by helical worm gearing (28) with an adjustment knob (30) to actuate rack teeth (26) on slide rods (22) attached to the slide bar for adjusting distance of the slide bar from the cutter disks to control widths of trimming cuts. Surfaces of drywall sheets (6) are scored or cut to cause the drywall sheets to be breakable by applying bending moment along lines of scored or cut surface material and/or indentations caused by cutting entry of the opposed cutter disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Mark Decker
  • Patent number: 5720105
    Abstract: A utility knife (10) incorporates a handle (12) and a multi-purpose blade (14) with multiple sharpened cutting edges (48, 50 and 52) to facilitate making various types of cuts without changing grip, positions, knives, and/or blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Better Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Byron E. Gates
  • Patent number: 5720106
    Abstract: A tape measurement apparatus is provided for measuring the slope height of a GPS surveying system receiver, with an integral antenna, which is vertically suspended over a ground mark. A tape mounting hook is provided for securing the distal end of a tape measure in a location which is known precisely with respect to the phase center of the GPS receiver. The tape measure housing has a pointer arm of precisely known length which extends out from the tape measure housing in a direction opposite and parallel to the normalized line of extension of the tape from the housing. A distance scale imprinted on the tape compensates for the combined lengths of the housing and pointer arm so that a user can read the uncorrected slope height of the GPS receiver directly from the scale while applying the tip of the pointer arm to the ground mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Anthony W. Serksnis, Mark E. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5720107
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an air-moving pulsator (12) for an electric hair dryer (10) which, for the purpose of creating a pulsing action in the air stream, includes a rotor (20, 41) rotatably supported in a substantially tubular housing portion (13) and having an impeller (11) adapted to be impacted by the air stream exiting from the hair dryer (10), wherein there is arranged upstream of the rotor (20, 41), as seen when looking in the discharge direction of the air stream, a stator (38) provided with selectively moveable vanes for varying the pulsation frequency and adapted to impart rotation to the air stream about its axis. In a preferred embodiment, stator (38) is provided with air-directing blades (28) pivotally mounted on radially oriented spokes (26), and the air-directing blades (28) carry cam follower pins (31) at the ends of arms (29). A cam ring (32) is rotatably secured by outer ring (33) on the housing portion (13) and has helical camming slots (36) to cam the pins (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilfried Rolf, Karl Herzog
  • Patent number: 5720108
    Abstract: A drying device for warming or drying boots, gloves, mittens, and other articles has a pair of flexible hoses attached to an air blower and manifold. The remaining end of each hose is inserted into a boot or glove to facilitate warming or drying the inside of the boot or glove when air is forced through the flexible hoses by the air blower and the duct assembly. The length of the each flexible hose is independently adjustable so that the invention can be used with a variety of boot and glove sizes. Optional nozzles at the ends of the flexible hoses direct the air being blown into the boots, gloves, mittens, or other articles toward specific areas of the boots, gloves, mittens, or other articles. A spring clip is positioned inside the flexible hoses to help direct the flexible hoses into the boots or gloves to be dried and to keep the boots, gloves, mittens, or other articles held together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Russell Rice
  • Patent number: 5720109
    Abstract: A method and device for contact drying a paper web, wherein the paper web is dried initially in a number of successive groups with single-wire draw by pressing the paper web via drying wires of each groups against the heated faces of the drying cylinders and by guiding the paper web on support of the same drying wire from one drying cylinder onto the next drying cylinder over the reversing suction cylinders or rolls in each group with single-wire draw. In the groups with single-wire draw, the paper web is dried to a first dry solids content, after which the paper web is dried directly further by a single group with twin-wire draw to a second dry solids content, after which the paper web is dried further to its final dry solids content by a single normal group with single-wire draw. The limits of the first and second dry solids contents are selected so that, in the middle or in the beginning of the range, the tear strength index and the breaking strength index of the web are at their maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Jouko Yli-Kauppila
  • Patent number: 5720110
    Abstract: A configuration for detecting gaps in a conductor rail for electric rail vehicles being fed through conductor rails, includes a proximity switch. A component of a current collector can be pressed against an activation element of the proximity switch if a gap in the conductor rail is present so that a conductor-rail gap signal can be produced in conjunction with an evaluation device, when there is an interrupted conductor rail. Alternatively, a proximity sensor can be used instead of a proximity switch. The proximity sensor can also detect a conductor rail directly without components of the current collector being involved in the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: August Heckmann, Erich Minderlein
  • Patent number: 5720111
    Abstract: A boresight assembly for artillery having one or more baffles defining a central passageway and a perimeter passageway with a sighting periscope receivable within the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Kieran Eugene McMullen
  • Patent number: 5720112
    Abstract: A plumb bob includes an asymmetrical device 22 and the bob weight 20. The asymmetrical device 22 includes a plug 20 which can be received in a cavity 24 of the bob weight 20. Appropriate material such as solder or an adhesive is selected for securing the asymmetric device 22 and the bob weight 20 in a manner that causes the center of gravity of the asymmetric device 22 to be aligned with that of the bob weight 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: DWBH Ventures Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Adams, John Littleboy, Andrew G. Butler
  • Patent number: 5720113
    Abstract: A tool is disclosed which incorporates both a stick-pin peg and an eyelet-shaped hook, either of which may be used to anchor a chalk line. The tool can also double as a plumb bob. The tool has a peg-shaped body with a longitudinal axis. The body has a tapered lower end which terminates in a sharpened stick pin. The body has a recess for holding the eyelet-shaped hook and also incorporates a clamping mechanism which both releaseably secures the hook within the recess, and eliminates any need for tying and untying the string to the tool. The string remains secured to the eyelet-shaped hook. In order to secure the line with the eyelet-shaped hook, the hook is removed from the body by releasing the clamping mechanism. In order to secure the line with the stick-pin peg, the eyelet-shaped hook is secured within the body recess and the string is secured to the needle point by looping the string over itself twice. In order to utilize the anchor/bob as a plumb bob, the body is suspended from its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Christopher Shawn Bartimus
  • Patent number: 5720114
    Abstract: A tool for aligning vinyl corner posts during installation has a flat, generally L-shaped body member. The body member is formed from first and second leg portions which meet in a 90.degree. angle. An aperture is formed in the interior edge of the body member which is symmetrically disposed with respect to the 90.degree. angle for receiving a vinyl corner post. To use the tool, the vinyl corner post is pushed into the aperture where it fits snugly. The assembly is then pressed against the corner of the building, and the flat interior edges of the legs of the body member are pressed against the sides of the house to align the corner post to the building. The corner post is then nailed into position, while sliding the tool on the corner post to maintain the proper orientation along the entire length of the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Scott J. Guerin
  • Patent number: 5720116
    Abstract: In a sloped tower type airborne drying and heating apparatus, a bulge or a neck is provided at at least one location in the inner wall of a sloped pipe for the purpose of reducing in a range of 3 to 50% the cross-section of a flow path in the pipe. Coal charged into the pipe is smoothly conveyed through the sloped pipe without dwelling in the lower portion of the pipe cross-section and thus effectively dried and heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: The Japan Iron and Steel Federation
    Inventor: Masahiko Yokomizo
  • Patent number: 5720117
    Abstract: A shank for providing stability and torsional control to a shoe comprises a generally rectangular body having a pair of legs extending non-symmetrically from a first end for providing flexibility at the ball of the shoe, and a semicircular tab formed from a second end for enhancing the rigidity and torsional stability. A crested ridge formed along the underside of the shank provides stiffness to the shank's body while the legs allow for flexibility in the shank to accommodate the slight angular bending, twisting or sideways rocking that occurs at the ball of the shoe. From a side view, the body of the shank is curved to look like a generally elongated S-shape which follows the inclined form of a shoe lasting board. A stabilizer protruding in relief from the top side of the shank is used to align the shank with the shoe lasting board prior to permanent affixation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Ariat International, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Toschi
  • Patent number: 5720118
    Abstract: The invention provides an inlay for a shoe. The inlay extends at least within the forefoot region and comprises one piece of a hard plate material of uniform thickness. The plate material is formed with a profiling provided transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sole of the shoe. The transverse profiling extends at least throughout substantially the entire forefoot region of the inlay. The profiling has a cross-section consisting of periodically repeating cross-sectional profile elements, each of the cross-sectional profile elements comprising a ridge and a recess. The plate material is a resilient plate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventors: Helmut Mayer, Norbert Becker
  • Patent number: 5720119
    Abstract: The shoe is of the type constituted by a shell base adapted to receive the foot of the user and a upper-collar in two portions journaled on the shell base, and including elements for mutually bringing together and latching the two portions of the upper in the tightening position around the lower leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Salomon, S.A.
    Inventor: Louis Benoit
  • Patent number: 5720120
    Abstract: A snowshoe (1) formed from a semi-flexible platform (6) including binding means (34, 37, 39, 41, 42) for binding the heel and toe of a user's shoe or boot (50) to the platform, which is substantially imperforate, and the platform being molded from semi-flexible plastics material that can flex with the user's footwear, such as a shoe or boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Peter Smith
  • Patent number: 5720121
    Abstract: Illuminated footwear having a power source, at least one light source operatively connected to the power source, a switching circuit for selectively illuminating the light source, and a linear side-glow optical conduit located on the footwear so as to be visible when illuminated, the linear optical conduit having opposed end portions and being capable of emitting light conducted therethrough radially outwardly from its circumferential periphery substantially along its entire length, at least one end portion of the linear optical conduit being positioned and located in close proximity to the light source so as to receive light therefrom when illuminated, the linear optical conduit being illuminated substantially along its entire circumferential periphery when the light source is selectively illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Dale E. Barker
  • Patent number: 5720122
    Abstract: A plow blade assembly for clearing a surface during a plowing operation comprises a plow blade having a front and rear surface and a lower edge. The plow blade is pivotally supported on a support frame for movement between a forward and a retracted position. The plow blade is normally resiliently retained in the forward position. An actuator is flexibly connected to the plow blade so that the position of the blade can be selectively varied and maintained at a location between the forward and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. McLellan
  • Patent number: 5720123
    Abstract: A frame that includes a depth image lenticular photograph as the frame surrounding a planar print or object of interest to the viewer. The frame can be a reflection print or a backlit transparency of a real object or a graphical creation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Roy Y. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5720124
    Abstract: A device for attracting fish by chumming which when filled with whole bait and manually reciprocatingly agitated overboard causes the bait to be cut to create a chum slick. An elongated rigid tubular body defining an inner chamber for receiving whole bait is provided further having a plurality of perforations which allow diffusion of resulting chum. An enlarged side port opening with removable plug is provided for loading the whole bait into the chamber. Rigid first and second plugs are removably inserted into each open end of the tubular body and each defines a through bore. Each such bore is disposed along the same axis for passage of an elongated rigid shaft. The shaft has a first end portion and neck extending a predetermined length beyond the first plug and terminating in an elongated handle portion for grasping; the shaft also extends beyond the second plug. The shaft is limited in reciprocal travel through both bores by a pair of stop members disposed on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventors: Kyrt M. Wentzell, Edward S. Wentzell