Patents Issued in July 7, 1998
  • Patent number: 5774969
    Abstract: A modular vehicle includes a plurality of modular members arranged on a base. The modular members collectively approximate the contour of a vehicle interior or exterior. The modular members are arranged on the base in a close fitting, removable fashion. Each of the modular members has a contoured surface which closely approximates a corresponding portion of a contour of a vehicle interior or exterior. The model vehicle can be reconfigured by simply removing the modular members affected by a design change, reconfiguring the removed modular members and replacing the removed modular members. In another feature, the model vehicle assembly includes a plurality of floor section modular members, wherein one of these floor modular members has a hole defining a reference point. A digitizer which measures the contour of the interior is mounted in the hole. A method of assembling a model for a vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Giuliano Zuccato
  • Patent number: 5774970
    Abstract: A manufacturing process of a golf club head for tightly and firmly affixing a striking plate, which is preferably made of titanium or titanium alloy, on a head body made of other metal material includes the following steps of (1) forming a receiving groove on a head body of a golf club which has a predetermined original size and shape; (2) heating the head body until the head body expands to slightly enlarge the size of the receiving groove; (3) planting a striking plate, which is made of titanium or titanium alloy and has a size and shape slightly larger than the original size and shape of the receiving groove of the head body before heating, into the heated receiving groove of the head body; and (4) moving the head body with the striking plate to room temperature until the receiving groove will shrink back to the original size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Hui Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 5774971
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wide assortment of parts at least some having hardened and ground pin sections of various lengths and diameters, and various end features such as heads, keeper slots, cotter pin holes, snap ring grooves, flats, etc. in which an inventory of pin blanks of long lengths and various diameters is manufactured as well as separate end caps of various end feature configurations, sizes and spacings. By cutting off the pin blanks to a desired length and assembling a proper end cap to the cutoff pin, a pin part can be quickly manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventors: Peter J. Manetta, Lawrence A. Schueneman
  • Patent number: 5774972
    Abstract: A novel method is provided for forming a clear hole through a composite plate. In the present method, the hole is twice-punched by a punching apparatus. At least two plates can be joined together to form a wall of a trailer. Each composite plate is formed from top and bottom skins having a resilient core sandwiched therebetween. The bottom skin of one plate and the top skin of the adjacent plate each include an integrally formed skin extension which extends past the end of the respective cores and overlaps the respective top or bottom skin on the adjacent plate. To perform the method, the following steps are taken: The composite plates are placed adjacent to each other and the punching apparatus is engaged with the plate to be punched to compress the plate core material. The punching apparatus punches through the plate and skin to form a hole therethrough. The apparatus is then withdrawn from its engagement and the core is allowed to expand into the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Wabash National Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney P. Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 5774973
    Abstract: A continuous rolling method includes the steps of: de-scaling billets sent directly from a continuous casting machine; continuously welding the billets using a travelling flash butt welder; grinding a burr on a welded part of the billets to remove the burr using a travelling grinding machine; heating the billets to an elevated temperature using an induction heater; and conducting continuous rolling. The travelling flash butt welder and the travelling grinding machine are separately movable along a running line of the billets, and are moved together during flash butt welding. The flash butt welding is carried out while the flash butt welder and the grinding machine travel a specified stroke for welding. The travelling grinding machine and the travelling flash butt welder are moved together to meet the welded part of each of the billets, and the travelling flash butt welder is returned to a waiting position after the flash butt welding is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Soichi Aoyama, Akira Sakai, Koji Okushima
  • Patent number: 5774974
    Abstract: A disc drive includes a disc drive motor for rotating a storage disc. The motor includes a motor base which carries a wiring assembly having a plurality of electrical contacts. A rotor hub is rotatably coupled to the base and rotatably carries a storage disc. The rotor hub includes a permanent magnet. A stator assembly includes a plurality of stator windings adapted for operation with the permanent magnet of the rotor hub. A wire guide coupled to the stator assembly positions wires of the stator windings adjacent the electrical contacts of the wiring assembly. The wires are soldered to the contacts after which the wiring guide can be removed. The stator assembly can be "potted" in an adhesive to reduce problems associated with resonant frequency of the disc drive motor. The wire guide acts as a retainer for the adhesive preventing the adhesive from interfering with rotation of the rotatable hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Charles Dunfield, Steven Craig Knoche, Klaus Dieter Kloeppel
  • Patent number: 5774975
    Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes a slider having a first air bearing surface and a second surface made of a layer of an insulating material. The second surface has a first aperture formed in the insulating layer to expose a portion of the slider below the second surface layer. A reading/writing transducer is provided in the slider adjacent to the air bearing surface and has a first connecting link extending within the slider so that an end of the first link is exposed within the first aperture of the second surface layer. A first bond pad extends on the second surface of the slider and within the first aperture of the second surface layer. The first bond pad is electrically connected to the exposed end of the first link of the read/write transducer within the first aperture of the second surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent N. Maffitt, Beat G. Keel
  • Patent number: 5774976
    Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) has a core, a plurality of magnetizable elements spaced around the core, and a thin-walled retaining shell which has been stretched around the core and magnetizable elements to hold the elements in position. The rotor is made by an inventive method which involves axially aligning the core and surrounding magnetizable elements with the retaining shell, and cold-pressing the retaining shell over the core and elements to sandwich the elements between the shell and core. The core and magnetizable elements serve as a mandrel about which the shell is reformed in a cold working operation. Other aspects of the invention include the fixturing apparatus used to align the core and magnetizable elements with the retaining shell, and apparatus which is used to evenly space the magnetizable elements around the core and hold the elements in position during at least a portion of the cold-pressing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: William H. Stark
  • Patent number: 5774977
    Abstract: A terminal applicator (10) is provided for attaching terminals to electrical conductors. The applicator (10) includes a frame (12) having a base plate (28) and two upright plates (34,38) extending upwardly from the base plate. The two upright plates (34,38) are rigidly attached to each other along a surface (42,44) adjacent an edge of each so that they form a right angle. One end of each of the upright plates (34,38) is rigidly attached to the base plate (28) at right angles thereto. A ramway (50) is rigidly attached to one of the upright plates (34) and is in sliding engagement with an opening (94) in a ram (14). The ram (14) is arranged for reciprocating motion toward and away from the base plate (28) and includes outer surfaces (112,114,116,118) for mounting crimping tooling and cams (120) or other power takeoff devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Foster Folk, William Herbert Bair
  • Patent number: 5774978
    Abstract: An apparatus used in removing an electrode tip from the tip end of a welding tool, such as a welding gun, including a main body having a vibration block which is repeatedly hit by a hammer at a rate of, for example, 3,600 times a minute. The vibration block is provided with a tip end holding hole which receives the tip end of the welding tool. When the welding tool with the tip end in the tip end holding hole is vibrated by the hammer which is vibrated by pressured air, the electrode chip is vibrated and removed from the welding tool by the vibration. The removed tip can stay in the tip end holding hole after being removed, thus being prevented from flying out of the vibration block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kyokuto
    Inventor: Tomomi Ishii
  • Patent number: 5774979
    Abstract: A method of installing a cabling system for interconnecting a plurality of devices at an installation site to a network is disclosed. The process includes the steps of prefabricating a plurality of identical equipment racks and equipping each of the equipment racks identically with at least one cable interconnection means. The method also includes the steps of prefabricating a plurality of multiconductor cables formed in lengths dimensioned according to the physical layout of an installation site, providing a plurality of multiconductor connectors, each connector being adapted for terminating one of said plurality of multiconductor cables and for facilitating the connection of one or more devices to one of said multiconductor cables, and grouping one of the equipment racks with said plurality of multiconductor cables and with a set of the multiconductor connectors to form a complete cabling system for an installation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: James L. Kraft
  • Patent number: 5774980
    Abstract: An electrical cord clamp is disclosed for securing an end of an electrical cord to an electrical device or connector. The electrical cord clamp provides strain relief between the ends of the electrical conductors of the electrical cord and the terminals of the electrical device or connector. The cord clamp has a pair of clamping members tiltably coupled to a pair of housing halves of the electrical device for tiltably engaging the electrical cord upon installation thereon to pull the electrical cord towards the terminals of the electrical device or connector. One or more spring elements are preferably provided for normally biasing the clamping members to their original position prior to assembly within the electrical device or connector. In one embodiment, the spring elements are integrally formed with the cover halves. In other embodiments, clamping members are provided with one or more spring elements or arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Klein, Thomas R. J. Swift
  • Patent number: 5774981
    Abstract: Both terminal ends of each of terminal-equipped wires held by clips are simultaneously picked out by a pair of terminal insertion heads individually driven and moved simultaneously moved. Thus, a short terminal-equipped wire can be inserted into different connector housing. In a terminal insertion apparatus comprising a Y-axis beam having a terminal insertion head and moving along a pair of X-axis beams, a pair of driving motors are provided at both ends of said Y-axis beam and are driven synchronously to move said Y-axis beam. Thus, the Y-axis beam is prevented from being vibrated, thereby assuring terminal insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takamichi Maejima, Hiroo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5774982
    Abstract: A method of attaching and sealing a fluid conduit to a refrigerant receiver drier of the type formed of an aluminum canister with a welded header in which is formed the inlet and outlet ports. An annular rib is formed in the header about the inlet port. An annular convolution is formed about the conduit to be attached adjacent the end and a resilient seal ring assembled over the tube conduit end and registers against the face or side of the convolution. The end of the tube conduit is then inserted in the port and the annular rib deformed over the convolution to retain the tube conduit in the port and sealed against the seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne K. Hutchison, William N. Eybergen
  • Patent number: 5774983
    Abstract: A terminal is inserted randomly into a specially arranged housing with terminal receiving chambers arranged in staggered fashion, the terminal inserting method to a specially arranged housing 2 in which it allows leading electric wires 9 from the specially arranged housing 2 where terminal receiving chambers are arranged in the staggered fashion to push aside by a guide claw 3, wherein the guide claw 3 is entered along the bulkheads 5, 6 extending rectilinearly between columns of the terminal receiving chambers 1.sub.1, 1.sub.2, 1.sub.3 of the specially arranged housing 2. An entering direction of the guide claw 3 is harmonized with the extending direction of the rectilinear bulkheads 5, 6 by 90.degree.-turn-over of the specially arranged housing 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Takamichi Maejima
  • Patent number: 5774984
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rocker arm includes blanking a piece of plate to obtain a base material for forming a rocker arm body, the base material being substantially U-shaped in plan view and having two protrusions which are substantially in parallel with each other. The base material is bent until the two protrusions are confronted substantially in parallel with each other, to provide a pair of side walls having a coupling portion between the side walls. Next, the coupling portion is curved between the side walls to provide a valve engaging portion, and the free end portions of the side walls are fixedly secured to the side walls of a pivot engaging member which is a plat plate having a semi-spherical portion formed by drawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Koyo
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Kotani
  • Patent number: 5774986
    Abstract: A toothed wheel is cold formed from a circular piece or plate of sheet metal by cold-forming an annular outer section of the sheet metal into a preform, while the sheet metal is held in a rotary holding unit and rotated about its preform axis. While the sheet metal is rotating, a thickening roller works against the sheet metal's an outer annular section to thicken the same and form a wheel having a generally uniform cross-sectional outer annular section and an integral central wall that extends radially inwardly from the outer annular section. The outer annular section is formed by a multi-stage cold rolling process, utilizing different thickening rollers. Then, while the preform is rotating, a curling roller works on the outer annular section to form an axially extending flange, forming a cylindrical or C-shaped wheel to form a final preform. Then, while the final preform is rotating, a tooth forming roller is meshed against the outer periphery of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumitaka Nishimura, Hideyasu Akiyoshi, Shigeo Murata
  • Patent number: 5774987
    Abstract: An electrical connector with a C-shaped sleeve and a one-piece wedge. The wedge has two opposite ends adapted to sandwich conductors against the sleeve and a center section. The center section has outwardly laterally bowed sections. The bowed sections are sequentially oppositely outwardly bowed along the length of the wedge. The wedge is preferably formed from an extruded or formed I-beam shaped member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Burndy Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Chadbourne, William J. Lasko
  • Patent number: 5774988
    Abstract: A process for assembling a linear motion bearing using a retainerless saddle assembly. Such retainerless saddle assembly is composed of a bearing body having escape-ball through holes, steel balls, and a pair of end caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Kenichi Hattori
  • Patent number: 5774989
    Abstract: A razor that facilitates shaving effectiveness by effectively rendering the surface to be shaved taught. The razor comprises two or more surfaces wherein at least one of the surfaces is a cutting surface. The surfaces are inclined relative to each other, such that the skin and soft tissue in the area to be shaved is immobilized or pinched toward the cutting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Rafael Elul
  • Patent number: 5774990
    Abstract: A cutting and serving apparatus for cutting and serving baked goods comprising a front isosceles triangular hollow section; an angled back segment coupled to the front isosceles triangular hollow section wherein the angled back segment cuts a back portion and crust of a pie; and a handle member coupled to the angled back segment. The front isosceles triangular hollow section comprises two leg members wherein left and right sides thereof have a plurality of equally spaced serrations formed therein for cutting a pie, cake or other pastries into wedged segments. The angled back segment comprises parallel angulated blades for cutting a back portion and crust of a pie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventors: Fabiola B. McGrey, Steven J. McGrey
  • Patent number: 5774991
    Abstract: A pair of shears comprises a first blade connecting to a first grip and a second blade connecting to a second grip. A first notch is formed at the bottom of the first blade. A second notch is formed at the bottom of the second blade. A round hole is formed on the front portion of the first grip. A tongue is positioned on the upper surface of the front portion of the first grip. The positioning device has at least a first hole to receive a first pivot and a second hole to receive a second pivot. A first and second recesses are formed in the upper inner periphery of the positioning device. An opening is formed in the positioning device to receive the front portion of the first grip. The first pivot passes through the first hole and the round hole to fasten the positioning device and the first grip pivotally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Jun-Chen Shi
  • Patent number: 5774992
    Abstract: A dust collecting shroud for removably attaching to a circular saw. The shroud is horizontally oriented relative to the blade of the circular saw in a position parallel to and below the base of the circular saw. The shroud has upper and lower panels enclosing and defining a dust collection chamber. The upper and lower panels have overlying slots for passing the blade and blade guard through the shroud. A short conduit stub communicating with the dust collection chamber is provided for accepting connection of a vacuum hose, which hose is not part of the invention, for evacuation of cuttings from the chamber. A removable panel has a slot of variable width, for cooperating very closely with the blade and the blade guard. This removable panel is reversibly inserted into the shroud, so that the circular saw may be reversibly mounted to the shroud. Threaded studs project upwardly from the shroud, so that they penetrate holes drilled into commercially available electrically powered circular saws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Steve D. Lindenmuth
  • Patent number: 5774993
    Abstract: A hand-held working tool has a motor housing and a motor with output shaft positioned in the motor housing. A clutch housing is connected to the motor housing. A centrifugal clutch is positioned in the clutch housing. A drive shaft with a first and a second end is provided. The centrifugal clutch detachably connects the output shaft to the first end of the drive shaft. The centrifugal clutch has fly weights connected to the output shaft and a clutch drum connected to the first end of the drive shaft. This clutch drum surrounds the output shaft and the fly weights. A cutting element is connected to the second end of the drive shaft. A protective tube having a proximal end connected to the clutch housing and a distal end connected to the cutting element is provided. The drive shaft is enclosed in the protective tube. A bearing element is positioned at the first end of the drive shaft. Radial play is provided between the bearing element and the first end of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl
    Inventor: Helmut Schlessmann
  • Patent number: 5774994
    Abstract: A collapsible barbecue tool assembly includes a barbecue tool, a handle and a latch mechanism mounted in the handle. The handle includes an elongated cavity for slidably receiving a blade portion of the barbecue tool. The blade portion of the tool has one or more locating elements. The latch mechanism releasably engages one of the locating elements so that the tool is movable to and between a collapsed position and an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Ekco Housewares, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Stein, Bruce E. Ancona, Daniel Winigrad
  • Patent number: 5774995
    Abstract: A new Candle Sharpening System for shaping a new or a used candle into various selective shapes thereby extending the useful and aesthetically pleasing life of the candle. The inventive device includes a base having a passage, a conical member secured to the base and surrounding the passage at one end, a slot along the edge of the conical member, and an interchangeable blade of a selected shape secured to the conical member within the slot projecting into the interior portion of the conical member to engage the candle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Richard M. Ross
  • Patent number: 5774996
    Abstract: A biaxial inclination sensor including, in the inner bottom of a circular liquid chamber 11 formed in a sensor holder 1 made of an insulating material and having a bottom surface 28 made horizontal, one common electrode 2 made of 18K gold having a low ionization tendency in a central position and vertical with respect to the bottom surface 28 and four outer electrodes 3 made of the same material as the common electrode 2 and passing vertically through the bottom surface 28 at points of intersection of two horizontal orthogonal lines passing through the center and a circle of a predetermined radius about the center and all having the same surface area. An opening in the liquid chamber 11 of the sensor holder 1 is closed off in a liquidproof manner by a glass window plate 4 having a spherical concave portion 9 of a surface roughness less than JIS Rmax 0.25 in its inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Nissho Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Ogawa, Norihisa Teraji, Isshu Terauchi
  • Patent number: 5774997
    Abstract: An out-of-round indicator for golf balls utilizes an indicator module inserted into a golf ball sleeve or carton, with the module including a cup at its base into which the golf ball is dropped. The indicator includes a cantilevered arm extending from the base and spring loaded towards the surface of the golf ball, such that a surface of the arm contacts the surface of the golf ball, with the distal portion of the arm having a laterally extending tab or flag with differently colored spaced vertical markings. In one embodiment, a stationary vertically-extending support rises from a side of the base and has a vertical slot at its distal end overlying the tab, such that when the golf ball is rotated in the cup, the marking which appears through the slot indicates the out-of-roundness of the ball as the ball is rotated. The golf ball sleeve or box is provided with an aperture to permit rotation of the golf ball in the cup when the module is in the sleeve and when the golf ball is dropped into the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Performance Dynamics LLC
    Inventor: Paul J. Gruen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5774998
    Abstract: A pipe saddle gauge is disclosed. The pipe saddle gauge provides a frame which adjusts in a telescoping manner to frictionally engage the base of a table type circular saw. The frame provides two pieces of square tubing, an inside tube telescopically carried within an outside tube. Each tube carries a bracket which engages the side of the table saw. An all thread rod carried within both tubes carries washers and threaded nuts at each end, thereby biasing the tubes together, causing the brackets to grip the sides of the table saw. A pivot post is supported by the frame in a vertical orientation. The pivot post provides a support tube, fixed to the frame, and a pivot tube carried within the support tube to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the horizontal. The support tube carries a gauge arm, which moves through a horizontal plane when the pivot tube pivots. The gauge arm carries an annular plate in an off-center manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Jason Gregory Mortensen
  • Patent number: 5774999
    Abstract: An embodiment of a new tree marker is disclosed that endures time by providing a flexible band with a sheath about a first end. The band wraps around a tree, and a second end of the band attaches to the sheath. The band slides within the sheath as the tree grows. A duplex nail is driven through the sheath to secure the band to the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Lawson R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5775000
    Abstract: A substrate gripper device for gripping a substrate has a rotatable substrate stage, a plurality of fixing fingers vertically mounted on an outer edge of the rotatable substrate stage and having respective horizontal substrate rests for placing thereon an outer edge of the substrate, and a plurality of swing fingers angularly movably supported on the fixing fingers, respectively, for vertically gripping the substrate in coaction with the fixing fingers. The swing fingers are normally biased to move in a closing direction toward the fixing fingers, respectively, by helical springs acting on the swing fingers. A plurality of opening pins are vertically movably disposed below the swing fingers, respectively, and movable upwardly for angularly moving the swing fingers in the opening direction against biasing forces of the helical springs. An opening mechanism is vertically movably disposed below the substrate stage for simultaneously moving the opening pins upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiro Maekawa, Ryuji Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 5775001
    Abstract: A method and device for drying a paper web in a dryer section having a number of successive dryer groups with a single-wire draw, and being situated after a press section of the paper machine. Each dryer group includes contact-drying cylinders arranged in a first row and reversing suction cylinders or equivalent suction rolls arranged in a second row, the rows being horizontal, diagonal or vertical rows. The paper web is dried by contact-drying cylinders from the side of its lower face across the entire length of the dryer section. The paper web is passed as a closed draw from one dryer group to the next group, and the paper web is guided, while it runs on the drying wire at the side of the outside curve, by the reversing suction cylinders having a curve radius selected in a range from about 250 mm to about 1000 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Reima Kerttula, Jouko Yli-Kauppila
  • Patent number: 5775002
    Abstract: The apparatus for drying an electrode plate for a battery has: a support drum of a cylindrical shape having a peripheral face on which a long sheet-like electrode plate for a battery is to be wound, and in which a large number of blow holes for allowing the electrode plate for a battery to run in a levitated manner are formed; external air blowing means which is adjacent to the support drum and which has a blowing port through which air is blown to a surface of the electrode plate for a battery wound on the support drum; and moving means for causing the electrode plate for a battery to run in a longitudinal direction of the electrode plate for a battery. The heat loss is small and the productivity is excellent, and a high-performance battery electrode plate which is free from a crack and a scratch and which has a stable quality can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroo Iwase, Yasuhiko Yamasaki, Takeo Takayanagi, Tomohide Rokutani, Saburou Nakatsuka, Takashi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 5775003
    Abstract: A dry kiln for wood products that has sample tunnels mounted strategic to each of the charges (stacks) of wood products that are to be dried. A board sample is mounted in the tunnel that is representative of the charges to be dried. A sensing device mounted in the tunnel and supporting the board sample continuously monitors the weight of the board sample and inputs the information to a controller. The moisture content of the board sample at any time during the cycle is ascertained by weight. The board sample in the tunnel is subjected to the same drying conditions as the charge and therefore the moisture content of the charge will be the same as the board sample. The continuous weight monitoring of the board sample is accordingly used by the controller to control the dry cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Goodwin, III
  • Patent number: 5775004
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus is disclosed for drying sludge or other materials, more specifically, sewage sludge, in which a mixture of base material and wet material is introduced to a drier and passing hot gas or hot air passed over the mixture. The process and apparatus by regulating the feed rate of the wet material (wet sludge) in relation to the exit temperature of the hot gas or hot air from the drier. In embodiments, the feed rate of material is adjusted to maintain a substantially constant temperature of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Andritz-Patentverwaltungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Klaus Steier, Stephan Wild, Erwin Brunnmair
  • Patent number: 5775005
    Abstract: A footwear outsole assembly including an outsole body, a pair of cleated windows, and a pair of cushioning inserts on top of the windows. The cleated windows form a portion of the outsole wear surface. Each insert is visible through the corresponding cleated window. The cleated windows extend below the outsole body so that impact forces are absorbed by the windows and inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Wolverine World Wide Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. McClelland
  • Patent number: 5775006
    Abstract: A winter weather footwear article is disclosed which is formed of a molded sole, a flexible and foot-conformable upper attached to the top surface of the molded sole, and sandal strapping coupled to the sole or the upper and tightenable and fastenable about the exterior of the upper to set the tightness of fit of the article to the wearer's foot. The upper is made up of a fabric layer having a flexible and foot-conformable layer of closed cell polymer foam laminated to the interior surface. This article is preferably used in combination with an inner liner made of a soft insulative material. In preferred embodiments, the upper includes a fabric layer with a flexible and foot-conformable layer of closed cell polymer foam laminated to the interior surface of the fabric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Truckee Winter Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Breuner
  • Patent number: 5775007
    Abstract: A protective device for the heel and back portion of a footwear article including a cover member, at least two user adjustable straps for securing the cover member to a footwear article, and a sealable pouch attached to the cover member. The cover member has a curved exterior surface portion and includes a padded, recessed area for receiving at least a portion of the heel and back of a footwear article and a elongated heel slot formed through a bottom section of the cover member having a width sufficient to allow a standard high heel to be inserted laterally into the slot in a manner such that the back of the shoe to which the highs heel is attached is disposed within the padded recessed area. The sealable pouch is constructed of flexible plastic and has a central portion permanently affixed to the curved exterior surface portion of the cover member device and two side portions that are detachably securable to the curved exterior surface of the cover member with a restickable adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Darell Expose
  • Patent number: 5775008
    Abstract: An ankle brace which includes an inverted "Y" joint located at the malleoli of the ankle. The ankle brace is formed into the shape of the patient's ankle and then sections of the brace are cut out to form the present invention. In particular, an inverted "Y" joint is manufactured by cutting out a delta-shaped opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventors: Mark H. Bussell, Thomas C. Lottermoser
  • Patent number: 5775009
    Abstract: There is provided a snow board shoe having a non- rigid structure so that bending and rotation are permitted in the area of the ankle but resistance to release loads, without substantial deformation of the sole, and the transmission of the forces applied by the athlete to the board, both transversely and longitudinally, are ensured by means of the insertion of a preshaped reinforcing element of semi-rigid plastics material which encloses the lower sheet of the upper and an edge portion of the associated arch support, wherein a reinforcing metal sheet or plate is inserted in the reinforcing element and the shoe is completed by a mid-sole of expanded plastics material interposed between the reinforcing element and the sole, the mid-sole being injected directly onto the mounted reinforcing element in such a manner as to surround it externally and partially internally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignees: Tecnica Spa, DNR Sportsystem Ltd.
    Inventors: Antonello Marega, Patrizio Roffi, Luciano Tedesco
  • Patent number: 5775010
    Abstract: A sole for spiked track-and-field shoes has a wrap-up portion which extends via a coupling portion from a leading tip of a toe region of the sole proper. Multiple skid-preventing protrusions are fixed onto the toe region of the sole proper, the coupling portion, and the wrap-up portion in a perpendicular manner to the toe region of an underneath part of the sole, a surface of the coupling portion, and a surface of the wrap-up portion, respectively. The skid-preventing protrusions are formed higher than a line which connects the first row of the tips of the spike pins and the tips of the toe portion but lower than the spike pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Mizuno Corporation
    Inventor: Yasunori Kaneko
  • Patent number: 5775011
    Abstract: A display unit such as a digital or analog watch is held in a wedge-shaped member to the top of footwear by a second tongue held, for example, with hook and loop fasteners, to the top of a sneaker or shoe. In another embodiment, the display unit can be held to the top of footwear by the laces of the footwear, which are threaded through a series of pairs of openings in the bottom of the display holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Joseph J. Reitano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5775012
    Abstract: A hitch adjustable rear blade hitched to the back of a tractor for earth grading operations. The blade having an elongated cylindrical skid releasably mounted to the back of the blade adjacent the leading edge of the blade and a pair of spaced apart stabilizer springs adjustably mounted to the front of the blade holding the blade in tensional position. A front blade having the elongated cylindrical skid releasably mounted is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: William L. Hockensmith
  • Patent number: 5775013
    Abstract: A grading attachment for releasable attachment to an excavation bucket includes a generally V-shaped blade body portion and a blade/bucket attachment assembly, together defining a blade lateral axis and an equipment longitudinal axis. The attachment assembly provides for selective and releasable one-point adjustment of the relative distance between the bucket and blade attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Craig C. Von Schalscha
  • Patent number: 5775014
    Abstract: A crystal water globe comprising a housing assembly having a lower housing and a transmission having a motor-driven shaft extending through the lower housing. Movable decorations or figures of the crystal water globe and a motor are disposed at opposite sides of the lower housing. Plugs sealingly connected to the lower housing and heavy oil contained between the plugs and the lower housing are utilized to seal the interface between the motor-driven shaft and the plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Chung-kuei Lin
  • Patent number: 5775015
    Abstract: The location recorder assembly consists of a pair of disks, each bearing location site information about their periphery. The disks are held together by a pair of indicator studs, the heads of which are independently rotatable and which bear designation devices to permit a particular location site to be designated by the rotational orientations of the disks and the indicator studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Gweneth H. Hourihan
  • Patent number: 5775016
    Abstract: A illuminated safety guide is made up of a fixture including a housing and a super thin lighting element in the form of an electro-luminescent strip, a photo-luminescent panel, or a combination of an electro-luminescent strip and PL panel. When the EL strip and PL panel are combined, the resulting illuminated safety guide can still be seen even when power to the EL strip is cut-off, the patterns formed by the EL and PL strips being negatives of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Tseng-Lu Chien
  • Patent number: 5775017
    Abstract: A product display for mounting to a support panel and supporting products. The product display includes a body comprised of two releasably engagable body members that are engagable in a nested relationship and releasable from the nested relationship. The product display also includes a pivotable panel that initially obstructs a consumer's view of how the products are supported by the product support and display and is also moveable to allow consumers to remove products from the product support and display. Product information or advertising indicia can be located on the body and the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Gage In-Store Marketing
    Inventor: Lester W. Morrow
  • Patent number: 5775018
    Abstract: Display eyeglass frame includes a frame member which is adaptable for placement on or is resident and integral with an upper front or a bow portion of an eyeglass frame or lens. The frame member is suitable for containing or itself contains display indicia. A method of displaying the indicia with the display eyeglass frame includes showing but especially wearing the display eyeglass frame with indicia. The display eyeglass frame and method are useful for advertising, disclosing, displaying, or promoting a message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Mark J. J. Steinborn
  • Patent number: 5775019
    Abstract: A sleeve label for containers comprises a multi-function tab separated from the sleeve label by a seam generally parallel to the axis of the sleeve. The sleeve is made of a stretchable plastic with memory. The sleeve is stretched over the container and relaxed, securing the sleeve to the container. The tab may contain indicia. Alternative embodiments of the tab include a bottom seam to form a storage pocket and perforations to allow removal of the tab. A heat slit aperture in the tab forms a convenient carrying handle for the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: SleeveCo, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Johnson