Patents Issued in January 16, 2001
  • Patent number: 6173447
    Abstract: A demountable protective eye shield assembly is provided which shields and person's eyes and/or eyeglasses from rain water, salt water, and other foreign matter. The eye shield assembly is adapted for removable clamping engagement with the visor of a baseball cap or other item of headgear having a visor and includes a clamp body with upper and lower jaws for clamping onto the outermost edge of a visor. The clamp body includes a gutter means which traps water flowing generally to the front of the visor and redirects such water to either side of the clamp body for draining substantially out of the wearer's field of vision. Finally, the eye shield assembly includes an eye shield which is pivotally attached to the clamp body for pivotal movement between a first, primary operative position in which it shields a person's eyes or eyeglasses from rain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Gary L. Arnold
  • Patent number: 6173448
    Abstract: A protector for the lower portion of a users leg that is made of a trough, flexible material, preferably leather, that substantially encircles the users leg to protect that leg from being injured by the plastic cord of a weed trimmer. The protector has a lower portion that extends over the upper surface of the users foot and the generally cylindrically shaped protector extends upwardly to just below the knee of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Anthony E. Kroposky
  • Patent number: 6173449
    Abstract: A one-piece women's sunbathing, beach and swim suit in the form of a narrow band of material which is arranged to be worn such that it loops the wearer's trunk in the longitudinal direction partially or completely. The narrow band of material is divided over a part of its length into two longitudinal segments. When worn, the narrow band of material passes between the wearer's legs and over at least a portion of the wearer's belly. The two longitudinal segments extend over the wearer's shoulders and may form a loop, at a first end of the narrow band of material, which loops around a back side of the wearer's neck or may join the narrow band of material which extends over the wearer's back side from between her legs. In the case of a neck loop, the narrow band of material has a detachable adhesive disposed at a second end thereof. Otherwise, the narrow band of material may have first and second ends which are arranged to be connected together by a catch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Hans Osterrath
  • Patent number: 6173450
    Abstract: The costume is representative of a character having a head, a body section, and at least two legs. The body section and the legs have a common interior space that is adapted to admit a wearer's lower body section and legs. A pair of false limbs is affixed to a rear of the costume so that they depend downward and forward toward a front of the costume when in use to provide an illusion that when donned the wearer is being carried by the costume character. The character's head is supported in an upright orientation against the wearer's chest with straps. The costume is also interconvertable between the costume configuration and a toy configuration wherein the interior space houses the legs and straps, and only the character itself remains visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Beverley A. Hari
  • Patent number: 6173451
    Abstract: An improved wrist band for carrying golf tees, ball position markers and other small accessories such as a divot tool. The wrist band includes a carrier band having a fastener for securing the carrier band around the user's wrist, a golf tee holder attached to the carrier band defining a plurality of tee pockets for receiving a plurality of golf tees, and a retaining member attached to the carrier band for receiving and holding a plurality a golf ball markers. The golf ball markers themselves have a shaft end that is used for retaining the marker in position on the ground, and the retaining member is formed to frictionally hold the golf ball markers by their shaft ends. In one embodiment the retaining member is formed to define an array of openings or holes that are sized to receive and frictionally retain the ball marker shaft ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Dominic DeVincenzi
  • Patent number: 6173452
    Abstract: A support/sport sock for enhancing athletic performance and method of use. The sock includes a sock body of an elastomeric material which exhibits a pressure gradient against the calf of the leg which varies from a maximum proximate the foot portion of the sock to a minimum at the top end. The sock may include a padded portion extending along the plantar surface and a wicking material. The sock is used to enhance athletic performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventors: Graham M. Kelly, Ray M. Fredericksen
  • Patent number: 6173453
    Abstract: A system for venting a toilet comprising a toilet bowl fitted with a discharge outlet at a lower portion of the toilet bowl connected to a sewer line and an inlet for flushing water, connected to a water cistern via a flushing tube and an exhaust line connected at a first end to the sewer line and its second end being in a flow communication with the toilet bowl via the flushing tube. The exhaust line is fitted with an electrically operated exhaust fan adapted to generate flow in direction towards the sewer line, and a valve member located intermediate the exhaust fan and the flushing tube. The valve member prevents flow in direction from the sewer line and further preventing water flow in direction from the flushing tube towards the exhaust fan. Switching apparatus is provided for activating the exhaust fan to excite gas flow from the toilet bowl towards the sewer line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Yehezkel Shahar
  • Patent number: 6173454
    Abstract: A safety device for restricting access into the open interior portion of a toilet bowl is disclosed. The safety device may be used with any conventional toilet unit having a hinged toilet seat and lid combination. The safety device comprises a pair of compression springs and a safety lid having a first end configured to overlay the open interior portion of the toilet bowl and a second end configured to overlay the distal connecting portion of the toilet bowl. The second end of the safety lid is further configured to include a pair of slots that are positioned for engagement with the mounting screws of the hinge mechanism of the toilet seat and lid combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Dennis Alvarez
  • Patent number: 6173455
    Abstract: A new article of a smooth, durable, flexible fiberglass screen mesh material. The screen is placed over and around an open conventional pop-up stopper, for preventing hair, and other debris from entering and clogging the drainpipes of bathtubs, lavatories and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Anette Viola Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 6173456
    Abstract: A double-cistern water conservation sanitary water tank comprises two tanks: an external oval tank (9) for evacuating solid waste and an internal round tank (8) for flushing liquid waste mounted within and at a level above a bottom wall of the external oval tank (9), and two actuating handle for operating the tanks. The external oval tank (9) includes a water entrance valve (3) and an elbow-shaped water outlet (4) having one end connected to a first outlet valve (11) inside the external oval tank (9). The internal round tank (8) includes a water entrance valve (1) and a vertical water outlet (2) having one end connected a second outlet valve (10), an intermediate portion connected to the second end of the elbow-shaped water outlet (4), and the other end forming a common drain (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: German Nieto
  • Patent number: 6173457
    Abstract: A flapper-type toilet flush valve having multiple components. A float member component is assembled to a flapper body component. Both components are made of resilient plastic compounds that resist chlorine and chemical bleaches of the type commonly used in tank style toilets. A pair of arms extend from the flapper body component for pivotally mounting the flush valve to corresponding trunnions on an overflow pipe in the toilet tank. An annular recess in the lower surface of the flapper body component has lugs, and corresponding teeth are provided on a top edge of the float member component for mating with the locking lugs. An annular flange extends from the float member component near its top edge to form a first sealing surface. A portion of the lower surface of the flapper body component forms a second sealing surface. A replaceable seal ring is disposed between the first and second sealing surfaces. A mounting adapter, comprising a collar having trunnions is provided for overflow pipes lacking trunnions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Gary R. Higgins
  • Patent number: 6173458
    Abstract: A portable sink having a sink module and a hot and cold water outlet connected to a spigot and a used water outlet from said sink connected to a cabinet mounted on wheels having at least one door to access the interior thereof. At least one tank for fresh water and a reservoir for used water is mounted in the cabinet. An electrical connection for powering a pump and a heater connected to the outlet of the pump has an outlet connected to the hot water outlet and a connection from the pump to the cold water outlet. A hammer arrester diminishes line surges and fluidic pounding from the pump, and a flow check valve prevents back flow to the fresh water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Cambro Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Larry D. Maddux
  • Patent number: 6173459
    Abstract: A control for a waste water drain in the bottom of a bathtub which has an overflow port above the drain in the end wall of the bathtub has a vertical drain pipe having upper and lower ends. A first fluid port is located at the upper end of the vertical drain pipe and a second fluid port is located below the first fluid port for connection to a bathtub waste water drain. A valve element is slidably mounted in the vertical drain pipe adjacent the second port and is movable between a lower position to close the second port to fluid flow, and an upper position which will open the second fluid port to fluid flow. An overflow cap is rotatably mounted adjacent the first port. An elongated linkage connects the valve element to the overflow cap so that the rotation of the cap in one direction will raise the valve element to the upper position, and rotation of the cap in the opposite direction will lower the valve element to the lower position. The vertical drain pipe is length adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 6173460
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bed rail hook and fastener assembly for hooking bed rails to the bedpost of headboards and footboards. The invention includes a bed rail hook configured to slide into the end of a bed rail and fasteners configured to extend partially through the bed rail and through apertures in the inserted portion of the bed rail hook in order to securely fasten the bed rail hook in the bed rail end. The same or similar fasteners used to secure the bed rail hook may also be oriented in the bedpost in a manner allowing downwardly extending hooks of the bed rail hook to engage the fasteners and securely hold the bed rail to the bedpost. The fasteners include a head, insertion end and a shank extending therebetween having annular ridges. Preferably, the annular ridges are frusto-conical and slope inwardly towards the insertion end. Additionally, a longer version of the hook fastener may be used to fasten a cleat for supporting bed slats along the lower side of the bed rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: B & H Panel Company
    Inventor: Herbert L. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6173461
    Abstract: A support unit, for locating a body at different positions relative to another part of the body, comprising a chassis and a working carrier comprising a first section for the trunk, a second section for the thighs, and a third section for the legs. A waist coupling is located between the first section and the second section enabling the first section and second section to rotate relative to one another about a waist axis. A knee coupling is located between the second section and the third section enabling the second section to rotate relative to one another about the knee axis. The waist axis is parallel to the knee axis and separated substantially by the length of the second section. The working carrier at least with the first, second and third sections lie in a substantially common horizontal plane, having in plan overall dimensions substantially greater than the overall dimensions in plan of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Alexander
  • Patent number: 6173462
    Abstract: The present invention relates to A care pad structure of a surrounding baby cot. The care pad structure is composed of front frame rod and rear frame rod. The front frame rod has a positioning element connected thereon by a clipping hole for clipping on the upper frame rod of the surrounding baby cot. The rear frame rod has a connecting element and forms a hole on rear side provided for fitting on the side rod of upper frame rod. In this structure, the care pad frame rod can be raised to firmly lie on the upper frame rod of the surrounding baby cot and parks on side wall when not in use for convenience of storage. In addition, a bag can be attached on to its back side when it is parking on side wall of the surrounding baby cot to be as a storage bag of toys or something.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Link Treasure Limited
    Inventors: Pao-Shan Huang, Er-Jui Chen
  • Patent number: 6173463
    Abstract: An accessory for use with a bed or cot having a frame is described. The accessory has a first upright member joined to a first corner of the frame, a second upright member joined to a second corner of the frame, and a variable length cross member connected to the first and second upright members to form a stable, substantially U-shaped structure therewith. Each of the upright members is also connected to a respective leg member of the bed or cot to provide improved stability for the accessory. Further, each upright member has a plurality of hooks for allowing a user to hang clothes, equipment, and other personal items. The cross member is provided with apertures at its ends for receiving the tip portions of the upright members and for allowing the tip portions to extend above the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Cabela's Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Callahan, Roger Verhulst, Jeffrey S. Phelps, Ronald D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6173464
    Abstract: A pocketed coil spring assembly for use in the manufacture of mattresses or cushions or the like comprising a plurality of strips of integrally connected closed fabric pockets each containing one helically coiled wire compression spring having its axis disposed transversely of the strip, and wherein each of the strips contains a single band of inter-connected springs formed from a single length of wire into a plurality of interconnected helical coil springs. The springs of the bands may contain inserts such as foam cylinders or pocketed coil springs to impart differing degrees of firmness to different strips. Adjacent coil springs may be separated by multiple transverse lines of attachment in order to posturize the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Richard L. McCune, Joe C. Workman
  • Patent number: 6173465
    Abstract: A hugging mattress and method of using, and a sheet therefore, the sheet having two walled slots or pockets extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the mattress and preferably nesting within two corresponding holes in the mattress. The mattress holes go all the way through the mattress and are rectangular or oblong and situated near each end of the mattress at the approximate shoulder and thigh positions. The function of the holes is to extend the normal pleasures of a mattress to allow hugging one's bedmate for extended periods of time without the crushing weight one feels on his or her arm. The mattress can come with insertable plugs to make it a conventional mattress when the owner doesn't feel like hugging or when for safety such as when children may jump on a bed. The method of using the mattress including extending an arm of the user in a first hole in the mattress, then rotating the mattress 180° to enable the user to extend an arm into a second hole of the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Ronald Arthur Deneau
  • Patent number: 6173466
    Abstract: A pliers for forming electrical connectors includes a body, connecting members, a sliding block, and a pliers' arm pivotably joined together. The body includes a jaw, an angled handle, a recess in the jaw, and connector cavities. The sliding block provided in the recess includes an engagement portion slidable with respect to the recess. The pliers' arm has a top cam member being pivotably secured to the jaw. The connecting members are interconnected between the sliding block and cam member. As such, the pliers' arm is operable to pivot about the handle which in turn moves the sliding block through the pivotal movement of the cam member and the linear movement of connecting member so as to move the engagement portion into the connector cavities to press on connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: C. J. Chen
  • Patent number: 6173467
    Abstract: A multifunctional tool includes a main body including a connecting end with a socket. A rigid tube has a first end securely and releasably engaged with the socket of the main body. A first hose is telescopically received in the rigid tube and has an end extendible out of a second end of the rigid tube. A second hose is telescopically received in the first hose and has an end extendible out of the first hose. A magnetic member is attached to the end of the second hose for attracting and thus removing a screw from a place difficult to access. The rigid tube can be detached from the main body, and the second hose is then securely and removably held by the main body. A bit carrier carrying a number of bits is pivotally mounted to the main body and pivotable between a storage position inside the main body and an exposed position outside the main body, thereby allowing the user to choose the proper bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Paul Chou
  • Patent number: 6173468
    Abstract: A method for washing both surfaces of a substrate, comprising (a) a first washing step for washing a front surface of a substrate, which is kept rotated, by bringing a scrubbing member into contact with said front surface of the substrate while supplying a washing liquid onto the front surface, (b) a second washing step for washing a back surface of the substrate, which is kept rotated, by bringing a scrubbing member into contact with said back surface of the substrate while supplying a washing liquid onto the back surface, (c) a heating step for drying under heat the wet surfaces of the substrate, (d) a recipe determining step for determining whether said heating step (c) is performed, at a period between said first washing step (a) and second washing step (b) and at a period after the second washing step (b), whether the heating step (c) is performed only once after the second washing step (b), or whether the heating step (c) is not performed, and (e) a conducting step for performing or not performing the h
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Akira Yonemizu, Yuji Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 6173469
    Abstract: A cleaning device of the type for removing dirt, scale and extraneous material from the inner wall of a pipeline which comprises a body adapted to be moved longitudinally through the pipeline, a plurality of scraper elements mounted on the body for resiliently engaging the inner wall of the pipeline as the body is moved along the pipeline and at least one cup mounted on the body for sealably engaging the pipeline wall so that the body may be propelled through the pipeline by fluid pressure behind the cup, the improvement which comprises a polyurethane spring mounted between the body and each of the scraping elements for resiliently urging the scraping elements against the inner wall of the pipeline, the polyurethane spring comprising an elongated base member for attachment of the spring to the body, an outer side member disposed in spaced parallel relation with the inner base member and a plurality of cross members extending outwardly and rearwardly from the inner base member to and connecting with the outer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Dwane O. Laymon
  • Patent number: 6173470
    Abstract: The invention provides a wire brush disc shaped grinder accessory that has segments removed from the circumference of the disc to provide visibility of the work surface while in use and with the bristles of the wire brush arranged in groups around the disc. It also provides a cup shaped wire brush tool wherein the bristles are arranged in groups. In this way both provide a cooler cutting action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Norton Company
    Inventor: Anthony Alfred van Osenbruggen
  • Patent number: 6173471
    Abstract: A brush structure is provided which allows for even distribution of paint to a surface and further provides for variable stiffness of the bristles. The brush has a handle (10) which engages a ferrule (12) through a dovetail slot (11). The ferrule (12) receives a knob (15) which engages a blade (16) within a bristle member (18). The blade (16) may be variably positioned within the bristle member (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Stephen Yau
  • Patent number: 6173472
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a liquid from a hard surface comprising a roller unit including a roller rotatably mounted on a handle and covered with an absorbant sponge-like material, and a compression unit into which the roller of the roller unit may be inserted for removing water from the roller by compressing the absorbant material. The compression unit includes a surface along which the roller can be rolled and means engageable with the roller for pressing the roller against the surface to compress the absorbant material when the roller is rolled along the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventors: Hugh Rogers McLaughlin, Oliver Hood, John Callaghan
  • Patent number: 6173473
    Abstract: An electric cleaner head including a first bank of a plurality of spaced apart nozzles each including an interior passage having a narrower width than length slit. Sources of air flow including at least one suction source are connected to spaces between the subnozzles to generate air flow around a lowest edge of the subnozzles between the subnozzles and spaces between the subnozzles wherein the interior passages of the subnozzles are isolated from the suction source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Miwa Science Laboratory Inc.
    Inventor: Hirohide Miwa
  • Patent number: 6173474
    Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner has a vacuum cleaner head for cleaning a floor having a forward portion and two spaced apart rear portions extending rearwardly from the forward portion, the spaced apart rear portions defining an open space there between, and a longitudinally extending upper body portion having a longitudinal axis, the upper body portion being pivotally mounted on the vacuum cleaner head and moveable between a raised position and a lowered position in which the longitudinal axis is generally parallel to the floor, a portion of the upper body portion being received in the open space between the rear portions when in the lowered storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Fantom Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 6173475
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for pivotally interconnecting a door to a trailer body is disclosed. The hinge assembly includes a hinge plate having a mounting portion and a hinge portion. The mounting portion of the hinge plate is configured to permit attachment to the door, while the hinge portion of the hinge plate defines an elongated closed passage opening at opposite ends thereof. Bearing structure is non-rotatably accommodated within the passage for forming a bearing connection between the hinge plate and a pivot member endwise extending through the hinge portion of the hinge plate. The bearing structure includes a cap formed integral therewith and extending from opposite ends of the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Powerbrace Corporation
    Inventors: Brian A. Senn, Robert S. Toms, Jr., Ronald W. Kerr
  • Patent number: 6173476
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a box having a base and a cover and comprising a hinge section and a spring section. The hinge section has a pair of segments pivotally mounted to each other. Each segment has outer channel-forming knuckles extending from its outer side edge. The spring section has channel-forming knuckles which extend from each side edge which are pivotally mounted to the outer knuckles of the hinge section. The spring section applies pressure to the two segments of the hinge section in order to maintain the segments of the hinge section into conductive contact with each other and prevent inadvertent folding or unfolding of the segments of the hinge section, thereby preventing inadvertent opening or closing of the box. The outer knuckles of the hinge section and the knuckles of the spring section are pivotally connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Bassel Hage Daoud
  • Patent number: 6173477
    Abstract: A grip member has a grip proper (1) made of a shape-memory resin in the shape of a bar, a connecting pin (4) disposed in one terminal part of the grip proper, a forked part (3) formed integrally in the other terminal side of the grip proper, and an annular part (2) formed integrally slightly toward one end of the grip proper (1) and adapted for enabling the forked part (3) to twine thereon. The grip member is enabled to cope easily with a delicate change in the gripping condition by heating the grip proper (1) and the vicinity thereof to a temperature surpassing the glass transition point of the shape-memory resin thereby endowing the shape-memory rubber with a rubbery state, causing the forked part (3) to twine itself around the annular part (2) in such a manner as to impart the shape of a loop to the grip proper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignees: Sunstar Inc., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Aoyoshi Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kikutani, Satoru Kondo, Shunichi Hayashi, Kunio Sugihara, Teruko Haguri, Kouhei Akimoto
  • Patent number: 6173478
    Abstract: Device for supply of a mat of fibers to a carder, by means of a slide, which ends by overlapping a plurality of pivoting tables, which are opposite a superimposed roller feed unit, in order to form a plurality of gaps, with individual and continual regulation of the speed of the rollers, according to the quantity of fibers which is present in their gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Marzoli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Silvano Patelli, Giovanni Battista Pasini
  • Patent number: 6173479
    Abstract: A button snap flap closure for a pocket having a flap which overlaps a surface of the pocket. The closure comprises an elongated keeper secured to the pocket, the keeper having a ridge comprised of ribs in parallel relationship formed therein and a clip having a top portion secured to the flap. The clip is comprised of depending walls adapted to engage the ribs of the keeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Down East, Inc.
    Inventor: Clarence F. Howell
  • Patent number: 6173480
    Abstract: An electronically controlled sample warper which automatically exchanges yarns and winds the yarns on a warper drum in accordance with a preset yarn order. A plurality of yarn introduction mechanisms are each rotatably mounted to a side surface of the warper drum for winding a yarn on the warper drum. A yarn introduction member is arranged at a distal end of each of the yarn introduction mechanisms for holding a yarn. A plurality of yarn selection guides are arranged in one end portion of a base for supporting the warper drum corresponding to the yarn introduction mechanisms with each yarn selection guide pivotally moved to protrude to a yarn exchange position when a yarn is exchanged and pivotally moved to retract to a standby position when a yarn is accommodated. Yarns are passed between the yarn introduction mechanisms and the yarn selection guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Suzuki Warper Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6173481
    Abstract: An apparatus for servicing the axles of heavy vehicles, providing aligned removal and reassembly of the wheel assembly for access to the brakes, wheel bearings and oils seals, to facilitate inspection and to ensure proper repair, characterized by a spindle coupling and a coaxially extending rail and carriage transport with wheel mounting adapters for alignment of the wheel assembly with the vehicle axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Michael B. Parent
  • Patent number: 6173482
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a method of reconfiguring a family of the armored, tracked vehicle of the troop carrying type to enhance producibility and protection from mine blast fragments. By using the configuration and modification disclosed herein, mine blast protection, vertical obstacle crossing capability and cross country mobility are enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: United Defense, L.P.
    Inventors: Matthew Guy Riddle, William C. Grusonik, Claude Philip Braafladt, Harlan Burnham, Robert Owens Crosswhite, Scott Alan Greenlee, Nicholas Francis Hayes, Steven Eric Nelson, Richard Jerome Rush
  • Patent number: 6173483
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a drainage line unit. The apparatus includes a mandrel having an inner cavity. Rear, upper and front openings communicate with the mandrel cavity. Preferably, a controller connected to at least one sensor is operably positioned to control the apparatus. A pipe feeder feeds perforated vent pipe through the inner cavity of the mandrel from the rear opening to the front opening and therethrough. The pipe is positioned within the inner tube cavity so as to define a void space between the pipe and the wall of the mandrel. A hopper assembly has an exit port positioned for feeding a plurality of plastic bodies into the cavity. A blower produces a sufficient air flow through the mandrel cavity for moving the plurality of plastic bodies to substantially fill the void space so that the pipe emerges from the front opening of the mandrel surrounded by the plurality of plastic bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: E Z Flow L.P.
    Inventors: Michael H. Houck, Thomas K. Weaver
  • Patent number: 6173484
    Abstract: A system for fabricating muntin bars from sheet material. Sheet material in the form of thin ribbon stock is fed to a first forming station including a punching mechanism that punches the ribbon stock at a precisely predetermined location. The ribbon stock is delivered from the first forming station to a second forming station in the form of a rolling mill. The stock passes through a succession of forming rolls to produce a tube having a desired cross-sectional shape. The tube is delivered from the second forming station to a third forming station including a severing apparatus that severs the tube at a precisely predetermined location to produce a muntin bar. After severing, the muntin bar is engaged by a conveyor and moved to a desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bryan McGlinchy, Mohamed C. Khalfoun, John Louis Grismer, Michael J. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6173485
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic head apparatus includes a step of forming a plurality of flexure pieces coupled with each other and kept in substantially flat, each of the flexure pieces being provided with conductive connection pattern, a step of mounting sliders with magnetic head elements on the respective flexure pieces, or mounting head IC chips on the respective flexure pieces and after that mounting sliders with magnetic head elements on the respective flexure pieces, and a step of separating the flexure pieces with the sliders into individual pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Shiraishi, Masanori Sakai, Tsuyoshi Umehara, Haruyuki Morita, Ken-ichi Takano
  • Patent number: 6173486
    Abstract: A magnetic head includes first and second pole tips separated by a nonmagnetic gap layer. The right side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned. Similarly, the left side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned. The side fringing flux is substantially reduced resulting in a magnetic head capable of writing data tracks with well defined boundaries. The fabrication of the magnetic head begins with forming a stack of layers on a substrate. The stack of layers includes a nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between the first pole tip layer and a sacrificial layer which is preferably made of a metal. A protective layer, such as alumina, is then deposited over and around the stack of layers. After planarization and ion milling, the sacrificial layer is exposed. The sacrificial layer is then etched away leaving a volume of space in the protective layer and above the gap layer. An inductive coil with associated dielectric layers are then deposited above the first pole layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Read-Rite Corporation
    Inventors: Yun-Lin Hsiao, Lien-Chang Wang, Durga I. Ravipati, Hugh C. Hiner, William D. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6173487
    Abstract: A fan speed controller of an automotive vehicle air conditioning device is usually placed in an air flow duct to be effectively cooled. Thus, compact construction of the speed controller is needed to obtain a larger air flow in the air flow duct. For this purpose, various compact resistor units for the speed controller have been proposed. However, some of them are poor in durability against shocks. In view of this, a compact resistor unit for a speed controller includes a resistor block that has a flat resistor, a flat insulating plate and a flat radiation plate which are respectively positioned against one another. The compact resistor unit further includes a holder block of molded plastic on which the resistor block is mounted. The compact resistor unit also includes a plurality of metal terminals partially embedded in the holder block, where the terminals are connected to particular portions of the flat resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignees: Calsonic Corporation, Calsonic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Murata, Takashi Ishii, Shuko Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6173488
    Abstract: A front end portion of the inserted terminal position correcting jig is inserted into an opening formed in a peripheral wall provided extendedly from the rear portion of a connector housing, which opening functioning as its pivot center and having a correcting operation checking member therein, thereby to shift the jig toward the housing pivoting on the opening, and by this operation the jig is fitted with the rear end portion of the terminal which is still in an incompletely inserted state so as to shift the terminal to a completely inserted position and securely locked, wherein since the correcting operation checking member formed in the opening is removed when the front end portion of the jig is inserted, whether or not the correcting operation is perfectly done can be checked from outside by a removal or deformation of the correcting operation checking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Masanori Tsuji, Motohisa Kashiyama
  • Patent number: 6173489
    Abstract: A flip chip integrated circuit package which provides stress relief for the solder bumps of the package. The package includes an integrated circuit that is mounted to a substrate. The integrated circuit is attached to a plurality of bond pads of the substrate by a number of corresponding solder bumps. The substrate has a first layer that is attached to a second layer. An area that is located between the layers and adjacent to the bond pads is left unattached so that a portion of the first layer can move independent of the remaining portion of the substrate. The unattached area allows the integrated circuit to “float” and expand at a different rate than the substrate when the package is thermally cycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: John F. McMahon, Ravi Mahajan
  • Patent number: 6173490
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a panel of packaged integrated circuits is disclosed. A substrate panel having an array of integrated circuits mounted thereon is placed in a mold having a molding chamber. The molding chamber has a multiplicity of adjacent package recesses flowably interconnected by way of a plurality of molding compound flowgates. Each package recess is suitable for receiving at least one associated integrated circuits. A molding compound is passed into the molding chamber by way of a mold gate such that at least some of the molding compound passes through a plurality of different package recesses by way of their associated flowgates. In one embodiment, the mold includes a mold body having a molding chamber with a plurality of ridges that define the multiplicity of package recesses within the molding chamber. The multiplicity of package recesses are flowably interconnected through flowgates formed by the ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Shaw Wei Lee, Hem P. Takiar, Fred Drummond
  • Patent number: 6173491
    Abstract: A method for refurbishing turbine engine vanes in which the airfoils are removed and replaced. The original configuration of the vanes can be modified from a single casting or welded pair to a multi-piece component assembly comprising individual airfoil segments attached to the inner and outer platforms. The component assembly allows replacement of airfoils and/or platforms with improved castings in the form of improved alloys, improved physical geometry, or both. Modifications can be made in the vane class area without the need to modify the airfoil contour by brazing or other contour alteration processes. According to the method, the platforms are separated from the airfoils, the openings in the platforms are sealed, new airfoil sockets are cut into the platforms, and the vane is reassembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Goodwater, David Kang
  • Patent number: 6173492
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a fluid coupling assembly (20, 120, 220, 320 and 420) of the type including a housing having spaced side walls (24, 124, 224 and 434) extending radially relative to an axis (A) and defining a fluid chamber surrounding a disc (30, 130) supported by a shift (26) extending through and rotatably supported by one of the side walls with cooling fins for cooling the fluid chamber. The invention is characterized by fabricating a cooling sub-assembly (44, 46, 48, 144, 244, 246, 248, or 444) of cooling fins connected to a ring (50, 54, 58, 150, 250, 350, 450 and 472) having an axis with the cooling fins extending radially and axially of the ring. Subsequently, the cooling sub-assembly is secured to the housing by placing the ring axially between the side walls so as to transmit heat from the housing to the cooling fins. The housing and/or the disc may be fabricated from sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Behr America, Inc.
    Inventor: George Moser
  • Patent number: 6173493
    Abstract: A modular heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubular modules formed from an aluminum extrusion. Each extruded tube has a generally rectangular cross section, a through bore extending longitudinally therethrough between parallel opposite faces, and parallel longitudinal V-grooves in the faces, all formed in the extrusion process. Each face includes a plurality of parallel fins which are cut into the grooved face in a direction transverse to the grooves. The fins have a generally saw tooth structure so as to increase the turbulence of the air flow through the heat exchanger. Unslotted end faces on the tubes include groove portions which are filled with weld material in both the tube joining process and the end tank welding process, thereby providing an all-welded aluminum heat exchanger of substantially enhanced strength. In another embodiment utilizing an all-welded construction, extended unslotted end faces are cross bored and sealed to provide fluid supply in lieu of the end tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Robert F. Dierbeck
  • Patent number: 6173494
    Abstract: A valve seat for a ball valve, especially a fuel-injection valve for an internal-combustion engine is finely ground to form a trough in the conically-ground seat with a circular arc cross section in planes of the axis and of a depth to eliminate shape variations in the conically-ground valve seat. The circular arc radius of the trough is greater than the radius of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Ernst Thielenhaus KG
    Inventor: Manfred G. Becker
  • Patent number: 6173495
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a low-carbon steel pressure vessel, which may be used as an inflator housing (18), comprises providing a cylindrical billet of low-carbon steel which comprises by weight about 0.07% to about 0.15% carbon, about 1% to about 2% manganese, less than about 0.02% phosphorous, less than about 0.015% sulfur, about 0.5% to about 2.10% chromium, about 0.2% to about 1.0% nickel, about 0.2% to about 0.7% molybdenum, less than about 0.65% copper, less than about 0.25% residual elements, and the balance of the composition iron. A tube is formed with a cylindrical wall by axially piercing the cylindrical billet, while the cylindrical billet is heated is at a temperature of about 1000° C. to about 1300° C. The thickness of the cylindrical wall is then reduced to a first thickness by a first cold drawing of the tube. The tube is annealed after the first cold drawing. The thickness of the cylindrical wall is further reduced to a second thickness by a second cold drawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Eric C. Erike
  • Patent number: 6173496
    Abstract: A system for embossing a substantially continuous web of material including a supply for supplying at least one substantially continuous web of material, feeding the substantially continuous web of material, an embossing device for embossing a predetermined pattern in the web material and a take-up device for taking-up the embossed web material; wherein at least one roll of the system includes an elongated core formed of a substantially rigid material and an elongated sleeve formed of a material less rigid than the elongated core with the elongated sleeve being releasably secured to the core such that the elongated sleeve is axially and circumferentially fixed with respect to the core when in operation and can be selectively axially removed from the core. Preferably, the sleeve includes an embossing pattern laser engraved thereon so as to permit the embossing pattern being run by the system to be readily changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Kambiz B. Makoui, Dale Gracyalny, Galyn A. Schulz