Patents Issued in March 6, 2001
  • Patent number: 6195798
    Abstract: A ballistic resistant protective garment with a ballistic resistant pad having at least two panels and a plurality of overlying layered sheets within the panels of the ballistic resistant pad in which the sheets are constructed of woven lyotropic liquid crystal polymer fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Second Chance Body Armor, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Bachner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6195799
    Abstract: The neck protector includes a cushioned pad which is quilted to cushion and insulate the user's head from direct contact with a salon sink, during washing and shampooing operations. The neck protector also serves to keep the heat of a dryer from the user's lower neck. The neck protector has a substantially straight front surface, and a substantially curved back surface. Attachment devices extend from opposing ends of the substantially straight front surface, and are of a length suitable for securing the neck protector about the user's neck. The quilted portion extends from the center of the substantially straight front surface. The neck protector is preferably made to be disposable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Vikki S. Davies
  • Patent number: 6195800
    Abstract: A swim diaper for use by a child while swimming, bathing or otherwise exposed to an aqueous environment includes a main torso section formed from a sheet of breathable, waterproof material of sufficient thickness to retain solid waste and having a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least 200 g/m2/day. The main torso section has a torso receiving aperture at the upper end of the main torso section for receiving a torso and leg receiving apertures located in the lower portion of the main torso section for receiving a child's legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Future Products Corporation
    Inventors: Patti C. Gilmer, Pamela Thomas, Reginold F. Cochran, Rodney D. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6195801
    Abstract: A swim training apparatus worn by a swimmer is shown. It includes a garment sized and shaped cover at least a portion of swimmer's body and has first and second panels with contrasting tactile properties. One of the panels, preferably having a tactile-stimulating surface, is positioned on the garment such that the swimmer can feel the tactile differential as a guide to the swimmer's hand while practicing swim strokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Kathleen Ann Meyers
  • Patent number: 6195802
    Abstract: A tactical vest with a partitioned collar and/or a tactical vest with a mount to adjust the positioning of a firearm upon the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Armor Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen E. Armellino
  • Patent number: 6195803
    Abstract: A sports activity glove is formed from a flat sheet of material, such as leather, cloth, or synthetic material, and has a wear-resistant outer side and an inner side which contacts the palm of the wearer. The glove contains a thumb hole, and the user inserts a thumb into the thumb hole and wraps the glove about the hand, fastening it at the back of the hand by means of a hook and loop fastener. The inner side of the glove is coated with a pressure-sensitive, heat activating adhesive, which sticks to the hand and prevents the glove from slipping when in use. The adhesive is hypoallergenic to avoid irritating the hand of the wearer. The glove may be put on and taken off repeatedly without reducing the efficacy of the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Marsha A Russell, Paul Robbat, John J Richard
  • Patent number: 6195804
    Abstract: A pair of golf gloves each having loop and pile interfaces at specific locations that fasten together as a golfer grasps a golf club, and they aid the golfer to properly grasp, hold and maintain a preferred neutral hold on a golf club during back swing and forward swing to achieve a good golf shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas M Fraser
  • Patent number: 6195805
    Abstract: A unique powder-free medical glove fabricated from a neoprene copolymer, and a method of making same is described. The gloves of the invention are easily donned without the use of powdered donning agents and retain their puncture resistance, tensile strength, stress at 500% and elongation to break after post-processing by chlorination and sterilization by irradiation. Additionally, the gloves of the invention exhibit minimal discoloration (as measured by the per cent change in yellowness index) and minimal stickiness to themselves and to glove packing materials after sterilization by irradiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Allegiance Corporation
    Inventors: George Bourne, Theresa A. Moceri, Yun-Siung Tony Yeh
  • Patent number: 6195806
    Abstract: The ear protector (10) includes a pair of ear covers (12 and 14) mounted at the ends of a U-shaped yoke (16). Each ear cover includes an arcuate ear engager (32) and a cushion insert (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Staphea S. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6195807
    Abstract: A lens combination is provided for a pair of swimming/diving goggles having a goggle frame. The lens combination includes a planar lens mounted to the goggle frame and a curved lens mounted in front of the planar lens, thereby defining a space between the planar lens and the curved lens for receiving water. The curved lens includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The planar lens includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The space is filled with water. When the lens combination is used in water such that the outer surface of the curved lens, the inner surface of the curved lens, and the outer surface of the planar lens contact with water, thereby allowing formation of clear image when viewing an object in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Terry Chou
  • Patent number: 6195808
    Abstract: Protective sports eyeglasses with a buffer being a shock-absorbing function includes a cushion having a hollow sealed endless shape. The cushion has a 3D tubular space instead of 2D (two dimensions) surface. The cushion is attached on an annular edge of a lens contacting the face of a wearer so as fit the curvature of the face, and has an inner pressure preset in advance so that the cushion may contact closely and comfortably the face of a wearer with a buffer and a shock-absorbing effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Ing Chung Huang
  • Patent number: 6195809
    Abstract: A garment and insert combination for decreasing the risk of trauma to the hip joint in the greater trochanter region of the human body, and comprising a garment that fits over the hips and having a pocket to securely hold in place a generally planar but configured resilient hip pad. The pad is in the form of an annulus of generally inverted “U” configuration with the outer edges being coincidental with the outer periphery of the elliptical form, and with the annulus being open in the area covering the greater trochanter region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Prevent Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mario C. Garcia
  • Patent number: 6195810
    Abstract: A flushing device for disposing of human waste includes a bowl. A trap section, disposed in a draining path extending from the bowl, has a rear end that pivots between upper and lower positions. A case main body communicates with an external drain pipe and houses the trap section. A driving mechanism moves the trap section between the upper and lower positions. A water supply mechanism supplies water to the bowl. A ring is fitted on the rear end of the trap section. The ring has notches on upper and lower sides such that side edges of the ring have an arcuate shape. The case main body has an arcuate shaped profile that is substantially identical to the arcuate shape of the ring, wherein as the trap section pivots from the upper to lower position, a gap between the arcuate shape of the ring and the upper portion of the rear face inside the case main body is wider than the gap between the arcuate shape of the ring and the lower portion of the rear face inside the case main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaya Minamiyama, Yasushi Sato, Masato Suzuki, Katsuyuki Okumura, Takahiro Nakamura, Yoshihiro Nishizaki, Yoshiro Matsushita
  • Patent number: 6195811
    Abstract: A foam spa cover member is attached to a cover lifter apparatus using a plurality of brackets, each having a horizontal lip inserted into a respective slit in a side surface of the cover and a vertical plate engaging the side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Zeljko Dragovic
  • Patent number: 6195812
    Abstract: A system (10) for raising and lowering a swimming pool liner (12) includes a plate (22) used to define a spill way (24) for providing fluid communication between an outside surface of the liner and an inside surface (16) of the pool (14). The liner is detached from the surface of the pool in the region behind the plate and reattached along an upper edge (28) of the plate. Conduit (30), having length (30′), extends along back face (32) of plate (22) and below the upper edge (28). Holes (34) cut in the plate provide communication with length (30′). Conduit (36) extends across the back face (32) near its lower edge (38) to provide air to the spill way (24). The length (36′) of conduit (36) is provided with a number of holes (40) for admitting air into the spill way. In order to lift the liner, air is directed through conduit (30) to the outside surface (26) of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Ian McRobert
  • Patent number: 6195813
    Abstract: A collapsible shower chair is disclosed. The shower chair has a plurality of suction cups on an edge of the seat portion thereof permitting the chair to readily grip the wall of the shower stall when not in use. Each suction cup is received within a longitudinally extending slot in the seat portion of the chair and is readily movable therein permitting alignment of the suction cup with the surface of the wall of the shower stall. A ball and detent arrangement is provided for engagement of a support arm with the seat portion of the chair ensuring that the legs are firmly attached to the seat portion when the chair is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Mario G. Orcini
  • Patent number: 6195814
    Abstract: A shower bath apparatus which enables hot water bathing in a relaxed condition and provides a warm feeling over the whole body, equivalent to bathing in a bath tub. The shower bath apparatus comprises a shower bath apparatus body, a seat, on which a bathing person is seated, a spray nozzle for jetting hot water to the bathing person, and an arm provided with at least one spray nozzle. Sprayed hot water envelops the whole body of a user in a seated position to give the user a warm feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yoshida, Shigeru Shirai, Masaaki Kawaguri, Kazushige Kawahara, Masaaki Inagi, Masaki Yamamoto, Hirofumi Gyokusen
  • Patent number: 6195815
    Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating use of a shower is described. The apparatus comprises support means and shuttle means slidably mounted on the support means. In use, the shuttle means is slidably movable along the support means between a first position adjacent a shower and a second position remote from the shower. A shower curtain for use with the shuttle and support is also described. A footwell is adapted to ease use by an attendant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Taplanes Limited
    Inventors: Andrew David Wilkinson, Alan Percy Fowle
  • Patent number: 6195816
    Abstract: A shower curtain retaining system for use particularly in connection with shower enclosures above conventional bathtubs for retaining the lower portion of a shower curtain inside the bathtub whenever the shower curtain is forced outward over the lip of the bathtub. Preferably, the shower curtain retaining system comprises a fastening member attached to the lower portion of the shower curtain and a retention member securely attached to the inner surface of the bathtub generally opposite and above the fastening member. Fastening means includes a plurality of hooks spaced equally apart along a lateral strip. The plurality of hooks are adapted to engage at least a portion of a rail which extends outwardly from and laterally along the retention member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Elliot Glenn Glassman
  • Patent number: 6195817
    Abstract: A shower curtain splash accessory having an elongated, auxiliary edge member for a shower curtain and hangar means for hanging the splash accessory from a curtain rod with the elongated edge member in a generally upright position below the rod and overlapping a leading edge section of the curtain, the edge member having a longitudinally extending front face and a longitudinally extending channel with a lateral opening, on the side or in the front face of the edge member, for inserting a leading edge part of the curtain into the channel, and retainer sleeves mounted in the channel for retaining an inserted edge part therein, the hangar means being shiftable along the curtain rod to shift the edge member and inserted curtain part between a withdrawn position permitting entrance into and egress from the shower and a forward position providing an effective splash barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Ralph H. Chilton
  • Patent number: 6195818
    Abstract: An apparatus that provides for the quick and easy installation and removal of Roman Tub Spouts onto a water fitting comprising a water spout, a quick connect member, a trim escutcheon, a hub, a pair of deck nuts and a lock washer. The quick connect member screws into a Tee fitting, or the like, in the plumbing system. The hub screws into the base of the spout and slidably engages the smooth end of the quick connect member. The trim escutcheon is disposed between the spout and hub to provide support to the hub and to conceal the hub while providing decorative ornamentation to the apparatus. Once the spout and trim escutcheon are properly positioned on the quick connect member, a set screw fastens the assembly in place. The deck nuts are positioned above and below the tub surface to hold the apparatus in place on the tub surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Barbara Rodstein, Joaquin Serrano, Ron Bowers
  • Patent number: 6195819
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a touch pop-up stopper for basin drain which comprises a stopper assembly for draining (ON) or stopping (OFF) water which is fitted to the inside of a drain flange, wherein the stopper assembly includes a casing, a lift body, a turning body, a spring, a bottom casing, a cap and a sealing ring, and wherein an engaging member is created by means of the structure of longitudinal notches at the inner rim of the casing and disposed between a first slide way and a second slide way, and wherein the outer rim of the lift body is provided with protruding pieces corresponding to the longitudinal notches, and wherein a plurality of slide pieces fitted with a slant end at the top thereof and corresponding to protruding pieces are provided at the outer rim of the turning body; by means of the sliding and shifting movement of the three above-mentioned components and through an upward resilient force of the spring, the user only requires to give a slight force to the cap at the top of the li
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Ching-Piao Wang
  • Patent number: 6195820
    Abstract: A hand table assembly includes a platform having a longitudinal central axis and a platform attachment apparatus for coupling the platform to a patient support deck generally in a horizontal plane and at a 90° angle. The platform attachment apparatus illustratively includes a first member configured to be mechanically coupled to an inboard end of the platform and a second member configured to be mechanically coupled to a side rail of an articulatable back section of the patient support deck. The first member is pivoted relative to the second member about the longitudinal central axis of the platform such that the platform remains generally parallel to the floor when the articulatable back section is articulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Terry J. Simpkins, Sr., Terry J. Simpkins, Jr., R. Kelly Simpkins, David P. Harris
  • Patent number: 6195821
    Abstract: A self contained manually portable intensive care unit for adults has a housing with a first minor compartment holding medical equipment at one end and a second minor compartment holding medical equipment at an opposite end, medical equipment is located between the minor compartments in predetermined positions to provide a generally balanced assembly. Oxygen storage bottles are retained on one side of a longitudinal medial region while other equipment are retained on the other side of the longitudinal medial region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Buchanan Aircraft Corporation Ltd.
    Inventors: David Hall, John Charles Grant-Thomson
  • Patent number: 6195822
    Abstract: A patient transport bag includes a fabric base having a bottom and four sides which define an interior cavity. The base is securable to a stretcher. A top cover is detachably secured to the base. Straps are provided for securing the top cover as a roll along one of the four sides. The patient transport bag, as described, is attachable to a stretcher in such a manner that it is ready for immediate use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: David Charles Sorensen, Rachel Gertrude Sorensen
  • Patent number: 6195823
    Abstract: A keychain sized opener with an approximately one half inch cubical shaped head on a semirigid handle and positioning projection allows finger pressure on the head to facilitate opening of the industry standard Scoop type ® stretcher quick lock couplings even when the stretcher with a patient thereon is placed on a hospital bed is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Oscar Enriquez
  • Patent number: 6195824
    Abstract: A process for dyeing a textile web, in which the textile web is continuously guided through a trough that contains the dye bath, and subsequently passes through a pair of squeezing rollers. The line force of the pair of squeezing rollers is adjusted as a function of the length of textile web (L) that has passed through, with the aim of achieving a uniform amount of dye applied over the length of the textile web, per surface unit of the textile web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Eduard Kusters Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Walter Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6195825
    Abstract: A waste-water treatment and recycling process that reduce water, energy and chemical consumption in commercial laundry operations. A portion of the warm waste water from each wash cycle is first passed through a vibrating shaker screen to remove particles larger than 70 microns and then filtered through a 1-5 micron medium in a tubular filtration unit. The clear-water filtrate is then heated to operating temperature and recycled to the wash cycle of the process through the hot-water feed system. Only unheated fresh water is used for the rinse cycle, thereby also providing make-up water to the system. For operations requiring low total dissolved solids, a nanofiltration unit is added downstream of the tubular filtration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Wastewater Resources Inc.
    Inventor: Randall J. Jones
  • Patent number: 6195826
    Abstract: An engagement structure adapted for securement to the end of an aircraft boarding bridge includes a bumper assembly formed of a first bumper and an auxiliary bumper. The auxiliary bumper is mechanically associated with a drive assembly adapted for displacing the auxiliary bumper relative to the first bumper to provide a dimensionally adjustable floor area of a boarding bridge proximate the interface of the bridge and an aircraft serviced by the bridge. The engagement structure may also include bifurcated arrangement wherein a sliding floor element is associated with a length adjustable bumper subassembly. The engagement structure provides a structure whereby the floor structure of the boarding bridge can be opened to provide a passageway for an opening or closing aircraft door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald J. LeBaron, Bruce W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6195827
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrostatic air blower which is preferably intended for use in cleaning optofibers without risking the contamination of said fibers with, e.g., metal particles that may have been loosened from electrodes used in a cleaning process. The ends of optofibers can be cleaned simply and reliably prior to welding said ends together, with the aid of said electrostatic air blower. The electrostatic air blower includes two ceramic plasma caoons (11, 12) which face towards one another at a given distance apart. Each plasma cannon includes a ceramic tube which houses an electrode. Repeated discharges between the electrodes in the tubes causes pressure waves to be generated in the air present between the tube orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Ion Dumitriu
  • Patent number: 6195828
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush section (1) for an electric toothbrush. The brush section (1) has a mounting tube (2) in which is accommodated an actuatable plug-on shaft (3) mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis (4), said shaft being equipped with a driving element (24) arranged eccentrically to the longitudinal axis (4). Further, the brush section (1) has a bristle carrier (8) mounted for rotation about a transverse axis (10) and equipped with a driven element (22) arranged eccentrically to the transverse axis (10) and coupled with the driving element (24). In this arrangement, a rotary movement (5) of the plug-on shaft (3) about the longitudinal axis (4) produces a rotary movement (25) of the bristle carrier (8) about the transverse axis (10. The plug-on shaft (3) and the bristle carrier (8) are braced against each other and/or against the mounting tube (2) by spring means. This prevents the occurrence of rattling noises in activated condition of the electric toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Fritsch
  • Patent number: 6195829
    Abstract: A bath brush including: an elastic mesh tube which is axially pushed and gathered so as to continuously crimp the periphery thereof into a waved pattern; a handle including a connecting member, a grip member freely detachably assembled with the connecting member and a pair of massaging members, the connecting member being positioned on upper side of the elastic mesh tube and formed with at least one first connecting section disposed on the upper face of the connecting member and several fixing sections passing through the upper and lower faces of the connecting member, the grip member including at least one second connecting section for correspondingly connecting with the first connecting section, the pair of massaging members having a certain length, an upper end of each massaging member outward extending from a lateral side of the connecting member, while a lower end thereof extending downward; and at least one binder with a predetermined length and flexibility, the binder being conducted through the fixing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Ching-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 6195830
    Abstract: The invention involves a multi-colored paintbrush handle having an axis (8), a first and a second extremity crossed by the axis (8), and an external grip surface (9) placed between said extremities, the handle including: a core (13) parallel to the axis (8), at least one colored raised part (14) emerging from the core (13) and externally defining at least one shaped section of the grip surface (9), and at least a first layer (16) of colored plastic material molded onto the core (13), the first layer (16) externally defining a main section (11) of the grip surface (9) and having a different color than that of the raised part (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: John Palmer Corp.
    Inventor: Mario Bruschi
  • Patent number: 6195831
    Abstract: An optical grade chamois like fabric is employed as a display screen cleaning tool. In one embodiment of the invention, an optical grade chamois like fabric is utilized, at least in part, to form a body having an inner chamber capable of being filled with a stuffing material so as to form a three dimensional figure, and an outer surface for wiping the display screen. In another embodiment of the invention, the display screen cleaning tool is embodied in a pocket style configuration for permitting the insertion of fingers therein to facilitate the cleaning tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Thomas W. Devaney, Stephen M. Plakcy
  • Patent number: 6195832
    Abstract: A pressurizing structure for windshield wiper, including a frame body and a connecting member. The frame body is formed with a channel in which a wiper arm is inserted. A decorative block and a retaining plate are locked on the surface of the frame body. The retaining plate serves to increase the force application area of the wiper so as to keep the blade of the wiper arm parallel to the windshield. Fastening straps are passed through two side walls of the frame body for fastening the wiper arm. The bottom face of the frame body is disposed with a resilient support plate for more firmly fixing the wiper arm with the frame body. Slide channels are formed at the rear end of the frame body for slidably connecting with the connecting member two sides of which are formed with ribs. A cover body is connected to the rear end of the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Janchy Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun Tian Shuen
  • Patent number: 6195833
    Abstract: A wiper blade has a wiper head for mounting a wiper bracket, a wiper lip, and a tilting web connecting the wiper head with the wiper lip, the wiper head and the tilting web being composed of a material selected from the group consisting of polychloroprene and a polymer mixture including portion of at least 60 weight percent polychloroprene and at least one another elastomere, the wiper lip at least in a part which comes in contact with a glass pane being composed of a material selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and a synthetic elastomere based on a diene with hydrocarbon structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Geilenkirchen, Eric Impens
  • Patent number: 6195834
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for removing foreign particles such as dust from an object of complex shape is disclosed. An object is placed in an enclosed chamber and agitated by mechanical vibration means and by pulsed air jets while rotating, all to separate the dust particles from that object. Periodic injection of compressed air causes the dust particles to be suspended in that air and subsequently removed when the air is aspirated. The method and an apparatus can be used in combination with a household vacuum cleaner for cleaning of large household items such as clothing, pillows, linens, etc. In industrial use, the method of invention can be used for cleaning of electronic components from foreign particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: David Shteingold
  • Patent number: 6195835
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a cyclone dust collecting device for separating and collecting dust and dirt of a comparatively large particle size sucked from a suction opening of the cleaner by centrifugal force. The cyclone dust collecting device is biaxially placed against the extension pipe of the cleaner and includes a cyclone body having first and second connecting tubes connected to the extension pipe and a dirt collecting tub connected to the cyclone body to be removable. The cyclone body has an air inlet communicating with the first connecting tube and an air outlet communicating with the second connecting tube. The dirt-containing air sucked via the suction opening enters via the air inlet in a slanting direction against the cyclone body, thereby producing a whirlpool air current inside of the cyclone body. The dirt contained in the air is separated from the air by centrifugal force and is collected at the dirt collecting tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-gon Song, Se-wook Kim, Hyun-eung Kim, Jin-seul Joung
  • Patent number: 6195836
    Abstract: A mechanical surface sweeping vehicle has a cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom to propel forwardly debris disposed on a contacted portion of a surface being cleaned, thereby creating a forwardly propelled stream of debris. A mechanical debris elevator is disposed to receive and retain the forwardly propelled stream of debris and to deposit the received and retained debris into the hopper. A deflector flap is disposed forwardly of the rotating sweeping broom and immediately rearwardly of the debris accepting lower end portion of the mechanical debris elevator, to receive at least a portion of the forwardly propelled stream of debris and to deflect it upwardly and forwardly onto the mechanical debris elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Roger P. Vanderlinden
  • Patent number: 6195837
    Abstract: A debris suctioning and separating apparatus for use in a surface sweeping vehicle having an elongate cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom, a debris receiving and retaining hopper, and a debris conveying mechanism to receive debris from said rotating sweeping broom and convey it to said hopper, comprises a debris separator that is mounted on the surface sweeping vehicle exteriorly to the hopper and has an air inlet for receiving debrisladen air into the debris separator, an air outlet for exhausting separated air from the debris separator, and a debris release outlet for selectively releasing separated debris from the debris separator. A fan is operatively mounted at the air outlet of the debris separator, to draw the debris-laden air through the air inlet and into the debris separator, and to exhaust the separated air from the debris separator to ambient surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Roger P. Vanderlinden
  • Patent number: 6195838
    Abstract: A dual roller assembly adapted to simultaneously rotate along perpendicular surfaces. The roller assembly comprises a pair of telescopically engaging shaft members sized to rotate and move axially of one another. A first of the shaft member, mounts first and second interfitting cylindrical members receiving a rotary caster ball, where the rotary caster ball is supported for rotative movement within the roller unit formed by the interfitting cylindrical members, by a first ball bearing ring. The second shaft member mounts a cylindrical cap member for receiving a second ball bearing ring in rotary contact with the second cylindrical member, and finally, the second shaft member further mounts a fixed annular ring spaced from the cylindrical cap member, and an encircling compression spring on the second shaft member extending between the cylindrical cap member and the annular ring, to provide shock obsorbing features thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: David R. Mains, Everett B. James, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6195839
    Abstract: Two pivoting portions of a product are connected by a hinged detent. The hinged detent provides a snap feel when the product halves are closed or opened to an operable angle. It also allows for the placement of wires and connectors within the hinge. The hinged detent design further enables easy vertical axis assembly and provides for one of a multiple of operable angles to be factory-set. In adjustable hinge detents, a dial or similar mechanism can be rotated to adjust and set the desired operable angle to which the hinged product halves will be opened. Locating elements are forcibly disengaged from one set of adjusting recesses in the adjustable hinge, then rotated to different adjusting recesses of the hinge, and finally permitted to reengage the adjustable hinge in the new adjusting recesses. This mechanism permits a multitude of operable angles to be selected. Each time the product portions are reopened, they will automatically open to the previously selected angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ericsson Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Patterson, Thomas D. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6195840
    Abstract: A hub assembly for a faucet handle having an interconnectable top member and skirt member. The top member having a bottom portion of reduced diameter with an external recess formed therein a short distance up from its bottom. The skirt member having an upper opening sized to receive the bottom portion of the top member. Resilient members being formed in the skirt member to extend downwardly and into the upper opening. The resilient members being engageable in the recess of the bottom portion releasably to connect the top member and the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Pilatowicz, Remigio M. Chica, Charles M. Hamill
  • Patent number: 6195841
    Abstract: Silo for supply of flock fibers to a carder, which silo is subdivided into superimposed chambers, between which there is interposed a set of rollers which regulate the descending flow, and carry out breaking and separation of the fibrous material, in which a supply roller, an auxiliary supply roller and a breaker roller are disposed in a triangle, in which the surface of the auxiliary roller opposite that which is tangent to the supply roller is exposed to the flow of air which descends downwards, together with the fibers worked by the breaker roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Marzoli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mario Mascheretti, Giovanni Battista Pasini
  • Patent number: 6195842
    Abstract: A process of feeding carded fiber to an airlay and particularly to combining carding technology with airlay technology. A carding machine portion is arranged to card fiber while a disperser-roll in the airlay portion picks the individualized carded fibers from a tool bed roll and centrifugally doffs them into an air stream. As such, airlays will be able to handle longer fiber lengths which conventional airlay equipment is unable to handle or satisfactorily open up. Further, an improved process for doffing fiber from a airlay machine and particularly centrifugally doffing fiber from a carding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Stephen Freund, Andrew James Giles, Todd Arden McCoy, Lyles Howard Sowell, Phillip Osborne Staples, Leonard Ray Tucker, James Stephen Bailey
  • Patent number: 6195843
    Abstract: To improve the properties of all-steel card clothings, a saw-toothed wire is proposed with a foot portion and a plurality of teeth arranged consecutively in the lengthwise direction of the wire, the teeth issuing from the foot portion and each tooth ending in a single point, and where the interval between the points of two consecutive teeth is different from the interval between the points of other consecutive teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Graf & Cie AG
    Inventor: Ralph A. Graf
  • Patent number: 6195844
    Abstract: A carding machine or other web production device [(1)] supplies a crosslapper [(2)] with two elementary webs [(15a, 15b)] constituting a lappable web [(16)] which is deposited in a reciprocating manner on a transverse output belt [(26)]. In the device [(1) means of] adjustment of the speed of rotation of doffers [(13a, 13b)], of condensers [(17, 18)], of detachers [(19a, 19b)], of the drum [(4)] and/or of the feeder [(7)], and/or [means of] adjustment of the drum-doffer spacing affect the weight per unit area of the elementary web produced taking account of the weight per unit area desired at each point in the width of the fleece [(67)] to be formed on the output belt [(26)]. There is determined the delay length exhibited by each elementary web cross-section undergoing the adjustment of weight with respect to the section of lappable web in the process of being deposited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Asselin
    Inventors: Bernard Jourde, Jean-Christophe Laune, Robert Jean
  • Patent number: 6195845
    Abstract: A fiber web is formed by the airlay technique on a web forming and transport surface by dispersing and projecting individualized fibers onto said surface by means of a flow of air, and the fibers are subjected to a carding operation prior to being inserted into the flow of air. According to an essential characteristic of the invention, action is taken on the fiber feed rate by means of one or more regulator systems between the carding operation and the insertion of the fibers into the air flow so as to make said fiber feed rate more regular. In a preferred variant of the invention, a regulator system comprises at least a combing cylinder which is designed to be rotated to have a circumferential speed that is strictly less than that of the carding cylinder and that rotates in a direction of rotation that is opposite to that of the carding cylinder, and that is coated on its periphery with a covering whose teeth or spikes point backwards, i.e. in the opposite direction to its direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Thibeau
    Inventors: Jean-Louis DuPont, Xavier Catry, Marc Brabant
  • Patent number: 6195846
    Abstract: A block cradle fastener (10) having a strap (12) which comprises a top strap (12T) manufactured from hook material and a bottom strap (12B) manufactured from loop material. A block (14) securely mounted to the strap (12). The block (14) comprises a block top (14T) positioned on top of the top strap (12T) and a block bottom (14B) positioned on top of the bottom strap (12B). The top strap (12T) comprises a block top right (14TR) and a block top left (14TL) having a concave block top cradle (14TC) therebetween. The bottom strap (12T) comprises a block bottom right (14BR) and a block bottom left (14BL) having a concave block bottom cradle (14BC) therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Studdiford, Michael B. Dunn
  • Patent number: 6195847
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a combination of a bent fishhook and a miniature sports item, the shaft of the fishhook formed by bending back to form a gripping space for gripping a flat object, a section of the barbed point being cut off and the remaining section being bent up at 90°. A miniature sports item being pivotally mounted on the barbed point by inserting the barbed point within a hole formed in the bottom of the sports item. The sports item may be a race car, a golf bag, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: James W. Shemberger