Patents Issued in July 17, 2001
  • Patent number: 6260219
    Abstract: An eight-sided beach blanket having integral pockets is disclosed herein. The beach blanket has a main body section, elongated edges, top and bottom edges, and slanted edges. The beach blanket has pockets located at its slanted edges. The pockets may be sealed by a zipper or VELCRO® tape. The pockets may be formed by folding the corners of the beach blanket inward and sewing the perimeter of the corners to the surface of the main body section of the beach blanket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Andrew P. Bartosik
  • Patent number: 6260220
    Abstract: A surgical table having a table top which extends between a pair of vertically extending posts and which is laterally rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The head and foot ends of the table may be raised or lowered as needed to position the patient in trendelenberg and reverse trendelenberg orientations. The table top is coupled to each of the posts by means of gimbals having perpendicular rotation axes which provide the degrees of freedom necessary to permit both lateral rotation (to any angle) and trendelenberg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Orthopedic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve R. Lamb, Russell Klein
  • Patent number: 6260221
    Abstract: A heel supporting medical apparatus for the treatment and prevention of decubitus or pressure ulcers. The present invention provides a medical and physical therapy apparatus adapted to elevate heels of individuals subjected to substantial bed rest. By elevating the heels, the skin of the heel will not be in constant contact with the bed mattress, and thus pressure ulcers or bedsores will be substantially avoided. Moreover, the present invention provides an apparatus by which the legs of the individual can be substantially immobilized while at the same time elevating the heel. The apparatus also provides adjustably cushioned support from several angles to increase the comfort of the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventors: Marc Grabell, Lawrence E. Gluskin, Barbara Simms
  • Patent number: 6260222
    Abstract: An air mattress structure includes a mattress body including a sponge layer having a first face and a second face, a first line low density polyethylene layer laminated on the first surface of the sponge layer, a first nylon layer laminated on the first line low density polyethylene layer, a second line low density polyethylene layer laminated on the second surface of the sponge layer, and a second nylon layer laminated on the second line low density polyethylene layer. Thus, the air mattress structure consisting of the above-mentioned elements has a simple construction, and is transparent so that a user can see the inflation and squeeze of the sponge layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Feng Yi Outdoor Leisure Equipment Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ping-Ting Lin
  • Patent number: 6260223
    Abstract: Spring sets each include a pair of coil springs joined together by a connecting wire and are encased in individual fabric pockets such that the connecting wire joining the coil springs spans an otherwise empty fabric pocket. A spring unit, mattress or the like includes a number of such pocketed spring sets with the connecting wire being alternately positioned near a top face or a bottom face of the spring unit. The pocketed coil spring unit can be used to form a mattress or other spring assembly of pocketed coil springs wherein every third pocket is left empty. The connecting wire spreads the load across the empty pocket and distributes the load to the adjacent springs. The absence of one-third of the springs that are normally in a mattress drastically reduces material costs without diminishing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Leggett & Platt, Incorporated
    Inventors: Niels S. Mossbeck, Thomas J. Wells
  • Patent number: 6260224
    Abstract: A broom type particle collector has a particle pick-up assembly joined to an elongated handle. The pick-up assembly has a non-electrical conductive foam plastic member accommodating a cathode for imparting negative charges or particles and an anode for collecting the charged particles. An electrical power supply located within the handle provides electric power to the cathode and anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Michael R. Pinkus
  • Patent number: 6260225
    Abstract: A tire coating machine for applying a coating to a vehicle tire. The machine includes a brush and a positioner for supporting the brush and moving the brush into contact with the tire. A first fluid path is connected to a source of a first fluid and directs the first fluid to the brush, and a second fluid path is connected to a source of a second fluid and directs the second fluid to the brush. The brush transfers at least the second fluid to the tire. The first and second fluids are water and a coating solution, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Bradford K. Bowman
  • Patent number: 6260226
    Abstract: Disclosed is a self-wringing flat mop. The mop includes a shaft having an operator end and a cleaning end, a plate disposed at the cleaning end of the shaft and being pivotally connected thereto, and a wringing mechanism. A liquid absorbent member such as a cleaning cover is disposed on the plate. The wringing mechanism includes a wringing handle that is disposed on the shaft and that is axially moveable with respect thereto, and a wringer connected to the wringing handle. When wringing the mop, the wringer handle is moved relative to the axis of the shaft to thereby move the wringer into a position to cover the plate and liquid absorbent member. In this position, the wringer exerts a force on the plate sufficient to compress the liquid absorbent member between the plate and the wringer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Freudenberg Household Products LP
    Inventor: Paul B. Specht
  • Patent number: 6260227
    Abstract: An orthodontic toothbrush cleans braces and teeth effectively, including braces which have brackets protruding from tooth surfaces, wherein the brackets are connected by a spanning archwire. The orthodontic toothbrush has a longitudinally extending handle attached to a teeth cleaning head with bristles extending upward therefrom. The bristle head includes rows of bristles, which contact and clean both the orthodontic appliances attached to the surfaces of the teeth and underlying teeth at the same time because of the several different bristle heights. The shortest group of bristles is in the middle of all the bristle rows. The height of these shortest bristles represent an average protrusive depth of the thickness of a typical bracket or band protruding from a tooth's surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventors: Jacqueline Fulop, Sonia Mota, Julia Trigg
  • Patent number: 6260228
    Abstract: A hand-held device for removing lint balls from a fabric that includes a body, and a pad. The body is fork-shaped and includes a handle, and bifurcations that extend longitudinally from the handle. The bifurcations have grooves that extend longitudinally therein, and the handle has a groove that extends transversely thereacross and communicates with the grooves in the bifurcations so as to form a generally U-shaped channel. The body further includes a plate that extends from one bifurcation to the other bifurcation and provides rigidity for the pad. The pad is a layer of flexible material that is snugly, slidably, and selectively disposed in the generally U-shaped channel. The exterior surface of the layer of flexible material is covered with prongs that function similarly to hooks of a hook and loop fastener for engaging and removing the lint balls from the fabric when brushed thereacross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Aracelis Arroyo-Youngblood
  • Patent number: 6260229
    Abstract: A bristle sub-assembly includes first and second base strings and a plurality of polymeric monofilaments connected to and extending between the first and second base strings. The polymeric monofilaments form a first arched row when the first and second base strings are brought together. Several types and configurations of brushes are made using either arched bristles or combinations of arched and straight bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Mark Stephen Edwards, Wayne Hugh Marshall, Roberto Bucker
  • Patent number: 6260230
    Abstract: A floor washing and drying method and apparatus is provided which includes a first reservoir and a second reservoir. The first reservoir is adapted to hold water or other cleaning liquid in it. The first reservoir also includes a wringer mechanism which may be fixably or removably attached to the first reservoir. The first reservoir is also adapted to be used with a mop having a wetting or washing mop head attached to it. The wringer and the first reservoir are dimensioned such that the washing or wetting mop head may be placed within either the wringer or the first reservoir. The second reservoir is adapted to be used with a mop having a drying mop head attached to it. The drying mop head of the drying mop is dimensioned such that it will fit within the second reservoir but not within the wringer or the first reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: K. D. Hunt, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin D. Hunt
  • Patent number: 6260231
    Abstract: System for drying printed circuit boards in a liquid cleaning apparatus. The liquid cleaning apparatus includes a series of air knife dryers enclosed within two drying modules. The first drying module houses a first set of top and bottom air knife dryers which includes at least one top air knife dryer, positioned above a conveyor belt carrying printed circuit boards through the liquid cleaning apparatus, and at least one bottom air knife dryer, positioned below the conveyor belt. The air knife dryers may be symmetrically opposed and aligned above and below the conveyor belt. The liquid cleaning apparatus further includes side air knife dryers disposed along the conveyor belt between the first drying module and the second drying module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Speedline Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Bybee, Curtis Anthony Foster
  • Patent number: 6260232
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a surface has a handle joined to a cleaning head operable to dispense liquid onto a surface to be cleaned, mechanically work up dirt, film and particulates from the surface into a vacuum unit. The cleaning head has a cylindrical core supporting a sleeve that rotates on a cylindrical member as the head moves relative to the surface to be cleaned. Nozzles located within the cleaning head discharge liquid into the core and sleeve. The sleeve distributes the liquid onto the surface to be cleaned. A modification of the apparatus has nozzles located adjacent the sleeve that dispenses liquid to a surface. The sleeve when subjected to vacuum picks up the liquid and dirt from the surface. A further modification has a cleaning head with an internal chamber closed with a removable base and pad. A nozzle located within the chamber discharges liquid to the pad. The liquid and dirt collected by the pad are drawn into the chamber by vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventors: Marc O. Nelson, Earl E. Martens
  • Patent number: 6260233
    Abstract: A hose and tool caddy removably mounts to an upright vacuum cleaner. The hose and tool caddy stores the vacuum cleaner hose and accessory tools, such as a dusting brush, furniture nozzle, extension wand and crevice tool, which are used for above-the-floor cleaning. When the upright vacuum cleaner is being used for floor care, the hose and tool caddy may be removed from the upright vacuum cleaner and hung-up. The hose and tool caddy includes a base and a guide member. The base is formed with a looped channel for receiving the hose, a pair of resilient C-clamps for supporting the dusting brush and furniture nozzle and a vertically extending channel for receiving the extension wand with the crevice tool stored therein. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a track member for slidably receiving the guide member when the hose and tool caddy is being mounted to the upright vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Wareham, David M. J. Allgeier, Nick M. Bosyj, Arne J. Diehl, Douglass A. King, Keith G. Minton, John C. Porter
  • Patent number: 6260234
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a first housing defining a cyclonic airflow chamber and a second housing defining a main suction opening that is in communication with an inlet of the cyclonic chamber. A suction source has a suction airstream inlet in communication with an outlet of the cyclonic chamber, and establishes a suction airstream that enters said main suction opening, passes through said cyclonic chamber, and passes to an outlet of said suction source. A substantial portion of particulates entrained in the suction airstream are separated therefrom when said suction airstream moves in a cyclonic fashion through the cyclonic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Michael F. Wright, Charles J. Thur, Brett Latimer, Paul D. Stephens, Mark E. Cipolla, Craig J. Barbeck
  • Patent number: 6260235
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a central passage formed by the inside of a casing. The vacuum cleaner is conventional except that two electrically driven fans are provided. The fans are driven respectively by a DC motor 16 and an AC motor. The motors are normally switched ON and OFF individually at the option of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Hoovine Plastic & Electronic Factory Ltd.
    Inventor: Sing Kwok Leung
  • Patent number: 6260236
    Abstract: A resilient member, useful in a back checking arrangement, is provided as a body of resilient material having a surface engageable by an outside member such as a portion of a sliding mechanism in a door closer. The body is compressible when engaged by the outside member with a sufficient force. The body has at least one reservoir chamber therein, for receiving a liquid, such as hydraulic fluid, with a communication passage leading from the chamber to the surface to provide fluid communication between the chamber and an exterior of the body. Additional communication passages from the chamber to the exterior of the body may be provided as well. When the body is engaged by the member, the body, chamber and passage are compressed, thus causing the liquid in the chamber to exit the body through the compressing passage. This increasingly restricts the flow of liquid through the passage and increases the force of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Jackson Corp.
    Inventor: George F. Toledo
  • Patent number: 6260237
    Abstract: A corner guard for protecting floor fixtures from the impact of collisions with shopping carts, floor scrubbers, and the like provides for a hollow molded polyethylene body having a single lightweight construction that is anchored to the floor by a leg assembly that is attached to the molded body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: McCue Corporation
    Inventors: David S. McCue, Christopher Hickey
  • Patent number: 6260238
    Abstract: The primary structural parts of the handle are two extruded telescopic tubes. A longitudinal rib on the smaller, inner tube slides in a groove in the rib on the larger, outer tube, preventing relative motion between the tubes. A box footplate is pivotally attached on a shaft to the free end of the outer tube with the axis of the shaft intersecting the long axis of the tubes and perpendicular to it. Rotation of the footplate is transferred by bevel gearing to a rod at the centers of the tubes which extends through a collet mechanism installed inside the smaller tube near its overlapped end. A lever and related linkage are attached to a fitting installed at the free end of the inner tube. The linkage connects the lever to the collect mechanism. Operation of the lever causes the collet to clamp onto the rod, thus locking the box footplate angular motion and the length of the handle. An auxiliary mechanism may be provided for locking the handle at any of a series of lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Donald Mark MacMillan
  • Patent number: 6260239
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a fiber lap from a mass of fiber tufts includes a generally vertically extending feed chute having relatively wide first and second walls facing one another and relatively narrow third and fourth walls facing one another. The distance between the third and fourth walls defines the width of the feed chute. Each first and second wall has a mid region and flanking edge regions. The first and/or second wall is provided with air outlet openings in a bottom region. The apparatus further has a device for charging the feed chute with fiber tufts at a top portion thereof, and a device for withdrawing the fiber tufts from the feed chute as a fiber lap at a bottom portion of the feed chute. A plurality of side-by-side arranged elements are positioned in a series on the first wall at a bottom portion thereof along the wall width. The distance between any given element and the second wall defines the depth of the feed chute at the given element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernhard Rübenach
  • Patent number: 6260240
    Abstract: A fastener with tape has fastening members of synthetic resin molded integrally and firmly on front and rear surfaces of the tape so as to enclose an entire peripheral portion of a mounting hole of the tape having at least a mounting hole. The fastening members are made of synthetic resin material to which fine inorganic filler is added. The stiffness and the elasticity of the fastening members change depending on the kind and the addition amount of the inorganic filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Shunji Akashi, Kiyomasa Segawa
  • Patent number: 6260241
    Abstract: A splicing nut for securing a line or rope enables quick, lightweight, secure attachment of the line or rope end to itself so as to form a loop. The loop can be used to attach to another line or an object without the use of a knot or other attachment means or device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Stephen Brennan
  • Patent number: 6260242
    Abstract: A reversible press button closure for shoulder straps of brassieres or back band connectors has soft attachment pieces secured to the garment and connected by pins and lugs with male and female ring members which are molded from a harder plastic and define the press button assembly. The male and female members match in appearance when they are interconnected so that the connector has the same appearance from both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Fildan Accessories Corporation
    Inventors: Gerhard Fildan, Karl Wanzenböck
  • Patent number: 6260243
    Abstract: A reversible press button closure for shoulder straps of brassieres or back band connectors has hard attachment pieces secured to the garment and connected by pins and lugs with male and female ring members which are molded from a softer plastic and define the press button assembly. The male and female members match in appearance when they are interconnected so that the connector has the same appearance from both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Fildan Accessories Corporation
    Inventors: Gerhard Fildan, Karl Wanzenböck
  • Patent number: 6260244
    Abstract: A compact and smart plastic clip has a recessed auxiliary plate (12) prepared in an upper clipping member (10) which is inserted into a square-like window (5) prepared in a lower clipping member (1). The arcuate bottom (14) is placed on a support shelf, pivot pin receiver holes (25) of an operation member (20) receive pivot pins (4) formed in a pair of side walls (3) for the lower clipping member (1) and is forcibly pressed downward, both top ends of the lower and upper clipping members (1,10) are pinched together in a closed position by elastic power of plastic material. When a rear area of the operation member (20) is moved up the rear wall (15) forcibly presses it onto a tongue-like actuation cam (24). This action causes opening between the lower and upper clipping members by the power of a fulcrum function of the arcuate bottom (14) of the upper clipping member (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: J-Sen Limited
    Inventor: Taizoh Noda
  • Patent number: 6260245
    Abstract: A clamping member for a support pin of components for belt conveyors, for example guide elements. The clamping member having a cylindrical housing and a throughbore extending through the housing for receiving the pin. The clamping member includes a spring loaded movable element coaxially arranged within the housing and being adapted to securely retain the pin within the clamping member. The movable element is selectively movable within the housing from a locked position in which the pin is securely retained in the housing to a clearance position in which the pin can be manually removed from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: System Plast S.p.A.
    Inventor: Sergio Marsetti
  • Patent number: 6260246
    Abstract: The devices sole function is to aid the shoelace once tied in obtaining its ultimate purpose of securing the shoe about the foot. This is done by the device being placed on both sides of the knot and fastening the excess lace in a manner to alleviate slippage of the knot, the bow and the excess lace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Gary Wallace Lampkins
  • Patent number: 6260247
    Abstract: The inventive method provides highly desirable hand to various different types of fabrics through the initial immobilization of individual fibers within target fabrics and subsequent treatment through abrasion, sanding, or napping of at least a portion of the target fabric. Such a procedure includes “nicking” the immobilized fibers thereby permitting the fibers to produce a substantially balanced strength of the target fabric in the fill and warp directions while also providing the same degree of hand improvements as obtained with previous methods. Furthermore, this process also provides the unexpected improvement of non-pilling to synthetic fibers as the “nicking” of the immobilized fibers results in the lack of unraveling of fibers and thus the near impossibility of such fibers balling together to form unwanted pills on the fabric surface. Fabrics treated by this process are also contemplated within this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Louis Dischler, Jimmy B. Henson
  • Patent number: 6260248
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a monolithic piezoelectric actuator of multilayer design and having a high aspect ratio of more than two built up from a plurality of smaller stacks in a multilayer design, includes alternately layering green piezoceramic films and electrode material, compressing the layers while elevating the temperature to remove the binder and thereby form a composite, stacking several of the composites on one another, and sintering the stack so as to form the monolithic piezoelectric actuator which exhibits an improved mechanical strength with good piezoelectric properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dieter Cramer, Hans Hellebrand, Karl Lubitz
  • Patent number: 6260249
    Abstract: A molding installation device for easily and conveniently installing the molding. The molding installation device includes a support member having side walls, a bottom wall, and a back wall and being arranged in a box-like structure; and also includes four bracket members securely mounted to the support member; and further includes four elongate roller members, two of which are disposed along the back wall, and two of which are disposed along the bottom wall; and a handle member attached to the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Collins
  • Patent number: 6260250
    Abstract: A bending plate for use in adjusting a lie and/or loft of a golf club head. The bending plate comprises means for minimizing or reducing mechanical stresses within a face region and face insert plate of the golf club head, when the golf club head is placed in a clamping apparatus. Thus, the bending plate protects the face insert plate of the club head during a lie and/or loft adjustment of the club head. The bending plate also includes means for establishing proper positioning of the bending plate over the face insert plate and/or face region of the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: J. Neil Hall, Ronald K. Hettinger
  • Patent number: 6260251
    Abstract: A method for assembling a window is described including forming a lineal member having a cross-sectional profile, where the profile includes a sash portion and a frame portion, cutting the lineal member into lengths sized for forming the window, and joining the lengths of the lineal member to form a shape of the window. The sash portions form a sash and the frame portions form a frame. Then the sash is separated from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Andersen Corporation
    Inventor: James Curtis Guhl
  • Patent number: 6260252
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assembling and disassembling an installation present on a seabed, for instance a pipeline lying on a seabed, wherein components, for instance pipe flanges, are mutually attached by means of nut and bolt connections and the nut and bolt connections are released and/or secured by means of a wrench. Nut and bolt connections are herein released by divers using a wrench. This is heavy and difficult work. It is impossible for divers to operate at considerable depth. Complicated and very costly pipeline connections are then applied which can be released and secured without divers. The invention has for its object to reduce the stated drawbacks of the known method. To this end at least one wrench is used, of which an engagement cup for engaging a nut and/or a bolt head in axial direction of a nut and bolt connection for manipulating is displaceable relative to a cup carrier counter to spring action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Allseas Group S.A.
    Inventors: Jacobus Cornelis Wijsman, Robert Paul Hovinga
  • Patent number: 6260253
    Abstract: An extractor for removing inaccessible broken key portions from keyways of tumbler locks wherein the extractor tool consists of a pair of thin elongated elements capable of being inserted into the lock on opposite sides of the broken key end portion and wherein twisting of the elements grips the broken key end to permit extraction from the lock. Extraction is aided by a pliers-like spreader tool having thin jaws inserted into the lock keyway for retracting lock tumblers, the dust shutter door and buzzer electric switches to prevent such items from interfering with the key extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Douglas L. Kimzey
  • Patent number: 6260254
    Abstract: A combination B-pillar molding and belt-line window molding for a motor vehicle door, and method for manufacturing the same. The molding comprises a main body including a window sealing structure and a mounting structure. The sealing structure is formed from a resilient material constructed and arranged to seal a belt-line gap between a motor vehicle door and a motor vehicle window. The mounting structure is constructed and arranged to mount the main body on a belt-line region of the motor vehicle door. The molding further includes a metal cover member having an elongate first portion with a channel configuration. The channel configuration of the first portion is flexible outwardly to receive a portion of the main body and flexible inwardly to grippingly engage the portion of the main body in secured relation. The metal cover member has an elongate second portion integrally formed with the first portion and extends laterally from the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Decoma International Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Mueller, Urs Binder
  • Patent number: 6260255
    Abstract: A refrigerator door is described for a refrigerated display case. The door includes a glass unit having first and second spaced apart glass panels where the first panel has a forward facing surface and the second panel has a rearward facing surface. A spacer element extends between the first and second glass panels. The door relevant includes an external perimeter wall extending from front to back from a point adjacent the edge of the forward glass panel to a point adjacent the rearward glass panel. A second frame element wall extends between the first and second spaced apart glass panels and extends externally out of the spaced apart glass panels to the perimeter wall. The door rail element also includes a rear wall portion extending inwardly toward the center of the door from the perimeter wall and over a portion of the rearward facing surface of the second glass panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Anthony, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Richardson, Charles E. Crown
  • Patent number: 6260256
    Abstract: A thin film magnetic head having a short magnetic path length by reducing a spacing between successive coil windings of a thin film coil to improve flux rising time, NLTS and overwrite characteristics, is efficiently manufactured on a mass scale by forming a write gap layer on a first magnetic layer having a pole portion of the thin film magnetic head opposing to a magnetic record medium, forming, on the write gap layer, a seed layer made of a material which can be easily removed by a reactive ion etching such as Ti—TiN, Mo, W, Al, Ti—TiW, MoSi2 and WSi2, forming coil windings of the thin film coil by electroplating a copper after forming a photoresist having coil-shaped openings formed therein, removing the photoresist, removing selectively the exposed seed layer by the reactive ion etching using a fluorine or chlorine gas, and covering the coil windings with a photoresist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6260257
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a disk drive which includes a disk having first and second magnetic surfaces and first and second read/write transducers for writing information on and reading information from the magnetic surfaces. The method includes determining a track width performance characteristic to be measured for the read/write transducers, establishing ranges of values for the performance characteristic to define a plurality of performance groups. The performance characteristic is measured for a plurality of read/write transducers from which the first and second read/write transducers for the disk drive are to be selected and the read/write transducers are segregated into groups based on the performance characteristic value falling within the range of the group. The disk drive is assembled using read/write transducers from only one of the groups. The measurement of the performance characteristic is accomplished either electrically or optically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Mobile Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. Emo, Brian D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6260258
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing varistor by which a varistor having a high plating resistance and a high moisture resistance is manufactured by selectively forming a compact high-resistance layer having a uniform thickness on the surface of a varistor element. In the method, the varistor element (1) is first formed by alternately laminating ceramic sheets (1a) mainly of a zinc oxide and internal electrodes (2) upon one another, and then, Ag electrode paste which becomes external electrodes (3) is applied to both end faces of the element (1). Then, after the element (1) is sintered through heat treatment, the element (1) is buried in SiO2 or a mixture (5) containing SiO2 and the element (1) is heat-treated for 5-10 minutes at 600-950° C. in the air or in an oxygen atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Tokunaga, Miho Higashitani, Yasuo Wakahata
  • Patent number: 6260259
    Abstract: A solder ball mounting device for mounting solder balls on a workpiece is disclosed. A solder ball supplying section in which the solder balls are stored; a sucking head having a plurality of solder ball sucking holes in a lower surface thereof; sucking means coupled to the sucking head so as to suck the solder balls in the solder ball sucking holes; lift means for vertically moving the sucking head; and pressure adjusting means for adjusting and setting degree of vacuum in the sucking head to a first pressure for sucking the solder balls, and to a second pressure which is lower in the degree of vacuum than the first pressure and is high enough to hold the solder balls sucked, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Shibuya Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Kajii
  • Patent number: 6260260
    Abstract: A method of supplying electric components (“ECs”) with an EC supplying apparatus including an EC-supply table including a displaceable table displaceable in a reference direction, and EC-supply units provided on the displaceable table such that respective EC-supply portions of the units are arranged along a line parallel to the reference direction, each of the EC-supply units including a driven member and a carrier-tape feeding device which feeds, based on the driven member being driven, a carrier tape carrying the ECS at a EC-carry pitch, at a tape-feed pitch equal to a quotient obtained by dividing the EC-carry pitch by an integral number, so that the ECs are positioned, one by one, at the EC-supply portion of each unit, a table displacing device which displaces the displaceable table and positions the EC-supply portion of each EC-supply unit, at an EC-supply position, a drive member which is provided near the EC-supply position, and a drive device which drives the drive member which in turn dri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinsuke Suhara
  • Patent number: 6260261
    Abstract: An assembly tool for attaching components such as connector plugs or receptacles to a printed circuit board includes a printed circuit board support plate and a sliding member. The sliding member is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the support plate. A holder is pivotally connected to the sliding member and carries a component to be attached to the printed circuit board. A first actuator is connected to a sliding member and moves the sliding member between the first and second positions. A second actuator is connected to the holder and pivots the holder between a receiving position and a mounting position. A component is brought into proximity with the holder and checked for alignment and polarity. Once checked, the component is placed on the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Marks, Andrzej H. Lux
  • Patent number: 6260262
    Abstract: A press-connecting punch (3) for press-fitting the sheathed wire (40) into a slot between each pair of opposed press-connecting blades (33) of the press-connecting terminal (30), supported on a bed (1), is moved downward to act on the sheathed wire (40) prior to the downward movement of a clamping punch (13) for pressing a wire holding portion (35) of the press-connecting terminal (30) into clamping engagement with a sheath (41) of the sheathed wire (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Chieko Torii
  • Patent number: 6260263
    Abstract: Truss table assembly for assembling a truss without manual flipping of the truss. In one embodiment, the truss table assembly includes two truss tables and two flipper arms. Each truss table has a worksurface that is configured to support the truss members as nailing plates are engaged to the truss members. The flipper arms are configured to flip the truss from a truss member first surface in contact with the worksurfaces to a second surface in contact with the worksurfaces so that nailing plates may be positioned over the truss member second surface and engaged to the truss members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: MiTek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher L. Haase
  • Patent number: 6260264
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for connecting an integrated circuit chip to a circuit substrate. The method includes the step of the steps pre-applying adhesive directly to a bumped side of integrated circuit chip. The method also includes the step of pressing the bumped side of the integrated circuit chip, which has previously been coated with adhesive, against the circuit substrate such that the bumps provide an electrical connection between the integrated circuit chip and the circuit substrate. The pre-applied adhesive on the chip forms a bond between the integrated circuit chip and the circuit substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Yu Chen, Joel A. Gerber, Peter B. Hogerton
  • Patent number: 6260265
    Abstract: A rigid bar of material is fastened to a circuit board to increase its stiffness. The bar is preferably a high modulus plastic such as liquid crystal polymer. Flexible fingers which surround a central opening are formed integrally with the bar and pop into throughbores in the circuit board. Each finger has at least one arcuate protrusion and, preferably several, which can engage the bottom of the circuit board. A rigid pin which may be made of steel is slid into the central opening and has an interference fit therewith to hold it in place to prevent flexible fingers from moving inwardly so the stiffener is held fast to the circuit board. In one embodiment, the stiffener has an I-beam cross section and arches enhancing the resistance to bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Power Distribution Products
    Inventors: Charles D. Kownacki, Paul M. Deters
  • Patent number: 6260266
    Abstract: A silicon substrate on which a silicon dioxide film having a groove is formed is placed on a sample stage disposed in a vacuum chamber. Subsequently, a titanium film and a tungsten film are deposited sequentially on the silicon dioxide film. The surface of the tungsten film is nitrided by using a plasma under the pressure maintained at 10 Pa or higher inside the vacuum chamber, so as to form a tungsten nitride film. After a copper film is deposited on the tungsten nitride film, the portions of the titanium film, tungsten film, tungsten nitride film, and copper film located outside the groove are removed, thus forming a buried interconnecting wire made of copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tokuhiko Tamaki
  • Patent number: 6260267
    Abstract: Both ends of a plurality of parallel electrical wires are respectively connected to the connectors with pressure by a pressure-connecting and wiring machine into which the plurality of electrical wires are introduced, and the thus introduced electrical wires are sent to the electrical wire pressure-connecting section via the electrical wire cutting section. At this time, the connectors are successively fed to the electrical wire pressure-connecting section of the pressure-connecting and wiring machine in the direction parallel with the arrangement of the pressure terminals. After the electrical wires have been connected to the connector with pressure, the pressure-connected electrical wires of a predetermined length are drawn out from the pressure-connecting and wiring machine. Then the pressure-connecting and wiring machine is turned round the vertical axis by an angle of 180°, and the electrical wires, which have been drawn out before, are connected to the other connector with pressure and cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignees: Harness System Technologies, Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Ohta
  • Patent number: 6260268
    Abstract: A method of forming a solid compliant connector contact which permits the compliant portion to be formed rapidly and inexpensively. Cylindrical bar stock is turned to form the outer contour of the contact, including a contact portion having a diameter larger than an opening into which it will be inserted in use. The contact is made compliant by plunging a cutter having a circular blade rotating about a center of the blade into the contact portion and removing the circular blade from the contact portion to form the slot to have a generally arcuate shape corresponding to the shape of the circular blade. The contact portion is resiliently deformable upon insertion into the opening for exerting a radially outward force within the opening to hold the contact in electrical contact with the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Positronic Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Gentry