Patents Issued in July 26, 2001
  • Publication number: 20010009291
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprising a plurality of gates located on a semiconductor substrate; wherein insulating spacer is provided on sidewalls of the gates; and metallic silicide located between the gates is provided along with a method for its fabrication. A partially disposable spacer permits increased area for silicide formation without degrading the device short channel behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Glen L. Miles
  • Publication number: 20010009292
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a first semiconductor region formed in a semiconductor substrate and having a first conductivity type due to first-conductivity-type active impurities contained in the first semiconductor region, and a second semiconductor region formed between the first semiconductor region and the surface of the semiconductor substrate and having a second conductivity type due to second-conductivity-type active impurities contained in the second semiconductor region. The second semiconductor region contains first-conductivity-type active impurities whose concentration is zero or smaller than a quarter of a concentration of the second-conductivity-type active impurities contained in the second semiconductor region. An insulating film and a conductor are formed on the second semiconductor region. Third and fourth semiconductor regions of the second conductivity type are formed at the semiconductor surface in contact with the side faces of the second semiconductor region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kazumi Nishinohara, Yasushi Akasaka, Kyoichi Suguro
  • Publication number: 20010009293
    Abstract: A novel dielectric composition is provided that is useful in the manufacture of integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric composition is prepared by imidizing and curing an oligomeric precursor compound comprised of a central polybenzoxazole, polybenzothiazole, polyamic acid or polyamic acid ester segment end-capped at each terminus with an aryl-substituted acetylene moiety such as an ortho-bis(arylethynyl)aryl group, e.g., 3,4-bis(phenylethynyl)phenyl. Integrated circuit devices, integrated circuit packaging devices, and methods of synthesis and manufacture are provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Carter, James L. Hedrick, Victor Yee-Way Lee, Dale C. McHerron, Robert D. Miller
  • Publication number: 20010009294
    Abstract: A method for forming alignment keys on the scribe line areas of a semiconductor wafer. An etch blocking layer is used to reduce the depth of the channels forming the alignment key. One of the layers of material deposited on the semiconductor wafer to form integrated circuit devices on the wafer may be used as the etch blocking layer. A portion of this layer of material may be left intact on the scribe line areas during the manufacturing process. The subsequently deposited layers have an etch selectivity with respect to the etch blocking layer and the subsequently deposited layers are etched down to the etch blocking layer to form the alignment keys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Dong-Hoon Chung, Jae-Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20010009295
    Abstract: An intermetal insulating film containing at least silicon atoms, oxygen atoms and carbon atoms with the number ratio of oxygen atom to silicon atom being 1.5 or more and the number ratio of carbon atom to silicon atom being 1 to 2, and having a film thickness shrinkage at a time of oxidation of 14% or less is very low in dielectric constant, high in selectivity against resist etching and can be used without using a silicon oxide protective film in a semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Takeshi Furusawa, Daisuke Ryuzaki, Noriyuki Sakuma, Shuntaro Machida, Kenji Hinode, Ryou Yoneyama
  • Publication number: 20010009296
    Abstract: A novel dielectric composition is provided that is useful in the manufacture of integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric composition is prepared by imidizing and curing an oligomeric precursor compound comprised of a central polybenzoxazole, polybenzothiazole, polyamic acid or polyamic acid ester segment end-capped at each terminus with an aryl-substituted acetylene moiety such as an ortho-bis(arylethynyl)aryl group, e.g., 3,4-bis(phenylethynyl)phenyl. Integrated circuit devices, integrated circuit packaging devices, and methods of synthesis and manufacture are provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Carter, James L. Hedrick, Victor Yee-Way Lee, Dale C. McHerron, Robert D. Miller
  • Publication number: 20010009297
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bonding pad on a semiconductor chip such that peeling of bonding pads during interconnection in the packaging process is avoided. The bonding pad is used to electrically connect an integrated circuit in the semiconductor chip with an external circuit. The semiconductor chip comprises a first dielectric layer positioned in a predetermined area on the surface of the semiconductor chip, a second dielectric layer positioned on the surface of the semiconductor chip outside the predetermined area wherein the first dielectric layer is harder than the second dielectric layer, and a bonding pad positioned on the first dielectric layer for electrically connecting anintegrated circuit (IC) in the semiconductor chip with an external circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Hermen Liu, Yimin Huang
  • Publication number: 20010009298
    Abstract: A package for a semiconductor device is formed by a process which includes forming a metal layer in contact with a connection pad on the front side of a semiconductor die while the die is still a part of a wafer. The metal layer extends into the scribe line between the die and an adjacent die. A nonconductive cap is attached to the front side of the wafer, and the wafer is ground from its back side to reduce its thickness. A cut is made from the back side of the wafer, preferably by sawing and etching, to expose the metal layer. A nonconductive layer is formed on the back side of the wafer and a second metal layer is deposited over the nonconductive layer, the second metal layer extending into the scribe line where it makes contact with the first metal layer through an opening in the nonconductive layer. Preferably, a solder post is formed on the second metal layer to allow the finished package to be mounted on a printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Felix Zandman, Y. Mohammed Kasem, Yueh-Se Ho
  • Publication number: 20010009299
    Abstract: A flexible wiring board comprises a relatively thin polyimide film and, thus, can be bent easily. Therefore, the flexible wiring board can be bent easily in the vicinity of a semiconductor chip mounting region without forming slits for facilitating the bending in the film substrate. As a result, it is possible to decrease the length of that portion of the flexible wiring board which is positioned ahead of the semiconductor chip mounting region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Hirokazu Saito
  • Publication number: 20010009300
    Abstract: External connection terminals (25) are disposed on side surfaces, a back surface, or both the side surfaces and the back surface of a semiconductor element, especially an optical element (20) such as an image sensor, a solid state imaging device, etc. The external connection terminals (25) are connected electrically to an integrated circuit (21) of the optical element (20) via wirings (23). The wirings (23) are connected electrically to electrical measuring electrodes (23T) in the course of wafer process, but the electrical measuring electrodes (23T) are disconnected from the wirings (23) after the electrical measurement has been completed. The electrical measuring electrodes (23T) are formed on dicing lines and then removed at the same time when dicing process is executed. The external connection terminals (25) are connected to the wirings (23) from which the electrical measuring electrodes (23T) are disconnected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Masashi Sugimura
  • Publication number: 20010009301
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a semiconductor element and a plurality of segments formed by dividing a conductive plate. Some of the segments are electrically coupled with electrodes of said semiconductor element and constitute lead pad portions as mounting electrodes of the semiconductor device. Other segments among the plurality of divided segments constitute die pad portions on which the semiconductor element is mounted. The plurality of divided segments and the semiconductor element are sealed and supported together by a resin material portion. The resin material portion fills the space between the divided segments as the lead pad portions. Semiconductor devices having various package sizes can be fabricated by using standardized common parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kosuke Azuma
  • Publication number: 20010009302
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substantially flat interconnection substrate having an interconnection pattern formed on a surface thereof. A semiconductor element is mounted on the substantially flat interconnection substrate so that an electrode terminal of the semiconductor element is electrically connected to the interconnection pattern. A heat radiation plate is formed in a form of a sheet having a concave portion so as to cover the semiconductor element and is bonded on the surface of the substantially flat interconnection substrate. An external connection terminal is formed on the other surface of the substantially flat interconnection substrate so as to penetrate through the substantially flat interconnection substrate and be electrically connected to the interconnection pattern. The heat radiation plate is formed of a heat-resistant resin containing carbon fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Kei Murayama, Mitsutoshi Higashi, Hideaki Sakaguchi, Hiroko Koike
  • Publication number: 20010009303
    Abstract: A method for making a flexible metal silicide local interconnect structure. The method includes forming an amorphous or polycrystalline silicon layer on a substrate including at least one gate structure, forming a layer of silicon nitride over the silicon layer, removing a portion of the silicon nitride layer, oxidizing the exposed portion of the silicon layer, removing the remaining portion of the silicon nitride layer, optionally removing the oxidized silicon layer, forming a metal layer over the resulting structure, annealing the metal layer in an atmosphere comprising nitrogen, and removing any metal nitride regions. The local metal silicide interconnect structure may overlie the at least one gate structure. The methods better protect underlying silicon regions (e.g., substrate), as well as form TiSix local interconnects with good step coverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Sanh D. Tang, Michael P. Violette
  • Publication number: 20010009304
    Abstract: On a silicon oxide film covering a gate electrode portion, a reflowed and polished BPSG film is formed. A second interconnection layer is formed on the BPSG film. To cover the second interconnection layer, a silicon oxide film having a thickness of at least the substantial thickness of the second interconnection layer is formed on a silicon oxide film. Thus, the planarity of the base of the interconnection layer is ensured and displacement of the interconnection layer is suppressed. Accordingly, a semiconductor device having a high degree of integration is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isao Tottori
  • Publication number: 20010009305
    Abstract: An element such as a semiconductor wafer or other body is provided with flexible leads, the tip ends of which project over the front surface of the element. The tips of the flexible leads are spaced apart from the front surface and are independently moveable with respect to the element. The flexible leads may be curved in a plane parallel to the front surface of the element, or may be curved so that the tip end of each flexible lead is disposed further from the front surface of the element than the main body of the flexible lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph Fjelstad
  • Publication number: 20010009306
    Abstract: A humidifier 21 for use with a fuel cell 1, comprising: a plurality of combined water permeable membranes or water permeable devices 21, each of the water permeable membrane or water permeable device generating humidified gas by flowing therein different gases with different moisture contents and by moisture exchanging between the different gases so that one dry gas with smaller moisture content is humidified with the other moist gas with larger moisture content; and flowing passage switching means Va for optionally switching flowing passages Ca of said dry gas. The flowing passage switching means Va switches the flowing passage Ca in accordance with a required amount of said humidified gas so as to selectively use particular water permeable membranes or a particular water permeable device 21 from among the plurality of water permeable membranes or water permeable devices 21.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shimanuki, Toshikatsu Katagiri, Motohiro Suzuki, Yoshio Kusano
  • Publication number: 20010009307
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for molding a part, such as a point-of-purchase display, is shown. The system comprises a plasticator and press. The molded part comprises an in-molded graphics sheet which becomes molded integral with the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Fredric Louis Abrams, Robert F. Freund
  • Publication number: 20010009308
    Abstract: When molding of a heat-curable resin such as unsaturated polyester resin and the like is conducted by means of the casting method, concavities in the molded product generated as a result of the curing shrinkage of this resin are prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: SHIGERU KINPARA, YOSHIYUKI SATO, HISAYOSHI OSUMI, SENJI SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20010009309
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for providing a cement bonded wood chip product, a resin bonded wood chip product and a simulated wood product, in which recycled wooden members and recycled resinous members are pulverized after having been mixed. Accordingly, a mixing process and a pulverizing process can be integrated into one single line, reducing the space as well as laborious work and efficient operation in a plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: Misawa Homes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenori Taguchi, Keishiro Umemura
  • Publication number: 20010009310
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of forming a multilayer golf ball which comprises a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The steps include forming a golf ball core; molding an inner cover layer around said golf ball core with a material having a first shore D hardness; and casting an outer cover layer around said inner cover layer and golf ball core with a thermoset material having a second shore D hardness less than the first. The core is comprised of a center made from a first rubber based material and an outer layer formed from a second rubber based material. Preferably, the first rubber based material has about 15 to 25 parts of a crosslinking agent per hundred parts of rubber and the second rubber based material has about 20 to 40 parts of a crosslinking agent per hundred parts of rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: EDMUND A. HEBERT, CHRISTOPHER CAVALLARO
  • Publication number: 20010009311
    Abstract: The problem addressed by the invention was to provide a process for the production of organic granules which would give granules with a minimal dust content. It was found that this problem could be solved by a process for the production of granules in which organic compounds are introduced in the form of a melt into a fluidized bed which has a temperature below the softening temperature of the compounds to be granulated, granulated and optionally dried and in that the granules are discharged from the fluidized bed via a grading stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Georg Assmann, Wilfried Raehse
  • Publication number: 20010009312
    Abstract: A method for producing a cellulose acylate film is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of, casting dope containing cellulose acylate on a surface of a metal support, peeling off a web formed by casting the dope from the metal support, contacting surface of the web which has been contacted with the surface of the metal support, with a first roller just after the peeling off of the web from the metal support surface, consequently, contacting the surface of the web which has been exposed to air on the metal support, with a second roller, and drying the peeled web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Akihiko Takeda
  • Publication number: 20010009313
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a process for forming a fiber-reinforced resin structure against a mold surface by vacuum bag forming. The process includes grooving the mold surface to form resin distribution conduits therein. A fiber-reinforced ply is distributed adjacent the mold surface. A flexible covering is placed over the fiber-reinforced ply and the mold surface to form a chamber therebetween. The chamber is evacuated. Resin is dispensed into the evacuated chamber such that the resin enters the resin distribution conduits and is thereby distributed about the ply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: EDWARD NORMAN MCCLURE, STEVEN ALAN JACKSON, PHILIP J. SWEESY
  • Publication number: 20010009314
    Abstract: This invention describes a method of rapidly monitoring the temperature of a medium and a method of preparing a quantum confined device that can enable such measurements. The monitoring principle uses changes in impedance of nanostructured devices, i.e. devices in which one or more materials have the domain size precision engineered to less than 500 nanometers, preferably to dimensions less than the domain sizes where quantum confinement effects become significant and modify the electrical or thermal properties of the materials. The invention can be used to monitor absolute values of and changes in temperature of gases, inorganic and organic liquids, solids, suspensions, and mixtures of one or more of the said phases. The invention can be used to monitor radiation, power, heat and mass flow, charge and momentum flow, and phase transformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: ANTHONY VIGLIOTTI, TAPESH YADAV, CLAYTON KOSTELECKY, CARRIE WYSE
  • Publication number: 20010009315
    Abstract: A spring assembly having a coil containing a core and methods and apparatus for manufacturing same are disclosed. The coil includes a core between reduced portions of the coil. One device for manufacturing the coil includes a coiling machine having an insert device operable with a coiler. The coiler is programmed to form coils of appropriate diameter along the length of the coil, including a diameter sufficiently large to contain the core and two diameters sufficiently small to retain the core in the coil. The insert device transfers the core to the coil after the first small diameter is formed and before the second small diameter is formed. The coil with the core contained between the two small diameters is thereby manufactured in a unified automated process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: David A. Meier, Dean A. Pranger, Jerry Lee Wigren, Ken Eugene Simons, Norman Edward Bradshaw, John R. Smith, Russell D. Sugarbaker
  • Publication number: 20010009316
    Abstract: The present invention is a game machine comprising a playing field having an upper interior edge and a lower interior edge with at least one drop zone deflector located adjacent to the upper interior edge of the playing field. The present invention also has a number of exit positions located along the lower interior edge of the playing field. A payline display and a payline symbol selector display are also part of the present invention. Balls passing through the exit positions select symbols for display in the payline display determined in part upon the movement of a ball on said playing field. The game also has a ball ejector capable of propelling a ball in a path that intersects the drop zone deflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: David A. Krise, Randy D. Sines
  • Publication number: 20010009317
    Abstract: A game machine (2, 200) which includes a playing field (6, 301) traversed by objects, such as balls (320). The playing field can have plural drop zones (381-383) which can be selected by the player using deflectors (108-110) that control where the balls are launched. Detectors (22, 392) indicate scoring positions assumed by the balls. A payline display (28, 335) displays scored events. A symbol selector is included to select symbols which are variably assigned to the scoring positions and displayed on displays (20, 397). Balls score symbols which can be displayed in the payline display and affect winning or bonus play. Game machine (200) includes traditional slot machine reels which works in conjunction therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Randy D. Sines, David A. Krise
  • Publication number: 20010009318
    Abstract: A shooting game machine for discharging a disk-shaped or substantially disk-shaped flying member made of a metal to hit a target, the shooting game machine comprising: a target provided in a casing, a simulated gun having a muzzle arranged inside the casing and adapted to discharge the flying member in such a manner that the thickness direction of the flying member substantially extends along a horizontal direction, and a detecting unit for detecting that the flying member discharged from the simulated gun has hit the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: Konami Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Tamura, Satoshi Ueda, Koichi Nishio, Hirofumi Nagao
  • Publication number: 20010009319
    Abstract: A combined oil ring is comprised of an oil ring and an expander. The cross section of the oil ring is a generally I-shape, and the outer circumferential surfaces of outer rail portions form sliding surfaces to make contact with the cylinder wall surface. The cross section of an expander installation groove formed on the inner circumferential surface of the oil ring is formed in a rectangular shape, and an expander formed of axially corrugated ring-shaped plate material is mounted in the expander installation groove. The expander is formed by forming a rectangular cross sectional plate material in a corrugated shape in the direction of plate thickness and further forming in a ring shape. The expander installation groove of the oil ring is not limited to a rectangular shaped cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: Teikoku Piston Ring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Ishida
  • Publication number: 20010009320
    Abstract: A device for retaining a boot on a sports article. The device includes a rear positioning element, two lateral edges, and a single linkage provided to connect the edges. The linkage has two or more points for fastening to a first of the edges, and a single point for fastening to the second of the edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Bernard Couderc, Jean-Pierre Edmond
  • Publication number: 20010009321
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mounting structure for a suspension V-rod which can establish firm connection of a V-rod to an axle by fastening with unexcessive proper torque. Ends of an oscillating pin carried by a central bent end of the V-rod are aligned with brackets on a center of the axle and are fastened to the latter by a plurality of pairs of bolts and nuts. At least one pair of bolt and nut among the bolt and nut pairs and a bolt hole mating with the one pair are tapered such that a bold head of the bolt and the nut have tapered portions formed on opposed end faces thereof and gradually decreasing in diameter toward each other and that the mating bolt hole is complementarily tapered to snugly receive the tapered bolt head and the tapered nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo Toyoshima, Yoshiyuki Koga
  • Publication number: 20010009322
    Abstract: A collapsible skateboard includes an upright handle having lower portion on which is fixedly mounted a bracket, a connector having a curved slot having a lower end formed with a horizontal recess, an upper end formed with a vertical recess, and a circular hole under the vertical recess, an adjust pin inserted into the vertical recess of the connector and the elongated hole of the bracket, a pivot pin fitted through the circular hole of the connector and the circular hole of the bracket, a spring having an upper end connected to the adjust pin and a lower end to the pivot pin, and a platform on which is fixedly mounted the connector, whereby the skateboard can be easily folded up as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Shui-Te Tsai
  • Publication number: 20010009323
    Abstract: An active high back system is provided for automatically adjusting the snowboard boot between a walking position and a riding position. The snowboard boot is provided with an active highback support that is adjustably mounted to a snowboard boot. During walking, the active highback support does not constrain the flexibility of the snowboard boot making it possible for the snowboard rider to walk easily. When the rider steps into the bindings of the snowboard, the active highback support engages a part of the snowboard or binding that causes the snowboard boot to lean forward. In other words, the highback support is positioned to engage the back leg portion of a snowboard boot to provide a rigid surface that holds the boot in a forward leaning position. The active highback support is provided with an adjustment mechanism that allows the rider to adjust the amount of forward lean when the snowboard boot is engaged within the bindings of the snowboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
  • Publication number: 20010009324
    Abstract: An active high back system is provided for automatically adjusting the snowboard boot between a walking position and a riding position. The snowboard boot is provided with an active highback support that is adjustably mounted to a snowboard boot. During walking, the active highback support does not constrain the flexibility of the snowboard boot making it possible for the snowboard rider to walk easily. When the rider steps into the bindings of the snowboard, the active highback support engages a part of the snowboard or binding that causes the snowboard boot to lean forward. In other words, the highback support is positioned to engage the back leg portion of a snowboard boot to provide a rigid surface that holds the boot in a forward leaning position. The active highback support is provided with an adjustment mechanism that allows the rider to adjust the amount of forward lean when the snowboard boot is engaged within the bindings of the snow board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
  • Publication number: 20010009325
    Abstract: A car seat stroller assembly is provided which can be converted from a child car seat into a child stroller, and vice versa. The car seat stroller assembly comprises a child car seat which can be removably secured to a fixed car seat of an automobile, a wheel assembly secured to the seat body at a location near the rear end of the bottom portion of the seat body, and a handle assembly secured to the seat body at a location along the back portion of the seat body. The car seat stroller assembly preferably consists of two wheels which are rotatably mounted to an axle of the wheel assembly. The wheel assembly can be placed in a retracted position to enable a user to secure the car seat stroller assembly to the fixed car seat of the automobile, or in an extended position in which the wheels extend below the bottom portion of the seat body to enable the car seat stroller assembly to be operated as a child stroller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Donald J. Thiele
  • Publication number: 20010009326
    Abstract: A gas bag cover for a vehicle occupant restraint system has an inner side facing a gas bag to be covered and a wall thickness. The gas bag cover comprises at least one burst line being grooved into the cover from the inner side up to a predefined remaining wall thickness. The burst line comprises an initial point at which the remaining wall thickness has its minimum. The gas bag cover further comprises reinforcement ribs formed on the inner side of the cover, extending along a line which is tangent to the initial point of the burst line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: John-Oliver Derrick
  • Publication number: 20010009327
    Abstract: A vehicle safety collision headrest system which substantially instantaneously moves a headrest of a seat from any manually adjusted position to a fully extended position. The system includes a pressure actuation assembly having combustible propellant or fluid tank fluidly connected to a cylinder. The cylinder is rigidly connected to a bottom of the headrest and upon the occurrence of a collision or abrupt stopping the pressure actuation system fires the cylinder upwardly which causes the headrest to extend to a properly adjusted position behind a passenger's head and neck. The pressure actuation system inflates a front airbag which extends between a bottom of the headrest and a top of the seat to fill the gap therebetween. The front airbag cushions the passenger's head and neck as the passenger is thrust rearward and protects the passenger's head and neck from contacting the cylinder and poles rigidly mounted to the bottom of the headrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Gary D. Zeigler
  • Publication number: 20010009328
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module, comprising at least one mounting part and at least one piece of fabric material which is stressed on activation of the gas bag module and which is provided with at least one opening. The gas bag module further comprises a force-transmitting device by which the piece of fabric material is fastened to the mounting part. The device comprises a first rivet reinforcing the opening in the piece of fabric material, and a second rivet penetrating the first rivet and connecting the piece of fabric material with the mounting part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: John-Oliver Derrick, Dao-Xuan Phon
  • Publication number: 20010009329
    Abstract: A system for stabilizing a trailer such as a caravan, when parked, or for raising and lowering a pop-top or a television antenna on a caravan, the system having at least one four water actuated ram, and being operable from water supplied from a water tap 47 (faucet) at a camp ground/caravan park. A valve 19 in the supply line 33 prevents loss of water and hence inadvertent actuation/deactuation of the water actuated rams. A selector valve 21 allows selection between extend and retract operations. In the case of a system for stabilizing a trailer such as a caravan when parked, or for raising and lowering a pop-top on a caravan there are at least two water actuated rams and preferably four water actuated rams 11, 13, 15, 17 connected in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Graeme John Lange
  • Publication number: 20010009330
    Abstract: A pretensioner for a vehicle occupant safety restraint has an outer casing that contains a gas generant. An igniter has igniter material disposed within an igniter housing. A pair of electrodes are connected to the igniter material. A grounding path connector link electrically connects the igniter housing to a grounding path. The connector link may be formed by springs connecting the outer case to the grounding electrode and an interference fit connecting the igniter housing to the outer case. The link forms a low resistance path to short circuit undesirable static charges in the unit that would otherwise tend to cause unintentional activation of the pretensioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: James Patrickson, Andrew Downie, Stuart Bland, Bryan Thirlwell
  • Publication number: 20010009331
    Abstract: An advertising or promotional brochure is disclosed that is to be mailed in conjunction with a magazine or periodical. The brochure may include high-quality, glossy photographs, and be personalized with text and/or images that relate specifically to the magazine subscriber. In addition, the brochure may include coupons for sales discounts, bank promotional checks, and other promotions that may be redeemed by the magazine subscriber. The brochure may be embodied as a multi-page pamphlet and may have an appearance and cover similar to the magazine to which it is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: Moore U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Zorn
  • Publication number: 20010009332
    Abstract: A connection device that makes it possible to make a tight connection between two ends of tubes (20), two symmetrical and opposite portions (2a, 2b) for engaging ends of respective tubes (20), with each of the portions (2a, 2b) having hooking means to keep the tube in the connection, and sealing means for such connection, with said hooking means on each portion (2a, 2b) having:
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Claude Trichard
  • Publication number: 20010009333
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement involving a screw connection for connecting two pipes. The arrangement has particular application for connecting a fuel filler pipe to a pipe that is connected to a fuel tank of a motor vehicle. At least one O-ring seal with excellent permeation resistance is clamped in between a resilient ring-shaped collar of a first pipe and an inner cone of a second pipe using a screw connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Sandor Palvoelgyi
  • Publication number: 20010009334
    Abstract: An abutted portion of face plates 12b and 22b of hollow frame members 10 and 20 is carried out according to a friction stir joining. Next, a connection member 30 is mounted, one end of the connection member 30 is abutted to an end portion of the face plate 11 of the hollow frame member 10. Under this condition, the abutted portion between the face plate 11 and the connection member 30 is carried out according to the friction stir joining. An overlapping portion between another end of the connection member 30 and the hollow frame member 20 is carried out according to the friction stir joining. According to demands, the connection member 30 and the face plate 21 of the hollow member 20 is welded. Without of regard of a dimension accuracy of the hollow frame member and the like, a good joining from one side face of the hollow frame member can be carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Takeshi Kawasaki, Toshiaki Sagawa, Hideyuki Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20010009335
    Abstract: A car seat is provided with a seat part and a backrest and equipped with a headrest region, wherein on the backside of the back support is formed a backrest surface of a child seat. The backrest surface can be moved in the travel direction to be used as a child seat from the usage position for adults and the back support is attached to the seat part with an inclination-adjusting fixture, enabling adjustment of the inclination around a lower horizontal axis. The backrest is provided with a lower backrest region attached to the inclination-adjusting fixture, as well as with an upper backrest region, which can be rotated around an upper horizontal axis by means of a fixable hinge fixture hinged on the lower region of the backrest. The lower backrest region can be adjusted with an inclination-adjusting fixture forward into at least an almost horizontal position and the upper backrest region can be adjusted with a hinge fixture into a position inclined in the travel direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Bernd Deptolla
  • Publication number: 20010009336
    Abstract: With the objective of providing an elastic crawler shoe which is capable of discharging snow which gets into a space between crawler belt links before a packing phenomenon occurs, a projection which is made of an elastic material is provided so as to protrude into the space which is enclosed by the right and left crawler belt links and front and rear connecting pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Hori
  • Publication number: 20010009337
    Abstract: An activating device for an airbag system is constructed to prevent erroneous activating operation. A microcomputer generates a test signal and applies it to a determination circuit and an inhibition circuit as an inhibition signal. The determination circuit grounds the gate of a switching element which activates an airbag. The inhibition circuit inhibits a switching element from being turned on based on the inhibition signal. In the ON-inhibition state, the switching element is turned on if it is normal with the gate grounded. The switching element remains OFF if it is in malfunction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Yukiyasu Ueno, Yasuo Imamura
  • Publication number: 20010009338
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply system (UPS) includes a coupling choke (5) being operably arranged between an electrical load (2) and an external source of power (4). A generator (8) is operably connected to the coupling choke (5) on the side of the electrical load (2), and it is designed and arranged to be active during normal conditions and during trouble conditions. Trouble conditions are to be understood as conditions when the external source of power (4) fails. A converter (9) is operably connected to the coupling choke (5). A substitute storage device for electrical energy is operably connected to the coupling choke (5) on the side of the electrical load (2) by the converter (9). A fast-opening switch (6) is operably connected the coupling choke (5) on the side of the source of power (4), and it is designed and arranged to open in case of occurring trouble conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Uwe Reutere
  • Publication number: 20010009339
    Abstract: In rotors for electric motors, it is usual to fix the commutator on the rotor shaft by means of a press fit. In the process, damage undesirably occurs to the surface of the rotor shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Martin Wiesler, Klaus Maldener, Martin Kiefer, Lothar Fauth, Hans Kobschaetzky, Dieter Kern
  • Publication number: 20010009340
    Abstract: A permanent magnet coupler has a conductor rotor assembly mounted on one shaft and a magnet rotor assembly mounted on a coaxial shaft. The magnet rotor assembly provides two magnet rotors spaced by the adjustable air gaps from two conductor elements provided by the conductor rotor assembly. The air gap adjustment includes adjustable stops, such, for example, as swing arms having an adjustable effective length. These stops operate in conjunction with swing arms causing the magnet rotors to move axially in unison in opposite directions. The air gaps are set so that the coupler will automatically release when subjected to an overloaded condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Karl J. Lamb