Patents Issued in August 14, 2001
  • Patent number: 6272759
    Abstract: A gauge is provided that is useful in measuring the horizontal wheelbase of a railway freight car truck sideframe. The gauge itself is comprised of a main horizontal body section usually of a single piece of aluminum bar stock. A stationary depending leg extends downwardly and is affixed to near one end of the main horizontal body section. A bearing slide assembly is affixed to the main horizontal body section near its other end. A measuring leg depends from the bearing slide assembly and is movable along the bearing slide assembly. An indicator scale is associated with the measuring leg so that its relative position with regard to the main horizontal body can be readily measured from a scale affixed thereon. The stationary depending leg is brought into contact with one edge of a pedestal jaw of the railway freight car sideframe, and the measuring leg is moved into contact along the bearing slide assembly with an opposite edge of the opposite pedestal jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: AMSTED Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Terry L. Reichenbach, Sr., Les L. Unger, Terry L. Tilley, Leonard D. Thomason
  • Patent number: 6272760
    Abstract: A damping device for vibration damping of components of a coordinate measuring equipment has a damping component which is frictionally connected to the component to be damped. The characteristic frequency of the damping component deviates from the characteristic frequency of the component to be damped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung trading as Carl Zeiss
    Inventors: Wolfgang Wiedmann, Carsten Würfel, Eugen Aubele
  • Patent number: 6272761
    Abstract: A tape measuring device for the direct measurement to determine cup size of the breast which includes using an elongated flexible measuring tape for band size measurement by initially measuring the user's girth circumference with the flexible tape measure immediately below the breasts followed by adding five inches to the measured number and incorporating conventional round off procedures. Cup size is determined by directly measuring with the same flexible tape measure of the circumference of each unclothed (bare) breast from the beginning of the breast mound at one side laterally to the parasternal area medially. Next, a measurement conversion is made wherein a measurement of seven inches corresponds to an “A” size cup, eight inches a “B” size cup, nine inches a “C” cup, etc. Each one inch increment determines a cup size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Edward A. Pechter
  • Patent number: 6272762
    Abstract: An ovality measurement tool for measurement of ovality of a circumferentially deformable cylindrical element having a cylindrical element support, a sensing element for traversing the circumference of the cylindrical element, which sensing element is movable radially with respect to the cylindrical element, and a readout device for reading the amount of movement of the sensing element as it traverses the circumference of the cylindrical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: John Arthur Kinast, William Fredrick Rush, Victor Tamosaitis
  • Patent number: 6272763
    Abstract: A positioning staging apparatus comprises a base provided on a floor, a stage provided on the base and movable to the base, an output unit for outputting stage positioning information for moving the stage to a predetermined target position, a stage drive unit provided on the base for driving the stage and outputting the drive information, a stage control unit for controlling the stage drive unit to accelerate and decelerate the stage in accordance with the stage positioning information to stop the stage at the target position, a stage displacement detection unit for detecting the displacement of the stage driven by the stage drive unit to output the stage displacement information, and an anti-vibration unit provided between the floor and the base for applying to the base a force to suppress the vibration of the base generated by the movement of the stage. The anti-vibration unit generates the suppression force in accordance with one of the stage displacement information and the stage positioning information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamaguchi, Shigeru Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 6272764
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tape rule comprising a housing 1, a measuring tape (abbreviated as tape only) 2, a reel 3 for the tape 2 to wind around, a spring 4 for winding the tape 2 back to the reel 3, an arc shaped strap 12 disposed at the periphery of the reel 3 to be freely slidable therearound, a stopper 11 including a push button 13 exposed outside of the housing 1, and a claw 14 for locking the tape 2 pulled out of the housing 1 at an end to of the stopper 11. Furthermore, a brake shoe 15 is integrally formed at the inner surface of the arc shaped strap 12 of the stopper 11 for releasing the locking state made by the claw 14 so that when the tape 2 is automatically winding back around the reel 3 by a resilient force of the spring 4. The tape 2 may be made in contact with the edge of the reel 3 to reduce its retracting speed through pushing the push button 13 towards the radius center of the reel 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Index Measuring Tape Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Henry Lin
  • Patent number: 6272765
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tape measure housing with slip resistant pad structure characterized in that it is comprising a tape measure housing and a slip resistant pad. A recesses portion is formed on the housing and both sides of the recessed portion are formed of engaging grooves for fastening the slip resistant pad thereto. A decorative pattern is formed on the surface of the slip resistant pad, while at the both sides of the pad being provided press fit stripes as auxiliary components for assembly. The lower side of the press fit stripe is formed into an inversely stretched claw so as to deeply stretch into the engaging groove and firmly hook on the inner wall of the groove. To secure closely matching the appearance of the housing, the slip resistant pad is made into an arc or other desirable shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Shinh Lin Li
  • Patent number: 6272766
    Abstract: A length measuring instrument having a scale which can be scanned by a scanner device is provided. The scale is rotatably supported in an end region about the measurement axis X by a pivot bearing. The scanner device is guided on the scale so that rotations of the scanner device are transmitted to the scale. A length measuring instrument of this can be used especially advantageously in telescoping arms of a hexapod machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Tondorf, Bernhard Falkinger
  • Patent number: 6272767
    Abstract: An environmental test chamber comprises a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a partition. The first chamber receives one or more electronic components to be tested. The first chamber includes an exhaust area through which air is introduced to the first chamber and an intake area from which air is evacuated from the first chamber. The exhaust area and intake area are both fitted with a panel having a plurality of apertures. The size and/or the distance between the apertures is varied to provide a uniform airflow through the first chamber, thereby insuring that each electrical component housed within the first chamber experiences the desired temperature and humidity conditions. An air intake assembly is provided which draws air into a control panel chamber housing the electrical circuitry necessary to operate the environmental test chamber, and transports the air into the second chamber to thereby permit both the control panel chamber and the second chamber to receive ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Envirotronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwayne D. Botruff, Gregory J. Langfeldt
  • Patent number: 6272768
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing an object with ultra-violet light is provided. The apparatus generally comprises a container, a transducer, coupled to the container; and a source of ultraviolet light configured to deliver ultraviolet light to an object disposed within said container. The UV source is configured to deliver the ultraviolet light through the vapor to process the object. The vapor and UV light react with a surface of the object to process the object. The apparatus is particularly suited to wet processing substrates in a single substrate processing system having multiple wet processing chambers configured within a process bench. The apparatus can include a robot arm having a pick-up, such as a vacuum wand, that adheres to a back side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Michael J. Danese
  • Patent number: 6272769
    Abstract: A device for transporting fragile articles, for example fruit and the like, along a longitudinal path of travel is disclosed. The device includes a spaced and parallel series of rotatable rollers extending along the path of travel for carrying the articles thereon, the rollers forming a series of intermediate article receiving spaces therebetween. A drive assembly is provided for rotating the rollers in the direction of the path of travel, and a carrier assembly is positioned with respect to and spaced from the rollers. A carrier assembly includes a spaced series of carrier members constructed and arranged to engage a peripheral surface portion of the rollers, the carrier assembly being constructed and arranged to move the carrier members in the direction of the path of travel as they engage the peripheral surface portions of the rollers for urging the articles along the path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: De Greef s. Wagen-, Carrosserie - en Machinebouw B.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Jan De Greef, Hendrik Dirk Van De Kop, Jan Marinus Van Arkel
  • Patent number: 6272770
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus having a sealable pressure vessel and an agitator for agitating an article, such as clothing, in a liquid within the vessel to remove contaminants from the article. A fluid system supplies fresh liquid to the vessel and drains used liquid from the vessel to separate excess contaminated from the article, a portion of the contaminated liquid being retained by the article after this separation. One or more heating elements are activatable to vaporize the retained liquid, and a vacuum system is activatable to reduce the pressure in the sealed vessel while the heating elements are activated, such that the boiling point of the retained liquid is substantially reduced from that at atmospheric pressure. The liquid may be plain, ozonated or carbonated water, or a mixture thereof, and may be cooled by a heat exchanger before being introduced into the sealed vessel. Agitation during washing and drying is minimized for use of the apparatus as an alternative to dry cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: American Dryer Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Slutsky, Ricky D. Lerette
  • Patent number: 6272771
    Abstract: A toe protector for orthopedic foot fixtures comprising a semi-rigid arcuate enclosure that is positioned over a patient's exposed toes extending from within a fabric foot fixture. The toe protector overlies the exposed toes and is secured in place by engagement with portions of the foot fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Kathleen L. Rodi
  • Patent number: 6272772
    Abstract: An apparatus mounted externally on a shoe to allow the wearer to have increased comfort and better support; in particular, relates to an apparatus, method, and system to increase comfort and support in athletic shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Daniel J. Sherman
  • Patent number: 6272773
    Abstract: A riding shoe comprising a sole, a heel and an upper defining a foot-receiving portion and an ankle-receiving portion has a pronation support system comprising an arch support integrated with the sole. This results in a shoe being comfortable when walking as well as horse riding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Mountain Horse Intl. AB
    Inventor: Bertil Sjösvärd
  • Patent number: 6272774
    Abstract: In a combination of shoe cleat and holder, a screw-threaded spigot (12) on the cleat is inserted with rotation into a complementary socket (18) of the holder, and has a ring of free-standing posts (34, 42) extending axially from the cleat and a ring of radially-projective teeth (26) on the holder. the rings being co-axial with the screw axis so that during at least later stages of insertion of the spigot (12) into the socket (18), on relative rotation of the rings, engagement of the teeth (26) with the posts (34, 42) causes the posts (34, 42) to deflect resiliently and engagement of the teeth (26) between the posts (34, 42) causes interengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Trisport Limited
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Kelly
  • Patent number: 6272775
    Abstract: An excavator dragline bucket is supported by a hoist line from a dragline power unit, and pivots about the connection of the hoist line to the bucket. The bucket is designed to dump toward the rear, and has a gate that is latched in position during the loading of the bucket, and which will be automatically unlatched as the bucket tilts rearwardly. The gate is connected through a double pivoting bellcrank that is operated by control links connected to the hoist member such that as the angle between the bucket and the hoist member changes, the control link loads the double pivoting lever and releases the latch. When the bucket has been dumped and is returned to its horizontal position, the tailgate first moves against the rear edges of the bucket, and subsequently the double pivoting lever permits the tailgate to slide along its plane to a latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignees: Dakota Coal Company
    Inventors: Don F. Schmidt, DuWayne A. Marthaller, Karl Lemmerman, Dean Bray, William Lengenfelder, R. Steven Metzger
  • Patent number: 6272776
    Abstract: A first plastic film transparency (10) is formed to include an image (14). A second plastic film transparency (12) is formed to include a complementary image (16). The transparencies (10, 12) are positioned side-by-side. The first transparency (10) is formed to include a circle of circumferentially spaced apart incisions (18) in it. The second transparency (12) includes film portions (20) that project through the incisions (18) and connect the transparencies (10, 12) together for at least some rotation, one relative to the other. One transparency (10, 12) can be rotated relative to the other to bring the images (14, 16) into a predetermined relationship, each to the other, so that the two images (14, 16) when viewed together will provide a predetermined combined image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Alan J. Santorsola
  • Patent number: 6272777
    Abstract: A packaging system for bottled liquids includes a transparent bottle filled with clear liquid allowing a first surface to be viewable through an opposite second arcuate surface. A first label having indicia on a first side is attached to the first surface such that the indicia is substantially magnified when viewed through the second arcuate surface of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Chester A. Swenson
  • Patent number: 6272778
    Abstract: Display element for an electromagnetic display device comprising a frame and a disc mounted to the frame for pivoting of the disc about a pivoting axis, the disc having two differently colored sides, an ON-side the color of which contrasts against the background color of the frame and an OFF-side having a non-contrasting color. An electromagnetic drive system drives the disc from a first operating position where its ON-side is directed towards the main viewing direction to a second operating position where its OFF-side is directed towards the viewing direction. The drive system comprises a permanent magnet attached to the disc and an electromagnet attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Lite Vision, Inc
    Inventor: Joseph Tang
  • Patent number: 6272779
    Abstract: A mounting structure for at least one display board is disclosed. The Display board includes a first mounting interface and a second mounting interface. The mounting structure includes a first pivotal interface including a barb adapted to engage the first mounting interface of the display board. The mounting structure also includes a second pivotal interface including a protruding member adapted to engage the second mounting interface of the display board. The display board may be removably pivotally mounted within the mounting structure at the first pivotal interface and the second pivotal interface. A mounting structure for display of at least one display board is also disclosed. The mounting structure includes a frame. The mounting structure also includes a platform for the display board coupled to the frame. The mounting structure also includes a compliant retaining system for the display board coupled to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Anthony Seiber, Robert Peter Arko, Otto Daniel DeRuntz, William Charles Stewart, Steven Ryutaro Takayama, Frank Friedman, Kristine Rene Chan-Lizardo
  • Patent number: 6272780
    Abstract: A label with an applied handle having a liner material, a label and a handle. The label has an upper surface and lower surface and is secured to the liner by an adhesive layer on its lower surface. The adhesive layer allows the label to be peeled off the liner with the adhesive remaining on the lower surface of the label. The handle is affixed to the upper surface of the label, and includes an elongate strip and a hanger. The elongate strip has an upper and a lower surface extending continuously across an entire length of the label. The lower surface of the elongate strip is firmly secured to the upper surface of the label by a strong bonding material and a hanger portion integrally connected to the elongate strip and extending therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Pharmaceutic Litho & Label Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Hratch Satamian
  • Patent number: 6272781
    Abstract: A garment equipped with emitter, said emitter positioned on the garment such that the emitter can be a weapon, where said emitter can be fired by the wearer of the garment or fired remotely by a second person, an observer, or a third person, a monitor, an observer who is monitoring, where said emitter emits a means to mark an attacker by marking means, the position, identification of, and, alternatively, to immobilize or interfere with an attacker of the wearer of the garment. A method of defending an individual, including wearing by the individual a garment having contained upon, in, or proximal thereto a lethal, non-lethal, or less-than lethal weapon, and discharging or firing the weapon from the garment in the direction of an attacker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph Anthony Resnick
  • Patent number: 6272782
    Abstract: A cartridge magazine displacement mechanism for a charge-operated setting tool and including a spring-biased transfer member (13) pivotable about a first pivot (15), cooperating with the trigger (6) and displaceable substantially parallel to an actuation direction of the trigger (6), a spring-biased, one-arm displacement lever (7) cooperating with a free end of the transfer member (13), pivotable about a second pivot (8) fixedly secured in the setting tool housing, and having an engaging dog (12) provided at a free end of the displacement lever displaceable substantially parallel to a longitudinal extent of the cartridge channel of the setting tool, and engageable in or liftable off the cartridge channel, with the first pivot (15) being arranged on the displacement lever (7) between the second pivot and the engaging dog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tilo Dittrich, Stefan Bönig
  • Patent number: 6272783
    Abstract: A firing mechanism for fire arms comprising a casing (1) and a trigger guard (1′), a barrel (3), a mobile bolt (5) in the casing (1), comprises a hammer (7) controlling a striker (10), a spring (9) pushing the hammer (7) in its tumbled position, a tumbler (11), a trigger (14) controlling the tumbler (11) by means of a separator (15), a bolt stop (19) which stops the backward movement of the bolt (5) in a locked position and makes the bolt (5) assume another position, a control lever (20) which co-operates with the bolt stop (19) which is also mounted in a revolving manner in the trigger guard (1′).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Browning International, societe anonyme
    Inventors: Thierry Dumortier, Claude Dodrimont
  • Patent number: 6272784
    Abstract: A trigger lock for use on a firearm having a trigger and a trigger guard includes a plurality of spaced apart pins and means for holding and locking these pins in their spaced apart relationship. These pins cooperate to prevent trigger movement when one of them is placed and held behind the trigger, while another is placed and held against the inside of the trigger guard at a position behind the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Derek Ringers
  • Patent number: 6272785
    Abstract: Gun support devices and assemblies for securing a gun, such as a rifle or a shotgun, in a fixed position relative to the ground. The gun support device has an elongate channel defined by a central portion and left and right sidewalls extending laterally from the central portion. The elongate channel is shaped to receive at least a portion of a region of a gun that extends between the forearm and the trigger of the gun. The central portion generally supports the gun, while the left and the right sidewalls generally restrain longitudinal motion of the gun with respect to the gun support device. An opening extends through the central portion at a position to permit at least a portion of the trigger of the gun to extend therethrough, thereby making the trigger accessible while the gun is received in the elongate channel. The gun support device further has an attachment mechanism for attaching the gun support device to a tripod or another support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventors: Jerry M. Mika, Jerry B. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6272786
    Abstract: A weedless fishing lure is formed by a lure body and a hook releasably secured to the lure body by an adjustable tensioning mechanism. The adjustable tensioning mechanism is positioned on the lure body for adjusting the tensioning force which holds the hook in the lure body. The lure body includes a through passage for the fishing line and a channel for receiving the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Daniel L. Braden
  • Patent number: 6272787
    Abstract: Multi-stranded silicone rubber fishing skirts printed with RTV adhesive inks and/or laminated with colored foils. The RTV inks set in the presence of humidity. The foils and inks can be applied to a silicone rubber substrate in preferred patterns and in registry with other areas containing foil or ink. The adhesive ink preferably comprises a mixture of an RTV adhesive, oil based thinner and/or pigment. In various processes the ink is silk-screen printed and air-dried. One or more foils can be bonded to the rubber with different techniques. The foil can be vulcanized to the rubber substrate, bonded to a wet ink, or bonded under pressure to exposed smooth surfaces. The surface texture can be defined during and after vulcanization at the mold and with a smoothing template or with printed ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Skirts Plus Corporation
    Inventor: Donald J. Link
  • Patent number: 6272788
    Abstract: A fish hook removing device for manually removing fish hooks from the mouths of fish. The fish hook removing device has an elongated hollow insertable portion that has an outer end portion and an inner end portion. An elongated straight handle portion depends downwardly at an angle from the inner end portion of the insertable portion. The insertable portion has a straight slot in its upper surface for receiving a portion of the fish line near the hook when the fish line is held tight. After the fish line has been inserted into the slot, the insertable portion is pushed into the mouth of the fish until it contacts the hook. A thumb is then placed over the fish line where the fish line exits from the insertable portion to keep the line tight between that point and the fish hook. A jab toward the mouth of the fish that pushes the insertable member into the fish mouth followed by a pull away from the mouth of the fish while the thumb is held in place removes the hook from the mouth of the fish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: John W. Bergacker
  • Patent number: 6272789
    Abstract: A mice-catching cage including a plurality of compartments, which are disposed at various levels and are provided with a one-way guide path which is in turn provided with an entrance pathway. The entrance pathway is provided in the bottom with a support plate on which an inclined door plate is supported. The inclined door plate is provided in an underside with a weight attached thereto for tilting the inclined door plate. The entrance pathway is provided in the top wall with a stop plate for forming a one-way path along with the inclined door plate upon entrapment of a mouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Jung-Chang Huang
  • Patent number: 6272790
    Abstract: A method and delivery system for an area-specific precision control of biting insects, including flying and non-flying, biting arthropods, is described. CO2 is metered through a tubing fence and dispensed into the center of traps that serve as visual targets for flying or walking biting arthropods. The outside membrane of a trap can be treated with mineral oil to capture and kill small arthropods such as sand flies of the genus Culicoides, or black flies of the genus Simulium. In addition, the membrane can be treated with insecticide formulations of Permethrin, Resmethrin, or Deltamethrin, to kill larger biting arthropods, such as ticks, mosquitoes, deer flies, horse flies, or stable flies. This method for biting arthropod control is an ecological-friendly alternative to the widespread broadcast application of organophosphate insecticides such as Derspan, Diprom, and Malthion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignees: University of Florida, Air Liquide Canada, TMJ Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Paganessi, Robert Lee, Jonathan F. Day
  • Patent number: 6272791
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for sequentially delivering of a bait and a poison to a pest comprising a base having a lower portion adapted for resting on a surface. A first and a second container portion is supported by the base for respectively retaining a bait and a poison. A cap is engageable with the base for covering the first and second container portions. The cap is movable for enabling the pest to migrate to consume the bait in the first container portions. The cap is movable for enabling the pest to migrate to consume the bait mixed with a poison in said second container portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Donald A. Pleasants
  • Patent number: 6272792
    Abstract: A hollow, bottomless container for shipping and displaying plants. The container is formed of an elongate, rectangular strip of a resilient material that is folded into a triangular sleeve in which a seed ball is placed. The container is formed such that pressure exerted by the seed ball on the side walls of the container does not cause the container to open, but serves to hold the seed ball within the container, negating the need for a bottom surface on the container. The container may also include printed matter on the exterior of the container, as the resilient strip forming the container is also printable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Jan M. Van den Kieboom
  • Patent number: 6272793
    Abstract: A height adjuster for a pet door panel to be fitted in a sliding door frame has nesting, or telescoping, spacers atop the pet door panel frame, capped with a top piece engageable with the sliding door frame. In one embodiment, a screw seats in the top piece and passes thought the spacers, the number of which can be selected to adjust the height, and engages a nut in the pet door panel to secure the height adjuster together. In another embodiment, a piston-like top piece is biased away from the pet door panel, and the pet door panel frame includes moveable biased wedges, which positions the top piece relative to the pet door panel frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: George N. Davlantes
  • Patent number: 6272794
    Abstract: A recessed fixture housing in which the major components are designed with taper fits to allow the components to be pressed together in assembly to create an air-seal engagement construction. The fixture housing also provides a junction box accessible from either the room side or the attic side of a fixture, while maintaining a sealed fixture housing. Further, a recessed fixture frame for use with a housing of maximal size to be installed between building structural members with mounting bars having protruding tabs. Mounting bar brackets are inset from each frame side an amount sufficient to accommodate the tabs between the building structural member and the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
    Inventors: Graham M. Rippel, Mark O. Jones, Robert J. Wedekind, Robert C. Ferzan
  • Patent number: 6272795
    Abstract: Movable office furniture consisting of the following system components: a travelling table (1), a filing trolley (1) a cupboard, an equipment box and a shelf partition (7). Said office furniture can be used in permanent company offices, at exhibitions, conferences or in the home. The tables have no cross tie-bars close to the ground between legs. At least one interchangeable box (100) can be inserted into the various types of trolleys (4). Many of such boxes can be inserted into cupboards. Shelves can be installed on shelf partitions (7) and office equipment and stationery can be stored thereon. Shelf partitions (7) can be placed back to back to form a double wall in a room and have the advantage of being produced from sound absorbing material. The office furniture can be spontaneously rearranged and several components of the system are interslidable in order to gain space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Vitra Patente AG
    Inventor: Egon Bräuning
  • Patent number: 6272796
    Abstract: A mortise and tenon joint for I-beam members. The joint includes an I-beam post and an I-beam beam that interlocks with the I-beam post. The I-beam post and the I-beam beam are each made of fiber reinforced pultruded polymer composite. The web of the I-beam post extends past the flanges of the I-beam post so as to form a tenon. The flanges of the I-beam beam have a pair of aligned throughslots so as to form a mortise that snugly receives, and is filled by, the tenon. The tenon has a plurality of throughbores through the pair of opposing faces thereof. The web of the I-beam beam has a plurality of throughbores that are aligned with the plurality of throughbores in the tenon when the tenon is snugly received in the mortise. Bolts extend through first washers, through the plurality of throughbores in the web of the I-beam beam, through the plurality of throughbores in the tenon, through second washers, and threadably engage in nuts so as to maintain the tenon in the mortise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Harold E. Metzler
  • Patent number: 6272797
    Abstract: A trim securement system, for use on a building having a roof, siding, a rake board between the roof and the siding, and a rake-board J-channel located immediately below the rake board. A receiver molding is mounted between the rake board and roofing tiles. A trim device includes a front trim surface, upper and lower trim surfaces which extend perpendicularly rearward from the front trim surface, and a trim tab which extends perpendicularly upward from the lower trim surface. The trim device is mounted so that the front trim surface covers the rake board, the upper trim surface extends into the receiver molding, and the trim tab extends into the J-channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Fred Finger
  • Patent number: 6272798
    Abstract: A post anchor capable of being in ground soil comprising an elongated metal rod, a drive section located at a first end of the rod and a boring section located below the drive section and substantially adjacent a second end of the rod. The drive end includes a drive connector, a stabilizing cap, and a mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus mounting the stabilizing cap for swiveling motion relative to the drive end so that the stabilizing cap is adjusted for surface alignment with the ground soil when the anchor is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Norman F. Cockman
  • Patent number: 6272799
    Abstract: A loading dock seal includes a low-profile backer that is vertically adjustable relative to a wall-mounted bracket to facilitate the installation of the seal. In some embodiments the bracket is generally U-shaped with a turned-in lip on one leg of the U-shape. The backer, to which a compressible foam pad is attached, is similarly U-shaped to nest within the bracket. During installation of the seal, the turned-in lip restrains the backer horizontally, yet allows the backer to be adjusted vertically to properly position the seal. Once properly adjusted, an added fastener further fixes the backer to the bracket, so that the seal is fixed both horizontally and vertically. In some embodiments, the low profile of the backer is achieved by forming the both the backer and the bracket out of sheet metal. The backer includes elongated channels or slots for bolt head clearance to accommodate anchor bolts that connect the bracket to a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Ashelin, Jason D. Miller
  • Patent number: 6272800
    Abstract: A protective device is provided to prevent humans from accidentally falling through openings in roofs or floors, including the domes of curb-mounted skylights and temporary utility chases that are surrounded by a raised curb. The protective device is secured to the raised curb by clamps that do not penetrate the curb, skylight frame, floor or roof, and therefore do not compromise the water-tight integrity thereof. In the case of an opening type skylight, by securing the protective device to the curb, no interference is contributed to the skylight to hinder the opening mechanism of the skylight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventors: Peter R. Phinney, Timothy L. Ahner
  • Patent number: 6272801
    Abstract: A prefabricated window fame with a decorative window subassembly within for use in a building having a window opening in a wall or a door with a rail about its perimeter. The window frame includes a first, or back, member and a second, or front, member overhanging the window subassembly therebetween and fastened together to form a window frame groove matching the window frame rail. The front frame member is mountable on the outside of the window opening and the back frame member is mountable on the inside of the window opening with the window subassembly therebetween. Frame members are identical, symmetric components with one when inverted matching another to comprise front and back frame members. The frame members are secured together by a plurality of fasteners secured to the frame members about their perimeters. The fasteners comprise matching latch hooks or posts with ridges matching frame holes with ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Jason Suh
  • Patent number: 6272802
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular building system. The system employs various building elements, which are interconnected by way of scarf joints. The building elements are connected to form a building module. The modules, in turn, can be interconnected to form a larger structure such as a dwelling. Additionally, the present system allows fixtures, such as window and door frames, to be incorporated into a completed dwelling. The details of the various components of the system of the present invention, and the manner in which they interrelate, will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Karl Berberich
  • Patent number: 6272803
    Abstract: A partition system includes adjacent partitions that have aligned top frame members with abutting and horizontally aligned cantilevered end sections. An in-line connector system includes a flat top connector and a U-shaped bottom connector that mateably span between the cantilevered end sections and that engage top and bottom surfaces, respectively, on the top frame members. Specifically, the top connector fits into a cavity in a top of the top frame member. The bottom connector includes a bottom wall and opposing sidewalls that matingly receive and engage bottom and side surfaces of the cantilevered end sections. The connectors combine with a beam-like strength that holds the cantilevered end sections in a particularly stable in-line condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony A. Stachowiak, Steven C. Gortsema, Mark T. Slager
  • Patent number: 6272804
    Abstract: A recessed tray floor drain for collecting ice cubes falling on to a floor surface so that people do not slip on the fallen ice cubes when traversing the floor surface. The recessed tray floor drain includes a tray with a bottom wall and a perimeter side wall. The perimeter side wall of the tray has an inner shoulder therearound. A grate substantially covers the open top of the tray and is rested on the inner shoulder of the perimeter side wall. The bottom wall of the tray has an drain hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Jamie J. Leis
  • Patent number: 6272805
    Abstract: Building element including of two parallel welded wire grid mats (1, 2), of straight web wires (7) which hold the wire grid mats at a predetermined distance apart and are joined at each end to the two wire grid mats, and of an insulating body (8) which is arranged between the wire grid mats and through which the web wires pass, wherein at least one of the wire grid mats is in the form of a grid reinforcement mat which possesses a minimum strength of the weld nodes which complies with the static requirements applicable to the building element, corresponding mechanical strength of the grid mat wires (3, 4) and also corresponding diameters and mutual spacings of the grid mat wires, and wherein the web wires are arranged in predetermined directions relative to the wire grid mats, and the insulating body is held at a predetermined distance from each of the wire grid mats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: EVG Entwicklungs- u. Verwertungs- Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Klaus Ritter, Gerhard Ritter
  • Patent number: 6272806
    Abstract: A joint insert is provided as well as a system and method for using same in the finishing of a surface's joint. The joint insert is a strip of material having a central longitudinal axis dividing the strip into first and second halves that are mirror-images about the central longitudinal axis. The strip is folded along the central longitudinal axis so that when the strip is positioned in the joint, the strip's central longitudinal axis and portions of the strip's first and second halves extend out of the joint. Gaps are formed between the joint and portions of the strip within the confines of the joint. A filler material is used to fill the gaps. As a final step in the finishing process, any of the strip and filler material extending above the plane of the surface over the joint is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: S. Allen Face, III
  • Patent number: 6272807
    Abstract: A plurality of roof panels are used for covering a pitched roof. The roof panels are of a structural sheet metal, positioned and laid over the roof and provide a series of spaced apart longitudinal stiffening steps separated by at least one flat surface portion adapted for abutting the roof for enablement of attachment thereto. The top edge of each panel is convex and coved for use in covering a peak of the roof. A step is provided near the bottom edge of each panel for covering the covered top edge of a further one of the panels laid below it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Billy B. Waldrop
  • Patent number: 6272808
    Abstract: A deck plank comprising a substantially flat top surface made preferably from a wood replacement material having a first edge and a second edge, and may also have a tongue attached to the first edge and a groove attached to the second edge, the tongue and the groove each extending in a plane below the top surface, the tongue being adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent plank. The tongue and the groove are shaped so that a space is maintained between a portion of the tongue and a portion of the groove of the adjacent plank when the tongue is placed adjacent to the groove of the adjacent plank. A number of the deck planks can be used to make a deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: TimberTech Limited
    Inventors: A. Anthony Groh, Philip H. Stobart