Patents Issued in September 18, 2001
  • Patent number: RE37365
    Abstract: A clasp mechanism having a main body, a keeper arm and a spring, where the keeper arm extends through the main body in an arm cavity. The keeper arm is pivotally attached to said main body to operate in a scissor-like manner. The keeper arm has a mating end which abuts a hook end on the main body to form a closed interior space and an actuating shoulder extending from the main body. The spring maintains the mating end in the closed position abutting the hook end until the actuating shoulder is pressed into the main body by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignees: OroAmerica, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Shrader, Guy Beard
  • Patent number: RE37366
    Abstract: A method of making a pair of rotary die cylinders with lands having coacting cutting edges which cut blanks from a web of material passing through the nip of the rotating dies. In cross section each land has an outer face and a pair of spaced apart side faces which are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the chord of the outer face to provide a clean cut and facilitate release of the cut blank from the cutting blades as it emerges from the nip of the dies. The die cylinders are journalled for rotation by recesses with frusto conical locating surfaces in their opposed ends. Each die cylinder is made by machining the recesses in the opposed ends of a generally cylindrical workpiece of tool steel and then utilizing the recesses to locate and orient the workpiece relative to a cutting tool to produce a cylindrical surface on the workpiece concentric with the axis of the recesses and then to machine away portions of the periphery of the cylindrical surface to form the cutting blade lands thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Bernal International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Allen Cox, Alan Rae Pfaff
  • Patent number: RE37367
    Abstract: A musical sound generating apparatus creates a waveform to generate a musical sound according to performance information. In the apparatus, a first waveform generator is operable for creating a waveform. A second waveform generator is operable independently from the first waveform generator for creating a waveform. An input device provides performance information. A designating device designates at least one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator in correspondence with the provided performance information. A controller selectively operates the designated one of the first waveform generator and the second waveform generator to create the waveform according to the provided performance information. An output device generates the musical sound based on the created waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masatada Wachi, Hideo Yamada, Masashi Hirano
  • Patent number: RE37368
    Abstract: A connection assembly includes a coaxial cable to microstrip flexible circuit connector and a mating microstrip flex circuit to electronic circuit connector. The coaxial cable to microstrip flex circuit connector comprises a portion which is mechanically attached to the coaxial cable and a portion which is mechanically attached to the microstrip flex circuit. The coaxial cable attachment portion includes a first electrical connector electrically connected to the center conductor and a second electrical connector electrically connected to the shielding conductor of each coaxial cable. The microstrip flex circuit attachment portion includes a third electrical connector electrically connected to each trace and a fourth connector electrically connected to the ground plane conductor. The flex circuit to electrical circuit connector comprises a plurality of unsupported extensions of a trace or the ground plane conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Medallion Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Jon M. Huppenthal, Steven E. Garcia
  • Patent number: RE37369
    Abstract: A coolant filter for use in filtering a coolant solution which flows through the coolant filter includes a filter housing assembly which is made up of an outer housing which is crimped to a nutplate which defines an internally threaded flow outlet. A generally cylindrical filter element is positioned inside of the filter housing assembly and a first endplate is bonded to the end of the filter element which is adjacent to the nutplate. An endplate member is provided for attachment to the opposite end of the filter element and is configured in such a way so as to define an interior chamber where supplemental coolant additive pellets are stored. A closing plate is applied across the open end of the interior chamber so as to create an enclosed chamber for the supplemental coolant additive pellets. A slow release mechanism is provided for controlling the rate of release of the supplemental coolant additive from the enclosed chamber into the coolant solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Douglas Hudgens, Charles L. Matheson
  • Patent number: RE37370
    Abstract: A method of emulsion polymerization of aniline or substituted anilines for making substituted or unsubstituted homopolymers and co-polymers of aniline. The method includes formation of an emulsion of aniline monomers, polar solvent, non-polar or weakly polar solvent and functionalized protonic acid, which is selected for its ability to perform two functions: acting as a surfactant and acting as a protonating agent (dopant) in producing an electrically conducting polymer. Then, an oxidant is added to polymerize the ingredients of the emulsion. This method provides polyaniline particles of highly crystalline and oriented morphologies of controlled aspect ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Neste Oy
    Inventors: Yong Cao, Jan-Erik Österholm
  • Patent number: RE37371
    Abstract: A pull-tab gaming set, a progressive pull-tab gaming system and a method of operating a progressive pull-tab game. The gaming set includes a plurality of pull-tab cards, each card having a front portion, a back portion and a selectively revealable gaming section. The gaming section contains indicia of a redemption value of the card which is unascertainable until the gaming section is revealed. There are at least three two classes of pull-tab cards in the gaming set in the form of winners having indicia of a fixed non-zero value, losers having indicia of a zero value and at least one jackpot card with indicia of an undetermined total value. The progressive pull-tab card game system includes a pull-tab dispensing unit, configured to dispense pull-tab cards, a jackpot display, and a control system operatively connected to the dispensing trait to monitor the quantity of pull-tab cards dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Jay E. Gerow
  • Patent number: RE37372
    Abstract: A creeper cum work seat has two end platforms (1, 5) in sliding attachment to slide rods (4, 35, 36) in slideways (3, 6) with which the two end platforms can be slid apart to opposite ends of a central platform (7) to form a full-length creeper in creeper mode (11). The central platform becomes a work seat and the two end portions become a shelf platform under the work seat when the two end platforms are slid edge-to-edge in a seat mode(10). Seat-support members (12, 13) are attached pivotally to the central platform and to the two end platforms to support the central platform as a seat in a seat mode and to position the central portion between the two end platforms in a creeper mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Craig S. Smith
  • Patent number: RE37373
    Abstract: A vacuum servo apparatus in which, in a performance diagram having an input coordinate axis perpendicular to an output coordinate axis, the normal operation is represented by a first operating line and, after a plunger member is moved by a solenoid so that movement of the plunger member with respect to a transmission member is controlled, the operation is represented by a second operating line following additional jump biasing force to be supplemented and generated is appropriately set and an output of the apparatus is designed to be faster during the return stroke for straightforwardly reflecting the intention of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Tsubouchi, Akihiko Miwa
  • Patent number: RE37374
    Abstract: Force feedback in large, immersive environments is provided by device which a gyro-stabilization to generate a fixed point of leverage for the requisite forces and/or torques. In one embodiment, one or more orthogonally oriented rotating gyroscopes are used to provide a stable platform to which a force-reflecting device can be mounted, thereby coupling reaction forces to a user without the need for connection to a fixed frame. In one physical realization, a rigid handle or joystick is directly connected to the three-axis stabilized platform and using an inventive control scheme to modulate motor torques so that only the desired forces are felt. In an alternative embodiment, a reaction sphere is used to produce the requisite inertial stabilization. Since the sphere is capable of providing controlled torques about three arbitrary, linearly independent axes, it can be used in place of three reaction wheels to provide three-axis stabilization for a variety of space-based and terrestrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Cybernet Haptic Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald P. Roston, Charles J. Jacobus
  • Patent number: RE37375
    Abstract: A SAW filter includes a first SAW resonator having a pair of terminals and a predetermined resonance frequency (frp), the first SAW resonator being provided in a parallel arm of the SAW filter. A second SAW resonator has a pair of terminals and a predetermined resonance frequency (frs) approximately equal to a predetermined antiresonance frequency of the first SAW resonator (fap). The second SAW resonator is provided in a series arm of the SAW filter. An inductance element is connected in series to the first SAW resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yoshio Satoh, Osamu Ikata, Tsutomu Miyashita, Takashi Matsuda, Mitsuo Takamatsu
  • Patent number: RE37376
    Abstract: The exposure time of high data rate single spot laser scanner can be extended by the use of Time Domain Integration (TDI) mode imaging to expose thermographic materials. Many thermographic materials, such as thermal printing plates, can not be properly exposed in single spot scanners such as internal drum scanners, due to the shortness of the exposure time of a single spot, but can be exposed by the extended exposure time of TDI scanning. The Scophony effect can also be used as a method of TDI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Creo Products Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Gelbart
  • Patent number: RE37377
    Abstract: An illumination device for a direct viewing type display element comprising a flat light guide; a light source set such that light is incident on a side portion of said flat light guide; a polarized light separating flat set on a first side of a light emitting side of the flat light guide for transmitting a p polarized light component and reflecting at least a portion of an s polarized light component with respect to a light ray substantially having a predetermined direction of incidence; and a light reflecting sheet disposed on a second side opposite to said light emitting side of the flat light guide in parallel with the light emitting site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoki Gunjima, Yoshiharu Ooi, Masao Ozeki, Hiroaki Ito, Hiroshi Hasebe, Tetsuro Matsumoto, Yutaka Nakagawa
  • Patent number: RE37378
    Abstract: A reader having a high-resolution mode and a high-speed mode is disclosed. The reader comprises a CCD sensor, a buffer, a first AD convertor, a second AD convertor, a data selector and a control circuit. The input of the buffer is connected to the CCD sensor through a capacitor and a 5 V power source through an analog switch, and an output of the buffer is connected to the first AD converter for the high-resolution mode and the second AD converter for the high-speed mode in parallel. The data selector for selecting an output from the first AD convertor or the second AD convertor and sending it out to the control circuit is connected to the outputs of the first AD convertor and the second AD convertor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumikazu Nagano
  • Patent number: RE37379
    Abstract: An apparatus 10 and method for delivering a high partial pressure of a gas into a liquid. The apparatus has a gas transfer device 12 with a housing 14 that includes upstream 16 and downstream 18 regions, between which there is located a gas-liquid contacting region 20 with contacting members 22, such as hollow microporous fibers. A reservoir 36 of gas supplies the gas at a high pressure (P) to a flask 38 of gas-depleted liquid and to the gas transfer device 12. The reservoir 36 of gas provides hydrostatic pressure for urging the liquid through the contacting members 22 and propelling the gas around the contacting members 22 so that the gas does not diffuse across the contacting members 22. The gas-enriched liquid is then ducted to a high resistance delivery channel 44 for administration to a site of interest without effervescence, bubble formation, or significant disruption of laminar flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Wayne State University
    Inventor: James Richard Spears
  • Patent number: RE37380
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition which can be used in particular for eye makeup and which comprises deoxyribonucleic acid and at least one wax. The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of the cosmetic composition and to a method of using the latter. Method for lengthening and curving the eyelashes comprising applying to the eyelashes a composition comprising deoxyribonucleic acid or an inorganic or organic salt thereof, and at least one wax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: Bertrand Piot, Jeanne Patraud, Christian Felardos
  • Patent number: RE37381
    Abstract: The present invention provides an attenuated hepatitis A virus useful as a vaccine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Robert H. Purcell, John R. Ticehurst, Jeffrey I. Cohen, Suzanne U. Emerson, Stephen M. Feinstone, Richard J. Daemer, Ian D. Gust
  • Patent number: RE37382
    Abstract: A gum growth pad (10) comprising has a nonporous first layer (12). An and an absorbent second layer (14) is placed upon the nonporous first layer (12). A gum tissue growth medication (16) in a liquid form is may be impregnated within the absorbent second layer (14) and then dried. A semi-permeable third layer (18) covers the absorbent second layer (14) with the dried gum tissue growth medication (16). A facility (20) is for sealing the nonporous first layer (12) to the semi-permeable third layer (18) about a periphery thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Alayne Yates
  • Patent number: RE37383
    Abstract: Combustion apparatus (10) includes a combustion chamber (12, 212), a cover (24, 208) covering an end wall (14, 210) of the combustion chamber and defining a buffer space (26, 206) therebetween, and a blower (32, 202) external to the cover and supplying air to the buffer space and pressurizing the buffer space to a higher pressure than the combustion chamber such that leakage at penetrations (46) and/or interface (334, 336) flows from the buffer space into the combustion chamber, rather than the reverse, eliminating the need for leak-tight seals, and instead permitting leakage in a desired direction. In one embodiment, a first conduit (58) supplies air along a path (34) from the blower to the mixer and burner assembly without passing through the buffer space, and a second conduit (60) independently supplies air from the blower to the buffer space. A pressure dropping orifice (36) is provided between the blower and the mixer and burner assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: AOS Holding Company
    Inventors: Joseph Gerstmann, Andrew D. Vasilakis
  • Patent number: RE37384
    Abstract: The novel metallocenes of the formula I in which, preferably, M1 is Zr or Hf, R1 and R2 are alkyl or halogen, R3 and R4 are hydrogen, R5 and R6 are alkyl or haloalkyl, —(CR8R9)m—R7—(CR8R9)n— is a single- or multi-membered chain in which R7 may also be a (substituted) hetero atom, and m+n is zero or 1, form, together with aluminoxanes as cocatalysts, a very effective catalyst system for the preparation of polyolefins of high molecular weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Targor GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Winter, Martin Antberg, Walter Spaleck, Jürgen Rohrmann, Volker Dolle
  • Patent number: RE37385
    Abstract: Composite material with high mechanical strength and excellent high-temperature characteristics comprising a polymer matrix containing polyamide and layers of a silicate uniformly dispersed in the order of molecules in the polymer matrix, each of said silicate layers being 7 to 12 Å thick and the interlayer distance being at least 20 Å; and a process for manufacturing such composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoto Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Akane Okada, Yoshiaki Fukushima, Masaya Kawasumi, Shinji Inagaki, Arimitsu Usuki, Shigetoshi Sugiyama, Toshio Kurauchi, Osami Kamigaito
  • Patent number: RE37386
    Abstract: A two component type polyurethane adhesive is provided for fiberglass reinforced plastics which requires no cleaning, preparation or treatment of the surface, and the like. The curative component is a nitrogen-free liquid polyether or polyester in an amount such that in association with a urethane prepolymer component containing free NCO groups, the ratio of the free NCO groups in the prepolymer component to the OH groups in said curative component is at least 1.2 and desirably at least 1.35. Such high NCO/OH ratios have unexpectedly been found to provide good adhesion and especially good humidity adhesion and peel strength adhesion to fiberglass reinforced plastics or metal surfaces which are free from any surface treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: Earl G. Melby, H. William Cocain
  • Patent number: RE37387
    Abstract: Apparatus for insertion of intraocular lenses into the eye are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a loading chamber and an injection portion. The loading chamber has a proximal end and a distally extending opening. The loading chamber defines a first lumen and is adapted to receive an intraocular lens in an unfolded state at the distally extending opening and to fold the intraocular lens and maintain the intraocular lens folded as the intraocular lens is placed in the first lumen. The injection portion defines a second lumen aligned with the first lumen and is adapted to receive the folded intraocular lens from the first lumen in the second lumen. The injection portion has an open distal end through which the folded intraocular lens from the second lumen passes to be inserted into an eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Allergan
    Inventors: Daniel G. Brady, Edward R. Zaleski, Anthony V. Lemus
  • Patent number: 6289515
    Abstract: A fielding glove has an outer shell having at least one finger portion, a thumb portion, and a web joining the thumb portion and the nearest finger portion; a mitten compartment that holds all four fingers, positioned and fixed upon or within the outer shell at an angle of approximately 40 degrees in relation to the upright finger portion(s) of the outer shell of the glove, and a thumb compartment that is rotated forward in a approximately 20 degree arc from the plane of the finger portions of the mitten, and maintains a fixed angle between the thumb and index finger within said mitten of approximately 90 degrees. In addition, to accommodate the ergonomic alignment of the mitten portion, the entrance for the hand into the mitten compartment, on or within the glove must also align at the same approximately 40 degrees, from the upright “finger” portion of the glove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Robert M Fous
  • Patent number: 6289516
    Abstract: A baseball glove includes a thumb stall to receive a thumb. An incision is provided at the back leather of the thumb stall and the tip portion of the thumb is allowed to stick out from the incision on the back leather and the knuckle of the thumb is covered with back leather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Mizuno Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Motooka, Kazuhiro Kume
  • Patent number: 6289517
    Abstract: A padded glove providing improved protection and positioning of the hand of a wearer by anatomically cushioning the pathways of the Ulnar and Median nerves, providing increased thickness of padding in the cushion positioned over the Ulnar and Median nerves, changing the hand position while bicycle riding to decrease the stretch on the nerves, and cushioning the medial aspect on the hand for road-type handlebars is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Minkow, Eric B. Edgecumbe, Eric L. Horton
  • Patent number: 6289518
    Abstract: A garment belt and method of making it. The belt has a first end portion at which a buckle is mounted and a second end portion for engagement with the buckle when the belt is worn. The belt formed of a blank or elongated strap of a first flexible material, e.g., a relatively low-cost but aesthetically and tactily-pleasing material such as a high quality vinyl. The strap includes outer surface providing that aesthetically pleasing appearance, and an inner surface. A central longitudinal axis form a fold line and extends the length of the strap. A pair of strips of leather are fixedly secured, e.g., adhesively bonded, onto the inner surface of said elongated strap and they extend parallel to and equidistantly spaced from each other on opposite sides of the fold line. One of the pair of strips has a recess, e.g., a transversely extending groove or a circular depression, located therein adjacent the first end portion of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Reborn Products Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas B. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 6289519
    Abstract: Pants that comprise a pair of intermediate body sheets, positioned in plane symmetry to each other and respectively contoured by upper, lower, inner and outer edges, and a pair of lateral body sheets also positioned outside the respective intermediate body sheets and respectively contoured also by upper, lower, inner and outer edges. Each of the intermediate body sheets is formed between the inner and outer edges with an arcuate cutout extending convexly from the upper edge, toward the lower edge the intermediate body sheets being put flat and sealed together along a sealing line defined by the cutouts but leaving a narrow marginal edge free. The intermediate body sheets and the lateral body sheets are placed flat and sealed together along sealing lines defined by inner and outer edges thereof, leaving narrow marginal regions free outside the inner and outer edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Co., LTD
    Inventors: Masaki Murakami, Michiyo Matsushita, Akira Myoga, Hitomi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6289520
    Abstract: A garment assembly for covering the genitalia of a male user is provided. The user having a perineum adjacently beneath the genitalia. The garment assembly comprises a front panel member positionable adjacently over the genitalia with the front panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. A suspending mechanism suspends the front panel adjacently over the genitalia with the top edge and the bottom edge being secured to the suspension means. A fold is formed in the first side edge and the second side edge and extends across the front panel member. The fold creates a genital-receiving pouch in the front panel wherein the fold is positionable over the perineum of the user such that the front panel is free from forward and upward pressure on the genitalia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Bradley N. Page
  • Patent number: 6289521
    Abstract: A helmet chin cover includes a shape retaining member having an attached portion which can be attached to a helmet, and a wind shield portion capable of preventing a driving wind from abutting against a portion near a chin of a helmet wearer when the attached portion is attached to the helmet. The said wind shield portion has at least one ventilation hole. This helmet chin cover is capable of performing ventilation near the chin of the helmet wearer well. Also, this helmet chin cover is capable of preventing a wind generated by driving, which abuts against the chest of the helmet wearer and is directed toward the chin, from being dragged between the lower end of chin cover portion of the helmet and the chin of the helmet wearer to produce a whistling sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Shoei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6289522
    Abstract: A wrestling headgear is disclosed. In an embodiment for a wrestling headgear ear protector of the present invention, the ear protector includes an ear protection member and a variably adjustable support member disposed on an inner portion of the ear protection member. In an embodiment for a method of the present invention, a method of defining an ear receiving cavity included in an ear protector of a wrestling headgear includes configuring a variably adjustable support member, the variably adjustable support member disposed on an inner portion of an ear protection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: Deanna M. Jones, Michael Nagro
  • Patent number: 6289523
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to the presentation of structural improvement of swimming goggles. This comprises of two frames, two tenses contained on the two frames, a nose bridge joining the two frames, and a headset fitted to the outside of the two frames. It is characterized in that: the nose bridge comprises of a connecting unit and a combining unit, with soft material fitted to one side where the connecting unit is in contact with the nose bridge; and, the combining unit is located at two sides of the connecting unit, whereby the soft material will provide comfortable contact with the nose when the swimming goggles are worn by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Herman Chiang
  • Patent number: 6289524
    Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable padded protective garment including a sheet material and at least one pad coupled to the sheet material. The disposable padded protective garment may further include a pocket coupled to the sheet material which, in turn, couples the pad to the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Edward Wright, Debra Nell Welchel
  • Patent number: 6289525
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for releasing a predetermined amount of a free-flowing medium into a fluid container, in particular the flushing cistern of a water closet. The apparatus comprises a pump, in particular diaphragm pump, which comprises an actuating plunger (6) that cooperates with a diaphragm (5) and is movable upward and downward by means of a float (7) as a result of change in the water level within the fluid container (20). The apparatus further comprises a reservoir (2) for the free-flowing medium, which is coupled to the input of the diaphragm pump, and a nonreturn valve (9) associated with an output (22) of the diaphragm pump. It is provided in accordance with the invention that the diaphragm (5) has a sacklike form and that the actuating plunger (6) acts at the end of the sack in such a way that during such action the diaphragm sack (5) is indented so as to enclose the contact surface (6a) of the plunger (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: Friedbert Prommer, Stanislaw Tomkow
  • Patent number: 6289526
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic cleaner for a toilet seat which includes a cleaner and a toilet seat. The cleaner contains a washing device, a flushing device, a drier and a transmission unit while the toilet seat consists of a turning seat and a bottom seat. The turning seat of the toilet seat is rotated by means of the transmission unit within the cleaner while the flushing device within the cleaner sprays a certain amount of the cleaning liquid. Thereafter, the washing device is activated to wash. In addition, the drier dries the surface of the turning seat to achieve a clean, hygienic and warming effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Chin-Chuan Chang
  • Patent number: 6289527
    Abstract: A sanitary device for use with toilet seats is used to prevent urine from squirting out from the gap between a toilet seat and the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Kurt Truettner
  • Patent number: 6289528
    Abstract: A Mat (1) in the form of a liner or pad for sanitary installations is formed of a carrier (3) of flexible plastic with suction cups (5) located on its bottom (4) and a layer of nonwoven fabric (2) on its top (1.1) is constructed to enable the mat (1) to be efficiently produced and for the mat to have good adhesion between the nonwoven fabric (2) and the carrier (3) even when experiencing high squeezing stress. This is achieved by making the carrier (3) of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) injecting the elastomer onto the back of nonwoven fabric (2) in an injection mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Ridder GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Ridder, Johannes Hubinger
  • Patent number: 6289529
    Abstract: A shower seat and basket combination. The combination includes a basket which includes a horizontal bottom surface having four vertical sides forming an enclosure to hold shower supplies such as shampoo and soap. The basket also includes two overhanging edges located at a top portion of two opposing sides. The shower seat is a horizontally mounted flat surface mounted to a plurality of walls of the shower stall. On the underside of the shower seat is two railings running from a front portion of the seat to a back portion of the seat. The railings each include a lip to support each overhanging edge. The basket is positioned under the shower seat when not in use. When shower supplies are needed, the basket can be slid outwardly from the shower seat to access the interior of the basket. The basket may also include a plurality of perforations to allow water to drain from the basket. Additionally, a plurality of baskets may be stacked under the shower seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Brian Harvey
  • Patent number: 6289530
    Abstract: A jetted laundry/utility/kitchen sink provided with a plurality of water/air jets that introduce a pressurized flow of water/air into the interior of the sink. A motor/pump unit takes water from the interior of the sink, pressurizes the water, and returns the pressurized water to the interior of the sink via the nozzles. A flow diverting formation having a flow re-directing surface assists the nozzles in establishing a sustained circulation pattern within the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Mr. Tubs, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Miller, Jeff C. Henry, Katherine R. Adams
  • Patent number: 6289531
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture has a hollow housing formed with a first tubular collar extending along a first axis and a second tubular collar extending along a second axis transverse to the first axis. The housing is secured to a deck with the first collar engaging the deck. A holder mounted in the first collar has an end aligned in the housing with the second axis and a valve mount in the housing is fixed on the holder end. An inlet pipe and an outlet pipe extend through the first collar and are connected to the valve mount. A valve cartridge in the housing is releasably secured to the valve mount by fasteners accessible through the second collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Friedrich Grohe AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Kahle, Eberhard Stolle
  • Patent number: 6289532
    Abstract: A tub waste overflow assembly that is attachable to a tub wall by means of a threaded retaining body insertable through an overflow drain aperture in a tub wall to engage a cooperatively threaded pipe fitting on the opposite side of the tub wall. A chamfered washer is provided to cooperate with the retaining body and an annular sealing gasket to produce a fluid-tight seal on the interior surface of the tub wall. A forwardly projecting fulcrum member on the pipe fitting preferably contacts the exterior tub wall outwardly of the aperture to facilitate connection of a drain pipe to tub walls over a range of included angles, and no seal is required around the overflow drain aperture on the exterior tub wall. A unitarily molded, knock-out test plug is provided across the bore of the retaining body and a handle desirably attached to the test plug projects into the tub to facilitate installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: LSP Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Fritz, Ted D. Deeds, Samuel H. Howe
  • Patent number: 6289533
    Abstract: A patient transport system for transporting a patient from a bed to a stretcher or vice versa, using a bed sheet and a conveyor attached to the bed or the stretcher. A first end of the sheet is removably attached to the conveyor and a second end of the sheet is free. The sheet is adapted to be positioned onto the patient supporting member of the bed or stretcher. The conveyor includes a roller received by bearings. The roller can be removably received by the bearings. The roller can also include a telescopic arrangement so that its length can be adjusted. A pawl and ratchet assembly can be provided on the conveyor to prevent unwinding of the conveyor. The sheet is removably attached to the roller by adhesive tape or a clip arrangement. A flexible belt attaches the clip to the conveyor and is removably secured to the roller. The clip includes a body member having a recess with a plug received therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Barton Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Graham L. Hodgetts
  • Patent number: 6289534
    Abstract: An assembly for lifting, supporting and transporting a person which includes a base, a frame extending upwardly from the base, a lifting arm pivotally coupled to an upper end of the frame, an actuator coupled to the lifting arm for moving the lifting arm between the lowered position and a raised position, and an attachment bar coupled to the lifting arm. A person to be lifted is secured in a sling assembly which includes attachment loops that can be coupled to the attachment bar. The apparatus can also include a scale that can be used to weigh a person being lifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Reza Hakamiun, Douglas P. Genereux, Michael D. Falin, Michael J. Mutka, Jason Conard Brooke
  • Patent number: 6289535
    Abstract: X and v-shaped mattress supports comprise a pair of pivotal longitudinal members for replacing conventional wooden slats. Each terminal end of each longitudinal member includes a flange for attachment to the side rails of a conventional bed frame. An extendable leg provides additional support for the center of the slat. The method of use consists of pivoting the longitudinal members of the mattress support to accommodate the particular width of the side rails of the selected bed frame. In one alternate embodiment a pair of v-shaped mattress support slats are connected by a divider for containing a pair of mattresses in side-by-side form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: United Finishers, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlos J. Hernandez
  • Patent number: 6289536
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling incapacitated patients is disclosed in one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention as including a bed (1) having a base frame (2) which supports a central panel (5) for supporting the patient's bottom, a second panel (8) and a third panel (9) for supporting the upper and lower parts, respectively, of the patient's legs and a fourth panel (6) for supporting the patient's back, there being drive means for displacing the panels such that in one configuration their upper surfaces lie in a single horizontal plane and in another configuration adjacent panels are inclined with respect to each other, characterized in that the apparatus further includes a leg support (12) which is displaceable into and out of a position in which it forms a local widening of the bed (1), in which position it can support the lower parts of the patient's legs when the patient is in an attitude in which the legs are straight or are bent and the patient is lying on his side, and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Simon Betson
  • Patent number: 6289537
    Abstract: A patient support having a frame supporting a patient supporting surface as well as supporting a pair of foot rest mechanisms thereon. The pair of foot rest mechanisms are each selectively movable from stowed positions beneath the patient supporting surface to deployed positions thereof which straddle a drop leaf foot section forming a part of the patient supporting surface. As the drop-leaf foot section is moved to a vertically upright position, a space between the two foot rest mechanisms is available for physician use. Further, as the drop leaf foot section is moved in the vertically upright position toward the floor, a mechanism is provided for preventing contact of the foot end of the drop leaf foot section with the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hopper, Stanley Palmatier, Jeffrey C. Shiery, Jerry Wheeler, Rick McDaniel
  • Patent number: 6289538
    Abstract: A support for the head and neck comprises a cushion that extends upwardly from at least one of the user's shoulders to at least a portion of one of the user's ears. The support can include means for varying both the size and shape of the cushion so that its dimensions can be varied during use by an individual user and configured for use by many individuals. The support also can include means for attaching or enclosing one or more audio devices so that, for example, music or soothing sounds can be provided to one or both ears of a user. The invention is positioned at least partly by one or both of an adjustable attachment strap and a positioning scrim. The positioning scrim can be reversibly interposed between the user's back and a chair in which the user is seated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Binkley W. Fidge
  • Patent number: 6289539
    Abstract: A handrail attachment for beds comprises an upstanding side member connected to a base member adapted to fit under a bed mattress. The side member is in the form of an inverted U-shaped tubular member with cross-members mounted between the depending arms of the U-shaped tubular member. The end of one depending arm has a pivot pin mounted therein to permit the handrail to be swung away from the bed in open position, and the other end has a slidable rod mounted therein. The base member has upstanding end portions, one of which receives the pivot pin, and the other of which receives the slidable rod which locks the upstanding side member to the base member. The base member has elongated U-shaped support members mounted at either end thereof to extend under the bed mattress and be fastened to the opposite bed rail. A slidable rod with a series of spaced holes serves as an adjustable leg to support the handrail in open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Erwin A. Alpern
  • Patent number: 6289540
    Abstract: A set of firefighting tools for use in fighting forest fires and the like in different types of terrain and vegetation. An elongate handle is equipped with a releasably latching connector, and several different tool heads are attachable to the handle to perform various functions. One head has a pivotably attached shovel blade and is useful as a shovel, as a scraper or as a rake, when held in respective positions by a latching mechanism. Another tool head has a lightweight central body and replaceable oppositely directed axe and grub hoe blade portions. Yet a further tool head includes a resiliently flexible outer portion to which are fastened several flexible straps for beating out fires. Each head includes a socket adapted for emergency attachment to a simple wooden handle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas K. Emonds
  • Patent number: 6289541
    Abstract: An adaptor to mate with a hand tool such as a folding multipurpose tool to make use of the multipurpose tool as a handle to turn tool bits of various sizes, such as screwdrivers or small socket wrenches. The adaptor includes a drive plate which mates with the hand tool, and a tool bit-engaging member attached to the drive plate and movable angularly between various positions, with a latch to keep the tool bit-engaging member in a selected position. A pair of arms of the drive plate engage the sides of the jaws of one type of multipurpose tool to locate the adaptor as required with respect to the multipurpose tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Anderson, Howard G. Berg