Patents Issued in December 6, 2001
  • Publication number: 20010047880
    Abstract: A double-sides electrical interconnection flexible circuit particularly useful as a substrate for an area array integrated circuit package is described. A circuit having interconnection patterns on one surface and solder ball contact pads on the second surface are interconnected by solid copper vias formed from an array of raised studs etched from a metal matrix. In reel to reel format, the etched metal matrix is adhered to one surface of the film and forms the base metal for the solder ball contact pads. The matrix with studs are presses through the dielectric film with a copper layer on the opposite surface, thereby forming an intermediate structure for a flex circuit with self-aligned solid copper vias in a one step process. The contacts are reinforced by plating both surfaces with a layer of copper, and conventional processes are used to complete the circuit patterning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Donald C. Abbott, John E. Cotugno, Robert M. Fritzsche, Robert A. Sabo, Christopher M. Sullivan, David W. West
  • Publication number: 20010047881
    Abstract: A printed-wiring substrate 1 has main-face-side connection terminals 33 for solder-bonding to connection terminals 83 of an IC chip 81 on a main face 1A thereof and back-face-side connection terminals 41 for connecting, through mechanical contact, to connection terminals 93 of a motherboard 91 on a back face 1B thereof. The surface of each of the main-face-side connection terminals 33 is covered with a main-face-side displacement Au plating layer 45 having a thickness of 0.03 to 0.12 &mgr;m, and the surface of each of the back-face-side connection terminals 41 is covered with a back-face-side displacement Au plating layer 55, which is thicker than the main-face-side displacement Au plating layer 45 and has a thickness of 0.2 &mgr;m or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hisashi Wakako, Masahiro IBA, Kazuhisa Sato, Kazuo Kimura
  • Publication number: 20010047882
    Abstract: A land grid array (LGA) carrier includes an interposer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, with a plurality of locations on the first surface adapted to receive a plurality of semiconductor dice and passive components. The second surface has a plurality of conductive pads coupled thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: WILLIAM A. SAMARAS, PAUL T. PHILLIPS, MICHAEL P. BROWNELL
  • Publication number: 20010047883
    Abstract: A downhole drilling apparatus for interconnection in a casing or liner string having a drill bit disposed thereon for enabling the drilling of intersecting wellbores without removal of the drill bit is disclosed. In a disclosed embodiment, the apparatus comprises a housing having a window. A whipstock is disposed within the housing. Between the window and the whipstock is a filler. The whipstock and the filler define a central bore providing a fluid path through the apparatus. A back pressure valve may be disposed within the central bore to prevent back flow of fluids through the apparatus. Once the total depth of an initial wellbore is reached, the casing or liner string, including the apparatus, may be cemented in place. Thereafter, an intersecting wellbore may be drilled by laterally deflecting a second drill bit with the whipstock through the window of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: John Hanton, Tommie A. Freeman, William M. Imwalle
  • Publication number: 20010047884
    Abstract: Directional drilling apparatus (26) for location on a drill string (20) comprises a stabiliser (32) having a mandrel (38) for connection to the drill string (20) and an eccentric non-rotating element (46) mounted on the mandrel (38) for offsetting the string (20) in the bore (22) and a non-rotating offset mass (34) for maintaining the element (46) at a selected orientation relative to the bore (22) as the drill string (20) rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: ALAN MARTYN EDDISON
  • Publication number: 20010047885
    Abstract: A rotatable head assembly wherein there is an outer housing that carries a cartridge assembly that permits rotational movement. The cartridge assembly made up of a cartridge housing and cartridge body that is rotatable within the cartridge housing. Static seals are used to provide fluid seals between the radially outer surface of the cartridge housing and the outer housing. Fluid passages within the cartridge housing carry lubricating fluid from the static seals to dynamic seals that allow the cartridge body to rotate easily within the cartridge housing. Fluid passages are also provided within the cartridge housing for carrying spent fluid out through the cartridge housing. There may be multiple fluid inlets and outlets within the cartridge housing without requiring a multiplicity of stepped increases in the diameter of the cartridge housing and the outer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Ian Douglas Calder
  • Publication number: 20010047886
    Abstract: A stabilizing sleeve device for an impact drill bit used in underground drilling operations. The cylindrical tubular device has arcuate keys on a bottom edge for interlocking with keyways in the shoulder of a hammer drill bit and a locking key groove in its top edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Cody H. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20010047887
    Abstract: A drill head for an apparatus for directional boring includes a bit having a cutting portion for use in steering, such as a gage tower mounted with carbide studs, suitable for cutting both hard and soft rock, a holder for a device for detecting angular orientation of the bit, and a pneumatic hammer connected head to tail with the bit at the front end. The valve in the hammer initiates reciprocation of the hammer in response to rearward movement of the bit, such as in response to a pushing force exerted by the drill string. The drill string components are preferably keyed to one another so that the orientation of the cutting portion of the bit used for steering is automatically matched to the position of the sonde. The sonde may project laterally so that its mass centroid is on the opposite side of the cutting portion of the bit used for steering to provide better cutting action. Such a drill head is suited for drilling in soil, soft rock and hard rock conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane
  • Publication number: 20010047888
    Abstract: A drill bit for drilling into earth formations comprising an elongated body having spiral contoured stabilizers for up to a 360-degree stabilization to protect the cutting cones, the elongated body has multiple adjustable openings or nozzles to direct the pressurized fluid medium first to the cutting cone area and bottom of the drill hole to convey the dust and cuttings up the bore hole, a second, adjustable opening or nozzle adds more pressurized fluid means spirally up the contoured annular area in the stabilizer area, and a third, adjustable opening or nozzle at the upper end of the contoured stabilizer to add more pressurized fluid means in the drill pipe annular area to convey the dust and cuttings to the surface of the bore hole, the elongated body has replaceable cutting cones, and bearings and shank assemblies for rebuilding to original specifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: ROY W. WOOD
  • Publication number: 20010047889
    Abstract: An earth boring bit for boring a hole having a predetermined depth into the earth. The earth boring bit includes a cylindrical drum for being mounted for rotation on the end of a boom of a mobile machine and connected to and rotated by a power supply mounted on the boom. The drum includes an exterior for defining the diameter of the hole being bored and an interior adapted for receiving upturned earth therein as the hole is being bored. A plate is mounted in the drum adjacent a lower end thereof for movement between a closed position for cooperating with the interior of the drum for retaining the upturned earth therein and an open position for dispensing the upturned earth out of the interior of the drum at a predetermined location away from the hole being bored. At least one cutting member is carried on the plate for cutting the earth in a progressive slice and directing the earth into the drum, thereby boring the hole into the earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Willie H. Groce,, Brent L. Groce, Brian A. Groce
  • Publication number: 20010047890
    Abstract: A percussion drill bit is provided that has at least two different pluralities of inserts extending from the bit head to better match the conditions seen on the bit head during drilling. The preferred embodiment has a plurality of large inserts with a polycrystalline diamond layer located at least in the gage row and a plurality of smaller inserts located at least in the inner rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: JOHN ADAMS MEYERS, CARL W. KEITH, HUY D. BUI
  • Publication number: 20010047891
    Abstract: An earth-boring bit comprises a bit body bit body in which are mounted a plurality of cutting structures inserts, wherein at least a portion of the cutting structures comprise diamond-impregnated inserts having a total thermal exposure of less than 25 minutes above 1500° F. The diamonds can be natural or synthetic diamond. The bit body itself may be diamond-impregnated, in which case it is preferred that the diamonds in the inserts make up at least 40% of the total diamond in the bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: DAVID K. TRUAX, THOMAS WALTER OLDHAM, CARL EDWARD PENUEL, DUANE R. VAN WAES
  • Publication number: 20010047892
    Abstract: A sensor unit having a sensor and an adjustment means is welded to a vehicle. After the mounting of the sensor unit, a receiver mean externally receives modification information for modifying the load signal adjustment. Thereby, the load signal outputted from the sensor is adjusted by the adjustment means responsive to the modification information to be externally outputted. Thus, after the mounting of the sensor unit, the receiver mean receives the modification information, and the adjustment means adjusts the load signal supplied from the sensor based on the modification information. This allows the sensor unit to unitarily have the sensor and the adjustment means. Thereby, the adjustment means can be modified by the modification information externally supplied. Accordingly, the sensor unit with the adjustment means can be applied to various types of vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuji Suzuki, Toshihiko Ikoma
  • Publication number: 20010047893
    Abstract: By using a second Roberval mechanism having beams orthogonal to beams of a first Roberval mechanism for supporting a weighing dish by a movable pillar and integrating a movable pillar of the second Roberval mechanism with a movable pillar of the first Roberval mechanism, longitudinal and crosswise one-sided loads are shouldered by first and second Roberval mechanisms and. Furthermore, by forming flexible portions flexible for one-sided loads (right and left one-sided loads) about the axis of the first Roberval mechanism on the first Roberval mechanism, torsions due to one-sided loads in the crosswise directions are prevented and influences of the torsions can be reduced. Moreover, by forming flexible portions flexible for a longitudinal one-sided load on the second Roberval mechanism, a torsion due to the longitudinal one-sided load is prevented and influences of the torsion can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Komoto
  • Publication number: 20010047894
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle which has a body which may be configured as a boat hull, a pair of spaced apart front wheels, an endless track located rearwardly of the spaced apart front wheels, drive means operative to drive at least the endless track, a steering means connected to the spaced apart front wheels. The vehicle is able to handle most types of snow and land conditions and can also be configured to operate in water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Raymond Maguire
  • Publication number: 20010047895
    Abstract: A wheeled platform (100) is disclosed, which is characterized by high mobility and reliability, and which can be used in a wide range of applications including transport and robotic devices. The platform has fore and aft body portions (130, 132), each body portion with first and second side portions (103, 104). Overlapping wheels (112, 114, 116, 118) are rotatably attached to the port-side portion (106) and overlapping wheels (120, 122, 124, 126) are rotatably attached to the starboard-side portions. The fore body portion (130) can be connected to the aft body portion (132) via an articulation element (133).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Thomas L. De Fazio, David S. Barrett, Chikyung Won, Selma Slipichevich
  • Publication number: 20010047896
    Abstract: An arrangement for an electrical outlet for an all terrain vehicle is provided. The all terrain vehicle comprises a frame defining an engine compartment. The frame is supported by at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel. A fender assembly is disposed above one or more of the wheels and has a recess formed therein. An electrical outlet is at least partially disposed in the recess. The recess includes a sloping lower surface to facilitate drainage. A hood is disposed above the recess and protects the electrical outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Tatsuya Matsuura, Yasuhiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20010047897
    Abstract: The exhaust system has an exhaust comprising at least one silencer and/or catalytic converter which has a housing with a housing casing having a material thickness of not more than 1 mm and with housing ends. The exhaust furthermore has metallic pipes which are rigidly connected to said housing ends and at least one of which has a material thickness of, likewise, not more than 1 mm. The retaining means for holding the exhaust on the vehicle body has, for each housing end, a holder with a metallic retaining member connected to the pipe connected to the housing end or possibly to the housing itself. The at least one pipe having a material thickness of not more than 1 mm and to which the retaining member is connected or the housing casing to which the retaining member is connected is surrounded by a sleeve-like reinforcing element to which the retaining member is fastened, for example, by welding or brazing or adhesive bonding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Pieter Delfina Steenackers, John W. Jorg Alexnat
  • Publication number: 20010047898
    Abstract: A mount for mounting a cab on a vehicle frame includes a first and a second mounting part, one of which is provided on the cab and the other of which is provided on the frame. The mount further includes a vibration damper acting between frame and cab. The first mounting part includes an inner anchoring part and an outer anchoring part that is movable with respect to the inner anchoring part, the outer anchoring part radially enclosing the inner anchoring part, an elastic spring element acting between the inner and the outer anchoring parts, the cab being raiseable with respect to the vehicle frame, e.g., in a swiveling manner, from a driving position into a service position, and being lowerable from the service position into the driving position. In response to raising the cab into the service position, the first and the second mounting parts are separated from each other, and, in response to lowering the cab into the driving position, the first and second mounting parts are reconnected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Arno Hamaekers, Arnold Simuttis, Axel Rudolph
  • Publication number: 20010047899
    Abstract: An instrument panel structure includes a base structural body secured to a vehicle body and having an enclosed space, an instrument panel provided on one side of the base structural body that faces the vehicle compartment, and an air conditioning system disposed in the base structural body. The base structural body has a large cross section and defines a large space so that the air conditioning system including a heater core, evaporator, blower and others can be located inside the base structural body, assuring sufficiently high rigidity without increasing the weight and cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: YUICHI IKEDA
  • Publication number: 20010047900
    Abstract: A snowmobile positions riders close to the center of gravity of the snowmobile, reduces jostling forces, and improves the comfort and ridability of the snowmobile. The snowmobile has a steering position on a steering device that is disposed forward of the forward-most drive axle and center of gravity of the snowmobile. A steering shaft, which operatively connects the steering device to the skis, forms an angle of less than 45 degrees with vertical. The seat may have seat positions for one, two, or three riders, the first seat position being disposed less than 590 mm behind the forward-most drive track axle. The seat may be divided into two sections, the second seat section being removably attached to the frame behind the first seat section. The back of the seat and the rearward-most seat position may be disposed behind the back end of the snowmobile's frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Berthold Fecteau, Bruno Girouard
  • Publication number: 20010047901
    Abstract: A power unit of the motorcycle is provided with an engine unit in which a counter shaft is pivoted to a rear portion in a casing of an engine body provided with a crankshaft disposed along a motorcycle body width direction and a bracket having a fitting hole extending rearward so as to pass through in the width direction is formed in a rear portion outside the casing, a transmission unit and a bevel unit which are pivoted in a manner to be independent from the engine unit. One side surface of a front portion of the transmission unit is fixed to one side surface of a rear portion of the casing in the engine unit so as to connect the counter shaft to the input shaft to be integrally rotatable, the same side surface of the rear portion in the transmission unit is fitted and fixed to one side surface of the bracket so as to fit and fix the bevel unit to another side surface of the bracket. Thus, the output shaft is connected to a bevel input shaft to be integrally rotatable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Suzuki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinobu Tsutsumikoshi
  • Publication number: 20010047902
    Abstract: With a vehicle comprising a motor (5; 12; 20, 21; 32, 33) and two rotatable elements (1, 2; 18, 19; 30, 31) which are in contact with the ground during travelling of the vehicle, the vehicle has two substantially parallel, once passed through contact tracks with the ground and each of the two rotatable elements (1, 2; 18, 19; 30, 31) is capable of being driven. Consequently, the vehicle is compact and has a simple steering mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: LELY RESEARCH HOLDING A.G., a Swiss Limited Liability Company
    Inventor: Karel van den Berg
  • Publication number: 20010047903
    Abstract: An air induction system comprises an air induction body, a speaker with a first diaphragm disposed about the air induction body, and a second diaphragm spaced from the first diaphragm. A signal is generated from the first diaphragm and transmitted to the second diaphragm. The second diaphragm generates a noise attenuating sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Richard D. McWilliam, Ian R. McLean
  • Publication number: 20010047904
    Abstract: A dual belt system having a load-bearing or “utility” belt as well as a climbing harness waist band. An inner belt is a waistband for a climbing harness, the other outer belt being any typical load bearing belt, such as a military gear belt. The inner harness waistband and the load bearing belt are connected together by a series of releasable loops upon the waistband that may be opened to allow the load bearing belt to be separated from the harness. The loops may be closed and secured, as by fasteners, around a load bearing belt to temporarily connect together the harness waistband and the load bearing belt, so that they functional as an integral unit. Also provided are leg loops, permanently attached to the waistband of the harness, with which a true pelvis-girdling climbing harness may be assembled. The leg loops are stowed in a special pouch on the waistband until such time as they are deployed for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Ishmael L. Antonio
  • Publication number: 20010047905
    Abstract: A mobile device for releasably and adjustably supporting structures of varying dimensions that are capable of elevating a user above a supporting surface. The mobile device includes a plurality of wheels releasably and adjustably attached to the mobile device. The wheels include at least one driven wheel. The mobile device includes a driver for driving the at least one driven wheel. The driver is controllable by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Sean Boyer
  • Publication number: 20010047906
    Abstract: A U-shaped channel member fitted horizontally over a gutter, with each protruding channel member engaging the fascia board to which the gutter is attached. Ladder legs rest against the channel member between invention brackets. A strap attached to the channel member is adapted to engage a ladder rung with the gutter, thereby holding the ladder in engagement with the channel member and further preventing the ladder from sliding laterally or diagonal movement, i.e., ladder bottom kick out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: John T. Murray
  • Publication number: 20010047907
    Abstract: Fluid changing in an automatic transmission by opening the cooler line and draining used fluid, at the flow of normal circulation, out of the cooler line from the transmission into a drain receptacle for receiving used fluid and simultaneously supplying fresh fluid, from a pressurized supply receptacle, into the cooler return line to the transmission at a similar controlled rate that is equal or great than the rate of flow of the used fluid into the drain receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: James P. Viken
  • Publication number: 20010047908
    Abstract: An elevator including a cage configured to move up and down in a shaft along a guide rail, a plurality of car sheaves installed at a bottom of the cage, a cable placed around the car sheaves and configured to suspend the cage, a hoisting machine having a traction sheave configured to drive the cable, a base extending in a width direction of the cage and configured to support the car sheaves, and a first elastic member disposed between the cage and the base so as to attenuate vibration transferred to the cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: SHIN MURAKAMI, YASUYUKI WAGATSUMA, TADASHI SHUDO
  • Publication number: 20010047909
    Abstract: These carriers for the reception of all important components of a door drive can be used in different door systems with different entrance widths. For this purpose the carrier (10) consists of a base part (11) and a length adapter (12), which are connectible together in such a manner that carriers (10) of different lengths can be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: FRANK MOLLENAUER, BODO GRAEBNER
  • Publication number: 20010047910
    Abstract: A safety device to arrest movement of an elevator car guided by non-metallic guide rails employs a friction surface mounted on a wedge. The wedge is located in proximity to an angular horizontal locator when in the unengaged position. Upon activation of the wedge during an overspeed condition the horizontal locator urges the friction surface of the wedge into contact with the guide rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Otis Elevator
    Inventors: FREDERICK H. BARKER, RICHARD E. PERUGGI
  • Publication number: 20010047911
    Abstract: A cable feed for a cable actuated bicycle includes a housing and an actuator residing within the housing operatively associated with the cable. The cable feed consists of a mount attached to the housing having a mount orifice along a guide axis. A cylindrical ferrule having an axial bore extending between first and second ferrule ends includes a barb at the first end and a stop near the second end. The ferrule is axially inserted within the first end leading into the mount orifice with the stop halting axial insertion of the ferrule into the mount orifice. A minor elastic boot having a first end with an inwardly extending angular flange mates with the attachment barb and has an outer diameter at the first end large enough to prevent axial withdraw of the ferrule from the mount orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Wayne R. Lumpkin, Michael T. Mayberry
  • Publication number: 20010047912
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a rope brake especially for synthetic fiber ropes such as climbing ropes or the like. The rope brake has a housing which includes a guide device for at least one rope and this guide device can apply a braking action to the rope. The guide device includes at least one opening for the passthrough of at least one rope loop as well as a pin which extends across the opening and is movable in the plane defined by the rope loop. The pin runs within the rope loop and clamps the rope under load in the opening. At least one further cutout is provided on the housing of the rope brake for the purpose of better metering of the braking force. This cutout is provided for additional guidance and/or reversal of a single rope or double rope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Erwin Angerbauer, Roland Bross, Thomas Reinhardt
  • Publication number: 20010047913
    Abstract: A disk brake actuator for vehicles comprises a caliper mounted on a vehicle hub, a piston threaded in a sleeve and provided at an end thereof with a peripheral groove and a pressure plate connected with a flat face to the end of the piston by means of a bolt. The caliper has an opening into which the end of the piston extends. An annular gap between an edge of the opening and the end of the piston is closed by a belows-type boot. To prevent failure of the boot due to excessive heat, the present invention provides a disk brake actuator wherein an annular heat protection screen extends between the boot and the pressure plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Roberto Conti, Giovanni Bellomi
  • Publication number: 20010047914
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake device for a vehicle includes an auxiliary piston having an effective cross-sectional area larger than that of a master piston, and a pressure transmitting chamber provided between the large diameter portion and the master piston. The auxiliary piston is operatively associated with the assisting operation of an assisting device. A valve mechanism hydraulically closes the pressure transmitting chamber when the actuation of the master piston is assisted by the assisting device through the auxiliary piston and establishes hydraulic communication between the pressure transmitting chamber and a reservoir of the master cylinder when the master piston is not actuated by the assisting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Satoshi Ishida, Michiharu Nishii
  • Publication number: 20010047915
    Abstract: A brake fluid bleeding apparatus provided with an air cylinder portion which is expandable and contractable, a pedal attachment portion disposed on an end of the air cylinder portion and detachably attached to a brake pedal of an automobile, and a contact piece portion disposed on another end side of the air cylinder portion and contact a fixation portion inside the automobile to position and fix the air cylinder portion. Further, the brake fluid bleeding apparatus is provided with a flexible air pipe portion one of which end portions is connected to an air supplying hole of the air cylinder portion and the other has an open-close valve, and a connecting portion disposed on the other end side of the air pipe portion for connection to an air supplier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Okatsune Gears Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Masaru Takakubo, Masaharu Kitahara
  • Publication number: 20010047916
    Abstract: A motor includes a motor main body, an output arrangement secured to the motor main body, and a clutch arranged between the motor main body and the output arrangement. The motor main body includes a rotatable shaft. The output arrangement includes a housing and a worm shaft. The clutch transmits rotation of the rotatable shaft to the worm shaft and prevents transmission of rotation of the worm shaft to the rotatable shaft. The worm shaft and a driven-side rotator of the clutch are installed in the housing. The worm shaft and the driven-side rotator can be separately provided or alternatively can be integrally provided as a one-piece member. Then, a driving-side rotator of the clutch is installed on the rotatable shaft. Thereafter, the motor main body is connected to the housing of the output arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Takayuki Kudou, Masanori Koyama, Yoshimasa Tomida
  • Publication number: 20010047917
    Abstract: A clutch drum 15 is configured to reduce the weight of a clutch drum while keeping the mechanical losses of the clutch drum 15 in check. The clutch drum 15 houses several clutch plates 17 and has a cylindrical part 23 and a plurality of the teeth 25 that are arranged circumferentially around the inside of the cylindrical part 23 and extend in the axial direction. The teeth 25 have tooth cusps 29 and tooth flanks 31 on both rotational-direction sides. Bottom lands 35 are formed on the inside surface of the cylindrical part 23 between the teeth 25 in the axial direction. The outside recesses 37 are formed on the portions of the outside surface of the cylindrical part 23 that correspond to the teeth 25 and the inside recesses 27 are formed on the inside surfaces of the teeth 25.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Ikuo Murata
  • Publication number: 20010047918
    Abstract: The abstract relates to a hydraulic clutch release system, particularly for motor vehicles. The system 1 has a master cylinder and a slave cylinder, and the slave cylinder has a piston 7 which is annular in form and works inside an annular cylinder 2. The leading end of the cylinder is fitted with a seal 9 which is mounted on a one-piece seal carrier 10a through an undercut part of the carrier in which the seal fits without leaving any empty space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Koschmieder, Walter Parzefall, Ludwig Winkelmann, Harald Peschke
  • Publication number: 20010047919
    Abstract: An axial setting device in a housing, especially for actuating a multi-plate coupling whose friction plates are alternately connected in a rotationally fast and axially displaceable way to the one and the other respectively of two parts rotatable relative to one another, which rest against an axially fixed supporting disc and which can be loaded by an axially displaceable pressure disc, comprising a setting disc which is rotatably supported in the housing, which is mounted so as to be axially fixed in the housing and which is rotatingly drivable, a pressure disc which is held in the housing, which is held in a rotationally fast way by anti-rotation means arranged in the housing and which is axially displaceable in the housing, ball groove configurations in the surfaces of the setting disc and of the pressure disc, which surfaces face one another, which ball groove configurations extend in the circumferential direction, have oppositely directed gradients across the circumference and are associated with one ano
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Nikolaus Mayr
  • Publication number: 20010047920
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant door for a vending machine includes a conventionally-positioned product delivery port, a cash box vault positioned adjacent the delivery port for receiving a cash box, a coin return chute positioned at an upper corner of the delivery port, and a coin changer of conventional design positioned over the delivery port and the cash box. A changer vault partially encloses the coin changer. The cash box vault (and the cash box placed therein) are relocated away from their conventional position on the non-hinged side of the main door to a location adjacent the product delivery port on the hinged side of the door, while the coin changer is relocated away from its prior art position adjacent the non-hinged side of the main door to a central location above the product delivery port and the cash box vault. An elongated coin chute connects the coin return slot with the coin inlet of the coin changer. A first section of the coin chute is in communication with the coin slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden
  • Publication number: 20010047921
    Abstract: A vertical extending liquid/liquid contacting column is disclosed, which column will, when in use, contain a dispersed and a continuous liquid phase, the column having a first liquid feed inlet in the top, a first liquid outlet in the top, a second liquid feed inlet in the bottom, a second liquid outlet in the bottom and a plurality of internal trays axially spaced from each other in the column, each tray provided with a plurality of perforations for the passage of the dispersed phase and more than one downcomer or upcomer for the transport of the continuous phase, wherein the downcomer or upcomer extends respectively below or above the tray and wherein the walls of the downcomer or upcomer are inclined towards each other in the flow direction of the continuous phase. A method of use within the column is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Jose Luis Bravo
  • Publication number: 20010047922
    Abstract: An apparatus for charging containers includes a first conveyor for advancing items; a second conveyor for continuously advancing containers; a charging device including first and second chutes each having an inlet adjoining the discharge end of the first conveyor and an outlet positioned above the second conveyor. The first and second chutes adjoin one another in a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the second conveyor. A drive shifts the charging device and the discharge end of the first conveyor relative to one another for selectively aligning the inlet of the first chute or the inlet of the second chute with the discharge end for selectively introducing items from the first conveyor into the first or second chute. A sensor detects items advanced on the first conveyor. A control device is connected to the sensor and the drive for operating the drive based on the sensor signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Peter Meyer
  • Publication number: 20010047923
    Abstract: A cigarette packing machine wherein a hopper for housing a mass of cigarettes has at least two outlets, each for feeding groups of cigarettes successively to respective pockets of a conveyor through a respective lateral output opening and through a tubular connecting member, which is connected to an actuating device for moving the tubular member into a maintenance position to permit access from the outside to the tubular member, and at the same time to close a respective access to the conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Publication number: 20010047924
    Abstract: An apparatus for sequential loading, by means of a pusher, of bars in a rotating spindle of a machine tool, this loading apparatus comprising a device for alignment of an end of each loaded bar, on the axis of the spindle of the machine tool, the said alignment device itself comprising jaws which, having bearing surfaces able to define a cylindrical support around the bar, are supported by a mechanism allowing their counter-displacements, wherein said mechanism for displacement of the jaws of the apparatus includes:
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: LNS S.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Scemama
  • Publication number: 20010047925
    Abstract: A conveyor for materials uses a gearset to generate horizontal differential conveying motion in a conveying member. The conveying motion includes an advancing stroke in a conveying direction and a retracting stroke in a direction opposite to the conveying direction. The linear velocity of the retracting stroke is greater than the linear velocity of the advancing stroke to move materials along the conveying member in the conveying direction. The gearset is preferably a ring gear and a pinion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Triple/S Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: JAMES F. SULLIVAN JR
  • Publication number: 20010047926
    Abstract: A multidirectional switch including a housing having disposed at an inside bottom portion thereof a central fixed contact, a common contact, and a plurality of peripheral fixed contacts; and a plurality of metallic movable contact springs disposed so as to oppose the central fixed contact and the peripheral fixed contacts, respectively. In the multidirectional switch, the movable contact springs are always in electrical conduction with the common contact, the movable contact springs being connected by a metallic connecting portion in order to form an integral structure. In addition, by operating an operating rod, at least one of the movable contact springs is brought into electrical conduction with the opposing central fixed contact or the corresponding one of the peripheral fixed contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiromichi Kozuma
  • Publication number: 20010047927
    Abstract: A switch button is coupled to a supporting member through a hinge. The switch button and the hinge are integrally molded using a synthetic resin or an elastomer, or a synthetic resin and a synthetic rubber, respectively. In this way, the switch button can be readily pressed and comfortably manipulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Satoshi Ogawa, Yoshiyuki Aoki
  • Publication number: 20010047928
    Abstract: In a key switch device 3, a guide member 10 constructed of a first and a second links 14 and 15, which guides a vertical movement of a key top 9, is movably mounted on a support plate 2 with a mounting member 6 provided with a rotatably supporting portion 7 which rotatably supports a rotatable shaft 18 formed at a lower end of the first link 14 and a slidably supporting portion 8 which slidably supports a slidable shaft 20 formed at a lower end of the second link 15. The mounting member 6 is fixed on the support plate 2 with a first, second, and third adhesive layers 24, 25, and 26.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsumasa Kako, Isao Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20010047929
    Abstract: A process and reactor for chemical conversion is taught. The process allows the selective breaking of chemical bonds in a molecule by use of fast rise alternating current or fast rise pulsed direct current, each fast rise portion being selected to have a suitable voltage and frequency to break a selected chemical bond in a molecule. The reactor for carrying out such a process includes a chamber for containing the molecule and a generator for generating and applying the selected fast rise current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Richard Stanley Phillips, Andrew Richard Henry Phillips, Helmut Gerhard Conrad