Having A Cam, Wedge, Or Tapered Portion Patents (Class 403/409.1)
  • Patent number: 6568658
    Abstract: A connector for use in assembling railings. The connector includes a cylindrical shank for slip fit receipt inside a hollow section of a railing component. The shank has at least one groove having an abutment portion, a seating area, and a tapered portion. An O-ring with an outside diameter larger than the shank and larger than the inside diameter of the railing is set into the seating area of each tapered groove. Proximal movement of the railing component onto the shank of the connector during initial mounting presses the O-rings against the abutment portions and compresses them into the grooves. Subsequent distal movement of the railing component causes the O-rings to ride up the tapered portions of the grooves due to the friction with the inner surface of the railing component being mounted on the shank. The O-rings subsequently wedge between the outside surface of the shank and the inside surface of the railing component locking together the railing component and the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: CraneVeyor Corporation
    Inventor: Gary F. Strome
  • Patent number: 6558066
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a component (10) to a drive shaft (14, 52) of a wiper system (62), in which the drive shaft (14, 52) has at least one cross-sectional region (16) deviating from circular symmetry, has a pressure piece (18, 102), which is placed between the drive shaft (14, 52). The component (10), even before assembly has an opening (20) shaped to suit the cross-sectional region (16, 54) deviating from circular symmetry, and has an outer cone (22, 100), with which it is pressed, via a separable fastening element (24) on the drive shaft (14, 52), into a suitably shaped inner cone (26) of the component (10) and fixed jointly with the component (10) in the longitudinal direction of the shaft (28, 30). The cross-sectional region (16, 54), deviating from the circular symmetry, of the drive shaft (14, 52), at least in a region in the mounting direction (28), has an increasing diameter (32). The pressure piece (18, 102) is fixed nonpositively, without play, on the cross-sectional region (16, 54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6551041
    Abstract: An anchorage device that includes a receiver having a body having an aperture along an axis, the aperture having a first section of a first size and a second section of a second size, the second size being smaller than the first size, the first section having a first retaining recess, and the second section having a second retaining recess. The receiver cooperates with a male connector adapted for insertion into the aperture of the receiver, the male connector includes a set of parallel retractable retaining mechanisms located along the male connector. The system provides for engagement of at least two of the retractable mechanisms against the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Gary E. Choate
  • Patent number: 6546600
    Abstract: A cable clamp of the spring biased wedge type incorporates a housing having an elongate slot formed therethrough, the slot being disposed in parallel relation to the direction of movement of the wedge in the housing. A retractor pin extends through the slot and is coupled to the wedge. The wedge may be shifted into cable releasing position by the application of compressive forces exerted between the portions of the pin projecting through the slot and an abutment portion or end of the housing. A simplified method of assembly includes interposing a spring between the wedge and the portion of the housing, shifting the wedge such that a blind bore in the wedge is aligned with the slot, and thereafter connecting a pin to the wedge as by press fitting, portions of the pin projecting outwardly through the slot to thereby capture the wedge and spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Duro Dyne Corporation
    Inventor: John Lyons
  • Patent number: 6536984
    Abstract: A fastening bracket system for connecting two abutting members at a fixed angle includes a locking bracket having a flange and attached to one member and a channel bracket having a channel and attached to the other member. The channel or the flange, or both, is tapered. The flange is inserted into the channel until it becomes locked. Multiple locking brackets and channel brackets may be used in series to form longer joints. A method of assembling a joint from two abutting members at a fixed angle includes the steps of attaching at least one locking bracket having a flange to one of the members and at least one channel bracket having a channel to the other member, either the flange or the channel being tapered; positioning the members in the desired angle; and inserting the flange into the channel until it is locked, thereby locking the brackets together and securing the two members in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventors: James G. Ring, Kevin L. Brinkman
  • Patent number: 6527468
    Abstract: A ball joint (10) for supporting a first suspension member (12) for movement relative to a second suspension member (14) comprises a socket (30) for connection with the first suspension member, a bearing (38) in the socket, and a stud (40) having a first end portion (42) and a second end portion (50). The bearing (38) supports the first end portion (40) of the stud (40) in the socket (30) for pivotal movement relative to the socket. The second end portion (50) of the stud (40) projects from the socket (30) for connection with the second suspension member (14). The second end portion (50) of the stud (40) has a tapered outer surface (60). The second suspension member (14) has a tapered inner surface (22) defining an opening (24) in the second suspension member. The ball joint (10) further comprises a collar (70) on the stud (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: David Lindquist, Robert J. Schmidt, Brian A. Urbach
  • Patent number: 6520708
    Abstract: In a device for connecting two parts for the sake of high-precision fixation of the two parts in a defined positioning to one another, two connection pairs are provided, each comprising one wedgelike tab, assigned to the first part and extending in the connection direction, and one wedge-shaped notch, assigned to the other part and extending in the connection direction, with a course of the wedge that is contrary to that to the tab, and into which notch the tab can be pressed, causing deformation. The two connection pairs are oriented such that the press-in directions of the tabs into the assigned notches are opposite one another in terms of the connection direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Jung, Hartmut Nitzsche, Heinz Seibert, Gerald Kuenzel, Hans-Peter Seebacher, Bernd Wieland, Peter Litterst, Hansjuergen Linde, Uwe Neumann
  • Patent number: 6516895
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a shank including a shank holder having a passage for receiving the shank, the passage having at one end opposite tapering surfaces which define with the leading edge of the shank opposite tapering spaces for receiving wedge members. Bolts are provided between the wedging members and holder to urge the wedging members longitudinally of the passage to wedge the shank in a selected position relative to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Allan James Yeomans
  • Patent number: 6514005
    Abstract: A member coupling device is provided for use with a treatment apparatus which uses chemicals. The member coupling device is formed with a tapered hole including a tapered hole portion which diverges toward an opening. A tapered implant is inserted into the tapered hole from an enlarged side of the tapered hole portion and fitted therein. The implant includes a tapered portion in contact with the tapered hole portion, and a first thread formed on the tapered portion. With the implant fitted in the tapered hole, a member is placed in contact with the member coupling device. A second thread formed on a fastening member is engaged with the first thread of the implant in a screw coupling configuration to mount the member on the member coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeji Shiokawa, Mitsuya Mikawa, Toshimitsu Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6481913
    Abstract: A device is designed to secure the front tube of the handlebar of a foldable scooter and is formed of a shaft rod, two clamping members, a wrenching rod, a lashing collar, and a stop nut. The device is pivotally fastened between the front tube of the handlebar and the folding mechanism of the foldable scooter. The clamping members are actuated by the wrenching rod to hold and push a press member of the shaft rod to press against the front tube, so as to prevent the handlebar of the scooter from swaying at the time when the scooter is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Melton International L.L.C.
    Inventor: Tsang-Ying Chen
  • Patent number: 6471051
    Abstract: A connection element for at least two components (15, 7) of a conveyor support or guide structure, of the type comprising a body (1) presenting a first element (2) having first (3) for removably fixing a portion (15A) of one (15) of said components, and a second element (5) having second part (6) for removably fixing a tubular portion (7A) of said other component (7), in which the first and second fixing (3, 6) are distinct and separated from each other, the first fixing (3) having a plurality of slotted apertures (3A-D), and the second fixing (6) having an expansion member (8) able to expand within said tubular portion (7A) to fix it to said second element (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: System Plast S.p.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Marsetti, Rodolfo Reatti
  • Patent number: 6461075
    Abstract: A device for securing a handle on a tool and including inner member having a first end to be fixedly connected with the handle, a second end formed as an expansion cone to be releasably connected with the tool, and an outer thread provided between the first and second end, a securing element surrounding the expansion cone and displaceable along the cone, and an adjusting sleeve surrounding the inner member, engageable in the securing element, and having an inner thread cooperating with the outer thread provided on the inner member for enabling displacement of the securing means relative to the inner member upon rotation of the adjusting sleeve, with the adjusting sleeve having, at its handle end, a thread-free cover section forming with an outer circumference of the inner member an annular clearance, which provides for securing handles having different diameters, and with the device further including drain channels communicating with the annular clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Manfred Bickel
  • Patent number: 6447201
    Abstract: A load relief coupling device which interconnects a lower, supporting member and an upper, supported member of a concrete forming apparatus to permit quick and easy relief of the load on the members by a formed concrete structure. The load relief coupler includes a supporting coupler member, a supported coupler member, and an inner coupler member positioned between the supporting and supported coupler member. Coacting teeth on the inner coupler member and on the supporting and supported coupler members cause the coupler to move between a loaded, expanded position and an unloaded, collapsed position upon relative pivotal movement between the inner coupler member and the two supporting and supported coupler members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Wilian Holding Company
    Inventor: Robert G. McCracken
  • Patent number: 6422116
    Abstract: An improved throat plate is disclosed herein. The throat plate includes a main body, an opening in the main body for allowing a cutting tool to extend therethrough, and a retainer assembly attached to the main body for retaining the throat plate in contact with the table. Preferably the retainer assembly is pivotally attached to the main body and/or is movable between a first position contacting the table and a second position bypassing the table. The retaining assembly may pivot about an axis substantially perpendicular to a plane of the table. The retainer assembly may also include an extension that contacts underside of the table. The extension in turn may include a camming surface contacting the underside of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Maria I. Kenyon, Michael L. O'Banion
  • Patent number: 6413005
    Abstract: A fastener for securing objects to a slat floor, having a self-centering and self-aligning capability. A first embodiment comprises a body formed of a durable material and having a top surface, a lower surface, at least one side surface, and a central hole extending between the top surface and the lower surface. A second embodiment comprises a body formed of a durable material and having a top surface, a lower surface, at least one side surface, and a central hole extending between the top surface and the lower surface, wherein the top surface of the body has a flat central surface and two sloping upper surfaces starting adjacent to the flat central surface and angling downward toward either end of the body, and a lower fastener component that is coaxial with the central hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Wahoo Concrete Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Massie
  • Patent number: 6406051
    Abstract: A trailer hitch drawbar 1 having a cam bar 4 mounted along one side such that rotating the cam bar extends or retracts the side of the cam bar 4a along the side of the drawbar. This cam action firmly wedges the drawbar inside a receiver tube 9. An adjustment set screw 2 is provided to set the cam for optimum expansion force in a given receiver tube. A locking pin 5 extends from the drawbar when the cam bar is rotated to the lock position. The locking pin is operated by a second cam surface 4b on the cam bar moving against the inner end of the locking pin. The pin extends into the standard locking pin hole 11 in the receiver tube to prevent longitudinal slippage of the drawbar in the receiver tube. An adjustable drawbar stop 13 sets the penetration depth of the drawbar into the receiver tube to align the locking pin with the locking hole in the receiver tube. This allows instant insertion and locking of the drawbar without searching for pin alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: Cal M. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6401935
    Abstract: There is provided a shale shaker having at least a base, a shaker screen, a basket, and a screen retainer for releasably mounting the shaker screen to the basket. The basket is mounted movably with respect to and on the base. The screen retainer has at least a cam surface and a tensioning device. The tensioning device has at least a bearing surface in contact with the cam surface, a spring responsive to the bearing surface, and at least one screen contact surface for engaging the shaker screen when the spring is placed in compression by the exertion of force by the cam surface on the bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Michael D. Wiseman
  • Patent number: 6392891
    Abstract: A conduction cooled electronic card module is designed for insertion into a chassis of an electronic device so as to transfer thereto a heat generated by electronic components of the module. The module comprises a circuit card of a convection cooled type, and a thermally conductive frame carrying the circuit card. The circuit card has a front surface carrying at least a part of the electronic components, and a rear surface at least edge areas of which are adapted to be in thermal contact with the chassis. The frame is in thermal contact with the part of the electronic components and with the front surface of the circuit card at least at edge areas thereof, so as to conduct heat generated by the electronic components, via the edge areas of the front surface to the edge areas of the rear surface of the circuit card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Elta Electronics Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Jacob Tzlil, Ronen Zagoory
  • Patent number: 6371684
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clamping ring for connecting cylindrical units of a missile, which have each a circumferential projection and a flat-conical engagement surface. The clamping ring comprises a circumferential portion bent to a arc of a circle and having two ends, which can be tightened together by means of a turnbuckle. The clamping ring has cheeks along its rims. The cheeks have flat-conical engagement surfaces corresponding to the flat-conical engagement surfaces of the circumferential projections of the cylindrical units to be connected. The clamping ring extends with the cheeks over the circumferential projections of the units. In order to increase the strength of the clamping ring by suitable shaping within a predetermined space, the inner surface of the clamping ring is free from edges and guided tightly about the outer contours of the circumferential projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Bodenseewerk Geratetechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Giesenberg, Rainer Flickinger, Friedrich Kessler
  • Patent number: 6361241
    Abstract: A base for fastening of a hinge to a piece of furniture comprises a body (11) from which, at the lower part thereof, a pair of anchors (12) of the radial expansion type for fastening to a piece of furniture and, at the upper part thereof, an element (13) for hooking of the hinge, project. A U-shaped lever (15) has arms connected to the anchors to produce a simultaneous movement of both anchors between a non-expansion position and an expansion position on movement of the lever between a lifted position and a lower position. Advantageously, the lever can be employed as a handle for easy removal of the base from the piece of furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventors: Franco Ferrari, Carlo Migli
  • Patent number: 6357959
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the connection of removable and replaceable equipment to a structural member. The invention is particularly advantageous in environments where there is vibration or movement, such as with a tractor-trailers, railroad freight containers, airplane or the like. The present invention provides a triple acting wedge boltless connector system for connecting a mounting member to a structural member. The boltless connector system of the present invention tends to tighten and more securely engage when subject to vibration or movement. Consequently, vibration does not loosen the boltless connection but instead makes the connection more secure. Thus, there is no need for threaded fasteners and washers. The present invention also facilitates easy removal of the equipment from the main structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: TTX Company
    Inventor: William R. Halliar
  • Patent number: 6354759
    Abstract: A connector made of two pieces, each piece being a single one-piece stamping, the pieces having mutually engaging hooks forming camming elements. The pieces are mounted on the exterior surfaces of the members of the frame to be connected. The connectors at certain locations in the frame are opposite and symmentrical, but otherwise identical in construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: Frank Leicht
  • Patent number: 6309135
    Abstract: A clamp includes an object clamping portion having a tubular shape defining an object receiving passageway therethrough, and a clamp receiving passageway transverse to the object receiving passageway and in communication therewith. An object clamp is received in the clamp receiving passageway, and may include a pair of cooperating clamp members defining an imaginary cylinder and a recess therein for the object. Each clamp member may also have at least one fastener receiving passageway therein offset a predetermined distance from an axis defined by the imaginary cylinder. The object clamp may also include at least one fastener extending between corresponding fastener receiving passageways of the pair of clamp members for urging the clamp members together to engage the object. The at least one fastener may be a plurality of fasteners. The fastener receiving passageways may also be canted at a predetermined angle from parallel to the axis of the imaginary cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: L.H. Thomson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Loronzo H. Thomson, Brian Thomson, Mark P. McJunkin
  • Patent number: 6276868
    Abstract: A cam and expandable dowel type device is provided for joining together two members, e.g., furniture components. The cam is rotatably mounted in a first of the members and designed to engage a head portion of the sleeved dowel protruding from the second member. Rotation of the cam displaces the dowel relative to the sleeve, causing the end of the sleeve to expand and thus anchor the sleeved dowel in the second member. Further rotation of the cam causes the two members to be drawn tightly together. The sleeve is designed to be partially collapsible over its length in order to provide an improved tightening action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Titus International PLC
    Inventor: William Ernest Taylor Vallance
  • Patent number: 6276867
    Abstract: A cam and expandable dowel type device is provided for joining together two members, e.g., furniture components. The cam is rotatably mounted in a first of the members and designed to engage a head portion of the sleeved dowel protruding from the second member. Rotation of the cam displaces the dowel relative to the sleeve, causing the end of the sleeve to expand and thus anchor the sleeved dowel in the second member. Further rotation of the cam causes the two members to be drawn tightly together. The camming element is designed to have a working rotational capacity of at least 190°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Titus International PLC
    Inventor: William Ernest Taylor Vallance
  • Patent number: 6272718
    Abstract: A wiper arm, has a joint part (1) and a wiper rod (2), in which the wiper rod (2) is guided in the joint part (1) in a guide region (1.2) by means of spaced-apart retaining faces (3, 4), and the retaining faces (3, 4) in the installed state fit over at least a fractional portion (7.2) of the wiper rod (2), in which the retaining faces (3, 4) taper conically toward one another, in which the wiper rod (2) has a conically tapering partial region (7), and in which the outer dimensions of the partial region (7), in a first portion, are less than the inside diameter between the retaining faces (3, 4) and, in a second portion (7.2), a distance between edges of the retaining faces (3, 4) is larger than a distance between the first portion (7.1) and the retaining faces (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ben Van De Bruinhorst
  • Patent number: 6246582
    Abstract: A circuit card module having increased cooling efficiency which comprises at least one printed wiring board (PWB), at least one component mounted on the PWB, a heatsink, an interchangeable frame, and a wedgelock for use with a chassis cold wall. One embodiment of the interchangeable frame comprises a protrusion so that it can be used with a convection-cooled chassis (fully compliant with IEEE 1101.2 Specifications). Another embodiment, for use with conduction-cooled chassis only (partially compliant with IEEE 1101.2 Specifications), is maximally efficient in removing heat as it does not include the protrusion. In the embodiment without the protrusion, the conduction contact area between the chassis cold wall and the frame is increased in width from approximately 0.25″ to approximately 0.35″. In either embodiment, the wedgelock is mounted to one surface of the frame such that when installed in a conduction-cooled chassis, the opposite frame surface is forced against the chassis cold wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Habing, Thomas Allan Odegard
  • Patent number: 6243271
    Abstract: A positioner for an electronic card in a slot, the positioner including a head and at least one leg, the height of the positioner being substantially equal to the width of the slot, the leg being arranged for insertion into an aperture through the electronic card, the bottom of the leg being arranged for alignment with a reference plane of the electronic card and to contact a wall of the slot. Preferably, the positioner includes two legs for insertion into a pair of apertures in an electronic card in a slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: ECI Telecom Ltd.
    Inventor: Baruch Guttmann
  • Patent number: 6231265
    Abstract: A latching assembly includes a first mating portion and a second mating portion disposed adjacent and rotationally restrained relative to the first mating portion. A first cam member having a first cam profile is mounted on the first mating portion. A second cam member having a second cam profile is mounted on the second mating portion. The second cam profile is adapted to inter-fit with the first cam profile. Torque induced by the cam members when the cam profiles are engaging rotates the first cam member until the first cam profile is inter-fitted with the second cam profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Rytlewski, John R. Meijer, Dinesh R. Patel
  • Patent number: 6212075
    Abstract: An adapter for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) circuit card modules resulting in increased cooling efficiency. COTS circuit card modules generally have at least one printed wiring board (PWB), at least one component mounted on the PWB, a heatsink or some type of heat path, a frame for supporting the cards, and a wedgelock for use with a conduction-cooled chassis. The adapter increases the cooling efficiency of such COTS modules while allowing them to remain compliant with IEEE 1101.2 Specifications. The invention is efficient in removing heat from the COTS circuit card modules as it increases the conduction contact area between the chassis cold wall and the COTS module. In addition, the adapter allows for the use of an extended width wedgelock to increase the clamping force over the conduction contact area. The extended width wedgelock is mounted to one surface of the frame such that when installed in a conduction-cooled chassis, the opposite frame surface is forced against the chassis cold wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Habing, Thomas Allan Odegard
  • Patent number: 6200059
    Abstract: A tool adjustment system includes a first body, a second body and an adjusting member. The adjusting member is rotatably affixed to the first body and allowed to rotate in the second body during angular adjustment of the first body relative to the second body. In yet another aspect of the present invention, an adjustment tool and a locking tool are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: BTM Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin G. Sawdon, Dean J. Kruger
  • Patent number: 6182545
    Abstract: A conventional ball lock mechanism has been replaced with a wedge adapted to lock a tool, such as a punch, forming tool or die bushing in a retainer block in which the tool can be accurately positioned relative to the retainer block. The tool is released by moving the wedge away from the retainer block. The inclined surface of the wedge may be inclined upward or downward at an acute angle to the vertical, or the wedge may have both upwardly and downwardly inclined surfaces. The upper portion of the tool is preferably non-circular and is held within a tool cavity formed when the wedge is disposed in the retainer block. One surface of the wedge (its tool-mating surface) is adapted to correspond to the surface of the tool in contact with the wedge. The assembly of wedge slidably disposed within the retainer block is preferably used with a hardened backing plate rather than being secured directly to the die shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Francis Richard Janek, Jr.