Patents Represented by Law Firm Barnes, Kisselle, Raisch, Choate, Whittemore & Hulbert, P.C.
  • Patent number: 5572898
    Abstract: A die transfer system for transferring workpieces through successive dies stations in a stamping press includes an elongated finger bar having spaced fingers for engaging workpieces at successive die stations. A drive module for reciprocating the finger bar laterally into and out of engagement with the workpieces at the die stations, and for lifting the workpieces above the level of the die stations for longitudinal transfer between die stations. The drive module has a crank arm coupled to the drive shaft for rotating the crank arm about an axis parallel to the finger bar. A cam plate is coupled to the finger bar and mounted for movement lateral to the crank arm axis and the finger bar. A cam follower is mounted on the crank arm and disposed in a slot on the cam plate, such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the crank arm and propels the cam follower along the slot to move the cam plate and finger bar horizontally and vertically in sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Livernois Die and Automation
    Inventors: Boice F. Horde, Robert L. Decheim
  • Patent number: 5574948
    Abstract: A method of separating jumpless add-on cards having identical I/O ports onto different I/O ports by first providing a special comparator in the hardware and then providing a software program to produce different responses from different add-on cards even though such cards are using the same I/O ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Su-Chu Lin, Jeng-Fang Chiou
  • Patent number: 5570639
    Abstract: Apparatus for preventing runaway of trolleys in a power-and-free conveyor system that includes a friction bar that extends lengthwise of the free conveyor track on a side of the track remote from the power conveyor for motion lengthwise of the track at an acute angle to the direction of motion of the trolleys along the track. The friction bar is releasably biased laterally outwardly from the track and in a direction lengthwise of the track opposed to the direction of trolley motion on the track so that trolleys may travel freely along the free conveyor track past the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: FKI Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Richard G. Hooper, Robert E. Mahu, Thomas A. Moroney
  • Patent number: 5570805
    Abstract: An above ground storage container assembly comprises a steel tank for volatile liquid housed within a concrete vault. The walls of the vault are spaced from the tank to provide an air envelop around the tank. The air envelop is vented to prevent the tank from rusting or corroding. Lifting bars are anchored in the vault so that the entire assembly may be raised. A spill trap surrounds the fill opening from the tank and also surrounds a drain hole with removable plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Clawson Tank Company
    Inventor: Charles W. Harding
  • Patent number: 5568858
    Abstract: A power drive unit for aircraft cargo handling systems that includes an electric motor and a drive roller mounted on for rotation about an axis parallel to the motor output shaft for engagement with cargo to be driven by the unit. A planetary gear differential and a torque control arrangement couple the motor output shaft to a self-erecting mechanism for lifting the unit into engagement with cargo, and to the drive roller for propelling the cargo. A scrub sensor is coupled to the drive roller for modulating application of electrical power to the motor when the drive roller is scrubbing against cargo engaged by the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Vickers, Incorporated
    Inventor: James R. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5568745
    Abstract: An improved wheel disc and disc and and rim wheel assembly, and method and press apparatus for manufacturing the same. The wheel disc is adapted for telescopic press fit precision mounting into a mating wheel rim to form the wheel assembly. A flat disc blank is progressively die formed into a disc preform having a cross-sectional contour proximating that of the finished disc. The disc preform is then placed in a segmental expand punch and die tooling of the press apparatus which operates to apply radial expansion pressure to substantially the entire inner circumference of the peripheral flange portion of the disc preform to thereby permanently deform the same into a finished flange portion on the disc having precision finished predetermined dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Motor Wheel Corporation
    Inventor: Anwar R. Daudi
  • Patent number: 5570418
    Abstract: A device for detecting an operation state of a telephone hook switch in a telephone includes a timer, a controlling circuit, a counter and a table electrically interconnected. According to the present invention, the abnormal signals generated by the hook switch cannot be accepted by an exchange or even if the signals are accepted by the exchanger, the mute function of the telephone will be utilized to make the users unable to listen to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jui-Kuang Wu, Mao-Sung Chen, Meng-Tsang Wu
  • Patent number: 5566526
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for use in a bag forming/filling/sealing machine for controlling the operations of a film transportation motor (10) and an article transportation motor (18) based on the operation of a sealer driving motor (25) which is driven at a cyclic variable speed. The rotation cycles of the respective motors (10, 18, 25) are determined, based on a reference pulse which is generated by a crystal oscillator (28) and input to a central processing unit (27). When a value of the length of articles (19) to be packaged is input to the central processing unit (27), the central processing unit (27) specifies constant speeds of the film transportation motor (10) and the article transportation motor (18) and a cyclic variable speed of the sealer driving motor (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Ibaraki Seiki Machinery Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasutaka Suga
  • Patent number: 5564528
    Abstract: A force motivating a strut to incline itself in the running direction (front-and-rear direction) of a movable main body is produced by impact stress caused by accelerating, decelerating or stopping the operation of a delivery device. Such force can securely be received by a bottom frame structure as well as by a reinforcing structure of the portions of projected corner members protruding in the running direction which are formed integrally with a cylindrical body of the strut at respective corners thereof. A force motivating the strut to incline itself in the direction orthogonal to the running direction is produced by inward/outward load delivery operation by means of a delivery instrument provided on a carriage. Such force can also securely be received by the bottom frame structure as well as by the reinforcing structure of the portions of the projected corner members protruding in the orthogonal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Goto, Yuso Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5565049
    Abstract: The subject matter of this invention relates to a method of making glass fiber mat reinforcement material with a thermoplastic adhesive powder. Fiberglass strands are chopped and randomly air dropped onto a Teflon.RTM. coated conveyor belt to form a loose mat. A water mist is then applied to the loose mat and transport belt, before a powdered adhesive is dispensed. Heat is applied to plasticize the adhesive and finally the adhesive is solidified by cooling. The adhesive will then release from the transport belt and is adhered to the material forming the fiberglass reinforcement mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Astechnologies, Inc.
    Inventors: F. Arthur Simmons, George M. Elliott, Douglas D. King
  • Patent number: 5557959
    Abstract: A die transfer system for transferring workpieces through successive die stations in a stamping press includes an enlongated finger bar having spaced fingers for engaging workpices at successive die stations, a first drive mechanism for reociprocating the finger bar longitudinally for transferring workpieces between successive die stations, and a second drive mechanism for reciprocating the finger bar laterally into and out of engagment with the workpieces at the die stations. The second drive mechanism has at least two finger bar drive modules coupled to the finger bar and spaced from each other lengthwise of the finger bar. A drive shaft extends between and interconnects the two drive modules. Each of the drive modules has a crank arm coupled to the drive shaft for rotating the crank arm about an axis parallel the finger bar. A cam plate is coupled to the finger bar and mounted for movement lateral to the crank arm axis and the finger bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Livernois Research & Development Company
    Inventors: Bernard J. Wallis, Sabatino A. Bianchi
  • Patent number: 5556414
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a novel composite prosthesis comprises a vein and a cylindrical-shaped member. The vein is a vein segment removed from a patient and the cylindrical-shaped member, preferably an expandable stent, is glued, sutured, or in some other fashion affixed to the outside surface of the vein. The vein segment of the combination is referred to as a vein graft or vein implant to distinguish it from the vascular structure into which it is inserted as a part of the combination. This composite prosthesis is then introduced inside a body passageway, such as diseased arterial segment or inside a saphenous vein graft segment which by-passes an arterial segment. It may be introduced by placement over a balloon catheter. When the balloon is inflated the stent and vein graft expand. The stent prevents recoil and keeps the vein graft tissue in place, while the vein graft forms a new inner lining for the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Wayne State University
    Inventor: Zoltan G. Turi
  • Patent number: 5555688
    Abstract: A decorative molding system removably installed at a juncture of a ceiling and a vertical wall, said molding system comprising a plurality of thin molding strips of flexible plastic having a length and an upper free edge, a lower free edge, a front surface and a back surface. The upper free edge is adapted to lie against one of the ceiling and the vertical wall along a line spaced from the juncture of the ceiling and vertical wall and flex relative thereto. The lower free edge is adapted to lie against the other of the ceiling and the vertical wall along a line spaced from the juncture of the ceiling and vertical wall and flex relative thereto. A corner in the room is formed by a first flexible molding strip mounted along a first wall and extends toward the corner of an intersection with an adjacent second wall. An adjacent second flexible molding strip is mounted on the adjacent second wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Mid-America Building Products Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Logan
  • Patent number: 5555687
    Abstract: A decorative molding system removably installed at a ceiling and a vertical wall. The molding system includes a thin molding strip of flexible plastic and a plurality of flexible plastic clips attached at spaced points along the back surface points of the molding strip. A wall track of flexible plastic is mounted adjacent the upper edge of the track on one of the ceiling and said vertical wall. Interengagement is provided on the free end of the clip and the track such that when the thin molding strip with the flexible plastic clips attached thereto is mounted on the track by relative movement, the free end of the clip is moved into the gap and the forward leading edge of the track is engaged. At the juncture of adjacent molding strips, one of the molding strips is provided with a complementary shaped plastic segment spaced from the internal surface of the molding strip to provide a cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Mid-America Building Products Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Logan, Michael C. Clark, Daniel G. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5554442
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric having good heat bondability which is suitable for use as interlining and cushioning material, and a binder fiber for use in such nonwoven fabric. The binder fiber is a polyester copolymer which includes .epsilon.-caprolactone as a polyester component and has a melting point of not less than 100.degree. C. In the nonwoven fabric, principal fibers are bonded by the binder fiber. The nonwoven fabric has soft feel and is highly resistant to flattening during prolonged use or while in use under high temperature atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Unitika Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Matsunaga, Katsuyoshi Niikura
  • Patent number: 5552698
    Abstract: A voltage supply system for use on an IC chip is provided. The system comprises a voltage shifting circuit for transferring an IC chip external input voltage signal range to an operating voltage range of an IC chip internal logic circuit, an IC chip internal logic circuit including low voltage components contributing to major functions of the IC chip, a low voltage signal range to high voltage signal range conversion circuit for stretching the operating voltage signal range of the IC internal logic circuit to an IC chip external output signal range, and a reference potential signal generating circuit for generating reference potential signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chiao Y. Tai, Yung L. Chen, Chun-Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 5551151
    Abstract: In one method of making the wheel the parts are temporarily assembled in a fixture with the connector flanges movably engaged with one another, and the center part is precision located relative to the rim in a predetermined orientation relative to the rim bead seats by bodily shifting of the center part as and if necessary relative to the rim to accomplish such alignment. The parts are then permanently assembled in fixed relationship while so located by permanently securing the connector flanges together in a non-take-apart mode to provide a final predetermined permanently fixed orientation of the center part relative to the rim bead seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Motor Wheel Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph C. Overbeck
  • Patent number: 5549319
    Abstract: A toe-in angle adjustment mechanism is provided which comprises a geared adjustment plate that is attached to a suspension arm for a rear wheel. The adjustment plate has a bushing centrally mounted therein and is connected to the wheel spindle. A locking plate is provided to prevent unwanted frame movement of the wheel angle during adjustment. The locking plate has an access for a geared adjustment tool for engaging the teeth of the adjustment plate to pivot the adjustment plate and thus the spindle to adjust the toe-in angle of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: L & W Engineering Company
    Inventor: James T. Kring
  • Patent number: 5550085
    Abstract: A method of forming damage-free buried contacts in a semiconductor substrate without the trenches and pitted areas can be carried out by forming a silicon oxide layer as a gate dielectric layer on top of the substrate, forming a first polysilicon layer on top of the silicon oxide layer, anisotropically etching away the first polysilicon layer by using a first mask and a first etching gas that has high etching selectivity between polysilicon and silicon oxide such that a first portion of the polysilicon layer is left on the top surface of the substrate except the area defining a buried contact, forming in the substrate a zone of a second conductivity type at the area defining the buried contact by implanting impurity ions, removing the silicon oxide layer over the area defining the buried contact and removing the masking layer over the first portion of the polysilicon layer, depositing sequentially a conducting layer and a second polysilicon layer, anisotropically etching the second polysilicon layer over an a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Min-Sea Liu
  • Patent number: D373095
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Bulgari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Bulgari