Patents Represented by Law Firm Carothers and Carothers
  • Patent number: 7896968
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a winding type plasma CVD apparatus in which quality of a layer can be made uniform by supplying a reaction gas uniformly to a deposition area of a film, and can perform a self-cleaning process of a deposition portion in the path of deposition onto the film. A film (22) is supported between a pair of movable rollers (33, 34) arranged on the upstream side and downstream side of the deposition portion (25) with regard to the traveling direction of the film, and then the film (22) is made to travel substantially linearly at the deposition position. Consequently, the distance between a shower plate (37) and the film (22) is kept constant, and the quality of the layer is made homogeneous. The film is heated by means of a metal belt (40) traveling simultaneously on the back side of the film. The moveable rollers (33, 34) ascend from the deposition position to the self-cleaning position, and the film (22) can be separated from the shower plate (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ulvac, Inc.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Hirono, Isao Tada, Atsushi Nakatsuka, Masashi Kikuchi, Hideyuki Ogata, Hiroaki Kawamura, Kazuya Saito, Masatoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 7884551
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to RF (radio frequency) inductive coupling plasma (ICP) sources exciting and maintaining plasma within a closed and vacuum sealed discharge chamber filled with a gaseous medium at a controllable pressure in the range from 1 mTorr to atmospheric pressure. The inductively couple plasma source of the present invention includes a radio frequency source, a quasi-closed O-type solenoidal inductor comprised of two equal section U-shaped solenoid coil halves separated from one another to form two operating gaps between aligned spaced ends of the solenoid coil halves. Each of the U-shaped halves of the solenoid coil is sectioned to have an electrical midpoint connected to the radio frequency source and the distal outer ends of the solenoid coils, which correspond to the aforesaid aligned spaced ends of the quasi-closed solenoidal inductor, are connected to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Shunko, Inc.
    Inventor: Evgeny V. Shun'ko
  • Patent number: 7874951
    Abstract: A motor to accessory drive system wherein an electric or gasoline motor, having a housing with a drive shaft end protruding from the motor housing, is mounted with respect to the accessory to be driven, such as a pump or a generator, which also has a housing with a drive shaft protruding from the accessory housing, with a mounting plate secured at one end to the motor housing, and secured at another end to the accessory housing whereby the accessory is supported from the motor. The mounting plate is provided with spaced apertures with the drive shaft ends of the motor and accessory respectively protruding through the apertures in parallel alignment. A drive pulley is mounted on each of the protruding drive shaft ends in alignment in a common plane and an endless belt is in driving engagement with the pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Jenny Products, Incorporated
    Inventor: Daniel Leiss
  • Patent number: 7874500
    Abstract: A snow making apparatus of the low profile snow gun type or of the tower type having independent and co-extending air and first water conduits supported above ground. Air and first water discharge nozzles are connected to the upper ends respectively of these conduits for producing a plume of atomized water from external interacting air and water discharge under pressure from the air and water discharge nozzles to produce snow in sub-freezing ambient conditions. A second water conduit co-extends with the air and first water conduits and a second water discharge nozzle is connected to the upper end of this second water conduit in the head of the snow gun or tower for discharge of additional water under pressure to ambient atmosphere through this second water discharge nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Charles N. Santry
  • Patent number: 7821767
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide that an electrostatic chuck device which can properly and promptly diselectrify a substrate to be processed. In an electrostatic chuck device (11) attracting a substrate (W) to be processed on the surface of a susceptor (12) electrically, a diselectrifying circuit is provided which includes diselectrifying electrode means (16) facing the surface of the susceptor (12), a diselectrifying potential (19), and a diselectrifying resistance (17) connected between the diselectrifying electrode means (16) and the diselectrifying potential (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Ulvac, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Fujii
  • Patent number: 7780735
    Abstract: A total knee arthorplasty in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is accomplished by surgically removing the meniscus and adjacent joint end portions of the femur and tibia and then replacing the first one of the removed joint end portions with a first prosthetic component. Thereafter a flexible protector shim is temporally inserted between the first prosthetic component and the other of the joint end portions. Then the other of the removed joint end portions is replaced with a second prosthetic component while the protector shim is maintained in position between the prosthetic components for thereby preventing scarring, scratching and minimizing movement during the cement curing phase of the insertion process. The protector shim is thereafter removed and a prosthetic meniscus is inserted between the two prosthetic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Cheryl A. Shank
  • Patent number: 7768142
    Abstract: A gravity motor wherein a beam is pivotally mounted intermediate its opposite ends for oscillation in a vertical plane about a pivot point on a support structure. A moveable weight is slidably connected to the beam for reciprocal movement between the opposite ends of the beam past the pivot point. A drive unit is mounted and engaged for driving the weight back and forth between opposite ends of the beam thereby causing reciprocation of the beam about the pivot point by gravity to rotate a shaft in order to generate electricity or to provide other motor functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Stanley Cieslak, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7763056
    Abstract: A cervical compression plate assembly having screw receiving elements at opposite ends that are configured for engaging bone fixation screws extending from respective vertebral elements. The assembly permits the distance between the screw receiving elements at opposite ends to be shortened but prevents the distance from increasing. A spring mechanism is housed within the plate assembly and is configured for continuously urging the screw receiving elements at opposite ends together for thereby providing continuous compressive loading on bone graft material disposed between the vertebral elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventor: Brian E. Dalton
  • Patent number: 7708005
    Abstract: An apparatus for splitting masonry material which includes a frame and table vertically moveable in the frame, the table also having an attached lower blade, for supporting masonry material thereon to be split. An upper blade is positioned in the frame over the table in alignment with the lower blade. A hydraulic jack with an extendable ram is also supported in the frame below the table and is actuated by an actuating lever to thereby raise the table and lower blade combination to engage masonry material supported thereon between the upper and lower blades for splitting. A mechanism for quickly raising the table with its attached lower blade and the ram of the hydraulic jack for initial fast engagement of the upper and lower blades with the masonry material to be split is provided upon initial actuation of the actuating lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Raymond F. Lackner
  • Patent number: 7699851
    Abstract: A bone cutting jig system for forming and shaping spinal implants is shown. The system includes a first cutting jig having a bed with a clamp mechanism for clamping donor bone positioned on the bed. A cutting guide insert or plate is received in fixed orientation on the bed and is further provided with two spaced cutting blade cutting guides which are configured for transversely cutting out a segment of the donor bone with a reciprocating saw or router to a predetermined shape to provide a custom fit lumbar, cervical or thoracic inter-body fusion implant. A second cutting jig is provided for making additional cuts to the preformed implant for custom fit to particular implant applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Brian E. Dalton
  • Patent number: 7671962
    Abstract: Providing a spacer forming method by which spacers can be securely formed in a predetermined region on a substrate. Ink containing granular spacers is jetted onto a crossing portion of a black matrix 5 in the shape of a lattice. Red pixel R, green pixel G and blue pixel B are formed in the openings of the lattice. The spacer containing ink is jetted onto the spacer forming positions from the nozzle by the ink jetting method. Plural drops of ink 7 are jetted onto each of the spacer forming positions on one of the opposite substrates E. The gap between the opposite substrates E can be securely maintained at a constant for filling with liquid crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ulvac, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuzo Tanaka, Masao Murata, Junpei Yuyama, Hiroshi Koshina, Hiroto Uchida, Koji Hane, Takanori Tsuji, Mitsuru Yahagi
  • Patent number: 7670433
    Abstract: The problem solved by this Invention is to provide a vacuum evaporation deposition method of the winding type and a vacuum evaporation deposition apparatus of the winding type which can form a metal film on a base film made of single layer plastic film without thermal deformation and with superior productivity. To solve the above problem, there are provided an electron beam irradiator 21 for irradiating an electron beam onto a film material 12 arranged between an unwinding roller 13 and a deposition source 16; an auxiliary roller 18 for guiding the film 12 in contact with the deposited metal layer and arranged between a can roller 14 and a winding roller 15; a DC bias power source 22 for applying a DC voltage between the auxiliary roller 18 and the can roller 14; electricity removing unit 23 for removing electricity from the film 12 and arranged between the can roller 14 and the winding roller 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ulvac, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Hayashi, Shin Yokoi, Isao Tada, Atsushi Nakatsuka
  • Patent number: 7669834
    Abstract: A hose end lever controlled ball valve spigot incorporating a quarter turn lever actuated ball valve having a valve housing with a 90° inlet which protrudes 180° away from the valve actuating lever so that the lever handle of the valve is exposed in a vertical plane for easy access and operation. An outlet spout is secured to the valve housing at the valve outlet and extends at an approximate angle of 45° from the valve housing in the same direction as the actuating lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Richard C. Hampton, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7607356
    Abstract: A Pirani vacuum gauge in which dependency of temperature of a filament on variation of gas pressure is raised and the gas pressure can be measured with high accuracy. The Pirani vacuum gauge includes a cylindrical body 2 in which the interior communicates with a space to be measured for pressure; a filament 1 enclosed in the cylindrical body 2; and a pipe 7 surrounding the filament 1 in the cylindrical body, the least distance between the facing inner walls of the pipe being equal to less than 6 mm and the pipe 7 covering more than 80% of the length of the filament 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: ULVAC, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Miyashita, Naoki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7604401
    Abstract: A substrate temperature measurement apparatus and a processing apparatus, whereby thermocouple wire reliability is improved, influence of infrared rays on the chip is reduced and the temperature of the substrate can be accurately measured. A chip (16) made of metal material reflecting infrared rays and electromagnetic waves, has an insertion opening (16a) for inserting thermocouple wires (20a, 20b) is crushed and deformed with the thermocouple wires inserted, and thereby united together with the thermocouple wires, and contacted with the substrate (13); and a supporting member or members (15b, 15c), made of material of lower thermal conductivity than said chip (16), are provided for supporting said chip (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: UL Vac, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Fujii
  • Patent number: 7594406
    Abstract: The invention has an object to provide a regenerator and cryogenics pump using a regenerator material which fulfills such requirements as specific heat, thermal conductivity, manufacturing easiness, strength, hardness, chemical stabilization and low cost instead of Pb which is environmentally harmful. In a regenerator 14 which contains regenerator material 16 in an internal path for refrigerant, and in which heat is exchanged between the helium gas as refrigerant, and regenerator material, regenerator material 16 is any one of Sn, Bi—Sn alloy and Ag—Sn alloy. The regenerator material 16 is spherical. Plural spheres are packed in the internal path of the regenerator 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignees: Ulvac Cryogenics, Inc., Ulvac, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Murayama, Shinji Furuya, Hidetoshi Morimoto, Junpei Yuyama
  • Patent number: 7520250
    Abstract: A breather assembly for ventilation and pressure control within a crankcase of a positive displacement motor or pump. The breather assembly includes an intake/exhaust port through the crankcase with a valve seat for the port on an exterior surface of the crankcase. A flexible valve membrane is positioned over the port on the valve seat on the exterior of the crankcase for flexing outwardly to exhaust air under positive pressure from the crankcase to atmosphere and to close the port when the crankcase pressure is neutral or negative. An irregular surface is provided on the face of the valve membrane facing to and engaging the valve seat and this surface is provided with a texture which permits air to flow over the valve seat and into the port in a controlled quantity when a negative air pressure condition is attained in the crankcase whereby a predetermined small vacuum level may be maintained in the crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Jenny Products, Incorporated
    Inventor: Daniel Leiss
  • Patent number: 7514875
    Abstract: An inductively coupling plasma source having a primary winding powered directly from a radio frequency source and a quasi-closed O-type ferrite core comprised of two equal U-shaped core halves separated from one another to form two operating gaps between aligned spaced ends of the core halves with the quasi-closed ferrite core disposed in the primary winding. A metallic housing is provided having a discharge chamber therein and two opposed walls with symmetrically opposed bone-shaped ports, wherein the ports are closed and vacuum sealed with insulating material and each is provided with two side openings dimensionally respectively fitted to and engaged with the spaced ends of the quasi-closed ferrite core, and a through slot connecting the side openings along their centerline for inductive excitation and maintenance of plasma in the operating gaps positioned within the discharged chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventor: Evgeny V. Shun'ko
  • Patent number: 7478799
    Abstract: A railing system having a thin profile balustrade for minimum obstruction of the view therebeyond. The railing system includes spaced parallel upper and lower rails which are supported in conventional fashion from upright posts. The balustrade is made of a plurality of parallel upright rod balusters extending between the rails and having upper and lower bent ends. Upper and lower elongate channels are provided and they respectively extend with the upper and lower rails. Each channel has an open side which is respectively secured against the bottom side or inside of the upper rail and the top side or inside of the lower rail, thereby providing an enclosed elongate passage in the channels. Spaced apertures are provided in the channels and receive the bent rod ends therethrough with the bent ends received in the channel passages for retention therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Inventor: Robert P. Viviano
  • Patent number: 7476284
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for laminating glass articles without using an autoclave. The sandwich structure to be laminated is preheated than is placed in a controllable vacuum and subjected to electromagnetic radiation with specified frequencies and power. The final heating is provided by convectional heat source. Pressure that is applied continuously during the radiating, heating and cooling steps is also specified for achieving an appropriate bond. An apparatus appropriate for realizing the invented process is also provided. The apparatus includes a loading table, three furnaces, and a cooling chamber which are adjusted to and adjoined to each to other. These parts provide the necessary conditions for high-quality laminating simple and multi-sandwich structures with high production rate and efficiency. The apparatus is inexpensive and fits into the space of two glass article lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Gyrotron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladislav Sklyarevich, Mykhaylo Shevelev