Patents Represented by Law Firm Griffin, Butler Whisenhunt & Szipl, LLP
  • Patent number: 6070989
    Abstract: There is provided a globe supporting structure that supports a globe of a gas lantern which burns combustible gas discharged from a gas cartridge containing the combustible gas by means of a burner head located inside the globe, including a ventilator positioned above the globe, a plurality of wires rotatably arranged on the ventilator, each of which rotates about the ventilator, and is shaped so as to be capable of reaching a bottom surface of the globe, and a globe supporting plate that supports the globe, and is provided with first arrangement which is detachably engagable with a portion of the wires reaching the bottom surface of the globe. In accordance with the globe supporting structure, the globe can be removed easily from the globe supporting plate without breaking the globe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Snow Peak, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yokoyama, Toshikazu Ikarashi
  • Patent number: 6068611
    Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongated tube having a first channel for the guiding of a radioactive element and a second channel for the passage of a guide wire for the catheter, in which the elongated tube is provided on its outer circumference near its distal end with temporarily activatable centering means, the centering means being surrounded by recanalization means, and the centering means comprising a plurality of elongated balloons which are inflatable by fluid fed through at least one third channel and, in operation, allow the recanalization means to expand to form an elongated body, with respect to which the first channel is centered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Delft Instruments Intellectual Property B.V.
    Inventors: Edgar German Loffler, Arie Luite Visscher
  • Patent number: 6068898
    Abstract: A film sheet having a pressure valve portion with one or more holes passing partially through the sheet film on one side of the sheet film, and a thin portion covering each of the one or more holes. The thin portion is preferably constructed to rupture when a predetermined maximum sustainable pressure differential is applied across the sheet film. In one embodiment, sheet film has a first film layer; and a second film layer, having one or more through holes, laminated to the first film layer. In another embodiment, the sheet film has a first film layer, a second film layer having one or more through holes, and a third film layer having one or more through holes, wherein the second film layer is laminated on one side of the first film layer, and the third film layer is laminated on the other side of the first film layer so that the one or more through holes of the second film layer are aligned with the one or more through holes of the third film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Hitoshi Omoto
    Inventor: Yoshio Oyama
  • Patent number: 6065200
    Abstract: A method for assembling body parts wherein at least two originally separate elements are brought to an assembly station, where they are held stationary with respect to one another and with reference to the assembly station. Supports, uniquely adapted to handle a plurality of models of parts grip the elements and are used to bring the elements to the assembly station and are thereafter transported to further assembly stations for the addition of additional elements as appropriate. The elements are joined together, for example, by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Preciflex Systems
    Inventor: Bernard Negre
  • Patent number: 6066945
    Abstract: An electric power saving transformer for three-phase current with an automatic voltage transferring device, in an autotransformer of a three-phase three-wire system or a three-phase four-wire system, has phase-winding of one set or plural sets of main coils which are connected to input terminals on a three-phase core-type core; connecting plural sets of exciting coils mutually connected in series to wind the three-phase core-type core between the ends of the main coils by means of plural combinations of connection; connecting plural electric switches between the ends of the main coils and the exciting coils which are switched to ON/OFF based on a voltage value detected at the input or output terminals; and connecting and disconnecting between the ends of the main coils and the exciting coils, by switching ON/OFF of the electric switches stepwise on the same value of voltages or currents between the phases in order to automatically change output voltage correspondingly to input voltage onto voltage transferrin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Legend Power Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiyuki Shimazu, Koji Yabase, Kunio Shimazu
  • Patent number: 6066813
    Abstract: Most prior-art switch inserts for rotary switches of a type including wiped segments and a switch wiper have a tall construction, and are unsuitable for carrying high current loads. In a switch insert of this invention, wiped segments (5) are arranged inside a plastic plate (8) so that they can be contacted from another side by a further switch wiper (9) having contacts (10) arranged in a mirror image of contacts (11) of a first switch wiper (7), with the further switch wiper (9) having positioning lugs (12) that extend through control recesses (13) of the first switch wiper (7) to accept a leaf spring (15) in a locking slot (14) thereof on the other side. The leaf spring supports itself by resiliently bracing on a surface of the first switch wiper (7) facing away from the contacts (11), and thereby loads the contacts (10, 11) of both switch wipers (7, 9) against the wiped segments (5). Generally switch inserts structured according to this invention provide an extremely flat construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Preh-Werke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Bauer, Thilo Kirchner
  • Patent number: 6063480
    Abstract: An artificially patinated copper plate in which a copper sulfide layer 2 is formed on the surface of a copper base plate 1 by sulfiding for coating the same, and the copper sulfide layer 2 having an artificially patinated layer 3 is formed distributed and bonded thereon by spraying a resin solution mixed with basic copper carbonate constituting the main component of natural patina. The percentage of the area occupied by the artificially patinated layer 3 on the copper sulfide layer 2 is most preferably 25% to 80% and the thickness of the copper sulfide layer 2 is most preferably 0.1 to 0.5 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Sambo Copper Alloy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Hokazono, Shinji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6063513
    Abstract: A specular-surface body (1) which has a sufficient resistance against irradiation of high energy beams--such as X-rays, SOR beams, laser beams, etc.--can be suitably used as reflecting mirrors, diffraction gratings, etc. for such high energy beams. The specular-surface body is formed by a silicon carbide film (3) being formed by chemical vapor deposition on a surface of a substrate (2) of silicon carbide sintered material, the film surface then being processed to be a specular surface (3a). There is a defect-free crystal layer (3b) at a depth d of 300 .ANG. from the specular surface (3a) of the silicon carbide film 3. The silicon carbide film (3) has a crystal structure strongly oriented to one crystal plane (for example, the (220) plane) specified by Miller indices in such a manner that its X-ray diffraction intensity ratio becomes 90% or more at a peak intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Pillar Packing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kichiya Tanino
  • Patent number: 6062129
    Abstract: A griddle is disclosed having a base with a surface for cooking food items that is heated by pressurized steam circulated through a passageway in the base from a temperature controlled boiler. Steam injected beneath a cover adapted to be placed over the food items cooking on the heated surface can greatly decrease the required cooking time for the food item. A grill heated by the same pressurized steam is also disclosed with a similar cover and steam injection feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventors: Joseph R. Tippmann, Vincent P. Tippmann
  • Patent number: 6061862
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus (10, 10', 10") includes a hand shield (14, 16, 16') with an attachment device (64, 68, 68') thereon for selectively attaching the hand shield to a cleaning tool (12, 12') for protecting a hand gripping a grip portion (32) of an elongated handle of the cleaning tool when the cleaning tool is manipulated to clean a surface such as a hot grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Whit Corporation
    Inventor: W. Michael Whitaker
  • Patent number: 6059009
    Abstract: A device and method for hanging decorative or functional panels with grommets involves prefabricated textile tape with built in grommets and a ring for covering each grommet for an aesthetic look and cost efficient fabrication. The tape with the grommets is sewn in its full width to a back of a panel. The panel is cut out within the grommet holes. A covering ring is put over the cut edge of the panel at each grommet and snapped into the grommet below. This prevents the edges of the panel from fraying and at the same time the grommets are fully covered. The tape is not visible from the front side. For decorative purposes, the rings can be made in different designs, colors and finishes and can be exchanged at any time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Gerd Haiber
  • Patent number: 6056629
    Abstract: In a free form machining tool 10 for machining a surface to be machined while bringing the lower end into contact with the surface to be machined by a rotation around an axis z, the tool comprises a spherical tool 12 having a spherical surface machining section 13 on the lower portion, and a bearing 14 for supporting the spherical tool by an axis a of rotation which passes through the center .largecircle. of the spherical surface and is different from the axis. The tool also includes rotating means 16 (for example, a turbine) for rotating the spherical tool around the axis of rotation. Thus, even if the spherical surface machining section comes into contact with the surface to be machined on the axis (radius: 0) of the tool, the spherical surface machining section is rotated around the axis a of rotation which is different from the axis z. Therefore, a peripheral speed of the axis is not zero (0).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignees: The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Ikegami Mold Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Ohmori
  • Patent number: 6056449
    Abstract: A frame assembly for supporting a portable video or other camera. The assembly comprises a rigid frame, having a front, and a rear. A pair of shoulder rests are connected to the frame and constructed to rest on the shoulders of an operator. A pair of hand grips are connected to the front of the frame. A camera mount is disposed on the front of the frame for releaseably holding the video camera. Lastly, an adjustable counterweight member is connected to the rear of the frame, for balancing the center of gravity of the frame substantially over the shoulders of the wearer, when the camera is held by the mount. The camera mount and counterweight are preferably relatively slideably adjustable to balance the center of gravity of the frame assembly over the shoulders of the operator. In one embodiment, the counterweight is replaced by a gyroscope member of equal weight in order to retain static balance and imparts added dynamic stability to the frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Hart Productions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul K. Hart
  • Patent number: 6052836
    Abstract: An electric toilet comprising a cabinet or housing (10), an opening (16) in the top side of the cabinet, a lid (14) assigned to the opening (14), an upper bowl (18) arranged inside the opening, which bowl is openable downwards, a combustion chamber (32) arranged beneath the upper bowl (18) with a combustion space (34) and provided with an opening (36) directed upwards, assigned to which opening is a lid (38), heating coils (44) arranged in the combustion space (34) and an evacuation device (48, 50, 52) connected to the combustion space (34). The invention is characterized in that at least the combustion space's (34) lower part is formed principally spherically and that the heating coils (44) are arranged in the upper part of the combustion space round its circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Sirus Technology AS
    Inventor: Thor Pedersen
  • Patent number: 6051685
    Abstract: A peptide derivative having analgesic activity represented by the following Formula I: ##STR1## wherein Q represents D-Arg or L-Arg; and X represents for example NR.sup.6 --CHR.sup.7 R.sup.8. Typical compounds include H.sub.2 NC(NH)-Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 COOH and H.sub.2 NC(NH)-Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CONH.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Daiichi Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinobu Sakurada, Kimie Murayama, Masaharu Nakano, Kazuya Hongo, Satoko Takeshima, Nobuhiro Take
  • Patent number: 6050772
    Abstract: Specifications of the impeller and the scroll type casing of a multiblade radial fan comprising an impeller having numerous radially directed blades circumferentially spaced from each other and a scroll type casing accommodating the impeller are determined so as to make divergence angle of the scroll type casing substantially coincide with divergence angle of the free vortex formed by the air discharged from the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Hatakeyama, Hideki Kawaguchi, Noboru Shinbara, Yoshinori Nakamura, Takeshi Uemura
  • Patent number: 6052501
    Abstract: The cable includes optical fibers (1) enclosed in an outer sheath (2) having elongate reinforcing members (4) embedded therein, disposed in two diametrically opposite groups (3) each comprising a plurality of mutually tangential reinforcing members (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: SAT (Societe Anonyme de Telecommunications)
    Inventor: Patrick Jamet
  • Patent number: 6052339
    Abstract: Watch with visual and touch horometric functions, including:a case (1) sealed by a crystal (4) arranged above an analogue dial (5) surrounded by a fixed bezel (8)a time-keeping circuit (10), a stepping motor (11);a non-acoustic vibration generating device (20);a power source (24) supplying the circuit (10), the motor (11) and the vibration generating device (20);twelve sensors (C.sub.1 to C.sub.12) facing the twelve time positions and a control element (9);an electronic coding circuit (25) associated with the circuit (10), the sensors (C.sub.1 to C.sub.12) and the control device (9) to control the vibration generating device (20);wherein the bezel (8) has twelve projections (R.sub.1 to R.sub.12) being arranged between the twelve sensors (C.sub.1 to C.sub.12) which extend radially beyond the bezel (8) and the case (1), said projections (R.sub.1 to R.sub.12) to guide a user's finger towards a determined sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Asulab S.A.
    Inventors: Erik Jan Frenkel, Pascal Derivaz
  • Patent number: 6050057
    Abstract: Packing apparatus for packing mail items, magazines, books, CDs and like products composed of one or more layers, comprising a product-assembling path, a folding station, and a separating station, the folding station comprising a first conveyor belt on which at least a part of the packing material web is located which extends below the products to be packed, a pulling element which is arranged above the first conveyor belt and engages parts of the packing material web located at the top side of the products to be packed, and connecting means by means of which the longitudinal edges of the packing material web are interconnected, a pressure plate which is arranged above the first conveyor belt, the top side of which pressure plate is engaged by the pulling element, in operation, with the interposition of at least the longitudinal edges of the packing material web, the distance between the first conveyor belt and the bottom side of the pressure plate being such that products of different thicknesses can pass th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Buhrs-Zaandam B.V.
    Inventors: Roberto Tuyn, Petrus Franciscus Kivits
  • Patent number: 6046533
    Abstract: A discharge cell for use in an ozone generator is provided which can suppress a time-related reduction in ozone concentration without adding a catalytic gas such as nitrogen gas to oxygen gas as a raw material gas. The discharge cell includes a pair of electrodes disposed in an opposed spaced relation with a discharge space therebetween, and a dielectric layer of a three-layer structure consisting of three ceramic dielectric layers successively stacked on at least one of the electrodes, wherein a first dielectric layer of the dielectric layer contacting the one electrode contains no titanium dioxide, wherein a second dielectric layer of the dielectric layer exposed to the discharge space contains titanium dioxide in a metal element ratio of not lower than 10 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Suguru Nakatsuka