Patents Represented by Law Firm J & A
  • Damping strut
    Patent number: 6702266
    Abstract: A damping strut. An inner damping member is axially engaged with an outer housing. The outer housing is connectable to a tensioner arm. A wedge member connected to an immoveable mounting member is axially engaged with an inner portion of the inner damping member. The outer housing is axially moveable relative to the wedge member. A spring bears upon and urges the outer housing away from an end cap. The end cap comprises a rod, which extends axially within the wedge member and has an end connected to the inner damping member. The rod transmits a spring load force from the end cap to the inner damping member such that the inner damping member radially expands against the outer housing in response to the spring load force, thereby creating a frictional force between the inner damping member and the outer housing which damps an outer housing movement in proportion to the spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Andrzej Dec
  • Hydraulically assisted restraint device
    Patent number: 6698052
    Abstract: A device for restraining the upward movement of a dock comprising a hydraulic cylinder having a fixed end; a piston slideably disposed in the cylinder so as to define opposed first and second chambers; a rod having one end connected to the slideable piston, extending through the first chamber and having another end adapted for connection to the dock; hydraulic reservoir containing hydraulic fluid communicating with the first chamber; valve means disposed between the reservoir and the first chamber, the valve means having open position permitting the hydraulic fluid to flow from the first chamber to the reservoir and extending the rod in response to the upward movement of dock; a closed position stopping the flow of the hydraulic fluid from the first chamber to the reservoir and restraining the upward movement of the dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Renum Hydraulics Ltd.
    Inventor: Christiaan Stolk
  • Container with fastener
    Patent number: 6694671
    Abstract: A plant container comprising a lower section, an upper section removably securable to said lower section so as to define a cavity therein, said upper section presenting a top opening communicating with said cavity, fastening means associated with said upper and lower sections for fastening said upper section to said lower section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald Vahrmeyer
  • Container for cut flowers
    Patent number: 6691456
    Abstract: A plant container containing sidewalls extending from a bottom to a top opening so as to define a cavity, said top opening smaller than said bottom, an opening at said bottom and removable plug means for closing said opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald Vahrmeyer
  • Versatile garment pocket
    Patent number: 6691323
    Abstract: A garment pocket has a flap cover secured to the front piece by means of cooperating straps of hook-and-vane cloth fastener. One of the upper corners of the flap cover is diagonally cut-away to expose a small part of the pocket opening, providing a convenient way to clip and quickly retrieve a pen or similar device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: JT USA, LLC
    Inventor: Donald J. Widmer
  • Brake lathe suspension arm
    Patent number: 6679144
    Abstract: An articulated arm assembly adapted to carry machine means comprising a first member, a second member pivotally connected at one end thereof to said first member for pivotal movement thereabout, a third member extending outwardly from another end of said second member, said third member including means for connection to said machine means, means for adjusting the position of said machine means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Wheeltronic Ltd.
    Inventors: Harold O. Yeo, Christopher L. Greenwald, Jeffrey P. Hastings, David E. Cox, Jr.
  • Electronic assembly video inspection system
    Patent number: 6681038
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically assessing the quality of a printed circuit board assembly (6) using digitized video image analysis. The apparatus integrates with existing relatively low precision automated surface mount technology (“SMT”) manufacturing systems as an inspection station (56a) insertable at various steps in the assembly process or as a separate manually loaded station. The inspection station includes a high resolution video imaging system and a video image analyzer comprising an onboard master computer (26a) that generates control signals to reposition the camera mounted within a screen (45) on a movable carriage (22a) and/or reposition the circuit board, and adjust the lighting; and generates individual board status data to be archived, graphically displayed on monitors (40a, 41a) or otherwise utilized by a rework station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Vectron, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Vilella
  • Method and system for restricting access to the private key of a user in a public key infrastructure
    Patent number: 6678821
    Abstract: An encryption/decryption system for providing restricted use of each key in a plurality of keys to preserve confidentiality of the plurality of keys. Each key is usable by an associated user in a public key infrastructure to encrypt and decrypt data. The encryption/decryption system comprises a key storage means for storing a plurality of keys, user authentication means for determining whether a prospective user of a key in the plurality of keys is the associated user of the key, and an encryption/decryption means for encrypting and decrypting data using the plurality of keys when the user authentication means authenticates the prospective user. The encryption/decryption means is operable in a browser on a client computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: E-Witness Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Craig Waugh, Michael Albert Roberts, Rahim Alibhai
  • Stepped cam die
    Patent number: 6672126
    Abstract: The invention comprises a cam die. The cam die comprises at least one cam ring. The cam ring comprises a plurality of moveable cam teeth. The cam teeth are moveable on a normal toward an axis of the cam die by a cam actuator. The cam actuator has an inside diameter that is less than an outside diameter of the cam ring. As the cam actuator moves parallel to the cam die axis along an outside circumference of the cam ring, the cam teeth are progressively engaged and pressed inwardly toward a work piece. The work piece is moved simultaneously with the cam actuator by action of a punch that is concentric with the cam actuator and within the diameter of the cam ring. Each cam tooth is simultaneously engaged with the work piece as the work piece passes. A resilient member returns each cam tooth to a starting position after the cam actuator is withdrawn, allowing ejection of a finished part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Yahya Hodjat
  • Collapsible trash bag stand with punch tab bag retainers
    Patent number: 6659407
    Abstract: A collapsible trash bag stand having a sleeve-shaped body made from durable semi-rigid sheet material and having a plurality of punch-out, retainer tabs that snap into position to prevent the bag from slipping into the stand and to accommodate loading of multiple layers of trash bags at one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Vito Frank Asaro
  • Method of tuning a belt drive system
    Patent number: 6652401
    Abstract: The invention comprises a method of using tensioners to tune a belt drive system. A tensioner having a damping rate is used on an accessory belt slack side and a tensioner having a having a damping rate is used on an accessory belt tight side. Outside of a predetermined engine speed range, the tight side tensioner arm does not move because the dynamic tension in the span is less than the tight side tensioner friction damping. Within a predetermined engine speed range the tight side tensioner arm moves in order to damp a belt drive system vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Keming Liu
  • Dynamic tensioning for wire-winding device
    Patent number: 6648263
    Abstract: A tension-regulated wire-feeding apparatus, particularly adapted to high speed winding of thin conductor wires upon an electronic component, applies a magnetic particle brake to the wire supply spool in inverse proportion to the pulling tension applied on the wire by the winding mechanism. The brake is controlled by an electric current generated by a controllable power supply. The output of the power supply is modulated by a follower potentiometer coupled to a lever arm which resiliently bear against a segment of wire unwound from the supply spool in order to monitor its pulling tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Semx Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence C. Monterulo, Valdislav Cichra
  • Idler sprocket
    Patent number: 6648784
    Abstract: A belt drive system and toothed idler sprocket having an arcuate pitch to significantly reduce noise. The toothed idler sprocket having a pitch sufficient to cause proper engagement between a belt and the sprocket at a minimal belt wrap angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: John D. Redmond
  • Processing method for vending machine with substitutable magazines
    Patent number: 6644495
    Abstract: A method for centralized mass processing of substitutable, good-holding magazines used in conjunction with computer-controlled vending machines. A memory-chip-mounting smart-card is used, not only to enter into the machines the magazine location and price of the various goods, but also to carry a sales transaction record of the replaced magazine, thus avoiding the need for magazine locking mechanisms and other security measures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Distributed Vending Company
    Inventors: Frank Ruskin, Anton K. Simson, Henri J. A. Charmasson, Peter C. Brusso
  • Process to fracture connecting rods and the like with resonance-fatigue
    Patent number: 6644529
    Abstract: A process to fracture connecting rods and the like, that are made of high strength materials, comprises of the following mechanisms: (a) Fatigue: fluctuation of stresses in a pre-notched connecting rod due to the use of harmonic excitation will extend the notch tip in the connecting rod and will weaken the predetermined fracture plane by creating micro-cracks, (b) Resonance: resonance occurs when the frequency of the used harmonic excitation matches a natural frequency of the connecting rod, idealized as a structural system, (c) Pre-stressing forces: by applying pre-stressing forces acting in the same loading mode, the stresses in the connecting rod due to several force components can be superimposed, (d) Dynamic force: applying a dynamic force will raise the stress intensity factor, exceeding the fracture toughness of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventors: Sameh Hakim Andrawes Guirgis, Sudip Bhattacharjee
  • Flexible drive ring belt
    Patent number: 6634975
    Abstract: A flexible drive ring CVT belt comprises a flexible drive ring having a plurality of adjacent ring segments. The segments comprise metallic or non-metallic material sufficient to bear a compressive load imposed by CVT sheaves. The segments are interlocked along a longitudinal axis and are preloaded in the assembled position by an elastomeric member. A tensile member or belt bears on an outer circumferential bearing surface formed by the interlocked segments. The tensile member is moveable along a longitudinal axis relative to the flexible drive ring on the circumferential bearing surface. The segments further comprise opposing inclined surfaces for engaging sheave surfaces on a pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Jing Yuan
  • Power transmission belt with tubular knit overcord
    Patent number: 6632151
    Abstract: A power transmission belt is disclosed in which the exterior of the overcord section is generally flat in contour and bears an outer seamless tubular knit textile material adhered to an adjacent rubber layer material interposed between the exterior belt back surface and a strain-resisting tensile section. The belt is adapted to be run against backside idlers or tensioners with minimized noise generation. A simplified process including use of a tubular knit stretched over and applied to the building drum is disclosed, thereby eliminating conventional calendaring and Bannering operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Paul S. Knutson
  • Crankshaft damper
    Patent number: D481615
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Yahya Hodjat, Marc R. Cadarette
  • Media tray
    Patent number: D485725
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Real
  • Kiosk
    Patent number: D486238
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Piotr Torun