Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Jenner & Block
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Patent number: 6205187Abstract: A programmable signal decoder processes incoming signals using any one of several predefined decoding schemes. The signal decoder is programmed to perform the desired decoding operations by downloading configuration data representative of the decoding scheme from a data memory to programmable logic in the signal decoder. Programmable metric tables provide set mapping. A generic four-level decoder structure includes two levels that are programmable Viterbi decoders, one level that is a Wagner decoder and another level that provides free bit selection operations. The four levels are combined, as needed, to implement two-dimensional, four-dimensional, multi-level and other coded modulation formats.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1997Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: General Dynamics Government Systems CorporationInventor: Dan L. Westfall
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Patent number: 6179727Abstract: Several embodiments of a golf club putter having a novel putter head with a striking face defined by two unequal radii are disclosed. In one embodiment, the convex striking face is defined by an upper radius and a lower radius meeting along a linear path to provide an single point of contact for the engagement of a golf ball. In a second embodiment, the upper radius and lower radius meet along an arcuate path, and a protruding bottom surface mimics this arcuate path, to provide an optimum point of contact for a golf ball regardless of the longitudinal angle of address of the putter. Dual radius putters having weighting schemes and composite or plastic inserts are also disclosed to further improve the true roll of a golf ball generated by an engagement with the instant putter.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: Louis J. Giordano
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Patent number: 6173824Abstract: A rolling-element clutch assembly including a first race member, a second race member and a plurality of rolling elements. The first race member defines a first race surface having a first ratchet surface portion. The second race member defines a second race surface having a second ratchet surface portion. The first race surface and the second race surface define a raceway therebetween. A plurality of rolling elements are disposed in the raceway. The rolling elements provide rolling support between the first race member and the second race member when the first race member moves in a first direction relative to the second race member. At least one of the plurality of rolling elements engages the first and second ratchet surface portions when the first race member moves in a second direction relative to the second race member.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: General Dynamics Government Systems CorporationInventor: John Edward Roberts
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Patent number: 6167095Abstract: An improved digital bi-directional communications transceiver in which the upstream and downstream portions of the frequency spectrum are allocated different bandwidths and positioned at different locations on the frequency spectrum in response to transmission line conditions and impairments such as system provisioning, background noise, radio frequency interference (RFI), crosstalk and reflected signals. The movement of the upstream and downstream carrier frequencies are elastic in that they may be adjusted in near real-time involving methods for determining the signal quality parameter(SQP) of the received signal. The SQP is used to estimate the bit error rate (BER) margin on the received data and also takes into account the total signal to interference ratio (SIR), where the interference includes crosstalk, RFI, and residual echo from the neighboring upstream or downstream channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1997Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: General Dynamics Government Systems CorporationInventors: Neil E. Furukawa, Sheldon N. Salinger
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Patent number: 6138285Abstract: A goggle has a replaceable lens mounted in a flexible frame containing several large air vents facing forwardly to input external air into the goggle interior. The inlet air vents have converging and angled walls. A first porous foam of particular porosity covers the inlet air vents and is located in an upper air channel with a curved deflector wall to disperse the external air into the interior space. Exit vents located in the bottom of the frame are covered with a second porous foam of different characteristics than the first porous foam. The sides of the goggle frame include curved slots with curved retention bars around which a stretchable headband strap is secured to create uneven load forces on the sides of the goggle frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1999Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Scott USA, Inc.Inventors: David T. Robrahn, Robert Youmans
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Patent number: 6141770Abstract: A computer system uses redundant voting at the hardware clock level to detect and to correct single event upsets (SEU) and other random failures. In one preferred embodiment, the computer includes four or more commercial processing units (CPUs) operating in strict "lock-step" and whose outputs (33, 37) to system memory and system bus are voted by a gate array which may be implemented in a custom integrated circuit. A custom memory controller interfaces to the system memory and system bus. The data and address (35, 37) at each write to and read from memory within the computer are voted at each CPU clock cycle. A vote status and control circuit "reads" the status of the vote and controls the state of the CPUs using hardware and software. The majority voted signals are used by the agreeing CPUs 32 to continue processing operations without interruption.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1999Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: General Dynamics Information Systems, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Fuchs, Andrew J. Wardrop
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Patent number: 6138286Abstract: A goggle has a replaceable plastic lens mounted in a flexible frame containing several air vents for passing external air through the goggle interior. The lens is formed of thermoplastic materials to provide spherical and cylindrical versions of the lens. The thermoplastic resins incorporate dyes which tint the lens to create transmission curves having peaks and valleys which approximate or enhance certain response characteristics of the retina of the human eye. Inlet air vents are covered by porous foam located in an upper air channel to disperse downwardly the external air into the interior space behind the lens. Outlet vents located in the bottom of the frame are covered with a porous foam to exit air from the interior space.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1999Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignees: Scott USA, Inc., Christian Dalloz SunopticsInventors: David T. Robrahn, Robert Youmans, Etienne Billard, Christine Bejannin
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Patent number: 6126465Abstract: A dual purpose jack (20) connectable to a printed circuit board is capable of accepting an audio plug and a power plug. The audio plug (50) has a projecting pin containing a series of spaced annular external contacts connectable to an audio signal. The projecting pin includes a hollow insulated sleeve which mates with a metal pin (120) of the jack to insulate the audio plug from the power portion of the jack. The power plug (40) includes a projecting pin (42) which is hollow and mates with the metal pin (120) of the jack to form the power contact. The combination jack has various leaf springs which move into engagement with the projecting pins of the two plugs and which are aligned in different planes in order to assist in miniaturization of the jack.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1999Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Inventor: George J. Franks, Jr.
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Patent number: 6120369Abstract: A machine and method for mechanically cutting fish pieces includes a band knife for making cuts substantially parallel to a circumferential direction of a freezing drum. The first cutting device is adapted to be the first to come in contact with an uncut fillet and makes at least one cut directed in a thickness direction of the fillet laterally of the two main faces of the fillet and substantially parallel to a jacket face of a freezing drum. The first cutting device has at least one knife preferably providing self motion.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1996Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: Trio Industrier ASInventor: Ragnar Eide
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Patent number: 6116818Abstract: An ocean plow device and accompanying method which incorporate a passive plow blade and a jetter tool working in conjunction with one another to lower drawbar and increase cable deployment speeds. In order to avoid cavitation due to sand dilation, in one embodiment of the plow device, the jetter tool includes nozzles oriented in a downward and backward direction relative to the plow device which creates a flow pattern to turbulently remove surface soil in front of the jetter tool in a rapid manner. The jetter tool is pivotally suspended from a point in front of the passive plow blade, such that the jetter will be free to find its own equilibrium position. That is, the pivotal mounting enables the jetter tool to rotate upward in harder soils and become fully extended in softer soils in order to reach the equilibrium position. The passive plow blade behind the jetter tool provides a constant burial depth for the cable and also provides protection from side loads encountered during deployment.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1997Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Technology SystemsInventors: James J. Bitetto, James Christopher Coyne, Frank Dominick Messina, Robert D. Smith, Gerald E. Tourgee
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Patent number: 6091787Abstract: A simplified symbol lock detector which uses T/2 spaced signal samples in conjunction with an interpolator to approximate the T/4 shifted signal samples used by conventional symbol lock detectors. The approximated T/4 shifted signal samples are processed by a phase detector prior to input to a threshold detector which indicates proper symbol lock if the lock signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1997Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: General Dynamics Government Systems CorporationInventor: Dan L. Westfall
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Patent number: 6085489Abstract: An applicator attaches spouts and other fitments to paperboard cartons and the like in automated packaging equipment. The applicator features a rotatable and translatable anvil housing having a plurality of radially extending lobes, each lobe having an anvil thereon, said anvil having an energy ring thereon to facilitate ultrasonic attachment of the spout to the carton. A mandrel or other engagement mechanism on each lobe engages and holds spouts for attachment to a container. The anvil inserts a spout into a container hole, and an ultrasonic sealer ultrasonically vibrates the carton wall against the energy ring of the anvil to weld the spout to the carton.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1998Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: NIMCO CorporationInventors: Jerry G. Bachner, Michael A. Kipp
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Patent number: 6075891Abstract: A processing system and method identifies materials present in a pixel of a multispectral or a hyperspectral image. Underlying data models representing spectral endmembers or materials of interest and model based relationships are used to identify the materials. The processing system and method provide a technique that detects, unmixes, and classifies spectral signatures for terrain categorization and object identification.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: General Dynamics Government Systems CorporationInventor: Jerome Allen Burman
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Patent number: 6066081Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a fitment to a container and for disinfecting the container prior to sealing either end of the container. The fitment is attached to the container in a novel apparatus and then the container is fed into an existing form, fill and seal machine. The apparatus also disinfects the containers while their top and bottom flaps are open to achieve better results than existing disinfecting techniques. A method of attaching a spout to a container and a method of sterilizing a container also are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1995Date of Patent: May 23, 2000Assignee: Nimco CorporationInventor: Jerry G. Bachner
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Patent number: 6061991Abstract: A deck system provides an easy to install deck by using unique columns, rails and planks. The columns can house electrical components. The rails enable quick assembly because they do not require additional fasteners or tools to install the balusters. The planks include a novel tongue-in-groove assembly that allows the planks to expand without damaging the deck.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1997Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Inventor: Michael E. Dahl
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Patent number: 6058816Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for supporting a beam having a longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a clamping assembly that surrounds and grips a portion of the beam. The clamping assembly is relatively compliant to deflections of the beam in at least one direction transverse to the axis, but relatively resistant to axial displacements of the beam and to torsional rotations of the beam about the axis. The apparatus further includes at least one actuator situated externally to the beam and arranged to urge the beam in the compliant direction or directions.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1997Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Technology SystemsInventor: Igor Golioto
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Patent number: 5979843Abstract: A baby bottle holder to be placed on the torso of an infant has means for tilting the bottle to enable the infant to feed therefrom and means for urging the baby bottle holder to roll off the infant's torso when the infant moves and disengages the nipple, e.g., because the infant has finished feeding. A weight is positioned in the baby bottle holder such that a moment is created that urges the roll off of the baby bottle holder. A pair of flaps stabilize the baby bottle holder while the infant is feeding.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1997Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Inventor: Karen T. Beck
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Patent number: 5977932Abstract: A helical antenna structure is deformable and capable of being stowed in a small volume. At deployment, the helical antenna structure uses the stored strain energy in its resilient helices to revert to its original shape without the use of any outside force. Multiple antenna structures can be linked using a plurality of resilient lenticular shaped hinges.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Orbital Sciences CorporationInventor: Anthony D. Robinson
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Patent number: 5973264Abstract: A modular electrical service riser includes an elongated conduit that is extended into a raised operating position and retracted into a transport position. The elongated conduit is substantially linear so as to avoid bending the cables in the conduit. The riser includes a novel meter fitting/disconnect that allows the riser to be used with overhead or underground utility company power lines or an overhead or underground customer subfeed. When the riser is used with a utility company power line, the meter is used. When the riser is used with a customer subfeed, the meter is bypassed. The riser can be moved from site to site without incurring extensive hardware and labor costs at each site because it can be used with four different types of power sources.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1996Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: North American Technologies Co., Inc.Inventor: John M. O'Connor
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Patent number: 5949162Abstract: In many uses of electrical motors, the interaction of a tool being powered, e.g., a milling machine, and the workpiece being worked on by the motor induces mechanical vibrations which adversely affect the functioning of the tool as well as inducing wear producing vibrations in the motor rotor shaft. Damping of such vibrations is achieved by deliberately inducing internal unbalanced forces on the motor rotor shaft for counteracting the externally induced vibrations. Such internal unbalanced forces are produced by the use of additional currents in the main stator coils for generating additional, unbalanced force generating magnetic fields. A mathematical analysis of the process is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1996Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Technology Systems, Inc.Inventors: Victor G. Mishkevich, Gregory Weston Terpay, George G. Zipfel, Jr.