Patents Represented by Law Firm Merchant, Gould, Smith, Edell Welter and Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5955713
    Abstract: A tilt switch array is used to determine the orientation of an object relative to an upwards direction. The array includes at least one pair of electrodes within a housing, diametrically opposed along a measurement axis. A conductor equidistantly surrounds each electrode to form a tilt switch gap therebetween. A moveable conducting element within the housing closes the gap between one electrode and its associated conductor under certain orientation conditions of the measurement axis relative to an upwards direction. A number of pairs of electrodes may be placed within the housing, with associated measurement axes so that the orientation of any one of the measurement axes may be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignees: Circle Seal Corporation, Joint Techno Concepts International, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Titus, Leonard P Tetrault, John Peters, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5956126
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating muscular disorders of the eye. The method comprising placing an object in front of the patient at a predetermined distance and placing a binocular optical system comprising lenses and prisms between the objects and the patient's eyes. A patch is placed over the patient's strong eye and the focal length of the optical system is adjusted so that the objects are clearly resolved by the patient. The patch is removed from the good eye so that the patient can repeat the exercise using both eyes. The object is then placed at a greater distance from the patient and the exercise is repeated until the resolution observed with the patient's weak eye is equal to the resolution observed with the patient's strong eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: Victor Cody
  • Patent number: 5950748
    Abstract: A crawler-belt vehicle is a half crawler vehicle having front wheels furnished with tires, and crawlers on a rear wheel side composed of crawler belts extending between intermediate wheels and rear wheels. The front wheels are larger in diameter than the intermediate wheels and the rear wheels and, hence, have a large ground-contact surface area. Thus, while the vehicle is running on snow, the front wheels are not apt to sink in the snow to a greater extent with the result that the turning characteristic and breakthrough characteristic of the vehicle can be improved. The intermediate wheels may be set to toe in so as to prevent detachment of the crawler belts which would otherwise occur when the sub-beams are slightly flexed or deformed in a lateral outward direction under loads applied thereto while the vehicle is traveling at high speeds on the snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Matsumoto, Yasutomo Abe, Masahiro Akiyama
  • Patent number: 5952696
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and fabrication thereof is disclosed in which devices are formed on two devices regions of opposite conductivity types by selectively masking and implanting the same type of dopant into active regions of both device regions. The process includes masking part of the active regions in each device region and implanting a dopant into exposed active regions in both devices regions. The number of masking, implantation and other steps required in the fabrication process are reduced by the selective masking of various active regions. Non-symmetrically doped source and drain regions may be formed on the transistors among a group which lie closest to the opposite device region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices
    Inventors: Mark I. Gardner, Daniel Kadosh
  • Patent number: 5951731
    Abstract: For forming bores for insertion of optical fibers, etc., on one side surface of a micro lens with high accuracy and easy work, a laser processing method that includes the steps of: irradiating a laser beam onto the one side surface of the micro lens; then focusing the laser beam in a layer having superiority in absorbency with respect to the laser beam; and forming the bores because the laser beam exceeds the threshold value of causing fusion, evaporation or ablation in the superior laser beam absorption layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Tsunetomo, Tadashi Koyama
  • Patent number: 5950495
    Abstract: A two-armed transfer robot includes a pair of double-pantograph mechanisms. These mechanisms are substantially symmetrical to each other with a vertical plane. Each double-pantograph mechanism includes a first pantograph assembly and a second pantograph assembly. The second pantograph assembly supports a handling member for carrying a workpiece to be processed. The second pantograph assembly is offset away from the vertical plane with respect to the first pantograph assembly. A rotation-transmitting mechanism is provided between the first and the second pantograph assemblies of each double-pantograph mechanism. Thus, the two pantograph assemblies of each double-pantograph mechanism are actuated in cooperation for linearly moving the handling member. The handling members of the respective double-pantograph mechanisms are vertically spaced from each other. The handling members are arranged not only to move linearly but to rotate simultaneously around a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Daihen Corporation
    Inventors: Hironori Ogawa, Hirokazu Yoda
  • Patent number: 5949679
    Abstract: The present invention is a computer-implemented method and system for selectively scoring and outputting the scores of a plurality of golf participants playing golf on a golf course using a computer system including a main computer. In accordance with the invention, a main computer, one or more remote computers and a communications network are provided. Each remote computer is associated with a hole on the golf course and coupled to the main computer via the communications network. Each remote computer receives a raw score for each golf participant playing the associated hole, calculates a local competition score for the associated hole for each golf participant based on the raw score for the golf participant, and communicates the raw scores to the host computer. Based on the raw scores communicated by each remote computer, the main computer calculates a competition score for each golf participant and communicates the competition scores to each remote computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Tournament Tracker, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Arthur Born, Carol Jean Cajacob, Jeffrey Ervin Stenerson
  • Patent number: 5948505
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composite comprising a thermoplastic resin and a glass fabric that can be used in the form of a linear extrudate as a structural member or as a repair unit. The resin glass fiber composite structural member can be manufactured in an extrusion process. The linear extrudate can have a cross-section of any arbitrary shape or can be a regular geometric shape. The profile is made by first preforming the glass fabric into a useful shape, combining the preform fabric with melt resin and extruding the resin and glass fiber in a useful shape. When contacted with melt resin, the glass fiber becomes intimately contacted with and substantially coated with the melt resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Andersen Corporation
    Inventor: Giuseppe Puppin
  • Patent number: 5949624
    Abstract: An inductive-write magnetoresistive-read horizontal head for magnetic recording having two polarization conductors. The two polarization conductors are used to simultaneously activate a MR sensor and to disable the write head during the read back process to eliminate the secondary read back signal from the inductive-write head. During the read process, the current through a first conductor biases the MR stripe while current through the second conductor generates an applied field to switch the magnetization of the Permalloy (NiFe) in the write head pole and reduce the permeability. The head incorporates write-wide read-narrow head attributes and has the reliability advantages associated with yoke or recessed MR or GMR structures. The magnetoresistive stripe may be disposed directly in the gap of the heads or it may be recessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Randall G. Simmons, Robert E. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5944161
    Abstract: An end cap assembly (10) for a roller tube (76) of a conveyor roller (78) comprising an end cap body (12) proportioned to press fit within an end of the roller tube (76), a bearing retained between the end cap body (12) and a shaft (74) of the conveyor roller (78) and a seal (16) provided about the shaft (74) and abutting an outer surface (18) of the end cap body (12) so as to restrict the passage of dust and other materials into the bearing (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: JVL Industries Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Derek Alfred Sealey
  • Patent number: 5945532
    Abstract: This invention relates to reactive derivatives of 2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-methoxyimino acetic acid and 1H-tetrazol-1-acetic acid of the following general formula I, ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## as well as to use thereof in the manufacture of cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefotaxime, ceftriaxone and cefazolin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Lupin Laboratories Limited
    Inventors: Debashish Datta, Vinod George, Bishwa Prakash Rai
  • Patent number: 5944019
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing coronary artery bypass surgery establishes a channel leading directly from a chamber of a heart into a coronary artery with said channel retained open during both diastole and systole. The coronary artery bypass procedure may be performed with or without cardiopulmonary bypass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Heartstent Corporation
    Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, William L. Giese
  • Patent number: 5946224
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a ferroelectric memory device having a high integration and capable of maintaining nonvolatility. A threshold voltage V.sub.th of a ferroelectric memory element is set at value slightly higher than a voltage -V.sub.1. A voltage 0V is applied as a gate voltage V.sub.G when the stored data is read out. A voltage V.sub.1 is generated at a MOS capacitor C.sub.MOS if the data "High" is stored and the voltage -V.sub.1 is generated at the MOS capacitor C.sub.MOS if the data "Low" is stored. The stored data is read out by detecting a drain current during generation of the voltages. Also, a voltage 0V is applied as the gate voltage V.sub.G when stand-by operation is carried out. In this way, variation of the gate voltage V.sub.G caused by switching ON and OFF of a power source can be prevented. So that, nonvolatility of the ferroelectric memory device can be maintained as a result of preventing spontaneous polarization of a ferroelectric capacitor C.sub.ferro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5945329
    Abstract: The invention provides customized proteases (i.e., mutant enzymes), methods of making customized proteases, as well as methods of using customized proteases. The customized proteases of the invention are derived from the known proteases. Altered transacylation reactions include the capability to perform transacylation reactions not substantially catalyzed by the known protease or the capability to perform transacylation reactions with improved yields, or both. The methods of the invention provide for customized proteases through site specific or random mutagenesis of the active site amino acids of the known proteases. The invention also provides for methods of using the customized proteases to prepare a preselected transacylation products. The preselected transacylation products produced can be modified by substitution at the N- or C-terminal with nucleophiles such as L-amino acids, D-amino acids, amino acid amides, and radioactive amino acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Carlsberg A/S
    Inventors: Klaus Breddam, Morten C. Kielland-Brandt, Uffe Hasbo Mortensen, Kjeld Ove Olesen, Henning Ralf Stennicke, Fred W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 5945282
    Abstract: The invention relates to a probe consisting of at least about 15 nucleotides from the spacer region between rRNA genes of a non-viral organism, particularly prokaryotic organism and more particularly bacteria, and preferably from about 15 nucleotides to about the maximum number of nucleotides of the spacer region and more preferably from about 15 to about 100 nucleotides to be used for the detection of non-viral microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: N.V. Innogenetics S.A.
    Inventors: Rudi Rossau, Hugo Van Heuverswyn
  • Patent number: 5941801
    Abstract: An improved exercise bag that freely allows a person to throw all variations of punches and kicks in combination. The flexibility is made possible by the internal structure of the bag and allows for a reaction of the directed punch or kick. Therefore, the bag has the ability to provide a person with a follow through, if so desired. Furthermore, the bags design allows for the placement of a variation of punches and kicks. Unique to this bag, it incorporates multiple uses of equipment into one bag. The bag is free standing enabling a person to exercise 360 degrees around the bag. Furthermore, the bag may also be made adjustable in height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Louis D'Alto
  • Patent number: RE36286
    Abstract: A method for selecting data storage media for demount in an automated storage library, and an automated storage library and program product therefor are disclosed. Preemptive demount of storage media is permitted when all peripheral storage devices in the library are occupied and one or more of such devices remains inactive for a predetermined time. Storage media may be demounted to service existing mount requests, provided the peripheral storage devices in which the media are mounted are inactive. There is also a need, however, to ensure the availability of an empty device to service future mount requests, particularly in libraries having only a single gripper mechanism. Thus, even when no mount requests are pending, the status of the peripheral storage devices is continually monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines
    Inventors: Joseph Charles Hartung, Christopher John Monahan, Jesse Lee Thrall, Dennis Lee Willson, Daniel James Winarski
  • Patent number: D413448
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: McGuire Furniture Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Paola Navone
  • Patent number: D413734
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard C. Bue
  • Toy
    Patent number: D414224
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Takmay Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hing-Sang Wong