Patents Represented by Attorney Michael D. Crowell & Moring LLP Bednarek
  • Patent number: 6042132
    Abstract: A bicycle comprises a front speed shifter having a plurality of speed stages, a rear speed shifter having at least three speed stages, a front speed change operation assembly 1A connected to the front speed shifter, and a rear speed change operation assembly 1B connected to the rear speed shifter. There are a plurality of designated groups of combinations for combining the speed stages of the front speed shifter with the speed stages of the rear speed shifter, and indication means 50a through 50c, 51a through 51c, and 59B for identifying each of these groups are provided for each of the front speed change operation assembly 1A and the rear speed change operation assembly 1B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Sakae Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonori Suenaga, Yoshihisa Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 6027208
    Abstract: An ink jet printhead is provided which includes a head body. The head body includes a passage forming panel formed with a plurality of grooved ink passages each communicating with a discharge port, and a vibration plate laminated on the passage forming panel to face the ink passages. The vibration plate is provided with a plurality of ink inlet ports for introducing ink into the ink passages. Therefore, an ink cartridge may be connected from behind the head body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Rohm Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Amano
  • Patent number: 6026774
    Abstract: A structure is provided for connecting an intake tube to an intake port of a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. The connecting structure includes a socket end portion of the intake port, a connecting end portion of the intake tube for insertion into the socket end portion of the intake port, and a seal ring interposed between the connecting end portion of the intake tube and the socket end portion of the intake port. The seal ring has a groove which is open outwardly away from the intake port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasufumi Kajihara, Akira Shimonishi, Shigenobu Shibuya
  • Patent number: 6023828
    Abstract: By inserting a male screw for fixing a ratchet claw into a nut placed on an insert core and the like to prevent rotation, it is possible to eliminate additional screw processing on the insert core, to increase magnetic resistance between a magnet and the insert core provided with the former, to concentrate irradiation of magnetic flux from the second magnet pole toward outside and to fix the magnet and the second magnet pole onto the insert core with screws. Further, by tapering an axial hole of the rotor, it is possible to easily and accurately attach the insert core or the rotor to a crankshaft. Furthermore, by inserting a removal parts of a removal tool into a perforation hole of the rotor, it is possible to realize quick and simple removal of the rotor from the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Oppama Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Iwata, Yoshiki Kitamura, Norio Kawai
  • Patent number: 6025951
    Abstract: The invention relates to spatial light modulators (SLM) for amplitude and phase modulation of incident light. A "flexure" hinge which is provided between the SLM's substrate and micromirror comprises integral hinged sections which allow for the micromirror to tilt or to move in a piston-like fashion relative to the substrate in response to an electrostatic force. The hinge is particularly advantageous for large mirrors. In addition, the hinge can provide improved heat sinking capability over previously reported SLM hinge designs based on torsion bars and cantilever beams. The flexure hinge has sufficient mechanical flexibility that the SLM actuation voltage required is not excessively high. The flexure hinge has many applications, the preferred ones being a SLM for modulating high-energy beams and a SLM for optical channel switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: National Optics Institute
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Swart, Hubert Jerominek
  • Patent number: 6019520
    Abstract: A pre-assembled optical fiber connector is provided that comprises a boot, a sleeve, a spacing sleeve, a tubular housing, a spring, an alignment ferrule, a push-pull insulative housing and a push-pull element which are assembled in series. The alignment ferrule has at least one engaging portion to engage the tubular housing so that the tubular housing, the spring and the alignment ferrule are pre-assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Uconn Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel I-En Lin, Jyh-Cherng Yang
  • Patent number: 6016738
    Abstract: Piston compressor for compressing gas, comprising a frame with at least one cylinder which has an essentially horizontal axis, a piston which is reciprocable in the cylinder, a piston rod which at one end thereof is fixed to the piston, while the other end thereof is coupled to a crosshead which is guided in the frame and is reciprocable by a drive mechanism, and bearing means which support the piston/piston rod unit, formed by the piston and the piston rod connected thereto, relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Thomassen International B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Jacobus Elferink, Laurentius G.M. Koop, Renatus J.M. Schutte
  • Patent number: 6008535
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new packaging form of a semiconductor diode, which is fabricated by using low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology. The fabrication method is low-cost and the resulting chip form semiconductor diode has good hermeticity and high reliability. The fabrication method includes the steps of: (a) providing a ceramic green tape having a through hole for positioning a diode die; (b) positioning a diode die in the through hole; (c) sandwiching the diode die between two ceramic green tapes having printed conductive layers facing the electrode surfaces of the diode die; (d) laminating the ceramic tapes into a compact such that the conductive layers connect to the electrodes of the diode die; (e) firing the laminated parts to form a monolithic sintered body; and (f) forming end terminals, and solder-plating the end terminals to finish a ceramic chip of the semiconductor diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Ceramic X Corp.
    Inventors: Jau-Ho Jean, Chia-Ruey Chang, Shin-Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 6007667
    Abstract: By means of the interlocking methods skillful applying on the combination of the blanks, the supporting structures of the inflation products are easily constructed by these complementary blanks, and the same features of these products can be achieved by the economical usage of the sheet bars. Also, the strength of these products can be increased by the multiple supporting area of the interlocked blanks. This interlocking methods can be not only satisfied the all purposes of the inflation products but also met the standards of the environmental requirements because of its less scraps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Team Worldwide Corp.
    Inventor: Kenneth Wang
  • Patent number: 6004116
    Abstract: An automatic air pump is built into an inflatable body. The automatic air pump includes a pump body, an air inlet and an air outlet. The pump body is automatically restorable and has an air chamber inside. The air outlet is provided on the pump body to introduce air into the inflatable body when the pump body is pressed. The air inlet is provided on the inflatable body to suck air outside the inflatable body into the pump body when the pump body is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Team Worldwide Corp.
    Inventor: Kenneth Wang
  • Patent number: 6004209
    Abstract: A sound feeling device (1) having a case main body (4) which is constituted of, at least, a case (3) having a bottom (3x) in contact with the body when the device (1) is used and a partition plate (5) which is mounted with a loudspeaker (6), and, together with the case (3), defines a sound producing space. The bottom (3x) vibrates upon receiving sounds from the loudspeaker (6), and is curved at least, at the part which is in contact with the body when used, along the shape of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Capcom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Katsumoto, Akira Fujiwara, Koji Miura, Tokurou Fujiwara, Nobuo Takenouchi, Kazuyuki Seri, Masahiko Kurokawa, Keiji Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 6001709
    Abstract: A modified LOCOS isolation process for semiconductor devices is disclosed. First, a shielding layer is formed overlying a semiconductor substrate. The shielding layer is then patterned to form an opening that exposes a portion of the semiconductor substrate for forming a device isolation region. Next, oxygen ions are implanted with a tilt angle into the semiconductor substrate to form a doped region extending to the area under the margin of the shielding layer. A thermal oxidation process is then performed to form a field oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate. Since the oxidation rate of the area under the margin of the shielding layer is increased by the implanted oxygen ions, the bird's beak effect shown in conventional LOCOS process can be eliminated. After that, the shielding layer is removed to complete the fabricating process of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Da-Zen Chuang, Yi-Yu Shi, Po-Sheng Chang
  • Patent number: 5989952
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a DRAM cell having a crown-type capacitor over a semiconductor substrate is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tean-Sen Jen, Shiou-Yu Wang, Jia-Shyong Cheng, Chi-Hui Lin
  • Patent number: 5988743
    Abstract: An infant safety seat of the type, comprising a bucket seat body having a supporting bottom and a pivotable carrying handle and provided with attachment points for the hip belt portion and the shoulder belt portion respectively of a threepoints-safety belt. Between the support bottom surface and the seat surface thereabove there is a transverse through belt receiving space adjacent the front side of the bucket seat body, said space being delimited at the front side by a transverse and upstanding belt holding surface, that is accessible for a belt from an end of the bucket seat body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: B.V. Machine-en Metaalwaren-fabriek Dremefa
    Inventor: Johannes Herman Drexler
  • Patent number: 5990196
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ground surface structure for prevention of weed growing. The structure includes a germination-preventing sheet (2) resistant to penetration of buds of a plant and laid over the surface of a selected ground (1). The structure also includes a surface layer (3) formed by accumulating a water-repellent earth material on the germination-preventing sheet (2). The earth material includes material grains formed with silicone coating. Typically, the germination-preventing sheet (2) is made of a nonwoven fabric material and resistant to penetration of buds of a plant. Further, the sheet blocks the passage of light, but exhibits water permeability and air permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignees: Yoshiyuki Naoi, Kazumi Toushin
    Inventor: Kazumi Toushin
  • Patent number: 5983413
    Abstract: A flush toilet bowl comprises a bowl part (1) and a discharge trap (2) formed continuously at the bottom of the bowl part, and the discharge trap (2) further comprises a rising channel (22) extending in the obliquely upward direction from the bottom of the bowl part, a first weir (27) formed at the upper end of the rising channel, a descending channel (23) extending downwardly from the first weir, and a cross-laid channel (24) extending substantially in the horizontal direction from the lower end of the descending channel and having a discharge opening (25) at the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Hayashi, Ken Wijaya, Kinya Arita, Ryoichi Tsukada, Shinji Shibata, Hiroyuki Matsushita
  • Patent number: 5979040
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an auxiliary electrode layer for a common electrode pattern in a thermal printhead. The method of the present invention includes the steps of: preparing a master substrate (1') which has an obverse surface provided with a common electrode pattern (4) and corresponds to a plurality of head substrates; forming at least one slit (9) in the master substrate (1') where the slit extends along the common electrode pattern (4); and forming an auxiliary electrode layer (6) on a reverse surface of the master substrate (1') so that the auxiliary electrode layer (6) extends via the slit (9) for electrical connection to the common electrode pattern (4). The slit has a width of no less than 0.5 mm for example, particularly no less than 0.8 mm for controlling to provide a proper turnover (R) of the auxiliary electrode layer (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Houki
  • Patent number: 5982545
    Abstract: A structure and method for manufacturing surface relief diffractive optical elements are disclosed in the invention, which combines surface relief grating structure and gradient refractive index. Unlike the prior art, the invention does not require control of grating profile structure to modulate the optical path difference of incident light beam. Furthermore, control of grating profile makes the fabrication process more complicated and difficult. This method according to the invention comprises the following steps. A refractive index distribution layer is formed on a substrate by a thin film coating technology with controlled refractive index distribution, thereby the optical path difference is introduced when a incident light beams impinges the refractive index distribution layer. Then a spinning coated photoresist layer on the refractive index distribution layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Jung-Chieh Su
  • Patent number: 5982273
    Abstract: A multi-element type chip device of the present invention includes an elongate chip substrate (10), 2n pairs of opposed electrodes (12a) [n representing a positive integer] formed on a surface of the chip substrate (10) at a generally constant interval longitudinally of the chip substrate, device elements (131-134) each formed between a respective pair of electrodes, and a protective coating (14-16) formed to cover the device elements (131-134) in a row extending longitudinally of the chip substrate (10). A (2m-1)th device element (131, 133) [m representing a positive integer not exceeding n] as counted from one end (10a) of the chip substrate (10) has a widthwise center which is offset from a widthwise center of a corresponding pair of electrodes (12a) toward the other end (10b) of the chip substrate (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Shibata
  • Patent number: D420058
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: B.C.D. Mecanique Ltee.
    Inventor: Linda Bouchard