Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Reising, Ethington, Barnes, Kisselle, Learman & McCulloch, P.C.
  • Patent number: 6353197
    Abstract: A system for automatically inspecting matter for varying composition includes one or more detection stations through which one or more streams of matter are advanced and particular materials therein are detected through their diffusely reflected IR spectra, if any, and/or through their variation of an electromagnetic field by their metallic portions, if any. A row of light sources distributed across the overall width of one or more belt conveyors may cause desired portions of the stream to reflect light diffusely onto a part-toroidal mirror extending over that overall width, whence the light is reflected, by a rotating, polygonal mirror through optical filters dedicated to differing IR wavelengths, onto detectors the data output of which is utilized in controlling solenoid valves operating air jet nozzles which separate-out the desired portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventors: Borre Bengt Ulrichsen, Clas Fredrik Mender, Geir Foss-Pedersen, Jon Henrik Tschudi, Ib-Rune Johansen
  • Patent number: 6353207
    Abstract: An expandable chamber support system for vehicle seat and mattress applications includes an expandable chamber constructed from facing sheets of flexible impermeable material that are sealed along their marginal edges. An upper one of the sheets is formed of electrically conductive elastomeric membrane that is electrically resistance heated while cooperating with a lower one of the sheets to provide pressure support for an occupant supported by the expandable chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Ctex Seat Comfort Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven John Burt
  • Patent number: 6349925
    Abstract: A carburetor for a two stroke engine with an air passage and a separate fuel and air mixing passage in a carburetor body and the passages having an air valve and a throttle valve, respectively. A coupling connects a valve shaft of the air valve with a valve shaft of the throttle valve and has an area wherein the valves are rotatable relative to each other corresponding to a difference between an opening and closing angle of the air valve and an opening and closing angle of the throttle valve. Preferably, when the throttle valve is in an idle position, the air valve is closed and the throttle valve can be opened through at least some angle from its idle position before the air valve is moved from its closed position. Also, the air valve is preferably fully opened when the throttle valve is moved to its fully or wide open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Walbro Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Teruhiko Tobinai, Shin-Ichi Ohgane
  • Patent number: 6347787
    Abstract: A carburetor for providing a fuel and air mixture and a scavenging air supply to a two stroke internal combustion engine has a throttle valve received in a fuel and air mixing passage and connected to a throttle drive for controlling engine operation and an air valve received in an air passage and selectively operably connected to the throttle valve by a lost motion coupling. Preferably, the throttle valve and the air valve are barrel-type valves each comprising an opening formed through a shaft extending transversely through and rotatable within an associated bore of the carburetor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Walbro Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Teruhiko Tobinai, Shin-Ichi Ohgane
  • Patent number: 6347788
    Abstract: A fuel jet supporting structure for a carburetor includes a support column (5) provided with a fuel passage which introduces fuel to an air intake passage (9). The fuel passage includes a fuel passage bore (24), an air passage bore (19), a threaded bore (18) and an outlet passage (16) which has subsequently reduced diameters. A stepped portion between the threaded bore (18) and outlet passage (16) is tapered. The fuel jet body (25) has a middle portion forming an emulsion tube (26) and a downstream threaded portion (28) which engages the threaded bore (18). A downstream end (27) is tapered and abuts the tapered section in the bore to form a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Walbro Japan, Inc.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Terakado
  • Patent number: 6345933
    Abstract: An underground storage tank with backfill deflectors is provided to permit installation of the storage tank underground without requiring any workers to enter the excavation. The backfill deflectors are preferably elongate, and generally the same length as or longer than the storage tanks with which they are used and are installed on the bottom of the excavation on either side of the tank. The deflectors have walls which are sloped or inclined in a direction which tends to direct backfill dumped thereon underneath the storage tank. Desirably, the deflectors direct the backfill under the tank without requiring any of the workers to enter the excavation to shovel the backfill underneath the lower portion or haunches of the tank. After a sufficient level of backfill is introduced into the excavation and directed under the tank by the deflectors, the backfill is vibrated to achieve a compacted backfill under the tank which is sufficient to support the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Clawson Tank Company
    Inventors: Charles W. Harding, Richard T Harding, Terry D. Groh
  • Patent number: 6343589
    Abstract: A fuel pressure regulator is provided between the outlet of the fuel pump and an inlet of a jet pump to control the flow of fuel to the jet pump. Desirably, during low voltage conditions in a vehicle, the flow of fuel to the jet pump may be temporarily restricted or terminated to decrease the amount of fuel diverted from the engine and thereby increase the flow rate of fuel to the engine and improve the performance of the engine. The regulator may also function to bypass fuel delivered from the fuel pump in excess of the engine fuel demand to control the pressure of and limit the maximum pressure of fuel supplied to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Talaski, Ronald B. Kuenzli, Joseph M. Ross
  • Patent number: 6343600
    Abstract: A protective member for an archer's fingers has a cylindrical sleeve terminating at one end in an enlarged head having an arcuately convex surface. Two of the members are arranged on an archer's bowstring so that the heads confront one another and are capable of engaging the nock end of an arrow shaft on opposite sides of the latter. The archer's fingers engage the undersurfaces of the heads, rather than the arrow shaft, thereby preventing injury to the archer's fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Jeremy L. Steinman
  • Patent number: 6334606
    Abstract: A carburetor for a stratified type scavenging engine has a scavenging air supply passage with an air valve therein, a fuel and air mixture passage having a throttle valve therein, a diaphragm which defines a negative pressure chamber on one side and an atmospheric chamber on its other side, and a low pressure passage that communicates a venturi portion of the fuel and air mixing passage with the negative pressure chamber. The air valve is responsive to movement of the diaphragm caused by the pressure differential across it to move the air valve between open and closed positions and a spring yieldably biases the air valve towards its closed position. The air valve is not directly mechanically connected or linked to the throttle valve. Thus, when the throttle valve is rapidly opened during engine acceleration, the air valve is not immediately rapidly opened and is not significantly opened until a sufficient pressure differential exists across the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Walbro Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Teruhiko Tobinai, Shin-Ichi Ohgane, Tamio Aihara
  • Patent number: 6335853
    Abstract: A thermosensitive wire (15), including a pair of phosphor bronze round wires which cause a short-circuit when the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, is laid along an induction line (14), and a protective device (25) including a DC power supply unit (33) for applying a DC voltage and a meter relay (35) for detecting that the thermosensitive wire (15) has caused a short-circuit is provided on both ends of the thermosensitive wire (15). An alarm output (35A) of the meter relay (35) is outputted to a high-frequency generating circuit (24) so as to shut down a high-frequency current to be supplied to the induction line (14). With this structure, even when a metal such as a tool made of iron is erroneously set near the induction line (14), the heating thereof may be detected by using the thermosensitive wire (15) and the high-frequency current flowing through the induction line (14) may be shut down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kitagawa, Masato Inaba, Kazutoshi Takeda
  • Patent number: 6327986
    Abstract: The present specification discloses apparatus for transplanting seedlings (24) from a tray (6) that has a plurality of seedling retaining cells (34), into a prepared ground planting position, the apparatus having tray holding means (1), seedling eject means (15, 16, 17) for removing one or more seedlings (24) from the seedling retaining cells (34), seedling delivery means (26, 27, 29) for receiving a seedling (24) ejected from the tray (6) and delivering same via a travel path to a ground planting preparation device (78) arranged to at least partly prepare said ground planting position, seedling holding means (100) associated with the ground planting preparation device arranged to hold a seedling delivered by said seedling delivery means (26, 27, 29), plant plug removal means (82, 83, 85) arranged between said seedling eject means (15, 16, 17) and said seedling holding means (100) to remove any plant plug (84) not containing a seedling viable for planting from said travel path prior to reaching said seedling
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Williames Hi-Tech International Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Allan Williames
  • Patent number: 6325578
    Abstract: Plural spaced actuators mounted along a first axis are used to control machine tool motion along a first axis. The plural actuators are used in synchronism to create linear motion of the machine tool and the tool tip mounted on the machine tool along the first axis. The plural actuators are used differentially to create angular motion of the tool tip about an axis which is orthogonal to the first axis in order to correct angular errors in the axis of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Unova IP Corp.
    Inventors: Philip S. Szuba, Zbigniew Jan Pasek
  • Patent number: 6319117
    Abstract: The scent dispenser includes a scent adapter assembly mounted in a heating and air conditioning duct adjacent to a register. A scent dispenser housing is supported in the air duct by the adapter assembly. A scent rotor is rotatably journaled in the scent dispenser housing. A scent block is mounted in a scent holder chamber in the scent rotor. A plurality of adjustable radial apertures in the scent rotor control the passage of air through the scent rotor chamber. A housing upstream end wall of the scent dispenser housing directs air moving in the air duct toward fins on the scent rotor to rotate the scent rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: James M. Moore
  • Patent number: 6318609
    Abstract: The shoulder strap pad has a base with an inside edge, an outside edge, a top surface and a bottom surface. A plurality of shoulder engaging projections project downwardly from the bottom surface. A plurality of spaced apart ribs extend upwardly from the top surface of the base. Each rib is transverse to the inside and outside edges of the base and has a short inside end height and a tall outside end height. A concave rib surface extends from the short inside end to the tall outside end. An outside strap retaining projection extends upward from the outside end of the concave rib surface. An inside strap retaining projection extends upward from the inside end of the concave rib surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Swierz
  • Patent number: 6318941
    Abstract: A fastening anchor assembly and manual method for fastening an object to a hollow wall. In most embodiments a generally U-shaped mounting strap of the assembly has a central bight and parallel first and second legs extending longitudinally from the bight through a first mounting hole in the wall. A strap foot portion or separate mounting flange extends perpendicularly to the legs for engaging the wall exterior side surface. One or two anchoring blades are operably pivotally coupled to the strap for swinging motion in a single plane defined by the longitudinal axes of the blades and strap and between a collapsed position nested adjacent the strap and a swung-out expanded position wherein the blade(s) clamp-engage the wall interior surface while the leg feet or flange clamp-engages the wall exterior surface. The position and orientation of the now wall-hidden blade remains visibly indicated to the installer by the orientation of the strap exposed to view of the installer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Torbett B. Guenther
  • Patent number: 6319134
    Abstract: An aluminum drive shaft includes an aluminum alloy torque tube and aluminum alloy yokes that are pressed into each end section of the torque tube and welded to the end of the torque tube. Each end section is reduced in diameter and joined to a larger central section by a transition section. The end sections and transition sections are formed by swaging the ends of an aluminum alloy tube blank radially inwardly in two stages. The transition sections include an annular rib in the form of a concentric circular band located midway between inner and outer conical portions. The annular ribs stiffen the transition sections to reduce oil canning and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc M. Menosky, Mark S. Barrett
  • Patent number: 6318026
    Abstract: The door insert has a vertical rib that contacts an inside surface of a door edge. A continuous wall forming a latch control chamber is connected to the vertical rib by a bridge. A latch passage passes through the vertical rib, the bridge, the continuous wall and opens into the latch control chamber. Ribs on the outside surface of the continuous wall anchor the insert inside a steel door when the door is filled with foam. A deadbolt control chamber can be added if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventors: Terry Ayres, Troy D. Ayres
  • Patent number: 6314608
    Abstract: A wiper blade for a windshield wiper blade refill includes a crown located at the top of the wiper blade. The bottom of the wiper blade has a windshield-engaging lip. A neck extends from the crown toward the lip, and the neck increases in width in a direction away from the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Cooper Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Fisher, Donald W. Stratton
  • Patent number: 6315161
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing multi-component foamable fluid plastic materials such as polyurethane foams. The apparatus includes a mixing chamber defined by an axial passage in a support body structure. The mixing chamber receives reactant fluids for mixing then allows the fluids to exit through an opening at one end of the axial passage. Two fluid inlet openings in a wall of the axial passage admit reactant fluid into the mixing chamber. Two mixing chamber fluid inlets formed in the support body structure communicate reactant fluid sources with the mixing chamber through the inlet openings. When retracted, a valve needle in the axial passage exposes the inlet openings to admit reactant fluids into the mixing chamber. When advanced, the needle closes off the inlet openings and pushes the mixed fluids from the mixing chamber. The valve needle includes three parallel helical grooves that help purge the mixing chamber of unreacted and reacted fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Jesco Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Leon J. Bezaire, Robert D. Snyder, Roney J. Matijega
  • Patent number: D454164
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventors: Peter Duncan Craig Allen, Alexander Kerio William Nicholson