Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Stuart I. Smith
  • Patent number: 6758435
    Abstract: A missile includes a missile body and a guide assembly mounted on the missile body. The guide assembly has a plurality of pivots and a plurality of vanes mounted on respective pivots for a swinging motion between a folded position of rest and a deployed flight position. The vanes are arranged for free pivotal motion during flight in response to forces acting thereon to determine the flight position. In the folded position of each vane, its center of gravity is situated at a greater distance from the longitudinal axis of the missile body than the pivotal axis of the respective vanes. Abutments limit the flight position of the vanes to a maximum angle between the length dimension of the vanes and the longitudinal axis of the missile body. The maximum angle is greater than 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Niemeyer, Manfred Dieter Schwies, Uwe Naderhoff, Thomas Heitman, Michael Imdahl, Rudolf Rombach
  • Gun
    Patent number: 6752061
    Abstract: A gun whose barrel (2′) is connected to a breech ring (16), and is seated to be displaced in a cradle barrel (3). To prevent a lifting effect of the barrel (2′) inside the cradle barrel (3) upon firing, a slide-bushing bearing is disposed on at least the muzzle side of the barrel (2′). The bearing encompasses a barrel bushing (7′), in which the barrel (2′) is disposed free from any lifting effect, and whose outside surface (8) slides in a form-fit (i.e., with the smallest possible amount of play) in the cradle barrel (3), so that the barrel (2′) is independently guided to slide both axially and radially. The radial sliding guidance of the barrel (2′) during firing is effected by tab-shaped protrusions (10′), which extend into corresponding, groove-shaped recesses (9′) of the barrel bushing (7′) and hold the barrel (2′) in the center of the barrel bushing (7′).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Friedhelm Knorich, Berthold Baumann
  • Patent number: 6745697
    Abstract: A cartridge with a propellant case (4) that contains a propellant charge (3) and an electrothermal ignition device, wherein several ignition channels (9) are provided in the charge (3), and extend axial-symmetrical in the direction of longitudinal axis (8) of cartridge (1), with each channel comprising a propellant tube (10) and an electrically conducting layer (11). To achieve a uniform and symmetrical ignition of the cartridge (1) in the chamber of the respective weapon, electric arcs (21) that form during the ignition operation in the ignition channels (9), are decoupled in that the electrically conducting layer (11) is composed of successively connected rhombi or other shapes (circles, ovals, etc.) that electrically function as decoupling resistances. When current flows through such a structure, the current bridges (20) arranged in the current-flow direction between the individual rhombi (15) etc. initially break apart explosively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Karl Haak, Alexei Voronov
  • Patent number: 6739375
    Abstract: In connection with a window arrangement for a motor vehicle, a windup window shade has been pre-assembled on the inside of the window. The windup window shade is preassembled either completely or in its essential parts, so that assembly of the vehicle at the assembly line is considerably simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: BOS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner P. Schlecht, Herbert Walter
  • Patent number: 6729688
    Abstract: The invention relates to seat and backrest arrangements in seat furniture, in particular office chairs, which comprise a seat plate, a seat-plate support and a backrest support and in which the seat plate (1), in the region of its front, knee-side edge (2), is connected moveably to the seat-plate support (3) and, in the region of its rear edge (5), is connected moveably to the backrest support (6), the backrest support (6) being coupled displaceably to the seat-plate support (3). The seat and backrest arrangements according to the invention are characterized in that a spring means (4) for cushioning the seat plate (1) and the backrest support (6) is arranged in the region of the front, knee-side edge (2) of the seat plate (1)—between the seat plate (1) and seat-plate support (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Giroflex-Entwicklungs-AG
    Inventor: Anton Erne
  • Patent number: 6725781
    Abstract: A cartridge, comprising a cartridge case (3), a projectile (4), a propellant charge igniter (8) extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of cartridge (1) and arranged inside the cartridge case (3), and an electrically programmable projectile fuse arranged in the projectile (4) and connected via at least one electrical line (110) to an electrode on the cartridge base (2). The cartridge case (3) comprises at least two case sections (5, 6) with at least one separation location in the region between the front end (7) of the propellant charge igniter (8) and the projectile tail (9) for the installation of a section of the electrical line (110) between the cartridge base (2) and the projectile fuse using two rotating connector assemblies, one of which turns more easily than the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Niemeyer, Thomas Heitmann, Rupert Reinstadler, Michael Vagedes, Frank Schötzig, Rainer Himmert
  • Patent number: 6726027
    Abstract: A device is provided for a spinning preparation machine for removing foreign particles, the machine having a rotating cylinder with ends. The device has a knife blade having a separation edge, the knife blade being arranged at an adjustable distance to and angled counter to a rotational direction of the cylinder; a suctioning chamber associated with the knife blade; a holding element to which the knife blade and the suctioning chamber are attached; and at least one adjusting element. The holding element, the knife blade and the suctioning chamber form a single adjustable unit. A position of the single adjustable unit relative to the cylinder is adjustable by adjusting the at least one adjusting element. The at least one adjusting element is located outside one of the ends of the cylinder in a longitudinal direction of the cylinder and in a region of the separation edge on the knife blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerd Pferdmenges, Robert Pischel
  • Patent number: 6727450
    Abstract: An electrical switch is provided having at least one contact system having a switching contact movable between two switch positions, an operating member that acts on the switching contact, a slide hinged on the operating member, and delay means operatively connected to the switching contact in at least one of the two switch positions. The delay means delaying movement of the switching contact, and being arranged in an extension of the slide. The delay means, the operating member and the slide are arranged on a same side of the contact system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Marquardt GmbH
    Inventors: Alois Schaeffeler, Alfons Steidle, Paul Leibinger
  • Patent number: 6722662
    Abstract: A metal cylinder head gasket includes a spacer plate; a sealing layer superposed on the spacer plate; an opening in the spacer plate and the sealing layer for surrounding a combustion chamber of an internal-combustion engine and a full bead provided in the sealing layer and surrounding the opening. The full bead has a crest, and first and second bead feet situated radially inward and, respectively, radially outward of the crest. An annular overlay surrounds the opening and is positioned between the spacer plate and the sealing layer and is in engagement with the full bead. The annular overlay has a radially inner edge face in alignment with the opening edges; and a radially outer edge face situated between the crest and the second bead foot. The sealing layer further has a half bead surrounding the full bead and being spaced radially outward from the second bead foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Sealing Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Heilig, Christoph Hilgert, Fabrice Audibert
  • Patent number: 6721998
    Abstract: A fiber processing machine includes a roll having a direction of rotation and a clothing for carrying thereon fiber material; a cover partially circumferentially shrouding the roll; an air passage opening provided in the cover; an air guiding element bordering the air passage opening; a support for movably holding the air guiding element for varying a distance between the roll and the air guiding element; a pressure sensor for measuring a static pressure between the cover and the roll; and an arrangement for setting a position of the air guiding element as a function of the pressure measured by the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Robert Többen
  • Patent number: 6719898
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sieving device for mechanically separating and extracting solid bodies or solid matter from a liquid current, in particular, to sieve gratings for process or effluent currents or for use in sewage treatment plants or hydroelectric power stations. Said device comprises a number of sieving panels (2, 2′, 2″) which are substantially arranged in a transverse direction to the direction of flow of the liquid current, are linked together, and which form a revolving endless sieve belt (1) immersing into the liquid current (20). The device also comprises a drive for the endless sieve belt (1), whereby the sieving panels (2, 2′, 2″) are arranged successively in such a way that the revolving motion of the endless sieve belt (1) is comprised within one single plane which lies substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the liquid current (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Geiger International GmbH & Co. Technology KG
    Inventor: Werner Marzluf
  • Patent number: 6715770
    Abstract: A cylinder head gasket includes a metal base plate; a combustion chamber opening provided in the base plate; a metal overlay surrounding the opening; and a weld bonding the overlay to the base plate. The weld is composed of a plurality of weld dots lying in a single row and being equidistantly spaced from one another. Each weld dot has a first diameter on a surface of the base plate and a second diameter on a surface of the overlay. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter, and a distance between center points of adjoining the weld dots is greater than the second diameter of either of the adjoining weld dots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Sealing Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6712005
    Abstract: A projectile to be fired from a gun having a chamber (2) with a conical transition region (4) to a caliber barrel (3) that adjoins the front of the gun. The projectile (5) has a sub-caliber penetrator (6), a jettisonable propelling cage sabot (7) connected to the penetrator (6), and at least one guide band (10) adapted to the caliber barrel (3) secured to the rear side or portion of the sabot. To ensure that the rear region of the propelling cage sabot (7) seals the chamber (2) against propellant gases that are pushing forward, even if the guide band (10) itself is still located in the chamber, an additional sealing ring (14; 17), comprising a deformable plastic, is provided on the existing guide band (10) adapted to the caliber of the barrel (3). The sealing ring assumes the function of providing the initial seal after the cartridge is ignited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Heitmann
  • Patent number: 6712599
    Abstract: A molding/punching station for molding and punching containers out of a foil strip (2) of thermoplastic synthetic material, which station includes a molding table (5) for holding one half of a mold (4); a frame (9) in which the table (5) is mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis of rotation (26) transverse to a longitudinal axis (35) of the table (5); and a single guideway (27) that is mounted on the frame (9) and engages the table (5) for guiding the pivotal motion of the table (5), with the guideway (27) for pivoting table (5) being disposed between the plane of the foil strip (2) in the station and the pivoting point (26′) or axis of rotation (26) of the table (5), if necessary with sectional areas of the guideway (27) being opposite the foil strip (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Adolf Illig Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Schlimgen, Michael Firzlaff
  • Patent number: 6704969
    Abstract: An endlessly circulating conveying device is provided for strengthening a conveyable fiber lap. The device has first and second converging rollers for conveying the fiber lap. Each roller has an outer surface and at least the first roller is provided with profile elements on its outer surface. The rollers are for subjecting the fiber lap to a pressure when the fiber lap passes through a gap between the rollers, and strengthening the fiber lap by exerting the pressure by the converging rollers and the profile elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gregor Eschenbruch, Armin Leder
  • Patent number: 6704970
    Abstract: A flat bar assembly is provided for use with a carding machine having a carding cylinder, the carding cylinder having clothing. The assembly has a flat bar, flat bar clothing attached to the flat bar, and an equalizing layer between the flat bar and the flat bar clothing. The flat bar clothing is for positioning opposite the carding cylinder clothing, and the equalizing layer fills a space between the flat bar and the flat bar clothing to compensate for distance differences between the flat bar clothing and the flat bar and to locate the flat bar clothing at a predetermined position relative to the flat bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Ebenhoh, Gerd Pferdmenges, Armin Leder
  • Patent number: 6701656
    Abstract: A weapon barrel includes a hard chromium layer provided on an inner barrel surface. The hard chromium layer contains at least 500 fissures/cm in a cross-sectional plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Gert Schlenkert, Hartmut Wagner, Horst Reckeweg
  • Patent number: 6698329
    Abstract: A method for replacing a fuse casing (4), which is riveted to the casing (2) of an active component (1) containing an explosive charge (3). The new fuse casing (4) laser-welded to the remaining rivet parts (5) of the active component casing (2). Welding filler materials are used to attach the new fuse casing (4) easily and securely to the active component casing (2), such that the connection can withstand even high firing accelerations, without this resulting in impermissibly high thermal stress to the explosive charge (3) in the active component. Welding powders (7) or welding pastes can be used as welding filler materials, which are inserted into gaps (8) remaining between the remaining rivet parts (5) and the bores (6) in the fuse casing (4) before the remaining rivet parts (5) are welded to the fuse casing (4). Also used are discs (9) that cover the bore holes (6) in the fuse casing (4). The disks are placed onto the frontal faces of the remaining rivet parts (5) and are welded to these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hoffmann, Wolfgang Schiller, Wolfgang Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6699006
    Abstract: A method to improve the stacking of containers comprising thermoplastic plastic, and the transfer of the stacks to a successive device. Stacks of a predetermined number are intended to be produced without disturbances, even with a high cycle number of the shaping tool. This is achieved in that the containers are stacked in a first stack magazine, which is exchanged for an adjacent stack magazine between two cycles of the shaping tool after the predetermined number has been reached. The containers are stacked in the stack magazines directly from the shaping tool, or by an intermediate transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Adolf Illig Maschinenbau GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Stefan Schlimgen, Michael Wozny
  • Patent number: D490778
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignees: NTT Advanced Technology Corporation, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichiro Inagaki, Teruhisa Tabuchi, Nobuyuki Tanaka, Yoshimitsu Arai, Yukio Komine, Nobuo Ishimine, Mitsuho Tanaka