Patents Represented by Attorney Varndell & Varndell, PLLC
  • Patent number: 6655193
    Abstract: A leakage detecting device has a cover, a first cup and a second cup. The cover is mounted on the opening of the water tank and has a through hole. The first cup is connected to the cover and communicates with the through hole in the cover. A tortuous air channel is defined in the first cup. The second cup is mounted on the first cup and has a second tortuous air channel communicating with the first tortuous air channel in the first cup. Accordingly, the leakage of cylinders of the vehicle engine can be precisely detected from the water tank of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Lai-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 6655229
    Abstract: It is designed that an oil pressure signal can be output by operating an operation lever in a twisting direction; a structure can be made simple and its assembly and adjustment are easy; an operation force can be reduced; and a layout is not restricted. It is also designed that when the operation lever is left free after it is twisted, it returns smoothly to the original neutral position. When the operation lever is twisted about the lever axis, the shaft supported by bearings is twisted. The twist of the shaft is converted into the movement in a direction to move the pistons by first and second levers, and the pistons are moved. When the pistons are moved, the oil pressure signal is output from the discharge ports. A disk plate is separated into a first disk plate to which the root of the operation lever is attached and a second disk plate which is tiltably supported by a tilting fulcrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Yamamoto, Yasuhiro Satou, Shuuji Hori, Naoki Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 6657414
    Abstract: A terminal device secured between an electromobile and a battery container (50) consists of a body terminal contact (20) and a container terminal contact (40). The body terminal contact (20) is attached to the electromobile, and the container terminal contact (40) is attached to a cap (30) formed in the battery container (50) to conductively abut the body terminal contact (20) directly when the battery container (50) is mounted in the electromobile. Thereby, the battery container (50) can be quickly and easily attached to or detached from the electromobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Merits Health Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 6647710
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for internal combustion engines, which comprises an exhaust pipe, a branched exhaust pipe, a first NOx adsorbing catalyst provided in the exhaust pipe, a second small-sized NOx adsorbing catalyst provided in the branched exhaust pipe, and an exhaust switchover valve. The exhaust switchover valve including exhaust holes, a first feed pipe having a first switchover valve, and a second feed pipe having a second switchover valve, the first and second feed pipes being opened between the exhaust switchover valve and the first NOx adsorbing catalyst and between the exhaust switchover valve and the second NOx adsorbing catalyst, respectively. The first and second feed pipes are supplied with a fuel from a feed pump. A controller is connected to a NOx accumulation checking device, exhaust switchover valve, first switchover valve, and the second switchover valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Nishiyama, Koutarou Wakamoto
  • Patent number: 6649125
    Abstract: Disclosed is a free-cutting steel which exhibits good machinability in turning and small roughness of the turned surfaces, and in which substantially no macro-streak-flaw occurs. The free-cutting steel contains, by weight %, C: 0.03-0.20%, Mn: 0.5-3.0%, P: 0.02-0.40%, S: more than 0.2% up to 1.0%, one or both of Ti and Zr (in case of both, the total amount): 0.01-3.0%, O: 0.0005-0.0050% and Pb: less than 0.01%, the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities. The steel is characterized in that it contains, as the inclusion therein, Ti-based and/or Zr-based carbosulfide compound or compounds. The steel may further contain at least one from the group of Bi: up to 0.4%, Se: up to 0.5% and Te: up to 0.1%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Daido Steel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Hayaishi, Yutaka Kurebayashi
  • Patent number: 6638041
    Abstract: A subject of the present invention is to provide a water based hydraulic fluid and a hydraulic pressure device able to prevent burning and wearing in a sliding portion of a member constructed by an iron-based material as much as possible. Therefore, the water based hydraulic fluid relative to the invention contains copper ions for forming a film on addendum surfaces of a drive gear and a driven gear constructed by the iron-based material. A gear pump as the hydraulic pressure device relative to the invention uses the water based hydraulic fluid containing metallic ions for forming the film on the addendum surfaces of the drive gear and the driven gear constructed by the iron-based material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 6630747
    Abstract: A connection mode of connector members is changed so that a control signal for the same control direction (e.g. fore and back direction) of a control member is output from different terminals (a terminal for an arm drive signal) and (a terminal for a swing drive signal) of the connector member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Kamada, Atsushi Nagira, Hidenori Koizumi
  • Patent number: 6628682
    Abstract: Of spontaneous emission beams emitted from a laser medium but not line-narrowed, a spontaneous emission beam whose wavelength approximates a narrowed emission beam and whose light intensity is equal to or higher than a certain level is used as a reference light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiwamu Takehisa, Kouji Shio, Shinji Nagai, Yasuaki Iwata, Osamu Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 6622587
    Abstract: A wheeled walker brake lever mounting arrangement is constructed to include a mounting base frame fixedly fastened to one handlebar of a wheeled walker, a brake cable inserted through the mounting base frame and connected to a brake assembly at rear wheels of the wheeled walker, and a brake lever coupled to the mounting base frame by a slip joint and connected to the brake lever and turned relative to the mounting base frame between a first position where the brake lever is firmly secured in position to pull up the brake cable and to hold the brake cable in the braking position, a second (the neutral) position where the brake lever is loosened, and a third position where the brake lever holds the brake cable temporarily in the braking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: David Wu
  • Patent number: 6625540
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle interference prevention device that, by computing a range of possible locations of a vehicle taking into consideration the time at which the location of the vehicle is measured, can safely predict the location of the vehicle, even with minimal frequency of radio contact, and prevent interference among unmanned vehicles or manned vehicles over the entirety of large work site. An unmanned vehicle uses the latest position data for a manned vehicle acquired (received) via an inter-vehicle communication device to determine a position (position at a certain point in time) as the basis for computing a circle having this position as its center and having a radius equal to the distance traveled at maximum speed from this point to a predetermined future point in time, and designates the area within this circle on a prearranged travel route as a range of possible locations for the manned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle then decides whether its own vehicle position interferes with this circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Masato Kageyama
  • Patent number: 6622850
    Abstract: With an advancing motion, finger plates together with stationary transfer bars are moved to positions where uprights are not in the way, and finally the finger plates disengaged from the stationary transfer bars are held by plate holding members to be discharged to an area where preparatory work is conducted externally of a transfer feeder, together with movable transfer bars. Accordingly, inherent motions of the transfer feeder are made use of to shunt the finger plates, and as compared with the case where the finger plates are disengaged from the stationary transfer bars at standstill to shunt, cylinders for movement and guide rails are dispensed with to enable attaining light weight and the transfer feeder is enhanced in operating rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigekazu Noda
  • Patent number: 6620000
    Abstract: A connector is adapted to connect electric wire to a switch. The connector includes an insulation block and at least one plug. The insulation block has a top, an attachment face and a rear face. Prong holes are defined in the attachment face and adapted to receive prongs of the switch. Positioning holes corresponding to one of the at least one plugs are defined in the insulation block from the attachment face to the rear face respectively. A conductor hole is defined in the insulation block at the top and communicates with adjacent positioning holes and prong holes. A conductor of the electric wire is inserted into the conductor hole. The conductor is pressed against the prong in the prong hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Wen-Pin Chen
  • Patent number: 6620377
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high hardness stainless steel suitable as the material for screws used in fastening parts of magnetic memory devices such as hard disk drives. The stainless steel consists essentially of, by weight %, C: 0.03-0.15%, Si: 0.1-1.2%, Mn: 11.0-19.0%, P: up to 0.06%, S: up to 0.03%, Ni: 2.0-7.0%, Cr: 16.5-19.0%, N: 0.20-0.45% and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities. This stainless steel exhibits improved hardness and anti-seizure property better than those of conventionally used SUS XM7. The steel may further contain at least one member of Al: up to 0.05%, Mg: 0.001-0.05%, Ca: 0.001-0.05%, V: 0.03-0.30% and Nb: 0.03-0.30%; and one or both of Cu: 1.0-4.0% and Mo: 0.5-5.0%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Hideyuki Ohma
  • Patent number: 6621974
    Abstract: A fiber converter box includes a box body covered with a top cover board, the box body having 8 slots in a vertical front panel thereof and a power switch and an alternating current socket and a fan installed in a vertical back panel thereof, a plurality of circuit board assemblies installed in the box body and respectively aimed at the slots and adapted to connect a respective unshielded twisted pair cable from the network interface card of an external personal computer to an external server through a switch-hub and a router, the top cover board having a downwardly extended back plate, which has two holes respectively coupled to the power switch and alternating current socket of the box body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Max Chu
  • Patent number: 6615581
    Abstract: A hydraulic oil flow controller for a construction machine comprises an operating valve 6 for supplying hydraulic oil discharged from hydraulic pimps 1 and 2 to an attachment, an attachment operating unit 11 for transmitting a pilot signal corresponding to the manipulated variable of the operating valve 6 and a solenoid control valve 12 for changing the flow characteristics of the pilot signal in accordance with a command from a controller 19. An increase and/or decrease signal is sent to the solenoid control valve 12 through the controller 19 from a monitor device 18 so that the flow of the hydraulic oil supplied to the actuator of the attachment is increased and/or decreased. Accordingly, a coefficient of fluctuation of the flow relative to a coefficient of fluctuation of the manipulated variable can be decreased in the work of the attachment of a hydraulic shovel and the operation efficiency upon operation of the attachment can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kusuyama
  • Patent number: 6617504
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a thermoelectric element of enhanced thermoelectric performance is provided by improving the preparation of thermoelectric material and employing hot plastic working in combination. The method comprises the step (a) of mixing and heat-melting a raw material of a predetermined composition; the step (b) of turning the heat-melted material 106 into microglobules by either of scattering and spraying, and then quenching the microglobules, thereby providing a globular powdery thermoelectric material; and the step (c) of plastically deforming the thermoelectric material in a hot condition, thereby to bring crystal grains of the thermoelectric material into a crystal orientation affording an excellent figure of merit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kajihara, Akio Konishi, Yong Hoon Lee, Kiyoharu Sasaki, Kenichi Tomita, Takeji Kajiura
  • Patent number: 6609596
    Abstract: A brake device has a cam and a switch. The cam is securely attached to the steering bar of the electric scooter. The cam has a circular periphery with a plain portion and a notch. The switch is secured to the body of the electric scooter and is electrically connected to the actuator. The switch has an arm with a distal end abutting either the plain portion or the notch according to whether the scooter is turning or traveling straight. With such a brake device, the scooter will be automatically slowed down when the scooter is turned right or left.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Samuel Lin
  • Patent number: 6607256
    Abstract: A crawler-type vehicle undercarriage including a track frame, an idler, a sprocket, a crawler encompassing the idler, track rollers, and the sprocket and the idler, the sprocket and the track frame located to line up in a straight line comprising the crawler-type vehicle undercarriage comprising (i) an idler avoided from pivoting upwardly or downwardly relative to the track frame, (ii) a first arm pivotally mounted at the bottom of the track frame, and (iii) a second arm pivotally connected to end portion of the first arm. The track roller unit adjacent the sprocket is preferably pivoted about a pivot center of the first arm positioned at the bottom of the track frame and toward the idler relative to a pivot center of the second arm. The track roller travel improves a flexibility of the track roller to the crawler, and work in a high tractive force is carried out with the track rollers providing unchangeable real contact areas to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Kamatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yoshida, Kazuyuki Onohara, Taira Ozaki
  • Patent number: 6604746
    Abstract: A snowboard binding of the invention includes: a guide unit for properly guiding a tip portion of a left band while preventing the tip portion from entering a space of a buckle; an ankle strap fitting unit for optically fastening a ankle strap around a boot; an erroneous open preventing unit for preventing a lever of a forward inclination regulation mechanism from inadvertently releasing; a retaining unit for retaining the foot in a highback; and a binding discrimination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Carmate Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sato, Hideyuki Naito, Yoshihiro Yagyu, Motomu Haruna
  • Patent number: 6601386
    Abstract: An actuator drive unit in which either of two types of actuators and a drive direction thereof (either forward direction or backward direction) are corresponded to respective four pistons. When one of the four pistons in one of four displacement signal generating units generates a displacement signal, the actuator corresponding to the piston generating the displacement signal is driven in a corresponding drive direction, by an amount of drive corresponding to the displacement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuuji Hori, Masayoshi Mototani, Mikio Nojiri, Takeshi Endo