Patents Represented by Attorney Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease
  • Patent number: 6044945
    Abstract: A one way clutch comprises an inner member, an outer race coaxial with the inner member, torque transmitting members provided between the inner member and the outer race to be displaced between a torque transmitting position and a non torque transmitting position, biasing members for biasing the corresponding torque transmitting members to the torque transmitting position until a predetermined torque is applied thereto, and a retainer for retaining the torque transmitting members and the biasing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 6044723
    Abstract: An electric power assisting steering apparatus comprises a housing, a motor mounted on the housing to generate auxiliary steering power in a rotating shaft, an output shaft to transmit the steering power for steering the wheels, a bearing for supporting the output shaft to be freely rotatable, and a worm gear mechanism having a worm connected to the rotating shaft and a worm wheel connected to the output shaft, to transmit the auxiliary steering power of the motor to the output shaft. An elastic body is provided between at least one of the rotating shaft and the housing and the bearing, so that when a tooth surface of the worm and that of the worm wheel are brought into contact with each other, the rotating shaft is moved in at least one of the axial direction and the radial direction relative to the housing by deforming the elastic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Eda, Yuji Kawaike, Masuji Machida
  • Patent number: 6035912
    Abstract: A tire chain cross member assembly comprises a flexible cable on which is tightly wrapped a helical wire sheath. The sheath is surrounded by a first layer of helical wire sleeves that are free to move axially and circumferentially on the sheath. Sleeves of the first layer are surrounded by a second layer of helical wire sleeves that are free to move axially and circumferentially and that form traction elements. A tire chain comprises a pair of elongated side members and a plurality of the cross member assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Burns Bros., Inc.
    Inventor: Larry C. Clark
  • Patent number: 6033118
    Abstract: A novel hydro-dynamic fluid bearing device is herein disclosed which comprises a cylindrical shaft, a substantially cylindrical bearing member for axially supporting the shaft rotatably in a cylindrical hole having a bottom surface, a supporting member fixed on one side of the shaft and the bearing member, and a rotation member fixed on the other side of the shaft and the bearing member and rotatably supported on the supporting member, grooves for generating hydro-dynamic fluid being formed on at least one of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical hole of the bearing member, wherein the bearing member is made of a resin material, and the outer peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical portion is fixed to an annular reinforcing member having a higher rigidity than the bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Asai, Katsuhiko Tanaka, Ikunori Sakatani, Hiromitsu Muraki
  • Patent number: 6034378
    Abstract: In a method of detecting a position of a position detection grating mark formed with a small step structure on a surface of a flat object, an illumination light beam is irradiated on the grating mark at a predetermined incident angle. The illumination light beam includes a plurality of coherent beams having n (n.gtoreq.3) different wavelengths .lambda..sub.1, .lambda..sub.2, .lambda..sub.3, . . . , .lambda..sub.n. The n wavelengths are set to approximately satisfy the following relation within a range of about .+-.10%:(1/.lambda..sub.1 -1/.lambda..sub.2)=(1/.lambda..sub.2 -1/.lambda..sub.3)= . . . =(1/.lambda..sub.n-1 -1/.lambda..sub.n)where the wavelengths have a condition .lambda..sub.1 <.lambda..sub.2 <.lambda..sub.3 . . . <.lambda..sub.n. Photoelectric detection of change in light amount of a diffracted light component generated from the grating mark in a specific direction is performed upon irradiation of the illumination light beam having the n wavelength components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Naomasa Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 6032988
    Abstract: A drawbolt for luggage cases or the like comprises a base plate, an actuating lever, and a U-shaped latch member. The actuating lever is pivotally connected to the base plate for movement between a latched position and an unlatched position. A U-shaped link connects the actuating lever and the arms of the U-shaped latch member. The U-shaped link has arms formed as plates that are received in pockets at the sides of the actuating member. The actuating lever has a back cover with a cavity that receives the cross-bar of the U-shaped link, and the base plate has a recess that receives the cavity when the actuating lever is in the latched position. A lock bolt is supported on the actuating lever for movement parallel to the opposite sides of the actuating lever and enters an eccentric bolt socket on the base plate to lock the actuating lever in the latched position. Rivet holes are provided through the base plate and are covered by the actuating lever in the latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Franzen International, Inc.
    Inventor: Helmut Klein
  • Patent number: 6035093
    Abstract: An image file editing apparatus comprises a media drive device for performing writing and reading of image files on a recording medium that is removably installed from outside, a list display device for displaying a list of image files on the recording medium, a file selecting device for selecting among the displayed list of the image files in accordance with an external operation, and an editing device for performing a predetermined editing operation on an image file or files that is/are selected. In response to an instruction from outside to eject the recording medium, a temporary storage device of the apparatus stores the selected image file(s), and a media ejecting device then ejects the recording medium after completion of storing to the temporary storage device. An editing operation can be performed on the image file(s) stored in the temporary storage device from the ejected recording medium and an image file or files selected by the file selecting device from a subsequently installed recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kazami, Kenji Toyoda
  • Patent number: 6031367
    Abstract: An on-line somatic cell analyser and a method for measuring a somatic cell count (SCC) are provided. A flow cell is connected to a milking hose and admits a constant volume of sampled milk into the flow chamber. A probe with two electrodes is positioned in a zone of optimal sensing inside the flow chamber, and provides a modulated signal according to the number of sodium ions present in the sample. A control unit receives the modulated signal, generates an ion count, and compares same with a plurality of SCC thresholds for classifying the sample in a quality category. A set of parameters characterizing the respective quality category, as well as the presence of mastitis in the animal, are finally displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Agricultural Instruments Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Steve L. Mangan
  • Patent number: 6026980
    Abstract: A one-piece blow-molded closed plastic drum having an integrally-formed compression-molded handling ring and method of molding same is provided. The drum has structural strength and stability to resist breakage of the drum upon impact due to tipping or dropping of the drum. The drum includes a generally cylindrical body portion and a head portion integrally-molded with an upper end of the body portion including a transition area around and between the upper end of the body portion and a top of the drum in the head portion. The transition area has an outside curved surface of a predetermined radius so that an outside surface of the body portion is positioned in a tangential plane in close proximity to a tangential plane along the outer circumferential surface of the handling ring and/or an inside curved surface with at least one radius, preferably a double ogee with three predetermined radii, so that no acute angles are formed between inside surfaces at the transition area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Greif Bros. Corp. of Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Malik, John J. Mikula, Robert A. Julien
  • Patent number: 6026813
    Abstract: A male urinary incontinence device includes a U-shaped body member supporting a bar extending across the ends of the body member. The bar, which is pivotally connected to one end of the body member and releasably latched to the opposite end, supports a shaft for reciprocative movement relative to a curved compression reaction portion of the body member. A pad on an end of the shaft is shaped to compress a penis between the pad and the compression reaction portion with sufficient pressure to stop flow of urine, but without discomfort. The shaft is advanced toward the compression reaction portion by pressing on a free end of the shaft and is held in position by engagement of a pawl with a rachet on the shaft. The shaft, which is prevented from rotation, is released to fall away from the compression reaction portion of the body member by withdrawing the pawl from the rachet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: John R. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 6024245
    Abstract: A one-piece blow-molded closed plastic drum having an integrally-formed compression-molded handling ring and method of molding same is provided. The drum has structural strength and stability to resist breakage of the drum upon impact due to tipping or dropping of the drum. The drum includes a generally cylindrical body portion and a head portion integrally-molded with an upper end of the body portion including a transition area around and between the upper end of the body portion and a top of the drum in the head portion. The transition area has an outside curved surface of a predetermined radius so that an outside surface of the body portion is positioned in a tangential plane in close proximity to a tangential plane along the outer circumferential surface of the handling ring and/or an inside curved surface with at least one radius, preferably a double ogee with three predetermined radii, so that no acute angles are formed between inside surfaces at the transition area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Greif Bros. Corp. of Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Malik, John J. Mikula, Robert A. Julien
  • Patent number: 6024645
    Abstract: A double Cardan type constant velocity joint has a crank type angle adjusting member rotatably supported in a central portion of a support plate that is provided inwardly of an intermediate housing. First and second engagement protrusions provided at front end portions of first and second yokes engage in an oscillatable manner with first and second engagement holes formed in the angle adjusting member. The angle adjusting member does not displace in a diametrical direction even when rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Tomaru, Sakae Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6023408
    Abstract: A capacitor having a floating plate-shaped electrode, at least two patterned plate electrodes overlying the floating plate-shaped electrode, and a dielectric layer therebetween. The resulting structure exhibits high two-port insertion loss even at frequencies as high as 10 GHz. Notably, the capacitor exhibits an insertion loss of more than -40 dB over a range from 1 GHz to 10 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventor: Leonard W. Schaper
  • Patent number: 6022147
    Abstract: A roller bearing with a cage comprises an inner race and an outer race concentric with each other, a plurality of rollers interposed between the inner race and the outer race, and a cage for retaining these rollers. The cage comprises a pair of annular side plates disposed at the both ends of each of the rollers for supporting the rollers to be rotatable, and a plurality of pins each having its both ends respectively connected to connection portions of the pair of annular side plates. The parallel screw portions are respectively formed at the both ends of each of the pins and large-diameter portions each having a larger diameter than the parallel screw portions are respectively formed on the inner sides of the parallel screw portions on the both sides thereof. The circular recesses in which the large-diameter portions are respectively fitted are respectively formed on the inner sides of the pin connection portions of the pair of annular side plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Murai, Osamu Fujii, Michitsugu Mori
  • Patent number: 6022047
    Abstract: A yoke of a universal joint for a steering apparatus, the yoke including a coupling member made by press-shaping a metallic plate and formed into the shape of a tube having a split in a circumferential portion thereof and a serration on an inner peripheral surface thereof. The coupling member has one end portion, having a partially cylindrical portion and a pair of flange portions integral with the partially cylindrical portion with the split interposed therebetween, and a substantially cylindrical coupling portion at another end portion thereof. Notably, the substantially cylindrical coupling portion has a larger outer diameter than an outer diameter of the partially cylindrical portion. The coupling member further includes a threaded hole formed in one of the flange portions, and a through hole formed in the other of the flange portions and coaxial with the threaded hole for passing a bolt to be threadably engaged with the threaded hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Okubo
  • Patent number: 6020950
    Abstract: In an exposure method of imaging/projecting, through a projection optical system, a pattern formed on a mask onto an object to be exposed, a mask is placed on an object plane side of the projection optical system, the pattern formed on the mask being constituted by a transparent portion which is almost transparent to exposure light, and a phase shift portion for producing light whose phase is shifted from that of light transmitted through the transparent portion by almost an odd number multiple of .pi., and the object is exposed while a limiting member for limiting a beam, of beams passing through a Fourier transform plane having an optical Fourier transform relationship with a pattern surface of the mask in the projection optical system, which propagates near an optical axis of the projection optical system is placed at or near the Fourier transform plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Naomasa Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 6016186
    Abstract: An alignment device which may include an objective optical system for detecting the light from a first mark formed, for alignment, in a first mark area on a substrate and the light from a second mark formed, for alignment, in a second mark area, a first detection optical system having a first detection area within the viewing field of the objective optical system and adapted to detect the light from the first mark through the objective optical system, a second detection optical system having a second detection area, different from the first detection area, within the viewing field of the objective optical system and adapted to detect the light from the second mark through the objective optical system, and a focus detection system for detecting the deviation of the first mark area with respect to the focal plane of the first detection optical system and the deviation of the second mark area with respect to the focal plane of the second detection optical system, by irradiating the first and second detection are
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Mizutani
  • Patent number: D419242
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: DC Athletics, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Coons
  • Patent number: D420374
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Trafimet S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Zigliotto
  • Patent number: D421074
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: Anna Resich