Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Young & Basile, P.C.
  • Patent number: 6421939
    Abstract: A carpet seaming iron is provided for heating adhesive seaming tape without direct contact to the adhesive. The carpet seaming iron has an outer housing forming a cavity therein and a handle with an open end leading to a passageway to the cavity. A heating element is located within the cavity and spaced from a lower base plate. The base plate has apertures therethrough. An electrically operated fan is disposed in the cavity, between the open end of the handle and the heating element. The fan draws ambient atmospheric air through the open end and directs the air past the heating element and through the apertures in the base plate toward the adhesive seaming tape. The air is heated by the heating element so that the air melts the adhesive. The base plate is attached to rollers or ski devices to space the base plate from the adhesive tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventors: Michael A. David, Christopher T. Steinhelper
  • Patent number: 6422609
    Abstract: A fluid joint of the type including a generally rigid metallic tube having an annular bead spaced from the free end of the tube to define a pilot portion between the bead and the tube free end, a generally flexible hose sized to fit at a free end thereof over the pilot portion, and a metallic ferrule crimped at a first end thereof over the hose free end and adapted to be crimped at a second end thereof over the tube pilot portion. The joint further includes an elastomeric ring positioned in surrounding relation to the tube pilot portion between the bead and the second end of the ferrule so that, as the second end of the ferrule is crimped against the tube pilot portion, the elastomeric ring is trapped between the second end of the ferrule and the bead to preclude the entry of contaminants into the interface between the tube and the ferrule so as to discourage corrosive galvanic action between the dissimilar materials of the ferrule and the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Arndt, Jeremy T. Henderson
  • Patent number: 6423116
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for extracting iron by direct reduction, characterized in that the device has a separate reduction chamber in which the carbon is gasified and the iron oxide is reduced in close proximity, and a separate combustion chamber in which surplus reduction gases are burned and heat energy is yielded. According to the invention, the hot combustion gasses pass on their heat energy to the reduction gasses in a heat exchanger, so that this energy is transferred to the reduction gases effectively. The reduction gasses are force-circulated through the heat exchanger and through the carbon/bed of ore for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Manfred Ottow
  • Patent number: 6419071
    Abstract: A lowerator for an assembly system of the type including at least one rail defining a path of travel with respect to at least one workstation, and a conveyor for transporting a work piece along the rail. The conveyor includes a trolley moveable along the rail and a carrier moveable with respect to the trolley. The carrier supports a work piece during movement with respect to the workstation. The carrier is vertically positionable between a raised position and lowered position with respect to the trolley. The lowerator moves the carrier between the raised and lowered positions and cycles a latch for securing the carrier to the trolley when in the raised position. The lowerator includes at least one lifter or actuator defining a path of travel in at least a first direction, wherein the lifter actuates the latch to uncouple the trolley and carrier before moving the carrier into the lowered position at the workstation so that one or more processing operations can be performed on the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Progressive Tool & Industries Co.
    Inventors: Keith A. Oldford, Michael R. Dugas, Velibor Kilibarda, Alan S. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 6419054
    Abstract: A cooling system for a brake having at least one pad and a surface engagable by the at least one pad. The cooling system includes a source of coolant and at least one nozzle operably positionable to spray the surface of the brake. A valve operates to supply coolant from the source of coolant to the at least one nozzle in response to an actuation signal. A temperature sensor is operably positionable to measure a temperature of the surface of the brake and generate a signal corresponding the measured temperature. A control unit receives the signal corresponding to the measured temperature from the temperature sensor and generates and transmits the actuation signal to the valve in accordance with a control program stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Gerald Schulba
  • Patent number: 6418390
    Abstract: A method and mobile unit facility is provided for testing the packaging of material during the transport of the material from one location to another location. The method includes instrumenting a unit of packaged material for measuring deflection and acceleration of the packaged material during the transport, loading the unit of packaged material into a bed of the mobile unit facility and filling the remainder of the bed with weighted material which is weighted and sized to simulate other units of the actual packaged material, and then driving the mobile unit facility from the one known location to the other location while recording deflection and acceleration data of the unit of packaged material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: David M. Wahl
  • Patent number: 6416045
    Abstract: A rotary clamp having a telescopic piston rod with predetermined adjustable lengths corresponding to predetermined rotational angles of a clamp arm. The rotary clamp utilizes a linear actuator for transmitting linear motion to the piston rods and a linkage assembly is connected to the piston rod to convert the linear motion of the piston rod into rotary motion of the clamp arm. The telescopic piston rod provides an outer shaft and an inner shaft wherein the outer shaft is connected to a piston in the linear actuator. The outer shaft also provides a bore extending from the free end of the outer shaft for receiving an inner shaft of the piston rod. The inner shaft of the piston rod has a plurality of apertures extending transverse to and spaced along the longitudinal axis of the inner shaft. The apertures of the inner shaft may correspondingly align with an aperture provided in the outer shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Norgren Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Morroney
  • Patent number: 6412826
    Abstract: A quick connector for connecting fluid lines includes a first connector having a housing for receiving a tube carrying spool. The spool sealingly engages an endform on the tube to form a metal-to-metal seal. A retainer in the form of ring having a plurality of angularly and radially extending, resilient legs extending therefrom and terminating in end pads is mountable in the housing in engagement with the spool with the end pads disposed in an annular, inward facing channel in the housing. A pop top is slidable along the tube to bias the retainer legs radially inward to allow insertion of the retainer into the bore in the housing and then is removed to allow the legs to snap radially outward bringing the end pads into engagement with housing channel. An assurance clip is mountable interiorly between the legs of the retainer and the spool to maintain the retainer legs in a radially outward position in engagement with the channel in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Kulevsky, George Szabo, Timothy Jackson
  • Patent number: 6412521
    Abstract: Processes and arrangements provide a rigid line for a brake, fuel or hydraulic system in motor vehicles, whose synthetic cladding layer is reinforced with fibers to thereby increase the strength and the resistance to wear and tear of the synthetic cladding layer. Moreover, by the use of electrically conductive carbon fibers, electrostatic charging of the rigid line can also be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Sausner, Martin Henkenjohann
  • Patent number: 6412341
    Abstract: A transmission fluid conditioning apparatus and method for facilitating the conduction of a transmission coolant flow test includes the provision of a fluid receptacle in the form of an open ended container having a internal volume for receiving a test amount of transmission coolant fluid. At least the transmission fluid flow filter is prestored within the fluid receptacle to facilitate use of the fluid receptacle in conducting a coolant flow test each time the transmission filter is replaced on a vehicle. Filter installation connection components including at least one of a hose, hose clamp and hose fitting, may also be prestored within the container. A closure lid is removably mountable over the open end of the container. Indicia are formed on the fluid receptacle for indicating good and bad coolant flow tests by the fluid level within the receptacle within a predetermined test time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Walter J. Ballew
  • Patent number: 6408736
    Abstract: A closed circuit synchronizing cylinder assembly for synchronously moving at least two external devices such that the devices move at the same rate and maintain essentially the same level within a small deviation. The synchronizing cylinder assembly has a cylinder with a movable piston and rod for each external device. The piston divides the interior of the cylinder into a rod outer diameter chamber, a rod inner diameter chamber and a third chamber. The rod outer diameter chamber and rod inner diameter chamber have equal areas and hydraulic fluid therein and third member is open to atmosphere. The hydraulic fluid in the rod outer diameter chamber of one cylinder communicates with the rod inner diameter chamber of another cylinder driving the reciprocal movement of the piston and rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Welker Bearing Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Holt, Robert C. Adams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6409411
    Abstract: A coupling apparatus for adjustably mounting modular tooling members having a base member releasably connectable to a slide mount wherein the base member is adjustably located along a predetermined linear path of travel defined by the slide mount. The base member is rotatably adjustable with respect to a midportion via a pair of matingly engaging contoured surfaces. The contoured surfaces are substantially circular having V-shaped teeth extending radially outward. The V-shaped teeth of the contoured surfaces matingly engage and are secured by fasteners to prevent any radial movement of the midportion with respect to the end member. The midportion may also be rotatably adjustable with respect to an end member along a second centerline axis. The midportion and the end member may be adjustably rotated through a pair of contoured surfaces substantially similar to that provided between the midportion and the base member. The end member provides an aperture for releasably connecting a boom rod to the end member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Norgren Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Crorey
  • Patent number: 6408516
    Abstract: A method of stamping and punching at several stations, an opening in a vehicle rood panel to provide for sunroof installation is described. A preformed recess is stamped into the top section of the panel to define a perimeter for a sunroof opening. The stamping of the preform comprises locating the roof panel in a stamping press beneath a press die where the die is aligned with the perimeter of the desired position for the sunroof opening. The preform recess is stamped in the panel where the preform is characterized by having a first bend which defines the opening perimeter and comprises rounded corner portions interconnected a front, rear and two side edges. A downwardly extending flange which becomes a sidewall of the sunroof opening is provided and has a length at least equal to the depth of a sealed portion of the sunroof panel and a second bend extending opposite to the first bend for interconnecting flange to the base portion of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Shiloh Industries, Inc. Dickson Mfg. Div.
    Inventor: Joe E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6408740
    Abstract: A three position cylinder assembly having an outer cylinder connected between two bases defining a cap end and a head end. A stationary tubular member is secured to the cap end of the outer cylinder at a port to provide fluid access into the outer cylinder. A first and second piston are disposed within the outer cylinder and have reciprocal movement therein. Each piston is connected to a rod which is concentric with the tubular member. The head end has an aperture for receiving the rods for extension beyond the outer cylinder. The tubular member has a stop at an end and the first piston and rod have reciprocal movement along the tubular member, wherein the stop defines a stable mid-position of the cylinder assembly. The second piston and rod have reciprocal movement along the first rod between the first piston and head end, wherein the head end defines a stable fully extended position of the cylinder assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Welker Bearing Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Holt, Robert C. Adams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6409095
    Abstract: An adapter for connecting a glass ornament to the metal blind bore upright found in standpipe-type sprinkler heads. The adapter is configured to be permanently secured over a base portion of the glass ornament, and further has a lower oversleeve portion adapted to be removably secured over an upper end of the blind bore upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Bird Brain, Inc.
    Inventor: Courtney A. King
  • Patent number: 6402204
    Abstract: A quick connect retainer having a pair of angularly disposed latch fingers extending radially inward from arcuate collars connecting a pair of legs extending axially from an annular base has a recess formed on a radially inner surface. The recess provides a substantially constant cross-sectional thickness to each latch finger between opposed ends of each latch finger. The recess forms a back-draft outer edge for mating with complimentary projections on a mold part to retain the latch fingers in position during separation of the mold halves during molding of the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Stuart, Jamie T. Weinert
  • Patent number: 6402544
    Abstract: An electrical connector has a connector body including a socket for an electrical conductor, the connector body having an electrically insulating shroud and having a threaded bore in which a connecting bolt is threadedly engaged. The connecting bolt is capable of actuation into engagement with a conductor inserted into the socket by providing a drive member engaged with the connecting bolt and extending through an opening in the insulating shroud to a rotatable, electrically insulating cap. The connecting bolt is slidably mounted on the drive member, the drive member being adapted to shear at a position between the opening in the insulating shroud and the point of engagement of the drive member with the connecting bolt when a predetermined torue is applied to the drive member, such that the cap and a residual portion of the drive member attached thereto can be withdrawn from the opening in the insulating shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: B & H (Nottingham) Limited
    Inventor: Gary Barnett
  • Patent number: 6402632
    Abstract: A golf swing training apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus comprising a support structure for supporting the golf swing training apparatus in a support plane, and a telescopic swing training arm connected to the support structure and further connectable to a golf club shaft. The telescopic swing training arm is biased toward a predetermined length, whereby the swing training arm is urged toward the predetermined length in response to axial movement thereof in either first or second directions away from the predetermined length. The predetermined length is such as to accommodate a preferred path of travel for a golf club through a portion of a golf swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Swing Shaper, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee A. Hope, Charles E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: D458837
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Invicta Plastics Limited
    Inventor: David John Cragie
  • Patent number: D460511
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: The Shane Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Van Deusen