Patents Examined by Amy R. Cohen
  • Patent number: 7290350
    Abstract: The invention is adapted particularly for simplifying the difficult task of measuring the openings of picture frame mats, and then transferring those measurements to a mitering machine for the purpose of accurately cutting, to the proper length, a piece of picture frame fillet molding. The invention includes at least a generally rectangular body, comprising a top plate and a base plate. A slide mechanism is slideably mated to the top plate by means of a male dovetail, which mates with the matching female dovetail. In addition, the slide mechanism is mated to the top plate by introducing the side of top plate into the slot of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Jerry Lee
  • Patent number: 7281490
    Abstract: A gauge for indicating a measured variable such as pressure. The gauge includes a motion detection device including a drive magnet that is adapted to be moveable in response to changes in the variable. The pointer rotation device includes a pivot member, a power magnet coupled to the pivot member, and one or more director members located adjacent the power magnet. Each director member includes a generally helical flange. A pointer is coupled to the pointer rotation device. The director members and the power magnet form a magnetic field adapted to magnetically couple the pointer rotation device to the drive magnet. The pointer rotation device is adapted to rotate about a rotational axis. Movement of the drive magnet in response to changes in the variable rotates the pointer rotation device and the pointer about the rotational axis such that the pointer indicates the measured variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Dwyer Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven O. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 7281335
    Abstract: A level assembly includes a main level with a base wall, end supports at opposite ends of the base wall and at least one intermediate support extending from the base wall at a location between the end supports. Bubble tubes may be mounted in the end supports and/or the intermediate support of the main level. At least first and second auxiliary levels are releasably mounted to the base wall of the main level and can be used independently of the main level. Alternatively, the main level can be used with the auxiliary levels in place and in certain embodiment can be used while the auxiliary levels are separated from the main level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Pedro Feliciano
  • Patent number: 7278218
    Abstract: A base for a light generating device or a leveling device, having a first surface that includes a connection structure to receive and mount either a light generating device or a leveling device thereto, and a second surface including a nonmechanical attachment structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventor: Steven R. Levine
  • Patent number: 7278369
    Abstract: A temperature indicator for a rubber article comprises a thermochromic material, wherein the thermochromic material is a component of a rubber article selected from the group consisting of tires, belts and hoses. A rubber article containing a temperature indicator is also disclosed, wherein the temperature indicator comprises a thermochromic material compounded with an elastomeric compound to form an elastomeric temperature indicator. A method of determining the operating temperature of a rubber article comprises incorporating at least one thermochromic material into a rubber article, the at least one thermochromic material having the property of changing color at a predetermined temperature, and examining the thermochromic material for a change in color, wherein the rubber article is selected from the group consisting of tires, belts and hoses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Frank Kelley, Barry Rosenbaum
  • Patent number: 7275331
    Abstract: A tool for indicating the flushness between a vehicle body roof panel and a sunroof panel that is adjustably mounted within a sunroof opening of the vehicle body roof panel. The tool will signal a vehicle assembly operator in the event that the sunroof panel needs to be vertically adjusted up or down. The tool includes a housing that sits on the roof panel. A lever is pivotally mounted on the housing and has a feeler extending from the housing to contact with the sunroof panel so that the pivotal position of the lever relative the housing is determined by the degree of flushness or lack of flushness between the two panels. An indicator is associated with the lever to indicate to the vehicle assembly operator whether or not the sunroof panel needs vertical adjustment relative to the roof panel to obtain an acceptable degree of flushness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin T. Mills, Craig A. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7275335
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital tram gauge assembly having an extendible elongate tram bar having a first height rod at a first end and a second height rod at a second end. A digital measuring device is positionable about the tram bar and is capable of digitally sensing, displaying and wirelessly transmitting measurement data from the digital tram gauge. The digital measuring device further includes a digital level sensor that functions as a digital level comparator to indicate whether the tram gauge assembly is oriented substantially parallel to a user-defined reference datum plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Chassis Liner
    Inventors: Henry V. Holec, Greg W. Parkhurst, Timothy M. Gack, Eric R. Seckerson, Mike V. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 7269907
    Abstract: A laser alignment device includes a laser generating device, an upper attachment portion, and a lower attachment portion. The laser generating device includes a housing and a laser generator. The upper attachment portion is disposed near a bottom of the housing, and the lower attachment portion is pivotally and/or rotationally connected to the upper attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventors: Steven R. Levine, Jeffrey L. Spanski, John C. Smith, Derek J. Nash, Leslie Daily Gist
  • Patent number: 7257904
    Abstract: A tool for inspecting a trailer kingpin and adjusting a fifth wheel hitch includes a plate having at least two mutually substantially perpendicular sides, one side having upper and lower generally rectangular tabs extending therefrom and separated by a space therebetween, the space being dimensioned to snugly receive a kingpin lower flange, the upper tab being dimensioned to be snugly received along a kingpin shank. Opposing this tabbed side is a side having at least one shaped recess for receiving a means for adjusting play in a fifth wheel hitch and transferring the application of torque thereto. The plate also includes a shaped aperture for receiving a kingpin, the shaped aperture having a substantially rectangular wide portion and a substantially rectangular narrow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Fontaine International
    Inventors: Eugene Brown, Tom Moulton, Danny Henderson
  • Patent number: 7251903
    Abstract: A chart for locating guides on a fishing rod comprising a plurality of side by side lanes each having a vertical portion and in a predetermined plane and arcuate lane portions of different radii and curved through an arc of about ninety degrees (90°) from said predetermined plane and a plurality of radially directed marker lines emanating from a common center and intersecting the arcuate lane portion which defines the optimum locating points for guides for the fishing rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Renzetti, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Morton
  • Patent number: 7249420
    Abstract: A slider device includes a base (200), a running head (300) slidably provided on the base (200), a main guide mechanism (410) for guiding in a first direction in which the running head (300) runs, and sub-guide mechanism (450) allowing displacement to a second direction different from the first direction. The main guide mechanism (410) includes two main rails (421, 422) provided on the base (200) substantially parallel to each other along the first direction, and main sliders (431, 433) sliding on the main rails (421, 422). The sub-guide mechanism (450) includes a sub-rail (461) provided on the main slider (431) along the second direction, and a sub-slider (471) sliding on the sub-rail (461).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Seiichi Otsubo, Koji Takesako, Mitsuru Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7243431
    Abstract: The invention is a trailer hitch alignment device that synergistically combines a laser level with an alignment mounting bracket, where the bracket, using a fastening means, provides a base on a vehicle for affixing the laser level to a vehicle. The laser level provides a laser beam which projects a lighted image that is a guide for coupling the trailer to a fifth wheel hitch on the vehicle. The level provides a means for confirming that the trailer, the vehicle, and the coupled trailer and vehicle all have the proper weight distribution as evidenced by their angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: W. Lee Godwin
  • Patent number: 7234411
    Abstract: A helmet flag for providing added visibility and therefore safety to a rider of virtually any form of transportation that exposes a rider to view. The flag is preferably mounted to the rear of a helmet and is substantially removable. The flexible, interchangeable flag rod is partially comprised of a spring to further insure against breakage. Flags are interchangeable with respect to size, colors, and designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Steven R. Butler
  • Patent number: 7231722
    Abstract: A chalk line apparatus for marking regularly spaced locations. The apparatus comprises a casing for powdered chalk containing a rotatable reel, a wire rope wound on said reel, and an exit opening for the wire rope at one end of the holder. The wire rope is coated with a material that resists retention of chalk, and has evenly spaced short chalk-retaining segments disposed thereon so that when the wire rope is tensioned to about 10 lbs, the segments reside at precisely placed predetermined intervals. When the line is snapped, the chalk-covered short segments leave evenly spaced chalk marks that correspond to the locations of underlying wall studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Stud Line Tool Company
    Inventors: James Karl Hickey, Michael Thomas Cranston
  • Patent number: 7228641
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for an articulatable support includes bearing assemblies. In one embodiment, the assemblies have a ball and aperture having sliding contact at discrete areas during relative rotation. In another embodiment, the sliding contact may be formed at a ball and a plastics (e.g. P.T.F.E. support). Resilient displacement of the bearing contact along a rotational axis is provided by planar spring supports and a rigid support is provided by supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Hunter, Michael Robert John Reeve, David Roberts McMurtry, Hugo George Derrick
  • Patent number: 7228637
    Abstract: An impact-absorbing end cap for an instrument such as a level is provided that is secured to an end of the level and has an outer portion and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is positioned between the outer portion and the body of the level and is securely fastened to the outer portion. In addition, the intermediate portion provides greater resilient compressibility than the outer portion so that the end cap is better adapted to absorb impacts to the outer portion and thereby prevent damage to the level. Preferably, the outer portion has a profile matching the body profile at the end of the level and the intermediate portion forms a serrated intermediate profile to facilitate compression of the end cap. Also preferred is where the end cap includes an inner portion with less resilient compressibility than the intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Empire Level Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Charles Kim
  • Patent number: 7225753
    Abstract: A bell device includes a housing having two housing members secured together, and one or more peripherals rib extended into an opening of the housing, a securing device includes a shank engaged in the opening of the housing, and includes a peripheral flange extended from the shank for engaging with the peripheral rib of the housing and for anchoring the shank to the housing when the two housing members are assembled together, a bell member is supported in the housing with the securing device, a clapper includes a stem pivotally attached to the securing device and a striking member for striking onto the bell member. A push rod may actuate the clapper to strike onto the bell member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Yi Hsuan Lo
  • Patent number: 7222430
    Abstract: An object locator sight aiding a first person to communicate the location of a distant object to a second person provides a laterally elongate base, carrying upstanding forward and spacedly adjacent rearward panels. The forward panel is perpendicular to the base and defines objective sight elements inwardly adjacent each end portion. The rearward panel is parallel to the forward panel and defines ocular sight elements inwardly adjacent each end portion. A sight line passing through the aligned first ocular sight element and the first objective sight element is intersected by a sight line passing through the second ocular sight element and the second objective sight element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph J. Bandock, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7222432
    Abstract: A method of assembling a reticle module comprising a first element and a second element is provided. The method includes the following steps. First, a collimated beam of light shines on a first reticle of the first member and a second reticle of the second member to project an image of the first reticle and an image of the second reticle onto a screen. Thereafter, the projected image of the first reticle of the first element and the projected image of the second reticle of the second element are adjusted to align with each other. Then, the relative position between first and the second element is fixed. The method speeds up the process of assembling a reticle module and ensures both constituent reticles aligned in the same viewing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Yu Pai, Chia-Chun Chang
  • Patent number: 7213534
    Abstract: An improved device for the detection of leakage is achieved when the device includes at least two components, of which at least one is capable of migrating with the liquid within the carrier, and forming a distinct color or other detectable signal with the first component. Such device is not sensitive to normal, ambient humidity and the color signal formed is resistant to being diluted or rinsed away in cases of abundant or repeated leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Tom Invent AB
    Inventors: Timo Siikaluoma, Emil Oskar Hörlin, legal representative, Hanna Sofia Hörlin, legal representative, Tom Hörlin, deceased