Patents Examined by Andrea Pitts
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Patent number: 6089608Abstract: An improved booklet of the present invention comprises: (a) a cover having a fold which divides the cover into a front cover panel and a rear cover panel wherein each panel has an inner and an outer surface where at least one of said inner surfaces is vinyl treated latex saturated paper substrate; (b) a vinyl sheet heat sealed along three adjacent edges to said surface of said vinyl treated paper substrate thereby forming a pocket between said vinyl sheet and said vinyl treated paper substrate and further leaving one non-sealed edge; and (c) a plurality of leaves each attached along at least one marginal edge to the fold, the leaves forming pages in the booklet.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1998Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: William Exline, Inc.Inventor: William B. Exline
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Patent number: 6010284Abstract: There is disclosed a boring machine capable of achieving high processing precision and high processing efficiency. A table is mounted on a bed for reciprocal movement in right and left directions. A workpiece fixing device for fixing workpieces W of a semi-cylindrical shape is mounted on the bed. Cutting tools P and Q for cutting the workpieces W, a workpiece carry-in device and a workpiece carry-out device are provided on the table. The table is moved to a left side, and the workpieces W are placed on the workpiece carry-in means. Then, the table is moved to a right side to transfer the workpieces W to the workpiece fixing device. The table is again moved to the left side, so that each workpiece W is subjected to a boring processing by the cutting tools P and Q. The workpiece carry-out device receives the processed workpieces W, and then the workpieces W are unloaded from the boring machine by a workpiece unloading device, and are fed to a subsequent step.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1997Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.Inventors: Yoshitaka Ito, Katsumi Asai, Takayoshi Sasaki
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Patent number: 5997042Abstract: A transactional control system, a promotional system, and a redemption system including a set of a card and a removable and reusable label. The removable and reusable label having a first side printed with indicia thereon, and a second side coated with a reusable adhesive layer suitable for affixing the label to either a first or a second planar side of the card. The label, printed with a registration indicia thereon, can be removed from the transaction card without leaving residue on the card and can be affixed to a registration form for registration of a holder of the transaction card. Alternatively, the label printed with a redeemable coupon indicia thereon, can be removed from a promotion card and affixed to a transaction receipt for associating a particular transaction with the redeemable coupon. In another embodiment the label is printed and scored to form individually removable segments which can be removed from the redemption card and redeemed.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1996Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Arthur Blank & Company, Inc.Inventor: Eric Blank
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Patent number: 5919013Abstract: An ophthalmic lens generating apparatus having a tool spindle comprising a motor, a lens surfacing tool and a coupling mounted between the motor and the lens surfacing tool for retaining the lens surfacing tool to the arbor of the motor. The apparatus of the present invention also comprises a first actuated table supporting the tool spindle in a movable manner along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. A massive base is mounted beneath the first actuated table for supporting the table and for dampening radial vibrations of the tool spindle. The apparatus further comprises a lens holder for holding an ophthalmic lens in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. A massive upright block is mounted on one end of the massive base behind the structural support supporting the lens holder, for dampening axial vibrations of the tool spindle and of the lens holder.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Micro Optics Design CorporationInventor: Marc Y. Savoie
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Patent number: 5915729Abstract: An instructional book for children which enables the reader to remove and play with a plurality of removable parts housed within recesses formed in the pages of the book. Two of the pages of the book have a half shell integrally formed therein in the shape of an object which is the subject of the text of the book. The half shells cooperate to form a hollow three-dimensional shell which is adapted to receive one or more of the removable parts stored within the book in order to aid in the learning process of the reader.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Vap Creative LimitedInventor: Rudolph D. Vap
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Patent number: 5433306Abstract: A hub includes a hub shell having two flanges, a number of ratchet teeth formed in one of the flanges, a spindle rotatably engaged in the hub shell, a sleeve disposed on the spindle and having one or more pawls disposed on the outer peripheral portion for engagement with the ratchet teeth in order to drive the hub shell. The hub can be used in the front portion of the bicycle. The sleeve may include an extension for supporting the sprockets such that the hub can also be used in the rear portion of the bicycle.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1993Date of Patent: July 18, 1995Inventor: Shu-Chiung C. Yang
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Patent number: 5404983Abstract: A multi directional actuator capable of moving a shaft in at least two directions independently including one linear and one rotary movement. A base plate is provided to receive a first actuator having a linearly moving shaft which is extended from and retracted into the actuator. A second actuator is connected for movement by the first actuator and where the second actuator operates an output shaft which is selectively rotated through a portion of an arc. A guide arrangement is provided to direct movement of the second actuator by the first actuator and to journal the shaft of the second actuator to prevent orbiting and deflection of the shaft of the second actuator. Limit switches can be provided to indicate end of the stroke of the linear and rotary actuators and the first and second actuators can be separated to allow use of limit stops to limit rotation of the shaft of the second actuator.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1992Date of Patent: April 11, 1995Inventors: Fred C. Eicher, Charles F. Evans, Jr., Gary M. Rumrill
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Patent number: 5398792Abstract: A clutch device for controlling transmitted torque in a vehicle comprises a first friction clutch including multiple clutch disks, a hub, a clutch drum and a pressing ring; a second friction clutch including multiple clutch disks, a clutch drum, a cam ring and an electromagnet; a cam mechanism; and a spring. A part of the thrust force is cancelled by energizing force of the spring to shift an operating point of the first friction clutch to a high torque side. A range where only the second friction clutch operates becomes wider. Therefore, change in the torque of the second friction clutch relative to change in operating force is decreased. This contributes to an accurate torque control. In accordance with the function of this clutch device, features of front wheel drive and 4WD vehicles are obtained so that fuel consumption can be decreased and road ability can be improved. Further, straight running performance of a vehicle can be achieved and a tight corner braking phenomenon can be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1994Date of Patent: March 21, 1995Assignee: Tochigi Fuji Sangyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masao Teraoka
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Patent number: 5390773Abstract: A clutch mechanism for use on a conventional bicycle which permits independent actuation of both pedals and provides a driving force through 100% of a pedal stroke. The clutch is generally comprised of a single, outer, cylindrical rotor which extends between the two pedals, and two internal rotors, respective to each pedal, positioned within the outer rotor. The internal rotors each include respective longitudinally extending, annularly spaced webs and longitudinally extending V-shaped portions integrally positioned between successive webs. In addition, magnets are attached to each rotor and positioned at the vortices of the V-shaped portions. The clutch further includes a set of cylindrical rods positioned between the two rotors which become wedgingly engaged between the magnets and the outer rotor when the pedal is actuated by a user of the bike. In addition, each pedal is attached to the frame of the bike via a spring which prohibits the pedal from being rotated a full 360.degree..Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1993Date of Patent: February 21, 1995Inventor: Cataldo Proia
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Patent number: 5363946Abstract: An automation device for automobile manual shift system, which comprises a shift key to control an intake electric valve to cause a highly compressed air to enter a power cylinder for driving a clutch pump; such automation device is used for replacing the conventional clutch pedal. There are exhausting electric valves, which will be opened upon the accelerator pedal being stepped down so as to have a highly compressed air exhaust out of the power cylinder to pull back the clutch pump, and the shift change is done; the automation device also comprises a shift-removing key for clearing the shift set if necessary.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1993Date of Patent: November 15, 1994Inventor: Shih-Hung Chang
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Patent number: 5360090Abstract: A torsion isolator assembly (30) for reducing driveline torsionals includes a vane damper (36) including improved valving (40d,40e) for increasing the damping factor of the damper, improved spiral springs (32,34 or 80,82) for reducing spring stress primarily due to centrifugal forces, and cam surfaces (44d,440c) for further reducing spring stress due to centrifugal forces.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1992Date of Patent: November 1, 1994Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Dale A. Stretch, Kent M. Curtis
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Patent number: 5360381Abstract: A control for enabling a clutch to be automatically engaged with a power source. An apparatus for automatically controlling the position of a clutch between a power source and a drive train characterized by a control which regulates pressure to a clutch engaging member according to performance criteria of the power source.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1992Date of Patent: November 1, 1994Inventor: Jason Swist
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Patent number: 5358086Abstract: A friction lining is designed in particular for clutches and plate-type disc brakes and has an annular body of friction material of which one face forms a friction surface. The annular body has holes distributed around its periphery for the passage of rivets. The holes designed to receive the rivets are arranged in the annular body clear of the friction surface and accordingly do not reduce the area of the friction surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1993Date of Patent: October 25, 1994Assignee: Raybestos Industrie-Produkte GmbHInventors: Ulrich Muller, Norbert Schulz
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Patent number: 5355985Abstract: A clutch friction wheel for a motor vehicle clutch comprises a support having slotted lobes projecting radially from an inner portion of the support. Friction pads are arranged back-to-back on either side of each lobe. Springs are interposed between two associated friction pads. The springs consist of profiled fins such as to define a wavy support having, for contact with one friction pad of each pair, a central zone having free circumferential end portions, and, for contact with the other friction pad of the same pair, marginal portions. One of these marginal portions projects from and is integral with the inner portion of the support.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1993Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Assignee: ValeoInventors: Jacques Thirion De Briel, Andre Dalbiez
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Patent number: 5355984Abstract: A clutch has two friction wheels, a common hub, and a predamper, one of the friction wheels having an elongated hub with external teeth which mesh without clearance with teeth formed in the hub of the other friction wheel. The elongated hub is coupled in rotation to the common hub of the clutch through teeth which mesh after a circumferential clearance between them has been taken up. The predamper and the common hub together form a subassembly, and a retaining ring is located axially on the common hub so that the retaining ring and the predamper together retain the elongated hub on the common hub. The predamper is coupled in rotation to the elongated hub by an axially releasable mating coupling.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1993Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Assignee: ValeoInventor: Thomas Grabis
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Patent number: 5355981Abstract: A torque transmission device has an outer ring and an input shaft rotatably mounted in the outer ring. The outer ring and the input shaft are formed with engaging surfaces so as to be opposite to each other. A cage is rotatably mounted between the engaging surfaces and provided with pockets. The engaging elements are mounted in the pockets and adapted to engage the engaging surfaces when the input shaft and the cage rotate either in a normal or reverse direction relative to each other. Elastic members are mounted in the pockets to hold the engaging elements in a position where they are not engaged. A control shaft is mounted coaxially and rotatably with respect to the input shaft. The cage and the input shaft are coupled together through the control shaft so that a turning torque can be transmitted therebtween. A gap is provided in the direction of rotation at a coupling portion between the input shaft and the control shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 1994Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Kenichiro Itoh, Hiromi Nojiri, Kenro Adachi
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Patent number: 5351570Abstract: (1) Various gear states are selected by movement of a shift lever 2 in a longitudinal shift path 13 and the gear stage is automatically shifted from starting to the maximum gear stage in an automatic speed change position D, so that an operator can run a vehicle with increased safety and easy operation without operation of the shift lever 2. (2) When a push button switch 3 provided in the shift lever 1 is pressed during the automatic speed change running, the gear stage during the running is fixed, so that inadvertent automatic shift is prevented and an optimum speed stage is maintained when the work load on the vehicle's engine changes, for example when the vehicle encounters a slope or a change in load during in operation. (3) When the gear stage is fixed in the automatic speed change position D and the shift lever 2 is transversely moved in the transverse shift path 14, the operator can vary the stages while varying one stage a time with the operator's will.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1992Date of Patent: October 4, 1994Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Wataru Mizunuma, Mitsumasa Yahata, Kaoru Watanabe, Kensaku Nakajima, Jun Kato, Yukihiro Masuko, Yoshihiko Shimada
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Patent number: 5350047Abstract: An oil passage is provided in an axially central portion of a spool which is received within a valve housing and rotatively driven by a pulse motor, and oil passages passed diametrically through the spool and connected to the oil passage, so that a hydraulic pressure from an input port connected to a hydraulic pressure source is selectively supplied to the oil passages for selectively engaging and disengaging frictionally engaging elements of an automatic transmission. An axially acting load provided by the hydraulic pressure is received by a thrust bearing mounted at an end of the spool. The supply of oil from the axial portion of the spool enables no side force to be applied, thereby reducing the frictional force and to enhance the sealability between the valve housing and the spool.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1993Date of Patent: September 27, 1994Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koichi Kimura, Kazuma Hatakeyama, Hideo Furukawa
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Patent number: 5348127Abstract: A fluid coupling power transmission is constructed such that a pump impel let and a turbine runner are arranged to face each other in a housing, to which torque is inputted, and such that a lockup clutch is disposed in the housing for transmitting the torque from the housing to the turbine runner.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1992Date of Patent: September 20, 1994Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kiyohito Murata, Yoshio Shindo, Hajime Arai
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Patent number: 5343994Abstract: An apparatus and method are adapted for detecting an end-of-fill condition of an actuator having a varying control volume is provided. The end-of-fill condition corresponds to the varying control volume being pressurized to a predetermined end-of-fill pressure. The apparatus comprises a solenoid having a coil and an armature. The armature is movable relative to the coil in response to energization of the coil. A valve delivers a flow of fluid to the actuator. The fluid flow having a rate responsive to the movement of the armature. The apparatus and method controllably energizes the coil with a control current. The apparatus and method detects a flyback current in the coil, detects a change in the level of noise in said flyback current, and responsively producing an end-of-fill signal in response to the change being greater than a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1993Date of Patent: September 6, 1994Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Christos T. Kyrtsos