Patents Examined by Andrew C. Pike
  • Patent number: 6196623
    Abstract: A clothing protector assembly (34) for an automobile (10) prevents a person's shoes and clothes from brushing against the automobile's (10) exterior body surface (12) and becoming soiled with dirt, mud, snow, salt, and other debris during entry and exit. The clothing protector assembly (34) includes a guard (36), which is automatically moved to an extended position when the door (20) is opened to hold clothing away from the exterior body surface (12). When the door (20) closes, the guard (36) is pushed back to its retracted position. Alternatively, a motor (172) or a mechanical linkage (274) tied to the door (220) can be used to extend and retract the guard (36). A extension lock feature (76) holds the guard (36) in the fully extended position, as when leaned against. The automobile door (120) may be of the sliding van type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Beacon Development Corp.
    Inventors: Jon E. Shackelford, Joseph W. Tasch, Gregory E. Price
  • Patent number: 6193460
    Abstract: An extendible bumper for an extendible tilt bed roll off truck is pivotally attached to a single hydraulic cylinder which is pivotally attached to the truck frame. The hydraulic cylinder is centrally positioned on the extendible bumper. A pair of guide rods extend from the extendible bumper and telescope into and out of a pair of guide rod holders, one on each side of the hydraulic cylinder. Because the bumper assembly is attached to the truck frame as opposed to the extendible tilt bed, the assembly is provided with a certain amount of clearance before the bumper requires retraction. Indication means for indicating when the extendible bumper is in its fully retracted position may be provided by an indicator switch which becomes depressed when the extendible bumper abuts the truck's stationary bumper. The depressed indicator switch actuates a cab indicator light for indicating full retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Robert J. Damico
  • Patent number: 6120090
    Abstract: A headliner for motor vehicles includes first and second sheets of material in juxtaposition to each other and adapted for positioning in a mold having two mold portions. The material of at least one of the sheets is fluid deformable with respect to another of the sheets, and is attachable to the material of the other of the sheets by the mold portions at sufficient locations to outline a potential duct between the sheets. The potential duct is adapted to receive fluid between the sheets for forming an actual duct. When fluid is received between the sheets, the material of the at least one sheet is deformed with respect to the material of the other of the sheets to define the actual duct. In one embodiment of the headliner, at least one head impact block is disposed in the duct. The headliner may also include at least one substantially air-impermeable layer disposed within the duct and attached to at least one of the the first and second sheets. Furthermore, the layer preferably includes a polymer powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Lear-Donnelly Overhead Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jack M. Van Ert, George B. Byma
  • Patent number: 6039510
    Abstract: A pneumatic transmission system having a carrier automatic braking system contains a transport conduit having a first end and a second end and being capable of permitting the transfer of a carrier therethrough, a first station for sending and receiving a carrier located on one end of the transmission conduit, and a second station for sending and receiving a carrier located on the other end of the transmission conduit. A motor blower, capable of moving a volume of air through a conduit, is enclosed within a supply/exhaust branch which is connected to one of the stations. A valve, capable of closing, to thereby create an air block in the supply line, is also disposed within the supply/exhaust branch. The motor blower blows air to move the carrier from one station to the other. The valve is activated, after deactivating the motor blower, when the carrier is detected at some predetermined location along the transport conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Comco Systems
    Inventors: Harold R. Greene, David W. Carder, Jack E. Balko
  • Patent number: 6029750
    Abstract: A vehicle for fighting fires in remote areas comprises an all terrain vehicle carrying a water-fillable tank, a water pump in fluid communication with the inside of the tank, an engine to operate the pump, and at least one hose for directing the pumped water, preferably foamed with a foaming agent at the fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Brian E. Carrier
  • Patent number: 6015246
    Abstract: A pneumatic tube carrier which is pneumatically conveyed through a pneumatic tube is provided with a container body for carrying articles and a pair of elastic films provided in the container body with their peripheries held by the same. The pair of elastic films are stretched by the article disposed therebetween and hold the article by a shrinking force generated therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Shooter Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Yamane, Shigeru Kiriyama, Shizuo Higuchi
  • Patent number: 6009953
    Abstract: A foam pump system for injecting chemical foamant into a firefighting stream includes a water pump, a foam pump, and an optional air compressor which are all connected to a common transmission. The transmission includes an input shaft which may be connected to a single power source (such as an engine of a fire truck) for driving the water pump, foam pump, and air compressor. The water pump, foam pump, and air compressor are preferably mounted (directly or indirectly) on the transmission to provide a compact unit that may be sold in modular form for ready incorporation into a firefighting apparatus such as a fire truck. The system also advantageously includes a hydrostatic transmission for selectively and accurately driving and controlling the speed of the foam pump and the resultant proportion of chemical foamant that is injected into the fire fighting stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Hale Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Laskaris, Richard Teske
  • Patent number: 6010174
    Abstract: A sliding visor includes a rod assembly and a visor body. The rod assembly includes a rod, a torque control, and a guide. The rod extends longitudinally. The torque control pivotally attaches to the rod. The guide is fixed to one side of the torque control. The visor body includes a bore and a track. The bore extends longitudinally between the channel and the rear edge of the visor body. The rod is received within the bore and extends into the visor body. The track extends longitudinally along the upper surface of the visor body. The track forms a substantially enclosed longitudinally extending passage adjacent the upper surface of the visor body. The passage is shaped to receive a portion of the guide. When the visor is moved longitudinally along the rod, the track slides with respect to the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay A. Murdock, Edward G. Curtindale, Ryan E. Dillingham
  • Patent number: 6006888
    Abstract: A double spiral conveyor includes two spiral chutes, each chute being positioned diametrically opposite the other in a helical relationship about a central axis of a central tubular support. The spiral chutes begin in the same upper horizontal plane and terminate in the same lower horizontal plane. The spiral conveyor further includes a rotatable discharge pan that receives the transported product as it is discharged from the two spiral chutes and directs the product to a predetermined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: Donald M. Winchester
  • Patent number: 6003935
    Abstract: A modular vehicle frame assembly includes a first generally U-shaped front cradle having a base portion and a pair of spaced apart leg portions extending forwardly from the base portion. A second generally U-shaped front cradle has a base portion and a pair of spaced apart leg portions extending rearwardly from the base portion. The second front cradle is secured to the first front cradle. A pair of axially extending side rails are secured to the leg portions of the second front cradle and extend rearwardly therefrom. A third generally U-shaped rear cradle has a base portion and a pair of spaced apart leg portions extending rearwardly from the base portion. The third rear cradle is secured to the side rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Andrzei J. Kalazny
  • Patent number: 6003933
    Abstract: A covering part made of a flexible material for an end area of a vehicle, particularly a passenger car, in sections, forms the outer skin of the vehicle body and, by way of laterally exterior, longitudinally directed sections, extends to adjoining wheel housings of the vehicle body. A simple fastening, which includes few components, for the laterally exterior, longitudinally directed sections of the covering part as well as an improved mounting and a relative insensitivity to tolerances are achieved. On each longitudinal side of the vehicle adjacent to the wheel housing, a holder is provided which is made of plastic. The holder is fastened on the vehicle body side. At the same time, the holder is used for fastening the upper edge area and the lower edge area of the longitudinally directed covering parts. In addition, the holder forms a partial wheel housing shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Rinklin
  • Patent number: 6003927
    Abstract: An automobile center console has an associated armrest with a lifting and transverse shifting mechanism that exerts on the armrest a combination of a lifting movement and a transverse displacement toward one of the two front seats. The lifting and transverse shifting mechanism is located on a guide carriage that is linearly movable by a linear guide device along the center console in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Korber, Bernd Schenk, Thomas Schmid
  • Patent number: 6003919
    Abstract: An expandable trailer having greatly improved operational simplicity and strength includes an expandable wall connected to slide rails mounted to the trailer chassis, which allows the expandable wall to be easily and efficiently translated between an open position and a closed position. An expandable enclosure is formed adjacent a trailer shell by the expandable wall and a plurality of panels hinged to the trailer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Shook Electronics USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin L. Shook
  • Patent number: 6000748
    Abstract: In a region between at least two mutually adjacent body parts, an assembly template is connected to the body support structure, which template has at least one adjustment edge against which the adjacent body parts can be aligned. The template is centered on centering pins of vehicle door hinges and the adjustment edge serves to position a fender part with respect to the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: MC Micro Compact Car Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Tomforde, Alexander Pothoven, Ralf Freischlager
  • Patent number: 5997078
    Abstract: An instrument panel for a motor vehicle comprises structural parts that, with the exception of the space required for the components of an air temperature conditioning system including at least one of a heater and an air conditioner, virtually completely fill the interior of the instrument panel. The structural parts are shaped to form air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Oliver Beck, Herbert Damsohn, Markus Flik, Michael Foerster, Walter Wolf
  • Patent number: 5992528
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher comprises a pressure bottle containing the fire extinguishing material and having mounted therein a diffuser-actuation housing. A source of pressurized gas is in at least one of the pressure bottle or the housing or may be in both. The housing has internal exhaust ports for permitting flow of the fire extinguishing material from the interior of the pressure bottle to the interior of the housing and external diffuser ports for delivering the fire extinguishing material from the interior of the housing to the area of a fire. Intermediate the internal exhaust ports and the external diffuser ports there is positioned a burst element, for interrupting the flow path between the internal exhaust ports and the external diffuser ports until the burst element is ruptured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Parkinson, Bradley W. Smith, Robert E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5984590
    Abstract: A system for recovering waste fiber and reusing it with a loose-fill blown-in-place insulation system includes a fiber collector device mounted above the feed hopper, which collector receives the waste (i.e. recovered) insulation for recycling into the blowing operation. The collector includes a unique set of angled baffles which serve to thoroughly redistribute the recovered waste fibers back into the feed hopper for more even and uniform mixing with the new, virgin fibers being added. To accomplish this distribution the baffles are located so as to increase in surface area as a function of increased distance from the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Guardian Fiberglass, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Church, II, C. E. Butch Lytle
  • Patent number: 5984080
    Abstract: An armature manufacturing line includes one or more manufacturing cells, each having a winder facing a fuser and a rotatable armature transfer apparatus that transfers unwound armatures to the winder and wound armatures from the winder directly to the fuser. The armature transfer apparatus has a rotatable turret upon which are mounted a pair of grippers that face in mutually opposite directions and which are movable along mutually parallel axes. Independent drive means drives the grippers along their respective paths of movement relative to the turret. The turret is rotatably driven through 180.degree. in alternately opposite directions to place one gripper in confronting relation with the winder, then in confronting relation with the fuser, and so on. An elevator at the fuser moves wound and fused armatures from the fuser to a conveyor. Different embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Globe Products Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Bradfute, Patrick A. Dolgas, Mark T. Heaton
  • Patent number: 5984015
    Abstract: Pipework (10, 12) for sprinkler systems comprises pipes (20,24,26,28,32) leading from a supply line (14) conveying extinguishing liquid and displaceable about mutually parallel axes (44,46,48,50). A union runs from the supply line and an end pipe (28) to which a sprinkler head can be fitted. To ensure that the displaceable pipes are highly variable, at least one of the pressurized displaceable pipes is a U-shaped pipe (20,26). The arms (18,22) of the pipe are connectors for at least one further pipe (24,28) and/or the union (16) which is secured to the U-shaped pipe in a pressure tight connection via plug-in connectors (34,36,38,40,42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Uwe Vieregge
  • Patent number: 5984591
    Abstract: An air conveyor includes guides for stabilizing articles during conveyance and a plenum with apertures for providing pressurized air. In the preferred embodiment, the air conveyor also includes opposed spacers defining passages having a closed end and an open end. The passages are in fluid communication with the apertures of the plenum for directing streams of pressurized air through the open ends at the articles in a downstream direction to propel the articles. In another embodiment, channels defined in support structure for the guides form part of passageways for directing streams of pressurized air at an inclined and downstream angle to propel the articles. The guides are removable to allow the conveyor to be adapted to different sized and shaped articles. The air conveyor may also include an additional plenum and additional opposed spacers associated with the plenum for propelling the articles downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Simplimatic Engineering Company
    Inventors: Brian K. Hilbish, Michael A. Wilson