Patents Examined by Anthony L. Green
  • Patent number: 6095745
    Abstract: A caddy apparatus for lifting and carrying a vehicle tire includes a cart frame and a wheel maneuvering structure having a tilt frame and lift carriage slideably mounted on the tilt frame; a pivot mounting of the tilt frame on the cart frame; a tire lift carriage slideably mounted to the tilt frame of the wheel maneuvering structure for engaging and retaining a vehicle tire; and a tire lift carriage lifting and lowering mechanism, preferably employing a hydraulic pump and cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Winfield J. Garnett
  • Patent number: 6088895
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing a cold rolled, recrystallation annealed, stainless steel strip having lustrous surfaces without being hot band annealed and/or pickled prior to cold reduction. The process includes the sequential steps of tension leveling to crack the scale and flatten a hot processed metal strip, shot blasting the strip to ablatively remove the scale and to provide a surface roughness less than 3.6 micron Ra using at least two pairs of wire brushes positioned adjacent to both surfaces of the strip with these cleaning brushes being rotated in opposite directions relative to each other to mechanically remove any residual scale. The mechanically cleaned strip then is mechanically polished with another pair of brushes to reduce the roughness to less than 2.0 micron Ra, cold reduced to have a surface roughness less than 0.4 micron Ra and recrystallization annealed. The particulate shot has a size of 0.10-0.50 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Armco Inc.
    Inventors: Christian D. Nelson, Christopher M. Kovscek, Jerald W. Leeker
  • Patent number: 6085404
    Abstract: A method of making a small metallic fishing lure with an encapsulated lead core weight is disclosed comprising the steps of inserting a piece of lead wire into a precut piece of tubing and then pressing said tubing flat, trimming or shaping it, punching holes and attaching a hook and snap ring thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Richard R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6076247
    Abstract: A method for connecting a ball and socket joint to a control arm in a vehicle suspension system includes providing the ball and socket joint with a socket portion having a circumferential flange. The ball and socket joint is initially aligned with an opening formed through an outer portion of the control arm. Then, the ball and socket joint is moved upwardly such that the socket portion is received within the opening. The socket portion defines an outer diameter that is preferably slightly smaller than an inner diameter defined by the opening formed through the outer portion of the lower control arm. However, the flange defines an outer diameter that is preferably larger than an inner diameter defined by that opening. Thus, the engagement of the flange with the lower surface of the outer portion positively positions the ball and socket joint relative to the lower control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Robert D. Durand
  • Patent number: 6073335
    Abstract: A method of supporting an ornament on the exterior of a door uses a peep hole fixture to mount a hanger piece. The hanger piece is a flat metal strip having a hole in one end sized to be received on the peep hole fixture barrel while being captured by a flange on the fixture. A hook on a depending end of the strip provides an attachment feature for holding the ornament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Lampers
  • Patent number: 6058591
    Abstract: A clutch drum is formed from a single piece of material. The clutch drum includes an inner surface having a plurality of spline portions interspersed with inner wall spaces. Each spline portion includes at least one slot to form at least one snap ring groove within the clutch drum. The outer surface of the clutch drum is smooth and continuous and adapted to receive a brake band. The clutch drum does not include any perforations or breaks through the single piece of material forming the cylindrical portion of the clutch drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Koppy Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald E. Prater