Patents Examined by B. Dayoan
  • Patent number: 6749235
    Abstract: A pressure-sensitive locking device comprises a housing (2,20) having an opening therein, and an insertable member (1,21) adapted to be inserted into the opening whereupon it can enter into locking engagement with a locking member (4,36) in the housing. The locking member (4,36) is cooperable with pressure-sensitive means (7,28) in the housing to effect disengagement between the locking member (4,36) and the insertable member (1,21) upon a reduction of pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: David John Crisp
  • Patent number: 6484427
    Abstract: A tailgate sign which is removably attachable onto a pre-existing tailgate and is used for display of signs thereon, or the like. Also, in one embodiment the sign may be reversible or rotated between a first display position and a second display position, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventors: Cathy D. Santa Cruz, Terry W. Tiernay
  • Patent number: 6460761
    Abstract: A child-proof storage receptacle including a canister and-a preferably funnel-shaped insert detachably secured to the canister at an open top of the canister. The funnel-shaped insert is detachably secured to the canister by a child-proof locking mechanism. The funnel tapers to an opening sized to receive the objects to be retained within said canister. In one embodiment, a plate is positioned within the canister and spaced below the funnel-shaped insert opening, and above the canister bottom wall to intercept objects deposited into the funnel-shaped insert that pass through the opening. The plate is preferably circular and inclined. The plate includes a lip about its periphery. In other embodiments the funnel-shaped insert includes a cap or flap pivotably mounted adjacent the opening to close off the opening, at least when the canister is inverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventors: Esteban Eduardo Fraga, Alfredo Mauricio Fraga
  • Patent number: 6435565
    Abstract: A band clamp is provided making a joint in each of two pairs of closely spaced pipes wherein the pipes in each pair are aligned with each other. The clamp has a single closed loop clamp band for connecting adjoining ends of the first pair to make a sealed joint and connecting the adjoining ends of the second pair of pipes to make a sealed joint. The clamp band encircles both pairs of pipes and overlaps a portion of the adjoining ends of both pairs of pipes. The closed loop of the clamp band has oppositely disposed concave lobe portions spanning the gap between the pipes and a clamping mechanism is provided for drawing the lobe portions toward each other for tightening the band around the adjoining ends of the pipes to provide a mechanical connection and a sealed joint in each pair of pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: BKS Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Potts, Michael E. Amedure
  • Patent number: 6425521
    Abstract: An indicator flag for attachment to a mailbox for indicating the presence of mail therein uses a generally horizontally disposed flag member that is rotatably attached to the door of the mailbox and that rotates between a first position wherein the flag member is generally flush against the mailbox door, indicating an absence of mail for pickup, and a second position wherein the flag member extends generally horizontally outwardly from the door, indicating the presence of mail therein for pickup. A mail carrier can easily rotate the flag member back to the first position with the same motion used to open the mailbox door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventor: Gary E. Cooper
  • Patent number: 6422036
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a jewelry clasp, for use with necklaces, bracelets and other chain jewelry. The clasp comprises a receptacle, having two parts with a plurality of anchors attached to the inside surfaces of the receptacle. The receptacle may be opened to allow the attachment of chains within the box and then closed and locked to secure the chains. The anchors allow the holding of the ends of a number of pieces of chain jewelry by the clasp. The ends of various pieces of chain jewelry may be attached to any number of the anchors to form new configurations of jewelry. The receptacle may be made to appear decorative so that, if desired, the clasp may be large to facilitate its use and to allow for any number of chain anchors so that the user may attach any number of jewelry chains in a decorative manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Tough Cookies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donna Giannis, Roseann Espino, Marianna Tsakas
  • Patent number: 6418651
    Abstract: Electronic labeling system includes a rail for supporting labels and at least one electronic display label, the rail having two facing wings with each of the wings having in its medial region a longitudinal groove, the electronic label having on one of its two opposite edges a longitudinal rib adapted to be inserted in the groove of one of the rail wings and on the other of the opposite edges at least one retractable pin adapted to snap into the groove of the other rail wing, and at least one recess in which is disposed a ferromagnetic core carrying the pin which is urged to project from the corresponding edge of the label, the core being adapted to be displaced in the recess by magnetic attraction to retract the pin and free the label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Store Electronic Systems Communication
    Inventor: Bernard Joliey
  • Patent number: 6415629
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting gems in jewelry through the use of screws. More particularly, precious gems are set in a cavity of a jewelry piece comprising gems holes, screw holes and grooved slots. Gems are positioned in the cavity with four gems surrounding each gem hole. A screw is used to secure the gems in the cavity of the jewelry. The present invention may be implemented in jewelry such as rings, earrings, bracelets, lockets and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Continential Jewelry (USA) Inc.
    Inventor: Vicki Chan
  • Patent number: 6412820
    Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a first coupling member, a second coupling member, and a coupling nut disposed over a portion of the second coupling member and threadingly engaging the first coupling member to retain the first and second coupling members together. An insulation blanket encloses the coupling nut, and a retention strip having a first end attached to an inner surface of the insulation blanket and a second end attached to the coupling nut is provided to prevent loosening of the coupling nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ralph M. Erps, James A. Mc Namee, Matthew Kaminske
  • Patent number: 6408647
    Abstract: A jewelry item having an automatically rotatable design element such as a gem stone includes a substantially cylindrical housing having a bottom wall, a cylindrical side wall vertically depending therefrom with a select design element mounted therein. The bottom end of the housing includes an internally threaded aperture for threadedly engaging a drive shaft on a micro-motor assembly. The micro-motor assembly includes a casing mounted to a jewelry item and is selectively powered by a battery. Accordingly, when a switch is activated, the design element housing will automatically rotate relative to the casing to provide a novelty jewelry item having an enhanced, aesthetic appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph C. Koll
  • Patent number: 6402023
    Abstract: A newspaper delivery receptacle having a generally elongated tubular shape with a bottom wall, top wall and vertical side walls an open front end for receipt of newspapers, printer material and the like. The newspaper delivery receptacle is securable to a mounting post and has a plurality of space apart snaps which extend from an exterior surface of the receptacle and a mounting bracket having a plurality of openings which engage the snaps to fixedly secure the receptacle to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Hamilton Circulation Supplies, Co.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Beaudry, Thomas P. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6398268
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for a female screw to be connected to a female screw port formed in a fluid device, comprising a cylindrical main body. The main body includes a plurality of arm members having a male crew portion at a distal end to be connected to the female screw port. Also, the main body comprises a sliding member that slides from a close to an open position with respect to the arms members. The main body is provided with a lock member for stopping the movement of the sliding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Nitto Kohki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Takahashi, Takeya Sasa
  • Patent number: 6394504
    Abstract: A clampless coupling which attaches a hose to a nipple without need of a clamp at the end of the hose to ensure sealing, including a connector and a nipple of a fluid system component. The connector is sealingly pre-connected at one end with a hose; the opposite end is in the form of a sleeve. The sleeve features a notch at its forward end, a boss on a resilient lock arm, and an O-ring seal. The nipple has a pocket depressionally formed on its outside nipple surface and an alignment tab. In operation, a user slides the sleeve over the nipple by pressing the connector toward the near end of the nipple. As the sleeve slides over the nipple, the tab is received by the notch to align the connector with the nipple, the boss drops abuttably into the pocket, and the O-ring seal sealingly compresses between the nipple and the connector. A seal assurance feature reveals improper connection when a pressure test is undertaken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Brummans, Steven M. Haar, Scott D. Wixom, Thomas K. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 6393882
    Abstract: A vehicle lock assembly including a cylinder lock and a mounting bracket which is adapted to mount the cylinder lock on a vehicle structure associated with a deck lid of a vehicle. The mounting bracket includes a mounting lug adapted to be fastened to the vehicle structure and mounting arms which support the cylinder lock rearwardly of the exterior panel. The lock mounting arms define mounting surfaces which cooperate with indexing portions on the lock housing to substantially prevent rotation of the cylinder lock relative to the mounting bracket and the deck lid. In one embodiment, the lock housing is mounted on the mounting bracket in dovetail fashion to prevent the mounting arms from spreading apart if an attempt is made to forcibly rotate the cylinder lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
    Inventor: Jan W. Higgins
  • Patent number: 6393679
    Abstract: A burial service site assembly and method for viewing a casket at a specified location in a cemetery, remote from the grave site, prior to interment into a grave. The assembly comprises a base, a seating area, and a casket display and placing device. A casket is placed and secured on the casket display and placing apparatus during the burial service. Subsequent the service, the apparatus is moved and positioned over the opening of a burial vault. The casket is lowered into the burial vault and arranged for transport from the burial service site to a grave site. The apparatus is moved to its original position for a subsequent burial service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Brown-Wilbert Incorporated
    Inventor: John H. Ascheman
  • Patent number: 6389856
    Abstract: A lock apparatus includes: a control unit carrying out transmission and reception of an electronic signal between the electronic key and the control unfit so as to perform ID verification; a rotating member disposed rotatably inside a casing; a lock actuator receiving a lock release signal from the control unit so as to release a lock on the rotating member to the casing; a key insertion hole disposed to the rotating member; a slider hole going through the rotating member; a slider inserted into the slider hole and disposed such that its inner end is protruded into the key insertion hole; and a check lever supported rotatably and in which one end thereof is an operating portion activating the transmission and reception of the control unit and the other end makes contact with the outer end face of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Alpha Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Watanuki, Tetsuyuki Tsukano, Satoshi Ogata
  • Patent number: 6389846
    Abstract: A unitary prong setting for multiple gemstones and a multiple gemstone combination are provided. The setting includes a first set of prongs, each of which contacts and is adapted to fold over ends of two adjacent gemstones. The first set of prongs press the gemstones together and thereby securing the gemstones to the setting. Each of the first set of prongs is interconnected by a set of respective bars connecting each of the first prongs to a point substantially central to the first prongs; the first set of prongs presses the gemstones together and against the set of bars. The invention preferably further includes a second set of prongs projecting from the main base. The second set of prongs are adapted not to fold over the gemstones. The secondary prongs may provide ancillary support to the gemstones from underneath, or they may merely be decorative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Am-Gold Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Siebenberg
  • Patent number: 6386787
    Abstract: A supporting joint having a casing and a ball pin held therein comprises, on the pin side, a support having a bearing shell and, oppositely to the pin, a pressure shell. A cutout is provided in the central region of the pressure shell. On the rear side the pressure shell is provided with a cover having a support surface. Referred to the installed joint, the thickness of the pressure shell in a central support region, measured in the uninstalled state, is greater than the distance between the ball and the support surface of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Helmut Reichelt
  • Patent number: 6385885
    Abstract: A marketing display device such as a shelf or a “Pegboard” type hanger is provided with an outer display panel that has a Release coating, such as of silicone, for ready attachment, removal and replacement of adhesive labels that carry indicia pertinent to the marketing of products on the hangers to passing potential customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Southern Imperial, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Valiulis
  • Patent number: 6385884
    Abstract: A display hanger for attachment to a “Pegboard” type of support panel is provided with an outer display panel that has a release coating, such as of silicone, for ready attachment, removal and replacement of labels that carry indicia pertinent to the marketing of products on the hangers to passing potential customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Southern Imperial, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Valiulis