Patents Examined by Bernard Roskoski
  • Patent number: 6014815
    Abstract: At a machine for the establishing of a design--track position with a machine frame which runs on chassis and with a working unit coupled thereto, a measuring unit is in accordance with the invention directly placed on the machine frame for the working unit, resp. The measuring unit is, thereby, connected to a control device which controls the working unit in accordance with at least one parameter height position, lateral position and transverse inclination via a adjusting drive. The measuring unit includes an absolute measuring system for a registering of geodetically surveyed fixed points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: J. Muller AG
    Inventor: Heinz Jager
  • Patent number: 6012838
    Abstract: In an electronic watch including a so-called automatic winding dynamo, structures of parts themselves and layout of the parts are improved to achieve a reduction in thickness of the electronic watch. Bearing portions for a rotational shaft (211) of a dynamo rotor (21) are made up of hole jewels (212, 214) and ring-shaped caps (213, 215). The cap (215) covers, from the outer side, one end surface (216) of the hole jewel (214) which locates on the side facing a dynamo rotor (21), and defines a lubricant holding annular slot (G3) between the cap and an outer circumferential surface of the rotational shaft (211). Accordingly, even with the dynamo rotor (21) rotating at a high speed, a lubricant is prevented from scattering to the surroundings from the annular slot (G3). Spacings between adjacent parts can be narrowed and the thickness of the electronic watch can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Hara, Joji Kitahara
  • Patent number: 6010242
    Abstract: A rotary switch laser indicator having a casing a mirror seat, and a laser unit, that will display different images by rotating the mirror seat to control the switch. The casing can be attached to a band and the switch can be used as an indicator in the watch display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventor: Ko-Liang Ho
  • Patent number: 6010241
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a watch which includes a rotating bezel with a ring-shaped part projecting from its lower surface and with a serrated edge at the end. This ring-shaped part is fitted into an indentation in the rim and its toothed part meshes with a pinion with an axial aperture of square cross-section fitting onto a segment of complementary cross-section on the winding stem. The pinion is located in a case open laterally on the external surface of the rim and maintained in this case by a shutting device. The winding stem can be axially moved between at least two positions while remaining constantly meshed with the rotating bezel by means of the pinion allowing the rewinding or setting of the watch by rotating the bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Enigma S.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Bulgari
  • Patent number: 6011755
    Abstract: An electronic switch comprising at least one switching device 70,72, a reference frequency source 58, a microprocessor 50 and means for applying to the microprocessor inputs representative of at least the current time and date and the latitude at which the time switch is to be used 31-36, the microprocessor being 50 responsive to the reference frequency source 58 and the current time and date inputs to implement a real time clock and calendar 62, and being arranged to calculate from the date provided by said real time clock and calendar and from the latitude input the respective times of at least one of sunrise and sunset at said location on each of a plurality of days, and to operate the switching device 70,72 at respective switching times dependent upon the calculated times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Schlumberger Industries, S.A.
    Inventors: John Mulhall, Kevin Doherty, David Brown
  • Patent number: 6004026
    Abstract: A watch constructed from a plurality of link members. Each link member including a plurality of holes in one side and a plurality of corresponding pins in the other side. The link members are fastened together by insertion of the pin members from one link into the hole of the corresponding adjacent link after which the pin members are crimped backwards over the adjacent member thereby fastening the two links together. The top surface of each link member has a radius of curvature whereby gems, invisibly mounted in the link member, will exhibit increased sparkle. When fully assembled, the gems mounted in the link members will be aligned in a linear fashion. These linear rows of gems are continued across the face of the watch thereby presenting a coherent and aesthetically pleasing watch. To the bottom of each link member is fastened a bottom plate. When fully assembled and worn by a user, the bottom plates of each of the link members provide a continuous and smooth surface against the wrist of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Christopher Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Slowinski
  • Patent number: 6003237
    Abstract: A semiautomated method and system (30) for swaged coupling process verification are provided. The system nondestructively measures swage groove depth (A) of a swaged coupling (10) for a tube (20). The tube has an inner surface with a first inside diameter at a first distance from a swaged end (22) of the tube and a second inside diameter at a second distance from the swaged end of the tube that is less than the first distance. The swage groove depth is the difference between the first inside diameter and the second inside diameter. The system includes a probe case (38) and a probe (40) that extends from the probe case. The probe has a probe tip (92) that is arranged to contact the inner surface of the tube and deflect in response to changes in the inner diameter of the tube. A transducer (42) generates a signal that is indicative of the inner diameter of the tube in response to deflection of the probe tip. The signal has a first magnitude when the probe tip is at the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dennis P. Sarr, Thomas W. Jurick
  • Patent number: 6003231
    Abstract: A compass with an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the compass legs and for changing the distance between the compass points, wherein each compass leg includes a pivot bearing and an adjustment bearing. Each compass leg is constructed as a two-armed lever, wherein a first lever arm of each lever extends along the compass leg axis from the pivot bearing to the compass leg point, on the one hand, and a second lever arm extends from the pivot bearing to the compass arm end. The adjustment bearing, or a tilting bearing constructed as the adjustment bearing, is arranged in the second lever arm of each two-armed lever forming a compass leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: J. S. Staedtler GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Christain Leibeck, Peter Weiss, Helmut Hufnagl
  • Patent number: 6000842
    Abstract: The assembly according to the invention comprises a hard plastic watch case (2), having on its middle part one or more sealed push buttons (5) made in an inexpensive manner. Each push button (5) comprises a hard plastic stem (10), for example the same material as the case, and an elastomer flexible head (12) which is over moulded onto an external surface (15) of the case. The case and the push buttons may be manufactured by injecting two materials in a single mould. The invention applies to electronic watches and to mechanical watches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: SMH Management Services AG
    Inventors: Jacques Muller, Rolf Widmer, Clement Meyrat
  • Patent number: 5999493
    Abstract: A system for automatically synchronizing, isolated clocks is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the internal clock of an automated external defibrillator (AED) or an external defibrillator (ED) is integrated with a radio broadcast to receive standard time. The system may also include a mechanism for synchronizing the clock or a computer tracking the time of emergency calls such as 911. Further, the system enables synchronization between the AED or ED internal clock and the 911 clock such that response times can be accurately determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: SurVivaLink Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth F. Olson
  • Patent number: 5999496
    Abstract: Apparatus for the display of time, which includes a support frame and a driven gear having external teeth mounted to the support frame. The apparatus also includes a driven gear member having external teeth which engage the external teeth of the rigid so as to rotate it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Yaron Chaut
  • Patent number: 5992027
    Abstract: A method of selecting a commercial clothing pattern size for a user includes the step of comparing a neck size of the user to a numerical table, wherein the numerical table has a range of neck sizes corresponding to a corresponding range of clothing pattern sizes. A clothing pattern size corresponding to the neck size is then selected from the numerical table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Helen Mack
  • Patent number: 5987764
    Abstract: A gage for measuring the external threads of a threaded body has a segment housing formed from a housing body. The housing body has a generally U-shaped cross section with a bottom extending between a pair of opposite, upright sidewalls so that a channel with a longitudinal axis is defined. First and second gage segments are configured to engage the threads of the threaded body when the threaded body is positioned between the first and second segments and the first and second segments are closed together. The first gage segment is fixed to the housing body, and the second gage segment is received within the channel of the housing body. The second gage segment moves linearly within the channel along the longitudinal axis to allow the first and second segments to be separated for insertion of the threaded body between the first and second segments. This also allows the first and second segments to be closed together for engagement with the threaded body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Joe E. Greenslade
  • Patent number: 5991240
    Abstract: An alarm clock which automatically sets current time and date by receiving a television broadcast signal or the like and by decoding a signal included in the received television broadcast signal to obtain the current time and date information. A programmable controller processes the current time and date information for display. The alarm clock further includes a memory for storing data representing holidays. The programmable controller is operative to activate an alarm trigger in response to a user setting and to disable the user setting if it is determined that the current date coincides with one of the holidays stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Van Ryzin
  • Patent number: 5982712
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring time intervals between electrical signals. A coincidence detection circuit is adapted to detect coincidence or near coincidence of two signals and to provide for selection from a plurality of predetermined delays to remove the coincidence. If the two input signals are periodic and have the same frequency, the apparatus also provides a signal from which both the time delay between the signals and the period of the signals may be determined at substantially the same point in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick A. Smith
  • Patent number: 5971605
    Abstract: A device for measuring mean staying time of persons inside a building by processing signals from an entry/exit detector that outputs entry and exit signals when persons enter into and exit from the building. The device includes a staying measurer for determining the number of persons staying inside the building by subtracting the number of exit signals from the number of entry signals, an entry or exit measurer for determining the number of persons who have entered into or exited from the building by counting the entry or exit signals per predetermined period of time, and a calculating section for calculating the mean staying time of persons in the building during such a time period by dividing the number of persons staying inside at the time the unit time has expired by the number of persons who have exited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Giken Trastem Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Aoki, Satoru Shibuya
  • Patent number: 5970619
    Abstract: A device for guiding alignment in trailer hitching with a trailer cup attachment and a towing vehicle attachment. The trailer cup attachment adjustably clips over the trailer cup on the drawbar of the trailer. The trailer cup attachment has at least one vertical rod and an alignment indicator equipped with guide lights and a sound generator to indicate when the ball on the towing vehicle is in hitching position relative to the trailer cup. The towing vehicle attachment has a mounting base for removable temporary mounting on the towing vehicle. Telescoping rods are rotatably mounted in the mounting base. At the end of the telescoping rods is a fluorescent colored activating ball which is positioned directly above the tow ball on the towing vehicle. The alignment guide and activating ball are positioned to be visible to the operator of the towing vehicle through a rear view mirror, rear window, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Robert L. Wells
  • Patent number: 5974003
    Abstract: A time color indicator and method are provided. The time color indicator includes a base layer segment having a transparent impermeable layer, a substantially non-curing opaque coating, and a release sheet. A portion of the uncoated surface of the transparent layer bears a printed area including a camouflage pattern printed with non-migrating ink and a message segment printed with migrating ink. An indicator layer segment includes a transparent impermeable layer, a substantially non-curing opaque coating, and a release sheet partially folded back to form a finger gripping tab and expose an indicator layer coating portion which contacts and adheres to the base layer adjacent the printed area. The time color indicator is activated by pulling the finger tab to remove the release sheet, causing the indicator layer coating to cover and contact the printed area, with the message segment migrating through the indicator layer coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventors: Ernest A. Pedicano, Allan G. Sacks
  • Patent number: 5964040
    Abstract: A machine for marking the location for determining the correct prescription of progressive optical lens including a diffused light source, a platform for supporting the progressive lens intended to be marked in the illumination from the light source, an optical reference element having visible indicia thereon for contact against the progressive lens to locate the symbols on the lens that indicate the position of a reference line thereon, and a marker including adjustable marker elements for contact against the lens in alignment with the reference line, to apply temporary opaque symbols on the progressive lens from which the lens prescription can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventors: Wayne L. Keene, Jocelyn Towler, Wilson Velasquez
  • Patent number: 5966346
    Abstract: An alarm clock includes a time indicator, a first alarm for sounding a first alarm at a preset time, a manual rotary bezel provided rotatable relative to the time indicator outside same for setting a time elapsing from the alarm time, and a second alarm for sounding a second alarm when the time set by the rotary bezel has elapsed since the preset time. After the first alarm is sounded at the alarm time, and after the time set by the rotary bezel has elapsed, the second alarm is sounded. The time interval after which the second alarm is sounded is set by a simple operation and two-staged sounding ensures proper awakening of the sleeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Arai