Patents Examined by Charles Goodman
  • Patent number: 6964101
    Abstract: A lightweight guide bar formed from a heavy material, e.g., steel, and having a center section, e.g., a cavity of reduced material and fitted with a lighter weight insert, e.g., aluminum plate. The center section includes a flange to which the aluminum plate is adhered and a spacer lip defines the desired thickness of the adhesive. Adhesive is applied to the desired thickness under the lip and the aluminum plate is abutted against the lip and into contact with the adhesive for adhering of the plate to the flange. In a preferred embodiment, the flange is a continuous web down the center of the center section and insert plates are adhered to each side of the web. Also, preferably the inserts are oval and symmetrical and are selectively mechanically secured to the flanges by rivets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra D. Graves, R. Mark Poff, Kent L. Huntington
  • Patent number: 6955110
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting soft materials such as meat. Two or more spirally mounted helical blades are situated between two supports, and the supports are mounted to a shank. The shank is rotated to impart rotary action to the spiral shear blades, and the entire device may be used to perform various cutting operations. The distal or bottom one of the supports may also be a cutting blade, and a number of versions of bottom cutting blades are useable in the practice of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Barry L. Spletzer, Diane S. Callow, James F. Jones, Michael A. Kuehl, Dick L. Shaw, Barbara J. Scalia
  • Patent number: 6951057
    Abstract: A portable circular saw providing high visibility to a cutting mark line and sufficient operability even in case of an angled cutting. A slant position fixing member upstands from a front side of a base, and a tiltable plate is provided pivotally to the base. A front end of a saw cover is connected to the tiltable plate by a pivot pin. A main body roratably supporting a circular saw blade is pivotally movable by a pivotal movement of the tiltable plate to change inclination of the circular saw blade relative to the base. The tiltable plate is positioned in confrontation with the slant position fixing member, and fastening unit fixes the tiltable plate to the slant position fixing member to maintain a desired inclination of the circular saw blade. The fastening unit includes a thread extending through an arcuate slot formed in the slant position fixing member and engaging the tiltable plate, and a lever fixed to one end of the thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichirou Yoshida, Takuma Nonaka
  • Patent number: 6951159
    Abstract: A trimming apparatus for variously trimming a sheet material is disclosed. The trimming apparatus includes a base for placing the sheet material thereon, a rail mounted on the base, a first trimming element for trimming the sheet material in a first manner, a second trimming element for trimming the sheet material in a second manner, a carriage movably engaging with the rail, having a first and a second portions coupled to the first and second trimming elements, respectively, and having a third portion for being exerted thereon a driving force to move along the rail, thereby carrying a selected one of the first and second trimming elements to cross over the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Primax Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Ying Lin, Kris Gustaaf Marguerite Verstockt, Tzu-Feng Tseng
  • Patent number: 6935216
    Abstract: A belt tensioning device for shifting a pulley such that a belt passed around the pulley is tightened to a predetermined tension. The device includes a rod coupled to the pulley, a member coupled to and movable along the rod, and a spring that exerts a reactive force against the member when the member is moved in a first direction along the rod. The device further includes a spacer which engages the member to limit the advancement of the member in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gongpu Yan, Anthony L. DeBrosse
  • Patent number: 6931733
    Abstract: A carpenter's combination plane comprised of a basic holder and a blade holder, adapted with various holder accessories depending on the size of the work surface and the distance of reciprocal planing; other auxiliary accessories may be provided to the holder accessories to define the width, depth, inclined surface of the work surface or the polishing work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Kun-Meng Lin
  • Patent number: 6932257
    Abstract: The present invention provides a portable handheld article dispenser comprised of an ergonomically snug grip body for use without the need for permanent attachement of the device to any structure or support surface. The interior of the portable handheld article dispenser comprises a cavity adapted to hold a roll of articles such as plastic bags. The upper section of one axial wall comprises a recessed portion to enable users to rest their thumb for an ergonomic firm grip and a slanted raised edge that provides a frictional surface to prevent the thumb from sliding. The middle portion of the same axial wall enabes the palmar muscles of the thumb to securely rest thereon, and its lower portion curves and comprises of a plurality of parallel grooves (striates) along the length of this edge for a more secure grip when users curl their hand to grip the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Rick Frank Guerrero
  • Patent number: 6931976
    Abstract: A device for patterning an optical element includes a working platform, a linear cutting pedestal, at least a cutting tool, at least a weight sliding block and a shaft. An optical element to be patterned is carried on the working platform. The working platform is driven to move horizontally. The linear cutting pedestal is mounted above the working platform. An upper sliding track in which the weight sliding blocks can move back and forth and provide appropriate press forces to the cutting tools, is disposed at the top of the linear cutting pedestal. A lower sliding track in which the cutting tools can move back and forth and be adjusted to appropriate positions according to patterns desired for the optical element, is disposed at the bottom of the linear cutting pedestal. The shaft is positioned above the linear cutting pedestal and drives the linear cutting pedestal to move vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Pang-Lun Yang
  • Patent number: 6931974
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus for cutting a sheet material is provided. The cutting apparatus includes a platform; a rail structure secured onto the platform; a sliding member sliding along the rail structure; a cutting member movably engaging with and carried by the sliding member to pass through and cut the sheet material sustained on the platform; and an adjusting member. The adjusting member can urge the cutting member to move relative to the sliding member so as to contact with the sheet material in response to an external force, and return the cutting member to move relative to the sliding member so as to release the cut sheet material manually or automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Primax Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tzu-Feng Tseng
  • Patent number: 6932163
    Abstract: A saw (10) facilitates cutting of roofing and includes a frame (12) that is mobile on a work surface. A locking mechanism (40) locks the frame (12) into a transport position. Actuating a release lever (60) allows the frame (12) to be adjusted into a working position. A shaft (14) rotatably mounted by first, second and third bearings (74, 75, 76) has saw blades (16, 18) and a pulley (77) for connection with a drive belt (80). The drive belt (80) passes through a hole (79) in the frame (12) to connect to a drive (81) to rotate the shaft (14) and the saw blades (16, 18). The third bearing (76) is mounted to a bearing support (85). The frame (12) has a gap (84) communicating the hole (79) with an exterior edge (78) of the frame (12) proximate the third bearing (76), with the bearing support (85) removably and replaceably mounted to the frame (12) and spanning the gap (84).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Garlock Equipment Company
    Inventors: Richard B. Stoffels, John Munoz
  • Patent number: 6928914
    Abstract: A trimmer (1) is disclosed from trimming excess margins (M) along one, two or three edges of a perfect bound book (B) is disclosed. The trimmer has a shearing blade (15) movable in a shearing plane (SP) between an open and a closed position. The book is gripped by a book holder (35) proximate the spine (S) of the book and the book holder is vertically positioned such the shear blade will shear the book in a predetermined position along this first edge of the book. The book holder is then moved transversely with respect to the blade and the book is rotated 180° and the book holder is vertically positioned so that a predetermined amount of the margin along this second edge is trimmed from the book upon closing of the shear blade. The book is then moved transversely to a third position and the book is rotated 90° and the book holder is vertically positioned so that a predetermined amount of the margin along this third edge is trimmed from the book upon closing of the shear blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Marsh
  • Patent number: 6928741
    Abstract: A cutting head for rotary trimmers in which at least one, and preferably two relatively short fixed lengths of flexible cutting line are inserted into opposed channels in the head and are secured in place by a pair of spring biased toothed cams. Each of the cams is pivotally mounted on a post within the housing adjacent one of the channels and defines a curvilinear camming surface having a plurality of uniformly spaced teeth thereon that project into the channels at increasing angles of inclination from the outermost tooth to the innermost tooth for engaging the line. A pair of torsion springs bias the cams to pivot on their mounting teeth such that the backsides of the teeth are continually urged toward the openings to the channels thereby allowing line to be inserted inwardly into the head past the toothed cams but retained by the cams against any outwardly directed forces acting on the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Proulx Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Proulx, Sasha Johnson
  • Patent number: 6925917
    Abstract: A method and tool provided with irrigation for transection of a band, ring or the like and method of use is disclosed which includes a power-driven drill operable for driving a rotatable shaft which rotates a circular cutting blade mounted on the shaft, and a head assembly mounted on the drill includes a port structure oriented for transferring irrigation fluid from a source onto the ring or band to provide cooling to the ring or band and cooling to the cutting blade during cutting action. The transfer of irrigation fluid also facilitates removal of metallic filings or debris caused by the cutting action and irrigating a traumatized area adjacent the ring or band. The port structure is dimensioned with a bore for receiving a tubular member connected to the source, which delivers fluid to the port structure, which has an axis aligned substantially parallel to a planar surface of the cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventors: Robert J. Tilley, Frank C. Sawyer
  • Patent number: 6920813
    Abstract: A transverse food slicer includes a generally horizontal conveyor for advancing food products to be sliced to a vertical cutting wheel having radially mounted cutting blades thereon rotating in a cutting plane that transversely slice the conveyed food products. Between the end of the conveyor and the cutting plane, an inclined support surface is provided to stabilize relatively round food products advanced to the cutting plane by the conveyor. The inclined support surface may cooperate with cutting blades having thickness determining gauging surfaces thereon facing towards the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Urschel Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent L. Bucks
  • Patent number: 6918184
    Abstract: The present invention relates to folding knives and implements, and more specifically to a locking mechanism used to prevent the inadvertent closing of the knife blade as well as overextension of the knife blade during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Spyderco, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis S. Glesser
  • Patent number: 6918329
    Abstract: A positioning carriage is coupled to a fence structure by a rigid sheet having one or more bends around an axis parallel to the direction of fence structure movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Precision Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Spencer B. Dick
  • Patent number: 6918333
    Abstract: Disclosed is a retainer device A for selectively changing the amount of projection of a punch 1 so that the punch projection amount is increased when the punch 1 is used for pressworking and, conversely the punch projection amount is decreased when the punch 1 is not used for pressworking In the retainer device A, guide pins 23 mounted on a cam 21 are moved in guide grooves 11 of a cam receiver 9 fastened to a punch holding body 2 so that the punch holding body 2 is forcibly moved up and down thereby causing the position of the punch 1 to switch between a use position and a non-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Press Center Inc.
    Inventor: Ikuo Oshita
  • Patent number: 6912940
    Abstract: A clamp is provided that is capable of restraining an item during cutting and rotating the item between cutting a first end of the item and cutting a second end of the item. The clamp includes an upper jaw, a lower jaw, and a backplate that pivotally connects the lower jaw and the upper jaw. The clamp includes a latch that restrains the lower and upper jaws against movement relative to one another. Also provided is an apparatus for cutting an item. The apparatus includes a table and the clamp described above. Optionally, the apparatus can also include a cutter for cutting the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Universal Presentation Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan C. Atwood
  • Patent number: 6913177
    Abstract: Blanking device in a cutting machine for plate elements in a sheet, such as a paper, cardboard or plastic sheet, which had been previously cut into several blanks that are maintained together in the sheet by a number of nicks: a lower tool, an upper tool movable toward the lower tool, a plurality of telescopic pressing devices below the upper tool and outward of the blanks, and plurality of punches aimed to remove blanks from the sheet during vertical motion of punches. The punches each have a suction cup linked to a vacuum or pressure source able to generate a change in the air pressure inside of the suction cup by a distribution network. The suction cups hold the blanks starting before separation of the blanks from the punches. A method to bring the device into operation in the above sequence of operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Bobst SA
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Steiner
  • Patent number: 6912941
    Abstract: A steel rule die for cutting cloth and synthetic materials. The cutting die includes a primary substrate and a plurality of cutting units that are removably attachable to the substrate in such a manner that they are easy to adjust, remove and replace. The cutting units include secondary substrates with lengths of steel rule attached to them. The cutting units are secured to the primary substrate. Each steel rule is fixedly attached to a secondary substrate that is substantially harder than the primary substrate. The secondary substrate distributes the cutting load applied to the rule over a large surface area on the primary substrate to prevent the cutting units from diving into the soft primary substrate. Substantially the entire length of the steel rule is supported by the secondary substrate, thereby yielding a rigid cutting unit that is not susceptible to deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Ontario Die International Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Johnson