Patents Examined by Doug Hutton
  • Patent number: 6401299
    Abstract: A pivoting hinge joint having two end stop positions including a pivot arm including a first guideway, a stationary guide including a second guideway having a bent configuration with a turning point, a pivot axis for allowing the pivot arm to pivot with respect to the stationary guide, a guide member adapted to be guided in the first and second guideways, at least one spring adapted to bias the guided member to a first stop position and a second stop position, wherein the turning point is disposed between the first stop position and the second stop position and wherein the pivot arm pivots with respect to the stationary guide between the first stop position and the second stop position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: SCHWARZ Verbindungs-Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6401302
    Abstract: The invention proposes a motor vehicle opening-leaf handle of the kind including a handle support which is fixed on the inside of a bodywork panel of the opening leaf, wherein the handle support includes catching tabs which attach the handle support to the panel, the support is fitted on the panel through an approach movement perpendicular to the panel, from the inside outward, during which the tabs are engaged through an opening in the panel, and through a catching movement in a direction parallel to the panel, during which the catching end of the tab comes to face an exterior face of the bodywork panel, preventing any transversely inward retreat of the tab and of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventors: Luc Josserand, Roberto Martino
  • Patent number: 6397430
    Abstract: A hydraulic backcheck valve system for controlling an opening cycle of a door closer has a housing with an interior chamber, at least one cylinder, and a piston that can reciprocate between a door closing stroke and a door opening stroke within the cylinder. One side of the piston faces a variable volume chamber in the cylinder and an opposite side of the piston faces the interior chamber of the housing. The backcheck valve system has a fluid passage with a port in fluid communication with the cylinder and an opening in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the housing. The port is blocked by the piston during at least part of the door opening stroke. A one-way valve is disposed in fluid communication with the fluid passage and permits fluid to flow freely during a closing cycle of the door closer and prevents fluid flow from the second passage during the opening cycle. A backcheck valve is disposed in fluid communication with the passage and with the variable volume chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Jackson Corporation
    Inventors: Peter E. Brown, George F. Toledo
  • Patent number: 6393662
    Abstract: A hinge device comprises a male hinge member and a female hinge member. The male hinge member includes a pivoting rod at an end thereof, and a first mounting plate at an opposite end thereof, the first mounting plate being used for fixing the male hinge member onto a display unit of a portable computer. The female hinge member includes a body and a second mounting plate for fixing the female hinge member onto a mainframe unit of the portable computer. A first contacting section is defined on an outer periphery of the pivoting rod of the male hinge member. A second contacting section is defined on an inner periphery of the body for contacting with the first contacting section. A pair of grooves are defined in the second contacting section for retaining lubrication grease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fang Chi Huang, Yung Hsiang Cheng, Chieh Lee
  • Patent number: 6378173
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus consisting of a wire hinge, hinge bracket and cover bracket to provide a means for permitting the easy removal of a cover of a protective enclosure without its complete disengagement from the body of the enclosure. The hinge apparatus maintains the attachment of the cover to the main body of the protective enclosure without hindering access to the internal components within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Silent Witness Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis K. Ho, William Fenton
  • Patent number: 6378171
    Abstract: A tilting hinge is provided which includes a first bracket consisting of a fixing plate portion and a bearing plate portion bent at a right angle relative to the fixing plate portion, the fixing plate portion being fixed to any one of the body of an apparatus and a component part of the apparatus, installed pivotably to the latter and the bearing plate portion having a non-circular bearing hole formed therein; a cylinder having a fixing portion formed at one end and a friction torque generating hole formed axially in it, the fixing end portion being inserted and fixed in the non-circular bearing hole in the bearing plate portion of the first bracket; a second bracket consisting of a fixing plate portion and a bearing plate portion bent at a right angle relative to the fixing plate portion, the fixing plate portion being fixed to the other of the body and component part of the apparatus and the bearing plate portion having formed in it a non-circular bearing hole; and a radially elastic spring pin having provi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naokazu Suzuki, Isao Nagashima, Oriya Fujita
  • Patent number: 6374460
    Abstract: Provided is a multi-function, single-piece handle and modular electronic component incorporating same, and a method of inserting and removing the handle from the modular electronic component. The unitary structure of the handle includes insertion and extraction claws that aid in the insertion and extraction of the modular component from a rack mount upon rotation of the handle to an upward, and vertically extended position respectively. The handle also includes a stowage locking mechanism that maintains the handle in a stowed position on the front of the modular component. A rack locking mechanism is also provided integral with the handle to secure the modular component in its rack mount position. Affirmative user actuation is then required to allow the modular component to be removed therefrom. Outrigging mounting and support legs are also included to add rigidity and strength to the handle to allow it to be used to carry the modular component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Powerware Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Edevold, Cary Winch
  • Patent number: 6367125
    Abstract: A handle assembly includes a handle body rotatably mounted on the shank of a tool, and a limiting device mounted in the handle body for use in limiting the amount of rotation between the handle body and the shank of the tool to a determined rotation angle so that the handle body rotated relative to the shank of the tool will not exceed a determined rotation angle, thereby preventing a user's hand from slipping from the handle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Chorng-Jiang Lin
  • Patent number: 6368007
    Abstract: An adjustable size annular retaining assembly includes at least two substantially rigid segments (1, 2) and means (3, 4) for pivotably interconnecting the segments in end to end relationship, so that when the segments are pivotally interconnected at all but a single pair of adjoining segment ends (1b, 2b), the assembly can be contracted to a reduced size condition (5) for insertion through or into or removal through or from a confined space (6), and expanded into a desired annular size condition (7) for pivotal interconnection of said non-connected pair of adjoining segment ends (1b and 2b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Bae Systems plc
    Inventor: Christopher J. Harvey
  • Patent number: 6363575
    Abstract: A door actuating system for the leaf of a fire door includes a safety fuse that detaches the fixture between the housing of the door actuating system and an arm on the door or the door frame, which then falls on the floor and are no longer in contact with the hot surface of the door. Plastic screws and plastic bushings accomodating metals screws or assembly plates made of plastic or similar materials can be used as the safety fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: GEZE GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Uwe Käser
  • Patent number: 6361237
    Abstract: A coupling device includes first and second relatively rotating members mounted about a common axis and first and second lines fixed between the first and second members. The first line is adapted to wrap around the first member in a first direction and around the second member in a second direction, opposite the first direction, the second line is adapted to wrap around the first member in the second direction and around the second member in the first direction. A guide is revolvably mounted to the first and second members for translating the first and second lines between the first member and the second member as the first and second members rotate relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Gordon O. Salmela
  • Patent number: 6357079
    Abstract: An improved slide groove fixing device for use of curtains has a single-track slide body, a movable abutting seat, a transversely U-shaped clamping seat, a supporting spiral member, and an adjusting bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Ching Feng Blinds Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pey-Son Hsu
  • Patent number: 6354028
    Abstract: A multi-sided display includes a frame and a display sign housing having at least two display surfaces. The housing is supported on an extendable-retractable base which rotatably supports the sign. The display sign can be rotated when the support base is extended, to display a selected one of the display surfaces. The display sign is supported for viewing of the selected surface when the support is retracted. An electrically illuminated light source within the housing is provided for illuminating the display surfaces. The base is preferably supported for extension and retraction by at least one, and usually two telescoping arms. A pair of slide strips located on opposite side edges of a top surface of the base slidably support the housing. The housing is preferably rotatably supported on the base by a central bearing. A latch mechanism is actuatable to release the cabinet for retraction, and after retraction, for rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Everbrite, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip R Gross, Robert J Harruff
  • Patent number: 6347432
    Abstract: A handle assembly of luggage comprises a handle grip with a push button, two first sliding tubes, at least one pair of second sliding tubes, two support tubes, two first locking means each provided below each first sliding tube, at least one pair of second locking means each provided below each second sliding tube, and a flexible steel cable attached between handle grip and first locking means. This ensures a fully extended handle, a significant increase of the ratio of extendible maximum length to retractable minimum length of handle, and the retracted handle grip rested on the bezel without any gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Chaw Khong Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Hsien Kuo
  • Patent number: 6345414
    Abstract: A collapsible handle for a portable luggage is provided. The handle includes an upper seat and a lower seat spacedly secured to the top and lower portions of the back side of the portable luggage, an attachment slidably pivoted to a pair of rectangular recesses of the upper seat, an elongate caster seat including a pair of subordinate casters pivoted on two end which has an arcuate lower surface made engageable with a concaved engaging surface in the top of the lower seat, a pair of telescoped frame having their upper ends inserting through the attachment and secured to a handle grip above the attachment and their lower ends of the outmost portion secured to a pair of cavities at two end of the elongate caster seat and the inner portion respectively biased by a pair of post of a locking member which is in turn biased by a pair of springs inside the elongate caster seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Chieh-Chiung Chen
  • Patent number: 6343406
    Abstract: A hinge on a ladder comprises outer casing pair, inner casing pair, a fixing plate with a shaft and three lock pins, a central rivet pin, and a button knob. The outer casing pair and the inner casing pair are pivotally engaged to each other in such a way that the circular plate portions on the casing pairs facially contact with one another. When the locating holes on the outer casing pair align with three specific ones of nine locating holes on the inner casing pair, the three lock pins are pushed toward the outer casing pair and to pass through the aligned locating holes and perform a locking position. When the button knob is pressed toward the outer casing pair against the restoring force of the spring, the three lock pins move away the locating holes. Therefore, the elongated projection ends of the three lock pins fit with the elongated slots on a half piece of outer casing pair to perform an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Tom Yeh
  • Patent number: 6340263
    Abstract: A fastening of a tube mounting (10) for a wiper system on a vehicle body has at least one fastening bore (58), extending transversely through a mounting tube (12), into which bore a rubber-elastic coupling element (42) with a hole (56) for a screw is inserted. The contour of the coupling element (42) conforms to the internal contour of the mounting tube (12) in the region of the fastening bore (58), protrudes through openings (60) in the fastening bore (58) by a projecting length (44) and, on the inside, covers the openings (60) axially on both ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Claus Fleischer
  • Patent number: 6336246
    Abstract: A mounting mechanism for coplanar doors is of a four-bar linkage type and a door is carried on parallel links or connecting rods, so that it moves parallel to itself from a steady, closed position, through a transitory retracted or extracted position, to an opening position, before or behind another door, and vice-versa. The connecting rods are carried on a sliding carriage unit and a cam compensator unit is provided that ensures carriage movement parallel to a door plane, for part of the way, when the door is moved between its closed position and a retracted or extracted intermediate position, by rotation of the connecting rods, so that the resultant door movement is basically at right-angles to the door plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Antonio Giovannetti
  • Patent number: 6334732
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a closing bushing (7) which is intended for a clamping device (2) used for removably connecting two profiled parts (1). The clamping device (2) comprises an adjustment knob (6) in which a profiled part (1) can be locked and which can be inserted in a recess (5) formed in said profiled part (1). The closing bushing (7) is designed for the form-fitting reception of the clamping device (2) body through a recess (16), and comprises a bore in which the adjustment knob (6) can be received. The surface oriented in the introduction direction (12) of the clamping device (2) in the closing bushing (7) is larger than the corresponding surface of the adjustment knob (6). A clamping device provided with such a closing bushing (7) exhibits a greater resistance to the traction forces applied in the direction of the arrow (12). Clamping devices (2) of the above-mentioned type can also be used for profiled parts (1) made of materials different from the traditional ones, such as wooden parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Syma Intercontinental AG
    Inventors: Marcel Strassle, Kurt Zullig
  • Patent number: 6330998
    Abstract: An extruded plastic sheath product is provided to cover studded steel T-posts and hence give fence lines or sign posts and improved, even aesthetic appearances. The plastic sheath product is formed with a series of internal projections which abut against features of the internal T-post and hence prevent the sheath from spinning about the T-post. For the fence line filed of use, the plastic sheath product is further given an external spine which has formations or else studs formed in it to prevent fence wire strapped to the sheath from slipping. For the sign post field of use, the sheath is further provided with a series of coupling accessories in order to construct frames and the like. Such coupling accessories optionally include Ell's, Tee's, crosses, or y-shaped splitters. The shape and arrangement of the extruded tubular sheath is especially designed to accommodate certain shape anomalies which result from the extrusion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Outdoor Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Christopher H. W. Roy