Patents Examined by J. J. Swann
  • Patent number: 6607329
    Abstract: A pre-fabricated pavement slab having a binder distribution system and an interconnection system formed for attachment of the bottom surface of the slab, wherein both the binder distribution system and the interconnection system are accessible from the top surface of the slab, such that the binder material may be injected into the binder distribution and interconnection systems from the top surface of the slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: The Fort Miller Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6606763
    Abstract: A hinge for a motor vehicle door allows the door to be displaced with respect to a door pillar in a transverse movement combined with a pivoting movement by means of a four-joint mechanism that has a support arm and a control rod, both of which are hinged to the door and the door pillar. The support arm has a base support arm, at least one support arm element that can be detached from the base support arm and that has two hinge lugs supported on an extremity of the support arm, and means for interlinking the base support arm and the support arm element. The support arm element can be adjusted relative to the support arm through an axis that extends through the tangent plane of the base support arm and the support arm element by rotating them around a swiveling axis that is perpendicular to the tangent plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Edscha AG
    Inventor: Lothar Brückner
  • Patent number: 6607223
    Abstract: A magnetic catch assembly for securely holding a door or cover on a machine in a closed position. The assembly comprises a unitary, injection molded, plastic member at least one portion of the member being magnetized to form the magnetic catch and at least one portion of the molded unitary member forming a mounting bracket adapted to securely mount the magnetic catch assembly to the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Paul F. Mastro
  • Patent number: 6604381
    Abstract: There is disclosed a jewelry attachment having a face member and a rear member hingeably secured to one another. The face member and the rear member are spaced apart from one another when in a closed condition by upwardly extending wall portions provided on the inner surface of the face member. An inverted L-shaped retaining bar member is provided at an end of the jewelry attachment opposite the hinge. Mating lock members are provided on the inner surfaces of the rear member and the face member to securely lock them together in a closed condition. A pair of channels is formed within the closed jewelry attachment one of the channels being capable of receiving therein a first article of jewelry and the other channel being capable of receiving therein a second, separate article of jewelry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Midas Designs, Ltd.
    Inventor: Adam Haber
  • Patent number: 6602024
    Abstract: A novel method that promotes upward mobilization of dense nonaqueous-phase liquid contaminants. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: (1) injecting a treating agent (e.g., a polyaphron solution) comprising a light organic-phase fluid (e.g., kerosene, xylene, octane, hexane, etc.) into the Earth's subsurface, targeted within or adjacent to the dense contaminant source zone; and (2) injecting a post-flush agent comprising a polyvalent cation (e.g., Al3+, Fe3+, etc.), or similar species, once the treating agent is displaced throughout the source zone. The treating agent converts the contaminant to a density less than the density of groundwater by inducing in-situ mixing. The post-flush agent destabilizes the polyaphrons thus allowing the contaminant and the treating agent to mix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: Kalliat T. Valsaraj, Karsten E. Thompson, Danny D. Reible, Le Yan
  • Patent number: 6601408
    Abstract: An interchangeable and rotatable jewelry display for beads or ornaments. The invention provides a stable changing and retaining mechanism. Also, a method for displaying and rotating interchangeable ornaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Gregg Burgard
  • Patent number: 6601858
    Abstract: A maneuverable sled is provided for use over snowy terrain. In particular, the sled includes a platform, a spring, and two runners. The spring slidingly engages the platform providing the sled with excellent maneuverability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel K. Farley
  • Patent number: 6601854
    Abstract: A shaft seal in which a rotary dealing part is mounted coaxially with a sealing element and forms therewith a primary seal between opposed faces of the sealing element and the rotary sealing part to substantially prevent fluid flow across the primary seal from a high pressure radial side to a low-pressure radial side. Secondary and tertiary seals are also provided between the high-pressure and low-pressure radial sides; and between an auxiliary sleeve and the seal housing, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand S.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Jacques Auber
  • Patent number: 6602025
    Abstract: A surface of a canal, ditch or pipe is lined with a polyurethane/geofabric composite. A non-sagging polyurethane composition is applied to the canal, ditch or pipe surface, a geofabric is contacted with that surface in a manner such that the geofabric becomes impregnated with the non-sagging polyurethane composition which cures to form a polyurethane/geofabric composite. The non-sagging polyurethane is a reaction product of a polyisocyanate, a high molecular weight polyhydroxyl compound and a compound having at least 2 amino groups. A low molecular weight diol or triol, filler and catalyst are optional components. These composites are particularly useful in lining cracked or broken concave or angled surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Peter H. Markusch, Ralf Guether
  • Patent number: 6601882
    Abstract: A door latching or locking mechanism or module for a self-cleaning oven includes latching linkage of the door latch module that enables use of lighter duty, less expensive motor. The mechanical advantage and vector optimization of the latching linkage avoids stalling especially from a locked position. The latching mechanism includes a plurality of switches having a corresponding plurality of terminals. The terminals are grouped or ganged to allow connection with a single connector interface. The switches are selectively actuable/de-actuable by a cam and cam plate that utilizes linear motion translated from rotational motion of a driven (motor) to selectively actuate and/or de-actuate the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Cole
  • Patent number: 6598912
    Abstract: The actuating device for a hood should be designed in such a way that an actuation from the outside for misuse is not possible. For this purpose, the actuating device is equipped with a handle, in which a locking sensing device and a catch element, which is connected with a Bowden cable, are arranged. By pressing the locking sensing device in the direction of the catch element is created a rigid connection between the locking sensing device and the catch element. For this purpose, the actuating sensing device is equipped with a catch nose and the catch element with a catch recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Hillgaertner, Michael Hubmann
  • Patent number: 6598546
    Abstract: An access opening closure device is provided for enabling passage of food or medication into a confined spaced without providing direct access from within the confined space to outside of the confined space. The device includes a housing defining a receptacle, an access door and a top cover. The top cover and the access door are independently movable between open and closed positions to provide access to within the receptacle. An engagement member is provided adjacent the access door to selectively lock the access door at a plurality of different positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Thomson Alexander
  • Patent number: 6595723
    Abstract: The invention pertains to the conversion of waste materials derived from gypsum mining and processing, such as existing gypsum stacks, into waste containment or landfill facilities. Methods of the invention include the creation of waste containment facilities from existing gypsum stacks. Waste containment facilities created according to the invention can be used for the short-term, long-term or permanent storage of waste materials such as solid waste, community refuse materials, biomass, industrial waste, phosphate waste, and for composting or otherwise processing materials such as biomass. Containment facilities according to the invention can be lined or unlined, open or capped, depending upon the nature of the material to be resident in the containment facility and relevant governmental regulations. The invention also provides for drainage and recovery systems, monitoring, controlling and communication means, pumps and valving means, and any other means known in the waste containment facility field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventors: Peter J. Ianniello, Mark Topp, Tracey R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6594928
    Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate identifying information located on a container, for example, a pharmaceutical container, includes at least one member adapted to be secured, for example, removably secured, to a container, and includes a magnifying lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventors: Burrell E. Clawson, Joan U. Clawson
  • Patent number: 6591927
    Abstract: A driver control module for a vehicle and a method of assembling and installing the driver control module in the vehicle. The driver control module includes the operator control pedals, the steering column and a large portion of the brake actuation system of the vehicle. The driver control module is designed to be assembled as a unit and then mounted to the dash of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Honekamp, William Cousins, Harold F. Macris, Theodore L. Badgley, Trevor T. Downes, William R. Fleming, Jeffrey J. Sexton
  • Patent number: 6592137
    Abstract: A license plate mounting to be mounted a foot peg mounting tab of a motorcycle frame. The license plate mounting is deflectable from an extended position to a deflected position with the extended position extending outward away from the frame of the bicycle and the deflected position places the license plate frame in juxtaposition to the motorcycle frame. The license plate frame is readily movable from the deflected position back to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventor: James E. Grove
  • Patent number: 6592292
    Abstract: In an assembly of concrete revetments, each having two expansive surfaces, each having a first set of comparatively larger holes extending between the expansive surfaces, and each having a second set of comparatively smaller holes extending from at least some holes of the first set to outer edges of said revetment, wherein the revetments of an adjacent pair of the assembly are connected to each other by one or more bolts, each bolt has a flexible, polymeric shank, which has a proximal end and a distal end, a head attached to the proximal end, and a nut attachable to the distal end, and each bolt has its shank extending through a hole of the second set of each revetment of the adjacent pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventor: Jan Erik Jansson
  • Patent number: 6591438
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spring mattress comprising springs enclosed in casings, a so-called pocket mattress, and a method and a device for manufacturing such a mattress. The spring mattress according to the invention comprises a plurality of interconnected coil springs (1) enclosed in casings (2), for at least one of the springs, the casing portions arranged at the spring ends being moved towards each other, through the spring, and interconnected with the aid of connecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Stjernfjadrar AB
    Inventor: Kenneth Edling
  • Patent number: 6588979
    Abstract: A flood fence wherein a plurality of deflectors or sections are placed end to end and into the soil in upright positions. The sections have a saw tooth bottom edge and downwardly extending uprights that engage within a soil substrate to thereby protect the soil on one side of the fence from water flow against the other side. The areas of joining between adjacent sections also include a support and secondary barriers to minimize seepage therepast as well as to assure that the sections remain engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Pasij
  • Patent number: 6588129
    Abstract: A greeting card having a first section containing a pre-colored drawing or photograph to provide whatever guidance a person desires for placing colors in segments of a line drawing which corresponds at least to a portion of the pre-colored drawing or photograph and which is contained on a colorable second section of the greeting card. Preferably, the first section of the greeting card will also contain a first textual message, preferably a greeting; and the second section will contain a second textual message, preferably encouragement to color the line drawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Josie Holland