Patents Examined by James G. Smith
  • Patent number: 6685737
    Abstract: A stent design minimizing the disturbance of blood flow and minimizing the trauma caused by the stent to the vessel in which it is implanted. The geometry of the stent struts reduces the neointima hyperplasia caused by trauma to the vessel wall and caused by disturbance to the endothelium created by changes in fluid shear stress. A stent is disclosed that includes struts having an outer surface configured to reduce the injury and inflammation to the vessel wall. The shape of the outer surface of the stent strut that distributes the stress imposed on the vessel wall surface evenly over the stent outer surface is a singular arc whose radii of curvature is such that the vessel wall meets this circular arc at its edge, and at this edge the strut surface slope matches that of the vessel wall. The stent is further configured with struts that have an inner surface with a geometry that reduces the turbulence of the blood flow as it passes over the struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Pacetti
  • Patent number: 6685065
    Abstract: The garment folding aid has two bed subassemblies that are laterally telescopically adjustable and retained in selected adjusted positions by detent mechanism. To the remote vertical longitudinal edge portions of the subassemblies there is mounted the lower mounting rails of hinges while the lateral opposite mounting rails of the hinges mount folder flaps. The web of each hinge which extends between its mounting rails resiliently urges the said opposite mounting rails to extend vertically upwardly, the webs being of a greater flexibility than the mounting rails. Hand hold openings are provided in the flaps to facilitate moving the subassemblies to adjust the width of the folding aid. Corner portions of the flaps on one longitudinal end of the subassemblies are cut at an angle to make the flaps more ergonomically friendly when moving the flaps during a garment folding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Concepts Design and Display, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Ebling, Michael Farris
  • Patent number: 6681965
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a method of forming a decorative artificial bow using wire border ribbon 22 in strip form either in rolls or otherwise whereby the user may cut the ribbon in lengths according to the bow size required. The length of wire border ribbon 22 is laid out so as to form four loop members 16 on each respective side having opposing distal ends and joined together at the center. The loop members 16 are secured by means of a metal wire retainer 24 securing the center of the folded ribbon, forming the bow. Using a scissor, both distal ends of the ribbon are cut to form a “V” shaped end 26 and the second set of loop members from the bottom portion of the ribbon are also cut to form “V” shaped ends 28. The loop members are rearranged to create a pleasing flower-like design. Using a glue gun 32, a self-adhering tag 36 is fixedly attached to the bottom portion of the bow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Tuyen Thi Tran
  • Patent number: 6681967
    Abstract: This method is applied in men stocking boarding units including an implement bearing several boarding shapes and suited to be led into a steam boarding chamber defined by two shells, movable with respect to each other into a mutual opening and closing position. The method provides for grasping the stocking inserted on a relevant boarding shape, in correspondence with the cuff of said stocking and on opposing sides of boarding shape itself, inside said boarding chamber, by means of opposing gripping means bound to shells of boarding chamber. Upon boarding unit shells closure, said gripping means are elastically deformed and stretch the stocking leg on the boarding shape to a preset length. The stocking leg is kept stretched during the boarding phase inside the boarding chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Carmelo Angelo Cortese
  • Patent number: 6675997
    Abstract: A garment hanger which is suitable for packaging and merchandising intimate apparel such as ladies panties. The garment hanger is formed as one integrally molded plastic piece which includes a main body about which the apparel is folded by a pair of foldable arms which extend from opposite sides of the main body. The apparel is initially secured to the garment hanger by resilient retainer clips formed on the distal ends of the foldable arms which are initially outstretched, and then the apparel and the arms are simultaneously folded about the main body of the garment hanger. The garment hanger also includes locking tabs formed on the main body of the garment hanger which engage the folded arms, and function to retain the folded garment and arms in a folded shape which is suitable for retail display and merchandising of the apparel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Spotless Plastics Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Stanley F. Gouldson, Olaf Olk
  • Patent number: 6675857
    Abstract: A refitting apparatus for a tire assembly “w” having a disk wheel “a” having engaging rims and a tire “d” fitted to the disk wheel and having tire bead rims and side walls. The apparatus is constituted to perform a refit process in which a pressing step of bringing one of the tire bead rims “e” of the tire into pressing contact with one of the engaging rims “b” of the disk wheel “a” by supplying air into the tire “d” and a releasing step of releasing the one of tire bead rims “e” of the tire “d” from the one of engaging rims “b” of the disk wheel “a” are repeated a predetermined number of times for each of the tire bead rims “e”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Central Motor Wheel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kimbara, Shigeru Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6671913
    Abstract: A tool assembly for military or police uses with removable interchangeable tool heads and handles. The handles of the tool assembly have connector assemblies at each end of the handle constructed of a cast nylon material impregnated with a dry lubricant and with a dimpled pin connector in the connector assemblies. Each tool head has a bore for receipt of the connector assembly and pin connector. The connector assemblies are constructed of a non-conductive, non-sparking material and the bores on the tool heads for receipt of the connector assemblies are made with close tolerances to provide for overall rigidity and strength of the tool assembly. The handles have a soft, non-conductive, shock absorbing outer covering. The pin connectors on the connector assemblies are oriented with the outer covering of the tool handles to facilitate ease of assembly of the tools in the dark or other adverse conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Martin J. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 6668687
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-functional screwdriver including a shaft forming a pair of coplanar bends rotatably mounted to a handle having therein a compartment for storing a plurality of bits. The shaft is covered with a non conductive sleeve and includes a magnetic bit driver on a distal end for securing bits. To prevent rotation of the shaft within the handle a locking means is provided which includes a locking member pivotally attached to the handle which can be pivoted so that the member is removably inserted into an aperture in the shaft to prevent the shaft from rotating within the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Charles H. Miller
  • Patent number: 6668688
    Abstract: An apparatus for an expandable screw including an outer screw, a inner screw, and an end nut. An assembly and method for driving and expanding an expandable screw apparatus into a surface or structure. The assembly and method dynamically expand the expandable screw by driving and expanding the expandable screw simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventors: Chunfeng Zhao, Bradford L. Currier, Kai-Nan An, Fredrick Schultz, Patricia Neale
  • Patent number: 6666115
    Abstract: A screwdriver comprises a handle, a hollow outer sleeve, at least an inner pipe, and a bit. The rear end of the outer sleeve connects to the handle. The inner pipe is inserted in the interior of the outer sleeve via the front opening of the outer sleeve. A magnetic chuck is disposed at the front end of the inner pipe. The magnetic chuck is inserted in the rear portion of the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: ICC Innovative Concepts Corp.
    Inventor: Kuo Zhen Liu
  • Patent number: 6666117
    Abstract: A wrench comprises a rod comprising a driving portion for engaging with a fastener, a retainer having an end securely engaged with the rod to move therewith, and a casing comprising a compartment for accommodating the retainer. The casing comprises a retaining section defining a retaining space for retaining the other end of the retainer in place. When a rotational force applied to the casing is smaller than an engaging force between the retaining section of the casing and a retaining device that is attached between the retaining section and the retainer, the retainer and the rod are turned to thereby turn the fastener. When a rotational force applied to the casing is greater than the engaging force, the casing slides while the retainer and the rod are not turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Bobby Hu
  • Patent number: 6666112
    Abstract: A wrench includes a handle and a head extended from the handle. The handle includes a transverse receptacle communicated with a hole in the head and a cavity that communicates with the transverse receptacle. Two pawls are mounted in the transverse receptacle and each include a first side for releasably engaging with a drive member in the hole of the head and a second side abutting against an inner longitudinal wall of the transverse receptacle. A switch member is rotatably mounted in the cavity of the handle and includes an actuating portion for selectively moving one of the pawls to a position not engaging with the drive member. The switch member further includes two support portions for selectively supporting a portion of the other pawl that disengages from the inner longitudinal wall of the transverse receptacle, thereby supporting the other pawl that engages with the drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Bobby Hu
  • Patent number: 6662979
    Abstract: Trousers and/or shorts are fed one at a time between conveyor belts, cuff end first, towards a hanger automatically dropped from a hanger bar into a hanger chute positioned in the path of travel of the trousers. A sensor senses the presence of a pair of trousers on the feed belts and activates a hanger transport mechanism which grabs a hanger from the end of a screw conveyor on a hanger bar feeding the hangers by gravity towards the screw end, which stops, separates and spaces the hangers. The hanger transport mechanism delivers a hanger forwardly over the hanger chute, and then retracts, dropping the hanger into chute. The cuffs of the trousers are fed through the hanger positioned in the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventors: John Hutterly, William V. Fries
  • Patent number: 6662693
    Abstract: A wrench includes a rod, a slide control member, a casing for rotatably accommodating the slide control member, and a retaining device. The rod comprises a driving portion on an end thereof for engaging with a fastener. The slide control member is securely mounted to the rod to turn therewith. The retaining device is mounted in the casing and includes an end operably connected to the slide control member. When a rotational force applied to the casing is smaller than an engaging force between the slide control member and the end of the retaining device, the slide control member and the rod are turned to thereby turn the fastener. When a rotational force applied to the casing is greater than the engaging force between the slide control member and the end of the retaining device, the casing slides while the slide control member and the rod are not turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Bobby Hu
  • Patent number: 6658970
    Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver includes a drive shaft inserted into a shaft-receiving space of a shaft-mounting seat, a regulator sleeved rotatably around one end of the shaft-mounting seat to selectively push two pawls that are mounted in the shaft-receiving space, and a handle fixed on the shaft-mounting seat. The pawls selectively engage a ratchet wheel fixed on the drive shaft when the regulator is moved to first and second angular positions relative to the shaft-mounting seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Hsuan-Sen Shiao
  • Patent number: 6655243
    Abstract: A 12-in-1 precision hand tool has five double-ended specifically sized precision tool bits stored in separate handle compartments adjacent the handle proximate end and one double-ended tool bit operably disposed at the distal end of a selectively retractably extendible shank for impeded access precision drive use. A handle cap is removably attached to the handle and has a rare earth permanent metal magnet disposed therein and operably disposed with respect to an axial opening in the cap to slidably receive and magnetically hold one selected double-headed tool bit. The removed handle cap provides a mini 12-in-1 precision drive tool. The handle has alternate flat and arcuate surfaces of about equal surface area and distally disposed contiguous tapered flat surfaces for ergonomic precision tool use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventors: Wayne Anderson, Paolo Cassutti
  • Patent number: 6655242
    Abstract: A torque wrench (40) with a variable-arm clicker mechanism, comprises a substantially tubular body (41), equipped with a handgrip (18) from which protrudes a ratchet gear element (4), suited for engaging with the blocking device which must be tightened. Inside the tubular body (41) is the clicker mechanism, which comprises a main lever (2) ending with the ratchet gear element (4), with fulcrum on the same tubular body (41) by means of a pin (3). The clicker mechanism has a pair of parallel intermediate levers (6), hinged on a fulcrum (10), integral with a mobile carriage (9), where the parallel intermediate levers (6) extend within the carriage (9) through slots (31, 32) which act as guides for the levers and are connected by means of a pin (12) to small levers (22) which command a push rod (20) that operates a spring (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Tecnogi S.r.l.
    Inventor: Lorenzo Gambarini
  • Patent number: 6655558
    Abstract: An ornamental visor-bending device with a strand that is bent, formed and cut, comprises a laterally arched member running substantially from one side of a baseball cap type visor to the other side. The device further includes end members on each end of the strand which releasably attach and constrain the edges of the opposing sides of the visor and force the central portion of the visor to conform to an arch or other useful shape. The visor-bending device may be worn with the visor on the head of the user to maintain the bend of the visor. The laterally arched strand may itself be made ornamental with or without additional ornamentation attached. The end members are ornamental and have additional ornamentation attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Lonnie L. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6647829
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hand-held striking tool that has a head disposed forward of the centerline of a handle. The hand-held striking tool of the present invention may further include a flange positioned beneath the head of the tool, the flange functioning as a second area of contact so that the effect of overstrike may be controlled. The present invention also provides a hand-held striking tool that isolates the striking head of the tool from the handle such that the effect of vibrations caused by using the tool are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Estwing Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Youngren, Daniel M. Eisman, Daniel Loveland, Christopher Aiston, Jack Harkins
  • Patent number: 6648189
    Abstract: A system for cleaning and blocking hats involves the use of a water impervious, elastomeric, foam form that permits a hat to be washed with a conventional laundry washing detergent without shrinking or losing its shape. The spongy, foam form is resiliently compressed somewhat so that, following laundering, the hat can be mounted upon the form in tight-fitting engagement therewith. The hat, mounted upon the form, is then left to dry in open air. The hat, once dried following laundering, may be removed from the form and sprayed with an appropriate aerosol spray that stiffens and retards deformation of the hat. The hat, while still moist from the spray, is placed back on the form and is then left to again dry in ambient air. Once dry, the hat is removed from the form. Following this treatment the hat is clean, but is not deformed by shrinking or otherwise. To the contrary, it retains its original shape and blocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas Minton, Terry Garrett, Jimmy R. Solway