Patents Examined by John M. Jillions
  • Patent number: 6616091
    Abstract: An automatic sliding door cable mechanism with a take up guide member (46) mounted in a drum (14) for taking up slack of a cable during installation of the cable. A second drum (16) has an elliptical profile drum helix (96) for increasing durability of the operating cable for the automatic door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Priest, Kevin Wright, Mark D. Nicholas
  • Patent number: 6612516
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming wire bundles from a plurality of wire or cable is provided. A plurality of wires are withdrawn from a rack configured to easily receive and retain a wire spool axial. A driven pulling spool, preferably configured for quick-release coupling to a front loader or other vehicle, is used to pull a cable or bundle along a desired path. Pulling is facilitated by rollers, preferably configured to reduce pulling tension, intermediate endless track tuggers and/or sheaves configured to facilitate coupling to trays or scaffolding. Jacks are described for positioning or holding cables. Preferably rollers or sheaves may be positioned to guide cables along a path above the cable tray or other ultimate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Roger C. Haines
  • Patent number: 6609672
    Abstract: A spool for a vehicle safety restraint has a cylindrical central spool member made of two separate pieces. The cylindrical portion has a hollow section along its axis for accommodating seat belt webbing and a torsion bar, with a seat belt webbing entrance slot and a seat belt webbing exit slot. A filler plate is shaped to fit snugly into the entrance slot and to hold the parts of the spool assembly including the torsion bar and the spool against movement thereby holding the spool together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Bell, Andrew Park, Martyn Palliser
  • Patent number: 6609673
    Abstract: A fishing line feeding device for a fishing pole for easily transferring fishing line from a spool to a reel. The fishing line feeding device for a fishing pole includes a support member having a tongue portion and an elongate cross portion being attached to a top end of the tongue portion with the support member being removably supported upon a portion of the fishing pole and; and also includes lug members being spaced apart and being securely attached to the elongate cross portion for facilitating mounting of the fishing line feeding device upon the fishing pole; and further includes a spool support assembly including a shaft being securely attached to the tongue portion for supporting a spool; and also includes a fishing line handling assembly being securely attached to the lug members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Martin D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6607159
    Abstract: A take-up reel has a diameter equal to or more than 85 times a thickness of a veneer sheet wound thereon and equal to or more than 300 mm so as to be of a curvature of the take-up reel to reduce cracking in parallel to fiber orientations that occurs in winding a veneer sheet after drying on a winding surface of the take-up reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Taiheiseisakusho
    Inventors: Youichi Ohshio, Yasuyuki Ohdaira, Akihiro Mizuno, Shinichi Nakagawa, Yasuyuki Kohara, Mitsumasa Narita, Hideki Kawamori, Reiji Yamada, Masanori Murakami, Kazumi Sugiyama, Tomoharu Okada
  • Patent number: 6598871
    Abstract: Reciprocating unit for reciprocating a pressing plate includes a pair of link mechanisms disposed along opposite sides of the pressing plate. Each of the link mechanisms includes a pair of link members pivotally connected with each other in an intersecting fashion, and at least one of the link members is coupled at one end to the pressing plate for sliding movement therealong. The link mechanisms are interconnected at a predetermined position via a connecting member, and an actuator is operatively connected to the connecting member. The actuator is linearly displaced by a drive unit. The link mechanisms are caused to extend and contract, together as an integral unit, via the connecting member in response to linear reciprocating movement of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Conlux Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ono, Mitsugu Mikami
  • Patent number: 6598825
    Abstract: A flange design for spools and reels may be provided from molded materials such as plastics. Improved strength, stiffness, fracture resistance, energy absorption, and toughness may be provided by appropriate design of corrugations extending substantially radially from a hub or core portion toward a rim portion. Spools and reels may be produced from Styrene plastics, olefinics such as polyethylene and polyprophelene, and may have tubes formed from the same or different materials. Flanges may be designed to crush near a rim or to be stiff near a rim. Likewise, portions of a flange may be designed to buckle, fracture, or otherwise fail sufficiently to absorb energy, while protecting a spool from excessive fracture or distortion. Likewise, portions of the flange may be designed to fail while others nearby do not, in order to protect against catastrophic failure (e.g. extensive separation).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: C. Robert Ripplinger
  • Patent number: 6598869
    Abstract: A method of media handoff from a first device to a second device comprises transmitting a first signal from the first device indicating a medium is at a predetermined handoff point. The first device receives a second signal from the second device instructing the first device to transport the medium toward the second device. The first device transports the medium toward the second device and receives a third signal from the second device indicating acceptance of the medium by the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP.
    Inventors: Jon R. Johnson, Jeanette M. Coffren
  • Patent number: 6595463
    Abstract: A large printer comprises a paper feeding unit in which at least one roll of paper and at least one sheet of paper including a stiff carton to be supplied are loaded, the paper feeding unit being located at a height that enables a user standing in front of the printer to execute the paper feeding process including replacement of the roll paper and setting the sheet of paper. A printing unit is located below the paper feeding unit. A discharged paper stacking unit is located below the printing unit. A paper feeding path extends from the paper feeding unit to the discharged paper stacking unit via the printing unit so as to be substantially straight. The feeding unit includes at least a pair of spindle receptacles into which both ends of an elongated spindle, on which a paper roll is mounted, are inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 6595451
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tape locking device for tape measures. The tape locking device comprises a locking lever hinged to an upper portion of the wall of the housing in such a way to be rotated frontward and rearward around a hinged joint, and provided with a connecting piece downwardly extending from the locking lever. A cylinder is connected at its first end to a hole formed at the lower portion of the connecting piece, with a coil spring fitted over the cylinder. A wedge-shaped stopper is connected to the second end of the cylinder, and having a desired frictional force. This stopper is elastically biased by the coil spring to be wedged in the gap between the outer circumferential surface of a wound part of the tape around the bobbin and a linear part of the tape led to the slot when releasing the locking lever after drawing a desired length of tape from the slot, so the drawn tape is automatically locked by frictional contact between the stopper surface and the drawn tape surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Komelon Corporation
    Inventors: Dong-Hun Kang, Young J. Choi
  • Patent number: 6592064
    Abstract: A self-locking belt roller is provided and includes a belt winding shaft rotatably mountable in a housing, a profiled head, and a torsion rod which becomes operational to resist further extraction of a belt from the belt roller so as to effect thereby a first force limiting operation of the belt roller. The belt roller also includes a resistance facilitating element on the belt winding shaft or the profiled head and a deformation element for increasing the resistance force of the belt roller to further extraction of the belt either at the time before the actuation of the torsion rod to resist further belt unwinding or at the time during which the torsion rod resists further belt extraction. The deformation element is engaged by the resistance facilitating element during further rotation of the belt roller in a manner to increase the resistance of the belt roller to further extraction of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Günter Clute, Klaus-Peter Singer, Enno Witfeld
  • Patent number: 6585185
    Abstract: A multiple output reel module includes a reel wheel supporting a plurality of spindles. Mounted to each spindle is a reel. The reel wheel is rotatable to position one of the spindle and reel combinations in a loading position in which output media from a nearby machine is interconnected to the reel. The spindle and reel are rotated to load the reel with output media. A CPU monitors the status of the reel, and stops the loading when the reel is full. The CPU then rotates the reel wheel to position a second spindle and reel combination in the loading position. The output media is automatically positioned over a portion of the second reel, and the output media is automatically interconnected to the second reel with an over-center finger assembly. Then the output media between the two reels is cut and the second reel is loaded with output media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Weiss, Merlin Behnke, Scott E. Booker, David J. Rollmann, Troy R. Beasley, Kenneth J. Pikus
  • Patent number: 6581927
    Abstract: A device for separating groups of sheets may be used on an apparatus for forming and banding groups of sheets comprising at least one track to feed the individual sheets to a pick up roller for the individual sheets arriving and to transfer said sheets to a stacking channel, extending along a stacking axis, where the sheets are placed on top of one another in stacks which may be preset and banded, one after another. The device comprises a partial support element for the sheets transferred, which operates between the roller and the channel and is mobile, by means synchronized with the roller, between an operating separation position, in which the element is partially inside the dimensions of the roller, intercepting a portion of a first sheet in a stack to be formed, and a release position, in which the element is outside the dimensions of the roller and close to the mouth of the channel, partially supporting a corresponding presettable stack of sheets fed from the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: CAT Systems S.r.l.
    Inventor: Rossi Claudio
  • Patent number: 6578891
    Abstract: The present invention provides a substrate holder for holding and transferring a thin substrate, comprising a substrate support member having a recessed area for placing a thin substrate therein and substrate mount portions formed in the recessed area in the vicinity of a circumferential edge thereof. The substrate mount portions is adapted to be engaged with an outer circumferential portion of a backside of the substrate placed in the recessed area. The substrate holder further comprises a substrate detector for detecting presence or absence of the substrate in the recessed area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroo Suzuki, Kenya Ito, Kunihiko Sakurai, Satoshi Wakabayashi, Tetsuji Togawa
  • Patent number: 6575395
    Abstract: A track and flap assembly includes a brake section and terminates with a curved section and a support member, for guiding a cutting tape transversely across a moving web of paper, and employs a plurality of movable sections enabling relocation of the brake section, and the curved section and its support member without changing their configuration to accommodate different trim widths of the web. The assembly includes a track that has an open channel containing the cutting tape and at least one flap for frictionally engaging the cutting tape when the tape exits laterally from the channel to assist in controlling the tension thereon and its movement. A pair of flaps may extend over a portion of the channel less than the entire width of the channel, and a third flap may overlie and at least cover the space between the pair of flaps forming a complete seal therein. A single flap may form with the channel the top of the guideway for the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Sandar Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter A. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6575394
    Abstract: A seat belt retracting device having a motor for retracting a seat belt having a tongue adapted to engage a buckle. The device includes an electrical circuit for controlling operation of the motor with a one-chip integrated circuit (IC). The circuit includes a control output power circuit; a motor control power circuit; and a communication control power circuit. The motor is configured to operate for a first prescribed period of time to retract the seatbelt from the moment at which disengagement between the buckle and the tongue is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Fujita, Ryuji Yano, Hiroaki Fujii, Hiromasa Tanji
  • Patent number: 6575451
    Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a cassette for containing a plurality of stacked sheets, a holding member for holding sheets from above, a pickup roller which contacts the uppermost sheet from above during one rotation, thereby feeding and transporting the uppermost sheet, a rotatable subsidiary holding member which is rotated in synchronization with a rotation of the pickup roller and in the same rotating direction as the pickup roller, and contacts and holds the sheets from above during each rotation before the pickup roller contacts the uppermost sheet. The distance between a rotation axis and that surface of the rotatable subsidiary holding member which contacts the uppermost sheet is equal to, or greater than the distance between a rotation axis and that surface of the pickup roller which contacts the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masanori Takai
  • Patent number: 6568624
    Abstract: The invention relates to a simple, economical, and lightweight device for holding, carrying, and unreeling spools of wire when stringing barbed wire fences. The device includes a pair of leg members bent at a lower end thereof to form feet members for supporting the device on a surface, a swivel arm for holding the spool of wire for rotation thereon during unreeling, and an arm member for carrying or transporting the spool of wire. The spool of wire on the device can be held away from the body of the user while avoiding the dangers encountered with the installation and use of barbed wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: George C. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6565031
    Abstract: A coil-laying device has a body having a generally cylindrical outer surface centered on and rotatable about an axis and wall structure forming on the surface a radially outwardly open groove having an intake end, a center, and an output end. The groove has an axial dimension that decreases from the intake end to the center and that increases from the center to the output end. The groove has an angular dimension of about 360° and the center is located about 250° from the output end, so that the center is spaced between 0° and 110° from the intake end. Furthermore the groove is defined between walls that taper together between the intake end and the center at a predetermined angle and that diverge from the center to the output end at a larger angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: SMS Demag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Haak
  • Patent number: RE38211
    Abstract: The invention is a dual reel cord take-up device for flat wire cable which as a generally semi-cylindrical upper and lower case half which snap attach together over a dual-purpose shaft to make two compartments. The first compartment is a cord extension and take-up compartment which is divided in two by a slotted disk on the dual-purpose shaft in that compartment. Flat wire cable is wound on the dual-purpose shaft in both compartments, and extends through two apertures in the walls of the compartment. The cable in one aperture is fixed so it does not move in and out of the aperture. The wire cable in the second aperture is free to extend or retract through the aperture. A spring provides the power to retract cable into the take-up device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Edwin R. Peterson, Edwin L. Wheeler