Patents Examined by Karen Skillman
  • Patent number: 4943000
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for brazing without filler metal two components, of which at least one is an Al alloy. According to the method, prior to brazing, at least one Al alloy component is maintained in a region of temperatures included between the temperature of solvus T.sub.v of the alloy and 2/5 of temperature of fusion (solidus) T.sub.s of the alloy, expressed in degrees Kelvin, for a sufficient period of time. After this treatment, which may or may not be isothermal, the alloy is suitable for brazing in a domain of temperatures included between the temperature of fusion T.sub.e of the most fusible eutectic corresponding to the equilibrium diagram of the constituents of the alloy, and that of the solidus of the alloy. The method permits the realization of perfectly homogeneous brazed seams for alloys considered not to be brazable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Cegedur Societe de Transformation de l'Aluminum Pechiney
    Inventors: Guy-Michel Raynaud, Louis Realis, Didier Constant
  • Patent number: 4889274
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the use of metastable state of mixed gases which, when appropriately mixed, provide better control of current and voltage conditions and subsequent arc formation properties in making balls of aluminum, copper and gold with an electronic flame-off method. The specific mixtures involve inert argon mixed with small amounts of hydrogen and neon. Exceptionally well controlled balls of uniform size result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas H. Ramsey
  • Patent number: 4887379
    Abstract: A fishing tackle box is secured to the underside of a bass boat pedestal seat by mounting structure that permits the box to be pivoted relative to the seat between a latched stowage position in which the box is positioned entirely beneath and closely adjacent the underside of the seat, and a use position in which the box is positioned outwardly adjacent the side edge periphery of the seat for ready access by a fisherman sitting in the seat. The mounting structure includes a pivotal mounting member intersecured between the seat and box, and a latch member pivotable between a latching position in which its engages the box and holes it in its stowage position, and a release position permitting the pivotally mounted box to be swung outwardly to its use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Inventor: Dan W. Harrison
  • Patent number: 4884737
    Abstract: Two or more ceramic bodies are bonded together by oxidizing with a vapor-phase oxidant molten metal obtained from a body of precursor metal to form an oxidation reaction product bond. The oxidation reaction product is formed between adjacent facing, substantially congruent surfaces of the ceramic bodies and bridges the surfaces, thus bonding the ceramic bodies to each other. Promoters may optionally be used to facilitate formation of the oxidation reaction product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Lanxide Technology Company, LP
    Inventors: Marc S. Newkirk, Robert C. Kantner, Eugene S. Park
  • Patent number: 4881339
    Abstract: A weedless artificial fishing lure and method of fishing has a lure body, a floppy mounted hook, and a resiliently flexible hook holder mounted to the body, the hook holder has structure for normally holding the hook backwards as the lure is pulled through water and for releasing the hook to a typical trailing position upon engagement by a fish. The method has the steps of pulling the lure through water, holding a floppy mounted hook backwards, and instantly releasing the hook to a typical trailing position upon engagement with a fish. A novel lure accessory is fastenable into the leading line connection aperture of the lure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Inventor: Clarence Wirkus
  • Patent number: 4878609
    Abstract: An apparatus for manual wire bonding, comprising an ultrasonically energizable and/or thermocompression wedge (11) for pressing the wire (34) against a bonding pad, wherein the wedge (11) is part of a bonding head (10) adapted to be moved towards and away from said bonding pad, especially in up/down direction. The bonding pad is disposed on a base which is movable in a direction approximately transversely to the direction of movement of the bonding head (10) for positioning the bonding pad opposite said wedge (11). Furthermore, means is provided for controlling the drive unit (20) of the bonding head. Preferably, the drive unit (20) for the bonding head motion is a d.c. servomotor, wherein each part-motion and non-motion of the bonding head (10) can be adjusted individually in respect of travelling distance and speed and motionless period, respectively, and can be checked as to execution. To this end the drive unit (20) cooperates with a distance and speed control (44-51) and feedback (28) unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Emhart Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Farhad Farassat
  • Patent number: 4875618
    Abstract: The invention relates to joining of fine wires, and more particularly to a wire bonding method suitable for connecting a number of wires within a narrow area. A first wire is bonded on a pad, and a second wire is bonded on the position where the first wire has been bonded. Bonding of a subsequent wire is performed in that the wire is stacked and bonded in similar manner mentioned above. Thus a plurality of repair wires can be bonded within one pad even if the pad area is very small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Koichi Sugimoto, Takeshi Yano, Tositada Netsu, Mitsukiyo Tani, Tosaku Kojima
  • Patent number: 4873781
    Abstract: AN artificial fishing lure having hidden hooks recessed within the body thereof to prevent snagging on weeds, rocks or the like when the lure is moved through the water. A trigger is provided and is attached at one end to a fishing line, and at a second end to a spring hook assembly. The spring hook assembly is formed from a single wire member, and has a medially positioned bite portion engaging said trigger assembly, and opposed ends respectively terminating in hook arms and hook ends. Snapping the fishing line activates the trigger assembly, which in turn activates the spring hook assembly, causing the hook arms to extend outwardly from the body of the fishing lure through longitudinal slits therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Inventor: Mitchell G. Bates
  • Patent number: 4869013
    Abstract: A weed guard for attachment to the base of the eye of a fishhook having one, two, or three hooks for the purpose of preventing the hooks from snagging on weeds and like marine growth during use in areas having underwater or surface weed growth. The weed guard consists of a disc-shaped hub with a locking slot selected in size to receive and hold the two faces of the eye of the fishhook. Wire loops which are attached to and peripherally spaced around the hub correspond to the number of hooks on the fishhook and extend down to engage the inside of the hook under the barb of the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Inventor: Rexford W. Stickler
  • Patent number: 4869015
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric shock insecticide apparatus wherein, on a wall plane (1a) on a periphery of an opening (3) of a storing space (2), at least a pair of electrodes (5a), (5b) to which a voltage is to be applied are disposed, keeping an insulation space (W), and between said storing space (2) and said electrodes (5b), an obstructer which is projected from a plane of said electrodes is provided, and is to certainly prevent the invasion of cockroaches trying to invade the storing space by giving electric shock to the cockroaches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryohei Murakami, Jiro Oka
  • Patent number: 4866875
    Abstract: A holder for storing and transporting fishing rigs including an extended bar with first and second end pieces attached to the bar. A means for retaining the hook and the knot of the fishing rig is provided on both of the end pieces. The bar has a plurality of extended members which may be removably attached in an end-to-end relationship thereby allowing the holder to receive fishing rigs of various lengths. Further, the holder is made out of non-corrosive material which floats in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventor: Herb Bliven
  • Patent number: 4867370
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonically welding wires includes an ultrasonic horn tip and associated structure for allowing adjustment to accommodate different diameters of wires to be welded while maintaining a tight grip around the wires during the welding process to avoid spreading or splaying of the wires. The tip is rotable to provide several alternative and interchangeable work surfaces on a standard-shaped readily machineable cross section, thereby allowing for a longer total worklife and a reduced cost of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: American Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Welter, Guillermo Coto, Michael Patrikios, Rodney Hawkins
  • Patent number: 4860941
    Abstract: An improved method is described for ball bonding an aluminum wire to a contact pad of a microelectric device. In ball bonding, the wire is fed through and protrudes from a capillary hole in a bonding head, an electric arc melts the protruding wire into a ball, the solid ball thus formed is pressed and flattened onto the contact pad by the bonding head and the ball-contact surface interface is subjected to ultrasonic vibrations to form a bond between the flattened ball and the contact pad. Aluminum wire has presented a problem in forming asymmetric, porous, faceted balls that ball-bond very poorly. By using an aluminum wire coated with an electrically insulating layer that melts above the melting temperature of aluminum and has an electrical resistance sufficient to prevent the electric arc from shifting up the wire and away from the tip, the problem of poor quality balls is solved and a round, axisymmetric ball is formed which ball-bonds consistently well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventor: Alexander J. Otto
  • Patent number: 4858820
    Abstract: A technique is provided for desoldering circuit components employing a desoldering aid that fits like a cap on a standard size rectangular circuit component. The aid has a rectangular top of high thermal conductivity metal substantially the same size as the circuit component. At least a pair of integral sides along opposite edges of the top are bent normal to the top and are not further apart than the outside of the electrical leads on the opposite sides of the circuit component for good thermal contact therewith. The depth of the inside of the box is greater than the height of the top of the component so that there is no contact between the top of the box and the top of the component. The top of the box over the component is heated sufficiently to melt solder on the electrical leads. The box and component can then be lifted together from the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Plato Products, Inc.
    Inventor: George M. Kent
  • Patent number: 4856698
    Abstract: Installations for assembling by welding or other means comprising means for positioning the various constituent parts, at least one programmeable means for assembly by welding or other means.An installation characterised in that it comprises at least one gantry (10, 11) the upper face of which accommodates the programmeable welding or other means which can be moved on at least one mobile cross member (10.sub.1, 11.sub.1) and in that means (13, 14) are provided to move constituent parts in the lower zone of the gantry and to immobilise them under the welding means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Sciaky S.A.
    Inventors: Jean J. Marianne, Pierre Jablonski
  • Patent number: 4852290
    Abstract: A fishing rod holder has two pivotally connected brackets. One braket has a hollow cylindrical opening to receive the rod and has a clamp for securing the holder to a stationary surface. A quick release lever allows the rod to be removed from the holder in time to hook a fish. Also, the angular position of the brackets with respect to each other can be set to meet desired fishing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Terry A. Wallace
    Inventors: Terry A. Wallace, Lyvone Wallace, Harry C. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 4851966
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for printed circuit board assembly wherein optimal placement of components are effected. Components, such as microminiature components, are placed, at least on the underside of the circuit board, whereby specially contoured solder pads effect a self-alignment of such components prior to their being affixed in place by a suitable adhesive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Roback, Thomas R. Beise
  • Patent number: 4850132
    Abstract: A device for fishing with a dead or live minnow includes a gorge engaging member formed with outwardly extending projections. In use, the member is inserted into the minnow's mouth and secured to a fishing line by means of an eyelet portion formed in a forward end of the member. Pulling force acting upon the fishing rig during trolling, casting, or jigging acts to partially embed the projections within the minnow's mouth to resist withdrawal therefrom. One or more fish hooks may be secured to the eyelet portion for subsequent attachment to the minnow proximate the dorsal fin and/or tail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventor: Peter Motyka
  • Patent number: 4839979
    Abstract: A tip assembly for an underwater spear, the assembly including a shaft and a sharpened tip which is slidably disassemblable from the shaft, a flexible cable attached between the tip and shaft which can be readily detached from the shaft to remove the spear tip assembly from a fish by pulling the free end of the cable through a hole in a fish made by the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Sea Search, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Rogers
  • Patent number: RE33197
    Abstract: Wave soldering process and apparatus for the soldering of elements such as, for example, printed circuit assemblies with surface mounted components and the like which yield improved soldering results by promoting the penetration of solder into narrow spaces between components, the filling of small holes in a board, filling crevices, filling corners adjacent to solder masks and all other areas where solder wetting is difficult to achieve with conventional machines. The process provides the steps of moving an element in a predetermined path, forming a solder wave beneath the path so that at least a portion of the element passes through the solder wave, and producing an oscillation in the solder wave during the passage of the element therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Electrover Limited
    Inventor: Carlos A. Deambrosio