Patents Examined by Lee W. Young
  • Patent number: 5934765
    Abstract: A brake control system for a railroad freight car having an electro-pneumatic brake controller in which a self-lapping valve assembly is operated by a constant spring load acting through a first class operating lever. An electric stepping motor under control of a microprocessor is employed to change the fulcrum point of the operating lever and thereby vary the ratio of the operating lever in order to obtain different braking pressures from the self-lapping valve assembly according to an electric control signal transmitted to the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: James E. Hart
  • Patent number: 5933942
    Abstract: A component mounting apparatus for automatically mounting components on a circuit board includes a mounting unit for picking up a component from a component pickup location and mounting it at a mounting location. The mounting table can be driven to the pickup location and can removably secure a cassette table that can support a plurality of components that are to be mounted on the circuit board. A cassette table can be removable clamped to the mounting table. A carrier cart can transport the cassette table to a position for attachment to the mounting table. The carrier cart can be appropriately aligned and secured relative to the mounting table to enable the cassette table to be removably attached to the mounting table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.,Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Kitamura, Wataru Hirai, Noriaki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5934769
    Abstract: The system serves to control the brakes of at least two wheels of a vehicle, preferably mounted on the same axle. Means are provided for controlling the brake pressure at the so-called low wheel to prevent it from locking after it has been recognized that this wheel is showing a tendency to lock. In addition, detection means are provided for determining a variable which modifies and/or represents the driving dynamics of the vehicle. A corresponding threshold value is also derived for this variable. A comparison means is provided to compare the determined variable with the determined threshold value, and a comparison result is generated. Control means for controlling the brake system of the high wheel are provided, which, after it has been recognized that the low wheel is showing a tendency to lock, change the course of the brake pressure at the high wheel as a function of the determined comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Jost Brachert, Elmar Mueller
  • Patent number: 5933946
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an electronic module comprising a board populated with electronic components and provided with terminal pins and a housing shell; this process features the following process steps:the terminal pins and the housing shell form a one-piece unit,the housing shell is mounted on the board by simultaneously bringing the terminal pins into their intended fitting positions on the board and electrically connecting them with the board, and finallythe terminal pins and the housing shell are separated from each other during final assembly by use of a cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Temic Telefunken Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Habermeier, Gunther Jesinger
  • Patent number: 5930890
    Abstract: An interconnecting post for mounting a microelectronic device such as an integral circuit chip is fabricated with generally uniform cross-section, by forming a first layer of positive photoresist on a substrate, soft-baking that first layer and exposing it for a short time with a wide-apertured mask or simply a UV blank flood exposure. Without developing the first layer, a second layer of positive resist is then applied over the first layer, soft-baked, and then exposed with a narrow-apertured mask. During the soft-baking of the second layer, some of its activator in the photoresist compound diffuses into the exposed portion of the first layer and modifies its solubility in such a way that, when the layers are subsequently developed, the developer partially undercuts the unexposed portion of the first layer to form in the photoresist an opening of generally uniform cross-section. This opening can then be filled by plating to produce a strong, integral interconnect post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: William T. Chou, Solomon I. Beilin, David A. Horine, David Kudzuma, Michael G. Lee, Larry Louis Moresco, Wen-chou Vincent Wang
  • Patent number: 5931545
    Abstract: A braking force increasing device composed of a pump and a control valve continuously increases brake-fluid pressure of wheel cylinders when a brake pedal is operated by a driver and a variation of driver's operation of the brake pedal is within a predetermined range. As a result, even when the driver keeps the brake pedal depression at a certain stroke substantially, braking force can be gradually increased. Therefore, it is not necessary for the driver to depress down the brake pedal more strongly to cause braking force to be applied to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichi Yonemura, Mamoru Sawada
  • Patent number: 5930984
    Abstract: A band seal is formed between a body and a cap of a capsule by fitting the cap on the body, and applying a gelatin-base sealant at least one time in the form of a band spanning the cap and the body. Band sealing is carried out by at least one of the following steps (A) to (E): the step (A) of applying the sealant at a temperature of 30-40.degree. C. at least when the sealant is first applied, the step (B) of applying the sealant at a viscosity of 50-200 centipoises at 50.degree. C. at least when the sealant is first applied, the step (C) of after the sealant is applied, blowing cold air at a temperature of up to 10.degree. C. to the band seal to cool the band seal below 10.degree. C., the step (D) of reducing the joint distance between the body and the cap shorter than the standard capsule length, and the step (E) of applying the sealant to only an edge adjacent portion of the cap surface when the sealant is first applied. The invention prevents bubbles from generating in the band seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Shionogi & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Furuya, Takao Enomoto, Koji Sato, Taiichi Mizuta
  • Patent number: 5931072
    Abstract: A dust collection nozzle (12) is provided through the upper blade guard 7 of a circular saw (1). The dust collection nozzle (12) includes a flared, horn-shaped dust capturing section (13) having a rectangular opening at the front end thereof, and a cylindrical dust outlet tube (14) connected to the rear end of the dust capturing section (13). Throughout cutting operations, the opening (16) remains directed toward the lower portion of the saw blade (8) so as to collect dust and other debris generated from a saw blade (8) rotatable attached to the upper blade guard. The dust collection nozzle (12) also includes a pair of dust guide plates (17, 18) formed on and extended from the opening (16). The dust guide plates (17, 18) extend in parallel to each other so as to interpose the saw blade (8) therebetween. Furthermore, provided to the right of the dust guide plate (18) is a flow straightening plate (19) extending in parallel to plates (17) and (18) from the upper to lower edges of the opening (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Shibata
  • Patent number: 5927046
    Abstract: A device for sealing the closing seam of a germ-free filled package made from plastic coated paper in germ-free conditions in a clean room; where, in the direction of movement of a sealing jaw, a drive mechanism having a hydraulic cylinder using germ-free water as the hydraulic fluid, and being provided with a piston rod, is connected to the sealing jaw. Behind the sealing jaw the drive member is fixed in a stationary manner to a retaining frame. In front of the sealing jaw and in the direction of movement of the sealing jaw, a counter jaw is securely fixed onto the retaining frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, S.A.
    Inventor: Peter Josef Martin
  • Patent number: 5926951
    Abstract: A method of stacking electronic components is disclosed. A first electronic component having a first interconnection substrate with a first set of contact pads on at least one surface thereof is provided. At least a first semiconductor device with resilient contact structures mounted thereto is provided. The first semiconductor device is positioned relative to the first electronic component with the resilient contact structures extending therefrom and electrically contacting the first set of contact pads of the first interconnection substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Y. Khandros, Gaetan L. Mathieu
  • Patent number: 5928124
    Abstract: A strip of material is fed continuously to a machine, along a given path extending through a curling station for the strip, at which the path has a curved segment which forms a loop. The strip inside the curling station is subjected to flexing, by applying suction to the strip along at least part of the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: G.D. S.P.A.
    Inventors: Gian Luigi Gherardi, Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Patent number: 5925852
    Abstract: A structure for making a sealed electrical connection through a barrier is disclosed. The structure comprises a feed-through board that is sealed in an aperture in the barrier. A conductive rod is disposed within a bore formed in the board. Inner and outer conductors are electrically connected to the conductive rod by means of connecting structures formed in the respective ends thereof. A plurality of layers of insulative materials are formed about the inner and outer conductors and the conductive rod so as to electrically insulate the conductors and the conductive rod, to form a structurally sound point of connection through the barrier, and to seal the bore through which the conductive rod is passed. A method for making a sealed electrical connection through a barrier is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Hinz, Jeffrey A. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5924526
    Abstract: An inside shoe drum brake, particularly for motor vehicles, is disclosed which comprises a support arrangement for the brake shoes which can be pressed by means of an actuation device against the brake drum, and which has a brake anchor plate carrying the support arrangement and the actuation device as well as comprising an area for the attachment to a wheel carrier. According to the invention, a guide element is provided which is engaged in the axial direction of the brake with the brake shoes and which is guided, in a sliding manner, on the attachment area or on the actuation device. Thus a simply designed and lightweight inside shoe drum brake is provided which has an optimized noise behavior with respect to brake squeal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Fahrzeugtechnik Ebern GmbH
    Inventors: Ronald Luhrs, Jurgen Schwappach
  • Patent number: 5924775
    Abstract: The invention is based on the objective of simplifying the filling of a auxiliary reservoir that provides an additional medium pressure volume for the suction side of a return pump. For this purpose, the invention proposes to utilize a separating piston that is charged on one side by the main cylinder pressure and on the other side by a compression spring. The pressure medium is conveyed from the main reservoir to the auxiliary reservoir by means of two return valves while the separating piston is displaced. Due to the stepped design of the separating piston, only a small volume displacement is required on the side of the main cylinder for supplying a large charge volume to the auxiliary reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Helmut Steffes
  • Patent number: 5924198
    Abstract: A method of attaching an ink-jet printhead assembly to the headland region of an ink-jet pen cartridge to form a leak-proof seal without the use of any externally applied adhesive material. The cartridge includes a frame structure fabricated of a rigid plastic frame member formed of a first plastic material and a polymeric second material molded to the frame member. A headland region is defined at the tip of a snout region of the cartridge. An ink reservoir is connected through a standpipe defined by the rigid frame material with the headland region. The second plastic material defines a printhead assembly support structure which circumscribes a printhead and the stand-pipe. The printhead assembly is attached to the support structure after alignment by heatstaking the printhead assembly to the second plastic material defining the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: David W. Swanson, Jaren D. Marler, Winthrop D. Childers
  • Patent number: 5924681
    Abstract: A bedding or furniture spring product comprising a plurality of coil springs arranged in linear rows and columns. Each of the coil springs is preloaded by an endless strip of fabric, the strip of fabric encircling the exterior of one of the coil springs. The interior surface of the strip of fabric may be coated with a non-slip material so as to prevent the strip from falling or moving off the coil spring. Alternatively, the coil spring itself may be coated with a non-slip material. The strip of fabric leaves a portion of the end turns of the coil springs uncovered enabling the coil springs to be secured to a wire grid as for example by being wrapped around or clipped or laced to wires of the grid assembly. Alternatively, traditional hand 8-way tie may be used to connect the precompressed coil springs together and to a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Larry I. Bullard
  • Patent number: 5921163
    Abstract: An improved appliance for slicing food articles, particularly baked goods and bagels in a uniform, quick and safe manner. The appliance includes a food receptacle which is slidably inserted into one end of a main housing and into which a food item such as a bagel is placed. A motorized cutting carriage is mounted on top of the main housing and extends a serrated dual-bladed slicing assembly horizontally over the food item. When power is applied, the blades of the slicing assembly begin reciprocating, and the entire cutting carriage is depressed downward in order to move the reciprocating blades of the slicing assembly through the food item . Once the food item is cut, the cutting carriage returns to its home position, the food receptacle is to slidably withdrawn, and the sliced food item is removed and consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventors: Thomas A. McInnes, Douglas Pinney, Louis Toth
  • Patent number: 5921359
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is an arresting device for fixing the selected relative position of an adjustable first element with respect to a second element, for example a seat of a piece of seating furniture, with respect to a base of a piece of seating furniture, with a cylinder fastened on a second element, in which a distancing element, which is connected with the first element, can be displaced in the displacement direction against the resistance of at least one restoring spring or vice versa, wherein the displacement movement can be blocked in each position and can be released by means of an actuating device, and with a mechanical brake having at least one adjustable brake element, by means of which the actuation element can be brought into a release position or can be released against the resistance of at least one brake spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Erwin Holle
  • Patent number: 5920979
    Abstract: A low noise inductive magnetic head used for writing and reading magnetic signals onto and from a magnetic recording medium includes two magnetic poles P1, P2 that are formed on a substrate which define a transducing gap therebetween. Each of the poles P1, P2 includes an outer magnetic layer formed remotely from the gap and an inner magnetic layer formed adjacent to the gap. The inner and outer magnetic layers have magnetostrictions (.lambda..sub.s) of approximately equal but opposite values, such that each of the magnetic poles P1, P2 exhibits a net magnetostriction of zero or is biased within a predefined range, regardless of the individual magnetostriction values of its layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Read-Rite Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel A. Nepela, Siamak Sarhadi
  • Patent number: 5918953
    Abstract: An antilock brake system (ABS) control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle, having a slope identifier for determining the drive status of the vehicle along a slope before an ABS control is started, and a controller that changes the usual ABS control to a control in which the ABS control is restricted on condition that the state of the drive along the slope has been decided, whereby the braking distance of the vehicle during the drive along the slope can be shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aishin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihisa Nihei, Hiroyuki Matsubayashi, Koichi Kondoh, Hiroyuki Nagai, Yasunori Sakata, Satoshi Itabashi