Patents Examined by Lee Wilson
  • Patent number: 6536088
    Abstract: A gear puller includes a barrel having an orifice formed in one end, a pair of jaws received in the barrel and each having one end extended outward through the orifice of the barrel and each having a peripheral flange for engaging into a bearing to be pulled. An actuator rod may be engaged into the jaws for moving the jaws away from each other to solidly engage with the bearing to be pulled. A shank is secured to the barrel and has a block. A hammer is slidably engaged on the shank and movable to strike onto the block for forcing the jaws to remove the bearing from the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Chen Chi Chiang
  • Patent number: 6536754
    Abstract: A levelling apparatus which comprises a lower part and an upper part which is mounted to the lower part and which may be adjusted with respect to the lower part. The lower part is provided with reference elements for its definite positioning, and the upper part is provided with mechanisms for mounting a workpieceholder for a workpiece which is to be worked on by a machine tool especially a wire erosion machine. For ensuring an improved positioning of the workpiece relative to the erosion wire at elevated pressures of the rinsing fluid, the lower side of the upper part has a first beam structure and the upper side of the lower part has a second beam structure which is complementary to the first beam structure such that the beams of the first beam structure extend between the beams of the second beam structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: System 3R International AB
    Inventor: Hakon Nordquist
  • Patent number: 6532636
    Abstract: A hand-held tool for guiding an integral piece of sheet metal into a pair of sheet metal connectors positioned end-to-end and oriented at an angle relative to each other so as to form a corner. Each sheet metal connector has a pair of spaced-apart walls that define a channel therebetween for receiving the integral piece of sheet metal, and a flange that extends outwardly from one wall thereof. The tool includes a handle and a blade that extends axially from the handle. The blade is shaped for inserting into the channel of each of the pair of sheet metal connectors simultaneously, at the corner, and defining with the other wall of each of the pair of sheet metal connectors a converging pathway for guiding the integral piece of sheet metal into the channel of each of the pair of sheet metal connectors simultaneously, at the corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Lockfast Duct Connector LLC
    Inventors: Timothy E. Walsh, Thomas M. Howard
  • Patent number: 6532845
    Abstract: For tightening threaded connectors, a plurality of fluid-operated torque tools are used, each engaging with a respective of one threaded connector. It is sensed when at least one of the fluid-operated torque tools reaches a point during an advance stroke when it permits a return ratcheting, and automatically all pistons of all fluid-operated torque tools are retracted even if a rest of the pistons or the fluid-operated torque tools are not advanced to a point when the return ratcheting of the tools is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Unex Corporation
    Inventor: Jeff Reiman
  • Patent number: 6533260
    Abstract: An adjustable, portable truck bed assembly holder is disclosed herein. The holder includes a base structure and a retaining frame that is rotatably coupled thereto. The base structure includes a moveable chassis having opposing front and rear ends, a pair of vertical support posts extending upwardly from each of said the front and rear ends, a generally U-shaped center support member horizontally and rotatably displaced between said the upwardly extending free ends of the pair of vertical support posts. The retaining frame is attached to the center cross member, has a generally rectangular construction and includes a pair of retaining members, a pair of support members joined at the underside of said the retaining members, and securing flanges fixed to the retaining members. In an alternative embodiment of the truck bed assembly holder, the retaining frame includes retaining members which are expandable in the traverse direction of the center support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Clyde Odell Mock
  • Patent number: 6530568
    Abstract: A clamping device for securing a draw-in bolt on a machine table or a base plate. The clamping device has a piston axially displaceable in a recess of the machine table and is hydraulically actuable. The clamping device has a cover, which is secured to the machine table in order to close off the recess in the machine table. The piston and the cover form a receptacle into which a draw-in bolt can be inserted through the cover, and in which it can be secured by way of a clamping mechanism actuable by displacement of the piston. The clamping device is characterized in that there is inserted into the machine table recess an integrally configured bushing, in which the piston is held displaceably forming a pressure chamber. The cover is attached to the machine table. The attachment to the machine table is accomplished by way of multiple bolts passing axially through the bushing into the machine table. The bushing and the cover have centering surfaces for positioning on the machine table or base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Vischer & Bolli AG
    Inventor: Ernst Etter
  • Patent number: 6530566
    Abstract: A clamping fixture is provided that includes a base, a handle pivotally connected to the base and a first jaw lever. The first jaw lever has a pivot end and a jaw end. The first jaw lever has a spacer connected thereto. A second jaw lever is provided having a pivot end and a jaw end. The second jaw lever has a spacer connected thereto. The first and second jaw spacers are pivotally connected to each other and are pivotally connected with respect to a base. A first pivot link is pivotally connected to the first jaw lever. A second pivot link is pivotally connected to the second jaw lever and with the first pivot link. The handle is provided wherein the handle is pivotally connected with respect to the two pivot links and pivotal movement of the handle opens and closes the jaw ends of the jaw lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Auto Craft Tool & Die Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. DuVernay
  • Patent number: 6530565
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an accessory for use with bar clamps, and more specifically, to a bar clamp attachment for extending a bar clamp to a plurality of working lengths. The bar clamp extension of the present invention generally comprises an extension bar and a coupler that releasably attaches the extension bar to a primary bar of a bar clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Loran R. Simpson
  • Patent number: 6527254
    Abstract: A self-contained vehicular jacking system for raising a portion or portions of a vehicle off the ground automatically by depressing associated control buttons from within the vehicle. The self-contained vehicular jacking system includes a compressed air tank pneumatically coupled to pneumatic cylinders positioned near the wheels of a vehicle. The cylinders are controlled from inside the vehicle by activation of buttons on a control panel, thereby selectively raising portions of the vehicle for service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Prevete
  • Patent number: 6527621
    Abstract: A system provides a polishing pad to a polishing head for chemical mechanical planarization of an object which is larger in diameter than the polishing pad. The system comprises a polishing head and a plurality of magazines disposed in a first region. Each magazine houses at least one removable puck for holding a polishing pad. At least one of the magazines is configured to feed the pucks from a bottom thereof to be retrieved by the transfer apparatus. The puck is configured be removably coupled to a coupling on the polishing head and to be disposed between the polishing pad and the polishing head. A transfer apparatus is provided for transferring the pucks from the magazines in the first region to a pickup stand in a second region. The polishing head is movable to the second region to pick up the pucks from the pickup stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Strasbaugh
    Inventor: David G. Halley
  • Patent number: 6527266
    Abstract: A clamp pallet (2) is fixed to a table (1) of a machining center. A work pallet (3) has a positioning hole (12) and an engaging hole (13) formed in order from a lower side. A plug portion (21) projects upwards from the clamp pallet (2). A shuttle member (23) is vertically movably fitted onto the plug portion (21). A coned disc spring (24) urges the shuttle member (23) upwards. The shuttle member (23) has a tapered surface (28) with which the positioning hole (12) makes a tapering engagement. A pull rod (31) is inserted into the plug portion (21). The pull rod (31) pushes engaging balls (34) to the engaging hole (13), thereby driving the work pallet (3) downwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kosmek
    Inventors: Keitaro Yonezawa, Tsutomu Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 6523203
    Abstract: A multifunction or combination tool having a set of retractable replaceable pliers contained within U-shaped handles when not in use and extend from the handles when is use. Ancillary blade-like devices are pivotally attached to the ends of the handles opposite to the pliers and stored within their respective handles when not in use. The ancillary tools may be chosen to meet specific needs of a user. The blades are held in place by individual springs which allow one ancillary tool at a time to be chosen and used whenever the pliers head associated with the opposite end of the handle is extended. The replaceable pliers may be changed by the end-user to meet particular needs and the pliers may take the form of square jaws, needle noise jaws, tin snips, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Alterra Holdings Corporation
    Inventor: Dan W. Harrison
  • Patent number: 6524168
    Abstract: An aqueous polishing composition for chemical mechanical polishing of semiconductor devices of silica and circuits of aluminum, titanium or titanium nitride; wherein said aqueous composition includes, an oxidizing agent, an inhibitor of a polyalkyleneimine, and a pH buffer, and a method for polishing a semiconductor device by applying the polishing composition at an interface between a polishing pad and the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Rodel Holdings, Inc
    Inventors: Qiuliang Luo, James Shen
  • Patent number: 6524166
    Abstract: A grinding tool for grinding buttons of a rock drill bit includes a spindle having a longitudinal axis of rotation, and a grinding cup mounted on the spindle by a tongue-and-socket connection. A fastener in the form of a coil spring secures the grinding cup to the spindle. The grinding cup can be inserted into the inside of, or around the exterior of, the coil spring. When the spindle is rotated in a working direction, the spring tightens against the grinding cup. To install or remove the grinding cup, the grinding cup is rotated relative to the spindle in a direction corresponding to the working direction, whereby engagement between the grinding cup and the coil spring becomes loosened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sandvik AB
    Inventors: Arne Bergquist, Göran Lindgren
  • Patent number: 6520495
    Abstract: An apparatus for clamping an object includes a clamp with a first gripping element and a second gripping element that is connected by a pivot rod and includes a resilient element to maintain the clamp in closed position in the absence of applied pressure, and a release mechanism. An arm with a cable encased by a plurality of tubular, cone shaped segments is attached to the release mechanism, which is in turn attached to the clamp and includes either coil springs or bow springs for maintaining tension in the cable when the clamp is in a closed position, and for releasing tension in the cable when the clamp is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Christopher La Mendola
  • Patent number: 6516505
    Abstract: A hand powered tool for installing a removable fastener of the type having an elongated shaft, a fixed support and a plunger. The plunger is biased relative to the fixed support for installation and removal of the removable fastener in a pre-drilled hole of a workpiece by applying force to the plunger relative to the fixed support. The elongated shaft is operably connected to the plunger whereby movement of the plunger relative to the fixed support varies the diameter of the elongated shaft such that the diameter of the removable fastener can be decreased to permit insertion of the elongated shaft into the hole of the workpiece, and increased to prevent removal of the elongated shaft from the hole formed in the workpiece. The tool is provided with a barrel assembly, a fastener assembly and a handle assembly. The barrel assembly has an elongated barrel, and an anvil supported by the elongated barrel such that the anvil is movable in a first direction and a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: James D. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6517052
    Abstract: A system and method for use in the installation of cable between support poles and other structures is provided including brackets, support rollers, clamps, pins, and pulleys that are used to support, guide, and pull such cables during the installation process. The installation tools also allow for the securement of the communication cables to messenger cables which support the communication cables during mid-span runs. The system also utilizes a series of modular pulleys that allow for installation of the cable along pole lines including inside and outside corners. A rope is simply threaded through the various components and the cable is then pulled in using a standard winch, without the necessity of a lift truck that requires a worker to work for extended periods of time at an elevated height. Such installation practices as performed by the present invention allow copper and fiber-based communication cables to be installed safely to reference to the cable integrity as well as to the worker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Marvin Lake
  • Patent number: 6517053
    Abstract: Method and device for installing cables in ducts using a pressurized fluid, a fluid being applied which, under the operational pressure and operational temperature applied during the installation, is in a liquid state and which, under the ambient pressure and ambient temperature prevailing at the location of the installation, is in gaseous state. By applying such a fluid, the advantages of installing a cable using a liquid flow and using a gas flow may be combined, while the drawbacks respectively associated therewith are obviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke KPN N.V.
    Inventors: Willem Griffioen, Harm Geert Nobach
  • Patent number: 6517051
    Abstract: A vehicle tire saving system or device which includes blocks having a contoured surfaced sized and shaped to receive a particular size tire and evenly support an arched section of the tire to prevent crushing of the side wall of the tires during extended period of storage thereby eliminating or minimizing the occurrence of dry rot to the tires. The device or system could also be used as a jacking mechanism for tandem tire assemblies and as a stand system for elevating a portion of a vehicle while performing work such as changing the oil filter or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Michael A. Cavanaugh
  • Patent number: 6513789
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for short-term relining or construction of a blast furnace uses a grounding apparatus for grounding of ring-shaped blast furnace segments having shells and a casting floor present as a blast furnace floor for transferring the ring-shaped blocks or shells onto a foundation of the blast furnace, and capable of safely and precisely mounting the ring-like blocks on the casting floor, wherein the grounding apparatus is integrated with a jack system utilizing rod type lift jacks and a sliding apparatus installed with intermittently movable hydraulic cylinders for safe and precision mounting of the ring-shaped blocks or shells on the casting floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Kimura, Iwao Asada