Patents Examined by Michael J. Kyle
  • Patent number: 7069622
    Abstract: A hinge includes a tubular base part being attached to a main body or an open/closed body, a rotation body being attached to the main body or the open/closed body, which is not attached to the base part, and supported on side wall end parts of the base part opposed to each other for rotation, the rotation body having a cam part, a wedge body being reciprocatably housed in the base part and having a slope for coming in sliding contact with the cam part when the rotation body rotates, an elastic member being housed in the base part for urging the wedge body toward the side of the rotation body, a sliding contact face being formed on the side of the wedge body from a rotation axis of the rotation body on an inner wall of the base part and bent to a concave corresponding to a parallel move path of a line almost parallel with the rotation axis, and a sliding contact part being formed in the rotation body for coming in sliding contact with the sliding contact face when the rotation body rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Ohara, Yasushi Utsugi, So Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7059020
    Abstract: The invention concerns a hinge for doors and similar construction components. The hinge can be installed in a recess of a door frame, whereby the recess receives the hinge completely when the door is closed. In this way, the hinge will be completely invisible when the door is closed, and also inaccessible from the outside. This means that the hinge offers increased resistance against break-ins as well as an improved aesthetic appearance. In order to minimize the size of the required recess, the hinge flap that is nearest to the door frame incorporates a flat-angled curved profile, while the hinge flap (3) that is nearest to the door has a profile that encloses the hinge axis (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Harald Sitter
  • Patent number: 7059018
    Abstract: A pair of projection elements 42, 42 are formed on the opposite sides of an inner link 4. Each projection element 42 is formed with a cutout recess 42b. A fitting shaft part 72a, which is formed on each end of an abutment shaft 72, is inserted into the cutout recess 42b through an open part thereof and turnably fitted to a bottom part of the cutout recess 42b. A second abutment part 71c of a coiled spring 71 is abutted with an enlarged-diameter part 72b of the abutment shaft 72. The abutment shaft 72 is biased towards the bottom side of the cutout recess 43b from the open part side thereof by the coiled spring 71.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Koshikawa, Kazuyoshi Oshima
  • Patent number: 7059019
    Abstract: A Locking Device To Prevent Door Removal (10) is provided to prevent theft of a type of door having a hinge pin fixedly attached to the door and a hinge bracket bolted to the door frame housing with bolt holes extending into the door frame housing. The device replaces one of the standard bolts, used to secure the hinge bracket, with an Elongated Bolt (12). A Blocking Piece (20) with a Blocking Piece Through-Hole (38) is positioned over the Elongated Bolt (12) and locked in place with a Padlock (42). The Shackle (40) of the Padlock (42) extends through a Bolt Through-Hole (18) in the Elongated Bolt (12). The Blocking Piece (20) blocks the hinge pin from being lifted out of the hinge sleeve. The Padlock (42) both holds the Blocking Piece (20) against movement and prevents the Elongated Bolt (12) from being removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Gregory Lee Klingler
  • Patent number: 7055826
    Abstract: A seal and bearing assembly for use in rotating machinery of the type having a rotor which turns within a stationary housing. The rotor and housing define a seal cavity therein in which the seal and bearing assembly is positioned. The assembly comprises a first bearing race adapted for engagement with a rotating surface on the rotor or a stationary surface, a second race adapted for engagement with the other of the rotating or stationary surfaces, and a plurality of bearing elements disposed between the first and second races. A bearing cage may be used which defines a plurality of bearing openings therein disposed between the first and second races, wherein the bearing elements are disposed in the bearing openings. Preferably, the bearing elements are rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Dunrite Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Lands J. Stewart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7055220
    Abstract: Adjustable handle (1), of the type comprising an operating lever (2) ending into a cylindrical or prismatic body (3) inside which there is slidably mounted a tightening member (4) carrying a bushing or a stud (5), the cylindrical or prismatic body (3) and the tightening member (4) comprising fellow toothings (6) kept in reciprocal engagement by a spring (7), and a check element (8) onto which is imparted a pressure to overcome the action of the spring (7) and remove the engagement between said toothings (6). In said handle (1), said check element is in the form of a control push button (8), in one piece with the tightening member (4), said push button (8) incorporating a seat (9) accessible from its operating surface (10) to insert therein a mounting/removal tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: ELESA S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alberto Bertani
  • Patent number: 7051404
    Abstract: The self-locking hinge (24) includes a first plate (28) hingedly connected to a second plate (30). Fasteners (24) are provided on the plates to secure them to a member, such as a easel strut hinge (24) of picture frame back (20). A locking structure is connected to the first plate (28) and the second plate (30) for maintaining the second plate (30) in the substantially open position relative to the first plate (28). The locking hinge (24) includes a protrusion (36) on the first plate (28) that removably engages with a free edge (34) of the second plate (30). The hinge (24) also includes a structure for maintaining the second plate (30) in rotating arrangement with the first plate (28) when the plates (28, 30) are hingedly secured to one another in a rolled pinless fashion. Locking lugs (40) are used to maintained the second plate (30) rolled about the first plate (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Craft, Inc.
    Inventor: Armand E. Roy
  • Patent number: 7047600
    Abstract: An egress 4-bar hinge assembly having two load-bearing links that pivot about spaced-apart bearing pivot points, wherein an entire length of at least one of the links overlies a planar bearing surface. The two links include a cooperating interface selected to engage through only a portion of the respective range of motions. The hinge assembly includes a support extension to define the bearing surface, wherein the support extension can include an integral end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Advantage Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Patent number: 7047778
    Abstract: In some embodiments, lock assemblies are disclosed which have a housing, a barrel, and at least one tumbler. In some cases, the lock is codeable after the lock assembly has been assembled. Although not required, some embodiments can be re-coded to a new code with and without disassembling the lock assembly. The tumbler(s) can be pivotable, while in other embodiments the tumbler(s) move in a substantially linear fashion. The tumbler(s) can be comprised of two pieces or portions, wherein one piece/portion of the tumbler(s) either directly or indirectly engages the coded surface of a key while the other piece/portion is positionable to prevent rotation of the barrel with respect to the housing. In some embodiments, the tumblers are external to the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Dimig, Keith D. Zirtzlaff, Alan J. Ritz, Thomas J. Green, Scott H. Micoley, Scott G. Klos, Brian J. Munzel, Alexandre Y. Reikher, Lucas J. Boesel, Larry R. Grimmer, Russell J. Winberg
  • Patent number: 7048278
    Abstract: A compound sheet gasket which exhibits superior sealing durability to fretting is provided. The compound sheet gasket is mounted between a housing and a cover provided at an opening of the housing, and the friction coefficient of any one surface of a front surface adhered to the housing by the flexibility thereof and a rear surface adhered to the cover by the flexibility thereof, is set to be 1.15 times or more that of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nippon Leakless Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunori Murakami, Yoshiari Takagi, Takeshi Hiramatsu, Toshihiko Matsubara, deceased, Hiroko Matsubara, legal representative, Noriyuki Deguchi, Yoshiaki Hamada
  • Patent number: 7043798
    Abstract: A hinge device for a foldable apparatus includes first and second hinge sleeves (20, 70) connected respectively to two parts of the foldable apparatus, a spring member (30) received in the first hinge sleeve, a first disk (50) fitted untreatably into the first sleeve, a second disk (60) fitted unrotatably into the second sleeve and abutting the first disk, a pin (90) sandwiched between the first and second disk, and a shaft (10) combining the first and second hinge sleeves together. The first disk defines a receiving recess (511) to receive the pin. The second disk defines two engaging recesses (621, 622). By opening and closing motions of the foldable apparatus, the second disk rotates relative to the first disk so that the pin received in the receiving recess switchably moves with rotation from one engaging recess to the other engaging recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Fa Huang
  • Patent number: 7043795
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connector element to be used with curtain rails having a substantially inverted U-shaped cross-section with its legs being flanged inwards, said flanged legs at the bottom defining a longitudinal extending opening at both sides limited by raised supporting edges formed by the extremities of the flanged legs, for supporting curtain sliders. The connector element provides for a coupling of subsequent lengths of curtain rail in which it is provided for that at the transition, the curtain sliders project beyond the supporting edge and are forced to the middle, as a result of which the otherwise occurring shocking movement at the transition between abutting extremities of lengths of curtain rail is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Forest Group Nederland B.V.
    Inventor: Henricus Wilhelmus Frederikus Bosgoed
  • Patent number: 7028374
    Abstract: A coupling device (4) for detachable handles of the type that are fitted to pots, pans, utensils of various kinds or the like, comprising a support (5) having two coupling parts opposite to each other, of which a first part (6) comprises means for fixing to a gudgeon (2) or other similar coupling element integral with the pan (1) and a second part (7), opposite the previous one, comprises means designed to hold the end of a handle (3) or the like. Said means designed for coupling with the gudgeon comprise engaging and/or pressure clamping elements that act on said gudgeon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Maria Grazia Fiocco
  • Patent number: 7024728
    Abstract: An end cap for a supporting bracket having a multi bar linkage includes at least one reinforcing rib. The reinforcing rib extends along a seating portion of the end cap, which engages a track of the supporting bracket and along a length of an upstanding portion of the end cap. End caps configured for offset or inline supporting brackets can include the reinforcing ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Advantage Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Malcolm Muir
  • Patent number: 7017230
    Abstract: A safety buckle of a curtain comprises a curtain body and an upper beam; an auto slide-stop installed within the upper beam for controlling the curtain body to a predetermined position; and a control rope set having a first end and a second end which are at opposite sides. The first end is a rope and the second end. The safety buckle comprises a male pin having a body portion and a guide end. The body portion is positioned at a bottom of the guide end and is connected to a distal end of the rope. A female pin is firmly secured to the upper beam and has a pin seat. The pin seat is formed with a hollow guide hole. When the ropes are pulled, the male pin is separated from the female pin so that the upper beam and the ropes are in a safe state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Lewis Hyman, Inc.
    Inventor: Tzong-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 7017915
    Abstract: An improved seal arrangement in an assembly such as a valve assembly in which a compression member is provided to press a seal between the compression member and the valve body. In a preferred form, the compression member includes a recess which receives a first portion of the seal, and a second portion of the seal is disposed between the compression member and the valve body. In addition, a first inclined surface is provided in the recess of the compression member. The first inclined surface contacts a second inclined surface provided on the first portion of the seal. A third inclined surface on the compression member contacts a fourth inclined surface provided at a juncture between the first and second portions of the seal. Further, a fifth inclined surface is provided on the housing to contact a sixth inclined surface provided on the second portion of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Metso Automation USA Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Dorrian, David C. Bayreuther
  • Patent number: 7014192
    Abstract: A plurality of seal units are provided between a seal housing and a rotating shaft. An inside seal unit, an outside seal unit, and at least one pair of intermediate seal units are aligned in an axial direction. The inside seal unit contacts fluid to be sealed. The outside seal unit contacts the atmosphere. The intermediate seal units are located between the inside seal unit and the outside seal unit. A plurality of chambers are defined by each of seal units. An intermediate liquid is supplied to the chambers. A pressure in an inside chamber is maintained lower than a pressure of the fluid to be sealed in a machine. Pressures in second and third chambers are maintained equal to or higher than the pressure of the fluid to be sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Takahashi, Takashi Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 7013533
    Abstract: A grip for a cycle includes a cylindrical liner extending along a liner axis between a first and a second end. The cylindrical liner has at least two elongate slots extending axially along a lengthwise portion of the cylindrical liner, each elongate slot overlapping a lengthwise part of another elongate slot, the overlapping elongate slots being radially offset. An over molding overlies a lengthwise of the cylindrical liner. The elongate slots are preferably disposed in a first set of at least two elongate slots extending along a first axial line in the liner and a second set of at least two elongate slots extending along a second axial line in the liner. The first and second axial lines are radially offset and the first set of elongate slots overlaps the second set of elongate slots. A first elongate slot may intercept a first end of the cylindrical liner. A compression member is provided in operative association with a circumference of an axial segment of the cylindrical liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: SRAM Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne R. Lumpkin
  • Patent number: 7013529
    Abstract: A block and tackle sash balance assembly for providing a counterbalancing force to a sash window pivotally and slideably mounted within a sash window frame is disclosed. The assembly is adapted to disable the counterbalancing force responsive to pivoting of the sash window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: Dean Pettit, Mark Eenigenburg
  • Patent number: 7013532
    Abstract: A hinge includes a pintle in turn extending through a first sheet, a rotating ring, a second sheet, a positioning ring, an elastic ring, and a washer, and fastened by a collar at a distal end of the pintle. The hinge can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise and positioned at the angles of 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, ?90 degrees, and ?180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Nan Lu, Hsiang-Chi Chien