Patents Examined by P. W. Echols
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Patent number: 6138355Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle wheel includes the steps of providing a wheel rim and a spider and positioning the wheel rim and the spider adjacent each other. The wheel rim and the spider are then friction welded to each other. Subsequently, a portion of the spider is locked down onto the wheel rim by electromagnetic forming. Preferably, one end of the rim is positioned in a cavity formed in the spider. During friction welding, the upset material of the rim fills the cavity of the spider. Subsequently, while the metal is still relatively fluid, a flange of the spider is locked down onto the wheel rim by electromagnetic forming to secure the wheel rim and spider together.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1998Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Inventor: John R. Grassi
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Patent number: 6139256Abstract: Conventional gas compressors use dry gas sealing arrangements mounted on a shaft of the gas compressor. Functionally, for the dry gas sealing arrangement to properly seal, the concentricity of shaft and the dry gas sealing arrangement must be maintained at a close tolerance. Past assembly techniques have failed to mount such dry gas sealing arrangement to the shaft in an effective and efficient manner to control the concentricity during operation. The present method and apparatus for controlling the concentricity of a member with a centering device effectively and efficiently controls the concentricity between the member and the shaft. The structure of the centering device includes a first cylindrical portion, a second cylindrical portion and a transition portion. The first cylindrical portion is cantilevered about the shaft and centers a first end of the member. The second cylindrical portion and the transition portion form a mid-support for a second end of said member.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1997Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Solar Turbines IncorporatedInventors: Jess L. Freeman, Donald E. Johnson
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Patent number: 6139097Abstract: A method of manufacturing a no slip bicycle saddle, or the like includes the steps of providing a bicycle seat shell, cutting a fabric to a size and shape suitable for covering the bicycle seat shell and forming a pressure plate having concavities on one side thereof disposed in a selected pattern, the selected pattern corresponding to a desired pattern of plastic material to be applied to the fabric. Fluid communication between each concavity and a supply of fluid plastic material. The cut fabric is then disposed on a bed and the pressure plate is forced against the cut fabric and bed to form a seal between the concavities. Fluid plastic material is then forced through the concavities and into the cut fabric disposed under each concavity to form the desired pattern on the cut fabric. Thereafter, the fluid plastic material is allowed to solidify and adhere to the fabric, and the pressure plate is separated from the cut fabric leaving a friction surface on the fabric.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1997Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Inventor: Paul M. Yates
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Patent number: 6139788Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for manufacturing a ball joint composed of a ball-ended spindle (1), bearing shell (2) and socket, provided with a sealing boot (4) arranged between the socket and ball-ended spindle (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, by means of extrusion coating, with plastic in a split injection mold (6) the ball-ended spindle (1) provided with a bearing shell (2) placed on the ball (11). In order to create a ball joint which can withstand high stress and limit the assembly work required to complete the same, the housing-side opening bead (41) of the sealing boot (4) is positioned on the bearing shell (2), before loading the ball-ended spindle (1) in the injection mold (6), and is located between the bearing shell (2) and housing (3) by means of an extrusion coating.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1996Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: TRW Fahrwerksysteme GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Christoph Dorr
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Patent number: 6134766Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a cable-like element in a pipe by securing a buoyant element to the one cable-like element, the weight and buoyancy of the buoyant element and the cable-like element being matched with a fluid flowing agent so that the cable-like element is substantially buoyant in the fluid flowing agent; generating a flow of the fluid flowing agent in a pipe in a selected direction; and introducing the cable-like element with the buoyant element secured thereto into the flow of the flowing agent in the pipe so that the cable-like element is moved in the selected direction within the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1998Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Inventor: Thomas M. Sievert
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Patent number: 6134767Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for embedding connection elements in a wall. The connection elements (14, 34, 50) exhibit in each case a punch-like section. The punch-like section pierces the wall (22) based on the influence of a shearing force (Fs), wherein the shearing force (Fs) opposes the pressure force (Fd) of an internal high pressure acting on the wall (2). The punch-like section remains in the wall (2) after piercing the wall (2). A wide range of connection possibilities and a high connection loadability is thereby guaranteed at a low expenditure.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1998Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Meleghy Hydroforming GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Bernd Schulze
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Patent number: 6134769Abstract: The rubber plug fitting apparatus includes a temporary receiver (4) disposed after the feeder (3); a rubber plug holder (5) pivotable 90 degrees by a first drive means (29); a transfer pin (7) for transferring the rubber plug (2) to the holder (5); a wire guide (11) disposed opposite the holder (5) when the latter is pivotated 90 degrees with the rubber plug held therein, which supports a wire (9); a second drive means (37) for moving the holder in a rubber plug fitting direction; and a third drive means (36) for moving the guide (11) in the same direction. A waterproofing rubber plug is reliably fitted over a wire with high positional accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1999Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Yukinori Takano, Mitsuru Yoshikawa, Akira Sugiyama
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Patent number: 6134786Abstract: Gears, particularly spur gears, are produced by powder metal techniques with minimal lead line error and eccentricity, which gears are preformed from powder metal, sintered, hardened and thereafter have their involute surfaces regenerated by a hard hob with a negative rake on the hob teeth to provide gears having aligned involute surfaces between adjacent gear teeth and, between each gear tooth and the gear center line.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1999Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Amsted Industries IncorporatedInventors: Scott D. Graupner, John Engquist, Steven T. Haye
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Patent number: 6134771Abstract: An electronic part in which insulating tape is adhered to lead terminals which extend from an electronic part unit so that a pitch between the terminals can remain stable and constant. The insulating tape is adhered to portions of the lead terminals in a vicinity of the unit from both sides such that the tape is placed with the terminals therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1996Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshikazu Nakamura, Takashi Shikama
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Patent number: 6131267Abstract: The encapsulated transducer (10) includes an injection molded encapsulation (20) having a front end (22) and a back end (24). The encapsulation (20) ensconces a sensing element (40) proximate the front end (22) and a portion of a cable (60) which extends from the back end (24). The sensing element or coil (40) is electrically and mechanically connected to the cable (60) by a pair of suitably sized front and rear ferrules (80), (90) secured to a center and coaxial conductor (66), (70) of the associated cable (60) thereby forming a coil and cable assembly (110). At least the rear ferrule (90) includes a shoulder (100) for firmly anchoring the coil and cable assembly (110) within the encapsulation (20). In addition an injection molding process provides the durable encapsulation (20) which bonds with a dielectric (68) of the cable (60) and symmetrically locks the coil and cable assembly (110) therein.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1998Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Bently Nevada CorporationInventor: Dave Van Den Berg
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Patent number: 6132293Abstract: A method of removing the binder phase from the surface of a hard material body consisting of hard constituents in a binder phase based on cobalt and/or nickel and with a binder phase enriched surface zone is disclosed. By carrying out a blasting process using particles with a size of 400-1500 mesh, a favorable combination of even removal of the cobalt layer, essentially no damage to the carbide grains and reasonable blasting time is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1993Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Sandvik ABInventors: Peter Littecke, Anders Jonsson
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Patent number: 6128811Abstract: An apron forming apparatus and method for bending and joining the ends of a pair of apron half segments includes a series of four apron support surfaces lying in a common plane. A clamping arrangement is mounted on each of the apron support surfaces for selectively clamping an apron half segment. A bending arrangement is secured to each of the apron support surfaces for selectively bending an apron half segment. Each of the apron half segments is disposed between a clamping arrangement and a bending arrangement on a pair of apron support surfaces such that the apron half segments lie substantially parallel to each other. Each of the bending arrangements is movable into engagement with an apron half segment to bend the apron half segment such that the ends of one bent apron half segment are placed in overlapping relationship with the ends of the other bent apron half segment.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1998Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Assignee: Krueger International, IncInventors: James D. Panzer, Daniel R. Lindgren
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Patent number: 6125524Abstract: The present invention relates to a rivetable element or fastener which comprises a shaft or barrel portion and an integral head portion which can be permanently affixed in a sheet metal part or panel by riveting, an assembly comprising a sheet metal part or panel and the riveting element, a method for the manufacture of the assembly, and a die specifically designed for forming the fastener and panel assembly. The underside of the head portion adjacent the shaft or barrel portion includes an out annular contact surface and an inner riveting portion which includes a plurality of spaced shallow pocket or closed fields which entrap the panel metal during installation. The shaft or barrel portion includes at least one depression based from the plane of the contact surface which, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a spiral thread.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1996Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Multifastener CorporationInventor: Rudolf R. M. Mueller
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Patent number: 6125528Abstract: An electric motor housing is made by press-forming a composite material on a metal cylinder and machining passages in the press-formed material. This reduces weight, reduces motor vibration transmission, increases mechanical damping, improves corrosion resistance and improves electrical performance.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1998Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Electric Boat CorporationInventors: Piet Van Dine, Vladimir Odessky, Brian E. Spencer, James S. Smith, William R. Harring
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Patent number: 6125539Abstract: A process for producing a vibration isolator. The process involves steps of forming an intermediate product including an axial member, an outside member having a cylinder-shaped portion and a rubber elastic member, and drawing the cylinder-shaped portion with a drawing apparatus provided with a drawing hole at least by pressing the cylinder-shaped portion into the drawing hole. The drawing hole has a predetermined dimensional diameter being smaller than an outer peripheral diameter of the cylinder-shaped portion. Thus, the cylinder-shaped portion is reduced diametrically to plastically deform. The production process can obviate the conventional pressed-in construction in which metallic members contact with each other, can make the manufacture of the vibration isolator easy, and can reduce the manufacturing cost.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1999Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Showa Aluminum CorporationInventors: Yuichi Ogawa, Rentaro Kato, Naoki Nishikawa, Masatoshi Enomoto, Shoichi Satoh
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Patent number: 6119324Abstract: An apparatus and process for forming a discontinuous slot, recess or other such opening of predetermined size and location in an extrusion section, such as a window jamb liner. The apparatus includes a cutting or shaping device mounted on or closely adjacent an extruding die, such device including a tip movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the tip engages the extrusion as the extrusion is formed and leaves the die, to thereby slit or otherwise remove a strip or other predetermined amount of material from the extrusion and thus form a recess or opening. As the cutter-like member is extended into or retracted from the extrusion, the tip of the cutterlike member shears the extrusion cross-wise to form an opening which may form an end of a slot and the length of time the tip remains in such contact with the extrusion determines the slots length.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1996Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: Newell Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Jack E. Suess
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Patent number: 6115920Abstract: In forming a multi-grooved V pulley by roll forming, a preliminary forming method is disclosed for preventing the occurrence of a top roll accompanied by a crack along each annular ridge of the pulley. A preliminary form roller is pressed against an annular material to fabricate a preliminary form having, in a sectional view, a corrugation including linear flat root portions and ridges alternating with them on the bottom surface of a wide annular groove. Next, a finish form roller having a plurality of annular V-shaped protrusions is pressed against the linear flat root portions of the preliminary form to thereby finish roll the preliminary form. The forward end of each V-shaped protrusion is kept off from the slopes of the corrugation ridges, and therefore is not broken under a bending moment.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1999Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Shohara, Mitsunori Adachi, Haruo Suzuki, Yasuji Kasuya
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Patent number: 6112398Abstract: A rotatable vehicle brake component having integrally formed teeth adapted for use with a sensor of an anti-lock brake system is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1999Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Meritor Automotive, Inc.Inventor: Paul R. Messina
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Patent number: 6112397Abstract: Disclosed is a method of applying torque to a CPU fan unit. One embodiment of the method comprises providing a tool having two mounting pins adjustably positioned along a common axis. The position of the mounting pins is then adjusted so that the mounting pins are positioned to engage the CPU fan unit. The pins are then engaged with the fan unit, and the tool is rotated to apply torque to the fan unit, such as for tightening onto a mounting structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1997Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Micron Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Craig L. Boe
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Patent number: 6108887Abstract: A sequence of manufacturing operations performed to manufacture products (22) may be analyzed and modified, as appropriate, by first encoding the operations into tokens, each indicative of a separate operation (and its attributes). The tokens are then assembled into strings, each representing the operations on an individual product. A pattern scanner and recognizer (26) reads each string to recognize whether one or more prescribed token patterns are present. Based on the token patterns that are recognized, a rule is established representing a variation in the sequence of manufacturing operations. After the rule is established, the sequence of manufacturing operations is modified accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1997Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Satyanarayan Rao Ponamgi, Gary M. Selzer