Patents Examined by P. W. Echols
  • Patent number: 6311382
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for installing door hinges on car bodies, whereby the actual opening width of the car door on the side frame receiving one or two car doors in the longitudinal car axis is touch-sensitively determined by means of a sensor in a direction X and the arrangement of the door hinges is adjusted in said direction X using a positioning system connected to the sensor by a cranking device, depending on the tolerance margin, which should be calculated so as to have at least vertically (direction Z) as uniform a slot width as possible once the car door is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Thyssen Krupp Technologies AG
    Inventor: Kurt Jäck
  • Patent number: 6308411
    Abstract: A sidewall skin is provided having a front edge, rear edge, top edge, and bottom edge, and a first exterior side and a second interior side. An inwardly directed front flange is provided along the front edge, and an inwardly directed flange is also provided along the top edge. The sidewall skin has a inwardly stepped transition region spaced rearwardly of the front edge. A rear corner is formed in the skin at a location forwardly of the rear edge and rearwardly of the transition region. A portion of the skin between the rear edge and rear corner forms part of the back wall of the truck cab. The sidewall skin is preferably adhesively secured to a sidewall framework with fasteners being virtually eliminated during the sidewall assembly process. The adhesive may be heat cured, which may involve a first partial heat curing step to provide the sidewall with handling strength followed by a second heat curing step. The second step is typically accomplished during curing of paint after a truck cab is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Freightliner LLC
    Inventors: Homer Franklin Wright, Jr., Edmond Kalstiantz, James Edward Hill
  • Patent number: 6308402
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are for use in the manufacture of self-sealing reinforcement tie rods for reinforcing HVAC ducts, of the type including an elongated threaded rod having fastened inwardly of each end thereof an abutment structure comprising an elongated hollow tubular body having a bore therethrough for coaxially receiving the rod, the tubular body having a longitudinally inwardly located tubular crown portion for attachment to the rod, and a longitudinally outwardly located, radial outwardly protruding annular flange portion for abutting and bracing a duct wall. The apparatus includes a work plate having in the upper surface thereof a slot having a lower wall which slopes downwardly and radially inwardly towards the center of the work plate, on which are positioned a single file line of abutment structures, flange down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventor: Stanley J. Ellis
  • Patent number: 6308393
    Abstract: The remote control assembly 10 is characterized by a terminal mechanism 34 including a tubular anchor member 36 slidably supported on a tubular fitting 22 extending from the conduit 14. The anchor member 36 is secured to the outer end 30 of a rod 26 extending form the core element 12 and is disposed in close sliding relationship about the tubular fitting 22. The terminal mechanism 34 also includes a tubular connector member 44 and a coil spring 46. The connector member 44 is in telescoping relationship with the anchor member 36 and the spring 46 biases the connector member 44 in an extending direction yet for provides lost motion between the rod 26 and the control member in response to a predetermined collapsing force. A resilient cushion 48 is disposed in the connector member 44 for cushioning collapsing movement of the connector member 44 over the anchor member 36.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Triumph Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Haynes, Ronnie Benditt
  • Patent number: 6305065
    Abstract: A method of assembling roof decking to an underlying substrate comprises the steps of providing a pin having a shank portion and a head portion having a predetermined diametrical extent, and a washer, having a central aperture, disposed upon the shank portion of the pin such that the washer has a diametrical extent which is substantially the same as that of the pin head so as to cooperate therewith in guiding the pin when the pin is axially driven through a drive bore of a fastener-driving tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Gilbert Olvera, George M. Velan
  • Patent number: 6305068
    Abstract: A continuous horizontal strip casting installation for producing a metal strip that can be coiled into a coil has a stationary draw-off unit with multiple draw-off rolls at a distance from a chill mold assigned to a furnace, a strip cutting unit which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the metal strip drawn out of the chill mold by the draw-off unit, and a coiling unit with coiling rolls, which can also be displaced in the same longitudinal direction. At least one draw-off roll and one coiling roll are driven in synchronization, and their drives are linked together by a programmable controller. The strip cutting unit is arranged between the draw-off unit and the coiling unit and is also linked to the programmable controller and is moved by the metal strip only when the strip is to be cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: KM Europa Metal AG
    Inventors: Anwar von Sroka, Hubertus Brüning, Hartmut Oelmann
  • Patent number: 6302971
    Abstract: A pulley useable with a driving belt in a continuously variable transmission, including a moveable pulley half having an integral cylinder portion integrally formed therewith by plastic working. The moveable pulley half includes an axially extending hollow shaft portion, a radially outwardly extending flange portion having a contact surface frictionally contacted with the driving belt, and the integral cylinder portion axially extending at near an outer peripheral portion of the flange portion. The plastic working includes forming a workpiece, machining the workpiece, spinning the workpiece to form the integral cylinder portion, heat-treating the workpiece and finishing the workpiece to complete the moveable pulley half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yujiro Ohara, Fumitaka Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6301770
    Abstract: Coated articles having optically useful reflective properties suitable for manufacture of components of lighting fixtures and the like including parabolic louvers utilized as primary elements of fluorescent parabolic troffer lighting fixtures, the invention provides light sheets formed of said coated articles and used in the manufacture of lighting fixtures, the reflective lighting components formed from said light sheets and the coated articles including the coatings utilized for coating optically reflective substrates according to the invention. The coated articles are formed of reflective substrates and particularly polished metal substrates having reflectance values within a predetermined useful range, the substrates being coated preferably with a thin polymeric coating wherein the base polymer is polyester, polycarbonate, epoxy, acrylic, acrylate, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: George McIlwraith
  • Patent number: 6301771
    Abstract: The chassis includes at least one support surface capable of receiving a boot and at least one lateral flange to which the gliding member(s) is (are) attached, as well as at least one stiffening rib obtained on at least one of the flanges by pressing. The manufacturing method includes the steps of cutting in a metallic sheet a form corresponding substantially to the completed form of at least one portion of the chassis, and obtaining at least one stiffening rib by pressing in the portion of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: Louis Benoit
  • Patent number: 6301766
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus employing an ultra high-pressure fluid pulse to perform metal working operations, including joining and cold working. In one application, an ultra high-pressure fluid pulse is directed into a hollow rivet that is seated within an orifice formed in two metal sheets, causing the fastener to expand outwardly, in an interference fit with the orifice that joins the metal sheets together. The ultra high-pressure fluid pulse can alternatively be applied to the metal sheets to plastically deform them into a cavity to form a clinch fastener joint. Further, the ultra high-pressure fluid pulse is usable to plastically deform the interface between stacked metal sheets or other components into surface features that are provided on one of the sheets, to form a mechanical interlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Tempress Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack J. Kollé
  • Patent number: 6301782
    Abstract: The timing gear device or structure (26) has a pair of timing gears (28, 30) mounted on parallel rotating shafts (22, 24). Each timing gear (28, 30) has an outer gear portion (32) and a concentric interfitting inner gear portion (34). Outer gear portions (34) have teeth (48) which intermesh to transmit torque from drive shaft (22) to driven shaft (24). Each concentric inner gear portion (34) has longitudinally extending splines (44) in meshing relation with splines (46) on the inner periphery of outer gear portion (32). As shown in particular in FIGS. 5-8, the timing gears can be replaced by timing structure (26) by angular alignment or indexing of driven shaft (24) with inner gear portion (34) secured thereto while outer concentric gear portion (32) is removed. For indexing, drive shaft (22) is fixed and timing gear (28) is mounted thereon by key (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Morris G. Jacks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6301765
    Abstract: A method and a device for manufacturing a hollow body from two plates, which are placed against one another and inserted into an internal high pressure forming tool. After the forming tool is closed, a fluid is introduced under high pressure between the plates by way of an expansion lance inserted between the plates. The plates are expanded until they abut the interior surfaces of the forming tool that match the shape of the hollow body. To achieve a process-reliable manufacture of the hollow body, the plates, before any internal high pressure is developed, are pinched in the thickness direction along the circumference of the opening that surrounds the inserted expansion lance by cooperation between the dies of the forming tool and the circumferential contour of the expansion lance that is oversize relative to the location between the plates at which the expansion lance is introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Arns, Arndt Birkert, Matthias Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6298539
    Abstract: The breakdown services have many task involving the unlocking of automobile doors. The problem is normally solved by pressing a wedge-shaped element down between the door window and the rubber sealing strip which abuts against the window, whereby access can be gained for the insertion of an unlocking tool without having to remove the sealing stip. However, the downwards insertion of the wedge-shaped element can give rise to damage to the sealing strip. This is avoided with the process according to the invention, in that instead of the wedge, use is made of a flat, inflatable pillow element of flexible, distensible material. The flat pillow element is easy to insert downwards, and by a subsequent inflation it will press directly outwards on the sealing list without at the same time scraping against the list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Claus Hornstrup Dissing
  • Patent number: 6295732
    Abstract: A jewelry ring assembly includes a base ring having an annular channel on its outer surface and a retained ring disposed in that channel to be freely rotatable about the base ring and capable of wobbling in the channel. The base ring is a single piece of metal and its retaining channel is smoothly concave in width between raised annular edges. The base ring is formed from a cylindrical blank initially having a constant outside diameter across its width, which diameter is smaller than the retained ring inside diameter. The method of fabricating the ring assembly begins with flaring one edge radially outward to a final diameter larger than the retained ring inside diameter. The retained ring is moved over the unflared edge, after which that edge is also flared to the final diameter. Enlarging the annular edges in separate steps permits the base ring to be formed from a single piece of metal while presenting a retaining channel having a smooth concave width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Gabriel D. Ofiesh, II
  • Patent number: 6293895
    Abstract: A transfer roller is used in an electrophotographic printer. The transfer roller rotates in contact with a rotating photoconductive drum with a print medium travelling therebetween. The transfer roller has a metal shaft around which a rubber roller is formed. The rubber roller is sponge-like and electrically semiconductive. The rubber roller is covered with a resin tube which has a lower layer formed on the rubber roller and an upper layer formed on the lower layer. One of the upper and lower layers has a higher sealing effect than the other of the upper and lower layers, and the other of the upper and lower layers has a higher stability of electrical resistance than the one of the upper and lower layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Koyama, Hirokazu Ando, Satoru Furuya
  • Patent number: 6293016
    Abstract: Opposite ends of the central section of an armament support plank structure are secured to the floor area of an aircraft cabin area, in a load transfer relationship with an underfloor support beam, by securing a skin doubler member to the support beam and replacing a portion of an existing floor panel which overlies the support beam with a specially designed apertured plank mounting plate which pivotally receives mounting struts. When it is desired to operatively mount the support plank structure on the cabin floor area, the struts are pivoted upwardly relative to their associated mounting plate and secured to the opposite ends of the central support plank section. Armament loads on the opposite ends of the central support plank section are efficiently transferred to the underlying, skin doubler-reinforced support beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Paul H. Sanderson
  • Patent number: 6292997
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed by which wooden railroad ties are pre-plated prior to use in constructing and/or repairing railroad lines. Methodology disclosed comprises placing two plates on top of each of a succession of wooden ties, temporarily positioning disclosed one of the two plates on each tie with a distance or spacer template temporarily clamping the two plates accurately to the tie using a jig, starting a field spike and a gauge spike (usually with one or more sledge hammers) into each wooden tie through the selected apertures in each plate, and further driving the started spikes into the associated tie (usually using a jackhammer). Typically, the field spike is located outside the field flange of the plate and is driven until the head of the spike is contiguous with the plate. Typically, the gauge spike is displaced through an aperture in the gauge flange of the plate until the head is about 1½ inches above the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventors: Robert Ollendick, David Ollendick
  • Patent number: 6289572
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement including a sealing ring with a support ring extending substantially in a radial direction. The support ring is joined in the radial direction to a first sealing element that lies in contact with and is nonrotatable with respect to a first machine element to form a static seal. The support ring is also joined in the radial direction to a second sealing element that is placed against a second machine element rotatably with respect to the second machine element to create a dynamic seal. The first and second sealing elements are each made of an elastomeric material, and the sealing ring has, in order to sense rotational movements of the first machine element about its axis, at least one auxiliary device that can move past a rotational speed sensor. The auxiliary device can be a multipole ring made of a pasty, hardenable, and magnetizable material that is arranged as a intermediate layer of film-like thinness on the side of the support ring facing the rotational speed sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Berthold Lannert, Hans-Gerd Eckel, Horst Kober, Stefan Burger
  • Patent number: 6289571
    Abstract: In a manufacturing of an anti-vibration device comprising, an elastic member 3 of a generally truncated cone shape when viewed from a side, a first mounting member 1 is connected to an upper portion thereof, a second mounting member 2 is connected to a lower portion thereof, a stopper projection 12 projects from the first mounting member 1 to a side portion to be capable to abut a half round side portion of the elastic member 3, and a stopper metal member 35 extends from the second mounting member 2 through an outside of the stopper projection 12 to cover the about half round side portion of the elastic member 3 to the first mounting member 1 side with a stopper receiving portion 36 by bending an apex portion thereof to superpose on the stopper projection 12 with a specified gap. The stopper receiving portion 36 can be formed by caulking or the like after the molding the elastic member 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Yamashita Rubber Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shougo Ozawa, Yuuji Mutou, Toyoji Shimokawa, Kazutoshi Satori
  • Patent number: 6289586
    Abstract: Manufacturing a drive system with a mating gear set with substantially reduced gear axis misalignment drive motion non-uniformity error with half-crowned gear teeth, crowned on only one side, to allow for simple and low cost gear molding, but with the mating gears mounted to oppositely mesh their respectively half-crowned sides. The amount of crowning may be in the range of approximately 75-100 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Casella, Robert E. Hildebrand, Anthony G. Poletto