Patents Examined by Randy Gibson
  • Patent number: 6680852
    Abstract: A method of color-coding a blade and a bladed system is disclosed. The bladed system has a plurality of slots. In particular, the method facilitates selecting at least one slot for inserting therein the blade. One of a plurality of core colors is associated with each slot of the bladed system, whereas each core color indicates which type of blade can be inserted in the corresponding slot. One of the core colors is associated with the blade. In the bladed system, a slot which has an associated core color which matches the core color of the blade is selected. The blade is inserted in the selected slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael Wortman
  • Patent number: 6677539
    Abstract: A load sensor is assembled by screwing a nut on a bolt, sequentially fitting a washer and a tube spacer on the bolt, fitting a bore of a strain-generating member on the tube spacer, fitting another washer on the bolt, tightening another nut, and clamping a bobbin-shaped unit composed of the washers and the tube spacer between the nuts in the axial direction of the bolt. Since the strain-generating member having a thickness less than the height of a strain-generating member holding space formed between the washers is placed in the space with some clearance, even when the washers are fixed to the bolt by a strong pressing force, the pressing force will not directly act on the strain-generating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Akito Miura, Koichi Takahashi, Kunio Shimbo, Hiroshi Aoki
  • Patent number: 6677538
    Abstract: A vehicle weight classification system recognizes the various factors that influence system performance. Some of the factors are compensated for using analog signal processing circuitry or techniques. Other factors are compensated for using digital signal processing techniques. The unique combination of analog and digital approaches, rather than pure analog or pure digital, provides an effective solution at addressing the various factors that influence signals and system performance in a vehicle weight classification system while keeping the cost and complexity of the system within acceptable limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Charles R. Cook, Jr., Daniel Reich, Scott Morell, Horst Belau, Marten Swart, Harald Lichtinger
  • Patent number: 6677540
    Abstract: Personal weighing scales comprise a load platform (2) made of a plate-like material, a mechanism (4) for measuring the load bearing on the platform (2), a frame (3) for supporting the mechanism, and support devices in the form of appendages (15) fixed to the load platform (2) on the side facing the mechanism and bearing on the mechanism in order to transmit thereto the load bearing on the platform (2); connectors between the platform and the frame comprise at least one elongate element (16a, 16b) having a first end connected to the frame (3) and a second, opposite end connected directly to the corresponding appendage (15) so as to prevent detachment of the load platform (2) from the frame (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Laica S.r.l.
    Inventor: Maurizio Moretto
  • Patent number: 6678171
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for at least one array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) comprises at least one metal circuit board and mounting bracket. The circuit board has one or more LEDs attached to it and at least one first engaging opening and at least one second engaging opening formed through the circuit board. The first engaging opening is key shaped with a larger portion and a narrowed elongated portion so that engaging surfaces are formed adjacent opposite edges of the narrowed portion. The mounting bracket is formed of a electrically non-conducting material such as plastic with at least one first engaging tab and at least one second engaging tab formed thereon. The first engaging tab is configured to have a narrow portion and a larger portion connected to the outward end of the narrow portion so that there is a gap formed between the edges of the larger portion and the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Guide Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin R. Drews, Michael W. Beeler, Ernest W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6674022
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for automatically transferring and weighing a powder material. The apparatus comprises a weigh station including a device for weighing the powder material in a container. A transfer device for collecting and dispensing the powder material is provided in which the device has a hollow body having a first end and a second end. The first end being operatively connected to a vacuum source so that a vacuum is selectively formed in the body. A collecting/dispensing tip is detachably coupled to the second end of the body. The tip is a hollow member with a tip orifice at one end so that a vacuum is formed in the tip upon actuation of the vacuum source. A controller for causing the selective actuation of the vacuum source and movement of at least one of the transfer device and the container is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam M. Fermier, John Troisi, James V. Weber
  • Patent number: 6674021
    Abstract: A combination weighing apparatus is constituted by a plurality of hopper supporting arms (100) protruding to an external portion from a casing having a plurality of drive sources (63) in an inner portion thereof and sealing opening and closing operation driving mechanisms (116) for transmitting a drive force from the drive sources (63) in inner portions thereof, a plurality of hoppers (130) attached to front ends of a plurality of hopper supporting arms (100), having receiving ports for subjects to be weighed at upper ends and having discharge ports with rotatable opening and closing lids (147) at lower ends, couplings respectively mounted to the opening and closing lids (147), and opening and closing operation driving bodies exposing to outer surfaces of the hopper attaching portions at the front ends of the hopper supporting arms (100), driven by the opening and closing operation driving mechanisms (116), and opening and closing the opening and closing lids (147) engaged with the couplings due to the attach
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Anritsu Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Tanaka, Nobuyuki Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 6674023
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the weight of each axle of a plurality of rail cars of a railroad train passing over a selected section of a railroad track. The apparatus embodies a measuring device that, when mounted to the selected section of the railroad track, measures strain induced in a portion of the track as the rail car passes over that portion of the track to produce an electrical output which is precisely proportional to the load imposed on the portion of the track as each axle of the rail car passes over the portion of the track. The measuring device of the interfaces with a remotely located data processing subassembly that receives the output from the strain gauges and precisely determines the axle weight therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Alan Paine
  • Patent number: 6674019
    Abstract: A display and operating element (1) for an electronic scale with a display area (2, 3) in which the weighing results and values, parameters or selection lists can be displayed for user prompting either separated spatially or in succession over time, and having at least one button (6-8) for operating the scale. The display and operating element (1) has a rotary knob (4) on one side that turns in both directions to cause the values, parameters or marked areas of the selection list displayed in the display area (3) to change in one or the other direction. A button (5) is assigned to the rotary knob (4) as an acknowledgement button. Operation of this acknowledgement button (5) causes the value, parameter and marked area of the selection list selected using the rotary knob (4) to be accepted into the electronic evaluation unit of the scale. Accordingly, simple and fast setting of values and/or parameters and a fast selection of a specific item from a selection list can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sartorius Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Oldendorf, Rolf Dix, Axel Taube
  • Patent number: 6671186
    Abstract: An EMI shield that utilizes a waveguide structure in which all or part of the air flow opening has a non-uniform three dimensional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Dale R Kopf
  • Patent number: 6671174
    Abstract: A surge protector block assembly includes a plurality of individual 5-pin housing units which are formed integrally together. Each of the plurality of individual housing units has a plurality of surface mountable socket contacts for receiving corresponding pins of a surge protector module. A single and/or multi-layer printed circuit board is provided with a plurality of solder pads. Each of the plurality of individual housing units is surface mounted onto the solder pads of the single and/or multi-layer printed circuit board for electrical connection to corresponding ones of the plurality of the socket contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Heidorn
  • Patent number: 6670560
    Abstract: A sensor assembly is used to measure the weight of an occupant seated on a vehicle seat. The sensor assembly is integrated into a bracket that is mounted between a seat structure such as a track assembly and a vehicle structure such as floor or riser. One bracket is mounted on an inboard side of the seat and a second bracket is mounted on an outboard side of the seat. Each bracket includes opposing end mounts that are mounted to the vehicle structure. Between the opposing ends, each bracket includes a pair of deflectable portions that define a mount interface for attachment to the seat structure. A central body extends between the deflectable portions to form unitary bracket member that includes the end mounts, the deflectable portions and the central body. A strain gage is mounted on each deflectable portion to measure the weight of the seat occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Brian M. Curtis
  • Patent number: 6667444
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the weight of a flowable material in a vessel, which includes a support and a deformable member attached to the support. The deformable member includes a deformation measuring device to detect the extent of deformation caused by the flowable material as the material flows through the deformable member. The deformable member determines the weight of the flowable materials flowing into or out of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: De Montfort Expertise Limited
    Inventor: David Armitage
  • Patent number: 6667445
    Abstract: A hydraulic weighing machine includes a base, a weighing platform, an expandable bag, an upright stand, and a vertically extending weight scale. The expandable bag is disposed on a load bearing side of the base, and supports the weighing platform thereon. The bag is filled with a liquid body. When pressure is applied on top of the weighing platform, the bag will be pressed, and the liquid body in the bag will be forced to flow into a transparent tube of the weight scale so that the liquid level in the latter rises accordingly. Thus, an indication of the weight value corresponding to the amount of the applied pressure can be obtained from graduations of the weight scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Jiin-Lung Chang
  • Patent number: 6657869
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metal housing 1, especially for an airbag control device, comprising a bottom plate and a cover plate, a rear wall and two side walls 5, 6, having mounting elements in the interior of the housing for at least one printed circuit board, and with a terminal element arranged at the front side of the housing for at least one connection element. According to the invention, the bottom—and/or the cover plate is/are connected with an installation plate 22, 23 which is attachable to a support. In this arrangement, projections are being utilized which are embeddable in and can be pressed into recesses of the installation plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignees: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG, Alutec Metallwaren GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Ralph Linke, Georg Mascha, Willy Kretz
  • Patent number: 6657138
    Abstract: An electronic weighing sensor (10) having a digital signal processing unit (19), which includes at least one filter (12) with low-pass characteristic. By means of the filter (12), the direct-current component (m) is determined from the output signal of the weighing sensor and the weighing result is derived therefrom. A signal, which is dependent on the amplitude of the vibrations, is determined by the digital signal processing unit (19) and electronic components (18) change the direct-current component (m) as a function of the magnitude of the vibration-dependent signal. This significantly improves the performance of the weighing sensor (10) with respect to shocks and vibrations in the installation site of the weighing sensor (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Sartorius AG
    Inventors: Alfred Klauer, Joerg Peter Martens
  • Patent number: 6653577
    Abstract: Vehicle seat structure including a seat defining a surface contacting an occupying item, slide mechanisms coupled to the seat for enabling movement of the seat and support members for supporting the seat on the slide mechanisms such that weight of the occupying item passes through the support members. At least one support member has a region with a stiffness lower than the stiffness of a remaining region thereof. A strain gage measurement system generates a signal indicative of the weight of the occupying item and includes at least one strain gage transducer arranged in the lower stiffness region of the support member to measure strain thereof. The lower stiffness region can have a smaller outer circumference than a circumference of the remaining region of the support member and/or at least one aperture extends partially across the circumference of the support member to thereby define the lower stiffness region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies
    Inventors: David S. Breed, Wilbur E. DuVall, Wendell C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6653578
    Abstract: Continuous, uninterrupted rails for trains and the like having weight measuring sections. Weighing ties replace normal ties under the rails in the weight measuring sections. The weighing ties are of the same height, width, and external contour as the normal ties. The weighing ties include weighing cells that can be laterally adjusted to accommodate various rail gauges. The weighing ties include a housing made of steel plate with a floor, sides, and a top with an opening therein. The weighing cells protrude through the openings in the housings to support the rails in the weight measuring section. Transverse force sensors are also provided in transverse holes in both ends of the weight measuring sections of the rails to determine the power shunt. The weighing cells and transverse force sensors are prefabricated and calibrated to improve accuracy and durability of the weighing cells and force sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Pfister Waagen Bilanciai GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Gassmann, Joachim Hose von Wolfframsdorff
  • Patent number: 6652138
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the surface temperatures of wire-bonded semiconductor devices and the like for preparing thermal maps include a conventional ultrasonic wire bonding machine adapted for mounting a fluorescence-decay temperature sensor in the capillary holder. A trigger box circuit is provided to trigger a temperature measurement based on initiation of an electrical voltage signal from the ultrasonic wire bonding controller. A computer is provided for coordinating the stage control and temperature measurements, and for collating and plotting the temperature, time and location indications as thermal maps and other displayed/printed correlations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig T. Clyne
  • Patent number: 6651353
    Abstract: A rail alignment system for locating a first end piece and a second end piece of a first rail section and a second rail section. The rail alignment system comprises (a) a first rail alignment tool for engaging and applying force to said first rail section; and (b) a second rail alignment tool for engaging and applying force to said second rail section. The first rail alignment tool includes: (1) a planar plate for extending transversely beneath said first rail section; (2) a pair of block members, each secured to said planar plate and each defining a threaded cavity which is substantially orthogonal to said first rail section and which are aligned with one another; (3) a pair of externally threaded bolts, each adapted for engaging one of said threaded cavities of said pair of block members; and (4) a pair of contoured rail engagement end pieces, each secured to an inner terminating portion of said pair of externally threaded bolts for engaging said first rail section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company
    Inventors: Donald G. Evans, Charles V. Blackwell, Terry E. Turner, Bobby L. Smith