Patents Examined by Scott L. Lowe
  • Patent number: 5579898
    Abstract: A three-layer heat-resistant material is disclosed which includes a substrate of a carbon fiber-reinforced carbon composite, an outer metal layer and a ceramic layer interposed between the substrate and the metal layer. A conveyer belt using the heat-resistant material is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Across Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Nakagawa, Masaharu Tachibana
  • Patent number: 5573090
    Abstract: A roadway-powered electric vehicle (RPEV) system includes: (1) an all-electric vehicle; and (2) a roadway network over which the vehicle travels. The all-electric vehicle has one or more onboard energy storage elements or devices that can be rapidly charged or energized with energy obtained from an electrical current, such as a network of electromechanical batteries. The electric vehicle further includes an on-board controller that extracts energy from the energy storage elements, as needed, and converts such extracted energy to electrical power used to propel the electric vehicle. The energy storage elements may be charged while the vehicle is in operation. The charging occurs through a network of power coupling elements, e.g., coils, embedded in the roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: H. R. Ross Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard R. Ross
  • Patent number: 5570772
    Abstract: An assembly for attaching a coin separator to a coin stacker, wherein the coin stacker has a plurality of coin storage boxes for storing coins therein, and the coin separator assorts the plurality of sorts of coins supplied from outside and then delivers the assorted coins to the corresponding coin storage boxes. The assembly capable of attaching the coin separator to the coin stacker with ease comprises a main frame which is fixed to the coin stacker; a subframe which is movably coupled to the main frame, which holds the coin separator so as to be detachable, and which guides the coin separator between an engagement position where the coin separator and part of the coin stacker are held in engagement and a non-engagement position where they are not held in engagement; and a fixing member which fixes the coin separator and the subframe to the main frame at the engagement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ace Denken
    Inventors: Takatoshi Takemoto, Sakuji Yaegasi, Tsutomu Onodera
  • Patent number: 5568855
    Abstract: A coin detection and identifying apparatus and method, utilizes three closely aligned electric coils. The center coil is actively driven by an alternating current to generate a magnetic field that surrounds the center coil. The two outer coils are symmetrically disposed within the magnetic field generated by the center coil, and voltages are induced across the terminals of the outer coils which are indicative of the relative field strengths of the magnetic fields within the outer coils. A sample coin and test coin are interposed between the center coil and each of the outer coils, the coins operative to attenuate the surrounding magnetic fields. A controller compares the voltages across the terminals of the two outer coils to effectively compare the likeness of the sample and test coins. A coin sensing apparatus, located downstream of the coils, provides a plurality of optic emitter-detector pairs to detect the valid passage of a coin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Coin Mechanisms, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk D. Hoffman, Joe Ferrantelli, Robert Huizenger
  • Patent number: 5566800
    Abstract: A current collector for a railway trolley vehicle includes a current collecting member having a contact strip, a driving system for moving the current collecting member into and out of contact with a trolley wire, a load cell for detecting force acting between the current collecting member and the driving system, a displacement meter for detecting displacement of the driving system, first and second estimating circuits, and a control circuit. The first estimating circuit provides an estimated value of the contact force between the current collector and the trolley wire by estimating values of first parameters of the contact strip, the current collecting member, and the trolley wire and summing products of each of these values and a corresponding weighting factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Makino, Katsuyuki Terada, Michio Sebata, Morishige Hattori, Hideo Takai, Toshi Yasui, Masabumi Oshima, Akiyoshi Iida, Yasushi Takano, Chisachi Katoo, Kenji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5566799
    Abstract: Low aerodynamic noise type current collection equipment is provided for reducing variations in aerodynamic force applied to a current collector during train operation. A central region (2a) of a current collector (1) having a collector head (2) with a top surface in which a contact strip (3) is embedded is rectangular in cross-section, and each side region is shaped convex in cross-section in the front and rear directions, with e.g. an elliptical shape. The rectangular shape has characteristics such that the magnitude of the aerodynamic lift force would be kept substantially constant even if the inclination angle against the aerial flow would be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: West Japan Railway Company
    Inventors: Hideto Hidaka, Kengo Iwamoyto, Yasuhiro Noguchi, Motohiro Miyamura, Seiichi Yazima, Inao Sakai
  • Patent number: 5564978
    Abstract: The present invention is a coin sorter apparatus for sorting a group of mixed coins by denomination and immediately terminating the sorting process in response to a predetermined operating condition, such as the filling of a coin receptacle with a predetermined number of coins. Sorting is provided by a stationary sorting head and a rotatable disc positioned sufficiently proximate to one another so that when the group of mixed coins are dropped into the center opening of the stationary sorting head, they are rotated by the rotating disc and guided by the sorting head on a outward spiral sorting path to exit channels along the periphery of the stationary sorting head. Each of the exit channels acts as an exit chute for a particular coin denomination by releasing pressure on that particular coin and freeing the coin to move outwardly along the exit channel and exit into a coin receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John E. Jones, James M. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 5564544
    Abstract: A bank note conveying apparatus which corrects the skew or the widthwise direction of the bank notes in the conveying path. The bank note conveying apparatus comprises a path forming member which forms a conveying path having a width larger than that of the bank note, and pinching roller mechanisms which send the bank notes in the conveying path in the conveying direction. The path forming member includes a bank note guide formed along one widthwise end of the conveying path. It also comprises a bank note widthwise arranging mechanism which directs the bank notes in the conveying path toward the bank note guide while feeding the bank notes in the conveying direction. The bank note widthwise arranging mechanism comprises an endless belt which is driven to come into contact with one of the two faces of the bank note, and rotatably supported balls which come into contact with the opposite face of the bank note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ace Denken
    Inventors: Takatoshi Takemoto, Noriaki Kano, Eiji Ito, Koji Murakami, Shoshiti Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5562536
    Abstract: A coins receiving and dispensing apparatus suitable for food shops or restaurants allows precise transfer and reception of various coins without error and confirmation of the balance of the coin. When coins received from customers are inserted into this apparatus, the coins are immediately sorted by a sorting mechanism with respect to the denominations of the currency and stored at the respective storage portions. When the coins are paid out as change, the coin feeder operates based on a dispensing command signal produced corresponding to the differences between the sold amount inputted in the register and the received amount from the customers to feed the coins of the wanted denomination in the necessary number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Uchida, Noboru Ichihara
  • Patent number: 5562183
    Abstract: A food material conveyor mechanism for a sandwich fixing apparatus includes a continuously moving conveyor line. A food conveying plate carried along the conveyor line is stopped at predetermined stop positions along the conveyor line so food materials can be automatically added to an unfinished sandwich. The mechanism is controlled by a microprocessor such that the food conveying plate is stopped only at selected stop positions depending on the type of sandwich ordered by a customer. The conveyor line continues to move even while individual conveying plates are stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kyowa Kogyosho
    Inventor: Michiyuki Naramura
  • Patent number: 5560450
    Abstract: A self-scanning checkout device includes a stationary scanner for reading an article code affixed to an article, and a cash register disposed adjacent to the stationary scanner, for performing a settlement process based on article codes sequentially supplied from the stationary scanner. The cash register has a printing unit for printing a result of the settlement process. In particular, the cash register has a housing section having an article table which is exposed at a top of the housing section and on which an article whose article code is difficult to read by the stationary scanner is placed. The housing section is provided for receiving the printing unit below the article table and permitting the printing unit to be freely exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TEC
    Inventor: Mitsunori Kouno
  • Patent number: 5555965
    Abstract: A compact, battery-operated vending machine dispenses cylindrical and tetrahedron-shaped objects. More specifically, the inventive vending machine may be placed in public bathrooms for dispensing feminine articles such as cylindrical and pad-type tampons. The vending machine includes at least one rotary dispensing mechanism for dispensing cylindrical objects. A product stack of cylindrical objects feeds into the rotary dispensing assembly, which feeds the cylindrical objects into a dispensing area for access by the consumer. The vending machine also includes at least one plunger dispenser assembly for dispensing tetrahedron-shaped objects into the dispensing area. The vending machine also includes a sensor for sensing product depletion of product stacks above each dispenser, actuators for displaying "sold-out" signs for each dispenser upon product depletion, and a mechanism for blocking a coin slot upon product depletion in all dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Koji Mishina
  • Patent number: 5553696
    Abstract: A security device for a bill changer that greatly reduces the risk of the coinage within the changer from being robbed. The security device includes a support having a bill insertion slot therethrough. The support is adapted to be securely attached to a front surface of a bill reader with the insertion slot aligned with a corresponding slot of the bill reader. A moveable blade is mounted on the support and detaches foreign objects extending from an inserted bill. An actuator member, preferably comprising two solenoids, is connected to the blade for moving the blade across the insertion slot in response to validation of an inserted bill by the bill reader to detach any foreign objects therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Benard Burson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5551912
    Abstract: The ending side of one coin conveying endless belt is made higher than the starting side of another adjacent coin conveying endless belt. Between the ending side of the one coin conveying belt and the starting side of the another coin conveying belt, there is provided a coin slide to let the coins, which have reached the ending side of the one coin conveying belt, slide down to the starting side of the another coin conveying belt. By using the coin slide, the transference of coins from the one coin conveying belt to the another coin conveying belt can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Kagushiki Kaisha Ace Denken
    Inventors: Takatoshi Takemoto, Tosikazu Chida, Noriaki Kano, Eizi Ito, Koji Murakami, Takasi Itagaki, Kozo Sekimoto, Masanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5551542
    Abstract: In order to identify coins, the coins are separated by a separating device which is designed as a rotatable perforated disc. Subsequently, an identification measurement is carried out as long as the coins are still located in the perforations of the perforated disc. In order to carry out the measurement, use may be made, for example, of a light barrier or an inductive or capacitive sensing device. By way of a positioning device, which has an accelerating or decelerating effect on the coins located in the perforations, the coins are held in a specific, precisely defined position during the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Rudolf Stockli
  • Patent number: 5551545
    Abstract: A system for a mobile vehicle such as a remotely controlled robot, for deploying and retrieving cable into the environment external to the vehicle. The system includes a frame, a cable reel mounting device for a cable storage reel having cable wound thereon for rotatable motion. A rotatable electric/fiber optic joint is provided for coupling one end of the cable to the vehicle. The device has a mechanism for feeding the cable on and off the cable storage reel and for guiding the unwound cable from the vehicle. A sensor senses the tension in the cable in any direction in an arc of 360.degree. as the cable exits a cable exit opening. An electronic circuit receives a signal from the sensor related to the tension in the cable for controlling the feeding of cable so as to maintain a preset tension or no tension in the cable. Preferably, the tension sensor is a strain gauge. The system can be attached to any mobile vehicle, e.g. a robot, requiring a cable for control, power and/or communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Stanley Gelfman
  • Patent number: 5547062
    Abstract: A note acceptor for validating a paper currency note introduced therein. The acceptor includes a note validator unit and plural, interchangeable nose-pieces for releasable mounting on the validator unit. The validator unit includes a housing having a path extending through it, a conveyor for moving a paper currency note along the path, and plural optical and magnetic sensors to sense features of the note conveyed along the path. The path is of a width sufficient to accommodate the widest of any paper currency note to be validated. Each nose-piece forms a respective entrance port and note-guide to the path in the validator by defining a channel of a predetermined width corresponding to the width of an associated sized paper currency note. By mounting a nose-piece designed for a particular sized paper currency onto the validator housing, the resulting acceptor is configured to handle that size paper currency. When the nose piece is removed the validator is arranged to accept the largest size currency note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Diversified Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Mays, Robert E. Blevins
  • Patent number: 5547061
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying a paper currency. Before the front end of the currency is detected by optical sensors, the output signal (DATA1) from the optical sensors is stored in a first storage device. When the rear end of the currency subsequently passes across the sensors and the currency is no longer detected by the sensors, the output signal (DATA3) from the sensors is stored in a second storage device. If any currency-withdrawing device such as cord or tape is not attached to the currency, the DATA1 is equal to the DATA3 because these two kinds of data indicate the state in which nothing is present in the currency conveyance passageway. If such a currency-withdrawing device is attached to the currency, light from light-emitting devices is blocked or reflected by the cord or tape, thus varying the DATA3. However, the DATA1 is not affected. As a result, the DATA1 becomes unequal to the DATA3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Nippon Conlux Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Itako, Ichiro Fukuda
  • Patent number: 5544728
    Abstract: A bill validator assembly is provided that retrofits a coin and token only slot machine to be operable with paper currency. A replacement mounting plate relocates the slot reels and provides space for a bill validator and storage cassette on the interior of the slot machine. An improved stacking drive stacks the bills horizontally for storage within the cassette and minimizes currency jams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Stanley P. Dabrowski
  • Patent number: 5542518
    Abstract: A method of identifying the denominations of pieces of paper, for example, bills or securities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Toyo Communication Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kurosawa, Kazuto Matsuo, Akira Minoguchi