Patents Examined by Trinh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6168025
    Abstract: A holding blade is formed to be separated from a neighboring holding blades. A body of an elastic plate is separated from bodies of neighboring elastic plates. Each elastic plate base is integrally formed and connected with each corresponding elastic plate body. The thickness of the elastic plate gradually decreases from the junction between the elastic plate base and the frame portion toward its top end. The surface of the elastic plate is shaped in a curved manner. The cross-section of the elastic plate body is substantially rectangular in shape with a larger width in the horizontal direction, and terrace portion extends outward from the elastic plate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignees: Komatsu Electronic Metals Co., Ltd., Komatsu Plastics Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichi Sakurai, Ryou Miyahara, Ryousei Ichino, Akira Nakai
  • Patent number: 6164443
    Abstract: A new tobacco wrapping paper for allowing a person to roll their own cigars. The inventive device includes a plurality of tobacco sheets of wrapping paper. The tobacco sheets of wrapping paper are comprised of a blend of tobacco and pulp products. The tobacco sheets each have a generally rectangular configuration defined by opposed long edges and opposed short edges. Each of the tobacco sheets have a layer of adhesive disposed thereon inwardly of one of the opposed long edges thereof. A package is dimensioned for containing the plurality of tobacco sheets therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventors: Donald G. Mitchell, Gerardo Soto
  • Patent number: 6154961
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a water hammer arrester having an endurance against pressure of a fluid as well as excellent productivity. There is provided Methods for manufacturing a water hammer arrester comprising steps of: deforming plastically an end of a work piece for a housing to close it by pressing the end toward a center thereof while the work piece is rotated at high speed, the work piece is a brass pipe having predetermined length; forming a housing by cutting a closed part in prescribed thickness; filling up a gas and inserting a piston within the housing to prevent the gas from leaking; forming a connecting part having smaller diameter than the housing by pressing an outside of an open end of the housing provided with poured gas and the piston; and mounting a connector to the connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: AH-U Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-Jin Park, Chang-Joon Park
  • Patent number: 6151777
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blank raw material for a hose end fitting includes several steps, The method includes providing a rod-shaped material having a socket end and a screw-connecting end, and forming at the socket end of the rod-shaped material a pipe-shaped socket portion and a rod-shaped nipple portion surrounded by the pipe-shaped socket portion. A flange portion is formed having a diameter larger than that of the socket portion in an intermediate portion of the rod-shaped material by fitting a second pipe-shaped mold to the screw-connecting end so as to sandwich and compress the intermediate portion between the first pipe-shaped mold and the second pipe-shaped molds A screw-connecting portion is formed at the screw-connecting end by inserting a punch in a center portion of the rod-shaped material when an external periphery of the rod-shaped material is supported by the second pipe-shaped mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Okawa Screw Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kichiji Sakuraba
  • Patent number: 6148515
    Abstract: The method of the present invention comprises the steps of:providing a first aluminum member and a second aluminum member to be bonded to each other;forming a zinc alloy soldering layer on the surface while applying ultrasonic vibration to any one of the first aluminum member and the second aluminum member; andbonding the first aluminum member and the second aluminum member through the zinc alloy soldering layer. That is, the first aluminum member and the second aluminum member are formed by casting. The first aluminum member is thereafter immersed in a molten zinc alloy soldering bath. Ultrasonic vibration is applied, and a zinc alloy soldering layer is formed in a prescribed region of the first aluminum member. Further, a zinc alloy soldering layer is formed in a prescribed region of the second aluminum member in the same manner as in the first aluminum member. Then, the first aluminum member and the second aluminum member are bonded through the zinc alloy soldering layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuaki Suzuki, Akihiro Sagara, Shigenori Yamada, Sotaro Terada, Yutaka Takayanagi, Hidehiko Amano, Yoichi Shimasaki, Masahiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6138358
    Abstract: A method for forming a closed channel structural member having a central portion that is enlarged relative to the end portions thereof is disclosed. Initially, a tube is formed in a hydroforming die to have a desired shape that is preferably characterized by a relatively small diameter central portion extending between a pair of relatively large diameter end portions. Next, the tube is divided into two pieces in any conventional manner, such as by cutting, to provide two tube sections. Each of the two tube sections is then oriented in the opposite direction such that the relatively large end portions of the tube are disposed adjacent to one another. Lastly, the relatively large end portions are joined together in any conventional manner, such as by butt welding, to form a unitary member characterized by a relatively large diameter central portion extending between a pair of relatively small diameter end portions. In an alternative embodiment, a pair of tubes are initially formed in the same manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Marando
  • Patent number: 6138342
    Abstract: A multi-stage robot has at least three sets of upper and lower dies are mounted on the upper movable plate and base plate; a work pick-and-place device is mounted on the lower movable plate provided to be reciprocated in the horizontal direction and reciprocated in the vertical direction so as to progressively transfer parts on the lower dies; at least three part pick-and-place devices are radially mounted on the base plate; each of the part pick-and-place devices is provided to be reciprocated in the horizontal direction and reciprocated in the vertical direction so as to feed parts one by one to a corresponding lower die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Kuze
  • Patent number: 6134787
    Abstract: A method of producing a rail-bound rail vehicle for passenger transport, includes providing at least one trough-like superstructure with a floor and adjoining side walls formed in a framework construction from side-wall posts, lower longitudinal members and upper longitudinal flanges or chords. The upper longitudinal flanges are supported against one another by connecting members. The side walls have windows and access areas with doors. The side-wall posts are disposed in a zigzag manner and are rigidly connected to the lower longitudinal members and the upper longitudinal flanges, and serve as supporting elements for the windows and side paneling elements fastened thereto. The superstructure is assembled from shaped pieces and bar parts which have been cut to length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Helmut Elsner, Ferdinand Tegeler, Hans-Dieter Eisbrecher
  • Patent number: 6134779
    Abstract: An improved high performance aluminum connecting rod and a method for manufacturing such a connecting rod are disclosed, the connecting rod being capable of carrying particularly high compressive loads with a substantially reduced deformation resulting from such high compressive loads. In the preferred embodiment, the connecting rod of the present invention is made of an extruded bar stock forging made of an aluminum alloy material which is forged and machined to make the connecting rod. The connecting rod of the present invention has a substantially increased compressive yield strength as well as a substantially increased tensile yield strength. This increase in the compressive yield strength of the connecting rod of the present invention effectively prevents bending of the connecting rod beam, elongation of the wrist pin bore, and a marked deterioration in the roundness of the bearing housing bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventors: Bruce K. Walker, Raymal Childs
  • Patent number: 6131285
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite structural component for a vehicle. A plurality of fibers are pre-treated with a wetting agent. The pre-treated fibers are pulled through a supply of molten metal to coat the fibers. The wetting agent facilitates the adhesion of the molten metal to the fibers. The metal-coated fibers are pulled through a shaping die to form an elongated structure having a desired shape, and cooled to solidify the elongated structure. The elongated structure is cut to a desired length to form a composite structural component for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Robert D. Durand
  • Patent number: 6131284
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is produced by joining two semifinished, preassembled bodies, a front structure and a rear structure. Each of these structures are preassembled with associated automobile components. That is, the front structure is assembled with engine, transmission (for a front engine mounted car), and related components, instrument panel, steering wheel, etc. The front structure is also semifinished in a standard color. The rear structure has preassembled decorative components, such as seats, carpeting, covering, etc. The rear structure has the final finish (in the desired final color). The windshield frame can be part of either the front or the rear structure. The roof is part of the rear structure. The front and the rear structure are joined together near the middle of the vehicle body. Existing assembly tools can be used to join the front and rear structures. After the front and rear structures are joined, the front structure is finished with the final color, matching that of the rear structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Norbert Basler
  • Patent number: 6125540
    Abstract: Core-type structures are formed in a continuous process by assembling cut tubes or sheets of a thermoplastic material that are aligned, cut into separate continuous structures which are then subsequently cut into separate structures suitable for use as a core member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Newcourt, Inc.
    Inventors: Calvin L. Court, Tawne L. Castorina, Calvin L. Court, Melvin T. Court
  • Patent number: 6119345
    Abstract: A center sill for a railroad car formed by cold rolling a flat sheet of steel into a rectangular configuration. One of the embodiments includes strengthening flanges and another includes ribs. The center sill may be formed of a single cold formed section or a pair of cold formed sections joined by a single longitudinal weld seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Johnstown America Corporation
    Inventors: Todd L. Lydic, Tamo Bianchi
  • Patent number: 6119344
    Abstract: Core-type structures are formed in a continuous process by assembling cut tubes or sheets of a thermoplastic material that are aligned, cut into separate continuous structures which are then subsequently cut into separate structures suitable for use as a core member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Newcourt, Inc.
    Inventors: Calvin L. Court, Tawne L. Castorina, Calvin L. Court, Melvin T. Court
  • Patent number: 6112410
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a structural beam having a cross-sectional profile. First portions of the profile being in compression and second portions of the profile being in tension due to a loading force. The beam also having compressive and tensile structural elements. Each structural element includes an enclosure having walls, and a non-compressible material disposed in their cavity. The walls of the compressive structural elements each have at least a portion thereof inwardly shaped towards the first cavity such that when deflected by the loading force, the walls exert a compressive force against the non-compressible material in its cavity, resulting in a resistance to the deflection and the loading force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: The Research Corporation of State University of New York
    Inventor: Jahangir S. Rastegar
  • Patent number: 6108907
    Abstract: A method of assembling a work machine, such as a skid steer loader, includes manufacturing a lower frame assembly with a pair of laterally spaced side rails which extend along the entire length of the lower frame assembly and a pair of spaced engine mounts distanced from the side rails. Then, manufacturing an upper frame assembly with a pair of laterally spaced side members which extend along the entire length of the upper frame assembly. A rear end portion of an engine is then mounted to the pair of engine mounts. The upper frame assembly is then mounted to the lower frame assembly by connecting the respective side members exclusively to the respective side rails to define a main frame assembly. A bumper assembly is then mounted to the main frame assembly through a connection with the lower frame assembly and includes an engine stabilizer. Finally, a front end portion of the engine is then connected to the bumper assembly at the engine stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Robert S. Anderson, Mirza Q. Baig, Jeffrey A. Deneve, Brian R. Dershem, Christopher L. Johnston, Hasan Kabir, Rodney D. McLamb, Huan T. Nguyen, Kevin E. Pielmeier, James H. Siwicke
  • Patent number: 6105767
    Abstract: An opening is defined within the bottom surface of the box portion of the tool case. A plastic panel recessed on the top and bottom faces to accommodate tools and components therefor is secured within the box portion. The top face of the panel is accessed in a conventional manner via a lid pivotably connected to the box portion, and the bottom face of the panel is accessed via a "butterfly" door pivotably connected to the bottom surface of the box portion. The butterfly door and the lid are secured to the box portion by a common securing means adapted to release one of either the butterfly door or the lid without releasing the other. The butterfly door is configured to pivot from a closed position where the butterfly door is flush with the bottom surface of the box portion, to an open position where the butterfly door is rotated away from the bottom surface of the box portion to provide access to the items stored within the bottom section of the tool case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Maxtech, Inc.
    Inventor: Kailash C. Vasudeva
  • Patent number: 6102841
    Abstract: A development system is which includes a developer roll with a magnetic sleeve. The sleeve has a static magnetic field pattern for transporting developer material to a development zone; and a magnetic system for generating a superimposed alternating magnetic field to agitate developer material in the development zone in order to produce a charged toner cloud intended for the non-interactive development of latent electrostatic images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Frank C. Genovese
  • Patent number: 5967315
    Abstract: A partitioned storage tube for tip-ups and other ice fishing accessories including an elongated, cylindrical body partitioned into five separate tip-up storage compartments for storing and protecting tip-ups when not in use. A structure for protecting the tip-up reels is incorporated into the body. Elastic straps provide an adjustable means of securing a cover to the body. A cylindrical interior compartment is accessible through an access opening in the cover to store ice fishing accessories that may be longer than the tube. Drain apertures in the bottom of each tip-up storage compartment facilitate the removal of excess moisture. The storage tube is made of a durable plastic material so it could be used as a stool when standing upright with the cover on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Allen G. Langtry, II
  • Patent number: 5954194
    Abstract: A card device including a front card portion and a back card portion hinged together in a manner which enables the card to be opened and closed. The back card portion includes spaced front, rear and side panels which define an interior space therebetween. The card further includes a tape cartridge, such as a VHS video or audio cassette tape, having a drive gear defining an open recess in the tape cartridge, and a gift carrier device including a gift carrier portion containing a gift item, such as a gemstone. The gift carrier device and the tape cartridge are positioned in nested relation within the interior space of the back card portion such that the gift carrier portion is received within the open recess in the tape cartridge. An alternative embodiment uses a compact disk case as the card and a recess in the disk carrier for receiving the gift item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: William E. Simpson