Patents Issued in January 30, 1996
  • Patent number: PP9444
    Abstract: A Chrysanthemum plant named Pink Blush particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; daisy capitulum type; light pink ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of 117 to 133 mm when fully opened, when grown as a pinched disbudded pot mum; photoperiodic flowering response to short days of 49 to 55 days; plant height, with 20 to 22 long days after sticking unrooted cuttings and with 1 to 2 applications of 2500 ppm B-9 SP, ranges from 23 to 28 cm when grown as a pinched pot mum with 4 cuttings in a 15 cm pot; branching pattern is semi-spreading, each plant having 3 to 5 laterals after pinch; and recommended as disbudded pot mum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Yoder Brothers Inc.
    Inventor: Cornelis P. VandenBerg
  • Patent number: PP9445
    Abstract: A Chrysanthemum plant named Stephanie particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; daisy capitulum type; white ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of 58 to 61 mm when fully opened; branching pattern is spreading and prolific; natural season flower date of September 14 to 22 when planting rooted cuttings on June 11 to June 18 in Hightstown, N.J.; plant height of 25 to 30 cm when grown in fall under natural daylength with no growth regulators in New Jersey; excellent uniform growth habit; and good flexibility of plant for handling, packing and shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Yoder Brothers, Inc.
    Inventor: Cornelis P. VandenBerg
  • Patent number: PP9446
    Abstract: A new and distinct Alstroemeria variety which is a spontaneous mutation of `Stapink` and differs in having variegated foliage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Van Staaveren B.V.
    Inventor: Jacob van Andel
  • Patent number: PP9447
    Abstract: A distinctive cultivar of Elatior Begonia plant named Tina, characterized by its upright and spreading growth habit; compact plant size; freely branching habit; strong stems and stem base; small leaves; bright yellow flower color; large number of flowers per raceme; small flowers; early and even flowering; strong and vigorous root system; and good postproduction longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Jens N. Poulsen
  • Patent number: RE35149
    Abstract: A railless refrigerator display door constructed with two or more glass panels and having a peripheral door frame extending around the sides of The door and at the inside of the door without covering the outside glass surface of the door. Sealant is used to bond the glass panels to peripheral spacers separating the panels and to C-section structures which extend peripherally around the sides of the door. The door frame is also bonded to the C-section structures and glass panels by the sealant. Rubber bumpers attached to the C-section structures reduce heat transfer from the inside glass panel to the outside glass panel. As such, mechanical fasteners such as nuts, bolts or screws are not needed for the purpose of holding the refrigerator door together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Anthony's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Richardson, Bennie R. Downing
  • Patent number: RE35150
    Abstract: A fruit harvesting apparatus is provided which includes a vehicle, a mechanism for moving the vehicle along the ground; a tray, coupled to the vehicle, for receiving picked fruit; a pivotable hopper, mounted to the vehicle, for temporarily storing the picked fruit; and a transfer system for transferring the picked fruit from the tray to the hopper. The apparatus further includes an elevator for selectively elevating the device and/or a titling device for selectively tilting the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: McKenna: Kathleen
    Inventors: Frank J. McKenna, Jr., Richard K. Horst, James F. Horst, Charles S. Wright, John D. Matthews
  • Patent number: RE35151
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a modified cellulose regenerated fiber having a practically endurable tenacity, and being excellent in dye-affinity, and having anti-funguses and deodorizing properties. The present invention comprises preliminarily molding chitosan or acetylated chitosan into a fine particle, mixing the fine particle body with cellulose viscose prior to spinning, and spinning the mixture, at the inclusion regenerated fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Spinning Company, Limited
    Inventors: Tsuguhisa Hirukawa, Hiroaki Tanibe, Tuguo Miyaji
  • Patent number: 5487187
    Abstract: Underarm straps for shoulder pads wherein a pair of non-elastic strap segments are connected between the breast plates and back plates of the shoulder pads and extend underneath the arms of the user on each side of the shoulder pads. The strap segments are adjustably connected by clamping rings which permit a quick infinite adjustment of the effective length of the underarm straps by the user pushing the strap segments forwardly to tighten the shoulder pads. One of the clamping rings is provided with a handle to facilitate the manual release of the gripping action of the clamping rings, and a releasable fastener is provided on the strap segments to hold one strap segment in a folded position over the other strap segment to cover the clamping rings after the shoulder pads have been tightened on the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventors: Rodney M. Zide, Robert M. Zide, James L. Rector
  • Patent number: 5487188
    Abstract: A glove for protecting the ligaments, articulations and bones of the hand, has a glove body, to which is associated a plate for protecting the hand palm, at the proximal region of the forearm, which is provided, at one end, with an annular element encompassing the attachment region of the thumb. To the plate there is articulated a shield which is engaged with the forearm, tie-straps being moreover provided connecting the fingers of the glove with the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventors: Walter Micheloni, Fabrizio Giugni, Georg Ahlbaumer
  • Patent number: 5487189
    Abstract: Disclosed is disposable protective coveralls having a reduced number of seams and a seamless shoulder construction. The disposable protective coveralls include a first body half and a second body half. Each body half is formed from a seamless sheet of material. The second body half is substantially a mirror image of the first body half. Each body half includes: 1) a body portion having a first and second edge and a top edge extending approximately half-way across the body portion from the second edge; 2) a sleeve portion having a top and bottom sleeve edge, a top edge, and a segment of the second edge of the body portion; and 3) a leg portion having a front and a rear leg edge. The protective coveralls' construction also includes approximately eight seams and a closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Richard H. Bell
  • Patent number: 5487190
    Abstract: A caulking tube supporting vest is formed by front and back fabric panels substantially covering a user's torso and secured at their depending edges by straps at respective sides of a user. A vertical series of horizontally disposed open end sleeves formed from elastic fabric material are secured to the respective front and back panel for receiving a like plurality of cylindrical containers filled with caulking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Todd G. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5487191
    Abstract: A cap or hat having a visor for permitting a flow of air through the visor, thereby precluding unintentional removal of the cap by wind currents. The inventive device includes a cap having a visor;extending outwardly therefrom, with the visor having a semi-circular aperture extending therethrough. A venting assembly extends across the visor aperture and is secured to forward and lateral edges of the visor aperture only, thereby allowing a trailing edge of the venting assembly to be fluidly biased out of the plane of the visor such that a pressure differential across the visor is reduced. The device may take the form of an integrally molded vent having a predetermined shape and fixedly secured to the visor. In addition, mounting plates facilitating the retro-fitting of existing caps are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Robert L. Ridley
  • Patent number: 5487192
    Abstract: An apparatus for the raising and self-lowering of a toilet seat comprising a lever, the lever being disposed in an essentially vertical plane having a central aperture extending therethrough for the receipt of a bolt and an associated nut for constituting a pivot point, the lever having an outboard end with a pedal secured thereto for being depressed by the foot of a user, the lever having an inboard end with an aperture therethrough for receipt of a bolt with an associated nut for transferring motion from the pedal to a toilet seat to be lifted upon the depression of the pedal; and a support assembly for attachment to a support bolt of a toilet seat and for supporting the lever at its pivot point, the support assembly including an L-shaped bracket with a horizontal leg formed with an aperture for being received by and secured to the support bolt of a toilet and with the L-shaped bracket having an upstanding leg with an aperture, the support assembly also having a horizontal bracket with a pair of apertures a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Glenn D. Hodges
  • Patent number: 5487193
    Abstract: A water saver toilet is provided, of the type that applies a vacuum to the toilet bowl outlet to assist flushing, which effectively uses the vacuum and which can be of low height. The toilet bowl outlet includes upper and lower trap devices (44, 50 in FIG. 2) connected by a trapway (46), with a vacuum source applied to the trapway during a flushing to pull out water and debris from the toilet bowl. One vacuum source (FIG. 3) includes a largely horizontal diaphragm (76) which separates a water chamber (82) from a vacuum chamber (80). The water chamber is initially filled with water, which is rapidly emptied during flushing, causing the diaphragm to rapidly fall from an upwardly bowed configuration (76) to a downwardly bowed configuration (76A). The vertically moving diaphragm produces a vacuum in the vacuum chamber that is connected to the trapway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Fluidmaster, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold Hennessy
  • Patent number: 5487194
    Abstract: A device to restore the water level in a toilet bowl is disclosed wherein bleed water issued by the float actuated valve in a toilet tank reservoir is used to prime a syphon tube so that additional water from the toilet tank reservoir is shuttled down the overflow pipe to the toilet bowl to restore the toilet bowl water level during shortened partial flush operations of the toilet. The syphon tube consists of an inverted "U" shaped tube having one leg situated interiorly the overflow pipe and the other leg reaching down into the water of the toilet tank. The syphon tube operation is commenced by the bleed water injected into the base of the syphon tube through an initiator tube intersecting the syphon tube base so as to direct bleed water into the leg residing in the overflow pipe. An air vent opening situated in the initiator tube is effectively covered by water running through the initiator tube so no air is permitted to enter the syphon tube to disrupt the syphon operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Paul E. Kightlinger
  • Patent number: 5487195
    Abstract: Apparatus for lifting and transporting a prone patient comprising a mobile base frame that may extend under the patient's bed, a vertical support structure mounted along one side of the base frame, a pair of cooperating patient supporting plates connected to the support structure, the first supporting plate is horizontally oriented and may be lowered onto the bed and slid partially under a prone patient who has been rolled slightly to the side away from the support structure, after rolling the patient in the opposite direction towards the support structure and upon the first supporting plate, the second supporting plate is pivoted downwardly onto the bed into alignment with the first supporting plate, and the patient is rolled away from the support structure onto the second supporting plate. A sling may assist positioning the patient relative to the supporting plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Donald A. Ray
  • Patent number: 5487196
    Abstract: Automated pressure relief mattress support system including method and apparatus for supporting a bed patient comprising an air mattress construction having a plurality of longitudinally extending flexible air compartments or tubes which are connected to a pressurized air source and uniformly pressurized to an optimum air pressure to minimize interface surface pressure between a patient and the mattress. The system is of simplified economical construction and can be operated both passively and actively to minimize patient/mattress interface pressures and to roll a patient to right and left side positions, typically to selected angles of up to about 30 degrees for preselected times, with roll position air pressure set points in the mattress air tubes for particular roll angles of the patient being automatically established, based on patient body weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Span America Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Wilkinson, Richard W. Raburn
  • Patent number: 5487197
    Abstract: A pneumatic wheelchair cushion system has an air cushion with adjoining separate chambers for cushioning a user's coccyx, ischial tuberosities, greater trochanters and thighs. The chambers are pneumatically interconnected with each other such that pressure on one or more of the chambers is transmitted to the other chambers and to a control module with a controller for maintaining an inflation pressure in the air cushion within an upper and a lower set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventors: Joseph W. Iskra, Jr., John A. Havener
  • Patent number: 5487198
    Abstract: A two-piece, high top shoe tree includes a toe member that has a distal tip end and a proximal end. The toe member is insertable into a toe portion of a respective shoe and formed to support the toe portion of the shoe. The shoe tree also includes a heel member that is insertable into a heel portion of the respective shoe and formed to support the heel portion thereof. The heel member has a forward end and a top end. The shoe tree is further provided with a quick release mechanism for securing the toe member to the heel member so that the toe member and the heel member may be assembled together and inserted into the respective shoe to give support thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: RPM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger P. Mueller, Roy P. Mueller, Joe Nemeth, Robert Schoning
  • Patent number: 5487199
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for preventing or inhibiting the vandalism of bridges and other like structures. The apparatus includes a slant plate device having an elongate plate which is positioned so as to extend downwardly and outwardly from a central position on the vertical wall of an I-beam to a position adjacent a far lateral edge of the bottom flange of the I-beam. The plate is sloped sufficiently to inhibit a person from standing on the lower flange of the I-beam while applying graffiti or otherwise vandalizing the bridge. Several different support and attachment structures are also disclosed. The method includes positioning the elongate plate at an angle and attaching the plate to some permanent structure associated with the I-beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: John Nelson
  • Patent number: 5487200
    Abstract: A container cleaner apparatus is provided, wherein containers are conveyed to stations for cleaning consisting of a first assembly for supplying ionized air to the interior of the containers at the stations to neutralize static electricity therein. A second assembly is for vacuuming the interior of the containers at the stations, wherein dust, dirt, carton lint and other foreign matter is removed from the interior of the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Herzog
  • Patent number: 5487201
    Abstract: An oral wipe comprised of a sleeve, the sleeve being comprised of interwoven material, the sleeve having a closed end extending to at least one corner at the closed end, a pick element comprised of a heat sealable component, and a piece of dental floss, the piece of floss having one floss end embedded and retainingly secured in the heat sealable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventors: Bryan C. Hansen, Sharon A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5487202
    Abstract: A floor mopping device including a main frame having two laterally spaced floor engaging wheels and a downwardly sloping elongated push handle longitudinally adjustably connected thereto. A lower forward end of the push handle is connected to a transversely oriented elongated support bar which is oriented horizontally just above the floor when the device is in use or at rest. At least one, and preferably two, end-to-end elongated flat support plates or wire frames are pivotally connectable beneath the support bar. A removable cleaning pad coextensive with and releasibly attachable to a bottom surface of each support plate or wire frame cleaningly engages flat atop the floor when the device is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Gloria L. Cowan
  • Patent number: 5487203
    Abstract: An implement handle, such as a handle for a squeegee, used for cleaning vehicle windshields, wherein a portion of the handle has a polygonal cross-section providing a plurality of flat faces forming a display area upon which advertising indicia is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventors: Philip L. Brach, Jr., Charles Khalil, Robert W. Mead
  • Patent number: 5487204
    Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly including a wiper deicer for eliminating the build-up of snow and ice on a windshield wiper blade thereof. The assembly comprising a first support bracket secured to the windshield wiper; a second support bracket having a spline thereon, a support rod having a first end secured to the first support bracket; a hollow electrical solenoid casing receiving a second end of the support rod, a wiper seal and scraper secured within the casing adjacent the second end of the support rod, a pivot rod pivotally secured to the second support bracket; and an electrical solenoid secured within the hollow electrical solenoid casing, the electrical solenoid secured to the second end of the support rod, a wire electrically secured to the solenoid and extending outwardly thereof to a push button mechanism. Power may be applied to the device by other sources such as an air cylinder as for vehicles with diesel engines, whether a truck, bus or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Steven M. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5487205
    Abstract: A replaceable windshield wiping element for a windshield wiper system, including an insert end being made relatively rigid in comparison to the windshield contact end of the wiping element so that the insert end may be fastened with a fastener within a holder of the wiper blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Grimes Aerospace Company
    Inventors: Richard P. Scherch, Robert E. Neer
  • Patent number: 5487206
    Abstract: A door closing device comprises a piston (12) having at one end a seal (21) which seals the interface between the piston and a housing (10). The seal (21) also acts as a one-way valve and carries a pressure relief valve (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Jerbron Limited
    Inventors: Peter E. Brown, Stephen J. Harrison
  • Patent number: 5487207
    Abstract: The hinge element is comprised of two shells (10 and 11) made of dished metal plate which are assembled by means of a locking member comprising essentially a bolt (13) and a nut (15). Each of the two shells comprises a concave circular part having a flat bottom and an annular flange presenting undulated folds which are comprised of crests (19) and rounded hollows (20). The flange is generally interrupted at a mouthpiece (21, 24) to be fixed at one end of the longitudinal uprights of a folding support. Said hinge element is provided for assembling sections of a folding ladder or a scaffolding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Henri Rey
  • Patent number: 5487208
    Abstract: A device is provided for the detection of breakage of textile fiber slivers before a draw frame of the textile industry. The device must detect breakage of presented fiber slivers. The invention improves the reliability of detection of sliver breakage of presented textile fiber slivers at very high sliver intake speeds of a draw frame. It is a characteristic of the invention that the monitoring device is provided with a deflection device for the fiber slivers which ensures that any broken fiber slivers are detected by the monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Rieter Ingolstadt Spinnereimaschinenbau AG
    Inventor: Friedrich Hauner
  • Patent number: 5487209
    Abstract: A so-called stepless self-tightening clamp structure having a first clamping position and a second non-clamping position in which the clamping band is under prestress of its inherent spring characteristics. To latchingly hold the clamp structure in its second position, one end of the clamping band is provided with a tongue-like extension while the other end is provided with two longitudinally extending, slot-like openings following one another by way of a constriction, whereby one of the slot-like openings is wider than the tongue-like extension and the other is slightly narrower than the tongue-like extension. One of said slot-like openings is thereby offset in the radial direction with respect to at least a part of the other slot-like opening. Additionally, to enhance the spring stiffness, the clamping band may be provided with one or more longitudinally extending reinforcing groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik
    Inventor: Hans Oetiker
  • Patent number: 5487210
    Abstract: A method of engaging a belt-clamping buckle to hold a waist-encircled belt in place about the user in which the buckle closes from a clearance position into clamping engagement with the belt in the same direction as the waist-encircling direction, so that the closing movement tightens, rather than loosens, the belt and contributes to other noteworthy benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Howard Silagy
  • Patent number: 5487211
    Abstract: A surface-mountable crystal resonator (100) is provided in the following manner. A first predetermined electrode pattern (105) and a second predetermined electrode pattern (201) are formed on a first major surface (104) and a second major surface (200), respectively, of a piezoelectric crystal substrate (101). Additionally, a first predetermined attachment electrode pattern (106), electrically coupled to the second predetermined attachment electrode pattern, and a second predetermined attachment electrode pattern (202), electrically coupled to the first predetermined attachment electrode pattern, are formed on a first attachment area (102) and a second attachment area (103), respectively. The first and second attachment areas include extensions (107) that, when mounted, allow a conductive adhesive (301), placed on a mounting substrate (300), to flow and establish electrical connections with the first and second predetermined attachment electrode patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Haas, Ken A. Haas, Kimber J. Vought
  • Patent number: 5487212
    Abstract: An automated machine for attaching a suture to a surgical needle having a suture receiving opening formed therein, and for packaging the same in a package tray comprises a first workstation including a device for sorting a plurality of needles and orienting each needle for automatic feeding to a second swaging workstation, a second workstation including a device for automatically cutting an indefinite length of suture material to a definite length and a device for automatically swaging the needle to close the suture receiving opening about a free end of the suture to secure the suture thereto and form a needle-suture assembly, a needle packaging station including a device for sequentially receiving at least one of the needle-suture assemblies in a package tray in synchronism with the second workstation, the needle packaging station having a device for automatically winding the depending suture portion of the needle-suture assembly into the package tray, a first indexing device for sequentially receiving indiv
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: David Demarest, Robert B. Duncan, Martin Sobel, Timothy P. Lenihan, William Rattan, John F. Blanch, Michael G. Hodulik, Dennis P. Yost
  • Patent number: 5487213
    Abstract: A motor manufacturing and its method of assembly are disclosed. The motor includes lower and upper end frames with bearings, an armature assembly rotatably mounted in the bearings of the lower and upper end frames, and a winding field assembly supported between the lower and upper end frames and surrounding the armature assembly. The method includes the steps of inserting one end of the armature assembly into the bearing of the lower end frame, positioning the winding field assembly over the armature assembly while also stacking the winding field assembly on the lower end frame, stacking the upper end frame on the winding field assembly while also positioning an opposite end of the armature assembly into the bearing of the upper end frame, and securing the lower end frame, winding field assembly and upper end frame to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: David R. Hult, Jeffery L. Young, Stuart V. Holsten
  • Patent number: 5487214
    Abstract: A monolithic magnetic device having a plurality of transformer elements having single turn primaries and single turn secondaries fabricated on a plate of ferrite which has the outline of a ceramic leadless chip carrier. Each of the magnetic elements has a primary winding formed from a copper via plated on the ferrite. Each element's secondary is another copper via plated over an insulating layer formed over the first layer of copper. The elements' primaries are interconnected on the first copper layer and the elements' secondaries are interconnected on the second copper layer. The configuration and turns ratio of the transformer are determined by the series and or parallel interconnections of the primary and secondaries. Some of the interconnections can be provided by the next higher assembly level through the circuit card, with the same magnetic device providing many turns ratio combinations or values of inductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventor: Michael M. Walters
  • Patent number: 5487215
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for installing fasteners in a panel and automatically sensing and compensating for certain error conditions which commonly arise in the installation process. The system includes monitoring the load exerted during the installation process and comparing the exerted load to nominal load values. If an error results between the two load values, appropriate corrective action is taken. If there is no corrective action which can be initiated to rectify the error condition, the system is halted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Multifastener Corporation
    Inventor: Harold A. Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 5487216
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically forming a plurality of needle-suture assemblies out of a plurality of unsorted needles and an indefinite length strand of suture material, and, automatically positioning them within a package tray, comprises a first machine located at a first location for sorting a plurality of randomly oriented needles and orienting each needle for automatic handling at a first predetermined location, a second machine located at a second predetermined location for automatically drawing and cutting an indefinite length strand of suture material and automatically inserting a free end thereof into a suture receiving opening of the needle, and swaging the needle about the sutures to form a needle suture assembly, and a first indexing device for sequentially receiving individual oriented needles at the first location and transporting each of the needles from the first location to the second location to form the needle-suture assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: David Demarest, Michael G. Hodulik
  • Patent number: 5487217
    Abstract: A belt fastener assembly attachment apparatus attaches belt fastener assemblies to the end of a belt with rivets and with a non-manually powered rivet assembly driving tool. A guide template having a plurality of guide apertures is alignable with the anvil die apertures of an anvil die plate. Each guide aperture receives and aligns the rivet assembly dispensing barrel of the non-manually powered rivet assembly drive tool to the anvil die apertures of an anvil die plate and rivet receiving apertures of the belt fastener. Guide pins carried by the guide template and received within guide apertures of the anvil die plate maintain the guide template apertures in registration with the anvil die apertures of the anvil die plate and the rivet receiving apertures of the belt fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventors: Thomas W. Richardson, Mary Jane Richardson
  • Patent number: 5487218
    Abstract: Disclosed is a printed circuit board and a method of preparing the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has two types of plated through holes. The first type of plated through holes extend to and through an exterior surface of the printed circuit board for receipt of a pin-in-through-hole module or component pin. The second type of plated through holes are for surface mount technology and terminate below the exterior surface of the printed circuit board. These plated through holes contain a fill composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anilkumar C. Bhatt, Roy H. Magnuson, Voya R. Markovich, Konstantinos I. Papathomas, Douglas O. Powell
  • Patent number: 5487219
    Abstract: A method for forming a structural member, the method comprising the steps of placing a first sheet member having a length dimension greater than a width dimension in a press, placing a second sheet member having a length dimension greater than a width dimension in the press, the second member only partially overlapping the first member, the first member only partially overlapping the second member, and the direction of the length dimension of the second member being angled relative to the direction of the length dimension of the first member, and closing the press to shape the first member and the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip C. Ruehl, Stephen L. Kretschmer, Richard J. Behrmann
  • Patent number: 5487220
    Abstract: In a coaxial cable terminal processing tool, a processing tool main body has an arm member. A pair of rollers are pivotally supported by the processing tool main body and oppose each other. An L-shaped cable stopper is disposed in the processing tool main body to be movable in an axial direction of the rollers, and determines a cut position of the coaxial cable. A cable stopper holds the coaxial cable together with the rollers. A round blade is held by the arm member to be movable in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the rollers. A round blade is fixedly set in a radial direction of the rollers. A plate blade is held by the arm member to be movable in the direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the rollers, and in the axial direction of the rollers. A plate blade is variably set at the radial and axial directions of the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Tosiaki Saitou
  • Patent number: 5487221
    Abstract: A jig saw includes a housing and a drive shaft disposed within the housing and driven to perform a predetermined motion. A holder is mounted on the drive shaft and includes an operation member operable between a fixing position and a releasing position for fixing and releasing a saw blade, respectively. A cover is mounted on the housing and is movable between an open position and a closed position for uncovering and covering the holder, respectively. An interlocking mechanism is provided for interlocking between the operation member and the cover such that the operation member is moved from the fixing position to the releasing position when the cover is moved from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Zenichi Oda, Toshiyuki Kani
  • Patent number: 5487222
    Abstract: A combination level has a rectangular housing and liquid-filled vials each having an entrained gas bubble to indicate horizontal level and vertical plumb at a local location. A scope element is incorporated within the housing and utilized to ascertain level at a remote location. A lens system within the scope element allows the user to focus the image and cooperates with the horizontally disposed vial to indicate level at a distance. Alternatively, a sighting bead is incorporated into a sighting groove on the top of the housing to viewably align an object at a distance. A flip-out mirror assembly associated with a horizontally disposed vial allows the user to evaluate the horizontal level at a remote location through cooperation with the sighting bead. A recess with fixed bearings allows the housing to be mounted on a makeshift stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Gary Fairchild
  • Patent number: 5487223
    Abstract: A scale, such as a tape measure, is provided with a plurality of slots corresponding to graduations on the scale. The slots are alternatingly located on opposed edges of the scale, and edges of each slot are collinear with edges of opposing slots. When measuring a distance to a line or a point, the line or point will appear in only one of the slots. The slots are tapered to a point at a specific graduation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Anthony E. Krane
  • Patent number: 5487224
    Abstract: Device for the heat treatment of moving yarns, during, for example, a texturizing stretching operation. The yarn is subject to two successive treatments, one at a high temperature, the other at a normal treatment temperature. The device is one wherein these successive phases are obtained by means of a heating unit formed by a cylindrical assembly comprising two heating zones on either side of which are provided guide means for the yarn. The zones are heated by means of two resistance elements embedded inside the cylindrical assembly. The two resistance elements are mounted in parallel, offset with respect to each other along the length of the unit, and each associated with a thermocouple element enabling temperature to be regulated accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: ICBT Roanne
    Inventors: Carlos M. Gabalda, Pierre Mirabel
  • Patent number: 5487225
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for the controlled drying of polymer plastic pellets within a dryer hopper are provided. A sensor tree having a plurality of temperature sensors spaced vertically on the tree is positioned vertically within the dryer hopper so that the individual sensors are each located at varying vertical distances from the bottom to the top of the dryer hopper. A target temperature for a particular type of polymer plastic pellet, when maintained for a specified residence time, indicates that the pellet is thoroughly dry for use in a manufacturing process. By determining the vertical level at which the target temperature has been achieved for the desired residence time, the amount of dry material within the hopper that is ready to be input to the manufacturing process is determined. A signal processing unit operating a software program automatically controls the throughput of the dryer hopper so that only dry polymer plastic pellets leave the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: The Conair Group, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Downie
  • Patent number: 5487226
    Abstract: A manure drying system for reducing the moisture content in manure collected in an animal husbandry operation, and a method of carrying out the manure drying process. The system and method include providing an animal confinement facility having a ventilation system operating within the facility which causes an air flow. Accumulation apparatus for collecting and selectively holding manure produced by the animals and channeling apparatus for directing at least some part of the air flow produced within the facility onto the manure collected by the accumulation apparatus are also provided. The use of the apparatus and method cause a significant reduction in the moisture content of the manure accumulated and facilitate handling and disposal operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: CTB, Inc.
    Inventor: Don R. Hoover
  • Patent number: 5487227
    Abstract: A ski boot comprising a lower shell (1) on which a boot leg (5) in the form of a collar fitted with tightening buckles (6, 7) is articulated. At the rear, the boot leg (5) is provided with a slot (9) extending, from the upper edge, over most of its height. This slot has overthicknesses (12, 13) of matching profile which are fitted into each other under the effect of a slide (20) whose movement closes and opens the slot in the manner of a zipper. This construction allows wide opening of the boot leg for putting the boot on the taking it off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol S.A.
    Inventor: Gilles Marmonier
  • Patent number: 5487228
    Abstract: In a material transfer system, material from an excavation is drawn into a vessel by suction from a vacuum source. The vessel has discharge flaps at the bottom that are held closed by the suction. When the weight of the material in the vessel reaches a predetermined value, the flaps open and the material is discharged from the vessel. After the discharge, counterweights almost close the flaps and the suction seals the discharge flaps so that additional material is drawn into the vessel. The vessel includes a vibratory section and has sides that slope outwardly from top to bottom. The material entering the vessel contacts the vibratory section at a predetermined angle and is redirected to the discharge flaps without any caking on the vessel walls. The opening through the discharge flaps is larger than the inlet through which the material enters the vessel so that objects entering the vessel are discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Brooklyn Union Gas
    Inventors: Joseph Marazzo, Frank Russo, Michael G. Palmer, Gary L. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 5487229
    Abstract: An excavation head, mounted on one end of a telescoping hollow boom, has nozzles for directing jets of high speed air at an excavation face to loosen soil. A vacuum transport pipe extends from the excavation head through the hollow of the boom to a spherical joint. The spherical joint movably joins the other end of the boom to a primary separator. The primary separator is a chamber for disentraining loosened soil from air flowing through the primary separator. A primary air lock is fixed to the lower portion of the primary separator for expelling soil from the primary separator. A secondary separator is joined to the primary separator by way of a separator connector pipe. A secondary air lock is fixed to the lower portion of the secondary separator for expelling soil from the secondary separator. A positive displacement vacuum pump has its vacuum side pneumatically connected to the secondary separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Nathenson, Jerome Apt, Jr., Martin J. Uram, Paul M. Brumbaugh, Gary H. Brawley, Donald J. Hackman, Brian Christenson