Patents Issued in March 9, 1999
  • Patent number: 5878518
    Abstract: A portable sign stand with rollers and an adjustable weighted base. The base member has one or more compartments so that liquid or solid ballast can be added to stabilize the sign stand in windy conditions. Wheels are provided on one edge of the base member in order to allow the sign stand to be rolled and easily moved to different positions. The axle member for the wheels is held in place on the base member by a bracket member which also helps secure the sign member to the base member. A pair of springs of the like can be used to connect the sign member to the base in order to provide a better wind-resistant sign stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Grewe
  • Patent number: 5878519
    Abstract: A support and gripping apparatus for supporting traffic control signs to a concrete roadway abutment. The support has a plate which rests on the top of the abutment and which is held in place by a flange and adjustable grips which engage the abutment side wall. C-clamps are positioned along the plate. An adaptor is detachably securable to the plate and has a spring and vertically extending tube which carries the sign. Handles may be provided on the base to assist in moving and positioning the support. The adaptor may extend horizontally in cantilever fashion past the abutment side wall and having a group supported leg for additional stability. A wedge may be used by the installer to lift a glare screen if one is mounted on the abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Woudenberg Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Huyck, Jr., Gregory K. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5878520
    Abstract: The new advertising band for quick and easy locking, unlocking and re-locking about merchandise is a flexible strip having a lead end section, a body section, and a tail end section. The lead end section is equipped with a lock aperture having a maximum dimension in the longitudinal direction and a minimum dimension transverse thereto. The body section has a substantial length and transverse width for displaying advertising information. Its length is at least as great as the combined length of both the lead and the tail end sections. The tail end section has laterally paired locking members separated by neck members along its length. It is easily pulled through the aperture to lock any pair of the locking members against the minimum dimension edges of the aperture and yet is easily and quickly unlocked from the aperture by aligning its locking members with the maximum dimension of the aperture and pulling it free from the aperture. The ideal lock aperture has a Saturn design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Bedford Industries
    Inventors: Jay A. Milbrandt, Debra K. Houseman, John B. Linquist
  • Patent number: 5878521
    Abstract: A stealth sight device including a front sight that has a housing positioned on a front mounting portion. The front mounting portion is positioned along a top front end of a barrel covering of a firing arm, and being secured thereto. The housing of the front sight has a rear portion, a front portion, and a tritium vial therein. The vial of the housing of the front sight has a back end and a light emitting end contained therein. Also, included is a rear sight that has a rear mounting portion with a pair of housing units thereon. The rear mounting portion is secured to a top rear end of the covering of the barrel of the firearm. Each housing unit of the rear sight has a tritium vial with a back end a light emitting end contained therein. Lastly, each tritium vial of the housing of the front sight and the housing units of the rear sight is self luminous to emit a light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Kenneth O. Warnock
  • Patent number: 5878522
    Abstract: A tool for attaching wire to a fishing attachment having an eye loop. The tool has an opened tapered stainless steel wire hook fit into the tool's head which can rotate with respect to a hollow handle. The handle's body may have internal ridges which engage peripheral external ridges on the hook's head in a snap-on fit. Similarly, a cap may cover both the head and hook and be mounted on the tool's handle. ABS plastic and the injection molding process can be used to made the tool's head and body. Also, disclosed in a method of using the tool to attach an eyed fishing attachment to a wire in a tightly helical wrap manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Alan Thedford
  • Patent number: 5878523
    Abstract: An automatic cut-off motorized reeling assembly is provided including a fishing pole with a reel attached thereto at an inboard end thereof. The reel has a handle rotatably coupled thereto and a spool rotatably coupled thereto about an axis perpendicular to an axis about which the handle rotates. A gear assembly is connected between the spool and the handle for automatically reeling the reel only upon the receipt of voltage thus requiring the manual reeling of the reel upon the lack of receipt of voltage. A switch is connected between a power source and the gear means with a deactuated orientation for precluding the supply of voltage to the motor and an actuated orientation adapted to supply voltage to the motor. A cut off mechanism is provided for unconditionally precluding the supply of voltage to the gear assembly upon a load being detected on a line of the pole, as when a fish is caught, thereby requiring the user to manually reel the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Stephen R. Wenzel
  • Patent number: 5878524
    Abstract: A fishing lure wherein a hook is retracted within the body of the lure during casting and retrieving and is released and extended to an extended hooking position in response to the strike of a fish. The lure including a plunger slidably received within a plunger cavity which extends through the lure body, and a nose assembly, which inserts into the housing so as to receive the plunger between two diametrically opposed resilient fingers. The resilient fingers having inwardly extending projections which seat within corresponding notches in the plunger so as to lock the plunger and the attached hook in the retracted position and release the plunger upon forward movement of the nose assembly relative to the housing. The fingers being disposed in a locking chamber when the plunger is in the retracted position so that a wall of the locking chamber prevents the fingers from releasing the plunger until the fingers are moved out of the locking chamber by the displacement of the nose assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Daniel L. Braden
  • Patent number: 5878525
    Abstract: A slip sinker includes a nylon tube (12) having a pair of flared ends (14) and (16). A weight (20) is secured to the tube with a pair of partially closed wire loops (22) and (24) disposed at either end of the weight. The weight includes a generally flat surface that extends between the wire loops (22) and (24) and is compressed against the length of the tube in order to securely hold the weight to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Norman P. Metzler
  • Patent number: 5878526
    Abstract: A scent dispensing electronic bug killer device 10 including a housing member 20 having at least one opening 22, an electrical grid member 30, and a bait holder 40 disposed within the housing member 20 and a fan element 43 for forcibly dispersing the scent from the bait holder 40 through the opening 22 to lure roaches 50 into contact with the electrical grid member 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventors: Roger A. Brigalia, Sr., Arthur S. Hardy
  • Patent number: 5878527
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the cultivation of plants, comprising the following steps:a) placing root containers (2) containing a plant on a cultivation conveyor belt (4),b) allowing the plants (3) cultivated in the root containers to grow on said cultivation conveyor belt whilst the cultivation conveyor belt is stationary,c) using the cultivation conveyor belt to transport the root containers placed on the cultivation conveyor belt to a dispensing point (14), for example when the plants have grown sufficiently or have to be given an intermediate treatment.With this method it is advantageous if the cultivation conveyor belt (4) extends through a tray (1) having raised side walls (5) so that water can be supplied to the tray during step b) without said water flowing away of its own accord. The invention also relates to an installation for application of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Damsigt B.V.
    Inventor: Jacob Valstar
  • Patent number: 5878528
    Abstract: The protector comprises two plastic moldings, fastened together to form a cone around a tree planted in a city avenue. The protector prevents salt from leaching down to the root-ball of the tree, and protects the tree from damage from snow and slush piled around the tree. The protectors are temporary, and the fasteners used can be removed by the authorities, but are of the vandal-resistant type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Emil Albert Cornelius Pattyn
  • Patent number: 5878529
    Abstract: An entrance device for placement in a facade of a building includes at least two revolving doors. Each of the revolving doors has an input section and an output section. A sliding door provides closure of the input and output sections of the two revolving doors. The sliding door is disposed between the two revolving doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Boon Edam B.V.
    Inventor: Jacob Robert Alfred Huber
  • Patent number: 5878530
    Abstract: A remotely controllable door operator system permitting active and passive use of a door includes a transmitter, a receiver, a master timing sequencing mechanism, a clutch-regulated prime mover that can actively move the door, and a mechanism that senses whether the door is fully closed. The door operator is controllable by depressing a single button on the transmitter, which sends a signal to the receiver. If the sense mechanism determines the door is fully closed, the receiver causes the timing mechanism to cause the prime mover to disengage the door latch and to commence actively opening the door for a first time period. The timing mechanism may be user adjusted to control the extent of the door opening by adjusting the length of the first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Eccleston Mechanical
    Inventors: Jon E. Eccleston, Charles H. Eccleston, III
  • Patent number: 5878532
    Abstract: A door cartridge assembly is provided to be installed into a vehicle door. The assembly includes a door hardware mounting panel having door components mounted thereon and being constructed and arranged to be fixedly mounted to a vehicle door; coupling structure carried by the mounting panel; and a door latch assembly constructed and arranged to be secured to a vehicle door to provide a latch for the vehicle door. The door latch assembly includes a latching member constructed and arranged to be movable between a latching position and a releasing position. The coupling structure is constructed and arranged to receive the latching member in latching relation therewith when the latching member is in the latching position thereof, thereby permitting the mounting panel to be transported with the door latch assembly connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Atoma International Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kavanagh, Richard C. Wroblewski, Robert B. Mooney, D'Arcy Miller
  • Patent number: 5878533
    Abstract: A heated gutter system for preventing the build up of ice and snow on and in a roof gutter. The roof gutter includes a bottom wall, an upper wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of opposing ends. The upper and front walls have a space therebetween. A plurality of support brackets are positioned in the gutter along the length of the same. Each of the support brackets has a groove formed therein which is positioned adjacent the rear wall of the gutter. The groove in each of the brackets is aligned with the grooves in the other brackets. A heating element extends along the length of the gutter in between the grooves in each of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: E & T Tooling Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Swanfeld, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5878534
    Abstract: A safety device in the form of a building component (3) which has a channel (1) along which a traveller (4) may move. The traveller (4) has attachment means (5) for attachment to a safety harness. The building component (3) can be in the form of a roof ridge section (6) and can have an internal or external channel along which a suitable traveller (3) can move. The building component (3) can also be in the form of a gutter section (7), roof tile (9) or other component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: David Gleave
  • Patent number: 5878535
    Abstract: A system is provided for tea service in a modern style teahouse, the latter combining quick service with the ambiance of more traditional quiet seating. A transition area between the quick service public and quiet seating lounge areas holds an inner counter with tea and tea concentrate based product processing devices, an aisle allowing passage for a tea tender and a semi-circular service/information counter. The information counter includes a first and second horizontal countertop parallel to one another joined together by a vertical wall in a step arrangement. A plurality of stools are arranged around the information counter on a side opposite the aisle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Lipton, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Nancye Lewis Green
  • Patent number: 5878536
    Abstract: A neonatal infant care headwall fixture defining an infant care station for concentrating infant care equipment in a neonatal health care facility includes a body formed from a plurality of wall members with at least one vertically extending wall member defining a front surface and at least one horizontally extending wall member defining a top surface with the front surface and top surface cooperating to define a recess for receiving therein at least a portion of an infant support structure to positively locate the infant support structure and to locate infant care equipment associated with the headwall fixture in juxtaposition with an infant support structure at least partially disposed with the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority
    Inventors: Cathy Demmitt, David Vandenberg, Lori Rodine, Macklyn Rhett Sellers, Currie A. Dail
  • Patent number: 5878537
    Abstract: A squirrel-proof post is composed of a post, supporting a bird feeder or bird house, an annular sleeve, a set of springs, and a means of securing the springs to both the platform supporting the bird feeder or house and to the sleeve. The set of springs will be naturally somewhat elongated due to the weight of the sleeve. When the squirrel climbs up the post and onto the sleeve or else jumps from the ground onto the sleeve, the additional weight will cause the sleeve to begin to slide down the post at a rate approximating free fall. This sudden and rapid acceleration induces the squirrel to immediately jump off the sleeve, returning to the ground unharmed. The reduction in weight acting in opposition to the restoring force of the springs will rapidly result in the return of the sleeve toward its equilibrium position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Thomas J. Flischel
  • Patent number: 5878538
    Abstract: A device, particularly for compensating the internal and external pressures in a double-glazing unit, such double-glazing units comprising a frame which supports two sheets made of at least partially transparent material, a chamber being formed between the two sheets and being adapted to provide an air space for thermal and acoustic insulation. The device comprises a duct which connects the inside of the chamber to the outside environment and is shaped so as to form two siphons arranged in series, a first siphon, located towards the chamber, having a higher head than a second siphon, located towards the outlet of the duct into the outside environment, the device further comprising elements for absorbing the moisture of the air contained in the portion of duct between the siphons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Finvetro S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mauro Rossini
  • Patent number: 5878539
    Abstract: The present invention includes an improved tubular skylight system having a clear acrylic outer dome, an aluminum flashing, an aluminum light tube, an aluminum ceiling plaster ring, and a prismatic diffuser. The outer dome includes an aluminum ring around the base of the dome which contains a circular channel and holes which provide for increased heat dissipation and condensation removal. The aluminum ring allows the outer acrylic dome to be attached directly to the flashing thereby substantially decreasing the risk of crack formation in the acrylic dome. Moreover, the surface of the acrylic dome is imprinted to refract, a substantially increased amount of the natural light down into the light tube.The lower end of the light tube extends to the inside surface of the ceiling thereby substantially increasing the dispersion of the light rays entering the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Dennis Grubb
  • Patent number: 5878540
    Abstract: A mounting pan for a hollow utility pole to mount the same on a concrete support is described. The pan includes an upper mounting plate for securing the same to the pole base, and simultaneously to the concrete support wherein a toroidal recess is provided between the base of the plate and the concrete support for the accumulation of moisture within the pole structure and gravity drains therefrom are provided to eliminate the accumulatedd moisture from the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Site Photometrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome Neil Morstein
  • Patent number: 5878541
    Abstract: A ceiling construction, especially for a large area shuttering construction for reinforced concrete ceilings, has a plurality of ceiling panels laterally abutting to each other. On a main plate of the ceiling panel, U-profiled shackles are arranged in a row and are aligned with each other. The U-profiled shackles have a web, two legs extending from the web to the main plate and having free ends, and flanges formed extending outwardly at a right angle from the free ends and being screwed to the main plate. Isolated longitudinal bars are fixed by a welding connection in the corners formed by the webs and legs of the U-profiled shackle. The isolated longitudinal bars are located away from the main plate. The ceiling construction is covered with concrete. During the construction and concrete operation, the isolated longitudinal bars serve to transmit forces of pressure. In the completed, solidified state, the bars serve to transmit tensile forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Eva Gruber
  • Patent number: 5878542
    Abstract: A new log siding for installing on a structure to simulate an appearance of a log cabin. The inventive device includes a plurality of longitudinal sections adapted for coupling together in a side by side orientation and an end to end orientation on a wall of a structure. Each of the longitudinal sections has an arcuate central portion. The arcuate central portion has an upper edge extending upwardly therefrom. The upper edge has a downturned end portion forming a receiving slot. The arcuate central portion has a lower edge extending downwardly therefrom. The lower edge has an upturned portion on an intermediate portion thereof. The upturned portion has a slot formed therein. The lower edge has a plurality of apertures therethrough disposed below the upturned portion. The arcuate central portion has indicia thereon resembling a log. A plurality of corner posts are adapted for coupling with the longitudinal sections at corners of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Melissa D. Cornelius
  • Patent number: 5878543
    Abstract: Siding panel for installation on the walls, soffits or other exposed surfaces of a structure having a nailing hem folded back upon itself to form a lateral edge of the siding panel and terminating in a first lip projecting outwardly from the front side of the siding panel and away from the lateral edge. A U-shaped channel is formed on the front side of the siding panel and is connected to the nailing hem. A U-shaped projection extends along the siding panel and terminates in a second lip projecting away from the back of the siding panel and the U-shaped projection. The U-shaped channel receives a U-shaped projection of an adjacent panel and the first lip engages and interlocks with the second lip of the adjacent panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Associated Materials, Incorporated
    Inventor: Jack T. Mowery
  • Patent number: 5878544
    Abstract: An improved stabilizing system for a poured concrete wall utilizing interlocking foam blocks disposed on a foundation. The improved stabilizing system comprises a plurality of reinforcement members. The first ends of the reinforcement members are secured within the foundation to extend in a vertical orientation through internal cavities within the plurality of courses of the interlocking foam blocks. A plurality of retainers are disposed on the upper surface of the interlocking foam blocks. A plurality of binders secure the plurality of retainers to the plurality of reinforcement members for stabilizing the wall during the process of pouring a concrete material within the internal cavities of the interlocking foam blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Gordon McKinnon
  • Patent number: 5878545
    Abstract: A block, in particular a shuttering block or standard block, has two longitudinal walls which form an outer wall and an inner wall. These are connected to one another by at least one transverse wall, which extends over at least part of the height of the block. The outer wall is produced from an insulating material and is connected to the inner wall via positively locking connecting devices. In this arrangement, the at least one transverse wall is integral with the outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Siegfried Gebhart
  • Patent number: 5878546
    Abstract: A concrete reinforcing bar connector is described in which first and second elongated resilient clip members are formed in a substantially semi-circular "C" shaped cross-sectional configuration. The first and second clip members include opposed open ends spaced apart along their respective center axes. Each of the first and second elongated resilient clip members includes a pair of longitudinal edges that are substantially parallel to their associated center axis and are spaced apart from one another to form a reinforcing bar receiving side opening. The longitudinal edges terminate in substantially radially inward projecting flanges. Inwardly projecting yieldable tabs are formed at each end of the first and second clip members. The tabs are angularly inclined toward the respective center axes of the clip members. The tabs are substantially diametrically opposed to the associated reinforcing bar receiving side openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Albert R. Westover
  • Patent number: 5878547
    Abstract: A method of wrapping a floral grouping, preferably an orchid, with a wrapper which may be a sheet of material, a sleeve or a preformed pot cover. The wrapper is preferably constructed from a laminated material made up of at least a waxy layer and a support layer which are superposed upon each other and connected or laminated to each other. A second waxy layer may be connected or laminated to the other surface of the support surface. The waxy layer is made from a waxy material which may be a waxed paper or waxed tissue. The wrapped floral grouping may also contain a shredded material for cushioning the blooms of the floral grouping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 5878548
    Abstract: A corner protector for protecting the top corners of stacks of lumber from being indented or frayed by tie-down cables in a railroad freight car, comprises a sidewall connected at its top to a top wall at right angles to the sidewall along a fold line so that the sidewall is adapted to contact the side of a stack of lumber and the top wall is adapted to contact the top of the stack of lumber, cable alignment tabs on top of the top wall for aligning the tie down cable, cable retention fingers mounted on the sidewall for capturing and detaining the tie down cable, whereby when the protector is mounted on the corner of a stack of lumber it is protected against being contacted and indented by the tie down cable, the cable is protected against wearing and fraying caused by contacting the corner of the stack of lumber, and the corner protector may be installed without disconnecting the cable by loosening the cable and inserting the protector under the cable and mounting the protector on the top corner of the stack
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Pennsy Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Sauer, John W. Rudibaugh
  • Patent number: 5878549
    Abstract: An easy open tear control package, preferably a pouch, from a film of polymeric barrier material is disclosed. Methods and films for making of such packages are also disclosed. The easy open tear control feature arises from roughening portions of the outer or inner surface of the films, prior to fabricating into the package. The roughened portion is on one face or on each face of the package and is at least a full width of a seal when the film is made into the package. The roughened portion can extend the entire width of the package and can be of any desired length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: American National Can Company
    Inventors: Richard Littmann, Ulrich Weingartner, Thomas S. Wildenberg, Jerry Jesse, Deane E. Galloway
  • Patent number: 5878550
    Abstract: Infusion packets have envelopes of heat-sealable material with a looped thread within the packets to wring moisture from the packet in use. A central part of the thread loop is held in a widened region of one edge seal while the ends of the loop project through the opposite edge seal in which they are movable when the loop is to be contracted. The packets are produced by forming a continuous series of thread loops on one elongate web and placing doses of infusion material on a second elongate web before bringing the webs together with the thread loops and infusion material between them. The two webs are then welded together and the individual packets are separated from the joined webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Lipton, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Cahill, Geoffrey William Vernon
  • Patent number: 5878551
    Abstract: A packaging system including both methods and specific types of packaging addresses the need for a fully recoverable, reduced-volume packaging of compressible items. The system may involve initially compressing the item through folding and the like and wrapping the item for insertion into a bag or other flexible impermeable encasing. This bag may then be compressed externally or through evacuation and sealed so that the flexible impermeable encasing acts in conjunction the ambient pressure environment to hold the item in a fully compressed state. For ease of sealing the bag the entire package may be subjected to lower pressures and then sealed. In this manner the item is sealed prior to compression. In order to achieve full recovery of the item the compressible item may be constructed of an open-cell foam having a density at least greater than 1.2 pounds per cubic foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Lazy Pet Products
    Inventors: Dennis M. Curley, Chris M. Boos
  • Patent number: 5878552
    Abstract: An improved agricultural feed bagging machine for loading feedstock into expandable storage bags. The bagging machine has a double-tapered tunnel for deploying a folded bag, stretching the bag and then releasing the stretched bag about feed that is simultaneously being compacted and extruded within the tunnel towards and out an open end of the tunnel. The machine also includes a hopper disposed adjacent the tunnel forward end and communicating with the tunnel through a feed opening oriented in a wall defining the forward end of the tunnel. The machine also includes a rotor element for propelling feed stock from the hopper though the feed opening into the tunnel and a secured bag, the rotor element having a rotor rotatable about a horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Paul R. Wingert
  • Patent number: 5878553
    Abstract: A process and device move at least one filled sack from a suspended position at an individual filling nozzle into an upright position on a moving conveyor belt for introduction into a sack closure device, where the travel speed of the conveyor belt corresponds to the closure speed of the sack closure device, in which the at least one sack is initially transported horizontally out of an area beneath the filling nozzle before it is then deposited on the conveyor belt, and the horizontal conveying speed of the sack is greater than the travel speed of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Chronos Richardson GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Schlosser
  • Patent number: 5878554
    Abstract: The system involves the use of shallow boxes having an integral base and lid, with the lid being foldable down to close the box as part of the automated packaging of stacks of sheets of labels or other sheet material. The system involves one or more accumulators having buffering capability between sheet stackers and the cartoning equipment. The lids may be scored and subject to a pre-breaking step so that their three layer construction may be readily formed into boxes in the course of the packaging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Dale E. Loree, Anthony J. Grace
  • Patent number: 5878555
    Abstract: Apparatus for wrapping articles in film material includes a stationary frame supporting a vertically reciprocable frame which in turn supports a rotatable ring member carrying a film carriage assembly by which film is wrapped around a load during rotation of the ring member. The ring member is a cast composite ring of a thermosetting, fiberglass reinforced polyester and comprises a flange by which the ring member is supported for rotation, and a body portion on which the film carriage and slip ring members are mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Newtec International S.A
    Inventors: Faruk M. Turfan, Normand Boyer, Thomas M. Oleksy
  • Patent number: 5878556
    Abstract: The instant invention relates to a lawn trimmer and an associated shield. The shield, in the preferred embodiment, is entirely formed from an impact resistant plastic. Additionally, the shield is defined by both an inner peripheral region and an outer peripheral region. An annular raised ring serves to define the boundary between these inner and outer regions. This shield is adapted to be removably secured to the drive shaft of a lawn trimmer. The interconnection between the drive shaft and shield is such that the shield can be rotated independent of the drive shaft. Such independent rotation of the shield allows the trimmer to be easily guided along either horizontal or vertical surfaces. Lastly, a spool of cutting filament is adapted to be removably secured to the drive shaft. The construction of the present invention allows for the removal and replacement of both the filament spool and the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Robert Franz
  • Patent number: 5878557
    Abstract: An agricultural combine having an internal combustion engine for driving the various assemblies on the combine. An electronic engine controller is used to monitor and control the operation of the engine. Sensors provide inputs to the electronic engine controller. In response to the inputs from these sensors the electronic engine controller controls the output of the engine. The straw chopper, the propulsion assembly, the separating assembly and the harvesting assembly are provided with on/off switches that are in communication with the electronic engine controller. These on/off switches located in the operator's cab of the combine which are used to activate these crop processing assemblies. In response to an off signal by one or more of these switches the maximum power level is decreased accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael Keith Wyffels, Philip Alan Harden
  • Patent number: 5878558
    Abstract: Mounting structure attaching a cotton harvester to a tractor includes a pair of rear subframe support members that attach one to a side directly to the tractor and are designed for the specific tractor to which the harvester will be mounted. A second group of parts of standard design includes frame members with two rear support posts that align with the rear frame support members. A self-aligning pocket on the lower end of each of the posts and a pair of tapered bushings rigidly fixed to each post above the pocket releasibly secure the rear support posts to the rear frame support members. The rear support posts carry rear mounted harvesting units. Another group of parts provides front harvester support with a post design which is easily and quickly attachable to and removable from the tractor frame. Screw-type jack stands lift the harvester from attaching points on the tractor and allow the tractor to be driven out from under the harvester basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Robert Fox, Timothy Arthur Deutsch
  • Patent number: 5878559
    Abstract: A combine and corn harvesting head of the type for removing ears of corn from their associated stalks are disclosed herein. The harvesting head includes a row unit for each row to be harvested by the combine while following a path through a field of corn to be harvested. The row units each include a stationary vertical surface and a continuous belt rotatably supported to provide a moving surface parallel to the vertical surface. The row unit removes ears of corn from their respective stalks when the ears are engaged by both the moveable and the stationary surfaces. More specifically, the movement of the moveable surface relative to the stationary surface rotates the ears relative to the stalks (i.e. rolls the ears along the stationary surface) to remove the ears and to convey them to the conveying auger of the harvesting head. The ears are then conveyed into the combine where they are threshed to remove the kernels of corn from the cobs of the ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Cooksey, Vincent M. Moster
  • Patent number: 5878560
    Abstract: A row crop header for a harvesting machine includes a frame and a row unit supported by the frame in a row unit plane. The row unit includes a gatherer operating in a gatherer plane oblique to the row unit plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventor: Orlin W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5878561
    Abstract: A row crop harvesting device for mounting on the forward end of a combine, the row crop harvesting unit having closely spaced individual row harvesting units to facilitate retrieval of downed crop and use on closely-spaced crops. The present invention is particularly applicable to corn harvesting units that include a gear housing which is part of and supports the individual row harvesting units, which individual row harvesting units are adjustable transverse to the forward end of the combine to allow adjustment for crop row spacing. The present invention allows closer spacing of the individual row harvesting units by offsetting certain components of the row harvesting units on alternate row harvesting units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Ira I. Gunn
  • Patent number: 5878562
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in fruit picking comprising a mobile support structure (11), a conduit (19) supported by the mobile support and having an inlet section for entry of fruit, an outlet section for discharge of fruit and a fluid inlet for entry of fluid, a fluid supply means (17, 37, 38, 22) for directing fluid through the fluid inlet down an inner surface of the conduit along which fruit moves, a recovering area (17) for receipt of fruit discharged through the outlet section and a retarding means in the conduit to retard motion of fruit travelling through the conduit under the action of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Lawrence Ronald Cernusco
  • Patent number: 5878563
    Abstract: There is provided an ergonomic rake which includes an elongated handle having first and second ends. A head is attached to the handle at its first end. The second end of the handle is a free end. A bend is provided in the handle so that the user of the rake may remain in a substantially upright position while raking to reduce the likelihood of a back injury. A support stand is rotatably attached to one side of the head. By using the support stand, the rake may be stood up while not in use so that the user does not need to bend over to pick up the rake, which also reduces the likelihood of a back injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Paul Leslie Dutcher
  • Patent number: 5878564
    Abstract: A steel cord (114) comprises strength elements (100, 132) and having a length, a longitudinal central axis (112) and a cord pitch. At least one of the elements (100) has a projection on a plane YZ perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis (112). This projection takes the form of a curve with a radius of curvature which alternates between a maximum and a minimum. The curve further has a center of curvature. The radius of curvature and the center of curvature lie inside the curve so that a convex curve is obtained. The cord (114) is further characterized by one or both of following features:(i) the distance between two minimum radii of curvature of said curve measured along the longitudinal central axis (112) is different from half the cord pitch; or(ii) if all of said elements (100) provide a convex curve, at least one of said convex curves substantially differs from another convex curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: N.V. Bekaert S.A.
    Inventors: Xavier De Vos, Frans Van Giel
  • Patent number: 5878565
    Abstract: Closable chain link (1) with an open limb (2), comprising a filler (9) connected to a locking member rotatable relative thereto, which is confined within the space enclosed by the link (1) so as to be restrained from sliding movement in axial direction and is fitted with an axially slidable locking mechanism (29, 30) arranged internally of the locking member (15). By compression of a spring (17), which normally keeps the locking mechanism (29, 30) in the locked position, this mechanism (29, 30) can be brought in a position wherein the locking member (15) is coupled to the retaining member (14) in the direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Robert Grootveld
  • Patent number: 5878566
    Abstract: A control method of a gas turbine which is provided with a multi can type combustor consisting of a plurality of unit combustors, each of which has a first stage combustion section for diffusion combustion and a second stage combustion section for premix combustion. Combustion states in the first and second stage combustion sections are monitored to take in quantities representative of the combustion conditions as control factors. The combustion in the second stage combustion section is assumed to be abnormal when the taken in quantities exceed an allowable limit and the combustion in the first and second stage combustion sections is changed to independent combustion only in the first stage combustion section when the number of unit combustors, each of which is assumed to be abnormal, exceeds a predetermined number of the unit combustors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Endo, Fumiyuki Hirose, Akira Shimura, Takumi Yamanobe, Isao Sato, Hiraku Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5878567
    Abstract: A catalytic converter having a first highly loaded palladium or trimetal catalytic element containing palladium of relatively large particle size closely coupled to the engine exhaust manifold, followed by one or more second catalytic elements having high oxygen storage capacity to provide protection against warmed-up engine emissions break through, is efficient in reducing cold-start emissions through early catalyst light-off. The catalytic converter is advantageously used in conjunction with an engine strategy employing oscillative spark retard during warm up to further reduce catalyst light-off and transient spark advance dampening to eliminate spiking of HC and CO during engine transients. When employed in conjunction with secondary air injection, the engine EEC is programmed to delay air injection for a period following cold-start sufficient to assure that catalyst light-off is rapidly attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Anthony Adamczyk, Jr., Scott Christopher Williams, Mario G. Meneghel, Haren S. Gandhi
  • Patent number: 5878568
    Abstract: A pneumatic tool of the front exhaust type is composed of a main body, a rotary end member, a connection member, three leakproof rings, a noise reducing plate, and a flow adjusting set. The main body has a tubular extension portion. The rotary end member has a body provided with a first hole and a second hole. The first hole has a hole diameter greater than the outer diameter of the tubular extension portion, and a length equal to the length of the tubular extension portion. The second hole is in communication with the first hole and is greater in hole diameter than the first hole. The connection member is received in the tubular extension portion via the second hole. The connection member has a threaded portion provided with at least one leakproof ring so as to enable the connection member to be fastened pivotally with the rotary end member when the connection member is fastened with the tubular extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Chia-Chiung Chuang