Patents Issued in August 31, 1999
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Patent number: 5943949Abstract: An indoor grille having a steam-generating reservoir is described. The reservoir is heated by the heating elements used to heat the grille structure of the unit. The combination of steaming and grilling provides a flavorful quality to meats and other foods prepared therein. The heating elements of the grille are disposed in the metal body of the unit, which acts like a heat sink. The heat sink ensures that the unit attains cooking temperatures faster.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Wing Shing Products (BVI) Co., Ltd.Inventors: John C. K. Sham, Kumkit KunavongVorakul
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Patent number: 5943950Abstract: It is the object of the present invention to provide utensils for table use or cooking use, which can easily improve the taste of food and drink and make them tasty without using particular energy in a short time. The utensils for table use or cooking use according to the present invention have their surface coated with a film of titanium oxide; when they are exposed to sunrays, an electric light or the like, electrons and positive holes are formed on the film of titanium oxide on the surface thereof according to photocatalytic reaction, whose strong oxidation-reaction decomposes residual chlorine and organic compounds dissolved in water to remove the odor of chlorine and the odor of mold and makes clusters of water in food and drink small to improve the taste of food and drink and to make them tasty.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignees: Hiroko Taoda, Kimiko Minowa, Kato Manufacturing Corporation Limited, Aiwa Corporation LimitedInventors: Hiroko Taoda, Kimiko Minowa, Shigekazu Kato, Hiroaki Yokoi
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Patent number: 5943951Abstract: Flexible press sleeve for a press roll for treating a web includes an inside surface including a longitudinal press area adapted to be pressurized with a press shoe by directing pressure radially outward, and a flexible section on at least one end of the press area having a greater flexibility than a flexibility of the press sleeve outside the flexible section, without causing a significant weakening of the press sleeve within the flexible section. A press shoe includes the press roll and a mating roll forming a press opening with the press roll. A method of treating a web includes draining a fibrous pulp web by using the press shoe.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbHInventors: Josef Muellner, Uwe Matuschczyk
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Patent number: 5943952Abstract: The calender for the sublimatic thermoprinting of fabrics which operates continuously or for individual items has a calendering group (1) which is provided in the front part with positioning plane (2) on which the printing paper (3) and the fabric (4) are placed. In front of the plane are located bobbins on which are wound respectively the printing paper (3), the fabric (4) and the protection paper (5). Downstream of the calendering group is located a transfer belt (6) and bobbins for the rewinding respectively of the exhausted printing paper (3'), the fabric (4') and the protection paper (5').Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Monti Antonio S.p.A.Inventor: Antonio Monti
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Patent number: 5943953Abstract: An exposure frame (30) and a registration printing pallet (130) are disclosed for registering a printing screen frame (10) holding a screen (12) first to the artwork (4) and next to the pallet (19) supporting the product (T) to be screened.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: M&R Printing Equipment, Inc.Inventor: Andrew L. Oleson
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Patent number: 5943954Abstract: A stencil printer of the present invention is selectively operable in a simplex print mode or a duplex print mode and includes two drums. The drums each has a respective master support on its circumferential surface. The master supports of the two drums are movable into and out of contact with each other without the distance between the shafts of the drums being changed. In the duplex print mode, the master supports contact each other with the intermediary of a paper so as to print images on both sides of the paper at the same time. The printer obviates noise and insures high image quality.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Tohoku Ricoh Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tomoya Otomo
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Patent number: 5943955Abstract: In order to facilitate removal and replacement of blanket and impression sleeves in a rotary offset printing press, the blanket and plate cylinders are supported in cantilever fashion. The cantilevered cylinders allow axial removal and replacement of the blanket and impression sleeves without temporary support of the cylinder and without removal of any bearings. Each cylinder is rotatably supported on a cantilevered support shaft having a bore therethrough. A drive shaft operatively connected to a drive motor extends through the support shaft bore and engages the inner surface of the generally hollow cylinder. A blanket or impression sleeve mounted on the cylinder is removable using compressed air, which is routed through a bore in the drive shaft and through a plurality of radially oriented passage in a flange on the end of the drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Goss Graphic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thaddeus A. Niemiro, Thomas W. Orzechowski, Radoslaw Kulesza
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Patent number: 5943956Abstract: A dry cleaning system for removing dust and lint on the fly from blanket cylinders in offset printing presses. The cleaning system includes a relatively small brush mounted for rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the blanket cylinder. In operation, the brush can be reciprocally moved across the surface of the blanket cylinder and selectively moved into and out of contact with the blanket cylinder. The contact pressure of the brush is pneumatically controlled to maintain a predetermined, set pressure and the brush automatically retracts should the pressure source fail. The system can be operated to clean the entire width of the blanket cylinder or only the portion of it actually being used to print. A vacuum pickup is included with its separately mounted housing and the entire cleaning system is carried on a unitary support structure that is removably secured at its ends for quick and easy installation and removal.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Machine Design Service, Inc.Inventors: Manuel E. Marquez, Boris Rozenfeld, Peter Nemeth
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Patent number: 5943957Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for pad printing inked images onto injection-molded pieces, while they are still in the mold, using a robotics device and an ink transfer mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Nibco Inc.Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
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Patent number: 5943958Abstract: A rail vehicle, has at least two vehicle sections joined pivotably to one another so as to provide an intermediate space dimension to suit relative motions while traveling around curbs as well as over dips and humps, at least one line provided for each of the vehicle sections for electrical current, air or hydraulic fluid, the at least one line having a line segment that compensates a relative motion of the vehicle sections, a sleeve which spans the intermediate space between the vehicle sections, the sleeve enveloping the line and being connected to the line in a shear-resistant manner, the line segment that compensates for the relative motions of the vehicle sections outside the sleeve extending in a horizontal disposition.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Duewag AktiengesellschaftInventors: Lothar Hofmann, Reinhold Ippers, Dietmar Thauer, Oswald Schmidt, Felix Mayer
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Patent number: 5943959Abstract: A partially spring-loaded drive, particularly for electrically-powered rail vehicles, having a gear which, including an encapsulating gear housing, is seated on the wheel axle, and a pinion that is seated in the gear housing. The coupled motor is fixedly secured to the truck, and the resilient, elastic fastening of the gear housing to the truck is effected by way of at least two elastic spring elements that are mounted nearly vertically and diametrically opposite the pinion shaft, and whose lines of influence extend through the center of the pinion shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation (Deutschland) GmbHInventor: Erwin Skumawitz
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Patent number: 5943960Abstract: A running wheel block, including a housing having at least one connecting surface for connection to a supporting framework, and further having two opposing, detachable side walls, two inwardly directed rotary bearing holding hubs, arranged in the housing, rotary bearings mounted in the hubs, and a running wheel mounted in the rotary bearings so that a section of its running surface projects from the housing toward at least one side. Each of the holding hubs is arranged on one of the two opposing side walls of the housing. The housing further includes at least one spacing holder arranged between the opposing side walls. The spacing holder forms a connecting surface. The detachable side wall has centering members that, when the side wall is attached to the housing, determine the position of the holding hubs relative to the running wheel axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Mannesmann AGInventors: Eberhard Becker, Udo Gersemsky, Winfried Gievers, Klaus-Peter Hoffmann, Karl Liebig, Bernd Neupert, Hans-Hermann Osthoff, Thomas Schweflinghaus, Roland Staggl, Karl Zacharias
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Patent number: 5943961Abstract: In a freight car truck assembly, an insert for converting a substantially flat, inclined, bolster pocket back wall into a pair of inclined surfaces for biasing a pair of split wedges laterally outwardly against side walls of the bolster pocket to create a space between the pair of split wedges. The insert is provided with a centrally located fin which projects into the space between the split wedges and engages against a side frame friction surface to control the location of the insert in the bolster pocket through frictional interference as the fin rubs against the friction surface. The insert can be loosely mounted in the bolster pocket without any need for welding the insert in place.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Pennsy CorporationInventors: John W. Rudibaugh, Charles L. Van Auken
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Patent number: 5943962Abstract: A device for compensating for the transverse forces acting on a rail vehicle whose car body is supported via spring action on at least one undercarriage and which can be displaced via a transverse compensator in transverse direction with respect to the undercarriage, a transverse spring action is associated for the buffering of dynamic oscillations, which can be connected or disconnected optionally as a function of the condition of travel.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth AGInventors: Gundolf Birkhahn, Manfred Dusing, Karl Lengl, Yuan Lu, Wolfgang Schafer
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Patent number: 5943963Abstract: In combination with a lading tie-down strap a shield for protecting the strap where it passes cover a corner of lading stacked on the flatbed of a cargo vehicle, e.g. a bulkhead railway flatcar. At least one end of each lading tie-down strap will be wound on a winch mounted on a side of the flatbed. The shields are formed from pieces of fabric or the like which are foldable into sleeves embracing the tie-down straps. When embracing a tie-down strap a shield sleeve must be sufficiently flexible so as to be windable on a winch along with the strap. Strips of Velcro-tape on the shields serve to releasably retain the shields on the tie-down straps.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Ireco IncorporatedInventor: Stephen H. Beals
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Patent number: 5943964Abstract: A light weight draft arm is provided for use in a railway car. The draft arm includes a center plate with a significant amount of material removed and lateral support members inboard and outboard of the center plate transversing the side walls. Removal of the material around the center plate along with the addition of the lateral support members decreases the overall weight of the draft arm while still maintaining its strength. With the exception of the enhancements around the center plate, the draft arm is conventional.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Buckeye Steel CastingsInventors: John R. Downes, Todd W. Stecker
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Patent number: 5943965Abstract: An improved collapsible folding massage table with four folding leg assemblies having improved folding and stabilizing features which eliminates a second cross brace wherein the leg assemblies include a folding leg brace and an elongated strut with a slot that slidingly receives a pivot pin on the folding leg brace. The table also includes a pair of cables interconnecting pivot pins of the leg braces on the opposing side of the table thereby facilitating unfolding of the table while preventing the table legs from folding when the table is in use. The collapsible foldable table also includes stabilized leg blocks to which the elongated struts are pivotally attached and horizontally offset from the pivot pin of the corresponding table leg also attached to the leg block. Furthermore, the collapsible foldable table also includes integral hinges that hingedly attaches two table top sections and also include provisions for attaching members of the folding leg braces.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Oakworks, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Riach, Robert E. Denoncourt
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Patent number: 5943966Abstract: A furniture system having a countertop midsection, two tower units with gliding base, a rigid screen, and flexible partitions. Using the tower unit shaft's neck, a pivoting connection is used to provide the flexibility of arrangement. The arrangement allows for any angle to be formed between each and every component part of the furniture system without disassembling furniture. A layering design of the tower units allows for multiple configurations. It also allows each component to operate independently of each other. Flexible partitions close the openings between rigid screens and change the configuration along with the system. Furthermore, any component can be upgraded to provide different functions or assume different shapes or forms. An example is the replacement of the shaft by a cage. This allows for a file cabinet inserts or another bulky item to be inserted without eliminating the function of the shaft's neck required to provide the pivoting point for all components.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventors: Jaime U. Machado, Mikhail L. Marsky
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Patent number: 5943967Abstract: A pharmacy shelving array is described which has a plurality of side-by-side, open-faced fixed shelving columns and a plurality of side-by-side, track mounted, roller supported movable shelving units parallel to and closely adjacent to the fixed columns. Tracks lying parallel to the front faces of the open-faced fixed shelving columns and having end stops adjacent their ends are provided. Each movable shelving unit has a back, an open front, sides, a top and a bottom, and a plurality of shelves extending between the sides. A guide adjacent the top and parallel to the track is provided for stabilizing the movable shelving units against tipping. A self-priming deceleration system is provided adjacent the side of each movable shelving unit for engaging a next adjacent shelving unit or end stop for slowing movement of the movable shelving unit as it moves in the direction thereof along the track.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Morgan Marshall Industries, Inc.Inventor: Philip D. Sherman
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Patent number: 5943968Abstract: A collapsible support structure for a removable table is disclosed. The collapsible structure comprises four legs and connecting members extending between the legs. Hinged connections between the legs and some of the connecting members provided by a pin extending from the connecting members and a hole in the top of the legs extending parallel to the legs.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Senator International LimitedInventors: Raymond Dobson, Robert Dennis Taylor
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Patent number: 5943969Abstract: A furnace comprises an enclosure, a hearth plate within the enclosure for supporting combustible material, a first heater element adjacent the hearth plate for initial combustion of the combustible material, a filter disposed above the hearth plate for filtering uncombusted products of combustion of the combustible material, and a second heater element adjacent the filter for final combustion of the uncombusted products of combustion filtered by the filter. A controller controls the first and second heater elements independently.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Barnstead/Thermolyne CorporationInventor: Steven C. Peake
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Patent number: 5943970Abstract: The method and equipment are proposed for wastes thermal destruction on the surface of a bath of melted metal and slag with a heating in plasma jets and the off-gas bubbling through a bath of melted slag, including a plasma hose generated in waste introduction zone which prevents the coming waste from contact with cooled units of the facility; thus, the reliable destruction of bacteria contaminated and toxic wastes are provided. The plasma hose is generated by the coaxial plasma torch with the hollow central electrode through which the wastes are fed. The units for a regular bacteriological examination of waste treatment products are also provided when the processed wastes are infectious wastes generated by medical and veterinary institutions.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1996Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventors: Adam Mikhailovich Gonopolsky, Yakov Abrammerovich Goldshtein, Nikolai Gedeonovich Doniants, Sergei Alexeevich Panfilov, Eduard Semenovich Tilman
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Patent number: 5943971Abstract: A mattress support table with conveyor receives a mattress from a feed conveyor. The support table then indexes to a central position whereat a sewing machine passes around the periphery to sew the uppermost fabric panel to the border panel. The table then indexes to the exit conveyor and discharges the sewn mattress to be turned over, whereupon the mattress is returned to the support table to sew a bottom fabric panel. The table conveyor may be moved with a sewing machine so that an edge of the mattress is presented to the table periphery thereby allowing the sewing machine access to the edge.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventors: David Trickett, Paul Rodgers
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Patent number: 5943972Abstract: A sewing apparatus for sewing an embroidery pattern that is larger than an embroidery region of an embroidery frame. The sewing apparatus divides the embroidery pattern into embroidery regions and causes the embroidery regions to overlap a predetermined width including a boundary line between adjacent embroidery regions.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takashi Hirata
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Patent number: 5943973Abstract: A programmable electronic sewing machine includes means for delivering a plurality of option output signals for controlling an optional device optionally provided for the sewing machine, a condition table storing sequentially arranged data of conditions including operating states of a plurality of operating sections of the sewing machine and a plurality of conditions including ON-states and OFF-states of the plurality of option output signals respectively, and programming means for selecting and setting at least one of the conditions stored in the condition table, thereby being capable of setting a condition for delivering each option output signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Yoshida, Kazushi Inoue
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Patent number: 5943974Abstract: A gathering gauge for assisting in the fabrication of a gather in a sewn article of manufacture. The gathering gauge is used to evenly distribute a given length of a fabric over a selected gather length, thereby eliminating guess work normally associated with such task. The gathering gauge is an elongated member defining a first slit for receiving and holding one end of a thread used to gather the fabric. A plurality of second slits is provided for receiving and holding a further portion of the thread. The second slits are disposed along the length of the gathering gauge at pre-selected distances from the first slit. A measuring guide is provided for determining the distance between the first slit and each individual second slit. Thus, depending upon the length of the fabric to be gathered, and either the length of the gather or the amount of gather desired, a particular second slit is selected.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Barbara Jones Hoag
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Patent number: 5943975Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a flower-shaped pillow/cushion and the pillow/cushion products formed thereby is disclosed. The flower-shaped pillow/cushion exhibits a soft look and feel while at the same time presenting a three-dimensional configuration which resists flattening and is capable of recovering its three-dimensional appearance even after use.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Angelika von Burchard
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Patent number: 5943976Abstract: A lockable storage cover is a single-unit which may be used to contain and safely lock down gear commonly used with smaller boats, and to form, in conjunction with a space on the boat, a storage locker. The lockable storage cover is designed for use with any small boat having an opening, especially a cockpit opening, in any situation where an operator has a need to secure and lock his/her sailing gear, either for reasons of convenience, theft deterrent, or shipping. Smaller gear such as a rudder and tiller and tiller extension are secured to the underside of cover, the cover is placed over a center cockpit of a boat and may be locked, enclosing the smaller gear within the cockpit and transforming the cockpit into a storage locker. Spars may be placed in the set of spar supports atop the lockable storage cover and secured by one or more moveable arms which may be locked in place and which doubles as a kickstand on which to prop the lockable storage cover for convenience.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Erik Herrmann Bakker
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Patent number: 5943977Abstract: A convertible water ski tow apparatus for a ski boat is disclosed. The apparatus includes a main tube and a bracket which are attachable to the conventional fixed ski tow pylon found in virtually all ski boats. The bracket affixes the main tube to the tow pylon and permits the main tube to positioned in either of two positions. In an upright position, the main tube acts as a vertical extension of the pylon, so as to facilitate and enhance wakejumping on conventional wakeboards, water skis, or other devices. In a horizontally extending position, the main tube extends outwardly from the boat, where it can be used for instructional skiing, barefoot skiing, and other applications. The apparatus is readily convertible in the field from one position to another, and is stabilized with adjustable rigging extending to the bow of the boat.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventors: Scott H. Womack, Ernest E. Nellos
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Patent number: 5943978Abstract: An inflatable boat (1) comprising laterally two inflatable buoyancy fenders (2) connected by a bottom (13) rigid at least transversely and by an underlying hull (4) presenting an approximately V transverse section, characterised in that a flexible bottom (16), lining the rigid bottom (3) and underlying it, is fixed in a sealed way to the fenders (2) and in that the aforementioned hull (4) is rigid at least in a central longitudinal strip (6) in the shape of a V gutter and is constituted by several sections (11) assembled longitudinally end to end in a removable way and held with the help of removable fixing means (8).Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Zodiac InternationalInventor: Gerard Garnier
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Patent number: 5943979Abstract: A number of embodiments of small watercraft having a seat that affords at least two different seating positions in generally side by side fashion. A steering control is supported forwardly of the seat and is movable between two different positions, each in front of a respective one of the seating positions while maintaining the steering axis generally perpendicular to the seat and for varying the distance between the steering element and the seat in the respective positions. The support for the steering element is also pivotal about a transversely disposed horizontally extending axis to permit different height positioning for the steering control when it is in its steering position. A variety of seat arrangements and boarding facilitating devices are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1994Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshiyuki Hattori
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Patent number: 5943980Abstract: A banner connecting apparatus of a flag pole is provided. The apparatus comprises upper and lower coupling buttons, each coupling button including a connecting ring adapted to rotate about the flag pole and a connecting button engaging a coupling hole of a banner. The apparatus also comprises a cylindrical spacing sleeve disposed between the upper and lower coupling buttons and adapted to be received on the flag pole. The apparatus further comprises an elastic retaining mechanism for engaging the flag pole. The elastic retaining mechanism adjustably limits the longitudinal displacement of at least one connecting ring with respect to the flag pole. The banner connecting apparatus connects a banner to a flag pole while preventing the banner from wrapping around that flag pole.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Chen-Chao Huang
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Patent number: 5943981Abstract: A bird house assembly (10) includes a housing (12) defining a bird-nesting enclosure (13) therein. The housing (12) includes at least one deck wall (18) and sidewall (24, 26). An access hole (124) is defined in housing (12) for permitting ingress to and egress from the enclosure (13) by a bird. The sidewall (24) is preferably connected to the deck wall (18) using at least one locking connection tongue (98) depending from each sidewall (24) and configured for receipt within a corresponding tongue-receiving slot (54) defined in the deck wall (18). The housing (12) is coupled with a support member (16) in order to suspend the housing (12) above the ground. For such purposes, a pair of clamp assemblies (14) are preferably used and are configured for coupling with the support member (16) in a spaced relationship for engaging and holding the housing (12) therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Blitz U.S.A., Inc.Inventor: Larry L. Chrisco
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Patent number: 5943982Abstract: A collapsible pet home having a base, side walls, end walls and a roof can be converted into an exercise pen for the pet by folding the end walls down onto the base, setting the base on end and using the base, side walls and roof to form peripheral walls of the exercise pen. An additional pen-forming module is provided to connect with the roof one side and one of the side walls on the other side to complete the peripheral wall of the exercise pen. The base may have a compartment for storing the additional module when it is not in use. The entire structure folds down into a compact package.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Woodstream CorporationInventors: William E. Askins, Gary H. Roulston
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Patent number: 5943983Abstract: A tilting apparatus for supporting and restraining a non-human primate animal while conducting research. The tilting apparatus is provided with a table for supporting the animal reclining face down thereon. The table is supported by support means for rotation about a first axis between a horizontal position and a head-down position and about a second axis between the head-down position and a head-up position. Locking means are provided for releasably locking the table in a selected horizontal, head-down or head-up positions. Suitable restraining means are provided which are intersecurable between the animal and the table and function to support and restrain the animal. The animal, while remaining restrained to the tilting apparatus, has free range of motion to feed itself from a water and feeding station. The water and feeding station is supported by an accessory pole. A waste collection system is provided which is connected to the table and which functions for collecting animal waste.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Guy A. Drew, Russell C. Woods, Karen Lott, Bernard Humes, Steven C. Koenig
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Patent number: 5943984Abstract: An inlet is provided for delivering water into a water heater through a port in its side. The inlet includes a conduit having a distal portion that extends toward a bottom of the water heater. That portion includes means for deflecting the water flow in order to reduce the generation of temperature gradients that otherwise tend to develop within water heater tanks. A water heater assembly including such an inlet is also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Bradford White CorporationInventor: Eric M. Lannes
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Patent number: 5943985Abstract: Apparatus which may be a part of various systems including piping systems and fluidized bed systems. The apparatus that holds one tube with respect to another tube includes a body that has a first cylindrical section shaped portion and a second cylindrical section shaped portion. Each of the cylindrical section shaped portions has an angular extent that is generally concave. The angular extent of the first cylindrical section shaped portion and the angular extent of the second cylindrical section shaped portion each have an axis and the axis of the first cylindrical section shaped portion may be spaced from the axis of the second cylindrical section shaped portion. Some embodiments of the invention have cylindrical section shaped portions that have an angular extent that is no greater than 180 degrees. The axis of the first cylindrical section shaped portion may be perpendicular to the second cylindrical section shaped portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1996Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Ernest L. Hartman
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Patent number: 5943986Abstract: A liquid-cooled IC engine is in combination with a heat exchange apparatus therefor and the apparatus includes a radiator and a belt-driven fan. In the improvement, a pair of fan support stanchions are fixed with respect to the radiator and a fan carrier assembly is slide-mounted with respect to them. In a highly preferred embodiment, there are two springs urging the assembly for translational movement in a belt-tensioning direction. A tube-like arbor is mounted with respect to the panel and a bearing-supported shaft extends through the arbor and couples the fan and a driven fan pulley to one another. A flexible belt is driven by the crankshaft pulley and drives the fan pulley. The crankshaft pulley rotates at engine speed and has a first diameter and the fan pulley has a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The fan pulley (and the fan) rotate at a speed less than engine speed, thereby reducing fan noise.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Kern, Gerald C. Ruehlow
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Patent number: 5943987Abstract: A reciprocating drive system in a reciprocating piston engine with adjacent cylinders in the crankshaft direction in an engine case is particularly directed to an internal-combustion engine which comprises a reciprocating drive system for the reciprocating pistons with a hypocycloidal straight-line mechanism. The straight-line mechanism has a guide element cooperating with guide surfaces arranged on the engine case. For simplifying the system as much as possible, the guide element of the straight-line mechanism is arranged between the piston rods for reciprocating pistons of cylinders adjacent in a bank and is optionally adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventor: Gert Fischer
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Patent number: 5943988Abstract: In an operating arrangement for a gas change valve of an internal combustion engine including an electromagnetic structure having an armature which is connected to the valve and which forms an operating piston disposed in a cylinder for reciprocating movement therein between an upper end position in which the valve is closed and a lower end position in which the valve is open, at least a first electromagnet is arranged adjacent the lower end position of the armature for retaining the armature when the electromagnet is energized, a spring is provided for biasing the valve to a closed position and electro-pneumatic means are provided for supplying gas under pressure to an operating chamber at one side of the piston for actuating the piston in a valve opening direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Daimler Chrysler AGInventors: Dieter Burger, Ulrich Letsche, Jurgen Schule
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Patent number: 5943989Abstract: A valve timing control device for controlling the opening/closing timing of the intake valve or exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine is disclosed, comprising a valve opening/closing rotary shaft rotatably assembled with the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine; a rotation transmitting member mounted around the rotary shaft so as to rotate relative thereto within a predetermined range for transmitting a rotating power from a crank pulley; vanes provided on the rotary shaft are the rotation transmitting member; a fluid chamber formed between the rotary shaft and the rotation transmitting member and halved into advancing chambers and delaying chambers by the vanes; first fluid passages for feeding and discharging a fluid to and from the advancing chambers; second fluid passages for feeding and discharging the fluid to and from the delaying chambers; a refuge hole formed in the rotation transmitting member or the rotary shaft and accommodating therein a lock pin spring-biased toward the rotarType: GrantFiled: June 5, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Naoki Kira
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Patent number: 5943990Abstract: A tappet is used in an internal combustion engine. A cam-slidably-contacting member is placed on a top wall of a tappet body via diffusing material which comprises mixture of one or more elements of Zn, Mg, Sn, Cu and Pb. The cam-slidably-contacting member and the tappet body are pressed with the diffusing material held therebetween, so that the diffusing material is diffused into the tappet body and the cam-slidably-contacting member until a layer which comprises only the diffusing material does not substantially remain to form the tappet having high strength.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Fuji Oozx, Inc.Inventors: Akiyoshi Mori, Tatsuo Kanzaki
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Patent number: 5943991Abstract: A heater utilizing fluid frictional heat according to this invention has a structure suitable for realizing the heater in an elongated shape which is capable of being mounted laterally on an automobile engine. A cylindrical shear applying portion being integral with a drive shaft and having an outer circumferential surface in cylindrical form is disposed in a heat generating chamber formed as a cylindrical space. The shear applying portion is machined with the same support arbors as used in machining the drive shaft. Preferably, the drive shaft and the shear applying portion are machined as a one-piece member made of a single rod-like material.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki SeisakushoInventors: Takahiro Moroi, Takashi Ban
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Patent number: 5943992Abstract: A decompression mechanism in an engine is provided, which is constructed so that a centrifugal weight, a pivot supporting the centrifugal weight on a driven timing gear, and an operating pin adapted to transmit the swinging movement of the centrifugal weight to a decompression cam shaft, can be formed as a single piece from a single steel wire, thereby providing a reduction in cost. The centrifugal weight is formed into a bow-like shape from a steel wire, and a pivot and a pin are formed by bending the steel wire sideways from opposite ends of the centrifugal weight.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroaki Kojima, Takeshi Maeda
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Patent number: 5943993Abstract: The invention relates to a four-stroke internal combustion engine with spark ignition and direct injection of the fuel into the combustion chamber, with a reciprocating piston for each cylinder and a roof-shaped top of the combustion chamber with at least one exhaust valve and at least two intake valves, as well as intake ports generating a tumble flow in the combustion chamber, as well as a fuel injection device opening into the combustion chamber, and an ignition source located in the area of the cylinder axis in the roof of the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: AVL List GmbHInventors: Hartmut Carstensen, Christian Beidl, Frank Mundorff
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Patent number: 5943994Abstract: A fuel distributor pipe for supplying fuel to two cylinder banks of a V-shaped engine comprises main pipes of metal construction which are respectively fixed substantially horizontally with respect to the cylinder banks, and a sub-pipe of metal construction which connects the main pipes. The sub-pipe comprises three curved portions in a vertical plane comprising two convex portions and one concave portion situated therebetween. When there is an error in the vertical direction of the position of connecting parts between the sub-pipe and main pipes, these curved portions disperse the stress due to the error, and concentration of stress in the connecting parts is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigehito Hosoi, Eriko Kimura
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Patent number: 5943995Abstract: A cylinder screw is fitted around an injector axially movably between a tapered surface and a flange. The cylinder screw presses down the flange in a direction to attach the injector to a cylinder head and presses up the tapered surface in a direction to detach the injector from the cylinder head. A stopper is formed annularly at the top of the injector and has a protrusion. With the protrusion being engaged in a positioning groove of the cylinder head, the injector is restricted from being turned in both rotating directions. Thus, the injector can be attached to and detached from the cylinder head with ease by only one cylinder screw without turning the injector. The flange of a retaining nut to which the tightening force of the cylinder screw exerts has a shortened axial length so that deformation in injector constituting members is reduced and changes in the fuel injection characteristics are reduced.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Yutaka Niwa, Hiroatsu Yamada, Masanori Sugiyama, Tateki Takayama
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Patent number: 5943996Abstract: A number of embodiments of direct injected V-type outboard motors. In each embodiment, a high pressure pump is driven off of the upper end of the crankshaft and is disposed at a high level in the protective cowling. The drive for the high pressure pump is disposed in the path of air flow from an opening in the protective cowling to the engine induction system. On the other hand, the high pressure pump is out of this air flow to avoid corrosion. Various alternative locations for the components of the engine including specifically the high pressure pump, an alternator, a fuel vapor separator, an ECU control unit and a fuel injector solenoid driver are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masafumi Sogawa, Masahiko Kato
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Patent number: 5943997Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system for carburetors used in the internal combustion engines of vehicles, such as motorcycles, has an evaporative emissions control valve attached to the carburetor in the air intake path to the carburetor. The evaporative emissions control valve may be implemented as a sub-assembly add-on or as an integral part of a carburetor or back plate. The evaporative emissions control valve includes a valve, such as a rotatable plate valve, which may be electrically operated by an electrical actuator, such as a dual-wound solenoid actuator. At engine start-up, when the vehicle ignition switch and starter switch are both closed, both windings of the solenoid actuator are energized to provide a strong opening force for the evaporative emission control valve. During steady-state running of the engine, only a single solenoid winding is energized by the power provided through the ignition switch, to maintain the evaporative emissions control valve in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: S&S Cycle, Inc.Inventors: Dan L. Kinsey, Scott A. Sjovall, Brian W. Perkins, Robert A. Griswold
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Patent number: 5943998Abstract: The invention provides a magnetic fuel enhancement device in which a series of magnets is disposed about the periphery of an activation chamber, and a fuel conduit passes through a magnetic field region defined between the magnets. In the preferred embodiment the fuel conduit passes through the device many times, repeatedly exposing the fuel to magnetic fields within the device and thus increasing the amount of energy imparted to the fuel before combustion, and a concentrating rod attracts the magnetic fields toward the center of the chamber to focus the magnetic fields through the fuel conduit.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: 1184949 Ontario Inc.Inventors: Ed Brown, Adam Resch