Patents Issued in January 18, 2000
  • Patent number: D419264
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventors: Joyce A. Wallon, Ara Marie Sadowski
  • Patent number: D419265
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventor: Michael John Gray
  • Patent number: D419266
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Gryphon Development
    Inventor: Marc Gobe
  • Patent number: D419267
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: Byron V. Hartunian
  • Patent number: D419268
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Avian Adventures, Inc.
    Inventor: Carol E. Frank
  • Patent number: D419269
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Libertyville Saddle Shop Inc.
    Inventor: Jack L. Martin
  • Patent number: D419270
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: Ray S. Ruscitti
  • Patent number: D419271
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventors: Mary Lou Camino, Susan J. Catalano
  • Patent number: D419272
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Oy LMP Patents Ltd AB
    Inventor: Martti Nordstrom
  • Patent number: D419273
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: Nicole France
  • Patent number: D419274
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Goodway Electrical Company Limited
    Inventor: Lung Wai Choi
  • Patent number: D419275
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Reusable Rolls, Inc.
    Inventor: Leewood C. Carter
  • Patent number: D419277
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Ishii, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Koji Demizu
  • Patent number: PP11181
    Abstract: A new variety of Cynodon dactylon exhibiting prostrate growth, short internode length, minimal seed head production and deep green coloration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: Rodney J. Riley
  • Patent number: PP11182
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of apple tree named is provided that is distinguished by the following combination of characteristics (in comparison to `Obrogala`): (1) fruit that are significantly larger and have a deeper and wider cavity, larger basin, and longer and thicker stem; (2) intense red fruit coloration that covers approximately 90-100% of the fruit surface; (3) leaves having a bronze appearance that is most evident in young leaves; (4) leaves that are smaller, have fewer and less significant marginal undulations and thus appear flatter, have margins with finer and sharper serrations, and leaf tips that are more pointed and end less abruptly; (5) shorter leaf petioles; (6) slightly less vigor; and (7) thinner branches that tend to terminate sooner, and have a smaller internodal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: Paul Stiekema
  • Patent number: PP11183
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of strawberry (Fragaria L.) called `Yael` is a cross between `Oso Grande` and `Dorit`, and flowers early to medium on a scale of "very early" to "very late".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: State of Israel, Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Organization
    Inventors: Eva Izsak, Shamai Izhar
  • Patent number: PP11184
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Hybrid Tea rose plant is provided that abundantly forms attractive double flowers which are greenish-white at the bud stage and finish to white when completely open. This blossom coloration is believed to be unique for this class of rose. The buds are very long. Such flowers exhibit a good vase life and possess petals that detach cleanly. The plant exhibits a bushy growth habit, forms long straight stems, forms semi-vigorous vegetation, and is particularly well suited for greenhouse forcing for cut flower production. Additionally, the plant is resistant to diseases when grown under greenhouse conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme des Pepinieres et Roseraies Georges Delbard
    Inventor: Guy Delbard
  • Patent number: RE36496
    Abstract: A skylight and method of constructing a skylight wherein the method comprises the steps of forming an opening in the roof and ceiling respectively of a housing having a cavity therebetween. A tubular skylight is then inserted into the opening. The tubular skylight has a transparent surface protruding throughout the ceiling and roof respectively to pass light therethrough. A reflector is located within the domed transparent surface protruding through the roof, and is angled such that it reflects light that would not have passed into the tubular skylight into same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Michael Sutton
  • Patent number: RE36497
    Abstract: In a method of operating a combined cycle system including a gas turbine, a steam turbine and a multi-pressure heat recovery steam generator, an improvement includes supplying gas turbine cooling duty steam from a high pressure section of the steam turbine and from an intermediate pressure evaporator in the multi-pressure heat recovery steam generator, conducting the gas turbine cooling duty steam to the gas turbine for cooling hot gas turbine parts, and then returning the gas turbine cooling duty steam to an intermediate pressure section of the steam turbine. In a start-up procedure, steam is extracted from a first pass of a high pressure superheater in the multi-pressure heat recovery steam generator, mixed with steam discharged from the high pressure superheater and then supplied to the gas turbine cooling duty system. In this same start-up procedure, the gas turbine cooling duty steam is returned to the system condenser, bypassing the intermediate pressure section of the steam turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventor: Leroy O. Tomlinson
  • Patent number: RE36498
    Abstract: A micromachined force sensor containing separate sensing and actuator structures. A member is suspended above the substrate so that it is movable along an axis in response to a force. The member includes a set of parallel sense fingers and a separate set of parallel force fingers. The sense fingers are positioned between fingers of two sense plates, to form a first differential capacitor, whose capacitance changes when the member moves in response to a force along the axis. The change in capacitance induces a sense signal on the member, which permits the measurement of the magnitude and duration of the force. The force fingers are positioned between fingers of two actuator plates, to form a second differential capacitor. The sense signal can be used to provide feedback to the second differential capacitor to generate different electrostatic forces between the force fingers and the two actuator plates, to offset the force applied along the preferred axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Analog Devices
    Inventors: Roger T. Howe, Stephen Bart
  • Patent number: RE36499
    Abstract: An outwardly opening valve system for an engine includes an engine having a hollow piston cylinder in fluid communication with a gas passageway via an opening. The engine also has a piston bore that opens to the hollow piston cylinder. A portion of the opening includes an outward valve seat positioned adjacent the gas passageway. An outward valve member with a valve face is positioned substantially in the gas passageway. The valve member is moveable between a closed position in which the valve face is against the valve seat closing the opening and an open position in which the valve face is away from the valve seat. An intensifier piston is positioned to reciprocate in the piston bore and has one end contacting gas within the hollow piston cylinder. Finally, a coupling linkage interconnects the intensifier piston to the outward valve member so that the valve member is held closed during combustion by exploiting combustion pressure within the hollow piston cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis D. Feucht
  • Patent number: RE36500
    Abstract: A vertical vortex, namely, a reverse tumble flow is formed inside a cylinder of an internal combustion engine to form an intake air flow for smooth intake and exhaust in the internal combustion engine and also to promote atomization of fuel and mixing of air and fuel in a combustion chamber. To form this reverse tumble flow, a downstream portion of an intake passage is formed extending toward a central axis of the cylinder. To promote the formation of the swirl and further to form the combustion chamber as an efficient compact combustion chamber, a recessed portion is formed in a top wall of a piston. The top wall of the piston is provided with a raised portion at a location adjacent to the recessed portion, whereby, in the vicinity of top dead center of the piston, a squish is produced in a direction flowing toward a side of a spark plug in the efficient combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Ando, Jun Takemura, Kazuyoshi Nakane, Tetsuji Saeki
  • Patent number: RE36501
    Abstract: A method for producing inflated dunnage on the site of use, comprising providing, in rolled form, a plurality of preformed plastic bags, each of the bags comprising two plastic sheets in facing relationship and sealed along three edges with one edge remaining open. Air is blown toward each of the open edges in sequence, causing each bag to inflate, and the fourth edge of each inflated bag is sealed, the bag being empty except for the air. At least one sealed inflated bag is separated from the roll and placed in a carton to serve as dunnage. In an alternate embodiment, the stock material is provided in a continuous tubular form, and an air inflation needle is used to puncture a surface of the tube for inflation purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventors: Gregory A. Hoover, Roger A. Hoover, E. Riley Rowe, David L. Rowe
  • Patent number: RE36502
    Abstract: A first ball ramp actuator having a control ring acting with an activation ring to supply an axial clutch clamping force in a vehicle driving mode and a second ball ramp actuator using the control ring acting with a clutch pressure plate to supply an axial clutch clamping force in a vehicle coast mode where one side of a one-way clutch is attached to the control ring and another side is attached to a support bracket that is frictionally coupled to a transmission input shaft to maintain an energized rotational relationship with the activation ring when in the coast mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Organek, David M. Preston, David A. Janson
  • Patent number: RE36503
    Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for retrieving digital electronic images representative of opaque and transmissive objects. The apparatus is equipped with a reflective scanning platform for scanning documents and photographs and a docking port for receiving a transmissive scanning platform for scanning transparencies and slides. A scanning camera equipped with light sources for illuminating the respective platforms may be aligned by the operator to retrieve images from either the reflective scanning platform or from the transmissive scanning platform. An optical switch which is included within the optical pathway selectively toggles the view of the scanning camera between the reflective platform and the transparent platform. An operator using a control panel button or software can selectively scan either type of object. The choice of two scanning platforms optimizes the digital image quality for each type of media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Microtek International, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Rubley, Loi Han
  • Patent number: RE36505
    Abstract: A method for programming a lock to accept a key. The device will erase all the codes currently stored in the memory and program a new key value. The process requires several steps of turning the key to one of two positions when an LED is illuminated to indicate that the key must be rotated. After successful responses, all the codes currently stored are cleared and the security code of the new key is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William David Treharne, Ronald Gerard Moore
  • Patent number: RE36506
    Abstract: Antenna elements and systems and other radio and microwave frequency devices are constructed with a high index of refraction medium having high matched values of relative permeability and relative permittivity, and a low loss tangent. By making the permeability of the transmission medium substantially equal to its relative permittivity, the impedance of the material is matched to that of the surrounding free space or air. By immersing a radiating element in such a material, and/or by using such a material between adjacent radiating elements or between a radiating element and a reflective ground plane, the physical size and/or the spacing of the elements may be substantially reduced without appreciable performance loss, thereby resulting in a more compact device that is particularly desirable for mobile applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: California Microwave
    Inventors: Richard C. Dempsey, Daniel W. Drago, Carl O. Jelinek
  • Patent number: RE36507
    Abstract: A video compression system which is based on the image data compression system developed by the Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) uses various group-of-fields configurations to reduce the number of binary bits used to represent an image composed of odd and even fields of video information, where each pair of odd and even fields defines a frame. .[.According to a first method, each field in the group of fields is predicted using the closest field which has previously been predicted as an anchor field. According to a second method, intra fields (I-fields) and predictive fields (P-fields) are distributed in the sequence so that no two I-fields and/or no two P-fields are at adjacent locations in the sequence. According to a third method, t.]. .Iadd.T.Iaddend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Corporation of America
    Inventor: Siu L. Iu
  • Patent number: RE36508
    Abstract: A method of automatically measuring the horizontal scan frequency of a composite synchronism signal, comprising horizontal synchronization impulses at line frequency, consists of first performing a count of a number of impulses having a repeat frequency higher than said line frequency, as intervening between two successive impulses at line frequency.The count value, corresponding to said number of impulses, is stored to obtain the line frequency of the signal, and thereafter, a series of down counts is effected, as initiated at predetermined times, until a change of frequency of the signal is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Silvano Gornati, Giorgio Betti, Fabrizio Sacchi, Gianfranco Vai, Maurizio Zuffada
  • Patent number: RE36509
    Abstract: Television signal transmission and reception system includes a broadcasting center, a transmission network and many reception terminals. In the broadcasting center, plural television signals corresponding to individual channels are modulated into transmittable form, and a synthesis circuit synthesizes the television signals to produce a synthesis image signal for a multi-screen display comprising plural small screens. Both the ordinary television signal and the synthesis image signal is transmitted with control information to the reception terminals through the transmission network. In the reception terminal, for selecting a desired channel out of the individual channels, the synthesis image signal is used for displaying a multi-screen, a moveable cursor image is superimposed on the multi-screen for designating one small screen corresponding to the desired channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hideo Shigihara
  • Patent number: RE36510
    Abstract: A method of on-site refueling, i.e., delivering petroleum and similar products from a tank truck into customer vehicles or other tanks at a customer's site, that ensures the accurate delivery of products in accordance with the instructions on a series of delivery lists. The method of delivery includes the use of a probe having digital memory and capable of comparing input signals from passive electronic tags with stored data and the use of a truck on-board computer able to read the truck's accumulating gallonage meters, and able to set relay contacts to directly control the refueling of vehicles identified as critical vehicles. Each use of the probe in reading a tag is recorded in the probe.Iadd., .Iaddend.stored in its memory, and later downloaded into the on-board computer used to calculate the gallons and identify the product delivered into each customer tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: Robert R. Burns
  • Patent number: RE36511
    Abstract: An ejector apparatus of a tray device is provided. The tray device movably seats within the space of an electronic equipment. The ejector apparatus includes a support and an ejector. The support has a attachment apparatus adapted to mount on a chassis of the electronic equipment. The ejector pushes the tray device out of the electronic equipment in response to a force applied from the outside of the electronic equipment. The ejector is pivotally connected to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Acer Peripherals Inc.
    Inventors: Dong-Yih Liou, Wen-Chi Tseng, Chung-Chi Liao
  • Patent number: RE36512
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fabrication method of an electroacoustic transducer capable of simplifying an assembling process on a lead frame and realizing an automatic assembly. The method comprises steps of forming pole piece portions, forming a lead frame having a plurality of base forming areas thereon, each of the areas having lead terminals formed therein, forming bases of a synthetic resin on the lead frame by molding so that the pole piece portions are embedded in the bases, mounting a coil on the pole piece portions embedded in the bases, disposing a support ring and a magnet so as to surround the coil, and placing a diaphragm on the support ring to be held thereby, connecting opposite ends of the coil to the lead terminals, cutting off the lead terminals from the lead frame, putting cases on and fixedly joining the same to the bases, and subjecting the cut lead terminals to a forming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Sone
  • Patent number: RE36513
    Abstract: This invention is directed broadly to transparent glasses exhibiting excellent transmission far into the infrared region of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum, those glasses consisting essentially, expressed in terms of mole percent, of 40-80% Ga.sub.2 S.sub.3, 0-35% RS.sub.x, wherein R is at least one network forming cation selected from the group consisting of aluminum, antimony, arsenic, germanium, and indium, 1-50% Ln.sub.2 S.sub.3, wherein Ln is at least one cation selected from the group consisting of a rare earth metal cation and yttrium, 1-45% MS.sub.x, wherein M is at least one modifying metal cation selected from the group consisting of barium, cadmium, calcium, lead, lithium, mercury, potassium, silver, sodium, strontium, thallium, and tin, and 0-10% total chloride and/or fluoride. Glass compositions consisting essentially, expressed in terms of mole percent, of 5-30% Ga.sub.2 S.sub.3, 0-10% R.sub.2 S.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Corning Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce G. Aitken, Mark A. Newhouse
  • Patent number: RE36514
    Abstract: Disclosed is a new pole mounted revolving air circulating fan for inducing air movement within an air mass by use of a rotating impeller which simultaneously revolves around a vertical axis. The pole mounted revolving air circulating fan comprises a telescoping support pole extending substantially vertically upwardly from a mounting floor surface to a mounting ceiling surface, the ends of the support pole frictionally engaging the mounting surfaces. A fan, comprising a rotary air impeller coupled to an electric motor through a drive shaft, is revolvedly mounted on the vertical support pole. A generally cylindrical motor housing encloses the motor and the motor power supply leads. A blade guard, constructed of wire rods forming a substantially annularly shaped wire cage, encloses the impeller to prevent injury from contact therewith. The guard has a central hole through the back wherethrough the front end of the motor housing extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Honeywell, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Clark
  • Patent number: RE36515
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the treatment of dried aspartame characterised in that, in a first separation step, particles smaller than 50 .mu.m are removed, with the aid of a stream of air, from aspartame having a particle size distribution with which more than 5 wt. % of the aspartame has a particle size of less than 20 .mu.m and more than 10 wt. % of the aspartame has a particle size of more than 400 .mu.m, and that in a second separation step the product resulting from the first step is subjected to a screening step using a screen that separates at a value between 150 and 250 .mu.m, after which the fraction of the smaller particles thus obtained is recovered as a first product and the fraction of the larger particles is recovered as a second product or is optionally subjected to a further separation step using a screen that separates at a value between 400 and 1000 .mu.m, the fraction of smaller particles thus obtained being recovered as the second product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Holland Sweetener Company V.o.F.
    Inventor: Hubertus J. M. Slangen
  • Patent number: RE36516
    Abstract: A filter for fluids includes a pair of layers or multiple layers or pairs of material joined together to form a laminate having a fluid contacting surface. A plurality of spaced pockets is formed between the layers of material in the contacting surface. The layers of material are fluid permeable at the pockets whereby fluid may flow through the laminate at the pockets. The fluid contacting surface is fluid impermeable except for the pockets to require the fluid passing through the laminate to be confined to flowing through the pockets. Filter members are in the pockets for removing any contaminants from the fluid. Alternatively, additive materials such as powdered cream or sugar in the pockets dissolve in the fluid passing through the pockets to enhance the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Lehrer Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Lehrer
  • Patent number: RE36517
    Abstract: A thin film magnet and a cylindrical ferromagnetic thin film having a high maximum energy product (greater than 120 kJ/m.sup.3) and thus suitable for use in miniature high performance devices are provided. The thin film magnet is produced by means of physical vapor deposition. The thin film magnet is an (Nd.sub.1-x R.sub.x).sub.y M.sub.1-y-z B.sub.z alloy having a ferromagnetic compound of the Nd.sub.2 Fe.sub.14 B type as its main phase, wherein R is Tb, Ho, and Dy and M is Fe metal or an Fe-based alloy including at least one of Co and Ni, 0.04.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.10,0.11.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.15, and 0.08.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.15. A perpendicular magnetization film having such a composition is deposited on the side wall of a substrate in the columnar (or cylindrical) form thereby obtaining a cylindrical ferromagnetic thin film having radial anisotropy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Araki, Yoshihiro Tani, Hideo Ikeda, Masashi Okabe
  • Patent number: RE36518
    Abstract: A semiconducting processing method for making electrical contacts with an active area in sub-micron geometries includes: (a) providing a pair of conductive runners on a semiconductor wafer; (b) providing insulative spacers on the sides of the conductive runners wherein adjacent spacers are spaced a selected distance apart at a selected location on the wafer; (c) providing an active area between the conductive runners at the selected location; (d) providing an oxide layer over the active area and conductive runners; (e) providing a planarized nitride layer atop the oxide layer; (f) patterning and etching the nitride layer selectively relative to the oxide layer to define a first contact opening therethrough, wherein the first contact opening has an aperture width at the nitride layer upper surface which is greater than the selected distance between the insulative spacers; (g) etching the oxide layer within the first contact opening to expose the active area; (h) providing a polysilicon plug within the first co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Dennison, Guy T. Blalock
  • Patent number: RE36519
    Abstract: This invention relates to a dye-donor element for .Iadd.resistive head .Iaddend.thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer comprising an image dye in a polymeric binder, and wherein the dye layer also contains a polymeric plasticizer having a Tg less than about 25.degree. C., the plasticizer comprising ##STR1## wherein: R and R.sup.1 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted linear or branched alkylene, phenylene or cycloalkylene group of from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; andn is an integer selected so that the plasticizer has a polystyrene equivalent weight average molecular weight of from about 18,000 to about 300,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kin Kwong Lum, Christine J. T. Landry, Teh-Ming Kung
  • Patent number: RE36520
    Abstract: Novel 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors are useful as antihypercholesterolemic agents and are represented by the following general structural formula (II): ##STR1##
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Smith, Wasyl Halczenko, George D. Hartman, Gerald E. Stokker, Edward S. Inamine, Otto D. Hensens, David R. Houck, Ta Jyh Lee
  • Patent number: RE36521
    Abstract: A connecting part of a ball joint between leg prosthesis components with a flange intended to fasten to the one component, the flange having an adjusting element position on it, consisting of a cup and a four-sided pyramid positioned centrally upon its point. To improve the adjustability of the connecting part, the flange is a rectangular flange with four holes, upon which the adjusting element is eccentrically positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Otto Bock Orthopaedische Industrie Besitz - und Verwaltungs KG
    Inventor: Christian Hiemisch
  • Patent number: RE36522
    Abstract: A method of dynamically interfacing an application processor with a plurality of peripheral ports is shown, including the use of an expanded memory interface for controlling a plurality of memory components for an application processor external to the interface. The application processor is connected to the expanded memory interface, which is in turn coupled to at least one status port to facilitate communication between the application processor and the status port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incoporated
    Inventors: Steven J. Wallace, LaVaughn F. Watts, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6014769
    Abstract: In order to protect the neck of the wearer of a helmet comprising heavy and/or dangerous equipment, the helmet comprises a part that can be jettisoned in the event of an emergency. The jettisonable part is separated from the fixed part of the helmet by the rapid inflation of a cushion between these two parts. The device can be applied especially to helmets worn by the pilots of armed helicopters or aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Sextant Avionique
    Inventors: Joel Baudou, Alain Leger
  • Patent number: 6014770
    Abstract: A boxing training glove which incorporates characteristics of a heavy bag whereby when a boxer in training wears this glove and punches a hard surface, this acts to build up his muscular strength. The glove is constituted by a heavily-padded leather mitten having an inner liner formed by a plastic film envelope that conforms to the interior of the glove and is filled with a silicone fluid. The viscosity of the confined fluid is such that when the boxer punches the hard surface, the impact force is distributed throughout the liner by the silicone fluid, thereby replicating the effects of a heavy bag and avoiding injury to the hand wearing the glove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 6014771
    Abstract: A knee protection kit comprised of two separate fabric pockets, one for each knee of a pair of pants. The kit also contains a liquid fabric glue for attachment of each pocket to a corresponding pants knee area. Each pocket may be attached to the pants' exterior knee area or interior knee area. Each pocket also contains a closable flap with a fastener. The kit provides three pairs of pads, one pair made from neoprene material or the like, the second pair made from a hard, plastic shell material or the like, and the third pair made from a lambs' wool material or the like. The neoprene and plastic pads are each adapted to fit into a pocket. The lamb's wool pads are adapted to being glued to the outside of a pocket if the pocket is attached to the interior of the pants; otherwise the lamb's wool pads are attached directly to the interior of the pants in the knee area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: Marie Kirven
  • Patent number: 6014772
    Abstract: A single piece garment is convertible between a vest or sleeveless sweater, and a poncho, or cape, and may also be used as a blanket or sleeping pad. The garment includes a neck opening with attached zipper and right and left pockets each with a zipper closure. The garment further includes right and left side zippers extending downward from respective right and left arm openings to the bottom edge of the garment. The side zippers allow the garment to be worn as a vest with the zippers fully closed or as a poncho with the zippers fully open. Intermediate closure positions of the zippers between the full opened and full closed positions allow venting of the garment to the extent desired by the wearer. Clasps below the wearer's armpits provide a tight fit about the wearer's upper arms when worn as a vest and permit the zippers to be fully open for maximum side venting while providing secure attachment of the garment to the wearer's upper torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: Martin P. Connelly
  • Patent number: 6014773
    Abstract: A monitored static electricity dissipation garment which is to be connected to a voltmeter which is to display to the wearer of the garment the amount of static electricity that is on the body of a human and garment at any given instant. The monitor can be located separate from the garment or can be worn on the garment. When using the garment of the present invention, it is preferred that the human user wear electrically conductive boots that have electrically conductive soles which function to dissipate static electricity to an electrically conductive floor. Such boots and floor are deemed to be conventional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: David L. Banks
  • Patent number: 6014774
    Abstract: A mitten having a retractable back portion for facilitating the positioning of the mitten upon the wearer's hand. The inventive device includes a palm portion and a back portion, the back portion including an integrally hinged flap portion which is releasably attachable to the back portion. The palm portion and back portion are peripherally attached to define a cavity therebetween. The cavity includes a thumb portion for receiving a thumb of the hand and an opening for receiving the hand therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventors: Martha Davey, Steven Drozd
  • Patent number: 6014775
    Abstract: An improved golf glove of a type having a pinkie engaging portion for engaging the pinkie, a ring finger engaging portion for engaging the ring finger, a middle finger engaging portion for engaging the middle finger, an index finger engaging portion for engaging the index finger, a thumb engaging portion for engaging the thumb, a palm engaging portion for engaging the palm, a back hand engaging portion for engaging the back of the hand, a wrist engaging portion for engaging the wrist and has a throughslot that extends longitudinally along the back of the hand portion, a fastening flap fixedly attached at a fixed edge to the back of the hand portion to one side of the throughslot and extending therefrom over the throughslot to the back of the hand portion on the other side of the throughslot where it is selectively maintained thereagainst by mating portions of hook and loop fasteners. The improvement includes a pair of magnets contained in the fastening flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Misco Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Ezra Missry