Patents Issued in March 14, 2000
  • Patent number: 6035556
    Abstract: A shoe closure mechanism that uses the weight of the user's foot to close two pivoting closure arms secured to the flaps of the shoe. The shoe closure mechanism includes a curved, shape returning, foot surround member with a central saddle back section positioned between two curved connecting ends, two pivoting closure arms each connected together at the bottom ends thereof with a pivot assembly and each connected at a top end thereof to one curved connecting end of the curved foot surround member. When the user places his/her foot through the foot surround member and places weight onto the central saddle back section, the saddle back section is straightened out forcing the two curved connecting ends together along with the two pivoting closure arms. The pivoting closure arms are automatically locked in the closed position by a locking mechanism including a spring biased locking bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventors: Shannon K. Ballinger, Mike A. Reeder
  • Patent number: 6035557
    Abstract: Footwear (210) that is readily adjustable to maintain the wearer in an upright, substantially vertical position, enabling the wearer to negotiate a steep roof without slipping or falling. The footwear (210) entails a pair of shoe boards (224) that attach to the wearer's shoes or feet. Each shoe board (224) is supported on a base (212) whose shape provides a large surface area that, when in contact with the roof under the weight of the wearer, securely grips the roof surface, even for roof pitches of 12/12. In addition, the shape of each base (212) is tailored to enable a pair of the footwear (210) to nest together, allowing the wearer to place his or her feet close together when desired. In a preferred embodiment, each base (212) is equipped with concave surface regions (228B, 232B) that receive convex portions (228A, 232A) of its mating shoe board (224) in a manner that provides an uncomplicated method of adjusting the pitch of the footwear (210) and securing the shoe board (224) to the base (212).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: James D. Mills
  • Patent number: 6035558
    Abstract: A snowboard boot includes a foot portion, an ankle portion formed of a flexible material disposed above the foot portion and extending forwardly for covering an anklebone, and a leg portion disposed above the ankle portion. The ankle portion includes a first stitch line extending from a rear of the ankle portion forwardly and a second stitch line extending from the rear of the ankle portion forwardly so that the flexible material forms a flexible material space extending from between the first stitch line and the second stitch line for covering the anklebone. The flexible material space has no stitch line extending from the rear of the ankle portion therein to comfortably accommodate the anklebone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
  • Patent number: 6035559
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sole for footwear having a structure for minimizing injury to the wearer from twisting or turning movements which may occur during sporting activities, and/or for enhancing performance by assisting rotational movement of the foot. A first invention is a shoe sole comprises a turntable within the sole and connected thereto by a resilient web which provides a seal between the periphery of the turntable and sole. The web is resiliently deformable in response to rotation of the turntable in either direction from a rest position to apply resilient bias to restore the turntable towards it rest position. There may be additional biasing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Rotasole Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yariv Gary Freed, Jon Seddon, Jack Goldberg
  • Patent number: 6035560
    Abstract: An air deflector assembly with an adjustable louver for use with a snow plow mounted on a vehicle is provided. The deflector assembly includes a base mounted to the plow, an air scoop detachably mounted on the base and a louver located at the rear of the air scoop. The louver is pivotally secured to the air scoop to deflect the wind onto the vehicle's radiator. A mounting arrangement is also provided to detachably mount the air deflector assembly with the snow plow. The mounting arrangement allows the air scoop and louver to be quickly mounted on and removed from the snow plow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Gerald R. Pender
  • Patent number: 6035561
    Abstract: A snow thrower (10) includes a rotatable wheel (12) for collecting the snow and a chute (14) for throwing the snow away from the snow thrower (10). The snow thrower (10) includes a motor (22) and a battery (24) connected thereto for providing power to the motor (22), which in turn drives a drive belt (28) to rotate the rotatable wheel (12). The battery (24) may be removed and replaced by sliding same out of the thrower housing (16), and includes spring biased contacts between the housing (16) and battery terminals to cause electrical connection therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventors: Karen A. Paytas, Jason J. Halleck
  • Patent number: 6035562
    Abstract: An improved U-Blade implement, in one preferred embodiment, having fixed trailing and leading earth-piercing points on its U-shaped blade, integrated with support arms and a back plate. The back plate is generally planar, with a rear side of the back plate configured for attachment to a motorized vehicle, such as a skid steer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Virnig Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean H. Virnig, Sri K. Sankaran, John F. Thuente
  • Patent number: 6035563
    Abstract: An electric iron has a soleplate with a front tip and at least one passage for a liquid stored in a liquid tank system for wetting an article to be ironed. The passage is arranged in the area of the front tip symmetrically to a central line which starting from the front tip divides the soleplate in the middle. The liquid exits the passage in the form of liquid droplets generated by a piezoelectrically driven sprayer arranged above the soleplate. The electric iron is characterized in that the sprayer (12, 13, 14, 29) has at least one piezoelectrically driven thin membrane plate (12) with a plurality of spraying holes (24) associated with the respective passage (11) of the soleplate (6) and having a mean clear width from 30 to 100 .mu.m. The number of spraying holes (24) is selected to ensure that the amount of liquid dispensed through the soleplate (6) does not exceed about 8 g/minute. The passages (11) are maximum 10 mm wide, whatever their length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Rowenta-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Hoefer, Andreas Walther
  • Patent number: 6035564
    Abstract: An identification holder is provided for securing a slotted identification badge and at least one pinned insignia to an item of clothing. The identification holder includes a base member defining a broad portion and an elongate portion depending therefrom. The elongate portion has a reduced width relative to the broad portion and is adapted to extend through the slot of an identification badge to thereby mount the identification badge to the elongate portion. A clip is provided for attaching the identification holder to an item of clothing. A pair of cooperating interlocking members are provided for securing the identification badge to the elongate portion. The broad portion of the base member defines at least one aperture therethrough adapted and arranged to receive the pin of an insignia whereby the insignia is positioned proximate to the identification badge for easy readability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Integrated ID Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia A. Cosmo, Douglas B. Harrison
  • Patent number: 6035565
    Abstract: A calendar display includes a flat support defining a plurality of lines of structural weakness. A plurality of stacked sheets bearing weekly and monthly time indicia are removably connected to a front surface of the support adjacent to a first, upper edge of the support. An adhesive strip is located adjacent to a second, lower edge on a back surface of the support, and a magnet is connected to a back surface of the support adjacent to a first, upper edge thereof. Manipulation of the support by bending the support in predetermined directions about the lines of structural weakness and contacting the adhesive strip with the back surface of the support permits the support to be configured as a self-supporting stand for displaying the sheets on a horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Richard M. Capehart
  • Patent number: 6035566
    Abstract: A desk trophy and decorative paperweight display constructed of a clear plastic parabolic dome(10), whose outer edge ends in a cylindrical shape, which is affixed to a clear plastic three-dimensional trapezoidal shaped base piece(11) via a square bottomed circular groove machined into the smaller horizontal surface in a diameter identical to that of the end diameter of the dome The dome is filled with an allotment of silver colored metal balls(14). A single gold colored metal ball(12)that is larger than the silver metal balls is supported within the most superior portion of the dome by the presence of the silver balls. Two inscribed plaques, one silver colored, one gold colored, are affixed to opposite vertical sides of the trapezoidal base. The number of silver metal balls relates to the number inscribed on the silver plaque with the wording: "Remember . . . Only One Person in .sub.---- #.sub.------ Knows What You Know" The number and size of silver metal balls will vary with the intended use of the trophy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Robert C. Fisher
  • Patent number: 6035567
    Abstract: A hazard warning sign assembly having a sign plate displaying a warning message, and at least one flashing light and horn for generating visual and audible signals for attracting attention to the sign. A rechargeable battery pack forms a detachable handle for the sign plate and the signal housing. A telescoping pole portion mounted to the lower end of the elongate battery pack is provided for height adjustment of the assembly. Manually operable switch buttons control actuation of the flashing light and horn units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Robert W. Cameron
  • Patent number: 6035568
    Abstract: A label product, and method for forming the same, for attaching to a package and having, as a part thereof, at least one removable portion which the user may detach from the package and reapply to a second package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignees: Pharmagraphics (Midwest), L.L.C., Pharmagraphics (Southeast), L.L.C.
    Inventors: Glenn A. Grosskopf, Carl W. Treleaven
  • Patent number: 6035569
    Abstract: A label holder and mounting clip for the mounting and display of electronic labels. A label holder of extruded plastic material snugly receives the enclosure of the electronic label which can be protected by a clear cover extending over the front of the label holder at least slightly spaced from the front of the label. A mounting strip is coextruded with the body of the label holder and is flexibly attached thereto by a co-extruded living hinge. Mounting brackets, of spring metal or the like, are received in pricing channels along the front of display shelving, or are otherwise mounted at the front of the shelving, and include a forwardly displaced, upwardly extending mounting tongue received in a downwardly opening slot in the flexibly attached mounting strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Trion Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Nagel, Harold B. Bond, Jan Lindstrom, Borje Josefsson, Richard Moser
  • Patent number: 6035570
    Abstract: The tracking device is adapted for attaching to clothing and/or clothing accessories for tracking the date, the event and any remarks pertaining to the event in which the clothing and/or clothing accessories were worn. The device is a sheet material having a circular opening and two parallel scored lines extending from one edge to a portion close to the other edge opposite to the first edge. The scored lines are designed to be punctured selectively to form slot openings of selective shape and length for attaching the device to the clothing and/or the clothing accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Francesco Maglio
  • Patent number: 6035571
    Abstract: A photograph frame inlcuding an intermediate plate, a back plate and a face plate. The intermediate plate has an inserting face, and at the edge of the inserting face ther is a fixing frame to receive a photograph. The back plate has a recess, and the intermediate plate can be inserted into the recess and fixed in it. The surface of the recess part inlcludes a plurality of hanging holes which align with a plurality of hanging holes in the intermediate plate. The photograph is put into the fixing frame and fixed in positino by pushing the face plate into the fixing frame. If the user would like to take out the photograph, he can use his finger to push on the photograph and the face plate through the hanging holes. In addition, the photograph frame can be hung on a wall by means of the hanging holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Junior Julian Hsu
  • Patent number: 6035572
    Abstract: A combination gun rest, pivoting hunting stool, and wading stick device particularly for use by duck hunting enthusiasts is disclosed. This multi-function apparatus includes a ground-engaging gun rest which independently supports a shot gun or rifle in a generally upright position. A duck hunter's stool including a cross-shaped base support with a ground-engaging member and a detachable seat member provide the hunter with a 360.degree. field of view from a seated position. The seat member is provided with suitable hardware to permit it to be stored on the tubular support member of the stool. The gun support is inserted within the tubular support member of the stool and locked in position such that the entire assembly functions as a wading stick to assist the hunter in maintaining balance when walking through a wetland or shallow water environment. The present device is lightweight and compact for convenient transport and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Lloyd O. Goode, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6035573
    Abstract: A fish strike detector for use on flexible fishing rods to detect and notify the angler that a fish is striking the bait located at the end of his or her fishing line. Light from a light bulb partially enclosed in a housing body is activated when the fishing rod is flexed from fish striking at the bait. The housing body, removably attached to a rigid vertical member attached to the fishing rod, houses an electrical circuit and power supply. A portion of the electrical circuit extends outside the casing body. A rigid horizontal member is attached to the fishing rod on one side of the vertical member. When a fish strikes the bait, the flexible fishing rod bends downward, causing the contact member to apply pressure to the portion of the electrical circuit extending outside the housing and complete the electrical circuit to activate the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Richard Flores
  • Patent number: 6035574
    Abstract: A fishing lure for producing vibrations of a pre-determined frequency to attract fish. The fishing lure is provided with a streamlined body to substantially eliminate sound generating turbulence as the fishing lure is pulled through the water. The body is also provided with a shaft passing through the body to cause water passing through the shaft to generate vibrations of a pre-determined frequency known to attract fish. A hook is securely fastened to the body to reduce excess noise otherwise associated with the hook contacting the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Brett Ware
  • Patent number: 6035575
    Abstract: An entrance gate for a marine animal trap includes an elongate hinge member and multiple finger-like bails pivotally mounted to the hinge member in spaced-apart relation along the length of the hinge member. A mounting surface of the hinge member is positioned adjacent an entrance frame of the trap and has a generally concave shape that is adapted to fit the contour of the interior face of the entrance frame. The hinge member is removably mounted to the entrance frame using wire or plastic ties. A pivot end of each bail of the entrance gate is rotatably or pivotally supported within a guide space of the hinge member. The bails extend through notches formed in the hinge member opposite the mounting surface. The notches allow the bails to pivot inwardly from a closed position to an open position. In the closed position, the bails span between the top and bottom portions of the entrance opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: David J. Hilty
  • Patent number: 6035576
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding potted plants with enhanced stability comprised of a pole or standard and a baseplate. The pole is passed through a hole in a square baseplate which conforms to the shape of the pole and is releaseably coupled to the baseplate. The baseplate is secured or attached to the ground by flanges formed by the corners of the baseplate. Thus, the baseplate acts to support or stabilize the pole when the apparatus is subjected to adverse environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Lee Bozeman
  • Patent number: 6035577
    Abstract: A temporarily stabilized natural turf conforms to a foundation of uniform or nonuniform topography, for instance a golf course green, and includes a flexible biodegradable primary backing with biodegradable fibers tufted thereto, an upper sand-based fill layer extending above the primary to about the tops of the fibers, and natural grass plants supported within the fill layer. The natural grass plants have blades which extend above the fill layer and the fibers to form a natural grass playing surface. The crowns of the natural grass plants reside just beneath the fill layer. The roots of the natural grass plants extend downwardly through the fill layer and through the root permeable and water permeable primary backing. The stabilized turf is grown at a sod farm and transplanted to the use site, and the primary backing helps to carry the sand-based fill layer. Once installed, the roots grow into the foundation relatively quickly, reducing the time needed to achieve a durable natural turf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Technology Licensing Corp
    Inventors: Joseph E. Motz, Mark A. Heinlein, Steve Linville
  • Patent number: 6035578
    Abstract: Disclosed is a structure for efficiently culturing edible sprouts which mainly includes a plurality of all-stage sprouts culturing units each formed from a pressure-adjustable pressure cover member, a bean/seed support member, a growth frame and a sprouts culturing box, and a water-saving feeding/draining system that enables cultivation of edible sprouts completely in the same sprouts culturing boxes throughout all culturing stages, including the soaking of beans/seeds, the accelerating of germination, and the culturing of sprouts. The pressure cover member enables production of thicker sprouts within shortened time, and the water-saving feeding/draining system provides accurately and timely supply and drain of water to and from the sprouts culturing boxes and automatically regulates and balances recycling water level in the sprouts culturing boxes, and therefore enables mass production of sprouts with stable and good quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventors: Kung-Shen Lo, Li-Tai Peng
  • Patent number: 6035579
    Abstract: A window regulator has a lift arm pivoted on the door and rotatable to raise and lower a window between open and closed positions. A lever is carried by the arm and pivotally connected to a gear rack crank. A crank mechanism is provided for turning a pinion gear and the pinion gear meshes with the gear rack. Accordingly, rotation of the pinion gear translates the rack and rotates the lever to pivot the lift arm thereby raising and lowering the window. A swing arm is pivoted on the pinion shaft and carries a roller which engages the rack so that the rack is captured between the roller and the pinion gear to maintain the rack in engagement with the pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Hale Staser, Jeffrey Alan Glinter, Alfonso Pineda
  • Patent number: 6035580
    Abstract: A self-priming drain guard siphon insertable into the opening of any reservoir drain subjected to accumulation of fluid transported debris comprising an outer shell (17) enclosing an inner priming chamber (20) held upright on the bottom of a reservoir by support tabs (18). Priming chamber (20) is comprised of inlet openings (22), a horizontal chamber (20a), a vertical chamber (20b), and an outlet opening (24). Inlet openings (22) are each positioned above and between adjacent support tabs (18) and vertical chamber (20b) at an elevation slightly higher than the bottom of a reservoir. Inlet openings (22) are cumulatively sized to approximate flow capacity of horizontal chamber (20a) and are positioned on the underside of horizontal chamber 20a to prevent lateral passage and direct contact with median sized debris. Horizontal chamber 20a is sized to approximate the flow capacity of vertical chamber 20b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Christopher E. Carter
  • Patent number: 6035581
    Abstract: A frame and cover for road surface installations has a one-piece cast metal frame member with an aperture therein to receive a cover member which can be used for catch basins, maintenance holes, valve chamber covers and underground vaults. The frame member has a side wall which extends smoothly downwardly between the upper and lower faces of the frame member and is free from laterally outer projections. Vibrations from vehicles moving over the frame and cover are transferred downwardly to the structure on which the frame is supported rather than to the adjacent asphalt, thereby extending the service life of the asphalt surrounding the frame. The cover member preferably has at least one lug extending laterally outwardly from its outer wall, the lugs adapted to be received in corresponding recesses formed about the aperture of the frame member. The lugs and the recesses in the frame members are provided with holes to permit the frame member and cover member to be secured to one another by a mechanical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Archie McCoy (Hamilton) Ltd.
    Inventor: Archibald H. R. McCoy
  • Patent number: 6035582
    Abstract: Flashing for rendering a seam in a structure water-tight, wherein the flashing comprises a composite comprising a sheet layer and a foam layer, with the sheet layer comprising a closed surface, waterproof material which is lightweight and flexible, and the foam layer comprising a thermally-insulating material which is lightweight and flexible, and resilient and water-resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: William L. Pacific
  • Patent number: 6035583
    Abstract: A building structure includes a one-piece extruded and cut-to-length structure including integral sidewalls, a roof, and a floor. The sidewalls, roof, and floor are configured to simulate conventional wood frame construction (both in color and surface texture), and include various flanges and integral members to facilitate transport of the building structure, attachment of the building structure to a foundation, and assembly of secondary parts to the building structure. Extruded end walls and intermediate walls are configured to mate with the main extrusion for tight and quick assembly thereto. The wall construction includes a beam-like laminate of outer and inner layers of structure polymer bonded together with rigid foam. An extruded garage and extruded breezeway can be attached to the building structure to form a building having the appearance of a conventional ranch style wood frame residential building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: William R. Papke
  • Patent number: 6035584
    Abstract: A building system using replaceable insulated panels supported by a frame-work. The panels include mated side edges and fastened end edges to form sealed slipping joints. The wall panels are connected to a concrete floor or to floor panels at the base and to roof panels at the top. Both panels, the roof and the floor panels are fixed to the framework to receive and secure the wall panels. Also, the roof panels utilize edging reinforcement to prevent panel delamination and provide supports for installations. The framework is supported with concrete foundations or with movable footings for portable buildings. A combination of slipping joints, and fastening connections of panels to one another and to the framework provide for panel disengagement and replacement of individual panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Jaime A Barreto
  • Patent number: 6035585
    Abstract: A portable, modular, vehicle washing and servicing structure 10 includes a prefabricated first unit 12, a prefabricated second unit 28 and a roof 46. First unit 12 includes two sidewalls 14 and 16 and two endwalls 18 and 20. Second unit 28 includes one sidewall 30 and two endwalls 32 and 34. Structure 10 also includes means 42 for attaching first unit 12 to second unit 28 so that sidewall 16 of first unit 12 also forms a sidewall for second unit 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Jon Taylor Boyd
  • Patent number: 6035586
    Abstract: An adjustable rafter that includes a main rafter having an inner end portion and an outer end portion. The outer end portion is adjacent to a wall of a structure. The main rafter defines a longitudinal direction. A rafter tail slideably engages the outer end portion of the main rafter, and the rafter tail is slideable in the longitudinal direction to a position relative to the outer end portion whereby the rafter tail may be laterally aligned with a plurality of other rafter tails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: International Building Concepts, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert H. Leslie, Robert J. Leslie
  • Patent number: 6035587
    Abstract: A drip edge for use on a building roof for directing water off of the roof, away from the building and, preferably, into a gutter is provided. The drip edge includes a planar body portion which is positioned under the roofing shingles. An open throat portion, which is substantially U-shaped, can fit over an existing protruding drip edge. A downwardly extending leg portion has a lower flexible section which ends in an outwardly directed foot portion. The drip edge can be installed over an existing drip edge, allowing retrofit of the new drip edge. The drip edge can be used with a variety of gutter designs. The drip edge prevents water from getting between the fascia and the gutter inner wall, protecting the building from water damage and the gutter from damage due to ice accumulation, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Amerimax Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Dressler
  • Patent number: 6035588
    Abstract: A deck plank comprised of a wood replacement material. The deck plank includes a top surface, a first leg, and a second leg. The top surface has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first leg is attached to the first end portion, and the second leg is attached to the second end portion. The first leg extends downward from the top surface, and it has a tongue and an outer surface. The tongue has a first limb and a second limb which are joined together to define a recess. The outer surface defines a channel that extends along the tongue. The second leg also extends downward from the top surface, and it has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion and the lower portion define a groove, and the tongue is adapted to fit with a groove of an adjacent, substantially similar deck plank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Crane Plastics Company Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Burch E. Zehner, A. Anthony Groh, Philip H. Stobart
  • Patent number: 6035589
    Abstract: The framework has at least one vertical support column (3), into which a telescopically height-adjustable foot (4) connected to the support column (3) is inserted. An approximate presetting and subsequently a fine height adjustment are possible by means of a height-adjustable adjusting member (15), which is self-supporting at the foot (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventors: Peter Schmucki, Silvio Marti, Alfred Mahler
  • Patent number: 6035590
    Abstract: A peripheral beam system for a manufactured home comprising a multiplicity of transverse beams secured perpendicular to plural longitudinally extending beams. Plural peripheral beams are secured to the multiplicity of transverse beams to extend parallel to the plural longitudinally extending beams. The peripheral beams extend downwardly from the manufactured home for resting on a foundation to support the manufactured home relative to a foundation. The downwardly extending peripheral beams enabling the manufactured home to be mounted onto a foundation at a permanent home site through the use of simple lifting jacks and without the use of lifting cranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Frederick H. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 6035591
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing an improved cementitious product which includes improved surface characteristics such as skid resistance, as well as improved structural characteristics such as flexural toughness. The product is provided by the inclusion of skid-resistant particles within an uncured cement product, such that the product eventually cures with the skid-resistant particles fixed at and adjacent to the surface, providing improved skid resistance to the cement product its supporting surface, which could be a pedestrian sidewalk, steps, a vehicle roadway, handicapped ramps, or other surfaces where skid resistance is required. The product is desirably softer in structure than traditional concrete structures to allow for desirable wearing by traffic thereon to continuously expose new rubber particles, while still having integral properties which discourage pullout of the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventors: James K. Hicks, John O. Winchester, Richard R. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 6035592
    Abstract: A conveyor gallery lateral restraint system for a reticulated dome structure includes a pair of load transfer pads integrated into the conveyor gallery and dome structure. Only loads normal to the outer surfaces of the load transfer pads, and thus loads along the reticulated surface of the dome structure, are transferred to the dome structure by the load transfer pads. Because of characteristics of the load transfer pads and their orientation relative to the dome surface, substantially no loads that are normal to the surface of the dome structure are transferred to the dome structure by the conveyor gallery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Temcor
    Inventor: David A. Brahm
  • Patent number: 6035593
    Abstract: A tube assembly of a tubular skylight is formed with upper and lower notches for respectively snappingly engaging tabs of upper and lower support rings to promote ease of installation. The upper support ring has a flange that overlaps the edge of a roof-mounted flashing such that the upper support ring rests on the flashing with the tube assembly suspended from the upper support ring. A transparent cover covers the tube assembly, and an upper seal is sandwiched between the top edge of the flashing, the cover, and the upper support ring to keep moisture and dust from entering the upper end of the skylight. Screws secure the flashing to the upper support ring, with spacers being disposed around the shanks of the screws between the heads of the screws and the flashing such that thermal expansion can be absorbed. On the lower end of the tube assembly, a dress ring supports a light diffuser, and the dress ring includes spring clips that snappingly engage receptacles on the lower support ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, David W. Rillie, Joseph W. Prenn, Christian P. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6035594
    Abstract: Wall partitions for prefabricated structures. The wall partitions engage receivers formed in beams of the base of the structure. The prefabricated wall partitions are slidingly engaged in the receivers of the beams and in receivers formed in adjacent wall partitions. The prefabricated interlocking or interengaging wall partitions form structural posts for the shelter. Rafters are engaged on the structural posts. Some of the interlocking wall partitions include female receivers at both of their ends for receiving other prefabricated wall partitions. Some of the prefabricated wall partitions have female receivers on one end and a male member on the other end for mating to each other. Position locators are mounted on the prefabricated wall partitions to space the wall partitions relative to each other. Prefabricated headers may extend over openings and include tongues and receivers for engaging the prefabricated wall partitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: International Building Concepts, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert H. Leslie
  • Patent number: 6035595
    Abstract: A self-sealing furring nail has a nail and a furring wad assembly. The furring wad assembly includes a plunger friction fit on the nail and a housing friction fit on a shaft of the plunger at one end of the housing, and at the other end of the housing there is a gap between the housing and the nail. The activating surface of the plunger is located within the housing, and the plunger's shaft extends from within the housing outside of the housing towards the nail head. The housing has a package of sealant material inside. The package has a sealant encased within a burstable bag. When the furring nail is driven through building paper into a frame of a building, the head of the nail contacts the plunger's shaft causing the plunger's activating surface to compress the bag of sealant. The bag bursts and the sealant passes through the gap between the nail and housing and seals the penetration hole between the nail and the building paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Kirk D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6035596
    Abstract: A heat-insulating connecting member has a warm metal profile, a cool metal profile extending parallel to and spaced from the warm profile, and a pair of parallel and spaced insulating strips bridging the profiles and defining an insulating compartment therebetween. One of the strips is formed with a web projecting generally across the compartment and having an outer edge adjacent the other strip. An infrared-reflecting foil is secured between the web and the warm profile under tension at a spacing from the warm profile between the outer end and the one strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Technoform Caprano + Brunnhofer OHG
    Inventor: Erwin Brunnhofer
  • Patent number: 6035597
    Abstract: A decorative window assembly includes a peripheral frame, and a plurality of foam-filled decorative muntin bars interconnected in a grid which is connected to the peripheral frame. Each muntin bar includes an elongated outer shell with open ends and defining a hollow interior, and a foamed filler substantially filling the interior of the shell between the ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Bay Mills Limited
    Inventor: John K. Donaldson
  • Patent number: 6035598
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for attaching a panel to a building wall using an elongated channel. The panel has a main panel portion, a panel edge portion and a groove therebetween. The elongated channel has a body and a pair of rails. The body is attachable to the wall by a fastener. The pair of rails are integrally formed with the body, extending substantially perpendicularly from the body in the same direction. One, or both, of the rails ends in a flange that is contoured to engage the cavity formed by the groove when the panel edge portion is bent around the groove and toward the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: United Attachment Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Sukolics, Robert C. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6035599
    Abstract: A multi-coursed stackable block structure having a system for forming a corner. The corner is formed by a two pieced beveled corner unit system to form a miter joint. The beveled corner units are stacked on top of one another to form the corner. A pin and aperture system may be used to reinforce and strengthen the two pieced mitered corner unit system in the wall construction. Additionally, the corner system provides for alternating the length of the corner units such that there is a substantial overlap between the corner units and standard wall block units to maintain the structural integrity of the corner and to maintain a strong structural relationship between the corner the surrounding block units. The corner system also allows for the maintenance of a running half bond in the structure to create a more stable and better visually appearing corner and wall construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: County Concrete Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy J. Sonnentag
  • Patent number: 6035600
    Abstract: A heat-insulated composite section for doors, windows and facades, includes a plurality of metal rail sections so connected as to form a frame, at least one insulating rod arranged between the rail sections and having longitudinal edges secured to the metal sections, and a compensation structure provided in a longitudinal connection zone between interconnected components for eliminating a flexure of the rail sections when subject to uneven temperature rise. The compensation structure effects a slight resistance to longitudinal displacement, or resistance to longitudinal displacement that approaches zero, or is formed by a sliding-type guidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Schuco International KG
    Inventors: Siegfried Habicht, Andreas Freier, Eitel-Friedrich Hocker
  • Patent number: 6035601
    Abstract: A mounting structure for assembling door components of a vehicle includes an outer panel and an inner panel for closing an opening of the outer panel. The outer panel has upper, lower, left and right engagement parts arranged adjacent to an inner edge of the opening. The inner panel has movable upper, left and right clamping members for engagement with the upper, left and right engagement parts, respectively. By manipulating a pair of handles associated with the clamping members, the inner panel can be assembled to the outer panel by the engagement of the clamping members with the corresponding engagement parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuyoshi Yamaguchi, Shinichi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6035602
    Abstract: There is disclosed a soft and compliant spacer body wherein the body is provided with modified substrate engaging surfaces to accommodate transverse dimensional changes when the spacer is bent about a corner or otherwise flexed in an insulated assembly. In one embodiment, the corners are cut to reduce the thickness of the strip as the same is bent or flexed about a corner. Other embodiments are disclosed. The advantage is that when the transverse dimension is maintained relatively constant about the bent corner, the result is a more effective seal between the substrate engaging surfaces and the substrates. This is augmented by the use of cellular materials and selected sealants to provide multiple sealing surfaces in a high efficiency spacer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Luc Lafond
  • Patent number: 6035603
    Abstract: Apparatus for handling or producing packs made of packaging material, it being the case that folding elements, pressure-exerting elements, push rods, slides etc. act on blanks of the packaging material. In order to convert any possible incorrect positioning of the moveable elements, in particular of the push rods, immediately into an error signal, a folding turret (10) is assigned a stationary monitoring unit (32) which is equipped with mechanical actuating elements, namely contact lugs (29,30,31). In the event of any possible incorrect positioning, one of the contact lugs (29,30,31) is actuated with the effect of a switching movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Peter Verwiebe, Hermann Schnoor
  • Patent number: 6035604
    Abstract: A packaging unit (1) for continuously producing aseptic sealed packages (2), containing a pourable food product, from a tube (14) of packaging material filled with the food product; the unit (1) has a first and second chain conveyor (10, 11) respectively having a number of first and second jaws (12, 13) which interact with and grip the tube (14) at respective equally spaced cross sections (88) to perform, at the cross sections (88), respective sealing operations on the tube (14); and the unit (1) also has a monitoring device (91) for monitoring the sealing operations, and in turn having at least one fixed sensor (92; 93) cooperating with each second jaw (13) to generate at least one monitoring signal (S1, S2; S3, S4) related to an operating value (Vo) of a quantity associated with the second jaw (13), and a comparing circuit (99) for comparing the operating value (Vo) with at least one predetermined reference value (Vf) of the aforementioned quantity, and for generating a fault signal (S5) indicating malfunct
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Per Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 6035605
    Abstract: A device for bending and transferring leaflets into box-shaped casings including a transfer head including elastically openable tapering end portions which cooperate with preforming edges and forming elements rotatably supported in a bending station to bend the side flaps of a leaflet. The transfer head picks up the bent leaflet from the bending station to transfer the bent leaflet into a box-shaped casing. The stop position of the transfer head in the bending station, as well as position of the tapering end portions during bending of the side flaps, can be adjusted depending on the type of paper of which the leaflet is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Tapematic USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Luciano Perego