Patents Issued in May 30, 2000
  • Patent number: 6067837
    Abstract: A device for the extraction of small metal items, especially applicable to automatic forging machines for the production of screws, rivets and the like, provided with one or more forming punches (1), comprises means (25), (27), (28), (29), (30), (10) articulated with one another and/or the casing of the forging machine, activated by a drive shaft of the same through one or more cams (20), (33) or the like, and co-operating with the back end of one or more pegs (11), (2) coaxial with respect to the forged item placed in sad punch(es).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Carlo Salvi & C. S.r.l.
    Inventor: Eufemia Garlaschi
  • Patent number: 6067838
    Abstract: A rod-shaped work made of metal is set into a forging die having a cavity where a load is applied to the rod-shaped work in the axial direction thereof and a twist is generated therein during an upset forging process so that an expanded portion is formed. This makes it possible to prevent generation of an underfill portion in the expanded portion which cannot be removed by a drawing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruki Kameda, Takeshi Inada
  • Patent number: 6067839
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for mounting a fastener element (1), such as a screw or a nut, in a component (2). The fastener element (1) is provided with a deformable, cylindrical portion (3) which has an axis of symmetry. The cylindrical portion (3) is inserted in a through-hole (4) in the component (2), whereafter the cylindrical portion (3) is deformed in its longitudinal direction by means of a compressive force, so that the length of the cylindrical portion (3) is reduced. By causing the fastener element to rotate at a predetermined rotational speed so that frictional heat is generated between the contact surfaces of the fastener element (1) and the component (2), there is created a combined rivet and frictional welding joint between the fastener element (1) and the component (2). The invention also relates to a tool for mounting the fastener element in accordance with the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventor: Max Xie
  • Patent number: 6067840
    Abstract: A gas sensor (10) is shown having alternately energized infrared radiation sources (14, 16) disposed in a gas chamber (12) at different distances from an infrared detector (18). Both radiation sources are filtered at the absorbing wavelength of a gas to be monitored with one radiation source located proximate to the detector serving as a "virtual reference". The differential absorption between the two radiation sources is used to determine the concentration of a gas being monitored. In a modified sensor (30) one radiation source is seated in a parabolic recess (34a) in a base plate (34) with the radiation focused on one angled end wall (32d) of a dished shaped cover member (32) and reflected over to a second angled end wall (32e) and into the detector with the radiation sources and the detector attached directly to a circuit board (24) mounting the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mahesan Chelvayohan, Adam J. Ahne
  • Patent number: 6067841
    Abstract: A method that detects an air-fuel ratio in each cylinder of an internal combustion engine by properly setting a cycle of detecting an element resistance of an A/F oxygen concentration sensor. Although an actual A/F signal is at the stoichiometric ratio in each cylinder at exhaust timing cycle in a practical engine rotational speed range, the ratio is largely deviated to the rich side in the #1 cylinder. The first element resistance detection timing cycle coincides with generation timing of the actual A/F signal, so that the A/F signal cannot be detected. When the element resistance detection timing cycle is preset so as to be longer than the exhaust timing cycle, the second actual A/F signal detection timing for the #1 cylinder does not coincide with the element resistance detection timing. Consequently, the actual A/F signal of the #1 cylinder can be detected as an A/F signal by the A/F sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Suzuki, Eiichi Kurokawa, Satoshi Hada, Satoshi Haseda, Norio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6067842
    Abstract: An olfactometer has a sniffing port, a sample supply for generating a sample flow constituted by a carrier gas and sample head space from a saturation chamber and for supplying the sample flow to the sniffing port, a carrier gas supply, and mixer for predetermined dilution of the sample flow. The carrier gas supply includes mass flow controllers with variable flow rates disposed before the saturation chamber for providing variable carrier gas flow to the saturation chamber. A multiplicity of capillaries of different diameter connect the mixing means with the sniffing port via individual injectors. A computer may be interphased with the olfactometer to regulate the amount of sample and/or carrier gas in the sample flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Roche Vitamins Inc.
    Inventors: Hansruedi Gygax, Christian Montagner, Norbert Neuner-Jehle
  • Patent number: 6067843
    Abstract: Measuring sensor to measure a gas, comprising: a housing having an inlet opening for the gas to be measured, a sensor chip located within said housing and having a sensor element at one end area of the sensor chip facing the inlet opening and an electrical connection connected electrically with the sensor element provided at another and, and with at least one contact trace which is electrically conducting, wherein the electrical connection is joined to the contact trace by laser welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Heraeus Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Edelbert Hafele, Walter Seeger
  • Patent number: 6067844
    Abstract: The semi-permeable characteristics of polymeric liners may be used to characterize defects, if present, in loose liners contained inside piping and equipment. The use of polymer-lined equipment is common in the chemical, refining and other industries where the polymeric liner offers excellent chemical resistance and the outer shell gives the required strength and rigidity. Permeability characteristics of liners are investigated with particular reference to volatile process gasses and/or process-soluble tracer gasses. The resulting data are used to establish nondestructive testing techniques for evaluating the integrity of lined equipment during normal operation where a mass spectrometer equipped with a sampling probe is used as the sampling and sensing devices. Real-time data is compared to characteristic data, obtained under laboratory conditions, on a membrane of the polymer from which the liners are made. Acceptance or rejection of the equipment is determined by such comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Paul Alfred Westbrook, Roderick Leonard Shulver
  • Patent number: 6067845
    Abstract: The electrical conductivity of laundry in a laundry drum is measured and the moisture content is determined from the measured quantity. A polarization voltage, which corrupts the measurement result, is formed at the electrodes. In order to compensate for this disturbing influence, as well as for other material and aging effects, the conductivity measurement is briefly interrupted and the polarization voltage which is present across the electrodes and has formed during the conductivity measurement is measured. The measured error voltage is used to compensate the laundry voltage measured during the previous conductivity measurement. This improves the determination of the conductivity, and thus of the moisture content, considerably. The method is particularly suitable for a microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Hansjorg Meerpohl, Dietmar Pech
  • Patent number: 6067846
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing hardness of a pipe including a body having a longitudinal axis, a probe connected to the body and extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body, a retaining mechanism connected to the probe and positioned within the body so as to maintain the probe in a fixed position relative to the pipe while the body is moving through the pipe, and a processor connected to the probe so as to convert a signal produced by the probe relative to the hardness of the pipe into a humanly perceivable indication of pipe hardness. The probe serves to contact a point along the inner surface of the pipe while the body is moving continuously through the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventors: Jack O. Hill, Leroy Fry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6067847
    Abstract: A running quality evaluator for an internal combustion engine for optimizing the running quality of the engine. The running quality evaluator includes an engine speed circuit which conditions a series of trigger pulses from the engine. The conditioned trigger pulses from the engine speed circuit are converted by an integrating circuit into an engine speed signal. The engine speed signal increases as the frequency of the trigger pulses from the internal combustion engine increase. Thus, the engine speed signal changes as the frequency of the trigger pulses from the engine change. The engine speed signal from the integrating circuit is then converted into an engine quality signal by a differentiating circuit. The engine quality signal increases as the rate of change of the engine speed signal increases. The engine quality signal from the differentiating circuit is then integrated into an output signal by an output circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Richard E. Staerzl
  • Patent number: 6067848
    Abstract: A portable test apparatus (and associated method) for measuring nonuniformity of a tire/wheel assembly in situ on a wheel bearing hub of a vehicle are characterized by a lightweight assembly of components including, in particular, a probe for monitoring deflections of a surface of the tire/wheel assembly during rotation of the tire/wheel assembly and producing an electrical output indicative of the surface deflections, and an indexing device for producing an electrical output indicative of the rotational position of the tire/wheel assembly during rotation thereof, the indexing device having an attachment mechanism for removable coupling to the tire/wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Siegfried, Donald E. Andrews, William P. Stanfield, Gregory D. Chaplin
  • Patent number: 6067849
    Abstract: A tire support structure capable of spreading the beads of a tire for inspection and repair is supported by a mechanism for raising and lowering the structure. This permits the structure to be positioned in a lower position at a convenient height for a worker in an adjoining working position and permits the structure to be raised to an elevated position for retrieving a tire from an overhead conveyor system or delivering a tire to the conveyor system. A work bench is preferably located adjacent the worker position for supporting tools and supplies for repairing the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Clyde M. Church
  • Patent number: 6067850
    Abstract: A fast and accurate pressure charge controller to inflate a tire or a pressure container to a desired pressure with an air or a gas compressor supplied pressure without regulation of the supplied pressure and without using a pressure gauge or any hand-held pressure measurement device to measure the charged pressure at the vicinity of the tire or the container, to stop charging and to send out either an audio or a visual signal when desired tire or the container's pressure is reached. The controller is also able to release over charged tires or pressure containers to desired pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventors: Yu Lang, Xiaojian Tao
  • Patent number: 6067851
    Abstract: A test system and a method for testing the final stages of a submarine wen fire control system so as to obtain a complete end-to-end test of the submarine weapon fire control system. The test system includes a launchable test vehicle that can be inserted and launched from a launch tube such as a torpedo launch tube. The test vehicle is the same size and shape as standard launchable vehicles of the type to be tested and preferably includes actual fleet replacement standard components. The test vehicle includes a data recorder that passively records a plurality of signals including power related signals, power crossover signals, preset information, launch sequence information, processor record data, and the like. The test system also includes a data extractor that is used to extract data from the test vehicle in between launches from subsequent launch tubes. The data extractor connects to an umbilical connection on the test vehicle that is normally broken during each launch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Robert J. Chaves, Charles Ferreira, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6067852
    Abstract: An atmospheric water vapor sensing system uses Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) to determine the refractivity and Slant-path Water Vapor Delay (SWD) between an Earth-based GPS receiver and a plurality of satellite-based GPS transmitters. The system provides improved precision in position calculation measurements by eliminating the refractivity effects of water vapor. No other system inputs are required apart from conventional GPS satellite signals and conventional satellite orbit data to implement the method. SWD arises from the refractivity in the integrated atmospheric water vapor in a column of atmosphere at an acute angular line-of-sight path between the Earth-based GPS receiver and any one of the plurality of satellite-based GPS transmitters. The system is especially useful in monitoring the Earth's crustal deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
    Inventors: Chris D. Alber, Randolph H. Ware, Christian Rocken, Fredrick S. Solheim
  • Patent number: 6067853
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for reducing the vibration in the cabin (2) of a rotary-wing aircraft, especially a helicopter (He).According to the invention, said device (1) comprises at least one sensor (C) arranged on the structure of the aircraft (He) and capable of measuring the values of at least one parameter that represents the vibration in said cabin (2); at least one controllable resonator (R), mounted directly in said cabin (2) and capable therein of generating a force which opposes said vibration; and a control unit (UC) capable of controlling said resonator (R) on the basis of the values measured by said sensor (C), so as to reduce and minimize said vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Laurent Thevenot
  • Patent number: 6067854
    Abstract: The level of liquid in a tank is sensed using a pair of magnets arranged such that when in proximity to each other, a magnetic force is generated that activates a micro-switch. One of the magnets is mounted on a float carried on the surface of the liquid and constrained for vertical movement within a tube. The second magnet is stationarily mounted on the tube at a position where the liquid level is to be sensed. A latch mechanism actuated by the movement of the second magnet latches the micro-switch in an actuated position until actuated by the second magnet a second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: F. Y. Yang
  • Patent number: 6067855
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring ampoule liquid level are presented. A buoy is arranged entirely within and detached from the ampoule. The buoy contains enough matter having a density less than that of the liquid to maintain flotation of the buoy, and has an exterior surface formed from a non-reactive material. The buoy is further designed to not interfere with any inlet or outlet structures of the ampoule. At least one magnet is displaced within the buoy such that the magnet is located near the ampoule's interior wall when the buoy is arranged within the ampoule. At least one sensor strip is located along the height of and entirely outside of the ampoule's interior wall, and at least one electronic sensor, containing at least one magnetically actuated switch, is located within each sensor strip. The electronic sensor may also contain a visible indicator and/or a resistor. The electronic sensor may be electronically connected to at least one separate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian G. Brown, William S. Brennan
  • Patent number: 6067856
    Abstract: A float for a liquid level gauge mechanism is disclosed, along with the mechanism with which such float is used. The float takes the form of an elongated hollow body of approximately the same weight or lighter than the weight of an equal volume of the liquid involved. The elongated body has first and second ends with the first end being heavier than the second and being the end to which the filament of a spring-operated reel is connected. In a preferred embodiment, the difference in weight between the first and second ends approximates the retraction force exerted upon the filament by the spring-operated reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Morrison Bros. Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Lattner, Adam J. Koehler
  • Patent number: 6067857
    Abstract: A processing arrangement for a brake element for a vehicle employs a rotational support, such as a precision collet arrangement, for supporting the brake element rotatably about a fixed axis of rotation. The brake element and the spindle are rotated by a drive arrangement that causes the brake element to rotate about the axis of rotation while a rotary encoder that is coupled to the drive arrangement produces a rotation data signal containing rotational information responsive to the rotation of the brake element. Residual unbalances are measured by the production of an unbalance data signal that is responsive to forces that are themselves responsive to a residual unbalance of the brake element. In addition, a surface dimension detector produces a surface dimension data electrical signal that is responsive to a dimensional characteristic of a surface of the brake element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Balance Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Cooper, Thomas P. Plunkett
  • Patent number: 6067858
    Abstract: A microfabricated gyroscope to measure rotation about an axis parallel to the surface of the substrate. A voltage differential may be applied between pairs of electrode fingers to reduce the quadrature error. A microfabricated gyroscope includes a vibratory structure and interdigited electrodes having a high aspect ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: William A. Clark, Thor Juneau, Roger T. Howe
  • Patent number: 6067859
    Abstract: This invention concerns a novel optical micromanipulation tool, referred to as the optical stretcher, which may use a tunable laser to trap and deform cells between two counterpropogating beams generated by the laser. It is possible to detect the deformation of cancer cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: The Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Josef A. Kas, Jochen R. Guck
  • Patent number: 6067860
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the disclosure, the present invention provides methods and arrangements for testing the integrity of laminate and solder adhesion strength in circuit devices. Methods include securely mounting one end of a circuit device, and affixing a rotatable shaft attached to a controllable servo motor to the other end of the circuit device. The circuit device is monitored so as to be able to detect failure, and torque is applied to the circuit device from the servo motor. When failure of the circuit device is detected, the torque is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Grams, Michael Chauncey Day
  • Patent number: 6067861
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a method and apparatus rely upon tomographic measurement of the speed of sound and fluid velocity in a pipe. The invention provides a more accurate profile of velocity within flow fields where the speed of sound varies within the cross-section of the pipe. This profile is obtained by reconstruction of the velocity profile from the local speed of sound measurement simultaneously with the flow velocity. The method of the present invention is real-time tomographic ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry utilizing a to plurality of ultrasonic transmission and reflection measurements along two orthogonal sets of parallel acoustic lines-of-sight. The fluid velocity profile and the acoustic velocity profile are determined by iteration between determining a fluid velocity profile and measuring local acoustic velocity until convergence is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Alireza Shekarriz, David M. Sheen
  • Patent number: 6067862
    Abstract: A fingerpad force sensor system is disclosed which is useful for detecting process variations during manufacturing processes in which a plurality of force sensors are applied to the gripper of a robot in order to monitor shear forces applied to the workpiece held by the robot during, for example, sheet-metal bending manufacturing processes. Each sensor is encapsulated in rubber pads which are secured to the gripper of the robot such that they monitor the status of the workpiece during all phases of automated bending: material acquisition, material handling, machine loading and unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignees: Amada Company, Ltd., Amada America, Inc.
    Inventors: Anne Marie Murray, Richard M. Moore, Jr., David Alan Bourne, Melvin W. Siegel
  • Patent number: 6067863
    Abstract: An electrical switch assembly includes a member by which a user selects one of a plurality of functions. Operation of the member applies different amounts of pressure to a transducer that has an impedance which changes in response to the applied pressure. An input circuit produces an output voltage which varies in relation to changes in the impedance of the pressure transducer. A voltage comparator compares the output voltage to a plurality of voltage ranges and in response to the voltage comparison, an output driver produces at least one electrical signal that indicates which one of plurality of functions the user has selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Favre, Ruth E. Hubbell, Igor A. Shmulevich, Narayanarao Jayasimha, Matthew G. Rhinehart, Joseph E. Khoury
  • Patent number: 6067864
    Abstract: A multiport valve system is disclosed in which sample gas continuously flows through all ports. More specifically, gas flowing to a specific port is selected for analysis, and gas continuously flows through the valve at this port during the analysis. In addition, non selected gas samples, which are defined as gas samples not currently being analyzed, continuously flow through non selected ports thereby always providing fresh samples at these ports when they subsequently become selected ports for analysis. Non selected gas is purged from the valve as waste. A positive pressure is maintain between portions of the valve containing selected gas and portions of the valve containing non selected gas to prevent contamination of the selected gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Roger Peterson
  • Patent number: 6067865
    Abstract: To increase the dynamic range when testing the particle size distribution of aerosols, the invention proposes a method whereby particles are detected in two measuring volumes connected in series in the measuring channel, whereby in particular the total number of particles flowing through the measuring channel passes through one measuring volume while only a smaller number of particles passes through the other measuring volume. A device appropriate therefor provides for a first measuring volume (MV1) to be located immediately downstream of an inlet nozzle (4) for the aerosol and having a surface perpendicular to the flow direction of the aerosol, said surface corresponding to the surface of the end of the inlet nozzle and for a second measuring volume to be provided downstream of the first measuring volume at a distance therefrom, the cross section of said second measuring volume perpendicular to the flow direction of the aerosol being smaller than the cross section of the measuring channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Palas GmbH Partikel-und LasermeBtechnik
    Inventors: Leander Molter, Friedrich Munzinger
  • Patent number: 6067866
    Abstract: The inventive fixture adapter has installed pneumatic actuators. Pneumatic connections for the actuators are made during installation of the adapter in the fixture. Thus, testing of a device can begin before the drawer is closed, and be completed while the drawer is being opened, thus saving cycle time. The adapter is removably connected to the drawer mechanism of the fixture, and thus can quickly and reliably be changed for a different adapter. All of the customization required for a particular device can be confined to the adapter, and thus the reset of the fixture can be made generic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Russell S. Krajec, Richard J. Chapman
  • Patent number: 6067867
    Abstract: A gauge assembly is provided including a bobbin assembly disposed within a housing. A magnetic armature is rotatably supported within a sealed chamber defined by said bobbin assembly. Three independent wire coils are wrapped around the bobbin assembly within three separate coil cavities defined by the bobbin assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred H. Glover, Lawrence R. Loveday, Joseph T. Betterton
  • Patent number: 6067868
    Abstract: An anti-rotation mechanism in a linear actuator has outer and inner cylinders, affords high accuracy and rigidity, is simple in structure, not requiring the use of a tie rod, and is inexpensive to manufacture. The outer cylinder 3 has both end portions 3 of circular cross section and an intermediate portion whose inner surface has an axially uniform non-circular cross-sectional shape including a rotation inhibiting surface 3F. The inner cylinder 4 has a collar 7 on the outer peripheral surface which is guided and supported slidably by the intermediate portion of the outer cylinder and has a conforming non-circular cross-sectional shape including a flat surface 7B for sliding engagement with the rotation inhibiting surface 3F to inhibit rotation of the inner cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Nakamura, Toshio Mitsuyama, Takashi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 6067869
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle door has a latch assembly having a door latch having a release lever displaceable to unlatch the door and a horizontally displaceable outside door handle. A transmission member rotatable about an axis is connected to the handle such that horizontal displacement of the handle rotates the transmission member about the axis. An actuating head is rotationally fixed to the transmission member and a shaft generally coaxial with the transmission member carries a formation axially fittable with the actuating head for rotationally coupling the transmission member to the shaft. A crank extending from the shaft is movable angularly about the axis on rotation of the shaft and a link is connected between the crank and the release lever so that when the handle is displaced horizontally the shaft is rotated about the axis, the crank and link are displaced and in turn displace the release lever, and the latch is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Kiekbert AG
    Inventors: Reinhold Chilla, Hans Deischl, Thomas Heide, Klaus-Jurgen Heimbrodt, Dieter Heise, Rolf Knop, Rudi Kolle, Simone Thiele nee Fischer
  • Patent number: 6067870
    Abstract: A compact six-speed fully-synchronized manual transaxle includes an input shaft having four fixed input gears, a first intermediate shaft rotatably supporting four speed gears meshing with four of the input gears, a second intermediate shaft rotatably supporting two speed gears meshed with two of the input gears and a reverse gear meshed with a speed gear on the first intermediate shaft, and a differential. A transfer gear on each intermediate shaft is meshed with a final drive gear fixed to the differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: New Venture Gear, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Fleishman, K. K. Natarajan, Robert S. Hatton, Alan P. Zajac, David Wenthen, Lee B. Arnold
  • Patent number: 6067871
    Abstract: A mechanical transmission system (10) is provided with a detent mechanism (156/172, 186/196) for applying a selectively variable detent resistance to disengagement of an engaged gear ratio. To provide resistance to shift lever (31) induced jumpout when no intent to shift is sensed, a greater detent resistance is provided, and to provide improved shift quality upon sensing an intent to shift, a lesser detent resistance is provided. The mechanism also may be utilized to maintain the transmission in neutral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald K. Markyvech, Thomas N. Riley, Thomas G. Ore
  • Patent number: 6067872
    Abstract: A speed change operation device for a vehicle with continuously variable transmission having a running apparatus, a power source and a continuously variable transmission for transmitting power from the power source to the running apparatus. The speed change operation device comprises a first movable member operated by a speed change operation member to rotate; a second movable member connected to a speed change operation quantity input section of the continuously variable transmission directly or indirectly through a transmission means to change speed of the continuous variable transmission; a first rotation support shaft pivotally supporting the first movable member; and a second rotation support shaft disposed in parallel with the first rotation shaft for pivotally supporting the second movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Miyahara, Jitsumi Hanabusa, Tooru Kimura, Hiroshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6067873
    Abstract: A shifter assembly for a vehicle transmission includes a base with a mounting structure having inwardly facing, opposing pivot-defining apertures defining an axis of rotation, and access channels that extend upwardly and forwardly at about 35 to 40 degrees into the opposing pivot-defining apertures in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation when the base is in a vehicle-installed position. A shift lever includes cylindrically-shaped pivot bosses configured to slide along the access channels into operative rotational engagement with the pivot-defining apertures. The pivot bosses and the pivot-defining apertures have diameters that characteristically are about equal to a width of the access channels, such that the shift lever can be assembled to the base by sliding the pivot bosses along the channels snap-lockingly into the pivot-defining apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Miklos A. Kovach
  • Patent number: 6067874
    Abstract: An actuating arrangement for a Bowden cable, in particular in a vehicle, includes a bracket which can be fastened to a wall and a lever arrangement which is pivotally fastened to the bracket and includes a lever member and a cable coupling for one end of the Bowden cable. To provide improved installation conditions and a concealed arrangement of the Bowden cable, the lever member and the cable connector are separate parts which can be connected to each other in a rotationally fixed relation after the assembly consisting of the bracket and cable coupling has been fastened to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Klaus Meissner, Frank Bekemeier, Dieter Meyer
  • Patent number: 6067875
    Abstract: A handlebar mounted shifter system and method are provided in which the overall diameter of the shifter is reduced by providing, among other features, an integrated clamp and spring assembly. The shifter housing has a small diameter so that a rider may place his index finger comfortably on top of the housing so that the distance between the rider's hand and the brake actuator is reduced. In addition, the handlebar mounted shifter system may support and guide the shifting cable so that the shifter cable does not flex undesirably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Ritchey Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Widdicombe Ritchey, Johannes Schneeberger
  • Patent number: 6067876
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper has a plurality of transmission elements which are rotatable relative to one another about a common axis of rotation. The relative movement of the transmission elements is carried out by the deflection of coupling bodies which are displaceable between the transmission elements along guide paths. A first guide path is provided on at least one of the transmission elements enabling a movement of the respective coupling body in the circumferential direction. The first guide path has a curvature which is formed with a curvature location having the maximum distance from the axis of rotation. A second guide path substantially free of curvature is provided on at least another transmission element allowing a movement of the coupling body in the radial direction. The coupling body is substantially free of curvature at least along a predeterminable portion of a contact zone facing the second guide path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Norbert Lohaus
  • Patent number: 6067877
    Abstract: A safety cover structure for covering working sections such as a drive section and an operating section of an automatic machine from the exterior so as to be capable of being opened and closed to ensure safety. The safety cover structure includes a plurality of support columns arranged in a surrounding relation to the automatic machine; a top board supported horizontally on the support columns to cover the automatic machine; a safety cover disposed vertically and movably between adjacent support columns; a connecting member having flexibility and connected to the safety cover to suspend the safety cover; grooves for guiding the connecting member from the support column to the top board; a tension arm supported horizontally on the top board so as to swing horizontally in a horizontal plane along the top board and connected with the connecting member; and an urging member connected to the tension arm to urge the tension arm in a rising direction of the safety cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Sankyo Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heizaburo Kato
  • Patent number: 6067878
    Abstract: A system for automatically preventing gear shift operation in a timber harvesting tractor when the tractor is moving. The system includes a drive train powered by a transmission. The drive train includes a transfer case which is shifted by the operator of the tractor through manipulation of an electrical control circuit. The electrical control circuit is rendered ineffective to shift the transfer case when the drive train is being driven by the transmission and the tractor is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad K. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 6067879
    Abstract: Procedure for straightening a circular-saw blade (2), in which procedure the blade (2) is mounted on a shaft (3). The geometry of the blade is measured, the measured values are compared with reference values, deformations in the blade are straightened by means of blade treating elements (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 23, 24), the blade is tensioned by means of working devices (13, 14), the blade (2) is rotated, lateral forces are applied to the blade (2), the effect of the forces on the blade (2) is measured while the blade is rotating, the measured values are compared with the reference values, and some or all of the operations mentioned above are repeated, if necessary, in a desired order, until the desired rigidity and straightness of the blade (2) have been achieved. The invention also relates to an apparatus for straightening a blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Veisto-Rakenne Rautio Oy
    Inventors: Kauko Rautio, Kai Rautio
  • Patent number: 6067880
    Abstract: A device for removing burrs created on the lateral edges of ice skate blades during sharpening is provided. The device consists includes cutting insert of extremely hard alloy having at least one angled cutting surface. The cutting insert is secured in a recess located along one of the edges of a substantially flat rigid housing member such that the portion of the cutting insert having the cutting surface extends out from the housing member. The housing member is connected to a substantially flat rigid base member such that a channel is defined by a portion of the base member, the end of the housing member having the recess, and the portion of the cutting insert which extends out from the housing member. The housing member and base member are connected such that they may pivot slightly relative to each other, but remain substantially parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: John P. Arrigoni
  • Patent number: 6067881
    Abstract: A hand tool for turning sockets connectable to nuts and bolts has a handle attached to a head having an inside cylindrical surface. A body joined to a member for holding a socket has a plurality of pockets facing the cylindrical surface and chord ramps at the bottom of the pockets. Rollers located in the pockets engage the ramps and cylindrical surface to selectively lock and unlock the head to the body so that when the handle is oscillated the body intermittently rotates. A ring mounted on the body is manually moved to shift the rollers between opposite end sections of the pockets. A socket release ball mounted on the member is controlled by a stem movably mounted on the body and member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: David V. Albertson
  • Patent number: 6067882
    Abstract: An improvement in a ratcheting driver of the type having a handle, a driver head connected to the handle, a driver stem, ratchet means contained in the head and including ratcheting direction selector means disposed on the head in axial alignment with and remote from the driver stem and operable to lock the driver stem against rotation in a direction which is preselected by the user by the limited rotation of the ratcheting direction selector means in a predetermined direction, consisting of a ratcheting direction control wheel disposed on the head in axial alignment with and remote from the driver stem and fixed to the ratchet means, and a control wheel cover disposed over the control wheel so as to be separated from the head thereby and locked to the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Alltrade Inc.
    Inventor: George Hillinger
  • Patent number: 6067883
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for providing positive control of a printable medium in a printing system such that high speed processing of the printable medium can be achieved without damage to the product (e.g., printed signatures). Exemplary embodiments are directed to a carrier system which contacts (e.g., grips) the printable medium from both sides to provide positive control over the printable medium as it is transported from one area of positive constraint (e.g., a folding mechanism of a folder device) to another area of positive constraint (e.g., transport tapes and/or a signature deceleration device located downstream of the cutting cylinders).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Kevin Lauren Cote, Richard Daniel Curley
  • Patent number: 6067884
    Abstract: A machine for cutting parts, wherein a carriage, movable in a given direction, is fitted with at least one rotary tool for cutting the parts parallel to the given direction; an actuating assembly moving the carriage in the given direction to and from an idle position; the carriage supporting a drive assembly presenting a motor and a gear transmission assembly interposed between the motor and the tool; and the transmission assembly rotating the tool at a speed other than that of the motor according to at least one given reduction ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Selco S.r.l.
    Inventor: Valter Naldi
  • Patent number: 6067885
    Abstract: A power tool includes a table. A shaft is fixedly secured to the table. The power tool also has a support housing supporting a motor and a working tool driven by the motor. The support housing is disposed on the shaft adjacent to the table and is axially movable along the shaft and laterally pivotable about an axis of rotation. In addition, the power tool has a locking mechanism for locking the support housing at a predetermined lateral position, wherein the locking mechanism includes a handle disposed on the shaft. The handle is rotatable in two directions with respect to the shaft, such that rotation of the handle on the shaft urges the support housing into locking contact with the table. A method for operating the power tool is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Brunson, William R. Stumpf, Adan Ayala
  • Patent number: 6067886
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of this invention an improved trim press is taught for use in separating molded articles from a web of material. The trim press includes a frame, a drive motor carried by the frame, a first platen carried by the frame, and a second platen carried by the frame and configured to be moved in reciprocation relative to the first platen. A first flywheel assembly is provided on the trim press having a weight with an eccentric mass, the weight being driven in rotation by the motor and coupled to drive the second platen via at least one kinematic linkage. The trim press also includes a second flywheel assembly having a weight with an eccentric mass, the weight being driven in rotation by the motor and coupled to drive the second platen via at least one kinematic linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: The Vision Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Jere F. Irwin