Patents Issued in June 13, 2000
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Patent number: 6073325Abstract: An arrangement for releasable attachment of workpieces to be machined on a processing machine with a pallet, on which the workpieces are releasably attached and can be releasably linked via this pallet with the processing machine, whereby the lock between the pallet and the processing machine is accomplished with at least one insertion pin attached to the pallet, which pin engages respectively in a seat of a quick-action clamping cylinder, whereby the seating opening (11) for the insertion pin (5) provided on the quick-action clamping cylinder (1) is provided with an outlet (28).Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Inventor: Emil Stark
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Patent number: 6073326Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable process for automated fastening of aircraft structures. The invention will employ two primary elements for locating and installing through-the-skin fasteners. Inside and outside units are attached onto an airframe and indexed to each other through coordination holes that have been pre-drilled through the structure. The aircraft structure is assembled with the pre-drilled coordination holes by aligning adjacent airframe parts and inserting alignment pins. The alignment pins will provide a degree of clamping to pull the parts together and provide indexing for inside and outside vacuum attachment track systems. The invention is equipped to traverse along the track system, accurately position itself, and drill only or countersink a hole, insert a fastener, and fasten, i.e., upset a rivet, or run down a threaded nut, then reposition itself to the next fastener location and repeat the process.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: David P. Banks, James N. Buttrick, Jr., Charles H. Glaisyer, Darrell D. Jones, Russell C. McCrum, Philip M. Wright
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Patent number: 6073327Abstract: A reusable plug device for providing sealing of an opening of a rim of a wheel for leak testing has a simple structure and facilitates installation/removal of the plug device using a simple insertion tool and a removal tool. The plug body has an axially extending cavity for receiving the insertion tool to enable the plug body to be inserted until a flange section of the plug body abuts the surface of the workpiece. The flange section serves as a stopper to indicate the stop position and ensures a uniform installation of the plug device in each workpiece. For removal of the plug body, the removal tool is inserted into the cavity and the removal tool is pushed in the insertion direction, so that the plug body and the flange section both collapse inward into the cavity to enable the plug device to be simply pushed out through the opening section.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Akifumi Inoue, Yuzo Ota
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Patent number: 6073328Abstract: A carpet installation device is provided which enables a carpet installer to spread and tuck a carpet while the installer is in a substantially upright position. The device comprises a blade having a generally flat bottom edge, an elongate shaft extending upwardly from the blade, a hand grip on the shaft, and an arm bracket on the shaft above the hand grip. The shaft includes a lower portion, an upper portion horizontally offset from the lower portion, and a transition portion extending between the lower portion and the upper portion. The transition section is sized such that when the installer grasps the hand grip, his arm will be substantially aligned with the shaft bottom portion when his arm is generally in contact with the shaft upper portion. Preferably, the shaft top portion is offset from the shaft lower portion by approximately the width of a user's hand.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Inventor: James Hendricks
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Patent number: 6073329Abstract: A fixture for use in assembling a first element and a second element is provided. The first element is substantially in shaft type and the second element includes a sleeve defining an axial channel. The first element is received within the axial channel in a non-engagement condition before assembly. The assembly fixture includes a lower mold device and an upper mold device. The lower mold device is used to place the first element and the second element in a non-engagement condition before assembly. The upper mold device includes a rotatable concentricity alignment device. As the upper mode device and lower mold device are operated under a mold-press condition, the concentricity alignment device automatically performs concentricity alignment procedure of first element with regard to the sleeve of the second element and accomplishes the press fit process.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.Inventor: Tung-Lung Lin
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Patent number: 6073330Abstract: A turntable for an adjustable peg system in a hinge-positioner fixture can be accurately located in selected positions of adjustment by using a powered locator pin in combination with a powered lock pin. The locator pin can be powered into a convergent socket in the table, to exert a cam force that rotates the turntable an incremental distance into a position, wherein a lock opening on the turntable is accurately aligned with a powered lock pin. The lock pin is driven into the lock opening to retain the turntable in a desired position of adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1999Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: DaimlerChrysler CorporationInventor: Michael Roy
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Patent number: 6073331Abstract: A method for manufacturing a seamless pipe, comprises:preparing a billet made of an alloy steel or an alloy;joining a steel plate to an end surface at which piercing of the billet is commenced;preparing a piercing plug made of Mo, a Mo alloy or a heat-resisting steel;hot-piercing the billet by using the piercing plug to produce a hollow shell; androlling the hollow shell to produce a seamless pipe.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: NKK CorporationInventors: Tatsuro Katsumura, Takashi Ariizumi
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Patent number: 6073332Abstract: A corrosion resistant tubular system is formed of a length of pipe in which each of the opposed ends terminate in a reduced external diameter integral tubular lip portion and, spaced from the lip portion, increased diameter external threads compared to the tubular lip portion, the lip portion having an external circumferential frusto-conical surface and a tubular coupling having internal threads adjacent each of the ends thereof and having, spaced inwardly from each of the internal threads a reduced internal diameter circumferential sealing surface that is tapered in a frusto-conical shape, the interior of the tubing and the coupling being formed of corrosion resistant metal alloy. When assembled a telescopic mating relationship is established between the external conical surface of the pipe and the internal conical surface of the coupling.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Inventor: William C. Turner
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Patent number: 6073333Abstract: A method of manufacturing and assembling a computer system from modular parts that are vertically stacked relative to one another. Each module has a predetermined geometrical configuration and interlocks only with other modules of the same geometrical configuration. Computer components are housed within modules of predetermined geometrical configuration so that a consumer purchasing a computer system by purchasing modules need only match module shapes to ensure component compatibility. A consumer may purchase a first module containing a computer component of the consumer's choice and complete a computer system of compatible components by purchasing additional modules having the same shape as the first module. In a preferred embodiment, each component is operated by a dedicated processing unit ("DPU") and operating system dedicated to it to avoid the limitations of computer systems that rely upon general purpose operating systems.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1999Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Inventor: Tom Orr
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Patent number: 6073334Abstract: A method of connecting respective one end portions of two carrier tapes, to each other, each of the two tapes having accommodating pockets at a first pitch and tape-feed holes at a second pitch, each of the accommodating pockets accommodating an electric component, the method including the steps of aligning a tape connecting member which includes a flat main portion having tape-feed holes at a third pitch equal to the second pitch, and caulking projections projecting perpendicularly from the flat main portion, with the respective one end portions of the two tapes, such that tape-feed holes of the connecting member are aligned with respective tape-feed holes of the two tapes, causing at least two caulking projections of the connecting member to penetrate through respective thickness of the two tapes, so that the flat main portion of the connecting member contacts respective one major surfaces of the two tapes, and caulking respective portions of the two caulking projections that penetrate out of the respectiveType: GrantFiled: July 1, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignees: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd., Meiwa Inc.Inventors: Koichi Asai, Kunio Ooe, Yoshifusa Hyodo
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Patent number: 6073335Abstract: A method of supporting an ornament on the exterior of a door uses a peep hole fixture to mount a hanger piece. The hanger piece is a flat metal strip having a hole in one end sized to be received on the peep hole fixture barrel while being captured by a flange on the fixture. A hook on a depending end of the strip provides an attachment feature for holding the ornament.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Inventor: Nicholas J. Lampers
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Patent number: 6073336Abstract: A method and apparatus for lacing stator coil windings and leads is provided. Lacing of the stator coil windings and leads is performed during an automated process which occurs while the stator is situated on a pallet which is moved by a conveyer belt through a manufacturing facility. The pallet includes an inner ring and an outer ring rotatably disposed therein. The inner ring supports the stator and allows the stator to be rotated during lacing. The outer ring is rotated at the same rotational speed and direction as the inner ring and includes a plurality of clips for releasably securing leads of the stator. The pallet further includes a lead lift assembly which is movable in a substantially vertical direction. Upon introduction of the pallet to a lacing station in the manufacturing facility, a vertical positioning device engages the lead lift assembly from beneath the pallet and raises the assembly to a predetermined height.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLCInventor: Hobart DeHart
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Patent number: 6073337Abstract: A method of controlling curvature of hydrodynamic bearing slider. The method includes adding a preselected amount of compressive surface stress to the slider to change curvature of the slider and then removing a portion of the added compressive stress to adjust the curvature.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1996Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.Inventor: Richard A. Strom
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Patent number: 6073338Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film magnetic head which employs pole tips members which are coplanar in a plane across the write gap to produce a written track whose width is determined by the thickness of the pole tip members. The coplanar write structure may be-combined with a multilayer read sensor disposed in the write gap to produce a narrow trackwidth thin film magnetic head having both write and read capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1997Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Read-Rite CorporationInventors: Francis H. Liu, Hua-Ching Tong, Samuel W. Yuan
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Patent number: 6073339Abstract: A method for making a planar magnetic device is presented. The magnetic device has generally spirally-directed planar coils supported on plural substrates. The plural substrates are stacked so as to have their respective outer peripheries connected to termination pads which are laterally spaced from the termination pads of other coils, as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the planar coils. The inner termini of at least two of the coils may be interconnected by a plated via to constitute a single winding on plural planes. An exposed portion of the termination pads resides alongside vertical edges of the magnetic device and is electrically connected to a vertical plating which form pin-less terminations of the magnetic device. The magnetic device may include a beveled portion for orientation of the device in a circuit. A method of manufacturing the magnetic device is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: TDK Corporation of AmericaInventor: Gedaly Levin
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Patent number: 6073340Abstract: Several heater patterns are printed on a ceramic green sheet for substrates, and the ceramic green sheet is laminated with a ceramic green sheet for cover plates, thereby forming a lamination body. Then, the lamination body is cut so that it is divided into several intermediate bodies, each of which holds a corresponding one of the heater patterns therein and has a side surface on which a terminal portion of the heater pattern is exposed. Then, the intermediate body is baked. As a result, a ceramic heater composed of a heater substrate holding the heater pattern and a cover plate disposed on the heater substrate to cover the heater pattern can be provided without any micro-cracks therein.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Makoto Shirai, Akira Fujii, Masayuki Kobayashi
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Patent number: 6073341Abstract: A machine method for providing a dome switch sub-assembly used for providing a keyboard-type user input to electronic devices. A spacer layer, attached to a retaining layer, having a plurality of spacer layer openings for receiving a plurality of dome switches is placed upon a moveable machine table. The dome switches, arranged in reel form, are machine removed and placed into the spacer layer openings. A removable release liner is then attached to the spacer layer. Also a complete dome switch assembly is provided. A spacer layer, attached to a circuit board, having a plurality of dome switch openings is placed on a moveable machine table. The dome switches, arranged in reel form, are machine removed and placed into the spacer layer openings. A retaining cover is attached to the spacer layer. An overlay layer, attached to the retaining cover layer, may also be provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Inventor: Richard A. Odorfer
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Patent number: 6073342Abstract: A system for performing an operation for a circuit substrate, including a plurality of main conveyors each of which conveys, positions, and supports a circuit substrate, the plurality of main conveyors being arranged in a direction perpendicular to a circuit-substrate conveying direction in which the each main conveyor conveys the circuit substrate, an operation performing device which performs at least one operation for the circuit substrate positioned and supported by the each main conveyor, at least one of (a) a carry-in conveyor which conveys the circuit substrate to the each main conveyor and loads the circuit substrate thereon, and (b) a carry-out conveyor which loads the circuit substrate off the each main conveyor and conveys the circuit substrate away therefrom, and a conveyor shifting device which selectively shifts the at least one of the carry-in conveyor and the carry-out conveyor to one of a plurality of shift positions at each of which the one conveyor is aligned with a corresponding one of theType: GrantFiled: November 24, 1997Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg., Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koichi Asai, Shinsuke Suhara, Hirokazu Ikegami
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Patent number: 6073343Abstract: A method is provided for maximizing substrate usage in the fabrication of flat panel displays or detectors, while also maximizing electrostatic protection for the displays or detectors. Initially, at least two detectors are positioned on the substrate, with each of the detectors having a guard ring of a certain width. At least a section of the guard ring width of one detector is approximately adjacent to a section of the guard ring width of another detector. The approximately adjacent guard ring width sections are then positioned such that a maximum overlap of the adjacent guard ring width sections is achieved, while still providing each display or detector with electrostatic discharge protection. Each of the detectors is separated from the other detectors and the remainder of the substrate by the process of scribing partially through the substrate and breaking at the scribe mark or by sawing.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Scott W. Petrick, Robert F. Kwasnick, Rowland F. Saunders, Habib Vafi, David C. Neumann
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Patent number: 6073344Abstract: A method for generating multiple conductor segments within a plated through hole of a printed circuit board. The method utilizes laser light to define the segmented surfaces bounding a hole in a circuit board. Two embodiments of this method are a subtractive process and an additive process. The subtractive process starts with a plated through hole and uses a laser to removes vertical strips of the PTH conductive lining to form the multiple conductive segments. The additive process applies a seeding material to a bare hole in a circuit board, removes vertical strips of the seeding material via laser scanning, and applies an electrically conductive material to the seeded surfaces to form the multiple conductive segments.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1999Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert M. Japp, John S. Kresge
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Patent number: 6073345Abstract: A tappet is used in an internal combustion engine. A cam-slidably-contacting member is placed on a top wall of a tappet body via diffusing material that includes a mixture of one or more elements of Zn, Mg, Sn, Cu and Pb. The cam-slidably-contacting member and the tappet body are pressed with the diffusing material held therebetween, so that the diffusing material is diffused into the tappet body and the cam-slidably-contacting member until the layer of the diffusing material does not substantially remain, and a tappet of high strength is formed.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Fuji Oozx, Inc.Inventors: Akiyoshi Mori, Tatsuo Kanzaki
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Patent number: 6073346Abstract: A railroad wheel formed from at least two metallic alloys. In one embodiment, a railroad wheel has a body formed from a first alloy and a rim formed from a second alloy initially in powder form. In an exemplary embodiment, to form the dual alloy wheel the body of the wheel is cast with a circumferential channel formed therein. The perimeter of the body is enveloped with a material, such as sheet metal, to form a cavity defined by the channel and the sheet metal. The second alloy in the form of a powder is placed in the cavity and subjected to heat and pressure to metallurgically weld the first and second alloys and form a composite railroad wheel.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Ultraclad CorporationInventor: Joseph C. Runkle
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Patent number: 6073347Abstract: A full faced vehicle wheel manufactured by stamping a steel disc, embossing a plurality of vent holes in the disc and rolling a partial steel rim. The partial steel rim has an outer beadseat with an outer edge, the outer beadseat at its inner surface rolled at a predetermined angle and to a predetermined inner diameter at its edge. The full faced disc has an outer flange with an inner surface smoothly flowing into a radius which smoothly flows into a circumferential beadseat area extending inwardly at a corresponding matching angle to the aforesaid predetermined angle. The vent holes are embossed to extend the beadseat area inwardly at the same matching angle at the outer periphery of the vent holes, to form inwardly extending, intermittent supporting and guiding areas only at the vent holes. The outer surface edge of each intermittent area has an outer diameter slightly less than the aforesaid predetermined inner diameter of the rim edge.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Accuride CorporationInventors: Ratko Cvijanovic, Daryl Siedelmann
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Patent number: 6073348Abstract: A reciprocating electric shaver including a main body, plural blade cassettes and a retainer. Each of the plural blade cassettes includes an outer blade and an outer blade frame to which the outer blade is attached. The outer blade frame has engaging members at end portions in a longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to an arranging direction of the plural blade cassettes. The plural blade cassettes are attached to the main body via the retainer. The retainer has a pair of end walls substantially parallel to the arranging direction. Each of the pair of end walls has slits extending along a floating direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and to the arranging direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.Inventor: Takeshi Shiba
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Patent number: 6073349Abstract: A wire stripper has a blade (33) projecting from a carrier (35) mounted in a handle (56). A hook-shaped wire clam (45) is slidably mounted in the handle and is spring-urged towards a position where a wire is pressed by the clamp on to the blade. The clamp (45) may be turned relative to the blade (35) about the axis of the handle between first and second positions when the blade performs a circumferential cut around a held wire or a longitudinal cut along a held wire, respectively. The clamp (45) may be turned through an acute angle from the first position to a third position where the blade (33) performs a helical cut along a held wire. A spring biases the clamp to the first position, or selectively to the third position.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Inventor: Barry P. Liversidge
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Patent number: 6073350Abstract: A blade is provided for use in a hair clipper having a bladeset including a moving blade and a stationary blade, the bladeset being constructed and arranged so that the moving blade is pressed against the stationary blade for allowing the moving blade to reciprocate relative to the stationary blade in a transverse direction to a longitudinal axis of the clipper. The blade includes a base portion having a tooth end, and a mounting end opposite the tooth end, a plurality of teeth arranged in spaced, parallel relationship to each other and projecting from the tooth end, each tooth having a tip and a root opposite the tip and being joined to the tooth end. The roots are joined to the tooth end in spaced relationship to each other to define generally planar-floored channels between the roots for facilitating the evacuation of hair and/or hair clippings from a cutting area of the bladeset.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1996Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Wahl Clipper CorporationInventors: Andrew Elston, Gregory S. Wahl
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Patent number: 6073351Abstract: A crossbow or other weapon with an adjustable sight mounting member is provided with an indicator mechanism which provides a read-out indicative of the disposition of the sight mounting member, the indicator being of a size substantially greater than the range of adjustment of the sight mounting member so as to provide a readily legible visual indication of said disposition. The indicator comprises a pointer rotatably movable over an arcuate scale and driven by a rack and pinion connection with an operating member which is coupled with the sight mounting member. The sight mounting member is adjustable by means of a screw which is operable independently of the indicator.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Inventor: Bernard Thomas Barnett
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Patent number: 6073352Abstract: A laser rangefinder bow sight adapted for use preferably with a conventional multi-pin bow sight having a frame and a plurality of sighting pins adjustably positioned on said frame. The laser rangefinder has a housing removably fastened to the bow sight frame. The housing supports a laser transmit section, a laser receive section, a precision timing section and a central processing unit (CPU) for measuring distance to a target coupled to an LCD display. The CPU also provides outputs to a plurality of range window indicator lights which are preferably LEDs. The indicator lights may be externally mounted to the bow sight pins or mounted within the rangefinder housing. In the latter case, a plurality of optical fibers are connected to the distance window lights in the housing. Each of the sighting pins is optically coupled to a separate one of the plurality of distance window lights via one of the optical fibers.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Laser Technology, Inc.Inventors: Blair J. Zykan, Jeremy G. Dunne
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Patent number: 6073353Abstract: The present invention provides a laser leveling device, which comprises a light emitting unit for irradiating a laser beam, a rotating unit for rotating the laser beam for scanning, and a means for turning off the scanning laser beam so that a spotlike is formed in a specific direction. By forming a reference spot light, and aligning an irradiating point of the spot beam with the reference point, it is possible to install the laser leveling device 1 to the reference point and to perform accurate positioning of the laser leveling device by the scanning line of the laser beam formed on a portion other than the spot.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCONInventors: Fumio Ohtomo, Jun-Ichi Kodaira, Takayuki Fujioka
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Patent number: 6073354Abstract: An instrument for use in alignment, plumb and leveling functions includes a laser diode projecting a beam through a liquid contained in a vessel. Floating in the liquid is a compensator float which includes telescope optics so as to diminish the angle of rays leaving the telescope as compared to rays entering the telescope. The laser beam passes through the liquid and through the telescope, exiting from a window at the top or side of the instrument. By selecting the proper relationship between the telescope's magnification and the index of refraction of the liquid, the instrument is made to correct for small tilt angles of its housing. Various embodiments are disclosed for projecting upward or downward plumb beams, level beams or both.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: LeveLite Technology, Inc.Inventor: Joseph F. Rando
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Patent number: 6073355Abstract: A method using piezoelectric effect is provided for measuring an angle between a reference plane and a plane to be measured. The method can be used to measure the inclination of a plane or for leveling purpose. The method employs an apparatus wherein the main characteristics of the apparatus are simple in structure with no limitation in the measurement range and fewer limitations to the environment. The method may also have the following advantages compact, quick and accurate measurement, easy for multiaxial measurement.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1999Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Chung-Shan Institute of Science & TechnologyInventors: Chung-I Chiang, Chih-Wen Hsieh, Long-Jang Hu, Ming-Shing Jou, Shun-Lih Tu, Horng Chang
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Patent number: 6073356Abstract: An inclinometer comprising a housing having transparent front plate and flat bottom, a gravitated rotational protractor having angle graduation printed on the front panel, a pendulum swing needle and protractor rotation locking device. By controlling the locking device, the protractor can be released to rotate freely and can be locked in a position. When the protracted is unlocked, the pendulum swing needle and the gravitated rotational protractor will always rotate to the relatively same position (the needle point to "0" degree angle). Then the locking device can lock the protractor to prevent rotation and the needle continues to rotate to measure the angle to which the inclinometer has been tilted.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Inventor: Tianfu Li
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Patent number: 6073357Abstract: A new cutting height gage for accurately setting the cutting height on greens mowers or other precision type mowers comprises a straight flat bar with a dial indicator at one end, a shouldered pin moveable perpendicular to the bar and a mechanism extending horizontally underneath the bar to transmit pin vertical movement to the dial indicator. When properly positioned the shouldered pin engages the cutter bar of the mower and the dial indicator is easily viewable from above the mower without significantly raising the mower or removing the cutting unit from the mower.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Inventor: John Kosmalski
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Patent number: 6073358Abstract: An arrangement and method for measuring a distance between rotating and stationary parts of a device, such as a turbine. The arrangement and method allow for the measurement of a distance between the tip of the rotating bodies arranged on a rotor of the turbine, and the inside of a casing that encloses the rotor. The arrangement and method provide for at least one abrasion-tolerant layer of a specified thickness arranged on the inside of the casing opposite the tip of the rotating body at a specified thickness. The at least one abrasion-tolerant layer includes at least one indicator that can be detected in the exhaust gas of the turbine, thereby providing indication of abrasion between the tip of the rotating body and the abrasion-tolerant layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: ABB Alstom Power (Switzerland) Ltd.Inventor: Uy-Liem Nguyen
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Patent number: 6073359Abstract: A height measuring device having an elongated member with a substantially rectangular cross-section. A channel or groove is formed in the middle of the elongated member's wider side and substantially extends the entire length of the elongated member. A metal strip is attached to the inside surface of the groove. The metal strip engages a magnetic plate of a sliding bar which is movably positioned inside the groove and extends out of the elongated member forming a perpendicular angle with respect to the elongated member's surface. The sliding bar is part of a kit of measuring bars or blocks which can be aligned with the scales to measure the height of an individual. The measuring blocks contain magnetic plates attached to its periphery for placement adjacent to the bottom of the groove. The member is made of various materials and is vertically attached to a wall including a measuring tape with an adhesive attached to the member's outside surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Inventor: In Bok Lee
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Patent number: 6073360Abstract: A mount for mounting a measuring instrument, such as an electronic measuring transducer. The mount includes a spring operated clamp assembly for attaching the mount to a first part with a reference surface engaging a desired location on the first part. In one embodiment, the clamp assembly grips the first part between a clamp member and a clamp portion. The mount has an unclamping member which may be operated with one hand to selectively open the clamp. In another embodiment, the clamp assembly includes a first clamp member and a second clamp member urged by a spring relatively away from the first clamp member, each of the first and second clamp members having a grip by which the first and second clamp members may be urged together then selectively released to clamp the mount in a gap between the first part and a second part.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: JS Research and Development, Inc.Inventor: James E. Struble
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Patent number: 6073361Abstract: A system for externally monitoring the angular rotation rate of a spin rinse dryer chamber in a semiconductor fabrication facility. The system includes a spin rinse dryer comprised of a dryer housing and a chamber wall that is capable of rotating within the housing. The chamber wall defines a chamber suitable for receiving a designated wafer carrier. The dryer further includes a chamber door hinged to the housing for enclosing the chamber. The spin rinse dryer is configured to rotate the chamber when activated. A detection apparatus of the system is positioned externally to the dryer housing in proximity to the chamber. The detection apparatus is adapted to detect the angular rotation rate of a detectable marker affixed to an exterior wall of the designated wafer carrier when the designated wafer carrier is placed in the chamber and the spin rinse dryer is activated.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: LSI Logic CorporationInventors: Doris Kramer, Christie Corpus, Frederick Acosta
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Patent number: 6073362Abstract: A paint roller adapter is disclosed which includes a substantially longitudinal first rod and a second rod. The first rod is suitable for being received by a drill chuck. The second rod, being longer in length than the first rod, is capable of receiving a mini-roller about the longitudinal centroid of the roller. Between the first and second rods may include a handle portion to facilitate a user grasping the adapter. Between the handle and the second rod is a step taper, preferably with annular ribs thereon. This step taper has a gradual increase in diameter from the surface of the second rod increasing in the direction of the handle. This gradual taper provides secure frictional contact between the roller and the taper/second rod combination, thus securably fastening the roller to the adapter. Between the handle and the first rod exists an annular taper that would facilitate the insertion of the first rod into a paint roller spinner, the jaws of the roller securing onto the handle.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Inventors: Dan Dean, Charles R. DeCola
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Patent number: 6073363Abstract: An opening/closing device for a discharge hole of a filter-drier is disclosed, in which an outer shell of a driving means for driving the opening/closing device of the discharge hole is sealed, so that during the discharge of the processed powders, the processed powders can be prevented from being introduced into the outer shell. A discharge tube 1 is fastened to the discharge hole 4 by means of a fastening device 1a, so that processed drug powders can be discharged though a discharge tube hole 4a. A cylindrical opening 2c is formed inside a flange 2b of the outer shell 2. A sealing cover 3b extends from the opening/closing plate 3 to be inserted into the opening 2c, and the sealing cover 3b is longer than the actuation distance of the opening/closing plate 3. The sealing cover 3b does not depart from the opening 2c, but is always maintained within the opening 2c to seal off the interior of the outer shell 2.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Jung Hyun Plant Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yong Jin Lee
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Patent number: 6073364Abstract: A grain dryer includes a wall assembly having (i) an inner wall and an outer wall which defines a grain flow path therebetween, and (ii) a discharge slot defined in the wall assembly through which grain may flow. The grain dryer further includes a grain shelf floor positioned relative to the wall assembly such that grain flowing through the discharge slot advances onto the grain shelf floor, the grain shelf floor has a hopper opening defined therein.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: ffi CorporationInventors: Terry L. McKenzie, Paul W. Peterson, Wesley L. Peterson
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Patent number: 6073365Abstract: A method and apparatus for disinfecting granular material using microwave energy in an applicator that mixes the material with air for consistent and effective insect mortality rates.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Inventors: Steven L. Halverson, Timothy S. Bigelow
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Patent number: 6073366Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for cooling a substrate between high temperature thermal processing steps. In the disclosed embodiment, one or more cooling stations are located off-line within a wafer handling chamber, just outside the thermal processing chamber. After thermal processing, a hot wafer can be loaded on to the cooling station, where the wafer is subjected to forced convection cooling. In particular, the wafer is subjected to cooling gas from above and below through perforated upper and lower shower head assemblies. The wafer can thus be cooled rapidly on a cooling station while other wafers are transferred into and out of the processing chamber. Desirably, the wafer is cooled on the cooling station to a point at which it can be handled by a low temperature wafer handler and stored in a low temperature cassette.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: ASM America, Inc.Inventor: Thomas W. Aswad
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Patent number: 6073367Abstract: A grain dryer includes a wall assembly having (i) an inner wall and an outer wall which defines a grain flow path therebetween, and (ii) a discharge slot defined in the wall assembly through which grain may flow. The grain dryer also includes a grain shelf floor positioned relative to the wall assembly such that grain flowing through the discharge slot advances onto the grain shelf floor. The grain dryer further includes a floor sweep assembly positioned vertically above the grain shelf floor, the floor sweep assembly having (i) a support member, and (ii) a wiper positioned relative to the support member such that, when the floor sweep assembly is viewed in a plan view, the support member defines an intersection with the wiper. The grain dryer also includes a motor for rotating the floor sweep assembly about a central axis. In addition, the grain dryer includes a spacer attached to both the support member and the wiper in a manner which causes the support member to be spaced apart from the wiper.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: ffi CorporationInventors: Terry L. McKenzie, Paul W. Peterson, Wesley L. Peterson
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Patent number: 6073368Abstract: Described is a drying and/or fixing device for blowing at a textile material web, which is transported in its longitudinal direction in the broad-stretched condition through at least one treatment field and blown at there from blowboxes with a treatment gas. In order to assure that the treatment gas flowing off from the material web--viewed over the width of the material web--is discharged everywhere with the same suction pull, provision is made with the help of flow guide means associated with the back sides of the blowboxes that the treatment gas flowing back upon treatment of the material web can only flow off tangentially on the longitudinal edges of the treatment field corresponding with the edges of the material web.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1999Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co.Inventor: Helge Freiberg
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Patent number: 6073369Abstract: A carriage mechanism for horizontally carrying a rectangular shaped substrate and a gas injection mechanism for jetting a gas toward both upper and lower surfaces of the carried rectangular shaped substrate are provided and an air from a gas injection port is jetted on the substrate toward a center portion from both ends of the substrate, wherein by means of the high pressured air jetted from the gas injection port of the gas injection mechanism, droplets are collected from both end surfaces of the substrate and collected at the center portion of the substrate where the air concentrates, and the collected droplets are blown away from the end surfaces of the substrate with the help of surface tension of the substrate also.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Satou Yasuyuki
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Patent number: 6073370Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe lacing configuration for an article of footware such as a boot, where the boot is provided with two rings, one ring supported on either side of the boot proximate an ankle supporting portion of the boot. A long strap is looped through the two rings such that the long strap defines an elongated C-like shape. Each end of the long strap is formed with eyelets. A lace extends through eyelets formed in the boot in a traditional criss-cross manner, and the lace further extends through the eyelets formed in the long strap. The long strap has the effect of doubling the force applied to the lace in a manner similar to that of a block and tackle thus improving the lace tightening characteristics of the boot.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
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Patent number: 6073371Abstract: A vehicle snowplow system with an adjustable-bias tripping mechanism. The system includes a snowplow blade or moldboard which is pivotally mounted to a frame, the latter being adapted for mounting to a vehicle. The moldboard "trips" or pivotally moves between a normal plowing position and a displaced position when a lower region of the moldboard contacts a rigid obstruction. The system includes at least one biasing assembly operable to bias the moldboard toward the normal position with a biasing force, the biasing assembly configured so as to provide an adjustment to the biasing force to compensate for variances in roadway or environmental conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1997Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Henderson Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Mary T. Goos, Glen A. Galloway, Jeffery L. Jacobson, Janet A. Kelley, Craig A. Mulder, Terry L. Solomon, Richard A. Nachtman, Leslie L. Shaw, Jeffrey D. Johnson
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Patent number: 6073372Abstract: A rectangular cardboard insert has small pieces cut from its corners to form a flat base and four edges. The lines forming the intersections of the base with the various edges are scored to help guide the edges as they are folded up. The inserts may be stacked upon one another for easy packaging, shipping, and handling. Ads are placed on the inserts, and the inserts are placed into plastic grocery bags or other carrying containers to reinforce the bottom thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Inventor: Stephen G. Davis
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Patent number: 6073373Abstract: A container has a label or decoration in the container and unattached to any interior surface. The label or decoration is in the form of a monolayer film or a laminate film with the decoration and other materials under a coating or within the laminate layers. A preferred mode is for the container to be a pump container having a constricted opening. The film will be of an elliptical to a rectangular shape. If rectangular the film will have rounded lower edges or a parabolic lower portion for ease of insertion into container openings. The container preferably will have grooves, projections or other techniques for stabilizing the film in the container. Monolayer films will have the decoration printed onto the surface and will have a protective coating over this surface. Laminate films can be of the same or dissimilar films with the printed surface between the laminate films. The useful adhesives for the films are those that are not affected by the product in the container.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1999Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive CompanyInventors: Peter Haugk, Teresa Pavlak, Donald Losier, Scott Docken, Rodney Prochaska, David Segner
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Patent number: 6073374Abstract: An inserted screen type photo illuminator stand, comprising a base seat and a light emitting base plate inserted into the base seat in an inserted screen manner. The base seat includes a bottom plate and a box cover. On the bottom plate are provided a light source, a battery box and AC, DC power sockets and a power switch is mounted on the base seat. The base plate is a light homogenizing plate which is inserted upright into the base seat in an inserted screen manner and which can be pulled out from the base seat if necessary. At the top of the base plate is provided a clip which is used to clip a photo or picture. The bottom side light radiated from the light source in the base seat enter through the bottom side of the base plate, made of transparent plate with back side painted in white, so that the whole base plate is full of homogenized rays of light and as a result the photo or picture covered on the base plate can be fully displayed.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Dongguan Universal Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Lee Tingmo