Patents Issued in August 22, 2000
  • Patent number: 6105228
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a conveying means having a rotator and a chuck positioned on a rim of this rotator, wherein said chuck clasps a tip core, formed with electrodes at both ends, in a direction parallel to the line along which the electrodes lie, and the conveying means moves the tip core within a fixed plane of rotation; and a winding means, provided neighboring the periphery of the conveying means, for supplying the tip core to the chuck, making a tip coil by winding wire around the tip core, connecting both ends of the wire to the electrodes, cutting wire wound around the tip core from an external wire source, and removing the tip coil from the chuck, wherein the chuck is formed in such a way that the line along which said electrodes lie is at a fixed angle with regard to the radial axis which is orthogonal to the direction of movement of the tip core within the plane of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Nittoku Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ishii
  • Patent number: 6105229
    Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a multi-wire-pair electrical cable to a connector housing with movable wire piercing contacts therein having input and output openings for the wires is disclosed. The outlet opening of the housing has a flat end face plate generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector housing and to an anvil supported from the end of the housing. The apparatus comprises a crimping and shearing tool also having protrusions to drive the contacts into the wires of the cable. A shearing blade of the tool is positioned to wipe the flat end face plate of the housing to cut the wires flush with the end face plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Robert W. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6105230
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing an elastomeric closure from the tapered tip of a pre-filled syringe or cartridge barrel stoppered at its open end by a slidable plunger; measuring the removal force required to remove the elastomeric closure from the tapered tip of the barrel; and subsequently measuring the breakaway and running forces required to move the plunger from its initial position toward the distal end of the syringe or cartridge barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Bracco Research USA
    Inventor: Ernest Balestracci
  • Patent number: 6105231
    Abstract: A hidden storage system incorporated in the bed of a vehicle without altering the bed's external appearance, either by assembly of individual components or modules containing various individual components. The storage system is located adjacent the wheel well sections of the bed, and uses hinges to open and close the fender/side panel of the bed, either upwardly or downwardly. Since the storage system does not alter the truck's external appearance, it reduces the attraction for theft. Also, since the storage area does not extend inwardly beyond the conventional wheel wells, the storage system leaves most of the truck bed free for use. The hidden storage system may incorporated into the bed by conversion of an existing bed as well as by an initial fabrication method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventors: Scott Clare, Neil G. Long
  • Patent number: 6105232
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a remote control assembly having a conduit (12) movably supporting a core element (14) with an end fitting (16) disposed on the conduit (12) for mechanical engagement with a ferrule (18) and a slug (20) disposed on the core element (14). The method comprises the steps of selecting a ferrule (18) for supporting the conduit (12) on a support structure (22) from a plurality of ferrule (18) configurations and snapping the ferrule (18) into mechanical connection with the end fitting (16) while inserting the core element (14) through the conduit (12) and ferrule (18). A terminal member (38, 138, 238), having a slug pocket (40) therein and a connector for connection to a control member, is selected from a plurality of terminal member (38, 138, 238) configurations and it is placed on the core element (14) with the slug (20) in the slug pocket (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
    Inventors: David S. Malone, Timotheye P. Tighe, Michael R. Hall, Jean-Francois Roy
  • Patent number: 6105233
    Abstract: A shelf assembly for a refrigerator or freezer that is fabricated from a plurality of sheet metal stampings that are connected by welds and receive a tempered glass shelf that has an elastic seal secured to its peripheral edge. Welding processes are used in fabricating the frame that produce a very strong weld and eliminate the possibility of rust forming along the weld. The welding processes used in fabricating the frame produce a weld, that when machined and painted is not visible to the naked eye. A zinc..; chromate coating is applied to the frame assembly after which it is painted using a solid-emulsion or powder coating. The finished product thus appears to be formed from a single sheet of material. The seal includes a vertical wall that rises from the glass shelf to creates a reservoir that will contain a spill and confine the spilled liquid to the shelf surface. The seal can be formed by an extrusion process, molded as a separate component or molded to the edge of the glass shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Albert D. Neal
  • Patent number: 6105234
    Abstract: There is described a method of producing a flat friction disk, where first of all a sintered friction lining is applied onto a flat steel disk (1) and is then sintered, before the sintered friction lining (2) is compacted and sized by simultaneously pressing grooves (4) into the same. For simplifying the production method it is proposed that upon sizing the friction disk localized recesses (5) should be pressed into the steel disk (1) over its surface through the sintered friction lining (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Miba Frictec GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Kremsmair, Gerhard Hartner, Johann Hartner, Bruno Burtlmair, Klaus-Peter Lassl
  • Patent number: 6105235
    Abstract: An implantable bone prosthesis includes portions of two different materials which interfit with each other to form a unitary article having hard wear surface portions and strong, stiff portions for structural support. These portions are preferably formed of ceramic and of metal, respectively. The prosthesis is formed by making a multiply connected ceramic wear surface element having openings or passages therethrough, and casting the remainder of the prosthesis extending in the openings to form a mating or dendritic support or a frame interdigitated and interlocked with the ceramic wear surface. The frame may be shaped so that it contracts along a direction of shrinkage, as the casting cools, without binding against the ceramic body. In a spherical shell, such as used for the weight-bearing acetabular shell or ball joint of a hip, this is achieved with short, radially-directed interlock elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Professional, Inc.
    Inventor: Salvatore Caldarise
  • Patent number: 6105236
    Abstract: Conductive apparatus having minimized AC resistance. The conductive apparatus comprises a planar rectangular conductor having top and bottom surfaces, and opposed end surfaces that are smaller in dimension than the top and bottom surfaces. Magnetic material is disposed adjacent to each of the end surfaces of the rectangular conductor that is formed in a "C" shape to provide end caps that are symmetrical and enclose the end surfaces and portions of the top and bottom surfaces to overlap the conductor in its corners. A method of fabricating the conductive apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jan S. Gallina, Michael Brand
  • Patent number: 6105237
    Abstract: A spin valve sensor is provided with a spacer layer sandwiched between a free layer and a pinned layer. The pinned layer is pinned by a pinning layer constructed of a material having a high coercivity, and a low magnetic moment. The high coercivity is employed for pinning the pinned layer, and the low moment assures that stray fields from the pinning layer do not affect the coercivity of the free layer. The magnetic moment is preferably less than 300 emu/cc and the coercivity is preferably greater than 500 Oe. The magnetic orientation of the pinning layer is set by a magnetic field at room temperature that may be applied at the suspension level. The materials with which the pinning layer may be formed are amorphous materials TbFeCo and CoSm, and a non-amorphous material CoPtCr, provided the Cr is of sufficient proportion to minimize the moment of the CoPtCr material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Hardayal Singh Gill
  • Patent number: 6105238
    Abstract: A head structure for writing data on a magnetic media including a first pole having an upper surface and a write gap covering a portion of the upper surface. An upper pole tip formed on the write gap having a first width. A second pole having a second width greater than the first width and coupling to an upper surface of the upper pole tip. A conductive coil magnetically coupled to the first pole and the second pole to induce magnetic flux within the first and second pole in response to a current flowing in the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita-Kotobukie Electronics Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Chesnutt, Charles Partee, Pierre Asselin, John Biesecker, John Fleming, Mike Jennison, Francis Campos, Steve Sanders
  • Patent number: 6105239
    Abstract: An automatic assembling system for assembling a product constituted by a plurality of parts, includes a group cell having a plurality of assembling cells and inspecting cells, pallets loaded with the same type of parts or products, at least one buffer for holding a plurality of pallets, and at least one pallet hand-over mechanism for transferring pallets between the buffer and each cell. At least one of the buffers is provided in common for a plurality of cells, and at least one of the pallet hand-over mechanisms is provided to the common buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kuse, Shizuo Yamazaki, Hiroshi Kato, Mikio Rachi, Keisuke Yamaoka, Tomoaki Sakata
  • Patent number: 6105240
    Abstract: An apparatus of automatically measuring the dynamic imbalance of a disc stack of a disc drive assembly, the disc stack conveyed to a first selected position in a balance measure assembly station where a rotary positioner lifts and rotates the disc stack above a sensor to locate an electrical lead of the disc drive motor. The disc stack is positioned in a reference position to position the electrical leads a for powering the disc drive motor. The disc stack is then conveyed to a second selected position where a motor power assembly clamps and powers the motor and discs. A balance head assembly measures the magnitude and phase angle of the dynamic imbalance of the disc stack and records the measurement to a production control computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Hong Chuang, Steve Gregory Horning, Roger Allen Jessen
  • Patent number: 6105241
    Abstract: A universal fixture has an alignment surface which temporarily holds a heat sink for installation of a plurality of electrical devices on its working surfaces. The fixture rotates about an axis to place an alignment surface in a first or second mounting position corresponding to a generally vertical orientation of the alignment surface. This corresponds to a horizontal position of the opposite first and second sides of the heat sink temporarily mounted thereon. Double rows of openings in the rotatable alignment member are universal in the sense they are configured to accept connection pins of the common packages to be clamped against the opposite sides of the heat sink. This permits one fixture to accommodate a variety of devices and arrangements. A unique standoff device supports smaller packages above the alignment surface to permit clamping across larger and smaller electrical devices without the necessity of attempting to manipulate and hold the devices by hand during the clamping operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel James Ogle
  • Patent number: 6105242
    Abstract: A versatile production system produces different kinds of products in small quantities. The system includes production lines for assembling parts into different kinds of products, testing the assembled products, and conveying the products that have passed the tests to a collective packing terminal. Each production line has a pallet feeder for feeding pallets one by one to the start of the production line. Each production line has a bypass structure. The bypass structure includes a first switcher, a main line, a bypass line, and a second switcher. The first switcher determines whether or not a product conveyed on a pallet must be repaired or tested, and according to the determination, switches the pallet and product from the production line to one of the main and bypass lines. The main line receives pallets and products switched thereto by the first switcher and conveys same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kazumi Miyasaka, Eiichi Terabayashi, Katsunao Sasaki, Hiroyoshi Terashima
  • Patent number: 6105243
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a multilayer printed circuit board, as well as the resulting multilayer printed circuit board, is disclosed. The multilayer printed circuit board includes a substrate, a first conductive circuit layer, a photosensitive dielectric layer and a second conductive circuit layer which is electrically connected to the first conductive circuit layer through photo-via holes formed in the photosensitive dielectric layer. The second conductive circuit layer includes a wiring area where a plurality of wires are arranged and a pad area to which an external wire is to be connected using thermocompression bonding. Significantly, to avoid depressing the photosensitive dielectric layer underneath the pad area during the thermocompression bonding, the thickness of the second conductive circuit layer at least in the pad area, is made greater than that in the wiring area by extending this thickness into the photosensitive dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines, Corp.
    Inventors: Shuhichi Okabe, Keizo Sakurai
  • Patent number: 6105244
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a memory card and the adapter thereof, each of which has a first cover, a second cover, a frame and a PC board. The process includes the steps of forming the frame on the second cover by using the Insert Molding Method; disposing the PC board on the second cover with the PC board held by the frame; and gluing the first cover to the frame by using thermal-bonding film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Uconn Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel I-En Lin, Jyh-Cherng Yang
  • Patent number: 6105245
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a resin-encapsulated semiconductor package, a protective film is formed on the surface of a semiconductor chip on which chip electrodes are formed, and openings are formed in the protective film to expose at least part of each chip electrode. Subsequently, conductive balls serving as external connecting terminals are fitted in these openings and connected to the chip electrodes, and all surfaces of the semiconductor chip and the conductive balls are encapsulated with a resin. Finally, the surface of the resin formed on the conductive balls is polished to partially expose the conductive balls. Since a mold need not have pins run against the chip electrode for forming external connecting terminals, damage to the chip electrodes and an increase in cost of the mold can be prevented, and the package can be manufactured inexpensively without deteriorating the reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichiro Furukawa
  • Patent number: 6105246
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of creating a circuit board having burr free castellated plated through holes. In particular, the leading edge of the plated through hole, that tends to produce burr formation using conventional profiling methods, is removed or pre-profiled. The pre-profiled plated through hole is then profiled at a distance slightly off-set from the pre-profiled edge to further prevent burr formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Houser, James M. Larnerd, Jeffrey L. Lee, Francis S. Poch
  • Patent number: 6105247
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a cable joint between two polymer insulated power cables (1,2) including the steps of jointing the two bare cable conductors. (3,4) and placing a heat sink device (6) over the joint The method includes preheating the heat sink device which per se consists of a longitudinally split metal sleeve (7,8) with inner side ridges (9,10,11,12) and pressing the hot heat sink ridges into the polymer insulation (13,14) on both sides of the joint to anchor the polymer insulation to the heat sink (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: Jan Sverre Varreng
  • Patent number: 6105248
    Abstract: A method of forming a polymer insulator is disclosed. The improvement includes the steps of: setting a formed body, having a construction such that a pre-form material is arranged around a rod and end caps are arranged at both end portions of the rod, between an upper die and a lower die, each die having cavities for forming sheds and sheath portions of the polymer insulator; and forming the sheds and the sheath portions of the polymer insulator by means of a compression forming by connecting the upper die and the lower die with compression pressure; wherein the end cap has a shape such that it is accommodated in the cavity for a shed formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Tani
  • Patent number: 6105249
    Abstract: A roller is equipped with an elastic layer comprising a foam, wherein at least a part of the elastic layer is subjected to permanent compressional deformation by heating compression, and the cells in the elastic layer subjected to permanent compressional deformation by heating compression outnumber the cells therein before the heating compression; and a process for producing the above roller in high efficiency. The above process enables the production of the roller in which the surface state of only an arbitrary portion thereof is modified according to the purpose of use, and the roller thus obtained can exhibit high performances in a variety of applications including paper feed roller, developer conveying roller and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Ando, Hajime Hasegawa, Shigeo Kuriyama, Yosuke Noda
  • Patent number: 6105250
    Abstract: The inner peripheral surface of the larger-outer-diameter portion 11a is pressed against the upper forming portion 20 of the sizing core rod 12, so that the bearing surface of a shape corresponding to the forming portion 20 is formed in the inner peripheral surface. As the upper punch 14a and the sizing core rod 12 are further moved in operative association with each other, the end of the smaller-outer-diameter portion 11b reaches the tapered portion 21b1 of the drawing portion 21b, so that it is subjected to a radially inwardly directed pressurizing force. Thereby, the inner peripheral surface of the smaller-outer-diameter portion 11b is pressed against the lower forming portion 20 of the sizing core rod 12, so that the bearing surface of a shape corresponding to the forming portion 20 is formed in the inner peripheral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiko Tanaka, Isao Komori
  • Patent number: 6105251
    Abstract: An improved method for retaining a separable bearing race to a inner bearing member and also preventing twisting of the separable race on the spindle. The end face of the separable race over which a portion of the spindle is deformed as a retaining bead is deliberately ground so as to be slightly inclined to, rather than square to, the spindle-race co axis. As a consequence, any force tending to twist the race on the spindle about the axis creates a strong axial wedging action between the tilted bearing end face and conforming bead surface, acting to prevent the race from twisting. The only change in the processing and assembly of the race and bearing needed is to set up the race grinding wheel with a slight incline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: David Hippolyte Payen
  • Patent number: 6105252
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a razor assembly comprising a power unit including a rotatable output shaft, and a detachable head assembly adapted to receive a common disposable razor blade and comprising a hollow base received on the power unit in stationary relation thereto, and a rotatable member mounted in the hollow base for rotation relative to the base, in driven engagement with the output shaft so as to rotate in response to rotation of the output shaft, and including an eccentric weight rotating in common with the member and operable, in response to rotation of the member, to vibrate the detachable head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Andis Company
    Inventor: Matthew L. Andis
  • Patent number: 6105253
    Abstract: A hedge trimmer of this invention is very lightweight and efficient. It has a very large clipping collection bag that has a capacity much larger than any known user-worn device of this type. The blades and guard are designed to pull and maintain the clippings in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Stephen R. Kolbert
  • Patent number: 6105254
    Abstract: A hand held eating utensil having a pair of scissors like handles pivotally connected to each other at approximately their midpoints. A spoon bowl is at the forward end of one of the handles and a pusher mechanism shaped as an animal head is pivotally connected to the forward end of the other handle. As the rear ends of the handles are moved toward each other, the forward portion of the animal head dips down into the spoon bowl and pushes the food contents in the bowl forward out of the bowl. The animal head pivots downward when the handles are spread apart to minimize the chance of a child poking himself with the front end of the animal head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: JAC Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Crane, Cyril Crane
  • Patent number: 6105255
    Abstract: A folding knife with a blade having a bottom end edge and a handle grip portion. The blade is pivotally mounted at one end of the handle grip portion. The handle grip portion has a hollow slot. The folding knife includes a leaf spring with first and second ends and a protruding member. The first end of the leaf spring is connected to the handle grip portion and the leaf spring substantially extends along a length of the slot and the second end of the leaf spring is configured to abut against the bottom end edge of the blade and lock the blade firmly in place when the blade is fully extended out of the handle grip portion. The device includes a steel ball positioned on the protruding member and a cover plate having a through bore. The cover plate is mounted on the handle grip portion securing the steel ball between the protruding member and outer edges of the through bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Kantas Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yang-Fu Cheng
  • Patent number: 6105256
    Abstract: A cutting shear which is formed of a pair of members pivotally mounted in a scissors arrangement. Each member has a jaw member and a handle member, and within one of the handle members is mounted an internal chamber which is closeable by a removable cap located at the outermost end of this handle member. A bail is mounted on the cap and is to be connectable with the opposite handle member to lock the cutting shear in a closed position. One of the jaw members includes a cutting blade with the cutting blade having a cutting edge which is mounted non-parallel to its jaw member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Allied International, Inc.
    Inventor: William B. Budrow
  • Patent number: 6105257
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus having opposed jaws remotely located at a distance from actuator for the jaws. In particular, the apparatus has opposed jaws supported rotatably with respect to the actuator for the jaws. More particularly, the apparatus is a cutting device having opposed jaws located remotely and rotatably with respect to the jaw actuator for lopping limbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Fiskars Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Rutkowski, Bill Freimuth, Mark Schaefer, Darrell Wiatrowski
  • Patent number: 6105258
    Abstract: A brake device disposed in the vicinity of a clutch drum has a leaf spring having a brake pad thereon which is brought into slidable contact with the clutch drum. A cam member and a compression coil spring which opposes a cam member with the leaf spring disposed therebetween are provided on a free end of the leaf spring. The cam member is rotated by a rotatable shaft together with a pinion gear which meshes with a rack formed on a stand. When a trimmer is placed on the ground, the stand is moved upwardly and the brake pad is brought into the braking position where the brake pad slidably contacts with the clutch drum. This braking position is released when an operation lever is operated by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Akaike
  • Patent number: 6105259
    Abstract: An eating utensil includes a body defining a handle portion shaped to facilitate grasping by a user. A pair of spaced-apart outer tines extend from the body. Each of the spaced-apart outer tines defines an outer tine length. The eating utensil further includes one shorter, intermediate tine disposed between the outer tines in plan view. The shorter, intermediate tine extends from the body to define an intermediate tine length that is less than the outer tine lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Gerber Products Company
    Inventors: Brenda J. Meyers, Mark A. Gilbertson, John W. Grosz, Edward A. Raleigh, Thomas G. Skulley, Deborah L. Harrington
  • Patent number: 6105260
    Abstract: An adapter is provided for removably coupling a saw, including a tang portion having an aperture formed therein, to a tool. The adapter includes a base member and a clip pivotally coupled to the base member. The base member has first and second ends, and first and second surfaces extending between therebetween. An opening is formed in the first and second surfaces of the base member, proximate the first end. The opening is adapted to receive an axle of the tool. The base member further includes a slot formed in the first surface and a projection extending in to the slot. The slot is adapted to receive the tang portion of the saw, and a projection is adapted to be received in the aperture to align the saw with the base member. The pivotally coupled clip is movable between a closed position, in which the saw is retained in and secured to the base member, and an open position, in which the saw is removable from the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Alterra Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford J. Parrish, Edgar A. Dallas
  • Patent number: 6105261
    Abstract: In a self-sharpening blade having a cutting edge, the combination comprising a layered structure, the structure including a relatively harder first layer with relatively higher wear resistance extending to the blade cutting edge, and the structure also including a second layer characterized by relatively lesser hardness and lesser wear resistance and located at one side of the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Globix Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gunes M. Ecer
  • Patent number: 6105262
    Abstract: A knife and a reversible blade are described. A handle provides a blade mount for an elongated blade having opposed longitudinally overlapping first and second cutting edges. Handle mounting surfaces are provided on the blade, interchangeably engageable with the blade mount to enable selective attachment of the blade to the handle with either first or second cutting edges thereof exposed in an operational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Thomas A. Rickard
  • Patent number: 6105263
    Abstract: A chain saw is provided that comprises a motor which rotatingly drives a cutting chain via a sprocket mounted on a spindle (34) via a clutch mechanism. When the clutch mechanism (17) is engaged, a pivotal handle guard (22) interacts with the clutch mechanism to disengage the clutch mechanism (17). The clutch mechanism is biased towards disengagement. An actuating means (8, 68) is provided such as a switch which is releasably connected via a pin located within a groove to the clutch mechanism (17). The actuating means can override the biasing force to engage the clutch (17) when the actuating means (8, 68) is connected to the clutch (17). The pivotal handle guard (22) is configured so that it interacts with the pin wherein, when the pivotal handle guard (22) is activated, it detaches the actuating means (8, 68) from the clutch mechanism (17) by knocking the pin out of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Stones, Martyn Riley
  • Patent number: 6105264
    Abstract: A laser measuring device, for accurately measuring and realigning damaged vehicle structural elements. The device comprises a body with a horizontal magnetic surface, a ruler which extends perpendicularly to the magnetic surface, a slide which moves along the ruler, and a laser affixed to the slide. The laser can be moved to a designated distance from the upper magnetic surface of the magnet. The laser is pivotally moveable relative to the slide so that the laser can be leveled. The laser includes a line generation prism to project a horizontal line from the laser. The invention is used in conjunction with an autobody frame and helps establish a horizontal (laser) datum line from which reference measurements can be taken to designated measurement points on the frame of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Jeff Phillips
  • Patent number: 6105265
    Abstract: The invention concerns a tilt-compensating indicator device for a compass (100) comprising a magnetic field detection device (20) which is mounted on a conical bearing (7) and is accommodated in a housing (100') of the compass (100). The indicator device (30) is rotatably mounted on the magnetic field detection device (20) by means of a receiving bearing (8,10) whose bearing shaft (8), accommodated in bearing elements (10) of the magnetic field detection device (20), extends substantially at right-angles to the north-south direction of the magnetic field detection device (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventors: Hans Gloor, Denis Gigon
  • Patent number: 6105266
    Abstract: A carpenter's "square" has a first member with a spirit level so it can be held horizontal with one end elevated above a pitched roof, while the opposite end rests on the roof exactly 12 inches from the inside edge of a vertically movable member supported in the first member, and clamped to it by a thumb screw. This inside edge is graduated inches to read out roof pitch directly in "inches per foot".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: David C. Cote
  • Patent number: 6105267
    Abstract: A tool (10,10',10") for forming and applying an adjustable, selected angle to one or more pieces (8) of building material such as sheet rock, plywood, paneling or the like is shown comprising a first leg (12,12',12") having a longitudinally extending slot (34,54) pivotably attached to a second leg (20) with a connecting link (30) pivotably attached to the second leg and slidably and lockably attached in the slot (34,54) of the first leg (12,12',12")
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Glenn T. Hathaway
  • Patent number: 6105268
    Abstract: An adjustable measuring device, including two segments pivotally joined at one end and having a measuring arc therebetween, at least one of the segments having an extending member capable of extending across the pivotal joint. The measuring arc provides the measure of angle between the two segments. Inner corners can be measured by placing the two segments against the surfaces defining the inner corner and reading the measuring arc. By extending at least one of the extending members across the pivotal joint, the angle of outer corners can also be measured in a similar manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventors: Michael E. Vaughn, Sherri L. Bauer
  • Patent number: 6105269
    Abstract: A osteological instrument having an unique dual rod and bearing linear motion mechanisms incorporating multiple measuring features and functions providing stable, rigid and generally fluidity of movement of horizontal and vertical caliper arms thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: James W. Kondrat
  • Patent number: 6105270
    Abstract: A device is provided for positioning single bakery products, supplied by dropping, in recesses of a tin. At least one centering recess is disposed above the tin, which is formed by bringing together two facing half-shells. Structure for moving the half-shells away from each other synchronizes the drop of the bakery products with the advancing tin. Excess bakery products can be expelled from the centering recess into adjacent centering recesses, with the centering recesses forming an alignment corresponding to the at least one row of receiving recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Barilla Alimentare S.p.A.
    Inventors: Daniele Capetta, Antonio Chierici, Enrico Schiaretti
  • Patent number: 6105271
    Abstract: An arrangement for accommodating a scale (2) of a length measuring device in a positive-locking engagement has a profile base (1) and lateral profile legs (4, 5) which are connected with the profile base so as to project away from it. A scale (2) is arranged between the profile legs (4; 5). The profile legs (4; 5) are made of elastic material and the profile base (1) is made of a longitudinally stable, bendable material. The profile legs (4; 5) can contain elastic sealing slats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Freitag, Ludwig Boege
  • Patent number: 6105272
    Abstract: A rotating vacuum kiln for heat treating solid particulate material under vacuum conditions uses a rotating refractory metal cylindrical vessel with a cool inlet zone, hot intermediate zone, and cool exit zone, with a first series of inner radiation shields provided at the hot intermediate zone adjacent to the cool inlet zone and a second series of inner radiation shields provided at the hot intermediate zone adjacent the cool exit zone to protect those two zones from the high temperatures in the hot intermediate zone. Heat for the hot intermediate zone of the cylindrical vessel is provided indirectly by electrical resistance heaters that surround the vessel and outer radiation shields are provided about the heaters to direct heat to the cylindrical vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Cabot Corporation
    Inventor: Allan C. Morgan
  • Patent number: 6105273
    Abstract: An agitated bed apparatus (20) for heating, cooling, and/or drying particulate material (152) is provided which includes a housing (22) having an elongated flexible bed (24) therein adapted to receive the material (152). An agitator assembly (26) made up of a series of rotatable beater bar units (70) is located below the bed (24) and oriented for repeatedly impacting the bed (24) to establish an undulating bed movement for elevation and tumbling of the particulate material (152). A material conditioning unit (156) such as an infrared heating unit array (28) is located above the bed (24) so as to expose the particulate material (152) to hot, cool, or ambient air for heating, drying, or cooling thereof. In another embodiment, the apparatus (20) includes a plurality of units (156) which are slidably removable from the housing (22) of the apparatus (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Cat-Tec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell W. Johanson, Roger A. Davis, Virgil J. Macaluso, Joel J. Phillippi
  • Patent number: 6105274
    Abstract: A process for treating a workpiece. The workpiece is cooled by directing toward the workpiece a material that includes a gas and particles of a material that undergoes a phase change when applied to the workpiece. The gas and the particle material are non-reactive with the workpiece during the cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arne W. Ballantine, Ronald A. Warren
  • Patent number: 6105275
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in continuously loading material to be treated into a rotary vacuum retort and continuously unloading one or more vapors or similar volatile substances and treated material out of the rotary vacuum retort during high temperature and high vacuum processing. The loading and unloading are performed in a manner that minimizes the introduction of low boiling point gases. The apparatus employs, in one preferred embodiment, elastomeric pinch valve airlocks to isolate the entire system between the airlocks and a vacuum generator. Furthermore, the material being treated may be dried in a dryer prior to introduction into the retort. Moreover, the processed material can be cooled through a heat exchanger to permit the use of a low temperature pinch valve airlock on the discharge end of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: SepreDyne Corporation
    Inventors: Randy A. Aulbaugh, Gregory G. Hawk
  • Patent number: 6105276
    Abstract: A limiting orifice through-air-drying medium for papermaking or other absorbent embryonic webs. The medium may be used in an apparatus which can be embodied in a cover and a roll. The medium has the unique combination of a relatively high bending fatigue strength and relatively low pressure drop. The medium may comprise a laminate of a plurality of plies. The intermediate plies of the laminate may be woven with a square weave. The medium may also be used for other types of drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Eugene Ensign, Robert Charles Dreisig, Michael Gomer Stelljes, Jr., Wilbur Russell Knight
  • Patent number: 6105277
    Abstract: A system (20) and associated process for use in the dryer section (18) of a papermachine for promoting complete support of the paper web (32) by the carrier fabric (34) as the fabric and web are transferred between adjacent drying cylinders (22, 24) by way of a turning roll (26) utilizes a blowbox assembly (50) positionable within the pocket region (40) bounded by the drying cylinders and the turning roll. The blowbox assembly is adapted to direct air out of the pocket region to reduce the likelihood of separation of the web from the carrier fabric as the web is moved onto and off of the turning roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Valmet, Inc.
    Inventors: Kari Lindberg, Pekka Saarikivi, Raimo Virta