Patents Issued in September 5, 2000
  • Patent number: 6112366
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has an electric motor driving an air impeller for creating suction and a pump which draws liquid material through an inlet tube from the bottom of a tank and expels it from the tank. A priming mechanism is disposed in fluid communication with the outlet portion of the pump. The priming mechanism primes the pump from the outlet side of the pump by collecting liquid received by the tank of the vacuum cleaner in the priming mechanism and establishing a pressure differential across this collected liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Shop Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Berfield
  • Patent number: 6112367
    Abstract: The appliance comprises a portable and electrical self-contained assembly comprising a case of plastics material defining a housing in which there are disposed an instant steam generator operating at atmospheric pressure with a porous water storage body and electrical heater resistance elements, and a steam distributor for diffusing steam through a series of front orifices. The case is extended by a squeegee carrier fitted with a squeegee blade projecting from the front of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Superba
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Burr, Guy Richard, Remy Dussoul
  • Patent number: 6112368
    Abstract: A valve element for operative association with a valve seat in a passage in a body in which the valve element is mounted, in use, the valve element comprising first and second portions connected together by snap-fit means, the first portion being screw-threaded for mounting it in said body, and part of the second portion interrupting said screw-thread of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Architectural Hardware Group Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas George Luckett
  • Patent number: 6112369
    Abstract: The figure eight hinge of the present invention allows a gate to be quickly and safely attached to a support structure. The hinge includes two legs having two different radii of curvature. The legs also include a slot which allows the hinge to have the desired figure eight configuration. The present invention advantageously eliminates pinch points and minimizes the distance between the gate and the support structure. In particular, the hinge remains stationary with respect to the support structure while allowing the gate to rotate within one end of the hinge. The figure eight hinge is preferably used with animal enclosures such as kennels or pens because it reduces the risk that an animal will catching its feet or other body parts between the gate and the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Master-Halco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lindsey, Bob Ingram, Charlie Larsen, Gene S. Van Houten, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6112370
    Abstract: The hinge comprises a flange (26) for connection to a seat cushion or squab, a support-flange (38) and at least one lever (34d) for coupling the flanges (26, 38) together having a first end (36A) mounted to pivot on the support-flange (38) so that the coupling lever (34d) can pivot between a position in which a second end (36B) of the lever (34d) is attached to the connecting flange (26) by virtue of cooperation of complementary shapes and a position in which the second end (36B) is released. The hinge further comprises means (100-104) for immobilising the second end (36B) of the coupling lever in the attached position, preferably comprising a weakened area (104) of the support-flange (38) that can deform when the flanges (26, 38) are subjected to an accidental torque to enable movement of the lever (34d) to the point of cooperation of ramps (100, 102) immobilising the lever (34d) in the attached position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: CESA-Compagnie Europeenne de Sieges pour Automobilies
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Blanchard, Olivier DeLatte, Michel Di Luccio, Philippe Guillenard, Sylvain Rager
  • Patent number: 6112371
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge assembly is comprised of a track to which is secured a slide member. A sash arm is secured at one end to the slide member and all along to a horizontal rail of a hinged window sash. A support arm is pivotally connected to the sash arm at one end thereof and pivotally connected to an adjustable connector at the other end. The improvement resides in the construction of the adjustable connector which is comprised of a stationary connecting post extending from a concentric circular disc and about which is positioned an adjustable nut. The nut is connected to the free end of the support arm and the top portion of the post is secured to the support arm by a sliding clip which is easily engaged and disengaged. Both the adjustable nut and the post are constructed from brass making them self-lubricating. The nut is also positioned in tight fit over the post whereby, when the nut is rotated to a desired position to adjust the position of the support arm, it will maintain the said position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: FERCO, Ferrures de Batiment Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Tremblay
  • Patent number: 6112372
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a pot holder, which comprises at least two panels each being defined by an edge portion. Each panel has an outer layer, an inner layer and a heat insulating filling member sandwiched between the outer layer and the inner layer. The outer layer, the filling member and the inner layer of each panel are connected to one another along at least part of its edge portion. The pot holder of the present invention further comprises a joining member which continuously connects the panels along at least part of their edge portions to form a pocket portion therebetween. The pocket portion has an opening portion defined by the remaining edge portions of the panels. The pot holder of the present invention provides an easy, direct and effective way for protecting a user's hands and fingers from being burned. In addition, the pot holder of the present invention is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and can be of excellent artistic flavor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventors: Zeng-Nan Zhou, Yi-Kang Shen
  • Patent number: 6112373
    Abstract: An improved clasp assembly which can be readily detached and reconnected to one or more strand ends, the latter being configured to be passed through jewelry components being slidably mounted on the strands. One embodiment of the clasp assembly comprises a catch permanently secured to one strand end, and a housing detachably secured to the other strand end. The catch is separably received in snap engagement within the housing, and the housing includes a latch mechanism accommodating its detachment and reattachment to the other strand end without the need to employ specialized tools or to involve jewelers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Goldman Kolber, Inc.
    Inventors: David Steinhauer, Byron Sandoval
  • Patent number: 6112374
    Abstract: A slide zipper assembly comprising an interlocking zipper and a slider is provided. The zipper has a first profile and a second profile. The profiles each have a ribbon, a web attached to the ribbon, and an interlocking member attached to the web engageable with the interlocking member of the other profile. The slider is disposed for movement along the zipper and has a top from which two arms depend. The slider arms enclose the profile ribbons and have hooked ends which each hook around a profile ribbon to become positioned between the ribbon and its corresponding web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Van Erden
  • Patent number: 6112375
    Abstract: A slider for a slide fastener with an automatic locking mechanism comprises a small number of components and hence can be assembled and operated with ease. A slider body of the slider has a receiving hole for receiving a resilient plate running in parallel with a guide groove and arranged in the upper wing plate of the slider body. The receiving hole has an enlarged open section arranged at the side of a rear opening and communicating with the guide groove to a claw receiving hole, and is formed to have a narrow tubular shape above a guide post. A wide groove is arranged along a lateral side of the receiving hole with a gap therebetween. A through hole is arranged to perpendicularly cross the receiving hole at the middle thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Yuki, Koji Muratsubaki, Hiroo Minami
  • Patent number: 6112376
    Abstract: In a separable bottom stop assembly of a concealed slide fastener, U-shaped guide portions are respectively connected continuously to ends of inner side edge of a box pin and a separable pin both in a shape of a prism for guiding flanges of the box having at a front face thereof an opening portion. Flat support portions are connected continuously to outsides of the guide portions, and the guide portions and the support portions made of thermoplastic resin are integrally molded to bottom ends of fastener stringer tapes. The guide portions and the support portions connected continuously to the box pin and the separable pin are thin at their portions where the box is disposed and thick at their portions outside the thin portions. The thick portions of the support portions extend to one-side faces of the fastener tapes. The box pin can be inserted into and fixed to a box-pin-insertion hole of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: YKK Corpration
    Inventors: Shunji Akashi, Shigeyoshi Takasawa
  • Patent number: 6112377
    Abstract: A fastening device comprising a pair of attachment pads, each pad having at least two faces with one face having a plurality of mushroom-shaped interlocking members. The interlocking members are uniformly spaced so that the mushroom-shaped members of one attachment pad interlock with the mushroom-shaped members of the opposing attachment pad. A screen material has a mesh corresponding substantially with the spaced relationship of the mushroom-shaped interlocking members of the pair of attachment pads. The screen material is securely engaged by the mushroom-shaped interlocking members of the attachment pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Eric P. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6112378
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fastening device for attaching a heat sink to an electronic device package. The fastening device is unitarily formed to include a fastener and a C-shaped spring member. The spring member includes a center section and a pair of arcuate arms extending from opposite ends of the center section. The fastener perpendicularly extends from the center section. The spring member has a depressed surface for facilitating manual actuation. Each arm has a C-shaped flange at a distal end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Foxconn Precision Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard Lee
  • Patent number: 6112379
    Abstract: A fastener for cords includes a support body, a first flexible lever arm and a second flexible lever arm. The support body has an insertion device to guide a cord onto a main surface thereof. The first flexible lever arm is provided on the main surface of the support body and has a free jaw end. The first flexible lever arm has a cord guide to guide the cord from the insertion device of the support body to the free jaw end of the first lever arm. The second flexible lever arm is also provided on the main surface of the support body. The second flexible lever arm has a free jaw end opposing the free jaw end of the first flexible lever arm with a cord path being defined between the free jaw ends of the first and second flexible lever arms, the cord path having a width that is variable with flexing of the first lever arm. The second flexible lever arm has a retentive hooking tooth provided at a tip of the free jaw end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Eduardo Roberto Fernandez
  • Patent number: 6112380
    Abstract: The invention provides laces, such as shoelaces, having affixed to them repeatedly collapsible and expandable aglets which can form 2- or 3-dimensional objects. The aglets can advantageously be passed through an eyelet thereby making it possible for them to be permanently affixed to laces during their manufacture. Thus, a user need not purchase a lace and aglets separately and attach them to each other after lacing an article such as a shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Lulirama International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dana Dolan, Jose R. Matos
  • Patent number: 6112381
    Abstract: The inventive method provides highly desirable hand to various different types of fabrics through the initial immobilization of individual fibers within target fabrics and subsequent treatment through abrasion, sanding, or napping of at least a portion of the target fabric. Such a procedure includes "nicking" the immobilized fibers thereby permitting the fibers to produce a substantially balanced strength of the target fabric in the fill and warp directions while also providing the same degree of hand improvements as obtained with previous methods. Furthermore, this process also provides the unexpected improvement of non-pilling to synthetic fibers as the "nicking" of the immobilized fibers results in the lack of unraveling of fibers and thus the near impossibility of such fibers balling together to form unwanted pills on the fabric surface. Fabrics treated by this process are also contemplated within this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Louis Dischler, Jimmy B. Henson, Roger Milliken
  • Patent number: 6112382
    Abstract: A combination lawn/garden ornament and cremation container comprises a decorative structure adapted to be displayed outdoors on a lawn or in a garden of a loved one of a deceased and an openable and closable compartment adapted to contain cremated remains of the deceased. In one embodiment the combination comprises a hollow pedestal upon which is mounted a sundial, and a tube positioned within the pedestal with a cap removably secured on an end thereof. In another embodiment the combination comprises a stepping stone, a portion of which is adapted to be displayed above a ground surface, and a container, integral with the stepping stone, extending downwardly from a lower surface thereof, and a cover removably secured to the container. In yet another embodiment the combination comprises a planter box and a container forming a part of the planter box and a cover removably secured to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Batesville Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Parker, Mark H. Thesken
  • Patent number: 6112383
    Abstract: A combination bag tag and zipper lock is formed from a stamped out piece of metal, and has a pair of pointed legs which may be formed from a frangible central portion and bent outwardly, away from a first surface of the stamped out blank so as to form a pair of pointed securing elements. The securing elements are preferably bent outwardly at about 90.degree. from the first surface, and have their pointed ends inserted through opposite sides of a zipper closure at either or both ends on a body bag until a bottom surface of the bag tag/zipper lock contacts the closed zipper closure. The securing elements are then bent over the closed zipper closure so as to securely hold the zipper closure together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Abdul Salam
  • Patent number: 6112384
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a decorative mass of fiber fluff wherein a source of supply of staple fibers made of natural or synthetic textile fiber and arranged in continuous form, such as in a strand of yarn, are provided as a pattern array of discrete streams of different selected colors with the colors being uniform in each stream and comprising at least one base color and one contrasting color. The array stream of fibers is fed as an array of multiple strands of yarn into a carding operation wherein the fibers are brushed or carded from their input form into card or brush clothing to thereby only partially intermix fibers of at least two different colors in the bristles or wires of the card or brush clothing. The accumulated fibers are then removed film the clothing to form a pillow batt or roving having a streaked appearance representative of the original colors of the individual yarn strands, and with a partial intermixing and blending of the streaks of one color with those of another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Michael A. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6112385
    Abstract: It is known to make a nonwoven from polyvinyl alcohol fibers. The special advantage of these PVA fibers is their ability to dissolve in water. The fleece is therefore mechanically needled for compaction. The invention describes a method that allows hydrodynamic needling as well. Special parameters for further treatment during water needling and during subsequent drying characterize the additional features of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Fleissner GmbH & Co., Maschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Gerold Fleissner, Alfred Watzl
  • Patent number: 6112386
    Abstract: An apparatus for interlacing a multifilament yarn includes a housing with a conduit defined therethrough. A jet nozzle is configured with the housing. The jet nozzle includes a main channel symmetric to the yarn conduit axis and at least two side channels. The main channel directs a greater volume of pressurized air into a central region of the yarn conduit as compared to the side channels that direct a lesser volume of pressurized air to peripheral zones where substantially no interlacing of the yarn takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Deutsche Institute fur Textil-und Faserforschung
    Inventors: Helmut Weinsdorfer, Ulrich Weinsdorfer
  • Patent number: 6112387
    Abstract: A yarn treatment jet has a yarn passage extending through the body of the jet and a fluid inlet intersecting the yarn passage transversely. In cross-section the yarn passage has a main part and a substantially parallel sided yarn controlling part which is of lesser width than the main part. The width of the fluid inlet is greater than that of the controlling part but less than that of the main part. The yarn is guided to run in the yarn controlling part which the fluid inlet intersects and the fluid is directed past the running yarn in the direction of the main part. The yarn guides are movable towards and away from the inlet and outlet ends of the yarn passage. A curved threading slot connects the controlling part with the outside of the jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Fibreguide Limited
    Inventors: Malcolm Geoffrey Hinchliffe, Reginald Leah
  • Patent number: 6112388
    Abstract: Embossed metallic flakelets have high damage resistance and can be produced readily. A method for production is also provided. The embossed metallic flakelets are produced by dip-coating an organic-inorganic composite layer 12 on upper and lower sides of a carrier layer made of a PVA film or the like by a sol-gel process, and pressing an original embossed pattern 14 having an embossed pattern against the organic-inorganic composite layer 12 under pressure to transfer the embossed pattern onto the organic-inorganic composite layer 12. A sample having the transferred embossed pattern is sintered, to form a metallic film 10 on the organic-inorganic composite layer 12 by deposition or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kimoto, Masatugu Nakanishi, Akira Kato, Yoshihiro Yamamura, Yukio Okochi, Takatoshi Katsumata
  • Patent number: 6112389
    Abstract: In order to facilitate production of cans (3,103,103'), in particular of aerosol cans, magnetic conveyors (6,8) and magnetizable pallets (7,107,107') are provided, instead of chain conveyors including mandrels, in plants for producing containers. The cans (3,103,103') are fixed to the magnetizable pallets (7,107,107') and are passed to or through processing stations, for example, by magnetic belt conveyors (6,8). The pallets (7,107,107') are connected to a connecting portion (132) projecting from the can bottom (130) which may be inserted into a connection opening (117) of the pallet (7,107,107') by a riveting operation. By appropriately arranging the conveying surface (8) of the magnetic conveyor (6,8), the cans (3,103,103') may be oriented at will on the pallets (7,107,107') which are magnetically supported. The can opening is always freely accessible during conveying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Brain Power Consulting GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Boltshauser
  • Patent number: 6112390
    Abstract: A workpiece which is made by integrally combining an outer member and an inner member through hemming is manufactured efficiently in a common apparatus. An outer member and an inner member are combined to alternately subassemble two kinds of workpieces at a common subassembly station. A hemming station is disposed on a downstream side of the subassembly station in a manufacturing line. In this hemming station, a first hemming apparatus for the first kind of workpiece and a second hemming apparatus for the second kind of workpiece are disposed in a side by side relationship with each other. The first kind of workpiece subassembled in the subassembly station and the second kind of workpiece are alternately fed to the first hemming apparatus and the second hemming apparatus by a workpiece feeding robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takeda, Hiroji Chahara, Kazuhiro Terayama, Yasuo Fukagawa, Michihiro Kitahama, Makoto Kanou, Ichiro Oshima, Shinji Fujita
  • Patent number: 6112391
    Abstract: An electronically-controlled apparatus has a feed assembly for moving circular disk blank workpieces from a storage position to a pickup position where a pickup mechanism receives the workpiece and then carries it to an operational position within a machine tool which converts the workpiece into a pulley or like-type device while simultaneously the pickup mechanism receives a finished disk product and delivers it a collection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Mijo Radocaj
  • Patent number: 6112392
    Abstract: A guide and a method of using the guide to install a spline of a canopy in a channel formed in a side wall of a roller tube having an end with a circumferential edge. The guide has an interior groove formed therein for receiving a portion of the circumferential edge so as to mount the guide to the roller tube. A wall of the guide covers the circumferential edge and defines a mounting opening. When the guide is mounted to the roller tube, the mounting opening is disposed over an end of the channel so as to permit the spline to be moved through the mounting opening and into the channel. The wall may define a second mounting opening for disposal over an end of a second channel formed in the side wall of the roller tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Becker, Robert Anderson
  • Patent number: 6112393
    Abstract: A process for assembling an engine from an engine frame includes the steps of defining a plurality of work steps necessary to assemble the engine. Each of the work steps has associated therewith a time period for carrying out that work step. A sequence of work steps is established to effect complete assembly of the engine. A plurality of work stations is defined, including a first work station and a last work station, for carrying out the work steps. Each work station includes at least one of the work steps and defines an assembly sequence. Work steps are allocated within the work stations in the assembly sequence to effect an aggregate of the time periods at each station for carrying out the work steps within that work station. The aggregate is about equal to respective aggregates of time periods at each of the other stations for carrying out the work steps within these other work stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Schlegel, Jerry P. Rihel, Lawrence T. Monocello, Ronald L. Link, John A. Duzyk
  • Patent number: 6112394
    Abstract: A method of continuously casting and finish-rolling a cast slab within a predetermined finished width tolerance, wherein for the cast slab and any subsequent slab an adjustment of the mold position is carried out particularly in accordance with different rolling conditions for achieving the predetermined finished width within a tolerance strip, initially a preadjustment of the mold position is carried out, inter alia, while considering the extreme strip dimensions of the planned production program, a computation for the optimum use for the mold adjusting units and the adjusting units of the finishing train is carried out for each cast slab and any subsequent slab, and, with an existing entering width of the cast slab into the finishing train, a reoptimization of the finished width by means of the adjusting units of the finishing train is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jurgen Seidel, Karl-Ernst Hensger
  • Patent number: 6112395
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for making fine metallic fibers comprising forming a continuous tube about a plurality of coated metallic wires for providing a first cladding. The first cladding is drawn for reducing the outer diameter and for diffusion welding the coating within the cladding. The tube is mechanically removed to provide a first remainder. The first remainder is drawn for reducing the diameter thereof to transform the plurality of metallic wires into a plurality of fine metallic fibers. In one example, the diffusion welded coating is removed for providing the plurality of fine metallic fibers. In another example, a plurality of the first remainders are assembled and a continuous tube is formed about a the first remainders for providing a second cladding. The second cladding is drawn for reducing the outer diameter. The tube is mechanically removed to provide a second remainder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: USF Filtration and Separations Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel R. Quick, Michael Liberman, Alexander Sobolevsky, Raymond R. McNeice
  • Patent number: 6112396
    Abstract: Jackbolts for multi jackbolt tensioner embody a thread construction which taper from a maximum diameter adjacent to torque receiving end of the jackbolt when threadedly engaged with a threaded opening in the outer peripheral part of a jackbolt body. The threads of the jackbolt have a different thread pitch than the threads in the jackbolt body and the tooth flank of the jackbolt threads for an angle with the tooth flanks of the thread in the jackbolt body. By this thread construction, there is formed a helical volume of ever increasing size along the jackbolts commencing at a metal to metal relation at the torque receiving end. Stressing of the jackbolt closes the helical volume bringing the threads to a metal to metal load transfer relation. The end of the jackbolts has a protruding central end portion that elastically flattens under stress to reduce torque requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Steinbock Machinery Co.
    Inventor: Rolf H. Steinbock
  • Patent number: 6112397
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of applying torque to a CPU fan unit. One embodiment of the method comprises providing a tool having two mounting pins adjustably positioned along a common axis. The position of the mounting pins is then adjusted so that the mounting pins are positioned to engage the CPU fan unit. The pins are then engaged with the fan unit, and the tool is rotated to apply torque to the fan unit, such as for tightening onto a mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig L. Boe
  • Patent number: 6112398
    Abstract: A rotatable vehicle brake component having integrally formed teeth adapted for use with a sensor of an anti-lock brake system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Meritor Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Messina
  • Patent number: 6112399
    Abstract: A method of designing and manufacturing a magnetic separation apparatus. Past separators generally had poor power efficiency, poor throughput performance, and/or were bulky. Designing the magnetic separator of the present invention involves selecting a diameter and height for a separation container and superconducting coil by optimizing at least one parameter from a group of parameters. The magnetic separation apparatus includes a superconducting electromagnet and separation container having a diameter of about 60 inches, a height of about 40 inches, an inlet port, an outlet port, and removable matrix modules. The electromagnet generates a magnetic field strength within the separation container of greater than 3 Tesla. The optimized separation container volume, the high magnetic field strength, and the matrix modules allow the magnetic separation apparatus to have greatly increased slurry processing capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Outokumpu OYJ
    Inventors: Sibley C. Burnett, L. Cullen Andrews, Gregory S. Beck, R. Lewis Creedon, John R. Purcell
  • Patent number: 6112400
    Abstract: A head suspension assembly including a load beam having predefined gluing regions for gluing a bundle of wires thereto. For each gluing region, the load beam is partially-etched with the pattern that includes a plurality of grooves. Preferably, the pattern within the gluing region includes a set of parallel grooves. The gluing regions can be formed at very little cost because partial etching can be performed simultaneously etching other features on the load beam. Advantageously, the gluing regions provide enhanced adhesion between the wires and the load beam which reduces the possibility of failure during manufacture, thereby reducing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Kermit Frater, Gary Lee Heitkamp, Hsuehmin Li, Diane Sprandel O'Regan, Rudy Vadillo
  • Patent number: 6112401
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a slider out of a production piece slider blank so that the slider may be used in a glide head assembly that is operative with a test system to detect a presence of asperities on a moving surface. Broadly, this method comprises configuring an air bearing structure on the production piece slider blank to form a working production piece having an unpolished air bearing surface and an outer sidewall surface which intersects the unpolished air bearing surface at a pheripheral edge. The unpolished air bearing surface is lapped to form a polished air bearing surface which is microfinished to a selected ABS Ra value. A region of the outer sidewall surface adjacent to the pheripheral edge is also lapped to form a sidewall margin area that is microfinished to a selected sidewall Ra value that is within a range of about ten times the selected ABS Ra value, thereby forming a finished production piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Micro Glide, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley C. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6112402
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor fabricated by creating first antiferromagnetic layers on the upper surfaces of a lower-gap layer the antiferromagnetic layer having first and second exposed portions separated by a track width formed by the upper surface of the lower-gap layer. Then, a free magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic electrically conductive layer, a pinned magnetic layer and a second antiferromagnetic layer are stacked on the first antiferromagnetic layers and a portion on the track width one after another. Since the free magnetic layer is created after the first antiferromagnetic layer, the free magnetic layer and the first antiferromagnetic layer are adhered to each other with a high degree of reliability. When the direction of magnetization in the free magnetic layer is changed by an external magnetic field, the electrical resistance of the magnetoresistive sensor also changes. The change in electrical resistance is, in turn, used for detecting the external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamichi Saito, Toshinori Watanabe, Kiyoshi Sato, Toshihiro Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 6112403
    Abstract: Circular recuperators are used to increase the efficiency of gas turbine engines. The present circular recuperators are made of a plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of cells includes a plurality of components, such as, a plurality of sheets, a plurality of bars and guide strips. To more efficiently utilize the configuration of a primary surface circular heat exchanger or recuperator, the plurality of cells are manufactured to have a involute configuration. A fixture is used to position, hold and form the involute configuration. The fixture includes clamping device which positions and holds a base edge and the plurality of bars in a preestablished position and a forming member forms the remainder of the individual cells into the involute configuration. Corresponding ones of the base edges of individual cells form an inner diameter of the recuperator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Doug R. Ervin, Tom L. Grigsby, Robert A. Prochnow
  • Patent number: 6112404
    Abstract: A tool for attaching a connector to an end of a cable by compressing the connector axially and driving it into a tapered cavity uses a light rigid O-frame. The tapered cavity is formed in a pair of die halves which are both pivoted to the frame and which are provided with oppositely mounted handles, allowing the dies to be opened by squeezing the handles together. Two different adjustment means are provided and the tool is provided with a full-cycle ratchet mechanism to ensure complete compression of the connector during each use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Capewell Components Company, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew J. Tarpill
  • Patent number: 6112405
    Abstract: A component assembly, or fan, comprises a hub having secured thereto a plurality of radially extending components. The hub, which is generally of semi-circular configuration, includes planar raised portions constructed and arranged to be vacuum gripped by a rotary indexing support, or turret, and holes which accommodate guide rods of a hopper for storing a supply of the fans. The components are connected to the hub at angularly spaced intervals by severable linkage portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventor: John C Inkster
  • Patent number: 6112406
    Abstract: A method for producing at least one electrically conductive connection between two or more conductor structures in which at least one of the conductor structures is connected to a carrier to form a composite conductor system. At least one of the composite conductor systems has perforations in the region of contact points of the conductor structure. The connection is made in the region of the perforations by supplying thermal energy or by introducing an electrically conductive mass. Electrically conductive connections can be made between a plurality of conductor structures in a simple and cost-effective way which avoids damage to even thermosensitive thermoplastic carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Josef Mundigl
  • Patent number: 6112407
    Abstract: A circuit board fabrication method and system is disclosed in which circuit boards are fabricated by adhesively applying circuit conductive traces to a circuit board substrate and subsequently affixing the arrangement of the circuit traces on the substrate by encapsulating and embedding the circuit traces within a circuit board covering material that becomes flowable and adhesive when subjected to heat and pressure. In one embodiment, the circuit traces are created and applied to circuit board substrate areas by a punch and die assembly. A sheet of circuit trace material is provided between plates of the apparatus wherein the plates have matching circuit trace shaped cut-outs. Punch elements having a mating circuit trace shape are slidable within the cut-outs wherein a circuit trace is punched from the circuit trace material when the punch elements slide between the plates. After a circuit trace is punched, the punch elements then stamp the circuit trace to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Circuitronics, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. Hagner
  • Patent number: 6112408
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a chip carrier, e.g., a printed circuit board, which includes at least one photo-via is disclosed. This method inlcudes the steps of forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate. A second dielectric layer, having a greater photosensitivity than the first dielectric layer, is formed on the first dielectric layer. Preferably, this second dielectric layer has a relatively low optical absorptivity at the wavelengths to be used during exposure. Then, at least the second dielectric layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation. The second and first dielectric layers are then developed, to form one or more desired photo-vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Haze, Shigeaki Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6112409
    Abstract: A method is provided for roll-forming an I-beam structure having a web and a pair of opposing flanges at each end of the web. The method includes the steps of providing a flat blank having a thickness generally equal to a thickness of the web of the I-beam to be formed. The blank has a longitudinal axis, a central portion and opposing ends. Each of the blank ends is split along the longitudinal axis to form first and second flange portions at each of the ends. Each of the first and second flange portions has an edge directed away from the central portion. The flange portions are then bent about the longitudinal axis by moving each of the edges in a direction towards the central portion to form a mass of material at each of the blank ends. The mass of material is compacted at each of the blank ends to define the flanges. Each flange is disposed generally transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis and has a thickness generally equal to the thickness of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Cosma International Inc.
    Inventor: Fred G Jaekel
  • Patent number: 6112410
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a structural beam having a cross-sectional profile. First portions of the profile being in compression and second portions of the profile being in tension due to a loading force. The beam also having compressive and tensile structural elements. Each structural element includes an enclosure having walls, and a non-compressible material disposed in their cavity. The walls of the compressive structural elements each have at least a portion thereof inwardly shaped towards the first cavity such that when deflected by the loading force, the walls exert a compressive force against the non-compressible material in its cavity, resulting in a resistance to the deflection and the loading force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: The Research Corporation of State University of New York
    Inventor: Jahangir S. Rastegar
  • Patent number: 6112411
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of mounting a wheel hub bearing assembly to the knuckle (10) of a vehicle suspension standard by forcefully inserting the outer race (20) of the bearing in a bore (11) in the knuckle (10). The bore has a groove (15) near its axially outer side to accommodate a snap ring (14) for axially securing the bearing's outer race (20) within the bore (11). Angularly spaced radial slots (24) are provided in the axially outer rim of the knuckle (10); a hub bearing unit is assembled separately. The snap ring (14, 14') is fitted over the hub at an axial location between the axially outer end portion (23) of the bearing outer race (20) and a portion (34) of the hub (16) facing said end portion (23); at least one axially tapered sliding surface (33, 34, 23) is provided between said facing portions (23, 34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: SKF Industrie S.p.A.
    Inventor: Andreas Rutter
  • Patent number: 6112412
    Abstract: A multi-bladed razor cartridge and associated assembly is provided. The razor cartridge includes a frame having at least one substantially open rear section such that shaving cream and hair deposited between the cutting and rear edges of the blades during shaving can be removed by being washed straight through such open rear section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventor: Paul Richard
  • Patent number: 6112413
    Abstract: A shingle severing device includes a cutter pivotably secured to a work carrier. The work carrier mounts spaced blades and the cutter mounts spaced blades alignable with the work carrier blades. A shingle support and fences locate a conventional shingle. With an elongate roofing shingle placed on the support, the cutter and work carrier are moved from an open position to a closed position to sever the shingle along two spaced lines. A stop prevents overtravel beyond the closed position. The severing removes from the roofing shingle a ridge shingle with a trapezoid shaped end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventors: Thomas Wayne Frakes, Thomas Earl Frakes
  • Patent number: 6112414
    Abstract: A hand-held beauty appliance assembly comprising a hand-held beauty appliance and a battery charger. The hand-held beauty appliance includes an appliance housing portion including a rechargeable battery socket having therein a keyway groove, a frame fixedly supported within the appliance housing portion, an electrical motor fixedly supported on the frame, and a pair of electrical terminals connected to the electrical motor and fixedly supported on the frame. The hand-held appliance also includes a rechargeable battery portion insertable into the battery socket and including a pair of electrical terminals in engagement with the pair of electrical terminals of the appliance housing portion when the rechargeable battery portion is located in the battery socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Andis Company
    Inventors: Matthew L. Andis, Robert E. Derby, John M. Piwaron
  • Patent number: 6112415
    Abstract: A hookbill wire cutter specially designed to cut wire mesh components features a pair of opposing handles connected to a pair of jaws. Each jaw features an arcuate blade having a flat cutting portion and a tapered portion. The jaws are pivotally joined to open and close when the handles are actuated so that the blade cutting portions overlap in a scissor-like fashion. One of the arcuate blades features a notched tip that engages a wire member perpendicular to the wire member being cut. As a result, the wire cutter may be quickly and easily positioned. The arcuate blades are dimensioned to substantially surround a wire member so that the wire member is sheared flush when the jaws of the wire cutter are closed. As a result, generally smooth and flat cut wire ends are produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: GS Metals Corp.
    Inventors: Steve Hagene, Terry McCrary, Donald Ohms