Patents Issued in January 2, 2001
  • Patent number: 6167761
    Abstract: In a capacitance type pressure sensor, a diaphragm is formed of a fragile material using an impurity-diffused monocrystal silicon and constitutes a stable pressure-responsive structure which does not undergo a plastic deformation. Between the diaphragm and a movable electrode is formed an oxide film to diminish stray capacitance between the movable electrode and a substrate and also between the movable electrode and a impurity-diffused layer. The oxide film and the movable electrode are each divided into plural regions so that the divided regions of the movable electrode are formed on the divided regions of the oxide film, thereby diminishing stress strain induced by a difference in therm expansion coefficient among the diaphragm, oxide film and movable electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd. and Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Hanzawa, Akio Yasukawa, Satoshi Shimada, Seikou Suzuki, Akihiko Saito, Masahiro Matsumoto, Atsushi Miyazaki, Norio Ichikawa, Junichi Horie, Seiji Kuryu
  • Patent number: 6167762
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid-pressure indicating apparatus including a mounting mechanism with a lock mechanism which can be simply removed from a rail when used alone but which cannot be removed from the rail when coupled to adjacent apparatuses. To achieve this, an elastic piece 18, which defines the depth of one 17a of two recessed portions 17a and 17b formed in the groove walls of a rail mounting groove, is provided on the side of the first recessed portion 17a in such a way as to be elastically shifted, and a stopper 19, which engages the elastic piece of the adjacent fluid-pressure indicating apparatus so as to regulate its shifting when the apparatus is coupled to this adjacent fluid-pressure indicating apparatus, is also provided on the side of the first recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Miyazoe
  • Patent number: 6167763
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor/guide wire device for biological pressure measurements having a guide wire (16, 17, 18, 21, 23) having a distal and a proximal end, and a pressure sensor device (19) mounted at the distal end of the guide wire. The distal portion can be a solid wire member (16) surrounded by a spiral member (18), and the sensor (19) can be an electrical sensor of a piezoresistive type. The sensor (19) is mounted on the solid wire (16). The sensor is mounted in a cantilevering fashion such that a pressure sensitive end of the sensor does not contact any structure other than its mount. This prevents forces (bending artifacts) from being exerted on the sensor, which could otherwise interfere with pressure measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Radi Medical Systems AB
    Inventors: Lars Tenerz, Ola Hammarström, Leif Smith
  • Patent number: 6167764
    Abstract: The tension in a stud is verified by determining the elongation of the stud while attached to a stud tensioner during the tensioning step. The pressure of hydraulic fluid in a hydraulically actuated tensioner is increased from a first low pressure to a higher pressure for elongating the stud while correlating the increase in pressure of the hydraulic fluid with the quantity of hydraulic fluid in the tensioner or with the displacement of a tensioner puller bar or piston. After a nut is tightened on the stud, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid is reduced from the higher pressure to a second low pressure while correlating the decrease in pressure of the hydraulic fluid with the travel of the puller bar or piston or correlating the decrease in pressure of the hydraulic fluid with the change in fluid volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: Gregory L. Calhoun
  • Patent number: 6167765
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining the flow rate of blood in a vessel, such as a hemodialysis access. The system includes a conduit, such as an external dialysis circuit or an intravascular catheter, in communication with the blood in the vessel and having a diversion point for diverting the blood from the vessel into the conduit. As such, the vessel has a flow rate (QA) upstream from the diversion point and a flow rate (QD) downstream from the diversion point. A pump is connected to the conduit for diverting the blood into the conduit using a pump flow rate. An ultrasonic sensor is provided in communication with the blood in the vessel downstream from the diversion point. The ultrasonic sensor senses the downstream flow rate (QD) and generates at least two downstream Doppler frequency signals including a first downstream Doppler frequency signal when the pump has a first pump flow rate and a second downstream Doppler frequency signal when the pump has a second pump flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventor: William F. Weitzel
  • Patent number: 6167766
    Abstract: A sampling system controller includes a control unit for interfacing with a collection chamber module having a plurality of sampling chambers. The control unit controls the times at which the sampling chambers acquire samples of a fluid flow and control flow rates into the sampling chambers. The timing of the sampling chambers and the flow rates may be programmed by a user and downloaded into the control unit through an interface. The control unit measures the flow rate of the fluid flow to be sampled and controls the flow rate through each sampling chambers in order to achieve a desired and known rate through the sampling chambers. The flow rates through the fluid flow and through the sampling chambers are recorded on a data module. The control unit may be equipped with a portable weather station for monitoring weather conditions and with a global positioning system for determining a geographic position of the sampling chambers. The weather and location information may be recorded on the data module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Westinghouse Savannah River Company
    Inventors: David L. Dunn, Russell K. Huffmann, Bryan Bushart, Donald J. Pak, David M. Immel
  • Patent number: 6167767
    Abstract: A gas sampling system includes a sample trapping module having a gas pump and a power supply, and a removable magazine that fits within a port of the trapping module. The magazine contains a non-volatile electronic memory, which controls operation of the trapping module, and has a rotating carousel for holding sample tubes. Individual sample tubes are sealed at each end by a cap that has a needle-pierceable septum, and contain a solid collector material to trap chemical and biological contaminants in a gas sample drawn through the sample tube. Individual sample tubes are moved into and out of a sampling location by incremental rotation of the carousel and, while at the sampling location, a pair of hollow bore needles are inserted through the sample tube end caps to allow the drawing of a gas sample through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: RAI Corporation
    Inventors: R. William Mengel, Thomas G. Albro, John C. Berends, Jr., Robert S. Marshall, Christopher D. Sloop
  • Patent number: 6167768
    Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a pile of flat products especially a pile of sheets or signatures has a lift lever and a cam follower arm with a first and second end. The cam follower arm is coupled to said lift lever. A cam follower is connected to said cam follower arm and a drive link is coupled to one of said ends of said cam follower arm. A drive link roller is connected to said drive link and a guide ramp is arranged for guiding said drive link roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Russell Alan Bechler, Edward James Limbert
  • Patent number: 6167769
    Abstract: A screw mechanism having a shaft which is guided in such a way that its reciprocating movement is converted at the output of the screw mechanism into a rotary movement. The shaft has a reciprocating rod and a round slide which are aligned axially with one another. At their mutually overlapping end regions, the reciprocating rod and the round slide respectively have guide surfaces which are of helical construction, run in the axial direction and are matched to one another in specular fashion. The round slide has an axial abutment of which limits the reciprocating movement of the round slide while the rotary movement is released. The reciprocating rod cooperates with a guide that prevents its rotation while permitting its reciprocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Mapal Fabrik f{umlaut over (u)}r Pr{umlaut over (a)}zisionswerkzeuge
    Inventor: Herbert J{umlaut over (a)}ger
  • Patent number: 6167770
    Abstract: A drive for a door bolt of a motor-vehicle door latch has a pivot shaft fixed on the bolt offset from the bolt, a motor having a rotary output, a transmission having an input connected to the motor output and an output shaft, and a coupling directly joining the output shaft of the transmission to the pivot shaft for rotation of the bolt by the motor. The transmission output shaft and the pivot shaft are coaxial. The shafts have confronting ends formed with respective sets of axially projecting teeth that axially overlap, engage in each other, and form the coupling. These teeth are of generally triangular cross section and the teeth of the bolt shaft are angularly interleaved with the teeth of the transmission shaft. In addition a star-section element centered on the axes is formed with a plurality of radially open pockets each receiving a respective one of the teeth. This star element is elastomeric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Nass
  • Patent number: 6167771
    Abstract: Zero clearance screw rotor profiles are modified by determining clearance requirements at spaced points on the profiles and varying the clearance distribution between adjacent points using a non-linear distribution. Additionally, when the clearances are put in the rotors, zero clearance is maintained between the rotors in the contact band which is maintained near the pitch circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Keshava B. Kumar, James W. Bush
  • Patent number: 6167772
    Abstract: An arrangement for attaching a gearshift assembly for a motor vehicle is provided, wherein a shift lever device for performing a gearshift operation of a transmission of the vehicle is installed on an instrument panel, without causing variations in the position of installation of a shift lever. In the present arrangement, the shift lever device is positioned relative to the instrument panel by means of a guide pin, and a console panel is positioned relative to the instrument panel using positioning holes. Thus, the position of the console panel relative to the shift lever device is determined with high accuracy on the basis of the instrument panel, and the shift lever device is mounted on the instrument panel without causing a variation in the position of installation of the shift lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 6167773
    Abstract: Adjusting device for the automatic operation of a gear-change device with a shifting shaft associated with linear drives to introduce a rotational and a translatory movement. To convert an introduced translatory movement into a rotational movement, the linear drive provided to introduce rotational movement is actively connected to the shifting shaft by an articulated connection having two support elements that are urged toward each other by a prestress force and an articulated element actively connected in a force locking position between the two support elements by the prestress force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Jens Dorfschmid, Andreas Ratte
  • Patent number: 6167774
    Abstract: An ergonomic shifter mountable to a handlebar of a motor vehicle, the shifter comprising a housing mountable to the handlebar and a unitary shifter toggle switch movably connected to the housing, the unitary shifter toggle switch being movable from a neutral position to an upshift position and a downshift position. Preferably, the unitary shifter toggle switch is pivotally connected to the housing. Preferably, the shifter is mounted to the handlebar adjacent a gripping portion of the handlebar so that the driver can easily upshift or downshift the vehicle. Preferably, the unitary shifter toggle switch has a plurality of small protrusions for enhancing a driver's grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Bombardier, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude Gagnon, Pascal Larose, John Gale
  • Patent number: 6167775
    Abstract: A system which includes a steering that not only allows the operator to accomplish the steering of a vehicle, but also allows the operator to merely exert a force on the steering to control the braking mechanism of a vehicle. The steering, acting as a unitary device for controlling two of the principal operations of a vehicle, provides the operator with improved handling capabilities and does so without the operator needing to use his/her feet which makes the control system of the vehicle particularly suited for handicapped individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Roy Sebazco
  • Patent number: 6167776
    Abstract: An auxiliary throttle attached to the underside of the throttle mechanism of an off-road type vehicle, such as a snowmobile. It is positioned on the backside of the handlebar and is operated by the thumb. The device has a stop built in that prevents the rider from engaging the throttle at more than half speed using the bar. The rider can increase speed, but only by using the main throttle. This has three beneficial effects. First, it provides a convenient and easy method for riders to operate the throttle without fatigue. Second, it is operated by the thumb, just like the main throttle, thereby preventing confusion in an emergency. Third, it limits the speed the vehicle can operate, no matter how hard the device is gripped. Thus, in a panic situation, gripping the handlebar does not cause any sudden burst of speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: David Clyde Cossette
  • Patent number: 6167777
    Abstract: The tiltable component in a tilt type vehicle steering column can be locked in selected positions of adjustment by an external locking mechanism that includes an elongated rod having pivot connections with the stationary and movable components of the column. A rotatable locking sleeve encircles the rod to form a rigid connection between the rod and one of the pivot connections. Meshed teeth on the rod and sleeve prevent the rod from moving in the longitudinal direction. By rotating the sleeve on the rod it is possible to shift the teeth out of mesh, such that the rod can move longitudinally to set the movable component of the steering column in a new selected position of adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: William M. Snell
  • Patent number: 6167778
    Abstract: A gas pedal for a motor vehicle with an automatic transmission has a kick-down stop having a movable or elastic supporting part (5) which is fastened on or in a pedal arm (2) when the pedal arm (2) has been pressed down virtually to the full extent, the supporting part (5) strikes against a stop (9). A particularly high resistance force counters any further pressing-down movement of the pedal arm (2) by displacement counter to spring force or elastic deformation of the supporting part (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventor: Peter Kohlen
  • Patent number: 6167779
    Abstract: Boss axes are provided to a pair of supporting walls, which are opposed to each other, on a base to project therefrom. Flat surfaces of the boss axes are tilted relative to a center line of the groove in a latching position such that a releasing direction of a handle in a releasing position is positioned on an opposite side to an operating portion positioned in the latching position. Accordingly, overlapping lengths between circular arc surfaces of the boss axes in the unlatching position and the partial inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole can be increased. Therefore, a surface pressure applied to the boss axes of the base can be reduced in the unlatching position and thus the handle supporting strength can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Alpha Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Sano, Ryuji Minemura
  • Patent number: 6167780
    Abstract: A device for making micro adjusting a steering bearing of a head bowl of a bicycle head tube includes an inner ring of the steering bearing, a pressing ring and a clamping ring, which are mounted sequentially together in an upper end of the bicycle head tube. An upper end of the clamping ring is fastened with a handlebar upright tube of the bicycle, wherein the clamping ring provides a pair of lugs, each lug having a threaded hole for engaging with a fastening means, the clamping ring is provided with an inner circumferential tapered surface. The inner ring of the steering bearing is provided with an inner circumferential tapered surface. The pressing ring is provided with an upper outer circumferential tapered surface and a lower outer circumferential tapered surface. The upper outer circumferential tapered surface of the pressing ring is engaged with the inner circumferential surface of the clamping ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Sheng-Luen Chen
  • Patent number: 6167781
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a guide and positioning mechanism for dictating retraction motion of a retractable member such as a retractable media jack. The apparatus is comprised of a “J-shaped” cam follower having a short end press-fit into a cam pushing with the longer end of the cam follower tracing out the path boundaries as dictated by a groove within a cam track. The cam bushing is comprised of a generally cylindrical cam axle through with the short end of the cam follower passes and an extended wedge-shaped extension for providing support to the extended longer portion of the cam follower. The longer portion of the cam follower is rotationally bounded by stops on each end of the wedge-shaped extension on the cam axle which keeps the long end of the cam follower radially bounded as the cam follower traces a catch and release path of the cam track during extension and retraction of the retractable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Madsen, Ryan Kunz, David Oliphant, Dexter Francis, Josh Randall
  • Patent number: 6167782
    Abstract: A locator bushing member for assembling a damper/pulley member to a crankshaft as part of a modular housing assembly. The locator bushing temporarily secures a damper member to a housing assembly until the housing assembly is secured to the front of a vehicle engine and the damper member is subsequently secured to the nose of the crankshaft. A seal member is typically provided in order to seal the joint between the damper member bushing and housing member. Mating ridge and groove mechanisms, or equivalent mechanisms, can be provided to more securely affix the damper member, locator bushing member and housing member together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Simpson Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Chevalier
  • Patent number: 6167783
    Abstract: The meshing of the rigid internal gear and the cup-shaped flexible external gear of a flexible meshing type gear device is simulated with racks, similarity transformation is effected on the composite curve consisting of the envelope obtained by axially projecting the movement loci of the rack teeth relative to each other from the tooth trace opening portion to the tooth trace inner extremity in sections perpendicular to the axis and the movement locus in the vicinity of the tooth trace inner extremity, and the resulting curve is adopted as the basic addendum profile of the external teeth and the internal teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Shoichi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6167784
    Abstract: A spanner includes first and second clamping members. The first clamping member has a handle portion and a first jaw portion with a pivot plate portion that has a first pivot hole formed through top and bottom surfaces thereof. The second clamping member has a second jaw portion and a pair of pivot lobes which cooperatively define a receiving space therebetween to permit the pivot plate portion to extend thereinto and which are formed with second pivot holes aligned axially with the first pivot hole. A pivot shaft extends through the first and second pivot holes for mounting pivotally the second clamping member on the first clamping member. A torsion spring is sleeved on the pivot shaft, and is disposed in the receiving space for biasing the second jaw portion to move toward the first jaw portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Ching-Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 6167785
    Abstract: A tool for quickly removing or replacing threaded fasteners such as nuts or bolts has a spool-like body with an axial bore. A socket in the bore is dimensioned to engage a fastener. A flexible member can be wrapped around a circumferential channel in the body. A user can loosen or tighten A fastener by wrapping the flexible member around the channel and pulling on a pull ring on the free end of the flexible member. The tool is particularly well adapted to removing or tightening nuts or bolts in constricted spaces such are encountered when repairing automotive engines or other machinery. The tool is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. The tool may be provided in a kit having several tools for turning fasteners of several standard sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Vern Penner
  • Patent number: 6167786
    Abstract: A socket wrench driven adjustable jaw crow foot wrench is an assembly of four primary components: a chassis; a carriage; a ratchet; and a pawl. The chassis has a stationary jaw at a first end, a track extending from the first end to a second end of the chassis; and a cavity which opens to the track and opposing sides of the chassis. In a preferred embodiment of the tool, a female receiver for a socket wrench is provided on an end of the tool opposite the track. The carriage bears a jaw designed to mate to the stationary jaw of the chassis. The carriage is provided with a rack. Said carriage is designed to travel in the track provided on the chassis. The ratchet is provided with a female socket wrench receiver, and is located in the cavity provided in the chassis. The ratchet is juxtapositioned to communicate with the rack on the carriage. The pawl is located in the cavity provided in the chassis and juxtapositioned to communicate with the ratchet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Motorbay Company
    Inventor: Gary Hartman Kilgore
  • Patent number: 6167787
    Abstract: A locking device for a tool, such as a ratchet wrench, having a jointed drive head which may be situated in a series of angular positions relative to a handle, and which has means for temporarily holding the drive head of the tool at a predetermined angle with respect to the handle. The tool includes a spring-biased locking element disposed in the handle and which may be either engaged with, withdrawn from, or disengaged from the drive head. In the engaged position, the tool drive head is locked in place by the locking element. In the withdrawn position, the locking element is withdrawn from the head, and held away from it by the user to permit continuous changes in the angular relationship between the handle and the drive head. Finally, in the third orientation, the locking element is withdraw from the head and secured in a temporary holding position, allowing continual changes in the angular relationship between the handle and the head without the need for the user to continually hold the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Jack D. Jarvis
  • Patent number: 6167788
    Abstract: A torque wrench is provided with an electronic evaluation device for obtaining values measured by sensors in order to detect the torque and an angle of rotation. An acceleration sensor detects the acceleration of the angle of rotation (&agr;) whose measured values are chronologically integrated twice by an evaluation device in order to determine the angle of rotation (&agr;). The angle determination begins upon the reaching of a starting value of torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Saltus-Werk Max Forst GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Schönberger, Frank Humme
  • Patent number: 6167789
    Abstract: A mini-blind cutter for selective manual in-store sizing of a first mini-blind product having a vinyl headrail and bottom rail and a second mini-blind product having a steel headrail and bottom rail. The mini-blind cutter includes a die assembly movable from a first position to a second position having a first and second region to receive the first and second mini-blind products. The handle operation preferably rotates in a horizontal plane, the die assembly is adapted to cut different shape product in its two positions and the cutter sequences movement of the die assembly to reduce the force required to cut several components of a mini-blind in a sizing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: James L. Daniels, David Jarecki, Michael J. Walsh, Roger L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6167790
    Abstract: The invention relates to foam structures with enhanced physical properties which can be used in the areas of packaging, athletics, water sports, and construction. In general, the structures are laminated polymer foams that include a core of a low density foam and one or more skins of relatively high density foam covering the core. The skins provide improved physical properties to the foam structures by improving the flexural strength, resistance to bending, and resulting damage from bending in the laminated foam structure while modestly increasing the weight of the laminated structure, for example. Uses of the foam structures include, but are not limited to, packaging materials, gym mats, body boards, or eaves fillers. The skin can act as a hinge to fold a die cut piece into a collapsible packaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Sentinel Products Corp.
    Inventors: John D. Bambara, Richard Bambara, Scott C. Smith, Thomas W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6167791
    Abstract: A carriage for a food slicer; wherein the carriage includes a tray for supporting a food product. The tray has a relatively flat portion and an upstanding side portion, a food gripping portion attached to the tray and at least one handle attached to the side portion of the tray for moving the tray in a reciprocating motion past the slicing blade. Preferably, the carriage includes a second handle such that the user can grasp either handle. The tray also includes a slide rod for slidably supporting the food gripping portion. The slide rod may be optionally mounted to either side of the tray, before or after the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Heckman, Danny J. Mitchell, Robert Gerry Radwin
  • Patent number: 6167792
    Abstract: In a saw blade having a cutting edge defined by a plurality of teeth disposed along the blade, each tooth includes a tip, a rake face, and a curvilinear base surface. The tip of each tooth and the tip of the next consecutively disposed tooth cooperate to define a pitch distance therebetween, with the curvilinear base surface and the tip of each tooth cooperating to define a maximum gullet depth. In addition, the rake face and the curvilinear base surface of each tooth define an effective gullet radius greater than about 25% of the pitch distance, and also greater than about 55% of the maximum gullet depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: American Saw & Mfg. Company
    Inventors: William B. Korb, John Milton-Benoit, Stephen Hampton, James Holston
  • Patent number: 6167793
    Abstract: A mine localizing and identifying system. Each mine is equipped with a signalling device adapted to transmit a specific signal in response to receiving a specific activating signal. The system includes a mine-clearing tool that is adapted to transmit the specific activating signal and to receive the specific signal from the signalling device, and includes a direction-finding device for localizing the mine with the aid of the signal transmitted from the mine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: New Swede Construction AB
    Inventor: Leif Nyfelt
  • Patent number: 6167794
    Abstract: A weapon system includes a gun barrel and a vibration absorber fitted onto a free end of the gun barrel. The vibration absorber includes a compliant energy storage device, such as a spring, and a mass secured to the energy storage device. The potential energy stored in the spring and the kinetic energy stored in the mass inertia are dissipated in part as friction, and re-introduced in part to the gun barrel such that the re-introduced energy is out of phase relative to the gun barrel motion. As a result, the vibration absorber does not totally dissipate the stored energy, but rather reshapes the receptance of the gun system so as to significantly reduce the vibration energy that migrates into the gun structure from known disturbances. This improves the overall accuracy of the gun system. In addition, the vibration absorber reduces the load between the gun barrel and the projectile during launch, thereby reducing the gun barrel muzzle wear and the exit yaw rate of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Eric L. Kathe
  • Patent number: 6167795
    Abstract: A refuse collection truck may be combined with a relatively larger refuse container having a cart lifting apparatus supported on such container. The truck has dump arms for selectively dumping the larger container. The cart lifting apparatus has a dumper actuator for lifting and dumping the contents of a residential refuse collection cart into the relatively larger refuse container. The container may be removably mounted on the collection truck through corresponding matable lift forks on the truck and fork channels on the container. The container preferably may be a front end load container box. Different forms of cart lifters may be used, for picking up different styles of collection carts, such as having either one or two lift pickup points (i.e., either European or domestic style carts). Different types of dumper actuator may be used, including either hydraulic or pneumatic systems, and including either rotary motors or lifting cylinder and piston combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Bayne Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmy O. Bayne, Michael J. Susil
  • Patent number: 6167796
    Abstract: A waffle baker is disclosed which is of tubular frame construction having a pair of shell members which have a food receiving part, a handle, and a hinge. The shell members include a heater coil for connecting to a power source and a thermocouple to monitor the heat index of the shell members. A timing system is incorporated into the system, preferably through a magnetic and proximity switch, such that the baker turning and cooking time is monitored with either visual and/or audio warnings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: New Carbon Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Irvin E. Wright, Rodney L. Osborne, Paul E. George, II
  • Patent number: 6167797
    Abstract: A transportable, commercial, barbecue cooking apparatus housed in an insulated, conventionally shaped building structure, the apparatus further including a vertical diametrical smoke chamber having an adjacent force draft heat chamber integral therewith, the smoke chamber fitted with sloped, horizontal screens attached to a rotating vertical shaft thereby providing increased visibility, efficient, circulation and improved rendering, the heat chamber being fired with a gas burner and utilizing hardwood saw dust to produce a heavy smoke which is force drafted through a duct into the cooking chamber. The cooker is further provided with onboard hot water tanks for cooking and cleanup and includes provisions for humidity and temperature control. Provisions are made for food boiling, frying and steam cooking capability and includes amenities such as a storage locker, internal oven lighting, smoke blow back fans, and view windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Gerald Bollich
  • Patent number: 6167798
    Abstract: A mechanism (10) includes a slide plate (32) having die openings (38) adapted to hold dies (42a, 42b) and slideable relative to a cooker/extruder (12). Rotary cutters (74) are rotatably mounted relative to and moveable with the dies (42a, 42b). In one preferred form, a motor (76) can be connected and disconnected to the rotary cutter (74) aligned with the cooker/extruder (12) by a male coupling (96) including an elastomeric band (106) tensioned in a groove (102) formed in an outer peripheral surface (100) and received within the inside surface (116) of a cylindrical body (114) of a female coupling (108). Thus, it is not necessary to shut down the cooker/extruder (12) to service or change the dies (42a, 42b) and/or the rotary cutters (74). An annular wear plate (134) is sandwiched between the slide plate (32) and a frame element (18) having a central aperture (126) into which the barrel (14) of the cooker/extruder (12) is slideably received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Weinstein, Thomas G. Cremers, Thomas L. Smith, Steven C. Robie
  • Patent number: 6167799
    Abstract: The tamale and vegetable steaming device including a cylindrical pot portion having an open upper end and a closed lower end. A cylindrical insert is positionable within the cylindrical pot portion. The cylindrical insert has an open upper end, a closed lower end, and a cylindrical side wall therebetween. The cylindrical side wall has a plurality of apertures therethrough in a spaced relationship. The insert being positionable within the pot portion whereby the closed lower end of the insert is elevated above the closed lower end of the pot portion. The insert has a flattened arc portion extending a height thereof. The flattened arc portion creates a separation between the insert and the pot portion whereby water can be added to the pot portion through the separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Mary A. Macias
  • Patent number: 6167800
    Abstract: An oven includes a housing, two supporting plates mounted at two opposite inner sides of the housing, each of the supporting plates having an upper edge formed with a first recess at an intermediate portion of the upper edge and a second recess close to an outer end of the upper edge, a roasting cage having two circular discs at two opposite sides thereof, each of the circular discs provided with an outwardly extending axle at a center thereof and a plurality of slots at a circumferential edge thereof, and a plurality of sticks each being fitted between two aligned slots, the axle being configured to be received in any one of the first and second recesses, a driven gear fixedly mounted on an axle of one of the circular discs, a motor mounted on one inner side of the housing and provided with an output shaft on which is mounted a driving gear meshed with the driven gear, a heater fixedly mounted on an inner side of the housing, and a lid openably engaged with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Yung Sen Su
  • Patent number: 6167801
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for peeling root vegetables. The device comprises a container (1), which at its bottom has at least two rotatably arranged discs (4), which have grating or cutting means on their upper side. According to the invention, the container (1) has a cylindrical outer wall (2), and the bottom of the container (1) is a rotatably arranged disc (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Rauschnings Maskin Tekniska AB
    Inventor: Kenneth Rauschning
  • Patent number: 6167802
    Abstract: A sliding frame press utilizing a single pressure generating actuator to simultaneously apply the same uniform load to opposite sides of a workpiece. Two posts integral to sliding frame part 2 are freely and movably supported at the upper surface and within a post guide part located at both sides of frame base 5. Pressure is exerted on pressure rod 7 by the force applied at actuator 6. When the pressure applied to pressure rod 7 by actuator 6 exceeds the free weight of sliding frame part 2, a reactive force generated from pressure rod 7 operates to raise sliding frame part 2, thus simultaneously applying a uniform load to opposing sides of the workpiece located between pressure rod 7 and the lower punch 9 operatively connected to the sliding frame part 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignees: Tsutomu Yamamoto
    Inventor: Kohki Anzawa
  • Patent number: 6167803
    Abstract: A baler has a front door assembly formed with an upper loading port and a loading door engageable in a closed position over the loading port. A plurality of guides on the assembly define respective generally vertical paths along which can travel respective elements on the door between an upper position corresponding to a closed position of the door and a lower open position with the door offset from the loading port. The door lies wholly with an outline of the door assembly in the lower open position. The baler door wherein the guides are generally vertical and horizontally flank the door. Each guide is formed of three pieces and forms a respective upper track and a lower track therebelow and the elements include respective upper and lower elements riding in the tracks. Each lower track is formed with a horizontally extending rest on which the respective lower element sits in the open position and with another horizontally extending rest on which the respective lower element sits in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Hermann Schwelling
  • Patent number: 6167804
    Abstract: A method for personalizing flat supports by embossing, characterized by comprising the following stages: withdrawing a card to be personalized from a holder, transferring the card into an embossing station in which a bar code is embossed corresponding to data to be personalized, transferring the embossed card to a bar code reading station, and verifying that the bar code data read in the reading station corresponds to the bar code data memorized in a control unit. If the bar code and memorized data does not correspond then the card is eliminated, while if the data does correspond, the card is returned to the embossing station for completing the embossing cycle by embossing the card with alphanumeric characters corresponding to the bar code characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: C.I.M. Card Identification Machines S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alberto Mucelli
  • Patent number: 6167805
    Abstract: A continuous motion can decorator includes a plurality of mandrel subassemblies mounted on a rotating carrier with equal angular spacings between adjacent subassemblies. The assemblies reciprocate radially with respect to the carrier axis as a center. Each subassembly includes a radially extending support arm that mounts a radially extending mono rail which extends through guide bearing units on the carrier. The mandrel of each subassembly is mounted on an axis that is parallel to the rotational axis of the carrier. An eccentric type mounting is provided for the mandrel axle on the reciprocating arm so that there is an individually operated means to adjust spacing between the carrier rotational axis and the mandrel axis. Vacuum and pressurized air are fed selectively to each mandrel subassembly through a flexible hose having a single loop that is formed by curving virtually the entire length of the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Sequa Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Williams, Chester Chrobocinski
  • Patent number: 6167806
    Abstract: A control device for controlling the printing of at least one web of material in a rotary printing press from a control panel, including an interface system between an operator and individual components of the printing press, further includes an automatic page selector, a memory for storing therein information pertaining to the printing press, products to be printed, control parameters of the individual printing press components, and display parameters of printing process variables, an interrogator for interrogating the memory, and a monitoring/control system for passing on all data to the printing press in order to use a selected component and to modify a variable appertaining thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michel Chretinat, Henri Pollet
  • Patent number: 6167807
    Abstract: A fluid medium containing article for use in transferring an image onto a second article is provided. The fluid medium containing article includes a base and a fluid medium retaining pad positioned on the base. The base is generally in the shape of a terminal portion of a human extremity, such as a hand. A fluid medium is disposed on the pad. The user presses a hand onto the surface of the fluid retaining medium pad to form a thin layer of fluid medium on the surface of the hand and then presses the hand against a second object to transfer an image of the hand to the second article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Maggio
  • Patent number: 6167808
    Abstract: An initiator (10) comprises first and second coaxial terminals (70, 80) engageable by an electrical connector (40) to connect the terminals electrically with vehicle circuitry. Electrical insulation (100) electrically insulates between the first and second terminals (70, 80). The initiator (10) also comprises a spring (150) made of an electrically conductive material. The spring (150) has a first portion (156) electrically connected with the first terminal (70). The spring (150) has a first condition, when the first and second terminals (70, 80) are not connected with the electrical connector (40), in which a second portion (160) of the spring is in electrical contact with the second terminal, thereby shorting the initiator (10). The spring (150) has a third portion (162) which is engageable by the electrical connector (40) upon connection of the electrical connector with the first and second terminals (70, 80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent J. Mramor
  • Patent number: 6167809
    Abstract: An ultra-miniature, monolithic, mechanical safety and arming (S&A) device for projected munitions operates in accordance with a double interlock feature. Acceleration of the projected munition moves a delay slider into a final position, causing an arming slider and a safety interlock slider (in a first embodiment) or a command slider (in a second embodiment) to become partially disengaged. In the first embodiment, a command received by the safety interlock slider then moves it out of the way of the arming slider, thereby permitting the arming slider to move into its armed position. In the second embodiment, a command received by the command slider then moves it out of the way of the arming slider, thereby permitting the arming slider, under spring force, to move into its armed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Charles H. Robinson, Robert Wood
  • Patent number: 6167810
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved propellant system for firing projectiles in large caliber guns. Strips of energetic propellant are placed in the cartridge case so that the lengths of the strips are parallel to the length of the cartridge. Preferably, the strips are placed in a radially symmetric pattern. The strips provide passageways that allow ignition gasses to flow radially in the cartridge case and along the length of the cartridge case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: United Defense, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian J. Isle, Gerald L. Dittmann, Amir Chaboki, Steven R. Zelenak, Timothy W. Petersen