Patents Issued in January 16, 2001
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Patent number: 6173898Abstract: A memory card of the contactless type having a laminated card body of plastic material including a support sheet carrying a coupling antenna and an integrated circuit connected to the antenna. The integrated circuit has two contact pads resting directly on two conductive areas connected to the coupling antenna, and also rests on two compensation areas that are not connected. The integrated circuit and the support sheet are also associated mechanically with each other by an adhesive material disposed in the empty space defined by their respective facing faces.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Schlumberger SystemesInventor: Micka{umlaut over (e)}l Mande
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Patent number: 6173899Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for power and energy transfer for non-contact IC cards, which is capable to communicate with an external device such as a host terminal. The disclosed method and system give the possibility to combine inductive coupling for remote power and data transmission, and capacitive coupling while IC card is attached to terminal, in order to transfer a large amount of energy. The new in the art is that bidirectional data and energy transfer from a terminal into an IC card is performing at two different carrier frequencies of an energy-transmitting alternating field. Herein the remote data transmission and energy transfer into the IC card is provided at first, lowest, frequency, utilizing the inductive coupling between a terminal transmitting-receiving coil and a IC card transmitting-receiving coil.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventor: Alexander Rozin
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Patent number: 6173900Abstract: An object of the present invention is able to provide an IC card in which for example, even if a state should occur in which a plurality of IC cards are piled up in any direction for use, a received signal is not greatly lowered but a normal usage pattern is secured. When the IC cards are piled up with the contours united, a projection drawing of an antenna of one IC card to an antenna surface of the other IC card has an area not overlapped at least 15% or more of an area having an antenna to the other antenna surface on the projection surface and the IC card can work.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshigi, Takehiro Ookawa, Ryouzou Yoshino, Kimiaki Andou, Tadashi Oonishi, Koji Tsuru, Shin Kanno, Shigeru Date, Hisanobu Dobashi, Masahiro Sugiura
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Patent number: 6173901Abstract: The present invention includes a method for rapidly producing encoded, ink-jet printed cards. The method includes providing an encodable and printable card and providing an electronic database with stored data. The method also includes encoding and printing the card by concurrently transferring electronically data from the database to an encoder and to a printer. The data printed on the card is verified for accuracy with a verification mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Taylor CorporationInventor: Duncan McCannel
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Patent number: 6173902Abstract: A method and system for automatically controlling a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system of a vehicle in order to achieve thermal comfort of an occupant of the automotive vehicle receives a plurality of input signals representative of ambient temperature, sunload, and a set-point temperature. A desired amount of HVAC Work necessary to achieve thermal comfort is determined based on either a target temperature or a model of an occupant's thermal comfort. A controller controls the HVAC system based on the desired amount of HVAC Work.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael Bradley Bauer, Leighton Ira Davis, Jr.
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Patent number: 6173903Abstract: To regulate the temperature in the processing chamber of an incubator with a fault protection function, two temperature sensors are provided to measure actual temperatures or rather sensor signals, and they and their associated peripherals undergo a plausibility check during which the sensor signals may not exceed a specified difference. if the plausibility condition is met and if an error in the feedback control circuit, for example a permanently closed contact of the temperature stabilization actuator, should cause the temperature sensor signal value (actual value) to exceed or fall below a specified error tolerance band about a desired value, then control is transferred from a first feedback control circuit to a primary feedback control circuit with a controller/monitoring device.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Kendro Laboratory Products GmbHInventors: Helmut Loscher, Hubert Heeg
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Patent number: 6173904Abstract: An apparatus and system, preferably mounted on a service vehicle, provides synchronized application of fluid materials, either solid or liquid, to a vehicle travel surface in proportional amounts or spatially distributed proportions in response to user defined requirements and/or operation of a vehicle mounted component in response to conditions encountered in real time. A first embodiment is a vehicle mounted apparatus and system for coordinated application of a plurality of materials to a surface simultaneously and in desired proportions and/or widths automatically and/or selectively. A second embodiment includes a granular material distribution device and includes a plurality of liquid spray headers and pumping means.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventors: John A. Doherty, Charles A. Kalbfleisch
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Patent number: 6173905Abstract: A dispersion device for spreading liquid over heat transfer surfaces. A tube shaped central element has guide elements in its interior which extend out of the central element's bottom end pointing away from the longitudinal axis of the central element channeling and dividing liquid flow into a pattern of liquid trickles.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Raschig GmbHInventor: Michael Schultes
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Patent number: 6173906Abstract: A landscaping structure system for building landscaping structures on property to decorate around buildings and the like. The landscaping structure system includes a number of timber elements formed from plastic or the like that are interconnectable to for a desired structure. Some of the timber members include structural cavities and channels for the installation of landscaping elements such as sprinkler systems and ornamental lighting systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventor: John K. Von Kerens
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Patent number: 6173907Abstract: A dispenser (1) for a liquid product (P) containing a film-forming polymer in the form of fine droplets, includes a container (2) containing the product (P) and at least one propellant gas (G). A valve (15) for dispensing the product, mounted on the container (2), includes a body (24) provided with a first chamber (28a) and a second chamber (28b), intercommunicating via a passage (p), movable element (16) for actuating the valve (15) being provided for the dispensing of the product, the first chamber (28a) being provided with a first additional gas intake opening (d1), and a second opening (d2) for the intake of the product in permanent communication with this product, the second chamber (28b) at least partially formed of the actuating element (16). In this valve, the delivery rate during the dispensing of the product (P) is determined by the cross-section of the passage (p).Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: L'OrealInventor: Jean-Francois Benoist
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Patent number: 6173908Abstract: A foam generating nozzle is disclosed comprising a cylindrical housing, a first inlet at one end of the housing for connection to a supply of foamable liquid under pressure, a second inlet at the first end for air supply, a foam discharge outlet at the other end of the housing, a diffuser associated with the first inlet and a conical screen of a non-corrosive material disposed in said housing between the ends with its apex directed toward the discharge outlet, to provide a screen surface area larger than the inlet air supply area, such that in operation the foamable liquid is sprayed onto the screen by the diffuser in a pattern which matches the conical shape of the screen, while air is dragged through the screen thereby generating the foam.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Solicitor General actions through the Commissions RCMPInventors: John G. Bureaux, George Cowan
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Patent number: 6173909Abstract: A portable fire extinguishing nozzle arrangement has a nozzle head provided with fire extinguishing nozzles that may be connected to a supply pipe. A plurality of fire extinguishing nozzles are mutually spaced apart at the free front side of the nozzle head. When supplied with fire extinguishing fluid, each fire extinguishing nozzle generates a mist of fire extinguishing fluid. The fire extinguishing nozzles may be selectively supplied with fire extinguishing fluid individually and/or in groups through a valve combination.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Kamat-Pumpen GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Dirk Sprakel, Jan Sprakel, Jesper Lindenberg Olesen
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Patent number: 6173910Abstract: A press structure of washing head for kitchen cabinet, including a washing head main body, a pushing pin, a small water sealing washer, an adjusting/controlling valve, a large water sealing washer, a spring, a locking ring, a water sealing ring, a water injecting body, a screw, a decorative cap and a press lever. The main body is a tubular body and substantially V-shaped, having an upper water injecting section and a lower grip section. A two-step thread hole is disposed in the lower end of the grip section. An extending socket is disposed on upper side of the thread hole. A rear side of the middle section of the main body is formed with a press lever cavity. The upper side of front end of the press lever cavity is disposed with a projecting engaging tongue and a stopper tongue. A top end of the pushing pin is disposed with an arch projection. An upper section is formed with a shallow annular groove. A rear end is disposed with a small water sealing ring.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Chya Ye Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Her-Far Yean
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Patent number: 6173911Abstract: A water sprayer nozzle includes a barrel and a hand grip which is fastened at one end thereof with one end of the barrel and provided at other end thereof with a hose connector. The hand grip is provided therein with a water channel in communication with the barrel, and a receiving compartment in communication with the water channel. The hand grip is further provided with a water stopping member, an orientation push button, and a control push button for regulating the flow of water entering the water channel from the receiving compartment.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventor: Chao Hui-Chen
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Patent number: 6173912Abstract: In a plate valve, particularly a cone spray valve, the valve gap, or respectively, seal gap (6) which is present in the open condition is not designed with parallel faces, but with cross-sectional areas which remain the same given increasing radius. This approach applies to a set from the interior outward. The advantage consists in the avoidance of cavitation and in the achievement of a low closing force for sealing the valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Bernhard Gottlieb, Andreas Kappel, Randolf Mock, Bernhard Fischer, Hans Meixner, Jingming Jim Shen
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Patent number: 6173913Abstract: A fuel injector nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle defining a guide bore, a fuel pressurization chamber, a seat, and a nozzle orifice. A check valve member has an impact area and a guide portion. The guide portion slides within the guide bore to allow the check valve member to slide between an open position and a closed position. In the open position the fuel pressurization chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle orifice. In the closed position the impact area of the check valve member is pressing against the seat of the nozzle, and the check valve member is blocking fluid communication between the fuel pressurization chamber and the nozzle orifice. The check valve member comprises a ceramic material having a coefficient of thermal expansion &agr;>8×10−6/° C. when averaged over a temperature range of 0° C. to 300° C.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Rajan Tandon, Jayant B. Gondalia
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Patent number: 6173914Abstract: A valve includes an orifice disk element having at least two sheet metal layers lying in sandwich fashion against one another. The orifice disk element includes at least a base region with the opening geometry necessary for spray discharge of the medium, and a seat region with a valve seat surface, so that the valve seat and orifice disk function are combined in one metal laminate element. The valve is suitable in particular for use in fuel injection systems of mixture-compressing, spark-ignited internal combustion engines.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Wilhelm Hopf, Dieter Holz
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Patent number: 6173915Abstract: An electromagnetically operable fuel injector for a gaseous fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, the injector having a generally longitudinal axis, a ferromagnetic core, a magnetic coil at least partially surrounding the ferromagnetic core, and an armature magnetically coupled to the magnetic coil and being movably responsive to the magnetic coil. The armature actuates a valve closing element in the form of a valve needle which interacts with a fixed valve seat of a fuel valve and is being movable away from the fixed valve seat when the magnetic coil is excited. The armature has a generally elongated shape and a generally central opening for axial reception and passage of gaseous fuel from a fuel inlet connector positioned adjacent thereto. The fuel inlet connector and the armature are adapted to permit at least a first flow path of gaseous fuel between the armature and the magnetic coil as part of a path leading to the fuel valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Siemens Automotive CorporationInventors: James H. Cohen, James Paul Fochtman, Danny Orlen Wright
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Patent number: 6173916Abstract: A CO2 jet spray nozzle comprising multiple nozzle orifices for use in producing CO2 jet spray. The nozzle comprises a body, an elongated nozzle tube extending from the body having an axial hole therein, and an orifice disk disposed at the base of the nozzle tube in the axial hole. The orifice disk contains a plurality of orifices disposed therein that form a critical orifice and that is an integral part of the nozzle. The orifices may be drilled by means of a laser beam or electron discharge machining through the orifice disk. The orifice disk and nozzle tube are typically welded together to prevent leakage. By fabricating different nozzles in which the orifice size, orifice geometry (round, oval, or elongated slit), total orifice area, nozzle diameter and nozzle length is varied within a well defined matrix, any intensity of CO2 jet spray may be obtained. By varying the arrangement of the orifices, nozzle geometry, and nozzle length, different spray patterns may be provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Eco-Snow Systems, Inc.Inventor: Wilfried Krone-Schmidt
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Patent number: 6173917Abstract: A granular material spreader is adapted for towing behind a yard tractor. A frame upports an inverted cone which is sized to contain a supply of granular material for distribution. The bin sweep rod is carried adjacent to the inside surface of the cone, and turns a drive spring. The drive spring drives a helix, which rotates about the bin sweep rod, driving the granular material toward the narrow base of the cone. Should the helix become jammed, the drive spring snaps past the helix, rather than risk damage by forcing its movement. A bin sweep drive wheel is also driven by the revolution of the bin sweep. Movement of the wheel against the an upper portion of the outside surface of the cone moves the bin sweep rod and helix in a circular path about the inside surface of the cone. A valve at the base of the cone allows granular material to drop into a housing which defines slots about portions of its perimeter.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2000Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventor: David Whitell
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Patent number: 6173918Abstract: A veneer reeling apparatus for winding a veneer sheet around a freely rotatable take-up reel into a veneer roll. Veneer sheet is transferred by a plurality of spaced conveyer belts extending below the take-up reel. The take-up reel is removably supported by movable reel carriages for movement therewith toward and away from the conveyer belts. Each belts is urged toward the take-up reel to be kept in resiliently pressing contact with veneer roll for friction driving. There is provided a detector for monitoring an increment in diameter of the veneer roll during reeling operation and generating a signal in response to the detection of a predetermined amount of increment in the roll diameter and for detecting the force with which a roll member presses against the veneer roll and for generating a signal upon detection of a predetermined force in response to an increase in diameter of the veneer roll.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Meinan Machinery Works, Inc.Inventors: Masaru Koike, Yukinobu Kuno
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Patent number: 6173919Abstract: The invention relates to a device for attaching an aircraft engine onto a pylon fixed to a wing or a fuselage. The device comprises a fitting (26), fixed to the pylon (20) by bolts (34, 36), and at least two connecting arms (28, 30), linking the fitting to a structural component (22) of the engine. To allow the installation of engines with larger diameters while preserving the mechanical strength and without increasing aerodynamic disturbance, barrel nuts (38, 40) are put into position into which the bolts (34, 36) are screwed, and certain pins connecting the connecting arms (28, 30) to the fitting (26) are put into the same bores (42, 43) of the fitting.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale IndustrielleInventor: S{acute over (e)}bastien Le Blaye
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Patent number: 6173920Abstract: Very large aircraft landing gear using single mounted eight wheel bogie on dual shock struts. A primary or main two-stage shock absorber and a semi-articulating secondary or auxiliary single-stage shock absorber, each of which are mounted using the second and third axles as pivot joints in a four axle, eight wheel truck beam.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1997Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Michael J. Meneghetti
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Patent number: 6173921Abstract: Apparatus for providing privacy for seated airplane passengers also serves to provide support for passengers walking about the airplane cabin. In a first embodiment, the apparatus is positioned behind and adjacent to the seat. The apparatus includes a side wall that is aligned with the side of the seat along the cabin aisle, and a pedestal that is perpendicular to the aisle and which is mounted to the cabin floor. In a second embodiment, the apparatus includes a rear wall that is mounted to the pedestal in a manner perpendicular to the side wall and that is integrally connected to the side wall.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Yvette J. Neumann, William C. Quan
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Patent number: 6173922Abstract: A tether (FIG. 6) having the special technical feature of multiple primary load-bearing lines (601,603) and normally slack secondary lines (605, 603). These primary and secondary lines are connected together with knotless, slipless interconnections so the tether maintains high strength and some of the lines can be cut without failure of the tether when it is operated near the ultimate failure load of the material from which it is constructed. This tether can safely carry (FIG. 31) load hundreds of times longer than prior art tethers in harsh environments where a single-line tether experiences a substantial risk of failure. The specific industrial applications of an electrodynamic tether system to deorbit satellites and a low Earth orbit to lunar surface tether transport system are all part of the general innovative concept of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventors: Robert P. Hoyt, Robert L. Forward
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Patent number: 6173923Abstract: A spacecraft (10) having a main body portion (12) comprising a payload module (14), a bus module (16) and an antenna potion (17), a first solar wing (24) having a first side (30) and a second side (32), a second solar wing (26) having a first side (36) and a second side (38), a first battery pack (50) secured to the first solar wing and a second battery pack (52) secured to the second solar wing.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Hughes Electronics CorporationInventors: Cecilia A. Penera, James Perez, Jane R. Felland
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Patent number: 6173924Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a structural transition system for use between an aerodynamic lifting member and an aerodynamic control device attached thereto. The aerodynamic lifting member has an indenture formed therein which is defined by a first shoulder portion. The control device has a first end and is disposed within the indenture with the first end adjacent the first shoulder portion. The control device is sized and configured to rotate about a control device axis of rotation for deflecting the control device relative to the lifting member. The structural transition system is provided with a torque transfer element disposable between and in mechanical communication with the first shoulder portion and the first end. The torque transfer element is sized and configured to deform in response to deflection of the control device.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: Kendall Gardner Young, Steven Louis Pauletti
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Patent number: 6173925Abstract: A flexible skin-rib structure consists of fiber composite material for use in flow profiles with variable camber, especially airfoils or their components, in which a suction-side skin is connected with suction-side rib sections and a pressure-side skin is connected with pressure-side rib sections, with the respective suction-side and pressure-side rib sections being connected together by joints.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Dietmar Mueller, Helmut Schuermann
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Patent number: 6173926Abstract: A clamp device for clamping of at least one tube or the like to a support, comprising a base member (1) having at least one recess (4, 5) for receiving the tube (6) or the like, possibly a top plate (14) at the side of the base member facing away from the support (7), and at least one locking screw (8 resp. 9) carried through mutually aligned holes (15, 10, 11 resp. 16, 12, 13) in the top plate and the base member. The locking screw has a head (17 resp. 18) at one end and a nut (21 resp. 22) at the other end, for keeping the components of the clamp device together as an assembled unit without any loose parts, the head (17 resp. 18) of the screw being arranged to be carried through an elongated hole (19 resp. 20) in the support and locked thereto by tightening of the nut.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventor: Eilif Elvegaard
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Patent number: 6173927Abstract: A device which suspends a horizontal heat-exchanger tube from a vertical supporting tube, including a flat section member adapted to be welded to an outside wall of the vertical supporting tube and parallel to an axis thereof, the flat section member being provided with a rounded notch which receives a support piece adapted to accommodate the horizontal tube, wherein the tube-receiving support piece is a folded metal sheet that is folded to match a shape of the notch and adapted to surround a portion of an outside periphery of the tube, the support piece having a top end and a bottom end, each of the ends being folded over towards the flat section member so as to be welded thereto, and wherein a collar adapted to enclose the horizontal tube is fixed against the tube-receiving support piece.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Alston France S.A.Inventor: Gilbert Delsol
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Patent number: 6173928Abstract: A pump stabilizer stabilizes the position of the needle of a cylinder-type hand-held sport ball pump relative to the sport ball assuring that the needle is not bent or broken-off during the inflation pumping action, while permitting the pump cylinder to be held in one hand and the pump piston handle to be held in the other in typical fashion. The outer cylinder of the pump is fitted with a sliding peripheral ring. The needle end of the pump includes a mounting ring having three mounting tabs or brackets equilaterally spaced about the ring. Three legs are pivotably mounted on the sliding ring and secured to the mounting ring by hinged extensions, permitting the sliding ring to move along the axis of the cylinder and the legs to telescope in and out relative to the cylinder. When the needle is inserted in the orifice of the ball, the legs are telescoped down along the cylinder until they are in firm engagement with the ball. A locking device secures the assembly in place during the pumping action.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventor: Andrew Owen Coats
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Patent number: 6173929Abstract: This is a device to assist in the loading of a boat (canoe) onto the top of a vehicle by only one person. This device does not come into contact with any part of the vehicle. In this invention four legs are attached to the bottom lift tube base, thus supporting the lift tubes in the vertical position. The height of the stand is adjustable by placing the height adjust pin into the desired through hole. Once adjusted the rotary shaft is moved to its horizontal position, protruding out towards the side. Separately, the boat plate is firmly fixed to one end of the boat by the use of a strap and buckle. With the use of your hands, you rotate the boat on the ground to its side, then lift the boat until the connect pin falls into the hole on the rotary shaft. Once in, a clip is used to secure the boat plate to the stand. The user then moves to the side of the boat and lifts and rotates it upwards until the lock collar falls into its locking position. The boat is now firmly anchored in the top position.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventor: Robin LaPointe
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Patent number: 6173930Abstract: This invention is a telescoping window support which spans the width of the window to provide support for an air conditioner or the like. The support includes first and second halves which each comprise a plurality of fingers which engage one another in a sliding fashion for proper telescoping. Wedges may be selectively attached to level the support on the window sill.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
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Patent number: 6173931Abstract: A post cap and accessory assembly for pilings. Continued development resulted in refinements for accessory mounting and security, and improved adaptability of the caps to varying piling diameters and non-piling applications. Single accessory mounts afford greater ability to satisfy individual accessory needs and combination brackets broadly increase the mountability of accessories. An extension bracket provides side and top mounting positions beyond the original positions. A special electrical design permits electrical accessories mounted to a grooved base and wired to its electrical contacts to repetitively engage and disengage mating contacts for power hookup provided within a winged pedestal base so that the electrical accessories attached to the grooved base may be quickly attached or removed as desired while leaving the winged pedestal permanently installed. Easily operated wire locks are provided on all accessory mounts and are instantly released by fingertip force.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventors: Anderson F. Johnson, Jr., Michael L. Johnson, William E. Johnson
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Patent number: 6173932Abstract: A mounting device for use with a hand tying device to tie a bale of compressed material comprises a pair of elongated members positioned generally parallel to each other to form a generally planar body and legs extending from an end of the body, generally perpendicular to said body. Mounting feet depend from the legs and are configured to engage a generally horizontal surface of a bale to secure the body along a vertical surface of the bale. At least one standoff element extends from another end of the body and is configured for coupling to a hand tying device and orienting the hand tying device against the vertical surface of the bale when the body is secured to the bale.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: L&P Property Management CompanyInventor: James Poradzisz
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Patent number: 6173933Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removably mounting an electronic device to a surface and for positioning the device with respect to the surface. The apparatus includes a cradle securable to the electronic device and a pivot link, which has a first end and a second end. The first end being pivotally coupled to the cradle. The apparatus also includes a support having a mounting pedestal coupled thereto. The second end of the pivot link is pivotally coupled to the support. The apparatus has a base which has a lower face that can be coupled to the surface and an upper face. The upper face has a receiving slot for the pedestal, the slot having a shoulder extending thereabove to engage the pedestal. The slot further has an open end to allow the pedestal to be moved within the slot. The base further includes a releasable locking arm having a retaining ridge located in line with the open end of the slot to selectively hold the pedestal within the slot.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Garmin CorporationInventors: John B. Whiteside, David Laverick
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Patent number: 6173934Abstract: An improved connecting mechanism includes a rotary frame, a connecting seat, and a tightening device. The rotary frame is a substantially inverted U-shaped frame having frame wings on both sides provided with symmetrical wing holes. The connecting seat is a substantially curved structure having a front end seat and a rear end seat, the front end seat being disposed between the two frame wings and formed with a through front axial hole in a transverse direction. The front axial hole has two ends each of which is provided with a recess that is further communicated radially with a groove and a sector-like end recess. Springs are fitted into the recesses, respectively, such that a spring end at one end of each of the springs is inserted into the groove, with a spring coil extending from a spring post at the other end passing through one of the end recesses to connect to one of the frame wings. The tightening device includes a shaft passing through the two wing holes, the two springs, and the front axial hole.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventor: Chin-Chin Lin
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Patent number: 6173935Abstract: A mounting device for attaching a fan or similar electrical fixture to a cathedral ceiling either at the center of the ceiling or in a pitched section thereof during construction is described. The mounting device comprises; 1) a rectangular box having an open top, a closed bottom, at least two opposing extended side walls and at least one short side wall of about the same depth as; 2) an integral electrical outlet box having a center screw hole, forming a part of the closed bottom and having its open end approximately coplanar with the outer surface of the closed bottom. According to a first embodiment, the extended sidewalls are of a shape to fit the peak of a cathedral ceiling and the mounting device includes two opposing short sidewalls.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
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Patent number: 6173936Abstract: An adherable document support stand for removably mounting a document holder includes a support body fitted with a through receiving mortise. The support body is adherable at either side of a video display monitor and positions the through mortise in a forward facing direction. A document holder includes a copyholder, a dual ball and socket assembly, and an engageable support arm for mounting and securing the document holder on the support body. The support arm includes a frictionally engageable portion which is slidably received by an entry opening of the receiving mortise so that the document holder may be secured to the support body. The stand allows the copyholder to be slidably mounted or removed and, once mounted, to be extended or retracted by its user and to be adjusted laterally, vertically and universally with respect to its rotational position.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventor: David Hegarty
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Patent number: 6173937Abstract: Standard height wall form panels for poured concrete walls are extended with cap panels positioned on top thereof and secured thereto with cap clips which can be conveniently and easily installed and disassembled with the wall form panels. Furthermore, a spreader is used to maintain the spacing of the cap panels and provide a uniformly dimensioned concrete wall. Advantageously, the spreader in one embodiment allows a worker to pass a trowel there beneath to smooth out the top surface of the poured concrete wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Feather Lite Innovations, Inc.Inventor: Norman Cottongim
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Patent number: 6173938Abstract: A multi-speed slit valve apparatus and method of actuating a slit valve apparatus at least at two distinct speeds is provided. The slit valve apparatus includes a pneumatic cylinder 210 having a primary channel 254, 266 and auxiliary channel 258, 270 at each end, wherein the auxiliary channels 258, 270 have a cross sectional area smaller than that of the primary channels 254, 266. A piston 226 defining a front volume 240 and a back volume 242 is disposed in the cylinder 210 and is reciprocally actuated by a compressed fluid such as air. At a predetermined stage during the cylinder's out-stroke and in-stroke the primary channels 254, 266 become sealed from the front and back volumes 240, 242, respectively, such that during the remainder of the stroke the fluid is biased to exhaust through the auxiliary channels 258, 270.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventor: Robert McAndrew
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Patent number: 6173939Abstract: An electronic throttle control system having a housing 22 with a motor 40, throttle valve 60, gear mechanism 100, and failsafe mechanism 130. A spring member 150 attached between the housing 22 and a gear member 104 attached to the throttle valve shaft 62 biases the throttle plate 60 towards the closed position. A spring-biased plunger member 134 biases the throttle plate 60 from its closed position to a default or “limp-home” position.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James J. Dottavio, Mark Warner Semeyn, Edward Albert Bos, Mark Alan Saunders
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Patent number: 6173940Abstract: A valve ball physically configured to minimize rotational forces imparted to the ball by fluid pressure acting thereon in flow throttling positions of the ball. In part, the physical configurations that produce the desired effect include a hollowed out ball interior and recessed areas on the ball outer surface that allow fluid flow past the ball exterior when it is partly open.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Premier Farnell Corp.Inventors: Michael J. Kardohely, Adam Pintz
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Patent number: 6173941Abstract: A mobile vehicle service trailer provides a portable maintenance facility for motor vehicles (passenger cars, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, etc.) without need to transport the vehicle to a maintenance facility at a fixed location. The present trailer has rearwardly disposed wheels and laterally extendible ramps, enabling the trailer to be positioned laterally at the front or rear of the vehicle needing service and the vehicle to be positioned laterally across the trailer. This configuration provides for ease of loading and unloading the vehicle to and from the trailer in cramped parking situations, such as parking lots and garages, etc. The rear wheels of the trailer are pivotally mounted, allowing the trailer body to be lowered to the underlying surface for placement of a vehicle thereon.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2000Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventor: Paul Johnston
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Patent number: 6173942Abstract: Electric fences consist typically of branches, preferably running horizontally and vertically, connected to each other in the form of a network, with conductor branches made of a non-conducting material and provided with an electrical conductor or constructed directly as an electrical conductor. The conductor is connectable to the voltage conducting post of an electric fence device. In the prior art all horizontal branches are provided with an electrical conductor. This entails problems for the confinement efficacy, since in the case of fouling by growth encrustation, a large portion of the electrical energy can be lost or leak to the ground. To construct the electric fence in such a way that the loss or leakage of electrical energy into the ground is prevented as much as possible, only a few of the horizontal branches are constructed as conductor branches having relatively high electrical conductivity, and the other horizontal branches are constructed as non-conductor branches.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Horzont Geratewerk GmbHInventors: Wilhelm Weinreich, Robert M{umlaut over (u)}ller
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Patent number: 6173943Abstract: A guardrail includes an array of vehicle-deflecting rails secured to an array of posts extending along a roadway. An impact-receiving element is slidably mounted to the forward end of the array of rails, and this impact-receiving element includes a vehicle-engaging portion having a first frontal area that is substantially greater than a second frontal area characteristic of the first end of the array of rails. A column is interposed between a forward portion of the impact-receiving element and the first post to apply initial compressive forces in a collision directly to the first post.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: James B. Welch, Owen S. Denman
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Patent number: 6173944Abstract: A fence section comprising at least two elongated parallel hollow plastic fence rails having a series of registering apertures in opposing walls thereof to provide a series of picket receiving, passages therethrough spaced along and perpendicular to their length. A plurality of plastic pickets are inserted through the rail passages with the pickets in line along the length of the rails. Each picket has a passageway therethrough located within the rails. An elongated metal reinforcing and locking member is located within and slidable longitudinally of the rails to project through the aligned picket passageways to lock the pickets from removal from the rails while reinforcing the rails.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Royal Group Technologies LimitedInventor: Peter McCarthy
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Patent number: 6173945Abstract: The present invention includes an improved metal fence post for use with a wooden fence. The fence post has a U-shaped center section positioned between two flanges, and each of the flanges includes a plurality of holes extending along an edge. The fence post can be used as a line post, corner post or end post. Preferably, the thickness of the sides of the U-shaped center section is about the same as the thickness of the wooden fence rails so that the fence posts are positioned in-line with the fence rails. Advantageously, the fence posts allow the fence boards to be attached to either or both sides of the rails.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Master-Halco, Inc.Inventors: Michael Lindsey, Charlie Larsen, Jerry L. Short
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Patent number: 6173946Abstract: The invention relates to a system having an air spring flexible member (6) which is clamped between a cover plate (4) and a rolloff piston (10). The movement of the rolloff piston (10) is pregiven by a curved path (16). The rolloff piston (10) is curved with the curvature being at least segmentwise of the same orientation as the curvature of the curved path (16). Because of the curvature of the rolloff piston (10), a lateral offset of the flexible member (6) to the cover plate (4) can be substantially avoided when the rolloff piston (10) plunges into the flexible member (6). The formation of a rolling lobe (20) having a different width over its periphery is also avoided.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Continental AktiengesellschaftInventors: Stefan Wode, Gerhard Thurow, Bernhard Kirsten, Joachim Jeischik
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Patent number: 6173947Abstract: Apparatus for securing an automobile bumper during painting and repair. The apparatus includes a base support structure. A frame is coupled to the base support structure. A mechanism is provided for securing the bumper to the frame. Further, a mechanism is provided for adjusting the frame relative to the base support structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Innovative Tools & Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Bryan T. Johnson