Patents Issued in February 6, 2001
  • Patent number: 6182338
    Abstract: This invention provides a female-male engaging device with tapes having a flat shape and a good appearance, wherein a female engaging device and a male engaging device can be easily engaged and disengaged with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Hirokazu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6182339
    Abstract: A spreader for spreading a fabric having upper and lower sides, transversely spaced edges and longitudinally extending reenforcing cords spaced laterally across said fabric between said edges preparatory to treating the fabric in a calender, as the fabric moves in a given path to the calender. The spreader includes a mandrel having an outer generally cylindrical surface concentric with a rotational axis. The cylindrical surface has a helical groove having convolutions with a pitch generally equal to a desired cord distribution laterally of the fabric. The mandrel is rotatably mounted to a support structure such that the mandrel is positioned transverse to the fabric with the cylindrical surface of the mandrel aligned with the fabric path to be generally tangential to a side of the fabric as the fabric moves in the given path. A first motor positioned on the support structure rotates the mandrel about the axis at a given rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: North American Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Edward S. Orzel
  • Patent number: 6182340
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cofired multi-layer piezoelectric transformer device includes forming first and second green shapes of a sinterable ceramic composition and applying metallization layer therebetween. Upon cofiring, the composite structure comprises first and second electroactive members bonded together by a conductive layer therebetween. External electrodes are applied and the electroactive members are polarized in a thickness direction, between their two major faces. The first and second electroactive members are arranged such that deformation of one electroactive member results in corresponding deformation of the other electroactive member. The device provides substantial transformation ratios in which relatively high power may be transferred in relation to the size of the unit, operability over wide input and output frequency bandwidths, and electrical isolation of the input voltage and current from the output voltage and current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Face International Corp.
    Inventor: Richard Patten Bishop
  • Patent number: 6182341
    Abstract: A method for improving the coupling of an acoustic window or lens to a RFI shield by modifying the surface of the shield to promote adhesion. The surface of the shield can be chemically modified with an epoxy and/or mechanically modified by creating an unsmooth top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: Jim Talbot, Oren Shelley, Sevig Ayter, Marilou F. Camacho, John William Sliwa, Jr., Walter T. Wilser
  • Patent number: 6182342
    Abstract: A bi-layer encapsulation system for a planar acoustic wave device, e.g., a SAW device, employs a layer of controlled particles to contact the active surface of the SAW device, and another layer to lock the first layer in place. A back surface of the device is bonded to a supporting substrate, e.g., a ceramic backing. The particles may be glass microspheres of a nominal 50 micron size. A layer of microspheres cover the acoustically active area of the device. Then, an epoxy or other suitable potting material covers the glass microspheres and bonds to the device and to the supporting substrate. The glass spheres may be solid glass or balloon-like microspheres filled with nitrogen or another gas. A second layer of glass microspheres may be applied over the first layer and around the edges of the first layer. This layer may contain an appropriate B-stage epoxy or a commercially available syntactic foam material. A plurality of devices can be packaged and encapsulated together while in wafer form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Andersen Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond L. Sawin
  • Patent number: 6182343
    Abstract: A caulking tool (20) comprises mechanisms (24, 25, 26, 27) for temporarily securing the tool to a filter plate and a pivotally operable caulking body (29, 30, 31) which urges a caulking rope into a groove in the filter plate so as to capture a part of the filter cloth therein. This secures the filter cloth to the filter plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Scapa Group PLC
    Inventors: Robert Lawrence Haes, Hans Joachim Pipes
  • Patent number: 6182344
    Abstract: A bleacher seat cap installation tool is provided that has a first guide surface that slides along an edge of the seat board of the bleacher seat to be retrofit, and a second guide surface that guides a free end of a bleacher seat cap into position. The tool enables a single installer to install a bleacher seat cap quickly and easily, while avoiding injury or marring of the exterior surface of the bleacher seat cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Robert L. Holland
  • Patent number: 6182345
    Abstract: A gripping jaw assembly for a pull tool for setting pull type fasteners of a type which include a pin and collar and/or sleeve with the pin having a pull portion adapted to be gripped by a plurality of jaws in the jaw assembly with the jaws having a plurality of gripping teeth and with the jaws being movable in separate guide tracks and also supported in a manner whereby the jaws and their gripping teeth are maintained axially and radially in phase with each other and with the pull portion of the pin and with the jaw teeth of the separate jaws being maintained in phase with each other when gripping the pull portion of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Travis
  • Patent number: 6182346
    Abstract: A concrete form having a frame with a first pair of outer frame members and a second pair of outer frame members. The first pair of outer frame members are disposed perpendicular to the second pair of outer frame members so that the first and second pairs of outer frame members define a substantially rectangular shape. The concrete form has two inner frame members connected between two of the outer frame members, the inner frame members being spaced to define a rectangular bay area therebetween. The concrete form has a flat concrete-forming member fixed to the outer frame, and a support member with a pair of end portions and a middle portion disposed between the end portions. The support member is connected to the first and second inner frame members so that the middle portion of the support member is spaced from the concrete-forming member by a first distance and so that the end portions of the support member are spaced from the concrete-forming member by a second distance smaller than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Symons Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Flathau, Alan E. Soltysik, Robert A. Spindler
  • Patent number: 6182347
    Abstract: The present invention provides a disconnect tool with a pair of fixtures having a central tool aperture or bore. The fixtures of the tool are placed around a second fitting of a spring-lock® type connector of a tubular conduit or pipe to be disconnected along a tubular axis of the conduit. The fixtures also provide a cage aperture to receive a cage portion of a first fitting of the connector. A pair of annular projecting collars extend between the tool aperture and the cage apertures. A pair of handles each have a lever arm and a shaft that is rotationally retained in a cylindrical bore of a respective fixture. The shafts of the handles each have a cutout forming a prying surface exposed to the cage bore within the respective fixture. In a first operating mode the fixtures are displaced along the tubular axis so that the collars inter a chamber of the cage and contact a circular locking spring within the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Patent Consultants & Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Raymond Reed, Frederick Louis Grimm
  • Patent number: 6182348
    Abstract: A covering for a flower pot with a floral grouping disposed therein and extending a distance above an upper end of the flower pot wherein the flower pot has a lower end and an outer peripheral surface. The covering includes a sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer peripheral surface with a sheet extension connected to the outer peripheral surface of the sheet of material and extending a distance from the outer peripheral surface of the sheet of material. The sheet of material is formed about the flower pot to a position wherein the sheet of material extends about substantially the entire outer peripheral surface of the flower pot to provide a decorative covering and the sheet extension is formed about the floral grouping to a position wherein the sheet extension extends about a substantial portion of the floral grouping to provide a protective covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6182349
    Abstract: A method for producing a seamless metallic belt without a welded line and capable of being easily produced in high accuracy. A seamless belt material 21 having a defined length as a whole is placed on a core 11 and is held in a stretching state on the core 11 thermally expanded by heating, and further, in the above state, an outer circumference of the belt material 21 is cut to a predetermined thickness. The seamless metallic belt 20 is obtained by removing after the core 11 is cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouzaburo Matsuzawa, Atsushi Fujii, Akira Funaki
  • Patent number: 6182350
    Abstract: An electric motor for driving a piston pump assembled thereto is disclosed wherein a load from the piston pump acts radially on an armature shaft of the electric motor. The electric motor is assembled such that the outer ring of a yoke bearing is connected to a yoke, and the outer ring of a first pump housing bearing is press fit to a pump housing. One end of the armature shaft is press fit to the yoke bearing inner ring, and the other end of the armature shaft is press fit to the first pump housing bearing inner ring. Thus, wobbling of the armature shaft in the axial and radial directions is minimized or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Iwata, Hiroshi Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 6182351
    Abstract: The inventive method for producing a superconductor is accomplished by longitudinally pulling a metal pipe having a cavity filled with a metal oxide mixture in polycrystalline powder to reduce the outer diameter of the pipe, sintering the metal oxide mixture to form a workpiece, and progressively flattening the workpiece in a succession of pressings. The flattening step is conducted with a pair of coordinately operated clamping jaws, each of which having a work surface which is curvilinear with distinct opposite ends. The clamping jaws are mounted to hinged brackets connected by eccentric arms to rotatable shafts arranged for providing power transmission to the clamping jaws such that, during each of the pressings, each eccentric arm extends at an angle to a respective hinged bracket which is approximately 0° or approximately 180° when power transmission to the workpiece is maximal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: NKT Research Center A/S
    Inventors: Qi Li, Kristian Brok, Torsten Freltoft, Leif Dalum
  • Patent number: 6182352
    Abstract: An EAS marker and method of manufacturing same. In a preferred embodiment, the EAS marker comprises a rigid bottom piece of molded plastic having the shape of an open rectangular box. An elongated resonator is disposed in the bottom piece, the resonator being bowed downwardly about its longitudinal axis. A rigid separator of molded plastic is positioned over the open top of the bottom piece, thereby loosely encasing the resonator in the bottom piece. The foregoing bottom piece, resonator and separator are all positioned within the cavity of a rigid top piece of molded plastic having the shape of an inverted open rectangular box, the separator being press-fit against the interior surface of the top wall of the top piece, the bottom piece being press-fit against the interior surfaces of the side walls and end walls of the top piece. The top wall of the top piece is provided with a recessed area in which a biasing element is disposed, the biasing element being retained in the recessed area by the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Deschenes, Charles K. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 6182353
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tool for swaging a bearing into an opening in a bearing housing, which apparatus is operable in confined spaces, such as in an aircraft application. The tool has a threaded elongated member or bolt that extends through the bore of the bearing. The tool also has a roller fixture assembly adapted to be positioned on one side of the bearing and positioned on one end of the elongated member. The roller fixture assembly has a number of rollers and a roller fixture shell that supports the rollers for engagement with the bearing to swage the bearing against the bearing housing. The bearing swaging tool also has a locating fixture assembly adapted to be positioned on the opposite side of the bearing from the roller fixture assembly. The locating fixture assembly is supported on the other end of the elongated member and includes a locating fixture with a first side adapted to be positioned against the bearing and bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Rexnord Corporation
    Inventors: Mark R. Grunze, Robert E. Franzen
  • Patent number: 6182354
    Abstract: A power boiler tube removal tool assembly is provided with co-operating shear block cavity, shear blade, and anvil elements that function to shear and inwardly bend gap metal in a boiler tube flared-end segment to thereby facilitate subsequent boiler tube flared-end segment peeling, crushing, and withdrawal steps that complete tube end removal from retention within a boiler drum wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Cutting Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Bruce V. Weeks
  • Patent number: 6182355
    Abstract: A placement apparatus for co-planar placement of a tool on a component carrier using a rotational placement arm in which the tool is moved between the base or loading position of the placement arm and the near-placement position substantially on a circular path, and in which the tool is moved linearly between the near-placement position and the placement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Hubert Zach
  • Patent number: 6182356
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading solder balls into a mold. Solder balls are loaded into a reservoir having multiple exit ports. A removable mold is fitted into the apparatus and the reservoir is passed across the top of the mold while solder balls are fed into cavities in the mold. After the reservoir has advanced across the mold and the mold cavities are filled with solder balls, the reservoir is reset as a roller is simultaneously guided across the mold to seat the solder balls firmly within the mold. Alternatively, the roller may be applied to the solder balls while the reservoir advances across the mold, or both as the the reservoir is advanced and when it is returned to its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Lannie R. Bolde
  • Patent number: 6182357
    Abstract: A manufacturing method and apparatus for dicing printed circuit boards is disclosed that permits PCB's to be manufactured with greater component density and cut less expensively. The disclosed method includes forming a raw substrate to include conductive traces, mounting components on the substrate, testing the PCB and then cutting off the waste edges. The PCB can be formed and tested with components mounted on one or both sides of the PCB, and the waste edges can be cut off even with components mounted on both sides of the board. A workpiece fixture is provided that includes a recessed cavity into which PCB components extend. Double-sided boards can be cut using the disclosed workpiece fixture. The cavity includes a vacuum hole through which suction is provided to hold the PCB in place during cutting. Additional vacuum holes preferably are provided to hold the wings in place after they are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Intermedics Inc.
    Inventors: Philip H. Chen, John C. Munson, Timothy M. Gadd
  • Patent number: 6182358
    Abstract: A process is provided in which an initial substrate has a ceramic layer with metal layers on either side. At least one of the metal layers projects above one edge of the ceramic layer. The projecting sub-area is deformed so that the metal layer on the edge is disposed a distance from the surface of the ceramic layer, and along the edge in one border area with a stipulated width is separated from the ceramic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Jurgen Schulz-Harder
  • Patent number: 6182359
    Abstract: A printed circuit manufacturing process includes starting with a piece of conductive material such as copper. One side of the conductive material is chemically machined or cut to form grooves corresponding to the desired design of the printed circuit. A dielectric material is then injection molded onto the conductive material so that the dielectric material fills the grooves that have been formed in one side of the conductive material. The opposite side of the conductive material is then subjected to a process to form the grooves that correspond to the desired printed circuit design. The grooves formed during this latter step preferably are coincident with those formed in a previous machining step. In one embodiment, more than one assembly of dielectric and conductive material are adhered together to form a double faced circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodolfo Krobel Nieto
  • Patent number: 6182360
    Abstract: A method of producing and stacking components from individual layers which are punched, cut or the like out of a hardened material strip. According to the method, layers are removed from a hardened material strip, the removed layers are pressed back into the material strip and pressed out of the latter in a subsequent station (ii). They are then inserted into a stack magazine in which the individual layers are centered and assembled to form a component, the component then being removed from the stack magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Feintool International Holding AG
    Inventor: Johannes Haack
  • Patent number: 6182361
    Abstract: A method for making a lightweight composite camshaft, includes the steps of providing at least one lightweight cam element having a lobed outer surface and a hub with a cylindrical bore, at least a portion of the hub not being radially occluded by the outer surface; providing at least one lightweight journal element having a cylindrical outer surface and a hub with a cylindrical bore, at least a portion of the hub not being radially occluded by said outer surface; providing a hollow cylindrical tubular shaft member having a diameter sized to form a snug sliding fit in the hubs of the cam element and the journal element; positioning the cam and journal elements on the shaft in required axial and radial orientations; and applying means, on the hub of each element and that portion of the shaft which is in registry with the hub, for establishing a permanent interlock to fix each element in its required axial and radial orientation on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Allan D. Cox, Giovanni C. Albini, Robert E. Schomburg, William A. Gordon
  • Patent number: 6182362
    Abstract: A method is described for manufacturing a multi-component camshaft assembly having an internal mechanism for enabling relative angular movement of individual cams of the assembly. In the invention, the cam surfaces are machined after the individual components of the camshaft assembly have been assembled to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mechadyne PLC
    Inventor: Timothy Mark Lancefield
  • Patent number: 6182363
    Abstract: A method of making a valve (62) that has a poppet valve member (100) biased by a spring (110) toward a closed position against a poppet valve seat (90). The spring acts between the poppet valve member and a spring seat (120) and applies a predetermined force to the poppet valve member. The method comprises the steps of providing a valve housing (70) having a chamber (72); inserting into the chamber in sequential order the poppet valve seat (90), the poppet valve member (100), the spring (110), and the spring seat (120); applying a force to the spring seat to compress the spring a predetermined amount; and securing the poppet valve seat and the spring seat to the housing (70) while maintaining the spring compressed the predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick D. Venable
  • Patent number: 6182364
    Abstract: A stock carton knife including a handle and a blade projecting from the handle and having two lateral edges and an outer end. The blade has a lateral cutting notch in one of the lateral edges, the cutting notch having a laterally oriented mouth including an inner edge closer to the handle and an outer edge farther from the handle. The outer edge converges with the outer end to form a juncture. The juncture has a configuration which includes at least one lateral recess. The safety carton knife further includes a blunt knob bonded on the juncture by a bonding material which is in the least one recess, thereby securing the knob to the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas P. Reyburn
  • Patent number: 6182365
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a skin engaging member for use in a razor blade cartridge assembly or shaving systems of the wet shave type comprising an elongated flexible sheath region and at least one elongated, rigid core region. The core region is surrounded by the sheath such that the outer surface of the core does not intersect the outer surface of the sheath. Generally, the core or cores extend axially throughout the sheath and provide sufficient mechanical strength and rigidity to provide adequate mechanical strength and rigidity to provide adequate mechanical strength to the entire skin engaging member, as initially produced, during the shaving operation and after a significant amount of shaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Mingchih M. Tseng, Philip J. Sweeney, Alfred Porcaro, Domenic Apprille
  • Patent number: 6182366
    Abstract: A flexible razor cartridge and assembly are provided. The razor cartridge includes at least one longitudinally arranged flexible beam biased to facilitate a flexed cartridge to return to its at rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventor: Paul Richard
  • Patent number: 6182367
    Abstract: Power-driven work tool including a shank (2, 3), a drive motor (4), and a working tool (1) driven by the motor. The working tool is rotatable around at least one axis perpendicular to the shank by a controller (8). The controller is attached to the shank and connected to the working tool or a bracket thereof by a wire or rod (10), which transmits pulling or pushing force. The motor (4) is at one end of the shank (2, 3) and adapted to drive the working tool (1) provided at the other end of the shank via a drive shaft extending through the shank. The shank is provided at the end thereof connected to the working tool with a hinge (6) for angular movement of the working means, and the drive shaft provided in the shank (2, 3) is connected to the working tool via a flexible shaft extending through the hinge (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Jerzy Janczak
  • Patent number: 6182368
    Abstract: A can opener includes an elongate body, a lever hinged to the body for relative pivotal movement about a horizontal axis between open and closed positions, and a turning knob at a front end of the body. The can opener includes a traction wheel supported for rotation by the turning knob, turning a can, a rotary cutting disk rotatable by the knob for opening the can while the can is being turned, and a mounting plate rotatably supporting the cutting disk. The mounting plate is movable by the lever to slide linearly between a rearward position corresponding to the open position in which the cutting disk is spaced from the traction wheel and a forward position corresponding to the closed position in which the cutting disk is close to the traction wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ki Mee Kitchenware, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwok Kuen So
  • Patent number: 6182369
    Abstract: A pattern forming apparatus comprising a sample base for positioning a sample on the base and moving a drawing position of the sample, a position measuring unit for measuring a position of the sample base, a correcting unit for mutually independently correcting drawing positions at those respective areas into which a whole drawing section of the sample is divided, the drawing position being calculated by the position measuring unit at the respective area, and a drawing unit for drawing a pattern on the sample on the basis of the position of the sample base measured by the position measuring unit and drawing position of the respective area corrected by the correcting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ryoichi Hirano, Shusuke Yoshitake, Kazuto Matsuki, Toru Tojo
  • Patent number: 6182370
    Abstract: A manually operated angle pickup or detector has a rotatably mounted and manually movable transmitter element, a sensor that scans the transmitter element and a detent coupling that operates magnetically and in a contactless manner to maintain the transmitter element in defined angular positions which can change from one to another by manual operation. The detent coupling includes at least one permanent magnet with poles disposed in the axial direction and two toothed disks provided on the side of at least one pole of the permanent magnet. The two toothed disks are radially spaced and have a corresponding number of teeth. The disks are interconnected by the magnetic flux and are of a material with good conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Euchner GmbH and Co.
    Inventors: Jan Baur, Walter Link
  • Patent number: 6182371
    Abstract: The present invention provides a router guide apparatus having a securing means for securing the apparatus to the sides or edges of boards and panels, and particularly the sides or edges of doors and windows. The apparatus comprises a working platform; securing means for securing the working platform to a workpiece with the working platform mounted on the securing means; an aperture for a router bit to extend through the working platform; and a fence means on the working platform for guiding the base of the router.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Roger R. Newman
  • Patent number: 6182372
    Abstract: A distance interpolator incorporated into a total station and a method for digitally interpolating a distance measurement from the total station to a target, such that the distance interpolator measures the distance from the total station to the target using primarily digital electronics and statistical analysis. In one embodiment, the total station transmits an energy pulse from the electronic distance measuring portion of the total station, with the energy pulse directed at the target. This embodiment then receives at the electronic distance measuring portion the energy pulse reflected from the target. This embodiment also contains a reference oscillator and digital counter, which counts the number of reference oscillator clock pulses that elapse from the time the energy pulse is transmitted to the time the reflection of the energy pulse is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Robert Lamm
  • Patent number: 6182373
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting baseboard molding to join two adjacent pieces in an inside comer provides a plate constructed with at least one patterned cutting edge having a contour which conforms to the front face of a baseboard molding. A plate support is adapted to carry the plate, and is in turn itself carried by a clamping apparatus of known type which typically combines features of a vise and a table. The baseboard molding to be cut is carried adjacent to the plate support within the clamping apparatus. Upper and lower angle boards may be used to support the baseboard molding to be cut at a slight angle from perpendicular to the blade making the cut, in a manner that allows a slight bevel to be made in the cut. A cutting device such as a router is then traced along the patterned cutting edge, thereby cutting off an end of a first piece of baseboard molding in a contour which corresponds to the face of a second piece of baseboard molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Veldman
  • Patent number: 6182374
    Abstract: A drying machine includes a rectangular housing, a plurality of tubular heater spacedly disposed on lower portion of the housing, a plurality of seasoning containers releasibly disposed above the tubular heaters, a plurality of electrical fans rotatably disposed above the seasoning containers and uniformly operated by a motor on the top of the housing and a heat exchanger on the top of the housing to form a hot air circulation to dry meat inside the housing. The housing farther includes a plurality of controllable air vents, a plurality of visual windows and a control panel which controls the operation of the elements to be worked in high quality control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Chin-Pei Yen
  • Patent number: 6182375
    Abstract: A continuous process for the dewatering of a wide variety of solid-liquid matrices, including primary and secondary sludge, involves the simultaneous application of pressure and heat to the solid-liquid matrices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Institute of Paper Science and Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Sujit Banerjee
  • Patent number: 6182376
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for capturing, heating and degassing a wafer without using moving parts and without exposing the wafer to external stress. A degassing chamber is backfilled with a dry gas that improves wafer heating ramp rates and wafer heating uniformity. The backfilled gas efficiently conducts heat at relatively low pressures. Thus the degassing chamber may be evacuated via a cryo-pump without the need for an intermediate rough pumping step. Further, because the wafer is heated primarily by conduction, wafer temperatures are easily and precisely controlled independent of layers previously deposited on the wafer. Frontside heating elements such as heat generators and/or heat reflectors are provided that further improve wafer heating ramp rates and wafer heating uniformity by directing heat toward the front surface of the wafer. Preferably as heat radiates from the wafer it is reflected back to the wafer by a frontside reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ho Seon Shin, Dan Marohl
  • Patent number: 6182377
    Abstract: A dive boot for wearing with swim fins and having a felt sole to prevent slipping on underwater objects when entering the water without the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Mark Toensing
  • Patent number: 6182378
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device for converting physiologically derived energy to electric energy while walking in a form a low profile pneumatic electric power generator that is adapted for integration in a midsole of a shoe, to generate power as the wearer walks. The pneumatic electric generator in one embodiment, comprise a stator in a form of a closed loop passageway with inlet ports for compressed air and outlet ports for the exhaust. The generator rotor consists of plurality of freely movable, mechanically unrestrained but magnetically coupled segments. The pneumatic generator is based on reciprocating air hammer action. Also a pneumatic oscillator, consisting of a shuttle valve, pinholes, and two air chambers of different volumes, which is used create a pulsating compressed airflow for the reciprocating air hammer action is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Musoke H. Sendaula
  • Patent number: 6182379
    Abstract: An adjustable depth traction device for an athletic shoe which allows the shoe to be easily adapted to various terrains and course requirements. The present invention provides a traction device for an athletic shoe, typically a golf shoe, comprised of a base portion having a first length protrusion, and a second insert portion adapted to be attached to the first portion wherein the second insert portion has a length substantially greater than the first portion. Therefore, if the terrain warrants use of a long traction device and the course being played allows for use of such a device, the insert can be attached to the base portion. However, if the course does not allow use of such a long traction device, the insert can be easily and quickly removed from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Steven R. Savage
  • Patent number: 6182380
    Abstract: A demi pointe equalizer, exerciser, and tensioning device that is a small pad in the general shape of a common big toe. The equalizer pad extends from the tip of the big toe to a point behind the metatarsal parabola. The equalizer pad is designed to support only the big toe. The support system is also designed to be applied in layers, so that correction can be built up slowly, as needed. By using layers of equalizer pads, the ideal thickness of pad can be achieved. This equalizer pad may be attached directly to the bottom of the big toe, or to the sole of a shoe, slipper, sock, sandal, or to an insole to form a system. The pad or system may be constructed from a variety of materials that are matched to a particular activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Paul Liley
  • Patent number: 6182381
    Abstract: A sole of a baseball spiked shoe has a toe portion projection, a first metatarsal head projection, a stepping portion projection, and a fifth metatarsal head projection provided at a fore foot portion at the bottom plane of the shoe sole, and a heel medial projection, a heel anterior projection, a heel posterior projection, and a heel lateral projection provided at the heel portion. Each projection is provided at an appropriate angle with respect to the longitudinal line of the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mizuno Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Kaneko, Makoto Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 6182382
    Abstract: A boot leg opening cover attachment for attachment to a pair of boots to cover the upper leg openings of the boots to prevent precipitation and debris from entering the boots. The boot leg opening cover attachment includes a pair of cover members each having upper and lower faces and a lower perimeter edge. Each of the cover members is designed for position over a boot leg opening of an associated boot to cover the respective boot leg opening. A clip connects the lower perimeter side edges of the cover members together. The clip is designed for attachment to adjacent portions of the boots to attach the cover members to the boots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Lee M. Skinner
  • Patent number: 6182383
    Abstract: A snow blower converter kit is provided for use with a snow blower. Such kit includes a mulcher blade and a squirrel cage adapted for being removably mounted on a drive shaft of the snow blower in concentric relationship between the conduit and the tines of the snow blower. Also included is a cover adapted for being removably mounted on the shield with a slot formed in a lower portion thereof for accepting leaves and the like therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Robert E. Reed, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6182384
    Abstract: A tiltable bucket assembly having a working edge on the leading end of the bucket and a forward extending extension arms, a pair of support arms, a pair of first wheels, a pair of second wheels, a pair of bucket-rotational members, a bucket-pivoting member, a bucket-linking arm, and a displacement body having an output shaft disposed therein. The support arms are connected at one end to each corresponding first wheel and extend forward from the corresponding first wheel. The extension arms are connected to the support arms at a point away from the first wheels. The bucket-rotational members are attached at one end to the bucket at a point away from the working edge. The other end of the bucket-rotational members are linked to the corresponding first wheels so that vertical displacement of the first wheels result in a substantially equivalent vertical displacement of the other end of the bucket-rotational members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Martin Gaspard
  • Patent number: 6182385
    Abstract: A rock and material loading system that is removably attachable to a loader bucket for loading material such as rocks into the loader bucket. The inventive device includes a pair of brackets attached to the upper rear portion of a loader bucket, a pair of lower jaws attached to the brackets, a pair of upper jaws pivotally attached to the lower jaws, an upper shaft securable within the jaws, a pair of side arms pivotally extending from the upper shaft, a lower shaft rotatably attached to the distal ends of the side arms, a plurality of teeth attached to the lower shaft, a pair of leverage arms attached to the lower shaft, and a pair of hydraulic cylinders attached to the upper shaft and to the leverage arms for manipulating the teeth. The user manipulates the hydraulics after engaging an object such as a rock for loading the rock into the conventional loader bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ken's Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth O. Knutson
  • Patent number: 6182386
    Abstract: A sign is provided having a rear plate (2) having at least two printed messages (5,6) and a front plate (3) arranged movably in front of the rear plate (2). The front plate (3) is arranged such that in its starting position it covers all the messages (5,6) on the rear plate (2), and that, by movement, it may be caused to expose at least one of the messages (5,6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: A/S Modulex
    Inventor: Kaj Clausen Nielsen
  • Patent number: 6182387
    Abstract: A menu board system comprising a support structure, made of magnetically attractable material, and various strips indicating, for instance, products sold and magnetic elements indicating prices at which products are sold. Once all the elements and strips are in place on the support structure, the front surface of the menu board seems flat and continuous as all pieces are cut to fit perfectly in an edge-to-edge pattern. The price elements are easily removed by simply pressing an element's bottom portion allowing the top portion to lift off the support structure. The ease of removal is caused by a magnet fixed only to the top portion of the back surface of the price element. The bottom edge of the magnet acts as a fulcrum point and the back surface of the element left uncovered is simply pushed into the support structure, permitting the top portion of the element to be grasped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Enseignes Imperial Signs Ltee/Ltd.
    Inventor: Eloi Duguay