Patents Issued in February 13, 2001
  • Patent number: 6186278
    Abstract: A bearing grease fitting for directing grease into an interior portion of a wheel hub. The bearing grease fitting is an integral piece having a protrusion with a nippled end. The grease fitting has a first portion, which seats within a wheel hub. Grease is transferred from a grease gun through the protrusion to an interior portion of a wheel, such as an axle. A bearing grease fitting assembly consists of the grease fitting together with the wheel hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Al Borling
  • Patent number: 6186279
    Abstract: A low-rise vehicle lift for use above a pit having side rails rising above a working surface. The vehicle lift comprises a pair of spaced apart base units coupled to corresponding vehicle support units through a lifting means. The lifting means can be a set of legs in either a parallel or scissor configuration. The base units are typically placed parallel to one another straddling the pit and side rails, the base units and vehicle support units coupled together by an adjustment bar. The adjustment bar is attached to the vehicle support units such that a space is provided for allowing the side rails to freely move within when the lift is in a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventors: Ron Darrell Blocker, Mark McMullen
  • Patent number: 6186280
    Abstract: A vehicle lift assembly prevents accidental slippage of a vehicle therefrom. The vehicle lift assembly comprises a plurality of vertically disposed posts and a runway slidably coupled to the plurality of vertical posts. A hoist system supplies the force necessary for elevating the runway along the plurality of posts. A sensor arrangement detects whether the runway has tilted beyond a predetermined angular displacement. A lift control circuit controls the hoist system to elevate the runway selectively in a prescribed direction, and suspends operation of the hoist system, when necessary, to prevent the vehicle from accidentally sliding off the runway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Snap-On Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald A. Healy
  • Patent number: 6186281
    Abstract: An elevator overspeed system designed to work as a governor includes a first switch responsive to an overspeed condition and a second, remotely located switch responsive to said first switch. An overspeed elevator control procedure is initiated when one of the first or second switches are tripped. The first switch is automatically re-set after the second switch is tripped. The second switch is manually re-set to re-start the elevator system in normal operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Chris Pietrzykowski, Gerard Sirigu, Richard N. Fargo, Randy G. Henley, Helmut Schröder-Brumloop, Gurumurthi Ravishankar
  • Patent number: 6186282
    Abstract: A balanced braking system to be used on a bicycle with a front brake and a rear brake, the balanced braking system comprising: a connecting unit, having a driving element, which is driven by the primary cables and carries a contact element; and a secondary cable, having two ends that connect the front and rear brakes and a middle part that runs over the contact element with little friction, revolving the contact element or gliding thereon. When the primary cables are pulled on, the secondary cable is moved aside by the driving element, in turn pulling on the front and rear brakes. Any different forces on the front brake and the rear brake are compensated by the secondary cable. Two guiding elements lead the secondary cable to the contact element from two sides, such that wear on the secondary cable is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Chih-Chen Juan
  • Patent number: 6186283
    Abstract: An anchor system for stabilizing a vehicle during a pulling operation, such as with a winch or a come-along, has a wheel or track stop with a tether that attaches to a frame member, such as a bumper, of the pulling vehicle. The wheel or track of the vehicle rides over the stop, past center, and is prevented from further rolling by the tether. The forces on the vehicle are concentrated on a front edge of the stop, effectively anchoring the vehicle, which tends to rotate about the front edge as a fulcrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Central Coast Patent Agency
    Inventor: Ernest P. Luker
  • Patent number: 6186284
    Abstract: A fluid parking brake for a rail vehicle having a brake cylinder with a first piston responsive to fluid signals to apply and release the brakes on the vehicle. The parking brake includes a housing having a second piston in the housing and which is coupled to the first piston. An apply port in the housing receives a pressure signal to move the second piston to an apply position. A detent is provided for provided for holding the second piston in the applied position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Sauter, Gayle J. Thelen
  • Patent number: 6186285
    Abstract: A brake arrangement for a vehicle adapted for connection to an axle end. The brake arrangement includes a rotor disc adapted, in use, to rotate with the axle end and a stationary housing enclosing the rotor disc with one or more seals. A substantially sealed zone is provided within at least part of the stationary housing such that at least a braking effect region of the rotor disc, in use, passes through the substantially sealed zone. At least one friction pad is located adjacent a braking surface of the rotor disc in the braking effect region so as to operationally engage the braking surface during a vehicle braking operation. The stationary housing contains a liquid medium within at least the substantially sealed zone, the brake arrangement being characterized in that the liquid medium has a viscosity of less than 7 centistokes mm2/sec at 100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Brake Technologies Pty., Ltd.
    Inventor: Francis Edward Parsons
  • Patent number: 6186286
    Abstract: A braking device for wheels of vehicles such as trailers includes a caliper in which brake linings are guided. Between these linings, at least one brake disk is displaceably held on driving toothing of a wheel hub. A pneumatically operable mechanical adjusting device interacts with the brake linings. The braking device includes at least one brake disk in a caliper which is fixed. On one end, the caliper is connected by a fastening element with an axle element of the vehicle. On the caliper, an enclosing housing for bearing the adjusting device is held. By way of a bearing plate, the adjusting device is also supported on the caliper. Pressure pistons of the device are guided by a one-part yoke in a jointly axially adjustable manner and can be acted upon by pressure with respect to the brake linings and the brake disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Harald Häussler, Helmut Pietsch, Roland Martin, Carsten-Jörg Mertens, Artur Grunwald, Thomas Klaas, Michael Pehle, Reinhold Pittius
  • Patent number: 6186287
    Abstract: A caliper disk brake for steel mill cranes includes a pair of armatures having an electromagnetic coil and a spring interposed between them to operate in a clamshell fashion. The spring urges the armatures apart, while actuation of the coil urges the armatures together. Each of a pair of caliper arms is pivotally connected to a respective one of the armatures at one end thereof, and has a pressure plate pivotally maintained at an opposite end. The pressure plates are maintained in juxtaposition to wear pads which are axially movable in apertures maintained in a pair of stationary plates. A disk, adapted for interconnection with the shaft of a steel mill crane hoist motor is positioned between the plates and wear pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Power Transmission Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Heidenreich, Thomas L. Richards
  • Patent number: 6186288
    Abstract: A disc brake which can suppress pad vibration includes an outer pad which while contacting the disc rotor is turned such that the side wall of a guide groove in a support arm on the outer peripheral side abuts with the side face of a projecting section on the outer peripheral side of the pad. A pad support is positioned between the guide groove and the projecting section. The pad support includes a supporting portion, an urging portion and a connecting portion. A projection is provided in the region a little to the bottom of the guide groove on the side face of the projecting section on the outer peripheral side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruhisa Baba, Yuichi Takeo, Makoto Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6186289
    Abstract: A disc brake includes a carrier with an inner beam secured to a knuckle, a pair of in board and outboard brake pad assemblies located on opposite sides of a rotor and slideably supported on the carrier, and a caliper extending over the periphery of the rotor and axially moved to urge the in board and outboard brake pad assemblies into frictional engagement with the opposite sides of the rotor. The carrier is constructed so that the difference in natural frequency between a bending mode and a torsion mode is at least 300 Hz. The carrier has a moment of inertia of area/polar moment of inertia of area ratio of at least 0.75.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Tokico Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Takano, Youichi Kumemura, Hideaki Ishii
  • Patent number: 6186290
    Abstract: A magnetorheological brake includes an outer, rotating flywheel member having a hollow interior space, and an inner fixed member disposed in the hollow interior space. The inner fixed member is sized so that a working space is provide between the surfaces of the fixed member and the inner wall of the rotating member. A controllable medium of magnetically permeable metal particles is disposed in the working space. A field generator is mounted in the interior space to the fixed member to selectably generate a field acting on the outer and inner members and the controllable medium in the working space. The rheology change in the medium produced by the field generates resistance to rotation of the outer member about the inner member. A device according to the invention may be used as a flywheel/brake or resistance-generating device in exercise equipment, rotating equipment, such as conveyors, and vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: J. David Carlson
  • Patent number: 6186291
    Abstract: A braking system for a drive mechanism for a hoist and similar operating motors used on heavy equipment. A rotor is fixedly mounted to a shaft of the drive mechanism. Actuators having brake shoes are mounted strategic to the rotor. The brake shoes are forced against the rotor by springs of the actuators to produce a braking action. The shoes are released from the rotor by hydraulic pressure compressing the springs of the actuators. Controls are provided to coordinate the action of the actuators with the function of the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: James F. Barnard
  • Patent number: 6186292
    Abstract: The noise created by a vehicle rotor is reduced by adjusting the natural or resonant frequency at which the rotor tends to vibrate. The resonant frequency is moved away from the frequencies of excitation of such sources as the brake pads and vehicle drive train components. The resonant frequency of the rotor is adjusted by manipulating the geometry and mass of the rotor by adjusting the number, size, shape, spacing and location of cooling vents formed in the hat section of the rotor. The resulting rotor exhibits improved vibrational control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston E. Dickerson, Charles E. Burger
  • Patent number: 6186293
    Abstract: In a brake disc (1) for disc brakes, at least one friction surface (4) is provided with at least one groove (6) which has a closed configuration without beginning and end and extends around the brake disc axis (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Beer, Christoph Veith, Horst Gehrig
  • Patent number: 6186294
    Abstract: A drum brake includes a first brake shoe, a second brake shoe and disposed opposite the first brake shoe within a brake drum, a backing plate supporting the first and second brake shoes, a wheel cylinder disposed between the first brake shoe and the second brake shoe, the wheel cylinder including a drive piston for pressing the first and the second brake shoes against an inner surface of the brake drum, a control piston for supplying hydraulic pressure in response to a braking reaction force from the second brake shoe, an anchor portion for receiving an anchor reaction force from the second brake shoe, a control lever for distributing the anchor reaction force to the anchor portion and to the control piston when the anchor reaction force reaches a predetermined braking force magnification, the drive piston has a base end in the pressure chamber and a leading end facing the first end of the second brake shoe and is movable to and from the second brake shoe by the hydraulic pressure supplied to the pressure cha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Akebono Brake Industry Co., LTD
    Inventor: Toshifumi Maehara
  • Patent number: 6186295
    Abstract: A wheeled luggage comprises a body; a pair of wheels; a frame member; a backing plate; a retractable handle; and a bezel; wherein a plurality of first fasteners are employed to secure the backing plate to the bezel; a plurality of second fasteners are employed to secure the frame member to the backing plate; the body is secured to the frame member to form a complete structure; a first concave area is formed between the backing plate and the bezel; and a second concave area is formed between the first concave area and the concave portion of the backing plate for accommodating a users fingers. With this structure, the purposes of saving corrugated plastics and facilitating the user to grasp the handle are realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Chaw Khong Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jer Hong Lin, Chung-Hsien Kuo
  • Patent number: 6186296
    Abstract: An electrical supply device with a conduit and movable electrical connector, includes conduit sections (1) in an insulating material, in which are disposed electrical conductors (2) interconnected at the level of the junctions of the conduit sections (1); joint covers (3) for connection of the conduit sections (1) insulating the electrical connections of the electrical conductors (2); at least one supply box (4) in line or at one end, by closure caps (5) for the ends of the electrical supply line formed by the conduit sections (1); suspensions (6) for the conduit sections (1); and at least one collector carriage (7) permitting directing the electrical current toward any fixed or movable receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Constructions Electriques Fels (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Etienne Spaak, Claude Arnold
  • Patent number: 6186297
    Abstract: A controllable bidirectional torque limiting device for driving a machine element. The input shaft is connected to a driver and the output shaft is connected to the machine element. The clutch mode of operation provides an adjustably limited torque output which rotates the machine element; the braking mode of operation provides an adjustable braking torque capable of stopping the rotating machine element upon cessation of the torque transmission. The assembly provides driving or braking actions as required. The device comprises a rotor, circular brake pad and two spaced apart pistons. Compressed air is introduced through a port in the bearing housing and is entrapped inside the piston cylinder walls. The resultant pressure exerts a force on the piston, causing the rotor to be pressed against the brake disc in the braking mode of operation, the amount of air pressure controlling the braking force. A plurality of steel balls are positioned between a pair of discs made of resilient material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Industrial Dynamics Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: William J. Breckenridge
  • Patent number: 6186298
    Abstract: A one-way clutch having a lock-up function, comprises an outer race, an inner race radially spaced apart from the outer race and disposed within the outer race concentrically for relative rotation, a cam surface provided on an inner peripheral surface of the outer race or an outer peipheral surface of the inner race, a track surface provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner race or the inner peripheral surface of the outer race in a confronting relationship to the cam surface, a plurality of roller members disposed between the outer race and the inner race and adapted to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race, springs for biasing the roller members toward one circumferential direction, a side plate for holding the roller members and the springs with predetermined intervals along a circumferential direction, and a control member for acting on the roller members to effect lock-up control, and wherein the control member controls the one-way clutch to lock up the one-way clutch in b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventor: Masato Wake
  • Patent number: 6186299
    Abstract: An overrunning coupling assembly includes a notch plate and an annular coupling pocket plate positioned in face-to-face relationship with respect to each other along a common axis. The pocket plate has strut pockets disposed at angularly spaced positions about the common axis. The notch plate has notch recesses at angularly spaced positions about the common axis and positioned in juxtaposed relationship with respect to the strut pockets. Torque-transmitting struts are positioned in each of the strut pockets. Each strut has first and second ears at one edge thereof for enabling pivotal motion of the struts about an ear axis intersecting the ears. The opposite edge of each strut is movable between disengaged and engaged positions with respect to one of the notch recesses whereby one-way torque transfer may occur between the plates. A lubricant flows between the notch plate and pocket plate. A spring is positioned in each strut pocket and biases the respective strut toward the notch plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Ruth
  • Patent number: 6186300
    Abstract: A motor vehicle clutch assembly with an outer ring which is rotationally driven by the engine. An inner ring of the clutch assembly is seated, with a clutch element, on the transmission input shaft of a speed-change gear. The clutch element locks during engaged conditions of the engine and opens during overrun conditions of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Bauer, Jurgen Kroll
  • Patent number: 6186301
    Abstract: A synchronizer element for use in a synchronizing device of a manual transmission, includes a hub secured in fixed rotative engagement on a gearshaft, and a guide member fixedly secured to the hub and having a splined outer circumference formed with at least one pocket for receiving a loading member and in mesh with a shift sleeve moveable between axially spaced pinion gears rotatably supported on the shaft. The synchronizer element is made of two separate parts which are so joined together as to form pockets for thrust members which are held captive and guided in the pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: INA Wälzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Josef Schwuger, Reinhart Malik, Reiner Martin
  • Patent number: 6186302
    Abstract: An adjustment ring of a motor-vehicle clutch is supported on bearing surfaces of supporting protrusions of a pressure plate by one of first and second supporting surfaces on the adjustment ring. The second supporting surface is axially closer to the pressure plate than the first supporting surface. The bearing surfaces and the first and second supporting surfaces are aligned parallel to the plane of rotation of the pressure plate. The first and second supporting surfaces are each connected via an oblique surface so that the adjustment ring is manually rotatable relative to the pressure plate between a first position where the first supporting surface bears on the bearing surface and a second position where the second supporting surface bears on the bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Drexl, Reinhold Weidinger, Winfried Stürmer
  • Patent number: 6186303
    Abstract: A device for conveying parts by gravity that comprises first and second guides of length L equidistant from one another. Each guide has a U-shaped cross-section. An opening of one of the guides is arranged opposite the opening of the other guide so as to define a path for the parts to be conveyed. A contact surface between the guides and the parts is sufficient to hold the parts between the guides. The guides are made of a material that facilitates sliding of the parts to be conveyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Patrick Bernardet
  • Patent number: 6186304
    Abstract: The telescopic chute assembly may be used to discharge cement from a discharge end of a concrete mixer mounted on a truck. The chute assembly has several telescopic chute sections for receiving the material from the mixer. The chute sections have a plurality of aligned flat strips that are attached to one another at an angle to form an elongate trough-shaped body to reduce the friction between the cement and the chute sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Torsten Ingemar Håkansson
  • Patent number: 6186305
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a device (10; 30) for conveying electronic components (50) including a feed rail (11) in which a plurality of components (50) arranged juxtaposed in a row are located in a guideway (14). In accordance with the invention it is provided for to change the cross-section of the guideway (14) to prevent or eliminate tilting or back-ups of the components (50) accommodated in the guideway (14). For this purpose the device (10; 30) comprises a signal-controllable positioner (16). The size of the guideway (14) may be changed continually or discontinually between a minimum value and a maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Helmuth Heigl
  • Patent number: 6186306
    Abstract: An automatic chute closure for covering a chute opening wherein the chute closure includes a frame disposed around a chute opening, a chute door pivotally connected to the frame for movement between an opened and closed position, a door movement mechanism for opening and closing the chute door, a switch mechanism for activating and deactivating the door movement mechanism and a latch mechanism for securing the chute door in a closed position until the switch mechanism is activated to open the chute door. The automatic chute closure allows an operator to conveniently activate a single switch to open and close the chute door and to insure once the chute door is closed it is properly locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Wilkinson Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Philip Kamm
  • Patent number: 6186307
    Abstract: A sheets handling apparatus efficiently handles inserted sheets. The sheets handling apparatus includes an inserting unit into which the sheets are inserted and a discriminating unit for discriminating among the sheets inserted into the inserting unit. The sheets handling apparatus further includes a mechanism for returning, to the inserting unit, the sheets (which have, e.g., no thread and are an inappropriate size exhibiting predetermined characteristics among the sheets inserted in the inserting unit without being supplied to the discriminating unit. According to this sheets handling apparatus, no time is consumed when the discriminating unit discriminates among the sheets to easily recognize inappropriateness thereof. Such sheets are not carried to the discriminating unit, and hence a probability of causing a jam decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Masanori Mukai
  • Patent number: 6186308
    Abstract: A reverse vending machine is configured to selectively accept bulk fed containers, the machine including an in-feed station with an in-feed door and a hopper accessible via the in-feed door, the hopper having a first mouth which is open when the in-feed door is in an open orientation and closed when the in-feed door is in a closed orientation. The in-feed door has a second mouth, which is smaller than the first mouth, and which remains open regardless of in-feed door orientation. The in-feed station thus is configured to simultaneously freely receive multiple disarrayed containers through the first mouth when the in-feed door is in the open orientation and is configured to receive containers through the second mouth when the in-feed door is in the closed orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Can & Bottle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Coyne, Stuart R. Aldrich, Griffin S. Hampson, Kris M. Kiva
  • Patent number: 6186309
    Abstract: A coin discriminating device for discriminating put-in coins into a normal coin and a smaller coin, in which the maximum number of normal coins to be put-in can be easily changed. The coin discriminating device includes a turn plate having a cut-out portion and a coin discriminating pawl portion on a periphery thereof. A plurality of coin discriminating levers, each of which has an engaging portion able to engage with the coin discriminating pawl portion, abut against a periphery of corresponding received put-in coins in the cut-out portion, respectively. A biasing member biases a free end of the coin discriminating levers to a side of the turn plate, and a handle is provided for rotating the turn plate. A regulating member regulates a number of normal coins to be put in the cut-out portion of the turn plate, and a setting member is provided for setting the number of normal coins to be put-in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Tomy Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Tomioka
  • Patent number: 6186310
    Abstract: A coin escrow apparatus for use with pay telephones including side members at least partially defining a coin hopper, a door mounted between the side members for selective movement between an escrow position for supporting coins in the hopper, an acceptance position for releasing coins from the hopper in a first direction, and a return position for releasing coins from the hopper in a second direction. The door has an underside portion and one or more guides associated with the door for guiding the door for pivotal movement between the escrow, acceptance and return positions. A support member is pivotally positioned below the door and has an upper portion. The support member is capable of pivoting about a pivot axis below the door. One or more roller bearings is attached to the upper portion of the support member for engaging the underside of the door. An actuator for pivoting the support member is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Elcotel, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Waldecker, David K. Lehman
  • Patent number: 6186311
    Abstract: A self-transporting conveyor system suitable for handling the discharge of a rock or concrete crusher, for example. The system includes a pair of stacking conveyors and a pair of transfer conveyors all of which are assembled together for towing by a single highway tractor. The conveyors can be set up at a desired site using available equipment, such as a loader, so that the cost of a special crane is avoided. Each stacking conveyor includes a self-contained hydraulic power supply that allows it to hydraulically fold up for transport, and unfold for operation, and enables it to hydraulically pivot back and forth during operation to build a kidney-shaped pile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Ohio Machinery Co.
    Inventor: Edward L. Conner
  • Patent number: 6186312
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for turning flat shipments, which are delivered in succession standing on their short sides by a conveyor system, into a recumbent position, without interrupting the conveying. According to the invention, the apparatus has a driven under-floor belt (1) with a low coefficient of friction, which on one side has a projection (5) with a higher coefficient of friction. Located next to the under-floor belt (1) on the side without a projection is a side belt (2), which is positioned obliquely outward and is driven at the same speed as the under-floor belt (1) and likewise has a low coefficient of friction. Downstream thereof in the conveying direction is a conveyor belt (3), whose bearing face together with the bearing face of the under-floor belt (1) defines a plane; the under-floor belt (1) and the conveyor belt (3) are disposed and/or embodied such that the air cushion that forms when the shipments drop is quickly dissipated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Holger Schererz
  • Patent number: 6186313
    Abstract: A method and unit continously transferring a group of cigerettes between conveyers, whereby the group of cigarettes is formed in a first seat on a group-forming first conveyor, and is fed by the first conveyor to a transfer station where the longitudinal ends of the group are engaged by a movable seat, which is moved with respect to the first seat to transfer the group from the first seat to a second seat on a wrapping conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Fabrizio Tale'
  • Patent number: 6186314
    Abstract: A conveyor panel for use on an endless conveyor including a base plate, an indicia plate and an indicia sheet. The base plate includes an upper surface, the upper surface having a recess formed therein and bounded by a slot on at least one side. The indicia plate includes a first sheet overlying a second sheet, with the indicia sheet captured between the first sheet and the second sheet. The indicia plate is removably carried in the recess of the indicia plate, and extends into the slot on at least one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: CarroSELL, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis R. Conklin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6186315
    Abstract: The perforated bottom wall of a suction chamber in the tobacco stream gathering and transporting apparatus of a cigarette rod making machine is designed to guide and support a file of discrete apertured inserts which have undersides serving as abutments for the lower reach of an endless foraminous tobacco stream gathering and advancing belt. Portions of the inserts can be inserted into or removed from one or more grooves provided in the bottom wall and extending longitudinally of a channel which is open from below and has a top wall constituted by the lower reach of the belt as well as by the file of inserts. At least a portion of each insert can be made of a strongly wear-resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau AG
    Inventor: Clemens Schmick
  • Patent number: 6186316
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for precise electrolytic precipitation and etching of metals up to the marginal area of printed-circuit board and printed-circuit film panel in a continuous-cycle plant. In continuous-cycle plants, the panels are grasped by clips at least at one edge. The clips are used for current supply to the panels and, if necessary, for transporting the latter. Among other factors, owing to the shielding effect of the clips there are great plate thickness differences in the marginal area of the panels. This marginal area cannot be used for precise printed-circuit boards. The invention improves the plate thickness distribution in this marginal area by separating the plant into several partial plants and a defined offset V of the clip gripping points from plant part to plant part. The offset is preferably adjusted to values corresponding to the quotient of the clip distance T and the number of subsequently arranged plant parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Atotech Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Jacques Denis
  • Patent number: 6186317
    Abstract: A reversible belt steering assembly for centering of conveyor belts which during operation is subjected to a lateral displacement away from a neutral position. A rotating mechanism (3, 19) supports at least one steering roller for the conveyor belt, and is rotatably attached to a first fixed beam (2) for rotation about an axis (a) perpendicular to the conveyor belt. A first set of guide rollers (9) abuts the sides of the conveyor belt, and is thus displaced laterally depending on the lateral displacement of the conveyor belt, and a first transfer mechanism supports the first set of guide rollers (9) for transferring the lateral displacement of the first set of guide rollers (9) to the rotating mechanism (3, 19), to rotate the steering roller to a position where it guides the conveyor belt back to the neutral position. There is a second set of guide rollers (9′) corresponding to the first set of guide rollers, and a second transfer mechanism corresponding to the first transfer mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: A/S Techno Track
    Inventors: Kenneth Hovsto, Kjell Arne Gaarden
  • Patent number: 6186318
    Abstract: An elongated low profile sheet metal tray has a bottom panel adapted to seat on the bolster plate of a stamping press under a die set. The panel supports adjacent upper and lower runs of an endless belt directed around guide rollers and a drive roller supported by cast support members removably connected to opposite ends of the tray. A motor and gear reducer unit is mounted on one support member and drives the belt drive roller, and the sheet metal tray has opposite integral side rails forming inclined surfaces and channel portions enclosing opposite edge portions of the belt. A sheet of plastics material extends between the bottom panel and the bottom run of the belt, and a detector senses belt stoppage for stopping the motor and stamping press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Pax Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis J. Pax, Steven J. Pax
  • Patent number: 6186319
    Abstract: A double storage container for articles of recorded media includes a pair of storage containers that each have a base and a lid. The double storage container may be fabricated by connecting the bases together with connectors or welds. A common sheath is applied over both lids and the hinge to receive printed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Alpha Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard T. Schmidt, Gale W. Essick
  • Patent number: 6186320
    Abstract: A single sheet of non-woven material is provided with sufficient strength and durability to store two compact discs without the necessity of laminating or otherwise interconnecting the non-woven sheet to a backing sheet or other materials for strength. The single sheet of non-woven material is positioned between the playing surfaces of the two compact discs to provide a non-scratching, protective surface and to reduce the costs associated with manufacturing the sleeves used to store the CDS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Case Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Terrence Martin Drew
  • Patent number: 6186321
    Abstract: The compact disk carrying case includes, in one embodiment, an outer enclosure which is defined by two clam-shell members. Each clam-shell member has an interfacing edge which mates with the corresponding interfacing edge on the other clam-shell member. A mechanism is provided, such as a zipper, for closing the interfacing edges thereby forming a closeable outer enclosure within which is captured a plurality of compact disks. The clam-shell members are hinged together along a portion of each respective interfacing edge. The carrying case includes a plurality of compact disk carrying plates which are grouped together into n pairs of plates by n hinges. Each hinge has a progressively increasing span distance between the respective connected plates. Accordingly, these hinges establish at least a minimum and a maximum span distance between the respective connected plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Ezra D. Eskandry
  • Patent number: 6186322
    Abstract: A device for removing a compact disk from a container, wherein the container has a bottom surface and a plurality of resilient fingers for removably holding the compact disk in the container. The fingers are disposed in a center of the container in spaced relation to one another such that the disk is mountable in the container with the fingers disposed in a central opening of the compact disk so as to hold the disk with the disk resting on the bottom surface. The device includes: (a) a spring of thin resilient material that is mountable in the container with respective end portions of the spring extending through spaces between the plurality of fingers; and (b) a push button mountable in the container for applying a downward force for deforming the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph Hubertus Dautzenberg
  • Patent number: 6186323
    Abstract: Package for tools (10,20) or similar products which are displayed hanging from pegs, comprising a card (12,21) with a peg opening (13) and product information (14). The card is not easily removable from the product, and can by rotation or sliding be transferred from a first position with the opening and the information visible above the product to a second position behind the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Sandvik AB
    Inventors: Conny Jansson, Bennet Ernlund
  • Patent number: 6186324
    Abstract: A toothbrush holding device for holding and covering toothbrushes. The toothbrush holding device includes a housing. The housing has a bottom wall. The bottom wall has a peripheral edge. A peripheral wall is integrally coupled to and extends upwardly from the peripheral edge. The peripheral wall has a top edge. A cover member covers the housing. The cover member has a plate having a peripheral edge. The plate has a plurality of bores therein. The peripheral edge has a lip thereon adapted for removably coupling to the top edge of the peripheral wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Marcia Joy Catterson
  • Patent number: 6186325
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a medical package is provided which includes a housing, and a catheter product. The housing defines an enclosure which is sealed against ingress of contaminants. The housing has at least a first part and a second part which is movable relative to the first part to open the enclosure. At least one of the parts has a plurality of pores through which a sterilization fluid can enter the enclosure, but which substantially prevent entry of contaminants into the enclosure. The catheter product includes a body, and a vascular access member. The vascular access member has a first end and a second, vascular entry end. The first end is secured to the body and the second end is located distant from the body. The catheter product is located entirely within the enclosure. The catheter product is secured in position to the housing. The catheter product is removed from the housing after the second part is moved relative to the first part to open the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Schmidt, Adel Kafrawy
  • Patent number: 6186326
    Abstract: A wrapping machine for a paper roll having a first wrapping head including at least one supply of a first wrapping material. A first movement device moves the first wrapping head in a first predetermined direction. The wrapping machine further has a second head including at least one supply of a second wrapping material. A second movement device moves the second wrapping head in a second predetermined direction. The wrapping machine assembles a wrapped paper roll including a paper roll, at least one first layer of plastic material positioned adjacent to the paper roll, at least one intermediate layer of cushioning material positioned adjacent the first layer of plastic material and a second layer of plastic material positioned adjacent to the intermediate layer of cushioning material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Automatic Handling, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Pienta, Daniel J. Pienta
  • Patent number: 6186327
    Abstract: A carpet sample book is constructed from a single sheet of cardboard or other suitable material. The sheet is creased to define a number of panels. The sheet may be folded over itself to make the panels several layers thick. Cutouts are made through some or all of the layers to holding carpet samples. The creases act like hinges which allow the panels to be folded over each other so that the entire assembly can be folded into a compact book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Hadden