Patents Issued in February 20, 2001
  • Patent number: 6189622
    Abstract: A firefighting nozzle that will generate a spray of water in a 360° three-dimensional pattern, giving off a big sphere of fine droplets of water is disclosed herein. The nozzle has a hollow spherical portion rotatably mounted to the end of a rigid tube. Apertures are formed in such a pattern that an efficient mist production is achieved. Furthermore, some of the apertures are provided at such an angle that the water jets exiting these apertures exert a torque sufficient to rotate the nozzle with respect to the rigid tube to which it is mounted. The nozzle may be mounted to the end of a hand carried rigid tube or to the end of an articulated arm of a firefighting truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Le Group-Conseil LaSalle, Inc.
    Inventors: Clément Audet, Richard Boivin
  • Patent number: 6189623
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of extinguishing a fire of complex category with flame burning accompanying with smoldering of products of burning. Besides, the disclosure concerns a fire extinguishing system embodying the method and a fire extinguishing generator used, in particular, in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignees: Federalny Tsentr Dvoinykh Tekhnology “Sojuz”, AES International Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Evgeny Fedorovich Zhegrov, Alexandr Ivanovich Doronichev, Jury Michailovich Milechin
  • Patent number: 6189624
    Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for the activation of a system which will deliver material such as a fire extinguishant in response to an electrical signal from a fire detector. The mechanism is actuated by a small electrical storage device which operates the system even after a fire or other event has occurred and the normal electrical supply is lost. Upon actuation, a container of pressurized carbon dioxide gas is used to pressurize a container of fire extinguishing fluid, which is then delivered by a spray mechanism to the source of the fire. A feature of the mechanism is that energy levels for initiation are very low, and all other sources of energy are self contained within the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: FF Seeley Nominees Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Wilton James
  • Patent number: 6189625
    Abstract: A liquid mist fire extinguisher, comprising a container for holding a gas and a liquid under pressure. The extinguisher has valve assembly at the upper end of the container, a valve for simultaneously releasing said gas and said liquid separately from the container, and a hose for feeding said gas and said liquid separately through a nozzle. The nozzle assembly includes longitudinal and radial inlets for feeding said gas and said liquid separately through a mixing chamber, and exiting orifices in an end surface of said nozzle assembly for issue of mixed gas and liquid in a fine mist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Gordon Duane Hopkins
  • Patent number: 6189626
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately positioning a tool on a mobile machine are provided. The machine operates within a work area about which one or more stationary laser-based subsystems are positioned. The machine includes an on-board subsystem, which comprises a processor, a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver, a stored digital terrain model (DTM), and a photosensor for detecting a laser beam. The laser beam provides a reference level that is used to adjust the position of the tool. The on-board subsystem determines the current position of the machine using the SPS receiver and accesses the DTM to determine a design elevation corresponding to the current location of the machine. Based on the design elevation, the on-board subsystem computes a height command and transmits the height command to at least one of the laser-based subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Ltd.
    Inventor: Anthony Hanseder
  • Patent number: 6189627
    Abstract: A hand-held portable lawn and garden tool having implements. A housing encloses a motor and at least two sets of gears arranged in cascade to provide low speed and high torque to the implements. Each set of gears is a sun gear with a plurality of planetary gears. The tool may be energized by battery packs, line power or internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: AME Group, Incorporated
    Inventors: James W. Marshall, James A. Martin, Wendell B. Leimbach
  • Patent number: 6189628
    Abstract: This invention relates to an earth borer system with a frame (48) incorporating a moveable rotary drive (50, 54) for a drill rod assembly consisting of at least two drill rods which can be detachably connected with one another along a bore axis (58); with a drill rod magazine (44) attached to the frame (48); with a release mechanism positioned on the frame provided with a clamping unit (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) that engages in a first drill rod and a breakaway unit that engages in one section of the rotary drive (50, 54) or in a second drill rod; and with at least one transport arm (66) that is attached to the frame and which can move a drill rod released from the drill rod assembly into a standby position in the drill rod magazine (44) or retrieve a drill rod from its standby position and place it on the drill rod assembly. According to this invention, at least one component unit of the release mechanism is mounted on the transport arm (66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Terra AG fuer Tiefbautechnik
    Inventor: Dietmar Jenne
  • Patent number: 6189629
    Abstract: In the field of drilling lateral channels from the cased bore of an oil well, a system is presented whereby a number of lateral channels can be drilled through the casing and out a distance into the formation with no requirement to move or raise the lateral drilling apparatus to the surface for each lateral channel drilled. The direction of the drilled lateral channel can be selected by the system operator at the well head. The system will allow the drilling of lateral channels with the well under pressure. A configuration is shown which will allow the installation of a flexible perforated liner in the channel, which flexible perforated liner will prevent the material around the channel from collapsing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventors: Roderick D. McLeod, Dwight N. Loree
  • Patent number: 6189630
    Abstract: A core barrel has a plurality of pneumatic downhole hammer drills disposed around the perimeter of its working end for drilling piles in the ground for use in foundations, secant piles, and the like. The core barrel includes a slurry port and an air port at its top end for admitting a drilling slurry and pressurized air, which is used in driving the hammer drills and flushing cuttings from an annular kerf during drilling. A plurality of generally parallel plates form the top of the core barrel and define an air channel and a slurry channel for delivering air and slurry to the core barrel wall, where they flow freely or via conduits toward the hammer drills at the working end of the core barrel. The hammer-type core barrel is used to construct piles by first drilling an annular kerf in the ground. Circulating drilling fluid cools the working end of the hammer drills elements and washes cuttings from the kerf during drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: August H. Beck, III
  • Patent number: 6189631
    Abstract: A tool for expanding a hole size while drilling tool is disclosed. The tool utilizes a mechanically actuated mandrel and extendable cutting lugs designed in a configuration with fewer moving parts than previous designs. The cutting lugs have multiple cutting elements attached. The cutting lugs are driven between two cylindrical diameter surfaces to achieve a large differential between the retracted and extended positions of the tool, and to provide sufficient stability to allow the tool to be used in the extended position while drilling forward. The lugs are internally assembled and tapered to closely match the slots in the body of the tool for additional stability and to prevent complete passage through the tool for prevention of catastrophic failure. The tool has a locking mechanism to allow the tool to remain in the extended position when the weight is removed from the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Adel Sheshtawy
  • Patent number: 6189632
    Abstract: The present invention provides drill steel members for a roof drilling system used in the mining industry. A drill steel member suitably comprises a steel tube body having at least one machined end integral to the body and having an external shape configured for coupling to a component part. The component part preferably has an aperture formed therein having an internal shape corresponding to the external shape of the machined end of the body. In a preferred embodiment, the component part is coupled to the machined end by a press-fitting engagement. Preferably, the machining of the end of the body and the press-fitting engagement are performed in the absence of externally applied heat. The machined ends, along with the press-fitting assembly technique, results in a drill steel member that has a longer life span than conventional welded for forged members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Brian E. Warden
  • Patent number: 6189633
    Abstract: A drill for forming bores in constructional components, and including a sleeve-shaped stem (2; 12; 22; 32; 42; 52) having an axially-extending through-bore (3; 13; 23; 33; 43; 53) which opens into mouth openings (7; 10; 14; 24; 34; 44; 54) formed in opposite end sections of the stem (2; 12; 2; 32; 42; 52); a shank (5) provided at a rear end of the stem, and a drilling head (8; 15; 25; 35; 45; 55) formed of a hard material and secured in at least one slot (19; 29; 49; 59) formed in a free front end of the stem (2; 12; 22; 32; 42; 52), with a section of the drilling head (8; 15; 25; 32; 45; 55), which is embedded in the stem (2; 12; 22; 32; 42; 52), flatly engaging a material of the stem (2; 12; 22; 32; 42; 52) and being fixedly connected with the stem material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Kleine, Hans-Werner Bongers-Ambrosius
  • Patent number: 6189634
    Abstract: A cutting element, insert or compact, is provided for use with drills used in the drilling and boring of subterranean formations. This new insert, in its preferred embodiment, has a “hoop” region of polycrystalline diamond extending around the periphery of the compact to reduce the residual stresses inherent in thick diamond regions of cutters. This compact has improved wear and durability characteristics because it avoids failures due to stresses, delaminations and fractures caused by the differences in thermal expansion coefficient between the diamond and the substrate during sintering. Moreover, this invention may provide multiple polycrystalline diamond edges as the PDC wears. This exposure of multiple polycrystalline diamond edges slows the rate of wear flat surface development and reduces the weight on the bit required for acceptable drill penetration rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Kenneth M. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6189635
    Abstract: A battery box with a lid and a tray assembly for batteries for a hybrid electric vehicle. The lid and tray assembly are made of steel with an internal and external spray coating of an elastomer with high electrical resistance properties. Batteries are mounted in the tray assembly and enclosed by the lid. The elastomer coating on the tray assembly and the lid provides a non-electrically conductive interior and exterior surface for increased service safety. The steel base material of the tray assembly and the lid provides shielding from electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference associated with the high voltages required to operate electric motors in hybrid electric vehicles. Additionally, the tray assembly has vents designed to optimize cooling of the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventors: Nathan L. Schuler, Jeffrey D. Jenks, Michael P. Lasecki, Harl Donley
  • Patent number: 6189636
    Abstract: A battery-powered forklift includes a body frame, which includes a battery box. The forklift includes a seat for a driver and a floor board located below the seat for supporting the feet of the driver. The battery box is located below the floor board. The floor board covers part of the battery box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidishokki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Keiichi Kikukawa
  • Patent number: 6189637
    Abstract: A horizontally-opposed type engine for a motorcycle, in which a pair of left and right cylinder heads are connected to a pair of left and right cylinder blocks in such a manner that combustion chambers are formed between each of the cylinder blocks containing a plurality of cylinder bores disposed in parallel with the axial lines thereof extending substantially in the horizontal direction and pistons slidably fitted in the cylinder bores; a crank shaft is disposed in such a manner as to be perpendicular to the axial lines of the cylinder bores; and the engine is mounted on the motorcycle with the axial line of the crank shaft extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the restriction to the bank angle of the motorcycle given by the exhaust pipes is made small and thereby the bank angle is easily ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Tosaka, Masahiro Nakashima, Takashi Kanbe
  • Patent number: 6189638
    Abstract: To attach right and left arms of a rear fork reliably to a pivot portion and right and left pivot supports without undue attachment loads imposed thereon. A motorcycle having a rear fork attachment structure includes an engine disposed substantially centrally in a vehicle body, right and left arms of a rear fork extending over right and left sides of a pivot portion of the engine, right and left pivot supports depending from a vehicle body frame extend over right and left sides of the right and left arms, and the left pivot support, the left arm, the pivot portion, the right arm, and the right pivot support coupled together by a single pivot shaft. Furthermore, the right and left pivot supports have adjustment bolts having respective pivot shaft insertion holes, and the adjustment bolts adjust distances between the right and left arms and the right and left pivot supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ito, Hidetoshi Toyoda, Satoshi Hirayanagi
  • Patent number: 6189639
    Abstract: A chain roller for supporting a chain when a rear wheel is lowered a given distance or more is mounted to a body frame. The chain roller is elastically deformable. The chain roller includes a hard rubber or hard resin roller having a plurality of axial holes like a lotus root. When a depression load of the chain acts on the roller, the roller is elastically deformed with the axial holes being depressed, thereby relaxing tension of the chain. In a modification, a shock absorber is provided between the body frame and a roller supporting member to relax the tension, or a roller supporting member having elasticity is mounted to the body frame to relax the tension. The absorptivity of displacement and shock can be easily improved with a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Fuse, Kazuhiko Gogo
  • Patent number: 6189640
    Abstract: The invention is a sliding shield between the cab end and engine end of a bi-directional or articulated tractor. A sliding member is pivotally attached to the flared shield support on the cab end. The sliding member has a slot on which permits it to be slideably attached to the flared end shield. There are a pair of opposing walls perpendicularly affixed to the shield member. One wall has an aperture with a removal door attached. The sliding member covers a pair of universal joints and a connecting transfer shaft. Access to a grease fitting on the transfer shaft may be gained through the door to allow lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Young, Daniel Pakosh, Henry Latchman
  • Patent number: 6189641
    Abstract: A four-wheel hydraulic drive system for a working vehicle comprising a hydraulic pump, a first hydraulic motor fluidly connected with said hydraulic pump, a pair of first driving wheels driven by said first hydraulic motor, a second hydraulic motor fluidly connected with said hydraulic pump, and a pair of second driving wheels driven by said second hydraulic motor, wherein the drive mode of said vehicle can be switched between a first four-wheel drive mode for substantially equaling the torque of said second hydraulic motor to that of said first hydraulic motor and a second four-wheel drive mode for making the torque of said second hydraulic motor smaller than that of first hydraulic motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiro Azuma
  • Patent number: 6189642
    Abstract: An engine drive torque is distributed to an extra wheel at a predetermined distribution ratio. When the vehicle makes a turn at low speed and when the torque distribution ratio to the extra drive wheel is high, a torsion is produced in the vehicle body, suspension and tires, etc., due to a rotation radius difference between the main and extra drive wheels. After the vehicle has stopped, and the engine is stopped, torque is no longer distributed to the extra drive wheel, the torsion is suddenly released and the vehicle vibrates. According to this invention, the release of torsion is performed gradually by decreasing the torque distribution ratio when the vehicle has stopped, with the engine still running in order to prevent this vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Kusano
  • Patent number: 6189643
    Abstract: When an accelerator pedal is released, or when a brake pedal is depressed and if braking force is lower than a reference braking force corresponding to a braking force immediately before causing a wheel lock, differential limiting force of a center differential is set to a predetermined value so as to retain an under-steer condition while engine brake is applied. When the brake pedal is depressed and if braking force is higher than the reference braking force, differential limiting force of the center differential is set to zero so as to assist an anti-lock brake system. Further, the reference braking force can be determined according to a road friction coefficient, a grade of road, a lateral acceleration and the like. Further, the predetermined value of the differential limiting force may be a constant value or may be a value corresponding to a front-to-rear weight distribution ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Takahashi, Yutaka Hiwatashi
  • Patent number: 6189644
    Abstract: An emergency brake lock assembly that locks an emergency brake actuator in an engaged position to prevent the vehicle from moving while a lift assembly contained on the vehicle is being operated. The emergency brake lock assembly includes an emergency brake switch that is positioned to detect movement of the emergency brake actuator between an engaged position and a disengaged position. When the emergency brake actuator is in the engaged position, the emergency brake switch generates a brake engaged signal. An auxiliary door switch is positioned to detect the movement of an auxiliary door contained on the vehicle. When the auxiliary door opens, the auxiliary door switch generates a door open signal. Upon receiving both the door open signal and the brake engaged signal, a solenoid actuator moves a locking member to a locked position to retain the emergency brake actuator in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Nelson's Bus Service, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6189645
    Abstract: An air supply system of an automobile for preventing a sudden acceleration including an air cleaner, a throttle body having a throttle valve and connected to the air cleaner by air transfer duct, and a surge tank connected to the throttle body by an air transfer duct, wherein the air supply system further includes an intake air cutoff means provided between the throttle body and the surge tank for selectively cutting off an air flow from the throttle body to the surge tank, and a cutoff control means electrically connected to the intake air cutoff means for determining whether to cut off or not the intake air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jae-Woong Yoo
  • Patent number: 6189646
    Abstract: A control system on a power machine which includes a first sensor sensing a first operating condition and providing a first sensor signal. An operator actuable override mechanism provides an override signal in response to actuation thereof. A controller is coupled to the first sensor, a power circuit, a traction lockout mechanism, and the override mechanism. The controller is configured to instate a lockout condition in response to the first sensor signal. The controller selectively overrides the lockout condition based on the override signal, and the first sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Brandt, Scott B. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 6189647
    Abstract: An anti-theft steering wheel has a box-like housing in its central transverse hub portion disposed below the plane of the surrounding annular steering wheel ring portion. The housing is secured to the steering shaft upper end to rotate therewith and has a pair of parallel spaced longitudinal tubular passageways. A pair of metal security rods telescopically mounted in the tubular passageways are movable between a fully retracted position within the tubular passageways and a fully extended position extending radially outward from laterally opposed sides of the steering wheel central transverse hub portion a sufficient distance beyond the annular ring portion to obstruct and prevent effective rotation of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventors: William S. Horn, III, Richard B. Lee
  • Patent number: 6189648
    Abstract: A power assist steering system is provided for use on a vehicle that has a steering implement and a steering mechanism operatively connected to a first wheel. The power assist steering system includes first and second vacuum actuators or a double acting vacuum actuator, vacuum source for providing a vacuum to the first and second vacuum actuators, a first disc powered relative to second disc for selectively activating the first and second vacuum actuators and a gear and gen plate for assisting the steering mechanism in turning the first wheel in first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Axel Schaedler
  • Patent number: 6189649
    Abstract: A soundproofing system is proposed for an electrical machine, in particular a generator. The soundproofing system has a plurality of airtight soundproofing elements mounted releasable attached in an airtight manner using seals and fasteners to a casing frame of the electrical machine. The casing frame being in the form of a framework of the electrical machine. The soundproofing element has a circumferential frame that has a U-shaped profile and is fitted on one side with a covering plate and on the opposite side with a perforated plate. A base surface of the frame governs a height of the soundproofing element. A side surface of the frame acts as a sealing surface with respect to the casing frame of the electrical machine, and the other side surface of the frame is used as a sealing surface for the covering plate. An airborne sound attenuator is inserted between the frame, the covering plate and the perforated plate. The covering plate is mounted in an airtight manner on the sealing surface of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Nitschke
  • Patent number: 6189650
    Abstract: There is disclosed a muffler structure in which a valve opened/closed in accordance with exhaust gas pressure in a pipe is prevented from chattering by an inlet pipe provided with a first side hole and an outlet pipe provided with a second side hole with a valve biased by a spring to simultaneously close both the first and second side holes when the pressure is relatively low. When the pressure of the exhaust gas is relatively high, the pressure exerted on the valve by the exhaust gas in the inlet pipe is sufficient to open the valve and the exhaust gas introduced to the inlet pipe flows out to a second chamber via the first side hole, flows into the outlet pipe via the second side hole, and is exhausted to the outside of the muffler via the downstream outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Futaba Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Inuzuka, Kunihiko Fujiwara, Kazunari Ohno
  • Patent number: 6189651
    Abstract: A harness for human wear comprises an elongated belt for encircling a waist of a wearer. A first strap is fixed to the belt and is extendible transversely of the belt from a lower edge of the belt, the first strap having a connector at a free end thereof. A second strap is fixed to the belt and is extendible transversely of the belt from the lower edge of the belt, the second strap having a connector at a free end thereof. First and second ends of the belt are connectable together, and the strap connectors are movable to a generally common point for engagement with a single loop member mounted on the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: James E. Sadeck
  • Patent number: 6189652
    Abstract: A removable platform assembly for a ladder. The platform assembly includes a platform of rectangular shape having sides and ends. One of the platform ends is positioned adjacent the ladder and the other is located away from the ladder in the direction of the structure supporting the ladder. A first channel attached to the platform and adapted to be seated on a rung of the ladder. A pair of legs attached to the opposite sides of the platform and extending downwardly from the platform. A second channel attached to the bottoms of the platform legs to seat on a lower rung of the ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Current Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice Brown, Frank Robinson
  • Patent number: 6189653
    Abstract: A multi-purpose scaffold includes rail parts disposed adjacent one another and displaceable relative to one another, displaceable and adjustable steps disposed therebetween, fold-out splayed supporting poles connected to the rail parts, a connecting rod connected to the supporting poles for securing the supporting poles, and a locking device for releasably locking the two rail parts. The support and connection bars can be adjustably telescopic and folded parallel to the multipurpose support beams or rail parts. The support bars can have footboards or caster rollers. The walking surface is made from a line of steps that provide a flat surface when folded. One side of the steps is rotatably connected to one rail part and the other side of the steps is rotatably connected to the other rail part. The scaffold can include a climb-through aperture and one or more railings as an anti-falling safety device. The scaffold can include an extension section for connecting one scaffold to another scaffold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Horst Laug
  • Patent number: 6189654
    Abstract: An extension ladder consisting of a lower ladder section and an upper ladder section secured to one another so that the upper ladder section can be extended relative to the lower ladder section using a ladder extension rope. Each ladder section has the same width and each has a pair of spaced stiles with rungs. A clutch member extends between the ladder sections and is movable between a locked position, for mounting the upper ladder section at a desired extension relative to the lower ladder section, and a released position. A clutch locking mechanism biases the clutch member into the locked position. The stiles of each ladder section has formations for securing the sections relative to one another, and enable the upper section to be extended and retracted in relation to the lower ladder section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Bailey Northern Holdings Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: William Bailey
  • Patent number: 6189655
    Abstract: A transmission having an integral lubrication (stem for delivering lubrication fluid to transmission components is provided. The lubrication system has a housing with a sump portion for holding the fluid. The lubrication system also includes a pump assembly with inlet and outlet chambers wherein the pump assembly moves the fluid from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber. The housing has a collection system with an inlet passageway which interconnects the inlet chamber and the sump to provide fluid communication between them. The housing has a distribution system with a plurality of fluid distribution ports for delivering the fluid to the transmission components. The distribution system interconnects said distribution ports and said outlet chamber to provide fluid communication between them. First, second, and third passageways are integrally formed within various portions of the housing and deliver the fluid to bearing portions of the shafts and to the transmission gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: ZF Meritor L.L.C.
    Inventors: Patrick L. Scheib, Peggy M. Garrett, Kenneth T. Picone
  • Patent number: 6189656
    Abstract: A lubricant supply system for continuously and automatically lubricating machine parts has a housing and a lubricant reservoir mounted in the housing. A lubricant metering device is also mounted in the housing. A control device is provided for variably operating the lubricant metering device. The control device has a receiver receiving by wireless remote transmission operating and service data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: De Limon Fluhme GmbH
    Inventors: Garhard Morgenstern, Wolfgang Follert
  • Patent number: 6189657
    Abstract: A linear motor for lifts for driving a lift car guided in a lift shaft with at least one stator winding row which can be fixed to the lift shaft or to the lift car and with at least one row of exciter magnets of alternating polarity which are situated opposite the stator windings at a distance and which can be fixed to the lift car or the lift shaft, respectively, in such a way that the linear motor exerts only small transverse forces on the motor support and also operates as noiselessly as possible and is easy to assemble, wherein that the stator windings are of iron-free design and are disposed between two mutually oppositely situated exciter magnet rows. In addition, a lift having a lift car which can be driven in a lift shaft wherein the lift has a linear motor of this type for driving the lift car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Thyssen Aufzugswerke GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Jessenberger
  • Patent number: 6189658
    Abstract: The landing door of an elevator is opened by the opening movement of the car door and closed by the closing movement of the car door by using a door coupler (20) attached to the car door. The door coupler has coupling elements (52,53) designed to engage a counterpart (6) attached to the landing door. The door coupler (20) is moved in the direction of the car door movement to align it with the counter element (6). After the door coupler (20) has been aligned, its motion relative to the car door is prevented by a blocking device (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Franz Josef Karner
  • Patent number: 6189659
    Abstract: A disk brake in which a cylinder bore of a caliper is decentered toward the exit side in the rotational direction of a disk with respect to friction pads, and claw portions of the caliper are also decentered toward the exit side with respect to the friction pads. The entrance-side and exit-side claw portions have approximately the same wall thickness in the circumferential direction of the disk. When the brake is activated, the claw portions exhibit approximately the same rigidity so that the surface pressure of each claw portion pressing the outer friction pad can is kept uniform, and non-uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignees: Tokico Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Doi, Tadashi Tamasho, Shinji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6189660
    Abstract: A ratchet wheel device for a baby walker provided on the bottom surface of a chassis of the baby walker, it is comprised of a wheel rim, two transmitting gears, a transmitting member and a cover. The wheel rim is provided therein with a receiving chamber. The two transmitting gears are mounted on both sides of the receiving chamber and can fitly move therein and can be stopped by two stop portions in the receiving chamber. The transmitting member is provided in the receiving chamber and fixed on the chassis of the baby walker. A plurality of engaging teeth are provided thereon to engage with the transmitting gears. When the wheel rim is rotated to a specified direction, the two transmitting gears will not interact with the stop portions. While when it is rotated in the contrary direction, the two transmitting gears will be engaged by the transmitting member to be stopped by the stop portions and to limit rotation of the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Stephen Hu
  • Patent number: 6189661
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electromechanical brake, in particular a disc brake (10), comprising a brake pad (14) which can be urged against a brake disc (16) by means of an electromotive actuating arrangement (18). According to the invention, in order to be able to release the brake (10) in the event of an electronic component failing, for example, a releasable support device (42) supports the actuating arrangement (18) on a brake calliper (12) when the brake pad (14) is urged against the brake disc (16). In order to release the support device (42), its distance from the brake disc (16) is increased such that the actuating arrangement (18) and together therewith the brake pad (14) are released from the brake disc (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfram Schaffer
  • Patent number: 6189662
    Abstract: The damper includes a cylindrical housing with a cylindrical passageway formed therewithin. A piston traverses the cylindrical passageway. A monofilament element is integral with the piston on a first end and includes a plurality of molded annular rings on a second end. The molded annular rings serve as a male element for engaging a female clamping element with internal serrations. This allows for the female clamping element to be positioned along an adjustable distance with respect to the male element. The portion of the cylindrical passageway through which the piston traverses when the damper is in its retracted position has a reduced diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Bivens, Eric Parker
  • Patent number: 6189663
    Abstract: Electroplated chromium coatings on automobile suspension damper piston rods are replaced with thermal or kinetic spray coatings of: (a) suitable corrosion-resistant metal alloys such as iron and chromium containing nickel-based alloys or chromium containing steels, or (b) suitable ceramic coatings such as electrically insulative alumina ceramics. The spray coatings are porous, and the metal alloy coatings usually should be sealed for corrosion protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John Robert Smith, Wen-Jin Meng, Thomas Hubert Van Steenkiste
  • Patent number: 6189664
    Abstract: A power line (1) wherein a hollow elongated enclosure (4) houses a conducting line (27) and an elastically deformable strip element (60) which is normally in a rest position extending substantially undeformed along the whole of the enclosure when the line is not engaged by an electric vehicle. The strip element (60) interacts with a magnetic field generated by an electric vehicle (80) engaging the line, to attract a portion (60a) of the strip element (60) into a raised contact position in which an electric connection is established between the conducting line (27) and at least one power plate (34) outside the enclosure (4). The line also has a detecting device (52) for detecting the strip element (60) in the rest position and so determining non-engagement of the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Ansaldo Transporti S.p.A.
    Inventors: Vito Siciliano, Alcide Del Naja
  • Patent number: 6189665
    Abstract: A clutch control arrangement designed to prevent intentional starting of a vehicle while a clutch-stroke-position learning is being performed. The clutch control arrangement includes a mechanism for automatically disengaging and engaging a clutch. The vehicle has a manual transmission of which gear position (shift position) is changed as a driver operates a shift lever. The clutch control arrangement further includes a learning unit for learning a stroke position of the clutch, and a unit for interrupting the operation of the learning unit when the shift lever is operated toward a transmission gear engaged position during the clutch-stroke-position learning. Preferably, the automatic disengagement and engagement mechanism automatically disengages or engages the clutch depending upon a gear engaged condition of the manual transmission after interrupting the clutch-stroke-position learning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Yasushi Yamamoto, Nobuyuki Nishimura, Masaki Ishihara, Nobuyuki Iwao, Nobutaka Sakai
  • Patent number: 6189666
    Abstract: A ratchet mechanism for enabling motion to be transferred in one direction but not in the opposite direction as disclosed which does not require springs. The mechanism includes an engagement member (16, 50, 100, 250, 330) which has teeth for engaging teeth on an outer member (12, 70, 200, 300). The engaging member (16, 50, 100, 250, 330) is mounted on an inner member (30, 80, 220, 320). A drive surface (120, 255, 323) on the engagement member (16, 50, 100, 250, 330) contacts teeth of the outer member (12, 70, 200, 300) when rotated in one direction so as to move the engagement member into position whereby a tooth (18, 110, 258, 335) can engage teeth of the outer member. When rotated in the opposite direction, the engagement member is moved out of engagement with the outer member to enable the ratchet to freewheel. In other arrangements, a cam (34, 321) either alone or in engagement with a drive surface causes engagement or disengagement of the teeth of the engagement member with the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Aimbridge Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Eric Paul Willmot
  • Patent number: 6189667
    Abstract: A friction clutch for motor vehicles has a casing which can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a driven flywheel mass. A pressure plate is arranged inside the casing with a pressure spring supported between the clutch casing and the pressure plate so that the pressure plate presses a clutch disk, which is provided with friction linings, onto the flywheel mass. The pressure spring, during engagement of the clutch, exerts a varying pressure force on the pressure plate. The friction clutch also having a device which acts on the pressure plate and varies essentially proportionally to the force of the pressure spring to force of the pressure plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Mathias Dörfler, Markus Heiartz
  • Patent number: 6189668
    Abstract: A gear pump mechanism shown in a variety of applications to control rotational output. Control of the output from the gear pump and feed to the gear pump of hydraulic fluid or oil can be controlled to establish conditions from free wheeling to fully locked. The gear pump includes a sun gear and planetary gears. The sun gear is attached to an output shaft while the planetary gears are rotatably mounted to the pump housing. Through rotation of the housing and control of the flow through the gear pump, relative rotation of the output shaft can be determined. Applications of rotational output control systems using the gear pump mechanism provide adjustable torque limiters, variable rate clutches, differentials, brakes, CVT transmissions, four wheel drive systems and forward and reverse variable rate clutches with no gear backlash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: James L. Richards
  • Patent number: 6189669
    Abstract: A friction device includes a clutch pack operable to connect and disconnect drive and driven members for transferring and interrupting torque therebetween. A piston is supported in the clutch housing and defines a first expandable chamber. The piston is responsive to the pressure of fluid in the expandable chamber to move between disengaged and engaged positions thereby actuating the clutch pack. An outer ring is slidably supported within the housing to form a second expandable chamber. The outer ring includes at least one orifice extending therethrough. The piston closes the orifice in the outer ring when the drive and driven members are disconnected and has a second position where the orifice is open. A second source of lubricant pressure separate from the piston actuating fluid flows into the second expandable chamber thence through the orifice and from the outer diameter of the clutch pack between the adjacent plates and disks to the inner diameter of the clutch pack for cooling the pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Kremer, Paul T. McCrary, R. Keith Martin
  • Patent number: 6189670
    Abstract: Device for operating a clutch of the type comprising a thrust ball bearing 16, equipped with a non-rotating race 17 and with a rotating race 18, capable of acting on a diaphragm of a clutch mechanism 21, an operating element 11 comprising a tubular portion 13 and a radial flange 14, which can move axially along a guide tube 6, and an elastic self-alignment member arranged radially between the thrust ball bearing 16 and the tubular portion 13 of the operating element 11. The elastic self-alignment member comprises an annular scraping lip 28 which rubs against the guide tube 6 to form a scraping seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignees: SKF France, Valeo
    Inventors: Frederic Ponson, Jean Michel Kromwel
  • Patent number: 6189671
    Abstract: Freewheel device 1 of the type comprising an outer ring 2 having an inner sliding path 3 , an inner ring 4 or a shaft having an outer sliding path 5, a freewheel 6 disposed between the sliding path of the outer ring and the sliding path of the inner ring and comprising a plurality of cams 7 disposed in windows 9 in a cylindrical part 8a of at least one cage 8 and assuring unidirectional coupling between the outer and inner rings, and at least one bearing member 11 disposed radially between the outer and inner rings for maintaining said outer and inner rings concentric, said bearing member having a radial part 11a provided with at least two holes for circulation of lubricant. At least one hole is near the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: SKF France
    Inventors: Marc Le Calve, Christophe Houdayer