Patents Issued in February 20, 2001
  • Patent number: 6190022
    Abstract: A self-contained non-lethal security device for providing an optimally effective and eye-safe beam for use as a high-brightness visual countermeasure. The security device has one or more wavelengths of laser or light-emitting diode (LED) light in a continuous or flicker mode in order to provide a glare or flashblinding visual effect. A flicker mode of two wavelengths at opposite ends of the visible spectrum (e.g., red and green) produces heightened disorientation to the adversary. Replacing one or all of the laser light source with LEDs for shorter range applications reduces the overall cost of such a security device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Science & Engineering Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Nora C. Tocci, Eric J. Cramer, Michael D. Tocci, John D. German
  • Patent number: 6190023
    Abstract: Luminaires intended to deliver maximal light flux to a playing field with improved uniformity, the invention provides primary reflector structures having shaped facets, the several reflectors being capable of maximizing lumen delivery onto the playing field when considered relative to economy of manufacture. In certain embodiments of the invention, a shielding device or flux manager is employed for producing target extinctions by management of flux to precisely pass flux nearby original arc and through a second bounce off the reflector structure to direct that flux back into the beam. A virtual arc is thus produced in proximity to the original arc with the virtual arc acting as a second source. The flux manager acts to reduce glare and “spill” light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin F. Leadford, Jeffrey Mansfield Quinlan
  • Patent number: 6190024
    Abstract: A method for making a lampshade (1, 30) of the type which comprises at least one support ring (3, 4) and a side wall (5) secured to the support ring (3, 4) by a ligature (7), wherein the support ring (3, 4) comprises a plurality of ligature receiving means (16, 40, 44) at spaced apart locations along the support ring (3, 4), and a plurality of spaced apart apertures (15) are formed in the side wall (5) adjacent the support ring method comprising the steps of inserting respective portions of the ligature (7) sequentially into the wall apertures (15), and securing the respective portions of the ligature (7) to the ligature receiving means (16, 40, 44) on the support ring (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventors: Dominic Anthony Hackett, Joseph Patrick Hackett
  • Patent number: 6190025
    Abstract: An illumination device includes a housing and a multi-position switch for selecting various modes of operation. A security block is mounted to the housing adjacent the switch. The security block may be attached to the housing in at least two different orientations. In a first orientation, the security block prevents the switch from being in a position corresponding to certain modes (e.g., those which create a high intensity light beam). When positioned in a second orientation, the security block is attached to the housing but permits the switch to be in other or all positions, thereby permitting various modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Insight Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth S. Solinsky
  • Patent number: 6190026
    Abstract: An illuminated automotive emblem for mounting on a vehicle. The emblem has a decorative housing frame with an overall shape preferably similar to existing automotive manufacturer's emblems (Ford, Chevrolet, etc.). The frame has a central open area that surrounds indicia on a display template that may be any type of printed matter. A portion of the display template substantially fills the central open area of the frame. A rear enclosure housing an illuminant mounts behind the template to emit light through the display template and indicia. The housing frame, display template, rear enclosure and illuminant disassemble from each other so that the parts are replaceable and various housing frames and indicia can be displayed. The housing frame and rear enclosure fasten internally through the use of adhesive strips, magnetic material or interior studs that mate to open bores. The interior studs and open bores are of such dimension that a “snap” tight frictional type bond is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Matthew Glen Moore
  • Patent number: 6190027
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lighting device to illuminate the running board of a vehicle. One embodiment of the lighting device includes an electroluminescent element from which light emanates, an optical element for focusing the light, and a transparent tube surrounding the electroluminescent element and the optical element. In another embodiment of the lighting device, the transparent tube itself is provided with optical power for creating the desired light pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: North American Lighting, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Andrew Lekson
  • Patent number: 6190028
    Abstract: A surface-coated, molded resin article for vehicles composed of a substrate (100) made of a resin, a plate layer (101) formed on the surface of the substrate (100) and coating films formed on the surface of the plate layer (101) wherein two or more different silicone-based coating films (102), (103) containing UV absorbers are laminated on each other. The lower coating film (102) is a light-reflective pearl film, while the upper coating film (103) is a film having a desired color. The UV rays are absorbed by the UV absorber contained in each coating film, to reduce the amount of UV rays that reach the interface between the plate layer 101 and the coating film 102, thus, peeling of the coating films can be effectively prevented. The lower coating film 102 reflects the external rays and provides a glossy appearance, thus contributing to the improvement in the appearance as a metallic coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Aikawa, Koichi Nakamura, Michihiro Mabe
  • Patent number: 6190029
    Abstract: A headlamp 1 has a beam distribution switch mechanism that comprises a hood 3 and a reflecting mirror 4. The hood 3 includes a fixed member 31 having a cut portion 31a on the upper side and a moving member 32 for opening and closing the cut portion. The reflecting mirror 4 includes a first reflecting surface 41 for reflecting the light beam from the light source 2 when the cut portion 31a is closed and the second reflecting surface 42 for reflecting the light beam from the light source 2 when the cut portion 31a is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Taniuchi, Hiroshi Iwasaki, Takashi Sato
  • Patent number: 6190030
    Abstract: A headlamp and/or taillamp system having an impact-absorbing bumper that is designed to be mounted substantially flush with the surrounding vehicle body panels and bumper, while also being capable of deflecting with the stroke of the impact-absorbing bumper during impact to obviate the need for the headlamp and/or taillamp to pivot about an anchor point or to be mechanically displaceable with additional hardware. The headlamp and/or taillamp is preferably formed from resilient, impact resistant material, such as a high impact plastic, in combination with a deformable flexure member that is located selectively between the lens and the vehicle to resiliently respond to impact. The material for the flexure member must be selected to have a yield strength that is adequate to sustain a predetermined degree of deformation, corresponding to the amount of deflection required to deflect with the bumper stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Lacks Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee A. Chase
  • Patent number: 6190031
    Abstract: A machine for continuous processing of flowable materials has a plurality of axis-parallel shafts in a space in a housing along a circle. Each shaft includes shaft bearing processing elements which tightly intermesh adjacent shafts. Between a material inlet at one end of the housing and a material outlet at the other end thereof, the housing jacket is divided radially into short segments with further passages and long segments, the length of the long segments being smaller than the outside distance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventors: Josef A. Blach, Michael Blach, Markus Blach
  • Patent number: 6190032
    Abstract: The shaking machine contains a drive shaft (13) having at an upper end thereof an eccentric shaft portion (12) formed with a predetermined off-center value; a frame (16) supporting the drive shaft via a bearing (14); and a shaking table (18) provided on a lower surface thereof with a bearing (17) in which the eccentric shaft portion is fitted and allows the shaking table to make a circular orbital revolving movement with the rotation of the drive shaft. The frame and the shaking table are connected to each other by an integral rotation regulating coupling (19) for regulating the shaking table not to rotate integrally with the drive shaft, and the drive shaft penetrates the integral rotation regulating coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Eyela-Chino Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihide Choda
  • Patent number: 6190033
    Abstract: A glass coated gas dispersing impeller. The impeller comprises a hub, having a centrally located hole. The hole has a central axis and is sized for passage over a drive shaft having an essentially vertically extending longitudinal axis so that the central axis of the centrally located hole corresponds with the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The impeller has a plurality of angles and edges, all of which have a rounded configuration. The impeller further comprising a plurality of blades secured to the hub that extend radially outward from the central axis. Each of the blades has a leading concave surface and a trailing convex surface both of which are defined by a lower edge, an upper edge, an inner edge and an outer edge. The concave surface is configured so that the upper edge overhangs the lower edge. The blades may be connected to the hub directly or by intermediate connecting means such as a disk or arm integral with the hub and extending radially outwardly from the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Pfaulder, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne N. Rickman, Philip E. McGrath, Matthias Georg Heinzmann
  • Patent number: 6190034
    Abstract: A micro-mixer is disclosed having at least one mixing point which is connected to an inlet channel arrangement having at least two inlet channels and to an outlet channel arrangement, and a mixing method is disclosed for at least two fluids which are supplied from different directions. With this mixer and method it is intended to achieve a rapid and predeterminable mixing of the fluids. For that purpose, a separating element which extends into a region of the mixing point in which the inlet channels run parallel to one another is provided. By this means the fluids can be kept separate from one another until their flow speeds virtually coincide in respect of value and direction. Only then are they brought into contact with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Claus Rye Nielsen, Jens Anders Branebjerg, Peter Gravesen, Poul Dyhr-Mikkelsen, Niels Gade
  • Patent number: 6190035
    Abstract: Provided are mass and heat flow measurement sensors comprising a microresonator, such as a quartz crystal microbalance; a heat flow sensor; and a heat sink coupled thermally to the heat flow sensor. The sensors may be used to measure changes in mass due to a sample, such as a gas sorbing or reacting, on a surface of the microresonator and also to measure heat flow from the sample on the surface of the microresonator by utilizing the heat flow sensor, which is coupled thermally to the microresonator. The combined microresonator and heat flow sensor may provide simultaneous and continuous measurement of the changes in mass and heat flow at a gas-solid interface. Also provided are methods for measuring the mass of a sample, such as a gas, and the flow of heat from the sample to the heat sink by utilizing such mass and heat flow measurement sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Allan L. Smith
  • Patent number: 6190036
    Abstract: Method for determining the ice concentration in a liquid ice mixture (binary ice fluid), with the steps: separating a partial flow of the fluid and introducing and heating the partial flow into a heat exchange (16) until complete melting takes place, accompanied by the measurement of the inlet temperature tA and outlet temperature tB, further heating of the fluid flow by an external heat source and return of the partial flow through the heat exchanger (16), accompanied by the measurement of the inlet temperature tC and outlet temperature tO of the return partial flow and calculating the ice concentration according to the equation Xice=(tC−tO−tB+tA)·(cpfluid/hice), in which cpfluid is the specific heat capacity of the binary ice fluid and hice is the enthalpy of fusion of the binary ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Integral Energietechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Paul
  • Patent number: 6190037
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for measuring the temperature of a moving radiant object. A probe, such as a pyrometer, is disposed in an opening of a vacuum chamber adjacent a radiation transparent window. The probe defines an optical path which intercepts the radiant object entering or exiting a processing chamber. The radiant object is moved through the optical path and emits electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic waves are collected by the probe and transmitted to a signal processing unit where the waves are detected and converted to a temperature reading. If desired, the accumulated data may then be used to generate a cooling curve representing the thermal effects experienced by the radiant object. Extrapolation or correlation methods may be used to extend the cooling curve to points in time prior to or after the data collected by the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok Das, Nety Krishna, Marc Schweitzer, Nalin Patadia, Wei Yang, Umesh Kelkar, Vijay Parkhe, Scot Petitt, Nitin Khurana
  • Patent number: 6190038
    Abstract: A thermocouple lance for measuring temperatures in molten metals has a protective sheath of multi-layered structure that makes it possible to improve the life expectancy of repetitive measuring services. The thermocouple lance comprises a protective sheath with one closed end and one open end wherein porous heat-resisting ceramic filler is compacted. Embedded in the filler is a pair of W—Re alloy wires dissimilar in their composition from each other. The protective sheath has the layered structure made from the cermet layers each having a molybdenum matrix and other layers of at least one selected from the class consisting of C, MgO, CaO, Al2O3 and ZrO2, both of which layers are overlapped each other in alternate layer. At least the outermost shell layer of the protective sheath is made of a cermet layer composed of any one of Mo—ZrN, Mo—ZrB2, Mo—ZrO2, Mo—ZrC and composite thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Isuzu Ceramics Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kita, Takayuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6190039
    Abstract: A main heater, auxiliary heater and guard heater arranged on an insulator substrate to absorb leakage current, thereby maintaining precise sensing temperature. The main heater is parallel with a bridge circuit containing the auxiliary heater, and the main and auxiliary heater s are typically adjacently arranged with a guard heater there between, electrically interconnected to maintain target temperature of the main heater, regardless of leakage current typically resultant from insulation substrate deterioration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Riken
    Inventor: Osamu Yaguchi
  • Patent number: 6190040
    Abstract: A cable and interconnect design including a substrate containing discrete sensors in a plurality of cavities or a plurality of thin film sensors deposited throughout the substrate surface. The discrete sensors are bonded within each cavity and potted with a potting compound. Each sensor has leads joined to filaments by an interconnect system. Thin film sensor leads on the substrate connect to a signal transmitting cable by the interconnect system. The filaments are coated and converge at a strain relief coupled to the substrate. The cable, having flat and round portions, includes an array of flat signal transmitting cables arranged side by side in the flat portion and stacked one on top of the other in the round portion. Each signal cable contains a plurality of the filaments bonded together. A pair of ribbons extend along the length of the array of cables. The ribbons and array of cables are bonded together with film to form the flat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sensarray Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne G. Renken, Mei H. Sun
  • Patent number: 6190041
    Abstract: The shutter construction of a tympanic thermometer comprises a base formed with a horizontal groove and a vertical slot that communicate with each other, wherein said horizontal groove is for mounting a wave guiding duct; a supporting frame formed at the rear end of said base and formed with at least a first engaging portion and at least a second engaging portion; a shutter plate mounted in said vertical slot for closing said wave guiding duct; a linking element, the fore end of the linking element being coupled to the lower portion of said shutter plate and the rear end of the linking element being engaged with said first engaging portion of said supporting frame so that the fore end of the linking element can be swayed up and down relative to the rear end thereof; a spring element, the fore end of the spring element being coupled to said linking element; and an actuating element, the fore end of the actuating element being engaged with said second engaging portion of said supporting frame and the rear end o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Oriental Systems Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Huang, Kevin Lin
  • Patent number: 6190042
    Abstract: An improved dental x-ray aiming device for longitudinal radiographic analysis is provided. The device includes a bite block, a guiding rod, an aiming ring, and a supplemental ring. The bite block includes a film holder that is not perpendicular to a top surface of the bite block. The guiding rod is also attached to the bite block in a non-parallel relationship to accommodate the non-perpendicular arrangement of the film holder. As a result, a proper relationship is maintained between the aiming ring (and hence a dental radiography device) and the film holder. The aiming ring is attached to the guiding rod through a sliding member. The sliding member secures the aiming ring at a predetermined distance from the guiding rod, while allowing the aiming ring to move on an axis parallel with the guiding rod. The bite block includes a slot for receiving and holding a reference device for later density reference measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Electro Medical Systems
    Inventors: S. Brent Dove, Marden E. Alder
  • Patent number: 6190043
    Abstract: A plastic front opening security envelope having a slot opening in the front panel and a tamper evident tape closure that seals along the slot opening after contents are placed through the slot into the envelope interior. The envelope includes an inner false or intermediate panel section secured to one or both panels above the slot which false panel extends below the slot. In the event the envelope is closed such that the slot is spread open when sealed, the tamper tape adhesive seals through the slot to the false panel instead of the rear panel. This arrangement prevents false tripping of the tamper tape by shifting contents or other outward forces exerted on the back panel relative to the front panel or tamper tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Jonathan Diplock
  • Patent number: 6190044
    Abstract: A produce bag has one side wall of a synthetic resin mesh material. The bag offers increased strength and reliability when used with automatic bag filling equipment. The mesh material forms a rear wall of the bag when a group of the bags are placed on wicket pins of the equipment for receiving produce. The front or forward wall is of a synthetic resin film. A reinforcing strip of synthetic resin film is formed along an upper portion of the mesh wall of the bag and spaced holes for wicket pin attachment are formed in the reinforcing strip. The synthetic resin film side wall has a side wall portion which extends below the mesh wall, with a lower fold being formed in the film wall to form a bottom of the bag. The synthetic resin film side also has an extension from the lower fold which is folded upwardly to join with and enclose a lower portion of the mesh side wall. The bottom portion of the bag is thus formed of synthetic resin film which yields to the impact of articles entering the bag to fill it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kenneth Fox Supply Company
    Inventors: L. Keith Fox, Kenneth S. Fox
  • Patent number: 6190045
    Abstract: The present invention would be a tubular bag or container constructed of transparent plastic. The bag or container would include two end mounted holes and two side mounted holes which are carved into the bag or container, allowing easy access. Elastic bands would circumferentially surround the holes and when the elastic bands would be expanded, a user could insert large items into the bag or container to store these items for a particular length of time. As an option, the present invention could be manufactured in a variety of sizes and from different materials, such as nylon or any other washable fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Dale Schulman
  • Patent number: 6190046
    Abstract: A linear motion guide unit in which lubricating plate assemblies may be mounted and demounted with no needs of modification in the basic specifications. The linear motion guide unit comprises a round track shaft and a slider surrounding around the track shaft for sliding movement along the track shaft. Lubricating plate assemblies are each composed of a lubricant-containing member of the sintered resinous component having a porous structure impregnated with lubricant, and a core metal fixed to the lubricant-containing member. The lubricant-containing member is attached to a casing, with interposed between the end face of the end cap and the core metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norimasa Agari
  • Patent number: 6190047
    Abstract: A base beam for formation of a horizontal and vertical, rod-like framework for use in clamping workpieces to be measured, includes a main body defined by a substantially square cross section and having drawn-in flanks formed centrally with a rib, and a carriage detachably securable on the main body for displacement longitudinally in direction of the main body, with the carriage having at least one side formed with one or more precision bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: KOMEG Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Haag, Josef Lauer, Klaus Haage
  • Patent number: 6190048
    Abstract: A compliant foil fluid film radial bearing having a contoured profile bearing rotor to provide for the greater thermal expansion of the hot end of the compliant foil fluid film radial bearing at operating temperature. The rotor may have a uniform taper over its entire length, may be tapered for a portion of its length, or the taper may vary over the entire length of the bearing rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Capstone Turbine Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis H. Weissert
  • Patent number: 6190049
    Abstract: The present invention is a novel fluid thrust bearing system and method for assembling the same. When used in an indicating instrument, the fluid thrust bearing of the present invention reduces the number of necessary parts and simplifies assembly when compared to the prior art. A rotatable element is disposed in a close-fitting cavity so as to define a small gap between the element and the cavity walls, and a fluid is disposed in that gap to the substantial exclusion of air. The fluid damps the rotational movement of the rotatable element. In addition, adhesive forces among the fluid, rotatable element, and cavity walls and cohesive forces within the fluid help maintain the rotatable element in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Vincent H. Rose
  • Patent number: 6190050
    Abstract: A wear-resistant bearing system utilizes a grid pattern of wear-resistant material. In instances where two bearing surfaces slide with respect to one another, such as with a thrust bearing, wear-resistant material strips are inlaid in the surrounding support material. The strips of wear-resistant material are arranged on each component such that the strips intersect one another when one component is moved with respect to the other. This transverse relationship or grid pattern promotes extremely long component life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Camco International, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Campbell
  • Patent number: 6190051
    Abstract: A roller contact bearing unit, in particular for the hub of a vehicle wheel, including a radially outer rotating race (10), a radially inner stationary race (11), a sealing device (16) between the races (10, 11) and a device for measuring the rotation speed of the outer race (10). The measuring device includes an encoder wheel (13) in the form of a radially oriented annular disc made of plastic or rubber magnetized material, and an annular insert made of non-magnetic metal (14) which is suitably shaped to form: a constraining means (14a) for fixing the insert (14) onto the outer race of the bearing unit, an axial abutting means (14b) suitable for abutting against a lateral surface (10b) of the outer race (10), an annular seat (14c) for housing and externally enclosing the encoder wheel (13), and a support means (14d) for a rubber element (15) which forms a sealing covering (15b) suitable for sliding against a surface (16) which forms part of a non-rotating element (11) of the bearing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: SKF Industrie S.p.A.
    Inventors: Vignotto Angelo, Cherio Pierangelo
  • Patent number: 6190052
    Abstract: A method for changing the clamping conditions between a shaft bearing and a rotatable part, which is rotatably disposed in the shaft bearing, and in the case of which the axis of rotation of the rotatable part is arranged axially identically with the axis of rotation of the shaft bearing, as well as to a corresponding shaft bearing. The shaft bearing has a radial adjusting unit in which the clamping conditions of the rotatable part can be changed in the shaft bearing. This change takes place by a reversible change of the radial course of the radial adjusting unit and/or by a reversible change of the contact pressure onto the rotatable part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Juergen Schnur, Silvia Tomaschko
  • Patent number: 6190053
    Abstract: A step bearing is provided to axially support a shaft of an open-end spinning rotor, having a step bearing housing with a freely rotatable supporting ball, against which the end of the shaft is supported. The step bearing housing has a take-up space in the form of a lubricating grease reservoir in which the supporting ball is located. A lubricant distributor is arranged at the take-up space and is movable relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Novibra GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Stahlecker, Friedbert Schmid
  • Patent number: 6190054
    Abstract: An optical fiber device 10 characterized in comprising a support mechanism 11 that supports an optical fiber connector 1 having components 2 with a two piece structure disposed one over the other and held against each other by a tension means, and at one end or the other end of which one or the other optical fibers 3,3 is inserted between said components, determining the alignment position so as to be able to connect optical fibers end to end, a separation member 20 releasing said optical fibers by spreading in the direction of separation of said components by opposing the tension of said tension means when inserted into said components from a direction straight along the longitudinal direction of said optical connector, and a push pressure device 30 which inserts said separation member between said components by applying pushing pressure in the direction of the optical connector to said seperator, and while applying end to end force to both optical fibers end to end in the component, closes the component, an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tamaki, Toshiyuki Tanaka, Akito Nishimura, Yuichi Yoshida, Hiroshi Yokosuka
  • Patent number: 6190055
    Abstract: The invention is an optical assembly which includes at least two optical fibers, each having a coated portion and a bare portion at one end. A spacer is placed between coated portions of the fibers so as to produce a gradual bending of the bare portions and thereby reducing stress on the bare portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Bo Asp Moller Andersen
  • Patent number: 6190056
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning an optical source with an optical fiber. In the aligning apparatus, an optical source is installed on the substrate, an optical fiber is aligned with the optical source, for receiving light from the optical source, a holder holds the optical fiber to enable the optical fiber to receive a maximum of the light emitted from the optical source, and a fixture fixes the holder. The fixture includes a base fixed on the substrate and divided into two portions spaced from each other by a distance enough to insert the holder inbetween, a support having both ends integrally connected to the base, for supporting the holder inserted therein, a pair of protrusions extended from predetermined positions of both sides of the support along the length direction of the optical fiber, and a pair of connection portions disposed at both ends of each of the protrusions, for connecting to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Oh-Dal Kwon, Seong-Eun Lim, Tae-Woo Yun
  • Patent number: 6190057
    Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon Fusion-splicing apparatus for fusion-splicing end faces of optical fibers to each other includes an optical fiber jacket stripper including a portable main body, a power supply input terminal exposed/formed on one surface of the main body, a clamping and heating element for clamping a distal end portion of a coating of an optical fiber and heating/softening the distal end portion by using a heat accumulator which is electrically heated and has a large heat capacity, a pair of cutting blades for cutting a fiber jacket closer to a proximal end portion side of the optical fiber than the distal end portion, and a jacket stripping mechanism which is placed to oppose the clamping and heating element through the cutting blades and slides in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber with respect to the clamping and heating element while holding the proximal end portion of the optical fiber, thereby stripping off the fiber jacket of the distal end portion, and a power supply terminal electr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Osaka, Hidetoshi Hongu
  • Patent number: 6190058
    Abstract: An image can be outputted with a high sharpness without deteriorating a resolution. In order to output an image of a high picture quality while suppressing the occurrence of a moire, an exposure amount is modulated in accordance with pixel density information of the image divided into pixels of a predetermined size by an exposure amount modulating unit in a light scanning unit, thereby expressing an image dark/light state. In this case, in a highlight density region in which a pixel density is equal to or less than ⅓ of the maximum image density, the density data of two adjoining pixels is modulated by one pixel and the other pixel is not recorded. In a density region in which the image density lies within a range from ⅓ to ½ of the maximum image density, a part of the density data of one of the two adjoining pixels is transposed to the other pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Koide, Nobuatsu Sasanuma, Yuichi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6190059
    Abstract: In a camera body section of a camera according to the present invention, a cartridge chamber unit and a spool chamber unit are located on a lower connecting member with a lens barrel unit as a central unit. Furthermore, a driving-force transfer mechanism is located under the lower connecting member. An output of a driving motor located inside the spool chamber is transferred to the lens barrel unit, cartridge chamber unit, and spool chamber unit through a driving-force transfer mechanism by changing the unit receiving the output. In particular, the driven sections of the lens barrel unit and cartridge chamber unit are driven through a worm gear. According to this camera, it requires a minimum change of each unit section to accommodate a specification change and/or a model change. In addition, it is easy to perform partial assembly of every unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Kato, Setsuya Kataoka, Kunio Yokoyama, Tatsuya Suzuki, Keita Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6190060
    Abstract: A light-shielding blade material is provided that contributes to increased focal plane shutter speeds. A focal plane shutter has a front blade group and a rear blade group, each being composed of a plurality of light-shielding blades. At least one of these light-shielding blades is made of a Be-Al alloy material containing 40% by weight or more of Be, and has a thickness of 40 to 150 microns. This light-shielding blade is light in weight and high in stiffness, thereby significantly contributing the increased focal plane shutter speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Noribumi Tachihara, Nobuyoshi Inoue, Shigemi Takahashi, Takao Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6190061
    Abstract: A photographic film unit has a spool having a shaft and a pair of opposed flanges fixed to the shaft. The shaft defines a spool axis. The flanges each have an inner face and an outer face. The inner faces each have a main portion and a periphery. The periphery is disposed radially and axially outward from the main portion. The filmstrip has opposed first and second ends. The first end is wound on the shaft. The filmstrip has a transverse dimension less than the axial separation of the main portions. A leader is conjoined with the second end. The leader has an inner segment adjoining the filmstrip and an outer segment adjoining the inner segment. The inner segment has a transverse dimension less than the axial separation of the main portions. The outer segment has a transverse dimension less than the axial separation of the peripheries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Anthony DiRisio
  • Patent number: 6190062
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of inspecting a patterned substrate using an SEM, involving the steps of evaluating the patterned substrate to determine if charges exist thereon; introducing the patterned substrate having charges thereon into a processing chamber of the SEM; inspecting the patterned resist using an electron beam generated by the SEM; and introducing a cleaner containing ozone into the processing chamber of the SEM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramkumar Subramanian, Khoi A. Phan, Bharath Rangarajan, Bhanwar Singh, Bryan K. Choo, Sanjay K. Yedur
  • Patent number: 6190063
    Abstract: After a developer is applied to a semiconductor wafer, a head member having a plurality of fluid discharge holes is positioned so as to face the wafer, and during development of the wafer, a fluid is discharged from the discharge holes of the head member toward the developer on the wafer. By supplying the fluid to a region of the wafer where the line widths of the resulting circuit pattern are liable to become uneven, the temperature, thickness, liquid surface state, etc. of the developer in this region are controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Akimoto
  • Patent number: 6190064
    Abstract: A device (1) for the intermediate storage of photographic material (4-8) in sheet form includes an entrance (2) for receiving the material (4-8), an exit (3) for discharging the material (4-8) and several rotatably supported rollers (9-16; 40, 41) which are provided to transport of the material in sheet form (4-8) from the entrance (2) to the exit (3) and can be driven by at least one drive means (17-22). A monitoring means (23, 24A, 24B) for monitoring positions of intermediately stored sheets (4-8) of the photographic material (4-8) is also provided. A control means (23) controls the rotation speeds of the driveable rollers (9-16; 40, 41) in such a way that during operation the rotation speed of at least one of the rollers (9-16; 40, 41) can be adjusted independently of the rotation speeds of the other rollers (9-16; 40, 41) in response to the monitored positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Lorenz, Rainer Regber, Wilfried Hehn, Manfred Schlechte
  • Patent number: 6190065
    Abstract: A tape cartridge for use in a thermally printing device of the type having a cartridge receiving cavity, a thermal print head and a platen in which the cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a supply of double sided adhesive laminating tape and a supply of direct thermal imaging tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kroy LLC
    Inventor: John E. Brzuskiewicz
  • Patent number: 6190066
    Abstract: A printing device produces printed pieces of paper having no blank areas, and which can precisely position print content on the back side of continuous printing paper. A mark is provided in a blank area on the back side of printing paper. A sensor senses the mark, whereby the position of a regular-form print area adjacent to the blank area on the printing paper can be recognized. A thermal head and a cutter respectively print the printing paper and cut off the blank area based on the sense output. Accordingly, it is possible to produce a printed piece of paper having a desired print on the front side and a regular-form print on the back side without positional misalignment and without blank in the feed direction, with the mark removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ishigouoka, Masato Sakui, Tomoyuki Takeshita
  • Patent number: 6190067
    Abstract: A tape cassette which contains a roll of a magnetically affixable printing tape formed around a holding reel and a roll of an ink ribbon formed around a holding reel and having a non-magnetic ink layer formed on the ribbon is set in a cassette accommodating section of a tape printer. The printing tape and the ink ribbon are fed out from their holding reels within the cassette across a cut in the tape cassette and through between a thermal head and a platen roller while being pressed by those elements to thereby perform printing. The printing tape comprises a printing layer and a magnetic layer pasted to the printing layer. S and N poles which extend lengthwise of the tape are alternately arranged widthwise on the magnetic layer. Thus, two overlapping poles of any two adjacent turns of the tape have the same polarity at any peripheral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Casio Computer., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kobayashi, Kenzo Ito, Kenji Igarashi, Masayuki Ikeda, Kensaku Takeuchi, Kenji Suyama, Satoshi Kimura, Koji Deguchi
  • Patent number: 6190068
    Abstract: A keyboard comprising a plurality of Alpha-Numeric keys, a plurality of Direction keys and a Backspace key, a Delete key or a Enter key is provided. The plurality of Direction keys includes →,←,↑,⇓ keys to form an area of Direction keys. The Backspace key, a Delete key or a Enter key is disposed adjacent to the area of Direction keys for allowing a user's fingers to move between Direction keys and Backspace key, a Delete key or a Enter key without moving the palm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Acer Peripherals Inc.
    Inventor: Shih-Hung Chao
  • Patent number: 6190069
    Abstract: A tape cassette includes a generally rectangular cassette housing having top and bottom sides and four walls that are sized such that the cassette housing can be mounted within a tape printer. A head recess is located in the cassette housing for receiving the print head of the tape printer when the cassette housing is mounted within the tape printer. A support hole downstream of the head recess receives the drive shaft of the tape printer, and is located adjacent a corner of the cassette housing defined by a first wall that is generally parallel to the tape feed path and a second wall of the four walls that is generally perpendicular to the feed path. The second wall includes a recess spaced inwardly toward the head recess, and a discharge opening downstream of the support hole is located in the recess for discharging tape from the cassette housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Mitsuharu Hattori
  • Patent number: 6190070
    Abstract: A printer for generating an image on a media sheet has a printer body with a media path extending from a media supply in a downstream direction to a media exit. An output tray and a media ejection mechanism are connected to the printer body adjacent the media exit. The ejection mechanism has a number of drive roller pairs, each of which includes a first roller and a second roller contacting each other at a nip defining a nip plane. The first rollers of the respective roller pairs are coaxial with each other, and the second rollers of the respective roller pairs are coaxial with each other. The nips of the drive roller pairs occupy a common plane, and the drive roller pairs are spaced apart from each other to define a gap. The ejection mechanism includes at least one corrugation roller positioned in the gap, rotatable on a corrugation roller axis, and having a curved surface portion displaced from the nip plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Carl T. Urban, David W. Hanks, Barry G. Mannie, Richard Brzezinski
  • Patent number: 6190071
    Abstract: A printer includes platen opening/closing means for increasing a gap between a platen and a print head when a printing medium is set to the printer, and cleaning means for cleaning a photo sensor device. The cleaning means removes paper dust, for example, accumulated to such an extent as to interrupt the optical path between the light emitting and receiving elements of the photo sensor device. The cleaning means is controlled by a control means contained in the printer. The control means drives the cleaning means when an output signal level of the photo sensor device is below a predetermined signal level after the printing medium is discharged out of the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetake Mochizuki, Masahiko Yamada, Mitsuaki Teradaira