Patents Issued in April 3, 2001
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Patent number: 6209459Abstract: A method of marking bullets and bullets marked by the method are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises coating the bullet of a cartridge with at least one coating material whose surface appearance contrasts with the surface appearance of the underlying bullet material. Characters are then selectively etched in, and generally substantially through, the coating, such as molybdenum disulfide. The characters are easily and quickly recognized because of the contrast between the surface appearances of the coating and that of the underlying material. The characters typically, but not necessarily, indicate characteristics of the bullet, such as bullet weight and design features.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1998Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Blount, Inc.Inventors: Francis J. Kaufman, Jerry L. Hill, Steven R. Moore, Dennis K. Conley, Kenneth L. Alexander
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Patent number: 6209460Abstract: The invention provides an improved propellant system for firing projectiles in large caliber guns. Strips of energetic propellant are placed in the cartridge case so that the lengths of the strips are parallel to the length of the cartridge. Preferably, the strips are placed in a radially symmetric pattern. The strips provide passageways that allow ignition gasses to flow radially in the cartridge case and along the length of the cartridge case.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2000Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: United Defense, L.P.Inventors: Brian J. Isle, Amir Chaboki, Steven R. Zelenak
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Patent number: 6209461Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-lethal projectile. The projectile (1) comprises a longitudinal body (5) having internally a longitudinal striker (55) suitable for perforating a container (47) of fluid under pressure in controlled manner, in particular by impact of the projectile (1) on a target. The striker (55) has an internal passage (59) opening to the outside of the body (5) via channels (60) made through a rigid wall (35) secured to the body (5) such that the outlet offered to the fluid under pressure remains disengaged even if the impact is accompanied by the deformation of the container (47). The fluid contained in the container (47) can thus escape and spread over the target even in such a case.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Etienne Lacroix Tous Artifices S.A.Inventors: Régis Riffet, Walter Simonella, Guy Valembois
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Patent number: 6209462Abstract: A crib ballast clearing machine comprises a machine frame supported on undercarriages adapted to support the machine frame on a track comprised of rails fastened to ties defining cribs therebetween, and a ballast scarifying device comprising a revolvable endless excavating chain vertically adjustably mounted on the machine frame for removing ballast from a respective one of the cribs between the rails, a drive for revolving the endless excavating chain, and a displacement drive for vertically adjusting the endless excavating chain. The endless excavating chain has a lowermost ballast receiving part being immersible in ballast in the crib between the rails upon vertical adjustment of the endless excavating chain.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.Inventor: Josef Theurer
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Patent number: 6209463Abstract: A medical examination table having an apparatus for support and securing the backrest to an inclined position, self-adjusting drawers having a resilient extension fixedly connected to at least one of two side panels of the drawer, wherein the drawer is slideably connectable within multiple sized drawer openings, a retractable footstep having a platform slideably received within a cavity of the table and able to be locked in an extended position and a retractable leg rest having a shelf member slideably received within another cavity of the table and having a lip and a pad for continuously supporting the patient's leg.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: United Metal Fabricators, Inc.Inventors: Louis T. Koharchik, Michael A. Pribish, Jacob D. Radwanski, Mark J. Romano
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Patent number: 6209464Abstract: A pallet includes a rectangular support deck having a substantially planar upper supporting surface including a plurality of channels formed therein extending across the pallet. The deck includes support members extending from an underside of the deck that nest in recesses formed in the upper surface of the deck. An alignment portion is formed at a center point along the first edge of the deck and a second alignment portion is formed at a center point of an opposed edge of the deck. An alignment portion includes angled sides for receiving a tapered member of a complementary device.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Stratis CorporationInventor: Andrew W. Elder
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Patent number: 6209465Abstract: A stabilizing arrangement for use with a table, includes a support structure which is mountable to a table top. Four feet are mounted on the support structure so that a line drawn between a first pair of the feet intersects a line drawn between a second pair of the feet. The feet of each pair are fixed relative to each other and the pairs are linearly displaceable relative to each other. A displacement mechanism is arranged on the support structure to permit linear displacement of the pairs of feet relative to each other. The displacement mechanism is operable when the feet are placed on an uneven support surface so that all four feet can be against the support surface, in use.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: David Alan Brooks
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Patent number: 6209466Abstract: A two piece seed boot for a seeding machine has a upper cast portion and a lower cast portion. Both the upper and lower portions are provided with aligned seed passages which received metered seed from the seed tube and discharge the metered seed to the planting furrow. The upper cast portion is mounted to the planting unit frame and the seed tube by an integral mounting clevis. The lower cast portion is provided with first and second upward extending mounting lugs. The first mounting lug is received in a recess formed in the upper portion. The second mounting lug engages the planting furrow side of the upper portion. The rear of the upper and lower portions are provided with aligned mounting holes through which a mounting bolt passes securing the lower portion to the upper portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Timothy Dirk Wodrich
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Patent number: 6209467Abstract: In a sewing machine, a reading device reads embroidery or pattern data provided from outside of the apparatus and writes the read data into a memory, and a cancel device cancels the reading of the data during the reading of the data. Therefore, even if the reading of the data is mistakenly started, the reading process can be canceled when an operator notices the mistake. Thus, as the operator does not need to wait until the reading is completed, the operability and workability can be greatly improved.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2000Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shintaro Tomita
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Patent number: 6209468Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sewing handles lengthwise on a strip of mattress border material or other elongated strip of material. A fold is formed and aligned on a leading end of handle stock and is advanced to a sewing head where the fold is sewn to the strip of material. The handle stock is then cut at a point to leave the proper length of handle stock to form the handle and a fold is formed in the trailing end of the handle, aligned and positioned at the sewing head where it is sewn to the strip material to complete the handle. All of the above are performed automatically under programmable control.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Porter InternationalInventors: Steve Marcangelo, Michael R. Porter
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Patent number: 6209469Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for converting one or more rolls of material into a pillow sham. In one embodiment, three rolls of material are overlapped and fed to a sewing and cutting system. The materials are sewn along their vertical edges and then cut to a determined size. After being cut, the three pieces of fabric are shifted and fed to further sewing heads for sewing the horizontal edges in producing a pillow sham. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the system converts a single roll of material into a pillow sham.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: Perry E. Burton
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Patent number: 6209470Abstract: An improved multi-operational mode marine vessel is proposed that has blower pressurized air cushions that are utilized during high speed operations disposed in one or more secondary supporting hulls wherein said secondary supporting hulls are connected to a main hull by struts in the preferred embodiment of the invention and where, when the air cushions are not utilized, the secondary hulls are at least partially submerged thereby providing an exceptionally stable marine vehicle while stationary or at low speeds. This submergence of the secondary hulls can be enhanced by use of one or more water buoyancy tanks that would generally be disposed in the secondary supporting hulls. In the preferred version of the invention, blower pressurized air is ducted from blowers in the main hull through the struts to the air cushion recesses in the secondary supporting hulls.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: Donald E. Burg
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Patent number: 6209471Abstract: Disclosed is a door structure including a door, a door opening in a bulkhead portion and a stiffening member extending peripherally in the door opening. The door is hingedly attached to a bulkhead portion and is movable between a position substantially covering the opening and a position substantially freeing the opening. The door includes a flat plate with peripheral edge zones, which extend to at least one of the stiffening member and the edge zones of the bulkhead portion bounding the opening. The distance between the peripheral edge zones and at least one of the stiffening member and the edge zones of the bulkhead portion is smaller than ¼ inch.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Mafo Holtkamp B.V.Inventor: Hendrikus Willem Johannes Oomen
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Patent number: 6209472Abstract: A system for inhibiting marine organism growth on underwater surfaces provides an electric current generator which causes an electric current to flow proximate the underwater surface. A source of power, such as a battery, provides electrical power to the electric current generator. The flow of current passes from the underwater surface through water surrounding the surface or in contact with the surface, and a point of ground potential. The point of ground potential can be a marine propulsion system attached to a boat on which the underwater surface is contained.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1998Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventor: Richard E. Staerzl
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Patent number: 6209473Abstract: A method of removing fouling from an underwater surface (16) coated with an antifouling paint involves generating, by means of at least one treating member (9, 10) spaced from the underwater surface to be cleaned, turbulence within the water surrounding the underwater surface so as to dislodge marine fouling adhered thereto. The invention also relates to apparatus for cleaning an underwater surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: UMC International PlcInventors: David Fitzherbert Jones, Joseph Jackson
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Patent number: 6209474Abstract: A transporter for heavy objects at sea comprises an oblong structure with a U-shaped cross section and a prismatic enveloping surface, and comprises two long sides, an intermediate underside, an opposite open top side and two short sides. Ballasting chambers are arranged in each of the structure's eight corners which are formed by the points of intersection between the long sides, the underside, the open top side and the short sides, whereby the structure can be rotated by ballasting to a desired position in the water.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Offshore ASInventors: Gunnar Foss, Per Bull Haugsøen
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Patent number: 6209475Abstract: An anchor connection and retrieving device is disclosed. The device is adapted to be interposed between an anchor and one end of an anchor line, the anchor has a shank, a crown and a plurality of tynes or flukes. The device has a locking assembly including a releasable portion, a locking portion relative to which the releasable portion is releasably coupled. One or more release members are movable between a first position which couples the releasable portion to the locking portion and a second position which decouples the releasable portion from the locking portion. The locking portion is connected to the one end of the anchor line and a retrieving line is connected to it and the crown of the anchor. The releasable portion is coupled to the shank of the anchor. A release block may move along the anchor line to engage the release members to decouple the releasable portion from the locking portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: Peter Geoffrey Powell
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Patent number: 6209476Abstract: A pneumatic boat comprising a generally U-shaped float open towards the rear and made up of at least one pneumatically inflatable tube, the rear ends of which are braced by a rear board, a rigid floor disposed at least transversely inside the float and a hull with a V-shaped cross section formed by a flexible canvas fixed to the float and to the rear board and held taut by a longitudinal inflatable keel inserted between said floor and said canvas; the inflatable keel is formed by an elongate enclosure delimited by two substantially flat and approximately parallel main walls extending longitudinally and approximately perpendicular to the floor, these walls being braced by a plurality of flexible links; and this enclosure is inflated to a relatively high pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2000Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Zodiac InternationalInventors: Didier Maurel, Dominique Zeromski
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Patent number: 6209477Abstract: The present invention provides a boat comprising a retractable top, at least one strut having a first end attached to the top, and motor driven retraction device attached to the boat. The electrically driven device is attached to the boat and operatively coupled to the strut by means of a rack and pinion arrangement. The strut is moved between its first and second positions by the electrically driven device, whereby the top is electrically raised and lowered.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Harris Kayot, Inc.Inventor: Baron R. Biedenweg
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Patent number: 6209478Abstract: A garage includes a garage door which can be opened and closed by a garage door opener or by hand. A pendant suspended from a cord is movable from a raised position when the garage door is closed to a lowered position when the garage door is open. In the lowered position, the pendant is at the height of the windshield of a vehicle and at the eye level of the driver. When a vehicle enters the garage and the windshield contacts the pendant, the vehicle is properly positioned in the garage. The cord is attached to a reel which winds up the cord when the pendant is raised and pays out the cord when the pendant is lowered. The reel is driven in at least one direction by an internal spring, by a spring of the garage door opener or by the motor of the garage door opener.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: Vern L. Curtis
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Patent number: 6209479Abstract: A non-fluidized bed apparatus for coating tablets has a base plate of which a portion of the upper surface is inclined towards an upward directed two-fluid or three-fluid nozzle. Ducts through the base plate around the nozzle produce jets of process gas in a direction intersecting an imaginary centre line of the spray produced by the nozzle. Atomizing gas from the nozzle is muffled shortly after it has left the nozzle to decrease the upward scattering effect of said gas on the tablets being coated. No partition is used for separating upward and downward flow of tablets during the coating process. In the coating process the amount of atomizing gas supplied to the nozzle is limited to reduce the tablet scattering effect of said gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1998Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Aeromatic-Fielder AGInventors: Kim Torben Walter, Mark Arthur Neidlinger
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Patent number: 6209480Abstract: A multi-zone high-density inductively-coupled plasma source includes a first individually controlled RF antenna segment for producing a plasma from a process gas. A second individually controlled coil segment is included in the ICP source for producing a plasma from a process gas. In various embodiments, more than two sets of individually controlled coil segments may be used. In one embodiment, a separate power supply may be used for each coil segment individually. Another aspect of this invention is a hermetically-sealed inductively-coupled plasma source structure and method of fabrication which eliminates the possibility of process contamination, improves the source hardware reliability and functionality, and improves the vacuum integrity and ultimate base pressure of the plasma system.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1996Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: Mehrdad M. Moslehi
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Patent number: 6209481Abstract: A system for coating a surface of a substrate with a material includes a vacuum chamber and a vacuum pump configured to maintain a vacuum in the vacuum chamber. One or more ion source(s) are configured to implant ions of the material into the surface of a substrate disposed within the vacuum chamber to form an implanted substrate layer. The ion source(s) then deposit ions of the material onto the implanted substrate layer to form a seed layer. The ion source(s) next implant ions of the material into the seed layer to form an intermix layer and finally deposit ions of the material on the intermix layer to form the coating over the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1996Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: University of Maryland Baltimore CountyInventors: Oleg Vesnovsky, Timmie Topoleski, Vladimir Pomazenko
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Patent number: 6209482Abstract: A microwave apparatus for sustaining a substantially uniform plasma over a relatively large area. The microwave apparatus comprises a vacuum vessel for sustaining the plasma in a plasma region thereof. The apparatus further comprises a nonevanescent microwave applicator having means for controlling the cutoff frequency thereof. The microwave applicator may comprise a waveguide and a volume of dielectric material disposed within the waveguide. Alternately, the microwave applicator may comprise ridge waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1997Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.Inventor: Joachim Doehler
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Patent number: 6209483Abstract: CVD reactors can be cleaned at surprisingly high rates using Non-Green House gases by employing the Non-Green House gases at high temperatures and with relatively high fluorine free radical concentrations so long as high concentrations of oxygen are also used to compensate for the detrimental effects of the high temperatures and free fluorine radical concentrations. Net oxide residue etch rates approximately 2,800 times greater than etch rates achieved with controlled Green House gases can be achieved. This is done by employing a pre-ionization module upstream of the reactor to be cleaned to generate the requisite high density plasma.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Accord S. E. G.Inventor: Timothy Scott Dyer
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Patent number: 6209484Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing an etch stop layer. The method begins by introducing process gases into a processing chamber in which a substrate is disposed. An etch stop layer is then deposited over the substrate. An overlying layer is then deposited over the etch stop layer. The etch stop layer substantially protects underlying materials from the etchants used in patterning the overlying layer. Moreover, the etch stop layer also possesses advantageous optical characteristics, making it suitable for use as an antireflective coating in the patterning of layers underlying the etch stop layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2000Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Judy H. Huang, Wai-Fan Yau, David Cheung, Chan-Lon Yang
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Patent number: 6209485Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically milking animals which are allowed individually to visit a milking compartment associated with a milking robot for automatically milking animals therein. An animal visiting the milking compartment is milked by the milking robot only when, since it last visited the milking compartment, Q milkings of other animals in the milking compartment have occurred. Based on physiological characteristics, each animal is assigned a number x which indicates how often it should be milked per unit of time such as a day. Intervening milkings Q which must take place before the animal can be milked again is calculated as a function of the animal's corresponding number x. Physiological characteristics which determine x for each animal include its milk yield, its lactation period stage, its age, its movement activity, its feed consumption and its udder's health.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Maasland N.V.Inventors: Alexander van der Lely, Karel van den Berg, Cornelis J. M. van Overveld
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Patent number: 6209486Abstract: An elevated pet bed is disclosed which consists of a frame, supported a predetermined height from a base surface through the use of legs. A sleeping pad is affixed to the frame, thereby suspending the sleeping pad, within the frame, above the base surface. The sleeping pad can be affixed to the frame through use of channels dimensioned to receive the frame or secured to the frame with two part hook and wool material. The sleeping pad is a non-absorbent, open weave material which allows urine to pass through to a safety pan placed on the base surface under the pad. In one embodiment, the safety pad has a perimeter slightly greater than the periphery of the frame and in another embodiment the perimeter of the safety pan is slightly less than the frame periphery. A bolster is secured along the periphery of the sleeping pad to provide a raised area for a pet to lie against.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1998Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: Cynthia Reynolds
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Patent number: 6209487Abstract: An improved elevated animal feeder apparatus that provides food at an elevated position to provide a more comfortable and healthy feeding position for animals. The animal feeder apparatus includes a support structure having removable feeder vessels. The support structure is of a unitary molded plastic construction and is configured for nested stacking with like feeder assemblies for convenient and compact storage and handling. The base of the top surface of the support structure is generally oblong in shape with flared side surfaces to provide support. The top surface has openings for receiving feeding vessels. A preferred feeding vessel has a raised back surface to act as a back splash. The raised back splash may also include a notch for easily removing the feeding vessel form the support structure for filling and cleaning the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Pet Zone ProductsInventors: Robert L. Quinlan, Patrick W. Brown, John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk
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Patent number: 6209488Abstract: A hay ring attachment device includes an enlongated vertically extending member having a top portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, wherein an upper hay ring receiving assembly is fixedly secured to the top portion. A hay spear receiving assembly is adjustably positioned along the middle portion, and a lower hay ring receiving assembly is adjustably positioned along the lower portion. The hay ring attachment device enables an operator of the type of tractor commonly found on an agricultural farm to utilize a combination of both the three-point hydraulic hitch assembly and the hay spear of the type well known in the art to pick up, move, and lower a hay ring whether or not the hay ring is found to surround a hay bale when the pick-up process is initiated.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: Leon Wright
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Patent number: 6209489Abstract: A swing-out animal feeder is disclosed comprising a feed container having a filling aperture in a top portion thereof for filling with feed and having a feeding aperture in a lower portion thereof for allowing an animal to feed therefrom. The feed container is pivotally mounted in an animal barrier such that it may pivot from a feeding position wherein the feeding aperture is positioned for the animal to feed from one side of the barrier, to a filling position wherein the filling aperture is positioned for filling with feed from a second side of the barrier. A lid is provided which is automatically removed when the feed container is moved to the filling position, and a substantially inverted cleaning position is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: Edward A. Akins
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Patent number: 6209490Abstract: A preferred embodiment has a generally rectangular solid shaped housing to allow side-by-side and stacked arrangements of a plurality of housings and provide for good floor space utilization, with connected interior compartments for feeding and watering, exercise, rest, and waste disposal. A separate, closed interior compartment provides for storage of occupant specific articles. A plurality of doors on the housing front elevation provide openings for pet entry and egress, cleaning, food and water replenishment, and storage access.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: Gary J. Schwede
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Patent number: 6209491Abstract: The pet entertainment apparatus comprises an open three dimensional framework which is covered with releasably secured material configured to provide a hammock within a top of the apparatus and an interior compartment covered by swingable flaps which depend from the top in areas between rope covered upstanding legs which elevate the top above a base of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: Jim Olson
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Patent number: 6209492Abstract: A livestock herding cart with a chassis having forward and rearward wheel assemblies that allows movement upon a raised track. Connected to the chassis is a seat and moveable gate. The seat is positioned above the chassis and the gate extends below the chassis. The cart is used by releasing a group of livestock into a center alleyway of the raised track. The cart is then moved toward the livestock group with the gate extending substantially perpendicular to the chassis until the group exits the center alleyway. Then a second group of livestock are released into the center alleyway and the operator raises the gate and moves the cart to a position behind the second group of livestock. The operator then lowers the gate and moves towards the second group repeating the process.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: Mike L. Rankin
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Patent number: 6209493Abstract: An electrolysis cell and internal combustion engine kit including an electrolysis cell is disclosed. The cell includes a sealed plastic body having an inlet and an outlet. The plastic body includes a first terminal located at the top of the body, a second terminal located adjacent to the first terminal and insulated conductors associated with each terminal extending through the body and towards the bottom end thereof. Each terminal ends in a respective anode and cathode which are operatively connected to the terminals. The anode and cathode are spaced apart from one another within the body. When an electrolysis solution is placed in the body, and a current provided across the electrodes, water is caused to decompose into hydrogen and oxygen. These combustible gases are then passed into the internal combustion engine to increase the efficiency and power thereof. In one embodiment a reservoir is provided to ensure that the level is maintained in the cell.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Global Tech Environmental Products Inc.Inventor: Bill Ross
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Patent number: 6209494Abstract: This is a procedure for producing mechanical power and a hybrid power generation unit for practicing such a process. In particular, the procedure uses a thermal or catalytic cracker to crack or to pyrolyze (partially or completely) a liquid or gaseous petroleum fuel to produce a primary gaseous stream primarily containing hydrogen (and likely methane or other short-chain hydrocarbons). The hydrogen may be used in a fuel cell to produce electricity, which electricity is used in a linear or rotary electric motor. In the preferred procedure, the residuum of the pyrolyzed feedstock is laid down in the reactor. A regeneration step is used to remove that residuum and produce a carbon monoxide-rich gas which then may be introduced to an internal or external combustion engine for further production of mechanical power. Most preferred of the combustion engines is one having high thermal efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Procyon Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ambrose F. Manikowski, Jr., Gary M. Noland
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Patent number: 6209495Abstract: A two stroke compound engine has a pair of horizontally opposed piston cylinder assemblies extending along a common axis therein. Each piston cylinder assembly includes a piston, a combustion chamber and respective inlet and exhaust valves. A pair of connecting rods extending along the common axis connect the respective pistons to a crank extending from a rotary housing. The rotary housing is rotatably mounted within the engine and includes an output shaft extending co-axially therefrom. A fixed ring gear is mounted co-axially about the rotary housing along an axis extending perpendicularly to the common axis. A planetary gear mounted on the crank meshes with the ring gear for rotating the rotatable housing in response to reciprocation of the pistons. A pair of combustors are mounted on exhaust ports of the respective piston assemblies for further combusting exhaust from the combustion chambers by mixing exhaust with cooling air and additional fuel.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: Walter Warren
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Patent number: 6209496Abstract: A reciprocating internal combustion engine has at least one cylinder with a reciprocating piston arranged therein. Two parallel crankshafts connected by a toothing rotate in opposite direction. Each one of the pistons has first and second rigid connecting rods, wherein the first connecting rod is connected to the first crankshaft and the second connecting rod is connected to the second crankshaft. Various connecting rod arrangements are possible. In one embodiment, the connecting rods are curved toward one another and toward a center axis of the cylinder. The piston may have two connecting rod bearings spaced apart in the direction in the spacing between the crankshafts. The first connecting rod connected to the first crankshaft may be connected to a connecting rod bearing that is remote from the crankshaft, and the second connecting rod connected to the second crankshaft may be connect to the other connecting rod bearing remote from the second crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventor: Peter Pelz
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Patent number: 6209497Abstract: The system according to the invention for the relative rotating position change of a shaft with respect to a driving wheel has an adjusting device with two pressure spaces which act against one another and which can be acted upon by a pressure medium pump. In order to achieve a uniform controlled adjusting operation and a secure position fixing, the pressure space connected with the pressure medium pump is acted upon by pressure at the start of the adjusting movement before the opposite pressure space connected with the pressure medium tank is relieved.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2000Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignees: Dr. Ing. h,c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft, Hydraulik Ring GmbHInventors: Bernd Niethammer, Andreas Knecht
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Patent number: 6209498Abstract: A valve lifter of the present invention includes a tappet body having a forked housing for receiving a cylindrical roller. The cylindrical roller is provided with a bearing assembly and a shaft extending therethrough to operatively couple the roller to the forked housing. To provide lubrication to the cylindrical roller and bearing assembly, the tappet body includes an oil pressure feed groove, oil feed slots, and an oiling channel located on the external surface of the tappet body.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1998Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Competition Cams, Inc.Inventor: Paul Brothers
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Patent number: 6209499Abstract: A C-clip retainer is provided in a groove of a piston, such as for an engine hydraulic valve lash adjuster, to allow installation and removably retain the piston in a cylinder of an associated assembly. The groove has a novel shape including an inner surface that is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the piston to provide a larger groove diameter at a first axial end surface and a smaller diameter at an opposite second axial end surface of the groove. Upon installation, the clip is urged into the smaller diameter, allowing easier installation, but upon removal the clip is expanded by forcing it to the larger diameter, thereby increasing the retention force on the piston. The first axial end surface may also be formed with a back angle that reduces forces of the associated cylinder edge that tend to compress the retainer into the groove, thus further increasing the piston retention force.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Nathan B. Owen, Daniel Patrick O'Neill, Thomas Howard Lichti
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Patent number: 6209500Abstract: A cold start fuel preheat system for an internal combustion engine includes a housing and a fuel rail extending through the housing to deliver fuel to the internal combustion engine. The cold start fuel preheat system also includes a phase transform material disposed in the housing and about the fuel rail. The cold start fuel preheat system further includes a mechanism for heating the phase transform material such that the phase transform material stores the heat and transfers the stored heat to the fuel during cold start of the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2000Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Verne Tallio, Eric Warren Curtis, Michael Bruno Magnan
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Patent number: 6209501Abstract: A suction system for an internal combustion engine has branch pipes of an intake manifold disposed on and connected to a cylinder head through a swirl valve assembly. The swirl valve assembly includes first and second intake passages provided in a main body thereof and a swirl valve disposed in one of the first and second intake passages. The first and second intake passages communicate with a single combustion chamber, and a tank chamber is provided in the main body and is defined between first and second intake passage walls and a peripheral wall which surrounds the first and second intake passage walls. The tank chamber is further defined and closed off by being connected to a structure associated with either the branch pipes or the cylinder head, and a negative pressure introduction passage is provided in the main body and introduces negative suction pressure into the tank chamber from the other of the first and second intake passages.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventor: Hiroyuki Kaneko
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Patent number: 6209502Abstract: An intake manifold for a four-cycle internal combustion engine with multiple stages to reduce imbalances in volumetric efficiency and air/fuel ratio. The intake manifold utilizes at least two ram stages coupled by a plenum chamber. The first stage includes a ram tube that carries the air/fuel mixture from the carburetor, or throttle body to the plenum chamber. The second stage includes at least two ram tubes that carry the air/fuel mixture from the plenum to a plurality of intake valves through cylinder head intake ports. The plenum chamber acts as a buffer between each intake valve and the carburetor or throttle body. The air/fuel mixture enters the first stage ram tube and passes into the plenum chamber. These gases then pass into either one of the second stage ram tubes, depending on which cylinder is at its intake stroke. By drawing the air/fuel mixture from the plenum instead of directly from the first stage ram tube, differences in the air/fuel ratio and volumetric efficiency are minimized.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Inventors: Gregory G. Davis, Kenneth Thurm
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Patent number: 6209503Abstract: An intake duct capable of reducing intake noise when an engine runs at a low speed and supplying a sufficiently large amount of air when the engine runs at a high speed without using any electron control circuit or electromagnetic valve, which is produced at low costs. The intake duct includes valve adjusting means which restrains the movement of the valve member when the valve member brings a second intake passage from the closed state to the open state, and facilitates the movement of the valve member when the valve member brings the second intake passage from the open state to the closed state. When the second intake passage is brought to the open state from the closed state, the restraining force of the valve adjusting means is great to restrain the movement of the valve member, and when the second intake passage is brought to the closed state from the open state, the valve member readily pivots to open the second intake passage.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Komada, Kazuo Fujihara, Yoshikazu Hirose, Takahiro Komori, Hitoshi Kino, Hidetoshi Ishihara
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Patent number: 6209504Abstract: An integral valve stem seal retainer and spring seat for a reduced diameter valve seal subassembly is disclosed having lower and upper portions. An annular sealing member is bonded to the upper portion of the metal retainer and an annular flange extends radially outwardly of the lower portion of the retainer to engage at least one coil of a reduced diameter valve spring. The annular sealing member further includes upper and lower portions, wherein the upper portion engages an outer surface of a valve stem while the lower portion engages a top of a thin-wall valve guide.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Timothy Alan Hegemier, Mark Allen Stamback
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Patent number: 6209505Abstract: To provide a four-cycle engine for a vehicle, in which a cylinder bore is disposed in such a manner that the axial line thereof extends substantially in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, a cam shaft is disposed between an intake valve and an exhaust valve which have operational axial lines crossing each other in an approximately V-shape. The engine is capable of making the position of the outer end portion of an exhaust valve as close to the axial line of a cylinder bore as possible, thereby making the mounting position of the engine as low as possible. A cam shaft is disposed above the axial line of a cylinder bore and on a projection plane perpendicular to the axial line of a crank shaft, including the axial line of the cylinder bore. Furthermore, an angle formed between the axial line of the cylinder bore and the operational axial line of an intake valve is set to be larger than an angle formed between the axial line of the cylinder bore and the operational axial line of an exhaust valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiaki Hori, Tohru Nishi
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Patent number: 6209506Abstract: A cylinder head of a spark-ignition engine is divided into an upper cylinder head portion and a lower cylinder head portion by means of a division wall portion. An upper spark-plug hole is formed in the upper cylinder head portion, whereas a lower spark-plug hole is formed in the lower cylinder head portion. The relative position of lower spark-plug hole is based on the position of the spark plug screwed into a tapped hole formed in the lower cylinder head portion. The relative position of the upper spark-plug hole is based on engine parts mounted in the upper cylinder head. The axis of the upper spark-plug hole is thus designed to be offset from the axis of the lower spark-plug hole. Each of the upper and lower spark-plug holes has a tapered hollow portion in close vicinity to the division wall portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2000Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Seigou Satou
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Patent number: 6209507Abstract: A number of embodiments of cylinder head constructions wherein the cylinder head is comprised of a main cylinder head member that slidably supports the valves for the engine, and which has an upper peripheral edge that defines a cam chamber. At least one camshaft and the tappets associated thereby are supported by a separate cam and tappet carrier member that is affixed to the main cylinder head member. Various arrangements are shown wherein one or both camshafts and the tappets associated therewith may be carried by the cam and tappet carrier member and lubricating and fastening variations are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2000Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Noboru Sakamoto, Kazunori Yasukawa, Masahiro Muramatsu
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Patent number: 6209508Abstract: A four-cycle, fuel lubricated, internal combustion engine system suited for a vehicle includes a fuel tank containing fuel at a remote location from the engine, a first fluid path for transporting fuel to the lubrication system of the engine, and a second fluid path for transporting fuel to said combustion system of the engine. In this way, the engine's fuel serves as the lubricant and the combustive agent.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1997Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Science Applications International Corp.Inventor: Joseph F. Tinney