Patents Issued in April 24, 2001
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Patent number: RE37143Abstract: A slat angle adjusting device for a Venetian blind includes a first casing and a second casing coupled with each other. A pinion is rotatably mounted between the first and second casings. A worm is rotatably mounted between the first and second casings and meshes with the pinion. A driven gear is fixedly mounted on one end of the worm. A drive gear is rotatably mounted between the first and second casings and meshes with the driven gear. A drive axle is formed on one end of the drive gear and extends outward of the first and second casings. A bracket includes a fist end portion engaged with the first and second casings, and a second end portion having two side walls extending upwardly therefrom. A roller is fixedly mounted on the drive axle and is rotatably received between the two side walls of the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Tai-ping Liu
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Patent number: RE37144Abstract: An improved fire-resistant above-ground storage tank for flammable and combustible materials is fabricated from steel plates of at least 10 gauge, the sheets being made from a ferrous alloy having a maximum of approximately 0.15% carbon and a maximum of approximately 0.8% manganese and the steel plates welded in a specific way resulting in a tank that can withstand a 2000° F. environment for a minimum of two hours.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: R. Michael Webb
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Patent number: RE37145Abstract: A disk texturing tool is used, for example, to provide textured spots in an annular portion of both sides of a hardfile disk. Disks are moved into and out of the texturing process in cassettes, through two disk-handling stations. In each disk-handling station, a lifter raises each individual disk from the cassette. The individual disk is then transferred to a pick-and-place mechanism, which moves it to a spindle. The spindle spins and translates the disk, so that both sides of the disk are exposed to beams derived from a pulsed laser. The pick-and-place mechanism then returns the disk to the lifter, which lowers it into the cassette pocket from which it was taken. The pick-and-place mechanism simultaneously moves one disk from the lifter to the spindle and another from the spindle to the lifter. While disks are moved by the pick-and-place mechanism of one disk-handling station, a disk in the spindle of the other disk-handling station is exposed to the laser beams.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael Barenboim, Peter Michael Baumgart, Peter Paul Chrusch, Benjamin Karni, Pieter J. M. Kerstens, Thao Anh Nguyen, Hong S. Seing, Andrew Ching Tam
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Patent number: RE37146Abstract: An array for projecting thermal images and a method of making same. The array of the present invention combines a two-tier architecture created with special processing whereby each pixel member resides on an elevated platform directly over discrete pixel control electronics and electrically conducting traces couple a plurality of pixels so that they can be controlled to project thermal images at equal to or faster than video frame rates. Microlens assemblies coupled to each discrete pixel improves the thermal efficiency of the array for certain applications. In the method of fabrication, a semiconductor microbridge-type structure obtains with the use of sacrificial layers under deposited pixel members in a compact array so that the pixel electronics reside beneath their associated pixel and the array electronics inhabit the same chip as the array thereby improving fill factor and time constant of the resulting array.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Barrett E. Cole, Chien J. Han
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Patent number: RE37147Abstract: An improved wire rack for supporting food such as chicken in a Henny Penny pressure fryer and subsequently displaying the fried food in either a single bunn pan or a double bunn pan. The improved rack is capable of being used in all three environments (fryer, single plan and double pan) largely because it has a lower rectangular peripheral edge with a shorter length and width relative to the length and width of the upper rectangular peripheral edge.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Falcon Fabricators, Inc.Inventor: S. Alfred Svensson
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Patent number: RE37148Abstract: A guidewire for use in guiding a catheter has a tip construction that includes a core wire within a helical coil. The core wire has a distal tip segment that is tapered and is further impressed with a pair of opposed flattened surfaces extending along the taper, the surfaces lying at an angle to each other and defining a progressively flattened tip having increased width in a distal direction to define a duck-bill configuration. The tip construction provides improved column strength at the tip to resist guidewire prolapse while providing excellent torsional and flexibility characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1996Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Medtronic AVE, Inc.Inventor: Peter J. Shank
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Patent number: 6219841Abstract: An easy access immersion suit, in which the zippered opening starts at the crotch, runs diagonally up across and around the hip, diagonally across the back and ending at the underarm opposite the previous referred to hip.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Mustang Survival CorpInventor: Mark Richard Anderson
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Patent number: 6219842Abstract: A puncture resistant garment (20) which includes a plurality of flexible layers of woven sheets (22) positioned to overlie one another forming a puncture resistant panel (28), in which each of the plurality of woven sheets (22) is constructed of aramid fiber (24) and in which the woven sheets (22) have a weave of at least 60 said aramid fibers per inch in one direction and at least 60 said aramid fibers per inch in another direction transverse to the one direction. The aramid fiber (24) has at least one of the following characteristics of: a) the aramid fibers are constructed of filaments which provide from 50,000,000 up to 90,000,000 filament crossovers per square inch in each of the plurality of woven sheets (22), b) the aramid fibers provide greater than 3 percent of break elongation and c) the aramid fiber provides greater than 23.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Second Chance Body Armor, Inc.Inventor: Thomas E. Bachner, Jr.
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Patent number: 6219843Abstract: A protective device for at least two projecting parts of a limb, which parts extend outwardly in separate angular planes, the device including a flexible body at least partially surrounding the limb; a protection element made of a rigid or semi-rigid material locally distributed on the flexible body; an attachment system for the protection element on the flexible body; and a tightening element of the flexible body around the limb. The protection element includes at least one first part and one second part connected to one another by an articulation allowing a forced adjustment of the parts of the protection element with respect to the projecting parts to be protected when the tightening element is activated during tightening. The invention finds its application in protective devices used in skating, such as in-line skating, roller skating, or other similar sports.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Salomon S.A.Inventors: Gérald Passi, Antti Kärävä
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Patent number: 6219844Abstract: In a pattern used to manufacture a palm member for a baseball glove, the central lines of all the thumb and finger portions cross on a ball receiving surface. A palm member is formed by cutting a material based on pattern and the palm member and a back member are combined to manufacture a baseball glove.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Mizuno CorporationInventors: Minoru Yamada, Kazuhiro Kume
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Patent number: 6219845Abstract: A wheeled support for supporting a kneeling person is provided including a pair of knee supports each having a frame, a pad mounted on the frame, and three wheel assemblies mounted on a bottom of the frame. Also included is a pair of wheeled foot supports.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Patrick J. Ferriter
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Patent number: 6219846Abstract: A bib assembly includes a first body comprised of a substantially flexible sheet-like material in a substantially unfolded condition, a twist tie member connected to an upper edge portion of the first body for removably securing the first body to a neck of a user such that the first body covers a front portion of the user, a second body including a folded flexible sheet of material separate from the first body and adapted to be unfolded for use in wiping debris from hands and around the mouth of the user, and a cuff along a lower edge of the first body for removably receiving and securing the second body to the first body. The second body further includes a rupturable package containing the folded sheet of material of the second body in an interior chamber of the package.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: William D. Toole
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Patent number: 6219847Abstract: The present cocoon garment is comprised of a tubular body continuously extending between a shoulder end and a feet end for fully covering the torso and legs. A neck opening is provided at the center of the shoulder end, and is cut lower at the front than at the back for comfort. A pair of sleeves is attached to opposite sides of the shoulder end for covering the arms. A center pocket is provided at the front of the tubular body, and includes openings on opposite sides for receiving the hands. A longitudinal slit is provided on the back of the tubular body for entry and exit, even when sitting or lying down. The slit is completely free of fasteners for comfort when sitting or lying on it. Since a person would be mostly sitting or lying down when wearing the garment, the slit does not need to be closed with fasteners anyway. The feet end is removed from the legs for walking. The loose feet end can be raised to avoid tripping by tying it to a higher portion of the garment with cords.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Donna L. Aikins
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Patent number: 6219848Abstract: A waistband extender having a modesty panel covering the outside of the garment and having a generally inverted triangular shape with a button and buttonhole waistband securer that cooperates with the button and buttonhole fastener on the garment, a belt loop securer, and at least one zipper stop for maintaining the zipper in an open position. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the upper edge is elasticized and the modesty panel is made from a material that is similar in appearance to or complements the garment fabric.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Vivian F. Russell
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Patent number: 6219849Abstract: Protective composite headgear bearing distinctive embedded marking, such as alphanumeric data, color patterns, or stylized designs. A patterned sheet is formed into headgear shape, and the patterned side is covered with solidifiable plastic composition. The outer layer of the resulting composite headgear is translucent, and the inner layer preferably opaque, so that the pattern between layers is protected from abrasion damage while readily visible to an onlooker. Distortion of the pattern by the shaping of the original flat sheet is counteracted by pre-distorting the sheet oppositely to offset it.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1996Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Lynda N. Crescentini
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Patent number: 6219850Abstract: A helmet which includes a substantially rigid shell having a shell thickness defined by a substantially continuous exterior surface spaced apart from a substantially continuous interior surface. A one-piece first shock attenuating member is positioned adjacent to and in substantially in contact with portions of the interior surface of the shell. The first shock attenuating member has a first thickness and a first compression deflection. A plurality of discrete second shock attenuating members are positioned adjacent to portions of the first shock attenuating member and adjacent to and in substantially in contact with portions of the interior surface of the shell. Each second shock attenuating member has a second thickness and a second density, with the second thickness being greater than the first thickness and the second compression deflection being less than the first compression deflection.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Lexington Safety Products, Inc.Inventors: P. David Halstead, Cherie F. Alexander, Thad Ide
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Patent number: 6219851Abstract: A ring-band adjustment structure of the crash helmet comprises a ring-band, a connection part and two adjustment parts. The accommodation groove of the connection part has two rows of positioning teeth with their teeth end on the top side. The two adjustment parts are connected to the two ends of the ring-band. The two adjustment parts are slid to match the positioning teeth. The two adjustment parts can be in the lock state or the adjustment state. The diameter of the ring-band can be adjusted properly according to the head of the user, resulting in steady positioning and comfortable wear. Simple structure and easy assembly make the production cost be reduced greatly.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Kuo-Yun Fang
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Patent number: 6219852Abstract: A protective suit is provided for a snowmobile rider. The protective suit includes a torso portion having a front and a back. A first set of protective plates is disposed in the front of the torso portion. The protective plates of the first set of the protective plates are positioned adjacent to one another to form a flexible shield in the front of the protective suit. Similarly, a second set of protective plates is disposed in the back of the torso portion. The protective plates of the second set of protective plates are positioned adjacent to one another to form a second flexible shield in the back of the protective suit.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventors: Dylan M. Bain, Michael J. Bain
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Patent number: 6219853Abstract: A toilet ventilation system including a toilet bowl having a plurality of ports for directing water into an interior of the bowl. The toilet includes a tank for holding water, and an interior passageway for conveying water from the tank to the ports of the toilet bowl. The toilet also includes an overflow tube mounted within the tank which is in fluid communication with the interior passageway. The toilet further includes a ventilation port in fluid communication with the interior passageway. A valve structure allows water to flow from the tank to the interior passageway of the overflow tube, but prevents air from being drawn from the tank into the interior passageway through the overflow tube.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1998Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Steven W. Johnson
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Patent number: 6219854Abstract: A toilet seat lifting apparatus for lifting a toilet seat with a user's foot. The toilet seat lifting apparatus includes a toilet and a lifting assembly. The toilet has a bowl. A toilet seat is hingedly coupled to the top edge of the top section of the bowl. A lifting assembly for lifting the toilet seat has a base portion. The base portion has a top surface and a bottom surface for mounting on a floor surface adjacent to the toilet. A platform is hingedly connecting the platform to the base portion. A first rod is elongate, having a first end, a second end and a middle portion. The middle portion is coupled to the platform. A second rod is elongate and has a first end and a second end. The first end of the second rod is hingedly coupled to the second end of the first rod. The second end of the second rod is coupled to the toilet seat.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventors: John R. Milliman, Chad L. Milliman
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Patent number: 6219855Abstract: A toilet bowl in combination with a pressurized flush tank is presented wherein the pressurized tank has a spring, a float piston, a water inlet control valve set, a water discharge control unit and a container lid. The water inlet control valve set includes a valve unit, a valve cover, a small spring, a control piston, a seal ring, a float and a control wire. The water discharge control unit has a control handle, a link bar, a seal ring, two link bar fixing seats, a seal cap and a set of discharge fixing ring. When water is discharged, the compressed spring applies a force to the float piston so that the float piston will exert pressure on water which rushes into a toilet bowl as a result.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Walter's Co., Ltd.Inventor: Walter W. Hsu
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Patent number: 6219856Abstract: An externally threaded thermoplastic flow restriction member is threaded into the internal bore of a toilet bowl thermoplastic refill tube in interference fit with the tube bore. The restriction member has a bore which is sized to restrict the flow of toilet bowl refill water during tank refill so the bowl is filled in about the same period of time as the tank. A slot can be formed in one end of the restriction member to permit the restriction member to be inserted readily into the refill tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1994Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Wilmer F. Alles
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Patent number: 6219857Abstract: A sensor device includes a mounting frame having open front and rear ends, and right and left inner side walls opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction and extending between the front and rear ends so as to define a passage. The mounting frame is adapted to be mounted such that the body of a user of the sanitary apparatus will be sighted by the passage. A sensor body is inserted into the passage, and has a front side proximate to the front end to emit and receive a light signal, and right and left lateral walls that face respectively and spacedly the right and left inner side walls. A pair. of pivotally mounting members are respectively disposed between the right lateral and inner side walls, and between the left lateral and inner side walls such that the pivotally mounting members effect pivotal mountings which are pivotable between angular positions about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Hydrotek CorporationInventor: Shui-Shun Wu
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Patent number: 6219858Abstract: There is provided a new and useful bath spout apparatus for a bath having a water inlet supply pipe and a water outlet overflow opening. The apparatus comprises a body, a water inlet to be connected to the water inlet supply pipe and a spout in fluid connection with the water inlet to allow water to pass from the water inlet supply pipe through the water inlet into the body and out of the spout into the bath. There is further provided a water outlet to allow overflow water to flow from the bath. The apparatus is constructed so as to be mounted in the bath contiguous with the overflow opening.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: 3502767 Canada Inc.Inventor: Jacques Farmer
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Patent number: 6219859Abstract: An automatic control system for a faucet of a sink includes a valve manifold adapted to be disposed beneath the sink. The valve manifold is adapted to communicate with at least one of a hot water supply line and a cold water supply line and at least one of a hot water faucet connecting line and a cold water faucet connecting line for delivering water to the faucet of the sink. The valve manifold includes at least one electrically actuatable valve for controlling the flow of water to at least one of the hot water faucet connecting line and the cold water faucet connecting line and a diversionary valve adapted to allow water in the valve manifold to bypass the at least one electrically actuatable valve and flow to at least one of the hot water faucet connecting line and the cold water faucet connecting line.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Soheyl Derakhshan
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Patent number: 6219860Abstract: A faucet assembly includes synchronously rotatable first and second spouts for releasing filtered and unfiltered water therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.Inventor: Ta-Chun Chang
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Patent number: 6219861Abstract: The drain structure includes a valve seat axially secured into a tube drain of a sink or basin, a sleeve disposed in the valve seat and a slider slidably engaged in the sleeve to discharge water from the sink. A double V-shaped slot in a lateral side of the slider is slidably engaged by a transverse end of a U-shaped positioning rod which controls the sliding span of the slider. When a button on the top of the slider is pressed a first time, the valve seat prevents discharge of water. When the button is pressed a second time, the valve seat is moved to discharge the water from the sink.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Chin-Yuan Chen
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Patent number: 6219862Abstract: A device (10) for movement/transport of, in particular, a handicapped person (12), including a transport device such as a patient lifter or lifting unit with a holder (16) in which a slide rail (20), from which attachments for a carrying sling (14) extend, moves under gravity.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Horcher GmbHInventors: Willi Horcher, Stefan Horcher
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Patent number: 6219863Abstract: An assembly, including a first support structure having a first removable support member and a set of first slats supported for receiving and supporting a first body supporting element, a second support structure having a second removable support member and a set of second slats supported for receiving and supporting a second body supporting element, with the first and second removable support members removed, a connector assembly engagable with the first and second sets of slats and with the first and second support structures, the connector assembly and the first and second sets of slats for receiving and supporting a body supporting element different from the first and second body supporting elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventors: Dwayne D. Loberg, Walter M. Viveiros
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Patent number: 6219864Abstract: A trolley 10 can be moved between a raised position and a lowered position. The trolley is usually in the lowered position when it is put into an ambulance. A magnet 252 is secured to one connecting leg of the trolley and a counter 258 is connected to the top frame 16 of the trolley. When the trolley is moved to a lower position the magnet 252 comes in close proximity to the counter 258 and a count is recorded. The recorded count gives an indication of the number of times that the trolley has been raised and lowered.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Ferno-Washington, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Stewart Ellis, Philip Ian Ward, Alan Jackson
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Patent number: 6219865Abstract: This disclosure relates to a head support that is comfortably resilient and adjustable to fit around the neck and under the lower jaw of the wearer to support the head in a generally erect posture enabling the wearer to relax, and perhaps sleep, while stabilizing the head to permit, for example, coiffuring and drying the hair without active participation or attentiveness on the part of the wearer.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Carla R. Stokesbary
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Patent number: 6219866Abstract: An apparatus for administrating infant care comprised of three flat members that create a rigid and lightweight surface sized to properly support an infant. The three flat members are connected to each other in a way that allows the three flat members to be stored inside each other reducing the size of the apparatus for storage.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Leroy Pascal
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Patent number: 6219867Abstract: A wrist cushion includes an elastomer having the physical properties of flexibility and compressibility in the range of flexibilities and compressibilities of stable isomer block polymer gels, with the elastomer having a top surface and a cavity therein. A film is provided for encapsulating the elastomer with the film having physical properties of flexibility to enable uninhibited flexure and compression of the elastomer by a user. A liquid or thixotropic gel is provided and disposed in the elastomer cavity for enhancing lateral top surface movement of the elastomer upon shear force applied thereto by a user.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Paul M. Yates
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Patent number: 6219868Abstract: A self-inflating mattress which comprises a first chamber, a second chamber, a foam and a check valve, wherein, the foam is disposed inside the first chamber. The check valve is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber, and air is allowed to flow only from the first chamber to the second chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Team Worldwide Corp.Inventor: Kenneth Wang
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Patent number: 6219869Abstract: A pocketknife with storage compartment for holding small items in the pocketknife. The pocketknife with storage compartment includes a handle comprising spaced apart side bodies and a plurality of tools pivotally coupled to the handle between the side bodies of the handle. A first of the side bodies has a compartment therein. A lid substantially covers the compartment. The lid is pivotally coupled to the first side body.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Peggy Burba
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Patent number: 6219870Abstract: A lock release mechanism for a folding combination tool having a plurality of supplemental tools (e.g., a knife, screwdriver, can opener, etc.) mounted at the free end of a generally U-shaped handle for rotation from a storage position within the handle to an extended “in use” position outside the handle. The locking mechanism is characterized by a leaf spring formed at the free end of the handle that lockingly engages the mounting end or shank of one or more of the supplemental tools when such tool is rotated from the handle to its fully extended position for use. The lock release mechanism preferably includes a bulge, formed on a different supplemental tool, that extends outside the handle so that the bulge may be depressed into the handle by a user.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Imperial Schrade Corp.Inventors: David A. Swinden, James Quinn, Robert Andersen
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Patent number: 6219871Abstract: An automatic laundry washing machine that is suitable for use in living units having no area set aside for laundry facilities is achieved by replacing the heavy bulky parts of the currently popular automatic washing machine design with a light flexible bag. A large portion of the volume of any washing machine is the vessel for containing the laundry solution and articles to be washed. That vessel is a flexible bag made of modern durable material so as to be collapsible both while in use and for storage. The method of use includes the complete process of washing, rinsing, and extracting excess water in an automatic cycle analogous to standard automatic washing machines popular today. The vessel containing the items being laundered is a waterproof laundry bag with automatic washing apparatus attached. Items are automatically washed in that bag.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1997Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventors: Max B. Frederick, Alberto Guerrero, Joe T. Maddux
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Patent number: 6219872Abstract: A brush scrubbing apparatus is made up of a wafer holder which retains a wafer, a brush which removes a particle on the wafer, a driver which rotates at least one of the wafer holder and the wafer, an alignment mechanism which defines a relative position between the brush and the wafer holder, and controller which controls the alignment mechanism responding to a driving power supply voltage in the driver. The brush scrubbing apparatus can precisely get the reference position for deciding the pushing distance without using the eye measurement.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Ueki, Takashi Osako
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Patent number: 6219873Abstract: A device (1) for cleaning shoe soles with at least one cleaning element (2) and at least one base element (3) as support for the shoe sole, whereby the shoe sole can be cleaned/cleansed by a relative motion carried out with direct effect between the shoe sole and the cleaning element. In addition, the invention relates to a method for cleaning shoe soles, in particular with the help of the device mentioned in the beginning, whereby the shoe sole is placed on a base element (3) and the shoe sole is cleaned/cleansed by a relative motion carried out with direct effect between the shoe sole and a cleaning element (2). The cleaning effect on shoe soles is increased in that—in the case of the device—base element (3) is designed movably to create the relative motion between the shoe sole and the cleaning element (2) and/or—in the case of the method—the base element (3) is moved to create the relative motion between the shoe sole and the cleaning element (2).Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1998Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Bernhard Keuchel
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Patent number: 6219874Abstract: A toothbrush having a handle and a resiliently flexible bristle-bearing head. The head has a pair of opposing faces with the bristles mounted on one face. Each opposing face has a groove, the groove on each face being substantially parallel to the groove on the opposing face. The pair of substantially parallel grooves form a flexible hinge within the head, allowing the toothbrush head to flexibly conform from a concave profile to a convex profile to suit the labial surface of the teeth or to avoid damage to the gums.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1997Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.Inventors: Maria van Gelder, Kristie Jane Morgan
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Patent number: 6219875Abstract: A toothbrush for cleaning selected teeth does so with the aid of teeth opposed to the selected teeth and includes groups of bristles extending altitudinally from an upper face of a bristle support and bowed to curve laterally outwardly in directions away from one another, the bristle support including a concave support surface on a lower face of the bristle support for engaging the opposed teeth and guiding the bristle support through rocking motions which enable bristles in the groups of bristles to sweep over the selected teeth and effect cleaning of the selected teeth, and between adjacent teeth, while also messaging the gum adjacent the selected tooth. Further support surfaces on the bristle support are spaced transversely from the upper face and guide the bristle support during further cleaning and messaging manipulations.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventors: Erika J. Medynski, George S. Medynski
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Patent number: 6219876Abstract: An improved floor mat is disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the floor mat that includes a cleanable portion. The floor mat may also include a water absorbing component, a cushioning component, customized graphics, a transparent cleanable portion, a tacky surface on the cleanable portion, an antibacterial composition, an antifungal composition, and a fragrance. Additionally, the cleanable portion may be erodible and may include a plurality of cleanable reusable layers.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Tech Mats, L.L.C.Inventor: Ronald D. Blum
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Patent number: 6219877Abstract: A roller paint frame with a pivotal frictionally held connection mating the frame handle and shaft to a “U” shaped frame whose ends are parallel to each other and hold paint roller covers. The pivotal mechanism is comprised of a threaded stud sufficient in length to pass through holes centered in the flattened end of the shaft that is attached to the frame handle and the flattened center of the “U” shaped frame, a nylon washer set atop the stud between these mating portions and another nylon and metal washer set atop the protruding threaded end of the stud all secured by a lock nut. The lock nut is tightened sufficient to establish a tension on the assembled components to hold the frame handle and shaft and the “U” shaped frame at any angle of choice. The angle may be changed through the application of pressure applied to the frame handle. The nylon washers enhance pivoting and prevent clogging or lock-up of the pivotal mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventors: Roland E. Lowrey, James M. Guest
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Patent number: 6219878Abstract: A hand held tool for the uniform compressing, forming and simultaneous cleaning of a previously applied bead of caulking or other similar fluent material from a constructed joint. The tool includes an elongated handle and triangular head with working edges, the working edges being essentially an arrow-like shaped pieced or rubber-like material fixed to and extending slightly beyond the acute isosceles triangular shaped head portion of the tool at the extremity opposite an elongated handle, the acute angle of the working edges at the extremity is slightly rounded. The head and the handle contain a continuous longitudinal cavity provided for the collection of excess material gathered during the operation of the tool and in the preferred embodiment the head and handle are essentially molded as one unit in resilient plastic material with the handle expanding in a fan-like shape the outer angles of the head.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Vancouver Tool CorporationInventor: Andrew Dewberry
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Patent number: 6219879Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a cylinder cleaning device for use with a cleaning fabric supply roll having a cleaning fabric wound thereon. The cleaning fabric is supplied from the supply roll and pressed against the outer surface of a cylinder to clean the outer surface of the cylinder. The device comprises a frame and a roll receiver mounted on the frame. The outer surface of the supply roll is engaged with and received by the receiver. The device further a comprises a roll stabilizer for stabilizing the supply roll on the receiver when the supply roll is rotated on the receiver to supply the cleaning fabric and have a diameter correspondingly decreasing.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Baldwin-Japan, Ltd.Inventors: Hideo Oyaizu, Shigeo Isobe, Shigeo Yamamoto, Takayuki Goto
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Patent number: 6219880Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a tank assembly having an open end, a cap assembly removably connected to and generally closing off the open end, an inlet assembly disposed on one of the tank and cap assemblies, an exit opening disposed on one of the tank and cap assemblies, a vacuum source connected to one of the tank and cap assemblies for drawing process air through the inlet assembly, a filter assembly disposed between the inlet assembly and the exit opening, the filter assembly comprising a filter, and a filter bag assembly covering at least part of the filter, wherein the filter bag assembly comprises a filter bag and a drain tube connected to the filter bag. Preferably, the drain tube is integrally built into the filter bag.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Pullman-Holt CorporationInventors: Michael Worden, Curt J. Schulze, Jon Brigner, Jack P. Christen
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Patent number: 6219881Abstract: An improved brake for caster includes a reversed U shape bracket for holding a wheel thereunder, a load seat having a shaft engageable with an upper pivot hole formed in the bracket, a brake body constitutes a brake pad, an upper bar and a lower bar, a lever and a spring. The shaft has a round opening in the center and a plurality of shallow and deep grooves axially and alternately formed in the inside circumference of the round opening. The lever has a fulcrum on the load seat, a force applying point and a force reaction point located between the fulcrum and the force applying point. The top end of the brake body makes contact with the force reaction point. Through the interaction between the lever, spring and up or down movement of the brake body, the brake pad may make A forced contact with the wheel for braking or separate with the wheel to release braking. The lever does not move with the wheel and is convenient to use.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Cheng-Kan Wen
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Patent number: 6219882Abstract: The glide assembly is constructed with a shell which includes a circumferential flange which is crimped around a base which further includes an impact pad therewithin. The shell further includes the male portion of a ball joint with a relatively small aperture at a central portion thereof. A ferrule includes a cup shaped portion for receiving a furniture leg. The base of the ferrule includes the female portion of a ball joint with a relatively large aperture at a central portion thereof. A rivet swivelably attaches the male portion of the ball joint from the shell to the female portion of the ball from the ferrule. A washer/retainer engaged by the rivet accommodates the relatively large aperture of the ferrule while maintaining the swivel relationship. The cup of the ferrule engages an inside-holding or an outside-holding clip for engaging the leg of a piece of furniture.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1998Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: William J. Olson
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Patent number: 6219883Abstract: An assembly for locking a handle to an implement head having convergent bores for mounting the handle. The assembly includes a handle mountable to one head bore with a transverse aperture located adjacent one end of the handle. A locking plug includes a locking pin. When the locking plug is mounted to the other head bore, the locking pin projects into the handle aperture, thereby locking the handle to the head. A flexible restraint may bridge the locking plug and handle.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Cyber-Mation, Inc.Inventor: Darwin Keichline
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Patent number: 6219884Abstract: The present invention 14 discloses a method and apparatus for attaching a decorative flush handle 10 to a conventional toilet 12. Shown is a threaded shaft 16 having a first rotatable member 18 mounted thereon having a pair of oppositely opposing, hingedly mounted arms 30 spring tensioned away from each for mounting in the inner cavity 40 of the decorative item 10. A second rotatable disc 36 is threadably attached to shaft 16 and adjustable positioned on shaft 16 to fixedly secure the wall 25 of the decorative item between disc 36 and arms 30. Arms 30 have external threads 32 thereon so that the arms 30 and shaft 16 can function somewhat like a conventional screw for placement in decorative items.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Renwick N Adriano