Patents Issued in April 24, 2001
  • Patent number: 6219885
    Abstract: The main drum diameter (D) of a card for short staple carding is reduced. The working width preferentially is enlarged. The main drum (50) can be made from fiber reinforced synthetic material. Notwithstanding its smaller diameter, the new main drum is operated at the same or a somewhat higher circumferential speed (in comparison to a conventional card).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
    Inventors: Jürg Faas, Beat Näf, Olivier Wüst, Christian Sauter, Theodor Gresser Götz
  • Patent number: 6219886
    Abstract: A stretched fiber band is deposited in a can, located in the filling station of a can exchanger of a draw frame, by means of a turntable. The rotational axis of the turntable exhibits an equal to or less than distance from the rotational axis of the can exchanger than the distance from the center point of the can found in the filling station to the rotational axis of the exchanger. Upon the substitution of the filled can by an empty can held in a ready-state position, the operation of the can exchanger on the rotation of the turntable is designed in such a manner, that the fiber band is deposited into the full can exiting the filling station, until this can leaves the zone of the turntable. The fiber band is then deposited into the empty can which has been brought into the filling station II, as soon as this empty can reaches the zone of the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Rieter Ingolstadt Spinnereimaschinenbau AG
    Inventors: Manfred Wagner, Armin Brunner, Beat Näf, Lars Weisigk
  • Patent number: 6219887
    Abstract: A training restraint having double loops formed of two separate, flexible straps joined together by an interlocking cover is extremely strong, tamper resistant and more easily molded than single strap devices. The restraint is designed to be folded into a compact storage position which can be easily carried by law enforcement personnel yet is instantly ready for use. The restraint is designed for repeated use and is provided with indicia to identify the device for training purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Armament Systems and Procedures, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Parsons
  • Patent number: 6219888
    Abstract: An anchor device is provided to engage a segment of a cord. The anchor device has a main body portion and a pair of opposed jaw portions that extend from the body in spaced-apart relationship to one another thereby to form a cavity with a rear wall. A retainer is disposed on the inner surface of each jaw portion with the retainers being separated by a longitudinal passageway. Each retainer has a surface spaced from the other jaw portion and rear portion located forwardly of the rear wall of the cavity. The rear portions form a transverse locking channel for releasably capturing a transverse extension of the cord. The retainers can be static structures or rotatable pulley elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: James P. Lynch
  • Patent number: 6219889
    Abstract: An adjustable clasp comprises a retainer body having an elongate cavity within which slides a strap having saw teeth. The retainer body includes a main generally non-deformable body from which extends a flexible tongue provided with pawls projecting into the cavity to engage the teeth of the strap, and at least one resilient wing facing the flexible tongue and engagable under pressure to disengage the pawls from the teeth of the strap. The retainer body has guide members on the main portion and second guide members close to the opposite end of the main body, to maintain the strap close to the pawls. The second guide members include a contact portion extending from the resilient wing at its end opposite the main portion of the retainer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignees: National Molding of Europe S.r.L., MET S.p.A.
    Inventors: Attilio Lovato, Filippo Perini
  • Patent number: 6219890
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for escaping from a vehicle include providing safety escape apparatus including a safety belt having a buckle on a free portion of the belt, the buckle having an exposed edge, and the free portion being long enough to allow the exposed edge of the buckle to be placed in contact with a window of the vehicle. A tip harder than glass is affixed to the exposed edge of the buckle so as to extend outwardly therefrom. Escape is performed by disengaging the seat belt from a safety engaged position around an occupant, gripping the buckle with the tip extending outwardly, and forcibly driving the tip into an adjacent window to break the window and allow egress through the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Egression Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Douglas F. Souther
  • Patent number: 6219891
    Abstract: A lacing aid which assists in lacing two elements tightly together comprises a first open portion that is easily threaded and engages a lace with reduced friction, and a second portion for frictional restraint of the threaded lace. Such lacing aids of the invention may be formed by bending smooth and stiff but resilient wire to form a first portion providing an opening larger than a lace with smooth inner walls, permitting the lace to slip easily when it is being tightened, and a second lace-restraining portion formed adjacent to the first portion to which a tightened lace may be easily slipped and engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Denis S. Maurer, Richard A. Maurer, John Brassil, Andrew Burroughs, Peter Ehling, David Little
  • Patent number: 6219892
    Abstract: A hanging assembly for displaying a sheet item of fabric art includes an elongated frame adapted for mounting on an appropriate upright support structure. An elongated flexible interface strip is adapted for attachment to the sheet item by appropriate non-invasive attaching media. A securing member secures the flexible interface strip to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Gwyneth K. Johnsen
  • Patent number: 6219893
    Abstract: Described is a coupling, provided at the spindle head of a machine tool, for clamping an especially plate-shaped work-holding fixture, for example a pallet, in a specified, repeatable and precise position relative to a spatial reference system, wherein the spindle head exhibits a collet, which can be moved axially and radially with respect to its face. To increase the accuracy when machining a workpiece, there is a plate, which is to be connected to the face and is provided with spatial references on the front side, and which has a central passage opening to receive a tension rod, connected to the backside of the work-holding fixture, and a bolt, whose front end can be coupled with the tension rod and whose rear end can be connected to the collet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: System 3R International AB
    Inventor: Hakon Nordquist
  • Patent number: 6219894
    Abstract: The invention shows a travelling deburrer for cutting burrs (2) developing when steel strands are subdivided by oxygen cutting. The deburrer achieves safe deburring with high deburring rates with the help of cost and space reducing designs regarding drive, control and tools, by increased deburring energy and by a more advantageous blade design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Gega Corporation
    Inventor: Horst K. Lotz
  • Patent number: 6219895
    Abstract: A machine tool has a cam shaft and indexing drive mechanism which is driven by a servomotor and is therefore adapted for operation within a wide range of operational parameters. An encoder mechanism provides feedback to the servo drive mechanism to effect operational control. The machine tool further comprises a variable frequency drive motor which operates the spindles of the machine tool independently of the cam shaft and indexing drive. A servo-operated threading mechanism is operable at one or more workstations of the machine tool to provide threading of parts manufactured thereby. A computer control system controls and monitors the entire operation of the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Davenport Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick L. Muscarella, Steven K. Patridge
  • Patent number: 6219896
    Abstract: A hand tool that greatly expedites installation of the valve locks that secure a valve spring retainer to the free end of a valve stem. The valve locks include an inwardly extending ridge that engages a circumferential groove that extends around an end portion of the valve stem. The valve lock is retained in this position by a tapered central bore of the valve spring retainer that produces an inward clamping force on the valve lock. The tool includes a plunger having a diameter equal to the diameter of the valve stem. The user positions the valve locks on the protruding cylindrical surface of the plunger, where they are held by magnetic attraction. The user pushes the end of the tool against the valve spring retainer, thereby compressing the valve spring so that the valve stem pushes the plunger into a close-fitting loader end cap until the valve locks are transferred to the valve stem and into engagement with the circumferential groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Andrew L. Levy, Harry A. Wouters
  • Patent number: 6219897
    Abstract: An electronic component mounting apparatus is provided with a plurality of support blocks for supporting boards. A support block is automatically selected from among the plurality of support blocks and exchanged in accordance with the switching of the kind of boards to be supported by the support block, so that the time required for switching the kind of boards is reduced, thereby improving the productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Inutsuka, Kunio Ohe, Tomoyuki Nakano, Yoshiyuki Nagai, Hideo Sakon
  • Patent number: 6219898
    Abstract: A control system and method for automatic fastening machines wherein a multi-axes motion controller is utilized in place of the conventional PLC or CNC control to provide for virtually an immediate change in system response when the systems feedback devices indicate the need for variance. The major advantage of the process control approach of the present invention is that all system feedback information is controlled via a single on board processor thus eliminating any communication lag associated with multi controller applications. This also provides for an improvement in fastener installation cycle time. An additional advantage to the approach of the present invention is the elimination of many mechanical hard stops and their respective electrical position switch indicators, which in turn reduces the chance for machine breakdowns resulting in a greater increase in productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: General Electro Mechanical Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Kubanek, Robert J. Kellner
  • Patent number: 6219899
    Abstract: Panels are positioned relative to a pattern by moving the pattern onto a registration mechanism having contact elements, engaging contact areas on the pattern with contact elements by moving the contact elements synchronously and equidistantly while allowing the registration mechanism to move as the elements engage the contact areas, locking the position of the registration mechanism, and engaging contact areas on sequential panels by moving the contact elements of the locked registration mechanism synchronously and equidistantly to contact areas on one panel after the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Hugo Ammann, Francis LoVasco, Michael A. Oien
  • Patent number: 6219900
    Abstract: A method of assembling a stator core, the stator core having a plurality of segmented cores. Each of the segmented cores has an arcuate yoke portion, a pole portion extending diametrically inwards from the yoke portion, and a tooth portion on a diametrically inner end of the pole portion, the yoke portion having a projection and a groove on circumferential one end and the other end, respectively, thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6219901
    Abstract: A composite for preparation of an oxide superconductor includes a primary alloy phase of constituent elements of a desired oxide superconductor; and a secondary phase comprising copper, the secondary phase supported by the primary alloy phase. The composite may additionally include a matrix material for supporting the primary alloy phase and second phase disposed therein. The composite is oxidized to form an oxide superconductor composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Eric R. Podtburg, Kenneth H. Sandhage, Alexander Otto, Lawrence J. Masur, Christopher A. Craven, Jeffrey D. Schreiber
  • Patent number: 6219902
    Abstract: An efficient and repeatable method for manufacturing a protectively coated helical conductor antenna. The helical conductor is threaded onto a temporary, removable support, such as a bolt including a shaped head and a shank having threads to hold the helical conductor. After being threaded on the bolt, the entire winding and the bolt shank are placed within an injection mold cavity. The mold also includes a recess outside of the injection cavity for accommodating the bolt head, with the recess being shaped to permit a specific orientation for the bolt. The shape of the bolt head and the recess define a repeatable orientation for the bolt and helical conductor. As a result, the point of injection relative to the helical winding may be exactly repeated time and time again. This allows selection of an injection point relative to the helical winding that produces minimal deformation, and the obtainment of consistent results thereby reducing variation and necessary manufacturing tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: T & M Antennas
    Inventors: Stephan D. Memmen, Douglas Schneiderman
  • Patent number: 6219903
    Abstract: A solenoid valve having the valve body formed integrally on one end of the coil bobbin. A C-frame formed integrally from a single piece of sheet stock has at least one of the end of the C-frame deformed over an end of the bobbin and the opposite end thereof received on the opposite end of the bobbin to increase the surface area for flux transfer to a sliding armature within the bobbin for operating a valve obturator. In one embodiment, both ends of the C-frame are each deformed respectively over one end of the bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Osterhart, Charles A. Detweiler, Robert D. Keller
  • Patent number: 6219904
    Abstract: Automated device for maintaining and assembling wooden elements on a pressing table. The device comprises a mobile gantry adapted to be movably mounted to a pressing table. The mobile gantry has at least one motor driven pressing jack and a rail. A motor driven motoring unit is slidably mounted to the rail. A plurality of spindles are arranged on the rail. A plurality of saw logs are mounted to the spindles, each saw log having a ring-shaped groove, an elastic element, and a bore for receiving a spindle. The plurality of spindles constitute a magazine for storing the plurality of saw logs. The motoring unit includes a vertically mobile rod comprising one of a single rod and a double rod. The vertically mobile rod comprises a lower end having a clamp adapted to remove a saw log from a spindle. The clamp comprises a U-shaped plate having an opening which is adapted to engage the ring-shaped groove of a saw log, the clamp comprising an elastic element adapted to engage the saw log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Christian Debanne
  • Patent number: 6219905
    Abstract: A clip assembly tool for grasping the finger and legs of a retainer and spreading them apart from one another includes a lower arm having a first clasp and an upper arm having a second clasp. The lower arm is pivotally attached to the upper arm. The tool further includes a wedge arm having a nose, where the wedge arm is pivotally attached to the upper arm. To use the tool, the second clasp is moved away from the first clasp and the retainer is inserted between the first and second clasps. The second clasp is then moved back towards the first clasp. The nose of the wedge arm then wedges the legs and finger of the retainer in first and second catchs of the first and second clasps, respectively. The second clasp is then again moved away from the first clasp. Since the legs and finger are securely fastened to the first and second catches, respectively, the finger is spread from the legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Vernon P. Bollesen
  • Patent number: 6219906
    Abstract: A knitted metalized yarn gasket fashioned from a core, a first tubular layer formed from a hot melt yarn around the core, and a second tubular structure knitted from a conductive yarn and disposed over at least a portion of the first tubular layer and core assembly. The hot melt yarn forming the first tubular layer adheres the second tubular structure to the core such that fraying of the knit gasket is substantially prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Instrument Specialties Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Michael Sosnowski
  • Patent number: 6219907
    Abstract: Hand-held devices that can be used to quickly install flashover protection covers around energized electrical conductors and equipment are provided. Each device includes a guide assembly that defines a pair of spaced-apart, converging passageways that are configured to slidably receive the elongated edge portions of a flexible panel therethrough. The converging passageways force together the opposite edge portions of a flexible panel being advanced through the guide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Terry Edward Frye
  • Patent number: 6219908
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating known good semiconductor dice are provided. The method includes the steps of: testing the gross functionality of dice contained on a semiconductor wafer; sawing the wafer to singulate a die; and then testing the die by assembly in a carrier having an interconnect adapted to establish electrical communication between the bond pads on the die and external test circuitry. The interconnect for the carrier can be formed using different contact technologies including: thick film contact members on a rigid substrate; self-limiting contact members on a silicon substrate; or microbump contact members with a textured surface. During assembly of the carrier, the die and interconnect are optically aligned and placed into contact with a predetermined contact force. This establishes an electrical connection between the contact members on the interconnect and the bond pads of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Farnworth, Alan Wood
  • Patent number: 6219909
    Abstract: A disk drive is mounted to a circuit board by directly connecting a disk drive apparatus with a circuit board by using a DIP, PLCC, QFP, or PGA mounting method. The disk drive apparatus has an interface for controlling a disk drive in response to a control signal, a data bus signal and an address bus signal outputted from an information processing unit so that the disk drive apparatus may be connected like a memory card of the information processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ogawa, Eisaku Saiki, Satoshi Kawamura, Kiyoshi Honda, Kazuhisa Shiraishi, Fukashi Ohi
  • Patent number: 6219910
    Abstract: A method for cutting an integrated circuit die from a wafer. The method may include the step of forming a solder bump on an integrated circuit wafer. The solder bump is then oxidized. The oxidization process may form an outer oxidized layer on the solder bump. An integrated circuit die is cut from the wafer after the oxidization step. The cutting process may include spraying a fluid onto the wafer. The oxidized solder may form a protective layer which reduces the amount of particles and lead hydroxide formed during the cutting process. The integrated circuit die may be mounted to a package substrate by reflowing the solder bump onto a pad of the substrate. The outer oxidized layer may be removed with a flux that is used to reflow the solder bump onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Venkatesan Murali
  • Patent number: 6219911
    Abstract: In a flip chip bonding method, polymer bumps are formed, using a bonding tool, on an IC chip, held via suction to the bonding tool. An insulating adhesive film is pressed onto the upper surface of a circuit board held via suction with a suction stage. Heat is then applied to bring the film into close contact with bond pads of the circuit board. At this point, the bonding tool is moved downward, bonding the polymer bumps to the circuit board electrodes. During the time of this downward movement, bonding of the polymer bumps to the circuit board bond pads can be achieved by piercing the insulating adhesive film with the polymer bumps, and it is found that strong bonding can be achieved with adequate reliability. This method eliminates the need for a process in which through-holes must be pierced in the insulating adhesive film to accommodate the polymer bumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignees: Polymer Flip Chip Corp., Toray Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Richard H. Estes, Koji Ito, Masanori Akita, Toshihiro Mori
  • Patent number: 6219912
    Abstract: The shapes of openings of a solder resist defining exposed portions of electrode pads and the shapes of openings of the solder resist defining the shapes of positioning signs are simultaneously formed by photolithography using the same mask pattern. As a result, the signs for registration can be easily formed on a main board or circuit boards. Also, it is possible to increase the positional accuracy of the signs relative to the positions of the electrode pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Shimizu, Yoshihiro Ishida
  • Patent number: 6219913
    Abstract: A group of upper side male terminal fittings 2A and lower side male terminal fittings 2B are secured to the upper and lower surfaces of a mount plate 8 formed as a separate piece by pressing projections 12 into mount holes 16, thereby forming a core member 7. A housing 1 is formed by insert molding using this core member 7 as a core material. Since insert molding can be performed with the outer surfaces of the male terminal fittings 2A, 2B opposite from those secured to the mount plate 8 exposed, only the thickness of the housing 1 is added at the outer surfaces of the male terminal fittings 2A, 2B. Thus, there can be obtained a connector having a small thickness T around the male terminal fittings 2A, 2B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 6219914
    Abstract: A process for producing a cylinder having at least one longitudinally extending outward bulge and a steel base, for a piston-cylinder unit. The process including the steps of initially machining a round input ingot to size, the ingot having a length, subsequently heating the ingot to a deformation temperature between 1250° C. and 1310° C., descaling an entire surface of the heated ingot with pressurized water, subsequently inserting the ingot into a mold, piercing the ingot in a sharply increasing manner using a mandrel so as to form a pierced piece with a base, applying a lubricant to the mold and the mandrel prior to piercing, subsequently ejecting the pierced piece from the mold, cooling and descaling the ejected pierced piece, and mechanically finish-machining the pierced piece to produce the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Wilheim Nickel, Theodor Schmitz, Wilfried Schmidt, Hans-Jürgen Schlüssel
  • Patent number: 6219915
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine hot section component having a ceramic thermal barrier coating is repaired by removing the ceramic thermal barrier coating, removing oxidation products and corrosion products from the metallic bond coating beneath the ceramic thermal barrier coating, applying a noble metal to the component, diffusing the noble metal into the component substrate, and aluminiding the component to provide an outermost noble metal-Al layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Conner, Michael J. Weimer
  • Patent number: 6219916
    Abstract: A process for joining a base for an airfoil to a disk for an integrally bladed rotor stage in a gas turbine engine includes providing a disk having a radially outer rim with a slot defined therein by a recessed surface, and further includes providing a base having a longitudinally extending root portion facing opposite a longitudinally extending support portion for supporting the airfoil. The root portion has a root surface and the support portion has an outer surface. The process further includes bringing the root surface of the root portion into contact with the recessed surface bounding the slot, applying pressure and relative movement between the base and the rim to achieve during welding, substantial contiguity between the root surface and the recessed surface over the area of the recessed surface, resulting in a substantially continuous linear friction weld between the base and the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Herbert L. Walker, Stephen A. Hilton, JoAnn Barbieri, John P. Fournier, Richard D. Trask
  • Patent number: 6219917
    Abstract: A method of assembling a gas supply device within an appliance cabinet is disclosed. The method comprises bending a tube assembly prior to installation in the appliance, attaching a fitting to the first end of the tube, attaching the fitting of the first end of the tube to a burner assembly, attaching a second fitting having a non-circular portion to the second end of the tube, attaching a mounting bracket with a non-circular profile to the non-circular portion of the second fitting in a fixed condition to prevent rotation of the body with respect to the bracket, and mounting the tube assembly in the appliance cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Universal Tubular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sherman D. Peed, John Dipaolo
  • Patent number: 6219918
    Abstract: A spoked wheel rim having a hub defining an axis, a plurality of spokes projecting radially from the hub, and a rim ring attached to outer ends of the spokes is machined by first mounting it in a loading/unloading station into a holder rotatable about a holder axis with the rim axis generally coaxial with the holder axis. Then the holder is orbited by a turntable carrying the holder from the loading/unloading station into a working station angularly offset relative to the loading/unloading station about a turntable axis between the stations. A rotating tool is then displaced by means of a head carried on a hexapod positioner at least over surfaces of the spokes while holding the rim stationary in the working station to machine the surfaces. The rim is then continuously rotated about the holder axis in the working station while engaging a rotating tool carried on the hexapod positioner with an edge of the rim ring to machine the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Variomatic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Frank Wieland
  • Patent number: 6219919
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tapered rectangular pipe for a vehicle comprising the steps of forming the tapered rectangular pipe into the rectangular raw pipe by an extrusion forming under any optional irregular thickness condition in a first step. Then the rectangular raw pipe is reduced to form a tapered part to make a tapered, irregular thickness, rectangular pipe member in a second step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Gogo, Tomoo Oka
  • Patent number: 6219920
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a dry shaving apparatus, with an electric motor arranged in a housing and with at least one shaving head comprising two inner cutters which are operatively associated with a common outer cutter and are arranged to be driven in relative opposite directions by a drive element against the force of at least one spring element, wherein the inner cutters and the spring element are guided for movement in relative opposite directions by means of a common guide element, the guide element is carried in bracket elements, and the inner cutters are adapted to be acted upon by drive elements movable in relative opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Klein
  • Patent number: 6219921
    Abstract: A chain saw guide bar with at least one internal channel for spraying the sawn surface with liquid through nozzles, where the channel is extended in front of the nozzles by an end portion terminated by a closeable cleaning hole with a larger section than the nozzles and usable for cleaning the channel with compressed air or liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Kapman AB
    Inventor: Karl-Olof Pettersson
  • Patent number: 6219922
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a power tool that generates dust includes a housing surrounding a portion of the power tool, an outlet section of the housing for accommodating the flow of dust away from the power tool and a conduit that is coupled with the outlet section to direct the flow of dust from the housing. During operation of the power tool, the conduit is rigidly coupled with the outlet section in an advanced position in which rotational movement of the conduit relative to the outlet section is impeded. The direction of dust flow out of the conduit may be selectively adjusted by transferring the assembly to a retracted position in which rotational movement of the conduit relative to the outlet section is substantially unimpeded. The outlet section and conduit may be tapered so that the advanced position is obtained through a friction fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Campbell, Gale A. Heslop, Lynn E. Lentino
  • Patent number: 6219923
    Abstract: A retractable utility knife having a housing, a coil spring disposed within the housing, a blade, and a manually operable push button extending through the housing and in contact with the blade for movement therewith. The blade is positioned for longitudinal movement within a longitudinal passage defined within the coil spring. The spring biases the blade to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: John Sinisi, Matthew A. Hanemann, Joseph M. Vaccaro
  • Patent number: 6219924
    Abstract: An air bag buffer device for a hand tool comprises a hollow bag and a plug. The front end of the hollow bag is a hollow and sealed snake-like tube. At the center of one end of the snake-like tube is formed with a round post. The center of the round post has an axial helical hole, and the helical hole is communicated with the interior of the snake-like tube. The plug is formed as a helical post, the center of which is an axial air hole, the front end of the air hole formed with a unidirectional elastic valve piece which is closed in the front end. Thereby, the front end of the plug is screwedly inserted into the helical hole of the round post of the hollow bag so that the buffer device is firmly secured to one handle or two handles of a hand tool. As the hand tool applies a force, the impact from closing two handles are reduced to resist the opening of the two handles for being used again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Hwei-Rung Chou
  • Patent number: 6219925
    Abstract: A punch includes a mold piece disposed on a plate, and a barrel secured on the plate with an arm. A shaft is slidably received in the barrel and includes a punch rod secured to the bottom end. A lever has one end pivotally coupled to the barrel and has a middle portion secured to the shaft for moving the shaft and thus the punch rod downward to actuate on the mold piece. A housing includes a hub having one or more guide rails extended inward of the hub to engage with the punch rod and to guide the punch rod to move relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Cheng Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 6219926
    Abstract: A ruler for measuring and marking lengths and angles, relative to a horizontal plane by utilizing gravity. The ruler includes a substrate for being oriented relative to a horizontal plane and for measuring and marking lengths, and angle measuring assembly associated with the substrate for measuring and marking angles. The angle measuring assembly has a pointer whose lowermost end is heavier than its uppermost end, which allows the pointer to always remain vertical, regardless what angle the substrate is oriented relative to the horizontal plane, with the tangle the substrate is oriented relative to the horizontal plane being the angle to be measured and being that angular increment of a scale of the angle measuring assembly that the pointer points too.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Xavier Davila
  • Patent number: 6219927
    Abstract: A differential gear housing includes grooves into which retaining rings are fitted which engage on races of tapered roller bearings. The width of the securing rings is determined in accordance with the desired tooth flank clearance between a ring gear and a bevel drive pinion and with a desired prestress in the tapered roller bearings. Preliminary to selecting the retaining rings, devices are used which engage with a tensioning bush in the grooves and have a pressure member movable axially inside the tensioning bush and supported on the respective tapered roller bearing race. The pressure member is then suitably moved in relation to the tensioning bush to a position where the desired prestress and tooth flank clearance have been reached. The desired retaining ring axial width can then be read off from the device followed by selection and insertion of the desired retaining rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Fritz Westermaier
  • Patent number: 6219928
    Abstract: An articulated arm for use in a coordinate measuring machine. The arm includes a serial network for communicating data from transducers located in the arm to a controller. Each transducer includes a transducer interface having a memory which stores transducer data. The controller serially addresses each memory and handshaking is performed to transfer the data from the transducer interface memory to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Faro Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Raab, Ali Seyed Sajedi, Joselito Parguian
  • Patent number: 6219929
    Abstract: An apparatus for assesing and measuring, in tee dimensions, foot and lower limb abnormalities for example as shown in FIG. 1 comprises a rear plate intended to support a rear part of a patient's foot, in use, the rear plate being pivotable in both the frontal and sagittal planes, and a front plate intended to support a front part of the patient's foot, the front plate being pivotable in the frontal plane independently of the rear plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: John Edwin Tasker, Mark John Price
  • Patent number: 6219930
    Abstract: A method of use and apparatus for estimating repair cost, particularly applicable to cost estimation of interspaced defect damaged vehicle surfaces. The method of use of the present invention provides that a defect count be made for a predetermined representative area; that a determination of relative severity be made with respect to at least one defect within the representative area; and that the repair estimate is then based upon the defect count information and defect severity. A set of physical templates may be provided, with a first template allowing the calculation of the number of dents per surface area, and a second template for grading, comparing, or otherwise determining the size or severity of the individual dents. Additionally, the defect count data and defect severity data may be determined with an electronic scanning means. Various formulae may be employed (manually or electronically) for calculating the cost estimate to repair the damaged surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Mark Reid
  • Patent number: 6219931
    Abstract: A target base (10) for attaching an apparatus (13) to an object (11) has a substantially rigid body (12) with a mount surface (14) adapted to couple the apparatus (13) to the body (12), and a base surface. A suction cup (46) affixed to the base surface (18) of the target base (10) has a suction cavity (62) defined by a deformable sealing lip (64) at the perimeter of the suction cup (46). The sealing lip (64) and suction cavity (62) form with the object (11) a vacuum chamber (66). A vacuum system (44) includes vacuum passages (50, 52) for communicating a vacuum pressure to the vacuum chamber (66). One or more contact members (60) are affixed to the body and have contact surfaces which engage the object (11) to provide consistent off-set positioning of the target base (10) with respect to the object (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas H. Roth
  • Patent number: 6219932
    Abstract: An accessory for aligning items parallel to the measurement axis of an outside micrometer, comprising: a platform, having a flat surface bisected by a depressed channel, the platform including a first cylindrical ring disposed at one end of the channel, the platform also including a keyed cavity beneath the channel, a second cylindrical ring, connected to a keyed rod, the rod being slidably installed into the keyed cavity, whereby the first and second cylindrical rings are maintained coaxial and parallel to the platform surface and the keyed channel, a spring, retained in the keyed cavity by the keyed rod, exerting outward force on the rod and attached ring, maintaining them in a slidably extended position, limited by protruding wedges in the keyed cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Robert C. Whitmore
  • Patent number: 6219933
    Abstract: A container for a fluid includes a carton of a long hollow shape having an inner surface, and an inner bag attached to the inner surface of the carton for containing the fluid in it. The flexible inner bag has a fluid-discharge port. The inner bag is separated from the carton according to discharging of the fluid. The container also includes a separation detecting device. This device is disposed along a separating direction of the inner bag, which is separated according to taking out of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki Taniguchi, Takahiro Wakayama
  • Patent number: 6219934
    Abstract: A device for transferring a web of paper in the drying section of a paper making machine from one dryer to the next without any open draw. The device is a stationary vacuum bridge that is defined by a pair of walls, and includes rollers on one of the walls for the felt of the drying section to roll thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Max Moskowitz