Patents Issued in September 4, 2001
  • Patent number: 6282842
    Abstract: A sports stadium or building complex is covered by a huge fiberglass fabric dome that is supported by an inflatable dual-membrane bladder on a hollow compression ring with a diameter of 800 to 1200 feet. A central vertical spreader having upper and lower tension rings connected to the membranes of said bladder is supported from above or below by separate suspension cables in a position above the compression ring. Containment cables limit the expansion of and shape said bladder to provide a closed pressurized air space of narrow lenticular cross section and can include 40 or more radial ceiling cables and the same number of radial hold-down cables of the same length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Robert R. Simens
  • Patent number: 6282843
    Abstract: A pneumatic structure in the form of a barrel roof which has openings at the opposite ends thereof includes outer and inner walls of a sheet or membrane material connected by a plurality of partition walls in the form of ribs provided therebetween to define a plurality of air compartments in the form of ribs between the outer and inner walls. The partition walls includes a plurality of openings for fluid communication between adjacent air compartments. The pneumatic structure has specific dimensions defined as follows. 1.20≦b/a≦1.35 1.10≦d/c≦1.35 0.2≦a/c≦0.5 where a: the maximum opening width of the pneumatic structure; b: the total width of the pneumatic structure; c: the effective height (between ground and the maximum height of the inner wall; and d: the total height (between ground and the maximum height of the outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Hajime Shibaike, Hiroshi Aoyagi, Isamu Saika, Yoshifusa Sekiya, Koji Sato, Toshiak Hisada
  • Patent number: 6282844
    Abstract: A gargoyle style diverter construction (10) for rain gutters (100) wherein the diverter construction (10) includes a mounting unit (11) having a U-shaped mounting member (20) including a mounting plate element (24) and a pair of elongated legs (21), (22) which are formed integrally with a gargoyle style spout unit (12) which includes a bottom panel (31) and a pair of raised side walls (32), (33), which are disposed in a surrounding relationship to a group of fluid outlet openings (105) formed in the exterior side wall (104) of the rain gutter (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Simeon David Marable
  • Patent number: 6282845
    Abstract: A liner for a rain gutter and the like comprises a sheet of rigid material which fits independently down inside a gutter underneath any cross-pieces to form an upper longitudinally extending barrier surface and a lower longitudinally extending liquid passageway. The horizontal plane of the liner is bent to form an angle with a short plane which rests against the bottom and front wall of the gutter and a long plane which rests against the upper portion of the rear wall of the utter. In this position, the liner sets above the bottom of the gutter at an angle that slopes down and away from the roof structure. The barrier surface of the liner has a plurality of openings sufficient in size to allow liquids to pass through to the lower passageway, but sufficiently small in size to restrict any solid debris from entering into the lower passageway. No tools or fasteners are required for installation and no attachments are made to either the gutter itself or roof structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: M. Gene Hines
  • Patent number: 6282846
    Abstract: A sleeve-like container fabricated from a waterproof material, comprising an upper and lower surface with a hollow interior filled with salt. At least a portion of the lower surface is perforated with a plurality of openings and is positioned with the lower perforated surface in contact with the upper surface of a flat, sloped roof to provide wicking absorption of water flowing down the roof into the salt. Absorption of water by the salt and leads to release of the resulting saline solution through the perforated openings to the surface of the roof, preventing formation of ice on the roof downstream of the plastic sleeve and in the roof drain. The waterproof container with the packed salt is, preferably, secured to the surface of the roof by an adhesive tape, or a weight attached to or lying upon opposite ends of the container. In another embodiment, the de-icer is a solid block of a pressed, granulated salt having a top portion water-proofed to prevent rapid deterioration due to precipitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Raymond L. Nocella
  • Patent number: 6282847
    Abstract: An improved workcell is provided with a door hinged at a midpoint between the opposite sides and maintained in a parallel relationship to the workcell access opening, thereby minimizing the clearance space required to open and close the door. The workcell is formed of a plurality of posts and wall panels which can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled, such that the workcell is portable. The wall panels are pinned to the posts and include hollow ribs to receive cabling, wiring, and tubing for work functions within the workcell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Genesis Systems Group, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jan C. Mangelsen, Fred K. Remley
  • Patent number: 6282848
    Abstract: A floor, wall and ceiling construction for a magnetically shielded room which provides a stable and homogeneous magnetically shielded space or environment having an extremely high attenuation value while absorbing exterior as well as interior vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Imedco AG
    Inventor: Urs Schlapfer
  • Patent number: 6282849
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a building system comprising prefabricated plates for self-supporting space boundaries. To enable simple construction of load-bearing structures that are versatile in three dimensions and that enclose spaces, plates, at least some of which are disposed at different inclinations, in the form of flat, slanted prisms are joined by their side faces directly to one another and/or via bars in the form of long, slanted, square prisms; adjacent connecting faces are congruent, and the square faces of different bars, are disposed parallel or perpendicular to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Florian Tuczek
  • Patent number: 6282850
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for seismically retrofitting pre-existing household brick chimneys is described to meet current building codes. Vertical steel rebar and horizontal chimney anchors are inserted into the chimney and a polymer concrete is poured between the liner and the brick masonry thereby bonding to the chimney, the vertical steel rebar, and the horizontal chimney anchors. The horizontal chimney anchors are coupled at one end to the external face of the chimney and at another end to the interior frame of the house. Holes are vertically drilled into the masonry of the chimney base in order to anchor the steel rebar at one end. Holes are drilled through the chimney and into the interior of the house at an appropriate point to properly anchor the pre-existing chimney to the house. A polymer concrete that has similar heat properties to other fireplace components is poured into the chimney around a chimney liner in order to reinforce and provide resiliency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Gary A. Dean
  • Patent number: 6282851
    Abstract: A door frame comprises opposed door jambs and a door head, with the jambs and head each being formed from a metal section (6) of channel-shape having a base wall (8) which carries a door stop (12) and opposed side walls (10) of a width such that when the section (6) is applied to a door opening within a wall with plasterboard sheeting (16) on the wall around the opening, the opposed side walls (10) of the section (6) will overlap and lie closely adjacent to the outer surface of the plasterboard (16) with the edge of the plasterboard (16) being concealed with the interior of the section (6), the opposed side walls (10) being perforated to permit a skim coat of plaster to be applied over the side walls (10) and adjacent part of the palsterboard (16) to conceal the presence of the side walls. In one embodiment the metal section is formed from two components which engage with a friction fit to provide width-adjustment of the section to suit walls of different width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Ross James Beaton
  • Patent number: 6282852
    Abstract: An apparatus for installing door frames which comprises at least two template members and at least three apertures on each template member. To provide horizontal adjustment means between said at least two template members, at least one elongated member may be joined approximately normal to each of said at least two templates. Said at least one elongated member may comprise at least one tongue member and at least one groove member, said at least one tongue member may be slidably positioned within said at least one groove member. To provide means for plumbing said template members, at least one screw may be positioned within said at least one template member. To install a door frame, the apparatus is positioned within a doorway, said doorway composed of two trimmer studs joined by a header stud, such that the at least one template of the apparatus is juxtaposed one of the two trimmer studs, and said at least one aperture outlines the perimeter of at least one slot to be cut in the trimmer stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Vernon R. Walcker
  • Patent number: 6282853
    Abstract: A building block, and a system and method for constructing a building envelope using a plurality of building blocks, roof panels, and trusses. Each building block may be pre-fabricated and stacked upon one another at the construction site. The blocks and roof system may be rigidly coupled together to form a building using a plurality of connecting lines placed through conduits within each building block. The connecting lines are tensioned to couple each building block to an adjacent block, foundation, and roof system of the building. Each building block includes a core which is preferably insulating, and has a pair of opposing surfaces. A plurality of cross struts are placed through the core with ends protruding from each surface. Conduit preferably attaches substantially perpendicular to each cross strut, and preferably substantially parallel to the core surfaces to retain a rigid structural panel formed about the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Blaney, Richard R. Tangum
  • Patent number: 6282854
    Abstract: An improved workspace management system for dividing a space into separate work areas comprises a rigid structural framework formed of rigid rectangular frames rigidly joined together at the edges thereof to form at least one work area. Each of the frames has outer faces on opposite sides thereof and openings on the opposite sides of the frames and a plurality of interchangeable tiles, with each of the tiles having a connector cooperating with the openings on the frames for removably mounting the tiles to the frames for ease of placement on and removal from the frames. The tiles are mounted to the outer faces of the frames to substantially cover both sides of the frames from a bottom portion thereof to a top thereof in juxtaposed parallel relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Trendway Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Vos, Vance B. Dang, Michael W. Eastman, Edward L. Elzinga, James J. Thompson, David R. Williams, Michael R. Yob
  • Patent number: 6282855
    Abstract: A water-proof wall trim system for an interior building wall includes a baseboard trim element which is affixed directly to the wall studs and which abuts the floor underlayment. A tongue extends from the top of the baseboard trim an abutment with the bottom edge of wallboard. The depth of the tongue is equal to the depth of the wallboard so that a flush joint between the wallboard and trim is formed. A wallboard covering element, such as tile or paneling may then be laid over the front face of the tongue and the wallboard which are co-planar. This covers over the flush joint to ensure a water-tight seal, preventing any wash-water from reaching the joint between the wallboard and top edge of the baseboard trim. The baseboard trim further includes a sloping incline portion at the top and a front face which extends from the bottom of the incline to the floor covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Stephen Shipton
  • Patent number: 6282856
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for supporting a manufactured home (1) having at least a first and second support joist (14a, 14b) for mounting horizontally on at least a first and second vertical support structure (9a, 9b). Each vertical support structure (9a, 9b) comprises an upright support pier (16a, 16b) with a support platform (12a, 12b) positioned beneath the support pier (16a, 16b) and adjacent the ground (13). A stabilization pad (30a, 30b) is positioned between the support pier (16a, 16b) and the support platform (12a, 12b). The stabilization pad (30a, 30b) can include a link (60a) and a clamping lip (36) from which a lateral compression member (20) can extend as positioned between the pair of stabilization pads (30a, 30b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Charles J. MacKarvich
  • Patent number: 6282857
    Abstract: An articulating plate assembly for retaining sheets of roofing material on a roof surface includes a plate defining (i) a generally hemispherically-shaped recess in a central portion of a first surface thereof, and (ii) an aperture disposed in the recess and extending through the plate, and a fastener having (i) a shank portion configured to pass through the aperture and to engage the roof surface, and (ii) a head portion having an underside of a curved configuration generally complementary to the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Sarnafil, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Rubenacker
  • Patent number: 6282858
    Abstract: An injection molded rigid roof panel system for constructing pitched roof structures of the type affixed directly to roof trusses or rafters and needing no structural or supporting sheathing surface or moisture barrier. Comprised of no less than (23) standard roof panel components of varying shapes, sizes, colors and exposed surfaces replicating conventional roofing surfaces. Panels overlap, underlap and interlock by means of an array of shoulders, locating ribs and clearance channels creating a unitized roof system utilizing integral seals at the seams, subsurface water channels and self sealing, threaded fasteners whose molded-in, counter-bored holes are further sealed by composite plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Andrew C. Swick
  • Patent number: 6282859
    Abstract: Building system comprising individual building elements (1), each element having an upper and a lower surface which are substantially parallel to each other and each building element having at least one opening (10, 11) extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, the building elements being such that they can be positioned on top of each other so that openings of different elements are aligned with respect to each other, characterized in that in each opening a connecting element (30) can be placed by means of which the building element belonging to it can be connected with a predetermined pressure to the building element located immediately below the first building element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Franciscus Antonius Maria Van Der Heijden
  • Patent number: 6282860
    Abstract: A support device for a wire mesh. The wire mesh is held in place by the supporting device which includes legs and cup shaped members. The legs will stand on a support surface and the cup shaped members will engage the bars of the wire mesh to hold the wire mesh off the surface such that when concrete is poured into a form, the wire mesh will be properly located in the finished product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Jose G. Ramirez
  • Patent number: 6282861
    Abstract: A pole, such as for a parking meter, that is reinforced by a hardening compound applied to its surface, preferably in vertical strips, to prevent theft, and a method of anchoring the pole or other upright object. The hardening compound is preferably a solder that is applied to the external surface of the pole by welding. Once it cools, this hardening compound cannot be cut with an ordinary hacksaw. For esthetic purposes, and to prevent rust to the pole, a PVC pipe with a slightly greater diameter than the pole is placed over and around the pole. In a preferred embodiment, the pole is welded to a base plate, with hollow metal cylinders welded to and extending from an opposite surface of the plate. Holes are drilled (or otherwise formed) in a concrete (or other solid) surface, epoxy is inserted into the holes, the metal cylinders are inserted into the holes, and when the epoxy hardens the cylinders and base plate are bonded to the concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Anthony Mario Natelli, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6282862
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a structural member (10) for the use as a chord (41, 42) for forming a roof truss (40) for a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Weeks Peacock Quality Homes PTY, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin William Weeks
  • Patent number: 6282863
    Abstract: A method of erecting the shell of an aboveground storage tank involves erection of the first shell ring; erecting the second and higher shell rings by using a mobile man lift to provide access for the construction personnel to the shell plates being erected; and anchoring the structure to reduce the risk of blow-ins from ambient wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge and Iron
    Inventors: Harold B. (“Scott”) Christian, William R. Easter
  • Patent number: 6282864
    Abstract: There is provided for a packaging machine an overhead boom arrangement 20 having a number of endless belts 22, 23 driven around sets of rollers 25. The belts 22, 23 contact the tops of articles/bottles 11 or carton blanks 50 and are driven at the same speed as the speed of the articles through the packaging machine. At least one of the belts 23 is height adjustable relative to the other belt or belts 22. The boom arrangement holds the articles 11 whilst the blanks 50 are being folded around.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Johannes Jänen
  • Patent number: 6282865
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for applying drinking straws on prefabricated packaging containers. The apparatus includes a rotary drive means for advancing drinking straws which are guided in towards the drive means wrapped in protective envelopes, and continuously disposed as drinking straw belts. The apparatus also includes guides for drinking straws belts and drinking straws, and a device for separating drinking straws from the belt, and a device for applying the drinking straw on the side wall of the packaging container. The drive means of the apparatus routes continuously, and the device for separating drinking straws from the belt is disposed to accompany a part distance of the rotation of the drive means, this movement being realised by means of a cam and a cam roller cooperating therewith. The apparatus further includes a continuously driven conveyor on which the packaging containers are advanced so that one passes the drive means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Jan-Ake Bergstrom, Jens Quist, Jan Strandberg, Johan Ohlund
  • Patent number: 6282866
    Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a base frame having an input side and an output side as well as a transport path from the input side to the output side. A plurality of tray carriers for holding trays are arranged in succession from the input side to the output side along the transport path. A drive means advances the tray carriers in an advancement plane. Further, feed means are provided for feeding a cover film for covering the filled trays. Successive tray carriers are pivotally interconnected by means of pivoting coupling links. Each tray carrier has engagement elements provided at its forward and rearward side. The drive means is formed as a drive chain with a chain strand trained over chain wheels and the engagement elements engage the chain strand when in a position adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmauller GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Hans Natterer, Elmar Ehrmann
  • Patent number: 6282867
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening an outer wrapping (11) of a reel (10) of, in particular, packaging material For the provision of a reel (10) of, for example, packaging material, such as paper, tinfoil or the like, it is necessary to remove an outer wrapping (11). The latter usually consists of an outer wound layer of the material. To open the wrapping (11), a material strip, namely an opening strip (32) is torn out of the wrapping (11). For this purpose, a tear-off member, namely a tear-off band (35), is placed with strong adhesion against the outside of the reel (10), On account of the relative movement, the opening strip (32) is torn out of the wrapping (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Harald Freudenberg
  • Patent number: 6282868
    Abstract: Objects are conveyed to a strapping position (U) along a conveying path (F), are strapped in this strapping position and are conveyed away from it. For the strapping a strapping material (4) is positioned curtain-like across the conveying path (F) and is drawn along by an object to be strapped such that it is placed around the downstream side of the object and can be positioned on the upstream side of the object and be connected and separated producing a connection point in the strapping closed around the object and in the strapping material (4) again extended across the conveying path for the next object to be strapped. For producing strappings with either one connection point or with two connection points and for allowing the strapping material to be supplied from only one side of the conveying path, shifting steps are carried out alternatingly with strapping steps or with groups of strapping steps in which shifting steps the strapping material (4) is shifted actively across the conveying path (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Ferag Verpakkingstechniek B.V.
    Inventor: Henk De Vlaam
  • Patent number: 6282869
    Abstract: In the packaging of a wide variety of products in flexible film bags, problems with edge tear and incomplete bag cut-off have been encountered. The edge tear and incomplete cut-off are worse for films containing low melting polymers, such as metallocene-catalyzed ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers. These problems can be solved using a clamp-cut-seal process, as opposed to a clamp-seal-cut process. By cutting before sealing, the film is still cool, and the strain on the film due to the cutting does not pull on the seal area enough to cause edge tearing (i.e., tearing at the seal). The higher resistance to elongation of the cool, clamped film also serves to reduce or prevent incomplete bag tail cutoff. Also, by providing a means for sealing which clamps the film before it is cut, defective seals from bag “pull back” can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle B. Bullock, Robert D. All, Howard D. Connor, David W. Grams, Shawn D. Harris, Gregory E. McDonald, F. Ted Oakhill, Julian L. Pruitt, William Z. Snow, Andrew W. VanPutte, Jeffrey L. Walker, Jay B. Wilson, George D. Wofford
  • Patent number: 6282870
    Abstract: A process and a device for packaging products in thermoformed boxes, uses a single strip of thermoplastic or thermoformable material to produce cavities (B) and covers (A) and to fold them down (13) about the product to be packaged before thermowelding (14) their edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Mecaplastic
    Inventor: Patrick Robache
  • Patent number: 6282871
    Abstract: A method of opening a bag mounted on a tape includes the steps of providing a bag including a first panel, a second panel, a first bag edge, second bag edge, a bag bottom, and a bag mouth; gripping the bag between a first means for vacuumizing and a second means for vacuumizing; and moving the first and second means for vacuumizing such that the bag disengages from the tape, and the bag mouth opens. The first and second means for vacuumizing are activated before or during the gripping step, or after these means have been moved, but before the bag mouth opens. An apparatus for transporting a bag, and loading a bag, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn W. Killinger, Gregory E. McDonald, Charles C. Zende
  • Patent number: 6282872
    Abstract: An assist step for a stirrup associated with a saddle wherein the step is secured to or formed integrally with an outer side element of the stirrup which is pivotally mounted at a base of the stirrup such that when pivoted downwardly relative to the base, the step provides a platform for assisting a rider in mounting a saddle. The outer side element also functions as a safety breakaway portion for the stirrup to permit release of a rider's foot in the event a rider falls from the saddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Frank Schulte
  • Patent number: 6282873
    Abstract: A belt tension mechanism for tensioning an associated belt drive system on an associated vehicle is provided. The associated belt drive system includes a double stacked pulley, a first belt for providing power from a power mechanism to the double stacked pulley and a second belt for providing power from the double stacked pulley to an associated implement. A first tensioning mechanism is provided for tensioning the first belt and a second tensioning mechanism is provided for tensioning the second belt. A tension arm selectively simultaneously tensions the first and second belts from an inoperative condition to an operative condition or from an operative condition to an inoperative condition. A balancing mechanism is also provided for balancing tension on the first and second belts as the implement is selectively height adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Douglas J. Wilken
  • Patent number: 6282874
    Abstract: A mower deck comprises an auxiliary source of pressurized air in order to avoid clipping buildup under the mowing deck, most particularly at the trailing edge of the discharge chute. The auxiliary source of air comes through a cloverleaf shaped hole in the mower deck. The spindle is mounted to the mower deck through this hole, as in conventional mowers. However, unlike conventional mowers, because the hole in the mower deck has a cloverleaf configuration air can flow through the corner portions of the cloverleaf configured hole and act as an auxiliary source of air even though the spindle is mounted to the mower deck through the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: MTD Products INC
    Inventors: Axel Schaedler, Michael Miller
  • Patent number: 6282875
    Abstract: A self-propelled forage harvester includes a main frame supported on front and rear pairs of wheels. A crop intake arrangement extends forwardly between the front wheels and releasably mounted thereto is the central component of a rowless header having right- and left-hand components pivotally attached to the central component for movement between a raised non-operative transport position for transport within a legal width and a lowered operative position wherein they extend outwardly beyond the front wheels. One of several transport wheel arrangements are selectively coupled to one or the other or both of the crop intake arrangement and the central component of the rowless header for supporting at least some of the weight of the header so that this weight is not borne by the axle of the front wheels of the forage harvester vehicle, thereby making the forage harvester legal to travel on roads where there is an axle load limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Eberhard Holtkotte, Rainer Schafer, Claus-Joseph Vogelgesang, Richard Wubbels
  • Patent number: 6282876
    Abstract: A crop divider is mounted in front of a ground wheel of an agricultural vehicle to divide the crop to pass on either side of the wheel. The divided includes two diverging divider sheets with two trailing side sheets. Each divider sheet carries a free rolling tine wheel parallel to the sheet and having a hub mounted on the divider sheet for rotation about an axis at a right angle to the sheet and a plurality of flexible tines extending outwardly from the hub for rotation with the hub about the axis. The tine wheel is thus mounted in front of the ground wheel and behind the divider sheet with the hub and top tines prevented from engaging the crop by the divider sheet and the tines extending downwardly below a bottom edge of the divider sheet for rolling on the ground and engaging the crop to comb the crop toward one side of the ground wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: MacDon Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Roger L. Patterson
  • Patent number: 6282877
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for harvesting vinous crops includes cutting a fruit-carrying vine mass from its growing roots, sweeping the vine mass with rotary reel motion onto a upwardly inclined endless conveyor for carriage to a position of commencement of a first arcuate path and thereafter carrying the vine mass along the arcuate path by first lifting and then lowering the vine mass while imparting vibratory motion to the vine mass to separate fruit from vines of the mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Pik Rite, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Yoder
  • Patent number: 6282878
    Abstract: A produce catcher is provided that includes a support frame having a support member, a first extending arm and a second extending arm. The first extending arm is substantially parallel to and extendible from the support member, and the second extending arm is substantially parallel to and extendible from the support member. The first extending arm extends in a direction substantially opposite from the extension of the first extending member. A first tarp pole pivotally attaches to the first extending member and a second tarp pole is affixed to the support member. A third tarp pole pivotally attaches to the second extending member, and a fourth tarp pole is also affixed to the support member. The second tarp pole and the fourth tarp pole are spaced apart from one another at a distance sufficient to allow the positioning of a trunk of a tree between the second tarp pole and the fourth tarp pole. A first tarp is adapted to be suspended between the first tarp pole and the second tarp pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Orchard-Rite Ltd., Inc.
    Inventor: Daryl G. Hill
  • Patent number: 6282879
    Abstract: A shackle or clevis for hooking to the link of a chain, of the type comprising an external support half-ring formed by an arch of the half-ring and by two legs of the half-ring which originate from the opposite ends of said arch, each of the two legs having the terminal end widened and provided with a transverse hole which, in the position of closure of the shackle, is aligned with the transverse hole of the other one; and a bolt, possibly unlosable, slidingly supported in the hole of a leg so as to be inserted in the hole of the other leg, provided with means for locking dosure of the shackle; said shackle also comprises inside the support half-ring a fork which can be inserted on a diameter of the two straight sides of the link of chain to be hooked and which can be clamped between the links chained to said chain link to be hooked, said fork having each leg integral with and parallel to a corresponding leg of the support half-ring and mouth lying on the side of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Kong S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Bonaiti, Sauro Servadei
  • Patent number: 6282880
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved ammonium synthesis process. A synthesis gas is separated with a membrane into a hydrogen-rich gas and a hydrogen-depleted gas. The hydrogen rich gas is shifted with steam to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Carbon dioxide is removed from the shifted gas, and remaining carbon oxides are methanized. This gas is admixed with nitrogen and with recycled ammonia synthesis feedstock gas. This ammonia synthesis feedstock gas is then cycled in an ammonia synthesis reactor. A purge gas stream is withdrawn from the ammonia synthesis feedstock gas and is admixed with the hydrogen-depleted gas. The hydrogen-depleted gas and the purge gas are combusted, usually in a combustion turbine, to generate heat or power. Lower purity hydrogen can therefore be used in the synthesis of the ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Paul S. Wallace, Kay Anderson Johnson
  • Patent number: 6282881
    Abstract: A system for cooling the lubricant of the speed reducer of an aircraft turboshaft-engine during high-speed flight and during low-speed taxying. The cooling system includes a radiator through which the lubricant flows. An air supply duct delivers cooling air over the radiator. An air discharge duct discharges the air into the exhaust nozzle of the engine. The air supply duct is fed by an arcuate air take-off slot disposed in the air intake of the engine. The air discharge duct is provided with a flap for slowing air flow through the cooling system, and with an ejector-mixer, which is fed by compressed air, taken from the engine compressor, for creating a Venturi effect to increase air flow through the cooling system when required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation “Snecma”
    Inventors: Bruno Albert Beutin, Pascal Noël Brossier, Michel François Raymond Franchet, Jean-Loïc Hervé Lecordix, Marc Georges Loubet
  • Patent number: 6282882
    Abstract: A turbine engine (49) fuel delivery system of the type including a pneumatic governor has an electronic governor and an engine excess stress avoidance feature which disable the pneumatic governor (70) so long as the engine speed exceeds a prescribed value and an electronic control unit (45) continues to function properly. The system transfers governing responsibility to the electronic control unit (45) which controls a torque motor and solenoid valve fuel diversion line (22). The system monitors an engine (49) operating parameter such as gas generator speed (37), power turbine speed, engine output torque, or engine temperature and further diminishes fuel flow to the engine (49) when the monitored parameter exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Dudd, Jr., Dennis G. Demers
  • Patent number: 6282883
    Abstract: Easy plant starting is provided in a hydrogen burning turbine plant for burning hydrogen and oxygen to generate high temperature steam for driving a turbine. There is constructed a semi-closed cycle such that low temperature steam from compressor 1 enters combustion chamber 2, hydrogen and oxygen are burned in the combustion chamber 2 to become high temperature steam for driving turbine 3, and the steam provides exhaust heat at heat exchanger 4 and then returns to low pressure compressor 1-1. Steam from midway of the heat exchanger 4 enters low pressure turbine 6 for work therein, and is condensed to water. The water from condenser 7 is heated at heat exchangers 4-4, 4-3, 4-2 to become steam for driving high pressure turbine 5, and returns to the combustion chamber 2 through the heat exchanger 4. An a auxiliary boiler is provided at inlet side of the compressor 1, and the high temperature steam generated at the combustion chamber 2 at the starting time is diluted and supplied into the turbine 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Uematsu, Takashi Sonoda
  • Patent number: 6282884
    Abstract: A control unit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a multiplicity of regulators (Ki) and generates an output corresponding to blended and tuned actuator values. More particularly, and in the exemplary embodiment, the control unit includes a plurality of regulators (Ki), and each regulator (Ki) corresponds to a mode of operation or operating conditions. Each regulator (Ki) is configured to receive engine parameters as input and to generate output values for at least one actuator command uj. Respective gain schedulers are coupled to each regulator (Ki), and each scheduler receives, as input, an operating point which corresponds to at least one of a power setting parameter and an inlet temperature or pressure. Based on the operating point, each scheduler selects a gain to supply to its respective regulator (Ki).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sridhar Adibhatla, Matthew W. Wiseman, Georges A. Becus
  • Patent number: 6282885
    Abstract: Is disclosed a gas-turbine engine capable of changing two different fuel-combustion stages from diffuse combustion to premixed combustion and reverse without variation in its rotation speed, in which a first stage of supplying a specified flow of fuel for diffuse combustion to a combustion chamber through a first injection nozzle and a second stage of supplying a specified flow of fuel for premixed combustion to the combustion chamber through a second injection nozzle are changed to each other according to a criterion based on a specified rotation speed and load state, and which is therefore provided with means for applying air purging to a nozzle of a fuel-supply cutoff line and means for restricting a flow rate of fuel to a nozzle of a currently working line for a certain period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hironori Muramatsu, Masaaki Endou
  • Patent number: 6282886
    Abstract: In a central portion of inner tube 28 of combustor 20, pilot fuel nozzle 22 and pilot cone 33 are arranged and main fuel nozzles 21 and main swirlers 32 therearound. Air intake portion (X-1) is provided with rectifier tube 11 for making air intake uniform. In air intake portion (X-2), air holes of appropriate number of pieces are provided in circumferential wall of the inner tube 28. In main swirler portion (X-3) and pilot cone portion (X-4), bolt joint of the main swirlers 32 is employed and optimized welded structure having less influence of thermal stress of the pilot swirler 33 is employed, respectively. Tail tube cooling portion (X-5) is provided with cooling structure having less influence of thermal stress to cool flange 71 portion of tail tube 24 uniformly. By the improvements in the portions (X-1) to (X-5), obstacles in attaining higher temperature in the combustor 20 is dissolved and combustor performance is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshichika Sato, Yoji Kochi, Koichi Akagi, Kazuya Kobayashi, Koichi Nishida, Shinji Akamatsu, Hideki Haruta, Kotaro Miyauchi, Rintaro Chikami, Shigemi Mandai, Masataka Ota
  • Patent number: 6282887
    Abstract: A device comprises a bellows with protective rings arranged between corrugations of the bellows. Support rings are connected in a sealed manner to a gas line and a combustion chamber. A gimbal ring is positioned outside the bellows and via hinges is connected to structural brackets with support rings. A shield is mounted inside the bellows, the shield consisting of two cylindrical envelopes telescopically inserted one in another with a gap. The cylindrical envelopes are fixed in cantilever to support rings, forming a chamber which via channels for feeding a cooling working medium made in the support rings is connected to a main line for feeding the cooling working medium, and via the gap between the envelopes—to the cavity of the bellows unit. A housing is arranged outside the protective rings and adjoining them, and is made in the form of a metallic cylindrical helix, the ends of which are connected to the support rings (FIG. 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Otkrytoe Aktsionernoe Obschestvo “Nauchno Proizwodstvennoe Obiedinenie “Energomash”Imeni Akademika V.P. Glusho”
    Inventors: Valentin Georgievich Polushin, Mikhail Ivanovich Osokin, Inna Alexandrovna Kolosova, Khachatur Begoevich Sarafaslanjan, Ivan Denisovich Postnikov
  • Patent number: 6282888
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the air/fuel ratio in an internal combustion engine having first and second groups of cylinders coupled to first and second exhaust banks, respectively. Each exhaust bank has a catalyst, a pre-catalyst oxygen sensor and a post-catalyst oxygen sensor, wherein the oxygen sensors monitor the air/fuel ratio in their respective exhaust banks and provide corresponding feedback signals to a controller. The controller uses the feedback signals to control the air/fuel ratio in the engine cylinders. When it is detected that one or the other of the pre-catalyst oxygen sensors has degraded, the controller calculates A/F values for the group of cylinders corresponding to the exhaust bank having a degraded EGO sensor based on feedback signals from the three still-functional oxygen sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Edward Sealy, Kenneth John Behr, Richard Andrew Booth
  • Patent number: 6282889
    Abstract: In an automotive vehicle with at least one catalyst located in an exhaust passage for adsorbing oxygen contained within exhaust gases entering the catalyst, and an air/fuel ratio sensor located in the exhaust passage upstream of the catalyst for detecting an air/fuel ratio based on a percentage of oxygen contained within the exhaust gases flowing through the exhaust passage and entering the catalyst, an air/fuel ratio control system controls an air/fuel mixture ratio of the engine at as close to stoichiometric as possible, an air/fuel ratio control system calculates a quantity of oxygen stored in the catalyst on the basis of a deviation of the air/fuel ratio detected by the air/fuel ratio sensor from a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio to produce informational data indicative of a calculated value of the quantity of oxygen stored. The control system controls the air/fuel mixture ratio of the engine so that the calculated value of the quantity of oxygen stored is adjusted to a desired value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatomo Kakuyama, Akira Tayama, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Osamu Matsuno
  • Patent number: 6282890
    Abstract: The invention provides a hydraulic circuit for construction machines, capable of obtaining a satisfactory suspending capability during load suspending work, and having an improved operation efficiency with a decrease in the working speed of a load suspending operation minimized, the hydraulic circuit including a suspension mode switch for setting a working mode to a suspension mode, a lift detecting sensor for detecting a predetermined actuator which has been operated to a load lifting side, a relief valve control unit capable of freely setting an object pressure of the relief valve 14 to a normal set level and a high set level higher than the normal set level, a cutoff valve control unit capable of freely switching the cutoff valve to a cutoff operation executing mode and a cutoff operation disengaging mode, and a controller adapted to increase a set pressure of the relief valve by outputting an instruction to the relief valve control unit when the controller receives a suspension mode signal and a lift dete
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Takano
  • Patent number: 6282891
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling fluid flow from a hydraulic fluid supply via a single hydraulic pump in an electrohydraulic system having multiple hydraulic cylinders connected to the hydraulic pump and corresponding work implements includes input devices for generating input signals representative of a desired amount of movement of at least two of the work implements. A controller, coupled to the input devices and the cylinders, determines a scaling factor for each of the hydraulic circuits associated with each of the cylinders for compensating the hydraulic circuit for receiving less than maximum fluid flow from the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Rockwood