Patents Issued in December 11, 2001
  • Patent number: 6327732
    Abstract: A fluid balancing ring includes a plurality of partitions forming a circular array of sub-chambers around its circumference. A valve is associated with each of the partitions and is movable in response to the centrifugal force of the rotating balance ring from a closed position preventing fluid communication through the partitions to an open position permitting fluid communication through the partitions. A spring urges the valve to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Braunschweig, James F. Crawford, Jeffrey L. Sears, Daniel F. Wunderlich
  • Patent number: 6327733
    Abstract: A pit type dock leveler having a frame adapted to be fixedly mounted at a dock with a deck, pivotedly mounted to the frame at one end thereof, and having a pivotable lip at the other end. A spring is mounted to the deck and the frame to support and raise the deck the deck. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the deck and to a pivotable linkage member that is mounted to the frame. In a powered mode, the hydraulic unit acts as a power assist for the springs to move the deck from a generally horizontal stored position into an operative position. A control circuit is employed for controlling operation of the hydraulic actuator. In a manual mode, the linkage and the hydraulic unit act a pivoting follower to deck movement without any extension of the hydraulic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: United Dominion IND, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Alexander, Richard B. Gowan
  • Patent number: 6327734
    Abstract: The pressure sensing system includes a hinged member that is fixedly attached to a brushhead body. An arm member is attached at one end to said hinged member and pivots about a hinge portion of the hinged invention. The pivoting arm member and the brushhead member nestle within the toothbrush body. The brushhead member includes a striking element portion that extends away from a rear surface of the brushhead. Mounted on the toothbrush body beneath the brushhead member is a collapsible, recoverable dome member, which provides an alarm indication by collapsing when excessive pressure is applied by the user on the brushhead against the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Philips Oral Healthcare, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Meginniss, III, Matthew D. Bixby
  • Patent number: 6327735
    Abstract: A toothbrush in which the head comprises a substantially rigid base region adjoining the toothbrush neck and extending from the base end of the head to a resilient flexible link situated between the base end and the tip end, and a tip region extending from the tip end of the head to the link region, both the base region and tip region being bristle bearing, the tip region being flexibly and resiliently linked at the link region to the base region, and between the base end of the head and the neck there is a resilient flexible link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare, GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Krämer
  • Patent number: 6327736
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a bristle (1) suitable for use in a brush (4) or the like, and in particular in a toothbrush. The bristle (1) is made of a plastic material and includes preferably a circular area of cross-section. When viewed in cross-section, the bristle (1) includes two sections (2, 3) with different properties. These sections (2, 3) are not in concentric relative arrangement. As a result, the bristle (1) curves along its longitudinal axis. The curvature produces an improved cleaning action of the brush (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Mingchih M. Tseng, Helge Zimmet, Scott Batson, Georges Driesen, Ahmet Cem Firatli, Rainer Hans
  • Patent number: 6327737
    Abstract: A dip-stick cleaner attachable to a dip-stick handle having an oil absorbent pad which is used to remove oil from a dip-stick. The apparatus also includes a clip having a first end and a second end with the first end of said clip including a latch having a handle which activates the latch between an open position and a closed position. The second end of the clip is adapted to rotatably connect the pad to said clip and the combination with the clip function as a handle for the removal of the dip-stick. Moreover, the clip is releasable from the dip-stick handle to allow the pad to be used to clean the dip-stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Kevin D. Dunnebacke
  • Patent number: 6327738
    Abstract: A windshield wiper boot for protecting a windshield wiper and wiper arm. The windshield wiper boot including a body portion having a hollow interior portion sized to fit over a portion of the windshield wiper and a portion of the wiper arm. The boot also includes a closed distal end and an open distal end sized to slidably fit over the portion of the windshield wiper and the portion of the wiper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6327739
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper device for windows of motor vehicles, having an elongated, driven wiper arm (10) guided at one end on the motor vehicle, on whose other free end section an elongated wiper blade, which operates on the window, is hinged so it can oscillate in a longitudinal axially parallel manner and around a pivot axis (44) oriented transversely to the longitudinal axes. A section (38) of the wiper blade (14) is guided between two legs (34, 36), which are arranged at a distance from each other, of a connecting device (12), and hinge means of the wiper blade cooperate with hinge means of the wiper blade connecting device (12) arranged on one end of a wiper blade connecting rod, while the connecting rod is provided at its other end with a first hinge element (18), which is a part of a tilt hinge (20), and the drive means (24) of the wiper device act on the other second hinge element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Kotlarski
  • Patent number: 6327740
    Abstract: A laundry sink attachment for wringing mops including a pair of side brackets adapted for securement to the opposed side walls of the laundry sink. The pair of side brackets each include an interior and an exterior T-shaped plate. The interior plate is positionable on an inner surface of the side wall of the laundry sink. The exterior plate is positionable on an outer surface of the side wall of the laundry sink. The exterior plate has a pair of thumb screws extending inwardly thereof for engaging the opposed side wall in a secured orientation. The interior plates each have lateral channels formed therein. A wringer portion is secured between the pair of side brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Baltazar
  • Patent number: 6327741
    Abstract: A controlled self operating vacuum cleaning system which comprises a stationary housing for the storage of a mobile vacuum cleaner apparatus and where the housing is provided with an automatically openable and closable closure allowing exit and entry of the mobile vacuum cleaner unit. The mobile unit is driven by an internal drive motor which is powered by one or more batteries carried by the mobile vacuum cleaner unit. At preestablished times and preestablished time intervals, the closure of the housing will automatically open providing for ingress and egress and the mobile vacuum cleaner unit will exit and randomly clean the carpet of a certain specified area for a predetermined time period. The mobile vacuum cleaner unit is provided with obstacle detectors for causing the mobile unit to move beyond an obstacle, if it contacts an obstacle, as well as detectors for detecting the edge of a staircase and the edge of a carpet to cause the mobile unit to remain on the carpeted area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Norman F. Reed
  • Patent number: 6327742
    Abstract: A free floating castor includes a wheel assembly mounted to move relative to a vertical axis of rotation at which it is attached to a trolley to provide space for the wheel to move freely within a fixed area. At least one shaft extends perpendicular to the vertical axis of rotation and the axis of rotation of the wheel on its axle. A bearing permits movement of the axle along the shaft in between two limits. In a second embodiment, a rotary joint assembly is connected between the vertical axis of rotation and the wheel to permit the wheel to revolve through 360° around a vertical axis of the rotary joint assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Syed M Ghouse
  • Patent number: 6327743
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a door safety device for use in conjunction with a door that is pivotably mounted to a wall. The safety device comprises a base member that mounts to either the door or the wall, and an engaging member that movably mounts to the engaging member for movement between operative and inoperative positions. In the operative position, the engaging member prevents the door from being moved into the closed position thereof. In the inoperative position, the engaging member is positioned such that the door can be moved to the closed position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Maras, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul O. Rashid, Maria Marzullo
  • Patent number: 6327744
    Abstract: The disclosure sets forth an apparatus and method for counterbalancing a roll-up door. A first threaded shaft is concentrically disposed around a torsion shaft and a spring is also disposed around the torsion shaft. The spring has a first end and a second end. The first end of the spring is secured to a first anchor plate that is threadably mounted to thread onto the threaded shaft. The second end of the spring is fixed relative to the torsion shaft. When the threaded shaft is rotated, the first anchor plate moves along the threaded shaft, thereby longitudinally stretching the spring a predetermined distance. A first stop prevents the movement of the first anchor plate along the threaded shaft beyond a predetermined position so that further rotation of the threaded shaft winds the spring thereby applying a predetermined counterbalancing torque on the torsion shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Industrial Door Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Dorma
  • Patent number: 6327745
    Abstract: A fiber processing assembly includes a fiber processing machine having an inlet and an outlet; an arrangement for introducing fiber material into the fiber processing machine through the inlet; a fiber opening and cleaning machine having an inlet and an outlet and being disposed underneath the fiber processing machine; and an arrangement for advancing the fiber material from the fiber processing machine to the fiber opening and cleaning machine substantially solely by gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Franke
  • Patent number: 6327746
    Abstract: An endless transport belt transports a drafted fiber strand through a fiber bundling zone. The transport belt is provided with a perforation for a suction air stream which suctions the fiber strand. The transport belt is provided with a sufficiently smooth surface for sliding over a suction device. The transport belt can be in the form of an endless woven or knitted sieve belt or alternatively in the form of an extruded plastic apron having punched out holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Spindelfabrik Suessen, Schurr, Stahlecker & Grill GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Barauke
  • Patent number: 6327747
    Abstract: In a process for condensing a drafted fiber strand in a condensing zone arranged downstream of a front roller pair of a drafting apparatus, the fiber strand is transported through the condensing zone by means of a perforated, suctioned transport belt. It is hereby provided that the fiber strand has the same direction of motion as the transport belt. Furthermore, it is ensured that a sufficient amount of the fibers located in the fiber strand are still nipped by the front roller pair during condensing. This results in the advantage that the front ends of the fibers of the fiber strand to be condensed do not insert themselves into the perforation of the transport belt, thus leading to clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignees: Fritz Stahlecker, Hans Stahlecker
    Inventor: Gerd Stahlecker
  • Patent number: 6327748
    Abstract: A condensing zone for condensing a drafted fiber strand is disposed downstream of a front roller pair of a drafting unit of a ring spinning machine. The condensing zone comprises a stationary sliding surface having a suction slit, over which the fiber strand is transported by an air-permeable transport belt. The condensing zone is bordered on its exit side by a nipping roller disposed on the transport belt. The nipping roller drives the transport belt and is in turn driven by the front pressure roller of the drafting unit. The front pressure roller is, for this purpose, connected with the nipping roller via a drive belt, preferably a toothed belt. The nipping roller and the front pressure roller are arranged on supporting arms which can be spread apart and which tension the drive belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Gerd Stahlecker
  • Patent number: 6327749
    Abstract: An attractive convenient money clip made by attaching a folding cover to a conventional paper binder clip of the type having a spring steel clamp and two pivoting arms made of wire loops that fold back against the clamp for opening the clamp. This type of binder clip provides both strong clamping force and easy opening with one hand. It holds paper money, business cards, and a credit card safely and securely. The cover presents a professional appearance and a front and back external surface for logos. By using a conventional binder clip as the basis for this product, manufacturing cost is low, since only the cover is custom made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Lawrence Emest Antinone
  • Patent number: 6327750
    Abstract: A lace-tensioning device which is a rigid cylindrical body (64) with two passages (58, 60) aligned parallel to the cylindrical axis and a handle element (62) projecting from the body (64) perpendicular to the cylindrical axis and functioning as a lever. The device is used in a laced closure by modifying the lacing pattern from the standard alternating pattern at one of the pairs of guide elements (68, 70) of the closure and threading the lace (75) through both passages (58, 60) of the tensioning device. A segment of lace (76) from one side (82) of the closure goes through one passage (60) in the device and then back to the same side (82) of the closure from which it came. A segment of lace (78) from the opposing side (84) of the closure goes through the other passage (58) in the tensioning device and back to the same opposing side (84) from which it came. The lace (75) is otherwise laced conventionally and its ends are tied together in a secure knot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Don Scott Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren S. Muldowney, Donald W. Scott
  • Patent number: 6327751
    Abstract: A cord holding buckle is formed of a cord holding device, and an end stopper to be attached to an end of a cord. The cord holding device includes a body portion, a through-hole formed in the body portion for allowing the cord to pass therethrough, a fixing member for fixing the cord relative to the body portion, and a first coupler attached to the body portion. The end stopper includes a second coupler detachably attached to the first coupler, so that the end stopper can be detachably fixed to the cord holding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6327752
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing the ends of one or more cables is disclosed. These methods and apparatuses may be used, for example, to secure pleasure craft, for example, surfboards, wind surfboards, canoes or kayaks, for storage or transportation. The methods and apparatuses are characterized by a device having two channels which are hinged at a common end and to which include means for attaching the one or more cables. When the channels are rotated into engagement the one or more cables are not only tensioned but the means for attaching the cables are concealed from tampering or damage. The channels are preferably secured to each other and disengagement is prevented by means of a locking mechanism and a release mechanism. The release mechanism is preferably a push-button release mechanism which facilitates use of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Hinkey
  • Patent number: 6327753
    Abstract: A clamp for securing wire rope or other flexible cord with a high retention force. The clamp of the present invention has an outer housing with a gripping surface therein for securing wire rope or other flexible cord placed therein against the opposing gripping surface of a traveling block, gripping force being applied by rotation of a threaded member in threaded engagement with outer housing. Wire rope or other flexible cord is thereby gripped with significant control over axial alignment and without compressing segments of wire rope or flexible cord together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Kennedy W. Rushing
  • Patent number: 6327754
    Abstract: A plurality of fastener arrangements for use in manufacturing recloseable bags comprising a first fastener and a second fastener connected to the first fastener. Each of said fasteners comprising a male track with a male profile, a female track with a female profile and a slider. The male and female profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The slider is slidably mounted to the fastener for movement between a closed position and an open position. The male and female profiles are engaged to each other while the slider is in the closed position. The male and female profiles are disengaged from each other in response to movement of the slider from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk E. Belmont, Ian J. Barclay
  • Patent number: 6327755
    Abstract: A zipper teeth and top stop arrangement includes a zipper tape, a row of teeth injection-molded on the zipper tape, a slide sliding on the row of teeth, and a top stop injection-molded on the zipper tape and space from a first tooth of the row of teeth by a gap for stopping the sliding from escaping out of engagement with the zipper tape, wherein the first tooth of the row of teeth has an upper tooth body and a lower tooth body respectively disposed at top and bottom side of the zipper tape, the upper tooth body having a backward opening and a springy free arm suspended between the backward opening and the gap to stop the slide from escaping out of engagement with the zipper tape, the springy free arm being forced downwards by the slide for enabling the slide to be moved into engagement with the zipper tape during installation, the lower tooth body having a sloping top edge sloping backwardly downwards for guiding the slide into engagement with the zipper tape during installation of the slide in the zipper ta
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Wallace Wang
  • Patent number: 6327756
    Abstract: A fixing clamp has two pivoting jaws which are mobile relative to each other against the action of a return spring between an open position and a closed position. An operating lever accessible to a user is attached to one of the jaws. The two jaws are connected to each other by a spacer to which each jaw is articulated about a respective separate rotation axis. Applications include fixing clamps for inspection lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignees: Legrand, Legrand SNC
    Inventor: Laurent Maziere
  • Patent number: 6327757
    Abstract: A compact plastic clip has a recessed auxiliary plate (23) in an upper clipping member (21) which is inserted into a fitting window (5) in a lower clipping member (1). A horizontal bar portion (27) is placed on a support shelf (6), and an axis receiver (46) of an operation member (41) is fitted into an axis support (8) formed in a side wall (4) of the lower clipping member (1) and when it is forcibly pressed downward, both the ends of the lower and upper members (1,21) are pinched together by the elastic power of a plastic material for a closed position, while when the rear area of the operation member (41) is moved upward, a contacting surface (28a) of a projection (28) is pressed forcibly toward the rear at a bottom end (47a) of a first actuation cam (47), so that this action causes an open position between the lower and upper clipping members thereof by the force of a fulcrum function of the horizontal bar portion (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: J-Sen Limited
    Inventor: Taizoh Noda
  • Patent number: 6327758
    Abstract: The subject matter is a resilient unitary lighting clip which connects a bar hanger to a T-bar in an overhead lighting assembly. The clip includes a face plate which has a lock formed integral with the face plate to secure the clip to the bar hanger. A U-shaped connector is formed integral with the face plate for receiving a bar hanger. A support is formed integral with the connector for receiving a portion of a T-bar. A catch is formed integral with the support and is resiliently connectable to the T-bar. A tab is formed integral with the support and is engageable with the T-bar for positioning the clip relative to the T-bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Juno Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: John Petrakis, George L. Janos
  • Patent number: 6327759
    Abstract: A fabric for use in an air bag is provided. The fabric of the invention is produced by mechanically compressing a preliminary fabric constructed substantially of synthetic yarn such that the packed volume per unit area of the compressed fabric is less than the packed volume per unit area of the preliminary fabric. Air permeability is not adversely affected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Ramesh Keshavaraj, Michael D. Hurst
  • Patent number: 6327760
    Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive microactuator is made by forming piezoelectric/electrostrictive film using a mixture of the polyvinylidene fluoride, excellent in moldability and a ceramic powder, excellent in piezoelectricity. The powder has basic composition elements of lead titanium with a particle size below 5 &mgr;m, made by a nonexplosive oxidative-reductive combustion reaction at a relatively low temperature of 100-500° C. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive microactuator may be modulated in mechanical strength and linkability between particles by using an improved colloid process which can achieve low energy consumption and low cost, because the low temperature process is simplified by using ceramic powder calcined at low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co.
    Inventors: Sang Kyeong Yun, Dong Hoon Kim, Yeon Kyoung Jung
  • Patent number: 6327761
    Abstract: A machining apparatus has a frame, a conveyor on the frame extending in a workpiece travel direction and adapted to support a flat workpiece, a tool mount displaceable on the frame transversely of the direction, a material-removing tool on the mount for machining the workpiece with generation of particles, and a drive roller engageable with an upper surface of the workpiece upstream of the tool for advancing the workpiece in the direction past the tools. A shield is provided above the conveyor extending transverse to the direction upstream of the tools and downstream of the drive roller. At least one actuator serves for pressing the shield against the workpiece between the tools and the drive roller during machining of the workpiece. Nozzles immediately adjacent the shield are connected to a supply of compressed gas for directing a gas current at the workpiece and blowing particles thereon downstream in the direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Peddinghaus Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Magnuson
  • Patent number: 6327762
    Abstract: A generator stator including a magnetic core having a plurality of axially extending radial slots arranged about the periphery thereof with windings in each radial slot; at least one adjustable assembly axially inboard of an outermost end assembly in each radial slot, arranged to restrain the windings in the radial slot the adjustable assembly comprising mating wedge and slide components which interface along stepped matching surfaces, the wedge component having an elongated slot therein providing access to the slide component. A tool is provided and includes a tool head pivotally secured to a handle. The tool head is formed with a stub adapted to seat in a hole in the slide component via the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James Charles Kelleher
  • Patent number: 6327763
    Abstract: An alignment tool (10) for aligning two individual conduits (14, 18), the conduits having flanged ends with bolt holes passing therethrough. In the preferred embodiment, the alignment tool (10) is hand operated using a lever (24) and appropriate pivot points. In an alternative embodiment, a hydraulic cylinder is used such that larger conduits may be aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Future Alignments Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Stephen
  • Patent number: 6327764
    Abstract: A method of assembling and installing a flip-up pitots system in an ejection seat. A flip-up pitot mount may be fastened to any existing recovery parachute container assembly. Mounting holes are created for the various parts that comprise the flip-up pitots system using the sub-parts as templates. The flip-up pitot system sub-parts are then easily installed on the recovery parachute container assembly irrespective of the make or model of the recovery parachute container assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: East/West Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Knoll, Dominic Spinosa
  • Patent number: 6327765
    Abstract: A convertible aircraft brake assembly (10, 60, 77, 78, 83, 85, 96, 120, 130) designed as original equipment to have heat sinks comprising a steel heat sink (20, 70, 80, 90, 91, 100, 110, 122) aircraft brake assembly and a carbon-carbon composite heat sink (40) aircraft brake assembly. When the aircraft brake assembly is converted from one type of heat sink to the other, the conversion is accomplished with minimal changes in component parts. The conversion can be accomplished without any changes in the piston housing (14), torque tube (12), and wheel (30) because the heat sinks include therein respective components which enable each heat sink to be utilized with the commonly used piston housing (14), torque tube (12), and wheel (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Niespodziany, Stanley W. May, Esaw Harris, Andrew S. Haynes, Joseph M. Patko, Brian G. Harker
  • Patent number: 6327766
    Abstract: A cover for a transmission torque connector having loosened or otherwise damaged bolts is repaired for reuse. One method includes removing a loosened bolt, and plugging and countersinking the bolt hole. The countersunk area on the exterior of the cover provides an area to form a welding bead to permanently seal the whole. The surface is then prepared for welding a stud onto it to complete the repair. In the case where the original bolt is damaged but has not been loosened, the top part of the bolt can be cut off so that the bolt can serve as the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Portland Transmission Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Cardente
  • Patent number: 6327767
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for continuous manufacture of a fiber-optic cable. According to the method, single optical fibers of certain length are formed into a fiber-optic cable enclosed by a secondary sheath. Further, a certain length of the optical fibers is accumulated into an active buffer, and the end of an exhausting fiber is connected by a splice to the end of a new fiber, while the fiber is being fed into the process during the splicing operation from the buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: NK Cables Oy
    Inventors: Timo Puhakka, Leevi Karvonen, Markku T. Suvanto
  • Patent number: 6327768
    Abstract: An automated parts assembly station includes positioning means (11) having surfaces (15a, 16a) for defining a desired mutual position of the parts to be assembled and assembly means (13) connecting the parts. At some of the surfaces (15a, 16a) there are measurement means (18) for measuring a distance between the surfaces and facing surfaces of the parts being assembled. A method is provided for the timely detection of the assembly tolerances. The method includes the steps of performing with the positioning means a permanent positioning of the parts being assembled, operation of the assembly means for connecting the parts, and releasing of the positioning means. Additionally, there is a measurement of the distance between the assembled parts and some of the surfaces. This measurement includes a comparison of the measured distances with maximum admissible distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Fata Automation S.p.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Cappa, Maurizio Ercole
  • Patent number: 6327769
    Abstract: A tool for brake spring maintenance provides the ability both to release brake springs and then hold them out of the way for removal and replacement of brake shoes or for other maintenance operations related to drum brake arrangements. A main support bar is adapted to be received on an exposed wheel mounting member. The bar has a pair of threaded pins and cooperating threaded nuts for controlled axial movement of the pins. The pins have hooked ends and are situated for engaging respective brake springs whenever the tool is properly positioned on the exposed wheel mounting member. By rotating the threaded nuts to move the pins a set axial distance with the pin hooked ends engaged with the brake springs, such springs can be drawn back from their hold on the brake shoes, to permit disassembly and maintenance of the entire drum brake arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: James H. Strickland
  • Patent number: 6327770
    Abstract: A child resistant package which includes a container having an open end and multiple threads on the external surface of the container adjacent the upper end. A closure having a base wall and a peripheral skirt has an inner surface formed with single or multiple threads corresponding in number to the multiple threads on the container for engaging the threads on the container. A deflectable release element is formed integrally on the container. The release element includes an integral axially deflectable lug extending upwardly toward the open end of the container. The closure has at least one locking lug on the skirt of the closure, the number of locking lugs preferably corresponding to the number of threads on the container and closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Prescription Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Konefal, Noel T. Vander
  • Patent number: 6327771
    Abstract: A reduced resistance bead seal is integrally formed on a mounting surface of two matingly engageable members to form a leak-free seal between the two members despite any eccentricity or angular variances between the two members. In one embodiment, the reduced resistance bead is formed on an inner conical flange of an inverted flared end of a hollow fluid conduit. The bead presents a deformable surface as a fitting urges the flared end of the conduit into engagement with a conical seat in a receiver where eccentricity or angular variances exist between the flared end of the conduit and the conical seat. A unique method and a unique forming tool are used to form the reduced resistance bead in the flared end of the conduit simultaneously with the flaring of the end of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: ITT Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Anglin, Glen Gibbs
  • Patent number: 6327772
    Abstract: Methods and articles for fabricating expansive stents having generally cylindrical configurations with a pattern therein include interconnecting portions from a generally planar sheet of material with a central portion. A pattern is formed in the sheet of material around said central portion corresponding to said pattern having interconnecting portions. The pattern has a generally circular outer margin. The pattern is separated from the sheet of material and causes relative movement between the central portion of the pattern and the outer circular margin in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the central portion. The pattern is transformed from one sheet form into one in cylindrical form to provide an expansible stent having a generally cylindrical configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gholam-Reza Zadno-Azizi, Kirsten F. Luehrs, Darin C. Gittings, Roman Turovskiy, Brian J. Cox, Brian Shiu, Michael B. Hayes, Craig J. Coombs
  • Patent number: 6327773
    Abstract: One or more force application members (e.g., a force transmission member and/or a hydraulic force application member) may be employed to provide a desired adjustment (e.g., a preload and/or a compression) to an adjustable spacer of a bearing assembly. The hydraulic force application member may provide a first stage of the adjustment to the spacer, and the force transmission member may be threadingly rotated to apply a second stage of the adjustment to the spacer. An additional force application member may (e.g., contemporaneously) oppose at least one of the force application members in the providing of the adjustment to the spacer. This opposing force may cause a gap between certain surfaces (e.g., in a press) until the adjustment to the spacer is completed. The closure of the gap may serve to indicate the completion of the desired adjustment to the spacer. A housing rotatable on a portion of the bearing assembly may be prevented from rotating at the closure of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 6327774
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembling machine for Ni-MH batteries and an assembly process thereof, more particularly, to an automated assembling machine for a negative electrode plate Ni-MH battery wherein the negative electrode plate for Ni-MH batteries can be made through an automated on-line production process so that cost, time, and reject rate of production thereof can be substantially reduced, and hence production efficiency can be maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: San Cheon, Ho-Yeon Kim, Hi-Un Won
  • Patent number: 6327775
    Abstract: A terminal crimping unit providing improved functionality. The pressuring unit is installed on the terminal crimping unit. The pressuring unit is equipped with a plural number of pressure members for crimping the terminal fittings. The plural number of pressure members are unified in one frame body. The frame body is designed such that can be taken off and put on as one unit from the shank. By having only one motion for putting on and taking off the frame body, the plural number of pressuring members, including the crimpers, can be maintained as one unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akinori Oishi, Mamoru Takubo, Atsuo Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Koike, Haruhito Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6327776
    Abstract: A system for mounting circuit components on a circuit substrate, including a circuit-substrate supporting device which supports the circuit substrate, a circuit-component mounting device which mounts, at a circuit-component mounting position, the circuit components on the circuit substrate supported by the circuit-substrate supporting device, and a circuit-substrate carry-out device which receives, from the circuit-substrate supporting device, the circuit substrate with the circuit components being mounted thereon, and carries out the received circuit substrate, the circuit substrate being transferred from the circuit-substrate supporting device to the circuit-substrate carry-out device in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the circuit substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinsuke Suhara
  • Patent number: 6327777
    Abstract: A connecting structure for covered wires is provided. At first, a shield wire 1 and a ground wire 2 are prepared. After overlaying the ground wire 2 on the shield wire 1 cross each other, respective overlapping portions of the wires 1, 2 are interposed between an upper resin tip 13 and a lower resin tip 14. Next, the upper and lower resin tips 13, 14 are oscillated with ultrasonic waves while compressing the upper and lower resin tips 13, 14 from the outside. Consequently, respective outside rinds 1d, 2b of the wires 1, 2 are molten for removal, so that a braided wire 1c comes into electrical contact with a core line 2a. The upper and lower resin tips 13, 14 have wire receiving grooves 13a, 14a formed on their butt faces. Each of the groove 13a, 14a has a semi-circular cross section of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the shield wire 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventors: Tetsuro Ide, Satoshi Tanikawa
  • Patent number: 6327778
    Abstract: To provide a method for mounting an outer sleeve onto a housing at low cost and with high precision in a linear sliding apparatus. The linear sliding apparatus has a shaft, and the outer sleeve is fitted around the shaft and slidable in a linear manner relative to the shaft. The method includes the steps of: engaging an outer circumference of the outer sleeve with a stationary member; and fixing the stationary member to the housing by a fastening member, thereby mounting the outer sleeve on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Bearing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Yamazaki, Toyoshi Kazama
  • Patent number: 6327779
    Abstract: A magnetic shaving system includes a pre-trimming solution containing particles having magnetic properties and a shaving apparatus having a magnet. The shaving apparatus may include only a magnet or may include a magnet in proximity of a typical razor blade. The pre-trimming solution is applied to the desired area and the magnetic shaving apparatus is applied over the solution. The magnetic solution surround the hairs and causes the hairs to be drawn toward the magnetic shaving apparatus and away from the skin, yielding a more comfortable and effective shave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Adam M. Skipper
  • Patent number: 6327780
    Abstract: A safety mechanism for a utility knife, including a razor blade mounted in a blade holder slideably mounted in a blade chamber in the housing. The blade holder includes a tab protruding therefrom and is adapted to move between a retracted, blade-stowage position in the housing and a deployed position wherein the blade at least partially protrudes from the housing. The safety mechanism comprises a foreshortened safety channel adapted to engagingly receive the blade holder tab when the blade holder is retracted into the stowed position. The motion of the tab is restricted by the safety channel, thereby restricting the motion of the blade holder. The tab may be disengaged from the safety channel by simultaneously pushing it away from the deployed position and into the blade chamber. Once the tab is disengaged, the blade holder may be moved into the deployed position by pushing it towards the deployed position while maintaining the pushing force into the blade chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventors: Gregory Bigham, Jon R. Conway, Gary L. Lowery
  • Patent number: 6327781
    Abstract: A hand-held tool has a powered work tool at one end of a handle shaft, and a first handle and a second handle at the opposite end of the handle shaft, the second handle being adjustable between a first position and a second position. The second handle in its first position cooperates with the first handle to provide for two-handed operation, and the second handle in its second position cooperates with the first handle to provide support for the wrist and/or forearm of a user grasping the first handle with one hand in a single-handed operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Lee Sinclair, Nicholas John Butcher