Patents Issued in December 13, 2001
  • Publication number: 20010050287
    Abstract: A heat-insulating food container includes an injection-molded container body having a bottom wall, a circumferential wall integrally connected to a periphery of the bottom wall and upwardly extending therefrom for defining an inner space and an upper open end, and vertical ribs vertically extending along the circumferential wall. The circumferential wall includes circumferential wall parts respectively having different diameters and arranged in such a manner as to form the circumferential wall with the diameter thereof decreasing in a stepwise manner as it advances downwardly, thereby forming corresponding stepped portions on an exterior surface and an interior surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: Fuji Seal, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Namba, Akira Ohi, Hiroyuki Imai
  • Publication number: 20010050288
    Abstract: A secure dispensing magazine for an article dispenser capable of dispensing a plurality of stacked articles includes a housing member having a lid that is operable to permit access to an internal cavity. The lid can be secured to the housing member and an internal gate member can be movable mounted within the housing member to permit the dispensing of articles. A gate operating mechanism can permit the gate to be opened and the magazine to be secured to a dispensing apparatus, while a gate locking assembly can lock the gate member after it has cycled through an open and closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Donald Lee Seagle
  • Publication number: 20010050289
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a top for a container such as bottles or cans for pouring out liquids. To create an advertising medium, which can be produced economically and triggers a higher awareness effect than known advertising media of this type, it comprises a voltage source (10), at least one switching element (12), a signal generating device (14) connected thereto and a device for emitting a signal (16, 18) as a reaction to the actuation of the switching element (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: CLAUS CORDES
  • Publication number: 20010050290
    Abstract: A system for selectively dispensing toothpaste from a flexible toothpaste tube includes a flexible boot having a flexible tube-receiving cavity and a boot nozzle with which an outlet of the toothpaste tube aligns. Pins are insertable into sleeves of the flexible boot and movable between open and closed positions for removal and insertion of the toothpaste tube. A presser engages the outer surface of the boot to selectively squeeze toothpaste from the toothpaste tube through the boot nozzle. A controller intermittently activates a driver which moves the presser along a track towards the boot nozzle to dispense a measured amount of toothpaste. Jaws are positioned adjacent to the boot nozzle for selectively opening and closing the boot nozzle. A timer and an adjustable volume dispensing dial control the amount of toothpaste dispensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Wayne R. Sampson, Andreas Haase
  • Publication number: 20010050291
    Abstract: The packaging tube (10) comprises a tubular pipe (11) which has an opening (19) and a hinged cover seal (12) with a tubular sealing neck (14) which contains a spout (16) and an opening (18). The hinged cover seal (12) is manufactured in one piece, substantially from a said polypropylene, by injection moulding and comprises a hinged cover (13) which is integrally connected to the sealing neck (14) by way of a hinge (17). The tubular pipe (11) consists of a composite film (20) with two external films (21, 24) of a said polypropylene and an intermediate film (23) with barrier effect. The sealing neck (14) is drawn with its opening (18) over the tubular pipe opening (19) of the tubular pipe (11) or engages therein and forms an overlap area (30) with the tubular pipe (11), in which the hinged cover seal (12) is welded to one of the external films (24) of the tubular pipe composite film (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Wilfried Jud, Karl-Heinz Senger
  • Publication number: 20010050292
    Abstract: A deodorizer device for deodorizing shoes, includes a container containing deodorizer material, and a dispenser assembly at one end of the container for dispensing deodorizer material. The dispenser assembly includes a feed tube having one end located within the container and the opposite end communicating with one or more discharge openings for discharging deodorizer material laterally of the container. The dispenser assembly further includes an actuator attached at one end to the feed tube and configured to enable the actuator to be inserted into a shoe, when the container is inverted, to stably support the container in the inverted position, and to be pressed against the inner surface of the shoe bottom for discharging a quantity of deodorizer material from the discharge opening laterally into the shoe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: MELVYN ROSENBERG
  • Publication number: 20010050293
    Abstract: A foodstuffs dispenser including a flexible and resilient microwavable plastic bottle having an internal cavity adapted to closely receive either a stick or block of butter, cheese or similar substantially solid or semisolid foodstuffs. To use the dispenser, a user first removes a cap from the bottle and inserts the desired foodstuffs into the cavity and replaces the cap. The dispenser is then placed in a microwave oven and heated for a time sufficient to soften or liquefy foodstuffs whereby the user may then squeeze the bottle to dispense the foodstuffs from the cap and over a food of choice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Alex J. Phinn
  • Publication number: 20010050294
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for the formation and application of small drops of liquid to a workpiece at a predetermined location thereon. The apparatus includes a machine vision system including a computer operable to view the drop as it is being formed and calculate a value indicative of the drop volume and control formation of the drop using the value. Application of the drop to the workpiece is also monitored and controlled by the machine vision system. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for use in the application of very small drops having actual volumes of less than about 30 nanoliters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Edward Michael Plattner, Paul Ebeling
  • Publication number: 20010050295
    Abstract: An improved bottom pulling infeed system for a garment folding machine is described. The garment pulling belt assembly provides two individual garment pulling belts in spaced apart relation to each other. Each belt is supported by a plurality of rollers. The lower belt is synchronized with the upper belt, and the top belt includes first and second rollers. The bottom belt moves in a continuous clockwise rotation, while the upper belt moves in counterclockwise rotation. The lower conveyer belt is longer in its run which passes on its return trip through a tube. The tube extends along the entire length of the folding section of the machine, and is followed by a pair of stabilizing guide rollers. The tube insures that garments will not be caught up in the conveyor belt on their return trip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Stephen P. Carter
  • Publication number: 20010050296
    Abstract: The invention is directed toward an embroidery and aid assembly that is made up of a plate having an aperture therein. A magnifying glass is mounted over the aperture and maintained over the base plate at a slight spacing so that an embroidery pattern can slipped under the magnifying glass and over the base plate. The bottom of the magnifying glass has a sight line thereon so that a reader can clearly see the stitch progression and clearly identify a particular line on the pattern in the process of stitching. The bottom plate has various ways of retaining embroidery implements thereon, thus making it an assembly, while the magnifying glass is an aid to the embroidery process. A bag is designed to contain the above noted embroidery assembly, thus making it kit. The bag has on one edge thereof a hook to hang the bag at a point of sale. Another edge of the bag has a zipper thereon, while the opposite edge of the zipper edge has a pocket fold thereon to enable the bag to expand to a larger size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Catherine Solich
  • Publication number: 20010050297
    Abstract: A carrier that selectively secures an object preferably a pneumatic tool to a tool belt, including a clip that is vertically attachable and detachable to the belt; the clip including a front portion and a back portion which are connected via upper edges thereto to define a slot therebetween, the slot allowing for horizontal or vertical insertion of the belt therethrough, the back portion having a lower lip that curves toward the front portion, which projects far enough to hook on a lower edge of the belt and which is short enough to allow the lip to slide behind the belt when vertically inserting the clip onto the belt; a hook attached to the front portion of the clip, defining a valley sized to hold the pneumatic tool and allow rotation of the tool in the valley, the hook projecting sufficiently high to prevent dislodgment of the tool, while the valley of the hook projects low enough to hold the center of gravity of the tool below the clip, and the hook attaching to the front portion sufficiently low to orie
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: James Zahorski
  • Publication number: 20010050298
    Abstract: A removably attached overhead bar module having retention devices attached thereto. Retention devices allow for items to be carried within the interior compartment while still allowing occupants to be seated in the traditional seating positions. Further provided is an overhead net module extending between the bars of the overhead bar module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: LANCE E. LARSEN
  • Publication number: 20010050299
    Abstract: Provided herein is a toolbox system especially well suited for use on pickup trucks. The system provides quick and easy access to a wide variety of tools which may be contained in the toolboxes. The assemblies may be modular and are readily loaded and unloaded from the bed portion of a pickup truck. An increased degree of safety and convenience is realized from use of the devices herein set forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Charles R. Coleman, Robert J. Coleman
  • Publication number: 20010050300
    Abstract: A process of transporting at least a portion of a web from a first structure to a second structure via an apparatus that includes at least two pulleys located at spaced locations from each other, an air-pervious endless belt positioned to run from the first structure to the second structure, an underpressure source arranged to produce an underpressure adjacent to the run of the endless belt, a nose shoe disposed beyond the second pulley and spaced from the second pulley, thereby defining an opening. The nose shoe has an inlet and air jet outlet positioned adjacent the second pulley. A guiding tray is arranged beyond the nose shoe having an upstream section positioned adjacent the nose shoe, and the upstream section includes an air slot, which extends cross-wise to a web travel direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: VOITH SULZER PAPIERTECHNIK PATENT
    Inventors: Tony Hill, Leif Mohrsen
  • Publication number: 20010050301
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus (1) having a carriage (10) supporting a fastener driver (18) and adapted for translation across a flooring member (42) being fastened by fasteners from the fastener driver (18). The fastener driver (18) is preferably supported in the carriage (10) at an angle with respect to a fully vertical position in order to drive fasteners at an angle with respect to the flooring member (42) and more preferably into the side of the flooring member (42) and into the underlying structure. More preferably, the angle of the fastener driver (18) is adjustable. Carriage motion elements (36) permit translation of the fastener driving apparatus (1) across the flooring (44) with a support wheel (50) preferably arranged so as to exert a lateral force upon the apparatus (1) when the apparatus (1) is pushed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: Robbins, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Lynn McAllister, Harry Todd Goodridge, Gregory P. Chura, Paul W. Elliott
  • Publication number: 20010050302
    Abstract: A motor-operated stapler is disclosed which, when a bundle of sheets to be stapled is thin, prevents staple leg portions once inserted through the bundle of sheets from again piercing through the sheets bundle and which, in the case of a thick bundle of sheets, bends staple leg portions sufficiently to staple the bundle of sheets to a satisfactory extent. In the motor-operated stapler, a clincher base which carries a bundle of sheets thereon is supported by a housing of a magazine which pushes out a U-shaped staple downward, the bundle of sheets is pinched by both the clincher base and the magazine, the U-shaped staple of pushed out from the magazine into and through the bundle of sheets, and a pair of leg portions of the staple thus projected from the bundle of sheets are bent by a pair of clinchers installed on the clincher base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: MAX Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuya Hakozaki, Shinya Abe
  • Publication number: 20010050303
    Abstract: A method for reworking integrated circuit (IC) wafers having copper-metallized bond pads covered by deposited layers of a barrier metal and a bondable metal. After identifying the wafers with off-spec metal layers, the wafers are chemically etched using selective etchants consecutively until the metal layers over the bond pads are removed without damaging the copper metallization. Replacement metal layers are finally deposited over the bond pads. Specifically, the bondable metal, such as gold, is selectively removed by a cyclic dithio-oxamine compound, dissolved in tetra-hydro-furane or acetone. The barrier metals, such as nickel and palladium, are removed by a mixture of inorganic and organic oxidizing acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Cheryl Hartfield, Thomas M. Moore
  • Publication number: 20010050304
    Abstract: A vacuum chamber-forming method for forming a vacuum chamber in a power element of a control valve for a variable capacity compressor through a reduced number of steps. A power element is assembled in the atmospheric air by arranging a disk, a diaphragm, a disk, a spring and an upper housing on a lower housing, caulking the periphery of the lower housing to the periphery of the upper housing, and then soldering the junction of the upper and lower housings. The assembled power element is placed in a vacuum container, and a small hole formed in the upper housing is subjected to spot welding in the vacuum atmosphere, whereby the small hole is sealed by a weld metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: TGK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisatoshi Hirota, Shiniji Saeki, Kouji Habu
  • Publication number: 20010050305
    Abstract: A sheet having a defined pattern of reduced strength, allowing separation along the defined pattern, the pattern defining an envelope for a computer data storage disk, comprising a single sheet having a first portion having side tabs and a second portion, wherein all terminal edges of said pattern are offset from all terminal edges of the sheet by at least about ⅛ of an inch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: SELWYN PIRES, PETER H. TRACY
  • Publication number: 20010050306
    Abstract: A reusable folding ballot box having walls, a base and a lid with an aperture therein for the insertion of ballot papers. The walls, base and lid are provided by a flexible bag-like outer member enclosing reinforcing means rearrangeable from a folded position into an erected position to maintain the ballot box in its erected configuration. The aperture in the lid has guide means associated therewith constructed and arranged to maintain the ballot paper in a substantially horizontal orientation during its initial passage through the aperture. The cover can be a hinged lid or a slidable cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Richard George Plumb
  • Publication number: 20010050307
    Abstract: A banknote holder is installed to a cash casing in a cantilever fashion. Some banknotes are stored on the banknote holder while other banknotes are stored beneath the banknote holder. A banknote depressor of the banknote holder depresses the banknotes stacked on the banknote holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigemitsu Fukuyama
  • Publication number: 20010050308
    Abstract: A dual level encryption method, and document, for providing and obtaining a substantially increased amount of optically readable information from an otherwise conventional and highly visible printed bar code pattern area on a document without interfering with the conventional optical reading of the conventional information in the bar code, comprising integrally printing a second and very much finer pattern of encoded optically machine readable glyph code or other such indicia within the bar code pattern area, containing a much higher level of information, to provide two different levels of information within the same area. Scanning the bar code pattern with a conventional bar code reader extracts conventional bar coded information embedded in the bar code without interference from the second indicia. Scanning the same bar code pattern area with a different, higher resolution, optical scanner extracts the much greater amount of information from the second, much finer, optically readable indicia pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: PETER PAUL, GRACE T. BREWINGTON
  • Publication number: 20010050309
    Abstract: The disclosed methods and apparatus relate generally to the electronics media industry, such as cable television (CATV), home shopping services, on-line computer services and computer memory applications. These methods and apparatus allow a user to access and make use of electronic media input and output devices by reference to and/or utilization of standard printed matter, such as magazines, textbooks, or any other printed matter that can be correlated to electronic media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Spencer A. Rathus, Jeffrey S. Nevid, Lois Fichner-Rathus
  • Publication number: 20010050310
    Abstract: The disclosed methods and apparatus relate generally to the electronics media industry, such as cable television (CATV), home shopping services, on-line computer services and computer memory applications. These methods and apparatus allow a user to access and make use of electronic media input and output devices by reference to and/or utilization of standard printed matter, such as magazines, textbooks, or any other printed matter that can be correlated to electronic media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Spencer A. Rathus, Jeffrey S. Nevid, Lois Fichner-Rathus
  • Publication number: 20010050311
    Abstract: A gaming machine credit card that comprises a front face and a rear face, having a cardholder identification and player identification located on the front face or the rear face and a magnetic strip located on the rear face. The magnetic strip allowing communication with a plurality of gaming machines, whereby allowing values to be added to and subtracted from the gaming machine credit card and allowing a cardholder to use the gaming machine credit card as a substitute for cash in gaming machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Avellino
  • Publication number: 20010050312
    Abstract: A laser processing method, which uses laser beam from a laser oscillator to emit continuously light pulse having large spacial and temporal energy concentration in a pulse emission period of one picosecond or less, and projects mask pattern with a projection lens onto a work piece almost transparent to the wavelength of the laser beam for sublimation processing thereof, comprises the following steps of setting the focal point of projecting image of the mask pattern on the surface of contour boundary on the opposite side of the work piece irradiated by the laser when the processing begins, at the same time, irradiating and converging the laser beam on the focal point portion so as to make the energy concentration thereof to be more than the threshold value enabling designated ablative action to be generated, moving the work piece in the direction of laser irradiation gradually in a designated amount or at a designated speed in synchronism with the progress of ablation processing by the irradiation of the laser
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Jun Koide
  • Publication number: 20010050313
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical reading apparatus and an optical reading method for obtaining objective information by reading a subject and processing the read information through an arithmetic processing. The optical reading apparatus includes a light source to irradiate a light flux onto a subject; a photo-receiving element to receive a reflected light or a transmitted light of the light flux irradiated onto the subject, and to generate signals based on an opt-electronic converting action; an arithmetic processing section to apply an arithmetic processing to the signals, in order to detect information of the subject; and a calculating section to apply a calculating processing, for reducing noise components caused by optical factors, to the signals generated by the photo-receiving element, in order to obtain output signals in which noise components are reduced, before the arithmetic processing section applies the arithmetic processing to the signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuji Kurogama, Makoto Banno, Nobuyuki Baba
  • Publication number: 20010050314
    Abstract: A card transaction settlement method in a point of sale (POS) system is described. More particularly, a payment by either the credit or debit card is made after an approval before the card transaction (ABCT) for a virtual transaction amount (VTA) is given, and in which when the transaction is completed, an approval after the card transaction (AACT) for the actual transaction amount (ATA) is requested for the transaction settlement. Settlement can be conveniently accomplished since conflict between the merchant and the consumer, caused by a difference between the transaction amount and the debited can be eliminated. The merchant has less of the financial risk for refund. A signature is not necessary on the signature form, resulting in that true non-cashier self-service sales can be introduced to the sales management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Jong In Lee, Kang Hyoung Kim
  • Publication number: 20010050315
    Abstract: An adjustment and control unit for gas burner valves provided with a bimetallic thermostat which is arranged on a rocker supporting the flow control element of a valve. A translational motion actuator is arranged so as to push on the rocker, on the opposite side with respect to the thermostat, and is kinematically connected to a knob by way of coupling elements which convert rotary motion into a translational motion. The coupling elements provide two distinct transmission ratios, each at specific rotation positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Margherita Paolucci
  • Publication number: 20010050316
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve having a valve member that is controlled by the pressure in a control pressure chamber and whose opening motion is influenced by way of a compensation pressure face of the valve member. This compensation pressure face adjoins a hydraulic chamber whose pressure is controlled with the aid of a piston which reduces the hydraulic initial stress of the hydraulic chamber, and keeps the fuel at an essentially constant value, and can compensate for volume changes of the hydraulic chamber by moving in opposition to a reference pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: RUDOLF HEINZ, ROGER POTSCHIN, FRIEDRICH BOECKING
  • Publication number: 20010050317
    Abstract: There is described a battery driven atomizer in which an alternating voltage is applied to a piezoelectric actuation element to cause it to expand and contract and vibrate an atomizing membrane. The alternating voltage is controlled to produce a high amplitude vibration during a first portion of a drive period, to initiate atomization, and thereafter to produce a lower amplitude vibration to sustain atomization during the remainder of the drive period. The frequency of the alternating voltage is swept repeatedly during each drive period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Dennis J. Denen
  • Publication number: 20010050318
    Abstract: An atomizing injector includes a metering set having a swirl chamber, a spray orifice and one or more feed slots etched in a thin plate. The swirl chamber is etched in a first side of the plate and the spray orifice is etched through a second side to the center of the swirl chamber. Fuel feed slots extend non-radially to the swirl chamber. The injector also includes integral swirler structure. The swirler structure includes a cylindrical air swirler passage, also shaped by etching, through at least one other thin plate. The cylindrical air swirler passage is located in co-axial relation to the spray orifice of the plate of the fuel metering set such that fuel directed through the spray orifice passes through the air swirler passage and swirling air is imparted to the fuel such that the fuel has a swirling component of motion. At least one air feed slot is provided in fluid communication with the air swirler passage and extends in non-radial relation thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Adel B. Mansour, Rex J. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20010050319
    Abstract: Glass sands are produced by a method which comprises the steps of crushing glass articles to convert them into fine fragments so as to form glass fragments, then agitating finely crushed glass fragments to eliminate sharp portions while at the same time forming glass fragments into glass sands with a predetermined granular configuration, then sieving foreign materials which have been entrapped into glass sands formed in a granular configuration, while at the same time sorting out glass sands according to their grain sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Yoshinori Harada
  • Publication number: 20010050320
    Abstract: A recording paper roll includes a tubular spool shaft having first and second end faces. Thermosensitive recording paper is wound about the tubular spool shaft in a roll form. A code is formed in the first end face. For use with the recording paper roll, a supply magazine includes two roll holders secured to the spool shaft. First and second support plates are arranged in an axial direction of the roll holder, and support the roll holder in a rotatable manner. Guide cutouts are formed in the first and second support plates, receive first and second ends of the roll holder, and move the roll holder in a predetermined direction according to a decrease in a diameter of the recording material roll in use of the recording material. A code sensor reads the code from the first end face. A sensor shifter constituted by a depression portion moves the code sensor in the predetermined direction with the two roll holders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Katsuya Inana, Fuyuki Inui
  • Publication number: 20010050321
    Abstract: A fence spool apparatus includes a base unit which includes a base plate portion, a base fixing portion projecting out from a bottom side of the base plate portion, and a spindle-reception well extending into a top side of the base plate portion. A bottom spindle unit includes a spindle plate portion, a spindle member projecting out from a bottom side of the spindle plate portion, and a bottom shaft-reception sleeve extending up from a top side of the spindle plate portion. A spindle shaft unit is received in the bottom shaft-reception sleeve. A bottom centering assembly extends between the spindle plate portion and the bottom shaft-reception sleeve. A top centering assembly is attached to a top portion of the spindle shaft unit. The fence spool apparatus is used to unroll a roll of wire fence as the roll of wire fence spins on the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas M. Crain
  • Publication number: 20010050322
    Abstract: A rotor for rotary wing aircraft includes a number of features that reduce the collective forces required to control the pitch of the rotor. The spar caps of the spar become joined to one another at the same point where bonding begins between the blade and the spar. The tendency of blade to want to flatten out is minimized since the centrifugal force acting on the spar is located at or near the pitch change axis. Tip weights are located at or near the pitch change axis as well. In a preferred embodiment, the tip weights are located evenly in front of and behind the structural center of the inboard section of the spar. The blade of the rotor and the tip are not swept back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Jay W. Carter
  • Publication number: 20010050323
    Abstract: An improved parachute and parachute deployment slider is disclosed. Embodiments of the improved slider seek to reduce slider rebound and more properly stage parachute deployment, particularly the deployment of ram air parachutes weighing two to fifteen pounds. One slider comprises of a rectangular fabric slider body with relatively lightweight grommets mounted adjacent each of the four corners on the slider. Another slider has relatively lightweight suspension line rings mounted externally from the slider fabric body at the corners of a rectangular slider body. One embodiment of the preferred parachute has a relatively smaller and lightweight pilot chute as well as relatively less elastic suspension lines at the slider stop positions on the parachute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: David B. Brownell
  • Publication number: 20010050324
    Abstract: A railroad grade crossing warning device designed to operate at un-guarded grade crossings without the need for expensive train detection sensors. The system utilizes the sound of an approaching locomotive horn or whistle to activate a warning at a grade crossing. The preferred device is self contained and is powered by solar panel and storage battery to provide a flashing strobe warning on the approach of a train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: George Jefferson Greene
  • Publication number: 20010050325
    Abstract: An adjustable flexible strap for supporting and securing ducts, or like device, and the like formed of a strap member that has a fastener strap and a pair of integral support members integrally formed in the strap. When the fastener strap is separated from the integral support members a channel formed between the support members. One end of the strap can have an aperture formed therein to allow said strap to be attached to an existing structure such as a joist, beam or other support member. The other end of the strap has flap through which the fastener strap is inserted. When the fastener strap is inserted into the flap, the serrated edges of the fastener strap engage the sides of the flap opening, and the fastener strap and the support members form a loop. This loop encircles the duct, or like device, and cradles the duct in the support members, thereby securely suspending the duct from the joist, beam or other support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: David Dunay, James G. Furniss, Michael J. Prokapus, John T. Williams
  • Publication number: 20010050326
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fixture used when an operation attachment of various type is mounted to a power shovel, and the invention provides an attachment fixture capable of being used generally for various power shovels and attachments having different diameters and mounting widths of mounting pins. The attachment fixture comprises a body (34) for connecting an attachment (17) to an arm (11) and a front link (12) of the power shovel, a spacer 35 interposed in a gap formed between the body and the attachment, and/or a spacer (37) interposed in a gap formed between the body and the arm as well as the front link. Each of the spacers (35, 37) is formed into a cylindrical shape, a cylindrical shape having a flange, or a disk-like shape with a center hole (36, 38) having the same diameters as those of mounting pins or those of the connection pins 13, 14 connecting with the power shovel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: SHINGO MUROTO
  • Publication number: 20010050327
    Abstract: Ratcheted pivot incorporating large and small areas of frictional contact and a ratcheting mechanism to provide for rotational repositioning of a mounting plate and a load about a horizontal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG, WOESSNER & KLUTH, P.A.
    Inventors: HARRY C. SWEERE, DENNIS M. SCHELLER, ROBERT W. FLUHRER
  • Publication number: 20010050328
    Abstract: A notebook computer key comprises a key hat, a seat, an elastic touch moving piece, a first supporting frame and a second supporting frame. The key hat is formed with an operating surface and an assembling surface at the top surface and the lower surface. The seat is installed with a plurality of through holes, each through hole is installed with a positioning piece. The elastic touch moving piece installed between the key hat and the seat. The first supporting frame and second supporting frame installed between the assembling surface of the key hat and the seat. The two supporting frames are pivotally connected. The upper ends of the two supporting frames are connected to the assembling surface of the key hat, and each lower end of two sides of the two supporting frames are installed with a pivotal shaft for being pivotally connected to the through hole of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: David I. Klein
    Inventor: GINO HU
  • Publication number: 20010050329
    Abstract: A mount assembly for a flat mirror or monitor has an outer frame fixed in a motor-vehicle roof and forming an opening, a member forming a side of the opening and pivotal in the frame about a horizontal first axis, and an inner frame fittable in the opening adjacent the member and carrying the flat mirror or monitor. A connector is pivotal in the member about a second axis transverse to the first axis. A slide joint secures the connector to the inner frame for movement of the inner frame parallel to the transverse second axis on the connector. The slide joint includes a slot formed in the connector and extending in the direction and a screw seated in the movable frame and extending transversely through the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: SARNATECH & CRONE GMBH
    Inventors: Roland Kutzehr, Andreas Fallmann, Mirko Gutbier
  • Publication number: 20010050330
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an analog photocell adapted to capture light energy incident upon it as an analog signal, a sample-and-hold amplifier coupled to the photocell and adapted to store the analog signal and a digital converter coupled to the amplifier, the converter transforming the analog signal into a digital value, the value proportional to the amount of the light energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: PHILIP E. MATTISON
  • Publication number: 20010050331
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image sensor that includes a first sensor row and a second sensor row. The first sensor row is formed by two or more imaging elements separated from each other by a non-imaging material. Similarly, the second sensor row is formed by two or more imaging elements separated from each other by the non-imaging material. The imaging elements in the second sensor row are separated and offset from the imaging elements in the first sensor row by the non-imaging material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Yung, Jonathan D. Isom
  • Publication number: 20010050332
    Abstract: An imaging device and method, as well as a spectroscopy system. The imaging device includes a line-column matrix (1) of photodetectors (4), each of the photodetectors having a CMOS-type pixel (2) and a amplifier (3) with a gain. It also comprises gain control elements, capable of fixing the gains individually for each of the photodetectors. The imaging device is useful in spectroscopy, in particular for atomic emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: JOBIN YVON S.A.
    Inventor: Juichiro Ukon
  • Publication number: 20010050333
    Abstract: A photoelectric receiver circuit for converting an optical signal to an electrical signal, includes first and second transimpedance amplifiers, a photodiode having a first end connected to an inverting input of the first transimpedance amplifier and a second end connected to an inverting input of the second transimpedance amplifier, and a differential amplifier having inputs AC coupled to outputs of the first and second transimpedance amplifiers. Such that when higher and lower voltages are respectively applied to the non-inverting inputs of the first and second transimpedance amplifiers, a substantially constant bias voltage is maintained on the photodiode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Kai D. Feng, Lee F. Hartley
  • Publication number: 20010050334
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring electromagnetic pulses as a function of time. Radiation measurement, including measurement of single-shot, free-space terahertz femtosecond pulses, is realized using an electro-optical modulator in combination with an optical streak camera. This method and apparatus allow measurement of electromagnetic pulses previously unmeasurable due to the time resolution restrictions dictated by the time-frequency correlation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Zhiping Jiang, Xi-Cheng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20010050335
    Abstract: A multipole ion guide is configured to improve the transmission efficiency of ions which traverse the length of one ion guide and enter either another multipole ion guide such as a quadrupole mass analyzer or a three dimensional ion trap. The ion transfer multipole ion guide radial dimensions are reduced such that the pole assembly and an appropriately shaped exit lens can be positioned within a portion of the internal space defined by the larger radius second multipole ion guide poles. Ions exiting the first ion guide of reduced size find themselves inside the second ion guide close to the centerline. In this manner ions can be efficiently transferred from one ion guide to another, even for those ions with low kinetic energies. In a second embodiment of the invention, the exit region of a multipole ion guide is configured such that the multipole ion guide poles can be extended into a counterbore of a three dimensional ion trap end cap electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Craig M. Whitehouse, Erol Gulcicek
  • Publication number: 20010050336
    Abstract: A mass spectrograph with an ionization chamber for having a sample liquid sprayed into and generating ions to be analyzed in a mass analyzing chamber for analyzing the generated ions has a peep-hole with a transparent pane provided on a wall of the ionization chamber. In order to prevent the pane from becoming cloudy and make it possible to clearly see the interior of the chamber, a tube is provided inside the chamber for blowing a dry gas onto the inner surface of the pane. The pane may be formed in the shaped of an image-enlarging lens and its inner surface may be coated with a thin film of polytetrafluoroethylene. An LED may be positioned inside the chamber such that the interior of the chamber can be seen clearly even if mass spectrograph is placed in a relatively dark room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Fukuda, Kazuo Mukaibatake, Masahiro Kojima