Patents Issued in January 15, 2002
  • Patent number: 6338652
    Abstract: A cable connector assembly (100) includes a cable connector (1) and a coaxial multiconductor cable set (40). The cable set (40) includes a grounding bar (50) electrically connected to braidings shielding each coaxial connector in each wire (401) of the cable set (40). The cable connector (1) comprises a housing (10), an insert (20) with a number of terminals (22), a grounding plate (30), and a shield (60) surrounding the housing. The cable set (40) is connected to the insert (20), the conductors (424) soldered to the terminals (22) and the grounding bar (50) mating with the insert (20). The housing (10) includes a front wall (14), a pair of sidewalls (13), and a top wall (12) with an opening (15) defined therebetween. A bottom side (217) of the insert (20) acts as a bottom wall of the housing (10) thereby reducing the profile of the cable connector (1). The grounding plate (30) has a number of grounding pads (35) and a pair of arms (33) extending from opposite ends of a strip (31) thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: David Tso-Chin Ko
  • Patent number: 6338653
    Abstract: A cable connector for connecting a plurality of coaxial cables to a printed circuit board comprises an insulative housing mounted on a printed circuit board, a plurality of signal terminals, a grounding terminal and a snap cover secured on the housing. The housing defines a plurality of first receiving portions for receiving the coaxial cables. Each signal terminal comprises a solder portion soldered on the printed circuit board and a contact portion extending into the corresponding first receiving portion of the housing. The grounding terminal received in the housing comprises a plurality of solder sections soldered to the printed circuit board and a plurality of tabs extending into the first receiving portions for connecting with metal braids of the coaxial cables, establishing grounding connections. The snap cover defines a plurality of second receiving portions corresponding to the first receiving portions of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis B. Jones, Andrew Cheng, Eric Juntwait
  • Patent number: 6338654
    Abstract: A connector housing has a lock arm for locking a terminal therein. The lock arm deflects in an complete insertion state of the terminal so that a spacer abuts against a side surface of the lock arm. The lock arm is formed with a projection which abuts the incompletely inserted terminal in the spacer advancing direction. The projection may be a plate piece elongated in the longitudinal direction of the lock to be pinched by a pair of a resilient contact plates of the terminal. Alternatively, the lock arm may have a protrusion engaging with an engagement hole formed in the connector housing. The protrusion is a rectangular plate extending from the fore end of the lock arm. An inclined guide surface continuos with the engagement hole may be provided in the connector housing. Alternatively, the connector housing may have an inner embossed wall positioned closely to the deflected lock arm to oppose to the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Sasaki, Masanori Tsuji, Tomohiko Kimura, Motohisa Kashiyama
  • Patent number: 6338655
    Abstract: A low-voltage connector provided with a plurality of pins arranged in pairs, each pin being provided with a contact zone at the front of the connector, which contact zone serves to come into electrical contact when an associated connector is plugged in, and with a connection zone at the rear of the connector, which connection zone normally serves to establish electrical connection with a respective conductor wire, an adapter provided with connection means co-operating, instead of said conductor wires, with the connection zones of the pins and with contact means serving to come into electrical contact with a separate component, wherein said connection zones comprise insulation-displacement contacts provided with slots, and the connection means of the adapter comprise pins inserted into the slots of the insulation-displacement contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Infra +
    Inventors: Dominique Masse, Jacques Nozick
  • Patent number: 6338656
    Abstract: The modular jack allows a RJ series connector plug to be attached to a communications card that conforms to the PCMCIA requirements for a Type III card. The modular jack includes a main body portion including a top surface, a bottom outer surface and a front surface. The receptacle is disposed entirely within the front surface of the modular jack such that no portion of the plug extends through either the top surface or the bottom surface of the main body portion of the modular jack. Thus, the modular jack allows the communications card to be connected to standard RJ series plugs without deviating from the Type III PCMCIA card height requirement, even when the plug is inserted into the jack. Desirably, the main body portion has a height measured from the top surface to the bottom surface that is generally equal to or less than about 10.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: David Oliphant, Ryan A. Kunz, Thomas A. Johnson, Steven Lo Forte
  • Patent number: 6338657
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector assembly including a connector for use in electrically connecting a surgical instrument to a power source, such as a generator. The connector generally includes an outer shell with a plurality of first and second electrical conductors disposed within the outer shell for providing the electrical connection between the surgical instrument and a cable leading to the power source. In one aspect of the present invention, the connector includes an isolation barrier disposed within the outer shell so as to separate each of the first electrical conductors from each of the second electrical conductors. In another aspect, the connector includes a keying feature in which the outer surface of the outer shell is modified so as to ensure that the connector may only be plugged into the generator a single way. This reduces the risk that the electrical conductors may be bent due to improper orientation during the insertion action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery
    Inventors: Richard M. Harper, Robert Perrin Gill, William T. Donofrio
  • Patent number: 6338658
    Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed having enhanced pull-out resistance for a stranded conductor secured therein. The metal body of the electrical connector includes a conductor-receiving bore for receiving the stranded conductor and a threaded bore for receiving a binding screw that orthogonally intersects the conductor-receiving bore. One or more opposed side walls of the metal body further includes at least one slot that is adapted to receive strands of the conductor displaced therein by a binding force applied by the conical tip of the binding screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ilsco Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas M. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 6338659
    Abstract: An elongated terminal strip has a series of terminals, each having a compliant portion engaged laterally between a first and second portion which electrically engage to respective electrical components having a tendency to vibrate. Each compliant portion extends longitudinally with respect to the terminal strip between two adjacent cut lines. A plurality of leading and trailing slots extend longitudinally within the compliant portions and are disposed alternately through one then the other adjacent cut lines. The step of dispensing or cutting the terminal away from the terminal strip exposes the slots along the cut edge enabling the flexing capability of the compliant portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Michael
  • Patent number: 6338660
    Abstract: An exhaust system for an outboard motor with a four-stroke engine having a cylinder block including a plurality of cylinders. The cylinders are arranged vertically so that a crankshaft is vertically oriented. The cylinders have different respective exhaust timings. The exhaust system further includes a plurality of separate exhaust passages that extend vertically and are formed integrally with the cylinder block. Each exhaust port from each cylinder communicates with at least one of the plurality of exhaust passages. Also, the exhaust port from the cylinder disposed at the lowest position among the plurality of cylinders communicates with the most distantly disposed exhaust passage out of the plurality of the exhaust passages. Further, the exhaust passages are joined at a point which is further downstream than the exhaust port from the lowest cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6338661
    Abstract: A spark plug derives an extended lifetime because a large plurality of sharp edges are provided on the center electrode, the ground electrode, or both to enhance spark propagation. In a first embodiment, the ground electrode has a conventional cantilever shape, but the center electrode extends into coplanar relation to a distal surface of the electrode so that sparks propagate from the cylindrical side walls of the center electrode. In variations of the first embodiment, the number of cantilevered ground electrodes is increased, with the ground electrodes being circumferentially and equidistantly spaced about the center electrode. In another embodiment, the ground electrode has an annular configuration and includes a cylindrical annular wall spaced radially outwardly of the cylindrical sidewall of the center electrode, in concentric relation to the center electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Paul Rossi
  • Patent number: 6338662
    Abstract: Fabrication of an electron-emitting device entails providing an electron-emitting structure in which multiple sets of electron-emissive elements (24) overlying an emitter electrode (12) are arranged in a line extending generally in a specified direction. Each of a group of control electrodes (28) in the electron-emitting structure contain (a) a main control portion (30) penetrated by a control opening (34) that laterally circumscribes one of the sets of electron-emissive elements and (b) a gate portion (32) that extends across the control opening and has gate openings (36) through which the electron-emissive elements are exposed. Actinic material (38P) is provided over the control electrodes and processed to form a base focusing structure (38) penetrated by multiple focus openings (40) such that each focus opening is centered on a corresponding one of the control openings in the specified direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Candescent Intellectual Property Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Spindt, Stephanie J. Oberg, Duane A. Haven, Roger W. Barton, Arthur J. Learn, Victoria A. Bascom
  • Patent number: 6338663
    Abstract: The present invention includes a low voltage, high current density, large area cathode for scrubbing of cathodoluminescent layers. The cathodoluminescent layers are formed on a transparent conductive layer formed on a transparent insulating viewing screen to provide a faceplate. An electrical coupling is formed to the transparent conductive layer to provide a return path for electrons. The faceplate and the cathodoluminescent layers are placed on a conveyer in a vacuum. The cathodoluminescent layers are irradiated with an electron beam having a density of greater than one hundred microamperes/cm2. The electron beam may be provided by a cathode including an insulating base, a first post secured to the insulating base near a first edge of the insulating base and a second post including a spring-loaded tip secured to the insulating base near a second edge of the insulating base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Watkins, Danny Dynka
  • Patent number: 6338664
    Abstract: A remote controller for a toy vehicle includes a toggle switch on a hand controller for selectively enabling one of two sets of vehicle functions, and a reduced signal set integrated circuit for transmitting control signals to the vehicles. A group of function keys on the hand controller activates a function from each function set. The combined settings of the toggle switch and function key cause a unique combination of toggle switch signal and function key signal to be transmitted to the vehicle. The vehicle decodes the toggle switch and function key signal to determine which control function is to be performed. In addition, the vehicle may have a center steering controller which automatically sets a center steering course for the vehicle when no turn signal is being received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: New Bright Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yau Wah Wong
  • Patent number: 6338665
    Abstract: A protective breast covering assembly for protecting a breast from the surrounding environment after a surgical procedure or other event. The protective breast covering assembly includes a breast covering assembly, which includes a cup member that includes an opening and a lip extending outwardly from a periphery of the opening of the cup member. An adhesive is coupled to a first face of the lip whereby the lip is designed to be coupled to a portion of skin surrounding a breast such that the cup member covers the breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventors: Sammie L. Dawson, Alice Dawson
  • Patent number: 6338666
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a lumbago treating girdle comprising: a girdle main body including an inverse-triangular press portion provided with a zipper extending in a vertical direction to a crotch portion from a belt disposed on an upper part of a front surface of the girdle main body, a portion sewn in the vertical direction on a back surface, a right femoral part, a left femoral part, a left engaging member on the left side of the press portion and a right engaging member on the right side of the press portion; a left stretch band which is attached to a middle of a left end portion of the girdle main body, and to a tip end of which a left engaging member with an engaging piece attached to one surface thereof is attached; and a right stretch band which is attached to a middle of a right end portion of the girdle main body, and to a tip end of which a right engaging member with an engaging piece attached to one surface thereof is attached, the left stretch band being attached to t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Shunichirou Ishii
  • Patent number: 6338667
    Abstract: A system for polishing a semiconductor wafer, the system comprising a wafer polishing assembly for polishing a face of a semiconductor wafer at a polishing rate and a polishing uniformity, the wafer polishing assembly including a platen subassembly defining a polishing area, and a polishing head selectively supporting a semiconductor wafer and holding a face of the semiconductor wafer in contact with the platen subassembly to polish the wafer face; and a controller selectively adjusting one of a plurality of adjustable polishing parameters during polishing of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Trung Tri Doan
  • Patent number: 6338668
    Abstract: Within a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) method there is first provided a first control substrate, a first series of product substrates and a second control substrate. There is then sequentially chemical mechanical polish (CMP) planarized, while employing a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) planarizing method, the first control substrate to provide a planarized first control substrate, the first series of product substrates to provide a planarized first series of product substrates and the second control substrate to provide a planarized second control substrate. There is then determined, for the planarized first control substrate and the planarized second control substrate, a corresponding first value of a parameter within the chemical mechanical polish (CMP) planarizing method and a corresponding second value of the parameter within the chemical mechanical polish (CMP) planarizing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd
    Inventors: Chih-Lung Lin, Wen-Cheng Chien
  • Patent number: 6338669
    Abstract: This invention relates to a polishing machine for polishing an article such as a semiconductor wafer. A movable arm is located at a liquid supply position for supplying a liquid such as a polishing liquid onto a polishing surface of a turntable. The arm is also adapted to be moved to and held at a retracted position radially outside the polishing surface. At the liquid supply position, liquid supply nozzles supported on the arm are brought into a condition such that the nozzles are close to a position on the polishing surface where the liquid is to be supplied, whereby the liquid is accurately supplied onto the position. Holding the arm at the retracted position makes it easy to conduct a maintenance work for the polishing surface and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuji Togawa, Kuniaki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6338670
    Abstract: A manufacturing system of semiconductor devices, which comprises a dispersing equipment for dispersing inorganic oxide with water, a filtrating equipment provided behind the dispersing equipment for filtrating the slurry sent from the dispersing equipment, a supplying equipment provided behind the filtrating equipment for supplying the slurry sent from the filtrating equipment to a CMP polishing equipment, and the CMP polishing equipment provided behind the supplying equipment for polishing semiconductor devices by using the slurry supplied from the supplying equipment. According to the present invention, it is possible to supply slurry to the CMP polishing equipment at the right time in the right quantity. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the cost incurred by performing the strict quality control of the slurry during the storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, JSR Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Yoshinori Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6338671
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a polishing liquid to a polishing section is used for polishing a surface of a semiconductor substrate in the polishing section. The apparatus comprises a supply tank for storing a polishing liquid having given properties, a supply pipe for supplying the polishing liquid to the polishing section, a sensing device for detecting properties of the polishing liquid flowing through the supply pipe, and a stabilization device for maintaining properties of the polishing liquid stored in the supply tank or flowing through the supply pipe within an allowable range on the basis of an output signal from the sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Kawashima, Mitsunori Komatsu, Mutsumi Tanikawa, Fujihiko Toyomasu
  • Patent number: 6338672
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a flat to stepped convex facing for grinding wheels used for the finished machining of parts, the apparatus including dressing wheels located only at the outer diameter of the Cubic-Boron-Nitride wheels to be dressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: White Hydraulics, Inc.
    Inventor: Hollis Newcomb White
  • Patent number: 6338673
    Abstract: Apparatus for electrical stunning and killing poultry comprises a conveyor (31) and means for applying electrical voltage across the heads of the birds (3; 37; 42). In one embodiment, means are also provided for applying a voltage between the bird's head and rear by means of a further electrode (4). In this case, a two stage stun and kill process is used, with the bird being stunned by a voltage applied to it across its head and then killed by a voltage applied between its head and rear, causing fibrillation of the heart. The apparatus may also include means (5; 34) for restraining the bird's heads and/or facilitating contact of the bird's heads with the electrodes. The electrodes themselves may take a number of forms, including dry resilient foam covered by a conductive wire mesh, or a number of parallel sprung pins, or a rail along which the bird's heads slide, or a conductive endless belt. A pair of manual stunning tongs (61) is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: BTG International Limited
    Inventors: Paul Simon Berry, Ambur Balakrishnan Mohan Raj, Michael O'Callaghan, Lindsay John Wilkins, David Bernard Tinker
  • Patent number: 6338674
    Abstract: The invention provides a process and anal seal for sealing the anus of the carcass (10) of a slaughtered animal. The anal seal includes a plug (15) for insertion through the anus so that tissues (11) contract behind the plug, a clamp (20) movable towards the plug to clamp the tissues behind, and retaining means (40) to hold the clamp in its clamping position. The plug (15) is conical and has a back end (17) so that the clamp which is in the shape of a clamping disc (22) clamps against periphery (18) of the back end of the plug. The clamp (15) can slide on a stem (32) extending from the back end of the plug. The retaining means (40) can comprise biasing means (48) or a latch (41) to hold the clamp in its clamping position. An applicator tool (60) can mount the anal seal during insertion of the plug into the rectum and move the clamp from a retracted position to its operative clamping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Meat & Livestock Australia Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Leslie Finney, David Gregor
  • Patent number: 6338675
    Abstract: An environmental enclosure for nail technicians. The environmental enclosure includes a sec-through box constructed of acrylic plastic or other suitable optical quality material. An interior fan sweeps air into the enclosure and ejects contaminated air, including vapors and dusts, from the enclosure, to a suitable discharge point, via gas tight ductwork. A see-through sloping top is oriented downward toward the nail technician to eliminate glare and to assure that good optics are attained when viewing nails though the top of the enclosure. A preferably solid insert panel which includes hand passageways is detachably affixable to the front, for further restricting air-flow during desired operations. A plastic see-through air curtain is also detachably affixible to the front, for further restricting the flow of noxious gases and dusts. Additionally, a similar plastic see-through air curtain may be provided on the rear of the enclosure, to prevent noxious gases and dusts from escaping toward the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Rebecca Winkelman
  • Patent number: 6338676
    Abstract: Inside a blown-out air duct in the air conditioner through which conditioned air reaches a blowing-out port, there is provided a rectifying box having a air passage therein, for rectifying a flow of the conditioned air toward a predetermined flowing direction in order to prevent any dew condensation at the blowing-out port in the air conditioner. In the meantime, in order to suppress noise, rectifying plates for reducing an inflowing angle of air flowing into the fin tips of a heat exchanger are interposed between an axial fan and the heat exchanger for taking in the air from the axial fan for heat exchanging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakazu Kondou, Jun Kitamura, Takahiro Murayama, Motoo Sano, Shinichi Suzuki, Hiroaki Ishikawa, Akira Takamori, Hiroshi Fukazawa
  • Patent number: 6338677
    Abstract: A system for controlling the opening and closing of vents within a structure. The system includes a plurality of vents positioned around the structure and a control panel is centrally positioned in a readily accessible position within the structure. The vents each include a cover plate having a recess extending therethrough a plurality of louvers positioned in spaced parallel relationship within the recess and a device for automatically pivoting the plurality of louvers between an open position and closed position. The control panel includes a plurality of control buttons, each control button controlling pivoting a respective one of the plurality of louvers between the open and closed positions. A lever connects the plurality of louvers within each vent together causing the louvers to move together. The pivoting device for each vent includes first and second solenoids and a latch and spring device connected between both the first and second solenoids and the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Samuel J White
  • Patent number: 6338678
    Abstract: A ball selector and display device comprising a plurality of prize balls, a ball holder adapted to hold the balls in an individually controlled manner, a controller adapted to select a prize ball, a display mechanism adapted to display the selected prize ball to the player; and a positioning mechanism in communication with the controller adapted to position the selected prize ball relative to the display mechanism. The ball selector and display device may be combined with a jumbled ball display wherein the balls displayed by the ball selector and display device appear to originate from the jumbled ball display. The ball selector and display device may also be combined with a game apparatus that is adapted to allow players to play a game. In this embodiment, the ball selector and display device may provide a bonus award for the player. Several games are also provided that may be used with the ball selector and display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerald C. Seelig, Lawrence M. Henshaw
  • Patent number: 6338679
    Abstract: To a CPU 10 in a portable game machine 1, a temperature detector 5 and a voltage detector 6 are connected. The temperature detector 5 detects an operating temperature of an LCD 4, and the voltage detector 6 detects a power supply voltage supplied by the LCD 4. Following a program stored in on-chip ROM 13, the CPU 10 calculates a driving voltage for the LCD 4 based on the detected temperature and voltage. At the same time, the CPU 10 selects, from among a plurality of character data items which are previously provided, at least one character data item and writes the selected data item into display RAM 11. The detected temperature and voltage each correspond to the character's age and action. As a result, correct colors can be displayed even in a case where the LCD 4 is adopting an Electrically Controlled Birefringence method. Further the character selected based on the temperature and voltage is displayed on the LCD 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Okada, Hitoshi Nakai
  • Patent number: 6338680
    Abstract: A system for transferring game saves between a game console and a personal computer. The system includes a game save editor that allows a user to edit game saves stored in memory of a computer. The game save may be obtained from a hard disk of a personal computer or a memory card in a game console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Datel Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Connors
  • Patent number: 6338681
    Abstract: A magnetic transmission structure for a laser level includes a driving member provided with two opposite first chambers in each of which is fitted a magnet, a driven member provided with two opposite second chambers arranged in alignment with the first opposite chambers, each of the second chamber being provided with a magnet, and a motor having an output axle drivingly connected with an intermediate portion of the driving member, whereby the driven member will be rotated with the driving member without direct interconnecting members when the motor is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Aurise Inc.
    Inventor: Yu Tse Lin
  • Patent number: 6338682
    Abstract: An artificial putting green provides an architected green lie adjustable by a user in accordance with the true contouring elements available on a real golfing green. A user actually stands on the green itself, and may position himself or herself above or below the cup with an intervening swell or rise between the user and a cup. A break to the left or the right may be provided between the cup and the deck. The deck may actually be canted from side to side. Moreover, the deck may be elevated front to back or back to front. Accordingly, by independent adjustment of multiple feet, the deck may be a proper part of the green as will be encountered in actual practice on a real green. Multiple contours from left-to-right and right-to-left may be adjusted in the intervening distance between a user and the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: PuttGolf.com, LLC
    Inventors: H. Andrew Torchia, Todd R. Mendenhall, Frank M. Rowe
  • Patent number: 6338683
    Abstract: A golf club having a club head with a striking plate that has an aspect ratio in excess of 0.575. The golf club head has a thin striking plate with a high aspect ratio in order to increase the deflection of the striking plate during impact with a golf ball. The striking plate may be composed of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, amorphous metal, composites, or the like. The golf club head may be a wood or an iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: John B. Kosmatka
  • Patent number: 6338684
    Abstract: Golf balls are disclosed having novel dimple patterns determined by the science of phyllotaxis. A method of packing dimples using phyllotaxis is disclosed. Phyllotactic patterns are used to determine placement of dimples on a golf ball. Preferably, a computer modeling program is used to place the dimples on the golf balls. Either two-dimensional modeling or three-dimensional modeling programs are usable. Preferably, careful consideration is given to the placement of the dimples, including a minimum distance criteria so that no two dimples will intersect. This criterion ensures that the dimples will be packed as closely as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Douglas C. Winfield, Kevin M. Harris
  • Patent number: 6338685
    Abstract: A main tube having an actuator rod reciprocating therein having a handle portion on one end and a ball and tee holding portion on the other. The ball and tee holding portion has a ball holder or a guide attached to the actuator rod and arms holding the golf tee in position and held by spring clip or leaf springs and magnets. Upon activating the handle portion, the movement of the ball holder and guide causes the release of the pivoted arms after placement of the golf tee in the ground. The ball holder or guide is biased upward by a spring without retracting the arms, thereby permitting the golf tee and ball placement device to be removed from the teed up golf ball. Accurate and repeatable placement of a golf ball at a predetermined height on a tee is achieved with a reduced possibility that the golf ball falls off the tee upon removal of the golf tee and ball placement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Frank A. Posluszny
  • Patent number: 6338686
    Abstract: A new combination basketball and football game for combining skills from basketball and football into a challenging game. The inventive device includes a base member having a pole extending upwardly therefrom. The pole has an outwardly curving upper portion. A backboard is secured to a free end of the outwardly curving upper portion of the pole. The backboard has a rim secured to a lower edge thereof. The rim has a net secured thereto. The backboard has an aperture therethrough downwardly of an upper edge thereof. A back net is secured to a rear surface of the backboard. The back net covers the aperture of the backboard. The back net has a pair of openings in a lower end thereof on opposing sides of the outwardly curving upper portion of the pole. A rubber ball is provided having a dimpled outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Harvey D. King
  • Patent number: 6338687
    Abstract: A batting swing device is presented which enables a batter to determine whether or not his swing is good or bad. The device is designed for use by both baseball and softball players. It is intended to teach hitters the correct path that a bat must travel during a swing in order to most effectively hit a ball to all parts of a playing field. The device is approximately 5 inches in outer diameter and three inches in inner diameter, and shaped similar to a doughnut. The inner diameter is flat to enable the device to easily slip on and off a baseball bat. The device is made of polyethylene plastic and weighs approximately two ounces. When a batter takes a swing with the device slipped onto the bat and above the batter's hands, the direction of travel of the device will determine whether or not the batter has made a good swing. If the device travels towards the pitcher's mound, or within a 50 degree angle measured off of the pitcher's mound, the batter's swing was a correct one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6338688
    Abstract: A cover structure for a belt converter facilitating more easily inspecting or replacing a drive belt in a small vehicle in which an obstacle is provided in such a direction as to hinder removal of a cover configured for covering an outer periphery and an outer side face portion of a belt converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Minami, Itsuo Takegami
  • Patent number: 6338689
    Abstract: A hydromechanical transmission includes a hydrostatic transmission driven by an engine and drivingly connected to a planetary gear set. A plurality of clutches are associatable with the ring gear or elements of the planetary gear set for establishing a corresponding plurality of operating modes in which additional overall transmission speed can be achieved while reducing the power transmitted by the hydrostatic transmission. The gears of the planetary gear set can be removed and replaced with gears having a different number of teeth so as to change the overall ratio of the hydromechanical transmission without changing the power rating of the hydrostatic transmission or the size of the housing. Thus, multiple overall corner horsepower capabilities can be provided with the same hydrostatic transmission and housing package size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Inc.
    Inventor: Frederic W. Pollman
  • Patent number: 6338690
    Abstract: A transaxle drive differential assembly powered by an input drive and connected to a pair of axle shafts. The differential assembly includes a housing comprised of a first housing section and a second housing section wherein at least one of the housing sections has a bearing surface. A ring gear, drivingly linked to the input drive, has an inner circumference which is supported on the bearing surface. A differential is drivingly linked to the ring gear and is adapted to drive the pair of axle shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 6338691
    Abstract: A planetary gear transmission has two or more planetary gear sets in the gear train. Each planetary gear set comprises a sun gear mounted on a sun shaft with the sun gear engaging a plurality of planet gears mounted on a planet gear carrier with the plurality of planet gears engaging a ring gear mounted on the transmission housing. Each gear of the planetary gear transmission is a helical cut gear. Sun gears and/or ring gears are mounted for axial movement with respect to the transmission. Thrust imbalances on the sun gears and/or ring gears resulting from uneven loading and the helical cut result in sun gears and/or ring gears moving in the axial direction to eliminate the thrust imbalances and thereby resulting in equal loading or power sharing amongst the planetary gear sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Harrier Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William Bruce Morrow
  • Patent number: 6338692
    Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission comprising a pair of rotary, generally conical, torque-transmitting members, each being mounted for rotation on its geometric axis, the angularity of the axes, one with respect to the other, being variable, the outer surfaces of each member having torque-transmitting needles extending outwardly from the generally conical surface, the needles of one member meshing with the needles of its companion member, the needles being capable of flexing whereby torque may be transmitted through the rotary members without frictional sliding motion at the area of meshing engagement of the needles, the angularity of one member with respect to the other permitting a wide torque-transmitting ratio range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Douglas Magyari
  • Patent number: 6338693
    Abstract: A pivot-hung door drive system with an electro-mechanical or electro-hydraulic drive device that supplies the opening and closing moment required to open and close a connected pivot-hung door panel, whereby an electronic regulation/control system with at least one memory and at least one microprocessor, on the basis of sensor signals, controls the opening or closing moment by means of a gear wheel that is located on an output shaft, which gear wheel is connected by means of a linkage and an actuator arm with the pivot-hung door panel, whereby between the output shaft of the pivot-hung door drive system and the linkage or the actuator arm, there is a device that effects a change in the opening and closing moment over the angle of rotation of the pivot-hung door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Jan Scholten, Peter Kisters
  • Patent number: 6338694
    Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling a starting clutch of a vehicle having a function of stopping engine idling so that an engine is automatically stopped under given conditions when the vehicle is at a standstill, the starting clutch being disposed in a transmission of the vehicle in series with a belt type continuously variable transmission mechanism which receives an input of a power from the engine through a power transmission mechanism having built therein hydraulically operated frictional engaging elements, the vehicle start-up from the state of engine stopping is made smoothly at a good response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Eguchi
  • Patent number: 6338695
    Abstract: After the engine rotational speed Ne has become below a reference rotaional speed Neo, which is lower than an idling rotational speed of the engine, and after the pressure PL of oil passages 103a and 103b has begun to decrease, for a predetermined time, the currents supplied to electromagnetic valves 45 and 46 are adjusted to generate, in each electromagnetic valve, a second biasing force electromagnetically in a magnitude that can supplement a decrease in a third biasing force which is generated by the back pressure led through an oil passage 107 and 108, respectively, and which decreases as the pressure of the oil passages 103a and 103b decreases. After the above metioned predetermined time has elapsed, the currents supplied to the eletromagnetic valves 45 and 46 are set almost to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihira Aoki, Yukihiko Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6338696
    Abstract: A lock-up controller is provided for shifting a torque converter of a vehicle from the lock-up state to the unlock state when the accelerator pedal is depressed at a speed larger than a predetermined speed when the vehicle is coasting. The controller is further functioning to prevent the torque converter from shifting to the lock-up state when the torque converter has been shifted to the unlock state and the vehicle speed is within the predetermined re-lock-up prevention speed range so as to avoid frequent lock-up/unlock operation of the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Sakakibara, Akihiro Ueki
  • Patent number: 6338697
    Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine provided on a vehicle and cooperating with the throttle hand lever and an accelerator pedal, whereby the amount of fuel is predetermined. The amount of fuel is predetermined by respective positions of the accelerator pedal and throttle hand lever and is corrected on the basis of a position of the vehicle brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Renault Agriculture
    Inventors: Patrice Baudoin, Bernard Olivier
  • Patent number: 6338698
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus has a linkage assembly which links rotation of an adjustable length crank to generally elliptical movement of a force receiving member. The linkage assembly includes a first link having a rearward end which is rotatably connected to the crank, and a forward end which is rotatably connected to a lower end of a suspended link. An upper portion of the suspended link is rotatably connected to the exercise apparatus frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 6338699
    Abstract: A child sport activity training device comprising a harness for enclosing and supporting a torso of a child therein. A hand grip is grasped by a hand of a trainer. An adjustment structure is between a rear portion of the harness and the hand grip to compensate for weight and balance between the trainer and the child when the hand grip is positioned above the harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Timothy Dale Veitch
  • Patent number: 6338700
    Abstract: A leg stretcher used to stretch a user's hamstring muscles when the user is lying in a supine position. The leg stretcher including a conventional pulley suspended from any convenient support at a position above the user's head. A rope is threaded through the pulley, and at one end thereof has an adjustable stirrup to be placed around the user's ankle. The stirrup is adjustable in size to accommodate a particular user's ankle. The opposite end of the rope is then threaded through a cord lock and a handle bar with the cord lock fixedly attached to the handle bar. This end of the rope is then secured to an adjustment handle which is used to adjust the length of the rope and also prevents the rope from slipping through the handle bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Todd E. Pollock
  • Patent number: 6338701
    Abstract: A cable and pulley assembly has a first floating pulley unit having a pulley housing and a pair of pulleys rotatably mounted side-by-side in the housing for rotation about a single pulley axis, and a second floating pulley unit having a pulley housing and at least one pulley rotatably mounted in the housing. A first cable is linked to the housing of the first floating pulley unit, and a second cable is linked to the housing of the second floating pulley unit. A third cable extends around one of the side-by-side pulleys in the first pulley unit, around the pulley of the second pulley unit, and around the other side-by-side pulley of the first pulley unit. The resistance on the first cable is then four times that on each section of the third cable, and plural pull points are provided for selective connection to exercise stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Randall T. Webber