Patents Issued in February 5, 2002
  • Patent number: 6343397
    Abstract: A winding adhesive cleaner according to the invention comprises a body (shown in FIG. 2) equipped with a gear box (2) and an attachable cylinder (shown in FIG. 1) equipped a rolled strip of adhesive paper. Adhesive face on the cleaner is continuously changed without removing dirtied face or suspending cleaning operation. And cleaning operation can be very sanitary because it is unnecessary to touch dirty adhesive face directly with fingers. Furthermore, the cylinder after consumed can be thrown away as a combustible waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Akihiko Odagiri
  • Patent number: 6343398
    Abstract: A drain cleaning apparatus which feeds a drain cleaning snake from a rotating drum through a flexible guide tube and a manually operable cable feed device is provided at the outer end of the guide tube for selectively axially advancing or retracting the snake relative to the cable drum during rotation of the drum. The inner end of the guide tube is supported directly on the cable drum with a bearing for relative rotation between the cable drum and the guide tube. The cable feed device includes a stop protruding from its housing which is positioned for engaging an actuating lever to thereby limit the pivotal extent of the levers displacement away from the housing in order to prevent accidental dislodgement of the drive actuator which is engaged by the lever to operate the cable feed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: General Wire Spring Company
    Inventors: Arthur A. Silverman, Edward Thomas Gaworski, Jr., Paul Arthur Korvick, Norman J. Borgo
  • Patent number: 6343399
    Abstract: A self-contained single-use apparatus for cleaning and hydrating a pair of contact lenses comprises a housing including a pair of hollow snap-lock lens containers in which opposed layers of a deformable relatively hydrophobic reactive material having surfaces arranged for non-abrasive contiguous wetted contact with the optical surfaces of the lenses when the lenses are enclosed in the housings. While in contact with the optical surfaces contaminants in the lenses are attracted to the contacting surfaces of the reactive layers. Upon removal of the lenses the attracted contaminants remain on the contacting surfaces and are disposed of with the housing. The container contains sufficient absorbed liquid for maintaining the lens in a hydrated condition while being treated in the container during the treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: IsoClear, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark L. Pankow
  • Patent number: 6343400
    Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning a surface is proposed, the cleaning system having: a cleaning tool (2) with a working region (A) and with a UV-light source (7), the UV-radiation of which emerges from the tool (2) in the working region (A), and a cleaning agent which contains a photoactivatable semiconductor material (3), UV-radiation being fed directly into the photoactivatable semiconductor material (2) in the working region (A) via a light guide device (9, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventors: Karl Massholder, Peter Manschott
  • Patent number: 6343401
    Abstract: A wiper blade 10 for use in motor vehicles includes a wind deflector 22 which is provided in an air stream and supported in position on a main yoke through a support of reduced width. The wiper blade includes the wind deflector which has been formed to have such a configuration in its cross-section so as to include a plate-like pressure-receiving surface section 28 which is provided along the air stream so as to generate downward forces, an air stream-weir section 30 which is provided to extend from the rear end of the pressure-receiving surface section so as to reduce a velocity of the air stream, and an air stream-splitting section 26 which extends downwardly from the end of the pressure-receiving surface section so as to form a water-weir section below the pressure-receiving surface section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Wiper Blade Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Harashima
  • Patent number: 6343402
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly is provided for use on a vehicle which includes a rearview mirror and a wiper assembly. The wiper assembly includes a wiper arm base located behind the mirror assembly extending over the top of the mirror to attach to a resilient wiper arm having a wiper blade. The wiper blade is shaped or sectioned to substantially mate with mirrors having multiple surfaces or surface combined flat/convex mirrors. The wiper arm base is attached to a bi-directional driver system which causes the wiper arm base to laterally transverse across the mirror assembly, which in turn drives the wiper blade across the mirror. The bi-directional driver system preferably includes a uni-directional belt system, about two pulleys, connected to the wiper arm base with a unique linkage to allow the base to traverse back and forth as the belt is driven about the pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventors: Darrel L. Smith, Donnie Knight
  • Patent number: 6343403
    Abstract: A wiper device is a frame-integrated type device in which a pair of pivot holders are formed integrally with a hollow frame. The hollow frame can be formed from a pair of split frames or from a single piece tubular component. Each split frame has a mounting portion having a non-hollow, substantially U-shaped cross-section. The mounting portions of the split frames are overlapped with each other and fastened together with a wiper motor so as to be connected to each other. Many types of hollow frames can be formed by changing combinations of two split frames having different sizes, and an optimum hollow frame can be formed for vehicles having different sizes and layouts. The single piece tubular component has a mounting portion at an intermediate position which is non-hollow and has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, and gradually changing portions whose cross-sectional configuration gradually changes from non-hollow to hollow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 6343404
    Abstract: A multi-step positioning device of a trunk pull rod has a pair of pull rods at two sides thereof. Each pull rod has an inner upper rod and an outer lower rod therein. The rod body has two sides of round arc shapes. After engaging, the round arc portions of the two rods are formed with gaps. Porous pieces are placed in the gaps. The porous piece passes through the outer lower rod. The upper end of the outer lower rod is connected to an upper rod sleeve. Protruding buckles at two sides of the upper rod sleeve buckles with the buckling holes with respect to the outer lower rod. The lower end of the inner upper rod is connected to a lower rod sleeve. The slender end of the lower rod sleeve passes through the inner upper rod. Part of the enlarged end portion thereof having an outer diameter identical to that of the inner upper rod passes through the outer lower rod. The top end surface of the lower rod sleeve serves to be inserted by the sliding piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Chaw Khong Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Hsien Kuo
  • Patent number: 6343405
    Abstract: A door closure mechanism is described including a base and a resilient element wherein the base includes surfaces which converge toward each other and wherein the resilient element, such as a torque rod, engages the converging surfaces so that the torque rod is more securely held in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Anthony, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Burton Carson
  • Patent number: 6343406
    Abstract: A hinge on a ladder comprises outer casing pair, inner casing pair, a fixing plate with a shaft and three lock pins, a central rivet pin, and a button knob. The outer casing pair and the inner casing pair are pivotally engaged to each other in such a way that the circular plate portions on the casing pairs facially contact with one another. When the locating holes on the outer casing pair align with three specific ones of nine locating holes on the inner casing pair, the three lock pins are pushed toward the outer casing pair and to pass through the aligned locating holes and perform a locking position. When the button knob is pressed toward the outer casing pair against the restoring force of the spring, the three lock pins move away the locating holes. Therefore, the elongated projection ends of the three lock pins fit with the elongated slots on a half piece of outer casing pair to perform an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Tom Yeh
  • Patent number: 6343407
    Abstract: A hose clip for clamping a hose includes a clamping body formed by bending a band-shaped spring plate into a circular form. A frame-shaped first grip is formed at one end of the body so as to protrude radially outward, and a second grip is formed at the other end of the body so as to protrude radially outward and so as to oppose the first grip when moved through an inside of the first grip. A locking protrusion protrudes from the first grip toward the second grip, and a locking opening is formed in the second grip so as to be engaged with the protrusion. When the protrusion engages the locking opening, the first and second grips are held close to each other such that the body is held in a spread state. The protrusion disengages from the locking opening when the first and second grips are displaced radially relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Togo Seisakusyo Corporation
    Inventors: Mineo Muto, Yuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6343408
    Abstract: The fluidtight zip fastener comprises a pair of fluidtight zip fastener carrying tapes carrying the zip fastener coupling member rows and which are in each case formed by a base tape with a soft, synthetic rubber or similar covering layer. They engage on one another by their edge portions. The pair of continuous coupling member rows is sewn to the zip fastener carrying tapes in a spaced offset position transversely to the longitudinal edges of said carrying tapes in such a way that the press-contact edge portions of the soft covering layers are in contact with one another along a longitudinal plane, which intersects the zip fastener at a central axis thereof and runs at right angles to the zip fastener principal plane. The press-contact edge portions project over said longitudinal plane, when the coupling member rows are disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Horst Gotthard Neugebauer
  • Patent number: 6343409
    Abstract: A two-piece clip assembly for affixing a pliable bag to a container. One piece is comprised of a grabbing device capable of an open position and a closed position. The second piece is comprised of a locking device that configures the grabbing device between the open position and the closed position. The grabbing device is configured to affix a bag against a container in the closed position, and allow release of the bag from the container in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Gold Star Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. McAllister
  • Patent number: 6343410
    Abstract: Improvements in hydroenhancement efficiency are obtained by operating a manifold in relative movement to fabric transported under the manifold so as to deliver a low energy to the fabric per pass in multiple passes on the fabric. This results in greater enhancement efficiency and reduction in wasted energy, and also improves fabric coverage and reduces fabric shrinkage. The low-energy-per-pass, multiple-pass approach can be implemented with improved hydroenhancing equipment of reduced equipment size and cost which simulate multiple passes on the fabric. In one embodiment, a jigging hydroenhancing equipment transports the fabric back and forth under a stationary manifold between a pair of unwind/windup reels to simulate multiple passes on the fabric. Other embodiments employ a manifold or manifold system that is reciprocated, oscillated, or rotated to simulate multiple passes on the fabric. Other variations for improving hydroenhancement are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Michael Greenway, Jackson Lawrence, Herschel Sternlieb, Frederick Ty, Frank E. Malaney
  • Patent number: 6343411
    Abstract: An extractor tool for removing and replacing a plumbing fixture, such as a leaking, rusted tub shoe flange with or without cross hairs, includes a shaft having left-handed threads over most of its length and a frusto-conical wedge near one end terminating in a plurality of axial lugs forming a castle around an axial recess, the other end of the shaft being flatted to receive a wrench. A plurality of separate, arcuate shaped, shoes are slidably positioned around the threaded portion of the shaft and are maintained there by a flexible o-ring forming an expandable body having a central bore portion and at least the inner end adjacent the frusto-conical wedge of the shaft formed with a tapered circular recess. A washer and nut are assembled on the shaft from the threaded end. Both inner ends of the shoes may be formed with the tapered circular recess to make them reversible. The outside surfaces of the shoes and lugs may be knurled for added gripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: John R. Sigman
  • Patent number: 6343412
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a clearance between a host pipe and a liner pipe. The liner pipe is fed into the host pipe and includes a tubular element forming a leading end of the liner pipe. It also includes a compressible seal which is adapted when compressed longitudinally to expand radially and is mounted on the tubular element when in use. The seal moves freely with the element in the direction of feeding of the liner pipe. But when the liner pipe is retracted counter to the direction of feeding, the seal movement is arrested and the seal compressed longitudinally by the element so that the seal expands radially to engage the internal wall of the host pipe and seal the clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Transco plc
    Inventor: Adam John Stephenson
  • Patent number: 6343413
    Abstract: A chip inductor is made up of a coiled conducting wire and a magnetic member which is formed by sintering and in which the coiled conducting wire is embedded. Both end portions of the coiled conducting wire are exposed to both end surfaces of the magnetic member. External electrodes are formed with conducting thin films and are connected to respective end portions of the coiled conducting wire. An inorganic material is interposed in a clearance between winds of both end portions of the conducting wire and external surfaces of the magnetic member and a clearance between adjoining winds of the conducting wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Taiyo Yuden Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Masuda, Kinya Iri, Kenichiro Nogi, Nobuo Mamada
  • Patent number: 6343414
    Abstract: A snap-disk formation assembly and method provides feedback control of a snap-disk form station in communication with an exercise station and coupled to a feedback station. A disk blank is inserted into a pocket and loaded into a dial fixture which travels along a communication axis between the form station, the exercise station, and the feedback station. The pocket holds the metal disk while a snap-disk reset side and a trip side are formed and exercised. A feedback station determines actual snap forces for one or both sides of the disk and provides feedback control to the form station to bring successively formed disks within desired manufacturing tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald E. Nice, Richard T. Kidwell
  • Patent number: 6343415
    Abstract: A voice coil motor is attached to a shaft, that is installed in a component holding head, to drive the shaft in an axial direction. Also, a detecting device is arranged to detect movement of the shaft. The supply of power to the voice coil motor is controlled on the basis of a detection result of the detecting device, whereby movement of the shaft in the axial direction is controlled. The movement of the shaft in the axial direction is accordingly correctly known.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Okuda, Akira Kabeshita, Satoshi Shida, Makoto Sueki
  • Patent number: 6343416
    Abstract: A method of preparing a heat exchanger provides a first surface(s) for contacting a first fluid and a second surface(s) for contacting a second fluid in order to exchange heat between the first and second fluids. At least one of the first and second surfaces has been exposed to shot from a shot blast machine in order to create pits and bumps in that surface. The pits and bumps create a more efficient heat transfer between the fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Hoshizaki America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher T. Miller, Hiroyuki Sugie
  • Patent number: 6343417
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an air-gap-insulated exhaust elbow of a motor vehicle exhaust system achieves in a simple manner a manufacturing of space-saving air-gap-insulating exhaust elbows which is reliable with respect to the process and can be precisely reproduced. The exhaust elbow is joined together from several air-gap-insulated exhaust pipes as well as the pertaining entry flanges and the exit flange, which, by way of an internal high-pressure metal forming process, are shaped in an air-gap-insulating manner from one double pipe respectively. The ends of the air-gap-insulated exhaust pipes which are to be connected with one another are first trimmed while opening the respective air insulating gap and are then fitted into one another. In such case, the ends are shaped such that the fitted connections of the outer pipes and of the inner pipes of the exhaust pipes to be connected are made with play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Pierre Bonny, Thomas Huelsberg
  • Patent number: 6343418
    Abstract: A spinning reel face gear is manufactured by a method of molding tooth-ring bearing, obverse-facing gear teeth onto a separately formed gear disk after the gear disk is made. The gear disk is specially configured with circumferentially spaced peripheral indentations to retain the tooth ring strongly against torque when the face gear meshes with a pinion gear in operation in a spinning reel. Manufacturing the face gear in two separate stages adds a degree of freedom in material selection, allowing a lightweight material to be employed for the gear disk, and a high-strength material for forming precision gear teeth to be employed for the tooth ring. The two-stage manufacturing method also enables the tooth ring to be formed onto the gear disk in a mold that does not leave a parting line on the obverse, teeth-bearing face of the tooth-ring when the mold plates are parted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Hitomi
  • Patent number: 6343419
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic roll for use in an electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is provided. The method includes the steps of placing a shaft in a mold cavity and molding a core in the mold cavity with the shaft in the cavity. The core defines a pocket on the periphery of the core. The method further includes the step of attaching a magnet to the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Alan M. Litman, Jorge A. Alvarez
  • Patent number: 6343420
    Abstract: The method includes sliding a first shim onto the support shaft until it abuts a shoulder. The first shim has a predetermined thickness. A bearing is then slid onto the tapered surface and a lock nut is tightened onto the threaded portion of the shaft. As the lock nut contacts the inner race of the bearing it causes the inner race to contact the first shim and also to radially expand outwardly, thereby preloading the bearing. The outer race of the bearing is then connected to a motor and the motor is operated at a predetermined, constant speed. The torque required to rotate the outer race of the bearing is measured and compared to a predetermine torque range to determine if the bearing is precisely preloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Beduhn, Jimmy Harrell Howard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6343421
    Abstract: A cutting utensil is disclosed as including a wooden handle and a metal blade projecting outwardly from the handle. The handle includes a blade-receiving slot and an outer edge that circumscribes the slot and extends along the outer surface of the handle. The blade is partly received within the slot, and the outer edge of the handle is spaced from the blade to define a gap therebetween. The gap is filled with a synthetic resin material that bonds to the blade and handle. There consequently is no exposed metal-wood interface on the utensil, thereby eliminating the cracks and cavities normally associated with such an interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Hantover, Inc.
    Inventor: Clark A. Levsen
  • Patent number: 6343422
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tilt angle measuring device comprising a glass container with a solution 11′ and air bubble 12 sealed therein for measuring a tilt angle by detecting displacement of said air bubble 12, wherein said solution contains N-methylformamide and a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventor: Takashi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6343423
    Abstract: A base is provided with right angularly disposed scales marked in degrees starting from zero degrees at an intersection of the scales. Indicators are elongate and pointed at their ends and each of different length. Placement of an indicator on the base in a diagonal manner with its ends on separate scales will indicate miter and bevel angles for a compound miter cut of each container panel. Each indicator bears a number to indicate the number of panels in a container having its panels cut using the compound angles identified by the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Laurence L. Hooker
  • Patent number: 6343424
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying, cooling, winding up and transverse cooling of a paper web. A lopping device is provided downstream of a conveyor segment lifting the web over the winder or sheet cutter, whichever is proximal to the cooler, the paper web then reaching a bifurcation from then which it may be directed to engagement with the mandrel in a winding readiness position of the coiler or to a conveyor segment for the transverse cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Vits Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Willi Erkelenz
  • Patent number: 6343425
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing an elastomeric article such as a glove includes an enclosure having a gas-filled interior, a support that receives the elastomeric article thereon and supports the elastomeric article within the enclosure, and a source of a gaseous cleaning agent which introduces a gaseous flow of the gaseous cleaning agent into the interior of the enclosure to contact the elastomeric article. The cleaning agent dislodges particulate contaminant from the elastomeric article and entrains the particulate contaminant in the gaseous flow as it passes by the elastomeric article. The source of the gaseous cleaning agent comprises a nebulizer source of a vaporized cleaning material, and a weakly ionized plasma source disposed within the interior of the enclosure and proximate to the article support location to create a weakly ionized plasma in the ambient atmosphere adjacent to the article support location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Intecon Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph M. Sias, Heath E. Sias
  • Patent number: 6343426
    Abstract: A resilient sole for use in an article of footwear. The sole has controlled stiffness and manifests a slow shape recovery following compression by the plantar surface of the foot. A footwear construction using a sole with such characteristics improves stability of users of all age groups, while enhancing comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Steven E. Robbins
  • Patent number: 6343427
    Abstract: An ironing board comprising a preferably height-adjustable stand whose upper end supports an ironing surface, wherein the stand has two hinged legs, and each leg has a foot section that rests at least partially on the base with the ironing board set up, and each leg additionally has a lower section that extends from the foot section to the mid section of the leg, wherein the mid section of the leg extends from the lower section to the upper section of the leg, wherein the upper section of the leg extends from the mid section to under the ironing surface, with the lower section being shaped in such a way as to smoothly flow into the foot section of the leg, wherein the leg is bent by more than 45° in the transitional area between the lower section and foot section, wherein each leg has a first vertex roughly in the area of the hinge linking together the two legs, a third vertex in the transitional area between the lower section and the foot with an angle between the two less than 45°, and a second vert
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Hailo-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG Inc.
    Inventors: Burkhard Theiss, Gunter Elbl, Dirk Goritzka
  • Patent number: 6343428
    Abstract: Spoked wheel rim having a predetermined number of borings distributed on its periphery provided to hook spokes, wherein a label is applied to a surface of the rim. The label has a tongue of a length at least equal to the distance between two successive borings on the rim. The tongue has a first marker centered on a first boring of the rim and a scale of, one of, markers or identifying indices indicating the number of borings on the rim. The scale is located near a boring adjacent to the first boring. The boring adjacent to the first boring is located opposite a marker or identifying index of the scale to indicate the number of borings on the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Mavic S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-François Granat, Benoît Saint-Venant
  • Patent number: 6343429
    Abstract: An inertia-resistant preventer mechanism is provided for use in a firearm safety enhancement system to reliably and selectably prevent or to unblock a firing mechanism of a firearm. The inertia-resistant preventer mechanism includes a first solenoid having a moveable blocking rod with a first actuation response speed. The blocking rod is normally interposed in the firearm to prevent activation of the firing mechanism and is selectably activated to unblock the firing mechanism. A second solenoid is also included, having a second blocking rod with a second actuation response speed equal to or faster than the response speed of the first solenoid. The second blocking rod of the second solenoid is normally interposed at an angle to the first solenoid to block the first blocking rod of the first solenoid against accidental unblocking caused by inertia and relative movement of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Mossberg Group, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Mossberg, George E. Kluwe, Kevin F. Kinion, Robert Safford
  • Patent number: 6343430
    Abstract: A firing nipple for a muzzle loading firearm where there are provided a plurality of exterior wall sections of differing diameters to provide abutment shoulders to sealingly engage against surfaces on a breech plug, and an internal chamber having a tapering wall to direct the hot gasses. The arrangement substantially prevents blow back and provides for an increased efficiency in the firing of a weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Michel Martel
  • Patent number: 6343431
    Abstract: A cylindrical adaptor with legs bounding an oversized compartment for a cylindrical firearm barrel to be used in launching a grenade, in which the oversize provides fitting clearance for a range of barrel sizes, and including a sleeve threadably engaged about the multi-furcated legs so that in response to the threading of the sleeve the legs are cammed together removing the fitting clearance and firmly attaching the adaptor to the firearm barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Brunn
  • Patent number: 6343432
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for making a realistic three-dimensional animal decoy. The method includes steps of photographing an array of views of an animal that is to be the subject of the decoy. The photographic views are arranged to make a flattened, aerial view of the animal. A screen is prepared that receives the view. The screen is positioned over a three-dimensional vacuum mold, and, with application of heat and pressure, is permanently formed into a three-dimensional animal shell decoy that has photographically realistic features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: H&D Acquisition Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher James Brown, Darrell Michael Grams
  • Patent number: 6343433
    Abstract: The apparatus for separating target and non-target species harvested from a waterbody includes a catch boat towable behind a trawler for towing concomitantly with a trawl net towed behind the trawler. An elongate intake conduit having first and second ends extends between the catch boat and the rearmost, that is, downstream end of the trawl net. The first end of the intake conduit is mountable to, so as to be in fluid communication with, an aperture in the trawl net, when the trawl net is submerged in the waterbody. The second end of the intake conduit is opposite the first end of the intake conduit and is mounted to the catch boat in fluid communication with a first fluid reservoir in the catch boat. Fluid containing harvest species and by-catch is urged along the intake conduit from the first end to the second end of the intake conduit so as to discharge fluid from the second end of the intake conduit into the first fluid reservoir. Fluid and by-catch are discharged from the catch boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Lee Granberg
  • Patent number: 6343434
    Abstract: A system of poisonous bait presentation that preserves and prolongs the original characteristics of a deployed point source bait supply until such time as targeted pests expose a portion of the bait. The aggregate bait supply is distributed among separate compartments positioned proximately within a bait container produced from a deformable material that is resistant to reaction with the intended bait content and degradation from exposure to the environment once deployed. Palatability of the material may be enhanced by the inclusion of a feeding stimulant and/or attractant throughout it or in or on portions of it, thereby encouraging targeted pests to investigate it and, through piercing or mastication, eventually breach and make available for consumption one or more compartments of the preserved bait.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: John Michael Petti
  • Patent number: 6343435
    Abstract: The invention concerns intraspecific hybrids of Agaricus bisporus capable of bearing fruit at relatively high temperature and without roughing-in, and the method for obtaining them consisting in a step of cross-breeding in particular between a first and a second Agaricus bisporus, one of which at least belongs to the burnettii variety, and a step of selecting the resulting hybrids having the characteristics mentioned above. The cultivation of the resulting hybrids is easier and less expensive than the standard method of cultivating mushrooms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignees: Institut National de la Recherche Agronimique, C.T.C. - Centre Technique du Champignon
    Inventors: Frederic Moquet, Jean-Marc Olivier, Regis Vedie, Philippe Callac
  • Patent number: 6343436
    Abstract: This sliding sash drive assembly includes a rack gear for the sash and a drive unit adapted to be mounted on the window frame and having a driven spur gear. An L-shaped engagement lever is mounted at its vertex on the housing and carries on its short leg a rack guide adapted to embrace the rack gear so that, as the long leg of the lever is moved, the guide moves the rack to a position at which the rack meshes with the spur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Seitz Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur J. Milano, Jr., Herman J. Parent
  • Patent number: 6343437
    Abstract: A sliding door (B) that is operated with a door drive is moved with the aid of a lever arm (A) that is driven by a motor (M) via a gear. The end positions of the door, as well as two intermediate positions, are detected with mechanical switches (C) that are actuated by a cam disk (K). The mechanical switches (C) form a redundant safety system and, if necessary, can be omitted. A non-contacting sensor (S) is used independent of the mechanical switches (C). For the purpose of detecting the position, the sensor can fully replace the mechanical switches (C) and the cam disk (K) for actuating these switches. With the aid of a transmitting wheel (D) and the sensor (S), it is possible to draw a conclusion relating to the rotational speed as well as the door position. A central data processing unit (CPU) permits the control and adjustment of the door drive. A diagnostic evaluation of the door drive with respect to required maintenance operations is furthermore possible with the central data processing unit (CPU).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Klaus Hoffmann, Andreas Etzel
  • Patent number: 6343438
    Abstract: Door frame kits to be assembled into door frames and door frames assembled from such kits. A door frame kit includes a top member, and first and second side members. Open edges are defined along substantially the full lengths of extruded metal structures of the top and side members, and communicate with cavities in the respective extruded metal structures. Each cavity has interiorly-facing side walls extending along substantially the full lengths of the extruded metal structures. Substrates are received in the respective cavities of the top and side members. The substrates extend outwardly of the cavities through the respective open edges. The substrates structurally reinforce the extruded metal structures between the side walls along substantially the full lengths of the extruded metal structures. Preferably the extruded metal structures are extruded aluminum structures and the substrates are wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Bay Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Boldt
  • Patent number: 6343439
    Abstract: A method and an adjustable roof curb are provided that enables the mounting of an appliance onto a roof of a building. More specifically, the adjustable pitch roof curb includes a base curb section, a support curb section and at least one pin operating as a fulcrum to adjustably position the support curb section to a desired pitch relative to a pitch of the base curb section, and further operating to effectively bear a load of the appliance (e.g., fan, air conditioner) mounted on the support curb section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Ro&dgr;ftop Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip R. Rutledge
  • Patent number: 6343440
    Abstract: A monopole tower with antennas mounted near the top thereof is configured as either a tree such as a palm, or a pine, or other variety of tree having foliage that emulates that of natural trees so that the tower blends inconspicuously into the local surroundings. In the palm tree embodiment, one or more frond mounting assemblies encircle the monopole tree trunk, and include a plurality of receivers for holding palm fronds that are oriented at different angles relative to the monopole trunk. Individual fronds are made up of frond leaflets that are positioned along a frond spine member to closely emulate the appearance of a natural palm frond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Rienk Ayers
  • Patent number: 6343441
    Abstract: In a roof construction (10) with several erected support arches carrying a tentered roof skin (15), both ends of which support arches are held with a fixed distance to one another in the carrying state, each support arch (11)is constituted by several sections (12; 12a, 12b) each connected to one another via joints (13), where a lock is assigned to each joint (13), which limits the unfolding of neighboring sections (12a, 12b) to about their straightened position. In the carrying state of the support arch (11) all its joints (13) are bridged underneath by tensioned pulling connections (16), which engage on both sides of the bridged joint (13) on a section (12a, 12b). Furthermore, in the region of each joint (13)a spacer (19)is provided acting between the support arch (11) and the corresponding pulling connection (16), which spacer (19) directs the pulling connection inwards past the connecting line defined by the two points (18a, 18b) of engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Merz Saulter Zimmermann GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Günter Merz, Sabine Sauter
  • Patent number: 6343442
    Abstract: A boom assembly for a rocket-launched spacecraft, the boom assembly comprising a plurality of rigid sections and a plurality of elastic sections that pivotally connect each of the rigid sections together so as to enable the boom assembly to be folded into a storage configuration and so as to enable the boom assembly to be automatically unfolded into a deployed configuration that provides the spacecraft with a large rigid extending platform. At least one of the rigid sections is mounted to the spacecraft so as to secure the boom assembly to the spacecraft. In one embodiment, a plurality of extendable components, such as solar panels and radar antennae, are mounted to the rigid sections so as to allow for storing and deploying the extendable components. In another embodiment, there may be no components mounted other than a length of wire or a length of metal tape which will allow the boom to act as an antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: TRW-Astro Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Geoff Marks
  • Patent number: 6343443
    Abstract: An above ground shelter that provides protection against dangerous events including micro-bursts, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and personal attack. The shelter is a low profile standalone structure that consists of top, bottom, and side walls and an access door. The shelter is specifically designed for installation in the crawl space below mobile homes, to be entered through an access hatch interior to the mobile home. The shelter is also designed to serve as an entry platform to mobile homes, and as such is configurable with steps, railings, canopies, and handicap access ramps. The shelter's exterior geometric shape was specifically developed to provide optimal deflection of air-born debris, and to provide aerodynamic down force in high velocity winds. In addition, the shelter geometry allows transport and installation by existing commercial equipment. The shelter is of sufficient weight that, in combination with down force aero loads, does not require mandatory attachment to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Henry F. Tylicki, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6343444
    Abstract: Provided is a plumbing device for plumbing and connection of a long member, at the time of installation vertically of the long member on an upper end of a lower member, which is used for plumbing the installed long member to connect with the lower member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Matsumotokoumuten, Matsumura-gumi Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsusei Minami
  • Patent number: 6343445
    Abstract: A tower support structure for supporting communications equipment or other types of equipment above the ground is provided. The structure includes a foundation, a tower having a number of tower sections is supported by the foundation. The tower includes main bracing systems and sub-bracing systems extending between the tower columns. A cable support structure is anchored to the ground and is also connected to the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventor: Ray R. Ryan
  • Patent number: 6343446
    Abstract: There is disclosed a sign post anchor system that provides omni-directional stabilization of a sign post. The inventive anchor system includes a tubular anchor sleeve having a square cross-section for receiving at one end the sign post and at the other end the tubular post anchor. The anchor sleeve includes a plurality of spaced apart holes located along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve for permitting selective mounting of the sign post. The anchor sleeve further includes a plurality of fins secured to the corners of the anchor sleeve and extending outward from the sleeve. The plurality of fins provide stabilization of the anchor sleeve and accompanying sign post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Unistrut International Corporation
    Inventor: Ty Beard