Patents Issued in March 26, 2002
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Patent number: 6360417Abstract: A method of assembling a remote keyless entry transmitter (10) having a housing and at least one battery in the housing includes the steps of providing a first housing part (70) and a battery (80, 82) to be assembled with the first housing part; positioning the battery in a desired location on the first housing part; and applying a magnetic field to the battery to maintain the battery in the desired location in the housing part during further assembly of the remote keyless entry transmitter.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Jack, Thomas R. Tracz, Mark Kane, Stephan Gierlach, Geoffrey Wright, Kurt R. Odmark
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Patent number: 6360418Abstract: Conventional gas compressors use dry gas sealing arrangements mounted on a shaft of the gas compressor. Functionally, for the dry gas sealing arrangement to properly seal, the concentricity of shaft and the dry gas sealing arrangement must be maintained at a close tolerance. Past assembly techniques have failed to mount such dry gas sealing arrangement to the shaft in an effective and efficiently manner to control the concentricity during operation. The present method and apparatus for controlling the concentricity of a member with a centering device effectively and efficiently controls the concentricity between the member and the shaft. The structure of the centering device includes a first cylindrical portion, a second cylindrical portion and a transition portion. The first cylindrical portion is cantilevered about the shaft and centers a first end of the member. The second cylindrical portion and the transition portion form a mid-support for a second end of the member.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Solar Turbines IncorporatedInventors: Jess L. Freeman, Donald E. Johnson
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Patent number: 6360419Abstract: An apparatus for installing a split-ring on a sink flange to install a garbage disposer unit includes a first cylindrical member that is disposed co-axially with respect to a second cylindrical member. The cylindrical members are adapted for at least limited longitudinal movement with respect to each other. The first cylindrical member is used to temporarily retain the split-ring in an expanded position proximate an annular groove that is provided in the sink flange. The second cylindrical member is used to displace the split-ring off of the first cylindrical member and onto the annular groove of the sink flange where it is needed to complete installation of the garbage disposer. According to a preferred embodiment the first and second cylindrical members are not attached to each other and final installation of the snap-ring to the sink flange is accomplished by applying a downward pressure to the sink flange from above the sink while supporting the device from below the sink.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Inventor: Edward Orton Newcomer
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Patent number: 6360420Abstract: An integral metal spacer for insulated glass units and method of fabricating the spacer. The spacer defines a substantially closed cross-section contour having a bottom surface, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of generally abutting inner surfaces. A gap may be defined between the adjacent inner surfaces. The three interior corners are defined by fully mitered sidewalls. A pair of bridges are provided to integrally interconnect the inner surfaces of adjacent spacer segments. The method of fabricating includes taking a roll of flat metal stock and completely punching all corner and other structures therein while the stock is planar; severing the punched stock into individual spacer members; roll-forming the individual members into a finished linear spacer piece; applying desiccant during roll-forming; applying sealant; thereafter folding the elongate member into a square spacer thereby locking the desiccant therein.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2001Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Met-Coil Systems CorporationInventors: Ashok Shah, Richard Blum, Gary Dickinson
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Patent number: 6360421Abstract: A method and system for the manufacture of an assembly, such an automobile body-in-white or sub-assembly, that comprises a plurality of components is disclosed. Selected from the plurality of components are components which can form an initial rigid structure. These selected components are then positioned relative to each other with reference to at least one reference point on at least one of the selected components. These selected components are then affixed to one another, by, for example, spot welds to form the initial structure. The non-selected components are then positioned relative to the same reference point and attached to either the initial structure or a component that was affixed in an earlier process. An assembly, such as an automobile body-in-white, will have reduced manufacturing tolerances when compared to the body-in-white manufactured in a conventional manner.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Honda of Canada IncorporatedInventors: Mike Oatridge, Darin Vojin, Nari Hirase, Mitsuhiro Kimura, Takaaki Niwa
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Patent number: 6360422Abstract: A method of securing a mounting bracket on a wall of a structural member comprises inserting lugs of the mounting bracket through slots through a wall of the member and securing the lugs to an inside surface of the wall. The mounting bracket is used for mounting the structural member within a cabinet by sliding the member in snug fit within a cabinet, the internal securing of the lugs avoiding interference with the snug fitting relationship.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Lucent Technologies, IncInventor: Lit-Yan Kam
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Patent number: 6360423Abstract: A method for making a stick resistant cook surface or cooking vessel having the stick resistance in which a hard substrate metal is buffed/polished to a high luster surface finish of less than 20 micro inches and then coated with a layer of zirconium nitride. The method further includes the step of polishing a stamped blank to the desired surface smoothness prior to the drawing/shaping step to provide a stick resistant surface in cooking vessels having side walls, such as pots and pans, which are otherwise difficult to buff in the interior due to the side wall geometry.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1998Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Clad Metals LLCInventor: William A. Groll
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Patent number: 6360424Abstract: Micromotors are fabricated with utilitarian features on their rotors. In some embodiments, the features are formed by the molded addition of material on top of a rotor surface. In other embodiments, the features are formed by the provision of an additional layer on top of the rotor, and the selective removal of material therefrom. In yet other embodiments, the features are defined by the selective removal of material from the rotor itself. The disclosure is particularly illustrated with reference to the fabrication of a polygon (nickel) mirror on a polysilicon, electrostatic micromotor rotor for use in scanning applications. However, the principles of the invention can likewise be applied to fabrication of a variety of other features, such as optical gratings, shutters, mechanical actuators, pump impellers and fins, and to a variety of different micromotor constructions.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Case Western Reserve UniversityInventors: Mehran Mehregany, Francis L. Merat
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Patent number: 6360425Abstract: A method of texturing a multifilamentary article having filaments comprising a desired oxide superconductor or its precursors by torsionally deforming the article is provided. The texturing is induced by applying a torsional strain which is at least about 0.3 and preferably at least about 0.6 at the surface of the article, but less than the strain which would cause failure of the composite. High performance multifilamentary superconducting composite articles having a plurality of low aspect ratio, twisted filaments with substantially uniform twist pitches in the range of about 1.00 inch to 0.01 inch (25 to 0.25 mm), each comprising a textured desired superconducting oxide material, may be obtained using this texturing method. If tighter twist pitches are desired, the article may be heat treated or annealed and the strain repeated as many times as necessary to obtain the desired twist pitch.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1994Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: American Superconductor Corp.Inventors: Craig John Christopherson, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., John Scudiere
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Patent number: 6360426Abstract: Disk drive suspension load beam and flexible circuit components are juxtaposed and properly located relative to each other before welding by a series of areally distributed locator structures that intersect across the common plane between the components in aligning relation.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Inventors: Robert Summers, Amanullah Khan
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Patent number: 6360427Abstract: A support mechanism for magnetic head sliders moves between a read and write position and an offset position. A flexure includes a substrate and a wiring structure that includes an insulating layer on the disk side surface. A conductor layer extends on the insulating layer and a protection layer covers the conductor layer. A load beam is joined to the flexure substrate and constitutes a suspension together with the flexure. An arm is mounted on a rotational shaft and joined to the joining region of the load beam to support the load beam. The conductor layer has slider pads on the distal end portion of the substrate and is connected to the magnetic head of the magnetic head slider, and terminal pads on the substrate. The load beam has an aperture extending from the disk side surface of the load beam to the opposite rear side surface of the load beam.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Suncall CorporationInventor: Satoru Takasugi
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Patent number: 6360428Abstract: An improved glide head has an air bearing surface with a flatness of less than about 1 &mgr;inch. The air bearing surfaces are formed from the very smooth and flat surface of a wafer, preferably prior to slicing the glide heads from the wafer. Thus, a wafer is formed having a flat surface with a plurality of air bearing surface contoured onto the surface. To form a glide head, a transducer can be mounted on the air bearing surface or the surface opposite the air bearing surface, preferably at the wafer level before slicing.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1998Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Ramesh Sundaram, Wei Yao
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Patent number: 6360429Abstract: A method is provided for producing a magnetic head which includes a pair of magnetic cores. The method includes the steps of disposing projection end faces of respective magnetic cores to and opposite each other with a magnetic gap member inserted therebetween. The magnetic cores are welded together with a pair of back glass blocks, and a pair of circular shaped notches regulating track width are formed via electric discharge machining. Thereafter, a groove is filled with a glass material using heat treatment to form front glass blocks interposed between a magnetic tape sliding face and the back glass blocks.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshiyasu Honma
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Patent number: 6360430Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for measuring the length of a cable end, in particular in a cable stripping machine or the like, having clamping jaws and axially displaceable knife jaws and/or centering jaws on a sliding carriage with a controlled drive with the use of at least one contactless—in particular optical—sensor, which is moved under control along the cable in order exactly to detect the cable end. The cable is maintained in a relatively centered position but without force.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Schleuniger Holding AGInventor: Jiri Stepan
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Patent number: 6360431Abstract: A system for delivering power to a processor enables a DC-to-DC converter substrate to be secured to the processor carrier in the Z-axis direction. The ability to assemble the converter to the processor in this way facilitates assembly compared to systems in which the converter is plugged in to the processor carrier in the direction substantially parallel to the surface of the motherboard.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2001Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Joe A. Harrison, Edward R. Stanford, Thomas G. Ruttan
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Patent number: 6360432Abstract: A water soluble thermoplastic wiring board spacer for temporarily supporting an electrical component in fixed spaced relation to a printed wiring board which comprises a toroidally shaped spacer composed of a water soluble injection molded thermoplastic material. The material is preferably a polymer and the preferred polymer is a blend of partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol resin and fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol resin. The spacer has a melting temperature determined by the ratio of partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol resin to fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol resin and a solubility rate in water determined by the ratio of partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol resin to fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol resin. The spacer can have a plurality of spaced apart ridges and recessed surfaces on a surface thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Gyanendra Gupta
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Patent number: 6360433Abstract: A chip module comprising a chip array which includes an interconnect substrate having opposed, generally planar surfaces and a first interconnect pad array disposed on at least one of the surfaces thereof. Attached to the interconnect substrate is at least one integrated circuit chip of the chip array which is electrically connected to the first interconnect pad array. The chip module further comprises a package which itself comprises a main body defining a cavity sized and configured to receive the chip array and having a generally planar interconnect shelf which extends within the cavity and includes a second interconnect pad array disposed thereon. The package also includes a lid which is attachable to the main body. The chip array is insertable into the cavity such that the first and second interconnect pad arrays are in aligned contact with each other and the attachment of the lid to the main body encloses and seals the chip array within the package.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Inventor: Andrew C. Ross
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Patent number: 6360434Abstract: A method of forming a circuit includes forming a metallic circuit pattern on a base substrate. The circuit pattern has traces which are connected together by temporary bussing. A resist pattern for defining at least one terminal pad is formed over the circuit pattern. A layer of metal is formed on at least one area of the circuit pattern exposed by the resist pattern to a thickness suitable for serving as the at least one terminal pad for the circuit. A portion of the base substrate at the location of the temporary bussing is removed thereby causing the removal of the temporary bussing.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Telaxis Communications CorporationInventors: R. Thomas Newman, Ronald A. Vanden Dolder
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Patent number: 6360435Abstract: A first printed wiring board (PWB, 102) has a first set of parallel printed wires (108) on one face and a second set of parallel printed wires (214) on the other face. The second set is generally orthogonal to the first set. The first set terminates in a first adaptor (110), which adapts to an interface (1034) having many parallel channels. The second set terminates in a second adaptor (112), which adapts to a second PWB (1036). Development of the second PWB is enhanced when any input or output on the second PWB can be connected to any channel of the interface. Thus, a hole is drilled through the first PWB at the intersection of the appropriate printed wires of the first and second sets, and is plated. The plated hole (416) may be drilled out (rendering it non-conductive) and effectively replated many times. Alternatively, the (inexpensive) first PWB may be replaced.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Qualcomm IncorporatedInventor: Robert B. Ganton
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Patent number: 6360436Abstract: A crimping apparatus for producing sub-harnesses is described that includes a pair of frames, each provided with a centrally disposed crimper. Pairs of movable connector tables are provided on each frame, as well as locking devices for securing the connector tables on both ends of the respective frames. A pair of connector holding poles are provided in each of which a plurality of connectors are arranged to be settable on each of the connector tables.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1997Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventor: Kazuhiko Takada
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Patent number: 6360437Abstract: In an electrical contact having a contacting portion to be brought into contact with and electrically connected with a terminal member, the contact comprises a metallic body having a body surface and a metallic plated layer formed on the body surface of at least the contacting portion. The metallic plated layer has hard conductive particles dispersed in the layer in order to enable to remove contamination from a surface of the terminal member when the contacting surface is brought into contact with the terminal member. The surface layer has an irregular surface due to presence of the hard conductive particles dispersed therein. When the contacting portion is brought into contact with the terminal member, the contamination is removed by irregular surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, LimitedInventors: Tadashi Fukumoto, Shigenori Itoh
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Patent number: 6360438Abstract: An environmentally protected (sealed) BEC (10) at the upper and lower housing seams (16u, 16l) and at each of the connector receptacle (18a, 18b, 18c). A lower housing (14) of the BEC is formed conventionally, as for example by plastic injection molding and may carry a printed circuit board (PCB) (70), a spacer plate (72) and an electrical assemblage (74) including upstanding blade terminals (76). An upper housing (14) of the BEC is formed in two shots. Firstly, an upper housing body (14b) is formed by a plastic injection molding process using a first upper mold member (42) mated to a lower mold member (44). Next, the first upper mold member is removed, and a second upper mold member (52) is mated to the lower mold member. A liquid injection molding process now injects a resilient seal (silicone) over all mating surfaces of the upper housing body, including the upper housing seam (16u) and each connector receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Howard Gladd, Jeffrey Michael Hickox, Andrew F. Rodondi
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Patent number: 6360439Abstract: A method of manufacturing an orifice plate for a fluid ejection device comprises defining a plurality of orifice apertures in a substantially planar plate; and defining a plurality of closed slits in the plate.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1998Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: Todd A. Cleland, Garrard Hume
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Patent number: 6360440Abstract: A method for locating an injector ball valve guide in alignment with a valve seat mounted in a common recess of an injector valve body. The valve guide is a disk that has a central opening which guides a valve ball of an associated valve member. During assembly, the guide disk is aligned with the valve seat by a locating tool having an oversized ball on a load rod. The oversized ball is fitted closely within the central opening of the guide and is seated on the ball seat to align the seat and opening. The valve seat and guide disk are then locked in the recess by crimping edges of the recess against the valve seat. The locating tool is removed and assembly of the remaining injector components is completed. The method simplifies alignment of the seat and guide components. In a variation of the method, the guide is aligned with and fixed to the valve seat with the oversized ball in place to form an aligned subassembly for subsequent installation into a fuel injector.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert B. Perry, Karl Jacob Haltiner, Jr., Michael Schneider
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Patent number: 6360441Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for manufacturing bumper beam assemblies and bumper beam assemblies made by such methods. One method of the invention allows bumper beams of different longitudinal configurations to be made by selecting open cross-sectioned, roll-formed bumper beam members from different sets of beam members and fixing them to bumper beam mounting structures. The mounting structures close off the open cross-section of the bumper beam members. Another method of the invention allows bumper beams for varying applications to be made by selecting bumper beam members from inventory and fixing them to a bumper beam mounting structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Cosma International Inc.Inventors: Walter Himsl, Jeffrey J. Mellis
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Patent number: 6360442Abstract: A grapefruit knife for use in cutting sections of edible fruit from the less desirable membrane and peel is disclosed. The present invention includes a handle having two opposing ends, a single cutting blade attached to one end of the handle, and a scooping blade attached to the other end of the handle. Each of these blades has two cutting edges. On the cutting blade the two cutting edges are aligned serially, in a plane, to cut in the same direction, while on the scooping blade the cutting edges are opposingly arranged.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1998Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: The Pampered Chef, Ltd.Inventors: Thomas O'Brien, Michael Neshat, Chuck Visocky
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Patent number: 6360443Abstract: A folding blade knife which may comprise a handle member, and including at least one upper handle member and at least one lower handle member defining a channel. The knife may further include a blade member pivotally mounted, via a pivotal member, to the handle member and within the channel. An actuator may be slidably mounted to the at least one upper handle member and joined to the blade member back end, for actuation by a user, such that when the user exerts a force against the actuator to slide the actuator with respect to the handle member, the user-exerted force is transmitted to the blade member back end to rotate the blade member. A pin slot may be formed within the at least one handle member at the handle member front end and arched around the pivotal member. An actuator slot may be formed within the at least one upper handle member at the handle member front end, having a linear portion and an arc portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Inventor: Cesar Remus
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Patent number: 6360444Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening containers and reducing waste from containers are described. The apparatus includes an opener device and a puncture device. The opener device facilitates the removal of a lid from a container without damaging the lid or the containers. The puncture device is capable of creating one or more holes in the container channel of the container to allow liquid trapped in the container channel to drain back into the container.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1998Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Inventors: Steven P. Fluhr, David M. Evjen, Don Noren
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Patent number: 6360445Abstract: A portable weight for anchoring a line or string being used as a guide for marking pavement or for other construction type activities is disclosed. The portable weight includes a base made of a top plate and a bottom plate. A plurality of spikes project from the bottom surface of the bottom plate, with the heads of the spikes being held between the top and bottom plates. The top and bottom plates are bolted together. A T-shaped handle projects from the top surface of the top plate. An eye-bolt is fixed to the bottom plate and at least in part provides for the attachment of a string to the portable weight.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Inventor: Charles R. Haas
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Patent number: 6360446Abstract: A level comprises a body, a body orientation detector, a laser beam source, a laser beam configuring lens, and a manually engageable lens switch. The body orientation indicator is carried by the body and constructed and arranged to indicate an orientation of the body. The laser beam source is carried by the body and constructed and arranged to emit a laser beam from the body to a location on a surface remote from the body, the laser beam being directed at a predetermined orientation with respect to the body to interrelate the orientation of the body with respect to the location on the surface remote from the body. The laser beam configuring lens assembly is carried by the body and movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the laser beam source.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: The Stanley WorksInventors: Viresh Bijawat, David L. Wakefield
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Patent number: 6360447Abstract: An empty envelope assurance system is provided. The system includes a conveyor for conveying an opened envelope having a front face and a rear face along a path of movement. The conveyor is arranged such that any contents of the envelope rests against one of the front face or the rear face. A first sensor measures a thickness of the front face and any contents resting thereagainst, and generates a signal having a value indicative of the thickness. A second sensor measures a thickness of the rear face and any contents resting thereagainst, and generates a signal having a value indicative of the thickness. A signal processor receives the signals generated by the first sensor and the second sensor, and compares the values of the signals generated by the first sensor with the values of the signals generated by the second sensor to determine whether they correspond within a predetermined limit to determine whether the envelope contains any contents.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Agissar CorporationInventor: James E. Foley
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Patent number: 6360448Abstract: The present invention relates to a construction tool for laying out components of a structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Inventor: Brian Kenneth Smyj
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Patent number: 6360449Abstract: The invention provides a method for realizing a highly compact system for determining a position. This position-determination method can be used for measuring the displacement of the panel of a sliding roof, or the displacement of a window in a side-window control in a motorcar. In general, this method can be used for measuring displacements of objects. For determining a position, a gear wheel is used which is driven by the drive cable and which drives, by means of an eccentric, a second wheel having substantially the same center as the first wheel. As a result, this second wheel rotates much more slowly than the first wheel. Mounted on a ring on the first wheel are crenellations which rotate through an optical slotted sensor whereby incremental position information is provided. On a concentric second ring on the wheel, with only one crenellation, another slotted sensor is disposed, which provides a reference pulse which, however, occurs several times over the total distance.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: N.V. Nederlandsche Apparatenfabriek NEDAPInventor: Hendrikus Bernardus Maria Steentjes
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Patent number: 6360450Abstract: A measuring device of the caliper type especially adapted to making inside diameter measurements. The caliper features the ability to change its set position and provide accurate measurements over an adjustable measurement range. The caliper is of compact configuration and is preferably formed from a single block of metallic material including machined features to provide a number of cooperating elements which are elastically coupled to one another. These features allow the separation distance between the probe tips to be adjusted without changing the output of the measuring device.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Control Gaging, Inc.Inventor: Tom Turner
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Patent number: 6360451Abstract: The grain dryer of the present invention has upper and lower heat plenums, with first and second grain conduits, with each conduit having an upper section and a lower section, and a central crossover section between the upper and lower sections. The upper section of each conduit is on one side of the upper heat plenum, while the lower section of each conduit is on the opposite side of the lower heat plenum. The crossover sections of each conduit extend the respective conduits from one side of the upper heat plenum to the opposite side of the lower heat plenum.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Sukup Manufacturing CompanyInventor: John A. Hanig
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Patent number: 6360452Abstract: The object of the Patent is a drying tunnel for fruit and vegetables which is prismatic rectangular in shape and is internally divided by spacing walls (1) with a bucket conveyor travelling successively up and down. The buckets are elongate, parallel to the walls (1) and closed at their ends by irregular hexagonal plates (2) which may swivel about top half-shafts (3), their concave bottom allowing an airflow through it and consisting of longitudinal spaced rods (4). Shafts (5) are arranged at the top of the end walls (2) with bearing means (6) at their free end which, upon abutting on a flat inclined guide (7), cause the bucket to be tipped and emptied, allowing the fruit to exit.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Food Machinery Espanola S.A.Inventor: Antonio Ramon De Gracia
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Patent number: 6360453Abstract: A shoe having a sole contour which follows a theoretically ideal stability plane as a basic concept, but which deviates outwardly therefrom to provide greater than natural stability. Thickness variations outwardly from the stability plane are disclosed, along with density variations to achieve a similar greater than natural stability.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1995Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Anatomic Research, Inc.Inventor: Frampton E. Ellis, III
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Patent number: 6360454Abstract: A tongue construction for footwear is configured with a tongue and a stiffener that is able to move relative to the tongue, thereby resisting pinching of the rider's foot as the boot is flexed. As a result, footwear having desired stiffness while substantially reducing discomfort, especially during flexing of the footwear is provided. By allowing the stiffener to slide rather than bend, or at least to reduce the extent of bending of the stiffener, pinching of the dorsal area near the ankle may be minimized as may be digging of the stiffener into the dorsal area near the toe. Consequently, a soft or hybrid snowboard boot is provided that provides both enhanced power transmission as well as improved wearer comfort.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: The Burton CorporationInventors: Susanne Dachgruber, Catherine Bailey, Sung-Ho Joe Tan
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Patent number: 6360455Abstract: A pack boot includes an outsole and a pair of traction devices located on opposite ends of the outsole. The traction devices are substantially the same except oriented in opposite directions. Each traction device includes a generally planar base at a lower side of the outsole and secured to the outsole, a substantially planar anchor plate at an upper side of the outsole, a plurality of rivets extending from the base to the anchor plate and clamping the base to the anchor plate with the outsole therebetween, and a carrier having a pair of crampons and pivotally secured to the base between an active position wherein the crampons are downwardly facing and an inactive position wherein the crampons are upwardly facing. The carrier pivots about a horizontal, transverse pivot axis located at one end so that the carrier “turns over” as it pivots about 180 degrees between the active and inactive positions. The carrier has a generally planar main portion and the crampons are generally perpendicular thereto.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc.Inventor: Sang Rok Seo
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Patent number: 6360456Abstract: An accessory for footwear, particularly boots, to assist in removal from the foot of the wearer. The accessory comprises a strap hinged to the heel of the footwear. A fixed attachment section is applied to the rear of the boot and cooperative fasteners secure the strap against the heel extending generally vertically upward in a stored position. In use, the strap may be loosened from the boot and placed on a surface so the wearer may place weight on the strap to anchor the footwear so the wearer's foot may be withdrawn. The strap may have decorative features and define an opening to accommodate a spur. In a preferred embodiment, the hinge comprises a generally rectangular wire ring receiveably in loops in the bottom ends of the fixed section and strap to allow the strap to be removed from the boot for replacement or repair.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Inventors: Merwyn C. Davis, Shirley A. Espe
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Patent number: 6360457Abstract: A health care shoe, which can continuously provide adequate magnetic field arranged to penetrate through the wearer's foot for improving the wearer's blood circulation and metabolism, includes a sole; an insole placed on top the sole, which has a plurality of magnet cavities formed and distributed thereon; a shoe body rigidly attached on top of the sole to define a foot chamber between the shoe body and the insole; a plurality of base magnet elements fittingly received in the magnet cavities respectively provided on the insole; and a plurality of upper magnet elements embedded inside the shoe body with respect to the positions of the base magnet elements located on the insole, wherein each of the upper magnet elements is arranged to constitute a transversal magnetic field penetrating through the foot chamber and flowing towards one of the base magnet elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Inventors: Yi-Ming Qui, David Liu, Joanne Yang
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Patent number: 6360458Abstract: A rake attachment and a bucket attachment incorporating the same, the rake attachment generally comprising a plate, a plurality of apertures in the plate and a plurality of teeth. The elongate plate has a plurality of mounting holes extending therethrough and a plurality of integrally formed teeth projecting therefrom. The entire rake attachment is formed from a unitary plate of material to provide strength and durability. The rake attachment is designed to be fixed to the bucket attachment of a loader. Different bucket attachments are produced by various manufacturers and each have differently spaced apertures extending through a lower lip of the bucket. The rake attachment features a plurality of holes that can be combined into many different sets, each set corresponding with the spaced apertures of a specific manufacturer's bucket attachment. As such, one rake attachment can be used with a variety of different bucket attachments for loaders.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Farmers' Factory CompanyInventor: Randy Dolister
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Patent number: 6360459Abstract: A tiltable bucket assembly includes a bucket and an interface member. The bucket has a front loading portion, a rear connecting portion with a front surface adjacent the front loading portion and a rear surface opposite therefrom, and a pair of spaced guide members connected to the rear surface. The bucket defines a substantially enclosed chamber that extends from the front surface and terminates within the front loading portion. The interface member is rotatably mounted with the bucket. The interface member has opposed side portions supported within the guide members. A hydraulic cylinder is located within the chamber and has a rod end portion connected to the bucket and a head end portion connected to the interface member. The hydraulic cylinder is adapted to provide rotational movement of the bucket about the interface member upon actuation.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Roy V. Brookhart, Scott E. Keele, J. Brian Normann, Kevin J. Romanchok, Philip H. Warren, Jr.
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Patent number: 6360460Abstract: Dryer-ironer with heated ironing cup and heat-carrying fluid. In a dryer-ironer with heated cup (10), the cup is built so as to define a closed chamber (26) containing a heat carrying fluid between two parallel walls (18, 22). The fluid is set into motion through a stirring system integrated with the cup so as to provide the establishment of a uniform temperature along its entire length.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2001Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Electrolux Systemes de BlanchisserieInventor: Cyril Marc Michel Grandpierre
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Patent number: 6360461Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric pressing iron having a pressing iron body portion made of silicon containing cast aluminum and equipped with an electric heating unit and with a plate-shaped soleplate made of low-silicon aluminum and secured to the pressing iron body portion in a heat-conducting relationship thereto. In order to utilize the advantages of good formability and thermal conductivity afforded by the aluminum soleplate while at the same time obtaining high corrosion and wear resistance and excellent hardness characteristics with reasonable economy of manufacture, it is proposed providing the soleplate with a nickel and/or chromium containing coating applied by electrodeposition to the soleplate to a thickness of more than 40 &mgr;m, said coating being structured to increase progressively in hardness outwardly towards the ironing side of the aluminum soleplate. Furthermore, the invention is directed to a method of manufacturing such an electric pressing iron.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Braun GmbHInventors: Friedrich Blume, Antonio Rebordosa Rius, Miguel Vazquez Palma, Juan Carlos Coronado Sanz
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Patent number: 6360462Abstract: The present invention is directed to containers with a informational package which is retractable upon the rotation of the container. This allows the informational package to be readily available when needed, but protected within the inner sleeve when not in use. The information package can be provided in various forms such as a booklet or in pamphlet form.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.Inventor: Ronald E. Mengel
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Patent number: 6360463Abstract: A convertible sign mechanism is provided which comprises a convertible sign member that is rotatable about an axis. The convertible sign member is capable of rotating at a variable velocity. A motor is operatively connected to a drive shaft, which is connected to a cam follower. The cam follower is slidably connected to a member receiving the cam follower, with the receiving member being connected to an output gear. The output gear is connected to a drive gear, which together provide a reduction ratio of at least 2:1.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1998Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Quality Manufacturing IncorporatedInventors: Mortimer Huber, Salvador Mendez
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Patent number: 6360464Abstract: A sales display device is formed as a thin, flat, magnetically inert panel disposed in an upright disposition. The panel has embedded therewithin a plurality of ferrous articles located at uniform intervals across the display surface of the display panel and concealed from view. Preferably, a positioning sheet is employed with positioning openings defined therethrough. The positioning sheet is located directly against the front surface of the display panel. Magnetic articles, such as magnetic ball marker attracting patches, golf divot tools bearing magnets, golf ball markers having magnets therein, and other small objects containing one or more magnets can be displayed on the display device merely by bringing the magnetic articles into contact with the display board at the positioning openings defined therein.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Inventor: John R. Tate
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Patent number: 6360465Abstract: The present invention discloses a collapsible shelf sign with a shelf clip for attachment to a shelf, such that the advertisement can be seen from a variety of angles. The device comprises two main parts. One part, known in the trade as a “shouter,” or the promotional section is comprised of a triangular projection, comprising two leg members and a base member, wherein the triangle face outward, with these two sides serving as promotional sides, and the third side is a base member. Attached to the base member is an attachment device for attaching the shouter to the shelf.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Menasha CorporationInventor: Raymond Simpson
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Patent number: 6360466Abstract: A data storage cartridge has a stack of labels on one surface thereof. The labels are bound together by semi-tacky adhesive. The stack of repositionable, self-sticking, removable labels has a finger relief feature at one comer thereof. The cartridge has a relief cavity in one surface thereof to accommodate the stack of labels. A finger cavity in the surface of the cartridge provides access to the finger relief feature of the labels.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Iomega CorporationInventor: Fred C. Thomas, III