Patents Issued in May 14, 2002
  • Patent number: 6385799
    Abstract: A plumbing sink trap having a rotatable actuating knob for rotating a sweeper bar through 360°. The sweeper bar forms a part of the U-shaped path for waste water. Rotation of the sweeper bar removes obstructions in the U-shaped path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Liming Properties, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Doyen
  • Patent number: 6385800
    Abstract: A collapsible playyard capable of being securely expanded to a first position and folded to a second position. It includes a foldable upper frame and a collapsible lower frame. The collapsible lower frame includes a pair of central frame members pivotably connected to a second lock structure, and the second lock structure includes a U-shaped cover and a grasp handle connected to a base portion of the U-shaped cover to flip the U-shaped cover. The U-shaped cover includes two connecting portions each having a pair of bulges located on an inside face of the connecting portion facing each other. Each of the central frame members has corresponding fillisters, such that when the U-shaped cover is laid at a horizontal direction, the bulges and the fillisters will be engaged causing the lower frame be locked in an expanded position, which can be unlocked by flipping the U-shaped cover into a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Link Treasure, Limited
    Inventors: Er-Jui Chen, Pao-Shan Huang, Huang-Yi Cheng
  • Patent number: 6385801
    Abstract: An arm 122 is secured on an upper end portion thereof to an output shaft 121 of a reduction gear 120 attached to a motor that is installed under a rest frame 115 on which a mattress is to be mounted. When rollers 123 provided on a lower end portion of the arm 122 are vertically guided along a vertical guide member 124 as the motor rotates forwardly and reversely, the arm 122 begins to swing right and left, thereby causing the rest frame 115 to rock quietly and gently about a rocking axis 115a. As a result of this construction, a rocking bed is provided, in which a motor is downsized and noise is reduced during the operation of a driving force transmission mechanism, and the rest frame for mounting a mattress rocks right and left properly with a simple construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Nihon M.D.M.
    Inventors: Yasuo Watanabe, Kojiro Hamano
  • Patent number: 6385802
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pivotal operating room table having a main surface and an elongated support member. The main surface preferably lies generally in a first plane and is pivotal end to end such that the first plane can pass through a second generally vertical plane as the main surface pivots to end to end. A second plane is generally perpendicular to the first plane. The elongated support member is adjustably interconnected with the operating room table, and provides a support surface lying generally in a third plane which is generally perpendicular to the second plane when the elongated support member is interconnected with the table. In preferred embodiments the elongated support member is adjustably interconnectable with the table at any of a plurality of heights above the main surface and it further includes an elongated support bar and an inflatable bladder resting above the elongated support bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Bamcor, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher H. Roberts, Robert C. Freed
  • Patent number: 6385803
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for supporting an element to be supported, in particular the body of a patient. The apparatus comprises a support device 20 essentially comprising only at least one closed or controlled-release chamber 21 together with inlet and outlet means 26 via which the filling fluid can be fed in or removed, and an independent control device 40 is provided disposed under the support device 20, said control device 40 comprising filling and emptying means for filling the chamber with filling fluid or for emptying said fluid therefrom and the control means proper 50, 41, 42 for controlling feeding in and removing the filling fluid. The invention makes it possible to simplify manufacture and management of a support for supporting an element to be supported such as the body of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Industries S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Viard
  • Patent number: 6385804
    Abstract: An inflatable seating pad (10) consists of a hand operated pump (12) integrated within the top surface to inflate the pad with air. The pad (10) has a shut-off connector (6) at one corner which locates and is connected to a pressure relief valve (8). In use, the pad (10) is inflated by pushing upon the hand operated pump (12) to over inflate the pad. The shut-off connector (6) maintains the pressure in the pad (10). To set the pressure to a desired pressure the user actuates the pressure relief valve (pre-set to optimum pressure) to operate the shut-off connector (6) to allow air to exhaust through the pressure relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Huntleigh Technology, PLC
    Inventors: David Gillman Barber, David Mark Hampson
  • Patent number: 6385805
    Abstract: A scrubbing apparatus is provided which sufficiently cleans every site on the wafer by a cleaning accelerating action of ultrasonic waves, the scrubbing apparatus comprising a substrate support section for supporting a substrate horizontally and substantially in contact with a circumferential portion of the substrate while front side and back side surfaces of the substrate are substantially kept untouched in operation by the substrate, rotation drive means for driving the substrate support section to rotate in order to give a rotation force to the substrate, a brush for scrub-cleaning the substrate while contacting at least the front surface, a main nozzle provided with a first supply circuit for supplying a-cleaning liquid in at least a central region of the substrate, an auxiliary nozzle provided with a second supply circuit for supplying the cleaning liquid in at least a peripheral region of the substrate, and an ultrasonic oscillator for applying ultrasonic waves to the cleaning liquid supplied on the sub
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Nobuo Konishi, Kenji Sekiguchi, Keizo Hirose
  • Patent number: 6385806
    Abstract: A surface treating device includes a material that constitutes a treating portion of a continuously foamed body coated with a fibrous film, a holder that has a base for supporting the treating portion thereon and an annular groove provided in an inside peripheral surface thereof with an engaging structure, and an annular engaging member that has a distal end forcibly fitting an end of the treating portion into the annular groove of the holder to support the treating portion on and fix it integrally to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Taiho Industries Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Katakura, Sousaburou Ohara, Akira Miyagi
  • Patent number: 6385807
    Abstract: A tool for washing floors, having at a lower end of a handle a sponge-bearing device comprising at least a first segment and at least a second segment, both first and second segments together forming a support for a sponge, both first and second segments being preferably flat and elongate in shape and hinged together in order to be able to pass from an extended work configuration into a bunched squeezing configuration. The first segment is constrained to the lower end of the handle, while the second segment is constrained to an end of a con rod having another end which is hinged to a sliding sleeve coaxially coupled on the handle. The lower end of the handle is hinged to the first segment about an axis contained in a perpendicular plane to the first segment. The lower end of the con rod is constrained to the second segment by means of an element which is hinged to the second segment in such a way as to be freely rotatable about an axis which is coplanar with the axis hinging the first segment to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Tuttoscope S. Fransesco S.r.l.
    Inventor: Franco Pinochi
  • Patent number: 6385808
    Abstract: A bi-positional toothbrush comprising a brush head member (18) rotatably mounted to a handle (14) by a cylindrical pin (22) and coil spring (26) is described. The brush head member includes an array of bristles (42) at a forward end and terminates in an essentially flat angled surface (46) at a rearward end. The angled surface includes an axial bore (58) shaped to permanently constrain the forward end of the pin. The handle is elongated and includes at a forward end an essentially flat surface (70) angled at the same angle to the long axis of the handle as the angled flat surface of the brush head member is to its long axis. The angled flat surface of the handle includes an axial bore orthogonal thereto, sized to receive the pin and terminating in a means to rotatable secure the pin within the axial bore. The angled surfaces of the handle and brush head member includes symmetrical locking features (54, 86).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventors: Todd H. Yamada, Gregg M. Yamada
  • Patent number: 6385809
    Abstract: The vacuum includes a body having a main air passageway, and first and second air passageways diverging from the main passageway. The first air passageway defines a blower port. A closable door having an open and a closed position directs air flow from the main air passageway to either the first or second diverging air passageways to switch between vacuum and blowing modes. In one embodiment the wet/dry vacuum assembly is arranged such that each of the component parts may be placed in an assembly fixture and attached to a unit without reorienting the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Michael F. Martin, Christopher J. Steger
  • Patent number: 6385810
    Abstract: A dirt cup latching mechanism that secures a lid onto a dirt receptacle of vacuum cleaner and simultaneously secures the dirt cup in place on the vacuum cleaner. The latching mechanism presses the lid down onto an open top of the dirt receptacle and presses the dirt receptacle down into a dirt cup retaining recess provided in a generally horizontal wall of the vacuum cleaner housing. The latching mechanism may press down on the top of an open topped dirt receptacle, with or without a lid, while simultaneously pulling the dirt cup horizontally against a generally vertical wall of the vacuum cleaner housing. Thus, the latching mechanism simultaneously presses the dirt receptacle down against one of an inlet and outlet seal located on the horizontal wall of the housing and horizontally against the other one of inlet and outlet seal on the vertical wall of the housing, thereby sealing both the receptacle inlet and outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventor: Charles A. Lang
  • Patent number: 6385811
    Abstract: A suction head for floor vacuum cleaners has a unitary plastic housing (1) containing a suction channel (2), and a bottom plate (7) arranged on the underside of the housing and having a suction mouth (13). The suction mouth adjoins a vertically aligned, box-shaped connection element (14) of the suction channel and feeds into a bottom channel (15) of the bottom plate (7). The bottom plate (7) is pivot-mounted both on the connection element (14) of the suction channel and also at the end side on the inner surfaces of the plastic housing (1). For this purpose, the box-shaped connection element (14) contains transverse bridges (17) that define the suction channel laterally and which have bottom edges designed as bearing surfaces (18) rounded in a curved manner. The bottom plate (7) is supported on the curved, rounded support surfaces (18) of the connection element (14), and rotatably interlocked with the wall surfaces of the connection element (14) extending parallel with the transverse bridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Wessel-Werk GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Dilger, Dieter Kaffenberger, Thomas Lind, Hans-Joachim Steudtner
  • Patent number: 6385812
    Abstract: A vehicle floor mat affixation device includes at least two tines or hook members formed on respective helical paths around an axis of the affixation device and ending in sharpened points. The preferably tempered stainless steel hook members are adapted to easily pierce vehicle floor carpeting and to be screwed into place. A reverse face of the affixation device includes a panel of releasable fastening material that is designed to mate with a similar panel of releasable fastening material in the vehicle floor mat. The present invention resists affixation device pull out and shear forces applied to the mat with respect to the carpeting on which the mat is placed, but nonetheless permits easy removal and replacement of the vehicle floor mat and of the affixation devices themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: David S. Iverson
  • Patent number: 6385813
    Abstract: A flexible tack strip, which is a series of plastic pads connected by a flexible spline provides a totally unique system for the attachment of one carpet edge to another. The captive tacks function in much the same manner as a conventional tack strip, however, the conventional tack strip cannot bend around a curve. The flexible tack strip can follow a curvature with ease. The flexible tack strip can be secured to the floor or any other surface, including in wet areas with a variety of fastening devices and compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Marlene Wuchevich
  • Patent number: 6385814
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant, adjustable table glide fits to the leg of a table in a permanent manner, while still permitting a height adjustment of the table, and hence permitting the table top to be levelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Troy Richard Krumwiede
  • Patent number: 6385815
    Abstract: In a frictional hinge device a support block 20 is molded in a synthetic resin around the metallic shaft 10 so that the support block 20 is rotatably supported by the metallic shaft 10. The support block 20 is held at any angles by a surface friction resistance between the support block 20 and the metallic shaft 10. The synthetic resin has a modulus of bending elasticity, a changing rate of which is up to 30% at an operating temperature ranging from −20 to 80° C. The support block 20 tightly engages with the metallic shaft 10 due to a residual stress appeared between the support block 20 and the metallic shaft 10 when cooling the synthetic resin to shrink. Due to the smaller changing rate of the modulus of bending elasticity, the surface friction resistance becomes stable between the support block 20 and the metallic shaft 10 under normal ambient temperature with the least amount of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Chuo Hatsujo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaaki Hayashida, Masato Uneme
  • Patent number: 6385816
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a lift gate of a vehicle is movable between a stowed position and an extended position. The handle has a grip section and two legs extending from the grip section. The handle is secured within a pocket of an inside panel of the lift gate with the two legs of the handle being pivotally secured to two sides of the pocket. In the stowed position, the grip section is retained within the pocket. In the extended position, the grip section is extended from the pocket. The force of gravity causes the handle to move between the stowed position and extended position as the lift gate is closed and opened, respectfully. A tail gate has handle that is rotatable mounted within a tail gate handle recess pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Jason P. Baldas, Jeff A. Kempf, Adam J. Canni, Marilyn D. Vala
  • Patent number: 6385817
    Abstract: A drying sleeve is provided for a handle, such as a sports equipment handle. The drying sleeve has an open end, a closed end and an inner surface that define a cavity. An absorbent material and a containment material cover the majority of the inner surface to permit insertion and drying of the handle. A substantially moisture-proof outer cover covers the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Ron D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6385818
    Abstract: A closure device for a slider bag with a slider and an end stop operable to releasably latch the slider in the closed position and release the slider with minimal user applied force. The closure device includes first and second interlocking fastening strips arranged to be interlocked over a predetermined length. The slider is slidably disposed on the interlocking fastening strips for facilitating the occlusion and deocclusion of the fastening strips when moved towards first and second ends of the fastening strips. The first and second ends of the fastening strips are secured together and an end stop is provided to the first, closing end of the fastening strips. The end stop is provided with quick release latching structure engagable with cooperating latch-receiving structure provided to the mating or opening end of the slider to secure the slider when it is moved into engagement with the end stop at the closing end of the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventor: Alan F. Savicki, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6385819
    Abstract: A device for enlarging the opening of the loop of a ski strap including a base being in bended contact with the ski strap while possessing rigidity for enlarging the opening. A plurality or retention strips are pivotally mounted on the base. The base includes openings for receiving male projections affixed to the retention strips such that the retention strips overlap the base in a locked relationship on the ski strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: John P. Ingold
  • Patent number: 6385820
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hose strangler which considerably reduces the risk of slippage when the strangler is being removed from the hose. The hose strangler includes a clamping member adapted to hold a hose in position. The clamping member has a first arm having a concave portion for receiving the hose and a second arm having a convex portion matching the concave portion of the first arm, the concave and convex portions defining a hose strangling area, where the first and second arms are pivotally secured at a first end so as to permit the clamping member to rotate between a closed position and an opened position. A blocking mechanism to open and close an opening between the first and second arms is also provided, where the blocking mechanism is located in the hose strangling area. A locking mechanism is also provided for securing the clamping member in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Wildfire Fire Equipment Inc.
    Inventor: Len Hrominchuk
  • Patent number: 6385821
    Abstract: A strap or fastener for removably securing an oximeter probe to the appendage of a patient. The strap is made of an elastic material that wraps around the outside of the oximeter probe and is secured to the oximeter probe by attachment mechanisms such as Velcro that can be readjusted after initial application without producing excessive stress on the spring hinge of the oximeter probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: UDT Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Onkar S. Modgil, Christopher G. Chin
  • Patent number: 6385822
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing articles to a vehicle-mounted rack. The apparatus includes at least one flexible strap associated with the rack. The strap is positionable around an article supported by the rack. A clamping buckle is adapted to receive and clamp onto the strap. A protective housing is adapted to receive and at least partially cover the buckle to protect the article and the vehicle from damage. In one embodiment, the strap may be attached to the housing to prevent the housing from being separated from the strap. In another embodiment, the housing may include one or more apertures to allow a user to operate the buckle when it is covered by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Dean, Scott R. Allen, Joseph J. Settelmayer
  • Patent number: 6385823
    Abstract: In a buckle for a seat belt, lower ends of side walls of an operational button is positioned at a level lower than lower ends of guide portions of a base, and an upper surface of a portion of a lower cover defining a tongue-insertion opening is positioned at a level higher than an upper surface of a bottom of the base. Therefore, when a tongue is engaged with the buckle, an engaging portion of the tongue touches at least one of the side walls of the operational button made of resin, and the portion of the lower cover made of resin. Thus, the tongue is prevented from touching the guide portions and the bottom of the base made of metal, thereby preventing a noise due to the metal-to-metal contact when the tongue 3 is inserted into the buckle and engaged with the buckle. Therefore, a jar on an occupant's nerve when wearing the seat belt can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Yamaguchi, Akihiro Shiota, Yoshihiko Kawai, Tadayuki Asako, Takaaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 6385824
    Abstract: A reusable casket assembly includes a closable burial compartment configured to accommodate enclosure of a body within its interior. The burial compartment may be releasably attached inside a decorative casket shell thereby allowing disengagement of the burial compartment from the casket shell for burial of the compartment exclusive of the casket shell which may be reused with a different burial compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Dale L. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 6385825
    Abstract: A feeding device for preneedle punching of nonwoven fabrics that includes a stripper plate, a bed plate, a linear belt conveyer and a plurality of needles. The linear belt conveyer passes through a space between the stripper plate and the bed plate and conveys fiber batt to the space. Then, the needles punch and tangle the fiber batt in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignees: Shoou Shyng Machinery Co., Ltd., Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Shoci-Chyuan Wang, Huang-Tang Hsu, Pyng-Nien Perng
  • Patent number: 6385826
    Abstract: A sample warper including a plurality of yarn guides, rotatably mounted on one side surface of a warper drum, for winding a plurality of yarns on the warper drum, a yarn selector mounted on a base supporting the warper drum for supplying the individual yarn selectively to one of the yarn guides and receiving selectively the yarn from one of the yarn guides, and a rotary creel supporting a plurality of bobbins of various kinds and/or a single kind of yarns. To detect a trouble, such as mis-winding or double-yarn-winding, the sampler warper is equipped with a yarn detector disposed adjacent to the peripheral edge of the warper drum for detecting whether or not the individual yarn is caught by the associated yarn guide, thereby confirming transferring of the yarn between said yarn guide and said yarn selector so that the yarns are successively wound neatly on said warper drum in preset yarn order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Suzuki Warper Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Tanaka, Takatsugu Aihara
  • Patent number: 6385827
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for texturing yarns that encompasses, after stopping the moving yarns during normal operations, increasing the opening size of the outlet of the stuffer box, and injecting a fluid through the interior of the stuffer box. The fluid entrains some of the yarns remaining within the interior of the stuffer box to move at least a portion of the yarns outside of the stuffer box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Shaw Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad L. Stewart, Doyle Thomas, Shane King
  • Patent number: 6385828
    Abstract: An apparatus for splitting a fiber tow, the apparatus having a spreading bar comprising a crown and a circular or oval-shaped splitter bar comprising grooves around the circumference of the splitter bar, wherein each of the grooves does not circumscribe the complete circumference of the splitter bar, and a method therefor are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Zoltek Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Kiss, Jeffrey M. Deaton, Michael S. Parsons, Donald Coffey
  • Patent number: 6385829
    Abstract: A lead-acid battery electrode plate is manufactured by consecutively supplying a lead or lead alloy sheet; leaving a part in the vicinity of the center of the sheet as a non-expansion portion and expanding both sides like mesh to form a grid body; filling active material paste into the grid body; and cutting the grid body to predetermined dimensions. In the lead-acid battery electrode plate, the non-expansion portion forms a current collector part of the electrode plate along an expansion portion in an up and down direction of the electrode plate. One or more openings are made in a part of the non-expansion portion. A part of the non-expansion portion is projected above the position of an upper margin of the cut expansion portion as a current collector lug part. When the current collector lug part is placed upside, the expansion direction is the width direction of the electrode plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Japan Storage Battery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Omae, Akira Kamada, Masashi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6385830
    Abstract: An electric wire supplying apparatus comprises an electric wire transfer tube 27 provided at its tip end with a notch 28a, a nozzle 32 disposed on the tip end of the electric wire transfer tube 27, a transfer tube fixing holder 23 fixing the tip end of the electric wire transfer tube 27 and having an opening 24b opened in the notch 28a of the electric wire transfer tube 27, and an electric wire pressing means 29 having an electric wire pressing portion 31 that moves into and out from the notch 28a and moving the electric wire pressing portion 31 between a pressing position for pressing an electric wire and a standby position for not pressing the electric wire, wherein the nozzle 32 is provided at its portion closer to the electric wire transfer tube 27 with a projecting portion 35 for substantially complementing a shape of the notch 28a when the projecting portion 35 is butted to a tip end of the electric wire transfer tube 27, and the nozzle 32 can move between a close position where the projecting portion 3
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6385831
    Abstract: A workpiece table, provided for a machine tool, is movable back and forth between two end positions and has for this purpose a rotational drive which has a gear part joined to the workpiece table for rotation thereof, a toothed rack in engagement therewith, as well as a medium-actuated shift drive for displacement of the toothed rack, which thereby performs a linear stroke motion, delimited by stops, between two end locations corresponding to the end positions of the workpiece table. Provided on the workpiece table is a mechanism which acts upon the toothed rack with a higher feed force at the beginning of the linear stroke movement than during the remainder of the linear stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Peter Grund
  • Patent number: 6385832
    Abstract: A descaling device for hydromechanically descaling metal strip has a descaling spray arrangement with first and second spray nozzles arranged adjacent to one another in first and second spray nozzle rows transverse to the transport direction with several first and second spray nozzle rows successively arranged in the transport direction above a top side and underneath a bottom side of the metal strip. The first and second spray nozzles spray a high pressure water jet onto the top and bottom sides. First catch troughs are correlated with the first spray nozzles and catch water of the high pressure water jets of the first spray nozzles. The first spray nozzle rows together with the first catch troughs are pivotable about a pivot axis and vertically adjustable relative to the top side by a signal from a measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Horst Grafe, Barbara Ladda-Zunk, Karl-Friedrich Fuhrmann
  • Patent number: 6385833
    Abstract: In order to facilitate the installation of weatherstripping into channels, usually T-slots, of frames in windows and doors, variations in size of the slots is accommodated by changing the size of interference members extending from the backing strip of the weatherstripping. A forming tool, such as a shaft having a forming surface or on which a forming roller is movably mounted in a support structure. The support structure is disposed adjacent the mechanism of the insertion apparatus which feeds the weatherstrip into the T-slot of the frame. The support has a channel via which the weatherstrip passes into the insertion mechanism and thence into the T-slot in the frame. A wall in the support member presents the forming tool to the interference portions of the backing strip of the weatherstripping and is operative to swage and crimp or otherwise change the cross sectional size of the backing strip in relationship to the size of the T-slot which receives the backing strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Ultrafab, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Albanese, Daniel W. Richter
  • Patent number: 6385834
    Abstract: A tool for removal of star-washers from a bore includes a handle; and a tool secured to the handle, the tool component having a distal end with an elongated slot extending from the distal end rearwardly toward the handle, and a plurality of hooks circumferentially equally spaced about the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anthony Constantine Thermos, Charles Van Buchan
  • Patent number: 6385835
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for manufacturing a superconductor. The process is accomplished by depositing a superconductor precursor powder on a continuous length of a first substrate ribbon, overlaying a continuous length of a second substrate ribbon on said first substrate ribbon, and applying sufficient pressure to form a bound layered superconductor comprising a layer of said superconducting precursor powder between said first substrate ribbon and said second substrates ribbon. The layered superconductor is then heat treated to establish the superconducting phase of said superconductor precursor powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: UT Battelle
    Inventors: Donald M. Kroeger, Frederick A. List, III
  • Patent number: 6385836
    Abstract: A method for repairing a composite material having an internal void includes identifying the location of the internal void and forming a single channel extending from a surface of the composite material to the internal void. The method further includes pulling a vacuum in the internal void and inserting a repair material through the channel into the internal void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: David H. Coltrin
  • Patent number: 6385837
    Abstract: Method of fixedly connecting together externally and internally threaded tubes by tight engagement of externally and internally threaded portions of the tubes, wherein a wrenching operation is performed to rotate the externally and internally threaded tubes relative to each other with the externally and internally threaded portions engaging each other while an axial force is applied between the tubes. A physical quantity relating to a coefficient of friction between said tubes is obtained on the basis of a detected wrenching torque applied to rotate the tubes relative to each other and the axial force, and a terminating condition for terminating the wrenching operation is determined on the basis of the obtained physical quantity. The wrenching operation is terminated when the terminating condition has been satisfied. Apparatus for practicing the method and recording medium storing a control program for the method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Central Motor Wheel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukitaka Murakami, Shinji Hashimura, Kazuya Mori
  • Patent number: 6385838
    Abstract: To manufacture a film unit, a filmstrip is advanced out of a cartridge shell by rotating a spool of the cartridge shell through a spool drive shaft. The spool drive shaft stops when the filmstrip is advanced a predetermined length out of the cartridge shell. A rotational position of the spool at the stop of the spool drive shaft is detected based on a rotational position of the spool drive shaft. The cartridge shell is disengaged from the spool drive shaft while the rotational position of the spool and the advanced length of the filmstrip are maintained unchanged. The spool of the cartridge shell is engaged with a film supply shaft, after adjusting a rotational position of the film supply shaft to the rotational position of the spool, while the leading end of the filmstrip is secured to a winding shaft. The filmstrip is wound into a roll by rotating the winding shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamazaki, Syunji Kumamoto, Fumio Yuito
  • Patent number: 6385839
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a front door weather strip includes continuously forming one extrusion molding section by extrusion molding corresponding to a region from an upper section of the front door to the rear side section of the front door and forming a mold molding section corresponding to a corner of a rear side upper section of the front door used a mold so as to connect both ends of the extrusion molding section, thereby manufacturing the front door weather strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Kawai, Hisao Hanabusa, Takao Nakajima
  • Patent number: 6385840
    Abstract: A method of applying a sign comprising of raised characters to a surface using a template or pattern which provides a precise orientation and alignment of the characters. The method renders it unnecessary to separately align each character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Michael L. Scarfia
  • Patent number: 6385841
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which are for use in installing the end segments of boiler tubes in the drum walls of a high-pressure steam boiler, and which involve expanding rather than swaging boiler tube end segment metal into intimate contact with grooved boiler tube bores provided in the steam boiler drum walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Cutting Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Bruce V. Weeks
  • Patent number: 6385842
    Abstract: A tube feeder for feeding a plurality of components to a pick and place machine includes an elongated channel having a first end and a second end; the first end of the channel arranged so as to receive a component from a source of the component; the second end of the channel having a pick-up location; and the pick-up location including an elevated zone on which the component can pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Maurice M. Davis, III
  • Patent number: 6385843
    Abstract: The self-penetrating fastening device proposed consists of a rivet (3), acted on by a punch (13), and a die (15), the rivet consisting of a head (4) and a shank (6) with a central cavity (8) whose open end partly penetrates a metal sheet (1) in which it is held. At the end of the rivet shank (6) remote from the rivet head (4), the cavity (8) is essentially conical in shape, the angle of the aperture being &agr;. In addition, the transition zone between the rivet shaft (6) and the underneath (11) of the rivet head (4) is essentially rounded (R1). A rivet joint produced using this device is sufficiently strong to meet severe requirements, and the surface of the metal sheet in the region of the rivet is not affected by the perforation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Sumanjit Singh, Stuart Edmond Blacket, Trevor B. Jones, Howard J. Litherland
  • Patent number: 6385845
    Abstract: A wiring method for an electrical wire 3 is provided. In the resultant wiring structure, an insulating base member 11 is provided with a plurality of projections 12 formed along a designated wiring route. Each projection 12 is provided with a dented top for receiving the wire 3. By using an ultrasonic welding machine, the wire 3 is welded on the projections 12 in order, while wiring the wire 3 on the insulating base member 11. The insulating base member 11 has a plurality of shelf portions providing a three-dimensional structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 6385846
    Abstract: To provide an oil seal removing method that may dispense with a step for forming a hole to an iron core in the oil seal by using a drill and may be applied, as desired, even in a narrow space, and to provide a seal removal tool that is superior in versatility to a taper screw type tool screwed into an inner diameter portion of the oil seal, an L-shaped jaw (2) formed with arcuate portions (2a and 2a′) at its tip end portion, and a retainer plate (1) with holes (3) at its body portion is prepared. The L-shaped jaw (2) is pressingly inserted into a contact interface between an oil seal body (6) and a crankshaft (5). Next, the retainer plate is tilted through 90 degrees to engage the jaw (2) with an end face of the iron core (10). Next, a tip (tip end) (4′) of a driver (4) is inserted into the hole (3), and a grip of a lever is drawn as indicated by an arrow (9) while abutting the tip (tip end) (4′) against an end face (5c) of a pulley shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Hayashiseiko Kabushikikaisha
    Inventor: Mikio Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6385847
    Abstract: An improved process 30 for making an engine poppet valve 10 provides an unfinished poppet valve 10 with an initial diameter (d1) of a valve head 22 and an initial thickness (t1) of an interface 56 between a seat facing groove 54 and a combustion face 18 of the valve 50 prior to seat facing the valve 50 to prevent burn-through during the welding process 38. Coining 40 the valve head 22 after seat facing 38 decreases the initial thickness (t1) of the interface 56 to a selected thickness (t2) and increases the initial diameter (d1) to a final or desired diameter (d2) of the valve head 22. The method of the present invention eliminates any need for removing excess material and allows for hot forming the seat facing material 58 to reduce machining steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Jay M. Larson, David F. Berlinger, James R. Spencer, Xin Nie
  • Patent number: 6385848
    Abstract: A method of setting a distance between a first body and a second body in a fuel injector is disclosed. The method includes providing an intermediate body having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis, the first end being fixedly connected to the first body and the second end being fixedly connected to the second body. The intermediate body is compressed toward the longitudinal axis. The compression axially elongates the intermediate body, such that the first body is separated from the second body. An apparatus used to set the distance is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Angelo D'Arrigo
  • Patent number: 6385849
    Abstract: A method of assembling an idler roll having an outer shell and end bearing assemblies. The bearing assemblies each have an outer race and an inner race. The inner race is press fitted onto a roller shaft to an initial position which is spaced inwardly from a final desired position. The outer shell of the roll is restrained and the shaft is reciprocated along its longitudinal axis to determine the degree of axial movement. The inner race of the bearing assembly is moved from its initial position to its final position as determined by the degree of axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Continental Conveyor & Equipment Company
    Inventors: C. Edward Bryant, Jr., Robert H. Wheeler, William R. Ellis, Thomas E. Morrison, Jeffrey D. Bell