Patents Issued in January 14, 2003
  • Patent number: 6505959
    Abstract: A directional diffusing film of the invention includes a base film, and a plurality of convex directionality-providing elements regularly arranged on at least one surface of the base film. A section of a first directionality-providing element in a first plane including a top of the directionality-providing element has a shape of a substantially triangle, and a section of the directionality-providing element in a second plane including the top of the directionality-providing element and perpendicular to the first plane has a top of a second directionality-providing element and a shape of a continuous wave. The directional diffusing film having characteristics specified by the invention can diffuse light in proper directionally diffused light, while maintaining high light-diffusing ability. The directional diffusing film utilizes light highly efficiently as compared with conventional diffusing films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Masaki, Fumihiro Arakawa
  • Patent number: 6505960
    Abstract: A recessed lighting fixture for mounting to a ceiling includes a housing, a frame, and at least one locking assembly. The housing includes a side wall, an opening, a lip extending outwardly around at least a portion of a circumference of the opening, and a slot in the side wall. The frame has an aperture sized for slidably receiving the housing. The at least one locking assembly is configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position and is mountable in the slot. When in the locked position, the locking assembly exerts a force to compress the ceiling between the lip and the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Schubert, Christopher T. Bobrowski, David E. Doubek
  • Patent number: 6505961
    Abstract: There are provided a method of evaluating a basic curved surface for a reflecting mirror, an evaluation system for evaluating a basic curved surface for a reflecting mirror, and a computer-readable storage medium on which a program is recorded. There are provided a step (105a) of entering light source information on a light source and design information representative of a basic curved surface, and a step (105e) of displaying closed curved lines on a display device. The closed curved line data represents one or more closed curved lines which are included in one or more planes intersecting an axis Ax as well as in the basic curved surface. The axis Ax is determined to extend in a direction in which light from a light source is to be reflected by a reflecting mirror and to pass through a light source position defined by the light source information. The closed curved line data can be generated by obtaining lines of intersections of the plains and the basic curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunori Natsume
  • Patent number: 6505962
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp in which a lighting chamber is composed of a body and a lens covering an opening face of the body, the vehicle lamp includes: a first reflector, which is arranged in the lighting chamber, for reflecting the rays of a first electric bulb in substantially the front direction; a second electric bulb arranged at the rear of the first reflector so that the second electric bulb cannot be seen from the front direction; and a second reflector for reflecting the rays of the second electric bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Gotou
  • Patent number: 6505963
    Abstract: A rubbing strip for a car has a body adapted to be secured to a side face of the car and having a receiving space with an open end; a transparent cap received in the open end of the receiving space of the body and having a reflection area oppositely formed relative to the open end of the body, the reflection area having multiple reflection faces formed to enhance the reflection effect; an illuminating assembly received in the receiving space of the body and located to face the reflection faces, the illuminating assembly being composed of multiple light emitting diodes. With such an arrangement, driving safety is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventor: Shun-Fa Chiang
  • Patent number: 6505964
    Abstract: There are provided an information storage medium capable of real-time recording/playback of digital moving picture information, and a digital information recording/playback system using this medium. In a medium that records/plays back data including video data and control information, the control information (DA21 in FIG. 4; RTR_VMG in FIG. 30) includes information (VOBU entry in FIG. 31) for accessing a specific portion (VOBU) of the video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideo Ando, You Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 6505965
    Abstract: An intraoral x-ray film packet is taught which includes compounding flavor/scent chemistry into a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material is then used to form a molded thermoplastic frame (preferably injection molded) thereby providing an intraoral radiographic film packet which has a comfort enhancing perimetric edge which is preferably permanently integrated therewith during manufacture. The comfort of the intraoral radiographic film packet is augmented through the addition of pleasing flavors and/or scents incorporated into the thermoplastic material. This flavor and/or scent can be fully compounded into the comfort edge thermoplastic materials as noted above, or alternatively, it can be compounded directly into the thermoplastic materials used to produce the packet layers prior to film insertion and thermal seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Michael R. McGovern
  • Patent number: 6505966
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for assessing performance of an imaging system. The imaging system has a performance assessment apparatus that comprises a system performance computer configured to execute a performance assessment algorithm. The performance assessment computer is coupled to receive signals from the detector assembly of the imaging array in a plurality of imaging system operating modes so as to identify disparities between actual system performance and nominal system performance for respective ones of the imaging system operating modes and to provide respective system performance output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Shankar Visvanathan Guru
  • Patent number: 6505967
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting cuttings, filings, and other particles by attaching a portable receptacle along an interior wall of a metal cabinet or container utilizing an array of magnets for temporary attachment to catch and retain the particles in a flexible receptacle or on a magnetic liner or a low density fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventor: Anthony E. Alfero-Kuronya
  • Patent number: 6505968
    Abstract: A bearing assembly having a shaft member having a bearing race and a piezoelectric member opposing the bearing race is situated so that when a voltage is applied to it, it expands against the bearing race so that a preload of the bearing is varied. The assembly includes a rotor having two outer bearing races opposing the shaft's inner bearing races. The contact angle for the upper bearing races is different than for the lower bearing races. In one embodiment of the present system, the piezoelectric member is disposed between the shaft member and the bearing race for varying the radial position of the bearing race. In another embodiment, the piezoelectric member is disposed for varying the axial position of the bearing race. In one embodiment, the system includes a hydrodynamic bearing assembly having a stator member having a hydrodynamic surface and a rotor member having a surface facing the stator member hydrodynamic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: JPMorgan Chase Bank
    Inventors: Christian Fleury, Pierre Descombaz, Gunter K. Heine, Hans Leuthold, Zine Eddine Boutaghou
  • Patent number: 6505969
    Abstract: A linear roller bearing includes a bearing cage retaining parallel rollers in a linear configuration. Side portions of the bearing cage extend laterally to form a mechanical interlock with an adjacent similar bearing cage such that, when two or more bearing cages are positioned about an inner tubular member for guided axial movement relative to a coaxial outer tubular member, the mechanical interlock prevents relative axial movement of the adjacent bearing cages. Adjacent bearing cages may be identical or of differing configuration provided a mechanical interlock preventing relative axial movement results. The linear roller bearing may include inner and outer races, or, alternatively, the tubular members may be formed with integral raceways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Christopher G. Senger
  • Patent number: 6505970
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a thrust dynamic pressure bearing in which complex small holes or the like are not disposed so that the production cost is not increased, and negative-pressure suction which may be caused at start of rotation is prevented from occurring, thereby enabling the bearing to correctly function as a thrust dynamic pressure bearing. In solving means for the above, a rotor 1 in which thrust dynamic pressure generating grooves are formed in an end face, and a housing 2 which accommodates the rotor 1 in a hermetically sealed state with forming small gaps 3 and 4 therebetween are disposed. The gaps are filled with a working fluid L for generating a dynamic pressure. Pockets (1p, 2P) which serve as spaces for accumulating the working fluid are formed in the end face 1a of the rotor 1 and an end face 2a of the housing 2 that is opposed to the end face 1a, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Takahashi, Takeharu Ogimoto
  • Patent number: 6505971
    Abstract: A sintered oil retaining bearing has a bearing bore through which a rotary shaft is inserted formed at a bearing main unit made of a porous sintered alloy. The inner circumferential wall serving as the bearing bore includes a center inner circumferential wall located at the center region of the inner circumferential wall, and one end side inner circumferential wall and other end side inner circumferential wall, located at one end side and the other end side, respectively, of the center inner circumferential wall in the direction of the rotary shaft. The center inner circumferential wall has a blinded portion where the air permeability is not more than 0.3×10−3 darcy, and air permeability lower than that of the one end side and other end side inner circumferential wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mamoru Sugimoto, Toru Okuda, Akihiro Ikenoue, Takeshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6505972
    Abstract: A spindle rotates within a housing on at least two antifriction bearings which have raceways that are inclined to the axis of the bearing and are otherwise configured to transfer thrust loading as well as radial loading. The bearings are mounted in opposition. One of the bearings has a race which fits into an actuator sleeve with an interference fit, and the actuator sleeve, in turn, is fitted into the housing, it having end regions that are located beyond the ends of the bearing. Here the sleeve is fitted to the housing with an interference fit and is further sealed to the housing. The actuator sleeve also has an intervening region between its two end regions, and here the actuator sleeve is located around the race. On its opposite face the actuator sleeve forms a chamber with the housing. When the chamber is pressurized, the intervening region of the sleeve flexes inwardly and contracts the race, thus altering the setting of the two bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: William E. Harbottle, Tadao Tsuneyoshi
  • Patent number: 6505973
    Abstract: A method for fixing at least one bearing in a depression of a bearing retainer involves deforming a portion of the bearing retainer to cause a portion of the bearing retainer to form an overlapping connection of the bearing which axially retains the bearing in the depression. In the first stage of the two-stage deformation process, a first partial area of the bearing retainer is deformed compress the material forming the bearing retainer. In the second stage of the deformation process, a second partial area of the bearing retainer is deformed to form the overlapping connection, in the axial direction, between the bearing and the bearing retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: SKF GmbH
    Inventors: Burkhard Buchheim, Berthold Beyfuss, Helmut Hauck, Peter Horling
  • Patent number: 6505974
    Abstract: A ceramic ball bearing assembly (20) has raceway components generally held in residual compression by accompanying metal attachments. In a ceramic ball bearing assembly (20), an outer raceway (22) is formed that is held in compression by a circumscribing steel ring. The components may be fitted together with the ceramic raceway subject to thermal contraction while the steel ring is subject to thermal expansion. Upon mating, the ceramic raceway (22) slightly expands while the steel ring slightly contracts to impose residual compression upon the ceramic raceway. The residual compression preserves the ceramic raceway despite thermal or other stresses of operating environment. An inner ceramic raceway (24) is constructed by employing one of several of the herein described methods, and the ceramic ball bearing assembly of the present invention may use balls (26), needles, cylinders, or other rolling elements in order to achieve smooth angular translation between the inner and outer ceramic raceways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Giesler, James Guiheen, Robert Feest, Charles Gasdaska, Steven Sund
  • Patent number: 6505975
    Abstract: An optical connector is provided for connecting an optical fiber cord to a photoelectric conversion device or for connecting optical fiber cords together. The connector has a housing body including a tubular ferrule portion for receiving and holding an end of an optical fiber cord. A protective hood is formed integrally with the housing body and is disposed around the ferrule portion, extending beyond the terminal end of the ferrule portion. Optionally, the connector is adapted to be connected to a mating optical connector which contains a photoelectric conversion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Asada, Yuji Nakura
  • Patent number: 6505976
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly includes a body for mating with a complementary connecting device. An alignment pin subassembly is mounted in the body. The subassembly includes a pair of alignment pins having distal ends for projecting from the body into a pair of appropriate alignment holes in the complementary connecting device. A pin holding plate engages proximal ends of the alignment pins to hold the pins with the plate in the subassembly for mounting in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Igor Grois, Yuriy Belenkiy, Barbara Grzegorewska
  • Patent number: 6505977
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a digital dye color film processing system. In one embodiment, the digital dye color film processing system includes a developer station, a processing station, a scanning system, and a data processing system. The developer station applies a developer solution to a silver halide based film to produce metallic silver grains and at least one dye image within the film. The processing station then applies at least one processing solution to the film to convert the silver halide and/or metallic silver to a substantially transparent silver complex. The scanning system then scans the coated film and produces sensor data that is communicated to a data processing system that processes the sensor data to produce a digital image The digital image can then be output to an output device, such as a printer, display monitor, memory device, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Science Fiction, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Corbin, Stacy S. Cook, Robert S. Young, Jr., Alexei L. Krasnoselski
  • Patent number: 6505978
    Abstract: A method of processing photographic material in which a reciprocable member is plunged into a tank containing a small volume of processing solution. The solution is rapidly displaced through the channels created between the tank wall and the plunger and across the surface of the photographic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Anthony Earle, Nigel R. Wildman
  • Patent number: 6505979
    Abstract: A method of processing a photographic material in which the material is loaded into a rotatable chamber and a metered amount of solution is introduced into the chamber. The chamber is rotated and the solution is continuously swept along the surface of the material, forming a wave through which the material passes to enable uniform processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Twist, Anthony Earle, Nigel R. Wildman, Leslie R. Wells
  • Patent number: 6505980
    Abstract: A printing system, for instance, for printing labels makes use of one or more sequence generators (13, 14; 113, 114) which can return an indicium definition in response to an input value. Typically, the input value is a sequence position, modified by step and repeat values. The sequence generators (13, 14; 113, 114) are used during the printing operation, avoiding the need for the data source file required in conventional mail merge and label printing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Silver Fox Limited
    Inventor: Nik Allday
  • Patent number: 6505981
    Abstract: Setting plain paper in a printer which can print on plain paper and a label paper is facilitated using a printer capable of printing a recording medium including a base sheet and at least one label sheet detachably adhered thereon. The printer includes a print head and platen opposing to each other for printing the recording medium. A first printer housing houses the platen, and a second printer housing movably connected to the first housing houses the print head. The printer also includes an ejection port, defined at the border of the first and second printer housings, from which the recording medium is ejected after printed by the print head and platen, and a separator for curving the base sheet ejected from the ejection port to separate the leading edge of the label sheet from the base sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Takami, Toshihiro Tsukada
  • Patent number: 6505982
    Abstract: The invention relates to a printer with improved label dispensing, and more particularly a printer in which the label is prevented from adhering to the backing paper during the dispensing. The printer comprises a print head (1) for printing labels (4) attached by an adhesive layer to a backing paper (5), a path (2) along which the backing paper together with the labels is brought in front of the print head and on to a dispensing edge (3) at which the backing paper is to be deflected while the labels are released from the backing paper and dispensed in a substantially straight direction. According to the invention, the printer comprises means for moving or removing electric charges. In one embodiment of the invention, the dispensing edge (3) is coated with a material removing charges from the backing paper (5), while another embodiment of the invention is provided with a device that generates an electric field moving electric charges of the labels and the backing paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Intermec Printer AB
    Inventors: Elvira Edenlund, Peter Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 6505983
    Abstract: A brush coupled to a hairdye ejecting apparatus in which a first hairdye and a second hairdye are simultaneously ejected from a pair of storing vessels to dye or to decolorize the hairs. The first hairdye and the second hairdye can be ejected in a combination of them, thereby making it possible to dye or decolorize the hairs by only one stroke of the brush. In the brush coupled to a hairdye ejecting apparatus according to the present invention, if a push button 18 is pressed, a pair of levers 28 are pivoted downward to push down a pair of blocks 15. Then the pair of the blocks 15 press down a pair nozzles 11b of a tank 11, with the result that the hairdyes are supplied into the blocks 15. Then the hairdyes are supplied to a hairdye collecting member 16 where the hairdyes are mixed together. Then the mixed hairdyes pass through a guide pipe 17, a conduit 33, and a plurality of branch conduits 33a so as to be ultimately ejected through outlets 35a of hairdye ejecting comb blades 35 to the hairs of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Esther Cos. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong Kook Seo
  • Patent number: 6505984
    Abstract: The crayon assembly includes a crayon and an eraser. The crayon is made of a material which can make a mark on paper and which is capable of being erased from paper. The crayon assembly may also include a label. The crayon may include an attachment portion which may be a pocket. The eraser may include an attachment portion which may be a post. The post corresponds to the pocket. The attachment portions may have different shapes and/or cross sections. The crayon may be connected to the eraser by molding. In other embodiments the eraser may be connected to the crayon by an adhesive, by a ferrule or by other configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Binney & Smith Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Smith, Douglas A. Brand, Vito Niosi, Robert S. Volk
  • Patent number: 6505985
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser applicator for preoperative preparation of a target area of a patient's skin is comprised of two integrated components, a handle portion and a canister vessel. The two components are locked by a locking and sealing ring mechanism to prevent accidental rupture of the sterile antiseptic fluid in the canister vessel. When the lock is unlocked, the unit contains a perforator designed to initially slit the membrane followed by pushing it open further and thereafter venting it to provide dual-staged self-venting by the perforator for ease of flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Healthpoint, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rex A. Hidle, Shawn B. Gentry, H. Paul Dorman
  • Patent number: 6505986
    Abstract: An applicator system, for use in delivering a flowable composition, comprising; (a) container including an inner collapsible layer distinct from an outer deformable layer, the inner collapsible layer defining a reservoir, and the outer deformable layer being separated from the inner collapsible layer by a buffer zone; (b) a dispenser including a first passageway distinct from a second passageway, the first passageway being in communication with the buffer zone and the second passageway being in communication with the reservoir; and (c) valve means operable to control entry of air into the buffer zone through the first passageway and exit of flowable composition from the reservoir through the second passageway; wherein the valve means is of unitary construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Reuben Earl Oder
  • Patent number: 6505987
    Abstract: A device for holding plastic cards and keys includes an open ring formed into a shape such that the ends of the ring are opposed to one another and includes tips at the ends. A spine is located at the base of the open ring and a jacket is attached to the spine, for covering the cards. The distance between the tips is less than the thickness of a card or a key so that it can be inserted into the device by pushing an edge of the card or the key against the tips to spread the tips apart. The card or the key is slid in between the tips to fit a tip through a hole in the card or the key to hold it on the device. Cards or keys can be inserted or extracted without a separate step of opening or closing the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sherrette, LLC
    Inventors: David C. Turner, III, Bernadette A. Turner, Ted J. Sprinkle, Sheryl L. Sprinkle
  • Patent number: 6505988
    Abstract: A tilter for positioning electronic devices such as flat-screen monitors. The tilter includes a support block pivotally attached to a center tilt mount, and a shaft that is capable of engaging an extension arm or other components that attach to a support block. A rotating plate is rotatably secured to the center tilt mount. An adapter plate that is capable of securing the tilter to a variety of standardized fastening regions is secured to either the rotating plate or the center tilt mount. The tilter allows for the rotational positioning of an electronic device about one or more axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Innovative Office Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Odd N. Oddsen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6505989
    Abstract: A ball joint includes a socket that defines an outer surface having multiple, annular, smoothly-curved teeth. A ball is received in the socket, and the socket is received in a recess of a housing. This recess defines complementarily-shaped annular, smoothly-curved teeth. The crests of the teeth are arranged along lines that are angled with respect to the insertion axis such that the teeth of the socket pass over the teeth of the housing without an interference fit therebetween during an early stage of assembly. It is only at the end of assembly that the teeth of the socket mechanically interfere with the teeth of the housing to create the desired snap lock. In one example, the ball joint housing forms a recess that receives a rod. The inner surface of this recess undulates and includes gradually converging surfaces and gradually diverging surfaces with respect to the rod axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
    Inventors: Jiri Pazdirek, Mikael Herve
  • Patent number: 6505990
    Abstract: An improved socket liner for a ball and socket joint is adapted to be fixedly installed within a joint housing so as to encase the ball. The housing defines a longitudinal axis, and the liner, formed in two longitudinally extending mating halves that confront one another along surfaces parallel to the axis of the housing, are oriented to provide a theoretically tightest possible ball bearing-socket fit. Each liner half includes at least one protuberance on each longitudinally confronting surface. The protuberances not only facilitate location of the liner halves during assembly, but also assure a physical separation between the halves, creating an additional lubrication groove for enhanced operation of the joint during its useful life. In one preferred form, a compliant thin soft material cover is overmolded over the exterior socket liner structure, and exterior surface slots integrally provided on the cover interlock with protruding ribs fixed to the interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Garth B. Maughan
  • Patent number: 6505991
    Abstract: An adapter for detachably concentrically coupling shafts having a range of diameters to a rotating input actuator capable of rotating about a rotational axis is disclosed in which the force to transfer rotational torque between said shaft and a rotating input actuator to which said housing is attached is generated independent of said self-centering adjustment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Roman
  • Patent number: 6505992
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for flatly displacing in all directions a support, with quick locking means, the main feature of which is that it comprises a flat support housed in a casing, delimiting the displacement region of said flat support. On the flat support a locking body operatively associated with a locking driving element which can be accessed from the outside of the casing is overlapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventors: Giancarlo Gardin, Massimo Benatti
  • Patent number: 6505993
    Abstract: A method and a device for braking vehicles, in particular race car vehicles at the edge of a racetrack, whereby an elastic, safety wall consisting of individual elements linked together movably like a chain and extending far beyond the critical location is arranged in a clearance adjacent to the critical location of the racetrack. A vehicle coming off the racetrack and colliding with the safety wall is braked by the elastic movement of the safety wall with the vehicle. This inexpensive method of manufacturing a safe safety wall guarantees linear and soft deceleration of a vehicle, greatly improving the safety of the race car drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventor: Reinhard Diem
  • Patent number: 6505994
    Abstract: Disclosed a method of integrally forming a temporary roadway delineator, a chip seal marker or barrier delineator. This method includes integrally forming multiple cube comer reflective elements on at least one side or both sides of the vertically extending reflective face portion of a delineator. Protective raised barrier walls can also be integrally provided on both sides of the vertically extended reflective face portion. The monolithically formed delineator, in accordance to this invention, can be fabricated in either one or two stage injection molding process, thereby integrally providing either one or two structural or color zones. Pressure sensitive adhesive can be applied to the base surface of a delineator or temporary marker for direct application to a roadway or to a barrier surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventor: Adil Attar
  • Patent number: 6505995
    Abstract: A road-marking device which sprays thick ribs of paint to a road surface, transversely to the road axis, to form rumble strips is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Angelo Sanfilippo, Gilbert Bernard
  • Patent number: 6505996
    Abstract: Unitary void-maintaining geocomposites, and drainage systems utilizing those geocomposites, are provided for location below a road surface or below a large structure such as a building, retaining wall or parking lot. In some embodiments, the geocomposites include at least one fluid-transmissible layer, preferably a geotextile, attached adjacent an upper or lower surface, or both surfaces, of a polymer-based core element. In other embodiments, the core element is constructed such that no geotextile layer is needed. Characteristic of the core element is high transmissivity, that is, a high rate of horizontal flow of gases or liquids through the core. Characteristic of the at least one fluid-transmissible layer is high permittivity, that is, a high rate of vertical transmission of liquids and gases through the geotextile layer and into the core element. Also characteristic of fluid-transmissible layers of the invention is high exclusivity with respect to solid materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Tenax Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Ianniello, Aigen Zhao, Giovanni Capra
  • Patent number: 6505998
    Abstract: A ground treatment device (10) is weighted to provide ground treatment by dropping the device onto the ground. The device (10) has a relatively narrow nose (12) which provides, in use, the point of first contact with the ground. The device widens away from the nose (12), over a portion (14). A clevis arrangement (16) allows the device (10) to hang from a cable (18), to allow the device (10) to be raised by a crane, before dropping. A shoulder (22) projects outwardly and allows calibrated measurement of the degree of compaction achieved in the ground. Variations of the device (10) are described, together with apparatus for use in lifting and dropping the device, and methods of using the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Global Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger A. Bullivant
  • Patent number: 6505999
    Abstract: A retaining wall connection for mechanically stabilized earth structures comprising a plurality of courses of cementations blocks stacked together to define a retaining wall and having a backfill material provided behind the retaining wall. A first layer of geogrid web material has a leading edge disposed between vertically adjacent blocks at a predetermined vertical height of the retaining wall with the trailing edge of the first layer of geogrid web material extending backwardly into the backfill material so as to be engaged thereby. A second layer of geogrid web material is provided so as to overlay and contact the first layer of geogrid web material from the leading edge thereof to at least a medial portion of the first layer of geogrid web material in order to provide a significant increase in the connection strength in the retaining wall and the backfill material. A method for forming a retaining wall structure for mechanically stabilized earth is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Huesker, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Edward Lothspeich
  • Patent number: 6506000
    Abstract: The cutter holder (1) has, on the one hand, parallel fixed fingers (7) equipped with a groove (15) and, on the other hand, moving locking fingers (10) of which the end (16) is preferably conical. The milling cutter (6) has at least one flat annular part pierced, on the one hand, with fixing holes and, on the other hand, with locking holes which are slightly angularly offset with respect to the locking fingers in a direction which is the opposite to the direction of rotation of the cutter. Once the cutter has been fitted over the fixed fingers and engaged in the grooves (15), engaging the locking fingers in the locking holes has the effect of locking the cutter on the fixing fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: PreciMed S.A.
    Inventor: André Lechot
  • Patent number: 6506001
    Abstract: A radial drilling device (1) for a lathe (5) for radially piercing a turning part (4) supported by the lathe. At least one drill bit (2b) is supported by a mobile drilling jaw (3a, 3b) in a transverse orthogonal plane to the axis of rotation of the part (4) to be drilled. A principal revolving drilling set (ERP) carries the drilling assembly and causes the drilling assembly to rotate around the longitudinal axis of revolution of the part (4), at the same rotational speed as that of the part (4) which is to be drilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventor: Thierry Monnet
  • Patent number: 6506002
    Abstract: A turret hand drill (10) features a turret (22) mounted on the drill for swivel motion about a pivot axis (5) angularly spaced from the tool drive axis (3) of the drill between a pair of opposite index positions. The turret (22) includes a pair of chuck assemblies (26A,26B) arranged symmetrically about and coplanar with the pivot axis (5) of the turret (22) for selective positioning in alignment with the drill tool drive axis (3), with the idle chuck assembly extending downward out of the way. A spring biased clutch mechanism (70) allows for disengagement of a chuck shaft (30) from a drive shaft (20) of the drill by pulling on the chuck (28) to switch between chuck assemblies (26A,26B). A frusto-conical ramp (90 or 94) is engaged by a chuck half (72) of the clutch mechanism as the turret is swiveled to gradually retract the chuck half (72) against the spring bias so that the chuck half is automatically urged into operative engagement with a drive half (74) of the clutch mechanism upon alignment therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventor: Richard D. Cummins
  • Patent number: 6506003
    Abstract: A separable rotary cutting tool is disclosed. The tool comprises a shank and a head. The shank has a receiver comprised of a shank guide at a trailing end of the receiver, opposing shank drive keys at a leading end of the receiver, and a shank locator located axially between the shank guide and the shank drive keys. The shank drive keys each comprises an axially extending shank drive key radial stop surface that is disposed at an angle relative to a plane extending through a central axis of the receiver. The head has a connector comprised of a head guide at a trailing end of the connector, opposing head drive keys at a leading end of the connector, and a head locator located axially between the head guide and the head drive keys. The head drive keys each comprises an axially extending head drive key radial stop surface that is disposed at an angle relative to a plane extending through a central axis of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Erickson
  • Patent number: 6506004
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of controlling the machining of a workpiece which moves during the machining operation and on which a plurality of tool units operate simultaneously at different machining locations, in particular for controlling the rotary milling of a rotating workpiece such as for example a crankshaft at a plurality of machining locations (A, B, . . . ) simultaneously by separate tool units (a, b, . . . ), which is characterised in that with knowledge of the optimum motion parameters (nkwa, na, xa, ya, . . . ; nkwb, nb, xb, yb, . . . ) of workpiece (KW) and tool (WZ), which are separate for each machining location (A, B), the speed of motion of the workpiece, in particular the rotary speed (nKWa, nKWb) of the crankshaft (KW) and the speeds of motion (na, xa, ya, . . . ;nb, xb, yb, . . . ) of the tool units (a, b . . . ) are so selected that in the sum (S) of all simultaneously machined machining locations (A, B, . . . ) an optimum machining result is achieved overall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Boehringer Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Kohlhase, Paul Dieter Scharpf, Wolf-Dietrich Voss
  • Patent number: 6506005
    Abstract: A method of machining seats of a compressor piston having an approximately hemispherical recess. A surface of a piston extending perpendicular to an axis of the piston is machined by annularly moving a cutting element while the cutting element is rotated with respect to the piston to form an annularly cut portion. The surface is further machined by moving the same cutting element in a direction toward the surface while the cutting element and the piston are relatively rotated to form a hemispherical recess in the surface. The firstly formed annularly cut portion becomes an annular chamfered portion on the periphery of the hemispherical recess. In this way, it is possible to form the hemispherical recess, and the annular chamfered portion on the periphery thereof, with the common cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Katsunori Kawai, Wataru Mase, Tomotaka Sawa
  • Patent number: 6506006
    Abstract: A power hand tool includes a body, an electric motor, an output driving shaft rotatable by the motor, a holder for holding a cutting bit and rotatable by the shaft for, in turn, rotating the cutting bit for cutting, an electrical switch provided on the body for controlling operation of the motor, and a detachable handle. The handle has a first, fixed end releasably connected to the body, a middle section extending to form a relatively large gap with the body sufficiently wide to allow the handle to be gripped by a hand, and a second, free end. The free end extends to approach a region on the surface of the body adjacent and not reaching the switch and forms a relatively small gap with the region sufficiently narrow to retain a hand gripping the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Choon Nang Electrical Appliance
    Inventors: Tat Nin Lui, Ping Hay Heun
  • Patent number: 6506007
    Abstract: A fastening bolt fastens flanges between a bolt head and a nut attached on the threaded portion of the shaft via spherical washers. The fastening bolt has a cavity formed within the shaft. By application of pressure in the cavity with a hydraulic fluid supplied through a hydraulic pressure port in a plug, the shaft is extended and the fastening bolt becomes unfastened condition. In the unfastened condition, a gap is created between flange and nut, and the nut and the fastening bolt are free to rotate each other, therefore, the nut can be removed easily by hand from the fastening bolt, even the bolt is large in size. The fastening force is adjustable by the width of the gap before releasing hydraulic pressure in the cavity. By releasing hydraulic pressure in the cavity, the fastened condition is obtained. Conversion between fastened condition and unfastened condition can be made quickly and easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Kishimoto, Yukihiko Koza, Hiroki Nomoto, Kenichi Yajima
  • Patent number: 6506008
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically trimming tree open side edges of printed products bound along a fourth edge to a desired format for each printed product. The printed products are transported in a transport direction along a surface of a trimming table. First, second and third trimming stations are located one after the other in the transport direction along the trimming table. Each trimming station includes a trimming device having at least one stationary blade that can be driven in a plane extending perpendicular to the surface of the trimming table, a positioning device for positioning one of the open side edges of a respective printed product on the trimming table to be cut, and a pressing device, with which a respective positioned printed product can be pressed over essentially the entire format during a out of the positioned open side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Grapha Holding AG
    Inventor: Peter Merkli
  • Patent number: 6506009
    Abstract: A cassette stocker includes a plurality of cassette storage shelves positioned adjacent a cleanroom wall and vertically disposed relative to a plurality of cassette docking stations, and a cassette mover to carry a cassette between the shelves and the docking stations. An interstation transfer apparatus includes a support beam and a transfer arm adapted to carry a cassette between processing stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaim Nulman, Nissim Sidi