Patents Issued in January 21, 2003
  • Patent number: 6507979
    Abstract: A flexible tie comprises a flexible strap having a head portion and an opposing end portion. The head portion of the strap includes first and second slots. A dual-loop restraining device is formed using two straps by inserting the end portion of each strap through the first and second slots in the other strap. In use, the loops are tightened around a prisoner's arms or legs to restrain the prisoner's movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Greg Thompson
  • Patent number: 6507980
    Abstract: A holder for the fastening of functional elements to bar-shaped elements having a strap element, whose one end is fixed to a fastening point in a housing, and having a rotational element which is pivotally mounted in a receiving mount formed in the housing and has a passage slot for the other end of the strap element, with the rotational element having at least one substantially cylindrical section, whose jacket surface provided with elevations and recesses extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotational element and can be brought into engagement with a section of the receiving means which has elevations and recesses formed in a complementary manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: ABUS August Bremicker Sohne KG
    Inventor: Michael Bremicker
  • Patent number: 6507981
    Abstract: A flexible/foldable fastener carrier, comprising one or more captive fasteners inserted at predetermined positions on the carrier. The positions correspond to fastening points on a separate article being secured by the fastener, permitting the each fastener to align with the fastening point on the article when the carrier is placed on or around the article. Because the fasteners remain captive in the fastener carrier, they cannot be lost or inadvertently dropped into the device to which the article is being secured. After the article has been secured, the fastener carrier is retained in place for use if the article is removed or replaced, or the carrier is removed from the article without disturbing either the secure article or the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Henry C. Bosak, III, Geoffrey B. Ford
  • Patent number: 6507982
    Abstract: The invention provides a buckle which is formed from a buckle main body and an insert-in body, and which has a good appearance in which a belt attaching portion is hidden from view. The buckle is formed from a buckle main body and an insert-in body. The insert-in body is provided with engaging rods and a guide rod. The engaging rods are provided at both sides of a base portion of the insert-in body and have engaging portions which engage with engaging holes of the buckle main body. The guide rod is provided at a center of the base portion and can be inserted into an insert-in hole of the buckle main body. At an opposite surface of the base portion are provided a lower surface plate having a belt attaching portion, and an upper surface plate which covers a surface of the lower surface plate. A belt insertion hole into which the belt is inserted is formed between the upper surface plate and the lower surface plate. The buckle main body is formed from an upper surface plate, a lower surface plate and side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoji Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6507983
    Abstract: An acoustical resonator comprising top and bottom electrodes that sandwich a PZ layer. The resonance frequency of the acoustical resonator may be adjusted after fabrication by utilizing heating elements included in the acoustical resonator and/or by adjusting the thickness of a tuning layer. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electrodes comprise Mo layers. One embodiment of the present invention is constructed on a Si3N4 membrane. A second embodiment of the present invention is constructed such that it is suspended over a substrate on metallic columns. In the preferred embodiment, the electrodes are deposited by a method that minimizes the stress in the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Ruby, Paul Philip Merchant
  • Patent number: 6507984
    Abstract: A detailing tool for processing electronic component substrate includes a supporting frame, a substrate carrier movable on the supporting frame to receive and secure the substrate during processing by the tool, and a pair of cutter assembly attached to said supporting frame for removing tails on said substrate. The cutter assemblies self-align “to” the substrate during initial substrate loading in a processing area of the tool. Each cutter assembly includes a pair of spaced, translatable and opposed cutters that simultaneously move towards each another while removing the tails from the corners of the substrate that remains stationary. The pair of cutter assemblies are symmetrically attached to the supporting frame with respect to an axis for indexing the substrate. Thus, the invention provides a tool for cutting tails from opposite corners on the substrate edge automatically and simultaneously during processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn S. Colton, Francis R. Krug, Jr., John R. Lankard, Jr., Robert Weiss
  • Patent number: 6507985
    Abstract: Tooling and process for installing a split type, circular snap ring into a slotted or grooved wrist pin journal of a piston utilizing an installation sleeve member with an internal bore therethrough which is positioned against the piston so that its bore is aligned with the piston's wrist pin journal. The bore in the installation sleeve including a tapered passage to progressively radially inwardly constrict the snap ring as it moves axially through the installation sleeve. An elongated plunger assembly is moved axially to engage the snap ring and move it through the bore of the installation sleeve. The plunger assembly is sized to permit it to move through the entire extent of the tapered portion and into the piston's journal so that in turn the snap ring is moved into the wrist pin journal and finally into alignment with a retainer slot or groove into which the snap ring can radially expand outwardly into a seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Neil W Loughlin, Eric D Emmer
  • Patent number: 6507986
    Abstract: A blade tool that is useful for removing and installing blades into and out of a cutter head which is rotatably mounted in a thickness planer. The blade tool consists of a handle and a hook portion. This hook portion is designed to pull or pry blades away from the cutter head when removing the blades from the cutter head. The handle of the blade tool defines a curved portion that is designed to press against the edge of the blade when installing the blade into the cutter head. The blade tool may further comprise a magnet coupled inside a cavity at the end of the handle. The magnet is designed to extract the blade away from the cutter head once it has been loosened by the hook portion. In one embodiment, the magnet is a rare earth magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Frank J. Tomiser, Jr., Randall E. Campbell, Paul J. Eckhoff
  • Patent number: 6507987
    Abstract: A single purpose hand held tool, having a long tubular handle with a pivoting fork grasping device attached perpendicular to the handle by a pivoting support plate. The support plate attaches to four forks extending out parallel to the plate. The top forks extend out 90 degrees upward while the lower forks splay out 60 degrees downward. The forks and support plate are attached to the end of the handle with a removable pin. The forks and support plate pivot to different angles to match the slope of the baffle filter in the kitchen exhaust hood of a restaurant. The support plate pivots through a lot cut in the end of the handle, and is set or locked in place by means of a removable pin. The pin allows the angle of the forks to vary, and is removable to allow the tool to be mounted flat against the wall on a hook or hanger. The top forks of the tool insert under the edge of the baffle lip or turned down edge of the baffle filter housing, and the lower forks support the weight of the filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: James L. Price
  • Patent number: 6507988
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in aligning automotive wheels. The apparatus includes a body having a first end and a second end, and including an aperture at the first end arranged to receive a wheel assembly lug; an adjustable camber liquid level arranged longitudinally within the body; and, a horizontal liquid level arranged perpendicularly to the adjustable camber liquid level. The method includes the steps of measuring camber of an automotive wheel with the tool of the invention affixed to a single lug of the wheel assembly, where the tool comprises a liquid level having a horizontal liquid level and a camber liquid level, and the measuring consists of zeroing the horizontal liquid level and the camber liquid level prior to making a repair of the vehicle; removing the tool from the single lug; performing the repair of the vehicle; re-affixing the tool to the single lug; and, adjusting the camber of the wheel assembly such that the horizontal liquid level and the camber liquid level are re-zeroed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Positive Marketing Inc.
    Inventor: David Riviere
  • Patent number: 6507989
    Abstract: Self-assembling systems include component articles that can be pinned at a fluid/fluid interface, or provided in a fluid, or provided in proximity of a surface, and caused to self-assemble optionally via agitation. A self-assembling electrical circuit is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Ned B. Bowden, Andreas W. Terfort, Jeffrey D. Carbeck, George M. Whitesides
  • Patent number: 6507990
    Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a stator is shown. An automated stator press is used to assemble a stator. The automated stator press includes a support frame, a control system, a sensor, and a hydraulic ram. Stator laminations are stacked onto a mandrel. The mandrel is placed in the support frame. A stator housing is placed over the mandrel. The hydraulic ram compresses the stator laminations in the stator housing. The control system receives compression information from the sensor, and operates the hydraulic ram based on stored process information and information received from the sensor. A stop is inserted in the stator housing to hold the stator laminations in a state of compression after removal of the hydraulic ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Moreno, Donald C. Watson
  • Patent number: 6507991
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a slotless stator, involves assembling jointly define two divided cores which a stator core into a cylindrical shape, so as to contain therebetween a cylindrically shaped stator winding, wherein the stator winding an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the stator core in the uncompressed condition. By so doing, the stator winding is assembled inside the stator core in a radially inward compressed condition. At this time, since the stator winding functions as a spring pressing the inside of the stator core so as to expand in the normal direction (the radial outward direction), winding is mechanically secured by the resilient spring force at that time to the inner periphery of the stator core. Hence there is no longer the need for a special fixation mechanism or adhesive when assembling the stator core winding and stator core together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Ozawa, Takeo Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6507992
    Abstract: A method for merging the disc pack, E-block and magnet of a disc drive, the disc pack conveyed to a first selected position in a merge assembly station and moved to a merge slide assembly where calibration measurements of disc pack height and squareness are made at a reference position. The merge slide assembly moves the disc pack from the reference position to a shuttled position, the E-block is moved to an E-block nest assembly where the load arms of the E-block are spread in response to the calibration measurements, and the discs of the disc pack are interweaved between opposing read/write heads of the E-block. A magnet slide assembly positions the magnet to straddle the E-block. The disc pack, E-block and magnet are moved together, maintaining the merged interrelationship, to the basedeck and fastened to the basedeck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: James Randall Jenkins, Tommy Joe Metzner, Roger Allen Jessen
  • Patent number: 6507993
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board with a polymer thick-film (PTF) resistor whose dimensions can be defined with improved precision by providing a circuit board construction having a planar surface where the resistor is to be deposited. To achieve the desired board construction, the interconnect for the resistor is pattern plated using a permanent photodielectric layer as a plating mask instead of a sacrificial plating resist. The interconnect can be patterned before or after the PTF resistor ink is printed. The x and z dimensions (width and thickness, respectively) of the resistor are determined by the deposition process, while the y dimension (electrical length) is accurately determined by copper terminations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Dunn
  • Patent number: 6507994
    Abstract: A parts-mass compressing device includes a base stand having a table structure on which a mass of vertically standing raised workpieces are disposed. A stopper plate is fixed to one end of said table structure and a moving plate is movable toward and away from said stopper plate. Movement of the moving plate toward said stopper plate compresses the mass. A toggle mechanism drives the moving plate and has first and second toggle links which are pivotally connected at their inner ends. The inner ends are connected to a power cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Yoshida, Takahiro Ueda, Takahiro Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6507995
    Abstract: The apparatus for manufacturing a wiring substitute comprises a transporter having a circuit where a sheet is circulated; a screen printer for printing a conductive paste on the sheet; a counter for counting the number of times to print the conductive paste on the sheet; and a distributor for ejecting the sheet from the circuit when the counted number reaches a preset number. Thus, the conductive pillars having uniform properties can be formed automatically on the conductive foil with high productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenji Sasaoka, Fumitoshi Ikegaya, Takahiro Mori, Tomohisa Motomura, Yoshizumi Sato, Koichiro Shibayama
  • Patent number: 6507996
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for positioning electronic circuits arranged on a foil (2), such as chips (1), on a circuit card (11), ceramic substrate or the like, using the flip-chip method. The chips (1) are lifted from the foil (2) by needles (4) located under said foil and are further picked up by a needle with a suction cup (3) or by a suction cup that rotates said chips (1) by 180°. The chips are then received by another needle with a suction cup (10) and positioned on the circuit card (11) for direct connection of the contact lines. The needles (4) used for lifting the chips (1) as well as the needle with the suction cup (3) for receiving said chips (1) are capable of synchronous and mainly rectilinear or vertical displacement. The needle with the suction cup (3) is placed in a us holder (5) which is mounted in an arm (6) so as to be capable of movement, wherein said arm is driven by a drive organ (9) in order to carry out the 180° rotation movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Datacon Semiconductor Equipment GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Schweitzer
  • Patent number: 6507997
    Abstract: A method of mounting an electric component on a circuit substrate, including the steps of moving one of a suction nozzle and an electric-component supplying device toward the other of the nozzle and the supplying device, so that the nozzle applies a suction to the component supplied by the supplying device and thereby receives the component, moving one of the nozzle and the substrate toward the other of the nozzle and the substrate, so that the nozzle mounts the component on the substrate, taking an image of at least a portion of the component held by the nozzle, as seen in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the nozzle, in a state in which the nozzle takes a known position in the axial direction, determining, based on image data representing the taken image, a position of a mounted surface of the electric component that is opposite to a sucked surface of the component sucked by the nozzle, and controlling, based on the determined position, a movement of the nozzle toward one or each of the sup
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Kawai, Shinsuke Suhara, Yusuke Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 6507998
    Abstract: A method of mounting a banana-type electrical receptacle on the substrate includes the steps of placing the electrical receptacle over an aperture formed in the substrate with support ribs formed on the outer surface of the receptacle supporting the receptacle over the aperture. A deformable electrical lead extends from a centrally disposed conductive member making an electrical connection with an electrical contact on the substrate. The electrical lead is affixed to the electrical contact on the substrate and the receptacle is inserted into the aperture crushing or shearing the support ribs and the deforming the electrical lead. Alignment ribs formed on the outer surface of the receptacle have shoulders that contact the substrate for positioning the receptacle in the substrate. The mounting method is compatible with automated soldering processes, such as wave flow soldering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Steve Lyford, David Rosette
  • Patent number: 6507999
    Abstract: A piston production method produces an internal combustion engine piston. The method comprises forging a billet from an initial billet comprising an aluminum alloy that comprises silicon, intermetallic particles, and injected hardening particles, the forging is conducted under at least one of super-plasticity and hot deformation conditions; and heat treating the forged billet. The forging comprises forging at a temperature in a range from about 0.8 Tmelt to about 0.98 Tmelt. The forging also comprises forging at a STRAIN rate in a range from about 5×10−2 s−1 to about 5×10−5 s−1. The piston being formed with a configuration that enables other as parts to be connected to the piston. The initial billet comprises at least one of: coarse grain silicon, intermetallic particles, and injected hardening particles having at least one of a lamellar, comprehensive shape, and fine grain silicon, intermetallic particles, and injected hardening particles being globular in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Oscar Akramovich Kaibyshev, Vadim Gennadievich Trifonov
  • Patent number: 6508000
    Abstract: A method of repairing gas turbine engine components is provided. The method includes removing the damaged portion and fabricating an insert to match the removed portion. The insert is precision machined and crystallographically matched to the original component, and then bonded to this component using transient liquid phase bonding techniques and suitable heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Burke, Gary W. Swartzbeck, Paula D. Freyer
  • Patent number: 6508001
    Abstract: A solid wire of precious metal, such as gold, is drawn through a die which has a groove forming element disposed in a drawing channel located between the inlet and outlet of the die. The hollow wire exiting the die has an eccentric longitudinal open groove extending axially along the wire and embraced by a pair of tapered arms or cusps. The solid portion of the hollow wire is provided with a thick wall portion that is particularly adapted for forming diamond cut facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Adipaz Ltd.
    Inventor: Manea Adrian
  • Patent number: 6508002
    Abstract: A method of making a bicycle crank arm bar by casting, forging, rolling, heat molding, and cold forging. The bicycle crank arm has an elongated cavity, an axle end, and a pedal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Douglas Chiang
  • Patent number: 6508003
    Abstract: An adapter is provided for removably coupling a saw, including a tang portion having an aperture formed therein, to a tool. The adapter includes a base member and a clip pivotally coupled to the base member. The base member has first and second ends, and first and second surfaces extending between therebetween. An opening is formed in the first and second surfaces of the base member, proximate the first end. The opening is adapted to receive an axle of the tool. The base member further includes a slot formed in the first surface and a projection extending in to the slot. The slot is adapted to receive the tang portion of the saw, and a projection is adapted to be received in the aperture to align the saw with the base member. The pivotally coupled clip is movable between a closed position, in which the saw is retained in and secured to the base member, and an open position, in which the saw is removable from the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Alterra Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford J. Parrish, Edgar A. Dallas
  • Patent number: 6508004
    Abstract: A cutting blade safety cover for covering a rear portion of a cutting blade of a portable trimmer. The safety cover includes a roof plate portion and a skirt portion suspended from the roof plate portion. The roof plate portion is separated at a radially middle location thereof into a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion. The radially inner portion and the radially outer portion are detachably attached to each other so that the radially outer portion is replaceable with another radially outer portion having a dimension suitable for covering a cutting blade of a different dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Fuminori Tezuka, Hisato Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 6508005
    Abstract: The bow sight of the present invention includes at least one pin that doglegs from one of a multiple set of tracks to align the doglegged pin's head in a common axis with the pin heads of other pins that are positioned in other tracks. Each pin of the bow sight includes an aperture through a pin head that is aligned such that all fiber optic elements received in those apertures align with the archer's line of sight. The pin guard of the bow sight is circular and forms an integral portion of a proper sight picture for an archer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Copper John Corporation
    Inventor: Eric C. Springer
  • Patent number: 6508006
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for marking grade stakes driven into the ground for the purpose of facilitating formation of a level string line to establish a horizontal foundation for the construction of a masonry wall. The apparatus includes a stake-engaging component having an attached retaining component capable of slidably securing a vertically moveable elongated positioning rod. Attached to the positioning rod is a rod-eye device capable of receiving a leveling beam from a distantly located laser transmitter, thereby producing a visual and/or audible signal which dictates the elevational distance of the positioning rod above the horizontal foundation. A marking guide at the bottom of the positioning rod enables a worker to mark the stake at the proper elevational distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Tom Black
  • Patent number: 6508007
    Abstract: A device for measuring bounce angle, bounce width, loft and lie of a golf club includes a registering aid for registering the golf club, a bounce measurer operably associated with the registration aid to enable a bounce measurement to be taken, a loft measurer operably associated with the registration aid to enable a loft measurement to be taken, and a lie measurer operably associated with the registration aid to enable a lie measurement to be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Douglas P. Muldoon
  • Patent number: 6508008
    Abstract: A running type road surface shape measuring apparatus for measuring the unevenness and grade of road surface in the longitudinal and transverse directions during running of vehicle comprises a vehicle body (1), on which two running wheels (3, 5) and one measuring wheel (6) are supported rotatably in series, said measuring wheels (6) is located movably in the upward and downward direction between said two running wheels (3, 5), and an ancillary wheel (8) is rotatably mounted on said body (1) in parallel to said measuring wheel (6). The measuring wheel (6) is provided with a displacement measuring sensor (13) for measuring a displacement in upward and downward directions of said measuring wheel (6) and a distance measuring encoder (16) for measuring a moving distance of said measuring wheel (6), and said vehicle body (1) is provided with an angle measuring sensor (19) for measuring a grade of road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Sun Top Techno Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Suzuki, Yoshikazu Inoue
  • Patent number: 6508009
    Abstract: An improved gemstone measuring apparatus includes a pair of linearly aligned measurement flanges used to determine the linear dimensions of a gemstone alone a plurality of axes. One of the measurement flanges is linearly moveable relative to the other. A measurement member translates the distance between the measurement flanges to display indicia responsive thereto. A rotatable support platform is coupled to the housing intermediate the measurement flanges, the axis of rotation thereof being co-extensive with a measurement flange. The gemstone whose dimensions are to be measured is disposed upon the rotatable support platform intermediate the measurement flanges. The rotatable platform is positioned to align the gemstone axis being measured with the axis of alignment of the measurement flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventors: Semyen Tubis, Igor Borisov
  • Patent number: 6508010
    Abstract: A deck spacer including a grip on the top portion, at least one aperture adjacent the upper portion and a slot formed adjacent its bottom edge to securely fit over a deck joist and allow adjacent deck boards to be easily and consistently spaced from one another during deck construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventors: John C. Hanson, Daniel Larson
  • Patent number: 6508011
    Abstract: A bolt hole marker for marking the location where a hole needs to be drilled in a foundation. The bolt hole marker includes an elongate angled base member having a first elongate portion having a slot in an end thereof with the slot being adapted to receive an anchor bolt, and further having a second elongate portion also having a slot in an end thereof with that slot being adapted to receive an anchor bolt. The second elongate portion is angled at approximately 30 degrees from the first elongate portion. A first punch member for making indentations in a sill member is disposed through the first elongate portion and is positioned approximately 3¼ inches from the slot of the first elongate portion. A second punch member for making indentations in a sill member is disposed through the second elongate portion and is positioned approximately 3¼ inches from the slot of the second elongate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Lee
  • Patent number: 6508012
    Abstract: A digital fastener size indicator having a housing. A fixed jaw extends from an end of the housing, while a movable jaw extends from the end of the housing adjacent to and parallel with the fixed jaw. A digital electrical length measuring circuit within the housing is connected to the movable jaw. When the movable jaw and the fixed jaw encompass a fastener and the digital electrical length measuring circuit is activated a digital readout will be presented in the housing of a single discrete number to an operator to indicate the size of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Earnest G. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6508013
    Abstract: There are provided a method of drying a fresh sample in a short period of time, a method of fabricating a pressed flower or specimen which retains a beautiful color, and a method of fabricating tea or herb tea which retains a natural beautiful color and scent. The method of quickly drying a fresh sample is characterized in comprising the steps of covering an outer surface of a fresh sample with a moisture absorbent porous flexible sheet, surrounding the periphery of the moisture absorbent porous flexible sheet with moisture absorbent granular bodies in an amount capable of absorbing all moisture contained in the fresh sample, bringing the outer surface of the fresh sample, the moisture absorbent porous flexible sheet and the moisture absorbent granular bodies into intimate contact with one another, and irradiating the fresh sample, the moisture absorbent porous flexible sheet and the moisture absorbent granular bodies with a microwave, then cooling them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Chizuko Okazaki, Naoki Mita
  • Patent number: 6508014
    Abstract: A method of removing water from the surface of a silicon wafer or other substrate subjected to wet processing which includes a step of water rinsing. In this method a silicon wafer whose surface includes liquid water is disposed in an atmosphere saturated with water vapor. The water vapor is removed from the surface of the silicon wafer by a stream of water-saturated gas. Upon removal of liquid water from the surface of the silicon wafer the water vapor in the water vapor saturated atmosphere is removed by evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Russell H. Arndt, Glenn Walton Gale, James Willard Hannah, Kenneth T. Settlemyer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6508015
    Abstract: Breathable outsole (11) for footwear, in which the outsole has a two-layer structure. The two-layer structure contains an elastic and water vapor-permeable inner layer (1) and an outer layer (2) that covers less than 70% of the inner layer (1). The breathing activity of outsole (11) is guaranteed by the preferably microporous structure of inner layer (1) and the configuration of outer layer (2). The configuration of outer layer (2) is such that the surface of inner layer (1) available for water vapor exchange is restricted as little as possible. A microporous structure of insole (1) is achieved, for example, by a sintered plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Max Rauch
  • Patent number: 6508016
    Abstract: A water-resistant and floatable footwear and method of manufacture therefor are provided, the footwear comprising a sole including an outsole and insole, an upper member affixed to the sole, wherein said footwear is floatable in water. In particular, the insole of the footwear is constructed of the material “marine buoy;” that is, the insole has an inner structure and an outer coating, the inner structure being constructed of a thermoplastic resin and the outer coating being constructed of a vinyl polymer. The footwear is advantageously water-proof and provides buoyancy in water. The upper members of the footwear may also be constructed of the marine buoy material and they may be configured as a continuous strap or flaps that are detachably attached to each other. The outsole of the footwear may be configured in close conformity with the insole, or it may include a peripheral border extending upwardly and around the insole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: R & S Trading Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary K. Boncutter, Wilson Chao Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 6508017
    Abstract: A cushioning device for footwear that provides flexibility in the forepart area. The device having an insole with perforations in the forepart region and a first pad underlying the region. The device having a cutout in the heel region with an insert provided in the cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Footwear Industries Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Robert DeBarro, Brian John Piggott
  • Patent number: 6508018
    Abstract: A snow removal apparatus for safely removing snow from irregular surfaces covered with debris such as small stones and gravel. The snow removal apparatus includes at least one roller for spacing a snow removal member of said apparatus a fixed distance above a highest point on a surface below the snow removal member. In a first aspect of the invention, a ground shield and a roller are mounted on a lower portion of a snowblower. In a second aspect of the invention, a ground shield and multiple rollers are mounted on a lower portion of a snowblower which is carried on a small tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Orlin P. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6508019
    Abstract: A boom body (23) comprises a boom front member (20), a boom intermediate member (22) and a boom rear member (21). An arm-connection bracket (24) is jointed to the boom front member (20) and a vehicle body-mounting bracket (25) is jointed to the boom rear member (21), thereby forming a boom. With this structure, a cross section of the boom body (23) is less prone to be deformed and therefore, the plate thickness can be reduced, the rigidity of the boom body (23) can be increased without mounting a cross section restraint material and the cross section of the boom is not deformed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the boom in weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Sasaki, Toshio Tanaka, Tatsushi Itoh, Nobuyoshi Masumoto
  • Patent number: 6508020
    Abstract: To provide pop-up items a plurality of individual sheet material structures are die-cut in composite sheet material consisting of a front sheet and a rear liner sheet of release-coated material joined together by having a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pattern between the rear surface of the front sheet and the front surface of the rear liner sheet so that, upon separating the sheets, PSA releases from the release-coated rear sheet and adheres to the front sheet in at least desired regions. A folded structure results from the interconnection between panels of the structure constituting a pop-up element in which two individual flag panels are joined together, as by being affixed to each other by PSA. When the pop-up element is placed between a pair of facing panels of a folded basepiece, a PSA-carrying subpanel becomes affixed to facing surfaces of the panels, and upon pivoting of the sheets or panels to the open position, the pop-up element assumes an attention-attracting, 3-dimensional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Papermasters, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 6508021
    Abstract: Modular storage units are formed for small, household articles so that the units can be stacked vertically one atop another. Each unit is formed with a box supported from beneath by a stand for rotation relative to the stand about a central, vertical axis of rotation. The stand has a base that covers a horizontal stand base area and supports the flat bottom of the box. The top of the box is flat and has a concave, upwardly facing recess at its center that has a shape configured to snugly received the stand of a unit stacked directly above. Any number of modular storage units can be stacked one atop another with the stand of each unit being centered and laterally confined by the stand receiving recess in the top of the box located immediately below. In this way all of the boxes are rotatable independently of each other about a common, vertical axis of rotation. The contents of the boxes may be accessed either by forming the box with an open side, or by forming each top of the box as a removable lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Bon S. Ong
  • Patent number: 6508022
    Abstract: A liquid-filled ornament includes a body having a transparent casing having an opening and filled with liquid, a display object in the liquid, and a sealing wall extending across and sealing the opening. The ornament includes a driving mechanism having rotatable magnets and located on an outer side of the sealing wall, and a driven mechanism having rotatable magnets and located on an inner side of the sealing wall and immersed in the liquid. The magnets of the driven mechanism are rotated by the magnets of the driving mechanism through magnetic interaction. The driven mechanism includes a first stationary disc on which the display object is mounted and a second disc supported on the first disc and rotated by the magnetic interaction. A ball bearing is disposed between the two discs. The second disc includes paddles that stir bits of a solid material, resembling snow, dispersing the bits throughout the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Kiu Hung International Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jing Lin Huang
  • Patent number: 6508023
    Abstract: An easel is attachable to the rear surface of an image board to form a composite device. The easel maintains the latter in an upstanding position when erected. It is made of a single board material having a designed pattern stamped therein and having all the components which may be unfolded to form the easel. The erected easel has two mutually parallel vertical side panels and a plurality of horizontal transverse brace members which may be manually unfolded to support the easel in the erected position or tie members may be provided to retained the side panels and the transverse brace members in the unfolded position. The easel and the image board may be folded along a plurality of transverse lines to a compact package for ease in shipping and storage. The image board and the easel are self-erecting when elastic tie members are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventors: Geoffrey Alan Moss, David Brian Minister
  • Patent number: 6508024
    Abstract: A new and improved highway sign or billboard advertising structure having a vertical support post on which a sign face support structure is mounted. Each of these sign face support structures has a scaffold mounted adjacent the bottom of the sign face extending inwardly toward the support. A housing encompasses the entire sign face support structure. The housing has openings therein through which the sign faces may be viewed. The housing being environmentally sealed to exclude birds, rodents and insects from the enclosed space between opposite sign faces surrounding the multiple scaffoldings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Kevin L. Hale
  • Patent number: 6508025
    Abstract: A bolt action for a firearm which comprises a bolt with a removable handle which can be attached to the bolt for left handed use or for right handed use. The receiver has slots for back and forth movement and rotation to left or to right to close the chamber and has apertures for safe cartridge ejection either to the left or to the right according to the position of the handle. Primary cartridge extraction is provided for both in left handed and right handed use by a cam surface of equilateral triangular shape on the receiver and a co-acting shape on a neck of the handle as well as protection against erroneous movement of the handle to the wrong side, in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Truvelo Manufacturers (Pty) Ltd
    Inventor: Alexander Benjamin Du Plessis
  • Patent number: 6508026
    Abstract: A rifle scope having a power adjustment bezel and a distance adjustment bezel, both bezels being rotatable to alter the power and distance of the scope, respectively. Both bezels comprise a rearwardly facing indicia ring that is visible from the rearward end of the scope so as to permit a reading of the scope power and distance settings without removing the scope from the aiming or shooting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Simmons Outdoor Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Uppiano, Rich Spelhaug
  • Patent number: 6508027
    Abstract: An accessory mount for a firearm, that may be quickly, easily and firmly secured to a firearm, and quickly and easily removed from the firearm. In combination with a firearm including a receiver, a barrel longitudinally extending from the receiver, and a lug secured to the firearm above the barrel, the accessory mount includes a longitudinal mount body positioned along the barrel with the mount body's rear end supported by the receiver, a lever pivotally secured to the mount body's front end about a first transverse axis, the lever pivotally secured to the lug about a second transverse axis spaced along the lever from the first transverse axis, and a longitudinally adjustable member carried by the mount body for urging the lever to pivot about the second transverse axis to rearwardly urge the mount's rear end against the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Surefire, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Y. Kim
  • Patent number: 6508028
    Abstract: A water fowl (e.g. duck) decoy system in which the decoy's wings (20/120), which are flat and both longitudinally and laterally extended by, for example, having one or more, curved lobes (23/123A&B, note FIGS. 1& 5B), producing a disc like shape, preferably of a size of at least about nine (9″) inches in “diameter,” with contrasting colors (e.g., dark olive & white; cf. FIGS. 5B & 5C) on its flat sides with one or more stripes on its lighter side, are rotated at a relatively high speed (e.g., ˜600 rpm+, e.g., more particularly ˜600 or ˜750 rpm or up to ˜900 rpm or greater), producing a “strobe” like effect for enhanced visibility of the decoy to flying ducks. Additionally, the decoy (1/101) has a laterally disposed, direct, in-line, DC electric motor drive (30), with laterally directed, dual shaft connectors (note FIG. 3) directly connected to the wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Claude M. Crowe