Patents Issued in February 18, 2003
  • Patent number: 6519782
    Abstract: A chest protector that includes a pouch assembly having an interior in communication with an opening, the pouch assembly having a hole in fluid communication with the interior and ambient air and a pad inserted into the interior, wherein the pad includes an opening that is in fluid communication with the hole of the pouch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: HOS Development Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory James Collins, Kenneth W. Nimmons
  • Patent number: 6519783
    Abstract: A dispenser for sanitizing/deodorant surfactant liquids, particularly for toilet bowls, including a container, which is provided at an end thereof with a tray element having at least one cavity in continuous communication with the container; the cavity is provided with at least one outlet for the controlled dispensing of a surfactant liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: FALP S.r.l.
    Inventor: Roberto Falchieri
  • Patent number: 6519784
    Abstract: The invention is a seal apparatus useful as a seal between a commode and a drain pipe comprising a pipe extension, a gasket, and a flanged base. The pipe extension comprises an extension sealing surface. The gasket comprises a sealing lip, a pipe extension clearance, and a gasket sealing surface. The flanged base comprisies a pipe bonding surface and a base sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: James Arthur Carwile
  • Patent number: 6519785
    Abstract: An easy to use, sanitary plunger device for clearing drains includes: a one piece, generally bottle-shaped, hollow, curved body portion extending into a narrower neck portion ending in a generally circular opening, the opposite end of the plunger device being closed; the device being made of a flexible, sturdy, compressible material that returns to its shape following compression. A preferred embodiment of the plunger device includes a butterfly valve or a stem valve. A method of clearing clogged toilets or drains is also included. The plunger device serves to unstop a clogged toilet without the up and down motion and resultant splashing of filthy water associated with a conventional plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Jerry H. Piercy, II
  • Patent number: 6519786
    Abstract: The toilet splash shield system prevents urine and waste from splashing out of a toilet bowl, and includes a toilet bowl having a rim having upper and lower sides and front and back ends. The rim has a bore extending therethrough, and the bore is in communication with an air pump. The rim has a plurality of vent holes extending into the bore from an inner perimeter of the rim. Further, the rim has a vent in communication with the bore for permitting passage of air from the bore through an inner perimeter of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Robert A. Francis
  • Patent number: 6519787
    Abstract: A water treatment and recycling system is provided having an aeration chamber, a reaction chamber, a water tank, and a plurality of pumps. The water tank houses the treated water and is the supply source for supplying water to different water needs. The first pump receives waste water from a waste source, such as a toilet, and pumps it into the aeration chamber. The aeration chamber initially treats the water and passes the contents therein via a second pump to the reaction chamber. The water is secondarily treated by the reaction chamber and thereafter pumped into the water tank. The first pump also receives a continual supply of treated water from the water tank. The aeration chamber and reaction chamber contains therein a plurality of specially treated wood chips, and a bio-colony consisting of different microbes and bacteria introduced into the wood chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Juen S. Kim
  • Patent number: 6519788
    Abstract: A swimming pool has a plurality of walls with a pair of side walls on opposite sides of the pool. The plurality of walls define a target water level within the swimming pool. A pair of tracks are respectively associated with each side wall and positioned above the target water level. A cover includes a pair of longitudinal side edges, with each side edge carried by a corresponding track. The cover includes at least one gas vent along each side edge and above the target water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Fort Wayne Pools, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Epple
  • Patent number: 6519789
    Abstract: Provision is made of a shampoo basin which is designed to support the neck of a person to be washed and rinsed without causing pain, with or without a cushion medium, and a combination of the shampoo basin and a chair. The shampoo basin for washing and rinsing the hair of a person sitting on a chair has a neck-supporting member 4 disposed forwardly of a basin body 2 and composed of an internal corner 41 positioned on the inner peripheral surface side of the basin body 2, an external corner 42 positioned on the outer peripheral surface side of the basin body 2, and a top surface 43 interposed between the internal and external corners 41, 42. The top surface 43 has a curvature radius larger than those of the internal and external corners 41, 42 to support the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Oohiro Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuji Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 6519790
    Abstract: An optoelectronic device assembly mounted to bathroom equipment is mainly made up of a silicon chip, a face board in match with the silicon chip, a water proof seal plate in combination with a piece of bathroom equipment, such as a faucet, a shower head, a sink platform and a flush tank and bath tub that can be in direct contact with water. The silicon chip of a proper size and thickness is designed in conformance to the dimension and shape of a staged receiving hole of the bathroom equipment and is provided with an extended probe needle or a limiting switch which can be actuated by flow water in bathroom equipment whereby the brightness, colors of source light or sound produced by the silicon chip can be varied in response to the variation of water flow and the temperature thereof either for a change or warning purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Chung Cheng Faucet Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsi Chia Ko
  • Patent number: 6519791
    Abstract: A stub-out bar has a first bar telescopically and slidably receiving a second bar. Holes and slots are formed on the first bar and the second bar, respectively. While attaching a fixture on the stub-out bar, one of the holes is aligned with one slot to allow a fastener to thread through. The first and the second bars each has a bendable tab extending from a front plate thereof. The bendable tabs are positioned at two opposite ends of the stub-out bar such that the stub-out bar can be mounted in different surfaces of joists by simply bending the bendable tabs. The stub-out bar has an open cross-section, in a box-shape. The first and second bars are made of a sufficiently heavy gauge of metal that heavy-duty applications such as bathroom tub and shower fixtures can be supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Securus, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott W. Randolph
  • Patent number: 6519792
    Abstract: Electric reciprocating system for baby carriage, which is combined with external power source and carriage locating guide rail to simulate manually back and forth pushing/pulling movement. The system includes a base board, locating guide rail, two wheel guide rail gauge adjustment mechanisms and locking mechanism to form a linear moving path of the baby carriage. The driving unit includes a DC servomotor, a belt driving mechanism and a controlling circuit board for controlling and adjusting and the travel and speed. In cooperation with the driving pin and the linking ring fixed on the baby carriage rear beam, the system provides a reciprocating power for the baby carriage without power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Cheng-I Chen
  • Patent number: 6519793
    Abstract: A collapsible apparatus is provided that includes a frame configured to form a closed loop, the frame being moveable between a coiled configuration and an uncoiled configuration. A sleeve is configured to receive the frame and to define an opening within at least a portion of the closed loop. An attachment mechanism is coupled substantially about the periphery of the sleeve. A fabric member is removably coupled to the sleeve such that it is easily removed. A method of making mats according to an embodiment of the invention includes cutting fabric members from a first sheet of material, cutting body membranes from a second sheet of material such that the amount of excess material from the second sheet of material between adjacent body membranes is minimized, and attaching one of the body membranes to one of the fabric members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Gray Matter Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Le Gette, Justin S. Werner, Alan Tipp, Ronald L. Wilson, II, Matthew Laine
  • Patent number: 6519794
    Abstract: A side rail comprises a main body and a pair of lever arms. A first lever arm has an upper end movably supported relative to the main body by an upper pivot pin and a lower end movably attached to the bed by a lower pivot pin. A second lever arm has an upper end movably supported relative to the main body by an upper pivot pin and a lower end movably attached to the bed by a lower pivot pin. The pivot pins are arranged so that the pivot pins do not come into linear alignment with one another during movement of the lever arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome K. Aarestad, Randall J. Urness, Dean R. Sommerfeld, Todd C. Kramer, Scott G. Williamson
  • Patent number: 6519795
    Abstract: A nursing bed has a lifting device mounted on the front frame so that the patient is still able to change the upper part of the body and a sliding device mounted between the mediate frame and the rear frame so that the rear frame is able to move sidewardly relative to the mediate frame of the nursing bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Tung Tai Chuang Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Da Dun Liu
  • Patent number: 6519796
    Abstract: A tote bag having an inflatable device such as a vinyl pillow integrally connected thereto is described. The inflatable is attached to a side of the tote bag so that the bag con be converted for a head rest when the pillow is inflated. The inflatable can be attached along selected sides leaving a side open to form a pocket between the inflatable and the tote bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Printmark Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander Sloot
  • Patent number: 6519797
    Abstract: A cushion for seats, wheelchairs, mattresses, etc. is disclosed. The cushion includes fluid-filled cells. Each cell is in fluid communication with adjacent cells via conduits. Constrictures such as valves or constrictor clips may be applied to the conduits to restrict or otherwise regulate fluid flow into or out of a particular cell. In this way, the cushion may be customized on a cell-by-cell basis, providing a cushion that can be tailored to the individual needs of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Dynamic Contours LLC
    Inventors: Clifford E. Brubaker, David M. Brienza
  • Patent number: 6519798
    Abstract: A bed assembly provides an enlarged sleeping surface area as compared to a standard Queen sized bed. Specifically, in the disclosed bed assemblies, the sleeping surface area is about 64 inches to about 68 inches wide and about 77 inches to about 82 inches long. This can be accomplished by providing both a mattress and a foundation having the appropriate, enlarged sleeping surface area, or by combining an enlarged mattress with a foundation having at least one standard Queen sized surface. The mattress and foundation can be fit into a bed frame made of a suitable size to fit the bottom surface of the foundation (i.e., either “enlarged” or standard Queen size). The enlarged sleeping surface of the bed may be between about 65 inches to about 67 inches wide and about 78 inches to about 80 inches long. This enlarged sleeping surface area provides a more comfortable and restful sleep for two occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rick F. Gladney, Kurtis A. Ling
  • Patent number: 6519799
    Abstract: A corkscrew tool and pipe combination including a first handle member having a bore that extends along a longitudinal axis and communicates with one end thereof and defines a mouthpiece. An access port is located on an outer surface of the first handle member and communicates with the bore. A second handle member has a bowl in one end for holding smoking material, a helical, cork-penetrating blade that extends outwardly from an opposing end, a hole that extends transversely through the second handle member, intermediate the blade and the bowl, of a size and shape to receive the first handle member therethrough, and a channel through the second handle member that connects the bowl with the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Charles Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 6519800
    Abstract: A frame for holding a paint roller including a body, a shiftable arm coupled to the body, and a biasing mechanism operable to automatically shift the shiftable arm relative to the body when actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Specialty Products of Greenwood, Missouri Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Newman, Buford J. Guittar
  • Patent number: 6519801
    Abstract: A paint scraper has a lower cover, an upper cover detachably engaged with the lower cover, a locking device securely clamping the lower cover to the upper cover and a blade clamped between the lower cover and the upper cover. The locking device has a lever with a protruding edge detachably pressing against a face of the upper cover to provide even pressure to the upper cover to ensure the engagement between the lower and the upper covers. The lever is pivotally pressed against the upper cover that is movable relative to the lower cover, so that the pivotal movement of the lever is able to secure the engagement between the lower and the upper covers and the upper cover is able to move forward with respect to the lower cover to conceal the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Chien-Chuan Chao
  • Patent number: 6519802
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiper system for an automobile and more particularly, to an active wiper system which secures a good front visual range by changing the track of the wiper blade of a passenger's side and positioning pertinently the wiper blade in each range of the track, thus preventing rainwater wiped by the wiper blade of a passenger's side from dropping down to the front of a driver's side while driving in the rain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jeong-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 6519803
    Abstract: A chimney vacuum system having an adapter head for fluidly removing accumulated soot under vacuum pressure from a flue or chimney. The chimney vacuum system includes a hose adapted to the head via a frictional fit. The adapter head of the chimney system has a body portion which narrows in volume from an outer diameter to an inner diameter. Extending from the inner diameter is a neck portion for attaching an effluent hose and refuse container downstream. The body of the adapter head includes a sealing gasket defined therein for providing a mechanical and fluid seal with a flue mechanism element in the flow path of the flue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas J. Keller
  • Patent number: 6519804
    Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum cleaner (10) comprising dirt and dust separating apparatus (52) for separating dirt and dust from an airflow and having an inlet (59), and a cleaner head (22) having an outlet (32) communicating with the inlet (59) of the dirt and dust separating apparatus (52). The dirt and dust separating apparatus (52), or a part (58) thereof incorporating the inlet (59), is movable into an alternative position in which the outlet (32) of the cleaner head (22) is not in communication with the inlet (59) of the dirt and dust separating apparatus (52) and in which an alternative dirty air inlet (100) may be connected to the inlet (59) of the dirt and dust separating apparatus (52) characterized in that the inlet (59) of the dirt and dust separating apparatus (52) is adapted to cooperate releasably with the outlet (32) of the cleaner head (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Dyson Limited
    Inventor: Remco Douwinus Vujik
  • Patent number: 6519805
    Abstract: A vacuum unit used to vacuum lawn debris includes a vacuum unit body having at least first and second inlet openings and at least one flap that can be adjusted to selectively cover and open the second opening. The vacuum unit body includes a flap adjustment member that is located within the second opening and that includes a contact surface that contacts the flap. Preferably, the flap adjustment member has one end that is adapted to receive a vacuum hose. The flap adjustment member can be placed into a first position where it causes the flap to open the second opening and a second position where it permits the flap to cover the second opening. The vacuum hose has a handle that can be attached to the vacuum unit handle permitting the vacuum hose to remain permanently attached to the vacuum unit even when the vacuum hose is not being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventors: Usman Firdaus, John Dawson, Philip B. Smith, Jeffery R. Kucera
  • Patent number: 6519806
    Abstract: A handle construction has a fixed position coupled to a tube which can be connected to the suction system, a movable portion, which can turn with respect to the fixed portion and having a suction inlet element, and an electric drive for driving the vacuum cleaner, which electric drive is coupled to the fixed portion of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventors: Ariberto Tamborini, Giancarlo Tamborini
  • Patent number: 6519807
    Abstract: The invention provides a cleaner head assembly for a vacuum cleaner comprising a cleaner head body pivotably attachable to a main body of a vacuum cleaner and a brush housing pivotably mounted on the cleaner head body, the brush housing having a suction opening and a brush bar mounted therein, wherein the brush housing comprises a sealed unit connectable to a vacuum cleaner air inlet via a conduit separate from the cleaner head body. The arrangement allows the brush housing to be doubly articulated with respect to the main body of the vacuum cleaner whilst the suction opening remains in a horizontal plane without requiring the use of seals which must be able to accommodate the articulation of the brush housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Dyson Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Walter McRae Thomson
  • Patent number: 6519808
    Abstract: A squeegee assembly is allowed to float on the floor surface by first, second and third linkage arms having first ends pivotably mounted to the chassis and second ends pivotably mounted to a mount for the squeegee assembly and allowing movement in more than one plane. The squeegee assembly is maintained at a generally constant angle independent of the pivotable movement of the linkage arms, with the generally constant angle being variable by adjusting the length of the third linkage arm. First and second extension springs have first ends attached to the chassis and have second ends attached to the mount at differing spacing than the first ends to cause the squeegee assembly to center the squeegee assembly relative to the chassis. In the preferred form, the ends of the extension springs attached to the chassis are vertically below the ends of the extension springs attached to the mount of the squeegee assembly to bias the squeegee assembly towards the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Nilfisk-Advance, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Legatt, Paul T. Mueller, Wolfgang C. Lehmann, Galen Swenson, Patrick Enzler
  • Patent number: 6519809
    Abstract: A gutter cleaner having a head and a handle. The head is tubular and has a bend and a nozzle. The bend curves in two orthogonal planes, through an angle of 135° to 195° in one plane and through an angle of 15° to 60° in the other plane. The nozzle has an egress with one dimension being narrower than the other. The head and handle slidably fitting together and are secured to fix their relative positions. The lower end of the handle is adapted to attach to a vacuum source. The handle has a textured surface for gripping and eyelets for removably attaching a shoulder strap. Optionally, the handle has two sections that are slidably fitted together and that can be secured relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Judy A. Gutry
  • Patent number: 6519810
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner, performing a cleaning operation using a nozzle casing coupled to a suction pipe or using the suction pipe free from the nozzle casing, is disclosed. This vacuum cleaner does not force a user to change an existing cleaning tool with another tool even when it is desired to clean a limited or narrow area that does not allow use of the nozzle casing during the cleaning operation. In this vacuum cleaner, the suction nozzle unit consists of a nozzle casing provided with a suction nozzle for sucking dust-laden air from a surface into the casing. This casing also has a mounting unit provided with a fitting bore communicating with the suction nozzle. A hollow cylindrical suction pipe is removably fitted into the fitting bore, with a dusting brush part formed along the lower edge thereof. A spring-biased locking bolt removably locks the position of the suction pipe within the mounting unit of the nozzle casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Se-Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 6519811
    Abstract: A pivot hinge assembly for a glass structure includes a central shaft adapted to be securely mounted on the doorframe, a driving housing having an axial passage extending through the driving housing to receive therein the central shaft and a radial passage defined to extend through the driving housing and intercept the axial passage. Two pivoting devices are respectively and oppositely received in the radial passage. Each pivoting device is spaced away from one another by the central shaft. A support has a U shaped seat formed to securely receive therein the driving housing and the two pivoting devices. A piece of glass of the pivot door is able to drive the two pivoting devices to pivot relative to the central shaft so as to facilitate the smoothness of pivotable movement of the pivot door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Ko-Ming Cheng
  • Patent number: 6519812
    Abstract: A hinge structure for use in an electronic device such as a digital camera for connecting two elements and making the two elements turn against each other. A gear unit is provided, which has two gears engaging with each other and turning in opposite directions. The two gears connect respectively with the two elements. When one element is turned in one direction, through the transmission of the gear unit, another element will be driven to turn in the opposite direction, to thereby change the angle between the two elements and enhance picture taking flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Inventec Multimedia & Telecom Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Chen Ko, Heem-Hoe Chee
  • Patent number: 6519813
    Abstract: A fixing device for a pen clip which contains a fixing cap, an upper casing, a fixing clip, an adjusting assembly and a lower casing. The upper casing is a hollow tube and has a trumpet-shaped mouthpiece (top wide while bottom narrow) for receiving the fixing cap in place. The fixing cap has an indentation to receive the fixing clip. A screw is tightened from the inner side of the adjusting assembly to the fixing cap. The trumpet-shaped mouthpiece of the upper casing will be expanded by the screw for a tight connection with the fixing clip so that the fixing clip is situated between the casing and the fixing cap and won't be easily disconnected. Accordingly, an additional fixing effect and a convenient application is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventors: Wei-Jong Lin, Chang-Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 6519814
    Abstract: A single, reusable wrap for securing loops of glass fibers of fiber optic cables used in the communications field. The wrap holds the glass fiber loop securely by wrapping around the glass fiber and itself, locking itself in place via an opposing frictional lock. The wrap has a lock portion, a retainer/release tab used to aid in the engagement and release of the frictional lock, and a cylindrical lock portion used to aid in starting the wrap to roll around the glass fiber loop. The frictional lock is provided when the cylindrical lock portion is provided within the lock portion. The reusable wrap is easy to use since it may be opened and closed with one hand by a user. The wrap holds the glass fiber loop tightly without damaging the glass fiber and prevents the glass fiber loop from being pulled into small loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Ty Mereness
  • Patent number: 6519815
    Abstract: A band clamp for pipe joints is disclosed comprising a band with confronting sidewalls when wrapped around pipes to be coupled. The clamping mechanism includes a pair of force bars outboard of the sidewalls and a spline with concave surfaces on opposite sides, the spline being disposed between the end flanges. A bolt extends through bolt holes and draws the flanges against the spline to stretch the band around the pipes when the bolt is tightened against the force bars. The sidewalls have lateral flanges which overhang the spline to arrest movement of the sidewalls relative to the spline to obtain alignment of the bolt holes when the clamp is tightened. In some embodiments, the band is folded back on itself to form a double thickness which extends from the upper end of each sidewall to a point beyond the lower end of the sidewall and provides an inverted flap sandwiched between the clamp band and the pipe. The inverted flap may be secured to the band by mechanical interlock between the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: BKS Company, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Cassel, Michael E. Amedure
  • Patent number: 6519816
    Abstract: A container coupling device is provided which can prevent displacement of an upper container and which is superior in durability. Upper and lower positioning protrusions provided integrally on top and bottom sides of a flange are inserted into engaging holes formed in corner fittings of upper and lower containers. The upper positioning protrusion is formed in the center of its top surface with a downwardly extending hole. A rotatable rotary shaft inserted in the hole has at its upper portion an engaging member which can engage the peripheral edge of the engaging hole of the corner fitting of the upper container. The upper and lower positioning protrusions are inserted in the engaging holes of the corner fittings of the upper and lower containers to prevent displacement of the upper and lower containers. The upper positioning protrusion, which is integral with the flange, bears a load due to inclination of the upper container. This improves durability of the container coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Taiyo Seiki Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tagaguchi, Takao Nomizu
  • Patent number: 6519817
    Abstract: A hybrid grounding clip formed from a single piece of sheet metal. The grounding clip includes a base having opposing ends, opposing sides and a slot defined therethrough. The clip further includes a set of attachment legs formed from downwardly bent portions of the base, and at least one contact flange formed from a portion of the base which is bent at an angle of less than 90° with respect to the base located inwardly from at least one of the opposing sides along the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Lenhart, Dennis Patrick Conroy, John Ramspacher, Jamie Jay Swift
  • Patent number: 6519818
    Abstract: A hook device has a main body having a connection portion and a hook portion, and a movable fastener disposed on the main body. The movable fastener has a corrugated plate having two curved end portions and a U-shaped middle portion having a plurality of through holes, and an elastic element having a first L-shaped portion and a second L-shaped portion. The curved end portions of the movable fastener encloses the connection portion of the main body. The first L-shaped portion of the elastic element and the second L-shaped portion of the elastic element pass through the through holes of the U-shaped middle portion of the corrugated plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Vincent Chang
  • Patent number: 6519819
    Abstract: A cinerary container is provided which includes a main body which is made of metal and one face of which is open, a magnet setting part formed on an inner wall side face of the main body, and a lid body for closing the open face of the main body. A magnet of the magnet setting part is adapted to attract the lid body and to attract a metallic bag body which contains ashes and bones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Yoshie Suda
  • Patent number: 6519820
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for obtaining adequate orientation of elements constituting a web, such as fibres and/or filaments, for example derived from a card, characterized in that it consists in: subjecting the fibre to a pre-looping step produced by the interpenetration of a first set of looping discs (11) borne on a common transverse shaft (10) and continuously driven in rotation at a first speed (V1), and of a first set of fixed looping elements (12), the set of looping discs (11) and the set of looping elements (12) having a predetermined gauge (j) so as to cause the fibres and/or filaments to be pre-looped with an undulating value or interval (j), retaining with blocking means said fibres and/or filaments at regular intervals by a length (n×j) where n is an integer ranging between 2 and 20; allowing the pre-looped fibres and/or filaments to expand so as to produce large undulations having an undulating value or interval (n×j); and spreading by simple drawing the pre-looped fibres and/o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Tarkett Sommer S.A.
    Inventor: Xavier Bathelier
  • Patent number: 6519821
    Abstract: In a hot stamping or embossing method for stamping single sheets or webs with stamping product located on a stamping foil web, the material to be printed is moved through the stamping gap and the stamping foil web is jointly moved in such a way that during stamping intervals it is moved at the same speed as the printing material and outside the stamping intervals, at least temporarily, it has a foil speed differing from the printing material speed. According to the invention between two selected stamping intervals the stamping foil web is briefly accelerated in such a way that a space between succeeding, stamping product-delivering stamping product areas of the stamping foil web is larger than the corresponding, unprinted area of the printing material between succeeding stamping locations, which can be utilized for economizing foil material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Armin Steuer
  • Patent number: 6519822
    Abstract: A method for producing an electronic component includes placing an enclosed frame on a baseplate. A chip is provided to be fitted within the frame, forming a first given space between the chip and the baseplate and forming a second given space between the chip and the frame. The first given space is enclosed in a hermetically sealed manner by pressing a film onto the chip, except on a surface of the chip facing the baseplate, such that the film surrounds the chip and at least reaches the surface of the baseplate. The second given space is filled with a casting compound. The film is then removed at surface regions of the film being free of the casting compound. Finally, a cover composed of an electrically conductive material is applied on the chip, the casting compound and the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Alois Stelzl, Hans Krüger
  • Patent number: 6519823
    Abstract: A machine tool capable of reducing the vibration of a spindle head to enable a high-precision machining, wherein a column (2) is mounted fixedly onto a bed (1), a first saddle (4) forming a square frame body of rectangular cross-section is mounted on the column (2) movably in vertical direction (f1), a second saddle (6) forming a square frame body (6a) smaller in size than the above square frame body is mounted inside the first saddle (4) movably in lateral direction (f2), a horizontal guide frame (6b) of a specified length is mounted on the rear surface of the square frame body (6a) of the second saddle (6) in the state of being crossed at right angle to the rear surface, rail members (5, 7) are laid down on square frame body upper and lower prismatic bodies (4b, 4c) of the first saddle (4) and the horizontal guide frame (6b) of the second saddle (6), and concrete is filled sealingly into the square frame body of the first saddle (4) and/or the square frame body of the second saddle (6) and the horizontal gu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Horkos Corp.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Sugata, Yoshihide Seo
  • Patent number: 6519824
    Abstract: A wiring board manufacturing system, which is an electric wiring forming system, utilizes a magnesium alloy as a conductive metal for wiring pattern forming, and mixes and heats the magnesium alloy chips thereof in a cylinder (feeding unit) with a built-in screw, melting same into an alloy slurry of a thixotropic state. The alloy slurry thereof is discharged onto a board. The board is mounted on a work stage of a stage unit, which is driven and controlled in accordance with wiring pattern data inputted by a CAD or the like, and a wiring pattern is formed on the board with the discharged alloy. According to this system, it is possible to provide an electric wiring forming system, which does away with the effects on the environment resulting from waste liquid at manufacturing, enables manufacturing time to be shortened, and moreover, uses an inexpensive metallic material for forming a wiring pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nagasaki, Hiroyoshi Kobayashi, Toshihiro Kitahara
  • Patent number: 6519825
    Abstract: A clamping head assembly for clamping a first member to a second member at a miter joint, where the clamping head assembly includes a first fence member with a first positioning edge for positioning an edge of the first member and a second fence member that is movable and includes a second positioning edge for positioning an edge of the second member. The second positioning edge is arranged at an angle with respect to the first positioning edge. Additionally, the first fence member and the second fence member are configured and arranged so that the angle is approximately bisected by the miter joint formed between the first and second members. The second fence member is movable in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the miter joint, whereby a normal force is generated upon the miter joint. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a frame making machine that includes the clamping head assembly just described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Lambert, James W. Stone
  • Patent number: 6519826
    Abstract: A water-tight and gas-tight zip fastener with a sealing port and a method for forming the same provides a zip fastener made of plastic in which preferably spirals in a spiral zip fastener are injection molded with a thermoplastic elastomer which forms a continuously contoured coating, bearing directly on the contiguous edges of the zip fastener strips, and when the zip fastener is closed, the coatings are under compression and form a contiguous seal with each other and to the zip fastener slide to prevent undesirable gas and water penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Hartmut Ortlieb
  • Patent number: 6519827
    Abstract: In the method and apparatus for assembling a magnetic tape cartridge, a plurality of assembling stations, each of which includes an assembling robot 130 for assembling the respective parts of a magnetic tape cartridge 1, respectively comprise pallet delivery mechanism 135 capable of delivering sequentially a pallet 200 on which an upper cases 2a can be placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Hayashi, Akira Mizuta
  • Patent number: 6519828
    Abstract: Description and illustration of a method for mounting a metal body (1) on an essentially straight measuring tube (2), made of titanium or zirconium, of a Coriolis mass flowmeter. The method ensures secure retention of the metal body (1) on the measuring tube (2) even through very extended operation of the Coriolis mass flowmeter, in that the metal body (1) is shrink-mounted on the measuring tube (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Krohne A.G.
    Inventors: Vincent Cook, Lawrence Davies, Neil Harrison, Yousif Hussain, Chris N. Rolph
  • Patent number: 6519829
    Abstract: According to known methods for producing a composite element from a truncated cone-shaped, fire-proof ceramic insert which is enclosed by a metal jacket, the outer jacket is-heated separately and shrunk on the cold ceramic insert. Alternatively, after inductive heating of the outer jacket the ceramic insert, which is heated at the same time, is positioned in the metal jacket using a mechanical device. The invention aims to provide a new method which avoids the disadvantages associated with shrinking a separately heated hot metal jacket on to a colder ceramic insert and to provide a simple method which without inductive heating of the metal jacket and the use of mechanical devices for joining said jacket to the ceramic insert achieves an even bond between the metal jacket and ceramic insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Wulfrath Refractories GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz-Jürgen Kuhlmann, Eberhard Heimann, Klaus-Guido Ruwier
  • Patent number: 6519830
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a plate nut into the interior of a closed cavity through one enlarged opening includes an annular insert that is used to fill the enlarged opening once the plate nut is inserted. Once in place the plate nut may be held in position through the other openings while the insert is fitted and compressed by threaded engagement. The plate nut body may be shaped in various forms to fit various structural spaces in each instance insertable through the opening that is later covered by the insert. A hinged tool threadably engaged to the plate nut may be utilized in the course of the installation and thereafter removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Darrel P. Mehan
  • Patent number: 6519831
    Abstract: An index-feed processing system that can reduce the machining cost of a product involving a plurality of machining processes is disclosed. The index-feed processing system comprises a plurality of processing units disposed in the longitudinal feeding direction of a workpiece corresponding to a plurality of processing processes so that the processing processes are performed sequentially as the workpiece is indexed. The processing unit body comprises a base plate and a support plate provided at a predetermined distance from the base plate, a slider provided movably between the base plate and the support plate in the direction orthogonally intersecting the base plate and the support plate, and a drive means for driving the slider. The processing units are formed as machining units so that machining operations can be performed by controlling the movement of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Institute of Technology Precision Electrical Discharge Work's
    Inventors: Shoji Futamura, Takeo Machida, Chikara Murata, Hiromitsu Kaneko