Patents Issued in March 18, 2003
  • Patent number: PP13668
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Double Impatiens plant named ‘Balolecher’, characterized by its compact, upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; freely branching growth habit; medium green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; and dark red-colored flowers that are fully double and positioned above the foliage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Ball FloraPlant, a division of Ball Horticultural Company
    Inventor: Michael S. Uchneat
  • Patent number: PP13669
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Double Impatiens plant named ‘Balfieblus’, characterized by its compact, upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; freely branching growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; and light pale pink-colored flowers that are fully double and positioned above the foliage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Ball FloraPlant, a division of Ball Horticultural Co.
    Inventor: Michael S. Uchneat
  • Patent number: PP13670
    Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Spathiphyllum plant named ‘Valentino’, characterized by its upright, somewhat outwardly arching and symmetrical plant habit; glossy dark green leaves; rapid growth rate; freely flowering habit; white-colored spathes that are positioned well above the foliage on erect peduncles; and good postproduction longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Twyford International Inc.
    Inventors: Ann Elizabeth Lamb, David R. Lilly
  • Patent number: PP13671
    Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Lantana plant named ‘Robpatdee’, characterized by its upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; uniformly mounded plant form; vigorous growth habit; rapid growth rate; large leaves and long internodes; freely flowering habit; and flowers that are red purple initially opening to a pale yellow with darker yellow centers and subsequently red purple with orange centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Robert J. Roberson
  • Patent number: RE38031
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coat having a shell piece, a fusible interlining, a lapel support component, and a separate chest support component. The shell piece includes body and lapel portions. The body portion has a curved upper edge for attachment to a sleeve. The fusible interlining is attached to only the body portion of the shell piece. The lapel support component is attached to only the lapel portion of the shell piece. The separate chest support component is attached to the body portion of the body piece. The lapel support component and the chest support component are formed from first and second materials having different average weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Hart Schaffner & Marx
    Inventor: B. Lennart Bjorklund
  • Patent number: RE38032
    Abstract: The layout instrument or tool of this invention includes a pair of members arranged together to form an “L” at a right angle. The unique feature of this arrangement is that the two opposing ends of the “L” are also affixed to another member changing the shape from an “L” to the shape of a 3-4-5 triangle. All members of the instrument are permanently attached, therefore, misalignment is avoided and accuracy is assured and maintained. The two members are configured to slide with respect to one another at the pivot point of the “L” and simply pivot at their opposite ends about their pivot points connecting the third member and creating an enclosed triangle. A spring loaded rivet mounted in one of the “L” members slides in a skewed slot in the adjacent member to open the triangle from a closed position where the three sides or members of the triangle are substantially parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Robert S. Butwin
  • Patent number: RE38033
    Abstract: A rotary cutting assembly is provided for cutting a panel from an envelope blank or the like. The die holder has an outer surface and a plurality of surface orifices radially communicating with corresponding feed tubes for supplying vacuum or air to the surface and into the vicinity of the envelope blank. A novel air delivery assembly is provided for delivering vacuum and/or air to the die holder comprising a stationary plate disposed at least at one end of the die holder and defining a groove member for selectively supplying vacuum and/or air so that when rotation of die holder aligns the longitudinal feed tubes with the groove member a supply of vacuum or air is selectively supplied at the surface orifices of the die holder. Another embodiment of the die holder may have an outer surface having a extending along the longitudinal axis for detachably receiving the leading end of the cutting die and a plurality of magnetic members disposed in the die holder surface for attracting the cutting die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Best Cutting Die Company
    Inventors: Frank Okonski, Edward J. Porento, Sr.
  • Patent number: RE38034
    Abstract: A valve manifold having a manifold body with a first face, an opposed, substantially planar second face, and a peripheral wall, a first inlet, a second inlet, a first drain port, and a second drain port being formed in the first face, a first outlet and a second outlet being formed in the second face, there being a first, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the first outlet and the second outlet, a second, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the first inlet and the first outlet, a third, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between said first drain port and said first outlet, a fourth, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the second inlet and the second outlet, a fifth, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the second drain port and the second outlet, flow paths opening into the outlets sloping away from said second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Keystone International Holding Corp. Tyco Flow Control, Inc. Successor in Interest
    Inventor: Alan F. Chou
  • Patent number: RE38035
    Abstract: A tool-toting device for carrying and retaining a hand tool comprising a clip, a swivel element and a U-shaped hook, the clip being capable of attachment to a belt, such as a tool belt. The swivel element is swivelably connected to the clip by conventional means, such as a semi-tubular rivet such that it freely swivels about a 360° axis, while the U-shaped hook is rotatably connected to the swivel element by means of a jam nut-acorn nut arrangement such that it is capable of rotating about a 360° axis. In this manner, a tool hanging from the U-shaped hook will swivel about the 360° axis, thereby maintaining its center of gravity as the user moves about a construction area. The user can re-position the hook for comfort and accessibility simply by rotating the hook about its axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Peter P. Kahn
  • Patent number: RE38036
    Abstract: A device controller synchronizes a counter to the detection of sunrise or sunset by photoelectrically sensing daylight, thereby establishing an approximate time reference for scheduling the timing of device activations to occur at any time of day or night. An uncalibrated method of measuring sunlight yields more reliable scheduling, relative to sunrise and sunset events. The integral approximate time reference is kept synchronized, even if occasional faults in detection of sunrise or sunset occur. The rules employed to establish and maintain synchronization, and the dynamically variable rules of evaluating changes in light intensity, contribute to the reliable performance of the controller apparatus. Inherently self-adapting and automatic, a potentiometer for setting a time parameter input and a push-button for setting a time parameter input are combined in the apparatus in such a way to yield further utility without complicating the programmability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Outland Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney H. Neumann
  • Patent number: RE38037
    Abstract: A modular semiconductor power device has a conductive member consisting of an alumina plate to which copper layers are soldered on opposite sides. A chip is soldered to one of these layers and the other of these layers is soldered in turn to a metal heat sink. The chip is connected to respective copper strips which, in turn, are soldered to thermal strips originally forming part of a frame so that, after the device is encapsulated in a synthetic resin, the connecting members of the frame can be cut away to leave free ends of the latter strips exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Antonio Perniciaro Spatrisano, Luciano Gandolfi, Carlo Minotti, Natale Di Cristina
  • Patent number: RE38038
    Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus carries out scan exposure with illumination flux of slit(s) by moving a mask and a substrate in a direction of one-dimension at synchronized speeds with each other. The mask is inclined with a predetermined angle relative to the substrate in the direction of one-dimensional movement. The substrate is also moved in a direction of optical axis of projection optical system when moved in the direction of one-dimension, such that a central part of transfer area on the substrate is located on a best focal plane of projection optical system upon scan exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Nishi
  • Patent number: RE38039
    Abstract: A laser, especially an excimer laser, is designed to generate narrow-band radiation and comprises a laser resonator, including two reflecting elements (12, 14) between which there is disposed a laser active medium (10), and further comprises a group of several refractive dispersive elements (32, 34) arranged in the laser beam path and each deflecting, incident light at an angle &ggr;a,&ggr;b) which is specific of the wavelength of the incident light. It is provided to reduce variations of the emission wavelength which are temperature responsive and time dependent during burst operation by giving at least one of the refractive dispersive elements (32) a refractive index which increases as the temperature goes up and at least one of these elements (34) a refractive index which drops as the temperature rises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Lambda Physik AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Kleinschmidt, Peter Heist
  • Patent number: RE38040
    Abstract: A swept turbomachinery blade for use in a cascade of such blades is disclosed. The blade (12) has an airfoil (22) uniquely swept so that an endwall shock (64) of limited radial extent and a passage shock (66) are coincident and a working medium (48) flowing through interblade passages (50) is subjected to a single coincident shock rather than the individual shocks. In one embodiment of the invention the forwardmost extremity of the airfoil defines an inner transition point (40) located at an inner transition radius rt-inner. The sweep angle of the airfoil is nondecreasing with increasing radius from the inner transition radius to an outer transition radius rt-outer, radially inward of the airfoil tip (26), and is nonincreasing with increasing radius between the outer transition radius and the airfoil tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Spear, Bruce P. Biederman, John A. Orosa
  • Patent number: 6532594
    Abstract: A protective insert for placement underneath a baseball or softball glove takes the form of a flat circular disk of a high density microcellular urethane padding material. The disk has an internal cutout pattern of two inverted v-shaped channels which enclose upper portions of a pair of triangular fingers and which define an outer rim and a spoke member between the triangular fingers. To place the disk in position for use, index and middle fingers of a player are threaded between the outer rim and tops of the triangular fingers, and the disk is pulled downward so as to locate the lower portion of the disk over the palm of the user's hand. The outer rim, spoke and triangular fingers hold the disk in position without the presence of external connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Eddie C. Barnett
  • Patent number: 6532595
    Abstract: A combination apron and chair cover for use with a high chair or toddler chair, where the apron and chair cover protects the child's clothing from spillage and prevents the child from contacting the upper surfaces of the chair with its hands or mouth, the cover having a torso opening which is cinched about the child's torso in a snug and secure manner and an outer perimeter of sufficient dimension to drape over the upper portion of the chair, including the chair back and tray if present. The outer perimeter is preferably secured to or between the chair legs or other chair structure by fastening elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Monette Holmes
  • Patent number: 6532596
    Abstract: A cover fits over a wearer's head, shoulders, back and chest to protect the wearer during feeding. The cover includes a collar portion that can stretch and deform to accommodate different sizes of persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Dana C. Fosmo
  • Patent number: 6532597
    Abstract: The present invention provides a glove, in particular for housework, the glove being made integrally of silicone material and possessing an ambidextrous shape comprising a main pocket designed to receive four fingers of a user, and a secondary pocket designed to receive the thumb, said secondary pocket opening out into the main pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mastrad
    Inventors: Lucas Bignon, Mathieu Lion
  • Patent number: 6532598
    Abstract: A lightweight and inexpensive mask providing protection to the nose and eyes of dental patients from contaminants that are present in the dental office. The Mask having a nose portion having an elasticized cord transversing across the philtrum area of a patient thereby causing the mask to adopt a triangular shape about the nose. The nose portion being caused to create a natural ventilation along the nasolabial groove areas of the patient. The mask further including a pair of transparent eye panels and means for affixing the mask on the patient's face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Venanzio Cardarelli
  • Patent number: 6532599
    Abstract: A pair of athletic shorts with removable contoured pads is presented. The elastic shorts have thigh, hip and tailbone pockets permanently affixed to the main shell of the shorts. Each of the pockets has upper flaps, which are fastened to the lower portion of the pocket by VELCRO™ fasteners. The pad itself is a semi-flexible cushioned type pad having a serrated configuration such that only portions of the pad actually come in contact with the athlete's body. These pads have peaks and valleys such that they are fully compressed only during a fall or a collision, remaining only in partial contact with the athlete's body at other times. The pads may be removed, washed, and replaced easily because they are not permanently sewn or attached to the main shell of the athletic shorts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Anthony J. Dugan
  • Patent number: 6532600
    Abstract: A martial arts belt having a pre-tied knot which is secured with hook and loop fastening material. The martial arts belt includes a belt portion and a knot portion which are fixedly attached to one another. The belt portion has a length sufficient to encircle the waist of a wearer twice. The knot portion is a facsimile of the knot in a hand-tied belt which includes a centrally positioned knot and a first end portion and a second end portion depending freely from the knot. The knot portion is fixedly attached to the front surface of the belt portion proximate to the first end of the belt portion. The martial arts belt includes at least one securement to fasten the belt around the waist of a wearer. The securement can include mated portions of hook and loop fastening material. When worn, the belt of the present invention has the appearance of a martial arts belt which has been hand-tied in the traditional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph S. Brignoli
  • Patent number: 6532601
    Abstract: Headgear having a plurality of projections extending outwardly therefrom is disclosed. The projections have compliant portions located between each end and are manually manipulatable by bending, twisting and curving into various configurations. The projections are thermoplastic tubes having sidewalls formed of frusto-conically shaped annuli joined in an accordion pleated fashion. The annuli have two stable positions relative to each other, either adjacent in contact or angularly displaced. The two stable positions permit the projections to maintain a particular shape until manually rearranged. Complementary couplings on the free end of the projections allow the tube to be joined to form continuous loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Berman
  • Patent number: 6532602
    Abstract: A comfortable, self-adjusting, protective helmet made from a process of insert molding. The helmet comprises an armature or insert made of a porous material that is embedded in the layers of the helmet to connect the structural parts of the helmet to one another. The armature as used in the helmet also serves several other functions which include hinging and sizing. A retention system is strategically located on the helmet to provide increased stabilization of the helmet on the wearer's head. One embodiment of this invention is an insert-molded helmet that can be converted into a pouch. A further embodiment of this invention includes a protrusion at the back of a helmet suitable for a compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sportscope, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Watters, John C. Tutton, Aldo F. Balatti, Mark A. Fletcher, Nicholas Shewchenko, Timothy Douglas Bayne, Christopher Robert Patrick Withnall
  • Patent number: 6532603
    Abstract: A swim goggles comprises a frame including two frame elements, two arcuate grooves, and extensions on either end, two fastening assemblies on either side each including an inner buckle member, two opposite gaps, a tongue between gaps, two inner rails, a groove between rails with the guide rails inserted therein for fastening frame elements, and a slit, a lens assembly including a main lens, two side lenses, two protrusions at a bridge thereof with the lens assembly fitted in arcuate grooves, a rear mask assembly including an annular flange, a flared protective covering, an annular groove fitted with the lens assembly, latched members, and two holes, and a strap passed through slits from one side of the frame to the slits on the other side of the frame for coupling fastening assemblies together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Shun-Nan Lan
  • Patent number: 6532604
    Abstract: A bedpan providing ease of use, comfort, and cleanability. The bedpan includes a body member defining a reservoir shaped and dimensioned for receiving bodily waste. The body member includes a closed base section adapted for retaining bodily wasted deposited within the bedpan and an open support section. The support section includes a central opening providing access to the reservoir defined by the body member. The central opening is defined by first and second inwardly inclined walls extending from a first end of the body member toward a second end of the body member. The support section further includes a forward support surface adjacent the first end of the body member. The forward support surface has a forward end adjacent the base member and a rearward end adjacent the first and second inwardly inclined walls, wherein the forward support surface is generally horizontal and tapers downwardly as it extends toward the base section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Scott A. Moser
  • Patent number: 6532605
    Abstract: The present invention is a liner which may readily be utilized in a toilet receptacle such as a child's potty or a bedpan. The liner comprises a flexible sheet fabricated from biodegradable material. The sheet is liquid impermeable and capable of retaining human excrement. The central portion of the flexible sheet is adapted to assume a bag-like configuration so as to conform with the inner receptacle surfaces of a standard potty chair or bedpan. Unique attachment tabs are disposed on the perimeter of the sheet so that the liner may be adhesively secured in an efficient manner to the surfaces of the potty seat or bedpan. The design and arrangement of the attachment tabs are such that the tabs may be utilized to adhesively seal the liner after use whereby the sealed bag may be disposed of in a proper manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Sherry Howell
  • Patent number: 6532606
    Abstract: In an adjustable pedestal for a starting platform for one end of a swimming pool, two telescoping members, namely an upper, inner, tubular member and a lower, outer, tubular member, are fastened releasably to each other so as to define a generally upright column of an adjustable length. An upper step is mounted to an upper bracket and a lower step is mounted to a lower bracket. Certain bolts are used for fastening the upper and lower members releasably to each other and for mounting the upper bracket, to which the upper step is mounted, releasably to the column. Other bolts are used for mounting the lower bracket, to which the lower step is mounted, to the column. In some applications, the lower step, lower brackets, and bolts for mounting same are omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kiefer Pool Equipment Co.
    Inventor: Jonathan Skovronski
  • Patent number: 6532607
    Abstract: A movement system for moving a person. In at least certain aspects, the system has a power apparatus and primary line apparatus connected to the power apparatus. The power apparatus selectively moves or plays out and takes in the primary line apparatus. One or a plurality of secondary lines are connected to the primary line apparatus In those embodiments with a plurality of secondary lines, the secondary lines diverge from each other and extend to a corresponding movement station in a structure. The or each secondary line has a distal end extending into its corresponding movement station for connection to a personal support apparatus around a person, and the or each secondary line is movable by the power apparatus to move a person to whose personal support apparatus the or each secondary line is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Arlan Dean Heil
  • Patent number: 6532608
    Abstract: A fitted top sheet for a bed has pockets for receiving a mattress at a toe end of the sheet, and a transverse pleat or flap at the toe end for accommodating the user's feet. The pleat and the mattress pocket are formed form a single notch cut into each corner of the toe end of the sheet, with the opposed sides of each notch joined together with a single seam extending the length of the notch. The seam may be formed from a line of stitching of a contrasting color from the sheet body, to form a visual indicator to readily identify the upper or lower sides of the sheet. The sheet is fabricated by a method of cutting a notch into the two lower toe corners of the sheet, with the notch having an interior, relatively steep region, merging with a peripheral relatively shallow region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Med-I-Pant
    Inventor: David N. Schreiner
  • Patent number: 6532609
    Abstract: A physiotherapy bench includes a frame supported by legs in an elevated, use position, and an arcuate body supporting panel on the frame. The supporting panel includes a substantially horizontal front end for supporting the chest of a patient, and an inclined rear end for supporting the hips and the upper portion of the legs of a patient, whereby the spine is subjected to gentle traction. A headrest is resiliently connected to the front end of the frame for floating support of the head of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Gainsborough Accessories International Limited
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Peter Herman
  • Patent number: 6532610
    Abstract: Transitional support for physically challenged persons. The support has a flexible inelastic base sheet with flexible inelastic loops at parallel edges to accommodate removable rigid poles. Pull straps on the sheet may be included to pull a person along the floor. To provide for a sitting support, a back sheet can be provided to join with the folded base sheet as a back restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventors: William Calfas, Karin A. Calfas
  • Patent number: 6532611
    Abstract: Geometric configuration transformable pillows are disclosed having two configurations: one, where the granular fill contents of the pillow are positioned in a first geometric configuration end, in one embodiment a collar end, of a pillowcase to form for example a horseshoe-shaped type of pillow enclosure similar to neck pillows known at this time. Alternately, an empty main body flap of the pillowcase may be released by a reversible fastening system and fill material allowed to move to a second geometric configuration end, in one embodiment a plain end, of the pillow so that two tubular end sections which formerly formed the collars of the neck pillow are now empty and can be at least partially everted and folded, rolled, or otherwise bunched up and captured by the now oppositely turned reversible fastening system within the pillowcase to form a rectangular-type pillow. It is expected that such a pillow would be used with organic granular-type fill materials, such as buckwheat husks (hulls).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Judy A. Day
  • Patent number: 6532612
    Abstract: The invention provides an exemplary support pillow and methods for its use. An exemplary method is provided for supporting an object in front of a person's torso. According to the method, a support pillow is provided having a resilient cushion body with a medial region and first and second opposing cantilever arms extending from the medial region. The cantilever arms are curved about a vertical axis to define a substantially toroidal configuration for the cushion body. The cantilever arms and medial region cooperate to define a generally circular open well. The support pillow is placed around the person's torso with first and second end portions of the cantilever arms being at the back of the person's torso, and with the medial region of the support pillow being at the front of the person's torso. The cantilever arms are biased around the person's torso to hold the support pillow vertically positioned relative to the person's torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: The Boppy Company
    Inventor: Susan H. Matthews Brown
  • Patent number: 6532613
    Abstract: A pliable chair, for supporting the extremities of a user, that includes a hollow shell made of a pliable material and particulate material contained within the shell. The shell includes five upper panels attached together to form an upper surface, five lower panels attached together to form a lower surface, and five side panels each attached to one of the upper panels and to one of the lower panels. Five compartments are formed by the shell and extend from a central portion of the shell in a star shape. Each compartment is defined by one of the upper panels, one of the lower panels, and one of the side panels attached to the one upper panel and the one lower panel. As a user sits on the center portion, a portion of the particulate material shifts into the compartments and provides anatomically correct support for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Russell M. Berry, IV
  • Patent number: 6532614
    Abstract: A paint scraper includes a main body formed by a handle and a blade-supporting shank extending forwardly thereof. A nailset element is attached to the main body and is movable downwardly in response to being struck, so that a nail-impacting end of the nailset element can sink a protruding nail that is encountered while scraping paint from a wooden surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kapman AB
    Inventor: Bertil Bloom
  • Patent number: 6532615
    Abstract: A finishing unit for a vehicle surface treatment apparatus composed of a thin sheet-like pad of material having flexible characteristics, the pad being adapted for contact with a vehicle surface. A buffer member of flexible material is also provided and opposes a surface area on the pad. A stiffening structure is oriented over a majority of the opposing surface areas of the buffer member and the pad to effect a fixed securement of the opposing surface areas together so as to provide an area of substantially less flexibility than the individual flexibility characteristic of each of the buffer member and the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: G. Jack Clark
  • Patent number: 6532616
    Abstract: The invention concerns a wiper device comprising at least a plate guiding in rotation and fixing a shaft extending axially (X—X) outwards by its free end wherein the plate comprises a stem in which the driving shaft is guided in rotation and a transverse sole plate for fixing it on the vehicle body via a shock-absorbing unit. The invention is characterized in that the shock-absorbing unit is mounted in a housing matching the sole plate partially open along a direction substantially parallel to the driving shaft axis (X—X) to enable, in case of a violent impact, the shock-absorbing unit to be released from its housing thereby causing the axial retraction of the sole plate, the guide stem and the driving shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Systemes d'Essuyage et Moteurs Electriques
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Eustache
  • Patent number: 6532617
    Abstract: A device for loading a paintbrush with two colors of paint without mixing the colors together until the artist is ready to blend the colors during the brush strokes. The device includes a base having a pressure sensitive adhesive on one side thereof and a release liner on the adhesive. When the release liner is removed, the center portion of the base is folded together and the remaining portion of the device is applied to a substrate such as a palette or dish. A different color paint is placed on each side of the divider and a paintbrush is loaded with the two paints simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Plaid Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter A. Russo
  • Patent number: 6532618
    Abstract: A floor mat with incorporated vacuum system including a permeable mat portion having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface is defined by a plurality of upwardly extending bristles. A vacuum assembly is coupled with respect to the permeable mat portion. The vacuum assembly includes a pipe circuit disposed below the lower surface of the mat portion. The pipe circuit has a main outlet pipe extending outwardly therefrom. The main outlet pipe has an open outer end disposed beyond the mat portion. The pipe circuit has a plurality of air intakes extending upwardly therefrom in a spaced relationship. The air intakes have open upper ends in contact with the lower surface of the mat portion. The vacuum assembly includes an intake housing positioned adjacently to the mat portion. The intake housing has a hollow interior defining a debris collection chamber. The intake housing receives the open outer end of the main outlet pipe therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Koch
  • Patent number: 6532619
    Abstract: According to the invention, a portable surface cleaning apparatus includes a fluid recovery system, a liquid dispensing system, and a rotatable agitation brush comprising a brush body and having a plurality of pliable agitation elements mounted along the brush body for contacting a surface to be cleaned. The agitation elements include a face extending along a length which is sufficient to draw the face across the surface to be cleaned as the brush body is rotated. The agitation elements are formed of elongated straps of fabric having a roughened or textured face and that can be formed of nylon knit strapping, synthetic felt, polyester velour, the loop portion of a hook-and-loop fastener system, pressed fiber material, microfiber polishing cloth, or reinforced synthetic fabric, or, in the alternative, formed of elongated fabric threads or string having a roughened or textured surface and formed of cotton roping or braided polyester threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Stefan G. Rider
  • Patent number: 6532620
    Abstract: An upright-type vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body, a suction brush, cyclone dust collecting apparatus, and a filter. The cyclone dust collecting apparatus is removably disposed in a dust collecting chamber in the cleaner body. The suction brush draws air and contaminants from a surface to be cleaned into the cleaner body. The cyclone dust collecting apparatus induces the air and contaminants into a vortex to separate by centrifugal force large particle contaminants from the air and to collect the contaminants. The filter further filters fine contaminants from the air that is discharged from the cyclone dust collecting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-Keun Oh
  • Patent number: 6532621
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cyclonic airflow chamber that facilitates the separation of contaminants from a suction airstream. The airflow chamber includes a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, with the chamber inlet being fluidically connected with at least one of a suction nozzle and an above-the-floor cleaning tool. An exhaust filter housing includes a suction duct and an exhaust plenum, with the suction duct communicating with the chamber outlet. A suction source housing includes an open end communicating with the exhaust plenum and a closed end. A suction source is positioned within the suction source housing to define an annular exhaust flow passageway surrounding the suction source from the housing closed end to the housing open end. The suction source includes a suction inlet communicating with the suction duct and an exhaust outlet communicating with the housing closed end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Paul D. Stephens, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Steven J. Paliobeis, Charles J. Thur
  • Patent number: 6532622
    Abstract: A brush head of a vacuum cleaner can pivot in a horizontal direction as well as a vertical direction with respect to a suction pipe, so as to easily clean an area narrower than the width of the brush head. The brush head of a vacuum cleaner includes a body which is detachably coupled to a suction pipe and is formed with a suction hole for sucking dust. A hollow cylindrical pivoting part is integrally formed with the body at a rear central portion of the body and is formed with a roller receiving cut along a periphery of the lower surface of the pivoting part. A cylindrical pivot supporting member is inserted into the pivoting part to support a horizontal pivoting movement of the pivoting part. The pivot supporting member is formed with a communicating space at its peripheral wall which communicates with the suction hole and the suction pipe, and is provided with a roller at its rear bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Woo Seon, Sang-Bo Kang
  • Patent number: 6532623
    Abstract: A caster which is mounted in a trolley or the like having a bracket 2 connected to a body of a vehicle; a link 3 connected to rotate on the bracket 2; vehicle wheels 4 connected to rotate on the link 3; and a compressible rubber block 20 which deforms as the link 3 rotates. The compressible rubber block forms an initial compressible part 23 which partially eliminates a surface area of the compressible rubber block. In this manner it is possible to restrain input forces on the vehicle body by smoothing out the rotation of the link 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasukuni Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6532624
    Abstract: A brake caster in the invention mainly includes a wheel holder, a spindle, a stop seat, a brake seat, a stop plate and two wheel bodies. The paddle of the brake seat is capable of being depressed to make the top push-face of the brake seat rotated upwardly to push the stop seat upwardly so that the external teeth of the stop seat are engaged to the internal teeth of the two wheel bodies to brake the two wheel bodies not to move; at the same time, the engagement end of the stop plate is engaged to the plurality of engagement grooves disposed at the bottom of the spindle to lock the spindle not to swivel so as to achieve actual braking and positioning effects in the two wheel bodies and the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Yao-Wei Yang
  • Patent number: 6532625
    Abstract: A rigid, one piece mounting track with mounting and suspension slots for carrying multiple functional and decorative hangings simultaneously. The track has generally U-shaped construction with two vertical legs joined by a horizontal member. An elongated dowel holder forms the joint between one leg and the horizontal member. The other leg has inner and outer elongated slots for carrying mounting slides. The inner surface of the horizontal is also provided with a mounting slot for additional hangings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Pam Stone
  • Patent number: 6532626
    Abstract: The invention concerns an adjustable hinge that connects two furniture/cabinet components (door and cabinet body) together by means of a cabinet hinge and baseplate. On the cabinet hinge is a spring snap mechanism and connected on it, a hinge arm. This is connected by an adjustment plate with the baseplate and between the hinge arm and adjustment plate, an adjustment screw is located to adjust the both (bilateral) distances. The adjustment screw is screwed through an enclosed elongated hole in the adjustment plate in a thread borehole in the hinge arm. According to the invention, the adjustment screw is designed as a set screw (thread pin), which has on its one end a device for a releasable coupling with a tool and on the other end has a plate with a larger diameter. The bottom surface side of the plate, thus, rests on the baseplate and on the plate's upper surface, the edge of the adjustment plate's elongated hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Grass GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Muller, Markus Albrecht
  • Patent number: 6532627
    Abstract: A hinge for vehicle doors having a first hinge element (14), a hinge pin (18) rotatably carried by the first hinge element (14) and a second hinge element (16) removably attached to the hinge pin (18). The hinge further includes a retention device (12) including a plurality of rolling members connected in rotation to the pin (18) and cooperating with elastic structure (54) which tends to force the rolling members (38) to engage with a rolling race. The rolling members are balls (38) connected in rotation to the pin (18) via a guiding plate (40) provided with positioning seats (42) for the balls (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Gammastamp SpA
    Inventor: Vittorio Audisio
  • Patent number: 6532628
    Abstract: A hinge assembly including a horizontal shaft, and a monitor rotator having one part fixed to the shaft for rotating as one unit with the shaft, and the other part fixed to a rear part of the monitor. Supporting member rotators are rotatably coupled to opposite sides of the shaft, with a supporting member fixed to the supporting member rotators for supporting the monitor at a rear part thereof from the floor at an angle to the monitor. Elastic members are provided to the shaft such that one end thereof is held at the monitor rotator fixed to the monitor, and the other end thereof is held at the supporting member rotators fixed to the supporting member, for providing an appropriate torque between the monitor and the supporting member according to an angle between the monitor and the floor, thereby adjusting a tilting angle of the LCD monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kyoung Bok Kim
  • Patent number: 6532629
    Abstract: A quick install dummy doorknob or lever comprises an exterior knob sub-assembly, an interior rose liner coupled to the exterior knob assembly, a knob catch, a retainer spring, and an interior knob. The knob catch is disposed inside the interior rose liner and includes a tooth for engaging the interior knob. The interior rose liner engages a pair of screws extending from the exterior knob sub-assembly. Rotation of the interior rose liner relative to the screws places the screws into retaining apertures in the interior liner, whereupon the screws can be tightened to hold the interior rose liner in position. The interior knob is inserted into a recess formed in the interior rose liner and engages the tooth on the knob catch through a slot formed in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Steven Armstrong