Patents Issued in March 20, 2003
  • Publication number: 20030051935
    Abstract: Changeover clutch discs for a direct coupling clutch and a change-speed clutch, respectively, are disposed in two stages in a radial direction across a movable element which can move in axial directions of an input shaft. A carrier and the movable element are brought into meshing engagement with each other such that the movable element does not rotate relative to the carrier. The changeover clutch discs mesh with clutch discs which are disposed on the input shaft and a casing, respectively. A coned disc spring and an electromagnetic actuator are disposed such that operating directions of the spring and the actuator are opposed to each other. The coned disc spring keeps the direct coupling clutch in a normally engaged condition with its biasing force, and the electromagnetic actuator brings a change-speed clutch into engagement after it has released the engagement of the direct coupling clutch by virtue of its thrust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Mori, Yasuji Shibahata, Takehiko Furuya
  • Publication number: 20030051936
    Abstract: Values of vehicle speed signals sequentially output by a vehicle speed detection section are stored in a memory. Wheel slip detection section detects a slip of a vehicle wheel on the basis of the values of the vehicle speed signals stored in the memory and thereby outputs a wheel slip detection signal. Hood activation control section for controlling operation of a hood-lifting actuator activates the actuator even when the value of a current vehicle speed signal is smaller than a predetermined apparatus-activating vehicle speed value, on condition that the wheel slip signal has been received from the wheel slip detection section and that a collision detection signal has been received from a collision detection section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ishizaki, Teruaki Aizawa
  • Publication number: 20030051937
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle comprises a frame carried by a group of wheels. At least one of the wheels is steerably connected to the frame. A steering handle assembly is rotatably connected to the frame. A servo valve has an input shaft connected to the steering handle assembly and an output shaft connected to a pitman arm. A linkage extends from the pitman arm to the steerable wheel or wheels. A pump draws fluid from a reservoir and passes the fluid through the servo valve before the fluid is returned to the reservoir. The servo valve redirects at least a portion of the flow to a cylinder to drive a ram within the cylinder in response to steering movement of the steering handle assembly. The ram, in turn, provides a power assist to the steerable wheel or wheels. A variable speed, constant displacement pump can be used to vary the flow rate in a manner that reduces the flow rate as the vehicle speed increases. Alternatively, a bypass can be used to vary a flow rate through the servo valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: David T. Takamoto, Jack R. Auld, John C. Dunne, Harry Adam Dupre, Eric N. Anderfaas, Dean W. Banks, Gregory E. Mott
  • Publication number: 20030051938
    Abstract: A steering actuator for adjusting an angle of a steerable wheel of a motor vehicle includes an electronic controller, a rack translatable in opposing directions, and a sleeve assembly translatable along a length of the rack and disposed in mechanical communication with the steerable wheel of the vehicle. The rack is drivable in response to an operator input and further drivable in response to an input signal from the electronic controller. A method of using the actuator includes receiving an input from the operator of the vehicle, receiving an input signal indicative of the behavior of the vehicle from a sensing device, calculating an output signal from the operator input and the motor vehicle behavior input signal, and adjusting an angle of the steerable wheel based on the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Ratko Menjak, James Myrl Card, Damir Menjak
  • Publication number: 20030051939
    Abstract: The earpiece is characterized by having a harder portion which connects it to a stethoscope tube and supports its share of the weight of the stethoscope and a soft, compliant portion which extends farther into the ear passage than the hard portion and serves as the acoustic seal for the earpiece. In one embodiment the earpiece is a single piece made of foam plastic with the hardened portion including the surface of the lumen hardened using techniques well known in the art. In a second embodiment the harder portion is one piece and the softer, acoustic sealing portion a separate part which may be adhesively attached to the harder portion or be held in place by friction and therefore separately replaceable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Marc S. Werblud
  • Publication number: 20030051940
    Abstract: A mid-frequency loudspeaker drive unit includes a substantially conical diaphragm having a forward periphery and a surround connected to and extending from the forward periphery of the diaphragm to form a substantially smooth transition from the diaphragm to the surround, the diaphragm and the surround presenting a substantially smoothly continuous outwardly facing surface. The drive unit can be part of a compound loudspeaker drive unit including a high-frequency drive unit coaxially disposed within the diaphragm and a chassis encompassing the mid-frequency drive unit with the surround being secured to the chassis to form the smooth transition from the diaphragm to the surround.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Philip Jeffrey Anthony, Stephen Halsall
  • Publication number: 20030051941
    Abstract: The combination ladder of this invention includes a pair of conventional ladder sections, being a first ladder section and a second ladder section. The two ladder sections being essentially the same. The ladder sections are connected together at one end with two upper connection assemblies and at the other end with two lower connection assemblies. Each connection assembly has a connector which are located in one of either a first position for providing a ladder configuration which allows the combination ladder to be used as an extension ladder or a second position for providing a ladder configuration which allows the combination ladder to be used as a stepladder. A pair of brace assemblies are stored along the first ladder section for the extension ladder and deployed for the stepladder. By simply moving the two upper connectors and the two lower connectors from the first position to the second position converts the configuration to conform with the intended use of the ladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Raymond Reed
  • Publication number: 20030051942
    Abstract: The mobile, elevating hut has a trailer, a platform, legs connecting the platform to the trailer, and a lifter which can move the platform between a lowered and a raised position where the legs support the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Charlie C. Atkins
  • Publication number: 20030051943
    Abstract: An improved ladder-supported scaffolding technique and system using a pair of horizontally spaced vertical ladders for supporting staging planks therebetween and held vertically and rigidly by top brackets parallely in front of, along, and spaced from a building structure, and having adjustable brackets attachable to intermediate ladder rungs with staging plank-supporting legs perpendicularly extending toward or away from the building structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Larry Matty
  • Publication number: 20030051944
    Abstract: A descent control device for use with a rope for controlling a user's rate of descent down the rope. The device has a frame with a grip, three openings and an internal cavity connecting the openings, wherein two openings form a channel extending along a generally horizontal axis. The grip extends away from the frame along a generally vertical axis. A handle is rotatably mounted to the frame within the internal cavity and extends away from the frame in a direction generally parallel to the grip. One end of the handle is preferably Y-shaped and forms an upper boundary to the channel such that the end of the handle is adapted for modifying the width of the channel upon rotation of the handle. A cover is pivotally mounted to the frame for maintaining the rope in the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Richard D. Shea
  • Publication number: 20030051945
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for purchasing a consumer product. Particularly, a consumer purchases a consumer product in a package that may be refilled a predetermined number of times. The method generates less environmental waste, and allows the consumer to purchase consumer products at reduced costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Deborah Marie Coccaro, John Michael Paulovich, Edward John Giblin
  • Publication number: 20030051946
    Abstract: A vehicle lift has a base crossbar, a top crossbar, an oil cylinder, a motor, and a pair of support frames. The top crossbar has a slot to receive an upper end of one of the support frames. A motor is connected to the top crossbar. The oil cylinder is disposed between the base crossbar and the top crossbar. Each of the support frames is disposed between the base crossbar and the top crossbar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Ying-Ming Chen, Kai-Chin Fan
  • Publication number: 20030051947
    Abstract: A system for transporting persons/goods in elevator installations and/or on escalators includes a control device and a computer program product for commanding the system. At least one person/goods is recognized by at least one recognition device via at least one identification code which recognized code is passed to the control device. For each recognized identification code at least one user profile has been stored and is used as a transportation profile to command operation of the system. At least two of the user profiles are linked to form a shared transportation profile to command operation of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Paul Friedli
  • Publication number: 20030051948
    Abstract: A traction arrangement for propelling an elevator cab within an elevator system includes a traction device. The traction device applies a load normal to a driving sheave that biases the elevator rope or belt against the sheave. The tension device preferably includes a plurality of rolling members that move about their axes responsive to relative movement between the driving sheave and the rope or belt. A traction belt rides upon the rolling members and the traction belt engages the rope or belt to bias it against the driving sheave with a preferably distributed force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Slawomir Drabot, Michael Flynn, Simon Shang
  • Publication number: 20030051949
    Abstract: A lateral moving device includes a frame slidably engaged on a rail and movable along the rail, a bar slidably engaged on the frame and movable along the frame, and/or a beam slidably engaged on the bar and movable along the bar. A number of gears and racks and gears or pinions may be disposed in the rail and the frame and the bar and the beam and coupled with each other for allowing the beam to be moved relative to the bar and the bar to be moved relative to the frame when the frame is moved relative to the rail, and for further moving goods or objects sidewise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Chin Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20030051950
    Abstract: A no-back braking assembly for a rotary actuator includes a rotatable input shaft, a rotatable output shaft, wherein said output shaft is co-axial with said input shaft, and a braking arrangement operably coupled with said output shaft. The braking arrangement comprises first and second braking members and biasing means, and a torque transfer device mounted between said shafts for transferring torque applied to said input shaft to said output shaft. The first and second braking members are relatively moveable between a first position in which they are in mutual engagement and in which rotation of said output shaft is braked, and a second position in which they are mutually spaced and in which said output shaft is capable of relatively free rotation, the biasing arrangement being arranged to urge the braking members into their first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: John Herbert Harvey
  • Publication number: 20030051951
    Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly has a rotor that mounts to a shaft of the vehicle for rotation with it. The rotor has an annular braking surface. A hydraulic piston is non-rotatably mounted to the vehicle. The piston is movable axially relative to the rotor and has a braking surface for frictional engagement with the braking surface of the rotor when hydraulic fluid pressure is supplied to the piston. A coil body having an electromagnetic coil is axially movable relative to the rotor. A coil plate is mounted adjacent the coil body and is attracted to the coil body when electrical power is supplied to the coil. A coil spring is mounted between the coil plate and the coil body. The coil spring moves the coil plate away from the coil body causing braking action when the electrical power is removed from the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: James W. Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20030051952
    Abstract: Brake assembly for cyclists' training device, provided with a support structure (7) on which there is rotatably mounted a shaft (10) having, keyed thereto, a roller (6) rotating in contact with the rear wheel of a bicycle which will thus be braked by the brake assembly (2) itself so as to simulate the resistance to forward movement experienced by a normal cyclist. An end portion (12) of the shaft (10) is provided for this purpose with magnetic means (13) able to exert a resistive torque. Said magnetic means are provided with a rotor (17) keyed onto the shaft (10) and carrying, fixed thereon, one or more permanent magnets (18) and a stator (19) mounted on the support structure (7) in the vicinity of the rotor (17). The stator (19) is composed of a disk of ferromagnetic material (20) and a shaped plate (21) of substantially conductive and non-magnetic material fixed to the ferromagnetic disk (20) on the side where the rotor (17) is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Gaetano Mercante
  • Publication number: 20030051953
    Abstract: A circular cylindrical container having sealed ends provides a device for dissipating mechanical forces. The container is filled with particulate material and has circular wheel-like structures having rims and spokes located in the interior of the container in which the rim circumferences of the wheel-like structures increase as they are located further and further away from the centroid of the container along the elongated axis of the container toward one of the sealed ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Robert J. Monson
  • Publication number: 20030051954
    Abstract: A shock absorber assembly includes a damping mechanism that adjusts to compensate for operation at elevated temperatures. A member made of two dissimilar materials permanently bonded together with one material having a higher expansion coefficient than the other material provides a biased response toward the material with the lower expansion coefficient. This biased response compensates for incremental pressure changes in the shock absorber due to operation at elevated temperatures to provide constant damping regardless of temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Darryl Sendrea
  • Publication number: 20030051955
    Abstract: A piston-cylinder assembly includes a cylinder, in which a piston rod with a piston is guided axially by a piston rod guide. A distance detection system is used to determine the position of the piston in the cylinder. The distance detection system includes a sensor and a transmitter. The sensor is mounted on the piston or on the bottom of the cylinder. Upon axial displacement of the piston, the transmitter travels a distance different from that traveled by the piston, the difference between the two distances being used to determine the position of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Hubert Beck
  • Publication number: 20030051956
    Abstract: The invention comprises a frictional damping strut. The strut comprises an inner cylinder that slides within an outer casing. A spring biases the inner cylinder away from the outer casing in an axial direction. A first wedge member cooperatively engages a second wedge member. The first wedge member having a frictional engagement with the inner cylinder such that when the inner cylinder is pressed into the outer casing the first wedge member bears upon the second wedge member causing the first wedge member to radially expand, thereby increasing a frictional force between the first wedge member and the inner cylinder. A second spring preloads the first wedge member against the second wedge member. A belt tensioner may incorporate the damping strut to preload a belt and damp belt oscillations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Alexander Serkh, Andrzej Dec
  • Publication number: 20030051957
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a shock rod having a longitudinal axis. A shock body is disposed around a portion of the shock rod, the shock body defining a fluid chamber therein and being slidable along the shock rod longitudinal axis. A piston is disposed on the shock rod in sealing engagement with the shock body, the piston having at least one channel therethrough in communication with the fluid chamber. The piston is moveable longitudinally in relation to the shock rod within a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Rene Lemieux
  • Publication number: 20030051958
    Abstract: Device for adaptive vibration attenuation using passive isolators and pneumatic or mechanical actuators are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Sven K. Esche, Jan Nazalewicz
  • Publication number: 20030051959
    Abstract: A two-way clutch biasing assembly including a two-way clutch having an inner race attached to an input shaft and an outer race attached to an output shaft. The inner and outer races having inner cammed portions between them, with an engagement assembly interposed therein that is adapted to rotate bi-directionally thereby providing selective mechanical engagement between the races in either direction. A planetary gear assembly is provided having a ring gear, planetary gears on a carrier, and a sun gear that is adapted to rotate the engagement assembly within the two-way clutch. A drag clutch assembly is also slidingly connected to the carrier to hold the carrier stationary when the input shaft is stationary, such that sun gear is rotated by the plurality of planetary gears, thereby rotating the engagement assembly within the two-way clutch and providing a mechanical advantage in engaging the races together when the input shaft begins to move.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Christopher E. Blair
  • Publication number: 20030051960
    Abstract: A torque-limiting accessory drive assembly comprising a pulley to transfer torque to an accessory drive system, a torque limiting device adapted to limit the maximum amount of transferred torque, and a one-way clutch assembly adapted to both selectively transfer torque and selectively interrupt torque transfer at predetermined times to the vehicle accessory drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Jin Li, Christopher Blair, William Vukovich
  • Publication number: 20030051961
    Abstract: A rotation transmission device is provided which is used to selectively transmit a power. The aim is to stabilize the frictional torque when the rotor of an electromagnet absorbs an armature. A retainer is mounted between the inner member and the outer member and formed with a plurality of pockets and engaging elements are mounted in the pockets. An armature is mounted so as to be nonrotatable but axially movable relative to the retainer and a rotor is mounted to the inner member or the outer member so as to axially oppose to the armature. An electromagnet attracts the armature to the rotor, thereby changing the phase of the retainer to bring the engaging elements into engagement with the outer periphery of the inner member and the inner periphery of the outer member, and transmitting a turning torque between the inner member and the outer member. When the armature is attracted to the rotor, the large-diameter portion of the armature is attracted to the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Makoto Yasui, Koji Sato
  • Publication number: 20030051962
    Abstract: Force distribution components of device in one example, upon operative location of the force distribution components relative to one or more force coupler components, are movable among first positions relative to the one or more force coupler components. The force distribution components comprise a force distribution component that comprises one or more substantially flat first face portions. Spreader components of the device are movable among second positions relative to the force distribution components. The spreader components comprise a spreader component that comprises one or more substantially flat second face portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen A. Gummow
  • Publication number: 20030051963
    Abstract: A one-way clutch assembly includes a one-way clutch having an outer ring, an inner ring, sprags and a sprag cage and also a rolling bearing. The one-way clutch assembly also includes a sealing material such as silicone bond, a sealing member such as an O-ring, or an oil retainer for establishing sealing at a boundary between a retainer arranged on an end wall of the one-way clutch and an inner circumferential wall of the outer ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ohishi
  • Publication number: 20030051964
    Abstract: The invention relates to a torque transmission device comprising a first and at least one second coupling device, of which each can be switched into different switching positions The torque transmission device also comprises a drive device, an actuating device and a drive release device or a spring device or a change-over device or a release lever device or a valve device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Gunter Hirt, Reinhard Berger, Rolf Meinhard
  • Publication number: 20030051965
    Abstract: The invention relates to torque transmission device comprising at least one first clutch device which is provided with at least one clutch operator and at least one actuating device. The inventive device also comprises a drive device which generates a drive signal that is transmitted to the actuating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Gunter Hirt
  • Publication number: 20030051966
    Abstract: A clutch assembly is provided. The assembly has a rotatable member having a pathway disposed thereon which has at least one rise adjacent at least one vale. A retainer is provided which receives at least a portion of the at least one bearing. The bearing moves along the pathway and the retainer maintains receipt of at least a portion of the at least one bearing. The bias member is located adjacent at least a portion of the at least on bearing such that bias from the bias member is directed against the at least one bearing to maintain the at least one bearing substantially on the pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: James N. Sproatt, Mark M. Eichhorn, Clark W. Clark, Todd A. Stahly
  • Publication number: 20030051967
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a wet friction plate assembly which is capable of discharging the lubricant existing between the friction plate and the separation plate to restrict the accompanying rotation of the separation plate of a wet multiple-plate clutch etc. while it is disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Kitaori, Shigeru Tajima, Yuji Koga
  • Publication number: 20030051968
    Abstract: An axial setting device in a housing, especially for actuating a multi-plate coupling whose friction plates are alternately connected in a rotationally fast and axially displaceable way to the one and the other respectively of two parts rotatable relative to one another, which rest against an axially fixed supporting disc and which can be loaded by an axially displaceable pressure disc, comprising a setting disc which is rotatably supported in the housing, which is mounted so as to be axially fixed in the housing and which is rotatingly drivable, a pressure disc which is held in the housing, which is held in a rotationally fast way by anti-rotation means arranged in the housing and which is axially displaceable in the housing, ball groove configurations in the surfaces of the setting disc and of the pressure disc, which surfaces face one another, which ball groove configurations extend in the circumferential direction, have oppositely directed gradients across the circumference and are associated with one ano
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Nikolaus Mayr
  • Publication number: 20030051969
    Abstract: A PTO clutch of an agricultural vehicle connects an input driveline to an output driveline for coupling to an attached implement. A method and system for controlling the PTO clutch includes sensors for sensing rotational speeds on both sides of the clutch. Clutch slip is determined from the sensed speeds. A controller receives an actual slip signal and a desired slip signal and controls pressure in the clutch to maintain a constant desired clutch slip in order to avoid overload conditions. The torque transmitted by the clutch is determined as a function of the slip in the clutch and the clutch pressure, and a signal representing this torque is displayed to an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Marco Reinards, Nicolai Tarasinski, Helmut Schafer
  • Publication number: 20030051970
    Abstract: An electrical discharge produces an acoustic impulse, and a reflection of the impulse from the upper coin in a coin stack is sensed so that the level of the coin stack can be determined from the time taken for the reflection to be received. Alternatively, or additionally, the acoustic impulse can be used to detect coin jams, the presence and/or width of a coin store, the state of a coin routing gate or the quantity of a vendible product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: David Michael Furneaux, Bernard Joseph Campbell
  • Publication number: 20030051971
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cashless gaming wherein a player can access credits via a pin activated keypad located on the gaming machine. Real-time accounting allows the player to redeem credits and secure perquisites as a function of patronage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Steven A. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20030051972
    Abstract: An automated processing system has an indexer bay perpendicularly aligned with a process bay within a clean air enclosure. An indexer in the indexer bay provides stocking or storage for work in progress wafers. Immersion and spin process modules are located in the process bay. A process robot moves between the indexer bay and process bay to carry wafers to and from the process modules. The wafers are processed within a carrier, reducing the potential for physical damage to the wafers. The process robot hands the carrier off to a rotor, in the spin process modules, or to an immersion elevator in the immersion module. Both spin and immersion processing are performed within an automated system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffry Davis
  • Publication number: 20030051973
    Abstract: A workpiece handling and processing system has a interface section for loading wafers from cassettes into carriers. The wafers are lifted out of cassettes by a buffer elevator and moved into a position over an open carrier by a buffer robot. A comb elevator lifts combs entirely through the open cassette, to transfer the wafers from the buffer robot into the carrier. A process robot moves loaded carriers from the interface section to one or more process chambers in a process section. The advantages of processing wafers within a carrier are achieved within a compact space and with high throughput.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffry Davis
  • Publication number: 20030051974
    Abstract: An automated processing system for processing flat workpieces, such as semiconductor wafers, operates by loading the workpieces into a first carrier. A process robot is adapted to engage external features of the first carrier, for lifting and moving the first carrier within the system. The process robot delivers the first carrier holding the wafers of a first size to a process chamber. The first carrier is secured in the process chamber by one or more of the external features of the first carrier. The first carrier has interior features, such as combs and slots, for holding wafers of a different first size. A second carrier has external features which are the same as the external features of the first carrier. The second carrier has inside features which are dimensioned to hold wafers of a second size, different from the first size. The automated processing system can accordingly handle or operate with both the first and second carriers, and thereby process workpieces having different sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffry Davis
  • Publication number: 20030051975
    Abstract: An article retention apparatus includes a roller conveyor unit with a plurality of rollers arranged in a horizontal plane and a plurality of ladder-shaped rack units on which articles rest. The roller conveyor unit and rack units are configured such that the rack units may be moved above and below the plane of the conveyor unit rollers without interference between the conveyor unit rollers and the rack units. By lifting the rack units one by one from below the roller plane to emerge above the roller plane, the article is transferred from the roller conveyor unit to the rack unit. The articles are taken aside of a transport system and temporarily retained by the apparatus. A belt conveyor unit can be used instead of the roller conveyor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Murata Kikai Kabusiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Iwao Ikegami
  • Publication number: 20030051976
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the handling of containers, in particular bottles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Fabrizio Preti
  • Publication number: 20030051977
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus for transporting open containers is provided with at least two conveying elements located opposite to each other that are adapted frictionally or positively engage the containers. Each conveying element comprises a plurality of gripping elements by means of guiding rails. The gripping elements each comprise at least two lip members located distantly to each other as seen in conveying direction and elastically resilient at least in a direction crosswise to the conveying direction, in order to grasp the containers laterally. The gripping elements are adapted to grasp and guide the containers, such that additional guiding elements can be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Walter C. Egger
  • Publication number: 20030051978
    Abstract: A transfer device is provided for transferring articles from a first conveying device to a second conveying device. The device has a central body and a plurality of transfer element sets attached to the central body. Each transfer element set comprises a plurality of pivoting transfer elements, and each transfer element has a receptacle for receiving an article. The plurality of transfer element sets are arranged around a perimeter of the central body. A first pivoting transfer element and a second pivoting transfer element within one of the transfer element sets are axially offset relative to each other along a common axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Wolfgang Steiniger, Erwin Oesterling
  • Publication number: 20030051979
    Abstract: The method for facilitating the maintenance of a conveyor structure having a long and heavy duty moving conveyor belt mounted on rollers which are mounted on a base, wherein the belt is driven by a drive motor, said method having the steps of establishing one or more stationary zero set points on the structure, providing one or more cycle points on the belt, each cycle point marking the terminus of a designated travel distance of the belt, providing a counter on the structure for measuring the distance traveled by any of the cycle points on the belt beyond one or more designated set points, providing one or more work stations along and in proximity to the belt, and providing a reset device for resetting the counter to a desired starting value when a designated cycle point arrives at a designated set point, spotting one or more event sites on the belt, transmitting a signal to a computer that an event site has been spotted, the computer being provided with data sufficient to determine the distance which the sp
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Tonny D. Travis
  • Publication number: 20030051980
    Abstract: A work piece transfer assembly (10) for moving a work piece (12) through and between presses comprises a transfer mechanism (14) moveable in a longitudinal (60), a lateral (62), and a vertical direction (64) and having a first end (16) and a second end (18) for supporting at least one main transfer bar (20). The main transfer bar (20) has a predetermined length (22) with a support mechanism (24) attached thereto for supporting a sub-transfer bar (26). The sub-transfer bar (26) includes a plurality of fingers (28) extending from the sub-transfer bar (26) for engaging and moving the work piece (12) between the presses. The support mechanism (24) includes a cradle (30) fixedly attached to the transfer bars (20). The cradle (30) also includes an alignment sub-assembly (38) for securing the sub-transfer bar (26) into the cradle (30) and precisely aligns said sub-transfer bar upon each re-attachment of the sub-transfer bar (26) to the cradle (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Hugh Sofy
  • Publication number: 20030051981
    Abstract: The conveyor system for transporting goods has a conveyor belt to which transversely oriented supporting beams are attached. The system has two support tracks that are arranged at a vertical distance from one another and are each formed by two supporting cables along which rollers that are arranged at the lateral ends of the supporting beams can be moved. The supporting cables are connected to one another by a plurality of retaining frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Herbert Trieb
  • Publication number: 20030051982
    Abstract: A handheld computer includes a bar retained in an interior. A first button structure is accessible on an exterior surface of the handheld computer. A member joins to and extends between the bar and the first button structure. The member enables the first button structure to move into an actuated position without undergoing a radial motion about the bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Todd Lewis
  • Publication number: 20030051983
    Abstract: An expandable keyboard device includes an elastic belt and at least one keyswitch arranged on a side of the elastic belt. The keyswitch includes a first electrically conductive member and a second electrically conductive member, the first electrically conductive member and the second electrically conductive member configured to be contacted to activate the keyswitch. At least one of the first electrically conductive member and the second electrically conductive member is configured to be expanded in at least one dimension. Another expandable keyboard device includes an elastic belt, at least one keyswitch arranged on a side of the elastic belt and an arrangement configured to vector a force applied to a surface of the elastic belt toward the keyswitch. A keyswitch includes a first electrically conductive member and a second electrically conductive member. The first electrically conductive member and the second electrically conductive member are configured to be selectively contacted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Publication number: 20030051984
    Abstract: An acceleration detecting device is provided with a mass body 1 having a through hole 1a and a sliding shaft 2 passing through the through hole 1a and sliding the mass body 1 and is constituted such that the sliding shaft 2 comes in contact with the through hole 1a at two points 3a and 3b to support the mass body 1. When the through hole 1a is circular in cross section, the cross section of the sliding shaft 2 is formed in the shape of an ellipse elongated in the lateral direction or in the shape of an oblong circle elongated in the lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Yamashita