Patents Issued in March 25, 2003
  • Patent number: 6536138
    Abstract: A device for guiding a flap of a closure and, more particularly, a flap of a closure of an article of footwear. More particularly, the invention is directed to an article of footwear in the form of a sports boot equipped with at least two semi-rigid upper elements, i.e., flaps, which overlap during the closing or adjustment of the footwear, thus defining an upper flap and a lower flap, the footwear also being equipped with a tightening mechanism. The tightening mechanism, according to the invention, includes a structural arrangement for ensuring the guiding of the lower flap beneath the upper flap, the guiding arrangement prohibiting the engagement of the lower flap over the upper flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: Thierry Miralles
  • Patent number: 6536139
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a mount, a housing, and a sensor. The mount is adapted to be disposed at least partially underneath a shoelace of a shoe, and the housing is adapted to be releasably attached to the mount. There is a tongue on one of the mount and the housing and a groove on the other of the mount and the housing, wherein the tongue is adapted to releasably engage the groove when the housing is attached to the mount. The apparatus further comprises a sensor, that senses motion of the shoe, disposed within the housing such that the sensor remains disposed within the housing when the housing is separated from the mount. In another embodiment, a method involves providing a housing that houses a sensor that senses motion of a shoe, and attaching a mount to an instep portion of the shoe such that at least a portion of the mount is disposed underneath at least a portion of a shoelace of the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Personal Electronic Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Darley, Paul J. Gaudet, Sam Joffe, Norbert Ohlenbusch, John Costello, Mark Bates, Thomas Blackadar
  • Patent number: 6536140
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a layer of soil and spreading the cut soil over adjacent ground comprises a disc having a rotational plane sloping backward and upward from a lower portion of the apparatus at an angle between 45 and 75 degrees above a horizontal plane. The disc surface includes an annular outer portion adjacent to the outer edge, and an inner portion. Spreading members are oriented upright on the disc surface. A blade is mounted ahead of and below the outer edge of the disc and is operative to cut a layer of soil. A pan extends from the blade rearward and over the outer portion of the disc surface. Soil flows over the pan onto the inner portion, but is prevented from flowing onto the outer portion of the disc. A kicker propels soil rearward and toward the center of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Triple S-Ditcher, Inc.
    Inventors: Adolf Vaags, James J. Lundon
  • Patent number: 6536141
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a moldboard includes a pair of arms having resilient members which are received within a mounting member. The resilient members enable the arms and the moldboard to pivot about the mounting member in the event that an obstruction is encountered by the moldboard. The mounting arrangement for the moldboard includes a series of holes whereby the orientation of the moldboard to the surface to be plowed may be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Cives Corporation
    Inventor: Edward W. Kitchell
  • Patent number: 6536142
    Abstract: An excavator of the invention comprises an excavating body having an excavating element and a clinometer detecting an inclination angle of ditch wall in a excavating ditch; a traveling distance recorder for measuring moving distance of said excavator; a calculator for calculating and accumulating the inclination signal for every moving distance of said excavator on the basis of the inclination signal outputted from said clinometer and the moving distance signal outputted from the traveling distance recorder; and a display device for displaying accumulated said inclination signal outputted from said calculator, thereby can excavate the ditch with excellent flatness of the ditch wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motohiko Mizutani, Tadao Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6536143
    Abstract: A multiple-chain trenching machine comprises a prime mover with a trenching head assembly operably connected thereto, the head comprising: a) a frame operably connected to the prime mover at a proximal end; b) one or more pairs of proximal and distal primary sprockets mounted on the frame; c) a primary endless-chain digging assembly engaged around each pair of primary sprockets; d) one or more pairs of proximal and distal secondary sprockets mounted on the frame; e) a secondary endless-chain digging assembly engaged around each pair of secondary sprockets. The primary chains are substantially wider than the secondary chains, and trenching head is adapted so that each of the secondary chains produces a relief slot in the leading edge of the trench. The primary chains are driven in a forward chain direction, while the secondary chains may be driven in a forward or a reverse chain direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph P. Lembcke
  • Patent number: 6536144
    Abstract: An ironing board pad having a plurality of fibrous elements arranged adjacently and held together by a web with a plurality of loops forming a network to hold the fibrous elements in compressive adjacent relation to one another, the web being made of a heat resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Shen Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Steidle
  • Patent number: 6536145
    Abstract: A display device is provided which is formed by first and second outer panels and a third, inner panel disposed between the outer panels. The outer panels are joined together separately from the inner panel in a first portion of the device and each of the outer panels includes a slit in this first portion and fold lines therein for enabling the joined outer panels to be pulled apart and separated along the slit to expose the inner panel for display. All of the panels are joined together at a further, base portion of the device. The fold lines in outer panels provide folding of parts of the outer panels forming the base portion of the device into a support arrangement for the device. In a first state of the device, the inner panel is shielded from view by the outer panels and the inner and outer panels form a unit of a substantially flat, planar configuration, and, in a second state of the device, the inner panel is exposed for display and is supported by the support arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventors: Ronald P. Burtch, Irving M. Koltz
  • Patent number: 6536146
    Abstract: An assembly for displaying pictures, photographs, painting, drawings and similar articles which includes a frame supporting the article so as to be concavely oriented along a central vertical axis toward a front of the frame housing and wherein a compound lens system is mounted forwardly of the article having a first picture glass surface having a plurality of non-uniform distortions provided therein which function as a plurality of miniature lenses and wherein an opposite surface of the compound lens system includes a magnification lens oriented on a line extending transversely to the central vertical axis such that images viewed through the frame are given the illusion of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Steven Ericson
  • Patent number: 6536147
    Abstract: A portable display formed of a plurality of assembleable panels having wire management permitting concealment of wire for powering accessories within the junctures between panels. In a preferred embodiment, the panel edges have edge portions formed with outwardly facing channels defining or including wire conduits. Panel connector portions, either of the sliding type, or the peg or plug-in type secure the panels together to form the display. In a preferred embodiment, each panel has four corners each with corner components that engage with the edge portions, preferably by insertion into receiving openings in said edge portions. Said corner components having a receptacle exposed at each corner to permit either connection with plug-in components, for example, panel connectors for vertical stacking of panels or with accessory brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Skyline Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: William Funk, Timothy Cota, Paul N. Sperl, Dixon Gimpel
  • Patent number: 6536148
    Abstract: A picture frame adapted to hold pictures in a stored position and with minimal effort and time convert the pictures in the stored position to a presentation position for viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Renette Heiliger
  • Patent number: 6536149
    Abstract: The structured trading card display kit provides a way of displaying trading cards in an organized manner, based on a particular index assigned to the kit. The index can be selected from a large possible group and the kit includes structure identifying the index as well as a display assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: David Phillips
  • Patent number: 6536150
    Abstract: The bolt assembly includes a bolt head having a locked position and an unlocked position. The bolt head also has a periphery and an even number of arrangement sites located on the periphery. The bolt assembly further includes a plurality of locking projections positioned at a subset of the arrangement sites on the periphery of the bolt head. It also includes a cartridge extractor disposed at one of the arrangement sites which is not part of the subset and which is located horizontally adjacent the central longitudinal axis of the barrel when the bolt head is in the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Heckler & Koch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Schweikart
  • Patent number: 6536151
    Abstract: A sidearm mounting and locking apparatus comprises a base-plate adapted for surface mounting, the plate providing spaced apart guide-plates extending from the base-plate in side-by-side juxtaposition for cradling a sidearm therebetween. The guide-plates provide aligned pin apertures and a trigger blocking-pin adapted for engaging the pin apertures and positioned for disabling a trigger of the sidearm. A barrel supporting bracket assembly engages the base plate and is positioned for receiving a barrel of the sidearm in rest thereon. The barrel supporting bracket assembly includes a barrel-pin integral thereto and positioned within the sidearm barrel. The blocking pin is positioned for preventing withdrawal of the sidearm from the barrel-pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Mark A. Ketterer
  • Patent number: 6536152
    Abstract: A storage compartment forming insert fits within the hollow compartment of a firearm grip assembly to create a storage compartment. The insert generally includes a base and a resilient member extending therefrom. The base defines an outer dimension that provides an interference fit within the hollow compartment. By maintaining the base under tension at the interference fit, the storage compartment is effectively impervious to water. To insert or remove objects within the storage compartment, one need only pull the base. The resilient members stretch and the open end of the grip becomes accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: David L. Wisz
  • Patent number: 6536153
    Abstract: An upper sling attachment adapter for M-16 rifles and M-4 carbines and others utilizing a front sight having at least one leg extending at one end from near the end of the weapon barrel to, at its other end, the front sight of the weapon and having right and left sides with respect to the weapon, the improvement comprising a sling attachment means encircling and clamping said leg and extending along at least one of the right or left sides of the said leg, said sling attachment means having upper sling mount means to which the upper end of a weapon sling is attached, said upper sling mount means being suspended by said attachment means and extending away from said leg so that the upper end of the weapon sling is held away from the sight line of the front sight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Forrest R. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 6536154
    Abstract: A quick-detachable sling swivel comprises a body and a shift/swing gate mounted on the body through an elongated plunger. The gate, through manipulation of the plunger, is adjustable between open and closed positions relative to the body to enable mounting, demounting and securing of the swivel relative to an external structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Michaels of Oregon Co.
    Inventor: Larry A. Norris
  • Patent number: 6536155
    Abstract: A fishing lure 10 which accurately simulates the form and motion of an aquatic rodent. Fishing lure 10 includes a generally elongated body portion 12, four extending members 14, 16, 18 and 20 which project from body portion 12, four spinning or turbulence-generating assemblies 22, 24, 26 and 28 which are respectively attached to members 14, 16, 18 and 20, a pair of hooks 30, 32, and a flexible tail member 34. When lure 10 is moved through the water, assemblies 22-28 simulate the swimming motions of an aquatic rodent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Joel VanRisseghem
  • Patent number: 6536156
    Abstract: A fishing lure organizer that includes two panels pivotally connected by a living hinge. Each of the panels includes a planar base and a number of compartments that define a corrugated outer surface. The corrugated surfaces matingly engage when the panels are moved to a closed position. Fishing lures can be separately stored in each of the compartments out of contact with other lures stored in the organizer. The base and compartments of each panel are formed of transparent material so that each of the lures can be readily identified. When the panels are moved to the open position, the desired lure can be easily removed for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sportsstuff, Inc.
    Inventor: Leroy L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6536157
    Abstract: A portable, minature greenhouse. The greenhouse is modular, having vertically stackable sections. The base section has a floor, wheels, and insulated upright walls having reflective interior surfaces. Subsequent sections have transparent walls. Optionally, at least one wall is slidably mounted to the greenhouse. An opaque, insulated lid covers the top section. The lid has openings enabling passage of air. The base and subsequent sections have slots formed in their walls for receiving slats placed therein in spaced apart relation. The slats form shelves of selectively variable width. The greenhouse has at least one light and reflective hood mounted in the lid, a timer disposed to control the light, a water supply conduit, forced air ventilation, an air filter which in alternative embodiments has an activated carbon element or a HEPA element, and an air ionizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Grietje Wijbenga
  • Patent number: 6536158
    Abstract: A decorative tree protector which is positioned on the ground around a tree trunk to prevent grass from growing close to the tree trunk. The tree protector includes a round hollow body having a top wall, downwardly dependent sidewall, and a radially extending lower rim for ease of mowing around. A central hole through the top wall and a radial slit from the central hole allow the tree protector to be fit around the trunk of a tree. Opposing portions of the protector body at the slit are retained together after fitting around the tree by retaining screws and nuts. The tree protector can include a built-in seat formed into the top wall and sidewall thereof, being coverable by a pivoting seat cover. The tree protector can further include a decorative device such as a flower trough, a plurality of battery-powered light bulbs extending from the sidewall, a decorative metallic band, or external decorations such as bark, mulch, stones, bricks, sand, or plants, affixed to the protector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: George Rice
  • Patent number: 6536159
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plant pot comprising a first space (1) bounded by a first upright wall (4) and a second space (2) bounded by a second upright wall (5) and a bottom (7), which first and which second space (1,2) are separated from each other by a porous plate (9). The plant pot is according to the invention characterized in that a third space (3) bounded by a third upright wall (6) and a bottom (8) surrounds the second space (2), and in that the second space (2) serves to accommodate a moisture-retaining, hydrating but air-permeable material (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Hubertus Elisabeth Van Den Ende
  • Patent number: 6536160
    Abstract: A houseplant maintenance device having a base, a water reservoir, one or more wick elements, and wick holder is disclosed. The wick element draws liquid nutrients from the reservoir and makes it available to the plant growing medium, the wick element is capable of being positioned, relative to the water level in the reservoir, to adjust the liquid nutrient delivery rate, both pre-planting and post-planting. Additionally, the wick element can be chemically bonded to provide means to deliver nutrient cations to a potted plant from solid nutrients that are otherwise not readily soluble in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Lynn Morlier
    Inventors: Lynn W. Morlier, Christopher G. Greve, Ronald M. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 6536161
    Abstract: A weather strip for hinged double doors, which is to be attached to a door fitting portion of an earlier-closed door of hinged double doors including a pair of left and right, earlier-closed and later-closed doors disposed in a rear portion or a side portion of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsushi Saito
  • Patent number: 6536162
    Abstract: A shutter panel having a plurality of louvers having a composite construction. Each of the louvers is rotationally coupled to a shutter frame by a drive pin on one end and a support pin on the other end. The drive pins are linked to a rack and pinion louver mechanism for common rotational movement. In operation, the plurality of louvers rotate in unison by a simple manual action applied to a single louver. The drive pin includes a louver engaging end and a frame engaging end. The louver engaging end is a flat plate adapted to slip fit into a complementary slot included in a first end portion of the louver and retained therein by a complementary slot included in a first end portion of the louver and retained therein by interference forces. The slip fitting of the drive pin into the slot creates less stress on the louver and thus reduces the potential of crack initiation in the composite material of the louver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Lafayette Venetian Blind, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. LaMay
  • Patent number: 6536163
    Abstract: A child safety barrier is disclosed, including a receptacle assembly rigidly mountable to a structural element on one side of a passageway, a gate comprising a latch housing, the gate being mountable to a structural element on an opposite side of the passageway and positionable to span across the passageway, a retractable plunger assembly disposed at least partially within the latch housing and extendable from the latch housing to engage the receptacle assembly and retain the gate in a closed position, and a knob exposed at a surface of the latch housing for manipulation by an operator, the knob being movable in a first sense to a first position and movable from the first position in a second sense to cause the plunger assembly to retract from the receptacle assembly to release the gate for opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: First Years Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Monahan, Antonio S. Fernandes, Brian D'Amelio, Jon R. Rossman, Thomas A. Hagerty, Bryan R. Hotaling
  • Patent number: 6536164
    Abstract: A vehicle door module has a hardware sub-module and a trim sub-module. The hardware sub-module includes a structural carrier plate containing hardware mounting surfaces. The carrier plate has an upper body panel and a bifurcated lower body portion comprising two legs extending from the upper body panel in opposite directions. The door hardware is mounted on the mounting surfaces. A window regulator assembly is mounted on the structural carrier plate. The trim sub-module is mounted to the hardware sub-module. The trim sub-module has a trim panel, a water barrier film and a wiring harness. The water barrier film is contoured to extend about and seal a periphery of the trim panel. A portion of the wire harness is sealed to the water barrier and connectors of the wiring harness extend from the trim sub-module at predetermined locations. The carrier plate is sized to be fitted in both a long low profile door and a short high profile door while the trim sub-module is customized to fit onto one of the door styles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
    Inventor: Juliusz Kirejczyk
  • Patent number: 6536165
    Abstract: The present invention is an enclosed rain gutter for draining water from the surface of a sloped roof and conducting it to a downspout. The invention rain gutter includes a channel that is covered by collecting surface. The collecting surface has openings that divert water into the channel by using the surface tension property of water that causes water to adhere to a surface. While the collecting surface openings divert water into the channel, they also exclude debris from entering the channel and in particular they exclude debris that would be large enough to obstruct a downspout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph M. Pilcher
  • Patent number: 6536166
    Abstract: A snow guard assembly adapted to be attached to a metal roof seam by a mounting assembly is provided. The mounting assembly includes a mounting block having a seam-receiving groove formed in a bottom surface thereof, and at least one coupling means extending through a first side portion of the mounting block and having a terminal end adapted to move toward a central axis of the seam-receiving groove. At least one clamping member is interposed between the central axis of the seam-receiving groove and the coupling means, having a first side opposing the terminal end of the coupling means and a second side adapted to oppose a metal roof seam. The clamping member is preferably a plastically deformable metal material having a sufficiently small thickness such that, upon engagement with the terminal end of the coupling means, a protrusion is formed on the second side of the clamping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: F. William Alley
  • Patent number: 6536167
    Abstract: A structural assembly has elongate members extending at angles to one another from connector members and forming with the connector members a lattice structure having open spaces defined by the elongate members, with the connector members at corners of the open spaces. Tension members extending between the connector members have opposite end portions extending through the connector members to anchor members on the tension members. Adjustable fasteners retain the anchor members on the end portions of the tension members and the anchor members are distributed around the connector members, with each of the anchor members in a respective one of the angles in wedging relationship with a pair of the elongate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: John Glavan
  • Patent number: 6536168
    Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for making, assembling and constructing a standardized wall and floor or ceiling panel made of a cementitious material, or similar material, for walls, ceilings, roofs and foundations. An embodiment of the invention implements both pre-cast and cast in place steel reinforced systems of interconnected panels to form a monolithic building structure. A panel unit is formed with longitudinal cavities and interconnected transverse cavities and when used in a structural system, a panel is connected to adjoining panels using an alignment plug. The interconnected panels thus provide passages or ducts for piping, wires and other conduit to run uninterrupted from panel to panel, wall to wall and wall to floor, which can be accessed through a closable access opening. A continuity alignment pipe or a shear transfer bar may be used in the structure. The panel may be customized by providing a door or window opening for applications calling for such embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: San Donato LLC
    Inventors: Mario Alfredo Cugini, Ralph Lynn Giusti
  • Patent number: 6536169
    Abstract: An adjustable support rack for supporting firestop material in a through-penetration includes a frame sized to fit within the through-penetration, at least one adjustable support member movably connected with the frame for supporting the firestop material, and an adjustable mounting mechanism connected with the frame for securing the frame within the through-penetration. A method of fire stopping the through-penetration using the adjustable support rack is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Michael G. Dykhoff
  • Patent number: 6536170
    Abstract: A foundation system for a manufactured home utilizing a plurality of elongated footings extending transversely of the home and support blocks which may be pushed along the footings into proper position for attachment to the structural beams of the manufactured home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph H. Stuever
  • Patent number: 6536171
    Abstract: An elevated batten system according to the present is designed to eliminate the need to install the vertical and horizontal battens in separate steps. By attaching pads or blocks to the underside of the horizontal battens during assembly, the function of the vertical strips is contained in the resulting batten assembly itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: MonierLifetile, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald C. Vandewater
  • Patent number: 6536172
    Abstract: An insulating construction form consisting of a pair of spaced apart panels and a plurality of ties is applied to the building of structural walls. The tie members include pairs of resilient retainer arms, which define a series of adjacent receptacles. A reinforcing bar is typically inserted into the receptacles and its displacement therefrom is inhibited by abutment surfaces. Markings are positioned on each panel to guide the attachment of a cladding. In one aspect, the construction form serves for the formation of a corner, wherein a vertical rod is positioned for the attachment of the cladding. In another aspect, the panels includ a plurality of openings made at the time of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Victor A. Amend
  • Patent number: 6536173
    Abstract: The invention is a covering for a suspended ceiling grid system. The covering is particularly suited to be retrofitable onto an installed suspended ceiling grid system. The covering is preferably a plastic cup that can be snap fit onto the main runners or cross-tees of the installed suspended ceiling grid system, and the covering includes an elongate body having an opposed flange and lip which facilitate easy assembly and disassembly from a suspended ceiling grid system. The elongate body of the covering may be planar or non-planar. The covering may also have notches defined in the flange and lip in a suitable arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Acoustic Ceiling Products, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert J. Rebman
  • Patent number: 6536174
    Abstract: A reinforced storm shutter for protecting doors and windows of buildings from high winds of severe storms and hurricanes. The shutter is comprised of heavy-gauge components, including tubular members having a plurality of aligned, slotted openings and louvers mounted in the aligned openings. The louvers are welded to the tubular members, preferably on the inside surface of the tube, with the weld completely sealing each slotted opening. The tubular members are then welded around the entire periphery of the tube ends to the remaining frame members of the shutter to hermetically seal the tubular members and protect the welds securing the louvers from continuous weathering conditions. The tubular members are formed of mating channel members that are sealingly secured together after the louvers have been welded in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventors: Michael T Foster, Penny E Vance, Robert S Huntington
  • Patent number: 6536175
    Abstract: An assembly of panels and jointing elements, in particular for the technical field of building, wherein each panel (11, 12), taken in section, comprises an alveolar structure, determined by a plurality of ribs (14) and arranged between two main outside surfaces (10, 28, 29), extensions (15, 16) obtained at opposed ends of each panel (11, 12), and a jointing element (13, 113) adapted to receive an extension (15, 16) of each of two adjacent panels (11, 12) firmly engaging them, wherein both each extension (15, 16) and the jointing element (13, 113) are provided with reciprocally engaged inclined surfaces (20, 21, 24, 25) facing inwards and facing each other, and wherein the jointing element (13) is U-shaped and is provided with a pressing element (19) that centrally extends inside it and arranges in wedged engagement between outside facing walls (17, 18) of the two extensions (15, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Politec Polimeri Tecnici S.A.
    Inventor: Cosimo Conterno
  • Patent number: 6536176
    Abstract: A sheathing adapted to be fastened to at least one wall supporting structure comprises at least two layers. The first layer comprises a polymeric foam layer. The second layer comprises a polymeric scrim and is located adjacent to the first layer. The second layer reinforces its periphery so as to inhibit the failure of the scrim. The reinforced periphery may include a selvage tuck or a folded-edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas S. Nordgren, John W. Lubker, II
  • Patent number: 6536177
    Abstract: A novel composition of a materials that can be extruded into sheets to form panels to create a roofing system wherein the panels are formed to interlock with like panels in order to provide a substantially weatherproof covering on a roof. The sheet member has a top layer made of ASA (Acrylonitrile/Styrene/Acrylate polymer) and a bottom layer made of PVC (Polyvinylchloride). The two layers are extruded and bonded or preferably coextruded. Then the bonded materials are thermoformed to resemble more popular types of roof coverings such as shake or shingles or tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventors: Frank Lane Italiane, Joseph Sciarra, III
  • Patent number: 6536178
    Abstract: Vertically joined flooring material comprising floor elements (1) with a mainly triangular, square, rectangular, rhomboidal or polygonal shape, as seen from above. The floor elements (1) are provided with edges (2) which are provided with joining members (20), a lower side (5) and a decorative top surface (3). The flooring material comprises a combination of at least two types of floor elements (1), which types comprises female floor elements (1′) and male floor elements (1″). The female floor element (1′) is provided with a female joining member (21) on at least half of the number of its edges (2) and a male joining member (22) on less than half of the number of its edges (2). The male floor element (1″) is provided with a male joining member (22) on at least two thirds of the number of its edges (2) and a female joining member (21) on less than one third of the number of its edges (2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventors: Jörgen Pålsson, Ingvar Sylegård
  • Patent number: 6536179
    Abstract: A blocking anchor (20) allows connection of each end of an engineered or dimensional lumber bridge between first and second parallel joists. Each blocking anchor includes a saddle (22), which cradles the end of the bridge, and a pair of fastening flanges, which allow attachment to the side of the joist. The saddle is formed by a base (30), from which first and second legs (40), (50) extend. The saddle is sized to fit over the end of dimensional lumber or engineered beams. The first and second fastening flanges (60), (70) extend from opposed sides of the base, perpendicular to the legs. Fastener holes defined in each leg and in the fastening flanges allow the use of screws, possibly nails, or other fasteners to attach the legs to the bridge and the fastening flanges to the joist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: John M. Little
  • Patent number: 6536180
    Abstract: A twisted wire tie for concrete forming has an elongate loop with a single strand of wire on one side and a twisted double strand on the opposite side. Two stops on the tie are formed at opposite ends of the twisted double strand and engage the twisted strand and the single strand so as to prevent unwinding of the twisted strand when the tie is placed in tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: MSR Manufacturing Ltd..
    Inventors: Michael Rosenblat, Andrew Lamothe
  • Patent number: 6536181
    Abstract: The method for building an underground structure capable of utilizing a part of a permanent structure as a strut for earth construction, comprises the steps of: driving in an H-section steel pile on a boundary line at which a building is installed; driving a center pile on a position where the pillar of the building is installed; carrying out a primary excavating work; coupling the H-section steel pile with a concrete retaining wall by means of a fixing shear connecting means, thereby constructing an underground composite retaining wall; installing a girder to be used as a part of a permanent structure on the composite retaining wall by means of an embedded plate an assembling and disposing the girder to the center pile; and carrying out a secondary excavating work and repeating the steps after the primary excavating work until the earth is excavated up to the lowermost part of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Won Kee Hong
  • Patent number: 6536182
    Abstract: A multipane window unit is provided in which a sash frame is formed having an integral spacing structure upon which glazing panes are directly affixed. The spacing structure is formed integrally with the sash frame at internal glazing surfaces. Adhesive can be affixed to the internal glazing surfaces to attach the glazing panes. In this manner, a rigid, structural sash frame can be formed prior to attachment of the glazing panes, thereby eliminating the need for using separately manufactured insulating glass units while obtaining similar and improved benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sashlite, LLC.
    Inventor: John S. France
  • Patent number: 6536183
    Abstract: System for delivering air-filled packing cushions to a point of use in which a continuous string of the cushions is fed into an elongated duct with the string extending longitudinally of the duct, and an air flow is established in the duct to convey the string of cushions through the duct. In one disclosed embodiment, the air flow is created by a blower mounted externally of the duct, with a baffle plate inside the duct directing the air flow in a longitudinal direction. In a self-contained system in which the cushions are made at the point of use, the duct extends vertically, and the cushions are fed directly into the lower end of the duct by a machine which makes them. The string of cushions is discharged from the upper end of the duct into a bin from which they can be withdrawn as needed for use in cartons supported by a stand positioned beneath the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Free-Flow Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt E. Brown
  • Patent number: 6536184
    Abstract: In an envelope-filling apparatus for mail-processing machines, the adjustment of the push-in depth of enclosures into open envelopes in the operating stroke of a pivot-lever arrangement, which bears a push-in-finger arrangement, is simplified in that said pivot-lever arrangement is designed as a three-lever rectilinear-guidance mechanism, of which the third lever, which serves as the carrier hand for the push-in-finger arrangement, has, at its free end, a slide guide which can be secured and is intended for adjusting the distance between a push-in-finger shaft for the push-in-finger arrangement and the point of articulation of the longer lever of the three-lever rectilinear-guidance means on the carrier hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Sting, Christian Botschek
  • Patent number: 6536185
    Abstract: A method for providing a decorative covering for a floral grouping. The method includes the, step of providing a decorative covering assembly comprising a header assembly and at least one sheet of material detachably connected to the header assembly. The header assembly is secured to a holder assembly such that the decorative covering assembly is supported by the holder assembly and at least one sheet of material can be detached from the header assembly. At least one sheet of material is detached from the header assembly and is disposed about at least a portion of the floral grouping to provide a decorative covering for the floral grouping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Sonny K. Burnside
  • Patent number: 6536186
    Abstract: A method of wrapping a potted plant in a decorative cover wherein the cover is a flattened sleeve. Upon opening of the sleeve, the sleeve has a bottom which may be closed, and the sleeve is sized to fit a pot. The potted plant is disposed within the inner retaining space of the open sleeve, and the pot is positioned on the bottom of the sleeve such that the sleeve covers at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the pot to provide the decorative cover for the potted plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: SouthPac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6536187
    Abstract: A form, fill and seal packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing a carton, molds a closure directly onto the carton. The machine includes a carton erection station adapted to receive a carton in a generally flat form and to erect the flat form carton into a tubular form defining an internal carton region. A direct injection molding station has an internal mold tool and an external mold tool. The internal mold tool is configured for receipt within the internal carton region and the internal mold tool and the external mold tool are configured to receive and clamp the carton therebetween. The direct injection molding station further includes a polymer injection system for injecting polymer from a location external of the carton to the internal mold tool. The closure is directly molded in place on the carton. A mold tool set, a method for carrying out the molding and a closure molded thereby are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SA
    Inventors: John Lees, Terry Erickson, Terry Berglin, Mike Robertson, Nicholas Cook, Russell Stacy-Ryan, Jens Mogard