Patents Issued in March 25, 2003
  • Patent number: 6536338
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for perforating a heat sensitive stencil sheet having a heat shrinkable film, the film is selectively heated with a heating device to form independent dot perforations corresponding to an image, and the heating device is controlled to ensure that the perforations satisfy the following formula (1): p≧d+({square root over (2)})f  (1) where p denotes a scanning pitch in a main scanning direction or a sub scanning direction; d denotes an inner diameter of a perforation in the same direction as p; and f denotes a width of a rim of said perforation at a portion that is not merged with any rims of its adjacent perforations. Irregularity of perforation configuration is decreased, size of perforations is kept adequate, and the heating device does not have to be heated to a high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Nakamura, Shoichi Ikejima
  • Patent number: 6536339
    Abstract: In a stencil printer system, a stencil is made by the use of master material unrolled from a stencil material roll and is wound around a printing drum by clamping the leading end of the stencil on the printing drum and rotating the printing drum while the stencil is once slackened on the way to the printing drum. There is provided along the stencil conveyance path between the stencil material roll and the printing drum a tension blade which is pressed against the stencil to apply back tension to the stencil when the stencil is run by the printing drum and the tension blade is formed so that the stencil undergoes force which tends to displace outward the stencil from the central portion in the direction of width of the stencil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Negishi
  • Patent number: 6536340
    Abstract: A sheet-fed rotary printing press with a convertible mechanism includes a convertible cylinder, a plurality of gripper units, a plurality of holding members, a convey mechanism, and a pair of paper guide members. The convertible cylinder conveys a sheet. The gripper units are arranged on an outer surface of the convertible cylinder and lined up in an axial direction of the convertible cylinder, and grip the sheet. The holding members are arranged on the outer surface of the convertible cylinder to be adjacent to the gripper units, and lined up in the axial direction of the convertible cylinder to be phase-shifted from the gripper units. In single-sided printing, the convey mechanism conveys the sheet fed from an upstream convey cylinder by gripping its leading edge upon opening/closing operation of the gripper units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6536341
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling ink supply by varying the opening degree of an ink fountain key according to a measured density of a printed matter includes a control means for determining a reference correction value of the opening degree of the ink fountain key according to a density difference between a target density of the printed matter or a reference density and a measured density, and determining a correction value by multiplying the reference correction value by a coefficient having a value of more than 1. The control means controls the ink fountain key according to the correction value of the opening degree of the ink fountain key until the number of sheets printed from the start of the printing exceeds a predetermined number, and controls the ink fountain key according to the reference correction value after the number of sheets printed exceeds the predetermined number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Ryobi Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Shiki, Hideki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6536342
    Abstract: Novel printing surfaces for off-set printing blankets are provided having a resilience of less than about 40% and an average surface roughness of less than about 0.5 microns. Such low-resilience printing surfaces have been found to transfer up to greater than 90% of the ink applied thereto and can be used to transfer ink on a wide variety of substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: MacDermid Graphic Arts, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Rodgers
  • Patent number: 6536343
    Abstract: A printing press includes a plate cylinder, a plate making unit, and an adjuster. The plate cylinder is rotatably supported by a frame and has an outer surface on which a plate is mounted. The plate making unit performs plate making for the plate mounted on the plate cylinder. The plate making unit has a support member supported by the frame and an exposure unit. The exposure unit is supported by the support member to be movable in a direction to come close to and separate from the outer surface of the plate cylinder, and has a head which irradiates the plate with a laser beam to print an image on the plate. The adjuster is supported by the plate making unit to be detachable to adjust a position of the exposure unit with respect to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Kyotaro Onuma
  • Patent number: 6536344
    Abstract: In a printing plate automatic exposing device, a vacuum pump and a pressure sensor are provided in communication with a detection hole provided in a surface plate. When a photopolymer plate is set on the surface plate, a degree of vacuum of the detection hole becomes a predetermined degree of vacuum due to operation of the vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignees: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kawamura, Yoshihiro Koyanagi, Mitsuyoshi Nishimura, Takashi Kato
  • Patent number: 6536345
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for printing an image on an edible substrate is described. The apparatus comprises a printer head assemble having a container or containers for liquid food colorant. A support for holding an edible substrate adjacent a print head assembly is provided, which support is adjustable such that the surface thereof upon which an edible substrate is placed may be moved in a direction vertically towards and away from the print head assembly. The support and print head assembly are movable laterally relative to one another. A controller is provided for controlling the print head assembly with printing instructions and for controlling relative movement of the support and print head assembly such that an image to be printed on the edible substrate may be printed. The support comprises upper and lower plates, the upper plate being supported in the lower by a scissors mechanism enabling the height of the upper plate relative to the lower to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Cadex Limited
    Inventor: Robert John Young
  • Patent number: 6536346
    Abstract: In a process and apparatus for decorating an article, printing ink or electrostatic charges is or are applied in dependence on a digital program in dot form to the article carried by a holder, with individual dots going together to at least form a partial pattern or image. In the case of the latent pattern formed by electrostatic charges, it is then brought into contact with ink particles to form the decoration. In both cases the article is transported along a transportation path through at least one print station provided with an inkjet print head or an ionographic print head, the print head being controllable in dependence on the digital program. The individual nozzles or the electrodes of the respective print head are actuated in accordance with the digital program which is called up for example in dependence on the transportation movement of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Werner Kammann Maschinenfrabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Niestrath
  • Patent number: 6536347
    Abstract: A time delay latch device of the arming assembly of a delay fuze which replaces the current system in support of the U.S. Navy Mine Clearing Program. The time delay mechanism is a mechanical run-away escapement having a one-half pound release force that unlatches an 800-pound load. The mechanical force reduction mechanism that makes up the latch device consists of 10 components rather than the existing 31 and a pyrotechnic time delay mechanism consisting of two components in lieu of the existing 14. Hence, the latch device taught herein provides not only the requisite delay and required latch release force but also reduces the total number of components from 44 to 12; thus creating significant cost savings in manufacturing. Time delay latch mechanism is located within the ram shaft that holds the ram shaft spring captive between the ram shafts and housing. The latching mechanism for the ram shaft comprises two ball detents located within the ram shaft and held in place by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Alexey T. Zacharin
  • Patent number: 6536348
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for altering the appearance of valuable articles comprising at least a reservoir (22) filled with a fluid adapted to soil said articles and a pyrotechnic charge (24) associated with said reservoir (22) for opening the latter to release said fluid on said articles. The (each) reservoir (22) is substantially defined by a wall made of a fragmentation material adapted, by the effect of the pyrotechnic charge (24), to produce a multitude of scattered elementary splinters. The invention is applicable to suitcases for the transport of funds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Val'Protect S.A.
    Inventor: René Gral
  • Patent number: 6536349
    Abstract: An explosive system is disclosed which may be used in repair of damaged casing. In a described embodiment, an explosive system includes a flexible elongated tubular container with a liquid explosive disposed within the container. As an alternative, the liquid explosive may be flowed into a wellbore without being retained within a container. The liquid explosive is detonated in the wellbore, thereby fragmenting the damaged casing and forcing it out into a formation surrounding the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Patterson, Richard J. Foret
  • Patent number: 6536350
    Abstract: A propulsion-assisted projectile has a body, a cowl forming a combustion section and a nozzle section. The body has a fuel reservoir within a central portion of the body, and a fuel activation system located along the central axis of the body and having a portion of the fuel activation system within the fuel reservoir. The fuel activation system has a fuel release piston with a forward sealing member where the fuel release piston is adapted to be moved when the forward sealing member is impacted with an air flow, and an air-flow channel adapted to conduct ambient air during flight to the fuel release piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Harry E. Cartland, John W. Hunter
  • Patent number: 6536351
    Abstract: A warhead (1) having a warhead casing (2) that encloses an explosive charge (5). To ensure that, during the detonation of the explosive charge (5), the warhead (1) effects a rapid acceleration of the fragments flying in the flight direction, and a lesser acceleration of the fragments flying away laterally from the warhead, and/or generates a relatively intense lateral pressure wave, the charge has at least two different partial charges (7, 8-10) corresponding to the intended use of the warhead (1). The first partial charge (7), which is disposed in the region of the tip of the warhead (1), and comprises, for example, octogen (HMX), possesses a high detonation speed in order, when detonated, to accelerate heavy-metal fragments (preferably WSM spherical fragments) disposed in front of the partial charge very rapidly forward. In contrast, the second partial charge (8-10), which adjoins the rear of the first partial charge (7), is a far less costly charge, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Böcker, Paul Wanninger
  • Patent number: 6536352
    Abstract: Improved frangible bullets comprising powder particles of one metal bonded together by another metal wherein the metals have substantially different melting points or an alloying metal is diffused between the metal particles are manufactured by compacting the metal particles and heating under conditions to create brittle bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Delta Frangible Ammunition, LLC
    Inventors: Anil V. Nadkarni, John T. Abrams
  • Patent number: 6536353
    Abstract: A spin-stabilized projectile has a projectile body and a guide band being circumferentially mounted on an outer face of the projectile body. The guide band includes a plurality of axially adjoining partial guide bands. One of the partial guide bands is a first partial guide band made of copper, a copper alloy or another soft metal. One of the partial guide bands is a second partial guide band made of soft iron and axially adjoining the first partial guide band. A total axial length of all second partial guide bands is between 5% and 50% of the total axial length of the guide band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Siegmar Fischer, Ernst-Wilhelm Altenau, Ralf Aumund-Kopp, Günter Sikorski
  • Patent number: 6536354
    Abstract: A railway tie bed scarifier mounts on a tie remover/inserter machine. The tie bed scarifier is dimensioned and configured to widen the pre-existing channels left in the ballast through the removal of old ties. The tie bed scarifier includes a carriage moving between a raised travel position and a lowered work position, and a pair of tines reciprocating between a retracted position wherein they fit between the rails, and an extended position wherein they extend towards the sides of the ballast. A method of inserting a railway tie is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Harsco Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Harry Madison, Jarud Hoefker
  • Patent number: 6536355
    Abstract: A cleaning model railroad car which can do various cleaning by itself and which can do cleaning effectively regardless of a travel speed thereof. The cleaning model railroad car 8 comprises: a car body 20; wheels 8b attached to the car body, for riding on rails 3a and 3b; a motor 8a attached to the car body, to which an electrical current is supplied through the wheels on the rails and a motor shaft 8e is provided; a dust collection chamber 21 provided at the car body; a head mounting concave portion 23 provided below the motor, for opening toward a lower surface of the car body below thereof and communicating with the dust collection chamber; and a cleaning head 24 or 25 provided at the motor shaft projected in the head mounting concave portion, which can be installed to and removed from the motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Tomy Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Amemiya
  • Patent number: 6536356
    Abstract: A computer desk including a base, a front member and at least one side member. The front member has a front surface and a back surface. The front surface is positioned at a predetermined negative angle with respect to the back surface. A hinge assembly is operatively connected to the base, the front member and the side member for allowing pivotal movement of the front and back surfaces with respect to the base. The hinge assembly includes a handle operatively connected to a cylinder to control such pivotal movement. The back surface can be used to support a computer keyboard. The front surface can be used to support the arms of a person using the desk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sauder Woodworking Co.
    Inventors: Douglas P. Krieger, Michael D. Lambright, Daniel G. Kovar, Gregory D. Fleming, Scott R. Davidson, Donald R. Pangborn
  • Patent number: 6536357
    Abstract: A height adjustable table assembly (10) has a table top (12) with an upper surface (20) and an outer periphery (14). The table assembly (10) also has a supporting base (38). A height adjustment mechanism (25, 54, 50) is provided to selectively raise or lower the table top (12) relative to the supporting base (38). The height adjustment mechanism (25, 54, 50) includes a height adjustment actuator (25) in the form of a rotatable member. The rotatable member (25) is selectively rotatable relative to the supporting base (38) to actuate the height adjustment mechanism (25, 54, 50) to selectively raise or lower the table top (12). The rotatable member (25) is disposed underneath the upper surface (20) of the table top (12) and has an outer edge (29) which terminates at or near the outer periphery (14) of the table top (12) for at least a portion of the outer periphery (14) of the table top (12). A resiliently deformable tether (40) may interconnect the table top and at least a portion of the support assembly (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Formway Furniture Limited
    Inventor: Bernard Anton Hiestand
  • Patent number: 6536358
    Abstract: A foldable and transportable table assembly for providing a portable desk that can be folded into a compact unit for storage and transport. The foldable and transportable table assembly includes a tabletop having a top wall and side walls depending from the top wall; and also includes a leg assembly being attached to the tabletop; and further includes a carrying case for carrying the tabletop and the leg assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Marva J. Fears
  • Patent number: 6536359
    Abstract: An improved fastening structure for fastening a table top (1) and a leg frame (2) includes an anchor element (11) fixedly attached to the table top (1), and a displacement element (22) coupled to the leg frame (2) and movable thereon for engaging with the anchor element (11) through a fastener (3) such that the table top (1) is detachable from the leg frame (2) to form a smaller size to facilitate storing and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Lausan Chung-Hsin Liu
  • Patent number: 6536360
    Abstract: A heat recovery system for an air curtain incinerator includes a transportable box defined by a plurality of walls and has an open top and an open bottom. The walls are lined with a refractory material operatively associated with the open bottom to form a combustion chamber. The system also includes a source of high velocity air and a manifold for directing an effective curtain of high velocity air across the top opening and down into the combustion chamber. The heat recovery system comprises a system of tubing for conveying a heat conductive medium through the tubing during the combustion process. The tubing may be mounted to the walls, mounted inside the walls, or formed integrally in the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Air Burners, LLC
    Inventor: Brian M. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 6536361
    Abstract: A combinable planting plate includes a base, a support plate and a planting layer. The base has a plurality of cup-shaped chambers or cone-shaped projections for storing water. The base has a plurality of square rings and combining studs on its circumferential edge to combine more than two bases together to increase a planting area as needed. The support plate is combined on the base, possible to be a flat net plate or a plate with a plurality of cone-shaped projections for storing water-absorbing material. The support plate has a circumferential short wall for receiving the plating layer therein for planting lawn, flowers, evergreens, etc. according to a person's taste and liking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Tung-Yuan Wu
  • Patent number: 6536362
    Abstract: A system facilitating the use of multiple sewing machines mounted on a sewing cabinet is disclosed. A circular turntable on which multiple sewing machines are mounted can be activated either manually or with an electric motor to rotate a desired sewing implement to the working position. The cabinet is designed for maximum storage space in a minimum of wall space. Different models provide up to five drawers and eight shelve as well as a drop leaf for increased table area. The system has surge protected outlets with an on/off switch and an electric cord that can be plugged into any household outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Charles Clarke
  • Patent number: 6536363
    Abstract: Device for ships having at least one ship's ramp (2) which at an inner end (3) is pivotally connected with the ship and in a loading position at an outer end (5) is supported by an offboard surface (18) for cargo to be transported between a deck (7) of the ship and said offboard surface by means of the ship's ramp. The ship's ramp varies in angular relationship relative to the offboard surface due to movements in the water surface of the sea. The device (1) includes a platform (21), which is pivotally suspended in a base unit (27) by means of pivot means (28). The platform (21) has top support means (22) provided to receive and support the outer end (5) of the ship's ramp (2). The base unit (27) has bottom support means (43) provided to rest on said offboard surface (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: MacGregor Sweden AB
    Inventor: Gustaf Carlberg
  • Patent number: 6536364
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for mooring that provides an alternative to the chain traditionally used in mooring installations. It provides a flexible tie member to couple vessels to permanently located anchors which simulates the action of a mooring chain, but which is more durable and where the weights used in the apparatus may be reusable. The mooring apparatus comprises or includes, a flexible or articulable elongate member having a first end and a second end, and plurality of weights each secured and spaced along the elongate member, the first end adapted to be connected to an anchor weight and the second end adapted to be connected to a buoy. The method comprises using the mooring apparatus to moor a vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: David Ken McDermott
  • Patent number: 6536365
    Abstract: A flexible nose assembly for an underwater vehicle provides increased energy-absorbing capabilities and facilitates recovery and handling of the vehicle. The flexible nose assembly includes a flexible nose cap, at least one retrieval device, and at least one cable that is strong in tension, yet weak in compression which is coupled between the retrieval device and the UUV body. The flexible nose cap has a gap formed therein allowing the communication of environmental water into the region between the vehicle body and the nose cap. Optionally, the retrieval device may be recessed into the flexible nose assembly, thereby reducing hydrodynamic drag and overall vehicle length. Energy-absorbing ballast can be positioned within the nose cap in order to further enhance survivability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Duane M. Horton
  • Patent number: 6536366
    Abstract: A substitutive model is no more than one-third the size and weight of the archetypical model as originally built or conceived, hence is more wieldy and affordable, yet yields comparable UNDEX test data. The substitutive model comprises two congruous accordion-like “concertina” components and an intermediate smooth cylindrical sectional hull component. The concertina components each have circumferential pleats, generally describe a cylindrical shape, are coaxially joined with the intermediate hull component, and are thus so configured and arranged as to imbue the substitutive model with underwater explosion response (e.g., flexural) properties which approximate those of the archetypical model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Stephen Zilliacus
  • Patent number: 6536367
    Abstract: This invention describes a floatable, collapsible utility trailer which can be filled with gear and towed behind a boat or, alternatively, pulled behind a person on dry land. The unit is collapsible for easy carrying and storage and comes with a carrying handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Vita Carter
  • Patent number: 6536368
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pneumatic vehicle tire comprising a pair of sidewalls and a ground engaging surface extending therebetween, at least one of the sidewalls bearing an outwardly visible inflation-indicating ring and a pair of sighting rings. At least a first portion of the inflation-indicating ring being positioned relative to the ground engaging surface, wherein to the ground engaging surface, wherein when the tire becomes incorrectly under-inflated, the first portion is arranged to change from one position to another visibly distinct position when viewed along a sight line indicated by a pre-determined relationship between the pair of sighting rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: William S. Hendrie
  • Patent number: 6536369
    Abstract: A handle for the top of a blow-molded traffic delineator includes a bulbous lower portion, an curved intermediate portion, and an upper portion that forms a T-shaped handle. The upper portion has a hole therethrough to allow mounting of a warning light or other item. The intermediate portion has a curvature that gradually reduces the diameter of the handle moving from lower end to upper end, in a shape that easily accommodates the grasp of a human hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Bent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bruce C. Bent, James A. Bent
  • Patent number: 6536370
    Abstract: Exposure time is determined by a device which is sensitive to an environmental substance in a controlled environment. Embodiments include a humidity sensitive timer treated with a cobalt salt which changes colors after a certain exposure time within the controlled environment. Elapsed time is measured by exposing the timer to a humidity controlled environment and monitoring the timer for a change in color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Paton, Balaraman Mani
  • Patent number: 6536371
    Abstract: A rotary direction indicator provided for use with a rotating element which causes the rotation of an associated member. The rotary direction indicator has an internally compliant body fixed in a normal to a central axis which has formed thereon a pair of arrows which appear to be three-dimensional moving in a clockwise direction. One of the three-dimensional arrows appears to plunge into the surface of the body while the other of three-dimensional arrows appear to rise out of the surface of the body thereby providing a visual indication of a correspondence between the direction of rotation of the rotary element and the movement of the associated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: One World Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Brazell
  • Patent number: 6536372
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a small or infirmed animal in ascending an elevated area having a substantially flat housing, and a platform having a generally flat surface, whereby the platform is mounted to slide in and out of the housing, so that when the platform is withdrawn from the housing, the platform provides a step for assisting an animal in reaching the elevated area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: William A. Loeser
  • Patent number: 6536373
    Abstract: An animal feeder for delivery of feed to at least one animal. The animal feeder includes a pair of opposed, downwardly sloping sidewalls and a pair of opposed endwalls coupled to the opposed, downwardly sloping sidewalls. The pair of opposed, downwardly sloping sidewalls and the pair of endwalls defining an opening. A dust cover covers at least a portion of the opening, such that opposed peripheral edges of the dust cover are supported by contact with opposed inside surfaces of the pair of opposed, downwardly sloping sidewalls, such that the dust cover reduces airborne particulates generated by receiving feed through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Staco, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Bondarenko, Bryan S. Shive, Leon S. Zimmerman, George S. Zimmerman, Anthony Martin
  • Patent number: 6536374
    Abstract: A aquarium for containing Siamese fighting fish which includes a rectangular housing having a plurality of long, narrow width compartments oriented parallel to a front viewing wall for maintaining fish contained in the compartments in a swim direction parallel to the front viewing wall for enhanced viewing and for interaction with fish passing in adjacent compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventors: Frank Suerth, Jerry Levin
  • Patent number: 6536375
    Abstract: Apparatus for restraining the neck and/or head of a farm animal having a frame with a base, a top and opposed sides parts, which are spaced apart to allow at least the head of said animal to pass between these parts. Flexible belts extend between upper and lower locations connected to the frame and which are spaced respectively above and below the neck and head position of an animal to be treated, the belts having side portions connected to the frame sides by extensible means tending to hold these side portions apart. A fluid cylinder is attached to top ends of the belts so that when an animal has placed its head between the belt side portions these can be pulled inwardly against the side of an animal's neck or head to restrain movement of the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Harry Alexander Fergusson
  • Patent number: 6536376
    Abstract: A kit for confining a pet within a preselected area is provided. The kit includes a pet anchoring apparatus that can be freely positioned within any environment, that is relatively devoid of obstacles and potentially impaling protrusions, and that can be varied in weight and size to accommodate the pet as well as the environment of the area in which the pet is to be confined. The kit also includes a pet pad for protecting the surface area of the environment in which the pet is confined. The kit, moreover, can include a pet feeder and also can include a pet bed, provided either separately or as an integral part of the pet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: David W. Brown
  • Patent number: 6536377
    Abstract: A system for detecting the relative inverted posture of an equine specimen. When such a posture, or positional attitude, of an equine specimen is greater than 90 degrees but less than 270 degrees as measured with respect to the rotation of the animal's body around the lateral axis—anterior to posterior—whereby the normal standing position of the animal is zero degrees, then a sensing switch will activate and transmit a corresponding radio frequency signal to a receiver at a remote location and sound an alarm to alert monitoring personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis Donald Beaver
  • Patent number: 6536378
    Abstract: An apparatus for evacuating liquid condensation from pipe systems which is particularly applicable to exhaust pipe systems in high efficiency furnaces. The apparatus forms a junction sleeve between two pipes and has drainage channels which prevent condensate liquid from flowing from one pipe into the other pipe. A thermoplastic rubber composition of the apparatus dampens noise and vibration in the pipe system. External grooves provide locating features for mounting clamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Fasco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Leslie Alan Lyons
  • Patent number: 6536379
    Abstract: A steam cleaning device includes a conduit with a passageway to be aligned and in fluid communication with a duct of a steam generating member secured in a housing. A steam delivering head is removably inserted into and is aligned with the passageway of the conduit such that a channel thereof is in fluid communication with the passageway and such that steam generated by the steam generating member is released out through the passageway and a channel of the steam delivering head. Thus, when the steam delivering head is removed from the passageway, water scales attached to the duct and the channel can be removed by cleaning the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Yin-Tao Liu
  • Patent number: 6536380
    Abstract: A steam generator has a nitrogen removal device for fuel gas and a combustion chamber, which is followed on the fuel-gas side, via a horizontal gas flue and a vertical gas flue, by a nitrogen removal device for the fuel gas. The steam generator has a particularly low space requirement and ensures a reliable removal of nitrogen from the fuel gases of the fossil fuel. For this purpose, the combustion chamber has a number of burners arranged level with the horizontal gas flue. Moreover, the vertical gas flue is designed for substantially vertical flow of the fuel gas from the bottom upward, and the nitrogen removal device for fuel gas is designed for an substantially vertical flow of the fuel gas from the top downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudolf Kral, Josef Pulec
  • Patent number: 6536381
    Abstract: An oil cooling system is disclosed in the environment of an over the road vehicle having a transmission and an internal combustion engine. A primary liquid to liquid heat exchanger is connected to the engine cooling system and connected to a selected on of, or both, an engine lubricant system and the transmission for cooling circulation of oil. An auxiliary heat exchanger is connected in parallel with the primary heat exchanger for selective additional cooling circulation of the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Langervik
  • Patent number: 6536382
    Abstract: An inverted aircraft internal combustion engine, such as a two-stroke compression-ignition (diesel) engine, incorporates a lubricant (oil) and/or coolant heat exchanger mounted upon the engine below an exposed crankshaft and/or enclosed crankshaft housing and adjacent a propeller mounting location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Seneca Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark Conrad Wilksch
  • Patent number: 6536383
    Abstract: An internal combustion rotary engine of the type comprising a rotor, an output shaft as the rotor axis, crankshafts mounting on output shaft, pistons reciprocable in piston chambers within the rotor, piston rods connecting the pistons to the crank of crankshaft. This rotary engine is characterized by the ignition force perpendicular to the output shaft radius, by radially spaced the crankshaft axis from output shaft axis, by connection between the output shaft and the crankshafts to concurrently synchronize them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Chanchai Santiyanont
  • Patent number: 6536384
    Abstract: A two-stroke engine with an isolation chamber. The isolation chamber has a pressure-sensitive wall attached to or slidably mounted within the isolation chamber. The pressure-sensitive wall is substantially impervious to air, oil, and the fuels used in an internal combustion two-stroke engine. When the piston of the engine moves away from the crankcase, a vacuum is created in the crankcase. This draws the pressure-sensitive wall toward the crankcase within the fluid communication circuit, which movement of the pressure sensitive wall also pulls air into the intake side of the isolation chamber through a one-way valve or time induction mechanism. When the piston moves toward the crankcase, the increased pressure within the crankcase forces the pressure-sensitive wall away, fluidwise, from the crankcase and thus pushing air from the isolation chamber into the combustion chamber. The pressure-sensitive wall therefore is effective in preventing oil from flowing into the combustion chamber from the crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Frank Keoppel
  • Patent number: 6536385
    Abstract: A piston ring comprises a plurality of recesses that are formed in its outer peripheral edge. The recesses have any of a number of profiles such as semicircular, chordal, arcuate, and triangular. The piston ring controls the passage of lubricant between a region defined between the piston ring and an upper compression sealing ring. The recesses can be positioned to pass over an exhaust port formed in a cylinder wall or to pass over other regions of the cylinder wall. By passing over the exhaust port, the piston ring better accommodates fluctuations in dimensions that are induced by temperature changes by passing over other regions of the cylinder wall, the piston ring enhances the distribution of lubricant, especially in cylinders having a generally horizontal or inclined center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Takashima
  • Patent number: 6536386
    Abstract: An assist gas fuel injection mechanism for a 2-cycle internal combustion engine includes a chamber communicated to a combustion chamber through a communicating passage. A rotary valve is provided in the communicating passage for controlling the opening and closing of the communicating passage. A fuel injection device is provided in the communicating passage between the rotary valve and the chamber. With this configuration, a highly compressed gas from the chamber, and fuel from the fuel injection device, are mixed with each other, and a concentrated mixture gas is supplied to the combustion chamber through the communicating passage. A protective layer is provided on the outside surface of the valve body of the rotary valve by using a material which is softer than the valve body of the rotary valve and the housing of the rotary valve and which is susceptible to plastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Asai, Yuji Marui
  • Patent number: 6536387
    Abstract: An electromechanical engine valve actuation system 10 is provided including a loss compensation controller 16, a first actuator 18, a second actuator 20, an armature element 26 and a motion detector 32. The loss compensation controller 16 calculates the mechanical losses of the armature element and controls the first actuator 18 and the second actuator 20 in response to the mechanical losses in order to reduce the impact of the armature element 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiang Youqing