Patents Issued in April 15, 2003
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Patent number: 6546618Abstract: A rivet coupling device 1 has a connector holder unit 250 which carries connectors 200 and a board 50. A supporting die 150 is disposed beneath the connectors 200, and an upper tool unit 92 is disposed above the connectors 200. The upper tool unit 92 can be lowered in order to couple rivets 220. In conjunction with this movement, a link mechanism 30 is actuated to move a cam plate 80, whereby the supporting die 150 is raised slightly by cam projections 148, so that the rivets 220 extending through the connector 200 are deformed between crimpers 134 on the upper tool unit 92 and the supporting die 150. Prior to rivet coupling, a slight gap is formed by the spring terminals between the board 50 and the connector 200. After rivet coupling is performed, this gap is eliminated without deforming the board 50.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP K.K.Inventor: Hiroshi Yagawa
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Patent number: 6546619Abstract: An electronic device mounting apparatus prevents an error at the setup time prior to startup of the apparatus and enables mounting of proper electronic devices without a mistake. A cartridge and a lane of a cartridge mounting rack have a cartridge side connector (upper electrode portion, connection plug, lower electrode portion) and a lane side connector (fixed plug) which are electrically connected when the cartridge is installed on the lane. An error detecting circuit is formed by employing these connectors as part thereof. The error detecting circuit determines whether or not the installation position of the cartridge is appropriate depending on the conductive state or non-conductive state from a power supply to a warning buzzer when the connectors are connected.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Takahisa Shichi, Hirokazu Usui
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Patent number: 6546620Abstract: A package includes both a flip chip mounted active chip component and a passive chip component. To form the package, a solder paste is screened onto a passive chip component contact on an upper surface of a substrate. A terminal of the passive chip component is aligned with the solder paste. The solder paste is melted to form a solder joint between the passive chip component contact and the terminal. Solder flux residue from the solder paste is removed. A solder bump is formed on a bond pad of an active chip component. The solder bump is aligned with an active chip component contact on the upper surface of the substrate. The solder bump is melted to form a bump between the active chip component contact and the bond pad, wherein the solder joint does not melt during the melting of the solder bump.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Amkor Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frank Juskey, Christopher Scanlan, Pat O'Brien
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Patent number: 6546621Abstract: A package structure and method for a card comprises respective attachment of first and second conductive covers each having a vertical piece extending on one side thereof with first lateral surface of first and second plastic frames in use of a low temperature adhesive therebetween to form first and second half cases, and combination of the first and second half cases with insertion of another adhesive or sonic welding between second lateral surfaces of the first and second plastic frames. The plastic frame also has an outer surface formed with a recess to accommodate the vertical piece of the conductive cover and an adhesive area on the first lateral surface formed deep into the plastic frame to be coated with the low temperature adhesive in order for the attachment of the conductive cover.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: 3 View Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hank Wang
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Patent number: 6546622Abstract: A printed-wiring substrate 1 includes internal dielectric resin layers 12 and 14. A main-surface-side external dielectric resin layer 13 is formed on the internal dielectric resin layer 12 such that the surface thereof serves as a substrate main-surface 1A. A back-surface-side external dielectric resin layer 15 is formed on the internal dielectric resin layer 14 such that the surface thereof serves as a substrate back-surface 1B. A surface 12A of the main-surface-side internal dielectric resin layer 12 and a surface 14A of the back-surface-side internal dielectric resin layer 14 are roughened. The substrate main-surface 1A and the substrate back-surface 1B are roughened such that surface roughness thereof is lower than that of the surfaces 12A and 14A.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Iba, Hisashi Wakako, Kazuhisa Sato, Haruhiko Murata, Kazuyuki Takahashi, Kenzo Kawaguchi
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Patent number: 6546623Abstract: A process for manufacturing a structure equipped with at least one electrical contact, including forming on a substrate a first layer, forming on a front side of the first layer the structure equipped with at least one electrical contact, forming at least one hole though the substrate revealing a rear side of the first layer, and forming an electrical contact to the rear side in a cavity overhung by an edge of the at least one hole closest to the first layer, the edge allowing for electrical insulation of the electrical contact from the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2002Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie AtomiqueInventors: Stéphane Caplet, Marie-Thérèse Delaye
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Patent number: 6546624Abstract: Removable mask films 303 are formed on the both sides of the substrate having the adhesive layer 302 by applying and drying a resin varnish 304 including a ultraviolet-absorbing agent, and fine through holes 306 are formed by using a third harmonics YAG solid-state laser light with a relatively short wavelength not longer than that in the ultraviolet range in such a way that the effects of such a residual strain as the conventional embodiment forming a removable mask film by a laminating process may be decreased as well as the more fine hole drilling compared with conventional embodiment using the carbon dioxide gas laser with a relatively long wavelength may be performed.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fumio Echigo, Hideki Higashitani, Daizo Andoh, Noritake Fukuda, Yasuhiro Nakatani, Tadashi Nakamura
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Patent number: 6546625Abstract: The present invention provides a process for forming a contact member cable. The cable is a longer version of a contact member and can then be cut into shorter, individual contact members, to meet the particular requirements for a specific connector application. The contact members can be used as the conductive elements for a family of land grid array connectors that provide, among other things, a low profile, uniform electrical and mechanical performance, and reworkability if a contact member is damaged. The connectors are intended to interconnect electrical circuit members such as printed circuit boards, circuit modules, or the like. Such circuit members may be used in information handling system (computer) or telecommunications environments.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: High Connection Density, Inc.Inventors: Ai D. Le, John G. S. Lahlouh, Zhineng Fan, Matti A. Korhonen, John D. Williams
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Patent number: 6546626Abstract: In a method of producing a piston (10) for an internal combustion engine including at least one strengthened piston ring groove at least one relatively narrow groove (14) is configured in the region of the upper and/or lower flank of the provided piston ring groove (18) and the groove (14) is filled with a hard-wearing material (16) and the piston ring groove (18) is worked out such that the upper and/or lower flank is formed at least in part by the hard-wearing material (16).Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Federal-Mogul Nürnberg GmbHInventors: Bernhard Otte, Peter Konrad, Clemens Wallmann, Hans Werner Waldmann, Hans Wilhelm Bergmann
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Patent number: 6546627Abstract: A gas turbine has a compressor for compressing air as a working fluid, a combustor for producing combustion gas by mixing fuel with the compressed air, and a turbine for generating a rotating force at the time of expansion of combustion gas. The gas turbine further includes a cylindrical liner; a transition piece for transferring the working fluid from the liner to the turbine; an outlet portion of the transition piece, which has a region parallel with a direction of a rotating shaft of the turbine; cooling holes formed in the region so that longitudinal intervals thereof are lengthened; and a picture frame portion provided to secure stiffness at an outlet of the outlet portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Masaru Sekihara, Shigeo Sakurai
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Patent number: 6546628Abstract: A method of fabricating a printhead chip for an ink jet printhead includes forming a drive circuitry layer on a wafer substrate. A first sacrificial layer is deposited on the drive circuitry layer. The first sacrificial layer is etched to form a deposit area for an actuator layer. Actuator material is deposited on the first sacrificial layer to form the actuator layer. The actuator layer is etched to define an actuator and a first part of nozzle chamber walls of each of a plurality of nozzle assemblies. The first sacrificial layer is etched to release each actuator and each first part of the nozzle chamber walls. At least one of the wafer substrate and the first sacrificial layer is etched to define a plurality of ink inlets, so that each ink inlet is in fluid communication with a respective nozzle chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2002Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6546629Abstract: A method for assembling a wheel rim and a wheel disc together to produce a vehicle wheel includes the steps of: (a) providing a rim defining an axis and including an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, a well portion, an outboard tire bead seat, and an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange, the inboard tire bead seat retaining flange including a radially extending first inner surface, the well portion including a radially extending second inner surface, the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange including a radially extending third inner surface; (b) providing a disc having a centrally located inner wheel mounting portion and an outer annular portion which terminates in an axially extending outer annular flange, the inner wheel mounting portion including an inboard mounting surface and an outboard mounting surface, the outer annular portion including an inner surface; (c) supporting the rim at the first inner and at least one of the second inner surface and the third innerType: GrantFiled: June 22, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.Inventor: Dominic Politi
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Patent number: 6546630Abstract: A hand-held measuring and cutting device for pliable tubing, man-made or natural cordage, roping, etcetera. The device comprises a plurality of demountably conjointed and diametrically opposing rigid substrates that house or provide surfaces for insertion therein or attachment thereto, a plurality of elements including a conventional type linear measuring counter for measuring pliable material prior to being cut. A blade and blade plunger, handle, compressor member, and feed hole being so disposed, attached or inserted therein or thereto, provide for single-hand operation of the measuring and cutting operation of the device. The device safely shrouds the cutting blade, and provides for quick and easy disassembly of the unit to change the blade or to access other internal mechanisms. Easy access to the complete interior including the waste ejection port, blade recess and all moving parts makes maintenance simple.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventor: Francis J. Davison
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Patent number: 6546631Abstract: An engine cutter which is simple in structure and low in manufacturing cost. This engine cutter comprises a disk cutter, an air-cooled internal combustion engine for rotating the disk cutter, a safety cover partially encasing the disk cutter, and a dust-trapping portion which is mounted on the safety cover for trapping and discharging dust to be generated from a cutting work by the disk cutter; and is characterized in that only single fan to be driven by the engine is provided not only for generating an air flow for sucking and discharging the dust that has been trapped in the dust-trapping portion but also for generating a cooling air flow for cooling the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Kioritz CorporationInventors: Giichi Iida, Hirofumi Yamami
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Patent number: 6546632Abstract: A utility knife comprises two elongate handle portions and a blade carrier assembly carrying a blade arranged to protrude from a front end of the handle. The upper handle portion has an aperture through a rear end part thereof. When the knife is assembled, the two handle portions are slid relatively longitudinally of one another, the upper handle portion moving forwardly of the lower handle portion, until a latch part near the rear end of the lower handle portion clicks into latching engagement with the front edge of the aperture in the upper handle portion. The upper handle portion is formed near its front end with interlocking elements, each having an integral, forwardly projecting piece at the bottom thereof. The front of the lower handle portion is formed with interlocking elements, each having an integral, rearwardly projecting piece at the top thereof, to overlie and hence interlock with a forwardly projecting piece at the bottom of the corresponding interlocking element of the upper handle portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: The Stanley WorksInventor: Richard Gilbert
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Patent number: 6546633Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a saw blade that is connected to a hand held driver for reciprocating the saw blade to perform a cut. A bit holder and a blade holder is used to provide connection between the saw blade and the handle of the hand held driver. The bit holder includes connecting mechanism for connecting the bit holder to the hand held driver. The blade holder provides a connection between the saw blade and the bit holder. The blade holder includes a holder body and a hex-shaped shank extending rearwardly from the holder body. The shank further includes a first holding mechanism for coupling the holder to the bit holder at the rear end and a second holding mechanism for coupling the saw blade to the holder at the forward end.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Kelton W. Lovell, Timothy T. McKenzie, Jason Melvin
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Patent number: 6546634Abstract: A compass cutter has a main body fastened with an extension rod which is connected with a slidable seat slidable along the extension rod. The main body is further provided with a locating block, a protective cover, a blade, a fixation block, and an insertion pin. The slidable seat is provided with a locating block, a connection rod, a locating pin, and a shield. The compass cutter can be expanded, through the movement of the extension rod. The locating pin and the blade are covered by the shield to protect the user of the compass cutter.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventor: Chen Shan Ming
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Patent number: 6546635Abstract: A vehicle service system configured to measure and utilize lateral force information associated with a set of vehicle wheels to provide an operator with a suggested placement for the individual vehicle wheels about the vehicle, such that the effects on the vehicle handling caused by the lateral forces are minimized.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Hunter Engineering CompanyInventor: Michael D. Gerdes
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Patent number: 6546636Abstract: The improved laser line beam emitting apparatus provides reduction in the cost and a number of the parts, simplicity of the adjustment, and allows for drawing of a straight line in the range of the wide angle. It comprises a single laser beam source unit in which a cylindrical rod lens with semitransparent and complete transparent faces produces reflectively and refractively passing laser beam therefrom. The reflected and refracted laser beams diffuse in the first direction and the second direction opposite from the first direction, respectively. The diffused laser beams draw a horizontal or vertical laser line surrounding the apparatus (a straight line passing objectives ahead of, behind and opposite sides of the apparatus or passing objectives above and below the apparatus).Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2002Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Kabaushiki Kaisha Audio-TechnicaInventor: Akihito Tamamura
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Patent number: 6546637Abstract: Leveling instrument—clamping device for mounting leveling instruments to the tripod platform of a tripod. It is provided with a device plate which can be mounted to the bottom of the leveling system and with a stop provided on the upper side of the tripod platform, as well as a clamping device positioned at a distance from the stop with the device plate being mounted removable on the tripod platform via the stop and the clamping device. This allows a quick and secure mounting of leveling instruments by few operations.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Nestle & Fischer GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Walter Fischer
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Patent number: 6546638Abstract: A self-illuminating attitude indicator for use by persons who have been buried in snow or the earth. The attitude indicator has a container partially filled with liquid and a manually operated light to illuminate the container. The liquid may be removed from the container and distributed on the snow to make the location more visible to rescuers.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventor: Joan M. Beyer
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Patent number: 6546639Abstract: Inclination measurement apparatus for measuring the inclination of a surface to the horizontal. The apparatus includes (a) a base plate for mounting the apparatus on the surface; (b) a ball bearing with i) a housing washer rigidly mounted on the base plate, and having a flat upper bearing surface, ii) a ball and cage thrust assembly set on the upper bearing surface, and iii) a shaft washer having a flat lower bearing surface set on the ball and cage thrust assembly, and being rotatable thereon between a first pair of diametrically opposite orientations defining a first measurement axis on the horizontal to the local gravity vector prevailing at the location of the apparatus; and (c) a first clinometer mounted on the shaft washer for obtaining an inclination measurement in each of the first pair of diametrically opposite orientations whereby the true inclination of the surface to the horizontal along the first measurement axis is determinable from the difference between the pair of measurement inclinations.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventors: Federico Singer, Yuval Singer
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Patent number: 6546640Abstract: A compensation method according to the present invention includes: a traverse linearity data calculating step for measuring a master workpiece (MW) of which profile data is value-specified in advance while moving a sensor (7) using a linear movement mechanism (4, 5) of a measuring device (1) and for subtracting the previously value-specified profile data from the measurement data of the master workpiece to obtain a traverse linearity data of the linear movement mechanism; a workpiece measurement data calculating step for measuring the workpiece while moving the sensor by the linear movement mechanism of the measuring device to obtain a measurement data of the workpiece; and a workpiece profile calculating step for subtracting the traverse linearity data from the workpiece measurement data to obtain a true value data of the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventors: Eiji Okada, Yoshiyuki Omori, Atsushi Tsuruta, Tsukasa Kojima
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Patent number: 6546641Abstract: A device for positioning and guiding the cutting of an opening on a wall. The device comprising a positioner interconnected to a cutting template. The positioner is designed to accurately positioning the cutting template at the appropriate position on the wall. The cutting template is designed to guide the cutting of the opening in the wall. The cutting template is secured to the positioner so as to be rotatable around a central axis. A method and a kit for positioning and cutting an opening on a wall is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2002Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventor: Martin Boulé
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Patent number: 6546642Abstract: A head for the linear dimension checking of mechanical pieces including a casing, an arm carrying a feeler for touching a surface of the mechanical piece to be checked, a fulcrum, coupled to the casing and the arm, for enabling displacements of the arm with respect to the casing and a transducer for providing signals depending on the position of the arm with respect to the casing. The head has specific flexibility and modularity features, thanks to the possibility of operating from the exterior for adjusting and replacing various components. The transducer is of the inductive, half-bridge type, with multiple windings. An integral element for the electric connection to a processing unit includes the windings of the transducer, a cable and a connector, and the latter comprises a rapid locking/unlocking device. The ends of the cable are connected between the windings of the transducer and the connector by means of an over-molding process of a plastic material.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Marposs Societa' per AzioniInventors: Carlo Dall′Aglio, Luciano Ventura
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Patent number: 6546643Abstract: The invention is directed to an articulating device for a probe head (4) of a coordinate measuring apparatus with the articulating device having at least two rotation joints (14, 15) for angularly aligning the probe head (4). In this articulating device, corrective values are assigned to the device with which the errors caused by the elastic deformation of the articulating device are corrected when making measurements. To improve the measuring results, a mathematical model is used for correcting the deformation and this mathematical model includes at least one mathematical finite element (17, 18).Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-StiftungInventors: Werner Lotze, Tobias Held
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Patent number: 6546644Abstract: An endpiece for attachment at the end of a tape measure tape. A cross curvature tape measure supports its own weight when it is extended horizontally and is held in an upright position. A perpendicular hook at the end of the tape measure tape can be used to secure the end of the tape measure tape to an edge of an object. A hook that extends above the curved surface of the tape measure tape allows measurements to be secured from below an object while maintaining the upright and self supporting position of the tape. An adhering or magnetic means attached at the end of the tape measure tape further assists in allowing measurements to be taken without causing the incidental collapse of the tape measure tape. Such an endpiece may be removably attached, and may be adapted to fit on existing tape measures.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: T-Hook AssociatesInventors: Donald Poineau, Robert A. Martin, James Enos
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Patent number: 6546645Abstract: An air blowing tool includes a connecting pipe (1) and an air blowing head (2). The air blowing head includes an inner wall (22), and an outer wall (21). An annular passage (24) is defined between the inner and outer walls. The inner wall encloses and defines a heating space (23) for accommodating a package (3) to be heated. A plurality of evenly distributed outlets (221) is defined in the inner wall. Each outlet is defined at an acute angle relative to the annular passage.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Hon Hai Precision, Ind. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yueh Liang Chung, Yang Jinn Chen, Lipei Huang
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Patent number: 6546646Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing moisture from a material, without spoiling the processed product, through the implementation of microwave irradiation heating, drying, dehydration, curing, disinfection, pasteurization, sterilization or vaporization or any combination thereof. The process and apparatus provide for a controlled processing of planar material, a combination of materials organic or inorganic, in natural or processed form, in sheet leaf, granular, prepared or transportable planar form.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Microwave Processing Technologies Pty. LimitedInventor: Donald S. Thomas
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Patent number: 6546647Abstract: A method and an appliance are disclosed for the non-thermal drying of articles, in particular motor vehicle bodies, freshly painted with a water-based paint. The articles to be dried are subjected to dry air by forced convection in a drying tunnel and the moisture-laden air is dried in an air drying device by condensation to a specific target value of absolute residual moisture. So that fluctuations in the incidence of moisture can be leveled out with a low degree of inertia, with the high condensation performance remaining unchanged, only a fraction of the circulated air which is adapted in size, as required, is dried in the air drying device to a residual moisture markedly below the circulating-air target moisture, and the remaining untreated part of the circulated air is led back into the drier housing after being intermixed with the dried part-air stream.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventor: Hans-Joachim Speck
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Patent number: 6546648Abstract: An athletic shoe includes substantially horizontal chamber substantially within a heel portion of a midsole, the chamber having atmospheric communication at its lateral sides. The chamber includes an upper substantially rigid horizontal plate having at least four apertures therein and a lower substantially rigid horizontal support plate having a corresponding plurality of at least four apertures. Flexible resilient unitary sleeves integrally join respective vertical pairs of the apertures of the upper and lower plates respectively. Disposed within each of the resilient sleeves are resilient members each having spring constant and spring rate greater than that of the sleeves.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventor: Roy Dixon
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Patent number: 6546649Abstract: A plush toy is provided that is capable of easily being detachably mounted on a shoe having a shoelace. The plush toy comprises a body having top and bottom sides and front and back ends and at least one mechanism for detachably mounting the body on the shoe without unlacing the shoelace. Preferably the body comprises at least one hole extending through the body for insertion of a shoelace. A young child can easily and quickly decorate his shoe with the plush toy.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2002Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventor: Mark Tobias
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Patent number: 6546650Abstract: A combined bucket and scarifier includes a bucket having a bottom wall, a rear wall, and two side walls coupled to the bottom wall and the rear wall to define an interior space. The bucket has an open front end and a generally smooth lower front edge. A scarifier is operatively associated with the bucket. The scarifier has a plurality of teeth constructed and arranged to be rotated with respect to the bucket between an inoperative position so as not to obstruct the lower front edge and the bottom wall of the bucket, and an operative position with portions of the teeth extending outwardly with respect to the bottom wall of the bucket. An actuating structure is mounted with respect to the bucket and is constructed and arranged to move the teeth between the inoperative and operative positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2002Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventor: Robert Meurer
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Patent number: 6546651Abstract: A keepsake/ticket display and memorabilia device is disclosed comprising a main card having a display window and a display card member pivotably connected to the main card. The display card member provides a flat surface upon which a ticket, ticket stub, or other generally flat keepsake can be mounted. The display card member is pivotable with respect to the main card such that it can be generally positioned under the display window of the main card, thereby displaying the ticket through the display window. Various indicia relating to a specific event for which the ticket was purchased can be printed on the main card thereby enhancing the display of the ticket.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Three Mountain Group, LLCInventor: Daniel Tremonti
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Patent number: 6546652Abstract: A tag for application to the ear of an animal includes a male portion and female portion. The female portion includes a chamber within which an insert is accommodated, the insert engaging in an interlocking manner with the chamber and allowing access of a head of the male portion into the chamber but then acting to prevent removal of the head. The male and female portions may be connected at a central portion which enables folding of the male and female portions. In another embodiment, the central portion may include a weak-link so that the male and female portions can be torn apart if the tag becomes caught on an obstruction.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventors: Michael Stuart Gardner, Roy Victor Bladen
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Patent number: 6546653Abstract: A door sign includes spaced front and rear panels with a side panel perpendicularly disposed therebetween. Both the front and rear panels each include an angularly extending slot for accommodating a door knob shaft. The side panel includes an elongated opening for receiving the door knob latch and possibly a dead bolt latch if the door is so equipped. The sign is positioned such that the door knob shafts are within the angular slots and the door knob latch is protruding through the side panel opening. If the door is closed and locked, the sign cannot be removed without unlocking and opening the door thereby preventing tampering or removal by unauthorized passers by.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventor: Larry J. Thibodeaux, Jr.
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Patent number: 6546654Abstract: A stand displaying a member of the cucurbitaceae family includes a support for holding the member of the cucurbitaceae family. A figure associated with the support cooperates with the member of the cucurbitaceae family to complete a display.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Color Garden, Inc.Inventor: David L. Henson
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Patent number: 6546655Abstract: A latch assembly for use in a flip panel sign display is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a latch pin releasably coupled to the sign panel in a manner to prevent relative rotation therebetween. A latch is disposed an end of the latch pin. The latch pin includes a neck portion and an end portion, the neck portion having a particular cross-sectional configuration which prevents relative rotation in the side panel. The latch is rotatably supported on the end portion and capable of rotation between a locked position which retains the flip panels in a desired configuration and an unlocked position which permits relative positioning of the flip panels.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.Inventor: Brian J. Hillstrom
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Patent number: 6546656Abstract: An identification band and method for fitting the same to an individual's wrist. The ends of the band overlap when the band is applied around an individual's wrist. The band is constructed so the band can be adjusted to fit different sizes of wrists and allow the end to overlap without requiring that one of the ends be cut to size the band.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventor: Carl R. Twentier
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Patent number: 6546657Abstract: A document holder (11) comprising a rigid planar board (21) having one side covered by transparent flexible cover (22), the board (21) and cover (22) at one end being held in a retaining clip (12), said clip (12) comprising a substantially planar tongue (31) with a channel (32) extending along one edge thereof with an opening (34) facing away from the tongue (31).Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Keymite, LTDInventor: Richard John Gray
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Patent number: 6546658Abstract: An elongated shell and internal gripper assembly for gripping and supporting sheet-like posters or pictures for display purposes in a readily exchangeable manner. The assembly comprises an elongated, extruded gripper clip has a planar backing base pivotable distal-most poster receiving edge. The assembly includes an elongated, extruded receiving shell with a gripper clip receiving channel centrally arranged therein and an edge slot at a lowermost portion of the shell members. The gripper clip is slidably received within the receiving channel. The gripper clip has its distalmost receiving edge extending distally beyond the edge slot of the shell to permit display and exchange of a poster or picture therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Rose Displays, Ltd.Inventors: David E. Pitcher, Thomas P. Burrous
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Patent number: 6546659Abstract: A steering wheel mark member fixing structure which enables a mark member to be strongly fixed to a pad cover and enables a reduction in costs. At a steering wheel, in a state in which fixing legs of the mark member are inserted in fixing holes of a pad cover, the fixing legs are bent, such that distal end portions of the fixing legs are abutted against taper portions adjacent to the fixing holes. The taper portions have a triangular cross-sectional configuration. Thus, the fixing legs are bent at acute angles, and bent portions of the fixing legs abut the corner portions of the taper portions. The distal end portions of the fixing legs are caught by a strong force on the taper portions, and it is difficult for the bent state of the fixing legs to be released. The mark member can thereby be strongly fixed to the pad cover. As a result, there is no need for another member such as a pin, as there is in conventional structures. A number of parts and costs are reduced.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Torai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho Aichi-kenInventors: Keisuke Imai, Hiroshi Saito
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Patent number: 6546660Abstract: A structural joint for connecting picture frames members together includes a base plate slidably residing in a channel of a first picture frame member and includes a ramped surface. A wedge plate slidably resides between the base plate and a top bearing surface of the frame and includes its own ramped surface where the ramped surface of the wedge plate is arranged in an opposite direction to the ramped surface of the base plate. The wedge plate is moved toward the base plate to cause the ramp of the base plate to bear on the ramp of the wedge plate to urge the base plate apart from the wedge plate creating a friction fit within the channel of the picture frame member thus securing the base plate relative to the frame. A second wedge plate is also provided for engagement with a second ramp on the base plate to further secure a second picture frame member to the first picture frame member, such as at a ninety degree angle relative thereto.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Craft, Inc.Inventor: Armand E Roy
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Patent number: 6546661Abstract: A sprayer device mounts to the barrel of a firearm and includes a housing having forward and rear portions which hold opposite ends of a spray canister containing a pressurized charge of a debilitating chemical substance. The forward and rear portions are adjustably positionable along an elongate brace for accommodating a variety of spray canister sizes. When held between the forward and rear portions of the housing, a nozzle stem of the spray canister is positioned for engagement with a front cap of the housing in axial alignment with a discharge aperture. A trigger actuator on the rear portion is operable to urge the spray canister forward relative to the housing so that the nozzle stem is depressed against the front cap, thereby causing release of the debilitating chemical substance through the discharge aperture in a forward trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventor: William Staubs
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Patent number: 6546662Abstract: A portable support assembly includes a central generally elongated panel piece flanked at both sides by lateral panel pieces which extend adjacent a portion of the central piece. Both the central piece and the two flanking pieces include a transverse slot for receiving an insert extending across the panel assembly. The lower common surfaces of the panels are slotted with three recesses, the first extending longitudinally from the front into the central piece and the other two aligned diagonally towards each other from the rear corners of the lateral pieces and into the central piece. Legs are then inserted into each recess to provide the support for the assembly and also to interlock the flanking pieces together to the center piece. One leg includes a mount for an adjustable front firearm support while a shaped transverse recess in the center piece receives a slide deploying an adjustable rear firearm support.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventor: Robert S. Y. Chong
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Patent number: 6546663Abstract: The present invention relates generally to fishing lures, and more particularly to fishing lures of a type which simulate crustaceans. The present invention is also aimed at providing a fishing lure which simulates a natural range of motions of a crustacean as observed by the target prey, or which at least provides a useful alternative to known lures.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventors: Paul Signitzer, Andrew Fogarty, Michael Fogarty
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Patent number: 6546664Abstract: A self-deploying net, wherein depression of a locking mechanism springfully urges a net from out a compact, portable housing, thus minimizing overall deployment time, eliminating lengthy net assembly processes and enabling single handed net deployment.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventor: Jeffrey K. Busboom
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Patent number: 6546665Abstract: An illuminated fishing rod includes a light source unit removably received in a handle section of the fishing rod. The light source unit includes an LED light source that is located to illuminate a fiber optic bundle located in a blade section of the fishing rod when the light source unit is received in the handle section of the fishing rod. The light source unit can also be used as an auxiliary light source, such as a flashlight, when it is removed from the fishing rod.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2002Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventors: Mark Eldredge, Rick Herbert
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Patent number: 6546666Abstract: A jig-type fishing lure has a weighted lure body holding a gravity-operated switch that controls the energization of an LED for illuminating fiber optic strands extending from the tail end of the lure body in proximity to a fishhook. A heat shrunk tube in the lure body holds the LED and the adjacent ends of the fiber optic strands.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1999Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventors: Benjamin I. Schultz, Leslie A. Thomas
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Patent number: 6546667Abstract: A fly trap includes a cylindrical side wall made of a mesh material; a bottom wall located proximate (i.e., “at or near”) the bottom end of the side wall; a top wall located proximate the top end of the side wall; a conical entry conduit extending from proximate the bottom wall and providing an entry path to the interior chamber of the fly trap; and a lure holding device for holding a fly lure composition beneath the bottom opening of the entry conduit. The entry conduit may include an extending flange member that forms at least a portion of the bottom wall of the trap. Preferably, the top wall and/or some other part of the fly trap includes a light reflecting device, such as a prism or reflector, to help attract attention to the trap in the daylight. Also, to help attract attention to the trap at night, one or more surfaces may be coated with or constructed from a material that glows in the dark (e.g., a powder containing a commercially available phosphorescent material).Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Bayside Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Danny B. Carter