Patents Issued in April 29, 2003
  • Patent number: 6554087
    Abstract: A steering assembly for a children's ride-on vehicle having a pair of wheels. The assembly includes a pair of pivotal control arms that are coupled to the pair of wheels. The pair of pivotal control arms is also coupled to a pair of moveable handles that operate in tandem and move reciprocally to steer the pair of wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, Daniel J. Damon, Steven Robert Drosendahl
  • Patent number: 6554088
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a traction motor, a starter motor, and a battery bank, all controlled by a microprocessor in accordance with the vehicle's instantaneous torque demands so that the engine is run only under conditions of high efficiency, typically only when the load is at least equal to 30% of the engine's maximum torque output. In some embodiments, a turbocharger may be provided, activated only when the load exceeds the engine's maximum torque output for an extended period; a two-speed transmission may further be provided, to further broaden the vehicle's load range. A hybrid brake system provides regenerative braking, with mechanical braking available in the event the battery bank is fully charged, in emergencies, or at rest; a control mechanism is provided to control the brake system to provide linear brake feel under varying circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Paice Corporation
    Inventors: Alex J. Severinsky, Theodore Louckes
  • Patent number: 6554089
    Abstract: The vehicle deceleration control apparatus controls deceleration given to a vehicle according to a distance from a vehicle ahead, which is directly measured or estimated based on an accelerator operating condition, so that the smaller the distance from a vehicle ahead, the greater is an assist deceleration. The vehicle deceleration control apparatus is capable of giving an appropriate deceleration according to traffic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihito Sato, Nishiyama Keiichi
  • Patent number: 6554090
    Abstract: An automobile running control system having “Fast follow-up” and “Slow follow-up” modes controls so that the automobile may cruise at an optimum car-to-car space between the automobile and an object which is selected among those detected and faster than a preset ground velocity in the “Fast follow-up” mode. When the fast follow-up velocity of the automobile falls under the preset velocity, the system automatically enters the “Slow follow-up” mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kuroda, Satoru Kuragaki, Tokuji Yoshikawa, Toshimichi Minowa
  • Patent number: 6554091
    Abstract: An engine output control method for a vehicle having a throttleless internal combustion engine system responsive to a desired engine speed signal. The method includes generating a driver demanded engine speed value corresponding to an operator input and generating a speed control system engine speed value corresponding to a predetermined speed value to permit vehicle operation at a constant speed by a speed control system. The method arbitrates between the driver demanded engine speed value and the speed control system engine speed value to derive a first desired engine speed value. This value is limited by a vehicle speed limit value, engine speed limit value, and transmission speed limit value to generate a second desired engine speed value. The engine is then controlled as a function of the second desired engine speed value and an actual engine speed value. Engine control is accomplished by way of variable valve timing, fueling rate and/or fuel flow, and spark advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Mianzo, Stephen De La Salle
  • Patent number: 6554092
    Abstract: Provided is a seatbelt device capable of realizing a comfortable seatbelt-wearing environment as well as appropriately securing and protecting a passenger. The seatbelt device is further capable of realizing an immediate escape or rescue of a passenger after a vehicle accident, thereby providing extra safety and a swift escape by protracting the webbing in accordance with the state of the vehicle accident. This seatbelt device is provided with a retractor which uses a motor for retracting and protracting the webbing that secures a passenger to his/her seat, and a controller for rotating the motor and at least retracting the webbing. The controller is capable of altering the protraction mode of the webbing in accordance with the state of the webbing fastened by the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukinori Midorikawa, Katsuyasu Ono, Masuo Matsuki
  • Patent number: 6554093
    Abstract: A vehicular hood device has a hinge serving also as a coupling link mechanism. The hinge in a usual time allows a hood to make opening and closing movements about a hinge pin connecting a second link to the hood. When an obstacle collided with the vehicle to lift the hood by an actuator, the hinge enables the extended first and second links to determine a hood raise position. The hinge includes a stopper pawl. The stopper pawl has rigidity designed to be deformable by operation of the actuator but not to be bent by a usual hood opening and closing force, thus preventing the hood from floating during normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sakae Sasaki, Kaoru Nagatomi
  • Patent number: 6554094
    Abstract: A method and system for independently controlling the steering of at least two wheels of a vehicle includes a steering angle sensor for sensing a desired amount of turning of the vehicle and a direction for the desired amount of turning. An electronic control unit, in communication with the steering angle sensor, determines a first desired turning angle for one of the wheels and a second desired turning angle for the other one of the wheels based on the desired amount of turning of the vehicle and the direction of the turning of the vehicle. The second desired turning angle may be the same as or different from the first desired turning angle. Independent turning mechanisms are coupled to each of the wheels and receives control signals from the electronic control unit for controlling the turning angles of each of the wheels independently of the other wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Bell, Christos T. Kyrtsos, Christopher S. Keeney, Frank A. Palmeri, Dean A. Molde, Gerald J. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6554095
    Abstract: A torque-based method to steer a vehicle equipped with a steer by wire system begins when a driver applies torque to a steering wheel so as to change the direction in which the vehicle travels. Two sensors, a steering wheel angle sensor and a steering wheel torque sensor then generate an angle signal and a torque signal, respectively. In the unlikely event the vehicle steering system is malfunctioning, the steering wheel torque sensor will still generate a torque signal. This torque signal is used in place of the angle signal to generate the reference signal. Once the reference signal is generated, then it can be used to generate the road wheel angle signal, which is in turn used to position the road wheels accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Zheng, Gregory James Stout, Maged Radamis, Yixin Yao
  • Patent number: 6554096
    Abstract: A torque detecting apparatus for each input shaft and output shaft that are connected with a torsion bar, a detecting device for detecting regions of a plurality of targets arranged so that the regions to be detected change periodically and continuously with rotation of rotors for detecting a torque applied to the input shaft based on a difference between the detected regions resulting from twist of the torsion bar, a correction section for obtaining a correction amount for each of the targets so as to correct the detected regions upon one rotation of the rotors based on the maximum values of signals indicating the regions of each of the targets detected by the detecting device, a storing section storing the correction amounts, a correcting section for correcting the regions detected by the detecting device based on the correction amounts stored in a storing section for storing the correction amounts for the targets discriminated by a discriminating section, the torque detecting apparatus capable of restraini
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshitomo Tokumoto
  • Patent number: 6554097
    Abstract: The invention relates to a low-radiation headphone with right and left acoustic irradiation housings corresponding to the ears of the user, with each of the housings having an acoustic baffle (10″) comprising MU-metal and accommodating dynamic audio transducers. The acoustic baffle (10″) is formed in a manner permeable to sound in front of the audio transducers, and has a radiation dissipation zone (20) pointing at the temples of the user. The zone (20) dissipating radiation is provided through a greater density of the MU-metal than in the remaining area of the acoustic baffle (10″) that is permeable to sound. The acoustic baffle (10″) as a whole consists of MU-metal sheet and the audio transducer is perforated in one area (17), but otherwise solid. The radiation dissipation zone (20) is formed in the perforated area of the MU-metal sheet as one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Florian Meinhard König
  • Patent number: 6554098
    Abstract: A panel speaker includes an acoustic vibrating plate, and a vibration driver mounted off a center of the acoustic vibrating plate and applying vibration to the acoustic vibrating plate. A control unit may be provided to control the vibration driver to apply vibration to the acoustic vibrating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsumi Komura
  • Patent number: 6554099
    Abstract: A cap-like valve body is fitted on an outer circumference of an end portion of a communicating pipe that provides a communication between a plurality of silencing chambers formed in a muffler main body. A compressed coil spring is mounted between a flange of the communicating pipe and a flange of the valve body. Communication holes are formed in a cylindrical portion of the valve body. When the valve body receives the pressure of the exhaust gases at a pressure receiving surface and moves along the axial direction against the biasing force of the spring, the exhaust gases within the communicating pipe flow out of the communication holes to the outside of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayuki Uegane
  • Patent number: 6554100
    Abstract: A submuffler for a vehicle muffler system which comprises a housing, a pressure-reducing conduit disposed within said housing, said pressure-reducing conduit containing a plurality of apertures disposed on the surface thereof, an eddy-generating member disposed within the pressure-reducing conduit along a substantial length thereof, and pipe means connected to an inlet side and an exit side of the housing for introducing exhaust gas thereto and exiting exhaust gas therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Young Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 6554101
    Abstract: A structure and method for absorbing and shielding sound from a source of sound are disclosed having at least four layers including a first panel layer 2, a sound absorbing material layer 3, a first air layer 4 and a second panel layer 6, which are located in a sequence from a source of sound. The sound absorbing material layer 3 has a ventilating property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoichi Watanabe, Hiroaki Miura, Takayuki Fukui, Jun Okada
  • Patent number: 6554102
    Abstract: A dismantlable, multi-story facade scaffold is formed of at least four vertical support elements and floor plates and railing elements which are mounted thereto. An additional scaffold story is erected by coupling an additional vertical support element to an already existing one and pivotally attaching one end of a railing element thereto at a location above where the floor plate for the next story will be placed. The other end of that railing element is pivotally attached to another vertical support element. This other vertical support element is then raised, thereby pivotally moving the rail element relative to the respective vertical support element until the rail element is in a horizontal position and the vertical support element is in the vertical position. The other vertical support element is now attached to the upper end of a corresponding vertical support of the lower scaffold story.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Peri GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Schwörer
  • Patent number: 6554103
    Abstract: In an oil-lubricated helium compressor unit, the adsorber can retain all of the oil that might be transferred from the compressor to the adsorber before the system shuts down. No oil is ever transferred or transferable to, for example, the expander in a GM type refrigeration system connected to the unit. The compressor itself will shut down because of a protective switch or seize for lack of oil before any oil carries outside the compressor unit. The unit and the connected refrigeration system can run for more than a selected design life before the compressor shuts down because the limit of oil in the adsorber has been reached. The adsorber can retain as much oil as might leave the compressor over the life of the system plus a safety margin of at least 25%. The adsorber need not be serviced or replaced for the life of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Shi-Apd Cryogenics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph C. Longsworth
  • Patent number: 6554104
    Abstract: A lubrication structure for an internal combustion engine including an oil pump provided at a first end of an oil pump shaft arranged parallel to a crankshaft. Oil passageways are formed from a side surface of a pump chamber of the oil pump to another end of the oil pump shaft in parallel with the oil pump shaft. An oil filter is provided facing towards the oil passageways. A communicating passageway extending vertically from the oil passageways to the oil filter is also provided. This arrangement provides a lubrication structure for an internal combustion engine with a high degree of freedom with respect to oil filter arrangement with a simple oil passageway that is easy to manufacture, requires relatively small space for arrangement, and thus makes it possible to reduce the size of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Ohyama, Shinji Kuga, Ryuji Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 6554105
    Abstract: A conveyor system for delivering items between a processing station and a remote delivery station includes a pair of flexible drive members and a pair of spaced apart drive guides each positioned to define a path of travel for one of the drive members between the stations. A carrier member having an item receiving portion and upper and lower ends is attached to both of the flexible drive members adjacent one of its upper or lower ends for reciprocation between the stations along the guides. A third flexible stabilization drive member and a corresponding stabilization guide is positioned to define a third path for the stabilization drive member. The carrier member is attached to the stabilization drive member adjacent to the other of its upper or lower ends. The active stabilization guide member provides for more uniform and stable translation of the carrier member between the stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: E. F. Bavis & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Brown, Michael J. Craven
  • Patent number: 6554106
    Abstract: A conveying device is provided which has a conveying path for conveying in circulation a number of containers containing at least one of foods and drinks. The conveying device includes a plurality of mounting bases, arranged on the conveying path, for mounting the containers thereon; a mounting base identifier, provided on the mounting bases, for identifying the mounting bases; a container identifier, provided on the containers, for identifying the containers; a mounting base reading device for reading the mounting base identifiers provided on the mounting bases arranged on the conveying path; and a container reading device for reading the container identifiers provided on the containers circulating through the conveying path. Items to be served on the mounting bases are preset and mounting bases with no container thereon are identified based on output signals from the mounting base reading device and the container reading device. A display then displays items to be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Kura Corporation, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Tokimoto
  • Patent number: 6554107
    Abstract: In an elevator system, a first transceiver located at a fixed portion in an elevator shaft and a second transceiver provided at an elevator cage communicate by millimeter waves. The elevator system includes a first portion positioned in an elevator shaft, a second portion positioned in the elevator shaft, vertically moving relative to the first portion, a first transceiver located at the first portion, and a second transceiver located at the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yumura, Hiroshi Araki
  • Patent number: 6554108
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the motion of an actuator of a vehicle brake including establishing an actuator reference coordinate which is associated with a predetermined actuator reference position, defining an actuator actual coordinate in accordance with the actuator reference coordinate and in accordance with the motion of the actuator, establishing a first permitted actuator motion range from a permitted release end coordinate of the actuator for release of the brake and a first permitted brake application end coordinate of the actuator for application of the brake in accordance with the actuator reference coordinate and outputting a signal when the actuator actual coordinate lies outside the first permitted actuator motion range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventor: Jürgen Böhm
  • Patent number: 6554109
    Abstract: An actuator (7) comprises a housing (8) which contains a screw mechanism (9) and a motor (10) which is drivably connected to the screw mechanism (9), said screw mechanism (9) providing a linear movement in response to a rotational movement of the motor (10), and comprising a screw (12) and a nut (13) one of which is supported rotatably with respect to the housing (8) by means of a rolling element bearing (25, 62). Support means (22, 61) have been provided which extend axially with respect to the screw mechanism (9), said support means (22, 61) engaging the housing (8), and supporting the screw mechanism (9) so as to take up the axial loads exerted on said screw mechanism (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: SKF Engineering and Research Centre B.V.
    Inventors: Armin Herbert Emil August Olschewski, Hendrikus Jan Kapaan, Clair Druet, Thomas Wilhelm Fucks, Manfred Antensteiner, Andries Christian Rinsma, Jiri Gurka, Alexander Jan Carel De Vries
  • Patent number: 6554110
    Abstract: A drum brake device having a brake lever with sufficient rigidity, and securing a larger space at a central region of a brake, to provide a large effective brake lever stroke. A by-pass hole 60d, which is freely penetrated by a shoe-hold pin 41 which swingably rises from the back plate is formed in the brake lever 60 positioned beneath the shoe web 20b of the brake shoe 20, and a section of the brake lever 60, surrounding the by-pass hole 60d, is formed in a hollow cavity 60e by drawing or in a groove 60f by bending to be positioned closer to and facing toward the back plate 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Seiji Asai, Takashi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6554111
    Abstract: A method of employing a hydraulic unit of a brake system containing brake lines extending between a master cylinder and wheel brakes and valves which are actuatable by exertion of magnetic force and which have removable electrical coils and when unactuated assume their blocking position, including the steps of removing coils from the valves; connecting the hydraulic unit, toward the master cylinder or the wheel brakes, to an air source of adequately high pressure; switching the valves to their open position by the exertion of magnetic force of a permanent magnet; positively displacing the pressure medium contained in the hydraulic unit from the air source by air and caught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst-Dieter Schaefer, Hans-Heinz Kauschke, Timo Zundel
  • Patent number: 6554112
    Abstract: A vibration-damping device for damping vibrations of a vibrative member of a vehicle, including: a mass member disposed in the vibrative member such that the mass member is non-adhesive to and is displaceable independent of and relative to the vibrative member; the mass member and the vibrative member being brought into impact against with each other at their abutting portions. At least one of the abutting portions of the mass member and the vibrative member is formed of an elastic member adapted to undergo shear deformation in a direction in which the mass member and vibrative member are brought into impact against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rentaro Kato, Koichi Hasegawa, Hajime Maeno, Masaaki Hamada, Yuushi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6554113
    Abstract: A torque-limiting accessory drive assembly comprising a pulley to transfer torque to an accessory drive system, a torque limiting device adapted to limit the maximum amount of transferred torque, and a one-way clutch assembly adapted to both selectively transfer torque and selectively interrupt torque transfer at predetermined times to the vehicle accessory drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Li, Christopher Blair, William Vukovich
  • Patent number: 6554114
    Abstract: A dual synchronization system of a manual transmission constructed in the dual set of a plurality of keys to be attached to the internal side of a synchronizer sleeve by a synchronizer ring, first and second key sets being positioned apart at a predetermined degree of angle along the circumferential direction of a synchronizer ring, wherein the first key set attaching the synchronizer ring close to a clutch gear at the initiation of synchronization and the second key set pushing the synchronizer ring close to the clutch gear after the completion of synchronization, thereby continuously maintaining the frictional force between the synchronizer ring and the clutch gear to achieve stable shifting feelings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jeong-Ki Lee
  • Patent number: 6554115
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for controlling rotation of an input (12) in the most preferred form of a brake includes a housing (50) which can be positioned in either first or second positions. In the first position, a piston (66) moves out of its cavity (64) in the housing (50) and forces a plate (76a) including the piston (66) and an interface facing (80) toward an interface disc (20) while a release spring (92) located in a countersink (74) acts on a fastener (98) to move the first plate (76a) away from the interface disc (20). When flipped to the second position, the piston (66) moves out of its cavity (64) in the housing (50) and forces a second plate (76b) interconnected to the first plate (76a) away from the interface disc (20) while engaging springs (90) sandwiched in cavities (70) between the housing (50) and the first plate (76a) including the interface facing (80) force the first plate (76a) toward the interface disc (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Nexen Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin B. Weiss, Dave Hein
  • Patent number: 6554116
    Abstract: A roller track assembly includes an outer channel member and inner channel member having rollers attached and which vertically displaces in the channel of the outer channel member in response to inflation of an inflatable air bag in the channel of the outer channel member. A top plate is quick release attached to the outer channel member by a detent arrangement and covers the outer channel member and inner channel member. The top plate has openings through which rollers rotatably secured to the inner channel member selectively protrude in response to inflation of the air bag. Sealing covers prevent debris entering top plate openings from falling into the interface regions between the inner and outer channel members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Morgan Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew J. Ransil
  • Patent number: 6554117
    Abstract: The invention is particularly useful for coacting with roller tubes of conveyor apparatus. A cartridge bearing including a stub axle with a tip of greater hardness than the surface circumscribing the aperture receiving the stub axle is inserted into an end of a conveyor roller tube. Along with being electrically conductive, the stub axle can be provided with a damper for reducing vibration. The stub axle engages an electrically conductive stub shaft and moves axially with respect to the stub shaft to operatively interlock with the aperture of the fixed structure. Use of the cartridge bearing provides for the grounding of static charge that can accumulate during operation of conveyor roller tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mathews Conveyor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Henson, Michael E. Moser, Jonathan Hoole, James T. Patrick
  • Patent number: 6554118
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus to prevent malfunctions or sorting errors when supplying coins to coin separation holes in a coin separator. The coin separator includes a coin carrier vessel with a coin supply control vessel that can successively supply a small quantity of coins, and an automatic coin release mechanism that causes the above coin carrier vessel to rotate in the reverse direction instantaneously to prevent malfunction and then rotate in the normal direction again resume normal coin separation operations. The automatic coin release mechanism operates in response to any coin that gets caught in the coin carrier vessel during the operation of coin separation that causes the operation to come to a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Royal Sovereign, Inc.
    Inventor: Takwan Lim
  • Patent number: 6554119
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling an automotive body on an assembly line having a right-hand body subassembly line, a left-hand body subassembly line and an underbody subassembly line, for delivery to a pallet transport system for movement through a body framing subassembly line. The apparatus includes an overhead transport system for transporting automotive components along at least one of the subassembly lines and for conveying the automotive components along a pallet transport system on the body framing subassembly line. The overhead transport system includes a trolley movable along a single overhead rail, a carriage slidably movable relative to the trolley, and a plurality of antler nests. Each antler nest is individually engageable with the carriage. The apparatus also includes a lowerator for transferring components from the overhead transport system to a geometry fixture at a workstation along the subassembly line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Progressive Tool & Industries Co.
    Inventors: Keith A. Oldford, Michael R. Dugas, Velibor Kilibarda, Alan S. Kaufman, Karl G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6554120
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a work sheet processing system wherein the material work sheet can be transported in and the product work sheet can be transporting out efficiently, and the cycle time of the processing can be shortened. The work sheet processing system comprises a work sheet processing machine 3, and a loader 5 for transporting the material work sheet W onto the table 7 of the work sheet processing machine 3 and transporting out the product work sheet M from the table. The loader 5 includes a work sheet holding means 18 comprised of a material work sheet holding tool 19 and a product work sheet holding tool 20. The work sheet processing system further comprises a processing machine control means 31 and a loader control means 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Okachi
  • Patent number: 6554121
    Abstract: Method and apparatus (6) for conveying relatively voluminous packing units (4), such as containers, particularly containers in shipping ports, from a put-on location (10, 11) to a takeoff location (19), via conveying means (7, 8, 9) that are separately drivable and fixedly disposed and can displace a packing unit independently of further packing units. By a first conveying means, a displacement is imposed on a packing unit in a direction towards a connecting second conveying means, and the packing unit is thus transferred to the second conveying means, which maintains or changes the direction of the displacement during the transfer of the packing unit to a connecting third conveying means, depending on the pattern (10-18) in which the interconnecting conveying means that are present are arranged and the desired track over those conveying means between the put-on location and the takeoff location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Joan Anton Bernard Halbesma
  • Patent number: 6554122
    Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for conveying and rotating/transferring individual containers or beverage bottle cases or the like articles as well as moving or, laterally in a direction orthogonal to the travel direction of the articles, transferring the same, the assembly comprising two or more substantially cylindrical conveyor rolls (15) that are parallel to each other and aligned longitudinally in the travel direction of the articles, the conveyor rolls being adapted rotatable about their axes in order to effect the rotation of the articles or transfer thereof in the lateral direction, plus one or more conveyor belts (12) or the like means for transferring the articles in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor rolls (15), the conveyor belts (12) being adapted to pass over belt support rolls (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Bevesys Oy
    Inventors: Antti Auno, Hannu Paavola
  • Patent number: 6554123
    Abstract: A conveyor system particularly configured for discrete parcels, which combines tilting tray concepts with “cross-belt” or powered conveyor concepts, which allows for the acceleration of parcels above one gravity force “G”. In one configuration, two levels can be used, the upper for larger packages, and the lower for smaller packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Henri Bonnet
  • Patent number: 6554124
    Abstract: Equipment for feeding product groups to a conveyor for their packaging, wherein the groups of products (13), are divided and spaced, for transfer onto the conveyor (12). The equipment includes a transport unit (15) that is moveable in the direction of the conveyor (12) and may be lowered and lifted towards the conveyor. The transport unit (15) receives the divided and spaced product groups (13) and releases the divided and spaced product groups on belts (45) that continuously advance in the direction of a pusher tug conveyor (40, 41). The pusher tug conveyor is associated with and is a part of said conveyor (12). Motors (43, 25) for the pusher tug conveyor (40, 41), for the belts (45) and for the transport unit (15) are controllable in phase, by means of a common processor (49).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Vortex Systems S.r.l.
    Inventors: Arturo Colamussi, Daniele Davi′
  • Patent number: 6554125
    Abstract: An apparatus for changing the position of flexible flat objects, in particular printed products, as they are advanced on a first conveyor in an overlapping stream, and which includes a position changing device positioned above the first conveyor and which comprises a displacement member which is moved along a movement path by means of a drive. The movement path includes one section which extends rectilinearly and in the conveying direction and the displacement member is driven at a speed which corresponds at least approximately to the conveying speed of a second conveyor toward which the displacement member conveys the objects. The second conveyor delivers the objects to a discharge conveyor which is provided with transport clamps which are delivered individually to a fitting point where they receive an object from the second conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Werner Honegger
  • Patent number: 6554126
    Abstract: In a conveying system with rail-like guide means (2) and conveying means (1) movable along the guide means (2) independently of one another, a displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) is provided for a changeover from serial to parallel conveyance. The displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) connects in a first position with an essentially stationary rail element (3). In this first position it is filled with conveying means (1) being supplied in series along the stationary rail element (3). The conveying means (1) are then blocked on the displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) and the displaceable rail element (5.1-5.4) is displaced in essence transverse to its length, thereby conveying the conveying means in parallel. For a changeover from parallel to serial conveyance, the displaceable rail element (5.1-5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: IPT Weinfelden AG
    Inventor: Beat Muller
  • Patent number: 6554127
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power & free conveyor which comprises a free rail (3) and a power chain (1) that follows said free rail (3), to a large extent, in a parallel manner. A transport carriage (4) provided with a front runner (5) and a rear runner (6) are arranged on the free rail (3). The front runner (5) and the rear runner (6) each comprise a carrier (11, 14) that can pivot between two positions. In an area of the movement path of the transport carriage (4), the course of the power chain (1) deviates from that of the free rail (3) so that the transport carriages (4) can no longer be moved via the front runner carrier (1) thereof. Instead, the transport carriage is pushed by the interaction between a chain carrier (2) and the rear runner carrier (14) that is swung out into a carrying position. The rear runner carrier (14) comprises two stabile positions which can be changed by overcoming a resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Eisenmann Maschinenbau KG
    Inventor: Michael Kroll
  • Patent number: 6554128
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for use in a die feeder used in automated assembly machines and includes, among other aspects and features, a novel nest for holding a die against a vacuum port and releasing same without an independently controlled vacuum source. The invention also includes a novel elevator mechanism, employed to lift the nest to a pick location and means for positioning and aligning the nest for precision travel and pick location placement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Davis, Dean Tarrant
  • Patent number: 6554129
    Abstract: A conveyor belt and an attachment element that firmly interlocks into a row of the conveyor belt. In one version, the attachment element includes a base from which two sets of hook-shaped appendages extend. The appendages each include a shank portion extending from the base and a hook portion angling from the shank portion to a distal end. The hook portions of the first set extend in different directions from the hook portions of the second set. Belt modules in the interconnected rows of the conveyor belt have receptacles that open onto an outer surface of the belt. The receptacles are shaped to receive the differently-directed appendages. Blocking surfaces bounding the receptacles constrain the differently-directed appendages against removal. In another version, the attachment element includes a flange that extends outward in a different direction from a set of appendages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Straight, Richard M. Klein, Christopher J. Verdigets
  • Patent number: 6554130
    Abstract: A set of coins is arranged relative to a display having discrete regions associated with discrete coins within the set. In a preferred embodiment, the display is a map, and an opening is provided within the borders of or proximate to each state on the map in order to receive a respective coin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventors: Mark A. Krull, Gregory A. Welte
  • Patent number: 6554131
    Abstract: A thermoformed display device is provided for tool belts and accessories. The display device includes a main header which extends beyond the top of the product being packaged and folds over onto itself and snaps together to trap a printed insert display card within a display chamber. The header portion includes performed hang holes for use with various merchandising systems including pegboard. The second thermoformed header piece consists of a flat sheet that slips through the belt loop portion of the product being packaged and is fastened to the main header by means of plastic push-type fasteners to securely fasten the two pieces together and to allow the header area to stand above the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Findle, David F. Vock, Matthew J. Holland, Rajiv N. Dharap
  • Patent number: 6554132
    Abstract: A container for disks having a central opening includes a case having hingedly connected lid, spine, and base portions, a pedestal projecting forwardly from a panel portion of the base for holding one of the disks, and a hinge structure projecting forwardly from the base for pivotally supporting one or more trays holding additional disks. The hinge structure includes a spaced pair of posts, each post having a spaced pair of leaf members and a reinforcing bridge connecting inwardly facing tips of the leaf members, for snap engagement with pairs of inwardly facing stub journals that are formed on the trays. The case has a closed position with the lid and base portions snaped together, each having a compact recessed overhanging lip formation opposite the spine portion for facilitating opening of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Finest Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwok Din Lau
  • Patent number: 6554133
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a container package for an entire computer system. The entire computer system includes at least a computer monitor, a computer case, and a computer printer. The computer case includes a processor and the computer case can be either a horizontal or a tower type case. Advantageously, the present invention provides a container package in which the computer case, monitor and computer printer can all be placed into a single box for shipment and display purposes. The present invention provides a low cost solution for both shipping and for point of display purchase. This environmentally friendly solution reduces the amount of waste that needs to be disposed of after the computer system is unpacked. Further, the present invention makes it more likely that a potential customer will purchase a computer monitor, computer case and computer printer from the same manufacturer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: William C. Kropf, Samuel R. Szteinbaum, Mark J. Bony
  • Patent number: 6554134
    Abstract: The invention concerns a case which is opened along a break-off line by pulling on a label capable of being stuck back. The break-off line extends up to the edge of the case front wall. Each item has on its front surface a prehensile corner located in the pile median zone. The prehensile corner of the item located at the top of the pile is positioned opposite the dispensing aperture. The invention is applicable to cases for moist wipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Denis Guibert
  • Patent number: 6554135
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an inner container configured for shipping, storing, and displaying products. The container comprises upper and lower portions linked by a discontinuous line of weakness, wherein the upper portions collectively form a container top section that can be easily and cleanly removed and disposed of, while the lower portions collectively form a container bottom section that is retained for displaying contained products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Luceri, Jeffery S. Majetich
  • Patent number: 6554136
    Abstract: A portable dispenser for medical preparations comprising a box. An insert having several compartments arranged in columns and rows is adapted to be inserted into the box. A side cover which closes an opening in the side of the box is removable to allow the insertion and removal of the insert through the opening. The top portion of the dispenser has a plurality of surface covers slidable in grooves so that the surface cover is extractable in one direction. A locking arrangement locks the surface covers in a position closing the compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Apothecary Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert N. Priebe