Patents Issued in April 29, 2003
  • Patent number: 6554237
    Abstract: A curtain rod mounting bracket is affixed adhesively via a front mounting plate and a side mounting flange to be abutted against the upper inside corner of a window or other framed opening. The front mounting plate extends outwardly from the opening and the side mounting flange extends partway along the height of the front plate and extends rearwardly generally perpendicular to the front plate. One or more curtain rod support hooks are placed at the upper outside edge of the front plate. Relatively thick double sided adhesive strips are attached to the window frame side of the side flange and front mounting plate, securing the bracket to the window frame without damage, and allowing for alignment correction due to an imperfectly squared window frame and/or non-rectilinear moldings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventors: Michael P. Weber, David J. Simmons
  • Patent number: 6554238
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a planar visual display unit includes a support base, which can be fixed to a support surface, spacer tubes for elevating a pivotable base above the support surface and an arm fixed to the base through a hinge pin and an air spring. The arm supports a shaped channel plate for holding the visual display unit when the visual display unit is attached to a complementary mounting bracket. The pivot base can rotate 360° with respect to the support base and the arm can move in a vertical plane limited by the action of an air spring. The shaped channel plate is attached to the arm by a pin pivot and a ball and socket joint. The arm and the visual display unit maintain a steady position by way of the dampening of the air spring and the frictional loading applied to each of the joint components, namely the hinge pin, and the pin pivot and ball and socket joint attaching the plate to the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Claiteal Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Ronald Charles Hibberd
  • Patent number: 6554239
    Abstract: A cradle for attaching two portable hand-held devices to each other. The cradle holds the devices such that one is substantially atop the other. The cradle has a bottom rim that releasably holds one device. A top rim that releasably holds the other device. Alternative attachment mechanisms for the rims provide either a sliding groove-and-flange type attachment for which the device is specifically designed, and/or a push in type attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Rusell L. Stilley, Matthew T. Nicolosi
  • Patent number: 6554240
    Abstract: A protective cover device (10) (10)′ whose basic components are equally suitable for protecting fragile china plates (100) and glasses (200) merely by changing the dimensions of the basic components which include a generally cruciform shaped strap arrangement (25) (25)′ whose outer ends are formed integrally with an outer ring element (22) (22′) having a backwardly directed lip (23) (23′) forming a peripheral recess (24) (24′) that engages the outer edge (101) of a plate (100) or the upper rim (201) of a glass (200) to protect those fragile surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Eric Peterson
  • Patent number: 6554241
    Abstract: A vacuum device for attaching an object to a surface, comprising a body fixable to the object and a piston connected to the body along a first sealing contour, thereby defining with the body a first chamber. The piston has a protruding sealing lip adapted to contact the surface along a second sealing contour, thereby defining with the surface a second chamber. The two chambers are connected to a source of vacuum, and are preferably in fluid communication with each other. The piston is movable with respect to the body by the action of the vacuum in the first chamber and/or by an external force due to the contact of the sealing lip with the surface. The sealing lip is urged to the surface by a first sealing force due to the action of the vacuum in the second chamber. The vacuum device further comprises a spring connected to the piston and the body so as to deform when the piston moves with respect to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Smart Robotics
    Inventor: Nadav Leshem
  • Patent number: 6554242
    Abstract: A grade control apparatus of display set for tapestry. The apparatus includes at least two guide brackets attached to a wall; holding-down brackets for holding a display device, each having one end being pivotably connected to one end of the corresponding guide bracket; adjusting link transmission shafts installed within each guide bracket, each having one end on which a bevel gear is installed and the other end on which a shifting boss is installed; an angle adjustable shaft being installed between the guide brackets and having gears for being engaged with each bevel gear; and an angle adjustable hand lever for receiving an external force, the angle adjustable hand lever being formed on at least one angle adjustable shaft. The present invention easily adjusts the angle of the display device so as to comply with a user's wishes, and finely adjusts the angle of the display device by a small force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 6554243
    Abstract: A rollable sports ballast base for supporting a sports apparatus support member comprising a base member having a top and bottom surface. The bottom surface contacts a support surface such as a driveway or other playing surface. There is at least one wheel assembly, retractable from a lowered position to a raised position. The wheel assembly includes a pivoting connector coupled to the base member and a wheel bracket coupled to the pivoting connector. The wheel bracket includes an axle, at least one wheel, and a handle extending outwardly from the wheel bracket. The handle is used to pivotally rotate the wheel assembly about a transverse axis. When the handle is rotated away from the base member, the wheel assembly is placed in a lowered position whereby the wheel contacts the support surface thus separating the bottom surface of the base member from the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Huffy Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Davis, Ronald A. White, Keith Kristiansen, Michael Ballone, Gary Grossman
  • Patent number: 6554244
    Abstract: The invention related to a device for supporting a miniaturized, especially electronic or optical component, including a first and a second part, the second part is affixed to the first part on one side at a fixing point, in a cantilevered manner, and supports the component. The projection of the support area of the component onto the first part lies between the fixing point and a predetermined point of reference on the first part. The position of the support area of the component on the second part is chosen in relation to the fixing point between the first and second part and the respective material for the first and second parts is chosen with a specific temperature-dependent expansion coefficient &agr;1 and &agr;2, in such a way that the influence of the temperature-dependent expansion of the first and second part on the position of the support area of the component is at least partially offset in relation to the point of reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignees: Leica Geosystems AG, MTA Automation AG
    Inventors: Christian Remy De Graffenried, Marco Antonio Scussat
  • Patent number: 6554245
    Abstract: The invention discloses a marking device for a mould having a housing in a wall. The device includes a threaded cylindrical body and a circular head of a diameter about equal to the diameter of the housing. A face of the head opposite to the body includes structure that turns the head and a marking distinct from the structure and independent from the position of the structure. A length of the body and head are less than the length of the housing in the mould in order that the face with the marking lies flush with the internal face of the wall of the mould when the device is in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventors: Bernard Picco, Patrick Picco
  • Patent number: 6554246
    Abstract: A mould for casting shaped, solid detergent articles is provided. The mold is made of two rigid complimentary dies which upon engagement define a cavity corresponding to a desired shape of the cast article, wherein the engaged dies form a reservoir which on one side is open to receive cast melt and on another side is open to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Murigeppa Nadakatti, Vijay Mukund Naik
  • Patent number: 6554247
    Abstract: A bonnet lock mechanism for a blowout preventer that includes a radial lock. A radial lock displacement device is coupled to at least one lock actuator. The radial lock displacement device is adapted to radially displace the radial lock to lock a bonnet to a body of the blowout preventer. A bonnet lock mechanism for a blowout preventer that includes a radial lock positioned in a body of the blowout preventer. At least one lock actuator is coupled to the radial lock and is adapted to radially displace the radial lock to lock a bonnet to the body of the blowout preventer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hydril Company
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Berckenhoff, Edward Ryan Hemphill
  • Patent number: 6554248
    Abstract: A valve-clearance estimating apparatus estimates a valve-clearance that is a minute spacing between a valve drive element, and a valve element, which form an essential part of a moving body of an electro-magnetically operated valve. A position sensor determining an instant position of the valve drive element, a mass-change estimating portion estimate the mass of the moving body moving together with the valve drive element, and a valve-clearance estimating portion estimates the valve-clearance on the basis of a given position of the valve drive element determined by the position sensor at a time when a change in the mass of the moving body is estimated and when the valve drive element reaches proximate to one of its extreme positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuhiro Taniguchi, Taketoshi Kawabe
  • Patent number: 6554249
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a plug valve comprising a body which includes an inlet port, an outlet port and a cavity that is connected between the inlet and outlet ports; first and second seal segments which are mounted in the cavity and which each comprise a through bore that is coaxial with the inlet and outlet ports; the through bores and the inlet and outlet ports defining a flow passage through the body; a plug member which is rotatably positioned between the first and second seal segments and which includes a hole that extends transversely therethrough; the plug member being rotatable between an open position in which the hole is aligned with the flow passage and a closed position in which the hole is offset from the flow passage; and at least a first booster spring which is positioned between the first seal segment and the body to bias the first seal segment against the plug member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Wei-Shou Pang, Tep Ungchusri, Sergio Castillo
  • Patent number: 6554250
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flap valve device and a regulation assembly comprising such devices. A pivoting flap valve device has a flap body substantially in the form of a disc mounted on a support and control axle, for the regulation of the circulation of a fluid, particularly a liquid, between an upstream conduit portion and a downstream conduit portion. The flap body (2) is mounted centered on the axle (3), in that the two conduit portions (4 and 5) are axially offset relative to each other and in that the internal surfaces (7, 7′) of the opposed offsets resulting from the axial offset or non-alignment of the portions (4 and 5) constitute bearing surfaces (7, 7′) for two complementary seat portions (6, 6′) for the flap body (2), located on opposite sides of the axle (3) carrying the flap body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mark IV Systemes Moteurs (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Anthony Alves, Richard Komurian
  • Patent number: 6554251
    Abstract: A housing (4) is provided with a shut off valve attaching bore (16) within which an intermediate transmission means accommodating space (25) and a shut off valve chamber (9) are formed. A thrust screw member (17), an intermediate transmission means (18) and a closure member (19) are attached into this bore in the mentioned order. A diaphragm (21) is arranged between the closure member (19) and the intermediate transmission means (18). The diaphragm (21) partitions the shut off valve attaching bore (16) into the intermediate transmission means accommodating space (25) and the shut off valve chamber (9), and hermetically seals the shut off valve chamber (9). Disposed in the intermediate transmission means accommodating space (25) is a valve opening spring (29), which resiliently urges the intermediate transmission means (18) in a valve-opening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Neriki
    Inventors: Masaru Takeda, Koji Miyazaki, Kazuyuki Miyata
  • Patent number: 6554252
    Abstract: A wireless lifting assist device includes a pulley driven by an actuator which is attached to a ceiling. An end-effector is suspended, via a line, from the pulley and interfaces the object to be maneuvered. The wireless lifting assist device further provides an instrumented glove worn by an operator. The glove measures the contact force the operator is exerting on either the object to be moved or the lifting assist device and generates a set of contact signals representing the contact force. The contact signals are transmitted to a controller. The controller generates a set of command signals to control the actuator as a function of the operator contact force such that a predetermined percentage of the force necessary to lift or lower the load is applied by the actuator, with the remaining force being supplied by the operator. The object thus feels lighter to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventors: Homayoon Kazerooni, Dylan Miller Fairbanks, Albert Chen, Gene Shin
  • Patent number: 6554253
    Abstract: A torque-limited winch assembly is provided including: a winch supported on a winch shaft for rotation therewith, a first enclosed chamber for housing the winch including a housing wall formed to include an opening to receive the winch shaft, a torque-override apparatus, a second enclosed chamber separated from the first chamber for receiving the torque-override apparatus including a shell having a radially-extending peripheral rim, and means for retaining the peripheral rim in fixed engagement with the housing wall so that the shell is prevented from rotating with respect to the housing wall, wherein there is a backing plate cooperating with the housing wall to define the first chamber for containing the winch and cooperating with the shell to define the second chamber for containing the torque-override apparatus, wherein the means for retaining the peripheral wall includes a two part connector comprising a plurality of tangs that each engage within one of a plurality of slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: TKA Fabco Corp.
    Inventors: Ludwig P. Dobmeier, Jeffrey Greaves, Donald Joseph Beneteau
  • Patent number: 6554254
    Abstract: A portable hoist primarily for mounting on the ground at a manhole or similar location for lifting a load such as a person entering the manhole includes a base with a generally Y-shape defining a rear leg and two diverging front legs for mounting on the ground with the front legs either side of the hole. A jib portion is mounted on a vertical post portion of the base and extends upwardly and forwardly therefrom to a cable guide at an upper end overlying the hole. The jib portion is formed by a tubular body extending substantially from the bottom end at the base to the upper end which is smoothly curved with a constant radius of curvature. The body is formed in two parts with one siding inside the other and of the same curvature. Each part has a straight end portion where it attaches to the base and the cable guide respectively. A winch mounting for a winch for the cable is attached to the lower portion at its upper end. The front legs are also formed similarly as two inter-fitting curved parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Unique Concepts Ltd.
    Inventor: Jan Vetesnik
  • Patent number: 6554255
    Abstract: A lifting gear, which is provided with a load-sheave that shifts a sinuate body in the longitudinal direction thereof and a rotary body that rotates the load-sheave, and in which the rotary body include a power connecting section that can be coupled to an electric driver, wherein the load-sheave is driven by the electric driver that is not incorporated in the lifting gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Elephant Chain Block Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaru Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 6554256
    Abstract: An end terminal assembly of a highway guardrail system to enhance safety of a vehicle impacting an end of the guardrail facing oncoming traffic. The guardrail system includes a W-beam type guardrail mounted on a plurality of posts adjacent to the side of a highway. The guardrail includes at least one W-shaped beam having a first edge curl and a second edge curls. A kinetic energy absorbing assembly is integrally engaged with the one end of guardrail to stretch portions of at least one W-shaped beam to dissipate energy from an impacting vehicle. An anchor assembly may be provided as part of the end terminal assembly to provide tension support as desired for the guardrail during rail face impacts and a cable anchor bracket which releases from the guardrail during a head on impact with the end of the guardrail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: ICOM Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlos M. Ochoa
  • Patent number: 6554257
    Abstract: An improved portable safety guardrail system which utilizes cast iron bases or welded bases and tubular guardrail sections and gates. The system is designed to meet and exceed OSHA Fall Protection Regulations while having the appeal of being modular and portable with no need for anchoring devices (i.e., anchor bolts, etc.). This invention allows for infinite configuration of a guardrail system to suit the needs of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Gregory S. Kenton
  • Patent number: 6554258
    Abstract: A carburetor float bowl. The float bowl includes a float adapted to be flotationally supported by liquid fuel in the float bowl over a predetermined range of the level of fuel therein. A fuel inlet is adapted to direct fuel along a line toward the floor of the float bowl. The float bowl further includes a “fuel chute” having a ramping surface, a portion of which is intersected by said line at a point thereon. The ramping surface is disposed to provide a ramp angle at the point with respect to the floor that is substantially greater than 90 degrees and substantially less than 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: POW Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: David Braswell
  • Patent number: 6554259
    Abstract: A sludge digester comprises a mixing tank providing an integral ceiling, interior wall surface and a floor surface. A vertical beam supports a mixing device engaged for movement along the vertical beam. A plurality of sparger jets protrudes from the wall surface for delivering an oxygen gas flow directly into the interior of the sludge. A second plurality of sparger jets terminates at the mixing tank floor surface for delivering oxygen gas into the mixing tank and a plurality of bubbling diffusers protrudes upwardly from the floor surface for delivering further oxygen gas flow into the mixing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Gerhardt Van Drie
  • Patent number: 6554260
    Abstract: A humidifier for use with a breathable gas supply apparatus includes a hollow body adapted for partial filling with water to a predetermined maximum water level, a gas inlet to the body above the maximum water level and a gas outlet from the body above the maximum water level. The humidifier further includes a constant temperature heating element for heating the water and/or an adjustable flow divider adapted to divide the interior of the body above the maximum water level into a relatively dry gas region and a relatively wet gas region. The position of the divider is variable so as to vary the relative proportion of the gas flowing from the inlet to the outlet that passes through the relatively dry and relatively wet gas regions to thereby vary the amount of humidification thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Lipscombe, Richard L. Jones
  • Patent number: 6554261
    Abstract: A humidifier includes a housing that accommodates bundles of a large number of water permeable hollow fiber membranes arranged along the longitudinal direction of the housing. Two different gasses having different moisture contents pass through outside and inside of the bundle of the hollow fiber membranes separately to exchange their moistures through the hollow fiber membranes resulting in the dry gas of lesser moisture content being humidified. A heating or temperature adjuster is provided to maintain the temperature of the exhaust gas introduced to the humidifier or the bundles of hollow fiber membranes substantially at a temperature of a fuel cell in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshikatsu Katagiri, Yoshio Kusano, Hiroshi Shimanuki, Motohiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6554262
    Abstract: A system for isolating wall hung equipment from shock and vibration including a wall mountable support or fixture having a first member for securing to a wall and a second member for securing to equipment with a plurality of triad elastomers mounted therebetween to cantileverly support the equipment and at the same time isolate the equipment from shock and vibration. The elastomer mounts while permitting displacement of the members with respect to one another inhibit the members from contacting each other when one or the other is subject to shock or vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert James Monson, Trevor J. McCollough
  • Patent number: 6554263
    Abstract: A switched vibration isolator has an elastic base member fixed to a first fitting member, and a tubular member fixed the elastic base member. A partition device is disposed in the tubular member, and has an outer diameter, a first partition side opposing the elastic base member defining a main liquid chamber therebetween, and a second partition side opposite the first partition side. The partition device defines an orifice communicating with the main liquid chamber. A partition receiving plate has a diameter greater than an outer diameter of the partition device and the partition device is mounted thereon. A diaphragm is disposed opposing the partition receiving plate and defining an auxiliary liquid chamber communicated with the main liquid chamber via the orifice. The partition receiving plate and the diaphragm are fixed in place together by an end of the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Takashima, Tsutomu Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6554264
    Abstract: A tool is provided for clamping, spreading and jacking activity and comprises rectangular, tubular extension bar members, which are used independently or are interconnected to establish a desired tool length. The extension bar members have a plurality of spaced positioning holes located at top bottom and sides along its length to provide length adjustments. Jaw members are selectively attached to the extension bar for force transmitting engagement with a structure or device. A power head having a tubular bar is provided with spaced shoulder members which provide support for a threaded actuator rod extending between them. A head jaw is disposed in moveable guided relation with the rectangular extension bar of the power head and is moved by a drive nut type actuator member which is in threaded relation with the threaded actuator rod and has driving engagement with the head jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Amigo Fab-Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen W. Alford
  • Patent number: 6554265
    Abstract: A workholding device for holding a workpiece securely for machining. One embodiment comprises a V fixture. Embodiments of the present invention are designed to be versatile and to provide the ability to accomplish other tasks beyond workholding, for example, enabling the punching of parts, the dressing of diamond wheels, sharpening drills of a wide range of sizes, and enabling deep hole center drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Randall C. Andronica
  • Patent number: 6554266
    Abstract: A guide apparatus is composed of a guide plate which is disposed in such a manner as to be able to move between an active position located within the sheet transfer space and a retreat position where the guide plate does not interfere with the sheet transferring from the collect cylinder to the jaw cylinder; a position-changeover drive unit for moving the guide plate between the active position and the retreat position; a printing-speed detection unit for detecting the driving speed of a rotary press and outputting a driving speed signal during printing; and a control unit for outputting, upon reception of the driving speed signal from the printing-speed detection unit, a position changeover signal to the position-changeover drive unit in order to move the guide plate accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho Ltd
    Inventors: Takeo Nanba, Takao Narui
  • Patent number: 6554267
    Abstract: A stapling apparatus for a booklet maker is described which provides a compact and low cost booklet maker for desktop publishing. The stapling apparatus includes a sheet receiving saddle for receiving sheets to be stapled into a booklet. A plurality of staple clinch units are arranged along the spine of the saddle. A single movable stapler head moves along the saddle to the plurality of clinch units to staple a booklet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Steven W Trovinger
  • Patent number: 6554268
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting flexible, sheet-like products, in particular printed products 9, away and/or for further processing, and having a plurality of grippers 3 which can be moved along a gripper conveying route and follow one after the other in the transporting direction, and having a plurality of suction elements 2 which can be moved along a suction element conveying route and are intended for receiving in each case one product 9 and for transferring the received product 9 to a gripper 3, the above operations taking place in a receiving and transfer region wherein the suction element conveying route runs along or parallel to the gripper conveying route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventors: Alex Keller, Roberto Fenile
  • Patent number: 6554269
    Abstract: A method of operating a vacuum corrugated belt feeder, which may or may not have a positive air pressure separator, during non-feed cycle time. “The result being” to separate a sheet from a sheet supply stack, which method comprises agitating the top sheets in the stack by actuating the vacuum and/or the positive air pressure separator during non-feed cycle time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmashinen AG
    Inventors: Michael T. Dobbertin, Thomas K. Sciurba
  • Patent number: 6554270
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus having a feeding device including a feeding member for feeding a sheet from a rest stand and a support member for supporting the feeding member, in which the support member swings about a rotary shaft provided at one end of the support member to thereby move the feeding device up and down. A force applying unit provided on the rotary shaft brings the feeding member into contact with the sheet on the rest stand with a predetermined force. The predetermined force is smaller than a force due to the gravitational force of the feeding device against the sheet on the rest stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6554271
    Abstract: An inexpensive paper folding machine includes a paper feeder that reliably propels sheets one at a time in a downstream direction. The feeder includes a paper supply station that biases a stack of sheets against a pickoff wheel. The pickoff wheel propels the topmost sheet to a gate tip. The gate tip is comprised of a singulator that is biased against the pickoff wheel. A clearance is set between a singulator screw and the singulator. The clearance is greater than the sheet thickness, but less than two times the sheet thickness. As a sheet is propelled by the pickoff wheel from the paper supply station, the sheet leading edge enters the nip between the pickoff wheel and the singulator. The singulator pivots to take up part of the clearance. If a second sheet is propelled with the topmost sheet, the second sheet cannot pass between the nip. The paper folding machine further comprises a skew compensator that compensates for sheets that are misoriented relative to the downstream direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Bescorp, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Lindsay, Chad Bones
  • Patent number: 6554272
    Abstract: A sheet separation unit comprises a separation/conveyance roller, a separation member to be brought into contact with the roller so as to separate paper sheets drawn by the roller, an elastic member configured to bring the separation member into pressure contact with the roller, and a pair of elastic holding members that apply axial forces to respective opposite end sections of the separation member from the outside. The axial forces press the opposite end sections toward a central portion of the separation member, and the elastic holding members press and hold the separation member in a state in which the separation member can swing to and away from the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Otake, Hirofumi Hiyoshi
  • Patent number: 6554273
    Abstract: In the case of a method of, and an apparatus for, forming a bundle of individual sheets, in particular banknotes (98), which are drawn off individually from a sheet-storage container, fed, via a sheet conveyor (14), to a stacking-wheel arrangement (16) comprising at least one stacking wheel, and set down on a stacking surface by means of said stacking-wheel arrangement, the stacking wheel (58) is driven intermittently and controlled such that a receiving gap (90) of a stacking wheel is aligned with the outlet end (44) of the sheet conveyor (14) when a sheet (98) leaves the sheet conveyor (14). The trailing edge of a sheet (98) leaving the sheet conveyor (14) is detected at a predetermined location of the sheet conveyor (14), and the stacking wheel is advanced by one receiving gap (90) in dependence on the time at which the trailing edge is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Günter Holland-Letz, Markus Gummich
  • Patent number: 6554274
    Abstract: A right-angle sheet stager apparatus for merging multiple input sheet streams into a single output sheet stream includes one or more input channels and an output channel. Each input channel includes a transport surface and a staging surface. Each transport surface communicates with its corresponding staging surface at a transitional member interposed between the transport surface and the staging surface. Each transitional member includes an upper surface disposed at an elevation greater than an elevation of the corresponding staging surface. The output channel includes an output surface, and is oriented in a right-angle relation with respect to the input channels and communicates with the input channels at a merger location. The stager apparatus permits a sheet from the transport surface to enter the staging surface and overlap with a preceding sheet already present on that staging surface, prior to the preceding sheet's complete exit from the staging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Mail and Messaging Technologies Company
    Inventors: Neal J. Middelberg, James M. Guberski, Gerard A. DeRome, Jr., Vincenzo Tucci, Robert B. Bennett
  • Patent number: 6554275
    Abstract: A method of document overlap/gap error detection and correction includes detecting a trailing edge of a first document at a feeder, and detecting a leading edge of a second document at an edge detector between the feeder and a transport stage. An overlap/gap error is determined and the feeder is controlled to correct the overlap/gap error, when the error is present. An overlap may be measured before the first document trailing edge arrives at the edge detector, providing a greater remaining length of the second document left in the feeder with which to perform the necessary feeder motions to correct the overlap/gap error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventor: Michael N. Tranquilla
  • Patent number: 6554276
    Abstract: A flexible sheet handling apparatus comprising an input section for receiving the flexible sheet, a reversion section for rotating the flexible sheet about an axis of motion and an output section for transferring the rotated flexible sheet to a sheet processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Warren B. Jackson, David Kalman Biegelsen, Daniel G. Bobrow
  • Patent number: 6554277
    Abstract: An amusement device including a sheet of flexible material defining an opening, and a pocket defining a mouth joined to the sheet around the opening. The sheet is grasped by participants during a game in which the sheet is held substantially horizontally and selectively tilted to maneuver a ball along the sheet, through the opening, and into the pocket. In one embodiment, the amusement device includes first and second sheets of flexible material joined along their respective longitudinal edges. Each sheet defines an opening. A pocket may optionally be joined to the sheet around each opening. A game may be played by opposing teams, each of which guards the opening on its sheet, and attempts to guide the ball into the opening on the opposing team's sheet. A game including an amusement device and a ball is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Flaghouse, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen D. Descamps, Douglas A. Liebau
  • Patent number: 6554278
    Abstract: The invention is an amusement device involving a ball, a set of targets and a set of obstructions. Specifically, the device has a target is a plurality of concavities towards which a ball is rolled. A plurality of obstructions located near the concavities act to deflect a rolling ball. A peripheral groove surrounds a playing surface to collect errant balls. A projection device is used to roll the ball towards the set of targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Chris Haddox
  • Patent number: 6554279
    Abstract: A game and method of playing the game utilize a player in a master role with the other players in subservient roles, with the master role player trying to eliminate the subservient players in a particular order of succession, while the subservient players attempt to locate the secret demise location of the master player on a game board grid. Desirably the player pieces are unique and have the image of a human being, including unique head features, and character cards are utilized having indicia corresponding to the unique head features of the playing pieces. A plurality of action cards at least the same in number as the number of unique playing pieces are also provided, each action card having an indicia side having first indicia corresponding to at least one, but not all, of the unique playing pieces so that at least one of the action cards has indicia corresponding to each of the unique playing pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Russell Vanderhye
  • Patent number: 6554280
    Abstract: Ant game is provided for playing with family members, where player's knowledge of mathematical relationships are applied, including greater than, less than, odd number or even number relationship, or a combination thereof. The game board has start and end spaces, sequentially disposed game spaces arranged therebetween, an ant cave arranged next to one sequentially disposed game space, an ant tunnel connecting one sequentially disposed game space and another non-adjacent sequentially disposed game space so that a player whose token lands on the first sequentially disposed game space may move across the ant tunnel to a given sequentially disposed game space located on the other side of the ant tunnel, and a move-to-ant-cave indicator on some sequentially disposed game spaces indicating that a player whose token lands thereon is to go to the ant cave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Clyde Mazzola
  • Patent number: 6554281
    Abstract: A casino game of chance utilizing a pair of dice, a betting surface, and a combination selector. The game is played by wagering on the two sides of the dice which are thrown. A card is drawn from a deck of specialized cards having each of the twenty-one possible side combinations (i.e., 1-1, 3-2, 4-6). The side combination on the card drawn becomes the house side combination. The remaining combinations are available for betting on by the players. Each side combination is associated with a betting area on the playing surface. The betting area may be arranged in pyramids or rectangles to permit betting on multiple combinations. The house number combination is withdrawn from the betting field by extinguishing a light beneath the number or by placing a marker on the betting area. If the player has bet on the side combination rolled, the player then wins according to the payback set forth on the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Flannery
  • Patent number: 6554282
    Abstract: A modified game of cribbage is played by betting the point score of each hand against a predetermined table of betting odds. In this form the game may be played in a casino setting, on a table provided with designated areas for the placement of bets by each player, the placement of the dealt cards to each betting player and the placement of the cards dealt into the crib. The table top may further include imprints of the payout table along with the display of selected rules of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventors: Kevin VanderKley, Craig M. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6554283
    Abstract: A method of house apportionment of a bonus value during bonus casino game play, entry for which occurs during play of an underlying game of chance. A method of house apportionment awards the player a portion of the bonus value for the bonus game and adds the remainder of the bonus value to at least one account available to reward subsequent players such that the bonus value paid by the house is constant and the house advantage is fixed regardless of player proficiency in the bonus casino game. The bonus casino games include knowledge-based playing. The step of awarding in the bonus game is a function of the wager, the frequency that the bonus game occurs, the expected return in the game without the bonus and the expected bonus monitoring pay out value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Terrance William Oliver
  • Patent number: 6554284
    Abstract: A target device includes a rear sheet member and a front sheet member each having one or more conductor members aligned with each other, and an intermediate member disposed between the sheet members for separating the conductor members from each other. The intermediate member is compressible or deformable, or includes one or more openings having an area large enough for allowing the conductor members to be contacted with each other when the sheet members are deformed and hit by balls. The target device may be supported in any place or position with a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Jason Chou
  • Patent number: 6554285
    Abstract: A disc golf target assembly. A plurality of chain segments are suspended from a support member by generally U-shaped attachment loops. The attachment loops have upwardly and outwardly sloped side portions, so that the energy of the disc is absorbed and dissipated by spreading and lifting the chain segments as the disc strikes the target assembly. The support member, attachment loops and chain segments may be mounted on a vertical support, and the assembly may include a basket that is mounted beneath the support and chain segments for receiving the disc therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Fred C. Chittenden
  • Patent number: 6554286
    Abstract: A metal gasket assembly which can enhance the sealing function for combustion pressure in a cylinder bore and maintain the sealing function for a long time, comprises a metal base plate, and a metal reinforcement plate having a thickness smaller than that of the base plate and lapped with the base plate, the base plate having cylinder openings formed at positions corresponding to cylinder bores in a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine, annular beads formed respectively around the cylinder openings and having a V-shaped cross section, a plurality of coolant holes formed in the peripheral parts of the annular beads, and an outer peripheral bead entirely surrounding the annular beads and the plurality of coolant holes and having a cross-sectional shape of slope, and the reinforcement plate having fold-over parts which are folded onto the projection side of the annular bead at the peripheral edge parts of the cylinder openings in the base plate, and extend into the inside of the annular beads so as to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Leakless Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Tanaka