Patents Issued in April 29, 2003
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Patent number: 6553635Abstract: A button snap flap closure for a pocket having a flap, which flap overlaps a surface of the pocket, that comprises an elongated keeper secured to the pocket. The keeper includes a ridge having ribs in parallel relationship formed therein and a plurality of positioning teeth formed on the ridge. The snap flap closure further includes a snap featuring a top portion that has an underside. The top portion is secured to the flap. The snap has depending locking teeth adapted to engage the ribs of the keeper to lock the snap to the keeper and locating teeth formed on the underside of the top portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventors: Clarence F. Howell, Frank A. Howell
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Patent number: 6553636Abstract: A jewelry clasp has a base with a base end and a distal end with a hook extending back over the base. A jaw is moveably mounted with respect to the base adjacent a midpoint. A retainer portion of the jaw is adapted to overlie the top of the hook adjacent the distal end. A closed space is formed between the jaw, the hook and the base to receive an eyelet. A lever portion on the end of the jaw opposite the hook is provided to move the retainer portion outwardly in order to open the clasp. Preferably, a pivot pin mounts the jaw and a spring is utilized to urge the retainer portion firmly against the hook. The hook can have a straight section engageable by the eyelet during coupling and a curved section at the top of the hook. Particular angle positioning can provide additional assistance in coupling and decoupling the eyelet, along with the positioning, curving and spacing of the tip of the jaw. Alternatively, the hook may be curved substantially throughout its length.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Spertner Jewelers, LLCInventor: Lawrence I. Brenner
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Patent number: 6553637Abstract: An improved movable buckle structure, wherein its male connector and female connector are made of metal, is characterized in that two pivotal connecting bases and a guiding block are integrally coupled and disposed at the front lateral side of the male connector, and two concave grooves are disposed between the inner side of the two pivotal connecting bases and the outer side of the guiding block for embedding two elastic brackets, fixing in position, and providing elasticity. It makes two latching blocks to extend outward or contract inward such that the female connector can be locked or detached. Such structure can stand coldness and will not become brittle, and further can strengthen the exerted tension as well as the durability and artistic look, and thus enhancing the company's competitiveness and satisfying the consumer's needs.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventor: Ang-Yu Chen
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Patent number: 6553638Abstract: A method 500 and an assembly 200 for determining the presence of gaps located between a first portion 240 of a partially assembled apparatus 228 and a second portion 230. The existence and size of the gap may be discerned by use of a wireless gap sensor 309 which is engaged by the portion 230 as it abuts or comes into close proximity with the portion 240. Other methods 400 and 500 may be respectively used to respectively discern the existence and the size of a gap within an assembled vehicle and to measure the deflection of a portion of an apparatus, such as a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Metronom U.S. Inc.Inventors: Kelly Michael Kohlstrand, Stephen Lewis Bruford, Stefan Obenauer, Ingobert Schmadel
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Patent number: 6553639Abstract: A method of manufacturing a leaf seal for use between rotating components comprises forming corrugations within a metallic strip and feeding the corrugated strip into a seal guide. The corrugated strip is then pressed into the guide by an angled ram such that the corrugations lie at an acute angle to the perpendicular axis. The strip is then secured in a seal carrier, the free ends of the corrugations thus forming the angled sealing leaves of a leaf seal.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Rolls-Royce, plcInventors: John Hobbs, David W Richards
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Patent number: 6553640Abstract: A tool for driving and setting a nail-in anchor into concrete. The tool has a drive pin which can be locked and unlocked. When the drive pin is locked, the tool, used with a hammer, will drive only the anchor sleeve into a pre-drilled hole in concrete. When the drive pin is then unlocked, the tool, again used with a hammer, will nail the nail into the sleeve and set the anchor. The tool can be manipulated using only one hand. The tool typically has a thumb cap which, when rotated, locks and unlocks the drive pin. The tip of the tool is machined to have a concave shape for fitting over the convex-shaped dome of a typical nail-in anchor. The outer surfaces of the tool can have knurls to improve handling.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Matrix Tool, Inc.Inventors: John Howard Estes, Johnnie Wayne Painter, Sr.
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Patent number: 6553641Abstract: The present invention provides a razor with more than one shaving aid element placed in close proximity to one another on the cover of the razor. The provision of more than one shaving aid element in such manner provides a number of advantages such as: delivery of increased volume of shaving aid at the local area; simplification of manufacturing process during razor assembly; provision of different shaving aids in different shaving aid elements. A preferred shape of the shaving aid elements is cylindrical. The cylindrical shape also enhances the function of the razor by providing smoother shaving aid motion. The shaving aid element may be extruded and stored in spools for use in the razor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: BIC CorporationInventors: Colman C. Garland, Andrew J. Curello, Barry C. Johnson, III
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Patent number: 6553642Abstract: A first component part (42) for a power tool has a mounting spigot (90) with a channel (239) therein and a second component part (10) of the power tool has a spigot receiving portion (54) with a rib (101) co-operable with the channel. The first component part includes a cylindrical projection with a chamfered edge (250) and the second component part includes a detent. In a first step in coupling the components parts, the channel in the mounting spigot is aligned with the co-operable rib on the spigot receiving portion. Subsequent steps include engaging the further rib of the spigot receiving portion with a channel on a side wall and finally, urging the chamfered edge past the detent.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventor: Leo Driessen
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Patent number: 6553643Abstract: A method of loading a clutch pack into a clutch drum. The clutch pack includes a plurality of friction plates between a plurality of reaction plates. Each reaction plate has a plurality of outside spline teeth slidably received in a corresponding plurality of straight spline grooves in a cylindrical wall of the drum. The method of loading the clutch pack into the drum includes the steps of forming annular seat on an outboard end of the cylindrical wall of the drum interrupted by a plurality of notches where the spline grooves intersect the annular seat, supporting the drum on a platform with the outboard end of the drum opening upward, supporting the clutch pack in a sleeve above the annular seat, releasing the clutch pack for vertical descent toward the sleeve until the outside spline teeth on the bottom one of the reaction plates engage the annular seat, and vibrating the drum at high frequency and low amplitude to induce rotation of the clutch pack within the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Krishna K. Relan, Sungchin Hong
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Patent number: 6553644Abstract: A device for processing workpieces utilizes a frame and a fixture. The frame has a perimeter with an opening, and inner and outer side walls. A pair of shelves are located in the opening for supporting a workpiece and a spring retains the workpiece on the frame. The fixture has work locations with elevators that are moved by an elevator handle. The fixture also has an engagement handle for actuating the springs. The workpieces may be simultaneously mounted to or removed from the frames with the fixture. The frames are loaded into the locations and both handles are rotated to raise the elevators and bend the springs. The workpieces are then placed on top of the elevators, and the elevator handle is rotated to lower the workpieces. Next, the engagement handle is rotated to release the springs to form assemblies that can be removed from the fixture.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Nick Karmaniolas, Wesley Hiroshi Tao, Li Zheng
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Patent number: 6553645Abstract: A motor stator is fixed to a body shell by shrinkage fit with a large fitting margin, and a compression mechanism is then shrinkage fit with a small fitting margin, and welded thereafter. Afterwards, an auxiliary bearing assembly is fixed in position with reference to the compression mechanism by shrinkage fit with a small fitting margin, followed further by welding.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideshi Nakamura, Masahiro Tsubokawa, Satoshi Hakamada
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Patent number: 6553646Abstract: In the present invention, a superconducting (sc) ceramic filament is enclosed in a silver sheath which is sealed therearound by applying silver powder between the surfaces of said sheath, pressing the surfaces and powder into contact and then applying sufficient heat to fuse them together, which heat is below the melting point of the surfaces and powder and then sintering the so enclosed ceramic filament, which upon cooling, forms a superconductor.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventor: L. Pierre de Rochemont
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Patent number: 6553647Abstract: A method of wiring a head suspension assembly includes fixing a tube binding a plurality of wires on a suspension assembly, and fixing the wires extending from the fixed tube on the suspension while leading them to a top side of the suspension. The suspension has a tab frame with first and second frames. Each wire led to the top side of the suspension is bonded to the second frame of a tab frame. An insulation film is removed from each connecting portion of the wires to connect the wires to respective connecting pads of the slider. A first frame is bent substantially perpendicular to the suspension, and the second frame is bent substantially perpendicular to the first frame, thereby positioning the wires bonded to the second frame at the connecting pads on the slider. The wires are then ultrasonically welded to the respective connecting pads on the slider.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kenji Itoh, Hiroyasu Tsuchida, Tatsushi Yoshida, Yoskio Uematsu, Tetsuji Ono
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Patent number: 6553648Abstract: A method of manufacturing magnetic head slider including a ferrite core having read/write gap and a housing formed on non-magnetic material having a rail on a surface opposite to a magnetic recording medium. The ferrite core and the housing are bonded to each other. A core bond bar constituted by a continuation at least two cores and a stick-shaped for the housing are bonded to each other ten fine machined. After the fine machining, the bar is cut into individual magnetic head sliders.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1997Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naomi Kaeriyama, Akinobu Sano
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Patent number: 6553649Abstract: A method makes a merged magnetic head that has an air bearing surface and read and write head portions wherein the write head portion has a pole tip, yoke and back gap regions. A method of making the write head comprises steps of forming first and second pole pieces wherein the first pole piece has a first pole tip and the second pole piece has a second pole tip, forming a gap layer which separates the pole tips in the pole tip region and connecting the first and second pole pieces in the back gap region, forming an insulation stack with a write coil embedded therein between the first and second pole pieces in the yoke region and forming the first pole tip with a width at the air bearing surface that defines a track width of the write head portion. The read head portion is formed on the write head portion with a first shield layer which is a common layer with the second pole piece.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BVInventor: Hugo Alberto Emilio Santini
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Patent number: 6553650Abstract: A circular wire with a circular cross section is wound on a coil reel. When a winding-form motor rotates a winding form, the circular wire is pulled and drawn from the coil reel. Rectangular forming rollers press the circular wire, so that a rectangular wire with a rectangular cross section is formed. The rectangular wire is directly wound on the winding form to be formed into a rectangular-wire coil. Because forming rectangular wire and winding on the winding form are carried out in a sequence of contiguous processes, a separate process for removing torsion set of the rectangular wire is unnecessary. The rectangular-wire coil can be formed from inexpensive circular material wire by a simple and low-cost apparatus. It is also possible and preferable to make dimensions and a shape of the rectangular wire variable by controlling clearance widths between the forming rollers and tension acting on the rectangular wire that has passed through the rollers.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masayuki Nakamura, Yasutomo Kawabata, Masahiro Nishioka, Yasuhiko Ishimaru, Tetsuya Miura, Katsuhisa Endo
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Patent number: 6553651Abstract: A method for fabricating a permanent magnetic structure in a substrate, the method comprises the steps of providing a substrate with at least one cavity; providing magnetic particles dispersed with a bonding material for forming a bonding compound; filling the cavities with the bonding compound; and curing the compound to form the permanent magnetic structure in the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Svetlana Reznik, Bryan A. Beaman, Edward P. Furlani
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Patent number: 6553652Abstract: A force-controlling robot having a function of drawing a fitting part from a receiving part. A fitting part held by a robot hand is moved form an approach start position in a set approach direction under speed and force control. When the fitting part comes in contact with a receiving part and a reaction force thereof exceeds a set threshold value, the fitting part is moved under speed and force control with the set target speed and force and in the set inserting/fitting direction so as to perform fitting. If stoppage occurs before the fitting is completed, the fitting part is moved under speed and force control in the set drawing direction and with the set target drawing speed and drawing force, to draw the fitting part from the receiving part. As the drawing operation is automatically performed, restoration is automatically made without manual operation even if stoppage occurs in the fitting operation. Further, assembled parts can be automatically disassembled.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1999Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.Inventors: Shinsuke Sakakibara, Yoshihisa Furukawa
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Patent number: 6553653Abstract: A vertical assembly table is designed to automatically assemble an insulated glass window structure consisting of two identical glass lites and an edge seal. The seal is added to one glass lite after washing, but prior to conveying to the vertical assembly table. The vertical assembly table includes two independent conveyor tables, each having a plurality of conveyor rolls. A pivotable subframe is associated with each roller table, with each subframe having a plurality of support arms coupled to a common pivot shaft. Each support arm is positioned between the rolls of the associated roller table. Each subframe is moved between a retracted position below a pass line of the roller table and a transfer position adjacent the other subframe in the transfer position. A transfer mechanism is provided for transferring a glass workpiece from one subframe to the adjacent subframe when the subframes are in the transfer position.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Billco Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James E. Hulings, Richard D. Spotts
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Patent number: 6553654Abstract: Arrangement for the insertion of coils in a stator including a moving wire-insertion spider, a plurality of parallel wire-guide blades arranged along the contour of the moving spider, a stack-guide member provided with a plurality of recesses accommodating respective blades which are provided with a groove on their outer surface. The recesses are provided with a rib protruding towards the interior of the respective recess and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction thereof, and are adapted to engage respective grooves when the stack-guide member is inserted within the wire-guide blades. The grooves maybe arranged in pairs on a respective blade and are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane passing through the axis of the moving spider.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Zanussi Elettromeccanica S.p.A.Inventor: Jose Sarro Alonso
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Patent number: 6553655Abstract: A terminal extracting tool, which can extract a male type terminal in a female type connector, having a beam member provided at a front end thereof with a lock release pin to abut on a flexible locking piece of a connector housing, a holder slideably receiving the beam member, and an elastic member provided in the holder in a compressed condition to push the beam member rearwardly. The front end of the lock release pin is placed behind a front end surface of the holder. The beam member has juxtapositionally at least two members to slide independently of each other, each pushed rearwardly by respective elastic member. The beam member is provided at a rear area with a grip divided for each member.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventor: Kenji Suzuki
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Patent number: 6553656Abstract: An automatic assembly or production machine and workstation for such a machine which has a rotor that is rotatable around a vertical machine access, and has several receptacles on the periphery of the rotor for components or work pieces to be assembled or for subassemblies. The machine has a central drive means for the rotor for moving the receptacles in a cyclic movement from one work position to the next. Each work position has primary functional elements with a common control unit for them driven by a central drive assembly and producing controlled movements of the element in at least one axial direction in synchronization with the cyclic rotary movement of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Feintool International HoldingInventor: Siegmund Kumeth
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Patent number: 6553657Abstract: In order to suppress defective lead forming and defective mounting, a semiconductor device comprises a sealing body which has a square planar shape, a semiconductor chip which lies within the sealing body, and a plurality of leads which are electrically connected with electrodes of the semiconductor chip, which extend inside and outside the sealing body and which are arrayed along latera of the sealing body, wherein an outer lead portion of each of the leads is such that a root part which protrudes out of the sealing body is formed at a lead width being equal to or greater than a lead thickness, and that a mounting part which joins to the root part through an intermediate part is formed at a lead width being less than the lead thickness.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshinori Miyaki, Hiromichi Suzuki
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Patent number: 6553658Abstract: A method for assembling a multi-chip module does not necessitate more than one pass through a die attach machine. The method involves attaching a smaller die to a larger die without using a die attach machine. The larger die may be attached to a support structure using a die attach machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Patrick W. Tandy
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Patent number: 6553659Abstract: Each of a plurality of suction nozzle sections 20 provided about the outer circumference of an intermittently rotating head section 21 comprises a plurality of nozzle tip sections 10 for picking up electronic components 22 by suction, these nozzle tip sections 10 being connected to a rod section 4, which is driven to rotate by a motor 1. A cylindrical cam section 8having a cam surface 8a and being able to rotate relative to the rod section 4 is provided such as to encase the nozzle tip sections 10, and one ends of the nozzle tip sections 10 engage with the cam surface 8a of the cam section 8 via rollers 6, whereby the nozzle tip sections 10 are movable in a vertical direction. On the outer side of the cylindrical cam section 8, a stopper section 12 is provided for halting temporarily the rotation of only the cylindrical cam surface 8.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akiko Ida, Muneyoshi Fujiwara, Kunio Sakurai, Minoru Yamamoto, Kurayasu Hamasaki
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Patent number: 6553660Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic device including a first electronic component mounted on one main surface of a wiring board by being thermo-compression bonded by means of a thermo-compression bonding tool with an adhesive resin interposed between a first area of the one main surface of the wiring board and the first electronic component, and a second electronic component mounted on a second area different from the first area of the one main surface of the wiring board by melting a soldering paste material and higher than the first electronic component in post-mounting height, and wherein the first electronic component is mounted before the mounting of the second electronic component.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Hokkai Semiconductor, Ltd.Inventor: Shigeru Nakamura
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Patent number: 6553661Abstract: A test structure that is readily and inexpensively configurable to interface with dies having different bond pad configurations is achieved by providing a blank test membrane having a conductive coating or a matrix of conductive lines formed thereon. Once a die bond pad configuration is known, the test membrane can be configured for the die bond pads by using a laser under software control to define connection pads correlating to the die bond pads and also to define interconnecting conductive traces from the connecting pads to contact pads that can be connected to test equipment. In one embodiment, the laser operates to ablate a continuous conductive coating, so as to form conductive pads and traces. In another embodiment, the laser is used to cut various lines in a matrix of conductive lines, so as to define conductive paths from the bond pads to the contact pads for connection to the test equipment.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Richard W. Arnold, Lester Wilson, James Forster
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Patent number: 6553662Abstract: A high-density circuit has a plurality of conductors formed in grooves in a ceramic substrate, the conductors having a height less than that of the walls of the grooves. The substrate is embossed with a pattern of grooves corresponding to the grooves in an electroform made from a master tool. The same master tool is used to form a stencil which mates with the grooved substrate. A cermet paste is pushed through the stencil, so as to fill the bottom region of the grooves, and the stencil is then removed, leaving only the paste at the bottom of the grooves. The substrate is then fired, causing the substrate to harden, and causing the cermet to become conductive and to become firmly bonded to the substrate. Because the stencil and the substrate are made from the same, or replications of the same, master tool, the cermet paste can be laid down with great precision, thus enhancing the quality of the product, and reducing the cost of its manufacture.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Max Levy Autograph, Inc.Inventor: Donald C. Sedberry
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Patent number: 6553663Abstract: A method of installing a connector assembly relative to a terminal assembly of a hermetic compressor assembly, including: aligning the connector assembly with the terminal assembly; positioning an installation tool on the connector assembly; actuating the installation tool; and seating the connector assembly into the terminal assembly. Also, a method of installing a connector assembly relative to a terminal assembly of a hermetic compressor assembly, including: aligning the connector assembly with the terminal assembly; positioning an installation tool on the connector assembly; pneumatically applying force to the connector assembly through the installation tool until a predetermined pneumatic pressure has been reached; seating the connector assembly into the terminal assembly when or before the predetermined pressure has been reached; and retracting the tool after the connector assembly has been seated into the terminal assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Tecumseh Products CompanyInventors: Rick L. Bunch, Jack M. Curtiss
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Patent number: 6553664Abstract: A method of making a gasket of a variety which includes a generally annular retainer member having an inner and outer diametric extent which define a perimeter of a closed geometric shape, and at least one generally annular seal member formed of an elastomeric material and supported on the retainer member to be compressible intermediate a pair of interface surfaces for providing a fluid-tight seal therebetween. At least a first and a second retainer segment each is provided as extending intermediate a first end and a second end, and as having an inner periphery and an outer periphery. To form the retainer member, the first end of each of the retainer segments is connected to the second end of an adjacent segment such that the inner periphery of each segment defines a portion of the inner diametric extent of the retainer member, with the outer periphery of each segment defining a portion of the outer diametric extent of the retainer member.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1999Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Parker-Hannifin CorporationInventor: Douglas C. Schenk
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Patent number: 6553665Abstract: Turbine vane segments having outer and inner bands and a vane extending therebetween are welded one to the other by E-beam welding along their adjoining margins and from the outside of the bands. The adjoining margins on the hot gas path sides of the outer and inner bands are chamfered, TIG-welded and machined to provide a smooth, continuous gas path surface. The aft hook of each segment is cut back to provide inset faces in a radially projecting flange and a flange extending axially from the radial flange. A filler piece having a body shaped to correspond to the shape of the space between the inset faces of the radial flange is E-beam welded to the radial flange. Gaps between a tongue on the filler piece and the inset faces of the axially extending flange are provided with weld filler material and TIG-welded to complete the welding of the aft hook.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: George Gerald Gunn, John Robert Fulton, Francis Lawrence Kirkpatrick, Raymond Joseph Jones
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Patent number: 6553666Abstract: An inner ring 3 is fit to a stepped part 8 formed on the inner end of a hub 2b. A desired pre-load is applied to rolling elements 5 in a state that an outer end face 28 of the inner ring 3 is butted against a step surface 12 formed on the hub 2b. The inner ring 3 is fit to the hub 2b by interference fitting causing a static friction force, which is larger than a thrust load acting on the inner ring 3 based on the pre-loading. Therefore, the inner end face of the inner ring 3 is clamped with a caulking portion, which is formed by expanding outward in the diameter directions a cylindrical portion 18 formed in the inner end of the hub 2b.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: NSK, Ltd.Inventor: Hiroya Miyazaki
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Patent number: 6553667Abstract: System, apparatus, and method for making composite articles. Jewelry items such as finger rings, bracelets, earrings, body jewelry, and the like, are examples of such articles. Medical, dental, and industrial devices or components are other examples. Method of manufacturing an article including a substrate comprising a first material and an inlay comprising a second material includes the steps of preheating the substrate; contacting a depression in a surface of the substrate with the second material; heating the second material at a point contact with the substrate causing it to liquify and flow into the depression; and moving the point of contact along the along the depression in the surface of the substrate while continuously feeding the second material and heating the second material at the point contact with the substrate to cause it to substantially fill the depression.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventor: Trent West
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Patent number: 6553668Abstract: A rotary electric shaver with a plurality of individually rotating cutting elements contained within a circular head frame that provides planetary motion to the cutting elements by rotating the head frame around the single central drive shaft of a single electric motor within the shaver body.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2002Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventor: Hy Steinberg
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Patent number: 6553669Abstract: The pipe cutter includes a jigsaw with a motor that reciprocates a saw blade back and forth. A way is clamped to the jigsaw. A workpiece holder is slidably mounted on the way. The workpiece holder has a workpiece slot with a base, two side walls and a saw blade slot. A handle is attached to the workpiece holder. A pipe that is to be cut is placed in the workpiece slot and the workpiece holder is moved along the way toward the saw blade. The saw blade forces the pipe toward the base of the workpiece slot and cuts the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1997Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventor: Sam W. Carter
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Patent number: 6553670Abstract: A plastic pipe cutter. The cutter includes a front recess for clamping a workpeice, a front chamber, a rear chamber in communication with the front chamber, a bar shaped cutting device including a front blade, a rear head, and a central shank extended through the front chamber and the rear chamber. A first assembly in the front chamber includes a stop plate having a hole with the shank passed therethrough. An activation member having a hole larger than the diameter of the shank with the shank passed therethrough. A first resilient member is put on the shank and biased between the stop plate and the activation member. A pivotal trigger with the top thereof is engaged with the activation member. A second assembly in the rear chamber includes a pivotal engagement member and a second resilient member put on the shank and biased between the engagement member and the inner wall of the rear chamber. A third resilient member is put on the shank and biased between the enlarged head and the rear of the cutter.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventor: Ching-Tsung Chang
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Patent number: 6553671Abstract: The present invention is an improved folding knife having a handle with opposing first and second sides and a rotatable blade coupled with the handle and moveable between a locked position at which the blade extends from the handle and an unlocked position. A slot is defined in the blade. A locking bar is coupled with the first side of the handle and has a free end biased toward the blade. The free end of the locking bar is received within the slot when the blade is in the locked position. An actuator member is disposed within the slot and is moveable with respect to the sides of the handle when the blade is in the locked position. The free end of the locking bar is forced from the slot of the handle when the actuator member is moved toward the first side of the handle so that the blade is rotatable to the unlocked position.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventor: Gary R. Blanchard
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Patent number: 6553672Abstract: A folding knife locking mechanism is provided which prevents the inadvertent closure of a knife blade by utilizing a releasable tang which is compressed between the heel end of the folding knife blade and a stop pin.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Spyderco, Inc.Inventors: Louis S. Glesser, Peter H. Jhones, Vince Ford
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Patent number: 6553673Abstract: A knife includes a casing and a blade which can have two positions, an extended position in which the blade projects outside the casing and a retracted position in which the blade is disposed within the casing, a blade carrier to which is connected the blade, a housing on which is slidably mounted the blade carrier and that is removably mounted within the casing, and a finger piece-pusher mounted slidably on the casing to move forwardly the blade carrier to place the blade in a cutting position. The blade carrier and finger piece-pusher are returned to the retracted position by return springs. Components are provided to secure the finger piece-pusher and the blade carrier together to place the blade in the extended position. The components are uncoupled by a conjoint action of rotation and extraction of the blade carrier relative to the finger piece-pusher, resulting from the cutting action.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Mure & Peyrot, Societe a Responsabilite LimiteeInventors: Jean-Claude Peyrot, Marc Michiels
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Patent number: 6553674Abstract: A utility knife which has a slidable blade carrier located within an internal chamber of a housing. When the blade carrier is extended it has mounted thereon an engaging block with this engaging block being biased by a single spring to an outer engaging position which will connect the engaging block with the innermost blade of the stack of blades and sliding movement of the blade carrier will result in that innermost blade to protrude from the housing. The engaging block is mounted by a pair of pins which are mounted on the blade carrier. Movement of the blade carrier is accomplished by a thumb button where the inner portion of the thumb button is laterally displaced from the outer portion of the thumb button in order to maximize the space within a blade storage chamber formed within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: AWI Acquisition CompanyInventor: William B. Budrow
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Patent number: 6553675Abstract: A releasable footplate assembly for a jigsaw includes a shaft portion having a handle, a screw boss having a yoke, a base portion having a bridge portion through which the screw extends into the screw boss and a bridge plate, attached to the screw, releasably engaging the bridge portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: S-B Power Tool CompanyInventor: James Orrico
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Patent number: 6553676Abstract: A protractor comprising a frame and a lever arm coupled thereto. The frame includes a first substantially straight edge and an elongate track adjacent to the first edge. The lever arm includes a second substantially straight edge and a channel which mateably engages the track of the frame. The channel/track combination couples the lever arm to the frame and permits the lever arm to rotate about an axis substantially orthogonal to the first and second edges. The first and second edges intersect at a point allowing a user to describe an angle between the two edges.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Alterra Holdings CorporationInventors: Christopher Robert Carlson, Cory R. Boudreau, David E. Barnard, Ryan W. Rindy, Sheldon Roberts
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Patent number: 6553677Abstract: A combination square including a body including two opposing members, each having a plurality of straightedged surfaces, and a clamping element adapted to clamp the opposing members together, the opposing members defining a recess therebetween for receiving therein a rule member.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Kapro Industries Ltd.Inventor: Manny Szumer
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Patent number: 6553678Abstract: I have discovered it is possible to find an indirect measurement if the vertex angle is given and the sides and the diameter are given. Using an instrument having the shape of an isosceles triangle it is possible to have a vertex angle and two congruent sides that correspond to the diameter of a circle or the side of a cube to find an indirect measurement to solve four classic problems, one is squaring the area of a circle, two is squaring the area of a sphere, three is finding the cube root of a sphere and cubing the volume, four is to double the volume of a cube.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventor: Kenneth H Austin
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Patent number: 6553679Abstract: An alignment tool for clip angles including an attachment portion adapted for being coupled with a square and a hole of a clip angle. The attachment portion should be perfectly alignment with the hole of the clip angle to define a properly positioned hole.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventor: Duane L. Todd
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Patent number: 6553680Abstract: A device for placing one or more reference lines on the face of a user in such manner as not to mark the face in any manner. The device utilizes a frame adapted to rest on top of the nasal bone and the ears of the user. At least one line drawing attachment is detachably secured to the frame. The attachment includes an elongated hollow cylinder having an elongated slot extending from the interior to the exterior of the cylinder. The cylinder contains an elongated light source which when electrically energized projects a reference line of light through said slot.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventor: Kamran Vazdi
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Patent number: 6553681Abstract: A system and method to facilitate thickness measurement of bio-material workpiece, preferably a sheet, and to topographically map the sheet into similar thickness zones for later use. In particular, the system may include a three-axis programmable controller for manipulating a bio-material workpiece with respect to a thickness measurement head. The measurement head may include a plurality of sensors for simultaneous measurement of a plurality of points, with the sensors being adapted to contact the sheet or not. A robust human-machine interface is also provided for process control, preferably including a touch-screen monitor. A marking head may be provided for marking the zones or otherwise indicating the thickness in different areas. Two platens are desirably used in parallel for increased thoughput; the workpiece on one platen may be measured while the other is marked. The system and method are especially suited for assessing and marking pericardial tissue for forming heart valve leaflets.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventors: Carl Roger Ekholm, Jr., Son Nguyen, Richard L. Peloquin, Robert Gliniecki, Todd Baeten, Suzanne E. Graumlich, Steven Eric Backer
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Patent number: 6553682Abstract: The present invention is a touch probe which can be connected to a computer controlled machine for determining positions of and defining shapes of work pieces, edges, hole centers and contours. The probe due to it design allows for a simpler and effective alternative to previous probes. The probe includes a body, stylus, a shank and an internal assembly. The body contains the internal assembly, which provide signals to a computer. The arrangement of the internal assembly is what makes the present invention simpler to manufacture and allow the probe to be miniaturized. The internal assembly includes an upper circuit board with a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a spring, a spring cap, a stylus mount, a housing, carbide balls, a lower circuit board, a support ring and wires.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: ParadyneInventor: Timothy R. Willoughby
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Patent number: 6553683Abstract: A method for defining a regular or irregular shape utilizes a template apparatus including a plurality of radially-adjustable corner members connected by length-adjustable straight edge members. The corner members include an angle scale to display the defined angle, while the edge members include a length scale to display the defined length of that edge.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventors: Kevin M. Klass, Walter I. Matthews, III
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Patent number: 6553684Abstract: A tool and/or the combination of a spring-biased reel type measuring tape and the tool which serves the purpose of measuring and marking a cut on a board. The tool consists of a bracket attached to the spring-biased reel type measuring tape. An apron is pivotally mounted to the bracket for pivoting to a vertical downward position to serve as a bearing surface against a board to be cut. An elongated measuring bar is pivotally mounted to the bracket for pivoting horizontally from a closed position adjacent the measuring tape to an open position angularly displaced away from the measuring tape to serve as a guide for a marking line on the board to be cut. A carriage is slidably mounted in the on the measuring bar for carrying a marking implement suitable for making a marking line on the board to be cut.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Inventors: Nevin C. Jenkins, Antonio Lebron