Patents Issued in May 6, 2003
  • Patent number: 6557848
    Abstract: A paper-stopping mechanism applied in an automatic document feeder (ADF). The paper-stopping mechanism includes a shaft, a stepping motor for carrying the shaft to rotate, a cam structure having a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion and carried by the shaft to rotate the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion thereof, a paper-stopping arm having a bearing point, wherein the bearing point is moved against by the first protruding portion to move the paper-stopping arm upward, and an elastic buckling device for buckling the paper-stopping arm when the paper-stopping arm is moving upward to stay at a paper-feeding position, and for shifting when the second protruding portion of the cam structure is rotated against the elastic buckling device for removing the paper-stopping arm from the elastic buckling device to return to a paper-stopping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Silitek Corporation
    Inventors: Sidney Hsiao, Jones Wu, Jackly Liu, Julian Liu
  • Patent number: 6557849
    Abstract: Sheet handling apparatus includes a transport system for transporting sheets; a sensing system for monitoring the passage of sheets; and a controller. The controller determines, during a transaction involving the transport of one or a sequence of sheets, the existence of a jam condition from the sensing system. If a jam condition exists, the controller operates the transport system to attempt to release the jammed sheet. If at least three attempts to release the jammed sheet fail, the controller stops the current transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Da la Rue International
    Inventor: Daniel Wyss
  • Patent number: 6557850
    Abstract: A check processing module includes a hardware device disposed along a document track for processing document items moving from an upstream end of the document track to a downstream end of the document track. A number of outer panels covers the hardware device during operation of the check processing module. At least one idler roller is provided for engaging a document item in the document track when the idler roller is in a non-retracted position. When a button is operated by an operator, the idler roller moves from a non-retracted position to a retracted position away from a document item in the document track to allow the operator to more easily gain access to the document track without having to remove any of the outer panels covering the hardware device positioned along the document track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Fredrik L. N. Kallin, Svetozar Doroslovac
  • Patent number: 6557851
    Abstract: A lottery ticket having a first play area including a preselected number of pairs of adjacent play symbols, and a second play area including a plurality of intersecting rows, each row having at least two regions with each region containing a play symbol, wherein the player matches the pairs of symbols from the first play area with the same play symbols in adjacent regions of the second play area and a prize is won if the player completes a sufficient number of play symbols in the second play area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Oberthur Gaming Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Katia Gauthier, Carla Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6557852
    Abstract: Cubic senary (base 6) dice uniquely harness the power of the base 6 number system and generate random numbers from a predetermined set of consecutive numbers, each tending to occur with the same relative frequency. Cubic senary dice have numerical values corresponding to the place values of the base 6 number system, and face values corresponding to the senary notational digits (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Notational digits on cubic senary dice have two values: an intrinsic value—which is that signified by the isolated symbol itself, and a local value—the value possessed by the numeral by virtue of the power of its die, 60, 61, 62, etc. The magnitude of the senary number cast is a sum of products involving powers of the number 6. A random senary number is obtained by casting the dice and reading the notational digits returned from each die cast, in order, from the highest to the lowest power die. The random senary number is converted to its decimal equivalent with a calculator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Dyer Cuddy
  • Patent number: 6557853
    Abstract: A video game controller joystick strap device is provided which fits on the joystick, preferably by an expandable buttonhole. This device is provided with a fastener permitting the strap to fixed around a user's thumb or finger. In its preferred embodiment, the fastener is a hook and loop device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: John D. Huettlinger
  • Patent number: 6557854
    Abstract: A method of playing a word forming board game upon an erasable surface (10), divided into rectangular letter spaces (14) by grid lines (11 and 12). In turn each player adds letters to spell a word. This primary word must extend from the previously played letters of the game. A die roll and an instruction card (19) determine the number of letters to be added. A player receives a point for each letter of the primary word, including letters extending from previous play. Additionally, the player receives a point for each letter of any other acceptable words formed during play, such as words within words. Acceptable words must read from left to right without skipping letters and must also be at least three letters long. Further, the words must be acceptable in respect to the word types as defined by the rules. Allowances are made for word challenging. The game proceeds until someone has reached a predetermined number of points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Richard L. Jaspers
  • Patent number: 6557855
    Abstract: A shooting target. The shooting target includes a base with a battery chamber, a speaker and casing mounted thereon. The casing houses a gear box therein. Above the casing, there are a counter, a moving target and a lighting section. The gear box has a gear set and a driving motor. At the front and rear outer side of the gear box, there are respectively first and second cam devices pivotally disposed thereon. The counter is located above the gear box for automatically counting the toppling number of the moving target. when the moving target is hit and toppled, an audio and visual effect will be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Wen-Long Wu
  • Patent number: 6557856
    Abstract: A split mechanical face seal that provides fluid sealing between a housing and a rotating shaft includes first and second seal rings each having at least two seal ring segments and a radially extending seal face. The seal ring faces of the seal rings are opposed to one another. One of the seal rings is connected to the rotating shaft to rotate therewith, while the other seal ring is connected to the housing. The split seal also includes a continuous, circumferential groove formed in the seal face of the first seal ring for introducing a fluid to the seal faces of the first and second seal rings to establish a seal therebetween. A split support member having at least two support segments for coupling the first seal ring to the housing or the rotating shaft is also provided. The split face seal is operable as both a contacting and a non-contacting mechanical face seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: A. W. Chesterton Co.
    Inventors: Henri V. Azibert, Bo Ruan, Shifeng Wu, Marlen S. Clark
  • Patent number: 6557857
    Abstract: A radial lip seal for sealably mounting within a split circular seal housing includes a seal body having a channel disposed along a seal body outside diameter. The radial split seal includes an annular seal body which is divided into at least two substantially similar semi-annular seal body sections that are each connected together at end portions. The seal body formed from such sections includes a sealing lip that extends radially inwardly from the body for slidable sealing contact around a rotatable shaft. An energizer is seated within the channel. The seal is mounted within a seal housing that is configured to fix the axial placement of the seal therein. The energizer is interposed between the seal and the seal housing to both allow the seal to move radially a desired distance within the seal housing in response to seal thermal expansion and contraction, and to provide a leak-tight seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Company
    Inventor: James R. Goodman
  • Patent number: 6557858
    Abstract: A double ring seal of unitary construction is made from a resilient deformable material. The ring seal comprises two coplanar sealing rings for use in sealing between two substantially planar surfaces, and means interconnecting the rings, such that an interspace volume is formed between the rings when the seal is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: United Kingdom Nirex Limited
    Inventors: Neil Anthony Carr, Trevor Norman Walker
  • Patent number: 6557859
    Abstract: A net-shape molded elastomeric gasket for dissipating heat and providing electro-magnetic interference (EMI) shielding for an electronic device is formed by loading a base elastomeric matrix material with thermally conductive filler and EMI reflective metallic filler and injecting the mixture into a mold cavity. The gasket of the present invention provides superior sealing between the case sections of an electronic device by shielding the device from EMI infiltration along the seam between the sections. In addition, the gasket of the present invention is in thermal communication with the case sections of the electronic device to provide thermal transfer and dissipation between the separate parts of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Cool Options, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin A. McCullough, James D. Miller, Mikhail Sagal
  • Patent number: 6557860
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of passages in a fixture has a piston movable therein and cooperating with a collet therein to simultaneously move each collet to its workpiece retaining position and to release each collet from its workpiece retaining position. A recess in the bottom of the fixture supports a locking nut for each passage. Each locking nut has a circular passage extending therethrough to receive an end of the collet having threads on its outer surface. The circular passage has threads of the same pitch but the threads have an interrupted portion in the circumferential and axial directions. The locking nut has a first portion movable relative to a second portion to take up the pitch clearance in the threads on the collet due to the interrupted portion of threads in the circular passage to prevent rotation of the collet prior to the piston moving the collet to its workpiece retaining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Lexair, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford W. Allen, III, Theodore P. O'Canna, Marshall B. Reynolds, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6557861
    Abstract: A three-wheeled roller skate and method therefore, comprising a substantially shoe-shaped foot receptacle, two heel end wheels rotatably coupled to an axis, and a toe end wheel smaller in diameter than the two heel end wheels and positioned in front of and spaced apart from the toe end of the skater's foot, allowing a user to maximize both stability as well as speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Dean P. Saylor
  • Patent number: 6557862
    Abstract: Four wheel in-line skate, having a half-boot type inner footwear portion and an outer rigid portion made up of a first tip front portion and a second rear portion surrounding ankle and heel. Within the first and second portions are housed the inner footwear portion. The first front portion and the second rear portion of the skate are fixedly coupled each other by a flexible coupling of the lamina or spring kind, provided in correspondence of the underlying portion of the same in such a way to allow their movement and the automatic return to an alignment position. The front and rear portions are provided with vertical elements, perpendicularly provided with respect to the plane of the skate, provided at least partially one within the other, and within each one of couples of vertical elements wheels are provided, connected with the same by pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Pellegrino Gallo
  • Patent number: 6557863
    Abstract: A skate body having a first body portion and a second body portion that are releasably secured together. A brake device includes a brake seat mounted to one of the first and second body portions and a brake block. The brake seat includes a resilient hook member and a rib formed on an inner wall thereof. The brake block includes an engaging groove releasably engaged with the rib of the brake seat and a retaining piece releasably engaged with the resilient hook member of the brake seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Angel Lime Plastic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lung-Chuan Chen
  • Patent number: 6557864
    Abstract: An in-line roller skate is described, which consists of a chassis (2) equipped with at least two rollers (3) and which has two platforms (4, 5) and a boot (1) with a flexible upper resting on the platforms and connected to these platforms by a rigid part consisting of a footbed (17) connected to the inside of the flexible upper. The sole is thus securely held between the rigid footbed and at least the rear platform of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Lange International S.A.
    Inventor: David Lenoir
  • Patent number: 6557865
    Abstract: A highback for controlling a gliding board, such as a snowboard, through leg movement of a rider. The highback is provided with stiffness adjustability for accommodating the rider's particular riding preferences. Adjusting the highback stiffness allows the rider to selectively increase or decrease force transmission and board response based on individual riding preferences and/or riding conditions. Adjusting highback stiffness may also allow a rider to reduce pressure points between the highback and the leg, particularly the rider's calf muscle, for increased comfort while maintaining heelside support for board control. The highback includes a back member that may employ one or more sections that can be selectively adjusted to achieve a desired highback stiffness for board response and comfort. The degree of stiffness may be established by adjusting the flexibility of the highback at preselected locations of the back member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Reuss, Brian D. West, David J. Dodge, Ryan Coulter, Christopher M. Doyle
  • Patent number: 6557866
    Abstract: A snowboard binding for use with a snowboard and boots. The snowboard binding includes a top plate for affixation to a sole of a boot and a bottom plate for affixation to a snowboard. The top plate has two spaced apart and opposed upturned and inwardly angled end walls, and a locking bar with a hole formed therein. The bottom plate has two opposing end tabs which are inwardly angled by a predetermined angle generally mating to that of the end walls of the top plate. The bottom plate has a locking mechanism with a locking pin adapted to be biased into a hole formed in the locking bar when the top plate is fully engaged with the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis Jones, Jason Englehart
  • Patent number: 6557867
    Abstract: A portable multi-activity outdoor recreation apparatus for providing a person not only with an apparatus for sleeping upon but also a means for carrying downed game, an injured or sick person, and equipment. The portable multi-activity outdoor recreation apparatus comprises a frame, a supporting assembly coupled to the frame for supporting a person and game, a wheel assembly coupled to the frame, an umbrella support member removably coupled to the frame, and leg members for supporting the frame on a ground surface. The apparatus is further configurable into a seatable position and includes a seat member for supporting a user and a table member for different activities, which includes a means for a hunter to gain a steadier and longer aim when game is approaching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Bruce L. Angstadt
  • Patent number: 6557869
    Abstract: A hand truck with a generally upright skeletal frame carried on spaced apart wheels connected with the lower portion of the frame incorporates a noseplate and a pallet-supporting fork structure configured to enter a pallet. The noseplate and fork structure are carried on the frame to be interchangeably movable to and from vertically spaced operative positions projecting forwardly at generally right angles to the lower end of the frame and removed stowed positions generally vertically adjacent the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Magline, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Gillette, Thomas A. Gillette, Nathan J. Hull, Bruce L. Hailston
  • Patent number: 6557870
    Abstract: A direction limiting structure of a stroller front wheel includes a control lever and an elastic member. The control lever is pivoted to a connecting block supporting the wheel axle, and has a pointed end and an engaging part. The elastic member is attached to the connecting block form a lower end, and has an upper convex part and a middle concave part. The limiting structure further has an engaging gap on an outer side of a support rod of the stroller, which a pivotal rod part of the connecting block passes through. The control lever can be pivoted to a locking position where the pointed end is in the middle concave part of the elastic member and where the engaging part abuts the lower edge of the support rod; when the direction of the wheel changes for the engaging part to face the engaging gap, the elastic member will further bias the pointed end downwards, making the engaging part move into the engaging gap to prevent the direction of the wheel from changing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Ying-Hsiung Cheng
  • Patent number: 6557871
    Abstract: An adjustable seat back arrangement for stroller includes two inclination locking devices for selectively locking up a back support on two construction bars respectively, wherein each of the inclination locking devices includes a first and second locking members vertically and spacedly provided between the back support and the respective construction bar and a sliding locker adapted for locking up the first and second locking elements for adjusting a distance between the back support and the respective construction bar so as to adjust an inclined angle between the back support and the seat support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Ben Ming Hsia
  • Patent number: 6557872
    Abstract: A replacement apparatus for a ball joint for conveniently modifying motor vehicle suspension camber, caster or camber/caster combination angle by means of repositioning a wheel suspension steering knuckle top or bottom relative to a knuckle mount. The apparatus includes a body with an orientation mark and positioning teeth, a lower support with degree offset marks and matching positioning teeth, a bearing insert, an upper support, and a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ingalls Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Garrard
  • Patent number: 6557873
    Abstract: A replacement front wheel assembly (2) for a rollerboard having a footboard (48) provided in the rear end portion thereof with at least one wheel and in the front end portion thereof with a steering head bearing (4) for connection of a front wheel assembly (2) and a steering rod (54) connected to the front wheel assembly (2), characterized in that the front wheel assembly (2) comprises a connecting member (6) for connection to the steering head bearing (4) as well as two front wheels (8; 10) that are each offset towards a respective side of the longitudinal axis of the roller board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Euro-G.E.M. GmbH
    Inventor: Moamar Nardone
  • Patent number: 6557874
    Abstract: A suspension assembly is provided for use in stabilizing a vehicle during turning maneuvers. The suspension assembly includes a frame and the stabilizer bar secured to the frame by a bracket. A bushing having a hole along an axis receives the stabilizer bar. The bushing has a first portion disposed between the bracket and the stabilizer bar with the stabilizer bar supported by the first portion in a slip-fit relationship. A second portion extends from the first portion along the axis with a tether portion connecting the first and second portions. A notch is arranged adjacent to the tether portion and separates the first and second portions. Preferably, the notch and tether portion provide a frangible connection between the first and second portions. A clamp is supported on the second portion to secure the second portion to the stabilizer bar thereby preventing relative rotation between the second portion and the stabilizer bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Suspension Systems Company
    Inventor: Joseph A. Fader
  • Patent number: 6557875
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension and a control arm therefor are provided. The control arm includes first and second members each defining a recess corresponding to a portion of the outer surface of a vehicle axle. The members are welded or otherwise coupled together to surround at least a majority of the axle thereby enabling installation of the control arm without sliding the arm onto the axle. Each of the members includes a pair of sidewalls and a lateral wall joining, and integral with, the sidewalls. The sidewalls are angled relative to an axis of the axle to provide sufficient clearance for a spring assembly mounted to the control arm and centering of spring loads. The two sidewalls of one member may further include aligned apertures configured to receive a tube on which a shock absorber may be mounted. The tube enables strong and accurate mounting of the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Kraig Schlosser, Martin Blessing, Kent Davison
  • Patent number: 6557876
    Abstract: To provide a front fender device for a motorcycle in which a front fender extending on front and rear sides of a front fork is mounted on the front fork in such a manner as to cover an upper side of the front wheel. The device is intended to increase the degree of freedom in design while minimizing an increase in weight and reducing vibration and noise from the front fender. Garnishes are mounted on each of right and left outer surfaces of a front fender at a plurality of positions spaced in the longitudinal direction of the front fender with elastic members inserted between the front fender and the garnishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Terunari Saiki, Kenji Mutou, Mamoru Otsubo, Hideaki Yamazumi, Toshiteru Yamamoto, Kazuro Furukawa, Toshinobu Fujii
  • Patent number: 6557877
    Abstract: A coil spring is mounted in the hub of a wheel of a vehicle. One end of the coil spring is connected to a ratchet and the ratchet is engaged by a pawl which is connected to the hub. A brake is also mounted in the hub. The drum of the brake is connected to the other end of the coil spring and the brake pad is connected to the axle of the wheel. When the brake is activated, the spring deforms and applies a braking force on the wheel. When the brake is de-activated, the wheel is driven forward by the spring as it unwinds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Jason Dunkley
  • Patent number: 6557878
    Abstract: A locking device is adapted for releasably locking a seat post relative to a seat tube of a bicycle frame, and includes a tubular body with a lower surrounding member to be secured to the seat tube. An upper surrounding member extends upwardly to terminate at an upper surrounding edge, and has an accommodating space for the seat post, and a slit extending downwardly from the upper surrounding edge. A plurality of protuberances are disposed on and project radially and inwardly of an inner surrounding wall surface of the upper surrounding member, and are angularly displaced from each other. Right and left jaw members are respectively attached on the upper surrounding member, and are moved by a tightening member toward each other to narrow the slit so as to bring the protuberances to abut against the seat post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jack Chen
  • Patent number: 6557879
    Abstract: This is a hand-propelled wheeled device for a rider. The device includes: a frame with two sides; a first and second drive wheel rotatably mounted to the two sides; a first hand crank connected to the first drive wheel through a first crank hub, and a first wheel hub that is connected to and rotates the first drive wheel; a second hand crank connected to the second drive wheel through a second crank hub, and a second ratcheting hub that is connected to and rotates the second drive wheel; at least one shifting mechanism to change a leveraging ratio between the first hand crank and the first drive wheel and between the second hand crank and the second drive wheel; a pivoting backrest connected to the frame, wherein the pivoting backrest provides continuous back support to the rider; an adjustable hammock seat connected to the frame; a third support connected to the frame; and a braking mechanism to retard movement of the first and second drive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: John R. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 6557880
    Abstract: A multiwheel self propelled variable torque output vehicle has at least one front and one rear wheel with power being supplied to a rear wheel by a pair of reciprocating pedal levers having a non-slip surface material connected to engaging lever arms. The rear wheel has an axle and bearing, and the pedal levers engage the chassis through slots permitting slidable movement of the pedal levers with respect to the chassis. Force is exerted by the rider against the pedal levers to displace the lever arms and rotate the rear wheel. Torque applied and speed attained depend upon the location on the pedal levers where force is applied. Assuming a level riding surface, greater torque is developed when force is applied at one end of the pedal levers and greater speed is attained when less torque is developed at the other pedal lever ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Walter Brooks Drew
  • Patent number: 6557881
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a working machine, e.g., an excavating machine, movable on crawler tracks and being provided with an excavating mechanism. The apparatus includes at least two spaced-apart wheels and a load platform mounted therebetween. The working machine is secured at one end to the load platform and at the other end props against a tractor vehicle via the excavating mechanism. The working machine may be driven onto the load platform where its advancement is stopped by a guard on the load platform. As the working machine moves into contact with the guard, the mass of the working machine delivers to the load platform a moment that forces the load platform to pivot against the bottom surface of a crawler track. At least one gripping element on the load platform eliminates relative slippage between the crawler track and the load platform and locks the working machine against the guard. One such apparatus is provided for each track of the working machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Ossi Kortesalmi
  • Patent number: 6557882
    Abstract: An improved utility trailer for all terrain vehicles including brush and tree deflectors, spring suspension, flotation tires, enclosed storage and animal transport compartment, tail gates and side rails, dumping capability, conversion to personnel transporter further including a windshield to prevent personnel injury from low limbs and brush or mud thrown up by the ATV and an awning to provide shade and reduce heat. The trailer may also include such amenities as passenger cushions and drink holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Michael H. Harrington
  • Patent number: 6557883
    Abstract: A glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a support frame including a pair of spaced guide rails and a pair of upright assemblies attached to the guide rails. Each upright assembly includes a lower sleeve portion for receiving a respective guide rail, an intermediate housing portion vertically above the sleeve portion, and an upper mounting portion vertically above the housing portion. A head assembly may be adjustably mounted between respective housing portions of the upright assemblies. At least one roller is positioned within each housing portion of the upright assemblies such that the at least one roller contacts an upper surface of an upper guide rail. In addition, the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a latching assembly for releasably locking the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly between a first and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Valley Industries
    Inventors: Don F. Linger, Jeffrey V. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 6557884
    Abstract: A system for mounting a rider to a snowboard. The system comprises a snowboard boot; a snowboard binding; a first engagement member; and a second engagement member; wherein one of the first and second engagement members is mounted to the sole of the snowboard boot forward of the arch area and the other is mounted to the binding. The first engagement is adapted to mate with the second engagement member to releasably engage the snowboard boot to the binding. The first engagement member is an active engagement member that is automatically movable, in response to the rider stepping out of the binding, from a closed position to an open position. Another embodiment is directed to a snowboard boot for use with a binding including a pair of spaced apart engagement members. The snowboard boot includes a cleat adapted to be releasably engaged by the pair of spaced apart engagement members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: Paul T. Maravetz, Frank Phillips, David J. Dodge, David L. Perry, Joshua S. Reid
  • Patent number: 6557885
    Abstract: An improved stroller is disclosed. The stroller preferably includes a frame which allows the stroller to collapse from an extended configuration. The stroller also allows an operator to easily collapse the stroller. The invention also provides a locking device to prevent inadvertent collapse of the stroller. The invention includes an actuator assembly in association with the locking device which may be actuated by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: Baku Kakuda
  • Patent number: 6557886
    Abstract: This invention relates to an airbag module, especially a passenger airbag module, having a module housing and a cover plate with at least one side wall, whereby said cover plate is a separate component that rests upon a surrounding component. The invention provides two means of engagement. A first engaging means allows the cover plate to move in relation to the surrounding component. A second engaging means allows the cover plate to move in relation to the module housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventor: Takashi Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 6557887
    Abstract: A rear seat airbag device is arranged with an airbag housing mounted to a rear portion of a front seat of a vehicle. The housing has an airbag deployment opening which deploys the airbag upwardly and toward the head and chest portion of a rear seat occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Thomas Wohllebe
  • Patent number: 6557888
    Abstract: A gas generator for an air bag system has, in a housing provided with a gas discharge port, ignition means activated upon an impact, and gas generating means ignited and burnt by the ignition means and generate a combustion gas for inflating an air bag, and two combustion chambers storing the gas generating means. The combustion chambers are concentrically provided so as to be adjacent to each other in the radial direction of the housing, and a communicating hole which allows communication between the combustion chambers is provided, in the housing. The gas generator also has two igniters, two different gas generating means, a connector having a lead wire, a combustion chamber, ignition means provided in an inner cylindrical member, and an automatic ignition member, which can effectively restrain an occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nakashima, Nobuyuki Ohji, Yasunori Iwai, Nobuyuki Katsuda
  • Patent number: 6557889
    Abstract: Crash sensor arrangement for determining whether a crash involving a vehicle requires deployment of an occupant restraint device including an elongate sensor arranged in the crush zone to provide a variable impedance as a function of a change in velocity of the crush zone and a processor for measuring the impedance of the sensor or a part thereof at a plurality of times to determine changes in the impedance. The processor provides a crash signal for consideration in the deployment of the occupant restraint device based on the determined changes in impedance. The sensor can have a U-shaped portion extending along both sides of the vehicle and across a front of the vehicle. The sensor may have a coaxial cable and an electromagnetic wave generator which generates electromagnetic waves and feeds the waves into the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Patent number: 6557890
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid-type device for inflating vehicle safety equipment with gas chamber for acceptance of compressed gases and at least two charges for the production of gas. The inflation devices is distinguished in that the two charges each have a mass of at least 5% of the mass of the compressed gas so that each charge can substantially increase the temperature of the gas and in that they are each arranged outside the gas chamber, on different sides thereof They can thus be ignited simply and precisely at predetermined without reciprocal impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Mats Karlin, Torbjörn Skanberg
  • Patent number: 6557891
    Abstract: An airbag system for a front passenger's seat of the top-mount type according to the invention is arranged in an instrument panel below a windshield. The front passenger's seat airbag system is constructed to comprise a door, a case and an airbag. The door is arranged on the upper face of the instrument panel. The case houses and holds the airbag in a folded state. The airbag, as housed in the case, is expanded by injecting an inflating gas into a gas inlet port so that the airbag protrudes to open the door and towards the rear side of a vehicle along the windshield. The airbag is equipped with a commutator cloth arranged to cover the gas inlet port. This commutator cloth is arranged to close the two sides in the transverse direction of the vehicle and to open the two sides in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This front passenger's seat airbag system reduces the expansion rate of the airbag towards the rear of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Okada, Kazumasa Suzuki, Yuji Kuriyama, Hiroshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6557892
    Abstract: In an automotive side-impact protection system an inflatable elongated cushioning bag is tensioned between two fixed points in a vehicle. One of the tensioning straps is branched at the one of its ends facing the cushioning bag into two tensioning strap sections, engaging the cushioning bag at two different levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Frank Herzog
  • Patent number: 6557893
    Abstract: A restraining device for protecting the driver of a vehicle. The restraining system has at least one safety rollover bar laterally mounted next to the seat of the driver. The safety rollover bar can be swiveled from an vertical release position into a horizontal restraining position by a shaft extending transversely in relation to the longitudinal expanse of the vehicle. The shaft is driven by an electric motor via a transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Hans Sauermann
  • Patent number: 6557894
    Abstract: A system for stabilizing a trailer such as a caravan, when parked, or for raising and lowering a pop-top or a television antenna on a caravan, the system having at least one four water actuated ram, and being operable from water supplied from a water tap 47 (faucet) at a camp ground/caravan park. A valve 19 in the supply line 33 prevents loss of water and hence inadvertent actuation/deactuation of the water actuated rams. A selector valve 21 allows selection between extend and retract operations. In the case of a system for stabilizing a trailer such as a caravan when parked, or for raising and lowering a pop-top on a caravan there are at least two water actuated rams and preferably four water actuated rams 11, 13, 15, 17 connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Graeme John Lange
  • Patent number: 6557895
    Abstract: A protective pad for positioning over a medical device subdermally implanted in the chest of a passenger between the shoulder strap of an automobile seat belt assembly and the chest of the passenger. The pad has a generally continuous lateral wall or a U-shaped lateral wall having an inner end positionable on the passenger's chest and an opposed outer end. There is a top wall superimposed over the outer end of the continuous lateral wall to form a recessed area beneath this top wall over the medical device. A pair of fabric flaps extend from the generally continuous lateral wall in opposed relation to each other. These flaps are each equipped with VELCRO strips to be engageable with each other around the seat belt shoulder strap. Alternatively, a single flap equipped with a VELCRO strip can engage a similar strip on the top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventors: Scott G. Haack, Connie L. Haack
  • Patent number: 6557896
    Abstract: Multi-compartment tankers, especially road tankers, suffer from cracking of the compartment divisions due to the repeated stressing of the tank in use. The present invention provides a solution by providing the desired capacity in a plurality of tanks which are individually mounted one behind the other to a vehicle chassis using a flexible mounting system which allows the individual tanks to move with respect to one another in response to flexing of the vehicle chassis. The mounting allows at least upward and downward movement relative to a rest position. The use of multiple tanks facilitates the use of a sight gauge for determining the quantity of liquid in each tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Allan William Stobart
  • Patent number: 6557897
    Abstract: A one-piece collapsible stand, especially for a binder, made of a suitable material, like corrugated cardboard or polypropylene, by stamping or molding. In its collapsed configuration, all components of the stand are coplanar. The stand comprises a frame-like bottom plate, to which a center leg and two side legs are connected by integral hinges. Complementary latch notches in the side of the engaging legs adjacent their free ends interlock to fix the structure in its erected configuration. Specifically spaced circular holes aligned in parallel to a side of the frame-like bottom plate enable the stand to be transported in its collapsed position in ring binders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Ronald F. Gaudet
  • Patent number: 6557898
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for labeling three-dimensional objects. A sheet comprising at least one tag, each tag consisting of a thin piece of resilient, print-treated polyester, or other material, and a method of attaching the tag to a three-dimensional object, such as a glass or plastic vial, is described. The tag identifies each individual object, and permits transfer of the object throughout a series of analytical processes without losing object identity. The tag is marked by offset printing, laser engraving, or another marking process such that the marking does not become unreadable during handling and testing. Labeling of individual objects is accomplished by inserting an object through an aperture in the tag resulting in the tag being attached to the vial. Removal of the vial from the sheet causes the tag to be separated from the sheet and to remain attached to the vial. Alternatively, a sheet holder, such as a rack, could be used to hold the sheet of tags during the labeling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Bioanalytical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Candice B. Kissinger, Patrick D. Mullen, Scott R. Peters, Jonathan D. Combs