Patents Issued in May 20, 2003
  • Patent number: 6564907
    Abstract: An elevator including a cage configured to ascend and descend along a guide rail in an elevator shaft, a drive unit configured to move the cage up and down, and an emergency stop device configured to urgently stop the cage when the cage descends at an extraordinary speed. The emergency stop device including an emergency stop mechanism provided at a lower end portion of the cage and configured to engage the guide rail, thereby urgently stopping the cage, a link mechanism provided at the lower end portion of the cage so as to be located close to the emergency stop mechanism and configured to actuate the emergency stop mechanism on receiving an external input, and a speed detector configured to detect the descent of the cage at the extraordinary speed and correspondingly to apply the external input to the link mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hirotada Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6564908
    Abstract: A wall panel assembly for use as an interior wall of an elevator car includes a wall panel embossed to form a central portion, a decorative panel having an ornamental front surface, and an adhesive material adhering the decorative panel to the wall panel. When the wall panel is installed in an elevator car, the decorative panel ornamental front surface is visible to passengers. The decorative panel can be formed of a flexible laminate material to follow the contour of the central portion. The central portion is surrounded by a rib or curved portion to hide an edge of the decorative panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Emilio A. Sanchez, James H. Chittum, William T. Leonard
  • Patent number: 6564909
    Abstract: A vehicle braking member has a block of friction material cooperating in sliding manner with a respective member for braking, and supports a wear detector wherein a resistive element, consumed simultaneously with the block of friction material, has a first electric terminal set, in use, to a reference potential, and a single second electric terminal cooperating in sliding manner with the member for braking so as to be set to the same potential as the member for braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: I.C.P. S.r.l.
    Inventor: Tancredi Razzano
  • Patent number: 6564910
    Abstract: A disk brake for a bicycle includes a body having a first portion with a first passage defined in the first portion and a second portion with a second passage defined to correspond to the first passage. A first slot is defined in the body and communicates with the first passage and the second passage. A second slot is defined in an outer periphery of the body and communicates with the first slot. A locking notch is defined in the outer periphery of the body and communicates with the first slot near the second slot. A driving device is mounted in the body. Two brake pads are securely mounted in the first slot. Each brake pad includes an ear extending out to engage the locking notch to prevent the brake pad from rotating during braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventors: Sheng-Hui Chen, Jui-Pin Chen
  • Patent number: 6564911
    Abstract: The invention relates to a braking assembly for permitting axial rotation of a shaft in a first direction and inhibiting axial rotation of the shaft in a second, opposite direction, comprising: a hydraulic clutch having a torque generating member and a torque receiving member wherein the torque generating member is connected to the shaft and the torque receiving member is stationary and a guide means for maintaining the torque generating member in a first de-activated position when the shaft is rotated in the first direction and for moving the torque generating member to a second activated position when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction whereby activation of the torque generating member inhibits rotation of the shaft in the second direction. The invention provides an effective emergency braking assembly for such systems as progressing cavity pumps in oil wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Kudu Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. R. Mills
  • Patent number: 6564912
    Abstract: A brake disk for disk brakes, in particular of land vehicles, has a friction ring received by a support section, formed, for example, by a portion of a wheel hub. The support section has an out-of-round outer formation on which the friction ring is seated torsionally tight with a centric opening of complementary inner out-of-round formation. The friction ring, and preferably also the support section, is comprised of cast metal and the friction ring is cast onto the prefabricated support section to form a cast connection between the friction ring and the support section. The cast connection between the friction ring and the support section is such that upon an initial heating of the brake disk the cast connection becomes ruptured and the friction ring becomes separated from the support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: B. Hubert Koschinat
  • Patent number: 6564913
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake disk/hub assembly for vehicle disk brakes comprising a hub and a brake disk, which is arranged thereon in a manner that prevents it from turning. The brake disk is arranged in the axial direction of the hub in such a manner that it can be axially displaced against an elastic pretensioning exerted by a number of spring elements. To this end, each spring element has a retaining section by means of which it is fixed to the hub. Each spring element also comprises at least one spring section, which rests against at least one assigned intermediate element that is essentially arranged between the hub and the brake disk. The inventive design is advantageous by virtue of the fact that the spring elements are not in direct contact with the brake disk thereby effectively preventing the spring elements from becoming thermally overloaded. The functional reliability of the spring elements can thus be maintained over a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Baumgartner, Wolfgang Pahle
  • Patent number: 6564914
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling device for producing a torque transmission connection between a drive unit and a transmission is provided including a first coupling device attached to the drive unit for coupling the hydrodynamic coupling device with the drive unit for transmitting a torque between the hydrodynamic coupling device and the drive unit and a second coupling device attached to the transmission for coupling the hydrodynamic coupling device with the transmission for transmitting a driving and/or braking torque between the hydrodynamic coupling device and the transmission. A method of making a hydrodynamic coupling device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Wilfried Glock, Rüdiger Hinkel, Christoph Sasse
  • Patent number: 6564915
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a PTO clutch of a transmission subject to a varying inertial load. The method includes providing a signal to a pressure control valve selectively engaged with the PTO clutch configured to engage a drive source of the transmission with an implement. The signal to the pressure control valve is modulated based on a single predetermined profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Timothy A. Lorentz, Kevin A. Vernagus
  • Patent number: 6564916
    Abstract: A frictional engaging device and frictional engagement control method, wherein the phenomenon of the frictional coefficient of the friction surfaces of a friction engagement device being changed when an electric field is applied to the friction surfaces, is utilized to control the transmittal force. Under the action of a pushing force, friction engagement members are brought into direct contact with each other for frictional engagement. When an electric field is applied between the frictional engagement members, the frictional coefficient of the friction surfaces changes, which means that the transmittal force can be changed. An example of the frictional engagement device is a clutch device (10). A friction member (20) made of insulation material is attached to an input disk (16) and engages an output disk (22). The friction surfaces are lubricated. A control device (30) controls a voltage applying device (28) and applies a voltage to an electrode (26) to provide a desired transmittal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Suzuki, Masataka Kawabata
  • Patent number: 6564917
    Abstract: Drive system torsional vibration resonance while an engine is idling is prevented. An input clutch pack is connected to a rotating drive plate connected to the engine. The input clutch pack is formed from a drive side comprising an input drum, metal plates, and a retaining plate and from a driven side comprising an input clutch hub and facing plates. When the input clutch pack is disengaged, the inertial mass on the engine side with the engine serving as the vibration source, the coil spring, and the inertial mass on the drive side form a single-degree-of-freedom drive system torsional vibration model. By increasing the thickness in the axial direction of the metal plates, the drive side inertial mass is made to be 50% to 100% of the engine side inertial mass. As a result, drive system torsional vibration resonance during idling is prevented while the weight increase is kept to a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignees: Jatco Transtechnology Ltd., Tochigi Fuji Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Katou, Nobushi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6564918
    Abstract: A clutch-actuating device includes a master cylinder actuated by depression of a clutch pedal, an operating cylinder actuated by fluid pressure fed from the master cylinder through a conduit which is connected to the master cylinder or the operating cylinder via a coupling member, and a restriction mechanism for restricting the flow of hydraulic fluid returning from the operating cylinder to the master cylinder, the restriction mechanism being incorporated in the coupling member. The operating cylinder (or master cylinder) of this clutch-actuating device can be commonly used regardless of whether a torque shock protection valve should be incorporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Nabco, Ltd.
    Inventor: Wataru Itoh
  • Patent number: 6564919
    Abstract: The pressure plate has at least one friction surface region which can be pressed against a friction facing arrangement of a clutch disk or the like, wherein the pressure plate is formed at least partially from a first material, and wherein a second material having thermal contact with the first material is provided in the pressure plate at least in some areas. In order to be able to compensate for negative umbrella deformation of the pressure plate caused by friction heat during operation of the clutch, the second material has a different thermal expansion, particularly a greater thermal expansion, than the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Matthias Diemer, Frank Distler
  • Patent number: 6564920
    Abstract: A facing carrier of a driver disk for a clutch plate includes a plurality of segments situated at a slight distance from one another around a circumference of a reinforcement part. The segments are pretensioned against the reinforcement part during assembly and welded thereto. The spacing of the segments allows uniform pretensioning of the segments against the reinforcement part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Karl Hörmann, Andreas Dorsch, Carmen Schleicher, Alfred Schraut, Klaus Steinel, Norbert Lohaus
  • Patent number: 6564921
    Abstract: A directional indicator for automated transport devices, such as escalators and moving walkways, for permitting the discernment of the direction of travel of the transport device from a distance. The directional indicator comprises a set of indicia permanently formed or placed on the moving handrail of the escalator or moving walkway that can be seen and easily discerned from a distance. The indicia are preferably of a bright color that strongly contrasts with the dark gray or black of the typical escalator or moving walkway handrail construction. The indicia are also sized, configured, and spaced along the handrail to allow the viewer from a distance to quickly and easily interpret the motion thereof. The indicia are constructed of a material that is placed on or incorporated into the material of the handrail in such a manner as to prevent its removal from the handrail and to prevent the degradation of the contrasting visual effect over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Chad Gorczyca
  • Patent number: 6564922
    Abstract: A sorting and conveying system has a longitudinally extending conveyor having at least one tilt tray, but preferably a plurality, on the conveyor for diverting selected articles from the conveyor. There is at least one hanger for holding a plurality of bags. A chute extends between the tilt tray and the hanger. A flexible sheet diverter has an entrance near the top adjacent the chute and an exit near the bottom adjacent the bags, so that articles diverted from the conveyor will be delivered to the exit. Cylinders are provided for moving the sheet diverter so that the exit is positioned to deliver a selected article into a selected bag on the hanger. There are a plurality of tilt trays along the conveyor and a plurality of hangers so that a selected article on the conveyor may be delivered from a selected tilt tray to a selected bag. Mounts are provided for mounting the flexible sheet diverter for shaped movement, and there are air cylinders for moving the flexible sheet diverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew G. Taylor, Richard V. Rigling
  • Patent number: 6564923
    Abstract: A separating device for connection to a rotating magazine. The separating device transports rivets (3) via a conveyor duct (6) formed by three limiting faces. The first limiting face is a base plate (5), the second limiting face is a right-hand guide segment (1) and the third limiting face is a left-hand guide segment (2). At least one of the guide segments is designed and arranged to be excited and oscillate to avoid jamming of rivets (3) in the conveyor duct (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Christian Reiter
  • Patent number: 6564924
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for positioning randomly oriented, asymmetrically-shaped articles in the same orientation, the apparatus comprising at least first and second oppositely arranged conduits dimensioned to receive the articles therein. Each conduit has an inlet end, and the inlet ends of the at least first and second conduits are spaced-apart to define an opening therebetween for receiving therein, one at a time, a plurality of asymmetrically-shaped articles that are randomly oriented in at least first and second orientations. Suction is created in both of the conduits, the suction being sufficient to selectively draw articles oriented in the first orientation from the opening into the inlet end of the at least first conduit, and sufficient to draw articles oriented in the second orientation from the opening into the inlet end of the at least second conduit, such that articles in the at least first and second conduits are all identically oriented relative to a path of travel through the conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventors: Bryan Street, Dale R. Westrick
  • Patent number: 6564925
    Abstract: An open ended cylinder element having a longitudinal axis is positioned parallel to the ground and is configured and adapted to be rotatable around its longitudinal axis. A funnel element is longitudinally positioned within the center of the cylinder in a fixed position, with the cylinder being rotatable therearound and the mouth of the funnel extending upwardly away from the ground. The inner surface of the cylinder is provided with at least one longitudinally aligned cleat, with each cleat being configured as a ledge with a short retaining lip and each cleat is dimensioned relative to objects being aligned thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Mechanical Plastics Corp.
    Inventors: Robert H. Cadwallader, Yu-Cheng Lee
  • Patent number: 6564926
    Abstract: An apparatus for singly loading perpendicularly conveyed elongated members from a first conveyor to a second conveyor. The apparatus is positioned downstream of the first conveyor and upstream of the second conveyor. The apparatus comprises plural stopper arms each analogously displaceable between an abutting position, wherein the stopper arms hold elongated members from moving forward on the first conveyor, and a bypassing position, wherein the stopper arms are disposed away from the first conveyor for allowing the elongated members to move forward as displaced by the first conveyor. Plural analogously moving lower loaders wheel each have a generally circular body with a gripping surface on an outer periphery thereof. The gripping surface is adapted for abutting an elongated member. Plural analogously moving upper loader wheels are generally positioned above the lower loader wheels and have a resilient peripheral portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Leggett & Platt Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Dubé, Dany Blanchet
  • Patent number: 6564927
    Abstract: An apparatus for charging containers includes a first conveyor for advancing items; a second conveyor for continuously advancing containers; a charging device including first and second chutes each having an inlet adjoining the discharge end of the first conveyor and an outlet positioned above the second conveyor. The first and second chutes adjoin one another in a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the second conveyor. A drive shifts the charging device and the discharge end of the first conveyor relative to one another for selectively aligning the inlet of the first chute or the inlet of the second chute with the discharge end for selectively introducing items from the first conveyor into the first or second chute. A sensor detects items advanced on the first conveyor. A control device is connected to the sensor and the drive for operating the drive based on the sensor signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: SIG Pack Systems AG
    Inventor: Peter Meyer
  • Patent number: 6564928
    Abstract: The deice for conveying flat objects edge-on in series at high speed between an entry (A) and an exit (B) of a conveying path comprises a routing system for diverting some of these flat objects towards another exit (B′) between the entry and the exit of the conveying path. This system comprises two mobile flaps (3, 4) kept mutually parallel and arranged between the entry and the exit of the conveying path, and two motorized endless belts (1, 2) moving between these two flaps and between which the flat objects conveyed are gripped, these two flaps being mounted so that they can pivot so as to route the flat objects either towards the exit (B) of the conveying path or towards the other exit (B′). A stationary post (6) is located at the point where the flat objects are routed downstream of the mobile flaps between the entry and the exit of the conveying path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Solystic
    Inventors: Fabrice Darrou, Vincent Grasswill, Alain Danjaume
  • Patent number: 6564929
    Abstract: An apparatus for positioning, handling and conveying structural parts for a surface finishing of the parts comprises frames arranged successively in a conveying direction, hooks carried by the frames for hanging the structural parts, and devices for maintaining successive ones of the frames in the conveying direction so close to each other that the structural parts hanging on the hooks are locked in position by the successive frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Raimund Reisacher
  • Patent number: 6564930
    Abstract: An endless conveyor has a driven drum that rotates about its axis. A flexible band forms a helix by being wrapped around the drum. A fixed helical support supports the outer edge of the band. A secondary conveyor moves an endless series of stacking blocks. The stacking blocks are in frictional engagement with the drum to transfer driving forces from the drum to the blocks. The stacking blocks also keep the turns of the flexible band spaced apart by a distance equal to the height of the blocks. The secondary conveyor includes guides at both the top and bottom of the drum to guide the stacking blocks into and out of engagement with the inner edge of the flexible band. The stacking blocks are in slip-free and backlash free engagement with the inner edge of the flexible band, and the frictional engagement between the stacking blocks and the drum permits the stacking blocks to be displaced both axially and circumferentially on the surface of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Scanima A/S
    Inventors: Holger Colding-Kristensen, Helge Bjoern
  • Patent number: 6564931
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt conveyor comprising a revolving conveyor belt (1, 1′), carrying rollers (2, 2′) which are positioned between the upper strand (3) and the lower strand (4, 4′) of the conveyor belt (1), a drive device and a power-transmitting unit (5, 5′) for moving the conveyor belt (1). Damage to the surface of the conveyor belt of the belt conveyor by the power transmitting device is largely excluded by the fact that for power transmission a pair of elements (6, 6′, 7) is provided for which cooperate in a positive-fit and in that the one element (6, 6′) is assigned to the power-transmitting device (5, 5′) and the other element (7) to the conveyor belt (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Klaus Edelmann
  • Patent number: 6564932
    Abstract: A belt conveyor comprising an endless, fixed-width belt mounted on a pulley provided on rollers. Protrusions are formed on the back surface of the endless, fixed-width belt, and each of the protrusions has a shape comprising inwardly curved front and rear sides and tapering towards its tip end, and the pulley that is detachably mounted to each of the rollers is formed with holes, and each of the holes has a shape that fits each of the protrusions of the belt. The protrusions of the belt snugly engage with holes of the pulley, thus preventing meandering of the rotating belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Itoh Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Itoh
  • Patent number: 6564933
    Abstract: A conveyor chain has a number of chain units connected together by connecting pins in an endless fashion. Each of the chain units is composed of a plurality of inverted tooth plates disposed in the width direction of the chain, and a slat disposed on one side of the tooth plates and extending across the width of the chain transversely across the tooth plates for carrying an object to be conveyed. The tooth plates each have a pair of inverted teeth formed on the other side thereof for meshing with sprocket teeth, and a pair of pin-accommodation holes for receiving a pair of connecting pins, respectively. The connecting pins each connect adjacent two chain units such that the tooth plates of one chain unit are interleaved with the tooth plates of the other chain unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Takayuki Morimoto, Hitoshi Ohara, Takashi Nakagawa, Masatoshi Sonoda
  • Patent number: 6564934
    Abstract: The various embodiments of the invention are directed to systems for the dispensing and mixing of agents, such as paint colorants, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, or beverage additives such as sweeteners and creamers, by means of a binary array of dispensers. An array of blister dispensers is preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Louis Dischler
  • Patent number: 6564935
    Abstract: A coating solution for water-repellent, oil-repellent, stain-proofing treatment is provided which does not become cloudy even if it is stored for a long time. Furthermore, a method for water-repellent, oil-repellent, stain-proofing treatment with the use of this coating solution is provided. The coating solution for water-repellent, oil-repellent, and stain-proofing treatment is obtained by mixing a first solution containing a fluoroalkyl group-containing silane and a second solution containing acid and a solvent, and this coating solution is used for the method for water-repellent, oil-repellent, stain-proofing treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yamamoto, Kazutaka Kamitani, Mitsuhiro Kawazu, Mitsuo Asai
  • Patent number: 6564936
    Abstract: The invention is a golf bag for receiving and transporting golf clubs and other golf-related equipment, wherein a top section of the golf bag is configured to organize frequently-used golf clubs and protect golf club heads and shafts that are prone to damage. Organization and protection are achieved through centrally-located areas that permit clubs to be retrieved and replaced without interference by other clubs and structures that prevent the head or shaft of a golf club from making contact with other golf clubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek Campbell
  • Patent number: 6564937
    Abstract: Golf bag structure including: a cylindrical bag body; a head frame fixed at upper end of the bag body; a base seat fixed at lower end of the bag body, the base seat being made by integral molding and having a rear section and a front section containing an inclination angle; a driving board positioned under the front section and having a pivot section; a connecting structure made of flexible material and having a connecting member and a closing member, the connecting member being made by injection molding and connected between the rear section and the driving board, the closing member being made by injection molding and connected between the lower end of the front section and the driving board; and a support structure disposed on outer circumference of the bag body and having a pair of swingable support legs and a resilient member. The upper end of the resilient member is connected with the support legs, while the lower end thereof extends into the bag body to pivotally connect with the pivot section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Te-Pin Cheng
  • Patent number: 6564938
    Abstract: A packaging component has a flat cushioning component constructed of corrugated material, such as of paper, consisting of a polygonal matrix mounted to a laminated fiberboard component. The packaging component provides superior resistance to the shear forces of heavy, cumbersome objects, provides cushioning and protection, is easily manufactured, cost-effective and is environmentally friendly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Cougar Package Designers, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald W. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6564939
    Abstract: A needle particularly well-suited for use in the dispensing of plastic fasteners of the type comprising a filament having a cross-bar at a first end thereof; each of the cross-bar and the filament including a first flat side, the first flat sides of the cross-bar and the filament being coplanar. The needle includes a stem portion. The stem portion terminates in a tip at its front end and is shaped to define a longitudinal bore and a longitudinal slot. The longitudinal bore is shaped to receive the cross-bar, and the longitudinal slot is shaped to permit the filament to extend therethrough while the cross-bar is disposed within the longitudinal bore. The longitudinal bore has a first flat side, and the longitudinal slot has a first flat side, the first flat sides of the longitudinal bore and the longitudinal slot being coplanar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Deschenes, Daniel Gilbertson
  • Patent number: 6564940
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a head having a moving portion, a handle, and shaft between the head and the handle. A body portion is hollow and further includes a motor operative to generate motion for driving the moving portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. A first switch, operatively connected to the motor provides momentary operation of the toothbrush. Optionally, a second switch provides for continuous operation of the toothbrush. The first switch can be operated while the toothbrush is in a toothbrush package, such as, for example, a plastic blister pack. A consumer can momentarily observe the operation of the toothbrush before purchasing the toothbrush. The consumer cannot operate the second switch and is thereby prevented from leaving the toothbrush in a battery draining operational mode for extended periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
  • Patent number: 6564941
    Abstract: A tool and material holder fitting to the top of a step ladder has an extremely large number of pockets, cavities, loops, clips, hangers, hooks and the like which securely hold a great variety of power and hand tools, caulking guns, paint brushes and paint pads. A major loop maintained open by an insert with a shape memory holds a large paint pail, bucket or can, and is optionally re-sizable to hold one or two smaller cans. A shallow reservoir on a top panel overlying the top step of the step ladder holds small items but still permits standing on the top step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Ladder Boss, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelley Hedges
  • Patent number: 6564942
    Abstract: A carton for retaining, suspending, and dispensing rolls of wound web material and a method of manufacturing same are disclosed. The carton is a trunk to which a lid is hinged to allow the lid to be opened and closed and thereby allow access to the roll of wound web material. Retainers are provided at first and second ends to positively hold the roll within the carton for dispersal of the film. The retainers may also suspend the roll off of the bottom wall of the carton to avoid adhesion of the multiple layers of wound web of material, particularly materials employing pressure sensitive adhesives. A carton includes guide surfaces to facilitate automated assembly of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Cristopher M. Shiffler, Nichole M. Chagnon, Rene M. Beland, Billy R. Stroud, Alan John Linder, Peter Rivard
  • Patent number: 6564943
    Abstract: A container for packaging and unwinding a welding wire comprising: a square cardboard box with four vertical side walls and four vertically extending corners, each defining an apex, a center cylindrical core, an inner vertically extending tubular liner with an octagonal outer shape having four outer walls, each generally overlying a side wall of the box and four alternate inner walls between two of the outer walls and spaced from the corner apexes to define generally triangular, vertical cavities with an at rest dimension from the apex of a corner to one of the alternate inner walls and a vertically extending corner reinforcing element in each of the cavities. The element in each cavity has a diagonal pressure rib extending from the apex to the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Barton, Lisa M. Byall, James T. Land, Herbert H. Matthews, III
  • Patent number: 6564944
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing an item or plurality of items for shipment. Disposing one or a plurality of items on a rigid surface having a layer of deformable cushioning material with a bonding material thereon wherein the items are connectingly bonded to the foam layer which is deformed in response to the items. The items may be items of china, floral containers, and flower pots, or other similar items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust Inc'ln Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6564945
    Abstract: A unified medication assemblage comprising a multiplicity of medications, functional indicia, and instructions for coordinating the medications together as a regimen. The medication dosages are retained in blister packs or pouches, are organized into event modules associated with particular daily events, and have corresponding event indicia. In one embodiment, the event modules are further organized into day modules having day indicia. In another embodiment, the event modules are organized into compartments of a box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventors: Robert E. Weinstein, Alan M. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 6564946
    Abstract: A containment device for retaining semiconductor wafers having a first housing member having a frame with inner and outer walls normal to the frame having a gapped relation. The inner wall receives the semiconductor wafers. A second housing member securably attachable to the first housing member by plural latches has a frame forming the top of the device. Each latch has a hook secured to the first housing member passing through a hole in the second housing member and releasably secured within the hole by the hook. In a second embodiment, the latches and holes are replaced with a plurality of rotatable latch members each having a hook at the distal end for engagement with a hole in the second housing member, secured to the first housing member and rotatable about a hinge. One wall of the first embodiment is replaced with a soft liner which absorbs shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Lee Lewis, Kurodearimasu Takeshi Hirose, Jeffrey Wilson, James Dove, Michael Hayden
  • Patent number: 6564947
    Abstract: A screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including an apertured plate, and a subassembly of an undulating support screen and fine screening screen and finer screening screen bonded to each other by a fused plastic grid and bonded to the apertured plate. A method of fabricating a screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including the steps of providing a support screen, superimposing a plastic grid onto the support screen, superimposing a finer screening screen onto the fine screening screen, applying heat and pressure to the superimposed screens to fuse the plastic grid and thereby form a flat bonded laminate subassembly by causing the fused plastic grid to permeate the fine screen and the finer screen and the support screen, forming the bonded laminate subassembly into an undulating shape, providing an apertured plate, and bonding the undulating bonded subassembly to the apertured plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Derrick Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Bakula
  • Patent number: 6564948
    Abstract: A solid-liquid separating apparatus including a strainer of a cylindrical shape. The strainer is comprised of circular ring members arranged side by side with gaps in between and disposed inside an accommodating section the device casing. The circular ring members comprise end-part circular ring members at both ends of the strainer and a plurality of intermediate circular ring members disposed between the end-part circular ring members and have inward projections projecting from their inner circumferential surfaces. A plurality of lateral bridge members are installed between the end-part circular ring members, and these bridge members have engaging parts that engage with the respective inward projections of the intermediate circular ring members so as to hold the intermediate circular ring members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Izumi Products Company
    Inventor: Shunji Izumi
  • Patent number: 6564949
    Abstract: A holder (1) for hand-held power-operated, specially rod or pistol shaped devices such as pneumatic screwdrivers and the like, comprising two retaining jaws (3) which are arranged on a common support rail (2) and can be fixed at a variable distance from each other. A bearing surface oriented towards the support rail (2) is allocated to the retaining jaws (3). The retaining jaws (3) can be rotated around an axis running at an approximate right angle throughout the bearing surface and can be fixed in at least two angle positions. The retaining jaws (3) have a first recess (7) which can be directed towards the device to receive and hold the device. The retaining jaws (3) can be fixed at a varying orientation to the support. The retaining jaws (3) and the bearing surface form a common component. The retaining jaws (3) have a second recess (7, 9, 10). The recesses are arranged around the axis in the peripheral surfaces of the retaining jaws (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Konstanze Saathoff
  • Patent number: 6564950
    Abstract: A detachable holder is provided having a frame with a pair of outer longitudinally extending wire portions, a pair of inner longitudinal wire portions extending substantially the length of the frame and substantially parallel to the pair of outer longitudinally extending wire portions. The detachable holder also includes a plurality of support units securably attached to the frame, and a plurality of movable wire loops each having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is movably secured between the pair of outer longitudinally extending wire portions and the pair of inner longitudinal wire portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Harry Holms AB
    Inventor: Leif Holm
  • Patent number: 6564951
    Abstract: A storage and display system may include one or more stackable and alignable storage frames, each storage frame including one or more storage tracks. A movable display frame that may pivot may be used to align a display track with one of the storage tracks to accept an item stored thereon. The display track may be lowered or pivoted to properly display the item, motion of the display frame and track may be controlled by computer. The display frame and track may also be used to load and unload the storage tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: James Hatami
  • Patent number: 6564952
    Abstract: A merchandising display has a first set of vertical wires, a second set of horizontal wires and a plurality of elongated panels. The vertical wires are disposed in parallel, spaced relationship to one another. The horizontal wires are disposed in parallel, adjacent pairs, the wires of each pair being spaced from each other by a distance greater than the spacing between adjacent pairs. The horizontal wires are connected to the first set of wires by resistance welds. Each panel has long edges which extend in the direction of elongation of the panel, and flanges which extend rearward from the edges. The panels are capable of snap-fit engagement with the pairs of horizontal wires to achieve either a closed slat wall appearance or a dual open/closed appearance. Access slots are formed between adjacent panels for receiving brackets of merchandise supports such as rods or shelves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Royston, LLC
    Inventor: J. Marshall Suttles
  • Patent number: 6564953
    Abstract: A display stand for presenting consumer merchandise and for controlling the aesthetic appearance of the merchandise includes at least three elongated corner posts which extend along a substantial portion of the vertical dimension of the stand, with each corner post having at least two pair of slots, each pair facing toward an adjacent corner post such that opposing slots on adjacent corner posts are positioned and dimensioned to receive vertically-extending and parallel first and second panels which may be used to control the appearance of the display, or present different types of merchandise as seasonally required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Capo, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Ascik
  • Patent number: 6564954
    Abstract: In a rope hoist (9), the rope drum (17) is rotatably mounted in a roughly C-shaped frame (13). To mount the rope drum (17), an appropriate bearing arrangement 37) is provided at one side, whereas at the other side the mounting of the rope drum (17) is effected solely via the output shaft (61) of the gearing (19). Distortions in the frame (13 ) on account of unavoidable alignment errors are absorbed by the torsionally nonrigid frame (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: R. Stahl Fordertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Buhlmayer, Helmut Noller, Richard Muller, Anita Schmiedt, Manfred Finzel
  • Patent number: 6564955
    Abstract: A mobile harbor crane for the combined handling of containers and bulk materials, having an undercarriage and an upper carriage which is mounted rotatably on the base frame of the undercarriage and on which a tower with a boom that can be pivoted about a horizontal axis is arranged. Four support beams are connected pivotally to a base frame of the undercarriage, symmetrically to the longitudinal and transverse axes of the vehicle, in such a way that they can each be pivoted about vertical axes, they are provided at their free ends with vertically acting leveling cylinders, by means of which the support beams are supported on the wheels of a plurality of traveling gear assemblies via balancers for uniform distribution of the supporting forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Joachim Kröll, Janis Moutsokapas
  • Patent number: 6564956
    Abstract: A retainer member for use in either an articulated coupling arrangement and/or a slackless drawbar arrangement for retaining a spherical member in an operating position within a male connection member for connecting together adjacently disposed ends of a pair of railway vehicles in a semi-permanent manner is provided. The retainer member comprises a one piece circular member which is engageable with at least a portion of an inner surface formed by an aperture in a modified male connection member. The circular member is engageable within this aperture of the male connection member to hold the spherical member within the aperture of the male connection member and to form a substantially spherical surface upon which the spherical member rotates against, enabling the male connection member to rotate with respect to the female or car connection member of the railway coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: David W. Daugherty, Jr.