Patents Issued in July 1, 2003
  • Patent number: PP13930
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of apple, fruit and tree called “Stella Minnesota” provides a fruit having improved taste and crispness, resistance to browning, characteristic white star marks in the fruit skin and in the tree, shows large green leaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: William A. Cox
  • Patent number: PP13931
    Abstract: ‘Southern Belle’ is a new southern highbush blueberry variety that originated as a seedling selected from the University of Florida recurrent selection program, in which genes from Vaccinium corymbosum and V. darrowi were being combined and selected to obtain varieties that are adapted to mild-winter regions and produce large, high-quality berries early in the harvest season. ‘Southern Belle’ has been tested in clonal plots in south Georgia and north Florida since 1984. ‘Southern Belle’ produces a vigorous, low-chill bush that sprouts abundantly from the base, and produces a heavy crop of fruit on stout, upright stems that can reach 4 to 5 m tall if not pruned. The berries, which ripen in late April and early May in north Florida, are large and have a very small, dry picking scar, as well as good firmness and a mild, subacid flavor. The berry picks free of stems and adhering dried corollas and has excellent post-harvest life if stored at 32° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Lyrene
  • Patent number: PP13932
    Abstract: A new Diascia plant particularly distinguished by its large apricot flower, early flowering, and a semi-erect habit that becomes spreading as plant develops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Syngenta Seeds B.V.
    Inventor: Henricus G. W. Stemkens
  • Patent number: PP13933
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Verbena plant which has an erect growth habit and good plant height. The plant abundantly forms flowers in a spike with a great profusion of blooms. The blooming period is late April to November and the flowering duration is long. The whole plant remains in bloom for a considerable period of time. The flower size is large and the petal color is vivid reddish purple without an eye. The plant is highly tolerant to heat and cold, and has high resistance to pests and diseases, particularly powdery mildew, and a high resistance to rain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Yuki Watanabe, Ryuichi Tachibana
  • Patent number: PP13934
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is new Nierembergia plant named ‘Sunnicobu’, having a compact and tufted habit with long internode stem. The stem color varies from grayish olive to grayish brown. Flowers are single and small. The petal is light purple with moderate purple center portion. The bottom color of the corolla throat is vivid yellow and the outside color of corolla tube is pale yellow green. The plant has a high resistance to rain, heat, diseases especially powdery mildew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Suntory Limited
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Murakami
  • Patent number: RE38160
    Abstract: CLAIM The ornamental design for a ball cap with tassel and removable button , as shown and described. DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of the ball cap with tassel of the present design; FIG. 2 is a front view thereof; FIG. 3 is a back view thereof; FIG. 4 is a right-side view thereof; FIG. 5 is a top view thereof; FIG. 6 is a bottom view thereof; and, FIG. 7 is a right-side view thereof, illustrating that a button can be removed from the cap. The broken lines disclose conventional stitching in all views. The hatching discloses fabric in all views.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Richard C. Soergel
  • Patent number: RE38161
    Abstract: A knitting machine is described in which the elastic thread packages (26) are mounted in a stationary position away from the knitting head (22). This results in reducing the revolving mass and the space necessary to accommodate the revolving mass. Furthermore, the commencement of wind on the package (26) can be left as a tail which is knotted to the free end of a second package thus permitting the machine to run continuously without stopping to change packages. A plurality of like knitting heads (22) is mounted in relatively close proximity in a single knitting head frame (24) in such a manner that chain stitches are fed from a power driven warp beam (12, 16, 20). Each knitting head includes yarn positioning apparatus in which yarn (12) fed to each needle (30) of the knitting head (22) is moved under tension with minimal friction to a position where the needle (30) traps the yarn (12) on its downward stroke. Embodiments of the invention are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Scotnet (1974) Limited
    Inventor: Donald I. Viney
  • Patent number: RE38162
    Abstract: A bicycle carrier fastening bracket has a main body, a base, and a leg extending from the base to support a tube defining a hole for receiving a threaded rod having threaded end engaged with a fast releasing nut. The threaded rod also has a head end and associated head end washer, the head end being engaged with a handle capable of eccentric motion. The tube has a slot for receiving an arresting washer, and there is a round hole in the leg. The handle has a grip with a locking hole corresponding in diameter to the round hole. The eccentric body fastening the handle regulates a distance between each of the threaded rod head end washer and the nut and its respective opposite end of the main body. The distance can be shortened to clamp a bicycle front fork when the handle is rotated to rest the grip against the leg, with the locking hole of the grip rested against the leg, so as to facilitate installation of a lock and confine displacement of the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Delta Cycle Corporation
    Inventor: Justin Tyler Brown
  • Patent number: RE38163
    Abstract: An improved brake equalizer apparatus for equalizing fluid pressure and damping shock waves or pressure surges in fluid lines of a fluid pressure-actuated system, such as a hydraulic brake system. The apparatus has a shorter reaction time than a conventional brake equalizer, and can be manufactured with smaller overall length and weight. An important feature of the apparatus which results in reduced brake equalizer reaction time is an improved brake equalizer piston. The piston of the invention is shorter than a conventional brake equalizer piston (the ratio of the inventive piston's length to the length of the shock absorber which it abuts is substantially less than 0.5, and is preferably equal to about 0.23). The piston of the invention is also lighter than a conventional brake equalizer piston, and is preferably made of a hard, non-compressible, self-lubricating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Theodore P. Spero
  • Patent number: RE38164
    Abstract: A desktop color copier having a size which allows the copier to be placed on a stand when the copier is used. The desktop color copier includes a photoconductive drum for sequentially forming toner images of respective colors thereon, a charger for charging the photoconductive drum, an exposure device for exposing the charged photoconductive drum, a revolving type developing device for forming color toner images on the photoconductive drum, an image transferring devices which includes an intermediate transfer belt to which the color toner images are sequentially transferred one on top of the other, and a fixing device for fixing the color toner images on a sheet of paper. The desktop color copier includes a single paper feed tray which is located under the transferring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Wagi, Kyoji Omi
  • Patent number: RE38165
    Abstract: A laser beam scanning system which utilizes all reflective optics. The scanning system has a variable scan angle and focal length. The variable focal length in the reflecting optical system is achieved by simultaneously moving two perpendicular mirrors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Optical Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Macken
  • Patent number: RE38166
    Abstract: A sensing circuit for serial dichotomic sensing of multiple-level memory cells which can take one programming level among a plurality of m=2n (n>=2) different programming levels, comprises biasing means for biasing a memory cell to be sensed in a predetermined condition, so that the memory cell sinks a cell current with a value belonging to a plurality of m distinct cell current values, each cell current value corresponding to one of the programming levels, a current comparator for comparing the cell current with a reference current generated by a variable reference current generator, and a successive approximation register supplied with an output signal of the current comparator and controlling the variable reference current generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, SRL
    Inventors: Cristiano Calligaro, Vincenzo Daniele, Roberto Gastaldi, Alessandro Manstretta, Nicola Telecco, Guido Torelli
  • Patent number: RE38167
    Abstract: A pet food composition containing a small but sufficient amount of simmondsin component to provide a simmondsin activity within the range of 0.1% by weight of said pet food dry matter mix to about 1.5% by weight of said pet food dry matter mix. Also disclosed as part of the invention is a method of weight reduction of companion pets by adding pet food that contains the above-defined range of simmondsin activity contributed by a simmondsin component, simmondsin analogues or mixtures thereof, such as derived from defatted jojoba seed meal, and thereafter feeding the pet food to a companion pet on a regular and sustained basis until weight reduction occurs and then maintaining the pet's weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: International Flora Technologies Ltd
    Inventors: James H. Brown, David R. Jones, Lon D. Lewis
  • Patent number: RE38168
    Abstract: A diagnostic strategy for detection of inherited diseases caused by germline mutations is based on somatic cell hybridization. Each allele of a human gene involved in the inherited disease is isolated in a somatic cell hybrid. The products of the isolated human allele are then observed in the absence of the other allele of the human.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Bert Vogelstein, Kenneth W. Kinzler, Nickolas Papadopoulos
  • Patent number: RE38169
    Abstract: Attaching certain ligands to antisense probes will hyperstabilize sense-antisense duplexes. Such a hyperstabilized duplex is resistant to melting of the strands from one another, to unwinding of the strands, and to the action of nucleases. Applications include antiretroviral action, antireverse-transcriptase action, antiviral action, antiparasitical action, antibacterial action, antifungal action, anticancer action, anti-oncogene action, and other applications where it is desired to inhibit gene expression at the genomic or messenger RNA level. The preferred ligands are certain minor-groove-binding agents, exemplified by CC-1065 and synthetic CC-1065 analogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventor: David H. Swenson
  • Patent number: RE38170
    Abstract: A gas conversion process in which both hydrocarbons and hydrogen are produced from a synthesis gas feed which comprises a mixture of H2 and CO, uses hydrogen from a portion of the feed for one or more of (i) hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst rejuvenation and (ii) hydroconversion upgrading of at least a portion of the synthesized hydrocarbons. Hydrogen is produced from a slipstream of the synthesis gas fed into the hydrocarbon synthesis reactor by one or more of (i) physical separation means such as pressure swing adsorption and (ii) chemical means such as a water gas shift reactor. If a shift reactor is used due to insufficient capacity of the synthesis gas generator, physical separation means such as pressure swing adsorption will still be used to separate a pure stream of hydrogen from the shift reactor gas effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Charles William DeGeorge, Robert Dean Denton
  • Patent number: RE38171
    Abstract: The invention concerns an instructions sequencer for microprocessor wherein the sequencer presents an architecture, a circuit conception and a presents that improves the compacity and facilitates conception and adaptation operations to different instructions sets, the sequencer having a line and column architecture and very widely produced in the form of a transistor and capacitor matrix, functioning with decoding transistors, preload transistors and a matrix for defining the phases of operating cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventor: Christian Bocquet
  • Patent number: 6584614
    Abstract: Face Protector with a one piece molded plastic assembly, the assembly comprised of a single plane vertically disposed and radially curved member, the radially curved member shaped to fit around a person's face, the radially curved member terminating in a reinforcing rib about its bottom and side perimeter, the radially curved member terminating at its top edge in an integral, horizontally disposed pocket shaped to fit onto the front portion of a standard baseball cap, said one piece molded assembly molded from a clear, impact resistant material such as polycarbonate, and said molded clear material being treated with an ultraviolet resisting chemical. A preferred embodiment includes wherein said clear material is tinted to reduce eyestrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: John Joseph Hogg
  • Patent number: 6584615
    Abstract: A hockey glove system is disclosed having asymmetrical upper and lower hockey gloves, each being optimized for its particular role and position. The lower glove has only three finger gussets and is adapted for the last two fingers of the wearer's hand to be together in one gusset in order to maximize power and control. The upper glove has four finger gussets and is adapted to maximize the player's grasp on the hockey stick and enable a stable pivot point. Each glove has padding adapted and arranged to protect the portions of the wearer's hands most vulnerable in their respective positions. Each glove further has an articulated thumb skeleton disposed in the thumb member. The thumb skeleton comprises a plurality of sections pivotably joined together to enable the thumb to articulate between open and closed positions. A locking mechanism is provided for preventing the thumb skeleton sections from bending backwards, thereby preventing hyperextension of the wearer's thumb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Mission Hockey Company
    Inventors: Thomas V. Wilder, Craig Johnson, Jocelyn Poulin
  • Patent number: 6584616
    Abstract: A knee pad is designed to accommodate either the left or right hand knee of an individual by providing a doughnut shaped insert within the concave hard shell of the knee pad and wherein the insert is displaced toward the outside edge of the right hand or left hand knee side of the pad for the right knee and left knee, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Travel Caddy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Godshaw, Andrezj Redzisz
  • Patent number: 6584617
    Abstract: A non-bunching sweater wrap for wearing by a person over the person's outer cloths that drapes over the upper back and shoulders around the neck of the person to simulate a sweater. The sweater wrap includes a generally rectangular body having a lower edge, a pair of side edges, and an upper portion. A pair of elongate parallel arms extend upwardly from the upper portion, the arms having straight outer edges which are parallel and inner edges which include respective outwardly upwardly curved portions to closely fit around the person's neck positioned adjacent the body of the sweater wrap. The body of he sweater wrap may be secured in position over the person's outer cloths by tying the arms into a knot at the person's upper chest without resulting in an inward bunching of the upper portion of the body and the arms behind and beside the person's neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Augustavia Y. Turner
  • Patent number: 6584618
    Abstract: A necktie to be worn around the neck of a wearer is constructed from an elongated piece of cloth material having a front surface, a back surface and two side edges defining a width of the necktie. An overlapping pleat formed on the front surface of the necktie and extending between the two side edges defines a location for the insertion of an adhesive blank label therein for allowing a wearer to personalized the necktie with a custom recordation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Eddia Mirharooni
  • Patent number: 6584619
    Abstract: A protective body garment including a body covering for protecting the body from injury during sporting events and having a plurality of pads, a torso portion having a neck opening therein and two sleeve portions fixedly coupled thereto. Each of the pads is covered by a panel made from cloth and sewn to the garment. A plurality of cushions is fixedly coupled to the garment and is covered by a panel, which is sewn to the garment. Each of the cushions has a base portion and a hollow collapsible member directed away from the garment wherein the collapsible member is fixedly coupled to the base portion. A first cushion is fixedly coupled to a right elbow portion of the garment and a second cushion is fixedly coupled to a left elbow portion of the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Frank Macri
  • Patent number: 6584620
    Abstract: An exhaust head mounted detachably to a toilet side includes a collection portion that extends inward toward the toilet bowl between the toilet base and toilet seat to collect toilet gases. The head conforms to the shape of the toilet base with a thin profile as it proceeds rearward along the toilet base from the collection portion. An inconspicuous lavatory outlet duct runs along the lavatory wall and ceiling to provide fluid communication between flexible tube and the lavatory vent. A flexible tube that bends to allow the head to be removed from the toilet for cleaning connects the head to the outlet duct. Typically, the head is attached by means of a mild magnet attached with adhesive to the toilet base side and a matching ferromagnetic material on the head aligned with the magnet. A vent insert, to which the lavatory vents are connected, is provided for installation between a preexisting room vent cover and a building duct for closing the vent upon command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventors: Aleksey Reutov, Andrey Balun
  • Patent number: 6584621
    Abstract: A toilet bowl includes a toilet seat, a seat cover and connections which are to be operated by mutually connecting backward tail ends of the seat and backward tail ends of the cover. The toilet seat is integrally formed with egg shaped twin protrusions on a backward tail end central region of the seat by an injection molding process. The twin protrusions include a left protrusion and a right protrusion, top surfaces on the protrusions, a front groove and a rear groove, and a boundary surface formed between the protrusions by grooves. By repeated rocking type motions for the compression and relaxation motions of each of the gluteal muscles of the user on the top surfaces of the seat having the twin protrusions, the user massages lower regions of the rectum of the user in cyclic motions of the rectum as in a conventional massage mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Yoon Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 6584622
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for flushing a toilet are disclosed, the method including actuating a flushing initiator to open a reservoir discharge valve, closing the reservoir discharge valve after a predetermined period of time, and determining that predetermined period of time by means of a hydraulic timer disposed in a water-containing reservoir whereby the water remaining in the water-containing reservoir operating the hydraulic timer. Apparatus for carrying out these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ninotech HB
    Inventor: Hans Nilsson
  • Patent number: 6584623
    Abstract: A flush toilet having two nozzles located within its bowl. The two nozzles being oriented in opposite directions and alternately providing pulses of flush water into and around the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: George Grech, John E. Hammond, James Kenneth Miller
  • Patent number: 6584624
    Abstract: A portable spa comprises a reservoir for holding water and an outer wall spaced outwardly from the reservoir. The spa includes an equipment bay located between the reservoir and the outer wall that is accessible from an opening at a top portion of the spa. A cover over the opening to the equipment bay is removable from the top portion of the spa to permit access to the equipment bay. The equipment bay contains substantially all of the equipment necessary for operation of the spa and can be conveniently accessed free of any obstructions around the side of the spa. The spa can be installed either above ground in the manner of a portable spa, or it can be installed directly in the ground in the manner of a permanent in-ground spa. Reinforcing means comprising an internal support framework supports the spa against the lateral external forces generated as a result of in-ground installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventors: Tim P. Horwood, Keith W. Lovell, John E. Pope
  • Patent number: 6584625
    Abstract: A fluid flow control device is provided as an integral component of a drainage system for sinks in a commercial environment. This fluid flow control device includes a housing that is disposed beneath a waste valve and configured to define a flow control insert that is configured and disposed to interrupt the flow of fluid leaving the waste valve and before that flow reaches a grease interceptor. Both the housing and flow control insert are desirably made as a unitary structure from cast metal. Alternatively, the housing can define a ledge that receives a removable disk forming the flow control insert. In both embodiments, the flow control insert that has an opening through the insert that is sized for a flow area according to the needs of the fluid flows that are anticipated in the drainage system in question.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: T&S Brass and Bronze Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Weaver
  • Patent number: 6584626
    Abstract: A patient transfer device for aiding in the comfortable and easy transfer of incapacitated persons from a bed to a gurney, or vice versa. The transfer device has a stationary board having a number of roller assemblies, and a movable board having a number of channels for accommodating the roller assemblies. When the movable board is mounted on top of the stationary board, the roller assemblies allow the movable board to slide thereover. Each roller assembly has a column of balls secured within a track. Dividers extend horizontally between the side walls, adjacent to the balls, to prevent the balls from sliding within the track. The movable board channels are interlocked with the tracks. This configuration prevents the movable board from lifting upward, off of the stationary board while in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Alex DiRoma
  • Patent number: 6584627
    Abstract: A webbed frame includes a plurality of first and second straps mounted on a frame body to form a net. Each of the first and second straps has two opposite end sections trained on the frame body. A plurality of spaced apart retainers are fixed on the frame body. Each of several adjuster units includes a connector mounted slidably on a respective one of the retainers and connected to a respective one of the first and second straps. An adjusting bolt threadedly engages and extends through the connector, and has an abutting end that abuts against the frame body such that rotation of the adjusting bolt results in concurrent movement of the connector and the respective one of the first and second straps so as to adjust tension of the net on the frame body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Chen-Yen Yang
  • Patent number: 6584628
    Abstract: A chair bed including a bedframe and a mattress positioned on the bedframe is provided. The bedframe is configured to move between a substantially flat bed position and a chair position. The mattress includes an inflatable treatment apparatus such as a pulmonary rotational therapy device, a pulsation therapy device, or a decubitus ulcer treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Kummer, Gregory W. Branson, Eric R. Meyer, Brad Wilson, Tanya Taber, Ken Chambers, Mike Frondorf, John Vodzak, Jim Stolpmann, Roger Dalton, Ken Smith
  • Patent number: 6584629
    Abstract: In a multifunctional bed in which a variable bed that can be changed into a wheelchair form is fitted in a U-shaped fixed bed, when a seat back portion of the variable bed is laid or raised, the variable bed may assume an unstable position, thus hindering a smooth form change. The present invention provides a multifunctional bed comprising a variable bed 3 that can be changed into a wheelchair form and a fixed bed 2 in which the variable bed 3 can be removably fitted, wherein a holding member is provided between the fixed bed 2 and the variable bed 3, for holding a vertical position of the variable bed 3 relative to the fixed bed 2, and the holding member comprises a vertical pair of guide rails 141, 143 disposed on a left and right inner side surfaces of a notched recess portion 20a of the fixed bed 2 formed so as to appear substantially U-shaped, and guide rollers 131, 133 disposed on both sides of a seat back portion 34 of the variable bed 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsuji, Hisashi Kataoka, Hiroshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6584630
    Abstract: A radiolucent surgical table extension assembly for use in combination with a scanning machine having an enclosed scanning zone. A radiolucent support member has a proximal end adapted to be removably attached to one end of a table in a cantilever fashion. The radiolucent support member has a rigidity sufficient to support an upper torso and head of a patient. The table and the radiolucent support member are movable relative to the scanning machine to locate the radiolucent support member and the head of the patient within the scanning zone. A radiolucent mounting structure is connected to the radiolucent support member, and a radiolucent head support is attached to the radiolucent mounting structure for supporting the head of the patient. The radiolucent head support has an opening extending therethrough. The opening receives a locking clamp for attaching the radiolucent head support to the radiolucent mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ohio Medical Instrument Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Dinkler
  • Patent number: 6584631
    Abstract: A support pillow for maintaining a hairstyle is provided which allows one to maintain his or her hairstyle while sleeping. The support pillow has a flexible cushion supported by a plastic shell stabilizer. The cushion includes a base portion which supports a toroidal portion. An oval-shaped cavity separates upper and lower circumferential edges of the toroidal portion. The oval-shaped cavity houses a domed protuberant. The toroidal portion bifurcates into a pair of downwardly directed offshoot members which merge into a bulbous portion, thereby forming a generally triangular-shaped opening which provides entrance to a hollow cavity. The hollow cavity accommodates a removable, fluffed pillow. An overlay conforms to an outer surface of the cushion and shell stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Ronald D. Jones, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6584632
    Abstract: A strap system for folding a futon having a mattress. The strap system includes two end loops attachable to the frame of the futon, adjustable straps attached to each end loop and a handle between the straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Kristopher M. Mittenberger
  • Patent number: 6584633
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for an automated fragrance dispenser for the application of a fragrance to dry fabrics during an industrial laundering process. In one embodiment, the fragrance dispenser is positioned outside the dryer, and preferably on the exit side of the steam tunnel in the laundering process. The fragrance dispenser includes a sensor for determining whether the garment passing on the conveyor is the type of garment to which the fragrance is to be applied, for example, a uniform shirt versus pants. The fragrance dispenser also includes a delivery system for applying the fragrance to selected garments. The delivery system also includes a timing device for dispensing the fragrance onto the garment for a controlled amount of time. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, automated application of the fragrance to fabrics is provided in the dryer within the laundering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Chute, Charles A. Hodge, Richard J. Mehus, Peter W. Rauen, Thomas L. Hennemann, William Crawford, Paul Mattia
  • Patent number: 6584634
    Abstract: A manually operated washing device which functions by a hydropneumatic principle involving compression of a volume of air and water trapped in the interior of the device. The device includes an inner and an outer housing which are slidable relative to one another, the inner housing being positioned at least partially within the interior of the outer housing. A spring is positioned inside the outer housing between an upper end of the inner housing and an upper end of the outer housing. The spring is compressible so that the outer housing is slidable over the inner housing. A pressurized jet is created through compression and expansion and the pressurized jet is expelled through a perforated portion of the device against a mass of submerged clothing in order to effect washing of the clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Carly Flury Stiefenhofer
  • Patent number: 6584635
    Abstract: A shower accessory system comprises a housing having a central component with a sidewall formed with a central chamber having an input region and an output region. The central component has a circular upper opening in the top and a circular lower opening in the bottom. A water wheel is mounted in the upper opening for rotation and for being propelled by a flow of water through the central component. An upper component of the housing has a sidewall with an upper opening and a lid removably coupled to the sidewall to form an upper chamber. The upper chamber has a central gear coupled to the water wheel with a common axis for rotation therewith. A lower component of the housing has a sidewall and an open bottom and a sponge mounted therein. A spindle couples the sponge holder and the water wheel for rotating the sponge upon rotation of the water wheel about a common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Lemuel F. Kornegay
  • Patent number: 6584636
    Abstract: A footwear cleaning apparatus includes a vertically oriented frame with an upper frame for supporting the user that is standing while cleaning the footwear. The apparatus receives water from a garden hose and provides a control valve for regulating the water flow while the user is standing upright. The water is directed upwardly through a foot platform on the lower frame, and also through a lower brush onto the footwear sole, the resulting splash causing water to wet two side brushes that are oriented to bear upon the sides of the footwear. A scraper assembly is also on the lower frame and provides a horizontal scraping edge and two vertical scraping edges for the sole and sides of the footwear, respectively. After the water is turned off a drain outlet allows the device to be drained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Jon E Schlem
  • Patent number: 6584637
    Abstract: A grout sealer applicator increases efficiency in applying sealer to grout. A strip or patch of material for releasably holding sealer is adapted to be held on a finger. For example, the material is bonded to a rubber or plastic sleeve. As another example, the material forms a band around a finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Lowell F. Witter
  • Patent number: 6584638
    Abstract: A mesh brush has a handle and a mesh sponge is fixed to one side of the head of the handle. The head of the handle flares out from and is wider than a grasping portion of the handle. The particular attachment between the mesh sponge and the head of the handle is accomplished by wrapping a cord around the mesh sponge and threading the cord through multiple eyelets distributed around the head. A rim around the perimeter of the head produces a recess on one side thereof. The portion of the cord looped around the mesh sponge fits within the perimeter of the head and can be at least partially recessed within the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: SBI, Incorporated
    Inventors: Nancy K. Nigh, Kevin M. Corcoran, Glory S. C. Yang
  • Patent number: 6584639
    Abstract: The dipstick fuel squeegee of the present invention includes an elongated, rigid but lightweight base with foot pegs on either end and is long enough to span the opening of most large tanks. The base has a midsection into which first a wiper member and then a securing member are releaseably attached. There are openings in the midsection, the wiper member, and the securing member which are vertically aligned. The openings of the midsection and the securing member are approximately equal in size while the opening in the wiper element is smaller. The wiper element is made of a flexible, resilient material and substantially centered over the opening in the seat. During use, a dipstick is inserted through the three openings of the squeegee, the user secures the squeegee by standing on the foot pegs, and the wiper member dislodges any liquid adhering to the dipstick as the user raises it through the squeegee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Larry L. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6584640
    Abstract: A hand-manipulable surface cleaning tool for suctioning both dust and debris from a surface being cleaned comprises a housing defining a substantially hollow interior, and having a perimeter wall portion that terminates downwardly in a surface facing peripheral bottom edge that defines a suctioning bottom opening in dust transfer relation with a dust and debris outlet, and having a debris passing opening disposed in the perimeter wall portion and in debris transfer relation with the dust and debris outlet. The dust and debris outlet is connectable to a hand wand for delivery of dust and debris to a vacuum source. A selectively movable portion is operatively mounted on the housing for movement between an open configuration whereat debris is admitted through the debris passing opening and a closed configuration whereat debris is precluded from being admitted through the debris passing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Roger P. Vanderlinden
  • Patent number: 6584641
    Abstract: A castor (1) has a securing device (V) for blocking running action and/or steering action of a wheel (2) mounted in a fork (3). A mounting of the fork (3) permits pivoting about a vertical axis (y—y). A push rod (11) operates an integrally formed combination part (K) located at the fork for providing functions of braking-blocking and/or steering blocking formation. The push rod (11) carries a plate (23) configured for interacting with fork-mounted steering-blocking and braking-blocking parts of the combination part (K), which has steering-blocking mating protrusions (25) and braking-blocking means (26), these being located in spaced-apart planes (E′—E′, E″—E″).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Tente-Rollen GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Manfred Milbredt
  • Patent number: 6584642
    Abstract: A multi-function door stop is provided comprising a first vertical plate for mounting to a wall and a second horizontal plate affixed to and extending outwardly from the first plate. A hollow elongated tube extends outwardly in a direction away from the second plate in a normal position substantially perpendicular to the first plate. An extension member is interposed between the second plate and the elongated tube, the extension member being fixedly secured at one end to the second plate. The elongated tube is pivotally connected to the other end of the extension member permitting adjustment of the tube to a ninety degree impact with the door. A means is associated with the extension member for releasably locking the tube in its normal position. In use, the door stop remains in its normal position until the elongated tube is struck by an object, such as a vacuum cleaner or mop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Ernest F. Hodson
  • Patent number: 6584643
    Abstract: Various assist devices that provide support for entering and exiting a vehicle through a vehicle doorframe of the type having a striker mounted thereto are disclosed. The assist devices include a retainer adapted to removably engage the striker and a support member pivotably mounted to the retainer such that the support member will apply a clamping force to the striker when the support member supports at least a portion of a user's weight. Methods of providing support for entering and exiting a vehicle through a vehicle doorframe having a striker mounted thereto are also disclosed. The methods include placing at least a portion of a retainer between the doorframe and the striker, and rotating a support member, that is pivotably attached to the retainer, relative to the retainer until the support member engages the striker to thereby clamp the striker when the user's weight is supported by the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Theodore B. Tomaiuolo
  • Patent number: 6584644
    Abstract: A sash window counterbalance spring mounting arrangement for fitment into a channel section within a window jamb, includes coiled ribbon springs; a spring support mounting including a single integral component for locating and supporting the springs, a support for the springs to support and locate the springs on the mounting, and formed by pairs of triangular cross section projections extending from the rear surface of the main body of the mounting such that when the springs recoil rapidly outer surfaces of adjacent springs contact each other, and including an end portion of the main body which is curved, wing projections extending from the front surface of the main body, and an inter engagement element on the longitudinal end of the mounting for cooperative engagement with cooperative inter engagement features on a sash shoe; and a locating arrangement for locating the mounting within the channel section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Omega International, Ltd.
    Inventors: Harold Keith Braid, Simon Christopher Braid
  • Patent number: 6584645
    Abstract: A device for a braked movement of furniture doors in particular with a horizontal rotation axis comprises two attachment pieces (11, 12, 211, 212, 311, 312, 411, 412) that are movable in opposite directions around a common rotation axis (13, 213, 313, 413) in a free manner in one rotation direction and against a resisting force of a friction joint in the other rotation direction. Between an attachment piece and the friction joint the device comprises a first surface (28, 228, 328, 428) and a second surface (27, 227, 327, 427) facing each other to delimit a space therebetween in which a wedging element (26, 226, 326, 426) is disposed. The extension of the facing surfaces and/or the shape of the wedging element between them are of such a nature that the wedging element tends to fixedly fit between said facing surfaces causing them to rotate integrally with each other when rotation of the two attachment pieces takes place in the direction that must involve a braked movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Agostino Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlo Migli
  • Patent number: 6584646
    Abstract: A tilt hinge for office equipment such as a compact personal computer, has a mounting plate and a bearing plate that is at right angles to the mounting plate. A torque generating part of a shaft is press fit into one part of an elastic fastening curl member. The curl part is at the tip of the bearing plate. Another torque part of the shaft is also press fit into a modified curl part of the curl member. The curl part is moved circumferentially by an adjustment screw so that torque generated by the torque generating part of the shaft can be adjusted and is stable. The modified engaging curl part also has a flat part pressed against a portion of the shaft on an inner surface of the curl member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Oriya Fujita