Patents Issued in September 16, 2003
  • Patent number: 6618908
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cufflink that can be attached on a casual shirt of a type comprising a cuff, a cuff button and only one cuff button hole. The cufflink comprises a pair of legs joined by a spring, an attachment means, which is either a hook or a cup-shaped member for placing on top of the cuff button and an impingement knob biased against the attachment means by the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Brooks Lamb
  • Patent number: 6618909
    Abstract: A child-proof button includes a base formed with a tubular portion at one end thereof, and a disc portion at another end thereof, the tubular portion being used for riveting, the disc portion having a plurality of notches, a metal body portion made of zinc and by die-casting and having a plurality of pawls at a circumferential edge thereof and a recess at a center thereof, the metal body portion being provided with a plurality of through holes, the base being fitted in the metal body portion with some of the notches coincident with the through holes, the metal body portion together with the base being further processed with injection molding and plastic not only covers the metal body portion but also enters coincident the through holes and the notches, thereby forming a plastic cover even more firmly attached to the metal body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Shih-Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 6618910
    Abstract: A cord clamp having a housing with first and second matable body portions, first and second side-by-side cord accommodating passages extending at least partially through the housing from both opposite ends thereof. In some embodiments, a plurality of cord retaining teeth protrude into one of the passages, and in some embodiments one or both of the passages are devoid of cord retaining teeth and include a passage constriction for adjustably capturing a corresponding cord portion. A hinge may interconnect the first and second body portions at one end thereof, preferably between the passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Pontaoe
  • Patent number: 6618911
    Abstract: A bottom open-end type invisible zipper. The zipper includes a first zipper tape and a second zipper tape. The zipper tapes each having a respective series of teeth longitudinally disposed at an inner side for interlocking. A first plug member a second plug member are respectively fixedly fastened to the zipper tapes and longitudinally connected to one end of the series of teeth at the respective zipper tape. A movable bottom-end piece slidably is coupled to the first zipper tape, and the movable bottom-end piece includes a receiving chamber adapted to receive the first plug member and the second plug member in parallel. An escape-preventive structure is adapted to stop the movable bottom-end piece from falling out of the first zipper tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Roger C. Y. Chung
  • Patent number: 6618912
    Abstract: A positioning device of a freight rope fixture includes a metallic plate, an urging seat, a torsion spring, and an insertion pin. The urging seat is pivotally mounted between the two opposite wings of the metallic plate and has a first end formed with an urging portion, and a second end formed with a press portion. The torsion spring may force the urging portion of the urging seat to rest on the bent hook portion of the metallic plate. Thus, the torsion spring may force the urging portion of the urging seat to rest on the side plate of the freight truck, thereby achieving a previous locking and positioning effect, so that the rope may be used to bind the freight easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Vincent Chang
  • Patent number: 6618913
    Abstract: A ribbon-decoration forming tool for binding a decorative ribbon strip, which defines a plurality of loops, to form a ribbon-decoration, said ribbon-decoration forming tool including: a first flat plate provided with an engagement member, the engagement member having an enlarged portion at the outer end thereof; a second flat plate having a holding portion for holding the engagement member which allows said enlarged portion to protrude outside therefrom; a connecting member connecting said first flat plate and said second flat plate; and a binding portion for binding a ribbon strip to form a ribbon-decoration, wherein the binding portion is defined by the first and second flat plates associated with each other in the relationship such that the enlarged portion protrudes outside from the holding portion, said connecting member and said engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Yugen Kaisha Ichiryu
    Inventor: Teruko Notomi
  • Patent number: 6618914
    Abstract: A frame is designed for holding and attaching an article to the outside of a luggage and is formed of a main body and a fastening strap which is fixed at one end with the main body and is detachably retained at the other end by the main body. The main body is attached to the handle of the luggage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: TRG Accessories, LLC
    Inventor: Shou Mao Chen
  • Patent number: 6618915
    Abstract: A seatbelt assembly with a buckle has male and female mating parts, in which the male part includes features to prevent disengagement operation by a child. The child resistant features include added ribs, webbing in the form of flanges or struts, or barbs or prongs that increase the difficulty for disengaging the buckle. The female part can have an arcuate outer surface to increase the overall durability of the buckle and resist damaging external forces or damaging misuse. The female part can also be provided with lateral shoulders to make the female part harder to withdraw and thus more child resistant. The seatbelt assembly with the child resistant buckle can be operated easily by an adult, while remaining secure from disengagement by a typical child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Paul Giampavolo
  • Patent number: 6618916
    Abstract: Several methods for fabricating an ultrasound transducer assembly having a flexible circuit are provided. Preferably, the method comprises attaching an ultrasound transducer array and integrated circuitry to the flexible circuit during fabrication of the ultrasound transducer assembly while the flexible circuit is in a:substantially flat shape. The contacts of the transducer elements are positioned on substantially the same plane such that electrical contact with signal and ground lines on the flexible circuit is established without the need for conductive bridges to physically remote electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Jomed Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Eberle, P. Michael Finsterwald
  • Patent number: 6618917
    Abstract: A headstock 10 having a chuck 12 and a tailstock 20 having a shaft 21 are mounted on a bed 1 and can move with respect to each other in the direction of the Z-axis, A carriage 50 is slidably mounted on the bad 1 and can move in the Z-axis direction with respect to the rotational axis of a spindle 11. A turning device (lathe tool) 30 is provided to perform a turning operation on a workpiece and a gear cutting device 40 is provided to perform a gear cutting on the workpiece. The turning device 30 and the gear cutting device are preferably slidably mounted on the carriage 50 in a side-by-side relationship. The turning device 30 and the gear cutting device 40 may have respective traverse slide bases 31 and 41. The traverse slide bases 31 and 41 are mounted on the carriage 50 and can move independently in the direction of the X-axis perpendicular to the axis of the spindle 11, i.e. in a traverse sliding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Dainichi Kinzoku Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Sugiura, Yoshinobu Yasuda, Masami Funamoto, Kaoru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6618918
    Abstract: A dismantling device is provided for dismantling a fuel injector from a mounting bore in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. The dismantling device has a jacket body, which at least partially surrounds the fuel injector, and has an engagement section, which engages with the fuel injector via of a contact face projecting radially inward. The engagement section of the jacket body surrounds the fuel injector only over a maximum angle range of 180° between two free ends. The contact face tapers in the direction of free ends of the engagement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ferdinand Reiter, Heinz-Martin Krause
  • Patent number: 6618919
    Abstract: A hydraulic assembly system is described. The system includes a hydraulic assembly tool connected by a hydraulic connection to a hydraulic pressure source which supplies a pressurized hydraulic fluid to the tool. The system includes a switch mounted on the hydraulic assembly tool and one or more signal connections between the switch and the hydraulic pressure source whereby activation of the switch causes the hydraulic pressure source to supply the pressurized hydraulic fluid to activate the hydraulic assembly tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Albert A. McKay
  • Patent number: 6618920
    Abstract: The stud replacement kit of the present invention operates by supplying force to the inside portion of a damaged stud and pushing that stud forward and out of the wheel. The kit of the present invention comprises a pressure tool that supplies force to a stud. This pressure tool fit around the wheel and damaged stud; and a spacer that fit between the front of the wheel and the pressure tool. This spacer serves primarily to catch the stud once removed. In operation, the broken or damaged stud is removed by placing the placing the pressure tool and spacer around the stud to be replaced. A stud screw mechanism in the pressure tool is rotated to cause the tool to apply force to the stud primarily on the backside of the wheel. This force is increased until it overcomes the force that holds the stud in the wheel. At this point, the force of the pressure tool on the stud causes the stud to move in the desired direction for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Cedric R. Emanuel
  • Patent number: 6618921
    Abstract: A stent container has a first wall at the proximal end and a second wall at the distal end. The first wall has an opening therethrough sized for receiving an uncrimped stent therethrough. The opening opens into a chamber which is reducible in size from a first enlarged size to a second reduced size. The chamber in the first enlarged size is sized for receiving an uncrimped stent therein. A plurality of bars extend from the first wall to the second wall. The bars are movable between a first position and a second position. The plurality of bars in the first position and the first and second walls define the periphery of the chamber in the enlarged size. The plurality of bars in the second position and the first and second walls define the periphery of the chamber in the reduced size. A stent disposed in the chamber may be reduced in size by reducing the chamber from the first enlarged size to the second reduced size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Sally C. Thornton
  • Patent number: 6618922
    Abstract: First and second two spacing jigs 81 are used each having a rectangular parallelepipedal body 81a formed on the bottom surface thereof with projections 82 which are arranged side by side at a spacing equal to a predetermined interval between reference bores 106. First, the projections 82 of the first jig 81 are fitted in front reference bores 106 of respective lower members 31, 32, 33, and the projections 82 of the second jig 82 in rear reference bores 106 of the lower members. A right angle holding jig 84 in the form of a rectangular frame and having inner side faces positionable respectively in contact with the front side face of the first jig 81, the rear side face of the second jig 81 and the left and right side faces of the two jigs 81 is fitted around the bodies 81a of the two jigs 81 to adjust the arrangement of bores 106 to right angles. The lower members are fixed to a support member in this state by tightening up screw members 110.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignees: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Michio Yamaji, Tsutomu Shinohara
  • Patent number: 6618923
    Abstract: A method for tightening screw connections in series assembly. The method includes continuously monitoring a torque and a rotational angle of the screw. Initially, the screw is tightened by turning it in a rotational direction through a first rotational angle by exerting a desired torque. The screw is then released by turning the screw in a reverse rotational direction through a particular rotational angle. The screw is then re-tightened by turning it in the rotational direction through a second rotational angle by exerting the desired torque. A first absolute difference in rotational angles between the first rotational angle and the second rotational angle is determined and the value for the first absolute difference in rotational angles is then utilized to provide a monitoring of the tightening characteristics in the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Matthias Quickert
  • Patent number: 6618924
    Abstract: A method for controlling an axle shaft endplay in a vehicle is disclosed. The desired axle shaft endplay is determined by a manufacturer based on the specific operating conditions of a differential assembly. In accordance with the endplay controlling method of the present invention, first the differential is partially assembled by mounting side gears and a set of differential pinion mate gears in a differential case. Then, the manufacturer determines a thickness of a shim ring disposed between an axle shaft retainer ring and the differential side gear, which would provide the desired endplay. The appropriate shim ring is selected from an endplay controlling kit comprising a plurality of the shim rings of assorted thickness. Next, axle shafts are inserted into the differential case through the side gears, and the selected shim ring is mounted to the axle shaft. Finally, the retainer ring is secured to the axle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl J. Irwin
  • Patent number: 6618925
    Abstract: A method of constructing a bed knife blade assembly for a reel-type lawn mower having a frame rotatably supporting a cutting reel. The bed knife blade assembly comprises a clamp plate having a flange with a locking surface, and a blade insert having a tab cooperating with the locking surface to restrict movement of the blade insert relative to the clamp plate. The clamp plate is adapted to be coupled to the frame such that the flange biasedly engages the tab to further restrict movement of the blade insert relative to the clamp plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald E. Rickheim
  • Patent number: 6618926
    Abstract: A system for fabricating muntin bars from sheet material. Sheet material in the form of thin ribbon stock is fed to a first forming station including a punching mechanism that punches the ribbon stock at a precisely predetermined location. The ribbon stock is delivered from the first forming station to a second forming station in the form of a rolling mill. The stock passes through a succession of forming rolls to produce a tube having a desired cross-sectional shape. The tube is delivered from the second forming station to a third forming station including a severing apparatus that severs the tube at a precisely predetermined location to produce a muntin bar. After severing, the muntin bar is engaged by a conveyor and moved to a desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bryan McGlinchy, Mohamed C. Khalfoun, John Louis Grismer, Michael J. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6618927
    Abstract: A sensing element, disposed in a housing, has a gas contact portion exposed to a measured gas. A protective cover extends from a distal end of the housing so as to surround the gas contact portion of the sensing element. A first metallic cover surrounds signal output terminals and leads connected to the sensing element. In manufacturing the first metallic cover, a shot blasting is applied to a surface of a semi-finished product of the first metallic cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Tajima, Norihiko Nakano
  • Patent number: 6618928
    Abstract: A method for loading slot cell insulators into a plurality of slots in a stator core of a dynamoelectric machine is disclosed. The method includes forming a slot cell insulator having a generally U-shape cross-section. The slot cell insulator may be turned so that an open end of the generally U-shape slot cell insulator face a loading assembly. The slot cell insulator is moved into the loading assembly. The forming and moving are repeated until a plurality of slot cell insulators are stored in the loading assembly. The plurality of slot cell insulators are pushed from the loading assembly into the slots of the stator core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Hobart DeHart
  • Patent number: 6618929
    Abstract: A laminated common-mode choke coil is disclosed in which the coupling characteristics of first and second coil electrodes are improved so as to reduce normal mode impedance. A first coil electrode and a second coil electrode are laminated across an insulating layer. The first coil electrode is formed in a spiral shape in an area from a first external electrode to a first through-hole electrode (point L). A second coil electrode is formed in a spiral shape in an area from a third external electrode to a second through--hole electrode (point K). Both coil electrodes are spirally overlapped with each other in an area from point B to point K. Three coil embodiments are also disclaosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidekazu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 6618930
    Abstract: A method for improving the operational performance of a disc drive through the identification of vital product information associated with a head-disc assembly (HDA) of the disc drive. The disc drive comprises a printed wiring assembly (PWA) housing control circuitry for the disc drive. The HDA of the disc drive is operably coupled to the printed wiring assembly and includes a rotatable disc to which data are written by a controllably positionable head. A non-volatile memory device is mounted on the HDA and operably coupled to the PWA so that, when the disc drive is initialized, the PWA verifies the configuration of the HDA before proceeding with the initialization of the disc drive, thereby preventing errors and damage to the disc drive as a result of the installation of a new, replacement PWA in the disc drive, or the downloading of new, incorrect firmware to the PWA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Wilson Massey Fish, David Christopher Pruett
  • Patent number: 6618931
    Abstract: There are provided a fixed-scroll moveable device which is capable of moving a fixed-scroll of a scroll compressor in the directions of an X axis and a Y axis, and an orbiting-scroll revolution compensation device which is capable of revolving an orbiting-scroll in a &thgr; direction by way of a main frame. An optimum angle of the fixed-scroll relative to the orbiting-scroll and an optimum wrap clearance are determined at the same time while orbitally moving the orbiting-scroll. Thereby, alignment of a scroll compression section is performed in a short time with a high precision including positioning of a rotating direction of the fixed-scroll relative to the orbiting-scroll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu General Limited
    Inventors: Shuji Takeda, Makoto Araki, Kenji Shimura
  • Patent number: 6618932
    Abstract: On a turntable are disposed a plurality of applicators and their respective terminal reels holding strings of terminals. A rail and a shank holder guide are provided between a press for operating one of the applicators and a waiting position on the turntable. One of the applicators alone moves between a set position in the press and the waiting position on the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6618933
    Abstract: A liquid thermosetting insulating resin composition and a method for permanently filling holes in a printed circuit board by the use of the composition are provided. The liquid thermosetting insulating resin composition comprises (A) an epoxy resin assuming a liquid state at room temperature, preferably in combination with (B) a phenolic resin assuming a liquid state at room temperature, (C) a curing catalyst, and (D) a filler, wherein the filler (D) contains a spherical filler and a ground filler. Preferably the spherical filler includes a spherical fine filler and a spherical coarse filler. In a method for permanently filling holes in the printed circuit board, the composition is applied to the board so as to fill the holes in the printed circuit board and precured by application of heat. Thereafter, the parts of the precured composition protruding from a surface defining the holes is removed by polishing and then the precured composition is further heated to cause final curing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Taiyo Ink Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rieko Yamamoto, née Takahashi, Kyoichi Yoda
  • Patent number: 6618934
    Abstract: A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: TheraSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Feldman, Adam Heller, Ephraim Heller, Fei Mao, Joseph A. Vivolo, Jeffery V. Funderburk, Fredric C. Colman, Rajesh Krishnan
  • Patent number: 6618935
    Abstract: A method for increasing equipping performance of a process line includes providing automatic equipping units to equip substrates with components and an equipping program. A theoretical program is determined before the equipping process starts. The goal is an optimally high equipping performance based on a theoretical time behavior of the individual automatic equipping units. Observers measure the actual time behavior of the automatic equipping units and are provided in control devices of automatic equipping units arranged in the line. An updated equipping program, with which the individual automatic equipping units or, respectively, the entire line of automatic equipping units are operated, is determined with the assistance of the measured actual time behavior. A new allocation of components to be equipped at equipping locations ensues according to the updated equipping program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Horst Schindler
  • Patent number: 6618936
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for configuring a portable computer comprises encasing the computer in an enclosure, providing battery slot defined by at least one wall of the enclosure, encasing a battery pack in a battery pack housing, inserting the battery pack into the battery slot and interweaving a wall of the battery pack housing with a wall of the enclosure defining the slot so that a portion of the battery pack housing projects into the battery slot. The system and method may also comprise providing a portal in a first wall associated with a computer enclosure and inserting a battery pack having a second wall into the enclosure wherein a structural region of the second wall of the battery pack extends into the portal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michele Bovio, Robert Frame
  • Patent number: 6618937
    Abstract: An assembly method for electronic appliances includes applying adhesive to a PCB; supplying an electronic component to the PCB; holding the electronic component with a mounting device and then placing the electronic component onto the PCB; pressing the electronic component onto the PCB; and detecting the electronic component held by the mounting device. The assembly method utilizes two or more bonders. This enables mounting and bonding of required components for assembling an electronic appliance using a single apparatus. In particular, the assembly method is effective for assembling display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuto Onitsuka
  • Patent number: 6618938
    Abstract: The present invention describes an interposer which improves the thermal performance of a semiconductor device. The interposer may be situated between a substrate and a board. The interposer is attached to two layers of solder balls. The first layer of solder balls electrically and mechanically connects the interposer to the substrate. The second layer of solder balls electrically and mechanically connects the interposer to the board. In one aspect, the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the interposer may be flexibly selected to reduce thermal strain-induced stress for either or both layers of solder balls resulting from thermal performance differences between the substrate and the interposer or the interposer and the board. In another aspect, the CTE of the interposer may be reduced to allow a lower CTE for the substrate, which in turn may reduce thermal strain-induced stress for solder balls between the substrate and a die attached to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Maniam Alagaratnam, Kishor V. Desai, Sunil A. Patel
  • Patent number: 6618939
    Abstract: A process for producing a resonant tag, wherein a metal foil having a thermal adhesion adhesive applied to at least one face thereof is stamped out into a circuit-like shape and is adhered to a base sheet, the process comprising: stamping out the metal foil into a predetermined shaped metal foil portion (4c) while being passed through a die roll (1) having thereon a stamping blade with a predetermined shape and a transfer roll (2) in contact with the die roll (1) which functions also as a die back-up roll; holding this metal foil portion obtained by the stamping-out operation onto the surface of the transfer roll by suction holes formed in the transfer roll; and thermally adhering the stamped metal foil portion to the base sheet (7) in contact with the transfer roll (2) at its another face by an adhesive roll (3) in contact with the transfer roll through the base sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Miyake
    Inventors: Shinya Uchibori, Takaaki Mizukawa, Yoshinori Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 6618940
    Abstract: A high density printed wiring board is prepared by applying an essentially solid material into plated through holes such that the metallized layers within the through hole are unaffected by chemical metal etchants. In this manner, lateral surface metallized layers can exclusively be reduced in thickness by use of said chemical agents. These thinned lateral surface metallized layers are ultimately converted into fine pitch, 25 to 40 microns, circuitry, thereby providing high density boards. Since the through hole wall metallization is unaffected by the etching process, excellent electrical connection between the fine line circuitry is obtained. Various printed wiring board embodiments are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Lubert, Curtis L. Miller, Thomas R. Miller, Robert D. Sebesta, James W. Wilson, Michael Wozniak
  • Patent number: 6618941
    Abstract: A technique for making acicular, branched, conductive dendrites, and a technique for using the dendrites to form a conductive compressible pad-on-pad connector are provided. To form the dendrites, a substrate is provided on which dendrites are grown, preferably on a metal film. The dendrites are then removed from the substrate, preferably by etching metal from the substrate. The so formed dendrites are incorporated into a compressible dielectric material, which then forms a compressible pad-on-pad connector between two conducting elements, such as connector pads on electrical devices, e.g. an I/C chip mounted on a substrate, such as a chip carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Campbell, William T. Wike
  • Patent number: 6618942
    Abstract: A method for insertion of inserting printed circuit card into socket connectors which prevents sockets from getting contaminated or damaged during the insertion of a printed circuit card comprises the steps of: inserting a cam for moving a socket connector's contacts outwardly so that they will not make contact with a card's edge when it is inserted between the contacts of the sockets connector as it is inserted, and after the printed circuit card is inserted the printed circuit card moving the printed circuit card until it makes contact with a stop in the socket connector, and after the printed circuit card has contacted the stop in the socket connector, moving the cam to a closed position allowing the printed circuit card to be seated, and seating the printed circuit card by moving it to cause and allow for an amount of wipe to clean the connector's contacts without contaminating or damaging the socket connector's contacts during the insertion of said printed circuit card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian S. Beaman, Scott J. Hadderman, Richard D. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 6618943
    Abstract: A drop-on-demand piezo-electric printhead has channel walls defined by piezo-electric material (10) with electrodes (26) along the length thereof. In portions of the channels which are open to an ink supply conduit, the piezo material is locally disabled, e.g. by reducing the width of the electrode or by interposing a material (40) of lower dielectric constant between the electrode and the piezo material. A lower capacitive load results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Xaar Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Ashe, Christopher David Phillips, Stephen Temple
  • Patent number: 6618944
    Abstract: The invention relates to a load-bearing vehicle roof of so-called sandwich construction, wherein the material layer included in the vehicle roof comprises polymeric materials, laminate materials and/or metal layers. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing such a vehicle roof. The load-bearing vehicle roof according to the invention comprises an outer cover layer (1), a core (3) and an inner cover layer (4) which together form a load-bearing structure. The load-bearing vehicle roof according to the invention is characterized in that at least one insulating layer (5) and/or a decorative layer (6), intended to be visible from a passenger compartment within a motor vehicle, is/are provided inside the inner cover layer (4), and that the insulating and/or the decorative layers (6) are provided as layers of the load-bearing vehicle roof before mounting onto the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Arne Persson, Åke Nylinder
  • Patent number: 6618945
    Abstract: A tool for stripping a microcoaxial cable having an outside diameter of four millimeters or less. The tool is operable for precisely stripping the jacket, shield and dielectric layers of the microcoaxial cable under field conditions. The tool comprises a fixed gripping portion that holds and supports the cable both proximal and distal to the portion to be stripped. A blade portion rotatably mounted to the fixed gripping portion has a double action. When the blade portion is depressed, a plurality of blades mounted thereon cuts into the microcoaxial cable to precise and adjustable depths. A 360° rotation of the blade portion relative to the fixed gripping portion cleanly severs the respective layers of the cable. The respective severed layers of the cable are removed by hand to expose the underlying layer and the central conductor thereby providing a stripped portion of microcoaxial cable to which a microcoaxial cable connector can be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Holland Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Holland, Shen Chia Wong
  • Patent number: 6618946
    Abstract: A hand-held jack-knife according to the invention essentially comprises a blade and a handle articulated around an axis of rotation. This articulation is formed by a hollow bush the axial opening thereof passes completely through the handle and which is fixedly secured in rotation to the table. The blade can be operated by means of knobs. A stop catch may be formed by a tab, the free end of which may engage in housings of the bush-knob system. This knife finds its application in the fields of, for example, mountain climbing, pot-holing, deep-sea fishing, water and aerial sports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Zedel
    Inventor: Marc Seraphin
  • Patent number: 6618947
    Abstract: A knife comprising a handle, a blade pivotally coupled to the handle, a lock pivotally coupled to the handle, and a spring having at least one transversely extending portion that contacts the lock. In a preferred embodiment, the spring is U-shaped and supported by recesses in the handle. Also in a preferred embodiment, the spring is coupled to the handle near the blade and extends rearward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Imperial Schrade Corp.
    Inventors: Walter A. Gardiner, Dieh Stecyk, James Quinn
  • Patent number: 6618948
    Abstract: A hair groomer thinning guide relates to a hair groomer whose casing comes with a -shaped comb carrier featuring combing teeth as a thinning guide on the front end. Both the top and the bottom are equipped with a lengthy groove, with the groomer having a cylindrical switch on its top and a round-shaped adjustable knob on the bottom. The lengthy grooves on the top and bottom plates are fitted with a positioning claw and a braking claw, which are positioned correspondingly on both sides of the switch and the adjustable knob. By pressing the adjustable knob to separate the braking claw from the braking teeth, the comb carrier would then move in linear form back and forth to form irregular pitches between the combing teeth and the groomer, thus thinning the hair, and the comb carrier moves to the front end to turn in 180° forcing the comb face backward, thus freeing the thinning combing teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Y. S. Lin
  • Patent number: 6618949
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting sighting pins in an archery sight for multiple target distances after the uppermost pin has been adjusted for a target distance such as 20 yards. An archery target is utilized with a horizontal reference indicator. Vertical offset distances from the reference indicator are determined for various target distances and arrow velocities, indicating where an arrow destined for the reference indicator on an imaginary target at a longer range such as 30 yards would strike the target at 20 yards. A vertical offset impact point is marked on the target at the offset distance from the reference indicator. A second pin corresponding to 30 yards is adjusted to visually overlie the reference indicator when the first pin is aimed at the offset impact point. By determining and marking offset distances corresponding to multiple target distances, multiple sighting pins can be adjusted in a similar manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Shawn D. Keener
  • Patent number: 6618950
    Abstract: A projection apparatus has a frame having a top seat, a main body and a light source module. The main body includes a hanging mechanism that is pivotable about the top seat with respect to a first axis direction and a second axis direction, and a connection seat having an adjustment mechanism that is coupled to the hanging mechanism in a manner that allows for adjustment of the inclination angle between the connection seat and the hanging mechanism. The light-source module is coupled to the connection seat and projects a light plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Quarton, Inc
    Inventors: Chao-Chi Huang, Sheng-Ching Wu
  • Patent number: 6618951
    Abstract: An orientation sensor capable of generating at least one output signal indicative of a particular orientation parameter is described. The orientation sensor comprises a sensor housing defining a closed internal chamber including a first internal surface. The first internal surface supports a first electrically conductive pattern which itself forms part of a sensing arrangement. The first electrically conductive pattern includes an arrangement of electrically isolated segments in a predetermined configuration. A flowable material is contained within the internal chamber, which flowable material contacts a portion of the first internal surface dependent upon the value of the particular orientation parameter. An electrical property is measurable between the segments such that the orientation parameter can be determined using the output signal based only on the electrical property and, therefore, only on the portion of the first internal surface contacted by the flowable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Digital Control Incorporated
    Inventors: John E. Mercer, Rudolf Zeller
  • Patent number: 6618952
    Abstract: A tracer is provided for tracing a lens mount of an eyeglass frame, a lens or a lens pattern. The tracer comprises an object engager and an actuator. The object engager is adapted to engage the lens mount, the lens or the lens pattern. The actuator is adapted to move the object engager into contact with and then along the lens mount, the lens or the lens pattern in such a way that during movement therealong, the object engager remains against the object being traced even when the shape thereof includes high wrap. Preferably, the tracer has a shift mechanism adapted to shift the object engager from alignment with the lens mount to alignment with a second lens mount of the eyeglass frame. The actuator preferably is further adapted to trace the second lens mount in substantially the same way as the first. The actuator further includes a rotator and a pivot mechanism. The rotator is adapted to rotate the object engager along the object being traced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: National Optronics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel E. Andrews, Guenter G. Fietzke, David L. Kountz, Andrew W. Doan, Kimber W. Rarick, Don S. Wills, Martin A. Moon, Ryan J. Davis, John T. Rathbone
  • Patent number: 6618953
    Abstract: A leveling assembly for setting a vertical prop is comprised of an inclined surface setting member 20 and a horizontal surface forming member 30. The horizontal surface forming member 30 has a horizontal surface 32 to be adjusted to a horizontal position and an opposite first adjusting surface 31 that is not parallel to horizontal surface 32. The inclined surface setting member 20 has a setting surface 21 facing a slope inclined surface 11 and an opposite second adjusting surface 22 facing the first adjusting surface 31 which is not parallel to the setting surface 21. The horizontal surface forming member 30 and the inclined surface setting member 20 are placed on top or each other, and the horizontal surface 32 is adjusted to the horizontal position relative to the slope inclined surface 11 by rotating the members relative to each other to change the degree angle between the horizontal surface 32 and the setting surface 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Shuhei Izumi
  • Patent number: 6618954
    Abstract: A longitudinal profile measuring apparatus including a relative distance meter located on a frame supported by more than two wheels in a row in a direction of a measuring line for measuring relative distance to a target surface, a moving distance meter for measuring moving distance of movement along the measuring line on the target surface, and a data processing unit for finding spatial data, which shows a rough profile of the target surface, along the measuring line from the relative distance measured by the relative distance meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Tokimec Construction Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Masakuni Kumazawa, Mutsumi Takahashi, Takehiko Suyama, Tatsuyuki Ochi
  • Patent number: 6618955
    Abstract: A template for hanging a group of two or more pictures or other wall decorations is disclosed which is conformable to the size of the area to be covered by the hangings and carries the locations of the hangings and hooks therefor onto the chosen area. A method for arranging two or more wall hangings for a chosen area of a wall while the hangings are disposed on a horizontal surface and thereafter transferring the arrangement to the vertical surface of the wall is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Sandra E. Rice
  • Patent number: 6618956
    Abstract: The operation of dewatering and drying devices which consist of a dewatering centrifuge and a concentrically arranged spray drier may be disturbed by leaks between the drier housing and the centrifuge or by deposits and encrustation of solid particles inside the drier. In order to avoid these disturbances, the rotating outer surface of the centrifuge (1) is sealed with respect to the fixed front walls (13, 14) of the drier housing (11) by a sealing system in two or more stages which consists of rotary seals (160) and elastic or sliding sealing elements (180, 260, 300, 340). The rotating outer surface of the centrifuge (1) is provided, with turbulence-generating means (32, 33, 40, 42, 46), preferably torus-shaped turbulence-generating rollers, arranged inside the drier housing (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Lucia Baumann Schilp, Uwe Zacher
  • Patent number: 6618957
    Abstract: The invention described herein pertain generally to a process for drying and/or pathogen reduction as well as an apparatus effective for the same, the process comprising the steps of feeding a sample containing water onto a mesh conveyor belt; transporting the sample into a heated chamber having an air flow about, around and through the sample; exposing said sample to at least two sources of microwaves in non-parallel alignment to each other; and collecting the sample. The at least two sources of microwaves are from a split waveguide assembly, producing microwaves which are essentially 90° out of phase to each other. The heated chamber is between approximately 75° C. and 125° C. The convection heating supplements the microwave heating thereby both heating the sample from the outside in and also from the inside out. The microwave frequency is between 915 MHz and 1000 MHz, preferably approximately 915 MHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: John F. Novak, Michael R. Burch