Patents Issued in September 16, 2003
  • Patent number: 6618958
    Abstract: A laundry dryer has a drum rotatively installed inside a case, a heater heating air flowing inside the drum, a rear plate coupled so as to cover a rear portion of the drum and having a vertically elongated inlet hole traversing upper and lower areas of the drum body, a central portion of the vertically elongated inlet hole crossing a horizontal line of the rear plate, and an inlet duct covering the inlet hole and simultaneously having a plurality of duct holes formed at a portion covering the inlet hole so as to guide air heated by the heater to flow inside the drum. The present invention enables the common use of the rear plate for both electrical and gas laundry dryers, and thus allows the use of a common line for assembly. Therefore, the present invention reduces product costs and increases productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hwan-Joo Myung, Sang-Heon Yoon, Sung-Bae Song, Sang-Wook Hong
  • Patent number: 6618959
    Abstract: A cushioning insert (1) to be inserted in the heel zone of a shoe is provided with a honey-comb structure (2) which is improved in such a manner that it provides good cushioning properties and sufficiently supports the heel even if the outsoles or soles (16) of the shoe are relatively thin. To this end, the cushioning insert (1) is made of a structural unit that includes heel shell (3) and a gas-tight honey-comb structure that is provided on the upper side (7.1) or the lower side (10) of the shell bottom (7) of the heel shell (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: PUMA AG Rudolf Dassler Sport
    Inventor: Reinhold Sussmann
  • Patent number: 6618960
    Abstract: An insole assembly for a shoe or other article of footwear. The assembly includes a soft, cushioning foam blank having an upper surface which is contoured to engage the plantar surface of a foot, and a thin, substantially rigid, resiliently flexible cap which is mounted to the bottom of the blank so as to extend around the heel end and forwardly along the medial and lateral sides thereof. The rigid cap includes an upstanding wall which engages and buttresses the perimeter of the foam blank, and a series of medial and lateral flanges which extend across and support the bottom of the blank. The flanges are configured to cooperate with the foam blank to define zones of support in specific areas, with the maximum support and rigidity being provided for the rearfoot and midfoot areas of the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Superfeet Worldwide LP
    Inventor: Dennis N Brown
  • Patent number: 6618961
    Abstract: A device for fitting onto a foot and ankle of a human body which is a thermoformable element suitable for being thermoformed onto the foot. This element includes a first part and a second part which are joined together in an edge-edge relationship. Each of the first and second parts is formed of a sheet of thermoformable material. The sheet of the first part has a different thickness or density than the sheet of the second part. The first part extends over the foot and the second extends around the ankle. A third part can be joined in edge-to-edge relationship to the first and second parts and extends over the top of the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: L'Aubisque ets Palau, SA
    Inventor: Alain Palau
  • Patent number: 6618962
    Abstract: Footwear for protecting a wearer's foot includes an upper an upper that defines an opening for receiving a wearer's foot and an outsole attached to the upper, the upper further including a vamp having a proximal and a distal region, an elastic instep guard positioned on an instep portion of the upper to protect a metatarsal region of the foot, the elastic instep guard extending from the distal region to the proximal region of the vamp which is attached to the toe portion of the steel toe. The instep guard has a plurality of hollow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventor: Charles E. Covatch
  • Patent number: 6618963
    Abstract: A track maintenance machine comprises a machine frame, a track scanning unit adjustable connected to the machine frame and having flanged rollers for moving the track scanning unit along the track, a satellite receiver connected to the machine frame, the satellite receiver having an antenna with an antenna center, a measuring device for monitoring the position of the antenna center relative to the track scanning unit with respect to the following parameters: transverse track tilting (&bgr;), transverse track displacement (d) perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the machine frame, and vertical distance (a), and a computer for a computed repositioning of the antenna center relative to a reference point of the track scanning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Josef Theurer, Herbert Wörgötter
  • Patent number: 6618964
    Abstract: A snowplow blade mount assembly mountable on a vehicle that includes a frame mount assembly which is affixed to a frame of the vehicle and a support assembly that connects to the frame mount assembly. The support assembly is designed to connect to a lift mount assembly and a blade mount assembly. The support assembly enables the blade mount assembly and/or lift mount assembly to be conveniently connected and disconnected from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: The Louis Berkman Company
    Inventors: James A. Kost, Robert L. Potak
  • Patent number: 6618965
    Abstract: An improved snow plow for use with light and medium duty trucks is disclosed which has an impact-absorbing mechanism which absorbs the shocks of both the tripping of the snow plow blade upon striking an object and the spring-biased return of the snow plow blade to its original position. Impact-absorbing members made of a polymeric material are mounted in pockets contained in the pivot support structure of the snow plow blade support structure, and portions of the snow plow blade frame impact the impact-absorbing members prior to the snow plow blade reaching either a tripped position or a trip return position. The impact-absorbing members are highly resistant to damage even when absorbing large shocks caused by substantial impacts, and are easily replaceable when their lifetime has been expended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Sno-Way International, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn W. Schultz, Timothy G. Koch, Terry C. Wendorff
  • Patent number: 6618966
    Abstract: The present invention is a lance for removing dirt or other substances from an underground hole, by the use of air and water under high pressure. The water is used as an abrading material or lance to loosen dirt in a hole or to pick or chip off substances which are attached to a pipe. A limited amount of water is used during the operation of the apparatus, to prevent the formation of wet mud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Omega Tools Inc.
    Inventors: Frank P. Russo, William M. Hutton, Jeffery C. Bond, John K. Gilday
  • Patent number: 6618967
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a work implement having a ground engaging tool is provided. A swing command is supplied to a swing assembly to move the ground engaging tool in an arcuate path about a vertical axis. A crowd command is determined based on the velocity of the swing assembly and is calculated to generate a resulting net movement of the ground engaging tool toward a predetermined end point. The crowd command is supplied to a crowd mechanism to move the ground engaging tool towards the predetermined end point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Ronald L. Satzler, Michael I. Cline
  • Patent number: 6618968
    Abstract: A method and apparatus (1) for unfolding and feeding substantially rectangular pieces of laundry (2) into a cloth treatment apparatus, such as a rotary ironer the apparatus including a conveyor (11) over which the piece of laundry (2) is positioned unfolded, hanging substantially freely and folded with a first part of the piece of laundry hanging down on the one side of the conveyor and the other part on the other side, and wherein the apparatus further includes two opposed transport faces (5, 6) in abutment with each other, a device for forming a fold on one of the substantially freely suspended portions of the piece of laundry, and a device for introducing the fold thus formed on the piece of laundry (2) between the two opposed transport faces (5, 6), the transport faces (5, 6) being in abutment with each other and configured such that the piece of laundry (2) is pulled off by the conveyor (11) with its fold first and subsequently transferred to the subjacent transport face (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Jensen Denmark A/S
    Inventor: Steen Nielsen
  • Patent number: 6618969
    Abstract: A disposable evidence marker of paper, cardboard or like material. The marker is provided in flat, planar condition and is foldable into an inverted V-shape. An integral tongue and tab may be punched out and interlocked for stability. The investigator may mark the panel surfaces with a conventional marker or pen and discard the markers after use with no clean up necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Armor Forensics Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Rogers, Bradley F. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6618970
    Abstract: A label for use on the bottom of a first food container which is adapted to engage a second food container positioned below the first food container to prevent movement of the first food container relative to the second food container. The bottom surface of the label has a nonskid material such as varnish applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Industrial Label Corporation
    Inventors: Gina L. Fillman, David J. Voss
  • Patent number: 6618971
    Abstract: A rotary card holder comprises a rotary card wheel, which at its respective opposite ends is non-rotatably secured to hand wheels, with a stationary axle, about which the card wheel rotates, extending through the card wheel and the hand wheels and having secured non-rotatably to its opposite ends respective end caps with which respective free ends of a wire support frame are non-rotatably secured. Each end cap carries a flexible polypropylene strip which has a free end extending from the periphery thereof to engage in a selected one of a series of grooves in the inside periphery of the hand wheels. In this way the card wheel is retained in its adjusted position each time it is adjusted and a ‘clicking’ indication is produced during adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Rotadex Systems Limited
    Inventors: Jack Ingram, Simon Richard Andrews
  • Patent number: 6618972
    Abstract: An automatic vending machine having a front door with at least one opening. A translucent image carrier bears two or more images cut into information strips and arranged on the image carrier by an intercalation process. The image carrier is mounted behind an array of cylindrical lenses. At least one light source is disposed behind the image carrier. A relative, linearly reciprocating movement is produced between the array of lenses and the image carrier in a direction perpendicular to an axial extent of the lenses. In the course of the relative movement, the array of cylindrical lenses provides, in succession enlarged views of the images borne by the image carrier, thereby producing an animated effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: M.V.T. Multi Vision Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Itzchak Bar-Yona
  • Patent number: 6618973
    Abstract: An improved banner holder and method for exchangeable signs, flags, and other banners with extreme structural simplicity and a minimum moving parts. The banner holder comprises a support, at least one mounting members, an interchangeable brace to hold the banner, and an apparatus to automatically reduce wind loads on the banner. The banner is mounted on a brace. The brace engages one or more unique mounting members in such fashion as to make the brace, and the banner mounted on it, easily mountable, removable, and replaceable. The apparatus further protects the banner and banner holder from wind damage by automatically reducing the effective area of a banner in response to wind loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Ned H. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6618974
    Abstract: The present invention is a message display apparatus that is preferably weather resistant. The present invention is comprised of a pair of parallel side frame members attached at their ends to a bottom frame member. The side frame members are also adapted to receive a pair of covers where at least one of the covers is visibly clear. The clear cover allows a message board to be displayed while simultaneously protecting it from poor weather. Additionally, a top frame member is attached to the message board so that it can be easily inserted into and removed from the message display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: David E. Szalay
  • Patent number: 6618975
    Abstract: A paintball gun conveniently assembled in the present invention has a through hole formed in a back of a grip and communicated with a chamber of the grip; a set bolt having an engagement groove and being extended into the through hole, protruded into the chamber and pressed against a magnetic-attraction plate; a setscrew hole formed in one sidewall of the grip and communicated with the through hole for being screwed with a setscrew, whereby the set bolt designed with different length can be extended into the through hole to push the magnetic-attraction plate, and then screwed with the setscrew tightly so that a push rod of the magnetic-attraction plate can push a locking member to adjust the displacement height of the locking member for different types of the gun bodies, thus a single grip is suited for being conveniently and quickly assembled with a gun body of different style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Pao-Tung Shih
  • Patent number: 6618976
    Abstract: A laser module adapted to being joined to a modular sleeve upper handguard piece top longitudinal gap. The laser module has two, parallel elongated submodules positioned so that an elongated, generally rectangular space is formed between the submodules. The laser module elongated space fits onto the longitudinal gap and the submodules fit along the upper handguard sides in the shallow upper channels. An upper handguard interface element is attached centrally over the laser module top. Each submodule has means for azimuth and height adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Richard E. Swan
  • Patent number: 6618977
    Abstract: A method and device for causing earthworms to emerge from ground soil for harvesting, including providing a spraying device, having an inlet, an outlet, and a mixing chamber located intermediate the inlet and the outlet, wherein the mixing chamber is arranged to receive a worm lure composition for mixing with a mixing fluid coupled to the inlet to thereby provide a worm lure mixture, spraying the mixture from the outlet onto ground soil containing worms thereby causing worms to emerge from the ground soil, and collecting the worms. The device includes an inlet, an outlet, and a mixing chamber for mixing a worm lure composition with mixing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Santo J Curro
  • Patent number: 6618978
    Abstract: An ice fishing slush remover for the quick, efficient and orderly capture, removal and discharge of slush from an ice fishing hole. The ice fishing slush remover includes a cylinder with a pair of semi-circular plates pivotally attached to the lower end of the cylinder. A frame is attached to the upper end of the cylinder. A pair of rods run the length of the cylinder and are attached to the pair of semi-circular plates. The pair of rods are threaded through a pair of openings in the frame. The ends of the pair of rods opposite the semi-circular plates are connected to the handle. When the handle is pushed toward the cylinder the semi-circular plates move downward opening the system. When the handle is drawn upwards the semi-circular plates move upward forming a circle and closing the system. Discharge and capture occurs at the same end of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Allan Miranowski
  • Patent number: 6618979
    Abstract: A metal lip jig threader device for rigging a flexible plastic bait, frozen bait, cut fresh bait, and live bait having a metal lip with one hook on a leader line in one fluid step. Additional dressing such as feathers, fur or hair can be added to the lure. An improved method is shown for making a metallic lipped live or artificial fish lure with at least one hook. An improved metal lip jig is shown having a hook secured by a rivet and spurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Willard C. Wacha
  • Patent number: 6618980
    Abstract: A fishing bait suspension assembly for submerging fishing bait while preventing the bait from contacting a bottom of a body of water while fishing includes a rod member having a pair of outwardly extending top flanges, a buoyant member coupled to the rod member proximate said top flanges, and a lead line having opposite ends extending through distal ends of the top flanges. The bottom of the rod member is designed to contact the bottom of the body of water while the buoyant member holds the rod member in an upright position. The bait is attached to the top flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Melvin De Boer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6618981
    Abstract: A chest-worn tackle box assembly. The assembly includes a breast plate that is supported by a shoulder harness, and a storage box which is mounted to the breast plate so as to be pivotable from a vertical stowed position in which the top of the box lies against the breast plate, to a horizontal position in which the access opening of the box is disposed upwardly. The assess opening is covered by a tambour door having edges retained in tracks in the sidewalls of the storage box. The tambour door is slid open to access an internal compartment of the storage box, a vertical space being provided between the lower wall of the storage box and the floor of the internal compartment to receive the door as it slides into the lower runs of the tracks. The internal compartment may be subdivided for segregated storage of tackle items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Enrique N Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6618982
    Abstract: A door lock mechanism for an animal trap, an animal trap, and a method of capturing animals, typically, rodents and small animals. The door locking mechanism, trap and method employ a gravity-driven door and lock used for a door having a ledge and two bars that are pivotally mounted above the door. When activated by a release mechanism, the door and bars pivotally deflect whereby the bars engage the ledge on the closed door and prevent the door from being opened. The door lock mechanism may be used on any size and shape trap, but one typical trap for which the mechanism can be used is disclosed. A trap entrance arrangement having a conduit for leading animals to the entrance of a trap, that can be used with or without the disclosed door lock mechanism, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: David W. Lafforthun
  • Patent number: 6618983
    Abstract: An insect control station for baiting and/or trapping insects that includes a base, a cover, and an insert locked between the base and cover. The insert is preferably a glueboard or tray. The glueboard, to which insects stick, is used for trapping insects in an environment. The tray is used for holding a toxic bait or attractant that the insect takes back to its nest. The tray may also be used to hold glue for trapping purposes. To maximize the safety of the naive person, especially a child, who does not know what an insect control station is, the base and cover are locked to each other with two hand operated keyless locks that operate independently of the other. The keyless locks are recessed relative to the cover at a span having a width greater than a child's hand such that a child may not operate the locks at the same time with one hand. The operating portion of the lock is located on the base so that if two hands operate the two different locks, the cover will not move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Rockwell Laboratories, Ltd.
    Inventor: Cisse W. Spragins
  • Patent number: 6618984
    Abstract: A sunlight and water utilized compound mosquito attraction apparatus and an energy efficient sunlight powered mosquito killing system, which can be integrated into a complete mosquito attraction and killing system, solely use natural resources of sunlight and water to perform functions of mosquito attraction and killing. Comprising a multi-function solar utilizer and a standing water container, the sunlight and water utilized compound mosquito attraction apparatus synthetically and complementarily utilizes sunlight and water. To use sunlight to kill mosquito with less size and less cost of group of solar cells and with functional time beyond daytime, the energy efficient sunlight powered mosquito killing system uses two energy reservoirs and a periodic control process of letting the system alternatively in electricity supply state and electricity non-supply state. The specific physical form of the integrated mosquito attraction and killing system also allows zero maintenance effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Guining Li
  • Patent number: 6618985
    Abstract: A mouse trap includes: a main body including a top plate and right and left side plates, of resilient material and suspended downwardly from opposite ends of the top plate, to be oppositely closed by their own resiliency, for holding and capturing a mouse therebetween; a bottom plate pivoted at one end to the lower end of one of the side plates; a stopper having a pair of engagement projections fixed to the other end of the bottom plate at its upper surface; an engagement releasing lever pivoted to both projections and having one end rising slantwise inside the main body and another end disposed under the lower end of the other side plate; a bait placing member pivoted to and erected at one end of the engagement releasing lever and freely inclined onto one side; and an adhesive sheet detachably stretched over the inner surface of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kaino
  • Patent number: 6618986
    Abstract: A method of making a mulch for eradicating termites without poisoning the soil includes spraying at least one of tree bark and wood chips with an aqueous concentration of a borate salt in a concentration sufficient to produce a mulch ineffective in protecting the mulch form infestation by termites and effective in killing termites in a colony remote from the mulch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Yaakov Brody
  • Patent number: 6618987
    Abstract: A method of repairing a divot made by a golfer in the grass playing surface of a golf course provides for the golfer to deposit a divot repair body, comprising a growing material such as sand formed into a consolidated mass, into the divot. The body can then be crushed under foot for evenly spreading the growing material in the divot and thereby effectively filling the divot with the growing material. The invention relates also to a divot repair body that can be used in conjunction with the method and that can be carried by a golfer in a suitable package for rendering the employment of the method convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: David Bourchier Bowker
  • Patent number: 6618988
    Abstract: A greenhouse has a frame of standard PVC tubes and PVC fittings. A rectangular base frame supports a plurality of vertical tubes, which, in turn, support a rectangular gable-type roof frame. Some of the tube-to-fitting couplings are friction-fit connections, some are glued connections and others are quick connect/disconnect connections for rapid assembly and disassembly of the greenhouse. A poly cover includes a center portion which extends from the base frame over the vertical tubes and the gabled roof frame and is coupled thereto by quick-connect/disconnect retainers, and a pair of end portions are releasably connected to respective ends of the center portion by double-pull zippers having box and pin connectors for variable, regulated ventilation and complete removal of the end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: David Allen Williams, Carol Laycock Williams
  • Patent number: 6618989
    Abstract: A method for growing ornamental plants by hydroponic cultivation, includes the steps of arranging a piece of a tree in a water tank, adhering support members to the tree, the support members being water permeable which are free to deform, placing plants on the support members, the roots of the plants being integrated with the soil, and supplying water to the support members so as to implement hydroponic cultivation of the plants on the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Hirose Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Hirose
  • Patent number: 6618990
    Abstract: A flower pot cover constructed of a material for providing a decorative cover for an item, such as a floral grouping. The flower pot cover comprises a base portion and a skirt portion. The base portion has an upper end, a lower end, a bottom having a first thickness and a continuous sidewall extending generally between the upper and lower ends of the base portion. The skirt portion is positioned circumferentially about the upper end of the base portion and extends a distance therefrom. The skirt portion is substantially flexible and has a third thickness which is less than the first thickness of the bottom of the base portion. The base portion and the skirt portion cooperate to provide the flower pot cover with a shape sustaining configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio V. Alcazar, Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6618991
    Abstract: A plant packaging method providing a tubular sleeve and attaching the sleeve to a potted plant via a bonding material disposed on the tubular sleeve, and a plant package produced by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6618992
    Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a base portion and skirt portion. The sleeve may have an upper protective sleeve portion which can surround a plant disposed in a pot and which can be detached once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed thereby allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base portion. The sleeve has a plurality of folds, some constricted by constriction elements, the folds comprising expansion elements for allowing portions of the base portion to expand, and portions of the skirt portion to extend angularly, when a pot is disposed within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6618993
    Abstract: A railroad grade crossing assembly for blocking vehicle access across a railroad crossing including a gate assembly connectable to a stanchion and light assembly. This gate assembly is movable between a generally upright position to permit vehicle access across a railroad crossing and a generally horizontal position for blocking vehicle access across the railroad crossing. The gate assembly further includes a telescopic arm assembly for completely closing vehicle access to the railroad crossing. In another embodiment of the invention, the railroad grade crossing assembly includes a gate movable between a generally horizontal retracted position to permit vehicle access across a railroad crossing and a generally extended horizontal position for blocking vehicle access across a railroad crossing, the gate includes a telescopic arm for completely closing the railroad crossing, a first and second stanchions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas J. Burke
  • Patent number: 6618994
    Abstract: A rotating and/or sliding leaf system, which can be locked, with a leaf (1), which can be swiveled and/or shifted and can be fixed in a system frame by two locking bars (5), which can be shifted and are mounted opposite to one another, wherein the locking bars (5) are connected by an actuating element in such a manner that, upon pulling on the actuating element in the opening direction (7) of the leaf (1), both locking bars (5) are moved simultaneously from a locking position into a position, in which the leaf (1) is unlocked from the leaf frame and released so that it can be swiveled or shifted. The actuating element is formed flexibly from a rope (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Solarlux Aluminium Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Bjoern Nussbaum
  • Patent number: 6618995
    Abstract: A window closure system comprising a closure member for connecting a window sash to a window frame. The closure member comprises a corrosion resistant elongated rigid rectangular body portion formed from a single continuous stainless steel sheet or a single continuous stainless steel alloy sheet. The body portion having a planar layer and two metal members folded over into substantial abutting contact with the planar layer. One or more keeper members are used to engage the metal layers and prevent their movement from away from the abutting contact with the planar layer. The closure member may comprise part of a swivel arm, a hinge arm and a tie bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Giuseppe De Marco
  • Patent number: 6618996
    Abstract: An access panel for covering an aperture in a structure such as a wall includes a planar panel member having inner and outer sides and a mounting member attached to the panel member adjacent a first edge thereof The mounting member extends rearwardly from the inner side of the panel and is arranged to engage the structure. A movable clip member is mounted on the panel member and extends rearwardly from the inner side and this member is linearly movable in a direction parallel to the panel from a first position spaced from an edge of the panel to a second position closer to this edge. A spring biases the clip member towards the second position and yieldably holds the clip member in this position. Preferably the panel has a guide track formed therein and the clip member is mounted for sliding movement along this track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Novera Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerzy Marek Szyjkowski
  • Patent number: 6618997
    Abstract: A control method of sliding a vehicle door by a powered sliding device with a clutch mechanism comprises the steps of stopping a motor in a state that a rotation of a wire drum is restricted by an auxiliary brake when the slide door reaches at a desired semi-open position; displacing the clutch mechanism into a second coupled state by the motor while the auxiliary brake is actuated; releasing the restriction by the auxiliary brake when a predetermined time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhito Yokomori
  • Patent number: 6618998
    Abstract: An exterior door incorporates at least one moving glass insert or sash slidable in first and second spaced apart tracks. An end of the insert is coupled to an end of a spring biased rolled screen. As the insert moves from the roll, the screen is extracted therefrom providing a continuously variable screened region in the door. The insert can be positioned using a counterbalance or spaced apart latchable locations in the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Larson Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bruce E. Thomas, Kelly D. Nordgaard, Bryan P. Zacher, Alan M. Dixon, Allen E. Lee
  • Patent number: 6618999
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for a lifting structure having a crown and at least one traveling block, and an oil derrick having a crown bumper, wherein the safety apparatus comprises at least two support beams attached to crown of the lifting structure; a plate secured between the support beams; a bumper pad secured to the plate and adapted to be positioned at the crown of the lifting structure to cushion any impact with the traveling block if the traveling block is lifted towards the crown without stopping and the oil drilling rig apparatus, comprises: a derrick having a lower end for mounting on a platform, an upwardly projecting frame, and an upper, crown end; a traveling block suspended from the upper crown end within the derrick frame; drive means linked to the traveling block for driving the traveling block up and down the frame in a predetermined travel path; and a crown bumper comprising: at least two support beams attached to the derrick; a plate secured between said support beams; a bumper pad secured to the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: JM Clipper Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Joe Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6619000
    Abstract: A clamping device for combined floors includes a base member having a snapper, a first rib and a second rib extending upwardly form the base member and adapted to be received in the combined floors for connecting the combined floors. The base member has a &pgr;-shaped bracket extending from a first end of the base member and a T-shaped space defined in a second end of the base member. The &pgr;-shaped bracket is reciprocally and movably received in the T-shaped space of an adjacent base member so that the clamping device is connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Lee Chiu-Ying
  • Patent number: 6619001
    Abstract: Methods of use of a conduit are disclosed for installation under the floor of a basement for the removal of water therefrom, such conduit having an elongated structure of rectangular cross section and having a vertically disposed inside wall 2 inches in height, a vertically disposed outside wall 2 inches in height, a top wall horizontally disposed of approximately 3½ inches in length joining the tops of such inside and outside walls, and a bottom wall horizontally disposed of approximately 3½ inches in length joining the bottoms of such inside and outside walls, a plurality of elongated apertures defined in the inside wall, each approximately ½ inch in height and 1¾ inches in length and spaced approximately 2 inches apart, and a plurality of elongated apertures defined in the outside wall, each aperture approximately ½ inch in height and 1¾ inches in length and spaced approximately 2 inches apart and spaced approximately 2 inches apart from one another, and a pair of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: James M. Pratt
  • Patent number: 6619002
    Abstract: A flooring system including resin channels having webs and legs mounted on joists with their webs resting on the edges of the joists and their legs straddling the sides of the joists, and a plurality of adjacent resin tiles each having a plate with inner flanges extending downwardly from the plate with slots in the inner flanges receiving pins on the legs of the channels, and outer flanges located outwardly of the inner flanges which rest on the webs of the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Frederick M. Pettit
  • Patent number: 6619003
    Abstract: A method of assembling a frame assembly for a partition system is disclosed. The frame assembly includes a partition panel, a fabric covering the panel, and a frame component. The frame component automatically and evenly tensions the fabric about the panel. The frame component provided according to this method includes a support element, a lockable element, and an integral hinge defined between the support and lockable elements. The support element defines a cavity for receiving and supporting the panel. The lockable element extends from and is moveable relative to the support element. The panel is inserted into the cavity, and the fabric is mounted to the lockable element. Next, the lockable element is moved about the integral hinge such that the fabric mounted to the lockable element is automatically and evenly tensioned about the panel. A backing strip may be mounted to the frame component to protect the fabric from the integral hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Quanex Corporation
    Inventors: John Paul Von Arx, Charles Joseph Librande
  • Patent number: 6619004
    Abstract: A water draining exterior wall structure for a building having a building framework is disclosed. The wall structure includes a plurality of prefabricated panel sections secured to a building framework to form a wall surface. Each panel section includes a support structure for attachment to the building framework which has a water barrier deck substantially co-extensive with the support structure. In addition, a plurality of fascia panels overly the water barrier deck and are attached thereto by beads of silicone adhesive so that a gap is provided between the deck and each fascia panel. A gutter is also provided in each panel which extends along the bottom of each panel section for collecting water entering the gap and carrying the collected water to a drainage end of said gutter so that water can drain out of said panel section. Water drainage dams are also provided, each of which is located in a joint between adjacent panel sections below the drainage end of a gutter of each panel section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: William Loper
  • Patent number: 6619005
    Abstract: An improved molded door having provisions for glass insert comprising at least 50% of said door's exterior surface includes a quadrilateral frame formed of a top rail, a bottom rail, a right stile and a left stile joined together, two sheets of molded door skins, each skin having a large central opening with an inwardly directed flange extending normal to its planer surface and around its respective opening, which flanges interlock when assembled on frame and form secondary frame for receiving a glass insert, means operable to join the skins to the quadrilateral frame, means operable to join the integral flanges of the skins in an interlocked relationship around their respective openings thereby forming an interlocked secondary frame for receiving a glass insert, a secondary left stile located between the joined flanges and the left stile with this stile joined to the skins and a secondary right stile located between the joined flanges and the right stile with this stile joined to said skins whereby the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Kuei Yung Wang Chen
  • Patent number: 6619006
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a roofing shingle, which can surely prevent water such as rainwater from leaking through a roof. A roofing shingle has a rectangular plate (11) provided with first through fourth seam portions (11a-11d). The first and second seam portions (11a, 11b) are positioned in a pair along opposite side edges of said plate and folded in opposite directions with respect to a plane of said plate. The third and fourth seam portions (11c, 11d) are positioned in a pair along opposite end edges of said plate and folded in opposite directions with respect to the plane of said plate. The roofing shingle comprises a waterproofing sheet member (20) having a sheet (21) with its configuration greater than that of said plate and adhesive layers (22a, 22b) provided on both sides of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Muneyasu Shirota
  • Patent number: 6619007
    Abstract: A process for producing structures includes: cutting a transverse groove in a panel; introducing a plastic material into the groove; applying an imprint to the panel; cutting V-shaped grooves in the panel and folding the panel to form a structure. The plastic material is initially free-flowing and subsequently solidifying. The plastic material forms a hinge which may be flush with the panel or project beyond the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Wilhelm Riesmeier