Patents Issued in January 6, 2004
  • Patent number: 6672642
    Abstract: A lightweight tailgate assembly for pickup trucks and other motor vehicles includes several metal panels that are made from a single metal sheet and a plastic reinforcing module between inner and outer metal panels. The side panels of the tailgate are formed as part of the plastic reinforcing module. A preferred assembly may also include a hinge device for connection with a truck body and a latch mechanism for locking the assembly between opposed rear corner posts in a truck body. The hinge device may be integrally molded into the plastic reinforcing module. A particularly preferred tailgate assembly made with AA 6022 aluminum alloy sheet and a reinforcing module containing polymer and glass fibers may weigh less than half as much as a conventional steel truck tailgate. Metal cover plates can be used to obscure visibility of the plastic side panels from the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh Seksaria, John W. Cobes, Romeo Pascasio, Ed Timko
  • Patent number: 6672643
    Abstract: The vehicle cover of the invention consists of three pivotally interconnected cassettes with rolls of a flexible protective cover material stored in each of the cassettes and unwoundable therefrom through a slit in the side of the cassette, similar to a photo film that can be pulled out from a film cassette. In a folded state the cassettes are arranged side by side parallel to each other. Each cassette consists of two parallel sections with the flexible material in each section wound in mutually opposite directions so that the protective flexible materials of each section can be pulled out in mutually opposite directions. The first and third cassettes are pivotally connected to the second, i.e., the intermediate cassette so that they can be turned by 90° with respect to the intermediate cassette. The ends of the flexible materials may be provided with hooks or other means for securing the materials to the vehicle body in a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventors: Arkadiy Brodskiy, Boris Brodsky, Leonid Brodsky
  • Patent number: 6672644
    Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus can attach a flexible cover about a cargo box of a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck. The apparatus preferably includes, a support frame removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated end plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, an end plate engagement member attached to the support frame, a latching member movably attached to the support frame, and a locking member movably attached to the end plate. The end plate and the end plate engagement member are preferably provided with complimentarily shaped surfaces which enable the end plate to engage with and swing around or pivot with respect to the support frame into and out of a fixed stretching position where the flexible cover may be alternatively tensed and relaxed. The end plate may be retained in the fixed stretching position by a latching member that operatively connects the end plate to the support frame or a locking member that operatively connects the support frame to the end plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 6672645
    Abstract: A convertible has a top storable in the rear of the convertible when the top is open. A top cover is provided and the top is stored underneath the top cover when open. The top cover is movable for releasing a passageway for the top via which the top is moved for storing the top and for returning the top from the open position into the closed position. An extension member is pivotably connected to the top cover. In the open position of the top, the extension member is positioned substantially in front of the top cover, when viewed in the travel direction of the convertible. The extension member is pivotable relative to the top cover such that the extension member, when the top is closed, is positioned in a stored position at substantially a right angle to the top cover underneath the top cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Quindt
  • Patent number: 6672646
    Abstract: A fastening device for a convertible top includes a front bow, a front window frame, a bracket disposed on one of the front bow and the front window frame, a first catch element assigned to the other of the front bow and the front window frame, and at least one second catch element. The first catch element is secured so as to be pivotable about a first axis, and is connectable to the bracket. The at least one second catch element is connectable to the bracket and pivotable about a second axis spaced apart from the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Edscha Cabrio-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Obendiek
  • Patent number: 6672647
    Abstract: Vehicle body protectors for protecting external mirrors and a lower portions of the vehicle extending from a rear surface of the front wheel well to a front surface of the rear wheel well under the doors of the vehicle are constructed from conformable sheets of impact absorbing material having peripheral means for coupling the protector to non-external portions of the vehicle body and to other portions of the protector so that the body protectors remain in fixed position on the vehicle body during motion of the vehicle. The body protectors can be formed from more than one layer of material to form an outer layer, a liner layer of resilient energy absorbing material positioned on the under surface of the outer layer for engagement with an outer surface of the vehicle body, and optionally an intermediate reinforcing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Carolyn T. Santiago
  • Patent number: 6672648
    Abstract: Device for absorbing impact energy for a door of a motor vehicle, the door being in the form of a hollow box in which is arranged a glass panel (12) capable of sliding between a lowered position and a raised position, the absorbing device (30) being arranged in a lower region of the box and comprising two shock-absorbing blocks (32, 33) defining a passageway for the glass panel (12) therebetween. The device comprises movable members (39) for mechanical connection which are arranged between the shock-absorbing blocks (32, 33), the members (39) each assuming an active position, in the absence of the glass panel, in which they ensure mechanical continuity between the blocks (32, 33) and constitute a supplementary component for absorbing impact energy, and moving out of the way to assume an inactive position when the glass panel passes through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Faurecia Industries
    Inventor: Yves Heranney
  • Patent number: 6672650
    Abstract: A vehicle plastic panel includes a plastic panel body and a speaker grille integrally injection molded with a plastic panel body. The speaker grille has a plurality of sound passages formed therethrough from a front surface to a rear surface, and has a cross-hatched upstanding rib pattern extending from the rear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Patent Holding Company
    Inventor: Larry J. Winget
  • Patent number: 6672651
    Abstract: An improved rear wing structure. The structure includes a rear wing and supporting stands. The rear wing is extendible and suitable for different car specifications. Ornaments can be added on both sides of the panel. There are three supporting stands, firmly attached to the middle and the two sides of the panel, which is fixed onto the trunk by screws and adjustable for the optimum angle of depression and elevation for balancing the center of gravity for the car body. The rear wing can be added with ornaments featuring personal style or fashionable decoration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Janchy Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun Tian Shuen
  • Patent number: 6672652
    Abstract: A module carrier incorporating components of a cooling system has a frame structure with frames provided on upper and lower sides thereof and a pair of stays supporting both side ends of the frames. Two fitting faces formed on each of the stays are fixed onto a front edge and a member bracket of a front side member. A pair of the front side members are provided on both sides in a widthwise direction of a vehicle. A lower frame is supported against the front side member by a truss structure provided in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. If an impact load is applied from the front side of the vehicle body to the lower frame, it is possible to receive such impact load securely and to generate a reactive force. Therefore, if a leg of a pedestrian collides from the frontside of the vehicle body, such reactive force is effective for scooping up a lower leg for protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihide Takeuchi, Yoshiyuki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6672653
    Abstract: A rear vehicle body structure including a rear side member, a side sill inner, and a rear floor. The rear side member includes a front portion connected to the side sill inner, a middle portion, and a rear portion disposed on a transversely inner side of the front portion. The rear portion has a first wall on its transversely outer side, and the middle portion has a second wall continuously provided from the first wall to the front portion. The side sill inner has a third wall accommodated within width of the rear side member and connected to the rear side member and the rear floor. The third wall has, on its rear end, a flange portion fixed to the rear side member at a vicinity of a transition point from the first wall to the second wall, on substantially the same plane as the third wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Nishikawa, Michio Kudo
  • Patent number: 6672654
    Abstract: A vehicle body frame hollow member has an external contour whose cross section forms a polygon and has a plurality of plates, each defining a circumferential wall of the hollow member, each of points of intersection being formed by intersecting prolongations from exterior surfaces of the adjacent two plates, ribs connecting respective apical angles of the polygon with a center shaft thereof; and an elongated projection projecting outwardly of a circle tangent to the points of intersection and extending along an edge of each of the apical angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Yamada, Yuta Urushiyama, Shunji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6672655
    Abstract: A module for mounting on a vehicle body and closing an outer skin of the vehicle body comprises at least one part made of metal that in an installed state of the module forms at least a portion of the outer skin. The module further comprises a plastic layer which is connected with the metal part and with which the module rests at the vehicle body. An electrically conductive contact element is provided that is connected with the metal part in an electrically conductive manner and is attached to the plastic layer. The contact element has an exposed section with regard to the plastic layer, the exposed section serving for making electrical contact with the vehicle body. There is further proposed a method of producing such a module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor GmbH
    Inventors: Arnulf Zinsmeister, Daniel Hock
  • Patent number: 6672657
    Abstract: A wind deflector (5) for a motor vehicle with roof or a convertible top which can be transferred to a stowage space. The wind deflector (5) is pivotally supported on a cross beam (4) which extends over the front windshield (3), and it can be pivoted by a drive (13) which also actuates a detachable interlock of the convertible top (2) on the cross beam (4), depending on the position of the raising mechanism (18) which is actuated by the drive means (13) for the wind deflector (5), a locking device (11) is coupled to the drive (13) or is uncoupled from it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Biecker, Marco Lauterbach, Gerhard Schwarz, Fritz Wegener, Burkhard Reinsch
  • Patent number: 6672658
    Abstract: A motor vehicle, with a motor vehicle roof (4) with body-mounted lengthwise roof beams (5), with a roof opening (8) in the motor vehicle roof (4), with a movable cover (9) for selectively closing or at least partially clearing the roof opening (8), and with a rear window (11) which adjoins the motor vehicle roof (4), and a trunk lid (2), and the cover (9) and rear window (11) can be moved by a guide mechanism into the open position in which they are located on top of one another on the trunk lid (2). In another embodiment, the roof opening extends essentially over the entire vehicle interior and can be closed by a cover arrangement which has at least two cover elements, the cover elements being guided on lateral guides, and when the roof opening is cleared, being moved along the lengthwise roof beams into a rear storage space in a packed position and especially in an essentially upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Francois De Gaillard
  • Patent number: 6672659
    Abstract: A toy that is easily convertible between a toy lounge chair and a toy vanity for a doll. The toy has a main body with a base and a pair of sides with a number of movable sections secured to the base. The main body has two faces, one of which forms portions of the lounge chair and the other of which forms portions of the vanity. A separate leg assembly is selectively moved to act as a support for the lounge chair or the vanity. The movable sections are rotatable so as to reveal face portions that form a mirror and a box-like compartment or drawer of the vanity, or a seat back, seating base and a single or two piece leg rest for the lounge chair. The leg assembly may be hingedly attached to or be formed separate from the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Melohn, Yukha Ann Mo
  • Patent number: 6672660
    Abstract: A chair having a seat plate supported by legs, the seat plate having a top side with two concaves therein below where a seated person's hip bones project and optionally an additional concave rearward of the two concaves and below where the seated person's coccyx projects. The positions of the concaves are selected to be where a performer on a drum is likely to be seated when playing a drum while seated. The two concaves may be circular or may be elongated in the forward-rearward direction. The seat plate may be circular or it may be a bicycle seat shaped with downward and outward sloping concaves for the femoral thigh regions at the sides and toward the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hoshino Gakki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Hoshino
  • Patent number: 6672661
    Abstract: A passenger seat which includes a seat bottom chassis assembled from a plurality of leg modules attached to fixed, spaced-apart attachment points on a supporting surface, and a plurality of beam elements for being carried by the leg modules. A plurality of clamp joints are positioned on a first side of the leg modules in a first laterally-offset relation thereto in a first spaced-apart relation to the attachment points of the supporting surface and for receiving the plurality of beam elements for defining a ladder frame assembly having a first specified width and seat spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: B E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: John Williamson
  • Patent number: 6672662
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly including a forward facing first seat back having an upper portion and a lower portion. The seat assembly further includes a rearward facing second seat assembly having a second seat back. The second seat back has a lower portion and an upper portion pivotally connected to the upper portion of the first seat back. The second seat back is movable between a retracted position and a seating position. In the retracted position, the lower portion of the second seat back is adjacent to the lower portion of the first seat back. In the seating position, the lower portion of the second seat back is spaced apart from the lower portion of the first seat back to provide a rearwardly facing inclined second seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Chad Balk
  • Patent number: 6672663
    Abstract: A juvenile vehicle seat includes a seat, a support base under the seat, a first belt retainer coupled to one side of the support base, and a second seat belt retainer coupled to another side of the support base. To retain the juvenile vehicle seat in place on a first side of a seat in a vehicle, a vehicle shoulder strap associated with that first side of the seat is moved to engage one lower portion of the support base and pass through a channel provided by the first belt retainer so that it extends diagonally behind the juvenile vehicle seat (from left to right) in an “upwardly” sloping direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Kain
  • Patent number: 6672664
    Abstract: A child car seat (10) has a belt insertion opening (13) having inlets at opposite side surfaces thereof to receive a seat belt (16) inserted therethrough, and has an aperture (14) opening to the front surface thereof to provide access to the belt insertion opening (13). A belt locking apparatus (20) is disposed inside the belt insertion opening (13) to be handled through the aperture (14). The belt locking apparatus (20) includes a base (21) secured inside the belt insertion opening (13), and a lock arm (22) disposed for rotation relative to the base (21) to receive the seat belt (16) therein when the lock arm (22) is opened, and to clamp the seat belt (16) between the lock arm (22) and the base (21) when the lock arm (22) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Combi Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenori Yanaka, Mitsuru Washizuka
  • Patent number: 6672665
    Abstract: A swing includes a seat unit swingably connected to an upright support frame through suspending members. The seat unit includes a seat frame disposed between side frames, a backrest frame pivoted to the seat frame, and a pair of backrest-adjusting units. Each backrest-adjusting unit includes an engaging plate fixed to a respective side frame and formed with an arcuate slot, and a locking screw rod extending through the slot to threadedly engage a threaded hole in the respective backrest frame in such a manner that tightening of the locking screw rod results in securing of the backrest frame to the seat frame at a desired position relative to the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Taiwan Shin Yeh Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuen-Jong Tseng
  • Patent number: 6672666
    Abstract: A seat frame assembly for supporting an occupant in an automotive vehicle includes a pair of spaced apart, longitudinally extending side members interconnected by at least one generally transverse cross member defining a horizontal plane therebetween. The seat frame assembly also includes a side bolster frame pivotally secured to at least one of the side members. The side bolster frame is movable between a support position extending laterally outwardly from the side member and angled upwardly from the horizontal plane, and a deflected position extending generally parallel to the horizontal plane. In addition, the seat frame assembly includes a resilient trim cover extending in tension between the side bolster frame and the opposing side member for automatically pivoting the side bolster frame from the support position to the deflected position in response to a load from the occupant on the side bolster frame, thereby facilitating ingress and egress to the occupant on the seat frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: GRA★MAG Truck Interior Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Edwin L. Stiller, Robert Powell, Sharon St. Pierre
  • Patent number: 6672667
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an anti-submarine seat for an automobile. The anti-submarine seat prevents the occupant pelvis from slipping forward during a collision. The present invention discloses installing spring-type actuator means at a lower portion of a seat cushion so as to raise a front end of the seat cushion and to descend the rear end of the seat cushion at the time of an impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Min Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 6672668
    Abstract: An examination chair for gynecological and urological examinations, comprising a chair part (14) with a seat (22) and a backrest (24), and a support column (12) that has a column head which can be adjusted heightwise through an actuator (20), on which the chair section is mounted, the backrest (24) being pivotally mounted on the column head (18) for movement about a horizontal pivot axis (28) and being so pivotable by a drive mechanism (30), the seat (22) being pivotally mounted on the backrest (24) for movement about a second pivot axis (36) parallel to the axis (28) and also connected to the backrest (24) by a four-corner linkage (38) that includes both pivot axes (28,36), a link axis (40) fixed to the seat, and a free link axis (42), the link (46) of the linkage (38) connecting the first pivot axis (28) to the free axis (42) being a first lever arm of a two-armed control lever (48) and cooperating with a stop (54) secured to the column to determine the fundamental position of the seat (22), the second leve
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Maquet GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Ivan Boruta, Vilem Neuman
  • Patent number: 6672669
    Abstract: A chair having a swingable chair back with a top pivot includes a frame having laterally spaced first and second uprights. A back having upper and lower ends is attached to the frame. Also attached to the frame adjacent the lower end of the back is a seat. A pivot assembly couples the first and second uprights to the back and permits pivoting of the back about a substantially horizontal pivot axis. The pivot axis projects laterally of the back and is positioned in the vicinity of the upper end of the back. A biasing device cooperates with the back and normally urges the lower portion of the back forwardly away from a rearward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: First Source Furniture Group LLC
    Inventors: Zooey C. Chu, David J. Lambert
  • Patent number: 6672670
    Abstract: A pivoting armrest assembly for a seating unit includes an armrest support having first and second outer flanges and a center rib, wherein the flanges and the rib define a pair of laterally spaced channels. An arm is pivotally attached to the arm support and has first and second outer ribs that are spaced apart from one another. The pivot attachment is designed to eliminate looseness and bias the arm to one side. When the arm rotates from a vertical to a horizontal position, the first and second outer ribs substantially fill the pair of channels and the center rib intermeshes with the outer ribs, thus eliminating voids and creating a no-pinch condition. The arm and arm support have curved interfacing surfaces that create a self-clearing effect to prevent pinching between a bottom surface of the arm and a front surface of the arm support during rotation of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Nancy A. Funk, Jeffrey A. Hall, Robert J. Battey
  • Patent number: 6672671
    Abstract: A padding system for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a seat providing a pad comprising foam and having a border area. The system may also include at least one reinforcing section embedded in the border area of the foam. A method of manufacturing a padding element for use in a vehicle seat is also disclosed. The seat may include a reinforcement, a carrier at least partially surrounding the reinforcement, and a foam at least partially surrounding the carrier. The method may include foaming the reinforcement in a foaming mold. The method may also include clamping the reinforcement to at least one fastening bracket in the foaming mold. A mold for manufacturing a padding element for use in a vehicle is also disclosed. The mold may include a foaming mold comprising a sidewall and a bottom. The mold may also include at least one clamp in the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Olaf Stoschek
  • Patent number: 6672672
    Abstract: An attachment washer assembly for aligning and fastening an attachment bracket (32) to a floor panel (20) has a first member (40) having a tubular ring (44) extending from a cylindrical flange (42) and a second member (5) having a tubular ring (54) extending from a cylindrical flange (56). The ring of the first member is frictionally fitted within the ring of the second member retaining the attachment washer assembly within a preformed aperture formed in the attachment bracket. The flanges slidingly engage the peripheral side portions of the bracket along opposing sides of the aperture. The ring (54) of the second member has an outer diameter which is less than the diameter of the aperture and the flanges (42, 56) having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the aperture such that the attachment washer assembly is moveable within the preformed aperture for alignment with an aperture in the floor panel to receive a fastener therethrough and secure the bracket to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Severini
  • Patent number: 6672673
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for imaging and clearing an ore pass hang-up. The apparatus includes: a platform that is movable along generally a longitudinal direction of an ore pass; a controllable propulsion unit capable of propelling the platform within the ore pass and to the location of the hang-up; an imaging unit capable of generating an image of the ore pass as the apparatus is moved trough the ore pass, wherein the image is transmittable to a remove viewer; extensible, remotely controllable immobilizing units affixed to the platform; and a remotely controllable unit for clearing the ore pass hang-up. Once in place the apparatus is used to break up or clear the hang-up by, for example, directing blows to the hang-up, directing high pressure fluids to the hang-up, and using an explosive charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Arthur L. Miller, Christopher Dorrington, Paula Schmitz, Travis Garvey, Peter Maricich
  • Patent number: 6672674
    Abstract: The extraction machine for underground ore extraction operations, with extraction of the extraction product by blasting has an advancing support equipment (11) and a face conveyor (18) coupled to it as well as at least one boring device (26) for the production of shot holes (23) and a loading device (27) to supply the face conveyor (18) with the blast rock loosened by blasting, whereby the boring device (26) and the loading device (27) are assigned to a common boring and loading machine (24), which can be driven along the face conveyor (18) at right angles to the direction of mining in the direction towards the rock face (20) running parallel to the direction of mining, or away from this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: DBT GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Paschedag, Harry Martin
  • Patent number: 6672675
    Abstract: A traverse carriage and operator arrangement for transversely adjusting the abrader unit or units of a mobile surface abrading apparatus. In a preferred embodiment the traverse carriage is mounted on a cross-member by means of rollers and is operated by a specially designed, fluid-operated cylinder horizontally oriented in the mobile surface abrading apparatus and attached to the traverse carriage and the apparatus frame for moving the traverse carriage along the cross-member and positioning the abrader unit a selected distance along the cross-member transverse to the longitudinal movement of the mobile surface abrading apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Jon M. Swain
  • Patent number: 6672676
    Abstract: A wheel overmask for a vechicle having a wheel made of aluminium or alminium alloy. The overmask includes a body of the same material as the wheel and is conformed to the same shape as the contact surface of the wheel to which it is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Lupini Targhe S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giovanni Zaniboni
  • Patent number: 6672677
    Abstract: A wheel rim protection device for protecting wheel rims when a user is using sprays to clean the tires on a vehicle. The wheel rim protection device includes a dome-shaped cover member having a wall with a main portion, and also having an opening centrally-disposed through the wall, and further having an enlarged rim portion being adapted to detachably attach to a wheel rim on a vehicle, and also having a first arcuate portion being disposed along a portion of an edge forming the opening and which is angled relative to the main portion of the wall to prevent over-spray from coming into contact with the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Alvin Smith
  • Patent number: 6672678
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel cover (10) having a design (36) which replicates the intrinsic design (20) of a vehicle wheel (12), and which includes a central aperture (38) which encompasses a set of lug nuts located on the vehicle wheel (12). The wheel cover (10) also includes a plurality of spaced wheel cover fasteners (44). When the wheel cover (10) is pressed against the vehicle wheel (12) the wheel cover fasteners (44) clip onto a peripheral edge (14) on the vehicle wheel (12) to securely hold the wheel cover (10) to the vehicle wheel (12). When the wheel cover (10) is attached, the vehicle wheel simulates the appearance of a solid, chrome plated vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Mitchell M. Nunes
  • Patent number: 6672679
    Abstract: At a surface opposite to a mounting surface 28 at a part of the mounting flange 13, a projecting part 27 is provided so as to surround the opening part of the mounting holes 23 for press-fitting each stud thereinto. A finishing process of the mounting surface 28 is carried out after the stud 24 is press-fitted into the mounting hole 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeyasu Kaneko
  • Patent number: 6672680
    Abstract: To retain a decorative tubular cover having a given inner diameter over the axle hub of a wheel, a strap having a plurality of radially extending arms thereon is tightened around the circumference of the axle hub. The ends of the arms define a circle having a diameter a little larger than the given inner diameter of the tubular cover. The tubular cover is pushed over the arms until the open end thereof rests against the web of the wheel where it is retained by the outwardly directed forces applied by the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: John G. Polka
  • Patent number: 6672681
    Abstract: A railway axle hub unit of the type including an axle box housing (1) for supporting a bearing, is provided with a sensor body (3, 9) containing sensors (4, 5) for detecting vibration in the vertical direction and the horizontal axial direction. The sensor body is mounted onto a stationary support element (2, 1, 15) rigidly secured to the bearing, preferably an annular sealing insert. The sensors perform monitoring of the operation condition of the hub unit by generating and transmitting signals indicative of the detected level of vibration to an electronic processing unit mounted on board of the railway vehicle or the train. The processing unit is capable of signalling in real time an impending failure and/or a damaged condition associated with the monitored hub unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: SKF Industrie S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Moretti, Silvano Sema, Matteo Genero
  • Patent number: 6672682
    Abstract: A releasable brake pedal system 10 for a vehicle includes a pedal assembly 12 operatively engageable by the driver of the vehicle and a hydraulic actuator assembly 20 for generating pressurized hydraulic fluid for actuating one or more brakes 44A-44D. The pedal system 10 further includes a pressure release valve 30 or 30′ coupled in fluid communication with the pressurized hydraulic fluid. The pressure release valve 30 or 30′ is operative to reduce the amount of pressure applied to the brakes 44A-44D during a detected vehicle deceleration indicative of a collision event. The pressure release valve 30 is responsive to a deceleration sensor 40 according to one embodiment, and valve 30′ employs a deceleration sensitive inertial mass 76 according to another embodiment. Accordingly, the pedal system 10 reduces forces that may otherwise be transferred to the pedal assembly 12 during a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kip Alan Ewing, Gerard Edward Baker, Bruce Frederick Pease, Jeffrey Dan Rupp
  • Patent number: 6672683
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronically regulated brake system comprising a central control device (Z1; Z2) and at least one pressure control valve (A). According to the invention, the electronically regulated brake system additionally includes at least one pressure regulating valve (B) and/or at least one pressure regulating module (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Stumpe, Herbert Schramm, Claus Beyer, Juergen Wrede
  • Patent number: 6672684
    Abstract: The motor/pump unit (10) comprises an electromotor (12) and at least one pump (14) for delivering brake fluid. The electromotor (12) has a motor stator (16) in which a motor rotor (18) is rotatably disposed. The pump (14) is disposed substantially within the motor rotor (18) and can be driven by the latter. In order to provide a vehicle brake system with a motor/pump unit (10) which is capable of delivering brake fluid in a highly dynamic fashion, the motor stator (16) and at least one section (22) of the motor rotor (18) which is directed towards the motor stator (16) define an electromagnetic region (16, 22, 24), and at least the pump (14) defines a hydraulic region (14, 26), wherein at least one sealing element (28, 96, 98) is provided which separates the electromagnetic region (16, 22, 24) from the hydraulic region (14, 26) in a fluid-tight fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Lucas Varity GmbH
    Inventor: Kurt Mohr
  • Patent number: 6672685
    Abstract: A brake stroke simulator includes a first movable member freely slidably disposed in a housing and defining a hydraulic pressure chamber at one end of the first movable member that is adapted to be supplied with hydraulic pressure corresponding to braking operation of a brake pedal, and a second movable member disposed at the other end of the first movable member in the housing movable integrally with the first movable member. A first spring biases the first movable member and a second spring biases the second movable member. A shock absorbing elastic member is compressed by the sliding movement of the first movable member against the biasing force of the first spring and is compressed by the sliding movement of the second movable member against the biasing force of the second piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junji Ishimura, Akihito Kusano, Yasuo Konishi
  • Patent number: 6672686
    Abstract: The fundamental approach of the present invention is to dispose bushes, in which pistons of a pumping apparatus for a vehicle brake system are movably disposed, in such a movable manner that they themselves may in dependence upon movements of the pistons act as pistons in order to supply brake fluid to the vehicle brake system. In particular, the bushes, whose pistons are pumping brake fluid into an associated brake circuit, do not act as pistons. On the other hand, brake fluid is fed back into a brake circuit by bushes, whose pistons are pumping substantially no brake fluid into the brake circuit but are taking in e.g. brake fluid removed from the vehicle brake system in order subsequently to pump it back into the brake circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Lubischer
  • Patent number: 6672687
    Abstract: A vehicle motion control device which detects an abnormality of an automatic hydraulic pressure generator having a master cylinder, a booster which boosts the master cylinder and a booster actuator which actuates the booster irrespective of brake pedal operation and performs an appropriate transaction upon detecting the abnormality. The vehicle motion control device includes the automatic hydraulic pressure generator, a hydraulic pressure control valve disposed between the automatic hydraulic pressure generator and a wheel cylinder, and a controller performing the automatic pressure increase control by actuating the hydraulic pressure control valve and the booster actuator according to the vehicle running condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akitaka Nishio
  • Patent number: 6672688
    Abstract: A combination brake and anti-lock system for a wheeled vehicle such as an aircraft includes an operator controlled source of pressurized hydraulic fluid for selectively applying hydraulic pressure to a hydraulically actuated wheel rotation braking device which responds to the applied hydraulic pressure to apply a braking force to a wheel of the vehicle to thereby arresting wheel motion. There is a low pressure hydraulic fluid return with a normally open hold valve in circuit between the source and the braking device for selectively opening and closing a fluid flow path from the source to the braking device and a normally closed decay valve in circuit between the braking device and the return for selectively opening and closing a fluid flow path from the braking device to the return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Allen R. Gale, Jeffrey K. Arnold, Allan W. Blunt, Leo H. McWilliams
  • Patent number: 6672689
    Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method of regulating manual control for a driver of a vehicle during a sliding condition of the vehicle having an electronic stability program using a stability control system. The method includes recognizing the vehicle in a sliding condition and determining whether the vehicle is manually controllable in the sliding condition. The method further includes adjusting the electronic stability program, if the vehicle is determined to be manually controllable, and activating the stability control system to control the vehicle when the vehicle is not manually controllable. The method further includes applying a compensated brake pressure on the vehicle based on the activation of the stability control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Teves, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Burke Bauer
  • Patent number: 6672690
    Abstract: A method of constructing a wardrobe or cupboard is disclosed which comprises securing to a wall two vertical tracks each having an apertured surface. Two side panels each having projections at its rear edge that engage in the apertures in the tracks are then mounted on the tracks to secure the side panels to the wall without the tracks supporting the weight of the side panels. Subsequently, horizontal elements of the wardrobe or cupboard are secured to the side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Workshop for Housing Limited
    Inventor: Laurence Graham Williams
  • Patent number: 6672691
    Abstract: A control mechanism for tambour-type door closures helically wound about a winding sleeve for use in combination with cabinetry and including a worm/pinion gear combination releasably locked against free rotation, with controlled rotation of the worm facilitating adjustment of spring tension for controlled ongoing smooth operation of the tambour door closure between open and closed dispositions. The worm/pinion gear combination is coupled to a coiled spring which is helically wound about the tambour door winding spindle with one end of the coil spring being anchored to the rotatable winding spindle means, and with the other being coupled to and fixed for controlled rotational movement with the pinion component of the worm/pinion gear combination. Controlled rotatable motion of the worm is facilitated through the clutching action of the knurled end terminal of the worm gear shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: David A. Hoff
  • Patent number: 6672692
    Abstract: Automatically restoring device for slide rail assembly, including a fixed unit, a horizontally slidable receptacle and an automatically restoring section. The fixed unit includes a pair of fixed rails. The horizontally slidable receptacle includes a pair of movable rails. The automatically restoring section is disposed at one end of the fixed rail. One end of each movable rail is formed with a push section. The automatically restoring section includes two slide way bodies, a deflection body and a resilient body. When the push section of the movable rail inward pushes the deflection body, the deflection body is deflected by an angle to engage with and drive the movable rail so as to automatically restore the movable rail to its home position and lock the movable rail therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Kuo-Chan Weng
  • Patent number: 6672693
    Abstract: A cooling receptacle capable of making an installing operation of a handle simpler and fixing the handle on an exterior member or material strongly is provided. The cooling receptacle having a storage room in a heat-insulated housing which has an opening in a front side, said opening being adjustable to open or close by a door, comprising a cut formed in an exterior member of the door a screw hole formed in the exterior surface near the cut, a handle base connected to the cut so as to cover the cut, and a main body of the handle provided in the handle base and fixed in the exterior member by a screw which is screwed to the screw hole, said handle base being provided with a flange extending to a back surface of the exterior member in which the screw hole is placed, and said flange having an installing section for a nut member or material which is held between a holding section and the exterior member by screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kawakami