Patents Issued in January 20, 2004
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Patent number: 6679338Abstract: A locating system and method for determining the location of an article relative to a crop row. The system comprises a plurality of marker means substantially linearly disposed at intervals substantially parallel to the crop row. A sensor means is provided to generate a sensor signal indicative of the location of the sensor means and hence the article in relation to the crop row.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Agriculture Guide Implement Systems Pty Ltd.Inventor: Robert Manning Tucker
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Patent number: 6679339Abstract: A rockshaft is mounted over the front rank of the implement frame and is operated by cylinders located at opposite ends of the rockshaft connected to lift arms extending radially adjacent bearing mounts. Fore-and-aft extending links aligned with the lift arms and mounts operate lift wheel assemblies. A hitch arm connected near the center of the rockshaft is directly connected to a hitch turnbuckle for level lift operation. An aligned arrangement of cylinders, cylinder brackets, links and arms provides minimal torsional loading, particularly when the rockshaft is rotated to fully raise the implement frame for transport and is in the most susceptible shock loading condition. Moment arms are controlled to minimize rockshaft torsional loading during highest stress conditions. The front-mounted rockshaft provides simplicity and advantageous weight distribution.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: David Lee Steinlage, Brian Thomas Mosdal, James Thomas Noonan, Garrett Lee Goins, Anthony Scott Royer, David Alan Payne
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Patent number: 6679340Abstract: In the hydraulic tool, a main body section includes a cylinder and a piston. A head section is attached to the cylinder, includes a movable part. The piston is capable of rotating about the cylinder with the movable part. A control section is provided to the cylinder and includes oil paths and a switching valve. A piston valve reciprocally moves to control communication between a first and a second cylinder chambers. A concave is provided in a bottom face of the cylinder, escapes an end of the piston valve from a position at which the end of the piston valve contacts a bottom face, and shuts off the communication between the chambers. A projection is provided at a position different from the concave, makes the end of the piston valve contact the bottom face and allows the communication between the chambers.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Izumi Products CompanyInventor: Tadashi Tatai
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Patent number: 6679341Abstract: A hydraulically powered tractor includes an elongated body, two gripper assemblies, at least one pair of aft and forward propulsion cylinders and pistons, and a valve system. The valve system comprises an inlet control valve, a two-position propulsion control valve, a two-position gripper control valve, two cycle valves, and two pressure reduction valves. The inlet control valve spool includes a hydraulically controlled deactivation cam that locks the valve in a closed position, rendering the tractor non-operational. The propulsion control valve is piloted on both ends by fluid pressure in the gripper assemblies. The propulsion control valve controls the distribution of operating fluid to and from the propulsion cylinders, such that one cylinder performs a power stroke while the other cylinder performs a reset stroke. Each end of the gripper control valve is piloted by a source of high-pressure fluid selectively admitted by one of the cycle valves.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Western Well Tool, Inc.Inventors: Duane Bloom, Norman Bruce Moore, Robert Levay
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Patent number: 6679342Abstract: A drill bit for use in a borehole at least partially containing drilling fluid includes a bit body having at least two bit components, including at least one leg, the leg having a journal segment, and a roller cone rotatably mounted upon the journal segment and forming at least one bearing cavity therebetween. Also included is an annular primary seal disposed between the leg and the roller cone, an annular secondary seal disposed between the leg and the roller cone and between the annular primary seal and the borehole and an annular space disposed between the annular primary seal and the annular secondary seal, the annular space at least partially containing fluid and being in substantially absolute fluid isolation from the bearing cavity and a conduit for permitting the flow of fluid from the annular space to the borehole. The annular secondary seal may be primarily elastomeric and a passage for permitting the flow of fluid may further permit the flow of fluid from the borehole to the annular space.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Gary Ray Portwood, Chris Edward Cawthorne, Robert Denton, Robert H. Slaughter, Jr., Roger Didericksen, Peter Cariveau
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Patent number: 6679343Abstract: A control device for an electric scooter has a base, a potential regulator, a control lever, a torsion spring and a circuit board. The potential regulator is attached to the base. A rod is rotatably attached to the potential regulator to adjust a voltage sent out from the potential regulator. The control lever is securely attached to the rod. The torsion spring is mounted on the rod to provide a recoil force to the control lever. The circuit board is electrically connected to the potential regulator and the electric motor of the electric scooter. Accordingly, the voltage sent from the potential regulator can be adjusted by pushing the control lever. The circuit board can send current to the electric motor of the scooter based on the voltage sent from the potential regulator. Consequently, the electric motor can be caused to move forward or backward.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Samuel Lin
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Patent number: 6679344Abstract: A method and a device are presented for power distribution in a motor vehicle having at least one battery and at least one generator. In this case a hierarchical control structure is used which has a higher-level component and a component on a lower level for the control of the at least one generator and the at least one battery. Between the higher-level and the lower-level components, specified interfaces with specified communication relations are provided. Communication relations are specified as instructions which are to be executed by the components to which they are addressed. Requests should be met by the components to which they are addressed, and queries are answered by the queried components. The power or voltage is set between the component of the at least one generator and the higher-level component as an instruction.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Torsten Bertram, Clemens Schmucker, Rolf Maier-Landgrebe, Torsten Baumann
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Patent number: 6679345Abstract: A fuel battery mounted motorcycle has a lower center of gravity by disposing a reformer for generating hydrogen, together with a fuel battery and a secondary battery, in a lower portion of a floor of the motorcycle. The center of gravity of the motorcycle can be lowered and the floor can be effectively utilized for a purpose other than the original purpose of the floor.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuuji Hirayama, Noboru Yamashita, Mitsuru Iseno, Masayuki Toriyama, Masashi Igarashi
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Adaptive demagnetization compensation for a motor in an electric or partially electric motor vehicle
Patent number: 6679346Abstract: In an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, a voltage monitor (102) is directly coupled to a traction motor (38) and/or generator motor (30) to detect a permanent magnet induced voltage within the motor at a predetermined speed and no load condition (300). A controller (100) compares the detected permanent magnet induced voltage with an expected reference voltage that represents an expected permanent magnet induced voltage at full magnetization and the predetermined speed (302). The controller produces an indication of magnetization based on the reference voltage, the detected permanent magnet induced voltage, and the predetermined speed. If the indication of magnetism reaches a predetermined threshold, the motor is made inoperable and/or a current to the motor is limited to prevent damage to components (306, 308, 310, 312, 314). Preferably, a user of the vehicle is made aware of these actions by an audible and/or visual indicator (308, 314).Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Abbas Raftari, Patrick J. Curran, Vijay K Garg -
Patent number: 6679347Abstract: A frame structure for a motorcycle in which the shape of the connecting tube may be determined so as to ensure a smooth flow of air therein. The prescribed portion of the left pivot plate faces towards the outer surface of the connecting tube by extending the pivot plates to the position above the rear end portions of the mainframes. In addition, a recess is provided for receiving the outer surface of the connecting tube on the prescribed portion by forming the pivot plates by casting or forging.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Osamu Iimuro
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Patent number: 6679348Abstract: A vehicular two-wheel/four-wheel drive switching device for selectively transmitting power or disconnecting the transmission of rotary power to a power transmission system having a driving shaft connected to the drive side and a driven shaft fitted to the driving shaft via respective inner and outer rings having an annular clearance therebetween. Plural connecting/disconnecting members provided in the clearance between the inner and outer rings for connecting or disconnecting the driving shaft and the driven shaft are fitted or disconnected to/from respective opposite surfaces in response to a switching mechanism for selectively positioning the connecting/disconnecting members in a position in which the driving shaft and the driven shaft are connected and in a position in which they are disconnected. A casing encloses the switching device, and an oil seal is provided in two locations at an interval in the longitudinal direction of the driven shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, NTN CorporationInventors: Akio Handa, Noriaki Takano, Bunzo Seki
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Patent number: 6679349Abstract: A fork lift apparatus for allowing a user to easily move from one steering mechanism to the other steering mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Robert W. Pollish, Jr.
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Patent number: 6679350Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus capable of controlling a brushless motor accurately and providing excellent steering feeling as well as maintaining the reliability of a control means. The electric power steering apparatus includes a motor, a steering torque detection means (steering torque sensor), a motor rotation detection means, a motor current detection means, a target current setting means (target current setting sub-unit), a drive control means (drive control sub-unit), and a motor drive means (motor drive circuit). The control means (control unit) including a target current setting means, and a drive means (drive unit), which a motor rotation signal enters, including the drive control means and the motor drive means are provided. And the control means and the drive means are placed apart from each other and connected by a communication line electrically.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuo Shimizu, Atsuhiko Yoneda, Hisao Asaumi
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Patent number: 6679351Abstract: An air turbine apparatus for use with a combustion engine either as a muffler or as an air intake device is comprised of a housing defining an expansion chamber and an airfoil positioned within the housing. The airfoil includes a central aperture extending longitudinally therethrough that is in fluid communication with both the inlet and the outlet of the housing. The airfoil is configured to allow gases flowing through the inlet to flow between the outer edge of the airfoil and the housing and through the aperture of the airfoil. In addition, the air traveling through the housing is caused to spin as it travels through the housing. This rotational flow increased the rate of flow of gases through the air turbine device. A chop core is provided between the airfoil and the outlet of the housing to encourage turbulent flow of gases without restricting flow to produce a muffling effect and thus a dampening of noise from the combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: TTR HP, Inc.Inventors: Craig Cummings, Anthony J. Sutera
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Patent number: 6679352Abstract: A gravity dispensing flow lubricator for a drive chain operated vehicle, such as a motorcycle, and a method of lubricating the vehicle. The device, mounted on the vehicle, provides a cylindrical container which dispenses lubricant by a manually operated flow valve therein providing a flow orifice which aligns the flow of lubricant to an adjustable flexible flow line which is fixedly set to dispense the lubricant to various areas of the drive chain. The discharge of specific amounts of lubricant by the flow valve is controlled by a spring pressured ball bearing frictionally engaging a plurality of indented seats in the unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: James Gillespie
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Patent number: 6679353Abstract: A stair-climbing system includes a guide rail laid along stairs, a chair slidably mounted on the rail, and a lifter for moving the chair along the rail. The chair is provided with a switch for activating the lifter, and a sensor for detecting that a person is sitting on the chair and keeping the switch inoperative while a person is not sitting on the chair. The system further includes at least one lamp having a sensor adapted to turn on the lamp only while a person is near the lamp. The system further includes a chair stop mechanism having a speed sensor for detecting the speed of the chair, a brake mounted on the lifter for braking the lifter, and a control unit for deactivating the lifter and activating the brake if the speed of the chair, detected by the sensor, exceeds a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Kumalift Co. Ltd.Inventor: Masaru Muranaka
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Patent number: 6679354Abstract: An actuator mechanism in a drum-in-hat park brake having a housing with a first end that engages a first web of a first brake shoe and a second end that engages a second web of a second brake shoe. A lever pivotally retained in the housing has a first end that engages the first web and a second end with a hook thereon for receiving a loop end of a linkage connected to an input member. On receipt of an input force the lever pivots and exert an actuation force on the first and second webs to correspondingly moves first and second friction members associated with the first and second brake shoes into engagement with a drum to effect a brake application.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2003Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Robert Bosch CorporationInventor: William Eugene Sherman, II
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Patent number: 6679355Abstract: The disclosure presents a control method for an electric braking device which includes a brake switch, a pushing force sensor, a thrust sensor, and an electric motor which moves a pad thrust member in a direction in which the pad thrust member approaches to a rotor rotating with the vehicle wheel associated therewith, thereby performing a braking operation. In the control method, a brake target value as computed by using an output signal of the pushing force sensor is compared with a threshold value as set to a minute braking force when the brake switch is in an on state. When the brake target value is below the threshold value, the electric motor is controlled with a predetermined value as the target value, and after the brake switch is turned off, the electric motor is rotated for a predetermined time to retract the pad thrust member.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshihiko Suzuki
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Patent number: 6679356Abstract: The invention provides a brake caliper backdrive apparatus and method of backdriving a brake caliper. The apparatus includes a brake caliper, a motor including a shaft operably attached to the brake caliper and, a biasing member operably attached to the shaft. The biasing member backdrives the motor thereby releasing the brake caliper. The method includes rotating a shaft to clamp the brake caliper, storing energy in a biasing member responsive to the shaft rotation, and reversing the shaft rotation using the stored energy.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John B. Hageman, Harald Klode, Paul Rymoff, Jr.
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Patent number: 6679357Abstract: A brake drum includes a plurality of ribs formed on an outer surface with each rib extending about the circumference of the drum. Recesses are formed between the ribs that also extend about the circumference of the drum. Wedges are secured between the ribs, within the recesses, to direct air flow away from the drum.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventor: Scott Jenkinson
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Patent number: 6679358Abstract: A bag equipped with a bottom case, which is comprised of a bottom plate and a side peripheral wall and is integrally provided at its inner or outer surface with handle holding members and at its outer surface with caster mounting members, and which is coupled to an upper case made of fabric material or synthetic resin, is disclosed. The bottom case is detachably coupled to an upper case to allow only one case of both cases to be separated from the other case and to be cleaned or replaced with a new one. The bottom case is provided at its side wall with a reinforcing frame to prevent the side wall from being squeezed or broken. The bottom case is provided with handle mounting members to be integrally formed thereto or to be separated therefrom so as to diversify design and appearance of the bag.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Sung Hoan Be
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Patent number: 6679359Abstract: Luggage, including a central part formed two mechanically strong, mutually linked half-frames that support two trays defining the central space of the luggage. A connecting frame (40) is mounted between each half-frame and an associated tray and is fitted with a channel (41) within which the tray is affixed by appropriate fasteners. Using the same central parts and connecting frames, a plurality of diverse suitcases or briefcases may be implemented using other trays such as soft trays and.as a result manufacturing costs may be lowered.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: MP Michael Pfeiffer Design & Marketing GmbHInventor: Michael Pfeiffer
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Patent number: 6679360Abstract: A retractable handle includes a barrel secured to a suitcase, a tube slidably received in the barrel and having a lock device secured to the lower end for selectively securing the tube to the barrel. A block is slidably received in the upper end of the tube and coupled to the lock device. A hand grip is secured to the tube and has a channel perpendicular to the tube, and a follower is slidably received in the channel of the hand grip and movable to engage with and to move the block along the tube. The hand grip may be disengaged from the corner areas of the suitcase.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: King Sheng Wang
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Patent number: 6679361Abstract: A motor vehicle power train with an engine, a transmission and a clutch includes a means to operate the transmission and/or clutch automatically through at least one electric actuator motor. The electric actuator motor, which acts on an input element of the transmission and/or clutch, comprises a brushless direct current motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbHInventors: Gerd Ahnert, Andreas Deimel, Andreas Rogg, Reinhard Berger
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Patent number: 6679362Abstract: A clutch-actuator device is equipped with a position-detecting device for detecting at least one of the different possible positions of engagement, disengagement and partial engagement of a clutch that serves to control the amounts of torque being transmitted between two rotary components of a torque-transmitting mechanism. The position-detecting device performs its detecting function independently of any measurement of the clutch position which may be performed by a displacement-measuring device.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KGInventors: Reinhard Berger, Michael Gallion
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Patent number: 6679363Abstract: A ratcheting tool, such as a screwdriver, having a handle with gear and two pawls movable into selective driving engagement with the gear by movement of an actuator on the handle. A spring is anchored on the handle and extends into contact with the two pawls for urging the pawls into engagemnt with the gear.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Pilling Weck IncorporatedInventor: Kevin K. Marchant
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Patent number: 6679364Abstract: A one-way clutch assembly comprising a ratchet one-way clutch portion includes inner and outer races which are disposed in coaxial with each other, a pawl capable of being fitted into a recess provided in the inner or outer race to transmit torque, and a biasing member for biasing the pawl to promote the fitting, and a bearing portion disposed between the inner race and the outer race.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.Inventors: Kazuhiko Muramatsu, Nobuhiro Horiuchi
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Patent number: 6679365Abstract: A viscous fluid coupling includes a housing rotatably supported to a drive shaft of an engine. An operation plate set in the housing divides a space of the housing into a reservoir and an operation chamber. The operation plate has a communication hole communicating the reservoir and the operation chamber. A rotor fixed to the drive shaft is disposed in the operation chamber. A valve mechanism installed to the operation plate to close and open the communication hole according to ambient temperature of the housing. A driven wheel fixed to the housing is located between the operation plate and the rotor. A torque transmitting section includes a first annular projection concentrically formed on the driven wheel and a plurality of second annular projections concentrically formed on the rotor. The first annular projections are overlappedly adjacent to the second annular projections so as to establish fluid coupling therebetween through the viscous fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Unisia Jecs CorporationInventors: Hirofumi Katoh, Shinichi Kawada, Kenzi Ohhara, Yasuo Fujita
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Patent number: 6679366Abstract: A release arrangement for a hydraulically actuated clutch in a motor vehicle has an energy accumulator connected with a hydraulic system. The energy accumulator is connected with a pedal via a kinematic arrangement which adapts the pedal forces to the pedal path. It is possible to adapt the boosting force characteristic to the required pedal force curve in a very precise manner. This leads to a boosting force that possibly increases the depressing force, but primarily increases the force in the boosting area following the dead center of the kinematic arrangement. The characteristic of the boosting force curve over the pedal path can be adapted to the respective operating system in the motor vehicle without major structural alterations.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AGInventors: Boleslaw Tulaczko, Georg Zink, Dieter Gebauer
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Patent number: 6679367Abstract: An over-running clutch assembly for an automotive transmission comprises an outer race having a cylindrical inner surface and an inner race engaged with a drop shaft of the transmission and having a cammed outer surface coaxial with the cylindrical inner surface and defining a gap therebetween and a roller clutch disposed within the gap; a biasing element to bias the roller clutch to a disengaged position; and an actuator to selectively overcome the biasing element to engage the roller clutch and lock the outer race and inner race and prevent relative rotation between the outer race and inner race, thereby preventing rotation of the drop shaft and movement of the automobile.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Richard D. Baker, Russell E. Monahan, Tom Houtman, Shiro Goto
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Patent number: 6679368Abstract: A money handling method and device capable of automatically stopping the acceptance of old moneys depending on a circulating amount of old and new moneys. In a state that new and old moneys are judged as authentic and accepted by a coin type judgment unit, a switching condition decision unit compares an insertion state of new moneys with a condition stored in a condition value storage unit, and when the insertion state agrees with the stored condition, the coin type judgment unit returns the old moneys as counterfeit.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nippon ConluxInventors: Takeshi Ishida, Tsunehiro Aso
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Patent number: 6679369Abstract: A machine tool has a pallet changer at a front of a machine body for automatically changing a preceding-process pallet loaded with a machined workpiece thereon for a next-process pallet loaded with an unmachined workpiece thereon. A working space is provided between the machine body and the pallet changer. Thus, a machine tool, as well as a pallet changer used in the machine tool can be provided that allows a working space to be ensured without causing any complications for the structure and that has a wide range of applications.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshinobu Okuyama
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Patent number: 6679370Abstract: The conveying apparatus comprises a conveying path, a return path, an endless circulating driver and pallet supporting and driving means. The conveying path includes a horizontal inlet path, a horizontal outlet path, and an inclined path connected to at least one of the inner ends of the inlet and outlet path. The circulating driver circulates between the conveying path and return path. The supporting and driving mechanism are mounted at intervals on the circulating driver. The pallet supporting and driving mechanism include a front pallet support for supporting a front portion of the pallet, a rear pallet support for supporting a rear portion of the pallet, and a driving engager for automatically engaging with the pallet near the front pallet support.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masao Kasagi
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Patent number: 6679371Abstract: A vehicle including loading and unloading apparatus, which includes a loading platform that can be moved by a driving mechanism. The loading platform includes an endless belt, which is passed over support rollers, and a head partition extending substantially transversely to the flexible belt, which is connected to the belt. The belt can be moved forwards and backwards by a further driving mechanism. The further driving mechanism includes a rack extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the belt, which rack is connected to a wall of the vehicle, and a pinion that meshes with the rack, which pinion can be rotated by a motor mounted on the head partition. The rack is disposed under the loading platform, whereby the pinion meshes with the rack along a side edge of the endless belt.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2003Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: S.P.H. Speciale Produkten Huijbers-Hooijen B.V.Inventors: Josephus Franciscus Adrianus Hooijen, Petrus Adrianus Wilhelmus Gerardus Huijbers, Petrus Martinus Johannes Ida Spooren
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Patent number: 6679372Abstract: A quarter displaying and teaching device for displaying commemorative Unites States quarters that depict the seals of the individual states. The quarter displaying and teaching device includes a panel having a front side and a peripheral edge. A plurality of indentations extends into the front side. Each of the indentations has a circular shape and has a diameter equal to a diameter of a quarter and adapted for removable receiving one of a plurality of quarters. The quarters are frictionally held in their respective indentations. A flag indicia is positioned on the front side. The flag indicia comprises a United States flag having fifty stars thereon. Each of the stars has one of the indentations therein.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Roger D. Shaffer
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Patent number: 6679373Abstract: A contact lens case containing design asymmetries sufficient to allow the ready distinction of the left and right wells by touch alone, but also containing optical asymmetries sufficient to aid in the distinction of left and right wells under poor vision conditions. Asymrnetries include large tactile asymmetries, such as curvature of the case; small tactile asymmetries, such as raised symbols; and grossly visible asymmetries, such as different well lid designs. The present invention also provides structural enhancements that improve the durability of the case and facilitate lens removal and insertion. Furthermore, the cases are manufactured in a variety of colors and designs, allowing the wearer to customize the cases in order to readily distinguish between different cases and, consequently, between different pairs of lenses.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Reed J. Clevenger
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Patent number: 6679374Abstract: A method and package for storing a pressurized container which is filled with a drug formulation at a predetermined pressure. The drug formulation includes a mixture of a drug and a propellant. The package which encloses the pressurized container substantially prevents ingression of water vapor and particulate matter into the package while permitting egression of the propellant which may leak from the pressurized container.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Smith Kline Beecham CorporationInventors: Karl Andrew Garrill, Richard J. Haan, Craig Steven Herman, Richard Ian Walker
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Patent number: 6679375Abstract: A cap for a container, for a drink of two components, can be stored or carried with the components stored separately. Mixing prior to consumption is effected by a pushing device incorporated into a cover on the cap, which cover is releasably secured to the container. The pushing device bears against a tablet holder the base of which has a low burst of strength. The pushing device can be one of a number of embodiments, all of which can operate with or without an annular cutting ring and flexible seal adjacent the underside of the tablet holder. The cover and tablet holder form a liquid seal with the top of the container until the cover is removed.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Fredrick Michael Coory
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Patent number: 6679376Abstract: A MD, CD and magnetic disk box structure includes a connecting plate having a first side provided with a first box, and a second side provided with a second box. The first box has a peripheral face having a determined height, and the second box has a peripheral face having a determined height, so that the fist box and the second box may be combined to form a closed state.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Yung-Tsun Chen
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Patent number: 6679377Abstract: The present invention provides a holding apparatus for fishing lures comprising a plurality of hollow canisters having an open top end and an open bottom end. The canisters are removably secured in the tray via an recessed attaching portion that receives the bottom end of the canisters, and a restraining cap is removably secured to the hollow canisters and includes access to a hollow area of said hollow canisters. The assembled canisters, tray, and restraining cap may be placed in a carrying case for holding a plurality of fishing lures.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: John M. Maddox
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Patent number: 6679378Abstract: The invention relates to a device for storing and transporting flat, substantially two-dimensional objects (10). Said device comprises a frame or the like, in which pouches (1) with substantially U-shaped cross sections are suspended and into each of which a corresponding object (10) can be inserted. The aim of the invention is to provide a device with the above-mentioned features which substantially prevents the objects accommodated in the U-shaped pouches from tilting or slipping out of said pouches. To this end, the pouches are provided with devices (5, 20) which prevent the objects (10) from tilting or being displaced in the pouches to the front or the rear without impeding the loading or unloading of the pouches (1) by restricting the free cross section of loading.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Conteyor Multibag Systems N.V.Inventors: Bart Vermeulen, Roland Patrick Hugenholtz
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Patent number: 6679379Abstract: A tool suspension device consists of a back-plate (10) and a tool bracket (20) to hang a tool on the tool suspension device. The back-plate (10) has two holding plates (11) respectively formed at two sides of the back-plate (10). Each holding plate (11) forms a mounting slot (12) with the back-plate (10). A hole (15) is defined in the back-plate (10) and a resilient arm (16) with a hook (17) is formed within the hole and protrudes to block the mounting slot (12). The tool bracket (20) has two ears (23). Each ear (23) slides into and is securely held in the corresponding mounting slot (12) by means of the hook (17) locking the mounting slot (12). The tool suspension device further has at least one lip secured on the back plate to keep the tool stable.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Jui-Chien Kao
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Patent number: 6679380Abstract: A cup carrier is described which has an integrally formed body portion having a base, walls and four cup-holding openings, wherein two of the cup holding openings define a first pair and two cup holding openings define a second pair, and the first pair of cup holding openings is provided at a first level relative to the base, and the second pair of openings is provided at a second level from the base which is higher from the base than the first level. The openings in one pair of the cup holding openings can be differently sized than the cup holding openings in the other pair to accommodate different sizes of drink cups.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Huhtamaki Foodservice, Inc.Inventor: Eric Brown
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Patent number: 6679381Abstract: A blister pack container having child resistant characteristics yet, which can be opened with one hand. The container has a top tray and a bottom tray preferably connected by a hinge. The top and bottom trays each have a tab extending therefrom. Each of the tabs has at least one aperture through which a button passes and locks the container in a closed position. The finger pads can be unlocked with an inward and downward force thereby opening the container.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Rexam Medical Packaging, Inc..Inventor: Randall G. Bush
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Patent number: 6679382Abstract: A child-resistant yet senior-friendly packaging for tablets, capsules or similar pharmaceutical products. The packaging is a blister pack (122) with at least one cup (134) that receives tablets (130) in an external package (120), arranged between a base part (124) and a cover part (128), and that is closed by a cover film (136) that can be pressed through. An intermediate part (126) is covered by a cover part (18). A first adhesive (30) is arranged between the base part (14) or the blister pack (122) and the base part (124). The intermeiae part (126) includes a first opening tongue (142) that is preferably linked with the intermediate part (126) via a first perforated line (144) so that it can be detached, and, within said first opening tongue (142), a second opening tongue (146) that is preferably linked with the first opening tongue (142) via a second perforated line (148) so that it can be detached.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Alcan Technology & Management Ltd.Inventors: Peter Kancsar, Laurenz Zellweger, Michael Krohn, Claudia Schmauder, Susanne Marti
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Patent number: 6679383Abstract: Provided is a method involving flotation of a feed of platinum group metal ore material to prepare a platinum group metal concentrate during mineral processing operations. Prior to and/or during the flotation, a lead-containing activator reagent and a xanthate collector reagent are added to the slurry and during the flotation, an oxygen-deficient flotation gas, such as nitrogen gas, is used.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Newmont USA LimitedInventors: John C. Gathje, Gary L. Simmons
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Patent number: 6679384Abstract: Process for the filtration of paper pulp with a device that comprises a rotor and a stator; one of the two, filter (1), has perforations of slot or hole types, and the other, the backwashing element, includes means that are intended to generate pressure pulses that consist in combatting the gradual clogging of the perforations of the filter and the gradual flocculation of the pulp during the creep of the pulp between the rotor and the stator by creating deflocculation zones and/or increasing the relative speed between the pulp and the backwashing elements.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Kadant LaMortInventors: Alain Serres, Alain Fernandez De Grado
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Patent number: 6679385Abstract: A vibrating screen separator. The vibrating screen separator may be operated in a linear, an elliptical, or in a transition from elliptical to linear modes of operation. In the linear mode of operation, the screen separator moves along a reciprocating straight line path, and, in the elliptical mode of operation, the screen separator moves along an elliptical path. In the transitionary mode of operation, the screen separator is transitioned from movement along the elliptical path to movement along the linear path.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: M I LLC.Inventors: Roger Suter, Alan Burkhard
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Patent number: 6679386Abstract: An apparatus and method for sizing and separating particles of generally low-density materials includes a stand, a frame movably suspended on the stand by a plurality of suspension assemblies, and an elongated screen box mounted on the frame. The screen box receives material to be processed at an input end and includes openings at an output end for discharging processed material. The frame and screen box are disposed at an incline relative to a horizontal surface on which the stand rests, so that material travels downwardly in the screen box toward the output openings. A vibrator motor is mounted on the frame input end. The arrangement of the motor and suspensions results in imposition of a combination generally circular planar motion to the frame and screen box at the input end and a generally oblong linear reciprocating motion at the central portion and the output end of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Sizetec, Inc.Inventor: Masataka Tsutsumi
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Patent number: 6679387Abstract: Roll set for handling, particularly screening and spreading, different materials such as wood chips and shavings, the roll set including at least two parallel-mounted, rotatable rolls, whereby the interroll gaps are adapted to pass the material being handled and at least a number of the rolls are provided with a surface patterning. The roll set is implemented by providing at least some of the rolls of the roll set with at least one collar ring made thereto in an annular manner essentially about the entire circumference of the roll. The collar ring has an outer diameter advantageously at least as large as the outer diameter of the other surface patterning made on the roll.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Metso Panelboard OyInventor: Seppo Saukkonen