Patents Issued in January 20, 2004
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Patent number: 6679740Abstract: In carrying out a crash-go-astern operation for switching operating means (2a) of a hydraulic clutch mechanism (100) provided to a marine reduction and reverse gear (1) from a forward setting (F) to a reverse setting in a stroke so as to abruptly stop in traveling ahead, a propeller speed (PN) is detected in neutral (N) halfway through the switching and initial fitting pressure (Po) of a reverse driving clutch (90) is calculated by using a map of the initial fitting pressure (Po) of reverse clutch pressure (Pr) formed according to the propeller speed based on a ship load (SL) in advance before switching to the reverse setting (R), the reverse driving clutch (90) is set at the calculated initial fitting pressure (Po) when the operating means is switched to the reverse setting (R), and then the reverse clutch pressure (Pr) is increased to a maximum value (Pm) as an engine speed (EN) increases.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Yanmar Diesel Engine Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshio Imanaka, Kazuyoshi Harada, Takashi Miyamoto, Takayuki Sakamoto
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Patent number: 6679741Abstract: A propulsion system and method for driving one or more accessories in an outdrive of a boat having an engine coupled to a drive shaft to supply torque thereto are provided. The torque received by the drive shaft is principally used to propel the boat. The propulsion system includes a driven shaft dedicated to drive the one or more accessories, and further includes a gear assembly for passing a portion of the torque received by the drive shaft to the driven shaft so that each of the one or more accessories coupled to the driven shaft receives driving torque therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Bombardier Motor Corporation of AmericaInventors: Gerald Francis Bland, Arthur R. Ferguson, Stephen R. Johnson
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Patent number: 6679742Abstract: To provide an exhaust structure for a jet propulsion watercraft which can simply achieve a reduction of the exhaust noise. In the exhaust structure for a jet propulsion watercraft, a water jet propeller is provided in a pump room of a watercraft body. An engine for driving the watercraft is connected to the water jet propeller. An exhaust opening of an exhaust pipe is attached to the engine and is exposed to a pump room. A resonator for sound deadening is provided for the exhaust pipe. Further, in the exhaust structure for a jet propulsion watercraft, the resonator is bent in a meandering state such that bent portions thereof are positioned adjacent to each other so that the entire resonator has a substantially flat plate-like configuration. The resonator having a plate-like configuration is laid along a ceiling wall of the pump room.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Noboru Yokoya, Takayoshi Miura, Masahiko Tsuchiya
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Patent number: 6679743Abstract: In the broader aspects of this invention there is provided a safety throw comprising a bag having a bottom with a bottom opening therein. A float is positioned in the bag. The float has an opening therein. A cord having opposite ends extends through the float and the float is positioned in the bag between the opposite ends to partition the bag into a first cord section and a second harness section. An over-the-shoulder harness is secured to the cord at one end. The harness is stored in the section adjacent the bag bottom and on the opposite side of the float from the cord section. The bag has a weight with the harness and float in the bag such that the bag may be thrown to a person in peril. The harness may be attached to the person in peril and the person in peril may be pulled to safety by the cord.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Steven T. Gerber
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Patent number: 6679744Abstract: Disclosed is an electron gun assembling method used for assembling a first electrode having a plurality of beam apertures as opposed to one cathode used as an electron beam emitting source with a cathode structure having the cathode. The method includes: a first step of rotating the cathode structure on its axis in a state in which the cathode structure is opposed to the first electrode, and measuring, during rotation of the cathode structure, a distance between each of the beam apertures of the first electrode and a beam emission plane of the cathode; and a second step of setting a rotational position of the cathode structure on the basis of the result measured in the first step. In the second step, particularly, the rotational position of the cathode structure may be set under a condition that the maximum one of the differences between the distances from the beam apertures of the first electrode to the beam emission plane of the cathode is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Izuho Hatada
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Patent number: 6679745Abstract: An improved method is described for the manufacture of mercury dispenser devices to be used in fluorescent lamps, of the type wherein the dispenser material (2) is contained inside a metal tube (1), these dispensers providing a more uniform distribution of mercury, with lower fluctuations from one device to the other.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.Inventors: Gianni Santella, Ausonio Tuissi
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Patent number: 6679746Abstract: A method for producing a discharge lamp of the present invention includes the steps of: preparing a glass pipe for a discharge lamp having a luminous bulb portion and a side tube portion, and a single electrode assembly including an electrode structure portion that will be formed into a pair of electrodes of the discharge lamp; inserting the single electrode assembly into the glass pipe for a discharge lamp such that the electrode structure portion of the single electrode assembly is positioned in the luminous bulb portion of the glass pipe for a discharge lamp; forming a luminous bulb in which the electrode structure portion is arranged inside by attaching the side tube portion of the glass pipe for a discharge lamp to a part of the single electrode assembly; and forming a pair of electrodes in the luminous bulb by melting and cutting a part of the electrode structure portion selectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Makoto Kai, Makoto Horiuchi, Tomoyuki Seki, Tsuyoshi Ichibakase, Mamoru Takeda, Shinichi Yamamoto, Kenichi Sasaki
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Patent number: 6679747Abstract: A sand blasting device utilized in a sand blasting process has a base, a passageway installed on the base, and a sand blasting nozzle installed above the passageway. A conducting carrier is mounted on the passageway and is capable of sliding along the passageway. The conducting carrier has a plate for supporting a substrate needing to be sand blasted, and a pair of first and second electrically conducting clippers respectively installed on a first side and a second side of the plate for fixing the substrate to the plate and removing electrostatic charges generated during the sand blasting process.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.Inventors: Ming-Shui Chen, Kuo-Pin Hsu
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Patent number: 6679748Abstract: A flying toy has a leader portion defining an opening, and a supple tail portion defining an inlet and outlet, wherein when the toy is flying in air, the air enters through the inlet and exits through the outlet. Also, a center of gravity of the toy is within the leader portion. Furthermore, the thickness of the tail portion is not more than 1 mm, or even 0.5 mm.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventors: William Mark Forti, William B. Forti
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Patent number: 6679749Abstract: A telescopic doll structure comprises a base, a top stage, and a telescopic rack. The telescopic rack is composed of at least two hollow pipes with one pipe being able to be straightly shrunk into another pipe. The base is assembled to one end of one pipe and the top stage is assembled to one end of another pipe. At least one clamping unit is used to clamp the at least two hollow pipes when they are expanded. A figure is arranged on the top stage to enclose an exterior of the telescopic doll structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Jui Hsia Yu
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Patent number: 6679750Abstract: A toy building set comprising at least one toy building element with a body part provided with coupling for interconnecting with other toy building elements, and a vehicle with a body that is provided with coupling for interconnecting with other toy building elements. The vehicle is provided with at least one wheel that is journalled on a shaft and that extends downwards from the vehicle body for abutment on a drive face. The wheel or wheels have a rolling face with varying distances from the shaft on which it is journalled such that a waving movement of the vehicle is obtained when it travels across a plane drive face.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Interlego AGInventor: Helle Kleist Nielsen
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Patent number: 6679751Abstract: A stackable articles toy including a number of articles that can be coupled together or coupled to a support and which also generates sensory output upon interaction by the infant with the toy to prolong the infant's enjoyment of the toy.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Matthew C. Maxwell, Jerry A. May
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Patent number: 6679752Abstract: A new and improved remote controllable toy device and an associated method of using are disclosed. The remote controllable toy device includes a radio transmitter unit and a toy car responsive to the radio transmitter unit. The radio transmitter unit having a housing, an antenna, a first battery, a transmitter circuit, a propulsion switch, a steering switch, a front end hopping switch, a four wheel lifting switch, and an on/off switch. The toy car having an upper shell, an undercarriage attachable to the upper shell, in which the undercarriage has a receiver, a control unit, a motor, a gear set, a plurality of wheels, and a means for hopping, a means for lifting all four wheels, and a means for oscillating up and down after hopping. The method includes the steps of activating, bending, depressing, detaching, lifting, manipulating, obtaining, picking, placing, pressing, pushing, reattaching, releasing, toggling, and touching.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Rodrick L. Reed, Sr.
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Patent number: 6679753Abstract: A wireless control miniature low-profile toy car comprising a chassis for supporting front and rear wheels, a front wheel steering mechanism, a covered control circuit board therefor, a drive motor and a battery. A shell miniature car body is attached to and substantially covers the chassis. The circuit board is positioned and secured atop a bottom panel of the chassis, while the battery is positioned and secured above the circuit board and at least partially within a central raised portion of the car body whereby the height of the central raised portion of the car body is substantially reduced. The front steering includes an upright pivot shaft connected at an upper end thereof to a mating cavity or aperture formed on a front hood of said car body which allows a further reduction in profile height of the hood of the toy car.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Stephen J. Motosko
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Patent number: 6679754Abstract: Polyolefin fibers, filaments and fabrics made therefrom which comprise a melt blend which comprises (A) a polyolefin; and (B) at least one polyetheresteramide which contains aromatic diol-derived sections, exhibit excellent durable dyeability. The fabrics are useful in woven garments, carpeting, furniture and automobile upholstery, woven industrial fabrics, non-woven absorbents used in disposable diapers, non-woven garments including disposable medical garments, filter media, synthetic paper and the like.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals CorporationInventors: Sheng-Shing Li, Andrew J. Leggio, Nadi Ergenc
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Patent number: 6679755Abstract: A processing system and method for processing a workpiece is generally provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a processing module and a substrate transfer shuttle. The processing module includes a polishing surface and at least one polishing head disposed above the polishing surface. The substrate transfer shuttle is movable between at least a first position and a second position where the second position is disposed adjacent the polishing head. At least one nest is disposed therein to receive and align the substrate. The nest also facilitates transfer of the workpiece to the processing head.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.Inventors: Phillip R. Sommer, Paul D. Butterfield, Joshua T. Oen, Ching-Ling Meng
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Patent number: 6679756Abstract: Prior to the polishing of the wafer, a reflective body which has the same shape and dimensions as the wafer is held on the polishing head instead of the wafer. A polishing agent is interposed between the window of the polishing head and the reflective body, and the reflective body is pressed against the polishing pad with the same pressure as that applied during the polishing of the wafer. In this state, the reflective body is irradiated via the window with a probe light emitted from the light source, and the spectroscopic intensity of the reflected light is obtained from the sensor as a reference spectrum. During the polishing of the wafer, the spectroscopic intensity of the reflected light from the wafer is successively obtained as measured spectra from sensor; the intensity ratio of these measured spectra to the above-mentioned reference spectrum is determined, and the polishing state of the wafer is monitored on the basis of this intensity ratio.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Akira Ishikawa, Yoshijiro Ushio
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Patent number: 6679757Abstract: A tool for shaping curved surfaces on a workpiece, in particular upper curved surfaces of the forward and aft rails of a gas turbine engine shroud section. The shaping tool includes a base member for securing the workpiece and a shaping member movable relative to the base member and having one shaping element for each curved surface of the workpiece. The shaping tool also includes cooperating follower and guide members to guide the shaping member through a path as the shaping member is moved relative to the base member such that each of the shaping elements of the shaping member shape the respective curved surfaces of the workpiece. The tool can be used in a method for shaping the curved surfaces of the workpiece where the shaping member is moved in a path such that each of the shaping elements of the shaping member shape the respective curved surfaces of the workpiece and repeating this step until the desired degree of shaping of the curved surfaces of the workpiece is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Willem Thomas Degraaff, Jae Yong Um
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Patent number: 6679758Abstract: A bonded abrasive tool, having a structure permeable to fluid flow, comprises sintered agglomerates of a plurality of abrasive grains and a binding material, the binding material being characterized by a melting temperature between 500 and 1400° C., and the sintered agglomerates having a loose packing density of ≦1.6 g/cc and three-dimensional shape; a bond material; and about 35-80 volume % total porosity, including at least 30 volume % interconnected porosity. Methods for making the sintered agglomerates and abrasive tools containing the sintered agglomerates are described.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Saint-Gobain Abrasives Technology CompanyInventors: Eric Bright, Mianxue Wu
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Patent number: 6679759Abstract: A method of manufacturing a silicon wafer including the step of flattening fine roughness existing on a side face of a silicon block or a silicon stack used for manufacturing the silicon wafer.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kimihiko Kajimoto, Junzou Wakuda
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Patent number: 6679760Abstract: A lapping method of a magnetic head slider provided with an element-forming surface, an ABS and an MR element formed on the element-forming surface, including a step of setting the magnetic head slider to be lapped on a lapping means, and a step of lapping by the lapping means the ABS of the magnetic head slider with while keeping an angle between the element-forming surface of the magnetic head slider and a lapping direction in a range greater than 0 degrees and equal to or less than 30 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Sae Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.Inventors: Osamu Fukuroi, Morihiro Ohno, Ryuji Fujii
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Patent number: 6679761Abstract: A polishing compound and a polishing method are provided, whereby in a CMP process in a process for production of a semiconductor device, a metal layer and/or a barrier layer, etc., can be polished while suppressing excessive oxidation of the metal layer, and the polishing rate can be adjusted depending upon the application. A polishing compound comprising polishing abrasive grains and a peptide, a polishing compound slurry having such a polishing compound suspended in an aqueous medium, preferably together with an oxidizing agent and preferably at a pH of at least 7, and a method for polishing a metal layer of e.g. Cu and/or a barrier layer, formed on a semiconductor substrate, by polishing with an abrasive cloth of a CMP apparatus having such a polishing compound slurry supported thereon, are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Seimi Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Sunahara, Katsuyuki Tsugita, Sachie Shinmaru
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Patent number: 6679762Abstract: A method is disclosed for precision control of pole tip recession of magnetic recording heads. This is achieved by first constructing the head so that the thermal expansion coefficient of the recording head is different from the thermal expansion coefficient of the overcoat. Then the recording head is heated during the lapping process of the slider and recording head. The average and distribution of the recession between the overcoat and the recording head pole tips are improved.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Joseph John Fatula, Jr., Hans-Peter Nickel
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Patent number: 6679763Abstract: A method and apparatus for qualifying a polishing pad used in chemical mechanical planarization of semiconductor wafers is described. The apparatus includes at least one qualifying member including at least one collimated hole structure, wherein the collimated hole structure forms multiple channels within the qualifying member. The method includes providing at least one qualifying member formed with at least one capillary tube array, wherein the capillary tube array forms multiple channels within the qualifying member, pressing the qualifying member against the polishing pad, and moving the qualifying member along the polishing pad along a trajectory to simulate the polishing of a semiconductor wafer.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: John M. Boyd, Katrina Mikhaylich, Mike Ravkin
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Patent number: 6679764Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel supply system for chemicals which permits the preparation of solid-containing suspensions, which are required, inter alia, for polishing wafers or in semiconductor production, directly at the point of use.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Merck Patent GmbHInventors: Ulrich Finkenzeller, Claus Dusemund, Thomas Schwortschik
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Slurry supply system disposed above the rotating platen of a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus
Patent number: 6679765Abstract: A slurry supply system disposed above the rotating platen of a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus. The slurry supply system includes a wafer carrier configured to hold a semiconductor wafer to be polished; a supporting arm to support the wafer carrier; a slurry supplier connected to the supporting arm and located on the front edge of the rotating direction of the rotating platen so that the slurry supplier is positioned opposite the wafer carrier; and a plurality of openings formed on the slurry supplier to feed chemical mechanical polishing fluids, each of the openings individually supplied with individual control of the chemical mechanical polishing fluids.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Promos Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jen-Chieh Tung, Yu-Wei Chin, Kuan-Fu Chang, Sheng-Jan Chang -
Patent number: 6679766Abstract: A honing tool assembly adapted to be chucked in a honing machine for reciprocation and rotation, the assembly comprising a diamond-plated tool for honing cylindrical bores in a workpiece, the diamond-plated tool having a spiral pattern on a cylindrical outer surface, a central bore in the tool adapted to receive a tapered rod engageable with a tapered surface on the central tool opening, the tool being provided with a longitudinal slot that allows the outside diameter of the tool to expand as a force is applied to the tapered rod whereby stock is removed from bore walls of the workpiece with precision roundness and concentricity.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Andreas Schulz, Peter Asslaender
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Patent number: 6679767Abstract: The invention concerns a device for sharpening or polishing the blade of a knife, having a slit 2 which is provided in a base plate 1 and which is open towards the outside, for guiding the knife blade, and with processing rods 3, 3′ which are pivotably disposed on each side of the slit 2 in opposition to an elastically resilient restoring force and which intersect in the region of the slit 2, wherein the knife blade can be applied to their point of intersection 16.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Friedr. Dick GmbHInventor: Horst Löhnert
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Patent number: 6679768Abstract: Currently dental laboratories use a lathe for the polishing of the dental crown. Such lathes use a polishing disc brush mounted on a rotating shaft and which generally cannot polish the deeper parts of the surface of the appliance without wearing down the surrounding anatomy. The present device provides a brush which uses an orbital motoin to thereby better preserve the anatomy of the crown.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Timothy Tamio Nemoto
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Patent number: 6679769Abstract: This invention relates to polishing pads and a method for making the polishing pad surface readily machineable thereby facilitating permanent alteration of the polishing pad surface to create an advantageous micro-texture. The advantageous micro-texture is statistically uniform and provides a polishing pad with improved break-in preconditioning time. Polishing pads of this invention find application to the polishing/planarization of substrates such as glass, dielectric/metal composites and substrates containing copper, silicon, silicon dioxide, platinum, and tungsten typically encountered in integrated circuit fabrication.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Rodel Holdings, INCInventors: Barry Scott Pinheiro, Steven Naugler, Mary Jo Kulp
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Patent number: 6679770Abstract: A compact, simply structured token counting and sorting apparatus includes a rotary disc 10 which is rotatable by a handle 17. A generally arcuate token transfer track 23 including a token transfer inlet 24 is arranged along the outer circumference of the rotary disc 10. The token transfer track 23 is provided with a plurality of sorting holes 25 for successively sorting and dropping the tokens in the order of increasing diameters as the tokens are transferred from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the transfer direction. A transfer belt 30, which is annular as viewed in plan, is disposed above the outer circumference of the rotary disc 10 for rotation together with the rotary disc 10 to transfer the tokens while pressing the tokens against a surface of the token transfer track 23 A token discerner 31 is provided in the token transfer track 23 between the token transfer inlet 24 and the sorting hole 25 located at the most upstream position for determining the count and diameters of the tokens.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignees: Sugai General Industries Ltd., Wing Design Co., Prev.Inventors: Katsumi Sugai, Nobuyuki Nakatani
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Patent number: 6679771Abstract: A cooling fan with a light-emitting device has a frame, multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs), a circuit board, a stator, permanent magnets and an impeller. The permanent magnets are formed around the inside-perimeter of the casing of the impeller. The impeller is rotated by the interaction force between the poles of the electro-magnetized stator and the poles of the permanent magnets in the impeller. The rotational speed of the impeller is controlled by the drive circuitry on the circuit board. Each LED projects light towards the impeller and to the frame so the light will reflects and bounces all over the fan to produce a fantastic visual effect. The LEDs can be made to twinkle based on the rotational speed of the fan to increase the visual attractiveness.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2003Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Antec, IncorporatedInventor: Andrew Lee
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Patent number: 6679772Abstract: A foldable extension for increasing a grain holding capacity of a grain tank of an agricultural harvesting machine. The grain tank includes angularly related upper peripheral portions defining an upwardly facing opening, and the extension includes a corresponding number of extension panels mounted for pivotal movement about the respective upper peripheral portions of the grain tank. Each of the extension panels is pivotally positionable in a deployed position extending upwardly and outwardly relative to the opening of the grain tank at an acute angle of less than about 80° to horizontal, and a generally horizontal folded position extending over a portion of the opening, adjacent ones of the extension panels having adjacent ends defining corner spaces therebetween when in the deployed position.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Orlin W. Johnson, Prasenjit Adhikari, Lavern Weinschenk, Jr., Gary C. Polk
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Patent number: 6679773Abstract: A self-propelled harvester having a drivable separating rotor rotatably mounted in a rotor housing with a bearing in an end wall covering an inlet opening of the rotor housing at a front end of the separating rotor, further comprising a lower edge transverse and operatively connected to the bearing of the end wall.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbHInventor: Berthold Schwersmann
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Patent number: 6679774Abstract: A character is trained to have abilities and characteristics desired by the player, on a probability basis, without significantly reflecting the level of game playing skill of the player. A main character and game images are displayed on a monitor, and a main character is caused to move to various battle fronts by commands from an operating section. Training for increasing various ability values is performed by executing prescribed tasks. A ROM cassette stores scene images, actions for each scene, and abilities, in accordance with the success or failure of action results. The character can implement actions with a prescribed success probability, according to one specified scene. Plus or minus points are applied to the corresponding ability values in accordance with the success or failure of the action result, and actions are implemented at each one of successively selected scenes until a game time period has been cleared.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: KCEO Inc.Inventors: Kenji Fujioka, Hideto Inoue, Naoki Nishikawa, Hiroshi Miyaoka
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Patent number: 6679775Abstract: The system of the present invention provides for cashless transactions in Nevada-style casinos, bingo halls, Amerindian casinos, and the like. The system has a central database running on a server networked to player terminals, cashier's terminals (or stations), and unmanned voucher/cash exchange terminals. Individual transactions are recorded in the database using a unique transition ID where a transaction corresponds to vouchers being inserted into a terminal or vouchers being issued from a terminal. Each transaction stands alone and is recorded separately in the database; there is no logical connection between transactions unlike systems working from a central account. The present invention is particularly robust as it enables terminals to generate unique transaction IDs and print vouchers having a unique transaction ID and player's credits and other information thereon, before confirmation from the central server that the transaction has been stored in the database.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Sierra Design GroupInventors: Robert A. Luciano, Warren R. White
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Patent number: 6679776Abstract: A video game system includes a video game machine, a memory medium and a controller. A CPU included in the video game machine detects a vibration generating condition that a player object comes into collision or contact with an enemy object or a stationary object. If the vibration generating condition is detected, the CPU drives a vibration source included in the controller, thereby generating vibration on the controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1998Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Nishiumi, Kazuo Koshima, Keizo Ohta
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Patent number: 6679777Abstract: A method of playing an interactive, computerized, multi-player card game in which desired cards are selected by players, some of which may be virtual players generated by the game's software. Each real player uses a computer or similar device that is connected to a network. Virtual player card selection and betting is controlled by computer software. After each player has selected a card in a round, computer software determines what card each player is dealt. Null cards having no value in the scoring are dealt when there is a conflict in card selection or when a player fails to select a card within a time limit. The games follow the rules of poker.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Thwartpoker Inc.Inventors: Arthur M. Pfeiffer, Daniel Pfeiffer
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Patent number: 6679778Abstract: A torque limiting apparatus includes: a connecting shaft (20), the output side of which is connected to a differential gear system (60), and the input side of which is protruded out of an opening (80b) formed at the housing (80) of the differential gear system; a hollow cylindrical casing (10) supported on the input side of the connecting shaft rotatably relative thereto, and connectable to the drive shaft; a seal member (14) for interconnecting liquid-tightly an opening at the output side of the casing and an opening of the housing, and a connecting mechanism (30) provided between the casing and the connecting shaft, for transmitting only a partial power less than a predetermined torque value out of whole power input into the casing, so that a lubricating oil can be automatically supplied.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1999Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Akihiro Ima
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Patent number: 6679779Abstract: The structure is designed to allow an infant to ride, sit, or lie reclined on a rocker, and to be rocked back and forth, as well as to enable the changing of the rocker's angle of inclination, or the folding of the structure for storage. In the invention, the structure comprises a frontal support frame, a rear support frame, and an arc-shaped rocking frame. On the frontal support frame there is a movable sliding sleeve to which the rear support frame is connected by a hinge. With the movable sliding sleeve, the relative positions of the frontal support frame and the rear support frame may be changed, so as to adjust the frontal support frame's angle of inclination or to draw the frontal support frame close to the rear support frame for folding to facilitate storage.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Link Treasure LimitedInventors: Chuan-Tso Tai, Feng-Chi Chang
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Patent number: 6679780Abstract: A polyomino piece includes a cube with six sides. Five sides of the cube each have four openings defined therein and arranged in two rows and two arrays. The remainder sixth side of the cube has two openings catercorner defined along a diagonal of the sixth side, and two first lugs catercorner formed along the other diagonal of the sixth side. A plurality of polyomino pieces can be combined to form various patterns, and the first lugs are hidden inside the patterns and cannot be seen at the outer surfaces, so that the patterns have nice appearances and can be stably placed.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Sywan-Min Shih
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Patent number: 6679781Abstract: A golf club (110) has a head (111) with a curved reflective surface (128) for visually aligning a shot. The club head is counterbalanced above the plane of the ball (120) and has balance weights (116, 118) which may be selected to accommodate the style and preference of the user. The striking surface may be of a different material than the surrounding club head to dampen vibration on the stroke and may be of a material tailored to the user's preference. The other parts of the club may also be composites of several materials to assist in dampening vibration. An alternative aligning structure uses lenticular lens (142, 144, 146) to provide guiding images to the user.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Green-Maurer Golf LLCInventor: Timothy M. Green
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Patent number: 6679782Abstract: A putter (100) having a club head (20) having a central aperture (32) with a rearward center of gravity is disclosed herein. The club head (20) has a body (22) that is preferably composed of stainless steel. The body (22) has a face portion (24), a crown portion (26), a sole portion (28) and an aft-mass portion (30). The face portion (24), the crown portion (26), the sole portion (28) and the aft-mass portion (30) define the central aperture (32). The crown portion (26) extends rearward from the face portion (24) over the aft-mass portion (30). The central aperture (32) separates the crown portion (26) from the sole portion (28) and the face portion (24) from the aft-mass portion (30). The crown portion (26) has an alignment means (40) thereon for aiming a golf ball during putting. The putter has novel inertial properties.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Larry G. Tang, Roger Cleveland, Richard C. Helmstetter, Augustin W. Rollinson, Wayne H. Byrne, Luke R. Williams
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Patent number: 6679783Abstract: A golf training device includes a putting green platform having an incline extending from a lower end to an upper end forming a recess that a golf ball is destined for. A wall surrounds the incline of the platform for stopping movement of improperly hit golf balls. A tee base is spaced from the putting green platform and has a top surface. A runway is arranged between the tee base and the lower end of the incline of the putting green platform. A correction device includes a correction wire located above and extending from the base, through and substantially parallel to the runway, to the platform for forming an indication between the tee base and the recess of the platform. A mirror is attached to the top surface of the base for providing visual feedback to a player when the player is swinging a putter to hit a golf ball into the recess.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Chung-Ming Lin
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Patent number: 6679784Abstract: A set of golf clubs, each of the clubs in the set having substantially the same loft angle and each of the clubs in the set has a shaft length that is different from the other clubs in the set. The loft angle is preferably between about 40 and 50 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventor: George Thomas Mase
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Patent number: 6679785Abstract: A novelty golf putter including a hollow shaft, a putter head affixed to one end of the hollow shaft and a gripping handle affixed to an opposite end portion of the hollow shaft. An elongated line being affixed with the hollow shaft and within the gripping handle. The gripping handle is moveable from the hollow shaft to extend the distance of the handle from the end of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Phelan Richard
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Patent number: 6679786Abstract: A golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft is provided. The head includes a first portion that forms an integral face and neck, with the neck having a keyed section. A second portion of the club head provides a body with a crown region and a sole region, the crown region including a keyway. A third portion is also provided in the form of a hosel tube with a top end being configured and dimensioned to receive the shaft. The hosel tube is received in the neck and fixed thereto. The first portion is fixed to the body to form a cavity, with the keyed section mating with the keyway.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventor: Terrill R. McCabe
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Patent number: 6679787Abstract: It is a subject of the invention to show excellent decorative properties of golf shafts, to maintain the decorative properties for a long time, and to improve its usability. An upper ply being transparent or at least having translucency to the extent that the interior surface is visible and a lower ply having different surface configuration from the upper ply and the surface configuration of which can be seen through the upper ply provided underneath the upper ply are provided. The lower ply and the upper ply are formed of materials having different oscillation damping rate.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Mamiya-Op Co., Ltd.Inventor: Akira Unosawa
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Patent number: 6679788Abstract: In order to increase the useful life of a golf club, at least part of the golf club in a region of the striking face is coated with a coating that is neutral in terms of stress or has compressive stresses. The coating is applied by a thermal spraying method with average spray-particle velocities of over 500 m/s. The coating preferably has compressive stresses of between 0 and 600 MPa.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2000Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Linde Gas AktiengesellschaftInventors: Peter Heinrich, Heinrich Kreye
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Patent number: 6679789Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball and methods for preparing a portion thereof including a core having at least one core layer, a mantle having at least one layer including an amount of reinforcing polymer component and a resilient polymer component disposed concentrically adjacent the core, and at least one cover layer disposed concentrically adjacent the mantle, wherein the layer of the mantle is sufficiently rigid to inhibit the resilient polymer component from substantially altering shape prior to crosslinking. The invention also includes an elastomeric composition including a polybutadiene having a high molecular weight average and a predominantly 1,4-cis content, a free-radical initiator, and a reinforcing polymer component having a sufficiently low viscosity at a mixing temperature to permit substantially uniform dispersion of the polymer component with the polybutadiene and having a crystalline melting point sufficiently low to permit mixing while avoiding substantial crosslinking.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, Antonio U. Desimas, Samuel A. Pasqua, Jr.