Patents Issued in February 10, 2004
  • Patent number: 6688052
    Abstract: A Neighborhood Housing Arrangement with a perimeter road to encircle the neighborhood; blocks of residence buildings to have a substantially U-shaped configuration; blocks of residence placed so as to back up to adjoin the perimeter road with the opening of their U-shape facing inward away from the perimeter road; a plurality of residence buildings designed for elderly residents; every residence to enfront a semi-private space such as front porch, deck, balcony, yard, or garden; one block containing the neighborhood center with neighborhood park and a wholesome hangout or gathering building; the undeveloped land to remains in fields; and residence and other buildings to have vehicle access from the rear by either the perimeter road or smaller back streets so residence buildings face a neighborhood interior consisting of parks, fields, sidewalks, and other pedestrian and neighborhood amenities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: James P. Flanders
  • Patent number: 6688053
    Abstract: A double-pane window houses solar cells and dichronic mirrors. The dichronic mirrors reflect a portion of light onto the solar cells for the generation of electricity while transmitting the remainder of the light through the dichronic mirrors so that the interior of buildings is illuminated and the occupants of these buildings can have an outside view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Tyson Winarski
  • Patent number: 6688054
    Abstract: A new and improved covering that can be used to cover any existing 2″ by 6″ decking of wood. The covering would be preferably made from vinyl and could also be used for picnic tables, docks, or any railing or wood surface that uses 2″ by 6″ pieces of wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Mark Pasterchick
  • Patent number: 6688055
    Abstract: A multilevel spiral incremental structure and construction method for residential and/or commercial buildings is disclosed. The present structure is constructed using a plurality of prefabricated modular units or pods which are substantially similar in their size and configuration and assembled symmetrically about a central core designed to contain ductwork, conduit, vents, pipes and other utility apparatus. The pods are supported on stepped foundation piers at progressively higher elevations based upon a calculated vertical increment factor. In a preferred embodiment six pods are arranged about a central core to produce a hexagonal structure resulting in a vertical increase of about ten feet or one story in floor elevation per revolution about the core. The present construction may be cost effectively expanded into a multilevel building by adding new pods after the initial construction phase without digging a new foundation or demolishing portions of the original structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: James A. Lindsley
  • Patent number: 6688056
    Abstract: A moveable and demountable wall panel system including a plurality of panels each having opposite top and bottom distance channels, opposite left and right vertical posts, a panel covering, a ceiling rail, and an articulating floor channel. The distance channels and vertical posts are affixed to one another by connecting studs in order to form a rectangular support frame of the panel. The articulating floor channel is operatively connected to a bottom portion of the rectangular support frame by left and right glide assemblies mounted into receiving channels of the left and right vertical posts respectively. The articulating floor channel is used for operatively securing the rectangular support frame of the panel to a ground surface. Each vertical post has at least one receiving lip extending along a direction substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Eberhard von Huene & Associates
    Inventors: Eberhard Von Hoyningen Huene, Michael Salzman, Geoffrey Boyer
  • Patent number: 6688057
    Abstract: The present invention aims to reduce the manufacturing work load of a structure of a liner of a concrete wall. A plurality of liner anchors 10 is constructed longitudinally to one surface of a liner 11, and a plurality of flat bars 14 is constructed transversely to the other surface of the liner 11. Concrete for a reinforced concrete wall is installed using the liner 11 reinforced longitudinally and transversely by the liner anchors 10 and the flat bars 14 as a formwork, and the liner is constructed to the concrete wall by burying the liner anchors 10 to the concrete wall. Thereafter, the flat bars 11 are removed from the liner 14, according to need.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayako Suzuki, Shigeru Nanba, Tsutomu Igari
  • Patent number: 6688058
    Abstract: A fastener assembly 10, in respect to forces which are subsequently applied, after the installation thereof, when forces is applied in one direction, this fastener assembly 10 is self adjusting incrementally, as needed in travel or actuation; yet when a force is applied in the opposite direction, this fastener assembly 10 is not self adjusting and there is no travel or actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas M. Espinosa
  • Patent number: 6688059
    Abstract: A protective trim strip having an “M”-shaped lateral cross-section is provided with a lengthwise channel along one edge and a lengthwise flange edge extending outwardly from the strip. A plurality of the trim strips are attached, using nails or screws, in a side-by-side and overlapping fashion onto the joists of a deck to direct water run-off away from the building to which the deck is attached, thereby protecting the deck joists and area under the deck from standing water. The flange edge of each strip is placed into the channel of the neighboring strip to improve the overlap. A foam adhesive can be used to adhere the flange edges of each strip into the corresponding channel of the neighboring strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Walker
  • Patent number: 6688060
    Abstract: A joiner for vertical joint which is adapted to be placed at a vertical joint formed between end faces of a couple of neighboring external wall members. This joiner is designed such that the adhesive force between the sealing material and the surface region of raised portion of the joiner is minimized, thereby making it possible to prevent the sealing material from being cracked or peeled away. This joiner is featured in that the surface region of said raised portion is constituted by a resin layer formed of a resin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and fluororesin, and having an embossed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Nichiha Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Sawada
  • Patent number: 6688061
    Abstract: New direct laminated floor, of the kind that contain, on their surface, cellulose sheets impregnated in polymerizable resins, on which some characteristics have been drawn and where, once pressed and mechanized, the finished strips have an offset/sunk area on the peripheral edge and the optic/tactile texture of the surface corresponds and adapts to the characteristics drawn on the cellulose sheets. For application in the construction industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Industrias Auxiliares Faus, S.L.
    Inventor: Eugenio Cruz Garcia
  • Patent number: 6688062
    Abstract: A receiver assembly for retaining a stanchion between a pair of looped supports. The receiver includes a support frame and a receiver support, the receiver support, the receiver support being adapted for engaging and retaining the stanchion. The receiver assembly also includes a locking bar that extendins from the support frame. The locking bar is adapted for engaging the pair of looped supports while extending between the pair of looped supports, so that the stanchion is retained in a generally upright position by the cooperation of the base and the locking bar with the looped supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Gary E. Choate
  • Patent number: 6688063
    Abstract: A storm door construction includes an internal rectangular frame providing a pane opening, the frame including left and right vertical members, a head panel and a base panel. One of the left and right vertical members comprises upper and lower vertical stile pieces and a mortise box located between the upper and lower vertical stile pieces. The mortise box has an opening sized to receive a mortise lock therein. Inside and outside skin panels shaped to cover both sides of said rectangular frame and having rectangular openings substantially in registry with said rectangular pane opening are laminated onto the frame. Both vertical members can include mortise boxes for alternate left or right side mounting of the door in an external doorframe. Each mortise box can comprise upper and lower tongues, and each upper and lower vertical stile pieces can comprise a groove that is sized and shaped to engage a respective tongue of the mortise box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Larson Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Allen E. Lee, Bryan P. Zacher, Brian R. Way
  • Patent number: 6688064
    Abstract: A break resistant glass door assembly, includes a door having an opening therein; a glass assembly including a laminate safety glass assembly formed by a clear plastic sheet sandwiched between first and second panes of glass; inner and outer trim members which clamp the safety glass assembly and door at the opening, to hold the safety glass assembly in the opening of the door; and a rigid U-shaped cap secured to the door around the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Taylor Building Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John V. Swanick
  • Patent number: 6688065
    Abstract: An athletic floor assembled on a foundation having a capacity to absorb vibration, eliminate dead spots, and remain stable and resistant to the damaging effects of moisture which comprises discrete sections of reproducible subflooring constructions which are separated from each other so there are gaps between every section which prevents the ripple effect transmission of vibration forces which combines a wood nailing bed underlayment engaged inside the open face of a c-channel support system in which such engaged components are held in fixed elevation over the foundation and supported on strips of resilient material, and further comprising anchoring clips having a vertical riser member and engagement tabs at a top and which are engaged to the channels inside deflexure slot aperture cut in the channels and engaged to the foundation by fastening tab means at the bottom end and adapted to permit the entire floor construction to experience slidable vertical deflexure movement as limited by the limits of the defle
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Robert X. Chambers
  • Patent number: 6688066
    Abstract: A method of construction of partitions (1) including the steps of erecting a structural steel frame from spaced apart frame members (2, 3), the frame members having boxed mounting flanges (4, 6) and being formed from a metal having a relatively high tensile strength, applying at least one layer of sheet material (11) to at least one side of the frame, and securing the layer of sheet material (11) to the frame by means of self-piercing impact fasteners (12). In one preferred form, staples (51) are used to secure cladding sheets (52) to boxed flange frame members for various dry wall constructions. In another preferred embodiment, staples (51) or nails (12) are similarly used to secure layers of sheet material (11, 52) to opposing sides of the frame to define an intermediate cavity which is subsequently filled with cementitious material to form a solid partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: James Hardie Research Pty Limited
    Inventors: John Sydney Cottier, James Graham Geeves
  • Patent number: 6688067
    Abstract: A plurality of wooden roof trusses for constructing a roof includes first and second wooden roof trusses. Each of the first and second wooden roof trusses includes a bottom chord and at least one upper chord obliquely disposed relative to the bottom chord. A first web is provided to the first wooden roof truss and a second web is provided to the second wooden roof truss. Each of the first and second webs has a tapered web end shape set without regard to a shape of a first and second joint, respectively, into which said tapered web end shapes of the first and second webs fit. The first and second webs are substantially identical in length and web end shape. The first and second webs are located at different positions in their respective first and second wooden roof trusses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Turb-O-Web International PTY Limited
    Inventors: Bernard Joseph Kennelly, John Edwin Griffith
  • Patent number: 6688068
    Abstract: A strut assembly includes a longitudinal member having a wall and at least a first substantially hollow end portion. A first threaded member is slidably mounted within the first end-portion and is capable of movement along a longitudinal axis of the threaded member between a retracted position and an extended position. The wall has at least a first access opening therein for providing access to the first threaded member. At least a first node is provided having at least one internally threaded radial bore therein which is configured to threadably engage the first threaded member in an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell
    Inventor: David A. Osterberg
  • Patent number: 6688069
    Abstract: Brackets for interconnecting building components. One bracket embodiment is constructed to connect a pair of substantially perpendicular building components so as to allow relative vertical movement between those components and may include a first connector plate and a second connector plate. The first and second connector plates may be integrally connected at a right angle so as to form a right angled juncture. A plurality of stiffener channels may be disposed in the right angle juncture. The bracket may further include a plurality of substantially linear stiffener channels formed in the first connector plate. One or more elongated slots may be provided in the second connector plate. In another embodiment, one or more rows of holes are provided in the connector plate. The elongated slots or rows of holes may be located in one or more recessed stiffener regions. A score line and/or dimples may be provided in the first connector plate for locating fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Unimast Incorporated
    Inventor: Rahim Allagheband Zadeh
  • Patent number: 6688070
    Abstract: Provided is a generally triangular shaped structural member having two equally sized planar sides with a plurality of indentations and a third side of the triangular shape formed from two equally sized curved components that bend into, and join within, the interior of the triangular shape. Also provided are restraining elements to prevent the unfolding of the formed structural member and elements providing increased stiffening to the structural member. Also provided are adapters, joining clamps, and cylinder clamp assemblies for fabricating structural assemblies using the structural members and methods of using the structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Michael John Vahey
  • Patent number: 6688071
    Abstract: An anchor rod having at least one section provided with ribs or other raised portions or profiling and a threaded section at one or both ends, and having a variable transition section between the threaded section(s) and the profiled section; and a method of making the anchor rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Connector Vinkeveen B.V.
    Inventors: Hermanus Johannes Josef Evers, Robertus Cornelis Maria Van Rijn
  • Patent number: 6688072
    Abstract: A riser section and cover is disclosed. The riser section has a smooth cylindrical sidewall surface, a tapered end and a channel end, a removable anchor tab and bosses and ribs on the inside of the sidewall. The riser sections are stackable. The cover has a channel end to removably connect to a riser section. The cover has stowable handles and posts extending from a bottom surface that define wells open at a top surface which fit into the wells of another cover. A bracket is disclosed to releasably secure and position a cover with attached riser section on a concrete form wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Norman W. Gavin
  • Patent number: 6688073
    Abstract: A method of forming a composite panel with a facade comprising a planar arrangement of thin discrete facers on a body of structural backing material. The method comprises the steps of providing a horizontal casting bed, providing a plurality of facers each with chamfers at corners between side-rear and end-rear walls, arranging the facers in abutting relationship atop the casting bed and in a selected pattern in a face down planar configuration so that the chamfers on the facers open upwardly and define narrow elongated sealant channels at joints between contiguous facers. Depositing a sealant in the channels and pouring concrete as a structural backing material atop the facers, the rear surfaces of the facers and the concrete adhering to form a composite panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Chameleon Cast Wall System LLC
    Inventors: Pieter Anthony VanderWerf, Ivan J. Becica, John Poignard, J. C. Henry, III, Jirair Youssefian
  • Patent number: 6688074
    Abstract: An improved case packer machine is disclosed, of the type where containers are dropped through grid fingers to an empty case positioned on a lift table. The case packer machine of the present invention includes a flap opener which includes a pair of shoes mounted to an air cylinder. The shoes are extended by the air cylinder to contact and open the leading flap. The lifting table of the present invention is motor driven and controlled to limit the shock loading experienced by the containers as they are positioned within the cases. The lifting table includes a pair spur gears driven by the motor in meshing arrangement with a pair rack gears each mounted to a table and a novel gear guide to maintain proper engagement between the racks and gears and further to provide for backlash adjustment between the gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Standard Knapp Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Button, Nilang Dalwadi, Rick Dolce, John Prete, Al Bozzi, Nick Pini, Emilio Francesco, Jeff Reilly, Joe Spagua, J. Michael Weaver
  • Patent number: 6688075
    Abstract: An automatic machine for packaging products, in particular cosmetic or pharmaceutical products, inside containers (11), comprising a series of stations (15-21, 21A, 21B, 21C, 23-28), in each of which the operations required to insert the products and their leaflets into containers or cartons (11), and to close the cartons (11) definitively are performed; with the machine the format of the container (11) can be changed in extremely short times and automatically, by using a keyboard to key in the parameters relevant to the dimensions of the sides (A, B, C) of the carton (11) utilised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: I.A.C.E. di Cristina Adriano
    Inventor: Adriano Cristina
  • Patent number: 6688076
    Abstract: Apparatus for wrapping articles having a central axial opening includes a guide arm and article turning gear. The guide arm supports a ring member in the form of a split frame having an inside and outside diameter. A drive wheel is mounted on the guide arm, is rotatable about a vertical axis and is in frictional engagement with the outside diameter of the ring member. A plurality of guide rollers, mounted upon the guide arm and which support the ring member, are angularly spaced apart about a ring axis and rotatable about vertical axes, and are disposed adjacent to both the inside and outside diameters of the frame of the ring member. Film material carriage spools are adjustably mounted on the ring member and carried by the ring member through the central axial opening and around the external surfaces of the coil. The ring member is rotatable about the ring axis and causes the film carriage spools to follow an orbital path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Victor M. Rivera, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6688077
    Abstract: Apparatus for handling (cigarette) packs, in particular for transporting and sealing the same. (Cigarette) packs (10) coming from a packaging machine or a folding turret (11) are transported in the region of a sealing subassembly (22) by a pocket conveyor (26), laterally arranged sealing jaws (35, 36) sealing sideways-directed end walls during a standstill phase. The packs (10) are fed, via an intermediate conveyor (23), to an accumulating conveyor (24) and, finally, to a pushing-off station (25) for the formation of pack groups (55) which are to be pushed off transversely. By virtue of relative movement, the pack group (55) is separated off from a following line of packs (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Thomas Häfker, Johann Köster
  • Patent number: 6688078
    Abstract: An airtight pouch or packaging (10,20) made of synthetic material for the preservation of food products (12) is obtained by sealing (13, 14, 15) and cutting said synthetic material by an automatic packaging machine with a horizontal or vertical motioning of the product. The packaging (10,20) is constituted by a single peelable type film (11) consisting of an oriented polyamide layer coupled with a coextruded peelable polyethylene layer, the film being folded once on the polyethylene layer side in order to form the inner part of the packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: P.F.M. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fréderic Mauclair, Paolo Fioravanti
  • Patent number: 6688079
    Abstract: Horizontal form fill seal apparatus for making flexible packages with slider fastener closures is provided. A fastener track is applied in-line with a plastic web and is bonded thereto at the same time that a peel seal is formed. All package components are brought together at the point of fill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Panagiotis Kinigakis, Orestes Rivero, Kenneth Pokusa
  • Patent number: 6688080
    Abstract: Horizontal form fill seal apparatus for making flexible packages with slider fastener closures is provided. A fastener track is applied in-line with a plastic web and is bonded thereto at the same time that a peel seal is formed. All package components are brought together at a turntable-mounted point of fill. With rotation of the turntable, final sealing operations are performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Panagiotis Kinigakis, Kenneth Pokusa, Orestes Rivero
  • Patent number: 6688081
    Abstract: A method and closure and container combination for packaging and sealing a commodity in a container that reduces headspace gases, in particular oxygen, allowing the packaged commodity to have a longer shelf life. The method is also useful for reducing stresses on containers that undergo filling at an elevated temperature and/or require in-container pasteurization or retort processes after fill and seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventor: Timothy J. Boyd
  • Patent number: 6688082
    Abstract: A method for stopping and restarting an automatic machine (1) for wrapping products (2), in particular rolls of toilet or kitchen paper, in a collective pack (3) using a packaging film (4a) unwound from a first reel (31a). The method comprises the following automatic sequence of steps: reducing the speed of the machine (1); and stopping the feeding of the products (2) and of the film (4a) at suitably synchronized intervals from each other relative to the processing of the products (2). The method subsequently comprising the steps of: substituting the first reel (31a) of the film (4a) with a second reel (31b); loading the film (4b) on the second reel into feed means (33, 10 34). Restarting the machine (1) at reduced speed and thereby automatically activating the following sequence of steps: unwinding and positionally centering the film (4b); and restarting the feeding of the products (2) and of the film (4a) at suitably synchronized intervals from each other relative to the products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: T.M.C. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Loperfido, Giampaolo Castaldini
  • Patent number: 6688083
    Abstract: This invention provides a mechanism for receiving flat articles, such as mail, moving in a travel path with a substantially horizontal orientation and for dropping selected such articles into either a single receptacle positioned below the mechanism or into a plurality of receptacles spaced along the length of the travel path, while maintaining the substantially horizontal article orientation for all such articles. The mechanism includes a holding station for each receptacle into which each article to be dropped is initially deposited, the holding station being just below the travel path, a retractable floor for the holding station and a driver selectively operable for rapidly retracting the floor in a substantially horizontal direction to permit articles accumulated in the holding station to drop substantially vertically into the corresponding receptacle. The driver may be activated in response to the holding station being filled by a selected amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Fitzgibbons, Douglas A. Slocum, Louis B. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6688084
    Abstract: A machine and method for applying reinforcing strapping to bulk boxes. The machine includes a plurality of strapping head assemblies arranged in series, with each adapted to apply a strap in encircling relationship to a box at a predetermined location on the box. As the box advances through successive strapping head assemblies, straps are applied in predetermined spaced relationship on the box, until the desired number of straps have been applied. The number, spacing and tension of the straps may be quickly and easily adjusted. In an embodiment of the invention, the strapping head assemblies are arranged in pairs in individual modules. A recovery strapping head assembly is provided just prior to exit from the machine to apply any strapping missed by a preceding strapping head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Eric Yarbrough
  • Patent number: 6688085
    Abstract: A packaging machine includes a machine body having two side plates fixed in parallel on one side of its bottom base. The side plates are bored with a plurality of through holes preset in number at the locations where a cutting device, a clamping device and a band-pressing device are assembled. Each through hole is fitted with a padding sleeve which is wrapped inside the machine body and formed in shape together when the machine body is made integral by means of plastic injection molding, possible to be mass-produced, needless to be additionally drilled with holes for other components, lightening its whole weight and economizing producing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Hsiu-Man Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 6688086
    Abstract: A cinch and a buckle therefore and a method for tightening and securing the cinch about the body of a horse to secure a saddle on the horse. The buckle has a rigid frame with a base bar, an intermediate bar and an outer bar extending between a pair of side frame members. The intermediate bar forms a pair of intervening apertures with the outer and base bars for receiving a free end of a cinch strap looped therethrough. The intermediate and outer bars have roller sleeves mounted thereon to reduce the sliding friction of the strap moving about the bars when tightening the cinch about the horse. A locking tongue is attached to the base bar and extends through a selected hole in the strap and lays against the intermediate bar to secure the cinch and strap in an adjusted tightened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Weaver Leather Goods, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald R. Foerderer
  • Patent number: 6688087
    Abstract: A treeless saddle comprises a layered arrangement of flexible leather and foam, without including a rigid saddletree or frame. In particular, the inventive saddle comprises two lower body half sections sewn together to define a saddle body. An underside of said saddle body includes two back contacting pads that define a recessed gullet region therebetween. A removable gullet pad may be provided for releasable securement with the gullet region. The saddle further comprises additional layers of soft leather and foam shaped to define an upwardly extending pommel, an upwardly extending cantle, and a lowered seat area positioned therebetween. The arched and contoured shape of the saddle, therefore, is defined by soft foam and leather and not by a rigid steel or wooden internal frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Peter A. DeCosemo
  • Patent number: 6688088
    Abstract: This is a method and apparatus for assisting persons to mount a saddle upon a horse in which a step-up member is adjustably carried by a rigid member which is in turn carried by a stirrup leather and a stirrup leather buckle. The rigid member is moveably mounted on the stirrup leather and it carries an adjustable cord having a step-up member which can be utilized to raise a person on one foot to a position where the other foot can comfortably be placed into the stirrup. The device is so configured as to be under a saddle side jockey and/or fender so as to be non-interfering with the rider's leg and not noticeable when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Edward N. Aweeka, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6688089
    Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower wherein an operator can operate the mower while standing on a foot platform, or alternatively when sitting down on a selectively deployable seat. The battery(ies) may be located between feet of the operator in order to lower the overall center of gravity of the mower. Such a battery location may also free other space for other uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Patent number: 6688090
    Abstract: A zero turning radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero radius turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned near this turning point or axis so that the standing occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero radius turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds. The low center of gravity created by the position of the riding platform for the standing operator also results in the mower having improved traction and being less likely to pop “wheelies” upon acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
  • Patent number: 6688091
    Abstract: A riding lawn mower includes a front wheel unit (1), a rear wheel unit (2) having a left rear wheel (2a) and a right rear wheel (2b), a body frame (3) supported by the front wheel unit and rear wheel unit, a mower unit (10) disposed under the body frame between the front wheel unit and rear wheel unit, a driver's seat (5) disposed on the body frame to be above the mower unit, an engine (7) disposed rearwardly of the driver's seat, and a drive transmission mechanism (70) for transmitting drive from the engine to the rear wheel unit. The engine (7) is disposed between and substantially at a higher level than the left and right rear wheels (2a, 2b) to secure a utility space (100) extending longitudinally of the vehicle body between the left and right rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Kubota Corp.
    Inventor: Shoso Ishimori
  • Patent number: 6688092
    Abstract: A baler is equipped with a pick-up for elevating a crop windrow from the ground and delivering it to a rotary conveyor which delivers the crop through an inlet to the baling chamber. Suspended for operation in conjunction with the pick-up so as to aid in achieving continuous, even delivery of crop to the baling chamber is a crop control arrangement including a baffle located in front of the path swept by the pick-up teeth and a plurality of hold down rods which are mounted to the baffle and extend to the rear to the rotary conveyor. The suspension of the baffle allows it to engage the top of a windrow and to flex vertically in a quick, responsive manner both to changes in thickness along the length of and crosswise to the width of the windrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Henry Dennis Anstey, Daniel Eric Derscheid, Darwin Daniel Fish
  • Patent number: 6688093
    Abstract: The vehicle part of a self-propelled forage harvester includes a chassis supported on front and rear sets of wheels. A mower-conditioner unit is mounted to the front of the chassis and mounted to opposite sides of the chassis are second and third mower-conditioner units. Mounting each of the second and third mower-conditioner units to the chassis is a support arm having a first end region mounted to the chassis, either forward of the rear set of wheels, in accordance with a first embodiment, or rearward of the rear set of wheels, in accordance with a second embodiment, with the support arms being configured so that the first and second mower-conditioner units extend generally in transverse alignment with the rear set of wheels, when the support arms are in lowered working positions, and are disposed in positions above the individual wheels of the rear set of wheels when the support arms are in raised transport positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Roger Franet, Larry Neil Smith
  • Patent number: 6688094
    Abstract: A rotatable brush is located adjacent to and in contact with a ground engaging roller of a cutting unit of a mower to clean debris from the roller surface. The brush includes a brush shaft having at least one flight of brush bristles releasably secured to the brush shaft by a pair of fasteners. This permits easy replacement of the flight of brush bristles without having to replace the brush shaft. One end of the brush shaft is driven by a belt drive system with the driven end of the brush shaft passing through an elongated slot in a pivotally adjustable tensioning plate. The plate can be pivoted to adjust the tension in the drive belt without moving the driven end of the brush shaft, thus not affecting or changing the position of the brush relative to the roller. Drive can be imparted to the belt drive system using a hardened cap screw that is threaded into one end of the shaft of a rotatable reel on a reel cutting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Dennis J. Berndt, Scott M. Coffin
  • Patent number: 6688095
    Abstract: A blade coupler assembly operable to couple a cutting blade and a drive belt to a lawn mower engine crankshaft. The blade coupler assembly may include a blade/belt driver assembly having a tube portion with a first bore defined by a first diameter, wherein the first bore spans between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of the tube portion. A pulley portion may be fixed to the tube portion such that at least a portion of the pulley portion abuts the first longitudinal end of the tube portion. The pulley portion preferably includes a second bore defined by a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is less than the first diameter. A blade receiver portion may be fixed to the tube portion such that the blade receiver portion abuts the second longitudinal end of the tube portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Chris A. Wadzinski
  • Patent number: 6688096
    Abstract: To provide a link bodies-connected cable drag chain, in which even in a case where a long flexible body C such as a cable, a hose or the like is incorporated a roller, which protects the flexible body, can be easily detached from the link bodies. The cable drag chain of the present invention is formed by articulately connecting a plurality of link bodies each having a pair of plates 22. Between the pair of plates 22 is rotatably provided a roller 24, which protects the flexible body. In the plate 22 is formed a through-hole 25 larger than the outer diameter of the roller 24, and to this through-hole 25 is detachably fit-secured a plug, which protects the dislodgement of the roller 24. When this plug 27 is removed the roller 24 can be easily detached from the through-hole 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Toru Wada, Akihiko Utaki, Kazunori Nakayama, Masaaki Ikeda, Shoichiro Komiya, Takayuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6688097
    Abstract: A turbofan engine throttle control system and method for eliminating dead bands in the throttle control by decreasing and increasing the fuel flow to the engine during transition from the scheduled core speed to scheduled fan speed of the engine to effect a smooth and continuous transition from the core speed to the fan speed and vice-versa. A signal is generated to open and close a valve system to augment and decrease the fuel flow in response to sensing different throttle lever angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Chapman, John J. Rushinsky
  • Patent number: 6688098
    Abstract: A backup locking system for a thrust reverser door comprises a catch pivotally mounted by a pivot pin to a fixed structure of the thrust reverser. A hook with a self-locking profile is provided at the free end of said catch for cooperation with a locking interface on the door in the event of failure of the normal locking systems. At its other end remote from said hook, the catch has a heel ending in a part-cylindrical surface which is concentric with said pivot pin. The catch is urged against the locking interface by a piston rod which presses against a front face of said heel under the force of a spring acting on a piston to which said piston rod is attached. When the rod is retracted, a double lever positively moves the catch toward a minimum opening angle, at which point the door can be opened. An unlocking spring causes the full opening of the catch to maximum open position when an opening lever is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Hurel Hispano Le-Havre
    Inventors: Pascal-Gérard Rouyer, Patrick Gonidec
  • Patent number: 6688099
    Abstract: A turbofan exhaust nozzle includes a jet pipe having a pair of thrust reverser doors disposed on opposite sides thereof. Each door has a hinge arm joined to a swing arm, which in turn is joined to the pipe. Each door also includes a latching clip at a forward end, and a deployment clevis between the clip and hinge arm. A common actuator is connected to both doors by corresponding links joined to the clevises for driving the links aft to pivot aft the doors and swing arms. A first lock selectively locks the latching clip and a second lock selectively locks the swing arms in coordination with the first lock for permitting variable area axial movement of the doors, thrust reverser deployment thereof, and retraction to stowed positions of the doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: The Nordam Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lair
  • Patent number: 6688100
    Abstract: A combustion apparatus including a structural jacket, a forward liner, and an aft liner, and an associated method of constructing the same are provided. The structural jacket defines a passage including a first end, a second end, and a neck. The neck is positioned between and separates the first and second ends of the passage. The forward liner is positioned within the first end of the passage and has a throat fitted within the neck of the passage. The aft liner is positioned within the second end of the passage and has an upstream potion abutting the throat of the forward liner. The forward and aft liners are brazed together, and are bonded to the passage of the structural jacket, to form a longitudinal combustion chamber so that combustion of the propellant is contained and directed through the combustion chamber from the forward liner to the aft liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brian Leigh Wherley, Steven C. Fisher, Amardeep Litt
  • Patent number: 6688101
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed that accelerates the rise in temperature of a catalyst provided in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The system increases the intake air amount after the engine starts and retards the ignition timing according to a rotational speed of the engine. In this control system, a failure of the catalyst temperature rise acceleration control is diagnosed according to the engine rotational speed and/or a retard amount of the ignition timing during the execution of the catalyst temperature rise acceleration control. The above failure may also be diagnosed according to at least one of the ignition timing and the engine rotational speed when decreasing the intake air amount during the execution of the catalyst temperature rise acceleration control. The above failure may also be diagnosed according to a detected catalyst temperature and an estimated catalyst temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Isobe, Kojiro Tsutsumi, Manabu Niki, Hiroyuki Ando