Patents Issued in February 17, 2004
  • Patent number: 6692162
    Abstract: Proposed is an apparatus and process (collectively referred to as a “Fiber Center”) for deploying and managing a central office fiber optic telecommunications infrastructure in response to demand from either a customer location or another operating telephone company (OTC) location. Customer demand information and management parameters are entered into a software system. In response to the demand information, the software system describes the required standard components and prefabricated cables, assigns the standard components and prefabricated cables to a specific location and enters this information into a reference data base. Assembly of the fiber optic infrastructure is implemented according to an equipment order which is generated based on the description and location information in the reference data base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas A. Glynn
  • Patent number: 6692163
    Abstract: A single-lens reflex camera provided with an eyepiece includes a screen on which an image of an object is projected, a plurality of reflecting surfaces for erecting the image projected on the screen, and an eyepiece with positive refracting power for observing the image. In this case, the eyepiece has, in order from the object side, a first lens component with positive refracting power, a second lens component with positive refracting power, and a third lens component with negative refracting power and satisfies the following conditions: 0.15<tan S<0.35 2.00<fb/Y<5.00 −0.67<f3/f<−0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuzi Ogata
  • Patent number: 6692164
    Abstract: A method of forming a resist pattern on a substrate, comprises the steps of: forming a resist film on the substrate, supplying a developing solution onto the resist film, submerging the substrate and the resist film formed thereon in a rinsing liquid kept in a rinsing tank, and applying ultrasonic vibration to the rinsing liquid to rinse the developing solution from the resist film submerged in the rinsing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co, Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6692165
    Abstract: A developer is supplied onto a substrate and thereafter a rinse discharge nozzle is moved toward an operating direction. The rinse discharge nozzle is so moved on the substrate as to continuously supply pure water onto the substrate from a slit discharge port of the rinse discharge nozzle while sucking and recovering the pure water from the surface of the substrate through a slit suction port, and a series of development is performed in a stationary state of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiko Tanaka, Masakazu Sanada, Osamu Tamada, Masahiko Harumoto, Kayoko Nakano
  • Patent number: 6692166
    Abstract: The franking machine has a clamping device which can be driven via a drive device and which securely clamps an item of mail to be franked against a stop element. The clamping device has a clamping unit, which is provided for interacting with the item of mail, and a gearing device which is connected to the clamping unit and the drive device. The gearing device displaces the clamping unit in the direction of the stop element. The clamping unit and/or the gearing device have at least one compensation section which is configured elastically such that, in the case of a predetermined drive displacement of the drive device, compensation for different thicknesses of the item of mail is provided by elastic deformation of the compensation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia AG & Co.
    Inventors: Iain Ansell, Steven Roland Brace
  • Patent number: 6692167
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plurality of destination screens having a plurality of pages, in which a plurality of destination selection keys are displayed. The destination screens are displayed in layers, each screen having a tag to select a desired destination screen. When a specific tag is selected, a page of the corresponding destination screen with a registered destination selection key is displayed. When page scroll key are pressed, the registered destinations can be searched as each page of the destination screens is scrolled in the ascending/descending order. When no more pages can be scrolled in one destination screen, another destination screen is displayed, instead of terminating the operation. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform a separate operation to switch to another screen, when no more pages can be scrolled by pressing a page scroll key. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the operator's burden to find a desired destination, thereby improving the convenience of the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidemi Nakadaira, Hidenobu Kanda
  • Patent number: 6692168
    Abstract: A method and system for printing an image such as a postal indicium. In accordance with the present invention a sequence of graphic data blocks is formed, the sequence forming a bitmap representative of the image. The blocks are randomly reordered to form a new sequence; and the blocks are printed in the new sequence; a printer printhead being positioned and the blocks being printed so as to print the image without substantial distortion. In one embodiment the blocks are printed in varying directions. In another embodiment the printhead moves are at varying rates of travel and prints at inversely proportional rates as the blocks are printed so as to print the image without substantial distortion. In another embodiment the printhead returns to a home position after printing the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
    Inventors: Frederick W. Ryan, Jr., Walter J. Kulpa
  • Patent number: 6692169
    Abstract: A print carriage assembly for an ink jet printer. The print carriage assembly includes a print carriage slidably supported on a printer slider rod, and a sub-carriage that is separate from the printer carriage and slidably supported on the printer slider rod for pushing the printer carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Matthew A Shepherd, Junji Yamamoto, Daniel S Kline
  • Patent number: 6692170
    Abstract: An apparatus for text input and a method for its use. The apparatus includes a display device, a computing device, and an input device. The computer device is configured to generate a character or plurality of characters and to cause the display device to display the character or characters at a desired position on the display device screen. The input device operates to enlarge the character or plurality of characters depending on the position of the input device relative to characters displayed on said display device. The input device is configured to permit a user to select the enlarged character or plurality of characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Eli Abir
  • Patent number: 6692171
    Abstract: A squeegee with squeegee handle and remote spraying device, includes a squeegee section having an enclosed container for holding liquid, a sprayer head, which is in connection with the squeegee section, and a surface extending in a lengthwise direction. The enclosed container has a threaded neck. The sprayer head has a threaded cap adapted for engaging the threaded neck, as well as a dispensing means for dispensing the liquid. The dispensing means includes a trigger being in connection with a conduit, a nozzle at an end of the sprayer head, and pressure inducing means for inducing a pressure change in the conduit so as to draw spraying agent into the conduit and out of the nozzle. The conduit extends through the threaded cap and into the enclosed container. There is also a squeegee blade attached to the sprayer head and being nearly perpendicular to the surface of said enclosed container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: John Vito
  • Patent number: 6692172
    Abstract: A mop assembly with liquid detergent supply has a detergent storage bottle connected between the mop and the handle of a mop, a pump installed inside the storage bottle, a sucking tube disposed at one end of the pump, and an outlet nozzle connected with the storage bottle disposed on the other end of the pump, so that the handle pushes the pump and compresses a spring to resume the pump into its original position. Such back and forth movement squeezes the liquid detergent out from the pump and sucks liquid detergent into the pump when the pump resumes its position, and thus spraying the detergent out from the outlet nozzle. By means of the handle directly driving the pump in the storage bottle for the back and forth squeezing, it gives the convenience of supplying detergent before mopping. Furthermore, an n-shape contractible support rod is disposed each on both sides of the mop to fit mops of different specifications, and thus having the effect of expanding the applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Hsing-Yuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 6692173
    Abstract: A unit (1) for packaging and applying a liquid product (P) includes a reservoir (2) containing the product and having a neck (4), a free edge which defines an opening (8); a removable part (5) for closing off the opening in a leaktight manner; and an applicator (10) in the form of at least one block (12) of foam with open or semi-open cells capable of being loaded with product by pumping and fitted inside the neck. The applicator includes a first end (13) in permanent liquid communication with the product inside the reservoir and a second end (14) opposite the first end (13), the second end (14) forming an application surface (15) which is movable axially between a first position in which the application surface (15) emerges outside the neck (4) through the opening (8) in order to apply the product, and a second position in which the application surface (15) is contained in a leaktight manner inside the reservoir (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis H. Gueret
  • Patent number: 6692174
    Abstract: A device for sweeping a substantially horizontal surface is provided which includes a broom having a handle and a head, a valve disposed on the device, and a spray bar movably disposed on the head for directionally spraying a liquid that is supplied to the valve, wherein the valve regulates the pressure of liquid sprayed by the spray bar. The valve can be spring-loaded and/or hand-controlled. The device may include tubing between the valve and the spray bar, which tubing may be positioned internal to the handle or external to the handle. The handle may be used to convey liquid, such as that from a garden hose, from the valve to the spray bar. In an embodiment, the head may include water channels and the spray bar may be made integral to the head. The spray bar may oscillate and may take a variety of shapes, including elliptical, u-shaped and straight shapes. The device may further include a reservoir for holding an agent for treating the horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Phillip M. DeLaine, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6692175
    Abstract: A thin, flat device (10) for inserting scrapbook page device (22) for quick application of article protectors (20). The device is made of a flexible material, with a spine (12) so it can be repeatedly folded, without fracturing, tearing or cracking. In addition it provides a fast, easy and hassles free approach to applying article protectors (20). Not only does it provide a quick method of inserting it also protects a scrapbook page (22) from being torn, folded, bent or torn during the application of article protectors (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Jenny Lee Trump
  • Patent number: 6692176
    Abstract: A ball socket for connection with a wall or plate type structure resists accidental pull-out therefrom. The ball socket includes a socket cup for retaining a ball stud. Snap locks extend from the ball socket to provide a mechanical connection with the structure. A sleeve located initially in the socket cup is driven between the snap locks as the ball stud is placed in the socket cup. This prevents the snap locks from moving in a manner that allows the ball socket to be accidentally pulled from the structure. The structure may be a wall in a headlamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Asyst Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Scott T. Fladhammer
  • Patent number: 6692177
    Abstract: A slap yoke clip has a side portion formed configured to fit over a side portion of a slap yoke and engage a nut of a transverse retaining bolt to retain the slap yoke clip on the slap yoke. An abutment portion of the slap yoke clip extends from the slap yoke clip side portion for abutting a surface of the slap yoke to prevent rotation of the slap yoke clip with respect to the slap yoke. An elastically deformable latch portion of the slap yoke clip extends from the slap yoke clip side portion, at an angle thereto, for elastically deforming when a steering shaft is laterally inserted into the slap yoke and for returning to a relatively undeformed condition after insertion of the steering shaft into the slap yoke to prevent exit of the steering shaft from the slap yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Walter Crudele, Julio Costa, Daniel J. Butkievich
  • Patent number: 6692178
    Abstract: A pivotable tool includes a pair of pivotally interconnected arms disposed in a crossing relationship and having a manually releasable releasing device which locks the arms in a perpendicular open position for use of the tool as a wrench. In each of two ends of the two arms is mounted a socket. A collar is movably received between the two arms and is pushed to release a lock status by a releasing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Hsiu-E Yu
  • Patent number: 6692179
    Abstract: A ball sleeve joint with a joint housing has a ball sleeve provided with a preferably spherically designed bearing surface. A bearing shell surrounds the bearing surface and is accommadated in a recess of the joint housing. The joint housing is formed from at least two housing parts. The housing parts have corresponding elastic toothed elements. The toothed elements are locked with one another in the assembled state of the joint housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Manfred Bohne, Klaus Lampe, Stefan Husmann, Franz-Josef Wehri, Stefan Klumpe
  • Patent number: 6692180
    Abstract: A connecting element of a lamp tube comprises a retaining block, a joint, a resisting block and a buffer pad. The distal end of the joint is installed with a threaded section. The middle section of the joint has an embedding portion. Thereby, the resisting block is exactly passed through by the threaded portion of the joint and a lateral side of the embedding portion of the joint is formed with a limiting groove. The resisting block has a position hole at position exactly aligned with the limiting groove. After a pin passes through the positioning hole, a distal end of the pin exactly protrudes into the limiting groove. The buffer pad is positioned between a large stepped end and the resisting block so that a resisting buffering area is formed between the joint and the resisting block. Thereby, a connecting element having a simple structure is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Wen-Chang Wu
  • Patent number: 6692181
    Abstract: A connecting apparatus is provided for connecting a number of components, in particular for connecting the enclosure parts of circuit breakers. It includes a connecting element which has a shaft which passes through through-openings which are aligned with one another in the connection of the components, having an insertion end and having a holding end opposite it. In order to achieve firstly centering and secondly a turning or twisting distance which is as short as possible when the connecting element is twisted in order to brace the components, a first mounting depression, which holds the holding end and is aligned with the through-openings, as a centering cone, with the holding end being conical, forms a mating surface which corresponds with the centering cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Franz, Wolfgang Leitl, Josef Schmid
  • Patent number: 6692182
    Abstract: A vehicle barrier/advertisement system comprising a vehicle parking barrier has a front face and a rear face and an upper surface there between and a pair of end surfaces. The barrier has a generally horizontal lower surface positionable on a parking surface. A coupling means is to secure the parking barrier to the parking surface. A thin barrier cover has a front face and a rear face and an upper surface there between. The cover has a generally horizontal lower opening with lower edges positionable adjacent to the parking surface, the cover being sized and shaped to be securely positioned over the vehicle parking barrier. An advertisement sheet has an interior surface positioned with respect to one face of the cover, the sheet also having an exterior surface with advertising indicia thereon. An additional coupling means secures the cover to the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventors: Scott Fenimore, Richard Militana
  • Patent number: 6692183
    Abstract: A hydraulically adjustable manhole ring including upper and lower rings formed to provide a channel there between. The channel is sealed by in inner flexible membrane coupled between the inner circumferences of the upper and lower rings and an outer flexible membrane coupled between the outer circumferences of the upper and lower rings. A flowable setting agent is injected into the channel causing the upper ring to move relative to the lower ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Steven A. Godfrey
  • Patent number: 6692184
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing a retrofit dowel to maintain adjacent concrete structures in alignment. The dowel is received in a longitudinal groove cut across the structures, and supported in spaced relationship to the bottom of the groove by feet on caps engaged over the ends of the dowel. The feet are positioned so as to be disposed to either side of the dowel. Wings extending laterally of the end caps engage the sides of the groove to center the dowel within the groove and secure it in place. The end caps include structure to secure them from inadvertent displacement from the dowel and stops to provide expansion space to the ends of the dowel, and are translucent to enable the position of a dowel received therein to be visually observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Meadow Burke Products
    Inventors: David L. Kelly, Richard W. Schutte, Michael Recker
  • Patent number: 6692185
    Abstract: An improved arrangement for adjusting crawler-type transport assemblies in a self-propelled construction vehicle between two differing “home” positions. The crawler transport assembly comprises a steering mechanism including a collar assembly operated via an actuator mounted to the frame of the apparatus for driving steering rotation of the transport assembly via the collar assembly. The collar assembly comprises a driving element integrally coupled to the actuator and a driven element integrally coupled to the transport assembly. The driven element can be affixed to the driving element selectively in two differing dispositions corresponding to the two “home” positions of the transport assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Power Curbers, Inc.
    Inventor: John Charles Colvard
  • Patent number: 6692186
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for lining ditches is provided. The apparatus and method for lining ditches, according to the present invention, includes a plurality of substantially corrugated liner sections, preferably made of a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene. Each liner section is designed to be assembled by detachably engaging ends of ditch liner sections. A sealant that does not bond with the material from which the liner sections are made may also be included. An inlet/outlet channel is included. The inlet/outlet channel is removably connectable with at least one end of a liner section by snapping together the two components. A liner section in the form of a splitter section also is provided. A splitter section permits rerouting the flow of water in a variety of directions through a ditch lined with the apparatus of the present invention. Also, a diverter section is included for diverting water from one flow direction through the ditch to a point or area of application of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Fast Ditch, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Suazo, Isaac Suazo, Annabelle Suazo, Dawn Suazo Daugherty, Juan Griego, Julian Suazo
  • Patent number: 6692187
    Abstract: A flood gate is provided that includes a frame defining a fluid passageway, a door pivotally mounted in the frame for movement between a plurality of open positions to permit flow of fluid therethrough, and at least one latching mechanism for holding the door in the closed position. The latching mechanism can release the door when the fluid force meets a preset level, by floatation, or by flow actuation. In addition, the latching mechanism can reset the door to the closed position when the fluid force acting on the door drops below the preset level. The door can include a ventilation opening, an automatic louver assembly for controlling air flow through the ventilation opening and a screen covering the ventilation opening. The flood gate may include a retention mechanism for preventing the door from opening when the structure in which the flood gate is mounted, such as an overhead garage door is rotated or otherwise moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Smart Vent, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Carl Sprengle, Sr., E. Carl Sprengle, Jr., Michael Graham
  • Patent number: 6692188
    Abstract: A rapid emergency dam is disclosed. During adverse weather conditions heavy rain can lead to rivers breaking their banks and lakes overflowing causing flooding to the surrounding countryside. Coastline defenses can also be breached by increased sea swell and large waves. A fluid barrier section (1) of the present invention comprises an elongate rectangular fluid barrier sheet 2, an apron 4 extending from the lowermost edge 6 of the fluid barrier (2), an elongate rectangular front panel (7) and support means in the form of a plurality of support ribs (8). The fluid barrier sheet (2) is of a flexible fluid impermeable material such as plastics, rubber, waterproof canvas, nylons or any other suitable natural or man made material. A preferred material for the barrier sheet (2) is a fluid impermeable tear resistant flexible foil. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention the lowermost edge (6) of the fluid barrier is bonded to one edge of the apron (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hydroscience Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Gordon Walker, Nicholas Edward Ward
  • Patent number: 6692189
    Abstract: A flume for diurnally storing and releasing municipal sewage in its conveyance network of sewers and interceptor piping to reduce peak flow rates in a sewer system and the downstream wastewater treatment plant. The disclosed invention reduces peak flow rates without affecting flow rates below a selected threshold, maintaining minimum flow rates while storing wastewater in sewers and providing features that protect against sewer backups during high flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Aqua Flow Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Claude T. Anderson, Ronald L. Jacobson, Michael G. Rieth
  • Patent number: 6692190
    Abstract: A marine platform provides a plurality of buoys, a platform having a peripheral portion that includes a plurality of attachment positions, one attachment position for each buoy, and a connection that connects each buoy to the platform at a respective attachment position, the connection allowing for sea state induced buoy motions while minimizing effect on the platform. Each connection can provide first and second portions (or devices) and a load transfer mechanism that transfers load from the first portion to the second portion so that one of the portions (or devices) can be serviced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Jon Khachaturian
  • Patent number: 6692191
    Abstract: A lock and dam system for a waterway includes a dam extending across the waterway, a channel having a first entry-exit opening on a first side of the dam and a second entry-exit opening on a second side of the dam. The channel includes a lock. The system further includes a fascia proximate first entry-exit opening in the channel, and a fender system to protect the fascia from impact. The fender system includes a plurality of resilient flexible support element, a first panel supported by a first one of the plurality of support elements in front of the fascia and a second panel supported by a second one of the plurality of support elements in front of the fascia. The first and second panels overlap in a first direction parallel to the fascia and a second direction perpendicular to the fascia. In one exemplary embodiment, the first panel has a first shoulder and the second panel has a first step facing and overlapping the first shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Metso Minerals Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Kiedaisch, Michael J. Grimsley, Thaddeus J. Kiedaisch, Robert C. Patev
  • Patent number: 6692192
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon mooring and transfer system includes a tower resting on the seabed, a vessel containing hydrocarbons, anchoring elements having at least four spaced-apart anchoring members connected via a respective anchor line to the vessel. A hydrocarbon transfer duct extends between a coupling position, located between the bow and stern of the vessel and the tower. The system includes at least six anchoring members, at least four of which are connected to the vessel, the vessel being attachable to at least two different groups consisting of four anchoring members in at least two orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings Inc.
    Inventor: Leendert Poldervaart
  • Patent number: 6692193
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus, method and system for supporting risers in a floating platform. The apparatus comprises a table disposed above a hull-top surface, a first riser opening in the table, and a first dedicated riser tensioner attached to the table and disposed about the first riser opening. The apparatus further comprises a second riser opening, and a second dedicated riser tensioner attached to the table and disposed about the second riser opening. The method comprises tensioning a first riser with a first dedicated riser tensioner, and tensioning a second riser with a second dedicated riser tensioner, wherein the first dedicated riser tensioner is responsive to the second dedicated riser tensioner. The system comprises a mechanism for tensioning a first and a second riser, wherein the mechanism for tensioning the first riser is responsive to the second riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Pierre Beynet, Jerome Burns
  • Patent number: 6692194
    Abstract: A suction substructure (2) is for the setting of one or more conductor casing strings (14) in connection with drilling of at least one underwater well, preferably a petroleum well. Use of the suction substructure (2) renders possible the installation of conductor casing by means of known piling technique and by means of a suitable surface vessel, e.g. a suitable boat. The suction substructure (2) consists of a substructure body, which is joined in a pressure sealing manner, and which is shaped with a downwards open end part (8), which is set some way down in the seabed sediments (22). Thereupon water is pumped out of the suction substructure (2), which causes a negative pressure in the suction substructure (2), and where the suction substructure (2) thereby is pressed further down into the seabed sediments (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Harald Strand
  • Patent number: 6692195
    Abstract: For abating noise along a highway, along a railway, or along another noise-generating way, a wall having an anterior face and a posterior face comprises, across each face, concrete modules stacked in an upper tier, at least one intermediate tier, and a lower tier. Each module is plantable and has a batten. Across each face, the modules are spaced laterally from one another in courses, one course in each tier, so that modules of each course straddle modules of the next course above or below said course. In each of alternate ones of the tiers, a geogrid strip is deployed around the battens of the modules along the anterior face and around the battens of the modules along the posterior face, in a zig-zag pattern, so as to tie the modules along the anterior face to the modules along the posterior face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Jan Erik Jansson
  • Patent number: 6692196
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a series of discrete hygienic articles. The apparatus includes a supply means, at least one manipulation means, a reception means spatially separated from the supply means, a manufacturing path segment extending from the supply means to the manipulation means and continuing to the reception means and a transportation system. The transportation system includes a plurality of independent transportation means for transportation of at least one discrete hygienic article along the manufacturing path segment and a guide means to guide all of the transportation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Rolf Simm, Robert George Cox, Nicholas Minde, Timothy Alan Burkett
  • Patent number: 6692197
    Abstract: At least two cutting plates are provided for a metal cutting tool, particularly adopted for milling work, which are in direct contact with each other and therefore support each other. A particularly simple design of a plate seat may be used for a plurality of teeth with the cutting plates of a single chip groove in direct contact with each other for permitting a large metal cutting output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Walter Aktiengesellschaft AG
    Inventor: Stefano Villa
  • Patent number: 6692198
    Abstract: A tool for the fine machining of workpieces having at least one cutter tip and at least one setting device acting on the cutter tip. The setting device comprises an adjusting element extending over a region of one side face of the cutter tip. A set screw displaces the adjusting element relative to the cutter tip at least one radially and axially with respect to the body. This moves the cutter tip at least one of radially and axially with respect to the body of the tool. A second adjusting element operably by a second setting device may be provided to act on a second side face of the cutter tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Mapal Fabrik für Präzisionswerkzeug Dr. Kress KG
    Inventor: Dieter Kress
  • Patent number: 6692199
    Abstract: A cutting insert for grooving and parting as well as profiling and longitudinal turning of metallic work-pieces, includes a shaft part and at least one cutting head. There is a front end surface at the front end of the cutting insert, and a rear end surface at the rear end of the cutting insert. The shaft part includes a top side, a bottom side and side surfaces extending between the tope and bottom two sides. The cutting head carries a cutting edge defined by the intersection between a chip surface and a clearance surface. The cutting edge has a circular shape and has mainly a constant curvature between the ends thereof. The chip side of the cutting head is provided with a first chip-forming device placed immediately inside the cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Sandvik AB
    Inventors: Claes Andersson, HÃ¥kan Fransson
  • Patent number: 6692200
    Abstract: A system for aligning the bit of a hand-held tool with the surface of a workpiece wherein a laser beam essentially parallel to the axis of the bit is projected forwardly toward the workpiece and onto a mirror maintained at a preselected angle to the workpiece surface. The incident beam is reflected backwardly onto means detecting both the incident beam and the reflected beam and indicating when the beams are coincident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Nesson Enterprises
    Inventor: Francis C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6692201
    Abstract: The portable drill press has a rack bar with a brace attached at one end. A pinion slide assembly is slidably engaged with the rack bar such that the pinion is in rotational engagement with a rack. The pinion slide assembly may be retained on the rack bar by a bolt. The pinion may be attached to a pinion shaft that may be rotated by a rotation lever. A mounting bracket may be attached to the pinion slide assembly for attachment of a hand drill. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Soderman
  • Patent number: 6692202
    Abstract: A spindle protective structure in a spindle-through coolant feeder capable of preventing coolant form invading a spindle and a spindle motor for an excessive overflow of coolant. Coolant is supplied into a through hole formed axially in the spindle or a shaft connected to the spindle through a stationary member and a rotary member of a rotary joint supported by a housing. A seal member having elasticity is provided on a circumferential surface of the spindle or the shaft. Coolant which leaks through the seal member is splashed by a fringer provided in the housing. When a large amount of coolant is overflowed in the housing, a pressure of the coolant in a first chamber of the housing increases to press a lip of the seal member towards the circumferential surface of the spindle or the shaft to prevent leakage of coolant into a second chamber of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Fanuc Limited
    Inventors: Yukio Katsuzawa, Yasuyuki Nakazawa, Tomohiro Seki
  • Patent number: 6692203
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an automatic container locking apparatus for trailers. This locking apparatus is automatically operable in response to the weight of a container to lock or unlock the container on the deck of a trailer. This locking apparatus has a housing (10) vertically set in the deck (1), with a spring-biased actuator (20) movably set within the housing (10). A spring-biased locking bolt (30) having a top head (31) is movably set within the actuator (20). This locking bolt (30) has a stopper (32) and a curved guide slit (41), thus being selectively moved together with the actuator (20) while being rotated. A support shaft (50) holds the vertical position of the locking bolt (30) within the housing (10). An actuation pin (51) of the shaft (50) engages with the curved guide slit (41), thus allowing the locking bolt (30) to be rotatable when the locking bolt is vertically moved together with the actuator (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Kummyung Precision Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Rak Kim, Sang Rak Kim, Se Jong Park
  • Patent number: 6692204
    Abstract: An easy access device to assist in loading and unloading cargo from the bed of a pick-up truck. The device includes two elongate side pieces, a head cross piece, and a lower adjustable cross piece. The device makes it unnecessary to get into and out of the bed of a pick-up truck to load or remove cargo. The device makes it easier to reach the cargo from the rear of the truck. The device has retractable handles to help move the cargo. Even if a bed cover is present, cargo is simply moved by the device into position to be loaded or unloaded. The device also divides the truck bed into compartments to allow orderly arrangement of cargo of various sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Robert E. Ricard
  • Patent number: 6692205
    Abstract: A compressor has a compression unit, a drive motor, a motor housing and an outer cylinder. The compression unit compresses fluid. The drive motor drives the compression unit. The motor housing surrounds the drive motor. The outer cylinder is mounted on an outer circumferential side of the motor housing for defining a cooling jacket between the outer cylinder and the motor housing for cooling the drive motor by a fluid flowing in the cooling jacket. The outer cylinder is indirectly fixed to the motor housing by press-fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Takahiro Moroi, Yoshiyuki Nakane, Ryuta Kawaguchi, Tsutomu Nasuda
  • Patent number: 6692206
    Abstract: The invention provides a cage nut assembly having a nut member and a cage member. The nut has a threaded aperture therethrough. The cage is capable of encaging the nut such that the nut has a limited range of movement within the cage in at least one dimension. The cage has an aperture therein sized and located to allow access to the threaded aperture of the nut within the range of movement of the nut. The cage has a plurality of protrusions, such as dimples or tabs, extending therefrom. At least one of the protrusions is formed in halves which abut against one another to define a seam therebetween. The protrusions are capable of being welded to a mating surface to secure the cage to a mating surface, and, substantially contemporaneously, the halves of the at least one protrusion are capable of being welded together along the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Clinch, Gary Puzzella
  • Patent number: 6692207
    Abstract: A threaded insert including a main body being generally cylindrical with a central bore extending therethrough having outer ring members with knurling in opposed directions for preventing rotation after implanting of the insert into a carrier substrate. The main body includes upper pilot ribs positioned on the outer surface of the main body adjacent the upper end to facilitate entry of that end into the carrier substrate during implanting thereof. The rib includes an upper leading surface which is arcuate to facilitate this insertion by facilitating movement of the substrate material during insertion. A lower pilot rib configuration is also included to allow insertion of the one-piece metallic threaded insert with either the upper or lower end entering the carrier substrate first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Yardley Products Corp.
    Inventor: Timothy A. Bailey
  • Patent number: 6692208
    Abstract: A booklet of sheets folded to create a curved spine is fixedly held by clamping jaws adjacent to the spine and a forming roller is passed one or more times along the length of the protruding spine with sufficient pressure to produce a flattening of the curvature of the spine. The deformation of the spine of the booklet means that the sheets lie flat after the treatment. A retractable stop plate defines the amount by which the spine protrudes beyond the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Watkiss Automation Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Robin Watkiss, Robert Antony MacGregor
  • Patent number: 6692209
    Abstract: A system (10) for manufacturing a photocathode includes a housing (12) having a first end and a second end. The first end of the housing (12) is operable to be coupled to a vacuum chamber (22). The system (10) also includes a drive support (20) disposed within the housing (12). The system (10) includes a shaft (14) disposed within the housing (12) and a ladder (16) coupled to the shaft (14). The ladder (16) includes at least one rung (140) to retain the photocathode. The system (10) further includes a drive system (18) supported by the drive support (20) within the housing (12). The drive system (18) is coupled to the shaft (14) and is operable to translate the shaft (14) relative to the housing (12) to position the rung (140) of the ladder (16) at a predetermined location within the vacuum chamber (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Pruet, David G. Couch
  • Patent number: 6692210
    Abstract: In a device according to the invention for the automatic charging of processing stations (1) with printing cylinders (9) a number of charging stations (2) is provided, each being designed as input location for entering the printing cylinder (9) into the device, as storing location for storing the printing cylinder (9) before and after processing, and as output location for delivering the printing cylinder (9) from the device after processing. The printing cylinders (9) may each be supplied to the processing station (1) by means of a crane (3) without being required that the operator must wait at the device until the crane has terminated its operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Kaspar Walter GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rüdiger Ettelbrück
  • Patent number: 6692211
    Abstract: The lifter 3 is moved upward until the storage shelf 2 on which the packaging box 9 that contains the transfusion bottles 13 corresponding to the prescription is stored. Then, the first conveyor mechanism 8 of the storage shelf 2 and the second conveyor mechanism 14 of the lifter 3 are driven to convey the packaging box 9 of the transfusion bottle 13 from the storage shelf 2 to the lifter 3. When the lifter 3 is moved downward to the lowermost position, the second conveyor mechanism 14 of the lifter 3 and the third conveyor mechanism 16 of the receiving table 4 are driven to convey the packaging box 9 of the transfusion bottle 13 from the lifter 3 to the receiving table 4. Subsequently, the grip mechanism 5 is driven to grip the transfusion bottle 13 in the packaging box 9 on the receiving table 4 and convey it to the collection container 20. Then, the transfusion bottle 13 is released above the collection container 20 and contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Tsuyoshi Kodama, Reiji Kitagawa