Patents Issued in February 19, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040031830
    Abstract: A portable pocket, the assembly comprising of a pocket that attaches to the arms, legs, thighs or waist of a wearer by means of an adjustable band. A zipper closes the opening of the pocket thereby protecting inserted items from loss or theft. The portable pocket in combination with the adjustable band is a miniature carrying compartment for transporting small quantities of small-sized items thereby eliminating the need to carry bulking purses, wallets, etc. and it does not interfere with freedom of movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Sandra Kay Davis
  • Publication number: 20040031831
    Abstract: A vehicle roof panel includes a roof portion and roof rack portion with an integrally embossed portion defined by longitudinally extending spaced apart side portions. A side rail is attached to each of the side portions. A cross member has connectors for selectively and slidably interconnecting to the side rail thereby retaining the cross member elevated above the planar surface of the roof panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Jack V. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20040031832
    Abstract: A rack that expeditiously and conveniently slidably engages and mounts the tailgate of a vehicle, or similarly suitable structure, for the simplified loading, support and securing of an article thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory Crook
  • Publication number: 20040031833
    Abstract: A mounting system designed to mount a luggage piece to the gas tank of a motorcycle. It consists of two separate pieces. A circular ring manufactured in such way as to be able to be bolted to the perimeter mounting flange of the aviation style gas caps used on some motorcycles. This ring includes a push-pin cylinder lock affixed perpendicular to the rings side, extending the locks retractable lock pin beyond the inner wall of the ring when actuated. Additionally, pins inserted through the wall of the ring protrude beyond the edge of the rings inner surface to the inside and provide the interface attachment point for the press fit collar that comprises the other half of the mount system. A similar diameter collar is affixed to the bottom of the luggage piece. This collar is of a diameter that provides for a press fit of the collar inside the lock ring. Slots are cut into the side of this collar for the purpose of engaging the pins protruding to the inside of the lock ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Leslie K. Alderman
  • Publication number: 20040031834
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a carrier bag for attachment to the handlebars of a bicycle, including a panel. The panel has a first axis and a second axis. The second axis is perpendicular to the first axis and intersects the first axis at an intersection point to define, a right segment of the first axis and a left segment of the first axis, and to define a forward segment of the second axis and an after segment of the second axis. A right bar strap is attached to the panel on the right segment and spaced apart from the intersection point. A left bar strap is attached to the panel on the left segment and spaced apart a suitable distance from the intersection point. A stem strap is attached to the panel on the after segment and spaced apart from the intersection point and configured to encircle a stem cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Jarrod Barr
  • Publication number: 20040031835
    Abstract: An ammunition holder fits into a vehicle cup-holder, for organizing gun-shot shells and rifle cartridges in a pattern of open-topped, closed-bottom bores in the top of the holder. The shells and cartridges are held in separate, spaced bores, so that they do not touch and so that they are individually removable by lifting up on the exposed top ends of the shells/cartridges. The ammunition holder is slidably received in the cup-holder, preferably without tools, adhesives, or fasteners, and the shells and cartridges are also slidably received in the holder without fasteners or other obstacles to removal. The shells and cartridges do not hang from the holder but rather stand upright and loose in the bores, resting on the floor walls of the bores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Everett W. McLeod, Roger D. Powers, Galen W. McLaughlin, Ronald E. McLeod
  • Publication number: 20040031836
    Abstract: A belt caddy for carrying a number of cylindrical paintball containers during a war game. The outer face of the belt is lined with a first type of hook-and-loop fabric fastener. Each of the containers is surrounded by an elastic sleeve mounting over approximately half of its longitudinal outer surface, a first patch of a second type of hook-and-loop fastener and, over the remainder of the outer surface, the same type of hook-and-loop fabric fastener as the web. The containers can be bunched together in a pack and secured to the belt by interconnection of the hook-and-loop fastener materials. A pair of cooperating straps are used to further cinch the pack of containers to the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Alfonso Celaya Garcia
  • Publication number: 20040031837
    Abstract: A dispensing system including a plurality of covered dispensers and an uncovered dispenser for readily dispensing sheet materials in a rapid and safe fashion. Each covered dispenser includes: a tray surface, arcuate in cross-section, for receiving a roll of sheet material; a cutting surface fixedly attached to a front edge of the tray; a counterweighted cover, having a front edge and a back edge, with an offset pivot point above the principal rotational axis of the tray; the counterweight being integral to the back edge of the cover; and a blade guard fixedly attached to the cover on a side opposite the counterweight. Each uncovered dispenser includes: a dowel support; and a dowel, whereby a roll of sheet material is mountable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Arkady Portnoy
  • Publication number: 20040031838
    Abstract: A needle (51) particularly well-suited for use in the dispensing of plastic fasteners (21) of the type comprising a filament (15) having a cross-bar (23-1, 23-2) at a first end thereof, each of the cross-bar (23-1, 23-2) and the filament (15) including a first flat side, the first flat sides of the cross-bar (23-1, 23-2) being coplanar. The needle (51) includes a stem portion (53). The stem portion (53) terminates in a tip (57) at its front end and is shaped to define a longitudinal bore (59) and a longitudinal slot (61) for receiving the filament (15) and the cross-bar (23-1, 23-2). The longitudinal bore (59) has a first flat side, and the longitudinal slot (61) has a first flat side, wherein the flat sides are coplanar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: William J. Cooper, Jeffrey A. Raymond, Charles L. Deschenes, Daniel Gilbertson
  • Publication number: 20040031839
    Abstract: A power tool for driving fasteners is provided that includes rear housing and forward head portions with a piston in the rear housing and a fastener driver in the head portion. The rear housing preferably includes a cap member and a housing member with movement of a fluid admission valve split between both to keep size of the cap member to a minimum. Further, guide surfaces for the fluid admission valve member can be integrated into the cap and housing members to avoid having a separate valve body therefor. The forward head portion has light weight outer walls and at least one high strength bearing insert for taking the high loads generated by the tool drive assembly including the driver thereof. In one preferred form, the tool employs both the above-described rear cylinder and forward head portions to provide a balanced, light weight hand-held tool that is ergonomical to use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Stanley Fastening Systems, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas Pruyne
  • Publication number: 20040031840
    Abstract: The present invention provides a centering insert device (6) for centering two pipe elements (1, 5) that are to be welded together end to end, the device comprising a central body (4) supporting a plurality of clamps (6a-6b, 61-64), said clamps comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Michel Baylot
  • Publication number: 20040031841
    Abstract: A shielding gas filter that can be readily incorporated into a gas shielding system for an arc welding apparatus. The gas shielding filter is readily installed to the system upstream of a gas solenoid valve and removes any potentially harmful particles from the supply of the shielding gas to prevent those particles from entering the gas solenoid valve. The shielding gas filter includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a specially formed passageway that communicates between the inlet and the outlet. A filter screen is retained within the housing to filter out the particles larger than a predetermined size. Preferably, the filter screen is constructed of stainless steel and filters out particles larger than about 100 microns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Gerald P. Piechowski, Mark R. Christopher
  • Publication number: 20040031842
    Abstract: A rugged, hand-held container for storing beverage containers is formed by folding together multiple panels defined in a pre-scored, slot-less blank Each blank comprises a rectangular center panel integrally bordered by a pair of end panels and side panels. Integral, diametrically spaced apart corner panels interconnect the center panel with the other panels. Score lines between the adjacent panels facilitate folding. The center panel forms a cooler bottom, and blank end and side panels respectively form carton ends and sides. Each end panel has an outer locking panel comprising an elongated receptive slot. Each side panel has an integral outer handle panel comprising an inner roof segment that forms the container top and handle segments with locking tabs that are captivated within the receptive slot. A radiused locking tab ramp comprises an enlarged portion providing an overcenter action. Notches adjacent the tabs captivate the locking panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: STEPHEN D. CARVER
    Inventors: Frank E. Westerman, Frank G. Westerman
  • Publication number: 20040031843
    Abstract: A folding carton has a series of panels defining an internal space. A top closure flap is foldable over the top of the internal space. A top locking tab is connected to the top closure flap. The top locking tab is folded at angle for insertion into the internal space. A knob lock extends from either side of the top locking tab. The knob locks extend sufficiently from the top locking tab so that they form a frictional fit with the two of the side panels defining the internal space. A blank to form such a folding carton is also shown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Michael P. Ronan
  • Publication number: 20040031844
    Abstract: Method and apparatus which is constituted from two parallel cylinders and a recording surface, which is unfolded by the one and is wrapped around the other cylinder, connected with a mechanism to the keyboard of piano
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: George Gerou
  • Publication number: 20040031845
    Abstract: A system and method are used to complete a transaction associated with a gaming machine. The system and method assign the transaction to an employee of the casino and sense a biometric characteristic at a jackpot fill station. The sensed biometric characteristic is compared with a stored characteristic of the employee and a match is confirmed. The transaction is authorized if the match is confirmed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Gregg Solomon
  • Publication number: 20040031846
    Abstract: Using a unique, mailer applied PLANET bar code offered by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), a mail tracking system automatically sends an electronic message to the mailer once mail passes through mail processing machines at each USPS facility. The message to the mailer preferably includes the location of the mail, the time and date the mail is in the USPS facility, and optionally the destination of the mail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: David S. Burgess
  • Publication number: 20040031847
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for purchasing telephone calling card minutes and for conducting other forms of electronic commerce. In one embodiment, a method for conducting electronic commerce includes providing a kiosk in a publicly accessible location, and displaying one or more transaction options to a user at the kiosk. The method may further include receiving a transaction selection from the user corresponding to one or more of the displayed transaction options, determining an amount due from the user in response to the transaction selection, and receiving funds from the user. In response to receiving the funds, the kiosk may dispense a redeemable voucher to the user, including a redeemable voucher for any amount paid in excess of the amount due.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy N. Sorenson, Michael J. Boyle
  • Publication number: 20040031848
    Abstract: An optical scan module having a base; a light source mounted on the base for emitting a light beam; a scanning assembly for receiving the light beam and for generating therefrom a scanning beam directed to an indicia to be read for reflection therefrom; first and second spaced apart detectors receiving the reflected light represented by the indicia, with each detector having a different field of view; and means for selectively acquiring the signal from either the first or the second detector and applying such signal to a decoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Robert J. Leach
  • Publication number: 20040031849
    Abstract: An apparatus for discriminating authenticity of a card 1 having a predetermined hologram corresponding to a kind of the card 1 to discriminate the authenticity of the card 1 based on the hologram, comprises: a measuring light projecting system (semiconductor laser 25a, collimating lens 25b) to project a measuring beam P onto the hologram; an area sensor 28 to receive reflected diffraction light of the measuring beam P reflected by the hologram; a plurality of discriminating calculation means 30˜32 to perform the authenticity discrimination for card 1 by achieving calculations corresponding to respective kind of the holograms based on output signals from the area sensor 28; and a selecting mean (selecting switch 24, switch circuit 29) to select any one of the plurality of discriminating calculation means 30˜32.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Nobuo Hori, Shigenori Nagano, Hiroyuki Toyama
  • Publication number: 20040031850
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a scan pattern to a two dimensional bar code having parallel rows of codewords. The two dimensional bar code is scanned with a scanning pattern oriented such that a plurality of lines thereof cross the bar code rows. A determination if there is a non-zero angle between at least one of the plurality of lines and the rows by decoding codewords in rows intersected by the at least one line is made and the orientation of the scanning pattern is adjusted to reduce the absolute value of the angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Shellhammer
  • Publication number: 20040031851
    Abstract: An image of a target in a far-field range of working distances relative to an image capture system is focused at a first group of sensors in a common, two-dimensional, array of sensors, and an image of an optical code in a near-field range of working distances relative to the system is focused at a second group of sensors in the array. The same array is shared in a portable apparatus capable of capturing target images and optical code images without moving any optical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas D. Bianculli, Mehul M. Patel
  • Publication number: 20040031852
    Abstract: In order to reduce a two-dimensional data structure to a minimum number of bits, a two-dimensional surface pattern is provided, which can be used in particular for identifying an absolute position on the surface and which has a pattern which comprises a SYNC pattern, which is used for synchronization, and a position-dependent code PC(x, y), with the SYNC pattern being variable and being formed in accordance with an already known formation rule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Sergej Valentinovitch Boitsov, Vjatcheslav Aleksejevitch Kolesnik, Joachim Ihlefeld
  • Publication number: 20040031853
    Abstract: A smart card having improved non-volatile memory is disclosed. The smart card may include a processor and memory. The memory is comprised of a plurality of memory cells. The semiconductor memory cells each have a data storage element constructed around an ultra-thin dielectric, such as a gate oxide. The gate oxide is used to store information by stressing the ultra-thin dielectric into breakdown (soft or hard breakdown) to set the leakage current level of the memory cell. The memory cell is read by sensing the current drawn by the cell. A suitable ultra-thin dielectric is high quality gate oxide of about 50 angstrom thickness or less, as commonly available from presently available advanced CMOS logic processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Jack Zezhong Peng
  • Publication number: 20040031854
    Abstract: A communication protocol for multi-functional mini-memory cards is disclosed. Data is transferred through semi-duplex process and four bitstreams of data being transferred in parallel. A CLK signal is used as a base clock in data transfer. Each clock has four bits of data being transferred in parallel. In each bitstream, data is transferred as data packages. Endpoints are used as the data source and data sink in a transmitting end and a receiving end, respectively. A data package includes start bits, package identification codes, communication endpoints; data length, payloads, package status codes, data formats; and end bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Chia Li Chen, Hsiang An Hsien
  • Publication number: 20040031855
    Abstract: An IC card, comprising: a first support; a second support; an IC module including an IC chip, a reinforcing structural member neighboring to the IC chip and an antenna; the IC module provided between the first and second supports; a first adhesive layer provided between the first support and the reinforcing structural member; and a second adhesive layer provided between the second support and the IC chip. When the IC card is curved with a radius R1 of curvature, the following formula is satisfied: R1<R1′<R2≦R3, where R1′is a radius of curvature of an outermost layer of the IC card, R2 is a radius of curvature of the reinforcing structural member, and R3 is a radius of curvature of the IC chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: KONICA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideki Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20040031856
    Abstract: The interactive authentication system allows a consumer to interact with a base station, such as broadcast media (e.g., television and radio) or PC, to receive coupons, special sales offers, and other information with an electronic card. The electronic card can also be used to transmit a signal that can be received by the base station to perform a wide variety of tasks. These tasks can include launching an application, authenticating a user at a website, and completing a sales transaction at a website (e.g., by filling out a form automatically). The interaction between the base station and the electronic card is accomplished by using the conventional sound system in the base station so that a special reader hardware need not be installed to interact with the electronic card. The user is equipped with an electronic card that can receive and transmit data via sound waves. In the various embodiments, the sound waves can be audible or ultrasonic (which can be slightly audible to some groups of people).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Alon Atsmon, Amit Antebi, Tsvi Lev, Moshe Cohen, Gavriel Spcyer, Alan Sege, Nathan Altman, Rami Anati
  • Publication number: 20040031857
    Abstract: In a non-contact IC card for performing communication with a reader/writer, an encryption block having a DES (data encryption standard) block for performing an encryption operation in accordance with a public key encryption algorithm and an ECC/SHA1 (elliptic curve cryptosystem/secure hash algorithm 1) block for performing an encryption operation in accordance with a common key encryption algorithm are incorporated into an IC chip. A CPU having a built-in clock gear causes a change of the operation frequency of the non-contact IC card. The communication operation with the reader/writer and the encryption operations performed by the encryption block are performed at different operation frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Sato
  • Publication number: 20040031858
    Abstract: A hot water heating system for use in a boat or vehicle which utilises the engine of the vehicle or boat, an AC power source or a fuel powered heater to heat a living area and to heat potable water. Each of the power sources can be utilised independently or in combination depending on the location and operation of the vehicle or boat. A valve is automatically controlled by a thermostat to allow heated fluid to circulate through the living area or to bypass the area. Aquastats are provided to automatically allow potable water to be heated. A display is provided for displaying textual and numerical information in user friendly format relating to the operation of the hot water heating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL THERMAL INVESTMENTS LTD.
    Inventors: William John Haklander, Edgar C. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20040031859
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating fluid in a pipe system, comprising: a first burner for heating pipes of the fluid circuit; a feed for air and/or fuel for causing combustion of this mixture by the burner; a second burner for heating a head of a generator for generating electrical energy; and an outlet pipe for discharging flue gases from the second burner into the space where the first burner is situated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Erwin Johannes Maria Waalders, Ronald Hubertus Theodorus Maria Hezemans, Michel Martinus Willen Van Wezel, Cornelis Aplhonsus Waltherus Baijens, Jozef Johannes Maria Luttikholt, Gerardus Jacobus Josephine Beckers
  • Publication number: 20040031860
    Abstract: The present technique provides a system and method for improving atomization in a spray coating device by internally mixing and breaking up a desired coating fluid prior to atomization at a spray formation section of the spray coating device. An exemplary spray coating device of the present technique has a mixture-inducing valve disposed adjacent a flow barrier upstream of a spray formation exit. The mixture-inducing valve may have a variety of blunt/angled structures and internal passages to facilitate fluid mixing. The mixture-inducing valve also may interact with the flow barrier to enhance the fluid mixing and fluid breakup. One embodiment of the present spray coating device has an internal fluid breakup section, such as an impinging jet section, adjacent the mixture-inducing valve. The resulting spray coating has refined characteristics, such as reduced mottling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Paul R. Micheli
  • Publication number: 20040031861
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a free flowing solid concentrate containing essential oils and methods for forming the concentrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Rod A. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20040031862
    Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular a fuel injector for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines, having a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator (2), has a coupler (19) with a master piston (14) and a slave piston (16) which are connected to a pressure chamber (32). The pressure chamber (32) is filled with an hydraulic fluid, and a coupler spring (18) presses apart the master piston (14) and the slave piston (16). The pressure chamber (32) is connected to an actuator chamber (3, 5) via a check valve (24) whose blocking direction faces the pressure chamber (32). The actuator chamber (3, 5) is sealed from a fuel chamber (30) via a movable membrane (29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Andreas Eichendorf
  • Publication number: 20040031863
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve with a valve body (1), which has a bore (3) that contains a piston-shaped valve member (5) in a longitudinally movable fashion, which valve member (5), with its end oriented toward the combustion chamber, controls the opening of at least one injection opening (17). The valve member (5) is guided in the bore (3) with a sealing section (105) oriented away from the combustion chamber and a guiding section (205) oriented toward the combustion chamber; between the sealing section (105) and the guiding section (205), the valve member (5) is encompassed by a first pressure chamber (9) that can be filled with fuel and between the guiding section (205) and the combustion chamber end, is encompassed by a second pressure chamber (19).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Detlev Potz, Friedrich Moser, Thomas Kuegler
  • Publication number: 20040031864
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a granular material spreader composed of a granular material holding tank, a blower portion and a granular material output tube. The granular material holding tank is adapted to be carried on the back of a human operator. The granular material holding tank is divided into one or more reservoirs. The blower portion has an air output tube. The blower is adapted to be carried in the hand of the human operator. The granular material output tube is capable of receiving granular material from one or more of the reservoirs and introducing the granular material to an interior portion of the air output tube upstream from the end of the air output tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory L. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20040031865
    Abstract: A spreader truck having a vessel for storage of a volume of powdered material is disclosed. A dust collector is mounted on the spreader truck such that airborne particles are collected as particulate material is spread over a subgrade or roadway. Filter media in the dust collector serves a dual purpose of collecting dust through a vent opening when the vessel is being loaded and collecting dust adjacent the outlet opening when the powder is being dispensed on to a subgrade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Mike McPherson, Deryl Beakley
  • Publication number: 20040031866
    Abstract: Three objects functioning inside a shredder hopper or like machine but operated from outside the shredder hopper, with Object One (the “Down Pusher”) forcing materials down vertically from the top of the shredder hopper to the cutting box entry, with Object Two (the “Side Pusher”) forcing materials from the tapering side of the rectangle portion of the cutting box across and over to the plane of operation of Object One, and Object Three (the “Face Pusher”) forcing materials inside the hopper from the entry plane of the hopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Lawrence Burt Gutcho
  • Publication number: 20040031867
    Abstract: At both sides of an opening (14) of a cassette case (10a), there are formed tape guides (18) having guide faces (18a), and a magnetic tape (T) is stretched between the guide faces (18a). On back faces (18b) of the guide faces (18a) of the tape guides (18), are formed cam grooves (26) for guiding an open/close lid (320) which covers the stretched magnetic tape (T). In lower parts of the back faces (18b) and backward of the cam grooves (26), there are formed projections (28) provided with position detecting holes (28a). Molding sink preventive recesses are formed only at positions on the back faces (18b) forward of the cam grooves (26) and above the projections (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hiraguchi, Shozo Onmori, Teruo Ashikawa, Atusi Takano
  • Publication number: 20040031868
    Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge of the present invention can restrain uneven winding of a magnetic tape. The magnetic tape can be restrained, and the magnetic tape cartridge of this invention comprises a cartridge case, a reel, housed inside this cartridge case and around which a magnetic tape is wound, and a tape guide, disposed alongside the abovementioned reel guiding the abovementioned magnetic tape so as to separate magnetic tape once from the magnetic tape wound around reel, and guiding the abovementioned separated magnetic tape so that it contacts again the outer peripheral surface of the wound magnetic tape, wherein the magnetic tape that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the wound magnetic tape is restrained in vibration in the tape width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tahara
  • Publication number: 20040031869
    Abstract: At both sides of an opening (14) of a cassette case (10a), there are formed tape guides (18) having guide faces (18a), and a magnetic tape (T) is stretched between the guide faces (18a). On back faces (18b) of the guide faces (18a) of the tape guides (18), are formed cam grooves (26) for guiding an open/close lid (320) which covers the stretched magnetic tape (T). In lower parts of the back faces (18b) and backward of the cam grooves (26), there are formed projections (28) provided with position detecting holes (28a). Molding sink preventive recesses are formed only at positions on the back faces (18b) forward of the cam grooves (26) and above the projections (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hiraguchi, Shozo Onmori, Teruo Ashikawa, Atusi Takano
  • Publication number: 20040031870
    Abstract: At both sides of an opening (14) of a cassette case (10a), there are formed tape guides (18) having guide faces (18a), and a magnetic tape (T) is stretched between the guide faces (18a). On back faces (18b) of the guide faces (18a) of the tape guides (18), are formed cam grooves (26) for guiding an open/close lid (320) which covers the stretched magnetic tape (T). In lower parts of the back faces (18b) and backward of the cam grooves (26), there are formed projections (28) provided with position detecting holes (28a). Molding sink preventive recesses are formed only at positions on the back faces (18b) forward of the cam grooves (26) and above the projections (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hiraguchi, Shozo Onmori, Teruo Ashikawa, Atusi Takano
  • Publication number: 20040031871
    Abstract: This tape cartridge includes a tape reel on which a sheet-like recording medium is wound in the inside. A door member for opening and closing an opening in order to pull out the sheet-like recording medium from the tape reel to an outside is biased using a spring member so as to be closed upon non-using and opened upon using. The spring member is pushed in the concave fitting portion provided at the door member from the tip part and fitted therewith. When the tape cartridge is produced, the spring member can be temporally assembled, readily and securely. According to this tape cartridge, assembling performance of the spring member which biases the door member for opening and closing the opening and the door member can be enhanced, the assembly process can be automated, and there is no interference with sliding motion of the door member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Takateru Satoh, Motohiko Shima
  • Publication number: 20040031872
    Abstract: A belt spool (10) for a belt retractor comprises a spool body (14) which has at least one flange (18), a locking disc (12) which is arranged at an axial end of the spool body, and a torsion rod (2) having two ends. One of the ends is non-rotatably fastened to said spool body (14), and the other end is non-rotatably fastened to the locking disc (12). A holding ring (22) is provided which encompasses the flange (18) and an outer rim of the locking disc (12), thereby securing the locking disc (12) in axial direction on the spool body (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Johannes Schmid
  • Publication number: 20040031873
    Abstract: A reel arrangement (1) for a device for transferring a film present on one side of a film strip to a substrate, said reel arrangement comprising a supply reel (3) for the film strip, a take-up reel (2) coaxial with said supply reel (3) and provided for the film strip after transfer of the film, the supply and takeup reels (3, 2) being interengaged by means of a slipping clutch, and an elastic spring element (8), preferably a helical compression spring, acting in axial direction of the common axis of rotation of the supply and take-up reels (3, 2) being provided to realize the slipping clutch, and the supply reel (3) being non-rotationally connected to a clutch part (5) passing through an inner aperture of the take-up reel (2), which clutch part has a frictional face (15′) associated with the supply reel (3), which frictional face is resiliently pressed towards a frictional face (14) of the take-up reel (2) with the help of the elastic spring element (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Koreska
  • Publication number: 20040031874
    Abstract: Disclosed are a winding method and structure for stator coils in which each stator coil is wound in series around a plurality of ones of coil bobbins fitted onto each stator tooth, whereby the number of coil end portions coming out from the stator coils is reduced, thereby achieving an improvement in terms of operational efficiency and reliability. In the winding method and structure for the stator coils, each stator coil is wound continuously and in series around a plurality of ones of the coil bobbins to form a series winding stator coil body, with a pair of coil ending portions coming from the ends of the series winding stator coil body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: TAMAGAWA SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuru Kimura, Shigeru Nishida
  • Publication number: 20040031875
    Abstract: In a tape cassette and a tape unit according to the present invention, the tape unit 20 comprises a support 21 including: a rotation support section 21a rotatably supporting a tape spool 53 and facing a roll part T0 of a print tape T; and a junction section 55 extending from the rotation support section. A guide groove 55a for guiding the print tape T pulled out from the roll part T0 is formed on the junction section 55. By virtue of such composition, the tape unit 20 can be attached to a cassette case body 32 of the tape cassette maintaining the print tape T being set in the guide groove 55a, by which the replacement of the tape unit T which is stored in the cassette case body 32 can be made easier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Yoshihito Nonomura
  • Publication number: 20040031876
    Abstract: A take up roller for use in a continuous roll towel cabinet is shown which can after taking up the desired amount of toweling, be simply collapsed to have a smaller daimeter facilitating easy removel from the center of the accumulated toweling. A three segment cylinder is shown with a pair of end spindles that serve as the central shaft and expanding/collapsing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: John E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040031877
    Abstract: A receptacle for holding spooled fishing line in a manner that allows the loading of a reel directly from the spool without need for additional tensioners. The relatively consistent resistance of the embodiment may be effected by selection configurations and materials to provide friction between the ends of the spool or other locations on the spool and a resistive area of the receptacle. In many embodiments, a surface having at least as high a coefficient of friction relative to the contacting surface of the spool as cardboard has relative to the spool works well. Some lighter weight spools may require higher friction. The resistance may also be caused by creating a snug fit between the spool and the receptacle. Other coefficients of friction or measures of resistance may be selected depending upon the tension desired to be applied to the intended reel that may be loaded thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald (Pete) Hugh Smith
  • Publication number: 20040031878
    Abstract: An aircraft engine nacelle nose cowl has a supply duct to deliver pressurised hot gas into an internal compartment of the nose cowl. A slot is provided in the nose cowl to enable pressurised hot gas to pass out of the compartment through the slot. As the pressurised hot gas passes out of the compartment through the slot, this causes a film of water on an outer surface of the nose cowl to detach from the nose cowl. The slot is of restricted dimensions which causes localised heating of the nose cowl around the slot as the pressurised hot gas pass out of the compartment through the slot. In this manner ice is prevented from accumulating on the outer surface of the nose cowl and/or ice is removed from the outer surface of the nose cowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Alan Linton
  • Publication number: 20040031879
    Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to a tail cone assembly for a helicopter. The tail cone assembly includes a monocoque shell formed from a composite material. The composite material preferably comprises a non-metallic matrix, such as an epoxy resin matrix, having fibers, such as graphite fibers, embedded therein. The fibers may be oriented along a single axis or along multiple axes. Other components of the tail cone assembly may also be formed from composite materials, which composite materials may be the same as or different from the composite material forming the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Bruce Frederic Kay, Alan Roy Goodworth