Patents Issued in March 2, 2004
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Patent number: 6698870Abstract: A ball check valve for use in a bulk ink supply system of an inkjet printing system, for disposal in an ink flow path between an ink reservoir and a printhead, so as to control back pressure at the printhead thereby reducing the occurrence of de-priming of the printhead, including a valve body defining a chamber with an inlet and an outlet; a ball disposed in the chamber, the ball having a diameter; a ball retainer disposed in the inlet, the ball retainer having an aperture with a diameter which is less than the diameter of the ball, wherein backflow of ink in the chamber causes the ball to seat against the ball retainer, placing the ball check valve in a closed position such that ink flow through the aperture is restricted.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Max S Gunther
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Patent number: 6698871Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ink-contacting member used in an ink-jet recording apparatus, which comprises, as a principal component, a polyolefin obtained by adding a hydrotalcite-like compound as a neutralizer.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1998Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroki Hayashi, Hajime Yamamoto, Eiichiro Shimizu
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Patent number: 6698872Abstract: An ink cartridge for an inkjet printer includes a housing, an output channel, a porous material, and an adhesive layer. The housing has a vertical ink chamber for storing ink and an opening disposed on a top side of the ink chamber for interchanging air inside the ink chamber with air outside the ink chamber. The output channel is connected with a bottom side of the ink chamber for supplying ink from the ink chamber. The porous material is filled in the ink chamber for absorbing ink within the ink chamber. The adhesive layer is formed on a top end of the porous material for forming a sealed surface on the top end of the porous material.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: International United Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: I-Chung Hou, Chieh-Wen Wang
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Patent number: 6698874Abstract: An ink acceptor solution for treatment of cloth for ink-jet printing, which comprises a naturally occurring polymeric thickening agent as an ink acceptor and an antiseptic agent thermally decomposable at a temperature of 50 to 200° C., and if desired, a semi-synthetic polymeric thickening agent.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Seiren Co., LTDInventor: Toshiharu Katsuki
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Patent number: 6698875Abstract: The present invention provides an ink set and ink cartridge which allow color printing of an image having an excellent color reproduction with a plurality of inks using an ink jet recording apparatus and provide a good discoloration resistance, color developability and water fastness, a recording method using the ink set and ink cartridge, a recorded material thus obtained, and a recording apparatus therefor. The ink set according to the invention is an “ink set including a dye ink and a pigment ink in combination, characterized in that there are contained a plurality of inks having the same hue but different densities for at least one hue and at least one of the inks having a low density includes a pigment incorporated therein as a colorant”.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Onishi, Yuko Yamamoto
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Patent number: 6698876Abstract: There is provided an aqueous fluorescent ink that contains an emulsified colored resin and a water-soluble compound having ethylene oxide units that is solid at 25° C.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinichi Sato, Shoji Koike, Shinichi Hakamada, Hideki Takayama
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Patent number: 6698877Abstract: An offset print apparatus for applying a substance to a web is provided. The offset print apparatus has a transfer roll that is capable of being rotated. An ink jet printer is present and has a print head that is located proximate to the transfer roll. The print head has a plurality of orifices from which the substance is dispensed onto the transfer roll. The distance between the surface of the print head and the transfer roll is defined as a throw distance. A web is present and contacts the transfer roll. The substance is dispensed onto the transfer roll and is transferred to the web through contact of the transfer roll and the web. The web has an amount of dust laden boundary air that is formed proximate to the web when the web is moving. The print head of the ink jet printer is not in contact with the boundary air.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: John J. Urlaub, Robert L. Clarke, Andrew J. Feyen, Paul D. Beuther
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Patent number: 6698878Abstract: A method and mechanism for cleaning a paper transport belt of undesirable ink deposits caused by ink-jet aerosol and printing overshoot operations uses a special cleaning medium. An absorbent material is positioned in the print zone of a hard copy apparatus to scrub the belt. An ink solvent is used to rehydrate dried ink. The scrubber can be in the form of consumable sheets or a continuous roll form.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2000Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Wesley Baxter Roche, Le Pham, Wade A. Powell, Steven P Downing
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Patent number: 6698879Abstract: To print air-permeable textile material (8), successive areas (5) of the textile material (8) to be printed are brought incrementally into an area (5) covered by at least one ink jet print head (1). By means of the ink jet print head (1) ink is selectively applied to the textile, according to predetermined picture information. Ink applied to the textile material (8) is finally subjected to a treatment for fixing the ink. By keeping the textile material (8) tensioned in the area (5) covered by the ink jet print head (1) over a free space (28) on the side of the textile material (8) remote from the ink jet print head (1), an improved penetration and adhesion of the ink and a limitation of the spreading of the ink are ensured. Furthermore, an apparatus for printing textile tensioned over a free space is described.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Color Wings B.V.Inventors: Jakobus Hindriks, Peter Hollanders, Andreas Thomas Johannes Dorsch, Richard Amout Otto Pennekamp
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Patent number: 6698880Abstract: An inkjet recording system comprising a pigment-based ink in combination with a recording element having a porous substrate with relatively large pores and a relatively thin overlying surface layer which traps pigment particles, from an applied pigmented ink, at or near the surface while not unduly restricting ink flow into the underlying porous substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Bruce C. Campbell, James A. Reczek, Lisa B. Todd
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Patent number: 6698881Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pivotable sunshade clip for spectacles. The sunshade clip comprises a pair of lens frames, a pair of actuating members attached to the lens frames, the actuating member being outwardly extended from outer ends of the lens frames, respectively, and a pair of lever arms attached to the actuating members, the lever arms being extended rearward from the actuating members at right angles to the actuating members, respectively. Each of the actuating members is provided at the rear part thereof with a magnet, which is exposed to the rear surface of each of the actuating members. Each of the lever arms is provided at the lower part thereof with another magnet, which is exposed to the lower surface of each of the lever arms. Each of the coupling members has a spectacles magnet penetrating from a front surface to a rear surface thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2003Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Inventor: Kyu-Sin Kim
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Patent number: 6698882Abstract: The present invention relates to a pair of adjustable eyeglasses for adjusting the interocular distance, in which an integrally connected frame between the two eyeglass frames of regular eyeglasses is designed in a way that the distance between the two eyeglass frames of the assembly are adjustable or replaceable. After the eyeglass frame is manufactured and shipped out from the factory, the user can quickly and easily adjust the interocular distance and assemble the eyeglasses. The present invention can reduce the manufacturer's inventory, fit the mass production requirement, and greatly reduce the cost.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2003Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Inventor: Hurng-Shiarng Wu
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Patent number: 6698883Abstract: A photochromic cured product exhibiting excellent photochromic properties such as a high color density and a high fading rate, as well as excellent base material properties such as a high hardness and a large heat resistance.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Tokuyama CorporationInventors: Junji Momoda, Hironobu Nagou, Toshiaki Otani
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Patent number: 6698884Abstract: An optical lens element of wrap-around or shield type wherein the aperture of the lens outline or edge of at least one surface of the optical lens element is of generally ovaline shape and located on the surface of a sphere whose radius of curvature corresponds to 11 D or above, a toroid where the horizontal radius or curvature corresponds to 11 D or above, or a surface where the radius of curvature changes across at least one section of the lens aperture.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Sola International Holdings Ltd.Inventors: Colin Maurice Perrott, Kevin Douglas O'Connor, Simon John Edwards
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Patent number: 6698885Abstract: The invention includes a computer-implemented method, system (100), and computer-readable medium having computer-executable modules for judging changes in components of an eye. The inventive computer-implemented method includes the steps of acquiring (103), displaying (107), and superimposing at least two digital images of the components of the eye. The method further includes the step of processing at least one of the digital images such that the superimposed images may be compared, and the step of flickering among the superimposed digital images. The step of acquiring the images may include the step of converting a photographic representation of the components of the eye to the digital image. The step of processing may include registering, warping, and/or aligning the digital images.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Trustees of the University of PennsylvaniaInventors: Jeffrey W Berger, Richard A Stone
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Patent number: 6698886Abstract: An iridotomy and trabeculoplasty goniolaser lens has a contact lens element, a planar mirror offset from the optical axis of the contact lens element and first and second button lenses mounted on the anterior surface of the contact lens element. Magnification, curvature and location of the button lenses are chosen so as to provide the ability to simultaneously deliver laser energy to the iris of a patient's eye along a first optical path offset from the optical axis of the contact lens element and to view the trabecular meshwork around the region where the laser energy was applied. This ability eliminates the need for a plurality of contact lenses for delivering energy and viewing the eye and further eliminating the need for refocusing the microscope through which the surgeon views the eye.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Ocular Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Irvin P. Pollack, Daniel M. Bell, Raymond D. Graham, Peter G. Harrington
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Patent number: 6698887Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a high contrast, real time, three dimensional representation of a scanned object with the use of an additional scanning mechanism to gain information about the third dimension. A light beam is reflected along an input path and is modified, split, scanned in a first direction, scanned in a second direction, and directed through a stereo base producer to provide stereoscopic information by impinging the beam onto the surface from two different directions. It is then reflected onto the surface whereby the light traverses an output path identical to the input path towards a splitter. Some of the reflected light is directed towards a photodetector coupled to a signal processor to produce an image for real time viewing.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: The Lions Eye Institute of Western Australia IncorporatedInventors: Robert Henry Eikelboom, Fred Norbert Reinholz, Paul Phillip Van Saarloos
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Patent number: 6698888Abstract: A subjective ophthalmic refractor of a type comprising a ring-shaped cylinder power scale having an internal gear actuated by a scale drive gear connected to a cylinder power adjustment knob of the refractor is improved by providing a bearing insert within the cylinder power scale. The bearing insert includes radially and axially facing annular bearing surfaces extending about a substantial portion of the scale, and a cut-out region allowing space necessary for the scale drive gear.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Reichert, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Goris
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Patent number: 6698889Abstract: A method for optimizing a prescription for laser-ablation corneal treatment includes the steps of receiving a measured correction prescription for a current patient having a classification element associated therewith, the prescription having been measured using wavefront determination. A database of treatment outcomes on a plurality of previously treated patients is accessed, each treated patient outcome having associated therewith at least one classification element and comprising a preoperative wavefront-determined correction prescription and a postoperative visual profile. From the treatment outcomes in the database is calculated an average difference between the preoperative prescription and the postoperative profile for at least some of the previously treated patients having a classification element in common with the current patient. Finally the current patient correction prescription is adjusted commensurate with the calculated average difference to form an optimized prescription.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Alcon, Inc.Inventors: George H. Pettit, John Alfred Campin
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Patent number: 6698890Abstract: A device for projecting a color image upon a screen, including color image recording and color image reproduction with an enhanced color reproduction trueness in comparison to conventional processes. In the device two images are recorded in parallel, which separately detect the shorter and the longer wavelength parts of the individual principle color spectral regions. In image reproduction six primary valences are produced, which respectively comprise the image information of the shorter and the longer wavelength parts of each of the individual principle color spectral regions. In an alternative embodiment the device produces a full color, stereoscopic image reproduction, in which the three primary valences of the respective shorter wave part encode a stereoscopic half image and the three primary valences of the respective longer wavelength part encode the other stereoscopic half image.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventor: Helmut Jorke
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Patent number: 6698891Abstract: A small polarizing illumination device is provided which can apply light effectively to a small-sized liquid crystal display device at a reduced diverging angle. The above device has a light source lamp, a reflecting mirror, a reflecting device with an opening, a square-wave plate, a rod integrator, a polarized light separating unit, and a condenser lens, in which the reflecting device with an opening, square-wave plate, rod integrator, and polarized light separating unit can be integrally arranged. The device can be made small.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: NEC Viewtechnology, Ltd.Inventor: Atsushi Kato
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Patent number: 6698892Abstract: The image projection system of the present invention improves either one or both of the brightness and color balance of a projected image. The system includes an auxiliary light source from which compensating light co-propagates with polychromatic light emitted by a primary light source along a primary light path. The compensating light has an emission energy content that minimizes an emission energy imbalance introduced by the primary light source and an intensity that is, in part, established by the application of electrical energy to the auxiliary light source. Adjusting the amount of electrical energy applied to the auxiliary light source regulates the color temperature of the projected image without perceptibly decreasing its brightness.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Infocus CorporationInventor: Mark Peterson
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Patent number: 6698893Abstract: An optical device is provided comprising a plurality of prisms, two dichroic surfaces having different wavelength characteristics from each other, and a prism surface that satisfies a total reflection requirement for a predetermined light component. Also provided is a projection display apparatus comprising a light source, light valves for respectively modulating components of the light from the light source, an optical device for chromatically synthesizing the modulated light components, and a projection section for projecting the modulated light. Optionally, the optical device may also be used in the projection display apparatus for separating the light from the light source into the multiple light components. Further provided is an image capturing apparatus comprising a taking lens unit for receiving light, an optical device for separating the light received by the taking lens unit into multiple light components, and imaging devices for respectively converting the multiple light components into image data.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shunta Takimoto, Kazuhiko Inoue
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Patent number: 6698894Abstract: A light engine for a single-panel scrolling-color projection system includes a source filter for filtering out unwanted components from the output spectrum of the source lamp prior to scrolling, and beam splitting filters having filtering characteristics chosen to mask the beamsteering effects caused by the angle sensitivity of the recombination filters. Such a light engine produces color stripes which maintain stable colors during scrolling, without the use of splitting and recombining filters with low angle sensitivities.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Duncan J Anderson
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Patent number: 6698895Abstract: A white light beam from a light source portion (201) is separated into respective light beams of red, green and blue by a color separation optical system (204). The respective light beams are reflected by a rotating polygon mirror (207), travel via a second optical system (210) and form belt-like illuminated regions on an image display panel (212). By a rotation of the rotating polygon mirror (207), the illuminated regions of the respective light beams move continuously, and each pixel of the image display panel (212) is driven by a signal corresponding to a color of light entering this pixel. An image on the image display panel (212) is magnified and projected onto a screen by a projection optical system (216).Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2003Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Hatakeyama, Shigekazu Yamagishi, Shu Namba
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Patent number: 6698896Abstract: A color-separating and -recombining optical system includes a cubic- or square column-like first to fourth polarization beam splitters having polarization-splitting planes intersecting each other and wavelength-selective polarizing converters for rotating the plane of polarization of a specific-color light component by 90 degrees. One of the converters is placed at a light-incident side of the first splitter and another is placed at a light-emitting side of the fourth splitter. The first and fourth splitters are provided at light-incident and light-emitting sides, respectively, of the optical system. The first and fourth splitters are arranged diagonally opposing each other. The remaining converters are placed between at least two inner facing planes of the first to fourth splitters. At least the remaining converters and three of the first to fourth splitters are joined to form an optical joint component with a gap between the component and the remaining one splitter.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuji Suzuki, Tsutou Asakura
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Patent number: 6698897Abstract: A presentation system comprises a screen, a laser pointer operated by a user to project laser beam on the screen, and an infrared light projector for emitting infrared light on the entire surface of the screen. The laser pointer comprises an infrared light receiving section directed in the same direction as a projection direction of laser beam for receiving infrared light projected from the infrared light projector and reflected from the screen, and a control section for causing the laser pointer to project laser beam only while the infrared light receiving section is receiving infrared light.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akinori Hamana, Mitsuyoshi Nishimura
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Patent number: 6698898Abstract: In a display device comprising a suction fan for cooling and an air filter arranged on the suction side of the suction fan for cooling, there are provided means for calculating, in a case where the suction fan for cooling is driven, the integrated value of time periods during which the suction fan for cooling is driven, and means for displaying a warning message for causing a user to clean the air filter when the integrated value of the time periods during which the suction fan for cooling is driven is not less than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kouji Terami, Toshiyuki Okino, Hisashi Nakamura
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Patent number: 6698899Abstract: A pair of openings (302) symmetrically disposed around an optical axis of the reflector (412) is formed on a contact surface of a light-transmissive plate (301) and the reflector (412) and a cooling channel (340) for introducing cooling air to a source lamp (411) through the pair of openings (302) and a first and a second cooling channel shutters (350, 360) for shutting the cooling channel (340) when the case is detached from a projector (1) are provided on a case (300). The source lamp (411) can be efficiently cooled, so that the life of the source lamp (411) can be lengthened. Even when a light-emitting tube of the source lamp (411) is exploded while using the projector (1), the fragments of the light-emitting tube do not fall outside in exchanging the light source (413), and cooling efficiency of the source lamp (411) is not impaired.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Haruyoshi Yamada, Nobuo Watanabe
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Patent number: 6698900Abstract: A projection and display system for reverse projection of imagery includes an imagery projection system having a lens barrel for projecting images. The imagery projection system extends into a substantially closed, geometric viewing surface, such that the lens barrel is disposed at a predetermined distance from and at a predetermined orientation relative to an interior surface of the geometric viewing surface. The images are projected onto an interior surface of the geometric viewing surface. The images may be defined in vector coordinates or in raster coordinates.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2000Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Audio Visual Imagineering, Inc.Inventors: Joanne Young, Ward H. Davis
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Patent number: 6698901Abstract: An image forming system is provided which includes an optical sheet and an image projector. The optical sheet is constructed by joining a plurality of sheet members with adjoining sheet members meeting to form a joint line. The image projector produces an image and projects the image to the optical sheet through a projection optical system. The relative positional relationship between the image projector and optical sheet is such that the optical axis of the projection optical system included in the image projector perpendicularly intersects the joint line in the optical sheet. Thus, reflection or scattering of light at the joint line is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyoshi Kobayashi, Kazuya Yamanaka, Masakatsu Ohuchi, Isao Doshida
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Patent number: 6698902Abstract: A digital mirror dence chip has a substrate, micro-mirrors disposed on the substrate, and a glass cover plate disposed over the micro-mirrors. Each micro-mirror is inclined by +10 degrees or −10 degrees with respect to the substrate to be set to an on-state or an off-state. Incident light produced in a lighting source system is totally reflected in a total internal reflection prism and is incident on the micro-mirrors through the glass cover plate. Outgoing light reflected by micro-minors in the on-state passes through a projection lens and is projected onto a screen to form an image on the screen. Also, outgoing light reflected by micro-mirrors in the off-state passes out of the projection lens. The glass cover plate is not parallel to the substrate. Therefore, light specularly reflected by a surface of the glass cover plate passes out of the projection lens.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki Kawano, Junichi Nishimae, Tatsuki Okamoto, Yukio Satou, Atsuhiro Sono
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Patent number: 6698903Abstract: A safety garment including a vest configuration having a front panel and a rear panel is disclosed. Centrally located on said rear panel is a reflective patch. Surrounding the patch is a mesh material having elastic properties. Extending outwardly from the sides of the vest are protrusions fabricated from a rigid material. Located on these protrusions are reflective patches. A hood can be removably secured to the vest.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Inventor: Eugene C. Hall
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Patent number: 6698904Abstract: A ray of light incident via a pin hole (6) and a field stop (7) having a field of vision a predetermined angle larger than a telescope's actual field of vision that are disposed on an axis (5) in parallel to the optical axis (4) of the telescope is measured in intensity by a photoelectric element (8). When a quantity of light incident on the photoelectric element is larger than a predetermined quantity of light, a shutter (11) is inserted into an optical path of the telescope to cut off a ray of light going into the eyes of the observer. Since an incidence of a quantity of light in excess of a predetermined one into a field of vision a predetermined angle larger than the actual field of vision of the telescope will block the optical path of the telescope, a risk such as damage to the eyes of the observer can be eliminated to prevent an accident even when the observer erroneously observes a strong light-generating object such as the sun.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Kowa Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masao Niino, Yoshihide Goto, Shiroh Iiyama
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Patent number: 6698905Abstract: A vehicle memory mirror system of the present invention includes a housing and an actuator. The housing includes a mirror casing and a support, which mounts the mirror casing to the vehicle. The weight of the actuator is directly distributed to the vehicle via the support so that the interior rearview mirror assembly of the memory mirror system exhibits improved vibration characteristics and, further, is positioned such that the mirror assembly has increased capacity for housing a variety of accessories and/or devices. A reflective element is incorporated in the casing and provides a rearward field of view when the mirror assembly is mounted to the vehicle, with the actuator providing adjustment for the rearward field of view. In one form, the actuator is substantially positioned exteriorly of the mirror casing and engages a portion of the casing to adjust the position of the casing and the reflective element about the one or more axes.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2000Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventor: Peter J. Whitehead
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Patent number: 6698906Abstract: A combination magnetic pick up tool and inspection mirror includes a telescoping handle with a connection fixture to a magnetic pick up element. A separable mirror assembly may be attached to the magnetic pick up element. The tool thus may include a mirror assembly or a magnetic pick up element at the top section or distal end of the tool and may be easily converted from an inspection mirror to a pick up tool.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Lisle CorporationInventor: Kevin L. Tally
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Patent number: 6698907Abstract: A method for coupling several non-radial light sources to a light guide having an input end, where the light guide has, in a cross-section perpendicular to the direction of propagation of light, an at least partly curved form, and the light sources are coupled on the edge region at the input end of the light guide.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Oseir OyInventors: Taito Alahautala, Pekka Savolainen, Ville Häyrinen
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Patent number: 6698908Abstract: An improved optical assembly includes a reflector/refractor device and a reflector collar provided for enhanced directional illumination control. The reflector/refractor has a predefined shape and has a plurality of reflector/refractor prisms on an exterior body surface for reflecting and refracting light. A light source is disposed within the reflector/refractor substantially along a central vertical axis of the reflector/refractor. The reflector collar supports the reflector/refractor and attaches the reflector/refractor to a luminaire ballast. The reflector collar has a predetermined contour and a plurality of reflector impressions formed into the predetermined contour. The predetermined contour and the plurality of reflector impressions provide directional illumination control for the optical assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Lexalite International CorporationInventors: Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr., Gwen Barber
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Patent number: 6698909Abstract: The invention provides in preferred aspects architectural lighting structures that comprise a plurality of tubular elements at least partially embedded into an at least substantially transparent lens structure of a lighting fixture. The lighting fixture is typically a device employed for interior use, particularly residential buildings or commercial buildings such as office buildings. By partially embedding the array or plurality of tubular elements into the transparent lens structure, the fixture can appear as if it is substantially a part of the surrounding surface when the lighting fixture is turned off. Nevertheless, when the light is turned on, light coming from the fixture can still be directed or modified in an appropriate manner, e.g. without detrimental light output reductions), and without the need of an expensive, sophisticated reflector or any necessity of the fixture extending beyond the surrounding surface as has been utilized in certain prior attempts to mask architectural lighting fixtures.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Tenebraex CorporationInventor: Peter J. Jones
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Patent number: 6698910Abstract: A folding structure of a two-layer lampshade is disclosed. The folding structure has a top ring at a topmost of the lampshade, a bottom ring having a diameter larger than that of the top ring, and a supporting frame between the top ring and the bottom ring. A plurality of supporting rods extend from a ring edge of the top ring toward a center of the top ring. The supporting frame is formed by a plurality of longitudinal rods and a plurality of transversal rods. Since the supporting frame is engaged to the bottom ring by the buckle, it can rotate to be positioned horizontally by using the buckles as fulcrums and the inner cloth and outer cloth of the lampshade encloses the folding structure. Thereby, the lampshade is assembled to have a smaller volume, As a consequence, the transfer cost is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Inventor: Wen-Chang Wu
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Patent number: 6698911Abstract: A vehicle cornering lamp capable of broadly irradiating a road surface ahead of and in an oblique direction of a vehicle while the vehicle is moving around a curve. The vehicle cornering lamp includes three reflector units 12A, 12B, and 12C, whose light emitting directions are respectively set to angles of 30°, 45°, and 60°, with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle. The vehicle cornering lamp also includes a control unit 20 for controlling light emission—from the reflector units 12A, 12B, and 12C—according to the travel conditions of the vehicle. When the vehicle turns to the left at an intersection, a traveling road onto which the vehicle will turn left, and a road shoulder, are sufficiently irradiated by switching on the reflector units 12A, 12B and 12C in the order of 12A→12B→12C→12B→12A, so that pedestrians can quickly be detected.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahito Naganawa, Takao Watanabe
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Patent number: 6698912Abstract: The present invention of a haloed vehicle light mainly includes a primary light-emitting socket, a secondary light-emitting socket, an outer reflector, an inner reflector and a light-permeable shield; the inner reflector is disposed inside the outer reflector and both of them are spaced at a proper interval distance; both of the primary and secondary light-emitting sockets are disposed with a light-emitting body; a projector with the function of refraction can be additionally disposed inside the inner reflector; a luminous washer can be additionally disposed in front of the frame of the inner reflector; a plurality of ring-shaped and light-reflecting saw teeth are disposed on the inner wall of the light-permeable shield incorporating with the luminous washer; the vehicle light of the present invention has a central light area, an outer circular light area, a luminous area and is capable of generating various applicative functions.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Inventor: Chiu-Ling Yang
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Patent number: 6698913Abstract: A vehicle headlamp including a reflector and a light-source bulb installed in the reflector so that the bulb supporting portion of the light-source bulb is slid and fitted on the inner peripheral surface of an annular wall formed in the rear end of the reflector in a cylindrical shape. A plurality of notches are formed through the annular cylindrical wall so as to be positioned in front of the bulb supporting portion of the light-source bulb, thus allowing the heat inside the reflector to escape to the outside through the notches and avoiding the reflector from being heated to a high temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kaoru Yamamoto
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Patent number: 6698914Abstract: The optical unit for an automotive vehicle comprises a housing (5) having a main opening (13) intended to be facing the vehicle exterior, and at least one headlamp element (17) fixed inside said housing. The optical unit comprises an intermediate fastening member (21) on which said headlamp element (17) is fixed, said intermediate fastening member (21) being itself fixed detachably inside the housing (5) by releasable fastening means (22), such as to be displaceable toward the main opening (13) of the housing (5) when said fastening means (22) are released.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Faurecia IndustriesInventors: Sébastien Berne, Caroline Riviere
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Patent number: 6698915Abstract: A blender mixes a liquid and a quantity of particulate solids for use in hydrocarbon well operations. The blender is mounted on a vehicle having a suction manifold of rectangular tubing. The long side of the rectangular tubing is vertical, is positioned on one side of the vehicle and provides a large number of inlet connections which, in use, connect to hoses leading to tanks filled with a frac liquid or the like. The discharge manifold may be a mirror image of the suction manifold. The rectangular suction manifold tubing provides greater spacing between the inlet connections and greater volume throughput in use. Also, the rectangular suction manifold tubing is tilted so that the inlets are angled toward the ground.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Rolligon CorporationInventors: Michael P. Dearing, Scott A. Toler, Daniel R. King
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Patent number: 6698916Abstract: An underwater agitation pump comprises an impeller casing in which an impeller driven by a motor is rotatably accommodated, an agitated material suction guide cylinder of a hollow cylinder which has one-end opening portion thereof integrally communicably connected to a center suction opening portion of the impeller while passing through a center opening of the impeller casing and having the other-end opening portion thereof extended downwardly, the suction guide cylinder further forming an agitated material suction passage therewithin, and an agitator mounted on an outer peripheral portion of the other-end opening portion of the agitated material suction guide cylinder. Due to such a constitution, the agitated material suction passage formed in the inside of the agitated material suction guide cylinder can ensure a sufficiently wide agitated material inflow area.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Toyo Denki Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshinobu Araoka
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Patent number: 6698917Abstract: A process is provided for blending two fluids having widely differing viscosities, such that the ratio of the two viscosities is at least 10,000:1. The low viscosity fluid is injected into the high viscosity fluid as it flows through a conduit, such that the low viscosity fluid is at least 30% by weight of the total weight of the low viscosity fluid and the high viscosity fluid. The two fluids are then forwarded to a second conduit containing a first set of static mixing elements providing a fluid shear rate in excess of 0.57 sec−1. The two fluids are then further forwarded to a third conduit containing a second set of static mixing elements of a larger diameter than the first set, providing a fluid shear rate in excess of 0.20 sec−1. Within the third conduit the two fluids form a homogeneous blend.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Arthur William Etchells, III, Charles Linfred Henderson, Felix Alfred Streiff, Andreas Walder
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Patent number: 6698918Abstract: The method consists in using a setting device for jewel holes or prismatic jewels including at least a reference plane, on which the jewel to be fixed is wedged, said plane including at least spatial positioning means for said jewel, such as studs or cavities. Once the jewel is set in place, it is secured to its housing by applying a laser beam to its edge, possibly with the addition of a fusible material.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Eta SA Fabriques d'EbauchesInventor: Friedrich Durand
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Patent number: 6698919Abstract: A method that utilizes a dispersion-shifted fiber having compound compositions with different temperature coefficients in core to simultaneously measure the distributed strain and temperature based on Brillouin frequency shift is disclosed. The present method includes the steps of obtaining mean two peak frequencies in a multi-peak Brillouin spectrum of the dispersion-shifted fiber, determining a temperature change according to the formula of a Brillouin frequency shift of the peak relating to strain and temperature conditions of the fiber, and determining a strain change through the formula. In a 3682-m sensing length of Large-Effective-Area NZ-DS fiber, a temperature resolution of 5° C., a strain resolution of 60 &mgr;&egr; and a spatial resolution of 2 m are achieve simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: National Chiao Tung UniversityInventors: Sien Chi, Chien-Chung Lee, Po-Wen Chiang
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Patent number: 6698920Abstract: A system for measuring turbine bucket temperature in a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of optical detectors, such as a pyrometer and a spectrometer, and an optical switch for selectively directing radiation from turbine engine sight glass to any one of the optical detectors along a common line of sight. The optical switch preferably includes first and second blocks, with the optical detectors being disposed in the second block. A rotor is mounted between the first and second blocks for rotation about a rotational axis, and a fiber optic cable is provided having a first end located on the rotational axis and a second end offset from the rotational axis. Rotation of the rotor selectively positions the second end of the fiber optic cable adjacent to any one of the optical detectors.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Donald Herbert Maylotte, Raymond Hemer Jones, James Peter DeLancey, Garland Mace Cross