Patents Issued in March 16, 2004
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Patent number: 6704945Abstract: A flush valve system is constructed of a single housing having at least two inlets fluidly connecting a single outlet. Preferably, the system includes a flush handle assembly having at least two handles mechanically connected to and at least two linkages. Both linkages pass through a sleeve assembly, which mounts in the standard mount hole provided on conventional gravity flush toilet tanks to provide effective control for the dual inlet flush valve. The inlets are sealed with a primary and a secondary flapper valve that are preferably connected by a chain or other link to the at least two linkages. This system permits the user to conserve water by selective flushing of a large or small volume of water.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Danny J. Bellmore
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Patent number: 6704946Abstract: A sprayer assembly adapted for releasable attachment to a water supply line, such as for a conventional toilet, is provided. The sprayer includes a three-way valve housing connected to the water supply line for the toilet, the valve housing including a supply conduit and a diverting conduit. A plunger is slidably disposed within the diverting conduit and is biased to a closed position by a biasing means extending between the supply conduit and the plunger. An attachment member is releasably engageable with the diverting conduit and operates to slide the plunger with respect to the diverting conduit in order to allow fluid flow through both the supply conduit and the diverting conduit. The attachment member is secured to one end of a hose that is attached to a sprayer head opposite the attachment member that enables an individual to manually dispense water flowing from the valve housing and through the attachment member and hose to the sprayer head.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Idea Factory, Inc.Inventors: John R. Mueller, Patricia M. Mueller, Henry M. Anderson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6704947Abstract: A discharge valve is disclosed for use in a vacuum toilet system having a waste receptacle defining an outlet and a sewer line placeable under partial vacuum. The discharge valve comprises a housing defining an inlet and an outlet, and a rotatable discharge valve member disposed in the housing for selectively establishing fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. A periphery of the disk valve member being formed with a series of gear teeth. An actuator is provided having a rotatable spur gear adapted to engage the periphery of the discharge valve member.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Evac International OyInventors: Jay D. Stradinger, William Bruce Anderson, Mark A. Pondelick, Douglas M. Wallace, Michael B. Hancock, Arthur J. McGowan, Jr., Ian Tinkler
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Patent number: 6704948Abstract: A disposable waste container that includes a housing defining a reservoir within the housing and where the housing is adaptable for receiving bodily waste. The housing includes a plurality of layers, where the layers include at least an inner layer and an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer between the inner and outer layers. The housing defines a self-supportable structure, wherein the self-supportable structure is defined by at least one of the layers having a semi-rigid structure to enable self-supporting of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Melissa Ann Shirkey
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Patent number: 6704949Abstract: A combination bassinet, bedside sleeper and changing table apparatus including a supporting frame having a rocking feature convertible through adjustable locking casters for easy rolling. A fabric member comprised of sidewalls and a skirt is draped over the frame. The apparatus may be placed against one side of an adult bed for easy access by a parent. The bedside sleeper is secured to the parents' bed with safety straps. One sidewall may be lowered to facilitate access to an infant by removal of a removably mounted sidewall/skirt supporting rod. The apparatus is adjustable in height to align the bedside sleeper with the parents' bed and when used as a changing table to accommodate for differences in the height of the parent. The bassinet is provided with a removable, adjustable hood for shielding light from the baby's eyes.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Simplicity, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth C. Waldman, Jerome Dropinski
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Patent number: 6704950Abstract: A convertible crib and bed system for converting a bed into a crib. The convertible crib and bed system includes a first partition that is attachable to a first wall, a first leg member attached to the first partition, a second leg member attached to a second wall, a pair of receiver channels within the leg members, and a second partition that is slidably received within the receiver channels. The first partition includes a support member that is secured to the wall via fasteners. The second leg member is secured to the wall also with fasteners. An adjustment structure at the base of the leg members allows for adjustment of the vertical height of the leg members. The bed is positioned beneath the first partition against the walls thereby forming a crib structure. Removing the partitions returns the bed to normal usage.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2003Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Julie N. Johnson
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Patent number: 6704951Abstract: Drop side of a child-proof crib has a top portion which can be lowered with respect to its bottom portion. Its top railing is rendered vertically translatable by employing telescoping stiles between it and the bottom railing. Double-action latch mechanisms in the upper railing hold the drop-side upper portion up. The drop-side upper railing has an upper bar fixedly secured upon a lower bar: the lower surface of the upper bar opens to a longitudinally-extending groove slidably receiving rods of the two latches that are biased outwardly from central triggers to beyond the outer ends of the railing to where they each engage on their free ends a shoulder-bearing latch bracket mounted on the opposing face of the associated corner post. Crib mattress platform is adjustable vertically using plunger latch mechanisms whose plungers are withdrawable only by inserting a tool through a narrow slot in the platform.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Community Products, LLCInventors: Daniel Hofer, Allister Marchant
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Patent number: 6704952Abstract: A storage locker for a sleeping cot (L) comprises a rigid container (90) of predetermined height, length, width, and cross-sectional shape, with a top (91), a bottom (92), a front (93), a back (94), a right end (95), a left end (116) and a recessed handle assembly (104). Vertical partitions (117, 119, and 120), and horizontal partitions (124, 126, and 128) within container (90) bound drawers (106), open-face compartments (108), and closed-faced compartments (118 and 121) fronted by access doors (110). Drawers (106) and doors (110) are locked closed by conventional cam locks (114). Container end apertures (96) facilitate optional attachment of prior-art foldable beverage container holder(s) (172) using various conventional fasteners including variable depth push fasteners (180). And apertures (100 and 101) in top 91 of container 90 facilitate its demountable attachment to a variety of sleeping cots (C) using conventional u-bolt assemblies (160).Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Eugene Daniel Kurtz
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Patent number: 6704953Abstract: A device is provided to serve a dual purpose of a sleeping bag and sleeping or resting mat for users, e.g., infants and small children, that is easily transportable to an from day care centers or other places while the users are away from their home. The device includes a main body having a front, a back, two sides, a head end, a bottom end, a head section, a body section, and a pocket. The pocket is attached to the sides of the head section and has a slit extending laterally from side to side to receive the main body after it has been rolled up. The sleeping bag in this form is compact and ready for being transported or stored. The body section of the main body has mating zipper halves attached to each sides of the body section to permit parallel zippers to be engaged when the bottom end is adjacent the lateral slit in the pocket. This permits the caregiver to place a child on the front of the bag, bring the bottom end up over the child, and engage each of the parallel zippers without disturbing the child.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Zelma Lee Fishman
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Patent number: 6704954Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a gap filler is provided for a bed that includes first and second barriers. The gap filler is configured to substantially fill a gap defined between the first and second barriers.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Darrell L. Metz, John P. Biondo, Tanya Taber, Gregory W. Branson
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Patent number: 6704955Abstract: A method for attaching a bed covering to a bed includes: (a) providing a bed having a mattress disposed on top of a box spring, (b) providing a bed covering; (c) providing a device for attaching the bed covering to the bed, the device including: an elongated member having first and second ends; a connector attached to the first end; an anchor connected to the second end; (d) positioning the anchor so that it abuts at least one of the side wall of the mattress and the side wall of the box spring; (e) placing the elongated member between the mattress and the box spring; and, (f) attaching the connector to the bed covering, wherein the connector is sandwiched between the mattress and the box spring. In another embodiment, the box spring is replaced by a support surface. In another embodiment, the anchor has nubs which horizontally engage both the mattress and the support surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2003Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventors: Deidra B. Jeffries, Sandra B. Brazier
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Patent number: 6704956Abstract: An equipment support for use with a patient assist apparatus having a signal source includes a receptacle adapted to mount to the patient assist apparatus having a plurality of contacts adapted to receive signals from the signal source and a cavity, and a support body or pole having an equipment mount on one end and a plug on the other end for being removably inserted into the cavity. The plug includes a plurality of contacts that are connected to conductors that extend through the support body to the equipment mount to provide the signals from the signal source to equipment mounted on the equipment mount. The plug contacts and receptacle contacts are arranged such that all of the plug contacts contact their corresponding receptacle contacts as the plug is inserted into the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.Inventors: Carl W. Riley, Troy D. Action
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Patent number: 6704957Abstract: A pad for supporting the head and neck of a supine patient during medical imaging, wherein the pad produces either flexion or extension of the cervical vertebrae. A cavity is provided in the pad to define an area of non-contact on the back of the neck and to receive a secondary coil if present.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Steven L. Rhodes
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Patent number: 6704958Abstract: The invention concerns a pillow, in particular for use in the context of therapeutic measures, having a pillow body (2), made of an elastically deformable material, in which several loudspeakers (9) can be positioned and which forms a support surface (3) on its upper side, which is characterized in that the loudspeakers (9) are retained in a rail (8) made of an elastically deformable material, and the rail (8) is detachably inserted into a corresponding recess (7) on the underside of the pillow body (2).Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2003Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Hartmut E. Gohl
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Patent number: 6704959Abstract: An adjustable position limb support for surgical tables consisting of a support arm pivotally mounted at one end to a base which is attachable to the table and an externally powered position actuator pivotally mounted to the support arm and the base at positions spaced apart from the support arm pivot. The actuator is extendable and retractable and may be powered either electrically, hydraulically, or by compressed air. The actuator is controlled by a suitable device within the actuator or remote from it and an appropriate appliance for holding the limb is provided on the support arm.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Peter Schuerch
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Patent number: 6704960Abstract: A support device (10) includes a plurality of interconnected support units (12) arranged in a matrix. Each support unit (12) includes a plurality of support elements (16) configured to deform laterally outwardly when the support unit (12) is subjected to a compressive load in a load direction (54). A pre-compression is induced in the support units (12) by laterally pre-tensioning the support units (12) by means of springs (25) connected to a peripheral frame. Hence, when a support unit (12) is subjected to a compressive load in the load direction (54) it expands laterally which serves to relieve, at least partially, the pre-tension in the support units (12) connected thereto which then extend in the load direction under the influence of the springs (24).Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: George D. Lumgair
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Patent number: 6704961Abstract: A support for the body of a lying or sitting person, including a formed structure of a permanently flexible material, comprising a bottom part (9) that has a head end (12) and an opposing foot end (10), and from which several ribs (11) arranged side-by-side protrude towards the upper side running approximately transversely to the longitudinal center line (7) of the support (1) and being inclined, in the side view, towards the head end (12). The support (1) is characterized in that said ribs (11) are arranged in an arrow shape, and form with the longitudinal center line (7) an angle &agr; larger than 90° towards the head end (12). The support (1) provides an improved and at the same time relieving tensile effect in particular for the vertebral column and hence the intervertebral disks of a person to be treated.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Kurt Kienlein
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Patent number: 6704962Abstract: Disclosed are an elastic body having a good elasticity and an impact absorbing efficiency, a method of manufacturing the same and a mattress employing the same. The elastic body is a foamed polyurethane body including polystyrene and has a plurality of foams in which air is contained. The elastic body is prepared by a method comprising the steps of preparing polyether polyol by mixing poly alcohol and a polyether compound in a mixing ratio of 3-5 to 5-7 by weight, obtaining a polyol mixture by adding 2-20 parts by weight of polystyrene and a trace amount of a catalyst and water to 30-50 parts by weight of the obtained polyether polyol, adding and stirring 20-60 parts by weight of an isocyanate compound to 40-80 parts by weight of the polyol mixture at 20-80° C., and pouring the resulting product into a mold to foam cast. A mattress manufactured by using such elastic bodies has a good elasticity and is capable of absorbing pressure, thereby providing comfort for users.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Youn Soo Choi
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Patent number: 6704963Abstract: A failsafe support for use with a height adjustable passenger loading bridge. A main support member supports the weight of a passenger loading bridge passageway under normal operating conditions. The failsafe support includes a self-arresting mechanism for varying a length of a height-adjusting portion of the failsafe support in order to raise and lower a support portion of the failsafe support. The support portion is positionable adjacent to and spaced apart from a lower surface of the passenger loading bridge passageway, for supporting the weight of the passageway in the event of a failure of the main support member. The self-arresting mechanism prevents the passageway of the passenger loading bridge from descending to a level below the support portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: DEW Engineering and Development LimitedInventor: Neil Hutton
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Patent number: 6704964Abstract: A copper pipe cleaning assembly has an interior cleaning member and an exterior cleaning member, which are easily joined or separated as required, depending on the area of the pipe to be cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Patrick B. Knowles
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Patent number: 6704965Abstract: A toothbrush with removable brushing members includes a handle, a brush head extending from the handle, and a first brushing member of soft wood. The brush head includes a bottom surface and a body together defining a cavity for receiving the first brushing member. The brush head further includes an anchoring member extending partially around the inside perimeter of the body except at a first end of the inside perimeter of the body. The first brushing member is inserted into the cavity at the first end and is slid along the cavity into the anchoring member. The anchoring member compresses against and bites into the sides of the first brushing member to secure the first brushing member in the cavity. The toothbrush can include multiple brushing members. In one embodiment, the brushing members are stubs made of siwak sticks so that effective dental cleaning can be carried out using siwak.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventors: Hasan Al Ale, Ala Ali
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Patent number: 6704966Abstract: A waterproof hinge structure for a glass door adopted for use on a shower stall includes a support member and a door clamp means to form a closed and tight contact therebetween to prevent water in the shower stall from splashing or seeping outside the shower stall and keep the surroundings outside the shower stall dry. A pad member is bridged between the support member and the door clamp means to prevent the two from hitting each other so that damaging scratches may be prevented from occurring on the surface of the support member.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Chin-Min Kao
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Patent number: 6704967Abstract: A disposable handle for an article includes a connecting member connected to a surface of the article, and a handle member having a proximal connecting end connected to the connecting member and a distal handle end, the handle member comprising an air freshening scent, an antimicrobial agent, and a phosphorescent material producing a glow to help a user locate the handle member in the dark.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventors: Peter A. Gianelli, Penelope M. A. Gianelli
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Patent number: 6704968Abstract: An auxiliary handle attachable to a tool having an elongated handle is disclosed. The auxiliary handle has a shaft with a gripping yoke at one end for manual gripping. At the opposite end of the shaft a contact surface is positioned which interfaces with the tool handle in abutting relationship. A clamp is positioned facing the contact surface for clamping the contact surface against the tool handle. The contact surface is angularly disposed so as to permit the auxiliary handle to be angularly oriented with respect to the tool handle. The contact surface is divided into two contact faces which engage the tool handle in spaced relation to each other. The clamp has a clamping piece with a contact region also divided into spaced apart contact surfaces for engaging the tool handle. The clamping piece is bolted to the shaft. A cross bolt and clips hold the attachment bolts to the sides of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: W. Karl Lau
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Patent number: 6704969Abstract: An endlessly circulating conveying device is provided for strengthening a conveyable fiber lap. The device has first and second converging rollers for conveying the fiber lap. Each roller has an outer surface and at least the first roller is provided with profile elements on its outer surface. The rollers are for subjecting the fiber lap to a pressure when the fiber lap passes through a gap between the rollers, and strengthening the fiber lap by exerting the pressure by the converging rollers and the profile elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Trützschler GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Gregor Eschenbruch, Armin Leder
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Patent number: 6704970Abstract: A flat bar assembly is provided for use with a carding machine having a carding cylinder, the carding cylinder having clothing. The assembly has a flat bar, flat bar clothing attached to the flat bar, and an equalizing layer between the flat bar and the flat bar clothing. The flat bar clothing is for positioning opposite the carding cylinder clothing, and the equalizing layer fills a space between the flat bar and the flat bar clothing to compensate for distance differences between the flat bar clothing and the flat bar and to locate the flat bar clothing at a predetermined position relative to the flat bar.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Trützschler GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Andreas Ebenhoh, Gerd Pferdmenges, Armin Leder
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Patent number: 6704971Abstract: A product stocking device is disclosed that retains a plurality of display packages, so that the plurality of display packages are readily aligned for simplified mounting onto a display hanger. The stocking device has a first section and a second section, the second section threads through apertures in the plurality of display packages and is then coupled to a coupling portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Goody Products Inc.Inventors: Larry R. Dossett, Michael D. Harper, Charles T. Henry, Kim V. Peterson, Pedro A. Sosa, Jeffrey J. Meve, Ryan W. Murphy, John P. Scarbrough
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Patent number: 6704972Abstract: A lightweight plastic bolt-like fastener which is used in pairs having a dual ratcheting function. The fastener includes a bolt having a stem which is semi-cylindrical in cross-section, with a head connected to one end of the stem and a semi-circular aperture in the head positioned coaxially aligned with the stem for receipt of a stem from a second bolt directed in opposite orientation. Positioned longitudinally along the flat side of the stem is a rack of serrated teeth which when the stem is inserted within the semi-circular aperture, a deflectable locking tab attached to the head end of the stem engages the rack of serrated teeth as a ratchet, and since the two fasteners each have stems sliding within the semi-circular aperture of the opposing stem, there is a double ratcheting action between both fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Cessna Aircraft CompanyInventor: Kevin J. Pyle
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Patent number: 6704973Abstract: A hand held device for facilitating the engagement of buttons on a garment particularly suited for use by older persons who have difficulty with manual manipulation. The device includes a hooklike terminal having an opening of varying width for engaging the interconnection between the button and the garment in the form of threads or a shank.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Milton Naham
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Patent number: 6704974Abstract: A clip for securing furniture springs to furniture rails is provided including a body of metal material having a genereally flat base portion of rengaging the rial and a spring supporting portion extending out from the base portion and which curves back thereover to an edge thereof for maintaining a portion of a furniture spring in a substantially predetermined position relative to the rail. A plastic liner is secured to the curved spring supporting portion of the body for engaging the spring portion to minimize squeaking caused by metal-to-metal contact between the curved spring supporting portion of the clip body and the spring portion. At least one liner holding member is struck from the metal material of the curved spring supporting portion of the body and spaced from the edge thereof for keeping the liner against the curved spring supporting portion of the clip body.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Stanley Fastening Systems, L.P.Inventor: Paul W. Lackler
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Patent number: 6704975Abstract: A separable bottom end stop for a concealed slide fastener, wherein reinforcement portions for reinforcing bent edge portions of a fastener tape are molded integrally with a box pin and a separable pin using resin, such that the reinforcement portions are swollen from a top surface of the tape, while the reinforcement portion on the box pin side is formed such that a bottom end thereof is in the same plane as the box pin. A front end of the reinforcement portion on the separable pin side has a protruded portion being protruded in parallel to the separable pin and a box has an L-shaped engaging portion and a contact portion provided on a surface thereof. When the box pin is inserted into and fixed to the box and the separable pin is inserted into the box, the protruded portion makes contact with the engaging portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: YKK CorporationInventors: Satoshi Matsumoto, Kenji Yuki, Shigeyoshi Takazawa, Youhei Kaetsu
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Patent number: 6704976Abstract: A fastener for a heat-radiator is composed of a frame and two strips. The frame has two parallel first sides and two parallel second sides perpendicular to the first sides. Each first side has a bottom part and two bevel parts respectively extending outwards and upwards from two ends of the bottom part. Each second side has at least one aperture defined therethrough. The strips are respectively mounted on the second sides of the frame. By changing the strips, a heat-radiator can be installed on a Pentium® III processor or a Pentium® 4 processor.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Wan-Tien Chen
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Patent number: 6704977Abstract: The buckle is constructed to include a male buckle member and a female buckle member for joining two. The male buckle member includes a hook block at the front bottom side, and the female buckle member includes an opening adapted to receive the hook block of the male buckle member and a springy support suspending in the opening and adapted to push the hook block forwards into engagement with a part of the female buckle member when the user releases the female buckle member after the hook block has been inserted into the opening by force to push the springy support backwards.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Taiwan Industrial Fastener CorporationInventor: Yao-Chu Chung
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Patent number: 6704978Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for guiding a flat web of material (1) in which the web of material (1) runs in an arrangement of rotating rollers at a web speed vF. The web of material is guided in its peripheral region via a spreader roll (2) which produces a tensile stress in the transverse direction, i.e. crosswise relative to the machine direction of the web of material (1), wherein this tension in the transverse direction is controlled by means of closed-loop control of the circumferential speed vR of the spreader roll (2) and/or by open-loop control of the cant angle &agr; and/or of the wrap angle &bgr; between the surface of the spreader roll (3) and the web of material (1) and wherein the circumferential speed vR is greater than the web speed vF.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Trespaphan GmbHInventors: Dieter Mathieu, Wolfgang Rasp
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Patent number: 6704979Abstract: Method for producing elastic tapes from a fabric web having at least partially synthetic fibers or filaments, especially a nonwoven fabric web, for use in the garment industry, one or a plurality of industrially produced webs (1, 2; 16) being laid on top of one another and at their open edges (3, 4; 5, 6; 18, 19) being joined to one another and a tube (11) being formed; and wall (21) of the tube (11) is cut open slantwise, so that a new, more elastic fabric web (22) is created, which is cut to tapes (25) in the longitudinal direction (26).Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KGInventors: Erich de Riz, Robert Devos, Ingeborg Schuster
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Patent number: 6704980Abstract: To provide a method for sizing polytrimethylene terephthalate fiber yarns and a warp beam improved in mutual stickiness of the yarns and excellent in weavability, The sizing method according to the present invention is characterized in that the yarns are dried while controlling a stretch ratio S (%) between a squeeze roll and a drying cylinder in a range from −9 to −3% or from −1 to +4%. From the sized yarns thus obtained, a warp beam is formed at a winding tension in a range from 0.09 to 0.22 cN/dtex to have hardness in a range from 65 to 90 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsuyuki Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Mizuki
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Patent number: 6704981Abstract: A method of forming sheets of superplastically formable material into a three dimensional article, the sheets being joined together along diffusion bonds to form discrete cells, at least one gas path being provided through the bond between cells. The sheets are heated to a temperature at which they exhibit superplastic properties and a gas injected between the sheets to expand the cells, the gas paths allowing the injected gas to pass from cell to cell. The edges of the gas paths are locally heated to change the microstructure of the sheets in the edge areas, which reduces the flow resistance of the edges under superplastic forming conditions and thereby reduces the propensity of the diffusion bonds bordering the gas transfer holes to peel apart under the forces of the inert gas exerted on the sheets at the gas transfer paths.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: BAE Systems plcInventors: George Strickland, Adam B Marriott
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Patent number: 6704982Abstract: The machine comprises two independent fastening stations. The first station (2), designed to assembly the corners of the frame separately and successively, is provided with two cutting heads (3, 7) for cutting the mouldings (5, 9) forming the corner of the frame, as well as with a fastening head (11) and devices with stops (6, 10) and jaws (14) for holding mouldings in position. The second station (15), designed for final assembly of the frame, is provided with two fastening heads (19, 20) installed facing each other along the diagonal of the frame to be produced.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Societe Cassese S.A.Inventors: Pierre Cassese, Alain Cassese, Jean Cassese, Philippe Cassese
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Patent number: 6704983Abstract: A turret type tool post 1 includes a tool post body 10, a turret 11, a first drive shaft 14, an indexing drive mechanism 20 having a third drive shaft 21, a tool rotation drive mechanism 30 having a second drive shaft 31, a power transmission switching mechanism 40 having a hollow piston 42 and a hollow switching shaft 44 rotatably held in the piston 42, etc. When the piston 42 is moved to one side, the second drive shaft 31 is inserted into the switching shaft 44 in engagement, allowing rotational power to be transmitted to the second drive shaft 31. When the piston 42 is moved to the other side, gears 44a of the switching shaft 44 and the third drive shaft 21 are mated with each other, allowing rotational power to be transmitted to the third drive shaft 21.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yusuke Matsumoto
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Patent number: 6704984Abstract: A prewinder apparatus for selective attachment to an installation tool is provided. The prewinder apparatus includes a support structure selectively attachable to the installation tool, a prewinder attached to the support structure, the prewinder having first and second threaded apertures, and a mandrel having a threaded end and a coupling end. The threaded end is in threaded engagement with the second threaded aperture. The coupling end is in selective operable engagement with the drive tool, whereby the drive tool rotatably drives the mandrel relative to the prewinder for rotatably driving the helical coil insert through the second threaded aperture to prewind the helical coil insert.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Newfrey LCCInventors: Jan Szewc, William J. Lutkus, William Giannakakos
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Patent number: 6704985Abstract: A single component tool for installing a threaded insert with locking keys in a tapped bore. The tool has no moving parts and enables simultaneous driving of the locking keys into the tapped bore, flush with the upper edge of the threaded insert in the tapped bore. The tool has a pilot that is inserted into the inner bore of the insert and a plurality of tool keyways for receiving the locking keyways of the insert. Bores are provided in one face of the tool for retaining and aligning the locking-keys while the keys are driven into the tapped bore. A timing mark provided on the tool aids in aligning the tool to simultaneously drive the locking keys flush with the upper edge of the threaded insert.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2003Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: James R. Marshall
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Patent number: 6704986Abstract: An air over oil riveter with a rotatable head piece includes a head piece, a handle, two rotatable members, a connecting sleeve with a hollow body, an oil sleeve, and a main body. The head piece includes an bore for receiving an outer sleeve and a driving sleeve housed in the outer sleeve. The front of driving sleeve has a joint for connecting the rivet-pulling apparatus. The rivet-pulling apparatus is disposed in a housing of the head piece. The bottom of the head piece has a first inclined plane, and the front of the handle has a second inclined plane disposed in opposition to first inclined plane. Two rotatable members are respectively coupled to the first and second inclined planes. The connecting sleeve connects through an oil path of the handle and two rotatable members to the head piece by a nut fastened on the screw thread of the front of the connecting sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2003Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Pao-Fang Liu
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Patent number: 6704987Abstract: The present invention is a terminator tool used in combination with a cable security terminator for installing or removing the cable security terminator. The terminator tool includes a handle, a shaft, a retaining pin and a spring member. The shaft is hollow and extends from the handle. The shaft includes a pin hole to receive the retaining pin, a handle end and a terminator end. The handle end is the end inserted and secured into the handle. The terminator end includes two ear slots and receives the spring member. The terminator end is sized to fit into a tool end of the cable security terminator. Ears of the spring member extend from the ear slots of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2000Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Glenn G. Miller
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Patent number: 6704988Abstract: A method and an apparatus incorporating the method for making a long, continuous laminate. A plurality of layers of materials are simultaneously wound around a metal hub. Strips of refractory material, perforated metal, metal foil, metal mesh, and random fiber media, are employed in the layers of materials. The hub, once completed, is placed into a furnace for diffusion bonding and later cooled to room temperature. The cooled laminate coil may be cut into various lengths.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: GKD-USA IncorporatedInventors: Rick Thomas Kenney, Todd Kenneth Arlon Fischer
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Patent number: 6704989Abstract: A transportable electronic sign display system and process where electronic display modules are encased in castered protective cases which are broken down on site and assembled in rows of desired length and stackably elevated and maneuvered by a lifting truss. Electronic display modules are lifted from protective case bases with minimal effort or labor. Various numbers of rows of desired length of electronic display modules can be stacked to form a desired display size.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Daktronics, Inc.Inventors: Robert James Lutz, Bradley Jon VanderTuin, Mark Daniel Dennis
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Patent number: 6704990Abstract: A chair base includes a rigid base member having a plurality of elongate tubular leg members disposed angularly around and radiating outwardly from a central hub. Each leg member adjacent an outer free end thereof has a hub structure defining a through vertical bore for retaining the pintle of a caster. The hub structure includes coaxially aligned upper and lower sleevelike hub parts which are monolithically and integrally joined to and extruded transversely into the interior of the leg member from the respective top and bottom walls thereof. The pintle-retaining hub structure is formed by a pierce-and-extrude process whereby small pilot openings are initially formed through the respective walls, and the annular wall portion surrounding the respective pilot opening is thereafter transversely extruded to effect forming of the respective hub part. The pierce-and-extrude process for each hub part is, in a preferred process, carried out by a single forming tool.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Haworth, Inc.Inventors: Manfred Kleinikel, Helmut Berkenkoetter, Walter Mersmann
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Patent number: 6704991Abstract: A connection or weld attachment and method are disclosed for use in connecting a first structural member with a second structural member. An end plate is preferably attached to one end of the first structural member. The end plate and first structural member may then be attached by mechanical fasteners and at least one weld to the second structural member. A railway car having an underframe defined in part by a pair of side sills and a plurality of crossties may be formed with this mechanical connection. The end plate may be attached to a first leg which is in turn attached to the respective crosstie. The first leg preferably increases in width extending from the crosstie to the end plate. The mechanical fasteners are preferably disposed at opposite ends of the weld to minimize possible fatigue cracking and to increase the life of the associated connection.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2000Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: TRN Business TrustInventors: John W. Coulborn, Don P. Nguyen, Stephen W. Smith
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Patent number: 6704992Abstract: A cable punch assembly has a rod with first and second ends, and a base with first and second faces. The second end of the rod is connected to the first face. First and second connectors extend from the second face. Each of the connectors includes two laterally spaced wire pusher members that extend axially from the base to receive an insulation displacement contact between the pusher members as the pusher members force a wire into a wire receiving slot of the contact. Each connector engages a single wire, so the cable punch assembly may connect a plurality of wires to a plurality of insulation displacement contacts of a wiring unit. A blade may be positioned proximal each connector to cut off excess wire at the same time that the wires are inserted into receiving slots of insulation displacement contacts.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventor: Randolph J. Minor
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Patent number: 6704993Abstract: A polyphase electric generator (10) is disclosed having a fixed output voltage configurable to virtually any voltage level within a certain range of voltages. The armature winding (18) of the generator is arranged in a combined Delta and Wye topology (60, 66). Each phase winding (20, 54) in the armature is partitioned into first and second sections of the phase winding (56, 58). The first sections (56, 62, 64) of each of the phase windings are arranged together in a Delta topology (60). Each of the second sections of each phase winding is arranged in a Wye topology (66) with a pair of the first winding sections. Each of the second sections (58) are connected at one end to a node (68) of the Delta topology where two of the first winding sections are connected. The opposite ends (70) of the second sections of each phase winding are connected to output terminals (26) of the armature to provide a line-to-line voltage output.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: James Michael Fogarty
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Patent number: 6704994Abstract: The manufacturing method for components of the inductive type, in particular inductance coils, transformers or antennae, consists in making by micro-machining simultaneously on a first substrate made of magnetic material a plurality of first parts (1) connected to each other by connecting elements (2) or a connecting support, inserting on the arms (8a, 8b, 8c) of these first parts (1) a printed multi-layered plate (4, 5) having openings for the arms and metal windings ending in at least two contact pads (7a, 7b), in placing and securing a second substrate made of magnetic material on the first substrate and the plate, said second substrate having undergone micro-machining to obtain second parts (13) complementary to the first parts. These second parts are connected to each other by connecting elements or a connecting support.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de LausanneInventor: Martin Gijs