Patents Issued in March 30, 2004
  • Patent number: 6712145
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a float collar apparatus for regulating the passage of fluid through a drilling/production liner or sub-sea casing. Apparatus of the present invention is fabricated using plastic flapper valves and valve-actuating sleeve components in contrast to prior art float collar components which are fabricated almost entirely of hard metals. Particularly, the plastic may be nylon, phenolic, or a phenolic-nylon laminate. The use of plastic components in the float collar apparatus of the present invention provides a substantial reduction in time and resources expended during drilling out of the float collar once cementing operations are completed. Additionally, the float collar apparatus of the present invention is fabricated from a pre-determined combination of plastic components and metal components thereby ensuring that the improved float collar can still endure substantial hydrostatic stresses encountered during casing liner running in and cementing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Allamon Interests
    Inventor: Jerry P. Allamon
  • Patent number: 6712146
    Abstract: A disconnect assembly connecting two portions of a downhole assembly having a downhole apparatus attached to a coiled tubing string. The disconnect assembly includes a first housing connected to one portion of the downhole assembly and a second housing connected to another portion of the downhole assembly. The housings are releasably connected by a release assembly. The release assembly is coupled to a drive train on a motor by a connection transferring rotational motion into translational motion. The release assembly includes locking members having a connected position engaging both housings and a released position wherein the housings can be separated. The motor is connected to the surface by conductors extending through the coiled tubing whereby the motor may be actuated from the surface to move the release assembly between the connected and disconnected positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Estep, Michael Chang
  • Patent number: 6712147
    Abstract: An apparatus for rigless subterranean well completion, re-completion, servicing or workover includes at least two substantially vertically oriented double acting prime movers incorporated into a spool for pressure containment, which is mounted to the top of a wellhead. The spool further includes a Bowen union mounted to a top thereof for sealingly connecting an annular adapter, which provides a seal between the well bore and a tubular that is inserted under the well fluid pressure into the well by the prime movers. The spool may further include a mechanism for securing a hydraulic crane that can be temporarily mounted to the top of the spool to hoist equipment and tools above the wellhead when the prime movers are used to support heavy workloads induced by well fluid pressure or the weight of a tubing string. The apparatus can be used in various operations for well completion, re-completion, servicing or workover without the necessity of using a servicing rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: L. Murray Dallas
  • Patent number: 6712148
    Abstract: Specially designed apparatus is utilized to provide convenient isolation of a wellbore junction from pressure and corrosion during an acid fracturing stimulation process performed in a main or branch wellbore portion downhole from the junction. The apparatus has an outer tubular portion which may be installed, in a single trip into the main wellbore, in a straddling and sealing relationship with the junction, and an inner tubular structure sealingly and removably received within the outer tubular structure. Fracturing acid may be pumped directly down the main wellbore, and then to the formation to be stimulated, via the interior of the outer tubular structure, after the removal of the inner tubular structure subsequent to its use in facilitating a downhole pressure test of a lower end seal portion of the outer tubular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Fipke, Ernest C. Bailey, David J. Steele, Travis W. Cavender
  • Patent number: 6712149
    Abstract: An apparatus and technique for use in spacing out tubular strings within a well includes a casing that has an inner wall and at least one profile that is disposed within the inner wall. A tubing hanger is attached to the well tubing and if capable of landing within a target location, such as a wellhead. When the landing tool is seated within the profile, the length of well tubing needed to land the tubing hanger within the target location can be determined. A landing tool is linked to well tubing and is sized so as to seat within the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dwayne D. Leismer, Rodney J. Wetzel
  • Patent number: 6712150
    Abstract: A dual tubing coiled tubing string, including methods of assembly, that includes an inner tubing sealed within at least an upper portion of an outer tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: John G. Misselbrook, Richard A. Altman, William G. Gavin, Alexander R. Crabtree
  • Patent number: 6712151
    Abstract: A method of expanding tubing comprises locating an expansion tool in a section of tubing to be expanded, applying a fluid pressure to the tubing to create a fluid pressure expansion force and induce a hoop stress in the tubing, and applying a mechanical expansion force to the tubing via the expansion tool. The combined fluid pressure expansion force and mechanical expansion force is selected to be sufficient to induce expansion of the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson, David Michael Haugen
  • Patent number: 6712152
    Abstract: The plug holder sub 110 for being supported on a conveyance tubular temporarily supports a liner wiper plug 150, so that a pump down plug may land in the liner wiper plug and be supported from a generally tubular body 116 of the plug holder sub. The retaining member 114 is provided for attaching the liner wiper plug to the tubular body, and a piston 134 moves within the tubular body from a retaining position to a release position. A metering jet 130, 131 on a fluid flow path 128 from chamber 132 restrains the piston movement, thereby preventing release of the liner wiper plug until the piston moves to the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Yokley, Larry E. Reimert
  • Patent number: 6712153
    Abstract: A non-metallic element system is provided which can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a first and second support ring having one or more tapered wedges, a first and second expansion ring, and a sealing member disposed between the expansion rings and the support rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Craig Fishbeck, Rami Al Oudat, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Charles D. Parker, Michael R. Niklasch, William J. Eldridge, Roland Freihet, William F. Hines, III, Bill Murray
  • Patent number: 6712154
    Abstract: One or more subterranean zones are isolated from one or more other subterranean zones using a combination of solid tubulars and slotted tubulars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology
    Inventors: Robert Lance Cook, Michael Bullock
  • Patent number: 6712155
    Abstract: Carriage (10) attachable to a prime mover (41) for travel over turf or grass wherein the carriage (10) has idler rollers (12, 13 and 14) and a ground aeration mechanism in the form of a support axle (15) having a plurality of slicer blades (16) attached thereto. There is also provided a housing (11) having a hollow interior (33) which houses rollers (12, 13 and 14) and ground aeration mechanism (15 and 16). In use, when carriage (10) travels over turf or grass, both rollers (12, 13 and 14) and the ground aeration mechanism (15 and 16) operate simultaneously to not only roll the grass but also slice it for the purpose of facilitating moisture penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Forestfield Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Raymond Jeffrey Dufty
  • Patent number: 6712156
    Abstract: A switch assembly (1) for centrally arranged operating mode selection for an at least partially rotary and percussion combination hand tool device (2) is comprised of a first switch sleeve (11) for the switchable percussion drive (6) and a second switch sleeve (12) for the switchable rotary drive meshing with a tool spindle (4) via a countershaft (3) and a switch accessory (10) connecting both switch sleeves (11, 12) together, whereby the countershaft (3) and a percussion drive shaft (5) of the percussion drive (6) are arranged directly adjacent and parallel in a common axially extending zone (B) and rotationally-freely guide a driving gear pair (7) in direct meshing engagement with each other and which can be engaged by way of the switch sleeves (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Josef Fünfer
  • Patent number: 6712157
    Abstract: A power tool of the type comprises a housing (10), a rotation motor (11), an output shaft (12) carrying and rotating a working implement, and a grease lubricated angle drive (13) coupling the output shaft (12) to the motor (11), wherein the angle drive (13) includes a gear chamber (30) containing lubricating grease, a pinion (16) connected to the motor (11), and a bevel gear (17) secured to the output shaft (12). An immovable wall element (24) located in a close vicinity to the bevel gear (17) forms a grease screen for preventing a great part of the grease volume in the gear chamber (30) from getting into direct contact with the bevel teeth and being hot agitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Christer Hansson
  • Patent number: 6712158
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a hole in a subsurface formation is disclosed. The apparatus includes an inner assembly, which may include a coring barrel, a piston cylinder and a piston rod member, is connected to an elongate member such as a wireline. The inner assembly may include a member such as a packer capable of engaging one of an outer assembly and the borehole. Furthermore, the coring barrel may have a cutting member for creating the hole in the subsurface formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Corpro Systems Limited
    Inventor: Terence Alexander Moore
  • Patent number: 6712159
    Abstract: This invention provides a motor drive assembly for rotatably positioning and locking a drive shaft suitable for use with a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes gyroscopes, magnetometers and accelerometers for determining the borehole inclination and azimuth during the drilling of the borehole. The motor drive assembly can rotate the gyroscope and other sensors on the tool to one of a plurality of preselected positions and optionally lock the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Estes, Jon B. Kahn
  • Patent number: 6712160
    Abstract: A drill string is equipped with a down hole sub assembly which contains sensors to detect equipment condition during drilling. The sub assembly has no electrical communication with the drill bit itself, and the sensors detect drill bit condition from vibrations or strain or other detectable phenomena. Sensors in the bit itself are not needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Orlando De Jesus, Andrew J. Osborne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6712161
    Abstract: A containment cartridge for extracting and preserving a soil sample comprises a cylindrical sampling barrel for insertion into the soil for collecting a soil sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: GD Air Testing, Inc.
    Inventor: Gesheng Dai
  • Patent number: 6712162
    Abstract: A cooling and flushing arrangement (1) for a tool (10), has a coolant and flushing agent (2) in a closed storage tank (3), which is connected to a suction pump (4) and has a closed flushing circulation system (6) running from the storage tank (3) through a filter (8), connected via a pressure pump (7) and through a collecting member (11) associated with the tool (10), with a suction line (12) running back to the storage tank (3). A reservoir circulation system (13) for the coolant and flushing agent (2), contains a reservoir (14) connected to the storage tank (3) via a float valve (15) situated in the storage tank (3), and is connected at another location in the flushing circulation system (6) to the reservoir (14) via a valve (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rory Britz
  • Patent number: 6712163
    Abstract: A rock drilling tool including a tip (3) formed of a hard material and provided at one end of the tool stem and a shank (4) provided at an opposite end of the stem (2) and having a plurality of entrain grooves (5) extending up to a free end surface of the shank (4), with an entire recessed surface (11) of an entrain groove (5) being larger than an entire outer surface (10) of a groove-forming rest web (6), and with a mean rest cross-sectional area (A′), which is measured within an axial section of the drilling tool having a length at least equal to a product of a natural logarithm base and a stem diameter (e×D), deviating from a mean rest cross sectional area (A) along the entire tool length maximum by 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Kleine, Hans-Werner Bongers-Ambrosius, Udo Hauptmann, Martin Richter
  • Patent number: 6712164
    Abstract: A vehicle chassis having substantially all of the mechanical, electrical, and structural componentry necessary for a fully functional vehicle, including at least an energy conversion system, a steering system, and a braking system. The chassis is configured for matability with a variety of different types or styles of vehicle bodies. Various prior art mechanical control linkages between a driver and controlled systems are replaced with non-mechanical control signal transmission components. Fuel cell technology is also implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Adrian B. Chernoff, Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Mohsen D. Shabana, Robert Louis Vitale, Tommy E. White
  • Patent number: 6712165
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle that is provided with an engine and a motor generator as power sources, includes a clutch which automatically engages or disengages to cause or interrupt rotation transmission between the output shaft of the engine and the input shaft of a transmission, a power transmission mechanism which transmits power between the input/output shaft of the motor generator and the input shaft of the transmission, and a hybrid control unit which selectively disengages the clutch and drives the motor generator. The clutch is disengaged according to running conditions, and the rotation speed of the motor generator is varied by the transmission to drive the vehicle. In this way, the region in which the motor generator operates efficiently is expanded, and fuel consumption by the hybrid vehicle is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihito Okazaki
  • Patent number: 6712166
    Abstract: An energy management system operable in three modes of operation to either drive or retard the drive shaft (110) of a vehicle, or in a neutral mode, to have no driving or retarding influence on the drive shaft. The system includes energy accumulating means (100, 101) which is operable to store and release energy through receipt and release of fluid, pumping means (104) in fluid communication with the energy communication means (100, 101), a reservoir (107) of fluid in communication with the pumping means (104), and coupling means for coupling the pumping means (110) to the drive shaft (110). Whereby in the retarding mode of the system, the drive shaft (110) drives the pumping means (104) to pump fluid to the energy accumulating means (100, 101), and whereby in the driving mode of the system, the energy accumulating means (100, 101) releases fluid to drive the pumping means (104) which drives the drive shaft (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Permo-Drive Research and Development Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Allan Rush, Michael Perry, Colin Kerr
  • Patent number: 6712167
    Abstract: An electrical twist vehicle includes a transmission system which enables a rider to selectively switch between electrically operated mode and manually operated mode for two rear wheels of the electrical twist vehicle by shifting a control member into a predefined position. In electrically operated mode, the two rear wheels of the electrical twist vehicle are driven by an electrical driving device whereas in manually operated mode, the two rear wheels of the electrical twist vehicle are set to free rotating. The transmission system includes a driving wheel connected to an electrical driving device, a driven wheel connected to a rear wheels axle, a transmission belt connecting the driving and driven wheel, and a biasing wheel wherein in electrically operated mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Hong-Jiun Gu
  • Patent number: 6712168
    Abstract: A vehicle impact force limiting system including at least one gas generator attached to a vehicle and adapted to generate or produce gas and to discharge a flow of gas forward in a lengthwise direction of the vehicle into an atmosphere when the gas generator is activated or actuated during a vehicle frontal collision or a rear-impact crash. The gas flow is adapted to generate or produce a force of reaction, applied to the vehicle and directed backward in an opposite direction to driving and to inertial forces of the vehicle, thereby reducing the driving and inertial forces and the impact of the vehicle. The reduced impact force reduces damage to the vehicle and injury to occupants of the vehicle. In an emergency or before a vehicle collision, the system allows the vehicle occupant to activate or actuate the gas generator to slow down or stop the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Yakov Feldman
  • Patent number: 6712169
    Abstract: An automobile hood assembly for disposition in overlying relation to a vehicle storage compartment in an automotive vehicle. The hood assembly includes an exterior show surface member, a support frame at a position below the exterior show surface member and at least one extensible tether element operatively connecting the exterior show surface member and the support frame. At least one inflatable air bag cushion is housed intermediate the support frame and the exterior show surface member. Upon introduction of inflation gas the inflatable air bag cushion is inflatable to an expanded profile forcing at least a portion of the exterior show surface member away from the support frame to define an energy absorbing impact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignees: Delphi Technologies, Inc., Volkswagen, AG
    Inventors: Shawn Gregory Ryan, Conrad Oehlerking, Ruprecht Sinnuber, Matthew A Ault
  • Patent number: 6712170
    Abstract: A device for measurement and control of the conditions of stability of a vehicle, in particular an industrial vehicle, comprising at least one load cell (10), which is integrated inside the lower pin of each articulated joint or steering “pivot” (11) of each steering axle (12) of the vehicle, at the level of the wheel hubs (18), so that a structural component of the front and rear steering axle of a four wheel vehicle is a measurement instrument; an electronic control instrument (14), by means of appropriate control software, processes signals (P1-P4), appropriately amplified, transmitted by each load cell (10), so as to calculate the stability of the vehicle in real time and, furthermore, provide a command to disable certain vehicle functions, in the event that the stability values are beyond a certain pre-established safety range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Italia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Panizzolo
  • Patent number: 6712171
    Abstract: A refueling safety system for a vehicle with a switch attached to a fuel door to prevent a vehicle's engine from functioning while the fuel door is opened and being refueled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shalette M. Farmer
  • Patent number: 6712172
    Abstract: In a power transmission path of a vehicle for traveling on uneven ground, a torque converter is provided so that torque transmission to a propeller shaft varies smoothly. Accordingly, it is difficult for the torque transmitted to the propeller shaft to exceed a tire slip limit. This arrangement suppresses slippage during traveling on uneven ground such as a muddy, marshy, sandy, snowy, or gravel road surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Inagaki, Toshio Shimada, Yoshiaki Hori, Takashi Shichinohe
  • Patent number: 6712173
    Abstract: A remote throttle control device for snowmobiles includes a throttle coupler for releasable mounting to a snowmobile throttle controller. The throttle coupler mounts to a first end of a flexible push/pull cable. A manually operable remote actuator is mounted to an opposite second end of the push/pull cable. The remote actuator is for pushing or pulling the push/pull cable, so as to respectively push or pull the throttle coupler for actuation of the throttle controller when the throttle coupler is mounted to the throttle controller. The remote actuator is mounted to a pull handle. A strap is mountable at one end to the handle and at its opposite end to the ski of the snowmobile so that the ski may be pulled on by a user while the user simultaneously remotely controls the snowmobile throttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventors: Troy Esselink, Brett Bottcher
  • Patent number: 6712174
    Abstract: A vehicle steering system has a steering grip, in particular a steering wheel, which is operated by the driver, an actuating unit which operates steered vehicle wheels, and a manual force regulator which is coupled via a flexible coupling element with the steering grip and simulates parameter-dependent steering forces on the steering grip. A damping device is provided for reducing the formation of vibrations between the steering grip and the manual force regulator. The damping device interacts with the steering grip either directly or indirectly to damp relative motions between the steering grip and the manual force regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hubert Bohner, Martin Moser
  • Patent number: 6712175
    Abstract: A steering system for a motor vehicle, which allows steer-by-wire operation, a hand-torque actuator being connected in the steer-by-wire mode to a steering handle, e.g. a steering wheel, to simulate a steering resistance or a restoring torque. In order to be able to ensure adequate operating safety for the vehicle if the hand-torque actuator fails, even if the steering system is operated on a steer-by-wire basis, damping means are provided, which damp adjusting movements of the steering handle by the driver in the steer-by-wire mode if the hand-torque actuator fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Thomas Kind, Reinhard Orthmann, Juergen Trost
  • Patent number: 6712176
    Abstract: The invention concerns a hydraulic dual circuit steering system with first circuit having a first control unit and a first steering motor connected with the control unit via working connections, a second circuit having a second control unit and a second steering motor connected with the control unit via working connections, a changeover valve, which in a first position activates the first circuit and deactivates the second circuit and in a second position activates the second circuit and deactivates the first circuit. To improve the steering behaviour, in the first position of the changeover valve the working connections of the second circuit and in the second position of the changeover valve the working connections of the first circuit are connected with a pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Holding A/S
    Inventors: Siegfried Zenker, Carsten Christensen
  • Patent number: 6712177
    Abstract: The invention relates to a horn loudspeaker system. The horn loudspeaker system includes a pair of vertically displaced horns with cross-fired aiming angles. A common throat section couples the horns to a driver. A substantially asymmetrical baffling is incorporated into the loudspeaker system to further improve the acoustic performance. One advantage of the unique horn loudspeaker system is that it provides a wide horizontal directivity response. Another advantage is that it provides a narrow vertical directivity response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Mark S. Ureda
  • Patent number: 6712179
    Abstract: A sealing and acoustic insulation panel, in particular for automobile vehicle doors, includes a sealing sheet and a layer of acoustic insulation, with a bead of adhesive material on the sealing sheet for fixing the panel to a support plate. A frame for applying pressure to the bead of adhesive material is placed between the sealing and acoustic insulation panel and a trim panel clipped to the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Sofitec SA
    Inventor: Vincent Bouyonnet
  • Patent number: 6712180
    Abstract: A sawhorse includes an elongated workpiece supporting structure and a pair of leg assemblies joined to the workpiece supporting structure, which enables the leg assemblies to be moved between a folded position for storage and transportation purposes and an operative position. Connecting structure connects the leg assemblies to retain the leg assemblies in the operative position thereof and to allow movement of the leg assemblies between the operative and folded positions thereof. Each leg assembly includes a pair of separate lower leg members and is mounted for independent movement in a generally vertical direction and adjusted to a plurality of different positions with respect to the associated leg assembly and the connecting structure while the pair of the leg assemblies are retained in the operative position thereof by the connecting structure. A releasable locking member for each leg member is mounted in the connecting structure for movement between a releasing position and a locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Zag Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Roni Levy
  • Patent number: 6712181
    Abstract: A Prusik knot has several helical wraps around a tether line or a lifeline, a longitudinal loop extending over the wraps, and free end portions tucked or threaded under the loop. A special cover encases the free end portions of the knot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Steve Nichols
  • Patent number: 6712182
    Abstract: A collapsible scaffolding apparatus (10) for inclined or angled surfaces such as roof lines (100) wherein the apparatus (10) includes a pair of adjustable length support leg members (30) each having an upper leg segment (31) and a lower leg segment (32) provided with a pivoted foot element (39) wherein the upper leg segments (31) are connected both to one another and to one end (21) of an elongated horizontal support arm member (20) wherein the other end 22 of the horizontal support arm member (20) is optionally provided with a vertical (70) or horizontal (80) connector element to operatively engage the scaffolding apparatus (10) either to a vertical wall surface (101) or to the other end (22′) of a mirror image scaffolding apparatus (10′).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: George M. Baker
  • Patent number: 6712183
    Abstract: An elevator has a rope connected at a first end thereof to a top of a car and at a second end thereof to a top of a counterweight and guided and driven by a sheave that is rotated by a motor. A compensating rope suspends between the car and the counterweight. The compensating rope has a curving portion, a first linear portion on the car side of the curving portion, and a second linear portion on the counterweight side of the curving portion for compensating an imbalance of weight between a portion of the rope on the car side of the sheave and a portion of the rope on the counterweight side of the sheave. A first guide is arranged to guide the first linear portion and the second linear portion, and a second guide is arranged below the first guide and positioned between lines extending from the first linear portion and the second linear portion for guiding the curving portion of the compensating rope. A frame is arranged in a pit of an elevator shaft for supporting the first guide and the second guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Motoharu Otsuka, Hidehiko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6712184
    Abstract: A disc brake (3) of the kind comprising an axially fixed hub (2) and at least one slidable brake disc (4, 6) comprises resilient means (10) acting between the disc (4, 6) and the hub (2) to control certain aspects of the movement of the brake disc (4, 6) during use. The resilient means (10), is of a leaf spring format, acting between the disc (12, 14) and the hub to control the disc dynamics is mounted on the disc (4, 6). This leads to advantages in terms of spring structure and cost and independence of the resilient bias with respect to disc position and disc (12, 14) relationship to another disc (if present) and with respect to simplicity of mounting and avoidance of dirt entrapment. The mounting of the resilient means comprising clipping the resilient means over a drive key (12) of the disc (4, 6) though an aperture (23) defined within the resilient means (10) and having associated stiffening elements or strips (26a, 26b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Anthony Thorpe, Adam Challenor
  • Patent number: 6712185
    Abstract: The invention relates to a disk brake unit for a vehicle wheel including a hub and a brake disk. The brake disk includes an outer ring and an inner ring, the inner ring and the outer ring being non-rotatably linked together. The outer ring includes a friction ring. The inner ring includes an internal surface with inner dogs for contacting a hub. The brake disk is adapted to prevent heat from being transmitted from the friction ring to the internal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Markus O. Wallentin, Thomas R. Svensson
  • Patent number: 6712186
    Abstract: The invention proposes an apparatus (10) comprising a casing (12, 20, 22) which has a wall (24) arranged to be coupled in rotation to a driving shaft, a turbine wheel (30) rotatable with a hub (34) which is arranged to be coupled in rotation to a driven shaft, a generally radially oriented piston (58) which is movable axially and coupled in rotation to the casing, and an annular friction disc (74), oriented generally radially and carrying two annular friction liners (76) which are adapted to be gripped axially by the piston (58) between, respectively, itself and the inner face (73), in facing relationship with it, of the radial wall (24) of the casing; the friction disc (74) is coupled at its radially inner periphery (94) to the hub (34) of the turbine (30); the piston (58) has means (100) at its radially outer periphery for meshing with a radially outer peripheral portion (26, 102) of the casing (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Rabah Arhab
  • Patent number: 6712187
    Abstract: A clutch adjustment method and apparatus thereof are described which are capable of properly compensating for performance variations or performance deterioration due to variations or wear in various parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Suzuki, Shigeru Yamamoto, Tomohiro Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6712188
    Abstract: A oneway clutch device comprises a plurality of rollers interposed between an inner race and an outer race for carrying out torque transmission only at the time of relative rotation in one direction between the inner race and the outer race, springs for biasing these rollers in a direction of engagement, and a retainer having an annular portion to be fitted on the inner race for retaining the rollers and the springs. The retainer is formed with a roller latching piece formed for holding the rollers biased by the springs, together with the inner race in a state that it is not assembled in the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: NSK-Warner, K.K.
    Inventor: Tomoharu Ando
  • Patent number: 6712189
    Abstract: The invention relates to torque transmission device comprising at least one first clutch device which is provided with at least one clutch operator and at least one actuating device. The inventive device also comprises a drive device which generates a drive signal that is transmitted to the actuating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Gunter Hirt
  • Patent number: 6712190
    Abstract: A wet friction plate assembly which is capable of discharging the lubricant existing between the friction plate and the separation plate to restrict the accompanying rotation of the separation plate of a wet multiple-plate clutch etc. while it is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Kitaori, Shigeru Tajima, Yuji Koga
  • Patent number: 6712191
    Abstract: This invention is generally directed to a note or bill acceptor having a bezel adapted to display detailed information about the status of the bill acceptor, and other information related to its operation. The bezel is positioned at the intake slot of the bill acceptor. The bezel employs multiple indicators to visually display information. For example, the enhanced bezel may include indicators to display error conditions such as “note box full” or “transport path jammed” conditions, and other information useful for maintenance and diagnostic purposes. Additional visual indicators may display set up information, such as which denominations the bill validator of the machine is programmed to accept, display prompts or instructions to assist the player, such as a display of the denomination of the last bill accepted, or even simple decorative patterns. The bezel may provide additional status information, such as a jammed transport path or full note box, for use by attendants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: JCM American Corporation
    Inventor: Peter E. Hand
  • Patent number: 6712192
    Abstract: A staircase guide for a device for ascending a staircase, the device has a frame with a carrying element for people or goods and a drive connected to the frame. The guide has a cylindrical tube to be adapted to a staircase with at least one protrusion which extends in longitudinal direction of the tube. The tube has an engaging surface for co-action with a drive element of the drive for the purpose of displacing the stairlift and a support surface for support of the drive by a support member in order to hold at least the carrying element upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Freelift B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus J. Hester, Dennis Vroegindeweij
  • Patent number: 6712193
    Abstract: An intermediate discharge assembly to remove granular material from a conveyor belt used in an enclosed roller belt conveyor assembly. The intermediate discharge assembly includes a first pair of leading and trailing pulleys, a second pair of leading and trailing pulleys and a plow. The first pair of leading and trailing pulleys supports the conveyor belt in a substantially concave manner. The second pair of leading and trailing pulleys supports the conveyor belt in a substantially flat manner. The plow is positioned between the first and second pairs of leading and trailing pulleys. The plow is operable to remove the granular material from the conveyor belt when the second pair of leading and trailing pulleys supports the conveyor belt and the plow is positioned atop the conveyor belt, such that the granular material is removed from the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: CTB IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Dingeldein, Stephen M. Ginter
  • Patent number: 6712194
    Abstract: A tilting mechanism comprising an article-supporting member, such as a tray or a conveyor belt for a sorter for transporting and sorting various articles is disclosed. The article-supporting member may be held tilted about two parallel axes each being fixed with respect to the tilting part or the stationary part and being movable along a predetermined path with respect to the other part. Further is disclosed a sorter comprising article-supporting members arranged on tilting mechanisms to tilt the members when passing curves and during induction of articles from the side of the sorter so as to prevent articles from sliding off the members and thus enable the sorter to operate at much higher conveying speeds than known sorters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Crisplant a/s
    Inventors: Anne-Mette Hjortshøj Abildgaard, Jan Gullev Christensen
  • Patent number: 6712195
    Abstract: A cushioning holdback bar of a conveyor apparatus is provided with a shock absorbing actuator that enables the holdback bar to move in the downstream direction of the conveyor when an array of conveyed objects contacts the holdback bar to cushion the impact of the array of objects with the holdback bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Ouellette Machinery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Ouellette