Patents Issued in April 13, 2004
  • Patent number: 6719303
    Abstract: A drill rod chuck in which the closing of the jaws is effected through the use of gas springs mounted in the slidable jaw actuating jaw bowl. Further the jaws are supported by bushings against cantilever loading during drilling and the jaws are positively advanced and retracted through slidable interengagement with the jaw bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Boart Longyear International Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: John Thomas Stephens
  • Patent number: 6719304
    Abstract: A roller skate has a frame formed of a short length of sturdy, generally rectangular channel material having two opposed side walls and a sole plate or floor extending therebetween. A large diameter wheel is secured to each end of each side wall, to define a widely spaced rectangular wheel array providing a stable skate platform. The high attachment of the large diameter wheels places the sole plate immediately adjacent the underlying surface when the wheels are resting on that surface, for greater stability. Instep and heel straps extended from single central attachment points along each side wall, with the present skate being essentially longitudinally and laterally symmetrical. Provision may be made for vertical and/or lateral adjustment of the wheels relative to the skate frame, if so desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventors: Robbie L. Miller, Joel Luing
  • Patent number: 6719305
    Abstract: The mobile stand is generally L-shaped in side elevation, having a horizontally extending base and an upright mast adjacent the rear of the base. The base is somewhat H-shaped in top plan, having a pair of widespread, parallel, horizontal legs that extend slightly rearwardly beyond the mast, and a crossbar that rigidly interconnects the legs adjacent their rear ends. The mast is fixed to the crossbar midway between the two legs. Four rubber stabilizer feet project downwardly from the base at its four corners to space the base a short distance above the floor. Transport wheels at the rear ends of the legs project downwardly from the base but do not engage the floor when all four of the feet are touching the floor, thus rendering the wheels ineffective at such time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Lundgreen, Larry W. Betcher
  • Patent number: 6719306
    Abstract: A sports equipment cart includes a first ball dispensing tube having upper and lower ends and defining a bore extending therebetween. The first ball dispensing tube defines an upper ball receiving aperture and a lower ball dispensing aperture. A pair of wheels are rotatably mounted to the first ball dispensing tube adjacent the lower end thereof. The first ball dispensing tube includes a handle for manually pulling the tube between desired locations. A second ball dispensing tube of substantially similar dimensions may be connected to the first ball dispensing tube in side-by-side relationship. A third ball dispensing tube of smaller dimension may also be connected to the first dispensing tube for holding smaller sized balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Larry J. White
  • Patent number: 6719307
    Abstract: A sideboard assembly for a camera dolly includes a base attached to the dolly chassis via threaded posts. A platform is slidably attached to the base. A platform brake can be released to allow the platform to slide forward or back on the base, so that the platform is positioned as needed relative to the camera dolly. The platform brake is tightened or engaged to lock the platform into a desired position. An end board assembly can be slidably positioned on end posts threaded into the front end of the camera dolly, to provide increased positioning flexibility. A fixed tab and a pivot tab on the platform allow the platform to be flipped over, so that it can be used interchangeably on the left and right sides of the camera dolly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Patent number: 6719308
    Abstract: A table carrier comprises a support member and a plurality of wheels that are coupled to the support member. A stand is also coupled to the support member and defines a holding region for receiving and holding a table. In turn, the table comprises a base and a top that is coupled to the base. The holding region is configured to receive the base with the top extending alongside the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventor: Robby James Parker
  • Patent number: 6719309
    Abstract: A multi-axle unit for a semi-trailer that is towed by a tractor vehicle and has at least three axles, at least one of the axles of the multi-axle unit being capable of being configured as a lifting axle and/or steered axle and all axles except for at least one axle being brakable and equipped with axle brakes having axle brake disks, the axle brake disks defining an effective frictional radius that is the same as an effective frictional radius of brake disks of the tractor vehicle. The multi-axle unit, due to the particular configuration of its braking system, has a lower unsprung mass, requires less maintenance outlay, and moreover is more economical to purchase and maintain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Rainer Herffurth
  • Patent number: 6719310
    Abstract: A self-movable vehicle includes a head board, a head tube, a steering tube having a front wheel, two rear frames, two tread boards, and two rear wheel sets. The self-movable vehicle also includes two meshing arcuate toothed plates each secured on a respective one of the two rear frames to pivot therewith, and a tensile spring mounted between the two rear frames. Thus, the two rear frames are pivoted and moved outward and inward synchronously With an equal deflection angle by the design of the two meshing arcuate toothed plates, thereby enhancing the balance effect and stability of the self-movable vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Teng Hsiang Lin
  • Patent number: 6719311
    Abstract: A steering assembly is provided for steering a pair of vehicle wheels. The assembly includes a tie rod assembly having first and second tie rods. Each of the tie rods has an inboard end and an outboard end. The inboard ends may be coupled to the output member of a steering gear or they may be supported on a movable support member. The outboard ends are coupled to the vehicle wheels and, in particular, to tie rod arms extending from steering knuckles. The inboard ends of the tie rods are positioned forward of the outboard ends of the tie rods relative to the forward direction of vehicle travel when the vehicle wheels are facing forward. As a result, the effective length of the tie rod assembly increases as the turn angle of the vehicle wheels increases thereby reducing toe out of the vehicle wheels and tire wear and allowing sufficient clearance with wheel and brake components including brake drums found in conventional drum brake systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Davis, Keith Kobetitsch
  • Patent number: 6719312
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a vehicle comprises a first steering link (30) having a first socket (54), a second steering link (34) having a second socket (70), and a steering knuckle (20) having a through hole (44). A stud (90) comprises first and second stud parts (92, 94). The first stud part (92) comprises a first ball portion (100) received in the first socket (54) to connect the first stud part for pivotal movement relative to the first link, and a shank portion (108) projecting from the first ball portion. The second stud part (94) has a second ball portion (132) received in the second socket (70) to connect the second stud part for pivotal movement relative to the second link. The second stud part (94) has an axially extending through opening (130). The shank portion (108) of the first stud part (92) extends through the through hole (44) in the steering knuckle (20) and through the through opening (130) in the second stud part (94).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: John Thompson, Steven P. Levesque, Adham El-Haw
  • Patent number: 6719313
    Abstract: An anti-roll suspension system for a vehicle, including a steer able axle assembly mounting a pair of laterally spaced wheels on a vehicle chassis, a spring assembly supporting the chassis on each of the axle assemblies, a lever attaching each spring assembly to the vehicle chassis, and a roll compensating linkage connected to the lever of each spring assembly and being responsive to a steering movement to the chassis to translate the steering movement to a vertical movement on the suspension of the chassis to simultaneously lift the outside turn side of the vehicle and lower the inside turn side of the vehicle thereby counteracting roll of the chassis when in a turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Adam Zadok
  • Patent number: 6719314
    Abstract: A wheel suspension for a front axle of a motor vehicle, especially for an all-terrain vehicle, with a pulled-up drag bearing upon which double transverse links, which have the ability to swing and which are comprised of steering triangles, are positioned. The one transverse link is arranged above a wheel and the other transverse link and a steering tie rod as well as a stabilizer are arranged underneath a rotation axis of the wheel. A bearing on the side of the drag bearing side of the upper transverse link as well as a bearing of the steering tie rod on the drag bearing are arranged—in relation to the direction of movement—behind a vertical transverse plane of the center of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Norbert Schote
  • Patent number: 6719315
    Abstract: A trailer suspension slider is provided that includes a suspension bogey. A trailer is supported on the suspension bogey and is longitudinally movable between a plurality of position relative to the suspension bogey. The trailer includes a stop bar to prevent the bogey from sliding out from underneath the trailer during braking if the pins are disengaged. A locking pin mechanism is movable between a locked position in which the locking mechanism couples the suspension bogey and the trailer in one of the plurality of positions and an unlocked position in which the trailer can move relative to the suspension bogey. The suspension bogey may collide violently with the stop bar when braking from a relatively low speed when the pins are unlocked. To this end, an energy absorption device is supported on either the trailer or the suspension bogey. The energy absorption device collapses in response to the stop bar engaging either the energy absorption device or the suspension bogey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Saieg, James Eckelberry, John K. Ma, Frank A. Maly, Jr., Joe Melekian, Steven R. Miller, Nancy L. Saxon, Rajesh J. Somnay
  • Patent number: 6719316
    Abstract: A vehicle footrest preferably for a motorcycle provides both an upwardly angled flat surface for comfortably supporting the rider's feet while alternately providing a folding footpeg at approximately the same level as the floorboard. The folding footpeg extends laterally from a concavity along the outside edge of the front of the floorboard. When extended, the footpeg lies approximately in the plane of the floorboard which permits the footpeg to be used as a toerest as well as a full foot support. The combination of structures provides a variety of foot positions while maintaining the feet in safe proximity to the foot controls. The footrest allows the rider to quickly shift the position of his feet from floorboard to footpeg and back again with only a small amount of foot movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Michael S. Anthony
  • Patent number: 6719317
    Abstract: A self-loading and unloading trailer which can be operated by a single person to load a boat from difficult boat ramps or even directly from the ground provides rollers for engaging a boat. A first set of rollers engages the boat at ground level, enabling the boat to be winched directly from the ground or from a shallow landing. As the boat is loaded, the rollers shift and transfer the load directly to a second set of rollers. Finally, the boat weight shifts the trailer again, causing the rollers to retract, thereby bringing the boat to safely rest on bunks for storage or during transit. In the preferred embodiment, the boat is a pontoon boat, though other appropriate boat hulls are contemplated for use with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventors: Donald J. Grovender, David L. Grovender
  • Patent number: 6719318
    Abstract: A trailer hitch cover assembly for a motor vehicle includes a hitch insert having an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough to fit over a hitch tube of a trailer hitch on a motor vehicle, and a rotatable door covering the aperture. The trailer hitch cover assembly also includes a top cover plate mounted to the hitch insert and a front cover plate mounted to the hitch insert and having an aperture extending therethrough aligned with the hitch tube of the trailer hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Blake Design Group, LLC
    Inventor: Robert B. Blake
  • Patent number: 6719319
    Abstract: A collapsing device for the third wheel of a golf cart includes a fixing base, a wheel frame, and a pin. The fixing base is U-shaped to form an interior hollow for the sleeve to fit in, having an insert groove respectively in each sidewall. The wheel frame has its bottom assembled with a third wheel, and its top provided with a slide groove at opposite sides and a through hole pivotally combined with a sleeve. The pin is inserted in the slide groove, having both ends protruding out of the slide sleeve and its intermediate portion clasped by a spring, which has its other end connected with a cover member fixedly mounted on the wheel frame. Thus, the pin is pulled by the spring and stuck in the upper or the lower insert groove for stabilizing the third wheel in the collapsed or the expanded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Unique Product & Design Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gordon Liao
  • Patent number: 6719320
    Abstract: An airbag door construction for airbag deployment comprising a hard instrument panel having a weakened area outlining at least a portion of an integrally molded airbag door. A reaction plate is attached to the underside of the panel at the airbag door location. A deployment chute is molded with the reaction plate and attached to the hard instrument panel just outboard of the outline of the airbag door. A tether is included that engages with the reaction plate whereupon airbag deployment the tether allows the airbag door/reaction plate welded combination to break loose from the hard instrument panel in a controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Automotive Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Gray, Bruce Batchelder, Jim Rogers, Ray Evans, Ulrich Weissert
  • Patent number: 6719321
    Abstract: A vehicular occupant restraint system is provided with an airbag and an inflator. A front end of the folded airbag is housed within a front pillar garnish covering a side face on the occupant compartment side of a front pillar, and impact absorbing ribs are formed on the inner face of the front pillar garnish only in a section(s) that receives little deformation when the airbag is deployed. Since the front pillar garnish can be easily flexed when the air bag is deployed, there is neither inhibition to the smooth deployment of the airbag nor splitting and scattering of a part of the front pillar garnish. Moreover, since the impact absorbing ribs are formed on the front pillar garnish in the section(s) that receives little deformation, the impact of a secondary collision to an occupant can be absorbed effectively by the impact absorbing ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumitoshi Yasuhara, Koji Ikeda, Takeru Otsuka, Naoki Kawajiri, Kazuaki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6719323
    Abstract: For improving horn switch operability, an air bag apparatus 4 supports the side wall 26b of the cover body 26 and is movable back and forth on the outer periphery of the surrounding wall 24 of the base plate 24. Hook 24h protrudes from the surrounding wall 24b and is locked onto lock receiving portion 26h of the side wall 26b, thereby regulating the moving range of the cover body 26. Bracket 35 is mounted on the under surface of the covering portion 26a and is positioned at each of the spokes 7. A movable first contact 36e, 136e is mounted on the bracket 35. A fixed contact support portion 31 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 24b of the base plate 24 to protrude therefrom or support 131 in the shape of a pillar is provided integrally to protrude from the core metal 7a of the spoke 7. A fixed second contact 31d, 131d that is opposed to the movable contact 36e, 136e is provided to oppose the movable contact 36e, 136e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kai, Morimasa Asai, Masami Tonooka, Katsuhiro Tokita
  • Patent number: 6719324
    Abstract: An enclosed contact horn mechanism includes: a pin having a first end and a second end; a base plate located near the first end; and a device located between the first end and the base plate; the device, the first end, and the base plate creating an enclosed contact area, wherein the device is movable so that the base plate may contact the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Albers, David G. Greenisen, George Frank Richards
  • Patent number: 6719325
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a seat (1) and a dashboard (8) mounted airbag (9) which has a first mode of operation and a less aggressive second mode of operation. There is a seat-belt (6) having a retractor (7) which can enter the automatic locking mode (ALR) in which the reactor will wind in but not pay out. A weight sensing arrangement (4, 5) determines the weight on the seat. If the weight is less that a threshold (MI) and the ALR mode is activated an airbag control (17) makes the airbag inflate, in an accident, with the second less aggressive mode. If the weight exceeds the threshold, then the airbag inflates in the ordinary way. If a child seat is mounted on the seat the seat-belt will be in the ALR mode and the weight will be less than the selected threshold, so that the airbag will not injure an occupant of a child seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Anders Ingemarsson
  • Patent number: 6719326
    Abstract: The harness belt (1) comprises a dual pelvis belt (3), two shoulder belts (2) and two crotch belts (4). The belt segments (5) of the pelvis belts (3) as well as the shoulder belts (2) can be joined by means of belt tongue (9, 8) to a belt buckle (7) wherein the crotch belts (4), by means of the buckle proximate loops (15) surround the belt tongues (9) of belt segments (5) of pelvis belt (3), and are secured in circumferential direction against movement relative to the belt buckle (7) and wherein belt tongues (9) are configured with recesses (11) adapted for the belt tongues (9) in belt buckle (7). The loops (15) are connected to the buckle proximate ends (20) of the crotch belts (4) at an obtuse angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Schroth Safety Products GmbH
    Inventors: Carl-JĂĽrgen Schroth, Paul Knight
  • Patent number: 6719327
    Abstract: To provide a meter cover structure capable of enhancing the visibility of a meter, and preventing, even if an object comes in contact with a meter cover, the meter from being damaged by the contact with the object. A meter cover structure includes a meter, and a meter cover disposed over a fuel tank. The meter cover has an opening portion in which the meter is disposed. A chamfer portion having a linear cross-section tilted downwardly toward the front side is formed at an edge portion, on the rear side of the opening portion, of the meter cover. An upper surface portion of the meter is tilted such that a tilting angle of the upper surface portion of the meter with respect to the chamfer portion of the meter cover is different from a tilting angle of the upper surface portion of the meter with respect to an upper surface portion, continuous to the rear end of the chamfer portion, of the meter cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Yamaguchi, Masamoto Ito
  • Patent number: 6719328
    Abstract: A road vehicle spray control system, including a combination of a louvered side panel and mudguard, for controlling the splash and spray generated by trucks, trailers and other road vehicles when travelling during inclement weather, wherein the louvered side panels are attached to the underside of the vehicle, maintaining the legal 8 foot width requirements, so that an airflow is created which forces air through the louvers and which airflow directs water or spray downward into the wheel well and towards mudguards mounted behind the rear wheels. Such mudguards have a downwardly facing opening in the center portion and are preferably curved to an angle of 27 degrees, so that rain, spray, water, small pebbles and the like are directed through such opening, to be dissipated on the roadway surface, resulting in safer driving conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph Szakurski
  • Patent number: 6719329
    Abstract: A high pressure swivel includes an inner and an outer wall. Each annular wall is connected to a respective distribution member via apertures which have an axial dimension which is smaller than the diameter of the inlet or outlet. In this way, the pressure area between the seals of the inner and outer rotatable walls is reduced. Each distribution member may include a chamber that is defined by the external surface of the inner and outer annular walls, and an enclosing wall. In this way, an effective thermal isolation is provided by the distribution chambers adjacent to the external surfaces of the inner and outer rings. Deformation of the distribution chambers of the swivel will tend to decrease the width of the seal extrusion gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings Inc.
    Inventor: Antoine Carrasco
  • Patent number: 6719330
    Abstract: A tubing/fitting connection provides secure sealing attachment of a tubing to a fitting. In a described embodiment, a flexible tubing is connected to a non-rigid fitting using a retainer which grips both the tubing and the fitting. The retainer also internally supports the tubing, and may sealingly engage both the tubing and the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Qest
    Inventors: James T. Brown, Gary L. Runyan, Robert S. Stachowiak
  • Patent number: 6719331
    Abstract: A telescopic tube with water supply is equipped with a minor tube, a major tube that are connected to each other by a tubular coupling device which has a registration end and a connecting section, the former is engaged with one end of the minor tube and the latter is engaged with the top end of the major tube. A guard cap is secured to the top end of the major tube which serves to prevent the minor tube from easy disengagement from the major tube in case of excessive extension adjustment. The connecting section of the tubular coupling device has a cone shaped configuration with a spiral thread track defined thereon and terminates in a stop board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Ming Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 6719332
    Abstract: A latch having a housing, handle, pawl, actuator and spring. The spring biases the pawl toward the latched or extended position. The handle is pivotally attached to the housing and has a pair of actuating arms that are engageable with the actuator. The actuator is slidably supported by the housing. Lifting the handle to the open position causes sliding movement of the actuator which in turn causes the pawl to slide to the unlatched or retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Ivica Sekulovic
  • Patent number: 6719333
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a power operated release mechanism for moving a detent from a latched position to a release position comprising a slide that engages the detent at one end and a rotary cam that engages an opposite end of the slide sot that the slide reciprocates when the rotary cam is rotated by an electric motor. The electric motor drives the cam via a concentric gear wheel that has a pin engaging the rotary cam. A forkbolt rotates a rotary block out lever from a by-pass position to a block out position where the block-out lever engages a shoulder of the gear wheel to stop rotation of the gear wheel when the forkbolt is moved to an unlatched position. The vehicle door latch also includes a mechanical override mechanism to rotate the rotary cam to unlatch the vehicle door latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Rice, Lloyd Walker Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6719334
    Abstract: A door latch generally comprising a latch cover and a latch slide. The latch cover comprises a upper angled section having a vertical portion and an angled portion extending therefrom, at least one first aperture defined in the vertical portion, at least one first slot defined in the angled portion, a horizontal portion having at least one second slot defined therein, and, at least one third slot defined therein substantially aligned with the first slot, a vertical middle section having a second aperture defined therein, and, a slide guide extending from one side, the slide guide having an upper spacer leg and, a lower spacer leg, an angled lower portion having a vertical edge, the vertical edge having at least one fourth aperture defined therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: David B. Curtis
  • Patent number: 6719335
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lock comprising a housing (5) and a strap (1) that has a first end (2) and a second end (6), said housing (5) comprising: means (4) for securing the first end (2) of the strap (1); an interior cavity (40); a first (7) and a second (8) opening that give access from the exterior to said cavity (40), and allow advancement through the housing (5) of the second end (6) of the strap (1); a first interior, longitudinally extending wall (9) and a second opposed, interior, longitudinally extending wall (10), said walls extending between said first and second openings; a locking device (14) arranged within the cavity (40) between the first (9) and the second (10) walls and that defines a nipping area (45) for securing the second end (6) of the strap (1); and support areas (50) for the strap (1) whereby turning of the strap (1) about its longitudinal axis is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Oneseal A/S
    Inventors: Jens Velschou, Preben Michael Remark
  • Patent number: 6719336
    Abstract: A door handle assembling construction includes a grip portion with a base portion at one end and a case portion at the other end. The grip portion has an arm portion, and the case portion has a hole and a wall portion for receiving the arm portion. The wall portion includes a stopper portion, and the arm portion includes a corner portion. The grip portion is subjected to an urging force in the direction toward the case portion. Before an outside handle is installed to a door outer panel, the grip portion is pulled out of the case portion, and the case portion tilts relative to its position after the outside handle is installed to the door outer panel. The corner portion of the arm portion engages the stopper portion to temporarily hold grip portion. When the tilt angle is returned, the engagement is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 6719337
    Abstract: A latch wherein latching and unlatching is accomplished by an inward push by the keeper into the latch housing. The latch uses an improved housing configuration in conjunction with improved internal components, allowing for more consistent and reliable operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Lianli Ji
  • Patent number: 6719338
    Abstract: A dummy trim includes a mounting plate to be fixed to a door, a sleeve holder securely mounted to the mounting plate and including a peripheral wall, a sleeve including a first end mounted in the peripheral wall of the sleeve holder, and a lever securely attached to a second end of the sleeve to move therewith. The first end of the sleeve includes a slot having an edge facing the lever. The peripheral wall of the sleeve holder includes an integral stop extending into the slot of the sleeve and abutting against the edge of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Mu-Lin Shen
  • Patent number: 6719339
    Abstract: As assembly structured to protect external surface areas of an automobile or like vehicle including a housing of portable, lightweight construction removably mounted within the interior of the vehicle. An elongated flexible protective member is movably connected to the housing and selectively positionable between an outwardly extended operative position, wherein the protective member overlies exterior surfaces of the vehicle, and a retracted position, wherein at least a majority of the length of the protective member is stored within the interior of the housing. The protective member is preferably of sufficient length to extend in overlying relation to a midline surface area and in substantially surrounding relation to an outer periphery of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Yoham
  • Patent number: 6719340
    Abstract: The present invention relates to sporting goods, and in particular to a device for retrieving hockey pucks. The device makes use of an array of retaining whiskers at the open end of the device to capture and retain hockey pucks. The design of the whisker array is such that the whiskers can suspend a large number of hockey pucks against the force of gravity while at the same time allowing for new pucks to be captured by the device with a minimum of downward pressure. One embodiment of the present invention is a puck shooting device incorporating one or more of the puck retrieval devices in a removable arrangement as a puck feed magazine for the puck shooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas R. Imig
  • Patent number: 6719341
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously adjusting the length of a lifting sling designed to carry a load comprises a U-shaped clamp having a central region, and first and second side legs projecting from the ends of the central region, a swivel axis member supported by bearings in the first and second legs of the clamp; a load lifting element attached to the clamp which is designed for attachment to a load; and a clamping element supported on the swivel axis member. The clamping element comprises: (i) first and second side legs spaced apart from each other, each side leg having a free end coupled to the swivel axis member and a second end; (ii) an end cross-piece formed at the second end of one of the side legs and spanning the distance between the side legs; and (iii) a center cross-piece located between the end cross-piece and the swivel axis member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: SpanSet Inter AG
    Inventors: Rolf Götz, Willi Panhausen
  • Patent number: 6719342
    Abstract: A grasping auxiliary for carrying an article or articles includes a tubular body 2. Each of opposite side ends 6a and 6b of the tubular body 2 with longitudinal notch 3 provided therebetween is formed into a curved-face shape having no corner to facilitate the fitting of a grip portion 5 of an article receptacle such as a film bag into the tubular body 2 and to moderate the pressure contact of the opposite side ends 6a and 6b with a hand. A plurality of wrinkles are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the tubular body 2 for preventing the sliding movement of the grip portion 5 within the tabular body 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Tomi Machinery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mineo Shinmoto, Tadatsugu Sekine, Kesashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6719343
    Abstract: A console assembly for a vehicle including a video entertainment system includes a console housing having a storage compartment and a storage compartment closeout section pivotally connected to the console housing positionable between a raised position and a lowered position. An armrest is pivotally connected to the closeout section and is positionable between a closed position disposed adjacent the closeout section and an open position allowing access to a video monitor and monitor mount stored below. A video monitor mount pivotally connects the video monitor to the console assembly and allows for selective adjustment of the video monitor so that the screen is visible to rear seat occupants in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Emerling, Bruce F. Brewster, Joseph P. Taylor, Steven M. Kowalski, Erin Daly, Jason Whitman, Thomas S. Hicks, John Sumbera
  • Patent number: 6719344
    Abstract: A center console of a vehicle installed on its floor as if extending along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle has a bottle holder for holding drinking vessels, an accessory storage for holding small articles, a first lid for covering and uncovering the top of the bottle holder, and a second lid for covering and uncovering the top of the accessory storage. The first lid can be slid from a position where the top of the bottle holder is covered by the first lid to a position where the top of the bottle holder is uncovered and, with the first and second lids joined into a single structure, the first and second lids can be swung up together about fixed parts of hinges from a position where the top of the accessory storage is covered to a position where the top of the accessory storage is uncovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignees: Mazda Motor Corporation, Nishikawa Kasei Co., Ltd., Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Ono, Hiroshi Ohno, Junji Takahara, Nobuhisa Fujii, Takehiko Nemoto
  • Patent number: 6719345
    Abstract: The present invention provides a structure 10 for extending a bed of a pickup truck; the structure being rotatably supported on a rear portion 1B of the bed of the pickup truck having a tailgate 4 capable of bringing down in an approximate level with a rear end of the bed 1; and the structure being provided on a first upper side of the tailgate 7 to be housed in the bed when the tailgate is rotated in a forward direction of the truck; wherein fixing means 20 is provided for fixing the structure provided on a second upper side of the floor onto the bed. Hence, if the structure is off the supporting bracket 16 when the structure is housed in the bed, the fixing means of the invention can prevent the structure from separating from the body not to have a secondary influence on surroundings by the structure 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomonori Ootsuka, Tsutomu Iwase, Masataro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6719346
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle is provided with one or more wheel fenders that double as storage compartments. The fenders define a hollow volume into which a variety of desired items can be placed for storage. An access opening provides access to the hollow volume. A door can be attached to releasably close the access opening. A door can be hinged such that it is readily accessible by a driver of the ATV while seated on the ATV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Arctic Cat, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted Bettin, Mark Esala, Darren Holter, Clifton Johnson, Craig Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6719347
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes a base having a surface, a rear panel pivotally attached to the base, and a locking member configured to releasably secure the rear panel in an open position, wherein the locking member is configured to move independently relative to the rear panel and upwardly and downwardly relative to the base, and wherein the rear panel is allowed to pivot when the locking member is moved upwardly and wherein the rear panel is maintained in the open position when the locking member is moved downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventors: Thomas F. J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
  • Patent number: 6719348
    Abstract: A covering for use with a motor vehicle. The covering has a channel and multiple sloped grooves. The grooves slope toward the channel for directing fluid toward the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Yu-Jin Song
  • Patent number: 6719349
    Abstract: Trucks and other work machines require strong and easily operated and maintained tailgate assemblies. Often, the operating structure of the tailgate assembly requires precise alignment and relatively large clearance space to operate effectively. The operating structure is also commonly under great stresses from the tension and compression forces that power the operating structure to move the tailgate. A tailgate assembly including a tailgate and an; operating structure is provided. The tailgate is attached to a platform in a hinge d manner and allowed to move pivotally with respect to the platform. The operating structure includes a linear actuator and a linking member. The linear actuator is attached to the platform. The linking member has a first end portion pivotally attached to the linear actuator, a fulcrum pivotally attached to the platform, and a second end portion attached to a tracking member. The tracking member is adapted to contact the tailgate and to move vertically with respect to the tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: John P. Moyna
  • Patent number: 6719350
    Abstract: A compensator for lack of parallelism in a removable seat is provided, the seat including two rigid lateral endplates, crossmembers connecting the endplates, means of positioning the endplates in a slideway fixed to a floor of the vehicle, translational guidance means, and means of locking the endplates in the slideway, the crossmembers being tubular and cylindrical and collaborating with bearings of the endplates, the compensator including a cylindrical and stepped axial endpiece disposed at an end of each of the crossmembers, a sleeve made of viscoelastic material pushed tightly into the bearing in the corresponding endplate, the sleeve receiving the endpiece, an axial tapped hole for a screw for translational immobilization pressing a washer against an outer end face of the sleeve and an inner end face of the sleeve against the flange of the endpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Grupo Antolin-Ingenieria, S.A.
    Inventors: Jean Duchateau, Gérard Basson, Nordine Hamtache
  • Patent number: 6719351
    Abstract: In a window (1), which is intended in particular to be fitted in a bodywork opening (11) of a vehicle, which is equipped on at least a main surface, intended to face inwards in the fitted state, with a profiled bead (2) which comprises, as lateral covering attachment, a lip (5) projecting beyond the edge of the pane (1) with a sealing rib (7) which can be applied against an adjacent wall part (13) when the window is fitted, there is provided on the lip (5), according to the invention, parallel to the first sealing rib (6) which can be applied against the wall part (13), at least one second sealing rib (7) which can be applied against the edge (21) of the window without adhesion contact. In this way, a covering of the lateral space is obtained effecting in practice a closure flush with the main surface of the pane and with the adjacent wall or bodywork surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Gerd Cornils, Florian Fischer, Frank Bihn, Ulrich Behrend
  • Patent number: 6719352
    Abstract: A visor mounting assembly includes a detent spring extending over an end of a visor rod projecting through a mounting bracket and engaging a detent on an end of the visor rod to detent the visor when moved from a front windshield position to a side window position at a location allowing clearance of a side curtain air bag. A detent spring includes a pair of orthogonally integrally joined U-shaped members defining vertically spaced horizontally extending floors, each having apertures aligned for receiving a visor rod end and vertically extending walls coupled to the horizontally extending floors for engaging the sides of a visor rod extending through apertures. One assembly includes a visor rod with a keyed end for lockably receiving a stop member which cooperates with a visor mounting bracket when the visor is moved from a front windshield position to a side window position, limiting its movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Randy L. Arendsen, Michael D. Verkaik
  • Patent number: 6719353
    Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly for use on sports trucks to cover the truck bed. The tonneau cover assembly allows for removable access to the truck bed without fully removing the cover from the truck. A multiple rail support and mounting frame is secured around the perimeter of the truck bed opening with a fabric cover releaseably secured along an upper portion of the frame's upstanding and fixed edges. An end rail secured to the cover is resiliently positioned between oppositely disposed spring urged assemblies on respective rails to stretch the cover in place and then to be secured by independent locking elements resiliently extending from the end rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Isler, Lawrence Saxon