Patents Issued in April 13, 2004
  • Patent number: 6718603
    Abstract: A method for crimping yarn wherein the yarn is fed into a compaction channel of a stuffer box to obtain uniform crimping, and the crimped yarn is pre-set and guided to the outlet of the stuffer box by a pre-setting fluid. A pre-setting and guiding chamber of the stuffer box has a cross-section of generally polygonal shape that is larger than that of the compaction channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Superba (SA)
    Inventor: Philippe Massotte
  • Patent number: 6718604
    Abstract: A mounting method for an electronic device element, includes the steps of providing an electronic device element having metal bumps formed on a surface thereof, providing a bonding tool having a pressing surface, providing a mounting substrate, keeping the pressing surface of the bonding tool in contact with a reverse surface of the electronic device element and applying an ultrasonic wave to the bonding tool, thereby mounting the electronic device element on the mounting substrate. The maximum length of the pressing surface of the bonding tool in the ultrasonic-wave-oscillation direction is greater than about 0.5 times the maximum length of the reverse surface of the electronic device element in the ultrasonic-wave-oscillation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeto Taga, Kazunobu Shimoe, Ryoichi Kita
  • Patent number: 6718605
    Abstract: A high sensitivity, Z-axis, capacitive microaccelerometer having stiff sense/feedback electrodes and a method of its manufacture on a single-side of a semiconductor wafer are provided. The microaccelerometer is manufactured out of a single silicon wafer and has a silicon-wafer-thick proof mass, small and controllable damping, large capacitance variation and can be operated in a force-rebalanced control loop. One of the electrodes moves with the proof mass relative to the other electrode which is fixed. The multiple, stiffened electrodes have embedded therein damping holes to facilitate force-rebalanced operation of the device and to control the damping factor. Using the whole silicon wafer to form the thick large proof mass and using thin sacrificial layers to form narrow uniform capacitor air gaps over large areas provide large-capacitance sensitivity. The manufacturing process is simple and thus results in low cost and high yield manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Navid Yazdi, Khalil Najafi, Arvind Salian
  • Patent number: 6718606
    Abstract: An apparatus for molding and inserting in caps liners made of plastic material dispensed by an extruder, comprising: a dosage carousel; a molding carousel; an insertion carousel; a cap feeder for feeding the insertion carousel with caps, the carousels being rotatable about vertical axes and provided with seats for supporting multiple shuttles that are angularly equidistant concentrically to the rotation axes of the respective carousels, the dosage carousel having assemblies for taking in succession doses of plastic material from the extruder and depositing them onto the shuttles, the molding carousel having assemblies for molding in succession liners on the shuttles and the insertion carousel having assemblies for removing in succession the liners from the shuttles and inserting them in respective caps fed by the feeder; and a first, second and third star, for shuttle transferring at the respective carousels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola S.c.r.l.
    Inventor: Giovanni Bassi
  • Patent number: 6718607
    Abstract: A method and an implementation equipment for fixing an elastic clamp band (1) to the lugs (5) particularly adapted for re-current mounting of a flexible connection pipe (12) on a pipe system (13). An automatic dispenser (2) of clamp bands (1) is arranged to position each clamp band (1) such that its two lugs are externally accessible to be seized by the grips (9, 52, 103) of a hand tool for extracting and fixing (8, 50, 100) which are brought together to compress the lugs (5) of the clamp band (1) by external (11) separately controlled actuators. The tool (8, 50, 100) comprises elements for bringing together the grips (9, 52, 103)) freely and reversibly when the external actuators (11) are activated and elements for releasing them instantly or gradually at the desired moment with an external control (14, 123).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Gillet Outillage
    Inventors: Pascal Gillet, Fabrice Petit, Laurent Melin
  • Patent number: 6718608
    Abstract: A method is provided for package-to-package conversion of a pick and place handler. An input arm assembly is provided with interchangeable vacuum leads. An input/output shuttle plate is provided comprising a block and base plate. The block has a plurality of pocket groupings and a two or more alignment hole groupings. The base plate has two or more alignment pins. Package-to-package conversion is achieved by changing alignment hole groupings on the alignment pins, thereby selecting the pocket corresponding to the alignment hole used. A soak plate is provided having an array of pocket groupings, wherein each pocket grouping has the same pattern of different size/shape pockets to accommodate different packages. Package-to-package conversion is accomplished by programming an offset to the desired pocket in each pocket grouping. A test arm assembly is provided with interchangeable vacuum leads and interchangeable nest pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: St Assembly Test Services Pte LTD
    Inventors: Sum Kai Wah, Tan Wee Boon, Yap Liop Jin
  • Patent number: 6718609
    Abstract: A storage rack system includes a base detachably secured from the storage rack wherein the materials of construction for the base are a heavier gauge material than that of the storage rack for improved weight carrying capability and for resistance to abuse while minimizing the cost of the rack assembly. The base has offset front legs closest to the aisle to protect the front legs from accidentally being hit by a forklift truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Interlake Material Handling Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Gruber, Allen B. Kautz
  • Patent number: 6718610
    Abstract: A system and method for assembling a fuel tank is disclosed. A measuring device is mounted on a carriage on which at least one machine tool (e.g., saw, router) is also mounted. This carriage is operatively interconnected with a computer and may be longitudinally moved between a headstock and tailstock which are longitudinally displaced and on which various subassemblies of the fuel tank may be mounted during the assembly of a given fuel tank. Length measurements are preferably made of each fuel tank subassembly prior to any machining operation being executed thereon, as well as after each such machining operation, by monitoring/knowing the longitudinal position of the carriage via the measuring device. These length measurements may be automatically recorded on an appropriate computer-readable storage medium in relation to the subject fuel tank subassembly and the subject fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Richard K. Hansen, Jeffrey M. Simonson
  • Patent number: 6718611
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a perforated metal cover (1) includes steps of: step (60), successively punching holes in a piece of metal sheet at a plurality of workstations and cutting the metal sheet into a plurality of metal bases; step (62), stamping the metal bases into three dimensions; step (64), grinding the metal bases; and step (66), anodizing the metal bases to produce the finished covers. Each workstation includes at least one punch, and each punch includes a die having a plurality of punch heads, which number and arrangement are predetermined according to the holes (3) to be formed in the perforated cover. Different arrays of holes are punched in the metal sheet in different punches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wente Lai
  • Patent number: 6718612
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a glass substrate for use in magnetic disk manufacturing comprises the steps of a) forming a glass sheet; b) forming a protective sheet over one or both sides of the glass sheet; c) cutting the glass sheet into workpieces; d) cutting the workpieces into disk-shaped substrates; e) subjecting the edges of the substrates to an edge polishing process; and f) removing the protective layer. Of importance, by leaving the protective layer over the substrate, the substrate surface is protected from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher H. Bajorek
  • Patent number: 6718613
    Abstract: A method of assembly of a first and second component comprising the steps of providing the first component with a projection providing a second component with a plastics engagement surface assembling the first and second components such that the projection is held substantially rigid relative to the first component and the plastics engagement surface is plastically deformed around the projection then allowing the plastics engagement surface to further creep around the projection such that the force required to disassemble the first and second components increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems Limited
    Inventor: Nigel Spurr
  • Patent number: 6718614
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding a part on a fixture in a precisely known predetermined position includes pressing a surface of the part against a vacuum head and sealing an annular elastomeric sealing ring against the part surface. A valve button of a valve is engaged by the part surface to open the valve and establish communication between a vacuum source. The part is pulled by the vacuum against a hard stop in the vacuum head having a fixed precisely known relationship to said vacuum head reference surface. The hard-stop can be mounted in the base of the vacuum head for pivoting about at least one axis to self-align the hard-stop face with the part face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Paul R. Stone, David E. Strand, Paul E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6718615
    Abstract: A method of forming a flowmeter having a case enclosing a single straight tube surrounded by a balance bar. The balance bar ends are coupled by means of a brace bar to the flow tube as well as by case connect links to the inner wall of the case. The flow tube projects beyond the case end and is sealably coupled to a cone connect element in the case end. A void is defined by the space between the flow tube outer surface and the inner surface of the cone connect element and the end flanges. The case connect links contain out of plane bends to accommodate a change in the effective diameter of the case and the balance bar with respect to each other due to changing thermal conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve, Gregory Treat Lanham, Curtis John Ollila, Ernest Dale Lister
  • Patent number: 6718616
    Abstract: A method of producing a laminated iron core by punching and laminating rotor and stator core pieces. The rotor core pieces are punched from a metal sheet and laminated. Magnetic pole teeth are roughly punched in the metal sheet with the rotor core pieces removed. Each of a plurality of magnetic pole teeth are pressed at plural different portions to form thin parts so as to develop the plurality of magnetic pole teeth toward the punched side of the rotor core piece. Thereafter, the stator core piece is punched to form front tips on the magnetic pole teeth defining an internal form on the stator core piece. An external form of the stator core piece is punched. The punched stator core pieces are laminated in succession.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsui High-Tec, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Fukui, Minao Isayama
  • Patent number: 6718617
    Abstract: In order to simplify the adjustment of an axial play of a rotor shaft (2.4) between the rotor shaft (2.4) and a stator (1) of a motor with the purpose of reducing the component expenditure and the assembly expenditure of the motor, a first clamp holder (3) and a second clamp holder (4) exert pressure on both sides of a plain bearing (5). In a first step, a rotor (2) of the motor is positioned relative to a housing (1.3) of the motor. A bearing receiver (1.1) is then fixed relative to the housing (1.3) of the motor by inserting, at an axially inner end of the bearing receiver (1.1), the second clamp holder (4); by moving the second clamp holder (4) to a second operating end position; and by fixing the second claim holder (4) at the second operating end position. Next, at an axially outer end of the bearing receiver (1.1), the plain bearing (5) and the first clamp holder (3) are axially inserted into the bearing receiver (1.1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Drexlmaier
  • Patent number: 6718618
    Abstract: A superconducting cable is manufactured by providing spacers 12 in a plurality of cores 2 at the time of stranding of the cores 2, and removing the spacers 12 before the stranded cores 2 are housed in a thermally insulated pipe and housing the cores into the thermally insulated pipe while the strands are held in a slacked state. By means of temporal interposition of the spacers, there is easily manufactured three cores having sufficient slack to manage thermal contraction which occurs when the cores are cooled in the thermally insulated pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Tokyo Electric Power Company
    Inventors: Masayuki Hirose, Takato Masuda, Takeshi Kato, Yoshihisa Takahashi, Kimiyoshi Matsuo, Shoichi Honjo, Tomoo Mimura, Terumitsu Aiba
  • Patent number: 6718619
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing an antenna are presented. The antenna is capable of being mounted on a printed circuit board. In accordance with the method, the design dimension of a unitary piece of material are selected according to an operating wavelength. The unitary piece of material is stamped out from a larger section of material according to the design dimensions to form an antenna. The unitary piece of material includes a circular area and a stem area. The circular area has a center and an outer region. The stem area has a first end and a second end. The first end is joined with the center. The unitary piece is bendable at the first end and the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jovan E. Lebaric, Andy Dao
  • Patent number: 6718620
    Abstract: A method is for the manufacture of an electromagnetic actuator, e.g., for the actuation of a charge cycle valve of an internal combustion engine. The actuator includes a rotary armature movable back and forth by electromagnets and supported in an actuator frame The electromagnets are first inserted loosely into the actuator frame and then brought into a defined spatial position in relation to the rotary armature by passing a current through the magnet. Next, the electromagnets are fixed in the actuator frame, corresponding to selected operating positions. The electromagnet may be provided with studs, which protrude through openings in the actuator frame into the outer chamber of the actuator and at which the electromagnet is connected to the actuator frame, for example, by laser beam welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Paasch, Bernhard Ziegler
  • Patent number: 6718621
    Abstract: In a production process of an MR head using the tunnel junction film basically consisting of a free layer, a barrier layer, and a pinned layer, the resistance between the free layer and the pined layer reduced beforehand and increased afterward up to a resistance value necessary when actually used. While the resistance between the free layer and the pinned layer is low, current can easily flow, suppressing charge up, thus preventing insulation destruction of the barrier layer. This significantly increases a production yield of a recording/reproduction head using a ferromagnetic tunnel junction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Hayashi, Keishi Ohashi, Nobuyuki Ishiwata, Masafumi Nakada, Eizo Fukami, Kiyokazu Nagahara, Hiroaki Honjo, Shinsaku Saitoh
  • Patent number: 6718622
    Abstract: In an assembly of layers, a first layer has a recess, a second layer is deposited over the first layer, and a third layer is deposited over the second layer and fills the recess. The material of the third layer is less wear resistant than the second layer. After forming the second layer, the assembly is polished to create a flat and smooth surface. The polishing is stopped upon reaching the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Joannes B. A. D. Van Zon, Gerardus S. A. M. Theunissen
  • Patent number: 6718623
    Abstract: A reproducing head of a thin-film magnetic head incorporates an MR element, a pair of bias field applying layers located to be adjacent to the side portions of the MR element, and a pair of electrode layers that are located on the bias field applying layers and overlap the MR element. The electrode layers each have a first layer that is laid over part of the top surface of the MR element via a protection layer, and a second layer that overlaps the first layer. In the method of manufacturing the reproducing head, after forming the protection layer on an element-to-be film to make the MR element, a first electrode-to-be film to make the first layers is formed continuously without interposing a step of exposing the protection layer to the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignees: Headway Technologies, Inc., SAE Magnetics (H.K.)
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Sasaki, Takehiro Kamigama
  • Patent number: 6718624
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cable preparation, comprising two coupled devices (1, 2) for cable preparation, for example a cable preparation machine (1a) and a coiling device (2a). It furthermore relates to a device for carrying out the method and a system comprising a cable feed device, a cable insulation stripping device and a coiling device, all of which employ a novel program control (3, 4) in order to optimize the preparation procedure, for example the coiling, with regard to the feed values of the cable preparation machine (1a), so that a lower cable loading results without it being necessary to measure cable tension values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Schleuniger Holding AG
    Inventors: J{haeck over (o)}rn Rohrbach, Daniel Schlosser
  • Patent number: 6718625
    Abstract: An method of manufacturing an inductor having a large current capacity which includes a magnetic sintered body formed via wet pressing treatment and a coil assembly disposed within the magnetic sintered body. The coil assembly is defined by a substantially cylindrical magnetic core member which is wound by a coil. Both ends of the coil of the coil assembly are respectively and electrically connected to an input electrode and an output electrode which are respectively disposed on two mutually facing end surfaces of the magnetic sintered body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichiro Ito, Toshio Kawabata, Takahiro Yamamoto, Hiroshi Komatsu, Tadashi Morimoto, Takashi Shikama
  • Patent number: 6718626
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a positioning error of an electric component with respect to a suction nozzle by which the electric component is held by suction under a negative pressure, wherein image data representative of images of the suction nozzle and a dog disposed near the suction nozzle are processed to obtain a relative position between the suction nozzle and the dog, a second image-taking step of taking an image of the electric component held by the suction nozzle and an image of the dog, and the positioning error of the electric component with respect to the suction nozzle is obtained on the basis of image data representative of images of the electric component and the dog, and the obtained relative position between the suction nozzle and the dog. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for mounting the electric component on a circuit substrate, on the basis of the obtained positioning error of the electric component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tosuke Kawada
  • Patent number: 6718627
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a back-up plate up/down apparatus in which a back-up plate is ascended or descended without rocking, maintaining a parallel state. The back-up plate up/down apparatus includes a base plate; guide blocks installed with a constant distance to the base plate; a first driving cylinder installed between the guide blocks; fixed blocks installed with a constant distance to both ends of the base plate and having rotating shafts inserted to both ends thereof; rotating links, in which the rotating shaft is inserted to an end thereof and a connecting member is connected to the other end thereof; a second driving cylinder connected to the connecting members by means of a rod; holders fixed at rods of other connecting members slidably and for fixing the back-up plate; and sensors installed to the holders with a constant distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Mirae Corporation
    Inventor: Hyo Won Kim
  • Patent number: 6718628
    Abstract: A method of making a stimulator electrode with a conductive polymer coating is disclosed. A polymeric coating, such as polyethylene oxide containing NaCl or a similar ionic medium, coats and fills the pores of a high surface area electrode to provide a continuous ionic network from the can to the adjacent body tissue. In certain embodiments, the underlying high surface area, porous electrode is made by chemically etching a smooth electrode surface, such as that of a conventional titanium housing, followed by applying a thin coating of a noble metal such as platinum. In other embodiments, a noble metal or an oxide thereof, such as platinum black or iridium oxide, is applied to a titanium housing to form a porous, high surface area electrode. The conductive polymeric coating is then applied over the porous noble metal or metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Intermedics Inc.
    Inventor: M. Zafar Amin Munshi
  • Patent number: 6718629
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a component onto a substrate of an electrical assembly that utilizes a transponder unit. The transponder unit is attached to the substrate for storing mounting process data, such as, the component manufacturer identification code, the number of missing components, and the number of faulty substrate position, before, during or after the mounting process. The stored process data can then be transmitted to a control unit that controls the component mounting apparatus wherein the data is processed and utilized during the mounting operation to enhance process quality control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Harald Stanzl
  • Patent number: 6718630
    Abstract: An apparatus has a holder that receives a component from a component supply and then places the component on a substrate. In operation, it is determined whether the holder would make an interference with another component already mounted on the substrate. If this judgement is affirmative, mounting of the component held by the holder is prohibited. If, on the other hand, this judgement is negative, the component held by the holder is mounted onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Hada, Shozo Fukuda, Shigeki Imafuku, Akira Noudo, Yoshiyuki Hattori
  • Patent number: 6718631
    Abstract: Process for producing a flexible wiring board by etching a metal foil halfway to form a thick film part and a thin film part, etching the thin film part in order to form a first wiring film having the thick film part and a second wiring film having the thin film part with the first wiring film having a larger thickness than the second wiring film. The sectional area and electrical resistance of the first wiring film can be enlarged, even in cases where the first wiring film and the second wiring film have almost the same width, because of the larger film thickness of the first wiring film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Chemicals Corp.
    Inventor: Masanori Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6718632
    Abstract: A method of creating a fluid ejection device is described. The fluid ejection device has a substrate having a set of thin-film layers disposed on a first surface. A photoresist is applied on the set of thin-film layers, the photoresist has openings defined therein. The set of thin-film layers and substrate in the openings are etched to create deep slots beneath the first surface of the substrate. The photoresist is removed. A protection layer is applied over the set of thin-film layers thereby filling the deep slots in the set of thin-film layers and substrate. A feed channel is created on a second surface of the substrate until the protection layer within the deep slots is exposed. The protection layer is then removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Qin Liu, Naoto Kawamura, Chien-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 6718633
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a valve trim assembly. The process comprises providing a flow disk having an outer diameter, an inner diameter, and an outer disposable flow disk portion, providing a separation disk having an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein the flow disk outer diameter is greater than the separation disk outer diameter, stacking the flow disk on the separation disk, and removing the outer disposable flow disk portion creating a reduced flow disk outer diameter. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: Alan Holton Glenn, Kenneth Alden Thurston
  • Patent number: 6718634
    Abstract: A method of attaching a bearing (216) and hub (214) to a knuckle (212) in a corner assembly (220) of a vehicle to prevent the introduction of lateral moments into a plurality of rollers (232,234,232′,234′) retained in the bearing (216). The bearing (216) has an inner race (222) and an outer race (226) with the plurality of rollers (232,234,232′,234′) being retained between an outer race (226) and an inner race (222). The hub (214) has a cylindrical body with a flange (220) located adjacent a first end (219) and a mounting surface (224) located adjacent a second end (213). The flange (220) has a plurality of axial openings (250,250′ . . . 250n) that are spaced in an arc with respect to an axis of the cylindrical body. After the inner race (222) is located on the mounting surface (224), the inner race (222) is fixed to the cylindrical body. Thereafter, hub (214) is placed on a tool (242) such that a plurality of pins (248,248′ . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: David Thomas Sadanowicz, Robert Edward Sierminski, Jeffery D. Pontius
  • Patent number: 6718635
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a container comprising a first piece of mesh material and at least one separate second piece of mesh material. The first piece of mesh is bent to form a bottom wall and a first pair of sidewalls. The second piece of material forms a second pair of sidewalls. When the pieces are joined together, a basket portion with an upwardly-extending opening is formed. The basket portion may further include a runner portion that may be a separate rail connected to the basket portion, thus forming a drawer. When the container is used with a drawer system including a frame, the runner portion is slidably received in a pair of frame runners. This allows the drawer to move with respect to the frame between retracted and extended positions. The present invention is also directed to a method for making such containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Design Ideas, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsi-Ming Cheng, R. Neal Post, Christopher Hardy
  • Patent number: 6718636
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for finishing the ball cup of a homocinitic joint, especially for motor vehicles, having a ball ring-shaped bearing surface for the ball cage and a plurality of essentially axial running guideways which interrupt said ball ring-shaped bearing surface. The guideways are provided for the balls which are arranged in the ball recesses of the ball cage and which transmit torque between the ball cup and the ball star. In order to be able to finish such ball shells quickly, economically and as fully automatic as possible, the invention provides that both the ball ring-shaped bearing surface for the ball cage as well as the guideways for the balls are produced by means of a turning machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Iprotec Maschinon-und Edolstohlprodukye GmbH
    Inventor: Guido Kochsiek
  • Patent number: 6718637
    Abstract: The present invention has a safety hood which is pivotally mounted to the body of the knife at the front end. The body is pivotally mounted to a spine at the back end. The blade is removably mounted on the spine such that the hood covers the blade when the knife is closed. The hood is biased closed and has a latch to hold it closed unless the latch is released. The user depresses a button, which moves the latch, releasing the hood to push up when the user presses the hood against a working surface. The hood's rotation, and therefore the about of blade exposed, is controlled by an adjustable depth assembly. The adjustable depth assembly has multiple settings, allowing the user to control the cutting depth of the knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventors: Mel Wayne Ortner, Donald R. Schwartz, Timothy A. Turley, Fred K. Kueffner
  • Patent number: 6718638
    Abstract: A coaxial cable stripper includes an upper lid, a base, a blade seat, a lower lid, and a blade rotation rod. In use, the user's finger presses the upper lid to open the front end of the stripper. The cable is placed on the recess of the base. Then, the upper lid is released and the front end of the stripper close and grip the cable. Next, the screw at the bottom of the base is adjusted to control the spring force of the spring so as to force the blade to cut deep into the inner insulation layer to the central conductive core. Next, the screw at the blade body hole is adjusted to control the cutting depth of the blade body so as to force the blade to cut into the outer sheath of the cable. Then the inner insulation layer and the outer sheath can be cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Gwo-Jiang Liaw
  • Patent number: 6718639
    Abstract: A cutter has a blade housing; a blade carrier; and a blade engaged within the blade carrier. The blade housing receives the blade carrier and blade in sliding engagement along a longitudinal direction for retracting and extending the blade forward of the blade housing. The blade carrier is further movable between an upwardly biased position and a downwardly depressed position within the blade housing against a spring biasing element which urges the blade carrier to the upwardly biased position for locking the blade carrier in one of a plurality of slots for fixing the blade at a selected degree of extension. The blade carrier may be partially depressed to disengage the blade carrier from the slots enabling longitudinal motion and may be fully depressed to engage a cutting edge of the blade with a sharpening stone for honing the blade as the blade carrier moves within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Byron John Kazanjian
  • Patent number: 6718640
    Abstract: A cutting tool having a blade and a member which is biassed toward a safety position, in which the member forms a guard for the blade, but which may be displaced for exposing the blade by bringing the tool into cutting contact with a workpiece. The cutting tool includes a locking mechanism having a trigger which must be moved from a first position to a second position to release the guard member from its safety position and which is arranged, so that each time the guard member is released from its safety position, it is displaced through a predetermined distance and then returns to its safety position. The guard member will become locked in place regardless of the position of the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Moving Edge Limited
    Inventor: Roger Bernard John
  • Patent number: 6718641
    Abstract: A punching tool includes a punching device, and a plier device coupled to the punching device for actuating the punching device with less force. The punching device includes a base detachably secured to one of the jaws with such as a channel-and-flange engagement, and includes a punching member movable relative to the base and operatable by the other jaw which may force the punching member relative to the base. A spring may bias the punching member away from the sheet materials to be cut. A cover is engaged with the punching member and attached to one of the jaws for detachably securing the punching member to that jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Yu Hsun Hsuan
  • Patent number: 6718642
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a blade clamping mechanism in a woodworking plane that allows a plane iron as wide as the plane body itself to be clamped in a wedge shaped slot in the plane body. The slot begins at a point tangent to a waste ejection hole proximate a front area of the plane running diagonally towards the spine of the plane body before looping back short of the spine to return diagonally through the sole forming the mouth together with the waste hole. The loop forms the widest point of the slot, while the tangent forms the narrowest point of the slot. The rear surface of the slot serves as the ramp for the plane iron. The plane iron is clamped by a floating pin mounted in a hole drilled longitudinally through the spine, perpendicular to the ramp, and terminating at an inspection hole. The floating pin is retained between the under side of the plane iron and a conical shaped point of a screw threaded from a back of the plane body diagonally to the floating pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: David Collins
  • Patent number: 6718643
    Abstract: For purpose of both of reduction in the number of parts that contributes to lower cost, and facilitated adjustment of location of a pair of laser beams for formation of a precise straight line beam drawn on objects in the wide-angle area, there are provided an apparatus and method having an improvement in emission of a laser line beam. The improvement comprises at least two pointer units each having a laser beam source for emission of a laser beam and a collimator lens for collimating the emitted beam, and a cylindrical lens arranged ahead of the units. With an arranged relationship between the pointer units and cylindrical lens, two beam fluxes from respective units cross each other at a point where the cylindrical lens is arranged, wherein the beam fluxes are at right angles to the central axis of the cylindrical lens. The diffused beams form the straight line beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Akihito Tamamura
  • Patent number: 6718644
    Abstract: A system for aligning a hub/mast with a soffit penetration point uses an insert that is similar in shape to a terminal adapter that is threadably received within a hub of a meter base. An opening within the insert receives a laser such that when the insert is received within the terminal adapter, the laser beam emitted by the laser, corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the terminal adapter, illuminates the proper penetration point on the soffit of a building from which an electrical conduit holding an electrical conductor should extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy Perkins, John C. Parker
  • Patent number: 6718645
    Abstract: A measuring device for measuring the concentricity of cartridges (30, 31), more particularly rifle cartridges, is essentially composed of a main body (1) provided with chambers (2) for cartridges of one or a plurality of calibers. The cartridges are radially retained in the chambers by so-called diameter compensators (9) but rotatable about their longitudinal axis. In the area of the point (39) of the projectile, an access for a measuring means (3) is provided, e.g., a dial gauge, the latter indicating the deviation of the projectile from perfect concentricity by the magnitude of its deflection variation when the cartridge (30, 31) is rotated. An aligning device (4) that is preferably also provided allows to exert a lateral pressure on the projectile in order to obtain an improved concentricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Heinz Berger
  • Patent number: 6718646
    Abstract: A self-centering device for supporting heads for checking the attitude of motor vehicle wheels, comprising two parallel cylindrical bars (3) between which there is positioned a parallel rod (6) having two opposite-handed threaded portions with which two sliders (5) are coupled and are arranged to slide along said bars with movement towards and away from each other, said sliders each being provided with a pair of clamps (12) arranged to engage the wheel rim of the wheel to be tested, each individual clamp being connected to the respective slider by way of means (14) which enable its distance from the slider to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Corghi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Remo Corghi
  • Patent number: 6718647
    Abstract: A measurement probe (10) is disclosed having strain sensing elements (36) mounted on spokes (38) of a strain sensing member (34). The member (34) is disposed in parallel and spaced from a diaphragm (42). Inner portions of the member and diaphragm are connected to a stylus holder (26) and outer portions of the member and diaphragm are connected to probe body (32). The probe can be used to produce a signal when contact force on the stylus (12) is within an adjustable upper and lower limit, and is thereby suited to use with a manually manipulatable coordinate measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Stephen James Trull, Geoff McFarland, Andrew Daniel Huber, Peter George Lloyd
  • Patent number: 6718648
    Abstract: A method of measuring a length of a pile which supports a structure upon the earth including affixing a flexible strand to a first pile segment, driving the first pile segment a desired distance into the earth such that the flexible strand extends along the length of the first pile segment along an exterior surface thereof, and driving a plurality of additional pile segments into the earth such that the pile segments reside upon an end of the first pile segment. The flexible strand extends along a length of the plurality of additional pile segments on the exterior surface thereon. The flexible strand has indicia thereon indicative of length measurements. The flexible strand is formed of an inelastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Tony S. Knight
  • Patent number: 6718649
    Abstract: A tape measure housing has first and second sidewalls and a peripheral wall. A metal post is extends between the first and second sidewalls and includes an elongate column portion disposed along an axis and a base portion. The base portion includes a plurality of ribs extending generally normal to the axis. The column portion includes a slot. A fastener may extend through the first sidewall and mate to the column portion. The second sidewall includes a boss having a recess configured to accept the ribs such that the material forming the boss interstitially interengages with the ribs. A fastener may extend through the second sidewall and mate to the base portion. The anchoring portion of the post may include a non-circular flange extending generally normal to the axis, with the recess being configured to accept the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Cooper Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Critelli, William C. Blackman
  • Patent number: 6718650
    Abstract: A personal dryer capable of expelling temperatured air uniformly throughout the dryer and/or different temperatured air at different regions of the dryer, so as to provide a user with the option of drying their entire body with a more desirable uniformly temperatured air and/or drying different bodily regions with different or varied, user-selectable temperatured air, and wherein such a personal dryer is capable of being pre-programmed to enable a user to dry his/her body in a user-specified regimen or manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Sherry Ross
  • Patent number: 6718651
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable, cordless, hair dryer/blower that has an elongated hollow body portion with a mass center line and including therein a blower motor and a heating element and having a posterior end and an anterior end. A handle portion has a longitudinal axis extending substantially transversally from and along the mass center line of the elongated body portion. The handle portion includes switch controls for operating the heating element and the blower motor. A power source has a flat base and a mass center line that, when the power source is attached to the handle portion lies substantially along the longitudinal axis of the handle and the mass center line of the elongated body portion to provide power to the manual controls and to provide a flat base structure for enabling the hair dryer/blower to stand alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventors: Louis Perez, Walter Evanyk
  • Patent number: 6718652
    Abstract: A rotary particle dryer has a shaft extending along an axis and a hollow drum coaxially and spacedly surrounding the shaft and rotatable about the axis in a direction. A set of axially extending inner baffles fixed to the shaft extend radially outward therefrom and each form at least one angularly open inner pocket. A set of axially extending outer baffles fixed to the drum extend radially inward therefrom and each form at least two angularly open outer pockets. Structure mechanically connects the inner baffles directly with the outer baffles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Buttner Gesellschaft fur Trocknungs-und Umwelttechnik mbH
    Inventors: Andreas Klug, Wolfgang Schröder