Patents Issued in April 20, 2004
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Patent number: 6722972Abstract: Confinement houses such as those housing poultry or hogs are artificially ventilated. To provide fresh air, there are openings along the walls. To control the amount of effective opening, fabric curtains are provided to cover the openings to varying degrees, depending on the inside conditions. The curtain opening is manipulated by a linear actuator and a manual hand-crank. When the power grid is interrupted for more than a moment, ventilation fans stop and the livestock become in danger of asphyxiation. As a fallback strategy, the curtains are opened fully by releasing the manual hand-crank, permitting it to spin as the curtains fall open under their own weight. A tension device such as a cord, chain, cable, string or wire runs between the manual hand-crank and a safety ventilation curtain release device. The safety ventilation curtain release device will release the tension device when the power grid has been off for a predetermined time.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Eric T. Holtkamp
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Patent number: 6722973Abstract: There is provided a rearing simulation apparatus which can dramatically produce further rearing pleasure for a player by allowing the player to rear and grow an imaginary living body of the rearing simulation apparatus and constructing the rearing simulation apparatus not only to display information but also to move or run, the rearing simulation apparatus comprising a memory means for memorizing control data related to the rearing of the imaginary living body, a control means for reading out control data corresponding to an input related to the rearing when the input is entered from the input means and executing control processing related to the rearing of the imaginary living body based on the control data so read out, a display means for displaying rearing information related to the imaginary living body and an operating means adapted to be operated by the information obtained from the control means, whereby the results of the rearing by the rearing means are displayed on the display means and the operatinType: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Wiz Co., Ltd.Inventor: Susumu Akaishi
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Patent number: 6722974Abstract: Systems and methods for playing live casino-type card games, in particular blackjack. The systems include a presentation unit which has video displays which portray virtual playing cards and other information at gaming tables attended by live participants. Shuffling, cutting, dealing and return of playing cards are accomplished using data processing functions within an electronic game processor or processors which enable these functions to be performed quickly and without manual manipulation of playing cards. The invention allows casinos to speed play and reduce the risk of cheating while maintaining the attractive ambiance of a live table game.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Digideal CorporationInventors: Randy D. Sines, Michael J. Kuhn, Randy A. Gregory
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Patent number: 6722975Abstract: A method for playing a poker game along with an auxiliary game, which depends on the poker game outcomes, is provided. The outcomes of the poker game are divided in three categories: credit events, no-credit events and non-event holds. Depending on their categories, outcomes influence the auxiliary game in different ways. The preferred way the auxiliary game works is by monitoring credit and no-credit events with a time window having neither a beginning nor an end; the amount of information monitored being constant. When a predetermined number of credits is accumulated within the monitoring window, an auxiliary prize is awarded. The invention also provides ways to display the information monitored by the auxiliary game so that this information is easy for players to understand and to follow. Accordingly, the invention provides an enhanced play experience that maintains excitement.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Labtronix Concept Inc.Inventor: Gérald Duhamel
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Patent number: 6722976Abstract: Methods of playing games and gaming devices useful for playing games whereby the gaming device comprises a first gaming unit for displaying a randomly selected combination of indicia and a mechanism for generating at least one signal corresponding to the first gaming unit. The gaming device also comprises a second gaming unit for displaying an interactive driving video game whereby the second gaming unit is operatively connected to the first gaming unit and the second gaming unit becomes actuable or is activated in response to the signal generated by the first gaming unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: IGTInventor: William R. Adams
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Patent number: 6722977Abstract: A system and method for promoting and dispensing collector's cards to a plurality of users. The system includes a microprocessor connected to a currency acceptor, a collector's card dispenser, and a game piece dispenser. When currency is inserted into the currency acceptor, the microprocessor registers the signal provided by the currency acceptor and directs the collector's card dispenser to distribute at least one collector's card according to the amount of currency entered. As a promotion to encourage the sale of the collector's cards, the system also dispenses a game piece simultaneously with the collector's card, that allows the user to play a game of chance.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1999Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Keith Heflin
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Patent number: 6722978Abstract: The method of the present invention involves a numerical game of chance, which includes a parlay and a bonus playing option. A player selects a series of five (5) numbers from a set of eighty (80) numbers and makes a wager. The player then selects a second series of five numbers from a set of eighty numbers and makes another wager. The player then is given the option to make a combination wager whereby the first series of five numbers and second series of five numbers are combined. The gaming establishment then draws five winning numbers randomly from the set of eighty numbers. A player wins if his first series of five numbers matches the winning numbers, if his second series of five numbers matches the winning numbers or if any combination of the two series of numbers (i.e., ten numbers selected) matches the winning numbers. Additionally, bonus and parlay options are available.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Las Vegas Gaming, Inc.Inventor: Mark Fitzpatrick Valenti
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Patent number: 6722979Abstract: A hybrid slot machine, controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprises a video display and a generally flat panel mounted over the video display. The video display is operable to depict a plurality of symbol-bearing reels that are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in visual association with at least one pay line. The flat panel forms one or more transmissive reel windows overlying and revealing the respective reels shown on the video display.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.Inventors: Jason C. Gilmore, Larry J. Pacey
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Patent number: 6722980Abstract: A wagering system comprises a race providing system facilitating wagering on race events and providing information regarding the race events, and at least one wagering terminal in communication with the race providing system. The at least one wagering terminal includes a race event selector to select next race events for wagering, a display to present information regarding the selected race events, a user interface to place a wager on an elected race event of the selected race events displayed, and a wagering value mechanism to provide a wager amount for the wager on the elected race event. Further, at least one of the race providing system and the at least one wagering terminal includes a quick pick race contestant(s) selector receiving handicapping information and odds information from the race providing system to select one or more race contestants of an elected race event for the wager in accordance with the received handicapping information and odds information.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Andrew M. Stronach
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Patent number: 6722981Abstract: A gaming device that provides a player with an opportunity to maximize a gaming device award. The gaming device presents the player with a display having a plurality of symbols and enables the player to choose one or more of the symbols. The game reveals the award(s) associated with the selected symbols but does not reveal which awards are associated with which symbols. The game then provides the player with one or more opportunities to upgrade the total award by deselecting one or more of the selected symbols and re-selecting another symbol for each deselected symbol.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: IGTInventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Jean M. Brossard, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph R. Hedrick, Lance R. Peterson
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Patent number: 6722982Abstract: A gaming device that provides a player with an opportunity to maximize a gaming device award. The gaming device presents the player with a display having a plurality of symbols and enables the player to choose one or more of the symbols. The game reveals the award(s) associated with the selected symbols but does not reveal which awards are associated with which symbols. The game then provides the player with one or more opportunities to upgrade the total award by deselecting one or more of the selected symbols and re-selecting another symbol for each deselected symbol.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: IGTInventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Jean M. Brossard, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Joseph R. Hedrick, Lance R. Peterson
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Patent number: 6722983Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game. More specifically, the present invention provides a processor controlled gaming device that enables the player to build a number of awards by selecting choices from one or more sets of choices and further enables the player to select a final award choice that randomly provides one of the awards when the player finishes building the awards.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: IGTInventors: Joseph E. Kaminkow, Paulina Glavich
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Patent number: 6722984Abstract: A hand-held controller having a plurality of console command buttons that, in response to activation, cause the transmission of commands for the purpose of controlling the operation of a video game console. Parental control is provided by preventing the transmission of commands to the video game console in response to activation of a console command button as a function of a parental control parameter that is provided to the hand-held controller.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2000Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Kenneth G. Sweeney, Jr., Sandro D. Klein, William L. Brown, James N. Conway
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Patent number: 6722985Abstract: A disclosed player tracking unit utilizes a memory arranged to store a plurality of different communication protocols allowing the player tracking unit to communicate with a plurality of different types of gaming machines and a plurality of different types of player tracking servers. The player tracking unit may contain many different types of player tracking peripheral devices such as card readers, key pads, displays, bonus buttons and biometric input mechanisms. The peripheral devices contained in the player tracking unit may be accessible to the master gaming controller on a gaming machine and may be utilized by the master gaming controller for other gaming applications. The player tracking unit may be designed with a standard housing and standard device layout allowing the player tracking unit to fit in many different types of gaming machines with minimal modifications to the gaming machine or the player tracking unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: IGTInventors: Cynthia Criss-Puszkiewicz, Steven G. LeMay, Richard E. Rowe
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Patent number: 6722986Abstract: A gaming machine is described in which all interested parties to a game program to run on the gaming machine, will digitally sign each piece of approved program prior to installation. These signatures are stored with the program on a mass storage device inside the gaming machine. When the machine needs to load a piece of program, or upon an external command after a significant event such as a jackpot payout, it will execute the SHA-1 program code in the EPROM on the program being loaded, and then perform a DSA verification operation using the SHA-1 output as one of the parameters. The DSA verification operation will be repeated for every digital signature stored with the program, and all must be valid, so that it is impossible to execute program code that has not been approved by the manufacturer, the jurisdictional authority and optionally the casino and/or other parties.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd.Inventors: Martin Lyons, Robert Linley Muir
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Patent number: 6722987Abstract: A computer user enters free-form electronic ink at run-time of an application program for manipulating the trajectories of mobile objects within the application program. Collisions between mobile objects and ink are processed by determining a collision angle that bisects a first and last intersecting point along a periphery of the first object. After the collision, the first object moves away from the ink as if the first object collided with a flat surface oriented perpendicular to the collision angle.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Lachlan J. Orr, Eric B. Fox
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Patent number: 6722988Abstract: The game system comprises a storage device for storing sound data, a game control device for reading the sound data corresponding to a predetermined scene of a game and outputting the same data, and a sound reproducing device for reproducing the sound data outputted from the game control device. The game control device detects the occurrence of a failure in reading the sound data. When detecting the reading failure of the sound data, the system copes with the failure by a direction somehow related to the world of the game.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Konami CorporationInventor: Jun Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 6722989Abstract: A portable electronic device is selectively connected to a master. Durring conection, a plurality of conversation scripts and associated dictionay are downloaded to provide a video game comprising a virtual pet, which game is capable of being executed independently from the master. The virtual pet is able to provide an interactive conversation with a user by the use of the script programs and a dictionary. In addition, the user is able to teach the virtual pet new words. Attributes of the words are modified when the user teaches the pet the words, and their intended meaning, and durring later conversations. The attributes are modified based upon the responses of a user to questions asked by the pet. The user responds by selection of one of a number of possible replies.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1999Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.Inventor: Yozo Hayashi
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Patent number: 6722990Abstract: A slip joint includes a structure that prevents a negative pressure situation from occurring within a sealed lubricant chamber during operation thereof. The slip joint includes a male splined member having a plurality of external splines formed thereon that cooperate with a plurality of internal splines formed on a female splined member. The cooperating splines are disposed within a lubricant chamber defined at one end by a seal assembly and at the other end by a pressure regulator assembly that maintains a positive pressure situation within the lubricant chamber during operation thereof (i.e., a situation where the fluid pressure within the lubricant chamber is greater than or equal to than the fluid pressure outside of the lubricant chamber). To accomplish this, the pressure regulator assembly includes a housing having an open end that faces toward the lubricant chamber. A spring urges the pressure compensator assembly toward the lubricant chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.Inventor: James A. Duggan
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Patent number: 6722991Abstract: Venting systems and methods are provided for a splined driveshaft to continually equalize the internal driveshaft pressure with that of the atmosphere, preventing at the same time, external elements, such as, water, dirt, or salt from getting into the driveshaft, thereby causing premature wear or corrosion. One venting system comprises a vent defined in a splined driveshaft for allowing air outside the driveshaft, containing telescopically resident first and second members, to pass into at least one of the first and second members, and a plug mounted over the vent. Another venting system comprises a weld yoke at an end of a splined driveshaft, a vent defined in the weld yoke allowing air outside the splined driveshaft to pass into the driveshaft, and a plug mounted over the vent. A venting method comprises providing a splined driveshaft, forming a vent defined in the splined driveshaft, mounting a plug over the vent, and venting the splined driveshaft through the vent.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lou J. Chrobak, Maciej Glowacki, Walter J. Golembiewski
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Patent number: 6722992Abstract: A torque limiter of the present invention includes: a first rotor and a second rotor, the first and second rotors rotatable about a single center of rotation; a yoke board integrally formed with the first rotor; a magnet which is provided so as to be in contact with the yoke board; and a hysteresis board provided so as to be opposed to the magnet with a space therebetween, the hysteresis board is integrally formed with the second rotor and a washer having depression portions, protrusion portions, holes, or a combination thereof is provided between the first and second rotors.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koichiro Hirabayashi, Akio Konishi, Kazuo Shibukawa
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Patent number: 6722993Abstract: A power transmission system has a Neidhart structure in which a damper is shearing-deformed while being press-deformed when torque is applied to a pulley. The torque is transmitted from the pulley to a center hub by the reaction force in response to a vector component of the deformation of the damper, parallel to the pulley rotation direction, while a torque fluctuation is reduced by the deformation of the damper. Thereby, it is possible to set an elasticity modulus of the damper to be smaller. Therefore, it is possible to provide a compact power transmission system having a reduced torque fluctuation.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Yasuo Tabuchi, Manabu Saiki, Naoto Agata, Makoto Ito, Yuichi Aoki, Junichi Ohguchi
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Patent number: 6722994Abstract: A suspended drive axle and agricultural tractor having same including a central housing having inboard final drives and left and right axle housing suspended therefrom by upper and lower control arms with axle shafts extending outwardly therefrom to which wheel and tire assemblies are mounted. A constant velocity universal joint is provided between the inboard final drives and the axle shafts. The universal joint having a pair of journal members and a coupling yoke that radially surround the drive and driven yokes of the joint whereby the axial length of the universal joint is minimized to enable the wheels to be located on the axle shafts at 60 inch tread spacing. This allows the drive axle to be used on a row crop tractor without altering the structure of the vehicle from a conventional row crop tractor whereby the characteristics of a row crop tractor are maintained.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Deer & Co.Inventors: Terrill Wayne Woods, Dennis Aaron Bowman, Mervin Peter Kizlyk, Norman Frederick Lemmon, Kendall Lee Giesmann, Aaron James Peterson, George Nick Schmitz, Peter Alan Kosmicki, Joe L. Schutte, William Guy Alexander, Christopher Alan Schafer, Dennis Lee Jeffries, Jeffrey Kahle Brown
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Patent number: 6722995Abstract: The facility includes an enclosed space provided with a floor on which a layer of snow can be formed, an apparatus for cooling the space and a device for forming the layer of snow in the space so as to make a predetermined course. The course includes at least one continuous section.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Unlimited Snow Indoor B.V.Inventor: Cornelis Johannes Pieter Albers
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Patent number: 6722996Abstract: A moving uplift apparatus is provided which enables the user to utilize the device as a piece of playground or backyard play equipment commonly known as a see-saw. The apparatus includes a frame structure, a user support mechanism, and a user engagement mechanism. The user support mechanism pivotally mounts to the frame structure, while the user engagement mechanism pivotally mounts to the user support mechanism. The user engagement mechanism may have engagement members for engaging said frame structure. The apparatus is different from the more conventional see-saw apparatuses in that the upward and downward pivoting motion of the user is produced by rocking the user engagement mechanism forward and backward, not by pushing against the ground with the feet of the user. The apparatus may be configured so that rocking the user engagement mechanism backward and forward may produces different seat movement, including rotation about the base of the frame structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Gary Lawrence Johnston
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Patent number: 6722997Abstract: A golf cup comprises a tubular housing, support members provided within the housing and defining a central bore for receiving a replaceable plastic bushing. The bushing, having an upper end and a lower end, is snugly fitted in the central bore. The upper end of the bushing member has an annular flange supported by a shoulder of the support members. The lower end of the bushing member is extended below the support members and provided with an annular groove for receiving an o-ring for holding the bushing member in a fixed position. The present invention also discloses a plastic bushing for a metal golf flagpole adapter.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Uni-Spray Systems Inc.Inventor: Alfred John Gilmour
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Patent number: 6722998Abstract: A method for applying a putter alignment indicator to a putter to aid in aligning the putter during a putting stroke. The method includes providing a substantially planar alignment surface and having a golfer, while standing in the golfer's normal putting stance, place the striking surface of the putter head against the substantially planar alignment surface. A light source directs a beam of light onto the elongated shaft to create a shadow on the heel portion of the putter head. The position of the light source is adjusted until the first edge and the second edge of the shadow, as viewed by the golfer when standing in the golfer's normal putting stance, appear adjacent to or directly behind the shaft. An alignment indicator is applied to the putter head adjacent to at least one edge of the shadow.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Dale Miller Inc.Inventor: Dale D. Miller
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Patent number: 6722999Abstract: A golf putting training device for quickly attaching to a golf putter and used on a practice putting green without interfering with other golfers practicing on the same putting green. The training device helps teach the fundamentals of putting a golf ball with proper line of sight over the center of a putter head and the center of a golf ball. The golf putting training device includes a putter shaft attachment housing adapted for adjustably mounting along a length of a golf putter shaft. The shaft includes a lower end attached to the putter head. One end of a first and second brace are releasably attached to the attachment housing. An opposite end of the first and second brace is hinged to one side of a ball alignment arm. The ball alignment arm includes a sight gap along a length of the arm. The sight gap is used to position the alignment arm directly over a center of the golf ball and next to the putter head.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Kwang Chol Yi
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Patent number: 6723000Abstract: An adjustable putter head and club shaft combination golf putter is adjustable in both shaft length and head angle. A main shaft includes a second shaft portion which telescopes inside a first shaft portion for adjusting the length of the main shaft. A gear assembly located between the second shaft portion and the putter head creates pivoting action of the putter head. When the main shaft is telescopically extended to its longest length, the putter head is located at almost a right angle with respect to the main shaft. As the main shaft is shortened, the putter head increases its angle to approximately 15° in a directly proportional manner.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Doug C. Dombrowski
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Patent number: 6723001Abstract: A putter type golf club including a club head with a ball striking face lying in a plane and a shaft connected to the club head. The golf club is formed with an elongated handle, having a cross-sectional configuration with a first length in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said ball striking face and a second length in a direction parallel to the plane of said ball striking face; the first length being greater than the second length and the cross-sectional shape being generally oval, including rounded front and rear edges. Alignment indicia is provided on a top surface of the handle to assist the golfer to properly align the golf club in order to execute a putting stroke toward an intended target.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Richard D. Ferris
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Patent number: 6723002Abstract: A golf putter has a flat ball-striking surface at a right angle from a top and bottom surface of the main blade. The top surface has an irregular back edge and a straight front edge interfacing with the ball-striking surface. The bottom surface extends beyond the back edge of the top surface in a semi-circular pattern and also has a straight front edge interfacing with the ball-striking surface. A shaft penetrates the top surface at a left portion looking from the ball-striking surface. The shaft is bent at a distance of one to four inches above the top surface of the blade and the bend is ten to twenty degrees toward the blade top surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: David R. Barlow
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Patent number: 6723003Abstract: A golf stance coordinator template and method for using the same is provided for establishing and documenting a correct stance and for repeated positioning of the golf ball when utilizing assorted golf clubs. The device includes a foot positioning template having an E-shaped configuration when assembled for use. The foot positioning template includes first, second, and third vertical foot marker members which are pivotally secured to a horizontal foot marker member. The foot positioning template folds into an I-shaped configuration for ease in transportability. Indicia are provided to serve as golf stance indicator markers.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Stephen R. Harrell
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Patent number: 6723004Abstract: A golf training apparatus comprising a base pad with indicia for locating a golfer's feet for different golf swings, and a pair of footpads, one of which rocks on a fulcrum and the other is disposed in a non-rocking position for teaching a golfer a proper weight shift during his swing.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Raymond J. Florian
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Patent number: 6723005Abstract: A golf club equivalent in driving distance to a standard 2-iron, 3-iron, 4-iron, 5-iron or 6-iron, where each club varies from the equivalent standard iron club in that the shaft is shorter, the loft angle is decreased, the lie angle is increased, and the club head weight is increased, where the swing weight remains approximately the same and where the club head is a metal club head of the type used for drivers and fairway woods.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1999Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: David B. Hueber
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Patent number: 6723006Abstract: A golf club grip includes a cylinder, a plurality of threads formed on in the outer surface of the cylinder, and a plurality of covers wound spaced apart around the cylinder. The threads have respectively a central thread body and two grooves respectively formed at two sides of each the central thread body. The anti-slipping bands are respectively wound around the threads. The covers respectively hide every section defined by every two neighboring threads. Then every two neighboring central thread bodies obstruct one side of two neighboring covers so that they may not be pressed to tip up by the hands of a user gripping the club grip in case of the golf club striking a golf ball. The cylinder, the anti-slipping bands and the covers may be colored different from one another.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Cheng-Tsung Lin
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Patent number: 6723007Abstract: A face of a golf club head includes a recess defined in the face and a striking pad mounted in the recess. The striking pad is a combination of a high-strength alloy, such as titanium alloy, Fe-Al-Mn alloy steel, marging stainless steel or precipitated stainless steel, and a ceramic or carbides filler, such as the Al2O3, SiO2, TiC, WC. etc., so the striking pad has an excellent reactive force when striking a golf ball and good control of the direction of the golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: O-Ta Precision Casting Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chih-Yeh Chao
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Patent number: 6723008Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core and a cover of two inner and outer layers enclosing the solid core, the solid core has a deflection of at least 1.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Higuchi, Hirotaka Shimosaka, Yasushi Ichikawa, Rinya Takesue
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Patent number: 6723009Abstract: The present invention provides a three-piece solid golf ball having long flight distance when hit by using from a middle iron club to a driver, and excellent controllability by accomplishing high spin amount when hit by a short iron club and the like, while maintaining good shot feel. The present invention relates to a three-piece solid golf ball comprising a core composed of a center and an intermediate layer formed on the center, and a cover formed on the core, wherein the center has a diameter of 10 to 20 mm and a central point hardness in JIS-A hardness of 30 to 90, the intermediate layer has a surface hardness in Shore D hardness of 50 to 70, and the cover has a Shore D hardness of 45 to 65.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Akira Kato
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Patent number: 6723010Abstract: Apparatus for gripping a golf ball and a tee therefor, and for inserting the tee into the ground with the ball thereon, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a body member with a handle and a grip. The grip comprises (a) a ball support, (b) an arm and (c) means mounting the arm for rotation between a closed position and an open position. The ball support has an opening which receives a golf ball; the arm has a slot that receives a tee. When the arm is closed, a tee in the slot in the arm urges a golf ball into the opening of the ball support, and the shank of the tee is exposed so that it can be inserted into the ground; in the open position, a ball seated on the head of a tee received in the slot of the arm is spaced from the opening of the ball support.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Joseph Gill
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Patent number: 6723011Abstract: A sports net assembly for allowing users who play sports that require a goal to replace damaged netting without disassembling an entire net. The sports net assembly includes a sports net assembly for use in playing sports including a frame assembly. The frame assembly has at least one vertical support member. The frame assembly has a plurality of horizontal support members. A netting assembly has a mesh portion and an attachment portion. The attachment portion is removably couplable to the frame assembly. The mesh portion is for defining a sports goal wherein the netting assembly is coupled to the frame assembly. The netting assembly is for receiving a sporting implement such as a soccer ball.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventors: Mike A. Van Helvert, Bonnie Bowden
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Patent number: 6723012Abstract: A baseball bat is described having of an elongated cylindrical handle portion for gripping, a cylindrical barrel portion for striking and a tapered cylindrical mid-section connecting the handle portion and the barrel portion, wherein at least the barrel portion is tubular and is constructed solely of a polymer composite material with a three-dimensional fiber reinforcement architecture resulting in improved durability versus conventional polymer composite bats, without any sacrifice in playing performance. Also disclosed are polymer composite baseball bats where the polymer composite material includes between 85% and 100% fiberglass reinforcement fibers, and/or where the central cavity is filled with a damping material such as polymeric foam or a low-density granular material.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: CE Composites Baseball, Inc.Inventor: Terrance W. Sutherland
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Patent number: 6723013Abstract: Chemoluminescent illuminators are used to provide night visible game equipment, notably, croquet and bocce. The balls are hollow metal spheres having plural openings and light stick receptors to retain the light stick in the ball. Light emitted from the light stick escapes from the opaque balls through the openings. The interior surface of the sphere may be treated in a variety of ways to increase light scattering within the hollow interior to define an integrating sphere. Different colored illuminators are provided to mark different balls as relating to different players. Wickets preferably comprise elongate chemoluminescent illuminators that are held in proximity to conventional wickets with torsional springs or with loops formed in the wickets. Wicket holders may also be provided to assist with directly supporting the chemoluminescent illuminators that are used as wickets.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Technical Visions Inc.Inventors: Kevin J. Ilcisin, Thomas S. Buzak
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Patent number: 6723014Abstract: A transmission mechanism of continuously variable transmission in a vehicle comprises a primary pulley and a secondary pulley provided with a first cylinder chamber and a second cylinder chamber, with groove widths being changed by supply of hydraulic pressure, and a belt provided between the pulleys. A hydraulic pressure to the first cylinder chamber is controlled by CVT control unit through a shift control valve according to a driving state of the vehicle, and the second cylinder chamber is continuously supplied with a line pressure. CVT control unit includes an internal memory to retain a heavy-current system fail flag according to the failure information inputted from a motor control unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Jatco Transtechnology Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihide Shinso, Yoshikazu Miyagawa, Satoshi Sakakibara
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Patent number: 6723015Abstract: The link belt for power transmission for a continuously variable transmission, with individual links (2) and a ring package (3, 5), which holds the links (2) together, contains an additional, outer ring package (4) for the purpose of absorbing the radial forces generated on the links (2) is provided, which is arranged around the link belt (1) and is mounted such that it can no longer rotate along with the link belt (1), however is still able to follow the strip's adjusting movement, wherein the ring package (5) ensures that the links are guided and held together.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: ZF Batavia L.L.C.Inventor: Michael Herrmann
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Patent number: 6723016Abstract: In an infinitely variable transmission with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a planetary gearset, a power recirculation mode clutch, and a direct mode clutch, a torque split mode reduction gear and clutch device is connected to a unit input shaft and located parallel to a power recirculation mode reduction gear and clutch device. The power recirculation mode clutch is provided for inputting a torque greater than a torque through the unit input shaft into the CVT with the power recirculation mode clutch engaged. The torque split mode clutch is provided for inputting a torque smaller than the torque through the unit input shaft into the CVT with the torque split mode clutch engaged. The power recirculation mode clutch, the direct mode clutch, and the torque split mode clutch are selectively engaged and disengaged for establishing either of a power recirculation mode, a direct mode, and a torque split mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Jatco LTDInventor: Yasuo Sumi
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Patent number: 6723017Abstract: A differential assembly 10 is provided, including a first differential side gear 24 and the second differential side gear 26. An eddy current retarder 40 is utilized to create an adjustable resistant torque between the first differential side gear 24 and the second differential side gear 26.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William Paul Perkins, Norman Szalony
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Patent number: 6723018Abstract: A speed-reducing gear unit is provided for causing a reduced-speed rotation output member to have a reduced rotation that is slower than rotation of an input shaft. The reduced-speed rotation output member is switched between a reduced-speed rotation state and a free rotation state by rotation state switching means. The reduced-speed rotation of the reduced-speed rotation output member is selectively transferred to fourth and first elements of a speed-changing dual planetary gear unit via first and third control clutches. The rotation of the input shaft is transferred to a second element via a second control clutch. Rotations of the first and second elements are selectively restricted by first and second control brakes. A third element is connected to an output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Hayabuchi, Masaaki Nishida, Satoru Kasuya, Kenji Gotou, Toshihiko Aoki
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Patent number: 6723019Abstract: The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms and two fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, the fixed interconnections, the input shaft, the output shaft, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Chunhao J. Lee, Madhusudan Raghavan, Patrick Benedict Usoro
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Patent number: 6723020Abstract: A planetary carrier supports pinion gears of a planetary gear set via pinion shafts. Each hole in which a pinion shaft is mounted has a shallow hardened wall surface that is hardened by very-high-frequency induction heating and quenching. Therefore, the durability of the pinion shaft-supporting holes of a cold-forged piece or a pressed piece can be improved without thermal strain.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kouji Ohbayashi, Kazunari Suzuki, Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Kengo Nomura
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Patent number: 6723021Abstract: A gear actuator for engaging and disengaging gears in an automatic manual transmission has a single working piston or two working pistons provided with a first working piston surface and a second working piston surface. An auxiliary piston is provided also. A pressure control valve controls a pressure supplied to the second working piston surface. A shut-off valve is provided. The first working piston surface and the pressure valve are supplied with a system pressure of a hydraulic system. The first working piston surface and the pressure control valve can be decoupled from the system pressure of the hydraulic system by the shut-off valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Hydraulik-Ring GmbHInventors: Thomas Claus, Roland Meyer, Andreas Wild, Thomas Schmidt, Wolfgang Weigert, Stephan Pindl