Patents Issued in April 22, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040074035
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a toothbrush and method of manufacturing the same, wherein the toothbrush comprises an arced tray comprising a base and sidewalls defining a length of the arced tray, a first longitudinal edge of each sidewall perpendicularly coupled to opposing longitudinal edges of the base to define a channel between the sidewalls, the channel adapted to receive teeth therein. The toothbrush further includes flexible flanges perpendicularly coupled to corresponding second longitudinal edges of each of the corresponding sidewalls opposite the corresponding first longitudinal edges, the flanges extending over a portion of the channel, a first end of the channel having a first width smaller than a second width at a second end of the channel. The toothbrush also includes a handle coupled to a side of the arced tray opposite the channel and extending therefrom, the curvature of the arced tray curving away from the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Chen-Shen Huang
  • Publication number: 20040074036
    Abstract: A formed material includes plural ribs or ridges. The material may be formed as a section of clothing such as a section of a hand covering or a glove. The material is usable to perform various functions including cleaning, cushioning, and abrasion resistance. A hand covering for a wearer includes a body for covering the hand of the wearer. Also included is an expanse of formed material joined to the body and including plural wipers. The expanse may include a region that covers one or both the forefinger and thumb. The wipers are formed as plural, laterally-spaced ribs extending upwardly from the body, and the wipers may extend linearly or arcuately with respect to the long axis of the body. Each rib includes a base and a blade, and the blade is constructed to flex bi-directionally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Michael D. Collier
  • Publication number: 20040074037
    Abstract: The invention starts with a windshield wiper with a wiper arm (10) on whose free end a pin (22) is fastened laterally, transverse to the longitudinal direction (72) and pointing to a wiper blade (24) for the articulated connection of the wiper blade (24), which pin is inserted into a passage opening of the wiper blade (24) and in an assembled position is locked axially via a bridge (12) that is arranged parallel to the pin (22) on the wiper arm (10) and grips over the wiper blade (24) with a bent end (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Inigo Op't Roodt
  • Publication number: 20040074038
    Abstract: In a suction system of a cleaner, by including at least two brushes rotatively installed at a certain side of a suction hole formed at the bottom surface of a cleaner body so as to be connected to a suction pipe and suck dust and filth on a floor; and driving units for rotating the brushes separately, although a size of filth is big or there are lots of filth, it is possible to clean it sufficiently, and accordingly a cleaning performance can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyoung-Bin Im, Seong-Bin Lee, Sung-Il Park
  • Publication number: 20040074039
    Abstract: In a brush assembly of a cleaner including plural brushes arranged at the bottom surface of a cleaner body radially at regular intervals; plural supporting shafts for rotatively supporting the brushes; and a driving unit connected to the brushes in order to rotate the brushes, by arranging the plural brushes radially, dust and filth can be collected in a wider region, and accordingly a cleaning performance can be improved. In addition, by forming the brushes as a curved shape, it is possible to compact a size of the cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Se Wan Kim
  • Publication number: 20040074040
    Abstract: A cord attachment mechanism is associated with a main body and adapted to attach the accessory caddy to the power cord. An accessory retention mechanism is associated with the main body and adapted to releasably retain a vacuum accessory on the accessory caddy. The main body is adapted to enable the accessory caddy to be manually repositioned along the cord; for example, by sliding or by removal and reattachment. A single, integral part having two sides separated by a living hinge is used to form the main body. Each side has a cooperating snap-fit member which is adapted to retain the two sides together. A hand-held steam vacuum cleaner is also provided which includes the accessory caddy on its power supply cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher J. Murray
  • Publication number: 20040074041
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided including a housing, a nozzle inlet, a suction generator carried on the housing and a dust box carried on the housing. Additionally, a partition is provided dividing the dust box into a coarse particle dirt collecting chamber and a fine particle filtering chamber. Further, a filter assembly including a support frame and a filter element is provided. The support frame holds the filter element in the filtering chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Chad D. Overvaag
  • Publication number: 20040074042
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a nozzle inlet, a suction generator, a dirt cup and a filter assembly. The suction generator, dirt cup and filter assembly are all carried on the housing. The dirt cup includes an inlet and an outlet that provide fluid communication between the nozzle inlet, the dirt cup and the suction generator. The filter assembly is also provided in fluid communication with the nozzle inlet, the suction generator and the dirt cup. The filter assembly includes a filter holder displaceable between an open position and a closed position and a filter element that is held in the filter holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Chad D. Overvaag
  • Publication number: 20040074043
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided including a housing, a nozzle inlet, a suction generator carried on the housing and a dirt vessel carried on the housing. The dirt vessel includes a sidewall, a bottom wall and an air inlet and an air outlet. A filter shield is aligned with the air inlet to deflect an airstream entering the dirt vessel through the air inlet. A filter element is also provided to clean fine dirt and debris from the airstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Alan T. Pullins
  • Publication number: 20040074044
    Abstract: The invention relates to a floor cleaning appliance comprising a suction turbine with a turbine wheel rotatingly drivable about a turbine axis, and a substantially horizontally aligned suction channel via which the suction turbine is in flow communication with a suction opening facing the floor surface to be cleaned, with the suction channel forming a container for collecting dirt and accommodating a dirt filter. In order to design the floor cleaning appliance with as low an overall height as possible, while achieving as strong a suction flow as possible in the area of the suction opening, it is proposed, in accordance with the invention, that the suction turbine be mounted on the suction channel with its turbine axis aligned at an incline to the vertical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralph Diehl, Jacob Janzen, Joachim Keppler
  • Publication number: 20040074045
    Abstract: A system for providing electrical conductivity through the hinge(s) of an electronic device without the use of individual conductive wires, flexible conductive cables, bundles of wire, discrete connectors, or combinations thereof is disclosed. A hinged member physically interconnects a movable body to a non-movable body of an electronic device, where at least one of the movable member and non-movable member includes three dimensional circuitry. The hinged member comprises electrically conductive material integrated therein and forming part of the hinge member. By use of this conductive material integrated within the hinged member, the hinged member provides electrical conductivity between the movable body and the non-movable body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Russell Winstead, Charles Rudisill
  • Publication number: 20040074046
    Abstract: A door hanger assembly to be attached to a sliding door includes a first sub-assembly having a first support member to secure the hanger assembly in a position external to a frame containing the sliding door, and a glide track adjustably connected to the first support member to position the glide track above the sliding door and adjust the glide track in at least a first direction substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the sliding door. The door hanger assembly including a second sub-assembly including a second support member to externally secure the door hanger assembly to the sliding door, and a first roller assembly coupled to the second support member to be rotatably received by the glide track to facilitate movement of the sliding door in a second longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Gary T. Mimnaugh
  • Publication number: 20040074047
    Abstract: In the lever apparatus, a cover part (19) including a spherical-shaped outer surface and two thickness-reducing recessed portions (18) formed on the inner surface side thereof is disposed on the base end portion of a lever upper (12) and fitting recessed portions (21), instead of the rotatably-supporting shaft portions which are used in the conventional lever apparatus, are formed in the mounting part (20) of the lever upper. When molding the lever upper, molds for molding the thickness-reducing recessed portions can be slided in the projecting direction of the mounting part, thereby being able to facilitate the manufacture of the lever upper and thus lever (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaishi Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Takafumi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20040074048
    Abstract: A releasable connection is provided between two adjoining components, particularly body shell parts of a vehicle body. A releasable connection ensuring an exact positioning of the two parts as well as a fast and simple mounting is provided. The releasable connection includes at least one base plate which is held in position on a first body shell component and has at least one projecting pin. A receiving device is fastened to an opposite second body shell component and has a rotatable slotted sleeve part. An end-side profiled head section of the at least one pin is guidable through openings of the second component, of the receiving device and of the sleeve part. As a result of radial rotation of the sleeve part about an angle &agr;, a fastening of the first and second body shell components with respect to one another takes place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Dimitar Danev
  • Publication number: 20040074049
    Abstract: In a hinge structure suitable for use in a foldable mobile phone, the initial unfolding action is effected by converting a pushing stroke of an operating member into a rotational movement of the hinge by using a cam/cam follower mechanism. Thereby, an unexpected reaction force resulting from the inertia force acting between the two parts that are to be unfolded relative to each other can be avoided, and a favorable unfolding action without a shock can be achieved. In particular, it may be arranged such that the hinge is normally urged in the unfolding direction while a clutch is kept engaged to retain the hinge in the fully folded state, and that the hinge is resiliently driven in the unfolding direction by pushing the operating member and thereby disengaging the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Masanobu Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20040074050
    Abstract: A tilt hinge connecting a first member which constitutes a keyboard base and a second member which constitutes a display device of a small-sized office automation equipment, in which the first member and the second member are opened and closed with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Simon C. Birtley
  • Publication number: 20040074051
    Abstract: A handle for a window operator. The handle includes a handle member 10 pivotally coupled to a base 11. A locking mechanism releasably locks the handle member 10 in a position relative to the base 11 which corresponds to an in-use position of the handle member. The locking mechanism includes a locking member 14 within the handle member 10. The locking member 14 performs a blocking action to prevent pivotal movement of the handle member relative to the base. The locking member has a push button 15 accessible to an exterior surface of the handle member whereby the locking member can be moved to remove the blocking action and allow the handle to be pivoted to a non-use position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Guy Simon Dawson
  • Publication number: 20040074052
    Abstract: The invention is directed to method and apparatus for blending fibers. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises blending apparatus for blending fibers of different materials, at least one of which is absorbent, and for conveying the blended fibers to a fiber collection station. A first weighing apparatus weighs out a first quantity of first fibers at a first weigh station. A second weighing apparatus weighs out a quantity of second fibers at a second weigh station. The first and second quantities of fibers are conveyed to a blend opener having a beater roll rotatable in the blend opener. The beater roll opens and mixes the fibers. The fibers are entrained in an air stream by a pneumatic conveyor system and conveyed to a fine opener. The fine opener has a rotatable clothing roll to further open and mix the fibers. The pneumatic conveyor system is operable to separate fiber fines from longer fibers and to deliver the longer fibers to said fine opener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Hlaban, Scott D. Dobslaw, Daniel J. Heuer, Michael K. Lewis, Stephen L. Nunn, Thomas P. Keenan, Richard W. Kubalek, Dale J. Fischer, Moshe Saraf
  • Publication number: 20040074053
    Abstract: The invention is directed a method and system for forming a layer of blended fibers into a continuous web. In one aspect, the apparatus includes blending apparatus for blending first and second fibers. The blended fibers are conveyed to a fiber collection station. A collecting and feeding apparatus at the fiber collection station has a feed chute that receives the blended fibers and an outlet for discharging the fibers. An accumulation chute between the inlet and outlet accumulates a column of the blended fibers. Fibers from the column are fed through the outlet as an initial layer of blended fibers to a forming station. A fiberizing apparatus at the forming station breaks up the initial layer into individual fibers. The individual fibers are deposited on a reforming conveyor as a reformed layer of blended fibers. The layer of blended fibers can be used in making absorbent pads, such as feminine protection pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Hlaban, Scott D. Dobslaw, Daniel J. Heuer, Michael K. Lewis, Stephen L. Nunn, Thomas P. Keenan, Richard W. Kubalek, Dale J. Fischer, Moshe Saraf
  • Publication number: 20040074054
    Abstract: This device relates to an intensively improved cable band, especially to a cable band capable of unclipping the clipped band at any time. Tapered type steel ball injection hole (5) is formed to the clip portion (3) by inclinational projection (4) at the end of the band (2) with a predetermined length, and wherein steel ball (6) is inserted inside so that the band (2) is clipped, typical metal cable band (1) configured above makes it possible to easily unclip and reuse the cable band (1) by forming a cut hole (7) longitudinally in the inclinational projection (4) of the clip portion (3) so as to move the steel ball (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Kyung-Jin Park
  • Publication number: 20040074055
    Abstract: The cord stopper (1) comprises a plug (10), and a socket (20) into which the plug (10) is inserted. The plug (10) comprises a plug body (11) having a first string passage hole (111) and one or more elastic leg pieces (12). The socket (20) has a second string passage hole (23) capable of being communicated to said first string passage hole (111) and a third string passage hole (24). The elastic leg pieces (12) hold the string inserted and passed through the third string passage hole (24) by themselves, or together with an inner surface of the socket (20). With this configuration, when the cord stopper (1) is fixed on the string (3), it is not necessary to form an edge section of the string into a loop form, and therefore can easily be fixed. Further as the string (3) is held with the elastic leg pieces (12), the holding state can easily be released, and the cord stopper (1) can easily be replaced with another one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Watabe
  • Publication number: 20040074056
    Abstract: Fastening element for a trim panel in the interior of a motor vehicle, said fastening element being fastened between a structural part (1) of the motor vehicle and the trim panel in such a manner that the trim panel can be removed, and foam being provided between the trim panel and structural part. In order, with reduced costs for manufacturing and logistics, to be able to absorb a large amount of work of deformation and to be exchangeable, the fastening element (5) itself is a body which consists of light metal foam, in which at least one insert (8) is integrated, said insert being exposed on the side which faces the trim panel (15), and wherein the trim panel is fastened releasably to the exposed part (9) formed in this manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Bruno Gtzinger, J?uuml;rgen Schaffer, Klaus Hausberger
  • Publication number: 20040074057
    Abstract: A grip head includes a progressive support clamp, a biscuit clamp and a ball joint. The progressive support clamp can be actuated from an open position to a support member clamp position. The support member clamp position clamps a support member in a support member channel defined in the progressive support clamp and allows rotation of a ball of the ball joint, to enable positioning of an accessory coupled with the ball. The progressive support clamp can be further actuated to a full clamp position. The full clamp position clamps the support member and fixes the position of the ball and the position of the accessory coupled therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Wayne Carmona
  • Publication number: 20040074058
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for forming, filling, and sealing a flexible recloseable container. Both vertical and horizontal methods for placing product within the container are disclosed. The invention includes guiding a web of film which has interlocking fastener strips sealed to the web. A slider for locking and unlocking the fastener strips is placed in the correct orientation, spread apart at a pair of inner feet, and inserted over the fastener strips. The slider is positioned to close a substantial portion of the strips, and then an end stop, docking station, and corner seal are formed against a sealing plate. The slider is then repositioned, and a tamper evident seal may be placed over the fastener strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald G. Thieman
  • Publication number: 20040074059
    Abstract: A slide fastener, of the type having two strips provided with fastening devices, and having a slider that slides along the length of the edges of the strips to control the closing/locking and the opening/unlocking of the fastening devices of the two strips. The slide fastener has a blocking device affixed to one of the strips and that, when the two strips are interconnected by their fastening devices, extends across the path of the slider to block its movement in the opening/unlocking direction. The blocking device includes a feature whereby the retraction of the blocking device is automatically accomplished when the slider passes in the area of the blocking device in the closing/locking direction, and whereby the blocking device automatically returns to its blocking position after the passage of the slider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: SALOMON S.A.
    Inventors: Florian Traulle, Marielle Deschamps
  • Publication number: 20040074060
    Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a material or have configurations that provide a shape changing capability and/or change in flexural modulus property to the hook elements. In this manner, the shape and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction in the shear and/or pull-off forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040074061
    Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Robert A. Ottaviani, John C. Ulicny, Mark A. Golden
  • Publication number: 20040074062
    Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises or incorporates a shape memory alloy fiber. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. Introducing a thermal activation signal to the plurality of hook elements causes a change in shape orientation, flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof that effectively reduces the shear and/or pull off forces in the releasable engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas B. Stanford, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Leslie A. Momoda, William Barvosa-Carter, Bob R. Powell
  • Publication number: 20040074063
    Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises two hook portions. The hook portions each include a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the two hook portions are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The head elements of the hook elements are formed of a material that provides a change in directional orientation of the head elements. In this manner, the directional orientation of the head elements of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Mark A. Golden, John C. Ulicny
  • Publication number: 20040074064
    Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a first portion fabricated from a shape memory material and at least one additional portion fabricated from a different shape memory material. An activation device is coupled to the plurality of hook elements, the activation device being operable to selectively provide an activation signal to the plurality of hook elements to change a shape orientation, a yield strength property, a flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof to reduce a shear force and/or a pull-off force of an engaged hook and loop portion. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Bob Ross Powell, Alan L. Browne
  • Publication number: 20040074065
    Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a fiber and a shape memory alloy coating deposited onto the fiber, and wherein the fiber and the shape memory alloy coating comprises a non-axisymmetric coating or deposition of the shape memory alloy about a portion of the fiber. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Yang-Tse Cheng, Wangyang Ni, John C. Ulicny
  • Publication number: 20040074066
    Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements comprise a magnetic material that provides a change in shape orientation of the hook elements in response to an activation signal. In this manner, the shape orientation of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: John C. Ulicny, Mark A. Golden
  • Publication number: 20040074067
    Abstract: A releasable fastening system comprises a loop portion comprising a loop material, a hook portion comprising a plurality of hook elements, and an actuation device disposed in electrical communication with the loop portion and the hook portion. The actuation device is operable to provide electrostatic charges to the loop material and the hook elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Chandra Sekhar Namuduri
  • Publication number: 20040074068
    Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a material or have configurations that provide a shape changing capability and/or change in flexural modulus property to the hook elements. In this manner, the shape and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction in the shear and/or pull forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040074069
    Abstract: A releasable fastening system for retaining two surfaces at each other or disengaging the two surfaces from each other comprises a first electrode disposed at a first surface, a second electrode disposed at a second surface, and a polymer film disposed between the first and second electrode, and an electrolyte disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode, the polymer film, and the second electrode. A volume of the polymer film is controllably variable to cause the retention of the first surface at the second surface. A method of releasably fastening adjacently-positioned surfaces comprises disposing a first electrode at a first surface, disposing a second electrode at a second surface, and increasing the volume of an electrolyte disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode to cause the retention of the first surface at the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Alan Lampe Browne, William Barvosa-Carter, Nancy L. Johnson, Leslie A. Momoda, Thomas B. Stanford
  • Publication number: 20040074070
    Abstract: A releasable fastening system comprises a knob portion comprising a knob element, a cavity portion comprising a cavity configured to receive the knob element, and an ionic polymer metal composite actuator disposed at the knob element. The ionic polymer metal composite actuator is operable to mechanically interlock the knob element with the cavity. A method of operating a releasable fastening system comprises contacting a knob portion with a cavity portion to form a releasable engagement, wherein the knob portion comprises a knob element disposed on a first support, and wherein the cavity portion comprises a cavity disposed at a second support; maintaining constant shear forces and constant pull-off forces between the knob portion and the cavity portion; and activating an ionic polymer metal composite actuator at the knob portion to facilitate the interlocking of the knob portion and the cavity portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Leslie A. Momoda, Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, William Barvosa-Carter, Thomas B. Stanford
  • Publication number: 20040074071
    Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. A selected one of the hook elements or the loop material is formed from a thermally and/or electrically conductive material. The other one is formed of a material adapted to melt, flow or volatize at a defined temperature. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. Introducing an activation signal to the thermally and/or electrically conductive hook elements or loop material, causes the opposing material to melt, flow, soften, or volatize upon contact therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Mark A. Golden, John C. Ulicny, Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, William Barvosa-Carter, Thomas B. Stanford, Leslie A. Momoda
  • Publication number: 20040074072
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing gas sensor elements each having a solid-electrolyte body and a protective layer, a radius R of the solid-electrolyte body is measured at a radius measurement position A of a protective-layer-forming surface of the solid-electrolyte body, a molten protective-layer material is sprayed on the protective-layer-forming surface by means of a plasma thermal-spraying equipment to form a protective layer, a radius S of the solid-electrolyte body inclusive of the protective layer is measured at a point B of intersection of a normal at the radius measurement position A with the surface of the protective layer, and the amount of spray of the protective-layer material in the plasma thermal-spraying equipment is controlled regarding a difference between the radius S and the radius R as the thickness of the protective layer and on the basis of this thickness, to form each protective layer in a desired thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Iwata
  • Publication number: 20040074073
    Abstract: A numerical control (NC) processor with an onboard grinding unit is disclosed in which a workpiece is first cut in a preselected contour with a Y-axis cutting tool, and then subjected to honing operation intact whereby both the cutting and honing operations can be performed with just a single processor with high-speed, high-acceleration. With the NC processor, the Y-axis cutting tool is mounted on a sliding base above an X-axis table in a way allowed to move back and forth in a Y-axis direction, while a grinding unit is installed in close proximity to the sliding base. A slider moves back and forth in synchronized relation with rotation of a work spindle to first let the Y-axis cutting tool cut the workpiece into a preselected contour, and then cause a buffing material of the grinding unit to grind a work surface of the workpiece into a high-quality surface finish in conformity with a programmed contour while the workpiece remains held intact in chucking means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Seibu Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouki Shingai, Toshiro Morikawa
  • Publication number: 20040074074
    Abstract: A spindle device of a machine tool such as a milling machine and a machining center and a method of replacing a spindle, the spindle device wherein the housing of a spindle head (5) is divided into a front housing (23) and a rear housing (25), a spindle (7) is installed in the front housing (23) through front bearings (9), and a built-in motor rotor (43), a bearing case (33) through rear bearings (11), and a draw bar (51) for clamping a tool are installed on and in the spindle (7) to form a front housing unit (93); the method comprising the step of replacing the spindle (7) and the bearings by replacing the front housing unit (93), whereby, when the spindle device comes out of order, the spindle and bearings can be easily replaced in a short time and the stop time of the machine tool can be minimized at a site where the machine tool is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kikkawa, Akihiro Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20040074075
    Abstract: Carbon fiber brake preforms (20), specifically, annular discs built up of fabric arc segments (21) composed of continuous fibers (25) and staple fibers (26). Most of the continuous fibers (25) in the fabric segments (21) are arranged to be located within 60° of radially from th e inner diameter to the outer diameter of the annular disc (20). The fabric arc segments have substantially all of their continuous fibers oriented in the radial direction and parallel to the segment arc bisector, or the segments are arranged in alternating layers in which, respectively, half the continuous fibers are oriented at a +45 degree angle with respect to the segment arc bisector and half the continuous fibers are oriented at a −45 degree angle with respect thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Mark C. James, Terence B. Walker, Neil Murdie
  • Publication number: 20040074076
    Abstract: A method of manufacture for a drug cartridge assembly. The method includes providing a drug cartridge, providing a nozzle sub-assembly, and sterilizing the drug cartridge and nozzle sub-assembly. The method further includes assembling the drug cartridge and nozzle sub-assembly together in a configuration that enables ejection of liquid out of the drug cartridge through the nozzle sub-assembly. The method further includes filling the drug cartridge with a liquid, such as an injectable drug. The method may include separate sterilization of the drug cartridge and nozzle sub-assembly, using different sterilization processes. Portions of the method may be performed prior to sterilization within a first cleanroom, with subsequent steps being performed in a second cleanroom having a substantially lower particulate-per-volume rating than the first cleanroom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Bioject Inc.
    Inventor: Sergio Landau
  • Publication number: 20040074077
    Abstract: A work piece according to the prior art has caulking tabs with which it is difficult to control a caulking process due to tolerances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Andreas Gehring, Roland Bohn, Peter Mueller
  • Publication number: 20040074078
    Abstract: A process for fabricating a ceramic electroactive transducer of a predetermined shape is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of providing a suitably shaped core having an outer surface, attaching a first conductor to the outer surface of the core, coating an inner conductive electrode on the the outer surface of the core such that the inner conductive electrode is in electrical communication with the first conductor, coating a ceramic layer onto the inner electrode, thereafter sintering the ceramic layer, coating an outer electrode onto the sintered ceramic layer to produce an outer electrode that is not in electrical communication with the first conductor, and then poling the sintered ceramic layer across the inner electrode and the outer electrode to produce the ceramic electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jindong Zhang, Robert E. Newnham
  • Publication number: 20040074079
    Abstract: (57) A stator (50) for an electrical machine. A core of the stator (50) is made up of a series of connected segments (42), that are rotatable relative to one another during an assembly operation. Each segment (42) includes a radially outermost base portion (44) from which a respective integral pole piece (46) projects substantially inwardly to a pole piece tip. The tip includes a surface (49) that is arcuate and concentric with an axis of rotation of the machine. Each pole piece (46) projects in a non-radial direction and such that a semi-closed slot (48) arranged to locate part of a least one coil (30) therein is provided between each pair of juxtaposed pole pieces (46). A coil (30) is fittable to a respective one of the pole pieces (46) during the assembly operation without deformation of the pole piece (46).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Alan Galloway Jack, Phillip George Dickinson, Barrie Charles Mecrow
  • Publication number: 20040074080
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stator winding includes a twisting step of U-shaped conductor segments having a pair of straight portions by moving the straight portions in the circumferential direction while restraining the turn portions of the U-shaped conductor segments in the axial direction by a pressing tool. After the previously twisted U-shaped conductor segments are inserted into slots of a stator core, the straight portions are bent in the circumferential direction. The pressing tool is constituted of a stationary top plate that has recesses into which the straight portions are inserted and a movable top plate that is movable to close the recesses after the straight portions are inserted in the recesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Kato, Yasunori Kitakado, Motohiro Murahashi
  • Publication number: 20040074081
    Abstract: A technique for securing a conduit box to a housing of an electric motor is disclosed. The technique includes forming a hollow extension from a surface of the conduit box. The conduit box is placed on a motor frame so that the hollow extension is inserted into a hole in the motor frame that passes into the hollow interior of the motor frame. The hollow extension is plastically deformed inside the motor housing to a greater width than the diameter of the hole in the motor housing so that the conduit box cannot be removed from the motor housing. A stator is placed in the motor housing and wiring is routed from the stator to the interior of the wiring box through a passageway formed by the hollow extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Donald H. Williams, Richard L. Boyd, W. Alan Ewing
  • Publication number: 20040074082
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel methods and apparatus for provision of an efficient, effective, and/or flexible removable HDD cartridge. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for holding a removable assembly (3) is disclosed. The apparatus comprising: a cage (2) to hold the assembly, a cage bracket (1) slideably engaging the cage (2), and a latch (6) coupled to the cage. The cage may include a plurality of slide receptacles (20). The assembly may include a plurality of slides (19) slideably engaging the plurality of slide receptacles (20). The cage bracket may be mountable on an external device. The latch may include a latch cap (9) and a locking lip (11). The locking lip may engage a receptacle (12) on the cage bracket to lock together the cage bracket and the cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: David K. Kim, William W. Ruckman, Brett C. Ong
  • Publication number: 20040074083
    Abstract: A method of making a permanent magnet body is provided. The method includes providing a first precursor body comprising a plurality of blocks and magnetizing the first precursor body to form a first permanent magnet body. A recoil magnetization pulse may be applied to the permanent magnet body after the magnetization. The precursor body may be heated during magnetization. A power supply containing a battery may be used to energize a pulsed magnet used to magnetize the precursor body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Liang Li, Kathleen Melanie Amm, Juliana Chiang Shei, Bulent Aksel, Mark Gilbert Benz, Gerald Burt Kliman, Paul Shadworth Thompson, Israel Samson Jacobs, Harold Jay Patchen
  • Publication number: 20040074084
    Abstract: In a device for connecting microcomponents, in particular microreactors, which preferably have a plate-shaped design and preferably consist of silicon, a sealing plate having apertures which correspond to apertures in the microcomponents is arranged between the microcomponents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Guido Pieper, Michael Schmelz, Hanns Wurziger, Norbert Schwesinger