Patents Issued in August 3, 2004
  • Patent number: PP15070
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of landscape shrub rose plant is provided which forms in abundance on a substantially continuous basis attractive single blossoms that are pink in coloration. The new variety is a spontaneous mutation of unknown causation of the ‘Radrazz’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,836) that forms vivid red single blossoms. The vegetation is vigorous and the growth habit is compact and mounding. Attractive ornamental satiny green foliage is formed. Excellent disease resistance to blackspot is exhibited. The new variety is particularly well suited for growing as distinctive ornamentation in the landscape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: CP Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: Israel Montesino
  • Patent number: PP15071
    Abstract: A new and distinct Hybrid Tea Rose plant having attractive red and white bicolor flowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: De Ruiter's Nieuwe Rozen B.V.
    Inventor: Henk C. A. de Groot
  • Patent number: PP15072
    Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of Athyrium niponicum var. pictum plant characterized by exceptional burgundy, pink, and silver colors of the fronds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel M. Heims
  • Patent number: RE38560
    Abstract: An improved image acquisition system allows the angular displacement between two detectors to be adjusted between 90° and 180° to reduce the imaging time for both 360° and 180° scans. A patient table is displaced vertically and horizontally from a lateral axis to allow the body of a patient to be positioned next to the detectors and to improve resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Hug, Horace H. Hines, Mark L. Lamp
  • Patent number: RE38561
    Abstract: A field emission cathode device consisting of an electrically conducting material and with a narrow, rod-shaped geometry or a knife edge, to achieve a high amplification of the electric field strength is characterized in that the electron-emitting part of the field emission cathode at least partly has preferred cylindrical host molecules and/or compounds with host compounds and/or cylindrical atomic networks, possibly with end caps with diameters measuring in the nanometer range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventors: Till Keesmann, Hubert Grosse-Wilde
  • Patent number: 6769134
    Abstract: A support assembly for kneeling includes a girdle for positioning around a waist of the person. Each of a pair of elongated supports has an upper end and a lower end. Each of a pair of feet is attached to one of the lower ends. Each of a pair of straps is attached to one of the supports for securing such to legs of the person. Each of a pair of brackets is attached to the girdle such that the brackets are positioned on opposite sides of the girdle. Each of the upper ends of the supports is pivotally coupled to one of the brackets. The girdle is positioned on the person such that the feet are positioned below and in front of each of a pair of knees of the person. The feet support the person's weight when the person is in a kneeling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Francisco Mendez
  • Patent number: 6769135
    Abstract: A hair cutting cape for us in cutting the hair of a patron includes a protective covering for protecting the feet, and thus the shoes, of the patron from falling hair. A main portion of the cape includes a neck opening for the head of the patron. The foot covering portion is secured to the lower front edge of the main portion of the cape and extends outwardly from that edge so that, in use of the cape, the foot covering portion can be slipped over the feet and around the foot bar of the hair cutting chair in which the patron is seated so as to protect the shoes of the patron from falling hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Kimberly Anne Monroe
  • Patent number: 6769136
    Abstract: A paint bucket is disclosed held within a pocket formed in an apron disposed at the front of a user, such paint bucket having a semicircular front portion and a substantially flat bottom and rear portion with the top of the semicircular front portion curving downward to meet the top of the rear portion and having an inwardly disposed planar lip member extending rearward from the inside of the semicircular front portion, defining a paint receipt opening between the planar lip member and the rear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Philip R. Martelly
  • Patent number: 6769137
    Abstract: A cutaway vest generally includes a rear portion having an internal cummerbund, a front portion, and a pull cord. The cutaway vest includes a cutaway attachment in each shoulder and in the back for cutting away the shoulders, the sides, and the cummerbund upon pulling and removing a pull cord from the cutaway vest. The cutaway attachment may include a loop which is inserted through a ring and secured in place by a cable of the pull cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Timothy B. D'Annunzio
  • Patent number: 6769138
    Abstract: A safety vest is sized to be worn by a human, wherein the vest has a front and back and left and right sides each having a shoulder portion. An EL strip is provided on each side of the vest extending from the bottom of the vest upwards toward the shoulder portion. A power source is supported by the vest and connected to the EL lamp strips to supply electrical energy to the strips so that they emit EL light, wherein the EL light emitted by the EL strip is a safety yellow color, and wherein other portions of the vest are a safety orange color. Further safety articles of clothing and devices are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Safe Lites, LLC
    Inventors: John Golle, Aaron Golle
  • Patent number: 6769139
    Abstract: Novelty play jeans for children which include one or more active play features usable while the jeans are being worn. These various features include, but are not limited to a race course for a toy race car, a concealed pocket extractable to form a flag-like decoration, a window pocket, a secret tunnel pocket, a carry pouch convertible into a flat play area, and concealed knee pockets which enable the user of jeans to display a puppet show using built-in features of the jeans, while worn by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Swirl Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Tina Goldkind
  • Patent number: 6769140
    Abstract: A toilet seat (10) having a cleansing facility with an pivotable arm (18) supplied with warm water for cleaning and warm air for drying the anal and genital areas of a user. The arm (18) being automatically controlled to operate along a path substantially parallel with the central fore and aft axis of the toilet seat (10) between a stored position and an active position. The water is supplied though a duct (36) which has a relatively small cross-sectional area and the air is supplied through a duct (44) having a relatively large cross-sectional area so as to provide respectively differing volumes of fluid to the user. The water duct (36) and air duct (44) are substantially parallel and both terminate in upward disposition to direct the water and air upwardly onto the user at a close range for efficient cleaning and drying, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Colivier PTY Ltd.
    Inventor: Gerard Joseph Cecil Olivier
  • Patent number: 6769141
    Abstract: An equipment mounting assembly for mounting equipment in a pool cover box is provided, including at least one positioning feature configured to engage at least two walls of the pool cover box and at least one mounting plate, the at least one positioning feature adjustably connected to the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Fort Wayne Pools, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Epple, Lanny R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6769142
    Abstract: A swimming pool cover fabric has beads attached to its opposite edges. Each bead is positioned to essentially abut the bead in front to form in effect a segmented rod. A drive mechanism has a sprocket to engage each bead and urge it into and out of the race or slot in a track sized to receive the beads. A reversible motor is connected to drive the sprocket to urge the beads and, in turn, the pool cover fabric between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventors: Kelly J. Ragsdale, Cory Brady
  • Patent number: 6769143
    Abstract: A bedding storage container includes a pouch, and at least one strap attached to the pouch. The pouch has a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls thereby forming a storage area. The at least one strap adjustably attaches the pouch to a futon frame assembly. A lid is hingedly attached to the rear wall. The front wall has a lip as an upper edge thereof. The lid is selectably positionable over the lip. As desired, the lid has openings formed thereupon. The openings receive buttons attached to the front wall, thereby securing the container in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Preston O. Clarke
  • Patent number: 6769144
    Abstract: A generally rectangular shaped textile fabric article having a top surface and a bottom surface with indicia disposed over all or portions of these surfaces. The fabric article is further defined by four sides with a border comprised of a plurality of simulated enlongated fringe strips situated in juxtaposed relation. The simulated fringe is easily and economically converted to individual pieces of fringe material by separating the pieces along prescribed lines and color indicators and can embody indicia and/or colors that effectively coordinate or contrast with the indicia and/or colors displayed on the surface(s) of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: David Textiles, Inc.
    Inventor: Beth Bruske
  • Patent number: 6769145
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing surface for a medical examining-table for carrying out roentgenolic examinations and surgical interventions during which radiological devices are used, comprising a table-top (16) and a guide unit (18) which can be coupled to a supporting column (14) of the examining table. Said guide unit has a first guide housing (20), in which the table-top (16) is guided to that it can be displaced in the longitudinal direction. The table-top consists entirely of X-ray permeable material and has guide surfaces (42,44), which lie against guide elements (38,40) in the guide housing (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Maquet GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Reinhard Pfeuffer, Siegfried Röder, Isolde Licht, Heiko Bornheimer, Bernhard Katzenstein
  • Patent number: 6769146
    Abstract: A fabric having a unique combination of stain resistance, fluid barrier properties, aesthetic characteristics and drape ability is described, and a method of making such fabrics. The fabric includes a fabric substrate that has been treated with a low surface energy stain resist compound on at least one of its surfaces, and one or more layers secured to the other of its surfaces, with the layers providing the fabric with the unique combination of characteristics. In addition, the fabric is desirably provided with flame resisting and ultraviolet resisting characteristics, to enable it to be used as a seating material for transportation vehicles. Methods for making the fabric are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignees: Milliken & Company, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Todd Copeland, Roy P. DeMott, Thomas E. Godfrey, Masato Ishibashi, William C. Kimbrell, Jr., Samuel J. Lynn, Patricia Scott
  • Patent number: 6769147
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a multi-use broad bladed knife is provided. The multi-use knife includes a broad blade, such as commonly used to apply spackle to a wall or other surface. The broad blade is attached to a handle, with a striking surface comprised of an appropriate hard material on the heel of the handle. Within the handle are slideably extendable and retractable implements, including a cutting edge and a screwdriver implement. The cutting edge and screwdriver implement may be extended through the heel of the handle through slits using buttons. The screwdriver implement and cutting edge may lock into place when extended for use and may also lock in place when retracted within the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Shawn Stubbs
  • Patent number: 6769148
    Abstract: An apparatus for use by individual to repair and replace tread on the bottom of a pair of shoes is disclosed. The apparatus would have a heating grid attached to the top of the base, with the heating grid including a pair of grids for placement of a pair of shoes. The apparatus would further have a pair of front clamps and a pair of rear clamps for fixing the shoes in place once they have been placed on top of the grids. The apparatus would derive power from standard household current and would have an on/off switch and a plurality of gauges to measure temperature and downward pressure placed upon the shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel Emina
  • Patent number: 6769149
    Abstract: A dock leveler having a frame and a deck pivotably mounted at one end thereof to the frame. A lip is pivotably mounted to the deck at another end thereof. A lip latch and lip extension mechanism are mounted to the leveler and comprises a lip latch pivotably connected to the deck by a crank mechanism and a latch bar pivotably connected to the crank mechanism. The latch bar has one end selectively engaging a latch bracket mounted to the deck. A bar is connected at one end to the crank mechanism and another end is operably connected to the lip. A first spring is operably connected to the crank mechanism and the frame. A second spring is operably connected to the bar and the frame. A third spring operably couples another end of the latch bar to the second spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: United Dominion Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 6769150
    Abstract: An optical connector cleaning device for cleaning a ferrule end surface of an optical or fiberoptic connector is described. The device includes a cleaning rod, a drive mechanism, and a cleaning media, such as a swab, a brush, a pad, or a foam, connected to an end of the cleaning rod and having a thickness past the end of the cleaning rod of at least about 0.125 inches. A mating connector housing the cleaning rod may be provided for connecting with the optical connector. The drive mechanism may be housed in a handheld body or may be mounted on a dummy card connector physically compatible with a slot in a card-cage. The dummy card connector may include an adjustable frame which can be adjusted to modify card size in order for the same dummy card connector to be physically compatible with more than one physical slot configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Alcatel, Societe Anonyme
    Inventors: Kechuan Liu, Shawn Legas
  • Patent number: 6769151
    Abstract: A scarifying and deburring tool includes a body, a handle mounted to the body, and a scarifying brush. The body has a fixing hole in an outer periphery thereof. A deburring scraper and a fixing block are mounted inside the body. The fixing block has a fixing hole in an outer periphery thereof. A fastener extends through the fixing hole of the body and the fixing hole of the fixing block. The fixing block further has a screw hole, and the scarifying brush has a threaded section for engaging with the screw hole of the fixing block. The scarifying brush can be replaced by a connecting rod for connection with an electric tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Yu-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 6769152
    Abstract: An improved pipeline pig launcher method and use thereof for conveying a pig into a pipeline including an upright launch barrel having a lower end in communication with the pipeline, a valve affixed to an upper end of the launch barrel and having a full diameter passageway therethrough, an upright pig receiving chamber connected at a lower end to the valve and in vertical alignment with the valve and launch barrel, and a cover removably closing an upper end of the receiving chamber providing, when in an open position, provision for insertion of a pig so that when said valve is open, the pig can pass downwardly into the launch barrel and from there into the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Parnell Consultants, Inc.
    Inventors: Doyle J. Crenshaw, Floyd T. Parnell
  • Patent number: 6769153
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus and system includes at least one handle, at least one paddle, and at least one cleaning element. The handle is a pivotally attachable to each paddle. The cleaning element is one of a plurality of interchangeable bodies, each having one major surface engagable with one major surface of a paddle and side edges having elastic to draw the side edges of the body inward to form an opening smaller than the outer diameter of the paddle to releasably attach the cleaning element about the paddle. A receiver is mounted on each paddle and pivotally receive one end of the handle. In one aspect, a ball element is mounted at the first end of the handle and is moveably mounted in the receiver. A plug carrying a ball seat is insertable into the receiver to lock the ball in the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignees: K&R Industries, Inc., Consumer Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Post, Robert J. Laskos
  • Patent number: 6769154
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an external door handle that comprises a bracket-shaped handle (10) comprising a cavity (14) which is defined by at least one U-shaped shell (21, 22) and which is intended for receiving electronic components (16). The purpose of the present invention is to prevent the formation of a contact joint (18) on the visible side that would promote soil formation. To this end, the shell or shells (21, 22) are coated with a c-shaped front profile (20) on the visible side, wherin the ends (25) of the C-shape profile (20) are brougbt into contact with the upper or lower portions of said shell or (21, 22) at the pile where they are anchored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Klein, Reinhard Chilla
  • Patent number: 6769155
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tensioning/relaxing element that comprises a base (3), at least one rotating shaft (4) mounted on said base, a mobile part (2) and a lashing device (1). Between said base (3) and the at least one shaft (4) at least one nonpositive and positive element (5, 6) is provided that tightly encloses the shaft (4). The first nonpositive and positive element (5), configured as a tensioning element, is firmly linked on the one side (5a) with a part (2) that is mobile vis-a-vis the base (3) and can be actuated on the other side (5b), with a variable and continuous pretension, via a first actuator (11), while the second nonpositive and positive element (6), configured as a relaxing element, is firmly linked on the one side (6a) with the base (3) and can be actuated on the other side (6b), with a variable and continuous pretension, via a second actuator (11′).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Mammut TEC AG
    Inventors: Ruedi Hess, Erwin Rott
  • Patent number: 6769156
    Abstract: A zipper hand with puller fixed function includes a body, a hook element, a connected element, a puller and a buckled means, wherein the hook element is disposed on the body, one end of the hook element has a hook portion inserted into two guiding grooves of the body, one end of the connected element is connected to a top of the body and contacted to an inner edge of the hook element, the puller is connected to the connected element, and the buckled is disposed between the body and the puller. When the zipper hand is in a buckled state, the puller can be buckled and fixed on the body, and do not worry about the puller is raised up, so as to maintain the zipper hand in the buckled state, for avoiding the zipper hand being loosed and occurring an unexpected move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Tan Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 6769157
    Abstract: A seat belt buckle guard device is provided for preventing access to a release button on a seat belt. The device comprises a sleeve structured to fit over a variety of shapes and sizes of seat belt buckles. The sleeve comprises a front face and a top face that are capable of covering the front portion of a variety of seat belt buckles. The sleeve is made of sufficiently rigid material to prevent indentation of the faces and thereby prevent contact with both front and top belt buckle release button. The sleeve further comprising a split back face, which enables the sleeve to expand to fit over the variety of seat belt buckles. A top arm extending from the sleeve engages the scat belt strap with a tight friction fit to resist removal of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Patricia L. Meal
  • Patent number: 6769158
    Abstract: A piezo-electric printhead is formed from a first piezo-electric actuator disposed parallel to a second piezo-electric actuator. The first and second piezo-electric actuators have a shared inner electrode disposed between them, a first control electrode disposed on an outside surface of the first piezo-electric actuator and a second control electrode disposed on an outside surface of the second piezo-electric actuator. The actuators are formed from a block having a piezo-electric layer disposed on a ceramic base, in which the piezo-electric layer has two parallel, distinct electrode patterns embedded therein in the form of a metal paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Gutierrez, Hongsheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 6769159
    Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic electronic part includes forming a plurality of internal electrodes arranged in a ceramic sintered compact, superimposed via a ceramic layer. The free ends of the internal electrodes are formed to have a wedge-like cross-sectional shape, with the length L of the wedge and the internal thickness t of the electrode at the base of the wedge satisfying the relationship L>2t so that there is no risk of generating inter-layer peel-off or delamination in the ceramic layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Haratani, Yasunobu Yoneda, Kyoshin Asakura
  • Patent number: 6769160
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an electronic part having a ceramic body and an outer electrode form on the surface of the body, the outer electrode including a plurality of layers and having a Sn plating layer as the outermost layer. The Sn plating layer having an average crystal grain size of about 1 &mgr;m or less is formed on a Ni or Ni alloy by electroplating in a plating bath having a pH of about 3 to 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Higuchi, Tatsuo Kunishi, Yukio Hamaji
  • Patent number: 6769161
    Abstract: A stent crimper comprising a plurality of crimping members extending between a first support and a second support. The first and optionally the second supports has an opening therethrough sized to allow a stent therethrough. The first and second supports extend from a base. The crimping members are disposed about the circumference of a circle everywhere along the length of the members. Finally, the flexible members extend through a bore in a die. The die is movable in an axial direction along the flexible members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry V. Brown, Andrew J. Dusbabek, Louis G. Ellis, Scott M. Hanson, Leo M. Klisch, Christopher R. Larson, Linda R. Lorentzen Cornelius, Justin E. Plessel, Lawrence W. Ulanowski
  • Patent number: 6769162
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for repairing, cleaning, painting, or otherwise maintaining railcars within a railcar maintenance facility. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process for maintaining railcars within a facility wherein the facility has an inbound track, an outbound track, and a plurality of maintenance stations for moving a railcar in and out of the facility and for repairing, cleaning, or painting the same. Further, the railcar repair process allows for efficient movement of railcars through the facility by queuing the railcars at strategic locations within the railcar facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David J. Barich, Daniel M. Barich, Timothy P. Donahue
  • Patent number: 6769163
    Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter having a single flow tube surrounded by connecting rings and a balance bar whose ends are connected by the connecting rings to the flow tube. The balance bar has a thermal coefficient of expansion greater than that of the connecting rings and the flow tube. The outer circumferential surface of each connecting ring is tapered toward the axial center of the flow tube. The inner circumferential surface of the balance bar has a taper matching that of the connecting ring. The connecting ring can only be partially inserted into the space between the flow tube and the balance bar when the assembly is at room temperature. Braze material is then applied to the visible ends of the surface common to the balance bar and the connecting rings as well as to the ends of the surface common to the connecting rings and the flow tube. The structure is heated to brazing temperature to braze these common surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Brainerd Van Cleve
  • Patent number: 6769164
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for making cans from three pieces of a sheet metal, namely a bottom part, a body part and a closure, the method and apparatus enabling cost efficient production of cans in small batch sizes. The apparatus has means for forming a tubular can body from a blank of sheet material without internally supporting the tubular form. The apparatus further has means for subsequently forming the tubular can body into a cross sectional shape without the use of a dedicated press tool, means for beading, curling and flanging the can body and means for attaching the bottom part and the closure to the can body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Glud & Marstrand A/S
    Inventor: Esad Zubcevic
  • Patent number: 6769165
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a camshaft holding tool and corresponding method for operating the camshaft holding tool in double overhead camshaft engines. In one embodiment, the holding tool includes a body portion including first and second curved portions, where each of the first and second curved portions includes two or more teeth. Each tooth of the first and second curved portions engages adjacent teeth of respective one of first and second camshaft sprockets. A method of operating the tool includes placing the tool between the first and second camshaft sprockets and rotating the tool about an axis until the teeth of the first and second curved portions engage teeth of the first and second camshaft sprockets, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Bahram Soleymani
  • Patent number: 6769166
    Abstract: A method of making an electrical current sensor having an electrical conducting portion (6; 6a, 6b) of rectangular cross-section being surrounded, on three of its lateral faces, by a magnetic circuit portion (7) which has end portions (7′, 7″) having planar surfaces situated substantially in a plane of a fourth lateral face of the conductor portion (6), a magnetic field detector (3; 24; 26) being arranged opposite the fourth lateral face. The conductor portion (6) is made by photo-lithography and etching in a layer of electrically conducting material applied on a first surface of a flat support member (1; 1′; 1″) or on intermediate layers (8, 9, 10, 11) deposited on the support member. The magnetic circuit portion (7) is made by photo-lithography and etching in a layer of magnetically permeable material applied on the conductor portion (6) on the first surface of the support member (1; 1′, 1″) or of an intermediate layer (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Liaisons Electroniques-Mecaniques LEM SA
    Inventor: Hubert Blanchard
  • Patent number: 6769167
    Abstract: A rotor for a synchronous reluctance motor of flux barrier type and manufacturing method thereof constructs a rotor for a synchronous reluctance motor by forming a magnetic core steel plate of disc shape on which a shaft hole is formed at center part, and a plurality of flux barrier groups are formed centering around the shaft hole and automatic stacking points are formed; manufacturing a plate stacked body by stacking the core steel plates continuously using the automatic stacking points; disposing end plates on both sides of the plate stacked body; and coupling the end plates and the plate stacked body integrally with each other as inserting a coupling member into the flux barrier groups, whereby the manufacturing process can be made easy and automatic stacking of the core steel plates can be made regardless of the types such as a skew type or a non skew type, and therefore manufacturing cost is reduced and the rotor can be mass produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung Hun Lee, Jae Yoon Oh, Dal Ho Cheong
  • Patent number: 6769168
    Abstract: A flux ring for a motor of a power tool has an annular housing which fits inside the motor can of the motor. At least one magnet is on the ring. The at least one magnet includes a portion formed from an isotropic magnetic material and a portion formed from an anisotropic magnetic material. Preferably, the isotropic magnetic material is sandwiched by the anisotropic magnetic material. The magnets being molded onto the flux ring in a two shot process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Hung T. Du
  • Patent number: 6769169
    Abstract: To provide a technology capable of restraining direct current magnetic deviation in a transformer without providing a gap in a core, an axis of easy magnetization is provided in a second direction intersecting with a first direction along a magnetic circuit of the core to thereby bring a B-H characteristic of a material characteristic of the core into an unsaturated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Nishimizu, Hideki Masuhara, Youichi Amako, Masanao Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 6769170
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ferromagnetic tunnel junction element, having an insulating film, a first ferromagnetic film and a second ferromagnetic film, including a step of turning the ferromagnetic tunnel junction element on electricity for a given period before a practical operation of the ferromagnetic tunnel junction element, so that a resistance of the insulating film is stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Shimazawa, Satoru Araki
  • Patent number: 6769171
    Abstract: The bolster assembly jig system is provided that includes a lower support, left and right fixed supports mounted on the lower support, and upper and lower horizontal bars extending between the left and right fixed supports to interconnect the same. Left and right lower fixing templates are mounted on the lower support to support a bolster assembly. Bumper beam fixing templates are formed on the left and right fixing supports to support a front bumper rail. Left and right upper fixing templates are provided above the upper horizontal bar for supporting a radiator support upper center panel. A lower clamping unit is provided on the lower horizontal bar to support the front bumper rail, and an upper clamping unit is mounted on the upper horizontal bar and connected through a template fixing arm to the left and right upper fixing templates to enable operation of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Youn-Kyoung Jung
  • Patent number: 6769172
    Abstract: An electric-component mounting system including: nozzle holders each carrying suction nozzles and rotatable to bring selected one of the suction nozzles; a turning device to turn the nozzle holders about a common axis of turning, for stopping each nozzle holder at predetermined working positions including nozzle-selecting, component-receiving and component-mounting positions; a holder rotating device which includes an engaging member engageable with and disengageable from an engaging portion of each nozzle holder, and which is disposed at the nozzle-selecting position, to rotate the nozzle holder, with the engaging member engaging the engaging portion; and an engaging-and-disengaging device to move the engaging member for engagement and disengagement with and from the engaging portion, and wherein each nozzle holder receives an electric component at the selected suction nozzle when each nozzle holder is located at the component-receiving position, and mounts the electric-component onto a circuit substrate whi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Suhara, Yusuke Tsuchiya, Takayuki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 6769173
    Abstract: An electrical connector crimping die comprises a first section for removably connecting the die to an electrical connector compression tool. A second section of the die, which is connected to the first section, is provided for crimping a connector. The second section comprises a generally concave crimp projection of a given height which defines a primary crimp surface and at least one concave shaped secondary pre-crimp surface. The secondary pre-crimp surface is recessed relative to the primary crimp surface by the given height. The primary crimp surface and the secondary pre-crimp surface are arranged relative to the first section so that a major portion of a crimping force applied by the compression tool to the crimping die is applied to the primary crimp surface to crimp a first portion of the connector and so that a minor portion of the crimping force is applied to the secondary pre-crimp surface to pre-crimp a second portion of the connector. A hydraulic crimping tool employs such a crimping die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher G. Chadbourne
  • Patent number: 6769174
    Abstract: A method for providing a leadframeless package structure is provided. The method includes providing a temporary carrier. The temporary carrier is coupled to a metal foil layer with a temporary adhesive layer. An integrated circuit chip is coupled to the metal foil layer. The temporary adhesive layer and the temporary carrier are removed to form the leadframeless package structure after molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: STMicroeletronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry M. Siegel, Anthony M. Chiu
  • Patent number: 6769175
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cooling device. The cooling device may be used to cool an integrated circuit. The method is broadly summarized by the following steps: pressing a metal slug to near-net shape, wherein the near-net shape includes a peripheral wall portion defining a chamber, the chamber having a first open end and a second closed end, the closed end defined by a chamber floor portion, and wherein the near-net shape includes a heat conductive base portion, the heat conductive base portion being defined by a lower base surface and the chamber floor portion; machining the lower base surface; creating a radius on the top of the peripheral wall portion; and cutting a plurality of slot openings in the peripheral wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy R Wagner
  • Patent number: 6769176
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel injector is disclosed. The method includes assembling a power group assembly with a valve group assembly to form the fuel injector. The power group assembly includes an overmold formed over a coil assembly. The valve group assembly includes a tube assembly formed by connecting an inlet tube to a valve body. The valve body includes a seat, a lower guide, and an armature/ball assembly disposed within the valve body. A retention member can be used to retain the power group assembly to the valve group assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Hornby
  • Patent number: 6769177
    Abstract: A method of producing an ink-jet recording head using ion milling is provided. The method includes the steps of forming a piezoelectric layer subsequent to an electrode layer on a substrate by using a thin-film deposition technology, forming an energy-generating element for generating energy for ink ejection by etching the electrode layer and the piezoelectric layer simultaneously by ion milling, and removing a fence formed by deposits of mixed fine powders including those etched off the electrode layer and the piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Koike, Yoshiaki Sakamoto, Tomohisa Shingai, Seigen Otani, Toshihiko Osada, Kazuaki Kurihara
  • Patent number: 6769178
    Abstract: A method includes hydroforming a pair of side rails from a single closed structural member so as to having a plurality of mounting areas integrally formed thereon. The frame assembly includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails having a plurality of transverse cross member extending therebetween. Each of the side rails is formed from a single integral closed structural member that extends the entire length of the frame assembly. The cross members extend generally perpendicular to the side rails and may be formed having any conventional structure. Each of the side rails is manufactured having a plurality of integrally formed mounting structures to facilitate the connection of the various components (not shown) of the vehicle directly to the frame assembly without the use of any brackets and mounts. The side rails are hydroformed to desired shapes and have respective pluralities of apertures and protrusions formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Beckman