Patents Issued in August 17, 2004
  • Patent number: 6776642
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (1) includes a base (10), a fixing member (11), and a clip (13). The base defines at least one installation portion (12, 15). The fixing member is pivotally engaged with the installation portion, and comprises an actuator (110) movably engaged in the at least one installation portion. The clip is attached to the base opposite from the at least one installation portion, and comprises a groove (130) defining a first corner (131) and a second corner (132) adapted to cooperate with the actuator. The actuator can slide from the first corner to the second corner when the fixing member engages with the clip, whereby no lateral movement of the clip relative to the base occurs. Thus, a LGA IC module (2) can be fixed on the electrical connector assembly reliably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert G. McHugh, Hao-Yun Ma
  • Patent number: 6776643
    Abstract: The socket of the present invention includes a base, a plurality of contacts, a contact moving member slidably supported on the base, a cover allowing the contact moving member to slide on the base, a guiding member for holding an IC package and a swaying mechanism. The guiding member is movably supported on the contact moving member. The swaying mechanism sways the guiding member when the operating member is moved with respect to the base so that the contact moving member slides on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaichi Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunori Nakano
  • Patent number: 6776644
    Abstract: A zero insertion force socket includes a cover which is movable along a longitudinal axis relative to a base housing. An actuation member is mounted for rotation about a rotation axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis. The actuation member is operably connected for moving the cover along the longitudinal axis when the actuation member is rotated about the rotation axis. The actuation member may include a leg that extends along the rotation axis, and a handle that extends perpendicular to the leg. The leg includes at least one thread that is received in a recess in the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: David Allison Trout, Michael Anthony Yeomans
  • Patent number: 6776645
    Abstract: A latch and release system for a connector disposable within a mating receptacle is provided, where the connector includes a body having a latch portion and a movable release portion, with the movable release portion having a biasing member. The latch and release system also includes an engaging member attached to the mating receptacle, with the engaging member having an engaging portion to engage the latch portion of the connector body when the connector is disposed in the mating receptacle. An abutment portion of the mating receptacle abuts the movable release portion of the connector body when the connector is disposed in the mating receptacle to cause the biasing member of the movable release portion to be biased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Roth, Richard P. Saulnier
  • Patent number: 6776646
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (100) comprises a cable end connector (1) and a complementary connector (7) mated with the cable end connector. The cable end connector includes a locking member (6) which has a hook portion (62) for locking with the complementary connector. The complementary connector includes a dielectric housing (70) which has a flange portion (72) locked with the hook portion of the locking member. The flange portion forms a guide portion (75) guiding and facilitating the hook portion of the locking member to lock with the flange portion during engagement of the cable end connector and the complementary connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: George Lee
  • Patent number: 6776647
    Abstract: An insulation displacement contact, for example for terminal strips, which has a slotted, sprung contact region as a contact-making slot on a connecting bracket, which contact region is surrounded and reinforced by an outer spring slip. The invention provides that the spring clip is designed to form an insulation displacement blade in at least one end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Herrmann, Günther Weissberger
  • Patent number: 6776648
    Abstract: An electric plug remover and installer with a long adjustable lever arm that has adjustable pivot arms for bearing against a wall or piece of furniture hiding an electric wall outlet and a bottom clamp for holding electric plugs, which is operated by a top hand grip. Elongated clamp arms with enlarged gripping heads are attachable for larger plugs such as those with transformers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: David Hernando
  • Patent number: 6776649
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact carrier for a plug connector, in particular for a PCB plug connector. The contact carrier comprises a carrier body formed of a plastic material, and a plurality of contacts which are accommodated in the carrier body. Each of the contacts have two plug-in portions and one transition portion located between the two plug-in portions. The transition portions are exposed at least in part and the carrier body is provided with thermally conductive webs which are located between the transition portions and adjoin the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Harting KGaA
    Inventors: Günter Pape, Andreas Kohler
  • Patent number: 6776650
    Abstract: A waterproof and heat-dissipating structure of an electronic apparatus including a circuit board, an input element and an output element is disclosed. The structure includes an aluminum-wrapped housing having at least four adjoining surfaces for defining a space, a first opening end and a second opening end, wherein the space is used for accommodating the circuit board, a first lateral plate fixed to the aluminum-wrapped housing, covering the first opening end and having a first hole for fixing the input element therein, and a second lateral plate fixed to the aluminum-wrapped housing, covering the second opening end and having a second hole for fixing the output element therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce C. H. Cheng, Chun-Chen Chen, Jui-Yuan Hsu, Lien-Jin Chiang
  • Patent number: 6776651
    Abstract: A stacked electronic connector includes a hollow mounting block, a first type connector socket and a second type connector socket. The mounting block has a front, a rear, two opposite sides, two inner guides, defined inside the mounting block and two windows through two corners where the front and the sides of the mounting block meet. The second type connector socket has two indicator lights and two arms. Each arm has a front end and an inclined edge formed at the front end that are held in the corresponding windows. Consequently, light produced by the indicator lights will be transmitted through the arms to the front ends and the inclined edges of the arms. A person can see the light from various directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Lankom Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lu-Ta Liu
  • Patent number: 6776652
    Abstract: An optical coupling connector portion, including ferrule portions, is provided at a widthwise central portion of a connector housing having a shape flattened in a direction of the width thereof. Female connection terminal portions, serving as electrical connection terminals, are provided in a distributed manner at widthwise opposite side portions of the connector housings disposed outwardly respectively of opposite sides of the optical coupling connector portion. An optical coupling connector portion, including ferrule receiving portions for respectively receiving the ferrule portions, is provided at a widthwise central portion of a second connector housing. Male connection terminal portions, serving as electrical connection terminal portions, are provided in a distributed manner at widthwise opposite side portions of the connector housing in corresponding relation to the female connection terminal portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Nakura, Hitoshi Imazu, Kazuhiro Asada
  • Patent number: 6776653
    Abstract: The 5-in-1 connector of the present invention has a cartridge with three insertion slots which each is provided fixedly with a contact pin set correspondingly connecting with circuit contact points of one of various memory cards, thereby an electric device can be inserted therein with at least three memory cards of different specifications; the first of the three insertion slots can afford insertion of one of CF and MD memory cards, the second insertion slot can afford insertion of one of SD and MMC memory cards, the third insertion slot can afford insertion of an MS memory card, hence the electric device at least can proceed to reading and writing on five memory cards of different specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: WEM Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Wen-Hsiang Hsiao
  • Patent number: 6776654
    Abstract: A compressor comprises a compressor pump unit and a motor for driving the pump unit. A compressor housing surrounds the compressor pump unit and the motor. A cable supplies power to the motor through a power supply housing mounted to the compressor housing. The power supply housing has a fence with a slot that permits insertion of the cable along a first axis and removal of the cable along a second axis transverse to the first axis. A clip couples the cable to the power supply housing, limiting movement of the cable along the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventors: David Jon Hawkes, James Edward Barnes
  • Patent number: 6776655
    Abstract: A plug connector component, in particular for a coaxial plug or an optical plug connector, comprises a substantially cylindrical housing made of an electrically conductive material and constituting an external contact. The plug connector component further comprises an insulating body provided in the interior of the housing and made of plastics, and at least one latching collar on an outside of the housing. The housing has at least one recess, the latching collar is made of plastics and the latching collar and the insulating body are connected in one piece with each other right through the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: HARTING Automotive GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Krause, Ludger Leve
  • Patent number: 6776656
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connection method and a connection arrangement. The solution employs an adapter fastener, which is intended for both an adapter connection and a circuit board connection, the adapter fastener being electrically conductive. The adapter fastener comprises a hole, which extends through the adapter fastener and to which a coaxial cable is fixed. The sheath of the coaxial cable is electrically connected to the adapter fastener and a male connection is formed at the adapter fastener by means of an inner conductor of the coaxial cable. In the adapter connection, the inner conductor of the coaxial cable is connected electrically to a female contact of a standardized adapter and the adapter fastener is connected electrically to the frame of the standardized adapter by means of adapter protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Pasi Lehtonen, Ossi Piirainen, Kimmo Huhtala
  • Patent number: 6776657
    Abstract: Connector connectable to coaxial cable without using tool is disclosed. The connector comprises an outer sleeve including a front inward rim and a staged bore; an inner sleeve including a front flange and a front inward rim; a nut; a cylindrical coupling sleeved on the outer sleeve; and a resilient gripping ring. A rear inward rim of the nut is fitted between the outer sleeve and the flange and is sleeved on the inner sleeve. The rim of the outer sleeve is sleeved on the inner sleeve. The ring is sandwiched between a rear inward rim of the coupling and the inner sleeve. The cable is inserted into the coupling and the ring for fitting the outer insulator in the inner sleeve. The insertion is stopped as the outer insulator of the cable contacts the rim of the inner sleeve. The cable is fastened in the connector by the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Chen-Hung Hung
  • Patent number: 6776658
    Abstract: An electrical cable end connector (1) includes a pair of electrical connector components (2), an electrical cable (3), a pair of latches (4) and a cover (5). Each electrical connector component has an insulative housing (20), a number of electrical contacts (21) mounted to the insulative housing, a printed circuit board (22) electrically connecting with the electrical contacts and a conductive shell (23) enclosing the insulative housing, the electrical contacts and the printed circuit board. The electrical cable includes a number of conductors (33) respectively electrically connecting with the printed circuit boards of the electrical connector components and a metallic braid (32) electrically contacting with the conductive shells of the electrical connector components. The latches are retained to the cover. The cover has a pair of cover members (50) to enclose the electrical connector components therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chiu-Yu Tang
  • Patent number: 6776659
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an electrical connector attachable to a printed circuit board and including an insulative housing. A plurality of signal conductors are provided, with each signal conductor having a first contact end, a second contact end, and an intermediate portion therebetween that is disposed in the insulative housing. A plurality of corresponding shield strips are provided, with each shield strip having a first contact end, a second contact end, and an intermediate portion therbetween that is disposed in the insulative housing adjacent one of the plurality of singnal conductors. Each intermediate portion of the shield strip has a surface with a first edge and a second edge, at least one of the first edge or the second edge being bent such that when the plurality of signal conductors and the corresponding shield strips are disposed in the insulative housing, the bent edge of the intermediate portion is directed toward the corresponding signal conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip T. Stokoe, Jason J. Payne, Huilin Ren
  • Patent number: 6776660
    Abstract: A connector including a first connector element and a second connector element that are coupled into a single unit, in which the first connector element has an engagement projection that projects interior of the first connector element and extends in the direction of the depth of the first connector element so that the front end of the engagement projection is spacedly apart from the front edge of the first connector element, and the second connector element is formed with an engagement slit that extends in the direction of depth of the second connector element and engages with the engagement projection of the first connector element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kubota, Yoshihide Kuroki, Masahide Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6776661
    Abstract: A planar filter has a monolithic construction in order to suppress parasitic capacitances between signal electrodes and many signal pins which are led through a carrier and which each have a capacitor with a signal layer connected to the signal pin, a ground layer connected to ground and a dielectric layer separating the two layers. The electrodes of the capacitors are applied to the carrier, which forms the dielectric, is shaped as a block from a mass of a higher dielectric constant and, after shaping and perforation, is sintered and ground. The ground electrode covers the entire surface area of one of the side surfaces of the carrier, apart from pin lead-throughs of the signal pins and their surrounding area. The signal electrodes on the other side surface of the carrier form insular regions extending from the pin lead-throughs of the signal pins to the edge of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Filtec Filtertechnologie fuer die Elektronikindustrie GmbH
    Inventors: Meinolf Dingenotto, Frank Wallmeier
  • Patent number: 6776662
    Abstract: An adapter for attaching a connector having a plurality of pads for interfacing with a device under test. The adapter comprises a carrier having a plurality of voids formed therein in a pattern matching connections on the connector, said voids traversing from a first surface to a second surface of the carrier. At least one electrical component is embedded in at least one void, the at least one electrical component forms a first adapter pad on the first surface of the carrier and a second adapter pad on the second surface of the carrier. When the adapter is interposed between the connector and the device under test the electrical component becomes part of the circuit of the device under test and the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob J. Self, Robert H. Wardwell
  • Patent number: 6776663
    Abstract: An electronic component has a housing and at least two terminal pins protruding out from a first side face of the housing. The housing has an isolation barrier formed between the at least two terminal pins. The isolation barrier extends the leakage path between two neighboring terminal pins and consequently increases the dielectric strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Ralf Otremba, Xaver Schlögel
  • Patent number: 6776664
    Abstract: An electrical connector (1) includes a housing (10), and a plurality of terminals (12, 13) received in the housing. The housing defines side surfaces (1020, 1020′) each forming a plurality of spacers (1022, 1022′). Two adjacent spacers and the corresponding side surface cooperatively define a terminal-passage (1021, 1026) for receiving a terminal therein. Each spacer is formed with at least one retention portion (1023) having a slanted guiding surface (1024) and a positioning surface (1025). The retention portions of each terminal-passage prevent the corresponding terminal from moving between the retention portions and the corresponding side surface. Moreover, two adjacent opposing guiding surfaces of the terminal-passage guide a mating contact of an associated electrical connector until the mating contact is received between two adjacent opposing positioning surfaces of the terminal-passage. Thus the mating contact is securely and reliably received in the terminal-passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., LTD
    Inventor: Chien-Hsun Huang
  • Patent number: 6776665
    Abstract: A connector unit of an electrical connector includes a terminal set mounted on a terminal holding member. The terminal set has a front mating portion and a rear coupling portion that projects rearwardly relative to a rear end face of the terminal holding member. A tubular unitary metal protective sleeve has a sleeve wall with a front end portion that defines a receiving space for receiving the terminal holding member of the connector unit therein. A transparent insulating jacket encloses fittingly the metal protective sleeve. An interlocking unit includes a hole set formed in one of the sleeve wall and the transparent insulating jacket, and a plug set formed on the other of the sleeve wall and the transparent insulating jacket to interconnect securely the metal protective sleeve and the transparent insulating jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: George Ying-Liang Huang
  • Patent number: 6776666
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly including a plurality of circuit terminal sets, each having an input end respectively connected to an external device for receiving electric signals, which are then output to another application device through an output end; and a structure part that includes a plurality of fixing units. Each circuit terminal set corresponds to a fixing unit that is used as a fixing support and is made of a harder material, such as plastic. The fixing unit further includes a plurality of grooves, each of which is used as electrical separation and protection for the terminal; and a connecting unit that has flexibility to connect and fix the plural fixing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Chin-Mao Kan
  • Patent number: 6776667
    Abstract: A modular jack (41) in which a modular plug (75) is plugged, comprises a housing body (42) including a cavity (52) at a front side thereof in which the modular plug (75) is plugged and a rear wall (56) having openings (57 and 58) and fixed portions (59 and 60), and a plurality of terminals (43-50) fixed to the fixed portions (59 and 60) and extend to the cavity (52) in a form of cantilevered beams supported by the fixed portions (59 and 60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Funatsu, Toru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6776668
    Abstract: A low profile electrical connector includes a center contact assembly having an integral housing and a spring loaded plunger contact therein; and a shield assembly coaxial with the center contact assembly. The shield assembly includes a slotted shield base to be coupled stationary to a circuit board, and a contact ring reciprocally mounted to the shield base for relative movement thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: William Crusey Van Scyoc, Michael John Phillips
  • Patent number: 6776669
    Abstract: A battery clamp comprises a contact ring that can be placed on a battery contact of a battery to be connected, a spring ring capable of pressing the contact ring against the battery contact, and a press-on housing capable of pressing the spring ring against the contact ring. There is further proposed a battery which is particularly suitable for being used in combination with such a battery clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Harting Automotive GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Krause, Ludger Leve
  • Patent number: 6776670
    Abstract: A clamping spring for a spring terminal includes a fixed leg and an angular spring leg disposed resiliently on the fixed leg. An auxiliary spring leg is disposed resiliently on the fixed leg and acts with its spring force on the spring leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Wieland Electric GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Süss
  • Patent number: 6776671
    Abstract: A trolling motor steering linkage system with motor steering and speed controls mounted adjacent to a central or midship portion of a boat for ease of one-hand operability. The steering linkage system is mounted to a top surface or hull of a boat via a propeller tube, secured to a transom which spans the width of the craft and provides support for the propeller tube. A motor control head controls the direction and the speed of the trolling motor with an integrally attached grip throttle. A roll bar is attached to the motor control head, which roll bar is supported at a raised elevation from the mounting surface of the boat by roll bar stantions. The roll bar is further connected to a linkage rod, which linkage rod is connected to the propeller tube for rotating the propeller tube, with attached trolling motor and propeller, and thereby steers the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Scott E. Dunn
  • Patent number: 6776672
    Abstract: Amphibious vehicle power train includes an engine mounted above, or above and to one side of transmission. Axis of crankshaft is parallel to axis of transmission input shaft, and to longitudinal vehicle axis. Crankshaft longitudinally overlaps input shaft. Engine is mounted North-South, and transmission South-North. Crankshaft drives input shaft through sprockets, connected by belt or chain; or by gears. Shaft drives marine propulsion means through drive shaft and optional decoupler. Transmission may be manual, sequential change manual, automated manual, seem-automatic, automatic, or continuously variable. Power train may be mounted towards the rear of the vehicle, driving the rear wheels through differential. Alternatively, the front wheels may also be driven, through drive shaft and differential. Either axle may be decoupled in road mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Gibbs Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Terence James Roycroft
  • Patent number: 6776673
    Abstract: An apparatus that can be bolted to the transom of a vehicle, comprising in combination a central box, which is open on at least the part of the surface that faces the transom of the vehicle and forms an extension for increasing the carrying volume and the buoyancy. Two lateral elements, for flotation and support of hydraulic propulsion motors with ducted propeller, are connected to the central box and contain respective fuel tanks and reservoirs for the motor actuation fluid, and there are ducts that end on the surface that faces the transom of the vehicle and are preset for the output, return and drainage connections of the motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: A.R.I.S. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Bellezza Quater, Paolo Bellezza Quater, Silvia Bellezza Quater
  • Patent number: 6776674
    Abstract: An axial-flow outboard water jet propulsion unit is designed so that it does not extend below the bottom of the boat hull, but rather is disposed directly behind the hull transom. This is achieved by arranging the impeller shaft generally perpendicular to a generally vertical drive shaft, and by installing the impeller in a flow-through duct which, although placed directly behind the transom, has an inlet for taking in water located directly below the impeller shaft. The duct does not extend to a depth lower than the lowest point of the hull bottom. The impeller shaft penetrates the duct wall, while the impeller itself is rotatable inside the duct. The impeller impels water rearward toward a convergent exit nozzle of the duct, sucking in water through the duct intake. The aft opening of the exit nozzle forms the duct discharge outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventor: Clarence E. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 6776675
    Abstract: To provide a jet propulsion boat which can be efficiently propelled by disposing a steering nozzle closer to the bottom of the boat. A jet propulsion boat includes a jet propulsion apparatus driven by an engine at the stern. A jet nozzle for jetting water is provided at the rear portion of the jet propulsion apparatus. A steering nozzle is swingably supported by the jet nozzle so as to adjust the direction of a stream of water jetted from the jet nozzle. In the jet propulsion boat, an outlet side of the jet nozzle is covered with an inlet side of the steering nozzle and the vertical diameter D2 of the inlet of the steering nozzle is set to be smaller than the transverse diameter D1 of the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohiro Fuse
  • Patent number: 6776676
    Abstract: Disclosed is a jet-propulsion personal watercraft adapted to eject water pressurized and accelerated by a water jet pump from an outlet port so as to be propelled as the resulting reaction, the personal watercraft being provided with a cruising control switch to allow an electric control unit to control a throttle actuator in accordance with an operation of the cruising control switch so that the watercraft cruises at a predetermined cruising speed or engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Tanaka, Toshio Araki, Atsufumi Ozaki, Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6776677
    Abstract: An engine flushing device and an associated method of using the device for use in purging trapped water within the cooling chamber of an engine are disclosed. The device includes a connector attachable to an output of a garden hose; a conduit; a shutoff valve having a shutoff gate; a fluid entry valve having a fluid entry gate; and a tube which is operationally attachable to the intake port of the engine. The method includes the steps of adjoining, affixing, aligning, conjoining, connecting, coupling, lining, mating, moving, obtaining, placing, positioning, running, and turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Dallas L. Knapp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6776678
    Abstract: An integrated or attached (built in or retrofitted) space occupying (fills space beneath the chin) cephalic restraint collar (holds the head in the axis of rotation) for improved personal flotation device (“PFD”) performance. The restraint assists with aligning and securing the head and neck in line with the axis of rotation. In this position the ballast of the head is divided evenly about the axis of rotation negating its ability to oppose effective rotation. The cephalo-cervical restraint improves the efficacy of all PFD designs elements targeting turning. By guiding the head into a cylindrical notch in the posterior cervical foam behind the victim's head the head is then aligned along the axis of rotation where the heads 14-17 pounds of ballast is symmetrically distributed about that axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: William H. Courtney
  • Patent number: 6776679
    Abstract: A toy is described that, during play, is rotated in a horizontal circular path about a player's ankle and simultaneously provides illuminating and eye-catching reflections of ambient light. The toy includes a collar and a transparent housing connected to the collar by a tether. During play, the transparent housing rotates about the player's ankle, while the player simultaneously hops or skips the tether. The transparent housing contains a multi-faceted, reflective sphere. This multi-faceted, reflective sphere rotates or otherwise moves within the transparent housing so as to reflect ambient light in a sparkling manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Menow
  • Patent number: 6776680
    Abstract: A toy assembly and its associated method of play. The toy assembly includes a hub. Two holes are disposed in the hub through which a loop of string is passed. By winding the string and then pulling the string taut, the string can be caused to rapidly unwind, thus rotating the hub. A removable housing is connected to the hub. The housing has a release mechanism. When the release mechanism is engaged, the housing disengages from the hub. Two players face each other and utilize their toy assemblies to cause their hubs and surrounding housings to turn. The turning housings are then brought to battle by creating contact between the spinning housings. If one housing contacts the release mechanism on another housing, the housing on the contacted toy will separate from the hub and become disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Ki Toe Tony Chow
  • Patent number: 6776681
    Abstract: An animated doll having an enlarged head and enlarged feet relative to its body, and including a combination of independent, interactive features. The interactive features include a head position assembly, which controls rotation of the head, and an eye assembly mechanism, which drives and controls the opening and closing of eyelids on the doll. The doll may also include a communication port to receive removable external components, which are associated with a pre-recorded response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: William Willett
  • Patent number: 6776682
    Abstract: An acrobatic doll and accessory combination with an acrobatic doll body, an engaging member coupled to the doll body, a doll accessory, and an engaging member coupled to the doll accessory wherein the engaging member coupled to the doll body and the engaging member coupled to the doll accessory can engage one another in a mating relationship. The acrobatic doll can have a torso, a head, first and second arms hingedly coupled to the torso, and first and second legs hingedly coupled to the torso. The doll accessory can take many forms including a tumble baton, a tumble garment, a tumble bar arrangement, a dancing stand, a balance wand, a vertical stand, a rocker unit, a swing arrangement, a propeller driven arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventors: Robert W. Engel, Robert Stephen Lee, Steve G. Fouke, John Rey Hollis, William John Kelley
  • Patent number: 6776683
    Abstract: An eye for a toy doll is formed by a housing inside which an eyelid body and an eyeball body are pivotally retained, wherein the eyelid body and the eyeball body are respectively controlled by two moving control plates. Each moving plate has two pushing rods movably mounted thereon via memory alloy wires. When a current is applied on the memory alloy wires, the length of the memory alloy wire is reduced thus driving the pushing rods to press against the eyelid body and the eyeball body to generate blinking and rotating movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Hong-Tien Lin
  • Patent number: 6776684
    Abstract: A launching device is disclosed which launches snap caps against a hard surface, such as a wall or ceiling, with sufficient force so as to “pop” the caps like tiny firecrackers. In one embodiment, the launcher simultaneously launches confetti into the air so as to create an effect of both sight and sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: James O. Watkins
  • Patent number: 6776685
    Abstract: A toy vehicle ramp has a resiliently flexible sheet panel and a pair of stiffer support members. Each support member has a plurality of support points formed thereon arranged to define a channel in which a lateral edge portion of the sheet panel is slidingly received for height adjustment of the panel in the supports and thus of the ramp. One or more elastic members extend between the support members and beneath the sheet panel to hold the ramp together. The flexible sheet panel collapses and the band(s) stretch when a load heavier than an ordinary remote control toy vehicle is applied so that a child cannot jump from or ride over the ramp and so that the ramp can collapse without damage to its components for reassembly and reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean C. Reisher, Gerhart P. Huy, Aritty J. Newton
  • Patent number: 6776686
    Abstract: The object is to provide a running toy which can be charged while the player plays with the toy by simplifying operation of charging the running toy and by providing a charging runway as one element of playing with the running toy. The present invention relates to a running toy comprising a running body and a runway, wherein said running body comprises a reception means for receiving outer operating information, a control means for control based on the information received by the reception means, a driving means for making wheels rotate by control signals from the control means, a condenser able to supply electric power to the driving means, and a connecting means connected to the condenser and charging the condenser from the outside of the running body, and wherein said runway comprises a power supply for supplying electric power and an electric power supply means connected with said power supply and adapted to come in contact with a connecting means of said running body and to supply electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Staff Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Todokoro
  • Patent number: 6776687
    Abstract: A face with glowing eyes returns stare or blinks at onlookers. At least the head of a being or creature is provided on a backing with a pair of LEDs positioned in empty sockets or under evil brows. The base of each LED rests against or is placed adjacent to the front of the backing, while electrical leads on the other side secure the LEDs in place. The approach to prop construction described may also be employed for less sinister purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Frank P. Becking
  • Patent number: 6776688
    Abstract: A method of CMP polishing of a semiconductor wafer is described that includes using a polishing pad on a platen/table with the polishing pad including a sub-pad containing pockets of magnetorheological fluid. The stiffness of the sub-pad is controlled by selectively applying a magnetic field at selective pockets containing magnetorheological fluid to change the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid. The changing stiffness increases the polishing rate of the pad in the areas of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Andrew T. Kim, Christopher L. Borst, Matthew W. Losey
  • Patent number: 6776689
    Abstract: A grinding assembly for shaping an inlet or outlet face of a ceramic catalyst substrate provides for forming a predetermined face on the substrate, the substrate having a circular or non-circular cross-sectional profile. A grinding head is rotated about a grinding axis, and the grinding axis is selectively translated about an orbital path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Paul J. Eichelberger
  • Patent number: 6776690
    Abstract: A process for fabricating sliders with one or more sacrificial structures (extensions) that facilitate lapping to create the air-bearing surface (ABS) is described. Prior to separating individual sliders from a wafer, a mask of material that is not removable by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) is patterned on the surface of the sliders. The mask outlines a sacrificial extension around portions of the magnetic transducer elements that are nearest the predetermined plane which will become the ABS. The sacrificial extension makes the surface of the slider which will be lapped non-planar. The sacrificial extension extends below the predetermined ABS plane. When the sliders are individually separated by DRIE, the shape of the mask including the sacrificial extension is projected down into and along the slider body. In one embodiment, additional guide rails are disposed along the outer edges of the slider to facilitate maintaining slider symmetry during the lapping process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Richard D. Bunch, Jeffrey S. Lille, Huey-Ming Tzeng
  • Patent number: 6776691
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus that can effectively and efficiently remove potassium and other alkaline metals comprises integrally a polishing unit for polishing an object by means of a polishing agent and a cleaning unit for cleaning the polished object. The polishing unit and the cleaning unit have means for isolating the internal atmosphere from the external atmosphere and the cleaning unit has a means for cleaning the polished object by bringing hot pure water or steam of pure water into contact with the polished object. With a cleaning method hot pure water is brought into contact with the polished object without drying it after having been polished by such a polishing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Matsuomi Nishimura, Mikichi Ban, Kazuo Takahashi, Osamu Ikeda