Patents Issued in October 12, 2004
  • Patent number: 6802303
    Abstract: Method and device (15) for pressure control in a combustion engine (1) with a crankcase (11) to which crankcase gases are guided during operation of the engine. The valve device (15) is adapted for detecting the current pressure in the crankcase (11) and for opening and closing, respectively, a connection (35) between the crankcase (11) and a suction pipe (9) of the engine depending on the detected pressure. The valve device (15) includes a first valve (19) which is adapted for assuming a condition between a first, opened position and a second, closed position depending on the detected pressure in the crankcase (11), and a second valve (20) which is adapted for assuming a condition between a first, opened position and a second, closed position depending on the condition of the first valve (19). The invention also relates to a method for such pressure control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Nils-Olof Håkansson
  • Patent number: 6802304
    Abstract: A trigger assembly has a housing, a trigger, an actuating lever, a string holder, a bowstring catch biasing member, a safety pin, a safety lock, a pushing arm, a block, a block biasing member and a string stop. The housing has a mouth. The actuating lever has a hook and abuts against the top of the trigger. The bowstring catch has a string hook and a leg selectively engaging the hook on the actuating lever. The safety pin is moveably mounted in the housing and is supported on the actuating lever. The safety lock is moveably mounted in the housing and has a push rod. The pushing arm has a protrusion abutting the push rod. The block has a transverse rod selectively engaging the front end of the pushing arm. Accordingly, a trigger assembly with two safety features is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Chu-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 6802305
    Abstract: A mechanical, pneumatic, magnetic and/or electronic method for assisting the user operation of a trigger and/or actively and rapidly returning the trigger mechanism to its firing position at the completion of a firing sequence in a paintball gun. The trigger assistance mechanism reduces the amount of force required by the user to move the trigger to begin the firing sequence. After the firing sequence has been completed, the trigger assistance mechanism provides assistance to the trigger to move it to its pre-firing resting position. Alternatively, the trigger assistance mechanism replaces the mechanical linkage between the trigger and the cocking/firing mechanism of the paintball gun such that a pneumatic actuating ram is used to initiate the cocking/firing sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Forest A. Hatcher
  • Patent number: 6802306
    Abstract: A paint ball marker 10 is provided with a rapid loading and firing configuration. A compressed gas is fed to a trigger valve 30 which controls a position of a ram 40. When a trigger 24 is pulled, the trigger valve 30 directs air to the ram 40 so that a piston 44 within the ram 40 causes a unity bracket 50 to move. This unity bracket 50 controls an activator valve 60, causing a charge of compressed gas to be released from a charge chamber 80 to an entrance 91 of the firing chamber 90 where a paint ball is fired from the firing chamber 90. The unity bracket 50 also causes a loading slide 100 to activate a door 110 immediately after firing of the paint ball from the firing chamber 90 so that the door 110 is moved from a closed position to an open position. In the open position a loading hole 96 routes another paint ball into the firing chamber 90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Jack V. Rice
  • Patent number: 6802307
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with an archery bow which comprises a resilient elastomeric member having at least one end, a coupler for coupling the one end of the resilient elastomeric member to an archery bow and a stabilizer weight provided in the resilient elastomeric member adjacent an opposite end from the one end. In other embodiments the apparatus has another end, a coupling provided in the another end, is barreled and has energy dispersion rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Leven Industries
    Inventor: William L. Leven
  • Patent number: 6802308
    Abstract: A collapsible barbecue apparatus includes a base housing a fuel supply. First and second wings are pivotally attached to the base and movable between a closed position wherein the wings face one another, and an open position wherein the wings are generally co-planar with one another. Each wing includes a grill cooking surface and an underlying gas burner. First and second supports are movable from a retracted position adjacent to the base to extended positions for supporting the first and second wings, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventors: Tim M. Nugent, Chris W. Glupker, Lance G. Hussey, Ravi K. Sawhney, Kurt G. Botsai, Val Kalyuzhny
  • Patent number: 6802309
    Abstract: A gas cooker includes a pot support that can be fixed on a top panel, preferably a cooktop panel, by a permanent-magnet configuration. The permanent-magnet configuration has magnet parts disposed at connecting locations on a pot support and on the top panel, and the magnet parts are located opposite one another. At least one of the magnet parts is a permanent magnet and another of the magnet parts is either a material magnetically attracted by the permanent magnet or a further permanent magnet having a polarity opposite the permanent magnet and magnetically attracted by the permanent magnet. As such, the configuration magnetically retains the pot support in a predetermined position on the top panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Varnhorn, Joachim Grützke
  • Patent number: 6802310
    Abstract: A range hood for exhausting gases generated above a cooking surface comprises an outer hood body within which a motor housing is mounted. The motor housing has top, bottom and perimeter side surfaces defining a substantially cylindrical chamber within which a motor and fan are housed. The motor housing has an air outlet and at least one air inlet, the air inlet being located about the perimeter of the housing so as to draw in air from below the range hood. A panel is connected to the bottom of the hood body. The range hood may also be equipped with an automatic cleaning system. A further air intake may also be located in the bottom of the motor housing aligned with the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Yeung
  • Patent number: 6802311
    Abstract: A range hood motor housing and fan assembly for exhausting gases generated above a cooking surface. The motor housing has top, bottom and side surfaces defining a substantially cylindrical chamber within which a motor and fan are housed. An air outlet is present in the top surface. Space between the top surface and the fan increases in the direction of rotation of the fan from one side of the air outlet to the other side of the air outlet. The fan has a plurality of arcuate fan blades having at least one trough declining to the outer radial edge of the fan blade to direct any grease draining on the blade in this direction. The motor housing may be equipped with an air exhaust chamber projecting from the motor housing and connected to the range hood body for recycling air from above the cooking surface back into the cooking environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Yeung
  • Patent number: 6802312
    Abstract: An outdoor fireplace having a cover portion, a screened middle portion, a fire pit, and a base is disclosed. The screened middle portion has collapsible and movable curtain assembly that hangs from and slides along an interior rod, so that firewood can be placed into the fire pit without having to remove the cover portion. A set of wheels are coupled to the base portion to make the fireplace easily portable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: World Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory G. Kuelbs
  • Patent number: 6802313
    Abstract: Apparatus and a concomitant method for electrostatically depositing select doses of medicament powder at select locations on a substrate. Specifically, the apparatus contains a charged particle emitter for generating charged particles that charge a predefined region of a substrate and a charge accumulation control circuit for computing the amount of charge accumulated upon the substrate and deactivating the emitter when a selected quantity of charge has accumulated. Additionally, a triboelectric charging apparatus charges the medicament powder and forms a charged medicament cloud proximate the charged region of the substrate. The medicament particles within the medicament cloud electrostatically adhere to the charged region. The quantity of charge accumulated on the substrate at the predefined region and the charge-to-mass ratio of the medicament powder in the cloud control the amount (dose) of medicament deposited and retained by the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Sarnoff Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Allen Pletcher, Pabitra Datta, Christopher Just Poux, Randall Eugene McCoy
  • Patent number: 6802314
    Abstract: A flow probe for use in a humidification system is disclosed. The flow probe is adapted to be positioned in a humidified gases flow (for example oxygen or anaesthetic gases) such as that which is provided to a patient in a hospital environment. The flow probe is designed to provide both temperature and flow rate sensing of the gases flow by incorporating two sensors (preferably thermistors) and the shape and alignment of the probe enables accurate readings by reducing the occurrence of condensation on the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Limited
    Inventor: Stephen William McPhee
  • Patent number: 6802315
    Abstract: A vapor phase treated electret filter media includes an additive or mixtures thereof that enhance the charge stability of the media. The filter media achieves acceptable alpha values for a range of filtration challenges without significant decay in alpha values over time. Preferred charge additives include fatty acid amides and mixtures thereof. Exemplary vapor phase deposition monomers include fluorinated monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Hollingsorth & Vose Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Gahan, Wai Ming Choi
  • Patent number: 6802316
    Abstract: A tracheostomy valve (10) having a low profile for use on a tracheal tube (100) of a user. The tracheostomy valve is a unidirectional valve which allows gases to enter into the tracheal tube but does not allow gases to exit the tracheal tube through the tracheostomy valve. The valve includes a valve body (12), a flapper valve (24), a valve clamp (26) and a cover (32). The valve body has notches (30) which provide inlets (18) for the gases to move past the valve body. The valve clamp has grooves which provide inlets for the gases to move past the valve clamp into the valve body. The cover mounts over the second end (12B) of the valve body and holds the valve clamp and flapper valve in position in the hole of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Charles A. Fulgham
  • Patent number: 6802317
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tracheal ventilating device, especially a tracheal tube or tracheal cannula which obturates the trachea as hermetically as possible for ventilating a patient, the device comprising a cuffed balloon which blocks the trachea below the glottis and through which a ventilating cannula is passed, with the cuffed balloon when filled or inflated and freely unfolded without any limitation, being larger than when placed in the trachea in an inflated state, and being made from a soft flexible foil material. To intubate a patient with said device as gently as possible at low pressures over a long period of time and with a low risk of infection, the invention suggests that the draped fold of the cuffed balloon should rest on the trachea and be designed in such a way that the loop created at the dead end of a fold has a small diameter which inhibits the free flow of secretion through the loop of said fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Fred Goebel Patentvarwaltung GmbH
    Inventor: Fred G. Göbel
  • Patent number: 6802318
    Abstract: A toe guard is made of a flexible sheet of plastic, is U-shaped in longitudinal cross-section, is open in the back and both sides, and is contoured on its upper and lower surfaces to fit the top and bottom of a foot comfortably. The front of the toe guard is solid and is spaced from the toes when attached to the foot. The toe guard is attached by means of a wide strip of adhesive tape wrapped around the tongue and base of the guard in the vicinity of the instep and ball of the foot. The tape prevents the toe guard from slipping longitudinally on the foot. The toe guard protects the toes from a frontal impact and from blows from the top, bottom, and sides of the toe guard. The toe guard is initially wider than the foot for which it is designed and can be trimmed to fit the intended user's foot. Being flexible, it spreads to fit on the ball and instep, generally conforms to the shape of the foot, and bends with the foot when walking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Laura Ann Parker
  • Patent number: 6802319
    Abstract: A method of treatment of congestive heart failure comprises the steps of introducing an aortic occlusion catheter through a patient's peripheral artery, the aortic occlusion catheter having an occluding member movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position; positioning the occluding member in the patient's ascending aorta; moving the occluding member from the collapsed shape to the expanded shape after the positioning step; introducing cardioplegic fluid into the patient's coronary blood vessels to arrest the patient's heart; maintaining circulation of oxygenated blood through the patient's arterial system; and reshaping an outer wall of the patient's heart while the heart is arrested so as to reduce the transverse dimension of the left ventricle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventors: John H. Stevens, Lee R. Bolduc, Stephen W. Boyd, Brian S. Donlon, Hanson S. Gifford, III, Philip R. Houle, Daniel C. Rosenman
  • Patent number: 6802320
    Abstract: Appliances for shaping hair are provided. The hair-shaping appliances may include, for example, (a) a forward and reverse stroke liquid dosing device; (b) a tubular drum constructed to contact the hair, the tubular drum having through-passages; and (c) an evaporating device comprising an evaporator chamber to which a liquid is delivered by the dosing device, the evaporating device being constructed to produce steam from the delivered liquid and to deliver the steam through the through-passages in the tubular drum to treat the hair. Excess liquid is removed from the evaporator chamber by a return stroke of the dosing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Janouch, Peter Lange, Dieter Liebenthal, Silvia Rix, Heinz Kern, Peter Ruppert, Friedrich Henninger, Jürgen Seng
  • Patent number: 6802321
    Abstract: The foreign matter adhered to the data bearing surface of a master medium is removed by use of a dry, non-contact removal process, so as to facilitate the performance of a high transfer quality magnetic transfer. Before performing a magnetic transfer or forming an optical disk, a magnetic transfer master medium or an optical disk master medium is placed in a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber is evacuated by an evacuating means, and a reactive gas is introduced thereto by a gas introducing means. In the state in which the chamber has been evacuated and the reactive gas has been introduced thereto, a discharging means applies a discharge voltage in the chamber, causing a plasma discharge to be generated between the master medium and an electrode. The plasma etching action of the plasma discharge burns off the foreign matter adhered to the surface of the master medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akito Kamatani, Masakazu Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 6802322
    Abstract: A stringer block is formed on the interface between a HDP silicon oxide layer and a silicon substrate. During an etching process for defining the profile of a floating gate, the stringer block functions to expose a bottom corner stringer. Following that, a polysilicon etching process effectively removes the bottom corner stringer. As a result, a stringerless flash memory cell is formed to prevent leakage currents, resulting from the bottom corner stringer, and improve both the reliability and data retention ability of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 6802323
    Abstract: A guide wire holding apparatus includes a tray, one or more raised corrugated areas, a fluid source, a syringe, a valve, a drainage system, and one or more coupling devices. Each of the one or more raised corrugated areas is located on the inner surface of the tray and includes one or more slots. A reservoir is formed by the inner surface of the tray and the tray end caps. A flow of fluid provided by the fluid source or the syringe and controlled by the valve partially fills the reservoir. The height of the fluid in the reservoir is partially controlled by the location of the cap hole. Preferably, the cap hole is located at a height that causes the guide wire, which is shown resting in a slot formed in the one or more raised corrugated areas, to be slightly submerged when fluid is flowing from the fluid source or syringe to the drainage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: iSurgical, LLC
    Inventors: Charles L. Truwit, Randal Nebon
  • Patent number: 6802324
    Abstract: A sheet metal washer system for cleaning metal blanks includes a washer cassette with an open bottom that is selectively mounted on a tank assembly, a drive motor assembly and a filter assembly. The washer cassette includes an inlet opening and an exit opening with upper and lower entry rollers having a first predetermined durometer positioned adjacent to the inlet opening and upper and lower exit rollers having a second predetermined durometer positioned adjacent the exit opening. Upper and lower manifolds for delivering cleaning fluid from the filter assembly to the interior of the washer cassette are positioned between the entry and exit rollers. The sheet metal blank is cleaned by the entry rollers and dried by the exit rollers, as it passes through the sheet metal washer. The washer cassette preferably includes a safety mechanism for locking the upper entry and exit rollers into a storage position when the washer system is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Utica Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: William Robert Budry, Jr., Mohamad A. Sebai, Douglas J. Goetz, David Berghorn, Michael J. Bleau
  • Patent number: 6802325
    Abstract: An openable and closeable umbrella having the appearance of a thatched South Sea Island or Caribbean umbrella, and the ability to shield the users of the umbrella from the sun. The umbrella features a circular one piece woven thatch overlaid upon a fabric umbrella canopy, which canopy is conventionally attached to the frame of the umbrella. The frame includes a series of spaced ribs attached to struts and a means to open and close the frame. The woven thatch is screwed or otherwise secured to the ribs of the frame through the canopy layer. Means are provided for raising and lowering the umbrella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: American Holtzkraft, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip Apple
  • Patent number: 6802326
    Abstract: A crutch 1 has vertical support pipes 2,3, a slider 10 slidably mounted on the support pipes 2,3, a grip 11 mounted on the slider 10, and a slider support system 12 for supporting the slider 10. The slider support system 12 has a movable vertical pipe 31, a fixed vertical pipe 32, a fixing pin 33 provided on the movable vertical pipe 31, and height adjustment holes 34(1) to 34(5) formed in the fixed vertical pipe 32. By changing the height adjustment hole with which the fixing pin 33 is engaged, the height of the grip 11 can be adjusted. No holes must be formed in the vertical support pipes 2,3 for constituting a crutch main body, and height adjustment can be carried out by manipulating only one fixing pin 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukiko Kusama
  • Patent number: 6802327
    Abstract: Disclosed is a retractable portable shelter apparatus with an attachment apparatus for vehicles. The shelter apparatus includes a stationary frame, a plurality of pivotably rotatable frames, a collapsible canopy stretched over the rotatable frames, and an attachment member for attaching the apparatus to the vehicle. The vehicle attachment apparatus can be moved between at least two positions, the deployed, substantially enclosed housing position, and the substantially closed or collapsed position. The shelter apparatus may be used as an ice fishing shelter, a duck hunting blind, a tent, a camping shelter, a portable shower facility, a storage tent, a sun shade, a hunting rack for carrying hunted animals, a medical emergency shelter, or a tool carrier. In one embodiment the shelter apparatus includes a platform for supporting a user, and further includes a floor and wheels supporting the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Dennis R. Koss
  • Patent number: 6802328
    Abstract: An adjustment device of an adjustable canopy of a swing set includes a fixed part, an engaging part, and an adjustable part. The fixed part is joined to the frame of a swing set, and has locating hooks. The engaging part is securely connected to the fixed part, and has engaging protrusions on an outer side, which have convexly curved surfaces, and plasticity. The adjustable part, to which a covering part of the canopy is connected, has concavely curved sections spaced around an annular inner side. The locating hooks are connected to the adjustable part such that the adjustable part can turn relative to the fixed part. The concavely curved portions contact the convexly curved protrusions. The inner side of the adjustable part depresses the convexly curved protrusions when force is exerted on the adjustable part so that the canopy covering part can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Compex International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Steve Lin
  • Patent number: 6802329
    Abstract: A top setting-up mechanism for folding tent includes an upper hub pivotally connected to inner ends of upper ribs of the tent, a lower hub pivotally connected to inner ends of stretchers of the tent, and a pull cord. A guiding tube having internal guiding ribs is fitted in the upper hub. An upper part of the lower hub is formed into a hollow retainer having external guiding grooves. When the pull cord is pulled, the retainer on the lower hub is brought into the guiding tube to enable quick and accurate coupling of the lower hub to the upper hub, and the guiding grooves on the retainer of the lower hub interfere with the guiding ribs on the guiding tube fitted in the upper hub to prevent the upper and the lower hub from turning relative to one another, and thereby ensures a stable erection of the tent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Shih-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 6802330
    Abstract: An auto-relieving pressure modulating valve includes a spool, a solenoid that shifts the spool in an energized direction, and a spring arrangement. The spring arrangement functions to shift the spool from a relieving position to a neutral position, in the energized direction, without energizing the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Mico, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Dale Royle
  • Patent number: 6802331
    Abstract: A check valve for a fluidic system includes a fluidic conduit having an inlet with a first particle barrier, an outlet with a second particle barrier and a fluid chamber between the inlet and the outlet; and at least one particle disposed in the fluid chamber, the particle or particles aggregating at the first particle barrier to form a first hydrodynamic resistance when a first fluid pressure at the inlet is less than a second fluid pressure at the outlet, the particle or particles aggregating at the second particle barrier to form a second hydrodynamic resistance when the first fluid pressure is greater than the second fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Eksigent Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Don W. Arnold, David J. Rakestraw, Jason Rehm
  • Patent number: 6802332
    Abstract: A shear valve for use in a fuel delivery system includes a valve body wherein a first end is adapted to be connected to a fuel inlet, and a second oppositely-disposed end is adapted to be connected to a fuel outlet. The valve body is provided with a readily frangible or separable region between the first and second ends. The first end has an emergency shut-off valve biased towards a closed position, and is normally held open by a displaceable abutment having one ball or roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Risbridger Limited
    Inventor: Graham M. Stuart
  • Patent number: 6802333
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the rate of fluid flow. A flow restrictor having known pressure drop and flow rate characteristics provided in a passage through which the fluid, preferably a gas, flows. An upstream pressure sensor determines the pressure of fluid in the flow passage upstream of the flow restrictor. A downstream pressure sensor determines the pressure of fluid in the flow passage downstream of said flow restrictor. A pressure regulator adjusts the pressure of fluid upstream or downstream of the flow restrictor based on the pressure drop across the flow restrictor so that the actual pressure drop across the flow restrictor closely corresponds to the pressure drop associated with a desired rate of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Mott Metallurgical Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Balazy, Cathy L. Cowan, Mark R. Eisenmann, Kenneth E. Frink, Edward Kulha
  • Patent number: 6802334
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing different types of water and sanitary fitting elements, such as taps and mixers, there is used multiple functional parts that have parts which come into contact with water in use, and one or more casing parts which are at least partially visible. The water-contacted functional parts are formed in a module system that includes a limited number of elements, e.g. 10-15 in number, and are made of a material that will not deliver harmful substances to the water. The casing parts are made of another material and are given an inner shape or form which is adapted to the outer shape or form of the functional parts so the casing parts will surround the functional parts, either completely or partially, in an exchangeable manner. The functional parts may be made of a plastic material, e.g., a thermoplastic material, while the casing parts may be made of any chosen material. Also provided is a module system built-up of functional parts and casing of the aforesaid kind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: FM Mattsson AB
    Inventor: Stefan Ericsson
  • Patent number: 6802335
    Abstract: A faucet assembly includes a first handle attached to rotate a fluid control member and includes a first groove. A second handle is attached to move the fluid control member along a central axis and includes a second groove aligned with the first groove. A retainer ring disposed is movable within the first and second grooves between a release and a secure positions. A biasing member within the second groove biases the retainer toward the release position and a threaded member within the first handle biases retainer toward the secured position. The setscrew moves the retainer from the release position by moving a portion of the retainer from the second groove to the first groove within the first handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Scott Kevin Jones, Garry Robin Marty
  • Patent number: 6802336
    Abstract: The hose reel apparatus includes a tube motor having a housing that at one end is bolted to a mounting bracket leg to extend within the reel drum and a motor shaft extending within and connected to one end portion of a sheath tube which is also extends within the drum. The opposite end portion of the tube is connected to the reel side plate which is adjacent to the above mentioned leg to rotates the reel. Swivel mechanism is mounted to the other mounting bracket leg, and extends into the drum and is adapted to be non-rotatably connected to a conduit and to a hose that is to be wound onto and unwound from the reel drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Ventaire, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Holmquist
  • Patent number: 6802337
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the extension of access conduits to access underground valves and the like. A valve can extension comprising a tubular member having an extension riser portion at one end and an inwardly tapered portion at the other end. The extension riser portion has a substantially constant inner and outer diameter defining a substantially uniform wall thickness. The inwardly tapered portion is adapted to be inserted into and frictionally engage a valve can bell housing. The valve can extension and valve can bell housing assembly form a conduit from grade level to the bell portion having a substantially uniform inner and outer diameter. A simple friction fit joining method is provided to negate the need for complex mechanical coupling devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald C. Phipps
  • Patent number: 6802338
    Abstract: A fire hydrant securing arrangement utilizes a magnetic detent to couple an outer body to a center post so that when a wrench with a permanent magnet is mated with the outer body, the magnetic detent connects the outer body to the center post. The center post has an end with a polygonal recess which complements the shape of the hydrant operating nut. The recess is within an insert that has a polygonal periphery engaged by a polygonal inner wall of the center post. The insert is interchangeable with other inserts having recesses of different sizes and configurations so that the securing arrangement is readily acceptable to fire hydrants having different operating nuts of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Hydra-Shield Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy Istre, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6802339
    Abstract: The fitting, in particular a safety valve, operates according to the relief principle or according to the loading principle. The fitting is opened and closed by a plurality of control parts. The control parts are connected in series in the control line of the fitting and are each actuated by a control valve. The control parts open the fitting only when all the control parts are in a position which opens the fitting. The fitting closes as soon as even only one of the control parts is in a position which closes the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Framatome ANP GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann-Josef Conrads, Erwin Laurer, Jürgen Model
  • Patent number: 6802340
    Abstract: A fuel pressure regulator including a valve head having a centerline offset from the centerline of a corresponding fuel orifice. The valve head may be offset with respect to the valve seat and orifice, the orifice may be offset within the seat with respect to the head and diaphragm assembly, or the axes of the head and seat may be non-coaxially biased. Because the vector of the valve closing force does not align with the centerline of the valve head and diaphragm assembly, a resulting torque on the valve head keeps the head in a stable, pivoted position at all flow rates. The valve head always makes contact with the valve seat at a predetermined point during regulator operation, eliminating pressure instabilities and noise experienced in prior art pressure regulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Gutmann, Ahmet T. Becene, Charles W. Braun, Grover W. Preston
  • Tap
    Patent number: 6802341
    Abstract: A tap (4) including a tap body (6) within which is located a valve (14), an operating handle (12) mounted on the body and coupled to the valve, a security button (42) which is interlocked with the handle and/or valve, the arrangement being such that the valve can only be opened after activation of the security button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Australian Dynamic Products PTY Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Ian Johnson, Alfred Blochlinger, Brian Charles Hamann, Hugh Yean Fung
  • Patent number: 6802342
    Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated fluidic systems and methods. Microfabricated fluidic devices of the present invention include switches that can be opened and closed to allow or block the flow of fluid through a channel in response to the pressure level in a gate of the switch. The microfabricated fluidic switches may be coupled together to perform logic functions and Boolean algebra, such as inverters, AND gates, NAND, gates, NOR gates, and OR gates. The logic gates may be coupled together to form flip-flops that latch signals. The present invention also includes microfabricated fluidic pressure multipliers that increase the pressure in a second chamber relative to a first chamber. Microfabricated fluidic devices of the present invention also include pressure sources. A pressure source of the present includes a pump coupled to a reservoir through unidirectional valves. The pressure source may be high pressure source or a low pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Fernandes, Hou-Pu Chou, Marc A. Unger
  • Patent number: 6802343
    Abstract: In accordance with a disclosed embodiment of the present invention, a sewer line assembly for a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle or the like, having a sewer line outlet, includes a housing mounted on the vehicle, and a sewer discharge line mounted in axial alignment with the housing in-fluid communication with the vehicle sewer outlet. The sewer line contracts axially to a short storage configuration to be supported at least partially within the housing. The line expands axially to a long sewage-conveying use configuration. A discharge nozzle connected in fluid communication with the discharge end of the sewer line couples to a remotely located sewer inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Gary R. Faahs
  • Patent number: 6802344
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Veeder-Root Company
    Inventor: Robert P. Hart
  • Patent number: 6802345
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Veeder-Root Company Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Hart, Richard K. Lucas
  • Patent number: 6802346
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for collecting process water at a paper machine or the like, wherein water from several suction elements (2 . . . 2n, 2m) provided at a wire (1) is led in such a way that an unbroken liquid column is maintained in the outlet pipes (8 . . . 8n, 8m) of the suction elements and is made to join a common collecting vessel (9, 9m). The liquid levels (20 . . . 20n) of the outlet pipes am regulated by regulating the liquid level (11) in at least one separate level vessel (10) towards which the water from the respective outlet pipes is led in at least one closed and essentially horizontal collecting channel (9, 9m) which is common for several outlet pipes. (8 . . . 8n, 8m), the liquid in said collecting channel (9, 9m) at the same time forming the lower part of said unbroken liquid column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Pom Technology Oy AB
    Inventor: Paul Olof Meinander
  • Patent number: 6802347
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to fill liquids in a water jacket of an enclosed chamber. A valve, such as a solenoid can be actuated remotely to open and allow liquids to fill the water jacket. A sensor, such as a fill level sensor can sense and can communicate the amount of liquid in the water jacket to a controller. The controller or an actuator can be used to actuate the solenoid. The controller can actuate the solenoid at a period of time, at an event or at any other desired time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Kendro Laboratory Products, L.P.
    Inventor: Jeff Buckner
  • Patent number: 6802348
    Abstract: A book bag for easy carrying and accessing includes a detachable wallet styled book assembly. The wallet has multiple pages with transparent sleeves so that information can be presented much as a conventional book. This book bag permits a particular subject area to be collated and presented as a book within a book bag. The book does not require removal from the book bag. The detachable wallet can be quickly and conveniently replaced with another so that updating new study material for students or others can be easily performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties
    Inventors: Mitzi R. Vernon, Tanya Blasko
  • Patent number: 6802349
    Abstract: An anti-skid device for motor vehicle with pneumatic tires comprising at least two arms at an angle to each other next to the rim when in the installed state, a fastening device for attaching the arms to a wheel of a motor vehicle with an adapter part which can be attached to at least two lug bolts or lug nuts and with a coupler connected to the arms. The coupler can be connected to the adapter part and for this purpose has at least one locking part which can be inserted into at least one opening in the adapter part and fixed in place. The adapter part also has at least two mounting holes through which it can be attached by means of clamping heads to the lug bolts or lug nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Anton Kahlbacher
  • Patent number: 6802350
    Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire comprises a innerliner, a carcass, a belt, one or more cap layers and a tread, in which the belt is comprised of at least two belt layers each containing rubberized metal or organic fiber monofilament cords, and a rubber gauge between the monofilament cords located in the adjacent belt layers is made 1.5-5 times of a diameter of the monofilament cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Ohura
  • Patent number: 6802351
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion, a pair of sidewall portions and a pair of bead portions and a radial carcass of at least one rubberized carcass ply containing steel cord therein and wound around the bead core to form a part or a whole of a wound portion of the carcass ply as a wind contact part along the peripheral face of the bead core, wherein at least one steel cord reinforcing layer is arranged in the bead portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Kimura, Hiroyuki Kato, Takaya Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 6802352
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device and a method for bonding friction material of clutch pulley. The device and method for bonding friction material of clutch pulley can simplify bonding processes by bonding friction material to a clutch pulley of an electromagnetic clutch for a compressor with a liquid phase adhesive, and improve productivity and prevent bonding error of the friction material by automatically inspecting a coated condition of the liquid phase adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyeon Kim, Bokkyu Choi, Jongsu Kim