Patents Issued in October 12, 2004
  • Patent number: 6802453
    Abstract: A command generator 35, upon reception of a register instruction for checking a state of a memory card 2 received via an S/P & P/S sequencer, sets a state of an erroneous erase prevention switch 23 in a register and transmits this register content via the S/P & P/S sequnecer 31 to a host computer. According to the register content from the memory card, the host computer decides whether a write protect is ON and executes a write inhibit processing when the write protect is ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Okaue, Yoshio Kondo
  • Patent number: 6802454
    Abstract: A component has three, two-dimensional arrays that each contain three characters of its nine character, alphanumeric serial number. The first three characters of the serial number must be constant for all parts of this type. As a result, the serial number can be divided among the arrays by using the first character as the first digit in the first array, the second character as the first digit in the second array, and the third character as the first digit in the third array. The remaining characters of the serial number are interleaved in the arrays in the following pattern: the fourth and fifth characters are the second and third digits in the first array, the sixth and seventh characters are the second and third digits in the second array, and the eighth and ninth characters are the second and third digits in the third array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David H. McMurtry, Scott MacKenzie
  • Patent number: 6802455
    Abstract: The present invention provides a simple fluid atomizer having a pair of spring loaded sealing elements such that the pressure required to open both seals is the sum of the spring constants of each of the sealing elements. A central cavity is sealed at both its entry and exit by moving elements held by coil springs. When the fluid in the entry channel is able to overcome a first spring, the first sealing element is moved so as to allow fluid to enter the central cavity. When the fluid pressure within the central cavity reaches a level necessary to compress the exit spring, the entry fluid pressure must be at a level for achieving the delta pressure across both entry and exit springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Willie V. Evans
  • Patent number: 6802456
    Abstract: Fluids are atomized using a miniaturized electrostatic microinjector. The microinjectors are capable of producing uniform droplets in several spray modes, and metering and dispersing very small volume fluids. The atomizer is useful in carburetion systems for internal combustion engines, to prepare samples for analytical methods such as MALDI, for fluid filtration and separation, and in other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: MicroEnergy Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Alireza Shekarriz, Joseph G. Birmingham
  • Patent number: 6802457
    Abstract: A coating for fuel system components, including components of fuel injectors, adapted for use with low lubricity fuels is disclosed. The invention consists of a metal carbon material coating or a metal nitride coating to the fuel pump plunger or other fuel injection system components. The invention utilizes a coating on the fuel injector plunger that minimizes scuffing or seizure associated with the plunger and barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Robert M. Campion, Chuong Q. Dam, Kenneth W. Hall, William J. Rodier
  • Patent number: 6802458
    Abstract: A nozzle gate valve is provided in an irrigation sprinkler for quick and easy shut-off of water flow to a sprinkler spray nozzle. The gate valve is mounted within a sprinkler spray head at an upstream side of the nozzle for displacement between open and closed positions respectively permitting and preventing waterflow to the nozzle. In the preferred form, the gate valve has a generally conical shape and defines an elbow-shaped flow path movable between the open position aligned with the nozzle for normal water supply thereto, and the closed position misaligned with the spray nozzle to prevent water flow thereto. In the closed position, the spray nozzle can be removed and/or replaced, or other sprinkler adjustments can be performed, without requiring a main system water supply to be turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventor: Christian T. Gregory
  • Patent number: 6802459
    Abstract: The invention provides a sprayer for spraying mold wall treatment agent or another liquid. The liquid is sprayed onto, for example, the walls of a mold or some other article. The sprayer includes a spray element body and a rotor mounted with freedom to rotate around an axis of rotation in the spray element body. An atomizing element is attached to one end of the rotor. A first feed line for mold wall treatment agent or another liquid to be sprayed is provided, as well as a second feed line for control air which directs mold wall treatment agent atomized by the atomizing element in the desired spray direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Acheson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Renkl, Douwe Marten Kok, Thomas Junker, Karl-Heinz Keim
  • Patent number: 6802460
    Abstract: An apparatus for freshening air, including a base unit; a power supply operably connected to the base unit; a driving and switching circuit connected to be powered by the power supply; a first plug portion connected to the driving and switching circuit; a detachable autonomous liquid droplet dispensing cartridge detachably engagable with the first plug portion. The detachable cartridge has (a) a second plug portion matingly engagable with the first plug portion, (b) a first airless bag for storing a first nebulizable liquid, (c) a second airless bag for storing a second nebulizable liquid, and (d) a casing enclosing the first bag and the second bag. A nebulizer is provided so that a first nebulizable liquid flows from the first bag and the second nebulizable liquid flows from the second bag so that the first nebulizable liquid and the second nebulizable liquid are nebulized by the nebulizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Microflow Engineering SA
    Inventors: Joseph Hess, Myriam Muller
  • Patent number: 6802461
    Abstract: For a pressure reduction, an aerosol spray can filled with a compressed pressure gas requires, upstream of its spray valve (14), a pressure regulation valve (10) with a closing point (28). In known embodiment types a flow occurs around the outside of the pressure reduction valve, which requires a complicated housing structure. It is therefore proposed that the connection between the closing point (28) and the spray valve (14) take place via a central bore (58) in the piston (22) of the pressure reduction valve (10), preferably without a flow through the pressure chamber (26), but instead past the latter. The simple construction is advantageous, with which it is also possible to provide easy access to the piston (22) from the outside in order to maintain it in its opened position for easier filling under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Thomas GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Schneider
  • Patent number: 6802462
    Abstract: A hand shower has a handle having an outer part extending along a handle axis and having an outer face and a shower head forming at least one spray opening directed along a spray axis extending nonparallel to the handle axis. A pivot between the handle and shower head allows pivoting of the head on the handle about a pivot axis inclined at 30° to 90° to the handle axis, normally 45°. The pivot axis extends at an angle between 35° and 50° to the spray axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Friedrich Grohe AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eckhard Gransow, Hans Lobermeier, Bernd Bischoff, Hans-Peter Strelow, Sascha Körfer, Holger Ellerbrock, Andreas Kirchhoff, Thomas Raadts, Joachim Störk, Hans-Jürgen Linde, Uwe Neumann, Andreas Rehklau
  • Patent number: 6802463
    Abstract: A spray-coating system includes a spraying implement (2) affixable to a support (4) by a tightening element (26) which is affixed to one of the implement and the support (2, 4) so as to be rotatable relative to both parts (2, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: ITW Oberflachentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Manfred Dankert
  • Patent number: 6802464
    Abstract: The device comprises a roadstone spreader having roadstone flap-doors which are juxtapositioned the transverse direction and which are of equal width, and a rail for spreading bituminous binder facing spreading zones for roadstone via the roadstone flap-doors. The rail f comprises a first set of nozzles which produce jets which cover approximately three pitches of an impact zone of the road surface and nozzles of a second set of nozzles which are interposed between the nozzles of the first set and which are supplied in order to produce margin jets having an impact zone which extends approximately over two pitches over the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Famaro
    Inventor: Guy Marconnet
  • Patent number: 6802465
    Abstract: A shredding machine comprises a housing, a shredding mechanism, a motor for operation of the shredding mechanism, a slot through which documentary material is fed for shredding by the mechanism, and an operating member movable from an operative position in which it extends across the slot, to an inoperative position retracted from the slot, in consequence of the feeding of the material into the slot, and returning, in the absence of the material in the slot, to its operative position under the action of a spring. A motor controller includes a microswitch having a plunger which is spring-urged into a projecting position, in which it is open circuit. The spring urges the operating member into its operative position. Thus, when material enters the slot, moving the operating member to its inoperative position, the plunger is depressed to start or permit operation of the shredding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Acco-Rextel Group Services Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Leslie Norcott, Paul Arthur Aries
  • Patent number: 6802466
    Abstract: A synchrocrusher for making a material collide in which the rotor is designed with a symmetric configuration. The rotor contains equal numbers of respectively forward and backward directed guide members and co-rotating impact members which are arranged, as synchronized pairs, in each direction of rotation. The pairs are circumferentially disposed uniformly at equal angural distances around the axis of rotation with the forward and backward directed configurations mirror imaged to each other. By combining or joining together pairs of respective forward and backward directed guide and co-rotating impact members, in respective guide and impact combinations and guide and impacts units, a supersymmetry configuration is achieved, which allows for many interesting synchrorotor configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignees: IHC Holland N.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Petrus Andreas Josephus Van Der Zanden
  • Patent number: 6802467
    Abstract: A method of preparing coils of wound ribbon to reduce twisting thereof during continuous axial ribbon feed to a processing machine. Each coil has a sequence of turns wound about a central axis and includes a central end at an inner-most turn of the sequence of turns and an outer end at an outer-most turn of the sequence of turns. The method includes orienting a first coil and a second coil so that the first and second coils are wound in identical directions and splicing the central end of the first coil to the central end of the second coil such that at least some twists developed during axial ribbon feed of the first coil are removed during axial ribbon feed of the second coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney L. Abba, Robert J. Waldron, Robert J. Makolin
  • Patent number: 6802468
    Abstract: Nut that screws together with pinion gear, and bearing that is arranged on the inner circumferential side of the nut, are provided on the front of a spinning-reel rotor. Pressing member is mounted on the front faces of the nut and bearing, such that it abuts on outer race of bearing. Pressing member is installed so as to be rotatable with respect to spool shaft, which is a rod element. Pressing member is water-repellency treated over all its surfaces, including the face that forms a clearance with spool shaft. The present invention prevents invasion of water droplets into rotatory-component clearances in a water-sealing component assembly composed of a relatively rotatable plurality of components, while sustaining rotational efficiency of the rotatory components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Koji Takikura
  • Patent number: 6802469
    Abstract: A tape cartridge comprising a housing, a tape reel disposed within that housing, where that tape reel is capable of rotation around a first axis, and where that tape reel includes a hub and a reel coupling which is engageable with a motor coupling for rotation of the tape reel. The tape cartridge further includes a brake plate disposed within the hub, where that brake plate is capable of moving in a first direction and in an opposing second direction along the first axis, but where the brake plate is not capable of rotation around the first axis. The brake plate includes a first side, an opposing second side, a brake plate gear disposed on the second side, and a fixturing assembly disposed on the first side. The tape cartridge further includes a clutch plate disposed within the hub, where that clutch plate is capable of moving in a first direction and in an opposing second direction along the first axis, and where that clutch plate is capable of rotation around the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Armando J. Argumedo, Edwin R. Childers, Richard A. West
  • Patent number: 6802470
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor for a vehicle safety restraint has a spool rotatably mounted in a frame. A ratchet wheel is rotatably mounted to rotate with the spool. A control member is mounted in the frame. A locking pawl is pivotally mounted in the frame to pivot into engagement with the ratchet wheel. A sensor is responsive to the spool. Upon activation of the sensor, a cam surface and a cam follower couple the locking pawl to the control member. The cam surface has a discontinuity arranged so that the cam follower loses contact with the cam at high speeds but stays in contact with the cam surface at low speeds. Preferably, the discontinuity is a raised portion providing a first ramp in one direction in one portion on one side of the discontinuity of the cam surface and a second ramp in a different direction in a second portion of the cam surface on the other side of the discontinuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan George Smithson, David Blackadder, Paul Bowman, David Charles Winter
  • Patent number: 6802471
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple use cord-attached wrap-up device and optional accessory tool holder designed for use with hand-held electrical tools, electrical kitchen and bathroom appliances and cords of all types. The cord wrap-up device comprises a flat body member molded from resilient plastic or rubber having an integrally attached split cylindrical sleeve for attachment onto an electrical cord. The sleeve is designed to permit the wrap-up device to slide along a cord while remaining attached thereto. Arcuate recesses are provided at each end of the body member to receive and retain loops of an electrical cord. A number of cord trapping eyelets are located along one side of the body portion which are adapted to receive and grip the otherwise loose leading or trailing ends of a looped cord to prevent it from unwinding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Michael G. Gambrell
  • Patent number: 6802472
    Abstract: A winding machine, essentially constituted by individual winding stations disposed in stages which are controlled, at the level of each stage, by an assembly of drive shafts of packages and drive shafts of fliers, the yarns being supplied by a pre-feed device for its yarns. The winding machine is transformable on site and has a device for operating the drive elements of the drive shafts of the packages, the drive shafts of the fliers, and of the pre-feed device, the yarns being possibly mounted as desired in an interchangeable manner at the two ends of the winding machine, by symmetrical end plates or flanges, with arrangement in the front, of the conveyor which passes through them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Superba
    Inventors: Pierre Henry, Michel Mazoyer
  • Patent number: 6802473
    Abstract: An ornithopter has the capability of slow speed flight as a result of vertical movement of its wings. Two sets of wings are provided with vertical movement of each set of wings 180 degrees out of phase for counterbalancing vertical forces on the fuselage. The direction of the flight path is changed by deflecting the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Charron
  • Patent number: 6802474
    Abstract: In a high turning airfoil capable of being suitably applied to each of blades constituting a blade row of an axial flow-type compressor, both of an intrados generating a positive pressure and an extrados generating a negative pressure exist on one side of a chord line, and the curvature of the extrados made non-dimensional by a chord length has a maximum value between a position corresponding to 10% of the chord length and a position corresponding to 35% of the chord length, and a minimum value in the rear of the position of the maximum value and between a position corresponding to 30% of the chord length and a position corresponding to 50% of the chord length. Preferably, a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the curvature is equal to or larger than 0.5, and a turning angle is equal to or larger than 40°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toyotaka Sonoda, Toshiyuki Arima, Yoshihiro Yamaguchi, Markus Olhofer
  • Patent number: 6802475
    Abstract: An aircraft flight surface actuator has at least one eccentric cam mechanism, the eccentric cam mechanism imparting movement onto the flight surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Smiths Wolverhampton Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Paul Davies, Brian Farley
  • Patent number: 6802476
    Abstract: The invention relates to a latch device, in particular for latching an airplane landing gear or an airplane landing gear hatch, the device comprising a box containing a set of hinged elements mounted to pivot about respective parallel axes, said assembly including at least one hook and a locking lever connected to said hook by associated elastically deformable return means, said hook being capable of being unlocked by acting on said locking lever either via first actuator means in a normal mode of operation, or via a second actuator means in an emergency mode of operation when said first actuator means fails to unlock the hook. In accordance with the invention, the first actuator means associated with the normal mode of operation is a low power electromechanical actuator under independent electrical control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti
    Inventors: Olivier Collet, Eric Felemez, Pierre-Yves Liegeois, Sébastien Fremiot, Dominique Perathoner
  • Patent number: 6802477
    Abstract: A jet blast deflector is adapted for location on a sea vessel. The jet blast deflector is configurable such that in use the jet blast deflector deflects eflux created by the blast of a jet engine of an aircraft downwardly and beneath the deck of a vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: MacTaggart Scott (Holdings) Limited
    Inventor: Gordon Pearson Campion
  • Patent number: 6802478
    Abstract: An overhead stowage bin 100 mounted to a ceiling in a cabin of an aircraft comprises a shelf 102 fixed to the ceiling and a door 110 that covers the opening of said shelf. The door 110 is supported by hinges 120, and a knob 130 is equipped thereto. One or more transparent windows 150 are provided to a portion of the door 110, through which users can visually observe the status of use of the interior of the bin. The windows are located so that cabin crews etc. standing in the aisle of the cabin can easily observe the interior of the bin, without negatively affecting the strength of the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Katori
  • Patent number: 6802479
    Abstract: A method and apparatus contains and drains leakage from fluid system piping on a mobile platform such as an aircraft. A generally U-shaped channel is formed having outwardly oriented edge flanges and either integral or attached end plates. A pair of drain connections is disposed adjacent to each end plate. A group of fluid lines including at least one flammable fluid line is loaded within the U-shaped channel. A cover plate having outwardly oriented edge flanges aligning with the U-shaped channel edge flanges is positioned over the U-shaped channel. The edge flanges of both the cover plate and the U-shaped channel are joined with a seal such that a fluid-tight assembly results. Fluid leakage from any of the group of enclosed fluid lines discharges through the pair of drain connections. One of the end plates forms a firewall connectable to an engine firewall boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Howe, Kevin L. Loss, B. Kelly Sheahan
  • Patent number: 6802480
    Abstract: A cable clip including a hook portion and a loop portion, where the hook portion has a mouth that is expandable to receive an object on which the clip is to be hung. The loop portion, which is carried on the hook portion and supported on the object thereby, defines a bore adapted to receive at least one cable therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Gilbert A. Martello
  • Patent number: 6802481
    Abstract: The inventors present an improved rotatable multi-receptacle support device. These type devices are commonly used to house up to four circular receptacles that can be rotated about a center post affixed to the ground for the convenience of the user. The improvements made to this device by the inventors comprise improved receptacle containment by forming the receptacle housing into a basket-shaped cavity with a top ring and a plurality of adjustable chain segments hanging below. This basket shaped cavity of adjustable depth can accommodate a broader range of receptacle shapes and sizes and provides better lateral support in instances where rapid removal and replacement of receptacles is required as in home refuse collection. An additional improvement is provided by means of a second structural support overlay, in addition to the primary support armatures, which connects the outer rim of each top ring to the center post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth Tyrone Newburn, Daniel Norman Hart
  • Patent number: 6802482
    Abstract: An overboot device is provided for increasing a foot print of a foot portion of a bi-pod firearm support. The overboot preferably comprises a base having a cone projecting therefrom and a cylinder axially extending from the cone. A plurality of fingers axially extend from the cylinder and include a tab radially projecting therefrom. The tabs form a ring which combines with an axially spaced apart annular flange radially projecting from the cone to define a recess therebetween. A removable band nests within the recess so as to constrict the fingers toward one another to reduce the diameter of the cylinder such that the overboot may be secured about the foot portion of the bi-pod assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Gerald Harris
  • Patent number: 6802483
    Abstract: A gun rest made of a high-strength, highly durable plastic, such as ABS, is attachable to a tree stand. First and second U-shaped members have a mechanical element to permit its attachment to a portion of the frame of the tree stand. In a first embodiment, the attachment element is a third member with a ratchet face that engages a ratchet on the rear face of the first and second U-shaped members along with an T-shaped clamping arm that is adjustably bolted to the U-shaped member. The T-shaped clamping arm can be used to clamp other elements to the frame of the tree stand, as well. In a second embodiment the attachment element is a dowel that is received in an open end of the tree stand frame. The portions of the U-shaped members that support the gun are jacketed with an elastomeric non-slip surface that is preferably made of rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Richard L. Leasure
  • Patent number: 6802484
    Abstract: An accessory holder designed to attach to a stand. The stand has a lower tube, a locking collet on the top of the lower tube, and a mast extending upward from the locking collet. The accessory holder has a top mount with a mast receiver that slips around the mast just over the top of the locking collet. The accessory holder also has a clip designed to slip around and engage the mast below the locking collet in the order to lock the holder to the stand. A variety of holding devices can be affixed to the accessory holder, including devices configured to hold an ashtray, a beverage, and a pick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin J. Kiley, Danny Joe Crutchfield, David B. Thompson, Johnny W Mills
  • Patent number: 6802485
    Abstract: A two-piece music stand accessory for holding large music volumes consisting of a pair of cleats (11) with a lengthwise slot (14) to allow mounting on the existing ledge of a music stand. An alignment pin (13) joins them in the center, providing support and rigidity for the assembly when the cleats are slid together. Once the pin is disengaged, the cleats can remain on the stand's ledge and yet permit folding. One or more bow hooks are fitted through the front edge of the cleats to accommodate a fiddler's bow. A lip (17) on the front edge of the cleats assists in holding open book pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Terrence A. Cassidy
  • Patent number: 6802486
    Abstract: An ergonomic reading stand for holding books, catalogs, etc. consists of a right and left support, a bracket, a pivoting shaft with knurled screws and a base. The slant of the book can be variably adjusted by releasing the knurled screws (on both ends of the pivoting shaft) and by displacing the shaft forwards or backwards, in relation to the base. Threaded pins for adjusting the sliding resistance that is generated when the pivoting shaft is displaced are provided on the underside of the pivoting shaft, below the right and left slide bearing. The bracket is used to hold down the book pages and can be adjusted to the thickness of the book by a displacement parallel to the lower bearing surface. The bracket can be pressed down to enable the pages to be turned rapidly. After the bracket has been released, it springs back into its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Weingartner
  • Patent number: 6802487
    Abstract: A flow regulating apparatus for a fluid, in particular a pneumatic choke valve, includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port fluidly connected by a choke channel. A throttling piston is disposed in the choke channel for movement in longitudinal direction between an initial position and an end position. The throttling piston includes a tapered section to define with the choke channel an overflow passage whose cross section is dependent on a position of the throttling piston, wherein the tapered section is configured such that a movement of the throttling piston from the initial position to the end position results in a progressive increase of the cross section of the overflow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Demag Cranes & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Heun, Markus Löbel, Jörg Führmann
  • Patent number: 6802488
    Abstract: Coaxial valves usually contain only one moving part. It has not been easy, then, to provide for electric motor actuation. Many actuators being proposed involve designs which lead to bulky packages. The key facing those improving coaxial valves is the provision of suitable linear actuation. The valve herein includes a valve housing with a flow channel therethrough. Arranged in the flow channel is a closing body. In alignment with the closing body is a ball screw actuator which includes a ball nut and a cylindrical screw. The ball nut surrounds a threaded portion of the cylindrical screw. The cylindrical screw is provided with a passageway therethrough through which fluid flows. The cylindrical screw is disposed in the flow channel to become a control tube adapted to move toward and away from the valve seat. To rotate the ball nut an actuating drive is employed driven by a stepper motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Paul R. Patterson
  • Patent number: 6802489
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use colloidal particles to realize photonic and microfluidic devices. In particular embodiments, colloidal particles are used to realize microfluidic a two-way valve, three-way valve, check valve, three-dimensional valve, peristalsis pump, rotary pump, vane pump, and two-lobe gear pump. In certain embodiments, actuation of an active element in the microfluidic structure is accomplished by electrophoresis, the use of an optical trap or “tweezer”, or the application of an electric field or magnetic field. In other embodiments, the application of an electrical field to colloidal particles that are substantially constrained to two dimensional movement is used to realize wave guides, filters and switches for optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: David W. M. Marr, Tieying Gong, John Oakey, Alexander V. Terray
  • Patent number: 6802490
    Abstract: A needle free medical connector includes a housing with a first port and a second port. The connector also includes a piston element defining a fluid passageway between the first and second ports. The piston element is movable between flow and non-flow positions. The piston element has a compressible section having a variable inner width that forms a part of the flow path through the connector. As the piston is compressed to the flow position, the compressible section self-expands in width thereby maintaining or increasing the volume of the fluid passageway through the connector. The compressible section has a configuration permitting the continuous flow of fluid through its entirety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Alaris Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl R. Leinsing, Theodore J. Mosler
  • Patent number: 6802491
    Abstract: A fluid quick connector in cartridge form carrying a shut off valve is mountable in a bore in a fluid charged use device. An end form retainer is mounted in the cartridge for locking an end form in a bore in the cartridge. The shut off valve is internally mounted within the cartridge to selectively open and close a flow path through the cartridge from the fluid use device to the end form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Shad A. Kelly, Daniel H. Walker
  • Patent number: 6802492
    Abstract: A adapter provides for connection of a pressure relief mechanism to a connection fitting portion of a quick connect fitting through a mating connection fitting portion and provides for movement of the pressure relief mechanism against a check valve in a hydraulic fluid conduit through a screw thread connection to the adapter. When the check valve is thus opened fluid flow is provided substantially axially through the pressure relief mechanism, thereby reducing the likelihood of disengagement of respective portions of the quick connect fitting when hydraulic fluid is present. Collection of hydraulic fluid in a vessel connected to the pressure relief mechanism is provided to allow recycling of the fluid and to prevent release of the fluid into the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Robert A. Payne
  • Patent number: 6802493
    Abstract: A motorcycle lift [100] comprises two lift arms [103A, 103B] attached to a cross bar [105]. Support sleeves [109A, 109B] attached to the ends of the lift arms surround the foot pegs [150A, 150B] of the motorcycle [301] to securely engage the vehicle. Clamps [125A, 125B] provide a means to adjust the width between the support sleeves for engagement to the foot pegs. A lever [107] attached to the cross bar raises and lowers the motorcycle. Replaceable sleeves [109A, 109B] allow relatively tight diametrical clearance with various foot peg designs to provide stable support. The design allows stable support even with foot pegs of folding designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Richard M. Lance
  • Patent number: 6802494
    Abstract: A wire retriever system comprises a handle with an interior portion. The handle has an open end and a pair of apertures. The apertures are adjacent to the open end. The receiving end has a pair of apertures. These apertures are adjacent to the circular apertures. Wire retaining members are provided. The retaining members have a cylindrical configuration. Each retaining member has a working end with an aperture and a coupling end having conical recesses. The retaining members are adapted to fit in the handle. A sleeve is provided. The sleeve has a cylindrical configuration with a second pair of apertures. A pair of ball bearings is provided. The ball bearing are in a spherical configuration. Provided last is a solid cylinder. The cylinder is adapted to pass through the apertures of the sleeve and the apertures of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Klaus Fischer
  • Patent number: 6802495
    Abstract: A pull through fence clip is provided which is made of a single length of rod that is bent or shaped to form a device having an axis composed of two pins located at either end and a centrally located square-shaped body. The pull through fence clip is attached to a fence post by use of a commonly available post staple clip. The use of the present invention securely attaches a section of fencing wire to a fence post while allowing the individual fence wire to freely move along the line described by its longitudinal axis. The importance of this design is that it allows the fence to flex and compensate for changing conditions without impacting the general integrity and aesthetic quality of the fence as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Roland F. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6802496
    Abstract: Bracket system for assembling a fence that includes posts and rails, wherein the bracket system includes a post bracket including a first projecting portion and a second projecting portion. The post bracket is securable to a post. The first projecting portion extends in one direction and the second projecting portion extends a different direction. A first rail bracket includes a first end securable to the first projecting portion and a second end that is securable a rail. A second rail bracket includes a first end securable to the second projecting portion and a second end that is securable another rail. The post bracket has an internal opening whose size and shape generally corresponds to a size and shape of the post. Each of the first and second rail brackets is configured to lengthen or shorten a respective rail upon movement of the post bracket relative to the post. Prior to being secured thereto, the post bracket can slide up and down relative to the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: John Preta
  • Patent number: 6802497
    Abstract: An aggregate bearing (1) in bushing-form, having an outer ring (2) and an inner support element (4) and rubber springs (5, 6) arranged in-between, wherein the outer ring (2) is provided with cut-outs (10, 11) at least in the connecting regions (8, 9) of the rubber springs (5, 6), preferably in the main load direction (7); and the cut-outs (10, 11) are provided with end beads (12, 13) which project beyond the outer contour of the outer ring (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventor: Werner Hettler
  • Patent number: 6802498
    Abstract: A cylindrical mounting apparatus includes: a cylindrical mount having an elastic body elastically connecting an inner and outer sleeve disposed in mutually spaced-apart relation; and a bracket independent of the cylindrical mount and having a pair of support plates opposed to each other with a spacing therebetween. The mount is interposed between the pair of support plates and fastened to the bracket by a mounting bolt extending through a bore of the inner sleeve across the support plates. Two positioning protrusions protrude from an inside surface of one support plate toward the other, and a mounting plate is disposed on one axial end of the inner sleeve extending diametrically. A recessed engaging portion of the mounting plate is brought into engagement with the positioning projections to place the mounting plate in a predetermined position about its center axis on the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignees: Tokia Rubber Industries, Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Makino, Akihiro Mayama
  • Patent number: 6802499
    Abstract: Described herein is equipment which can be used by an industrial robot for gripping workpieces or assemblies being processed or assembled and has a separable modular structure, with a definite and easily repeatable geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventor: Clemente Grosso
  • Patent number: 6802500
    Abstract: The present invention provides exemplary mail processing systems and methods, including systems and methods for retrieving paper sheets, statements, inserts and/or cards, and inserting same into an envelope. In one embodiment, an apparatus (200) includes a paper feeding mechanism (210) to feed sheets of paper into a collection bin (220) that is adapted to receive in a stack the sheets of paper. The apparatus includes a retrieval mechanism (230) to remove a bottom one of said sheets of paper from the stack, and a deionizer (240) that reduces static electricity in the vicinity of the stack. In this manner, the deionizer helps facilitate removal by the retrieval mechanism of only one of the sheets of paper at a time, by reducing static electricity on the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bennett, Karl S. Wetzstein, William C. Badalucco
  • Patent number: 6802501
    Abstract: A post print finishing device that incorporates an imaging material binder into the post print handling and finishing functions. In one exemplary embodiment, the finishing device includes a flipper module, an accumulator module and a binder module. The binder module binds sheets together by reactivating imaging material applied to binding regions on the sheets by a printing device. The flipper module receives a sheet leading edge first and discharges the sheet trailing edge first. That is to say, the flipper module flips the sheet before discharging the sheet for further processing. The accumulator module stacks the sheets, presents the sheets to the binder for binding and then discharges the bound stack to the output bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Roland Boss, Israel Cruz Ruiz
  • Patent number: 6802502
    Abstract: A document binding apparatus is formed to be mounted on an upper surface of a laser beam printer or the like. A paper discharged from the printer is fed to a paper guide, and a paper detecting sensor is turned ON to start the document binding apparatus. The paper is fed to a binding table through a paper lead-in roller, and a paper arranging pusher and a paper arranging rotation brush arrange the paper put on the binding table and an electromotive stapler binds the paper. After the staple process, a paper discharge roller holds the paper and discharges it to a stack tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Hasegawa, Katsunori Manabe