Patents Issued in December 7, 2004
  • Patent number: 6827305
    Abstract: A food processor having a drive subassembly is disposed in the housing and coupled to a first and a second output shaft, each output shaft having with at least one coupling location for an attachment and, in addition, by the interposition of a gear mechanism, the output shafts being driven at different rotational speeds. The coupling of attachments requiring relatively small torques is simplified in that, spaced apart at a different level from its one coupling location, at least one of the two output shafts is provided with an additional coupling location for further attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Brezovnik, Henrik Pavlovic, Jurij Pesec, Igor Zibret
  • Patent number: 6827306
    Abstract: A locking preset mechanism for a fishing reel is provided by interlocking in the preset knob with a bridge plate. Spring-biased pins engage depressions in the mating face of an axially moveable means in the mechanism. By depressing the knob, the knob can be rotated. When at rest, the knob is locked against rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Penn Fishing Tackle Manufacturing
    Inventor: Peter T. Datcuk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6827307
    Abstract: A recording tape cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge includes an opening formed by notching a corner portion of the cartridge, which corner portion is at a side coming first when the cartridge is mounted in a drive. Through the opening, a leader pin and a magnetic tape are drawn out via the shortest path. When a handling portion disposed at one of ends of a shield portion is moved along a direction in which the cartridge is mounted, the shield portion moves so as to go around the outside of pin seats and a reel while rotating around the one end to open or close the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hiraguchi, Wataru Iino
  • Patent number: 6827308
    Abstract: In controlling a seat belt retractor, at least one of signals selected from a state signal showing a movement of an occupant wearing a seat belt and an external signal obtained from detecting means installed in a vehicle during running thereof is received. Then, a rotation of a spool for a webbing is controlled by switching a rotational torque of a motor to a predetermined reduction ratio corresponding to at least one of the state signal and the external signal, or a driving state of the motor is controlled to a predetermined torque, to thereby wind the webbing on the spool. After fastening the seat belt, the seat belt is automatically wound, and after a predetermined time from completion of winding of the webbing, it is determined whether the winding of the webbing is further needed, and if necessary, the webbing is wound again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Fujii, Koji Tanaka, Hitoshi Fujita, Koichi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 6827309
    Abstract: There is provided a mounting system for an apparatus for dispensing wet wipes. The system may include a dispenser, a mounting assembly, a backing plate, and arms. The dispenser has the ability to be mounted to a surface by applied pressure or by conventional fastening. The mounting assembly may securely yet removably hold the dispensing apparatus to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: William Robert Newman, John Eugene Peluso, Herb F. Velazquez, Yung Hsiang Huang, Michael John Faulks, Paige Annette Dellerman, Steven John Romme, Ligia A. Rivera, Frederick J. Lang, Walter Theodore Schultz, Jeff Lindsay, Jennifer Cappel Larson, Cherry A. Bochmann, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Nick E. Stanca, Gerald P. DeGreen
  • Patent number: 6827310
    Abstract: A fin actuator for a portable missile and a method of using the same. One aspect of the present invention includes a fin or wing actuator that meets very strict criteria to fit within a compact, portable missile while substantially limiting backlash. Another aspect of the present invention is a method of fin actuation in a portable missile while substantially limiting backlash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Kent Whitham
  • Patent number: 6827311
    Abstract: A flight control actuation system comprises a controller, electromechanical actuator and a pneumatic actuator. During normal operation, only the electromechanical actuator is needed to operate a flight control surface. When the electromechanical actuator load level exceeds 40 amps positive, the controller activates the pneumatic actuator to offset electromechanical actuator loads to assist the manipulation of flight control surfaces. The assistance from the pneumatic load assist actuator enables the use of an electromechanical actuator that is smaller in size and mass, requires less power, needs less cooling processes, achieves high output forces and adapts to electrical current variations. The flight control actuation system is adapted for aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and other flight vehicles, especially flight vehicles that are large in size and travel at high velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Wingett, Louie T. Gaines, Paul S. Evans, James I. Kern
  • Patent number: 6827312
    Abstract: A method and system for assembly and attachment of high temperature materials used as thermal protection systems (TPS) for applications such as re-entry or hypersonic vehicles are disclosed. The attachment system comprises a fastener that passes through an aperture of and a fitting attached to a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) TPS panel. The flexure fitting allows thermal growth in the panel while providing a structurally stiff interface to support the panel through structural and acoustic loading. The flexure fitting is detachably attached to the substructure, or fuel tank of a vehicle. The fastened connection is accessed through an aperture via an access cover plate conformal to the surface of the CMC TPS panel. It is by way of the access cover that the fastened connection is externally serviced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Coi Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventor: James Albert Riedell
  • Patent number: 6827313
    Abstract: A system for launching a space for humans into orbit comprises a launch vehicles. There are multiple separate crew modules mounted in relationship to the launch vehicle. The multiple crew modules are nested around the circumference of the launch vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, there are multiple separate crew modules located in a pod relatively directed along the length of the launch vehicle. A single rocket is for launching the multiple space crew modules. The separate crew module return from orbit to Earth separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Buzz Aldrin
  • Patent number: 6827314
    Abstract: An aircraft with active control of the warping of its wings may include at the outer end of each wing an articulating additional aerodynamic plane that is swept back with respect to the wing. The pivoting of the additional aerodynamic plane is controlled in such a way that, at certain flight points of the aircraft, the aerodynamic forces engendered by the additional aerodynamic plane modify the reference warp of the wing into an aerodynamically optimal warp for the relevant flight point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventor: Bernard Barriety
  • Patent number: 6827315
    Abstract: The invention relates to a decision procedure in combinational logic which requires a computing time of n for determining the congestion of a railway track system. The railway track system supports n trains, each with a route length of m itineraries. Prior to setting a requested route segment for a given train, a query is performed to check train positions and whether the given train is allowed to travel on the track sectors to be used for the requested route segment, without causing a possibility that the track system may become congested. The processing steps can be reduced. a) verification of whether a train can reach the next immediate track sector of a route; b) verification for a two-train variation whether a reference position of the first train prevents the second train from traveling on its route; c) new dependencies are created using transitivity and for combinations of two trains, a verification is made whether a cogent sequence exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Werner Fierz, Cristina Bertelli
  • Patent number: 6827316
    Abstract: A clamp 21 includes a mount portion 23 mounted to an electric wire 3, and a retaining portion 25 for retaining the mount portion 23 to a mating mount portion 7. The retaining portion 25 is formed on a column 33 having a base end side 39 connected to the mount portion 23 through a rupture portion 31 which can be ruptured, and an engaging blade portion 35 provided on a tip end of the column 33 for engaging with the engaging hole 13 of the mating mount portion 7. The rupture portion 31 is provided along a circumferential direction of the column 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Arai
  • Patent number: 6827317
    Abstract: A combination baby bottle accessory and teething device in the form of a stuffed animal having a centrally located aperture for holding of a baby bottle at a predetermined distance for purposes of feeding the infant while providing entertainment/distraction. The stuffed animal toy has a main body portion and at least one appendage extending therefrom, such as a representation of the ears, limbs or tail of the stuffed animal. At least one appendage is formed from a material suitable for baby teething. The stuffed animal toy includes representations of facial features thereon formed by embroidery on the fabric covering. The main body portion includes an aperture extending therethrough wherein the fabric covering is contiguous through the aperture and the aperture includes an elastic means wherein the aperture can be maintained in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Tammy L. Maki Risaliti
  • Patent number: 6827318
    Abstract: A support device for attaching objects to vehicles includes two or more plates received in a housing, and guided to move radially in and out of the housing, and a moving device to move the plates radially in and out of the housing, and to detachably secure the housing to the vehicles, such as to the cup holders of the vehicles. A bolt is rotatably attached to the housing, a follower is threaded to the bolt and has one or more inclined channels, the plates each has an inclined board sildably received in the inclined channels of the follower, to guide the plates to move radially in and out of the housing when the bolt is rotated relative to the follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Hsiu Chu Hsu Li
  • Patent number: 6827319
    Abstract: For quick fixation of a connection plate (2) fastened to a device to a tripod head (1), the tripod head (1) has on the upper side a groove (3) into which the connection plate (2) is insertable with one side. Further, a clamping jaw (5) is provided that engages over the opposite side of the connection plate (2) in the closed position. The clamping jaw (5) is fastened so as to be tiltable about an axle (8) parallel to the connection plate plane to a slider (9) that is displaceable by pressure with the connection plate (2) against the force of a spring (11), it being locked by a bolt (14) loaded with springs (23) when the clamping jaw (5) tilted onto the connection plate (2) in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Swarovski Optik K.G.
    Inventor: Werner Mayr
  • Patent number: 6827320
    Abstract: A track device includes a track member having a longitudinal channel and a longitudinal opening communicated with each other, and one or more longitudinal juts extended into the longitudinal channel of the track member. One or more brackets are slidably received in the longitudinal channel of the track member and include a number of teeth. One or more fasteners may force the bracket against the track member, to force and to engage the teeth of the bracket onto the longitudinal juts, and to adjustably secure the bracket to the track member, and thus to adjustably support various objects to the track member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Jurry Yeh
  • Patent number: 6827321
    Abstract: A wheeled tree stand apparatus for allowing the moving of a tree such as a Christmas tree to facilitate the decorating thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventors: Andrew J. Murren, Petra A. Murren
  • Patent number: 6827322
    Abstract: A recoverable improved casing for the manufacture of recesses for buried bodies includes a mold with a section decreasing toward a smaller section end. The mould has internal longitudinal and transverse reinforcing ribs, which define nodes at their point of intersection. Some of these nodes have metallic flanges in a socket that are joined by tappets to a series of rods. The rods in turn are joined by tappets to a series of metallic interconnected crossbars. The ends of the crossbars protrude outside the mold, are joined by billets, and have a detachable coupling with the end of the rod of a hydraulic mold extractor piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventors: Serafin Garrido Martinez, Juan Ramón Rivero Alvarez
  • Patent number: 6827323
    Abstract: A mold cooling device includes an air feeding and discharging circuit 22 which effects the driving by air of a pump section 1 for feeding a cooling liquid to a fluid flaw passageway 65a fanned in a mold 64 and the feeding of air to the fluid flow passageway 65a. Letting (Dx) be the outer diameter-corresponding dimension of the holed convex portion 53x of a cast article 64x, (D1) be the outer diameter of the pin section 65 of the mold 64, (t1) be the outer peripheral thickness of the pin section 65, and (T1) be −5.103+(0.621×Dx)−(1.068×D1)+(3.61×t1), the time (T) for feeding cooling liquid to the fluid flow passageway 65a after completion of the pouring of molten metal into the mold 64 is set so that the relation T1-0.5 seconds ≦T≦T1×0.5 seconds is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: J.F.T. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Minemoto
  • Patent number: 6827324
    Abstract: A baked goods baking kit for making cupcakes, in particular, having hollowed centers which can filled with filling of some sort. The baked goods baking kit includes a baking member having a main wall and also having a plurality of ornamental-shaped cup portions spacedly disposed in the main wall and being adapted to hold baking batter therein; and also includes a baking mold tool being detachably attached to the baking member for forming selected shapes in the baked goods being baked in the ornamental-shaped cup portions of the baking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Paul D. Yother
  • Patent number: 6827325
    Abstract: A shape memory polymer contact lens mold is formed from a sheet of a shape memory polymer in a press, an agile tool or by an agile tool formed by an inert gas at a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature which is thereupon cooled to below the glass transition temperature and removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hofmann, Kenneth W. Foley, Thomas R. Rooney, Patrick J. Hood
  • Patent number: 6827326
    Abstract: A modular forming system (10) configured for forming concrete box culverts (C1) and (C2) is disclosed. The inventive forming system enables a strong and secure system that is relatively easier and more efficient to assemble. The system (10) broadly includes a pallet (12), a core (14), a jacket (16), and a header (18). The pallet (12) is operable to mold the ribbed face (F2) of the culverts. The core (14) is encircled by the pallet (12) and is operable to mold the inner circumferential surface (ICS) of the culverts. The jacket (16) is supported on the pallet (12) and is operable to mold the outside circumferential surface (OCS) of the culverts. The header (18) encircles the core (14) and is operable to slide between the core (14) and the jacket (16) to mold the non-ribbed face (F1) of the culverts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: GCI Pipe Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Kiran P. Giri
  • Patent number: 6827327
    Abstract: A flow resistance setting nozzle capable of easily setting a target flow rate is provided. A metallic block has a through-bore through which a flow path forming metallic pipe is inserted. A pressing member in the form of a rectangular cross-section bar abuts the pipe at a first abut portion. An anvil having a distal end with an arcuate surface is mounted to the metallic block such that the distal end abuts the pipe at a second abut portion that is opposite to the first abut portion. A coarse adjustment screw presses a center portion of the pressing member against the pipe to squeeze the pipe between the pressing member and the anvil to form an orifice in the pipe. Two fine adjustment screws impart a force to the pressing member to further squeeze the pipe until the target flow rate is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Cosmo Instruments Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Furuse, Atsushi Sato
  • Patent number: 6827328
    Abstract: An oil control valve is provided that comprises a housing, a spool movably disposed inside the housing, and a damping unit disposed between a distal end of the spool and an end wall of the housing such that an impact generated by a collision of the spool at the end of its travel decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Chang-Yoon Ha
  • Patent number: 6827329
    Abstract: A pipe coupling comprises a socket having a ball valve in which a through bore having one end that allows insertion of a plug is formed and a casing supporting the ball valve for rocking motion. The casing has a slot extending from its flank to the top. The slot has a flank opening and a top opening. The flank opening is wider than the top opening. A lock element is located for movement in the through bore of the ball valve. When the one end of the through bore of the ball valve is aligned with the flank opening, the lock element advances into the flank opening, thereby preventing the ball valve from rocking. When the lock element is pushed into the through bore of the ball valve by the plug, it is disengaged from the flank opening, whereupon the ball valve is allowed to rock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Nitto Kohki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Mikiya, Reichi Makishima, Hidemi Seki
  • Patent number: 6827330
    Abstract: There is described a pressure regulating valve for a refrigerating plant, having a slider member that can be moved relative to a guide by means of a drive device, with variable throttle resistance being created between the guide and the slider member. The purpose of such a valve is to be able to control refrigerant over a relatively large throughput range, and the valve should be able to be manufactured inexpensively. For that purpose, the slider member and the guide co-operate in two sections of their movement relative to one another according to different valve principles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Jørgen Holst, Jens Kristian Simonsen, Kurt Harck
  • Patent number: 6827331
    Abstract: The invention is based on an electromagnetic actuator, especially for activating a valve, having at least one electromagnet (10) that acts on a correspondingly designed armature surface (20) of a moveable armature (22) in a first effective range (12) by way of at least one first conical and/or stepped pole face (18) using a magnetic field (16) generated by at least one coil (14). It is proposed that the electromagnet (10) act on a corresponding armature surface (28) by way of at least a second pole face (26) in at least a second effective range (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Gerald Roos
  • Patent number: 6827332
    Abstract: A solenoid valve having a magnet assembly and an injector body connected thereto, the magnet assembly and the injector body being joined together using a crimped retaining ring as the connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Hanneke, Daniel Koehler
  • Patent number: 6827333
    Abstract: A hammer with extendible fulcrum for easing nail removal comprises a handle having a bore. A claw head is connected to the handle. An elongate extension arm is slidably connected to the handle. The extension arm has a locking notch therein. A locking arm is detachably connectable to the extension arm locking notch. A button guard is connected to the handle and extends beyond the handle. A release button is slidably connected to the button guard. The release button is connected to the locking arm for actuating the locking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Otis P. Lutz
  • Patent number: 6827334
    Abstract: A lifting arrangement for overhead traveling cranes. The lifting arrangement includes two single reeved drums that are reeved together to provide true vertical lift of a load. The lifting arrangement allows for equalization of full up and full down rope fleet angles through utilization of axially staggered dual drums and/or a bottom block with two separate sheave nests. The lifting arrangement may utilize commercially available components to reduce the overall cost of the crane when compared with other powerhouse crane designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary E. Volle, Ross C. Smith, Stephen J. McCormick
  • Patent number: 6827335
    Abstract: A center motor driven stabilizer jack having a motor driven slip differential which drives a left and a right thread screw lowering attached stabilizer legs which adjust and compensate for uneven terrain at the same time. The stabilizer jack slip differential, motor and the thread screws are mounted horizontally providing a low profile. The center drive system creates a beam style support the stabilizer legs to be moved further out for greater stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph M. Medberry
  • Patent number: 6827336
    Abstract: A concrete fencing system uses a pair of end posts to support a pair of rails, which support a plurality of panels. The end posts and rails have rectangular cross-sections. Each end post has a blind hole and a notch, and each rail has a longitudinal slot. One section of the fencing system is constructed by setting a pair of the end posts in the ground. A lower rail is mounted between the lower ends of the end posts in their blind holes with its slot facing upward. An upper rail is mounted between the upper ends of the end posts in their notches with its slot facing downward. A set of the panels are placed between the end posts and seated in the slots of the rails to form a wall. No additional mechanical fasteners are required to join any of these components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Byung Sun Hwang
  • Patent number: 6827337
    Abstract: A rotary throttle valve carburetor has a fuel-and-air mixing passage which extends through a carburetor body. A cylindrical throttle chamber extends down from a top surface of the body and communicates transversely with the fuel-and-air mixing passage. A rotary throttle seats rotatably and vertically or axially movable within the chamber and through the fuel-and-air mixing passage. The rotary throttle has a bore fully communicating and longitudinally aligned with the fuel-and-air mixing passage at wide-open throttle. The rotary throttle has a throttle shaft projecting upward through the top surface of the carburetor body and through a hole of a base portion of a plastic lid plate engaged between the top surface and a metallic bracket. An upward projecting annular shoulder of the lid plate is disposed concentrically to and spaced radially apart from the throttle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Walbro Japan, Inc.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Terakado
  • Patent number: 6827338
    Abstract: The present invention facilitates proper control of the scavenging air and fuel-air mixture for a stratified scavenging two-cycle engine that is based on a crankcase compression/scavenging method, using any carburetor. The present invention includes a drive member, which rotates based on an accelerator operation, installed on the air valve of the air passage, wherein the drive member is movable through angular reciprocal movements. A slave member, which constantly contacts a cam provided on the drive member is installed on the throttle valve of the carburetor, and wherein the slave member is movable through linear reciprocal movements. A fuel flow-rate controlling mechanism works in cooperation with these linear reciprocal movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Zama Japan
    Inventor: Takumi Nonaka
  • Patent number: 6827339
    Abstract: A variable venturi-type carburetor has a base defining a central channel having an upper inlet end and a lower outlet end. A variable venturi assembly is situated in the middle of the central channel. The variable venturi assembly has a support, a conical body, and a resilient member. The support is fixed in the base, the bottom of the conical body is movably connected to the support, the surface of the conical body and the base define a venturi throat and the resilient member is situated between the support and the conical body. A fuel reservoir is provided in the base. A path structure connects the fuel reservoir and the venturi throat. A cam control mechanism is also part of the venturi assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Ming Ching Wang
  • Patent number: 6827340
    Abstract: Passive humidifier for a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device having a plurality of chambers defined by arced baffles. Each opening between the arced baffles is provided with a deflector baffle to prevent direct passage of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Taga Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Austin, James T. Austin
  • Patent number: 6827341
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spring system (2) having two spring units (4a, 4b) arranged coaxially with respect to each other. Each spring unit essentially includes a flexible member (6a, 6b) and a roll-off piston (8a, 8b). The two flexible members (6a, 6b), the roll-off pistons (8a, 8b) and a common outer jacket (10) enclose a common pressure space (14) filled with compressible gas or with a hydraulic liquid. A contamination flexible member (16) is mounted between the roll-off piston (8) and the outer jacket (10) in order to prevent a contamination of the flexible member roll-off surfaces. The contamination flexible member (16) is clamped, on the one hand, in the region of the roll-off piston (8) and, on the other hand, on the outer jacket (10). The effective length of the contamination flexible member (16) is somewhat less than the effective length of the shorter of the two work flexible members (6a, 6b). In this way, the contamination flexible member (16) functions additionally as an end stop (pull stop).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: ContiTech Luftfedersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Bank, Gerhard Thurow, Paul Cerny, Helmut Luncz, Andreas Zeltlitz
  • Patent number: 6827342
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a damping element and an air spring, the damping element having a container tube, a fixing part and a piston rod. The air spring has a spring bellows acting as a rolling bellows, an outer tube connected to a mass to be held with little oscillation, and a rolling tube bearing a rolling profile. The spring bellows bounds a gas chamber provided with a gas filling under pressure, while the rolling tube seals off the gas chamber with respect to the container tube and is fixed to the latter in the axial direction. Between the container tube and the rolling tube there is arranged a compression stop cap having three webs and thickened ends, which serve as a stop on the container tube for the rolling tube and to dissipate the radial force component acting on the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Bernd Klitsch, Stefan Brehm, Michael Müller, Manfred Heinisch
  • Patent number: 6827343
    Abstract: The invention relates to a torsion device of an exoprosthesis system, with a proximal part (1) which, counter to the action of a resilient torsion element, can be turned in positive and negative directions of rotation (5, 6) in relation to a distal part (2). To increase the functional range, it is proposed that the torsion element (4), in the positive direction of rotation (5), has a torsion characteristic different than that in the negative direction of rotation (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Otto Bock HealthCare GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Skiera
  • Patent number: 6827344
    Abstract: The invention relates to a low-pressure holding device (1) with a low-pressure chamber (5) and a valve (9) for the permanent hold on gas-impermeable surfaces (14). The low-pressure holding device is fixed to a supporting surface by means of a piston suction pipe (13) which is detachably connected to the inventive device. The low-pressure holding device can be provided with a receptacle for holding appliances (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Harald Ristau
  • Patent number: 6827345
    Abstract: A wedge-lock fastener is provided in which the distance by which the tongue protrudes beyond a workpiece may be controlled. The wedge-lock fastener may include a shank and an adjustable spacer member mounted upon the shank and adapted for controlled lengthwise movement relative thereto so as to adjust the position of the tongue with respect to the workpiece. Correspondingly, a method for installing a wedge-lock fastener is provided in which the respective forward ends of the tongue and tongs are inserted through aligned holes defined by two or more workpieces and the tongs are then retracted to clamp the workpieces together with the respective forward ends of the tongue and the tongs being disposed completely within a counterbore defined by a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew L. Anderson, William J. Koch
  • Patent number: 6827346
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for making booklets. Such structures of this type, generally, employ a saddle, a plurality of skis, and a cutting mechanism to retain and cut individual sheets of media and, subsequent, fasten the individual sheets to form the booklet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jose Alvaro Barba Villanueva, Francisco Javier Ramirez Aldana, Robert J. Lawton
  • Patent number: 6827347
    Abstract: A paper sheet processing device that accommodates various types of paper sheet performs a smooth accommodating action by accurately performing a full-state detection action in respect of the accommodated paper sheets. Full-state detecting unit 2 of the paper sheet container (paper money container) stores current values exceeding a reference value as detection signals a, b, c and, of the stored detection signals a, b, c, determines that the stacker 42 constituting a paper sheet accommodating section is full based on the detection signal c stored in the substantially latter half period K′ of the paper sheet accommodating action period T′ by the paper money guiding unit 43.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nippon Conlux
    Inventors: Yukio Ito, Yuichi Sakamoto, Tadahiro Iwai, Tetsuro Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 6827348
    Abstract: A playing card wagering game method that involves each player wagering an initial blind bet against the dealer and an optional premium odds side bet for premium dealt hands having a rank equal to a pair of aces or higher rank within the first five cards players are dealt, resulting in a payout of six to one. Each player and the dealer are dealt five cards in succession face down. Two common cards are dealt face down in succession. Dealer turns dealer's dealt hand face up to reveal rank of cards. Players elect to hold on their dealt hands for higher odds payout of two to one or place a draw bet equal to their initial bet to include the use of the two common cards in play to improve their hands, resulting in payouts of even odds for using the first common card and one half odds, one for two, for using the second common card. Dealer turns first and second common cards face up. Dealer always uses dealer's dealt hand and both common cards to make highest ranked poker hand possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Tyrone Emmitt Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6827349
    Abstract: A table includes a bank and a panel, wherein a plurality of ball positions are evenly arranged into equilateral concentric hexagons in the panel, a bank is positioned around the panel, a plurality of holes are configured in the inner wall of the bank and in the board which is connected to the bank. During playing, players move their own balls to the target area by skipping, raising, hitting balls or throwing balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: He Huang
  • Patent number: 6827350
    Abstract: A steam gland includes a steam inlet scroll and an extraction scroll axially spaced from one another defining high and low pressure regions. A seal body is disposed between the regions and includes a pair of brush seals axially spaced from one another. Intermediate the brush seals is a honeycomb seal. The hybrid brush seal/honeycomb seal combination minimizes steam leakage between the high and low pressure regions and eliminates the possibility of heat induced damage to the rotor while optimizing seal leakage performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephen Randolph Walcott, David Leach, Hamid Reza Sarshar
  • Patent number: 6827351
    Abstract: A scraper device for a reciprocating compressor piston rod that comprises at least one scraper ring, provided with at least one lip which faces the surface of the said rod, and a box to contain the scraper ring and for centering on the rod, wherein this scraper ring is produced by means of mechanical processing of deformable plastics materials and wherein this container box is accommodated in support elements with radial play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone Holding S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Graziani, Massimo Iacobelli, Simone Pratesi
  • Patent number: 6827352
    Abstract: A metallic gasket capable of providing a sufficient sealing capability all around a combustion chamber hole and avoiding such problems that the step of a cylinder block supporting the lower end part of a cast-iron sleeve is damaged by the thermal expansion of the sleeve during the operation, the roundness of a bore is impaired, the cast-iron sleeve is sunk, and a pressure leaks between the fastening bolts, wherein the end part of a shim plate (14) on a combustion chamber hole (12) side is disposed on the upper end surface of the cast-iron sleeve (2) radially outside the outer peripheral position (OL1), the end part of the shim plate (14) more distant from the combustion chamber hole (12) is disposed on the combustion chamber hole (12) side from an outside line (OL2) of the water jacket (4) formed in the cylinder block (1), and a part of a full bead (13) is disposed on the upper end surface of the cast-iron sleeve (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Japan Metal Gasket Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kosaku Ueta, Jun Okano
  • Patent number: 6827353
    Abstract: A fluid container assembly design has a wide tolerance variation in the width of an open seal gap between opposed sealing surfaces of different assemblies. A resilient seal is provided with a generally rectangular central section partially supported within a groove and partially unsupported by excessive extension beyond the groove. To avoid buckling, the extending portion includes resilient stabilizers including barb-like projections. These resiliently engage a component surface adjacent the groove to stabilize the extending portion and prevent buckling. This allows the seal to compress over its total height to seal the gap between the bottom of the retaining groove in one component and the opposite sealing surface of the other assembly component while the stabilizer projections yield to avoid involvement in the sealing function and act only to prevent buckling of the seal unsupported portion. Exemplary applications for engine rocker covers and oil pan-crankshaft seal gaps are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Carl E. Fonville, Michael A. Karram
  • Patent number: 6827354
    Abstract: A sealing system on a first structural element having a first through-opening, including a first closing flap rotatable about an axis for closing the first through-opening. The sealing system can be coupled to a second structural element. The first closing flap is provided with a first dynamic seal on the radial outer circumference thereof. An elastic seal is provided on the wall of the first through-opening and adjacent the first dynamic seal. The inner diameter of the elastic seal is smaller in the non-operated state than the outer diameter of the first closing flap. The first structural element is provided with a second closing flap which essentially matches the first closing flap and can be swivelled together with the first closing flap. The dynamic seal can be inflated radially towards the outside by means of inner pressure when the first closing flap is in the closing position and in such a way that the elastic seal is at least partially and radially displaced towards the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Glatt Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Cornelius, Heinz Pritzke