Patents Issued in May 31, 2005
  • Patent number: 6899011
    Abstract: A pneumatic brake booster for a motor vehicle, of the type in which the movements of a control rod (38) are able to determine the openings and closings of at least one axial intake valve (52) which is inserted between a pressure source subjected to the pressure (Pa) higher than the first pressure (P1) and a rear chamber (18) of the booster, and of at least one axial equalizing valve (50) which is inserted between a front chamber (16) and the rear chamber (18), to actuate a moving partition (14) inserted between the front chamber (16) and the rear chamber (18), characterized in that it comprises a tubular element (76) of which axially offset transverse faces (78, 80) comprise first elements (82, 84) for sealing the axial intake and equalizing valves (50, 52) and that the control rod (38) is able to operate via two concentric springs (40, 122) having different stiffnesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Charles Maligne, Stéphane Lacroix, Philippe Richard, Ulysse Verbo
  • Patent number: 6899012
    Abstract: A fluid flow control valve assembly that can be actuated using an electrically operated or pneumatically operated flow control valve includes a valve body having a fluid supply passageway, a fluid exhaust passageway, and a fluid bypass passageway. A pilot operated relief valve is disposed in the fluid bypass passageway, wherein the pilot operated relief valve blocks the fluid bypass passageway to create a pressure upstream of the pilot operated relief valve to actuate a different pilot operated device having a pilot line in fluid communication with the fluid bypass passageway upstream of the pilot operated relief valve. Fluid flowing through a venturi nozzle in the fluid bypass passageway that intersects the fluid exhaust passageway lowers the pressure in the fluid exhaust passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Roger R. Pili, Duane D. Dwyer
  • Patent number: 6899013
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a pivot assembly for rotatably connecting a rotor to a swash plate in a variable displacement compressor. The rotor and swash plate each having pivot arms supporting pivot pins. A hinge is mounted to both of the pivot pins for operatively connecting the rotor to the swash plate. The hinge includes a first mounting portion receiving one of the pins and a second mounting portion receiving the other pin with a central planar region disposed between the first and second mounting portions. A tab extends from the central planar region toward each of the first and second mounting portions to engage the pins and fixedly secure the pins within their respective mounting portions. The pins therefore remain mounted to the hinge during an operation of the variable displacement compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Michael Ebbing, Alan L. Woodmansee, Rebecca E. Bish, Christopher F. Laub
  • Patent number: 6899014
    Abstract: A telescoping hydraulic hoist with tube stages formed from a heat treated aluminum alloy from one of the series 2000, 6000 or 7000 aluminum alloys. These alloys retain good “memory” properties, and under the force of a pressure spike undergoes a momentary elastic deformation which acts as a shock absorber, expanding the tube wall to absorb the peak stresses and resist buckling. The hoist of the invention is thus much lighter than a comparably rated steel hoist, and much more resistant to corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Dawson Hydraulics Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Clare Dawson
  • Patent number: 6899015
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety device for spring brakes comprising a C-clamp, the opening of which is just fit to accommodate the edges of the two chambers and the diaphragm of an air brake; and a body plate, which is being cast with the C-clamp as one integral body and is welded onto an outer surface of the first chamber of the air brake. The safety device can securely engage the two chambers to prevent the spring, the diaphragm and the second chamber from bursting out of the first chamber, causing damage to properties and/or injuries to anybody in the surrounding area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Metro Bearing & Automotive Limited
    Inventor: Lai Yee Chow
  • Patent number: 6899016
    Abstract: A master cylinder for a hydraulically actuated clutch or brake system in a motor vehicle includes a piston in a housing, the piston being axially movable in the housing by a piston rod. The piston rod has a ball-shaped head, at least certain areas of which are surrounded by first and second shell-like support elements which form a ball socket, so that the piston and the piston rod are connected to each other essentially without play, but are still free to swivel with respect to each other. The support elements are arranged at least in part inside a piston shaft sleeve, against which these elements may be supported when forces introduced via the piston rod act upon them. The first support element has a hemispherical shell to enclose half of the ball-shaped head. The other side of the ball-shaped head, except for a certain clearance required for swiveling, is surrounded by a support element with a spherical-segment-shaped ring, through the opening in which the piston rod passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: André Gemeinhardt, Ralf Koberstein, Klaus Reuter, Klaus Krappmann
  • Patent number: 6899017
    Abstract: A wheel cylinder for engaging a brake shoe according to which at least one piston is disposed in the bore of a body member and is adapted to move outwardly in response to a predetermined fluid pressure in the bore into engagement with a brake shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Hilite International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Meagher, Art D. Johnson, Tien Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6899018
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast-cook pasta with automatic loading for variable sized portions. An amount of bulk product is isolated in a variable sized cavity. The contents of the cavity is discharged by gravity assisted mechanisms into a cooking chamber. The cooking chamber is pressurizable and uses preheated water. After the cooking period has ended, the cooking chamber is depressurized and the cooked pasta is transferred to a postcooker via a cooker exit valve. Heat energy present in vapor created by depressurization of the cooker is used to preheat the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventors: Henry Narcissi, Larry Schwartz, Jack Novak
  • Patent number: 6899019
    Abstract: A grilling apparatus is provided with a grill of an improved structure, thus preventing food from being burnt due to overheating of the grill and reducing a cooking period to cook the food. The grilling apparatus includes a cabinet defining an external appearance of the grilling apparatus. An opening is formed at a top of the cabinet. A grill comprises a plurality of pipes, is set in the cabinet through the opening of the cabinet, and is downwardly bent, at a portion thereof, to form a food supporting part supporting opposite side surfaces of the food. The grilling apparatus includes two water tanks which are connected to respective ends of the plurality of pipes to supply the water to the plurality of pipes. One or more heating units are provided at predetermined positions adjacent to respective sides of the food supporting part in the cabinet so as to irradiate heat to the food supporting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Woon Han, Seong-Deog Jang, Han-Seong Kang, Joo-Yong Yeo, Dae-Sung Han
  • Patent number: 6899020
    Abstract: A smoker oven that includes a housing having an internal cavity having a top portion, a mid-portion, and a lower portion. The internal cavity houses a support frame that has at least one generally horizontal support surface for supporting and rotating a jerky rack. The jerky rack holds food items in sheet form, such as strips of jerky, at an angle to the horizontal support surface, so that upon rotation of the jerky rack the food items in sheet form cause an agitation and motion of the air within the cavity to produce even heating of the food items and cause fluids released by the food item to flow off of the food item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Hi Mountain Jerky, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean Clark
  • Patent number: 6899021
    Abstract: A salad shaker having a lower part of a container and a cover which is placed on the cover and has a cable pull drive by which the salad sieve can be rotated. The drive is connected to a rotating plate by a free-running device which acts on both sides, and enables the rotational direction of the salad sieve to be charged in a spring-biased manner. The repeated change in rotational direction causes the shaking efficiency to be significantly improved. The restoring force of the inventive spring automatically reels in the cable and holds the handle in a desired position on the cover in a spring-biased manner. The drive of this invention can also be used in handle-operated salad shakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Moha Moderne Haushaltwaren AG
    Inventor: Hansjürgen Riede
  • Patent number: 6899022
    Abstract: A juicer for extracting juice from a fruit comprising a juicing element having an axis and a pivot operatively associated with and radially spaced from the juicing element axis, such that the juicing element axis is rotatable about the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventors: Ilan Greenberg, Zion Azar, Pinchas Shalev
  • Patent number: 6899023
    Abstract: The invention relates to an extended-nip roll press for dewatering a fibrous web in a press nip which, on one side, is formed by a rotating mating roll and, on the other side, is formed by an extended-nip press roll, whose roll centers lie in a stack plane, and the extended-nip press roll has a stationary support and a flexible roll cover that can rotate about the support, the cover in the region of the press nip being supported on the support on a sliding surface which is formed on an upper part, defining an entry and exit, of a press shoe that can be displaced with respect to the support in a loading direction, it being possible for the press shoe to be displaced radially along a loading plane which intersects the stack plane at the center of the mating roll and at an acute angle to the exit direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Eduard Küsters Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Brendel, Peter Hader
  • Patent number: 6899024
    Abstract: A machine for stencil printing includes: a control panel for setting stencil making conditions and printing conditions; a stencil making section making a stencil sheet based on the stencil making conditions; a stencil winding section wrapping the perforated stencil sheet around a printing drum, the printing drum comprising a storage section; a printing section including a printing conditions adjustment section, the printing conditions adjustment section adjusting the printing section based on the printing conditions; and a control section storing the stencil making conditions of the stencil sheet and the printing conditions into the storage section at the time when the perforated stencil sheet is wrapped around the printing drum, the control section adjusting the printing condition adjustment section to print based on the stencil making conditions and the printing conditions in response to a direction of start of the printing processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Watanabe, Yoshiyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 6899025
    Abstract: Method for screen printing a continuous structure on a substrate wherein the screen printed structure extends from at least a first level to at least a second level. The disclosed method is particularly suitable for the fabrication of microelectronic devices and components thereof including the fabrication of field emission display devices. Preferably, a print screen of a preferred thickness having a preconfigured print pattern formed therethrough, in combination with a squeegee having a hardness within a preferred range, are used to force a screen printable substance onto a substrate while maintaining a portion of the print screen within a preferred reference angle. The resulting screen printed structure extends from at least one lower level to at least one upper level in a continuous “uphill” manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Michiels, Darryl M. Stansbury
  • Patent number: 6899026
    Abstract: A folding installation of a web-fed rotary printing press includes a first group of at least two folding formers and at least one additional folding former which is offset vertically from the first group. The folding formers of the first group are adjacent and are offset from each other perpendicular to the running direction of partial webs and are arranged in a horizontal plane to at least partially overlap. Planes of symmetry of at least one folding former of the first group and the additional folding former lie essentially in a common line of a partial web running straight through the print machine. Both aligned folding formers are provided with a common group of leading rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Anton Weis
  • Patent number: 6899027
    Abstract: In a web-fed rotary printing machine having a plurality of cylinders rolling on one another, each cylinder is driven by a respective drive motor, and a control device synchronizes the motors to run at the same speed. The control device has stored therein a control program which can be activated in the event of a web break. The control program has an emergency stop ramp which brakes the motors to a standstill by jerked stop, preferably within five revolutions, the program driving the motors along the stop ramp in the event of a web break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Robert Kersch
  • Patent number: 6899028
    Abstract: A container is provided which comprises a cylindrical main body having an end wall at an end thereof; an outlet projecting from an outer surface of the end wall for allowing a content to be supplied; and a protecting member disposed on the outer surface of the end wall so that it surrounds the outlet and defines a groove portion between the outlet and the protecting member. The protecting member is preferably a continuous or discontinuous annular projection. A conduit of a pump can be coupled to the groove portion by engaging an inner circumferential surface of the protecting member with an outer circumferential surface of the conduit, or by engaging an outer circumferential surface of the outlet with an inner circumferential surface of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Masakatsu Arai, Takahiro Wakayama
  • Patent number: 6899029
    Abstract: A mountable cylindrical printing blanket apparatus for use with an off-set printing press is provided. The printing blanket has an inner carrier sleeve layer; a printing blanket affixed to the sleeve with at least one compressible layer having a first porosity, at least one printing face layer, a gap extending axially along the mountable printing blanket and having between about 0.2 millimeters and about 2 millimeters in width and a depth substantially extending through at least one layer; and a compressible sealant therein in an amount sufficient to substantially fill the gap. The compressible sealant has a second porosity and a compressibility in both the radial and the tangential direction such that the compressible sealant has a compressibility greater than the compressibility of the compressible layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Reeves, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianpierro Invernizzi
  • Patent number: 6899030
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of producing images on a series of master plates that are suitable for use as printing plates for the reproduction of multiple copies of composite images from said plates. The master plates are supported with a predetermined alignment relative to each other before mounting on a printing press. Counterpart raster lines of images on the master plates are recorded simultaneously or substantially simultaneously using preferably an ink jet printer so that the counterpart raster lines are printed in alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: William Y. Fowlkes, Charles D. DeBoer, Paul D. Heppner
  • Patent number: 6899031
    Abstract: A method is known of compensating for misregistration during operation of a printing press, in particular a sheet-fed offset printing press, in which misregistration occurring in the individual printing units are countered by register corrections. In order to provide a simple method to reduce misregisters after a pause in printing and in particular after washing of the rubber blanket cylinder, the pattern of the misregistration (PD) after a pause in printing is determined in a calibration phase over a sufficient number of sheets, data as a function of the pattern of the misregistration is stored in a memory unit (15) so that register correction values (Ki) may be determined and the register correction values are applied to the printing press upon restart after the pause in printing in order to compensate for the misregistration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Axel Hauck
  • Patent number: 6899032
    Abstract: A device arranged to enable the engagement of targets (5) by means of a shaped charge function. An ammunition unit is arranged to operate with at least two configuration modes where in the first mode the ammunition unit comprises solely a first modular charge (3). In the second mode the first modular charge is conjoined with a second modular charge (4). The modular charges each effect their own type of shaped charge function. Another feature is that the ammunition unit is arranged to enable changeover from the first configuration to the second before firing, launch or release of the ammunition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Bofors Defence AB
    Inventors: Torsten Ronn, Nils Johansson
  • Patent number: 6899033
    Abstract: A firecracker packaging is provided which enables both carrying a single ignition detonation of a large number of firecrackers in an attractive package resembling a giant firecracker. At least one and preferably a plurality of spiral-wound strings of firecrackers having interconnected fuses are stacked together in a substantially cylindrical stack, covered by wrapping, and a handle extends from one end of the wrapping. The handle is preferably a length of line. Binding is positioned between the strings and the wrapping to retain the cylindrical configuration of the strings. Connecting fuses between adjacent strings permit ignition of the woven individual firecracker fuses in one string to lead to ignition of the woven individual firecracker fuses of the adjacent string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Jake's Fireworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Marietta
  • Patent number: 6899034
    Abstract: A projectile is provided, in accordance with the present invention that includes a gas seal, a wad absorption zone, a core hull, a mass of projectile core particles within the hull and an actuator member. The hull is a cylindrical member having an open end and made from a material, such as soft plastic, that is characterized by the ability to peel back upon itself on impact, thereby releasing the mass of core particles after impact. The actuator, is releasably fixed to the hull open end, has an exterior side and an interior side and one or more stem members projecting into the mass of core particles. Upon impact, the actuator is released from the hull open end and continues to be propelled forward, along with the core particles. When the projectile impacts a target, the hull peels backward upon itself thereby releasing the actuator and the mass of projectile core particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventors: Charles H. Glover, Susan O. Hartley
  • Patent number: 6899035
    Abstract: In order to provide a rail-mounted transport system, in particular an overhead monorail, comprising at least one active track switch, which comprises at least two movable rail portions that are selectively bringable into an operating position, in which the movable rail portion situated in the operating position connects in each case two fixed rail portions of the transport system to one another, and comprising at least one vehicle, which is movable along the rail portions of the transport system and comprises at least one power transmission unit for the contact-free transmission of power from power supply lines of the transport system to the vehicle, wherein the power supply to the vehicles in the region of an active track switch is achievable in a simple manner, it is proposed that the vehicle comprises at least two power transmission units, which are spaced apart from one another in the direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein the distance between the power transmission units is greater than the length o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Duerr Automotion GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Zorn, Erik Lindig
  • Patent number: 6899036
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for levitating and moving objects are shown and described herein. The embodiments incorporate a track with lower rails having permanent magnets abutted against each other and aligned such that the upper surface of each of the lower rails has a uniform polarity; and the object with upper rails having permanent magnets aligned with the lower rails and oriented to oppose the polarity of the lower permanent magnets. Ferrous backing plates behind the lower rails and/or the upper rails may be incorporated. Embodiments may also incorporate a third rail of an electroconductive material, and a driving disc positioned near the third rail. Permanent magnets in the driving disc may be rotated with the driving disc in the presence of the third rail to accelerate the upper rails with respects to the lower rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Magna Force, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl J. Lamb, Toby Merrill
  • Patent number: 6899037
    Abstract: Linear electric motors suitable for transportation of one or more vehicles along a road which may be a railroad, having electric coils as powerable motor parts and either nonferous metal plates, superconducting magnets or shorted coils as passive motor parts; employing a pulsating power source for powered motor parts, which power may be of constant or varying frequency; and having motor part spacing, and a space time relationship of motor part spacing and timing of said power source operation so as to require a minimum number of road parts per mile, and so as to provide continuous power transmission for propulsion and braking of said vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Maynard Cowan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6899038
    Abstract: A discharge gate assembly adapted to be secured in material receiving relation relative to a standard opening toward a bottom of a railroad hopper car. The gate assembly of the present invention satisfies AAR requirements and specifications and includes a rigid frame defining a ledgeless and generally square discharge opening which is sized substantially equivalent to the standard opening defined toward the bottom of the railcar whereby allowing commodity discharged from the opening in the railroad hopper car to pass through the gate assembly with minimum interference or obstruction thereby promoting the discharge of commodity from the railroad car. A gate is slidably movable between open and closed positions relative to the discharge opening on the gate assembly and is suspended, in a closed position, by a series of supports extending therebeneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignees: Miner Enterprises, Inc., Powerbrace Corporation
    Inventor: Rudolph S. Fortuna
  • Patent number: 6899039
    Abstract: A pallet includes a number of runners which may be sandwiched between upper and lower face sheets of corrugated paperboard. Each runner is comprised of multiple layers of corrugated paperboard with the flutes of the corrugations oriented vertically to provide compression strength to the runners and the associated pallet. Each runner also may include at least one reinforcing insert most preferably of hardboard to provide beam strength to the runner and a band to avoid failure without a prior indication. Moreover, the system and method for manufacturing the runners with reinforcing inserts overcomes problems of delaminating and separation of the adhesively bonded layers of the runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: John R. Perazzo
  • Patent number: 6899040
    Abstract: A piece of furniture having interchangeable components is will have a plurality of interchangeable leg members. Cross-bar members are removably coupled to the plurality of leg members. The cross-bar members are adjustable in length. Cross-bar covers are removably coupled to the cross-bar members. A table top is removably coupled to the cross-bar covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Edward H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6899041
    Abstract: A mixer having two or more concentric cylindrical flow channels is placed in a supply conduit for a combustion chamber to mix airborne particulate coal prior to entering a manifold supplying four parallel branch conduits. Vanes are mounted in the mixer channels for imparting spin to the coal/air flow. The spin direction in one channel is opposite the spin direction of the adjacent channels(s). A turbulence-producing transition section is located downstream of the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Rickey E. Wark
  • Patent number: 6899042
    Abstract: A planting implement is configured with a cleanup system for the removal of product associated with operation of the planting implement. The planting implement generally includes a fluid pressure source in combination with at least one planting unit configured to deposit the product at a controlled rate in an agricultural field. The cleanup system generally includes a product separator with an inlet line and a collection line. The inlet line communicates the vacuum pressure generated by the pressure source to the product separator. The collection line communicates the vacuum pressure at the product separator to a location of the product on the planting implement. The vacuum pressure at the collection line is operable to entrain the product in a combined product and forced air stream that is conveyed by the collection line for removal at the product separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Trevor L. Kowalchuk
  • Patent number: 6899043
    Abstract: A method and a device (09) for cutting and folding a fabric section (34) from a continuous material sheeting (01) for producing multilayer casings, in particular pillowcases, having a first gripper (25) that secures and pulls off the front edge (31) of the material sheeting (01) by a first partial amount. A second gripper (26) secures the material sheeting (01) behind the front edge (31) to form a folded edge (33), which can be pulled off by a second partial amount, and at the same time, folded together in multiple layers by movement of the second gripper (26) combined with resetting of the first gripper (25), and a cutting device (27) cuts the material sheeting (01) to form the fabric section (34) the length of which between the front edge (31) and the rear edge (36) corresponds to the sum of the first and second partial amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: TEXPA Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl Muessig, Hans Ziegler
  • Patent number: 6899044
    Abstract: A swinging gate assembly is provided for use in an electronic livestock feeding station and an automated sorting system. The gate assembly has a generally V-shaped configuration in plan view with first and second side openings defined on each side of the V-shape. A gate panel has a first side edge pivotally connected to the frame for rotation about a substantially vertical first pivot axis at the apex of the V-shape. The gate panel is swingable about the first pivot axis between a first position in which the first side opening is closed by the gate panel and a second position in which the second side opening is closed by the gate panel. A mechanical actuator and locking assembly is provided for moving the gate panel between the first and second positions and locking the gate panel in a selected one of the positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Osborne Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Thibault, George R. Eakin
  • Patent number: 6899045
    Abstract: Presented is a lifting body ship that has a blower pressurized air layer disposed in the underside of its lifting body such that the air layer reduces wetted area friction and hence the propulsive power required is greatly reduced. Further, a water propulsor is supplied that takes in water through transversely oriented water inlets in the top of the lifting body to thereby reduce turbulence and its associated drag that would normally occur over the top of the lifting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Donald E. Burg
  • Patent number: 6899046
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for modifying tanker ships. More specifically, the invention is directed to a process for modifying a non-methanol-carrying tanker to carry a methanol cargo destined for a methanol to olefin reaction system. The process includes providing a tanker having one or more holds that previously stored a non-methanol material. The process includes one or more of the following steps: (1) cleaning the holds of the crude/naphtha-carrying tanker to remove residual deposits, wherein the holds previously stored a non-methanol material; (2) providing a fire suppression system specially designed to prevent methanol fires; and (3) replacing methanol intolerant pump seals and flange gaskets in the tanker with methanol resistant seals and gaskets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Searle, Michael Peter Nicoletti, Cor F. Van Egmond
  • Patent number: 6899047
    Abstract: A mast for a sailboat and a method of manufacturing the mast or other structural member for a boat, which is produced in a female mold. Any augmentation of the deflection resistance of the structural member is provided by fabric-resin fabric added to the interior surfaces of the until the desired deflection characteristics are achieved. The mast is formed from at least two parts, which in the preferred embodiment are joined together by seam anchor strips, preferably in conjunction with a fabric-resin insert that overlays the interior of the seam strip and extends over a portion of the mast half body. If additional fabric-resin fabric is required after testing, it can be added to the inside surfaces of the mast parts before the trailing seam is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Spartec Composites Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Countouris
  • Patent number: 6899048
    Abstract: A hidden cable fixed device comprises a seat body, a movable handle provided in the seat body and sliding upward and downward with two springs, and a coupling member lodged in the inner wall of the seat body and coupled to a longitudinal track at the side wall of the movable handle. The longitudinal track has two substantially V-shaped parts as a positioning section and a guiding section. The coupling member is adapted to guide movement of the track of the movable handle and to selectively lock the movable handle between the extended operative position and the received non-operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Hsiang Tzer Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nico Lo
  • Patent number: 6899049
    Abstract: A deep-water floating offshore platform includes a buoyant hull having a substantially flat top, and substantially flat bottom, and a plurality of substantially flat sides. The hull further includes a tendon access shaft and a plurality of riser guide sleeves. The tendon access shaft extends below the bottom of the hull and includes a counterweight connected to the lower portion of the tendon access shaft to provide stability to the hull. The hull can be constructed from a cargo tank section of an existing oil tanker or through the use of new construction based on using the flat-plate design used in constructing cargo tank sections of oil tankers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Donald H. Gehring
  • Patent number: 6899050
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a flexible anchoring rope for fixing a floating platform in the water, and such anchoring rope is made of a substance consisting of a mixture of rubber and carbon fiber in an appropriate ratio and wrapped inside fibers. The fixtures on both ends of such flexible anchoring rope are used to fix a floating platform to an anchor in the water. By means of the good pre-stressed buffer provided by the flexible anchoring rope, the maximum extensibility is up to 90˜120% which can sustain the tension produced by the tidal currents during the rising and ebb tides, and its good resilience can keep the floating platform in a specific area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Yun-Peng Huang
  • Patent number: 6899051
    Abstract: An anchor includes an anchor shank, a fluke disposed on the leading terminal side of the anchor shank as folded back therefrom, and a buoyancy part disposed on the leading terminal side of the anchor shank. The buoyancy part has a buoyant force that causes the leading terminal side of the anchor shank to rise upward and the basal terminal side thereof to contact the water bottom when the anchor is positioned on the water bottom, allows the leading terminal part of the fluke to remain in contact with the water bottom under its own weight, and enables the fluke to retain a posture for forming a given inserting angle relative to the water bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Yukitoshi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 6899052
    Abstract: A battery mounting structure for a small watercraft is constructed and arranged to improve turning performance of the craft and to provide waterproofing protection. A vessel body 11 includes a hull 14, constituting a lower portion of the vessel body, and a deck 15 for covering on top of the hull. An engine 20 is disposed in the vessel body 11, with a drive shaft 35 extending rearward from the engine 20 for driving a propeller 30, and a drive shaft supporting box 18 for supporting the drive shaft at the midsection thereof. The inventive mounting structure is substantially centrally located, so that the battery 53 can be disposed on the drive shaft supporting box 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Nakajima, Takayoshi Miura, Yusuke Funayose
  • Patent number: 6899053
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a garment clamping device for automobile antennas upon which a flag or banner may be secured and displayed. The clamping device comprises two generally rectangular shaped halves which are joined together by a hinge strap mechanism. Each half has at least one aperture and at least one corresponding mounting stud for clamping the two halves around an automobile antenna. Further, each half has at least one barb and at least one corresponding aperture located on the other half for holding and supporting a display flag after the apparatus is clamped around the antenna. Extending from one half is a cap for securing the apparatus atop the antenna. In operation, the device is positioned around an antenna and the mounting stud, barbs and respective apertures are engaged. Once engaged, the hinge straps form a cavity wherein the antenna is displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Mark W Hawkins
  • Patent number: 6899054
    Abstract: A device for hybrid plasma processing, particularly for deposition of thin films and for plasma treatment of samples, in a plasma reactor with pumping system characterized in that at least one feeder of microwave power (2) is installed in the plasma reactor (1) and connected to a microwave generator (3) for generation of a microwave plasma (4) in contact with at least one hollow cathode (5) in the plasma reactor, where the hollow cathode is powered from a cathode power generator (6). At least one inlet for a processing gas (7) is installed behind the hollow cathode and the gas is admitted into the plasma reactor through the hollow cathode where a hollow cathode plasma (9) is generated. A magnetic element (10) is used for generation of a perpendicular magnetic field (11) and/or a longitudinal magnetic field (12) at an outlet (13) from the hollow cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventors: Ladislav Bárdos, Hana Baránková
  • Patent number: 6899055
    Abstract: The invention refers to a teatcup liner, a teatcup and a milking member. The liner (1) is mountable in a teatcup shell (2) having a first end (3) and a second end (4) to extend through the shell, and forms an inner space to receive a teat and an outer space (6) between the shell and the liner. The liner includes an opening at the first end for introducing a teat into the inner space. The liner includes a grip area (10) to be gripped by a grip portion (11) of the shell. The grip area has a non-circular shape. The liner includes a connection portion (15) arranged to connect the liner to the first end and including an annular recess. The connection portion includes a bridge of material (18) arranged to define at the most two possible rotary positions for the liner in relation to the teatcup shell. The bridge extends in the annular recess and is arranged to engage a corresponding recess (19) extending from the first end of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Delaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Nils Alveby, Jan Kassibrahim, Viktoria Noresson
  • Patent number: 6899056
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting animal feed in an aqueous body utilizing a container having a wall portion forming a chamber. The chamber is intended to hold the animal feed. A baffle is positioned in the chamber of the container to direct the animal feed to a selected portion of the chamber. A conduit and pump urge the movement of the animal feed and aqueous material from the chamber for dispersion as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Michael A. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6899057
    Abstract: A collapsible pet carrier (10) includes a base (12) with a shiftable frame (14) movable between a collapsed position and an extended use position; the carrier also has a flexible cover (16) which, with the base, forms a pet enclosure. The cover (16) has an animal doorway (66) as well as optional see-through windows (74). The frame (14) is preferably formed of flexible and resilient shape memory material allowing the frame to self-erect when unrestrained, without any manual manipulation or other intervention. Also, the carrier (10) preferably includes a top (18) which mates with the base to form a carrier housing, which restrains the popup frame (14) to retain it within the carrier housing. The top (18) may also be inverted and secured to the base (12) during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Blitz, U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Larry L. Chrisco, Orval Lee Fick
  • Patent number: 6899058
    Abstract: A self-medicating applicator device that can be used to apply a treatment to animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Burridge, Leigh Anne Simmons, William Clayton Simmons
  • Patent number: 6899059
    Abstract: A catnip-filled toy (10) which may be caused to roll, spin, rock, wobble, and slide when manipulated by the paw of a cat. The device (10) has a convex hub (12). Extending axially from the hub (I 2) are two hollow reservoirs (14) that may be filled with catnip (24). The convex hub (12) and catnip reservoirs (14) are circular in shape when seen in side elevation from an end view, so as to allow the device (10) to roll freely upon any smooth surface (30). The hub is larger in circumference than the reservoirs for continuous rolling of the toy on the hub. In the preferred embodiment of the device (10), the reservoirs (14) are elongated axially beyond a hemispherical shape. The catnip reservoirs (14) have openings (20) through which the catnip (24) may be filled, emptied, and refilled and have a plurality of small holes (22) through which the scent of the catnip (24) inside may emanate outside. The holes (22) are small enough to substantially contain finely cut catnip (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventors: Samuel Crane, Charles Viola
  • Patent number: 6899060
    Abstract: A collar for pets includes an adjustment belt and a neck belt wherein the adjustment belt has a plurality of engagement holes equidistantly distributed at the surface of one side thereon, and the neck belt is provided with an engaging hoop attached at one side thereto. At the other side of the adjustment belt and the neck belt are respectively disposed a first and a second coupling hoops with a first and a second movable coupling belts attached at the other side of the coupling hoops thereof. The first/second movable coupling belts are respectively provided with a D-shaped first/second leash hoops at the outer side of the other end thereof, and a first/second passages disposed at the middle section thereon for holding a male and female buckle pieces with elastic buckling legs and buckling holes disposed thereon respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Chii Shuenn Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li Chu Yen