Patents Issued in July 5, 2005
  • Patent number: 6912920
    Abstract: A seat frame-based occupant weight estimation load cell transfers the seat force to a floor bracket through a spherical ball and a ball actuator. The ball is in contact with the force sensor and has minimal contact area with either the ball actuator or the force sensor so that the transfer of forces not functionally related to occupant weight is minimized. The ball actuator is coupled to the seat frame, and a sensor bracket aligns the ball actuator with respect to the sensor. The sensor bracket is domed to securely anchor the seat to the floor bracket in the event of an inverse overload. A spring disposed between the ball actuator and the dome of the sensor bracket biases the ball against the force sensor to preload the force sensor for enabling off-loading detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane D. Fortune, Morgan D. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6912921
    Abstract: A torque detecting device includes an elastic member disposed between an input shaft and an output shaft of a torque transmitting apparatus, first and second resolvers detecting rotational angles of the elastic member at sides of the input shaft and the output shaft. The first resolver includes a first excitation winding coil and a first output winding coil, and the second resolver includes a second excitation winding coil and a second output winding coil. The first and second excitation winding coils are connected to a ground, and the first and second output winding coils are connected to the other ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Fujiwara, Mitsunori Naruse, Yuji Yoshizawa, Mikihiko Mizuno
  • Patent number: 6912922
    Abstract: A torque sensor comprising a shaft of magnetostrictive material; a pair of magnets having oppositely sensed poles positioned circumferentially around the shaft so as to induce a localized magnetic field in the shaft between the poles. A torque applied to the shaft is sensed by a flux detector positioned circumferentially between the magnet poles so as to detect a component of the localized magnetic field which escapes from the shaft as a result of the torque. With this design, there is no need to permanently magnetize the shaft or a collar attached to the shaft, as in the prior art. The prior art manufacturing step of permanently magnetizing the collar or its shaft is also thus eliminated, greatly simplifying the manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: First Inertia Switch Limited
    Inventors: Abdolreza Cheshmehdoost, Brian Johnson
  • Patent number: 6912923
    Abstract: Device for determining a torque exercised on a shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a first shaft section and a second shaft section, wherein the two shaft sections can be rotated relative to another, with a multi-pole magnetic ring which surrounds the first shaft section and is connected thereto, and a stator holder which is mounted to the second shaft section, wherein two stator elements are mounted to a stator holder and each stator element comprises fingers projecting in an axial or radial direction which are distributed uniformly at least over part of the periphery with gaps between them, wherein the fingers of each stator element are interconnected via a magnetic flux ring, wherein the magnetic flux rings have a mutual separation and a magnetic field sensor is disposed between the magnetic flux rings, wherein at least one magnetic flux concentrator is associated with the magnetic field sensor, wherein the magnetic flux concentrator surrounds the magnetic flux rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Ekkehart Froehlich, Frank Jerems, Matthias Proft, Dirk Rachui, Roman Schoepe
  • Patent number: 6912924
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for testing equipment located in a local environment by presenting a detectable indicator gas therein. The apparatus has a container portion, a chemical substance stored in the container portion, a pump operable to draw air into the container portion and in contact with the chemical substance to generate a detectable indicator gas, and an outlet to the container for directing the indicator gas into the local environment. Further, the pump is integrally formed as one piece with the container portion. Preferably, the pump is a manually squeezable polymeric bulb that is joined (e.g., by molding) seamlessly with the container portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Nextteq, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Loomis, Lisa K. Gilmour-Stallsworth
  • Patent number: 6912925
    Abstract: An acoustic meter assembly has a measurement chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid to be monitored; an acoustic transducer for transmitting acoustic energy into and receiving the transmitted energy from the measurement chamber; and a holder for the acoustic transducer including a receiving section in which the acoustic transducer is locatable to expose a front surface to fluid pressure within the measurement chamber. The holder further has a pressure transfer arrangement for communicating pressure between the measurement chamber and a rear surface of the transducer, opposite to the front surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Maquet Critical Care AB
    Inventor: Erik Cardelius
  • Patent number: 6912926
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gear transmission comprising a first shaft, an intermediate shaft which is parallel to the first shaft, a first cylindrical pinion and a second cylindrical pinion for coupling the rotation of the first shaft and the intermediate shaft, a third cylindrical pinion which can rotate with the first shaft, and a fourth cylindrical pinion which can rotate with the intermediate shaft, and a double-toothed face gear mounted between and meshing with the third and fourth cylindrical pinions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: ASS AG
    Inventor: Augustinus F.H. Basstein
  • Patent number: 6912927
    Abstract: A worm shaft is provided with an intermediate worm thread section between first and second end structures, wherein at least one of the first and second end structures has a coupling structure for a desired extension of a plurality of modular worm shaft extensions. The desired extension and the intermediate worm thread section are both selectable based on the desired application, the desired gearing ratio, and other features. Accordingly, the multi-component worm shaft of the present technique increases flexibility, reduces manufacturing costs, and reduces inventory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Frederick Paul Eberle
  • Patent number: 6912928
    Abstract: A bicycle stem includes a steering tube clamp with a pair of cooperating clamp members defining an imaginary cylinder and a recess therein for the steering tube. Each clamp member may also have at least one fastener receiving passageway therein offset a predetermined distance from an axis defined by the imaginary cylinder. The stem may include a body portion having opposing first and second ends, a handlebar clamping portion connected to the first end of the body portion, and a steering tube clamping portion connected to the second end of the body portion. The steering tube clamping portion may have a tubular shape defining a steering tube receiving passageway therethrough, and a clamp receiving passageway transverse to the steering tube receiving passageway and in communication therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: L.H. Thomson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Loronzo H. Thomson, Brian Thomson, Mark P. McJunkin
  • Patent number: 6912929
    Abstract: A multi-piece crankshaft having a shaft with two ends and in which the shaft is adapted to rotate about its shaft axis and a crankpin with at least one indentation. The shaft and crankpin are placed within a mold having a first mold cavity corresponding in shape to the desired counterweight and the other end of the shaft is positioned within a second mold cavity corresponding in shape to a flywheel taper support for the crankshaft. The counterweight and flywheel taper support are then both formed by simultaneously casting a liquid material, such as zinc, into both the first and second mold cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Panther Machine, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald G. Leith
  • Patent number: 6912930
    Abstract: A flex spline 1 used for a meshing type gear device includes an attachment portion 1a, a thin-thickness tubular portion 1b continuing to the attachment portion and capable of being elastically deformed, and external teeth 1c formed at the tip end portion of the tubular portion away from the attachment portion. The thin-thickness tubular portion 1b is formed in a conical shape with an opening angle ? which is tapered in a direction from the attachment portion 1a toward the external teeth 1c before inserting a wave generator 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hongyou Wang, Toshio Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 6912931
    Abstract: An opener is provided for removing a lid from a paint can or any other similar type container. The opener has a plurality of tapered bits coupled to a first means for moving the bits toward the lid. The opener is also provided with a second means for moving the bits relative to the container to lift the lid from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Innovating Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Draur, Jeffrey S. Dworek, Tracy S. Lemar
  • Patent number: 6912932
    Abstract: A depth adjusting system for a screw gun comprises a base supported on the screw gun, an on/off collar removably attached to the base, and an adjusting collar and a depth locator mounted to the on/off collar. The adjusting collar rotates but cannot move axially relative to the on/off collar. Rotation of the adjusting collar causes the depth locator to move axially relative to the on/off collar for adjusting the depth setting. An indexing system is provided between the adjusting collar and the on/off collar for retaining the angular position of the adjusting collar and the depth setting. The on/off collar can be easily attached and detached from the base with a simple axial force applied to the on/off collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Porter-Cable/Delta
    Inventors: John Robert Kriaski, Daniel Paxton Wall
  • Patent number: 6912933
    Abstract: A hydraulic torque wrench having a separate ratchet unit and hydraulic cylinder drive unit connectable by an overlapping cylindrical connection at selected angles of rotation providing clearance in use. The hydraulic cylinder actuates the ratchet mechanism by a connecting rod traveling through the overlapping cylindrical connection and engaging a pivotable drive plate. The ratchet may have a male drive shaft for driving a socket, or a female driver such a hex or spline wrench. The ratchet unit case may be integral, or split for removable accesses to the ratchet mechanisms. The cylinder unit hydraulic connections may be separate rotatable connections or a single connection and collar, allowing three-way rotation. Attachments for the hydraulic unit include a pipe flange spreader, a nut splitter, scissor action shears, and a lift/spreader for lifting an object from a flat surface or spreading surfaces apart. A reaction bar affixes to the drive unit body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Knopp, Harry J. Knopp
  • Patent number: 6912934
    Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver has a body and a driving portion. The body has a handle, a shank integrally formed on the handle, a post with a non-circular periphery pivoted with the shank and a head formed on the post. The driving portion has a spring mounted on the post, a cylinder with a non-circular inner periphery mounted on the post, and a chuck mounted on the head and used for holding the tool head. Because the driving portion of the ratchet screwdriver is longitudinally set on the body, it can reduce whole volume of the ratchet screwdriver to enable the screwdriver to be used in a small place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventor: Hui-Chen Liao
  • Patent number: 6912935
    Abstract: A ratchet tool includes a head with an engaging member rotatably received in a hole in the head and a recess is defined in an inner periphery of the hole so as to receive a pawl therein. A chamber is defined in a side of the head and communicates with the recess. A knob is rotatably received in the chamber and a biasing member is connected between the pawl and the knob. The biasing member is a V-shaped member and includes two insertions which are connected to a side of the pawl, and a peak portion which is securely connected to a protrusion extending eccentrically from an inside of the knob. The pawl is shifted by the biasing member when rotating the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsien
  • Patent number: 6912936
    Abstract: A holding tool is used to connect or disconnect a water pump pulley and a fan clutch. The water pump pulley is attached by a threaded shaft to a connector on the fan clutch, and the pulley has at least a pair of fasteners each with an exposed fastener head that extends from the pulley's surface which is next to the fan clutch. A head of the tool is inserted into a narrow space between the pulley's surface and the fan clutch. The tool head is narrow enough to fit into this space. This tool head includes a hook element at an end of a straight edge lever element. While grasping a fastener head of one fastener with the hook element and engaging a fastener head of another fastener with the straight edge lever element, a second tool is inserted into the narrow space to grasp the connector on the fan clutch. While both tools are engaged, one or both the tools are turned to disconnect or connect the threaded shaft of water pump pulley and the connector on a fan clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Schley Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy P. Hume
  • Patent number: 6912937
    Abstract: A wrench with visually recognizable mechanism comprises a main body as a handle and wrench heads that are separately connected to two ends of the main body. The wrench heads are capable of tightening or loosening fastening parts with corresponding dimensions. The visually recognizable mechanisms are provided on the main body or the wrench heads, whose appearances assist in distinguishing classification and properties of the wrenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Lea Way Hand Tool Corporation
    Inventor: Tom Tuanmu
  • Patent number: 6912938
    Abstract: A pedal depressor for a truck or large vehicle includes adjustable telescoping tubes with a locking plate for locking the tubes in a fixed position. A rubber tip is provided at one end for engaging a pedal and a Y-shaped yoke, which is rotatably adjustable, is provided at the other end of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Lisle Corporation
    Inventor: Scotty R. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 6912939
    Abstract: A tool slide assembly mounted on a clamshell lathe where the clamshell lathe is used to machine an out-of-round work piece. The tool slide assembly generally comprises a base mounted on the rotatable ring of the clamshell lathe and a tool bit holder. The tool bit holder comprises a follower member and a tool block adapted to hold a tool bit, where the follower member is urged against an outer surface of the out-of-round work piece by a plurality of springs. The tool block is incrementally translated such that the tool bit gets fed into the out-of-round work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventor: Brent Place
  • Patent number: 6912940
    Abstract: A clamp is provided that is capable of restraining an item during cutting and rotating the item between cutting a first end of the item and cutting a second end of the item. The clamp includes an upper jaw, a lower jaw, and a backplate that pivotally connects the lower jaw and the upper jaw. The clamp includes a latch that restrains the lower and upper jaws against movement relative to one another. Also provided is an apparatus for cutting an item. The apparatus includes a table and the clamp described above. Optionally, the apparatus can also include a cutter for cutting the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Universal Presentation Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan C. Atwood
  • Patent number: 6912941
    Abstract: A steel rule die for cutting cloth and synthetic materials. The cutting die includes a primary substrate and a plurality of cutting units that are removably attachable to the substrate in such a manner that they are easy to adjust, remove and replace. The cutting units include secondary substrates with lengths of steel rule attached to them. The cutting units are secured to the primary substrate. Each steel rule is fixedly attached to a secondary substrate that is substantially harder than the primary substrate. The secondary substrate distributes the cutting load applied to the rule over a large surface area on the primary substrate to prevent the cutting units from diving into the soft primary substrate. Substantially the entire length of the steel rule is supported by the secondary substrate, thereby yielding a rigid cutting unit that is not susceptible to deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Ontario Die International Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6912942
    Abstract: A method for removing from at least single-layer webs of material, particles formed by slitting devices which are arranged along a web travel path in a slitting zone, includes generating a suction zone associated with the slitting devices in accordance with the position of a cutting location; a device for performing the method; a jobbing web-fed rotary printing machine including the device; and a newspaper rotary printing machine including the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Goss International Montataire S.A.
    Inventor: Daniel Flament
  • Patent number: 6912943
    Abstract: A bullet sizing and lubricating device is mountable in an ammunition reloading press to perform bullet sizing and lubricating in one stage with only a single operation of the press lever by using the force generated by the sizing operation to pressurize lubricant causing the lubricant to flow through ports to lubricate a bullet, the device simultaneously performing the sizing of one bullet and the lubrication and expulsion of a previously sized bullet as the bullets are passed axially through the device, the lubricant being pressurized by a piston engaged by a slidably sizing die while a previously sized bullet is retained within a lubricating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventor: Mehdi Bolhassani
  • Patent number: 6912944
    Abstract: Several ceramic armour systems are provided herein. One such system is a ceramic armour system for personnel. Such system includes an integral ceramic plate, or a plurality of interconnected ceramic components providing an integral plate. The ceramic has a deflecting front surface or a flat front surface, and a rear surface. A front spall layer is bonded to the front surface of the ceramic plate. A shock-absorbing layer is bonded to the rear surface of ceramic plate. A backing is bonded to the exposed face of the shock-absorbing layer. A second such system is a ceramic armour system for vehicles. Such system also includes an integral ceramic plate, or a plurality of interconnected ceramic components providing an integral plate. The ceramic plate has a deflecting front surface or a flat front surface, and a rear surface. A front spall layer is bonded to the front surface of the ceramic plate. A shock-absorbing layer is bonded to the rear surface of the ceramic plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Aceram Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Petru Grigorie Lucuta, Gilles Pageau, Vlad Lucuta
  • Patent number: 6912945
    Abstract: A recoil buffering apparatus for use with an artillery gun of the type comprising a breech assembly (15) connected to a barrel (12), the breech assembly (15) having a firing mechanism for firing a projectile through an open end of the barrel (12). The recoil buffering apparatus comprises a recoil buffering means adapted to be fixed to the barrel (12) and movable therewith during recoil action of the barrel (12) caused by firing of the projectile, and a support means associated with the recoil buffering means for supporting the recoil buffering means and thereby supporting the barrel (12) and breech assembly (15) through the recoil buffering means. An elevating apparatus and a traversing apparatus for an artillery gun are also described. The artillery gun can also be provided with a muzzle brake (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Ordnance Development and Engineering Company of Singapore (1996) PTE Ltd.
    Inventor: Teoh Hwa Ang
  • Patent number: 6912946
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system for providing an improved controlled airflow within a vacuum booster system. The system includes a vacuum booster assembly having a primary chamber and a secondary chamber, and an outer tube having a first end and a second end, the first end in communication with the secondary chamber of the vacuum booster assembly. The system additionally includes an airflow control assembly operably coupled to the second end of the outer tube, and an inner tube, concentric to the outer tube, having a first end and a second end, the first end operably coupled to the airflow control assembly, the second end in communication with the primary chamber of the vacuum booster assembly. In the system, air flows from the primary chamber of the vacuum booster assembly to the airflow control assembly within the inner tube and air flows from the airflow control assembly to the secondary chamber of the vacuum booster assembly within the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Haerr, Gary C. Fulks, Ryan M. Elking, Derek T. Dreischarf, Patrick T. MacLellan
  • Patent number: 6912947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a supporting device for supporting substrates in a component placement machine including a housing (1), a piston rod (5) arranged in the housing so as to be movable in its longitudinal direction in the housing (1) by pressurized fluid and having one end extending outside the housing (1) and a locking mechanism (7 to 9) by which displacement of the piston rod (5) in its longitudinal direction can be prevented. The locking mechanism (7 to 9) includes clamp (8) movable by an adjuster (7) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the piston rod (5) between an active position for blocking the piston rod (5) and an idle position in which the piston rod (5) is movable in its longitudinal direction. The clamp (8) have been arranged in the housing (1) so that in the active position said clamping means (8) directly engage the piston rod (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Assembleon N.V.
    Inventor: Petrus Godefriedus Van Der Vorst
  • Patent number: 6912948
    Abstract: A swash plate compressor comprises a swash plate rotated by a drive shaft and a piston that reciprocates in a cylinder bore by the rotation of the swash plate. The piston includes a tail and a pair of shoes retained in the tail. The shoes sandwich an outer periphery of the swash plate. Each shoe has a receiving face for receiving the outer periphery of the swash plate. A central point of the receiving face is located off a common plane including an axis of the piston and that of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Jiro Iizuka
  • Patent number: 6912949
    Abstract: The coffee maker comprises a chamber acting as a boiler to receive a determined quantity of water; a chamber for the final collection of the beverage produced; and, for containing the ground coffee, a filter device connecting together the two chambers and comprising a tube which dips into the water contained in the boiler. A baffle is provided to sealedly close the boiler, with the exception of a through hole for sealedly receiving the filter device. The filter device comprises an enclosure closed or closable to form a filter capsule intended to contain the ground coffee and closed or closable independently of whether the coffee maker is assembled. The walls of the capsule are liquid-permeable in a region which communicates with the tube and in at least one other region which communicates with the collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventor: Adriana Brizio
  • Patent number: 6912950
    Abstract: A strapping machine for positioning a strap material around an associated load, tensioning the strap material and sealing the strap material to itself around the load has an improved strap chute release system. Such a machine includes a frame, a strapping head mounted to the frame including at least a pair of wheels for feeding strap material and for retracting strap material and configured to seal a first course of strap material onto an overlying second course of strap material, and a strap chute mounted to the frame and configured for receiving the strap material from the strapping head and positioning the strap material around the load. The strap chute is configured to release the strap therefrom as the strap material is pulled to the load. The strap chute has an inner wall and a transverse wall defining a strap track from which the strap material is released. The inner wall is moveable away from the transverse wall for releasing the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl M. Devine, Christopher S. Krohn
  • Patent number: 6912951
    Abstract: A juice extractor includes a strainer tube mounted to receive juice and pulp of fruit. An orifice tube has opposing first and second ends. The first end is inserted in and moveable within the strainer tube. A rigid sleeve is formed from a material that resists wear and is received within the first end. A drive mechanism engages the orifice tube and reciprocates the orifice tube within the strainer tube and applies pressure on the juice and pulp within the strainer tube for separating the juice and pulp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Helio Brandao, Jr., Gregory W. Schrader
  • Patent number: 6912952
    Abstract: Apparatus for duplex printing comprising: a first impression roller (24) on which a first side of a sheet (22) having a leading edge and a trailing edge is printed referenced to the leading edge; a second impression roller (26) on which a second side of the sheet is printed; and a transport system (20) that removes a printed sheet from the first impression roller (24) and transports it to the second impression roller (26), the transport system comprising a perfector (32) that receives the sheet and grips it along both the leading and trailing edges of the sheet, which perfector turns the sheet over and transfers the sheet trailing edge first towards the second impression roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Benzion Landa, Yosef Rosen, Aron Shmaiser, Lior Lewintz, Yevgeny Korol, Alex Feygelman, Alon Gazit
  • Patent number: 6912953
    Abstract: A roller machine includes a rotatably mounted roller body which can be placed on or against one counter roller. The roller has at least one axis and at least one spring element which is arranged between the roller body and a machine frame. The spring element is disposed between the roller body and the part of the axis which is used to secure the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Horst-Walter Hauer
  • Patent number: 6912954
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for numerically adjusting the home position of a plurality of ink fountain blades in a printing press. In the printing press, apparatus is provided for adjusting the ink feed amount to be supplied from an ink fountain into an ink fountain roller by adjusting the position of these ink fountain blades, supplying ink to a printing plate through the ink fountain roller, and printing the ink supplied on the printing plate on a printing sheet. The present method and apparatus first position each ink fountain blade at its home position, then set the indication of the position of each ink fountain blade at a predetermined value. Each ink fountain blade is then adjusted by the same amount while observing the indication of the position of each ink fountain blade. Finally, the position of each ink fountain blade as so adjusted is stored as a new home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Toshikazu Tomita
  • Patent number: 6912955
    Abstract: A metal backed printing blanket for mounting on a blanket cylinder that includes a gap, the printing blanket having a thin metal base plate with top and bottom surfaces and ends which include leading and trailing edges adapted for engaging the gap in the cylinder; a compressible, elastomeric printing blanket secured to the top surface of the base plate but not the ends and having an upper face adapted for contact transfer of ink to a printable substrate; and a specialized coating applied to the bottom surface to prevent deformation of the printing blanket and to prevent delamination of the printing blanket from a blanket cylinder. The method for making a metal backed printing blanket for mounting on such a cylinder is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Reeves Brothers, Inc.
    Inventors: Gianpietro Invernizzi, Silvia Bergamaschi, Fausto Zeni
  • Patent number: 6912956
    Abstract: Disclosed is a printing plate material comprising a substrate and a component layer provided thereon, the substrate having a center line average surface roughness Ra of from 0.2 to 1.0 ?m, and an oil-retention volume A2 of from 1 to 10, wherein the center line average surface roughness Ra is obtained from three dimension surface roughness measurement according to JIS-B-0601, and wherein an image is capable of being recorded on the component layer by imagewise exposure of infrared laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Takahiro Mori
  • Patent number: 6912957
    Abstract: A printing press is provided with a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of a surface of a printing plate mounted on a plate cylinder by feeding air onto the plate cylinder. A plate-replacement space is provided in a certain region around the plate cylinder for replacement of a printing plate mounted on the plate cylinder with a new one introduced from the outside of the printing press. The temperature control unit is designed to be selectively shifted between a temperature control mode and a space opening mode, in which the temperature control mode enables air to be fed through the plate-replacement space onto the plate cylinder, and the space opening mode makes the plate-replacement space open to the outside of the printing press so that the replacement of a printing plate can be done.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Ryobi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Aoyama, Hidekatsu Baba
  • Patent number: 6912958
    Abstract: A fireworks artillery shell for use as a consumer firework which may be propelled by the use of a mortar is provided which includes a casing, a lift charge, an effects charge, a timing fuse and an ignition fuse, and seals. The seals are provided within the casing above and below the effects charge to increase the burst effect of the effects charge. The lift charge is positioned within the casing and below the lower seal, and upon ignition, lifts the fireworks artillery shell into the air. The seals promote a harder break and more explosive effect from the effects charge without interfering with the lifting charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Jake's Fireworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Marietta
  • Patent number: 6912959
    Abstract: A radiolucent surgical table is provided with a patient support member and includes a low shadow accessory interface profile formed by a plurality of interconnected curved surfaces disposed along the outer edge of the patient support member for selective attachment of a range of medical accessory devices. A clamping apparatus secures associated accessories to the outer edge, which has a top recess and an essentially planar and non-vertical side surface slanting inwardly from top to bottom and terminating in a flared lower edge extending beyond the bottom of the patient support member. The clamping apparatus includes an upper jaw member which has a downwardly projecting lip formed to conformably engage a section of the top recess. A lower jaw member is also included and has a hook region formed to surroundingly engage a section of the flared lower edge. The upper and lower jaw members are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Kolody, Ward L. Sanders, Victor M. Selig, Joseph Sestak, Yury Keselman, Viroon Mai Ujjin, John von Buelow, Vijendra Nalwad, Richard C. Blanchard, Jonathan Scheiner
  • Patent number: 6912960
    Abstract: A detachable computer desk having a frame with two substantially inverted T-shaped legs, two crosspieces interconnected tops of the legs, and two fastening boards each including two parallel series of first apertures at both sides; a bracket assembly having a bar, two endpieces each having an opening, and C-shaped brackets slidable about the bar; shelves coupled to the brackets; a desk top coupled to the fastening boards; a notched member coupled to one leg, the notched member having two parallel columns of notches; an L-shaped computer seat having two parallel columns of second apertures and a lateral slit; and an L-shaped abutment plate opposite to a vertical section of the computer seat, the abutment plate being releasably secured to the slit. Height adjustments of both the computer seat and the desk top are made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Sing Bee Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi-Cheng Tsai
  • Patent number: 6912961
    Abstract: A personal table is provided having a table top supported by a support assembly. The table top is preferably constructed from blow-molded plastic and the support assembly preferably includes a first leg and a second leg that are pivotally connected. The legs desirably have a generally X-shaped configuration when the legs are placed in an upright position and the legs can be collapsed into a storage position. Each of the legs may include a lower portion, a body portion and an upper portion that is preferably selectively connected to the table top. The legs, for example, can be connected to the table top by inserting the upper portions of the legs into leg receiving recess formed in the table top. The leg receiving recesses are preferably integrally formed in the bottom surface of the table top as part of a one-piece construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Winter, Jay Jones, Stephen F. Nye, Brandon Smith, Kent Ashby, L. Curtis Strong
  • Patent number: 6912962
    Abstract: An apparatus for the cleaning of flue gases containing ash and sulfur dioxide produced by burning sulfur-containing coal in the combustion chamber of a circulating fluidized-bed firing system includes a system for delivering a particulate SO2 sorbent into the combustion chamber. A feed system feeds a mixture of the ash, the SO2 sorbent/SO2 reaction product, and unreacted SO2 sorbent from the combustion chamber to a mixing unit. A liquid supply system supplies water or an aqueous sodium-containing solution to the mixing unit, whereby the unreacted SO2 sorbent is converted into a hydration product. A discharge system returns the ash, the reaction product, and the hydration product from the mixing unit into the combustion chamber, where the hydration product is reactivated into an SO2 sorbent at a combustion temperature of 700° to 950° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd.
    Inventors: Jean X. Morin, Joachim Seeber
  • Patent number: 6912963
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing soil for the placement therein of at least one of seed and fertilizer. A frame is provided with there being first structure on the frame for penetrating the soil to create an opening for at least one of seed and fertilizer as the frame is advanced in a travel direction. A second structure is provided on the frame at least partially downstream of the first structure for at least one of a) stripping soil clods from the first structure and b) loosening soil downstream of the first structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventor: James H. Bassett
  • Patent number: 6912964
    Abstract: In an upper looper holder guide 7 through which an upper looper holder 12 penetrates, a first oil discharge hole 27 is opened in the edge at the upper end of a through-hole 11 and a second oil discharge hole 28 opened in the groove 26 and are branched off, the opening of the first oil discharge hole 27 contacts with the upper looper holder 12, and the opening of the second oil discharge hole 28 and groove 26 are exposed from a longitudinal hole 6 of an upper looper base 4 when the upper looper holder 12 reaches the top dead center or the bottom dead center. The oil discharge device is composed of a two-layer trochoid pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Pegasus Sewing Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kasuda
  • Patent number: 6912965
    Abstract: A semisubmersible trimaran for use in an afloat sea base is disclosed. The trimaran has an upper deck structure 12 supported on a longitudinal center hull 26 and column-stabilized, longitudinal outrigger pontoons 28. The center hull 26 and pontoon columns 38 and 40 have a reduced waterplane area for minimizing motion during operations. The trimaran has a transit draft 37 for deployment at full waterplane area, and an operating draft 36 with a reduced waterplane area for damping motion. The vessel can be deployed with a transit drive 42 on the hull 26, and dynamically positioned at a destination for operations. Multiple trimarans can be assembled to provide an extended upper surface, including a landing area for fixed-wing aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc.
    Inventors: John Gaston Leitch, Harvey E. McBee, II, Jan Veldwijk, Douglass John Williams
  • Patent number: 6912966
    Abstract: A molded gangway section is provided to form a gangway between a shore and a dock, pier, and the like. The gangway includes an upper tread surface and a bottom surface having recesses formed therein. The ceilings or upper surfaces of the recesses are formed with grooves. Two or more of the gangway sections can be connected together to form gangways of incrementally increasing lengths. Hinge connections are provided to connect the gangway to piers, docks, shore abutments, ramps, etc. Additionally, a roller can be mounted to a shore end of the gangway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: E-Z Dock, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Ostreng, Larry Moody
  • Patent number: 6912967
    Abstract: A watercraft steered under power by water-jet propulsion utilizes a water intake ramp in its hull to create a nozzle-like effect to accelerate water loading to the jet pump through a ventral water inlet when under power. The hull has a pair of longitudinal stabilizers that form a tunnel in which the ramp is located. A canopy, which can be removable, encloses a passenger compartment with a steering wheel and one or more passenger seats. Two wings flank the passenger compartment and a pair of hull ramps run steeply downward from the leading edge of each of the wings and extends to the bottom of the hull while a pair of air scoops flanks each side of the passenger compartment and is located above the pair of wings. The forward-most beginnings of the pair of stabilizers relative to a nose section and the pair of wings ride above the surface of the water when the watercraft is under power and the watercraft rides on the back of the pair of stabilizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventors: Graham H. Oats, Sandra K. Oats
  • Patent number: 6912968
    Abstract: A schedule indicator (14) is provided having a wall with a first selection arrow (13) and a base (16). The base has an annular bottom wall (18) with an annular array of upwardly projecting protrusions (20). The schedule indicator also includes a first condition indicating ring (24) and a second condition indicating knob (25) positioned concentrically within the indicating ring. The indicating ring has a peripheral top surface (27) having an annular array of timing indicia (28), a recessed top surface (29) having an annular array of top depressions (31), and a bottom surface (32) with an annular array of bottom depressions (33). The indicating knob has a grasping portion (37) with a second selection arrow (38) thereon, and at least one protrusion (39) sized and shaped to be releasably received within the indicating ring top depressions (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: Francisco Javier Carbajal
  • Patent number: 6912969
    Abstract: A device for gel-coating seeds includes: a plurality of nozzles into each of which a gelling agent is filled and a seed is charged and held in the gelling agent to form a gel-coated seed; a pair of upper and lower nozzle casings joined with each other through a joint surface; galleries for the gelling agent formed on the junction surface; and passages formed in the lower nozzle casing which extend from the respective galleries to the respective gel-filled portions of the nozzles below the galleries. The nozzles vertically penetrate the upper and lower nozzle casings which may be comprised of a bottom plate and nozzle sleeves. The joint surface is arranged higher than a gel-filled portion of each nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Agritechno Yazaki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazushi Nakatsukasa