Patents Issued in September 13, 2005
  • Patent number: 6941609
    Abstract: The present invention provides a roller assembly including a roller support coupled to a handle assembly. The roller support includes a detent releasably engageable with a roller cover. An actuator is coupled to the handle assembly for movement between a neutral position wherein the detent is engaged with the roller cover and a release position wherein the detent is disengaged with the roller cover thereby allowing the roller cover to be removed from the handle assembly. Thus, the present invention provides a quick-release roller assembly for use in applying paint or other material to a surface wherein a roller cover mounted to the roller assembly can be removed without requiring a person to touch the outer surface of the roller cover. Additionally, the present invention provides a roller cover for use with the roller assembly, as well as a pair of bushings for adapting a roller cover for use therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventors: James Woodruff, David R. Quigley
  • Patent number: 6941610
    Abstract: A gutter sweep for cleaning debris from a house gutter. The gutter sweep includes a scooping head with a blade end that is curved in a manner allowing the blade end to fit up and over a gutter. Extension poles are used with the scooping head to lengthen the reach of the scooping head. A handle end is attached to the extension poles or to the scooping head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Cam Reed, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6941611
    Abstract: An energy absorbing wiper system for a vehicle, including: a pivot shaft to which a wiper arm is fixed; a pivot shaft holder into which the pivot shaft is rotatably inserted; an impact absorbing portion provided between the pivot shaft and the pivot shaft holder, the impact absorbing portion being adapted to be broken or deformed when a certain load is applied thereto to thereby permit the movement of the pivot shaft in a sinking direction relative to the pivot shaft holder; and, an energy absorbing member interposed between the wiper arm and the pivot shaft holder, the energy absorbing member adapted to be broken or deformed while permitting the sink of the pivot shaft when the pivot shaft moves in the sinking direction after the impact absorbing portion has been broken or deformed, to thereby absorb the moving energy of the pivot shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakazu Kashiwagi, Tomoaki Sakai
  • Patent number: 6941612
    Abstract: A mop wringer for a device for cleaning wet floors has a fixed squeezing plate which is positioned between wringer sidewalls. A movable squeezing plate is pivoted to the sidewalls. An actuating lever is configured as a two-armed lever with a shorter lever arm and a longer arm. The actuating lever is connected to the movable squeezing plate by the shorter lever arm and a push guide. A pressing action is carried out by pivoting the actuating lever away from the movable squeezing plate. In the final pressing position, the push guide forms an almost extended toggle lever joint with the shorter lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventor: Gernot Hirse
  • Patent number: 6941613
    Abstract: A pipe cleaning vacuum sealing apparatus includes an intra piping sealing frustum. The frustum is generally shaped as a frustum of a circular cone with an interior and exterior surface. The interior surface is adapted to releasably receive a plurality of various vacuum suction sources. The exterior surface of the frustum is adapted to be releasably received by a plurality of configurations of pipe openings. Alternatively, the pipe cleaning vacuum sealing apparatus includes an extra piping system sealing boot. The sealing boot releasably seals at the surface surrounding a pipe and is adapted to releasably receive a plurality of various vacuum suction sources. Embodiments of the pipe cleaning vacuum sealing apparatuses include a plurality of annular engaging rings to enhance sealing, fixed and telescoping suction tubes, and varying embodiments of separation and retainage chambers further including separation and retainage chambers with at least one ingress port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Trap Vac, LLC
    Inventor: David D. Bryant
  • Patent number: 6941614
    Abstract: A carpet grooming attachment for a motorized brush device, the attachment having a generally triangular shaped housing; the attachment attaching to the wheel axle of a motorized brush device; a brush; means for delivering fluid attached to a external surface of the housing; and means for providing suction to the housing. The means for delivering a fluid may have at least one interchangeable and adjustable spray tip to deliver the fluid. The carpet grooming attachment of the present invention may have a pre-spray hose. The invention also includes a carpet-cleaning device with an attachment and methods of cleaning carpets using a motorized brush device with a carpet grooming attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: John E. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6941615
    Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly connected to the nozzle assembly. A suction generator and a dirt collection vessel are carried by the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly. In addition, the vacuum cleaner includes a control handle displaceable between operating and storage positions. A stabilizer on the handle is provided adjacent the floor in the storage position. Engagement of the stabilizer with the floor prevents the vacuum cleaner from inadvertently tipping over rearwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Michael J. Shanor, Amy N. Mudd
  • Patent number: 6941616
    Abstract: The improved pinless hinge assembly (24) includes a first hinge plate (28) having a curled edge (28a) defining a center roll having a longitudinal axis (P) with an aperture (42) in the first hinge plate (28). A second hinge plate (30) having a free edge (30a) curled about the center roll. A locking lug (40) extends from the free edge (30a) of the second hinge (30) and is routed first through the first aperture (42) in the first hinge plate (28) and then through the second aperture (44) in the second hinge plate (30). The locking lug (40) is engaged in a seat (46) in the second hinge plate (30) to maintain the free edge (30a) of the second hinge plate (30) curled about the center roll when the first hinge plate (28) rotates relative to the second hinge plate (30) about the longitudinal axis (P). A pair of locking lugs (40) may be also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Craft, Inc.
    Inventor: Armand E. Roy
  • Patent number: 6941617
    Abstract: A wing or leaf-type hinge assembly for use with a thin panel or lid installation includes a manual snap assembly of its pivot pin. The pivot pin structure includes an interlock, which requires a positive release for disassembly. A backer support plate permits the sandwiching of the thin panel between one wing or leaf member of the hinge and the support plate. A detent mechanism may be included which assists in maintaining (holding) the hinge assembly in a pre-selected position. A sensor may be added to detect the hinge assembly in the open position. Mounting structures assist in the easy mounting of the hinge with fewer fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Ana Christina Pinto
  • Patent number: 6941618
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hinge device of a portable wireless terminal. The portable wireless terminal includes a first housing, a second housing rotatably coupled to the first housing in such a manner that the second housing moves away from the first housing or approaches the first housing according to a rotational movement thereof, a first hinge axis extending parallel to an upper surface of the first housing, and a second hinge axis extending perpendicular to the upper surface of the first housing and providing a rotational center for the first hinge axis. The first and second hinge axes act as rotational axes of the second housing when the second housing rotates with respect to the first housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., M2Sys Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Si-Wan Kim
  • Patent number: 6941619
    Abstract: An eyeglass retainer is configured to retain an eyeglass in a desired position on the body of a user, such as the head or neck of the user. The retainer includes (i) a cord having a first end and a second end; (ii) a first connector coupled to the first end of the cord; and (iii) a second connector coupled to the second end of the cord. Each of the first and second connectors have: (i) a tubular wall defining a hollow chamber configured to receive an eyeglass earpiece therein; and (ii) an expandable opening extending through the tubular wall. The expandable opening may comprise: (i) a hole extending through the tubular wall; and (ii) a slit extending through the tubular wall. An eyeglass earpiece can be selectively mounted in each connector or a temple of the eyeglass can be mounted in each connector. Thus, the eyeglass retainer etains the eyeglass in one of a plurality of possible orientations on the body of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Snugz/USA Incorporated
    Inventors: Brandon R. Mackay, Bryan K. Hicks
  • Patent number: 6941620
    Abstract: A pair of cam-buckles properly disposed in a back-to-back manner may be slid along an anchoring strap passed through it and yet reliably kept in place to accommodate loads depending from it regardless of the direction the load is tethered from without danger of slippage along the strap. While this arrangement may be used in a general way for various tasks, it has particularly beneficial application for tethered physical exercise activities. With it, the anchoring strap may be vertically secured around a door and the paired buckles may be moved to any point-high or low-upon the strap, thereby providing variation in tethering direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Sylvester Hinds
  • Patent number: 6941621
    Abstract: A boat seat release system for assisting in the efficient and safe removal of a boat seat from a taper lock base. The boat seat release system includes a collar attachable to a pedestal and a pedal pivotally attached to the collar for selectively engaging a taper lock lever of a taper lock base to release the pedestal from base. The collar preferably has one or more rollers for engaging an upper surface of the base thereby simultaneously lifting the pedestal thereby breaking the frictional seal of the pedestal and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventors: Wayne P. Wolforth, Debra K. Wolforth
  • Patent number: 6941622
    Abstract: A hook is capable of hooking a chain at a desired length. The hook comprises a hook body, and a buckle above the hook body. The buckle has a U shape opening. Width of the shape opening is confined by the size of a chain to be hung. The buckle, has a penetrating groove which penetrates two inner sides of the buckle and one outer side of the buckle. A spring and a movable shaft pass through the penetrating groove. The movable shaft is positioned by a pin so that the spring is compressed by the movable shaft and the movable shaft will not drop out of the buckle. A notch is formed at a predetermined portion of the movable shaft. A semi-round groove is formed at a coupling portion of the buckle and the notch, and the semi-round groove is positioned across the two inner sides of the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Rung Te Hung
  • Patent number: 6941623
    Abstract: An improved finishing treatment for pile carpets is described. The improvement lies in providing a method and apparatus for producing a controlled manner, uniform and unidirection pile lean, and to stabilize the pile lean with that orientation to restrict reversal of the pile lean during actual use of the carpet on the floor. One method of the invention is to transport the pile carpet past a pre-orientation brush or roller, through a pair of compression rollers that cause the pile to lean in the trailing direction whilst subjecting the pile to a compression cycle. The improved treatment may be applied to both cut and loop pile carpets and may find application in carpet manufacture, making the carpet resistant to pile reversal in use and reducing the propensity of the carpet to shade in an objectionable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hendrik Brorens, Cornelis Jan Van Lujik
  • Patent number: 6941624
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an inkjet head includes forming a plurality of electrodes at predetermined positions on an upside of a base piezoelectric layer. A plurality of piezoelectric layers are laminated on the upside of the base piezoelectric layer and an electrode is formed on an upside of each of the laminated piezoelectric layers. The method further includes sintering the base piezoelectric layer and the laminated piezoelectric layers, and polarizing the base piezoelectric layer and the laminated piezoelectric layers, respectively. A part of the laminated piezoelectric layers located at a position corresponding to each of peripheral portions is removed so that the piezoelectric device can be completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Asano
  • Patent number: 6941625
    Abstract: A method of producing a piezoelectric/electrostrictive device in which a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element including a substantially trapezoidal laminate having narrower and wider surfaces lying substantially in parallel to each other and first and second surfaces opposed to each other between the narrower and wider surfaces. The first and second surfaces are inclined at given angles to one of the narrower and wider surfaces. The laminate includes piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers and interposed internal electrodes, the internal electrodes being broken up into a first and a second group, each of the first group internal electrodes lying over one of the second group internal electrodes through one of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layers. A first external electrode is formed on the first surface of the laminate and is coupled to the first group internal electrodes. A second external electrode is formed on the second surface of the laminate and is coupled to the second group internal electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Namerikawa, Kazuyoshi Shibata, Masaki Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 6941626
    Abstract: A tool for connecting and disconnecting a coupling having a combination of pliers and a wrench. The pliers have a first jaw with extensions which are positioned over the yokes of the first part of the coupling and a second jaw for positioning adjacent the second part of the coupling. The wrench has a third jaw which is slidably attached to the second jaw. The third jaw has extensions which are positioned around the yokes of the second part of the coupling. The pliers of the tool are used to compress the first and second parts of the coupling together. The wrench is used to rotate the second part of the coupling to disconnect or connect the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventors: Ronald L. Johnson, Jr., John A. Luberda, Lee M. Fellows
  • Patent number: 6941627
    Abstract: A system for installing fasteners into a workpiece. The system includes a fastener orientation system and an installation unit. The fastener orientation system receives the fastener from a fastener delivery tube and retains the fastener in a holding jaw. Specifically, the fastener is retained by a plurality of deformable fingers in the holding jaw. The installation unit is coupled to the fastener orientation system and operable to move laterally with respect to the fastener orientation system to provide a force for securing the fastener in the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David L. Fritsche, Daniel D. Bloch
  • Patent number: 6941628
    Abstract: The invention comprises tools for forming beads on one or more filaments using a malleable material for the bead. The tools exert bead-forming forces radially inward toward the filament and axially along the filament toward the center of the bead. The tools comprise pliers with jaws which meet flush with each other over at least a portion of the jaw face. Aligned cavities are formed in each jaw face wherein each cavity's dimension across the jaw face is less than the width of the jaw face. Grooves, aligned generally transverse to the width of the jaw face provide a filament-receiving channel between the cavity and the edge of the jaw face. Malleable material encompassing the filament is aligned between the aligned cavities and the jaws are closed. The radial force of the cavity walls on the malleable material deforms the malleable material radially and the walls of the cavity exert a force axially to form a bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Josephine Ann Silverfox
  • Patent number: 6941629
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tool assembly unit for coupling a tool and a tool holder including a measuring device which determines the position of the tool with respect to the tool holder, an alignment device coupled to the measuring device which receives the tool holder, a moveable rod slideably disposed on the alignment device and coupled to the tool which moves the tool with respect to the tool holder to a desired position as measured by the measuring device. The tool may be affixed to the tool holder by heat shrinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: TM Smith Tool International
    Inventor: Lee Flick
  • Patent number: 6941630
    Abstract: An air filter cabinet designed for a relatively large electronic air filter cells is adapted to receive and position a relatively smaller filter element without an associated loose fitting relationship and air leakage. A plurality of S-shaped adaptor elements are each removably interconnected to a respective guide rail in the cabinet to reduce the size of a cavity so as to accommodate the smaller filter element and secure it in a fixed position while preventing air leakage therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald M. Wynn
  • Patent number: 6941631
    Abstract: A process for aligning an optical component by plastic deformation comprises finding a desired position of an optical axis of the optical component relative to a rest position of the optical axis of the optical component. Then, a deformation force is exerted, which is greater than a yield force of the optical component to thereby plastically deform the optical component in a direction of the desired position. The alignment process addresses mechanical compliance in the alignment system and/or optical system during the plastic deformation of optical components of the optical system. This mechanical compliance arises from the fact that there is typically flexing in the alignment system between the encoders and the part of the alignment system that actually engages the optical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Jenner
  • Patent number: 6941632
    Abstract: There is provided a variable pressure roller system for installing a preform having contact surfaces onto a configuration of a mold surface by applying pressure thereon. The roller system of the present invention comprises a roller carriage. A grasping handle may be mounted to the roller carriage. Moreover, the roller system may further comprise a plurality of rollers, wherein each respective one of the plurality of rollers is defined by a weight to generate a specific pressure corresponding thereto. Furthermore, each respective one of the plurality of rollers may be removably engageable to the roller carriage. Each respective one of the plurality of rollers may be adapted to uniformly distribute the specific pressure corresponding thereto on the contact surfaces for conforming the preform to the configuration of the mold surface when engaged to the roller carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Mead, John Potter, Narciso Gonzales
  • Patent number: 6941633
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating two flanges, comprising a first prying grip having at least one flange contact member, a second prying grip having at least one flange contact member; and means for separating the flange contact members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Brooks, Matthew R. Rader
  • Patent number: 6941634
    Abstract: A method of attaching an axle of a golf cart to a leaf spring of the golf cart, comprising the steps of aligning the leaf spring adjacent the axle and a bottom plate, inserting an end of a fastener initially through a first aperture associated with the axle and subsequently through a second aperture of the bottom plate and securing the leaf spring between the axle and the bottom plate by securing the fastener at the bottom plate, enabling improved access for assembly and service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan D. Bigsby
  • Patent number: 6941635
    Abstract: A fastener for securing remnant-producing materials, a method of manufacturing the fastener, and a method of using the fastener are provided. The fastener is configured such that in use any remnants or slivers produced by rotation of the fastener are forcibly driven into the surface of the material. In one aspect, the fastener has two separate threaded portions, a first or lower threaded portion and a second or upper threaded portion. The threads on the lower threaded portion have a pitch that is different from the threads on the upper threaded portion. In one embodiment, the lower threaded portion threads have a larger pitch than the threads on the upper threaded portion. In use, after the lower threaded portion is completely inserted into the material, the upper threaded portion of the fastener enters the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Phillips Screw Company
    Inventor: Arnold Craven
  • Patent number: 6941636
    Abstract: A casting-rolling plant and a method of operating a casting-rolling plant are disclosed. At least one slab production line (40, 50) and at least one mill train (4) as well as at least one slab feeding device (20) that is independent of the slab production line (40, 50) with respect to the production process are provided. In order to achieve a higher throughput in the production of strip material, the slab feeding device (20) takes over slab feed to the mill train (4) during a production break of the slab production line (40, 50) in accordance with logistic and/or manufacturing standards up to a maximum output possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Dachtler, Thomas Peuker, Uwe Stürmer
  • Patent number: 6941637
    Abstract: The method of manufacturing rare earth thick film magnet comprising a step of forming an alloy layer of 30-100 ?m thick having a general formula RXBYTMZ on a substrate by a physical deposition process, and a step of heat-treating the alloy layer to form a thick film magnetic layer having R2TM14B phase as a main phase. In the general formula, R is at least one of rare earth elements, B is boron, TM is iron or its alloy partly substituted by cobalt. X is 0.1-0.2, Y is 0.05-0.2 and Z=1-X-Y. Further, the method of the present invention includes a step of laminating a plurality of alloy layers formed on a substrate together with the substrate. A motor comprising rare earth thick film magnet of the present invention is extremely small while obtaining high output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Fukunaga, Masaki Nakano, Fumitoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6941638
    Abstract: A method of connecting phases of a segmented stator electric machine includes providing a stator core. An end cap assembly is attached to the stator core. Winding wire is wound around the end cap assembly and the stator core to form a stator segment assembly. A plurality of the stator segment assemblies are assembled into a stator including first, second and third phases. A phase wire stitching machine is used to connect opposite ends of the winding wire of each of the stator segment assemblies to form the first, second and third phases of the stator. The phase wires can be attached to the stator segment assemblies using terminals, IDCs, hook terminals, and/or directly to the winding wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Richard E. Hartsfield, Jr., Gary E. Horst, Dennis M. Hurst, Kent A. Sheeran
  • Patent number: 6941639
    Abstract: An improved generator rotor (30) and a method of repairing an existing generator rotor (12) are disclosed. Methods consistent with the present invention provide techniques for repairing existing stress-damaged rotors (12) to remove stress-induced cracks (29), without requiring new retaining rings (16), to significantly extend the useful life of a generator without the cost and complexity of conventional repair techniques. Improved generator rotors (30) consistent with the present invention provide a tooth-top design that is more resistant to stress-induced cracking than conventional designs, resulting in new generators with longer useful lives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Jiping Zhang, Kevin Light, William Cannon Gardner, Randy Edward Whitener
  • Patent number: 6941640
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a miniature hard disc drive having a metal base plate, an actuator assembly wherein the actuator assembly comprises a plurality of bearings, a shaft, and a housing; a spindle motor assembly comprising a stator with conductors, a shaft, a plurality of bearings, and a rotor; and a monolithic body of phase change material unitizing said actuator assembly housing and stator to the base plate. Methods of developing and constructing the hard disc drive are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Encap Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Griffith D. Neal, Dennis K. Lieu
  • Patent number: 6941641
    Abstract: A method for mounting removably secured actuator arms that include head suspensions to an actuator assembly spindle. Each arm is mounted to an actuator spindle via a spacer with an annular lip with at least one detent formed into its perimeter edge. Each actuator arm includes two resilient fingers, annularly shaped to form an interior radius smaller than the spacer radius with at least one engagement member formed into a finger. Each arm is mounted by expanding the resilient fingers to a stressed state, engaging the fingers with the lip, and positioning the fingers so that each engagement member is aligned and engaged with a detent. The spacer alternatively includes a guide slot in a planar surface from which the lip extends, with the guide slot being engaged by a boss tower on the arm to properly orient the arm when mounting the arm to the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Shane J. Van Sloun
  • Patent number: 6941642
    Abstract: Disclosed is a head stack load comb used in the controlled loading of a head of a head stack assembly (HSA) onto a disk during the assembly of a disk drive. The HSA includes an actuator arm, a head, and a loading surface. The load comb includes a base structure and at least one ramp finger projecting approximately perpendicularly from the base structure. In order to load the head in a controlled manner onto the disk, the loading surface of the HSA is rotated along the ramp finger until the head is in a load position and then the base structure is actuated in a vertical direction such that the ramp finger is correspondingly actuated in the vertical direction towards the disk until the head is loaded onto the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jai N. Subrahmanyam, Serge Hauert
  • Patent number: 6941643
    Abstract: A thin film magnetic head includes a magnetic lower core layer, a magnetic upper core layer, a coil layer, for inducing a recording magnetic field in the lower core layer and the upper core layer, formed so as to go around the base of the upper core layer, and a planarizing layer formed in the periphery of the lower core layer, excluding the section exposed to the air bearing surface, so that the surface of the planarizing layer is level with the surface of the lower core layer, the coil layer being formed from on the lower core layer to on the planarizing layer. A method of producing a thin film magnetic head is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 6941644
    Abstract: A method of constructing a segmented wound member of an N phase electromechanical device comprises winding N sets of segments and combining the N sets of segments in a common circular arrangement to form the wound member. The N sets of segments are wound with a single continuous length of wire for each set. Each of the N sets of segments is wound separately from the remaining sets of segments and then combined in the common circular arrangement with the remaining sets of segments to form the wound member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vadim Shteynberg, Huck A. Willgohs
  • Patent number: 6941645
    Abstract: An automatic piston inserting equipment comprises a block positioning means for positioning a cylinder block B to a piston inserting position, a piston positioning means for moving and positioning a piston P with a connecting rod R for insertion thereof into a cylinder bore formed in the cylinder block B vertically from above, a cap positioning means for moving and positioning a connecting rod cap C to clamp it vertically from below to the connecting rod R inserted into the cylinder bore, a damp means for damping the connecting rod cap C to the connecting rod R, and a vision system. The vision system detects central position coordinates of the cylinder bore lying at the piston inserting position and central position coordinates of the piston P lying at a start-point chuck position, and on the basis of both such central position coordinates calculates a movement quantity for insertion of the piston P into the cylinder bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignees: Hirata Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Kosuge, Katsuyoshi Tachibana, Yuichiro Ueda, Takenori Hirakawa
  • Patent number: 6941646
    Abstract: A method of detecting a relative positioning error between a fiducial-mark imaging device and a substrate-holding device in an electric-component mounting system wherein the fiducial-mark imaging device is arranged to take an image of at least one substrate fiducial mark provided on a circuit substrate, and a positioning error of the circuit substrate as held by the substrate-holding device is detected on the basis of the image of the at least one substrate fiducial mark, so that an electric component is mounted by a mounting head onto the circuit substrate, so as to eliminate the positioning error of the circuit substrate, wherein the fiducial-mark imaging device is operated to take an image of at least one holding-device fiducial mark provided on the substrate-holding device, and the relative positioning error between the fiducial-mark imaging device and the substrate-holding device is detected on the basis of a positioning error of the image of the holding-device fiducial mark within an imaging area of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinsuke Suhara
  • Patent number: 6941647
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a transfer for a tray feeder comprising: a base frame; a support frame installed at both sides of the base frame; first and second linear motion guiders installed oppositely and longitudinally to the inside of the support frame and having a plurality of first and second linear motion guide rails; first and second plates installed to an upper portion of the first and second linear guides and having a cylinder block capable of supporting a side of the tray received an electronic parts and the like; and a driving unit installed to a side portion of the support frame and for making the movement of the first and second plates; wherein the first and second plates can move along the first and second guide rails, crossing with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Mirae Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Hyuk Cho, Sang Won Lee, Dong Suh Lee
  • Patent number: 6941648
    Abstract: A method for making a printed wiring board reduced in weight by reducing the size and the thickness of a substrate in its entirety. The printed wiring board includes a rigid substrate 2, comprised of a core material 11 at least one side of which carries a land 23, and flexible substrates 3, 4, 5, and 6 comprised of core materials 33, 36 on at least one surface of which a bump 32 for electrical connection to the land 38 is formed protuberantly. The rigid substrate 2 and the flexible substrates 3 to 6 are molded as one with each other, with the interposition of an adhesive in-between, so that the land and the bump face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Shimizu, Nobuo Komatsu, Soichiro Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 6941649
    Abstract: The disclosed board fabrication techniques and design features enable the construction of a reliable, high-layer-count, and economical backplane for routers and the like that require a large number of signaling paths across the backplane at speeds of 2.5 Gbps or greater, as well as distribution of significant amounts of power to router components. The disclosed techniques and features allow relatively thick (e.g., three- or four-ounce copper) power distribution planes to be combined with large numbers of high-speed signaling layers in a common backplane. Using traditional techniques, such a construction would not be possible because of the number of layers required and the thickness of the power distribution layers. The disclosed embodiments use novel layer arrangements, material selection, processing techniques, and panel features to produce the desired high-speed layers and low-noise high-power distribution layers in a single mechanically stable board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Force10 Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel R. Goergen
  • Patent number: 6941650
    Abstract: By using a method for manufacturing a dielectric laminated device, an opening is formed on a first dielectric sheet, a strip line and an input and output line including an input and output electrode are formed by burying electrode materials in said opening, the first dielectric sheet is laminated with the second and third dielectric sheets disposed above and below respectively to form a laminate, a first and second shield electrodes and a ground electrode are formed, an end of the strip line is connected to the ground electrode, the first shield electrode and the second shield electrode are mutually connected through the ground electrode, and the input and output electrode is exposed along the line direction of the strip line. By this constitution of the above dielectric laminated device, the mounting reliability of the dielectric laminated device can be further increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Nakakubo, Toshio Ishizaki, Toru Yamada, Hiroshi Kagata, Tatsuya Inoue, Shoichi Kitazawa
  • Patent number: 6941651
    Abstract: A pulley and bearing assembly and a method of inserting and fastening a bearing within a pulley having an axially extending cylindrical hub portion with an axial bore forming an inner periphery of the pulley and a pair of opposite ends, an annular belt groove portion around an outer periphery of the pulley and annular disk shaped body portion extending radially between the hub and belt groove portion, the steps comprising: clamping the pulley in a fixed axial position, providing a bearing of a slightly larger outside diameter than the inside diameter of the bore of the hub, axially aligning the bearing with the bore of the hub, applying axial pressure to one side of the bearing to move it into the bore in a force fit therewith, and applying axial pressure simultaneously to both ends of the hub to crimp the ends of the hub around the bearing near its circumference to retain the bearing within the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Mijo Radocaj
  • Patent number: 6941652
    Abstract: An expandable well screen has a desirable thin-wall construction together with a simplified fabrication method. In fabricating the screen, a flexible sheet of metal mesh filter media is diffusion bonded to an inner side of a perforated metal sheet which is then deformed to a tubular shape to form a filter structure having an outer perforated tubular shroud interiorly lined with the filter media. The tubular filter structure is telescoped onto a perforated base pipe and has its opposite ends sealingly secured thereto to complete the expandable well screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph H. Echols, Anthony D. Simone, Sam A. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 6941653
    Abstract: A refractory lining is formed in a furnace by providing a carrier for a lining form which has dimensions that provide a uniform space for the introduction of refractory material when the lining form is concentrically located within the furnace. The carrier concentrically engages and is attached to the lining form, and includes a portion that engages the furnace and locates the carrier and the lining form, when attached, concentrically within the furnace to provide a uniform space therebetween. The carrier can also have an upper surface that slopes downwardly from adjacent its center to its periphery to convey particulate refractory material poured onto the surface into the space between the lining form and the furnace. Further, a fixture is provided to hold the lining form concentric while the particulate refractory material is compacted by vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Leonid Dvoskin
  • Patent number: 6941654
    Abstract: A service body for a vehicle includes side packs, each of which is formed with a multi-panel face which includes a side panel, a front panel and a back panel. The panels of the multi-panel face are formed integral by laser cutting the face from a single sheet of metal. L-shaped compartment panels are constructed by forming a compartment divider at right angles to a recessed doorjamb. The recessed doorjambs are welded to the interior surface of the side panel. Top, back and bottom panels are welded to flanged edges of the multi-panel face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Auto Crane Company
    Inventor: Stephen D. Sears
  • Patent number: 6941655
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing sawhorses attached to a pickup truck tailgate uses brackets that fold up and down are attached to the top surface of the tailgate when the tailgate is open. The foldable portion of each bracket is raised and a 2×4 or appropriately dimensioned rail is inserted into the bracket. A portion of the rail extends beyond the back of the tailgate so boards and other construction paraphernalia may be placed on the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Robert M. Bisland
  • Patent number: 6941656
    Abstract: There are provided a spherical bearing and a method for manufacturing the same, in which both of a ball bearing section and a ball section made of metal can make light and smooth swinging and rotary motions for a long period of time without biased wear and seize-up of those members even if the solid bodies of them can contact with each other due to a discontinuous oil film under a heavy load. A resin liner that contacts the ball section of the inner member in a sliding relationship is embedded in the ball bearing section, and a resin sliding contact surface provided by the resin liner and the metal sliding surface are adjacent to each other without any gap to form a sliding contact surface at the bearing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Michioka, Junichi Kuwabara, Kunihisa Takahashi, Tomozumi Murata, Takashi Sakae, Mitsuhiro Teramachi, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Fumiaki Morita
  • Patent number: 6941657
    Abstract: A nail clipper has an operation grip part pressurizing a cutting edge that can be freely rotated with respect to the body and moved along the surface of the body, thereby allowing a user to clip his or her nails with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventors: Young-Sik Choi, Yong-Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 6941658
    Abstract: A nail clipper, of which a fixed body is operated with a lever, is folded by a board spring, and unfolding angle between the fixing body and the lever is maintained in certain angle, so that the fingernail can be cut safely, at the same time, when the present invention is not used, a putting green is renewed by a cover board, which eliminates the angle, covering the said lever that maintains the angle by board spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Kyunghan Park