Patents Issued in December 6, 2005
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Patent number: 6971294Abstract: An NC lathe performs various processing at the same time to a plurality of works. The NC lathe includes a first spindle and a second spindle, and a tool rest having tools for processing works. The tool rest is freely movable in the direction of Z1-axis and X1-axis. The second spindle is freely movable in the direction of X2-axis and Z2-axis. An NC unit controls the movement in the direction of the X1-axis and the Z1-axis of the tool rest, and controls the movement in the direction of the X2-axis and the Z2-axis of the second headstock. The NC unit superposes the movement in the direction of the X2-axis on the movement of the X1-axis of the tool rest. Furthermore, the movement of the Z2-axis is superposed on the movement in the direction of the Z1-axis of the tool rest.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2000Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Shinohara, Yuji Miyazaki
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Patent number: 6971295Abstract: A sheet delivery apparatus includes a cutter cylinder, a cutter reception cylinder, and a conveyor provided downstream of the cylinders. The cutter cylinder and the cutter reception cylinder cooperatively cut a paper web so as to yield sheets of predetermined size. The sheets are delivered by the conveyor. A dampening unit is provided upstream of a region where the cutter cylinder and the cutter reception cylinder closely face each other and in the vicinity of the paper web so as to dampen the paper web such that the surface of the paper web which will face the cutter cylinder is dampened to a greater extent than is the other surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho, Ltd.Inventor: Tsunetoshi Teshima
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Patent number: 6971296Abstract: A Venetian blind cutting machine is constructed to include a machine base, two blind locating modules mounted on the machine base at different elevations, each of which having a set of through holes for supporting component parts of a Venetian blind to be cut, a blind carriage adapted to carry the Venetian blind to be cut, a carriage for moving the blind carriage to the elevation of one of the blind locating modules for enabling the Venetian blind to be cut to be put in the selected blind locating module for cut, a cutter provided at the other side of the blind locating modules, and a cutter drive adapted to move the cutter across the imaginary axis passing through each of the through holes of the blind locating modules to cut the component parts of the loaded Venetian blind and then to return the cutter after cutting.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignees: Industrial Technology Research Institute, Nien Made Enterprise Co., LtdInventors: Jung-Kuei Lin, Kuei-Lu Liu
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Patent number: 6971297Abstract: A guard assembly for a saw or other cutting device includes fixed and movable guards relatively pivotal by way of a linkage assembly having two links pivotally interconnected coaxially with a cam roller engageable with a cam surface for controlling relative guard movement. Other preferred features include a torsional coil guard return spring and spring enclosure that minimizes interference with workpiece cutting depth, an arbor shaft cover retention fastener that doubles, along with another caliper member, as a blade caliper set that prevents guard damage in the event of a bent or deflected blade or cutter, a drive assembly hold-down assembly for storage, and a horizontally-extending handle centered horizontally relative to the blade or cutter.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Daryl S. Meredith, Scott Price, William R. Stumpf
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Patent number: 6971298Abstract: A miter saw including a base portion and a main body portion laterally tiltable and vertically pivotable. The main body portion includes a circular saw blade whose one side is provided with a power transmission mechanism. The mechanism includes a motor shaft pulley fixed to a motor shaft of a motor, a saw blade shaft extending in parallel with the motor shaft and an intermediate shaft extending in parallel with the saw blade shaft and positioned between the motor shaft and the saw blade shaft. On the saw blade shaft, a first saw blade shaft bearing, a flanged abutment portion, a gear and a second saw blade shaft bearing are arrayed in an order from the circular saw blade. On the intermediate shaft, a pinion meshedly engaged with the gear, a first intermediate shaft bearing in alignment with the second saw blade shaft bearing, an intermediate shaft pulley in alignment with the motor shaft pulley and a second intermediate shaft bearing are arrayed in this order from the circular saw blade.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2002Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeharu Ushiwata, Hideaki Terashima
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Patent number: 6971299Abstract: The subject invention concerns a general method of producing countermass weaponry and is based on the use of a high-pressure system and a low-pressure system with a countermass (12, 26, 26?, 38) acting against the low-pressure system. The high-pressure system (7, 23, 23?, 36) shall, in practice, be formed by the combustion chamber for the weapon propellant charges (8, 22, 22?, 35) while the main part of the low-pressure system (25, 25?) shall, in initial stages, be formed by the storage and acceleration chamber for the countermass. The advantage of the subject invention is that said invention offers a possibility of achieving lower pressure levels around the grunner without, for such an end, diminishing the range of the weapon (1, 13).Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: SAAB ABInventors: Arne Franzén, Lars-Ake Carlqvist, Lars Ax, Eje Lantz
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Patent number: 6971300Abstract: A reloadable launcher for use with rocket-propelled projectiles. An inner and outer tube define a concentric tube arrangement with at least one gas flow channel being defined therebetween. A ring is fixedly coupled to a first end of the outer tube that is adjacent to the breech end of the inner tube. The ring defines a keyway and an annular channel that lies between the keyway and the first end of the outer tube. A cap having a concave inner surface terminates in a peripheral edge that defines a key shaped for passage through the keyway of the ring. When the cap's key is aligned with and moved axially through the keyway, the key resides in the annular channel adjacent the first end of the outer tube. A link is hingedly coupled on one end thereof to the ring to permit the cap to be moved such that a projectile can be loaded into the inner tube from the breech end thereof. The link is also rotationally coupled to the cap's central portion such that the cap can be rotated thereabout.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: John F. Kunstmann
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Patent number: 6971301Abstract: An asymmetrical vibrator is provided, which is actuated by compressed air. The vibrator operates in a case, which has two bores disposed parallel on opposite sides of the casing. One of the bores is smaller than the second bore and the piston operating in the small bore is called the slow piston, since it is actuated with air to a relatively slow motion and the piston operating in the second larger bore is called the fast piston, since it is moves at a larger speed when driven directly by the compressed air. The asymmetric vibration motion can be employed to transport materials upwardly in factories and assembly stations. The air operated asymmetric vibrators need low maintenance and do not entail the spark dangers caused by the presence of electrical wiring for electrical drive motors.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: vibro Industries, Inc.Inventor: Leroy A. Johnson
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Patent number: 6971302Abstract: There is provided a hydraulic circuit for an option apparatus of heavy equipment using a boom confluence spool, comprising a poppet valve installed at a flow path of a supply side of a spool for the option apparatus, a boom confluence spool that controls the flow rate supplied to the option apparatus and work apparatus and is installed at a direct upstream of the spool of the option apparatus, a second electromagnetic proportion reducing valve that is installed at a flow path between the pilot pump and the boom confluence spool and outputs a secondary pressure in response to an electric signal from the controller and controls the boom confluence spool, and a first spool that is installed at a downstream of the poppet valve and is switched when a pressure difference between upstream and downstream of the boom confluence spool is larger than a set value.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden ABInventor: Jae Hoon Lee
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Patent number: 6971303Abstract: A method and an arrangement in an energy-accumulating piston-cylinder arrangement (A) has a piston/piston rod part (2), guide/end (3) and tubular casing (1). The casing (1) is provided with a fracture or sprain mark (7) in order to initiate a controlled deformation of the casing in the event of a load that produces a stress in excess of a sprain or fracture limit, or of repeated cyclical stressing that gives rise to material fatigue, so that an excess pressure in the arrangement (A) is discharged past the deformed casing.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2002Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Stromsholmen ABInventors: Marten Johansson, Per Nordvall, Krister Gustafsson
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Patent number: 6971304Abstract: A coffee making apparatus comprising a body, a cover, a T-shaped pipe and valve unit, a clamping unit resiliently secured to the cover, a rotation disc, a filter unit, a disc retainer threadedly secured to the cover, a housing fitted over the cover, and a knob rotatably fastening in the housing and the rotation disc. Placing a coffee bag in the filter unit, rotating the knob together with the rotation disc, and moving the clamping unit downward will press and fasten the coffee bag as hot water being supplied from the pipe and valve unit for mixing with the coffee bag. In the preparation process, steam accompanied hot water may flow back to a reservoir. Also, a distance between a cup of the filter unit and a base of the body is adapted to adjust by threadedly rotating the cup about a sleeve of the filter unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Uni-Splendor Corp.Inventor: Yu-Yuan Lin
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Patent number: 6971305Abstract: An assembly for generating a continuous stream of smoke for food processing such as barbecue cooking includes a reusable cartridge holder for holding upright a disposable smoke generating cartridge. The cartridge includes an outer covering enclosing a chamber. The covering includes a perforated top, a non-perforated upper portion designed to not burn during the process and a readily combustible lower portion. At the bottom of the chamber is a readily combustible tinder material that is easily set afire by the burning lower portion. The balance of the chamber is filled with wood pellets that smolder and emit desirable smoke when ignited by the tinder, the smoke passing upward through the perforated top. The convection currents produce a stream of smoke without the need for a fan. The pellets don't fall through the cartridge after the bottom portion burns away because they swell up and are held in place within the upper portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Inventor: Thomas A. Thomas
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Patent number: 6971306Abstract: A juicer has a tilting collecting dish that permits simple, loss-free pouring out of the fruit juice. It is unnecessary to remove the squeeze element with which the citrus fruit was pressed and/or the collecting container surrounding the squeeze element, from which the fruit juice drops into the collecting dish. In order to tilt the collecting dish, two opposing projections are provided on the outer side of the jacket wall thereof, which lie rotatably of pivotally in recesses on the inside of the housing wall.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Marko Areh, Peter Brezovnik, Siegmund Kramer, Stanislav Mazej, Henrik Pavlovic, Michael Steffl, Igor Zibret
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Patent number: 6971307Abstract: A guide track for a strap with which to bind a bale of bulk material. The guide track includes a convex portion and a restraining portion. Two lateral guide track halves are biased together. On their internal faces the guide track section halves have channels. The baling strap or baling wire is driven through the channels and guided around the material to be baled. The channels widen from a small diameter to a wide aperture at the receiving end of the guide track sections for receiving a lead end of a wire or strap that is propelled across a gap from a preceding guide track section. A partition is positioned within the wide aperture to provide multiple receptacles for the lead end of a wire or strap.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: L&P Property Management CompanyInventors: Barton Wade Daniel, Glenn F. Ellison
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Patent number: 6971308Abstract: Printing device for printing machines of various kind, which is made in such a way that to permit to print paper pages and sheets of any size, with a number of copies larger than those attainable with the current printing machines and with high printing accuracies. Printing device comprising a plurality of cylinders having at least a double height, including cauotchouc-covered printing cylinders (10, 11), which are magnetically attracted with each other during the printing process, thereby preventing any undesired mechanical vibration of the same cylinders, which could be prejudicial for the printing quality, and cylinder-plates (16, 17) which are attracted by the opposite printing cylinders during the printing process, and which are covered with a number of printing plates identical to the number of copies of paper pages and sheets to be printed. The invention also discloses other particular component parts of this printing device.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2002Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Meccanica MasiInventor: Masiero Severino
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Patent number: 6971309Abstract: In order to create preconditions, in a web-fed rotary press, for good format variability of the printed products and economic utilization of the printing material, at least two printed pages of different heights are arranged in the circumferential direction on a form cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Andreas Birkenfeld, Peer Dilling, Robert Kersch, Wolfgang Zeller
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Patent number: 6971310Abstract: There is described a printing unit (1) for use in an offset machine. The printing unit enables wider application of offset machines (1). This is achieved by the coating means and the water application means comprising a unit (28) consisting of a doctor blade (30) and at least one roller (29, 32) for transferring coating or water from the doctor blade (30) to the plate cylinder (15)/blanket cylinder (14) of the printing unit. The unit (28) is arranged for pivoting so that water is transferred to plate cylinder, and coating is transferred directly to the blanket cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2000Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Tresu Production A/SInventor: Henrik Christiansen
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Patent number: 6971311Abstract: A tucking device for tucking a printing plate into a gap of a plate cylinder includes a tucker bar having a tucking surface and at least one magnet for creating a repulsive magnetic force at the tucking surface. An actuator connected to the tucker bar is used for moving the tucker bar to tuck the printing plate into the gap.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.Inventors: William Albert Charette, Michael Robert Lemelin, Lev Zlatin
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Patent number: 6971312Abstract: A doctor blade device for the removal of dampening medium from a soft surface of an ink applicator roller in the inking unit of a printing machine, having at least one doctor blade placed against the surface of the roller and having an edge radius in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2001Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Wolfgang Bayer, Andreas Berchtold, Thomas Böck, Robert Konrad, Harald Lesti, Xaver Bachmeir
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Patent number: 6971313Abstract: A printer has a fluid outlet that outputs a drying fluid over at least one surface of print media after printing to dry material printed onto the media.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6971314Abstract: Mines are fabricated in the form of munitions, specifically including cartridges for firearms and several types of grenade, including both hand grenades and rocket-propelled grenades, the cartridges containing either very high energy explosives or very high temperature burning materials, that upon ignition will at least destroy the firearm in which fired or may exert lethal force against the user, while such mines in the form of grenades will explode immediately upon being activated rather than exhibit the expected time delay, both types of mines being supplied surreptitiously to an enemy force for its unknowing use, thereby to direct the lethal effect of such munitions against those enemy forces rather than the friendly forces as the enemy forces would have intended.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Inventor: Brian Maguire
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Patent number: 6971315Abstract: Currently, 9 mmĂ—19 mm caliber cartridges in the form of full-jacketed round-head bullets are used for small arms, especially for arms used by police. For safety reasons, efforts are being made to replace these bullets with a type of bullet that is prevented from passing straight through the target medium. Known deformable bullets from the prior art vary considerably in terms of the energy that they release in the target medium of density (1), especially in the human body.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2001Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: RUAG Ammotec GmbHInventors: JĂĽrgen Knappworst, Bernd Krause, Erich Muskat, Friedrich Riess, Irene Schikora
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Patent number: 6971316Abstract: A restraint for retaining a person within a seat. The restraint has a lap bar and a shoulder bar which can be independently adjusted. The lap bar can be rotated either to retain a person or to permit a person to enter or exit. Also, the lap bar can be pulled farther away or pushed closer to a person. When extended completely, the lap bar will remain locked in such position until the lap bar is rotated toward the position a person will occupy. When pushed toward a person, the lap bar cannot be pushed farther away until a rod to which the lap bar is attached is released from a lock. The shoulder retainer is attached to a similar rod which is locked in this same fashion.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2002Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Inventors: Ned R. Hansen, Quin R. Checketts, S. Rhodes Wilkinson
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Patent number: 6971317Abstract: Passenger boats are accelerated along a submerged guide rail structure that is arranged in various closed loop courses, including “Figure-Eight,” hour-glass, serpentine and oval patterns, as well as linear guide track structures that extend in parallel between a launch station and a return station. A dual “Figure-Eight” watercourse includes a simulated jump ramp and an under-ground tunnel arrangement. The launching and operating speed of each boat relative to the other is controlled so that the boats approach and pass in close proximity to each other and then recede from each other as they travel in opposite directions along adjacent guide track sections, and in passing, project water spray onto each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Inventor: Errol W. McKoy
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Patent number: 6971318Abstract: A monorail switching arrangement is disclosed for switching the travel of a vehicle to either a continued-travel monorail section or a change-of-direction switched-travel monorail section, characterized by the provision of a plurality of vertically displaceable horizontal switching wheels arranged on opposite sides of the first monorail section for displacement between upper and lower positions in alternate engagement with pairs of continued-travel and switched-travel control tracks mounted on opposite sides of the monorail, respectively. In one embodiment, the switching wheels are vertically displaceable relative to the chassis, and in a second embodiment, the chassis and the switching wheels are vertically displaceable as a unit relative to the vehicle support wheels and the monorail.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Inventor: David B. Coakley
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Patent number: 6971319Abstract: A friction wedge assembly for use in a suspension system of railroad car trucks. The friction wedge assembly comprises a cast metal wedge having a bolster engaging surface, a truck side frame engaging surface and a surface disposed between the bolster engaging surface and the truck side frame engaging surface for engaging a spring that provides the load on the friction wedge assembly. There is a metal bonding matrix disposed on the truck side frame engaging surface of the wedge and a composition liner having a first side engageable with the metal bonding matrix and a radially opposed second side for engaging a metal wear liner on a side frame of such railroad car truck.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies CorporationInventor: A. Gary Bowden
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Patent number: 6971320Abstract: A mounting pad for transporting and anchoring different sizes of electrical distribution transformers has a pad top surface with a plurality of sidewalls extending downwardly therefrom and a cellular subframework positioned below the pad top surface and within the plurality of sidewalls. The pad top surface has an access opening formed therein. A base flange extends outwardly from a bottom of the plurality of sidewalls. Forklifting slots having abutment surfaces are formed through a sidewall and into the subframework. The subframework has a plurality of ribs extending therein. Solid blocks are positioned in the subframework so as to allow the transformer to be secured thereto with helical screws.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Prolec GE, S.de R.L. de C.V.Inventors: Demófilo Maldonado-Cortés, Carlos Gaytán-Cavazos, Fernando Cerda-Rivera, Gerardo Flores-Fuentes
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Patent number: 6971321Abstract: A table includes a table top and a leg movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the table top. A support brace interconnects the leg and the table top, and a locking member is used to secure the support brace in a fixed position. The locking mechanism preferably includes a body with an outwardly extending tab that is sized and configured to lock the support brace in a fixed position when the leg is in an extended position and the locking mechanism is in a locked position. Desirably, a biasing member is used to bias the locking member into the locked position.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.Inventors: L. Curtis Strong, Ray Adams
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Patent number: 6971322Abstract: Protective enclosure having at least one anti-pry apparatus. The at least one anti-pry apparatus prevents an unauthorized operator from prying open a door panel from at least one of its sides.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation Inc.Inventors: Clay Allen DuBois, Scott Kenneth Hoelzel
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Patent number: 6971323Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste includes a vessel and AC plasma torches with a variable flame mounted with the vessel. The flames generated by the torches can be adjusted depending on the characteristics of the waste being treated. Waste can be introduced into the vessel and heated with energy from the flame. The energy can melt or vitrify the inorganic portion of the waste and gasify and dissociate the organic portion of the waste. This dissociation can destroy the hazardous or toxic constituency of the waste.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: PEAT International, Inc.Inventors: Jose A. Capote, Frank K. Menon, Joseph A. Rosin, Changjian Zhou
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Patent number: 6971324Abstract: A bulk seed handler and dispenser is provided for transporting bulk seed containers and for dispensing the seed within the containers into planting equipment. The bulk seed handler and dispenser is comprised of a trailer having a plurality of bulk seed containers mounted thereon, each of which is in communication with individual hoppers located therebelow. A discharge auger conveyor is in selective communication with each of the hoppers and is adapted to convey the seed from the hoppers through a discharge tube which is maneuvered for placement adjacent planter unit hoppers.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Inventor: Tom J. Beck
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Patent number: 6971325Abstract: A method for mending an embroidery pattern sewn on an embroidery machine controlled based on a sewing data, having the steps of determining if a sequin is dropped from the embroidery pattern. If the sequin is dropped, stopping the embroidery machine and retrieving a control signal with a supply command for the sequin from the sewing data. An embroidery frame of the embroidery machine is returned to a position prior to the retrieved control signal. The embroidery machine is restarted and a new sequin is sewn onto the dropped part of the embroidery pattern.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2005Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Kabushikikaisha BarudanInventor: Tomoyuki Inaba
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Patent number: 6971326Abstract: The invention concerns a tufting machine having at least one needlebar, loopers, hooks to pick up yarn delivered through the needles of the needlebar, knives to cut yarn loops and driving means, with the needle action and/or the looper action and/or the hook action, and/or the knife action being a non-simple harmonic motion. In said machine the needles, the hooks, the knives and the loopers have separate drive systems. So the motion of the needles, the hooks, the knives and the loopers can be such that first of all the pickup of the yarn or the cutting of the yarn loop can be improved. When the drive system is computer controlled more accurate machine set up can be achieved. Moreover different set ups can be achieved automatically for different products. Patterning effects are also possible.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2000Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Groz-Beckert KGInventors: Jonathan William Clarke, Warren John Meade
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Patent number: 6971327Abstract: A concrete module having a buoyant center core with a light weight concrete outer shell. The modules have lengthwise and width wise passages on non-common planes. The modules are connected with rods, cables or other interconnecting methods through the passages. The sides of the modules may be curved to allow the modules to fit securely together along the vertical corners in a straight line without bowing or bending. The top of the module may be constructed with reinforcing ribs for strength. The size of the modules are designed to be transported using standard hauling trucks and moved with skid loaders or fork lifts. The modules have common sizes and connecting passages between modules to make uniform modules to allow custom designed docks and other floating structures to be configured. A variety of brackets are provided for attaching other structures to the modules making up the floating structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Inventor: Jerry L. Mattson
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Patent number: 6971328Abstract: A boat including a hull having a bow, a stern and first and second sides that extend between the bow and the stern. The boat also includes an interior sidewall that extends along at least a portion of the first side of the hull. A recess structure is defined by the interior sidewall. At least one shifter is mounted at the recess structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Lund Boat CompanyInventor: Paul David Zarn
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Patent number: 6971329Abstract: A collapsible traffic control cone includes a lane marker for delineating lines of demarcation between lanes approved for traffic flow and areas where traffic is prohibited. When in use, the lane marker extends from a rotatable housing mounted on one of the cones and is releasably attached to an anchor on an adjacent cone. The lane marker is a flat, highly reflective web which lies flat on the roadway between the cones. In the event of a cone being tipped over from its base or when not in use, the lane marker retracts into its housing. A light responsive to oncoming traffic is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Inventor: Robin Hardie Stewart
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Patent number: 6971330Abstract: Method of somatic cell count in milk from animals, and an apparatus therefore enabling individual somatic cell count for milk from each teat, i.e. udder quarter, by connecting a teatcup to a first teat, taking a sample of the total milk for the first teat when the flow of milk from the first teat exceeds a predefined value, connecting a the to at least one further teat, taking a sample of the total milk for said first and at least one further teat when the flow of milk from the first and further teats exceeds a predefined value, and calculating the estimated somatic cell count (SCC2, SCC3, SCC4) for the milk from the further teats.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: DeLaval Holding ABInventor: Jan Ove Nilsson
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Patent number: 6971331Abstract: A water dispensing device, an associated kit and a method of using same are disclosed for use in hydrating a pet such as a dog or cat. The water dispensing device includes a base unit slidably attached to a storage vessel. The base unit includes the interconnected constituents of a housing; a frame wall; and a door. The storage vessel includes the interconnected constituents of a flip top; a hollow body; and a hollow outlet port. The kit includes the unattached elements of the device. The method of using same includes the steps of adjoining, affixing, closing, grabbing, joining, letting, obtaining, opening, plugging, pouring, pushing, and releasing.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Inventor: Michael W. Rohrer
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Patent number: 6971332Abstract: Birdcage attachments are mountable to a birdcage and present a bird with a variety of interesting and challenging activities. The toy attachments encourage birds to learn by experimenting. As a bird manipulates some parts of the toy attachments, the bird will discover that the parts may be put into different positions and remain there until deciding to move them again. In most cases, the parts will not automatically return to their original state or position if the bird stops playing, challenging a bird even more to return the toy to its original state.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: JW Pet Company, Inc.Inventors: Klaus Woltmann, Jonathan Willinger
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Patent number: 6971333Abstract: An animal kennel includes a top unit and a bottom unit and a divider unit. The divider unit includes two spring-biased support pins that are each accommodated in holes defined in the top unit and in the bottom unit when the kennel is in use. The holes are all spaced apart from each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the top and bottom units so the divider unit defines differently sized spaces when it is supported in different holes. The divider unit also includes an open mesh body so the animal has a large open space in which to reside even though the actual space is restricted.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2005Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Inventor: Chad E. Hearrell
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Patent number: 6971334Abstract: A dog leash that includes a handle, an elastic strap portion, an inelastic strap portion, and means for attaching either the elastic portion or inelastic portion to a dog collar. The elastic and inelastic portions are connected to each other by either a releasable buckle or a non-releasable buckle. A releasable inelastic locking strap assembly can be attached to the same members to which the elastic strap is attached to provide a leash with both a stretchable mode and a non-stretchable mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Inventors: William C. Livesay, Arthur Villums
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Patent number: 6971335Abstract: A water heater is provided in which neutralization process of drain is not required and an excellent heat efficiency is achieved. A route of exhaust gas which is passing through the main heat exchanger 18 is divided into a first exhaust gas chamber 23 having a secondary heat exchanger 19 and a second exhaust gas chamber 24 having a drain evaporator. Because of this, hot exhaust gas which is passing through only the main heat exchanger 18 flows into both the secondary heat exchanger 19 and the drain evaporator 100. Therefore, in the secondary heat exchanger 19 exhaust gas heat can be efficiently recovered by utilizing the hot exhaust gas, and in the drain evaporator 100 drain can be evaporated efficiently by utilizing the hot exhaust gas.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Paloma Industries, LimitedInventors: Toshihiro Kobayashi, Tomohiro Ichikawa
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Patent number: 6971336Abstract: A firetube boiler furnace having two combustion sections and an in-line intermediate tubular heat transfer section between the two combustion sections and integral to the pressure vessel. This design provides a staged oxidant combustion apparatus with separate in-line combustion chambers for fuel-rich primary combustion and fuel-lean secondary combustion and sufficient cooling of the combustion products from the primary combustion such that when the secondary combustion oxidant is added in the secondary combustion stage, the NOx formation is less than 5 ppmv at 3% O2.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2005Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Gas Technology InstituteInventors: Dennis A. Chojnacki, Iosif K. Rabovitser, Richard A. Knight, David F. Cygan, Jacob Korenberg
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Patent number: 6971337Abstract: An emissions control system for the after treatment of a fuel combustion process exhaust stream includes an exhaust passageway. The exhaust passageway allows for passage of an exhaust stream containing exhaust byproducts from the combustion of a fuel that includes a manganese compound. The exhaust stream includes a manganese compound which complexes with at least one of the exhaust byproducts.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2002Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Ethyl CorporationInventors: Gregory H. Guinther, Joseph W. Roos, David M. Human, Scott D. Schwab
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Patent number: 6971338Abstract: An engine is operated in accordance with a plurality of operation modes obtained by combining one of a 4-cycle mode and a 2-cycle mode with one of a combustion ignition control where an ignition is performed with an ignition unit and a self ignition priority control including the ignition performed without the ignition unit. Upon switching of the operation mode, a transition cycle is performed once between a first operation mode before switching of the operation mode and a second operation mode after switching of the operation mode. Timing for operating an intake valve or an exhaust valve in the transition cycle is different from that in the second operation mode. The combustion ignition control is executed in one of the combustion chambers where the single operation of the transition cycle is completed until a single cycle of each transient cycle in the rest of the combustion chambers is terminated.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tatsuo Kobayashi, Shouji Katsumata
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Patent number: 6971339Abstract: A method for controlling a servo for an actuator that applies a force to a piston that reciprocates in a cylinder of a free piston engine having axially-aligned cylinders and a pair of mutually connected pistons that reciprocate in the cylinders. The servo has a first state at which an energy source is connected to the actuator for developing the actuating force. The length of a response period for the actuator force to reach a desired magnitude after applying a control signal to the servo is determined. The length of a period for the piston to reach a desired position where the actuator force will reach the desired magnitude is determined. The servo is switched to the first state when the length of time for the piston to move from its current position to the desired position reaches the length of the response period.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Hendrikus Janssen
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Patent number: 6971340Abstract: A method for starting an engine uses an actuator, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic pump-motor or an electric linear alternator-starter to move the pistons to a position where the inlet ports are opened. This ensures that air is present in the cylinder in a space where fuel will be admitted and combustion will occur. This strategy compresses, with a minimum actuator capacity, such air to a state that the pressure and temperature satisfy the ignition requirements. The air stores kinetic energy of the moving pistons that partially form the air spring force of the opposite cylinder and partially from the actuator. Accumulation, cycle by cycle, of this stored energy accelerates the piston motion, increases the piston displacement, and increases the compression ratio. The cylinder pressure and temperature increas cycle by cycle until the fuel ignition conditions are satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Lixin Peng, Jing Ping Liu, Wang Yanmin
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Patent number: 6971341Abstract: A free piston engine is configured with a pair of opposed engine cylinders located on opposite sides of a fluid pumping assembly. An inner piston assembly includes a pair of inner pistons, one each operatively located in a respective one of the engine cylinders, with a push rod connected between the inner pistons. The push rod extends through an inner pumping chamber in the fluid pumping assembly and forms a fluid plunger within this chamber. An outer piston assembly includes a pair of pistons, one each operatively located in a respective one of the engine cylinders, with at least one pull rod connected between the outer pistons. The pull rod extends through an outer pumping chamber in the fluid pumping assembly and forms a fluid plunger within this chamber. The movement of the inner and outer piston assemblies during engine operation will cause the fluid plungers to pump fluid from a low pressure container into a high pressure chamber as a means of storing the energy output from the engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Fuqua, Peter Hofbauer
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Patent number: 6971342Abstract: Apparatus is provided for adjusting a compression ratio of an engine having a crankshaft, a plurality of combustion cylinders, a moveable piston disposed within each combustion cylinder, and rods connecting each piston of the crankshaft. The apparatus generally includes a plurality of bearings surrounding a crankshaft at each main bearing with each bearing having an offset bore therethrough supporting the crankshaft. Rotational displacement of the bearings causes off axis displacement of the crankshaft along the longitudinal axes of the rods, thus raising and lowering the scope of movement of each piston and thereby increasing and decreasing the compression ratio without changing piston stroke. Rotational displacement of the bearings may be provided through an actuator interconnected to a throttle linkage.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2005Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Inventor: Wallace W. Grabbe
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Patent number: 6971343Abstract: Burned gas discharged from an exhaust stroke side preceding cylinder of a pair of cylinders having an overlapping exhaust stroke and intake stroke is introduced as is into an intake stroke side following cylinder through an intercylinder gas channel, and only the gas which is discharged from the following cylinder is led into an exhaust passage. Particularly during low loads and idling, combustion is performed in the preceding cylinder at an ultra-lean air-fuel ratio of at least three times the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, and in the following cylinder, combustion is performed by spark ignition at a substantially stoichiometric air-fuel ratio by feeding fuel to the burned gas introduced from the preceding cylinder. In the following cylinder, combustion is performed through compression ignition in accordance with increases in the load.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Mitsuo Hitomi, Kouji Sumida, Takayoshi Hayashi