Patents Issued in December 27, 2005
  • Patent number: 6979023
    Abstract: A pound or number sign shaped (#-shaped) die cast sub-frame includes first and second horizontal members and first and second vertical members. The sub-frame has four arm mounting portions provided at four corners thereof, respectively. The arm mounting portion is a die cast part obtained near a communication portion of a runner formed in a die casting machine. Generally triangular bulged portions are formed at junction portions where the first horizontal member meets the first and second vertical members. Each junction portion has increased width. The junction portion is a die cast obtained within a cavity of increased width of the die casting machine. The bulged portion is pierced to provide a hole. The bulged portion having the hole formed therein is to be mounted to a small vehicle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Mikasa, Tsutomu Ogawa, Nobuo Kubo, Fumiaki Fukuchi, Haruyuki Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 6979024
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises vehicle seat belt webbing (18), a cylinder (50), and a piston (60) movable in the cylinder to effect pretensioning of the seat belt webbing. The apparatus also comprises a fluid source (10) for providing fluid under pressure to move the piston (60) in the cylinder (50). The fluid source (10) comprises a propellant container (122) defining a propellant chamber (123) and a propellant (82) in the propellant chamber. The propellant (82) is ignitable to produce fluid under pressure. The propellant container (122) comprises a first portion (124) made from plastic and a second portion (126) made from metal. The metal portion (126) is secured to the plastic portion (124) to effect a hermetic seal of the propellant container (122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Clare R. Cunningham, Brian R. Pitstick, Bryan W. Shirk, Kevin S. Countryman
  • Patent number: 6979025
    Abstract: A metal pipeline section that has a metal flange at one end is lined with a plastic liner such that some of the liner extends beyond the flange end of the pipeline section. An annular plastic member is electrofusion joined onto the outside of the portion of plastic liner which extends beyond the flange end of the pipeline section and any liner extending beyond the annular plastic member is trimmed off to make the liner flush with the annular plastic member. The annular plastic member is then positioned adjacent the annular plastic member of another similarly prepared pipeline section and a containment ring is secured around them to restrain any outward movement of the annular plastic members when the pipeline is in use. The metal flanges are secured to each other such that the annular plastic members are compressed between them to prevent leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Lattice Intellectual Property Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert John Conder, Zahid Ahmed Shah
  • Patent number: 6979026
    Abstract: The connector clip for verifying complete connection includes a connection verifying portion, more specifically, a pair of restraining portions having an assistance structure to certainly detect incomplete connection between the connector and the pipe. The assistance structure may be constructed so as to remove a sealing property between the connector and the pipe in incomplete connection relation with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Kasahara, Tomoki Inoue
  • Patent number: 6979027
    Abstract: A toilet carrier for supporting a wall-hung toilet can include a smooth pipe nipple that attaches a toilet to a waste pipe. A seal can be formed with the pipe nipple at the waste pipe end using a gasket compression seal, where a gasket is compressed between two opposing flanges encircling the pipe nipple, forcing a seal to be formed with the pipe nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Watts Regulator Co.
    Inventors: Roy Hetzler, Bushra Awad Ghaly
  • Patent number: 6979028
    Abstract: A pipe joint is made up of a hollow cylindrical joint body made of an elastic material with a prescribed length, a circular flange embedded into each of the ends of the joint body, through holes provided axially at prescribed intervals in the direction of the circumference of the flanges and the joint body, and both flanges connected to the joint body with a connecting appliance penetrating into these through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Tozen Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Muroi, Tateyuki Kuwata, Mitsuhiro Oyama
  • Patent number: 6979029
    Abstract: A lock includes a main body having an outside seat and an inside seat around which an inside rose liner is mounted. A peripheral wall delimiting a central hole of the inside rose liner includes at least one pair of notches. A reinforcing ring is mounted round the inside seat and inside the inside rose liner. The reinforcing ring includes two tabs each having a distal end received in a respective groove of the inside seat, preventing relative rotation between the reinforcing ring and the main body. Two positioning posts extend from an outside rose liner mounted around the outside seat. Two fasteners extend through the reinforcing ring and the inside rose liner into screw holes of the positioning posts, thereby securing the reinforcing ring, the inside rose liner, and the outside rose liner together. The torque-resisting capacity is thus improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Mu-Lin Shen
  • Patent number: 6979030
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf car bumper assembly which is mounted on a front axle of a golf car in order to reduce extensive damage to the body of the golf car in the event of a collision, comprising a bumper beam having a first end and a second end, a front surface and a back surface, and extending in a longitudinal direction, a pair of bumper guards, each having depending ends, a pair of mounting plates, a pair of bumper brackets, and at least two fasteners. Also provided is a kit comprised of the separate components of the bumper assembly and a method for attaching the bumper assembly components on the front axle of a golf car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Hud-Marsh Golf Products
    Inventor: James Hudson
  • Patent number: 6979031
    Abstract: A portable device for holding a liquid container, comprising a substantially rigid vertical handle manually graspable by a user, a substantially rigid top container gripping member extending horizontally from the upper end of the vertical handle, a substantially rigid bottom container gripping member or base member extending horizontally from the lower end of the vertical handle, and an attachable container gripping member to provide additional support, if desired, wherein the top container gripping member, the bottom container gripping member or base container holding member and the attachable container gripping member are identically oriented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: Benedict Coppotelli, Staci Joi Coppotelli
  • Patent number: 6979032
    Abstract: A vacuum pick-up device includes a vacuum supply valve mounted to a distribution manifold to which a plurality of suction cups is attached. The vacuum supply valve is operational to control the vacuum pressure supplied to the suction cups of the device. The vacuum pick-up device further includes a detection device that controls the vacuum supply valve by detecting the selective presence of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Eduard Hendrikus Johannes Damhuis
  • Patent number: 6979033
    Abstract: An upper imperforate cap closes the uppermost end of a bailer and a lower imperforate cap closes the lowermost end of the bailer. In a preferred embodiment, screwthreads are formed in the uppermost and lowermost ends of the bailer and complemental screwthreads are formed in the upper and lower caps. By capping the opposite ends of a bailer, the bailer serves as its own container when the sample contained within it is shipped to a laboratory. This eliminates VOC devices, nozzles, and the concomitant contamination that may result from emptying a bailer in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: David W. Pratt
  • Patent number: 6979034
    Abstract: A two sided wafer handling end-effector provides for the efficient loading and unloading of wafers into and out of a wafer processing apparatus. Each side of the end-effector includes spaced apart rotatable catch mechanisms between which a wafer is firmly grasped. When the end-effector is positioned beneath the wafer processing apparatus the catch mechanisms are rotated to an open position and a lifting surface on the catch mechanisms lifts the wafer into the wafer processing apparatus. When the catch mechanisms are in the open position the wafer is centered on the end-effector by rotatable rocker assemblies that contact the edge of the wafer. As the end-effector is raised into contact with the processing apparatus, the rocker assemblies rotate to a lowered position in the end-effector while arcuate surfaces on the assemblies maintain contact with the wafer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: SpeedFam IPEC Corporation
    Inventors: Randy McNurlin, Mark Maggio, Michael Smigel, Ann Wilkey, James L. Farmer, Shawn Robertson
  • Patent number: 6979035
    Abstract: An apparatus designed to assist the manual transportation of large, heavy or unwieldy articles. The preferred embodiment is an economically-designed mattress caddy fabricated of a variety of strong light-weight materials (e.g. nylon, aluminum) to provide functionality and durability. The main components of the present invention include a support strap, with handles formed at each end, and two cradle assemblies. To transport a mattress, the apparatus is first laid out lengthwise, with the cradle assemblies positioned open-end-up, to facilitate the loading of the mattress. The cradle assemblies are then positioned along the strap at intervals. A long edge of the mattress is then placed into each of the cradle assemblies. Each individual then grasps a handle with one hand, places his/her other hand on opposite surfaces of the vertically-oriented mattress to balance the load, and lifts the mattress off of the ground/floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth Wayne Freeland
  • Patent number: 6979036
    Abstract: A frame which may be spanned by a panel for mounting by an adhesive or magnetically to the roof of a automotive vehicle to simulate a sunroof and thereby enhance the value and appearance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Andrew Poulos
  • Patent number: 6979037
    Abstract: Described is a cargo apparatus (10) including a base (16) having at least one end (30) and at least one side (28), with the at least one end having at least one laterally inside post (20) extending therefrom, and with the at least one side having at least one laterally outside post (18) extending therefrom. At least one end bracket (24) and at least one side bracket (22) are pivotably and translatably mounted to the base, wherein the brackets each have at least one support leg (38, 44) with a mounting end (42, 48). The mounting end pivotably mounts to its respective post on the base between open and closed positions and also translatably mounts to its respective post between an unlocked position distal the post and a locked position proximal the post, whereby the apparatus is collapsible to a closed portable position, and is foldable to a sturdy, open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Robert P. Morrison
  • Patent number: 6979038
    Abstract: A video monitor includes a display housing which is carried in a stowage recess of an overhead console. A broad rectangular leaf of a hinge assembly is pivotally mounted at one of its ends to the console and is pivotally mounted at its opposite end to a rear casing of the display housing at the approximate mid-height of the housing. The leaf is configured to lie within a recess formed in the rear casing of the display housing when the housing is stowed, overlying ventilation ports in the rear casing. To deploy the display housing in a viewing position, the leaf is rotated about a console pivot and the display housing is rotated relative to the leaf about a housing pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: KTV USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Min Cho, Suk Chae Son
  • Patent number: 6979039
    Abstract: This invention relates to a windshield unit for a motorcycle which is capable of reducing hissing noises of wind and improving performance of discharging water without detracting from the motorcycle's appearance while eliminating wind buffeting. The windshield unit includes a wind screen which shields running wind on a cowl disposed on a front portion of the motorcycle body, an air inlet port which guides the running wind to the back side of the wind screen, and an air guide plate which guides air upward and backward from the air inlet port, a step portion with a step on a top surface of the air guide plate that is directed backward and downward to form a drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroo Takemura, Noriko Yoshimura, Masato Nagata, Toshikazu Saito
  • Patent number: 6979040
    Abstract: A weather guard for an open-sided golf cart or similar vehicle. The weather guard may include a roller mount, and an elongated roller rotatably mounted to the roller mount, the roller defining a roller axis. A transparent, flexible curtain may be secured to the roller. A support may be attached to the roller mount, such that the support attaches the weather guard to a vehicle, with the support extending from the mount generally perpendicular to the roller axis and includes a hook formation designed to hook at least partially around a roof support of the vehicle. At least one guard fastening mechanism may be attached to the roller mount for attaching the weather guard to the vehicle, the guard fastening mechanism being designed to extend through a grab handle provided on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Richard Clinton Brewer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6979041
    Abstract: A molding for a window or windshield is described. The molding includes a channel for engaging a window or windshield. The molding includes a window or windshield contact portion that forms a portion of the channel and is made from a material having a greater elasticity than other parts of the molding. The molding reduces or eliminates visual flaws that may be encountered when a window or windshield is installed in an opening of a structure exposed to varying environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: REHAU Incorporated
    Inventors: Frederick May, Gennadiy Mesh
  • Patent number: 6979042
    Abstract: There is provided an automotive sun visor device in which an opening 2b of a sunroof 4 is formed in a front portion of a roof panel 2 constituting the upper part of a vehicle body 1, a slide member 17c slidable in the longitudinal direction is provided on the cabin inside of the sunroof 4 in which the opening 2b is covered by an extending portion 5a of a windshield glass 5, and a sun visor body 16 for blocking bright sunlight coming from the front is installed to the slide member 17c so as to be turnable in the up-and-down direction. When the sun visor body 16 is not in use, the sun visor body 16 is moved to the rear of the sunroof 4, by which the sunroof 4 is not closed by the sun visor body 16. Therefore, a large open space can be obtained in front of the head of passenger, especially, on the front seat, and thereby the comfort in the cabin is enhanced significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Kasai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teruo Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 6979043
    Abstract: A resilient torque absorber is placed between a roll bar and a U-joint of roll bar mechanism such as that used in roll-tarp covers for truck trailers. The absorber allows more precise adjustment of tightness and helps prevent accidents caused by over-tightening of tarps or by tarps loosening during load settling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: Henry G. Leischner, Patrick R. Cagle
  • Patent number: 6979044
    Abstract: An improved canopy assembly for a rearwardly extending protective canopy for a motorized golf cart of the type having a top covering the passenger seating area and an uncovered bag storage area located rearward of the seating area. The canopy assembly may be extended where the protective canopy substantially covers the cart's golf bag storage area protecting the bags from rainfall. The canopy assembly may be folded where the protective canopy is moved out of the way allowing golf clubs to be removed from the golf bags without hitting the canopy assembly. In an embodiment of the present invention, the canopy includes a releasable fastener for allowing the upper front edge of the canopy to be attached to the lower bottom edge to retain the canopy in the folded position. A protective flap is used to cover the folded canopy, protecting it from weathering elements when it is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Stephen Edward Tyrer
  • Patent number: 6979045
    Abstract: The present invention is a window system for convertible motor vehicles that incorporates the use of woven fabric made from vinyl coated polyester yarn in such a way that it (1) reduces the “greenhouse effect” that occurs when the soft-covering system is on the vehicle, whether the window is open or not, (2) reduces the harmful unwanted effects the sun can have on the driver, the passengers and the interior of the passenger compartment, (3) reduces the airflow that occurs when the vehicle is driven with one or more flexible windows down, (4) makes it more difficult for a passerby to see into the passenger compartment, while still allowing an occupant to see the outside from inside the passenger compartment and (5) protects the flexible window from being scratched or otherwise damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Edwin Evans
  • Patent number: 6979046
    Abstract: A two-way opening side door structure of a vehicle of which side openings are covered by a front door and a rear door includes a door hinge located at a front end of the front door for swingably supporting the front door, a door hinge located at a rear end of the rear door for swingably supporting the rear door, and an assisting device including a door checker for assisting a vehicle occupant in closing the rear door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Moriyama, Minoru Matsui, Naoki Yamada, Hironobu Yonezawa, Seishi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6979047
    Abstract: A door module assembly for a motor vehicle door has a plate-like carrier holding a plurality of door hardware components in a pre-configured orientation, including one or more window regulator rails. The carrier seals the motor vehicle door and includes a flap that provides at least partial access to the window regulator rails. A first trim panel is pre-fixed to the carrier. A second trim panel articulates with respect to the first trim panel between an initial position generally parallel to the first trim panel and an installed position generally in-line with the first trim panel. With the carrier storing substantially all of the hardware required for the door and the trim panels covering substantially the entire surface area of the door, handling and assembly operations are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Jih Cheng Lin, Dennis John Buening, Radoslav Bokun, Manfred Fritsch, David J. Krysiak, Daniel E. Wenglinski, Juliusz Kirejczyk, Luc R. Regnier, David Legault, Douglas G. Broadhead
  • Patent number: 6979048
    Abstract: There is provided a car door structure which comprises an interior door trim 52 at an interior side of a door inner panel 11, and a noise isolation sheet 20 which is installed between the door inner panel 11 and the door trim 52, covering the door inner panel 11 partially or wholly. The edge portion of the noise isolation sheet 20 is nipped by a nip portion 40. The nip portion 40 is formed with portions of the door inner panel 11 and the door trim 52 by making the portions come closer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignees: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masami Isobe, Shinichiro Emori
  • Patent number: 6979049
    Abstract: An aerodynamic base drag reduction apparatus and method for bluff bodies, such as tractor-trailer trucks, utilizing a pair of lift surfaces extending to lift surface tips and located alongside the bluff body such as on opposing left and right side surfaces. In a flowstream substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the bluff body, the pair of lift surfaces generate a pair of counter-rotating trailing vortices which confluence together in the wake of the bluff body in a direction orthogonal to the flowstream. The confluence draws or otherwise turns the flowstream, such as the flowstream passing over a top surface of the bluff body, in and around behind a trailing end of the bluff body to raise the pressure on a base surface at the trailing end and thereby reduce the aerodynamic base drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jason M. Ortega, Kambiz Sabari
  • Patent number: 6979050
    Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6979051
    Abstract: A cargo trailer includes a floor and a side wall extending vertically upward from a side edge of the floor. The side wall includes a plurality of generally vertical posts. Each post defines an interior surface disposed in a generally common plane and a recessed portion. A scuff band is received within the recessed portions so that at least a portion of the scuff band is outward of the common plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Great Dane Limited Partnership
    Inventors: John M. Jones, Robert H. Belew, Jr., Eric C. D'Angelo, Daniel J. McCormack, William C. Atkins
  • Patent number: 6979052
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing bracket is disclosed for use in a vehicle to absorb the impact of a vehicle occupant with an interior surface of the vehicle such as a vehicular pillar, an interior trim panel, and other potential areas of contact. The brackets of the invention generally include an anchor plate configured to allow attachment of the bracket to a surface, an extension arm extending from the anchor plate; and a support foot linked to the extension arm. The energy-absorbing brackets of the invention are generally incompletely tubular in nature, and configured to deform when impacted to dissipate impact energy and assume a configuration adapted to absorb additional impact energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Hess, Kurt Kottke, Corey Farnsworth, Thomas C. Burton, Jesse Crookston
  • Patent number: 6979053
    Abstract: The reinforcement structure for a front-end module carrier is the reinforcement structure comprises an upper member installed with a hood latch, a vertical member connected to a middle portion of the upper member so as to support the upper member, and a lower member fixed to a lower portion of the vertical member, the lower member having a downwardly dented concave shape. According to the present invention, when an automobile is in motion, by virtue of the use of the lower member formed so as to have the downwardly dented concave shape, it is possible to easily distribute a vertical upward load generated when the hood latch is liable to be raised upward by wind resistance, resulting in the prevention of deformation of the lower member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mycong-ki Kim
  • Patent number: 6979054
    Abstract: Rocker panel/clip house combination is shown wherein a first support member of the clip house is connected to the rocker panel (205) at a first junction that is located between the top surface (220) of the part and a depending side surface. A second support member of the clip house is attached to a second juncture of the part that is located between the side surface and an underside surface of the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Green Tokai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yamamoto, Renji Maki
  • Patent number: 6979055
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an aesthetically improved lateral part of a sunroof for a vehicle configured to conceal an opening/closing mechanism from inside a vehicle to improve the external appearance and marketability. The invention is constructed so not to change prior-installed parts and designs. The sunroof comprises a guide rail frame mounted between a roof panel and a head liner, an opening/closing mechanism mounted at both lateral surfaces of the guide rail frame, a panel support rail for being opened and closed by the opening/closing mechanism, and a decoration cover coupled to a lateral surface of the support rail and for concealing the opening/closing mechanism. The decoration cover is formed in a predetermined length for coupling to a lateral surface of the glass support rail and has a predetermined height for concealing the opening/closing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jeong-Hoon Park
  • Patent number: 6979056
    Abstract: The folding chair with a movable shade includes a back support frame and a flexible back support, a seat support frame and a flexible seat and a cross frame member pivotally mounted between the back frame and the seat support frame to provide an angular seating position for the user. A shade member includes a shade frame and a shade element. The shade member is pivotally mounted to a top portion of the back support frame. A control member coupled either to the shade frame or the back support frame establishes the angular shade position of the shade with respect to the back support and the seat support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: JGR Copa, LLC
    Inventor: Jacob Goldszer
  • Patent number: 6979057
    Abstract: An infant car seat is provided, including a car seat, a car seat base, and a mechanism for connecting the seat to the base. With the car seat base secured to a vehicle seat, the car seat can be conveniently connected to the base to safely transport an infant. The connection and release mechanisms between the car seat and the base are durable and easy to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Baby Trend, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Sedlack
  • Patent number: 6979058
    Abstract: A leg support accessory releasibly interactive with a hospital shower room chair is provided as an integral structure fabricated of PVC pipe and fitting components. The accessory includes an elongated leg rest section adapted to extend horizontally forward of the seat of the chair. An upper support member extends upwardly from the leg rest section and rearwardly to engage a front leg of the chair. A lower support member extends downwardly from the leg rest section to engage a crossbar that extends horizontally between the front legs of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: William A. Beaty
  • Patent number: 6979059
    Abstract: A rocking chair has a flexible joint between a chair base and a chair component permitting rocking action. The flexible joint includes a housing with a plurality of internal surfaces. A plurality of compressible rods are disposed within the housing and a rigid member extends among the rods to engage the rods against the internal surfaces of the housing. The rigid member is attached to either the chair base or the chair component while the housing is then attached to either the chair base or the chair component whichever is not attached to the rigid member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: HC Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Curtis Conlin
  • Patent number: 6979060
    Abstract: A balance weight comprising a cartridge having at least one interior chamber, the interior chamber at least partially filled with a flowable balance media, and wherein the cartridge is longitudinally arcuate, at least when attached to a wheel, about an angle of up to 180 degrees or less. The balance weight provides a balanced tire in the new or just balanced condition and helps retain the balance under changes in at least one operational characteristic of the tire/wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: Robert D. Fogal, Sr., Robert D. Fogal, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6979061
    Abstract: A method of setting an electropneumatic brake device on a rail car to a mode of operation includes applying a wake-up voltage on a trainline to each brake device connected to the trainline. A command signal is sent to each brake device to enter a requested mode of operation. An acknowledgement signal is received from each of the brake devices on the trainline, and a command signal is sent to each brake device to stop broadcasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony W. Lumbis, Gary S. Newton, Bryan M. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 6979062
    Abstract: A brake system and a brake device for use with automobiles is provided in which braking energy stored in an auxiliary pressure source can be effectively used for braking, even if an electrical system fails. The vehicle brake system includes a proportional pressure control valve for generating braking liquid pressure by adjusting the braking energy stored in the auxiliary pressure source. A passage transmits the liquid pressure generated by a brake pedal stroke, a switching valve opens the passage in the powered condition and closes the passage in the off-powered condition, and an auxiliary control portion activates the proportional pressure control valve. Even in the off-powered condition, the high pressure accumulated in the auxiliary pressure source can be used to adjust the required braking liquid pressure at the proportional pressure control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Yoshino, Hideaki Higashimura, Makoto Nishikimi, Keita Nakano, Yoichi Miyawaki
  • Patent number: 6979063
    Abstract: In brake liquid pressure control unit for an on-vehicle device and its manufacturing method, a lid member constituting at least one reservoir together with a cylindrically shaped hole is formed substantially in a bell shape, the lid member comprising a cylindrical wall projected externally from one of four base surfaces expect mutually opposing first and second base surface of a base block of a rectangular parallelopiped on which the cylindrically shaped hole is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Ohishi, Hikaru Morita, Chiharu Nakazawa, Daisuke Hiwatashi
  • Patent number: 6979064
    Abstract: A drawer interlock mechanism comprises a fixation base, an axial cam, two braking slides and a guiding switch. The axial cam is put into a holding groove of the fixation base, so a big column and a small column are respectively placed into the position-limiting groove on top surface of the holding groove. The two braking slides are put in a slide groove of the fixation base, so when the axial cam rotates 90 degrees, its moving and stopping blocks move the two braking slides outward. The guiding switch is locked with the slide at the front. Its side has a guiding groove and a curved groove, which correspondingly match the big column and the small column, so they move according to the path lead by the curved slide groove and the guiding slide groove and the axial cam can rotate 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Nan Juen International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: I-Hsiang Chiu
  • Patent number: 6979065
    Abstract: A coupling device for a damping element integrated in a pull-out slide set whereby both a damping device (7) and a coupling device (6) are located between the firmly fixed cabinet rail (2) and the linear-movable drawer rail (5) so that the damping device (7) has at least one cylinder (8) and in it, at least one damped linear-movable piston rod (9) and the damping device (7) is connected by one of its clamping components (8 or 9) with one of the rails (2 or 5) and by its other respective damping part (9 or 8) via the coupling device (6) with the other respective rail (5 or 2), can be coupled at times during the closing and opening of the drawer. The advantage is that less manual force is needed for pulling the movable cabinet component out. Also, it can be more easily adjusted and ensures a longer life span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Grass GmbH
    Inventor: Remo Egger
  • Patent number: 6979066
    Abstract: A rail assembly for furniture has a stationary track, an internal track, a sliding frame, a latch bracket and a resilient latch. The sliding frame has a latch tab, and a guiding block with an inclined face is mounted on the latch tab. With the arrangement of the guiding block, the rail assembly can be assembled and reassembled easily and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Jun-Long Yang
  • Patent number: 6979067
    Abstract: A drawer slide (12) has a chassis member (14), an intermediate member (16) and a rack member (18). An emboss (162) is formed into the rack member (18). A lock member (158) has a tab (160) which extends through a window (164) in the intermediate member (16) for engaging the emboss (162). A slot (166) is formed into the lock member (158) for receiving a fastener (168) to slidably secure the lock member (158) to the intermediate member (16). The slot (166) and the window (164) are configured for receiving the fastener (168) and the tab (160), respectively, such that the lock member (158) is lineally moveable relative to the intermediate member (16). A torsion spring (172) biases the lock member (158) to engage the emboss (162). The chassis member (14) is moved rearward and engages the lock member (158) to move the tab (160) aside of the emboss (162).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Central Industrial Supply Company
    Inventor: Wenming Yang
  • Patent number: 6979068
    Abstract: A printing apparatus which performs printing using a printhead having plural printing elements. Print data corresponding to a defective nozzle is added to print data corresponding to an adjacent normal nozzle, then the print data corresponding to the defective nozzle is masked, and printing is performed based on the print data corresponding to the normal nozzle as a result of addition and the masked print data corresponding to the defective nozzle. An image printing operation is performed by preferably 1-path printing. Further, preferably, the print data corresponding to the defective nozzle is sequentially distributed between data corresponding to two adjacent normal nozzles. Otherwise, on/off states of the data corresponding to the two adjacent normal nozzles are detected then the print data corresponding to the defective nozzle is distributed based on the result of detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daigoro Kanematsu
  • Patent number: 6979069
    Abstract: There is provided a color conversion processing method and the like, which are capable of performing a data processing for images with a common processing system independently of a printer and also capable of performing a flexible alteration of the processing method, even if it is concerned with the printer restricted in the above-mentioned matter. In the event that there is a restriction on a total value of the respective values of CMYK on one pixel for instance, for a respective printer, image data is converted into image data suitable for the printer involved in the restriction. Processing in a printer conversion processing section, which is hitherto performed by the hardware operating processing, is implemented in form of a profile (referred to as a printer processing conversion profile). The printing profile and the printer profile are combined with the printer processing conversion profile to create a combined profile. The color conversion processing is performed in accordance with the combined profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyomi Tamagawa
  • Patent number: 6979070
    Abstract: A printing apparatus executes a print process of body text and a 2-sided print process of tab paper sheets by a single operation at an information processing apparatus. After one face of each tab paper sheet undergoes a print process, the printed tab paper sheets are set on a tray again, and the other face of each tab paper sheet undergoes a print process upon reception of a print instruction. In this case, the information processing apparatus issues commands and data required for the printing apparatus to execute such print processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Yamamura
  • Patent number: 6979071
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium includes a conveying belt for supporting and conveying the recording medium, and a recording head for recording the image by jetting ink onto the recording medium. The apparatus further includes a plurality of cleaning rollers for cleaning the conveying belt, the cleaning rollers being in pressure-contact with the conveying belt, and a plurality of cleaning liquid baths for respectively storing cleaning liquid to be used to remove dirt deposited on the respective cleaning rollers and for dipping the respective cleaning rollers into the cleaning liquid. The apparatus uses liquid waste as cleaning liquid in a cleaning liquid bath on an upstream side of the conveying belt, the liquid waste having become unable to be used in a cleaning liquid bath on a downstream side of the conveying belt any longer as cleaning liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Keiichiro Suzuki, Masaru Nagai, Takashi Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 6979072
    Abstract: An ink-jet printing module, positioned in an ink-jet printing mechanism, includes a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and a guiding bar between the first side and the second side, a print head movable along the guiding bar, a cleaning device, a covering device, and a printing platform. The cleaning device for cleaning the print head is adjacent to an interior of the first side. The covering device for covering the print head is adjacent to an interior of the second side. The printing platform is located at the bottom of the ink-jet printing module and between the cleaning device and the covering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: BENQ Corporation
    Inventor: Tsung-Te Lin