Patents Issued in June 15, 2006
  • Publication number: 20060123726
    Abstract: A channel anchor for embedding into masonry structures, the channel anchor having an anchor channel and a plurality of anchor shafts attached thereto, with the anchor shaft having a shaft-like structure with an elongated center shank having two ends, a head on one end and a base on the other end, and the anchor shaft being welded to the anchor channel by welding the base of the anchor shaft to the back of the anchor channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Azarin
  • Publication number: 20060123727
    Abstract: The roofing system is a system that allows for numerous shingles to be attached to the roof of a house without using nails, releasably interlocking the shingles to each other and also attaching the shingles to the surface of the roof. The roofing system includes a single foundation layer of hook and loop fastening material affixed to the roof, and a plurality of shingles releasably attached to the foundation layer. The shingles are overlapped onto each other in rows and held both to each other and the foundation layer. The shingles may additionally laterally overlap each other to provide a greater level of resistance to the elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Faron Akins, Daron Akins
  • Publication number: 20060123728
    Abstract: A device and method of repairing a hole a wall or any other surface that includes an insert or patch that is passed through the hole and adhered to an inner surface of the wall. An adhesive may be disposed on the insert to adhere the insert to the inner surface of the wall. At least one opening may extend through the insert for permitting a user to press the insert against the inner surface of the wall. A plug, cover or backer may also be provided for blocking the opening extending through the insert prior to filing the hole with a filler. The insert may also include a plurality of spaced keyholes that extend therethrough for receiving and fixing a filler or joint compound in the hole. Since the hole in the wallboard is completely filled with filler it is restored to its original condition and fire rating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Lyman Clark
  • Publication number: 20060123729
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a system, methods and compositions for attaching architectural panels to a building surface, such as a wall. In certain embodiments, the system comprises panels, each with upper, lower and side interlocking members. In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower interlocking members form a modified tongue and groove joint, with a 45 degree angle interface, while the side interlocking members form a ship lap joint. The upper and lower interlocking members may be designed to press the panels against the building surface and to hide the locations of screws or other attachment devices when the interlocking members are engaged. The system provides a stronger and more secure attachment of panels to a building surface, while eliminating the problem of having to disguise the location of the attachment devices where such devices are inserted directly through the surface of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Jeffrey Myers, Scott Thomas
  • Publication number: 20060123730
    Abstract: A drywall or sheet rock edge clip device that can hold joints of drywall together at the apex of vaulted ceilings or at any other drywall seam at any angle. The device can include tabs and a head or cross member coupled by a stem that fits through the seam or joint and pulls and holds it together. A wire-tie version of the invention can have serrations along the stem and pull up and tighten like a wire-tie. The unused tail section can be broken off by bending it from side to side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Douglass Wambaugh, Timothy Smythe, Michael Lorenzen
  • Publication number: 20060123731
    Abstract: The invention concerns a panel of laminate structure, wherein there is provided a decorative top side which has at least one imitation intermediate joint by which the top side is subdivided into decorative regions and wherein each decorative region has the appearance of an individual covering element, wherein the imitation intermediate joint is in the form of a groove in the decorative top side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Ralf Eisermann
  • Publication number: 20060123732
    Abstract: A block according to the present invention is a block comprising a base body part, a first protruding part, and a second protruding part, which are integrally formed with each other. The base body part has a left lower side face, a right lower side face, a left upper side face, and a right upper side face formed as respective sloping faces. The first protruding part has a lower surface thereof formed by first to third left-hand sloping faces, an upper surface thereof formed by fourth to sixth left-hand sloping faces, and a left side surface thereof formed by seventh and eighth left-hand sloping faces. The second protruding part has a lower surface thereof formed by first to third right-hand sloping faces, an upper surface thereof formed by fourth to sixth right-hand sloping faces, and a right side surface thereof formed by seventh and eighth right-hand sloping faces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Hiroshi Takayanagi
  • Publication number: 20060123733
    Abstract: A metal roof truss assembly is provided comprising a plurality of elongated structural members, including a top chord, a bottom chord, and a web member. Each structural member comprises a planar base and planar legs extending from the longitudinal edges of the base. The base and the legs define an open longitudinal channel. A flange integral with the longitudinal edges of each leg has a planar first portion extending outwardly from the legs and a planar second portion extending from the longitudinal edges of the first portion of the flanges. The end of a first structural member is inserted into the channel defined by the legs and the base of a second structural member. The inserted end of the first structural member has no flanges for a length equal to at least the depth to which the first structural member is received in the channel of the second structural member so that the outer surface of the legs of the first structural member are adjacent the inner surface of the legs of the second structural member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Donald Moody, Courtney Hanson, Thomas Ellis
  • Publication number: 20060123734
    Abstract: Composite structures obtained by joining two or more structures of the type which presents pairs of joined tubular elements, whose extremity is hinged in universal joints and in which the universal joints are substantially parallelepiped in form and present four seats of hinging corresponding to the sides faces, in which the universal joints present grooves along the sides of the face, in which are scheduled the seats to hinge the extended elements, in proximity of the edges and parallel to the same edges, that cooperate with C-sectioned fixing elements to hold united two matched universal joints belonging to two structures from join.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Sergio Cazzolaro
  • Publication number: 20060123735
    Abstract: The method for generating a substantially uninterrupted connection of the peripheral wall portions of two adjacent tubular segments each provided with flanges having holes therein, of a tower, in particular for a wind energy turbine, comprises the steps of: arranging a first tubular segment (18) and a second tubular segment (20) with said flanges (26, 28) thereof facing each other and said holes (34, 36) in said flanges (26, 28) aligned with each other; connecting said tubular segments (18, 20) by prefastening screws (38) extending through said aligned holes (34, 36) in said flanges (26, 28); forming into the side (50) of the tubular segments (18, 20) opposite to the flanges (26, 28) a notch (52) of a predetermined width at least at a location of said contacting flanges (26, 28) where a gap (48) having a width greater than a minimum width exists; inserting into said notch (52) at least one insert part (60) having a width substantially equal to the width of said notch (52); and completely fastening said screws
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fuellhaas, Holger Luhn
  • Publication number: 20060123736
    Abstract: Buildings and walls are commonly constructed with exterior walls composed of fiber exterior panels, such as fiber cement panels or glass reinforced gypsum exterior sheeting. The spaces between the exterior panels are sealed using the system and method of the present invention. The space is first filled with an acrylic flexible joint compound. A thermally set, spunbonded, reinforced, polyester non-woven joint tape is then applied. The tape is then covered with a ceramic mud. After curing of the ceramic mud an acrylic elastomeric coating is sprayed, brushed or rolled on the fiber cement panels. A cement-free stucco coating or a variety of other coatings may then be applied over the exterior panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Sanford Futterman
  • Publication number: 20060123737
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods providing intelligent and variable speed control of a vacuum pump, intelligent vacuum pump controllers, intelligent vacuum packaging appliances, and vacuum feedback devices and methods. This Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Landen Higer
  • Publication number: 20060123738
    Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage material having a bottle closing machine for applying screw caps to bottles. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Herbert Bernhard
  • Publication number: 20060123739
    Abstract: A packaging device is provided which prevents trays accommodating packaged items from being broken due to the tension in a film acting from above. The sealing base and the sealer perform a box motion by the combination of the back and forth movement of the general frame, and the upward and downward movement of the sealing base and the sealer, and the film is welded onto the flange of the tray while in movement. In this case, by setting the upper limit of the sealing base to the lower surface of the flange of the tray, it is possible for the deck plate to receive the tension of the film acting on the tray through the packaged item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Kazuo Konishi
  • Publication number: 20060123740
    Abstract: A method for crimping paper roll wrap overhang is provided. The method comprises (a) forcing a portion of the wrap overhang towards the longitudinal axis for generating a fold in the wrap overhang, and (b) creasing the fold against the end face with a creasing member moving in a tangential arc over the end face. The method is particularly suitable for crimping roll wrap overhangs of over 6 inches and for providing more regular crimps by reducing bunching of the wrap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: William Robert, Michel Sigouin
  • Publication number: 20060123741
    Abstract: Horn wraps for protecting the horns and head parts of animals, like cattle, from lariats are disclosed comprising a laminate having an air permeable compressible layer attached to a normally open fabric or scrim material. The laminate permits ventilation for the parts of the horns and head in contact with the horn wrap product. Permeable or air ventilating laminates of various materials and configurations are also disclosed along with methods of making the laminates and horn wraps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Robby Wilson, Terri Kindle
  • Publication number: 20060123742
    Abstract: The present invention provides a safety stirrup (1) comprising an inverted U-shaped mounting member (2) having an adaptation (7) in an arcuate portion (5) thereof for attachment of a stirrup strap thereto, a foot support (3) pivotally mounted between arms (4) of the mounting member (2) when the stirrup (1) is in normal use, wherein the foot support (3) comprises a tread (12) having an extension (13) projecting upwardly from each end of the tread (12), the distal ends of which extensions (13) join to form a loop (14). The stirrup (1) also has co-operating engagement means (25, 26) between the foot support (3) and the mounting member (2) to retain the loop (14) in a plane generally coincident with a central plane of the mounting member (2) when the stirrup (1) is in normal use. Rotation of the foot support (2) from the normal in use position disconnects the pivotal mountings and allows separation of the foot support (3) from the mounting member (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Peter Zillmer
  • Publication number: 20060123743
    Abstract: A cartridge of an air dryer serves for cleaning compressed air to be used in compressed air supply systems of motor vehicles, especially trucks. The cartridge includes a housing, a pre-filter, a deposit chamber, a coalescing filter, a bypass conduit and a check valve. The deposit chamber is located downstream of the pre-filter. The deposit chamber is filled with a treating substance. The coalescing filter is arranged between the pre-filter and the deposit chamber. The bypass conduit is designed and arranged to bypass the coalescing filter and not to bypass the pre-filter. The check valve is arranged in the bypass conduit in a way that it opens during regeneration of the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Haldex Brake Products GmbH
    Inventor: Siegfried Heer
  • Publication number: 20060123744
    Abstract: A gas/liquid separator assembly (1) is provided, the assembly (1) generally comprises a vessel (4) with an internally received serviceable separator element (9) arrangement. A unique inlet baffle arrangement (80,82) is provided to facilitate preseparation of liquid from gases, as gases are passed through the assembly (1). The assembly (1) is particularly adapted for use in air/oil separation, for example for compressors. Methods of assembly and use are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Read
  • Publication number: 20060123745
    Abstract: A vacuum truck solids handling apparatus includes a truck having an internal combustion engine and a truck frame. A vacuum source, a solids collection container and a separator assembly are all mounted on the truck frame. The separator assembly is adapted to separate solids from a fluid stream drawn under vacuum by the vacuum source. The separator assembly has a pivotally mounted discharge, which pivots between a closed discharge position and an open discharge position. In the closed discharge position, the discharge discharges solids into the solids collection container. In the open discharge position, the discharge discharges solids externally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Victor Pobihushchy
  • Publication number: 20060123746
    Abstract: An improved bag docking assembly for aligning a vacuum bag for engagement with a dirty air outlet nozzle on a vacuum cleaner, and for retaining the vacuum bag in the position of engagement. The assembly incorporates an anchor member and a mounting member. The anchor member serves to attach the bag docking assembly to the vacuum cleaner. The anchor member can be a substantially flat piece of plastic having a central opening for closely receiving the dirty air outlet nozzle on the vacuum cleaner. The central opening can have a shoulder for engaging a rim or similar protrusion formed about the perimeter of the dirty air outlet nozzle. Additionally, protrusions are located on the anchor member that align with voids in the vacuum bag collar to ensure that correct alignment of the vacuum bag has been achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Samuel Ponjican, Charles Reynolds, Christopher Paterson, Dennis Lamb, Paul Moshenrose
  • Publication number: 20060123747
    Abstract: hAn assembly for installation in a refrigerator comprises an enclosure for conducting service lines therethrough and an air filter unit mounted to the enclosure. The air filter unit includes an air filter housing that contains an air filter and includes openings for the ingress of air from the refrigerator which, after passing through the air filter, is discharged to the refrigerator interior through discharge openings in the air filter housing. Means such as a fan is provided to establish a flow of air through the air filter housing. The air filter unit has utility separately from the enclosure for conducting service lines in which case the air filter housing includes first and second portions that are pivotally connected to one another. The air filter within the air filter housing is supported by one of the first and second portions of the air filter housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Rickie Gunderson
  • Publication number: 20060123748
    Abstract: A dust separating and collecting apparatus for a suction cleaner comprising at least one cyclonic separating device (10) having a body (12) through which a stream of air with dust therein can be caused to flow by a suction unit from an air inlet (16) to an air outlet (18) of the device, said inlet and outlet being at or adjacent one end of the body and said separating device further having a lateral outlet (20) at or adjacent the other end of the body for dust separated from the airstream in the course of its passage through the separator; and a receptacle (34) for the separated dust, the receptacle being movably disposed alongside said separating device (10) and having an inlet (42) for separated dust communicating with the dust outlet (20) of the separating device. Preferably there are two cyclonic separating devices (10, 11) and the receptacle (34) lies generally between them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Andrew Boddy, Christopher Elsworthy, Gavin Burnham
  • Publication number: 20060123749
    Abstract: There is provided a dust collecting unit of a vacuum cleaner, the dust collecting unit being designed to increase the density of foreign substances collected in a dust collection container. In the dust collecting unit, a dust collection container collects foreign substances, a top cover closes a top of the dust collection container, a bottom cover closes a bottom of the dust collection container, a compartment plate divides an inner space of the dust collection container into a foreign substance separating compartment and a foreign substance storing compartment, and a bar pushes the compartment plate to the foreign substance storing compartment to compress the foreign substances stored in the foreign substance storing compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Tae Park
  • Publication number: 20060123750
    Abstract: There is provided a dust compressing apparatus for a dust collecting unit of a vacuum cleaner. In the dust compressing apparatus, a compartment plate divides an inner space of a dust collection container into an upper foreign substance separating compartment and a lower foreign substance storing compartment, and a branching unit guides airflow. The branching unit includes a motor connection passage directed to a motor generating a negative pressure, a dust collection passage directed to the foreign substance separating compartment, and a compression passage directed to the foreign substance storing compartment. A flow passage control unit controls connections between the passages of the branching unit. A compression unit compresses foreign substances stored in the foreign substance storing compartment by moving the compartment plate to the foreign substance storing compartment using the negative pressure transmitted through the compression passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Jae Lee, Hyuk Kwon, Seog Kim, Sang Park
  • Publication number: 20060123751
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electric vacuum cleaner equipped with a compact and easy-to-operate cyclonic separation type dust collector. To accomplish the object, the present invention mounts a cyclonic separation cylinder (104) that centrifugally separates and captures dust and a dust collecting case (105) that contains a first auxiliary filter (106) detachably on the lower case (101) of the cleaner body (1) and part of air from the cyclonic separation cylinder (104) is fed to the motor-driven blower through the dust collecting case (105). The present invention mounts a cyclonic separation cylinder (104) that centrifugally separates and captures dust and a dust collecting case (105) that contains a first auxiliary filter (106) detachably on the lower case (101) of the cleaner body (1) and part of air from the cyclonic separation cylinder (104) is fed to the motor-driven blower through the dust collecting case (105) and a filter provided under it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Shoji Hayashi, Yukiji Iwase, Yasuyuki Hiruta, Kyouichi Kanno, Susumu Sato, Naofumi Kitagawa, Naruhiko Suzuki, Yasunori Kotaka, Hirofumi Tanaka, Koichi Umezawa
  • Publication number: 20060123752
    Abstract: Improved apparatus for collecting particles from air comprises a cyclone having air inlet and outlet means, means maintaining an airflow there through and means delivering a collecting fluid from a reservoir to particles separated from the air flow in the cyclone, in which the air inlet means is associated with means for heating the incoming air. The apparatus, which is optionally provided with enclosure means for trapping heat, prevents freezing of the collecting fluid at temperatures near to and even below 0° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: William Symonds, David Squirrell, Nigel Pomeroy, Martin Berry
  • Publication number: 20060123753
    Abstract: The filter 1 of the present invention has at least two filter elements 2 contained in the casing 4, which are connected in series in such a state as interposing the first sealer 5 between them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Sugiura, Nobuhiro Aoki, Hiroyuki Oyachi
  • Publication number: 20060123754
    Abstract: An axial flow filter element having alternating flat and pleated layers of fluid permeable filter media which form channels with an open cross section, one end of a first group of channels and the other end of a second group of channels being tightly sealed such that fluid being filtered must pass through one of the filter layers to pass through the filter element, a peripheral seal for sealing the inflow side of the filter from the outflow side in a housing, and a support body arranged in the filter element surrounded by the channels and extending axially at least to one end face of the filter element; at least one end face of the filter element having a spacer for maintaining the end face at a distance from a supporting surface on which the filter element may be placed during handling to prevent direct contact between the end face and the supporting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Oelpke, Torsten Hotop
  • Publication number: 20060123755
    Abstract: A multipurpose device for planting, transplanting and harvest garlic and similar crops in raised beds includes a base structure having a frame, gauge wheels attached to the frame to support it at a desired height from the raised bed, and left and right raised bed followers to engage the sides of a raised bed as the device is drawn along by a conventional agricultural tractor. Two chairs can be detachably mounted on the base structure, they are abreast of each other when planting or harvesting, or one behind the other when transplanting seedlings. The toolbar is mounted on the base structure in front of the chairs to provide room for attaching one or two furrow openers and a furrow closing plate can be detachably attached to the base structure behind the chairs when planting cloves or bulbs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph Schuster
  • Publication number: 20060123756
    Abstract: An apparatus, systems and methods for automatically disengaging and re-engaging a cutting implement on a mowing machine by disconnecting and connecting, respectively, electrical power to an implement drive means. Power to the implement drive means is disconnected or connected according to gear positions of transmission control levers provided on the mowing machine. At designated gear positions, cut-out switches associated with the implement drive means are effective to interrupt power to the implement drive means. Repositioning the control levers to non-designated gear positions restores power to the implement drive means. The automatic disengagement/re-engagement of the cutting implement based on the gear position of transmission control levers may be used for two lever zero-turn-ride-on mowing machines or more traditional single lever ride-on mowing machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: MTD Products Inc
    Inventors: Jimmy Eavenson, Guenter Plamper
  • Publication number: 20060123757
    Abstract: A self-propelled working machine has working units having adjustable parameters and traveling at a ground speed, and a device for regulating the ground speed according to at least two travel strategies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Joachim Baumgarten, Christoph Bussmann, Andreas Wilken
  • Publication number: 20060123758
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing grounds maintenance functions and dispensing a fluid includes a grounds maintenance device and a fluid spraying device. The spraying device includes a container mounted on the grounds maintenance device for holding the fluid, and a spraying member in communication with the container for spraying the fluid. The spraying member is moveable from a carrying position in which the spraying member is carried on the grounds maintenance device to a spraying position in which the spraying member is moveable independent of the grounds maintenance device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Francisco Loaces
  • Publication number: 20060123759
    Abstract: A forage conditioner for conditioning cut crop material from a forage harvester includes a fixed bottom fluted roller carried in end housings and a top fluted roller which is pivotally mounted on the housings by a linkage pivotal relative to the housing about an axis lying in a plane at right angles to the roller axes so that the top roller is liftable from crushing position against the bias of a spring extending along the top roller. Rotation of the bottom roller is transferred to the top roller through a gear train which includes two idler gears each mounted on a respective arm with the arms constrained to move symmetrically relative to the rollers by intermeshing teeth on the arms so as to control the angular timing of the rollers to ensure accurate intermeshing of the flutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Fox, John Enns, Geoffrey Snider, James Dunn
  • Publication number: 20060123760
    Abstract: A lawnmower having a grass cutting mechanism mounted on a body. The lawnmower is supported by a plurality of wheels. A plurality of a flexible projections are located on the body forward of the cutting mechanism and projecting downward from the body. The flexible projections, which may be bristles, can be used to engage the downwardly bent grass of a wheel track to thereby at least partially lift the grass immediately before it is cut by the lawnmower. A method of cutting grass is also provided wherein a strip of uncut grass is bent toward the ground as a first swath of grass is being cut. The bent strip of uncut grass is at least partially lifted with a plurality of downward projecting members immediately prior to cutting as a second swath of grass that includes the bent strip is being cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Glasscock
  • Publication number: 20060123761
    Abstract: A walk reel mower includes a pair of inclined rigid links for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for rolling about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of vertical support arms for mounting the reel cutting unit to the reel mower frame for pitching about a transverse axis. An integrated gearbox houses both the traction and reel drives, including the differential that is part of the traction drive, as well as a parking brake. A flexible drive shaft powers the cutting reel from the gearbox and is made from materials that do not require petroleum based lubricants to avoid the possibility of damage to the turf or grass. A single control handle located on the handle of the mower actuates both the reel and traction drives. The reel cutting unit includes a back plate which has a portion formed as a hollow beam for strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Gerald Goman, Robert Patton, Donald Schnotala
  • Publication number: 20060123762
    Abstract: A device for mowing plants has a frame, deflection rollers connected to the frame, and a circulating endless cutting belt provided with cutting teeth and guided about the cutting belt. A lower guide rail is connected to the frame for guiding the cutting belt. Guide brackets are connected to the lower guide rail for securing the cutting belt on the lower guide rail. Holding-down elements are connected to the lower guide rail, wherein the guide brackets have a stop edge and wherein the holding-down elements prevent the cutting belt from lifting off the lower guide rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: MASCHINENFABRIK BERNARD KRONE GMbH
    Inventors: Detlef Ehlert, Siegwart Kraatz
  • Publication number: 20060123763
    Abstract: A stabilizer system provides leveling for a towed harvester vehicle. The harvester includes a hitch having a gimbal mounting to the tractor. The subframe is utilized to accommodate the gimbal and provides for utilizing the mass of the tractor to react to the stabilizer system leveling forces. The harvester utilizes telescoping assemblies that are placed intermediate the hitch and the frame as well as between the axle and the frame. The telescoping assemblies retract and extend to varied positions and provide correction. Flow to extend and retract the telescoping assemblies is provided through a proportional pendulum type valve that increases flow as needed when tilted from horizontal. The flow is increased and decreased in proportion to the amount of tilting from the home vertical position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: OXBO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Briesemeister, Christopher Schloesser, Mark Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20060123764
    Abstract: Windrow shields that pivot adjacent the forward ends thereof into and out of the path of crop material to control the width of the windrow. An electric motor and linkage to the shields allows the special relationship between the shields to be adjusted on-the-go from the operator's location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Kenneth McLean, Robert Rice, Donald Osborne, Roger Huggard
  • Publication number: 20060123765
    Abstract: A de-thatcher including a tine shield having a mounting portion with a plurality of tine mounting assemblies formed therein. Each tine mounting assembly includes a pair of separately formed tabs and an aperture. Each tab includes a projecting portion and a covering portion to define a pocket. A tine is operatively coupled to each of the tine mounting assemblies and includes a pair of arms extending from opposite sides of a backbone so that each arm engages one of the pockets and is secured therein when the covering portion of tabs is moved from a first operative position to a second operative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: John Bright, Ronald Hickenbottom
  • Publication number: 20060123766
    Abstract: An opening roller assembly for an open-end spinning device of a textile machine, wherein an opening roller (12) is mounted on a bearing shaft (17) which is fixed in a bearing bracket (14) of an opening roller housing (11) in such a manner that the shaft can be easily removed. A drive (28) for rotating the opening roller is provided by a single electrical motor formed as an external rotor. A contact lead device (18) is mounted on the bearing shaft and includes leads (19) which are connected to the electrical motor, and a contact shoe housing (50) is provided which includes contact shoes or contact pins (21) which are connected to a power supply (27) of a corresponding textile machine and which can be selectively brought into contact with the leads (19) of the contact lead device (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Heinz-Georg Wassenhoven
  • Publication number: 20060123767
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant (20) including a main air-cooled condenser (22) condensing steam at a first pressure and an auxiliary air-cooled condenser (24) condensing steam at a second pressure higher than the first pressure. Designing an air-cooled combined cycle power plant for startup on a hot day can significantly increase the size and cost of the required air-cooled condenser. Adding an auxiliary air-cooled condenser having appropriate thermal characteristics relative to a main air cooled compressor to the steam bypass circuit of an air-cooled combined cycle power plant enables the plant to meet plant startup requirements during periods of peak thermal load in a more cost effective manner than would be achievable with the main air cooled condenser alone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Briesch
  • Publication number: 20060123768
    Abstract: A catalytic converter degradation determining system is configured to accurately determine if a NOx trapping catalytic converter is degraded. The system is configured to detect or estimate the temperature of a NOx trapping catalytic converter and sets a pre-degradation adsorption efficiency and a post-degradation adsorption efficiency based on the catalytic converter temperature. The system then multiplies the adsorption efficiencies by an exhaust gas NOx quantity to calculate trapped NOx rates. The individual trapping NOx rates are summed over a prescribed amount of time to estimate the pre-degradation and post-degradation NOx trapping amounts. After the prescribed amount of time elapses, the system compares the pre-degradation NOx trapping amount to the post-degradation NOx trapping amount and determines if the difference between the two is smaller than a prescribed value. If the difference is smaller than the prescribed value, then the system determines that the catalytic converter is degraded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Miura
  • Publication number: 20060123769
    Abstract: In a process for the control of charging and discharging of an oxygen reservoir (4) of an exhaust gas catalytic converter (3) as a function of the voltage signal (ULSF) of a binary lambda probe (5) mounted downstream from the exhaust gas catalytic converter (3), it is proposed that according to the differentiation of the case the voltage signal (ULSF) which has been output by the lambda probe (5) mounted downstream from the exhaust gas catalytic converter(3) is divided into three regions (A, B, C) which each trigger different control strategies for charging and discharging of the oxygen reservoir (4) of the exhaust gas catalytic converter (3). As proposed, economical binary lambda probes (5) can be used for favorable control of charging and discharging of the oxygen reservoir (4) in order to set or maintain the setpoint region of mean charging of the oxygen reservoir (4) from approximately 30 to 70% which is optimum for conversion of the exhaust emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventor: Bodo Odendall
  • Publication number: 20060123770
    Abstract: A system and method to control spark timing of an engine wherein the injection timing of the engine is varied relative to a crankshaft position depending on engine operating conditions. According to the method, spark timing is varied as fuel injection timing varies for at least a portion of the engine operating range. The method can reduce fuel consumption, reduce transient fuel requirements, improve engine performance, and reduce CO emissions, at least under some conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Pozar, Robert Stein, Jeff Lyjak, Marcus Fried, Thomas Leone
  • Publication number: 20060123771
    Abstract: A lean NOx trap operating in a lean NOx exhaust stream is progressively regenerated, sector to sector, for efficient operation of the trap and conservation of reducing gas used in the regeneration. A reductant gas distributor is inserted in the exhaust upstream of the trap. Reductant gas is carried into the exhaust duct through a conduit portion and the reductant gas stream diverged and directed through a distributor into selected cells of the trap. The NOx in the selected cells is reduced to N2 while lean NOx exhaust continues to flow through the remainder of the trap. By relative movement of the reductant gas distributor and the trap, the entire trap is progressively and continually regenerated while still preforming as a NOx trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Shi-Wai Cheng
  • Publication number: 20060123772
    Abstract: An exhaust gas control apparatus for an engine and a method for producing the same are provided. The exhaust gas control apparatus includes a valve portion, an absorption portion, and a catalyst portion. The valve portion includes a valve that opens/closes a main exhaust passage. The absorption portion includes a hydrocarbon-absorbent that absorbs hydrocarbons. The catalyst portion includes a three-way catalyst that purifies exhaust gas. The valve portion, absorption portion, and the catalyst portion are independent of each other. The valve portion, the absorption portion, and the catalyst portion are connected to each other in series. With this configuration, any individual component can be replaced with another corresponding component that achieves a required level of performance while minimizing the number of other components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasunori Iwamoto, Masaharu Kuroda, Yasuhiro Nobata, Toshio Murata
  • Publication number: 20060123773
    Abstract: An engine (10) uses a method for counteracting the effect of soot accumulation in a diesel particulate filter (DPF 38) in a diesel engine exhaust system (16) on the control of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) through an EGR system (40). Engine speed (N) and indicated engine torque (TQI) data are processed to select from a map (62) a data value for present EGR volumetric efficiency. The selected data value and certain other data, including data that accounts for present soot accumulation in the DPF, are processed to develop a data value indicative of present total mass flow. The data value indicative of present total mass flow and still other data are processed to develop flow control data for controlling flow of exhaust gas through the EGR system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Gregory Zhang
  • Publication number: 20060123774
    Abstract: An exhaust structure for an engine is disclosed. The exhaust structure includes an exhaust line, through which the exhaust gas discharged from the engine passes. The exhaust line has a double pipe structure capable of preventing the condensed water formed in the exhaust line from entering the engine, so that it is possible to prevent engine failure, and thus, to achieve an enhancement in the durability and reliability of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Kang, Chang Choi, Won Choi, Hyung Lim, Yoon Hwang
  • Publication number: 20060123775
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a turbocharger-catalytic converter assembly comprising a turbine casing of the turbocharger which includes a turbine casing flange; a catalyst flange as part of the catalytic converter; and a connecting means which fixes the turbine casing flange and the catalyst flange to each other with interposition of a seal, wherein an insulation layer of a thermally resistant elastic material is arranged between the connecting means and the turbine casing flange and the catalyst flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk Ellenberger, Marco Kuschel