Patents Issued in November 28, 2006
  • Patent number: RE39412
    Abstract: The disk-shaped optical information medium of this invention includes: a first substrate having a center hole; a second substrate having a center hole; and a radiation curable resin interposed between the first and second substrates for bonding together the first and second substrates, wherein the optical information medium further includes a stopper for preventing the radiation curable resin from protruding into the center holes of the substrates, and a space between the first and second substrates of at least half of a clamp region for clamping the optical information medium is filled with the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisaki Miyamoto, Michiyoshi Nagashima, Kiyoshi Inoue, Sakae Noda
  • Patent number: RE39413
    Abstract: The present invention is a semiconductor wafer that enhances polish-stop endpointing in chemical-mechanical planarization processes. The semiconductor wafer has a substrate with a device feature formed on the substrate, a stratum of low friction material positioned over the substrate, and an upper layer deposited on the low friction material stratum. The low friction stratum has a polish-stop surface positioned at a level substantially proximate to a desired endpoint of the chemical-mechanical planarization process. The upper layer, which is made from either a conductive material or an insulative material, has a higher polishing rate than that of the low friction stratum. In operation, the low friction stratum resists chemical-mechanical planarization with either hard or soft polishing pads to stop the planarization process at the desired endpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy F. Hudson, Renee Zahorik, Russell C. Zahorik
  • Patent number: RE39414
    Abstract: An outboard motor support device for securing an outboard motor to a transom of a boat which comprises a tie down bracket, a support, and a tie down strap. The tie down bracket being secured to the transom of the boat while the support is rotatably mounted to the motor such that when the motor is in an up position, the support can rotate about its mounting point to contact and support the motor. The tie down strap then passes behind the motor and is secured to the tie down bracket. This secures the motor between the support and the tie down strap providing additional support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Steven J. Poll
  • Patent number: RE39415
    Abstract: A biological forceps device for the taking of tissue samples from a body, comprising a flexible main coil attached at its distal end to a pair of homologous cast jaws. The jaws have radially arranged teeth on their distalmost end. The jaws are opened and closed by attachment to a pair of pull wires which extend through the main coil, into a handle at its proximal end, the handle has a spool which slides about a central shaft attached to the main coil. The spool is attached to the pull wires, so that movement of the spool with respect to the central shaft, effectuates a force on the proximal ends of the levered jaws, to open and close them, appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Miami Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas O. Bales, Charles R. Slater, Kevin W. Smith
  • Patent number: 7140046
    Abstract: A glove has a palmer portion and finger portions configured for placement of a base layer of the palmer portion in contact with a palm of a hand when the glove is fully engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventors: Tosh Ono, Scott Farmer
  • Patent number: 7140047
    Abstract: The combination of a headwear piece, an accessory, and a plurality of discrete elements. The headwear piece has a crown defining an opening through which a wearer's head can project with the headwear piece in an operative position on the wearer's head. The crown has an inside surface with a portion for frictionally engaging a wearer's head with the headwear piece in the operative position and a first layer having an exposed outer surface. The accessory and plurality of discrete elements are magnetically attracted to each other through the first layer to releasably maintain the accessory in a stored state on the headwear piece. The plurality of discrete elements includes at least first and second discrete elements that are adjacent to each other so as to cooperatively cause a localized magnetic attractive force to be generated between the accessory and the first and second discrete elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Ronald Kronenberger
  • Patent number: 7140048
    Abstract: An article of clothing includes, in one embodiment, four alternate layers made of an air permeable material such as cotton and a non-air permeable material such as polyethyleneterephalate. Two intermediate layers both include a plurality of throughholes therein covered by the outer layers. The throughholes of the second layer are laterally offset from the throughholes of the third layer such that no direct path is provided through the throughholes between the intermediate layers so that the bites of insects are resisted. In another embodiment, two layers are provided each including a pattern, e.g., alternating stripes of an air permeable and a non-permeable material. The stripes of the two layers are offset so that non-permeable material of the two layers, taken together provide an insect barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Robert S. Wallerstein
  • Patent number: 7140049
    Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, a system for protecting a device formed from polystyrene is provided. The system includes a body formed from polystyrene. The system also includes a protective layer formed from thermoplastic elastomer. The protective layer is coupled to the body during a molding process used to form the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Arne Lang-Ree, Hilgard N. Muller
  • Patent number: 7140050
    Abstract: An automatic flushing actuator that mounts to an overflow pipe in a tank style toilet includes a proximity sensor, a housing enclosing a motor mount and gear assembly, and a rotatably mounted lever on top of the housing. A clamp is adapted to be affixed to the side of the housing and secure the actuator to the overflow pipe. When installing the actuator, the clamp is affixed to the overflow pipe before the housing is mounted onto the clamp. The clamp allows the housing to be removably mounted or locked in position on the clamp. The lever coupled to the top of the housing is rotated to a desired position, and a chain is connected to a handle of the toilet opens the flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Technical Concepts, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Muderlak
  • Patent number: 7140051
    Abstract: A dry suction fitting assembly is provided for drawing water from a spa, whirlpool bathtub or other suitable water tub to a pump, featuring a suction body for arranging in relation to a wall of the spa, whirlpool bathtub or other suitable water tub. The suction body is arranged in relation to a wall of the spa, whirlpool bathtub or other suitable water tub, has a suction inlet for coupling to the pump, and has an internal surface with an equilibrium tube arranged therein with three openings, a first opening that acts as a water flow inlet, a second opening that is open to the atmosphere via a connection hose or other suitable connection device and that is filled with water during normal operation, and a third opening that is a safety orifice coupled to the suction inlet. During normal operation water flows from the first opening, through the equilibrium tube, and out the third opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Erik A. Fort, Chris H. McDonald
  • Patent number: 7140052
    Abstract: Improvement in Combination bed (4) and desk (3) is disclosed: an articulated parallelogram (6, 8, 10, 11) based system and mechanism that links bed frame (4) and desktop (3) to elements (6, 10) fixed to a wall (or support or furniture body). Bed rotates as a wallbed, and desktop goes down and up always leveled. In raised position, bed lies against the wall, bedding concealed, and cantilever desktop at standard height rests against bed bottom. In the lowered position, the bed is deployed at normal height and desktop goes underneath at floor level. Desktop can admit objects as a PC monitor (up to 0.4 m height) that can remain undisturbed through conversion and stowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Monestier, Alejandro Monestier
  • Patent number: 7140053
    Abstract: A combination flat sheet, fitted sheet and bed skirt includes a fitted sheet having a top and four sides, each side having a lower edge, the four lower edges being provided with an elastic band, the fitted sheet dimensioned to fit over a mattress supported by a box spring. The bed skirt is attached only to the left, right and foot peripheral edge of the top of the fitted sheet and extends downward in sufficient length to cover the left, right and foot sides of the fitted sheet and the left, right and foot sides of the box spring. The flat sheet is attached only to the foot edge of the top of the fitted sheet and is dimensioned such that its left, right and foot flaps extend downward in sufficient length approximately to or just beyond the box spring. The length of the flat sheet in the head direction is of sufficient length such that the sheet can be folded over itself at the head of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Ingenious Designs LLC
    Inventor: Joy Mangano
  • Patent number: 7140054
    Abstract: A rectangular structure on wheels has a first and second slab. The first slab supports the patient's washing apparatus including heated water tank, an air blower and waste water tank. The second or top slab spaced apart above the first slab has an attached hinged back rest and is covered with a message pad and a disposable washing liner. The top slab is configured to have waste water flow into a drain which leads to the waste water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Leonel E. Charles
  • Patent number: 7140055
    Abstract: A lift-assisted device having a patient support structure, a base, and an undercarriage. The device can be powered by a pneumatic cylinder and a compressed gas source. The undercarriage can be a scissors linkage having at least one first member being slidably connected to the patient support structure an upper end of the first member and pivotally connected to the base at a lower end of the first member, and at least one second scissors linkage member, the second scissors linkage member being pivotally connected to the first scissors linkage member. An upper end of the second member is pivotally connected to the patient support structure, and a lower end of the second member is pivotally connected to the base. The pneumatic cylinder is arranged for moving the upper end of the first member and the lower end of the second member with respect to the patient support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Bishop, Michael W. Catoe, David G. Algie, Ian G. Algie
  • Patent number: 7140056
    Abstract: An inflatable beach pillow with a pocket to slip over a beach chair and having both water and air compartments is furnished with suction for supporting the pillow from the side of a tub so that it will serve as a combination chair pillow and tub pillow. The suction cups are disposed either on the air compartment side or on the water compartment side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Deering Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: William Deering
  • Patent number: 7140057
    Abstract: A flexible seat cushion, such as a wheelchair cushion, has an upper surface with a support contour for establishing relatively less pressure on skin adjacent to the bony prominences of the person's pelvic area and relatively more pressure on skin covering adjacent tissue masses. A support member is attached to the rear corner of the cushion. The support member has relatively less flexibility than the seat cushion. The support member is retained to a longitudinal and/or transverse side of the cushion to cause the support member to resist deformation of the support contour from contact with the pelvic area of the person when seated on the seat cushion. Connector member may be connected to the support member to extend along longitudinal and/or transverse sides of the cushion to deform and thereby adjust the support contour for better support of the pelvic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Aaron D. Pierce, Steve Maurus
  • Patent number: 7140058
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush is provided and includes a handle portion having a neck formed at one end and a head coupled to neck. The head includes a first carrier that is coupled to the head and is operatively connected to a first drive for moving the first carrier in a first direction. The first carrier has bristles, elastomeric cleaning members, or a combination thereof extending outwardly therefrom. The head also includes a second carrier that is coupled to the head and is in selective engagement with a protrusion extending in a recess defined by the first carrier to impart movement in a second direction. The second carrier has bristles, elastomeric cleaning members or a combination thereof extending outwardly therefrom. In an exemplary embodiment, the first carrier oscillates in a rotational direction and the second carrier moves in a direction parallel to the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Eduardo J. Jimenez, Eyal Eliav
  • Patent number: 7140059
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a support member mounted on a first shaft in the head of the toothbrush. A carrier member is mounted on a second shaft to the support member. The support member is eccentrically mounted so that when its first shaft is rotated the carrier member is moved in an orbital path during the rotation of the support member. The carrier member is freely mounted on its second shaft so that during this orbital movement the carrier member rotates in a random manner. Cleaning elements such as bristles extend outwardly from the carrier member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Dale Scherl
  • Patent number: 7140060
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning floor surfaces. The apparatus comprises a floor buffing machine that has both a handle portion and a main body. The main body has a bottom-mounted buffer pad and a top-mounted motor which is connected to a control box located on the handle portion. The motor can be set in one of two different positions that either allow the buffer pad to perform in a rotary mode or an oscillating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Freddie Walker
  • Patent number: 7140061
    Abstract: A system and method for protecting bristles that includes a sleeve sized and shaped to be slideably received over a handle attached to the bristles, the sleeve formed of breathable material to facilitate drying of the bristles, and the sleeve formed of rigid material to support the handle and the bristles in a vertical orientation and to protect the bristles, the sleeve formed of a length sufficient to cover the bristles, and to cover at least a portion of the handle. In accordance with a method of the invention, the sleeve is slid over the proximal end of the handle and moved down the handle to a position where the sleeve covers the bristles and a first end of the sleeve extends beyond the bristles, and the handle is placed in a vertical orientation so that the first end of the sleeve bears against a supporting surface to hold the handle and the bristles in a vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventors: Diane A. Baker, Malcolm D. Plant
  • Patent number: 7140062
    Abstract: A brush structure includes a rotation bar, a plurality of brush strips, a plurality of fixing blocks, and a driving block mounted on the rotation bar to rotate the rotation bar. Thus, the helical groove is extended through the whole length of each of the two arc-shaped plates of the rotation bar, so that each of the two brush strips is extended through the whole length of each of the two arc-shaped plates of the rotation bar without interruption, thereby enhancing the cleaning effect of each of the two brush strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Fu Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 7140063
    Abstract: A multi-use bathing implement (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 58) for use in cleansing and exfoliating skin and as a toy, a holder of soap or like products, and a decoration. The bathing implement (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 58) includes a toroidal sponge component (14) and can also have a removable attachment component (26, 30). The donut-shaped sponge component (14) is preferably made of mesh sponge material and is concentrically disposed about an inner ring-shaped component (16, 16a, 16c, 64) defining a central opening (12, 62) in which the attachment component (26, 30) can be removably secured. The inner ring-shaped component (16, 16a, 16c, 64) provides a ready gripping area which can be held for manipulating the bathing implement (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 58). The attachment component (26, 30) can be, for instance, a toy, a solid soap product, a container of a bath/cosmetic product or the like, a mesh netting pocket, or a knob-shaped hanging device (44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56) having a suction cup (66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: James J. Osborne
  • Patent number: 7140064
    Abstract: A disposable scrubber attachment for a windshield wiper effective in removing insect remains on a windshield glass is provided. The scrubber attachment is constructed by an elongated piece of a foam rubber wrapper in an elongated mesh netting. On one side of the foam rubber, a V-shaped channel is formed for intimately engaging a wiper blade. A fastening means, such as Velcro may be used to fasten the scrubber attachment to the wiper blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Kevin J. Woolstenhulme
  • Patent number: 7140065
    Abstract: A machine for surface preparation of a pipeline includes a vacuum shroud that encircles the pipeline. Three manifolds, each housing a plurality of ultra high pressure water nozzles, are mounted in the vacuum shroud at circumferentially spaced intervals. A carrier assembly advances the vacuum shroud along the pipeline at a rate that avoids contact between the water jets and uncoated pipe. The shroud also oscillates about a longitudinal axis of the pipeline so that a short extent of the pipeline is subjected to the force of the water for each oscillation. The vacuum in the shroud carries away all debris created by the coat-stripping process to a closed loop filtration and recycling system. The nozzles are mounted a constant stand-off distance from the pipeline to avoid creation of hot spots during the stripping process. All motions are electronically monitored and detection of any movement failure results in system shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: AMEC Pipeline Professionals, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Boos, Edward N. Fite, Marcus Alexich
  • Patent number: 7140066
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is inspected and cleaned by applying a vacuum to the area in which the semiconductor device is positioned. Micro-sized particulates that are brushed off the semiconductor device during cleaning are drawn off by the vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Gray Murray, Bruce Alan Maass
  • Patent number: 7140067
    Abstract: A household appliance, particularly a vacuum cleaner, has a housing of rigid material and formed with at least two interconnected housing parts and a handle that is also made of a rigid material. The household appliance is rendered especially rigid and the risk of losing grip of the handle of the appliance is reduced by integrating the handle into a stiffening element that is disposed at the intersection of the housing parts and by providing the handle with a cover that is made of a softer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Wilma Albert, Herbert Kess, Sebastian Räder, Andreas Schlereth, Jörg Schröter, Thomas Seith
  • Patent number: 7140068
    Abstract: A cyclone outlet assembly with a frusto-conical dirt blocking plate minimizes clogging at the outlet of the cyclone separator. An upright vacuum cleaner with a cyclone separator is mounted on and in fluid communication with an elongated rigid tube that forms part of a working air conduit and also forms part of an upright handle that is pivotally mounted to a base module with a suction nozzle upstream from a conventional bag filter in a dirty air or clean air dust collection vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel S. Vander Baan, Gary A. Kasper
  • Patent number: 7140069
    Abstract: A grease extractor for removing grease from culinary utensils includes a substantially hollow housing formed of a pair of separable sections. Within the housing is an impeller chamber with a vacuum impeller removably received therein. Attached to the housing and positioned adjacent the impeller is an electric motor. A pivotal suction nozzle is removably attached to the housing and is in communication with the impeller chamber. The nozzle is elongated and tapered towards an inlet. Removably attached to the nozzle inlet is one of a plurality of interchangeable vacuum tips. A grease reservoir is removably secured to the housing and is in communication with the impeller chamber for collecting grease extracted from a culinary utensil or other external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventors: John N. Dangerfield, Michael Boehm
  • Patent number: 7140070
    Abstract: A fastener attaches a wire harness and an end of a floor carpet to a rocker panel of a vehicle and provides support for a rocker molding independently of the rocker panel. The wire harness includes a pair of arcuate arms pivotally mounted on a base of the fastener and having free ends that connect to one another to form a cylindrical wire harness holder that surrounds a wire harness. One of the arcuate arms is latched to the base and assists in retaining an end of the carpet on the base. Spaced rocker molding engagement portions on the base and on the one arcuate arm receive and retain respective legs of the rocker molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Kiyoteru Yuta, Yoshimichi Matsudaira, Masashi Dendo, Motoya Kimura, Shinji Hosoi, Masanori Sato
  • Patent number: 7140071
    Abstract: In an electric motorized hinge apparatus, a biasing means maintains a concavo-convex engagement state between a third rotating member and a second engagement portion in a second rotating member, and thus the second rotating member rotates to follow the third rotating member. Furthermore, the biasing means maintains a concavo-convex holding state between a first engagement portion in the second rotating member and a first rotating member, and thus the first rotating member rotates to follow the second rotating member. Furthermore, as the first rotating member rotates, a lid portion rotates to follow it. During manual rotation of the lid portion, a motor is maintained in an off state and the second rotating member is kept at a stop by a lock means. Therefore, the engagement state at the first concavo-convex engagement part is released by the manual rotation of the lid portion, so that the lid portion can be freely rotated by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihide Tonogai
  • Patent number: 7140072
    Abstract: A lockable hinge includes a first and second hinge member, a lock, and an actuator. The lockable hinge is coupled to a pair of ladder-leg sections and is arranged to allow the ladder-leg sections to move among closed-ladder, trestle-ladder, and straight-ladder positions. The lock is used to lock the hinge members to cause the ladder-leg sections to lock in the closed-ladder, trestle-ladder and straight-ladder positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Lu Hao Leng
  • Patent number: 7140073
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rotation-stop mechanism for a folder of a portable wireless terminal. The rotation-stop mechanism enables the folder to be opened away from the terminal body at various angles, according to the user's need, while smoothly maintaining the opening and closing operation of the folder. The rotation-stop mechanism can stop the rotation of the folder in a state wherein the folder is opened away from the terminal body at an angle of or about 90°, according to the user's need, while allowing the folder to be smoothly opened away from or closed to the terminal body. Further, the folder can be freely opened away from the terminal body at angles of at or about 90° or at or about 150°. Furthermore, in the case of the portable wireless terminal installed with a camera lens, since the folder can be firmly fixed when it is opened away from the terminal body at an angle of or about 90°, the portable wireless terminal is advantageous for stable image capturing and video communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics,Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-Kyu Park, Eon-Seog Cheon
  • Patent number: 7140074
    Abstract: A hinge device for coupling two units movable to folded and unfolded positions in an apparatus with the two units such as a portable radiotelephone includes a housing, a first rotating member contained in the housing to rotate about a first rotation axis, and a second rotating member rotatable about a second rotation axis. The hinge device includes a first linearly moving member that is linearly movable due to the rotation of the first rotating member, and a second linearly moving member that is linearly movable due to the rotation of the second rotating member. The hinge device includes a first resilient member for urging the first linearly moving member against the first rotating member, and a second resilient member for urging the second linearly moving member against the second rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Phoenix Korea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Soo Han, Sung-Hyun Ka
  • Patent number: 7140075
    Abstract: A door hinge mechanism allowing two dimensional motion of the door as it opens, combined with at least one mechanism allowing control of the range of horizontal motion of the door during normal operations. Horizontal lag adjustment and range limitation of the mechanism allows a number of benefits: horizontal fit of the door to the frame may be controlled, the outward motion of the door may be curtailed at the proper angle desired by the user. The door hinge mechanism is a bi-directional hinge allowing sequential motion in two planes, and a horizontal motion stop and cooperating contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Decah, LLC
    Inventor: Demetrius C Ham
  • Patent number: 7140076
    Abstract: A knob for a lock includes a knob body and a reinforcing member. The knob body has a side, and a neck extends outward from the side of the knob body and has a slot. The reinforcing member is mounted around the neck and has a stop that is engaged in the slot of the neck. An escutcheon is mounted around the reinforcing member. The knob has increased strength for withstanding larger force intended to destroy the lock through either jimmying the connection area between the side of the knob body and an end wall of the escutcheon or hammering an outer face of the knob body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu-Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Su-Mei Hsu
  • Patent number: 7140077
    Abstract: The pull device comprises a stem or body, a pull structure at one of the stem or body; an end bar or crossbar at the other end of the body or stem and extending transversely of the stem or body for extending through at least one hole in at least one end of a free tip end portion of a strap of a restraint for facilitating pulling of the strap through a locking box of the restraint in a single pull. The strap restraint comprises at least one strap having a free tip end portion and the strap having a hole in the strap adjacent an end of the free tip end portion of the strap for receiving a bar of a pull device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Armament Systems & Procedures, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Parsons
  • Patent number: 7140078
    Abstract: The cord stopper (1) comprises a plug (10), and a socket (20) into which the plug (10) is inserted. The plug (10) comprises a plug body (11) having a first string passage hole (111) and one or more elastic leg pieces (12). The socket (20) has a second string passage hole (23) capable of being in communication with the first string passage hole (111) and a third string passage hole (24). The elastic leg pieces (12) hold the string inserted and passed through the third string passage hole (24) by themselves, or together with an inner surface of the socket (20). With this configuration, when the cord stopper (1) is fixed on the string (3), it is not necessary to form an edge section of the string into a loop form, and therefore can easily be fixed. Further as the string (3) is held with the elastic leg pieces (12), the holding state can easily be released, and the cord stopper (1) can easily be replaced with another one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Watabe
  • Patent number: 7140079
    Abstract: A clip for securing trim to a body. A first portion of the clip has a first side configured to be mated against a surface of the body and a second, opposing side configured to mate with the trim. The second side has a device for securely coupling to the trim. A second portion of the clip is configured to be attached to the body. The second portion is disposed within a channel in the first portion. The first portion is slidable relative to the second portion along a first axis. The first portion may be moved relative to the second portion to permit adjustment of a position on the body of trim coupled to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Narumichi Nishimura, Michael S. Sutton, Michael T. Binfet
  • Patent number: 7140080
    Abstract: A lingerie strap and slide assembly has the central bar of the slide of set or recessed and formed with spikes to which the strap end is welded. The slide has its thickest portions at the centers of the transverse bars at which the central bar merges with the remainder of the slide. The strap passes around the central bar or directly through one of the slots to a ring and returns through that slot across the central bar and through the other slot in the slide to the shoulder of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Fildan Accessories Corporation
    Inventors: Gerhard Fildan, Karl Wanzenböck
  • Patent number: 7140081
    Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a material or have configurations that provide a shape changing capability and/or change in flexural modulus property to the hook elements. In this manner, the shape and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction in the shear and/or pull forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Lampe Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7140082
    Abstract: A side release buckle includes a male member having two forward extended elastic retaining arms, each of which has a curved outer sidewall with a retaining shoulder portion formed near a proximal end thereof and a downward locating block; and a hollow female member having a front opening and two side openings, and two projected stoppers. The curved outer sidewalls of the retaining arms enable the male member to slide into the front opening of the female member from an angular position, and the engagement of the male member with the female member at the retaining shoulder portions and axially front ends of the side openings and at the locating blocks and the stoppers provides the buckle with enhanced force-bearing strength to prevent the male and the female member from easy breakaway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Button International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung-Lung Chen
  • Patent number: 7140083
    Abstract: A nozzle sheet has arrays of nozzles, and additionally has two first positioning holes on opposite sides of the arrays of nozzles, respectively, that are opposite to each other in a lengthwise direction of the nozzle sheet, and two second positioning holes in respective vicinities of the two first positioning holes. When the nozzle sheet is adhered to a lower surface of a channel unit consisting of a plurality of sheet members and having a plurality of ink channels, first, two first positioning pins of a first jig are fitted in the two first positioning holes of the nozzle sheet so as to position the nozzle sheet relative to the first jig and, subsequently, the channel unit is adhered to the nozzle sheet so as to provide a cavity unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Ito
  • Patent number: 7140084
    Abstract: A method of producing a thin film bulk acoustic resonator having a piezoelectric layer, a first electrode joined to a first surface of the piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode joined to a second surface of the piezoelectric layer, which is located at the opposite side to the first surface, including the steps of forming a pit on a surface of a substrate; filling the pit with a sacrificial layer; polishing a surface of the sacrificial layer so that the RMS variation of a height of the surface of the sacrificial layer is equal to 25 nm or less; forming the first electrode over a partial area of the surface of the sacrificial layer and a partial area of the surface of the substrate; forming the piezoelectric layer on the first electrode so that RMS variation of a height of the second surface of the piezoelectric layer is equal to 5% or less of a thickness of the piezoelectric layer; forming the second electrode on the piezoelectric layer; and removing the sacrificial layer from the inside of the pit by et
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: UBE Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Yamada, Keigo Nagao, Chisen Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7140085
    Abstract: A capacitive vacuum measuring cell includes first and second ceramic housing bodies (1, 4) joined by an edge seal (3). A thin ceramic membrane (2) is supported between first and second housing bodies (1, 4) by the edge seal (3) at a small distance from the first housing body (1) creating a reference vacuum chamber (25) therebetween. An electrically conductive material (7) coats opposing surfaces of the first housing body (1) and the membrane (2) to form a capacitor. A measurement vacuum chamber (26) is provided between the membrane (2) and the second housing body (4). A port (5) communicates with the second housing body (4) to connect the measurement vacuum chamber (26) of the measuring cell to the medium to be measured. The membrane (2) is made from an Al2O3 slurry that is sintered in a first heating step, cooled, and then reheated to smooth the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Inficon GmbH
    Inventors: Per Bjoerkman, Ray Olsson
  • Patent number: 7140086
    Abstract: A support assembly useful in supporting a plumbing fixture in the course of effecting connections thereto includes a base provided with a vertical tube segment supporting a nut assembly threadably engaged to a rod partly received in the segment with the upper rod end supporting an adapter conformed to the supported fixture. An offset bar fixed to the rod exterior engages a lateral recess on the segment to fix the rod in rotation as the nut assembly is turned. The assembly may include rods of differing lengths and adapters of various forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Kenneth Heaton
  • Patent number: 7140087
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for extraction of nails, screws and other such fasteners from wood or other host materials are disclosed. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a shank adapted for application at a rotational drive source, a two-part engaging member at one end of the shank having a cavity extending thereinto for receiving therein a fastener to be extracted and openable to release the fastener after extraction. A cutting component is defined at a bottom edge of the engaging member adjacent to an opening to the cavity for cleanly removing host material from around the fastener. A gripping surface formation comprising a spiraling striation is formed at a surface of the cavity for threadably engaging the fastener to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: ReConnX, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon X. Giltner
  • Patent number: 7140088
    Abstract: Disclosed is a turning tool for cutting circumferential grooves into a surface of a polishing pad formed of a resin material and utilized for polishing semiconductor devices. The turning tool comprising a cutting part arranged to have a tooth width within a range of 0.005–1.0 mm, a wedge angle within a range of 15–35 degrees, and a front clearance angle within a range of 65–45 degrees. A polishing pad effectively formed by using the turning tool, and an apparatus and a method of producing such a polishing pad by utilizing the turning tool are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Toho Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsutoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7140089
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a compact, low-cost, lightweight, versatile and easy-to-operate, processor-controlled carving and multi-purpose shaping device (“PCCMPS machine”). The PCCMPS machine that represents one embodiment of the present invention is configured, in part, similarly to common, commercially available portable wood planers and ubiquitous laser and ink-jet computer printers, with work pieces fed into the PCCMPS machine in a horizontal direction. The PCCMPS machine includes a motor-powered cutting head that can power detachable bits to drill, cut, shape, and rout a work piece under processor and computer control. The cutting head may be translated, under processor control, back and forth across the surface of the work piece in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the work piece is fed into the PCCMPS machine and moved by motor-powered rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: LHR Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Scott Lovchik, James David Jochim, Dennis Girard Lawler
  • Patent number: 7140090
    Abstract: A technique for securing a conduit box to a housing of an electric motor is disclosed. The technique includes forming a hollow extension from a surface of the conduit box. The conduit box is placed on a motor frame so that the hollow extension is inserted into a hole in the motor frame that passes into the hollow interior of the motor frame. The hollow extension is plastically deformed inside the motor housing to a greater width than the diameter of the hole in the motor housing so that the conduit box cannot be removed from the motor housing. A stator is placed in the motor housing and wiring is routed from the stator to the interior of the wiring box through a passageway formed by the hollow extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald H. Williams, Richard L. Boyd, W. Alan Ewing
  • Patent number: 7140091
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an inductive component intended to be installed on a printed circuit involves initially winding an electrically conductive wire to form a winding without using a former end connecting the opposed ends of the winding to inner ends of connecting terminals. The body formed of a block of an insulating material is then over-moulded onto the coil and onto the inner ends of the connecting terminals with the body including a central opening that passes through the body along the axis of the coil. Finally, a core made of ferrite is placed on the body such that the core surrounds the body in a center plane containing the axis of the coil with a center core element passing through the opening in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Microspire S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-François Kummel