Mechanical dart carrier

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6595655
  • Patent Number
    6,595,655
  • Date Filed
    Monday, October 15, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, July 22, 2003
    21 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Tso; Laura K.
    Agents
    • Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.C.
Abstract
The present invention includes a dart carrier for carrying darts, dart parts and other items associated with dart throwing. The dart carrier includes a quiver member having storage chambers such as through-bores, re-entrant bores, and recesses, for example. The various storage chambers retain and store assembled darts and accessories. The carrier further includes a plunger or piston to elevate stored items resting on a lifter plate in the housing for easy access. The plunger retracts the lifter plate during storage.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates generally to dart carriers and more specifically to a mechanical dart carrier for holding and transporting darts and related accessories.




Dart throwing is a popular pastime and competitive leisure time sport among amateurs and professionals. Often a dart shooter may wish to carry extra flights and/or tips for replacement during play. Currently, foldable wallet-style carriers are available to house these extra tips and flights. However, this type of carrier presents several drawbacks. First, since flights are stored therein, either as a part of a dart assembly or separately, crush damage to these delicate, relatively flexible parts is possible. Further, the carrier is not impervious to liquid; hence, its contents are susceptible to fluid damage if the carrier is accidentally dropped in water, for example.




The above-mentioned invention offers a solution to these problems while additionally offering several features unique to dart carriers. The mechanical dart carrier of the present invention is preferably cylindrical in shape and includes a quiver member and a protective housing. The quiver member is designed to retain assembled darts and extra tips and flights. A plunger or piston serves to elevate a lifter upon which assembled darts rest. The piston elevates the lifter for access and retracts the lifter when the darts resting thereon are placed in storage position. A return rod is directly connected to the plunger. Downward longitudinal movement of the return rod, while the lifter is in the extended or in use position, returns the lifter to the stored position. The return rod may be of any length, but is preferably of a length to accommodate the length of the dart being stored. The dart carrier preferably includes a cap which, while in place over the quiver member, prevents the return rod and lifter from inadvertent elevation.




The dart carrier may also include other features such as recesses for extra coin storage and internal or external lighting. Further, the case housing and cap are preferably made from anodized aluminum or other durable material that may be additionally personalized by engraving or the like. The quiver member may be made from any corrosive resistant material such as stainless steel or a translucent material such as acrylic plastic.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of dart carriers, the present invention provides a new carrier. The general purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved dart carrier and method, which does not have the disadvantages present in known devices.




More particularly, the present invention provides an enclosure or housing for assembled dart and a number of dart accessories including tips, flights and extra coins, by way of example. The housing may be of any suitable shape, although it is preferred that the housing be cylindrical and have a tubular bore. The items to be stored are retained in a quiver member residing in the tubular bore and extending outwardly from an end of the housing. The quiver member preferably includes specially configured, coextensive through-chambers and circumferentially spaced recesses and re-entrant bores. Assembled darts to be stored may be housed in the through-chambers and suspended on a longitudinally movable lifter located in the housing below the quiver. Additional items may be stored in stationary, circumferentially spaced recesses and re-entrant bores located in the quiver member.




The moveable lifter preferably includes a stem having at its lower end a radially extending lifter plate. The lifter plate is normally spaced below the stationary quiver member and below the items located in the coextensive through-chambers to be supported thereon. The lifter, while in the retracted position, is located a sufficient distance below the quiver member to allow the stored items resting on the lifter plate to be elevated above the top of the quiver member upon longitudinal upward travel of the lifter plate. This action allows access of the stored items when they are elevated by the lifter plate. The lifter plate and stem are captive in the housing. However, when fully elevated, the stem may rise above the upper periphery of the quiver member. A removable cap further protects the contents of the quiver member while not in use.




It is an object of this invention is to provide a dart and accessories carrier which supports and protects delicate dart components during transport.




An additional object of the invention is to provide a dart and accessories carrier with a longitudinally movable supporting lifter plate which allows darts to be enclosed during transport and elevated for use.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a dart and accessories carrier that can be provided with illumination means.




Various other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.











DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is an exploded elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the dart carrier.





FIG. 2

is a top plan view of the dart carrier shown in

FIG. 1

with the top removed.





FIG. 3



a


is a longitudinal section of the dart carrier shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

and taken along line 3


a-


3


a


of

FIG. 2

showing the lifter plate in retracted, storage position.





FIG. 3



b


is a longitudinal section similar to the view of

FIG. 3



a


, but showing the lifter plate in the extended position.





FIG. 4

is an exploded view of the components comprising the dart carrier shown in

FIGS. 1-3



b


, inclusive.





FIG. 5

is an exploded elevational view of an alternative embodiment dart carrier.





FIG. 6

is a top plan view of the dart carrier shown in

FIG. 5

with the top removed.





FIG. 7



a


is a longitudinal section of the dart carrier shown in

FIGS. 5 and 6

and taken along line 7


a-


7


a


of FIG.


6


and showing an alternative embodiment including an externally threaded lifter plate in retracted, storage position.





FIG. 7



b


is a longitudinal section similar to the view of

FIG. 7



a


, but showing the threaded lifter plate in the extended position.





FIG. 8

is an exploded view of the components comprising the dart carrier shown in

FIGS. 5-7



b


, inclusive.





FIG. 9

is an exploded elevational view of another alternative embodiment dart carrier.





FIG. 10

is a top plan view of the dart carrier shown in

FIG. 9

with the top removed.





FIG. 11



a


is a longitudinal sectional view of the dart carrier shown in

FIGS. 9 and 10

, and taken along line


11




a


-


11




a


of

FIG. 10

showing the lifter plate in retracted, storage position.





FIG. 11



b


is a longitudinal section view similar to the view of


11




a


but showing the lifter plate in the extended position.





FIG. 12

is an exploded view of the components comprising the dart carrier shown in

FIGS. 9-11



b


, inclusive.





FIG. 13

is an exploded elevational view of another alternative embodiment dart carrier showing a rotatable collar member.











Like elements described and illustrated herein bear like reference numerals.




DETAILED DESCRIPTION




Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.




Referring now to the views of

FIGS. 1-4

, a preferred embodiment of the dart carrier


10


may be seen. As seen particularly in the view of

FIG. 4

, the dart carrier


10


includes a housing member


12


and a quiver member


14


attached to one end


16


of the housing member


12


. The housing


12


may be of any suitable shape, although it is preferred that the housing


12


be cylindrical. The items to be stored are retained below the top surface


15


of the quiver member


14


in specially configured, coextensive through-chambers


18


, circumferentially spaced recesses


20


, and re-entrant bores


22


.




As may be seen particularly in

FIGS. 2

,


3




a


, and


3




b


, through-chambers


18


are preferably cylindrical in shape and longitudinally coextensive with the quiver member


14


. Assembled darts


24


, shown in phantom in

FIGS. 3



a


and


3




b


, are slidably received in individual through-chambers


18


. The through-chambers


18


include a through bore


26


, an open outer end


28




a


and an open inner end


28




b


. Individual assembled darts


24


to be stored in respective through-chambers


18


are preferably inserted tip


24




a


first through open outer end


28




a


. The open inner end


28




b


allows the through-chamber bore


26


to be in communication with the housing bore


30


. Through-chambers


18


are preferably further provided with communicating, radially extending slots


32


to provide support and protection for the flights


24




b


of assembled darts


24


stored in the through-chambers


18


.




As may be seen particularly in

FIGS. 1

,


2


, and


4


, additional items, such as extra flights


24




a


or coins (not shown) may be stored in stationary, circumferentially-spaced recesses


20


located on the periphery of the quiver member


14


. The recesses


20


preferably include a supporting surface


34


facing the exterior of the quiver member


14


and oppositely disposed, facing grooves


36


defining the width of the recess


20


. The configuration of the recesses


20


is adapted to accommodate replaceable flight members


24




a


or coins (not shown).




It is preferred that the quiver member


14


further include at least one re-entrant bore


22


for slidably receiving and storing replacement dart tips


24




a


. The re-entrant bore


22


is preferably circumferentially-spaced and of a sufficient depth to accommodate a dart tip


24




a


. As seen in

FIGS. 3



a


,


3




b


, and


4


, the re-entrant bore


22


may further include a removable cap


38


. The removable cap


38


is easily dislodged from its interference fit in the re-entrant bore


22


by inserting a fingernail (not shown) or other suitable tool in skived area


78


(see FIGS.


1


and


2


).




As mentioned above, assembled darts


24


are preferably retained in through-chambers


18


located in the quiver member


14


. Since the inner end


28




b


of each through-bore


26


is open and in communication with the hollow bore


30


of the housing


12


, darts


24


stored in the through-chambers


18


may enter the hollow housing bore


30


. Assembled darts


24


are preferably suspended on a longitudinally movable lifter


40


located in the housing bore


30


below the quiver member


14


. As seen in

FIGS. 3



a


,


3




b


, and


4


, the lifter


40


preferably includes a stem member


42


having a lower end portion


44


and an upper end portion


46


. The lower end portion


42


of the stem member


42


includes a radially extending lifter plate


48


. The lower end portion


44


of the stem member


42


may be connected to the lifter plate


48


in any feasible manner, however it is preferred that lower end portion


44


be threadably connected to the lifter plate


48


.




As may be seen particularly in

FIGS. 3



a


and


3




b


, the upper end portion


46


of the stem member


42


is preferably of a greater diameter than the lower end portion


44


. The two end portions


44


,


46


being threadably connected to one another and slidably received in a stem through-bore


50


located in the quiver member


14


. The stem through-bore


50


preferably includes major portion


52


terminating in a minor portion


52




a


at shouldered area


54


. The major portion


52


is preferably of a larger diameter than the minor portion


52




a


, the diameters corresponding to the respective diameters of the upper end


46


and lower end


44


of the stem member


42


. This arrangement allows the stem member


42


to travel longitudinally within the stem through-bore


50


with the shouldered area


54


acting as a stop for the larger diametered upper end


46


of the stem member. The shouldered area


54


retains the stem member


42


in the stem bore


50


during downward travel to prevent the lifter


40


from escaping the housing bore


30


.




The lifter plate


48


is normally spaced below the stationary quiver member


14


and below the items to be stored in the through-chambers


18


. A countersunk well area


56


in the supporting surface


58


of the lifter plate


48


allows dart tips


24




a


of assemble darts


24


to be supported thereon.




Referring now particularly to

FIGS. 3



a


and


3




b


, movement of the lifter


40


may be seen. The lifter


40


, while in the retracted position seen in

FIG. 3



a


, is located a sufficient distance below the quiver member


14


to permit the darts


24


to reside below the top surface


15


of quiver member


14


. Upon longitudinal upward travel of the lifter


40


, seen in

FIG. 3



b


, the stored darts


24


resting on supporting surface


58


of countersunk well area


56


of the lifter plate


48


are elevated for access above the top surface


15


of the quiver member


14


. Optionally, washers


88


made of hook and loop fastener material may be provided as seen in

FIGS. 3



a


and


3




b


to aid in retaining the lifter plate


48


in the elevated position. The lifter plate


48


and stem member


42


are captive in the housing


12


, however when fully elevated, the stem member


42


may rise above the upper periphery of the quiver member


14


.




A removable cap


60


(seen in

FIGS. 1 and 4

) further protects the contents of the quiver member


14


while not in use. While the removable cap


60


is in place over the quiver member


14


it also serves to limit travel of the stem member


42


to thereby prevent inadvertent elevation of the stored darts


24


.




Referring now to

FIGS. 5-8

inclusive, an alternative embodiment dart carrier


10




a


may be seen. As seen in the previous embodiment, the dart carrier


10




a


includes a housing member


12


and a quiver member


14


, however as seen here the quiver member


14


is integrally formed with the housing member


12


. The housing


12


may be of any suitable shape, although it is preferred that the housing


12


be cylindrical. Similarly to the previous embodiment, the items to be stored are retained below the top surface


15


of the quiver member


14


in specially configured, coextensive through-chambers


18


, circumferentially spaced recesses


20


, and re-entrant bores


22


(not seen in these views). Although storage areas


18


,


20


,


22


are preferred, it is to be understood that it is not necessary for the dart carrier to include all storage areas


18


,


20


,


22


. Further, other configurations for storage areas will be apparent to those skilled in the art.




As may be seen particularly in

FIGS. 6

,


7




a


, and


7




b


, through-chambers


18


are preferably cylindrical in shape and longitudinally coextensive with the quiver member


14


. Assembled darts


24


, shown in phantom in

FIGS. 7



a


and


7




b


, are slidably received in individual through-chambers


18


. As seen in the previous embodiment, the through-chambers


18


include a through bore


26


, an open outer end


28




a


and an open inner end


28




b


. Individual assembled darts


24


to be stored in respective through-chambers


18


are inserted tip


24




a


first through open outer end


28




a


. The open inner end


28




b


allows the through-chamber bore


26


to be in communication with the housing bore


30


. Through-chambers


18


are preferably further provided with communicating, radially extending slots


32


to provide support and protection for the flights


24




b


of assembled darts


24


stored in the through-chambers


18


.




Additional items, such as extra flights


24




a


or coins (not shown) may be stored in stationary, circumferentially-spaced recesses


20


located on the periphery of the quiver member


14


. The recesses


20


preferably include a supporting surface


34


facing the exterior of the quiver member


14


and oppositely disposed, facing grooves


36


defining the width of the recess


20


. The configuration of the recesses


20


is adapted to accommodate replaceable flight members


24




a


or coins (not shown).




While not shown in the views of

FIGS. 5-8

, it is to be understood that the quiver member


14


of dart carrier


10




a


may be optionally provided with at least one re-entrant bore


22


similar to those shown in the previous embodiment. The optional re-entrant bore


22


(seen In

FIG. 1

) slidably receives and stores replacement dart tips


24




a.






As in the previous embodiment, assembled darts


24


are preferably retained in through-chambers


18


located in the quiver member


14


. Since the inner end


28




b


of each through-bore


26


is open and in communication with the hollow bore


30


of the housing


12


, darts


24


stored in the through-chambers


18


may enter the hollow housing bore


30


. Assembled darts


24


are preferably suspended on a longitudinally movable lifter assembly


40




a


located in the housing bore


30


below the quiver member


14


. As seen in

FIGS. 7



a


,


7




b


, and


8


, the lifter assembly


40




a


preferably includes a threaded stem member


42




a


. The stem member


42




a


includes a threaded portion


61


and a socket portion


62


. The socket portion is adapted to receive the tip of a conventional allen wrench (not shown) should it be desired to adjust the stem member


42




a


. The threaded stem member


42




a


is threadably connected to a threaded, radially extending lifter plate


48




a.






As may be seen particularly in

FIGS. 7



a


and


7




b


, socket portion


62


the stem member


42




a


is preferably of a greater diameter than the threaded portion


61


. The two portions


61


,


62


being slidably received in a stem through-bore


50


located in the quiver member


14


. The stem through-bore


50


preferably includes major portion


52


terminating in a minor portion


52




a


at shouldered area


54


. The major portion


52


is preferably of a larger diameter than the minor portion


52




a


, the diameters corresponding to the respective diameters of portions


61


,


62


of the stem member


42




a


. This arrangement seats the socket portion


62


securely in shouldered area


54


. The threaded lifter plate


48




a


includes circumferentially spaced threads


64


that are threadingly mated with threads


66


in threaded bore


30




a.






The threaded lifter plate


48




a


is normally spaced below the stationary quiver member


14


and below the items to be stored in the through-chambers


18


. A countersunk well area


56


on the supporting surface


58


of the lifter plate


48




a


allows dart tips


24




a


to be supported thereon.




Referring now particularly to

FIGS. 7



a


,


7




b


, movement of the lifter assembly


40




a


may be seen. The lifter assembly


40




a


, while in the retracted position seen in

FIG. 7



a


, is located a sufficient distance below the quiver member


14


. Upon rotational movement of the base member


82


, threaded lifter plate


48




a


and the stored darts


24


resting on the lifter plate


48




a


are elevated for access above the top surface


15


of the quiver member


14


. The threaded lifter plate


48




a


and stem member


42


are captive in the housing


12


, however when fully elevated, stop rods


68


secured to lifter plate


48




a


may rise above the upper periphery of the quiver member


14


. The purpose of the stop rods


68


is to prevent inadvertent elevation of the lifter assembly


40




a


and damage of the items contained in the quiver


14


. Upon placement of the removable cap


60


on the quiver member


14


, the stop rods


68


are prevented from elevation, thereby also preventing the lifter assembly


40




a


from elevating as well. This feature allows the lifter assembly


40




a


to be elevated only when the cap


60


is removed.




Yet another embodiment of the dart carrier may be seen in the views of

FIGS. 9-12

, inclusive. As seen in the previous embodiments, the dart carrier


10




b


includes a housing member


12


and a quiver member


14


attached to one end


16


of the housing member


12


. The housing may be of any suitable shape, although it is preferred that the housing be cylindrical, and as shown in

FIG. 9

may include flattened outer surface areas


80


. Flattened outer surfaces areas


80


may be engraved, if desired. The items to be stored are retained below the top surface


15


of the quiver member


14


in specially configured, coextensive through-chambers,


18


circumferentially spaced recesses


20


, and re-entrant bores


22


.




As may be seen particularly in

FIGS. 10

,


11




a


, and


11




b


, through-chambers


18


are preferably cylindrical in shape and longitudinally coextensive with the quiver member


14


. Assembled darts


24


, shown in phantom in

FIGS. 11



a


and


11




b


, are slidably received in individual through-chambers


18


. As seen in the previous embodiments, the through-chambers


18


include a through bore


26


, an open outer end


28




a


and an open inner end


28




b


. Individual assembled darts


24


to be stored in respective through-chambers


18


are inserted tip


24




a


first through open outer end


28




a


. The open inner end


28




b


allows the through-chamber bore


26


to be in communication with the housing bore


30


. Through-chambers


18


are preferably further provided with communicating radially extending slots


32


to provide support and protection for the flights


24




b


of assembled darts


24


stored in the through-chambers


18


.




Additional items, such as extra flights


24




a


or coins (not shown) may be stored in stationary, circumferentially-spaced recesses


20


located on the periphery of the quiver member


14


. The recesses


20


preferably include a supporting surface


34


facing the exterior of the quiver member


14


and oppositely disposed, facing grooves


36


defining the width of the recess


20


. The configuration of the recesses


20


is adapted to accommodate replaceable flight members


24




a


or coins (not shown). As seen particularly in

FIG. 10

, recesses


20


may be further provided with a secondary, countersunk recess


20




a


. Secondary recess


20




a


may be used for storage of additional items such as a dart wrench (not shown).




As in the previous embodiments, the quiver member


14


preferably further includes at least one re-entrant bore


22


for slidably receiving and storing replacement dart tips


24




a


. The re-entrant bore


22


is preferably circumferentially-spaced and of a sufficient depth to accommodate a dart tip


24




a


. The re-entrant bore may further include a removable cap


38


as seen in FIG.


12


. Cap


38


may be easily removed by inserting a fingernail (not shown), or other suitable tool into skived area


78


(see FIGS.


9


and


10


).




As mentioned above, assembled darts


24


are preferably retained in through-chambers


18


located in the quiver member


14


. Since the inner end


28




b


of each through-bore


26


is open and in communication with the hollow bore


30


of the housing


12


, darts


24


stored in the through-chambers


18


may enter the hollow housing bore


30


. Assembled darts


24


are preferably suspended on a longitudinally movable lifter


40


located in the housing bore


30


below the quiver member


14


. As seen in

FIGS. 11



a


and


11




b


, the lifter


40


functions similarly to the embodiment illustrated in

FIGS. 3



a


and


3




b


. However it is to be noted that dart carrier


10




b


seen in

FIGS. 11



a


and


11




b


is further fitted with an internal lighting source, such as a light emitting diode (LED)


70


. LED


70


is activated by way of switch


72


upon contact with the lifter plate


48


. The dart carrier


10




b


shown in

FIGS. 9-12

may be further provided with a quiver light source


74


. Light source


74


including a finger operable switch


76


.




Referring now to

FIG. 13

, an alternative embodiment dart carrier


10




c


can be seen. The dart carrier


10




c


illustrated in this view, while similar to the previously mentioned embodiments, includes a rotatable collar member


84


. Rotatable collar


84


includes open ends


85




a


,


85




b


and is adapted to be slidably received on housing member


12


. The collar member


84


preferably includes at least one circumferentially spaced aperture or window


86


. Dart carrier


10




c


is further provided with circumferentially spaced recesses


20




a


located on the outer periphery of the housing member


12


and arranged to provide additional storage space, if necessary. The rotatable collar member


84


provides alternative closure and access of the recesses


20




a


as rotation of the collar


84


moves the window


86


into and out of alignment with individual recesses


20




a.






The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.



Claims
  • 1. A dart carrier comprising:a housing member having a tubular bore; a lifter plate contained within said bore, said lifter plate including a longitudinally extending stem member; said lifting plate and said stem member being arranged for predetermined longitudinal travel from a first rest position to a second extended position of said stem; said carrier including a quiver member extending from an end of said housing member; said quiver member including a throuborecommunicating with said tubular bore, said through bore arranged to slidably receive said stem member; said quiver member including at least one dart-retaining chamber communicating with said tubular bore, said dart-retaining chamber extending longitudinally coextensive of said quiver member.
  • 2. The dart carrier of claim 1 further including at least one re-entrant recess located in said quiver member.
  • 3. The dart carrier of claim 1, wherein said quiver member further includes at least one re-entrant chamber for slidably receiving and accommodating a replaceable flight member.
  • 4. The dart carrier of claim 3, wherein said re-entrant chamber is located on the periphery of said quiver member, said re-entrant chamber having a supporting surface facing the exterior of said quiver member and oppositely disposed facing grooves defining the width of said supporting surface.
  • 5. The dart carrier of claim 1, wherein said housing contains a light source and a power source for said light source and switch means for controlling power to said light source, and wherein said quiver member is capable of transmitting light received from said light source.
  • 6. The dart carrier of claim 5, wherein operation of said switch is controlled by longitudinal movement of said lifter plate.
  • 7. The dart carrier of claim 1 wherein said second through bore includes a plurality of radially extending slots communicating with said through bore.
  • 8. The dart carrier of claim 1 wherein said inner surface of said lifter plate includes at least one countersunk well area.
  • 9. A dart carrier for transporting at least one dart assembly having a tip member and a replaceable flight member, said carrier comprising:a housing member having a tubular bore; a lifter plate slidably contained within said bore, said lifter plate having an inner surface and an outer surface and a stem member longitudinally extending inwardly from said inner surface; said lifter plate and said stem member being arranged for predetermined longitudinal travel from a first rest position to a second extended position; a quiver member residing in said tubular bore and extending outwardly from an end of said housing member; said quiver member including first and second through bores each communicating with said housing tubular bore, said first through bore arranged to slidably receive said stem member, and said second through bore arranged to receive and accommodate said dart assembly, said inner surface of said lifter plate arranged for supporting engagement with said dart assembly; and stop means for restricting predetermined longitudinal travel of said lifter plate and said stem member.
  • 10. The dart carrier of claim 9, wherein said quiver member further includes at least one re-entrant chamber for slidably receiving and accommodating a replaceable flight member.
  • 11. The dart carrier of claim 10, wherein said re-entrant chamber is located on a peripheral portion of said quiver member, said re-entrant chamber having a supporting surface facing the exterior of said quiver member and oppositely disposed facing grooves defining the width of said supporting surface.
  • 12. The dart carrier of claim 9, wherein said housing contains a light source and a power source for said light source and switch means for controlling power to said light source, and wherein said quiver member is capable of transmitting light therethrough received from said light source.
  • 13. The dart carrier of claim 12, wherein operation of said switch is controlled by longitudinal movement of said lifter plate.
  • 14. The dart carrier of claim 9 wherein said second through bore includes a plurality of radially extending slots communicating with said through bore.
  • 15. The dart carrier of claim 9 wherein said inner surface of said lifter plate includes at least one countersunk well area.
US Referenced Citations (33)
Number Name Date Kind
1341559 Jackson May 1920 A
1397610 Appell Nov 1921 A
2252381 Ladd Aug 1941 A
2390631 Young Dec 1945 A
2504820 Forlenza Apr 1950 A
3458078 Skidmore Jul 1969 A
3727748 Brown Apr 1973 A
3904362 DiPaolo Sep 1975 A
3960271 Nelson Jun 1976 A
4697379 McPhaul Oct 1987 A
4714985 Hickey Dec 1987 A
4765482 Delia Aug 1988 A
4773578 Braun Sep 1988 A
4999943 Crabtree Mar 1991 A
5067610 Jensen Nov 1991 A
5165537 Neff et al. Nov 1992 A
5238108 Velezis et al. Aug 1993 A
5359505 Story et al. Oct 1994 A
5450992 Coffee Sep 1995 A
5515249 Shiao May 1996 A
5533625 Mikkelsen Jul 1996 A
5566823 Summers Oct 1996 A
5690088 Ruble Nov 1997 A
5733034 Jan Mar 1998 A
5775314 Michael et al. Jul 1998 A
5794771 Krawec et al. Aug 1998 A
5803069 Schreiber Sep 1998 A
5868266 Nobakht Feb 1999 A
5894927 Bennett Apr 1999 A
6053315 Yao Apr 2000 A
6173834 Voden et al. Jan 2001 B1
6305534 Neal Oct 2001 B1
6390294 Fiore, Jr. et al. May 2002 B1
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry
No. 1299 to Robertson et al., dated Mar. 12, 1983, pp. 1 and 2.