The present invention relates to table saws and more particularly to table saws with safety systems.
A table saw is a power tool used to cut a work piece to a desired size. A table saw includes a work surface or table and a circular blade extending up through the table. A person uses a table saw by holding a work piece on the table and feeding it past the spinning blade to make a cut. The table saw is one of the most basic machines used in woodworking.
The blade of a table saw, however, presents a risk of injury to a user of the saw. If the user accidentally places their hand in the path of the blade, or if their hand slips into the blade, then the user could receive a serious injury or amputation. Accidents also happen because of what is called kickback. Kickback may occur when a work piece contacts the downstream edge of the blade as it is being cut. The blade then propels the work piece back toward the user at a high velocity. When this happens, the user's hand may be carried into the blade because of the sudden and unexpected movement of the work piece
Safety systems or features are incorporated into table saws to minimize the risk of injury. Probably the most common safety feature is a guard that physically blocks an operator from making contact with the blade. In many cases, guards effectively reduce the risk of injury, however, there are many instances where the nature of the operations to be performed precludes using a guard that completely blocks access to the blade.
Other safety systems have been developed to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine, such as detecting when a user's hand touches the moving blade on a saw. When that contact is detected, the safety systems react to minimize injury.
The present document discloses an improved design for a table saw. The design is particularly adapted to implement safety systems that detect and react to dangerous conditions.
A machine that incorporates a safety system to detect and react to a dangerous condition, such as human contact with a designated portion of the machine, is shown schematically in
Machine 10 also includes a suitable power source 20 to provide power to operative structure 12 and safety system 18. Power source 20 may be an external power source such as line current, or an internal power source such as a battery. Alternatively, power source 20 may include a combination of both external and internal power sources. Furthermore, power source 20 may include two or more separate power sources, each adapted to power different portions of machine 10.
It will be appreciated that operative structure 12 may take any one of many different forms. For example, operative structure 12 may include a stationary housing configured to support motor assembly 16 in driving engagement with cutting tool 14. Alternatively, operative structure 12 may include one or more transport mechanisms adapted to convey a work piece toward and/or away from cutting tool 14.
Motor assembly 16 includes at least one motor adapted to drive cutting tool 14. The motor may be either directly or indirectly coupled to the cutting tool, and may also be adapted to drive work piece transport mechanisms. The particular form of cutting tool 14 will vary depending upon the various embodiments of machine 10. For example, cutting tool 14 may be a single, circular rotating blade having a plurality of teeth disposed along the perimetrical edge of the blade. Alternatively, the cutting tool may be a plurality of circular blades, such as a dado blade or dado stack, or some other type of blade or working tool.
Safety system 18 includes a detection subsystem 22, a reaction subsystem 24 and a control subsystem 26. Control subsystem 26 may be adapted to receive inputs from a variety of sources including detection subsystem 22, reaction subsystem 24, operative structure 12 and motor assembly 16. The control subsystem may also include one or more sensors adapted to monitor selected parameters of machine 10. In addition, control subsystem 26 typically includes one or more instruments operable by a user to control the machine. The control subsystem is configured to control machine 10 in response to the inputs it receives.
Detection subsystem 22 is configured to detect one or more dangerous or triggering conditions during use of machine 10. For example, the detection subsystem may be configured to detect that a portion of the user's body is dangerously close to or in contact with a portion of cutting tool 14. As another example, the detection subsystem may be configured to detect the rapid movement of a workpiece due to kickback by the cutting tool, as is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/676,190, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. In some embodiments, detection subsystem 22 may inform control subsystem 26 of the dangerous condition, which then activates reaction subsystem 24. In other embodiments, the detection subsystem may be adapted to activate the reaction subsystem directly.
Once activated in response to a dangerous condition, reaction subsystem 24 is configured to engage operative structure 12 quickly to prevent serious injury to the user. It will be appreciated that the particular action to be taken by reaction subsystem 24 will vary depending on the type of machine 10 and/or the dangerous condition that is detected. For example, reaction subsystem 24 may be configured to do one or more of the following: stop the movement of cutting tool 14, disconnect motor assembly 16 from power source 20, place a barrier between the cutting tool and the user, or retract the cutting tool from its operating position, etc. The reaction subsystem may be configured to take a combination of steps to protect the user from serious injury. Placement of a barrier between the cutting tool and teeth is described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0017183 A1, entitled “Cutting Tool Safety System,” the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. Retracting the cutting tool is described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0017181 A1, entitled “Retraction System for Use in Power Equipment,” and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/452,159, filed Mar. 5, 2003, entitled “Retraction System and Motor Position for Use With Safety Systems for Power Equipment,” the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.
The configuration of reaction subsystem 24 typically will vary depending on which action or actions are taken. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in
It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the exemplary embodiment depicted in
In the exemplary implementation, detection subsystem 22 is adapted to detect the dangerous condition of the user coming into contact with blade 40. The detection subsystem includes a sensor assembly, such as contact detection plates 44 and 46, capacitively coupled to blade 40 to detect any contact between the user's body and the blade. Typically, the blade, or some larger portion of cutting tool 14 is electrically isolated from the remainder of machine 10. Alternatively, detection subsystem 22 may include a different sensor assembly configured to detect contact in other ways, such as optically, resistively, etc. In any event, the detection subsystem is adapted to transmit a signal to control subsystem 26 when contact between the user and the blade is detected. Various exemplary embodiments and implementations of detection subsystem 22 are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0017176 A1, entitled “Detection System For power Equipment,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0017336 A1, entitled “Apparatus And Method For Detecting Dangerous Conditions In Power Equipment,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0069734 A1, entitled “Contact Detection System for Power Equipment,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0190581 A1, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Detecting Dangerous Conditions in Power Equipment,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0002942 A1, entitled “Discrete Proximity Detection System,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0090224 A1, entitled “Detection System for Power Equipment,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/533,791, entitled “Improved Detection Systems for Power Equipment,” the disclosures of which are all herein incorporated by reference.
Control subsystem 26 includes one or more instruments 48 that are operable by a user to control the motion of blade 40. Instruments 48 may include start/stop switches, speed controls, direction controls, light-emitting diodes, etc. Control subsystem 26 also includes a logic controller 50 connected to receive the user's inputs via instruments 48. Logic controller 50 is also connected to receive a contact detection signal from detection subsystem 22. Further, the logic controller may be configured to receive inputs from other sources (not shown) such as blade motion sensors, work piece sensors, etc. In any event, the logic controller is configured to control operative structure 12 in response to the user's inputs through instruments 48. However, upon receipt of a contact detection signal from detection subsystem 22, the logic controller overrides the control inputs from the user and activates reaction subsystem 24 to stop the motion of the blade. Various exemplary embodiments and implementations of control subsystem 26, and components that may be used in control system 26, are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0020262 A1, entitled “Logic Control For Fast Acting Safety System,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0017178 A1, entitled “Motion Detecting System For Use In Safety System For Power Equipment,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0058121 A1, entitled “Logic Control With Test Mode for Fast-Acting Safety System,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/496,568, entitled “Motion Detecting System for use in a Safety System for Power Equipment,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/533,598, entitled “Switch Box for Power Tools with Safety Systems,” the disclosures of which are all herein incorporated by reference.
In the exemplary implementation, brake mechanism 28 includes a pawl 60 mounted adjacent the edge of blade 40 and selectively moveable to engage and grip the teeth of the blade. Pawl 60 may be constructed of any suitable material adapted to engage and stop the blade. As one example, the pawl may be constructed of a relatively high strength thermoplastic material such as polycarbonate, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW) or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), etc., or a metal such as fully annealed aluminum, etc. It will be appreciated that the construction of pawl 60 may vary depending on the configuration of blade 40. In any event, the pawl is urged into the blade by a biasing mechanism in the form of a spring 66. In the illustrative embodiment shown in
The pawl is held away from the edge of the blade by a restraining mechanism in the form of a fusible member 70. The fusible member is constructed of a suitable material adapted to restrain the pawl against the bias of spring 66, and also adapted to melt under a determined electrical current density. Examples of suitable materials for fusible member 70 include NiChrome wire, stainless steel wire, etc. The fusible member is connected between the pawl and a contact mount 72. Preferably, fusible member 70 holds the pawl relatively close to the edge of the blade to reduce the distance the pawl must travel to engage the blade. Positioning the pawl relatively close to the edge of the blade reduces the time required for the pawl to engage and stop the blade. Typically, the pawl is held approximately 1/32-inch to ¼-inch from the edge of the blade by fusible member 70, however other pawl-to-blade spacings may also be used.
Pawl 60 is released from its unactuated, or cocked, position to engage blade 40 by a release mechanism in the form of a firing subsystem 76. The firing subsystem is coupled to contact mount 72, and is configured to melt fusible member 70 by passing a surge of electrical current through the fusible member. Firing subsystem 76 is coupled to logic controller 50 and activated by a signal from the logic controller. When the logic controller receives a contact detection signal from detection subsystem 22, the logic controller sends an activation signal to firing subsystem 76, which melts fusible member 70, thereby releasing the pawl to stop the blade. Various exemplary embodiments and implementations of reaction subsystem 24 are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0020263 A1, entitled “Firing Subsystem For Use In A Fast-Acting Safety System,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0020271 A1, entitled “Spring-Biased Brake Mechanism for Power Equipment,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0017180 A1, entitled “Brake Mechanism For Power Equipment,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0059853 A1, entitled “Power Saw With Improved Safety System,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0020265 A1, entitled “Translation Stop For Use In Power Equipment,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0005588 A1, entitled “Actuators For Use in Fast-Acting Safety Systems,” and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0020336 A1, entitled “Actuators For Use In Fast-Acting Safety Systems,” the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.
It will be appreciated that activation of the brake mechanism will require the replacement of one or more portions of safety system 18. For example, pawl 60 and fusible member 70 typically must be replaced before the safety system is ready to be used again. Thus, it may be desirable to construct one or more portions of safety system 18 in a cartridge that can be easily replaced. For example, in the exemplary implementation depicted in
While one particular implementation of safety system 18 has been described, it will be appreciated that many variations and modifications are possible. Many such variations and modifications are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0170399 A1, entitled “Safety Systems for Power Equipment,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0037651, entitled “Safety Systems for Power Equipment,” and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0131703 A1, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Detecting Dangerous Conditions in Power Equipment,” the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.
A table saw adapted to implement features of the safety systems described above is shown at 100 in
Table 102 is bolted onto a front trunnion bracket 120 and a back trunnion bracket 122 by bolts 124 (the bolts are shown best in
It is important for the table to be positioned properly relative to the blade. Typically, the front edge of the table should be as perpendicular to the plane of the blade as possible in order to make straight, square cuts. There are many mechanisms by which the position of the table relative to the blade can be adjusted.
Saw 100 also includes front and rear trunnions 126 and 128. These trunnions are supported in the saw by the front and rear trunnion brackets, respectively. Each trunnion bracket includes an arcuate tongue or flange 130 (best seen in
A trunnion brace 134 extends between and interconnects the front and rear trunnions so that the trunnions move together. The trunnion brace also holds the front and rear trunnions square and prevents the trunnions from moving off flanges 130 when the mechanism is assembled. The trunnion brackets, trunnions and trunnion brace are shown isolated from other structure in
The trunnions and trunnion brace are tilted relative to the trunnion brackets by gears. A rack gear 136 is cut into an edge of front trunnion 126, and a worm gear 138 is mounted on front trunnion bracket 120 to mesh with the rack gear. This arrangement is shown in detail in
Other mechanisms also may be used to align worm gear 138 with rack gear 136. One such mechanism is one or more eccentric bushings that hold shaft 140 in bracket 142. The bushings may be turned to move shaft 140 and worm gear 138 toward or away from rack gear 136 to make sure the gears mesh properly. A possible eccentric bushing is shown in
Shaft 140 extends out through a hole in cabinet 104 and hand wheel 112 is mounted on the shaft. When a user turns hand wheel 112 and shaft 140, worm gear 138 meshes with rack gear 136 causing the trunnions to move and the blade to tilt relative to the tabletop. A plate 154 is bolted to bracket 142 and extends up past rack gear 136, as shown in
Stops 155 and 156, shown best in
Saw 100 typically includes a label 157 mounted on the front of the cabinet. Label 157 includes angle demarcations to indicate the degree the blade tilts relative to the tabletop. A pointer 158 is mounted on or adjacent shaft 140 to point to the angle demarcations on label 157. For instance, when the blade is tilted 45 degrees relative to the tabletop, pointer 158 would point to the 45 degree mark on label 157. In the depicted embodiment, pointer 158 is mounted to the front trunnion, adjacent shaft 140.
Saw 100 also includes an elevation plate 170. The elevation plate is supported by the front and rear trunnions and tilts with the trunnions. The blade is supported on the elevation plate, as will be described, so tilting the elevation plate causes the blade to tilt. The elevation plate is also configured to move up and down relative to the trunnions. Moving the elevation plate up and down is what causes the blade to move up and down relative to the tabletop.
Elevation plate 170 includes two bores 180 and 182, labeled in
The distance elevation plate 170 may slide up and down on shaft 172 is ultimately defined by the spacing between notches 174 on front trunnion 126 and the spacing between bores 180 and 182 on the elevation plate. That distance, however, may be further defined by adjustable stops 186 shown in
Elevation plate 170 also includes a threaded bore 190 configured to accept a threaded shaft 192, shown best in
The construction of elevation plate 170 and shafts 172 and 192 may be referred to as a vertical slide because the elevation plate slides vertically on shaft 172. Other constructions of vertical slides are also possible, such as using one or move dovetail slides instead of a shaft. Multiple vertical shafts may also be used instead of one shaft and multiple vertical shafts may be spaced apart to support the elevation plate. Shafts or dovetail slides may also be positioned at each end of the elevation plate instead of at one end only.
Additionally, a motor may be used instead of hand wheel 110 to turn the bevel gears to raise or lower the elevation plate, or a motorized lift may be used instead of the bevel gears. The motor or lift may be actuated by a typical switch or by a switch configured to be similar to a hand wheel.
Elevation plate 170, and any components attached to the elevation plate (such as a motor, as will be discussed below), may have significant weight and therefore it may be difficult to turn hand wheel 110 to raise the blade. Accordingly, the depicted embodiment includes a gas spring 202 mounted at one end to the elevation plate and at the other end to a bracket 204 mounted to the front trunnion, as shown best in
It is important that elevation plate 170 be restricted from any side-to-side motion or rotation around the longitudinal axis of support shaft 172 in order to hold the saw blade straight, and support shaft 172 and threaded shaft 192 limit how the elevation plate may move. However, in the depicted embodiment, because the elevation plate is relatively long and supported principally at one end, and also because of manufacturing tolerances in shafts 172 and 192 and their corresponding bores in the elevation plate, there is a risk that the elevation plate may move slightly in an undesired manner, especially if the elevation plate is tilted. Accordingly, elevation plate 170 includes bores 220 and 222 in two projections at the distal end of the elevation plate, opposite bores 180 and 182, and a guide shaft 224 is mounted in the bores. The guide shaft may be held in the bores by clips, bolts, or any other method.
A guide block 226 is placed on the guide shaft between bores 220 and 222 so the shaft can move up and down in the guide block. The guide block, in turn, is mounted to the apex of a V-bracket 228, and the opposite two ends of the V-bracket are bolted to the rear trunnion 128, as shown in
This arrangement also accommodates variances or tolerances in manufacturing. Guide shaft 224 should be substantially parallel with support shaft 172 so that the elevation plate can move up and down on shaft 172 without binding on shaft 224. However, it may be difficult to make shaft 224 substantially parallel with shaft 172, especially given that the shafts are spaced a significant distance apart.
In the depicted embodiment, guide shaft 224 may be mounted in an eccentric bushing 230. Bushing 230 is similar to bushing 146 shown in
Guide block 226 is bolted onto the apex of V-bracket 228, as explained. A single bolt mounts the guide block to the V-bracket so the bracket can be adjusted or rotated around the bolt to align with the guide shaft so the guide shaft can slide up and down in the guide block.
The two ends of V-bracket 228 opposite the guide block are bolted to the rear trunnion by bolts 234, as stated. The V-bracket itself is made of a material which has some flex, such as metal, and there is a distance between bolts 234 and guide block 226. That distance and the flex of the material allow the V-bracket to flex out toward the rear of the saw if necessary to accommodate the guide shaft. That flex may be necessary if the distance of shaft 224 from shaft 172, the position of shaft 172 or shaft 224 in the saw, or the dimension of other components in the saw varies due to manufacturing tolerances or other reasons. That flex also may be necessary to accommodate the expanding or contracting of the elevation plate due to temperature changes. Thus, the ability of the V-bracket to flex out helps prevent the guide shaft from binding in guide block 226.
This mounting configuration may be thought of as constraining only one degree of freedom of the guide shaft; specifically, it constrains any side-to-side movement of the guide shaft. The mounting configuration allows the guide shaft and elevation plate to move up and down and front-to-back. This mounting configuration accommodates some misalignment of the guide shaft.
An arbor block 240 is pivotally mounted to the elevation plate as shown in
An arbor 251 is mounted for rotation in arbor block 240, as shown in
Shaft 242 extends outwardly from the right side of the arbor block a sufficient distance so that a brake cartridge 252 may be pivotally mounted on the shaft, as shown in
Brake cartridge 252 also acts as a mechanism to prevent a user of the saw from installing a blade larger than recommended. The brake cartridge physically blocks a large blade from being mounted on the arbor because the blade bumps into the brake cartridge.
Arbor 252 includes a pin 254 (labeled in
The arbor block support mechanism is shown in detail in
When brake cartridge 252 stops the blade, the downward force caused by the angular momentum of the blade will overcome the force of spring 284, and pin 254 will then push pivot arm 272 aside and move down. Projection 264 includes a third surface 288 that connects with but slopes away from second surface 268. Third surface 288 slopes away in order to provide clearance for pin 254 to move down. As soon as pin 254 moves down past the point where the third and second surfaces connect, the pin no longer contacts projection 264 so it is free to move down. Similarly, tab 276 on pivot arm 272 is rounded to quickly release pin 254 when the pin begins to move down. The intersection of second surface 268 with third surfaces 288 is positioned substantially opposite the tangent point of the rounded tab 276 so that pin 254 is released from both projection 264 and tab 276 substantially simultaneously.
A bumper or pad 290 is mounted on trunnion brace 134 below arbor block 240, as shown in
The energy of retraction may be significant. Accordingly, bumper 290 may be selected from materials that have good dampening characteristics and arbor block 240 may be made from a ductile iron so that the arbor block it is less likely to be damaged during retraction. Additionally, trunnion brace 134 should be constructed so that it is sufficiently strong to support bumper 290 and withstand the force of impact with the arbor block.
Trunnion brace 134 and elevation plate 170 are both construction to provide clearance for the arbor block and blade to retract in case of an accident. As shown in
Saw 100 is powered by a motor 300 mounted to the bottom of elevation plate 170. The motor may be mounted to the elevation plate in many ways. In the depicted embodiment, tabs 302 projects up from the motor and sandwich a projection 304 on the bottom of the elevation plate (projection 304 is labeled in
A drive shaft 310 extends from the motor and a pulley 312 is mounted on the drive shaft. A double pulley 314 is mounted on the left end of shaft 242 so that a first belt (not shown) may extend around the motor pulley and the outside of the double pulley. A third pulley 316 is mounted on the left end of arbor 251 and a second belt (not shown) extends around pulley 316 and the inside of double pulley 314. Motor 300 turns pulley 312, which then turns double pulley 314 and arbor pulley 316, causing the blade mounted on the arbor to spin. The depicted embodiment includes a double belt system as described so that arbor block 240 may retract by pivoting down around shaft 242 without disengaging from the drive belts.
Pulleys 314 and 316 are fixed-center pulleys, so a slightly stretchy Poly-V belt designed for fixed center pulleys is used. A slightly stretchy belt also has the advantage of being able to stretch and slip on pulley 316 when the brake cartridge stops the blade. This is advantageous because pulley 316 will stop very suddenly when the brake cartridge stops the blade, but the motor and belts will continue spinning for a short period of time. A stretchy belt will be able to stretch and slip on pulley 316 when the pulley stops suddenly. Of course, other belt and pulley configurations and belt tensioning systems may be used.
The belt around pulley 316 is preferably made of a static dissipative material so that static charge does not build up on the arbor or blade. This is advantageous because in some implementations a static charge may interfere with the detection subsystem. A standard belt or a slightly stretchy belt may extend around motor pulley 312 and the outside of double pulley 314. The pulleys may be sized so that the blade spins at a desired speed, such as 4000 rpm, while the motor spins at a different speed, such as 3450 rpm.
The belt extending around the motor pulley and the outside of double pulley 314 may be tensioned by moving the motor out. In the depicted embodiment, motor 300 is mounted to the elevation plate so that it may pivot around bolt 305. Tabs 302 include an oversized hole 308 through which bolt 306 passes so that the motor may pivot around bolt 305. To put tension on the belt, bolt 306 is loosened and the motor is pivoted around bolt 305 away from the double pulley. When the desired tension is achieved, bolt 306 is tightened to hold the motor in position.
Trunnion brace 134 is shaped to partially shroud the blade under table 102. Shrouding the blade prevents a person from contacting the blade under the table. This is useful because if a person contacts the blade under the table, the brake cartridge will fire and the blade will retract, possibly into the person's hand. Shrouding the blade also helps to collect sawdust created when the saw is running.
Trunnion brace 134 is shaped to create a trough or channel 320, shown in
A side blade shroud 330, shown in
A front shroud 340 is also mounted on the trunnion brace to the front of the blade. This shroud further helps enclose the blade and direct sawdust to the port in the bottom of the trunnion brace. The right side of this shroud is shorter than the left side in order to allow the blade and trunnion brace to tilt to the left. This shroud would typically be made of a lightweight material to reduce the weight of the saw. Alternatively, the trunnion brace itself may be designed to extend up and form the front blade shroud.
The underside of table 102 may include recesses to allow the blade to raise to a predetermined height without the arbor block bumping into the underside of the table.
The cabinet of the table saw may include in opening to allow access to the internal mechanism of the saw.
Saw 100 may also include a switch box 344 with one or more switches to control the operation of the saw. A switch box designed for use with safety systems as described above is described in detail in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/533,598, entitled “Switch Box for Power Tools with Safety Systems,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Saw 100 may also come with a fence 346 that rests on table 102 and clamps to a front rail. The fence provides a face against which a user may slide a work piece when making a cut. The saw may also come with a miter gauge 348 and a blade wrench 350. One possible fence is disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/533,852, entitled “Improved Fence for Table Saws,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Saw 100 may also include a riving knife positioned adjacent the back edge of the blade. The riving knife may be mounted in the saw on raised portion 250 of elevation plate 170. Mounting the riving knife on that raised portion allows the riving knife to move up and down and tilt with the blade.
Guard 108 also may mount on raised portion 250, and may include a splitter and anti-kickback pawls. Guard 108 can also be mounted in the saw in other ways.
The systems, mechanisms and components disclosed herein are applicable to power equipment, and particularly to table saws that include safety systems to detect human contact with the blade.
It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. No single feature, function, element or property of the disclosed embodiments is essential to all of the disclosed inventions. Similarly, where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain combinations and sub-combinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/026,114, filed Dec. 31, 2004, issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 7,707,920 on May 4, 2010, which in turn claims the benefit of and priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/533,811, filed Dec. 31, 2003. These applications and their disclosures are herein incorporated by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
146886 | Doane et al. | Jan 1874 | A |
162814 | Graves et al. | May 1875 | A |
261090 | Grill | Jul 1882 | A |
264412 | Kuhlmann | Sep 1882 | A |
299480 | Kuhlman et al. | May 1884 | A |
302041 | Sill | Jul 1884 | A |
307112 | Groff | Oct 1884 | A |
509253 | Shields | Nov 1893 | A |
545504 | Hoover | Sep 1895 | A |
869513 | Pfeil | Oct 1907 | A |
941726 | Pfalzgraf | Nov 1909 | A |
997720 | Troupenat | Jul 1911 | A |
1037843 | Ackley | Sep 1912 | A |
1050649 | Harrold et al. | Jan 1913 | A |
1054558 | Jones | Feb 1913 | A |
1074198 | Phillips | Sep 1913 | A |
1082870 | Humason | Dec 1913 | A |
1101515 | Adam | Jun 1914 | A |
1126970 | Folmer | Feb 1915 | A |
1132129 | Stevens | Mar 1915 | A |
1148169 | Howe | Jul 1915 | A |
1154209 | Rushton | Sep 1915 | A |
1205246 | Mowry | Nov 1916 | A |
1228047 | Reinhold | May 1917 | A |
1240430 | Erickson | Sep 1917 | A |
1244187 | Frisbie | Oct 1917 | A |
1255886 | Jones | Feb 1918 | A |
1258961 | Tattersall | Mar 1918 | A |
1311508 | Harrold | Jul 1919 | A |
1324136 | Turner | Dec 1919 | A |
1381612 | Anderson | Jun 1921 | A |
1397606 | Smith | Nov 1921 | A |
1427005 | McMichael | Aug 1922 | A |
1430983 | Granberg | Oct 1922 | A |
1450906 | Anderson | Apr 1923 | A |
1464924 | Drummond | Aug 1923 | A |
1465224 | Lantz | Aug 1923 | A |
1496212 | French | Jun 1924 | A |
1511797 | Berghold | Oct 1924 | A |
1526128 | Flohr | Feb 1925 | A |
1527587 | Hutchinson | Feb 1925 | A |
1551900 | Morrow | Sep 1925 | A |
1553996 | Federer | Sep 1925 | A |
1582483 | Runyan | Apr 1926 | A |
1590988 | Campbell | Jun 1926 | A |
1600604 | Sorlien | Sep 1926 | A |
1616478 | Watson | Feb 1927 | A |
1640517 | Procknow | Aug 1927 | A |
1662372 | Ward | Mar 1928 | A |
1701948 | Crowe | Feb 1929 | A |
1711490 | Drummond | May 1929 | A |
1712828 | Klehm | May 1929 | A |
1756287 | Freshwater et al. | Apr 1930 | A |
1774521 | Neighbour | Sep 1930 | A |
1787191 | Fisk | Dec 1930 | A |
1807120 | Lewis | May 1931 | A |
1811066 | Tannewitz | Jun 1931 | A |
1879280 | James | Sep 1932 | A |
1896924 | Ulrich | Feb 1933 | A |
1902270 | Tate | Mar 1933 | A |
1904005 | Masset | Apr 1933 | A |
1910651 | Tautz | May 1933 | A |
1938548 | Tautz | Dec 1933 | A |
1938549 | Tautz | Dec 1933 | A |
1963688 | Tautz | Jun 1934 | A |
1988102 | Woodward | Jan 1935 | A |
1993219 | Merrigan | Mar 1935 | A |
2007887 | Tautz | Jul 1935 | A |
2010851 | Drummond | Aug 1935 | A |
2020222 | Tautz | Nov 1935 | A |
2038810 | Tautz | Apr 1936 | A |
2075282 | Hedgpeth | Mar 1937 | A |
2095330 | Hedgpeth | Oct 1937 | A |
2106288 | Tautz | Jan 1938 | A |
2106321 | Guertin | Jan 1938 | A |
2121069 | Collins | Jun 1938 | A |
2131492 | Ocenasek | Sep 1938 | A |
2163320 | Hammond | Jun 1939 | A |
2168282 | Tautz | Aug 1939 | A |
2241556 | MacMillin et al. | May 1941 | A |
2261696 | Ocenasek | Nov 1941 | A |
2265407 | Tautz | Dec 1941 | A |
2286589 | Tannewitz | Jun 1942 | A |
2292872 | Eastman | Aug 1942 | A |
2299262 | Uremovich | Oct 1942 | A |
2312118 | Neisewander | Feb 1943 | A |
2313686 | Uremovich | Mar 1943 | A |
2328244 | Woodward | Aug 1943 | A |
2352235 | Tautz | Jun 1944 | A |
2377265 | Rady | Mar 1945 | A |
2392486 | Larsen | Jan 1946 | A |
2402232 | Baker | Jun 1946 | A |
2425331 | Kramer | Aug 1947 | A |
2434174 | Morgan | Jan 1948 | A |
2452589 | McWhirter et al. | Nov 1948 | A |
2466325 | Ocenasek | Apr 1949 | A |
2496613 | Woodward | Feb 1950 | A |
2509813 | Dineen | May 1950 | A |
2517649 | Frechtmann | Aug 1950 | A |
2518684 | Harris | Aug 1950 | A |
2530290 | Collins | Nov 1950 | A |
2554124 | Salmont | May 1951 | A |
2562396 | Schutz | Jul 1951 | A |
2572326 | Evans | Oct 1951 | A |
2590035 | Pollak | Mar 1952 | A |
2593596 | Olson | Apr 1952 | A |
2596524 | Bridwell | May 1952 | A |
2601878 | Anderson | Jul 1952 | A |
2623555 | Eschenburg | Dec 1952 | A |
2625966 | Copp | Jan 1953 | A |
2626639 | Hess | Jan 1953 | A |
2661777 | Hitchcock | Dec 1953 | A |
2661780 | Morgan | Dec 1953 | A |
2675707 | Brown | Apr 1954 | A |
2678071 | Odlum et al. | May 1954 | A |
2690084 | Van Dam | Sep 1954 | A |
2695638 | Gaskell | Nov 1954 | A |
2704560 | Woessner | Mar 1955 | A |
2711762 | Gaskell | Jun 1955 | A |
2722246 | Arnoldy | Nov 1955 | A |
2731049 | Akin | Jan 1956 | A |
2736348 | Nelson | Feb 1956 | A |
2737213 | Richards et al. | Mar 1956 | A |
2758615 | Mastriforte | Aug 1956 | A |
2785710 | Mowery, Jr. | Mar 1957 | A |
2786496 | Eschenburg | Mar 1957 | A |
2810408 | Boice et al. | Oct 1957 | A |
2839943 | Caldwell et al. | Jun 1958 | A |
2844173 | Gaskell | Jul 1958 | A |
2850054 | Eschenburg | Sep 1958 | A |
2852047 | Odlum et al. | Sep 1958 | A |
2873773 | Gaskell | Feb 1959 | A |
2876809 | Rentsch et al. | Mar 1959 | A |
2883486 | Mason | Apr 1959 | A |
2894546 | Eschenburg | Jul 1959 | A |
2913025 | Richards | Nov 1959 | A |
2913581 | Simonton et al. | Nov 1959 | A |
2945516 | Edgemond, Jr. et al. | Jul 1960 | A |
2954118 | Anderson | Sep 1960 | A |
2957166 | Gluck | Oct 1960 | A |
2978084 | Vilkaitis | Apr 1961 | A |
2984268 | Vuichard | May 1961 | A |
2991593 | Cohen | Jul 1961 | A |
3005477 | Sherwen | Oct 1961 | A |
3011529 | Copp | Dec 1961 | A |
3011610 | Stiebel et al. | Dec 1961 | A |
3013592 | Ambrosio et al. | Dec 1961 | A |
3021881 | Edgemond, Jr. et al. | Feb 1962 | A |
3035995 | Seeley et al. | May 1962 | A |
3047116 | Stiebel et al. | Jul 1962 | A |
3085602 | Gaskell | Apr 1963 | A |
3105530 | Peterson | Oct 1963 | A |
3124178 | Packard | Mar 1964 | A |
3129731 | Tyrrell | Apr 1964 | A |
3163732 | Abbott | Dec 1964 | A |
3184001 | Reinsch et al. | May 1965 | A |
3186256 | Reznick | Jun 1965 | A |
3207273 | Jurin | Sep 1965 | A |
3213731 | Renard | Oct 1965 | A |
3224474 | Bloom | Dec 1965 | A |
3232326 | Speer et al. | Feb 1966 | A |
3246205 | Miller | Apr 1966 | A |
3249134 | Vogl et al. | May 1966 | A |
3276497 | Heer | Oct 1966 | A |
3280861 | Gjerde | Oct 1966 | A |
3306149 | John | Feb 1967 | A |
3313185 | Drake et al. | Apr 1967 | A |
3315715 | Mytinger | Apr 1967 | A |
3323814 | Phillips | Jun 1967 | A |
3337008 | Trachte | Aug 1967 | A |
3356111 | Mitchell | Dec 1967 | A |
3386322 | Stone et al. | Jun 1968 | A |
3439183 | Hurst, Jr. | Apr 1969 | A |
3445835 | Fudaley | May 1969 | A |
3454286 | Anderson et al. | Jul 1969 | A |
3456696 | Gregory et al. | Jul 1969 | A |
3512440 | Frydmann | May 1970 | A |
3538964 | Warrick et al. | Nov 1970 | A |
3540338 | McEwan et al. | Nov 1970 | A |
3554067 | Scutella | Jan 1971 | A |
3566996 | Crossman | Mar 1971 | A |
3580376 | Loshbough | May 1971 | A |
3581784 | Warrick | Jun 1971 | A |
3593266 | Van Sickle | Jul 1971 | A |
3613748 | De Pue | Oct 1971 | A |
3621894 | Niksich | Nov 1971 | A |
3670788 | Pollak et al. | Jun 1972 | A |
3675444 | Whipple | Jul 1972 | A |
3680609 | Menge | Aug 1972 | A |
3688815 | Ridenour | Sep 1972 | A |
3695116 | Baur | Oct 1972 | A |
3696844 | Bernatschek | Oct 1972 | A |
3716113 | Kobayashi et al. | Feb 1973 | A |
3719103 | Streander | Mar 1973 | A |
3745546 | Struger et al. | Jul 1973 | A |
3749933 | Davidson | Jul 1973 | A |
3754493 | Niehaus et al. | Aug 1973 | A |
3772590 | Mikulecky et al. | Nov 1973 | A |
3785230 | Lokey | Jan 1974 | A |
3793915 | Hujer | Feb 1974 | A |
3805639 | Peter | Apr 1974 | A |
3805658 | Scott et al. | Apr 1974 | A |
3808932 | Russell | May 1974 | A |
3829850 | Guetersloh | Aug 1974 | A |
3829970 | Anderson | Aug 1974 | A |
3841188 | Wiater | Oct 1974 | A |
3858095 | Friemann et al. | Dec 1974 | A |
3861016 | Johnson et al. | Jan 1975 | A |
3863208 | Balban | Jan 1975 | A |
3880032 | Green | Apr 1975 | A |
3882744 | McCarroll | May 1975 | A |
3886413 | Dow et al. | May 1975 | A |
3889567 | Sato et al. | Jun 1975 | A |
3922785 | Fushiya | Dec 1975 | A |
3924688 | Cooper et al. | Dec 1975 | A |
3931727 | Luenser | Jan 1976 | A |
3935777 | Bassett | Feb 1976 | A |
3945286 | Smith | Mar 1976 | A |
3946631 | Malm | Mar 1976 | A |
3947734 | Fyler | Mar 1976 | A |
3949636 | Ball et al. | Apr 1976 | A |
3953770 | Hayashi | Apr 1976 | A |
3960310 | Nussbaum | Jun 1976 | A |
3967161 | Lichtblau | Jun 1976 | A |
3974565 | Ellis | Aug 1976 | A |
3975600 | Marston | Aug 1976 | A |
3978624 | Merkel et al. | Sep 1976 | A |
3994192 | Faig | Nov 1976 | A |
3998121 | Bennett | Dec 1976 | A |
4007679 | Edwards | Feb 1977 | A |
4016490 | Weckenmann et al. | Apr 1977 | A |
4026174 | Fierro | May 1977 | A |
4026177 | Lokey | May 1977 | A |
4029159 | Nymann | Jun 1977 | A |
4047156 | Atkins | Sep 1977 | A |
4048886 | Zettler | Sep 1977 | A |
4060160 | Lieber | Nov 1977 | A |
4070940 | McDaniel et al. | Jan 1978 | A |
4075961 | Harris | Feb 1978 | A |
4077161 | Wyle et al. | Mar 1978 | A |
4085303 | McIntyre et al. | Apr 1978 | A |
4090345 | Harkness | May 1978 | A |
4091698 | Obear et al. | May 1978 | A |
4106378 | Kaiser | Aug 1978 | A |
4117752 | Yoneda | Oct 1978 | A |
4145940 | Woloveke et al. | Mar 1979 | A |
4152833 | Phillips | May 1979 | A |
4161649 | Klos et al. | Jul 1979 | A |
4175452 | Idel | Nov 1979 | A |
4190000 | Shaull et al. | Feb 1980 | A |
4195722 | Anderson et al. | Apr 1980 | A |
4199930 | Lebet et al. | Apr 1980 | A |
4206666 | Ashton | Jun 1980 | A |
4206910 | Biesemeyer | Jun 1980 | A |
4249117 | Leukhardt et al. | Feb 1981 | A |
4249442 | Fittery | Feb 1981 | A |
4262278 | Howard et al. | Apr 1981 | A |
4267914 | Saar | May 1981 | A |
4270427 | Colberg et al. | Jun 1981 | A |
4276459 | Willett et al. | Jun 1981 | A |
4276799 | Muehling | Jul 1981 | A |
4291794 | Bauer | Sep 1981 | A |
4305442 | Currie | Dec 1981 | A |
4321841 | Felix | Mar 1982 | A |
4372202 | Cameron | Feb 1983 | A |
4391358 | Haeger | Jul 1983 | A |
4418597 | Krusemark et al. | Dec 1983 | A |
4427042 | Mitchell et al. | Jan 1984 | A |
4453112 | Sauer et al. | Jun 1984 | A |
4466170 | Davis | Aug 1984 | A |
4466233 | Thesman | Aug 1984 | A |
4470046 | Betsill | Sep 1984 | A |
4510489 | Anderson, III et al. | Apr 1985 | A |
4512224 | Terauchi | Apr 1985 | A |
4516612 | Wiley | May 1985 | A |
4518043 | Anderson et al. | May 1985 | A |
4532501 | Hoffman | Jul 1985 | A |
4532844 | Chang et al. | Aug 1985 | A |
4557168 | Tokiwa | Dec 1985 | A |
4559858 | Laskowski et al. | Dec 1985 | A |
4560033 | DeWoody et al. | Dec 1985 | A |
4566512 | Wilson | Jan 1986 | A |
4573556 | Andreasson | Mar 1986 | A |
4576073 | Stinson | Mar 1986 | A |
4589047 | Gaus et al. | May 1986 | A |
4589860 | Brandenstein et al. | May 1986 | A |
4599597 | Rotbart | Jul 1986 | A |
4599927 | Eccardt et al. | Jul 1986 | A |
4606251 | Boileau | Aug 1986 | A |
4615247 | Berkeley | Oct 1986 | A |
4621300 | Summerer | Nov 1986 | A |
4625604 | Handler et al. | Dec 1986 | A |
4637188 | Crothers | Jan 1987 | A |
4637289 | Ramsden | Jan 1987 | A |
4644832 | Smith | Feb 1987 | A |
4653189 | Andreasson | Mar 1987 | A |
4657428 | Wiley | Apr 1987 | A |
4672500 | Tholome et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
4675664 | Cloutier et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
4679719 | Kramer | Jul 1987 | A |
4722021 | Hornung et al. | Jan 1988 | A |
4751603 | Kwan | Jun 1988 | A |
4756220 | Olsen et al. | Jul 1988 | A |
4757881 | Jonsson et al. | Jul 1988 | A |
4774866 | Dehari et al. | Oct 1988 | A |
4792965 | Morgan | Dec 1988 | A |
4805504 | Fushiya et al. | Feb 1989 | A |
4831279 | Ingraham | May 1989 | A |
4840135 | Yamauchi | Jun 1989 | A |
4845476 | Rangeard et al. | Jul 1989 | A |
4864455 | Shimomura et al. | Sep 1989 | A |
4875398 | Taylor et al. | Oct 1989 | A |
4896607 | Hall et al. | Jan 1990 | A |
4906962 | Duimstra | Mar 1990 | A |
4907679 | Menke | Mar 1990 | A |
4934233 | Brundage et al. | Jun 1990 | A |
4936876 | Reyes | Jun 1990 | A |
4937554 | Herman | Jun 1990 | A |
4964450 | Hughes et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
4965909 | McCullough et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
4975798 | Edwards et al. | Dec 1990 | A |
5020406 | Sasaki et al. | Jun 1991 | A |
5025175 | Dubois, III | Jun 1991 | A |
5042348 | Brundage et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
5046426 | Julien et al. | Sep 1991 | A |
5052255 | Gaines | Oct 1991 | A |
5074047 | King | Dec 1991 | A |
5081406 | Hughes et al. | Jan 1992 | A |
5082316 | Wardlaw | Jan 1992 | A |
5083973 | Townsend | Jan 1992 | A |
5086890 | Turczyn et al. | Feb 1992 | A |
5094000 | Becht et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5116249 | Shiotani et al. | May 1992 | A |
5119555 | Johnson | Jun 1992 | A |
5122091 | Townsend | Jun 1992 | A |
5174349 | Svetlik et al. | Dec 1992 | A |
5184534 | Lee | Feb 1993 | A |
5198702 | McCullough et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5199343 | O'Banion | Apr 1993 | A |
5201110 | Bane | Apr 1993 | A |
5201684 | DeBois, III | Apr 1993 | A |
5206625 | Davis | Apr 1993 | A |
5207253 | Hoshino et al. | May 1993 | A |
5212621 | Panter | May 1993 | A |
5218189 | Hutchison | Jun 1993 | A |
5231359 | Masuda et al. | Jul 1993 | A |
5231906 | Kogej | Aug 1993 | A |
5239978 | Plangetis | Aug 1993 | A |
5245879 | McKeon | Sep 1993 | A |
5257570 | Shiotani et al. | Nov 1993 | A |
5265510 | Hoyer-Ellefsen | Nov 1993 | A |
5272946 | McCullough et al. | Dec 1993 | A |
5276431 | Piccoli et al. | Jan 1994 | A |
5285708 | Bosten et al. | Feb 1994 | A |
5293802 | Shiotani et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5320382 | Goldstein et al. | Jun 1994 | A |
5321230 | Shanklin et al. | Jun 1994 | A |
5331875 | Mayfield | Jul 1994 | A |
5353670 | Metzger, Jr. | Oct 1994 | A |
5377554 | Reulein et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
5377571 | Josephs | Jan 1995 | A |
5392568 | Howard, Jr. et al. | Feb 1995 | A |
5392678 | Sasaki et al. | Feb 1995 | A |
5401928 | Kelley | Mar 1995 | A |
5411221 | Collins et al. | May 1995 | A |
5423232 | Miller et al. | Jun 1995 | A |
5436613 | Ghosh et al. | Jul 1995 | A |
5447085 | Gochnauer | Sep 1995 | A |
5451750 | An | Sep 1995 | A |
5453903 | Chow | Sep 1995 | A |
5471888 | McCormick | Dec 1995 | A |
5480009 | Wieland et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
5503059 | Pacholok | Apr 1996 | A |
5510587 | Reiter | Apr 1996 | A |
5510685 | Grasselli | Apr 1996 | A |
5513548 | Garuglieri | May 1996 | A |
5531147 | Serban | Jul 1996 | A |
5534836 | Schenkel et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5572916 | Takano | Nov 1996 | A |
5587618 | Hathaway | Dec 1996 | A |
5592353 | Shinohara et al. | Jan 1997 | A |
5606889 | Bielinski et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
5619896 | Chen | Apr 1997 | A |
5623860 | Schoene et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5647258 | Brazell et al. | Jul 1997 | A |
5648644 | Nagel | Jul 1997 | A |
5659454 | Vermesse | Aug 1997 | A |
5667152 | Mooring | Sep 1997 | A |
5671633 | Wagner | Sep 1997 | A |
5695306 | Nygren, Jr. | Dec 1997 | A |
5700165 | Harris et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
5722308 | Ceroll et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5724875 | Meredith et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5730165 | Philipp | Mar 1998 | A |
5741048 | Eccleston | Apr 1998 | A |
5746193 | Swan | May 1998 | A |
5755148 | Stumpf et al. | May 1998 | A |
5771742 | Bokaie et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5782001 | Gray | Jul 1998 | A |
5787779 | Garuglieri | Aug 1998 | A |
5791057 | Nakamura et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5791223 | Lanzer | Aug 1998 | A |
5791224 | Suzuki et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5791441 | Matos et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5819619 | Miller et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5852951 | Santi | Dec 1998 | A |
5857507 | Puzio et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
5861809 | Eckstein et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
5875698 | Ceroll et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5880954 | Thomson et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5921367 | Kashioka et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5927857 | Ceroll et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5930096 | Kim | Jul 1999 | A |
5937720 | Itzov | Aug 1999 | A |
5942975 | Sorensen | Aug 1999 | A |
5943932 | Sberveglieri | Aug 1999 | A |
5950514 | Benedict et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5963173 | Lian et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5974927 | Tsune | Nov 1999 | A |
5989116 | Johnson et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
6009782 | Tajima et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6018284 | Rival et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6037729 | Woods et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
D422290 | Welsh et al. | Apr 2000 | S |
6052884 | Steckler et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6062121 | Ceroll et al. | May 2000 | A |
6070484 | Sakamaki | Jun 2000 | A |
6095092 | Chou | Aug 2000 | A |
6112785 | Yu | Sep 2000 | A |
6119984 | Devine | Sep 2000 | A |
6131629 | Puzio et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6133818 | Hsieh et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6141192 | Garzon | Oct 2000 | A |
6148504 | Schmidt et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6148703 | Ceroll et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6150826 | Hokodate et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6161459 | Ceroll et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6170370 | Sommerville | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6244149 | Ceroll et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6250190 | Ceroll et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6257061 | Nonoyama et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6325195 | Doherty | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6330848 | Nishio et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6336273 | Nilsson et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6352137 | Stegall et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6357328 | Ceroll et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6366099 | Reddi | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6376939 | Suzuki et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6404098 | Kayama et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6405624 | Sutton | Jun 2002 | B2 |
6418829 | Pilchowski | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6420814 | Bobbio | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6427570 | Miller et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6430007 | Jabbari | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6431425 | Moorman et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6450077 | Ceroll et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6453786 | Ceroll et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6460442 | Talesky et al. | Oct 2002 | B2 |
6471106 | Reining | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6479958 | Thompson et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6484614 | Huang | Nov 2002 | B1 |
D466913 | Ceroll et al. | Dec 2002 | S |
6492802 | Bielski | Dec 2002 | B1 |
D469354 | Curtsinger | Jan 2003 | S |
6502493 | Eccardt et al. | Jan 2003 | B1 |
6536536 | Gass et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6543324 | Dils | Apr 2003 | B2 |
6546835 | Wang | Apr 2003 | B2 |
6564909 | Razzano | May 2003 | B1 |
6575067 | Parks et al. | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6578460 | Sartori | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6578856 | Kahle | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6581655 | Huang | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6595096 | Ceroll et al. | Jul 2003 | B2 |
D478917 | Ceroll et al. | Aug 2003 | S |
6601493 | Crofutt | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6607015 | Chen | Aug 2003 | B1 |
D479538 | Welsh et al. | Sep 2003 | S |
6617720 | Egan, III et al. | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6619348 | Wang | Sep 2003 | B2 |
6640683 | Lee | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6644157 | Huang | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6647847 | Hewitt et al. | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6659233 | DeVlieg | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6684750 | Yu | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6722242 | Chuang | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6734581 | Griffis | May 2004 | B1 |
6736042 | Behne et al. | May 2004 | B2 |
6742430 | Chen | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6796208 | Jorgensen | Sep 2004 | B1 |
6800819 | Sato et al. | Oct 2004 | B2 |
6826988 | Gass et al. | Dec 2004 | B2 |
6826992 | Huang | Dec 2004 | B1 |
6840144 | Huang | Jan 2005 | B2 |
6854371 | Yu | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6857345 | Gass et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6874397 | Chang | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6874399 | Lee | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6877410 | Gass et al. | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6880440 | Gass et al. | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6883397 | Kimizuka | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6889585 | Harris et al. | May 2005 | B1 |
6920814 | Gass et al. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6945148 | Gass et al. | Sep 2005 | B2 |
6945149 | Gass et al. | Sep 2005 | B2 |
6957601 | Gass et al. | Oct 2005 | B2 |
6968767 | Yu | Nov 2005 | B2 |
6986370 | Schoene et al. | Jan 2006 | B1 |
6994004 | Gass et al. | Feb 2006 | B2 |
6997090 | Gass et al. | Feb 2006 | B2 |
7000514 | Gass et al. | Feb 2006 | B2 |
20020017175 | Gass et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020017176 | Gass et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020017178 | Gass et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020017179 | Gass et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020017180 | Gass et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020017181 | Gass et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020017182 | Gass et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020017183 | Gass et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020017184 | Gass et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020017336 | Gass et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020020261 | Gass et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020020262 | Gass et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020020263 | Gass et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020020265 | Gass et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020020271 | Gass et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020043776 | Chuang | Apr 2002 | A1 |
20020050201 | Lane et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020056348 | Gass et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020056349 | Gass et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020056350 | Gass et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020059853 | Gass et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020059854 | Gass et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
20020069734 | Gass et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020096030 | Wang | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20020109036 | Denen et al. | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20020170399 | Gass et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020170400 | Gass | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020190581 | Gass et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20030000359 | Eccardt et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030002942 | Gass et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030005588 | Gass et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030015253 | Gass et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030019341 | Gass et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030020336 | Gass et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030037651 | Gass et al. | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030037655 | Chin-Chin | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030056853 | Gass et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030058121 | Gass et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030074873 | Freiberg et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030089212 | Parks et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20030090224 | Gass et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20030101857 | Chuang | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030109798 | Kermani | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030131703 | Gass et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030140749 | Gass et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030150312 | Chang | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20040011177 | Huang | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040040426 | Gass et al. | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040060404 | Metzger, Jr. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040104085 | Lang et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040159198 | Peot et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040194594 | Dils et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040200329 | Sako | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040226424 | O'Banion et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040226800 | Pierga et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040255745 | Peot et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050057206 | Uneyama | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050066784 | Gass | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050092149 | Hartmann | May 2005 | A1 |
20050139051 | Gass et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050139056 | Gass et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050139057 | Gass et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050139058 | Gass et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050139459 | Gass et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050155473 | Gass | Jul 2005 | A1 |
20050166736 | Gass et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050178259 | Gass et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050204885 | Gass et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050211034 | Sasaki et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050235793 | O'Banion et al. | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050274432 | Gass et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060000337 | Gass | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060032352 | Gass et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
297525 | Jun 1954 | CH |
76186 | Aug 1921 | DE |
2800403 | Jul 1979 | DE |
3427733 | Jan 1986 | DE |
4235161 | May 1993 | DE |
4326313 | Feb 1995 | DE |
19609771 | Jun 1998 | DE |
146460 | Nov 1988 | EP |
2152184 | Jan 2001 | ES |
2556643 | Jun 1985 | FR |
2570017 | Mar 1986 | FR |
598204 | Feb 1948 | GB |
1132708 | Nov 1968 | GB |
2096844 | Oct 1982 | GB |
2142571 | Jan 1985 | GB |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20100288095 A1 | Nov 2010 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60533811 | Dec 2003 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 11026114 | Dec 2004 | US |
Child | 12799920 | US |