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(11)

EP 1 066 474 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 10.01.2001 Bulletin 2001/02 (21) Application number: 99912616.2 (22) Date of filing: 18.03.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F16C 29/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US9905/820 (87) International publication number: WO 9947/824 (23.09.1999 Gazette 1999/38)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 18.03.1998 US 78433 P 24.07.1998 US 94061 P (71) Applicant: Machine Systems LTD. Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (US)	(72) Inventors: MARK, Damon, L. Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (US) SEITZ, Chris, G. Gregory, MI 48137 (US) BURKHEAD, David, L. Jackson, MI 49203 (US) (74) Representative: PatentanwälteDr. Solf & Zapf  Candidplatz 15 81543 München 81543 München (DE)