| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07730778B2 |
Filling level and/or limit level measuring device with flexible connecting piece
The invention relates to a filling level and/or limit level measuring device having a transmitting and/or receiving device (2) for producing an oscillation or for receiving an oscillation and furnishing a corresponding reception signal, an oscillating element (11) that is coupled to the transmitting and/or receiving device, and a flexible connecting piece (8) that is situated in an area between the transmitting and/or receiving device (2) and the oscillating element (11), wherein the flexible connecting piece (8) is made of a hose-shaped and metallic element (14) or has a hose-shaped metallic element (14) in its longitudinal extension. |
| US07730777B2 |
Flowmeter and flow control device
A simply structured flowmeter in which an influence of a dilatational wave on a thermal flow rate sensor is suppressed, and measurement accuracy is enhanced.The flowmeter has not only the thermal flow rate sensor that is placed to face a flow channel and detects a flow rate of fluid flowing through the flow channel but also a micro path (for example, narrow pipe) that is provided to the flow channel and blocks a dilatational wave created in the flow channel from being transmitted to the thermal flow rate sensor. |
| US07730776B2 |
Vector wind sensor and integrated antenna
An anemometer assembly for sensing and transmitting wind speed and wind direction data. The wind sensor measures relative wind direction and wind speed without the use of moving parts and consumes very little power making it suitable for unattended operation. The main wind sensing member is an elongated vertical member that can be used as radio antenna. The data can be transmitted from a remote location and thus relay data to a central collection repository or network location. |
| US07730775B2 |
Characterization of liquid, water and/or moisture transport properties of fabrics
A transplanar liquid transport tester for fabrics, comprising a liquid reservoir; a liquid-permeable support member having a first surface for supporting a fabric test sample, and a second surface for interfacing with liquid in the liquid reservoir; and means for maintaining a constant hydrostatic pressure in the liquid reservoir at the second surface of the support member for replenishing liquid through the support member to the first surface during testing. |
| US07730774B2 |
Tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore using real time temperature measurements
Tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore using real time temperature measurements. A method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature in real time in the wellbore; and observing in real time a variation in temperature gradient between fluid compositions in the wellbore. Another method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature along the wellbore; and observing a variation in temperature gradient due to a chemical reaction in the wellbore. Another method includes the step of causing a variation in temperature gradient in the fluid while the fluid flows in the wellbore. |
| US07730767B2 |
Micro-sensor for sensing chemical substance
The invention discloses a micro-sensor for sensing a chemical substance. The micro-sensor according to the invention includes a substrate, a micro-cantilever, an electrode structure, and a measuring device. The micro-cantilever is formed on the substrate and has a capturing surface for capturing chemical substances. The electrode structure is for supplying an electrical field. The electrical field is disposed so as to assist the capturing surface in capturing chemical substances. The measuring device, coupled to the micro-cantilever, is for measuring a variation on a mechanical property of the micro-cantilever induced by the captured chemical substance and interpreting the variation on the mechanical property of the micro-cantilever into information relative to the chemical substance. |
| US07730764B2 |
Drop detection device and portable apparatus equipped therewith
There is provided a drop detection device with which a falling state is properly detected even when the device is dropped while itself rotating, for example, and the mistaken detection of a falling state when there is in fact no falling state can be prevented, as well as an portable apparatus equipped with this drop detection device. The portable magnetic disk apparatus comprises an acceleration detector configured to detect acceleration, a calculator configured to calculate acceleration information including a second-order differential value of the acceleration with respect to time detected by the acceleration detector, a threshold setting component configured to set an acceleration threshold ATH with respect to the acceleration for determining whether or not a falling state exists on the basis of the second-order differential value of the acceleration, and a drop detection configured to detect that a falling state exists when the acceleration reaches the acceleration threshold set by the threshold setting component. |
| US07730762B2 |
Device and method for testing isolation structure
Provided is a device for testing an isolation structure comprising an isolation layer having an upper beam, a lower beam and a top beam plate, along with an upper portion, the device comprising a plurality of upper corbels, a plurality of lower corbels, a plurality of hoisting jacks, a plurality of acceleration sensors, a plurality of displacement sensors, an acceleration collecting analyzer and a displacement collecting analyzer. A method for testing an isolation structure is also provided. |
| US07730761B2 |
Producing stress on surfaces
An apparatus for producing stress on a surface, comprising one or more service assembly and one or more cleaning assembly. The service assembly comprises one or more means for applying dirt to said surface, or one or more means for scuffing said surface, or one or more means for dragging a test material across said surface, or a combination thereof. The cleaning assembly comprises one or more scrubber, or one or more burnisher, or a combination thereof.Also provided is a method of testing a surface with such an apparatus. |
| US07730758B1 |
Vehicular frame straightening apparatus
An apparatus straightens vehicular structure, and comprises a U-shaped main frame, a pair of lift tower assemblies, and a pull tower assembly. The length of the main frame comprises spaced attachment structure for attaching the pull tower assembly. The lift tower assemblies are fastened to the main frame intermediate its length and function to fix the position of the vehicle relative to the main frame. The pull tower assembly is attachable to the main frame at a select attachment site and a tension member is attached to adjacent select vehicular structure. Thereafter tension may be applied to the select vehicular structure based from the attachment site to the main frame. Multiple tower assemblies may work in tandem with one another peripherally to the vehicle; a rear frame member may close the open end of the main frame; and vehicle support cross members may be included to support the framed vehicle. |
| US07730752B2 |
Theft prevention apparatus for leisure vehicle
A theft prevention apparatus for a leisure vehicle including a portable device, a lock device, a lock operation stopper member, a pull-out operation stopper member, a lock operation restricting actuator, a pull-out operation restricting actuator, and a controller including a memory, a receiver, and a processing unit configured to control the lock operation restricting actuator to cause a lock operation stopper member to be moved from the position where a protruded operation and a retracted operation of a lock bar are disabled to the position where the protruded operation and the retracted operation are enabled and to control the pull-out operation restricting actuator to cause a pull-out operation stopper member to be moved from the position where a pull-out operation of the mechanical key is disabled to the position where the pull-out operation of the mechanical key is enabled, when the user identification codes match. |
| US07730749B2 |
Door on drum type washing machine or laundry dryer
Door on a laundry dryer/drum type washing machine including a door frame having a central opening, for opening/closing an opening in a front part of a cabinet for introduction/taking out of laundry, an outer window fixed to a front surface of the door frame, and an inner window fixed to a rear surface of the door frame, wherein the door frame has a front surface curved in left/right directions, and the outer window is curved the same with the door frame, thereby providing a good design of a door and improving washing and drying performance. |
| US07730748B2 |
Method of making a post-patent collimator assembly
A method of manufacturing a collimator assembly is provided. The method includes placing a first core element within a first center collimator path of a first collimator tube to create a first base-tube couple. A couple cross-section of the first base-tube couple is reduced such that the first base-tube couple becomes a first single-fiber fiber. The first single-fiber fiber is assembled into a collimator group. The first core element is dissolved such that a first hollow fiber is generated. |
| US07730747B2 |
Method for vaporizing a liquid reactant in manufacturing a glass preform
A method and device for vaporizing a liquid reactant. A vaporizing plate having a top surface defines a liquid flow channel, the channel being laterally delimited by edges having a height greater than a minimum thickness of liquid reactant required to generate vapor under film or nucleate boiling regime. A heating system is associated to the vaporizing plate for heating the liquid reactant over a minimum temperature required to generate vapor under nucleate or, preferably, film boiling regime. A cap covers the vaporizing plate to collect the vapor at a predetermined pressure and provided with a vapor exit and a liquid feeder feeds the liquid reactant onto the vaporizing plate. |
| US07730746B1 |
Apparatus to prepare discrete hollow microsphere droplets
Apparatus to eject on demand discrete hollow microsphere droplets that are characterized by a highly regular and predictable spherical shape, devoid of tails or other irregularities common in the prior art with a selected pure gas contained in the center. With this method and apparatus, droplets may be formed of any suitable material including glass, ceramic, plastic, or metal. A variety of gases at various pressures including complete vacuums may be contained in the hollow microsphere. Microspheres filled with ionizable gas may be used as pixels in a plasma display panel. Microspheres used as a pixel elements may be referred to as Plasma-spheres. The inside of each Plasma-sphere may contain a luminescent material such as a phosphor and/or a secondary electron emission material such as magnesium oxide or a rare earth oxide introduced during the gas filling of the microsphere. |
| US07730743B2 |
Gem setting having grooved channel walls and methods of setting gems
A gem setting for gemstones includes a channel with walls having grooves for holding a portion of a gem girdle, such that when a gem having a crown is set into the channel, the upper portion of the groove extends over the crown of the gem. The upper part of the channel above the groove can be permanently bent or rolled over the crown of the gem to secure the gem in the ring channel. A method of setting a gem in the channel includes inserting the gem girdle in the grooves, without permanently bending the channel walls, until the gem is positioned within the channel such that if the gem and ring together are placed in an upside down position, the gem will not fall out of the channel. Next, the upper part of each channel is permanently bent over the crown of the gem, to thereby secure the gem in the channel. |
| US07730741B2 |
Refrigeration apparatus with expander control for improved coefficient of performance
An outdoor heat exchanger (23), an indoor heat exchanger (24), a compression/expansion unit (30), and other circuit components are connected in a refrigerant circuit (20). The compression/expansion unit (30) includes a compression mechanism (50), an electric motor (45), and an expansion mechanism (60). In addition, the refrigerant circuit (20) has an injection pipeline (26). When an injection valve (27) is opened, a portion of high pressure refrigerant after heat dissipation flows into the injection pipeline (26) and is introduced into an expansion chamber (66) of the expansion mechanism (60) in the process of expansion. In the expansion mechanism (60), power is recovered from both high pressure refrigerant introduced into the expansion chamber (66) from an inflow port (34) and high pressure refrigerant introduced into the expansion chamber (66) from the injection pipeline (26). |
| US07730739B2 |
Portable cooler with built-in refrigerant cubes
A portable cooler having one or more ice sheets including built-in refrigerant cubes. The cooler comprises an outer fabric shell and one or more sets of spaced apart refrigerant cubes encapsulated in plastic to form ice sheets that are attached to the interior walls of the cooler. The walls of the cooler may also include one or more layers of thermal insulation. The ice sheets provide a visually pleasing appearance to the inside of the cooler suggestive of cooling effects. The ice sheets may be retained along the walls of the cooler by seams sewn along the lanes passing between the refrigerant cubes, by being retained in pockets formed by sidewall liners or by being secured into chambers defined by the cooler's outer walls and a plastic insert fitted into the cooler. The cooler may include a hinged top and bottom that can be folded flat for allowing the cooler to assume a compact configuration during storage or freezing of the refrigerant cubes. |
| US07730734B2 |
Cooling apparatus of a fuel cell vehicle
A cooling apparatus of a fuel cell vehicle in which a cooling efficiency of a fuel cell cooling heat exchanger located downstream of an air conditioner external heat exchanger does not decrease. (1) In the cooling apparatus, the air conditioner external heat exchanger and the fuel cell cooling heat exchanger are partially offset from each other so that a high-temperature portion of the air conditioner external heat exchanger is not overlapped with the fuel cell cooling heat exchanger in a front view taken from a front side of the vehicle. (2) A portion of the fuel cell cooling heat exchanger extending beyond an end of the air conditioner exterior heat exchanger opposite the high-temperature portion is disposed outside a fan shroud so as to be cooled by a vehicle-running wind only. |
| US07730731B1 |
Refrigeration system with serial evaporators
A refrigeration system for controlling airflow around an air-cooled heat generating device includes a variable speed compressor. The refrigeration system also includes evaporators positioned along a refrigerant line in a serial configuration with respect to each other and are positioned directly in at least one of the path of airflow supplied into the heat generating components and the path of airflow exhausted from the heat generated components. The refrigeration system further includes a controller and at least one temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is configured to transmit signals related to the detected temperature to the controller, and the controller is configured to vary the speed of the variable speed compressor based upon the signals received from the temperature sensor. |
| US07730730B2 |
Control method of an air conditioner indoor unit
A control method of a multi-air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units is connected to one outdoor unit and refrigerant flow amount is adjusted by electronic expansion valves comprises a share step in which a plurality of indoor units exchanges their operation information, a comparison and judgment step in which each above indoor unit compares and judges its operation status based on the exchanged operation information, and an adjustment step in which each above indoor unit adjusts refrigerant flow amount supplied to each indoor unit based on the compared and judged operation status. |
| US07730729B2 |
Refrigerating machine
A compressor, a radiator, an expander, and an evaporator are connected in series to define a refrigerating cycle. A bypass circuit that bypasses the expander, an on-off valve disposed in the bypass circuit, and a controller C1 for controlling an opening of the on-off valve are provided in the refrigerating cycle. During defrosting, the controller C1 controls the on-off valve so that a refrigerant may flow through the bypass circuit, thereby avoiding reduction in the amount of flow of the refrigerant during defrosting and preventing the defrosting operation from being prolonged. |
| US07730725B2 |
Splash plate dome assembly for a turbine engine
A splash plate dome assembly for a combustion liner of a turbine engine is disclosed. The splash plate may include an outer periphery having a plurality of corners and an inner periphery defining an aperture and an annular flange. The splash plate may include a plurality of first flow guides extending from the outer periphery to the inner periphery. The splash plate may further include a plurality of second flow guides extending from the outer periphery to a location intermediate the inner periphery and the outer periphery. The splash plate, annular flange, first flow guides, and second flow guides may be integrally formed by casting. The splash plate may be mounted to a combustion dome having a plurality of distributed through holes for forming impingement jets on an upstream face of the splash plate. |
| US07730718B2 |
Control system for internal combustion engine
A control system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas purifying device, an exhaust gas temperature sensor, and temperature estimating device. The exhaust gas purifying device is provided to an exhaust duct of the internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas temperature sensor is provided in the exhaust duct on an upstream side of the exhaust gas purifying device. The temperature estimating device estimates a first exhaust gas temperature on a downstream side of the exhaust gas purifying device through a transfer function, which is expressed by a plurality of identical first-order lag elements, based on a second exhaust gas temperature on the upstream side of the exhaust gas purifying device sensed by the exhaust gas temperature sensor. |
| US07730716B2 |
HC adsorbing material and device for judging deterioration of the HC adsorbing material
A HC adsorbing material whose deterioration can be judged with high accuracy and reliability. The HC adsorbing material contains a zeolite having cation adsorption sites (Al sites) to which are bonded ions of an element (Ce+) that exhibits oxygen storage capacity (OSC) in a nonionic state (when present as an oxide). |
| US07730715B2 |
Fan frame
A fan frame (10) for a gas turbine is provided. The fan frame (10) has fan exit guide vanes (100) that are connected to an intermediate case (50) for structural support, and are constrained from movement in a radial direction by a first joint (110, 110a) and constrained from movement in an axial and radial direction by a second joint (120a, 110a). The intermediate case (50) provides structural integrity while reducing weight by providing struts (56, 95) with a width that increases in a direction away from a central bearing (55) as the thickness of the struts (56, 95) decreases. |
| US07730713B2 |
Gas turbine power plant
Provided is a gas turbine power plant in which a rotor of a generator is journalled by water lubrication bearings into which a part of cooling water for cooling the generator is fed. Since the lubrication water has a viscosity lower than that of lubrication oil, it is possible to provide a gas turbine power plant with less energy loss resulting in lower power consumption for accessories, and in high power generation efficiency. |
| US07730710B2 |
Strap with articulated links
Said strap with articulated links, in particular for a watch, comprises at least three adjacent rows of links offset from one adjacent row to another, in which at least one friction surface (3, 13, 23-163) of each joint is made of a material of which the hardness is >800 HV. Said bearing surface (3, 13, 23-163) is in contact with at least one joint element (5, 15, 25-165) having at least one friction surface made of a second material selected from the following materials: ceramic, ceramic-metal composite, amorphous carbon, stainless steel without nickel, cobalt alloy, gold or gold alloy, platinum or platinum alloy, platinoid or platinoid alloy, titanium or titanium alloy, capable of reducing the frictional wear with the friction surface (3, 13, 23-163). |
| US07730709B2 |
Compact epicyclical drive
An epicyclical drive having a generally flat, disk shaped flywheel, a flywheel to pinion carrier in the form of an inner hub of the flywheel, and a flywheel support bearing and structure incorporated into the flywheel itself, all of which are concentric about a rotational axis of the flywheel so as to be axially compact, and so as to be particularly well adapted for being located beneath, or incorporated into, the floor of a grain header of an agricultural harvesting machine, for reciprocatingly driving knife knives of a sickle thereof. In particular, the flywheel support bearing is located in an annular space between the inner hub and an outer flange which is rotated by a belt or other drive for rotating the flywheel. |
| US07730707B2 |
Extendable header for harvesting machine
A header for a harvesting machine having a frame, a cutterbar mounted on the frame operable to cut standing crop, the cutterbar being adjustable relative to the frame in a fore-and-aft direction, and a reel rotatably supported between a pair of reel arms pivotally mounted on the frame and operable to sweep crop material towards and over the cutterbar, a hydraulic cylinder extending between each reel arm and a corresponding side wall of the header frame to effect a generally vertical movement of the reel, comprising an interlock mechanism operably interconnecting the cutterbar and the hydraulic cylinder at each side of the header for adjusting the vertical position of the reel in response to a fore-and-aft movement of the cutterbar to maintain substantially constant the spacing and avoiding interference between the reel and the cutterbar. |
| US07730704B2 |
Agricultural press
An agricultural press has material receiver for picking up a swath of crop material from the ground and delivering it to the press chamber. A material hold-down device extends over the material receiver and is mounted for vertical movement relative to the material receiver. During normal operation the hold-down device moves over a first range of movement in response to changing swath thicknesses. If a material jam should nevertheless arise, the material hold-down device can be moved in total or in part, either mechanically or manually, over an second range of movement in addition to the first range of movement in order to be able to liberate the wedged material. |
| US07730699B2 |
Packaging machine for lollipops and other confectionery
Packaging machine for packaging lollipops provided with a stick and a head in a film/foil sheet, comprising a rotatably driven drum having a series of lollipop holders thereon, the drum furthermore being provided with a series of film/foil folding means for folding a respective film/foil sheet around the head around a longitudinal center axis substantially parallel to the stick, the device furthermore comprising a series of twisters for twisting a film/foil tube section protruding in the longitudinal direction of the lollipop head while continuing to clamp the lollipop head and while the drum continues to rotate. |
| US07730690B2 |
Compression post assembly for wind up-lift of suspension soffits
A compression post assembly for a soffit, canopy or like structure utilizing a suspended grid of inverted tees to support the soffit surface forming panels comprising a main strut and a saddle coupling, the main strut having a hollow cross-section along substantially its full length between its upper and lower ends, the saddle coupling being adapted to connect the lower end of the strut to a grid tee by receiving separate self-tapping screws, one in each of the main strut and grid tee, the saddle coupling having a pair of spaced depending legs, the legs being spread apart by a distance sufficient to straddle the bulb of a conventional grid tee and having a length sufficient to engage the upper surfaces of the lower flange of the grid tee and thereby stabilize the grid tee against pivotal motion about a horizontal axis. |
| US07730679B2 |
Drain for a door or window sash or frame
A water drain for insertion into a mating wall opening in an extruded, hollow door or window sash or frame comprises a round, rectangular or the like housing having at least one peripheral front flange defining a drain opening, a baffle extending downwardly from a housing top portion for partially closing an upper portion of the drain opening, and a flap having a lower planar rear surface and an upper planar front surface for opening and closing lower and upper portions of the drain opening. The planar lower rear surface portion of the flap is joined to the upper front surface portion by a pivot axis, the planar lower surface being disposed forwardly of the upper planar front surface whereby the flap tends to gravitate to an at-rest, closed, substantially vertical position. |
| US07730676B2 |
Solar panel supporting system
A solar panel supporting system includes a main frame, a solar panel, and a spring mechanism. The main frame has two opposite lateral sides. The solar panel is pivotally mounted on the main frame along a first pivot axis defined by a first rod extending between the opposite lateral sides of the main frame. The spring mechanism is operatively coupled to the solar panel for resiliently holding the solar panel at a predetermined position. The solar panel is adapted to pivot in response to wind strong enough to stretch or compress the spring mechanism. |
| US07730672B2 |
Integrated debris-shielding cover, flashing & mounting system for rain gutter
A rain gutter system includes a back flashing, fastening clips, fasteners, a rain gutter and a reverse-curve shield. The back flashing overlaps existing flashing and has a crease at the bottom and the fastening clips have a groove that locates the fastening clips relative to the back flashing. The back wall of the rain gutter extends above and behind the bottom of the back flashing. The rain gutter and shield are anchored to the back flashing and fastening clips vertically and in the fore/aft direction, and can slide laterally. The front upper end of the rain gutter slopes up and back to improve debris shedding. |
| US07730668B2 |
Motor vehicle egress window
A motor vehicle egress window comprises a circumferential outer frame forming an auxiliary egress opening for a motor vehicle passenger compartment and an inner frame unit. The outer frame has an outer frame member with an inner surface and at least a first striker pin. The inner frame unit is mounted to the outer frame for movement between closed and open positions has a circumferential inner frame, a glazing pane mounted to the inner frame, at least a first egress latch mounted to the inner frame, and a release mechanism. The egress latch is operative to latch to the striker pin to hold the inner frame unit in the closed position. The release mechanism includes a manually operative release handle, preferably mounted at an elevated position on a vertical side portion of the inner frame, and release linkage comprising at least a first link from the release handle to the first latch. In certain embodiments the inner and outer frames overlap radially for improved functionality. |
| US07730666B2 |
Plant container with watering system
A double walled plant container wherein the two walls or shells form a space for holding water. The outer wall may include a window for viewing water level. The container includes a combination watering funnel and handle arrangement at the top of the container. The watering funnel protrudes or extends from the outer perimeter of the characteristic shape of the container to allow grip of the container for carrying. Preferably two watering funnel and handle structures are included, one each on opposite sides of the container. The rim arrangement allows for convenient carrying without separating the container components. The bottom of the inner shell includes holes for conducting water from the water reservoir into the soil and may include a fiber wick and soil stop barrier to prevent entry of soil into the space between the two walls and to allow water to conduct by capillary action or otherwise into the soil. |
| US07730662B2 |
Soil stabilizer carrier
A method for applying a soil stabilizer, to soil wherein the soil stabilizer is intermixed, impregnated, and/or applied to solid carriers. |
| US07730661B2 |
Double-ended fishing leader with free-sliding hook(s)
A leader and fish hook combination has eyes or loops formed at both ends of the leader so that the leader can be attached to the fishing line with either the one eye or the other. The fish hook, or more than one fish hook, has the leader threaded through the eye end of the fish hook. The leader passes through the eye of each hook, but is not tied to it, leaving the hook free to slide along the leader. Fastened one way, the hook is presented outward, and if fastened or tied off the other way, the hook presented inward. In that orientation, the lower eye projects over the hook portion so the rig serves as a weedless hook. |
| US07730659B1 |
Fish lure with horn-shaped appendages
A fish lure constructed of an elongated curvelinear cylindrical body that has a front end and a rear end, two horn-shaped appendages each emanating from the front end of the cylindrical body at 180° apart with horn openings facing the front end, and two horn-shaped appendages each emanating from the rear end of the cylindrical body at 180° apart with horn openings facing the front end. |
| US07730658B1 |
Fishing lure with improved tail
A soft plastic fishing lure has an integrally formed body and a thin, relatively long, highly flexible tail portion that combine to form a hybrid worm/tube lure. The body portion is a closed-end tubular body and the tail portion is tapered and concave in cross-section along its entire length. The concave cross-sectional area, which generally has a greater thickness of material at its apex than at its lower edge, is effective for capturing water and giving a lifelike appearance to the tail regardless of angler skill or how the lure is rigged, weighted and fished. The fishing lure may be formed so that it has two colors, with one color forming substantially a stripe on the tail portion. Contrasting flakes may be added to either color. |
| US07730656B2 |
Bird decoy
A collapsible decoy 10, including two generally planar side body panels 11, 12 allowing the decoy 10 to be collapsed into a substantially flat configuration and which are splayed when in the erected position, a head and neck portion 14 connected to at least one of the side body panels 11, 12, and a means for retaining the side body panels 11, 12, when in use, in the erected position. |
| US07730655B2 |
Sight mount for fire arms
A sight mount for fire arms comprises a base part (10) to be mounted on a fire arm, and an upper part (11) to have a sight mounted thereon. The upper part is pivoted relative to the base part for movement about an axis between a first position corresponding to the operative position of the sight, wherein a projection (33) on the, upper part or the base part engages a groove (29) on the other part, and a second position transverse to the first position, wherein the projection is disengaged from the groove to allow the upper part to be separated from the base part. A latch (21) is spring biased to an engaged position preventing pivoting of the upper part, and against the spring bias can be brought into a disengaged position allowing pivoting of the upper part. |
| US07730650B1 |
Loader bucket attachment apparatus
The excavator bucket attachment apparatus provides an improved attachment of an existing excavator bucket to the existing lift arm and hydraulic cylinder. The apparatus replaces a plurality of attachment components, including 4 attachment pins, with a more basic assembly that saves considerable parts cost and labor in maintenance of a bucket attachment. The apparatus further provides a method of conversion of an existing bucket attachment to the present apparatus. |
| US07730645B2 |
Dredge cutterhead
An assembly for mounting an excavating tooth particularly suited for a dredge cutterhead includes a base, an adapter, and a lock. The base includes a convex, curved bearing surface that abuts a concave, curved bearing surface on the adapter. The curved bearing surfaces are able to maintain substantially full contact with each other under transverse loading. The undersurface of the base is formed with a groove to improve the strength and durability of the weld. |
| US07730644B2 |
Snowplow with pivoting sideblades
The left and right sideblades are hinged to the mainblade about vertical axes, and can pivot each through 180°. The sideblades are rotated by means of left and right hydraulic rotary actuators. The actuator includes a piston formed with helical splines, which drive a rotor sleeve of the actuator to rotate in a single-plane-circle when the piston is driven axially. The journal bearings in the rotary actuator are supplemented by bearings provided in a coaxial lower hinge, which are of much greater journal capacity than the bearings in the rotary actuators. The lower hinge protects the hydraulic rotary actuator from shocks due to the sideblade impacting against a kerb. A wheel-protection link blocks the sideblade from contacting the wheel of the vehicle. |
| US07730643B2 |
Two-stage snow plow
A snow plow includes a primary moldboard and auxiliary plow positioned behind the primary moldboard. The snow plow may be a one-way or reversible snow plow. In the later case, the primary moldboard and auxiliary plow are attached to a drive frame that is rotatable about a frame. The frame is secured to the front of a vehicle by a frame and bracket, and controlled by hydraulic mechanisms. The auxiliary plow is operated independently of the moldboard by a pair of hydraulic cylinders and includes tines or a resilient blade for clearing snow and ice that is not taken up by the primary moldboard. The device also includes a mechanism whereby the scraping edge of the secondary plow follows the same path as the scraping edge of moldboard by sliding movement of the secondary plow relative to the drive frame, and the blade of the auxiliary plow may be formed by tines or a resilient blade. |
| US07730640B2 |
High performance boot
The present invention discloses various features and combinations thereof for use with articles of footwear such as boots. The boots are especially adapted for use on construction projects, and provide protection, support and comfort to the wearer. Numerous outsole configurations and styles are provided, which provide superior traction and a low center of gravity for enhanced balance. Different layers of materials provide puncture resistance, abrasion resistance, thermal insulation, waterproofing and other benefits. Protective and/or insulative plates may be utilized in the footwear for puncture protection or thermal insulation, for example. Shovel guards protect the wearer when using a tool, and toe tools permit the wearer to employ the boot as a tool of its own. Structural support cages chimney structures are also utilized for support and comfort. |
| US07730638B2 |
Heel protector
A heel protector is disclosed. The heel protector includes a stem portion having a body and at least one retaining portion. A channel is formed between the body and the at least one retaining portion. A biasing portion extends from the stem portion. The biasing portion includes an opening therein. A leaf portion extends from the biasing portion. A shoe and heel protector assembly is also disclosed. A method of using the heel protector to protect the heel and waist of a shoe is also disclosed. |
| US07730634B2 |
High-heeled jazz dancing and character dancing shoe
A high-heeled dancer's shoe providing the structural integrity to prevent bowing and to execute energetic character dancing steps and simultaneously maintaining the flexibility necessary to execute jazz steps. The shoe comprises a hard plastic high heel, a partial metal shank extending from a back of the shoe and extending forward over the arch in a middle portion of the shoe, and an open shoe body including a flexible shoe upper shaped for receiving the dancer's foot, including left and right sides that have a flexible insert in an area of an arch, and a continuous layer of leather outer sole spanning a length and width of the shoe including a thinner middle section. In certain embodiments there is a front sole support originating from the front sole area and providing cushioning and support for the toe box. |
| US07730632B2 |
Combination tape measure and hammer
A combination tape measure and hammer includes a tape measure having an extendible tape for measuring distances, and a hammer attached to the tape measure. The tape measure includes a housing with an outer surface and the hammer conforms to the outer surface of the housing. The outer surface of the housing is curved and an underside of the hammer is curved for conforming to the curved outer surface of the housing. The hammer includes a head and a claw extending rearwardly from the head. The outer surface of the housing has a depression formed therein that is aligned with the claw. The claw is a forked claw including a first tine and a second tine spaced from the first tine. The depression formed in the outer surface of the housing is aligned with the first and second tines. |
| US07730627B2 |
Method and device for measuring gear tooth wear
A method and device for measuring an amount of wear on a flank of a gear tooth is provided. The method includes positioning a template comprising a first template tooth adjacent a gear comprising a first gear tooth. The method also includes adjusting the position of the template in a rotational direction with respect to a known rotational reference point of the gear, adjusting the position of the template in an axial direction with respect to a known axial reference point of the gear, and adjusting the position of the template in a radial direction with respect to a known radial reference point of the gear. The method further includes measuring an extent of a gap between an edge of the first template tooth and an adjacent flank of the first gear tooth, wherein the gap corresponds to the amount of wear on the flank. |
| US07730624B2 |
Laser marker
A laser marker capable of emitting laser light with its optimum intensity in accordance with a level of illuminance at any environment where the laser marker is used. The laser marker includes a stand and a cover rotatably provided on the stand. The cover accommodates therein a laser unit that emits laser light outside of the cover through a window formed in the cover. Laser light intensity changing unit is provided, which changes the intensity of the laser light to be emitted from the laser unit in accordance with the illuminance at the environment, the illuminance being detected by a illuminance sensor provided on the cover. |
| US07730621B2 |
Shaving foil for a dry shaver
A shaving foil for a dry shaver has a plurality of perforation arranged in an array. The shaving foil is formed in its skin contact surface with a plurality of recesses which define a thin section of reduced thickness at the recesses, while leaving thick sections at the remainder of the foil. Each perforation is configured to have its circumference defined partly by the thin section and partly by the thick section. Both of the thin and thick sections can come into contact with a user's skin for smoothly guiding hairs into the perforations to make close shaving without irritating the skin, while the shaving foil is moved across the skin. Especially, the thin sections act to cut the hairs shorter than the thick section, as wall as to raise flattened hairs into the perforations for successfully cutting the flattened hairs. |
| US07730620B1 |
Plastic package opener
A plastic package opener having a body with a generally “V” shaped configured is formed from a memory retention material, by angled first and second legs held together by a portion of material. A sharp edge or blade member is held to an interior surface of one of the legs at an angle to the terminal ends of the legs. A movable blade cover may be provided for safety. A plastic package to be opened is inserted between the open ends of the legs and the blade member brought against the plastic package by squeezing the two legs together and directed across the surface of the plastic package to sever the plastic package and open the same for removal of an item or items held therein. |
| US07730619B2 |
Ergonomically arcuate multi-blade razor
A shaving device assembled with multiple blades having a generally planar portion and arcuate end portions in a generally parallel spaced relationship adapted for shaving curvilinear areas of a body. |
| US07730615B2 |
Micro-machined structure production using encapsulation
Micro-machined (e.g., stress-engineered spring) structures are produced by forming a release layer, forming a partially or fully encapsulated beam/spring structure, and then releasing the beam/spring structure by etching the release layer. The encapsulation structure protects the beam/spring during release, so both the release layer and the beam/spring can be formed using plating and/or using the same material. The encapsulation structure can be metal, resist, polymer, oxide, or nitride, and may be removed after the release process, or retained as part of the completed micro-machined structure. |
| US07730613B2 |
Processes for manufacturing printed wiring boards
Methods of manufacturing printed wiring boards including electrically conductive constraining cores that involve a single lamination cycle are disclosed. One example of the method of the invention includes drilling a clearance pattern in an electrically conductive constraining core, arranging the electrically conductive constraining core in a stack up that includes B-stage (semi-cured) layers of dielectric material on either side of the constraining core and additional layers of material arranged to form the at least one functional layer, performing a lamination cycle on the stack up that causes the resin in the B-stage (semi-cured) layers of dielectric to reflow and fill the clearance pattern in the electrically conductive constraining core before curing and drilling plated through holes. |
| US07730607B2 |
Apparatus for assembling cable to connector
An apparatus for assembling cable to connector includes a jig holder and a cable jig. The jig holder has a basic board defining a mounting space capable of locating a connector in the front thereof. The cable jig located in the rear of the mounting space of the jig holder has an upper jig member and a lower jig member disposed beneath the upper jig member. One of the jig members protrudes to form first spaced-apart barriers. A first receiving passage is defined between each pair of adjacent first spaced-apart barriers. The other jig member defines second receiving passages for receiving the first spaced-apart barriers respectively. A second spaced-apart barrier is defined between every two adjacent second receiving passages to space the two adjacent second receiving passages apart. The second spaced-apart barriers are inserted in the first receiving passages respectively. |
| US07730604B2 |
Method for assembling a disk drive using a shipping comb
A method for assembling a disk drive includes providing a head stack assembly (HSA), providing a shipping comb for assembling the disk drive, inserting a comb pin of the shipping comb into a locating holes in a HSA to assemble the shipping comb with the HSA together, positioning the HSA and shipping comb on a base cover of the disk drive, installing the HSA on the base cover via a bearing device thereof, rotating the assembled HSA and shipping comb to park the HSA on the ramp and aligning the comb pin with the securing hole, pushing the comb pin into a securing hole to lock the HSA in the base cover, assembling a latch device and a top voice coil magnet on the base cover, and rotating out the shipping comb to a position where the shipping comb is not interfered with the disk drive. |
| US07730603B2 |
Methods for forming a magnet in a rotor
Methods are provided for forming/inserting a magnet in a rotor. One method includes coating a plurality of magnetizable particles with a non-metallic material, inserting the coated particles in a rotor, and magnetizing the coated particles. Another method includes inserting a plurality of magnetizable particles into a rotor, submersing the rotor in motor varnish to coat the particles with motor varnish, and magnetizing the particles. Yet another method includes inserting a plurality of magnetizable particles in a rotor, inserting a non-metallic material into the rotor, mixing the particles and non-metallic material to form a mixture, curing the mixture to coat each particle with non-metallic material, and magnetizing the particles. Still another method includes mixing a plurality of magnetizable particles with a non-metallic material, curing the non-metallic material to coat each particle with non-metallic material, inserting the coated particles in a rotor, and magnetizing the coated particles. |
| US07730597B2 |
Method for processing metal molding member having fine configuration, method for manufacturing metal molding member, extrusion die, method for manufacturing extruded member, and extruded member
A molten residual layer formed on a surface 26 of an electric-discharge machined portion 12 of a metal molding member 1 is eliminated by using a tool 70 made by a wire discharge grinding method. According to the wire discharge grinding method, a minute tool which high in processing accuracy and high in hardness can be obtained. Since the molten residual layer formed on a surface 26 of the portion 12 due to the electric-discharge machining is eliminated by using the tool, the molten residual layer can be eliminated uniformly with high accuracy. |
| US07730594B2 |
Connector for stretch straps of a chair
A connector for stretch straps of a chair is mounted on the chair to hold and stretch a stretch strap with an opposite connector mounted on the chair and has a receiving recess formed inside the connector and a connecting slot formed through the top of the connector and communicating with the receiving recess. One end of the stretch strap extends through the connecting slot to be held by a binder in the receiving recesses. A bottom of the stretch strap is propped out by a top edge of the connecting slot so that a top of the stretch strap is protrudent relative to the top of the connector and a sharp edge formed between the top and the front end of the connector. Thus, a user's body is prevented from contacting with the rigid top and the sharp edge of the connector to comfortably sit on the chair. |
| US07730591B2 |
Apparatus on a flat card or roller card for textile fibres, such as cotton, synthetic fibres or the like, for removing short fibres
An apparatus on a carding machine has a covering comprising work and cover elements lying opposite the clothing of a high-speed cylinder. There is, in succession, an air exhaust opening for the exit of air and an opening for entry of air, past which openings a flow of fibers and air is passed. To allow improved detachment and elimination of short fibers in a simple manner, the spacing of the covering upstream of the exhaust opening is smaller than the spacing of the covering between air exhaust opening and air inlet opening and an airflow flows against the direction of rotation of the cylinder along the surface of the cylinder and flows with short fibers through the air exhaust opening. |
| US07730587B2 |
Hinge apparatus
A hinge apparatus used to connect a base and a display unit comprises a connecting member a first fastening member a second fastening members a first pivoting member and a second pivoting member, wherein the connecting member includes a first hole and a second hole. One end of the first pivoting member is fixed with a display unit and the other end crosses through the first hole and is then fastened with the first fastening member. One end of the second pivoting member is fixed with a base and the other end crosses through the second hole and is then fastened with the second fastening member. With the connectivity between the connecting member the first pivoting member and the second pivoting member, the motion of the hinge apparatus is capable of rotating 360 degrees. |
| US07730585B2 |
Stop module for a swiveling unit for delimiting a swiveling motion and corresponding swiveling unit
The invention relates to a stop module for the swiveling motion of a rotation body (14) that is swivelably received in a housing (10). The stop module comprises a catch (26) following the trajectory of the swiveling motion on the end of the rotation body and a stop (48) comprising a damping element for delimiting the motion of the catch (26). At least one intermediate element (56) is provided between the catch (26) and the stop (48) and is supported, when impinged upon by the catch (26), on the housing (10) and on the stop (48). |
| US07730583B2 |
Furniture hinge with damping device
Furniture hinge with damping and/or braking device in alternative to those already existing and capable of guaranteeing an improved efficiency during the closing or opening operation of the doors, or other furniture parts, thanks to an improvement of the kinematic motion for transmitting motion from one of the rockers to the damping elements. The improved efficiency of this hinge is also obtained by increasing the friction surfaces with a viscous medium present in suitable areas of the hinge and by allowing regulation of the trend of the angular velocity of a circular shaped element, for example a disc, which acts as braking element in contact with the viscous medium. |
| US07730575B2 |
Structure for a hand trowel handle with adjustable rotational angle
The invention relates to a structure for a hand trowel handle with adjustable rotational angle on the grasping section. The hand trowel is composed of a blade, a connecting section and a grasping section. The connecting section uses its base to connect with the tongue on the blade. The structure for the grasping section with adjustable rotational angle features mainly in the radial toothed rings at the front end of the grasping section and at the supporting end of the connecting section. When the grasping section is worn on the shaft in the center if the radial toothed ring of the connecting section, the grasping section can be tightened or loosened through the adjustment knob, the spring and the shaft in the accommodating hole. Thus, the rotational angle between the grasping section and the shaft can be adjusted. |
| US07730571B2 |
Push broom bracket assembly
A bracket assembly for use with cleaning implements such as push brooms has a handle connector for mounting a handle and a plate with a pair of depending flanges that are inserted into the broom head. The bracket assembly may be removably secured to the broom head with a fastener such as bolt and nut to provide an attachment mechanism having sufficient strength to withstand repeated sweeping motion. The removable bracket allows the arrangement of the handle and broom head to be reversed so that both faces of the broom head and bristles can be used interchangeably for sweeping. The removable bracket can be used with cleaning implements having heads of various dimensions and shapes. |
| US07730569B2 |
Disposable head portion for a nodally mounted rotating toothbrush
A head portion of a nodally mounted rotating toothbrush is removable from a handle portion, which has a driving system therein. The head portion includes a spring assembly, having two spring sections, the spring assembly having a node point between the two ends and a nodal mount member at the node point which is connected to a cover member of the head portion. A driving assembly is arranged to drive the first spring section, the second section rotating in an opposing direction from the first spring section, the second spring section having a drive shaft extending therefrom, upon a free end of which a brushhead is mounted. When the head portion is removed from the handle, the spring assembly is removed therewith. |
| US07730568B2 |
Removal of scale and sludge in a steam generator of a fabric treatment appliance
A method of operating a fabric treatment appliance comprises a steam generation step and a steam generator cleaning step. In the steam generator cleaning step, a chamber of the steam generator can be flushed by introducing a volume of liquid into the chamber greater than the internal volume. The steam generator cleaning step can also involve thermally shocking scale formed within the chamber. |
| US07730565B1 |
Anaconda for a multi-purpose gurney
An apparatus has segments connected end-to-end so as to form a flexible tube, a base connected to a first segment of the segments, a clamp connected to the base for mounting the base, and a tensioning mechanism for tensioning the segments. A scope adapter can be connected to a last segment of the plurality of segments. An extremity adapter can be connected to a last segment of the plurality of segments. The clamp can mount the base to a mayo stand of a multi-purpose gurney. The clamp can also mount the base to a rail of a multi-purpose gurney. |
| US07730563B1 |
Head support and stabilization system
A head support system that has a fixation arc system that is adjustable both vertically and horizontally and is mounted to a patient support structure. The fixation arc system is positionable adjacent to, and provides lateral support for, the patient's head. A pin support is connected to, and extends from the fixation arc system. A pin is adjustably mounted to the pin support and contacts the patient's head to provide a lateral fixation thereof. The pin has a centerline that is rotatable about two axes of motion substantially perpendicular to the pin centerline. |
| US07730559B2 |
Toilet seat for sealed engagement with toilet bowl and communication with air extraction system
A toilet seat is provided for mounting on a toilet bowl (1) and is configured to be placed in communication with a mechanical air extraction system. The toilet seat includes a seat (4) that can be applied in a sealed manner on the toilet bowl. The toilet seat (4) has an air inlet (6) at the front and an air outlet (7) at the rear. The outlet (7) is connected by ducts (8, 9, 10) to the air extraction system (14, 15). A cover (11) is hinged in proximity to the seat (4). The cover (11) is configured to prevent the toilet bowl (1) from being flushed when the cover (11) is in the open position and seals the front air inlet (6) when the cover is in the closed position. |
| US07730558B2 |
Treatment apparatus for excrement of rest room
Disclosed herein is a treatment apparatus for excrement of a rest room wherein sludge is able to be separated and incinerated via a simplified process without a vacuum drying of excrement that is transferred from a storage tank, whereby continuous treatment of excrement is possible, resulting in an increase in excrement treatment efficiency and capacity while achieving a reduction in maintenance costs. Also, in the present invention, water contained in excrement is able to be purified with a high efficiency, whereby the purified water can be reused as wash water of a toilet or directly drained without a separate post-treatment. |
| US07730557B1 |
Cooled protective garment
A chemical protective garment or ensemble is disclosed that comprises a impermeable, protective cooling laminate having a water-holding layer for holding and evaporating liquid, and a chemical barrier. The water-holding layer has a water-holding capacity of at least about 5% wt., and the suit is designed to retain sufficient liquid to provide cooling to a wearer upon evaporation of the liquid from the suit. |
| US07730556B2 |
Nose strap jointing structure for swimming goggles/mask
A swimming goggle structure includes two eye masks and a centrally located nose strap. Each eye mask has an outer edge forming a head strap buckle to which a head strap is connected and an inner edge forming a projecting joint section. The joint section forms a recessed slot and is jointed to an end of the nose strap by insert molding so that the end of the nose strap wraps and engages the joint section of each eye mask to form a tightly connected structure. |
| US07730554B2 |
Double dipped gloves
A method of making a glove is described. The method comprises dipping a glove form into two different formulations. Each formulation comprises a carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber with different amounts of covalent and ionic cross linkers. The gloves preferably have a stress retention value of greater than 50%. |
| US07730553B2 |
Torso garment
A torso-covering garment for playing paintball having gripping areas to enable the user to grippably contact a gripping area of the garment with the butt stock of the gun. Each gripping area comprises a pliant, non-cushioning substrate. Common embodiments of the garment are shirts, jerseys, jackets, and vests. A method of playing paintball which comprises wearing the garment of the invention, and a method of fabricating the garment. |