最新美国发明专利第2010-06-08期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US07731956B2	Compositions and methods of using chondroitinase ABCI mutants One aspect of the present invention relates to mutants of chondroitinase ABCI. Such chondroitinase ABCI mutants exhibit altered chondroitin lyase activity or increased resistance to inactivation from stressors including exposure to UV light or heat. Methods of using chondroitinase ABCI mutant enzymes are also provided.
US07731954B2	Wound dressings comprising hydrated hydrogels and enzymes A skin dressing, particularly a wound dressing, comprises oxidoreductase enzyme and, optionally, peroxidase enzyme, wherein the enzyme(s) are present in hydrated condition, e.g. being present in one or more hydrated hydrogels. The dressing is used by being located on the skin of a human or animal e.g. over a wound. The oxidoreductase enzyme catalyses a reaction that produces hydrogen peroxide from an appropriate substrate, the substrate either being naturally present in body fluids and/or being supplied separately and/or being incorporated into the dressing. The currently preferred oxidoreductase enzyme is glucose oxidase. The catalyses reaction of β-D-glucose substrate to give hydrogen peroxide and gluconic acid. A mixture of oxidoreductase enzyme can undergo reaction (optionally catalysed by the peroxidase enzyme) to produce a variety of species including reactive oxygen intermediates that have antimicrobial properties and that can therefore assist in promoting wound healing.
US07731952B2	Avirulent oncolytic herpes simplex virus strains engineered to counter the innate host response The present invention relates to an avirulent, oncolytic herpes simplex virus modified from a wild-type herpes simplex virus so that both γ134.5 genes of the virus have been deleted and each replaced with an interferon-resistance gene that is expressed as an immediate-early gene. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition that includes the modified herpes simplex virus of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle for in situ administration to tumor cells. Also provided in the present invention are methods for killing tumor cells in a subject and for immunizing a subject against an infectious disease, cancer, or an autoimmune disease that involve administering to a subject the modified avirulent, oncolytic herpes simplex virus of the present invention.
US07731941B2	Staining composition for staining an ophthalmic membrane A staining composition for staining an ophthalmic membrane when performing the ophthalmic membrane removal, wherein the staining composition comprises a Brilliant Blue G (BBG) derivative as a primary component.
US07731933B2	Insulating target material, method of manufacturing insulating target material, insulating complex oxide film, and device An insulating target material for obtaining an insulating complex oxide film represented by a general formula AB1-XCXO3, an element A including at least Pb, an element B including at least one of Zr, Ti, V, W, and Hf, and an element C including at least one of Nb and Ta.
US07731928B2	Silanized carbon nanotubes and method for the production thereof A process for silanizing carbon nanotubes, wherein the carbon nanotubes are oxidized and subsequently exposed to a saturated gas phase including one or more organosilane derivatives which form covalent bonds to the carbon nanotubes with siloxane formation.
US07731927B2	Ceramic nanowires and a process for producing them by ion beam irradiation A method by which ceramic nanowires with diameters ranging from several to several tens of nanometers can be synthesized with improvements in the shape retention of the nanowires and the yield of conversion to ceramic, which method comprises the steps of forming a thin film of a silicon-containing polymer usable as a ceramic precursor, irradiating the thin film with ion beams to form cylindrical crosslinked portions, extracting the un-crosslinked portions with a solvent to produce nanowires of the silicon-containing polymer, irradiating the nanowires with an ionizing radiation so that they are crosslinked again, and firing the re-crosslinked nanowires.
US07731925B2	Process for reducing agent control in an exhaust gas aftertreatment system Methods of reducing agent control in an exhaust gas aftertreatment system of a combustion engine with an exhaust gas pipe in which in the direction of flow of the exhaust gas there is an SCR catalyzer. A reducing agent generating system has an NOx and CO/H2 generating unit, an oxidation catalyzer, and a combined NOx storage/ammonia generating unit in the standard gas path of the reducing agent generating system. Ammonia is introduced as a reducing agent for the reduction of nitric oxides before the SCR catalyzer of the reducing agent generating system. Precursor materials for generation of ammonia are directed at least temporarily to the NOx and CO/H2 generating unit through a fuel feed and an air feed. A CO/H2 reducing agent stream is temporally modulated during a rich phase. A CO/H2 concentration is primarily held constant at a high level.
US07731923B2	Method for simultaneously producing hydrogen and carbon monoxide The invention relates to a method for simultaneously producing hydrogen and carbon monoxide consisting in generating a synthesis gas and in processing it by decarbonising and removing water and remaining carbon dioxide by passing said gas through a bed of adsorbents, in separating remaining components by forming at least one H2 rich flow, a CO flow containing at least one type of impurity selected from nitrogen and argon, a methane-rich purge gas flow and a flash gas flow. The inventive method also consists in regenerating the bed of adsorbents by passing a regeneration gas comprising at least one non-zero proportion of the formed H2 flow and in recycling at least the purge and flash gases for feeding the synthesis gas generation stage.
US07731920B2	System and method for separating tellurium from cadmium waste The present invention relates to a method and system for recovery of waste.
US07731919B2	Fixed bed reactor for gas-phase catalytic oxidation and processes for producing acrolein or acrylic acid A fixed bed reactor for gas-phase catalytic oxidation, the fixed bed reactor, comprising a reaction tube filled with a gas-phase oxidation catalyst, wherein a solid acid is placed in an end portion(s) of the reaction tube or between catalyst layers of the catalyst, or mixed in the catalyst; the solid acid is an oxide or a complex oxide containing at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), titanium (Ti) and zirconium (Zr), and has a shape of sphere, cylindrical column, cylindrical tube, star, ring, tablet or pellet; the catalyst is a complex oxide containing molybdenum (Mo) and bismuth (Bi) or a complex oxide containing molybdenum (Mo) and vanadium (V); and acid strength(H0) of the solid acid meets an inequality: −5.6≦H0≦1.5.
US07731918B2	Catalyst incorporation in a microreactor A method and device for loading a catalyst into a chamber. The catalyst loading is well suited for production of hydrogen producing microreactors. The catalyst is coated onto a strip which is mountable within the chamber.
US07731910B2	Microfluidic mixing assembly A microfluidic mixing assembly includes at least first and second liquid sources, a microfluidic manifold, a first capillary valve between the first liquid source and the manifold, and a second capillary valve between the second liquid source and the manifold, wherein the first capillary valve is configured to open and provide a first liquid flow to the microfluidic manifold in response to an external force and the second capillary valves is configured to be opened by the first liquid flow.
US07731908B2	Pipette A pipette, comprising a pipette casing which has disposed therein a seat, a piston seat in an accommodating body, mounting devices for reversibly fixing the mounting portion and syringe piston of a syringe within the seats and piston adjusting devices for displacing the accommodating body, wherein the mounting portion and syringe piston are adapted to be slid to their mounting positions through axial apertures, the mounting devices have radially advanceable gripping devices, the gripping devices have syringe gripping levers pivotally supported within the pipette casing and piston gripping levers pivotally supported within the accommodating body, the syringe gripping levers and piston gripping levers have two arms, the syringe gripping levers, at the insides of their actuator arms, having contact points which when their actuator arms are actuated are adapted to be externally pivoted against the actuator arms of the piston gripping levers, the syringe gripping levers have inwardly projecting release levers on the actuator arms, a transfer element which is slidably guided transversely with respect to the release levers within the pipette casing is adapted to be brought into abutment against the two release levers by being shifted by a front-end sided abutment area, and a trigger displaceable within the pipette casing is coupled to the transfer element to displace the transfer element upon displacement of the trigger.
US07731907B2	Device and process for testing a sample liquid A device and a process for testing a sample liquid in which especially the ELISA process can be carried out very easily, rapidly and with high precision. To do this, a sample liquid and a dilution liquid are each supplied to several metering chambers of different volumes, so that the sample liquid can be diluted into assigned reaction chambers in one dilution step in different dilution ratios. Different liquids can be supplied in succession to the reaction chambers by means of a common receiving chamber. The liquids are transferred from the reaction chambers into the assigned test chambers to stop the detection reaction.
US07731906B2	Processing particle-containing samples A microfluidic device includes an input port for inputting a particle-containing liquidic samples into the device, a retention member, and a pressure actuator. The retention member is in communication with the input port and is configured to spatially separate particles of the particle-containing liquidic sample from a first portion of the liquid of the particle containing fluidic sample. The pressure actuator recombines at least some of the separated particles with a subset of the first portion of the liquid separated from the particles. The device can also include a lysing chamber that receives the particles and liquid from the retention member. The lysing chamber thermally lyses the particles to release contents thereof.
US07731903B2	System for automatic opening of reagent vessels The invention relates to an analysis system which, by means of a reagent cartridge opening module, permits automatic opening of reagent vessels which are closed by screwing. The reagent cartridge opening module for this purpose has catch elements which can lock securely against rotation in correspondingly configured catch elements of a reagent vessel lid. In addition, the reagent cartridge opening module and the reagent vessel lid are connected via snap-in elements, so that transport of the reagent vessel lid perpendicular to the plane of the rotational movement is possible.
US07731902B2	Photonic crystal and waveguide sensor device The present invention provides a sensor device for detecting a substance contained in a fluid comprising a first photonic crystal region, a second photonic crystal region, a first channel which is connected to the first photonic crystal region, and passes the fluid containing the substance therein, a second channel which is connected to the second photonic crystal region, and passes a fluid for reference therein, an optical waveguide which is connected to the first photonic crystal region and the second photonic crystal region, and guides light, and a detecting section for detecting a difference between a light which has passed through the optical waveguide and the first photonic crystal region and a light which has passed through the optical waveguide and the second photonic crystal region.
US07731900B2	Body fluid testing device The present invention concerns a body fluid testing device (10) for analyzing a body fluids, comprising a test media tape (30) adapted to collect the body fluid, a supply portion (100) storing an uncontaminated section of the test media tape, a storage portion (110) for storing a contaminated section of the test media tape, an exposure portion positioned between the supply portion and the storage portion, the exposure portion being adapted to expose a section of the test media tape to the body fluid. An important aspect is a tip portion (20) for exposing a test medium to body fluid application. The application further concerns a test media cassette for housing test media. Another aspect is a testing device and method that employs illumination of a test medium at the site for body fluid application.
US07731896B2	Low alloy steel and weld joint thereof excellent in corrosion resistance to hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid The present invention provides a low alloy steel and a weld joint thereof excellent in hydrochloric acid corrosion resistance and sulfuric acid corrosion resistance, said low alloy steel containing, in mass, C: 0.001 to 0.2%, Si: 0.01 to 2.5%, Mn: 0.1 to 2%, Cu: 0.1 to 1%, Mo: 0.001 to 1%, Sb: 0.01 to 0.2%, P: 0.05% or less, and S: 0.05% or less, with the balance consisting of Fe and unavoidable impurities; and the acid corrosion resistance index AI of said low alloy steel being zero or positive. Here, said AI is given by the following expression, AI/10,000=0.0005+0.045×Sb %−C %×Mo %, where % means mass %.
US07731892B2	Pit furnace closing system A PIT FURNACE CLOSING SYSTEM is provided having two beams laid across the border of the furnace and square iron bars supported over the beams, and pieces of cloth wrap for high temperature are used for closing the furnace or a box in a stainless steel screen, folded and having a ring, and filled in with remains of wraps, or a bipartite lid in a thin plate with wraps fixed to it and a cut for the upper part of the supporting device of the parts to pass, which is “cage”-like, and suspended inside the furnace and supported on the two beams, not resting on the floor of the furnace, and the furnace has thermopairs, and their heating ends are located in the central direction of each heating zone.
US07731890B2	Methods of fabricating stents with enhanced fracture toughness Stents and methods of manufacturing a stents with enhanced fracture toughness are disclosed.
US07731888B2	Mold device and method for forming a lock bore A locking mechanism for an enclosure is provided. The enclosure comprises a base including a locking groove formed therein, and a lid pivotally coupled with the base having a lock bore formed therein. The lock mechanism is mounted in the lock bore and includes a pin that is selectively positioned within the locking groove to secure the lid to the base. Also provided is a molding device and method for forming the lock bore. The mold device includes a base member with a pair of arms having a mold protrusion and a lower cam surface. The molding device also includes a housing having a pair of mold protrusion openings. The mold protrusions selectively extend outwardly through mold protrusion openings when a wedge engages the lower cam surfaces on the arms, wherein the arms spread apart from one another to form a pair of snap grooves in the lock bore.
US07731887B2	Method for removing excess uncured build material in solid imaging Solid imaging apparatus and methods for use are disclosed that reduce the amount of uncured solid imaging build material remaining on a completed build object following the completion of the solid imaging build process. The amount of uncured build material is reduced through the use of either an uncoating web that removes excess build material from the build object during the course of the building process or an ink jet source of build material that uses only as much build material as is necessary for the fabrication of the build part. Also disclosed is an imager assembly for use with such a solid imaging apparatus that incorporates two or more individual imagers in an array and accounts for variations in the intensity and alignment of adjacent imagers. The apparatus can be modified for semi-continuous operation and for integrating into a manufacturing operation, if desired.
US07731886B2	Method of manufacturing a filter cartridge An injection moulding assembly includes a male moulding member surrounded by a female moulding member forming a void between them that upon injection of molten plastics into the mould a container can be formed. The moulding assembly includes a guide rod and ejection flange and a pair of ejection flange guide rods, an air vent valve and an injection passage. The male member includes in this embodiment eight grooves unevenly spaced so that the partially hardened container formed in the injection mould can be pushed from the mould using the ejection flange while the container is sufficiently green to enable the ribs formed in the grooves to move over the surface of the male mould during the ejection process.
US07731883B2	Method for making a tread assembly A method for making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method can include a number of steps where various molds are used to attach or mold a tread element onto a substrate or matrix lining. The tread element can be formed by compressing a rubber block between various molding members to liquefy and cause the resulting rubber material to flow into at least one lug cavity disposed near the matrix lining. The rubber material eventually enters the lug cavity and becomes attached to the matrix lining.
US07731881B2	Method for making fog resistant thermoplastic articles and articles made therefrom A method for making a fog resistant thermoplastic article includes conditioning a thermoplastic article by exposing it to an aqueous environment sufficient to result in fog resistance.
US07731873B2	Contact lens mold assemblies and systems and methods of producing same Methods and apparatus are provided for making an ophthalmic lens. Apparatus are provided for filling contact lens shaped cavities of contact lens molding assemblies. Methods of coupling and fusing contact lens mold sections are also provided and generally include providing first and second mold sections which, when coupled together, are effective to form a lens-shaped cavity and contact regions between the mold sections. One or both of the mold sections may include one or more recessed regions or projections which provide areas of non-fusion and areas of fusion, respectively, when the mold sections have been filled with a contact lens precursor material and are fused together, for example, by focused ultrasound energy.
US07731870B2	Purex method and its uses The invention relates to a method constituting an improvement of the PUREX method, which makes it possible to obtain separation of uranium from the other actinides (Pu, Np, Th, . . . ) in a single purification cycle.This method successively comprises: a) co-extracting the uranium(VI), plutonium(IV) and other actinides(IV) or (VI) from an aqueous nitric solution by using solvent phase and scrubbing the latter; b) back-extracting the plutonium in oxidation state (III) from the solvent phase by using an aqueous nitric solution; c) back-extracting the uranium in oxidation state (VI) from the solvent phase by using an aqueous nitric solution; d) concentrating the aqueous nitric solution resulting from step c) with respect to uranium(VI); and it is characterized in that some of the uranium(VI)-concentrated aqueous solution obtained in step d) is used for back-extracting the actinide(IV) or actinides(IV) from the solvent phase during step b) or between steps b) and c).Uses: reprocessing of spent nuclear fuels based on UO2, (U,Pu)O2 or (U,Th)O2 mixed oxide.
US07731869B2	Stabilised aluminium zirconium mixed oxide powder Mixed oxide powder consisting of particles with the components zirconium dioxide, aluminium oxide and at least a third component selected from the group including yttrium oxide, magnesium oxide or calcium oxide, wherein mixed oxide powder has an aluminium oxide content 0.01 to 10 wt. % and is homogeneously distributed in the mixed oxide particles, the content of aluminium oxide, zirconium dioxide and yttrium oxide is at least 99.5 wt. %, based on the total quantity of the powder, and the BET surface area is 20 to 80 m2/g. It is obtained by atomising a solution containing at least one starting compound for each of aluminium oxide, zirconium dioxide and the third component, allowing the atomised solution to react with oxygen in a reaction chamber at a reaction temperature 700 to 15000° C., cooling the hot gases and the solid products and then separating the solid product from the gases. It can be used as a dental material.
US07731861B2	Liquid drop discharge head and manufacture method thereof, micro device, ink-jet head, ink cartridge, and ink-jet printing device A liquid drop discharge head includes a chip 21 that is formed by separation of a silicon wafer 20. The silicon wafer 20 has a first direction and a second direction which are mutually intersected. The chip 21 is separated from the silicon wafer 20 by etching the wafer along a separation line 22 parallel to the first direction of the wafer and by dicing the wafer 20 along a separation line 23 parallel to the second direction of the wafer.
US07731855B2	Septic tanks A method of determining whether a septic tank containing a liquid and sludge or scum mixture needs to be emptied, comprising locating a sensor in the mixture wherein the sensor is adapted to measure a parameter which can be used to determining the depth of sludge or scum in the septic tank and generating a warning signal when a signal from the sensor is indicative of a depth of sludge or scum exceeding a predetermined limit.
US07731853B2	Method and equipment for purifying an extraction solution from aqueous entrainment and impurities The invention relates to a method and equipment with which an organic solution extraction solution is purified from entrainment of aqueous solution and impurities during hydrometallurgical liquid-liquid extraction. The method treats an organic extraction solution, which is loaded with a valuable metal or valuable substance from the aqueous solution. The purpose is to carry out the physical separation of water droplets and the chemical removal of impurities from the organic extraction solution simultaneously.
US07731851B2	Waste water treatment The present invention relates to wastewater treatment in general and to methods of controlling odors and degrading compounds contained in wastewater in particular.
US07731850B2	Apparatus and method for treating wastewater An apparatus and method for treating wastewater are provided. The method for treating wastewater includes: a pre-treatment step of removing impurities contained in high concentration wastewater and crushing the impurities using a crusher; a first aerobic treatment step of supplying wastewater containing organic acids to a first aerobic tank and injecting air to the first aerobic tank to be aerobically treated; an anaerobic treatment step of supplying the wastewater, from which excess organic acids are removed by the aerobic treatment, to an anaerobic tank to be anaerobically treated; a degassing step of supplying the wastewater treated in the aerobic and anaerobic treatment steps to a degassing tank to remove air and gas; and a post-treatment step of precipitating the wastewater aerobically treated using a solid-liquid separation tank, a pressure floatation tank or a precipitation tank.
US07731849B2	Filter module and filter device A filter module includes an axially extending central channel, a first hollow adapter having an interior through which the central channel extends, a second hollow adapter having an interior through which the central extends, one or more filter cells positioned between the first and second adapters and around the central channel, and an enclosure. The enclosure has a first retainer ring mounted around the first adapter, a second retainer ring mounted around the second adapter, and an envelope which is sealed to the first and second retainer rings and extends around the one or more filter cells.
US07731846B1	Grease collection system A grease collection system for collecting and storing cooking grease for disposal by a user. The grease collection system includes an inlet assembly being designed for being coupled to a cabinet. The inlet assembly is designed for receiving the cooking grease to be disposed of by the user. A collection assembly is in fluid communication with the inlet assembly whereby the collection assembly is designed for receiving and storing the cooking grease from the inlet assembly to be selectively disposed of by the user. A hose member is fluidly coupled between the inlet assembly and the collection assembly. The hose member provides fluid communication between the inlet assembly and the collection assembly whereby the hose member is designed for permitting the cooking grease to flow from the inlet assembly to the collection assembly when the inlet assembly receives the cooking grease from the user.
US07731844B2	Porous materials for solid phase extraction and chromatography and processes for preparation and use thereof Embodiments of the present invention are directed to porous materials for use in solid phase extractions and chromatography. The materials feature at least one hydrophobic component, at least one hydrophilic component and at least one ion-exchange functional group. The materials exhibit superior wetting and ion-exchange performance.
US07731839B2	Process for reducing bromine index of hydrocarbon feedstocks A process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock, the process comprising the step of contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a catalyst at conversion conditions, wherein the catalyst includes at least one molecular sieve and at least one clay, and wherein said catalyst is sufficient to reduce more than 50% of the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock.
US07731838B2	Solid acid assisted deep desulfurization of diesel boiling range feeds The instant invention relates to a process to produce low sulfur diesel products through the hydrodesulfurization of low nitrogen diesel boiling range feedstreams in the presence of solid acidic materials.
US07731834B2	Method for mixing additives into and electrolyzing contaminated liquids A method and apparatus for mixing chemical additives into contaminated liquids and electrolyzing contaminated liquids includes the positioning of a vibratable element, such as a metal spring, within a cylindrical liquid conduit. A treatment additive is introduced into the liquid upstream of the vibratable element and the liquid is directed through the conduit. The flow of the liquid in proximity to the vibratable element causes the element to vibrate and mix the liquid and the additive. The conduit and the vibratable element may be electrically charged such that the flow of the liquid in proximity to the charged and vibrating element causes an electrical charge to be imparted to the liquid. The vibration of the element also prevents fouling.
US07731832B2	Method for manufacturing grinding wheel containing hollow particles along with abrasive grains A grinding wheel having hollow particles, along with abrasive grains, fixed by a bonding material. The abrasive grains may be diamond grains. The hollow particles may consist essentially of silica. The bonding material may be electrodeposited nickel. The grinding wheel is manufactured by performing an abrasive grain electrodeposition step of immersing a base, with a plating surface being pointed upward, in a plating solution, in which the abrasive grains having a larger specific gravity than the plating solution are dispersed, to deposit the abrasive grains settling in the plating solution on the plating surface, and also deposit a plating metal on the plating surface; and a hollow particle electrodeposition step of immersing the base, with the plating surface being pointed downward, in a plating solution, in which the hollow particles having a smaller specific gravity than the plating solution are dispersed, to deposit the hollow particles floating in the plating solution on the plating surface, and also deposit a plating metal on the plating surface.
US07731831B2	Method for manufacturing a composite material including copper foil and support layer A composite material useful for the manufacture of a circuit has a support layer, a metal foil layer having opposing first and second sides and a thickness of 15 microns or less and a release layer effective to facilitate separation of the metal foil layer from the support layer, the release layer disposed between and contacting both the support layer and the metal foil layer. A reactive element containing layer, which may be the support layer, effective to react with gaseous elements or compounds to form thermally stable compounds contacts the release layer. The composite material is preferably subjected to a low temperature heat treatment. The combination of the low temperature heat treatment and the reactive element containing layer results in reduced defects including blisters in the copper foil during subsequent processing.
US07731825B2	Manufacturing apparatus of magnetoresistance elements A manufacturing method of a magnetoresistance element having a pinned magnetic layer, a non-magnetic intermediate layer, and a free magnetic layer, the method includes forming at least one thin film of the non-magnetic intermediate layer and the free magnetic layer at a pressure of 8.0×10−3 Pa or less in the vicinity of a substrate using a sputtering apparatus. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber in which a cathode and a substrate holder are arranged, a first exhausting apparatus connected to an exhausting port of the vacuum chamber, a gas introduction mechanism to introduce a gas toward the target, a first pressure regulator to cause a pressure difference between a target space and a center space outside the target space, a second pressure regulator to cause a pressure difference between the center space and a substrate space, and a second exhausting apparatus to exhaust the center space.
US07731823B2	Ultrasonic energy system and method including a ceramic horn An acoustic system for applying vibratory energy including a horn connected to an ultrasonic energy source. The horn defines an overall length and wavelength, and at least a leading section thereof is comprised of a ceramic material. The leading section has a length of at least ⅛ the horn wavelength. In one preferred embodiment, an entirety of the horn is a ceramic material, and is mounted to a separate component, such as a waveguide, via an interference fit. Regardless, by utilizing a ceramic material for at least a significant portion of the horn, the ultrasonic system of the present invention facilitates long-term operation in extreme environments such as high temperature and/or corrosive fluid mediums. The present invention is useful for fabrication of metal matrix composite wires.
US07731820B2	Compositions of fluorescent whitening agents The invention relates to a composition comprising a) at least one water-soluble fluorescent whitening agent, b) a polymer formed from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer or monomer blend, characterized in that at least one monomer is acrylamide and the water-soluble polymer has an average (weight average) molecular weight of between 500 and 49,000, optionally, c) polyethylene glycol with a weight average molecular weight of between 500 and 6000 and d) water and the use of the composition for the fluorescent whitening of paper in coating and size press or film press applications.
US07731809B2	Activated diffusion brazing alloys and repair process The present invention provides a low-melt nickel-based alloy powder applied in an activated diffusion brazing repair on gas turbine components. In one embodiment, and by way of example only, the low-melt alloy powder comprises between about 6.7% and about 9.2% by weight Cr, between about 9.7% and about 10.3% by weight Co, between about 3.7% and about 4.7% by weight W, between about 3.3% and about 6.3% by weight Ta, between about 3.6% and about 5.2% by weight Al, between about 1.3% and about 4.0% by weight Hf, between about 0.02% and about 0.06% by weight C, between about 1.0% and about 3.2% by weight B, and Ni. Optionally, the low-melt alloy powder may include between about 1.4% and about 3.2% by weight Re.
US07731807B2	Stainless steel sheet for a gasket A high-performance stainless steel sheet which has a high strength which is optimal for a gasket for use in high-performance engines of automobiles and motorcycles and which also has excellent workability and fatigue properties and a method for its manufacture are provided.At least in a region from the surface of the sheet up to 3 μm in the thickness direction, nitrogen compounds of at least 10 nm and at most 200 nm are present in an amount of at least 200 per 100 μm2. The number of nitrogen compounds of at least 10 nm and at most 200 nm in a region from the sheet surface up to 3 μm in the thickness direction of the sheet is at least 2 times the number of nitrogen compounds of this size in the central portion of the sheet thickness.
US07731802B2	Methods for transitioning a fluid meniscus to and from surfaces of a substrate Methods for processing a substrate with a fluid meniscus are provided. One method includes positioning a transition surface substantially coplanar to a substrate surface. The transition surface is defined to be adjacent to an edge of the substrate. And, moving a fluid meniscus between the transition surface and the substrate surface.
US07731790B2	Composition comprising a liquid absorbed on a support based on precipitated silica The invention concerns a conditioned composition comprising at least a liquid absorbed on a support containing a precipitated silica, said silica being in the form of substantially spherical beads and having: a mean pellet size greater than 150 μm; a filling density in compact state(DRT) greater than 0.29; an oversize rate for a grid with mesh aperture size of 75 μm of at least 92% by weight. The invention also concerns the use of such a silica as a support for liquid.
US07731789B2	Ink composition and ink jet recording method using the same An ink composition containing an aprotic polar solvent, a thermoplastic resin, a pigment, a cyclic amide, a surfactant, and water and is printable on a recording surface that is a plastic film. The ink composition is capable of forming a record, having high weather resistance properties such as adhesion, scratch resistance, and water resistance, on a recording surface that is a plastic film.
US07731787B2	Stabilization of triphenylboron-pyridine A method for stabilizing triphenylboron-pyridine (TPBP) in a solvent-based anti-fouling coating, such as a marine anti-fouling coating, by adding to the coating about 0.04 to about 0.40% wt., based on the total amount of the triphenylboron-pyridine, of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy-radical (“TEMPO”). Also disclosed is a solvent-based anti-fouling coating, such as a marine anti-fouling coating, composition containing TPBP and TEMPO.
US07731766B2	Molding a battery A mold for a battery, such as a secondary battery, and a method of molding a battery, such as a secondary battery, using the mold, uses a minimum amount of a molding substance, such as a resin, has its molding time shortened, and has a safety vent of a can being prevented from being fractured by high pressure during a molding process. Runners, through which a resin flows, are arranged parallel to cavities and the safety vent of the can is positioned closest to the gates, into which a resin is injected after the can and a protective circuit board are seated in the cavities. Due to the structure of the runners of the mold and the location of the safety vent of the can, the amount of resin used and the molding time are reduced. A fracture of the safety vent is avoided since a lower pressure occurs at the location closest to the gates during a resin filling process.
US07731764B2	Singulation metal mold and method for producing semiconductor device A singulation metal mold for singulating a plurality of semiconductor devices arrayed on a TAB tape has a punch as an upper metal mold of the singulation metal mold, a die block as a lower metal mold of the singulation metal mold, a knockout disposed to be slidable vertically inside a vertical hole formed in the die block, the knockout being operable to press up above the die block each of the singulated semiconductor devices left on the die block after the singulating, a press-up plate positioned under the knockout to support the knockout and linked mechanically to the knockout, and being operable to forcibly move the knockout vertically when the press-up plate moves vertically; and a press-up plate descent forcing mechanism that is operable to forcibly pull down the press-up plate.
US07731762B2	Dye composition and dyeing method A dye composition is provided and includes a non-aqueous dye and an ionic liquid. A dyeing method is provided and includes a process of applying the dye composition to an object, and a process of removing fluidity of the dye composition.
US07731757B2	Obesity treatment A food intake-limiting device for peroral implantation in the stomach adjacent a gastroesophageal junction is disclosed. The device can have an inner basket nested in an outer basket, a proximal entry opening and a distal exit opening to limit a rate of efflux, mesh openings in the outer basket for protrusion of stomach lining into the outer basket, and a plurality of spikes mounted tangentially on the inner basket for transfixing the protruding stomach lining. The inner basket is rotatable with respect to the outer basket to effect the transfixation. Also disclosed are an implantation/extraction tool, and methods for implanting and removing the device in a patient in need of obesity treatment.
US07731754B2	Intervertebral prosthesis An intervertebral prosthesis for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower prosthesis plates locatable against respective vertebrae and having opposing, concavely curved recesses therein, and a core located between the plates. The core has opposed, convexly curved surfaces received in the recesses of the plates to allow the plates to slide in articulated manner over the core. The opposed surfaces of the core and the recesses of the plates have cooperating spherical curvatures. The recess of each plate surrounds a locating peg projecting centrally from the base of the recess and is bounded by an annular rim, such that the annular rims of the plates are arranged to contact one another at a predetermined limit of sliding movement of the plates over the core. The peg locates loosely in an opening located centrally in a curved surface of the core, whereby the plates can slide over the core in all directions while the peg holds the core captive.
US07731746B2	Stent A radially expandable stent comprising a plurality of spaced band-like elements and intersecting links is disclosed. The band-like elements have a generally serpentine configuration to provide continuous waves of generally sinusoidal character to each band-like element. The waves are characterized by a plurality of peaks and troughs taking a generally longitudinal direction along the cylinder such that the waves in the band-like elements open as the stent is expanded from a first diameter to a second diameter. The intersecting links are substantially U-shaped and terminate in first and second shanks. The first shank of a link emanates from a region between a peak and trough on a band-like element and the second shank of the link emanates from a region between a peak and trough on an adjacent band-like element.
US07731741B2	Inflatable bifurcation stent A stent may comprise a graft having a plurality of outwardly deployable petals. A petal may include an internal inflation pocket. Upon inflation, the petal may deploy outwardly and provide support to a portion of a vessel bifurcation. Inflation may be accomplished by injecting an inflation medium into the inflation pocket. In some embodiments, an inflation medium may comprise a hardening resin.
US07731739B2	Apparatus for altering the body temperature of a patient Apparatus for altering the body temperature of a patient comprises an inflatable mattress defining an interior space for receiving at least a portion of a patient's body therein. The inflatable mattress is constructed to conduct a heat transfer liquid into direct contact with the portion of the patient's body. The inflatable mattress includes a first zone inflatable to a first pressure and a second zone inflatable to a second pressure greater than the first air pressure. The inflatable mattress in an inflated condition defines a well for receiving the portion of the patient therein. A head positioner positions the patient's head so that the patient's breathing passageway remains out of contact with the heat transfer fluid. A method of adjusting the body temperature of a patient comprises filling the first and second zones, positioning the portion of the patient's body on the mattress, and directing the heat transfer liquid to contact the patient's body.
US07731738B2	Cannulated screw A cannulated screw which maintains compression at the interface between two or more materials in a medical or other setting to effectively secure bone to bone while minimizing separation between the bones and the securement interface. The cannulated screw has a flattened tip, which enables the cannulated screw to more readily bore or self-tap into bone or other material. The flattened tip of the cannulated screw comprises a plurality of cutting teeth which facilitate boring of the flattened tip of the cannulated screw into the material into which the screw is being inserted. In one embodiment, three progressive cutting teeth are provided on the flattened tip of the cannulated screw.
US07731733B2	Expanding orthopedic pacifier An orthopedic pacifier defining a shield adapted to remain outside of the mouth, a bulb adapted to be located in the mouth and on which the child sucks. The bulb is adapted to expand or move upward and outward as the child sucks on it, to counteract inward pressure of the cheeks and the lateral portion of the lips caused by the suction or sucking action.
US07731725B2	Surgical instrument with improved handle assembly A modular clip applier includes a cartridge containing multiple surgical clips, and a handle assembly for operating the cartridge to crimp one of the clips onto body tissue of a patient. The handle assembly has a scissors configuration with a bayonet coupling, and flange pairs widely separated to provide a high degree of stability. The bayonet coupling enables the handles of the assembly to be fully separated for cleaning. Snap fittings between the cartridge and handle assembly are provided at the fulcrum and also at a spaced location where an operating pin of the cartridge engages intersecting slots in the flanges. Overdrive protection of three different types is contemplated along with a structure facilitating operation of the handle assembly by palming a pair of handle bars.
US07731724B2	Surgical clip advancement and alignment mechanism A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
US07731718B2	Implant for the treatment of bone fractures The invention relates to an implant for the treatment of bone fractures, in particular of proximal humerus fractures, having a main plate which can be fixed to the bone and at least one outrigger which can be connected to the main plate via at least one flexible connection element such that the outrigger can be fixed to the bone spatially offset with respect to the main plate.
US07731714B2	Instrument for endoscope and instrument system for endoscope An instrument for an endoscope including a flexible insulative insertion section inserted in an endoscope channel, a tubular first electrode section arranged at a distal end of the insertion section with an insertion hole formed along the axis of the insertion section, a conductive electric wire inserted in the insertion section and movable forward/backward, a control section arranged on the proximal end side of the insertion section and controlling forward/backward movement of the electric wire along the axis, a rod-shaped second electrode section connected to a distal end of the electric wire and inserted so as to be movable forward/backward in the insertion hole, and an external connecting section electrically connected to a proximal end side of the electric wire and applying external currents with predetermined frequencies to the electric wire and the second electrode section.
US07731710B2	Surgical wide-angle illuminator A high-efficiency, wide-angle illumination surgical system is disclosed, one embodiment comprising: a light source for providing a light beam; an optical cable, optically coupled to the light source for receiving and transmitting the light beam; a handpiece, operably coupled to the optical cable; an optical fiber, operably coupled to the handpiece, wherein the optical fiber is optically coupled to the optical cable to receive and transmit the light beam; an optical element, optically coupled to a distal end of the optical fiber, for receiving the light beam and scattering the light beam to illuminate an area, wherein the optical element comprises a compound parabolic concentrator (“CPC”) cone; and a cannula, operably coupled to the handpiece, for housing and directing the optical fiber and the optical element. The optical element can be a small-gauge, diffusive optical element comprising a sculpted distal end of the optical fiber or a machined or injection-molded plastic CPC-cone. For example, the optical element can be a 19, 20 or 25 gauge optical element. The CPC-cone optical element angularly spreads the light beam out to a high off-axis angle and emits the light out of the distal end of the cannula with high efficiency.
US07731707B2	Adjustable length conversion adapter for dilatation catheters A device in the form of a conversion adapter for reducing an internal lumen of a catheter so as to accommodate a guidewire having a diameter substantially smaller than the internal lumen of the catheter as well as a catheter system including such a conversion adapter is provided. The adapter is positionable within the internal lumen of the catheter. The adapter has an external diameter which is substantially equal to the internal lumen of the catheter and further includes a smaller internal lumen which is substantially equal in diameter to the guidewire and is therefore capable of accommodating the smaller diameter guidewire therethrough. Preferably, the adapter extends within the internal lumen of the catheter along the entire length thereof, and preferably extends beyond the length of the catheter, including a flexible tapered tip at the end portion. In alternate embodiments, the adapter is slidably positionable and removable within the internal lumen of the catheter, thus providing a catheter system which is capable of effectively accommodating guidewires of two different diameters, without creating a drastic transition between the catheter tip and the guidewire and without compromising strength of the delivery system.
US07731706B2	True angular catheter shaft deflection apparatus The invention relates to a steerable catheter having a distal section with reduced variation in deflection path during deflection. The distal section of the catheter includes stripes of different material hardness along the length of the distal section affecting the directionality of catheter deflection upon the application of a deflection force like that applied by pull wires. The stripes result in preferential bending in a desired path with greater reproducibility.
US07731705B2	Eluting coils and methods of deploying and retrieving Embodiments are directed to eluting coils having a relaxed coiled state and a straightened state that may be deployed at a fixed location within a patient's body and may accurately dispense and distribute fluids and or dissolvable substances at site specific locations of the body. Some embodiments of eluting elements are configured to be subsequently retrieved from a delivery site.
US07731701B2	Packaged product applicator or personal care applicator The invention relates to a packaged article comprising: an article having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein said inner surface defines a cavity for receiving an appendage of a user, a package surrounding said article; a seam which closes both said package and said cavity of said article, wherein opening of said seam opens both said package and said cavity of said article.
US07731699B2	Burette float and drainage aperture The present invention relates to a turbulence minimization apparatus comprising a float and seat assembly adapted to control turbulence and formation of microbubbles in a quantity of contrast media in the burette of a contrast media delivery system. The float includes an upper convex surface providing an impact surface for droplets of contrast media which fall from the inlet of the burette, a lower convex surface for sealing a drainage bore when the volume of contrast media has been substantially drained from the burette, and a predetermined amount of buoyancy. The seat assembly includes a plurality of fluid passageways that allow contrast media to contact the lower convex surface of the float allowing the buoyancy of the float to separate the float from the drainage bore when there is more than a predetermined amount of fluid in the drip chamber.
US07731696B2	Anticontamination cover An anticontamination cover prevents the biotic contamination of a gastrostomy catheter when the gastrostomy catheter is inserted through the mouth into the stomach for percutaneous, endoscopic gastrostomy. The anticontamination cover includes an elongate covering tube having a closed distal end and an open base end, and a loop attached to and projecting from the outside surface of the distal end of the covering tube. An opening is formed in a part of the distal end of the covering tube opposite a part of the distal end to which the loop is attached. A loop of the gastrostomy catheter inserted in the covering tube is passed through the opening of the distal end of the covering tube.
US07731693B2	Coupling wire guide A coupling wire guide structured to be slidably coupled to a previously introduced wire guide. The coupling wire guide includes a main body having a distal section. The distal section includes an outer wire disposed over a safety wire. A loop wire is connected to the safety wire at two axially spaced points. At least a portion of the loop wire is positioned outside of the outer wire to define a loop area sized to receive the previously introduced wire guide.
US07731692B2	Device for shielding a sharp tip of a cannula and method of using the same A safety device for shielding a sharp tip of a tubular needle includes a shaft sized and shaped for being received into the passage of the tubular needle through a first end of the passage and extending to a second end of the passage. A shield is associated with the shaft and is constructed for receiving and substantially shielding the sharp tip of the needle. A catch is associated with the shaft. The catch prevents the withdrawal of the shaft from the passage of the needle when the shield is shielding the sharp tip of the needle.
US07731688B2	Warming apparatus with heater produced by PCB The disclosed invention relates to a heating apparatus having a PCB-type heater capable of allowing the temperature of Ringer's solution or blood which is introduced into a blood vessel, when transfusing a blood thereto, to be equal to that of the human body to thereby provide an accurate resistance value. The present invention comprises 1. A heating apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a body including a first connecting portion having a tube which is connected to the first connection portion and receives a fluid supplied from an instillation room, a path having the shape of a spiral screw thread to enable the fluid to flow and a second connecting portion for supplying the fluid flowing through the path to an injection syringe; an inner cover inserted into the body and fixedly attached thereto in a prescribed adhesive manner for preventing the fluid from flowing out; a middle cover for closely fixing the body and the inner cover against each other; a PCB-type heater inserted into the inside of the top and bottom surfaces of the middle cover for heating the fluid flowing through the path so that the fluid is maintained at a prescribed temperature; a bottom case having a box portion to receive the body having the heater and the middle cover coupled thereto; and a upper case coupled to the bottom case.
US07731686B2	Devices, systems and methods for medicament delivery An apparatus includes a label configured to be coupled to a medicament delivery device. The label includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to be coupled to an outer surface of the medicament delivery device. The second surface includes a textual indicia. The label further includes an electronic circuit system configured to output an electronic signal.
US07731682B2	Steerable device for introducing diagnostic and therapeutic apparatus into the body An apparatus including an elongate body having a lumen extending therethrough and a steering wire, having a distal portion defining a non-circular cross-section, associated with the distal portion of the elongate body.
US07731676B2	Ureteral stent A ureter stent designed for assisting the draining of urine with calculus fragments. The ureter stent includes a first holding portion, a second holding portion and a junction portion. The first holding portion has a pigtail shape for holding itself in a kidney. The second holding portion has a pigtail shape for holding itself in a bladder. The junction portion joins the first holding portion and the second holding portion and placed in a ureter. The junction portion is made of a metal round wire having no internal flow path. Urine flows outside the ureter stent.
US07731664B1	Pressure sensing module for a catheter pressure transducer The present invention relates to a pressure sensor module for use in catheters having a pressure sensor operable to provide a signal representative of pressure. The pressure sensor includes a sensing side and a pressure reference side. At least one signal transmission media is coupled to the sensor for transmitting the signal representative of pressure. A convex-shaped carrier is provided having a slot formed to expose the sensing side of the sensor. The convex-shaped carrier is adapted for receiving the sensor such that the sensing side of the sensor is adjacent the slot. A bonding material is provided for mounting the sensor to the carrier. The pressure sensing module provides ease of installation and manufacture because the module may easily be bonded and installed within a catheter.
US07731660B2	Phase selection for cardiac contrast assessment In one embodiment, at least one visual characteristic from a selected image is used to automatically select an ultrasound image from a set of images from a plurality of heart cycles. In another embodiment, motion correction is performed on ultrasound images that are automatically selected from a plurality of ultrasound images associated with the same phase of the heart cycle. In yet another embodiment, ultrasound images are automatically selected from a set of images based on a time interval that is within a tolerance range from a reference phase of the heart cycle. In another embodiment, a stored user-preference of a phase of the heart cycle is used to automatically select an ultrasound image from a set of images. In yet another embodiment, a user-defined region of interest is placed on an ultrasound image associated with a selected phase of a heart cycle.
US07731659B2	Method for predicting a user's future glycemic state A method for predicting a user's future glycemic state includes measuring a user's glucose concentration at intervals over a time duration, thereby generating a plurality of glucose concentrations as a function of time. First and second glucose prediction equations that are fits to the plurality of glucose concentrations based on first and second non-identical mathematical models, respectively, are then derived. The method also includes calculating first and second predicted glucose concentrations at a future time using the first and second glucose prediction equations, respectively. Thereafter, an average predicted glucose concentration and a merit index are calculated based on the first and second predicted glucose calculations. The plurality of glucose concentrations as a function of time, the merit index and average predicted glucose concentration are input into a trained model (for example, a Hidden Markov Model) that outputs a set of glucose concentration probabilities. The user's future glycemic state is then predicted based on the set of glucose concentration probabilities.
US07731657B2	Analyte sensor introducer and methods of use Method and apparatus for providing an introducer for transcutaneous placement of at least a portion of an analyte sensor through the skin of a patient is provided.
US07731652B2	Scope dock A medical device for allowing a physician to unhand a scope or other instruments while maintaining control of the scope or other instruments during a medical procedure. The medical device includes at least one docks and a harness for attaching the dock to the physician's body. The harness can be adjustable, or sized to fit a specific physician. During a procedure, a physician outfitted with the medical device can place a scope and/or other instrument in the dock(s). Once the scope and/or other instrument is placed in the dock(s), the physicians hands are free to perform other procedures, while the physician continually controls the relative position of the scope with respect to the physician or the patient.
US07731651B2	Device to deploy a resilient sleeve to constrict on body tissue The preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates a device configured to prepare and deploy a resilient sleeve on to a portion of body tissue. The device expands the resilient sleeve, uses a vacuum system to draw the body tissue in to the resilient sleeve, and releases the resilient sleeve from the expanded state so that it captures and constricts the body tissue.
US07731649B2	Endoventicular device for the treatment and correction of cardiomyopathies The invention consists in a device that concerns the optimization of the cardiac geometry in patients with heart failure. The device comprises one or more elastic elements in the radial direction towards the inside of the ventricle and plastic deformation in a direction that is transversal to the said ventricle, the element being equipped with means for attaching it to the internal wall of the ventricle.
US07731645B2	Method for forming a container blank including a seal The preset invention relates to a method, use of the method and a device for making a seal in a portion of a material web. The material web includes a first elongate section with a first number of layers of material and a second elongate section with a second number of layers of material, at least one of the layers of material being included in both the first and the second section, the portion having an extent that intersects a transition from the first section to the second section of the material web, the method including connecting, in the portion, opposite surfaces of the layers of material of the material web to each other. The method including forming ridges and valleys in the portion, and orienting the ridges and valleys in such a manner that they have an extent intersecting the transition.
US07731642B2	Training apparatus A training apparatus including an operation part to which a load is applied for performing a training of a front deltoid muscle, a pectoralis major muscle and a triceps brachii muscle. The training apparatus includes a pair of armrests on which trainee's forearms are to be rested, and a pair of grips provided to the operation part and having lower end sections. In the training apparatus, the armrests have surfaces on which the trainee's forearms are to be rested, at a height of the lower end sections of the grips.
US07731637B2	Simulated rowing machine The present invention relates generally to rowing machines, and, more particularly, to such rowing machines with internal environments that duplicate actual Olympic-class rowing shells in terms of both dimensions and appearance, and simulate the specific rowing motion and technique that occurs on the water.
US07731629B2	Control apparatus for vehicle and method of controlling vehicle An engagement-pressure control portion and a first torque decrease control portion are provided. The engagement-pressure control portion controls an engagement pressure for a friction engagement element to be engaged when an automatic transmission upshifts so that the engagement pressure increases to a standby pressure at which an inertia phase does not start on the condition that torque output from a power source is equal to a first predetermined value, and then the engagement pressure is maintained at the standby pressure. The first torque decrease control portion controls the torque output from the power source so that the torque gradually decreases from the first predetermined value after the engagement pressure for the friction engagement element is maintained at the standby pressure, and a predetermined condition is satisfied.
US07731623B2	Automatic transmission An automatic transmission includes two clutches that are disposed such that they overlap in an axial direction and occupy different positions in a radial direction. Each of the two clutches includes a clutch drum, a piston that forms a working fluid chamber for which a portion of the clutch drum serves as a cylinder, a plurality of friction plates that engage the clutch drum, and a cancel oil chamber that is disposed on a rear face side of the piston and that cancels a centrifugal oil pressure that acts on the working fluid chamber.
US07731617B2	Automated motor vehicle transmission and method of operating the same In a transmission for a motor vehicle of a reduction gearing design with power branching including a main shaft and a counter shaft, a first component transmission and a planetary gear unit, power is branched to the countershaft by the first component transmission in certain gears and recombined via the planetary gear unit and a direct power transmission path is provided wherein the countershaft is decoupled selectively by means of a control device.
US07731613B2	V-belt type continuously variable transmission, saddle-ride type vehicle, and method of manufacturing the V-belt type continuously variable transmission A stationary sheave half of a V-belt type continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprises a primary sheave mounted to a primary sheave shaft and a secondary sheave mounted to a secondary sheave shaft. The stationary sheave half of the secondary sheave comprises a sheave body, which is substantially in the form of a doughnut plate and around which a V-belt is wound, and a substantially cylindrical-shaped boss portion extending rightward from a right side of the sheave body. The sheave body and the boss portion are formed separately.
US07731611B2	Portable horseshoe playing court A portable horseshoe court demarcation device formed of a plurality of engaged pairs of flexible members such as webbing. The ends of the flexible members once engaged to the ground mark a Horseshoe court. Center sections of one pair of flexible members provide a reference point from which to determine where to place horseshoe stakes, or provide flexible members for marking the installation point for the horseshoe stakes.
US07731609B2	Golf green repair device method and apparatus A golf green repair tool with a depth limiting feature that has an earth engagement surface that has a forward slant to reposition the raised portion around a crater to the center region of the crater. A prong portion is adapted to be thrusted toward the center region of the crater and the repair tool is adapted to do minimal damage to the turf mat and provides a desirable method to repair craters left by impacting golf balls by properly repositioning of the displaced portions.
US07731602B2	Method and apparatus for an assistive energy type golf club Apparatus and a method that enables an assistive energy type golf club to sense the approach of the club face toward a golf ball, and to trigger the release of the assistive energy at the optimum time to achieve the desired golf ball velocity and distance.
US07731599B1	Guide assembly for a golf putter and its associated method of use A putting guide assembly and its associated method of use. The putting guide assembly attaches to the head of a putter. The putter head has a striking surface for striking a golf ball. The putting guide assembly is attached to the putter and presents a flexible guide surface that extends forward of the putter's striking surface. The flexible guide surface can be configured into different curvatures. As the flexible guide surface is adjusted, the perceived curvature observed by a golfer holding the putter changes. A golfer can therefore selectively change the perceived curvature to match the natural curvature inherent in that golfer's putting swing.
US07731597B1	Golf training device The present invention provides a sport training device for improving technique by providing resistance within the context of a sporting movement. The invention comprises an arcuate frame worn on the thigh of a user, which is secure to the user's thigh with an adjustable belt or cuff coupled to the frame. A lever coupled to the frame extends away from the frame in front of the user's body and an elastic cord is anchored to the lever. An attachment means is coupled to the other end of the elastic cord to allow the user's arms to extend the cord, thereby providing resistance to the user's movement. The attachment means attaches the cord to a wrist strap or glove worn by the user or to the handle of a sport implement such as a golf club.
US07731596B1	Billiard ball rack and use thereof The improved billiard rack is an invention that allows a user to quickly and easily rack or position a set of billiard balls without the inconvenience or necessity of actuating an auxiliary ball positioning device. The rack includes NEOPRENE or the like compressible members that cause a compressive load to be placed upon a group of billiard balls when the rack is positioned on a set of balls which further causes the group of balls to be tightly and properly grouped or racked. The rack further includes angled walls that provide for removal of the rack from a group of balls without the walls colliding with the balls. The rack further includes feet upon which the rack may be rotatingly removed from a set of balls by rotating the rack in an upwards rearwards rotation motion away from the group of balls. The feet preferably include alignment marks that may be aligned with corresponding marks on a playing surface so as to properly, accurately, and consistently position the rack.
US07731595B2	Waterslide amusement device A slide (104) supports and directs a user along a predetermined path. A conveyor system (102) is coupled to the slide to accelerate the user along the predetermined path.
US07731593B2	Composite transmission shaft joint A fiber reinforced composite shaft bearing a metallic flanged end coupling (Fl) attached to the outside diameter through a concentric cylindrical torsional joint, comprising: a) a cylindrical end region comprising a wedge shaped inner layer of fiber (Hp) composite; b) a layer of outer helical composite plies (He) forming the shaft and extending over the wedge shaped inner layer, wherein the layer of outer helical plies has a tapered end part overlying wedge shaped inner layer to form the cylindrical end portion, wherein all helical plies of fibre layers are exposed on an outer surface; and c) a metallic flanged end coupling attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical end region through a primary mechanically interface (Sp) which may be splined. The joint may be strengthened by internally reinforcing the main shaft with an interference fit tubular plug (Pg) and protected from environmental degradation by inboard secondary adhesive bond (Ad).
US07731591B2	Game apparatus and backup writing control method A game apparatus includes, for example, a CPU, and a ROM and/or a RAM for executing and storing game programs and game program backup data. The RAM has multiple pre-allocated backup game data storage areas for use by different game programs during their respective execution including a single-player game backup data area, a multi-player game backup data area and a shared backup data storage area. The shared backup data storage area is provided for storing information that is accessible in common by a plurality of games, and separate game backup data storage areas are provided for each of the single-player version of a game and the multi-player version of a game. If a predetermined game condition is accomplished during progress of a game by an operator playing one of the plurality of stored game programs, the CPU writes information relating to the accomplished condition to the shared backup data storage area and to the backup data storage areas for both the single-player game version and the multi-player game version corresponding to the particular game in progress in which the condition was accomplished.
US07731589B2	Game apparatus, server apparatus, program, and recording medium An object of the present invention is to provide a game server that can simulate the sensation of competing in a game against an actually existing specific person. The game server of the present invention offers a plurality of options for the actions that gamer A can select in game scenes that change along with the progress of a soccer game. The options include dribble (long), dribble (short), pass in front of the player, pass to the foot of the player, wait, and shoot. The action patterns of gamer A are stored for each game scene by counting the number of times each option is selected. The game server refers to the stored action patterns when playing against another gamer B. This configuration makes it possible for the gamer B to have a virtual experience as if he were competing with the gamer A.
US07731588B2	Remote vehicle control system An apparatus for remotely controlling the movements of a vehicle includes a user input means, such as a gamepad with a plurality of joystick-controlled and button-controlled outputs, a tracker, and optional sliding foot pedals; a processor for running a control mapping algorithm; and a remote vehicle controller. A control mapping algorithm maps the outputs to the remote-controlled vehicle's course, heading, displacement, and camera view, with the joysticks mapped to provide open loop directional control over the vehicle's course and heading, the tracker providing open loop control over the camera view, and the optional sliding foot pedals providing open loop control over the vehicle's displacement. The remote vehicle controller sends commands to on-board controls to direct the vehicle's movement. A video stream from an on-board camera is transmitted back to the operator station for viewing on a computer desktop display or a head mountable display.
US07731579B2	Wagering game with post-reveal alteration of the award The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game. The wagering game may include a basic game and a bonus game that includes selectable objects. The objects can be selected by a player or by a computer. Each of the selectable objects is associated with a bonus award. During game play, a player or computer selects objects until a predetermined number of selections occurs or a stop-selection feature occurs. After selection ends, the bonus awards associated with the selected objects are displayed. Subsequently, the awards associated with the non-selected objects may be revealed. At this time, instead of the game ending, at least one of the awards associated with the selected objects is altered, producing an adjusted bonus award for that selection. The player receives an overall bonus award that is based on the adjusted bonus awards.
US07731578B2	Air movement unit for biomass conveyance, separation, or combine performance enhancement A harvesting machine includes a self-propelled vehicle adapted for separating grain from non-grain material, a cleaning shoe and a fan for controlling air flow. The fan is positioned downstream of the cleaning shoe and the fan having an air inlet for providing air to the fan and an aspiration outlet for providing air from the fan. The fan assists in reducing static air pressure within the harvesting machine. The fan may be a centrifugal fan. The harvesting machine may further include a chopper operatively connected to the vehicle and adapted for receiving the non-grain material and chopping the non-grain material and a blower adapted for assisting in conveying the non-grain material from the chopper such as for collection in a collection container.
US07731577B2	Rotating inlet for cross flow fan A transverse fan assembly that includes a fan rotatably disposed in an air plenum for drawing air through an inlet opening and drivingly forcing air from an outlet opening defined by the air plenum, the inlet opening having an elongate, bladed, inlet rotor oriented on a rotational axis parallel to the fan, extending the length of the fan, and positioned proximate to the fan periphery to increase air flow from the outlet of the air plenum along the length of the fan while generating less noise.
US07731576B2	Rigid rotor discharge deflector A rigid rotor discharge deflector apparatus for a combine has a body member that is attachable to the side wall of a discharge passage at the downstream end of the rotor. The body has a face portion with at least one ridge portion thereon extending generally laterally across at least a portion of the face portion. The body also has an upper body portion above the level of the ridge portion, an upper ramp portion sloped and extending outwardly from the upper body portion to the ridge portion, and a bracing associated with the upper ramp portion maintaining the ridge portion essentially fixed relative to the side wall. The body member may also include a lower body portion below the level of the ridge portion, and the upper and lower body portions may both be attachable to the side wall.
US07731569B2	Pad conditioner, pad conditioning method, and polishing apparatus A pad conditioning apparatus and method for conditioning a surface of a polishing pad which is used in a polishing apparatus for polishing works, having a bending or deflecting or elastic member and a supporting section to support a base end of the bending or deflecting or elastic member, wherein the bending or deflecting or elastic member elastically deforms upon contact of a vicinity of a tip end of the bending or deflecting or elastic member with the polishing pad, so that a pressure necessary to condition the pad is generated. A pad preparation apparatus using the pad conditioner; and a pad preparation method using the same, enable even conditioning of a polishing pad of an elastic body by following a surface of the polishing pad.
US07731568B2	Polishing pad and semiconductor device manufacturing method The object of the invention is to provide a polishing pad capable of maintaining high-precision end-point optical detection over a long period from the start of use to the end of use even if polishing is performed with an alkaline or acid slurry, as well as a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with this polishing pad. The polishing pad of the invention is used in chemical mechanical polishing and has a polishing region and a light-transmitting region, wherein the light-transmitting region satisfies that the difference ΔT (ΔT=T0−T1) (%) between T0 and T1 is within 10(%) over the whole range of measurement wavelengths of from 400 to 700 nm, wherein T1 is the light transmittance (%) of the light-transmitting region measured at the measurement wavelength λ after dipping for 24 hours in a KOH aqueous solution at pH 11 or an H2O2 aqueous solution at pH 4 and T0 is the light-transmittance (%) measured at the measurement wavelength λ before the dipping.
US07731567B2	Semiconductor wafer processing method In a semiconductor wafer processing method of forming a semiconductor wafer having a desired thickness by grinding a rear surface of the semiconductor wafer having a plurality of devices formed on a front surface thereof, the rear surface of the semiconductor wafer is ground so that the semiconductor wafer has a thickness of 10 μm to 100 μm, and a strain layer having a thickness of 0.05 μm to 0.1 μm is left on the rear surface of the semiconductor wafer by the grinding. The strain layer is left to provide the gettering effect, preventing a harmful influence exerted on the quality of the semiconductor devices. Degradation in transverse rupture strength can be prevented by the grinding.
US07731566B2	Substrate polishing metrology using interference signals A method of polishing a substrate includes holding the substrate on a polishing pad with a polishing head, wherein the polishing pad is supported by a platen, creating relative motion between the substrate and the polishing pad to polish a side of the substrate, generating a light beam and directing the light beam towards the substrate to cause the light beam to impinge on the side of the substrate being polished. Light reflected from the substrate is at a detector to generate an interference signal. A measure of uniformity is computed from the interference signal.
US07731565B2	Eyeglass lens processing apparatus In an eyeglass lens processing apparatus for beveling a peripheral edge of an eyeglass lens, if the high curve lens processing mode is selected by the mode selector, a computing unit acquires a high curve bevel path for locating the bevel apex on a front surface curve of the eyeglass lens or for locating the bevel apex at a position shifted by a predetermined quantity from the front surface curve toward the rear side on the basis of the edge position information acquired by the edge position detector, thereby providing high curve beveling data for the rear surface beveling grindstone, or for the front surface and rear surface beveling grindstones; and a beveling controller bevels the peripheral edge of the eyeglass lens by the rear surface beveling grindstone, or by the front surface and rear surface beveling grindstones on the basis of the high curve beveling data.
US07731556B2	Flat panel display, method of manufacturing anode panel for the flat panel display, and method of manufacturing cathode panel for the flat panel display A flat panel display is provided. The flat panel display includes a cathode panel in which a plurality of electron emission areas are provided on a support, and an anode panel in which a plurality of phosphor areas and an anode electrode are provided on a substrate. The cathode panel and the anode panel are joined together at their periphery by a joining member. The anode electrode includes an anode electrode central section covering the phosphor areas, and an anode electrode peripheral section surrounding the anode electrode central section and extending from the anode electrode central section and being provided in contact with the substrate. The average thickness of the anode electrode peripheral section is smaller than the average thickness of the anode electrode central section.
US07731554B2	Wave-riding vehicle with shark locating and repelling system A shark-repelling surfboard or flotation board made of polymer foam with coating. The surfboard or the flotation board has a locator device for locating large aquatic animals, and an alarm device for alerting a rider of large aquatic animals, such as sharks, located by the locator device. The surfboard or the flotation board also comprises a repellent or deterrent signal generator that is configured for transmitting interference signals to disrupt the electro-sensory perception system of the aquatic animals.
US07731553B2	Watercraft propelled by a water jet A watercraft propelled by a water jet includes an sealed hull portion including an upper deck and a bottom surface, an engine compartment located behind the sealed hull portion and containing a propulsion and steering system including an engine, a bladed impeller driven by the engine for inducting water and forcing the inducted water away from the craft through a directionally displaceable nozzle, and a control lever located on the upper deck including an engine throttle control and a steering control for adjusting the directionally displacement of the nozzle.
US07731552B1	Manually operated jack plate/travel stop system The jack plate has two vertically aligned side plates and a transom plate. A travel stop block is couple to the jack plate transom plate. The travel stop block is located between an upper and lower transom bars. The operational height of the jack plate can be manually operated by turning a hex head threaded rod.
US07731538B2	Card connector A card connector is disclosed that includes a housing for accommodating a first card, a second card, and a third card; a first contact member arranged to be connected to the first card; a second contact member arranged to be connected to the second card, which has a larger width than the first card and a smaller thickness than the first card; a third contact member arranged to be connected to the third card, which has a smaller width than the first and second card and a smaller thickness than the first and second card; and a connection control mechanism that selectively connects one of the first card, the second card, or the third card. When one of the first card, the second card, or the third card is connected, the connection control mechanism prevents the other cards from being connected.
US07731535B1	Receptacle connector assembly A receptacle connector assembly comprises an insulative housing, two sets of first contact pins, two sets of second contact pins, a metal contact and a metal shell. The first and the second contact pin respectively comply with specification of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 and transmit data stability at high transmission rate.
US07731533B2	Connector system having a vibration dampening shell A connector system is provided that includes electrical connectors, a substrate and a vibration dampening shell. The connectors each have first and second sides. The substrate has an upper surface with the connectors mounted thereon. The shell limits movement of the connectors with respect to one another and is coupled to the first sides of the connectors to limit the movement of the connectors toward and away from the upper substrate. The shell also is coupled to the second sides of the connectors to limit the movement of the connectors in directions transverse to the upper substrate surface.
US07731529B1	Connector including compressible ring for clamping a conductor of a coaxial cable and associated methods A connector is for attachment to a coaxial cable having an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and a dielectric therebetween. The connector includes a connector housing defining a radially outer ramp to receive the outer conductor thereagainst and a back nut. A compressible ring compressibly clamps against the outer conductor opposite the radially outer ramp as the connector housing and back nut are engaged. The connector also includes a center contact to be coupled to the inner conductor and an insulator member in the connector housing for carrying the center contact and having a radially outer support portion to radially support the outer conductor opposite the compressible ring.
US07731526B2	Electrical connector having contacts with contact portions arranged in three contact portion tiers The terminal portions 222a, 222b of the contacts having the contact portions 221a, 221b belonging to (2n/2)-th contact portion tier 2-21 are arranged so as to be alternately allocated to the first terminal portion tier 1-22 and the second terminal portion tier 2-22.
US07731525B2	Methods and systems for positioning connectors to minimize alien crosstalk The present invention relates to methods and systems for minimizing alien crosstalk between connectors. Specifically, the methods and systems relate to isolation and compensation techniques for minimizing alien crosstalk between connectors for use with high-speed data cabling. A frame can be configured to receive a number of connectors. Shield structures may be positioned to isolate at least a subset of the connectors from one another. The connectors can be positioned to move at least a subset of the connectors away from alignment with a common plane. A signal compensator may be configured to adjust a data signal to compensate for alien crosstalk. The connectors are configured to efficiently and accurately propagate high-speed data signals by, among other functions, minimizing alien crosstalk.
US07731523B2	Electric cross connector The invention relates to a modular electric cross connector for producing an electrically conductive connection, in particular of electric contacts (20) of relay sockets, comprising a carrier (100) and an electric bridge (200) partially received on/in the carrier (100), by means of which bridge the electrically conductive connection can be produced, wherein the carrier (100) can be mechanically connected by means of a mechanical plug connection to at least a second electric cross connector (1).
US07731522B2	Push-in wire connector with improved busbar A push-in wire connector has an improved busbar suitable for use with either solid or stranded wire. The connector has a housing with a hollow interior. At least two openings in the housing provide access to the interior for the ends of wires inserted into the connector. A busbar is mounted in the housing The busbar defines at least two wire-crossing axes extending from an entry edge to an exit edge and a thickness between a top face and a bottom face. The busbar has a wire-receiving pocket extending below the top face on each of the wire-crossing axes and a wire-engaging protrusion extending above the top face on each of the wire-crossing axes.
US07731515B2	High voltage wet mateable electrical connector An electrical connector is provided for use in establishing watertight connections, such as for subsea applications. The connector comprises a receptacle component (100) that includes a fluted, insulated male contact pin (52) with an isolation tube (5) substantially surrounding the insulated male contact pin over at least part of its length and containing oil therein, and a plug component (200) that includes a sliding contact pin assembly (19) and a release mechanism (40). The release mechanism (40) enables linear tolerance sliding action between the receptacle component and the plug component after establishing electrical communication between the mating components. The sliding contact pin assembly further includes a shuttle pin (24) that is urged rearwardly during mating to operate the release mechanism, thereby allowing the male contact pin and front contact band (20) to move relative to the central spring support rod (30) of the plug component.
US07731514B2	Actuating device for separable connector system A loadbreak connector system and methods for visible break include first and second mating connector assemblies configured to make or break an electrical connection under energized circuit conditions, the first and second mating connectors selectively positionable relative to one another. One of the first and second mating connectors includes an arc follower, and the other of the first and second mating connectors includes an arc interrupter. The arc interrupter is configured to receive the arc follower, and the first and second meting connectors are positionable in an disconnected position wherein the arc follower remains engaged to and is located within the arc interrupter. Arc energy is distributed among multiple locations to reduce arc intensity.
US07731512B1	Grounding bracket for use with cable connectors A grounding bracket for use with cable connectors, such as an F81 barrel connector, generally including a conductive body having a first major surface, a connector receiving area defined in the first major surface and adapted to receive the cable connector therein, and a latch member movably connected to the first major surface and positioned in communication with the connector receiving area.
US07731510B2	Connector device for interconnecting circuit substrates A connector device for interconnecting circuit substrates is provided, in which no electric element for protection needs to be mounted separately on circuit substrates. A rectangular parallelepiped connecting element having an electrical component (9) is received in a connector housing (11). The rectangular parallelepiped connecting element having an electrical component (9) includes a plurality of first electrically conducting path portions (17a) and a plurality of second electrically conducting path portions (17b) disposed on a rectangular parallelepiped insulating base (13), and a plurality of electric elements (19) that are electrically connected in series with the plurality of first electrically conducting path portions (17a) and the plurality of second electrically conducting path portions (17b). The connector housing (11) is configured to allow the plurality of first electrically conducting path portions (17a) to be electrically connected to a plurality of first connecting electrodes (3) of a first circuit substrate (1), and bring a plurality of second connecting electrodes (7) on a second circuit substrate (5) into contact with the plurality of second electrically conducting path portions (17b).
US07731499B2	Ultrasound simulator for craniosynostosis screening An ultrasound simulator to train radiologists and technologists to locate and recognize patent and fused cranial sutures. The model is formed, for example, using specially fabricated heads or from life-sized plastic doll heads. Simulated suture lines are cut in the heads in anatomically correct positions. The typical end-to-end morphology of the sagittal and metopic sutures and the typical beveled appearance of the paired coronal and lambdoid sutures are created by angling the cutting blade. The hypoechoic appearance of patent sutures in ultrasound images is simulated by filling the gaps that were formed by cutting with a hypoechoic material. Fused echoic sutures are simulated by leaving that portion of the doll's head uncut, or by filling the openings with an echoic material. When imaged using ultrasound, the portions cut and filled with a hypoechoic material are readily distinguishable from uncut portions, and from portions cut and filled with an echoic material.
US07731492B2	Fuel charge for melting plate candle assembly and method of supplying liquefied fuel to a wick A fuel charge for use with a melting plate candle assembly includes an outer shell of fuel material surrounding an inner core of fuel material having different properties than the fuel material of the outer shell. The outer shell is substantially solid and may contain fuel additive that slows capillary flow of liquid fuel to the flame through the wick. The inner core may include liquid fuel, discrete solid fuel particles, or a solid fuel mass. The fuel additive is disposed in the fuel charge so as to slow migration of liquefied fuel to a flame on a wick only after a substantial portion of the fuel charge has been liquefied by heat from the flame.
US07731490B2	Self-cleaning burner system for heaters and burners A self-cleaning burner system incorporates an automatic clean cycle when the burner is started up. Cycles may be programmed for once-a-day cleaning cycle or for other desired interval. On start-up, the cycle routes a small amount of fuel to the burner for ignition inside the burner to clean the burner surfaces. The system incorporates an igniter for fast, routine, and safe ignition of the fuel. Thus, small amounts of debris that accumulate on a surface burner are automatically ignited when the burner is started, keeping the burner clean and operating at a high state of efficiency at all times. The self-cleaning burner system may be incorporated into a fryer or other heating appliance for reliable, efficient operation.
US07731484B2	Vacuum pump control device and vacuum device The present invention has an object of controlling power consumption by a vacuum pump by varying the number of revolutions of the vacuum pump in accordance with the operating state of a vacuum device.The condition setting part 4 sets the relationship between the operating state of the vacuum device 10 and the rotational speed of the vacuum pump 2 that evacuates the vacuum device 10. This relationship is set to an appropriate value so as to prevent the rotational speed of the vacuum pump 2 from becoming a higher rotational speed than is required. The control part 6, to which external signals S1 through Sn corresponding to the operating state of the vacuum device 10 are input, reads out from the condition setting part 4 and outputs the rotational speed of the vacuum pump 2 corresponding to the external signals. The inverter 8 controls the rotational speed of the vacuum pump based on the output of the control part 6.
US07731483B2	Airfoil shape for a turbine bucket and turbine incorporating same Third stage turbine buckets have airfoil profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z′ set forth Table I wherein X and Y values are in inches and the Z′ values are non-dimensional values from 0 to 1 convertible to Z distances in inches by multiplying the Z′ values by the height of the airfoil in inches and adding the radius of the airfoil base. The X and Y values are distances which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at each distance Z are joined smoothly to one another to form a complete airfoil shape. The X, Y and Z distances may be scalable as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled up or scaled down airfoil section for the bucket. The nominal airfoil given by the X, Y and Z distances lies within an envelope of +/−0.0.060 inches in directions normal to the surface of the airfoil.
US07731480B2	Efficient power turbine and electrical generation system A power turbine is provided in the form of a set of plates that cooperate to form a housing, with a set of spaced apart disks mounted on a shaft within the housing. Some of the plates and disks cooperate to allow gas or steam to be injected to provide a driving force on the shaft, while others of the disks and plates cooperate to form one or more integral pumps. The pumps are used to pull cooling liquid or water into the housing, and to cool the driving disks. In this way, the steam that drives the disks is condensed while still in the housing, with a water level maintained on the driving disks. In operation, the steam directly acts on the disks toward the outer circumference of the disks, but more toward the center of the disk, the steam transfers its energy to the water, and the water transfers the energy to the disk. Since water is less compressible and able to efficiently transfer energy to the disks, the power turbine is able to operate at relatively slow speeds, has good low-speed torque, and still has excellent conversion efficiency.
US07731479B2	Fan and fan housing with airflow-guiding stationary blades A fan includes a fan housing and an impeller. The fan housing includes a frame, a base disposed in the frame, a plurality of stationary blades disposed between the frame and the base, and a plurality of airflow-guiding elements extending inward from the frame and toward the base. The airflow-guiding elements and the stationary blades are alternately arranged. The impeller is disposed in the fan housing.
US07731475B2	Tilted cone diffuser for use with an exhaust system of a turbine An exhaust system for a turbine includes an annular diffuser and a collector. The annular diffuser is positioned adjacent to a final stage of the turbine and includes a hub portion surrounding a turbine shaft and an outer cone having a substantially frusto-conical shape that is radially symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis thereof that is tilted relative to the turbine shaft. The collector has an inlet extending from the annular diffuser and an outlet. The collector is configured to include a turn that causes the collector to turn exhaust gases approximately 90° from the longitudinal axis of the turbine shaft. The outer cone of the annular diffuser is tilted in a direction of the turn of the collector.
US07731470B2	Clean stocker and method of storing articles A reticle rotatable rack is provided at an upper position, and a pod rotatable rack is provided at a lower position in a clean stocker. A clean gas is supplied downwardly. In the stocker, a pod transportation device and a reticle transportation device are elevated and lowered. Load ports, a pod opener, and the pod rotatable rack are connected by the pod transportation device. The pod opener and the reticle rotatable rack are connected by the reticle transportation device.
US07731467B2	Bolt element having a shaft part and a spherical head, component assembly and method for the manufacture of a bolt element Bolt element (10) having a shaft part (12) which is designed at a first end (14) for a rivet connection (16) to a panel element (18), in particular to a sheet metal part, is characterized in that the shaft part (12) has a spherical formation (22) at its other end (20) the ball diameter (D) of which is larger than that of the shaft part (12). In this manner a bolt element with a spherical head can be manufactured in an extremely favorable manner price-wise and it can be ensured that the spherical head has no burr which would lead to the wearing of the socket provided in operation which slides on the spherical head.
US07731464B2	Insert nut There is provided an insert nut, having an outer hollow portion made of a resin material and an inner hollow portion made of a metal material. The outer hollow portion has a projection functioning as a male screw or wedge formed on an outer surface thereof. The inner hollow portion has a female screw formed on an inner surface thereof. The inner hollow portion is press-fitted to the outer hollow portion by inserting one end of the inner hollow portion into the outer hollow portion to reach a final position. Further insertion of the inner hollow portion is prevented beyond the final position. Said one end of the inner hollow portion is caulked with the outer hollow portion.
US07731458B2	Clamping element for tool holders The invention concerns a clamping element of a coupling device for releasably but axially and rotationally fixing tool components for dry machining (MMS technology) and for wet machining. The element provides a friction-type connection between the components to be coupled. A cooling tube is arranged at the center of the coupling device. The spindle is provided with an elongated hole run through which cooling tube passes. A variable contour between the base body and the clamping segment enables an increase in distribution of forces for the support of the clamping segments. The novel geometry of the clamping segments results in novel contours in the base body with smoother transitions, hence a better force distribution, thereby reducing material breakage and a more reliable and robust clamping. By virtue of their novel geometry, the clamping segments have an increased surface enabling larger clamping screws to be used.
US07731457B2	Machine tool with a plate with elastic properties for holding the cutter A machine tool designed to be fitted with a cutter which is retained by a central screw includes a plate which is removable in relation to the body of the tool. The plate possesses a cut-out for the positioning of a machining cutter with a central hole, this cut-out having two lateral faces and a third face which bears elastically against the machining cutter.
US07731456B2	Dense phase pump with open loop control A pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided. A pump control feature is provided for air flow rate control during positive and negative pressure conditions.
US07731455B2	Segmental retaining wall system incorporating the extruded polymer strip as a reinforcement A segmental retaining wall system utilizing extruded strips for soil reinforcement. The retaining wall is composed of a plurality of wall blocks that are stacked securely using interlocking pins and an extruded strip. The wall can be built such that it has vertical or battered angle dependant on the orientation of the interlocking pins.
US07731454B1	Method for placing reinforced concrete piling without utilizing a pile driver or an auger Piling, apparatus and methods for pouring a concrete piling in situ around pre-positioned reinforcing rods inside removable hollow pipe sections that have been screwed into the ground. A final coupler pipe section including a removable coupler device is releasably attached to a reducer section and helical screw anchor that are left in the ground. The pipe sections are connected end to end by helical flanges and are screwed into the ground using the helical screw anchor. Once the pipe sections are screwed into the ground to a desired depth, the coupler device is operated to release the coupler section from the reducer section and the coupler device is extracted from the pipe sections. Reinforcing rods are disposed inside the pipe sections and reducer section. Concrete is poured into the pipe sections and reducer section to encase the reinforcing rods. The pipe sections including the coupler section are then removed from the ground and reused.
US07731452B2	Floating barrier units A number of individual barrier units form a floating barrier wall each comprising a housing formed in the general shape of a highway barrier having a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed end walls, and, opposed side walls interconnected to form a hollow interior which is preferably partially or completely filled with a foam material. A ballast weight is secured to each barrier unit, either inside or outside of the hollow interior, to maintain them in an upright position in the water. Cables, couplers and/or other connectors are employed to mount adjacent barrier units end-to-end to form a barrier wall which can encircle a vessel or otherwise isolate an area within a seaport or other body of water to provide security.
US07731445B2	Captured shim head set for bicycles A captured shim head set for a bicycle has a bearing set for mounting on the head tube of a bicycle; a member for axially loading the bearing set and radially affixing the bearing set to a steerer tube of a bicycle front fork; a top cap for covering the bearing set and with which an axial load is applied to the member; and at least one washer-shaped shim for adjusting the spacing between the top cap and member. A lost motion mechanism is formed between the member and top cap and at least one washer-shaped shim is selectively capturable in the lost motion mechanism for limiting the degree of movement between the member and top cap in a manner limiting the distance that the top cap is movable towards the member.
US07731444B2	Device for coupling a plastic part and a body shell structure A system to couple a plastic part and a body structure includes a plate and an elastic member as part of the body structure. Additionally, the plastic part includes an opening and an oblique stop at an end of the opening. The plate is received within the opening. The elastic member includes a first end that is free and a second end that is fixed to the plate. The elastic member biases the plate with respect to the plastic part. In a first position, the first end of the elastic member contacts the oblique stop. In a second position, the first end of the elastic member contacts the oblique stop such that the first end of the elastic member is displaced in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction compared to the first position. Additionally, the elastic member is slideable along the oblique stop.
US07731442B2	Adjustable tab divider Embodiments of the invention relate to dividers with tabs adjustable along at least two edges of the binder. One embodiment is directed to a divider for use in a binder. The divider comprises a panel, the panel comprising a binding edge and a plurality of non-binding edges, and a tab. The panel comprises at least one binding feature adjacent the binding edge and at least one tab mating feature adjacent at least first and second edges of the plurality of non-binding edges. The tab is configured to mate with the at least one tab mating feature. The at least one tab mating feature is configured such that the tab is positionable in at least two longitudinal positions along the first non-binding edge and in at least two longitudinal positions along the second non-binding edge.
US07731439B2	Advancing pen having individually capped cartridges A cartridge for use with an advancing pen, comprising: a cartridge body, the cartridge body containing contents, the cartridge; a seal, the seal retaining the contents within the cartridge body; a cartridge tip, the cartridge tip located substantially within the cartridge body and in contact with the contents and penetrating the seal, the cartridge tip withdrawing the contents to apply the contents to a desired surface; a retaining cap, the retaining cap sealing the cartridge tip and the seal, such that the retaining cap must be removed before the cartridge tip can deliver the contents to the desired surface.
US07731432B2	Multiple channel optical transceiver modules with compatibility features Optical transceiver modules with multiple channel connection with connectors on a motherboard of a line card for network devices, such as a switch, router, crossconnect and the like, are presented. The modules have staggered electronic boards which can engage the connectors which are laterally displaced on the motherboard. The connectors are also arranged so that one of them can engage an optical transceiver module in an SFP connection so that the motherboard connectors are compatible with multiple channel and single channel (SFP) connections.
US07731429B2	Optical connector and method of attaching optical fiber cord to optical connector An optical connector has a simple structure and a method of attaching an optical fiber cord to the connector is easy. The connector 1 includes: a plug part 2 which has a capillary 5 provided at the front and containing a built-in optical fiber 6 and which includes a mechanical splicing portion 7 capable of allowing an optical fiber 51 to be inserted from the rear so as to be fixed therein; a caulking stand 35 capable of holding a sheath by radially contracting in a state in which the optical fiber cord 50 is inserted therein; a caulking ring 45 provided outside the cylindrical portion 36 of the stand 35 so as to hold the tension member 52 between the ring 45 and the stand 35; and a coupling body 20 provided behind the plug part 2 and accommodating the stand 35 and the ring 45.
US07731427B2	Wheel bearing apparatus incorporated with a wheel speed detecting apparatus and method of its assembly A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating a wheel speed detecting apparatus and a method for manufacturing the wheel bearing apparatus has a wheel speed detecting apparatus (21) with a sensor holder (22). The sensor holder (22) includes a steel annular fitting ring (24) to be fit onto the end of the outer member (4). A holding portion (25) of plastic resin is integrally molded with the annular fitting ring (24). A wheel speed sensor (26) is embedded in the resin. An inboard side seal (11) of the seals (11, 12) is arranged between the sensor holder (22) and the outer joint member (14). The maximum diameter of the sensor holder (22) and the constant velocity universal joint (3) is smaller than the inner diameter of the knuckle (N).
US07731424B2	Detector holder, X-ray system and X-ray flat detector A detector holder for a flat panel x-ray detector has a mechanical plug interface that allows flat panel x-ray detectors of respectively different types to be connected to and held by the detector holder. An x-ray system equipped with such a detector holder can be used flexibly for different applications respectively requiring different types of flat panel x-ray detectors. The type of the flat panel x-ray detector currently retained by the detector holder can be automatically detected and used by the data processor that processed output signals from the currently-employed flat panel x-ray detector.
US07731420B2	Measuring device and method for determining temperature and/or pressure using measuring device At least one transceiver sends ultrasonic pulses through an object, which at least partially transmits ultrasonic pulses, into an element which reflects the ultrasonic pulses. The ultrasonic pulse(s) can be reflected in a temperature-correlated manner from the reflective element to the transceiver.
US07731418B2	Thermometer calibration A method for calibrating a thermometer is provided. The method includes deriving values of at least two different reference calibration coefficients of a reference calibration equation. The reference calibration equation relates temperature of a reference temperature sensor to at least two different calibration coefficients and a measured characteristic of the reference temperature sensor. A primary temperature sensor of the thermometer is calibrated using the derived values of the at least two different reference calibration coefficients. In another method for calibrating a thermometer, value of at least one reference calibration coefficient is derived from a reference calibration equation. The reference calibration equation is a non-linear equation relating the temperature of the reference temperature sensor to the at least one calibration coefficient and a measured characteristic of the reference temperature sensor.
US07731414B2	Reagent cartridge mixing tube Embodiments of the invention relate to a clinical instrument analyzer system for the automated analysis of patient samples. In one embodiment, the analyzer may be used to analyze bodily fluid samples, such as blood, plasma, serum, urine or cerebrospinal fluid, for example. Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus and method for suspending magnetic particles accumulated on the floor of a mixing tube and depositing the magnetic particles in bodily fluid samples.
US07731408B2	Light source shining through a template on to a base A system in at least some embodiments comprises a housing containing a processor and a base coupled and supporting the housing. The housing comprises a slot adapted to receive a removable template. A slot is provided within the housing. The slot is adapted to receive a removable template. The housing also comprises a light source that shines through the template on to the base.
US07731406B2	Backlight assembly and liquid crystal display having the same A backlight assembly and an LCD having the same are disclosed to prevent wrinklings of optical sheets due to close contact of optical sheets or prism sheets. The backlight assembly includes multiple optical sheets disposed between a light guiding plate and a display unit, for the diffusion of light, collection of light and securing of horizontal viewing angle. The front surface or the rear surface of each of the optical sheets each has an embossing structure or a matte structure to decrease a contact area between the multiple optical sheets and to minimize frictions.
US07731405B2	Side-emission type light-emitting diode and a backlight unit using the light-emitting diode A side-emission type light-emitting diode including: a first substrate having a concavity formed in one of side surfaces of the first substrate, the concavity including an inner surface which is configured to be a first reflecting surface; an LED-element-mounting board of thin plate shape, arranged on the lower surface of the first substrate, the board configured to close the concavity at the lower surface of the first substrate; an LED element mounted on the board and arranged in the concavity; and a light-transmitting resin filled in the concavity and configured to seal the LED element.
US07731403B2	Lighting system for a vehicle, with high-intensity power LED A lighting system for a vehicle comprises a sealed unitary light module including at least one high-intensity power light emitting diode operates with a luminous efficiency of at least about 7 lumens per watt when passing a forward current of at least about 350 milliamps and that emits a luminous flux of at least about 25 lumens when operated at its operating voltage. The sealed unitary light module is removable as a unit from the vehicle and includes a heat dissipating element and a lens.
US07731402B2	LED headlamp system A vehicle headlamp includes a first planar array of low and high beam LED light sources; a first primary optical light guide receiving low and high beam light from the LEDs; a first secondary optical light guide receiving and focusing collimated low and high beam light from the first primary light guide as a combination of low and high beam hot spots; a second planar array of LED light sources having a low and high beam LEDs; a second primary optical light guide receiving and collimating low and high beam light from second LED light sources; a second secondary optical light guide receiving said collimated low and high beam light and spreading the light as a combination of low and high beam spread pattern; a housing to mechanically support the LED arrays, the first primary optic, the first secondary optic, the second primary light guide and the second secondary optic.
US07731400B2	Lighting or signaling device comprising a curved light guiding plate A lighting or signaling device for a motor vehicle which is capable of emitting a linear beam in the direction of an optical axis and which comprises a point light source that emits light rays radially around a source; a light ray guiding plate; wherein the light guiding plate is shaped so that the light rays generally propagate in incident propagation planes normal to the plate between the light source and the reflection edge and in reflected propagation planes normal to the plate between the reflection edge and the output edge.
US07731398B2	Portable lightbox assembly A portable lightbox assembly comprises a housing and a lift mechanism having at least one light fixture coupled thereto, the lift mechanism coupled to the housing and movable from a retracted position enclosable within the housing to an extended position protruding beyond the housing.
US07731396B2	LED socket string An LED socket string with multiple LED sockets and corresponding LED lamps that are spaced on the string unevenly or according to a user specification. Each of the LED sockets includes a socket base with grooves for coupling wires, and a socket cover for mating with the socket base. A lamp holder is integrally mounted onto the socket base for detachably retaining the LED lamp. A lamp spacer can be added to the lamp holder to accommodate the LED lamp.
US07731395B2	Linear lenses for LEDs Various embodiments described herein comprise array of light emitting diodes and a cylindrical lens having front and rear curved surfaces. The cylindrical lens is disposed to receive light from the light emitting diodes and to redistribute the light. The cylindrical lens is located no more than about 8 inches distance from the front an illumination target, which may for example, comprise products on shelves in a refrigerator. The front and rear surfaces of the cylindrical lens are shaped to provide substantially uniform illumination across the target.
US07731393B2	Light fixture for producing an oblong luminous surface The invention relates to a light fixture for producing an oblong luminous surface with a horizontal illuminant and a box reflector which has a curved reflector surface and planar reflector surfaces to the side enclosing the curved reflector surface, the horizontal illuminant being disposed at right angles to the planar reflector surfaces to the side, which is characterized in that the curved reflector surface is designed to produce the oblong luminous surface at right angles to the horizontal illuminant, and the planar reflector surfaces to the side are designed to sharply define the longitudinal sides of the oblong luminous surface.
US07731389B2	Light source comprising light-emitting clusters The present invention provides a light source for producing a substantially balanced output at a substantially optimised output intensity. In one embodiment, the light source comprises one or more light-emitting clusters of a first type and one or more light-emitting clusters of one or more other types, each one of which comprising one or more light-emitting elements, such that, when all light-emitting elements are driven to provide a substantially optimised output intensity, the spectral output of the one or more light-emitting clusters of the first type is substantially balanced by the spectral output of the one or more other light-emitting clusters.
US07731384B2	Method and apparatus for providing an LED light for use in hazardous locations A lighting source that can be deployed in a hazardous environment is disclosed. For example, the lighting source comprises at least one light emitting diode and a power supply for providing power to the at least one light emitting diode. The lighting source also comprises an enclosure for housing the at least one light emitting diode and the power supply, where said lighting source is for deployment in a hazardous environment.
US07731383B2	Solar-powered light pole and LED light fixture A solar-powered lighting system includes a flexible, wrap-around, preferably self-stick panel of photovoltaic laminate on the outside surface of a light pole. An LED light fixture is connected at or near the top of the pole and has the same or similar diameter as the pole. The LED light fixture has multiple columns and rows of LEDs and an interior axial space for air flow to cool the LEDs. The pole has vents and axial passage(s) for creating a natural updraft through at least a portion of the pole and the light fixture, for cooling of the photovoltaic panel interior surface, the LEDs, and/or other equipment inside the fixture or pole, and batteries provided inside the pole or pole base. A decorative additional fixture, which emulates conventional outdoor light fixtures, may be provided on the lighting system, wherein the decorative additional fixture includes no, or only a minimal, light source.
US07731381B2	Lighting device for a household appliance having a treatment chamber A lighting device includes a light channel disposed in a wall or door of a treatment chamber. A light source cooperating with the light channel is disposed outside of the treatment chamber and provides light beams along a first direction. First and second reflectors are disposed in the light channel to reflect respective portions of the light beams toward the treatment chamber so as to enter the treatment chamber through a transparent area in the wall or door. The second reflector extends further in a second direction, which is transverse to the first direction, than the first reflector, such that the second portion of the light beams reaches the second reflector in an unhindered manner. The first and second reflectors have reflective surfaces thereon which are configured differently in the second direction and a third direction transverse to the first direction in order to prevent mutual shadowing.
US07731375B2	Phosphorescent charging system for wheeled vehicles having phosphorescent wheels Various phosphorescence charging systems are provided for charging a phosphorescent wheel. The wheel is attached to the frame of a vehicle with nighttime or low light operation capability. The phosphorescence charging system directs electromagnetic radiation, such as ultraviolet light, onto phosphorescent portions of the wheel so as to cause subsequent phosphorescent emission therefrom.
US07731373B2	Window with resistance heating element An electrically heated window intended to be fitted with an imaging device which views an object through a viewing area of the window. A resistance heating element comprises at least one electrically conductive wire extending across the viewing area a plurality of times along a plurality of arc-shaped path.
US07731370B2	Projection system and method for operating a discharge lamp A projection system and a method for operating a discharge lamp are described. The protection system comprises a discharge lamp 12 and driving electronics 14. The color wheel 18 serves as color filter for filtering light 16 emitted from lamp 12 to generate a light sequence 20 with different colors in sequential color time periods 22, 22a. In between color time periods 22, 22a, spoke time periods 24, 24a are arranged. The driving electronics provide a lamp current I with superimposed first current pulses, which are generated in at least one of the color time periods 22, 22a. In order to allow greater flexibility and be able to achieve stable arc operation and constant color point over lamp lifetime, the driving electronics 14 further provide second current pulses superimposed on the lamp current. The second current pulses are generated during at least one of the spoke time periods 24, 24a.
US07731368B2	Lamp cooling arrangement for cinema projectors In a projector assembly having a lamp for emitting light, and an ellipsoid reflector for capturing the light, the ellipsoid reflector having an opening through its vertex facilitating placement of the lamp, there is provided an improvement wherein the opening in the ellipsoid reflector is sized to allow a major portion of cooling air to pass therethrough into a region defined by the ellipsoid reflector. An air deflector is situated in the opening so as to facilitate distribution of cooling air along the lamp and outwardly towards the inside surface of said ellipsoid reflector from within said region.
US07731365B2	Method of fitting contact lenses The invention provides a method of fitting lenses that results in correction of not only low and high order ocular aberrations, but that additionally provides correction for the effects of cortical influences, or neuro-adaptive influences.
US07731362B2	Optical scanning system The present application is directed to an optical scanning system for medical applications, preferably in ophthalmology, which can be used for a large range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The optical scanning system comprises at least one controllable reflector which has an actuator and which is arranged in a first imaging beam path for deflecting at least one therapy beam and/or diagnosis beam over a work field in a scanning manner, a second imaging beam path for a fixation beam which is imaged on the work field in a spatially fixed manner with respect to the optical axis of the system, and a central control unit. The moving reflector is used to unify the two imaging beam paths and has dichroic characteristics so that it is transmissive for the fixation beam and reflective for the therapy beam and/or diagnosis beam(s). The second radiation source which serves to generate the fixation beam is controlled so as to be synchronized to the position of the moving reflector.
US07731361B2	Ophthalmic apparatus An ophthalmic apparatus capable of performing alignment of the apparatus with respect to an examinee's eye with ease regardless of characteristics of the eye or an environment of the apparatus includes a measurement unit performing examination/measurement of the eye, a projection optical system for projecting an alignment target onto an anterior segment of the eye, an image-pickup optical system for picking up an anterior-segment image with an image of the projected target by a two-dimensional image-pickup element, and a calculation and control unit detecting the target image, and based on the detection result, detecting an alignment condition of the measurement unit with the eye, wherein the calculation and control unit detects two-dimensional luminance distribution in an image obtained by the element, and based on the detection result, changes projection light intensity of light of the target and/or gain of the element so that the target image becomes detectable.
US07731360B2	Portable video oculography system A goggle based light-weight VOG system includes at least one digital camera connected to and powered by a laptop computer through a firewire connection. The digital camera may digitally center the pupil in both the X and Y directions. A calibration mechanism may be incorporated onto the goggle base. An EOG system may also be incorporated directly into the goggle. The VOG system may track and record 3-D movement of the eye, track pupil dilation, head position and goggle slippage. An animated eye display provides data in a more meaningful fashion. The VOG system is a modular design whereby the same goggle frame or base is used to build a variety of digital camera VOG systems.
US07731357B2	Method for designing group of bi-aspherical type progressive-power lenses, and group of bi-aspherical type progressive-power lenses There is provided a group of bi-aspherical type progressive-power lenses for which the processing costs are reduced. In a bi-aspherical type progressive-power lens(es), the relationships DHf+DHnADD/2 and DHn−DHf
US07731349B2	Printing machine A printing machine includes a transfer device including a conveyor having suction holes formed therethrough for transferring cardboard sheets one by one, a suction device for applying a suction force on one of the two surfaces of each of the cardboard sheets, which one of two surfaces faces the conveyor, and ink jet heads located to face the other of the surfaces of each of the cardboard sheets to be spaced apart therefrom. The ink jet heads are located in such a manner that a desired distance is maintained between tips of the ink jet heads and the other surface to be printed and include ink jet nozzles from each of which ink is jetted out toward said the other surface. The ink jet heads have skirts located upstream and downstream of the transferring direction of the cardboard sheets in such a manner that the skirts extend from the ink jet heads toward the other surface and have a width which covers the ink jet nozzles so as to form a partition in a space between the ink jet nozzles and the other surface.
US07731336B2	Inkjet nozzle arrangement A nozzle arrangement is provided for an inkjet printer. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate assembly defining an outlet port through which ink can be ejected. A retainer is mounted to the substrate assembly and defines an internal coil chamber in which a coil is retained. A plunger assembly is engaged with the retainer to form an ink chamber in fluid communication with the outlet port. The plunger assembly includes a plunger that is able to move toward the outlet port and reduce the volume of the ink chamber. Drive and control circuitry is electrically coupled to the coil, and is configured to energize the coil and cause the plunger to move toward the outlet port so that ink is ejected from the outlet port.
US07731333B2	Liquid-jet head and liquid-jet apparatus A liquid-jet head includes: a plurality of head bodies, each having: a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzles bored therein; a passage-forming substrate having a pressure generating chamber formed therein, which communicates with the nozzle and receives a pressure for use in ejecting a liquid droplet from a pressure generating element; and a head case disposed on the passage-forming substrate at a surface opposite to the nozzle plate and having paths for supplying liquid to the pressure generating chamber therethrough; and a fixing member bonded onto a side of the nozzle plate of each of the plurality of head bodies, to positionally fix the head bodies thereto at predetermined intervals, wherein a reinforcing portion made of a predetermined adhesive agent, which is charged in a clearance between the head bodies fixed to the fixing member, followed by setting, is disposed at the clearance.
US07731328B2	Wiper and cleaning device, and inkjet image forming apparatus including the same A wiper, a cleaning device, and an inkjet image forming device including the wiper and the cleaning device. The cleaning device includes a carrier moving in a lengthwise direction of a nozzle unit, the length of the nozzle unit corresponding to a width of a printing medium, a driving element moving the carrier forwards and backwards, and a wiper mounted on the carrier and removing ink adhered to the nozzle unit, wherein the wiper includes a belt member which is supported by a plurality of pulleys and circularly moves along a predetermined path and a cleaning member which is attached to an outer circumference of the belt member and removes the ink adhered to the nozzle unit while rotating in contact with the nozzle unit. Accordingly, an absorption capacity of the wiper is increased using the belt type wiper. Furthermore, since the absorption capacity of the wiper is increased, a replacement cycle for replacing the wiper is extended, thereby increasing the life span of the wiper. The ink absorbed into the cleaning member is removed again using a second pressing unit or a cleaning roller, and hence the absorbency of the cleaning member can be maintained and the replacement cycle can be extended.
US07731324B2	Inkjet recording apparatus The inkjet recording apparatus includes: a head which ejects ink droplets of light-curable ink to a print medium to form an image on the print medium; a light irradiating device which is located at a downstream side of the head, and irradiates light from a light source onto the ink droplets immediately after the ink droplets have been deposited on the print medium; and a control device which controls the light irradiating device in such a manner that luminous energy irradiated onto a region of the print medium where bleeding of the ink droplets would be conspicuous is greater than luminous energy irradiated onto another region of the print medium.
US07731321B2	Image recording apparatus and power shutoff process method for use therein A recovery mechanism comprises a recovery unit for performing a recovery process for recovering from clogging or contamination by ink in the nozzle array constituted by a plurality of nozzles. A conveyance mechanism supports and conveys, downstream, a recording medium that is conveyed from the upstream area of a conveyance path and handed over. A power control unit makes a control unit control the shutoff of a power supply to the nozzle array drive unit that drives the nozzle array when an abnormality occurs in the supporting and conveying of the recording medium that is performed by the conveyance mechanism in the recording process using the ink jetted from a plurality of nozzles or when the recovery unit makes contact with the nozzle array during recovery of the nozzle array in the recovery process.
US07731320B2	Ink jet recording apparatus and recording method therefor An ink jet recording apparatus, which records a image on a recording medium using a recording head provided with a plurality of ink discharge ports, comprises a rotative platen having a plurality of supporting pieces arranged at predetermined intervals; rotation means for rotating the platen; conveyance means for conveying the recording medium; control means for controlling the rotation means to rotate the platen in the conveying direction of the recording medium in synchronism with the conveyance of the recording medium when recording is performed near the edge of the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance means. With the structure thus arrange, this ink jet recording apparatus is capable of performing the entire area recording (no margin recording) on a recording medium without staining the platen that supports the recording medium at the time of recording.
US07731317B2	Liquid jetting device A liquid jetting device includes a plurality of nozzles provided in a liquid jetting head, a charge-discharge actuator provided in correspondence with each nozzle, and a driving section for applying a driving signal to the charge-discharge actuator to jet liquid from the corresponding nozzle. The liquid jetting device includes a driving wave-form signal generating section configured to generate a driving wave-form signal as a basis of a signal for controlling a drive state of the actuator. A driving signal generating section is configured to amplify the driving wave-form signal generated by the driving wave-form signal generating section using a charge-use transistor and a discharge-use transistor connected in a push-pull configuration, and output a driving signal.
US07731308B1	Secure medication container for use by medical personnel A medication container is designed for secure storage of medications and other controlled substances. The container top has a sloped configuration which resists the stacking of medical files and other objects atop it (which might obscure view of the container), and it also includes a curved sliding front door allowing both a frontal and top view of medications within the container. The door is locked by use of two separate locks, one intended for a pharmacist or other medication control officer, and one by the personnel administering the medication to patients, whereby either of these parties may independently access the interior of the container. The container is also preferably designed to rapidly have a removable medication tray installed within or removed from its interior, and to rapidly be fixed to a medication cart, patient bedside table, or other structure.
US07731305B2	Method of coordinating pressure demands in an electronically controlled brake system In an unstable driving situation of a vehicle with an electronically controlled hydraulic brake system with a front/rear split of brake circuits, for instance during a lane change, the inlet valve of one of the two front wheel brakes may be closed for the ESC in order to raise the pressure in only the other wheel brake of the brake circuit. If then the vehicle runs the risk of tipping over, ARP sets in. The vehicle path needs to be readjusted to reduce lateral forces. The ARP demands a pressure build-up in the curve-outer front wheel brake. The corresponding inlet valve will be opened for the ARP to allow a pressure build-up. However, the ESC may still demand a higher pressure on the initially actuated wheel brake to counter understeering. In this event, the inlet valve of the curve-inner wheel brake, which is under high pressure from the ESC intervention, will remain open to allow a cross-flow of brake fluid from the ESC wheel to the ARP wheel.
US07731303B1	Push button two side operation hand brake release An apparatus to enable the automatic release of a railway vehicle hand brake system from either side of the vehicle comprises a source of fluid pressure engageable with the vehicle. A release cylinder, operable by fluid pressure, is connected to a hand brake mechanism. A valve is connected intermediate the source of fluid pressure and the release cylinder causing the release cylinder to release the hand brake system. A first valve actuator is disposed on a first side of the vehicle and is connected intermediate the valve and the source of fluid pressure. A second valve actuator is disposed on an opposed second side of the vehicle and is connected intermediate the valve and the source of fluid pressure. Both the first and second valve actuators cause the valve to initiate communication of fluid pressure from the source of fluid pressure to the release cylinder.
US07731301B2	Adjustable width drive axle and drive unit Disclosed herein is an adjustable width drive axle including: a main axle body including a telescoping portion disposed at each end of the main axle body; a sprocket affixed to each end of the main axle body, the sprocket designed to engage a drive unit; a first spacer removably affixed to the sprocket, the first spacer disposed around the telescoping portion of the main axle body; and a hub removably affixed to an end of the first spacer opposite the sprocket, wherein one or more additional spacers may be interposed between the first spacer and the hub or between the sprocket and the first spacer to adjust the width of the axle.
US07731295B2	Chair having adjustable weight proportion accepting elements A seat includes a tray, a net mounted on the tray and a supporting device provided between the tray and the net. Thus, when a user sits on the seat, the net takes a proportion of the user's weight while the supporting device takes another proportion of the user's weight.
US07731291B2	Single frame sling chair A sling chair includes a back frame member having side rails held in substantially parallel relation by a pair of cross bar members. In one embodiment, the cross bar members are generally curved so as to extend away from the back faces of the side rails, forming a concave back structure which can receive a sling member and, eventually, a seated occupant. The cross bar members are adapted to retain the sling member in secure fashion through upper and lower backrest assemblies, resulting in better support and more efficient assembly. This also facilitates separate provisioning of decorative features to improve the chair's aesthetic qualities.
US07731290B1	Armrest and vehicle seat including the same An armrest is provided having sufficient area to support arms at a comfortable position. The armrest is capable of being stowed compactly to provide aisle width sufficient for passengers' walk-through, and also is capable of moved from its stowed position to its used position in a single motion. The armrest is mounted to a side portion of a seat back of a vehicle seat. The armrest includes an armrest main body and a pivot member supporting the armrest main body at the seat back side of the armrest main body. The armrest main body is pivotally attached to the side portion of the seat back via the pivot member, and the pivot member is skewed toward the vehicle rear at a substantial angle relative to a widthwise horizontal axis of the seat as it extends from a base to a distal end.
US07731289B2	Automotive seat reclining device An automotive seat reclining device includes a first rotation member connected to one of a seat back and a seat cushion and having an internal gear and a bearing sleeve coaxial with the internal gear, a second rotation member connected to the other of the seat back and the seat cushion and having an external gear and a bearing bore coaxial with the external gear, a pair of wedge members disposed in a circular eccentric space between the bearing sleeve and the bearing bore and a drive member inserted in the eccentric space to move the mesh of the internal and external gears by pushing the wedge members and rotate the second rotation member relative to the first rotation member. Each of the wedge members has an inner circumferential surface formed with a recessed section and two contact sections for contact with an outer circumferential surface of the bearing sleeve.
US07731288B2	Motor vehicle seat featuring coupling between the backrest movement and the seat part movement, and motor vehicle comprising such a motor vehicle seat The present invention relates to a motor vehicle seat (2) comprising a seat part (6) which may be moved by means of a seat part mechanism (20) from an operating position into a non-operating position, a backrest (4) which may be swiveled by means of a backrest mechanism (8) about a swivel pin (10) in the direction of the seat part (6), and a coupling element (44) for coupling the movement of the backrest (4) to the movement of the seat part (6), the coupling element (44) cooperating with the backrest mechanism (8) and the seat part mechanism (20) such that the coupling element (44) exerts a tensile force on the seat part mechanism (20), in order to move the seat part (6) from the operating position into the non-operating position.
US07731287B2	Vibration absorber device for a seat in a vehicle, in particular an aircraft or the like A framework fixed to the structure of a vehicle, which framework carries a generally planar seat proper via mobility structure for providing the seat proper with mobility relative to the framework. The seat proper is rigid and is suspended from the framework via a deformable structure which is deformable in at least one of the dimensions of the plane of the seat proper. The plane of the framework for supporting the seat proper is disposed above the plane of the seat proper that is supported by the framework, so as to impart a pendular type structure to the structure providing mobility to the seat proper relative to the framework.
US07731285B2	Arrangement for retaining crank element in automotive seat A crank element is arranged rotatably between two support elements so as to prevent removal therefrom. The crank element is formed with a pair of generally inverted-L-shaped end portions each having a horizontal first end region and a vertical second end region bent from that first end region. Each of those two end portions is rotatably secured via retainer bush in each of two through-holes formed in the respective two support elements. The two through-holes each has an elongated hole region and a circular hole region. The retainer bush is resiliently deformable and has: a through-bore in which the first end region of crank element is rotatably support; and a groove portion in which the circular hole region of the through-hole is closely engaged.
US07731284B2	Child restraint with swiveling juvenile seat having a seat-anchor guide channel A child restraint includes a seat support and a juvenile seat mounted to swivel about an axis on the seat support. The seat support is adapted to set on a vehicle seat.
US07731280B2	Active headrest mechanism for vehicle seat A vehicle seat of the invention includes: a rectangular-shaped seat back frame (5) having a pair of side frames (6); a plurality of seat springs (34A, 34B) disposed between the side frames; a single plate-shaped flexible cushion plate (31) attached to the seat springs; a seat cushion (9) provided on the front side of the cushion plate; link mechanisms (15, 35) provided near the side frames; and a headrest (4) coupled to the link mechanisms (15). Both ends of the seat spring (34B) are coupled to the link mechanisms. When the seat spring (34B) is moved rearward, the headrest is moved forward. Both sides of each of the remaining seat springs (34A) are mounted to the side frames.
US07731279B2	Rapid cooling and heating of car seats with massaging effects An apparatus and method for providing controlled heating, cooling and motion, in a device such as an active robotic automobile seat, are disclosed. A shape memory alloy (SMA) element, which changes shape upon application of a temperature change to the SMA element, is coupled to a thermoelectric device. Heat flows through the TED upon application of an electrical current through the TED. The apparatus is operable in one of a plurality of modes. In a first mode, a current is applied through the TED to cause a temperature change in the SMA element to change the shape of the SMA element. In a second mode, a current is applied to the TED to cause heat flow in a space adjacent to the apparatus. By controlling application of current to the TED, controlled motion, heating and cooling are achieved in the seat.
US07731277B2	Seating implement with tablet A seating implement has a base frame, a sitting surface, a back rest, and a tablet. The tablet is fastened to a support element provided on one side of the base frame by way of a linkage mechanism, so that the table can swivel between a substantially horizontal position of use and a position of non-use. The tablet is dimensioned to support a notebook computer and the support element has a section running in a substantially horizontal plane, on which the tablet is pivotally fastened by way of the linkage mechanism. The substantially horizontal section is oriented at an angle to the direction of the sitting surface, and the tablet can swivel about an axis substantially parallel to this section.
US07731266B2	Bushing and hinged joint comprising such a bushing An articulated connection of at least two elements of a folding top mechanism of a convertible vehicle is provided, with a pivot pin, on which at least two elements are mounted next to one another rotationally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pivot pin, wherein at least one bushing is located on the pivot pin on which a first element is mounted on its hollow cylindrical section, and for which an elastically formed collar extending in the radial direction is formed with an undulating profile in the axial direction, which is designed to compensate for axial and/or radial play between the first element and a second element. The collar has at least one recess forming a material lug extending from the outer edge to the hollow cylindrical section.
US07731262B2	Closure damper assembly A closure assembly for a vehicle pivotable between a closed position and a full open position, and a method of controlling its movement includes a closure, a hinge mechanism attached to the closure, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a damper actuator and a pneumatic closure damper, with the closure damper including a hollow bellows extending from a support base, an orifice and an end opposite the support base. The damper actuator is attached to the hinge mechanism and the support base is attached to the body structure such that the damper actuator is spaced from the end when the closure is in the closed position and the damper actuator is in contact with the end and compresses the bellows when the closure is in the full open position.
US07731260B2	Vehicle load-carrying bed system having bed divider A load-carrying bed system for a vehicle having a cargo bed includes a bed floor defining a cargo receiving area and first and second sidewalls disposed along lateral sides of the bed floor. A forward wall is disposed along a forward side of the bed floor and laterally between the first and second sidewall. A tailgate is disposed along the rearward side of the bed floor and laterally between the first and second sidewalls. A cargo bed divider is movable between a stowed state wherein the cargo bed divider is stowed in a cargo bed divider cavity defined in the tailgate and a dividing state wherein the cargo bed divider has a first end removably secured to the first sidewall and a second end removably secured to second sidewall to divide the bed floor into distinct storage areas.
US07731257B2	Collision management system for compartment-mounted automotive spare tire A collision management system for an automotive spare tire includes a pneumatic spare tire mounted upon a wheel, and a body structure for axially displacing the spare tire in the direction of a combination tire deflator and wheel retainer which engages the spare tire and pierces it to deflate the spare tire, while subsequently locking upon the wheel rim, so as to assist in retaining the spare tire in a desired location within a storage compartment of the vehicle.
US07731255B2	Interior vehicle cargo system An interior vehicle cargo system is provided with an interior cargo structure, bulkhead and a bulkhead attachment assembly. The bulkhead attachment assembly selectively retains the bulkhead in one of a plurality of locations within interior cargo area. The bulkhead attachment assembly includes at least a pair of elongated tracks and at least one fastening structure associated with each of the elongated tracks. One of the elongated tracks is attached to a first one of the vehicle panels, while another elongated track is attached to a second one of the vehicle panels that is opposite the first one of the vehicle panels. The fastening structures are slideably arranged on the elongated tracks to selectively fastening the bulkhead at one of the plurality of locations.
US07731254B2	Motor vehicle center console assembly having a container assembly with a flush door A container assembly for use in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a housing having a storage space. The housing has an outer surface and an opening formed in the outer surface providing access to the storage space. The container assembly also includes a door movably coupled to the housing for movement between a closed position covering the opening and preventing access to the storage space and an open position disposed below the outer surface to reveal the opening and allow access to the storage space. This allows the container assembly to slide beneath a bin lid of a center console when the door of the container assembly is in either the closed position or the open position without interfering with the bin door.
US07731251B2	Compact sliding sash lock A sash lock for use with door and window is provided. The lock has a base housing shaped into a laterally extending crib to contain a partially protruding plunger sliding under a forward bias, a large button block that occupies a substantial area at the top of the lock to allow for a unique squeeze release of the plunger and translates in a perpendicular plane with respect to the plunger movement under an expansive bias for normally pushing the button block away from the base housing in cooperation with the biased counteraction of the cam surfaces of the plunger but yielding to a manual depression to activate the plunger through a cam engagement, and a top housing fastened to the base housing to enclose the plunger and button block. The plunger has cam surfaces at a rear end facing forwardly and a beveled lip portion at a front end while the button block has a beveled surface facing the cam surfaces of the plunger. The sash lock further comprises two identical holes formed in the bottom of base housing and a separate keeper for interlocking with the base housing.
US07731248B2	Anti-panic control device for doors Anti-panic control device for doors, comprising, a base structure, a spring latch mounted rotatable relative to the base structure around a main axis, the spring latch being able to rotate between a closed position and an open position and being associated to an elastic element which tends to maintain the spring latch in the open position, the spring latch having a slit able to receive a retaining element. a first locking element movable between an arresting position and a disengaged position, an actuating device able to move the first locking element in the disengaged position, and a second locking element movable relative to the spring latch between an arresting position and a disengaged position, the second locking element being thrust by elastic member towards the disengaged position and being thrust towards the locking position by the retaining element, the second locking element co-operating with the first locking element in such a way as to lock the spring latch in closed position when the first and the second locking elements are both in arresting position.
US07731247B2	Device for connecting and blocking hollow elements for the formation of fluid distribution plants The invention relates to a device for connecting and blocking hollow elements used as piping for fluids, both gaseous and liquids, The hollow elements (11,13) are connectable by plugs or anchoring plates (19) and connecting plate (21), engaging at least one wall of adjacent elements and fixed by anchoring screws (22). At least the connecting plate (21) is provided with protrusions or contact grips (24) designed to physically penetrate into the surface of the elements to be connected when the connecting plate is anchored to the anchoring plate by the screws.
US07731239B2	Card forming sheet A card forming sheet includes an opaque printing sheet and a transparent film placed over the printing sheet, so that the transparent film can be peeled away from the printing sheet and cannot be re-bonded to the printing sheet. Moreover, the card forming sheet includes a transparent adhesive and a peeling sheet placed over the adhesive layer. The printing sheet is divided into a substantially rectangular address describing part, an information describing part adjacent to one side of the address describing part, and a concealing part adjacent to another side of the address describing part. The card forming sheet is folded along a boundary between the address describing part and the information describing part. The two sides are bonded together so that the printing sheet is placed to the outside, and the card forming sheet is then folded along a boundary between the concealing part and the address describing part and bonded together, removably concealing the information.
US07731235B2	Steering column for a motor vehicle Steering column for a motor vehicle with a rotatably supported steering spindle (1), a supporting unit (4) supporting the steering spindle (1) and a mounting unit (5) for securing the steering spindle (1) on the chassis of the motor vehicle, the supporting unit (4) in the event of a crash being displaceable with respect to the mounting unit (5), and an energy absorption device (18) acting between the supporting unit (4) and mounting unit (5) for the energy absorption in the displacement of the supporting unit (4) with respect to the mounting unit (5) in the event of a crash being provided, characterized in that at least one energy absorption part (34) of the energy absorption device (18) deformable in the displacement of the supporting unit (4) with respect to the mounting unit (5) is composed of a magnetorheological elastomer and that the energy absorption device (18) includes a means for the generation of a magnetic field, by means of which the energy absorption part (34) composed of the magnetorheological elastomer can be acted upon at least regionally with a variable magnetic field.
US07731233B2	Airbag cushion with vent tube An airbag module comprising a housing with an inflatable airbag cushion disposed therein and at least one vent tube attached to the inflatable airbag cushion, wherein during inflatable airbag cushion deployment with an obstruction, the at least one vent tube remains open, and during inflatable airbag cushion deployment without an obstruction, the at least one vent tube at least partially closes.
US07731229B2	Low risk deployment passenger airbag system with knee protection A passenger airbag system is designed for an automotive vehicle with a passenger compartment, a windshield and an instrument panel disposed between the passenger compartment and the windshield. The instrument panel has a top portion adjacent the windshield, a lower surface generally directed toward the legs of an occupant and a mid-portion with a surface that extends between the top and lower portions. The system includes a first airbag and a second airbag both disposed in the instrument panel. Each airbag has a cushion deployable from the housing through the instrument panel along a predetermined path for direct contact with an occupant seated in the passenger compartment. The second airbag has a lower portion when deployed that fills a space between the occupant's lower extremities and the lower portion of the instrument panel and thus acts as a knee airbag.
US07731228B2	Steering wheel for a motor vehicle with a gas bag module A steering wheel for a motor vehicle has a gas bag module (12) including a covering cap (14) and a gas bag (22). At least one vent opening (18) for diverting the gas is provided in the covering cap (14), in a foam (16) surrounding the steering wheel skeleton or in the hub region (20) of the steering wheel.
US07731227B2	Head protection airbag device In a head protection airbag device according to the invention, non-inflating portions of an airbag includes a blocking portion which covers the vehicle interior side of windows when inflation of the airbag is completed. One blocking portion includes a downward movement inhibiting portion catching a passenger's head and inhibiting its downward movement when the head moves downward while moving toward the vehicle exterior and touches the blocking portion when inflation of the airbag is completed. The blocking portion comprises overlapping vehicle interior side and the vehicle exterior side portions which are mutually connected, with a portion of a vehicle interior member by the upper edge made to be the downward movement inhibiting portion. The downward movement inhibiting portion is connected at both the front and rear edges to the vehicle exterior member of the blocking portion, allowing the upper edge of the downward movement inhibiting portion to be a catching edge which can be separated from the vehicle exterior member when catching the head.
US07731225B2	Airbag apparatus for vehicle In an airbag provided in a folded condition, a front end of the airbag includes a pulled-out section provided by pulling out the end of the airbag. In the airbag in a stored condition, an oblique path from a front end of the airbag to a fixed point of a front pillar can be reached by the pulled-out section. In the developed condition of the airbag, the pulled-out section can further draw the position of the front end of the airbag to the front side, thereby providing an increased protection range by the airbag.
US07731220B2	Frame assembly for double-seat baby stroller A frame assembly for a double-seat baby stroller is provided. The frame assembly comprises: a first frame including a first main post, plural first bars, plural second bars, plural third bar, a central post and a first folding device pivotally connected to one another; and a second frame including a second main post, plural fourth bars, plural fifth bars, plural sixth bar, the central post and a second folding device pivotally connected to one another. The frame assembly is characterized by further comprising a linking mechanism connecting one of the bars of the first frame and one of the bars of the second frame, wherein when the second main post of the second frame and the central post become close to each other, the one of the bars of the first frame is driven to move via the linking mechanism by the one of the bars of the second frame, so that the first main post of the first frame and the central post become close to each other.
US07731219B2	Trailer tongue pivot hinge Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a trailer tongue pivot hinge are described herein. In an embodiment, a pivot assembly for a tongue of a towing trailer includes a trailer arm adapter, a coupler arm adapter, and a pivot member. The trailer arm adapter includes an engagement face positioned at an angle, along with a pivot hinge member and a coupling hinge member extending from the engagement face, where the coupling hinge member is opposed to the pivot hinge member. The coupler arm adapter includes an engagement face positioned at an angle, along with a pivot hinge member and a coupler hinge member extending from the engagement face, where the second coupling hinge member is opposed to the second pivot hinge member. The pivot member is positioned to pivotally engage the trailer arm adapter to the couple arm adapter.
US07731218B2	Retracting tow system A retracting tow system is disclosed which provides a spring loaded tow rope which automatically winds the tow rope around an included spool when not in use. The tow rope is affixed to a supplied shaft in a manner which prevents damage to the retracting mechanism while in use. An offset fairlead is also supplied which reduces the force on the shaft during a tow.
US07731214B2	Axles, such as for bicycles A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle includes first and second fork legs. Each fork leg includes a dropout. Each dropout has an opening therethrough. At least a portion of one of the openings is threaded. Each of the dropouts includes a split-clamp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof. The suspension further includes a one-piece axle. The axle is disposed through the openings. The axle has a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion. The axle has an ergonomic grip formed at a second end. The bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout.
US07731212B2	Vehicle side step A step assembly for a vehicle comprising an elongated main body having a substantially straight portion and two end portions; a generally U-shaped step bar having a substantially straight portion parallel to the main body and two bent portions, the bent portions welded to the main body and a step surface having a plurality of apertures that is affixed to the step bar to provide traction to the user. The main body is preferably welded to at least one support bracket. The installation of the step assembly is a two step process that comprises engagably attaching at least one mounting bracket to a vehicle and then engagably attaching the support bracket, which is preferably welded to the main body, to the mounting bracket.
US07731205B2	Mobile saw stand brake system WA743c A mobile saw stand brake system incorporates a pair of swing-out legs pivotally connected to a saw stand main frame. A first end of the main frame is supported on a pair of rotating wheels. A pair of brake lever arms, each having a brake shoe end and a distal actuating end, are pivotally connected to the main frame. A tension mechanism is interconnected with the pair of swing-out legs so as to actuate the brake lever arms to engage the wheels when the legs are extended in their swing-out position. The brakes are disengaged when the swing-out legs are folded into a stowed position.
US07731201B2	Work fixing device A work fixing device capable of stably fixing the work, without any biasing, in the longitudinal direction of the work, of the fastening force for fixing the work. The moving mechanism of clamps is constructed by comprising a scroll disc as working disc forming a circular hole in which to insert the work at the center and scroll guides in spiral shape the winding direction of which is opposite to each other from the center toward the outer circumference on the both side faces, a rotary drive mechanism for rotatably driving this scroll disc, and scroll pieces having a fitting portion to be engaged with the scroll guides of the scroll disc and disposed on both sides of the scroll disc in a way to correspond to a plurality of clamps respectively.
US07731198B2	Ball returning tent net A ball returning tent net includes a frame that is supported on the ground on three or four contact points, and a ball-catch enclosure that is supported by the frame. The ball-catch enclosure includes an aperture that is adapted to pass a ball through, and a rear wall that is adapted to catch the ball and a bottom net. The frame includes a front frame member that supports the aperture and a rear frame member that supports the rear wall. The bottom net is inclined downward toward the front frame member. The ball-catch enclosure further includes an anti-sagging device that prevents sagging of the bottom net.
US07731191B2	Configurable manual controller A configurable manual controller (10, 140) for manipulating images or symbols on a display is adapted for construction with matable building elements (122) arranged by a user. The user forms the manual controller to exhibit a customized shape and ornamental appearance reflecting the user's game-inspired, ergonomic, or style preferences.
US07731189B2	Paper guide adjusting mechanism and office machine using such mechanism A paper guide adjusting mechanism of an office machine includes a main body, a plurality of elastic elements, a transmission member, a plurality of fixing elements and a pressing plate. The main body includes a plurality of confining elements, which have respective recess structures. The transmission member includes a roller axle and a plurality of rollers, wherein the roller axle is partially received in the recess structures and the rollers are sheathed around the roller axle. The fixing elements are disposed in respective recess structures of the confining elements, wherein each fixing element has a base and the base has a first surface sustained against a corresponding elastic element and a second surface sustained against the roller axle. The pressing plate is sustained against the elastic elements.
US07731187B2	Sheet medium adjustment apparatus and image formation system capable of sorting sheet media A sheet medium adjustment apparatus, e.g., in an image forming system, includes: an ejector to eject a conveyed sheet; a stacking device to stack each sheet ejected from the sheet ejector into a stack on a tray; a moving device to shift the stacking device in a movement direction perpendicular to a sheet-ejecting direction; a sheet aligning member to align ends of the sheets in the stack that are parallel to the sheet-ejecting direction; a stepping motor to move the sheet aligning member; and an evacuation device to evacuate the aligning member by an amount representing an evacuation displacement in the movement direction at a timing of aligning the sheet, the evacuation displacement being determined adaptively according to at least one of an attribute of a given sheet in the stack, an attribute of the stack as a whole and an attribute of the tray.
US07731186B2	sheet transport apparatus and method for transporting a sheet in a printing machine A sheet transport method and apparatus are provided for improving the handling of sheets control in printing systems. This automatic sheet transport system and method includes transporting a sheet in the printing machine via a transport belt circulating in a direction of transport, wherein a sheet contact surface of the circulating transport belt is made of an electrically non-conducting material. The method includes placing a sheet on an area of the transport belt and sucking or holding the sheet to the circulating transport belt by a negative pressure applied through the belt and also applying electrical charges to generate electro-static holding forces between the circulating transport belt and the sheet.
US07731183B2	Paper feeding apparatus with paper size detectors A paper feeding apparatus includes a cassette main body that stacks a paper therein, a sidewall that moves in a width direction of the cassette main body, an end wall that moves in a longitudinal direction of the cassette main body, a first movable member that is connected at one end to the sidewall and rotates around a shaft axially fixed to the cassette main body in connection with the sidewall, a second movable member that is connected at one end to the end wall and rotates around a shaft axially fixed to the cassette main body in connection with the end wall, a first detection unit that has a plurality of detection members and detects the size of the paper in the width direction, and a second detection unit that has a plurality of detection members and detects the size of the paper in the longitudinal direction.
US07731179B2	Sheet tray assembly A sheet tray assembly including: (a) a tray unit configured to accommodate sheets, and having an upper opening for allowing the sheets to be introduced into the tray unit via the upper opening; (b) a cover unit configured to cover the upper opening; and (c) a link interconnecting the tray unit and the cover unit, and having (c-1) a first end portion at which the link is connected to the tray unit and (c-2) a second end portion at which the link is connected to a proximal end portion of the cover unit. The link is movable between first and second pivot positions as a result of pivot movement of the link relative to the tray unit, whereby a posture of the link is changeable by the pivot movement, such that the second end portion of the link is placed in a first height level when the link is positioned in the first pivot position, and is placed in a second height level that is higher than the first height level when the link is positioned in the second pivot position.
US07731173B2	Method of separating plate member A method which is capable of completely separating a plate member with a large area without using a peeling member and eliminating a possibility of permanent deformation on the plate member. A plurality of suction pads are suckingly disposed on a surface of a topmost plate member in a substantially lattice shape. Then, while the topmost plate member is held by the suction pads disposed in a zigzag shape among the suction pads disposed in the substantially lattice shape, the topmost plate member is lifted by the remaining suction pads. Finally, the suction pads holding the topmost plate member are lifted.
US07731171B2	Paper feeding device and image forming apparatus As one embodiment, a paper feeding device is provided with a pickup roller for pulling out an uppermost positioned sheet of loaded sheets, and a paper feeding roller for transporting the sheet pulled out by the pickup roller. Spanning between the pickup roller and the paper feeding roller, a roller belt is provided that is capable of moving relatively in a circumferential direction with respect to an outer circumferential surface of the paper feeding roller. The roller belt obtains rotational drive from the pickup roller.
US07731166B2	Universal insert support for holding and positioning parts of complex shapes The invention concerns a process and the associated universal device for supporting a part (1) of random and/or possibly complex shape in relation to a rigid base (11) while establishing a work reference. It consists of inserting between the part to be held and the rigid base (11), at least one deformable airtight enclosure (3) of constant volume full of incompressible particles (4). Then vacuum is applied inside the deformable enclosure (3) of constant volume using a vacuum source (5) which can be connected to the deformable enclosure (3). Thus the particles (4) amalgamate to constitute a solid block which at least partially rests on the rigid base (11) and holds the part (1) matching its shapes.
US07731165B2	Hood support A hood support for a vehicle having a hood moveable between open and closed positions is provided. The hood support includes a spring assembly disposable between the vehicle hood and another portion of the vehicle. The spring assembly is moveable into an extended position to accommodate movement of the hood into the open position and moveable into a compressed position to accommodate movement of the hood into the closed position. The hood support further includes a lock tube surrounding a portion of the spring assembly and moveable relative to the spring assembly. The lock tube is selectively actuatable between a locked position, wherein the lock tube secures the spring assembly in the extended position, and an unlocked position, wherein the spring assembly is permitted to be displaced into the compressed position.
US07731163B2	Mixing eductor An eductor including an inlet channel, a mixing channel, and a flowpath, designed for the improved mixing of a relatively large volume of water with gas while utilizing a relatively small amount of power.
US07731160B2	Post and railing assembly with support bracket covers A railing mounting assembly includes a U-shaped bracket having a pair of sidewalls and a bottom wall, the bottom wall comprising a pair of platform portions for supporting a railing, and a pair of recessed portions separated from one another by a channel, and a trim cover attached around the bracket, the trim cover having a slit and at least one locking member projecting through the channel of the U-shaped bracket.
US07731159B2	Continuous metallic system for safety barriers applicable as protection for motorcyclists made up of a bottom continuous horizontal metallic screen supported on the barrier by means of metallic arms arranged at regular intervals The invention relates to a continuous metal system which is used to protect motorcyclists and which can be installed on a standard metal safety barrier. The invention comprises a continuous horizontal metal panel (4) which is disposed between the fence (1) and the ground (40). According to the invention, the panel (4) is suspended from the fence (1) by means of arms or support pieces (5) which are positioned at each post (2) and arms which are positioned at the centre of each bay (6) and which are solidly connected to clamps (7). In addition, both arms (5 and 6) are fixed to the fence (1) using the same screw (8).
US07731155B2	Male luer connector A male luer connector to prevent generation of bacteria and waste of medicinal liquid.The male luer connector comprises a basal end and a tip end rotatable relative to the basal end; the male luer part is tapered and rotatable within the tip end. The outer peripheral surface of the tip end is decreased from the rear side to the front side; and a stick-like male luer occluding portion is provided within the male luer part which can tightly occlude liquid from the tip end opening of the male luer part. An internal thread portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the basal end and an external thread, helically engaged with the internal thread, is provided to the rear end portion of the male lure, whereby the tip end opening can be opened or closed by rotating the tip end relative to the basal end.
US07731154B2	Passive sensors for automatic faucets and bathroom flushers The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation. The novel optical sensors and the novel optical sensing methods are used, for example, for controlling the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers (including control electronics and valves) require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers.
US07731153B2	Handle for valves A handle (1) for valves (4) comprising a connecting region (2) for connecting the handle (1) to a spindle (5) of the valve (4), an actuating arm (3) for actuating the valve (4), a locking lever (8) arranged resiliently in the actuating arm (3) for engaging the actuating arm (3) and a locking and guide disc (16) for locking and guiding the handle (1), the locking and guide disc (16) having a greater external diameter than the connecting region (2) and being arranged to be able to be connected to a flange region (12) of the valve (4).
US07731149B2	Septic tank form A casting mold including a first form having a first wall and a second wall, the first and second walls defining a first casting space. The casting mold further including a second form having a base and a wall extending from the base to define a second casting space. The second form is stackable on the first form portion such that the first and second casting spaces can be filled with a casting material when the second form is on the first form. The second form includes a port defining access into the first casting space such that the casting material can be disposed into the first casting space through the port.
US07731148B2	High optical quality molds for use in contact lens production The invention provides molds and mold inserts useful in the production of contact lenses. In particular, the invention provides high optical quality molds and inserts useful for manufacturing silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
US07731147B2	Universal bookholder A universal bookholder which receives a book therein in a folder type, and which is portable and usable anywhere at any time to allow a user to read a book thereon is disclosed.The universal bookholder includes a pair of cover members for forming an inner space to receive a book therein when being folded and for supporting both sides of the book when being opened, a supporting unit combined between the pair of cover members so as to be folded with the cover members, a string installed in the supporting unit to traverse papers of the book for fixing the received book, at least one guide member mounted in the pair of cover members, and a clamp movably combined to the guide member for fixing a paper of the received book.
US07731145B2	Portable support method and apparatus A portable manway cover handling apparatus and method comprises a lightweight support unit having a mounting tab secured to a manway portal flange within portal flange bolt holes by stud bolts projecting from expandable mandrel sleeves. A structural support beam is cantilevered from the mounting tab for attachment of a force line pulling machine. A force line from the pulling machine is attached to the manway cover and all manway flange bolts removed except a single loose hinge bolt proximate of the flange bottom. The pulling machine is operated to control the rotation of the manway cover about the hinge bolt to a stable suspension position whereat the manway portal is open.
US07731141B2	Surgical appliance post clamp for surgical tables A clamp for securing a surgical appliance post to a rail mounted on the side of a surgical table which clamp may be placed over and on the rail at any desired location by providing the clamp body with a passageway transverse the body of the clamp and parallel to the rail, the passageway having a lip on one edge of a width about the dimension of the rail for engaging the backside of the rail, and the passageway having a width greater than the rail on the opposite edge. A clamping device such as a screw or cam is mounted on the outermost portion of the clamp and is arranged to engage and secure the post as well as bind the clamp body to the rail. Additionally, the clamping arrangement of one of the preferred embodiments provides a means by which an appliance post may be gripped at any chosen angle rather than limited to a fixed orientation.
US07731139B2	Suction device and supporting device having the same A suction device includes a sucking member having a connecting body connected integrally to a flexible disc body that is disposed under an upright sleeve, a connecting member disposed in the sleeve and connected to the connecting body, and an operating rod connected pivotally to a pivot block unit on the sleeve and to the connecting member. The operating rod is operable so that an assembly of the connecting member and the connecting body is pulled upwardly, thereby forming a vacant space between a central portion of the disc body and a supporting surface to which a peripheral portion of the disc body is attached sealingly.
US07731137B2	Vertically adjustable supporting structure A vertically adjustable supporting structure that comprises a link member whose bottom and top portions disposed with a lower end and a top end; a lower hinge having at least one shaft pivoted on the lower end of the link member so as to render the link member rotatably pivoted between the two lower frames of the lower hinge; an upper hinge having at least one shaft pivotally connected on the upper end of the link member so as to render the link member rotatably pivoted between the two upper frames of the upper hinge; at least a coupling assembly having one lower axle wheel and one upper axle wheel disposed between the lower end and the upper end of one side of the link member and between the lower frame and upper frame, respectively, and pivoted on the lower hinge and upper hinge, respectively, with a flexible cord engagingly secured between the lower and upper axle wheels; and at least an idle wheel pivoted on one side of the link member and between the lower and upper axle wheels to be interlacing engaged with the flexible cord and to form a coupling movement, such that the coupling assembly transforms the circular movement of the link member into a rotation for compensating displacement difference of two upper frames without affecting their original angle.
US07731135B2	Apparatus support console with adjustable support plate In an apparatus support console comprising a pedestal having a foot, a support column extending from the foot and pivot joint structures supported on the column and carrying an apparatus or an apparatus holder, a telescopic member is longitudinally movably supported in the column and/or between the pivot joint structures so as to be extendable or insertable and the telescopic structure is provided with locking means for locking the telescopic member to permit secure positioning of the apparatus and locking it in any position convenient to a user of an apparatus supported by the support console.
US07731134B1	Bag stand An apparatus or bag stand has at least one elongated bail having a pair of oppositely extending ears at each end for supporting and holding open a bag. An elongated slot is defined at least in part by the bail and co-extends therewith. Preferably, a support base elevates the bail in a substantially horizontal position allowing the bag to drape generally freely and downward from the bail. An external face of the bag contacts the portion of the support base that generally defines in part the slot as a portion of a continuous peripheral edge of the bag extrudes through the slot. The extruded portion of the peripheral edge is generally flipped or overturned about the bail and preferably tucked behind the ears so that an internal face of the bag is in contact with and generally encompasses the bail.
US07731133B2	Hold down device Embodiments of the present invention provide a hold down device for holding down a discharge hose during draining consists of a container filled with a filling material, a handle, a filling hole, a plug, feet, and a hose recess. The use of a hold down device of the present invention prevents the dislodging of a discharge hose while draining a septic holding tank from a recreational vehicle thus preventing spillage of waste material by covering the discharge hose and a sewer fitting and holding the sewer fitting within a refuse hole of a dump receptacle. Additionally, a hold down device embodiment of the present invention is easy and convenient to use while maintaining the proper functionality of holding a discharge hose and sewer fitting down during draining of the holding tank.
US07731129B2	Methods and systems for variable rate communication timeout Methods and systems for communicating with a vehicle are provided. The method includes providing a plurality of wayside control units controlling an area along a guideway to be traveled by the vehicle, the plurality of wayside control units including a database of fixed data defining an operational profile of the guideway in a local area of an associated wayside control unit. The method also includes monitoring dynamic data in the local area of the associated wayside control unit wherein the dynamic data includes at least one of guideway availability and signal status information and transmitting wirelessly an authority message including at least one of the fixed data and the dynamic data from the associated wayside unit to a receiver on board the vehicle, the authority message dynamic data being valid for a selectable one of a plurality of time periods.
US07731128B2	Mobile leading edge flap for a main wing of the aerofoils of an aircraft and main wing provided with such a flap The invention relates to a leading edge mobile flap (16) for a main wing of an aircraft, this flap including an aerodynamic skin (18) that has a bird impact-sensitive frontal area (24), and a rear skin (28) integral with the aerodynamic skin (18), the flap also comprising a plurality of ribs (34) spaced out along a leading edge longitudinal direction (X′). According to the invention, the flap additionally includes, between two directly consecutive ribs, a single rigid bird trajectory-deflecting wall (42) anchored to the skins (18, 28). Furthermore, in a cross-section taken along any plane orthogonal to the direction (X′), the wall (42) forms with a geometric chord (26) of the flap an angle (α1) with a value of less than 45°.
US07731124B2	Landing gear In an aircraft having an aircraft landing gear, the aircraft landing gear includes an arm, a leg and a bogie at the lower end of the leg. The bogie is moveable in a direction along the length of the leg and pivotable between a trimmed deployed position and a stowable position. The arm is mounted on the landing gear and is rotatable between a first position in which the bogie is positioned in the trimmed deployed position, and a second position in which the bogie is positioned in the stowable position. Movement of the arm can be effected by a positioning rotary actuator, which is not located in the primary or secondary load paths.
US07731122B2	Method for managing the wheel steering control of an aircraft The invention relates to a method for managing a steering control of an aircraft landing gear provided with at least one wheel steerable by the steering control, comprising the following steps: monitoring one or several taxi parameter(s) (51, 54, 64, 59, 61) of the aircraft to determine whether said aircraft enters a towing situation, setting the steering control in a free steering mode of the steerable wheel, if the aircraft enters the towing situation; activating the steering control so that the steerable wheel has an angular controlled steering by the steering control if the aircraft leaves said towing situation.
US07731121B2	Propulsive anti-torque system for rotorcraft A rotorcraft having an enhanced configuration in which a simple wing and a propulsive anti-torque system are combined is disclosed. The propulsive anti-torque system includes an anti-torque thruster system in which a variable pitch fan is installed internal to the tail boom of the rotorcraft and an anti-torque thruster nozzle is mounted at the extremity of the tail boom. The fan is driven directly from the main rotor drive. The configuration and location of the fan allows the primary exhaust from the engine to be mixed with the compressed air flow from the fan. The mixed air flow from the fan and the engine passes through the tail boom and out the thruster nozzle.
US07731117B2	Webbing winding device A webbing winding device includes a spool, a pair of leg plates, a torsion shaft, a first locking mechanism, a second locking mechanism, and a control mechanism. A webbing belt is wound onto the spool. The two leg plates oppose one another in an axial direction of the spool. The torsion shaft is provided passing through the spool and deforms when a torque is applied to the spool. The first locking mechanism, at the side of one of the leg plates, restricts rotation of the spool in an unwinding direction. The second locking mechanism, at the side of the other of the leg plates, switches from a lock-release state to a locking state, and restricts rotation of the torsion shaft in the unwinding direction. The control mechanism is provided passing through the spool and causes the second locking mechanism to switch into the locking state.
US07731115B2	Agitation system for blowing insulation machine A machine for distributing blowing insulation including a shredding chamber configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of low speed shredders, an agitator and a discharge mechanism. The agitator is mounted for rotation and rotates toward the discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism includes a side inlet configured to receive the blowing insulation from the agitator. A baffle is disposed between the agitator and the discharge mechanism. The baffle is configured to partially obstruct the side inlet of the discharge mechanism. The baffle allows finely shredded blowing insulation to enter the side inlet of the discharge mechanism and directs heavy clumps of blowing insulation past the side inlet of the discharge mechanism for eventual recycling into the low speed shredders.
US07731113B2	Crushing and grinding device, a soybean milk maker including said device and a method for making soybean milk The present application discloses a recirculating crushing and grinding device for crushing and grinding liquid-like materials or materials that contain liquid, said device comprises a motor, a hopper, a crushing and grinding part and a material recirculating part. Said crushing and grinding part includes a coarse-crushing section and a fine-grinding section, said fine grinding section comprises a pair of grinding components, and said material recirculating part comprises a pump and recirculating ducts provided downstream of said crushing-grinding part. The present application also discloses a soybean milk maker employing said recirculating crushing-grinding device, and a method for crushing and grinding a recirculated material and a method for producing soybean milk. The equipment disclosed in the present invention is easy to manufacture, with the advantages of a low noise during operation and low energy consumption.
US07731111B2	Apparatus and method for processing vegetative material An apparatus and method for generating a chosen, relatively uniform size of particles having a dry-to-the-touch feel and a pleasant odor from chipped slash or other vegetative material is described. When pine sap and/or other liquids are present in the starting materials, the teachings of the present invention permit the generation of particulates into which such substances are substantially uniformly absorbed. The process of the present invention has been successfully applied to chipped, live trees, dried tree materials, branches, needles, pine cones, hay, flowers, grass, berries, and shrubs.
US07731108B2	Electromagnetic fuel injection valve An electromagnetic fuel injection valve is provided in which a cylindrical magnetic body is welded to a valve seat member having at the rear end thereof a tubular press-fit portion press-fitted into a front portion of the cylindrical magnetic body, a valve body is housed in the valve seat member while being spring-biased in a direction that seats the valve body on a valve seat, and a movable core facing a fixed core is coaxially connected to the valve body, wherein the valve seat member (10) includes the tubular press-fit portion (10a), a large diameter portion (10b) that has substantially the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the cylindrical magnetic body (9), and an annular shoulder portion (10c) that is formed as a flat face perpendicular to the outer peripheral face of the tubular press-fit portion (10a) and provides a connection between the tubular press-fit portion (10a) and the large diameter portion (10b), an annular abutment receiving face (9a) at the front end of the cylindrical magnetic body (9) is formed so as to define a right angle relative to the inner peripheral face of the cylindrical magnetic body (9), the annular abutment receiving face (9a) abutting against the annular shoulder portion (10c) over substantially the entire face, and the front end of the cylindrical magnetic body (9) and the abutment portion of the valve seat member (10) are welded together along the entire periphery. This enables the thickness of the cylindrical magnetic body to be reduced, thus making it small and improving the responsiveness.
US07731107B2	Component incorporated in a plumbing system The invention concerns a sanitary component (1) that has a jet regulating device (4) in the interior of a mounting housing (6). The jet regulating device (4) includes at least one directly-mounted element (5) housed in the mounting housing (6), this element being provided with ridges (11) transverse to the flow direction and defining between them passageways (12). The invention is characterized in that the ridges (11) of at least one directly mounted element (5) are arranged in the form of a grid or network and intersect at junction points. The component (1) according to the invention, which can be manufactured inexpensively, exhibits the best possible jet regulating characteristics, even if the transverse surface is relatively small; moreover, the component (1) according to the invention requires little maintenance, without any risk of malfunction resulting from dirt carried by the liquid flow.
US07731106B2	Air driven delivery system for sprayable media The present invention relates generally to a gas-compression spray device, wherein the nozzle assembly containing all of the wettable parts is detachable from the body of the spray device.
US07731100B2	Joining the mixing and variable gas atomizing of reactive chemicals in flue gas cleaning systems for removal of sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and mercury Diverse methods of utilization and the corresponding, related modifications, of linear type, Variable Gas Atomization (VGA) nozzles and lances are described. Therein is joined the mixing and gas atomization of chemicals that react to form active products that further react with harmful flue gas constituents of combustion so as to enable their effective collection. One version combines, in a lance assembly of nozzles, the injection of reactants, in the form of finely divided dry solids conveyed in a carrier air stream, and the fine atomization of water, aqueous solutions or slurries. Atomization of such streams is employed to effectively wet the surfaces of the dry particles and, thereby, promote the rapid sorption of gaseous constituents of flue gas being treated. Another version simultaneously mixes and atomizes reacting chemicals to produce, and release into the flue gas stream, strongly oxidizing, transient, species of their reaction products. The simultaneous atomization and chemical reaction enables the effective capture of targeted flue gas constituents.
US07731099B2	Stacked railway tie A railway tie is disclosed having stackable decks for reducing ballast migration in areas where the crib is reduced or removed in order to accommodate additional railway equipment. The stackable railway tie can include a base deck, a top deck, and a fastening system for securing the top deck to the base deck. A second fastening system may be integrated in the railway tie for securing one or more rails to the top deck. The top deck can be configured to transmit a load, such as that from the weight of a train, to the base deck. A ballast displacement system can be provided to distribute a load on the base deck to ballast under the railway tie. One or more top decks may be used in connection with electrically insulating the rails. Nonconductive deck spacers and side posts may insulate the top deck from the bottom deck. Side posts may electrically insulate the base deck from the fastener system.
US07731098B2	Thermostat responsive to inputs from external devices A thermostat is provided that receives one or more inputs from at least one heating system of a climate control system, and initiates an appropriate action in response to the input. The thermostat can turn off a heat pump providing substandard heat and responsively turn on a fuel-fired auxiliary furnace. The thermostat may discontinue further operation of the auxiliary furnace upon receiving an operating error signal associated with the auxiliary furnace, and responsively turn on the heat pump to provide for continued heating. The thermostat may also discontinue operation of the fuel-fired furnace and turn on a circulating fan in response to an input signal indicating a furnace high-temperature or a carbon monoxide presence.
US07731097B2	Liquid conservation device and a liquid apparatus incorporating the liquid conservation device A water saving device for us in a hot water system to recover an initial volume of cold water when a hot water tap is turned on. The device has an inlet for receiving water piped from a water heater, a primary outlet for delivering hot water to a tap, and a by-pass outlet through which any cooled water is diverted by a thermally actuated shuttle valve. The device also includes a secondary valve for closing off the by-pass outlet when the water pressure downstream of the primary outlet is high (such as when the down stream hot water delivery tap is closed and opening the by pass outlet when the water pressure downstream of the primary outlet is low, such as when the downstream hot water delivery tap is opened.
US07731096B2	Controller for two-stage heat source usable with single and two stage thermostats A controller for a two-stage heat source is provide, which may be connected to either a single stage or a two-stage thermostat to provide low stage heating for a variable time period before switching to high stage heating. The controller includes at least a first terminal for receiving a signal requesting heating from a single-stage thermostat or a two-stage thermostat connected to the first terminal. A microcontroller in communication with the first terminal determines a duty cycle value for a heating cycle based on the duration in which a signal at the first terminal is present relative to the duration of the heating cycle. The microcontroller determines a low stage time limit from the duty cycle, and provides low stage heating when a signal is present at the first terminal for a time period not more than the time limit, and switches to high stage heating after the time limit.
US07731094B2	Method and apparatus for personalizing contactless card with switch An identification token is provided which includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) integrated circuit (IC), an antenna and a switch. The switch is normally in a first state and is actuatable by a user's finger to a second state different from the first state. The identification token includes a conductive connection connected to at least one of the RFID IC and the antenna. The identification token is enabled to send and receive signals so long as the conductive connection is unbroken. The identification token is subjected to a personalization process and the conductive connection is broken after or during the personalization process. After the conductive connection is broken, the switch operates to switch the identification token between operative and in operative states. Before the conductive connection is broken, the switch is actuatable but actuating the switch does not change the state of the identification token.
US07731093B2	Image reading/forming apparatus and method An RFID tag formed on an original includes a storage unit which stores data representing, e.g., the number of times of scan of the original and the generation from a parent original, and a transmitter/receiver which transmits and receives the data by radio. A read/write circuit receives data from an RFID tag of an original by radio. On the basis of the received data, read of the original is controlled. While the original is being read, the received data is edited in accordance with the control. The read/write circuit transmits and writes the edited data in the RFID tag.
US07731080B2	Anti-sifting polygonal carton An anti-sifting polygonal carton stores granulated and powdered products. The carton starts as a single blank with four sections: a side, a front, a side, and a rear. The sides have a side panel with two flanking miter panels and two minor flaps. Each miter panel has two opposite miter flaps with embossing. The front has a front panel with a second major flap having a tear strip and an opposite second major lower flap having a crease. Separated from the front by a side, the rear has a rear panel having a miter tab opposite the side and a first major flap and an opposite first major lower flap. The fold lines continuous with the miter flaps and the miter tab are reinforced with tape or patches. The tear strip and top of the carton have a pattern of cuts to open and to reclose the carton.
US07731078B2	Semiconductor system with fine pitch lead fingers A semiconductor package system includes providing a die having a plurality of contact pads. A leadframe is formed having a plurality of lead fingers with the plurality of lead fingers having a fine pitch and each having a substantially trapezoidal cross-section. A plurality of bumps is formed on the plurality of lead fingers, the plurality of bumps are on the tops and extend down the sides of the plurality of lead fingers. A plurality of bond wires is attached to the plurality of contact pads and to the plurality of bumps. An encapsulant is formed over the plurality of lead fingers, the die, and the plurality of bond wires, the encapsulant leaving lower surfaces of the plurality of lead fingers exposed.
US07731074B2	Portable, self-contained soldering system A portable soldering system has a caddy collar atop the rim of a bucket and a torch, the flame end of which may heat the tip of a soldering iron. A gas canister, connected to the torch, protrudes from the bucket through a seating opening in the side wall of the bucket. A torch mount positions the torch and the gas canister. The caddy collar has a cradle that may seat the soldering iron.
US07731070B2	Method and device for applying a pressure roller to a goods guiding roller A method and an apparatus are for applying a rotationally driven pressure roller (4) onto a rotationally driven goods guiding roller (3) in stretching equipment for thermoplastic films. The pressure roller (4) is advanced in the direction of the goods guiding roller (3) by at least one first pressurizable piston-cylinder unit (7) in such a manner so that after the advancement an axis-parallel remaining stroke exists between the pressure roller (4) and the goods guiding roller (3). Then at least one second pressurizable piston-cylinder unit (8) operatively connected with the first piston-cylinder unit (7) carries out the remaining stroke, while maintaining the axis-parallelism, until a touching contact exists between the pressure roller (4) and the goods guiding roller (3). Then the pressure roller (4) becomes effective with a nominal pressing force onto the goods guiding roller (3).
US07731067B2	Device for the metered dispensation of a medium A device for the dosed output of a medium from a container through an opening in an upper housing part. A valve piston tip is associated with said opening for the closing thereof. A piston surface, which is pressed against a spring, is adjacent to the valve piston tip and is used as part of a valve piston, which is sealingly guided in a piston chamber in the upper part of the housing and forms a filling chamber which is connected to the container, between the upper part of the housing and the opening.
US07731066B2	Closure There is disclosed a closure comprised of a valve, a base unit and an upper unit. The base unit has a base surface with a peripheral skirt. The base surface has an aperture with a cylindrical section extending above and below the base surface. The cylindrical section has an aperture therethrough. The upper unit has an upper surface and an aperture adapted to align with the aperture of the cylindrical section of said base unit. The upper unit has a lid to cover the apertures in the base unit cylindrical section and the upper unit. A lid inner top surface has two projecting seals, one to maintain the valve closed when the lid is closed and the other to provide a seal when the lid is closed. and a latch mechanism attaches the base unit to the upper unit. A preferred latch mechanism comprises a projection and an interfitting recess, one being on the base section and the other on the upper section. The lid top surface preferably has an essential horizontal top surface. In a preferred embodiment the valve is a polymeric valve located in the aperture between the base unit and the upper unit and held in place by contact with both the base unit and the upper unit. The rheology of the product in the container and the characteristics of the valve are coordinated so that the product will be fully contained by the valve regardless of the orientation of the container, including being inverted.
US07731061B1	Wearable toy with rotatable discharge pods for firing projectiles and methods A wearable toy having an outer housing capable of rotating around a wearable component with more than one pod at the outer housing each able to receive a contained discharge element. The pods are engaged by an actuator assembly which operates to project the contained discharge element of each pod. The pods at the outer housing may receive, e.g., a removable canister containing the discharge elements. The actuator assembly includes a first actuator coupled to the wearable component for manipulation by a user and a second actuator capable of engaging the first actuator projecting the contained discharge element of each of the plurality of pods. The canister may include a second actuator coupled and capable of engagement with the first actuator as the outer housing member is rotated to allow alignment of first and second actuators for projecting the contained discharge element.
US07731059B2	Liquid crystal dispensing apparatus having confirming function for remaining amount of liquid crystal and method for measuring the same A liquid crystal dispensing apparatus determines an amount of liquid crystal remaining within a liquid crystal container. The apparatus includes a liquid crystal dispensing unit for containing dispensable liquid crystal, capable of be dispensed directly onto a substrate and a main control unit for determining a total amount of liquid crystal dispensed onto the substrate based on a unitary amount of liquid crystal dispensed and the number of times the unitary amount was dispensed, and determining an amount of liquid crystal remaining by deducting the determined total amount dispensed from an initial amount of liquid crystal contained within the liquid crystal dispensing unit.
US07731058B2	Semi-automatic dispenser for disposable cups Semi-automatic dispenser for disposable cups, comprising a semi-automatic dispensing mechanism (1-50), defined by a box (2-51) having in its upper section a tubular drawer (4-43) for the accommodation of several common disposable cups (C), arranged as a stack with their mouths facing downwards, and further, each cup is expected to be dispensed in a bottom drawer (6-62).
US07731057B2	Moist towelette packaging The new invention allows for easy retrieval of fall backs and eases the initial threading process upon initial opening/use of the package. Threading is done without removing the cap. Several of the embodiments allow refills to be inserted into the canister without removing the lid/cap. The layout of the dispensing system and the geometry and shape of the dispensing orifice/aperture minimize and mitigate product fall backs. The new invention improves performance of the orifices/apertures through unique geometry and shape as well as using different materials from existing products or the combination of multiple materials. Varying orifice diameter, co-molded density and stiffness or geometry of the actual lobes defining the dispensing aperture allows the precise amount of friction to be created in the dispensing opening for selectively grabbing or releasing the towelette, thereby tearing the towelette connecting perforations at just the right time.
US07731056B2	Dispenser assembly for dispensing gloves including a cartridge and a dispenser with a glove pusher A dispenser for dispensing gloves is provided which includes a housing having an exit port, the housing also formed to include a compartment which is configured to hold a plurality of gloves therein. The dispenser includes a glove pusher movably coupled to the housing. At least a portion of the glove pusher is configured to move within the compartment of the housing and push at least a portion of a glove disposed in the compartment through the exit port. A cartridge configured to be disposed into a compartment of a dispenser is disclosed. The cartridge is formed to permit a portion of a dispenser to move into the internal compartment of the cartridge to move at least one of the plurality of gloves at least partially through the at least one opening in the cartridge. A dispensing assembly also may include a stack of gloves or a cartridge containing a plurality of gloves. A method of using a glove dispenser is also provided.
US07731055B2	Lid opening mechanism A lid opening mechanism (A) for opening a lid element (1) on a first side (Y1) around the first axis of rotation (21) of the lid or selectively on the other side (Y1) around of the second axis or rotation (22), wherein each first (21) and second (22) axes of rotation are formed by the front (21a or 21b) or rear (22a or 22b) element of the axis of rotation and a lid actuating device (B) comprises hinge strips (30a, 30b) each of which is rotating mounted in the area or the first lid-opening side (11) on the thrust sides (6a, 6b) of the lid element (D) transversally with respect to the longitudinal sides (11, 12) and bearing devices (63a, 63b; 62a, 62b) for receiving the elements (21a, 21 or 22a, 22b) of the axes of rotation.
US07731054B1	Beverage urn with handle assembly A beverage urn (10) with a thin-walled glass body (12) having a flat bottom (14), a cylindrical containment section (16) and a cylindrical neck (22) with a circular top edge (24) surrounding a top opening (26) and an outwardly downwardly body section (18) extending from the bottom of the neck (22) to the top of the cylindrical containment section (16). Attached to the outwardly extending body section (18) and overlying the top opening (26) is a handle assembly (28) with an L-shaped handle (40) carried by a mounting body (30) that protectively overlies the circular top edge (24) and surrounds the cylindrical neck (22) in protective spaced relationship. The handle assembly (28) is secured to the outwardly extending body section (18) by means of a mating set of ratchet gear teeth (52,54) respectively carried by mating connection portions of an internal mounting ring (44) and the mounting body (30). The internal mounting ring (44) is preferably made of resilient, moldable plastic that is installed into the interior of the glass body (12) in the mounting position (FIG. 3) by distorting the outwardly extending, frustoconical mounting section (46) of mounting ring (44) as needed to push it though top opening (26) of the glass body (12).
US07731045B2	Wall outlet box for a dryer vent exhaust conduit with pipe support tab A wall outlet box having a plurality of walls defining an enclosure open at the front thereof is provided. The enclosure can include a back, opposing sides, a top, and a bottom. Forward facing edges of the enclosure can define a front periphery with a mounting lip extending therefrom for mounting the outlet box into a wall. At least one port is provided to engage with a dryer exhaust conduit and at least one measurement member extends from an edge of the port. The at least one measurement member can extend to at least a length approximately equal to a length of the protruding exhaust conduit sufficient to securely attach a flexible hose thereto, such that the exhaust conduit may be placed against the measurement member as a template prior to installation and cutting of the exhaust conduit and the outlet box.
US07731039B1	Retail display The disclosure shows a retail display stand that can be used to display products sold in tapered packages. The display stand has at least one row of upper product apertures and a corresponding row of lower product apertures. The lower product apertures have a lateral dimension that is smaller than the corresponding lateral dimension of the upper product apertures. The stand also has distinct forward and back sets of product apertures. The back apertures have a lateral dimension that is smaller than the corresponding lateral dimension of the forward apertures. The difference in sizing causes tapered packages in the back row to sit in an elevated position with respect to the packages in the forward row of apertures, improving purchaser visibility of the back row of products and creating a better retail display.
US07731037B2	Separating sand from fluids produced by a well A settling system may be used to separate and/or remove solid particles, such as sand, from fluids produced by wells. The container of the settling system may be cleaned without need for manned-entry.
US07731036B2	Reversible vacuum filter cartridge A reversible vacuum filter cartridge for connection to a pair of tubes or other entities to filter a liquid medium placed in one of the tubes or other entities is described. The filter cartridge is comprised of a male coupling and a female coupling. The couplings are interconnected to one another by simply pushing a mating projection of the male coupling into a mating cavity of the female coupling. A connecting port is provided in the male and female coupling and has a conduit communicating with tube connecting ends of each of the couplings which communicate with an open end of a tube connected to each of the couplings. The connecting port is identical in each of the couplings and serves either as vacuum port or an air intake port. A filter disk is retained captive between perforated outer walls of each of the couplings when interconnected together in fluid-tight relationship.
US07731031B1	Cleanup kit for compact fluorescent light bulbs and associated methods A compact fluorescent cleanup kit is disclosed, which comprises a plurality of member elements. The member elements comprise printed instructions, at least one glove, at least one mask, at least one eye protection member, at least one sealable container, at least one cleanup scoop, at least one single-sided adhesive member, and at least one towelette. The at least one glove, at least one mask, and at least one eye protection member may be donned to protect a user from exposure to metal contaminants that may be released when a compact fluorescent bulb is damaged. The at least one cleanup scoop, at least one single-sided adhesive member, and at least one towelette may be used to collect all debris from a damaged compact fluorescent bulb into the at least one sealable container.
US07731025B2	Packaging cushion assembly A packaging cushion assembly includes at least one foldable packaging plate including a base plate that has two opposite first sides, two opposite second sides, two opposite first side plates connected respectively and foldably to the first sides, and two opposite second side plates connected respectively and foldably to the second sides. Each of the first and second side plates has an outer wall plate section connected foldably to the respective first or second side, a spacer plate section connected foldably to the outer wall plate section, and an inner wall plate section connected foldably to the spacer plate section. The outer wall plate section of each second side plate has two connecting plates respectively and foldably connected to two ends thereof.
US07731024B2	Tongue-lid pack for rod-shaped smoking articles and a blank thereof A tongue-lid pack has an outer box (2) whose upper end is open, an inner pack (6) contained in the outer box (2) and having filter cigarettes, and a tongue lid (16) for opening/closing the open end of the outer box (2). A front wall (20) of the outer box (2) has a depression (21) that accepts a tip end portion (26) of a tongue (22) of the tongue lid (16) when the tongue (22) is superimposed upon the front wall (20), and the tip end portion (26) sinks in the front wall (20).
US07731023B1	Portable storage and display case for military decorations and jewelry A portable storage and display case for valuable items such as military decorations and jewelry having a rigid front member, and a rigid rear member, a spine joining the front member with the rear member, and an interior surface having first and second interior pockets, capable of holding an insert capable of slidably connecting into the first and second interior pockets. A portfolio further comprising at least one sheet of a recoverable plastic portfolio sheet capable of receiving pins and folded into halves. A padded protector panel having at least one pocket therein, and disposed between the two halves of the recoverable plastic portfolio sheet so that the two halves do not come into contact with one another.
US07731020B2	Conveyor with attachments A conveyor assembly is provided, which includes a link belt formed of a plurality of overlapping belt links. A plurality of engagement elements are attached to the link belt to form an upper surface. In one embodiment, the link belt includes a plurality of apertures and the engagement elements comprises connectors that cooperate with the apertures to connect the engagement elements to the link belt. The upper surface of the engagement elements may be configured in a variety of forms. In one embodiment, the engagement elements comprise a protuberance that projects upwardly to form a point of limited contact.
US07731004B2	Brake lining with damper plate The invention relates to a brake lining (1) comprising a lining support plate (2) which is provided with a friction lining (7) arranged on the surface thereof. A damper plate (3) is placed on the opposite to the friction lining (7) second face of the lining support plate (2). Said damper plate (3) comprises integrated anchoring elements (4) for preventing lateral sliding thereof, wherein said anchoring elements (4) pass through a recess embodied in the lining support plate (2) and are engaged with the friction lining (7). Damping layer (6) on which a brake piston can act during braking is disposed on the damper plate (3) opposite to the lining support plate (2). An adhesive layer (8) is applied between the damper plate (3) and the lining support plate (2) in such a way that the damper plate (3) is fixable to the lining support plate (2).
US07731002B2	Disc brake The invention relates to a disc brake having a brake carrier which is fastenable to a vehicle frame and provided with studs for guiding at least one brake lining axially with respect to a brake disc, wherein the brake lining includes U-shaped recesses for the studs into which the studs engage, and wherein during braking tensile forces and/or compressive forces are exerted upon inner surfaces of the recesses. The invention is characterized in that an inner surface of at least one of the U-shaped recesses, which surface bears against a respective stud during a brake actuation, is angled with respect to a central plane of the brake lining such that a force that arises between the said surface and the respective stud during braking presses the brake lining into a stable position with respect to the studs. The invention also relates to a brake lining for use in such a disc brake.
US07731000B2	Roll-calling mechanism based vision system for elevator positioning A positioning system having a plurality of transponder modules each located at a known location for receiving an electromagnetic signal and emitting a light signal, at least one transceiver module for emitting an electromagnetic signal and receiving the light signal, and apparatus processing the received light signal to determine a position of the at least one transceiver module.
US07730999B2	Elevator group supervisory control system using target route preparation An elevator group control system includes a reference route generating portion, which for each elevator, generates a reference route which the elevator should follow with respect to the time axis and position axis; and an assignment portion which selects an elevator for assignment to a generated hall call so as to make the actual trajectory of each elevator closer to its reference route. Reference routes which guide the cage's trajectory into temporally equal interval condition are generated, and car assignment is executed to allow the cages to settle in temporally equal interval condition over a long period of time.
US07730998B2	Elevator apparatus In an elevator apparatus, a brake device stops a car from running. The brake device can adjust the magnitude of part of a total braking force generated at a time of emergency braking of the car. As an example of the brake device, the brake device has a nonadjustable brake portion for immediately generating a braking force without making an adjustment thereof at the time of emergency braking of the car, and an adjustable brake portion for generating a braking force while making an adjustment thereof at the time of emergency braking of the car.
US07730995B2	Acoustic apparatus Acoustic noise from relatively high pressure gas flows as a result of opening for example a bypass valve in a gas turbine engine can cause problems. By provision of an acoustic apparatus incorporating an inner chamber where there is a pressure reduction and then a chamber divider surface incorporating small apertures with a wide spacing distribution an upward shift in acoustic frequency of the gas flow is achieved beyond normal human comprehension. An outer chamber is provided to receive the fine gas flow jets from the apertures in the chamber divider surface for further pressure reduction and low pressure release through wider apertures in an exit surface.
US07730990B2	Restraint system for a hood lift device A hood lift device with a restraint system is disclosed. The system can include a catching hole configured to constrain an actuator tip within a hood after the hood lift device is deployed. By engaging the hood lift device with a hood, the hood may be restrained from contacting a windshield.
US07730988B2	Rear wheel suspension for a motorcycle and swing arm attachment structure for a motorcycle A rear wheel suspension for a motorcycle can sufficiently ensure the stroke of a rear cushion and can enhance traveling performance of a vehicle by lowering the gravity center of the vehicle. A swing arm includes an upper arm swingably connecting a body frame with the upper portion of a power transmission portion. A lower arm swingably connects the body frame with the lower portion of the power transmission portion. The axial center of the upper end support portion of a rear cushion is swingably supported by the upper arm at a position forward of the axial center of the support portion. The axial center of the lower support portion of the rear cushion can swingably be supported by the lower arm at a position rearward of the axial center of the support portion swingably supporting the lower arm and the body frame with respect to the vehicle.
US07730987B2	Motorcycle A motorcycle is provided having an engine disposed between a front wheel and a rear wheel and functional components, e.g., a first radiator, a fuel pump, a rear shock absorber, etc., are arranged, as viewed from the side, on a circumference of a circle with a radius R corresponding to a distance from a crankshaft, serving as a center, to a corner of an oil pan, serving as a part of the engine most distant from the crankshaft, to concentrate the functional components of the motorcycle at positions substantially equidistant from the crankshaft of the engine whereby a mass concentration toward the vehicle body center of a motorcycle is achieved.
US07730982B2	Oil pump driving control device for a hybrid vehicle In general, an oil pump driving control device for a hybrid vehicle is described. A hybrid vehicle includes a drive-train configured and arranged to transmit power in the order of an engine, a first clutch, a motor generator, a second clutch and a drive wheel, and an oil pump operably configured and arranged at a location between the first clutch and the second clutch such that the oil pump is mechanically driven by at least one of the engine and the motor generator. The invention provides an oil pump driving control device that supplies the necessary oil pressure for an automatic transmission with only a single mechanical oil pump. For example, even when it is not possible to maintain tightening of the second clutch, oil pressure may be supplied by rotating the oil pump using the motor generator. In this way, the oil pressure may be supplied with a single oil pump.
US07730981B2	Lift truck with hybrid power source A lift truck power source includes a hybrid power supply including a storage battery, a capacitor bank, and optionally a fuel cell. The capacitor bank stores power produced during regeneration by either the truck traction system or the lift system and delivers current when current demand exceeds that delivered by the fuel cell. The storage battery or fuel cell acts as a main power supply to deliver current at a rate sufficient to power the lift truck. When the fuel cell is the main power supply, the storage battery stores power during times when current demand is less than that delivered by the fuel cell and delivers current at times when current demand is greater than that delivered by the fuel cell. When the storage battery is the main power supply, the fuel cell supplements the power delivered by the storage battery, and can also recharge the storage battery.
US07730977B2	Cutting tool insert and drill bit so equipped A polycrystalline diamond abrasive cutting element consists generally of a layer of high grade polycrystalline diamond bonded to a cemented carbide substrate. The polycrystalline diamond layer has a working surface and an outer peripheral surface and is characterized by having an annular region or a portion thereof adjacent the peripheral surface that is lean in catalyzing material. A region adjacent the working surface is also lean in catalyzing material such that in use, as a wear scar develops, both the leading edge and the trailing edge thereof are located in a region lean in catalyzing material.
US07730976B2	Impregnated rotary drag bit and related methods A drill bit is provided that employs a plurality of discrete, post-like, abrasive, particulate-impregnated cutting structures extending upwardly from the bit face. The cutting structures may be disposed on abrasive, particulate-impregnated blades that also define a plurality of fluid passages on the bit face. One or more of the cutting structures may include outermost ends that exhibit a cross-sectional geometry that is elongated in a direction along a defined axis. The cutting structures may be oriented such that the defined axis is neither coplanar with, nor parallel to, an intended rotational path of the at least one discrete cutting structure during operation of the bit. In one embodiment, the cutting structure is oriented such that the defined axis is at an acute angle relative to a tangent of the intended rotational path for the associated cutting structure. Other or different features may include, for example, additional, differently configured cutting elements.
US07730974B2	Self actuating underreamer An underreamer for well drilling comprises pivotally extendible roller cutters that extend slightly beyond the diameter of the pilot drill bit but are retained in their retracted position by the casing. Upon encountering an obstruction, the underreamer is pushed out of the casing, allowing the outer edges of the cutters to contact the obstruction. Continued downward pressure of the drill stem causes the roller arms to pivot outward to a fully extended position in which the cutters enlarge the hole to a diameter larger than the casing by rotation of the drilling stem. The advance of the casing relative to the underreamer forces the cutters to retract into the casing.
US07730970B2	Drilling efficiency through beneficial management of rock stress levels via controlled oscillations of subterranean cutting levels A device and system for improving efficiency of subterranean cutting elements uses a controlled oscillation super imposed on steady drill bit rotation to maintain a selected rock fracture level. In one aspect, a selected oscillation is applied to the cutting element so that at least some of the stress energy stored in an earthen formation is maintained after fracture of the rock is initiated. Thus, this maintained stress energy can thereafter be used for further crack propagation. In one embodiment, an oscillation device positioned adjacent to the drill bit provides the oscillation. A control unit can be used to operate the oscillation device at a selected oscillation. In one arrangement, the control unit performs a frequency sweep to determine an oscillation that optimizes the cutting action of the drill bit and configures the oscillation device accordingly. One or more sensors connected to the control unit measure parameters used in this determination.
US07730968B2	Apparatus for wellbore communication Methods and apparatus for communicating between surface equipment and downhole equipment. One embodiment of the invention provides a wellhead assembly that allows electrical power and signals to pass into and out of the well during drilling operations, without removing the valve structure above the wellhead. Another embodiment of the invention provides an electromagnetic casing antenna system for two-way communication with downhole tools. Another embodiment of the invention provides an antenna module for a resistivity sub that effectively controls and seals the primary/secondary interface gap.
US07730962B1	Adjustable scraper assembly for planter gauge wheels An adjustable scraper assembly for clearing mud and trash from the gauge wheel tires of an agricultural planter includes a support rod connected to the planter, a clamp assembly attached to the support rod, and a scraper blade attached to the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly has first and second clamping blocks that function together to allow pivotal adjustment of the scraper blade relative to the support rod about three nonparallel axes of rotation and sliding adjustment along at least one linear direction relative to the support rod. The support rod is attached to the planter using a third clamping block clamped to the hub of a gauge wheel arm. The third clamping block can be used to provide an additional adjustment of the support rod relative to the gauge wheel arm.
US07730960B1	Turf aeration device An improved turf aeration device is provided, where the device has a frame having a journalled drive shaft, and the frame is attachable to a pulling vehicle having a power take-off portion; where the device has a power transfer means, attachable between the drive shaft and the power take-off portion, for transferring power from the power take-off portion to the drive shaft; and a plurality of aerator mechanisms operatively attached to the drive shaft and the frame, each aerator mechanism having a lower link member, with a base end and a distal end, where the base end is pivotally attached to the frame; a tine holder pivotally attached to the distal end of the lower link member, where the improvement includes a roller frame rigidly attached to the frame, the roller frame having two spaced apart, and a slideable member adapted to allow limited rotation of the aeration device toward or away from the pulling device.
US07730959B2	Early suppression fast response fire protection sprinkler An early suppression fast response pendent-type fire protection sprinkler is suitable for use in accordance with one or more of NFPA 13, NFPA 231 and NFPA 231C to protect single row rack storage, double row rack storage and multiple row rack storage, the sprinkler having a K-factor of about 25 and flowing pressure of about 15 pounds per square inch. Preferably, the sprinkler has a body defining an orifice and an outlet for delivering a flow of fluid from a source, and a deflector mounted with a first surface opposed to flow of fluid from the outlet. The deflector defines at least one pair of generally opposed reentrant slots extending from the first surface through the deflector, the reentrant slots extending from slot openings at an outer peripheral edge of the deflector inwardly from the peripheral edge toward a deflector axis.
US07730947B2	Creating fluid injectivity in tar sands formations Methods for treating a tar sands formation are described herein. Methods for treating a tar sands may include heating a portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the portion. The heat may be controlled to increase the permeability of at least part of the portion to create an injection zone in the portion with an average permeability sufficient to allow injection of a fluid through the injection zone. A drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid may be provided into the injection zone. At least some hydrocarbons are produced from the portion.
US07730944B2	Multi-function completion tool A multi-functional completion tool which may be lowered into a wellbore coupled to a length of tubing, and then utilized to test various lengths of the tubing at pressure. The tool may also function as a positive plug and may also be used to set the packer, and is also useable as a tubing self-filling tool. Various retention elements are disposed within the tool and configured to release at predetermined pressures, or within predetermined ranges of pressure, thereby transforming the tool from a first configuration to a second configuration depending on the desired function. The tool may also contain a pressure-regulating assembly for regulating the differential pressure across the assembly. The tool may also include an indicator assembly for confirming that the tool has entered a plugging configuration, typically by altering a pressure within the tubing, such alteration being detectible at a surface location.
US07730943B2	Determination of azimuthal offset and radius of curvature in a deviated borehole using periodic drill string torque measurements Methods and apparatus for determining the direction of borehole azimuthal offset and the borehole radius of curvature. Rotation rate of a borehole assembly is measured and mathematically converted into azimuthal torque imparted to the borehole assembly. Relative azimuthal offset is determined from variations in azimuthal torque over a rotation cycle of the borehole assembly. Relative radius of curvature is obtained from the magnitude of azimuthal torque over a rotation cycle. Relative azimuthal offset is converted to true azimuthal offset using an independent reference angle measurement. Relative borehole curvature is converted to true radius of curvature using a calibration constant determined in known borehole conditions.
US07730942B2	Method and equipment for the reduction of multiple dispersions A method and equipment for reducing or avoiding multiple dispersions in fluid flows each having two or more non-mixable fluid components with different specific gravities and viscosities, in particular fluid flows of oil, gas and water from different oil/gas production wells (B1-B8) in formations beneath the surface of the earth or sea. The fluid flow from each well (B1-B8), depending on whether it is oil-continuous (o/w) or water-continuous (w/o), is fed to a transport pipeline (T) so that the oil-continuous fluid flows (o/w) are supplied to the transport line (T) first and the water-continuous fluid flows (w/o) second, or the two fluid flows (o/w, w/o) are fed to two separate transport lines (T1, T2). In a preferred embodiment, the two separate transport lines (T1, T2) may be connected to a common transport line (T); the two fluid flows (o/w, w/o) are mixed before further transport and any subsequent separation in a separator. In another preferred embodiment, each of the fluid flows in the respective transport lines (T1, T2) may be fed to a common separator (H) or its own independent separator.
US07730938B2	Continuous sucker rod and method of using same A continuous sucker rod preferably comprising fiberglass or composite material for use in an well is described herein. The continuous sucker rod may be connected at one end to a pump drive, via a polished rod, and at a second end to a downhole pump, via sinker bars or other weights. The continuous sucker rod preferably has at least two end fittings, one at each end of the continuous sucker rod. The end fittings, each having two ends and each being attached, at one end, to a respective end of the continuous sucker rod. The end fittings are preferably configured to enable connection to the polished rod and sinker bars respectively. The end fittings are connected to the continuous sucker rod so as to form wedges which enhance the connectability of the end fitting to the rod, and further, the wedge or wedges approach the rod asymptotically so as to avoid any abrupt discontinuities in the wedge or wedges thus substantially eliminating stress concentration areas and potential failure areas in the rod.
US07730937B2	Electric submersible pump and motor assembly An assembly for downhole applications comprises has an electric motor, a pump driven by the electric motor and having a lower pump inlet and an upper pump outlet, and a deployment tube from which the assembly is suspended from and by means of which the assembly can be lowered through the well. A nonrotating hollow shaft forms a bore extending from the tube through the motor and the pump to an assembly opening at the bottom of the assembly such that a device suspended on a wireline or coiled tube may be lowered through the deployment tube and pass through the electric motor and pump to a part of the well below the pump inlet. The motor is linked outside the bore to the pump for driving the pump.
US07730933B2	Ceramics particle A ceramics particle produced by a flame fusion method, containing MgO and SiO2 as main components, and having a MgO/SiO2 weight ratio of from 1.0:1 to 1.45:1, and an average particle size of from 0.001 to 1.5 mm; a spherical molding sand containing MgO and SiO2 as main components, and having a MgO/SiO2 weight ratio of from 1.0:1 to 1.45:1, and an average particle size of from 0.001 to 1.5 mm, produced by a flame fusion method; a spherical molding sand, comprising MgO and SiO2 as main components, and having a MgO/SiO2 weight ratio of from 1.0:1 to 1.45:1, an average particle size of from 0.001 to 1.5 mm, and a spherical degree of 0.95 or more; a process for producing the above spherical molding sand; a casting mold containing the spherical molding sand as defined above; and a casting produced by casting with the mold as defined above.
US07730925B1	Collapsable screen and design method Several embodiments of a collapsible screen employing novel folding structures have many possible uses: window shade, room divider, decorative backdrop, wall hanging, and others. A disclosed method allows its user to design many embodiments of the screen. The method incorporates three modifiable sets or databases: a set (220) of patterns, a set (221) of criteria by which a possible embodiment is evaluated for practicability, and a set (222) of transformations which can be applied to the possible embodiment to improve it with respect to the criteria (221). The sets can change to reflect new assumptions, design characteristics, and hardware.
US07730920B2	Elastic composite, and a system and method for making the elastic composite A method of making an elastic composite is provided. The method entails conveying a first web of material along a web plane path. The method also entails applying a first section of a first elastic strand onto the first web and generally transversely to the web plane path and applying a second section of a second elastic strand onto the first web and generally transversely to the web plane path. These applying steps are repeated while performing the conveying step, thereby arranging a plurality of first and second elastic elements on the first web, in generally parallel relation to one another. The resultant composite is suitable for incorporation into a disposable absorbent garment, textile or fabric structure, and the like.
US07730919B2	Laminate and pneumatic tires made by using the same A laminate of an air permeation preventive layer an adhesive layer provided with an air permeation preventive layer comprising a thermoplastic elastomer composition containing a thermoplastic resin as a continuous phase and a rubber composition dispersed therein as a dispersed phase and arranged on one surface of the air permeation preventive layer, an adhesive composition layer having a thickness of 100 μm or less, a self tack of less than 5N and a tack to an unvulcanized diene-based rubber or 5N or more, containing 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic elastomer containing 50 parts by weight or more of an epoxy-modified styrene-butadiene-based block copolymer so that a total of 30 to 200 parts by weight of a terpene resin and an aromatically modified terpene resin having a weight average molecular weight Mw of 1000 or less and a softening point of 60 to 120° C., 0.1 to 3 parts by weight of an internal mold release agent and 0.1 to 2 parts by weight of an organic peroxide.
US07730917B2	Apparatus for card receival and wallet with the same An apparatus for card receival comprises a foldaway portion; a leather element; and two fence elements; wherein the foldaway portion has its two ends to connect with the two ends of the leather element; the two fence elements connecting with the foldaway portion by one side thereof; the leather element comprising a plurality of card receival units, each of which constituting by a plurality of bar openings for cards inserting. As an embodiment, the card receival units are arranged at intervals. The apparatus for card receival may further comprise a coin-receiving bag formed on an outer side of the foldaway portion. The invention also discloses a wallet with such an apparatus for card receival.
US07730913B2	Inflation needle An inflation needle for inflating an object such as a sports ball includes a tubular body having an attachment end configured for engagement with a fluid supply. The body fairs into a tubular probe extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end configured for being inserted into the ball. A concavo-convex base extends radially outward from the body and towards the distal end, terminating at a periphery spaced radially from the probe, the base being configured to engage the object upon insertion of the probe therein. The inflation needle is a unitary, molded polymeric component.
US07730912B2	Bottle filler An improved bottle filler assembly for filling bottles from kegged carbonated or non carbonated beverages without carbonation loss or oxidation that is intuitive to use, sanitize, and keep free of bacteria. In the preferred embodiment, a long hose gradually reduces the pressure of the beverage on the way to the filler. Two tubes are placed inside each other forming an annulus where CO2 can be forced to the bottom of the bottle via a CO2 valve thereby purging the bottle of air (O2). A valve seat placed on the bottom of the tubes allows the beverage to flow into the bottle from the bottom by depressing a trigger.
US07730911B2	Means and method for filling bag-on-valve aerosol barrier packs A bag-on-valve aerosol valve system in a container. Propellant is pressure filled around the valve stem, outwardly over the stem gasket and down into the container space outside the bag. Product is filled through the valve stem into the bag. The valve stem has an exterior intermediate frusto-conical annular surface and the valve housing has an interior frusto-conical annular surface, with both surfaces engaging in annular sealing contact to block propellant access to the bag when the valve stem is deeply depressed to a first predetermined position for propellant pressure filling. A stem exterior surface indent interacts with radially-biased spring-loaded slides to lock the stem in a second less depressed predetermined position for product filling through the stem down into the bag. The propellant and product may be pressure filled in either order using essentially conventional pressure filing equipment, after the valve is mounted on the container and the bag is mounted on the valve.
US07730910B2	Shed-forming device incorporating electric motor units and weaving loom equipped with such a device A weaving loom having self-contained assemblies that operate pulling systems for controlling heddle frames wherein each assembly includes at least one electric motor housed in a casing and at least one motor control unit having an electrical circuit for controlling electric power to the electric motor and wherein the self-contained assembly also includes a support on which the motor control unit is mounted and the support having at least one cooling duct extending there through. The self-contained assembly having damping elements providing a damping effect between the support and the electric motor.
US07730906B2	Solenoid with path converter A solenoid including an armature movable in an armature room and a coil which can be flowed through by current. When it is flowed through by current the armature moves. The armature interacts with an armature bar. A path converter is provided between the armature and the armature bar.
US07730899B2	Method and apparatus for reducing deposits in petroleum pipes An embodiment of an apparatus for removing deposits from a petroleum flow line may include a pipe capable of being attached to a petroleum flow line. The pipe may have a pipe axis that defines a direction for fluid flow in the petroleum flow line. The apparatus may also include a first and a second field winding circumferentially disposed around the pipe, and an electric wave generator adapted to electrically communicate an electric wave to the first field winding and the second field winding. In response to the electric wave, the first field winding is adapted to produce a first magnetic field having a first magnetic axis and the second field winding is adapted to produce a second magnetic field having a second magnetic axis. The first magnetic axis may be noncollinear with respect to the second magnetic axis, and at least the first magnetic axis may be noncollinear with respect to the pipe axis.
US07730896B2	Dry cleaning device and dry cleaning method A circulation-air generating unit directly generates circulation air that flows along a surface of a cleaning tank. The circulation air is applied to cleaning medium accumulated on the cleaning tank from a direction orthogonal to a direction of face of the cleaning medium to deliver and flow up the cleaning medium. The cleaning medium is flown up inside the cleaning tank by the force of the circulation air. The cleaning medium flowing inside the cleaning tank collides with a cleaning target object by high-velocity air supplied from a cleaning-medium accelerating unit to remove dust on the cleaning target object.
US07730895B2	Rotary lock member for a hair styling appliance A hair styling appliance includes a first arm and a second arm pivotable with respect to the first arm, wherein the second arm is movable between an open position and a closed position. A gap is positioned between the first arm and the second arm, and a lock member is movable into and out of the gap between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the lock member holds the second arm in the closed position.
US07730893B2	Electromagnetic radiation therapy An electromagnetic radiation therapy system comprises means for emitting divergent electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 950 and 1500 nm and being capable of producing, at the site being treated, a radiation intensity of at least 50 μWatts/cm2. Also disclosed are the use of the system for treating various conditions and the method of applying the treatment.
US07730892B2	Mechanical vestibular stimulator An apparatus to stimulate the vestibular system of an individual. The apparatus comprises an actuator configured to mechanically stimulate a semicircular canal, and a control module coupled to the actuator that controls the actuator in response to motion information associated with the individual.
US07730891B2	Intraoral mandibular advancement device for treatment of sleep disorders An intraoral mandibular advancement device to treat sleep disorders in a user having an obstructed airway includes a maxillary appliance with a main body for removable attachment to the maxillary teeth; a protrusive element distending from the central portion of the main body; and retention means extending from the main body for retention of the device on the maxillary teeth during sleep. A mandibular appliance removably attaches to the mandibular anterior teeth and includes a lingual spacer that extends posteriorly from the mandibular anterior teeth. The anterior aspect of the protrusive element of the maxillary appliance contacts the posterior edge of the lingual space and thereby causes mandibular advancement.
US07730890B2	Snore relief with mandibular positioning device A one piece mouthpiece with a mandibular re-positioning extension for reducing snoring, and in particular, to a dental orthosis for easy engagement with the upper dentition of a person and intended to eliminate snoring. The mouthpiece is made from a deformable material with a shape complementary to a person's upper teeth and dental arch. The mouthpiece generally has an arched channel which embraces the upper teeth of a person. The mouthpiece includes an attached downward anterior mandibular extension located at the back of the top of the arch of the mouthpiece.
US07730888B2	Nasopharyngeal airway device and method of use A method includes advancing a distal end of a tubular nasopharyngeal airway device through a nostril opening and into a nasal passageway of a patient, the nasopharyngeal airway device having a proximal end that is larger than the nostril opening. At least a terminal tip of a resiliently flexible elongated locking protrusion that projects from the proximal end of the nasopharyngeal airway device is inserted into the same nostril opening in which the nasopharyngeal airway device is disposed so that the locking protrusion biases against the lining of the nasal passageway, thereby securing the nasopharyngeal airway device within the nasal passageway.
US07730887B2	Portable gas fractionalization system A portable gas fractionalization apparatus that provides oxygen rich air to patients is provided. The apparatus is compact, lightweight, and low-noise. The components are assembled in a housing that is divided into two compartments. One compartment is maintained at a lower temperature than the other compartment. The lower temperature compartment is configured for mounting components that can be damaged by heat. The higher temperature compartment is configured for mounting heat generating components. An air stream is directed to flow from an ambient air inlet to an air outlet constantly so that there is always a fresh source of cooling air. The apparatus utilizes a PSA unit to produce an oxygen enriched product. The PSA unit incorporates a novel single ended column design in which all flow paths and valves can be co-located on a single integrated manifold. The apparatus also can be used in conjunction with a satellite conserver and a mobility cart.
US07730886B2	Determination of patency of the airway Methods and apparatus for determining the occurrence of an apnea, patency and/or partial obstruction of the airway are disclosed. Respiratory air flow from a patient is measured to give an air flow signal. The determination of an apnea is performed by calculating the variance of the air flow signal over a moving time window and comparing the variance with a threshold value. One determination of partial obstruction of the airway is performed by detecting the inspiratory part of the air flow signal, scaling it to unity duration and area and calculating an index value of the amplitude of the scaled signal over a mid-portion. Alternatively, the index value is a measure of the flatness of the air flow signal over the mid-portion. One determination of patency of the airway is performed by applying an oscillatory pressure waveform of known frequency to a patient's airway, calculating the magnitude of the component of said air flow signal at the known frequency induced by the oscillatory pressure waveform and comparing the calculated magnitude with a threshold value. Alternatively, the air flow signal is analysed to detect the presence of a component due to cardiogenic activity.
US07730879B2	Method and device for igniting a combustible gas mixture in a combustion engine A voltage transformer circuit for supplying ignition power to a spark plug includes a transformer, a primary circuit, and a secondary circuit. The primary circuit is coupled with the secondary circuit via the transformer in order that, when a transistor switch is closed, power is transmitted from the primary circuit into the secondary circuit. The primary circuit includes a discharge path, for demagnetizing the transformer when the transistor switch is open and via which power can be retransmitted from the secondary circuit for shortening the duration of an arc discharge, and the discharge path forms a demagnetizing current with a primary side of the transformer.
US07730876B2	Fuel injection system A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine includes an engine management system, a return conduit connected to a low-pressure fuel system, and a common rail for storing and supplying a relatively high-pressure fuel to injectors. Each injector has a nozzle for injecting fuel into the engine, a valve installed between the common rail and the nozzle, and a spill valve connected by its inlet to the outlet of the valve and by its outlet to the return conduit. A first automatic isolating valve is installed between the common rail and the injector and a second automatic isolating valve is installed between the return conduit and the low-pressure fuel system.
US07730875B2	Flow control valve A spool valve is movably provided in a valve sliding space of a valve casing. The spool valve has a through-hole formed in the inside thereof, and a communication port formed in the spool valve is operatively communicated with a fluid port for controlling an opening area of the fluid port by moving within the valve sliding space. Multiple circular oil grooves are formed at an outer peripheral surface of the spool valve, into which high pressure fluid is supplied so that the spool valve can be smoothly moved in the valve sliding space.
US07730872B2	Engine with water and/or ethanol direct injection plus gas port fuel injectors A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder located in the engine, a first injector configured to inject gasoline fuel into said cylinder, and a second injector configured to inject a fluid into said cylinder, said fluid containing at least some water.
US07730867B2	Engine including a self-adjusting thermally compliant bracket An engine bracket assembly may include a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion, and a support member. The first mounting portion may fix a first end of the bracket assembly to the engine and the second mounting portion may fix a second end of the bracket assembly to the engine. The support member may support an engine component and may be disposed between and coupled to the first and second mounting portions. The coupling between the first and second mounting portions and the support member may provide relative displacement between the first mounting portion and the support member in a longitudinal direction extending from one of the first and second mounting portions toward the other of the first and second mounting portions during thermal expansion of the bracket assembly.
US07730864B2	Method of operating glow plugs in diesel engines The invention describes a method for operating glow plugs, that comprise a housing and a heater element projecting beyond that housing, in a diesel engine which interacts with an engine control unit and a glow plug control unit which latter, following a preheating phase, controls the electric power supplied to the glow plugs in response to an input received from the engine control unit. It is provided according to the invention that the engine control unit determines a value representative of a temperature that is to be reached at the heater element and the engine control unit transmits that value as target value to the glow plug control unit which implements that target value using an algorithm stored in the glow plug control unit and with reference to characteristic values stored in the glow plug control unit.
US07730863B2	Warm-up apparatus for internal combustion engine An inexpensive warm-up apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a simple structure and eliminating the need of forming a hole in a heat storage material retainer or the need for a seal around the hole or an electrical circuit. A heat storage material retainer (14) accommodating a latent heat type heat storage material (X) is arranged in a water jacket (13). The heat storage material retainer (14) has a nucleation device (2) that accelerates phase transition of the heat storage material in a supercooled state. The nucleation device includes a nucleation portion (24) for nucleating the heat storage material (X) in the supercooled state for phase transition, a hammer (25) supported in a movable manner, a target member (23) for applying impact to the nucleation portion by abutting against the nucleation portion when the hammer moves forward, and a lock mechanism (26) for restraining the hammer in the standby position by making use of the volume increase that occurs as the heat storage material undergoes phase transition to the liquid phase when receiving heat. The lock mechanism is released by vibrations generated when the internal combustion engine is started. The lock mechanism causes the hammer to abut against the target member to activate the nucleation device and nucleate the heat storage material.
US07730861B2	Two-step rocker arm assembly A two-step rocker arm assembly is provided having an arm member and a first roller assembly rotatably mounted with respect to the arm member and defining a generally C-shaped opening. A shaft member rotatably supports a second and a third roller assembly. The shaft member extends through the generally C-shaped opening and is selectively translatable therein to guide the second and third roller assemblies with respect to the arm member. A coupling lever is mounted with respect to the shaft member and is operable to selectively retain the shaft member with respect to the arm member for unitary movement therewith.
US07730858B2	Hydraulic valve actuation systems and methods to provide variable lift for one or more engine air valves Hydraulic valve actuation systems and methods to provide variable lift for one or more engine air valves by way of a variable position hard stop. Various embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments controlling lift by providing a choice of two different fixed stops, three different fixed stops, stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts, and a fixed stop and stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts. The valves controlled by a variable position hard stop may be a single engine intake or exhaust valve, or multiple valves of any number, and of either intake or exhaust valves or both, or of one intake or one exhaust valve for one or more cylinders in engines having more than one intake or exhaust valve per cylinder. Dashpot deceleration of engine valve velocity on opening to the hard stop and on engine valve closure is disclosed, as are other aspects and embodiments of the invention.
US07730857B2	Internal combustion engine with air filter shield preventing soiling An internal combustion engine has a carburetor and an intake channel for supplying fuel and combustion air, wherein a section of the intake channel is formed in the carburetor. At least one fuel opening is provided that opens into the intake channel within the carburetor. The intake channel has an intake opening that is connected to a clean chamber of the air filter of the internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine takes in air through at least one filter element of the air filter. A choke element is arranged in the clean chamber and moveable into a choke position and into an open position. In the open position, the choke element shields the at least one filter element.
US07730853B2	Chew toy with fabric or fabric layering The present disclosure relates to chew toys comprising a fabric and a polymeric material. The fabric and polymeric material may be present as one or more layers. The chew toys may specifically include a fabric having an outer or exposed surface which may include written/printed indicia. The fabric may be capable of stretching with the polymeric layer and the fabric layer may have an inner surface substantially engaged to the polymeric material. Such engagement may therefore avoid delamination and present a relatively smooth surface without disruptions. Such composite may therefore provide durability and resistance to an animal chewing action.
US07730849B2	Apparatus for coating photoresist material An apparatus for providing a photoresist material onto a substrate includes a lid housing at least one nozzle. A solvent supplying port inputs the solvent into the apparatus. A first solvent trap is provided below the nozzle and coupled to the solvent supplying port to hold a given amount of the solvent being input from the solvent supplying port. The first solvent trap is configured to prevent photoresist residues on the nozzle from being converted to powders. A second solvent trap is provided below the first solvent trap to receive the solvent from the first solvent trap. A solvent path is provided between the solvent trap and the solvent container to guide the solvent from the first solvent trap to the second solvent trap.
US07730847B1	Personal, wearable, disposable breathing-gas flow indicator A personal gas flow indicator is disclosed in which a flow indicator is interposed between the proximal end of a gas delivery cannula that conducts breathing-gas from a breathing-gas source to an airway interface device (AID) for introducing the breathing-gas into the airway of an patient. By having the gas flow indicator positioned at the proximal end of the gas delivery cannula, the patient or some other person in visual contact with the patient can easily determine whether or not breathing-gas is flowing through the gas delivery cannula. The flow indicator is sufficiently lightweight that it can be worn by the patient. It is both disposable and portable and can be easily retrofit into existing-gas delivery systems. The flow indicator can be incorporated into an AID, into a gas delivery cannula, or it can be easily retrofit into one-piece gas delivery cannulas.
US07730846B2	Strain-responsive visual indicator A strain-responsive visual indicator comprises a pair of overlapping shutter strips (1, 2) adapted to be mounted to a substrate such that strain in the substrate causes relative movement M between them. Each shutter strip comprises an alternating set of windows (5) or (6) and bars (7) or (8) and the distal strip (2) is backed by a strip (3) of a different color exposed through its windows (6), or the distal strip can instead be printed with a set of alternating colors in place of its windows and bars. The effect is that under different strain conditions different color indications from the distal strip (2) will be visible through the windows (5) of the proximal strip (1), in accordance with the relative positions of the two strips. The indicator can be incorporated e.g. in the shaft of a toothbrush to give a visual warning in response to flexure of the shaft if excessive brushing pressure is applied. Numerous other applications and the use of different types of indicia are indicated in the specification.
US07730845B1	Vertical panel traffic channelizer A vertical panel delineator system is capable of withstanding high winds without rotating from a preferred orientation wherein the full width of the device is perpendicular to the direction of oncoming traffic, is stackable without sticking or jamming, and is capable of accommodating multiple reflective sheeting configurations fully within recessed receiving panels on the delineator device. The vertical panel delineator further accommodates, in a secure manner, warning barricade lights of any known construction, and is uniquely capable of retaining secure engagement of the panel body with its ballasting base when being transported or during ordinary deployment, yet readily disengaging body and base upon impact by a vehicle.
US07730844B2	Bumper system Variations of a bumper systems are disclosed. A bumper system may have one or more rotatable members and/or non-rotatable members configured to protect a vessel or structure during docking maneuvers and mooring. The rotatable and non-rotatable members may be located at any one or more desired locations on the vessel and/or its mooring. In use, rotatable members are rotated from a first rotational position to a second rotational position. Various components of the bumper system may be configured to provide protection due to their compressibility, tiltability, flexibility and/or moveability. The connection between a rotatable member and its substrate may serve as an axis of rotation of the rotatable member, may be configured to include one or more mechanisms for rotating the rotatable member and may also include mechanisms for absorbing and/or dissipating the energy transmitted during physical interactions between vessels, and/or structures. The rotatable and non-rotatable members may be configured to extend from a surface to which they are connected, and the bumper system may also be configured such that a boundary is formed between one or more rotatable members, non-rotatable members, and the substrate to which they are connected. Methods for manufacturing and using bumper systems according to the described configurations are also disclosed.
US07730843B1	Hull-mounted line retrieval and release system A line retrieve-release system is provided for mounting on the hull of a boat. First and second jaw mechanisms coupled to the hull face substantially forward and aft, respectively, relative to the boat's bow. Each jaw mechanism is capable of movement between a partially open position and a fully open position. First and second latches are coupled to the first and second jaw mechanisms, respectively. Each latch is biased to cooperate with its respective jaw mechanism in the partially open position thereof to thereby define a corresponding enclosed region. Each latch permits one-way entry to its associated enclosed region when a force is applied thereto from outside of the enclosed region. Each jaw mechanisms' partially open position defines a “ready-to-retrieve” and “line capture” position of the system, while each jaw mechanisms' fully open position defines a “line release” position of the system. Additional mechanism(s) are provide to (i) move each of the jaw mechanisms to their respective fully open position to thereby open the associated enclosed regions to facilitate the release of a captured line, and (ii) reset the retrieve-release system to its “ready-to-retrieve” and “line capture” position.
US07730842B1	Quilting template and methods A template and a method guide a cutting tool during cutting of a quilt block having a selected one of at least two alternate kaleidoscope patterns from a quilting blank having a given pattern of sections seamed together along seam lines intersecting at a common seam origin. The template provides right angle corners and obtuse angle corners for accommodating the alternate kaleidoscope patterns, and includes cutting guides and registration indicators which when registered with seam lines of the quilting blank locate one or more of the cutting guides for cutting one or more segments of the border of a selected kaleidoscope pattern. Indexing of the template and the quilting blank relative to one another relocates the cutting guides for cutting further segments of the border to complete the selected kaleidoscope pattern.
US07730837B2	Initiator including a zone of weakness The present invention relates to an electropyrotechnic initiator comprising: an ignition support (10); an electrical initiation system (11) connecting the ignition support (10) to a source of electricity; and a cap (2) containing at least one explosive composition, the cap being of generally cylindrical shape presenting an open first end (20) connected to the ignition support (10), an opposite second end that is closed by an end wall (21), and a peripheral side wall (22) which presents at least one zone of weakness (3). This initiator is essentially remarkable in that at least one of the zones of weakness extends along a non-closed trace and over a portion only of the side wall (22), i.e. without reaching its opposite ends.
US07730832B2	Method and apparatus for forming a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces An apparatus and method are described for forming a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces. Also described is a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, which can be safely stacked vertically for transportation and storage purposes. The apparatus comprises upper and lower platens having a protruding surface for compressing the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of a compressible material.
US07730831B2	Pin-less socket for frozen confections A pin-less socket apparatus and manufacturing system for assembling a frozen confection using such socket apparatus including a socket for accepting a conical food product therein, the socket having a hook with one or more teeth located at an outer periphery of the socket, a hinge located on an outside of the socket, the hook movably attached to the socket via the hinge, a force mechanism for holding the hook in place against the socket. The force mechanism takes the form of either an annular spring or O-ring located around the socket and hook or a linear spring attached to the hook in a lever-type manner. The manufacturing system includes a coating area for coating a wafer cone with a moisture-resistant layer, a filling area having a filler for inserting a semi-frozen confection into the wafer cone, a cooling area for accepting the wafer cone with the semi-frozen confection and including a hardening tunnel for freezing the wafer cone and the semi-frozen confection, and a dipping area including more than one pin-less socket apparatus for accepting the wafer cone and moving the wafer cone through a dipping bin. Within the system, the coating, filling, cooling, and dipping areas may be on the same or separate assembly loops including the socket apparatus within one or more of such assembly loops.
US07730825B2	Vehicular hydraulic system with priority valve and relief valve A vehicular hydraulic system having a pump, flow-splitting valve, first application and second application arranged in series. The flow-splitting valve diverts a portion of the primary fluid flow to the second application when the pressure exceeds a threshold value. A valve member disposed in the flow-splitting valve defines a pressure-reducing orifice that communicates fluid across the valve member. A one-way relief valve prevents fluid flow through the pressure-reducing orifice when the pressure in the valve is below the threshold value. When the pressure exceeds the threshold value, fluid flows through relief valve and the pressure reducing orifice resulting in the movement of the valve member and exposure of a bypass port to thereby divert a portion of the primary fluid flow to the second application. The relief valve may be selectively variable to thereby provide for the adjustment of the threshold value.
US07730820B2	Mounted isometric controller A method and system are provided to support simultaneous operation of a weapon and communication with a remote apparatus. The system utilizes a control module with a transceiver in communication with a receiver of a remote apparatus and/or output device.
US07730819B2	Weapon having lethal and non-lethal directed energy portions A portable weapon comprises a non-lethal portion and a lethal portion. The lethal portion may comprise a rifle, and the non-lethal portion may comprise a millimeter-wave directed energy weapon. The non-lethal portion may comprise a kit to add non-lethal capability to a lethal weapon. The non-lethal portion may comprise an output antenna to generate a high-power millimeter-wave initial wavefront, a main reflector, and a sub-reflector to reflect the initial wavefront to the main reflector. The main reflector may direct the reflected wavefront in a bore-sighted direction toward a target. The wavefront directed by the main reflector may have a power density selected to deliver a non-lethal deterring effect on the target. In some embodiments, the non-lethal portion may include a replaceable energy-storage module.
US07730816B2	Press apparatus, striker control modular tool apparatus and programmable method for punching apertures into a workpiece A press apparatus includes an inputting device, that enables a user of the press apparatus to input working pattern data representing the workpiece, and a display device, that displays a working pattern of the workpiece based on the inputted working pattern data. A tool selecting device selects a plurality of tools required for working the workpiece in accordance with the working pattern data. A calculator calculates a transferring pitch of the workpiece in order for parts of the workpiece to be sequentially arranged in predetermined positions in a feeding direction of the press apparatus with respect to the plurality of tools selected by the tool selecting device. In this regard, the calculator also determines which tool is to be operated in association with the transferring pitch. The press includes a controller that controls the transferring pitch calculated by the calculator.
US07730813B2	Variable tuned holder for machine tools A variable tuned holder for machine tools that attaches to a machine tool to act in a manner similar to a dynamic absorber while the machine tool is used during machining. The natural frequency of the holder may be matched to the natural frequency of the machine tool as the tool is in use to reduce the amplitude of vibration at the cutting end of tool with a workpiece. The present invention is designed to provide an impedance match between the machine tool and the holder such that the cutting energy may escape and/or be dissipated. The flexible holder may be used as one part of an overall system. The system may be designed to be used with tools of different shapes and/or lengths. As the shape and/or length of the machine tool changes, the system may be easily modified to change the natural frequency of the flexible holder to enable the dynamic absorber effect of the flexible holder to occur. The flexible holder may be included in a kit that may be used with a wide range of lengths and/or shapes of machine tools.
US07730812B2	Screw head and tool for use therewith The invention provides a screw head having a hexalobular slot (2) in the upper surface of the screw head, an upper peripheral wall (9) of hexalobular planform extending down into the screw head, the upper peripheral wall (9) being parallel or near parallel to the axis of the screw, a sloping transition surface (15) extending downwardly and inwardly with respect to the lower edge of the upper peripheral wall (9), and a tapered recess (11) extending downwardly from the lower edge of the sloping transition surface (15), in which the dimensions of the screw head are such that when the screw head is engaged by a tool (6) having upper (16) and lower engagement (17) sections, the lower engagement section (17) is tapered, and there is a ‘stick fit’ between the surface of the tapered recess (11) and the external surface of the lower tapered engagement section (17), and there is no engagement with the sloping transition surface (15).
US07730811B2	Clamping and cutting apparatus with interchangeable heads An interchangeable head system for tools is provided. The system includes a pair of handles connected at a pivot point. Each handles has two generally parallel walls forming a space therebetween, and a moveable pin attached therethrough. The pin is non-removably attached to one of the walls. A plurality of heads interchangeably connected at the pivot point. Each heads includes two components and each component includes two contact surfaces. The movable pin facilitates securing the head to the handle. The handles are designed to be squeezed together to thereby allow the contact surfaces to move towards one another.
US07730810B1	Push button multi-position locking pliers and method of use A push-button locking pliers has a plurality of macro jaw width stations for grasping a wide variety of objects. A positioning mechanism is connected to a movable jaw member and cooperates with a jaw adjustment slot in the main handle. The positioning mechanism is released by pushing on a push button allowing, it to move along the slot. The user places the positioning mechanism at the jaw positioning station that creates a macro spacing between the fixed and movable jaws that best fits the object to be grasped. An adjustment screw adjusts the micro spacing between the jaws to cause the pliers to lock on the object using an over-center mechanism when the handles are squeezed.
US07730808B2	Ceramic blades and fabrication methods thereof Ceramic blades and fabrication methods thereof. A ceramic blade comprises a ceramic body having two sides and an edge. A coating layer is applied on the two sides and the edge, wherein the ceramic body is formed using a scraper to create substantially flat surface and to prevent residual stress damage.
US07730804B2	Central lock device of an adjustable steering column assembly An adjustable steering column assembly of a vehicle has a central lock device for selectably locking an adjustable steering housing and co-extending steering shaft to a stationary bracket or chassis. For driver convenience and comfort, the steering housing and shaft are together adjustable with respect to the bracket. The lock device has an actuator preferably having an outer member supported operably by a guide feature carried between the outer member and the bracket for movement along a first centerline traverse to the steering shaft. The bracket also supports a lever of the actuator for movement along a second centerline that intersects the first centerline. At least one roller is located in a raceway defined between the outer member and the lever. Because the raceway is angled with respect to both the first and second centerlines, motion of the lever along the second centerline is converted to motion of the second member along the traversing first centerline.
US07730801B2	Servo-assisted control system for the gears of a single clutch gearbox of a motor vehicle The control system including four actuating forks, each associated to one or two gears and having a first engagement member, and a first hydraulically-operated actuator for controlling engagement of all gears. The first hydraulically-operated actuator includes: a shaft provided with four second engagement members for engagement each with a respective first engagement member of the actuating forks and arranged to turn about and translate along its axis; a cylinder coaxial to the shaft and arranged only to translate in the direction of its axis; and a pin drivingly connected either to the shaft or the cylinder and engaging in an S-shape groove provided either in the cylinder or shaft, respectively, so as to link the rotational and translational movements of the shaft with the translational movement of the cylinder. A second hydraulically-operated actuator is arranged to lock or release selectively the translational movement of the cylinder.
US07730796B2	Method for sampling flue gas for analysis containing gas component having high susceptibility to adsorption An object of the invention is to realize high-accuracy analysis of a flue gas in terms of a trace amount of ammonia so as to control the level of ammonia gas to be added to a flue gas NOx removal apparatus. Since the ammonia gas to be determined is a highly absorbable, the gas component is considerably adsorbed on a surface of the flue gas sampling tube during sampling of flue gas. When a conventional sampling method including heating a gas sampling tube is employed, the amount of sampled gas is reduced through adsorption during gas sampling, failing to obtain concentration values at high accuracy. Thus, a high-accuracy gas sampling method replacing a conventional, heating-based method includes completely washing out, with an absorption liquid therefor serving as a washing liquid, a target ammonia gas deposited on the inner wall of a flue gas sampling tube (2), whereby the gas component is thoroughly collected. Through analysis of the thus-obtained washing liquid, high-accuracy analysis can be attained.
US07730795B2	Drill cutting sampler A device for sampling drill cuttings includes a frame, an inclined perforated member mounted on the frame, a sprayer for washing cuttings down over the perforations, and a removable open-topped cuttings collector mounted under the perforated member, the perforated member cooperating with the downstream end of a vibratory screen over which the cuttings pass before translating onto the perforated screen.
US07730793B2	Venturi flow sensor A venturi flow sensing method, system, and apparatus. A tube or chamber may be tapered from a larger to smaller diameter to create a venturi region within the tube or chamber. The venturi region causes a local increase in flow velocity. The change in velocity creates a local change in pressure which is, in turn, used to drive flow through a parallel bypass tube or chamber. Inside this bypass, a flow sensor can be located, and in some cases, a pressure sensor as well. The flow is then either exhausted back into the original tube or the bypass tube may alternatively dead end. In either case, flow can be measured without causing a significant overall pressure drop in the system.
US07730791B2	Electronic device torsion testing A test device comprises a base and a first fixture coupled to the base. The first fixture holds a first portion of an electronic device mounted in the test device. The test device includes a second fixture rotatably coupled to the base and a lever coupled to the second fixture. The second fixture holds a second portion of the electronic device mounted in the test device. The test device also includes an actuator that forcibly moves the lever to rotate the second fixture and apply a torsion stress on the electronic device mounted in the test device. The test device may be used to test the functionality of electronic devices, such as small form-factor disc drives, while under torsion stresses.
US07730789B2	Device and method for measuring a gap between members of a structure for manufacture of a shim An apparatus for measuring a gap between a first mating surface of a first component and a second mating surface of a second component has a substrate. A plurality of capacitive sensors is coupled to the substrate. A controller is coupled to the plurality of capacitive sensors. The controller is used to select each individual capacitive sensor to measure the gap between the first mating surface of the first component and the second mating surface of the second component.
US07730787B2	Bourdon tube pressure gauge The bourdon tube pressure gauge includes: a joint which is made of the resin and is attached to a pressure container; and a bourdon tube which is made of metal and has a rear end fixed to the joint. The joint comprises a fixation hole into which the rear end of the bourdon tube is inserted to be fixed by bonding, and an inside of the fixation hole is more widened than an opening of the fixation hole which serves as an insertion port for the bourdon tube.
US07730783B2	Acceleration sensor An acceleration sensor includes a seismic mass which is suspended on springs above a substrate and is deflectable in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate. In order to reduce deflections of the seismic mass along the surface of the substrate because of interference accelerations, which lead to a falsification of the measurements of the deflection of the seismic mass perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, the springs include two bending bars which are interconnected via crosspieces.
US07730781B2	Gas pendulum inertial sensor The present invention relates to a gas pendulum inertial sensor, which is used in control technology field to detect pose measurement of motional body, such as ship craft and robot, wherein the inertial sensor main includes a gas pendulum angular velocity sensing element, a gas pendulum tilt sensing element and a signal process circuit, wherein the signal process circuit mainly comprises a bridge circuit, a amplify circuit, a filter circuit, and a SCM compensation circuit with a null position and sensitivity compensation program, a linearity and output compensation program, an acceleration interference offset subprogram, and an omnibearing tilt signal compensation program, whereby the SCM compensation circuit integral into a circuit board to replace a conventional hardware signal amplify circuit, a filter circuit and a compensation circuit. The gas pendulum inertial sensor is adapted to accurately measure not only an object's indication without interference from the acceleration, but also an object's indication with interference from the acceleration. The gas pendulum inertial sensor has some significant advantages like highly attack-resist ability, intensively vibrate-resist ability, quick response time, wide ranges of working temperature, well linearity, credibility, sensitivity and precision ability, compact capacity and lower cost.
US07730779B2	Multiphase-liquid level data logger A multiphase-liquid level sensing system for sensing a layer depth and thickness of a liquid of a first phase that floats on a liquid of a different second phase includes an elongated stem that defines an elongated cavity. A float, which exhibits a sensible property, is disposed coaxially around the elongated stem and has negative buoyancy relative to the liquid of the first phase and positive buoyancy relative to the liquid of the second phase. A level sensor senses the sensible property and indicates a second phase liquid distance from the float to the bottom of the stem. An overburden sensor extends downwardly from the stem senses total liquid thickness of the liquid above the overburden sensor. A computational circuit calculates a layer depth and thickness of the liquid of the first phase, based on input from the level sensor and the overburden sensor.
US07730771B2	Device for detecting the combustion-chamber pressure in an internal combustion engine A device for detecting the combustion-chamber pressure in an internal combustion engine is configured in such a way that the combustion-chamber pressure is able to be detected in a reliable and reproducible manner. To this end, a heating pin exposed to the combustion-chamber pressure is fixed in place in a housing of the glow plug with the aid of a fixation member. A sensor is affixed in the housing of the glow plug via a fixation element set apart from this fixation member. This sensor detects the elastic longitudinal expansion of the housing caused by the combustion-chamber pressure between the end of the fixation member facing the sensor and the fixation point of the fixation element on the housing. This device is preferably utilized in the automotive industry.
US07730769B1	Capillary viscometers for use with Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids The present disclosure describes a viscometer for measurements of both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. In one embodiment, the viscometer comprises (i) a storage reservoir to store a test fluid, (ii) at least one drain tube assembly comprising a capillary drain tube, (iii) a collector for collecting said test fluid, and (iv) a detector. In addition, its novel viscosity equations suitable for the described viscometers are provided and illustrated for the application to Newtonian fluids and non-Newtonian fluids.
US07730765B2	Oxygen depletion sensor In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) includes a thermocouple, a first nozzle configured to direct heat from combustion of a first gas, liquid, or combination thereof to the thermocouple, a second nozzle configured to direct heat from combustion of a second gas, liquid, or combination thereof to the thermocouple, and a first igniter.
US07730763B2	Balance corrector An apparatus that corrects a weight imbalance around an axis of a spindle motor that rotates a disc in a disc drive includes an impact applicator that applies an impact to a housing that houses the spindle motor and the disc, a plate that supports the housing and impact applicator, a spring member that supports the plate, and enables the plate and the housing to vibrate together when the spindle motor rotates, and a detector that detects a vibration of the housing when the spindle motor rotates.
US07730754B2	Apparatus and method for manufacturing spiral duct Provided are an apparatus and method for manufacturing a spiral duct in which straight connection parts are integrally formed with both ends of a curved duct. Further provided are an apparatus and method for manufacturing a spiral duct capable of improving cutting quality of a metal band and precisely and securely coupling bent parts of edges of the metal band. The apparatus comprises a cutting roll to cut a metal band into two parts, the cutting roll having a horizontal rotation angle that can be varied to cut along a straight or a waved line in order to form a duct having straight and curved parts, and in order to adjust a diameter of the duct. In addition, the apparatus includes rolls for forming bent parts at edges of the cut metal bands, and for winding and seaming edges of the metal bands to form ducts.
US07730750B2	Securing system and method A securing system and method including an article holder portion having at least two separable portions; a mount portion adapted for carrying at least one of the separable portions of the holder portion; and optionally at least one sensor for monitoring the article and providing an output signal indicative of article tampering.
US07730745B2	Vitrification furnace with dual heating means Process for combustion and vitrification of waste in which at least one oxygen plasma jet is associated with a continuous melting device by high frequency direct induction. The crucible is composed of a continuous external shell and a sole plate, both cooled by a liquid circulating in internal channels. The inductor is placed below the sole plate. There is a gravity drain valve at the bottom or on the side.
US07730744B2	Process for producing glass and glass-melting apparatus thereof A process for producing a high-quality glass from highly reactive raw materials and a glass-melting apparatus for use therewith, comprising the step of charging a material for the glass to a molten glass in a heated vessel, (1) wherein an oxidizing gas is bubbled in the molten glass and a glass raw material that behaves as a reducing agent during being melted is charged into a position of the bubbling or (2) said vessel is filled with a dry ambient gas and while the ambient gas is allowed to flow to a liquid surface of the molten glass along an charging route of the glass raw material, the glass raw material is charged.
US07730740B2	Cooling device for pet carrier The cooling device for a pet carrier is a portable system for providing an ice-cooled surface on which a pet can rest. The cooling device includes a housing defining an open interior region therein, adapted for receiving a volume of ice. An opening is formed through an upper surface of the housing, and a lid is pivotally joined to the housing for selectively and releasably covering and sealing the opening. A plurality of apertures are formed through the lid, and a plurality of spikes are secured to a lower surface of the lid and project downwardly therefrom. When the volume of ice is received within the housing, the lid may be closed and the spikes evenly distribute the ice within the housing. The ice generates cooled air, which may be transmitted through the apertures to a pet resting on the upper surface of the lid.
US07730738B2	Cool air supply duct of refrigerator A cool air supply duct of a refrigerator includes a vertical duct unit installed in a freezing chamber or a refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator so that the length of the vertical duct unit can be adjusted in the vertical direction; and horizontal duct units installed on the vertical duct unit so that the length of the horizontal duct unit can be adjusted in the horizontal direction and provided with cool air discharge holes formed therethrough for discharging cool air. Since the cool air discharge holes are changed to positions desired by a user, the cool air supply duct cools a designated space of the freezing chamber or the refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator to a temperature lower or higher than those of other spaces, thus increasing convenience in using the cool air supply duct and improving the cooling efficiency of the cool air supply duct.
US07730737B2	Cooling station lifter pins In a cooling station having lifter pins positioned within respective sockets, the lifter pins being positioned for translational movement within platform openings, the improvement comprising forming the lifter pins of aluminum or polymer. A cooling station comprising a cooling station body, a series of sockets affixed to the cooling station body a respective series of lifter pins comprised of aluminum or polymer affixed to the series of sockets, and an platform positioned on the cooling station body. The platform having respective openings positioned above the series of sockets and lifter pins for translational movement of the lifter pins into the platform openings.
US07730733B2	Apparatus and method of summing capacities of outdoor units in multiple air conditioner An apparatus for summing capacities of outdoor units in a multiple air conditioner comprises self-capacity storage devices mounted in outdoor units, respectively, for storing self-capacities of the outdoor units and outputting the self-capacities of the outdoor units when necessary, an outdoor unit capacity summing part mounted in one outdoor unit of the outdoor units for receiving the capacities of the outdoor units outputted from the respective self-capacity storage devices to calculate the total capacity of all the outdoor units, and a control device for receiving the result of the calculation performed by the outdoor unit capacity summing part to control the operation of the multiple air conditioner. The possibility of incorrect input of the capacities of the outdoor units is eliminated, and therefore, more accurate control of the multiple air conditioner is accomplished. Furthermore, it is not necessary for an engineer or a user to directly input the capacities of the outdoor units, and therefore, user convenience is improved.
US07730732B2	Refrigerating storage cabinet A storing section stores data of a pull down cooling characteristic indicative of a time-varying mode of reduction in a target temperature drop. For example, when this is a linear function line, a target internal temperature drop degree takes a constant value, irrespective of an operating time. An actual temperature drop degree is computed on the basis of the detected internal temperature. The computed value is compared with a target value read from the storing section. When the computed value is less than the target value, a rotational speed of an inverter compressor is increased via an inverter circuit. When the computed value is larger than the target value, the rotational speed of the compressor is decreased. The speed increases and decreases are repeated so that pull down cooling is performed along the linear line.
US07730728B2	System and method for cooling a thermally loaded device on board an aircraft A system (10) for cooling a thermally loaded device on board an aircraft comprises a distribution line (12) which is in communication with an installation space (14) of the thermally loaded device, a coolant supply line (20) which is in communication with a coolant source, and a heat removal line (28) which is in communication with a source of pressure below atmospheric pressure. A shut-off control device (34) is adapted so as, in a first position, to separate the distribution line (12) from the coolant supply line (20) and connect the distribution line (12) to the heat removal line (28) and, in a second position, to connect the distribution line (12) to the coolant supply line (20) and separate the distribution line (12) from the heat removal line (28).
US07730727B2	Flexible flow control device for cogeneration ducting applications Apparatuses and methods for cogeneration ducting applications in which at least a desired effective flow stream control is maintained for stable combustion. A flow stream is directed through a flow control system to achieve the desired effective uniform flow rate and composition.
US07730726B2	Method and apparatus for controlling the combustion in a gas turbine A method and apparatus are described for controlling the combustion in a gas turbine. The method includes measuring, with one or two calorimeters, the temperature, calorific value and relative density of a gaseous fuel in order to determine the Wobbe index, comparing the Wobbe index value measured with a predefined Wobbe index value for the gaseous fuel and regulating the temperature of the gaseous fuel with at least one heat exchanger in order to reach the predefined Wobbe index value. The method may also include using a second gaseous fuel, having a different Wobbe index from the gaseous fuel, or a fuel obtained by mixing the gaseous fuel and the second gaseous fuel, according to arbitrary proportions and variable with time.
US07730724B2	Turbocharger shaft over-speed compensation A method for controlling engine operation, the engine having a turbocharger coupled between an intake and exhaust manifold of the engine via a turbocharger shaft, the method comprising dynamically determining turbocharger shaft speed based at least on intake and exhaust manifold conditions using a torque balance across the turbocharger; and adjusting turbocharger boosting to adjust turbocharger shaft speed in response to said dynamically determined turbocharger shaft speed.
US07730721B2	Exhaust gas purification device of internal combustion engine The exhaust gas purification device of an internal combustion engine of the present invention comprises an exhaust passage for guiding an exhaust gas exhausted from an engine to outside, a catalyst provided in the exhaust passage, an injection path connected on an upstream side of the catalyst in the exhaust passage, an additive injection valve installed in the injection path for supplying an additive to the catalyst through the injection path, and an inflow portion provided in a merging portion where the exhaust passage and the injection path merge for having a part of the exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust passage flow into the injection path.
US07730712B2	System and method for use in a combined cycle or rankine cycle power plant using an air-cooled steam condenser A system for use in a combined cycle or rankine cycle power plant using an air-cooled steam condenser is provided and includes a steam turbine from which first and second steam supplies are outputted at high and low respective pressures, an air-cooled condenser configured to fluidly receive and to air-cool at least the first steam supply via a supply of air, a cooling tower from which a first water supply is cycled, a chilling coil through which a second water supply water is cycled to thereby cool the supply of air, and a vapor-absorption-machine (VAM) configured to fluidly receive the second steam supply and the first water supply by which a refrigeration cycle is conducted to thereby cool the second water supply.
US07730706B2	Lawn mower with pivotable grass collector A lawn mower, comprising a vehicle body that is supported by a plurality of wheels; a support frame that is connected to a rear part of the vehicle body; a grass collector that is supported on the support frame so as to be pivoted between a grass collecting position and a discharge position about an axis oriented in the transverse direction of the vehicle body, the grass collector having a bottom surface; a swiveling body that is connected to a rotating shaft of the grass collector to be rotated in unison so as to switch the grass collector between the grass collecting position and the discharge position; and a cylinder connected to the swiveling body and to the support frame; wherein the swiveling body and the cylinder are disposed below the grass collector in the grass collecting position, and the cylinder extends along the bottom surface of the grass collector.
US07730701B1	Variable speed hydraulic conditioner drive A hydraulic driver for powering the conditioner mechanism on an agricultural mower-conditioner, the hydraulic driver being powered by the same hydraulic power circuit that powers the cutting mechanism, but which includes controls for varying the speed and/or direction of rotation of the conditioner mechanism independent from the speed of the cutting mechanism.
US07730698B1	Split crimper for heat sealing packaging material A split crimper for use in a crimping assembly for engaging and heat sealing overlapping layers of a packaging material includes a first crimper portion having a crimping surface and a second crimper portion that is secured to the first crimper portion to form a crimper. Portions of the first and second crimper portions cooperate to define an interior cavity, and a heating element is disposed completely within the interior cavity.
US07730696B2	Method of making a stone wall The invention described herein includes a method embodiment for making a stone wall manufacturing kit. The method embodiment includes providing a plurality of stones having a variety of thicknesses and lengths; sorting the stones based upon length and thickness of each of the stones; preparing an image of the stone wall; marking each stone within the image with an identifier to make a marked stone image; marking each stone of the plurality of stones with an identifier corresponding to the identifier of the stone in the image of the assembled stone wall; and packaging the marked stones and marked stone image to make a stone wall kit.
US07730695B2	Clip framing system A framing system for adjustably connecting building components comprising an outer stud, an interior support member, and a connecting clip.
US07730694B1	Sliding clip with extended travel An improved sliding clip for a standing seam roof, the clip having a clip base supporting a clip tab adapted to connect to a standing seam, the clip tab slidably supported by the clip base along a slide track on the clip base, the clip tab permitted to travel a selected range along substantially the full length of the clip base so that the length of the travel path can exceed or be less than the length of the clip base. Stop members on the clip base and clip tab are positioned to abut when the clip tab is moved in either direction along the slide track. Alternate tab stops can be provided to selectively determine the extent of travel of the clip tab along the travel path.
US07730691B2	Building panel repair Building panel repair apparatus generally includes a substantially planar backplate for insertion through a hole in a building panel to be repaired. A front face of the backplate is provided with adhesive for mounting the backplate to the rear side of a building panel. At least one flap is defined in the backplate such that the at least one flap is movable between an open position providing an operative with backplate positioning means to facilitate mounting of the backplate to a building panel, and a closed position providing a substrate surface for hole repair material. Other aspects of the invention include methods of repairing building panels using a building panel repair apparatus, and methods of manufacturing building repair apparatus.
US07730688B2	Corner tie bracket for use with insulated concrete form systems A corner bracket member for use in an Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) corner block or other form assembly having a pair of opposed inner and outer spaced apart panels for receiving concrete therebetween, the corner bracket member including at least a pair of side members, each side member having at least a pair of spaced apart flange members adapted for receiving and anchoring exterior facade or other surfaces thereto, and at least one concrete engaging member positioned and located so as to extend in a direction completely across the space formed by and between the inner and outer panels associated with the ICF corner block. The side members and flange members of the corner bracket member are encapsulated within one of the inner and outer panels and the at least one concrete engaging member includes a terminal end portion which is encapsulated within the other of the inner and outer panels when attached thereto.
US07730687B2	Multilayer decoupling system The invention relates to a multi-layer decoupling system, in particular for the laying of ceramic paving according to a thin-bed method. Said system comprises a layered construction containing, from the base upwards, an anchoring fleece made of non-woven material, an anchorage layer that is configured from a lattice-type structural element and that is used to hold a filler material, which is to be incorporated into the upper face of the decoupling system and which is plastic during processing and subsequently cures, in addition to a reinforcement layer, which is fixed, at least in some sections, to the anchorage layer. This improves the load-bearing capacity of the decoupling system and the bonding properties of ceramic paving that is laid in a conventional manner on the decoupling system.
US07730686B2	Reverse molded panel A reverse molded fiberboard panel; a wainscot kit comprising a plurality of differently sized reverse molded panels, and a planar finishing or spacer panel, adapted to completely cover any size wall between a wall base board and a wall chair rail; and a method of reverse molding a loose cellulosic mat, in a single pressing step, to provide one or more relatively high density, raised panels without requiring preliminary pressing, or other pre-shaping step, such as scalping. The reverse-molded panels are molded in a conventional, multi-opening fiberboard press, in a single pressing step process, while achieving excellent transfer of mold detail (embossing fidelity) without visually noticeable fiber fracture.
US07730680B2	Modular monolithic bulkhead panel A modular monolithic metal framed bulkhead panel having an outer frame, an inner frame, a non-metallic composite panel, a panel seal, and a frame seal common to a panel-bulkhead structure interface.
US07730677B2	Barrier system The present invention provides for a glass barrier system including at least one post adapted to support at least one piece of glass above a base structure, such as a concrete slab or a masonry wall. The post is connected with a support member extending from the base structure. In one embodiment, aluminum posts are supported by steel members embedded into and extending from concrete so as to suspend the aluminum posts above the concrete. Some embodiments of the present invention also utilize a glazing bead to help hold the glass in place with respect to the posts. The glass barrier system can also include a rail connected with the glass.
US07730675B2	Post anchor with post holding impressions A post anchor includes a ground engaging portion in the form of fins and a post receiving portion that has an oversized top and angled, linear segment or circular impressions below. The impressions form a clamp when downward force is applied to seat the post that is inserted into the post receiving portion. Adjustment in plumb can be made by moving the top of the post to the desired location and inserting hardware at the top edge of the receiving portion. A damaged post can be replaced by removing the hardware, replacing the post and reinserting the connection hardware.
US07730674B1	Window well A window well for use by a person to escape through a window formed in a basement wall including a generally U-shaped body member having upper and lower ends and inner and outer ends. The open upper end of the body member has a spacer and a removable lid mounted thereon. The body member is comprised of a composite material such as fiberglass. A stair structure is positioned adjacent the inner surface of the front wall of the body member and is also comprised of a composite material.
US07730673B2	Window well assembly A window well assembly for buildings and the like include at least a first well unit and a second well unit each having opposite first and second flanges at opposite ends of a retaining wall of each unit for securing the well units to a sub-grade foundation of the building. Preferably, the assembly has a plurality of releasable spacer couplings that are mated and carried between well units when the assembly is in a stored state, and has indexing features that are mated and carried between well units when the assembly is in an assembled state.
US07730671B2	Sliding louvered doors The present invention is a pair of sliding louvered doors consisting of first and second louvered doors. Each of the louvered doors has a frame consisting of a pair of vertical stiles, each stile having a front face and a rear face and a plurality of louvers mounted between the stiles. The doors are mounted to an elongated head member having two parallel support tracks, each louvered door being suspended on a different track such that the first louvered door is mounted parallel to and in front of the second louvered door. The two louvered doors are separated from each other by a distance such that the rear face of the stiles of the first door faces the front face of the stiles of the second door. The louvers of the first door are mounted to the stiles of the first door such that a portion of the louvers extend beyond the front face of the stiles and the louvers do not extend substantially beyond the rear face of the stiles. Finally, the louvers of the second door are mounted to the stiles of the second door such that a portion of the louvers extend beyond the rear face of the stiles and the louvers do not extend substantially beyond the front face of the stiles of the second door.
US07730669B2	Device for guiding a conductor path for slide door Elongate bases (10) for guiding a movable end (37) of a conductor path (30). Cross sections taken through the bases substantially normal to the elongation directions of the bases are substantially identical to one another and substantially constant along the elongation direction of the bases. Thus, the bases (10) can be obtained by cutting an elongated raw material to a specified length in conformity with a vehicle type, thereby enabling a cost reduction. Further, since the bases (10) are symmetrical with a moving path of the movable end (37) located therebetween, it is sufficient to prepare only one kind of elongated raw material. In this respect as well, costs can be reduced.
US07730665B2	Automatic plant and bird waterer The present invention includes a reservoir on a base supported at an elevation by a support member above a plurality of plants to be watered. A mechanical fill assembly, containing a flush valve and a float connected to a water supply line, automatically keeps the reservoir filled with water for extended periods. The plants are watered by gravity through a plurality of main valves in the reservoir that provide a controlled amount of water to main lines extending to each group of plants. Branch lines extend from each main line that terminate at perforated plant lines at each plant to be watered. A plant valve controls the amount of water each plant will receive on a continuous basis. In a further embodiment of the invention, a bird porch is attached to the reservoir to automatically provided a bird waterer and to provide a bird feeder. Also, a removable fertilizer tray can be provided to fertilize the plants.
US07730664B2	Plant container A plant container assembly (1) comprising two detachably connectable enclosure sections (3, 4), the assembly comprising attachment means (39) which is adapted to secure the sections in the direction of the height of the container, wherein, in an assembled condition, the attachment means is located internally of the assembly.
US07730657B1	Money retrieval apparatus A retrieval apparatus. An illustrative embodiment of the retrieval apparatus includes a main shaft having a trigger compartment; a pair of net support arms pivotally carried by the main shaft; a collection net carried by the pair of net support arms; a pair of arm flanges pivotally attached to the pair of net support arms, respectively, and each other; a trigger block slidably mounted in the trigger compartment; a trigger extending from the trigger block; and a flange attachment cable connecting the trigger block and the pair of arm flanges.
US07730654B2	Systems and methods for tracking ammunition supply in a magazine Systems and methods for tracking ammunition supply in a magazine are disclosed herein. A method for tracking a number of cartridges remaining within a magazine includes tracking an indicator strip coupled to a spring housed within a magazine housing, the magazine housing having the spring coupled at a first end to a follower and at a second end to a foot plate, the spring tangent to the foot plate. The method further includes selectively altering a number of cartridges in the magazine housing and monitoring an indicator window attached to the foot plate and configured to guide the indicator strip, the indicator strip aligned with a reference on the indicator window showing the number of cartridges remaining.
US07730653B2	Information display system An information display system provides an effective device for the storage and display of information. An H-shaped frame provides easy installation and ease of manufacture. An information storage unit is attached to the H-shaped frame and provides a sealed unit that is easy to access but that protects the contents from exposure to the elements.
US07730651B2	Wear assembly A wear assembly for securing a wear member to excavating equipment that includes a base having a nose and a wear member having a socket. The nose and socket are each provided with one or more complementary stabilizing surfaces in central portions thereof.
US07730649B1	Bucket with dust suppressing apparatus A bucket with a dust suppressing apparatus includes a bucket portion and a dust suppressing apparatus coupled to the bucket portion. The dust suppressing apparatus is adapted to operate during operation of the bucket. The dust suppressing apparatus functions to reduce dust emissions during use of the bucket in order to meet EPA requirements. Particular embodiments include an adjustable dust suppressing apparatus coupled directly to the bucket portion, wherein spray direction of the dust suppressing apparatus is adjusted in response to the adjustment of the dust suppressing apparatus.
US07730648B2	Construction vehicle A construction vehicle of an all-round traverse type is configured such that when working by using one working machine of an excavating machine and a loading machine mounted on front and rear sides of a cabin, the working machine in use can perform operation without influence from the other working machine in an unused state, as the excavating machine and the loading machine are configured to be folded and retracted under an unused state into an orientation of substantially fitting along respective surfaces of the front side and the rear side of the cabin. A cabin 3 is mounted on a turn frame 2 that makes an all-round traverse and is mounted on a vehicle body 1, and a mounting bracket 40 is provided on one end of the front end and the rear end of the turn frame 2. An excavator 4 is mounted in front of the cabin 3 by mounting and connecting the excavator 4 to the mounting bracket 40. Boom stands 50 on which a loading machine is to be mounted is provided on both right and left sides of the turn frame 2, and root ends of right and left booms 5a and 5a of a bucket loader 5 are mounted and connected to the boom stands 50. Accordingly, the bucket loader 5 is mounted on the vehicle body 1 such that a bucket 5b supported on tip ends of the booms 5a rises and falls along the rear surface of the cabin 3.
US07730642B2	Snow blower An engine of a snow blower is arranged with a crankshaft along a front to rear direction of the snow blower, and an output shaft, with an outer circumferential portion on which a drive pulley is fixed, is provided in a front end portion of the crankshaft. Further, an intermediate shaft with a rear end circumference on which a driven pulley is fixed and with a front end circumference, on which an impeller drive pulley is fixed, is arranged to extend toward a front direction higher than the output shaft. An impeller drive shaft with a rear end circumference on which an impeller driven pulley is fixed is arranged to extend toward the front direction more downward than the intermediate shaft. A first transmission belt is meshed with the drive pulley and the driven pulley, and a second transmission belt is meshed with the impeller drive pulley and the impeller driven pulley. Using this arrangement, it is possible to provide a snow blower with a low center of gravity.
US07730641B2	Blade element mounting in a snow plough Flexible suspension of colter element (1) of a snowplough furnished with a body (5), a blade (3) as its extension, colter element (1) that gets in contact with the surface to be ploughed, where for the colter element (1) a tilt suited for the purpose is arranged, a.o. a cutting angle. Colter element (1) is fitted to dodge an obstacle in its cutting angle by backing up, whereby the fixing arrangement of colter element (1) has an open space formed for moving plate (13) fitted as extension of the colter element, in which space said moving plate is arranged to glide, and the arrangement includes a spring organ (9) the spring impact of which is arranged to hinder the colter element from backing up.
US07730639B2	Engaging element useful for securing objects, such as footwear and other foot-receiving devices Engaging elements may be included in foot-receiving devices, such as footwear, bindings, clips, or the like. Such elements may include a bimodal spring member movable between two independent stable positions and an arm that moves in response to the bimodal spring member changing between its stable positions. The engaging elements additionally may include a retaining element extending from the arm and/or an arm/bimodal spring interface that induces changes in position of the arm in response to the bimodal spring member changing its stable position. The bimodal spring member, the arm, the retaining element, and/or the arm/bimodal spring interface may form an integral unit. Additionally, methods of engaging a foot-receiving device with a user's foot are disclosed. Such methods may include: (a) orienting a bimodal spring member in a first stable position to place a foot-engaging portion of the foot-receiving device in a foot-accepting position, and (b) moving the bimodal spring member from the first stable position to a second stable position to move the foot-engaging portion of the foot-receiving device to a foot-engaging position.
US07730637B2	Modular shoe A modular shoe includes an upper with an upper side and a lower side, a chassis releasably arranged in an interior of the upper, and a plurality of studs. Each stud is releasably attached to the chassis through the lower side of the upper. The lower side of the upper is clamped between the chassis and at least one of the attached studs. The invention also relates to the various components used in a modular shoe in accordance with the invention.
US07730636B2	Cleated article of footwear and method of manufacture A cleated article of footwear includes a chassis assembly having a sole plate having a plurality of bosses extending from a lower surface thereof. A heel counter extends upwardly from a heel portion of the sole plate. An outer assembly is secured to the chassis assembly and includes a sole portion and an upper secured to the sole portion. A plurality of cleats extends downwardly from a lower surface of the sole portion. Each of a plurality of apertures extends downwardly into a corresponding cleat and receives a boss.
US07730633B2	Agricultural-product production with heat and moisture recovery and control A method and apparatus for agricultural product production with heat and moisture recovery and control. Some embodiments transfer heat and moisture from a warm, moist exhaust air stream to incoming agricultural material, steam condition the material, pelletize the material into warm pellets, cool the warm pellets with make-up air to produce the warm, moist exhaust air used to transfer heat to the incoming material and to produce cooled pellets, wherein the cooled pellets are at a temperature lower than the warm moist air. In some embodiments, the system includes counter-flow devices to transfer heat and moisture. In some embodiments, a controller is used to adjust system devices and overall system flow. In some embodiments a water sprayer, to moisten agricultural product when the product is over dry, and an air flow controller, to slow air flow through the pellet dryer/cooler when ambient temperatures are dryer/cooler, are provided.
US07730630B1	Layered beam measurement apparatus A new and improved tape rule that increases stiffness and standout length over standard tape rules is disclosed. The tape rule includes a primary rule and a secondary rule, the secondary rule providing increased strength. This invention can provide a variety of benefits, including increased blade flexibility while performing short extension related tasks, increased standout and reduced sag while performing tasks requiring longer extensions, reduced size and weight for tasks requiring the longest extensions and adds the ability to utilize alternate measurement methods or units and built in computational references.
US07730628B2	Depth stop devices and systems A depth stop device for use in connection with another device or apparatus (for example, a medical device) includes a stop member slidably positionable on the device, at least one abutment member in operative connection with the stop member to adjustably contact the device to lock the stop member in a desired position relative to the device or to free the stop member to slide relative to the device, and an adjustment member connected to the abutment member to control a position of the abutment member relative to the device. The force applicable by the abutment member to the device is limited to be less than a certain force.
US07730623B2	Frame jamb marker A frame jamb marker includes a sliding panel for sliding on the side surface of the frame and a guiding panel perpendicularly extended from the sliding panel for sliding on the marking surface of the frame, wherein the guiding panel has a top stepping edge and a bottom stepping edge to define a top marking point and a bottom marking point at stepping corners at the top and bottom stepping edges respectively. The user is able to point a marker tool on the marking surface at one of the top and bottom marking points. When the sliding panel is slid on the side surface to drive the guiding panel sliding on the marking surface, the marker tool is guided to slidably mark on the marking surface to make a straight marking line thereon so as to precisely form the marking line parallel to the common edge of the frame.
US07730617B2	Method for connecting heat-dissipating body and heat pipe and structure thereof A method for connecting a heat-dissipating body and a heat pipe and the structure thereof are used to improve the efficiency of heat conduction. The structure includes a heat-dissipating body and a heat pipe. The central position of the heat-dissipating body is provided with an accommodating trough for accommodating the heat pipe. A plurality of corresponding slots extends outwardly from the periphery of the trough. The other end of the slot is connected to a through hole. Tools are disposed in the slots to widen the slots and thus the periphery of the trough, so that the inner diameter of the trough is larger than the outer diameter of the heat pipe. After the heat pipe penetrates into the trough, the tools are removed, so that the inner wall surface of the trough abuts tightly against the outer circumferential surface of the heat pipe. Thus, the optimal efficiency of heat conduction between the heat pipe and the heat-dissipating body can be achieved.
US07730611B2	High capacity pick and place process A method of accurately placing an object with a pick and place machine provides raw material. A desired surface topography is created in the raw material. The raw material is diced into parts using a bevel cut so that each of the parts has bevel surfaces. A fixture is provided that has a plurality of spaced cavities with each cavity having bevel surfaces constructed and arranged to mate with the bevel surfaces of an associated part. A pick and place machine picks and places each part into an associated cavity such that the bevel surfaces of the part mates with the bevel surfaces of the cavity.
US07730610B2	Method of mounting electronic circuit constituting member and relevant mounting apparatus A mounting method comprising the steps of (A) disposing first liquid (2) on first region (11) provided on one principal surface of substrate (1); (B) bringing member-containing liquid (5) containing second liquid (3) and at least one member (4) into contact with the first liquid (2) disposed on the first region (11); and (C) removing the first liquid (2) and the second liquid (3) from the one principal surface to thereby dispose the member (4) on the first region (11). The first liquid (2) is substantially not dissolved in the second liquid (3). The wettability of the first liquid (2) with respect to the surface of the member (4) is higher than that of the second liquid (3).
US07730609B2	Method and apparatus for carrying circuit assemblies An apparatus for a circuit assembly, including two plates which are adapted to hold a circuit assembly, connected by a hinge, and including a hold-down adapted to interlock the circuit assembly to a plate, and a sliding lock adapted to secure the plates. Examples of the present subject matter include embodiments wherein the sliding lock secures the first plate and second plate in a first mode of operation, and releases the first plate in a second mode of operation, and wherein the hold-down interlocks the circuit assembly to the first plate in a first state of operation, and interlocks the circuit assembly to the second plate in a second state of operation. Further, the present subject matter includes a method for using a circuit carrier to hold a circuit assembly.
US07730606B2	Manufacturing method for a wireless communication device and manufacturing apparatus A method for manufacturing wireless communication devices for use in tracking or identifying other items comprises a number of cutting techniques that allow the size of the antenna for the wireless communication device. Further, the chip for the wireless communication device is nested so as to be flush with the surface of the substrate of the wireless communication device. Rollers cut the tabs that form the antenna elements. In a first embodiment, a plurality of rollers are used, each one effecting a different cut whose position may be phased so as to shorten or lengthen the antenna element. In a second embodiment, the rollers are independently positionable to shorten or lengthen the antenna element.
US07730602B2	Production method for a magnetostrictive torque sensor A method for producing a magnetostrictive torque sensor which detects steering torque applied to a steering shaft. A magnetostrictive film is formed on the steering shaft and then subjected to heat treatment, which decreases a weight ratio of hydrogen included in the magnetostrictive film. Thermal desorption gas analysis is performed on at least a portion of the magnetostrictive film undergoing the heat treatment step. A portion of the magnetostrictive film having a thickness of 40 μm or less is heated at a temperature rise rate of 5° C. per minute. A weight ratio of a total amount of hydrogen desorbed from the portion of the magnetostrictive film due to the heat treatment to a weight before the heat treatment is no more than 3 ppm up to 150° C., wherein the weight ratio is no more than 10 ppm up to 300° C., and no more than 15 ppm up to 400° C.
US07730601B2	Device for inserting connecting elements in the end faces and/or longitudinal sides of technical wood products The invention relates to a device for inserting connecting elements in the end faces and/or longitudinal sides of technical wood products, wherein, according to the invention, an inventory for the connecting elements is disposed on a longitudinal side of the conveyor device. Furthermore, a press-in unit is provided, which presses the connecting elements which are fed and held by a transfer arrangement into the groove in the technical wood products.
US07730592B2	In-line cable tie with fixed and hinged locking mechanisms A one-piece cable tie, such as an in-line cable tie, includes a hybrid locking mechanism including both a fixed locking wedge and a hinged locking wedge. The hinged locking wedge may be laterally offset from the fixed locking wedge along a longitudinal axis of an internal passageway of the cable tie head. Preferably, the hinged locking wedge is located on a top surface of the passageway while the fixed locking wedge is located on a bottom surface of the passageway. The hinged locking wedge may be located close to the strap ingress. The cable tie is preferably made of Nylon 6.6, yet can achieve both a low thread insertion force and a high loop tensile strength suitable for demanding applications. Maximized strength is achieved through use of multiple teeth on each of the hinged and fixed locking wedges.
US07730590B2	Apparatus at a spinning preparation machine having at least one electric motor-driven roller In an apparatus at a spinning preparation machine, especially at a carding machine, cleaner, draw frame, combing machine or the like, having at least one electric motor-driven roller, which is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis, the roller is caused to rotate by means of forces of an electromagnetic field that act on at least one roller end-face. In order to achieve a substantially increased drive output and braking output and a high torque in a simple manner, an electromotive drive means is present having a rotor and a stator which are integrated into the roller and into an immobile machine element associated with the roller.
US07730589B2	Power tool with gel grip including an integral backing A power tool with a gel gripping member has a base with a desired configuration. The base has a desired structural rigidity such that when force is exerted on the base, the base substantially prohibits deflection. A flexible layer covers the base. The flexible layer has a mating configuration slightly larger than the base to form a pocket. A gel material is positioned into the pocket to provide resilient characteristics. A mechanism on the base enables the gel gripping member to be secured with the housing of the power tool.
US07730584B2	Single pivot hinge with integral coil spring assist A vehicle closure hinge includes a mount having a pivot axis flange, a pivot link, a pivot coupling the pivot link to the pivot axis flange and a spring formed by a laterally coiled strand extending from a first coil end to a second coil end in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of displacement about the pivot axis. The coil size, the strand size and the number of coils can be varied as desired to vary the spring biasing force exerted against the vehicle closure without varying other components of the hinge. The hinge parts may be designed with various configurations including simple pivoting links or a four bar linkage. A strand end of the coil spring extends along the direction of the coil to a position at a first coil end to maintain biasing force near the plane of displacement about the pivot axis.
US07730577B2	Control handle assembly A control handle assembly (200) includes a rigid handle (202) for grasping by the operator to steer a walk-behind mobile machine (10) and a control portion (220) moveable relative to the handle (202) to control a function of the machine (10). A flexible extension (238) extends between the handle (202) and the control portion (220) and over the separation defined thereby. The flexible extension (238) flexes when pushed or pulled by the operator's hands and particularly when the flexible extension is engaged with both the control portion (220) and the handle (202) and when the operator's hand extends into the separation therebetween.
US07730576B1	Computer mouse cleaning apparatus The present invention is directed to a computer mouse cleaning apparatus for providing a cleaning mechanism including a cylindrical tube, a compressible rubber boot, a brush, and power source to allow a person to clean the inner portion of a computer mouse.
US07730574B1	Cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand An apparatus for the cleaning and washing of objects includes a flexible inner lining that extends over a hand and wrist or arm of a user so as to provide a gap intermediate the exterior of at least a portion of the hand and the interior of the inner lining. A preferred material for the inner lining is fabricated neoprene, rubber, or latex. An outer lining extends over at least a portion of the inner lining and is adapted for a cleaning, polishing, or dusting operation. A preferred material for the outer lining includes cotton fibers. The apparatus is available in either a “gloved” version with fingers or in a “mitt” version that accommodates a plurality of fingers. Both versions, preferably, include a thumb area as well. A first seal surrounds the apparatus around the wrist or arm of the user and is tightened to restrict the inflow of a fluid into the apparatus. A second seal is parallel to the first seal and further restricts the inflow of the fluid and prevents entry of a substantial quantity of the fluid into the gap.
US07730572B2	Continuous feed inter-dental brush and device An inter-dental brush is provided with a handle that accepts a cartridge housing continuous inter-dental brush feedstock. Used, worn out brush is cut off by a slidable cutter provided on an angled portion of the handle. Fresh inter-dental brush is fed out from the continuous inter-dental feedstock by turning a knob on the handle. The protrusion length of the inter-dental brush is controlled by the number of turns. The knob is connected to a gear that pushes against the feedstock, driving the brush through an aperture in the angled portion of the handle. Within the cartridge, the feedstock is removably attached to one swivel and is wrapped around a second swivel. The swivels have a brake that produces a taut feedstock as the brush is fed out. The cartridge may contain a single roll with a brake instead of a pair of swivels.
US07730567B2	Mattress lifting device The invention provides a device for vertically lifting an end of a horizontally disposed mattress which includes an elongated member being disposed beneath the mattress and movable by way of a handle which is disposed on and secured to one end of the elongated member between a resting position wherein the elongated member is disposed coplanar with a bottom surface of the mattress and a lifting position wherein the elongated member is disposed generally perpendicular to the bottom mattress surface for lifting the end of the mattress in the vertical direction. The handle is releaseably secured to the end of the end of the elongated member for ease of securing the handle to an opposed end of the elongated member.
US07730561B2	Used water removal system for a portable, hand-wash sink station A used water removal system for a stand-alone hand-wash sink station having a vertically elongated used water storage tank and within which a vertically elongated, fresh water tank is positioned. A sink basin disposed above the used water storage tank drains used water into the used water storage tank. A water line conveys water from the fresh water tank to a faucet located above the sink basin. An inverted, vertically elongated, U-shaped tube is arranged within the station alongside the fresh water tank. One end of the tube opens into the used water storage tank near its lower end. The second end of the tube opens to the outside of the station. The curved bight of the tube is located at a height that is above the maximum height of the used water within the used water storage tank. Water may be rapidly removed from the tank by temporarily applying suction to the second end of the tube to siphon used water through the tube and out of the used water storage tank.
US07730560B2	Odorless toilet The present invention provides an odorless toilet comprising an adapter ring compressed between a toilet horn and a sewer pipe flange and having a hollow core, an adapter inlet and an exhaust vent; a seat having at least one intake port, a gas cavity and a gas cavity exhaust port; a fan having a fan inlet and a fan exhaust, the fan inlet connected to the gas cavity exhaust port and the fan exhaust connected to the adapter inlet, wherein when the fan is operating, a negative pressure develops in the seat gas cavity, and the odor is pulled into the seat gas cavity through at least one intake port and exhausted from the gas cavity exhaust port to the adapter inlet and then channeled into a sewer pipe through the exhaust vent, wherein the exhaust vent of the adapter ring extends below the sewer pipe flange, wherein the adapter ring has an opening through the center to allow unobstructed passage of waste matter from the toilet horn to a sewer pipe when the toilet is flushed.
US07730552B2	Pants garment A pants garment has a pair of thigh leg members for covering the thigh area of a wearer. A front thigh elastic band member is provided substantially at a front side of each of the thigh leg members and extends obliquely from an upper front portion to a lower front portion of each thigh leg member. A back thigh elastic band member is provided substantially at a back side of each of the thigh leg members and extends obliquely from an upper back portion to a lower back portion of each thigh leg member. The garment also has a front and back crus elastic band members extending obliquely on crus leg members, which cover the crus areas of the wearer.
US07730550B2	Knee support A knee support has a body and two pressing strips. The body is a band having two ends, a central segment, a protecting portion, and a shockproof pad. The protecting portion is formed in the central segment of the body. The two pressing strips are formed on the outer surface of the body and each has a distal end and a connector being formed on the distal end. The distal end of the pressing strip mounted through the ring, folded back on itself and attached to the body using the connector. The body orientates and holds the knee support in position while the pressing strip presses tightly against and supports a patella of the knee. The knee support prevents discomfort associated with loss of blood and provides good shock-absorption for the knee.
US07730549B2	Protective athletic equipment A protective garment for an arm is disclosed herein. The protective garment includes a protector portion having an outer surface and an inner surface. The protective garment also includes a screen layer disposed below the outer surface.
US07730548B1	Ballistics vest pad cover A ballistics vest pad cover (4) having at least one side that is transparent, thereby permitting a user to easily view the condition of the ballistics vest pad (3). In addition, because at least one side is transparent, a user will be able to readily determine which side should be facing towards the body. An optional label (9) may be placed on the body-face side of the cover (5) so as to provide an additional means of indicating the body-face side of the cover (5) and ballistics vest pad (7). Because the user will be able to easily view the ballistics vest pad (3), he or she will always be aware of the condition of the ballistics vest pad (3) and may replace the ballistics vest pad (3) and cover (4) as needed. As the user no longer needs to guess whether the ballistics vest pad (3) is still in good condition, lives will be saved. In addition, the number of injuries occurring from wearing the ballistics vest pad (3) incorrectly will be dramatically reduced.
US07735144B2	Document modification detection and prevention Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for document authentication. An electronic document is presented to a user. The electronic document has data representing a signed state and a current state. A disallowed difference between the signed state and the current state is detected, based on one or more rules that are associated with the electronic document. A digital signature associated with the electronic document is invalidated in response to the detecting.
US07735143B2	System and method for secure document processing This invention is directed to a system and method for secure document processing. More particularly, this invention is directed to a system and method for secure document processing wherein a user has the ability to confidentially generate or print a document without generating a log entry or other information related to the document.
US07735142B2	Electronic vulnerability and reliability assessment Systems for providing information on system vulnerabilities include a database populated with descriptive system information and a database structure configured as a hierarchical plurality of database pages configured to include element vulnerability information and links to related database pages. A rule processor module is configured to provide rules for cycling through the database structure to match keywords, such as keywords provided by user input, and descriptive system information from the database with element vulnerability information from the database structure. Other systems and methods are also provided.
US07735141B1	Intrusion event correlator Disclosed is a system for correlating intrusion events using attack graph distances. The system includes an attack graph generator, an exploit distance calculator, an intrusion detector, an event report/exploit associator, an event graph creator, an event graph distance calculator, a correlation value calculator, and a coordinated attack analyzer. An attack graph is constructed for exploits and conditions in a network. The exploit distance calculator determines exploit distances for exploit pair(s). The intrusion detector generates event. Events are associated with exploits. Event graph distances are calculated. Correlation values are calculated for event pair(s) using event graph distances. The correlation values are analyzed using a correlation threshold to detect coordinated attacks.
US07735137B2	Method and apparatus for storing intrusion rule A method and apparatus for storing an intrusion rule are provided. The method stores a new intrusion rule in an intrusion detection system having already stored intrusion rules, and includes: generating combinations of divisions capable of dividing the new intrusion rule into a plurality of partial intrusion rules; calculating the frequency of hash value collisions between each of the generated division combinations and the already stored intrusion rules; dividing the new intrusion rule according to the division combination which has the lowest calculated frequency of hash value collisions; and storing the divided new intrusion rule in a corresponding position of the intrusion detection system. According to the method and apparatus, the size of the storage unit occupied by the intrusion rule can be reduced, and by performing pattern matching, the performance of the intrusion detection system can be enhanced.
US07735129B2	Firewall device A firewall apparatus including plural virtual firewalls, each virtual firewall including a dependent firewall policy, is disclosed. The firewall apparatus includes: a distribution management table for managing a user name and a virtual firewall ID; a part configured to receive authentication information for network connection from a user terminal, and hold a user name included in the authentication information; a part configured to report the authentication information to the authentication server; and a part configured to receive an authentication response from the authentication server, and hold a user ID, included in the authentication response, to be provided to the user terminal. The firewall apparatus registers the user ID in the distribution management table associating the user ID with the user name.
US07735124B2	Password input and verification method A password input and verification method is provided to prevent the disclosing of the password from peeping. The method is easy to learn, transparent to the users, and requires no hardware change and only minor software modification. The method allows a user to enter a much longer string of characters when he or she is asked for the password. The user is then authenticated if the actual password is embedded as a whole anywhere within the input string. The method also provides a mechanism called prohibition key. A prohibition key is a predetermined character that, when present in the user input string, the user is not authenticated regardless of whether the actual password is contained in the input string or not.
US07735122B1	Credential mapping Methods, systems, and data structures map credentials. A master credential is established for a user or an application. The master credential is mapped to one or more service credentials associated with one or more services. When a request for a service is received from a requestor, the request is authenticated using the master credential. If the master credential is authenticated, then an appropriate service credential associated with the appropriate requested service is acquired and sent directly (via proxy) to the service on behalf of the requestor.
US07735118B2	Method and apparatus for preventing bridging of secure networks and insecure networks The invention comprises a method and apparatus for preventing a bridge between a secure network and an insecure network. Specifically, the method comprises monitoring a network device supporting a secure network connection for an attempt to establish an insecure network connection, and terminating the secure network connection in response to detecting the attempt to establish the insecure network connection, where the secure network connection comprises a network layer connection.
US07735117B2	Context-sensitive confidentiality within federated environments Techniques are disclosed for achieving context-sensitive confidentiality within a federated environment for which content is aggregated in a distributed Web portal (or similar aggregation framework), ensuring that message portions that should be confidential are confidential to all entities in the federated environment except those entities to which the message portions may properly be divulged. The federation may comprise an arbitrary number of autonomous security domains, and these security domains may have independent trust models and authentication services. Using the disclosed techniques, messages can be routed securely within a cross-domain federation (irrespective of routing paths), thereby ensuring that confidential information is not exposed to unintended third parties and that critical information is not tampered with while in transit between security domains. Preferred embodiments leverage Web services techniques and a number of industry standards.
US07735116B1	System and method for unified threat management with a relational rules methodology A unified threat management system is provided with a uniform relational rules model. The unified relational rules model provides for the sub-setting of rules and the ability to derive a result based partially from previous security measurements. The sharing of a security check from one security implementation to another using an object-oriented methodology is facilitated. Security policy is divided into specific security features that result in a security hierarchy. The security features may be considered to be listed sequentially, from bottom to top, and form a relationship with one another. These relationships are used to build a current security measure upon a previous security measure and may be used as a pre-cursor when marshalling data content to be validated.
US07735113B2	Receiving apparatus, and display apparatus and television broadcasting system therewith During sleep mode, a power-source control section stops the power supply to a tuner, a demodulation section, an AV-data processing section and a microcomputer, and delivers a power supply only to a standby tuner. The standby tuner receives a start signal which is transmitted from a head end, using a frequency except a specific frequency which is received by the tuner, and outputs a power-supply instruction signal according to the start signal. The power-source control section executes a power supply to the tuner, the demodulation section, the AV-data processing section and the microcomputer, in response to the power-supply instruction signal.
US07735111B2	Merging of multiple encoded audio-video streams into one program with source clock frequency locked and encoder clock synchronized A system and method for merging of multiple encoded audio and video streams into a single program in the transport stream enables playback of any audio stream with any video stream. This is accomplished by first locking the frequency of audio and video input streams for a plurality of different programs to a source clock, independently encoding each program with its own PCR and PTS into a program stream, multiplexing the program streams into a transport stream, and then synchronizing the PCR and PTS of the program streams to a declared master PCR.
US07735109B2	Method and apparatus for setting channels automatically in wireless transceiver system Provided are a method of and an apparatus for automatically setting a channel to achieve channel synchronization between a transmitter and a receiver in a wireless transceiver system. The transmitter stores information about a channel tuned according to an initial channel number, transmits a message indicating a completion of the channel information storage to a receiver, and transmits a next channel number in response to a message confirming the completion of a channel information storage performed in the receiver. The receiver receives a tuned channel number and the message indicating the completion of the channel information storage in sequence from the transmitter, stores channel information corresponding to the received tuned channel number, transmits the message confirming the completion of the channel information storage to the transmitter, and waits for the next channel number to be received from the transmitter.
US07735101B2	System allowing users to embed comments at specific points in time into media presentation A method and system for linking a web page to a portion of a video is provided. Users can enter comments into a video that include a start and end time index for identifying a portion of a video. Comments are indexed to the media presentations such that they may be searched and located, thus media playback can be executed from any comment. The system allocates a unique comment track to each user that can be turned on and off at will by users during playback.
US07735100B1	Regulating remote registry access over a computer network Within the context of a system of networked computers, a remote registry access manager regulates remote registry access. In some embodiments, the remote registry access manager runs on a first computer and detects attempts by processes on the first computer to remotely access a second computer's registry. The remote registry access manager determines whether attempts to remotely access the second computer's registry are legitimate. Legitimacy of a given remote access attempt may be determined based on a number of different criteria, such as whether the first computer and the second computer have an established trust relationship. If a given attempt is indeed determined to be legitimate, the remote registry access manager allows the attempt to proceed. If it is not, then the remote registry access manager blocks the attempt.
US07735099B1	Method and system for processing network data Method and system for a network for receiving and sending network packets is provided. The system includes a host processor that executes an operating system for a host system and at least one application that runs in a context that is different from a context of the operating system; and a network adapter with a hardware device that can run a network protocol stack, wherein the application can access the network adapter directly via an application specific interface layer without using the operating system and the application designates a named memory buffer for a network connection and when data is received by the network adapter for the network connection, then the network adapter passes the received data directly to the designated named buffer.
US07735095B2	Network device drivers using a communication transport Network device drivers that interface with a communication transport are described. In one aspect, a networked computing system includes the network device driver and the communication transport. The network device driver converts abstract network device calls to network hardware device specific calls. The network hardware device specific calls are transported from the network device driver via the communication transport to a network hardware device.
US07735094B2	Ascertaining domain contexts Various embodiments pertain to ascertaining domain contexts. In one embodiment, an application receives content that may contain a script (i.e. code). In this case, the domain context is ascertained and the script is executed in the context of the domain associated with the received content, rather than requiring the application or some other component to navigate to a location, such as a web location, to attempt to ascertain the domain context of the script. In another embodiment, third party objects or code are required to provide their domain context to an application in order for the application to make a security-based decision.
US07735091B2	Methods, systems and computer program products for providing application services to a user Computing device executed application services are provided to a user using a plurality of application service providing modules, each of which provides a subset of the application services to the user. A request received form the user is translated to one or more needs to be satisfied. One or more of the application service providing modules required for satisfying the need(s) is identified. Execution of actions by the identified application service providing module(s) to satisfy the need(s) is scheduled.
US07735086B2	Methods and arrangements for planning and scheduling change management requests in computing systems Methods and arrangements for planning and scheduling change management requests in computing systems are disclosed. Included are an arrangement for deciding whether or not an RFC should be done, an arrangement for assigning individual tasks to acceptable servers for each RFC to be done, and an arrangement for assigning the start times to said individual tasks for each RFC to be done.
US07735085B2	System for application priority based on device operating mode System for application priority based on device operating mode. A method is provided for allocating a top visible resource on a device. The method includes receiving a request requesting allocation of the top visible resource to a requesting application, and determining that the top visible resource is allocated to an owning application. The method also includes associating owner information with requester information to form an arbitration request. The method also includes arbitrating the arbitration request to produce an arbitration decision that indicates that the top visible resource is to be allocated to the requesting application if the owner information indicates that the owning application is privileged and an identifier that identifies the requesting application is contained in a relinquish list associated with the owner information.
US07735084B2	Communication processing apparatus, communication processing method, and computer program A communication processing apparatus is disclosed which performs a process for establishing a connection upon receipt of a communication connection request. The apparatus includes a controlling element for performing a connection availability determination process upon receipt of the connection request. The controlling element performs a user identification process for identifying a user representing a connection request sender based on data in the connection request. The controlling element further carries out the process for establishing the connection if communication processing resources allocated for the user having a user identifier acquired in the user identification process are judged to be available.
US07735083B2	System and method for scheduling a future event A method for setting timers is disclosed in which an array is maintained, each element of which represents a period of time. Events which are to occur within the time period associated with the array element are linked to the array element. The events associated with each array element are executed at a pre-determined time interval. A pointer pointing to the current time period being processed wraps around to the beginning of the array when the end of the array is reached.
US07735075B2	System and method for a pseudo dynamic link library (DLL) linker for a monolithic image in a wireless device The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method for a pseudo DLL linker. In one example, the method includes identifying a plurality of components forming an image and identifying all symbols exportable from each component and all symbols imported by each component from another component. A redirection mechanism is built containing an address of each symbol exported by a component that is imported by another component, and each component is modified to alter each direct reference to a symbol associated with another component to a reference to the redirection mechanism. A linker is called to link a final image based on the modified components.
US07735074B2	Code outlining without trampolines A system and method for optimizing compiler performance including outlining cold code at link time, rather than compile time, such that trampolines are not required. Branch instructions connecting a hot block to a cold block can be converted from a short branch distance limit to a longer branch distance limit, further optimizing code performance. Editors, implementing a plurality of windows that can be maintained for each function, can display the maximum distance that code blocks can be safely outlined. Other implementations allow the optimal placement of code that is significantly greater in size than the maximum possible branch distance.
US07735072B1	Method and apparatus for profiling computer program execution According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for profiling computer program executions in a computer processing system having a processor and a memory hierarchy. The method includes the step of executing a computer program. Profile counts are stored in a memory array for events associated with the execution of the computer program. The memory array is separate and distinct from the memory hierarchy so as to not perturb normal operations of the memory hierarchy.
US07735071B2	Method and system for compiling multiple languages A method and system for compiling multiple source language files that share a common library. The common library is represented in a common language that can be used by multiple different source languages. Font end compiler systems read the common language files that make up the common library and the source language files that use the library. Additionally, the front end systems produce common language files. The common language files produced by the front end systems can be used in the common library. The common language files may also be supplied to a back end system or runtime environment that further compiles the common language file to an executable form and executes the file. At runtime, the common language file is used by the runtime environment to layout the objects and methods used during execution.
US07735068B2	Automated relationship traceability between software design artifacts Tools and methods are described herein that allows for measuring and using the relationship between artifacts of a software design, such as requirements, test plans, and so on. The relationship can be quantified by determining a relationship quotient for quantifying a similarity between components of software design artifacts and presenting the quantified relationships to a user, such as a software designer, so that he or she can account for the relationship between such components during design changes and so on. The relationship quotient is made more representative of substantive similarity by selecting the key terms that are to be submitted to a similarity analysis such that words that are too common in the English language, such as conjunctions, articles, etc., are not used. Ubiquity of certain key terms in an enterprise is accounted for by adding a term significance weight to the similarity analysis. The similarity analysis is made contextual, for instance, by the use of inputs from domain ontology including Entity Descriptions, and Entity Relationships.
US07735066B1	Debugging interface A software tool and method is provided in which a user can ask questions about their computer programs. As the subject program is executed, information is collected about the units of code that are executed and the changes to data. The user can pause the program, for example by pressing a button labeled “Why”, which will prompt the user to select what they want to ask about. For example, the user can ask about why units of code did or did not get executed. The tool and method provide answers that can be in the form of prepared statements and interactive data and control flow visualizations that show the values of data and the particular units of code that caused the execution to occur or not occur. The user can ask further questions using the visualization.
US07735064B2	Method and apparatus for evaluating software A method and system for evaluating software includes generating a test deck (310), where the test deck is formulated to test the software for compliance with delivery system operation procedures (315), processing the test deck with the software, and grading the performance of the software for compliance with delivery system operation procedures (320).
US07735062B2	Software development system and method A computer design model processing system and methods are described that can create visual models of computer systems, store versions of design models in a centralized repository, automatically generate and deploy computer software systems in response to the stored computer design models, define dependencies between computer design models, and automate and assist the development of multiple, possibly dependent, computer design models by multiple developers.
US07735060B2	Method and system for rapidly developing and deploying sensor-enabled software applications A system for deploying component-based software systems for the implementation of desired sensor data process flows makes use of a toolset of software components specially tailored for building sensor data process flows. In one or more embodiments, the system comprises a front-end application operative to generate system specifications from user input, each system specification defining a desired component-based software system of one or more sensor components and their corresponding configurations in accordance with sensor component class definitions (e.g., the toolset) for a predefined set of sensor components tailored for building desired sensor data process flows. The system further includes a back-end application operative to store the sensor component class definitions for use in instantiating sensor components as needed, receive system specifications, and dynamically build and run the corresponding desired component-based software systems within a run-time environment provided by the back-end application.
US07735058B2	Remote component and connection architecture A method of developing software comprises the steps of defining a plurality of component objects for receiving input data and producing output data, defining a plurality of connection objects for passing data between the component objects, and executing an initialization script to define a behavioral model for the system by defining relationships between the component objects and the connection objects. A software development system that performs the method is also provided.
US07735056B2	Automated circuit design dimension change responsive to low contrast condition determination in photomask phase pattern The present application is directed to methods of forming a phase pattern for an integrated circuit feature described in a design database as having a first target dimension. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining whether forming a phase pattern for the integrated circuit feature described in the design database will result in one or more phase blocks of the same phase type being positioned in relative proximity so as to result in a low contrast condition, selecting a second target dimension that will avoid the low contrast condition if the low contrast condition will result, and forming the phase pattern for an integrated circuit feature having the second target dimension. Systems for forming phase patterns and photomasks comprising the phase patterns of the present application are also disclosed.
US07735052B2	Method of identifying an extreme interaction pitch region, methods of designing mask patterns and manufacturing masks, device manufacturing methods and computer programs Optical proximity effects (OPEs) are a well-known phenomenon in photolithography. OPEs result from the structural interaction between the main feature and neighboring features. It has been determined by the present inventors that such structural interactions not only affect the critical dimension of the main feature at the image plane, but also the process latitude of the main feature. Moreover, it has been determined that the variation of the critical dimension as well as the process latitude of the main feature is a direct consequence of light field interference between the main feature and the neighboring features. Depending on the phase of the field produced by the neighboring features, the main feature critical dimension and process latitude can be improved by constructive light field interference, or degraded by destructive light field interference. The phase of the field produced by the neighboring features is dependent on the pitch as well as the illumination angle. For a given illumination, the forbidden pitch region is the location where the field produced by the neighboring features interferes with the field of the main feature destructively. The present invention provides a method for determining and eliminating the forbidden pitch region for any feature size and illumination condition. Moreover, it provides a method for performing illumination design in order to suppress the forbidden pitch phenomena, and for optimal placement of scattering bar assist features.
US07735049B2	Mask network design for scan-based integrated circuits A method and apparatus for selectively masking off unknown (‘x’) captured scan data in first selected scan cells 220 from propagating through the scan chains 221 for test, debug, diagnosis, and yield improvement of a scan-based integrated circuit 207 in a selected scan-test mode 232 or selected self-test mode. The scan-based integrated circuit 207 contains a plurality of scan chains 221, a plurality of pattern generators 208, a plurality of pattern compactors 213, with each scan chain 221 comprising multiple scan cells 220, 222 coupled in series. The method and apparatus further includes an output-mask controller 211 and an output-mask network 212 embedded on the scan data input path of second selected scan cells 222, or a set/reset controller controlling selected set/reset inputs of second selected scan cells. A synthesis method is also proposed for synthesizing the output-mask controller 211 and the set/reset controller.
US07735039B1	Methods of estimating net delays in tile-based PLD architectures Methods of estimating delays between pins on a tile-based programmable logic device (PLD), by identifying repeat patterns and exploiting these patterns to provide accurate delay estimates. A computer-implemented method can include selecting a sample area in a tile-based PLD and constructing a delay table corresponding to the sample area. Each entry in the delay table includes a base delay value and a description of the fastest available route from a source pin in a source tile to a load pin in the sample area. To estimate a net delay, the base delay value and the description of the route are read from the delay table for specified source and load pins. One or more delay variants (e.g., pin delays and/or crossing penalties) are calculated based on the description of the route. The calculated delay variants are added to the base delay value to obtain an adjusted delay value, which is output.
US07735038B2	Design structure to reduce power consumption within a clock gated synchronous circuit and clock gated synchronous circuit A design structure to reduce power consumption within a clock gated synchronous circuit, said synchronous circuit comprising at least two successive stages, wherein each stage if activated propagates a data signal cycle by cycle to a succeeding stage the two successive stages comprising at least a control register, a data register and a local clock buffer (LCB) each, wherein each stage if activated propagates a data signal stored within the data register cycle by cycle to a data register of a succeeding stage.
US07735036B2	System and method enabling circuit topology recognition with auto-interactive constraint application and smart checking A computer-implemented method of identifying sub-circuits in circuit designs includes: receiving a selection of a sub-circuit; specifying a match expression for the sub-circuit, where the match expression characterizes matching properties of components of the sub-circuit; modifying the match expression to change the matching properties of components of the sub-circuit; and producing an information structure in a computer readable medium, where the information structure associates a graph representing a topology of the selected sub-circuit with the modified match expression. Subsequently, the information structure corresponding to the selected sub-circuit can be identified in a given circuit design.
US07735034B2	Simulation model for a semiconductor device describing a quasi-static density of a carrier as a non-quasi-static model There is disclosed a simulation model and method for designing a semiconductor device being used for a simulation apparatus for designing a semiconductor device that includes using assuming units as to carrier transient density and current flow of electrodes along with a non-quasi-static model describing unit of the simulation apparatus. A simulation apparatus and computer readable medium with a simulation program for executing the method are also included.
US07735029B2	Method and system for improving the manufacturability of integrated circuits At a particular stage in design of an integrated circuit, DFM improvements are identified which might conflict with design requirements applicable during a subsequent stage in the design flow. These DFM improvements are “reserved” that is, they are not implemented right away. However, an instance of a DFM-optimized version of this portion of the design is generated, characterized and stored. Meta information is associated with the reserved DFM improvements, for example locations in the design which correspond to the reserved DFM improvements are tagged. If, after the subsequent stage in the design flow, processing of the meta-information (tags) shows that the reserved DFM improvement does not actually conflict with the potentially-conflicting design requirement, the corresponding reserved DFM improvement is implemented, for example, by swapping-in the stored instance of the DFM-optimized version of this portion of the design.
US07735028B2	Logic circuit redesign program, logic circuit redesign apparatus, and logic circuit redesign method A computer is allowed to execute an information acquisition process that acquires a file expressing information on pins used in respective ports provided in each block of a logic circuit to be redesigned and information indicating connection relationships between the ports (#2); execute a multiplexer disposition process that, based on the file, classifies pins of output ports of a block into a number of pin groups that is less than the number of pins, and disposes a multiplexer having a function to multiplex a signal output from each pin classified in the same pin group (#11, #13); and execute a demultiplexer disposition process that, based on that file, disposes a demultiplexer having a function to demultiplex signals that have been output from output ports of a block and multiplexed by the multiplexer, and a function to output each demultiplexed signal to input ports of respective input destination blocks (#12, #13).
US07735027B2	Alignment of product representations A system, method, and computer program for identifying a plurality of product representations; formulating a plurality of logical expressions from said plurality of product representations; and aligning each of said plurality of logical expressions with a variance completeness and a consistency and appropriate means and computer-readable instructions.
US07735025B2	Portable terminal having motion-recognition capability and motion recognition method therefor A motion-recognition portable terminal and a motion recognition method therefor are provided. In the portable terminal, a motion key starts to create a motion entry, upon activation. A motion detector measures an acceleration along each axis of the portable terminal, upon activation of the motion key. A controller determines whether the motion entry has been completed based on the variation of the each-axis acceleration.

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