最新美国发明专利第2014-10-14期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08858838B2	Additive formulation suitable for antistatic modification and improving the electrical conductivity of inanimate organic material An additive formulation suitable for antistatic modification and improving the electrical conductivity of inanimate organic material, consisting essentially of(A) from 1 to 50% by weight of an olefin-sulfur dioxide copolymer,(B) from 1 to 50% by weight of a compound which comprises one or more basic nitrogen atoms and has at least one relatively long-chain linear or branched hydrocarbon radical having at least four carbon atoms or an equivalent structural element which ensures the solubility of component (B) in the inanimate organic material, (C) from 0.1 to 30% by weight of an oil-soluble acid and (D) from 1 to 80% by weight of a high-boiling organic solvent which consists of one or more molecule types, where at least 80% by weight of these molecule types have a boiling point of more than 150° C. at standard pressure, where the sum of all components adds up to 100% by weight.
US08858835B2	Red light-emitting flourescent substance and light-emitting device employing the same The embodiment provides a red light-emitting fluorescent substance represented by the following formula (1): (M1-xECx)aM1bAlOcNd (1). In the formula (1), M is an element selected from the group consisting of IA group elements, IIA group elements, IIIA group elements, IIIB group elements, rare earth elements and IVA group elements; EC is an element selected from the group consisting of Eu, Ce, Mn, Tb, Yb, Dy, Sm, Tm, Pr, Nd, Pm, Ho, Er, Cr, Sn, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Cd, Sb, Au, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi and Fe; M1 is different from M and is selected from the group consisting of tetravalent elements; and x, a, b, c and d are numbers satisfying the conditions of 0
US08858832B2	Construction of quantum dots via a regioselective dendritic functionalized cellulose template The invention is directed to quantum dot nanoparticles and methods of preparation. Using regioselective dendritic functionalized cellulose, quantum dots may be embedded in the modified cellulosic material. The quantum dot nanoparticles provide use for biotechnology or biomedicinal applications. Photooptical properties and morphology for use in as well as its biocompatibility were investigated.
US08858830B2	Optically isotropic liquid crystal medium and optical device A liquid crystal composition is described, which exhibits an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase and contains an achiral component T and a chiral dopant. The achiral component T contains, as its first component, at least one compound selected from compounds represented by formula (1) in an amount of 32 wt % to 85 wt %, wherein R1 is alkyl, for example; L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 and L6 are each independently hydrogen or fluorine; Z1 and Z2 are each independently a single bond or —CF2O—, with at least one of Z1 and Z2 being —CF2O—; and X1 is halogen, for example.
US08858828B2	Use of 2-(3-aminopropoxy)ethan-1-ol as an absorbent to remove acidic gases The present disclosure provides a scrubbing composition containing an aqueous solution of 2-(3-aminopropoxy)ethan-1-ol. The scrubbing composition is especially suited for use in removing acid gases, such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, from gas streams.
US08858823B2	Compositions comprising 3,3,3-trifluoropropene and ammonia A composition based on 3,3,3-trifluoropropene and ammonia, and to the use thereof, especially as a heat transfer fluid. A heat-transfer composition including the composition based on 3,3,3-trifluoropropene and ammonia and also one or more additives chosen from lubricants, stabilizers, surfactants, tracers, fluorescers, odorant agents and solubilizers, and mixtures thereof. A process for heating or cooling a fluid or a body by means of a vapor compression circuit containing a heat-transfer fluid, said process successively including evaporation of the heat-transfer fluid, compression of the heat-transfer fluid, condensation of the heat fluid and depressurization of the heat-transfer fluid, in which the heat-transfer fluid is a composition based on 3,3,3-trifluoropropene and ammonia.
US08858821B2	Magnetic extractants, method of making and using the same A water treatment composition capable of effectively adsorbing pollutants from water is described. The composition includes magnetic extractants, which comprise magnetite nanoparticles containing functional groups. The composition is used to remove from water and aqueous streams oils and other contaminants. A process for removing contaminants from water and apparatus used in the process are also described.
US08858819B2	Method for chemical mechanical planarization of a tungsten-containing substrate The titled method affords low dishing levels in the polished substrate while simultaneously affording high metal removal rates. The method utilizes an associated polishing composition. Components in the composition include a poly(alkyleneimine) such as polyethyleneimine, an abrasive, an acid, and an oxidizing agent, such as a per-compound.
US08858818B2	Method for minimizing defects in a semiconductor substrate due to ion implantation The effects of knock-on oxide in a semiconductor substrate are reduced by providing a semiconductor substrate and forming a thin layer of native oxide on the semiconductor substrate. Ion implantation is performed through the native oxide layer. The native oxide layer reduces the phenomenon of knock-on oxide and oxygen concentration within the semiconductor substrate. Further reduction may be achieved by etching the surface of the semiconductor substrate in order to eliminate a concentration of oxygen at a surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US08858812B2	Processing method for an ink jet head substrate Provided is a processing method for an ink jet head substrate, including: forming a barrier layer on a substrate and forming a seed layer on the barrier layer; forming a resist film on the seed layer and patterning the resist film so that the patterned resist film corresponds to a pad portion for electrically connecting an ink jet head to an outside of the ink jet head; forming the pad portion in an opening of the patterned resist film; removing the resist film; subjecting the substrate to anisotropic etching to form an ink supply port; removing the barrier layer and the seed layer; and performing laser processing from a surface of the substrate.
US08858809B2	Method of manufacturing magnetic recording medium A manufacturing method of a magnetic recording medium includes steps of forming a magnetic recording layer, a first mask layer, a second mask layer containing silicon as primary component, a strip layer, a third mask layer, and a resist layer, a step of patterning the resist layer to provide a pattern, steps of transferring the pattern to the third mask layer, to the strip layer, and to the second mask layer, a step of removing the strip layer by wet etching and of stripping the third mask layer and the resist layer above the magnetic recording layer, steps of transferring the pattern to the first mask layer and to the magnetic recording layer, and a step of stripping the first mask layer remaining on the magnetic recording layer.
US08858805B2	Method and device for removal of ammonia and related contaminants from water A sono-molecular-conversion device and method for effecting nitrification of ammonia in water, the method including feeding the water containing ammonia through a sono-molecular conversion device including a plurality of ultrasound transducers; and applying ultrasonic energy to the water containing ammonia by the sono-molecular conversion device to ultrasonically collapse microsized bubbles with transient cavitation in the water containing ammonia to effect nitrification of ammonia therein by sono-molecular-conversion.
US08858802B2	Deoiling of SAGD produce water Methods of deoiling oily water such as SAGD and frac produce water. The oily water is treated with a natural coagulant selected from tannins and chitosan. A cationic and/or anionic flocculant may also be added to the treated oily water. The thus treated oily water may be subjected to conventional mechanical oil separation techniques such as hydrocyclonic separation, dissolved air flotation, entrapped air flotation, induced gas flotation, gravity filters, reverse osmosis filters, API, or Voraxial® bulk separators and the like.
US08858801B2	Cu—Mo separation The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material, at least one second material and at least one third material, which comprises at least the following steps: (A) contacting of the mixture comprising at least one first material, at least one second material and at least one third material with at least one hydrocarbon in an amount of from 0.01 to 0.4% by weight, based on the sum of mixture and at least one hydrocarbon, in the presence or absence of at least one dispersion medium, (B) if appropriate, addition of at least one dispersion medium to the mixture obtained in step (A) in order to obtain a dispersion, (C) treatment of the dispersion from step (A) or (B) with at least one hydrophobic magnetic particle, so that the at least one first material and the at least one magnetic particle agglomerate, (D) separation of the adduct from step (C) from the mixture by application of a magnetic field, (E) if appropriate, dissociation of the adduct which has been separated off in step (D) in order to obtain the at least one first material and the at least one magnetic particle separately.
US08858800B2	Manufacture of chromatography matrices The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a chromatography matrix comprising providing a polysaccharide carrier comprising available hydroxyl groups; and reacting said hydroxyl groups with vinyl sulphonate to provide a sulphonate-functionalized (S-functionalized) cation exchanger. The hydroxyl groups of the carrier may be hydroxyls of the agarose polymer; or alternatively they may be provided on extenders such as polyhydroxyfunctional polymers. In one embodiment, the carrier is made of agarose with improved flow pressure properties.
US08858795B2	Filter apparatus A fluid filter apparatus includes a first surrounding sidewall having inlet and outlet apertures, with first and second end portions, a cover attached to the second end portion and a domed end attached to the first end portion. Also included is a second surrounding sidewall with primary and secondary end portions, being co-axially disposed within the first surrounding sidewall, with a first environment interior disposed therebetween, a second environmental interior disposed within the second surrounding sidewall, and a third environmental interior disposed within said first surrounding sidewall. Further included is a primary strainer disposed between the first and second environments, a vane forming a helical channel within the first environmental adding a centrifugal velocity to the fluid to separate heavier fluids and particulates. Also, a secondary strainer is between the second and third environments, and a filter media is in a third environment.
US08858790B2	Three phase electrocoagulation effluent treatment apparatus and methods Electrocoagulation effluent treatment apparatus and methods are disclosed, the apparatus including a primary electrocoagulation reactor chamber having treatment electrodes maintained therein and an effluent inlet and treated effluent outlet. An integrated flotation chamber is located above the reaction chamber, a vacuum device connectable with a vacuum source being received in the flotation chamber and including a foam intake and an output. A sludge chamber is defined below and integrated with the primary reaction chamber and has a settled sludge output.
US08858788B2	Device for the removal of organic components from a mixture of organic components and water Method for the removal of organic components from a mixture of organic components and water, characterized in that it comprises the steps of guiding the mixture through at least one vessel (3) in which has been provided an amount of organoclay (17) in at least one removable casing (18) which is permeable to liquids and gasses but not to organoclay particles, or on a supporting structure (28) from where the organoclay particles cannot come off, such that the amount of organoclay particles is at any time part of a removable entity; and of producing a flow through the aforesaid mixture in this vessel (3) by guiding a flow of gas bubbles through this mixture.
US08858787B2	Dialysis system having non-invasive fluid velocity sensing A dialysis system includes a dialyzer; a blood pump coupled operably to a dialyzer; a dialysate inlet pump couple operably to a dialysate inlet of the dialyzer; a dialysate outlet pump coupled operably to a dialysate outlet of the dialyzer; a first non-invasive fluid velocity sensor positioned to sensor of inlet flowrate of dialysate pumped to the dialysate inlet by the dialysate inlet pump; and a second non-invasive fluid velocity sensor positioned to sense an outlet flowrate of dialysate pumped from the dialysate outlet by the dialysate outlet pump.
US08858786B2	Extraction of oil sand bitumen with two solvents A process for extracting bitumen from oil sand using a combination of heavy solvent and light solvent is provided comprising digesting mined oil sand with a high-flash point heavy solvent (HS) to produce a dense oil sand slurry; mixing the dense slurry with a light solvent (LS) to give a heavy solvent to light solvent (HS/LS) mass ratio of about 70/30 to about 50/50 and subjecting the thinned oil sand slurry to a first stage solid-liquid separation to produce a first liquids stream containing bitumen and a first solids stream.
US08858785B2	Hydrocarbon resource processing device including spirally wound electrical conductor and related methods A device for processing a hydrocarbon resource may include a hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween. The device may also include a radio frequency (RF) source, and a spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the hydrocarbon processing container and coupled to the RF source. The spirally wound electrical conductor may be configured to generate magnetic fields within the hydrocarbon processing container that are parallel with an axis thereof.
US08858780B2	Biosensor and method for determining an analyte concentration A method of determining an analyte concentration employs a biosensor that includes a molecularly imprinted polymer film formed on a metal layer. The biosensor is connected to a charge/discharge circuit and charged and discharged during exposure to a solution containing an analyte. Voltage values during discharge are measured, and a characteristic parameter of the voltage values, which is associated with a concentration of the analyte detected by the biosensor, is determined. An unknown concentration of the analyte is determined by comparing the characteristic parameter to reference data representing a relation between known concentration of the analyte and the characteristic parameter of the biosensor. A biosensor, such as an anesthetic biosensor, is also disclosed.
US08858778B2	Method for DNA defined etching of a graphene nanostructure The present invention provides a method for etching graphene using a DNA sample of a predetermined DNA shape. The DNA sample is preferably placed onto a reaction area of a piece of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), and both the DNA sample and HOPG are then preferably placed into a humidity-controlled chamber. Humidity is preferably applied to the HOPG to produce a film of water across the surface of the DNA sample. Electrical voltage is also applied to the HOPG to create potential energy for the etching process. After the etching is completed, the reaction area is typically rinsed with deionized water.
US08858771B2	Gel for isoelectric focusing The present invention relates to the field of electrophoresis and more specifically to a gel or strip for separating peptide components by isoelectric focusing by producing IPG (immobilized pH gradient) gels or strips in a novel way before focusing. More closely, the peptides are focused in a novel IPG gel including an uneven or non-linear pH gradient having at least three separate stepwise arranged pH-intervals. After focusing the peptide resolution is high and the peptides are evenly distributed along the gel.
US08858770B2	Plastic microfluidic separation and detection platforms Plastic electrophoresis separation chips are provided comprising a plurality of microfluidic channels and a detection window, where the detection window comprises a thin plastic; and the detection window comprises a detection region of each microfluidic channel. Such chips can be bonded to a support provided an aperture is provided in the support to allow detection of samples in the electrophoresis chip at the thin plastic detection window. Further, methods for electrophoretically separating and detecting a plurality of samples on the plastic electrophoresis separation chip are described.
US08858769B2	Karl fischer titrator and karl fischer titration method In the invention, a back titration and titer determination can be made using a back coulometric titration. When the iodine exists in a solution put in the titration flask with electrolytic electrodes, a back coulometric titration is performed to produce iodine ions from the iodine at the anode of the electrolytic electrodes. Where the solution is a dehydrated solvent including a Karl Fischer reagent for a volumetric titration, the titer can be determined by the back coulometric titration. Where the solution is anolyte in which the iodine remains after the coulometric titration in the coulometric titration method, the water content in the sample is found from the quantity of electricity consumed by the coulometric titration and the quantity of electricity consumed by the back coulometric titration. Where the solution is anolyte in which the iodine remains by adding Karl Fischer reagent in the volumetric titration method, the water in the sample put in the titration flask is found from the added amount of Karl Fischer reagent and the quantity of electricity consumed by the back coulometric titration.
US08858764B2	Electron beam sculpting of tunneling junction for nanopore DNA sequencing A technique for a nanodevice is provided that includes a reservoir filled with a conductive fluid and a membrane separating the reservoir. The membrane includes an electrode layer having a tunneling junction formed therein. A nanopore is formed through the membrane, and the nanopore is formed through other layers of the membrane such that the nanopore is aligned with the tunneling junction of the electrode layer. When a voltage is applied to the electrode layer, a tunneling current is generated by a base in the tunneling junction to be measured as a signature for distinguishing the base. When an organic coating is formed on an inside surface of the tunneling junction, transient bonds are formed between the electrode layer and the base.
US08858759B1	Enhancement of sheet dewatering using soy flour or soy protein Methods and compositions for improving dewatering efficiency during a papermaking or pulp drying process are disclosed. The methods can include a step of adding a dewatering agent solution to a location on a paper machine or pulp drying machine. The dewatering agent solution can include a soy based component. The soy based component can be soy flour or soy protein. The dewatering agent solution can be added to a wet end location of the pulp drying machine or paper machine or it can be sprayed onto a paper sheet prior to entering the press section of a paper machine. Additional dewatering agent solutions can also be added. The additional dewatering agent solutions can include cationic polymers or surfactants.
US08858749B2	Method and apparatus for making disposable diaper The present invention aims to provide method and apparatus for making a disposable diaper improved so that a region of the continuous elastic predetermined to extend across the middle of the crotch region may be attached to continuous web in a desired condition. A method for making a disposable diaper 10 includes the steps of, (A) coating a first surface 102A of a first web 102 with an adhesive 130 to define an adhesion region 131 extending from first side edge 106 toward second side edge 107 in a cross direction CD and a non-adhesion region 134 extending along the second side edge 107 in a machine direction MD; (B) rocking the continuous elastic 104 by a rocker arm 113 in the cross direction CD and thereby laying the continuous elastic 104 on the first surface 102A of the first web 102 in a curved pattern such that the continuous elastic 104 may have crest-segments 104a each curving convexly toward the first side edge 106, trough-segments 104b each defined between a pair of the adjacent crest-segments 104a and curving concavely from the first side edge 106 and intermediate segments 104c connecting the crest-segments 104a to the trough-segments 104b; (C) attaching the continuous elastic 104 including the trough-segments 104b and the intermediate segments 104c but except the trough-segments 104b to the first surface 102A of the first web 102 in the adhesion regions 131 by a first pressure roll 112; and (D) putting flat and bonding together the first web 102 and the second web 105 by a second pressure roll 118.
US08858747B2	Preventive maintenance system and method for fiberglass boats A method for preventive maintenance of a boat hull to restore the integrity of a fiberglass boat hull and prevent new water infiltration damage to a boat hull. The wet area repair guidelines using a surface moisture meter. Any balsa cored area reading 15% or above is considered a wet area. Any wood cored area reading 20% or above is considered a wet area. The preventive maintenance steps involve removing all through-hull fittings or hardware. Wet core areas are then dried out using heat lamps, lights or heaters, hot-vac systems, or octopus vacuum with grid system. If necessary, any area not drying out is de-cored and repaired accordingly. After repairs are finished, all through-hull fillings or hardware is reinstalled using new sealant.
US08858743B2	Use of polyolefin sealing films coated with non-reactive hot-melt adhesive for sealing The invention relates to a process for sealing an above-ground or underground construction. In particular it involves the use of non-reactive hot melt adhesives and flexible polyolefin films. This procedure in particular has the advantages that good and long-lasting adhesion can be achieved very quickly, and that in particular by using polyolefin strips coated with non-reactive hot melt adhesives, insulating strips can be obtained simply which are non-tacky at room temperature and can be processed and bonded easily at the construction site.
US08858736B2	Austempered ductile iron, method for producing this and component comprising this iron Austempered ductile iron (ADI) for components requiring high strength and/or ductility, which has a silicon content of 3.35 weight-% to 4.60 weight-%, and which is obtainable by performing an ADI-heat treatment using an austenitization temperature of at least 910° C.
US08858727B2	Dishwasher machine comprising a sorption drying device A dishwasher having a washing compartment; an air ducting channel to generate an airflow; and a sorption drying system to dry wash items. The sorption drying system has a sorption compartment with reversibly dehydratable sorption material that is connected to the washing compartment via the air ducting channel. The air ducting channel is coupled to the sorption compartment such that the airflow enters the sorption compartment with an inflow direction and changes direction to a through-flow direction in which the airflow flows through the inside of the sorption compartment.
US08858726B2	Dishwasher with a visual display facility A dishwasher is provided that has a door and a wash compartment that is closed off by the door. The wash compartment receives items to be treated and has a movable dish rack in which items to be cleaned are supported. The movable dish rack is moved from a treatment position in which the wash compartment is closed to an access position in which loading and unloading of dishes into the dishwasher is facilitated. The dishwasher further includes a visual display facility for visual notification of operation information and/or program information of the dishwasher. The visual display facility is assigned to the dish rack.
US08858725B2	Washing items support for a dishwasher A washing items support assembly for a dishwasher supports items of cutlery for washing that have been laid in a first cutlery container arranged in a first container region and supports other washing items in a second container region in which at least one washing items holder is arranged in which, optionally, pieces of cutlery or other crockery pieces may be laid as washing items, whereby the washing items holder has a support surface for the washing items which is or may be inclined relative to the horizontal.
US08858718B2	Plate washing system with ultrasonic cleaning of pipes and a control method thereof An automated method of cleaning the pipes of a plate washing system is provided. The plate washing system includes at least one manifold having a plurality of pipes configured to be provided within wells of a plate in order to wash the wells, an ultrasonic transducer mounted to a tank, and a control system. The plate washing system also includes sensors to sense the position of the pipes relative to plate and the tank, and the fluid level within the wells of the plate. The method includes dispensing fluid to the tank, submerging the tips of the pipes within the fluid, activating the ultrasonic transducer in order to vibrate the fluid, and aspirating the fluid from the tank. The control system may initiate a cleaning operation at the request of the user, at a scheduled interval, or when the level sensing system detects a decrease in instrument function.
US08858715B2	Device for layered deposition of various materials on a semiconductor substrate, as well as a lift pin for use in such a device The invention relates to a deposition device for comprising a processing space with a substrate support disposed therein, as well as several lift pins (50), which can be moved into and out of the plane of the substrate support to assist in introducing a semiconductor substrate into the processing space and removing it therefrom. The device is characterized in that the contact surface (52) of the lift pin (50) that is to be brought into contact with the semiconductor substrate and/or the substrate support is provided with a material layer (54) which has a lower hardness than the semiconductor substrate and/or the substrate support. This eliminates the risk of damage being caused to the substrate and/or to the substrate support as a result of said substrate shifting undesirably upon being lifted from and lowered onto the substrate support (susceptor). Thus there is no risk of scratches being formed and of particles being released, which might adversely affect the semiconductor manufacturing process.
US08858706B2	Single-crystal manufacturing apparatus and single-crystal manufacturing method A single-crystal manufacturing apparatus according to the Czochralski method, including: a crucible that contains a raw material; a main chamber configured to accommodate a heater for heating and melting the raw material; and a pulling chamber configured to pull and accommodate a grown single crystal, the pulling chamber being continuously provided above the main chamber; an inner shield provided between the heater and the main chamber and for insulating heat radiated from the heater, and a supporting member for supporting the inner shield from below. The inner shield is supported at three or more supporting points contacting the supporting member, and a lower end of the inner shield except at the supporting points does not contact the supporting member.
US08858705B2	Process for the production of binders The invention relates to a process for the production of binders by calcinating mineral raw material mixtures. In order to improve the process and the quality of the binders, it is proposed that oil shale and/or oil sand fills are converted by targeted agglomeration into particles of a certain size and consistency, wherein the water content for the mechanical stabilization of the agglomerate is adjusted to less than 25 percent and the agglomerates are calcinated to form binders at temperatures between 800 and 1500° C. under reductive conditions over the entire process with a Lambda value <1 in a vertical shaft furnace with updraft gasification. The binding properties are adjusted by the targeted addition of CaO-containing substances and/or existing sulfur fractions of the oil sands and/or oil shales are bound by means of the CaO that is present in the starting material and/or added.
US08858704B2	Low density cementitious compositions using limestone A manufactured cementitious binder includes a hydraulic binder in an amount in the range of from 40 to 75% by weight of the cementitious binder; metakaolin in an amount in the range of from 1 to 30% by weight of the cementitious binder; silica fume in an amount up to 15% by weight of the cementitious binder; limestone in an amount of from 5 to 30% by weight of the cementitious binder, and a cementitious accelerator in a controlled amount of at least 0.5% by weight of the cementitious binder, the cementitious binder providing a cementitious settable composition when added with water, wherein for a density lower than 13 pounds per gallon and of at least 11 pounds per gallon obtained without a lightweight additive, said cementitious settable composition exhibits a 24 hour compressive strength at 100 F, as hardened, of at least 500 psi.
US08858692B2	Filter systems including patterned optical analyte sensors and optical readers A filter system includes a housing, a filter medium disposed within the housing, an optical analyte sensor, and an optical reader. The optical analyte sensor is characterized by a first region that exhibit a first response to an analyte of interest and a second region that exhibit a second, different, response to an analyte of interest. The optical analyte sensor includes a detection medium and is disposed within the housing such that the detection medium is in fluid communication with the filter medium. The optical reader includes at least one light source and at least one detector.
US08858691B2	Adsorbents for removing contaminants from gas flows containing water The invention relates to adsorbents for removing impurities from water-comprising gas streams, in particular for use in fuel cell systems, wherein the adsorbents comprise oxides of elements selected from the group consisting of Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, Mg, Ba, Zr, Ce, La or combinations of these elements, have a copper oxide content of at least 30% by weight and have pore volumes of less than 0.175 ml·g−1 for pores having a radius of less than 20 nm.
US08858689B2	Gas separation device A gas separation device is disclosed. In particular, seal assemblies and adsorbent element constructions for a gas separation device such as a pressure swing adsorption device are disclosed. The seal assembly can be part of a rotary valve and can include a seal backer and a floating seal positioned within a bore in the seal backer. The floating seal is configured to press towards and seal against an adjacent rotor. Valve action is provided as apertures in the floating seal and rotor are brought into and then out of alignment as a result of relative rotation therebetween. The seal assembly can include two types of gas chambers to apply balanced sealing pressures over the sealing surface of the valve, one type configured to receive pressurized process gas from within the device and the other configured to receive gas from an independently controlled pressurized gas source. The adsorber elements in the device may comprise improved spacer cross support structures at the ends of wound laminate adsorbent structures.
US08858683B2	Swing adsorption processes utilizing controlled adsorption fronts A process for reducing the loss of valuable products by improving the overall recovery of a contaminant gas component in swing adsorption processes. The present invention utilizes at least two adsorption beds, in series, with separately controlled cycles to control the adsorption front and optionally to maximize the overall capacity of a swing adsorption process and to improve overall recovery a contaminant gas component from a feed gas mixture.
US08858671B2	Method for treating domestic waste The invention relates to a new method for treating domestic waste and the like by the combination of two compositions, one containing lime and the other containing urea, to the combinations, to the products obtained by the method and to uses thereof.
US08858664B2	Aqueous resin composition for abrasive articles and resulting articles An aqueous polymer binder composition adapted for the manufacture of abrasive articles, such as coated abrasive articles, comprising at least one resin containing at least two azetidinium groups and at least one saccharide. The aqueous composition is formaldehyde-free and can further comprise proteins, starch grafted acrylic styrene, co-cross-linking agents, rheology modifiers, fillers, and hydrophobizing agents.
US08858660B2	Cooled gasifier vessel throat plug with instrumentation cavity A throat plug for a gasifier vessel includes at least one first cavity being receptive to at least one device located in the at least one first cavity, and at least one second cavity being receptive to a fuel injector.
US08858658B2	Stabilization of fatty oils and esters with alkyl phenol amine aldehyde condensates Biodiesel fuels, renewable diesel fuels and feedstocks to these fuels (derived from plant seed oils or animal fats) are viewed as more environmentally friendly, renewable alternative fuels or supplemental fuels with petroleum-based diesel. Alkyl phenol amine aldehyde condensates improve the stability of biofuels by inhibiting the degradation processes. Alkyl phenylene diamines employed together with alkyl phenol amine aldehyde condensates in the biofuels give synergistically improved stability of the fuels.
US08858653B2	Color intensification by polyquaternium An agent for coloring keratinic fibers included in a cosmetic carrier includes at least one cationic acrylic acid ester copolymer including at least one structural unit of the general formula (I), at least one structural unit of the general formula (II), and at least one structural unit of the general formula (III), in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R6 mutually independently denote a hydrogen atom or a C1 to C6 alkyl group, R5, R5′, R5″ mutually independently denote a C1 to C20 alkyl group, a C2 to C6 alkenyl group, or a C2 to C6 hydroxyalkyl group, R7 denotes a C1 to C6 alkyl group, a C2 to C6 hydroxyalkyl group, or a C2 to C6 polyhydroxyalkyl group, n denotes an integer from 1 to 50,000, m denotes an integer from 2 to 6, X− denotes a physiologically acceptable anion. The agent further includes at least one color-changing compound.
US08858652B2	Conditioning dyeing agent for keratinous fibers The specification describes an agent for coloring keratinic fibers. The agent includes, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier, at least one oxidation dye precursor, a precursor of a nature-analogous dye, a substantive dye, or combinations thereof. The agent also includes a carrier base combination. The carrier base combination includes at least one fatty substance of formula (I), in which R and R′ in each case mutually independently denote a saturated or unsaturated C6-C22 alkyl chain; at least one nonionic surfactant of formula (II),R1-O-[G]p(II) in which R1 denotes a saturated or unsaturated C6-C22 alkyl chain, G denotes a sugar residue with 5 or 6 carbon atoms and p denotes a number from 1 to 10; and at least one cationic polymer, at least one amphoteric polymer, or combinations thereof.
US08858650B2	Bleaching methods with peroxy compounds A method of treating a fabric using an effective amount of a two component system comprising: i) a source of peroxy bleach; and ii) a source of peroxy bleach activator in liquid form where the two components are mixed at the time and location of use to form an activated peroxy bleaching system.
US08858649B2	Low profile prosthetic foot A low profile prosthetic foot comprises a foot member extending at an incline from an anterior portion to a posterior portion thereof and configured to flex during motion, and an adapter mounted solely at a posterior section thereof to the posterior portion of the foot member so that the adapter's anterior section can move relative to the foot member and “roll-up” onto the foot member during motion.
US08858648B2	Rehabilitation using a prosthetic device Disclosed are adjustable powered rehabilitation devices and methods for using the same to rehabilitate and/or train a user. The rehabilitation devices preferably have a plurality of selectable power settings that correspond to one or more rehabilitation-oriented actions or functions of the rehabilitation devices. For example, the power of the rehabilitation device may be selected based on a need, ability, muscle-power and/or physiological characteristics of the user. For instance, a rehabilitation device may be operated at a relatively low power setting to allow a patient to use his or her own muscle power when moving with the rehabilitation device. The rehabilitation device may also include an adjustable sensitivity level that corresponds to a user difficulty in triggering a particular rehabilitation-oriented action. The powered rehabilitation device may also temporarily be used to train a user in interacting with a passive or more conventional prosthetic device.
US08858646B2	Hip stem prosthesis A hip prosthesis is provided for insertion into a femur. In one exemplary embodiment, the hip prosthesis includes a stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. This stem may include anterior and posterior locking surfaces which diverge away from the longitudinal axis. A shank portion may extend distally from the anterior and posterior locking surfaces and converge at an angle distally toward the longitudinal axis.
US08858644B2	Orthopaedic implant for arthroplasty of the fingers An orthopaedic implant used in arthroplasty of the fingers comprises a first element for a proximal phalanx and a second element for an adjacent distal phalanx, each element having a respective stem for implantation in the bone and an interphalangeal articulation head, the head of the first element having a biconvex surface of articulation, with a central valley, and the head of the second element having a biconcave surface of articulation designed to cooperate with said convex surface and comprising a central crest. At rest, the surfaces are congruent in the frontal plane of the articulation in the area of the condyles and non-congruent in the sagittal plane.
US08858642B2	Knee prosthesis A knee joint prosthesis assembly can include a femoral component that has a medial and a lateral condyle portion connected by a patellar track portion. The femoral component can form an opening between the medial and lateral condyles. A tibial component can have a medial portion that includes a first engagement structure and a lateral portion that includes a second engagement structure. A medial bearing can have a third engagement structure formed thereon that selectively engages the first engagement structure. A lateral bearing separately formed and independent from the medial bearing can have a fourth engagement structure formed thereon that selectively engages the second engagement structure.
US08858640B2	Joint prosthesis attachment system, device and method Prosthetic systems, devices, and methods for attaching prosthetic joint components to a vault-shaped portion of the anatomy. A device for attaching a glenoid joint component for a shoulder prosthesis to a glenoid cavity includes a body adapted to extend into the cortical bony vault of the glenoid cavity for supporting the glenoid joint component and a plurality of contact arms secured to the body and projecting outwardly from a central longitudinal axis of the body to define contact surfaces for engaging an internal face of a peripheral wall of a glenoid vault.
US08858638B2	Spinal implant The present application is directed to interbody spinal fusion implants having a structural configuration that provides for the maintaining and creating of the normal anatomic angular relationship of two adjacent vertebrae of the spine to maintain and create spinal lordosis. The spinal fusion implants are sized to fit within the disc space created by the removal of disc material between two adjacent vertebrae and conform wholly or in part to the disc space created. The spinal fusion implants of the present invention have upper and lower surfaces that form a support structure for bearing against the end plates of the adjacent vertebrae. The upper and lower surfaces are disposed in a converging angular relationship to each other such that the implants have an overall “wedged-shape” in an elevational side view. The angular relationship of the upper and lower surfaces places and maintains the vertebrae adjacent to those surfaces in an angular relationship to each other, creating and maintaining the desired lordosis.
US08858636B2	Intervertebral implant An intervertebral implant includes opposing upper and lower endplates that are configured to engage respective vertebral surfaces in an intervertebral space. The implant carries a plurality of bone fixation spikes that extend out from each endplate. The spikes define a plurality of outer surfaces that extend from a base to a tip. The spikes are laterally staggered, and have a height that increases along a longitudinal direction from the front toward the rear of the implant, and a define recess formed in at least one outer surfaces.
US08858635B2	Intervertebral disc prosthesis The disclosure relates to intervertebral disc prostheses, which may comprise at least three pieces including an upper plate, a lower plate, and a core mobile at least relative to the lower plate, the upper surface of the core being in contact with at least a part of the lower surface of the upper plate. Various embodiments have limit stops allowing friction to be limited, while limiting or preventing the movements of the core relative to the lower plate, in translation and in rotation, respectively, along an axis substantially parallel to the lower plate and about an axis substantially perpendicular to the lower plate, and have at least one hole disposed along the lower surface of the core facilitating sliding of the core relative to the upper surface of the lower plate with which it is in contact. Instruments for inserting intervertebral prostheses are also disclosed.
US08858633B2	In vivo hydraulic fixation including bio-rivets using biocompatible expandable fibers The disclosure describes implantable medical products, that include dry or partially hydrated biocompatible constructs comprising collagen fibers configured to expand in situ after implantation to frictionally engage a bone tunnel wall to thereby affix the construct in the bone tunnel.
US08858630B2	Variable cohesive gel form-stable breast implant A variable cohesive gel form stabilizing implant is provided for augmentation or reconstruction of the breast. The prosthesis includes a shell filled with a gel having variations in cohesiveness to maintain stable form, shape, and dimension after surgical implantation.
US08858628B2	Biological tissue growth through induced tensile stress A tissue expansion device implanted in a non-activated state over a region of desired tissue growth. Once implanted and positioned the device is activated creating a supporting structure that creates a convex shaped dome over the underlying tissue. The convex shaped dome formed by the tissue expansion device places a tensile stress against the underlying tissue that promotes tissue growth. Alone or with the introduction of tissue enhancing agents and/or adipose tissue, new tissue within the convex shaped void grows until a balance is achieved eliminating the induced stress. Periodically the tissue expansion devices is again activated and enlarged creating an even larger void. Again, the newly enlarged void places additional tensile stress on the underlying tissue thus repeating the cycle of new tissue growth. Once the desired amount of tissue growth has been achieved the device is deactivated and removed.
US08858625B2	Device for holding, folding and injecting an intraocular lens An injector (1) for folding and injecting into the eye of a patient a flexible intraocular lens, the injector comprising an assembly of an injection nozzle (202), a lens compartment that holds an unfolded flexible intraocular lens (400) and is in communication with the injection nozzle, an injector body (3) communicating with the lens compartment and a plunger (2) that is inserted in the free end of the injector body, wherein lens compartment and injector body comprise a mechanism whereby the lens is first folded by forces compressing the lens in a non-axial direction in response to an axial movement of the plunger over a first distance and is subsequently expelled from the injector through the injection nozzle in response to an axial movement of the plunger over a second distance.
US08858623B2	Implant having multiple rotational assemblies Apparatus is provided, comprising (1) an annuloplasty structure, shaped to define a perimeter, and configured to be disposed at the annulus of the native valve of the patient; (2) a first adjusting mechanism, coupled to the annuloplasty structure, and configured to adjust the perimeter; (3) at least one longitudinal flexible member, having a first end portion, and a second end portion that is configured to be coupled to tissue of the ventricle of the heart of the patient; and (4) at least a second adjusting mechanism, coupled to the annuloplasty structure such that the second adjusting mechanism is slidable around at least part of the perimeter, coupled to the first end portion of the longitudinal flexible member, and configured to adjust a distance between the second adjusting mechanism and the second end portion of the longitudinal flexible member. Other embodiments are also described.
US08858622B2	Devices, systems, and methods for reshaping a heart valve annulus, including the use of magnetic tools Implants or systems of implants and methods apply a selected force vector or a selected combination of force vectors within or across the left atrium, which allow mitral valve leaflets to better coapt. The implants or systems of implants and methods make possible rapid deployment, facile endovascular delivery, and full intra-atrial retrievability. The implants or systems of implants and methods also make use of strong fluoroscopic landmarks. The implants or systems of implants and methods make use of an adjustable implant and a fixed length implant. The implants or systems of implants and methods may also utilize a bridge stop to secure the implant, and the methods of implantation employ various tools.
US08858618B2	Stent Provided is a stent wherein the water-swellable polymer fine particles applied thereto rarely peel off even when the stent is deformed or when the water-swellable polymer fine particles are swollen. A stent wherein a plurality of water-swellable polymer fine particles are chemically fixed on the stent surface in a dispersed state is provided.
US08858614B2	Apparatus for loading and delivering a stent A stent loading and deployment device includes an outer elongate tubular member having opposed proximal and distal ends and an inner elongate tubular member having opposed proximal and distal ends and slidably disposed within the outer tubular member. When the distal ends of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member are axially aligned, a stent deployment region is defined there in between. The device further includes a stent loading member having opposed proximal and distal ends and slidably disposed between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member. The distal end of the stent loading member is slidable to a distal position past the distal end of the outer tubular member for receiving a stent and is further slidable toward the proximal end of the outer tubular member to a location past the stent deployment region for disengagement of a stent from the stent loading member.
US08858608B2	Lubrication apparatus for a delivery and deployment device A delivery and deployment device comprises a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen disposed therebetween; a dilator having a distal end slidingly disposed within the sheath lumen; a valve assembly comprising a valve housing affixed to the sheath and a valve disposed within the housing between the sheath and the dilator; and a valve lubrication mechanism disposed between the valve and the dilator.
US08858603B1	Cervical plate with screw retention clip An implant system includes a pair of fasteners, a plate, and a horseshoe-shaped clip member. The clip member is located within a recess of the plate and is shaped so as to cooperate with the recess so that lobes of the clip block installed fasteners from backing out, yet, the lobes may be purposefully be deflected to enable removal of fasteners if desired.
US08858601B2	Apparatus, systems, and methods for achieving lumbar facet fusion Assemblies of one or more implant structures make possible the achievement of diverse interventions involving the fusion and/or stabilization of lumbar and sacral vertebra in a non-invasive manner, with minimal incision, and without the necessitating the removing the intervertebral disc. The representative lumbar spine interventions, which can be performed on adults or children, include, but are not limited to, lumbar interbody fusion; translaminar lumbar fusion; lumbar facet fusion; trans-iliac lumbar fusion; and the stabilization of a spondylolisthesis.
US08858594B2	Curved closure device Devices and methods are disclosed herein for a closure device. A closure device includes a body movable from a pre-deployed configuration towards a deployed configuration, a plurality of tissue-engaging portions extending from the body. At least two of the tissue-engaging portions are separated by a first distance in the deployed configuration and a second distance in the pre-deployed configuration in which the first distance is smaller than the second distance. The closure device also includes a plurality of device capture features secured to the body. The device capture features are configured to move the tissue-engaging portions to a separation greater than the first distance.
US08858592B2	Wound plugs A medical device for wound closure, including an elongate body with a plurality of portions and a perforated region disposed therebetween. The medical device may also include an alignment member. The wound plug may also have a first position for insertion, the portions being mechanically coupled to each other, and a second position where one or more of the portions are spatially separated.
US08858591B2	Method and device for sealing a puncture hole in a bodily organ A method for sealing a hole in a bodily organ includes introducing a first member and a second member into the bodily organ, the first and second members being connected by an elongated member. The first and second members are retracted proximally until the first member abuts an inner surface of the bodily organ and the second member is retracted out of the hole in the bodily organ. Then, the second member is pushed distally into abutment with an outer surface of the bodily organ. A sealing device for sealing a puncture in tissue is also described.
US08858590B2	Tissue manipulation devices Tissue manipulation and retraction devices. In various forms, the manipulation devices include a cannula that is insertable through the abdominal wall. A plurality of independently controllable manipulation members extend through the cannula and are attachable to various forms of surgical tools. The surgical tools may be manipulated and controlled by a surgeon from a position outside of the patient.
US08858589B2	Surgical device A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw in opposed correspondence with the first jaw. A first driver is configured to cause relative movement of the first jaw and the second jaw in a plane. The first driver is configured to engage a drive shaft rotatable about a rotation axis arranged in non-parallel, e.g., perpendicular, correspondence to the plane. The device may also include a surgical member, e.g., a cutting and stapling element, disposed within the first jaw. A second driver is configured to cause relative movement of the surgical member in a direction parallel to the plane. The second driver is configured to engage a drive shaft rotatable about a rotation axis arranged in non-parallel correspondence to the plane.
US08858588B2	Medical devices with detachable pivotable jaws Medical systems, devices and methods are provided for engaging tissue, e.g. for clipping tissue, closing a perforation or performing hemostasis. Generally, the medical system including a housing, first and second jaws rotatable relative to the housing, first and second links pivotally attached to the jaws, and a driver. The housing, first and second jaws, and first and second links form a linkage mechanism that allows the jaws to engage tissue and be left in vivo.
US08858584B2	Emergency transection device An emergency transection intervention device has an elongated catheter (4) with a movable nose cone dilator (8) temporarily closing off the first end of the elongate catheter, a haemostatic seal (6) on a second end of the catheter and closing off the second end of the elongate catheter. First and second inflatable balloons (12, 14) are spaced apart on the elongate catheter, and there is an aperture (16) in the elongate catheter between the balloons and the haemostatic seal. The emergency transection intervention device can be deployed into a blood vessel of the human or animal body, during an emergency procedure for instance, with the balloons positioned either side of a damaged portion of the vessel and the balloons inflated such that a region of the vessel between the balloons is isolated. The nose cone dilator can then be advanced to allow blood flow through the elongate catheter and exit through the aperture in the elongate catheter to bypass the damaged portion of the vessel during repair.
US08858581B2	Interface unit for positioning an object to be irradiated in relation to a radiation source An interface unit for positioning an object to be irradiated in relation to a radiation source has at least one first positioning surface for positioning the interface unit in relation to the radiation source, and a second positioning surface for bearing on the object to be irradiated. The interface unit provides a path, which passes through the second positioning surface, for the radiation from the radiation source. According to the invention, the interface unit comprises an integrally produced interface body which forms both the at least one first positioning surface and the second positioning surface. The interface body is preferably produced from a plastic material by an injection compression molding method, in order to achieve the desired high manufacturing accuracy.
US08858580B2	Tongue cleaning device A head portion for a tongue cleaning device is disclosed. The head portion includes a mechanical tongue cleaning section and a tongue cleaning electrode. The mechanical tongue cleaning section includes a cleaning protrusion. The tongue cleaning electrode enables a current flow into a user's tongue during operation.
US08858577B2	Tissue stabilization system Methods and systems are provided for tissue stabilization. Some aspects include a carrier member having a length, width, and thickness, wherein the length and width are each at least two times greater than the thickness; attachment members extending from the carrier member and that engage connective tissue; and stabilizing members, each of which can couple a respective attachment member to the carrier member and is substantially positionally fixed relative to the carrier member.
US08858574B2	Suturing instrument The suturing instrument includes an elongate member having a distal end, a distal portion coupled to the distal end of the elongate member, and an actuation mechanism. The distal portion is movably coupled to the elongate member such that the distal portion is configured to move from a first position to a second position.
US08858572B2	Endoscopic stitching machine An endoscopic stitching machine, including a housing for mounting the actuators for the stitch-forming tools (needle, gripper and pressure pad), and a housing shaft to house one or more devices for the transmission of the movements generated by the actuators to the stitch-forming tools, whereby the housing shaft (3) and the transmission devices (9, 12, 13) are divided into two shaft parts (14, 15) and lower and upper transmission devices (9a, 12a, 13a and 9b, 12b, 13b), in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof, detachably connected to each other by means of a corresponding coupling piece (26), whereby the coupling pieces (26) may be introduced into and positively housed within corresponding recesses (32, 33) of the lower and upper transmission means (9a, 12a, 13a and 9b, 12b, 13b), parallel to the section plane and running in the longitudinal direction of the transmission devices (9, 12, 13).
US08858570B2	Skin treatment apparatus A skin treatment apparatus includes a handle body, a driving unit received in a receiving cavity of the handle body, a treatment head unit, and an inlet arrangement. The treatment head unit includes a supporting member provided at the front end portion of the handle body, a treatment cap detachably attached on the supporting member, a treatment shaft rotatably connected to the driving unit and extended from the driving unit into a treatment cavity, and an abrasion head integrally formed at a free end of the treatment shaft in such a manner that when the treatment shaft is driven to rotate, the abrasion head is also driven to rotate with respect to the handle body. The inlet arrangement is formed at the supporting member of the treatment head unit for providing a predetermined amount of skin treatment fluid in the treatment cavity.
US08858568B2	System for marking a non-human biological object and for taking a sample of the biological object A system for marking a non-human biological object and removing a sample of the biological object, which object is in particular an animal, comprising: a first tag part (1), a second tag part (2), a pin (3), a sample container (10) and, a sample removing stopper (20) the system further including a functional compound arranged within a compartment of the system such that said functional compound is in communication with said sample when said sample has been introduced into the sample container.
US08858566B2	Distractor with removable footplates A bone distractor assembly configured to distract first and second bone segments on opposite sides of a bone gap is provided. In one embodiment the distractor assembly includes a distractor having a first coupler and a second coupler, a first footplate releasably coupled to the first coupler, a second footplate releasably coupled to the second coupler, and a locking mechanism releasably coupling the first and second footplates to the first and second couplers. The first and second footplates releasably are each configured to attach to bone. The locking mechanism includes a tube, wherein removal of the tube releases the first and second footplates from the first and second couplers.
US08858562B2	Bone plate shaping system Removable guide tips are pre-assembled into threaded holes of a fracture fixation plate. The guide tips may be used with or without drill guides to guide a drill along the axes of threaded holes defined in the plate. In addition, the tips may be used with bending tools to contour the plate laterally, longitudinally and with twist. More particularly, such plate contouring can be performed while the plate is located on the bone.
US08858555B2	Dynamic external fixator and methods for use An external fixation system and method for realigning, compressing or distracting broken bones has a planar ring element with an adjustable device having a body releasably mounted on the ring element. The adjustable device includes a first member for movement in a direction generally perpendicular to the ring element. A second member is pivotally connected to the first member for angular movement with respect to the ring. A third member is mounted on the second member for movement in a direction parallel to the second member and with respect to a circumference of the planar ring element. The method includes inserting k-wires into bone and affixing the k-wires to the ring element and affixing the k-wires to an adjustable device. The pieces of bone are realigned, compressed or distracted by adjusting at least one of a first and second members forming the device.
US08858554B2	Apparatus, system, and method for performing an electrosurgical procedure The present disclosure provides a bipolar forceps. The bipolar forceps includes a housing having a handle assembly including a movable handle and one or more shafts. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. A solenoid is in operative communication with the movable handle and operatively couples to a drive rod operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members for causing movement thereof. One or both of the first and second jaw members includes one or more teeth configured to engage one or more teeth located on the drive rod such that rotation of the solenoid imparts one of longitudinal and rotational movement of the drive rod such that at least one of the first and second jaw members moves between the open and closed positions.
US08858549B2	Medical instruments and techniques for treating pulmonary disorders Methods and devices for delivering energy to lung tissue, for example to cause lung volume reduction by generating a flow of vapor and introducing the flow of vapor into the lung where the vapor delivers thermal energy sufficient to modify lung tissue.
US08858546B2	Instrument for debriding fistula and applying therapeutic cells A treatment system comprises an outer sheath and an end effector. The end effector has a plurality of cutting features, at least a portion of which are configured to debride a tissue surface when the end effector is actuated. The cutting features may also be configured to harvest tissue. A medical fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the end effector, such that the end effector may deliver a medical fluid to a target site such as a fistula. The medical fluid may include harvested tissue cells and a scaffold material. A vacuum cannula may be positioned coaxially within the interior cavity of the end effector, and an RF probe may be positioned co-axially within the interior cavity of the vacuum cannula. The vacuum cannula and RF probe may be used together to seal a fistula in which medical fluid has been dispensed.
US08858542B2	Side-firing fiber delivery device with active cooling cap A medical laser system and related methods of utilizing cooling within and around an optical fiber tip to prevent premature failure of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is surrounded by a protective jacket assembly including a body tube assembly, and a tip cap assembly. The body tube assembly includes an internal fiber jacket, and an external body tube with a body tube channel defined therebetween. The tip cap assembly includes an inner cap member and an outer cap member defining a cap irrigation channel therebetween. Together, the cap irrigation channel and body tube channel cooperatively define an internal irrigation channel. The optical fiber can be delivered to a treatment location through a cystoscope. Saline is directed through an external irrigation channel between the cystoscope and the protective jacket assembly, as well as the internal irrigation channel to cool the fiber tip and prevent overheating and failure of the optical fiber.
US08858541B2	Methods and devices for refractive treatments of presbyopia Presbyopia in a patient's eye is treated by inducing spherical aberration in the central section of the pupil, while the peripheral section of the pupil is treated in a manner other than the central section of the pupil. For example, the peripheral section of the pupil may remain untreated, or high-order aberration may be controlled, and/or a second area of spherical aberration may be provided with different focus power.
US08858540B2	Ophthalmological laser treatment device An evaluating unit which is adapted to determine a degree of an instantaneous overlap between an optical zone of the eye and the structure, or at least a part of the structure effecting refractive correction, based on a recorded image. By determining the degree of overlap between the instantaneous optical zone and the structure to be introduced, it is possible to control the superposition of the optical zone with the tissue volume which is specifically altered by means of the laser cutting and, accordingly, to enable a maximum coverage.
US08858539B2	Ophthalmological apparatus for breakdown of eye tissue An opthalmological apparatus for breakdown of eye tissue includes a base station with a light source for generating light pulses, a support arm, with an application head that can be placed onto an eye, is mounted on the base station. The light pulses are transmitted from the base station to the application head through an optical transmission system. The application head has a light projector for focused projection of the light pulses for punctiform breakdown of eye tissue. The support arm is of rigid design with horizontal orientation and has a hinge with a horizontally oriented rotation axis, the hinge is mounted in such a way that the application head can be placed onto the eye with a rotation extending about the rotation axis. The hinge permits controlled manual docking of the application head and light projector onto the eye in a vertical direction, via a rotation movement that is easy to perform and has minimal mechanical friction.
US08858536B1	Disposable male catheter system A disposable male catheter system includes a catheter to be inserted into the urethra of the penis. The catheter has a proximal end to discharge urine into a bag, a distal end to be inserted into the bladder and holes formed in the distal end to receive urine. A sleeve is disposed on and is harder than the catheter. The sleeve is slid along with the catheter within the urethra to a clamping region. A clamp is clamped over the penis at the clamping region to prevent urine from leaking around the catheter.
US08858535B2	Catheter The present invention is concerned with a catheter which includes an inflatable balloon operable to retain the catheter in position during use, and which is located and configured to both reduce discomfort during use by preventing contact between the end of the catheter and the urinary tract/bladder wall, and reduce the force required to remove the catheter by reducing cuffing of the collapsed balloon.
US08858530B2	Catheter A catheter includes an inner layer, a braid, an outer layer, and a distal tip. A recessed region having a first side and a second side is formed in a distal end portion of the braid, a length of the first side being longer than the sum of a wire width of a first wire and a distance between two adjacent first wires, a length of the second side being longer than the sum of a wire width of a second wire and a distance between two adjacent second wires. The distal tip is bonded to the inner layer in the recessed region. By providing the recessed region, the number of peaks formed in the distal end portion of the braid is made smaller than that in the existing case.
US08858528B2	Articulating cannula access device Devices and methods are disclosed for less invasive surgery. More particularly, methods and devices described herein permit improved access within a body cavity when performing a minimally invasive procedure, typically through a small opening, a surgical port, or during an open surgical procedure.
US08858526B2	Interface for medical infusion pump Methods of programming and use of a medical infusion pump are disclosed. One method includes displaying a first menu containing a plurality of therapy menu items. The therapy menu items each correspond to a therapy. The method also includes displaying a second menu containing at least one qualifier menu item corresponding to a qualifier. The method further includes displaying a third menu containing at least one drug menu item corresponding to a drug. The second menu is displayed upon selection of a therapy menu item, and the third menu is displayed upon selection of a qualifier menu item.
US08858525B2	Noise dampening film A noise dampening film is provided, and in particular, a film having at least one quiet layer that comprises a polymer resin and from about 5 to 50 weight percent of a styrene-vinyl polyisoprene-styrene block-co-polyisopyrene block triblock polymer. The quiet layer has a tan delta of at least about 0.27 or greater at a temperature range between about 17° C. and 40° C.
US08858523B2	Disposable wearable absorbent articles with anchoring subsystems A disposable wearable absorbent article comprising an absorbent core area, a side, and an anchoring subsystem. The anchoring subsystem includes exactly one side anchoring member. The side anchoring member has a pathway with a front end, a back end, and a middle. The front end, the back end, or both ends are disposed outside of the absorbent core area. The front end is disposed at a front end longitudinally outboard distance. The back end is disposed at a back end longitudinally outboard distance. The middle is disposed at a middle longitudinally outboard distance. The front end longitudinally outboard distance is less than the back end longitudinally outboard distance. The back end longitudinally outboard distance is about equal to the middle longitudinally outboard distance.
US08858522B2	Absorbent article including an absorbent core layer having a material free zone and a transfer layer arranged below the absorbent core layer The present invention generally relates to absorbent articles and in particular to an absorbent article including a liquid permeable cover layer, a liquid impermeable barrier layer, an absorbent core arranged adjacent to the cover layer, a transfer layer arranged between the core and the barrier layer, the absorbent core including an upper surface and a lower surface and a material-free zone extending from the upper surface to the lower surface.
US08858520B2	Temporary ostomy appliance A temporary ostomy appliance is disclosed, including a catheter for extending through the abdominal wall into the intestine. The catheter may be a transcecal catheter for extending through the cecal valve into the ileum. A portion of a catheter that extends through the cecal valve is made collapsible when the catheter is empty. The collapsed portion expands to permit passage of effluent. A balloon carried on the catheter is preformed with a shape and size in order to permit inflation without elastic stretching of the balloon wall material. A filament is provided for permitting a portion of the catheter to be fastened to internal body tissue by surgical sutures or staples. In order to release the fastening without further surgery, the filament is withdrawn by pulling on a proximal portion outside the body.
US08858516B2	Controlled negative pressure apparatus and absorbency mechanism Methods and devices for treatment of damaged tissue are disclosed, including treatment of wounds by employing non-electrically powered, reduced pressure therapy devices. The devices are capable of generating a substantially constant reduced pressure with low tolerance for pressure fluctuations. Also disclosed herein are reduced pressure therapy systems that comprise an alarm system to detect the depleted state of the suction device and provide an alert to the patient and/or practitioner.
US08858510B2	Safety pen needle device The present invention relates to a safety pen needle device comprising a generally tubular hub having a proximal and a distal end, said hub comprising attachment means arranged at its distal end for attaching the safety pen needle device to a medicament container assembly, and a coaxially arranged needle attachment member; an injection needle having an injection end and a non injection end, said injection needle being attached inside said hub and extending through the needle attachment member; wherein said device further comprises a generally tubular rotatable sleeve rotatable arranged on said hub, said rotatable sleeve comprising on its outer circumferential surface at least one guide track comprising flexible means; a generally tubular needle shield slidably arranged on said rotatable sleeve, said needle shield comprising at least one guide protrusion on its inner circumferential surface, wherein said at least one protrusion is arranged to interact with said at least one guide track and with said flexible means; and resilient means co-acting with said needle shield for urging said needle towards the distal end of the device.
US08858502B2	Systems and methods for external pressure sensing In various embodiments, a device for delivering pressurized irrigation may include a squeeze plate and a pressure sensor module. The squeeze plate may move relative to the pressure sensor module to apply pressure to a flexible container (e.g., a bag of irrigation fluid) between the squeeze plate and the pressure sensor module. The pressure sensor module may include a pressure sensor to measure a force exerted on the pressure sensor module by the flexible container as pressure is applied to the flexible container from the squeeze plate. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor module may include a bag contact plate and the pressure sensor may measure a force exerted on the bag contact plate by the flexible container located between the bag contact plate and the squeeze plate. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor may sense a pressure associated with the flexible container without an intervening bag contact plate.
US08858500B2	Engagement and sensing systems and methods A delivery device for delivering fluidic media may include a second housing portion configured to be selectively engaged with and disengaged from a first housing portion adapted to be carried by a user, a drive device configured to be operatively engageable with a plunger arm connected to a plunger head arranged for movement in an axial direction of a reservoir supported by one of the first and second housing portion to drive fluidic media from the reservoir, a drive linkage for operatively engaging the drive device with the plunger arm for allowing the drive device to move the plunger arm, the drive device including a first gear engageable with the plunger arm and a second gear configured for lateral movement to allow the second gear to engage the plunger arm.
US08858499B2	Liquid injector for injecting contrast medium at variable rate into a subject who is to be imaged by imaging diagnostic apparatus A liquid injector registers the data of a variable pattern in which an injection rate of a contrast medium varies with time. The injection rate of the contrast medium varies with time according to the variable pattern for maintaining a state in which the image contrast achieved by the contrast medium approximates an optimum level.
US08858498B2	Needle assembly with needle injection depth adjustment In one aspect, a needle assembly is provided herein which includes a hub; a needle fixed to the hub, the needle having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end formed for insertion into a patient; and, a body disposed on the hub so as to be moveable relative thereto, the body having a distal end with an aperture formed therein configured to permit passage therethrough of the needle. The body is releasably retainable in a first position on the hub where the distal end of the needle extends distally a first distance from the distal end of the body. Also, the body is retainable in a second position on the hub where the distal end of the needle extends distally a second distance from the distal end of the body, the second distance being less than the first distance. The hub is displaceable proximally relative to the body to urge the body from the first position to the second position. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a needle assembly is provided which may provide a stop for a needle injection to a first depth, with the stop being adjustable to permit the injection to be conducted at a shallower, second depth.
US08858484B2	Fluid application device and method The present invention provides a device, a system, and a method for application of fluids.
US08858482B2	Orthopedic devices utilizing rotary tensioning An orthopedic device has at least one flexible or rigid frame member contoured to generally correspond to an anatomical limb. The device also includes a tightening system having a dial tensioning device and at least one cable and/or strap connected to the dial tensioning device. The dial tensioning device has a rotary ratchet permitting incremental adjustment of the cable and/or strap. Adjustment of the dial tensioner in a first direction secures the frame member to the limb.
US08858481B2	Cervical collar with reduced vascular obstruction A cervical collar has an anterior portion and a posterior portion having side extending portions removably connecting to the anterior portion. The posterior portion includes a rigid or semi-rigid main support piece and a resilient edge integrally secured to at least a substantial portion of a periphery of the main support piece that is substantially more flexible than the main support piece. The main support piece defines opposed upper side sections and a lower section. The upper side sections extend upwardly from the side extending portions and are oriented toward a proximal middle region and spaced apart by a first distance. The lower section extends continuously between the side extending portions and is spaced a second distance from the upper side sections.
US08858479B2	Adjustable joint positioning device A joint positioning device includes a restriction frame having a first straight section, a second straight section and two transverse section connected between the first and second straight sections. Each of the two transverse sections includes multiple connection plates which are pivotably connected to each other so that the two transverse sections can be adjustable to meet the desired curvatures of the patients.
US08858477B2	Septal splint Provided is a septal splint to promote healing and alignment of a user's septum, and a method thereof. The septal splint includes an alignment member including a plurality of bilateral support pads to contact left and right sides of the user's septum, and a plurality of medializing support floor pads to rest on a bottom portion of each of the user's nasal passages. The septal splint also includes a pressing member, including a plurality of pressure applicators to transfer a predetermined amount of pressure to the bilateral support pads such that an alignment of the user's septum, maxillary crest, and fibrous tissue therebetween, is maintained, and a fulcrum end to supply the predetermined pressure to the plurality of pressure applicators. The septal splint promotes healing and alignment of a user's septum by providing moderate pressure at a junction point of the patient's maxillary crest, septum base, and fibrous tissue therebetween.
US08858473B2	Apparatus, systems, and methods for augmenting the flow of fluid within body vessels Apparatus, systems, and methods are sized and configured to effectively and efficiently augment the flow of fluid within body vessels, not only during conditions in which a patient is bedbound and immobile, but also in conditions when the individual is out of bed, and completely mobile and ambulatory.
US08858470B2	Method for treating a neurological disorder A therapeutic method for treating a neurological disease by accessing a neuraxial deformity and abnormal neuraxial stress. The method involves calculating a neuraxial stress, determining whether the neurological disorder is attributed at least in part to the neuraxial stress; and treating the neurological disorder by normalizing the neuraxial stress.
US08858469B2	Determining the offset of the head part of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis stem component A method of determining the offset of the head part of an orthopaedic joint prosthesis stem component, relative to the neck of the stem part on which the head part can be fitted, involves obtaining a first and second images of the patient's joint on a non-coincident first and second planes. Template parts are fitted to the first and second images of the bone, which have markings on them which can be placed relative to the head part and the stem part respectively of the patient's bone, and scales for measuring first and second displacements which are the distances between the axis of the head part and the axis of the neck of the patient's bone measured in the first and second planes.
US08858461B2	Tissue sampling tool, in particular for adipose tissue A tissue-sampling tool is made in the form of a tube presenting an inside face of circular section and an outside face of circular section, the tube having a blunt distal end and at least one sampling orifice extending symmetrically relative to a transverse plane and to a longitudinal plane. The orifice is peripherally bordered by two transverse borders that are symmetrical relative to the transverse plane and that are connected to two longitudinal borders that are symmetrical relative to the longitudinal plane. Each transverse border possesses a cutting edge situated at the intersection between said borders and the inside face, each transverse border co-operating with the inside face to form a cutting angle lying in the range 6° to 18°. The longitudinal borders have a cup-shape relative to the transverse borders, with a profile in the longitudinal plane that is different from the profile of the transverse borders.
US08858453B2	Sound-output-control device, sound-output-control method, and sound-output-control program A sound-output-control device including an acquisition unit which acquires an anaerobic threshold, a reception unit which receives an input about exercise intensity, a calculation unit which calculates a value indicating a target heart rate of a user on the basis of the acquired anaerobic threshold and the received exercise-intensity input, a detection unit which detects a value indicating the current tempo of a physical exercise done by the user, and a control unit that controls a sound output on the basis of a result of a comparison of the target heart-rate value calculated by the calculation unit and the current physical-exercise-tempo value detected by the detection unit, so as to lead a heart rate of the user so that the heart rate of the user attains the target heart rate is provided.
US08858446B2	Color doppler ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus which can calculate blood flow component information According to one embodiment, a color Doppler ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe, a transmission/reception unit, a quadrature phase detection unit configured to perform quadrature phase detection of an output from the transmission/reception unit, a filter unit configured to perform first orthogonal transformation for an output from the quadrature phase detection unit in a depth direction, perform second orthogonal transformation for a result obtained by the first orthogonal transformation in an ensemble direction, apply a two-dimensional filter to obtained frequency data to extract a blood flow component from the frequency data, and sequentially perform inverse transformation of the second orthogonal transformation and inverse transformation of the first orthogonal transformation for an output from the two-dimensional filter, and a blood flow component information calculation unit configured to calculate blood flow component information based on an output from the filter unit.
US08858439B2	Ultrasound operation apparatus, ultrasound operation system, and cavitation suppression method An ultrasound operation apparatus includes an ultrasound transducer; a drive section that drives the ultrasound transducer using a drive signal; a probe that has a proximal end section in which the ultrasound transducer is provided and a distal end section to which ultrasound vibrations are transmitted, and that performs treatment for living tissue by using ultrasound vibrations at the distal end section; a resonance frequency tracking section that drives so as to cause ultrasound vibrations to be generated at a resonance frequency; a detection section that detects a frequency component signal of a frequency component other than a resonance frequency of the drive signal; and a cavitation suppression control section that controls so as to suppress or eliminate cavitations according to the detection result.
US08858438B2	Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including: an ultrasound probe to acquire a received signal via transmitting and receiving an ultrasound to and from a subject; an image generating section to generate an ultrasound image data based on the received signal acquired via said ultrasound probe; an output image generating section to generate output image data in such a manner that the output image data becomes a predetermined output size, by performing an image size changing process with respect to the ultrasound image data; a comparison image generating section to generate comparison image data by changing an image size of the output image data so that the comparison image data has an image size same as an image based on the ultrasound image data; and an image correction section to perform correction of the output image data, based on a difference between the comparison image data and the ultrasound image data.
US08858435B2	Metabolic monitoring, a method and apparatus for indicating a health-related condition of a subject An apparatus for indicating a health-related condition of a subject has an input interface for receiving a sequence of samples of a first biological quantity derived by a first measurement method, the first measurement method being an invasive measurement and having a first impact on the subject, and for receiving a sequence of samples of a second biological quantity derived by a second measurement method, the second measurement method being a non-invasive measurement and having a second impact on the subject, wherein the first biological quantity gives a more accurate indication of the health-related condition of the subject than the second biological quantity, wherein the first biological quantity and the second biological quantity have a correlation to the health-related condition of the subject, and wherein the second impact is smaller than the first impact; a predictor for providing, for a certain time, for which no sample for the first biological quantity exists, an estimated value of the first biological quantity using samples for the first biological quantity and, as far as available, samples for the second quantity; and an output interface for outputting the estimated value or data derived from the estimated value so that an indication for the health-related condition of the subject is obtained.
US08858428B2	Endoscope and rotary self-propelled endoscope An endoscope of the present invention includes an insertion portion including a bending portion, an operation portion separate from the insertion portion, a bending operation wire that is inserted through the insertion portion and used for bending the bending portion in a predetermined direction with tugging in a forward/backward tugging direction, and connecting mechanisms that makes it possible to couple the insertion portion and the operation portion in a manner in which the bending wire is freely tugged in the operation portion.
US08858426B2	Ultrasound endoscope system and control method of ultrasound endoscope system In the present invention, an ultrasound observation apparatus includes an information reposition portion; the information reposition portion is a storage portion for storing various state information in an endoscope processor inputted from a keyboard and is configured to include a memory controller and a data memory portion. Moreover, the keyboard is configured to include a key matrix, a keyboard controller, an ultrasound key processing portion and an endoscope key processing portion. This configuration allows the ultrasound observation apparatus to easily share various state information of a plurality of apparatuses making up the system.
US08858421B2	Interior needle stick guard stems for tubes Generally described herein are apparatus, systems and methods related to a stem insertable into the access port tubing for the prevention of fluid leaks. More particularly, the stem or stems may be larger than the interior diameter of the access port tubing thereby providing a fluid seal to keep the fluid within the access port tubing. However, these fluid seals might not be absolute and may still allow a certain degree of leakage. In one embodiment, by including barbs which further presses against the interior diameter of the access port tubing, the sealing of the fluid may be substantially improved. The stem itself, while impenetrable by a needle, may still allow for bend flexibility of the access port tubing by employing a ball and socket joint for connecting to a next stem. In this manner, fluid leak prevention is improved while retaining the mobility of the access port tubing.
US08858420B2	Vibration sensor for bone conduction hearing prosthesis The present application discloses a vibration-based hearing prosthesis configured to measure the vibration applied by a hearing prosthesis to the skull of the hearing prosthesis recipient while the recipient is wearing the hearing prosthesis. Directly measuring the applied vibration in situ allows hearing characteristics to be more accurately mapped to voltage inputs. A recipient's hearing threshold and associated voltage input may be directly measured. Additionally, measuring the applied vibrations allows co-listening. A doctor can monitor the sound output from a vibration-based hearing prosthesis as it is worn by a recipient. Directly measuring the vibration output also allows an additional degree of freedom in diagnostics because a recipient can perform diagnostic tests at home.
US08858418B2	Method and apparatus for providing treatment in a warming device An apparatus and method for performing warming therapy is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a patient support platform, a patient chamber, a heating source, and a rigid connection member for connecting hoses to the patient chamber. The rigid connection member provide an interface between hoses disposed inside the patient chamber, and hoses disposed outside. The connection member preferably includes one or more interconnection nozzles, removably attached thereto, for connecting the internal hoses to the external hoses. Each of the interconnection nozzles preferably includes an interior connection surface exposed to an interior of the patient chamber, and an external connection surface exposed to an external of the patient chamber.
US08858416B2	Implantable medical devices An active implantable medical device comprising a therapeutic device, a controller and at least one rechargeable battery, wherein a single hermetically sealed housing encapsulates a therapeutic device, controller and rechargeable battery. A hermetically sealed housing additionally encapsulates a wireless interface and a commutator.
US08858415B2	Brachytherapy apparatus and methods for using them Apparatus for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region includes an elongate body including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a tissue tract and carrying a plurality of elongate members including pathways for receiving a source of radiation. The elongate members are movable between collapsed and expanded configurations. During use, a tract is created through tissue, and the elongate body carrying the elongate members is advanced through the tract into a target location with the elongate members in the collapsed configuration. The elongate members are directed to the expanded configuration at the target location, and radiation is delivered to treat tissue at the target location, e.g., by introducing one or more radiation sources along the pathways.
US08858414B2	Programmable segmented volumetric modulated arc therapy for respiratory coordination The invention designs the segmented short-arc VMAT plan, modified from the original long-arc VMAT, to fit the breath-hold interval. The modified VMAT of the invention has the advantages of its applicability to different planning systems for variously long arcs and its preprogrammed arc segmentation for summated dose consistency. Using segmented short-arc modification from the original long-arc VMAT plan is accurate for dose planning and delivery, as well as tolerable for breath-hold VMAT.
US08858411B2	Loading/unloading system serving a sheet cutting centre, feeding tray therefor and relative handling method A system for loading/unloading sheets is disclosed, some of which also being of metal, and handling method thereof, serving a laser cutting center. The system includes a pair of rails (1, 2), supported at a preset height above a feeding tray (T) of the cutting center, whereon at least one Cartesian robotized hand is movably mounted, capable of moving along horizontal axes X and Y as well as along a vertical axis Z, mutually orthogonal, and including at least two bridge cranes (3, 4) sliding along the rails (1, 2) each of which supports at least one pair of robotized hands (5-8), and the robotized hands (5-8) have an electromagnetic pick-up head which may be coupled with a suction-cup device (103). Feeding tray (T) consists of bars whereon small tesserae (204) of ceramic material are fitted.
US08858409B2	Patient support apparatuses with exercise functionalities A patient support apparatus generally includes a base frame and a support deck supported on the base frame, the support deck comprising a seat portion. A segmented patient support surface is slidably coupled to the support deck. A lift system is coupled to the support deck and the segmented patient support surface. The lift system raises, lowers and tilts the support deck with respect to the base frame, and pivots a torso support segment of the support surface with respect to a leg support segment of the support surface. A foot plate assembly is removably positioned proximate a free end of the support deck, the foot plate assembly receiving a patient's feet when a patient is positioned on the segmented patient support surface thereby enabling the patient to slide the segmented patient support surface relative to the support deck.
US08858408B2	Double loop exercise strap A double loop exercise strap that includes both an outer strap anchored to a fixed object (e.g., a wall, rail or other fixed platform) and an inner strap that wraps firmly around a limb, extremity (e.g., hand or foot) or torso of the human body. The inner strap has two ends, a fixed end that may advantageously be sewn or attached to the outer strap and a free end that wraps around the human limb, extremity or torso and is threaded through an outer strap slot before being attached to the outside of the outer strap using VELCRO™, buckles or other types of fasteners to thereby create a closed double loop system.
US08858399B2	Systems and methods for annotating information We have disclosed systems and methods for annotating information collected about an individual engaged in a physical activity. The methods may include a server computer system receiving information collected about an individual from a remote computing device, the server computer system receiving an annotation associated with the information collected about the individual from the remote computing device, the server computer system generating visual display data based on the information collected and the associated annotation, and the server computer system transmitting the visual display data to a remote computing device for generating an output.
US08858395B2	Torque control system A method of controlling a machine includes receiving a torque demand associated with at least one of a first parasitic load and a second parasitic load. At least the first parasitic load receives power from a power source of the machine via a transmission coupled to the power source. The method also includes providing torque from the power source to the at least one of the first and second parasitic loads in response to receiving the torque demand. In such a method wherein torque is provided to the at least one of the first and second parasitic loads based on a torque priority value associated with the at least one of the first and second parasitic loads. In addition, the torque priority value is adjustable by an operator of the machine during operation of the machine.
US08858392B2	Proportional parking brake control in cooperation with operation of a continuously variable transmission A parking brake is controlled in concert with operation of a hydrostatic power unit of a continuously variable transmission, particularly when engaging, disengaging and shuttle shifting the transmission, to provide advantages, particularly when on hills. When particular commands are received, such as shifting to a non-moving position, the parking brake is automatically engaged to hold the vehicle position. A swash plate of the hydrostatic unit can be automatically positioned to anticipate the next command. If that command is received, the brake is automatically gradually or proportionally released and the transmission engaged to effect the commanded movement of the vehicle. If a different command is received, the brake remains engaged as the transmission is configured for the commanded movement, such that no machine movement results. Then the brake is automatically gradually or proportionally released and the transmission engaged to effect that commanded movement.
US08858390B2	Method for operating a drivetrain A method of operating a drive train having a hybrid drive including a combustion engine and electric motor, a clutch located between the engine and the motor, a transmission, a starting element and a brake pedal. For electric crawling from a state in which the clutch is disengaged, the brake pedal is activated and the combustion engine is turned off, initially the starting element is brought to or maintained at a filling pressure. Next, the rotational speed of the electric motor is adjusted to be higher, by a defined slippage rotational speed, than a transmission side rotational speed. When this slippage is reached, the starting element is further engaged to create a crawl torque at the output. The electric motor continues at rotational speed control so that the slippage is maintained.
US08858389B2	Variator assembly A variator assembly for a transmission includes an input shaft, an input disc, an output disc, a roller, a trunnion, a piston, and a connection member. The input shaft defines an axis of rotation and the input disc is rotationally coupled to the input shaft and coaxial with the axis of rotation. The roller is disposed between the input disc and the output disc to provide a speed ratio between the input disc and the output disc. The trunnion is connected to the roller and includes a connecting feature. The piston defines a central bore. The connection member has a head portion, a shaft portion, and a connecting portion, where the connecting portion is connected to the connecting feature of the trunnion, the head portion abuts the piston, and the shaft portion is disposed in the central bore of the piston.
US08858387B2	Multi-stage transmission A transmission with nine forward and one reverse gear comprises planetary gearsets, shafts and shift elements. A sun gear of a first gearset (P1) is connectable to a housing via a first brake (03) and couples the sun gear of the second gearset (P2). A carrier of the first gearset (P1) couples the ring gear of the fourth gearset (P4). A ring gear of first gearset (P1) is connectable to the housing by a second brake (04). The carrier of the second gearset (P2) couples the input which is connectable by clutch (15) to the fifth shaft (5). The fifth shaft (5) respectively couples the sun and ring gears of the fourth and third gearsets (P4, P3) and is connectable to a seventh shaft (7) by clutch (57). The seventh shaft (7) respectively couples the sun and ring gears of the third and the second gearsets (P3, P2). Output shaft couples the carrier of the fourth gearset (P4) and, via clutch (28), the eight shaft (8) which is connected to the carrier of the third gearset (P3), and clutch (18) couples the eight shaft (8) to the input.
US08858385B2	Locking differential A selectively locked differential has a locked configuration in which both side gears are independently locked to the differential casing so that torque is not transmitted through the pinion gears. The locking of the side gears is accomplished by generally cylindrical, ring-shaped structures with castellations on one axial end surface of each structure. These castellations selectively interfit with rotatably fixed castellations of secondary structures fixed to the differential casing, such that the ring-shaped structures define a mechanically interconnected, zero-slip arrangement with respect to the rotationally fixed secondary structures when the differential is in the locked configuration.
US08858383B2	Gear transmission A gear transmission includes an eccentric-oscillating-type first reduction gear unit having a first internal gear, a first crankshaft with at least one first eccentric body defined thereon, a first input gear fixed to the first crankshaft and a first output member, as well as an eccentric-oscillating-type second reduction gear unit disposed coaxially with the first reduction gear unit and surrounding the first reduction gear unit. The second reduction gear unit has a second internal gear, a second crankshaft with at least one second eccentric body defined thereon, a second input gear fixed to the second crankshaft and a second output member. The first output member is engaged with the second input gear. Further, the first internal gear is disposed, in the axial direction of the gear transmission, between the second input gear and the at least one second eccentric body.
US08858380B2	Speed reduction device and series of speed reduction devices A speed reduction device includes front and rear stage speed reduction mechanisms. The speed reduction device includes a connecting shaft that connects the front stage speed reduction mechanism to the rear stage speed reduction mechanism; bearings that support the connecting shaft; an oil supply port that is formed on one side of front and rear stage sides of the bearings; and communication passages that make a receiving section, which is closer to the front stage speed reduction mechanism than the bearings in a casing of the speed reduction device, communicate with a receiving section, which is closer to the rear stage speed reduction mechanism than the bearings.
US08858376B2	Hybrid powertrain for a motor vehicle A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US08858368B2	Handheld performance tracking and mapping device utilizing an optical scanner Disclosed is a golf performance tracking and mapping device that utilizes a handheld, portable device having an optical scanner for reading waypoints along a course map, cataloging strokes, distances and further for suggesting and cataloging club choices throughout a round. The data gathered during the round is utilized to create measurable data that can be utilized to create a portfolio of a specific round for posterity, or further for creating data that can be statistically analyzed for a specific user, wherein club ranges, weaknesses and strengths can be determined over a statistically significant period for performance tracking. The device includes a display and an internal global positioning system for tracking location. It is desired that the present tracking device require minimal user input beyond club scanning prior to subsequent swings.
US08858367B2	Golf swing practice target device A reusable target device is used on with a golf swing practice mat having a teeing aperture formed therein to take the place of the collapsible tee conventionally used for teeing a practice golf ball thereon. The target device has i) a base flange portion received below the practice mat, ii) a stem portion extending upwardly from the base flange portion through the teeing aperture in the practice mat, and iii) a target portion supported at the top of the stem portion to simulate a golf ball to be struck during a practice swing. The base flange portion, the stem portion and the target portion are integrally and seamlessly formed with one another of a resilient material with a hollow passage arranged to be externally vented and collapsed upon impact by a swinging golf club.
US08858365B2	Multi-layer golf ball construction Disclosed herein is a six piece golf ball wherein each part of the golf ball has certain characteristics.
US08858362B1	Golf club head with weight ports A golf club head having a face component, a crown, and a sole or a body patch with one or more weight ports for receiving one or more weight inserts is disclosed herein. At least part of each of the weight ports is integrally formed in the sole or body patch, and each of the weight ports includes an upper edge, a lower edge, and a wall having a variable thickness and varying radius.
US08858361B2	Golf club head with textured striking face A golf club head includes a heel portion, a toe portion, a hosel, and a striking face. The striking face includes a plurality of scorelines each having an average depth no less than about 0.10 mm, a plurality of first micro-grooves each having an average depth no greater than about 0.010 mm, and a plurality of second micro-grooves overlaid on the first micro-grooves, each of the second micro-grooves having an average depth greater than the average depth of the first micro-grooves. Some embodiments can also have a plurality of textured surface treatment regions superimposed on the overlaid first and second micro-grooves so as to at least partially intersect the micro-grooves.
US08858360B2	Golf club head A golf club providing improved golf ball launch conditions is disclosed herein. The golf club includes a face component and a sole comprising an elongated recess disposed proximate the face component. The elongated recess preferably is tube shaped, and preferably has an opening with a smaller width than an innermost surface of the elongated recess. Some embodiments of the golf club also comprise a cover affixed to the sole and at least partially covering the opening of the elongated recess.
US08858358B2	Tubular body made of fiber-reinforced epoxy resin material It is an object to provide a tubular body made from a novel fiber-reinforced epoxy resin material having improved strength. A tubular body made of a fiber-reinforced epoxy resin material according to the present invention is a tubular body made of a fiber-reinforced epoxy resin material comprising a cured product of an epoxy resin composition and a reinforcing fiber. The cured product of the epoxy resin composition has a swelling ratio of 20% by mass to 42.5% by mass in methyl ethyl ketone.
US08858357B2	Golf club with improved performance A golf club head with an improved Moment of Inertia (MOI) is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention relates to a golf club head with a releasable hosel mechanism that is leaner and more lightweight, it allows a significant amount of weight to be saved from the hosel portion of the golf club head and used to improve Center of Gravity (CG) location of the golf club head; which contributes to the improvement of the MOI of the golf club head.
US08858356B2	Golf putter grip A golf putter grip comprises a main tubular body having a non-circular cross-section being symmetrical and remaining similar throughout its axial length, a flat front area being preferably of rectangular shape and also along and throughout its axial length. The non-circular cross-section and the flat front area respectively have a width sufficient to have two hands cupped together at the same height and two thumbs placed side by side on the flat front area to hold the putter grip comfortably with minimal wrist breaking-down. The main tubular body preferably has flat-topped arch cross-section and is reversely tapered, and its reverse taper is sufficient in certain degrees to accommodate different finger lengths of two hands for reducing the gripping pressure, so as to make the gripping comfortable.
US08858355B2	Golf club Provided is a golf club having a head disposed at a front end of a shaft and a grip disposed at a back end of the shaft. A club weight is not larger than 290 g, and a ratio (head weight/club weight) of a head weight to a club weight is not lower than 0.67 but not higher than 0.72. When an inertia moment of the club at a grip end is MI, 2700 kg·cm2≦MI≦3000 kg·cm2 is satisfied, and when a frequency of flexural vibration of the club is F, 190 cpm≦F≦230 cpm is satisfied.
US08858354B2	Golf putter with marker- and ball-handling features A golf putter ball-marker handling system uses distance of a magnet from the marker to control whether the marker is captured or dropped. The golf putter preferably also has a ball-handling system that captures a ball in an aperture in the club head by sliding a ball-engagement pin into the aperture and underneath the ball. Both the marker-handling system and the ball-handling system are actuated at generally the same time by an actuation system that is controlled by a single handle at or near the club grip.
US08858352B2	Wrist guard for bowling A wrist guard for bowling is provided. The wrist guard is capable of easily swing-adjusting (laterally adjusting) or tilt-adjusting (longitudinally adjusting) while a user is putting on the wrist guard, thereby proving a stable posture and convenience of use, also providing a beautiful exterior obtained by covering an angle adjusting unit swing-adjusting or tilt-adjusting using a cover, and preventing holding a cloth in such a way that the user is able to concentrate on a bowling game while throwing a bowling ball.
US08858351B2	Operating show or ride elements in response to visual object recognition and tracking A ride or show control apparatus using visual recognition to provide a more interactive experience to guests or participants. The apparatus is adapted for operating a ride or show element, such as a robotic character. The apparatus includes a mechanized or robotic element with movable components positioned near a guest traffic area. The apparatus includes an imaging assembly capturing images of the traffic area and outputting digital image data. A controller is provided that includes a processor using an object recognition module to process the image data to determine whether an object is in the traffic area. In response to the object recognition, the control system operates movable components of the mechanized element such as to cause it to speak or move in the direction of the recognized object such as a visitor's face or a badge, hat, or other item worn or carried by a guest or participant.
US08858350B2	Inflatable rocket assembly An inflatable rocket assembly is an apparatus that improves upon existing rocket shaped balloons. The apparatus is provided in a particular arrangement that enables said inflatable rocket assembly to traverse a fluid, in a particular manner, upon being thrown by human capable means. The inflatable rocket assembly is able to provide amusement and function as a teaching tool to a user through a plurality of interactions. The apparatus utilizes the combination of an inflatable body coupled with a plurality of front fins and a plurality of tail fins in order to achieve a particular flight characteristic while traversing through a fluid. The particular component arrangement allows the inflatable rocket assembly to be thrown through the air, achieving distances of 30′ feet or more while requiring very little effort from the user. Furthermore, the inflatable rocket assembly is provided in manner that permits it to be easily inflated and deflated.
US08858348B2	Ice-rink dasherboards lacking protruding sills A system to reduce or eliminate the sill of dasher boards on the play area side of a transparent plane is disclosed. The system features spacers and extensions which support the transparent panes in a more inward position. The system can be installed initially or used to retrofit an arena. The system is suitable for straight and curved-corner portions of the boards assembly. The system is suitable for use with panes of tempered glass or of transparent plastic.
US08858347B1	Gradient-adjustable skate park system and methods for using the same A gradient-adjustable skate park system and methods for using the same are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, a skate park system comprises a plurality of structures, wherein each structure of the plurality of structures includes one or more features for allowing a skateboarder to perform at least one skateboarding trick, a plurality of raising mechanisms coupled beneath at least a portion of the plurality of structures, and a processor that is configured to control the plurality of raising mechanisms to decline the plurality of structures by a predetermined angle.
US08858346B2	Bone screw and method for manufacturing the same A faceted bone screw and a method for manufacturing the same includes a screw thread configuration having facets that are substantially transverse to the thread. The facets are generally made up of a plurality of transitioning peaks and valleys which vary the depth of the thread and are disposed in one or more locations throughout the threaded portion of the bone screw. The facets operate to reduce the torque required to drive the bone screw into bone, while at the same time operate to assist in anchoring the bone screw within the bone once inserted therein, and thereby reduce the possibility for the screw backing out after insertion.
US08858339B2	Interactive video game system comprising toys with rewritable memories The invention disclosed herein relates to a video game system comprising a video game console and an object or toy used in connection with the video game console, wherein the object or toy has a rewritable data storage device, and wherein the video game console stores information in the rewritable data storage device in response to game play events occurring in a first gaming session. The stored information is subsequently retrieved by the video game console in a second gaming session, and the retrieved information is used to conduct the game play of the second gaming session.
US08858327B2	Method and device for providing a game The present invention discloses a method and a device for providing a game. The method includes: a detection step, for determining an additional display device being attached to a mobile device; and a push step, for pushing multimedia information of the game to the additional display device to be presented by the additional display device, and pushing a visual human machine interface of the game to a display of the mobile device to be displayed by the display; wherein, a controlled object displayed on the additional display device is controlled by the visual human machine interface. The above-mentioned method and device for providing a game can make a game machine have a smaller size and be more portable, display multimedia information of a game on a bigger screen for players and provide players with a visual human machine interface on the entire screen of a mobile device, and therefore it improves user experiences.
US08858326B2	Computer graphics processing and display of selectable items Methods and systems are provided herewith for creating and managing wagers on possible states within a live event, such as possible outcomes of subparts of a sporting event or other possible occurrences within the event. An initial state and multiple possible future states of a performance parameter of the event is determined based on state information of the event. A betting market may be created by determining probabilities and odds for the possible future states. The betting market is closed after bets are received and before an end of an initial state of the performance parameter. A payout may be made to a winner who selected the correct outcome of the performance parameter.
US08858325B2	Team electronic gameplay combining different means of control Disclosed are methods and apparatuses provided for modifying the effect of an operator controlled input device on an interactive device to encourage the self-regulation of at least one physiological activity by a person different than the operator. The interactive device comprises a display area which depicts images and apparatus for receiving at least one input from the operator controlled input device to thus permit the operator to control and interact with at least some of the depicted images. One effect modification comprises measurement of the physiological activity of a person different from the operator, while modifying the ability of the operator to control and interact with at least some of the depicted images by modifying the input from the operator controlled input device in response to changes in the measured physiological signal.
US08858324B2	Speculative rendering using historical player data Technologies are presented for reducing lag time via speculative graphics rendering in cloud based gaming. In some examples, historical data about statistically relevant large populations of players is provided. The historical data may include state transitions through various game locations or situations. In some of the game locations there may be a correlation between a probability of a particular upcoming scene and a player state. Example game locations or situations may include areas that players tend to cross in one or more straight lines, corners that players may round in a particular fashion, spots where certain player motions are commonly engaged in, such as looking up, and the like. The historical data may be tested against a certain predictive strength and rendered predicted game states may be prepared ahead of player need.
US08858319B2	Method for enhancing winning outcomes in a reel spinning game A method for enhancing the outcome of a reel spinning game having one or more shared award-modifier reels is disclosed. The method includes: providing a game including a first set of reels, a second set of reels, and a shared base award-multiplier reel positioned adjacent to a first and second set of reels, and the shared base award-multiplier reel enhances any winning outcomes in the first and/or second set of reels; determining whether the game outcome of one set of reels is a winning outcome; and enhancing the winning outcome of at least one set of reels when an award-multiplier symbol is present on the shared base award-multiplier reel, initiating a secondary game when a secondary game trigger symbol is presented on the shared base award-multiplier reel, or combinations thereof.
US08858315B2	Gaming machine, gaming system, and gaming method In a gaming machine, a controller executes a base game, and triggers the bonus game including a plurality of unit games when a result of the base game satisfies a predetermined condition. The controller determines reachable cells of the character in each unit game of the bonus game. The controller determines an expected value of an award provided in each reachable cell by distributing predetermined credits to the reachable cells in each unit game. The controller determines a number of cells by which the character moves along with the course in each unit game, moves the character to any one of the reachable cells according to the number of cells in each unit game, and determines an award to be provided to the player according to the expected value of a cell at which the character arrives in each unit game.
US08858313B1	Methods, systems, and devices for synchronized parallel gameplay In one embodiment, the invention relates to a network-based quiz game and related methods that is playable in parallel relative to and synchronized with an event of interest such as a sports event. This embodiment can be a massively multiplayer game in one embodiment. The players of the game include various participant using electronic devices. The game and relates methods can be implemented using a client server architecture and various hardware and software components.
US08858312B1	Reaction program system using a trigger mechanism for cueing user interaction during use of a reaction program A reaction program system including a reaction program implemented on a reaction system platform, the reaction system platform including a computer, a display device, and a user interface device.
US08858311B2	Traveling virtual pet game system A traveling virtual pet game simulates a pet traveling between various geographic locations. As the pet travels, users interact with the virtual pet to aid the pet in acquiring traits associated with the geographic regions in which it travels and to observe traits that the pet has previously acquired.
US08858305B2	Method and apparatus for preparing poultry skin Penetrating the skin of a poultry item with an array of small holes accomplished by using a plurality of circular blades laterally spaced apart and substantially parallel and having a plurality teeth protruding from the edge of the blades and forcibly engaging and penetrating the skin of the poultry item with the plurality of teeth. The plurality of circular blades can have a common axis of rotation and rotating about a shaft extending along the common axis thereby forming a roller of blades.
US08858303B2	Protective cover for a handheld power tool A protective cover for a handheld power tool, with a tool that is at least partially surrounded by the protective cover, is formed of at least a first wall element and a second wall element, which in order to form a tool space are connected to each other in a parallel-spaced arrangement. The first wall element has a first circumferential section and the second wall element has a second circumferential section. The circumferential sections overlap each other and form a circumferential wall of the protective cover, with at least one opening which is provided in the outer-lying second circumferential section and under which the inner-lying first circumferential section extends.
US08858300B2	Applying different pressures through sub-pad to fixed abrasive CMP pad A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) system includes a rotating polishing table including a platen providing at least two pressure zones having different pressures; a sub-pad positioned on the platen, the sub-pad including a plurality of openings allowing for transmission of the different pressures therethrough; a fixed abrasive pad positioned on the sub-pad; and a pressure-creating system sealingly coupled to the platen for creating a different pressure in the at least two pressure zones, wherein the different pressures create topography on the fixed abrasive pad. A sub-pad and related method are also provided.
US08858294B2	Autonomous bobble head toy An apparatus includes a base, a drive mechanism attached to the base for causing the base to move across a support surface, a bobble head rotatably coupled to the base and rotatable about at least one axis, and a vibrating mechanism adapted to cause the bobble head to oscillate about at least one axis.
US08858293B2	Reciprocating mechanism The present invention relates to a reciprocating mechanism. In particular, the invention relates to a reciprocating mechanism suitable for use in a robot, wherein the robot is capable of performing a drumming action. In specific embodiments, the mechanism includes: (i) a substantially fan (triangular)- or wedge-shaped member having a pivot, a follower end and a distal end, wherein the distal end includes a plurality of teeth; (ii) a guide cylinder having a serpentine guide means around a curved surface of the guide cylinder, wherein the follower end engages with the serpentine guide means such that as the guide cylinder is rotated the follower end traverses the curved surface; and (iii) a central pulley member having teeth that mesh with the teeth of the distal end; wherein movement of the follower end is translated into movement of a distal end via the pivot of the fan (triangular)-shaped member, and wherein movement of the distal end causes movement of the central pulley member via their meshed teeth.
US08858290B2	Push toy with amusement features A push toy includes a collecting mechanism and a stirring mechanism in order to enhance the play value. The push toy is comprised of a handle, a housing, and a wheel assembly such that a user may roll the push toy along a support surface. The push toy may collect objects, such as toy balls, store the objects within the housing, and subsequently release or expel the objects so they may be collected again.
US08858283B2	Engine, outboard motor, and watercraft An engine includes a cylinder block including a plurality of cylinders, an exhaust manifold, and an exhaust pipe. The exhaust manifold includes a first passage and a second passage. The first passage includes a plurality of first inflow ports into which exhaust gases flow from the plurality of cylinders, a first collecting portion that collects exhaust gases that have flowed into the plurality of first inflow ports, and a first exhaust port through which exhaust gases collected by the first collecting portion are discharged. The second passage includes a second inflow port into which exhaust gases flow and a second exhaust port through which exhaust gases that have flowed into the second inflow port are discharged. The exhaust pipe includes a connection passage through which the first exhaust port and the second inflow port are connected together.
US08858279B1	Tilt/trim and steering bracket assembly for a marine outboard engine A bracket assembly for mounting a marine outboard engine to a watercraft has a stern bracket, a swivel bracket pivotally connected to the stern bracket about a generally horizontal tilt/trim axis, and at least one linear actuator connected to the swivel bracket. The at least one linear actuator includes a fixed portion connected to the swivel bracket, a movable portion being extendable and retractable linearly relative to the fixed portion, and a roller rotationally connected to the movable portion. At least one ramp is connected to the stern bracket. The roller of the at least one linear actuator abuts a surface of the at least one ramp over at least a range of angles between the stern bracket and the swivel bracket as the swivel bracket pivots about the generally horizontal tilt/trim axis. A marine outboard engine having the bracket assembly is also disclosed.
US08858278B2	Marine vessel control apparatus A method for controlling a marine vessel having a first steering nozzle, a reversing deflector and at least one of a bow thruster and a second steering nozzle is disclosed. The method comprises any of the acts of inducing a net transverse thrust to the marine vessel in response to a transverse thrust component signal, without substantially inducing any forward-reverse thrust or rotational thrust to the marine vessel, or inducing a net forward-reverse thrust to the marine vessel in response to a forward-reverse thrust component signal without substantially inducing any transverse thrust or rotational thrust to the marine vessel, or inducing a net rotational thrust to the marine vessel in response to the rotational thrust component signal without substantially inducing any forward-reverse thrust or transverse thrust to the marine vessel.
US08858277B2	System and method for dynamic energy recovery in marine propulsion A method for controlling operation of a propulsion system of a waterborne vessel, comprising adjusting recovery of energy generated from the propulsion system to maintain position of the waterborne vessel in response to at least an indication of vessel position.
US08858273B2	Press bond terminal An object of the invention is to provide a press bond terminal capable of easily ensuring compatibility between electrical connection performance and mechanical connection performance in the case of connecting a terminal to an electric wire. In a press bond terminal (10) having a conductor press bond part (13) connected by being pressed and bonded to a distal end of a conductor (Wa) of an electric wire, the conductor press bond part (13) being formed in substantially a U-shaped cross section by a base plate (13A) and a pair of conductor crimp pieces (13B) which is extended upward from both right and left lateral edges of the base plate (13A) and is crimped so as to wrap the conductor (Wa) disposed on an inner surface of the base plate (13A), an inner surface of the base plate (13A) of the conductor press bond part (13) is provided with a projecting bar (22).
US08858272B2	High current contact and corresponding method for producing a high current contact assembly The invention relates to a high current contact having a contact pin, which has at least one contact opening, and a contact terminal, which has at least one contact limb, wherein the at least one contact limb of the contact terminal is connected to a corresponding contact opening of the contact pin on at least one joint region to produce an electrical contact and to receive mechanical forces, and to a corresponding method for producing said high current contact. According to the invention, producing the electrical contact between the contact pin and the contact terminal is largely separate from the receiving of mechanical forces, wherein the electrical contact between the contact pin and the contact terminal is produced by a first connection type and the mechanical forces are received by a second connection type.
US08858269B2	Terminal block having a bus bar with a metal collar with a contact surface with ribs The invention relates to a spring-cage terminal block, having a bus bar and a leg spring for connecting a stripped conductor end piece of an electrical conductor, wherein the conductor end piece is inserted into a material passage of the bus bar and is clamped by means of the leg spring. According to the invention, the contact surface on the metal collar inner wall surface of the material passage has contact ribs extending along the insertion direction in order to form a linear contact pattern which extends in the insertion direction.
US08858268B2	Communications plugs and patch cords with mode conversion control circuitry Patch cords include a communications cable that has first through eighth conductors that are arranged as four twisted pairs. A TIA 568B type plug may be attached to the cable. This plug includes a housing that receives the cable and first through eighth plug contacts that include plug contact regions that are substantially aligned in a row in numerical order. The plug further includes a printed circuit board that has first through eighth conductive paths that connect the first through eighth conductors to the respective first through eighth plug contacts. A first portion of the first conductive path and a first portion of the second conductive path are routed as a transmission line, and a first portion of the sixth conductive path is routed therebetween.
US08858258B2	Two-part contact element for high-voltage plug-and-socket connector The invention relates to a plug element (2) for a sealed high-voltage plug-and-socket connector (1), by means of which, in particular in an automobile, an electrical conductor (11) can be connected in electrically conductive manner to a mating contact element (46) of a mating plug element (3), with a housing body (7) which has a plug section (4) which can be fitted together with the mating plug element (3) in a direction of insertion (S) and a conductor receptacle section (6) remote from the plug section (4) with at least one conductor entry opening (10), and with at least one contact element (33) which has an insertion member (35) which is arranged spaced apart from the at least one conductor entry opening (10) in the plug section (4) and can be fitted together with the mating contact element (46), and a conductor fastening section (36) for connecting the at least one electrical conductor (11). Furthermore, the invention relates to a conductor end piece (26) for fastening an end section (55) of the electrical conductor (11) in the plug-and-socket connector (1) and also a modular system for the plug element (2), and to a method for assembling the plug element (2). In order to make the assembly of the plug element (2) simpler and more reliable, provision is made according to the invention for the conductor fastening section (36) to be designed as a plug contact (37) which is flush with the at least one conductor entry opening (10) in a direction of introduction (E) for the at least one electrical conductor (11) and for a conductor latching element (57, 57′) to be arranged in the housing body (7), which element in a projection in the direction of introduction (E) overlaps the at least one conductor entry opening (10) at least in sections.
US08858255B2	Magnetic screw guide for distribution block assembly A distribution block assembly includes a base and a cover removably connected to the base. A first opening in the base receives a conductor and a second opening in the base removably receives a fastener to secure the conductor received in the first opening. A tab extends from the cover toward the base. A magnetic member is connected to the tab to releasably secure a fastener when the fastener is not disposed in the second opening. The magnetic member prevents movement and loss of the fastener when removed from the second opening.
US08858246B2	Power source circuit shutoff device A power source circuit shutoff device includes: a base housing including a first mating wall and a cam pin; a lever housing including a second mating wall; and an operation lever rotatably supported to the lever housing and having a cam groove for guiding the cam pin. The base housing and the lever housing are set to a lever mating start position in which the first mating wall and the second mating wall are partly overlapped with each other and the cam pin is entered into the cam groove of the operation lever, and a rotation of the operation lever moves the cam pin in the cam groove to thereby cause a mating force between the first mating wall and the second mating wall. The base housing and the lever housing respectively have restriction ribs.
US08858245B2	Leakage protection socket with integrated baffle locking mechanism A power outlet may comprise an enclosure with at least one plug jack, a reset button comprising at least one integrally formed extension latch arm, the extension latch arm comprising at least one positioning pin, and at least one baffle configured to selectively block at least a portion of the plug jack, the baffle comprising an outer wall comprising a face, a pin slit, and a leg. The extension latch arm positioning pin is configured to selectively press against the outer wall face when the extension latch arm is in an upward position. The extension latch arm positioning pin is configured to selectively enter the outer wall pin slit when the extension latch arm is in a downward position.
US08858242B2	Electronic device and connecting component An electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing disposed on the first housing, and a connecting component. The connecting component includes a connecting body and an elastic conductive element. The connecting component is located between the first housing and the second housing. The elastic conductive element with an elastic restoring force is movably disposed in the connecting component. When a part of the elastic conductive element protrudes beyond the connecting body, the elastic conductive element is connected to the second housing and the connecting body.
US08858241B2	Socket connector with contact terminal having waveform arrangement adjacent to tail portion perfecting solder joint Disclosed herewith a socket connector configured with an insulative housing defining a mating interface surrounded with peripheral walls and a mounting surface. A plurality of passageways is defined between the mating interface and the mounting surface and having an opening at the mounting surface. The insulative housing includes an encampment associated with each of the passageway at the mounting surface, and includes an extension crossing over an inner wall of the passageway to substantially narrow the opening of the opening. The socket connector furthers includes a plurality of contact terminals each received in the passageway and further includes a curvilinear solder portion extending beyond the mounting surface. And the socket connector further is incorporated with a plurality of solder balls each disposed between the encampment and the curvilinear solder portion.
US08858238B2	Compression connector configured with three housing for retaining terminals there between A compression connector for connecting two PCBs includes an insulative housing and a plurality of terminals received in the housing. Each terminal includes a retaining section and two spring contacting sections extending from opposite ends of the retaining section and exposing beyond mating surface of the housing. The insulative housing includes a base housing and a pair of matching housing sandwich the base housing from opposite directions to retain the retaining sections in said three housings such that the terminals can be well retained therein.
US08858235B2	Device for fixing a turkey tail fan Apparatuses and methods for fixing a turkey tail fan are provided. The apparatuses can include a top and bottom sheet, an angled member, and a plurality of fasteners for fixing a turkey tail fan in a natural spread configuration. A kit for fixing and displaying a turkey tail fan is further provided.
US08858232B2	Device to three-dimensionally display colors of a color model A device to three-dimensionally display colors of a color model is provided. The device includes a plurality of interconnected top panels. The top panels are arranged in a circle about a central axis to display primary, secondary and tertiary colors of the color model in a predetermined spatial relationship at the top surface of the device. The device further includes a plurality of interconnected side and bottom panels. Left and right surfaces of the side panels, the lower surfaces of the top panels and the upper surfaces of the bottom panels form the side surfaces of the device and display the primary, secondary and tertiary colors of the color model at the side surfaces.
US08858231B2	Method and system for providing feedback data useful in prosthodontic procedures associated with the intra oral cavity Feedback data useful in prosthodontic procedures associated with the intra oral cavity is provided. First, a 3D numerical model of the target zone in the intra oral cavity is provided, and this is manipulated so as to extract particular data that may be useful in a particular procedure, for example data relating to the finish line or to the shape and size of a preparation. The relationship between this data and the procedure is then determined, for example the clearance between the preparation and the intended crown. Feedback data, indicative of this relationship, is then generated, for example whether the preparation geometry is adequate for the particular type of prosthesis.
US08858229B2	Volume emitter An apparatus for treating organic tissue includes: (i) a flash lamp defining a bore; (ii) a current source adapted for providing current to the flash lamp and operating at a current density adapted for forming a volume of optically transparent plasma within the bore, where the volume of optically transparent plasma is capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation and allowing the transmission of the electromagnetic radiation through the volume of optically transparent plasma; and (iii) a delivery system adapted for employing at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation to treat the organic tissue.
US08858226B2	Systems and methods for varying elastic modulus appliances The present invention provides improved devices, systems and methods for repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement. Repositioning is accomplished with a system comprising a series of polymeric shell appliances configured to receive the teeth and incrementally reposition individual teeth in a series of successive steps. The individual appliances may be formed from layers having different stiffnesses (elastic moduluses), and the stiffnesses of successive appliances may be different, or both.
US08858221B2	Reactor for carrying out very high temperature and high pressure reactions The present invention describes a novel reactor adapted for carrying out chemical reactions at temperatures of up to 1600° C., and at pressures of up to 100 bars. The reactor of the invention has two vessels surrounding the reaction zone, an inner vessel constituted by a refractory material and an outer vessel surrounding the inner vessel and constituted by an insulating material.
US08858220B2	Locking device for columns of moulding presses A locking device for columns of presses with two pairs of locking clamps, wherein the locking clamps of one or both the pairs are mechanically connected to each other through at least one mechanism suited to guide in a synchronized way the relative translational motion of the two locking clamps of the same pair, and wherein the guide mechanism is integral with the moving plane in at least one fixed point, thus guaranteeing the symmetry of the motion of the locking clamps with respect to the fixed point.
US08858214B2	Liquid or hydraulic blow molding An apparatus for simultaneously forming and filling a plastic container is provided. A mold cavity defines an internal surface and is adapted to accept a preform. A pressure source includes an inlet and a piston-like device. The piston-like device is moveable in a first direction wherein liquid is drawn into the pressure source through the inlet and in a second direction wherein the liquid is urged toward the preform. A blow nozzle may be adapted to receive the liquid from the pressure source and transfer the liquid at high pressure into the preform thereby urging the preform to expand toward the internal surface of the mold cavity and creating a resultant container. The liquid remains within the container as an end product.
US08858210B2	Manufacture of variable density dosage forms utilizing radiofrequency energy The present invention features the present invention features a tablet including at least one pharmaceutically active ingredient, wherein the shape of said tablet includes at least one major face wherein: (i) the peak penetration resistance at the perimeter of said major face of the tablet is at least about 10% greater than the peak penetration resistance at the center of said major face; and (ii) the tablet disintegrates in the mouth when placed on the tongue in less than about 30 seconds, and a machine and method for manufacture of such tablet.
US08858206B2	Pendulum-slide cell pump A pendulum-slide cell pump may include a rotationally mounted inner rotor connected via pendulum-slides with an outer rotor and wherein the outer rotor may be configured to transfer rotational movement of the outer rotor to the inner rotor via the pendulum-slides.
US08858200B2	Pump and valve combination for an article of footwear incorporating an inflatable bladder An article of footwear having a pump and valve combination for inflating an inflatable bladder. In one embodiment the pump and valve combination has a pumping area formed between top and bottom polymeric films with a foam insert located therein and an air intake hole leading into the pumping area. A conduit leads from the pumping area to an inflatable bladder and a flow restrictor is located in a pathway of the conduit. In a second embodiment the pump and valve combination has a pumping area formed between top and bottom polymeric films and a grommet. An air intake is located in the pumping area. The grommet has an exhaust hole and a flexible band arranged around the grommet, including the exhaust hole.
US08858199B2	Sump pump container A sump pump reservoir is disclosed, the sump pump reservoir having a housing of oblong cross-section having an interior arranged for housing at least two level-activated water pumps supported on adjacent floor areas thereof for non-interfering operation, the housing having a length substantially greater than its width and the housing having a top oblong reinforcing rim; and a cover section enclosing the interior.
US08858198B1	Fan shroud for pump A hydrostatic apparatus is disclosed. The hydrostatic apparatus comprises a pump, an input shaft, a fan and a fan shroud. The pump comprises a housing, an end cap, a first end and a second end. The input shaft extending from the first end and the second end of the pump. The fan is attached to one end of the input shaft. The fan shroud is also attached to the pump.
US08858197B2	Compressor with sensor and valve plate arrangement A compressor has a housing with a sensor coupling hole and a control valve coupling hole. A support plate is configured to contact with the compressor housing, the support plate having perforations. A sensor and a control valve pass through the perforations of the support plate respectively at positions corresponding to the sensor coupling hole and the control valve coupling hole. The sensor and control valve are coupled to the sensor coupling hole and the control valve coupling hole respectively. A washer is mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the sensor. The washer passes through the support plate and is inserted into the sensor coupling hole. The washer is coupled to the sensor coupling hole to fix the sensor.
US08858194B2	Constructive arrangement for a hermetic refrigeration compressor A hermetic compressor, comprises: a hermetic shell (1); a cylinder block (2) defining, a shell portion (Ia) and a compression cylinder (3) having an end (3a) opened to the exterior of the hermetic shell (1) and closed by a valve plate (5); a head (6) affixed to the cylinder block (2), over the valve plate (5) so as to define, with the latter, at least one discharge chamber (10). The cylinder block (2) incorporates a tubular projection (20) surrounding the valve plate (5) and at least part of the head (6). An outer cover (30) is hermetically affixed to the tubular projection (20) for defining therewith a discharge plenum (31) in fluid communication with the discharge chamber (10), the tubular projection (20) or the outer cover (30) being provided with a refrigerant gas outlet (40) opened to the exterior of the hermetic shell (1).
US08858192B2	Screw compressor A screw compressor includes a casing, a screw rotor, an oil sump containing lubricant oil, a lubrication passage and a flow rate controller. The screw rotor is inserted in a cylinder portion of the casing to form a fluid chamber. The screw rotor rotates to suck a fluid into the fluid chamber for compression. The lubrication passage supplies the lubricant oil in the oil sump to the fluid chamber due to a difference in pressure between the oil sump and the fluid chamber. The flow rate controller reduces a flow rate of the lubricant oil supplied to the fluid chamber in accordance with a decrease in operating capacity of the screw compressor.
US08858186B2	Linear compressor The present invention relates to a linear compressor, and more particularly, to a linear compressor which supplies a necessary cooling capacity through a natural cooling capacity modulation and a forcible cooling capacity modulation, and a cooling system using the same. The linear compressor according to the present invention includes a compression space into which refrigerant is sucked, a movable member which linearly reciprocates to compress the refrigerant sucked into the compression space, one or more springs which are installed to elastically support the movable member in a motion direction of the movable member, a motor unit which includes a motor and a capacitor connected in series to the motor so as to make the movable member linearly reciprocate, and a motor control unit which performs a natural cooling capacity modulation according to a load by reciprocation of the movable member.
US08858182B2	Fan blade with sheath A fan blade includes an airfoil with a leading edge and a trailing edge in a chordwise direction, a root and a tip in a spanwise direction; and a sheath with a solid portion to cover the leading edge and first and second flanks extending in the chordwise direction to bond to the pressure and suction sides of the airfoil, respectively. The dimensions of the sheath are varied with respect to the spanwise direction of the blade.
US08858180B2	Annulus filler element for a rotor of a turbomachine An annulus filler element (40) for a rotor of a turbomachine, the annulus filler element (40) comprising: a lid portion (42) having a radially outwardly facing surface for forming an inner wall of a flow annulus of the rotor between adjacent blades (102) and a radially inwardly facing surface; and a nose cone attachment portion (52) integrally formed with the lid portion (42) for connection with a nose cone (122) of the turbomachine.
US08858178B2	Rotor wing with integrated tension-torque-transmission element and method for its production A rotor wing in a fiber-reinforced composite design including fiber layers, in particular for a tail rotor of a rotary wing aircraft, with a rotor blade (1) that includes a blade skin (40, 50) and a blade body (41-57) that includes an aerodynamically effective profile, with a tension-torque-transmission element (3) connected to it, which is designed in one piece with the rotor blade (1), and with fiber layers (42-47) that extend through the tension-torque-transmission element (3) and are scarf-join in the rotor blade (1), is improved in that the fiber layers (42-47) extend right through from the tension-torque-transmission element (3) to the blade body (41-57). Furthermore, a method for producing the rotor wing is described.
US08858168B2	Ventilation system and method for assembling the same A method for assembling a ventilation system is provided. The method includes providing a ventilation hood that includes a cover portion and a discharge portion extending from the cover portion. The cover portion includes a first aperture, an opposite second aperture, and a cavity therein, wherein an interior of the discharge portion is in flow communication with the cover portion cavity. The method also includes coupling a rotatable member at least partially within the ventilation hood, such that the rotatable member extends at least partially through at least one of the first and second apertures, and such that rotation of the rotatable member induces a windage-driven flow of fluid between a portion of the rotatable member and at least one of the first and second apertures.
US08858164B2	Air discharge system for an aeronautical turbine engine compressor An air discharge system for an aviation turbomachine compressor is disclosed. The discharge system includes at least one discharge valve. Each valve includes a valve body suitable for moving between an open position and a closed position of the discharge valve, a camshaft including a cylindrical rod carrying a cam mounted to bear against the valve body in such a manner that rotating the camshaft causes the valve body to move between its open and closed positions, and a device for keeping the cam bearing permanently against the valve body. The discharge system further includes at least one main electric motor having its rotor suitable for driving the camshaft of each discharge valve in rotation, and an electronic control system for controlling each main electric motor.
US08858163B2	Ventilation inlet A ventilation inlet comprising a ventilation pipe to receive flow from a first flow zone and to deliver the flow to a second flow zone; a divider arranged to divide a portion of the ventilation pipe into a static pressure zone and a total pressure zone; and a deflector arranged to direct flow from the total pressure zone at least partially across the static pressure zone to restrict delivery of the flow from the static pressure zone to the second flow zone dependent on the pressure of the flow in the first flow zone.
US08858161B1	Multiple staged compressor with last stage airfoil cooling An industrial gas turbine engine in which a compressor includes later stage airfoils that are cooled using a coolant from an external closed loop cooling circuit or from a heat recovery steam generator. Cooling air compressed by a compressor external to the IGT engine can be used for cooling of the main compressor airfoils with a heat exchanger to preheat a fuel used in the combustor. Or, water and steam from a heat recover steam generator can be used to cool the compressor airfoils in which steam can be bled off from the steam generator for cooling and then reintroduced into the HRSG at a downstream stage. Steam is used to cool the rotor blades while water is used to cool the stator vanes.
US08858160B2	Bucket assembly for turbine system A bucket assembly for a turbine system is disclosed. The bucket assembly includes a main body having an exterior surface and defining a main cooling circuit, and a platform surrounding the main body and at least partially defining a platform cooling circuit. The bucket assembly further includes a passage defined in the main body extending from the exterior surface, the passage connecting the main cooling circuit and the platform cooling circuit, and a plug at least partially disposed in the passage. The plug includes a head and a plunger. The head is configured for preventing a flow through at least a portion of the passage. The plunger has a continuous exterior surface and is configured for allowing a flow between the main cooling circuit and the platform cooling circuit.
US08858159B2	Gas turbine engine component having wavy cooling channels with pedestals A gas turbine engine component comprises a plurality of walls, a cooling channel, a plurality of ribs and a plurality of pedestals. The plurality of walls has a pair of major surfaces opposed to define an interior chamber. The cooling channel extends through the interior chamber of the plurality of walls between the major surfaces. The plurality of ribs extends through the cooling channel to form a plurality of wavy passages having bowed-out sections. The plurality of pedestals is positioned between adjacent ribs, each pedestal being positioned in a bowed-out section.
US08858158B2	Steam turbine and steam turbine plant system A steam turbine 10 is comprised of a double-structured casing configured of an outer casing 21 and an inner casing 20, a turbine rotor 23 disposed through the inner casing and having a plurality of stages of moving blades 22 implanted, and a plurality of stages of stationary blades 25 disposed alternately with the moving blades 22 in the axial direction of the turbine rotor 23 in the inner casing 20. The steam turbine 10 is further provided with a discharge passage 30 which externally guides steam, which has flown in the inner casing and passed the final stage moving blades while performing expansion work, directly from the inner casing interior.
US08858154B2	Pump system and method for delivering multi-phase mixtures A pump system (1) is provided for the pumping of multiphase mixtures which includes a pumping apparatus (3) for multiphase mixtures with at least one liquid phase and at least one gaseous phase. The pumping apparatus (3) contains one or more axial compression stages with one respective axial impeller each and one or more pumping stages with a respective one radial impeller each which are arranged adjoining the axial compression stage or stages, wherein the pump system (1) additionally includes a separator (2) at the inlet side of the pumping apparatus (3) to separate a portion of the gaseous phase and wherein the pumping apparatus (3) is configured for delivery heads larger than 50 m.
US08858147B2	Self-piercing rivet A self-piercing rivet is disclosed. The self-piercing rivet integrally joins an upper plate member and a lower plate member overlapping each other. The self-piercing rivet includes a head portion, a shank portion integrally connected with the head portion, a plurality of ribs formed to an external circumferential surface of the shank portion along a length direction of the shank portion in a spiral form, and at least one stopper protrusion protruded from a lower portion of the head portion.
US08858145B2	Fastener capable of speedily screwing A fastener capable of speedily screwing provides a plurality of blocks on a bottom surface of a head and an accommodating area formed between any two adjacent blocks. Each block includes a first wall arranged at one side of the accommodating area and extended upward from the bottom surface, a second wall extending from the first wall to the other side of another adjacent accommodating area, and a cutting edge formed at a convergence of the first wall and the second wall. In screwing, the blocks assist in cutting to achieve a speedy screwing effect, and the accommodating area allows the cutting debris generated accordingly to be received therein to remain a firm engaging force between the fastener and an object. Further, there is no extra cutting debris protruding out of the object after screwing, which increases the flatness, and also enhances the screwing force of the fastener.
US08858143B2	Wall anchor A wall anchor is provided and includes a wing manually urgeable through a substrate, a cutting element attached to the wing at a leading side thereof to cut through substrate material upon the manual urging, a strap assembly rotatably coupled to the wing and configured to be manually gripped and to have a pulling force exerted thereon to thereby urge the wing against the substrate and a cap disposed to be movable along the strap assembly, respective engagements of a member with the wing and the cap being sufficient to draw the wing and the cap toward one another.
US08858141B2	Barrel nut assembly A fastener assembly for securing two components to one another. The fastener assembly includes a barrel or pin that has a radially extending hole in the barrel. The pin also has a reduced diametrical portion on at least one end to form a shoulder and possibly on both ends. The pin is inserted into a hole formed into a hollow or sandwich component. The shoulder engages against a wall on the component to orient and secure the pin in the hole. A threaded fastener is then inserted transversely through the two components to engage in the radially extending hole. The threaded fastener is then rotated to secure the two components to one another.
US08858140B2	Anti-tamper system An anti-tamper system including: a fixing device and an anti-tamper detection device; the fixing device comprising a body and a head whereby the head having a larger cross section then the body for enabling a tool to engage and drive the body into a first material layer thereby makes a firm connection with the anti-tamper detection device between the head and the first material layer; the fixing device further comprising a lock wherein the head is locked to the body by the lock where there is no external magnetic field and wherein the head becomes disengaged from the body when the lock is unlocked by an external magnetic field; and whereby the anti-tamper detection device detects and records a change the connection when the head becomes disengaged.
US08858135B2	Sink drain fitting cutter guide An interlocked assembly of a circular collar receivable in suspension within a sink drain fitting and an annular support slidably engaged to the collar cooperate to form a guide aligning the blade of a rotary cutting tool adjacent the seat of a retaining ring that holds the fitting in place. The sliding translation of the annular support within the collar is limited by a radially projecting ring to limit the penetration depth of the rotary saw blade mounted in the guided tool thus limiting the incidence of damage to the surrounding sink structure.
US08858132B2	Cutting insert The invention relates to a cutting insert, in particular for machining crankshafts, having two base surfaces (10, 11) which are arranged parallel to one another and through which a respective hole (12) passes for receiving a clamping screw and which merge at their shorter edges into rounded end faces which are each defined laterally by cutting edges. According to the invention, at least one pair of the cutting edges is of stepped design and has two convex sections (13, 14) and a concave section (15) lying in between, wherein the outer convex section (13) extends over an angle of 180°.
US08858128B2	Corner radius end mill A corner radius end mill includes a blended gash extending along a cutting edge. The blended gash is formed in a corner sector of the end mill. The corner sector has a first half-sector and a second half-sector defined on opposite sides of an imaginary bisection line of the corner sector, the first and second half-sectors subtending equal angles about the imaginary bisection line. The blended gash extends from a first extremity located in the second half-sector in a direction away from the first half-sector. The blended gash blends an end gash surface and flute rake surface of the corner radius end mill.
US08858127B2	Cutting insert having V-shaped corner views and milling tool A cutting insert has eight identical main cutting edges. Four main cutting edges can operate with a positive axial rake and four can operate with a negative axial rake. The cutting insert has two opposing identical end surfaces and a peripheral surface extending between the end surfaces. The cutting insert is square-shaped in end views. Each end surface has four corners, two lowered corners and two raised corners. A diagonal line passes through the lowered corners of each end surface. For a given orientation of the cutting insert the peripheral surface has a V-shape in views along the two diagonal lines associated with each end surface, the two V-shapes being identical in form and oriented in opposite directions.
US08858122B2	Method and structure for reinforcing ecological greening fabric A method for reinforcing an ecological greening fabric, including steps of: forming a trench (2) in an area to be afforested; laying a first ecological fabric (3) on the surface (1) of the area and in the trench (2); refilling a first soil layer (4) in the trench (2) to press the first ecological fabric (3); and fastening a second ecological fabric (5) on the first soil layer (4) to hold the first soil layer (4) by the second ecological fabric (5), so that the first and second ecological fabrics (4) and (5) in the trench (2) and the trench (2) jointly form a bag structure for fixing the first soil layer (4). A structure for reinforcing an ecological greening fabric is also disclosed.
US08858115B2	Pothole and utility cut repair overlay and method of installation A road overlay product for protecting a repaired road portion including repaired potholes and utility cuts. A pothole or utility cut is preliminarily repaired with asphalt fill and compacted per current standard practice. Thereafter, the overlay is placed upon the compacted top surface of the asphalt fill, overlapping onto the adjacent road surface and compressed. The overlay forms a water proof seal preventing water from seeping into the repaired area. The overlay also resists crack propagation and minimizes the potential of asphalt chipping and the breaking down of the asphalt fill and surrounding roadway.
US08858113B1	Tire deflation device for puncturing one or more tires of a fleeing vehicle A tire deflation device includes a support rod disposed longitudinally within a housing, a plurality of T-shaped positioners spaced along the length of the support rod, a pair of spikes attached to each of the T-shaped positioners, each spike of the pair arranged in an opposite direction to the other, and a plurality of filler portions disposed between each of the pair of spikes. The housing includes a main housing portion, a first end portion and a second end portion. The main housing portion has three lateral sides. The positioners position the pairs of the spikes such that for every three pairs of the spikes, the first is arranged substantially parallel to the first lateral side, the second is arranged substantially parallel to the second lateral side, and the third is arranged substantially parallel to the third lateral side, wherein the pairs of spikes are spaced apart.
US08858110B2	Quick connect/disconnect coupling for a stalk stomper A quick connect/disconnect coupling for securing an agricultural implement, such as a stalk stomper, to a tool bar assembly on a tractor, without the need for any tools. The tool bar assembly includes a bracket having a pair of spaced-apart arm members. Each arm member has a recess therein, and a hole spaced therefrom. The recesses and the holes are generally transversely aligned. A pin is adapted to be received in the holes. The agricultural implement assembly includes a plate member. Provided on the plate member is a cross bar. The cross bar is adapted to be engaged in the recesses. To connect the agricultural implement assembly to the tool bar assembly, the cross bar is engaged in the recesses and the agricultural implement and the pin can be inserted into the transversely aligned holes to connect the agricultural implement to the tool bar assembly. A spring member biases the implement to pivot away from the plate member.
US08858105B2	Label creating device and program for controlling feeding of print medium A label creation device includes a feeding portion configured to feed a printing medium in a first direction and a second direction, the second direction being an opposite direction from the first direction, a printing portion configured to perform printing on the printing medium fed in the first direction, a cutting portion configured to cut the printing medium, the printed portion being a portion of the printing medium on which the printing has been performed, and a processor configured to specify a first distance, which is a length of a blank portion, the cut position being a position of the printing medium where the printing medium is cut, and control the feeding portion to feed the printing medium in the second direction in a case where a second distance is greater than the first distance, the second distance being a distance between the printing portion and the cutting portion.
US08858101B2	Image pickup apparatus including bayonet coupling section in lens barrel, and accessory An image pickup apparatus which can provide a rotational operation member around a lens barrel formed with a bayonet coupling section without increasing the apparatus size. Three female pawl grooves and three open grooves are formed in a mount base. A first ring member is formed with three male pawl portions for being engaged with the female pawl grooves and open grooves. An operation ring member is rotationally operated, and a second ring member rotates in unison therewith. Photo reflectors detect rotation of the second ring member. A restriction unit restricts rotation of the first ring member when the mount base and the operation ring member are bayonet-coupled. A rotation locking member restricts rotation of the operation ring member and the second ring member with respect to the first ring member in accordance with an operation for releasing rotation restriction of the first ring member.
US08858099B2	Anamorphic objective An anamorphic objective is provided for imaging an object onto an image acquisition unit. The anamorphic objective has at least one first plane of symmetry and at least one second plane of symmetry. The first plane of symmetry and the second plane of symmetry are oriented perpendicular to one another. The first plane of symmetry and the second plane of symmetry intersect and have a straight line of intersection (intersection line). A first objective section followed by a second objective section are arranged. A diaphragm is arranged between the first objective section and the second objective section. A first anamorphic optical element is arranged in the first objective section. A second anamorphic optical element is arranged in the second objective section. The anamorphic objective fulfills specified conditions and is suitable for generating a stigmatic imaging of the object on the image acquisition unit.
US08858098B1	Slide-able mount for an image device A camera slider system that supports a camera for longitudinal sliding. The camera sliding system comprises a pair of longitudinal rail members and a carriage system. The rail members are spaced at a substantially constant distance apart. The carriage system further comprises of a base plate upon which a camera mounting plate is fixed, along with a pair of wheel support assemblies. Each wheel support assembly engages the corresponding rail member to support longitudinal movement. Each wheel assembly further comprises of three rollers, wherein two rollers engage the interior surface of the corresponding rail member, and one roller engages the exterior surface of the same rail member. The arrangement of rollers is coplanar with the plane of the rail members. The exterior roller of each wheel assembly is adjustable relative to the corresponding rail member to accommodate any flaw in the rail profile.
US08858096B2	Side pump fiber, method of making same, and optical devices using same A side pump fiber and a method of making a side pump fiber are provided. A plurality of pump fibers can be joined to a side of a signal fiber, at different locations. The method includes creating a lengthwise, tapered, concave pocket cut in a pump (or side pump) fiber, inserting the signal fiber in the pocket cut, and then coupling the side pump fiber to the center fiber at the pocket cut. Optical amplifiers and lasers, as examples, can be made using the above method and side pump fibers.
US08858092B2	High fiber count package inner module Provided is an inner module for holding a plurality of connectors. The inner module includes a first cylindrical portion having a first outer wall spaced radially from a first inner wall to form an annular volume and a second cylindrical portion having a second outer wall spaced radially from a second inner wall to form an annular volume. The inner module also includes a connecting portion to connect the first cylindrical portion to the second cylindrical portion. Each of the first and second cylindrical portions have an opening in an axial direction having a width that is narrower than a distance between the first inner wall and the first outer wall.
US08858085B2	Upper rudder carrier bearing An upper rudder carrier bearing for a ship which has a bearing housing formed of a housing base body and a housing cover. An axial and a radial bearing are disposed in the bearing housing, which are both configured as plain bearings. The axial and/or the radial bearing is configured as a self-lubricating bearing.
US08858083B2	Motion guide device The motion guide device includes: a raceway rail; a moving block including an endless circulation path for rolling elements; and spacers interposed in the endless circulation path of the moving block. The moving block includes: a block body including: a load rolling element path for the rolling elements; and a rolling element return path parallel to the load rolling element path; and turning path forming members fixed to the block body. The turning path forming member includes a direction turning path for coupling the load rolling element path and the rolling element return path to each other. The direction turning path includes: a turning portion for continuously varying a rolling direction of the rolling elements; and a preliminary turning portion which allows the spacers to move in a curved form while linearly guiding the rolling elements.
US08858072B2	Multiple temperature measurements coupled with modeling The present invention is directed to, inter alia, systems and methods for calculating a temperature associated with an analyte measurement component of a biosensing instrument (such as a blood glucose monitor), with a test strip that is inserted in a biosensing instrument, or both. The present systems and methods may employ at least two temperature sensors, and the acquired temperature information may be used to modulate data regarding an analyte in a biological sample, thereby providing a more accurate measurement of the analyte.
US08858068B2	Watch movement comprising a fusee The watch movement comprises a motor barrel (102), a fusee (104) having a main surface that has a spiral groove (148), means (192) for winding the movement arranged to drive the fusee, a going train (200) arranged to be driven by the fusee, and a wire (106) extended between the fusee and the barrel. The watch movement additionally comprises a fixed guide (155; 255) and a winding roller (157; 257) mounted to slide on the fixed guide, wherein the winding roller is arranged to guide the wire when the fusee turns and to simultaneously assure the insertion of the wire into the groove (148) and its removal therefrom.
US08858066B2	Liquid dispensing for high-throughput experimentation Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products and implementing techniques for mixing liquid components. Quantities of two or more liquid components are transferred from pressurized source reservoirs to one or more destination locations by means of a fluid outlet that includes a dispense valve, and the two or more liquid components are mixed in the destination locations to create a plurality of fluid mixtures. Two or more dispensing technologies can be combined to provide for increased efficiency in the dispensing of high volume liquid components. The amounts of liquid components being dispensed can be monitored during the dispensing to provide feedback control of the dispensing.
US08858064B2	Portable hydrodynamic cavitation manifold A portable hydrodynamic cavitation manifold assembly formed from cylindrical tubes having flow-through chambers for collection and distribution of fluids. Each chamber includes a series of baffle units each unit formed from a first plate defined by a first end spaced apart from a second end by a length. The first plate includes a curved outer edge sized to follow the inner side wall of the chamber and a straight inner edge extending from the first end to the second end along the approximate center line of the chamber and positioned at a 45 degree angle relative to the longitudinal length of the tube. A second plate, forming a mirror image of the first plate, is also positioned at a 45 degree angle relative to the longitudinal length of the tube and at a 90 degree angle to the first plate. Each plate includes a plurality of apertures sized to control the velocity of the fluid flow, each aperture having edge walls to induce constriction for hydrodynamic cavitation mixing of fluids.
US08858063B1	Dilution kit and method A dilution kit for and a method of diluting concentrated solutions used to treat allergic symptoms are disclosed. The dilution kit may comprise a case comprising: a base; and a cover hingedly coupled to the base. A foam pad may be removably coupled within the base, the foam pad defining a plurality of vial apertures. A plurality of vials may be removably positionable within the plurality of vial apertures. The method may comprise: removably positioning at least one of a plurality of vials in an upwardly facing position within at least one of a plurality of apertures defined in a layer of foam padding in a base of a case of a dilution kit; and placing a predetermined amount of one of a diluent, a concentrated solution, and a combination thereof into at least one empty vial of the plurality of vials.
US08858059B2	Surface illumination device A surface illumination device has a light source and a light guide plate having a light-emitting surface. The light guide plate guides light from the light source such that the light is emitted from a display region of the light-emitting surface. A plurality of first deflection patterns having deflection inclined surfaces and a plurality of second deflection patterns having deflection inclined surfaces are formed in the display region in at least one of the light-emitting surface of the light guide plate and an opposite surface to the light-emitting surface. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the light-emitting surface of the light guide plate, the first deflection pattern is disposed such that an angle formed by a line normal to the deflection inclined surface and a direction connecting the light source and the first deflection pattern is less than or equal to 30°.
US08858057B2	Asymmetric prism structure, light guide plate, backlight module, and application The asymmetric prism structure contains multiple asymmetric prisms arranged in parallel where each asymmetric prism has a first slant face, a second slant face, and a bottom face, connected end-to-end together. The first slant face directs light beams propagating perpendicular to the prism direction to a lateral side, and the second slant face directs light beams propagating perpendicular to the prism direction to the other lateral side. The present invention further provides a light guide plate, a backlight module, and a related application utilizing the asymmetric prism structure. When vertical asymmetry is present in the timing sequences for the backlight scanning and the signal to the LCD panel, the asymmetric prism structure can reduce the cross-talk near a side from the error signal, thereby enhancing the video quality.
US08858056B2	Light guide plate and corresponding backlight module The present invention relates to a light guide plate and a corresponding backlight module. The light guide plate has a plate body, a light-exiting prism structure and a reflecting prism structure. The reflecting prism structure is mounted on a reflecting area on a light-exiting surface of the plate body. The light guide plate and the corresponding backlight module can reduce light leakage at the junction between the light guide and a fixing plastic frame by the reflecting prism structure mounted at sides of the light guide plate.
US08858055B2	Backlight module and display apparatus The present invention provides a backlight module and a display apparatus. The display apparatus comprises the backlight module and a display panel. The backlight module comprises a back bezel, a light guide plate and a plurality of light sources. The back bezel includes a plurality of bezel convex portions and a plurality of corresponding bezel concave portions. The light guide plate includes a plurality of recesses, and the bezel convex portions of the back bezel are fitted into the recesses of the light guide plate. The light sources are disposed at one side of the light guide plate. The present invention can use the bezel concave portions of the back bezel to improve a heat-dissipation effect.
US08858054B2	Edge-type LED lighting device having a high luminous efficiency despite thermal expansion of the lightguide plate The present invention relates to an edge-type lighting device using an LED light source which has high light-emitting efficiency regardless of thermal expansion of a light guide plate. An LED light source (3) is disposed on an edge of a light guide plate (2) so as to be movable in the normal line direction (±n) of the edge (2c) of the light guide plate. A slide member (7) is slidably disposed on the rear surface of the LED light source. A spring (8) is disposed in a frame member (4) on the rear surface of the slide member. Thus, the LED light source can always be pressed toward the edge of the light guide plate regardless of the thermal expansion of the light guide plate. Because the spring has a simple structure, the lighting device can be compact compared to the case where a coil spring is used.
US08858049B2	Vehicle lighting unit A vehicle lighting unit can be configured to allow the brightnesses of light observed through vertically arranged lenses to substantially match when the lenses are viewed from a certain viewpoint in front of the vehicle. The vehicle lighting unit can include: a first lens on a first upper optical axis; a second lens on a second lower optical axis; a semiconductor light-emitting device; a first revolved ellipsoidal reflector; a shade; a second revolved ellipsoidal reflector; and a third reflector. The third reflector is inclined at an inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane adjusted such that light emitted from the semiconductor light-emitting device, reflected by the second reflector, focused at a second focal point of the second reflector, reflected by the third reflector, and passing through the second lens is directed in a direction at a predetermined upward angle with respect to the horizontal plane.
US08858048B2	Vehicle lighting unit A vehicle lighting unit that utilizes a semiconductor laser light source can suppress color unevenness of a light distribution pattern while ensuring the usefulness of the semiconductor laser light source. The vehicle lighting unit can include a semiconductor laser light source, a phosphor configured to receive blue light emitted from the semiconductor laser light source and emit white light by excitation, and a reflector configured to reflect the light emitted from the phosphor so that the light can be diffused wider in a right-to-left direction than in a vertical direction on the basis of a posture when the lighting unit is mounted on a vehicle body. Part of the blue light that is emitted from the semiconductor laser light source and reflected off a surface of the phosphor can be incident on the reflector with an elongated area in the right-to-left direction.
US08858047B2	Passenger light cooling The invention relates to a passenger service unit for an aircraft, comprising at least one light source and at least one passenger air supply device. According to the invention the passenger air supply device is adapted for applying a flow of air to the light source. Furthermore it relates to a method for providing light and fresh air to passenger of an aircraft by providing an air flow from an air supply device and light from a light source to the passenger. The method comprises applying an air flow from said passenger air supply device to said light source for cooling the light source by means of convection. Furthermore the invention relates to a method for assembling a passenger service unit and to an aircraft.
US08858046B2	Control apparatus for vehicle lamp, vehicle lighting system, and vehicle lamp A control apparatus of a vehicle lamp is provided with a reception section (228L1, 228R1), a control section (228, 228L, 228R) and a transmission section (228L3, 228R3). The reception section (228L1, 228R1) receives a tilt angle of a vehicle relative to a horizontal plane from a tilt detection device (316). The control section (228, 228L, 228R) corrects the tilt angle obtained from the tilt detection device (316) based on correction information obtained from a first pre-recorded reference acceleration vector information (S1) of the vehicle being in a first state and a second pre-recorded reference acceleration vector information (S2) of the vehicle being in a second state different from the first state only in a pitch angle, and also determines an optical axis position of the vehicle lamp. The transmission section (228L3, 228R3) transmits the determined optical axis position to an optical axis adjustment section (236).
US08858044B2	Foldable LED table lamp A foldable LED table lamp is provided. The foldable LED table lamp includes a base, an elongated holder, an elongated lamp body, an LED emitting element fixed in the lamp body, and a touch sensitive switch. The elongated holder has a first end hinged to the base and an opposing second. The elongated lamp body has a first end hinged to the second end of the holder. The lamp body is rotatable between a first position where the lamp body is substantially perpendicular to the holder and a second position where the lamp body is juxtaposed with and parallel with the holder. The touch sensitive switch is mounted on the base and is configured to control the LED emitting element.
US08858041B2	Lamp having outer shell to radiate heat of light source A lamp includes an outer shell having heat conductivity, a base provided in the outer shell, and a cover provided in the outer shell. The outer shell has a light source support, and a heat radiating surface exposed to the outside of the outer shell. The light source support is formed integral with the heat radiating surface. A light source is supported on the light source support. The light source is heated during lighting, and thermally connected to the light source support. The light source is covered with the cover.
US08858038B2	Lighting apparatus with peak/flat adjustment The present invention relates to a lighting apparatus (1) or assembly therefore comprising: a carriage (25) coupled to a housing (10a, 10b), the carriage (25) adapted to retain a lamp (14) within the housing, the carriage (25) being moveable relative to the housing (10a, 10b) to manipulate the position of the lamp (14) within the housing (10a, 10b), wherein the carriage (25) is moveable along a first axis by way of a force applied along a second axis. This provides a more convenient way of adjusting the peak/flat of the light apparatus.
US08858037B2	Light emitting diode array illumination system with recycling An LED illumination system includes a plurality of LED modules and a plurality of corresponding collimating lenses to provide increased brightness. Each LED module has at least one LED chip having a light emitting area that emits light and a recycling reflector. The reflector is positioned to reflect the light from the light emitting area back to the LED chip and has a transmissive aperture through which the emitted light exits. The collimating lenses are arranged to receive and collimate the light exiting from the LED modules.
US08858031B2	Light engine device with direct to linear system driver A lighting system adapted for being retrofit into a conventional lighting fixture, or adapted to replace the conventional fixture. The lighting system includes a lighting device having a substrate and a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed on the substrate. The lighting system further includes a power supply for delivering D/C current to the lighting device. The lighting device may be installed into a conventional lighting socket in the conventional lighting fixture or mounted independently utilizing some parts of the conventional fixture. The power supply is installed into the conventional lighting fixture or other suitable fixture external to the lighting device. In exemplary embodiments, the lighting system includes a plurality of lighting devices rotatably mounted in the conventional lighting fixture. Each lighting device is powered by an independent power supply and may be independently rotated and powered to customize light coverage.
US08858028B2	LED lighting apparatus The present invention relates to a LED lighting apparatus, comprising a quadrilateral-shaped casing with side walls inclined; a LED lighting module array disposed inside the casing and composed of a plurality of LED lighting modules lined up to emit light; a converter formed on a portion of the outside of the casing supplying power to the LED lighting modules; and a multi-bending reflection minor reflecting light emitted from the LED lighting modules, wherein the LED lighting module array comprises a LED module base combined with a portion of the upper inside surface of the casing; a plurality of LED module brackets connected to a lower portion of the LED module base; a plurality of metal PCB boards combined with a lower portion of each LED module bracket; a plurality of LED chips mounted on the metal PCB boards; and a plurality of lenses concentrating rays of light emitting from the LED chips into focus. Further, the lenses of the LED lighting apparatus according to the present invention have either a plurality of curved surfaces or various curvatures.
US08858024B2	Illuminating apparatus and illuminating module An illuminating module includes a cover body, a plurality of lens elements, a flexible element and a light-emitting component. The cover body has a plurality of first through holes. The lens elements are opposite to the first through holes, respectively, and the size of each lens element is made compatible with the size of each first through hole. The lens elements are disposed between the flexible element and the cover body. The light-emitting component has a circuit board and a plurality of light emitting diodes. The light emitting diodes are disposed on the circuit board and opposite to the lens elements, respectively. The lights emitted from the light emitting diodes are outputted through the lens elements respectively.
US08858022B2	Spot TIR lens system for small high-power emitter A lamp includes a single emitter structure having a substrate with 25 or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged thereon and a power rating of 80 Watts or more, a total internal reflection (TIR) lens with a plurality of refractive surface regions disposed on the step-shaped upper surface of the optical body, and a holder having a plurality of tabs disposed along an inside rim of the holder and configured for radial compression fit with a flange of the lens, and three or more support members configured for centering the optical body member with respect to the single emitter structure. A low weight ratio of hardener over base resin below 6 is used, for example, between 1.5:1 to 2.5:1.
US08858021B2	LED lighting device with LED lamps protected from falling off A LED lighting device includes a LED module and a diaphanous cover. The LED module includes a circuit board and a plurality of LED lamps. Each of the LED lamps includes a lens unit and a LED package. The lens unit includes a lens body, a frame and at least one pillar. The frame extends from a periphery of the lens body and is mounted on bottom of the circuit board. The pillar extends downward from a bottom surface of the frame. The LED package is mounted in the frame, and has a light emitting surface facing the lens body and a back surface joined to the bottom of the circuit board. The diaphanous cover abuts upward against all distal ends of the pillars of the LED lamps and is secured on the circuit board of the LED module.
US08858016B2	LED heat sink apparatus An LED heat sink apparatus (20) comprising a housing (22) that defines a chamber (26). A downward platform (82) is connected with the housing (22) in the chamber (26) to define a bottom cavity (84) and a central cavity (88). LED's (94) are disposed in the bottom cavity (84) for emitting light through a lens (60). The downward platform (82) defines a plurality of holes (106, 108, 116, 118), and a solid ring (104) that has a substantially impervious surface to divide the holes (106, 108, 116, 118) into chimney holes (106, 116, 118) disposed radially inwardly from the solid ring (104) and the LED (94) for directing hot air heated by the LED (94) in the bottom cavity (84) of the chamber (26) into the central cavity (88), and return holes (108) disposed radially outwardly from the solid ring (104) and near the side wall (24) of said housing (22) for directing cool air in the central cavity (88) of the housing (22) that has been cooled by the side wall (24) of the housing (22) into the bottom cavity (84).
US08858014B2	Slat profile for holding an LED strip and slat wall comprising such a slat profile The present invention relates to a slat profile (1) for holding an LED strip (8), in which said LED strip (8) can be readily replaced and the slat profile (1) can be of a longer design than existing slat profiles (1) of this type, comprising a supporting profile (2) which can be attached to a supporting structure (17) of a slat wall (20) in order to accommodate the slat profile (1) in the slat wall (20), a closing profile (3) which, in the installed position of the slat profile (1), can be moved with respect to the supporting profile (2) between an open position in which the LED strip (8) can be fitted in the slat profile (1) and a closed position. The present invention also relates to a slat wall (20) which comprises such a slat profile (1).
US08858012B2	Marine LED lighting system and method A method and apparatus of lighting a marine habitat for growth utilizing an LED light system. The light system includes an LED light source, a power supply for such light source and a controller for controlling the activation status and the intensity of the LED light source.
US08858009B2	Lighting device, display device and television device An object is to provided a lighting device in which damage due to friction between a reflection sheet and a light guide plate is reduced or suppressed even if a stress is applied toward the reflection sheet by a housing due to asperities of a bottom plate of the housing. A backlight unit 24 according to the present invention includes a light guide plate 20, an LED unit 32, a reflection sheet 26, a backlight chassis 22, and a cushion sheet 27. The light guide plate 20 has a light entrance surface 20a that is a side surface, a light exit surface 20b that is a plate surface, and an opposite surface 20c that is an opposite surface from the light exit surface 20b. The LED unit 32 is arranged opposite the light entrance surface 20a of the light guide plate 20. The reflection sheet 26 is arranged so as to be in contact with the opposite surface 20c of the light guide plate 20. The backlight chassis 22 holds at least the reflection sheet 26 and the light guide plate 20 therein. The reflection sheet 26 and the light guide plate 20 are arranged on a surface of the bottom plate 22a in this sequence from the bottom plate 22a side. The cushion sheet 27 is configured to absorb a stress applied by the bottom plate 22a toward the reflection sheet 26 and arranged between the backlight chassis 22 and the reflection sheet 26.
US08858007B2	Display devices, and display and electronic systems including the display devices A display device may include a chassis, a flexible printed circuit board on the chassis, a semiconductor device on the flexible printed circuit board, and a supporting element on the flexible printed circuit board. The semiconductor device may be spaced apart from the supporting element. The supporting element may be configured to maintain contact between the chassis and the flexible printed circuit board.
US08858004B2	Lighting device A lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one luminescent element spaced from the light emitter, a surface of the luminescent element being at least twice as large as the illumination surface of the light emitter. Also, a lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one luminescent element spaced from the light emitter, a surface of the luminescent element surface being at least twice as large as and substantially parallel to the illumination surface of the light emitter. Also, a lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one luminescent element spaced from the light emitter, a surface area of a projection of the luminescent element being at least twice as large as a surface area of a projection of the light emitter.
US08857995B2	Light source system for stereoscopic projection The present invention is a light source system for stereoscopic projection, wherein the light source system has a light source module, a color wheel module, two reflectors and a multiband filter. The light source module is disposed at a first side of a rotary wheel of the color wheel module. Opposite to the light source module, the two reflectors and the multiband filter are disposed at a second side of the rotary wheel. Furthermore, the multiband filter is disposed between and is optically coupled with the two reflectors. With the above arrangements, in different time sequences, the light source system could provide different light beams of different wavebands to a light valve of a projector, which could thus project a right-eye view angle image and a left-eye view angle image to the viewers to form a stereoscopic image.
US08857994B2	Transparent display with dynamic mask A transparent display with a dynamic mask for generating three dimensional (3D) imagery. The display or apparatus includes a display element that is transmissive and that is selectively operable to display an image on the display element. The apparatus includes a dynamic mask element that is transmissive to light and that is positioned adjacent to the display element. The dynamic mask element is selectively operable to provide a mask with a shape and a size corresponding to the displayed image. The mask is positioned on the dynamic mask element so as to be adjacent to the first location, e.g., to be behind the displayed image, and, typically, the mask includes portions that are semi-transparent or opaque to block light from passing from the background through the displayed image and from passing through the display element at the location of the displayed image into the background to avoid double imaging.
US08857991B2	Method and apparatus for determining ocular motor function A method and an apparatus are presented for determining ocular motor function in a patient. The patient is instructed to wear a pair of test glasses comprising a first lens having a first color and a second lens having a second color, where the first color and the second color differ. A light comprising a first color is projected onto a vertical surface, where the location of the light can be moved on the vertical surface. For each value of (i), an (i)th fixation point is then projected on the vertical surface, where the (i)th fixation point is one of (N) total fixation points and comprises the second color. For each value of (i), a perceived location is recorded upon receiving a signal that the (i)th fixation point is illuminated by the light. Finally, the (N) perceived locations are transformed into an ocular motor function map.
US08857988B2	Data acquisition methods for reduced motion artifacts and applications in OCT angiography Systems and methods for reducing the effects of motion on functional optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging are described. Embodiments including post-processing and motion tracking are presented. A preferred embodiment in which functional OCT data is collected and analyzed for motion as a multiple scan unit is described. An extension of the invention to the collection of large field of view or montaged functional OCT data sets is also presented.
US08857985B2	Large diopter range real time sequential wavefront sensor Example embodiments of a large dynamic range sequential wavefront sensor for vision correction or assessment procedures are disclosed. An example embodiment optically relays a wavefront from an eye pupil or corneal plane to a wavefront sampling plane in such a manner that somewhere in the relaying process, the wavefront beam from the eye within a large eye diopter range is made to reside within a desired physical dimension over a certain axial distance range in a wavefront image space and/or a Fourier transform space. As a result, a wavefront beam shifting device can be disposed there to fully intercept and hence shift the whole beam to transversely shift the relayed wavefront.
US08857977B2	Method, apparatus and system for measuring the transparency of film A process of ink jet printing on a variety of substrates and an apparatus for performing that process. In which process: a primer is applied to a substrate material; ink is ink jet printed onto the primed substrate; a characteristic relating to print quality is evaluated; the composition of the primer is adjusted in dependence on the evaluated characteristic relating to print quality; and the adjusted primer composition is applied to the substrate material and ink is ink jet printed onto the primed substrate material to give a printed product.
US08857976B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a medium that is a long roll wound around a core member; a feeding unit configured to feed the medium; an image forming unit configured to form an image on the medium; a fixed roll end detecting unit configured to detect an end of the medium whose end is fixed to the core member; a determining unit configured to determine whether to stop, for a time period, the medium on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit, when the fixed roll end detecting unit detects the end of the medium; and a control unit configured to stop an operation of the feeding unit when the determining unit determines to stop the medium for the time period, and to cause the feeding unit to perform an operation of winding back the medium when the time period has elapsed.
US08857966B2	Inkjet printing ink An inkjet printing ink having properties of crosslinking and being fixed on a fiber by heating, characterized in that in an ink composition consisting of (A) a pigment dispersion having a mean particle diameter of 200 nm or less and a maximum particle diameter of 500 nm or less, consisting of a pigment, a water-soluble pigment dispersant and a hydrophilic solvent, (B) a water-soluble fixing agent, and (C) a crosslinking agent, the water-soluble pigment dispersant in (A) is a specific emulsion polymer neutralized by a basic substance; the water-soluble fixing agent (B) is the one having a crosslinking functional group; and the crosslinking agent (C) is the one having a functional group that crosslinks the crosslinking functional group of the water-soluble pigment dispersant in (A) with the crosslinking functional group of the water-soluble fixing agent (B) at a temperature of 100° C. or more.
US08857960B2	Fluid supply housing A fluid supply housing includes a fluid chamber, a fluid slot distanced from the fluid chamber and a head surface. The fluid supply housing includes a fluid channel between the fluid chamber and the fluid slot. The fluid channel has a passageway that is straight and has a constant slope with respect to the head surface.
US08857951B2	Large-format inkjet printing apparatus A large-format printing apparatus includes multiple printing head units. Each of the printing head units can intermittently and steppingly move in a first direction and has a printing nozzle which can move reciprocatingly in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction for printing sub-images. Before printing starts, the printing head units are disposed at one end of a printing medium, and arranged to seamlessly splice the sub-images printed by the printing head units into a complete large-format printing image.
US08857946B2	Filter fluid and cool at least one electrical component with filtered fluid A method of cooling at least one electrical component of a printing system includes establishing a fluid flow path by a fluid flow generator from a print zone to the at least one electrical component. The method also includes obtaining fluid including aerosol and air from the print zone to be transported along at least a portion of the fluid flow path. The method also includes filtering the aerosol from the air transported along the at least a portion of the fluid flow path by a filter unit to form a filtered fluid. Further, the method also includes directing the filtered fluid to the at least one electrical component by a duct unit to cool the at least one electrical component.
US08857945B2	Multi-zone condensation control system for inkjet printer Inkjet printing systems are provided. In one aspect an inkjet printing system has a plurality of inkjet printheads, a plurality of caps are provided with each cap has a thermally insulating separator that positions a shield between the face of one of the printheads and the target area for the printhead and creating a printing region between the shield and the target area and a shielded region between the face and the shield. The shield has at least one opening through the shield through which the nozzles of the printhead can jet the ink droplets to the target area. An energy source provides energy that can be applied to cause the shields to be heated.
US08857944B2	Method for controlling transportation of print medium in inkjet printing apparatus and the inkjet printing apparatus Web paper is transported by roll with two or more drive rollers. The two adjacent drive rollers each have difference in rotation speed in accordance with a draw ratio. Accordingly, tension is applied to the web paper. Tension of the web paper between the adjacent drive rollers is detected by a tension sensor. A tension controller controls the detected tension value so as to be a target tension value. A predictive control device predicts decrease in tension during an initial printing period where tension control is not stable, and increases rotation speeds of the drive rollers downstream of a print unit to suppress the decrease in tension. Consequently, tension acting on the web paper is appropriately controlled also during the initial printing period, resulting in possible reduction in printing quality.
US08857940B2	Liquid ejection apparatus A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection head including a plurality of ejection opening groups each constituted by two or more ejection openings and each forming one pixel by at least two liquid droplets ejected from the two or more ejection openings of a corresponding one of the plurality of ejection opening groups; a plurality of individual channels respectively connecting the plurality of ejection opening groups to a plurality of pressure chambers; and an energy-applying portion applying energy to liquid in the plurality of pressure chambers, and a controller controlling the energy-applying portion. The controller controls the energy-applying portion to form one pixel by using at least a first drive signal whose ejection period is a first ejection period and a second drive signal whose ejection period is a second ejection period different from the first ejection period.
US08857938B2	Aligning print data for overlapping printheads A method for aligning multi-channel digital image data for a digital printer having an array of printheads for each of a plurality of channels is described. A test pattern including test pattern indicia printed using individual printheads is scanned and analyzed to detect locations of the printed test pattern indicia. For each array position, one of the printheads is designated to be a reference printhead, and one or more of the other printheads are designated to be non-reference printheads. Spatial adjustment parameters are determined for each of the non-reference printheads responsive to the detected test pattern indicia locations. Digital image data to be printed with the non-reference printheads is modified in accordance with the determined spatial adjustment parameters.
US08857935B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus and liquid ejecting method A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a reference drive signal generation section that generates a reference drive signal, a signal modulation section that modulates the reference drive signal to generate a modulation reference drive signal, a signal amplification section that amplifies the modulation reference drive signal using switching elements to generate a modulation drive signal, a signal conversion section that converts the modulation drive signal to a drive signal, a piezoelectric element that deforms in response to the drive signal, a pressure chamber that expands or contracts due to the deformation of the piezoelectric element, and a nozzle opening portion that communicates with the pressure chamber. A period of alternating current components contained in the modulation drive signal are shorter than a duration of a maximum voltage or a minimum voltage, and is longer than a total time of turn-on delay times and turn-off delay times of the switching elements.
US08857934B2	Print element substrate, printhead, and printing apparatus This invention provides a print element substrate having a plurality of printing elements. The print element substrate includes a detection circuit configured to detect substrate information of the print element substrate, a shift register configured to serially input print signals for performing driving control of the printing elements, serial-parallel convert the print signals, and parallelly output the print signals, a latch circuit configured to latch the print signals parallelly output from the shift register, and a driving circuit configured to drive the plurality of printing elements based on the print signals latched by the latch circuit. Detection signals based on the substrate information are parallelly input from the detection circuit to the shift register until serial input of next print signals starts after parallelly outputting the print signals from the shift register to the latch circuit.
US08857929B2	Pull-out guide for a drawer The invention relates to a pull-out guide for a drawer. The pull-out guide has a body rail to be fastened to the furniture body and at least one pull-out rail that can be moved relative to the body rail. The pull-out guide includes a retaining element having a connecting element, so that the drawer can be adjustably connected to the pull-out rail. The retaining element can be connected to the pull-out rail and the connecting element is movably mounted relative to the retaining element. An adjusting device for horizontally moving the connecting element is arranged on the retaining element, and the adjusting device includes a converting device, which can be rotationally moved about an axis arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pull-out rail and so that a rotational motion can be converted into a translational motion.
US08857928B2	Appliance with a bracket for supporting a hinge A washing machine appliance is provided with a door rotatably mounted to a cabinet of the appliance with a hinge. The hinge is supported by a bracket that extends between a front panel of the appliance and a flange. By extending between the front panel and the flange, the bracket can provide robust support for the hinge.
US08857927B2	Drawer insert for file cabinet An insert for an existing file drawer. The insert includes upper and lower insert drawers which are each of shallower depth and fit within the original drawer compartment in a vertically stacked relationship. The upper and lower insert drawers are coupled between the original drawer front and the remaining original box structure. The insert drawers are horizontally slidably mounted one above the other so that opening movement of the drawer front horizontally sequentially extends the upper and lower insert drawers into a fully open position which enables access into both insert drawers.
US08857925B2	Mounting bracket for power supply unit A mounting bracket includes a metal chassis and a metal cover. The metal chassis includes two opposite side plates, a top plate, a bottom plate, and a middle plate connected between middles of the top plate and the bottom plate, parallel to the side plates. Two receiving spaces are divided in the metal chassis by the middle plate, for receiving two power supply units. A first end of the metal cover is pivotably connected to a middle of a front end of the metal chassis. When the metal cover is rotated towards one of the receiving spaces, the metal cover covers the front end of the one of the receiving spaces, for shielding radiation and preventing air turbulence.
US08857924B2	Lugs of continuous rubber tracks for track vehicles A continuous flexible track for extending about a plurality of aligned wheels on a vehicle or track module, the track includes an outer ground-engaging surface and an inner wheel-engaging surface having inwardly-projecting wheel-engaging lugs. Each lug has a proximal end, a distal surface, front and back surfaces and opposite side surfaces. Each lug further includes a flex-groove extending between the side surfaces and from the distal surface toward the proximal end, thereby dividing the lug into two portions to allow around-wheel hinging motion. In most preferred embodiments, a lug-receiving cap may be positioned over and replaceably secured with respect to each lug. A method for prolonging the useful life of such a track is provided.
US08857923B2	Brake system for a vehicle A brake system for a vehicle includes a main brake cylinder which has a first chamber which is hydraulically connected to at least one wheel brake cylinder for braking a wheel of the vehicle; an activating device for the driver to mechanically act on a piston of the main brake cylinder in order to pressurize hydraulic fluid in the first chamber of the main brake cylinder; and a pressure generating device which is hydraulically connected to the first chamber of the main brake cylinder, and which for activating the wheel brake cylinder supplies the wheel brake cylinder with hydraulic fluid through the first chamber of the main brake cylinder.
US08857921B2	Vehicle wheel Vehicle wheel including a wheel rim a brake pot fastened to the latter and a brake disc fastened to the brake pot, wherein multiple pivotally supported plate shaped cover elements are provided on the wheel rim for temporarily closing assigned wheel rim side openings, wherein each cover element is movable along the pivot axis in opposition to the force of a restoring element an is connected to the wheel rim via a couple element which force guides in case of a shifting movement, by means of which the cover element is moved from a open position to a closed position, which the cover element assumes when the wheel rotates.
US08857916B2	Highwall mining equipment retrieval and extraction apparatus and method A highwall mining equipment extraction and retrieval apparatus and method is disclosed. It includes remotely operable hydraulic cylinders fixed to the mining head and stabilizing arms which brace the mining platform against the face of a mine. Wire ropes extend from hydraulic cylinders, through channels in the pushbeams, through lockable blocks fixed to the mining platform, and onto storage spools. The hydraulic cylinders operate from an extended to a retracted position. When a mine collapse occurs, an operator can remotely actuate the lockable blocks and the hydraulic cylinders, thereby locking the wire rope to the platform and pulling the mining head and pushbeams towards the platform. If the obstruction remains, the locking blocks can be unlocked, the hydraulic cylinders extended from the retracted position, the excess wire rope pulled from the mine, and the process can then be repeated until the equipment is free from the obstruction.
US08857914B2	Seat for molded plastic chairs A seat on a stool, chair or bench has a permanent depression in the surface of the seat that corresponds in shape to an end view of a human iliac bone. This shape has concave curved central channel which has a first end and a second end. There is a first concave boomerang shaped channel having a central portion connected to the first end of the concave curved central channel and a second concave boomerang shaped channel having a central portion connected to the second end of the concave curved central channel. A chair, stool or bench whose seat has such a permanent depression is more comfortable to the person sitting on that seat than hard seats on seating devices known in the art.
US08857912B2	Seat element A seat element comprising a frame, a seat associable to said frame, wherein the frame and the seat are made separately from each other and can be engaged and disengaged from each other. Advantageously, the frame comprises at least one lateral plate and the seat comprises at least one tab which, in an assembled configuration, couples at least partially onto said lateral plate in a shaped coupling. Between the at least one tab and the at least one plate a snap coupling element is positioned, which is flexible in relation to the plate and to the tab so as to block the seat to the frame in an assembled configuration of the element.
US08857910B2	Apparatus for moving headrest Disclosed herein is an apparatus for moving a headrest. The apparatus includes a stay rod, a fixing cam which is fixed to the stay rod and provided with a locking protrusion, a rotating cam which is provided on the fixing cam and has an insert depression into which the locking protrusion is inserted, a support spring which biases the rotating cam to the fixing cam, and a return spring which has a first end fixed in place and a second end connected to the rotating cam. The fixing cam has a spring support supporting the support spring. The rotating cam has a through hole which has a diameter greater than a diameter of the stay rod so that the rotating cam can be provided around the stay rod after passing through one end of the stay rod and a bent portion of the stay rod.
US08857909B2	Chair with a rocking mechanism A chair has a rocking mechanism with a fixed base support having a conical receptacle to be placed on a chair pillar. The base support is pivotally connected to a mechanism upper part which forms a housing at least partially enclosing the base support. A pivot axis of the mechanism upper part runs transversely to the chair longitudinal direction and is arranged next to the conical receptacle, as seen in the chair longitudinal direction. A spring element acts between the mechanism upper part and the base support for returning the mechanism upper part from a pivoted position into a starting position. The rocking mechanism is fastened via the mechanism upper part to a seat, a seat support, or a frame of the chair, or else, the rocking mechanism is integrated so that part of the seat, seat support or chair frame forms the mechanism upper part.
US08857907B2	Massage machine A massage machine that can stably rock a chair main body in a forward-backward direction and that has minimal overall height comprising a chair main body, a base which supports the chair main body, massage portions provided in the chair main body, and a rocking mechanism portion which rocks the chair main body in the forward-backward direction with respect to the base. The rocking mechanism portion includes link members, each of which has a lower portion pivotally supported by the base and an upper portion pivotally supporting the chair main body. The chair main body is rocked in the forward-backward direction by rocking the upper portions of the link members in the forward-backward direction.
US08857905B1	Disposable child seat cover A disposable child seat cover formed of a single sheet of preferably plastic material, which can be dispensed from a continuous web of material forming multiple disposable child seat covers, is provided. The disposable child seat cover has two central expandable leg openings. Multiple disposable child seat covers are preferably formed from a recyclable film-like web. The disposable child seat cover is designed to effectively protect the child from germs and grime, while being sufficiently economical to allow retail establishments to provide complimentary disposable child seat covers to their customers.
US08857904B2	Head-rest of a vehicle seat A head-rest of a vehicle seat with a deformable central supporting body which forms an impact zone for the head of a vehicle occupant and into which the kinetic energy of the head in the event of an accident is admitted. On both sides of the impact zone the central supporting bodies are joined by lateral supporting surfaces which are extendable out of the plane of the head-rest in the direction of travel in order to laterally support the head. In order to avoid or at least to reduce the risk of a cervical-spine whiplash injury, it is proposed according to the invention that the head-rest comprises a device for absorbing the energy admitted into the central supporting body and for outputting the absorbed energy in order to activate lateral supporting surfaces.
US08857893B2	Intermodal chassis side fairing system A trailer or intermodal trailer chassis having a vehicle side fairing that accommodates, without being damaged, a container or other object lowered onto the trailer or intermodal chassis in a misaligned orientation.
US08857891B2	Supporting structure of door impact beam for vehicle A supporting structure of a door impact beam for a vehicle mounted on an inner panel of a door for the vehicle, may include a coupling part formed with a coupling groove to which the impact beam may be coupled, a supporting part bent downwardly from the coupling part and supporting the coupling part, and mounting parts provided along side portions of the coupling part and the supporting part and mounted on the inner panel of the door, wherein the coupling part, the supporting part, and the mounting part may be integrally formed, and the coupling part and the supporting part may be protruded from the inner panel of the door to form a reinforcing part.
US08857884B2	Tarping system with dual springs This invention relates to a tarping system with dual springs that allow for constant and continuous pressure to be exerted on the tarp and tarp arms. Specifically, it relates to a tarping system comprising a tarp capable of being unrolled to cover said transport container or rolled to uncover said container, a movement means supplying power to said tarping system, at least two springs positioned at the same angle along a shaft, and two arms joined to said tarp at one end and shaft at the other end.
US08857883B2	Electrical circuit with passive wiring connector for electrical device mounted on vehicle window A vehicle includes a vehicle body that supports an electrical line that is electrically connected to a power source and that terminates at a first terminal. The vehicle also includes a window member with an electrical device supported thereon. A second terminal of the electrical device is supported on the window assembly, and the window member is moveable relative to the vehicle body. The vehicle further includes a passive electrical connector with a plunger that moves between a retracted position and an extended position. The passive electrical connector also includes a biasing member that biases the plunger toward the extended position. The passive electrical connector electrically connects the first and second terminals when the window member is in a first position. The plunger is biased toward the extended position when the window member is in the second position to electrically disconnect the first and second terminals.
US08857878B2	Flexible interior component There is disclosed a vehicle console trim component. The trim component can include an articulated door with a plurality of slats, a substrate, and a flexible layer including a pattern for decoration disposed on and supported by the substrate. The flexible layer will maintain the pattern for decoration as the articulated door is cycled. The pattern for the vehicle trim component may be a photographic image. An overcoat also can be disposed on the flexible layer.
US08857875B2	Robot and robot hand A robot includes a robot arm. A robot hand is disposed at a distal end of the robot arm and grips an object. The robot hand includes an air chuck device including a pair of pistons and an air cylinder. The air cylinder opens and closes the pistons in parallel to one another. A pair of first gripping members are disposed at a first side of the pistons and move close to and apart from one another within a first movable range on a movable plane. A pair of second gripping members are disposed at a second side of the pistons and move close to and apart from one another within a second movable range different from the first movable range on the movable plane. The robot hand pivots relative to the distal end of the robot arm about a pivot axis approximately perpendicular to the movable plane.
US08857873B2	Synthetic fiber sling and roller system for carrying and positioning a load A sling system comprises a plurality of sling units each including a synthetic fibrous sling and a roller unit which has one or more spool-shaped rollers. The system provides for lifting a load in equilibrium and maintaining the load in that position or be rotated or tilted between horizontal and vertical positions. The system provides for a plurality of attachment points of the sling units to the load, and the sling units may be set up as a single array or a multiple array depending on the type of load being lifted, transported and positioned. Endless and continuous loop synthetic slings and multiple roller units are used in sling units and provide for uniform and equal distribution of the load throughout the sling system. The spool-shaped rollers may be molded of a rigid plastics material with each roller having end flanges to confine the synthetic sling.
US08857868B2	Engaging mechanism of closing device An engaging mechanism of a closing device includes an engaging block, a positioning hook and a pin. The engaging block has a contact surface and a guide surface extending from the contact surface. The positioning hook is connected to the engaging block and has a resilient portion and a stop which extends from the resilient portion. The stop is located adjacent to the contact surface and located at a distance from the guide surface. The pin is located corresponding to the engaging block and slidably contacts the contact surface and the stop of the positioning hook. The pin moves over the stop and is disengaged from the contact surface by contacting against the stop and the deformation of the resilient portion.
US08857865B2	Latch and refrigerator having the same A refrigerator including a storage container that may be selectively coupled to a refrigerator body or to a door by a storage container support device is provided. The refrigerator may include a refrigerator body having a storage compartment formed therein, a rotatable door to open or close the storage compartment, a gasket provided between the door and the refrigerator body, a storage container that may be selectively coupled to the door or to the refrigerator body, a storage container support device provided at the door, the refrigerator body or the storage container to allow the storage container to be selectively coupled to and supported by the refrigerator body or the door, and a control device provided in the door to selectively control operation of the storage container support device from an exterior of the door.
US08857862B2	Marine riser assembly A marine riser assembly having a first tubular member having an external surface with a plurality of first axially spaced formations, a second tubular member having an external surface with a plurality of second axially spaced formations thereon, a segmented ring in surrounding relationship to the first and second tubular members, the segmented ring having an inner surface with a plurality of formations engageable with the formations on the first and second tubular members, the engageable formations serving to urge the first and second tubular members toward each other when the segmented ring is subjected to radially inwardly directed compressive forces, a sleeve in surrounding relationship to force the engageable formations together and a seal assembly for sealing against external and internal pressure.
US08857861B2	Self-restrained pipe joint system A mechanical pipe joint system for joining a male piping member and a female piping member, the female piping member having a bell portion to receive a portion of the male piping member, includes a retaining flange and a restraining gasket, the restraining gasket including a sealing portion, a flange portion, and a restraining portion, the restraining portion including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced restraining segments.
US08857858B2	Tapping sleeve tightening assembly A tapping sleeve assembly comprising a sleeve having first and second shells, a gasket, a connection assembly comprising first and second side bar elements connected to the first and second shells, respectively, multiple lugs extending from the first and second side bar elements, and a bolt extending between each of the respective lugs, the first side bar element comprising an upper leg connected to the first shell at an upper connection, a lower leg supporting at least one of the lugs, an intermediate bearing unit configured to bear against the first shell, and the bearing unit having at least one bearing surface not affixed to the outer surface of the first shell, whereby the first and second side bar elements may be drawn towards each other to tighten the sleeve to a conduit.
US08857856B2	Security foil or security label comprising a manipulation detection system A security foil includes two or more carrier substrates which have at least one optically active structure and at least two metal layers. The security foil is composed as follows: a) a first carrier substrate, b) a first radiation-curable lacquer layer into which an optically active structure is incorporated, c) a first metal layer, d) a protective lacquer layer, e) an adhesive layer, f) a second carrier substrate, g) a second radiation-curable lacquer layer, h) a second metal layer, i) optionally a protective lacquer layer, and k) optionally an adhesive coating. The adhesion between the layers g) and h) or f) and g) is significantly lower than the adhesion between the remaining layers.
US08857853B2	Modular vehicle chassis frame A modular vehicle chassis frame includes: two longitudinal bar pieces having front and rear end portions and a plurality of engaging portions; two front connecting members; two rear connecting members; two terminal bar pieces, one of which is connected to the front end portions of the longitudinal bar pieces through the front connecting members, and the other one of which is connected to the rear end portions of the longitudinal bar pieces through the rear connecting members; and a plurality of crossbar pieces that extend transversely to the longitudinal bar pieces. Each of the crossbar pieces extends through two aligned ones of the engaging portions respectively of the longitudinal bar pieces.
US08857849B2	Bracket for fastening of a curtain airbag to a vehicle part A bracket for fastening a tightening strap of a curtain airbag to a vehicle part includes a base plate and a support surface for fastening the bracket to the vehicle part. A retaining web, fastenable to the tightening strap, is located on the bracket in such a way that the retaining web can be moved to a fastening position by performing a swivel motion with the bracket being supported on the vehicle part via the support surface.
US08857847B2	Infant stroller with athletic accessory container An infant stroller is provided. The infant stroller includes a frame having a frontward-facing seat for receiving an infant and a first wheel assembly at a frontward portion thereof for transport of the stroller and a support of the frame at a rearward portion thereof. A pair of wheel assembles is carried about opposing positions of the rearward portion of the frame. A handle assembly is detachable from the frame and defines spaced-apart handle portions that are configured for interconnecting with spaced-apart frame members. An enclosure area is defined by a cross-member that spans the spaced-apart frame members and by the spaced-apart handle portions of the handle. An athletic article container is carried on the support and extends through the enclosure area.
US08857845B2	Snowboard binding locking lever pull cable The present disclosure is directed generally towards closing a snowboard binding locking lever with a pull cable that protrudes forward, upward, or upward and forward from the highback of the binding. One aspect of the present disclosure provides a pull cable with a cable guide and a grip. Another aspect includes a semi-rigid bendable guide to act as an additional guide for the pull cable. Another aspect includes a magnet or notch to fasten the grip towards the front of the binding.
US08857843B2	Aerodynamic bicycle frame A bicycle including a main frame, a front wheel mounted for rotation relative to the main frame. a rear dropout, and a rear wheel mounted for rotation relative to the rear dropout about an axis. The rear wheel defines a center plane of the bicycle and is driven by a chain. The bicycle also includes a seat stay coupling the rear dropout to the main frame. The seat stay has an inner surface facing the rear wheel and an outer surface facing away from the rear wheel. The seat stay includes a steep portion having an outer surface disposed at a steep angle of between about 25 degrees and about 75 degrees relative to the center plane, and at least a portion of the steep portion is disposed outboard of the chain.
US08857842B2	Bicycle rear suspension Rear suspension for a bicycle which includes a rear swing arm (15) which carries the hub (19) of the rear wheel (20) and pivots via at least two pivot points (23, 24) on a frame (1) carrying a bottom bracket (12). The swing arm (15) pivots about an instantaneous center of rotation (25) located close to the stretch upper length of the chain (21), or to the straight line extending on from it, in a position of static equilibrium. The instantaneous center of rotation moves inside a horizontal band (27) in such a way that the instantaneous center of rotation (25) moves horizontally and forwards when the swing arm (15) moves upwards as the wheel goes over an obstacle.
US08857841B2	Bicycle frame with passive seat tube pivot joint A bicycle frame assembly that includes an upper frame member and a lower frame member that each extend between a head tube and a dropout. A seat tube extends between the upper frame member and the lower frame member. The seat tube is preferably connected to a bottom bracket of the lower frame member and is connected by a pivot to the upper frame member so that the seat tube can deflect from a rest position without altering an orientation of a top tube to a bottom tube of the upper and lower frame members, respectively.
US08857836B2	Sub frame structure of automotive vehicle A sub frame attached to a vehicle-body rear portion from below comprises a pair of right-and-left side members and a front cross member which interconnects substantially respective central portions, in a vehicle longitudinal direction, of the side members. As attachment portions for attaching lower links, there are provided a central attachment portion which is provided at an interconnection portion between the side member and the front cross member, a front attachment portion which is provided at the side member at a position located in front of the interconnection portion, and a rear attachment portion which is provided at the side member at a position located in back of the interconnection portion. Thereby, a sub frame structure of an automotive can be superior in the light weight, ensuring the support rigidity of the suspension links.
US08857829B2	Stroller A stroller includes a stroller frame, a front seat assembly, and a rear seat assembly. The stroller frame includes two side support assembly disposed oppositely. A front seat space and a rear seat space are formed between the two side support assemblies. The rear seat assembly is detachably and height-adjustably disposed between the two side support assemblies and located in the rear seat space, for performing a function of adjusting a sitting height of a child sitting on the rear seat assembly. The stroller can include an accommodating basket under the front seat assembly. When the rear seat assembly is moved relative to the stroller frame, an expansible side portion of the accommodating basket can spread upward to expand the accommodating space of the accommodating basket.
US08857828B1	Field access station A field access station for housing and protecting an electronic display system in a sealed compartment in a first configuration and in a positively-pressurized compartment having a controlled outflow flow of filtered air in a second configuration.
US08857826B2	Wheelbarrow lateral support Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a wheelbarrow having a wheelbarrow lateral support. The wheelbarrow lateral support includes a first arm, a second arm, and a horizontal support area configured to connect the first arm and the second arm. The wheelbarrow lateral support further includes a first extension of subjection connected to the first arm.
US08857820B2	Piston ring A piston ring, in particular a compression piston ring, includes a running surface, upper and lower flank areas, an inner peripheral area and a joint. The wall thickness of the piston ring is uniform over its periphery and at least the running surface is provided with a PVD coating or a CVD layer in such a manner that the running surface layer has a lesser layer thickness in the peripheral area close to the joint than in the remaining peripheral area of the running surface.
US08857819B2	Mechanical seal A cartridge-mechanical seal includes a first recess provided on an end face of a seal cover. A second recess is provided on an outer circumference of a collar. A set plate fixed to the end face of the seal cover. When the set plate is fixed, a projection is inserted in the first recess and in contact with the rotary shaft's side face of the first recess, and an end of the set plate is in contact with the bottom of the second recess, whereby positioning of the seal cover and the collar with respect to a radial direction is achieved.
US08857816B2	Lottery instant-game ticket A lottery instant-game ticket and method of making same. On a substrate is placed a first set of game indicia including a first set of game symbols, and a second set of indicia larger than the first set of game indicia and including a second set of game symbols, and includes any winning symbol. A subset of the second set of game indicia with each symbol including a non-winning indicator. The first set and second of game indicia are covered with a removable covering, with the covering having position indicators positioned substantially over each of the first set of game indicia, and identical game symbols positioned substantially over a corresponding identical game symbol of the second set of game indicia such that removal of the identical game symbol reveals the identical game symbol of the second set of game indicia and any non-winning indicator, if present.
US08857814B2	Sheet ejection device A sheet ejection device includes a plurality of second sheet abutting members and a plurality of conductive members. Each second sheet abutting member has a non-conductive sheet regulating surface that abuts on a rear end portion in an ejecting direction of each sheet on a sheet output tray to regulate movement thereof. Each conductive member is attached at a position lower than a sheet drop height position and in the vicinity of each second sheet abutting member in a grounded state in the sheet width direction. Each conductive member attracts a rear end portion in the ejecting direction of a sheet on the uppermost layer of a plurality of sheets stacked on the sheet output tray, up to the sheet drop height position on the sheet regulating surface of the second sheet abutting member.
US08857807B2	Sheet processing apparatus and sheet conveying method A sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet regulating member that regulates the movement of a sheet in a space between a punch unit and a rear guide. The sheet regulating member may be set in an upper guide included in an upper part of the rear guide or may be set at a rear end in a sheet conveying direction of the punch unit. The sheet regulating member may be set between the punch unit and the rear guide and move following the movement of the punch unit.
US08857805B2	Method, apparatus for holding and treatment of a substrate Some embodiments discussed relates to an apparatus for holding a substrate, comprising a body with a surface for a semiconductor wafer to rest on, with the surface having a first surface area on which a first area of the semiconductor wafer can rest, and a second surface area on which a second area of the semiconductor wafer can rest, wherein the second surface area protrudes with respect to the first surface area.
US08857802B1	Melon cutting boards A generally square base serving tray is subdivided generally diagonally into three sections by partial-height walls and having partial-height support pads at opposite ends of the diagonal perpendicular to the sections, and an irregular oval or boat-shaped cutting and serving tray configured to nestle to the bottom of and within a center diagonal section of the base serving tray or alternatively rest elevated above the partial-height walls between a pair of partial-height support pads. The base serving tray and the nestled cutting tray each have lids permitting food to be stored therein. The nestled cutting tray lid is further designed to serve as an alternative flat cutting board with a juice groove defined by the lid closure lip. The unique geometry of the upper rim of the cutting tray, illustrated in an alternative four-member construction, accommodates melons of various sizes, and secures them against sliding or rolling during cutting.
US08857797B2	Carbonation apparatus and method for forming a carbonated beverage An inline carbonation apparatus that includes a fluid tube having an inner diameter. At least one water orifice is linked to a water source and is attached to one end of the fluid tube. The water orifice includes a plurality of holes atomizing water that passes therethrough. A carbon dioxide orifice is linked to a carbon dioxide source and is attached to the fluid tube in a spaced relationship from the water orifice. The atomized water has a pressure less than the carbon dioxide such that carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water forming carbonated water having a specified volume of carbonation.
US08857788B2	Electronic expansion valve An electronic expansion valve (50) includes a small hole (54a) that expands a refrigerant, a valve body (55c) that opens and closes the small hole, an elastic member (70) that urges the valve body to close the small hole, and a solenoid (61) that suctions the valve body to open the small hole, and expands the refrigerant by opening and closing the valve body. The elastic member is a disc spring in which a plurality of slits (73) formed in a spiral form is provided at mutually equal pitches on the perimeter. Therefore, there is no need for a guide, the occurrence of sludge due to sliding is suppressed, and the electronic expansion valve operates stably over a long period.
US08857787B2	System and method for controlling an electro-pneumatic device An electro-pneumatic device includes a sensor portion and a valve portion. The sensor portion, which includes a sensor, receives and transmits electronic control signals of a plurality of frequencies. The sensor portion is powered by a first of the frequencies of the received control signals. The valve portion electrically communicates with the sensor. The valve portion includes a valve that is alternately set to an open state and a closed state based on a second of the plurality of frequencies of the received control signals. The sensor senses a delivery pressure of the valve and transmits electronic data signals representing the delivery pressure at a third of the plurality of frequencies.
US08857786B2	Lavatory system A lavatory system is provided that includes a first wash station having a first fluid dispensing fixture and a first drain, a second wash station having a second fluid dispensing fixture and a second drain, a support structure extending between the first wash station and the second wash station and at least one array of photovoltaic cells supported at the support structure. The at least one array of photovoltaic cells is configured to provide power for operating both the first fluid dispensing fixture and the second fluid dispensing fixture.
US08857783B2	Cement block mold A cement block mold which includes a base, a top cap and a flexible sidewall strip. The base has an upstanding peripheral sidewall with a single slotted engagement. The top cap has a downwardly extending peripheral sidewall with a single slotted engagement. The flexible sidewall strip having a first engagement at a first end and a second engagement at a second end. The sidewall strip is secured in position by bending the sidewall strip to form one of a circle or an oval, and then engaging the first engagement and the second engagement with the slotted engagement of the base, and then engaging the first engagement and the second engagement with the slotted engagement of the top cap.
US08857781B2	Modular skid base A modular skid base is provided for supporting, for example, a power generation system that includes a prime mover (e.g., an engine) and a driven machine (e.g., an alternator; a generator; a compressor; a pump; a gear drive for, for example, heavy industrial applications; or any other type of load device). The modular skid base includes a pair of first support skid rails and a pair of second support skid rails. The modular skid base also includes an overlapping section that includes a portion of the second support skid rails overlapping a portion of the first support skid rails along a length direction of the modular skid base. The overlapping section can provide stiffness where required without adding height and mass to the entire modular skid base.
US08857778B2	Slide structure of seat for vehicle A slide structure of a seat for a vehicle positions a cushion seat in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle has a stationary outer rail which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a substantially C-shaped cross section, an open portion which is oriented to be inner in the widthwise direction, and is disposed such that its cross section is elongate in the vertical direction, a movable inner rail which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and fits over the stationary outer rail so as to be slid relative to the stationary outer rail in the longitudinal direction and is fixed on the cushion seat and includes a substantially C-shaped cross section, an open portion of which is oriented to be outer in the widthwise direction, and is disposed in such a way that its side surface is elongate in the vertical direction.
US08857774B2	Leg-portion attachment structure and image forming apparatus provided therewith A leg-portion attachment structure (100) includes: a support member (110) having a substantially quadrilateral outer periphery and an upper surface on which an apparatus main body (1a) is mounted; two attachment plates (140) provided at two opposite sides on a lower surface of the support member (110). Each of the attachment plates (140) includes caster attachment portions (141) formed respectively on both end sides in a side direction so that casters (130) are firmly attached, first bent portions (142) formed by bending of outer edges in the side direction of the caster attachment portions (141) at predetermined angles, and first coupling portions (143) that are formed by further outward bending of edges of the first bent portions (142) and are firmly attached to the support member (110).
US08857773B2	Stand assemblies for portable electronic devices Adjustable stand assemblies for portable electronic devices are provided, which allow portable electronic devices to stand-alone in multiple incline positions in both portrait and landscape orientations.
US08857767B2	De-icing system for an aircraft The invention pertains to a de-icing system for an aircraft with at least one heat source and at least one air delivery means for delivering air into regions of the aircraft to be de-iced. In comparison with the prior art, the invention is characterized in that the air delivery means is connected to an air-conditioning system of the aircraft for discharging air from the cabin of the aircraft via an air heating device, wherein the air heating device is connected to at least one heat source in order to heat the air from the cabin of the aircraft. The de-icing system according to the invention is able to realize a wing de-icing that not only fulfills an anti-icing function, but also a de-icing function on the ground without additional expenditure of energy. The function of the de-icing system according to the invention could also be advantageously supplemented by utilizing the cabin waste air for increasing the flow energy on the upper side of the wing in order to delay a change-over or separation of the boundary layer and to generally increase the lift or lower the resistance.
US08857765B2	Method and apparatus for attaching an aircraft fuselage frame to a wing box The present disclosure is generally directed to an aircraft body including a fuselage skin on an outboard member of the aircraft body and a wing box extending through a member of the aircraft body. The wing box being enclosed and capable of being pressurized is fixedly attached at an outer surface to at least one pair of an attachment member and an attachment link member that is fixedly attached to the aircraft body.
US08857764B2	Fly away caul plate Techniques and apparatus for providing a fly away caul plate are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for curing a composite structure includes placing a pre-cured caul plate proximate an uncured composite lay-up, the lay-up may or may not include one or more stiffeners extending substantially perpendicular to the lay-up surface, the caul plate including an aperture for receiving the at least one stiffener. A force may be exerted against the caul plate to engage the composite lay-up. Heat and/or pressure may be applied to the composite lay-up to cure the stiffener panel and co-bond the caul plate to the composite lay-up.
US08857762B2	Method and apparatus for establishing an environmentally isolated volume A method and apparatus are provided for at least partially environmentally isolating a volume, such as by environmentally isolating the cargo compartment from the passenger compartment of an aircraft. In the context of an apparatus, a barrier curtain is provided that partially defines the volume. The apparatus also includes a cable extending along one or more walls that partially define the volume. The barrier curtain is supported by the cable. The apparatus may also include a cable release mechanism attached to a respective wall. The cable is carried by the cable release mechanism and the cable release mechanism is configured to fail at a predetermined load, thereby permitting the barrier curtain to drop in response to a decompression event.
US08857758B2	Lighter-than-air vehicle for shading The lighter-than-air vehicle for shading is an airborne, movable system that provides shade from the sun for an open area. The vehicle is a substantially flat flying device having upper and lower surfaces, and which is filled with a lighter-than-air gas or gases, such as helium or hydrogen. The vehicle may be tethered to the ground through control wires, or may be fully autonomous and controlled by propeller fans. The required power may be provided by wire from ground, or through a portable power source, such as solar cells, mounted atop of vehicle. The vehicle has sun sensors that allow it to track the sun, and provides around the clock shaded area underneath its surface. The vehicle can also have pressure sensors and altitude sensors that may trigger an alarm in case of an emergency descent to the ground.
US08857757B2	Independent blade control system with hydraulic pitch link According to one embodiment, a rotorcraft pitch link includes a housing and a piston assembly. The housing comprises a first chamber and a second chamber. A first housing opening allows a first fluid to flow into the first chamber, and a second housing allows a second fluid to flow into the second chamber. The piston assembly is at least partially disposed within the housing and comprises a piston head and a piston rod coupled to the piston head. The piston head separates the first chamber from the second chamber.
US08857756B2	Elastomeric bearing housing and mating grip for helicopter rotor system According to one embodiment, a helicopter rotor system has a bearing disposed between the drive train and the rotor blade. The bearing comprises an elastomeric material, a housing member coupled to the elastomeric material, and an anti-rotation member coupled to the housing member opposite the elastomeric material. A bearing mount is coupled to the grip and comprises a first opening configured to receive the anti-rotation member of the bearing. The first opening is defined at least in part by a first surface that receives the anti-rotation member and prevents the anti-rotation member from completing a rotation within the first opening.
US08857753B1	Split-flange reel and associated disassembly/transport rack system A split-flange reel and a system and method for disassembling and transporting the same are provided. The split-flange reel comprises two left-side flange-halves that are connected together to form a left-side flange and two right-side flange-halves connected together to form a right-side flange. A bolt-in drum is connected between the flanges, and an arbor tube is connected to the left-side flange-halves and passes through the left-side flange, the bolt-in drum, and the right-side flange. A disassembly/transport rack comprises a base, a number of upright members, and an alignment tube and is configured to hold the split-flange reel for disassembly and to store the left-side and right-side flange-halves of the disassembled split-flange reel for transport.
US08857751B1	Collection and deployment device A device for collecting, storing and deploying inflatable slides and play structures. In general, the device comprises an elongated barrel, an end cap immediately adjacent to each end of the elongated barrel, a ratchet device removably connected to each end of the elongated barrel, a handle connected to each ratchet device, and a slot running along the length of the elongated barrel. The device is used to collect an inflatable by attaching ratchet devices which are attached to handles to each end of the elongated barrel, inserting a portion of an inflatable into the slot of the elongated barrel; and alternatively pulling and pushing each handle to incrementally wind the inflatable around the elongated barrel.
US08857750B2	Retractor/pretensioner apparatus of seatbelt for vehicle A retractor/pretensioner apparatus of a seatbelt for a vehicle may include a housing, a spool to which ends of a shoulder webbing and a wrap webbing may be simultaneously connected and which may be rotatably installed in the housing via a rotary shaft, a pinion coupled to one end of the rotary shaft, a first rack and a second rack slidably installed to the housing and engaged with the pinion respectively, a first gas generator fluid-connected to the first rack to provide gas to the first rack, and a second gas generator fluid-connected to the second rack to provide gas to the second rack.
US08857744B2	Sprinkler head hose adapter In a sprinkler head hose adapter, a swivel adapter is rotatably coupled to a head adapter. The swivel adapter defines a bore that extends therethrough and that is in fluid communication with a conduit coupled to the swivel adapter. A coupler is positioned in an end of the conduit and includes a bore in fluid communication with the conduit. A portion of the coupler extends outwardly from the coupler and can be attached to a hose or other apparatus forming part of a sprinkler system.
US08857740B2	Two-component nozzle with secondary air nozzles arranged in circular form A two-fluid nozzle is provided. The two-fluid nozzle includes a main nozzle, a mixing chamber and a nozzle orifice connected to the mixing chamber and positioned downstream of the mixing chamber. A ring of secondary air nozzles surrounding the nozzle orifice is also provided.
US08857739B2	Air-cooled swirlerhead A combustor for a gas turbine engine is disclosed which is able to operate with high combustion efficiency, and low nitrous oxide emissions during gas turbine operations. The combustor consists of a can-type configuration which combusts fuel premixed with air and delivers the hot gases to a turbine. Fuel is premixed with air through a swirler and is delivered to the combustor with a high degree of swirl motion about a central axis. This swirling mixture of reactants is conveyed downstream through a flow path that expands; the mixture reacts, and establishes an upstream central recirculation flow along the central axis. A cooling assembly is located on the swirler co-linear with the central axis in which cooler air is conveyed into the prechamber between the recirculation flow and the swirler surface.
US08857738B2	Refillable devices for dispensing fluids A device (10) for selectively dispensing ones of multiple fluids, preferably cleaning agents, is disclosed. The device includes a reservoir (50) and a container assembly (100) that can include at least one container body (105, 110, 112, 114, 116). The reservoir (50) houses a diluent “D,” for example, water, and each container body houses a concentrate “C,” for example, a concentrated form of a cleaning agent. Each container body has an outlet assembly (200) with a nozzle (260), so that container assemblies (100) with multiple container bodies correspondingly include multiple nozzles (260). The diluent “D” and concentrates “C” are kept separate from each other, whereby ho end use product is stored in the device (10). Rather, end use product is mixed on demand during dispensation, as part of the, dispensing act. Namely, diluent “D” is pumped through an outlet assembly (200), drawing concentrate “C” thereinto which mixes into the end use product while exiting the device (10).
US08857731B2	Volatile substance evaporator with substance end-of-life detector The present invention generally relates to volatile substance evaporators having a container with wick, and has the object of providing a technique for effectively detecting end-of-life of the volatile substance housed within the container. The volatile substance evaporator is configured for coupling to, and maintaining in a stable position, a container of volatile substance having a wick with a lower end housed within said container and an upper end emerging from the container. The evaporator comprises an infrared light emitter disposed so as to emit a beam of light on said upper end of the wick, in such a manner that a receptor is disposed so as to capture said beam of light reflected by the upper end of the wick.
US08857729B2	Sprinkler canister seal An irrigation sprinkler canister seal comprising a flanged screw having a threaded rod and a circular flange extending perpendicular to the rod. The seal further includes a plug piece having a threaded bore adapted to receive the threaded rod, and further including a continuous frusto-conical surface extending around an elongate axis of the plug piece, the frusto-conical surface being configured to form a circumferentially continuous fluid seal against a cylindrical rim of a cylindrical bore.
US08857724B2	Universal RFID tags and methods Radio frequency identification (RFID) devices, and methods of manufacture are described herein. In one implementation, an RFID device comprises a near field only RFID tag that does not function as a far field RFID tag and is pre-manufactured; and a conductive element independent from the near field only RFID tag and configured to function as a far field antenna, wherein the conductive element extends a length and includes a central region and includes at least one distal region defining a voltage end of the conductive element. The near field only RFID tag and a distal region of the conductive element are coupled in proximity to each other such that the RFID device functions in both a near field and a far field.
US08857717B2	Method and device for checking an electronic passport The invention relates to a method for performing machine checking of electronically-stored personal data in a passport booklet. The data are transmitted in an obscured form to a reader device after the passport has been presented to this reader device, and the accuracy of the obscuring is first verified and the obscuring is then removed. A positive signal is issued in the event of a successful verification. The recovered personal data are subsequently checked for authenticity. The verification and removal of the obscuring, as well as the authenticity check, ensue in a time-staggered manner after the passport booklet has been removed from the reader device by a verifying person in order to conduct further checks.
US08857716B1	Implementation of a proximity-based system for object tracking and automatic application initialization Various apparatuses for use in a wireless network are disclosed. A first apparatus comprises two antennae oriented orthogonally, a biosensor capable of reading a user's fingerprint, and a housing comprising a groove for guiding a user's finger, the groove physically separating the antennae, effectively creating a radome for each antenna. A second apparatus comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) a port, a shell enclosing the PCB, and at least one horseshoe gasket, the shell and gasket creating a waterproof seal isolating the port and the external environment from the rest of the PCB. A third apparatus comprising a bracket for attaching a housing to a building material, an aiming annulus for aiming the housing and the housing. Wherein two or more of the bracket, aiming annulus and housing may be joined in order to mount and aim the housing one or more structures on the components.
US08857713B2	Systems methods and computer program products for encoding and decoding transaction data Transaction or receipt data, e.g., data of a receipt document, is encoded as a two-dimensional machine readable representation, such as a QR CODE. Certain receipt data is encoded as segments of a QR CODE. An image of the QR CODE is acquired using a camera of a mobile communication device or computer or other image capture device. The QR CODE image is decoded to determine the receipt data, and fields of an electronic receipt summary can be populated with decoded data.
US08857708B2	Automatic classification of credit card customers According to embodiments of the present invention there is provided a computer-based method and a computer program product for automatically sorting customers who make purchases from merchants using a credit card. The computer-based method includes the following steps. An adjusted index is calculated for a customer based on an amount of money the customer spent across merchants during a time period. The adjusted index is compared to a cut-off value. The customer is classified based on the comparison of the adjusted index to the cut-off value. In an embodiment, the method also includes re-classifying the customer based on at least one of (i) information about the merchants, or (ii) a number of transactions in a predetermined industry.
US08857703B2	Mapping an image to an object using a matrix code Embodiments of the invention may provide an approach for mapping an image to an object using a matrix code. An associated method generally may include decoding a matrix code on a surface of the object to determine a network location of the image; downloading the image from the network location; retrieving a plurality of coordinate sets referenced by the matrix code; mapping the image to at least one region of the object according to the plurality of coordinate sets; and displaying the object with the mapped image. In one embodiment, the step of mapping the image to at least one region of the object according to the plurality of coordinate sets includes mapping a plurality of portions of the image to respective regions of the object according to respective pluralities of coordinate sets.
US08857701B2	Convertible food transporting box and method A convertible food transporting box consists of a single blank which, when appropriately folded, serves the dual purposes of transporting food, i.e. pizza, and elevating the box for displaying and serving the pizza. The lid section of the box has a plurality of perforated inserts as part of the lid section itself. When used to transport pizza or like food, the box is a standard pizza box type container. To convert the box to an elevated food display and serving tray, the perforated inserts are pushed out of and locked to the lid section, such that they extend outwardly from the lid section. The lid section is then rotated to a position beneath the container section, such that the extended inserts act as legs to support the box, now converted to a food tray.
US08857698B2	Method for manufacturing insulating glazing The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing at least one portion of a seal ensuring gas-tightness between at least one first and one second glass panel in a glazing system, the method including the following steps: depositing a first adhesive layer on a first peripheral area of the first panel and a second adhesive layer on a second peripheral area of the second panel; welding a first metal seal element to the first adhesive layer; welding a second metal seal element or said first metal seal element to the second adhesive layer. According to the invention, the first and second adhesive layers are deposited using a high-speed oxy-fuel flame-spraying method.
US08857694B2	Staple cartridge loading assembly A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened.
US08857690B2	Diver's compression trifold backpack A travel bag for organizing and compressing all the diving equipment generally taken by divers on diving vacations. The bag is a belt and shoulder strap supported trifold roll design made of a reinforced synthetic fiber that has no central cavity but rather, three panels with or without see through mesh to enclose pockets on the panels. The bag is washable and has no corrodible components thereon. The main features of the bag reside in it's ability for protective organization and protection of the delicate contents as well as a design suited for rapid opening and visual inspection for ease of access through security checkpoints. A plethora of accessories exist to enhance the versatility of the bag.
US08857689B2	Articulated ladder rack for semi tractor There is provided an apparatus for storing a ladder on the outer rear wall of a cab of a semi tractor. It comprises an outer stationary frame that is bolted to the rear surface of the tractor cab proximate one side of the cab and contained within the outer frame are first and second panels that are pivotally joined to one another where one of the first and second panels is also pivotally joined to the stationary frame. The second inner panel carries a ladder support bracket. When stowed, a latch mechanism prevents the inner articulated frame panels from extending relative to the stationary outer frame. Upon unlatching, the two inner articulated panels can be rotated such that the ladder will be positioned to the side of the tractor cab and accessible to an individual standing on the ground.
US08857685B2	Connection system for pannier and method A pannier (10) comprises a container portion (11) accommodating items. A connection system (12) is connected to the container portion (11) and releasably secures the container portion (11) to a rod-like member (A). The connection system (12) comprises connectors (22) each having a hook portion (32) to hook onto the rod-like member (A) and a cam portion (34) positioned with respect to the hook portion (32). The cam portion (34) is displaceable between an opened position to allow the hook portion (32) to hook onto the rod-like member (A), and a locking position in which the cam portion (34) is adapted to press against the rod-like member (A) to lock the rod-like member (A) in the hook portion (32). A biasing member (35) biases the cam portion (34) to the locking position.
US08857682B2	Suspender for brushcutter A suspender for a brushcutter has a shoulder belt and a support member removably connected to the shoulder belt. A hook member has a link removably hooked to the support member, a hook part integrally connected to the link, a cover having a folded portion that is removably hooked on the link and a pair of projections extending from opposite sides of the folded portion, and an elastic piece having a base end part from which a fixing part extends and which is removably hung on the cover with the projections of the cover folded so that the fixing part is interposed between the folded portion and projections of the cover. A stopper member maintains the link of the hook member removably hooked to the support member.
US08857681B2	Load carriage connector and system A load carriage connector and system for rapid mounting and demounting of a user-carried load. The connector utilizes two mating halves comprising a male connector half and a female connector half. The connector is configured to allow mating under various angles of approach, allowing the user to reliably couple the system even under conditions in which the user is unable to view the orientation of the connectors. Additionally, the configuration of the connector system allows the user to quickly and efficiently decouple the connector halves, even while under tensile or shear load.
US08857680B1	Biomechanically improved sling and attachments A sling includes a flexible strap or equivalent coupler having a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to be secured to a weapon near a near a butt end of the weapon. The weapon may be a rifle, shotgun, or handgun as well as hand-held equipment such as a binocular or a camera. A sling clip or equivalent anchor is disclosed that has a clamping mechanism capable of releasably securing the strap when the strap is slidably received through an opening in the sling clip. The sling clip also has an attachment mechanism configured to secure the sling clip proximate to and anchored upon a weapon bearer's body. The clamping mechanism is operatively configured to secure the strap within the sling clip when the weapon is in a firing position such that the strap minimizes movement of a muzzle end of the weapon caused by recoil of the weapon upon firing. A sling including the sling clip also is disclosed.
US08857676B1	Hat insert device A hat insert device for maintaining a hat in a desired condition is provided. The hat has an inner flap along an opening of the hat. The hat insert device comprises a flat, planar insert having a first side, a second side substantially opposite the first side, a top edge, a bottom edge substantially opposite the top edge, a first edge between the top edge and the bottom edge, and a second edge substantially opposite the first edge. A retaining mechanism is formed in either the top edge of the insert or the bottom edge of the insert for maintaining the insert in a desired position. Upon positioning the insert inside the inner flap at the front of the hat, the insert provides support, stiffness, and structure in the hat.
US08857675B2	Device for the metered filling of bulk material The invention relates to a device (10) for the metered filling of bulk material having a metering screw (16), which is arranged in a hollow cylinder shaped metering tube (12) and which can be slid in a longitudinal axis (L) of the metering tube (12), having a closing head (18) for closing a metering opening (14), wherein the closing head (18) has a substantially conical surface (20) and the metering tube (12) transitions after the metering opening (14) into a hollow cylinder shaped mouthpiece (32) having a larger inner diameter (DMi) compared to the inner diameter (dRi) of the metering tube (12).
US08857671B2	Device for distributing a fluid product A fluid dispenser device for mounting on a reservoir. The device has a dispenser member with a body and an actuator rod that is axially movable down and up with the body; a fastener ring for fastening the body on an opening of a reservoir; and a dispenser head mounted on the actuator rod. The dispenser head includes a connection sleeve engaged axially on the actuator rod, the head including a radial duct, an orifice formed in an outer casing that surrounds the connection sleeve, defining a substantially annular gap. The fastener ring includes an axial guide for preventing the dispenser head from turning freely, while enabling it to move axially. The dispenser head includes a guide element that co-operates with the guide, the guide element extending radially from the connection sleeve to the outer casing, in the annular the gap.
US08857668B2	Discharging device A discharging device for discharging liquids includes an outer housing encompassing an inner chamber, a liquid storage receptacle, a discharge orifice, a delivery device for delivering liquid from the storage receptacle to the discharge orifice, a cap that covers the discharge port orifice when present on the outer housing in a safety position, and a manual actuator adapted to actuate the delivery device and which is movable relative to the outer housing between a neutral relative position and an actuated relative position. The cap and the manual actuator cooperate so that displacement of the manual actuator is mechanically blocked when the cap is in its safety position. A locking element that is movable in relation to the outer housing is constrainedly coupled with the movement of the manual actuator and extends in the actuated position through a hole in the outer housing to a region that the cap blocks when mounted in its safety position.
US08857667B2	Integrated method and system for dispensing beverage ingredients An integrated beverage blending system comprising an ice portion control module, an ingredient module; an ice dispensing conduit in communication with the ice portion control module, and an ingredient dispensing valve removably connected to the ice dispensing conduit and in communication with the ingredient module. Ice is dispensed into a beverage container via the ice dispensing conduit and the ingredient is dispensed into the beverage container via the ingredient dispensing valve.
US08857665B2	Beverage container with secondary internal dispensing chamber An internal chamber incorporated with the cap of a container, for example, a disposable beverage bottle. The internal chamber has an internal bore designed to hold a powder or liquid that can be released into the container. The chamber is inserted into a bottle or similar container when the cap is placed over the opening. A push-button on the top of the cap advances an actuator within the internal bore to push a diaphragm out of the distal end outlet port in the chamber to release the ingredient(s) within the internal chamber into the container. The diaphragm also has two or more peripheral guide rails to ensure that it remains aligned with the chamber housing during those movements. Alternative embodiments utilize a dome cover over the push-button. In use, the cap of the container can be removed, which will simultaneously remove the chamber, allowing the liquid in the container to be consumed or decanted.
US08857661B2	Container with deformable inner container and method of manufacture thereof At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a container for a product for dispensing, including a relatively stiff outer container having at least one dispensing opening, and a deformable inner container to be filled with the product which is accommodated in the outer container and which likewise has a dispensing opening. The inner container is connected to the outer container both in the vicinity of the dispensing opening and at least at one location remote therefrom. The connection is formed in that the outer container has an opening through which protrudes at least one fixing element connected to the inner container. This fixing element is pin-like and has an end part of which the dimensions are larger than those of the opening. At least one embodiment of the invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a container.
US08857660B2	Solid food product container dispenser The present invention provides an improved system and method for dispensing solid food product containers. It comprises a shaped dispensing tube (62) of a predetermined length, having a plurality of support clips (76) arranged inside the dispensing tube (62) for holding a stack of solid food product containers (70) in place within the tube (62). The dispensing tube (62) preferably includes a bracket (68) for mounting the entire device on a wall or the like. A nested stack of containers (70) is fed into the preferably open top (78) of the dispensing tube (62) until the bottommost container engages (or is engaged by) the support clips (76). This results in the bottommost container extending a predetermined distance below the bottom of the dispensing tube (62). By minimizing the amount the bottommost container extends below the dispensing tube (62), a user's ability to take more than one solid food container at a time is greatly minimized.
US08857655B2	Container having an inner bag The container produced in a coextrusion-type blow molding process, which consists of a substantially rigid outer container and an easily deformable inner bag, with the inner bag being closed by a bottom weld seam when excess material is squeezed off at the bottom of a blow mold, and said bottom weld seam being clamped in a likewise closed bottom weld seam of the outer container, at least one pressure compensating opening being formed on both sides of the bottom weld seam, and all pressure compensating openings being formed at points of the outer container that are offset in the circumferential direction from the intersection lines of a plane extending through the bottom weld seam and through the longitudinal center axis of the container with the circumferential wall of the outer container and of the inner bag so that the inner bag contracts only from two sides when the container contents is dispensed, is characterized in that the wall thickness of the inner bag is greater in the area of the intersection lines than in the interposed circumferential portions.
US08857650B2	Cryogenic liquid storage tank A cryogenic liquid storage tank includes a base plate and side wall extending upwardly. The base plate and side wall include an outer leaf enveloping an inner leaf. The outer leaf part of the base plate includes a lower, outer leaf concrete bottom plate on a substrate. The bottom plate is continuous with an outer leaf reinforced concrete layer of the outer side wall. An inward surface of the bottom plate and concrete layer of the outer leaf are lined with a continuous outer leaf metallic membrane. A bottom insulation layer is arranged above the outer leaf metallic membrane on the bottom plate. The inner leaf includes an inner leaf concrete bottom layer on the bottom insulation portion. The inner leaf metal membrane is lined with an inner leaf inner concrete layer. The outer leaf hoop stress reinforced outer concrete wall supporting an insulated dome structure.
US08857648B2	Tank closure assembly A tank closure assembly for closing the filler neck of a vehicle tank, the tank closure assembly having a closing body of cap-like design which can be screwed onto the filler neck and which has a receptacle for a sealing element in order to seal off an annular gap between the filler neck and the closing body. An insert element is introduced into the closing body through an open underside thereof and is attached in the closing body, the insert element carrying one or more internal threads via which the closing body can be fixed to the filler neck. The receptacle is formed between the insert element and the top side of the closing body.
US08857647B2	Connecting structure Disclosed is a connecting structure for connecting a first member and a second member, wherein the first member comprises a connecting upright portion and a plurality of locking flanges provided to extend outwards along the circumferential direction of the outer face of the connecting upright portion, while the second member comprises a connecting side-wall portion that overlies the connecting upright portion and a plurality of locking projections provided to extend inwards from the inner face of the connecting side-wall portion. The bottom faces of the locking flanges distend downwards in a convex curved shape and, when the second member is overlaid on the first member and rotated, the upper faces of the locking projections are guided with sliding contact along the convex curved bottom faces of the locking flanges and stopped at the lowermost position of the convex curved bottom faces.
US08857646B1	Filter housing with liftable lid A filter housing having a lid that is mateable with a vessel portion. An arm that is rotationally fixed relative to the housing having threads that mate with threads in a ratcheting mechanism. Rotating the ratcheting mechanism raises the lid because the ratcheting mechanism is fixed from longitudinal movement. A slot in which a pin rides is used to fix rotation, the slot has an aligned portion and an angled portion. The aligned portion is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the arm and the angled portion is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm. As the arm raises and the pin rides in the aligned portion of the slot, the lid raises without rotation, and as the pin rides in the angled portion the lid raises and rotates.
US08857645B2	Container A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket 300 to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates powder control features, a container wall junction (50) preferred geometry and congruent scoop (32) enabling convenient access to the contents, a tolerance variation accommodating and strength improving, J-shaped collar (300) and interlocking indentations (290) and flex clips (310), and a pressure controlling portion (350) that prevents unwanted deformation due to pressure differentials.
US08857642B2	Lightweight fruit and produce packaging container A lightweight fruit and produce packaging container made from a die cut blank of thin, flexible, waterproof, food quality, transparent sheet material and including a plurality of fold lines defining wall portions, top and bottom closure portions, a latching portion and a handle forming portion.
US08857640B1	Easy-fill water bottle system An easy-fill water bottle system features a water bottle. A bottle first end features a tapering hollow neck with a neck aperture and a bottle second end features a cylindrical channel with a first shoulder located close to a channel midpoint and a second shoulder located close to a channel second end. The channel features threads from the channel midpoint to a channel first end. The system features a flush cylindrical lid having a first lid shoulder located close to a lid midpoint and a second lid shoulder located close to a lid second end. The lid features threads located from the lid midpoint to a lid first end. The lid second end features a plurality of indentions. The system features a water dispenser adapted to receive and fluidly connect to the bottle first end.
US08857635B2	Crane and method for operating a crane using recovery of energy from crane operations as a secondary energy source A crane, in particular a large crane, including a power consumer system for providing energy, a primary energy source for feeding primary energy into the power consumer system, at least one secondary energy source, independent of the primary energy source, for feeding secondary energy into the power consumer system, at least one energy storage unit arranged locally on the crane and is, in particular, associated with the at least one crane component and connected to the power consumer system for storing primary energy and/or secondary energy, at least one drive motor connected to the power consumer system for operating at least one crane component and a secondary energy source configured such that energy returned from the crane operation is at least partially fed as secondary energy into the power consumer system. The at least one crane component is configured as a secondary energy source for energy recovery.
US08857633B2	Corrugated shelving display system with two-piece shelves A shelving display system formed from a single blank of corrugated material. The display system including a plurality of shelves formed from a first shelf component and a second shelf component.
US08857632B2	Jersey hanger assembly and jersey display A jersey hanger assembly is described. The jersey hanger assembly allows homes, businesses, schools, or other buildings to display an athletic jersey as a symbol of team pride or of support for an athletic team or an individual player on the team. The jersey hanger assembly includes a bracket member. The bracket member includes a receiving member. The jersey hanger assembly includes a pole with first and second opposing ends. The second pole end is insertable into the receiving member. The pole has a curved shape between the first and second opposing ends. A jersey flag for hanging on the jersey hanger is described. The jersey flag is material of a fabric cut or shaped to resemble an athletic jersey. The material includes a team logo or insignia. A sleeve or an open seam in positioned in the upper portion of the jersey flag to receive the pole.
US08857629B2	Composite membrane with multi-layered active layer A polymeric membrane includes an active layer on a support. The active layer includes at least two chemically distinct crosslinked, polyamide films, and the films are crosslinked with each other at an interface.
US08857625B1	Weighing and sorting system and method A sorting system configured to sort materials by size, and/or weight is disclosed herein. The sorting system is configured to operate in a smaller footprint as compared with conventional sorting systems. For instance, a main sorting track of sorting system is configured to deliver sorted material to either side of the main sorting track. Additionally, the sorting system is configured to reduce mechanical damage imparted on the material to be sorted by sorting system by a sliding and/or rolled delivery. Aspects of the sorting system may be mounted on a mobile platform.
US08857624B1	Large and small document combination optimization for document sequencing system A system and method of sorting documents utilizing an algorithm or routine that alternates an order of documents with smallest sheet count documents followed by largest sheet count documents in order to optimizes a document throughput of an inserter based on a maximum speed that documents can be collated and accumulated and an algorithm or routine for optimizing the document throughput of a dual sheet cutter by grouping even sheet count documents together on evenly paired sheet boundaries within a mailing group of printed documents, with or without the use of dynamic motion control of the inserter.
US08857623B2	Screen retainer having adjustable tensioning A screen retainer having adjustable tensioning includes a bushing and a tensioning device. The bushing has a center and a thickness that varies radially about the center. The tensioning device includes a surface adapted to receive the bushing, a spring, an engagement member, and at least one screen contact surface. The engagement member is coupled to the tensioning device and is adapted to engage the bushing. The engagement member can be eccentric with respect to the center of the bushing in an installed configuration. The at least one screen contact surface is adapted to engage and place a compressive force on the screen when the spring is placed in compression by an exertion of force by the engagement member on the bushing. The compressive force placed on the screen can be varied based at least in part on a rotation of the bushing on the surface.
US08857622B2	Method of removing contaminates from particulate material A cylindrical dedusting apparatus has an upper material infeed opening to introduce material into a frusto-conical infeed hopper centered over the tip of a conical wash deck supported over an air infeed conduit. Air is blown through slots and openings in the surface of the wash deck to separate dust and debris from the particulate material. The dust-laden air is discharged by passing between the infeed hopper and a cylindrical sleeve to enter into a circular collector for discharge from the apparatus. Flow rate of material over the wash deck is adjusted by vertically moving the infeed hopper within the sleeve relative to the wash deck, the tip serving as a stopper to define the dimension of the gap through which material flows onto the wash deck. Cleaned material passes through a lower discharge opening while dirty air is removed through a radially oriented discharge conduit from the circular collector.
US08857621B2	De-inking screen with air knife A material separation system includes a separation screen and an air directing device positioned above the separation screen. The separation screen has at least one rotating shaft, wherein the separation screen transports the relatively rigid material and relatively flexible material to the rotating shaft. The air directing device directs air towards the separation screen such that the relatively flexible material is blown beneath the rotating shaft in a first material stream, wherein the relatively rigid material continues on the separation screen past the rotating shaft in a second material stream.
US08857619B1	Mechanisms for wafer pod and pod door Embodiments of mechanisms of a wafer pod including a pod door are provided. The pod lock includes a rotating element pivoted on the pod housing and having an anchor element disposed on the rotating body. The pod lock further includes a locking element including a locking body slidably disposed on the pod housing. The pod lock also includes an elastic element disposed on the locking body, and adjacent to the anchor element. When the rotating element is rotated, the rotating element pushes the locking element to move, and the elastic element applies an elastic force on the anchor element.
US08857611B2	Package of folded sheet products and method for filling a dispenser A package of folded sheet products includes a stack of the sheet products, and a package wrapper, which surrounds the stack and holds the stack together. The stack includes a start sheet product at a start end of the stack, and an end sheet product at an opposite end of the stack. The package wrapper (3) includes a first end portion (12) and a second end portion (13), which end portions (11, 12) are mutually joined by where the end portions (11, 12) are overlapping and with the first end portion (12) arranged outside the second end portion (13). The second end portion (13) of the package wrapper (3) is free from direct attachment to the stack, and the first end portion (12) of the package wrapper (3) is joined with the start sheet product (4) by second attachment means (22).
US08857606B2	Formed winged pulley A formed wing pulley for use in belt conveyor applications. The pulley consists of a plurality of formed wings with or without clean-out ports, mated to a positive placement polygon shaped core. The polygon core may be mated to hubs and/or end disks with centered hubs, which can be locked onto to a fixed or rotating shaft. Each formed wing of the pulley may be mated to the positive placement polygon core at the bottom side of the wing profile, and can have round, half round, hex, or flat wing tips that serve as the contact surface or the tops of wings may serve directly as the contact surface for the belt at the top side of the wing profile. When in assembled form, the formed wing pulley provides a set of radial wings that rotate about a central axis to support conveyor belt operation.
US08857599B2	Apparatus and process for forming rolled bar bundles An apparatus for forming a bundle (11) of rolled bars, comprising bar conveying means (4), an inclined plane device (1) for forming a layer of bars and bar accumulation means (5), wherein the inclined plane device (1) comprises a plurality of support elements (2), arranged parallel to each another and defining a first plane inclined by an angle (a) with respect to a horizontal direction, and adapted to receive a predetermined number of bars defining the layer of bars on said first plane from said bar conveying means (4), handling means (60) for translating the inclined plane device (1) from a first maximum advancement position distal from the conveyor means (4) to a second maximum retraction position proximal to the conveyor means (4) to unload the layer of bars onto the accumulation means (5), at a speed such to prevent the bars resting on said supporting elements from being dragged.
US08857594B2	Friction drive clutch having ramped members A friction drive clutch includes a hub, a thrust plate that rotates with and is axially slidable on the hub, a first housing rotatable with respect to the hub and including at least two first ramped members each having a sloped face, a second housing rotatable with respect to the thrust plate and axially movable together with the thrust plate, the second housing including at least two second ramped members each having a sloped face, a third housing rotatable with respect to the hub, and a spring assembly biasing the thrust plate and second housing axially toward the first housing, wherein when the second housing is rotated in one direction, the sloped faces of the first and second members slide over each other to urge the second housing and thrust plate axially in opposition to the spring assembly to bring the thrust plate into frictional engagement with the third housing.
US08857592B2	Clutch assembly performance enhancement apparatus and method A kit for improving the performance of a clutch assembly, including at least one steel plate configured and dimensioned to be received through the open end of the housing and disposed in mating relationship with a terminal one of the plural friction elements, at least one friction disk configured and dimensioned to be received through the open end of the housing and disposed in mating relationship with the at least one steel plate to form in combination with the plural friction elements and plural steel plates an extended interleaved stack, with the at least one friction disk forming a new terminal friction element, and a retaining ring configured and dimensioned to be secured over the open end of the housing and including an integrally formed, annular inner friction surface adapted to confront the new terminal friction element to directly receive forces applied through the clutch assembly.
US08857591B2	Torque-limited coupling element and method for torque-limited coupling The invention is a torque-limited coupling element including an input and output rotatably mounted about a common rotational axis, at least one Connection which is transferred from a first position into a second position upon exceeding a settable limit torque acting between the input and the output wherein in the first position the at least one connection connects the input and the output in a rotationally fixed manner, and in the second position, the input and the output are rotatably mounted relative to one another. A displacement body is movably mounted within a chamber filled with a magnetorheological fluid with the position of the displacement body resulting from a holding force provided by the magnetorheological fluid being under influence of a magnetic field.
US08857590B2	Diecast coupling member including a pocket having a machined surface portion, method for making the coupling member and clutch assembly including the coupling member A diecast pocket plate or coupling member including a pocket with a machined surface layer or portion, a method for making the coupling member and an overrunning clutch assembly including the coupling member are provided. The member is formed as a unitary diecasting from a die-casting material in a die-casting process. The diecast member includes a coupling face having at least one pocket which is sized and shaped to receive and retain a locking member that moves in the pocket during an overrun condition of the assembly. The pocket is defined by a plurality of surface portions including an angled, slightly positive surface portion which is machined vertical or slightly negative to improve performance of the assembly during the overrun condition.
US08857588B2	Hydrokinetic coupling device comprising lock-up clutch equipped with elastic means of circumferential preload A hydrokinetic coupling device includes a lock-up clutch having at least one friction disc mounted such that it can slide axially with respect to a first rotary shaft, at least one first backing disc rotating as one with a secondary rotary shaft and a support ring to support the backing disc. The support ring has at least one axial groove circumferentially delineated by an upstream face and by a downstream face. A radial guide tooth of each backing disc is housed such that it can slide axially in the groove. Elastic preload elements are provided which are able to exert a preload torque to clamp the guide tooth of each braking disc circumferentially against one of either the upstream or downstream faces of the guide groove.
US08857580B2	Remotely operated bypass for a suspension damper A damper assembly with a bypass for a vehicle comprises a pressure cylinder with a piston and piston rod for limiting the flow rate of damping fluid as it passes from a first to a second side of said piston. A bypass provides fluid pathway between the first and second sides of the piston separately from the flow rate limitation. In one aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable from a passenger compartment of the vehicle. In another aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable based upon one or more variable parameters associated with the vehicle.
US08857576B2	Disc brake apparatus A disc brake apparatus includes a boot including a fitting part. A slide pin is fixed to one of a support and a caliper and is slidably mounted to a guide hole formed in the other. Convex parts extending in a sliding direction of the slide pin are circumferentially arranged on an inner periphery of the fitting part. Concave recesses are respectively formed between the neighboring convex parts. Each of the convex parts is formed with at least one a low-height portion and a high-height portion in an axial direction of a rotor, respectively. Positions of the low-height portion and the high-height portion in a circumferential direction of the rotor are respectively different between the adjacent convex parts. The high-height portion has a height so as to contact the slide pin, and the low-height portion has a height so as not to contact the slide pin.
US08857567B1	Self-contained powered jib boom and optional work platform attachment for mobile cranes A powered rotating and articulating self-contained jib boom of both swing jib and non-swing jib design that attaches to mobile cranes and functions as an aerial lift when fitted with an optional work platform. Since it pins onto any existing crane by attachment to a standard swing-jib mounting system using the four pinning holes and pins located on the crane's outer most boom tip sheave head, it achieves powered leveling and rotation of a platform without having to modify or add components to the existing crane. Also, with the crane jib boom hydraulically powered for rotation in the horizontal plane up to 360-degrees and articulation in a 90-degree vertical plane, an attached work platform can be kept level during up/down articulation of the crane boom in its vertical plane. Furthermore, with dielectric insulation, the jib boom, crane boom, and attached work platform are usable on live electrical line work.
US08857563B1	Hybrid acoustic barrier and absorber A hybrid acoustic absorption and reflection resonator can includes a rigid structure defining a cell, a membrane with at least one orifice attached to the rigid structure, and a back sheet attached to the rigid structure and covering the cell. The membrane is configured to reflect acoustic waves in a predetermined range of frequencies. The rigid structure, the membrane, and the back sheet define a Helmholtz cavity; the Helmholtz cavity is configured to absorb acoustic energy at a frequency within the predetermined range of frequencies.
US08857561B2	Exhaust valve combined with active noise control system A vehicle exhaust system includes at least one exhaust component that defines an exhaust passage from an engine to an exhaust outlet. An active noise attenuation component is associated with the exhaust component. A valve is positioned within the exhaust component downstream of the engine and upstream of the active noise attenuation component. The valve and active noise attenuation component cooperate with each other to control noise generated by the exhaust system.
US08857559B2	Speaker cabinet and method for fabrication A speaker cabinet includes an outer shell, at least one inner shell, and a core material. The outer shell includes high tensile strength material and includes at least one aperture. The at least one inner shell includes high tensile strength material and includes an aperture configured to accept an audio driver. Each of the at least one inner shell corresponds to one of the at least one aperture of the outer shell. The core material includes a vibration absorbing material. The aperture of each inner shell is positioned adjacent to the corresponding aperture of the outer shell. Each inner shell is held in position by the core material, and each inner shell does not make direct mechanical contact with the outer shell.
US08857558B2	System for controlling mower drive wheels A zero-turn-radius mower includes a chassis, a pair of drive wheels for supporting the chassis above a ground surface, an engine, and a pair of transmissions or other drive mechanism for driving the drive wheels. A manually-moveable brake lever enables an operator to selectively brake the drive wheels and a manually-moveable bypass lever enables the operator to selectively engage bypass functions of the transmissions. The brake lever and the bypass lever are mechanically coupled such that engaging the brake lever causes the bypass lever to be engaged with the brake lever, but engaging the bypass lever does not cause the brake lever to be engaged. The brake lever and the bypass lever each including a locking mechanism that retains the respective lever in an engaged position.
US08857557B2	Work vehicle A partition wall is arranged between an engine and a radiator in an engine room. A first exhaust processing unit has a first exhaust processing apparatus and a first mount section. The first exhaust processing apparatus is arranged between the engine and the partition wall. A second exhaust processing unit has a second exhaust processing apparatus and a second mount section. The second exhaust processing apparatus is arranged above the first exhaust processing apparatus. The second exhaust processing apparatus is arranged so as to overlap with at least a portion of the first exhaust processing apparatus in a planar view. The partition wall has a first wall member and a second wall member arranged above the first wall member. The distance between the boundary between the first and second wall members and the second exhaust processing unit is larger than the outer diameter of the first exhaust processing apparatus.
US08857552B2	Turbocharger for motorcycle A motorcycle with V-type engine employs a turbocharger and necessary components arranged in an advantageous layout such that it does not interfere with the rider's legs or feet. The turbocharger system includes a turbocharger positioned fore of the front cylinder, aft of the front wheel, and below the front exhaust port. The rear cylinder exhaust pipe routes on a horizontal plane adjacent to the lower area of the cylinders, as to not interfere with the rider's legs or feet. The turbocharger lubrication system includes a vented oil holding tank fastened to the turbocharger's oil outlet port, in conjunction with an electric pump to transfer the oil from the holding tank back to the engine crankcase for the reason that the level of the turbocharger oil outlet is lower than the level of the engine's oil sump level. The intake plenum is secured to the throttle body assembly by fasteners entering through the bottom of said throttle body that screw into tapped holes of the lower section of the intake plenum, such that the structure does not interfere or impede the incoming airflow.
US08857550B2	Electric bicycle An electric bicycle having an enhanced fixing structure of an electronic control unit, the electrical bicycle having an electronic control unit built in an a center frame along with a generator in a state of the electronic control unit is directly fixed at an upper portion of the generator, the electronic control unit is effectively be protected, as the fixing structure of the electronic control unit is simplified.
US08857549B2	Control valve attachment structure for construction machine A mount structure for a control valve unit is provided to permit selective mounting of a small first control valve unit or a large second control valve unit on bodies of construction machines of different models the same family without incurring an increase in the number of kinds of parts or components. The control valve unit may be a small first control valve unit or a large second control valve unit. The mount structure is constructed such that upon mounting the first or second control valve unit on a bracket on which the first or second control valve unit may be selectively mounted, a barycentric position of the bracket with the first control valve unit mounted thereon and a barycentric position of the bracket with the second control valve unit mounted thereon are located on an imaginary line connecting paired hanging-member fixing portions of the bracket.
US08857544B2	System for electric motorization of a wheel The invention relates to a system for motorizing a wheel (2), the system comprising a motor unit (4), a drive member (6) secured to the wheel (2) and a clutch device (7) connects the output shaft (8) of the motor unit (4) to the drive member (6).According to the invention, the motor unit (4) comprises an electric motor (11) and is carried by an un-sprung part of a suspension strut (3) of an aircraft so that the latter can be made to move along the ground.
US08857541B2	Diamond transition layer construction with improved thickness ratio An insert for a drill bit may include a metallic carbide body; an outer layer of polycrystalline diamond material on the outermost end of the insert, the polycrystalline diamond material comprising a plurality of interconnected first diamond grains and a first binder material in interstitial regions between the interconnected first diamond grains; and at least two transition layers between the metallic carbide body and the outer layer, the at least two transition layers comprising: an outermost transition layer comprising a composite of second diamond grains, first metal carbide or carbonitride particles, and a second binder material; and an innermost transition layer comprising a composite of third diamond grains, second metal carbide or carbonitride particles, and a third binder material wherein a thickness of the outer layer is lesser than that of each of the at least two transition layers.
US08857538B1	Method for drilling a borehole In a method for drilling a borehole real time geosteering data, including natural gamma ray data is obtained for a plurality of borehole positions for drilling a borehole along a projected trajectory. A formation layer having a thickness equal to or greater than the natural gamma ray sphere of influence and having a first lithology is identified. Data is processed for subsequent borehole positions. Upon location of the boundary of a formation layer of different lithology within the natural gamma ray sphere of influence, at least two points of the different formation layer boundary are determined by using the inverse problem methods, and an extrapolation ahead of the drill bit of at least two points is made utilizing the boundary to determine whether to change the borehole trajectory.
US08857534B2	Electric tool having an optical control element An electric power tool comprises one or more optical waveguides which are combined with a shaped body so as to form a support element having a stable shape. The light guides may be part of optical switches or sensors. The support element ensures protection of the optical waveguides from vibrations, dust and so on, whereby a high level of operational reliability is ensured.
US08857531B2	Soil treating tool with hardened cutting element A soil working tool for an agricultural machine includes a carrier that comprises a cutting region having a cutting edge, and one or more hard-material elements being arranged in the cutting region. The hard-material element is a cutting element that forms at least a part of the cutting edge.
US08857527B2	Compositions for oil recovery and methods of their use Embodiments of the present disclosure include compositions for use in enhanced oil recovery, and methods of using the compositions for recovering oil. Compositions of the present disclosure include a nonionic, non-emulsifying surfactant having a CO2-philicity in a range of about 1.5 to about 5.0, carbon dioxide in a liquid phase or supercritical phase, and water, where the nonionic, non-emulsifying surfactant promotes a formation of a stable foam formed of carbon dioxide and water.
US08857522B2	Electrically-powered surface-controlled subsurface safety valves A subsurface safety valve system for a wellbore within a subterranean formation is described. The system can include a power source that generates power, and a delivery system disposed within the wellbore and electrically coupled to the power source. The system can also include at least one safety valve disposed within the wellbore and electrically coupled to the delivery system, where the at least one safety valve remains open while the at least one safety valve receives the power from the delivery system, and where the at least one safety valve closes when the at least one safety valve stops receiving power from the delivery system. The system can further include production tubing mechanically coupled to a distal end of the at least one safety valve, where the at least one safety valve shuts in a cavity within production tubing when the at least one safety valve closes.
US08857519B2	Method of retrofitting subsea equipment with separation and boosting A subsea production and separation system comprising a subsea well drilled into a sea floor; a subsea tree located on the sea floor at a top portion of the subsea well; a manifold located on the sea floor; a well jumper connecting the subsea tree and the manifold; a first sled located on the sea floor; a second sled located on the sea floor; a separator located on the sea floor; a first flowline jumper connecting the manifold to the separator; a second flowline jumper connecting the manifold to the separator; a third flowline jumper connecting the separator to the first sled; a fourth flowline jumper connecting the separator to the second sled; a liquid export line connected to the third flowline jumper; and a gas export line connected to the fourth flowline jumper.
US08857518B1	Single trip multi-zone completion systems and methods Multiple zones of a wellbore are gravel packed and fractured in the same run-in trip into a wellbore. An insert string is subsequently extended into the wellbore in order to regulate and monitor production from each zone. Control lines located within the insert string and also along the sand face allow operators to monitor production operations, including measuring fluid and well environment parameters at each point within the system. One or more control and data acquisition modules included in the insert string are able to locate and move corresponding flow control devices arranged within respective sand screens adjacent each zone. Adjusting the position of the flow control device with a corresponding control and data acquisition module serves to choke or otherwise regulate the production flow rate through the sand screen, thereby allowing for the intelligent production of hydrocarbons from each zone.
US08857517B2	Wellbore cleanout tool A well tool (100) for use in cleaning a well of fluids and debris characterized by one or more wiper elements (30) for swabbing the wellbore and internal passageways (11, 15) and valves (70, 72) in the tool, permitting forward and reverse fluid circulation through the tool to bypass the wiper elements.
US08857514B2	Method and systems to sever wellbore devices and elements A method for performing an operation in the wellbore may include at least partially separating a wellbore tubular while reducing a compression in a section of the wellbore tubular using a force applicator in the wellbore. An apparatus for performing the downhole operation may include a cutter configured to at least partially sever a wellbore tubular; and a force applicator configured to reduce a compression in a section of a wellbore tubular proximate to the cutter.
US08857511B1	Method and apparatus for restoring contaminated groundwater Apparatus and method are provided to restore contaminated groundwater based on in-situ periodic pumping and recharging. The apparatus includes a contaminated groundwater suction system, an in-situ restoration system, and a reinjection system. The suction system includes a suction well and a suction pipeline. The suction system is connected with the in-situ restoration system. The in-situ restoration system is connected with the reinjection system. The reinjection system includes a reinjection pipeline and a reinjection well. Prior to the in-situ restoration, a pumping test for suction well and an injection test for reinjection well are conducted. Through reinjecting the processed contaminated groundwater, this approach is capable of diluting contaminated water layer, reducing the pollutant concentration in the target aquifer, providing convenience for the subsequent processing, and cutting the cost. The timely recharging of processed groundwater can effectively prevent negative consequences caused by deficiency of the groundwater.
US08857510B2	System and method for determining movement of a drilling component in a wellbore A system and a method determine movement of a drilling component, such as, for example, a tool, a drill bit or other wellbore device, within a wellbore. The system and method may process information obtained from the wellbore by using, for example, a numerical processing algorithm. The information may be data acquired during drilling of the wellbore. Rig surface data recording systems may track the position of the drill bit, the BHA and/or other component of the drill string during the time the component is within the wellbore. Downhole measuring devices may record data at various positions along the BHA and above the drill bit as a function of time.
US08857507B2	Downhole communication system and method A downhole communication system including a plurality of addressed downhole devices, a plurality of remote devices, and a plurality of conductors. Each of the plurality of conductors is electrically conductively connected to at least one of the plurality of addressed downhole devices and at least one of the plurality of remote devices. The downhole communication system is configured such that at least one of the plurality of devices is able to receive and recognize encoded addresses and encoded data in an electrical signal transmitted to at least one of the plurality of conductors electrically conductively isolated from the device configured to be receptive to the electrical signal having the encoded addresses and encoded data.
US08857504B2	Plate heat exchanger A plate heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchanger plates. The plates are provided beside each other and permanently joined to each other to form a plate package having first plate interspaces and second plate interspaces. Each plate has a heat transfer area and four porthole areas defined by a porthole edge. Each of the porthole areas includes an annular flat area located at one of a primary and secondary level, and a set of inner portions on the annular flat area at the other of the primary and secondary level. Each inner portion has an inner part adjoining the porthole edge and an outer segment adjoining the inner part and having an angular extension of at least 180°. The outer segment has a continuous contour and a radius R, which is allowed to vary within the range 0.8R≦R≦1.2R.
US08857503B2	Calibrated bypass structure for heat exchanger A by-pass conduit for a stacked plate heat exchanger is disclosed. The by-pass conduit is formed by first and second plate members that each have a substantially planar central portion surrounded by an offset peripheral flange, the peripheral flanges of the first and second plates being sealably joined together and the planar central portions of the first and second plates being in spaced opposition to define a bypass channel. A flow restricting structure provides a fluid restricting barrier in the bypass channel, the flow restricting structure defining a calibrated by-pass passage that regulates the flow of fluid through the bypass channel.
US08857502B2	Vapor chamber having heated protrusion A vapor chamber is configured to conduct heat generated by a heat-generating element and includes a bottom plate, a first wick structure, a second wick structure, a cover plate and a working fluid filled between the cover plate and the bottom plate. One side of the bottom plate has a heated protrusion in thermal contact with the heat-generating element, and the other side is formed with an accommodating trough corresponding to the heated protrusion. The first wick structure is provided in the accommodating trough. The second wick structure is disposed on the bottom plate and provided with an opening and a plurality of airflow channels in communication with the opening. The cover plate tightly covers the bottom plate. The supporting posts are sandwiched between the cover plate and the first wick structure. By this arrangement, the mounting and heat-conducting of the heat-generating element can be achieved.
US08857501B2	Entrainment heat sink devices Entrainment heat sink devices and methods of forming entrainment heat sink devices are described herein. One or more method embodiments include forming an opening through a first material, forming a dimple having a trapezoidal-cross section in the first material such that the opening is located on a side wall of the trapezoidal cross-section, and attaching the first material to a second material, wherein the first material or the second material has a trench formed therein and the first material is attached to the second material such that the trench is in fluidic communication with the dimple.
US08857498B2	Track and guide system for a door A vertically operating door and its drive system can be configured to push a door panel along a track to various overhead storage configurations including vertical, horizontal, inclined and coiled. Semi-flexible drive strips extend continuously along lateral edges of the curtain. The system includes a drive gear that engages a series of projections on at least one drive strip so that the gear can push the door between its open and closed positions. To protect the door from being damaged by collisions, the track can include a breakaway feature that allows at least a portion of the panel with its drive strip to separate from the track without permanent distortion. The drive strip and panel remain together as they break away from the track. The threshold of the breakaway force can be changed by selecting a retention strip from a plurality of interchangeable strips having different degrees of flexibility.
US08857495B2	Blind with head rail and control guides A blind for a building opening, and having a head rail attachable adjacent to the building opening; a blind panel stored in the head rail, and adapted to be lowered, over the building opening; and, blind panel control mechanism in the head rail and control guides leading the control so as to hang free of the blind panel, and permitting the blind panel to fill the building opening.
US08857494B2	Window treatment having an adjustable bottom bar A window treatment may include one or more lift cord adjustment mechanisms for leveling of a bottom bar of the window treatment. The mechanisms may allow for fine-tuning adjustment of the levelness of the bottom bar. The mechanisms may be disposed at respective ends of the botom bar. The mechanisms may be directly accessible through the ends of the bottom bar. Each mechanism may include a pulley having a circumferential groove to receive a corresponding lift cord. A portion of the pulley may protrude relative to an exterior surface of the bottom bar. The mechanisms may be hidden from view on the sides of the bottom bar, such that the mechanisms do not detract from the appearance of the window treatment. Manual operation of a mechanism may adjust an amount of a corresponding lift cord that extends from the drive shaft to the pulley of the mechanism.
US08857490B2	3-dimensional curved substrate lamination A method of laminating a surface of a flexible material to a surface of a rigid, curved material. The method includes pressing an area of the surface of the flexible material into the surface of the rigid, curved material with a holder to create a contact area while the flexible material is conformed to the holder, which has a curvature greater than a curvature of the rigid, curved material surface; and changing the contact area between the surface of the flexible material and the surface of the rigid, curved material while maintaining pressure on the contact area until the surface of the flexible material and the surface of the rigid curved material are laminated.
US08857489B2	Method of and apparatus for manufacturing a tire bead A triangular-shaped can be held in an upright posture to be stuck to an outer peripheral surface of a bead core and a leading end and a trailing end can be butted against each other a crack. A filler rubber is held uprightly to be wound around an outer peripheral surface of a bead core supported by a rotary support body, and in joining a leading end and a trailing end of the filler rubber cut to a predetermined length, the neighborhood of the leading end and the neighborhood of the trailing end, respectively, are interposed by first and second interposing means and one of the interposing means is displaced toward the other from a state, in which the leading end and the trailing end are opposed to each other whereby end surfaces of the leading end and the trailing end are butted against each other.
US08857488B2	Pipe fitting installation device A portable assembly for securing a plastic fitting to a plastic pipe by employing fusion or thermal sealing is disclosed. The assembly is secured to the outer circumference of a plastic pipe at a desired location. The assembly can be secured at any longitudinal and lateral position along a plastic pipe. A heater heats both the pipe and the fitting to the point where they begin to melt. The heater is then removed and the fitting is pressed onto the surface of the pipe, thus fusing the fitting to the pipe. After cooling, the assembly is removed and the surface of the pipe within the interior of the fitting is drilled or removed. This now enables fluid within the pipe to be sent to the fitting and onto distribution lines which are connected to the fitting.
US08857487B2	Room temperature bonding apparatus A room temperature bonding apparatus includes: an angle adjustment mechanism that supports a first sample stage holding a first substrate to a first stage so as to be able to change a direction of the first sample stage; a first driving device that drives the first stage in a first direction; a second driving device that drives a second sample stage holding a second substrate in a second direction not parallel to the first direction; and a carriage support table that supports the second sample stage in the first direction when the second substrate and the first substrate are brought into press contact with each other. In this case, the room temperature bonding apparatus can impose a larger load exceeding a withstand load of the second driving device on the first substrate and the second substrate. Further, the room temperature bonding apparatus can use the angle adjustment mechanism to change a direction of the first substrate such that the first substrate and the second substrate come into parallel contact with each other, and uniformly impose the larger load on a bonding surface.
US08857486B2	Flip arm module for a bonding apparatus incorporating changeable collet tools An electronic device bonding apparatus comprises a flip arm for picking up an electronic device, the flip arm being operative to invert an orientation of the electronic device. A collet tool which contacts the electronic device and secures it to the flip arm is detachably mountable onto the flip arm, and a bond arm may pick up the electronic device from the collet tool to bond the electronic device to a bonding surface. Additionally, a tool changer module is operative to detach the collet tool from the flip arm and to mount another collet tool onto the flip arm.
US08857484B2	Self-inflating tire A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube connected to a tire and defining an air passageway, the air tube being composed of a flexible material operative to allow an air tube segment opposite a tire footprint to flatten, closing the passageway, and resiliently unflatten into an original configuration. The air tube is sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air along the passageway to an inlet device for exhaust from the passageway or to an outlet device for direction into the tire cavity. The inlet device is positioned within the annular passageway 180 degrees opposite the outlet device such that sequential flattening of the air tube by the tire footprint effects pumping of air along the air passageway with the tire rotating in either a forward or reverse direction of rotation. The invention further includes an inlet device for regulating the inlet flow of the air tube pump.
US08857483B2	Studless tire A studless tire improved in on-ice performance as well as on-snow performance is disclosed. The tread portion is provided with tread grooves to have a land ratio in a range of from 0.65 to 0.75. The tread grooves including an axially inner circumferential groove, an axially outer circumferential groove and a plurality of sipes disposed on each side of the tire equator. The land ratio of a crown region and the land ratio of a shoulder region are each larger than the land ratio of a middle region, wherein the crown region is defined between the widthwise center lines of the inner circumferential grooves, the middle region is defined between the widthwise center line of the axially inner circumferential groove and the widthwise center line of the axially outer circumferential groove, and the shoulder region is defined between the widthwise center line of the outer circumferential groove and a tread edge of the tread portion.
US08857481B2	Removable drain funnel The application provides a funnel, funnel assembly, and a system for eliminating splash from drain pipes that discharge from an elevation above a floor drain.
US08857479B2	Filling machine with a variable filling rate A machine for filling containers in which the filling rate for the products can be varied, thus enabling the filling machine to be used for different filling products, and in particular products having different viscosities. The machine comprises at least one filling station comprising a filling spout provided with a supply opening and a discharge opening, a blocking system mounted in the filling spout, and a supply pipe connected to the supply opening upstream of said blocking system. The supply pipe comprises at least one section made of a flexible tube, the supply apparatus further comprising a clamp adapted to clamp the flexible tube in order to modify the cross-section of the internal passage of the flexible tube, the clamp adapted to move between at least two positions corresponding to different cross-sections of the internal passage of the flexible tube.
US08857478B2	Apparatus for treating containers having a height-adjustable isolator An apparatus for treating containers may include a treatment chamber in which the containers are treated, and a conveyor unit which transports the containers within the treatment chamber. The treatment chamber can be isolated by means of at least one wall from an environment external of the treatment chamber in such a way that sterile conditions can be achieved in the treatment chamber, and by means of at least one treatment unit which treats the containers within the treatment chamber. At least one wall of the treatment chamber is arranged to be movable. A sealing assembly seals the treatment chamber in an area with regard to elements of the apparatus, which are movable relative to each other, against the environment external of the treatment chamber. The sealing assembly includes a surrounding channel, into which a liquid sealing agent can be introduced, as well as a secondary wall which is arranged within the channel at least in sections. The secondary wall is movable relative to the channel in the circumferential direction of the channel, and the secondary wall is movable in a direction that is perpendicular to the circumferential direction.
US08857477B2	Kit for repairing and inflating inflatable articles A kit for repairing and inflating inflatable articles has a compressor assembly; a sealing fluid container assembly defining an inlet connectable to the compressor assembly, and an outlet connecting the container assembly fluidically to an inflatable article; a casing at least partly housing the compressor assembly; a supporting member fixed with respect to the casing; and click-on connecting means for connecting the container assembly to the supporting member. More specifically, the click-on connecting means define a conduit for fluidically connecting the container assembly and compressor assembly.
US08857475B2	Method and system for rehabilitating an old pipe In a method for rehabilitating an old pipe, the outer diameter of a new pipe, which is at least equal to the inner diameter of the old pipe, is initially reduced, and the new pipe is then inserted into the old pipe, the outer diameter of the new pipe remaining at least partially reduced during the insertion process. The invention is characterized in that an expanding device is moved through the old pipe ahead of the new pipe.
US08857474B2	Hose assembly A flexible conduit assembly that includes a central fluid transfer conduit and at least two thermal fluid transfer conduits in overlying relationship to the central fluid transfer conduit at an orientation other than linear relative to the center axis of the central fluid transfer conduit. The flexible conduit assembly may also include an outer jacket concentrically disposed relative to the central fluid transfer conduit with the fluid transfer conduit interposed between the central fluid conveying conduit and the outer jacket.
US08857473B2	Apparatus and method for deicing An apparatus and method for thawing frozen lines. Water is heated and supplied under pressure to the inside of a frozen line such as a frozen plastic or metal pipe. In one non-limiting embodiment the invention comprises an air compressor, a plurality of tanks, a water heater element located in one tank, and a reel of flexible tubing. In a preferred embodiment the complete kit is mounted on a carrying device, which can be maneuvered manually through standard size doorways. In one embodiment a water delivery nozzle made of heat conducting metal is fitted to one end of the tubing. The compressor can be an electrically powered air compressor thus allowing the invention to be used inside buildings. In another embodiment deicing agent is directed into a frozen pipe in controlled pulses to further aid thawing of frozen lines.
US08857471B2	Control structure of wall-mounted faucet A control structure of a wall-mounted faucet includes a water outlet and a control device, wherein the control device has a control stick, a valve block, a sealing unit and a resilient unit, wherein the control stick is disposed through a through hole of the water outlet, and the valve block has two clamping ribs protrudingly located at front side of the valve block, and the clamping ribs clamp the control stick. A connecting surface is located on top of the clamping ribs, and the resilient unit covers the control stick, wherein both ends of the resilient unit are against the stopping surface of the water outlet and the connecting surface of the valve block. So, the control stick is pushed by the resilient unit to drive the valve block to escape the valve of the water outlet to avoid the water unexpectedly spraying out from the showerhead.
US08857470B2	Connection device for connecting a first reservoir with a second reservoir A connection device for connecting a first reservoir with a second reservoir, includes a first section for arranging the first reservoir closed with a seal; a second section for arranging the second reservoir; and a piercing element which penetrates with a piercing end the seal of the first reservoir when the first reservoir is arranged at the first section. In some embodiments, the piercing element can be moved from a first position into a second position, wherein it blocks in the first position a flow connection between the first and the second section, while in the second position it allows for a flow connection between the first and the second section.
US08857467B2	Pneumatically detented pilot valve The 4-way valve used to control the operation of a pneumatic motor can be pneumatically operated such as by a pilot valve. The pilot valve (20) works by creating a restriction at the high-pressure air/signal port (22) regardless of the pressure drop up-stream of the pilot valve (20) while still allowing for adequate flow once the valve (20) is actuated. An additional slide valve (24) is added to the pilot valve (20) that restricts the inlet 30 of the pilot valve (20) above the poppet valve (28) that creates a pressure drop, see FIG. 3. The extra pressure drop forces the valve (20) to snap open once the actuator pin (32) contacts the poppet valve (20) to create the hysteresis. Once the valve (20) snaps open, the slide valve (24) moves to uncover the high-pressure ports (22), removing the restriction to ensure that the main 4-way (10) fully actuates.
US08857459B2	Internally powered earthquake triggered and electrically controllable shutoff valve An earthquake triggered and electronically controlled shutoff valve for allowing or preventing a flow of a fluid. The shutoff valve incorporates a weight positioned on a pedestal and disengaged from a surrounding moveable tube. Upon sufficient vibrational force, the weight moves from its resting position on the pedestal and engages with the moveable tube to block the flow of the fluid through the shutoff valve. In addition to vibrational forces, the shutoff valve may be electronically triggered via a connector electrically connected to one or more solenoids positioned within the shutoff valve. The solenoids may engage with the weight upon electrical stimulation or may engage with a moveable member coupled to the moveable tube. An energy storage unit provides power for the solenoids such that the solenoids may function in the absence of external power to the shutoff valve.
US08857457B2	Systems and methods for producing and transporting viscous crudes There is disclosed a system adapted to transport two fluids, comprising a nozzle comprising a first nozzle portion comprising the first fluid; and a second nozzle portion comprising the second fluid, wherein the second nozzle portion has a larger diameter than and is about the first nozzle portion; and a tubular fluidly connected to and downstream of the nozzle, the tubular comprising the first fluid in a core, and the second fluid about the core; the first fluid comprising a crude oil having a total acid number greater than 1, and the second fluid comprising a basic solution having a pH greater than 8.
US08857453B2	Motor-operated umbrella The structure of the motor-operated umbrella is made to degrease rotation damage caused by a motor and to be light weight of the umbrella for using easily by a hand.A planetary gear mechanism consists of a sun gear, planetary gears and an internal gear that is arranged at border position between an upper middle shaft and a lower middle shaft, a lower end of a driving shaft inside the lower middle shaft is connecting to a motor rotating axle through a thrust bearing for transmitting a rotation of a motor, an upper end of the driving shaft is fixed to the sun gear, the outer cylinder is fitted with a cylindrical male thread is fixed to the internal gear, a male thread cover pipe is fitted with a supporting rib holder and an inner peripheral surface of the supporting rib holder is formed with a cylindrical female thread.
US08857451B2	Device to remove snow from large vehicles An article of manufacture suitable for cleaning the top of a vehicle, comprising: at least one blower: and a support for said blower, wherein said support positions the blower to blow snow or debris from the top of a vehicle. This invention improves on prior art by using blowers to remove snow from large vehicles.
US08857450B2	Dishwasher and base tray for said dishwasher A dishwasher includes a washing compartment having a boundary wall with a base, spray devices inside the washing compartment, and a hydraulic circuit with a distributor which subdivides a washing liquor flow into two partial flows which are each routed to the spray devices, wherein the distributor is integrated in the base.
US08857448B2	Tunnel washer system with improved cleaning efficiency A tunnel washer that includes fluid exhaust paths that are optimized to minimize fluid transfer between chambers of the washer and minimize heat loss from each chamber of the washer. The fluid exhaust paths also facilitate uniform vapor evacuation from each chamber of the washer. The tunnel washer also includes spaced-apart double wall curtains for isolating chambers of the tunnel washer to prevent fluid and heat transfer therebetween, and to the exterior of the tunnel washer. The double wall curtains include surfaces that inhibit the curtains from sticking together during operation of the tunnel washer. The tunnel washer also includes an air manifold that provides uniform drying efficiency for articles of varying dimensions.
US08857447B2	Hair treatment apparatus with cover for control elements An apparatus for styling hair includes a handle frame, a treatment segment extending from the handle frame for applying treatment to hair of a subject, at least one control member disposed on the handle frame and a cover mounted to the handle frame. The cover is adapted to transition between an open position permitting access to the at least one control member and a closed position substantially enclosing the at least one control member, thereby protecting the at least one control member from moisture, hair treatment agents and/or contaminants. The cover may be dimensioned and adapted to be releasably secured in the closed position through magnetic or other mechanisms/methodologies.
US08857444B2	Bi-directional multiple-layer pull-in cigar holder A bi-directional multiple-layer pull-in cigar holder comprises a receiving body mounted on extension tubes which are adapted for adjusting the length of the holder, such that the cigar holder has an extension structure without affecting its appearance, improving the appearance integrity. In addition, with the arrangement of the big-area elastic retaining rings, a right resistance can be offered, improving the assembly convenience while reducing the assembly cost.
US08857443B2	Method and arrangement for selecting an IOL and/or the surgical parameters within the framework of the IOL implantation on the eye Selection of an appropriate intraocular lens (IOL) and/or the applicable surgical parameters for optimizing the results of refractive procedures on the eye. Features of the IOL are crucial for the selection and/or adjustment of the optimal IOL, but so is the IOL selection method (and parameters) from a surgical perspective. For the method, corresponding output parameters are determined from predetermined, estimated, or measured input parameters and/or their mean values, wherein at least two input parameters are varied with one another and which have at least one input parameter as a distribution function. The resulting function is optimized by means of corresponding target values and the determined distribution function of one or more output parameters is used as a decision aid. The present solution is used for selecting an appropriate IOL and/or the applicable surgical parameters and is applicable in the field of eye surgery for implanting IOLs.
US08857442B1	High lip-line smile corrective surgical method A high lip-line smile corrective surgical method. A first incision is made above a mucogingival junction to define a first edge. A second incision is made on attached gingiva above a gum line to define a second edge. Lift a section defined by the first and second incisions and remove the section with a micro scalp without affecting or contacting periosteum. Separate elevator muscles of the upper lip attached to the upper alveolar ridge with angulated gingevectomy scissors in reverse motion with release of tension so that the first and second edges meet. Seal the first and second edges with suture, individual stitches, or polypropylene; and cauterize the sealed the first and second edges.
US08857441B2	Biological tissue transfer method and biological tissue treatment method The present application relates to a biological tissue transfer method for transferring a biological target tissue within the body, the method comprising: (a) attaching part of a first traction member to a first position which is different from a connecting position at which the target tissue is connected to other biological tissue; (b) attaching part of a second traction member to a second position which serves as the apex of a triangle formed together with the connecting position and the first position that surrounds the target site; (c) extending the first traction member in the direction from the connecting position to the first position, and extending the second traction member in the direction from the connecting position to the second position; and (d) transferring the target tissue within the body by applying traction on the first traction member and the second traction member respectively.
US08857437B2	Prophylactic device and methods of use A prophylactic device having a base substrate for adhering to a glans of a penis, and a reservoir cap having a reservoir and a flange for adhering to the base substrate. The base substrate may be a thin polyurethane film coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive for adhering to the skin of the glans. The flange of the reservoir cap has a pressure-sensitive adhesive for adhering to the base substrate. A security ring is also provided for adhering to and covering the junction of the bottom edge of the flange and base.
US08857435B2	Patient interface assembly with conduits on each side of the head A patient interface assembly that includes a first conduit, a second conduit, and a patient interface coupled to the first conduit and the second conduit. The first and second conduits each include a first end that is disposed proximate to a top of a head of a user, and a second end that is disposed proximate to an airway of such a user when the patient interface assembly is being worn by the user. The first and second conduits also each include a central portion that extends along the sides of a face between the user's eye and an ear a head strap is coupled between the first and second conduit, and a patient interface is coupled to the second ends of the first and second conduits.
US08857430B2	Ventilatory assistance for treatment of cardiac failure and cheyne-stokes breathing Method and apparatus for the treatment of cardiac failure, Cheyne Stokes breathing or central sleep apnea are disclosed. A subject is provided with ventilatory support Respiratory airflow is determined. From the respiratory airflow are derived a measure of instantaneous ventilation and a measure of longterm average ventilation. A target ventilation is taken as 95% of the longterm average ventilation. The instantaneous ventilation is fed as the input signal to a clipped integral controller, with the target ventilation as the reference signal. The output of the controller determines the degree of ventilatory support. A third measure of ventilation, for example instantaneous ventilation low pass filtered with a time constant of 5 seconds, is calculated. Ventilatory support is in phase with the subject's respiratory airflow to the fuzzy extent that this ventilation is above target, and at a preset rate conversely.
US08857429B2	Drug delivery and monitoring system for a ventilator An automated drug delivery and monitoring system for use on mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit is presented. Medication in the form of respirable particles is transported through ventilator circuitry by a delivery unit. Multiple medications may be delivered into the gas flow of the ventilator, with each medication delivered in a defined dose for a frequency and interval as specified by an operator. The particles mixed into the gas flow of the ventilator are inhaled and ingested by the patient's lungs.
US08857423B2	Jet type gas cooker A jet type gas cooker includes a burner head having a mixing chamber therewithin, wherein a grid element is disposed at a bottom side of the mixing chamber of the burner head; a flame controller seated on top of the burner head; a fuel gas pipe extended to the bottom side of the burner head for ejecting fuel gas into the mixing chamber; and a gas flow disturbing mixer supported within the mixing chamber of the burner head for mixing the fuel gas with air to form a combustion gas within the mixing chamber.
US08857419B2	Pet ball launcher with tuned scoop fingers The invention relates to a novel pet ball launcher which uses a friction fit, scoop edges, and tuned tines or “fingers” which control the release of the ball and thus arc and distance thereof. Embodiments include a pivot hinged handle for added launch inertia, and a thumb latch to prevent hinging motion for fixed and controlled distanced ball launching.
US08857418B2	Method for preparing internal combustion engine for shutdown to achieve clean restart A method for preparing an internal combustion (IC) engine component of a hybrid automotive powertrain for shutdown so as to enable clean restart is disclosed herein. The method includes determining if the IC engine is about to enter a shutdown mode. The method includes determining a number of engine run cycles to fill an intake manifold of the IC engine with clean air, if it is determined the IC engine is about to enter the shutdown mode. The method includes running the IC engine for the determined number of cycles to fill the intake manifold of the IC engine with clean air before shutting the IC engine down.
US08857416B2	Connection box with a charge air cooling arrangement of an internal combustion engine In a charge air supply arrangement of an internal combustion engine with two stage charging in a combination with first and second charge air coolers, a double connection box is provided with a guide structure including a separation wall defining a lower guide area with a lower connection to the first charge air cooler disposed directly below the double connection box and an upper guide area with an upper connection to the second charge air cooler disposed directly on top of the double connection box. Also, in an internal combustion engine with such a charge air cooling arrangement, the charge air cooler arrangement is arranged on top of the engine.
US08857414B2	Vehicle fuel supply system There are provided a flange mounted in the upper opening of a fuel tank; a fuel pump that takes in a fuel in the fuel tank through a strainer, boosts the pressure of the fuel, and discharges the fuel; a high-pressure filter that filters a fuel that has been discharged from the fuel pump; and a pressure regulator that maintains within a predetermined range the pressure of a fuel that has been filtered by the high-pressure filter. At the bottom portion of the fuel pump including the vapor discharge outlet, there is provided a member that prevents a fuel in the fuel tank from flowing into the pump flow path where the pressure of the fuel is boosted, when pressure loss of the strainer increases.
US08857411B2	Piston engine, method and use The present invention relates to a method for operating a piston engine, more preferably of a motor vehicle, with a fresh air system for feeding fresh air to cylinders of the piston engine and with an exhaust system for discharging exhaust gas from the cylinders, wherein during a gas exchange by a positive pressure wave on the fresh air side the charging of the respective cylinder with fresh air and/or by a negative pressure wave on the exhaust gas side the discharging of exhaust gas from the respective cylinder is supported.An increased variability is obtained if the respective pressure wave is generated by at least one electroacoustic converter.
US08857410B2	Fuel management system for variable ethanol octane enhancement of gasoline engines Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency or the engine.
US08857407B2	Operation device for engine There is the operation device for an engine. An operation device for an engine performs a throttle operation of the engine which is disposed apart from an operation unit operated by an operator. The operation device includes: a link member rotatable with respect to a base in response to an operation of the operation unit; a cam member fixed to the base, and disposed at a distance from the center of rotation of the link member, the distance changing continuously according to the angular position of the cam member around the center of rotation; a cam follower connected to the link member and configured to along the cam member; and a throttle drive member for connecting the cam follower to a throttle operation unit of the engine.
US08857406B2	Internal combustion engine, with gasoline direct injection, having a system for variable actuation of the intake valves An electronic control means of an engine controls a system for the variable actuation of intake valves and for controlling gasoline injection into the combustion chamber. To the electronic control means there are associated memory means. The electronic means are programmed for detecting a value of a crank angle at which the intake valve is closed, controlling the end of the injection with an anticipation with respect to the closing of the intake valve controlling the start of the injection substantially according to said crank angle limit value, and regulating the injection pressure to a value which is defined as a function of the injection time to guarantee the injection of a predefined amount of gasoline.
US08857398B2	Coupling device and fresh air system A coupling device may include a first cylindrical connecting body and a second cylindrical connecting body having a retaining ring rotatably mounted thereon and moveable between a locking position and an unlocking position. A detent device may have at least one detent formed on the retaining ring and at least one counter detent formed on the second cylindrical connecting body with which the detent interlocks upon reaching the locking position. The detent may have a detent arm arranged on the retaining ring and configured to be spring-elastic in the radial direction. The counter detent may have a detent opening which is formed in a collar enclosing the retaining ring and in which the detent arm radially engages upon reaching the locking position so as to be supported on an edge of the detent opening in order to be rotatably secured in the circumferential direction.
US08857395B2	Valve timing control apparatus A valve timing control apparatus includes a driving-side rotation member, a driven-side rotation member, a fluid chamber, an advanced angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber, a fluid control valve portion controlling supply and discharge of fluid relative to each of the advanced angle chamber and the retarded angle chamber, an accumulator accumulating a portion of fluid supplied to the fluid control valve portion from a pump at a fluid storage portion during an operation of an internal combustion engine and supplying fluid accumulated at the fluid storage portion to the fluid control valve portion at a start of the internal combustion engine, and a supply flow passage connecting the pump, the fluid control valve portion, and the accumulator in series. The accumulator includes a relief control valve portion configured to maintain a pressure of fluid accumulated at the fluid storage portion equal to or smaller than a predetermined value.
US08857392B2	Camshaft adjusting device for a motor vehicle engine In a motor vehicle camshaft adjusting device which comprises an open- and/or closed-loop control unit for adjusting the camshaft phase position in a normal operating mode to a temporarily intermittently constant phase position, the open- and/or closed loop control unit has an engine start operating mode in which the camshaft phase position is advanced during opening of the valve so as to provide a valve opening angle range which is smaller than a geometric normal opening angle range based on a crankshaft angle range.
US08857391B2	Controller for variable valve actuation device A controller for a variable valve actuation device is provided. The controller prevents the startability of an internal combustion engine from being degraded. An electronic controller (91) performs a phase advancing control at engine starting to advance valve timing (VT) by oil pressure of an phase advancing chamber (37) and oil pressure of a phase retarding chamber (38) provided in a phase changing mechanism (30) if a residual oil amount (Q) is greater than or equal to a reference oil amount (QA) at engine starting. In addition, when the valve timing (VT) reaches an intermediate angular phase (VTmdl), the valve timing (VT) is held in the intermediate angular phase (VTmdl) by oil pressure of the phase changing mechanism (30).
US08857389B2	Internal combustion engine and backlash adjusting device of cam driving gear mechanism An internal combustion engine includes, among other things, a backlash adjusting device. An eccentric supporting shaft is disposed in an internal combustion engine so as to be able to be fixed at a predetermined rotational angle position about a central axis. The shaft adjusts an amount of clearance between a pair of gears, and is fitted over a base shaft fixed to the internal combustion engine such that the central axis of the eccentric supporting shaft coincides with an axis of the base shaft. An adjusting portion allows an inner circumference of the eccentric shaft to be fitted over an outer circumference of the base shaft at a predetermined rotational angle position. A fixing portion is configured to fix the eccentric supporting shaft to the base shaft.
US08857388B2	Valve open/close timing control system Provided is a valve open/close timing control system where a valve open/close timing control device includes a drive-side rotating member, a driven-side rotating member, a relative rotational phase control mechanism, and a first locking member, in which the internal combustion engine is configured to be started by a drive force generated by a traveling motor or by a drive force generated by a starter motor, and the valve open/close timing control system also includes a control unit which is configured, for starting the internal combustion engine while changing the relative rotational phase at the time of starting the internal combustion engine, to drive the starter motor or the traveling motor at the time of starting the internal combustion engine at the first locking phase, and to drive the traveling motor at the time of starting the internal combustion engine at the second locking phase.
US08857386B2	Internal combustion engine with liquid cooling Example embodiments for reducing thermal load in one or more exhaust gas lines are provided. One embodiment includes an internal combustion engine with liquid cooling, comprising at least one exhaust gas line, at least one coolant jacket, and a common boundary wall separating the at least one exhaust gas line and the at least one coolant jacket, wherein the common boundary wall includes a surface structure provided on sides of the coolant jacket in at least one locally limited region. In this way, the surface structure on the sides of the coolant jacket may increase heat transfer to reduce thermal loading.
US08857381B2	Process and system for controlling effective compression ratios in an engine cylinder The present disclosure is directed at the control of an effective compression ratio setting in an engine which may use a variety of fuels or fuel blends. The effective compression ratio may be selected based upon information from a fuel sensor and stored information regarding the detected fuel composition. The effective compression ratio may be adjusted for a selected cylinder by intake or exhaust valve timing.
US08857380B2	Veterinarian collars The invention provides a veterinarian collar in the form of a truncated cone that address the drawbacks of conventional cone-shaped collars. Alternatives are described for forming the collar from a single piece of plastics sheet.
US08857379B2	Rope connecting device and method A rope connecting device has a breakaway feature enabling a user to practice roping and to retrieve the rope without having to walk to a lassoed object. The device includes a stem with a first hook formed at one end, and a second hook formed at the other end. The hooks each have a small gap separating respective free ends of the hooks from the stem. During use, a portion of the rope is passed through the first hook, and another portion of the rope is passed the through the second hook. With sufficient force applied to the rope, the rope breaks free from the device. in which one of the hooks opens allowing the rope to separate from the device, thereby releasing the rope from the lassoed object. The device can be reused by reattaching the portion of the rope to the hook that was released.
US08857378B2	Device for treating animals, comprising a tray which is suitable to be trod upon by the animals A device (1) for performing a cleaning and/or disinfecting treatment on body parts of animals comprises a treatment zone (2) which is adapted to receive the animals to be treated; means (6) for guiding the animals through the treatment zone (2) in a defined walking direction; a treatment tray (3) which is suitable for containing a quantity of cleaning and/or disinfecting liquid, which is located at ground level in the treatment zone (2), in a horizontal operational position, and which is therefore suitable to be trod upon by the animals; and means (7) for tilting the treatment tray (3) and thereby allowing liquid from the treatment tray (3) to drain off from the treatment tray (3) to an area which is located outside of areas which are located in front of the device (1) and behind the device (1) as seen in the walking direction. In this device (1), contamination of a walking path of the animals to be treated is avoided.
US08857375B1	Quick disposable cat litter A litter box system comprises an imitation bed of loose cat litter that includes a layer of actual cat litter granules bonded to a sheet of flexible material. In some examples, the relative thicknesses of the sheet of material and the layer of cat litter is such that the imitation bed of loose cat litter has substantial urine holding capacity yet remains sufficiently flexible. In some examples, the sheet of material includes an image of loose cat litter underneath the bonded layer of cat litter so that if some of the cat litter layer is scratched off, the imitation bed will still appear to be fully covered with cat litter granules. In some examples, the sheet of material includes integrally formed bumps that resemble cat litter granules.
US08857371B2	Apparatus for generating dielectric barrier discharge gas An apparatus for generating a dielectric-barrier discharge gas including a high-energy radical gas, at a high density and with high efficiency. A flat-plate-like first electrode and a flat-plate-like second electrode are arranged in opposite positions, and a dielectric body is arranged between the two electrodes. A discharge space is located between the first electrode and the dielectric body, within a gap between the first electrode and the dielectric body. The discharge space has three sides which are gas shielded and a fourth side which opens to end surfaces of the first electrode and the dielectric body. A cooling section cools at least the first electrode and a gas supply section supplies a raw material gas to the discharge space part. A dielectric-barrier discharge is generated in the discharge space part by applying an AC voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08857368B2	Aircraft location system for locating aircraft in water environments A method and apparatus for an aircraft location system comprising an aircraft structure and a number of acoustic reflectors associated with the aircraft structure. The number of acoustic reflectors is configured to generate first sound signals in response to receiving second sound signals.
US08857364B2	Wakesurfing boat and hull for a wakesurfing boat A wakesurfing boat and a hull for a wakesurfing boat. The hull includes a bottom having a preselected length extending from a bow to a stern. The bottom includes a central ridge and port and starboard ridges extending below respective port and starboard bulwarks to define a substantially M-shaped bottom with concave portions to port and starboard of the central ridge. Port and starboard sponsons extend below the port and starboard bulwarks proximate the stern. A trim wedge projects below the stern. Two rounded stern portions are provided proximate the stern. In a dynamic surfing mode, with selectively-fillable ballast tanks partially or fully flooded, water flowing through the port and starboard concave portions, combined with the ballast, increases resistance to the hull, resulting in a larger wake wave. Water passing around the structural features proximate the stern is directed toward a convergent zone in the wake, resulting in an improved wake wave shape.
US08857363B2	Hydrofoil arrangement The invention relates to a hydrofoil arrangement for a hydrofoil craft with at least one fully submerged lifting wing. The hydrofoil arrangement includes at least two struts pivotally arranged on the hydrofoil craft with each strut being connected to a lifting wing. The struts are arranged with their centers of effort of hydrodynamic forces behind the pivot axes of the struts during forward travel of the hydrofoil craft. They are arranged to pivot relative to the hydrofoil craft when the hydrofoil craft experiences a disturbance in roll-angle. This results in a transversal movement of the hydrofoil craft relative to the water surface during forward travel. The hydrofoil arrangement also increases the roll- stability for a hydrofoil craft.
US08857361B2	System, method, and apparatus for storing and deploying auxiliary vessels An approach is provided for storing secondary maritime vessels to primary maritime vessels. A first signal is caused, at least in part, to be received to actuate a drive mechanism configured to cause, at least in part, a secondary vessel to be moored in a first state to a primary vessel. The drive mechanism is caused, at least in part, to be actuated in a first direction based on the first signal, wherein causing, at least in part, the drive mechanism to be actuated in the first direction is configured to cause, at least in part, a drawing mechanism to draw the secondary vessel towards the primary vessel and configured to cause, at least in part, a lifting mechanism to raise the secondary vessel from a substantially horizontal plane to the first state.
US08857349B2	Table A table may be sized and configured to nest with one or more adjacent tables to reduce a height of the table in a nested configuration. The table may include a table top constructed from molded plastic and the table top may include a receiving portion sized and configured to receive an engaging portion of a frame of an adjacent table in the nested configuration. The table may also include a metal frame connected to the table top and the frame may include an engaging portion sized and configured to be disposed in a receiving portion of an adjacent table in the nested configuration. If desired, an outer surface of the engaging portion may be visible and exposed in the recess in the lip.
US08857347B1	Foldable hanging table A foldable hanging table hung on a construction structural body with a leaning top surface comprises a table panel, a suspension assembly and a folding assembly. The suspension assembly includes a support rack hinged by the table panel and at least one suspension arm connecting to the support rack and straddling the construction structural body to lean on the leaning top surface. The folding assembly includes a swivel frame hinged on the table panel and a driven member hinged respectively on the support rack and swivel frame. The driven member includes at least one holding portion to confine the swivel frame from swiveling against the table panel and at least one driving portion connected to the holding portion and operable to make the holding portion separate from the swivel frame so that the swivel frame can swivel, thereby make folding easier and increase the support of the table panel.

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