| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07651507B2 |
Tissue processing system
A tissue processing system includes a series of blades arranged in parallel to form a tissue processor. The blades may be adjusted to create a spaced between each blade in the range of 250-1000 microns. A slicer is included to remove a donor tissue to be processed by the processor. The processor is rotatable 90 degrees so as to create uniform micrografts of tissue for transplanting to a recipient site. An extractor is included to remove tissue particles from the processor after they have been cut into an appropriate size. A cutting block may be provided to ensure uniform thickness of cuts of the donor tissue. |
| US07651503B1 |
Endocardial lead cutting apparatus
The invention provides an apparatus for cutting an endocardial lead within a patient. The apparatus includes a tubular member and a tension member disposed therein. The tension member includes a distal end and a proximal end. A blade is affixed to the distal end of the tension member and an adjustment mechanism is adapted to adjust the tension member and blade between an extended position and a retracted position. The adjustment mechanism includes a female member, a male member and an anchor. The anchor is affixed to the proximal end of the tension member and the male member. Insertion and withdrawal of the male member within the female member moves the tension member and the blade between the extended position and the retracted position. An alternate embodiment includes a capture mechanism or guide wire for drawing the apparatus and lead closer together before extending the blade and cutting the lead. |
| US07651502B2 |
Spinal fixation tool set and method for rod reduction and fastener insertion
A tool for implantation of a rod into a bone screw implanted in a human spine includes a guide member having a laterally opening channel disposed along an entire length thereof for side loading and receiving an implant fastener. A rod pushing member and a handle with a laterally opening channel are coaxial with the guide member, with the rod pushing member being rotatingly mateable to the guide member and the handle having a spring attachment mechanism for attaching the handle to the guide member. The guide member includes spring tabs for attachment to a bone screw, the tabs biased away from the bone screw. The rod pushing member includes a sleeve that extends substantially about the guide member, pressing the spring tabs toward the bone screw and into apertures on the bone screw arms. The rod pushing member sleeve also operatively functions as a rod pusher that abuts a rod as the sleeve is translated along the guide member and toward the bone screw. The handle lateral opening receives and supports a manipulation tool for inserting and installing an implant fastener for attaching the rod to the bone screw. |
| US07651501B2 |
Instrument for use in minimally invasive hip surgery
An instrument for hip arthroplasty having an impaction body attached to an end of a main body. The impaction body is positionable inside a patient's hip and has an axis coaxial with an impaction axis. A leading end of the impaction body is configured to selectively engage an acetabular shell for use during impaction of the shell into an acetabulum. An arm extends from the main body and has a guide ring at an end thereof. The guide ring has an axis coaxial with the impaction axis. A trocar is inserted through the guide ring and along the impaction axis to make a path through underlying soft tissue for insertion of an impacting instrument. A rotatable handle on the main body indicates whether the main body is in a proper position in either a right or left hip. |
| US07651500B2 |
Ligament tensing device with displaceable lug
A ligament tensing device (1) for activating a ligament and/or capsule system during implantation of a joint implant, comprising a base body (2) having a first lug (3) with a distal bearing surface (4) resting upon a first bone, and a second lug (7) resting upon a second bone with a proximal bearing surface (10) thereof. The second lug (7) is displaceable in an anterior-posterior and/or medial-lateral direction parallel to the first lug (3). |
| US07651499B2 |
Working channel for minimally invasive spine surgery
A working channel for spinal surgery includes a body having a distal end, a proximal end and an interior lumen traversing through the elongate body. The elongate body generally has a parallelogram-shaped cross-section. Another working channel for spinal surgery includes a flared upper section having a distal end, a proximal end and an interior lumen traversing through the flared upper section. The proximal end of the flared upper section is wider than the distal end of the flared upper section. The working channel also includes a lower section extending from the distal end of the flared upper section. The lower section has a distal end, a proximal end and an interior lumen traversing through the lower section. The lower section generally has a parallelogram-shaped cross-section. |
| US07651497B2 |
Segmentable plate with locking element
The present invention is directed to (1) a plating system having multiple and single locking mechanisms for general skeletal use other than in the anterior cervical spine; (2) an orthopedic plating system that permits a pair of bone screws to be inserted into a bone in a crossed over orientation and locked to the plate; (3) a segmentable plating system which can be made to a selected length by the surgeon; and (4) a combination screw-lock-plating system for allowing and/or causing intersegmental compression of bone portions. |
| US07651496B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for percutaneous implant delivery
A method for treating the spine. A guidewire is advanced through the skin of a patient along a percutaneous path to a target location of a vertebra. An implant is advanced over the guidewire to the target location of the vertebra. The implant is coupled with the vertebra at the target location. An elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end is advanced until the distal end is adjacent the target location, the elongate body having an inner surface defining a passage extending therethrough. A procedure is performed at the target location. |
| US07651494B2 |
Fluid-assisted medical device
The invention provides a medical device that includes a housing, a tubular member extending from the distal end of the housing, a first arm extending from the distal end of the tubular member, the first arm including a first electrode, a second arm extending from the distal end of the tubular member, the second arm including a second electrode and being disposed coaxially with the first arm, at least one solution infusion opening on each electrode, and a solution delivery channel for delivery of a conductive solution to the solution infusion openings. According to the invention, at least one of the first arm or the second arm is translationally moveable, and at least one of the first arm or the second arm is adapted to be coupled to a source of radiofrequency energy. The invention also provides a corresponding method for treating blood vessels or other tissues of the body. |
| US07651492B2 |
Arc based adaptive control system for an electrosurgical unit
A system and method for performing electrosurgical procedures are disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue in form of one or more electrosurgical waveforms having a crest factor and a duty cycle. The system also includes sensor circuitry adapted to measure impedance and to obtain one or more measured impedance signals. The sensor circuitry is further adapted to generate one or more arc detection signals upon detecting an arcing condition§. The system further includes a controller adapted to generate one or more target control signals as a function of the measured impedance signals and to adjust output of the electrosurgical generator based on the arc detection signal. An electrosurgical instrument is also included having one or more active electrodes adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue. |
| US07651483B2 |
Injection port
An attachment mechanism for a surgically implantable medical device includes one or more fasteners which may be simultaneously moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position by operation of an integral actuator. The attachment mechanism may be configured to be deactuated, and the fasteners simultaneously moved from a deployed position to an undeployed position, allowing removal or repositioning of the medical device. An applier includes a locator for detachably holding the implantable medical device, locating it at the desired position, and actuating the attachment mechanism. The applier is configured to undeploy the attachment mechanism the implantable medical device can be detached from the body tissue. |
| US07651481B2 |
Self-sealing male connector device with collapsible body
A self-sealing male connector device for connection with a female Luer connector. The device has an elongated male body configured with lengthwise relatively rigid and flexible wall segments cooperating to allow the body to be radially compressed from an expanded configuration to a contracted configuration. A closure cap formed with a resealable aperture is disposed on the distal end of the male body so as to be responsive to the compression of the male body. The relatively flexible wall segments may be installed within notches in the male body or be formed integral with the relatively rigid wall segments. |
| US07651479B2 |
Medical line securement device
A securement device includes a simply-structured retention mechanism that permits a portion of a catheter hub or a similar medical article to be easily anchored to a patient, without the use of tape or needles and suturing. A unitary retainer desirably includes a base defining a locator mechanism. The locator mechanism interacts with a fitting of the medical device so as to position the medical device relative to the retainer. The locator mechanism also desirably guides the medical device fining into contact with an adhesive member mounted on an outer surface of the retainer. In one form, the locator mechanism includes one or more posts that engage mating holes defined in the medical device fitting. In other forms, the locator mechanism includes a cradle defining an arcuate channel to receive a convex surface of the medical device, or a recess shaped to matingly receive the fitting. |
| US07651478B2 |
Surgical access device with floating gel seal
A trocar is provided with a cannula and a housing and valve assembly disposed in the housing which forms a housing seal, and instrument seal, and in some cases a zero seal. A gel material is included in the valve and provides the valve with superior flotation properties for maintaining the instrument seal even when the instrument is moved off-axis. In order to accommodate movement of the gel material, voids can be formed within the valve housing and even within the gel material. |
| US07651476B2 |
Protective clips
Protective needle clips of the type having an arm and a body section for blocking a needle tip of a needle and for securing onto the needle are discussed herein. The body section has a free end, a fixed end, is generally arcuate, and has a resilient force capable axially expanding the body section when the free end is fixed behind a ledge to create a bias in the body section. A pair of openings on the body section is adapted to received a hypodermic needle. When the tip of the needle moves proximal of a shielding section on the protective clip, the free end disengages from the ledge and causes the body section to axially expand. The expansion changes the orientation of the openings relative to the needle to permit the openings to engage the needle. |
| US07651471B2 |
Encapsulated medical device and method of examining, curing, and treating internal region of body cavity using encapsulated medical device
An encapsulated medical device is passed through the lumen of a body cavity in order to examine, cure, or treat an internal region of the body cavity under the control of the extracorporeal device. A capsule body has a linkage hole bored in the extended portion thereof so that when the capsule body comes into close contact with the internal surface of a body cavity to block the lumen thereof, the linkage hole will realize a fluid passage which allows a fluid such as a gas or humor to flow into the forward and backward parts of the lumen. |
| US07651467B2 |
Dilation devices and methods for removing tissue specimens
The invention provides devices and methods for use in removing tissue samples from within a patient's body. The devices include instruments having shafts for cutting a path to a tissue mass, and an inflatable balloon or balloons attached to the shaft effective to dilate the path upon inflation in order to aid in the removal of tissue masses from within the body of a patient. The devices also include instruments having dilation plates that may be inserted into a path leading to a tissue mass to be removed, and the plates separated effective to dilate the path to aid in the removal of tissue masses. Methods include inserting a device into a path leading to a tissue mass, and inflating a balloon or separating plates, thereby widening the path, and removing the tissue mass. Such devices and methods find use, for example, in biopsy and in lumpectomy procedures. |
| US07651465B1 |
Methods and apparatus for performing minimally invasive surgery
A device for expanding an elongate opening formed in a skin layer of a patient includes a first arm for engaging one side of the opening and a second arm for engaging the other side of the opening. The device further includes a spreader mechanism, coupled to at least one of the first and second arms, to move the at least one of the first and second arms to widen the opening. The at least one arm is configured to move between a retracted position in which the at least one arm is positioned next to the other arm and an extended position in which the at least one arm is extended to expand the opening. Other embodiments of the device as well as methods for performing a medical procedure are further disclosed. |
| US07651461B2 |
Cardiac support with metallic structure
A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole. |
| US07651459B2 |
Method and apparatus for coil positioning for TMS studies
A device provides simple positioning of the patient's head and simple positioning of the TMS coil relative to a coordinate system of the patient's head once the head is positioned. The TMS coil is fixed at a treatment position in the coordinate system of the patient's head and the position in the coordinate system is recorded for use in subsequent clinical sessions. A positioner assembly supports the weight of the TMS coil and allows the operator to freely move the TMS coil to search for the patient's motor threshold position (MTP) and/or the treatment position (TXP). If the TXP is in registration with the MTP, once the MTP is determined, the positioner assembly requires only a single adjustment of the magnet position to locate the TXP where the coil is locked in place for the duration of the TMS therapy. By recording the positions of the different adjustable components in the respective coordinate directions of the coordinate system of the patient's head, exact repositioning of the TMS coil for the patient during a subsequent clinical visit is made possible without use of expensive imaging equipment. |
| US07651457B2 |
Expandable processing and expression chamber
A flexible processing and/or expressor chamber for a biological cell processing apparatus is provided which may include a first side and a second side and having a expandable wall, wherein a first end of the expandable wall is attached to a circumference of the first side of the flexible chamber and a second end of the expandable wall is attached to a circumference of the second side of the flexible chamber. Either or both sides of the chamber may include an axial opening. |
| US07651455B2 |
Method for making paper dunnage
Dunnage making machine and method in which a web of paper is drawn across a forming bar with curved end sections to roll the edge portions of the paper, then drawn through a first throat section to urge the rolled edge portions toward each other and cause them to gather, and thereafter through a second throat section of lesser dimension than the first to gather the central portion of the paper and further gather the edge portions. The gathered paper is then pressed with a roller to crumple it, following which the crumpled paper is perforated along a serrated tear line. |
| US07651454B2 |
Braille printing device
Device for printing Braille characters on cardboard blanks travelling in a folder-gluer along a substantially planar path, the device comprising rotary embossing tools carried by two respective parallel shafts rotatably mounted above and below of the plane of said path and operable for printing Braille characters on their blanks during their run through the folder-gluer. The tools are supported on shafts and the tools are adjustable axially and angularly with respect to each other. |
| US07651453B2 |
Automatic chuck jaw change system in combined machining lathe
In an automatic chuck jaw change system, a combined machining lathe capable of positioning with high precision and a robot with lower positioning precision than the combined machining lathe cooperate to automatically change a chuck jaw. The system includes a robot disposed in front of the combined machining lathe, and the robot can be selectively mounted on a front end of an arm thereof with a work hand for operating a work, a chuck jaw, and a nut runner hand for operating a drive mechanism of the chuck. The robot cooperates with a tool for jaw mounted on a tool spindle of the combined machining lathe to automatically change a chuck jaw of a main spindle. |
| US07651449B1 |
Dip stand
A dip stand intended for use as a home strength training machine to perform dips such as chest dips and tricep dips. The stand is made of rigid tubing formed as a continuous loop. The loop includes a pair of generally parallel base segments to be supported on a floor surface, each of the base segments having a first end and a second end; and a pair of arches extending upwardly from the base segments, one of the arches extending upwardly from the first ends of the base segments and the other of the arches extending upwardly from the second ends of the base segments. Each of the arches includes an upper generally horizontal grip segment. |
| US07651445B1 |
Elliptical trainer
An elliptical trainer has a base, a flywheel, two four-bar linkages and two handles. The base has a bottom frame and a support mounted on the bottom frame. The four-bar linkages are mounted pivotally on the support and each four-bar linkage has a front link, a rear link, an upper coupler and a lower link. The handle assemblies are mounted pivotally on the support and pivotally connected respectively to the four-bar linkages. Because the four-bar linkages and the handle assemblies are structured compact and simple, fabrication, carrying and maintenance of the elliptical trainer are convenient. |
| US07651439B2 |
Method for controlling skip down shift of automatic transmission for vehicle
Disclosed is a method for controlling a skip down shift of an automatic transmission including a clutch to one-way clutch mechanism, a primary shift portion and a secondary shift portion by synchronizing the secondary shift portion to a target shift-speed through an engine torque reduction control. |
| US07651438B2 |
Vehicle with engine control system
A vehicle, such as a motorcycle, which has an engine control system that is configured to reduce an output of the engine upon a determination that a shifting of the transmission, without a corresponding disengagement of the clutch, is likely to occur. In one arrangement, the vehicle includes a controller that is configured such that if a release rate of the accelerator, calculated on the basis of signals from an accelerator position sensor, has been equal to or larger than a threshold value for a period of time, and other conditions have been met, it is determined that snapping of the accelerator by the operator has been performed. The snapping is a release of the accelerator that is predicted to be accompanied by a transmission shift without disengagement of the clutch. In response to the snapping determination, the engine output is reduced for a reduction duration, such as by retarding the ignition timing, after the elapse of a predetermined stand-by time. |
| US07651431B2 |
10-speed transmission
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide ten forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets, six torque-transmitting devices, and four fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish ten forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. |
| US07651428B1 |
Device for actuating a reciprocating recovery means for underground fluid
A device for actuating a reciprocating recovery apparatus for recovery of underground fluid. The actuating device has a centrally aligned input component, that transversely receives an output component through a central aperture, and is engaged with a driving mechanism. Torque is increased about the central output component as a series of axially aligned, but centrally offset, lobes push a corresponding driver disc around the central output at reduced velocity and increased torque. Each driver disc moves in eccentric fashion, yet remains engaged with a corresponding, centrally aligned take off member, each of which is further in combination with the central output component. |
| US07651425B2 |
Vehicular power transmitting apparatus
A case in which a vehicular power transmitting apparatus is stored, has: an annular support portion which surrounds an outer periphery of a planetary gear set and supports a fixed element from among a plurality of gears and a carrier of the planetary gear set; an outer peripheral wall portion that surrounds the annular support portion; a flange portion that forms a mounting surface on an outer portion of the outer peripheral wall portion; and a dividing wall portion which extends to the outside from the annular support portion toward the outer peripheral wall portion and the flange portion, and which forms the flange portion and the mounting surface and divides spaces within the case. A joining portion, in which a fastening hole to which the fastening member is joined and whose axis passes through the dividing wall portion is formed, is integrally formed with the dividing wall portion. |
| US07651423B2 |
Variable speed drive device for bicycle
A front variable speed drive device is configured and arranged to electrically operate driving of a front derailleur by a shift cable. The front variable speed drive device comprises a case member, a motor drive mechanism, and a cable linking portion. The case member is mounted on a hanger portion of a bicycle frame. The motor drive mechanism is mounted on the case member, and has a revolving shaft. The cable linking portion has a retaining portion configured and arranged to retain a first end of the shift cable. The cable linking portion is rotatably mounted on the revolving shaft, and has a hypothetical arm line extending in the direction perpendicular to the shift cable from the center of rotation with a length of the hypothetical arm line changing depending on the rotation phase. Thus, motor torque required for shifting gears is reduced with a simple structure. |
| US07651422B2 |
Shift control system in belt-type continuously variable transmission
When a speed of a vehicle is less than 8 km/h, an upshift determination condition is established, an idle switch signal is turned off, and a downshift is detected, an operating speed of the step motor is limited. Thereby, since the operating speed of the step motor is limited even when the vehicle is rapidly decelerated and re-accelerated before a pulley ratio is returned to a lowest value Lo, a shift speed of the downshift performed in the re-acceleration is lowered, and no slippage occurs in a V-belt between pulleys. |
| US07651421B2 |
Arrow insert apparatus
The present specification describes novel arrow inserts and arrow systems that may be used for archery. One aspect of the novel arrow inserts relates to two or more separated contact portions or fit rings. The use of at least two fit rings contacting an inside diameter of an arrow shaft at a spaced interval provides better alignment of the arrow insert, and thus an arrow point, with the arrow shaft. The novel arrow inserts may be formed with a lip to limit insertion into the arrow shaft, or without a lip. Inserts without a lip may allow the insert to be fully inserted into the arrow shaft. The inserts may be sized to fit snugly into any arrow shaft, including reduced diameter hunter arrows described herein. The inserts may also be sized to accommodate standard arrow point assemblies, half-out arrow point assemblies, or smaller diameter arrow point assemblies. |
| US07651413B1 |
Golf club head of heterogeneous metals
The present invention provides a golf club head of heterogeneous metals, which includes a main body having a front side forming a fitting cavity to which a striking face plate made of a metal having a specific weight less than nine is fit and a bottom side which is enclosed by a sole member made of a metal having a specific weight great than twelve to thereby lower the gravity center of the club head to ensure stability of ball striking and also reduce the area on which welding operation is carried out so as to effectively reduce the manufacturing costs. |
| US07651410B2 |
Golf club head
A golf club head that includes: a pedestal composed of at least two ribs each having convex portions at both ends and formed on an inner face of the head; a metal weight disposed on the ribs; and a weld bead extending on a surface of the weight between the convex portions, the weight being fixed on the inner face of the head by the weld bead. |
| US07651408B2 |
Method and apparatus for elastic tailoring of golf club impact
A method and apparatus for beneficially controlling the impact between a club head and a golf ball are described. A golf club head (such as on a driver, iron, or putter) has a body and a face mechanically supported thereon, wherein the face and body are elastically tailored to create beneficial face motion and deformation at impact. The tailored clubhead compliance is shown to influence impact properties and resulting ball parameters such as speed, direction and spin rates resulting from the impact event between the face of the club and the golf ball. Several embodiments are presented for controlling ball spin through design of the elastic and dynamic response of the face and body under impact loading. |
| US07651407B2 |
Golf club interchanging connection structure (II)
A golf club interchanging connection structure for interchanging a club head and a shaft includes a tube seat, a club sleeve, a positioning mechanism, a screw, and a tapered gasket. The tube seat in the club head includes a tapered slot. The club sleeve placed in the tube seat has one end being fixed with the shaft and the other end being configured into a tapered shape and having a nut hole. The club sleeve has at least one positioning slot on its exterior. The positioning mechanism placed into the club head includes at least one positioning block corresponding to the positioning slot for positioning and fixing the club sleeve. The screw is screwed with the nut hole of the club sleeve, so as to lock the club sleeve. The tapered gasket is placed between the tapered end of the club sleeve and the tapered slot of the tube seat. |
| US07651403B2 |
Method of selecting golf club
A golf club selecting method includes measuring a behavior of a golf club during a golf swing performed with the golf club gripped and selecting a golf club in accordance with the golf swing. At first, a swing information for characterizing the behavior of the gold club during the golf swing performed with the golf club gripped is acquired. Then a golf club is selected in accordance with the golf swing based on the acquired swing information, wherein the acquired swing information contains a movement speed at each of a plurality of predetermined positions which are different from each other on a golf club shaft axis of the golf club, and the movement speed is a speed in an impact state immediately before a golf ball is hit with the golf club. |
| US07651402B2 |
Retractable protector member for bowling lane approach section
The present invention relates to a bowling game system in which a play is possible without changing into bowling shoes. A bowling game system 1 includes: an approach 10 for allowing a player to carry out a bowling action; a lane 11 extending from the approach 10 and on which a ball bowled by the player rolls; a plurality of pins 12 arranged and placed on an end of the lane 11 opposite a side of the approach 10; trough-like gutters 13 provided paralleling both sides of the lane 11 to receive a ball slipping off the lane 11; a protection member 20, formed in a sheet-like shape, for covering a bowling action zone, the protection member 20 being laid in the bowling action zone of the player, the bowling action zone being on a top surface of the approach 10; and a protection-member installing mechanism 30 configured with a wind-in device 31 for winding in and collecting the protection member 20 in a retracting position outside the bowling action zone and a withdrawing device 34 for withdrawing the protection member 20 from the wind-in device 31 to a position covering the bowling action zone. |
| US07651401B2 |
Self-attaching female fastener elements and method of forming same
The method of forming self-attaching female fasteners by rolling a continuous metal strip including a central pilot portion having parallel sides and flange portions on opposed sides, severing at least the pilot portion and cold forming the rectangular pilot portion into a cylindrical end portion. Wing-shaped radial portions are formed in the pilot portion which may be severed or remain for anti-rotation features. The strip may remain continuous, wherein the severed pilot portions are spread and the flange portions are thinned or the strip may be severed into discrete fasteners. The female fasteners thus include generally cylindrical pilot portions and rectangular flange portions which may include rolled grooves. |
| US07651398B2 |
Toy vehicle raceways
Toy raceways and finish line apparatuses for toy raceways are disclosed. Toy raceways may include a plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments, a starting apparatus, and a finish line apparatus. The plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments may be configured to foldably transition between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments may be aligned to provide a multilane toy raceway, which may have a first end and a second end. In the second configuration, the plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments may produce a stack of folded track segments. The starting apparatus may be disposed proximate the first end of the toy raceway, and the finish line apparatus may be disposed proximate the second end of the toy raceway. |
| US07651397B2 |
Game device, program, information storage medium, game device control method, game distribution method, and game distribution device
To provide a game device capable of selecting game data to be played by a player when playing a game in a straightforward manner. One or a plurality of primary play candidate data names are selected from secondary play candidate data containing one or a plurality of items of game data and names for this game data. A primary play candidate data file configured so as to contain primary play candidate data name information necessary for displaying the selected primary play candidate name(s) is stored in a storage media. One or a plurality of primary play candidate data names is then displayed based on the stored primary play candidate data name information. One or a plurality of the displayed primary play candidate data names is selected as one or a plurality of play target data names. A game can then be controlled based on game data for the selected play target data name(s). |
| US07651395B2 |
Video game with venture capital funding voting
The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for obtaining funding for developing game environments. Methods and systems include a variety of funding sources including taxes, fees, licenses, bond issuance, loans, investors, commercial paper, convertible debt, bills, notes, debt issuance, promissory notes, venture capital, the issuance of private shares, transforming the game environment into a public company through an initial public offering, or through a follow on offering such as the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, or treasury stock. In one embodiment the disclosure provides methods and systems for allowing members of a Venture Capital entity to vote on whether or not to fund a given venture. |
| US07651394B2 |
Randomly awarded progressive jackpots
The invention is a method and a device for adding a bonus prize component to wagering games such as those played in gambling casinos. A player obtaining a predetermined combination in the underlying game wins the bonus prize. This might be a predetermined combination of playing cards in a card game or a predetermined combination on the reels of a slot machine. The bonus prize may require a separate side wager to qualify. The bonus prize is randomly chosen from a group of bonus prizes that includes an incrementing jackpot. The device for practicing the method includes a prize wheel that is spun to randomly choose the bonus prize, and an incrementing device with attached jackpot display for generating and showing the current amount of the incrementing jackpot. Upon winning the incrementing jackpot, the incrementing stops and the player wins the current amount shown on the display. The incrementing jackpot is subsequently reset and the incrementing resumed. |
| US07651393B2 |
Gaming machine
When a player starts playing a game by operating a MAXBET button (e.g. when the bet count is 30 bets) and determined that the currently owned credit count is insufficient to the credit count required for the MAX bet, the current game rate set in a slot machine (the credit count per bet required for betting) is changed to a lower game rate. |
| US07651389B2 |
Exhaust smoke-processing system
An exhaust smoke processing system comprises air preheater for heating combustion air by exhaust smoke discharged from a boiler, a heat recoverer for heating a heat medium by exhaust smoke discharged from the air preheater, a dust collector for collecting soot and dust in exhaust smoke discharged from the heat recoverer, a wet-type exhaust smoke processing apparatus for processing exhaust smoke discharged from the dust collector, a reheater for heating exhaust smoke discharged from the wet-type exhaust smoke processing apparatus by the heat medium, and a heat medium circulation pipe passage for circulating the heating medium between the reheater and the heat recoverer. the system measures a heavy metal concentration in the exhaust smoke and adjusts the temperature of exhaust smoke at an outlet of the heat recoverer such that the measured value falls within a predetermined range. |
| US07651388B2 |
Portioning apparatus and method
Portioning system (10) includes a conveyor (12) for conveying work products (14) past a scanner (16). A data processor (22) receives the scanning data and generates a thickness and/or volume distribution of the work product. The processor is programmed to determine in advance how the work product may be portioned into a plurality of desired end products, and more specifically how one or more of the end products may be cut and then subsequently sliced without having to re-scan the cut portion. The processor controls a cutting device (18) for portioning the work product under the cutting strategy determined by the processor, and also controls a slicing device (20) for subsequently slicing one or more of the cut portions to achieve a desired thickness per the determined cutting strategy. |
| US07651383B2 |
Method of lapping gears
The present invention provides a controllable gear lapping process whereby the lapping process may be modified at discrete locations on the tooth surface in order to selectively modify the tooth flank surface. |
| US07651382B2 |
Electrical interconnection devices incorporating redundant contact points for reducing capacitive stubs and improved signal integrity
An electrical interconnection device for establishing redundant contacts between the ends of two conductive elements to be mated, creating a electrical interconnection without capacitive stubs. |
| US07651378B2 |
Electrical card connector with guide member
An electrical card connector for receiving at least two different cards, comprises: an insulative housing; a plurality of contacts received in the housing; an L-shaped shell assembled on the housing defining a receiving space for receiving the card; and a guide member assembled on the shell with a spring plate extending into the receiving space. When an L-shaped electrical card inserts into the connector, it could be keep in the connector steadily because of the friction between the card and the spring plate. |
| US07651368B2 |
Appliance with an adapter to simultaneously couple multiple consumer electronic devices
A modular system comprises an appliance and an adapter configured to simultaneously couple two consumer electronic devices to the appliance and to supply at least one service between the appliance and the consumer electronic devices. The appliance can comprise a refrigeration appliance and the adapter can couple the consumer electronic devices to a door of the refrigeration appliance. The service can comprise mechanical, power, or data communication. |
| US07651364B2 |
Circuit board assembly with light emitting element
A circuit board assembly includes a circuit board having opposing first and second surfaces each extending between at least one edge surface that intersects the first and second surfaces. A light emitting element is mounted directly over the edge surface of the circuit board. |
| US07651358B2 |
Pin grid array socket having a base with interior standoffs and hightening peripheral walls
A socket connector is provided for securely mounting an electronic device (1000) on a printed circuit board, said socket connector comprises an insulatve base (60) and heightened perimeter walls (606) upward extending therefrom to define an inner cavity. The top surface (602) of the inner cavity comprises a plural of passageways (608) in which a plural of contacts (70) hold. Furthermore, there are a plural of standoffs (610) between the adjacent passageways (608) co-worked with the heightened perimeter walls (606) for effectively preventing a cover (90) from deformation. |
| US07651357B2 |
IC socket
An IC socket comprises an insulative housing having a plurality of periphery walls and a cover pivotally assembled to one end of the insulative housing and adapted to be locked to the insulative housing at the other end. The cover includes a plurality of peripheral edges. The cover also has a plurality of spring arms upwardly extending therefrom and disposed at the edges. |
| US07651351B2 |
Card connector with a card insertion guide
A card connector includes an electrically insulative frame base, which defines a card insertion space and a sliding slot at one side of the card insertion space, a metal shielding cover, which covers the card insertion space and has an elongated guide hole corresponding to the sliding slot, a slide slidably mounted in the sliding slot, an elastic member connected between the slide and the rear side of the electrically insulative frame base, a guide rod fastened to the rear side of the electrically insulative frame base to guide movement of the slide along the sliding slot, and a limiter member fastened to the slide and movable along the elongated guide hole of the metal shielding cover for guiding an electronic card into the card insertion space and holding the inserted electronic card in positive contact with respective metal terminals in the electrically insulative frame base. |
| US07651349B2 |
Electrical connector having a sliding plate capable of vertical and horizontal movement
An electrical connector (1) comprises an insulative housing (2), an sliding plate (3) positioned on the insulative housing (2), a plurality of contacts (9) positioned in the insulative housing (2) and each having a portion interconnected to the sliding plate (3), a slant guiding portion (313) and a shaft (25) positioned on the slant guiding portion (313) to make the sliding plate (3) to move in the vertical direction when the sliding plate (3) is urged to move in the horizontal direction. |
| US07651345B2 |
Electronic apparatus in which an conductive layer on an outer surface of a housing is electrically connected to a conductive member in the housing
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a conductive layer provided on an outer surface of a housing, a conductive member provided inside the housing, and a connecting component attached to the housing. The housing is provided with a through hole which causes the inside of the housing to communicate with the outside. The connecting component has conductivity, and is provided with a major diameter section and a minor diameter section. The major diameter section is formed larger than the through hole, is opposed to the conductive layer from outside the housing, and is electrically connected to the conductive layer. The minor diameter section is formed smaller than the through hole, is inserted in the through hole to reach the inside of the housing, and is electrically connected to the conductive member. |
| US07651344B2 |
Power connector carrying larger current
A power connector comprises an insulative housing (1), a first and a second conductive terminals (3, 4) arranged in the housing, each terminal comprising a main body (31, 41), a plurality of resilient contact arms (32, 42) extending forwardly from the main body. The resilient contact arms (32, 42) of the first and the second conductive terminals respectively form an outer circle and an inner circle, and the conductive terminals (3, 4) are made of metal plate with electrical conductivity higher than 30% IACS. |
| US07651336B2 |
High speed, direct path, stair-step, electronic connectors with improved signal integrity characteristics and methods for their manufacture
An electrical connector comprised of a plurality of electrical contacts arranged in a stair-step configuration designed to mate with electrical components having electrical contacts arranged in a stair-step configuration. A direct connect signaling system comprised of stair-step electrical connectors mated to stair-step printed circuit boards, other stair-step electrical components, or combinations thereof. |
| US07651335B2 |
Receptacle RF connector having interferential engagement between contact terminal and housing
A receptacle RF connector (100) includes an inner conductor (2) having an unsealed tubular section (20) having retention walls (23, 24) configured to extend into a body of a dielectric block (1). Thus, the conductor is securely held within the dielectric block by the engagement of the retention walls and the retention slots (11, 12) so as to avoid the un-stable assembly of the conductor and the dielectric block of the prior art. |
| US07651330B2 |
Rotary valve arranged in a multi-gas cooker
Cooking appliance (1A,1B) having an external and control panel (2,2′) equipped with one or more regulating valves, where the rotary regulator organ (6) is equipped with various peripheral openings (16-19) for supplying a flow Q. According to two embodiments (1A, 1B) of the cooking appliance, for the supply of one or another type of gas, NG or LPG, either the control knob (9) or a bezel disk (22) in the external panel (2) are interchangeable on the appliance, being chosen between two different available units, one and the other permitting two different angular position limits A2, A3 of the regulator organ (6) for the supply of a constant flow Qmin through one or another opening (18,19) with calibrated sections, respectively for NG or LP gas. An appendix (14) in the control knob (9) guided in a slide groove (20) on the control panel (2) of the appliance, or a tongue (24) on the bezel disk stopping the rotation of the control knob, determines the travel limit A2 for the supply of Qmin of NG. |
| US07651329B2 |
Exhaust gas processing device, and method of using the same
In an exhaust gas processing device wherein in order to efficiently outwardly discharge heat at high temperatures of about 90-150° C. released from a GGH reheater during the shutdown of a desulfurizer, to prevent damage to equipment and corrosion preventive lining material, and to ensure long-term stabilized use of the exhaust gas processing device, at least a GGH heat recovery unit, an absorption tower, a mist eliminator (M/E), and the GGH reheater are placed in a duct for exhaust gases discharged from a fire furnace, in the order named as seen from the upstream side of a flow of exhaust gases, an exhaust gas duct between the M/E and the reheater is provided with a heat radiation device or the like having a heat suppression function for suppressing dissipated heat from the reheater. |
| US07651328B2 |
Process and apparatus for artificially ageing blocks
An apparatus for the artificial ageing of blocks, in particular concrete blocks, clinker bricks and natural stone blocks, has a base on which the blocks can be placed in such a way that their surfaces to be treated and the adjoining edges are exposed. Essentially freely movable striking bodies are used for treating the surfaces and the adjoining edges of the blocks. A vibrating device sets the blocks and the striking bodies in motion relative to one another in such a way that the striking bodies act on the surfaces and the exposed edges of the blocks. In this case, the striking bodies are movably fastened to a retaining device in such a way that the striking bodies are freely movable within a defined region of the surface of the blocks. |
| US07651327B2 |
Production line for producing sheets based on hydraulic binder and method of manufacturing the same
A production line for producing sheets based on hydraulic binder, the production line including in an upstream zone of the production line, marking device for marking a facing material of the preform with a mark; in a downstream zone of the production line, detecting device for detecting the mark made by the marking device; a cutting device; and an actuating device for actuating said cutting device after receiving a detection signal from the detection device. |
| US07651326B2 |
Calibrating plate for an extrusion die for producing plastic profiles
The invention relates to a calibrating plate for an extrusion die for producing plastic profiles, comprising a substantially plate-shaped basic body (21), in which an opening (22) for guiding and calibrating the plastic profile (23) to be produced is provided, with at least one insert part (1) made of a material with high hardness being inserted into the basic body (21), which insert part comprises at least one holding section (2) and a shaping section (3), with both the holding section (2) as well as the shaping section (3) being formed partly as cylindrical surfaces with generatrices parallel to the extrusion axis (6), and with the insert part (1) being held in the axial direction in the plate-shaped basic body (21) by a delimiting stop (5). A longer service life and a simpler adjustment can be achieved in such a way that the holding section (2) comprises a groove (4) which extends in the direction of extrusion (6a), and that the delimitation stop (5) is arranged at one end of the groove (4), which stop protrudes from the groove (4). |
| US07651325B1 |
Vacuum cleaner fan
In a vacuum cleaner blower (1) consisting of an electric drive motor (2) and a support cage (10) for receiving the structural modules of the drive motor such as stator pack (6), rotor (7) and brush holders (8) including carbon brushes (9) as well as an at least single stage blower unit driven by the motor including a deflector (11), impeller (12) and suction hood (4), the deflector being formed as a support cage lid including a bearing seat for the rotor (7) and the support cage (10) being formed for a mounting direction (C) of its structural modules in the axial direction of the blower and for direct contacting and the brush holder (8) of the carbon brushes being provided adjacent to the upper side (B) of the support cage which also faces the deflector (11). Because of this specialty, all structural modules essential for the electric motor aggregate such as stator pack, rotor, rotor bearing as well as brush holder including carbon brushes may for the completion of the suction blower be successively and fully automatically be inserted and secured in their proper disposition into the support cage (10), without additional fastening elements, in a preferred assembly and mounting direction (C). During mounting direct contacting of the electrical connectors of the stator (6) and carbon brushes (9) or brush holders (8) takes place as well without changing the assembly direction. |
| US07651324B2 |
Diaphragm pump
A diaphragm pump for pumping a fluid includes a diaphragm and a driver. The diaphragm has a first surface and a second surface. The driver includes a support portion and is connected to the diaphragm via the support portion. The driver is reciprocated to deform the diaphragm thereby performing a pumping action. The support portion includes a first supporting surface for supporting the first surface and a second supporting surface for supporting the second surface. The support portion allows the diaphragm to slidingly move along an interval between the first and second supporting surfaces when the diaphragm is deformed. |
| US07651323B2 |
Smart control valve for compressors
Disclosed herein is a smart control valve for compressors that is capable of easily accomplishing compression and communication in a compression chamber of a cylinder, without performing the repetitive on/off operation of the compressor, to change the capacity of the compressor. The smart control valve comprises a valve body mounted on a cylinder including refrigerant inlet and outlet ports, a valve inlet port formed at the valve body and communicating with the refrigerant inlet port of the cylinder, a valve outlet port formed at the valve body and communicating with the refrigerant outlet port of the cylinder, an actuating groove disposed under the valve inlet port and the valve outlet port of the valve body, and an actuator disposed in the actuating groove for performing a linear reciprocating movement in the actuating groove as a solenoid is operated. |
| US07651316B2 |
Conveying member, especially rotor or stator, for conveying a flowable, preferably gaseous medium
A conveying member, especially a rotor or stator, for conveying a flowable, preferably gaseous medium, comprises a plurality of blades (S1-S7) arranged following each other with a circumferential distance in a circumferential direction (U) around a central axis (A). Either a first circumferential distance (a) or a second circumferential distance (b) differing from the first circumferential distance (a) is provided between a blade and a respective blade following it in the circumferential direction (U) in a group of blades directly following each other in a circumferential direction (U), which the group comprises at least some of the blades (S1-S7). The first circumferential distance (a) is provided between at least two blades (S1-S7) located directly adjacent to one another, and the second circumferential distance is provided between at least two blades (S1-S7) located directly adjacent to one another. |
| US07651314B2 |
High-speed stacker
A high-speed stacker preferably includes dual stacking arms configured to operate complementary to one another. Most preferably, an electronic control system is provided to enable precise control over the speed and positioning of the stacker arms in both horizontal and vertical orientations. Linear motion devices (such as hydraulic cylinders, screw drive linear actuators, or other devices) can be used to position the arms horizontally and vertically in response to instructions from the electronic control system. In operation, the electronic control system preferably controls the speed and ramping of the stacker arms to repeatedly move courses of material from a feed system to a stacking area at a rapid rate with little maintenance. The high-speed stacker can also be configured to operate fewer than all of the stacker arms to facilitate faster stacking of smaller courses of material. |
| US07651312B2 |
Truck with tilting deck
A truck includes a chassis 1 supporting a cab 3 and a deck 9 which is supported at least by a rearmost axle 15 and wheels 17. The deck 9 is tiltable relative to the chassis 1 about a pivot axis 27 located in front of the rearmost axle 15 of the truck and arranged such that as the deck 9 tilts rearwardly, the chassis 1 tilts forwardly and the deck 9 lowers towards the rearmost axle. A forward part of a rear suspension arrangement may be operatively connected to the chassis 1 so that the forward part moves upwardly towards the deck 9 as the deck 9 is tilted. |
| US07651311B2 |
Substrate container opener and opener-side door drive mechanism thereof
In this invention, a movable body movable in forward and backward directions and a connector fixed to an opener-side door are connected with each other by link members so as to constitute a parallel link mechanism, such that they can be angularly displaced relative to each other. Link member angular displacement means controls the angular displacement of each link member relative to the movable body to be in a predetermined angular position, corresponding to the position of the movable body along the forward and backward directions. Reciprocation of the movable body in the forward and backward directions by movable body drive means moves the opener-side door in the forward and backward directions as well as in the upward and downward directions, thereby opening an opener-side opening. Since the movable body is moved only in the forward and backward directions, and necessity of moving and guiding the movable body in the upward and downward directions can be eliminated, the substrate container opener can be downsized, and a space provided below a FOUP supporting portion can be utilized effectively. |
| US07651310B2 |
System for singling and transferring objects, and transfer device used in the system
A system for singling and transferring objects comprises an inlet area and an outlet area for objects from the system, transfer means for transferring such objects comprising containment members, and retrieval means for retrieving and depositing such objects in the containment members. The transfer means may be actuated, in use, independently of the retrieval means so as to transfer one or more objects to the outlet area. |
| US07651301B2 |
Drilling head, method of soil improvement work and apparatus thereof
A method of soil improvement work drills the ground with a drilling head arranged at a lower end of a rotary shaft and sends the rotary shaft into the ground. The method mixes pressurized water with compressed air on the ground, to prepare a fluid mixture, feeds the fluid mixture through a feed path arranged along the rotary shaft into an ejector arranged on the drilling head, and ejects the fluid mixture from the ejector toward the ground to drill. An envelope defined by a front end of the drilling head has a conical shape. |
| US07651294B2 |
Soil stabilization method
A method of use of a composition for soil stabilization is disclosed. The composition comprises a solution of soluble sodium silicate applied at the disclosed application rate to improve the load bearing capacity for a roadway. The method of the invention addresses the application of the disclosed composition to maximize stabilization of road beds. |
| US07651290B2 |
Device with pull tab activation
A fluid-containing pouch is presented including a top layer having an outer surface; a bottom layer attached to the top layer and forming a cavity therebetween; an opening in the top layer allowing fluid communication between the cavity and the outer surface; a seal removably attached to the outer surface and sealing the opening; and a pull tab affixed to and overlying the seal. A cleaning device is also presented including a base layer; a wipe layer attached to the base layer to form an interior space therebetween, and; a pouch positioned within the interior space, the pouch having a top layer, a bottom layer attached to the top layer to form a cavity therebetween, an opening in one of the top and bottom layers, a seal affixed to the pouch and sealing the opening, and a pull tab affixed to and overlying the seal. |
| US07651289B2 |
Writing instrument
An adjustable pencil for varying the pressure on a piece of lead includes a cylindrical barrel, and a guide tube containing a piece of lead disposed in the barrel. A coil spring, a rectangular channel with a plurality of stops and a follower compresses the spring for increasing or decreasing the longitudinal force applied to the lead as it engages a writing surface. A knob rotates the guide tube to open or close a pair of jaw like grips for maintaining a pre-selected length of lead extending from the tip of the pencil. |
| US07651286B2 |
Method arrangement and computer software for the printing of a separator sheet by means of an electrophotographic printer or copier
In a method or system for printing a separator sheet with a printer or copier, with aid of a first program module, at least first data are generated that contain at least information for formatting of elements of at least one separator sheet, the elements to be printed on a register tab of the at least one separator sheet. The first data are processed with aid of a second program module so that second data are generated which print data for generation of a print image on the register tab are added to a print data stream. At least the register tab of the one separator sheet is printed with a print image by the printer or copier. |
| US07651279B2 |
Optical-electrical transmission connector, optical-electrical transmission device and electronic device
An optical-electrical transmission connector having resistance to optical axis misalignment, having small loss, easily increasing the number of buses, and capable of being formed of a commonly-used material is provided. In a male connector, one collimating lens facing the other collimating lens when connecting the male connector to a female connector is arranged, and a light guide is arranged corresponding to the focal point of the one collimating lens. A positioning section is arranged corresponding to surroundings of the one collimating lens, and the positioning section has one inclined surface coming into contact with the other inclined surface when connecting the male connector to the female connector. |
| US07651278B2 |
Modular fiber optic connector system
An optical fiber interconnection system with a small number of modular components that can be configured for simple construction in many configurations. The system includes connector housings. Optical fibers are installed into the housings on ferrule carriers. The housings are brought together in adapters. Different styles of adapters are available for different applications, such as panel or backplane configurations. However, the same housing and ferrule carriers can be used in any style of adapter. Also, different ferrule carriers are provided for single fiber ferrules and multi-fiber ferrules. Either style of ferrule carrier can be used in a housing and adapter. A ferrule carrier for single fiber ferrules can be modified to provide fine alignment features with the addition of a cap, allowing the same style ferrule carrier to be used in both halves of a mated connector assembly. |
| US07651277B2 |
Connector and receptacle containing a physical security feature
A network comprising: (a) a plurality of different receptacles for facilitating an optical connection to different information networks requiring different access authorization, each different receptacle coupled to one and only one different information network, each receptacle having an inner surface with a first geometry, the first geometry comprising at least a slot, a certain number of receptacles having different first geometries in which the slots are in different positions; and (b) a plurality of different plugs for coupling with the different receptacles, each plug having a second geometry, the second geometry comprising at least a key in a certain position, the certain number of plugs having different second geometries in which the keys are in different positions, each different first geometry corresponding to one and only one second geometry such that the plugs and receptacles of corresponding first and second geometries are mating pairs. |
| US07651276B2 |
Bearing unit
In a bearing unit for a drive shaft mounted cantilevered in a housing by means of two rolling bearings and having a driving bevel gear wherein the drive shaft is mounted in the drive housing via a bearing bush and the bearing bush is axially supported at one end by a bearing bush support part and the rolling bearings are supported in the bearing bush spaced from the one end thereof so that, during heating, the bearing bush expands inwardly toward the driving bevel gear mounted on the shaft whereas the drive housing expands outwardly away from the driving bevel gear, the gear drive housing and the bearing bush consist of a light metal alloy and the bearing bush support part consists of an iron material. |
| US07651268B2 |
Method and testing equipment for LEDs and laser diodes
The present invention is a non-invasive method and associated apparatus for determining the junction temperature for an LED or laser diode (collectively “LED”). First a sample LED is placed in a heat chamber and the change of the LED's peak wavelength is recorded over time, as is the change in the temperature in the heat chamber. Since the heat chamber supplies the major component to the junction temperature, dwarfing the other components, it is a reasonable proxy for true junction temperature. The data is compiled to determine change of peak wavelength as a function of temperature and that function can then be used to determine junction temperature of similar LEDs that are installed in a system or manufactured. The invention may also be used to measure other useful data, such as power, output power changing with the junction temperature and intensity of the LED over time and may be used to estimate failure rate. |
| US07651265B2 |
Infrared clinical thermometer
The present invention discloses an infrared clinical thermometer, which can measure both the forehead and ear temperatures, wherein after moving the temperature sensing unit close to an intended site, the user can obtain the temperature of the intended site via merely pressing the forehead or ear temperature button. |
| US07651261B2 |
System and method for thermal inspection of parts
A method of thermal inspection of a part having at least one internal cavity is provided. The method includes flowing a fluid through the at least one internal cavity. The method also includes measuring a temperature at one or more locations on the part over time. The method further includes calculating at least one of a first and a second derivative of the temperature with respect to time. The method also includes comparing at least one of the first or the second derivative to one or more baseline values to determine if the part meets a desired specification. |
| US07651258B2 |
Backlight assembly and flat panel display apparatus having the same
In a backlight assembly and a flat panel display apparatus, the backlight assembly has a diffusing plate, a supporting member and a reflecting plate. The supporting member has a base body portion, a supporting portion supporting the diffusing plate and a lamp holder receiving lamps to uniformly maintain spaced intervals between the lamps. The base body portion is disposed under the reflecting plate. The supporting portion and the lamp holder are inserted through engaging openings formed at the reflecting plate such that the supporting portion and the lamp holder are upwardly protruded with respect to the reflecting plate. Accordingly, the backlight assembly may reduce an area of the reflecting plate covered by the supporting member, thereby providing the light having uniform brightness distribution. |
| US07651257B2 |
Backlight assembly and display device having the same
In a backlight assembly and a display device having the same, a receiving container includes a bottom plate and sidewalls adjacent to the edges of the bottom plate. A molded frame includes a first plate surrounding the sidewalls and a second plate connected to a side of the first plate. A second plate is substantially parallel with the bottom plate. A lamp assembly includes a lamp cover received in the receiving container and a lamp received in the lamp cover. An optical module is interposed between the molded frame and the receiving container to improve optical characteristics of a light generated from the lamp. A fixing member is combined with fixing portions of the receiving container, the molded frame and the lamp assembly to fix the receiving container, the lamp cover and the molded frame to one another. As a result, the manufacturing process can be simplified and mechanical strength improved. |
| US07651255B2 |
Light source apparatus for electronic endoscope and electronic endoscope having the light source apparatus
A light source apparatus for an electronic endoscope includes a light source; a rotary shutter including a pair of aperture controlling rotary plates; a first planetary gear mechanism including a first internal tooth gear, a first sun gear rotated with one aperture controlling rotary plate, and a first planet gear engaged with the first internal tooth gear and the first sun gear; a second planetary gear mechanism including a second internal tooth gear, a second sun gear rotated with the other aperture controlling rotary plate, and a second planet gear engaged with the second internal tooth gear and the second sun gear; and a carrier device which holds the first and second planet gears. An endless timing belt is installed on an output gear of a phase-difference motor and an input tooth portion of the second internal tooth gear, and includes a meshing portion. |
| US07651254B2 |
Microchip matrix light source module
A microchip matrix light source module includes at least two LEDs formed on a surface of a substrate. The light source further includes a light reflector formed on a surface upon which the LEDs are formed and interposed between the LEDs and configured to reflect and thereby redirect laterally emitted light from the two LEDs. The light reflector may include an inner body. The body may be covered, in part or in whole, with a light reflecting layer such as a metal layer. The body of the light reflector may include a layer corresponding to a layer in one of the two LEDs. |
| US07651253B2 |
Heat exchange enhancement
A heat exchange structure includes elongated air ducts. Each air duct has a first opening and a second opening at two ends of the air duct to allow air to enter and exit the air duct, respectively. The heat exchange structure includes an exterior heat exchange surface and interior heat exchange surfaces, in which the exterior heat exchange surface is configured to receive thermal energy from heat generators that are mounted on the exterior heat exchange surface, and the exterior heat exchange surface dissipates a portion of the thermal energy received from the heat generators and transfers another portion of the thermal energy to the interior heat exchange surfaces. The interior heat exchange surfaces are in the elongated air ducts and configured to exchange thermal energy with air flowing in the air ducts, enhancing air flow in the air ducts by buoyancy of heated air. |
| US07651252B2 |
Headlamp having LED light sources
Provided is a lamp unit using light-emitting-diode (LED) light sources, more particularly, a lamp unit using LED light sources which can generate a low beam and a high beam using LED light sources. The lamp unit includes a first LED light source unit which includes a first row of LED light sources; a second LED light source unit which includes a second row of LED light sources that is disposed below the first row of LED light sources; and a reflection plate which comprises a reflection surface that projects a low beam or a high beam upon turning on or off the first or second LED light source unit. |
| US07651245B2 |
LED light fixture with internal power supply
The invention provides a light fixture that includes a light engine, a rugged housing, and an internal power module that is thermally isolated. The light fixture includes several novel heat management features designed to thermally isolate the power supply in order to reduce the risk of failure and thereby increase the reliability of the light fixture. The light engine includes groups of light modules, each having a light emitting diode (LED) and a zener diode. The power module resides within a rear receptacle of the housing and includes a power supply, a box, and a cover that enclose the power supply. The housing also includes an arrangement of external fins that dissipate heat generated by the light engine. During operation, heat is generated by the light modules, namely the LEDs, and then is transferred along a flow path through a main body portion of the housing and the fins for dissipation to ambient without negatively impacting the power supply. |
| US07651244B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus having the same
It is provided an electro-optical device including an electro-optical panel having a display area on which light from a light source is incident and an optical thin film disposed on the electro-optical panel at the side on which the light is incident and covering at least a portion of the display area. The optical thin film transmits at least a light component in a first wavelength range of the light from the light source and reflects at least a light component in a second wavelength range, wavelength in the second wavelength range being longer than wavelength in the first wavelength range. |
| US07651239B2 |
Intrinsically safe flashlight
An intrinsically safe flashlight (100) includes a housing (100), a battery receiving region (108), an active electrical circuit (202), and a light source (118). The active electrical circuit (202) uses energy from batteries (110) received in the batter receiving region (110) of the flashlight (100) to power the light source (118). The electrical circuitry of the flashlight (110) is energy limited so that the flashlight is intrinsically safe for use in hazardous locations. |
| US07651234B2 |
Backlight assembly and liquid crystal display having the same
A backlight assembly for a liquid crystal display device is disclosed with high efficiency and high brightness. The backlight assembly includes a light source in which a first light emitting diode and a second light emitting diode are combined, a board where the light source is mounted, and optical sheets arranged in front of the light source. By alternately arranging a front emitting type LED and a side emitting type LED in various structures, high efficiency and high brightness may be obtained using a small number of light emitting diodes. |
| US07651229B1 |
Mirror assembly with flexible neck
A mirror assembly including a mirror, a base and a flexible neck connecting the mirror and the base such that the neck can be manually manipulated to adjust the position of the base and the mirror relative to each other. The mirror assembly further includes a light source located on or adjacent to the mirror, and a power-source receiving receptacle located in the base, wherein the power-source receptacle cavity is electrically coupled to the light source. |
| US07651228B2 |
Interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle
An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a variable reflectance element, an information display and a control for adjusting the luminous intensity of information displayed by the information display. The information display comprises backlighting by a of light emitting diodes. The control is responsive to a light level sensed by at least one light sensor disposed at the mirror assembly, and the control may adjust the luminous intensity of information displayed by the information display, preferably to provide a luminous intensity in a range extending from at least about 750 candelas/sq. meter during a daytime condition to less than about 100 candelas/sq. meter during a nighttime condition. The control adjusts the luminous intensity by use of pulse-width modulation. |
| US07651227B2 |
Projection system and method including spatial light modulator and compact diffractive optics
A method and apparatus for a projection display system includes a spatial light modulator and a volume illumination hologram. The spatial light modulator comprises a digital micromirror device, and the projection system includes a laser light source to produce a sequence of collimated, colored, light beams for the illumination hologram. Waste light produced by the spatial light modulator is transmitted to the illumination hologram, and the illumination hologram emits waste light from at least one of its edges. Waste light emitted from an edge of the illumination hologram is absorbed by a light sensor to control the intensity of the light beams. A projection focusing element is mounted proximate a side of the illumination hologram to focus the image beam from the spatial light modulator for viewing. A projection hologram is interposed between the side of the illumination hologram and the projection focusing element to manage waste light. |
| US07651226B2 |
Light masking for a segmented display system
A segmented display system in which the display devices are arranged in a N×1 array is described. The segmented display system includes a plurality of projection devices that each project a portion of an image on a corresponding one of the display devices in the N×1 array. Distortion from extra light is minimized using a moveable mask around each projection device lens in the N×1 array. |
| US07651224B2 |
Dynamic visual vestibular acuity testing protocol
A compact neuro-otologic testing device and method provides an image producing laser with a right hand, servo controlled galvanometric based XY interface. The high quality closed loop servo control system that can drive the target (i.e. the laser image) in excess of 1,000,000 degrees/second2 and at velocities in excess of 12000 degrees/second. The bandwidth of the XY interface is greater than 400 Hz, providing high image reproducibility. The repeatability and position accuracy of the target is +−3 arc-seconds and the field of range of the XY interface are about 60 degrees (i.e. about 60 degrees horizontal and 60 degrees vertical). |
| US07651222B2 |
Eye muscle trainer
An eye muscle trainer has an outer casing, a control circuit module, a first light emitting unit set, two second light emitting unit sets, two third light emitting unit sets and an eye frame. The outer casing is opaque and has a rear opening. The light emitting unit sets are mounted on the control circuit module. The first light emitting unit set is for focusing user's vision. The second light emitting unit sets are for focusing user's vision on seeing straightly. The third light emitting units are for focusing the user's vision on seeing outwardly. The eye frame accommodates the rear opening of the outer casing. Therefore, wearing the eye muscle trainer releases eyestrain because watching the light emitting unit sets arranged at different position exercises the user's eyes. Consequently, appropriate releasing eyestrain assists improving eyesight. |
| US07651221B2 |
Method and device for working the edges of spectacle lenses
For machining lenses by a CNC lens cutting machine, relevant data in regard to eyes, spectacle frame, and lenses are entered in the computer that compares the optical data of lenses and frame openings. When the lens is too small, it is moved by calculation relative to the shape of the frame edge until it is completely within the lens. The computer checks whether the carried-out movement is within given tolerances and, if not, the lenses are rejected; if the tolerances are met, the computer checks whether the carried-out movement of one lens requires movement of the other in order to meet the tolerances. If this is so, the computer calculates the minimum movement and checks whether this movement is within the tolerances and, if not, the lens pair is rejected. If the tolerances are met, the computer drives the machine for machining the shape of the spectacle lenses. |
| US07651220B1 |
Selective system for blocking glare in a specific location of a user's field of vision
A glare blocking system for selectively blocking specified glare spots. The system includes a transmission control material for selectively darkening a portion of the material and an electronics module for commanding the transmission control material to darken a specified area of the transmission control material. The system also includes a power source providing power to the electronic module and the transmission control material. The electronics module determines the specified area to be darkened upon the transmission control material to block a detected glare spot from view by a user. When a glare spot is detected, the specified area to be darkened corresponding to a detected glare spot is determined and the electronic module directs the specified area of the transmission control material to be darkened to block the detected glare spot from view by the user. In one embodiment, the glare blocking system includes a camera to capture an image seen through the transmission control material. Glare spots may then be detected on the captured image. The system may be used on goggles, visors, mirrors or as a panel having separate manual controls to select the areas to darken. |
| US07651217B2 |
Eyewear with enhanced fit
Eyewear having an enhanced fit which may be used for safety, sports, and the like. The eyewear may provide features which permit enhanced airflow and an enhanced fit to a user's face. Such features may include greater adjustability to provide greater comfort. Eyewear including an RFID tag which is activated to send or receive transmissions when the eyewear is unfolded and/or positioned in a position to be worn by a user. |
| US07651210B2 |
Transport system for solid ink for cooperation with melt head in a printer
An ink delivery system for use with a solid ink stick for use in printers is provided. The ink delivery system is used for receiving the stick and converting it to molten ink that may be transferred to media to form an image on the media. The delivery system includes a guide for receiving the stick and guiding the stick in a prescribed path and a melting unit. The melting unit is operably associated with the guide. The melting unit converts the stick to molten ink. The melting unit defines a receiving surface for receiving a first end of the stick. The receiving surface defines a plane. The guide defines a longitudinal axis of the guide adjacent the melting unit. The longitudinal axis defines an acute angle with respect to the plane. |
| US07651208B2 |
Liquid container
In an ink cartridge (liquid container) 1 of the invention, an ink delivery port 17 that connects an ink supply needle 15 of a cartridge holder 110 to an ink containing chamber 7 is disposed at an substantially central position in a shorter side direction of a container front surface 3a. Two positioning portions 13 and 14 that fit to positioning pins 11 provided at two places in the cartridge holder 110 so as to position a container main body 3, a pressurized air introduction portion 21 that connects a pressurized air supply path 19 of the cartridge holder 110 to a pressure chamber 5, and a data storage unit 25 that is connected to a connection terminal 23 of the cartridge holder 110 are disposed toward one side in a shorter side direction of the container front surface 3a with respect to the ink delivery port 17. |
| US07651206B2 |
Output image processing for small drop printing
A method of forming a liquid pattern according to liquid pattern data on a receiving medium using a liquid drop emitter that emits a continuous stream of liquid from a nozzle that is broken into drops of predetermined volumes by the application of drop forming energy pulse is disclosed comprising associating a pixel area of the receiving medium with a nozzle and a time interval during which a plurality of fluid drops ejected from the nozzle can impinge the pixel area of the receiving medium. The time interval is divided into a plurality of subintervals that are, in turn, grouped into a plurality of blocks. Each block is defined as a printing block or a non-printing block. A drop forming energy pulse is provided between each pair of consecutive blocks and between the subintervals of each printing block. No drop forming energy pulses are provided between the subintervals of the non-printing blocks. The so-formed energy pulse sequence is applied to the stream of liquid causing the formation of small print drops and large non-print drops. The liquid pattern is formed on the receiver of print drops comprised of liquid emitted during subintervals associated with printing blocks. The block configuration is designed to ensure that non-print drops have the proper volume. In an alternate set of embodiments, individual subintervals rather than blocks of subintervals are individually defined as print or non-print subintervals subject to a non-print drop rule that forces non-print drops to be formed of adequate volume for differentiation from print drops and a maximum drop rule that ensures that non-print drops are not too large to be reliably captured and guttered. |
| US07651205B2 |
Liquid discharging head using piezoelectric actuator and image forming apparatus using the liquid discharging head
A liquid discharging head includes a piezoelectric actuator including a plurality of piezoelectric elements and a plurality of electric supply members. The plurality of piezoelectric elements is provided in a row and includes an even number of piezoelectric element columns provided via a groove at a predetermined pitch. The plurality of electric supply members supplies electricity to the plurality of piezoelectric elements and includes electrodes disposed for the alternate piezoelectric element columns of the respective piezoelectric elements. One end of the electric supply member is positioned outwardly from an outer end of an endmost driven piezoelectric element column to which the electrode is connected, while another end of the electric supply member is positioned inwardly from an outer end of an endmost non-driven piezoelectric element column to which the electrode is not connected, in a manner that adjacent electric supply members do not overlap. |
| US07651203B2 |
Inkjet recording device, ejecting device provided therein, and method of calibrating ejection characteristic for droplet
A droplet ejecting device includes a nozzle unit, a piezoelectric member and a drive voltage generating unit. The piezoelectric member has a common electrode and a discrete electrode. A first differentiation by polarization voltage of a characteristic curve indicating change in a polarization of the piezoelectric member with respect to change in the polarization voltage has a plurality of extremal values including a first extremal value at a prescribed positive voltage Vbp that is the smallest polarization voltage among plus polarization voltages corresponding to the plurality of extremal values, and a second extremal value at a prescribed negative voltage Vbn that is the largest polarization voltage among minus polarization voltages corresponding to the plurality of extremal values. The drive voltage generating unit generates a drive voltage having a range between a first negative voltage Ve1 and a first positive voltage Ve2, and applies the drive voltage between the common electrode and the discrete electrode. Vbp, Vbn, Ve1, and Ve2 are set such that Vbn |
| US07651201B2 |
Ink jet recording head and ink jet recorder
To provide an ink jet recording head with a decreased initial deflection amount of a diaphragm and an ink jet recorder comprising the ink jet recording head. An ink jet recording head which has a flow passage formation substrate 10 where pressure generation chambers 12 communicating with nozzle openings are defined and a piezoelectric element being placed on one side of the flow passage formation substrate 10 via a diaphragm and having at least a lower electrode 60, a piezoelectric layer 70, and an upper electrode 80, characterized in that at least one of layers deposited together with the piezoelectric layer 70 is a compression film 50 having a compressive stress and the compression film 50 has at least a part in a thickness direction removed in at least a part of an area opposed to the pressure generation chamber, whereby the stress of the whole film is decreased. |
| US07651200B2 |
Ink jet head
An ink jet head is provided with a passage unit, an actuator unit, and a conductive adhesion layer. The passage unit comprises a nozzle and a pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle. The actuator unit comprises a piezoelectric layer, a first electrode connected with a front surface of the piezoelectric layer, a second electrode connected with a back surface of the piezoelectric layer, and a first insulating layer located between the second electrode and the passage unit. The conductive adhesion layer adheres to both a front surface of the passage unit and a back surface of the actuator unit. The conductive adhesion layer is electrically connected with the second electrode. |
| US07651196B2 |
Fluid ejection device and manufacturing method
An ink cartridge for an ink jet printer includes a substratum and a cover attached to the substratum and having an aperture provided therein. A printhead is attached to the substratum and provided at least partially within the aperture. At least one connector extends from the printhead into the aperture, and an adhesive material covers at least a portion of the at least one connector. At least one barrier is provided for preventing the adhesive material from flowing to locations away from the at least one connector. |
| US07651180B2 |
Device for adjusting the height position of a dishware basket which can be pulled out from the rinsing container of a dishwasher
A height adjustment device for a dishware basket which can be removed from the rinsing container of a dishwashing machine. The height adjustment device is mounted on the dishware basket and includes at least one basket support plate mounted on the dishware basket. A swivel-mounted handle is mounted on the support plate for moving the dishware basket between an upper and a lower position. |
| US07651179B2 |
Device for automatic extraction of a drawer, in particular a supply drawer for a household appliance such as a washing machine
A device, for automatic extraction of a supply drawer from a household appliance, includes a releasable locking device for releasably locking the drawer; an elastic element for pushing the drawer into an extracted position; a braking element for opposing movement of the drawer; a support housing the elastic and the braking elements; and a toothed pinion fitted idly to the support, which is configured to leave at least one given circumferential portion of the teeth of the pinion exposed. The elastic element is to exert a torque in a given direction on the pinion, which is connected angularly integral with the braking element. The exposed circumferential portion of the pinion teeth meshes selectively with a straight or curved rack, formed externally on a wall of the drawer, by simply rotating the support with respect to the drawer, so that the same device can be used for both slide-out and swing-out drawers. |
| US07651175B2 |
Parking brake system
A parking brake system is provided in which a parking brake state for a wheel brake (2A) is obtained by forward movement of a parking piston (44) slidably fitted into a casing (23) with the rear side of the parking piston (44) facing a parking control fluid pressure chamber (47), and the forwardly moved state of the parking piston (44) is mechanically locked by spheres (58) pushed up as a result of forward movement of a lock piston (56) of a lock mechanism (31). Moreover, a plurality of guide grooves (126), into which parts of the spheres (58) are rollably fitted, are provided on the inner face of a large diameter hole (38), the inner face of a restricting step (42), and the inner face of a small diameter hole (39), the guide grooves (126) having a concavely curved cross-sectional shape and extending in the axial direction of an insertion shaft (59). This enables an automatic parking brake state to be obtained by a simple structure without consuming power. |
| US07651173B2 |
Wheel isolator coupling
A wheel isolator coupling comprising a sprocket for engaging a drive member, the sprocket fixedly connected to a first adaptor, the sprocket rotationally engaged with a shaft through a first bearing, a wheel portion fixedly connected to a second adaptor, the wheel portion rotationally engaged with the shaft through a second bearing, the first adaptor having at least one receiving portion, at least one compressible member disposed within the receiving portion, the second adaptor having a radially extending member for engaging the compressible member within the receiving portion, and the sprocket imparting no axial force to the first bearing. |
| US07651163B2 |
Lumbar support device
A lumbar support device that is adjusted to a user's neutral postural position when the user is standing, and that is subsequently used to reinforce the user's neutral postural position when the user is seated. The device includes a rigid shell and an adjustable lumbar support surface. The lumbar support surface is a plurality of inelastic straps of adjustable length disposed horizontally between the sides of the rigid shell. The user adapts the straps to conform to the user's back when in a standing neutral position. When seated, the straps maintain their adjusted lengths, so as to reinforce the user's neutral position. The device includes a covering and a padding between the covering and the straps. The lumbar support device features downwardly depending legs at each side so as to support the device when placed in a chair and position the surface in the lumbar region above the chair. The gap between the legs and below the back of the shell provides a cutout to accommodate protrusion of the user's buttocks, allowing the user to adopt normal buttock positioning on the seat of the chair. |
| US07651161B2 |
Table seat with rotatable sitting portion
A table seat (1) comprising a foldable frame (1A) supporting an at least partially foldable container or sitting portion (2) for receiving and supporting a child, said frame (1A) comprising opposing lateral portions (3) enabling the seat (1) to be removably fixed to a top (5) of the table (6), each portion (3) comprising an upper arm (10) and a lower arm (11) which are superposed, the second arm (11) comprising at least one movable intermediate portion (17) arranged to lowerly contact said table top (5) and at least one end portion (16), the child container (2) being associated with a support portion (50) fixed to said lateral portions (3). The child container or sitting portion (2) comprises a structure (55) rotatably associated with said support portion (50) and enabling the child to be arranged in different spatial positions relative to the table (6), said structure (55) being rotatable about a central axis (W) perpendicular to a geometrical plane parallel to said table top (5). |
| US07651147B2 |
Cargo hauling system
A cargo hauling system is dimensioned to fit within a bed of a light truck. The bin moves forwardly and rearwardly relative to the truck bed along rollers provided on a tailgate of the truck. The tailgate is modified by reinforcing a perimeter of the tailgate, adding rollers to the tailgate, substituting reinforced linkages and hinges for factory originals, and adding a support member that extends between the trailer hitch and tailgate. |
| US07651145B2 |
Instrument panel
A dashboard with a glove compartment cover is created according to the invention, in which the dashboard and the glove compartment cover have a surface skin and a foam layer underneath it, and one of the foam layers comprises a first recess. The dashboard furthermore comprises a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the glove compartment cover and comprises a switch for actuating the locking mechanism. The dashboard is characterized in that the switch is arranged in the first recess of the foam layer under the surface skin. |
| US07651142B2 |
Automatic release attachment for kites and the like, and method of use
An automatic release attachment automatically releases a tension line engaged to the attachment when the tension in the line exceeds the tension rating corresponding to a tension release settings selected by an operator. A hook assembly, which can be part of the attachment, includes a shackle that eases shackling and unshackling of a coupling element of the tension line to the hook assembly. |
| US07651141B2 |
Tailgate latching mechanisms
An apparatus generally includes a latch and a keeper. The latch has a latching surface and is movable between at least a closed position and an opened position. The keeper has a keeper surface configured for engagement with the latching surface. The latch is movably coupled to supporting structure relative to the latching surface such that the moment created by a load applied to the latching surface while engaged with the keeper surface biases the latch towards the closed position. |
| US07651139B2 |
Coupling for a fluid line arrangement
The invention relates to a coupling for a fluid line arrangement, said coupling being characterised in that a plane outer side (8) of at least one essentially D-shaped sealing ring (7) of a sealing unit is applied to a plane supporting layer (10) of a receiving section (3) of a coupling part (1). In this way, in addition to a high twist rigidity of the sealing ring (7) in question, a very effective sealing action is achieved, even in the presence of comparatively weak radial pressure forces. |
| US07651134B2 |
Double seatbelt anchor bracket
An apparatus (12) includes a primary housing (20) constructed from sheet metal by stamping, a primary inflation fluid source (100), a secondary housing (70) constructed from sheet metal by stamping, and a secondary inflation fluid source (200). The primary inflation fluid source (100) is located in the primary housing (20) and is actuatable to effect a primary flow of inflation fluid out of the primary housing to inflate the inflatable device (14). The secondary housing (70) is disposed within the primary housing (20). The secondary inflation fluid source (200) is located in the secondary housing (70) and is actuatable to affect a secondary flow of inflation fluid to supplement the primary flow of inflation fluid. The secondary housing (70) has a first portion (77) that moves at least partially out of engagement with a second portion (74) of the secondary housing (70) when the secondary inflation fluid source is actuated. |
| US07651133B2 |
Frame extender
A frame extender (10) for attachment to a siderail (14) and to a front cross member (16A) of a vehicle frame (12) having a centerline (C) includes a first portion (52) generally parallel with and attached to the siderail. The frame extender (10) also includes a second portion (66) extending generally transversely from the first portion (52) and outwardly from the centerline (C), and a third portion (80) extending from the second portion and generally parallel to the siderail (14). The first portion (52), the second portion (66) and the third portion (80) are formed as a single component. |
| US07651129B2 |
Gas generator for restraining device
A gas generator for a restraining device includes a housing formed by joining and integrating a diffuser shell having a gas discharge port and a closure shell, and a gas generating agent, an igniter, and a cylindrical filter, accommodated inside the housing. The housing has a top plate, a circumferential wall surface, and a bottom plate, and a plurality of protruding portions concaved inwardly and formed with a distance from each other on at least either of an upper annular corner portion located at a boundary portion between the top plate and the circumferential wall surface and a lower annular corner portion located at a boundary portion between the bottom plate and the circumferential wall surface. Part of the cylindrical filter is supported and fixed by the plurality of protruding portions, and a gap is provided between an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical filter and the gas discharge hole. |
| US07651128B2 |
Inflator
An inflator includes, a housing having a gas discharge port, an ignition device and a gas generating agent accommodated inside the housing, and a collision member for receiving collision of a combustion product(s) which is generated by the activation of the ignition device, the collision member being provided in a position directly facing an ejecting direction of the combustion products. |
| US07651122B2 |
Apparatus for leading to normal tearing of instrument panel having built-in passenger air bag
An apparatus for leading to normal tearing of an instrument panel having a built-in passenger air bag (PAB). The apparatus includes an instrument panel having an air bag module located thereinside, a tear line formed on the instrument panel in a predetermined shape such that the air bag easily comes out of the instrument panel when deployed, and a heating device installed inside the instrument panel so as to heat a surrounding area of the tear line and at least one predetermined area of the instrument panel which acts as a hinge section when the air bag is deployed. |
| US07651121B2 |
Molding for vehicle headliner
A molding assembly closes a gap between the track of a vehicle sliding door and a headliner that conceals a roof rail mounted air bag. The headliner has an edge that extends along the track but is spaced from the track to create a gap. The molding assembly includes a carrier and a flexible seal strip. The carrier carries a plurality of fastening clips that engage with apertures in the roof rail to attach the carrier to the roof rail. The flexible sealing strip has a stem that mounts on a leg wall of the carrier, a first arm that laps onto the edge of the headliner panel and a second arm that laps onto the track. The headliner bends downwardly when the air bag deploys and the first arm of the flexible seal strip flexes to permit the edge of the headliner to escape from the flexible seal. |
| US07651120B2 |
Inflator securing structure and airbag system
An inflator securing structure for securing an inflator having substantially cylindrical shape to a retainer in an airbag system includes a fixed shaft having a substantially D-shaped cross section and formed at one end of the inflator along an axial direction of the inflator; and a locking structure forming a locking hole having a substantially D shape and formed in the retainer so that the locking hole is engaged with the fixed shaft. One of the fixed shaft and the locking hole has at least one groove, and other of the fixed shaft and the locking hole has at least one convex portion so as to engage with the groove. |
| US07651119B2 |
Air bag apparatus
An air bag apparatus includes: a supporting plate; an air bag case mounted on the supporting plate such that a space is formed therein; an air bag cushion installed in the space and attached to the supporting plate; an inflator for supplying a gas to the air bag cushion, the inflator being mounted at the supporting plate; and a clamping device for clamping a middle portion of the air bag cushion, the clamping device being coupled with the supporting plate. The inflator may supply the gas to side portions of the air bag, such that the side portions expand for a predetermined time while the middle portion is clamped by the clamping device, and when the inflating force of the air bag overcomes the clamping force, the middle portion expands. |
| US07651118B1 |
Polyvinyl chloride coated fabrics for use in air bags
The invention is directed to textile fabrics for use in air bags and side curtains having at least one coating layer of polyvinyl chloride thereon. The textile fabric can be a flat sheet, such as used in driver side air bags, or a multi-layered woven textile having preconfigured air-holding cavities therein for use in side curtains such as are installed in sport utility vehicles (SUVs). In certain embodiments of the invention coating layers of elastomeric polyurethane may be applied to the textile fabric in addition to the coating layer of polyvinyl chloride. In certain instances, the textile fabrics are coated on one side only, and in others they may be coated on both sides, i.e., on opposed first and second surfaces. In either case, the polyvinyl chloride coatings, whether alone or in combination with other polymeric coatings, provide the air bags or side curtains with superior air-holding characteristics. |
| US07651116B2 |
Baby stroller frame
A baby stroller frame comprises a front frame, a pair of rear leg tube, and a guiding frame. The front frame connects a front wheel. The pair of rear leg tube, each has an upper end pivotally connected with the front frame, a lower end connected a rear wheel, and a joint connected with a sliding sleeve. The guiding frame has a front end pivotally connected to the front frame, and a pair of connecting arms slidably connected with the sliding sleeve. By simply rotating of the guiding frame, the sliding sleeve would carry the pair of rear leg tubes to rotate and close to the front frame. As the structure of such a stroller frame is being simplified, it would much lower the manufacture cost of a baby stroller frame and provide a new and smooth operation for a user. |
| US07651115B1 |
Secondary lock for stroller fold mechanism
A secondary lock device for a one-hand fold mechanism on a child's stroller is pivotally mounted next to the actuator of the one-hand fold mechanism. The secondary lock device is positioned for convenient access by a finger of the operator to provide an intuitively operable secondary lock device cooperable with the one-hand fold actuator. The secondary lock device is spring-loaded by a torsion spring mounted on the rotational axis of the adjacent cam member forming part of the one-hand fold mechanism. The pivoted lock member includes an outwardly projecting member that engages a corresponding niche in the actuator when in a locking position. The outwardly projecting member rides along a cam surface on the actuator when the actuator is being operated, while the biasing spring returns the outwardly projecting member into the niche when the actuator reaches the home position. |
| US07651114B2 |
Adjustable trailer coupling system
Towing adjustment and coupling techniques may include a retentive lateral trailer adjustment device of a trailer (1) configured to provide lateral adjustment of the trailer (1). In some embodiments, a trailer (1) may include a coupler element (3) and at least one retentive lateral adjustment device configured to provide adjustment in a lateral direction (8) of the coupler element (3). Embodiments may have configurations directed to couplers such as a gooseneck hitch, a fifthwheel hitch, and a pull-type or tongue hitch. Embodiments may also provide a fore-aft position indicator (44) with or without a fore-aft position sensor (50) through which proper positioning of a source of tow power (54) relative to a trailer (1) may be facilitated in a fore-aft direction (7). Corresponding methods are included as embodiments of the invention. |
| US07651106B2 |
Wheel-guiding stabilizer device
A stabilizer device for an axle of a motor vehicle. The axle has a roll stabilizer (2) and for each wheel at least one wheel guide control arm (1). The chassis-side articulation of the wheel guide control arm (1) is connected to an end area of the roll stabilizer (2) such that a twisting actuation of the roll stabilizer (2) takes place due to an inward deflection motion of the wheel guide control arm (1). An end of the roll stabilizer (2) is received in a hollow shaft (6) connected to the wheel guide control arm (1). The hollow shaft (6) is mounted in a chassis-side bearing flange (3) and the bearing flange (3) can be elastically connected to the vehicle. The stabilizer device is used especially to eliminate the conflicts of design goals between the requirements of uncoupling structure-borne noise and comfort of the chassis, on the one hand, and immediate response characteristic of the stabilizer, on the other hand. Further advantages include space required for installation, weight and modularity of the stabilizer device. |
| US07651103B1 |
Wheelchair
A wheelchair is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the wheelchair includes a wheelchair frame, a pair of rear wheels and a pair of front wheels carried by the wheelchair frame, a drive motor drivingly engaging at least one of the pair of rear wheels and the pair of front wheels and a pair of wheelchair tracks detachably carried by the wheelchair frame. |
| US07651101B2 |
Compliant plate seals for turbomachinery
A shaft seal serves to reduce leakage between a rotating shaft and a static shell. The shaft seal includes a plurality of compliant plate members, each having a root and a tip. The compliant plate members are secured to the static shell at their root in facing relation. The tips of the compliant plate members define a sealing ring between the static shell and the rotating shaft. An axial flow resistance member is disposed within the compliant plate members and serves as a barrier to axial leakage flow between the compliant plate members. |
| US07651100B2 |
Seal assembly for limiting movement of a seal within a seal housing
An improvement in a seal assembly for sealing with a rotatable component extending within the seal assembly and defining a longitudinal axis of rotation, the seal assembly being of a type including a seal element retained by a seal housing, where one of the seal element and the seal housing is constructed from a compressible material, where the seal element includes a seal engagement surface and where the seal housing includes a housing engagement surface. The improvement includes one of the seal engagement surface and the housing engagement surface being comprised of the compressible material and the other being oriented in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of rotation of the component extending within the seal assembly and defining a depression for providing an isolated gap between the seal engagement surface and the housing engagement surface for receiving the compressible material to restrain movement of the seal element relative to the seal housing. |
| US07651096B2 |
Bad beat blackjack
A side wager for blackjack that allows the player to win when the player loses a hand that the player would have expected to win. If the player is initially dealt a good hand, e.g., 20, and the player still loses, then the player can be rewarded by collecting a “bad beat” award. |
| US07651092B2 |
Printing system and control method thereof
An object of this invention is to provide a convenient printing system applicable not only to the office environment but also to the POD environment. To accomplish this, a printing system capable of supplying a print medium to a printing apparatus from a plurality of feeding apparatuses each having a feeding unit for feeding a print medium, a multi feed detection unit for detecting occurrence of multi feed of overlapping print media, and a multi feed discharge unit for discharging multi-fed print media includes a multi feed discharge destination setting unit for, when the multi feed detection unit detects occurrence of multi feed, setting which of multi feed discharge units is to accept multi-fed print media, and a control unit for controlling the feeding apparatus to discharge the multi-fed print media to the multi feed discharge unit set by the multi feed discharge destination setting unit. |
| US07651091B2 |
Diaphragm
Example embodiments of a diaphragm are shown and described. |
| US07651090B2 |
Paper conveyance apparatus
A paper conveyance apparatus includes a stacking portion; a feeding mechanism to extract and feed paper from the stacking portion one sheet at a time; and an intermediate portion for conveying the fed paper to the vicinity of a feeding port or feeding device of a main body of an image forming apparatus. The intermediate portion includes a plurality of conveyance devices and a plurality of paper detecting devices disposed from the upstream side to the downstream side of a conveyance path. The paper conveyance apparatus further includes a control device for reducing the conveyance speed of the plurality of conveyance devices when the leading edge of the paper is detected by a detecting device disposed at least one device further toward the upstream side than a paper detecting device disposed furthest downstream of the plurality of detecting devices. |
| US07651082B2 |
Media stack stop
Various apparatus and methods relating to a media stack stop are disclosed. |
| US07651081B2 |
Image forming system, image forming device, post-processor, and program
An image forming system includes an input unit for input of setting information, an image forming unit, a conveying unit, a control unit, and a jam detecting unit, wherein a set of a plurality of different kinds of special sheets disposed in a predetermined order is used. When occurrence of a jam is detected by the jam detecting unit, the control unit recognizes whether a special sheet having been fed is present in the image forming system, and if it is recognized that a special sheet is present in the image forming system, the control unit controls the conveying unit, after the jam being released, to eject a special sheet or sheets as unnecessary up to one that is disposed preceding a special sheet that is of the same kind as a most front one that was present in the image forming system at the time of the occurrence of the jam. |
| US07651079B2 |
Substrate support plate transfer apparatus for fabricating organic light emitting display
A substrate support plate transfer apparatus for fabricating an organic light emitting display is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a quartz plate transferred into a bonding processing chamber for an organic light emitting device, a protection frame on which the quartz plate is placed in order to transfer the quartz plate into the chamber, and a frame-shaped supporting plate including a sliding transfer device for helping the transfer of the protection frame and installed in the chamber. The quartz plate has a rigidity capable of enduring pressure in the bonding process applied to a large sized substrate, and the apparatus provides for convenient replacement of the quartz plate. |
| US07651078B2 |
Clamping and/or spreading tool
A clamping and/or spreading tool comprises a drive for displacement of a push or pull rod to which a movable jaw is fixed with respect to a support carrying a stationary jaw in longitudinal direction of the push and pull rod, said drive comprising a torsion spring and being adapted to enter torque transmitting engagement with the push or pull rod for displacement of the same. |
| US07651077B1 |
Releasing fragrances into the air
A canister assembly includes a canister body, an inner wick positioned within the canister body and configured to define an air passage, and an outer wick. At least a portion of the outer wick is positioned between the inner wick and the canister body. The inner wick and the outer wick are oriented to enable a transfer of fragrance material to the inner wick from the outer wick. The fragrance material includes fragrance molecules, and the inner wick is configured to enable a transfer of some of the fragrance molecules into air within the air passage. |
| US07651074B2 |
Apparatus for producing carbonated water and method for producing carbonated water using the same
This invention concerns an apparatus and a method for producing carbonated water capable of obtaining high concentration carbonated water effectively. Carbon dioxide gas is passed through a first carbon dioxide gas dissolver composed of a membrane module to be dissolved in water and the carbonated water passing through the first carbon dioxide gas dissolver is passed through a static mixer, which is a second carbon dioxide gas dissolver. Consequently, a high concentration carbonated water can be obtained remarkably, effectively and easily with a simpler structure than conventionally. |
| US07651067B2 |
Upper valve part for fittings
An upper valve part for fittings has a head piece through which a spindle passes, means for shut-off, and a seal that comes to rest on the fitting. A radially acting locking device is provided. |
| US07651062B2 |
LCD apparatus
To stabilize the weight balance of an entire liquid crystal display device by locating a lateral shaft by which the lower end of a support leg is attached to a base either directly under or substantially directly under the center of gravity of a main unit having a liquid crystal module.A main unit 1 in which a liquid crystal module 2 is housed in a cabinet 3 is supported so as to allow tilt adjustment, by a support leg 6 that rises up from a base 5. An attachment component 61 of the support leg 6 is overlapped with and fastened by screws on the outer back face of a metal plate 22 of the liquid crystal module 2, the result being that a lateral shaft 7 for attaching the support leg 6 to the base 5 is located directly under the center of gravity G of the main unit 1. |
| US07651057B2 |
Device for fastening at least one object to a supporting part provided with a fastening bolt
A device for fastening at least one object to a supporting part provided with a fastening bolt comprises an engaging arrangement (13) that can be brought into engagement with the fastening bolt. The engaging arrangement (13) is mounted on an inner cage (8) connected via a number of bent flexible connecting pieces (14, 15, 16, 17) to an outer cage (3), on which, in turn, at least one holding arrangement (1, 2) for holding the or each object is formed. This results in good tolerance compensation with regard to the position of the fastening bolt. |
| US07651051B2 |
Mechanism for biaxial rotation of a wing and vehicle containing such mechanism
A vehicle with wings and a mechanism for causing a flapping motion in wings. Each wing structure comprises a wing and a wing spar coupled to a follower via a resilient member. Each wing carrier is pivotally connected to the body and is configured to restrain lateral movement and permit rotation of the wing spar about a feathering axis. A biasing member provides torsional bias to each wing spar. A linkage, driven by an actuator, transmits cyclic motion that rotates the wing carrier about a flapping axis, which moves the follower along a follower path. A guide attached to the vehicle body lies in the path of each follower, and the follower and guide are shaped such that each wing spar has a first rotational position about its axis along a first portion of the follower path and a second rotational position along a second portion of the follower path. |
| US07651050B2 |
Variable speed gearbox with an independently variable speed tail rotor system for a rotary wing aircraft
A gearbox of a rotary-wing aircraft includes at least one variable speed system which optimizes the main rotor speed for different flight regimes such as a hover flight profile and a high speed cruise flight profile for any rotary wing aircraft while maintaining an independently variable tail rotor speed. |
| US07651046B2 |
Bobbin winding device
A bobbin winding device for generating a bobbin by winding a thread or bandlet onto a bobbin core comprises fixing means (12) for holding a bobbin core (8) and rotating it around an axis of rotation (A), thread-pressing means (7) for pressing a thread (1) or bandlet against the peripheral surface of a bobbin (9) that builds up on the bobbin core (8), whereby the thread-pressing means are movable essentially radially relative to the axis of rotation (A), a traversing thread guide (10) located close to the thread-pressing means (7) for reciprocating the thread (1) or bandlet along the axis of rotation (A), and thread-support means (14) for conducting the thread supplied to the bobbin or bobbin core, respectively, in an axially stationary manner relative to the axis of rotation (A). The thread-pressing means (7) are movable essentially radially relative to the axis of rotation (A) together with the thread-support means (14) so that the distance (z) between the thread-pressing means (7) and the thread-support means (14) will remain constant. |
| US07651039B2 |
Fuel injection valve
A fuel injection valve includes a valve chamber, a control valve, an actuator, a control chamber, and a nozzle. The control valve is provided in the valve chamber. The actuator actuates the control valve. The control chamber is always communicated with the valve chamber through a communication passage. The nozzle has a needle for opening and closing an injection orifice, wherein the needle is biased in a valve closing direction for closing the injection orifice by pressure of fuel in the control chamber. High pressure fuel in a high-pressure fuel passage is introduced into the control chamber only through the communication passage in a state, where communication between the valve chamber and the high-pressure fuel passage is allowed by the control valve. The communication passage has a common orifice. |
| US07651038B2 |
Fuel injection valve for internal combustion engine
A fuel injection valve for an internal combustion engine is such that an inside wall of a nozzle hole through which fuel is injected into a combustion chamber or an intake port of the internal combustion engine is coated with a composite coating formed of a lipophilic portion and an oil repelling portion which are finely interspersed on the nano order. The inside wall of the nozzle hole is formed by multiple grooves extending in the fuel jet direction and flat portions between these grooves, and inside walls of the grooves are coated with an oil repellant coating and the flat portions are coated with a lipophilic coating. |
| US07651037B2 |
Droplet deposition apparatus
Droplet deposition apparatus including at least one droplet ejection unit having a plurality of fluid channels disposed side by side in a row, an actuator, and a plurality of nozzles, said actuator being actuable to eject a droplet of fluid from a fluid channel through a respective nozzle, a support member for said at least one droplet ejection unit, a first conduit extending along said row and to one side of both said support member and said at least one droplet ejection unit for conveying droplet fluid to each of the fluid channels of said at least one droplet ejection unit; and a second conduit extending along said row and to the other side of both said support member and said at least one droplet ejection unit for receiving droplet fluid from each of the fluid channels of said at least one droplet ejection unit. |
| US07651035B2 |
Dispensing assembly
A dispensing assembly (1) has a first (10) and second dispensing unit (20), each of which first and second dispensing units has a reservoir for accommodating a liquid substance as well as a manually operable first and second pump (12, 22), respectively, attached to the reservoir. The dispensing assembly furthermore has a pump operating button assembly for jointly operating the first and second pump, the first pump connecting to a first dispensing duct in the pump operating button assembly (2A, 2B) and the second pump connecting to a second dispensing duct in the pump operating button assembly. The pump operating button assembly has at least one dispensing nozzle which is in communication with at least one dispensing duct in tie pump operating button assembly (2A, 2B) for dispensing one or more dispensing products based on the substances emanating from the first and second dispensing units. For example, at least one of the first and second pumps is a liquid pump which is designed for dispensing liquid to the associated dispensing duct. For example, at least one of the first and second pumps is a foam forming pump which is designed for dispensing a foam to the associated dispensing duct. For example, at least one of the first and second pumps is a liquid pump which is designed for dispensing liquid to the associated dispensing duct, which dispensing duct connects to an atomizing device which is accommodated in the pump operating button assembly in such a manner that a mist can be dispensed from at least one dispensing nozzle of the dispensing assembly. |
| US07651034B2 |
Appliance room controller
A universal controller for coordinating activity of an appliance room including a configurable air control portion, and a configurable appliance control portion. The configurable air control portion controls at least one air flow condition of the appliance room and includes an air control interface adapted to be operatively coupled with at least one of an influent combustion air system and a venting system. The configurable appliance control portion controls operation of a plurality of appliances and includes at least one appliance interface adapted to be operatively coupled with the plurality of appliances. The appliance control portion is adapted to selectively coordinate operation of individual appliances such that a selected at least one of the plurality of appliances can be operated according to a dynamically adjustable sequence. |
| US07651032B2 |
Methods and systems for in-line RFID transponder assembly
Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a radio frequency identification (RFID) enabled corrugated paperboard are provided. The apparatus includes a corrugated paperboard feed device configured to supply a quantity of corrugated paperboard, an antenna attach device configured to couple an antenna to the corrugated paperboard, a curing device configured to provide curing energy to the antenna to at least one of dry the antenna and facilitate optimizing an electrical conductivity of the antenna, and an attach mechanism configured to couple a radio frequency identification circuit to the antenna. |
| US07651031B2 |
Systems and methods for reading indicium
Detection systems that detect and decode machine-readable information and other indicia having varying spectral emissivity values are provided. The detection systems include a sensor, circuitry, and temperature influencing mechanism. The system may be connected to other hardware, such as a computer display screen, or audio emitting device. Meanwhile, the sensor detects differential emissivity values by measuring energy emitted from the targets of interest. |
| US07651030B2 |
Method and device for data input
A method and system for data input is provided. The method includes inputting data, reading a subset of a set of predefined machine-readable codes from a printed media, the printed media including thereon the set of predefined machine-readable codes and a set of human-readable indicia. Each of the set of human-readable indicia is associated with a respective one of the set of predefined machine-readable codes. Each of the set of human-readable indicia indicates a user-selectable input value. The subset of the plurality of predefined machine-readable codes consists of predefined machine-readable codes that have not been defaced. The method also includes saving as user input values the user-selectable input values indicated by the indicia that are associated with the machine-readable codes in the set of predefined machine-readable codes that have not been read. |
| US07651028B2 |
Intelligent system for automatically recognizing objects at a point of sale (POS) station by omni-directional imaging of the objects using a complex of coplanar illumination and imaging subsystems
A digital image capture and processing system for automatically recognizing objects at a point of sale (POS) station. The system comprising a system housing having an imaging window, and containing a digital image capturing and processing engine including a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations. The stations generate and project a complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through the imaging window, and within a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window for omni-directional imaging of objects passing through the 3D imaging volume, and generate digital linear images of the object as the object intersects coplanar illumination and imaging planes within the 3D imaging volume during system operation. A database is provided for storing one or more object libraries representing objects that can be recognized by the system. A digital image processing subsystem automatically (i) processes digital images generated by said coplanar illumination and imaging stations, (ii) extracts object features from processed digital images, and (iii) recognizes objects which are represented by the object libraries and producing information representative of recognized objects for display at the POS station. |
| US07651026B2 |
Article information display system and electronic shelf label
A fingerprint detecting portion which detects a fingerprint, which is a physical characteristic inherent to an individual, is provided on an electronic shelf label. A display control device has a customer database in which fingerprint data items of respective customers are formed in a database form. A customer is specified by referring to the customer database by use of fingerprint data detected by the fingerprint detecting portion of the electronic shelf label. Then, the electronic shelf label which has detected the fingerprint data acquires a user price of the customer for a corresponding article. The user price is displayed on a selling price display portion of the electronic shelf label. |
| US07651015B2 |
Liquid concentrate/extract beverage dispenser with replaceable concentrate/extract cartridge
A concentrate/extract cartridge for a beverage dispenser for dispensing a liquid concentrate/extract and a diluent is provided. The cartridge includes a hollow body and a dispensing tube connected to the hollow body. A piston is slideably contained by the dispensing tube. The cartridge includes a valve having a valve stem that passes through a port of a valve seat connected to the dispensing tube. The port defines a flow passage through the dispensing tube. The valve stem is connected to the piston at a first end of the valve stem, and a valve body is located at a second end of the valve stem in removable contact with the valve seat for alternately opening and closing the port. A beverage dispenser having a removably insertable concentrate/extract cartridge and a method of dispensing a beverage made from concentrate/extract and a diluent are also provided. |
| US07651011B2 |
Microdispensing pump
Various pump features are provided. In a first aspect, a pump is provided having an actuator with a nozzle and a releasable cap having a first shield located to entrap a fixed volume of air about the nozzle. In a second aspect, a valve seat is located along a pump's internal fluid passage with deflectable spring arms extending therefrom that are deflectable in response to movement of a check valve element. In a third aspect, a compliant shut-off valve feature is provided, wherein, a first end of a tubular piston is deflectable in response to interferingly engaging the head of the poppet. In a fourth aspect, a pump includes a pump inlet, and a reservoir having a first portion and a second well portion in open fluid communication. Fluid may be trapped within the well portion at various angular orientations of the pump. |
| US07651010B2 |
Food dispenser with pump for dispensing from a plurality of sources
The present invention relates generally to dispensing system configured for dispensing food product. The device includes a fluid container in fluid communication with a conduit having a compressible portion which is associable with a pumping mechanism for pumping a fluid therethrough. The compression portion contains an upstream uni-directional valve and a downstream uni-directional valve, so that when the compression portion is resiliently compressed, fluid is forced through the downstream valve, and upon decompression, fluid is drawn through the upstream valve. The present invention also relates to a method for dispensing a food product. |
| US07651008B2 |
System for dispensing hot and cold beverages from liquid concentrates
The invention concerns a device for dispensing a beverage comprising a mixture of liquid, e.g. water, and at least one liquid concentrate, with at least two liquid nozzles connected respectively to at least one liquid source for producing a first jet of liquid in air along first path and a second jet of liquid in air along a second path, at least one concentrate nozzle connected to at least one liquid concentrate source for delivering a stream of liquid concentrate in air along a third path, wherein the liquid nozzles and the concentrate nozzle are oriented with respect to each other so that the first, second and third paths intersect above a container at a common intersection point, whereby the mixture is formed by collision of the respective jets and the stream(s). |
| US07651004B2 |
Linerless closure and package
A linerless closure of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction includes a base wall and a cylindrical skirt for attaching the closure to a container neck finish. First and second circumferentially continuous annular walls extend from the base wall at positions radially inward from the skirt. The first and second annular walls are spaced from each other to receive an end portion of the container neck finish when the closure is applied to the neck finish. At least one of the annular walls has a circumferentially continuous annular projection extending toward the opposing annular wall. The annular projection is axially flexible for bending and folding toward the base wall and toward the at least one annular wall in sealing engagement with the end portion of the container neck finish when such end portion is received between the annular walls. |
| US07650998B2 |
Apparatus of treating grinding water for processing periphery of eyeglass lens
A grinding water treating apparatus for separating a processing refuse from grinding water used for processing a periphery of an eyeglass lens, the grinding water being introduced from an eyeglass lens processing apparatus, the grinding water treating apparatus includes: a centrifugal separator that includes a dewatering tank having a bottom surface and a side surface and a drive source for rotating the dewatering tank, and springs out the grinding water to an upper portion of the dewatering tank by rotating the dewatering tank; and a drain pipe that introduces the grinding water from an upper portion of the dewatering tank. The centrifugal separator includes a filter arranged at the upper portion of the dewatering tank and having an opening inserted with the drain pipe for filtering the grinding water separated from the processing refuse by a centrifugal force generated due to rotation of the dewatering tank. |
| US07650994B2 |
Adhesive preparation package
The present invention provides an adhesive preparation package containing an adhesive preparation and a packaging film(s) enclosing said preparation, the packaging films being heat-sealed around the adhesive preparation, wherein the heat-sealed portion of the packaging film comprises an embossed heat-sealed portion and a flat heat-sealed portion, and the embossed heat-sealed portion and the flat heat-sealed portion each form a pattern surrounding the periphery of the adhesive preparation. The adhesive preparation package of the present invention is free of occurrence of pinholes in a heat-sealed portion and can maintain superior air-tightness and sterility. |
| US07650992B1 |
Combination of gardening shears and suspension rack to provide exhibition function
A combination of a pair of gardening shears and a suspension rack includes a suspension rack, and a pair of gardening shears detachably mounted on the suspension rack. The gardening shears include two blade portions each having a distal end provided with a sharp portion. The suspension rack includes a support plate, a locking post, and a safety guard. Thus, the sharp portion of each of the two blade portions of the gardening shears is fully hidden in and surrounded by the safety guard of the suspension rack so that the safety guard of the suspension rack provides an isolating function to prevent a consumer's hand from directly touching the sharp portion of each of the two blade portions of the gardening shears so as to protect the consumer's safety. |
| US07650991B2 |
Surgical screw dispenser
A surgical screw container includes at least one recess which is adapted to receive therein a screw with a head and a threaded shank. The recess has an opening at one end to allow the screw to pass into or out of the recess. The recess is arranged so that the screw lies within the recess with the head of the screw facing the opening. The recess includes a detent device for retaining the screw within the container. The insertion of a screwdriver shaft into the recess releases the screw. |
| US07650988B2 |
Disc case
A case allows a disc to be inserted and removed smoothly without the case being opened, and also inhibits the accumulation of dust on the disc. The case has a movable holder and a fixed holder arranged inside, both of which individually define a circular arc. The movable holder is rotatable about its middle, and the rear of the fixed holder is fixed to the case so that the front portion of the fixed holder can flex. With the lever on the movable holder moved towards the bottom of the case so that the movable holder is rotated towards the front opening, a disc can be stored by inserting it through the front opening and causing the movable holder to rotate backwards and the front portion of the fixed holder to flex away. A stored disc can be removed by moving the lever towards the bottom of the case and causing the movable holder to rotate towards the front opening so that the disc is pushed by the rear portion of the movable holder, causing the front portion of the fixed holder to flex away as the disc emerges from the front opening. |
| US07650986B2 |
Shaker conveyor assembly having an electronically controllable stroke speed
A shaker conveyor assembly for moving objects includes a conveying element adapted for movement in first and second directions in repeated rectilinear fashion so as to convey items placed on the conveying element in one of the directions. The assembly includes an electric drive assembly having an output, a control assembly, and at least one sensor adapted to sense movement of the output. The control assembly provides a first level of electrical power to the electric drive assembly during a first portion of reciprocal movement and a second level of power to the electric drive assembly during a second portion of reciprocal movement. In addition, the control assembly provides selective control over the duration of the first and second portions of the reciprocal movement thereby controlling the speed of each of the directions of reciprocal movement of the conveying element. |
| US07650982B2 |
Production system
A production system that includes a single main conveying line capable of defining a plurality of manual work areas and capable of conveying workpieces, a shuttle that holds a workpiece thereon and that reciprocates along the main conveying line, a shuttle conveying line on which the shuttle is reciprocated over a predetermined distance, a plurality of automatic processing machines that are disposed along the shuttle conveying line on the side opposite to the side on which the main conveying line is laid and that automatically apply a variety of process operations to the workpiece, and a plurality of display units that are disposed adjacent to the manual work areas and that display information about process operations to be applied to the workpiece. |
| US07650974B2 |
OD wiper
A viscous fan drive having improved pumping efficiency from removing fluid from a fluid operating chamber to a fluid reservoir chamber is achieved by providing a wiper element that is located within the radial clearance between the clutch and the housing that effectively seals leakage paths leading (upstream) and trailing the wiper. The wiper element includes a radial tang that is positioned within a corresponding slot of the cover wall. The wiper element also has a pair of spaced apart arms extending from the radial tang portion each having a radial outer surface that has a similar radius as the cover wall and a radial inner surface has a similar radius as the clutch. The wiper element also preferably includes details designed to seal the radial inner surface to the outer periphery of the clutch during fan drive operation and a locating detail to aid in assembly. |
| US07650967B2 |
Communicating to elevator passengers re car movement to pit or overhead
One of a plurality of cars (17, 18) traveling in a hoistway (10) of an elevator system (9) may be diverted to the hoistway overhead (31) or pit (36) to enable another of the cars to gain access to a floor near or at a terminal floor (11, 14). When such car is at its last stop with doors open, visual (40) and audible (41) indicators present (57, 58) messages to the effect that this is the last stop and passengers should exit. After car doors are closed (66), visual and audible messages (68, 69) relate to the car going to the pit or overhead and that passengers may push any button (to reopen doors). Thereafter, the car moves (75, 76) to the overhead (31) or the pit (36) and presents (82, 83) visual and audible messages to the effect that passengers did not exit at the correct floor and must wait while the other car makes a stop. Once the terminal floor is clear, the diverted car will run (87-89) to that floor, presenting (92, 93) visual and audible messages to the effect that passengers should exit once the doors are open and reenter their service requests. |
| US07650965B2 |
Exhaust system
An exhaust system for an engine includes a first muffler having a housing, a first end plate, a second end plate, an inlet pipe extending through at least one of the first end plate and the second end plate, and an outlet pipe extending through at least one of the first end plate and the second end plate. The exhaust system further includes a second muffler having a housing, a first end plate, a second end plate, an inlet pipe extending through at least one of the first end plate and the second end plate, and an outlet pipe extending through at least one of the first end plate and the second end plate. The exhaust system further includes a crossbreed pipe extending through the first end plate of the first muffler and the first end plate of the second muffler. |
| US07650964B2 |
Arrangement of parts and a respective manufacturing method
An arrangement of parts having a first part in the form of sheet metal which is in contact with the second part along an edge and is fixedly connected to the second part via at least one weld. To reduce stress peaks at the ends of welds, the first part has a slot in a section adjacent to the respective end of the weld, the slot beginning at the edge and extending to its end with a curved profile a curve bent by at least 180° up to its end. |
| US07650962B2 |
Rotary actuated seismic source and methods for continuous direct-push downhole seismic testing
Remotely operated rotary actuated shear wave generating apparatus and methods that generate horizontally polarized vertically propagating shear waves for use in down-hole shear wave velocity measurements. Seismic signals are generated by an offset mass rotating in a plane perpendicular to the surface of the ground, which impacts an impact member coupled to the ground. The energy of impact is transmitted to the ground parallel to the surface of the ground. The apparatus uses a spring-loaded rotating mass that has a rotary motion. Because acceleration of the mass is not horizontal, reaction forces caused by acceleration of the mass create less horizontal shear stress in the ground prior to the desired time (impact). Reaction forces of the accelerated rotating mass does not generate undesirable waves that obscure the desirable waves caused by impact with the impact member. The source generates transient shear waves repeatedly at constant intervals. Wave motions are recorded by a probe as it is advanced into the ground, without pause. |
| US07650961B2 |
Differential lock control system and associated method
A differential lock control system for controlling a differential lock of a work vehicle is adapted to determine if the work vehicle is oriented to travel in a generally straight direction, and, if the work vehicle is so oriented, automatically command activation of the differential lock. An associated method is disclosed. |
| US07650954B2 |
Method for controlling the drive power distribution in a motor vehicle with hybrid drive
A method for controlling the drive power distribution in a motor vehicle with hybrid drive by controlling the drive power distribution of torques of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor on a common drive train of a motor vehicle with hybrid drive. The conversion of a reference moment to an actual moment takes place almost without delay, in the case of a load point shift and/or in the case of a change in the moment desired by the driver. The delay in the conversion of reference moments into actual moments is calculated in advance by means of a control device, and the electric motor is controlled by the control device in such a manner that the torque differences that occur due to the delay of the internal combustion engine are balanced out by the electric motor. |
| US07650953B2 |
Hydrogen hybrid power electric vehicle
The present invention relates to the vehicle field, more particularly, to a hydrogen hybrid power electric vehicle which combusts hydrogen instead of gasoline or diesel, characterized in that an alcohol cracking hydrogen generator is in serial connection in the line of an exhaust pipe of the hydrogen engine of the vehicle which can produce hydrogen on board by cracking alcohol using the afterheat of the exhaust gases so as to drive the vehicle to run and the electric motor to generate power. When a vehicle is driven by a hydrogen engine according to the present invention combined with an electric motor, ultra-low emission or zero-emission can be reached. Plenty of raw materials can be used to produce hydrogen such as sugarcane, maize, sweet broomcorn and cassava etc. all of which are inexhaustible regenerative resources. The alcoholic materials used to produce hydrogen can be 50°-65° hydrous methanol or ethanol, which involve easy processing technology and low costs. It is also very safe and convenient to store, transport and supply in network liquid alcohol. |
| US07650950B2 |
Drilling system and method
A closed-loop circulating system for drilling wells has control of the flow rates in and out of the wellbore. Kicks and fluid losses are quickly controlled by adjusting the backpressure. Kick tolerance and tripping margins are eliminated by real-time determination of pore and fracture pressure. The system can incorporate a rotating BOP and can be used with underbalanced drilling. |
| US07650947B2 |
One trip system for circulating, perforating and treating
A well completion method and apparatus comprises a pipe string having a bottom attached boring bit and scraper. Above the bit at designated well fluid production locations, perforation assemblies are integrated into the pipe string. Each perforation assembly comprises a by-pass circulation mandrel and a perforation gun. The circulation mandrel is secured at opposite distal ends in threaded Y-adapter boxes. The perforating gun is secured in collar bores respective to the opposite end Y-adapters. |
| US07650945B2 |
Inflatable closure system
A closure device that is useful as a safety valve within a tubular member, such as production tubing and pipelines. The closure device includes an inflatable bladder that is disposed within a cavity in the wall of the tubular member. A fluid conduit interconnects a fluid source with the inflatable bladder, and a pump is associated with the fluid conduit to flow fluid between the fluid source and the bladder. |
| US07650943B2 |
Hydraulic control system
A hydraulic control system for controlling an external device (4) at a well installation includes a control module (2) for generating electrical and/or optical control signals. A control pod (8) receives the control signals, the control pod controlling the external device. A hydraulic line (10) links the control pod to the external device (4) for controlling it. |
| US07650942B2 |
Sub sea control and monitoring system
A system for monitoring and/or controlling at least one device mounted on a tubing string of a well, the system comprising: a down-well cable for conveying a signal to and/or from at least one device mounted on a tubing string of a well; a temporary surface cable for conveying a signal between the at least one device and a first monitor/control station prior to and/or during installation of a tubing string in a well; a permanent surface cable for conveying a signal between the at least one device and a second monitor/control station after installation of the tubing string in a well; and switch means configurable between a first configuration, in which the down-well cable and the temporary cable are connected, and a second configuration, in which the down-well cable and the permanent cable are connected. |
| US07650940B2 |
Cement compositions comprising particulate carboxylated elastomers and associated methods
Methods of cementing comprising: providing a cement composition comprising water, a cement, and a particulate elastomer comprising a carboxy group; and allowing the cement composition to set. Cement compositions comprising water, a cement, and a particulate elastomer comprising a carboxy group. |
| US07650939B2 |
Portable and modular system for extracting petroleum and generating power
An embodiment is a portable, modular apparatus, having one or more modules, for recovering oil from an oil well and generating electric power, and including a chassis to support a fuel reformer, a gas separator, a power generator, and/or a compressor. The fuel reformer module is adapted to react a fuel source with water to generate driver gas including a mixture of carbon dioxide gas and hydrogen gas. The gas separator module is operatively coupled to the reformer module and is adapted to separate at least a portion of the hydrogen gas from the rest of the driver gas. The power generator module is operatively coupled to the gas separator module and is adapted to generate electric power using a portion of the separated hydrogen gas. The compressor module is operatively coupled to the reformer module and is adapted to compress a portion of the driver gas, and to eject the driver gas at high pressure into the oil well for enhanced oil recovery. The chassis may be mounted and carried by a truck, boat, airplane, or other vehicle to the location of the oil well. |
| US07650938B2 |
Residential in-well internal water aerator
A Residential In-well Internal Water Aerator for reducing/eliminating iron, Hydrogen sulfide, and radon gas is a device that hangs within the well casing. Its support is achieved by the well cap. It is capable of degassing hydrogen sulfide and radon gas and precipitation of the iron to become a solid and attaching its self to the interior walls and drip screens of the Residential In-well Internal Water Aerator within the well, thus reducing/eliminating the stained fixtures, bad smell and the risk of radon gas from within the residence. |
| US07650934B2 |
Heat exchanger
The invention relates to a heat exchanger, particularly a radiator for a heating or air conditioning unit in motor vehicles, which cools a coolant. Said heat exchanger (1) is penetrated by air, comprises collector pipes (S1, S2, S2, S4) and several essentially horizontally disposed pipes (5), and is divided into several partial blocks (T1, T2, T3, T4). The surfaces of the inventive partial blocks are selected according to the dimensions of structural space-related zones having different air temperatures inside the assembly space of the heat exchanger, the partial block which is first penetrated by the coolant being arranged within a structural space-related zone having a higher air temperature, preferably within the zone having the highest air temperature. |
| US07650932B2 |
Loop heat pipe
A loop heat pipe includes an evaporator and a sealed pipe. The evaporator includes an evaporator body made of a heat conductive material. The evaporator body has at least two retaining holes and at least a channel hole penetrating the retaining holes. In addition, the sealed pipe includes at least two sealed ends. The two sealed ends are securely fastened to the two retaining holes of the evaporator. Meanwhile, at least one of the two retaining holes is a through hole, which penetrates through two sides of the evaporator body, and at least one of the sealed ends protrudes the evaporator via the penetrable retaining hole. |
| US07650931B2 |
Vapor augmented heatsink with multi-wick structure
A heat transfer device includes a base chamber, a fin chamber, and at least one fin. The chambers can be thermally coupled. The heat transfer device also includes a wick structure. The wick structure can include a multi-wick structure. The multi-wick structure can include a three-dimensional wick structure and/or a spatially varying wick structure. |
| US07650925B2 |
Identifying and reducing causes of defects in thin cast strip
The method of producing thin cast strip by continuous casting is disclosed. At least two sensors are operationally connected to at least one end of at least one of a pair of casting rolls or of a pair of brushes, to continuously measure at least two force-related parameters during casting. At least two time domain signals corresponding to the measured force-related parameters are generated. The time domain signals are continuously monitored and transformed into corresponding frequency domain spectrums. The frequency domain spectrums are analyzed and composite intensity values are continuously calculated from the intensity levels of at least a portion of the frequency component signals within the frequency spectrums. Casting parameters are adjusted in response to reduce strip defects. |
| US07650922B2 |
Window treatment for arch-shaped window
A window treatment for an arch-shaped window including a frame having an arch portion and a horizontal portion; at least one shade panel pivotally connected to a central portion of the horizontal portion of the frame; at least one channel formed on an inner surface of the arch portion, wherein the at least one channel forms a longitudinal slot on an inner surface thereof; and a chain at least partially housed within the at least one channel and moveable therein for effectuating arcuate movement of the at least one shade panel between an open and a closed position, wherein the chain is configured and dimensioned to move within the at least one channel without falling out of the longitudinal slot. |
| US07650921B2 |
Run-flat tire with side reinforcing cord layer
A run-flat tire is provided at its side wall with a side reinforcing rubber layer having a substantially falcate cross section, and a side reinforcing cord layers extending inside and outside along a ply body of a carcass in a radial direction. A radially outer end of the side reinforcing cord layer is sandwiched and terminated between a belt layer and a ply body of the carcass. A radial inner end of the side reinforcing cord layer is terminated in the vicinity of the bead core. |
| US07650919B2 |
Non-pneumatic tire having web spokes
A structurally supported tire includes a ground contacting tread portion, a reinforced annular band disposed radially inward of the tread portion, and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the reinforced annular band and anchored in a wheel or hub. The reinforced annular band comprises an elastomeric shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer. Each of the membranes has a longitudinal tensile modulus sufficiently greater than the shear modulus of the shear layer, and a longitudinal compression modulus of a second membrane is at least equal to the longitudinal tensile modulus of a first membrane so that when under load the ground contacting portion of the tire deforms to a flat contact region through shear strain in the shear layer while maintaining constant the length of the membranes. The web spokes transmit load forces between the annular band and the hub through tension in the web spokes not connected to the ground contacting portion of the tire. |
| US07650916B2 |
Container filling element for open-filling of containers
A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage material having a filling element and a filling machine having such filling elements. The filling elements each have a movable probe which may be moved into a bottle or container to be filled in order to detect the level of liquid, such as a beverage, in the bottle or container. |
| US07650911B2 |
Method for restricting fluid flow in a passageway
A method of restricting fluid flow through a passageway can include inserting a device comprising memory foam into the passageway. The expanded memory foam can have a cross-sectional profile with a shape and size to securely fit within the passageway so as to restrict fluid flow through the passageway. Additionally, the memory foam can have a receiving portion that extends from the first end to the second end that is configured for receiving an object that extends from the first end to the second end. The receiving portion can have various configurations and can include internal portions and external portions of the memory foam. The receiving portion can self-form a conduit around the object by expanding the memory foam around the object. |
| US07650910B2 |
Electro-hydraulic valve apparatuses
An electro-hydraulic valve apparatus includes a flow channel, a hydraulic control channel defining an electro-hydraulic valve junction where the hydraulic control channel is adjacent to the flow channel, a flexible wall between the flow channel and the hydraulic control channel at the electro-hydraulic valve junction, and Peltier devices adjacent to the hydraulic control channel on opposite sides of the electro-hydraulic valve junction for controllably applying a hydraulic force against the flexible wall repositioning the flexible wall in relation to the flow channel to selectively close or open the electro-hydraulic valve apparatus. |
| US07650909B2 |
Flow development chamber
A system and method for conveying flowable material through a conduit that creates a strong laminar flow of the material surrounded by a boundary layer flow of the same or a different flowable material, such that long transport distances through dramatic elevation and directional changes can be achieved. Some embodiments of the system include a blower assembly, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber includes an outer barrel, an inner barrel and an accelerating chamber. Low pressure air is supplied to the system by the blower assembly and mixed with particulate material. The air/material mixture is transported through the mixing chamber into the accelerating chamber and through the outlet conduit. In other embodiments, the particulate material is mixed with the air in the accelerating chamber. Other embodiments of the system include only the mixing chamber, where a flow of at least one flowable material in the form of high or low pressure gas, liquid, and/or particulates suspended within the gas or liquid enters either laterally or axially, forms boundary layer and laminar flows, and exits through the accelerating chamber. |
| US07650908B2 |
Valve assembly and related arrangements
A valve assembly (100) has an inlet port (104) and an outlet port (106) linked by a fluid conduit (102) for allowing fluid to pass therebetween. The valve assembly includes a stop valve having a spindle (112) that is centrally mounted within the valve assembly and a valve head (108) mounted on the spindle (112). The stop valve spindle (112) is operable to move the stop valve head (108) between an open position, in which the inlet port (104) is in communication with the outlet port (106), and a closed position, in which the outlet port is isolated from the inlet port. Also provided is a control valve having at least one spindle (114) that is eccentrically mounted within the valve assembly and a valve head (110) mounted on the at least one control valve spindle (114). The at least one control valve spindle is operable to move the control valve head (110) for graduated flow control of fluid passing along the fluid conduit (102) The stop valve head (108) is nested within the control valve head (110) when the stop valve is in the open position. |
| US07650906B2 |
Valve apparatus having O-ring
A valve apparatus is adapted to be at least partially inserted into an insertion hole of a counterpart member. The valve apparatus includes a housing and an O-ring. The housing is adapted to be inserted from an outside of the insertion hole into the insertion hole. The housing and the insertion hole define an annular gap therebetween. The O-ring seals the annular gap. The housing includes a substantially cylindrical base metallic member inserted into the insertion hole and an outer resin member. The outer resin member is fixed to the base metallic member, and at least partially defines an outer circumferential periphery of the housing. The base metallic member defines a bottom surface of a groove that supports the O-ring. The bottom surface of the groove is exposed circumferentially throughout from the outer resin member. The outer resin member defines a wall that restricts the O-ring from axially moving. |
| US07650905B2 |
Emergency isolation valve apparatus
An emergency isolation valve has a valve plug in a valve body connected to a pipeline. The valve plug is connected to a valve shaft around which a sector gear is provided and engaged with a rack of a piston rod in a cylinder. The piston rod has a piston at one end and is connected to a compression spring at the other end. The piston is moved by air supplied into a cylinder from a compressed air source via a fluid control and a solenoid selector valve. Air supply stops and a discharge hole of the cylinder is opened, so that air is discharged to the outside. The piston is returned by the compression spring to close the discharge hole. At the same time stop of the piston rod is detected by a sensor thereby checking whether to actuate the valve plug normally even during operation. |
| US07650904B2 |
Pressure-regulating valve with an integrated pressure gauge
A pressure-regulating valve with an integrated pressure gauge has a body, an inlet nipple, a pressure-control device and a knob assembly. The body is tubular and has an inlet opening, an outlet and an adjustment end. The inlet nipple is connected to the inlet opening of the body and connects to a compressor. The outlet is a tube formed on the body and connects to a pneumatic tool or the like. The pressure-control device is movably placed inside the body and controls pressure of a gas flowing from the compressor to the outlet of the body. The knob assembly is rotatably mounted on the adjustment end of the body, is connected to the pressure-control device and displays and controls the pressure of the gas flowing from the compressor. |
| US07650902B1 |
Liquid thermal management purging system
A liquid thermal management purging system for efficiently removing the liquid coolant within a liquid thermal management system prior to opening the system for maintenance. The liquid thermal management purging system generally includes a reservoir storing a volume of liquid coolant and a volume of displacement liquid and a thermal management unit in fluid communication with the reservoir. A displacement pump and a drain pump are fluidly connected between the reservoir and the thermal management unit to selectively provide displacement liquid to and remove liquid coolant from the thermal management unit (and vice-versa). |
| US07650899B2 |
Universal 3-D camouflage strips with nature effects, camouflage cover formed therefrom, and outdoor enclosure incorporating same
A camouflage cover for equipping an outdoor enclosure with three-dimensional nature effects includes a plurality of elongated nature-effect strands that drape over the enclosure in a substantially vertical arrangement. The vine-like nature-effect strands help conceal hard lines and corners of the enclosure structure. The cover may include adjustment straps that allow a single cover to adapt to a number of enclosure structures. The adjustment straps, where used, may include interwoven cords and cord locks for adjusting tension of the straps. The nature-effect strands may have different camouflage patterns so that an enclosure can have an appropriate camouflage scheme no matter what season or environment. Tiebacks may optionally be used to permit horizontal adjustment of the nature-effect strands, in order to prevent allow free access to windows and doorways. Auxiliary loops may also be provided to allow attachment of additional nature effects by a user. |
| US07650898B2 |
Adjustable pole
A pole mechanism that can be adjusted with one hand that can be used in trekking poles, tool handles, and other applications requiring the use of an adjustable-length elongated member. |
| US07650895B2 |
Eye liner pencil
An eye liner pencil. The pencil includes an elongate portion which is gripped by the user, the elongate portion having a central axis. The pencil includes a marking portion extending from the elongate portion and in an angular relationship between 5° and 175° with the elongate portion. The marking portion is for marking an eyelid. A lip liner pencil. A method for applying eye liner to an eyelid. A method for applying lip liner to a lip. The pencil can include a plurality of sections. |
| US07650894B2 |
Eyeliner pencil
An eyeliner pencil. The pencil includes an elongate portion which is gripped by the user, the elongate portion having a central axis. The pencil includes a marking portion extending from the elongate portion and in an angular relationship between 5° and 175° with the elongate portion. The marking portion is for marking an eyelid. A lipliner pencil. A method for applying eyeliner to an eyelid. A method for applying lipliner to a lip. |
| US07650892B1 |
Methods for hindering formation of tobacco-specific nitrosamines
The present invention relates to methods for hindering formation of tobacco-specific nitrosamines during processing of dark fire tobacco, as well as a facility in which at least portions of these methods may be conducted. According to the present invention, dark fire tobacco that has been harvested and that is generally green and/or yellow is exposed to an uncontrolled, yet active, ambient airflow so as to provide a substantially aerobic environment about the tobacco. This exposure of the dark fire tobacco to the ambient airflow may be done until the tobacco is substantially brown and/or substantially free of enzymatic activity. Subsequently, the tobacco is exposed to gaseous emissions (e.g., smoke) from combusting sawdust/wood. This step may be conducted at least until the tobacco exhibits a moisture content of no more than about 16% and/or until the tobacco exhibits a gloss or shine on a surface of the tobacco. |
| US07650890B2 |
Trash container for disposal of cigarette waste
The container for disposal of cigarette waste includes a base, a hollow stem having an outer wall that contains an interior cavity of the hollow stem. The stem further includes a top and a bottom, where the stem is coupled to the base at the bottom. The container also includes a removable cap which is detachably coupled to the top of the stem. It further includes a disposal bucket attached to the cap. Once the cap is coupled to the top of the stem, the disposal bucket is suspended in the interior cavity of the stem. At least one hole is made through the outer wall of the stem near the top. Once the disposal bucket is placed in the interior cavity of the stem, the hole is located between disposal bucket and the cap. |
| US07650887B2 |
Wound retractor
An incrementally adjustable wound retractor (100), having a first ring (102) with a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision. A second ring (104), having an annular axis and a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision. A flexible sleeve (106), disposed in a generally cylindrical form between the first and second rings (102, 104), the second ring may be rolled over itself and around the annular axis to provide a sleeve with a radical retraction force sufficient to stretch the incision to the desired diameter. |
| US07650883B2 |
Dispensing device
An indicating device suitable for indicating the number of dosages of a substance that have been dispensed from or remain in a container. The indicating device includes an indicator member having an outwardly facing first surface with indicia visible to a user and an opposite inwardly facing surface having a plurality of teeth. The first surface further includes a groove. A cover is disposed over at least a portion of the first surface of the indicator member such that only a portion of the indicia are visible at any one time. The cover includes an inwardly extending projection disposed in the groove. The indicator member is rotatable relative to the cover with the projection being moveable in the groove as the indicator member is rotated relative to the cover. In another aspect, a rotatable member is rotatable relative to an outer cover. An intermediate member is moveable relative to the outer cover and the rotatable member so as to obscure at least a portion of the surface of the rotatable member that would be otherwise visible through the viewing window. At least one of the surfaces of the rotatable member and intermediate member have dosage indicia. |
| US07650880B2 |
Cooking oven for bread, patisserie and pastries or similar
The invention relates to a cooking oven for bread, patisserie and pastry products or similar, including at least one cooking chamber with a fixed or moving floor, on which products are supported during cooking, whether directly or on a suitable cooking support, such as a plate a mesh or a cooking mold. There is also a radiant heating device for the floor arranged under the floor, called a floor hotplate. The floor and the floor hotplate have a space therebetween, the space being provided for closed-circuit convective circulation of a heating fluid, the floor having a permeable embodiment for a complementary heating of the products through the same by convection. The oven permits a combination at the floor of heating by conduction and radiation with heating by convection. |
| US07650874B2 |
Control apparatus for an internal combustion engine
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine can learn an alcohol concentration of fuel in a fuel tank according to air fuel ratio feedback control, and accurately calculate, even upon interruption of learning, an alcohol concentration in an injector by estimating an alcohol concentration change delay from the fuel tank to the injector. The alcohol concentration in the fuel tank is estimated based on an air fuel ratio correction amount calculated from an air fuel ratio detected. A delay behavior of an alcohol concentration change until the fuel in the fuel tank reaches the injector is estimated. The alcohol concentration of fuel supplied to the engine is calculated from the estimated alcohol concentration in the fuel tank and the estimated delay behavior. An alcohol concentration correction coefficient is calculated based on the alcohol concentration, and an amount of fuel supplied to the engine is corrected by the correction coefficient. |
| US07650872B2 |
Internal combustion engine
Disclosed is an internal combustion engine, which has a geometric compression ratio of 13.0 or greater, and a combustion chamber (4) configured to satisfy a condition of S/V2≦0.12 (mm−1) when a radius r of a hypothetical sphere (IS) with its center at an ignition point (CP) of a spark plug (3) is set to satisfy a condition of V2=0.15×V1, where: S (mm2) is an area of an interference surface between the hypothetical sphere (IS) and an inner wall of the combustion chamber (4) in a state when a piston (30) is at its top dead center position; V1 (mm3) is a volume of the combustion chamber 4 in the state when the piston (30) is at the top dead center position; and V2 (mm3) is a volume of a non-interference part of the hypothetical sphere (IS) which is free of interference with the inner wall of the combustion chamber (4) when the piston (30) is at the top dead center position. The internal combustion engine of the present invention can more reliably improve fuel economy. |
| US07650870B2 |
Crankshaft beam piston engine or machine
Disclosed are crankshaft, single-plate cam and beam mechanisms that provide significant improvements in performance for 2- & 4-stroke engines, compressors and pumps. These cost effective mechanisms include linkages with the new and improved use of pivoting arms that operate with a variety of cylinder arrangements. One embodiment of the crankshaft mechanism has its crankpin roller positioned within a novel yoke-arm. The cam mechanism uses a pair of centrally positioned parallel links that are connected to roller cam followers and single or diametrically-opposed pistons. A pair of laterally extending follower arms connects to the ends of the links to provide support and alignment for the piston rods. Between the reciprocating links, cam followers and follower arms is a rotating odd-lobe plate cam. A beam mechanism uses opposite-direction extending balancing beams that are connected to links, cam followers and piston rods. |
| US07650865B2 |
Power equipment apparatus having engine with electric starter motor and manual starter mechanism
A power equipment apparatus includes an engine, an electric starter motor, a manual starter mechanism, a temperature sensor, and a starter switch. The temperature sensor is operatively coupled with the engine and is configured to generate a temperature signal reflecting a temperature of a portion of the engine. The starter switch is configured to selectively facilitate passage of electrical power to the electric starter motor for actuation of the electric starter motor only when both the starter switch is actuated and the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. |
| US07650863B2 |
Variable engine valve actuation system having common rail
A valve actuation system for a combustion engine is provided. The valve actuation system may have an engine valve movable between first and second spaced apart end positions. The valve actuation system may also have a first cam element mechanically coupled to move the engine valve, and a first hydraulic slave piston operatively connected to the engine valve to move the engine valve independent of movement of the first cam element. The valve actuation system may further have a high pressure rail fluidly connected to the first hydraulic piston, and a control valve disposed between the high pressure rail and the first hydraulic piston to regulate movement of the engine valve. |
| US07650862B2 |
Engine and motorcycle
A multiple-cylinder DOHC engine, including a cylinder head, a first camshaft that is mounted on the cylinder head and is configured to drive one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve mounted on the cylinder head, a second camshaft that is mounted on the cylinder head and is configured to drive the other one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve, a camshaft drive system that is mounted at an end portion of the first camshaft in an axial direction thereof and is configured to drive the first camshaft, and a driving power transmission mechanism that is disposed at a center portion of the first and second camshafts in the axial direction to transmit a driving power from the first camshaft to the second camshaft. |
| US07650860B2 |
Engine with pivoting type piston
Radial impulse engine, pump, and compressor systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the invention, an engine includes a first end wall portion spaced apart from a second end wall portion to at least partially define a combustion chamber therebetween. In this embodiment, the engine further includes a plurality of movable wall portions disposed between the first and second end wall portions. Each movable wall portion includes a cylindrical surface extending at least partially between a distal edge portion and a pivot axis. Upon ignition in the combustion chamber, the distal edge portion of each movable wall portion slides across the cylindrical surface of the adjacent movable wall portion as the movable wall portions pivot outwardly in unison about their respective pivot axes. |
| US07650859B2 |
Water heater and system for insulating same
A water heater and method of assembling the water heater are disclosed. The method includes the step of positioning an insulation member around a water tank. An expandable tube is positioned at an elevation between a top surface and a bottom surface of the insulation member. An outer shell is positioned over the water tank, the insulation member, and the expandable tube to at least partially encapsulate the water tank. The expandable tube is expanded to compress at least a portion of the insulation member against the water tank or the outer shell. Foam insulation is delivered into a space defined adjacent the top surface of the insulation member and between the water tank and the outer shell. The foam insulation is substantially limited from traveling past the expandable tube when the expandable tube is maintained in an expanded state. |
| US07650856B2 |
Submersible farm
The invention relates to an improved submersible mollusc farm consisting of a self-supporting frame which is formed with an “H” plan floating structure comprising beams with support arms for the culture ropes. According to the invention, the structure moves vertically under the effect of tides or the weight of the culture product and is guided by means of surface floats which are equipped with a guide tube comprising slide stop elements between which the structure can slide. |
| US07650853B2 |
Device for applying electromagnetic microwave radiation in a plasma cavity
A device for applying, in use, electromagnetic microwave radiation in a plasma cavity. The device includes a plasma cavity present within a housing, being substantially cylindrically symmetric about a first axis, and which plasma cavity includes a cylindrical wall provided with a circumferential slit. The plasma cavity is in communication, via the slit, with a first end of an elongated microwave guide having a longitudinally extending second axis. The device is in communication in use with a microwave generating device via the other end of the microwave guide, in which the electromagnetic microwave radiation being generated may include several modes, where the device can, in use, generate microwave radiation in the slit, which microwave radiation has only one electromagnetic field distribution at least in one direction perpendicularly to the propagation direction of the microwave radiation in the microwave guide. |
| US07650849B2 |
Indicator for A/T vehicle
An indicator for an AT vehicle is disclosed wherein even when a shift lever boot is greatly flexed downward during shift operation of a shift lever, boot penetration restricting device, provided inside an open window of an indicator, prevents the shift lever boot from flexing and penetrating into a lower area of the open window portion. |
| US07650847B1 |
Watercraft stabilization system
This invention relates generally to the stabilization of watercraft, such as kayaks and canoes, and especially to the stabilization of a kayak to allow an individual to stand or move in a kayak without the kayak rocking or rolling over. The pontoon assembly is mounted to a kayak which allows for extending a stabilizing pontoon individually on each side of the watercraft and locking the pontoon at an operative position. Each pontoon can be rapidly raised to a rest position for paddling the kayak or canoe. |
| US07650839B2 |
Method for registering patterns on a web
A method for registering patterns on a web to provide independent scale control in both the lateral and longitudinal directions is provided. The method includes routing the web over a first roller; routing the web over a second roller and stabilizing the web; applying a pattern to the web using process hardware; measuring registration of the pattern and providing an error signal; controlling lateral position error using the error signal; controlling longitudinal position error using the error signal; controlling lateral scale error using the error signal; and controlling longitudinal scale error using the error signal. The method provides independent scale control in both the lateral and longitudinal directions. Independent scale control avoids non-linear distortions otherwise imposed by attempting to accomplish both corrections by stretching the web in both directions. |
| US07650838B2 |
Device and method for control of a printer or copier through controlling signals
In a method or device for control of a printer or copier, a series of discrete signal states is generated with which a drive unit for conveyance of a carrier material to be printed is controlled. A control signal is generated to end the conveyance of the carrier material. Based on the control signal, the generated series of the discrete signal states is changed at an earliest with a changed signal state following the control signal. A positioning error of the carrier material is caused due to a time period between the control signal and the changed signal state is detected. |
| US07650832B2 |
Coffee machine having a drawer through which it is supplied with a coffee pad
A coffee machine having a drawer which can be pushed into the coffee machine in a substantially horizontal manner with the coffee pad inserted therein so as to supply the machine with a coffee pad. In order to provide a simple and reliable possibility for sealing a brewing chamber, actuating means are provided for opening and closing a brewing chamber which is constituted by a brewing chamber upper part and a brewing chamber lower part. In order to give a sealed brewing chamber, at least the brewing chamber lower part or the brewing chamber upper part can be displaced towards the respective other part. |
| US07650831B2 |
Method and device for preparation of a drink from capsules containing a substance
The invention relates to a device for preparing a beverage by injection of water through a capsule containing a substance to be dissolved and/or to be extracted. The device comprises at least one water-injection system for introducing water inside the capsule. The injection system can be switched in order for a selection to be made between at least two different modes of wetting the substance so as to adapt wetting in accordance with the type of capsule and/or with the nature of the substance contained in the capsule. The invention aims to propose a device suitable for the preparation of a wider range of beverages, foaming or non-foaming, from substances to be extracted and/or soluble substances. |
| US07650830B1 |
Beneficiated water system
A system and method for the enhancement or fortification of a potable fluid. The system is adapted to fit on existing supplies of potable fluids, such as faucets, to permit the selective introduction of beneficiating materials into the liquid supply. The system includes interchangeable, replaceable cartridges. In one aspect of the invention, the system introduces a constant concentration of beneficiating material into the water supply. In another aspect, the system has the ability to permit discrete or continuously variable concentrations of the beneficiating material. The system may also include a water filtration device that may be operated either independently or cooperatively with the system. |
| US07650828B2 |
Piston and a fluid operated setting device connected therewith
A piston for a setting device operated by fluid power is suggested. The piston includes a support body having an annular recess with an axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the piston, such recess having at least one annular permanent magnet arrangement therein. The permanent magnet arrangement is segmented in its peripheral direction and consists of at least two accurate magnet segments. The annular recess is in the form of an annular groove with a radially outwardly directed groove opening into which the magnet segments are inserted radially from the outside with the formation of an annular configuration. |
| US07650825B1 |
Case trimmer and chamfer tool
A case trimmer and chamfer tool preferably includes a trim die, an end cutter, a crank, an outer chamfer blade, an inner chamfer blade and a height adjustment ring. The end cutter is slidably retained in the trim die. The inner and outer chamfer blades are spring loaded. The end cutter trims a length of the cartridge case. The inner and outer wall of the cartridge case are chamfered by the inner and outer chamfer blades. An adjustment boss extends downward from one end of the crank and a rotating knob is retained on the other end thereof. The end cutter is retained in the adjustment boss. The height adjustment ring is retained on the adjustment boss. A second embodiment is adapted for handling straight cartridge cases instead of rifle cartridge cases. The case trimmer and chamfer tool and a cartridge case are retained in a loading press. |
| US07650823B2 |
Punch unit, sheet post-processing apparatus having the same, and method of punching sheets
A hole punch unit has a punching section, a longitudinal registering mechanism, and a transverse registering mechanism. The registering mechanisms incline the punching section in accordance with a skew of a sheet. The punching section thus corrected in position punches the sheet. The punching section is corrected in position, at both the leading edge of the sheet and the trailing edge thereof, thus increasing the precision of positioning the punching section and shortening the time required to position the punching section. |
| US07650819B2 |
Variable stiffness support
A variable stiffness support has a support housing that is configured to adjust the orientation of an internal elastomer assembly. The support housing includes an adjustment mechanism, and the elastomer assembly includes an outer ring that encircles an elastomeric material, a central bushing embedded in the elastomeric material, and a plurality of shims embedded in the elastomeric material in a parallel planar fashion. |
| US07650814B2 |
Bicycle cable
A bicycle cable is provided with an outer casing, an inner wire extending through the outer casing, an inner sheath covering at least a portion of the inner wire that protrudes beyond the outer casing and at least one the inner sheath cap member cap member. The inner sheath cap member has a mounting section mounted to an end part of the inner sheath and a bottom section that is formed on one end of the mounting section. The bottom section has a cable passage hole with the inner wire can pass therethrough. The bicycle cable is configured to effectively suppress the intrusion of contaminants between the inner wire and the inner sheath, and thereby, prevent the inner wire from degrading and becoming difficult to move. |
| US07650813B2 |
Position control mechanism for bicycle control device
A position control mechanism is provided for a bicycle control device that has a shifting unit. The position control mechanism has an operating member that is configured to operate a positioning member that moves through two of a plurality of predetermined shift positions during a single progressive movement of the operating member. The operating member is configured in the preferred embodiment to operate both a hydraulic braking unit and the shifting unit. |
| US07650808B2 |
Sprial cam clutch actuation system for two-speed transfer case
A transfer case includes a two-speed range unit, a friction clutch, an actuation mechanism and a control system. The actuation mechanism includes an electric motor, a geartrain driven by the motor, a range actuator assembly and a mode actuator assembly. The range actuator assembly includes a driveshaft driven by the geartrain, a cam driven by the driveshaft and a shift fork having a follower retained in a groove formed in the cam and a fork engaging a shift collar associated with the range unit. The mode actuator assembly has a face cam with spiral cam surfaces and a control gear with radially-moveable rollers engaging the cam surfaces. The control gear is rotatively driven by the geartrain. The face cam is axially moveable for controlling engagement of the friction clutch. An anti-rotation mechanism limits rotation of the face cam in response to continued rotation of the control gear. |
| US07650807B2 |
Method for adjusting an automatic transmission ratio
A method for adjusting an automatic transmission ratio by a driver includes imposing a ratio change required by the driver to the transmission when first conditions are fulfilled, maintaining the ratio until second conditions for returning to operation in an automatic mode are fulfilled, and automatically restoring the automatic mode when the second conditions are fulfilled. |
| US07650805B2 |
Integrity testable multilayered filter device
The present invention comprises a filter housing having two or more layers of filters. Each layer is preferably spaced apart from each other so as to provide a chamber or gap between them. A port or vent is located within the chamber or gap between the two layers to provide an intermediate path for gas or liquid to flow through one layer of filter or membrane and out the vent or port for integrity testing. |
| US07650804B2 |
Mechanochemical sensor
There is provided a mechanochemical sensor including a minute mechanical structure body having the functional membrane formed at least on one part of its surface, a supporting part for supporting the minute mechanical structure body; and a detection part for detecting the change of a mechanical property of the minute mechanical structure body. According to the invention, it is possible to provide improved adhesion between the functional membrane and the minute mechanical structure body since the functional membrane is integrally formed in advance on the minute mechanical structure body, which will contribute to the increase of detection signal, and improvement of measurement precision and sensitivity. |
| US07650800B2 |
Flow sensor and method for measuring the volume and/or flow speed of a medium
A flow sensor comprises a measuring chamber, into which a medium may be introduced and then removed, the volume and/or flow speed of which is to be measured. Freely rotating measuring elements are mounted in the measuring chamber Furthermore, at least one sensor for the measurement of magnetic fields and/or changes in magnetic fields is provided and a circuit to which the output signals from the sensor(s) are supplied. The sensor(s) provide an output signal and supply the same to the circuit. The output signal varies periodically on each passage of a single tooth and a corresponding tooth gap on one of the measuring elements, between a minimum and a maximum value. Depending on the position of the tooth relative to the sensor(s) the output signal takes on a reproducible intermediate value. The circuit is embodied such as to convert the intermediate values into discrete values, representative of part volumes of the volumes pumped between two teeth. |
| US07650794B2 |
Method and device for measurement of mechanical compaction of agricultural goods
A process and a device for measuring the mechanical compaction in the depth of an agricultural material, wherein measurement is made with a density sensor of the density of the agricultural material continuously or discontinuously online during the ongoing compacting of an agricultural material. |
| US07650792B2 |
Load indicating member with identifying element
A load indicating member is provided with an identifying element which can be accessed and used to determine ultrasonic measurement parameters specific to the load indicating member to provide more precise and more reliable load measurements by compensating for differences resulting from manufacturing variations in individual load indicating members. The parameters specific to the load indicating member can be stored in coding applied to the load indicating member or in a database that can be accessed remotely, for example, using the Internet. |
| US07650789B2 |
Method and apparatus for examining the interior material of an object, such as a pipeline or a human body from a surface of the object using ultrasound
A method for examining the interior material of an object, such as a pipeline or a human body, from a surface of an object using ultrasound having a frequency of at least 100 KHz, wherein the ultrasound is supplied to the interior material of the object. The reflections and/or diffractions of the ultrasound from the interior material of the object are received using ultrasonic receivers which are acoustically coupled to the surface of the object at positions which are distributed in two dimensions of the surface of the object, at different points in time or not, wherein, with each of the feelers, a receiving signal is generated, wherein the receiving signals are processed in combination in order to determine, according to the principle of inverse wave field extrapolation, where in the interior material of the object reflections and/or diffractions occur. |
| US07650788B2 |
Differentiation and identification of analogous chemical or biological substances with biosensors
An RFID biosensor detection system for detecting particular substances has an interrogator circuit to transmit a radio frequency signal, an input transducer mounted on a piezoelectric material to receive an input radio frequency signal and propagate a corresponding acoustic wave within the piezoelectric material. At least two chemically orthogonal or semi-orthogonal biolayers are mounted on the piezoelectric material to receive substances to be tested and cause corresponding changes in the acoustic wave. An output transducer is mounted on the piezoelectric material to receive the acoustic wave and transmit a corresponding output radio frequency signal. A receiver circuit receives the corresponding output radio frequency signal and provides separate channel data indicative of the substances received. |
| US07650786B2 |
Apparatus for monitoring the rotational speed in a wind energy plant
An apparatus for monitoring the rotational speed in a wind energy plant, with a rotor shaft which is driven by the rotor and runs out into a gear unit, and with a generator shaft, which connects an output shaft of the gear unit with a generator/converter unit, characterized by a first rotational speed detection unit on the rotor shaft and a second rotational speed detection unit on the generator shaft, wherein each rotational speed detection unit has at least two rotational speed sensors working independently from each other, an analyzing unit for the rotational speed, to which the measured signals of the rotational speed detection units are applied and which generates an error signal for a rotational overspeed when a certain maximum value for the rotational speed is exceeded. |
| US07650785B1 |
Scan lock and track fluid characterization and level sensor apparatus and method
A liquid characterization and level sensor with a coaxial probe attached to a closed loop servo circuitry combined with a DSP and novel algorithms to scan, lock and track signals to ascertain the level and purity of fluid in a container. |
| US07650770B2 |
Key ring tool
A tool is used to split the coils of a key ring so that the key ring can be easily and efficiently placed on a key or other object. In one embodiment the invention includes a pair of guides, such as ribs or slots, incorporated into the bridge of the key ring grip. One rib or slot assists in getting the key ring onto the key and the other rib or slot assists in removing the key ring from the key. Alternatively, the tool could be separate from the key ring bridge and take the form of a plate having a pair of cut-out sections on opposite sides thereof. One cut-out has a sharp leading edge on the top of the plate and the other has a sharp leading edge on the bottom of the plate. A semicircular handle is attached to one side of the plate and assists it further by widening the gap between the coils so that a key can be threaded onto the free end of the key ring. |
| US07650767B2 |
Lock ring for a watthour meter application
A lock ring for use in mounting a watthour meter, meter socket enclosure cover or a watthour meter socket adapter to each other. The lock ring includes a ring member and a housing carried on the first and second ends of the ring member. The housing may be separate housings carried on the first and second ends of the ring member. A lock is insertable into mated first and second housing members in one of a plurality of variably selectable positions that vary the circumference of the ring member to accommodate varied circumferences of watthour meters, meter socket adapters and meter socket enclosure cover mounting rings. Finger grips are formed on the housing members to facilitate closure of the housing. A plurality of axially spaced grooves are formed in one of the members for receiving lock members carried by the lock. |
| US07650766B2 |
Apparatus and methods for rinsing washing machines
A washing machine is provided. The washing machine includes a tub, a sensor operatively coupled to the tub and configured to sense a conductivity of a fluid in the tub and a controller operatively coupled to the sensor for controlling an amount of the fluid in the tub based on the conductivity of the fluid. |
| US07650764B2 |
Vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass
A vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass includes a vacuum housing which is evacuated to be depressurized therein; a vacuum degassing vessel which is provided in the vacuum housing to vacuum-degas molten glass as the molten glass flows therein; an uprising pipe which connects to the vacuum degassing vessel, and sucks and draws up undegassed molten glass to introduce the undegassed molten glass into the vacuum degassing vessel; and a downfalling pipe which connects to the vacuum degassing vessel and draws down the degassed molten glass from the vacuum degassing vessel to discharge the degassed molten glass. The cross sectional area of the path at the upper end portion of the uprising pipe is larger than the cross sectional area of the path at the lower end portion of the uprising pipe. |
| US07650763B2 |
Air conditioning unit, operatable with carbon dioxide, for vehicles and method for operating the air conditioning unit
An air conditioning unit for vehicles with work-doing expansion of the carbon dioxide is provided, the air conditioning unit including a combined refrigeration and heat pump circuit, wherein the air conditioning unit is switchably configured to change a flow direction of a refrigerant for switchable operation from the refrigeration circuit to the heat pump circuit. A method for operating the air conditioning unit is also provided. |
| US07650758B2 |
Method for evaluating a non-measured operating variable in a refrigeration plant
Disclosed is a method for evaluating a non-measured operating variable in a refrigeration plant, which can be derived from at least one signal which is sensed at specific points in time, enabling early recognition of errors. An error indicator is formed by means of the following steps: a) the error indicator is set to a specified value at a first moment in time; b) a sum if formed from the error indicator of a predetermined earlier moment in time and a first variable derived from an estimated value for the operating variable taking into account at least one signal-dependent variable; c) the error indicator is set to the value of the sum if the sum is greater than the specified value, and set to the specified value if the sum is less than or the same as the specified value. |
| US07650756B2 |
Device and method for generating thermal units with magnetocaloric material
The present invention concerns a device for generating thermal units using magnetocaloric material, with low energy consumption, evolutive, of a simple design, reliable operation, which allows to generate thermal units in a cost effective way while at the same time removing the risks of thermal fluid leakage and limiting the number of mechanical parts. The device (1a) for generating thermal units using magnetocaloric material comprises a magnetic element (2a) coupled to a power supply (3a), a magnetocaloric element (4a), a circuit (5) for thermal exchange fluid in which one or more thermal exchange fluids are made to circulate by means of circulation (6), and two heat exchangers (7, 8). The power supply (3a) is set up to generate electric pulses so as to create an impulsive magnetic field that causes the heating and the cooling of the magnetocaloric element (4a) and hence of the thermal exchange fluid. |
| US07650754B2 |
Transmission between rotary devices
The present invention is a system for translating angular rotation between rotary components. The system includes a rotor and a contact wheel. The rotor is rotatable about a rotary axis at a rotary angular velocity. The rotor includes a radial distance which extends between an exterior radius and an interior radius. The contact wheel is rotatable about a contact axis at a contact angular velocity. The contact axis extends in parallel relationship to the radial distance. The contact wheel is disposed in rotational contact with the radial distance. Rotation of one of the rotor and contact wheel is translated to rotate the other one of the rotor and contact wheel by virtue of the rotational contact between the rotor and contact wheel. |
| US07650751B2 |
Stirling engine
A Stirling engine is provided with a piston and a displacer. When the piston is made to reciprocate inside a cylinder by a linear motor, the displacer reciprocates inside a cylinder with a predetermined phase difference relative to the piston. In parts of the displacer and the cylinder that receives the displacer, the parts facing a compression space are made of metal, and the parts facing an expansion space are made of a low-thermal-conductivity material. In the metal part, the fitting accuracy is defined. |
| US07650746B2 |
Hybrid catalyst system for exhaust emissions reduction
One aspect of the invention relates an exhaust treatment system having an SCR reactor following a NOx adsorber. Syn gas is used to regenerate the NOx adsorber. Another aspect relates to an LNT/SCR provided with an ammonia source separate from the LNT. A further aspect relates to a system comprising first and second LNTs and one or more SCRs downstream of the LNTs. A still further aspect relates to a device comprising first and second NOx adsorbers contained in a single housing. Another aspect relates to coating a surface of a moving part in an exhaust system with an oxidation catalyst to mitigate fouling. Additional aspects of the invention relate to strategies for controlling one or more of the time to initiate a regeneration cycle, the time to terminate a regeneration cycle, and the reductant injection rate during regeneration of LNT/SCR exhaust treatment systems. |
| US07650741B2 |
Articulating windguard for agricultural baler
A windguard is adapted to be attached to the frame of a crop pickup in overlying relationship to the pickup tine rotor so as to control the incoming flow of crop materials. A transversely extending crop hold down portion of the windguard is pivotally supported between the front ends of a pair of fore-and-aft extending support arms that are pivotally attached at their rear ends to the frame of the pickup so that the windguard can articulate as it is moved up and down relative to the pickup by engagement with inflowing crop material. |
| US07650740B2 |
Removable scale for articulated receiver platform equipping small fruit harvesting machines
Removable scale for articulated receiving platform equipping small fruit machines such as for example, grape harvesting machines. The removable scale is made of two parts, namely a first anchor and articulation part. The first part has a fastening lug attached onto the carrying boom of a row of scales and a flexible articulation and assembling lug attached to the fastening lug. There is a second flat part forming the scale itself. The first and second parts are provided with additional quick assembly and disassembly device formed by an automatic locking device in an assembling position, accessible from the top of the removable scale. |
| US07650738B2 |
Crop lifter and crop accessory attachment
A crop lifter for attachment to a cutting header includes a lifter member adapted for attachment to the header and a lifting finger attached to the lifter member by a quick-attach mechanism such that a leading end of the lifting finger is ahead of and below the knife. The lifting finger is structurally weak compared to the lifting member such that the lifting finger will readily move when striking an obstruction, thereby preventing damage to the lifter member or header. The crop lifter or similar crop accessory can have a latch member at a rear end thereof, and a cooperating latch member attached to the header. The accessory latches to the header and a releasable latch lock prevents forward movement of the accessory that would disengage the latch. |
| US07650735B2 |
High density cotton picker bar and spindle assembly therefor
A picker bar includes spindles which are nonaligned in the vertical direction to define two or more offset sets of spindles on the bar and increase the number of spindles per unit length of the spindle bar. A spindle assembly includes support carrying two spindles driven from a picker bar drive shaft by single drive gear. Driven spindle gears are spaced on opposite sides of the shaft axis to facilitate close spacing of the spindles. |
| US07650732B2 |
Drug packaging machine & printing software for same
The present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium containing computer executable code for instructing a computer to first display a field selection screen which includes selection indicators for a plurality of label fields. Then there is displayed a field content screen responsive to the label fields previously selected with the field content screen allowing editing of at least one label field. A bar code corresponding with one of said label fields is then selected and a print preview screen containing a plurality of said label fields is displayed. Then a print command for printing a label substantially as displayed on the print preview screen and including the bar code (regardless of whether or not said bar code is included on said print preview screen) is transmitted. |
| US07650726B2 |
Raised access floor system
A floor panel for a raised access floor system, including a shallow metal pan with a bottom wall and a shallow upwardly-opening compartment. The bottom wall has a plurality of first hollow projections projecting upwardly therefrom, which projections adjacent upper ends thereof having sidewardly projecting rib structure. The bottom wall also has a plurality of microfeatures which project upwardly through a lesser extent. The number of microfeatures is substantially greater than the number of projections. The pan side walls and bottom wall are free of openings therethrough. A mass of solidified concrete fills the compartment. The floor panel is supported on a pedestal having a base which has clamping and mounting features integrated thereon for engaging grounding wires and cable management members. |
| US07650724B2 |
Tube with external channel
A tube with an external channel of a complex geometry. The channel does not distort or collapse when the tube is bent 90 degrees with a 4-inch radius. Fabric may be inserted into and securely held in the external channel. The tube is suitable for constructing frames of fabric structures, such as dodgers and biminis for boats, tents, chairs, etc. |
| US07650723B1 |
Concealed emergency attic egress system
An egress system for an interior space such as an attic covered by roof decking. In one embodiment, the egress system comprises a steel frame adapted for installation within an opening formed in the roof decking between two adjacent roof joists. A hatch panel is releasably secured within the opening defined by the frame by means of a plurality of removable pins. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an upper surface of the hatch panel is substantially flush with the upper surface of the roof decking, allowing for the uniform application of roofing material, such as composition shingles, overtop the roof decking and the hatch panel, thereby concealing the presence of the egress system beneath the roofing material. Deployment of the egress system is accomplished with the use of a cutting implement inserted from the underside of the egress system inside the interior space into a gap maintained around the periphery of the hatch panel when secured within said frame. The cutting implement cuts or perforates the roofing material sufficiently to permit at least partial release of the hatch panel from the frame, allowing egress from the interior space defined by the frame. |
| US07650722B1 |
Insulation cover for attic closures
Covers for attic trap doors and pull down attic stairs or ladders are described each of which is formed of an insulating material. The covers are structured to effectively seal a ceiling access opening. In some embodiments, a closure member constructed of insulating material is cooperatively and frictionally received within a frame formed of the same material to form an airtight seal therebetween. |
| US07650720B2 |
Perforated gutter protection system having canals
A gutter protection system is adapted for covering a gutter and preventing debris from falling into the gutter. The gutter protection system comprises an elongate sheet metal member or panel adapted to engage a portion of the gutter and to cover the gutter. The sheet metal member has a longitudinal axis and a generally smooth top surface interrupted by a plurality of canals and perforations formed therein. Each canal extends down and away from the smooth top surface. The canals are formed from the material of the sheet metal member, each canal formed so that water entering the canal exits through one of the perforations and flows into the gutter below. The canals enable water to move laterally within the canal, thereby increasing the water volume handled by the system without necessarily increasing the number of holes or perforations. |
| US07650717B2 |
Belt device
A belt device for arrangements which are put under tensile load, particularly for systems for the securing of tree crowns, having a belt (10) with a loop at each end (12, 12′) which is formed by turning over the end parts of the belt (10) and fastening the ends to the belt, wherein the fastenings (14, 14′) and the belt (10) are adapted to withstand a pre-determined minimum tensile force. In order to guarantee a good visibility of the indicating element even from greater distances, it is proposed by the invention that the belt (10) is overlapped by an indicating element (16) in the vicinity of at least one of the loops (12), which indicating element shortens the belt (10) and is fastened with two end portions on the belt (10) such that one of the fastenings (18) gives way when a pre-determined tensile force acts on the belt (10), the tensile force being smaller than the minimum tensile force which the loop fastenings (14, 14′) and the belt withstand. |
| US07650716B1 |
Plant protection apparatus
Disclosed herein is an adjustable protective enclosure for trees or shrubs, comprising: a first enclosing portion having a upper region, and a lower region adapted to contact the ground, and comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending panels, each panel comprising a plurality first longitudinal members and a plurality of first transverse members, wherein the first longitudinal members and the first transverse members of a panel are attached to one another to form one or more first rigid frameworks; at least a portion of the longitudinal members or at least a portion of the transverse members, or both, are adjustable in length; each panel is adjustably attached to two adjacent panels to enclose one or more trees or shrubs; a second enclosing portion attached to the first enclosing portion in the upper region thereof, and comprising a plurality of second longitudinal members and a one or more second transverse members, wherein the second longitudinal members and second transverse members form one or more second rigid frameworks; a first covering removably disposed around the first enclosing portion; a second covering removably disposed around the second enclosing portion. |
| US07650711B2 |
Rifle scope with textured profile
A riflescope. In the illustrative embodiment, the inventive riflescope is implemented with a housing having an exterior surface and a texture applied to the surface of the housing. In the best mode, the texture has an elevation of 250 microns above the surface of the housing. In more specific embodiments, the texture is uniform and geometric. |
| US07650708B2 |
Sidewalk grader apparatus and method
A sidewalk grader provided for grading a sidewalk base disposed along a curb of an existing road structure. The sidewalk grader comprises a tracking assembly fixable to a vertically adjustable backfill blade of a compact excavator positioned to move forward over an existing road structure to advance the sidewalk grader. The tracking assembly comprises a vertically adjustable tracking means disposed for engagement with the top surface of the curb, to provide a reference point. A grading assembly is mounted to the tracking assembly. The grading assembly comprises a frame, and a grading blade rotatingly mounted to the frame to permit adjustment of slope of the blade. An adjustable link connects the grading blade to the frame to adjustable fix their relative position. The tracking means is vertically adjustable to enable the same to engage with the surface of a curb for reference to enable precise adjustment, control, and positioning of the grading assembly, and for maintaining the desired position of the sidewalk grader in relation to the curb as the sidewalk grader advances along the existing road structure. |
| US07650704B2 |
Footwear system with interchangeable portions
The present invention is directed to a footwear system that is customizable and offers a plurality of interchangeable base portions, upper portions, and connector elements in various styles, colors and designs, thus allowing an assortment of easily interchangeable and distinct styles of footwear in a single system. The footwear system specifically comprises an interchangeable base portion having a plurality of spaced openings and hollow receptacles formed in the base portion, an interchangeable upper portion adapted for removable attachment to the base portion where the upper portion has a plurality of spaced openings on each side end, and a plurality of interchangeable connector elements for connecting the upper portion to the base portion, where the connector elements may have decorative elements. |
| US07650702B2 |
Ostomy support garment and the preparation thereof
A device for locating and marking the optimum position of the center of a hole for receiving a stoma in a hernia support, said device being in the form of work piece provided with a pattern for identifying and recording the optimum position for placing of the center of the hole provides a simple device and method for an easy determination and marking of the site for a customized hole in standard hernia trousers. |
| US07650701B2 |
Contour measuring probe
An exemplary contour measuring probe (10) includes a tube guide (12), a tip extension (20), a pair of hollow tubes (16), a plurality of pipes (104, 106), a linear measuring scale (18), and a displacement sensor (19). The tip extension (20) is configured to touch a surface of an object (50). The hollow tubes (16) are configured to be driven by a flux of air to push the tip extension (20) to move. The pipes (104, 106) are obliquely disposed in a tube guide (12) relative to the hollow tubes (16). The pipes (104, 106) allow the flux of air to be pumped on a sidewall of the hollow tubes (16). A part of the flux of air is ejected out of the tube guide (12). The linear measuring scale (18) and the displacement sensor (19) are respectively fixed relative to one of the tube guide (12) and the tip extension (20). The linear measuring scale (18) displays values of displacements of the tip extension (20). The displacement sensor (19) detects and reads the displacement values displayed by the linear measuring scale (18). |
| US07650696B2 |
Manufacturing method for bearing unit for support wheel
After a hub supporting member is mounted on an end portion of a spindle, correction work is applied to a ring-shaped supporting surface which is an end face of the hub supporting member, whereby perpendicularity of the supporting surface relative to a rotational center axis of the spindle is improved. Thereafter, while the hub main body is made to rotate together with the spindle in such a state that the mounting surface abuts with the supporting surface, grinding finishing work is applied to a cylindrical surface portion (a portion on which inner rings are fitted) of the hub main body. As a result, the perpendicularity of the mounting surface relative to the geometric center axis of the cylindrical surface portion is improved. |
| US07650690B2 |
Pallet stacker apparatus
An apparatus to facilitate movement of a pallet from an assembly table to a pallet stacker comprises a roller frame adapted for movable attachment to the pallet stacker in front of the entrance to the pallet opening such that the roller frame can be moved, in a direction substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the loading direction, from a receiving position nearest to the assembly table, to a remote position farthest from the assembly table. A pallet roller is rotatably attached on top of the roller frame about a substantially horizontal axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the loading direction. The pallet roller supports a pallet in a substantially horizontal position such that the supported pallet can be rolled into the pallet opening of the pallet stacker. Conveniently a bias force is provided to return the roller frame to the receiving position when the pallet has been rolled off. |
| US07650687B2 |
Die attaching apparatus
Provided are a die attaching apparatus, a cleaning system and a method having components which can be easily replaced with new ones adapted to various packages within a short period of time. Surfaces of a die pressing member and a heat plate are prevented from being contaminated. The die pressing member is detachably attached to a lower end of an attaching unit which may directly apply a pressure to dies. A heat plate grinder on which a grinding apparatus for grinding the heat plate is mounted is spaced a predetermined distance from the die pressing member. A heat plate cleaner is attached to a side wall of the heat plate grinder and removes residues remaining on the heat plate. |
| US07650684B2 |
Method for fabricating a magnetic head including a read sensor
A method for fabricating a magnetic head including a spin valve sensor having a sensor layer stack that includes a pinned magnetic layer, a spacer layer formed on the pinned magnetic layer, and a free magnetic layer formed on the spacer layer. In a preferred embodiment the spacer layer is comprised of CuOx. The method includes the plasma smoothing of the upper surface of the pinned magnetic layer prior to depositing the spacer layer, and a preferred plasma gas is a mixture of argon and oxygen. |
| US07650683B2 |
Method of preparing an antenna
A method for manufacturing wireless communication devices for use in tracking or identifying other items comprises a number of cutting techniques that allow the size of the antenna for the wireless communication device. Further, the chip for the wireless communication device is nested so as to be flush with the surface of the substrate of the wireless communication device. Rollers cut the tabs that form the antenna elements. In a first embodiment, a plurality of rollers are used, each on effecting a different cut whose position may be phased so as to shorten or lengthen the antenna element. In a second embodiment, the rollers are independently positionable to shorten or lengthen the antenna element. |
| US07650678B2 |
Fabric bushing installation to repair a hole
A method and system for repairing a damaged hole includes a deformable rod and a fabric wrapped around a middle portion of the rod. A first portion of the rod is inserted into the damaged hole. The rod is stretched to align the middle portion of the rod and the fabric with an inside circumference of the hole. The rod is then relaxed to compress the fabric against the inside circumference of the hole. |
| US07650671B2 |
Slide hinge module and slide type equipment utilizing the same
A slide hinge module of a slide-type device, which includes: a hinge assembly, in which a connecting member having a locking part and a guide member having a guide part are foldably assembled with each other, and elastic force is exerted to the hinge assembly in a direction where the connecting member and the guide member are unfolded from each other by an elastic member; a slide member assembled with the guide part so as to slide, the slide member having one end at which a swing operating part is formed; and a swing member including a locking jaw which is rotatably installed at the guide member and is locked in the locking part or is released from the locking part according to a rotational angle, the swing member including a swing-trigger part, which is locked in the swing operating part according to a movement position of the slide member and is rotated so as to allow the locking jaw to be released from the locking part, or is released from the swing operating part and is rotated in an inverse direction so as to allow the locking jaw to be locked in the locking part. While the slide member slides along the guide part, the locking jaw catches torque of a hinge spring so that large amounts of frictional force due to the hinge spring aren't generated between the guide member and slid member. Therefore, the slide member can smoothly slide. |
| US07650670B2 |
Hinge attachment system and method
A hinge including leaves configured to facilitate adjusting the mounting position between hinged objects. In one embodiment, the hinge may generally include first and second leaves pivotally connected together. The leaves define mounting holes that receive fasteners to mount the leaves to the hinged objects. The mounting holes are preferably configured to provide adjustment of the leaves and hinged objects in at least two directions, which may be horizontal and vertical. In one embodiment, the hole shapes preferably may include horizontal slots, vertical slots, round holes, and combinations thereof. Other shapes may be used. When a fastener is partially inserted into a hinged object through a slotted-type mounting hole, for example, the hinged object is slideable relative to the leaf and the other hinged object. By employing a preferred sequence of installation steps, the installer may readily optimize the alignment between and mounting of the hinged objects. In one embodiment, the hinged objects may be a door and a door frame. A method of installation using the specially-configured leaves is also provided. |
| US07650663B2 |
Replaceable/disposable brush head
Disclosed is a brush head useful for cleaning toilet bowls and for other cleaning applications. The brush head is flushable after use and insertable in a permanent type wand. The brush head may be a stack of sheets of water-dissolvable material. The sheets are compressed to bind them together into a stack. Surface indentations and piercing of layers at the indentations are used to bind the brush head layers together more securely without the need for binding adhesives, and to facilitate clamping. |
| US07650662B2 |
Cleaning brush
A brush using water alone to clean up toilets, baths, kitchens, tableware, kitchen utensils or the like. Phosphate ingredients contained in the higher alcoholic type detergents and nonionic detergents currently in use do enhance the cleansing effect, but are nutritive substances to plankton and the cause of its abnormal propagation. Resulting pollution of rivers, lakes and marshes, in particular their coasts, has been a social problem to be solved as soon as possible. The present cleaning brush can remove ordinary dirt, stains or the like, without using such pollution-causing detergents. |
| US07650660B1 |
Trailer snow removal system
A trailer snow removal system includes a pair of guide members. Each of the guide members is elongated and oriented parallel to each other. An elongated panel has a first end, a second end, an upper edge and a lower edge. The elongated panel extends between the guide members. Each of the first and second ends includes a post that extends downwardly into one of the guide members. A drive assembly is mechanically coupled to each of the lower ends. The drive assembly moves the elongated panel back and forth along the guide members when the drive assembly is turned on. The guide members may be mounted on the top wall to remove snow from the top wall. |
| US07650659B2 |
Washing method
It is intended to provide a washing method for reliably cleaning water-soluble contaminations such as sweat without damaging fabrics.A frame body 18 is disposed horizontally in a casing. The frame body 18 is rotated by a drive motor 23 in the casing. The casing and the frame body 18 are filled with water, and then clothes are placed in the frame body 18. A plurality of protrusions 40 are formed in order that an inner periphery 39 of the frame body 18 has a wavy pattern. A height of the protruding parts is set to from 3.0 to 6.0% of the inner diameter of the frame body 18. A surfant contained in cleaning liquid permeates deep into the clothes. |
| US07650650B2 |
T-shirt with rolled sleeves
A T-Shirt is disclosed having rolled sleeves and a torso portion configured to cover a portion of a torso of the person. In one embodiment, the rolled sleeves may be secured in place. In another embodiment, the rolled sleeves may include a snugging member to assist in contouring the sleeve to the wearer's arm. In one embodiment, the T-Shirt may further include a securing member configured to secure the rolled sleeve in place, the securing member being hidden from view from an exterior of the rolled sleeve when the shirt is worn by a person. |