| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07682311B2 |
Phase unwrapped velocity display for ultrasound medical imaging
Phase unwrapping is applied to velocity data to remove aliasing artifacts. Phase unwrapping is applied on multidimensional regions of velocity data. The unwrapped velocity image is displayed. The displayed image may have high sensitivity to slow motion but may also avoid aliasing of fast motion despite being undersampled. |
| US07682310B2 |
Method and related system for measuring intracranial pressure
A method for measuring intracranial pressure in an intracranial area filled with micro-bubbles formed by an injected contrast agent includes: (1) emitting an ultrasound signal having a bandwidth to the intracranial area, (2) receiving an echoed signal from a micro-bubble, (3) performing a spectral analysis on the echoed signal to extract a low-frequency response, which is close to a DC component, (4) calculating a resonant frequency of the micro-bubbles according to the bandwidth and strength of the low-frequency response, the bandwidth of the low-frequency response similar to the bandwidth of the ultrasound signal, (5) calculating a size of the micro-bubble according to the resonant frequency and a property of the contrast agent, and (6) calculating the intracranial pressure. |
| US07682294B2 |
Medical analysis and recording system
A system is disclosed for monitoring, recording and analysis of exercise in an exercise machine of the type which uses a cable, having a proximal end and a distal end, and a device, such as a handle, that enables a user to push or pull the proximal end of the cable against a resistance that is coupled to the distal end of the cable. A sensor or “load cell” mounted on the frame structure of the machine, for producing an electronic signal representing the instantaneous tensile force in the cable, and an electronic computer or the like, coupled to receive the electronic signal, for storing values representing the tensile force in the cable as a function of time. |
| US07682293B2 |
Lateral elliptical exercise apparatus
The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates lateral climbing with arm exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with the motion of the feet. Each pedal follows a separate elongate curve with lateral movement. As one pedal moves downward on the inside portion of one pedal curve, the other pedal moves sideways upward following the outer portion of the other pedal curve. A pair of cranks rotate in opposite directions when driven by the pedal movement. The orientation of the pedal curves is adjustable to exercise leg muscles differently. Arm exercise is coordinated with the foot pedal movements. |
| US07682292B1 |
Flywheel-type variable resistance generating device for an exercising apparatus
A flywheel-type variable resistance generating device for an exercising apparatus includes two actuating arms disposed outboard of a flywheel, a pulling cord having two anchoring ends coupled with a tightening-force adjusting member and a lever, and two pull-activating members connected to the pulling cord so as to move the actuating arms. The actuating arms are movable among a starting position where they are disengaged from the flywheel, an adjusted position where they are partially engaged with the flywheel, and a braking position where they are fully engaged with the flywheel. When the lever is operated to move one anchoring end with a braking force, the other anchoring end of the pulling cord is pulled back to its initial locus to move the actuating arms to the starting position. |
| US07682288B1 |
Elliptical exercise methods and apparatus
An exercise machine has foot supporting linkages that move a person's feet through respective left and right elliptical paths of motion that include a laterally directed component. Each linkage includes a crank that rotates about a crank axis, and a roller rotatably mounted on the crank for rotation about a roller axis that is skewed relative to the crank axis. |
| US07682287B1 |
Powered strength trainer
A powered strength trainer includes: a motor of a load element being a DC or brushless motor; a controller, provided for users to adjust current and signal of the motor through a microcomputer control panel, and control the torque, vibration frequency and amplitude of the motor, such that the motor can produce a pulling force, a resistance and a vibration force at the same time, and a vibration waveform can be selected as needed, and a movement path sensor is provided for feeding back a position and determining a positive and negative rotation, and a curved load control is used for compensating a load current appropriately, and allowing users to obtain a smooth and real-world setting. A planar spiral spring drives a winch to rewind the steel wire to prevent the steel wire from falling out during a power disconnection or a power failure. |
| US07682285B2 |
Converterless transmission shift control system
A converterless, multiple-ratio transmission and ratio shift control method wherein smoothness of power-on upshifts and downshifts and power-off upshifts and downshifts is achieved by closed loop control of slip speed and friction element actuating pressure for an oncoming friction element, the data used during the closed loop control including speed sensor information for multiple friction elements during upshift and downshift events. |
| US07682280B2 |
Differential assembly with preload adjustment mechanism
A vehicle differential assembly may include a differential housing rotatable about an axis, a first output assembly, a pinion gear, and a first coupling assembly. The first output assembly may include a first side gear and a first output member. The first side gear may be disposed within the differential housing and may be rotatable about the axis. The first output member may be coupled to the first side gear for rotation therewith. The first coupling assembly may be engaged with the first output assembly and may include a coupling mechanism and a biasing member. The coupling mechanism may extend through an opening in the first output member and may be displaceable relative to the differential housing in a direction generally parallel to the axis. The biasing member may be engaged with the coupling mechanism and may urge the first output assembly into frictional engagement with the differential housing. |
| US07682279B2 |
Electronically actuated apparatus using solenoid actuator with integrated sensor
A locking differential assembly with a differential case, a gearset, a first dog, a second dog and a thrust member. The differential case has a mounting hub. The gearset is disposed in the differential case and has a side gear. The first dog is coupled to the side gear. The thrust member is slidably supported on the mounting hub and has projections that extend through apertures in the differential case and engage the second dog. |
| US07682277B2 |
Dual-drive transmission
A dual-drive transmission, comprising a front shaft, a back shaft, a rear axle housing having a pair of half shafts, a central propeller shaft, a hub, and an electromagnetic splined clutch; a forestage gear is disposed on the central propeller shaft, a drive gear engaged with the forestage gear is disposed on the front shaft, a pair of one-way transmission gears is disposed one on each end of the central propeller shaft, a final drive gear is disposed on the hub, a driven gear engaged with the forestage gear is disposed on one end of the back shaft, and the electromagnetic splined clutch is axially connected to the back shaft. |
| US07682275B2 |
Automatic transmission control apparatus
An automatic transmission control apparatus is provided with a shift control section, a first rotary-speed detecting section, a second rotary-speed detecting section and an input shaft speed calculation section. The shift control section issues instructions to selectively engage and disengage a combination of a plurality of frictionally engaging elements of a planetary gear mechanism to establish a corresponding one of a plurality of gear ratios. The first rotary-speed detecting section detects a rotational speed of a first rotary member which rotates at a different speed from an input shaft of the planetary gear mechanism. The second rotary-speed detecting section detects a rotational speed of a second rotary member which rotates at a different speed from the input shaft of the planetary gear mechanism. The input shaft speed calculation section calculates a rotational speed of the input shaft using values detected by the first and second rotary-speed detecting sections. |
| US07682274B2 |
Reinforcing cord for rubber reinforcement and rubber product including the same
A reinforcing cord of the present invention is a reinforcing cord for rubber reinforcement. The reinforcing cord includes a carbon fiber strand (11) and a plurality of glass fiber strands (12) arranged around the carbon fiber strand (11). The present invention makes it possible to obtain a reinforcing cord having sufficient tensile strength for reinforcing rubber products as well as high dimensional stability and bending fatigue resistance. |
| US07682271B2 |
Arrowhead assembly
An arrowhead assembly and a method for assembling an arrowhead are provided. The arrowhead of the disclosure is secured to an inside portion of the arrow shaft and the outside portion of the arrow shaft. In some embodiments the arrow tip threads into an insert that is secured within the tip of the arrowhead. Also, in some embodiments, a sleeve extends over the end of the arrow shaft and is radially compressed onto the shaft. |
| US07682265B2 |
Adaptive golf ball
The present invention relates to a smart golf ball comprised of one or more mantle layers juxtaposed between an inner core and outer cover, where the core, the mantle layer(s), and/or the cover are further comprised of a ferrofluid, a magnetorheological fluid, an inverse magnetorheological fluid, and/or a magnetorheological elastomer, in any of its construction. These nano-engineered materials make possible a golf ball with heretofore-unprecedented levels of adaptive play. |
| US07682257B2 |
Constant velocity joint
A constant velocity joint having an inner hub and an outer hub (1) in which races or tracks (3) associated with one another in pairs are provided and with balls received in respective pairs of races or tracks for transmitting torque. The constant velocity joint is further provided with at least one joint connector (2) which, when the joint is assembled, is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to one of the hubs (1) by mating profile members (6, 7) in order to transmit torque. |
| US07682256B2 |
Flange design for filament wound composite shaft
A composite shaft assembly may include a shaft body and a flange. The shaft body may include a filament and the flange may include an external surface having a plurality of lugs extending therefrom. A first and second of the plurality of lugs may have an axial spacing therebetween. The filament may be wound between the first and second lugs. |
| US07682253B2 |
Tripod type constant velocity joint
A tripod type constant velocity joint including a hollow cylindrical housing fixed to the end of a first rotary shaft and formed with axially extending recessed grooves opened at one axial end and located at circumferentially trisectional positions on the inner peripheral surface, a tripod consisting of a boss fixed to the end of a second rotary shaft, and end-spherical trunnion journals radially projecting from circumferentially trisectional positions on the boss, and roller assemblies each consisting of an inner roller swingably fitted at the inner peripheral surface thereof on the spherical outer peripheral surface of the trunnion journal, and an outer roller supported for rotation and axial movement on the outer peripheral surface of the inner roller through needle rollers, wherein the outer rollers are received in the recessed grooves in the housing and are rollable axially of the housing. |
| US07682251B2 |
Multilevel online tournament
A multilevel online tournament is provided. The first tournament round has a single bracket and each subsequent tournament round has a winners bracket and a losers bracket corresponding to a bracket in the previous tournament round. The tournament format allows players to match-up against any other player located within the same bracket. The online tournament format also allows participants to start playing match in a round of the tournament prior to the official start of that round. Thus, players are able to more quickly advance through the tournament and spend less time waiting for a suitable opponent. The tournament format also allows for players to request available tournament byes and to automatically progress when they are unable to connect with other players due to quality of service issues. |
| US07682249B2 |
Light emitting interface displays for a gaming machine
A disclosed thin light-emitting interface displays may be mounted to a surface on the gaming machine. The light-emitting elements used in the interface displays may be provided from electro-luminescent elements, organic light emitting diode (OLED) elements and combinations thereof. The thin light-emitting interface displays may be used to input and output gaming information on the gaming machine. The gaming information that is input and output via the interface display may be used to provide: 1) a game of chance played on the gaming machine, 2) player tracking services, 3) game services available on the gaming machine and 4) attract features. In one embodiment, a game input interface display is provided with a plurality of input buttons where a number and a format of the input buttons are dynamically configurable for different types of games of chance played on the gaming machine. |
| US07682247B2 |
Method of using a rule based script to describe gaming machine payout
A gaming machine's payout is controlled by payout data. In one embodiment the payout data is written in a high level format, such as in a format that is readable by an individual to allow the identification of specific payout parameters in the payout data. In one embodiment the payout data is stored on mass media or removable media located in the gaming machine that makes the payout data easily accessible and less expensive than media used in the prior art. As a result, the payout data may be efficiently modified, updated, or distributed. |
| US07682241B2 |
Gaming device having free game Keno
The present invention provides an improved Keno game, which provides an opportunity for the player to win free games. In Keno, the player chooses an amount of numbers to play, usually one to fifteen, and plays against the house. The game or house randomly generates numbers, usually twenty numbers from the numbers one to eighty. The number of matches generated and the amount of numbers the player plays determines whether and how much the player wins. One or more of the random generations is also a free game generation in the present invention, which provides one or more free Keno games to the player if the free game generation results in a match. |
| US07682239B2 |
Video games adapted for wagering
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to allow players to wager on video games. The method disclosed herein can allow players to win or lose money while partaking in any video game previously played for entertainment purposes. A player can purchase play time on a game, play the game and earn monetary prizes during the game, and then redeem the monetary prizes for real cash. |
| US07682238B2 |
Method and apparatus for payout in a gaming machine
A gaming apparatus includes a value output device. The value output device includes a frame, a hopper mounted to the frame having a hopper opening, an outlet spaced from the hopper opening, a first plate moveable relative to the hopper opening between a first position wherein the plate blocks the hopper opening and a second position wherein the plate is spaced from the hopper opening, and a carrier moveable between the outlet and the hopper opening. |
| US07682234B1 |
Correlation of airflow delivery devices and air movers
In a method for correlating airflow delivery devices with air conditioning (AC) units having actuators for varying flow rates of air supplied by the air movers, flow rates of air supplied through the airflow delivery devices at a plurality of settings of the actuators are determined. Coefficients that relate the flow rates of air supplied by the air movers to the flow rates of air supplied through the airflow delivery devices based upon the flow rates determined at the plurality of actuator settings is calculated and the airflow delivery devices are correlated with the air movers using the calculated coefficients. |
| US07682233B2 |
Blower for air conditioner of automotive vehicles
The present invention relates to a blower for air conditioner of automotive vehicles capable of striving to increase the blowing volume and reduce noise, and simplifying the structure of the blower by distributing the air come into the inside of an intake duct effectively to an upper blowing wheel and a lower blowing wheel.The blower for air conditioner of automotive vehicles comprises a scroll case formed with upper/lower suction openings at the upper/lower surfaces and a discharge opening at one side; a double suction type centrifugal fan mounted rotatably at the scroll case, and having the upper/lower blowing wheels integrated with a hub plate in the opposite direction, to which a motor is connected; an intake duct with inside/outside air suction openings and an intake door for controlling the opening degree of the inside/outside suction openings, and forming an upper air passage and a side air passage for distributing the air sucked through the inside/outside air suction openings toward the upper/lower suction openings, wherein, a ratio of an air suction cross-sectional area S1 of the upper suction opening versus a cross-sectional area S2+S3 of the side air passage is 6:4˜8:2. |
| US07682231B2 |
Exhaust fan assembly
An exhaust fan assembly is provided for expelling contaminated air from a building. The assembly includes a plenum, a fan assembly attached to the plenum, and a windband mounted on top of the fan assembly. The fan assembly is constructed of cylindrical outer and inner walls which define a bearing chamber and surrounding annular space. A fan driven by a shaft extending downward from the bearing chamber draws exhaust air from the plenum and blows it up through the annular space to a nozzle at the top of the fan assembly. |
| US07682230B2 |
Coin hopper
A coin hopper includes a rotating disk provided obliquely upward at a predetermined angle; an outer covering unit covering at least a lower outer circumference of the rotating disk; a holding bowl continuing from the outer covering unit and holding coins; a circular supporting rack provided in a central region of an upper surface of the rotating disk; and coin stoppers being provided on the upper surface of the rotating disk and extending radially from the supporting rack in a circumferential direction to a periphery of the rotating disk at an equal interval. Coins are accepted one by one while a surface thereof is contacted with a holding surface of the upper surface of the rotating disk between the coin stoppers, are moved in one direction while a periphery thereof is held by the supporting rack, and are received from the coin stoppers during transportation by a coin receiver. |
| US07682229B2 |
Coin insertion device
A coin insertion device with a shutter, where the device has a simple structure, can be produced at low cost, and does not require the use of electricity. A coin insertion device (1) is provided with a shutter member (30) for opening and closing a coin discharge opening (11) of a coin passage (12) and holding means (56) for holding the shutter member (30) in a non-rotatable state with the coin discharge opening (11) closed. The shutter member (30) comprises releasing means (40) with which a coin (C) inserted from a coin insertion opening (10) comes in contact. When the coin (C) is in contact with the releasing means (40), the shutter member (30) is released from the hold of the holding means (56) and becomes openable/closable. |
| US07682228B2 |
Coin intake mechanism for self-service cash redemption machine and method
A self-service change redemption machine (10) has a coin hopper area (41) for receiving batches of mixed coinage and a powered mechanism (43) for transporting them to an intake opening (44) into the machine (10) for sorting, counting and directing coins into a plurality of coin receptacles. The transport mechanism has a pivotable cover (46, 46a) for preventing access to a portion of the feed path leading into the machine (10) and, if the cover (46, 46a) is lifted, the powered mechanism (43) will be stopped. The mechanism (43, 46) is designed to prevent jamming of the coins in the hopper area (41) or along the feed path (45). |
| US07682225B2 |
Polishing apparatus and substrate processing apparatus
The present invention relates to a polishing apparatus for removing surface roughness produced at a peripheral portion of a substrate, or for removing a film formed on a peripheral portion of a substrate. The polishing apparatus includes a housing for forming a polishing chamber therein, a rotational table for holding and rotating a substrate, a polishing tape supply mechanism for supplying a polishing tape into the polishing chamber and taking up the polishing tape which has been supplied to the polishing chamber, a polishing head for pressing the polishing tape against a bevel portion of the substrate, a liquid supply for supplying a liquid to a front surface and a rear surface of the substrate, and a regulation mechanism for making an internal pressure of the polishing chamber being set to be lower than an external pressure of the polishing chamber. |
| US07682218B2 |
Toy vehicle and launcher
A toy vehicle set. The toy vehicle set includes a toy vehicle including a steering mechanism, and a toy launcher to selectively energize the toy vehicle for movement while selectively securing the toy vehicle in a fixed position. The toy launcher looks approximately the same as the steering mechanism of the toy vehicle. |
| US07682211B2 |
Flat panel display with improved anode adhesion
A flat panel display with improved adhesion of the anode to the second substrate is disclosed. The adhesion of the anode to the second substrate is reinforced to prevent damage to the anode at the spacer formation area and to stably adhere the phosphor layer to the anode. The flat panel display comprises first and second substrates each facing each other and separated from each other by a distance. An electron emission unit is formed on the first substrate. A plurality of phosphor layers are formed on the second substrate. An anode is formed on the second substrate covering the phosphor layers and the non-light emitting regions between the phosphor layers. In the non-light emitting regions, the anode is placed on the second substrate without leaving a gap between the anode and the second substrate. |
| US07682207B2 |
Carrier strip for electrical contacts
An electrical contact carrier strip includes a main body, a plurality of electrical contacts integrally formed with and connected to the main body, and a plurality of support tabs extending from the main body. Each of the support tabs includes a stem connected to the main body and a free expanded base that is aligned with and wider than the stem. The support tabs provide a clearance gap in which at least portions of the plurality of electrical contacts reside. The plurality of support tabs support the portions of the plurality of electrical contacts over a plane in which distal ends of each of the free expanded bases of the support tabs reside. |
| US07682206B2 |
Electrical pressure contact
An electrical pressure contact device includes a sleeve with a first end and a second end. A contact head is slideably mounted in the sleeve and has a first end protruding from the sleeve and a second end located in the sleeve. A connecting piece has an inner portion connected to an inner wall of the sleeve and an outer portion protruding from the second end of the sleeve. An axially extending bore in a first piece located in the sleeve receives an elongated member of a second piece. A band has a plurality of inwardly arching lamellae and is located in the bore. The elongated member is inserted in the band so that the lamellae rub against the elongated member. A biasing element in the sleeve surrounds the elongated member and urges the contact head away from the sleeve. |
| US07682200B2 |
Electrical connector with improved contacts and transition module
An electrical connector mounted on a mother PCB includes an insulative tongue portion and a number of contacts held in the insulative tongue portion. The contacts have four conductive contacts and at least one pair of differential contacts for transferring high speed signals. The conductive contacts are adapted for USB 2.0 protocol. The electrical connector further includes a transition module with one end connected to the contacts and the other end to be soldered to the mother PCB. |
| US07682198B1 |
Power adapter for an aircraft
A power adapter for an aircraft. The aircraft has an electrical system and an auxiliary electrical system disposed thereon, wherein the auxiliary electrical system is not integrated with the electrical system. The power adapter has a body portion, a first connector terminal disposed on the body portion for receiving electrical power from an external power source, a second connector terminal disposed on the body portion and electrically connected to the first connector terminal for supplying electrical power to the electrical system of the aircraft, and a third connector terminal electrically connected to the first connector terminal for supplying electrical power to the auxiliary electrical system. |
| US07682197B2 |
Memory card connector with a power switch
A memory card connector has an insulative housing, a power switch and a plurality of conductive terminals. The power switch is mounted in the insulative housing, to detect a memory card and has a first detecting terminal and a second detecting terminal. The first and second detecting terminals are mounted in the insulative housing. The second detecting terminal selectively contacts the first detecting terminal to supply power to the memory card connector when the memory card is installed in the memory card connector. When the memory card is removed, the power switch cuts the power to the memory card connector to save power. |
| US07682196B1 |
Cable connector
A cable connector adapted for connecting with cables includes a plug insulating housing. The plug insulating housing has a basic body and an inserting portion extending frontward from a front surface of the basic body. A peripheral dimension of the inserting portion is less than that of the basic body. A plurality of plug terminals are received in the inserting portion and the basic body and connected with the cables mounted to the plug insulating housing and extend out from the basic body opposite to the inserting portion. A plug shell coupled with the plug insulating housing includes a top shell and a bottom shell connected to the top shell by at least one connecting portion attached to the front surface of the basic body. Both opposite sides of the bottom shell extend upwards and bend inwards to form a buckling portion clasping the top shell, respectively. |
| US07682195B2 |
Electrical connector with metallic shell
An electrical connector comprises an insulative housing defining a lengthwise slot, a plurality of terminals received in the insulative housing and extending into the lengthwise slot, a metal shell, and an EMI gasket. The metal shell comprises a body portion with a front insertion port and a detachable metal cover, the body portion defines a hollow to receive the insulative housing. The body portion comprises a top wall defining a through window and a bottom wall defining a through opening, the metal cover covers the window of the body portion, and the EMI gasket is located between the body portion and the metal board portion for suppressing electro magnetic interference. |
| US07682187B2 |
Multi-port mounting bracket and method
A multi-port cabling system for use in installing cable to an equipment rack or enclosure or within an equipment room or data center includes a cabling assembly comprising at least one connector head having a plurality of ports and at least one cable operatively connected to the plurality of ports. The at least one cable terminates internally within the connector head to operatively couple the cable to the plurality of ports. The system further includes a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket and the connector head are each configured for tool-less attachment of one or more cabling assemblies to the bracket. The mounting bracket is further configured to removably mount to an equipment rack or enclosure, and/or to a wall, to thereby install one or more cables. The cabling assembly and the cabling system help to eliminate on-site cable termination and testing during installation of cables to rack-mounted equipment. |
| US07682181B1 |
Latch securing member
A latch securing member for use in maintaining a first connector having at least one latching arm in latching engagement with a second connector having at least one latch projection. The latch securing member has an inclined member which extends from proximate a front face to a rear wall, with the inclined member being positioned proximate a bottom wall at the front face and inclined toward a top surface. At least one securing arm extends from the rear wall toward the front face and is positioned proximate the top surface. The inclined member is positioned to cooperate with the latching arm of the first connector to prevent the latching arm from disengagement from the latching projection of the second connector. The securing arm cooperates with the latching arm to maintain the latch securing member in position relative to the latching arm. |
| US07682174B2 |
Electrical card connector
An electrical card connector for receiving a card, comprises an insulative housing having a supporting surface with a front end and a rear end; a plurality of contacts assembled in the housing and oriented toward the rear end; a switch terminal arranged in the rear end. Each contact has at least a contact engaging portion extending above the supporting surface; one of the contact engaging portions engaged with the switch terminal when a card is inserted, and electrically separated from each other when the card is removed. |
| US07682173B2 |
Electrical connector with improved contacts
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) having a receiving cavity (12) for receiving a mating plug and a plurality of passageways (161, 162, 163, 164, 165); and a plurality of contacts (2) retained in the passageways respectively. The contacts define a first contact (22) which is stationary and having a first contacting portion (224), a first soldering portion (225) and a first base portion (221) connecting with the first contacting portion and the first soldering portion; and a second contact (23) which is movable to mate with the first contact to form a switch and having a second base portion (230) and a second soldering portion (235) extending downwardly from the second base portion, a second contacting portion (232) extending upwardly from the second base portion. The first contacting portion extends in a first direction. The second contacting portion extends in a second direction which is not parallel to the first direction. |
| US07682171B2 |
Connector for automotive audio system
A connector for an audio system of a vehicle is disclosed. The connector comprises: a connector body, which is to be connected with a connecting terminal of an automotive circuit board of the vehicle; a first rotating shaft, which has a first washer and is fixed on one side of the connector body; a second rotating shaft, which has a second washer, which is to be engaged with the first washer, and is fixed to the audio system; and an elastic member disposed between the first washer and the second washer. |
| US07682169B2 |
Bidirectional USB port for vehicle
Disclosed herein is a bidirectional USB port for a vehicle. In order to allow a USB memory stick to be inserted into a USB port in either direction, two PCBs are provided in the USB port and are arranged in opposite directions such that the USB memory stick can be bidirectionally inserted into the USB port. |
| US07682167B2 |
External ground connection for an electrical appliance
A grounding mechanism for an electrical appliance is provided. The electrical appliance includes an electrical plug configured for connection to an electrical ground, a chassis, an electrical component, and the grounding mechanism. The chassis is connected to the electrical plug to ground the chassis when the electrical plug is connected to the electrical ground. The grounding mechanism includes a conducting plate mounted to the chassis, a non-conducting fastener, and a grounding element. The conducting plate is in electrical contact with the electrical component to provide a ground to the electrical component. The non-conducting fastener mounts the conducting plate to the chassis such that the conducting plate is not in electrical contact with the chassis. The grounding element is mounted to the chassis from an exterior of the chassis to place the conducting plate in electrical contact with the chassis to provide the electrical ground to the electrical component. |
| US07682163B2 |
Connector
A connector has an insulative housing, a plurality of terminals and a metal shell. Each terminal has a soldering section. The soldering sections of a power terminal and a grounding terminal are the outermost terminals and are located outside remaining terminals instead of being located respectively between the soldering sections of signal transmitting or receiving terminals. The outermost soldering sections of the power and grounding terminals prevent the interference with the signal transmitting and receiving terminals during signal transmission. |
| US07682162B2 |
Low profile connector for connecting with cable
A cable assembly comprises an insulative housing having a body portion and a mating portion extending forward from a front side of the body portion along a mating direction. The body portion forms a supporting portion protruding rearward and extending along a transversal direction thereof. A plurality of contacts are disposed in the insulative housing with front contacting sections exposed in the mating section and rear tails opposite to the front contacting sections. A printed circuit board stands within the supporting portion and electrically and mechanically connects with the tails of the contact. A cable connects with a free end of the printed circuit board and a cover is assembled onto the insulative housing to enclose said printed circuit board and the cable therein. The configuration of the cable assembly is compact and meets the low profile demand. |
| US07682161B2 |
Electrical connector having power terminals
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) comprising an engaging portion (12) which comprises a pair of side walls (121) and a pair of end walls (122), a plurality of signal terminals (2) arranged along the pair of the side walls (121) and at least one power terminals (3) located at each end wall (122). The end wall (122) defines at least one groove (120) extending along a mating direction at an outside thereof to receive and retain the at least one power terminal (3). |
| US07682155B2 |
Training device for an automatic injector
A resettable training device and method for training a user on the operation of an auto-injector for dispensing a medicament are provided. The user can operate the training device to simulate an auto-injector operation and then reset the training device to repeat the injector operation. The training device includes a housing, a cover member slidably received within the housing between a retracted operative position and an extended inoperative position, a spring member for biasing the cover member into the extended position, an actuation assembly that controls the movement of the cover member from the retracted position to the extended position in response to activation of the trainer by the user, a safety pin, and in some embodiments at least one releasable locking assembly to prevent movement of the cover member from the extended position to the retracted position. |
| US07682149B2 |
Timed wick and candle thereof
A powered, mechanical teeth cleaning device having two lines of rotating brushes is disclosed. The brushes rotate inwardly from each side, giving a cleaning effect on both buccal and lingual surface of the tooth from the gum tissue to the tooth direction. A protective shield for minimizing tissue irritation, a guiding stop for proper tooth positioning and a brush direction-of-rotation switch are included. |
| US07682148B2 |
Foldable igniter
A foldable lighter that prevents inadvertent ignition by erroneously pressing the operating button when folding the swing-arm to make the lighter compact.A foldable lighter 1 that comprises a lighter body 2 that contains a fuel tank, a piezoelectric unit 102, an operating button 8, and a swing-arm 4 connected with free swinging to one end of lighter body 2 and that incorporates a locking mechanism to prevent accidental depression of operating button 8. The locking mechanism consists of a projecting portion 74 formed in a predetermined range of cylindrical walls 26a and 26c made integrally with swing-arm 4 and a hook 8b that extends from the operating button along a portion of the cylindrical walls. The aforementioned predetermined range prescribed for the projecting portions is the range in which the hook 8b interferes with the projecting portions when the swing-arm 4 is turned relative to the lighter body 2 by an angle that is below a predetermined value so that if the operating button 8 is depressed when swing-arm 4 is turned relative to the lighter body 2 by an angle that is below a predetermined value, hook 8b will interfere with projecting portion 74, and depression of the button will be prevented. |
| US07682147B2 |
Apparatus for forming an array of microlenses under artificial gravity
A microlens is affixed in the far field of an optical fiber to spatially transform a beam either entering or exiting the fiber. In a first embodiment, a droplet of photo polymer is placed on the end of an optical fiber and the fiber is spun to create an artificial gravity. The droplet is cured by UV radiation during the spinning. In a second embodiment, nanoparticles are mixed into the droplet to increase the refractive index of the photo polymer. A third embodiment employs artificial gravity to attach a microsphere to the end of the optical fiber. A fourth embodiment chemically treats the surface of the microsphere so that the requirement of artificial gravity is either reduced or eliminated. In a fifth embodiment the droplet is cured under equilibrium or nonequilibrium conditions to obtain different final shapes for the lenslet. A sixth embodiment discloses fabrication of microlens arrays. |
| US07682146B2 |
Molding manufacturing method and apparatus
A molding manufacturing method includes: preparing a molding body including a molding main body made of thermoplastic material and a decorative layer higher than the molding main body in hardness and melt temperature; setting the molding body in a fixed die; heating and softening an end portion of the molding body while maintaining the decorative layer softer than the molding main body, by irradiating an infrared ray onto a back surface of the molding main body corresponding to the end portion; and press forming the end portion of the molding body by applying a movable punch onto the fixed die while the end portion of the molding body is in a softened state to bend the end portion of the molding body to obtain an end cover portion having a predetermined shape. |
| US07682145B2 |
Fortune cookie making tool
A folding tool onto which one places a fortune cookie crepe and a fortune ticket, while the crepe is still soft and pliable, which one then bends at hinges of the tool in a specific sequence, to cause the folding of the crepe around the fortune ticket and into a traditional fortune cookie shape before the crepe begins to permanently harden into its thus-formed shape. |
| US07682144B2 |
Apparatuses and processes for packaging products
An apparatus comprises an operating device and a die suitable for interacting to form containers from a sheet material, a cutting device for separating said containers from said sheet material, said cutting means being so shaped as to be removably connectable to said operating device. |
| US07682141B2 |
Production apparatus for forming plastic molded articles
An apparatus and method for making plastic molded articles generally having a double-skinned configuration with a foamed interior extending between the two skins. Such an article can be produced with a double beauty finish, and various inserts can be placed within the foamed interior between the two skins. The apparatus of the present invention includes the machinery used in order to make such a plastic article. The heated mold configurations can be made of inexpensive aluminum, compared to the traditional stainless steel production mold, and therefore will help the manufacture of large molded plastic articles. |
| US07682140B2 |
Mold for resin molding, resin molding apparatus, and semiconductor device manufacture method
A mold includes a pot for accommodating resin, a cavity for accommodating a semiconductor chip to be resin-molded and a runner as a resin passage for transporting the resin accommodated in the pot to the cavity. A foreign matter retention pocket is disposed which is a recess formed by digging further a partial inner surface of the runner. A runner magnet attracts and attaches a metallic foreign matter contained in fluid transported in the runner to the inner surface of the foreign matter retention pocket. |
| US07682139B2 |
Motor and method of operating the same
A motor and a method of operating the motor are described. The motor may have a female rotor shaft having mounted thereon a female compression rotor, a female power rotor, and a spur gear. The motor may also have a male rotor shaft having mounted thereon a male compression rotor, a male power rotor and a power rotor gear. A housing containing the foregoing may have a front housing plate, a compression rotor case, an isolator plate, a power rotor case, a rear housing plate, and a gear cover adjacent the rear housing plate. The various female and male rotors are engaged with one another within the housing. |
| US07682138B2 |
Fluid transferring system and micropump suitable therefor
Disclosed herein is a micro fluid transferring system that comprises a micropump having a chamber, a first fluid transferring portion connected to the chamber, and a second fluid transferring portion connected to the chamber. This system is characterized in that at least one of the first and second fluid transferring portions comprises a pressure absorbing section for absorbing or alleviating a liquid vibrational pressure therein. |
| US07682134B2 |
Francis pump-turbine
A Francis pump-turbine includes a runner provided with runner blades arranged around in a circumferential direction of a main shaft of the runner, each of the runner blades being supported by a band at a bottom side thereof in a blade height direction and supported by a crown at a head side in the blade height direction, in which the runner blade is formed, at a trailing edge thereof, with a curved portion expanding to the main shaft when the turbine is in operation, the curved portion has a maximum point with respect to a straight line connecting a crown-side trailing edge connecting end at which the trailing edge and the crown are connected and a band-side trailing edge connecting end at which the trailing edge and the band are connected, and an angle α formed by a straight line connecting the maximum point and the crown-side trailing edge connecting end and a straight line connecting the maximum point and the band-side trailing edge connecting end is set to be within a range of α≦150°. |
| US07682128B2 |
Axial fan having adjustable blades and method of mounting the blades
An axial fan comprising an impeller provided with a supporting ring on which is disposed an adapter. Spindles are rotatably mounted in the supporting ring, and adjustable blades are connected to the spindles. A support is provided for each spindle and is comprised of a roller bearing that rests against an inner side of the supporting ring, and of a bushing that rests against an inner side of the adapter. A tubular nut is threaded onto the outer end of the spindle to fix it in the supporting ring. |
| US07682122B2 |
Article retrieving and positioning system and apparatus for articles, layers, cases, and pallets
A warehousing system and apparatus for retrieving articles from a preselected storage area containing a quantity of the same and delivering them to a designated area spaced therefrom. A track extends a selected distance along a predetermined path that is offset a selected distance from the stored articles. A motorized carriage is rollingly mounted on the track and has a load carrying support surface thereon on which a payload is accumulated one article after another during the building of such load. A rigid superstructure is carried by the carriage and an extendible and retractable reach is mounted on thereon. A power operated article gripping assembly is carried by the reach for grasping articles one at a time in the storage area and loading them in sequence onto the carriage for delivery to the designated area. The apparatus is controlled from a location spaced from the storage area and inter-relates and controls movement of the carriage along said track, extension and retraction of the reach, and operation of the article gripping assembly to retrieve articles. |
| US07682114B2 |
Parallel shaft strap tie down apparatus and system
A parallel shaft strap tie down apparatus and system. Exemplary embodiments include a parallel shaft strap tie down apparatus and system for vehicle transports. Exemplary embodiments include a central shaft having a ratchet wheel and a pawl configured to wrap a strap around the central shaft. A parallel shaft is positioned parallel to the central shaft. The strap can be inserted between a variable gap between the central shaft and the parallel shaft. When the central shaft is rotated the strap is wound around the central shaft and the parallel shaft, both of which cooperate to create a self-tightening response of the strap on the central and parallel shafts. |
| US07682108B2 |
Cutting insert adjustment device
The disclosure provides a device for adjusting a position of a cutting insert, the device may include an adjustment screw, an adjustment wedge adapted to receive the screw, wherein a position of the wedge is a function of the rotation of the screw and a partially flexible intermediate member between a surface of the wedge and a surface of the cutting insert, wherein the intermediate member is supported on both ends. The disclosure further provides a cutting tool adapted to receive at least one device for adjusting a position of a cutting insert, wherein the device may include an adjustment screw, an adjustment wedge adapted to receive the screw, wherein a position of the wedge is a function of the rotation of the screw and a partially flexible intermediate member between a surface of the wedge and a surface of the cutting insert, wherein the intermediate member is supported on both ends. |
| US07682100B2 |
Self-tightening fastening system
A self-tightening device for fastening two structures together includes a female component and a male component where the female component is capable of receiving the male component. The female component includes a moveable member, an energy storing mechanism and a retaining mechanism. The movable member is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The energy storing mechanism has stored energy for causing the moveable member to move from the unlocked to locked position when the energy in the energy-storing mechanism is released. The retaining mechanism holds the energy-storing mechanism in the stored-energy state until the retaining mechanism is released. Upon the release of the retaining mechanism, the energy storing mechanism is actuated from the stored-energy state to the released-energy state causing the movable member to move from the unlocked position to the locked position engaging the male component with the female component when the male component is inserted within the female component. |
| US07682099B2 |
Indexable, lockable pivoting mechanism for hand tool
A indexable, lockable mechanism for a hand tool, and hand tools with such mechanism, the mechanism comprising a first member having a first splined orifice, a second member having an upper prong with a second splined orifice and a lower prong with a third splined orifice, and a splined pin assembly for insertion through said first, second and third orifices. The first member is positioned in a gap between the upper prong and the lower prong of the second member with the first splined orifice coaxially aligned with the second and third splined orifices of the second member. The splined pin assembly of either the first embodiment or the second embodiment is disposed in the three splined orifices and is axially movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The splined pin assembly is allows a user to move the splined pin axially in the first and second orifices between the locked position and the unlocked position. |
| US07682097B2 |
All-in-one polish dispenser and wiper
A device for applying a cleaning or polishing solution to a surface and wiping the solution over the surface includes a rotatable valve that allows for the dispensing of the solution through either a nozzle that sprays the solution in front of a disposable sponge-like pad secured to the device, or directly into the pad for application to the surface by the pad. The device also includes a rearward opening that releasably receives a container of the solution to be dispensed from the device. When the container is empty, the container is removed and replaced in order to allow the device to be used in a generally continuous manner for cleaning and polishing the surface. The disposable pad connected to the device may also include a cleaning surface capable of picking up dust, dirt and other debris in addition to applying the polishing and cleaning solutions to the surface. |
| US07682095B2 |
Paper storage apparatus, and a paper processing apparatus having a paper storage apparatus
A paper storage apparatus for stacking and storing paper in sequence comprising a first discharge roller 21 for discharging paper (check S1) in a specified discharge direction; a paper storage pocket (check storage pocket 12) for stacking the paper at a position offset from the specified direction in which the check S1 is transported by the first discharge roller 21, a movable first guide member (paper guide 60) having a first position disposed at an inclined angle relative to the direction the check S1 is discharged by the first discharge roller 21, for guiding the check S1 into the storage pocket 12, and a second position displaced from the first position for applying pressure upon the check(s)in the check storage pocket 12 and a movable second guide member (paper shift lever) 40 positioned between the first discharge roller 21 and first guide member (paper guide 60) which pivots from a first position in response to the leading edge of the paper to allow the paper to advance into a second position for urging the trailing edge of the paper toward the movable second guide member. |
| US07682092B2 |
Camera shutter assembly having casing walls for guiding a shutter and method for producing same
A shutter assembly has an actuator for applying a whip action on a shutter wing for blocking or exposing an aperture. The shutter wing has a first blade fixedly connected to the actuator and a second blade movably connected to the first blade. When the shutter wing is in the closed position, the blades form a folded shape with a waist section large enough to cover the entire aperture. When the shutter wing is in the open position, the blades form an extended shape having a narrower waist section. The blades can be connected to each other by a hinge or a wire. Two shutter wings located on opposite sides of the aperture can be used to create a gap therebetween to control the exposure in a camera. As the shutter wings move from one side to another, the gap acts like a moving slit across the aperture. |
| US07682090B2 |
Integrated focusing and reflecting structure in an optical assembly
An integrated reflecting and focusing structure for use in optical transmitters and receivers to redirect optical signals when an optoelectronic device of the transmitter or receiver is positioned in an off-center relationship with respect to an intended light path is disclosed. The integrated reflecting and focusing structure simplifies construction while reducing complexity of the device. In one embodiment, an optical subassembly is disclosed and includes a housing and an optical fiber that is coupled to the housing. An optoelectronic component, such as a laser diode, is positioned in the housing and is configured to produce a light beam. The subassembly further includes an integrated focusing and reflecting prism that serves as a means for simultaneously redirecting and focusing the light beam while in transit between the laser diode and the optical fiber. The focusing feature combined with redirection of the light beam obviates the need for a separate lens assembly. |
| US07682087B2 |
Transmission component, method of manufacturing the same, and tapered roller bearing
A transmission component is incorporated into a transmission in which an input shaft, an output shaft, or a gear is rotatably supported by a rolling bearing. The component has a nitriding layer at a surface layer and an austenite grain with a grain size number falling within a range exceeding 10. This provides a transmission component having an increased anti-crack strength, enhanced dimensional stability, and a long fatigue life. A method of manufacturing such a transmission component and a tapered roller bearing are also provided. |
| US07682085B2 |
Rotor bearing arrangement for a balancing machine
In a rotor bearing arrangement for a balancing machine having a bearing housing (1) which is supported in a radially resilient manner in a highly stiff bearing stand (2) by means of at least two identically configured and arranged spring elements, the spring elements are arranged on opposite sides of the bearing housing (1) so as to be symmetrical about a plane containing the main axis of the bearing and the bearing stand (2) has two supporting arms (11) arranged at a distance from one another, between which the bearing housing (1) is arranged and on which the spring elements are supported. |
| US07682082B2 |
Compact surface self-compensated hydrostatic bearings
A compact surface self-compensated hydrostatic bearing includes a rotor assembly including a rotor plate having upper and lower fluid restricting faces, a rotor top and bottom, each having bearing surfaces angled with respect to an axis of rotation of the rotor assembly; a stator assembly including a stator top and a stator bottom housing the rotor assembly therebetween, the stator top and bottom having bearing surfaces facing and spaced apart from the rotor top and bottom bearing surfaces forming upper and lower bearing gaps, respectively, therebetween; the stator top and bottom including a lower and an upper fluid restricting surface, respectively, facing and spaced apart from the rotor upper and rotor lower fluid restricting faces, respectively, forming upper and lower restricting gaps, respectively, therebetween; and a fluid supply system configured to supply pressurized fluid to the bearing gaps and into the upper and lower fluid restricting gaps. |
| US07682079B2 |
Medical imaging system and method with integrated weight sensing
An integrated weight sensing system and method is disclosed for a medical imaging system. In one embodiment, the integrated weight sensing system may include a table assembly, a load cell, and a processor that are implemented in a medical imaging system. The table assembly includes a lifting mechanism used to position a patient within the medical imaging system. The load cell is mechanically coupled to the table assembly and in communication with the processor. The load cell is configured to measure and indicate the weight of the patient and the processor may be configured to adjust imaging parameters based on the weight of the patient. The table assembly may include a device in communication with the load cell and/or processor to display the weight of the patient. Additionally, the table assembly and/or the processor may include an interface for zeroing or recalibrating the load cell. |
| US07682078B2 |
Method for determining a range of radiation
A method for determining a range of radiation is provided. The method includes defining a target volume to be irradiated using a plurality of voxels; determining, without exposing the target volume to radiation, radiation-attenuating properties that are associated with individual voxels of the plurality of voxels; deriving a range datum from the radiation-attenuating properties; and changing the range datum of a first voxel if the range datum of the first voxel differs from the range datum of two adjacent voxels. |
| US07682077B2 |
Method and apparatus for driving a mobile imaging system
A mobile imaging system comprises a motorized drive assembly having first and second drive wheels that are coupled to the motorized drive assembly. A column is coupled to and extends upwardly from the motorized drive assembly and is rotatable around a pivot point. An arm is coupled to the column and includes a radiation source mounted on an outer end thereof. A longitudinal axis extends parallel to the length of the mobile imaging system and is centered between the first and second drive wheels. A controller is configured to determine first and second velocities to drive the first and second drive wheels based on an angle of rotation of the column with respect to the longitudinal axis. |
| US07682075B2 |
Apparatus and method for temperature measurement
A temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of a moving or stationary surface includes a main body portion and a probe head with thermocouple element, the probe head coupled to the main body portion such that the probe head reciprocates relative to the main body portion in a pulsed manner. |
| US07682068B2 |
Temperature-compensated balance wheel/hairspring oscillator
The invention relates to mechanical watch oscillators comprising an assembly consisting of a spiral and a temperature compensated balance. The spiral is embodied in a quartz substrate whose section is selected in such a way that the drifts of the spiral and of the balance associated therewith are thermally compensated. The substrate section can be embodied in the form of a section of single or double rotation. |
| US07682064B2 |
Backlight assembly and display apparatus having the same
A backlight assembly includes a receiving container receiving a light guide plate and a lamp and a fixing member holding the light guide plate. The fixing member supports an incident face of the light guide plate, into which a light emitted from the lamp is incident, thereby preventing movement of the light guide plate towards the lamp. Thus, the backlight assembly may fix the light guide plate to the receiving container without reforming the light guide plate, so that the backlight assembly may supply light having uniform brightness to a liquid crystal display panel to improve its display characteristics. |
| US07682059B2 |
Direct type back light
A direct type back light includes a case holding a plurality of lamps. The lamps may be “U” shaped and have curves arranged at a centerline of the case to face each other with a gap there between. A reflecting plate is positioned below the plurality of lamps. A luminance control sheet is provided above the reflecting plate and below the lamps in several of, or all of, the gaps. The luminance control sheet may have a lower reflectivity or a higher reflectivity than the reflecting plate to remove a bright line or a dark line in the center of the display, respectively. |
| US07682057B2 |
Lighting module for a motor vehicle and a light comprising such a module
The invention concerns a lighting module comprising a concave reflector, and at least one light source disposed in the concavity of the reflector in order to illuminate at least upwards, and a lens situated in front of the reflector and light source. The reflector is associated with a flat plate, the top face of which is reflective in order to bend the beam coming from the reflector, the said plate comprising a front end edge able to form the cutoff in the lighting beam. The reflector is determined so as to transform a spherical wave surface coming from the source into a wave surface boiling down to an arc of a circle situated in the plane of the plate, and the lens is of revolution about an axis orthogonal to the plane of the plate and passing through the center of the said arc of a circle. |
| US07682051B2 |
Lamp assembly having a junction box
A lamp assembly includes a lamp and a junction box. The lamp defines a front chamber and a rear chamber. A plurality of LED modules is received in the rear chamber. A receiving member is located at a top of the front chamber. The junction box is mounted on an outside of the receiving member. A junction base is received in the junction box. A mounting tube extends through the junction box and the receiving member of the lamp to mount the junction box on the lamp. A connecting tube is mounted on the junction box. Wires of the LED modules extend through the mounting tube and connecting with the junction base. The connecting tube is adapted to receive wires extending from an outside power sources to the junction base. |
| US07682050B2 |
LED lamp
An LED lamp includes a base, a heat sink mounted on the base, a plurality of LED modules attached to a circumference of the heat sink, a plurality of reflecting rings enclosing the heat sink and surrounding the LED modules and a heat dissipating member mounted on a top of the heat sink and making thermally conductive contact with the heat sink. |
| US07682048B2 |
Lighting emitting diode lamp
A lighting emitting diode (LED) lamp (100) includes a first LED array (60) and a second LED array (50). A rate of change of a relatively luminous intensity relative to the temperature of the first LED array is lower than that of the second LED array. A first heat sink (10) thermally attaches to the first LED array. A second heat sink (20) thermally attaches to the second LED array. A heat dissipation efficiency of the second heat sink is higher than that of the first heat sink. The heat dissipation of the second LED array is much quicker than that of the first LED array. The second LED array thus can be kept working at a much lower temperature. |
| US07682046B2 |
Light fixture with lamp adjustment assembly
A lamp adjustment assembly for a light fixture includes a socket platform having a base and hollow neck. A socket mounts to the base. The interior of the hollow neck includes at least three spaced-apart cam followers. A cam having spiral grooves includes a first portion that fits at least partially within the interior of the hollow neck. The cam followers mate with the grooves. An adjustment knob is coupled to a second portion of the cam and rotatably coupled to a socket housing that at least partially encloses the lamp adjustment assembly. Alignment wings extend from the base of the socket platform and are sized to fit within slots in the interior of the socket housing. The slots prevent the socket platform from rotating and limit the linear range of motion of the socket platform. A spring applies force to the base and the adjustment knob. |
| US07682045B2 |
Linear actuator of the screw-nut type
A linear actuator (1) comprising a housing (6), a motor (2) comprising a stator with coils (4), a screw-nut system, and a rotor (5) axially and radially supported on the motor side by a bearing (11). The bearing comprises a ball (14) rigidly attached to the rotor, a cylindrical cavity (15) formed or positioned in the housing into which the ball (14) is inserted. A stop (17) is positioned in the cavity, supported in an axial direction of the rotor, against the ball (14) in essentially one point. |
| US07682044B2 |
Slide controller for an audio-mixer
The invention relates to a slide control for an audio mixer, whereby a slide can be displaced along a defined path in a slit-shaped opening in a front plate. The aim of the invention is to create one such slide control that clearly indicates the function it is carrying out or the parameters it can influence by its position. To this end, an illuminable element is provided, said element extending along the opening. |
| US07682041B2 |
LED projector lamp
An LED projector lamp includes, in succession along an optical axis thereof, a lamp holder, an LED light source, a light-mixing lens and a cover lens. The LED light source has LED chips arranged inside the lamp holder around the optical axis for emitting different wavelengths of light. The light-mixing lens has a structural surface with parallel lines of protrusions facing the cover lens such that such that the emitted light rays of the LED chips that pass through the structural surface are scattered at least one time and then pass through the cover lens. As a result, the emitted different wavelengths of light can be well mixed before going to the outside of the LED projector lamp. |
| US07682039B2 |
Extensible light shade
A male terminal cap and a female terminal cap are mounted on the two ends of a strip light shade to form an extensible strip light shade. Electrical contacts are formed in the terminal caps for electrical coupling when two light shades are connected through mechanical coupling of the terminal caps. |
| US07682035B2 |
Housing device for hand-held power tool
A housing device for a hand-held power tool has at least one see-through region composed of a transparent plastic, and having an interior side configured as a carrier for an element selected from the group consisting of an information element, a signal element, and both; and also a hand-held power tool is provided with such a housing device. |
| US07682030B2 |
Deformable mirror apparatus
It is made possible to provide a deformable mirror apparatus which is deformable to a complicated shape (high-order shape). A deformable mirror apparatus includes: a substrate; a plurality of electrodes provided on the substrate; a spacer fixed above the substrate, having a first opening passing through from a first face of the spacer facing to the substrate to a second face of the spacer facing opposite from the first face, surrounding the electrodes, and having a step on the second face; a drive part including a membrane part disposed so as to cover the step of the spacer and so as to be opposed to the electrodes, a casing part having an opening at a bottom face of which the membrane part is exposed and supporting the membrane part, and a reflection film provided on the membrane part; and a voltage generator configured to generate predetermined voltage patterns on the electrodes, respectively. |
| US07682028B2 |
Image transmission system and image transmission method
An image transmission system enabling a user to recognize a communication status between a PC and a projector, and including a PC (300) as an image generating apparatus and a projector (400) as an image projecting apparatus. The projector (400) monitors a status of communication with the PC (300), and includes a status monitoring unit (402) generating information related to the communication status being monitored, and also a projector communication unit transmitting the generated information related to the communication status to the PC (300). The PC (300) includes a PC communication unit (301) receiving information related to the communication status from the projector (400), a beacon analyzing unit (302) analyzing the received information and a display output unit (303) displaying a result of the analysis by the beacon analyzing unit (302). |
| US07682025B2 |
Gaze tracking using multiple images
Systems and methods for facilitating gaze tracking based on multiple images are disclosed. A gaze tracking system includes an optical module configured to receive illumination from a target and provide a background and tracking channel outputs, the background channel including ambient illumination and the tracking channel including ambient and controlled added illumination at a targeted range of wavelengths. The background and tracking channel outputs are provided to an imaging module configured to provide an associated set of background and tracking images to a processor module to facilitate gaze tracking. Controlled illumination of the target may be provided by an illumination element, in conjunction with the processor module, to facilitate gaze tracking. |
| US07682024B2 |
Saccadic motion sensing
A saccadic motion detector comprised an optical system that focuses light reflected or emitted from the subject's eye onto an optical navigation chip, which connects to circuitry configured to convert analog light from the eye to digital representations motion of the eye, including saccadic eye movement. |
| US07682021B2 |
System and methods for the treatment of retinal diseases
Systems and methods for treating a retinal disease in a human include locating and defining one or more zones of vision within the human's visual system and defining a treatment area which is located within at least one of the zones. The method of this embodiment may also include treating the human's retinal disease by presenting visual stimuli to the treatment area at a specified location and with a specified definition and recording changes in specified characteristics of the human's visual system. The method of this embodiment may also include reiterating the previous steps so as to improve the human's overall visual system. |
| US07682020B2 |
Orthokeratological contact lenses and design methods therefor
The present invention provides an orthokeratological contact lens to be worn on a patient's cornea and methods for prescribing the same. The contact lens comprises a parabolic lens having an inner surface configured to face an epithelium of the patient's cornea, wherein the parabolic lens is adapted to reshape the cornea by way of epithelium and/or stromal tissue growth. In a pre-treatment configuration, an outer surface of the epithelium does not conform to the contours of the inner surface of the parabolic lens such that there exits a gap comprising a hypertrophy volume that is disposed between the epithelium and the parabolic lens. |
| US07682017B2 |
Handheld printer minimizing printing defects
Methods and apparatus include a handheld printer manipulated back and forth by an operator during use to print an image. An inkjet printhead of the printer has a plurality of fluid firing actuators arranged in a substantial column. A controller communicates with the printhead to identify active actuators given to fire at a particular time during use to print the image. However, to prevent unsightly print quality from occurring during overlapping adjacent print swaths, for example, certain of the identified actuators are prevented from firing. Especially, actuators in the column further from a center of the column fire less frequently than those closer to the center. A position sensor is also used to locate the printhead relative to the image. The controller correlates the position to the printhead and actuators and fires the active actuators or not. |
| US07682014B2 |
Apparatus for media preheating in an ink jet printer
An ink jet imaging system comprises a heated imaging drum that rotates in at least one direction, a print head for ejecting ink onto the heated imaging drum as it rotates past the print head to form an image, a media sheet transport for synchronizing movement of a media sheet with rotation of the heated imaging drum, a transfixing roller that forms a transfixing nip with the heated imaging drum to transfix the image on the rotating heated image drum onto the media sheet synchronized by the media sheet transport, and a media director located between the media sheet transport and the heated imaging drum to direct the media sheet into close proximity with the heated imaging drum at a position sufficiently prior to the transfixing nip that the heated imaging drum heats the media sheet before the media sheet enters the transfixing nip. |
| US07682012B2 |
Inkjet printing method and apparatus
This invention pertains to a method of inkjet printing, in particular to a method of inkjet printing designed for high speed, high quality and high resolution. This invention also pertains to an apparatus to perform the inventive method. |
| US07682010B2 |
Solid ink stick with coating
An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device is provided, the phase change ink device having an ink stick feed system. The ink stick has a solid ink body having an exterior surface, and a light responsive overcoat that overlays at least a portion of the exterior surface of the ink stick body. |
| US07682009B1 |
Cooling, condensation and freezing of atmospheric water or of a microfluidic working-material in or on microfluidic devices
Condensation of water from a gas, such as from atmospheric air or other nearby ambient gas, is provided for use in a variety of jetting devices, such as inkjet and lab-on-a-chip applications. Further embodiments involve the use of frozen liquids, not limited to frozen condensed water, and microcooling of fluidic components or working materials for improved process control and reliability. |
| US07682003B2 |
Needle and method of manufacturing thereof
A needle is provided with a tubular member. The tubular member comprises a side wall, a through hole formed at the side wall, and an outer slanted portion formed at an outer surface of the side wall along the periphery of the through hole. The outer slanted portion slants down toward the through hole. A length of the outer slanted portion in an axis direction of the tubular member is greater than a length of the outer slanted portion in a circumferential direction of the tubular member. |
| US07682002B2 |
Printer having improved gas flow drop deflection
A drop generator operable to selectively form a drop having a first size and a drop having a second size from liquid emitted through a nozzle associated with the drop generator. The drop having the first size and the drop having the second size travel along a drop trajectory with the first size being larger than the second size when compared to each other. Each of the drops has a drop velocity. A gas flow deflection system includes a gas flow that is directed at a deflection zone that comprises at least a portion of the drop trajectory. The gas flow in the deflection zone includes a velocity vector having a parallel velocity component and a perpendicular velocity component with the parallel velocity component and the perpendicular velocity component being defined relative to the drop trajectory. |
| US07682000B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator, liquid transporting apparatus and method of producing piezoelectric actuator
A piezoelectric actuator of an ink-jet head includes a vibration plate covering pressure chambers, and piezoelectric elements formed on a surface of the vibration plate. Each of the piezoelectric elements has stacked piezoelectric layers; individual electrodes and common electrodes arranged alternately between the stacked piezoelectric layers; and base portions of a supporting member formed on a surface of the uppermost piezoelectric layer of the piezoelectric layers. In each of the piezoelectric elements, through holes are formed to extend from a surface of one of the base portions, across the stacked piezoelectric layers, and the individual electrodes are exposed in the surface forming the through hole and the common electrodes are exposed in the surface forming the through hole. Conductive materials are filled in the through holes, respectively. Accordingly, a liquid transporting apparatus in which the structure for electrical connection is simple and easily made is provided. |
| US07681995B2 |
Liquid ejection head and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid ejection head for an electrostatic ink jet including an insulating ejection substrate in which through holes are bored to form ejection openings for ejecting droplets; an insulating support substrate arranged while facing the ejection substrate with a predetermined distance therebetween; a solution flow path provided between the ejection substrate and the support substrate; ejection electrodes, respectively provided corresponding to the through holes, for exerting electrostatic forces on the solution; and a shield electrode, provided corresponding to at least one of the through holes on a solution ejection side with respect to the ejection electrodes, for preventing electric field interferences between the through holes. Plural flow path wall portions contacting the ejection substrate stands in the solution flow path, and at least one of electrode lines connected to the ejection electrodes and electrode lines connected to the shield electrode are contained in the flow path wall portions. |
| US07681992B2 |
Element substrate, and printhead, head cartridge, and printing apparatus using the element substrate
This invention relates to a printhead element substrate having a plurality of electrothermal transducers and a plurality of switching elements which drive the plurality of electrothermal transducers. The element substrate has a level converter which is shared by adjacent electrothermal transducers and steps up an input driving signal, and a switch circuit which supplies the driving signal output from the level converter to one of the adjacent electrothermal transducers. The switch circuit switches the supply destination of the driving signal in accordance with an external input selection signal. |
| US07681990B2 |
Liquid jetting apparatus and method for switchably driving heaters
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes an element substrate having thereon a plurality of heaters for generating energy for ejecting liquid; a plurality of liquid chambers provided on the element substrate and having ejection outlets for ejecting the liquid, wherein a plurality of the heaters are disposed in each of the liquid chambers, and wherein one part of the heaters and the other part of the heaters are switchably operable; and a switching unit for switching between a mode in which the one part of the heaters is actuated as main heaters, and the other part of the heaters stands by as stand-by heaters, and a mode in which the other part of the heaters is actuated as main heaters, and the one part of heaters stands by as stand-by heaters. A center of gravity of the one part of heaters and a center of gravity of the other part of heaters are aligned with each other in a plane of the element substrate, and surfaces of the heaters are protected by an anti-cavitation film comprising metal. |
| US07681986B2 |
Methods and apparatus for depositing ink onto substrates
Embodiments of an ink jet printing system include a motion stage adapted to move a substrate having a display object in a printing direction and a first printing assembly mounted over the motion stage including a set of print heads aligned and arranged consecutively in the printing direction such that the display object moves under the print heads sequentially. Embodiments of a method of ink jet printing include moving a substrate under the print heads of printing assembly sequentially in a printing direction, activating alternate ink jetting channels within each print head of the first printing assembly, activating corresponding channels within adjacent print heads in the first printing assembly alternately, and depositing ink in alternating sub-pixels within one or more pixels on the substrate. |
| US07681984B2 |
Image reading and recording apparatus
A scanner unit is revolvable disposed to a recording unit. The recording unit and the scanner unit are coupled with each other with a damper unit including a holder, a rod, and a spring. The damper unit is disposed so that the operating direction of the spring switches in process of the opening and the closing of the scanner unit. A guiding surface capable of abutting on the projection disposed on the rod is provided in the recording unit. The projection abuts on the guiding surface before the operating direction of the spring switches in process of the movement of the scanner unit from its opened position to its closed position. |
| US07681981B2 |
Inkjet printer with improved cleaning and adjustment capabilities, and image processing apparatus
In an inkjet printer including at least a printhead of inkjet type configured to eject ink according to print data and a cleaning unit configured to perform a cleaning of the printhead by ejecting ink to produce suitable conditions for an inkjet recording, the inkjet printer further includes a user information input unit configured to input user information, a cleaning direction unit configured to issue for a user a cleaning direction, and a control unit configured to instruct the cleaning unit to clean the printhead in response to the cleaning direction issued by the cleaning direction unit on condition that the user information inputted by the user information input unit is permissible to perform the cleaning. Also disclosed is an image processing apparatus, incorporating the inkjet printer and further including a document scanner configured to read an image of a document and to generate first image data corresponding to the image, and an image data processing unit configured to convert the first image data into second image data suitable for image recording by the inkjet printer and to output to the inkjet printer. |
| US07681979B2 |
Inkjet printing system and method capable of automatically calibrating a non-uniform speed of a printhead carriage
An inkjet printing system and method capable of automatically calibrating non-uniform speed of a printhead carriage, which includes a test pattern generator, a printing device, an image extractor, a processor and a printhead carriage control signal generator. The test pattern generator generates at least one test pattern. The printing device prints the test pattern on a recording medium. The image extractor captures an image of the test pattern. The processor reads and analyzes the image of the test pattern to accordingly generate a look-up table. The printhead carriage control signal generator generates an inkjet control signal for the printhead carriage, and adjusts a clock of the inkjet control signal in accordance with the look-up table. |
| US07681972B2 |
Element substrate, recording head using the element substrate, and recording apparatus
A buffer circuit for shaping a waveform of a logic signal is arranged where a line for a logic circuit included in a recording-head substrate is divided into substantially equal portions, the line having an unignorable parasitic component due to its increased length. Therefore, the recording-head substrate, a recording head using the recording-head substrate, and a recording apparatus including the recording head are capable of minimizing the adverse effects of parasitic resistance and parasitic capacitance in lines even when the length of a heater array is increased. |
| US07681971B2 |
Ink jet apparatus
A drop emitting device that includes a drop generator, a drive signal including a plurality of fire intervals applied to the drop generator, wherein the drive signal includes in each fire interval a bi-polar drop firing waveform or a time varying non-firing waveform. |
| US07681970B2 |
Self initialising printhead IC
A printhead IC for an inkjet printer, the inkjet printer having a print engine controller (PEC) for sending print data to the printhead IC, the printhead IC comprising: an array of nozzles for ejecting drops of printing fluid onto a media substrate; and, drive circuitry for driving the array of nozzles, the drive circuitry being configured for connection to a power source in the printer; wherein, the drive circuitry being configured to reset itself to a known initial state in response to receiving power from the power source after a period of not receiving power from the power source. |
| US07681969B2 |
Liquid ejection apparatus
A liquid ejection apparatus for discharging a medium on which liquid is ejected by a discharge roller after ejecting liquid on the medium by a liquid ejection head includes a medium pressing roller for controlling floatation of the medium between the liquid ejection head and the discharge roller, the medium pressing roller being provided on a rotatable discharge frame, wherein the liquid ejection apparatus operates by switching between a first mode where the medium pressing roller moves to an upper position by rotation of the discharge frame and a second mode where the medium pressing roller moves to a lower position than the first mode to press the medium downward. |
| US07681968B2 |
Ink level detecting apparatus of an ink-jet printer
An ink level detecting apparatus usable with an ink-jet printer includes an ink tank having a bottom, a ceiling, and a sidewall, a shrinkable ink pack is accommodated in the ink tank and having a top surface that moves down evenly as an ink level in the shrinkable ink pack decreases, a fixed electrode installed to an upper portion of the ink tank, and a movable electrode disposed to face the fixed electrode at a predetermined distance from the fixed electrode. The movable electrode moves in a horizontal direction according to a height variation of the top surface of the shrinkable ink pack such that an overlap area between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode varies. Therefore, the ink level is detected from electric capacity variation sensed between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode. |
| US07681967B2 |
Ink refill unit having control information stored thereon to control the refilling process
A printing fluid refill unit for a print engine, comprising an information storage element for storing information on the amount of printing fluid contained in the refill unit and for connecting with an information reader incorporated in the print engine for reading the information stored by the storage element when the refill unit is mounted to the print engine, wherein the information stored by the storage element enables the reader to control the refilling of the print engine with the printing fluid contained in the refill unit. |
| US07681966B2 |
Printing process
A process including selecting an ink having a viscosity that varies continuously over a range of transfuse process temperatures; forming an image on a preliminary receiving surface or on a final receiving substrate with the selected ink; providing a final receiving substrate at a selected temperature optionally comprising modifying the temperature of the final receiving substrate to achieve a selected temperature; optionally passing the final receiving substrate through a nip; optionally exerting pressure on the final receiving substrate in the nip to transfer the ink image from the preliminary receiving surface to the final receiving substrate; optionally fusing the ink image onto the final receiving substrate at a transfuse temperature; and controlling the viscosity of the ink during printing to match a selected characteristic of the final receiving substrate; and preserving the ink image. |
| US07681955B2 |
Locking apparatus for folding headrest for vehicles
A locking apparatus includes a support bracket, a latch, a rotating member and a link unit. The support bracket is fastened to a headrest housing and has therein a locking slot, into which a striker of a seat back frame is removably inserted. The latch is coupled to the support bracket by a hinge and locks the striker, which is inserted into the locking slot of the support bracket, using rotation of the latch. The rotating member is coupled at a first end thereof to the support bracket by a hinge and is elastically coupled at a second end thereof to the latch, thus releasably locking the latch thereto. The link unit is coupled to the headrest housing by a hinge and is connected at one end thereof to the rotating member, such that the latch is released from the rotating member by pulling the rotating member. |
| US07681953B2 |
Adjustable articulating crew seat
A vehicle occupant restraint system includes a seat base pivotally connected to a seat mounting point and seat back pivotally connecting to the seat base. The seat base pivot reside proximal to a forward edge of the seat base and the seat back pivot resides proximal to a rearward edge of the seat base. Each pivot includes a toothed rack, and an engaging member for locking the pivot. The teeth define a radius about the pivots. The engaging members are attached to the seat base and are actuated by levers attached to the seat base. A harness is attached to the seat to prevent injury of an occupant in the event of a unanticipated maneuver, crash, rough terrain, or turbulence. The restraint system comprises a robust mechanism to withstand crash loads and offer sufficient adjustment between sitting and standing positions to accommodate an occupant's duties. |
| US07681946B2 |
Portable table assemblies
An apparatus includes a table and a bench movably coupled to the table. The table and the bench collectively have a first configuration and a second configuration. The table has a first width when the table and the bench are in the first configuration. The table and the bench collectively have a first height when the table and the bench are in the first configuration. The table and the bench collectively have a second width and a second height when the table and the bench are in the second configuration. The second width is less than half of the first width, and the second height is less than half of the first width. |
| US07681943B2 |
Front part structure of vehicle body
A front part structure of a vehicle body is provided. A suspension frame is disposed posterior to a front-side component in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. An apron side member extends in the longitudinal direction. An apron lower member extends in the longitudinal direction, connects the front-side component and the suspension frame and is disposed below the apron side member. The apron lower member is formed into a square cylindrical shape. Two walls of the apron lower member, which are opposed to each other are respectively fixed to the suspension frame. |
| US07681942B2 |
Accessory for a motorcycle
The invention provides a fairing assembly (10) for a motorcycle (12) including an aerodynamic shield (11) and a mounting arrangement for mounting the shield (11) on a motorcycle (12). The shield (11) is operable between a stowed condition and an operative condition. In the operative condition, the shield (11) is positioned to reduce aerodynamic drag on a front wheel (13) of a motorcycle (12), such that, in use, the drag on the front wheel (13) is smaller when the shield (11) is in its operative condition than when the shield (11) is in its stowed position. The invention also extends to a motorcycle (12) having such an aerodynamic shield (11) mounted adjacent a front wheel (13) of the motorcycle (12). The invention further extends to a method of improving the aerodynamic characteristics of a motorcycle (12). |
| US07681941B2 |
Camper trailer
A camper trailer or caravan (10) includes a chassis (12) adapted to be attached to, and towed behind a motor vehicle (11). A housing (21) is mounted on the chassis (12) and defines a main chamber including a peripheral wall. The chassis (12) is short in length and about the same width as the towing vehicle (11) with the wheels (19) located adjacent the rear end of the chassis (12), and the housing (21) is adapted be opened such that panels (41) folded inside the housing when in the closed configuration are adapted to form annex chambers (42, 43) when in the open configuration when the camper trailer (10) is being used for camping and the like. A sleeping chamber (23) associated with the main chamber extends outside the peripheral walls of said camper trailer when required. Preferably there is a kitchen chamber and a bedding chamber within the housing of the camper trailer. |
| US07681940B2 |
Rear door assembly for a motor vehicle
A rear door assembly for a motor vehicle includes an outer door panel and an inner panel. The inner panel is fixedly secured to the inner surface of the outer door panel. The inner panel has a main frame having a generally transversely extending opening and a frame member fixedly secured to the main frame. The frame member extends between opposite sides of the opening in the main frame and extends along a bottom edge of the window opening. The frame member has a transversely extending upper flange and a lower flange spaced apart from the upper flange. The frame member has a main wall extending between the upper and lower flanges and forming a generally U-shaped cross section therewith. The flanges are directly fixedly secured to the inner surface of the outer panel and forming a transversely extending support beam therewith. |
| US07681937B2 |
Closure device for a cabriolet roof structure
A closure device is provided for a cabriolet roof structure having at least one closure element which can assume an open position and a closed position, wherein the closure device is at least at times assigned a sensor device which can detect the open position and the closed position. According to the invention, it is provided that the sensor device comprises only one sensor which generates a first signal when the open position is reached and which generates a second signal when the closed position is reached. The invention also relates to a roof structure for a cabriolet and to a method for monitoring a closure device for a cabriolet roof structure. |
| US07681936B2 |
Load floor with gear rack
A movable cargo floor assembly for a vehicle providing at least a portion of the cargo floor moving closer to an entrance of the vehicle or extending beyond or outside the vehicle when it is in a deployed position, and the cargo floor being in a stowed position when not in the deployed position. In addition, the cargo floor has at least one ramp surface integrated into the base of the cargo floor, and a track that is integrated into the ramp surface so that a gear assembly contacts the track and moves the cargo floor to and from a deployed position and a stowed position. Thus, as a gear rotates it contacts the teeth of the track and causes the cargo floor to move between positions. |
| US07681932B2 |
Shoveling and throwing device
A shoveling and throwing device for moving a snow from a surface comprising a frame having a first and second ends, the frame comprising at least one frame extension extending generally upwardly and at least one wheel disposed on said first end of said frame, a manually operable lever which is pivotally attached proximate to the first end of said frame, a first member having a first end being pivotally attached to the frame extension, a second member having a first end being pivotally attached proximate to a second end of the manually operable lever, a third member having a first end being pivotally attached to a second end of the second member, and a shovel blade pivotally attached to a second end of the third member. |
| US07681929B1 |
Pipe coupler for metal to plastic pipe
A pipe coupler for coupling pipe of dissimilar composition having a substantially cylindrical housing with a stub end and a bell end, the housing having a primarily plastic composition with an embedded anchor ring at the bell end wherein the anchor ring includes a plurality of threaded radial holes and a set of gripping bolts with ends that physically engage an outer surface of a pipe inserted into the bell end of the housing and a plurality of threaded axial holes off-set from the radial holes with a compressor ring, sized to slip over the end of a pipe inserted into the bell end of the housing, the compressor ring compressing a seal when a series of axial bolts engaging the anchor ring are tightened. |
| US07681923B2 |
Fitting and associated grommet for supporting a conduit penetrating a panel
A fitting and an associated grommet are provided for supporting a conduit penetrating a panel and limiting energy transfer between the conduit and panel. The fitting may include a grommet having annular first and second sections spaced apart from one another and an annular wall extending between the first and second sections such that the wall and first and second sections define a bore. A plurality of ribs protrude from the annular wall, the ribs being distributed circumferentially around the annular wall and spanning between the first and second sections. A tubular liner extends through the bore of the grommet and contacts the first and second sections. The plurality of ribs extend into the bore, and at least some of the ribs contact the liner. |
| US07681920B2 |
Straddle-type vehicle
A straddle-type vehicle with improved protection of a discharge part on a fuel tank. A seat is at least partially arranged above a fuel tank and is fitted on a front load receiving part and a rear load receiving part which are arranged on the fuel tank apart from each other in the front and rear direction of the vehicle. A fuel pump unit has a discharge part for discharging fuel in the fuel tank and supplying the fuel in to an engine. The discharge part is arranged on the fuel tank between the front load receiving part and the rear load receiving part. |
| US07681910B2 |
Side airbag connector assembly
A connector assembly for use with a side airbag having a tearable seam in a vehicle seat is disclosed. The connector assembly includes a clip member having a slot near one end thereof and an inner chute connected to the clip member via the slot. The connector assembly also includes a rod releaseably secured to the clip member. An outer chute is connected to the rod and the seam on the opposite end thereof. The chute will allow for proper guidance of the airbag during deployment from the seat in a crash situation. |
| US07681908B2 |
Knee airbag device
A knee airbag device includes an airbag module and an airbag door. The airbag module includes a gas generation device that is operated when the knee airbag device is operated, and a knee airbag that is stored in a folded state inside a column cover that covers the rear end portion of a steering column. When the knee airbag receives gas from the gas generation device, the knee airbag is inflated and deployed toward the knee of an occupant. The airbag door, provided in the lower portion of the column cover, is made of a flexible material. When the knee airbag is inflated and deployed, the airbag door is opened toward the knee of the occupant due to an airbag inflation pressure. |
| US07681906B2 |
Collapsible trailer
A collapsible trailer has a trailer frame adapted to support a boat or marine vessel, the trailer frame including at least one longitudinal member and at least a pair of transverse members and at least two wheels, the wheels removably associated with opposed ends of a first of the pair of transverse members and marine vessel support means removably associated with the other of the pair of transverse members wherein the trailer frame is adapted to assume a use condition with the wheels attached for supporting a boat or marine vessel on the trailer and a collapsed condition with the wheels removed in which the trailer occupies less space than in the use condition. |
| US07681902B2 |
Motor driven stand device for motorcycle
A motor driven stand device for a motorcycle has motors for driving stands for self-sustaining a vehicle body in a parking state in which a rear wheel is lifted and in a stopping state in which the rear wheel is contacted with the ground. A stopping switch actuates the motor for self-sustaining the vehicle body in the stopping state. A parking switch gives an instruction to the motor for self-sustaining the vehicle body in the parking state. The stopping switch is arranged in a right handlebar grip. The parking switch is arranged in a stand step and/or a grab rail. An automatic stopping control unit rotates the stands by a predetermined amount in response to an on operation of the stopping switch in an automatic stopping mode and rotates the stands for the stopping state while an on operation of the stopping switch is maintained in a non-automatic stopping mode. |
| US07681901B2 |
Gauge mount for motorcycle
A gauge mount for a motorcycle with a gauge encasement attached to a triple tree and one or more gauge mount locations attached to the gauge encasement. The gauge mount locations are located on the rearward facing side of the triple tree, facing the seat of the motorcycle. Each gauge mount location is adapted to receive a gauge housing. Each gauge housing connects a gauge to the gauge encasement. The gauges are preferably tilted upward to be more easily viewed by the rider while operating the motorcycle. |
| US07681896B2 |
Thrust bearing and suspension for vehicle
A thrust ball bearing includes an upper case and a lower case. In the upper case and the lower case, annular rings which are formed in the upper case and the lower case, respectively support balls which are rolling elements, and inter-case gaps are formed between the upper case and the lower case in order to reduce sliding resistance and rotational torque. A seal unit is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the lower case. The seal unit is made up of a recess portion which is formed on the inner circumferential surface and a rubber elastic element which is made as a separate element from the lower case and is then fitted in the recess portion. The recess portion is formed into an annular shape along a circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface. |
| US07681895B2 |
Side movement propelled scooter device having expanded foot platform
A scooter device propelled by side to side movement of a user that includes a frame structure through which at least a front wheel is coupled to two direction biased rear wheels. The frame structure may have a foot placement platform that extends laterally between the two rear wheels. The platform may extend over half of the distance between the rear wheels and/or be substantially continuous for that distance. Various platform embodiments and frame structures, including rigid and flexible, are disclosed, among other aspects. |
| US07681894B2 |
Device for fitting seats and the like to the chassis of baby carriages
A device for fitting seats and the like to the chassis of baby carriages includes at each side of the seat a respective anchoring mechanism for a direct anchoring at corresponding attachments provided at the chassis of the baby carriage. The anchoring mechanism is housed in a body inferiorly having a projection having a slanted edge adapted to shift a transverse pin slidably fitted in a box making up the attachment provided at the chassis when the aforementioned body is fitted to the box. The transverse pin is linked to a spring adapted to take said transverse pin back to its initial position when the action of the aforementioned projection having a slanted edge has ceased. A control is exteriorly fitted to the body housing the anchoring mechanism, the control being linked to said mechanism and when actuated releasing the anchored state. |
| US07681886B2 |
Shooting gallery devices and methods
Shooting gallery devices and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shooting gallery includes a plurality of targets rotatably connected to a plurality of target connectors. The targets rotate between an extended position and a fallen position. The target and target connector assembly at least partially retains the targets in the extended position and/or prevents the targets from rotating from the extended position to the fallen position. Furthermore, the targets and target connector assemblies are configured to reset from the fallen position to the extended position without a rail guide or reset cam. |
| US07681883B2 |
Diverter assembly, printing system and method
A diverter assembly includes at least one rotary member disposed along a media transport pathway adjacent a diversion point therealong. The diverter assembly also includes a rotational motion source in operative association with the at least one rotary member. A printing system includes a diverter assembly. A method of transporting sheet media includes utilizing a diverter assembly. |
| US07681882B2 |
De-skew mechanism
A de-skew mechanism, in an image forming device, with a correcting member disposed in a rotatable manner to the rotary shaft and turning with driving roller by a spring between them. A torque spring suppresses the turning of the correcting member to correct the skew of the medium. When conveyed, the medium will butt against the correcting member to be stopped and corrected. The medium conveying force and the force that the spring brings to the driving roller are sufficient for turning the correcting member and passing therethrough. At one time, the force that the correcting member brings to the medium will reduce to zero. As such, the medium will not be damaged by the correcting member while being conveyed. |
| US07681879B2 |
Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus
A sheet feeder is provided with a sheet accommodating portion, an elevating plate and an inclining mechanism. The sheet accommodating portion includes a bottom plate and a plurality of side plates provided perpendicular to the bottom plate, and can accommodate a plurality of sheets. The sheets accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion are successively fed to the outside from the uppermost one. The elevating plate is movable upward and downward and used to stack the sheets in the sheet accommodating portion. The inclining mechanism inclines the elevating plate such that the front ends of the sheets with respect to a sheet feeding direction are inclined downward during sheet feeding. |
| US07681878B2 |
Paper feeding unit and image forming apparatus having the same
A paper feeding unit and an image forming apparatus having the same capable of maintaining a constant paper feeding force regardless of a size of paper. The image forming apparatus includes a main body, a printing unit provided in the main body to form an image on paper, a paper feeding unit to supply the paper into the main body, and a force adjusting unit. The paper feeding unit includes a paper feeding cassette to load paper therein, a knock-up plate to guide the paper loaded in the paper feeding cassette to a pickup device, an elastic member to elastically bias the knock-up plate toward the pickup device, and guide sides provided at both sides of the knock-up plate. The guide sides are adjusted along a distance therebetween according to a width of the paper. The force adjusting unit adjusts an elastic force of the elastic member when the distance between the guide sides is adjusted according to a size of the paper. Accordingly, since the elastic force of the elastic member supporting the knock-up plate is adjusted through the force adjusting unit which interlocks with the guide sides moving corresponding to the change of the size of the paper loaded on the knock-up plate of the paper feeding cassette, the paper feeding force can be maintained constant all of the time. |
| US07681873B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus comprising same
The present invention provides a sheet processing apparatus, such as a finisher or sorter, for implementing predetermined processing such as alignment and stapling on an inserted sheet material (i.e. any sheet-form recording medium such as recording paper, transfer paper, or an OHP sheet), and an image forming apparatus comprising the sheet processing apparatus. The sheet processing apparatus comprises a rear end fence horizontal portion that contacts the end portion of the sheet member on the upstream side of a sheet member conveyance direction during alignment of the sheet member, a rear end fence vertical portion for supporting the other parts of the sheet member, and a staple unit for stapling the sheet member. The stapling direction in which a staple is punched by a stapler of the staple unit is set to be parallel to the rear end fence horizontal portion that contacts the rear end portion of the sheet member. |
| US07681866B2 |
Articulated rail mount
A fencing connector and fencing system utilizing fencing connectors. The fencing connectors include a swivel mount having a cavity configured to receive a first swivel assembly. The first swivel assembly is rotatable about a first axis within the swivel mount. A second swivel assembly is rotatably attached to the first swivel assembly. The second swivel assembly is rotatable about a second axis. The second swivel assembly further having a pocket configured to receive a structural member. |
| US07681863B1 |
Electromagnetic flow-through valve
An electromagnetic valve assembly for controlling the flow of a fluid in a sprinkler system. The electromagnetic valve includes a valve core including a plurality of orifices for a passage of fluid therethrough; a directional housing enclosing the valve core and enabling a controllable, lateral movement of the valve core from a closed position to an open position; a plurality of seals positioned within the directional housing to prevent leakage of the fluid; and a plurality of magnet cores attached adjacent to the directional housing, each magnet core including a wire winding for generating an electromagnetic field when actuated by means of an electrical current. When the generated electromagnetic field is applied to a first magnet core, the valve core slides laterally into the first magnet core to an open position enabling the flow of water through the orifices and an opening of the directional housing. When the generated electromagnetic field is applied to a second magnet core, the valve core slides laterally into the second magnet core to a closed position stopping the flow of water through the orifices and the opening of the directional housing. |
| US07681862B2 |
Magnet valve
A magnet valve having a valve insert and a tappet, guided movably in the valve insert via a tappet guide, which tappet is braced, via a restoring spring resting on a contact face of the tappet, is braced on a valve body. According to the invention, fixation means which define a rotational position of the restoring spring relative to the tappet are disposed on the contact face of the tappet. |
| US07681861B2 |
Dosage feed device for additive fluids
Metering device in particular for metering an additive in the field of oil exploration with a metering element adjustable by an adjusting means. To improve such a metering device in that already with minimal movement of the adjusting means in a constructive simple way a particular amount of additive is added to raw material and also to quickly interrupt the metering, the metering element comprises a metering gap and a valve means arranged behind the metering gap downstream in fluids moving direction. |
| US07681860B2 |
Automate fluid flow control system
An automate fluid flow control system includes a valve member for being sealedly disposed within a fluid chamber to seal a flow of fluid flowing from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet, a relief valve having a fluid passage extended along the valve member for communicating the fluid chamber with the fluid outlet and including a valve stopper sitting on a top opening of the fluid passage to sealedly close the fluid passage, and a powering assembly including an actuator to move the relief valve between a closed position that the valve stopper is sealedly retained to close the fluid passage and an opened position that the actuator drives the valve stopper to unseal the fluid passage for releasing a pressure within the water chamber to allow the fluid passing to the fluid outlet. |
| US07681856B1 |
Document holder
This patent discloses a document holder for a computer monitor. The document holder may include a panel. Attached to the panel may be a bottom extension, a top extension, a left side extension, fasteners having a top arm and a bottom, and a panel movement mechanism configured to permit a user to pitch the panel back and forth and to move the panel up and down. The bottom extension, the top extension, and the left side extension may be moved in and out of slots and positioned to accommodate larger or smaller articles. The fasteners may secure the document holder to the computer monitor. |
| US07681851B1 |
Retractable hook device
A retractable hook device that has a hook mounted on a housing. The housing is to be securable to an exterior surface. The hook is pivotable between a retracted (stowage) position and an extended (usage) position. A release plate is mounted on the housing. The release plate can be in either an outer position or an inner position. When in the outer position the hook can be locked in either the extended position or the retracted position. When the release plate is in the inner position, the hook is pivotally movable between the extended position and the retracted position. |
| US07681849B2 |
Grip tip
A spiral-wound tip is presented for use on a walking assistance device, a robotic arm or digit, or other device needing a slip-resistant point of contact with its environment. The tip is constructed by winding a sheet of rubber or other elastic material into a spiral plug. The plug can be mounted within a hole at the extremity of a device. Alternatively, the sheet can be wrapped around the exterior of the extremity. The lamina of the spiral-wound plug separate upon impact with an object, increasing the gripping power of the tip. |
| US07681847B2 |
Portable device and method for raising the height of furniture
The furniture raising device described herein is collapsible, portable, stable, and easy to use. The device is designed to raise furniture to one or two preset increases in height. Preferably the device is used to raise the height of a chair. In one embodiment, the device contains a plurality of arms and a center base, where each arm is pivotably attached at a predetermined point in the base using a pin. The locations for attachment of the pins are selected to be spaced far enough apart from each other to allow the arms to rotate about the pins from a first position, where the arms align with the legs in the article of furniture, to a second position, where the arms are aligned in the same general direction (i.e. the “storage position”), and to maximize the ability of the device to be as compact as possible in the storage position. In a second embodiment, the device contains a plurality of arms and a center base, where each arm is pivotably and slidably attached to the base using a pin. In a third embodiment, the furniture raising device is designed to increase the device's strength and prevent breakage. In this embodiment, at least one portion of the center base either contacts the floor when the device is in use or hovers above the floor by at least approximately 1 mm. |
| US07681845B1 |
Supporting stand having lifting and positioning means
A supporting stand having a lifting and positioning means includes a support, a sliding body, and a base. The sliding body has a swinging rode and is movably provided in the support. The base is connected to the support. The support has an elastic recovering means and a return path means. One end of the elastic recovering means is connected to the support, while the other end thereof is connected to the sliding body. The elastic recovering means provides a force for automatic recovery. The swinging rod is located above the return path means. In use, with the vertical movement of the sliding body in the support and the cooperation of the swinging rod and the return path means, the height of the supporting stand can be adjusted according to the user's demand. Via aforementioned arrangement, a supporting stand with no tenons on its external surface can be formed. |
| US07681844B2 |
Tie for elongated objects such as cables, pipes or the like
A tie for elongated objects has a flexible strap extending from a retaining head that includes side-by-side retaining and locking regions, the tops of which form a contact surface for objects to be held. The retaining region is constructed for fastening to a T-stud on a support. The locking region is constructed to receive an entry section of the strap looped about objects to be held and to lock the strap in the locking region. |
| US07681843B2 |
Display and retaining clip
A display and mounting clip, particularly adapted to mount flatware to a display board, has a shank supporting a closed loop through which the displayed item is inserted. Opposed support arms, coupled to the shank, support the item within the loop. The shank is adapted to extend through the mounting board. Flexible locking means extend from the shank and can be placed into a splayed orientation below the mounting board to retain the clip in position. |
| US07681836B2 |
Aircraft comprising a device for detection and/or measurement of atmospheric disturbances
The invention relates to an aircraft comprising a device, for example an optical device, for detection and/or measurement of atmospheric disturbances in the path of the aircraft. This measurement device is placed in the pressurized zone between the aircraft nose and the compartment of the landing gear. It comprises: a structure box (18) designed to resist pressurization forces, aerodynamic fairing (13). |
| US07681834B2 |
Composite missile nose cone
A missile includes a radome-seeker airframe assembly that has a single-piece composite material forebody. The forebody is made of a high-temperature composite material that can withstand heat with little or no ablation. The forebody has a front part with an ogive shape and an aft part that has a cylindrical shape. The front part acts as a radome for a seeker located within the forebody. Patch antennas are attached to an inside surface of the cylindrical aft part. The aft part acts as a radome for the patch antennas, allowing signals to be sent and received by the patch antennas without a need for cutouts. A single seal may be used to seal the guidance system and seeker within the forebody, allowing the equipment to be hermetically sealed within the forebody. |
| US07681833B2 |
Turboprop unit for aircraft with improved aerodynamic installation
A turboprop engine includes a power jet mounted coaxially to the engine axis (X-X′), and has a fan case and a gas ejecting system provided with two afterbody half-cowlings (10b) each of which is pivotable around an axis (A2) between open and closed positions, wherein the half-cowlings are connected to the downstream of the fan case through a ‘V-blade/V-groove’ system. In a first embodiment, the pivot axes (A2) make an angle α>3° to the engine axis (X, X′) and a joint plane (Z2-Z2) between the afterbody half-cowlings and the downstream of the fan case makes to the plane (Y, Y′) perpendicular to the engine axis (X, X′) an angle β in such a way that the difference between the angle α and the angle β is less than or equal to 3°. In the other embodiment, the axes are converged to each other in a downstream direction. |
| US07681832B2 |
Ducted fan air vehicle with deployable wings
A ducted fan air vehicle and method of operation is disclosed for obtaining aerodynamic lift and efficiency in forward flight operation without significantly impacting hover stability. One or more retractable wings are included on the ducted fan air vehicle and are deployed during forward flight to provide aerodynamic lift. The wing or wings are retracted when the vehicle hovers to reduce the impact the wings have on stability in a wind. Each wing may conform to the curvature or profile of the vehicle when retracted, and may be constructed in one or more wing sections. The wing or wings may be deployed and retracted automatically or at the command of an operator. Each wing and related components may be integrated into the vehicle or may be detachable. |
| US07681830B2 |
Film feeding device and packaging device having the same
A film feeding device etc. in which, even if film rolls in which tapes are applied to joint between films of the rolls are used, an occurrence of a bag making failure caused by the tape is prevented. A film feeding mechanism (10A) has a receiving member (72) for holding the leading edge of a film (1B) of the standby side and a joining sealer (71) for joining films (1A, 1B). A tape (B) applied to the film (1A) on the use side is detected by a sensor (83), and according to the result of the detection, a cutter (81) cuts of the film (1A) at a portion on the downstream side of the tape. Then, the cut film (1A) and the film (1B) of the standby side are joined by the joining sealer (71), and the two films joined are sent as a long film. |
| US07681828B2 |
Device for winding tapes
A device for winding tapes around a longitudinal object, using a supportive hollow cylinder surrounding the object, and a ring rotatable around the cylinder. A spool shaft connected at one end to the rotatable ring bears a spool on which a tape is disposed. The spool is made to rotate around the longitudinal object dispensing the tape to subsequently wrap the object. A driving mechanism may be employed for rotating the rotatable ring and spool. |
| US07681827B2 |
Line-arranging mechanism
An arranging-line mechanism comprises a cam, an axle connecting to the cam, a sliding element and a transmitting mechanism to drive the cam and the axle. The cam comprises an inclined surface and the sliding element to slide thereon. When the axle revolves, the transmitting mechanism drives the cam to revolve. A power line is wound regularly via the sliding element to slide on the inclined surface. |
| US07681825B2 |
Webbing retractor
By adjusting phases of a webbing sensor and a locking mechanism when a spool locking section operates, special precision and rigidity are not required of respective members, and operation is stabilized. In a webbing retractor, at a time when a lock pawl meshes with a ratchet tooth of a ratchet member, if the lock pawl meshes with an Nth ratchet tooth and a sensor pawl meshes with an (N−1)st internal tooth, a release pawl is moved from a restraining position to a restraint cancelled position against urging force of a torsion coil spring and due to torque in a clockwise direction which teeth surfaces generate. When a gear ring rotates to a position at which a phase difference with the ratchet member substantially disappears, the release pawl is returned to the restraining position by the urging force of the torsion coil spring. |
| US07681818B2 |
Mixing and grinding edible fat-based slurries and emulsions using a vibratory drum
A system, which may be used to perform simultaneous grinding and intimate mixing of edible fat-based slurries or emulsions, may include a cylindrical drum having a central longitudinal axis and a curved inner surface and mounted on springs, and a motor and tuned mass coupled to the cylindrical drum to vibrate the cylindrical drum about a center of vibration that is offset from the central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical drum. The system includes at least one pair of partition plates disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical drum to divide the cylindrical drum into at least two process zones, the partition plates of the at least one pair having matching apertures and moveable relative to each other between alignment and misalignment. The system may be used, for example, in chocolate manufacture. |
| US07681817B2 |
Food processor
A food processor (100) includes one or more of a removable feed tubes (155), a cover or lid (156) for a feed tube opening (154), a double sided grating disc (190), a bowl or receptacle (110) having a pour spout and a complimentary hinged spout lid (140s) on the bowl cover (140), a bowl mounted drive shaft (115), an extensible shaft for mounting various blades or discs at various heights, and an adjustable thickness slicing disc (180). |
| US07681813B2 |
System and method for treating shredder residues
In a method for sorting shredder residues of metal-containing wastes, e.g., vehicle bodies, the shredder residues are separated into a shredder light fraction and a non-ferromagnetic fraction (shredder heavy fraction). A system is arranged for sorting shredder residues of metal-containing wastes, e.g., vehicle bodies. At least parts of the primary material streams produced during the sorting of the shredder light fraction and the shredder heavy fraction in preliminary processes are fed to a common, main process for final processing, at least a ferromagnetic fraction, a fraction containing non-ferromagnetic metals, a granulate fraction, a fiber fraction, and a sand fraction being produced as end products. |
| US07681811B2 |
System comprising a nozzle and a fixing means therefor
The invention relates to a nozzle system for a delivery device for liquids, wherein the nozzle system comprises a nozzle and a device which fixes the nozzle in the delivery device. The delivery device, an atomizer, has a liquid reservoir from which a liquid is forced through the nozzle under pressure. The nozzle fixing means may itself be secured by a second fixing, e.g., in the form of a check nut, or the fixing may itself be a check nut. According to the invention the fixing means on the nozzle outlet side has a specific geometry which minimizes the proportion of dispensed liquid deposited on the fixing means. Preferably, the present invention is part of a propellant-free device for nebulizing pharmaceutical liquids. |
| US07681810B2 |
Irrigation emitter
An emitter comprising: a plurality of inlet apertures through which liquid enters the emitter; a manifold flow channel into which liquid that passes through the apertures flow; an elastic diaphragm that seats on the manifold flow channel; an outlet aperture through which liquid that enters the emitter exits the emitter; wherein liquid that enters the inlet apertures displaces only a portion of the diaphragm from the manifold channel so that the liquid can leave the manifold channel and flow through the emitter to reach the outlet aperture. |
| US07681809B2 |
Electrochemical dispenser
A device for achieving a controlled low emanation rate of small volumes of liquid solutions, such as single or multi-component solutions, fragrances, or pheromones, for pest and insect management or fragrance enhancement. The device has a housing with an upper chamber to hold a bladder containing desired liquid solution to be released, a lower chamber containing an electro-chemical gas generator, a collector pad for receiving liquid solution from the bladder, and a cap which, when translated downward, activated the gas generator which fills the upper chamber with gas exerting pressure on the bladder which in turn forces the liquid solution from the bladder onto the pad for release to the environment. The gas generator is capable of releasing gases such as hydrogen, oxygen, or carbon dioxide at extremely small, pre-determined, and adjustable rates. |
| US07681808B2 |
Spray device for small amount of liquid
A spray device includes an opening gap between a needle-shaped needle tip and a first nozzle hole. The gap is adjusted by a very tiny amount by a needle movement amount adjustment device, and liquid oozes from the first nozzle hole along the needle tip part. The liquid is formed into tiny particles by a first atomization compressed gas flowing through the first atomization compressed gas passage and is exhausted from a second nozzle hole. The exhaust flow passes through a third nozzle hole and is exhausted. The third nozzle's second atomization/eddy flow formation compressed gas collides with this exhaust flow, so the exhaust flow is made into even smaller particles, and swirls and disperses, and is applied to the coated object. |
| US07681804B2 |
Methods and apparatus for an automatic temperature-controlled valve
A temperature-controlled valve allows the flow of water to be terminated automatically when the water flowing through the device reaches a specific temperature. The flow may thereafter be released automatically or manually, depending upon the application. The technology may be used in a variety of contexts, including, for example, stand-alone consumer or commercial valves, embedded applications, and custom-designed valves. |
| US07681801B2 |
RFID chip with write-once functionality for an operation-stop instruction
When an operation-stop instruction is received from an RFID reader/writer, an RFID chip decodes the instruction by a control circuit and conducts the operation-stop instruction. In addition, the RFID chip uses a register which has a write-once function such as an organic memory and does not return to an original state physically if a value is written once as a register which maintains a setting whether there is an operation-stop or not. |
| US07681799B2 |
Method of reading code symbols using a digital image capturing and processing system employing a micro-computing platform with an event-driven multi-tier software architecture
A method of reading code symbols using a digital image capture and processing system which includes: an image formation and detection subsystem; an illumination subsystem; an illumination control subsystem; a digital image processing subsystem; and an input/output subsystem; and a system control subsystem. In the illustrative embodiment, a micro-computing platform implements the digital image processing subsystem, the input/output subsystem and the system control subsystem. The micro-computing platform includes a microprocessor, a memory architecture, and a multi-tier modular software architecture responsive to the generation of a triggering event within the system. Triggering events can be generated by an automatic object detector or by a manually actuated trigger switch. |
| US07681796B2 |
Mobile device tracking
The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer program product for obtaining the location of, for example, a mobile device. An image of a target in a defined space is obtained, the target encoding data from which its location in the defined space may be determined. The position of a reference point in the image which represents the location of, for example, a mobile device, is determined relative to the target. The location of the mobile device in the defined paces is then determined by combining the location of the target in the defined space with an appropriately scaled version of the relative position of the reference point to the target in the image. |
| US07681795B2 |
Methods and apparatus for a scanner having a top plate assembly with weight measurement capabilities
Systems and techniques for a scanner having a top plate with an integrated scale. A scanner base mates with a scanner top plate assembly, with the top plate assembly including an integrated scale. The top plate assembly includes a scan window and a scale mechanism. The top plate rests on or is secured to suitable resting points in the scanner base. The top plate suitably receives power, and communicates measurement data to the scanner base, without the use of cables or other connectors whose weight may interfere with accurate reading of weight. A scanner base may be designed so as to accommodate any of a variety of alternative scanner top plate types without reconfiguration, or with a relatively simple reconfiguration of the scanner base. |
| US07681793B2 |
Multi-format magnetic head
A magnetic head includes a first array of elements associated with a first data format and a second array of elements associated with a second data format, the elements being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers, and combinations thereof. The first and second arrays of elements are adjacent each other in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of a magnetic medium over the head. |
| US07681790B2 |
Computer supported retail shopping systems and methods
A computer assisted shopping system includes a hand-held scanner for customer scanning of information associated with a product in a retailing facility and a networked system. The networked system stores customer delivery preference information and downloads information from the hand-held scanner, as scanned by a customer, to a register. A product order is generated at the register from the information downloaded from the scanner and the customer delivery preference information, and available delivery dates and times based on inventory availability are determined. Delivery options are provided for the customer based on the available delivery dates and times. A delivery option selection and commitment from the customer close the order. |
| US07681787B2 |
Integrated circuit, system and method for obtaining technical information of the integrated circuit
A method for obtaining technical information of IC is disclosed. The method provides an IC, a computer, and a network terminal. The network terminal stores technical information of the IC. The IC includes a memory. The memory stores link information for obtaining the technical information. Connects the IC to the computer. The computer reads the link information from the memory of IC, and obtains the technical information from the network terminal according to the link information. Using this method, engineers can find the technical information of the IC conveniently and correctly. |
| US07681786B1 |
System and method for improved treatment of error conditions in transaction systems
A method, that may be implemented on a system, for improved treatment of error conditions in transactions systems, is described. One embodiment includes providing a transaction form to a user in response to receiving a user requests for a transaction form; in response to receiving a form at least partially completed by the user, storing on a data storage unit data entered on the form; informing the user of an error associated with submission of the form; providing the user with a first option of retrying to submit the form; and in response to the user opting to retry submission of the form, reposting from the data storage unit the data from the user previously entered on the form. |
| US07681785B2 |
Stackable corrugated box
A stackable corrugated box made from a foldable blank comprising a base having two opposed first edges and second edges, wall portions extending from the first edges, side wall portions extending from the second edges. The wall portions comprise a first part connected to the base and a second part connected to the first part, provided with flaps. The first parts include crush and knife cut features capable of flexing outward. When the box is erected, the side wall portions are folded perpendicularly to the base and connected via the flaps to upwardly directed walls defined by the first and second parts also folded perpendicularly to the base. The upwardly directed walls are provided with projecting tabs, so that when the box is stacked on another similar box, the crush and knife cut features flex outward creating space for the tabs from the box placed below. |
| US07681783B2 |
Bag in box (BIB)
A bag in box container package (10) has a recessed neck piece (14)—such as a discrete insert or part-integrated with box or bag—between inner bag liner (12) and outer box carton (11), to emulate a (rigid neck) jerrycan; with optional collapse fold, pull-out spout (33) and handle (34). |
| US07681778B2 |
Electronic assembly remanufacturing system and method
A method for remanufacturing an electronic assembly includes removing a first portion of an assembly housing to expose an underside of an enclosed circuit assembly. One or more solder joints on the underside of the circuit assembly are associated with at least one component that is also affixed to a portion of the housing. The opened electronic assembly is lowered onto a desoldering fixture having a plurality of solder pots configured to encompass, and thus desolder, the solder joints associated with the component that is affixed to a portion of the housing. Once the affected solder joints are melted, the remaining portion of the housing and the component affixed thereto may be lifted away, exposing the top surface of the circuit assembly for analysis, repair, and or adjustment. |
| US07681777B2 |
Solder paste and printed circuit board
In a solder paste formed by blending an alloy powder and a flux, the alloy powder is a powder mixture formed by mixing at least one powder of a Sn—Zn based alloy and at least one powder of a Sn—Ag based alloy. The alloys powders are blended so that the composition of the powder mixture is 5-10 mass % of Zn; 0.005-1.5 mass % of Ag; optionally at least one of 0.002-1.0 mass % of Cu, 0.005-15 mass % of Bi, 0.005-15 mass % of In, and 0.005-1.0 mass % of Sb; and a remainder of Sn. |
| US07681775B2 |
Multi-layer thermal insulation for a bonding system
A thermal insulation system is provided for a component of a bonding system, such as an optical system. The thermal insulation system comprises multiple insulation layers located between the component and a heat source. The multiple insulation layers comprise at least one layer of moving air injected into the layer and a cover layer enclosing the layer of moving air. The multiple insulation layers may further comprise a layer of static air. |
| US07681774B2 |
Bond head link assembly for a wire bonding machine
A bond head assembly for use with a bonding machine includes a wire bonding tool and a link mechanism coupled between the wire bonding tool and the wire bonding machine. The link mechanism includes a frame, a plurality of arm links pivotably connected to the frame, and a tool support member supporting the wire bonding tool and pivotably connected to each of the arm links. |
| US07681772B2 |
Apparatus for applying surgical fasteners to body tissue
An apparatus for endoscopic application of surgical staples adapted to attach surgical mesh to body tissue in laparoscopic hernia surgery includes an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis, a cartridge, an anvil, and a control member located in a proximal region of the elongate member. The cartridge is removably supported on a pivotal support system at the distal end portion of the endoscopic section with each staple being configured and adapted to attach the mesh to the body tissue. The anvil provides for individually closing each staple to encompass at least a portion of the surgical mesh and to penetrate the body tissue in a manner to attach the portion of the mesh to body tissue. The control member is axially movable along the longitudinal axis to articulate the cartridge. The control member is also rotatable to rotate the cartridge. |
| US07681770B2 |
Stapler
A stapler has a table formed with a clincher mechanism at a front end and is rotatably supported on a frame. A pair of locking plates slidably supported along the frame between the table and the frame prevents the clincher mechanism from rotating in a direction in which the clincher mechanism moves toward a staple driving section. Drive cams are provided independently for each of the locking plates to drive the locking plates. The times at which the respective locking plates are pulled out from between the table and the frame by the respective drive cams are shifted from each other. |
| US07681767B2 |
Vehicle storage box with closure system
The vehicle storage box of the present invention provides significant advantages over conventional vehicle storage boxes. Featured in the present invention is a vehicle storage box that comprises a base structure; a lid, pivotally connected to the base structure, shaped to enclose the base structure; divider means, pivotally connected to the base structure, for dividing the storage box into two compartments for holding articles; divider coupling means, connected to the divider means and the lid, for releasably coupling the divider means to the lid; and lid coupling means, connected to the lid and the base structure, for releasably coupling the lid to the base structure, and having a first coupling position occurring when the lid is in an opened position. The lid coupling means also comprises a first and second lid actuator and a first and second lid latch wherein the first and second lid actuators are coupled together by a lid actuator connector for simultaneous operation of the first and second lid actuators. The divider coupling means further comprises a first and second divider actuator coupled to the lid and a first and second divider latch coupled to the divider means wherein the first and second divider actuators are coupled together by a divider actuator connector for simultaneous operation of the first and second divider actuators. The vehicle storage box according to the present invention also includes a single hinge connecting the base structure, the divider means and the lid, such that the lid and the divider means pivot around the same axis. |
| US07681766B2 |
Interchangeable shoulder mountable article carrying device
An article carrying device is provided for balancing upon a single shoulder of a person. The device includes front and back extended end members having a plurality of clips provided along middle and distal portions of the ends members. The clips secure packages to the article carrying device such that when packages of equal weights are attached to both ends of the carrying device, the device balances upon the shoulder of the person and does not require human hand intervention to maintain its position. The article carrying device is interchangeable and can be employed on either shoulder of the person. A hinge mechanism can be provided at an apex of the device for permitting the collapse of said device for transport or storage when not is use. |
| US07681764B2 |
Delivering tap and process for manufacturing such tap
A delivering tap for a liquid vessel of the “bag in box” type, and a process for making the delivering tap, where the delivering tap has a substantially-cylindrical elongated body equipped with an end cam and a plane abutting member against the vessel; and further has a plug with a cylindrical end and an operating knob operatively connected to the body where the plug is made in a single piece, where the plug has a tamper-preventing warranty seal adapted to signal a possible tampering of the tap when opening; and where the body has a housing adapted to contain the tamper-preventing warranty seal. |
| US07681763B2 |
Condiment dispensing container
Substantially cylindrical condiment container with a vertically sliding cap to cover and uncover a dispensing outlet opening in the top portion of the container. Preferably, the outlet opening is in the side wall of the container body and the cap slides up to unblock the opening and down to block it. Optionally, a rotary pre-measuring dispense structure can be located at the lower end of the container to dispense condiments in pre-measured increments through an outlet in the bottom of the container. |
| US07681762B2 |
Device for storing and dispensing fluid substances
A device for storing and dispensing fluid substances has at least one container for accommodating fluid substances, at least one outlet tap that is provided on the face of the container, a dispensing element that can be connected with the outlet tap, and a locking element for releasably locking the dispensing element on the outlet tap(s). A guide is provided on the container, in which the locking element is guided in such a manner that it can be transferred, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container, from a first open position in which the dispensing element is released, into a second locking position, in which it surrounds the dispensing element at least in part, to fix it in place on the at least one outlet tap. |
| US07681761B2 |
Apparatus for processing, storing, and dispensing soft serve frozen food product
Soft serve frozen food such as ice cream and frozen yogurt is pumped from a sanitary reservoir into a closed loop flow path that includes an emulsion barrel assembly that intimately mixes the ingredients in the food composition into a smooth consistency frozen food product. A dispensing head allows servings of soft serve food to be withdrawn from the closed loop. A clean-in-place system permits all critical parts of the machine that come in contact with food to be cleaned and sanitized without having to take the machine apart. |
| US07681759B2 |
Fluid-dispensing apparatus with controlled tear-off
Fluid-dispensing apparatus include a fluid-dispensing needle. A gas discharge member is positioned proximate a dispensing end of the needle that is configured to direct a gas towards a fluid tear-off position below the dispensing end of the needle. A controller controls discharge of the gas by the gas discharge member to control dispensing of fluid from the needle. The dispensing control may control an amount of fluid dispensed from the needle and/or tailing off of fluid dispensed from the needle. The amount of fluid dispensed from the needle may be a microliter range volume of a viscous fluid. |
| US07681756B2 |
Stretchable composite sheet for adding softness and texture
A method for increasing the thickness of a fibrous sheet including stretching the sheet beyond its relaxed length and returning the sheet to about the relaxed length, causing the sheet to have a second thickness greater than the first thickness. The sheet can be a wet-wipe. The wet-wipe includes an elastic layer and a fibrous layer, which increases in thickness when stretched then relaxed. The wet-wipe can be stored in a container which causes the wet-wipe to stretch as it is removed from the container. |
| US07681754B1 |
Thermos with beverage consumption apparatus which enables liquid to be consumed directly from the thermos when a valve is opened
A thermos (with or without a vacuum) with an improved beverage consumption apparatus which enables a liquid to be consumed directly from the thermos when a valve is pushed to the opened condition so that liquid can exit the interior of the thermos. Thermos also contains an improved larger easily locatable circumferential closing ring which facilitates closure of the container when the user is in a darkened area or driving a moving vehicle so that the consumer must have one hand on the steering wheel and is not necessarily looking at the thermos. The thermos also comprises an improved sealing cap to facilitate valve closure. The thermos also contains an improved valve sealing means to assure that even a tiny amount of liquid will not seep out of the thermos when the thermos is placed into a container such as a briefcase which contains written material and valuable electronic objects. |
| US07681749B2 |
Plastic water bottle and apparatus and method to convey the bottle and prevent bottle rotation
A plastic container for beverages to replace a container having a round flange with a round flange diameter and which is adapted to be conveyed by air along a track with inwardly extending track rails spaced from one another a set distance. The plastic container replacing the replaced container without significant modifications to the conveying system including the inwardly extending track rails of the track. The container including a central axis, an upper mouth portion, a neck portion coaxial to the axis with a diameter, a cylindrical sidewall, a lower base and an anti-rotation flange below the upper mouth portion having a polygonal peripheral edge with a shape including a plurality of flats and a plurality of apexes each located between adjacent flats. Each apex being diametrically opposite one of the flats. The peripheral edge having a diametrical distance between each of the apexes and the flat opposite the apex. The diametrical distance being at most only slightly less than the round flange diameter of the replaced container. |
| US07681744B2 |
Merchandising system
A merchandising system for articles comprising a base comprising an upper surface having a plurality of ribs, an underside having a plurality of supports formed integrally with the underside of the base, and a first side and a second side. The merchandising system comprises a frame coupled to the base and configured to couple with a shelving system for supporting the base in a substantially horizontal configuration, a first guide and a second guide coupled to the base for supporting articles, and an assembly for advancing the articles that is coupled to the base and provides force on the articles. |
| US07681743B2 |
Beverage container shelf management system
A gravity feed display rack for supporting and displaying merchandise is provided. The rack has a merchandise channel support structure featuring a number of rods. Inner and outer dividers featuring merchandise supports and longitudinally extending walls are positioned on the rods in a sliding fashion. End portions of the rods feature adjustable latch slots and at least one outer divider features connectors with locking projections that engage the adjustable latch slots of the merchandise channel support structure. As a result, the dividers are located in spaced apart relationship upon the merchandise channel support structure and may be adjusted to accommodate varying sizes of merchandise. |
| US07681740B1 |
One or two part container drain strainer assembly that prevents clogging when draining liquids from containers
A two part drain assembly for a container assembly with a drain for flowing fluid from the interior of the container assembly to exterior of the container assembly. A back plate comprising a first sliding engagement means parallel a second sliding engagement means connected by a back plate body, wherein a drain attachment hole is disposed on the back plate body and a bottom plate is disposed perpendicular to the first sliding engagement means and the second sliding engagement means. A front cover comprising a plurality of flow holes for slidably engaging simultaneously the first sliding engagement means and the second sliding engagement means, wherein the front cover forms an enclosed hollow chamber when slidably engaged with the back plate thereby permitting fluid to flow from the interior of the container assembly into the hollow chamber while excluding particles from entering the enclosed hollow chamber. |
| US07681737B2 |
Magnetic separator apparatus
Magnetic separator devices that are useful in separating finely divided solids in the presence of liquids, vapors, and gases that are hazardous, that is, they may be corrosive, flammable, toxic, or a combination of such hazards, and the use of such devices in processes for the manufacture of chlorosilanes. |
| US07681733B2 |
Packaging container with criss-cross grain pattern having product holding chambers and method for making the same
A packaging container for displaying and housing products that is aesthetically pleasing, effective and safe to open. The packaging container may include a substantially tear-resistant housing that encloses a tray that is preferably made from a paper material. The tray is substantially opaque to display graphics and/or to prevent viewing of the contents. The tray is preferably seamless such that it may not be opened without scissors, a knife or the like and, when opened, such opening is readily apparent. A second tray may also be used to create a dual-sided tray for housing the products, wherein the second tray may be substantially opaque or substantially transparent. An insert card may be used within the housing to reinforce the container and may be contained by fold-over edges of the housing. |
| US07681731B1 |
Tool box
A tool box includes a base having a plurality of first recesses and two connection portions are connected on two sides of the base. Each connection portion has an elongate recess defined therein. Two pivotable side portions are pivotably connected to the two connection portions of the base and each side portion has a plurality of second recesses defined therein. The two side portions are sized to cover a top of the base. A space is defined in the base and opens to an end of the base, a slidable portion is slidably received in the space. |
| US07681726B2 |
Apparatus for internal mixture of substances
A device for mixture of substances, whether in the form of a fixed or removable cap or in the form of emersion within a container, utilizing individual internal substance containment vessels, controlled by an external actuation mechanism. The system actuation mechanism can be placed in a locked position for storage, shipping or to ensure integrity of solutions. Multiple containment vessels may be utilized, as well as multiple compartments within an individual container to produce multiple mixtures. A further embodiment encompassing a pivotal actuator and removably attached mixing mechanisms is also illustrated. |
| US07681725B2 |
Container with ability to transfer a material to container content
A container may comprise a reservoir that may be associated with a dispensing opening or a closure element of the container. The reservoir may transfer a transferable material, such as a fragrance composition or skin health benefit ingredient, to the container's content. |
| US07681724B2 |
Product for embedding a plurality of plugs into a plastic multi-component housing
A multi-compartment housing with a plurality of cavities forms the main part of the housing. The multi-compartment housing has a side portion that has a smooth, continuous surface and a plurality of individual cavities that are perpendicular to a central axis of the multi-compartment housing. The individual cavities have a plurality of plugs capable of being placed in communication with a corresponding individual cavity. The multi-compartment housing also has a sealing bottom that is capable of being secured onto the multi-compartment housing after the plug array has been placed in position and separated from adjacent plugs from the array so as to close off the of the multi-compartment housing and to isolate each plug from adjacent cavities. |
| US07681721B2 |
System for selecting eyeglasses
In one embodiment of the present invention a system is provided for allowing a consumer to easily match a suitable pair of primary eyeglasses with a suitable pair of auxiliary eyeglasses. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the suitable pair of primary eyeglasses may be matched with the suitable pair of auxiliary eyeglasses without damaging or opening the package which contains the pair of auxiliary eyeglasses. In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the system may comprise a package and/or a displayer. |
| US07681718B2 |
Modular belt link having a detachably fixed reinforcement link
A conveyor assembly includes a module having a detachably fixed reinforcement link to simplify modular conveyor assembly, disassembly, and repair. The module includes a first link end extending in a first direction from a leading edge and a second link end extending in a second direction from a trailing edge. The first link end includes a first aperture for receiving a first link pin connecting the module to an adjacent module. The second link end includes a second aperture for receiving a second link pin connecting the module to another adjacent module. A reinforcement link is detachably fixed to the module. The reinforcement link includes a third aperture aligned with the first aperture for receiving the first link pin. And, the reinforcement link includes a fourth aperture aligned with the second aperture for receiving the second link pin. |
| US07681711B2 |
Push device for transferring glass articles
A push device, for transferring glass articles from an intermediate supporting plate to an unloading conveyor, has at least one seat for housing an article and which is bounded by at least two flat supporting surfaces converging with each other and forming between them an angle of over 90°; the article being retained close to a convergence area of the flat supporting surfaces by a circuit for feeding compressed air between the flat supporting surfaces. |
| US07681710B2 |
Modular conveyer transfer systems and methods
Modular transfer band assemblies and systems are provided. The modular transfer band assemblies may include a frame, pulleys supported by the frame, and a belt provided around the pulleys. The belt is configured to be driven to transfer an article off of a main conveyor line having rollers for conveying the article. The removable belt module is configured to be engaged and disengaged from the main conveyor line without the use of tools as a single, self-contained unit. Modular transfer band assembly systems may include the modular transfer band assembly and a support structure, wherein the modular transfer band assembly is removably attached to the support structure. |
| US07681708B2 |
Apparatus for sorting articles
A device for sorting disks or disk-like members of different identities (e.g., roulette chips) that ejects the disks from a receptacle by means of a rotating wheel with numerous wells, such as multi-chip storage compartments. Ejection of an article from the numerous wells is achieved by an ejector lever making contact with an activated solenoid thus forcing the article at the bottom of the well, in conjunction with the momentum of the rotating wheel, into a receiving space. The disks in the receiving spaces are continually replaced by newly arriving disks, which force the previously positioned disks upwards into a column. |
| US07681706B2 |
Locking device
The present invention relates to a locking device which has an electromagnet solenoid, and more particularly to a locking device which has an electromagnet solenoid, and which is suitably used in a shift lever lock in a vehicle automatic transmission apparatus. In the present invention the attraction type solenoid is used for controlling the operations of the movable members of the locking device. A locking device is provided in which the movable members of the locking device can be smoothly operated without hindrance, locking and unlocking operations of the locking device are highly reliable, and a harsh operation noise can be prevented by a shock-absorbing member from being produced, and which is simple and compact in configuration, and economical. |
| US07681705B2 |
Multi disc friction clutch and motorcycle therewith
A multiple disc friction clutch comprises a clutch outer for take in power, a clutch hub for take out power, friction plates, a clutch spring pressing a pressing member to the friction plates for connecting the clutch, a spring receiving member supporting the clutch spring, and a coupling hub coupled to the spring receiving member as to be integrally movable. A spline inclined against an output axis is formed in a fitting portion between the coupling hub and a tube shaft, and moves the clutch spring in an axial direction of the tube shaft to a compressing side while relatively rotating the coupling hub against the tube shaft, in the case that an engine drive torque is equal to or more than a predetermined value, thereby increasing a pressing load. |
| US07681702B2 |
Bag with caster wheels
A main bag (3) stands independently and moves via free swiveling caster wheels 1 at four corners. A free swiveling caster wheel (1) is provided with a wheel (6), a yoke (7) connected to the wheel in a manner allowing the wheel to rotate, a radial bearing (8) with its outer ring (8B) connected to the yoke, a swivel shaft (9) connected to the inner ring (8A) of the radial bearing, and a mount (10) which holds the upper end of the swivel shaft fixed. The rotation axis (11) of the wheel is disposed with eccentricity with respect to the swivel axis (m), which is the center of rotation of the swivel shaft, allowing the yoke to swivel. The yoke and mount have a bend prevention gap (15) established between mutually opposing surfaces in close proximity. When a bending impact load acts on the swivel shaft, the yoke and mount press against each other at the bend prevention gap to support the bending impact force. |
| US07681695B2 |
Method of modernizing the car door system of an elevator, and modernizing constructional set for carrying out the method
A method of modernizing the car door system of a elevator car, which originally comprises at least one car door leaf, a door drive with a crank gear and a drive linkage displacing the car door leaf and a car door/shaft door coupling actuated by the drive linkage, with the following method steps: demounting the door drive together with the crank gear and the drive linkage, mounting a door drive with a linearly moved drive means and coupling of the drive means with the car door leaf of the original car door system, and mounting an actuating device for actuating the car door/shaft door coupling. |
| US07681691B1 |
Planar object lifting apparatus
An apparatus for lifting planar objects which includes an extendable rectilinear elongated frame formed of at least two spaced U-beams, each U-beam defining a longitudinal runway and having an elongated area removed from a forward face below a midpoint of the frame. The removed elongated area defines an entranceway to the longitudinal runway. The entranceway is dimensioned to receive the planar object for placement on a transport carriage while maintaining a top portion of the planar object within the longitudinal runway. The carriage is configured to laterally span the two spaced U-beams such that a portion of the carriage and a portion of the planar object are confined within each interior longitudinal runway at least during transport. A skid is perpendicularly joined to a forward face of the carriage at about its bottom edge. The skid is configured to support the planar object during placement and lifting. A pull cable is affixed at one end to the carriage at about a midpoint of a lateral dimension and in proximity to a top edge of the carriage. A first cross member is laterally joined to a top of the frame which includes a pulley aligned such that the pull cable when in communication with the pulley and affixed to the carriage are aligned along a common longitudinal centerline between the two spaced U-beams. A second cross member is likewise laterally joined to the frame in proximity to the entranceway. A winch is connected to an opposite end of the pull cable and configured to move the carriage and planar object through the longitudinal runways. |
| US07681687B2 |
Control console having multiple use positions
A control console includes a body supporting a plurality of controls, a base, and first and second legs each having a first end pivotably connected to the body and a second end pivotably connected to the base. The legs are shiftable between a first position projecting over a first end of the base, a second position projecting over a second end of the base and a third position between the first and second positions. At least one spring is provided to bias the legs toward the third position, and a motor may included for shifting the legs. |
| US07681681B2 |
Meter device of motorcycle
A meter device of a motorcycle decreases wind pressure caused by a travel wind without increased cost or design restrictions. A first portion of the meter device housing is positioned between the indicator portions and is inclined rearwardly upward to be directed above a rider's head. A second portion of the meter device housing is positioned forwardly of the indicator portions and is inclined rearwardly upward to be directed above the rider's head. In this manner, a front wall of the housing is curved in shape such that a central portion thereof in the vehicle width direction is positioned foremost and both sides thereof sweep back to produce a wind protection effect. |
| US07681677B2 |
Intake structure in fuel cell powered vehicle, and motorcycle with fuel cell mounted thereon
An intake structure in a fuel cell powered vehicle including a fuel cell using air and hydrogen as fuels, a supercharger for compressing the outside air and outputting the compressed air, a humidifier for humidifying the air compressed by the supercharger, a bypass passage for connecting the supercharger and the fuel cell to each other, and a bypass valve for opening and closing the bypass passage. The bypass valve is disposed on the outside relative to a straight line T1 connecting between the supercharger and the humidifier, and is disposed in the vicinity of the supercharger and the humidifier. With this configuration supercooling of a humidifier can be prevented, while eliminating the need for a warming member for the humidifier. Further, the intake system members can be efficiently arranged in the vehicle, while suppressing the pressure loss in the intake system. |
| US07681672B2 |
Cryogenic pulsejet and method of use
A cryogenic system is described for boring a small-diameter hole through various materials including rock, soil and stone. It employs a valveless technique in a borehead [3000] where cryogenic fluid [7] fills at least one pulsejet [3100] which has proximal [3001] and distal [3003] ends. The cryogenic fluid [7] is frozen into a plug [8] near the distal end [3003], acting as a valve. Cryogenic fluid [7] just distal to the frozen plug [8] is rapidly heated by thermal units [3510, 3530] causing it to become a rapidly-expanding gas bubble. The rapidly-expanding gas bubble forces any liquid [7] distal to the expanding gas out of the distal end [3003] of each pulsejet [3100] causing it to impact the material [I]. Rapidly repeating this process causes the system to bore a hole through the material [I]. |
| US07681668B2 |
Shrink-fit sleeve assembly for a drill bit, including nozzle assembly and method therefor
A shrink-fit sleeve assembly comprising a bit body includes at least one sleeve port with a substantially tubular sleeve disposed therein and interferingly engaged therewith. The sleeve port includes an internal surface of substantially circular cross-section, and the tubular sleeve includes an internal nozzle port and an external surface of substantially circular cross-section. A lateral dimension of an external surface is equal to or greater than a first dimension at ambient temperature. A nozzle assembly and a method of manufacturing or retrofitting a drill bit are also disclosed. |
| US07681666B2 |
Expandable reamer for subterranean boreholes and methods of use
An expandable reamer apparatus and methods for reaming a borehole are disclosed, including at least one laterally movable blade carried by a tubular body selectively positioned at an inward position and an expanded position. The at least one laterally movable blade, held inwardly by at least one blade-biasing element, may be forced outwardly by drilling fluid selectively allowed to communicate therewith or by at least one intermediate piston element. For example, an actuation sleeve may allow communication of drilling fluid with the at least one laterally movable blade in response to an actuation device being deployed within the drilling fluid. Alternatively, a chamber in communication with an intermediate piston element in structural communication with the at least one laterally movable blade may be pressurized by way of a movable sleeve, a downhole turbine, or a pump. |
| US07681664B2 |
Internally dampened percussion rock drill
A percussion drill, and methods of using the same, including a shank in mechanical alignment with a piston-hammer and a valve in fluid communication with the piston-hammer. The percussion drill further includes an internal hydraulic dampening system for reducing the velocity of the piston-hammer when the shank is forward of a power position relative to the velocity of the piston-hammer when the shank is in a power position. Preferably, the internal hydraulic dampening system includes mechanical alignment of a portion of the piston-hammer with a port in fluid communication with the valve, operable to reduce fluid flow into an area surrounding the valve when the piston-hammer is forward of its position relative to its normal operation. |
| US07681660B2 |
Arrangement for positioning drilling unit
A method and a software product for positioning a drilling unit in a rock drilling rig, and a rock drilling rig. The drilling unit (5) included in the rock drilling rig (1) is manually displaced towards a starting point (14) of a hole (19) to be drilled next. A control unit (11) in the rock drilling rig (1) performs after the manual displacement (A) an automatic positioning (B) accurately to the starting point in order to initiate drilling. |
| US07681659B2 |
Power tool anti-kickback system with rotational rate sensor
A control system is provided for use in a power tool. The control system includes: a rotational rate sensor having a resonating mass and a controller electrically connected to the rotational rate sensor. The rotational rate sensor detects lateral displacement of the resonating mass and generates a signal indicative of the detected lateral displacement, such that the lateral displacement is directly proportional to a rotational speed at which the power tool rotates about an axis of the rotary shaft. Based on the generated signal, the controller initiates a protective operation to avoid further undesirable rotation of the power tool. The controller may opt to reduce the torque applied to shaft to a non-zero value that enables the operator to regain control of the tool. |
| US07681656B2 |
Single disc furrow opener with walking beam
A furrow opener apparatus has an arm assembly adapted at a front end thereof for pivotal attachment to a seeder frame. A single disc is rotatably attached to the arm assembly about a disc axis at an angle to the travel. A walking beam is pivotally attached to the arm assembly rearward of the disc about a beam axis transverse to the travel direction. A bias element exerts a force on the arm assembly such that a downward bias force is exerted on the walking beam at the beam axis. A packer wheel is rotatably attached at a rear end of the walking beam, and a gauge wheel is rotatably attached at a front end of the walking beam. The gauge wheel is configured to roll along the ground adjacent to the leading face of the disc, and the packer wheel is configured to roll along the furrow. |
| US07681653B2 |
Swelling delay cover for a packer
A swelling packer is covered with a material that is preferably in a tubular form and slipped over the swelling element to be shrink fit with applied heat. The material is formulated to break down at temperatures slightly below the expected downhole temperatures so that ideally the packer has about 48 hours of swelling delay which is normally a time period long enough to allow it to be properly located without it swelling so much as to cause it to be damaged by running in. Various polymers can be used to make an imperious covering for run in that on the way starts to break down. Ideally the material for the cover disappears about the time of sealing or shortly thereafter. |
| US07681652B2 |
Packer setting device for high-hydrostatic applications
A packer setting device provides a buffered setting mechanism as a substantially incompressible fluid is selectively flowed into a compressible fluid chamber to compress a compressible fluid. This fluid transfer causes movement of a setting sleeve so that an associated packer device is set within a wellbore. |
| US07681646B2 |
Seal configuration for top drive swivel apparatus and method
For use with a top drive power unit supported for connection with a well string in a well bore to selectively impart longitudinal and/or rotational movement to the well string, a feeder for supplying a pumpable substance such as cement and the like from an external supply source to the interior of the well string in the well bore without first discharging it through the top drive power unit including a mandrel extending through a sleeve which is sealably and rotatably supported thereon for relative rotation between the sleeve and mandrel. The mandrel and sleeve have flow passages for communicating the pumpable substance from an external source to discharge through the sleeve and mandrel and into the interior of the well string below the top drive power unit. The unit can include a packing injection system and novel seal configuration. |
| US07681643B2 |
Treatment of brines for deep well injection
A process for conditioning of wastewater treatment brines for deep well injection during recovery of heavy hydrocarbon oils in situ. High pressure steam is used to mobilize oil, which is recovered in a mixture of oil and produced water. The produced water is pre-treated by removing residual oil. The remaining water is acidified and steam stripped to remove non-hydroxide alkalinity and non-condensable gases, and is then fed to a crystallizing evaporator, where it is evaporated from a circulating brine slurry to produce (1) a distillate stream having a trace amount of residual solutes, and (2) evaporator blowdown stream containing, as dissolved or suspended solids, substantially all of the solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate stream is used as boiler feedwater, either directly or after polishing. The evaporator blowdown is conditioned to remove substantially all suspended solids and to produce a clear brine solution for deep well injection. |
| US07681639B2 |
Process to increase the area of microbial stimulation in methane gas recovery in a multi seam coal bed/methane dewatering and depressurizing production system through the use of horizontal or multilateral wells
A process to increase the area of microbial stimulation in a process of methane gas recovery in a multi seamed coal bed/methane dewatering and depressurizing production system by first utilizing an underbalanced multilateral drilling technique. At this point in the process one could introduce the microorganisms into the horizontal well bore to achieve a greater area of stimulation of the coal bed than would a vertical well. An even more preferred method would to first drill a series of lateral wells off of the horizontally drilled well bore, so as to increase or maximize the area of coal bed which is being covered. At that point, one would take the steps of what is known in the art of introducing a particular type of microorganism, which would then be injected via the plurality of lateral bores into the coal bed formation, to maximize the area of penetration, which would include, most, if not all, of the area of the coal bed through the series of lateral wells. |
| US07681636B2 |
Pipe expander
An expander is provided for radially expanding a tubular element, the expander having an axially forward direction and being provided with thrust means for exerting a thrust force to the expander to move the expander in axially forward direction through the tubular element. The expander comprises an adjustable cone having an expander surface tapering radially inward in the axially forward direction, the adjustable cone being movable between a radially expanded mode and a radially collapsed mode. The expander further comprises adjusting means for moving the adjustable cone from the collapsed mode to the expanded mode by the action of said thrust force exerted to the thrust means. |
| US07681619B2 |
Energy-saving automatic window obtained by using solar energy during the cold season, control of solar radiation in summer, thermal insulation, controlled internal incidence of light, controlled air exchange
The present invention relates to an automatic window system consisting of a frame, two movable window casements, one on the outside and one on the inside of a building, and of a mechanism, which opens and closes the afore-mentioned window casements independently of each other. Glass panels having certain physical and optical properties may also be included, as well as a motor-driven blind and a rolled curtain, which together regulate the climate and temperature of the building. In one embodiment, the heat flow between the glass panels can be manipulated. |
| US07681607B2 |
Manual bulk liquid pump control and distribution system
The present invention is a pump control and distribution system consisting of a pump and reversing flow control valve with a single-handle to control flow direction and flow rate of a liquid. The system can be operated at a rate of 0 to 300 gallons per minute and the flow reversed or stopped with a single motion of the operating handle. The flow rate of the liquid can be precisely controlled in either direction, along with the liquid pressure. This allows the use of a constant speed pump turning in one direction and gives the operator the ability to control the product transfer regardless of viscosity or volume. A purge valve connected to the outlet of the pump is used to remove substantially all retained liquid in the system after transfer of liquid is complete. The system can be mounted to a vehicle for delivery of bulk liquids. |
| US07681606B2 |
Automated system and process for filling drug delivery devices of multiple sizes
In one exemplary embodiment, an automated medication preparation system according to the present invention includes automated preparation of a dosage of medication in a drug delivery devices, such as a syringe, and includes an automated transport device for controllably delivering each drug delivery device from one location to another location and a receiving member that is associated with the automated transport device and includes at least two pockets for receiving and retaining at least two differently sized drug delivery devices according to a predetermined orientation. The system also includes a controller in communication with the automated transport device for moving the automated transport device in an indexed manner. |
| US07681605B2 |
Vending machine for dispensing potable liquid
A currency-operated liquid dispensing machine includes removable and replaceable containers such as carboys or bags that can be drained sequentially or in parallel. The containers are coupled to a furcated passage having an outlet. Such a vending machine dispenses metered quantities of water in response to an amount paid. |
| US07681596B2 |
Isolation valve with valve in drain
A fluid isolation valve having a valve body with a first fluid flow port, a second fluid flow port and a fluid drain port with a valve in the fluid drain port. The valve body also defines a fluid flow channel, a drain flow channel and a valve portion, wherein the valve portion is disposed in the valve body to be communicated with the first fluid flow port, the second fluid flow port and the fluid drain port A flow diversion device is also provided and is disposed within the valve portion. The flow diversion device is configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, such that when the flow diversion device is in the first configuration the first fluid flow port is communicated with the second fluid flow port Consequently, when the flow diversion device is in the second configuration the first fluid flow port is communicated with the fluid drain port. The fluid flow can be decrease or stop by use of the valve within the fluid drain port. |
| US07681595B2 |
Microfluidic device capable of equalizing flow of multiple microfluids in chamber, and microfluidic network employing the same
Provided are a microfluidic device and a microfluidic network formed by connecting such microfluidic devices. The microfluidic device can equalize the flow of multiple microfluids in a chamber in parallel to thereby have an equal flow rate when the microfluids transferred through different flow channels join in the chamber having a changing cross-sectional area. The microfluidic device includes: multiple flow channels formed between an upper substrate and a lower substrate to transfer the microfluids and including inlets for injecting the microfluids in one side and fluid stopping surfaces for stopping the flow of the microfluids in the other side; a pressure controlling flow channel for removing a pressure difference between the microfluids; a fluid converging part for converging the microfluids; and a chamber composed of hydrophilic surfaces and hydrophobic surfaces disposed alternately in a flow direction so that the microfluids join and flow in parallel and equal. |
| US07681591B2 |
In-line swivel for inflatable plugs
An in-line swivel having a through bore for fluid flow therethrough. In one embodiment, the swivel comprises an inlet member having a first longitudinal axis and an outlet member having a second longitudinal axis. The outlet member is configured to rotate relative to the inlet member. The swivel also comprises a bearing having a third longitudinal axis. The bearing extends through at least a portion of at least one of the inlet member and the outlet member and includes a fluid passage such that the inlet member and the outlet member are in fluid communication through the bearing, and the first axis and the second axis are substantially perpendicular to the third axis. |
| US07681580B2 |
Water recirculator in dishwasher
A water recirculator in a dishwasher supplies water to spray arms for washing dishes and also purifies contaminated water after washing the dishes. The water recirculator includes a sump for holding water, a water supply pump connected to the sump, a guide passage for guiding a portion of the water pumped by the water supply pump to a spray arm in a washing chamber, a pre-filtering unit for purifying a rest of the water pumped by the water pumped by the water supply pump by means of precipitating contaminants included in the water therein, and a main filtering unit for purifying the rest of the water passed through the pre-filtering unit. |
| US07681579B2 |
Guided procedures for treating atrial fibrillation
A method for treating atrial fibrillation in a heart of a patient includes placing an ultrasonic catheter in a first chamber of the heart; acquiring two-dimensional ultrasonic images of a second chamber of the heart and at least a portion of surrounding structures of the second chamber using the ultrasonic catheter placed in the first chamber; reconstructing a three-dimensional ultrasonic image based on the two-dimensional ultrasonic images; displaying the reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasonic image; identifying at least one key landmark on the reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasonic image; marking the least one key landmark on the reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasonic image; penetrating the septum for accessing the second chamber of the heart while using the marked at least one key landmark for guidance; positioning a sheath through the penetrated septum and within the second chamber of the heart; inserting an ablation catheter through the sheath and into the second chamber of the heart; and ablating a portion of the second chamber of the heart using the ablation catheter while under observation with the ultrasound catheter located in the first chamber of the heart. |
| US07681578B2 |
Apparatus for treating patients suffering from vascular disease by means of infra-, audible- and ultrasound waves
An apparatus (10) and a method for treating patients suffering from vascular disease with infra-, audible- and ultrasound waves. The apparatus (10) includes a treating head (15) for emitting sound waves with frequencies ranging from 1 Hz to 100 kHz and introducing the sound waves through a coupling medium (20) into a body portion (22) to be treated, an electronics (12) connected to the treating head (15) for energizing the treating head (15) to emit the sound waves, and a control panel (11) connected to the electronics (12) to choose the electronic waveform of the energizing. |
| US07681574B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining functional residual capacity of the lungs
The functional residual capacity (FRC) value of a subject's lungs determined for each breath is related a volume dilution factor kn and the final FRC value is determined at the point where the volume dilution factor kn reaches a predetermined volume dilution factor value. The determination of the final FRC value can be based on interpolation or extrapolation from a measured breath data series. The volume dilution factor may be normalized value. This is achieved by division of all volume dilution factors with the initially determined volume dilution factor. With normalization, the compartments in which gas concentration change is achieved slowly are referenced with the faster, more effective compartments, thus giving a ventilation profile of the lungs. |
| US07681571B2 |
Apparatus for delivery of humidified gases therapy, associated methods and analysis tools
Apparatus for delivery of humidified gases therapy includes a humidifier. A recorder records. An output interface allows for outputting of the recorded data. The recorder may also record data indicative of patient compliance with the humidified gases therapy. The apparatus may determine patient compliance from sensed delivered flow. Recorded humidity and compliance data retrieved from the apparatus are useful in methods for improving the efficacy of humidified gases therapy or diagnosing problems with the efficacy of humidified gases therapy. |
| US07681570B2 |
Spray device or injection device enabling delivery of at least two predetermined product doses
A spray or injection device that includes a casing or a pusher that includes at least one tab configured to move radially between a first radial position in which the tab does not impede the movement of the pusher with respect to the casing, and a second radial position in which the tab opposes movement of the pusher. The tab includes an opening. The pusher or the casing, respectively, includes at least one ramp-shaped projection configured to bring the tab into the second radial position then to penetrate the opening thereby allowing the tab to return to the first radial position. The pusher or the casing, respectively, further includes at least one stop region against which the tab abuts when the tab is brought into the second radial position by the projection. The stop region occurring just before the projection being opposite the opening. |
| US07681567B2 |
Mobile barbecue grill
A mobile barbecue grill includes a base, a first handle, an upper lid, a holding member, a first bracing rack, a second bracing rack and a pair of wheels. The base aims to hold a cooking grid. The first handle is located on an outer side of the base. The upper lid aims to cover the base. The holding member has one end coupling with the bottom of the base. The first bracing rack is located beneath the base and has two first upright bars and a first transverse bar coupling the first upright bars. The first transverse bar is leaned against the holding member and supports the base. The first bracing rack has one end remote from the base and resting on the ground surface. The second bracing rack is located beneath the base and has two second upright bars and a second transverse bar coupling the second upright bars. The second transverse bar is pivotally coupled with the bottom of the base. The second upright bars and the first upright bars are pivotally coupled. The wheels are coupled with one end of the second upright bars and rest on the ground surface. |
| US07681560B2 |
Exhaust gas recirculation system
The present invention prevents an EGR sensor installed in an engine's EGR path from being soiled by soiling substances in exhaust. A catalyst is positioned upstream of the EGR sensor to purify the soiling substances in EGR gas. The status of the EGR sensor is properly controlled in accordance with the conditions of the catalyst. This ensures the EGR sensor is less likely to be affected by the soiling substances in the exhaust under any circumstances of the EGR path and allows the EGR sensor to avoid a decrease in the accuracy of EGR gas detection. An alternative configuration may be employed such that the EGR gas recirculates from the downstream side of a catalyst installed in a main exhaust path. |
| US07681559B2 |
Torsion damping mechanism for a supercharger
A torsion damping mechanism for a rotary blower is provided that has improved durability and ease of installation into the rotary blower. A rotary blower including a torsion damping mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is also provided. |
| US07681556B2 |
Fuel supply system for use in heavy construction/forest equipment and secondary fuel tanks thereof
A fuel supply system for supplying a fuel to an engine mounted on an upper frame of heavy construction/forest equipment is provided. The fuel supply system includes a junction tank unit for interflowing a fuel supply line which is connected to a lower end of a primary fuel tank and a fuel supply line which is connected to a lower end of a secondary fuel tank, the fuel supply lines being connected in parallel to each other, a water separator connected to the junction tank unit via a fuel supply line, a fuel supply line for supplying the fuel to an engine from the water separator, and a fuel recovery line for recovering a remaining fuel from the engine to the primary fuel tank. |
| US07681555B2 |
Controller for a fuel injector and a method of operating a fuel injector
A controller for controlling the operation of a fuel injector having a piezoelectric actuator which is operable by the application of a voltage drive profile across the actuator, the controller comprising inputs for receiving data relating to one or more engine parameters and a processor for determining a voltage drive profile for controlling the actuator in dependence upon the one or more engine parameters. The voltage drive profile is arranged to comprise an activating voltage component to initiate an injection event and a deactivating voltage component to terminate the injection event, the activating and deactivating voltage components being separated by a time interval TON. The controller further receives outputs for outputting the voltage drive profile as determined by the processor to the actuator, wherein the processor is arranged to set the time interval TON greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure wave time period (TP) of a pressure wave cycle within the injector. |
| US07681552B2 |
Internal combustion engine knock determination device and knock determination method
An engine ECU executes a program including: the step of increasing a determination value by a correction amount if the number of knock intensities not lower than the determination value is not smaller than a threshold value among knock intensities of a plurality of predetermined number of continuous ignition cycles; and the step of increasing the determination value by a correction amount if the number of knock intensities not smaller than the determination value is not smaller than a threshold value, among knock intensities of a plurality of ignition cycles satisfying the condition that a coefficient of correlation calculated by comparing a vibration waveform and a knock waveform model is not smaller than a threshold value, of the knock intensities of a plurality of predetermined continuous ignition cycles. |
| US07681549B2 |
Oscillating piston engine
An oscillating piston engine comprises an internal combustion engine part having a housing part in which there are arranged a first and at least a second piston which can jointly revolve in the housing part about an axis of rotation fixed in relation to the housing and which, when revolving about the axis of rotation, perform reciprocating oscillating movements in opposition to one another about an axis of oscillation extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation. The first piston has a first end face and the at least second piston has a second end face facing the first end face, the end faces delimiting a working chamber in the direction of oscillation of the pistons. The internal combustion engine part is adjoined in the direction of the axis of rotation by an electromotive part having at least one rotor which is arranged concentrically with the axis of rotation and which is arranged in a housing part adjoining the housing part of the internal combustion engine part. |
| US07681546B2 |
Device for controlling an automatic start/stop system
A device for controlling the operating state of a system for the automatic starting/stopping of a heat engine of a vehicle. The invention is characterized in that the device comprises at least one operating state indicator (F1, F2) which is associated with an operating mode of the system and which can adopt a first position (B1, P1) in an operating mode inhibition state, a second position (B2, P2) in an operating mode activation state and a third position (B3, P3) in an operating mode intermediate state. |
| US07681545B2 |
Starting apparatus for internal combustion engine and automobile
An idling stop control of the invention attains an auto start and an auto stop of an engine. At a time point t1, pre-set stop conditions are met to cut off a fuel supply to the engine. Preset starting conditions may be met at a time point t2 when the engine still continues rotating in a normal direction by the inertial force. In this state, the idling stop control starts cranking the engine. The preset starting conditions may be met at a time point t4 when a piston does not complete a compression cycle immediately before a stop of the engine but is pressed back by the compressed air to rotate the engine in a reverse direction. In this state, the idling stop control waits until cancellation of the reverse rotation of the engine and then starts cranking the engine. The arrangement of the invention desirably ensures a quick start of the engine, while effectively preventing an excess stress from acting on a gear mechanism, which connects a starter motor to the engine. |
| US07681544B2 |
Control device for engine of power equipment apparatus
A control device is configured for use with an engine of a power equipment apparatus. The control device includes a base, a first knob, and a second knob. The first knob is positioned adjacent to the base and is rotatable about an axis with respect to the base while being substantially restrained from axial movement along the axis with respect to the base. The first knob has an aperture surrounding and extending along the axis to define a passageway extending through the first knob. The second knob has an end portion slidingly received within the aperture of the first knob such that the second knob is axially movable along the axis with respect to the base and the first knob. Power equipment apparatus and saddle-type vehicles including control devices are also provided. |
| US07681542B2 |
Camshaft adjustment device
In an adjustment device for adjusting the phase position of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine which includes a hydraulic system for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the adjustment device for the controlled admission to, and release thereof from, operating chambers of the adjustment device under the control of a control device including a control valve, the operating chambers are in communication with one another via control valves to permit flow of hydraulic fluid from one set of operating chambers to another by the varying torques effective on the camshaft or by controlling fluid supply to the operating chambers from the hydraulic fluid supply system. |
| US07681537B2 |
Gas extractor for an engine coolant system
A system and method for removing gases from an engine coolant system. In one embodiment, the system includes a fluid system that is operable to collects gas, and a gas collection system coupled to the fluid system. The system also includes a venturi pump system coupled to the fluid system and to the collection system, where the venturi pump system is operable to extract the gas from the fluid system via the collection system. |
| US07681528B2 |
Fish netpen
A netpen for breeding, storage or transport of fish in the sea, in particular completely or in part in open sea regions outside the skerries is provided. The netpen may be lowered in the sea to a desired depth. The netpen may be elevated to a half or approximately half submerged state for various work operations, such as maintenance and inspection of the netpen or harvesting. The netpen has a substantially spherical geometry. The netpen consists of a framework of stays, a horizontal through center pole also serving as a buoyancy adjusting element for elevation and lowering of the netpen, a horseshoe-shaped working platform having an integrated dock for working vessels. The entire working platform including dock is liftable and lowerable through buoyancy adjustment using a designated element. The working deck is mounted on an extended axle on the center pole. The netpen may be rotated inside said working deck. |
| US07681527B2 |
Method and system for tracking and managing animals and/or food products
Embodiments of a method and system are described for tracking and managing animals and/or food products. These embodiments can include entering into a computer system identification data for animals and location data for locations occupied by the animals. This data can be collected, for example, by a data service provider and transmitted to a data trustee. The data trustee may filter the data into official data and non-official data. The official data may be sent to an official database. When a public health issue arises, such as an occurrence of mad cow disease, the government may use an identifier for a diseased animal or a location identifier to request a trace report from the data trustee. The data trustee may then use the official data to provide a report showing, for example, which animals have commingled with the diseased animal. Based on this report, other sick or potentially sick animals can be treated, quarantined, or slaughtered. As another example, the disclosed embodiments may be used to facilitate commercial transactions by providing data that validates, for example, an animal's health and food quality. |
| US07681523B2 |
Method and apparatus for counting somatic cells or fat droplets in milk
A method for counting somatic cells or fat droplets in milk on-line during milking by an automated or semi-automated milking system comprising the steps of: flowing milk as milked by the milking system through a measuring chamber (59); illuminating milk that flows through the measuring chamber; and recording multiple two-dimensional digital images of illuminated milk that flows through the measuring chamber, wherein the images are recorded through a lens system (49) to preferably obtain a spatial resolution better than about 5 microns in the images. Finally, a somatic cell or fat droplet count score of the milk is determined from the images by means of digital image processing, preferably including the use of neural networks. |
| US07681522B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing bonded substrate
The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a bonded substrate that suppresses a defect in the bonded substrate. When the pressure in a vacuum chamber is at the atmospheric level, upper and lower chuck units respectively attract substrates through vacuum. When the vacuum chamber is depressurized, each chuck unit electrostatically attracts the associated substrate. During the depressurization of the vacuum chamber, the pressure for attracting each substrate to the associated chuck unit is controlled to be equal to the pressure in the vacuum chamber. This prevents each substrate from falling from or moving relative to the associated chuck unit. The first and second substrates are thus bonded together and accurately aligned. |
| US07681521B2 |
Insulation film formation device
An SOD system (100A) comprises a process block (8) for performing a prescribed processing so as to form an insulating film on a wafer W, a carrier block (7) for transferring the wafer W from the outside into the process block (8), a sub-transfer mechanism (12) for transferring the substrate W between the process block (8) and the carrier block (7), and a main transfer mechanism (15). A process tower (T1) prepared by stacking one upon the other a plurality of process units for performing a series of processing for forming an insulating film on the wafer W is arranged detachable from the process block (8). |
| US07681518B2 |
Parylene coated components for artificial sphincters
A method of depositing a coating to a surface of an inflatable component by providing a vacuum chamber system having an inner chamber positioned within an outer chamber. At least one coating material is introduced into at least one of the inner and outer chambers to deposit a coating onto an exposed surface of the component. This invention also provides methods of masking portions of surfaces of an inflatable component to prevent a coating from being deposited on the masked portion. |
| US07681514B2 |
Fixing group for facilitated attachment of a watercraft appliance onto a boat and method for attaching the same
A fixing group of a watercraft appliance for the attachment thereof to an outer side of a deck wall of a boat comprises a base of the watercraft appliance and at least one seat formed in the base and suitable for receiving a respective threaded fastening element, so that said element has a free end projecting from the base for insertion into a respective through hole formed in the deck wall, so as to be accessible from the inner side of such a deck wall for fixing the watercraft appliance to it. The at least one seat comprises an access at a peripheral surface of the base and a retaining portion suitable for cooperating through shape coupling with said threaded fastening element to prevent the rotation and axial sliding thereof with respect to the base.The invention also refers to a method for attaching a watercraft appliance comprising said fixing group to a deck wall of a boat by means of threaded fastening elements. |
| US07681513B1 |
Tiller operated marine steering system
A hydraulic lock of a tiller-based watercraft steering system is responsive to tiller release to lock a watercraft's steered element in the last commanded position upon tiller release. The hydraulic lock can be controlled through an actuator assembly that is provided between a tiller arm and the watercraft's steered element. One or more cables connect the actuator assembly to other components of the hydraulic lock. A thermal compensator regulates pressure within the hydraulic lock by accommodating changes in temperature related characteristics of the fluid within the hydraulic lock Increases in fluid pressure due to thermal expansion can be mitigated within the thermal compensator by automatically or manually directing a volume of fluid from the hydraulic lock, through a compensating valve assembly, and into a reservoir. Decreases in fluid pressure can be mitigated by directing fluid from the reservoir back into the hydraulic lock. |
| US07681509B2 |
Subterranean material dispensing apparatus and method
A material dispensing device delivers material directly into the ground. According to one embodiment of the material dispensing device, the device comprises an elongated hollow shaft, a receptacle, a helical flange and on or more openings formed in the shaft or helical flanges. The receptacle is disposed adjacent one end of the shaft for holding material. The receptacle is communicatively open to the shaft such that the material or a liquid-material mixture dissolved from at least a portion of the material can flow from the receptacle into the shaft. The helical flange is secured to the shaft. The shaft and helical flange are configured such that rotation of the shaft and flange causes the material dispensing device to be driven into the ground. The one or more openings formed in the shaft or helical flange disperse the material or the liquid-material mixture into the ground. |
| US07681506B2 |
Truck bolster
A railroad car truck bolster may be formed as a steel casting. That bolster may include side bearing fitting access sockets located abreast of the side bearing seats. It may also include substantially continuous internal cavities to either side of a cross-wise internal vertical web plate mounted under the center plate bowl. The truck bolster may have large brake rod apertures that have large radii of curvature, and that may be bounded internally be a shear reinforcement at the vertical plane of the truck mid-span centerline, and another shear reinforcement spaced laterally outboard of the mid-span vertical plane. The webs of the bolster may be substantially imperforate outboard of the brake rod openings. The brake rod openings may have a profile that is large enough to accept either conventional or Wabco brake rods. The end portions of the truck bolster may include bolster pockets that have both primary and secondary wedge angles. |
| US07681504B2 |
Method and apparatus for displacing material and projectile thereof
Hard material can be displaced by firing a frangible projectile from a firing device. The projectile has a rear portion that engages the bore of the barrel of the firing device and a front portion that is rotatably journaled to the rear portion. The front portion can be frangible to allow maximum displacement of the hard material. Specifically, the front portion has a core and a plurality of fins extending from the core. At impact, as the fins penetrate the target, the fins separate from the core and spread radially outwardly from the core. |
| US07681499B2 |
Gap filling member for blanket cylinder
A filling member for filling the concave portion of a blanket face which is generated along the opening portion of a groove of a blanket cylinder comprises a wedge-shaped limb portion and a head portion capable of filling the concave portion. The limb portion is inserted between the surface of the terminal and initial winding end side of the blanket which is approximately parallel with the surface in a condition in which one face of the limb portion is brought into contact with the terminal winding end side of the blanket and is pushed on both surfaces in which one face and another face forming a wedge shape for the one face oppose approximately parallel to at least a site adjacent to the head portion. The head portion can fill the concave portion when the limb portion is inserted between the initial winding end side and the terminal winding end side of the blanket. The face portion of the head portion which is at least farther side from the limb portion is formed in a comparatively soft sense, thereby the installation and removal of the blanket cylinder is easily carried out, and the influence of the installation and removal to the blanket cylinder and printing pressure at printing is hardly affected. |
| US07681498B2 |
Printer
A printer of the present invention includes a print drum around which a master made by cutting a stencil is to be wrapped, an ink feeding device for feeding ink to the master wrapped around the print drum and a pressing member for pressing a sheet relatively to the print drum to thereby print an image on the sheet. The operator of the printer is capable of selecting either one of a usual print mode and a silence print mode that give priority to image quality and noise reduction, respectively. |
| US07681495B2 |
Food processing device
A food processing device has a housing with a lid, a rotatable attachment (e.g., a basket or beater) in the housing and a drive mechanism in the lid for rotating the attachment to process food in the housing. The drive mechanism has a manual actuator and a gear train for transmitting a driving force from the actuator to rotate the attachment. The actuator lies on an outer surface of the lid and is movable along the lid surface in opposite directions between two positions to rotate the attachment in a single direction. A ratchet assembly in driving engagement with the gear train transmits a rotational drive in only a single direction. A braking mechanism for braking the attachment, includes a manual operator and two braking shoes for movement by the operator to brake the attachment by friction. |
| US07681494B2 |
Device to inject foods with solid objects
A device to inject solid materials into foods comprising a piston, a sleeve, and a penetrating tip. Embodiments are described with both segmented and unitary sleeves. Deformation of the tip during storage is minimized by biasing members which withdraw the piston from the tip when an embodiment is not in use. A method is described for flavoring foods with solid objects. |
| US07681492B2 |
Integrated cartridge containing a substance for extracting a beverage
A cartridge for extracting a beverage from an edible substance contained therein by means of a liquid under pressure, the cartridge comprising a main body having a cup portion and a lid portion. The base of said cup portion comprises a cup port defining a passage for the extracted beverage and protruding from the base outwardly with respect to the internal volume of the cartridge. Valve means are fixedly mounted on the internal surface of the cup port and are resiliently openable under pressure of the extracted beverage during a beverage extraction phase. The diameter of the open end of said cup port that is opposite to said cup base is sized so as to allow insertion of the valve means within the cup port. A safety cap is mounted on the external surface of the cup port and partially closes the external open end thereof. |
| US07681491B2 |
Self-cleaning mixing head for producing a milk-based mixture
A mixing head for producing heated milk in the form of a froth or water-milk mixture. The mixing head includes a steam feed, a milk inlet, a mixing area where the steam feed and milk inlet join and the steam and milk combine, an outlet nozzle for draining the resulting mixture from the mixing head, a rinsing medium supply, a milk supply and a transfer mechanism that provides relative movement between the milk inlet and the rinsing medium supply or the milk supply for selectively bringing the milk inlet into fluid connection with the rinsing medium supply or the milk supply, such that milk or a rinsing medium, as desired, can enter the mixing head at the milk inlet. |
| US07681490B2 |
Drive device
The invention relates to a drive device for a piston pump of a braking system of a vehicle having at least one piston element displaced in the longitudinal direction in a housing between an upper dead center and a lower dead center by means of an eccentric device. The eccentric device comprises at least one cam-shaped eccentric element having a covering surface forming a control curve which is used to control the displacement of the piston element. A roller bearing device is arranged between the control curve of the eccentric element and the piston element, which has such an elasticity that the piston element can be controlled according the predefined contour of the control curve of the eccentric element. |
| US07681487B2 |
Tandem axial piston pump unit
A hydraulic machine (60, 70) comprising a housing (12, 14, 16) and at least first and second hydraulic units. Each unit comprising a cylinder block (36A, 36B) located in the housing and having pistons (42), and a shaft (18, 20) in rotational engagement with the cylinder block (36A, 36B). The shafts (18, 20) being arranged coaxially and being coupled so as to rotate together. The machine (60, 70) further comprising bearings (30, 32, 34, 71) for supporting the shafts (18, 20) in the housing (12, 14, 16). The shafts (18, 20) are coupled by corresponding male and female splined end portions (18A, 20A) thereof engaged one in the other, and the bearings (30, 32, 34, 71) comprise first and second bearings (30, 32) for respectively supporting the shafts (18, 20) at portions thereof located on the other sides of the cylinder blocks (36A, 36B) with respect to said splined end portions (18A, 20A). A single third bearing arrangement (34, 71) engages one of the shafts (18, 20) at least in the vicinity of the splined end portion (18A, 20A) thereof thereby supporting the shafts (18, 20) between said cylinder blocks (36A, 36B). |
| US07681486B2 |
Arrangement in connection with an oscillator cylinder
An arrangement in combination with an oscillating cylinder (1), whereby the arrangement includes a working valve (10) of cylinder (1) to transmit pressure medium into cylinder (1), impulse valves (5) by means of which, by working valve is controlled, control means (4), as discs, from movable piston rod (18) to cylinder (1) outside, which can be arranged to get in several different linear positions in contact with the control means impulse valves (5) in order to produce a stroke length set for the piston rod of the oscillation cylinder. In the arrangement the impulse valves are placed sideways outside control means (4) and the required impact to be achieved from the control means (to the impulse valves (5) is moved by means of special arms (13) moved from control means (4) as an opening/closing motion of the shut-off part of the impulse valves whereby the structural length of the oscillating cylinder can be achieved essentially shorter in the cylinder back end of control means (4), (5). |
| US07681482B1 |
Automatic connector system
An apparatus comprising a housing having an opening, a connector unit, a moveable door, and a biasing system. The connector unit is located inside the housing. The connector unit is capable of providing an electrical connection to a complementary connector unit. The moveable door is capable of being moved into an open position and a closed position, wherein the closed position covers the opening. The biasing system is capable of aligning the connector unit with the complementary connector unit and causing the connector unit to engage the complimentary connector unit. |
| US07681481B1 |
Calibrated taper crimp die
An ammunition case reloading die assembly, and method of use, that provides calibrated adjustment of taper imposed on the mouth of an ammunition case. A calibrating ring or cap bears indicia in the form of polygonal faces, splines or radially-directed markings. The ring or cap rotates with an upper portion of the die for threaded adjustment of the position of the die within the frame of a reloading press. The die has a longitudinal bore, a lower portion whereof is tapered for imposing a tapered crimp upon the mouth of the case. The taper of the longitudinal bore is preferably chosen to make each partial rotation of the calibrating ring or cap through one indicium correspond to increasing the taper imposed on the case mouth by one thousandth of an inch per case longitudinal inch. |
| US07681479B2 |
Motion detecting system for use in a safety system for power equipment
A woodworking machine including a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a working portion of the machine is disclosed. The machine includes a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place relative to the working portion upon detection of the dangerous condition. A motion detection system is adapted to detect motion of the working portion and to disable the reaction system when the working portion is not moving. The motion detection system may include a sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, an electromagnetic field sensor, an optical sensor, or an electrical sensor. The woodworking machine may take the form of a saw, the working portion may be a blade adapted to cut when spinning, and the dangerous condition may be a person contacting the blade. |
| US07681476B2 |
Fiber optic cable stripper
Replaceable structures for use with a fiber stripping device are disclosed. The structures include a blade including an edge with a semi-circular notch having a diameter of about 0.0096 inches for stripping a tight-buffer cable including fiber with a 125 μm diameter and a surrounding coating with a 250 μm diameter, the buffer of 900 μm bonded to the coating. A centering structure aligns the cable horizontally and vertically with respect to a pair of blades. The centering structure includes a body with an offset protruding portion defining a top contact surface acting as a vertical stop for the cable. An elongate groove at a second end of the body extends from the second end toward the first end and includes an open end toward the second end and a closed end toward the first end, a portion of the groove formed by the top contact surface. |
| US07681475B2 |
Automatic bottle opener with worm stopper
An automatic bottle opener using a mechanical system that automatically stops rotation of the worm screw only in anti-clockwise direction during the extraction stage. A rotation stopper having a one-way bearing for coupling the stopper to the worm screw allows the screw to rotate when displaced axially in one direction, but prevents such rotation when axially displaced in the opposite direction. |
| US07681473B2 |
Rotational movement transmission device comprising a casing forming a winding path for a flexible shaft
The invention concerns a rotational movement transmission device comprising a flexible shaft and a casing inside which the shaft is housed, said casing being formed from a hollow body of plastic material whose internal diameter is arranged to allow the rotation of said shaft inside said casing, the wall of the body having a variable thickness so that at least part of the casing has an internal surface comprising corrugations extending longitudinally. The invention also concerns an adjustment system for a motor vehicle seat comprising such a transmission device. |
| US07681472B2 |
Bicycle shifter
A shifter for a bicycle transmission that includes a spring element that functions as a preloaded spring for cable-release operations and a detent pawl. The shifter also includes a housing having a detent contour, a cable spool for winding and unwinding a control cable thereon, and an actuator. The actuator includes a release element, a spring seat and a driver. The spring element includes a detent pawl, a base and a spool driver. The detent pawl is engageable with the detent contour to maintain the shifter in a current detent position. The base is supported by the spring seat and the spool driver is operatively engages and rotates the spool. |
| US07681467B2 |
Dense packed sampling tool
A sampling apparatus for taking a core sample of dense packed fibrous material including: (a) a generally cylindrical sampling tube open on its distal end, wherein the length of the sampling tube is greater than the sample length; (b) at least one exhaust port outside the sampling length adjacent to its proximate end; (c) a ram rod movable from the proximate end to the distal end of the sampling tube for discharging a sample from the sampling tube; and (d) a drive attached to the proximate end of the sampling tube for aiding in sampling. |
| US07681466B2 |
Programmable random access sample handler for use within and automated laboratory system
A method and a device for removing high priority samples from a primary conveyor and transferring such samples directly to an analyzer's sampling location even if other samples have been previously removed from the conveyor and are in a queue to be analyzed. |
| US07681461B2 |
Pipe adapter for adjusting the flow past a sensor
An adapter for a pipe is disclosed where the adapter changes the effective inside diameter of the tube to increase the airspeed flowing through the area where the adapter is placed. The adapter is utilized in automobiles where to adjust engine parameters based upon the requirements from the various sensors. This allows original sensors to be used in pipe while providing the overall appearance of a larger section of pipe. A kit including a number of nesting adapters is provided to allow altering of the cross sectional area of the pipe. The location of the sensor is maintained in the center of the pipe and the adapter(s) engage, nest, or connect to cause a progressive reduction of the pipe diameter until the optimal air flow speed is achieved based upon the requirements of the sensor. |
| US07681455B2 |
Method and device for monitoring the state of the protective covering of a rotary furnace burner
A process and device for the reliable monitoring of the current condition of the protective jacket formed of fireproof material, in particular of a rotary tubular kiln burner lance, during operation of the kiln system. A compressed air ring main and/or an annular metal wire loop forming part of an electrical circuit extending around the circumference of the protective jacket are embedded in the fireproof compound of the protective jacket in the area of the burner tip, in which in the event of burning through of the ring main or metal wire loop, a connected pressure sensor or current sensor generates a monitoring signal. |
| US07681454B2 |
Device and process for checking play in vehicle linkages
A device (10, 10′) for checking the play of linkages of vehicles is provided and can include a first device (20) for production of oscillations, which is connected, via an extension element (30), with a contact element (40) for contacting the device (10, 10′) with the component to be tested, and a second device (50) for recording the oscillations produced in the component to be tested. A process for testing the play of vehicle linkages is also provided and can include the steps of producing oscillations with a first device (20), the oscillations being transmitted to a component to be measured via a contact element (40) which is connected via an extension element (30) with the first device (20), and recording the oscillations produced in the component to be measured with a second device (50). |
| US07681453B2 |
System and method to calibrate multiple sensors
The present invention provides a multi-mode calibration target operable to calibrate multiple optical sensors. One embodiment has multiple planar surfaces, wherein the multiple planar surfaces are able to be distinguished by visual sensors based on their color, hue, shade, tint, or tone. Additionally, these planar surfaces may be raised or recessed from one another to provide depth contrast as well as visual contrast. Other embodiments may include narrow band emitters such as laser diodes located at predetermined locations within the multi-mode target. These targets may then be used to calibrate various sensors, such as optical sensors, within an inspection system such as a laser ultrasonic inspection system. |
| US07681450B2 |
Casing resonant radial flexural modes in cement bond evaluation
A method useful for evaluating the presence and/or the quality of the cement bond of a downhole tubular. The method involves measuring radial resonance modes of the tubular, and comparing those measured values to the unbound tubular resonant values of a calibration ring. For a well bonded tubular, the measured radial resonance should be greater than that of the unbound tubular calibration ring. In regions where a fluid, such as water surrounds the outside of the tubular, or the cement is otherwise not bonded to the outer surface of the tubular, the measured response should be less than the calibrated response. The calibration ring should have the same diameter, wall thickness, and be made of the same material as the tubular. |
| US07681448B1 |
System and method for aligning sensors on a vehicle
A vehicle sensor system consisting of video, radar, ultrasonic or laser sensors, oriented to obtain a 360 degree view around the vehicle for the purpose of developing a situation or scene awareness. The sensors may or may not have overlapping field of views, or support the same applications, but data will be shared by all. Orientation of the sensor to the vehicle body coordinates is critical in order to accurately assess threat and respond. This system describes methods based on measuring force and rotation on each sensor and computing a dynamic alignment to first each other, then second to the vehicle. |
| US07681445B2 |
Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable
An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium and includes: A mechanically oscillatable unit, which executes mechanical oscillations in a direction and which is secured at a seating. Included is an exciting/receiving unit, which excites the mechanically oscillatable unit to mechanical oscillations and which receives the mechanical oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit; and a control/evaluation unit, which controls the mechanical oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit and which determines and/or monitors the process variable. At least one compensating mass is provided, which is mechanically coupled with the mechanically oscillatable unit and which is embodied and/or secured in such a manner that it executes mechanical oscillations in a direction, wherein the direction of the oscillations of the compensating mass are essentially perpendicular to the direction of the oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit. |
| US07681444B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring the density of one component in a multi-component flow
A method and apparatus is disclosed that determines the density of one component in a multi-component flow through a conduit. The multi-component flow is separated into two streams (404) where a first stream has essentially all the flow for a first one of the components. The density of the second stream is measured (406). |
| US07681441B2 |
Combustion control in an internal combustion engine
The present invention relates to: self-tuning engine control algorithms using inputs from transducers that measure pressure in the engine cylinders, and from an engine crankshaft rotational position sensor; methods of processing the input signals to “self-tune” or learn accurate values for a) pressure transducer voltage offset, b) crank position encoder error and c) engine compression ratio; improved pressure-ratio-based algorithms for calculating cylinder heat release fraction as a function of crank angle. |
| US07681439B2 |
Measuring apparatus
A measuring apparatus comprising: a reference member held in fixed position and orientation with respect to a workpiece during measurement; a stylus for scanning a surface of the workpiece while being displaced upward and downward in accordance with unevenness of the surface of the workpiece; a displacement gauge for measuring a displacement of a specific part of the stylus relative to the reference member; and a scanner for causing the stylus to scan the workpiece along the surface; wherein the fixed position and orientation of the reference member with respect to the workpiece are not changed even during the operation of the scanner; the up-and-down displacement of the specific part of the stylus is measured relative to the reference member; a fine shape of the workpiece is detected in accordance with the measured displacement of the specific part of the stylus. |
| US07681438B2 |
Apparatus and method for measurement of hardenable material characteristics
A probe for measuring the hardness of concrete includes a body adapted to receive a retainer such that the combined body and retainer can be held in an aperture extending through a wall of a mould for the hardenable material, with the body extending from the inside of the wall. A sensor circuit includes detector elements supported by the body and disposed when in use in the concrete, and circuit terminals which face the exterior of the mould wall when in use, and are accessible through the retainer for connection to terminals of an external instrument. Preferably, the detector elements are conductive portions of a printed circuit board forming a resonator. The instrument can operate a switch in the probe which interconnects the terminals to indicate a good connection and measures resonator impedance at multiple frequencies. |
| US07681434B2 |
Sensing device
The present invention provides a sensing device for obtaining information of a test sample using an electromagnetic wave including a frequency region within a frequency region of 30 GHz to 30 THz, the sensing device comprising an electromagnetic wave transmitting portion including a plurality of transmission portions (4a, 4b) for propagating electromagnetic waves and detection portions (3a, 3c) for receiving and detecting the electromagnetic waves from the plurality of transmission portions (4a, 4b), in which at least one of the plurality of transmission portions (4a, 4b) is constructed such that the test sample (5, 6) can be placed in a portion affected by an electromagnetic wave propagating therethrough. |
| US07681433B2 |
Detection sensor and resonator
By using a disc type resonator, a sensor detects a substance having a mass and the mass with high sensitivity. Moreover, it is preferable to detect a change in vibrations of a substance attached or adsorbed to an area having a vibration amplitude equal to or larger than a constant value. This disc type resonator can be fabricated by the MEMS technique by using single-crystal or polycrystalline Si as a structural material. To improve the attachment efficiency of molecules and the like to be detected, irregularity or a groove is preferably provided on the surface of the disc type resonator. |
| US07681427B2 |
Method and device for the production and/or machining of pieces
A device for the production and/or machining of parts, in particular for the production of stampings, by at least one die which is capable of being put under pressure and/or force, and which has at least one plate and one die element, the die element being supported in the plate against pressure elements via a resilient element. |
| US07681426B2 |
Unitary rear axle housing and method for manufacturing same
A method for manufacturing a one piece axle tube housing with an integral spindle includes providing a tube blank, providing the blank with a region of increased thickness, inserting a mandrel having a reduced diameter profile, passing a reducing die over the tube to conform the tube to the shape of the mandrel; and extraction of the mandrel from the tube to cause outward deformation of the tube at specific locations. A further swaging step may be used to form the final spindle structure. |
| US07681425B2 |
Key and core with side pin
A lock core and key blank are disclosed. The disclosed lock core includes a core body, a core sleeve, a core plug, and a side pin assembly including a side pin, a region pin, and a spring. |
| US07681424B2 |
Swing handle latch
A latch has a pawl, a handle connected to the pawl, a manual lock for preventing movement of the handle between a closed position and an open position, an electrical lock for preventing movement of the handle between the closed position and the open position, and a shuttle connected to both the manual lock and the electrical lock. The shuttle is moveable between an engaged position in which the handle is prevented from moving from the closed position to the open position and a disengaged position in which the handle is permitted to move from the closed position to the open position. Upon deenergization of the electrical lock, the shuttle remains in the engaged position if the shuttle was in the engaged position prior to deenergization and the shuttle remains in the unengaged position if the shuttle were in the unengaged position prior to deenergization. |
| US07681422B2 |
Gift box apparatus and method therefor
A gift box apparatus having a locking mechanism and a programmable timer for selecting a specific date and time for when the gift box apparatus may become unlocked to reveal a gift contained therein is disclosed. In one embodiment, the gift box apparatus includes an integrated compartment that may be automatically released from the gift box apparatus at a preselected time, thereby revealing a key contained therein, which may be used by a recipient of the gift box apparatus to unlock a main compartment of the gift box apparatus and retrieve a gift contained therein. |
| US07681419B2 |
Dry cleaning solvent filter
A dry cleaning machine includes a tub for holding articles to be cleaned. A door is rotatably coupled to the dry cleaning machine. The door is movable from a closed position wherein access to the tub is substantially sealed, to an open position providing access to the tub. An outlet tube is coupled in flow communication to the tub. A filter assembly is positioned between the tub and the outlet tube filtering dry cleaning fluid channeled towards the outlet tube. |
| US07681415B2 |
Method and device for melting the ends of rods
The invention relates to a method for treating the ends of glass rods in which glass rods are inserted into receptacles in a carrier and with the carrier are carried past a burner and at least one rail in an advancing direction, the flame of the burner melting at least one end of the glass rods and the glass rods being lifted by the rail in the receptacles and rolling on the rail so that the glass rods are made to rotate during the melting process. |
| US07681414B2 |
Overflow downdraw glass forming method and apparatus
The present invention discloses improved methods and apparatus for forming sheet glass. In one embodiment, the invention introduces a counteracting force to the stresses on the forming structure in a manner such that the thermal creep which inevitably occurs has a minimum impact on the glass flow characteristics of the forming structure. |
| US07681412B1 |
Beverage cooler on automobile-like frame
A portable beverage cooler contained in a box with tracks that accept rails attached to panels with decorative automobile designs. Panels with the design of one automobile mobile can readily be replaced by panels with the design of another model. Attached the box axles with wheels so that the beverage cooler can readily be moved from place to place. |
| US07681409B2 |
Curtain air admission assembly
A refrigerated merchandiser includes a display case defining a product display region having an open-front isolated from the ambient air of the store by means of a downwardly directed inner air curtain of relatively cold refrigerated air and a downwardly directed outer air curtain of relatively warmer air established via an improved curtain air admission assembly. The curtain air admission assembly defines a plenum atop the refrigerated display through which the flow of air substantially reverses direction when passing from a first flow passage to a second flow passage. This reversal of flow direction serves to distribute the air flow more uniformly along the length of the display case. |
| US07681408B2 |
Automated ice vending machine and method of vending ice
The present invention is an automated ice vending machine for delivering ice to consumers. The machine of the present invention includes an insulated enclosure, an ice manufacturing apparatus, a cooling unit, an ice inventory storage bin, an ice agitating device, an incline ice transport device, and a bagger assembly. The present invention also includes a method of vending ice to a consumer. |
| US07681404B2 |
Modular ice storage for uninterruptible chilled water
A backup cooling storage system comprising at least one cooling and storage unit configured to cool a liquid supply using a quantity of cooled material when a main chiller of the liquid supply is not operational, and at least one chilling element configured to generate the quantity of cooled material for the at least one cooling and storage unit when the main chiller of the liquid supply is operational. Additional embodiments and methods are further disclosed. |
| US07681402B2 |
Aeroengine oil tank fire protection system
A gas turbine engine comprising an oil system and a gearbox, the gearbox is driven by at least one engine shaft, the oil system comprises a pump drivingly connected to the gearbox, an oil tank connected to the pump via a supply pipe and a delivery pipe connecting the pump to the engine for delivery of oil thereto, an anti-siphon pipe is connected between the tank and the delivery pipe to provide an excess oil flow to the engine characterized in that the anti-siphon pipe includes a variable flow valve for regulating the flow of oil passing therethrough such that at low engine speeds an adequate supply of oil is provided to a sight glass in the tank. |
| US07681400B2 |
Exhaust assembly forming a horizontal propulsion gas elbow in an aircraft
A propulsion gas exhaust assembly in an aircraft propelled by hot gases produced along an axis of the aircraft by a gas generator is disclosed. The propulsion gas exhaust assembly includes a transition element emerging in two duct elements each communicating with an ejection half-nozzle, wherein each of the two duct elements forms an elbow downstream of the transition element. |
| US07681397B2 |
Heat engine
A heat engine, includes at least one Liquid Ring Rotating Casing Compressor (LRRCC) having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a combustion chamber in fluid communication with the output of the LRRCC, and at least one expander having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet communicates with the combustion chamber. |
| US07681396B2 |
Steam turbine with heating steam extraction and power plant with steam turbine
A steam turbine (10) with heating steam extraction includes a plurality of turbine sections (11, 12, 15, 17, 19, 20) for the high pressure, medium pressure and low pressure ranges, which turbine sections (11, 12, 15, 17, 19, 20) are arranged in each case in a separate casing and connected by a common shaft (28), and which includes one high pressure turbine (11), at least one subsequent medium pressure turbine (15, 17), which is connected on the outlet side to two series-connected heaters (21, 24) of a district heating circuit (27), and one subsequent low pressure turbine (19, 20). Safe control of high volumetric flows of steam is achieved by providing, for heating steam extraction, two medium pressure turbines (15, 17), which operate in parallel, in separate casings, and which are connected on the outlet side in each case to one of the heaters (21, 24). |
| US07681395B2 |
Systems and methods for providing backup energy to a load
Backup energy systems utilizing compressed air storage (CAS) systems and bridging energy systems to supply backup power to a load are provided. During a power failure, the bridging energy system provides backup power to the load at least until the CAS system begins supplying adequate power. In various embodiments, backup power capability is enhanced through the use of one or more exhaustless heaters, which are used to heat compressed air. The compressed air, in turn, drives a turbine which is used to power an electrical generator. In various embodiments, ambient air heat exchangers or other types of heat exchangers are used to heat compressed air prior to the compressed air being routed to the turbine, thereby increasing system efficiency. Backup power and backup HVAC are also provided by utilizing turbine exhaust, heat exchangers and various resistive heating elements. |
| US07681394B2 |
Control methods for low emission internal combustion system
Improved transient response times are obtained while maintaining low emissions with a low pressure EGR system through methods for quickly obtaining a desired oxygen concentration for charge-air to be used for combustion. Under a first method, fuel quantity in the main combustion event is controlled in the combustion process to produce exhaust around a relatively constant target exhaust oxygen concentration value. By keeping the exhaust oxygen concentration levels at a relatively constant value, lag time in waiting for low pressure EGR valve adjustments during transients may be avoided, and the system's air handling response to meet transients may be paced solely by adjusting the mass of air to be supplied (i.e. boost response). Under a second method, a multiple-stage combustion process is utilized, in which fuel feed is controlled in a small, preliminary HCCI-type combustion event in order to produce a target oxygen concentration of charge-air to be used for the second, main combustion event. Under a third method, exhaust rebreathing is used to produce a target oxygen concentration of charge-air to be used for combustion. |
| US07681389B2 |
Suction air nozzle for a textile machine
A suction air nozzle for a textile machine for storing a yarn length of a running yarn passing the nozzle opening. The nozzle has an elongate nozzle body, with a clear cross section having a narrower width in the region of its central longitudinal axis than in its tube-like edge regions. The nozzle further has an inlet opening, which has its largest width in the yarn running direction. The clear cross section of the nozzle body of the suction air nozzle increases from the inlet opening of the nozzle body in the axial direction to an end-side outlet opening. |
| US07681386B1 |
Cotton weed reel apparatus and method
The invention provides a mechanical apparatus to assist cotton harvesters in suppressing in-row weed growth and/or feeding cotton into the row unit of the cotton harvester using a rotating weed reel. The weed reel comprises a frame assembly, a rotatable shaft coupled to the frame assembly, and protruding rods extending outwardly from the shaft so as to contact the ground between the in-row cotton plants and deflect weeds and debris out of a desired area. |
| US07681385B2 |
Mower liquid herbicide applicator
An apparatus and method for supply of treating fluid to a cutting apparatus directly to cut vegetation substantially simultaneously with the cutting of the vegetation. Treating fluid is delivered from the supply to an intermediate, sealed reservoir into which a desired volume of treating fluid is maintained. The treating fluid is then delivered from the sealed reservoir, via centrifugal force, through a channel to a passageway formed in the bolt connecting the cutting blade to a blade mount of the mower. The treating fluid is ejected from the bolt passage directly onto the exposed undersurface of the cutting blade and directly to the vegetation at the same time that it is cut so that the treatment fluid, herbicide or other chemical is absorbed directly into the translocation system of the cut vegetation. |
| US07681384B2 |
Apparatus for processing crop materials in a forage harvester
An apparatus is disclosed for processing crop materials in a forage harvester. The apparatus may comprise a pair of rotatable rollers for cutting crop materials passed between the rollers, and a bifurcated frame supporting the rollers in a proximate condition to each other. The bifurcated frame includes a first frame portion and a second frame portion, with a first one of the rollers being mounted on the first frame portion for moving with the first portion and a second one of the rollers being mounted on the second frame portion. The first frame portion may be movable with respect to the second frame portion to move the first roller laterally away from the second roller. |
| US07681383B2 |
Dual research plot harvester with unconventional grain flow
The invention relates generally to harvesters and, more particularly, to a combine for harvesting rows crops, which has been modified, to collect and measure grain from two separate small strip test plots. The present invention is a dual plot combine with two separate and distinct internal sections of the combine. The combine's intake has two floatably mounted feeder house. This invention harvests two lots simultaneously while maintaining the integrity of each plots' harvest data. The dual plot combine has two separate unconventional grain paths for collecting and measuring the cleaned grain drums The divided clean grain bin and weigh bucket are positioned at a low position, inside the vertical confines of the combine, on a single side of the combine. The altered grain paths allow the data collection on the clean grain from each plot to be completed quickly. This in turn allows the combine to progress to the next set of two plots quickly. |
| US07681379B2 |
Packing method, packing member and manufacturing method therefor
A packing member for packing an article, includes a medium accommodating portion for accommodating medium; a non-return valve for passing the medium to the medium accommodating portion and stopping the medium away from the medium accommodating portion; an introducing portion for introducing the medium into the medium accommodating portion with the non-return valve from an outside of the packing member to balloon the medium accommodating portion; and a sealing region, disposed upstream of the non-return valve with respect to a direction of the introduction of the medium from the introducing portion toward the non-return valve, for sealing against the introduction of the medium to prevent leakage from the introducing portion to an outside of the packing member, the sealing region being sealed to keep the medium in the medium accommodating portion. |
| US07681378B2 |
Method and apparatus for filling bags
Method and apparatus for filling bags wherein bags are filled one by one with a filling material and thereafter closed by means of an oscillating structure of an ultrasonic welding device. A parameter for the oscillating behavior of the oscillating structure is determined at no-load between closing two bags. |
| US07681372B2 |
Door threshold
A door threshold may include upper and lower members for sandwiching carpet and/or carpet padding therebetween. The threshold may, in certain example embodiments, grip the carpet in order to prevent it from being pulled out from between the upper and lower threshold members. Thus, in certain example instances, the need for tacks (or carpet tack strip(s)) proximate the threshold can be reduced and/or eliminated. In certain example embodiments of this invention, the threshold structure may include a locating bracket that is provided proximate the door frame for frame alignment and security purposes, and/or one or more pans located under the threshold for locating and/or securing purposes. Levelers, shims and/or the like may be used in certain example embodiments in order to compensate for non-level flooring proximate the door. |
| US07681367B2 |
Wall reinforcement using constant force
A wall support and reinforcing apparatus that applies a constant force on a structural support member, such as a steel I-beam, that is adjacent the wall. The apparatus includes a bias that is interposed between the building, or a bracket mounted to the building, and the structural member. Thus, the bias force is applied to straighten the wall at all times, thereby having the straightening effect and keeping the structural member from being displaced laterally due to complete release of all forces to the structural member. |
| US07681363B2 |
Electric tile modules
The electrically connectable tile module includes a porous substrate having a top side, a bottom side, and at least two side edges. At least one connector is integrated into the porous substrate allowing adjoining electrically connectable tile modules to be electrically connected to the porous substrate. At least one electrical element is disposed over the top side of the porous substrate and electrically connected to the at least one connector. |
| US07681362B1 |
Vented panel connector
A vented panel connector for a decorative panel system includes a front plate, a pair of spaced-apart vent plates carried by the front plate, a pair of spaced-apart panel flanges extending from each of the pair of spaced-apart vent plates and a plurality of vent openings extending through each of the pair of vent plates between the front plate and the pair of spaced-apart panel flanges. |
| US07681359B2 |
Biodegradable planters
A biodegradable planter made from straw and coir is described. The composition is made from a blend of about 1 to about 99% straw and 99% to about 1% coir. The planter is sprayed on at least one surface with a latex. Preferably it is sprayed with a natural latex. |
| US07681357B2 |
Apparatuses and systems for growing nursery stock
The present invention is directed to, a container, multiple arrangements of container and flat/tray pallets, corresponding container/flat/tray/pallet assemblies, an automated pallet assembly/disassembly system, autonomous pallet assembly transfer units, an autonomous pallet assembly transport train, and an integrated automated production system, for use in a horticultural nursery environment for: substantially reducing labor needed to produce; stabilizing of; collecting and shedding broadcast applications to; reflecting desired sunlight to foliage of; reducing root tip heating of; reducing water consumption in growing; reducing wetting of foliage of; controlling excess root growth of; and, reducing weed growth proximal to; spaced potted plants. |
| US07681354B2 |
Tree and plant watering system
Kit and apparatus for watering a Christmas tree or other plant supported in a stand with a water receptacle. |
| US07681346B2 |
Advertising apparatus and method
An advertising apparatus including a body portion adapted to be one or both of connected to or disposed on a support structure accessible for advertising purposes and, an interchangeable and/or replaceable advertising device, the advertising device being adapted to be one or both of connected to or disposed on the body portion. |
| US07681345B2 |
System and method for interchangeable furniture and gear
A system optionally attaches non-reversible, interchangeable fabric, leather, vinyl or other natural or synthetic covering material logo (or advertisement, signage or art) panels to one or more items, such as articles of furniture or personal gear including clothing, sports equipment, and memorabilia frames. The items may include upholstered or non-upholstered sports stadium chairs or other soft-covered items such as leather jackets or golf bags without detracting from their appearance, even if the panel is removed. The panels can also be applied to vehicle seats, public furniture, office furniture, water coolers, or other domestic furniture. The attachment is inconspicuous and hidden from view. Such a logo panel can also cover an area emblazoned with a permanent different logo. These panels can be embroidered sports memorabilia with spaces for actual team member signatures or performer autographs, or they can be corporate logos or promotional advertising panels. |
| US07681339B2 |
Self-propelled snow remover
A self-propelled snow remover has a machine body, travel units mounted on the machine body to undergo turning movement and linear movement, and at least one steering member mounted to the machine body and operable to turn the travel units. A snow-removing implement is mounted to the machine body to undergo lifting, lowering and rolling movements relative to the machine body. A lift drive mechanism lifts and lowers the snow-removing implement. A control unit controls the lift drive mechanism by issuing a lift drive instruction to the lift drive mechanism so as to automatically lift the snow-removing implement when a steering condition in which the steering member is turned is determined to be satisfied, and by issuing a lowering drive instruction to the lift drive mechanism so as to automatically lower the snow-removing implement when the steering condition is determined to be no longer satisfied. |
| US07681336B2 |
Wheeled shovels
Various exemplary embodiments are provided of wheeled shovels. In one exemplary embodiment, a wheeled shovel generally includes a wheel assembly having an axle and a wheel. The wheeled shovel also includes a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion. The frame may be disposed relative to the axle such that the axle is operable as a fulcrum about which the frame may pivot. A handle may be disposed at about the upper portion of the frame. A shovel blade may be disposed at about the lower portion of the frame. The wheel assembly, frame, handle, and shovel blade may be cooperatively configured so as to enable the wheeled shovel to throw a load of material generally upwardly and forwardly away from the shovel blade in response to a sufficient force applied to the handle for pivoting the frame relative to the axle with a recoil generated through the fulcrum at the axle. |
| US07681335B2 |
Snow plow having attachable biasing member
A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The plow blade includes a mold board, preferably, a two piece mold board being an aluminum extrusion. The preferred snow plow also includes an attachable biasing member secured between the plow blade and the mounting apparatus such that the biasing member resists upward movement of the plow blade when the plow blade is in a working orientation. |
| US07681330B2 |
Footwear having removable straps
Footwear having removable straps is disclosed herein. More specifically, the footwear disclosed herein includes a removable strap assembly having concealed releasable connection means for attaching to the sole of the footwear. |
| US07681327B2 |
Vacuum belt conveyor of a web forming machine for transferring a threading tail
A vacuum belt conveyor of a web forming machine for transferring a threading tail has at least two turning rolls (16, 17) and an air-permeable belt loop (20), arranged around the turning rolls (16, 17). The vacuum belt conveyor also has vacuum means (22) for creating a vacuum effect on both the section of the belt loop (20) conveying the threading tail (23) and in connection with the first turning roll (16) of the turning rolls (16, 17). Arranged in connection with the first turning roll (16) in the travel direction of the threading tail (23) there is at least one cross-directional dividing structure (24) for creating at least two axial vacuum zones (25). |
| US07681325B2 |
Apparatus for measuring a turbine blade
An erosion gauge for measuring a chord length of an eroded turbine blade in a steam turbine that may include: a jaw that includes a lower jaw that includes a lower jaw surface and an upper jaw that includes an upper jaw surface such that the lower jaw surface and the upper jaw surface oppose each other; a sliding scale that connects the lower jaw to the upper jaw, wherein a first end of the sliding scale is fixed to the lower jaw and a second end of the sliding scale slides through the upper jaw such that the distance between the lower jaw surface and the upper jaw surface may be varied; and an electronic depth gauge that determines the distance between the lower jaw surface and the upper jaw surface. The lower jaw surface may include a valley insert. |
| US07681323B2 |
Base and contour measuring system using the same
An exemplary base includes a first elastic element, a second elastic, two first adjustable spacers and two second adjustable spacers. The first elastic element includes two first spaced plates and a first connecting element for connecting the two first spaced plates. The second elastic element includes two second spaced plates and a second connecting element for connecting the two second spaced plates. The first connecting element and the second connecting element are not in a plane. Two first adjustable spacers connect the two first spaced plates and adjust a distance between the two first spaced plates. Two second adjustable spacers connect the two second spaced plates and adjust a distance between the two second spaced plates. |
| US07681322B1 |
Steering wheel level verification with alignment sensors attached
A vehicle wheel alignment system may include wheel alignment sensors configured to measure toe angles of steerable wheels on the vehicle, a user interface configured to communicate information to a user, and a processing system. The processing system may be configured to cause the user interface to communicate instructions to rotate a steering wheel on the vehicle and to communicate centering information that is pertinent to whether the steering wheel is substantially centered with respect to the steerable wheels based at least in part on the toe angles. |
| US07681320B2 |
Shaving razors and razor cartridges
Shaving razors and razor cartridges are provided. In one embodiment, a razor is provided including (a) a handle, (b) a head, separable from and pivotally mounted on the handle, the head including a housing that is positioned to contact the user's skin during shaving and that carries one or more blades configured for wet shaving, (c) an electrical circuit, configured to power an electrical function associated with the head, a first portion of the circuit being disposed in the handle and a second portion of the circuit being disposed in the head, and (d) an electro-mechanical connector, pivotally joining the head to the handle, configured to provide electrical communication between the first and second portions of the circuit. |
| US07681319B2 |
Cutting wheel assembly
The present invention is a portable compact cutting wheel assembly designed to be easy and convenient to use for cutting food items. The cutting wheel assembly includes a handle, a rotatably attached cutting blade and a conformal blade cover that fits over the cutting blade and secures to the handle for clean storage. |
| US07681318B2 |
Power-saving scissors
A power-saving scissors comprises a first handle having a first knife set; the first handle being formed with a receiving space; an inner wall of the receiving space being formed with teeth; a second handle pivotally installed to the first handle by a planet gear set; the second handle having a second knife set; a center gear being protruded from the second handle at a position corresponding to the receiving space; the center gear being engagable with the receiving space of the first handle; the planet gear set including the center gear, three peripheral gears and a cover; one end of the center gear being installed to the second handle and another end thereof being protruded with a post; the three peripheral gear being respectively engaged to the center gear and also engaged to the teeth of the receiving space. |
| US07681317B2 |
Icicle removing tool
A de-icicling tool has an icicle removing head mounted onto the distal end of an elongated handle. The head is formed of a generally flat blade and a mounting sleeve to that fits onto the distal end of the handle. The blade member has a series of triangular teeth in a concave arc along the front with each tooth having a point and beveled edges which meet at the associated point. The points of the teeth are rounded. The blade has at least one generally triangular notch formed along its rear thereof, each notch having a pair of beveled edges. There is one or more one round aperture in the blade, each with a beveled edge and with a diameter of three to five centimeters. The mounting sleeve includes a threaded socket adapted to accept a male thread of a standard broom handle or paint pole. |
| US07681316B2 |
Folding knife having a locking mechanism
A folding knife includes a handle element, a blade rotatably coupled to the handle element, and a locking mechanism operatively coupled between the blade and the handle element. The locking mechanism includes first and second pairs of toggles positioned, respectively, on first and second sides of the blade, each pair of toggles being configured to move into a locked position when the blade is rotated to an open position. A handle of the knife may include the handle element and the first and second pairs of toggles. |
| US07681314B2 |
Inter-blade guard and method for manufacturing same
According to the present invention, a razor cartridge includes a plurality of skin-engaging elements disposed on a frame. The skin engaging elements include at least two or more substantially blades having a sharpened cutting edge, a first inter-blade guard, and a cap. The two or more blades are disposed on the frame in parallel relation to one another. The first inter-blade guard is disposed on the frame between two (2) blades. A rinse-through gap extends across substantially the entire length of the frame between the first inter-blade guard and the blade aft the first inter-blade guard. |
| US07681310B2 |
Method for fabricating double-sided wiring board
A method is provided for fabricating a double-sided wiring board for mounting an electronic component thereon having metal wiring patterns formed both on upper and lower sides of an electrically-insulating board. The metal wiring patterns are electrically connected each other through a through-hole and/or a blind via-hole. The method has the steps of: laminating a metal layer with a support substrate on at least one side of the electrically-insulating board; removing the support substrate from the metal layer so that the metal layer is left on the electrically-insulating board; and forming the through-hole and/or the blind via-hole in the electrically-insulating board. |
| US07681307B2 |
Soldering a flexible circuit
Techniques are provided for controlling solder flow in applications where a flexible circuit is soldered to a microelectromechanical structure. A metal layer is formed on a substrate. A solder mask is formed on the metal layer such that portions of the metal layer are covered by the mask and portions are left exposed. A flexible circuit is soldered to the metal layer in at least some of the areas where the metal layer is exposed. |
| US07681303B2 |
Method for manufacturing a magnetic head slider
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of manufacturing a magnetic head slider, the method being adapted so that throat height of a main magnetic pole piece of a perpendicular recording magnetic head can be controlled with high accuracy. According to one embodiment, a first Electrical Lapping Guide element (ELG) is disposed on the same layer as a plated underlayer of a shield of one write head in a row bar, and other ELGs are disposed on the same layer as that of a main magnetic pole piece of another write head. Front end positions (Tops) are detected from changes in resistance values of the other ELGs and an ending position of lapping is calculated. Since the front end positions (Tops) of the other ELGs are accurate, it is possible to assign a correlation to throat height “Th” of the main magnetic pole piece and the resistance value of the first ELG by detecting this resistance value existing when the front end positions (Tops) are detected. |
| US07681300B2 |
Method of broaching a work-piece
A device for centering a work piece with respect to a centerline of a tool includes a radially-stationary component rigidly secured with respect to the tool such that the radially-stationary component and the tool are concentric. A biasing mechanism is biased away from the radially-stationary component to apply substantially equally-distributed radial force at a periphery of the work piece to thereby center the work piece with respect to the tool. A method of broaching a work piece having an inner and an outer diameter includes machining the outer diameter and then applying circumferentially-distributed radial force to the inner diameter or the outer diameter to thereby center the work piece with respect to a broach tool. After the applying step, the method includes broaching the inner diameter of the work piece using the broach tool. |
| US07681296B2 |
Method and tool for producing a press joint connection
A method and tool for producing a press joint connection, in which portions of the radial lateral walls of an opening of a die are configured as flexible displaceable segments, whereas other sections, when viewed from a periphery of the opening, remain rigidly connected to the die. |
| US07681294B2 |
Metal fence picket staking apparatus and method
A plurality of staking die sets is provided, each adapted to crimp an iron fence rail onto a picket where the latter passes through an aperture in the former. Each die set comprises a staking die matching the cross sectional shape of the picket and adapted to embrace one half of the picket on one side of the rail. A corresponding anvil die opposes the staking die on the opposite side of the rail. Mechanically leveraged, powered jaws force the staking die toward the anvil and against the rail to squeeze the rail in the immediate vicinity of the picket, causing rail metal around the aperture to flow toward the picket, reducing the aperture until the picket becomes immobilized. A plurality of such jaws and dies, adjustably arrayed at selected spacings and coupled to a common power source, allows a single staking operation to affix simultaneously all pickets in a given length of rail. Multiple arrays of jaws and dies may be arranged in parallel for simultaneously staking a like number of rails to the pickets to form an entire fence panel in a single powered operation. A novel method of fabricating an iron fence panel in a single operation includes arranging such jaws in a two dimensional array for staking multiple pickets to multiple rails in a single power operation. |
| US07681289B2 |
Fastener for fastening together two lace segments
A fastener for fastening together two lace segments includes a base, a pull unit, and two clamp units. The base has an intermediate portion, and two openings disposed on two opposite sides of the intermediate portion. Each of the openings is adapted to permit one of the lace segments to extend therethrough. The pull unit includes a middle portion fixed to the base, and two opposite pull members extending outwardly from the middle portion. The clamp units are respectively connected to the pull members and are disposed above the openings. Each of the clamp units defines a through hole adapted to permit one of the lace segments to extend therethrough. The clamp units are movable toward the openings to effect clamping and are movable away from the openings when the pull members are pulled away from the base. |
| US07681288B1 |
Structure and material for a child resistant buckle
A child safety buckle used in a child restraint includes structural support and selected materials to resist deformation or failure when subjected to impact or compressive forces. The buckle may have a child resistant feature that is more tolerant to impact or compressive forces due to the structural support and material selection. The structure may include thickened walls or added arcuate portions or ribs. The material can be impact modified nylon to improve durability while resisting deformation and cracking. The resulting buckle design is more robust in harsh environments, while providing consistent operation for restraining a child. |
| US07681284B1 |
Hinge
A hinge is disclosed having a first leaf, a second leaf and a pin. The first leaf has a first layer and a second layer. The first leaf also has at least two hollow first leaf knuckles that are unitary with both the first layer and the second layer. The second leaf has a first layer and a second layer. The second leaf also has at least two hollow second leaf knuckles that are unitary with both the first and second layer. The pin extends through each of the knuckles to hold the leaves together. |
| US07681280B2 |
Three-point mount for an industrial carpet cleaner
A platform mounted drive train for a professional carpet and floor cleaner system, the platform mounted drive train being formed of a rigid platform; a power plant having two spaced apart mounting structures secured to the rigid platform; a vacuum blower having one mounting structure secured to the rigid platform; a rigid structural connector coupled between the power plant and the vacuum blower for rigidly securing the vacuum blower in fixed lateral, angular and rotational alignment with the power plant; and a coupler assembly interfaced between an output drive of the power plant and an input drive of the vacuum blower. The drive train is optionally mounted using one or more vibration isolators. |
| US07681278B2 |
Floor cleaning apparatus
An apparatus main body having wheels and configured to run on a floor includes an electrolysis device, which electrolyzes a cleaning water to alkaline water and acid water. A pressurizing pump selectively sucks and pressurizes the alkaline water or acid water obtained by electrolysis by the electrolysis device. A spray nozzle mechanism sprays the cleaning water comprising the alkaline water or acid water pressurized by the pressurizing pump on the floor. A suction nozzle is mounted behind the spray nozzle mechanism in the apparatus main body and is opened to the floor. A suction mechanism sucks the cleaning water sprayed on the floor together with a contaminant. A reservoir tank, which is mounted in the apparatus main body, stores the sucked cleaning water together with the contaminant. |
| US07681277B2 |
Automotive wiper
An automotive wiper includes a frame supporting a blade. The frame is attached via an adapter to a wiper arm that presses and moves the wiper against and across the windshield. The wiper also includes a tension spring that is inserted along a rail portion of the blade for evenly distributing load along the blade onto the windshield. The adapter is disposed in the direction of a vertical axis (H) of the frame at a central portion thereof. The frame is offset by an adjustable angle θ from a horizontal axis (S) of the adapter taken at a sectional view of the wiper, whereby the frame is offset by an angle θ1 from its vertical axis, due to an offset of the frame and the adapter when the blade is pressed in its entirety against a windshield of a vehicle. |
| US07681276B2 |
Cleaning implements having magnetic means
The present invention is a device for cleaning surfaces comprising; a housing having a handle on one end and a cleaning head on the other end the cleaning head having an upper surface, a lower surface, a perimeter edge and a magnetic means. The magnetic means is removably attached to the cleaning head and provides a magnetic field to its lower surface. There is at least one attachment means provided on the upper surface or the perimeter for securing a cleaning sheet over the lower surface of the cleaning head. |
| US07681272B2 |
Counterbalance assembly for a fold out ramp
A counterbalance for a ramp assembly includes a chain assembly and a spring assembly. The spring assembly includes a spring and first and second spring fittings. The first spring fitting restrains a first end of the spring when the ramp portion is between a neutral position and the stowed position and moves the first end of the spring toward a second end of the spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position toward the deployed position. The second spring fitting is spaced from the first spring fitting and restrains the second end of the spring when the ramp portion is between the neutral position and the deployed position. The second spring fitting moves the second end of the spring toward the first end of the spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position toward the stowed position. |
| US07681264B2 |
Shape matching cushion
A cushion comprising an array of individual suspension elements arranged in a pattern wherein one embodiment the longitudinal axis of each suspension element in the array is positioned at a right angle or parallel to the longitudinal axes of the adjacent suspension elements. Each suspension element has a displaceable load-bearing surface, a first end wall, a second end wall, and an optional bottom wall, with load-bearing surface and recited walls defining an inner chamber. The material thickness of the load-bearing surface generally is greater than the material thickness of the end walls whereby the end walls deflect outwardly toward the load-bearing surfaces of adjacent support elements under load. The load-bearing surface can have a substantially arch-shaped, elliptical or rectangular cross-section and may be constructed from different materials to make a composite suspension element. The bottom wall of the suspension element may have a small vent opening of a predetermined size to allow a controlled release of air from the inner chamber under load to enhance the viscous feel of the cushion. The cushion also includes a cover enclosing the array of suspension elements. |
| US07681260B2 |
Safety bed having elevating mattress
A safety bed including a bed frame, pivotally attached guard rails, and a vertically adjustable mattress support structure. The mattress support structure capable of being lowered within the confines of the bed frame to prevent a patient from crawling out of the safety bed. The mattress support structure capable of being raised within the bed frame to grant a health care provider access to the patient. |
| US07681258B2 |
Accessory anchoring device for washing/bathing tub
A device for anchoring accessories to a surface of a tub has a fluid injection jet. The device comprises a connector adapted to be connected to an accessory. An anchor is interconnected to the connector, and is adapted to be connected to the fluid injection jet. A fluid passage is formed in the device so as to enable fluid to be injected therethrough and into the tub when the anchor is connected to the fluid injection jet. A method of anchoring accessories is also provided. |
| US07681257B1 |
Rotating lens locking device
A head shield device having a frame and a replaceable lens. An engagement axle having an large dimension and a small dimension is attached to the frame. The lens defines an aperture with a neck and an enlarged inner body. The small dimension of the axle is adapted to pass through the neck and rotation of the axle to the large dimension locks the lens in place on the frame. The axle rotation is controlled by a control device located on a tab assembly forming the engagement axle. |
| US07681256B2 |
Correlated magnetic mask and method for using the correlated magnetic mask
A mask is described herein that uses correlated magnets which enable a person to easily secure and remove the mask to and from their head. Some examples of such a mask include a scuba mask, a welding mask, a fencing mask, a goalie mask, a paint mask, a paintball mask, a catcher's mask, a ski mask, a goalie mask, an oxygen mask, a surgical mask, a face shield, a filter mask, a theatrical mask, a costume mask, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask. |
| US07681255B2 |
Pants with cargo pocket to accommodate thigh rig
A tactical pair of pants for police, military or other weapon-carrying personnel has a cargo pocket system that functions to store items in several pocket compartments in a normal cargo pocket configuration, or to carry a thigh rig holster for a pistol, in a dedicated position between cargo pocket compartments without blocking access to the pocket compartments. |
| US07681253B2 |
Cooling member for use in hat, sun visor or the like
This present invention is for cooling the forehead, face and armpit of a person or imparting cool feeling.The cooling member comprises a water-absorbing material sheet sandwiched between a flexible planar material provided with a ventilation means, having an adequate hardness, and capable of holding its shape, capable of being bent in a predetermined direction and in the reverse direction a plurality of times, and having a curvature in the predetermined direction and backing cloth having a similar area and a means for dividing the water-absorbing material sheet into parts each having an adequate area corresponding to a vent in such a way that water absorbed in the water absorbing material sheet does not flow out easily into adjacent parts and is used for cooling by allowing the water absorbing material sheet to absorb water and by using its heat of evaporation to cool the surroundings.The cooling member constitutes a brim portion of a hat, a sun visor or the like, or a pad portion for the forehead, face or armpit of the person and provides a means for imparting a cool feeling to each heat generating portion of the human body.As preparation for use, the cooling member is dipped into water and bent by applying a force reversely to the curvature in the predetermined direction. Consequently, excess water and water drops are squeezed out easily and uniformly with only the cooling member without wetting the hand of the person. |
| US07681250B2 |
Hygienic mitten
A disposable cleaning mitten for wearing over the hand when performing hygienic care. The mitten can be used to cleanse, bathe and refresh the skin of a disabled individual, baby, elderly person or oneself, and includes a finger portion to house the fingers and a separate thumb portion for the thumb. Both the exterior and the interior surfaces are intended for use as a cleaning surface. Tear lines or perforations allow the mitten to be converted into a single, elongated sheet, or two separate sheets, so that all sides of the sheet or sheets can be used for cleaning. The mitten can be sized so that the user can wear a latex or surgical glove beneath the mitten so that dirt or other soiled materials do not touch the skin of the hand. The mitten has a grasping means at its open end for grasping to pull the body onto the hand and to tear the body along the tear lines. |