| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07695466B2 |
Stylet free flexible-tip epidural catheter and method of making
The distal end of a flexible tip epidural catheter is stiffened by the insertion of a stress oriented plastic tubular section into the end of the interior of the catheter removed from a terminal flexible tip and then expanded into contact with the wall of the interior of the catheter interior to stiffen a section approximately the length of an epidural needle in which it is to be used. |
| US07695463B2 |
Disposable absorbent article having dual layer barrier cuff strips
A disposable absorbent article includes two laterally opposing longitudinally extending barrier cuff strips attached to an absorbent assembly in laterally opposing attachment zones. Each barrier cuff strip includes an upper layer and a lower layer at least between its proximal edge and the attachment zones. A longitudinally extending elastic gathering member is attached to each barrier cuff strip adjacent to its proximal edge. When the article is worn, the elastic gathering members contract and raise the barrier cuff strips to form side barriers. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. A portion of the absorbent assembly such as the portion that lies between the barrier cuff strip attachment zones may be extensible and may include a water-impermeable layer. The laterally opposing attachment zones may act as dams preventing a lateral flow of liquid bodily waste. |
| US07695461B2 |
Drapeable sanitary absorbent napkin
An absorbent article including a cover layer, a barrier layer and an absorbent system arranged between the cover layer and the barrier layer, the absorbent article being drapeable and possessing the absorbency attributes required of a sanitary napkin. |
| US07695459B2 |
Nasogastric tube insertion system and method
A nasogastric tube insertion system comprises a nasogastric tube, a guide element, and an inserter element. The inserter element has a slim, elongate main body, a handle attached to the body, and an anatomically curved insertion section. The guide element comprises a swallowable weight attached to a cord, string, monofilament line, or other similar line. The nasogastric tube comprises a tube having one or more interior bores or lumina and a guide element capture structure. In use, the swallowable weight is placed onto the end of the inserter element. The inserter element is inserted through the patient's nasal passages and optionally into the oropharynx. The weight is released and the patient swallows it into the stomach. The guide element is threaded through the guide element retaining structure, and the nasogastric tube is safely inserted along the guide element into the patient's stomach. The tube and guide element are removed together when no longer needed. |
| US07695457B2 |
Syringe barrel with roughened surface
Since this syringe has projections provided on the rear surface of a flange of a syringe barrel, when it is inserted in an insertion groove of a cylinder holder, the tips of projections are compressed and the flange is fixed. Consequently, even when a solution having high viscosity is injected at higher pressure, breakage does not occur easily. Further, pressure-receiving area may also be increased by providing a guide defining mounting direction of a syringe, alternatively, a positioning mechanism may be provided so as to obtain mounting at a correct position, or the surface of a flange may be roughened. |
| US07695454B2 |
Fixed dose medication dispensing device
A guide and follower cooperate to promote a user moving the driver relative to the housing along a travel path that operates the apparatus. The cooperating elements of the nut and the driver are disengaged when the driver is disposed in a reset segment of the travel path, and the cooperating elements of the nut and the driver become engaged when the driver is shifted through a nut engaging segment of the travel path from the reset segment to a nut rotating segment of the travel path. The engagement of the cooperating elements of the nut and the driver cause the nut to screw proximally along the threaded shaft of the drive member when the driver is shifted through the nut rotating segment from the nut engaging segment to an injecting section of the travel path. When the driver is shifted through the injecting section from the nut rotating segment to the reset segment, the nut and the drive member are shifted in the distal direction to axially advance a fluid container piston to dispense medicine, and the cooperating elements of the nut and the driver become disengaged. |
| US07695449B2 |
Automatic syringe
A liquid-powder drug prompt-mixing type automatic syringe includes an injecting assembly, a drug-mixing assembly and a shooting device. The injecting assembly includes an injecting outer sleeve, in which the mouth of a blocking ampoule is slidably socketed, a needle is coaxially connected to the blocking ampoule by a hub; the drug-mixing assembly includes a drug-mixing outer sleeve, in which a precharging pressure menstruum bottle by a drug-mixing needle bracket; the shooting device includes a shooting outer sleeve and a spring pushing rod mechanism slidably socketed in the shooting outer sleeve a movable joining mechanism allows the injecting assembly to alternatively connect the drug-mixing assembly and the shooting device respectively. A liquid drug automatic syringe includes said injecting assembly and the shooting device. |
| US07695447B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining that a surgical fluid container is near empty
An apparatus and method of determining when a container holding surgical fluid to be provided to a surgical handpiece, such as a liquefracture handpiece, is nearly exhausted is disclosed. |
| US07695441B2 |
Automated diagnostic hearing test
Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, tympanogram, acoustic reflex, and otoacoustic emissions testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance. |
| US07695435B2 |
System and method for tagging and detecting surgical implements
A system and method for detecting a surgical implement retained within a surgically exposed human body cavity, includes a tag adapted to be attached to a surgical implement insertable within a human body cavity, including a means for receiving an electromagnetic signal and converting it into electric signal; and a means to impress said electric signal on the internal human (or an animal) body where said medical product is used; and means to transmit said electromagnetic signal; and a detecting means including reception means for receiving the electric signal from the body and a detector means connected to the reception means for detecting the electric signal. The envelope of the induced RF wave is demodulated, thus allowing the voltage at the output to vary at a significantly lower frequency. In the event such pulses are sensed, a sensory alert is actuated. |
| US07695433B2 |
Laryngoscope with disposable blade cover
A laryngoscope for use with a disposable blade cover is provided. The laryngoscope comprises a handle and a blade. The laryngoscope further comprises an actuator system for selectively securing the disposable blade cover about at least a portion of the blade. |
| US07695430B2 |
Reverse current controlling electrode with oversize backing
A medical electrode includes a moderately conductive flexible member having a top side and a bottom side with a connector and contact with a flexible member top side for establishing electrical contact with an external apparatus. An oversize non-conductive flexible sheet covers the conductive flexible member top and the connector and a highly conductive ink pattern is disposed on a conductive flexible member bottom side. A moderately high conductive hydrogel adhesive disposed on the conductive flexible member bottom side and covering the conductive ink pattern is provided for adhering the electrode to a patient's skin. |
| US07695429B2 |
Endoscope connector device, endoscope cable lead-out unit and endoscope device
An endoscope connector device comprises: a first cable of an endoscope, including a light guide for supplying illumination light and an electric wire for obtaining video signals from an image pickup device; a light guide connector connected to the first cable; and a second cable of the endoscope, including the electric wire led out of the light guide connector, wherein the second cable is attached diagonally from the light guide connector at an angle θ within a range of 0°<θ<90° from a first cable side of an axial direction of the first cable. |
| US07695418B2 |
Exercise bench assemblies having wheels with integral brakes
Exercise bench assemblies having wheels with integral brakes that automatically engage and disengage during use of the bench assembly are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exercise bench assembly includes a support portion, and a frame assembly coupled to the support portion. A wheel assembly is coupled to the frame assembly and includes at least one wheel configured to rollably engage a support surface, and a braking device operatively associated with the at least one wheel. The braking device is configured to engage the at least one wheel to prevent the at least one wheel from rolling on the support surface when a user's weight is applied to the support portion, and to disengage from the at least one wheel to allow the at least one wheel to roll on the support surface when the weight of the user is removed from the support portion. |
| US07695416B2 |
Device and method for knee joint rehabilitation
A device for increasing the range of motion of a patient's knee joint generally includes a frame, a lever member pivotally coupled to the frame at a first location, and an actuator pivotally coupled to the frame at a second location. The frame supports the patient in a manner that allows motion of the patient's knee joint, and the lever member bears against a portion of the patient's body below the knee joint. The actuator is also pivotally coupled to the lever member. When operated by a controller, the actuator generates a translational input that rotates the lever member relative to the frame and thereby stretches the patient's knee joint in a desired direction. |
| US07695415B2 |
Trunk rotation
This trunk rotation device uses dynamic movement of one's body such as, shoulder, hip, knee, back, thigh, and abdominal musculature. The device provides a method for exercising the spinal column and the muscles of the torso, including those in the abdominal lumbar and thoracic regions involving rotational torque. In a preferred embodiment, the device is a golf exercise and flexibility apparatus. The golf exercise apparatus provides resistance to a golfer during a golf swing to strengthen and condition the muscles of the axial skeleton of the golfer in a functional posture. |
| US07695412B2 |
Portable attachment device and method for comfort and support
The present invention provides a system and a method for a portable attachment device. The portable attachment device includes a narrow attachment end, a wide wrap end, a fastening means on the narrow attachment end, a fastening means on the wide wrap end, and padding located within the wide wrap end. The portable attachment device is attachable to a first item by wrapping the narrow attachment end around a portion of the first item and attaching the narrow attachment end to a portion of the wide wrap end, securing the portable attachment device to the item. The first item is then attachable to a second item by wrapping the wide wrap end of the attachment device around the second item. In one embodiment the portable attachment device is used to secure the leg and calf of a wearer to a construction stilt, securely and comfortably holding the leg in place. |
| US07695411B2 |
Multimotion exercise apparatus and method
A multimotion exercise bicycle capable of providing a cardiovascular exercise simultaneously with an upper body weight training exercise. The cardiovascular exercise is accomplished by a pedaling movement connected to a resistance means. The upper body exercise is accomplished by a pushing or a pulling movement of a handlebar and arm setup connected to a disk which is further connected to a cable attached to a weight bearing platform. The weight of the user provides the resistance for the upper body movement. The difficulty level of the upper body movement is adjustable by changing the location of the handlebars relative to the disk and by changing where the cable attaches to the disk. As the user performs these exercises simultaneously, the invention allows the user to burn more calories and reduce work-out time in half. |
| US07695407B2 |
Exercise apparatus
An exercise apparatus having a body including a top surface configured for being stood on by a user, a bottom surface configured for partially resting on a ground surface, a pair of oppositely located side surfaces, a front portion curving in a direction away from the ground, and a back portion oppositely located from the front portion and curving in a direction away from the ground, wherein the bottom surface is configured for enabling rotational and lateral movement of the apparatus relative to the ground. |
| US07695406B2 |
User interactive exercise system
System and method for interactive video game fitness equipment. Fitness hardware (e.g., an exercise bicycle, a stair machine, treadmill, elliptical trainer, rotary climbing wall, or other fitness equipment) interacts with a video game, optionally via various devices, e.g., a PC, gaming console, or other hardware and/or software device or system capable of implementing an interactive application), for an immersive hybrid exercise/game user experience. |
| US07695405B2 |
Shift shock reducing apparatus for power train
A shift shock reducing apparatus for a power train having an engine and an automatic transmission having a frictional element that is to be engaged at upshift, comprising a control section that executes, during upshift, a torque down of the engine that starts before the start of an inertia phase in which a gear ratio of the transmission is changing from a before-shift gear ratio to an after-shift gear ratio, and a control section that makes larger a rising gradient of working oil pressure that is supplied to the frictional element to be engaged at upshift when the torque down that starts before the start of the inertia phase is executed than that when the torque down is not executed. |
| US07695403B2 |
Split serial-parallel hybrid dual-power drive system
A split serial-parallel hybrid dual-power drive system, comprised of two or more than two separation drive systems allowing independent operation to respectively drive the load, or all loads driven individually are incorporated in a common frame to drive land, surface, underwater transportation means or aircraft, industrial machines and equipment or any other load drive by rotational kinetic energy. |
| US07695400B2 |
Speed-limiting accessory drive system and method of controlling speed of a driven accessory
A speed-limiting accessory drive system is provided that limits the speed range over which an engine-driven accessory operates while maintaining the operating speed range of the engine. A torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engagable to operatively connect the engine and the accessory. A controller is configured to maintain the torque-transmitting mechanism in an engaged state only when monitored engine speed is within a predetermined speed range and to control a drive motor to drive the driven accessory when the monitored engine speed is not within the predetermined range. A method of controlling the speed of at least one driven accessory, which may be carried out using the speed-limiting accessory drive system, is also provided. |
| US07695398B2 |
9-speed transmission
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets, six torque-transmitting devices, and three fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. |
| US07695394B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. |
| US07695390B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A transmission is disclosed having a planetary gear set with three input torque-transmitting mechanisms, such as friction clutches, to achieve torque flow through the planetary gear set to a countershaft gearing arrangement. The transmission includes an input member, an output member, a planetary gear set, a first, second and third torque-transmitting mechanisms and a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement is operatively connected with the planetary gear set and includes: a plurality of sets of co-planar intermeshing gears, a first intermediate shaft, a second intermediate shaft concentric with the first intermediate shaft, and a third intermediate shaft concentric with the second intermediate shaft. |
| US07695387B2 |
Power output apparatus and hybrid vehicle equipped with power output apparatus
A hybrid vehicle 20 of the invention is equipped with a power distribution integration mechanism 40 and a transmission 60. The power distribution integration mechanism 40 includes a carrier 45 connecting with a motor MG2, a sun gear 41 connecting with a motor MG1, and a ring gear 42 connecting with an engine 22. The transmission 60 includes a first change speed planetary gear mechanism PG1, a second change speed planetary gear mechanism PG2, a brake clutch BC1 configured to fix a ring gear 62 of the first change speed planetary gear mechanism PG1 in a non-rotatable manner and release the ring gear 62 in a rotatable manner and to couple the ring gear 62 with a common carrier 64 shared by the first change speed planetary gear mechanism PG1 and the second change speed planetary gear mechanism PG2, and a second brake clutch BC2 configured to fix a ring gear 66 of the second change speed planetary gear mechanism PG2 in a non-rotatable manner and release the ring gear 66 in a rotatable manner and to couple the ring gear 66 with the common carrier 64. |
| US07695385B2 |
Belt roller device
Belt roller device, comprising a pulley, a rolling bearing, a protective end-plate, a screw immobilized axially relative to the rolling bearing, and a retaining element mounted on a stem of the screw and forming an axial stop for the protective end-plate, the said protective end-plate being designed to come to bear against a radial face of the inner race of the rolling bearing. |
| US07695382B2 |
Reinforced lacrosse head
A reinforced lacrosse head having improved strength includes a pair of opposing sidewall portions each having a top end and a bottom end, a scoop portion extending between the sidewall portions, a base portion extending between the bottom ends of the sidewall portions, and a throat portion extending from the base portion for attachment to a lacrosse handle. This reinforced lacrosse head has one or more reinforcement members that are coupled to one or more portions of the lacrosse head. |
| US07695380B2 |
Golf ball
The present invention provides a golf ball having markings that are superior in luster, durability and weather resistance. The present invention relates to a golf ball having a marking formed by applying an ink composition on the surface thereof, wherein the ink composition has metal powder coated with a resin on the surface thereof and a pigment as essential components. |
| US07695377B2 |
Golf club head
The present invention provides a golf club head that can hit a ball with a sufficiently large amount of backspin. The golf club head according to the present invention is an iron type golf club head made of a metal and including a flat face. A plurality of traces are formed by milling on the face. The pitch of the traces is between 0.1 mm and 1 mm. |
| US07695376B2 |
Golf club moveable disc shaft angle adjustment technology
Technology that allows the angle of the shaft of a golf club to adjust in small increments. The front of the club head consists of a round opening that accepts a corresponding thin round member which can be rotated to a number of positions. The round opening also accepts a corresponding round member on the end of the shaft. This round member slides into the round opening in the front of the club head after the thin round member is seated firmly. A protrusion on the round shaft member will insert into one of the many divots on the opposing face of the thin round member, resulting in an allowable shaft angle. |
| US07695375B2 |
Golf club shaft angle adjustment technology
A front of the club head consists of a round opening that accepts a corresponding round member on the end of the shaft. The face of the club inside the round opening on the club head as well as the face of the shaft member that opposes the face of the club inside the round opening on the club head includes half-spherical divots. Opposing divots are positioned in-line when the shaft is at an allowable angle. A ball bearing inserts into the in-line divots prior to sliding the shaft member into the club head opening to prevent movement when tightened. Inside the club head round opening is a smaller round opening that extends through the back of the club head. The round member on the end of the shaft has an attached threaded post that inserts into the smaller round opening on the club head. |
| US07695372B2 |
Yoke for universal joint and universal joint
A yoke for universal joint includes a cylindrical base, and a pair of arms extending from an end of the base in parallel to a center axis of the base. Each of the arms is formed with a support hole for supporting a corresponding trunnion of a cross shaft via a bearing. The support hole of each arm has a center axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the center axis of the base. A relief portion including a concave curved surface is formed at the end of the base. The concave curved surface of the relief portion has a center of curvature located at place offset from a center of a joint 1 toward a distal end of the arm. |
| US07695371B2 |
Constant velocity joint
A constant velocity joint, where the tilt angle of a first trunnion relative to a plane crossing perpendicularly to the axis of a second shaft is set to be different from the tilt angle of a second trunnion and the tilt angle of a third trunnion. The tilt angle of the second trunnion and the tilt angle of the third trunnion are set to be equal to or different from each other, and three axes of the first to third trunnions are set to be included on a same plane. |
| US07695370B2 |
Massively scalable multi-player game system
A network-based game system includes one or more web servers each configured to receive a plurality of requests from one or more game client applications each running on a computer device and to produce data base queries in accordance with the plurality of requests, a plurality of data bases configured to store game information that can be retrieved in response to the data base queries, and a connection pool server in communication with the one or more web servers and the plurality of data bases. The connection pool server is configured to direct one of the data base queries to one of the plurality of data bases on which the game information related to the data base query is stored. |
| US07695369B2 |
Systems and methods for accessing online content during online gaming
Systems and methods for accessing online content during online gaming are disclosed. In one embodiment, online gamers are able to access available online music content while in-game. Player-selected music content may be played and incorporated directly into the online RPG/MMORPG gaming experience. Players desiring to access additional music content to be played while in-game may be directed to a third-party server, from which the desired music content may be selected and/or downloaded. The selected music content may then replace the generic background music to which all other players are limited. |
| US07695367B2 |
Storage medium having game program stored thereon and game apparatus
A predetermined action is performed between a player object and another object positioned in a first determination range when a player designates said another object by controlling a pointing device. On the other hand, when the player performs an operation so as to designate said another object positioned outside the first determination range, a position of the player object is updated based on the designated position. |
| US07695361B2 |
Prize assignment method and program product for bingo-type games
A pattern probability (302) is determined for each of a number of target patterns (301) achievable in a bingo-type game. Each pattern probability (302) comprises a probability of achieving the respective target pattern (301) in the bingo-type game. Different pattern sets are then associated with each different prize level in a desired prize distribution. The target patterns (301) and their respective pattern probabilities (302) are assigned or mapped to the different pattern sets so that the probability of achieving any target pattern included in a pattern set comprises a value approximating the desired probability of the prize level with which the pattern set is associated. |
| US07695359B2 |
“Buy a peek” gaming methods and devices
The present invention provides methods and devices for providing wagering games. A player pays an initial price to play a wagering game according to normal game rules. Game information that would normally be concealed from the player is offered for an additional price. In some implementations, the wagering game is a poker game and the game information is draw card information. The additional price may increase according to the amount of game information provided. In some implementations, a paytable percentage for the wagering game decreases according to the amount of game information provided. |
| US07695358B2 |
Method and apparatus for team play of slot machines
A method of operating slot machines permits a machine to be identified as available for team play. Upon being identified for team play, the machine is grouped with other slot machines and subject to bonus conditions dependent on the team play. Bonus conditions typically including selected bonus outcomes and a bonus time period, during which bonus time period all outcomes of the grouped machines are monitored to determine the total bonus outcomes. If the total bonus outcomes of the team meet the bonus conditions within the bonus time period, then a bonus payout is awarded to all of the players. Players are thus encouraged to participate in a social, team environment with others of the team to win the group bonus. The invention is applicable to all slot machines, including video poker machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected video poker hand ranks, and reeled slot machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected reel outcomes. |
| US07695355B2 |
Integrated housing for fan and alternate flow check valve
A single housing is utilized to mount both an internal fan, and an external alternate flow passage closed by a check valve. The alternate flow passage is defined between an inner and outer wall of the single housing, while the fan is mounted within the inner wall. |
| US07695352B2 |
Tool-mounting attachment
The invention discloses a tool having a work plate which has a mounting area with a mounting opening for mounting the plate on a drive shaft of a drive, preferably an oscillatory drive, the mounting opening being suitably configured for being seated on the drive shaft, wherein centering elements, projecting toward the drive shaft, are provided for centering the tool on the drive shaft. |
| US07695350B2 |
Apparatus for supplying constant amount of abrasives
An apparatus for supplying a constant amount of abrasives that can accurately control the amount of the abrasives to be supplied to a blasting machine is provided. A horizontally rotating disc 20 is provided in an abrasive tank 10 so as to be embedded in the abrasives. An opening at one end 11a of an abrasive transport path 11 is formed so as to be close to or in contact with one surface of the disc 20, an opening at one end 12a of a supply channel 12 for transport air flow is formed so as to be close to or in contact with the other surface of the disc 20, and an abrasive retrieve section 5 is formed between the both openings. Furthermore, measuring holes 21 penetrating the disc 20 in the thickness direction are formed at regular intervals along a rotation orbit of the disc 20 passing through the retrieve section 5, and an introduction path 17 for compressed gas which is ejected to the abrasives disposed above the measuring holes 21 and outside the retrieve section 5 is provided. |
| US07695349B2 |
Apparatus for supplying constant quantity of abrasive
To provide an apparatus for supplying a constant quantity of abrasive that can accurately control abrasive quantity supplied to a blasting machine.A rotating disk 20 that rotates in the horizontal direction is provided inside an abrasive tank 10, with a gap 3 being capable to rotate the rotating disk 20, being formed at an end 11a of a mixed fluid flow path 11 arranged on one surface of the rotating disk 20, and at an end 12a of a gas flow path 12 arranged facing other surface of the rotating disk 20 via the rotating disk 20 at the end 11a of the mixed fluid flow path 11. Hole sections 21 are provided in the rotating disk 20 on a rotation locus passing through the gap 3, equally spaced and passing through in a thickness direction of the rotating disk 20, with stirrer blades 22 protruding from the upper surface of the rotating disk 20, and the rotating disk 20 being immersed in abrasive stored inside the abrasive tank 10, except for a part positioned in the gap 3. |
| US07695348B2 |
Abrasive-recovery mechanism in blasting machine
A bottom wall surface of a blasting chamber of a blasting machine provided with hoppers for recovering an abrasive is formed at a lowest possible position. A cabinet 3 of a blasting machine 1 is compartmentalized at a predetermined position into an upper space and a lower space by mesh members (21, 22) that allow the abrasive to pass therethrough to form a blasting chamber 2 having a bottom wall surface 20 defined by the mesh members (21, 22). Hoppers 10 substantially shaped like an inverted quadrangular pyramid are disposed below the mesh members (21, 22) such that top portions of the hoppers 10 are opened toward the mesh members (21, 22) and that the bottom end of each of the hoppers 10 is made to communicate with suction means, such as a dust collector, through a recovery pipe 30. |
| US07695345B2 |
Polishing compound for semiconductor integrated circuit device, polishing method and method for producing semiconductor integrated circuit device
To provide a technique employed when a plane to be polished of a silicon dioxide type material layer is polished in production of a semiconductor integrated circuit device, which is capable of polishing protruded portions by priority while suppressing polishing at recessed portions and planarizing the plane to be polished at a high level with an extremely small polishing amount, with small pattern dependence of the polishing rate. In production of a semiconductor integrated circuit device, when a plane to be polished is a plane to be polished of a silicon dioxide type material layer, a polishing compound containing cerium oxide particles, a water-soluble polyamine and water is used as a polishing compound for chemical mechanical polishing to polish the plane to be polished. |
| US07695342B1 |
Realistic grasping and standing movements in mechanical toys
An electro-mechanical character or figure such as a toy animal that can replicate realistic grasping and standing positions of animals and other creatures while they are supported on a surface as well as when they are perched on a bar or other supporting elements by coordinating the positioning and movement of specific body parts. To this end it is regarded that through observation of live animals, the mechanism can be seen to exhibit a grasping action around a perch to achieve a fully supported free-standing position. Birds in particular can readily be shown to exhibit a grasping action in their talons. The grasping members and support members include a front portion and a rear portion that facilitate a pivoting action on a center portion to a closed position when grasping and an open position when standing. |
| US07695337B2 |
Organic light-emitting diode and method of fabricating the same
An organic light-emitting diode and method of fabricating the same. The organic light-emitting diode includes a first substrate, a first electrode installed on an inner surface of the first substrate, an organic light-emitting layer installed on the first electrode, a second electrode installed on the organic light-emitting layer, an oxide layer formed on the second electrode, and a second substrate bound to the inner surface of the first substrate to form an airtight space. |
| US07695335B2 |
Marine locator device
A marine locator device including: a light section including a visible light emitter and an infrared light emitter; a communication device operable to broadcast an information signal; a controller operable to communicate with and control the light section and the communication device; a power supply electrically connected with the light section, the communication device, positioning system, and a controller; and a positioning system configured to determine geographic coordinates of the device, wherein the controller is operable to communicate with and control the positioning system and to incorporate the geographic coordinates into the information signal. |
| US07695331B2 |
Electrical contact assembly including a sleeve member
A low cost crimpable and sealable contact assembly including a contact member and a tubular sleeve member. The contact member is capable of being manually continuity crimped to a tip of an electrically conductive core of an electrically insulated wire. The tubular sleeve member is then deformed to hermetically seal it to the insulation on the wire, and the contact member. The hermetic seal protects the core from corrosion. This hermetic seal is particularly important where the core comprises aluminum. Separating the crimping and sealing into separate operations permits them to be performed manually. The sleeve member may be comprised of polymeric material, or it may be metallic. The metallic embodiments may be mechanically or electromagnetically deformed. The polymeric sleeve members may, in addition, be heat shrunk. |
| US07695327B2 |
Contact element
The invention relates to a contact element for printed circuit boards, comprising a terminal body that has an insertion opening for the insertion of a conductor and a screw for the fastening by clamping of the conductor within the terminal body. A seating element with a seating surface is detachably fastenable by a fastening element to the contact element. The seating surface has a surface area that is greater than the cross-sectional surface area of the terminal body. |
| US07695324B2 |
Stacked terminal block arrangement with connector means
A connector arrangement connects the contacts of a stack of terminal blocks, including a first conductive bridge extending longitudinally of a given terminal block for selectively connecting together the contacts thereof, and a second laterally-extending conductive bridge for connecting together corresponding contacts of various selected terminal blocks of the stack. The terminal blocks are mounted in parallel vertical orientation on an orthogonally arranged horizontal mounting rail. Vertical branch lines extend upwardly from a plurality of horizontal vertically-spaced bus bar members contained in each of the terminal blocks, and intermediate branch lines connected with the upper ends of the vertical branch lines contain offset tiered first and second contact areas. Resilient fingers on the longitudinal and lateral conductive bridges extend into and electrically engage openings contained in the first and second contact areas, respectively. |
| US07695322B2 |
Coaxial connector
A subminiature coaxial connector including a matched impedance plug and jack for coupling printed circuit boards, RF modules, coaxial cables, and the like, and minimizing RF or microwave signal losses and/or degradations. The plug and jack each comprises a coaxial structure including an outer tubular conductor and a center contact held in place by a dielectric sleeve within the outer tubular conductor. The geometries of these elements are such that when the plug and jack are fully joined, the elements are coextensive and butt-mated, without steps, gaps, or other discontinuities. By combining structural functions into the electrical conductors, the present invention allows for fewer parts and shorter mating distances than is available in the prior art. Despite the small Size 20 connectors that are achievable with the present invention, low voltage standing wave ratios (VSWR's) can still be observed through 67 GHz, with theoretical cutoff frequencies in excess of 100 GHz. |
| US07695320B2 |
Shield shell
The shield shell is formed of a shield shell main body, a shield shell auxiliary member and a fixing member. The shield shell main body is made of die-cast aluminum. The shield shell auxiliary member is formed by pressing a steel plate, and has a surface plated with gold. The fixing member has a ring shape, which is formed by pressing a steel plate. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a shield shell that can be manufactured at a low cost, that can improve reliability of the shielding effect, and that can improve assembling workability of the shielded wire. |
| US07695316B2 |
Electrical connector assembly
An electrical connector assembly includes a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, and a connecting member. The first electrical connector includes an insulative main body with a receiving recess defined therein. The second electrical connector includes an insulative main body with a receiving recess defined therein. The connecting member is slidably engaged in the receiving recess of the first electrical connector and is configured for being slidably engaged in the receiving recesses of the first and second connectors simultaneously, thereby combining the first and second connectors together. |
| US07695314B2 |
Connector module
A connector module that is mounted on a motherboard and is configured to realize connection between a cable side connector and the motherboard is disclosed. The connector module includes a printed circuit board, plural substrate side connectors that are mounted on the front surface of the printed circuit board and arranged into plural rows with differing heights, and a mounting connector that is mounted on the rear surface of the printed circuit board. At least one of the substrate side connectors is connected to the cable side connector. The mounting connector is engaged with and connected to a motherboard side connector that is mounted on the motherboard. The printed circuit board includes a pattern that is configured to realize electrical connection between the substrate side connectors and the mounting connector. |
| US07695313B2 |
Electrical enclosure, and panel assembly and mounting assembly therefor
A mounting assembly includes a DIN rail for removably securing a number of electrical switching apparatus such as, for example circuit breakers, to a panel member of an electrical enclosure. First and second mounting members extend outwardly from first and second ends, respectively, of the DIN rail. Each mounting member has at least one lateral protrusion. The first and second mounting members are, for example, a number of first resilient legs and a number of second resilient legs, respectively, each of which is structured to bias a corresponding one of the lateral protrusions into engagement with one of the coupling elements of the panel member. The DIN rail, the number of first resilient legs, and the number of second resilient legs are structured to removably secure the circuit breakers to the panel member of the electrical enclosure, without requiring a number of separate fasteners. |
| US07695309B2 |
Sensor strip for a connectivity management system
A network panel includes a panel having a plurality of openings and interconnect modules received in the openings. Each interconnect module has a mating face and a plurality of receptacle jacks. Each receptacle jack has an opening at the mating face defining a port configured to receive a plug of a patch cord having the sensing probes. The network panel also includes a sensor strip having one or more headers and one or more flexible circuits interconnecting a plurality of rigid circuit boards with the header. Each of the circuit boards have contact pads and the sensor strip is mounted to at least one of the panel and the interconnect modules such that the contact pads are aligned with respective receptacle jacks. The contact pads are configured to interface with sensing probes when the plug is mated with the receptacle jacks. |
| US07695304B2 |
Electrical connector with latching member
An electrical connector includes an insulating housing having a front frame and a rear frame engaged with the front frame. The front frame defines at least two receiving grooves at a top portion and a bottom portion thereof respectively. The rear frame defines at least one fixing groove passing through a front portion thereof. At least one latch member has a hollowed bearing portion extending from both distal ends thereof to form two resilient arms. The bearing portion and the resilient arms are received in the fixing groove of the rear frame. A tip end of each resilient arm extending into the corresponding receiving groove protrudes to form a limiting portion which is exposed out of the receiving groove of the front frame, and a plurality of terminals is disposed in the insulating housing respectively. |
| US07695302B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical plug connector including two mating connectors. A first plug section includes a receiving sleeve which encircles the first coupling section and which carries a locking element which includes flexible tabs movable between a locking position and an unlocking position and which are pre-stressed in its locking position. Held displaceably on the receiving sleeve is a sliding or release sleeve which may be manually moved axially to engage the locking element and release the mating connector. The second plug section has a plug tube which surrounds the second coupling section. When the plug tube is inserted in the receiving sleeve, the locking element rests on the outside of the plug tube in its locking position whereby the plug sections are connected. The connectors can be released by actuating the sliding sleeve to move the locking element into its unlocking position. |
| US07695298B2 |
Hinged module coupling with integrated cable connection
A hinge includes a first housing, a second housing mechanically coupled to the first housing, a cam connected to one of the first housing and the second housing, a first connector mechanically coupled to the first housing, a second connector, and a cable coupled to the first connector and the second connector. |
| US07695295B2 |
Flat circuit connector
An electrical connector is provided for mounting on a printed circuit board and for terminating a flat electrical circuit. The connector includes a dielectric housing for mounting on a printed circuit board and having an opening at a front portion thereof for receiving an end of the flat circuit. A mounting slot is provided at the front portion of the housing. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing and are spaced along the opening. A grounding retention member is mounted at the front of the housing and includes a locking portion, a grounding portion and a terminal portion. The locking portion is insertable into the mounting slot at the front portion of the housing. The grounding portion secures the connector to a ground circuit on the printed circuit board. The terminal portion engages a ground conductor on the flat circuit inserted into the opening at the front of the housing. |
| US07695294B2 |
Adjustable plug
An adjustable plug includes a main body, a connecting end, and an adjustable end sleeve. The adjustable end sleeve is slidably positioned on the main body. The connecting end protrudes from the main body. The connecting end extends through the adjustable end sleeve, and protrudes out of the adjustable end sleeve. |
| US07695291B2 |
Fully insulated fuse test and ground device
A fuse test and ground device includes an insulated housing with a bore that extends from the front of the housing towards the rear of the housing. An electrical contact is disposed partially within the bore. A current interrupter, such as a fuse, is electrically connected between the contact and a testing ground lead. An eye, having it's surface insulated by the housing, can be attached to the housing and provide a connection point for manipulation of the device. A grounding bore extends from a second aperture into the housing and provides an electrical connection to the contact. A grounding plug can be connected to ground on one end and inserted into the grounding bore to create a permanent ground for the device. An annunciator is connected to the current interrupter such that the annunciator provides an indication when a current flows through the current interrupter. |
| US07695290B2 |
Board connector
A board connector (1) has a housing (10) and terminal fittings (20) penetrate through the back wall (11) of the housing (10). A board connecting portion (21) of each terminal fitting (20) penetrates through the back wall (11) and is solder-connected to a board (2). The housing (10) has a heat transfer inhibiting portion for inhibiting heat transfer to the back wall (11). The heat transfer inhibiting portion has a through-hole (13) or heat-insulating grooves (17) in the back wall (11). As a result, heat transfer to the back wall (11) is inhibited and deformation of the back wall (11) due to thermal expansion also is inhibited. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the terminal fittings (20) from separating from the board (2) and going into a state of being not solder-connected thereto. |
| US07695289B1 |
Connector
A connector includes a housing and a contact. The contact includes a first part including a first terminal part and a first connection part; a second part including a second terminal part and a second connection part, and a third part including an elastic part having a first end and a second end connected to the first part and the second part, respectively. The first connection part and the second connection part face each other across a gap. The second terminal part is configured to come into press contact with an electrode in response to fixation of the housing to a board. The third part is configured to elastically deform in response to attachment of a plug to the housing and/or the fixation of the housing to the board, so as to cause the first connection part and the second connection part to come into contact and be electrically connected. |
| US07695288B2 |
Land grid array (LGA) socket with cells and method of fabrication and assembly
An LGA socket assembly comprising individual sockets cells, the methods of fabricating and assembling the socket cells into a socket assembly. In an embodiment of the invention, each socket cell comprises an insulative body and a wire. The insulative body is formed around the wire. A first portion of the wire extends from the top surface of the insulative body to form contact tip. A second portion of the wire extends from the bottom surface of the insulative body to form contact paddle. Socket cells are aligned to form a socket assembly. |
| US07695286B2 |
Semiconductor electromechanical contact
A compliant electrical contact assembly for interconnecting a lead or terminal of an integrated circuit having two cantilever beams positioned within a slot in a housing arranged such that a portion of the beams slide along a portion of one another and within the housing as the beams are deformed elastically in order to allow more travel and compliance without yielding or totally deforming the beam. The sliding action during deformation effectively multiplies the total compliance in the assembly above and beyond the compliance otherwise available to elastic compression of the cantilever beams. |
| US07695283B2 |
Visual arithmetic teaching device
An educational device is provided which can be used to teach arithmetic. The educational device comprises a track having a scale on an outer surface of said track. The scale is comprised of a plurality of evenly spaced apart unit markings, the markings being spaced apart by a unit length. Blocks are provided which are slidingly received on the track. Each block has a length based on the unit length, and indicium is provided on the each block to identify the length of the block in unit lengths. When a set of blocks is positioned on the track, the end of the last block will line up with a unit marking on the scale representing the overall length of the set of blocks in “units”, and hence showing the sum of the lengths of the set of blocks placed on the track. By adding and removing blocks to the track, addition and subtraction “facts” can be visually taught. |
| US07695281B2 |
Method and system for designing a dental replacement
The present invention relates to the production of dental replacement using a CAD system. In particular, the present invention relates to the design of the three-dimensional shape of a dental prosthesis, which has, for example, two prosthesis sections and a connector section, the connector section being connected to the two prosthesis sections. |
| US07695278B2 |
Method and system for finding tooth features on a virtual three-dimensional model
A method and system are disclosed for finding virtual tooth features on virtual three-dimensional models of the teeth of patients. The tooth features comprise marginal ridges, cusp tips, contact points, central groove and buccal groove. Tooth axes system plays a key role in identifying the tooth features. An iterative method is disclosed for improving the accuracy of the tooth axes system. A virtual three-dimension model preferably obtained by scanning the dentition of a patient forms the basis for determining the tooth features. Tooth features are derived for all categories of teeth including molars, premolars, canines and front teeth. Tooth features are very helpful and used in planning orthodontic treatment. The tooth features are determined automatically using the computerized techniques; and can be manually adjusted when necessary. |
| US07695275B2 |
Air:fluid distribution system and method
A valve assembly including a block forming a bore. An air inlet opening is in communication with the bore, and provides a volume of air into the bore. The bore provides communication between the air inlet opening and at least one air outlet passage. A fuel inlet opening is in communication with the bore, and provides a volume of fuel into the bore. The bore provides communication between the fuel inlet opening and at least one fuel outlet passage. A pintle is slidably positionable within the bore to control the volume of air directed out of the bore through the air outlet passage and the volume of fuel directed out of the bore through the fuel outlet passage. |
| US07695273B2 |
Lockout algorithm for a furnace including a pollutant sensor
A furnace system responsive to a thermostat includes a pollutant sensor for sensing a pollutant concentration in the furnace system. The pollutant sensor is configured to open when the pollutant concentration reaches a pollutant threshold and close when the pollutant concentration falls below the pollutant threshold. When the thermostat is calling for heat, a furnace controller monitors the pollutant sensor and disables the furnace system for a lockout period if a lockout criterion related to the pollutant sensor is met. |
| US07695269B2 |
Apparatus and method for in-mold degating
An apparatus and method for degating is provided for separating excess molding material from encapsulated electronic packages while the electronic packages are located in a molding system. At least one holding device is coupled to a mold of the molding system, which is located such that excess molding material is molded onto at least a portion of the holding device during molding. A locking feature on the portion of the holding device locks the excess molding material such that the holding device may hold the excess molding material molded onto it to forcibly separate the excess molding material from the encapsulated electronic packages after molding. |
| US07695267B2 |
Rib forming apparatus and method
A rib forming apparatus has an elongated support table, a supply of thermoplastic sheet material over the table, a transporting means having at least two transverse carriages mounted on the table to slide along longitudinal edges thereof, a thermal means mounted on one of the carriages for locally heating the sheet material in preparation of a molding press, and at least one press module mounted on another carriage and having a reciprocating press blade positioned at one flat side of the sheet material and a couple of swiveling press blades positioned at the opposite flat side of the sheet material and movable toward the reciprocating press blade to mold the heated section of the sheet material by closing the above three press blades toward each other, whereby a series of vertical rib folds are formed transversely of the sheet material and advanced by the transport means through the closed press blades. |
| US07695266B2 |
Molding structure
Disclosed is a molding structure, amongst other things. |
| US07695264B2 |
Mold for forming golf ball
There are provided a golf ball molding die capable of manufacturing a golf ball having a satisfactory surface condition, and a golf ball manufactured by using the die. The present golf ball molding die comprises at least two die bodies within which a cavity for molding a golf ball is formed by jointing of the die bodies; and a pin accommodating hole provided in at least one of the die bodies, and is characterized in that at least one groove communicating directly with the cavity is provided in the wall surface of the pin accommodating hole. |
| US07695262B2 |
Pump having toothing on the rotary and drive shaft
A pump, in particular a sliding-vane pump, a roller cell pump, or a gear pump includes a rotating assembly, with, amongst other things, a rotor with radially-sliding vanes, rollers or gears and a drive shaft is provided. The rotor or a gearwheel is connected to the drive shaft by a toothing on the drive shaft and on the rotor or gearwheel for rotational drive. |
| US07695257B2 |
Apparatus for preventing vacuum of scroll compressor
An apparatus for preventing vacuum of a scroll compressor is provided. The apparatus includes a fixed scroll having a bypass hole, through which a suction chamber of a casing is connected to a discharge chamber of the casing; a valve block having an inner channel, through which the bypass hole of the fixed scroll is connected to the discharge chamber of the casing, and fixedly installed at the fixed scroll; and a valve member disposed between the bypass hole of the fixed scroll and the inner channel of the valve block. Since the apparatus is assembled at an outer periphery of the fixed scroll, a processing error of the fixed scroll is prevented, thereby reducing production costs. Also, since foreign materials generated when a refrigerant channel is processed do not remain in a valve hole, the valve member is prevented from being mal-operated, productivity is enhanced, and fabrication costs reduced. |
| US07695254B2 |
Electric pump with coupled pressed members
A pump case of an electric pump is constructed by coupling a first pressed member formed with a cylindrical part for holding a first rolling ball bearing rotatably supporting a rotary shaft, and a second pressed member formed with a recess for receiving an inner rotor provided at a tip end of the rotary shaft to each other. Because the first pressed member and the second pressed member are formed by deep-drawing work, it is possible to achieve simplification of the structure and reduction of the cost, as compared with the pump case which has been produced from an aluminum die casting or the like, as in the related art. |
| US07695253B2 |
Magnetic displacement pump and compressor
A device for pumping and compressing fluids, particularly in micro-liter quantities. First and second polarized cylindrical magnets are mounted in a cylinder with an inlet and an outlet port. The first magnet is adapted to rotate on the axis of the cylinder and has a fixed longitudinal position on that axis. The second magnet is free to move longitudinally but kept from any rotational movement, as a piston in the cylinder. The inlet port is open when the piston magnet is repelled by the rotor magnet's polarity and the outlet is open when the piston magnet is attracted by the rotor magnet's polarity as it rotates. |
| US07695252B2 |
Pump system and pump unit
A pump system has a base unit and a pump unit. The base unit includes an input part operatively connected to a driving source and a plurality of output parts to which power is transmitted from the input part. The base unit is capable of being mounted to a support member. The pump unit includes a plurality of pump shafts respectively driven by the plurality of output parts, a plurality of hydraulic pump bodies respectively driven by the plurality of pump shafts, and a plurality of pump cases for respectively surrounding the plurality of hydraulic pump bodies, the pump unit detachably connected to the base unit. The pump shafts are connected to the corresponding output parts by connecting the pump cases to the base unit. |
| US07695251B2 |
Electronic control device for a synchronous pump
The invention relates to an electronic driving device (20) for turning on and off a synchronous pump, that is a pump (15) comprising a synchronous electric motor (1) with a permanent-magnet rotor (8), comprising:—at least a static power switch (17) inserted in series between the motor (1) and an AC electric power supply source (Vp); and—a processing unit (16) having at least an input receiving a synchronism signal (V) and a control output connected to said switch (17); characterized in that it is enabled by a signal emitted by a float level sensor (40) and includes an input receiving a signal (a) by a position sensor (21) detecting the rotor (8) polarity and position; the pump turn-on and off being regulated according to the signal emitted by said level sensor (40) and to a measured difference between a critical load angle (8) and a current load angle computed during different working conditions of the pump. |
| US07695248B2 |
Method of making a rim situated at the free end of a blade, a blade obtained by the method, and a turbomachine fitted with the blade
According to the method, a blade is provided having at least one base for a rim at its free end, and the projecting portion of the rim is built up by depositing successive layers on the base by performing the following steps: activating a laser source connected to an optical head focused on a point of the surface of the top of the base and activating a powder source connected to a spray nozzle, whereby a localized melt is formed at said point, into which the powder is injected, thereby forming a localized region of extra thickness; and aiming the optical head and the nozzle on another point adjacent to said region of extra thickness and returning to the preceding step until a layer has been formed over substantially the entire base. |
| US07695247B1 |
Turbine blade platform with near-wall cooling
A turbine blade having a platform and an airfoil extending from the platform. The platform includes a plurality of pressure side cooling channels formed within the platform and extending from a location along the aft edge of the platform. Each cooling channel includes a supply hole connected to the box rim cavity formed below the platform. Each pressure side cooling channel opens into a diffuser positioned along the pressure side edge of the platform to discharge cooling air onto the suction side platform of an adjacent blade. The suction side of the platform has cooling channels with supply holes connected to the box rim cavity and discharge holes positioned along the aft edge of the platform. The pressure side and suction side cooling channels in the platform have a curvature substantially of the same curvature as the airfoil in order to cool the entire platform surface exposed to the hot gas flow. |
| US07695238B2 |
Center-of-mass lift mechanism
A lift mechanism includes a balance structure configured to hold an object, wherein the balance structure is rotateably connected to an arm structure at a pivot point. The pivot point is configured, and the object is positioned, such that the pivot point is substantially coincident with the center-of-mass of the object being moved. Weights may be selectively attached to the balance structure to adjust the center-of-mass. In one embodiment, the lift mechanism includes a base and an arm configured to rotate with respect to the base, wherein the arm is attached to the balance structure at the pivot point. In this way, heavy objects may be lifted, translated, and rotated into place safely in an efficient manner. |
| US07695237B2 |
Refuse collection vehicle and lifting apparatus therefor
A refuse collection vehicle has a lifting apparatus for lifting a refuse storage container onto and off the vehicle's flat bed body. The lifting apparatus employs a pulley apparatus including a plurality of pulleys and a pulley carrier that is moved reciprocally by a single fluid actuated cylinder. A pulley cable is connected to the pulleys in a predetermined manner to apply to the pulley carrier substantially equal forces so the carrier avoids twisting laterally as it moves reciprocally. |
| US07695236B2 |
Utility vehicle
A versatile mobile utility cart or vehicle using either tracks, wheels or both for suspension and steering with propulsion coming from but not limited to an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. The vehicle is meant to be a utility workhorse with the ability to load and unload itself as well as drag or carry materials. The vehicle can be configured in many ways to do many tasks with the main feature being labor savings. One of the unique features of the vehicle is a loading system called a fork and foot system. For transport the forks and feet system can be raised or detached individually or as a system, this is beneficial when unloading. The foot may remain attached and used for stability. Detaching the fork and foot system as a system allows the vehicle to be used for other tasks including but not limited to: a dump vehicle; a skidder; a reel carrier; a fork lift/carrier; and a prime mover or base for brush chippers, stump cutters, tree spades and more. |
| US07695233B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus
The substrate processing apparatus is capable of highly efficiently feeding and carrying out work and improving production efficiency. The substrate processing apparatus comprises: a processing chamber including a processing stage; a first load lock chamber for feeding the work, the first load lock chamber being communicated to the processing chamber; a second load lock chamber for carrying out the work, the second load lock chamber being communicated to the processing chamber; a first buffer storage being located between the processing chamber and the first load lock chamber, the first buffer storage storing the work to be transferred therebetween; and a second buffer storage being located between the processing chamber and the second load lock chamber, the second buffer storage storing the work to be transferred therebetween. |
| US07695229B2 |
Serial method of binding a text body to a cover
A method for adhesive binding and assembly of text bodies having plural sheets to a cover to form a bound document. Exemplary embodiments include applying an adhesive to a contacting surface of a plurality of sheets of the text body on an individual sheet-wide basis and adhering the plurality of sheets to the cover on an individual sheet-wide base by making line contact between the contacting surface and the cover and by curing the adhesive. Alternatively, the plurality of sheets can be positioned in a stand-off position from the cover and the adhesive can be applied into the gap. A system for binding a text body to a cover to form a bound document is also disclosed. |
| US07695225B2 |
Fitting systems adapted especially for fixing seat positions
Fitting systems and assemblies are detailed. The assemblies are designed principally (although not necessarily exclusively) for use with aircraft seats and supply positive adjustable positioning of a seat or other object, typically actuated with a single turn (or less) of a single tool. |
| US07695224B2 |
Deburring welded pipe
Methods of producing a pipe include curling a skelp into a cylindrical shape by bringing laterally opposed edges of the skelp together to form a seam, butt welding the seam to define the pipe downstream of the skelp, thereby leaving a radially inwardly extending weld bead. The weld bead is deburred off the pipe according to a depth of cut of a cutting tool. The depth of cut may be adjusted during deburring, and/or rotation of the cutting tool may be adjusted during deburring. The methods may be carried out using one or both of an adjustment device carried by a housing to pivot an adjustment member for adjustment of an upstream guide to adjust a depth of cut of the cutting tool into the weld bead, or an adjustment device carried by the housing and coupled to the cutting tool to rotate the cutting tool during deburring. |
| US07695223B2 |
Machine adaptation
The transmission of power and/or data from/to a stationary part of a machine tool to/from an accessory mounted in the spindle of the machine tool. A first electrical link or interface provides electrical communication between the stationary part and the spindle, and a second electrical link or interface is provided electrically connected to the first electrical link at the accessory mounting area. The second link is in the form of electrical contacts. An accessory shank for mounting to the spindle of the machine tool, and also to an accessory e.g. in the form of a measurement probe, connected to the said shank. |
| US07695220B2 |
Transport system for fruit and like objects
A device for transporting articles is disclosed. In the illustrated and described embodiment of the invention, the articles are fruit such as apples, and the articles can be transported from a picking location on a fruit tree to a collection bin or other site. The device includes a tube member adapted to receive and transport the articles, and a plurality of deformable baffles at spaced-apart locations within the tube. Each baffle defines an aperture which permits the article to engage and deform the baffle and aperture so as to move through the aperture and down the tube. The article is urged through the tube by a pressure differential created across the article. In the described and illustrated embodiment of the invention, this pressure differential is a pneumatic pressure differential. |
| US07695219B2 |
Shoreline erosion control system
An erosion control system for reducing shoreline erosion resulting from wave action, run-off and hydrostatic pressure. The system includes a flexible geotextile provided over a shoreline. A plurality of rigid erosion control mats are provided over the flexible geotextile and secured in place by a plurality of anchors secured into the shoreline. The geotextile, erosion control mat and anchors may be adjusted to accommodate shorelines of varying slopes and susceptibility to erosion. |
| US07695218B2 |
Method to increase a capability of soil to sustain loads
A method for increasing the load-sustaining capability of structural elements in soil, wherein metallic rostrums are positioned in a hole in the soil and subsequently extruded telescopically to force them to penetrate into the surrounding soil at a desired depth and inclination. Mortars or consolidation mixes may be injected through the rostrums to fill a volume in the soil to form reinforcement bulbs. |
| US07695215B2 |
Method and system for broadcast sediment capping
Sub-aquatic sediment is covered with capping material by a capping system comprising a template barge and a spreader barge. While the spreader barge is distributing capping material, the template barge guides the spreader barge as it systematically moves over a pre-defined sediment capping region. The spreader barge comprises a spreader pool in which a broadcast spreader accurately and evenly distributes capping material within the pool, which then sinks to the sediment. The capping material is distributed with minimal disturbance to the sediment. |
| US07695213B1 |
Cam-lift for a manhole cover
A manhole cover assembly including a frame defining an opening and a cover sized to engage the opening. A lift pin is retained by the frame, defining a first axis, and includes a bearing portion, and a top end connected to the cover. The lift pin is free to slide axially along the first axis. A spiral cam is retained to the frame by a torque shaft including an upper and lower end, defining a second axis offset from the first axis. The spiral cam includes a cam surface in selective engagement with the bearing portion of the lift pin so that rotation of the torque shaft about the second axis causes rotation of the spiral cam about the second axis and displacement of the lift pin along the first axis. |
| US07695212B2 |
Ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle
A ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle, with a housing (4) having a wall (7), a bottom (8) and an opening (9), with a ball pivot (3), which has a joint ball (1) and a pivot (2). The ball pivot is mounted with the joint ball (1) rotatably and pivotably in the housing (4) and the pivot extends out of the housing (4) through the opening (9). An electronic component (14) is arranged in the housing (4). An electrically conductive connection (17) is arranged in the housing (4) and is electrically connected to the component (14). The electrically conductive connection (17) extends out of the housing (4) from the component (14) in the area of the opening (9) or through the opening (9). |
| US07695210B1 |
Seam sealer applicator
A seam sealing applicator for dispensing chemical sealant into seams between adjacent sheets of flooring is comprised of a sealant reservoir mounted atop an improved seam sealer applicator tip. The applicator tip of the invention has an elongated, hollow, rigid plastic body with a pair of laterally projecting wings or flanges between its proximal end which receives the sealant reservoir and its opposite, distal sealant dispensing end. The distal end of the plastic body terminates in a flat face, preferably oriented at an angle of about seventy degrees relative to the alignment of the linear sealant delivery duct formed within the body. A thin, hollow, narrow metal insert is set into the distal end of the body. A keel or fin portion of the metal insert protrudes beyond the flat face and projects into a seam between adjacent sheets of flooring. The fin portion of the metal insert defines a thin, narrow, dispensing slit through which sealant may be dispensed deep into the seam between sheets of adjacent flooring. A tracking sight ridge is preferably formed on the front of the applicator tip at the distal end thereof, directly above the flat sealant application flow face. The applicator tip body is at least three inches in length so that it can be gripped by the hand of the installer in a variety of different ways. |
| US07695203B2 |
Information processing apparatus, printing and embossing complex apparatus, delete menu display method of information processing apparatus and program
An information processing apparatus includes an input device which allows input of a plurality of information so as to allow performance of a plurality of processes, an input information display device that displays input information that is the input one or more kinds of information, a delete menu storage device that stores a delete menu having a plurality of delete options, and a delete menu display device that displays only delete options corresponding to the information input by the input device from among the plurality of delete options, as the delete menu. |
| US07695201B2 |
One step fiber end-face polishing process
Disclosed is a one step fiber optic connector polishing method. The method is a sequence of processes that may include severing a fiber (100) length projecting out of the end face (106) of a ferrule (102) having a pre-shaped surface, such that the residual fiber length does not exceed 80 microns. Cleaning ferrule (102) end face (106) such that no residual debris are left on it. Polishing fiber end-face (140) only, on a finishing polishing film (180) until fiber end-face (140) and ferrule end-face (106) are in a relation that ensures the desired fiber undercut or protrusion. |
| US07695200B2 |
Connecting member
A connecting member which is formed by filling a mold with a resin composition and then solidifying the resin composition, the connecting member having one end face in which a plurality of fine holes of a φ or less are arrayed in a row with a pitch P therebetween, and guide pin insertion holes are formed on either side of the fine holes, wherein the resin composition is comprised of a resin and a filler mixed therein, and wherein the space (P−a) between the fine holes meets the following formula; Dm<(P−a) |
| US07695199B2 |
Optical subassembly having insertable cylindrical sleeve
An optical subassembly (“OSA”) for use in optical communications modules is disclosed. The OSA solves various issues related to the insertion and removal of an optical fiber connector into and from the OSA receptacle, including hard plug, wiggle performance, and shavings production. In one embodiment, an optical communications module is disclosed and includes a housing and an optical subassembly of the present invention partially contained within the housing. The optical subassembly includes various components, including a body composed of a first material, and a plug receptacle formed with the body. The plug receptacle includes an inner surface on which surface features, such as threads, are formed. A hollow cylindrical sleeve composed of a second material is received in the plug receptacle such that the outer sleeve surface engages the surface features of the plug receptacle inner surface and such that an optical fiber connector can be received by the sleeve. |
| US07695196B2 |
Plug connector system and protective device for optical plug connectors
An optical plug connector comprises a socket part, adapter part or coupling part with a socket housing for releasable connection to a plug part. An inside of the socket housing defines an inner space, into which a plug portion of the plug part may be introduced. Moreover, a switch device is present, by way of which a radiation power led to the plug part and/or the socket part, adapter part or coupling part (1) may be reduced or switched off when the plug connection is released. The switch device comprises a first element which is present or fastenable on the socket part, adapter part or coupling part, and a second element which is present or may be fastened on the plug part, wherein the switch device is actuated in that the first and the second element cooperate. |
| US07695193B2 |
X-ray system for the creation of diagnostic X-ray images using contrast media
An x-ray system is disclosed including a selector for finding an optimum combination between the contrast medium and the energy spectrum of an x-radiation for a scan to optimize the noise-to-contrast ratio. A method for creating X-ray images is also provided. The x-ray images are created with the aid of contrast media by taking into account an optimal combination between the contrast medium and the energy spectrum of an X-radiation used for a scan. A method for the use of a lanthanide-containing complex to produce a contrast medium for optimizing the combination between the contrast medium and the radiation to obtain a maximum contrast-to-noise ratio in an X-ray image is also provided. |
| US07695189B2 |
System to calibrate on-die temperature sensor
A system may include biasing of diodes of a temperature sensor disposed in an integrated circuit die using a current from an off-die current source, generation of a voltage based on the current and a temperature of the integrated circuit die, and determination of a first temperature based on the voltage. Such a system may further include amplification of the voltage using an oscillator and a chopper stabilizer, determination of a first amplified voltage associated with a first state of the oscillator and a second amplified voltage associated with a second state of the oscillator, and determination of a third voltage based on the first amplified voltage and the second amplified voltage, wherein determination of the first temperature based on the voltage comprises determination of the first temperature based on the third voltage. |
| US07695187B2 |
Jewelry with detachable accessory
A watchcase assembly comprising a watchcase for housing a watch mechanism, a generally planar member or a generally ring-shaped member, and a releasable connector for releasably connecting the member to the front of said watchcase, wherein the releasable connector comprises an operable device which is manually actuable or depressible by one or more fingers of the user to disconnect the member from the watchcase. |
| US07695185B1 |
Method and apparatus for producing an aqueous paint composition from a plurality of premixed compositions
The provision of premixed aqueous compositions are used to provide a paint composition of varying finish characteristics at the point of sale. Paint components are combined in differing amounts to produce paint compositions being suitable for either interior or exterior use and having differing sheens, quality levels, and color bases. A user interface to input a desired amount of paint composition and controller is provided. The controller tracks the available amount of the components by subtracting the amounts in the supply reservoirs as they are supplied to the receiving reservoir. The controller determines whether availability components in the supply reservoirs is sufficient for the amount of the desired aqueous paint composition by subtracting the amount components for the desired aqueous paint composition to be produced from the amount in the plurality of supply reservoirs. If the amount is less than zero after the subtraction, then the availability is insufficient and the controller provides a signal to the plurality of supply reservoirs not to supply the plurality of paint components. |
| US07695180B2 |
Illumination assembly and system
Illumination assemblies and systems using same are disclosed. The illumination assembly can include a reflective substrate, and a light source unit including one or more light sources capable of producing illumination light. The assembly can further include a first light extraction surface including an azimuthal beam widening topography, where the first light extraction surface is positioned such that the light source unit is between the first light extraction surface and the reflective substrate. The first light extraction surface can face the light source unit. |
| US07695179B2 |
Illuminating device
An illuminating device has a light pipe that is elongate in shape and has a light-emitting face running in the direction of a longitudinal axis. A light-reflecting face is disposed opposite the light-emitting face, and the light-reflecting face has a plurality of prismatic cuts. Each prismatic cut includes a front face oriented at an angle B from a normal axis, the normal axis being 90 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the light pipe. The angle B is in the range of about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees and is such that it allows light to refract through at least one prismatic cut and then be internally reflected. |
| US07695177B2 |
Optical device and illumination device
An optical device guides illuminating light from a light source and includes a light-guiding unit including an incidence face which the illuminating light from the light source is incident upon, an emission face which emits the illuminating light and has a larger area than the incidence face, and a reflection face which guides rays of the illuminating light which are incident from the incidence face to the emission face, and a holder which secures the light-guiding unit in position with the light source. The light-guiding unit and the holder are connected together on the emission face side of the light-guiding unit. |
| US07695176B2 |
Projection-type vehicle headlamp having a louvered cover
A projection-type vehicle headlamp includes a lamp body, a front cover forming a lamp housing together with the lamp body, a light projection unit accommodated inside the lamp body, and a cover extending in a forward direction from the light projection unit. A louver is formed on a portion of the cover where light from the light projection unit is irradiated so as to allow irradiated light to pass through the louver. |
| US07695175B2 |
Vehicle lamp
A vehicle lamp can suppress dimensions in the depth direction and provide a large emission area with a simple configuration, and has a light-emitting surface of wraparound configuration with impressive appearance and aesthetic qualities. The vehicle lamp can include a light source unit and a light guide lens. The light source unit can include a light source, and a converting part for converting light from the light source to a narrow width light. The conversion part has an emission area for emitting the converted light. The light guide lens can include one end face having a shape corresponding to the emission area of the conversion part, a thin plate-like light guiding portion for guiding the incident light, and another end face being a farthest part away from the incident surface. The light guide lens guides the incident light toward the other end face and emits the guided light from a predetermined surface thereof as it travels on its way through the lens. |
| US07695173B2 |
Motorcycle front lighting apparatus structure
A motorcycle front lighting apparatus structure includes a headlight and a position light provided adjacent to the headlight. In this structure, the position light is disposed in a condition protruding downwardly from a lower edge of the headlight. This structure allows the position light to be made larger, and makes any needed repair easy and cost effective. |
| US07695171B2 |
Customized electronic candle
A system for the customization of an electronic candle, which system includes an electronic candle assembly comprising an illumination element and means for illuminating the illumination element for providing a simulated illuminated wax candle effect, a first sleeve having a translucent portion and first customizing indicia, a second sleeve having a translucent portion and second customizing indicia, a second indicia being visually distinguishable from the first indicia, the assembly and each sleeve has cooperable constructions for selective assembly of each sleeve to the electronic candle assembly for customizing the alternative electronic candle. |
| US07695167B2 |
Optical sheet, backlight and liquid crystal display apparatus
An optical sheet has a large number of cylindrical lens elements provided successively on one of principal faces thereof. The cylindrical lens elements have a finite focal distance on the emission side of illumination light and have an aspheric face of a leftwardly and rightwardly symmetric sectional shape. Where a Z axis is taken in parallel to a normal line direction to the optical sheet and an X axis is taken in a direction of the row of the cylindrical lens elements, a cross sectional shape of the cylindrical lens elements satisfies Z=X2/(R+√{square root over ( )}(R2−(1+K)X2))+AX4+BX5+CX6+ . . . (where R is the radius of curvature of a distal end vertex, K is a conic constant, and A, B, C, . . . are aspheric coefficients). |
| US07695165B2 |
Optical plate and backlight module using the same
An exemplary optical plate includes one or more transparent plate unit. The transparent plate unit includes a light output surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of elongated V-shaped protrusions, a plurality of conical frustum protrusions, and a lamp-receiving portion. The light output surface is opposite to the bottom surface. The elongated V-shaped protrusions are formed on the bottom surface. The conical frustum protrusions are formed on the light output surface. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in the bottom surface. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided. |
| US07695164B2 |
Illumination system for imaging illumination with a high level of homogeneity
An illumination system for imaging illumination having at least one compact light source. The illumination system comprises a reflector having a reflector contour, the light source being accommodated in the vicinity of the reflector contour. A compact diffusing medium is accommodated at the focal point of the reflector, the light from the light sources being directed substantially onto the diffusing medium and, from there, being diffused onto the reflector contour, with the result that the light leaving the reflector is emitted homogeneously. |
| US07695151B2 |
Illuminating device
The illuminating device of the invention comprises at least one lighting component, red lighting component, current limiting component and fluorescent body, wherein said red lighting component is first series connected with said current limiting component, and further parallel connected with said lighting component, so that input current to red lighting component is controlled by said current limiting component to be smaller than input current to lighting component, thereby said fluorescent body receiving and triggering the light emitted by said lighting component is mixed with the light emitted by said red lighting device to emit a white light with high lighting efficient and high color rendering white light. |
| US07695150B2 |
Lighting unit, display device, and phosphor film
To provide a lighting unit which: does not greatly affect the design of a light guide plate; and has a long lifetime, high efficiency, and a wide color reproduction range by means of a phosphor. In view of the foregoing, the lighting unit of the present invention is constituted in such a manner that a phosphor bead or a phosphor film is arranged on at least one of the light irradiation plane of a light guide plate, the rear surface of the light guide plate, and the light incidence plane of the light guide plate. In addition, a phosphor film is constituted by using: a phosphor bead formed of a phosphor particle and a water-impervious material with which the phosphor particle is coated so that the particle is confined in the material; and a polymer film holding the phosphor bead. |
| US07695149B2 |
Electronic apparatus emitting light through a unitary transparent base chassis
Disclosed herein is an electronic apparatus, including: a base chassis formed as a unitary member from a transparent material and having two faces positioned on the opposite sides to each other and individually formed as first and second mounting face sections; a display unit having a display panel thereon and attached to said first mounting face section; a control circuit board attached to said second mounting face section; a rear cover attached to said second mounting face section and configured to cover said control circuit board; a device mounting board having a semiconductor light emitting element disposed thereon; and a luminous lamp section formed at a position of said base chassis on the outer side of said display unit and configured to receive and emit light having been emitted from said semiconductor light emitting element and passed through the inside of said base chassis. |
| US07695148B1 |
Rear view mirror GPS holder
The invention is a rear view mirror GPS holder that is composed of a pair of telescoping arms that are hingedly connected and of which hang from a neck of a rearview mirror. An opposing end of the telescoping arms attach to GPS holder. The ends of the telescoping arms have a plurality notches that correspond with a retaining clip located on the GPS holder. The hinge connecting the telescoping arms may be spring-loaded in order to apply a biasing force separating the telescoping arms thereby securing the telescoping arms with respect to the retaining clip. |
| US07695141B2 |
Ocular light stimulus apparatus
A stimulus light from a stimulus light source is projected to the retina of an ocular fundus under examination to stimulate the retina in localized fashion to generate a bioelectric signal from the retina. The stimulus light source is mounted on a movable block, and an operating lever is used to move the stimulus light source to change the stimulus light on the retina. The size of the stimulus light can also be varied using a panel having a plurality of openings with different diameters for allowing the stimulus light to pass through. This assures a reliable local ERG examination because the bioelectrical signal can be produced in a wider area of the retina. The operating lever is further fixed by inserting a cap to keep the projected stimulus light unchanged. This allows the burden on the examiner to be reduced remarkably, assuring a reliable local ERG examination. |
| US07695139B2 |
Alignment method for ophthalmic measurement apparatus and alignment device of the same
An alignment device for an ophthalmic measurement apparatus including an index projection optical system that forms a plurality of indices on a cornea of an eye to be examined by projecting a plurality of index lights onto the cornea; an imaging optical system that forms the images of the plurality of indices on an imaging device as index images; a three-dimensional driving device for driving the imaging optical system in a three-dimensional direction; and a controlling device for controlling to drive the three-dimensional driving device. |
| US07695137B2 |
Short-coherence interferometric measurement of length on the eye
Two problems arise when measuring length at the eye by short-coherence interferometry. First, the measurement focus and coherence window usually do not coincide. Second, the scanning process along the eye axis is time-consumin g. Both result in poor signal quality and inaccurate measurements. The present application is directed to a short-coherence interferometer in which a right-angle mirror and focusing optics jointly carry out a periodic back-and-forth movement in such a way that the measurement beam focus which is generated by the focusing optics and imaged on the eye by relay optics is moved synchronously with the coherence window from the cornea along the optic axis of the eye to the fovea centralis. Further, different path lengths are generated in the measurement beam path and reference beam path by means of a plurality of reflectors, so that the scanning process is limited to distances which are smaller than the optical length of the eye. The present invention is advantageously implemented using on a fiber-optic interferometer. According to the invention, the reference interferometer arm and measurement interferometer arm are combined with the arms of a fiber-optic interferometer. |
| US07695135B1 |
Scleral lens with scalloped channels or circumferential fenestrated channels
A scleral lens is provided with scalloped channels on its posterior surface to improve the flow of fluid between the scleral lens and the eye. Also provided is a scleral lens with a fenestrated channel circumscribing the intersection of the optic portion and the scleral portion of the lens. The circumferential fenestrated channel prevents adhesion and suction between the lens and the eye, and improves comfort, vision, and the fitting process. |
| US07695133B2 |
Pair of spectacles with interchangeable lenses
Each lens frame includes a slit at the assembly area of the corresponding temple, delimiting two independent which can be moved apart to widen the lens frame so that a lens can be inserted or removed. Each temple is connected to the corresponding lens frame by a tenon, including a first part connected to the temple, for making a rotating connection between the tenon and temple along the longitudinal axis of the temple, and a second pivotable part engaged between the portions of the lens frame. This second part, has a first dimension that can be in a first angular position of the tenon, in which the two portions, are not separated, and a second dimension in a second angular position of the tenon, in which the two portions are separated sufficiently to widen the lens frame so that the lens can be replaced. |
| US07695130B2 |
Ink jet recording apparatus
An ink jet recording apparatus provided with a supporting member to support and convey a recording medium in a prescribed direction, a recording head to emit ink onto the recording medium, an activation energy ray irradiation unit which irradiates an activation energy ray on the ink emitted on the recording medium, and an activation energy ray absorption section formed by coating or mixing an activation energy ray absorption material, including an inorganic material, at a portion where the activation energy ray is irradiated. |
| US07695129B2 |
Recording apparatus and recording method
The invention is to provide a recording apparatus and a recording method, capable of automatically specifying a type of a recording medium by a simple and inexpensive structure, thereby automating a sheet type setting operation and avoiding an error of user in such sheet type setting operation. The apparatus is equipped with first detectors for detecting a width dimension of a recording medium, a second detector for detecting a surface characteristic of the recording medium, and a discriminator for discriminating the type of the recording medium based on the results of the first and second detectors. |
| US07695127B2 |
Recording liquid, liquid cartridge, liquid discharge device, and liquid discharge method
A recording liquid to be attached in a droplet state to an object for the purpose of recording on the object is disclosed, which contains at least one alkylene glycol selected from 1,2-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol and 1,3-hexanediol, thereby adjusting a zero second dynamic surface tension thereof at 35 mN/m or more and not more than 40 mN/m and contains a surfactant, thereby adjusting a static surface tension thereof which is satisfied with the following numerical expression (1): (γdst0−3)≦γsst≦(γdst0−1) (1) wherein γdst0 [mN/m] represents a zero second dynamic surface tension; and γsst [mN/m] represents a static surface tension. |
| US07695125B2 |
Reservoir assembly for a pagewidth printhead cartridge
A reservoir assembly for a pagewidth printhead cartridge has a fluid distribution molding with priming inlets in fluid communication with fluid channels for supplying printing fluid to a plurality of printhead integrated circuits. The assembly includes a reservoir compartment arranged in fluid communication with the fluid channels via a fluid outlet. The reservoir compartment defines a vent hole to facilitate pressure equalization in the compartment and a bypass fluid path interconnecting the fluid outlet and a well region defined by the compartment. A bypass valve is operatively arranged with respect to the fluid path to facilitate priming the reservoir compartment with printing fluid. |
| US07695123B2 |
Ink supply system with active pressure control
An ink supply system for an inkjet printhead is provided. The system comprises: (a) an ink reservoir for storing ink, the ink reservoir being contained in a pressurizable chamber; (b) an ink conduit providing fluid communication between the ink reservoir and the printhead; (c) an air compressor in fluid communication with the chamber; and (d) a valve switchable between a positively-pressurizing configuration and a negatively-pressurizing configuration, thereby providing active control of pressure in the ink reservoir. |
| US07695117B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator, liquid transporting apparatus which includes piezoelectric actuator, and method of manufacturing piezoelectric actuator
There is provided a piezoelectric actuator which includes a piezoelectric material layer in which, a portion sandwiched between a first electrode and a second electrode is an active portion, and a vibration plate which is arranged on a surface of the piezoelectric material layer. The piezoelectric material layer is polarized in a direction parallel to a direction of thickness thereof, and a direction of polarization of a central portion in the active portion and a direction of polarization of an edge portion excluding the central portion, in the active portion are mutually opposite. Accordingly, even when a drive voltage is low, it is possible to increase sufficiently an amount of deformation of the piezoelectric actuator. |
| US07695110B2 |
Liquid ejection apparatus
In a liquid ejection apparatus, having: a liquid ejection head having, a nozzle plate having a nozzle to eject liquid, a cavity to reserve liquid ejected form a ejection hole of the nozzle, a pressure generating device to form a meniscus of the liquid, and a ejecting voltage applying device to apply a ejection voltage to the liquid in the nozzle; a operation control device to control application a drive voltage to drive the pressure generating device and application of the ejection voltage by the ejection voltage applying device; and a counter electrode opposite to the liquid ejection head; wherein in the liquid ejection device in which the liquid is ejected by a static electric attraction force generated between the liquid in the nozzle to which a voltage is applied by the ejection voltage applying device and the counter electrode, and by a pressure generated in the nozzle, the pressure generating device to form the liquid meniscus forms the meniscus having a height of equal to or more than 1.3 times a radius of the nozzle on the ejection hole of the nozzle. |
| US07695109B2 |
Printhead having laminated ejection fluid distributors
A printhead is provided having a substrate with a plurality of ejection nozzles a plurality of adjacently arranged structures laminated with the substrate. Each nozzle has an inlet for supplying ejection fluid to the nozzle. The structures have a plurality of passages distributing the ejection fluid to the inlets of the nozzles. Each structure has elongate apertures to the passages. The long dimension of the elongate apertures in the abutting sides of adjacent structures are angled relative to each other. |
| US07695108B2 |
Fluid-ejecting integrated circuit utilizing electromagnetic displacement
A fluid ejecting integrated circuit includes a wafer substrate. A drive circuitry layer is positioned on the wafer substrate. A protective passivation layer is positioned on the drive circuitry layer. A nozzle chamber wall extends from the passivation layer and a roof wall is positioned on the nozzle chamber wall such that the nozzle chamber wall and the roof wall define a nozzle chamber and a fluid ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. A fluid ejecting member overlies the passivation layer within the nozzle chamber and is configured to be displaced to eject fluid through the fluid ejection port. A pair of spaced apart electrodes is connected to the drive circuitry layer so that the drive circuitry layer can create a potential difference between the electrodes, with one of the electrodes fast with the fluid ejecting member to displace the fluid ejecting member as a result of the potential difference. |
| US07695107B2 |
Ink-jet printer
An ink-jet printer including: a head unit for performing recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium to be fed; an ink cartridge for storing the ink; a heat sink which is in contact with a driver IC that drives the head unit and which cools the driver IC; and a head holder which holds the head unit, the ink cartridge, and the heat sink, wherein the ink cartridge is placed on the heat sink such that the heat sink receives a load from the ink cartridge. |
| US07695106B2 |
Thin nozzle layer printhead
An inkjet printhead that has a nozzle layer defining an array of nozzle apertures and a substrate for supporting the nozzle layer, the substrate defining a flow path for an ejectable liquid to each nozzle. Each nozzle aperture has an associated heater element positioned for heating the ejectable liquid above its boiling point to form a vapor bubble to eject a drop of the ejectable liquid through the nozzle aperture. The nozzle aperture is less than 5 microns thick in the drop ejection direction. |
| US07695105B2 |
Nozzle plate, inkjet printhead with the same and method of manufacturing the same
A nozzle plate, inkjet printhead with the same and method of manufacturing the same. The nozzle plate includes at least one nozzle and has at least one heater segment disposed adjacent to the nozzle. The heater segment is configured to heat a first fraction of the circumference to a greater degree than a second fraction of the circumference. Heater segments are disposed at intervals around a circumference of the nozzle and are independently operable. |
| US07695101B2 |
Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus includes: a carriage that carries a recording head capable of recording an image on a recording medium and reciprocates in a main scanning direction; a substantially box-shaped main frame having an open upper side and a pair of side plates extending in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction; and first and second guide members over which the carriage extends and by which the carriage is guided, the first and second guide members being disposed to be apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction, extended in the main scanning direction at the upper side of the main frame and fixed to the pair of side plates. |
| US07695096B2 |
Inkjet printer and inkjet printing method
The present invention provides an inkjet printer and an inkjet printing method, which enable an ink that overflowed to the outside from the edge of a printing medium to be fully absorbed by a platen. More specifically, the present invention provides an inkjet printer, including a platen, which absorbs a pigment ink that overflows to the outside of a printing medium when edgeless printing is carried out on the printing medium by using an ink that employs a pigment as a colorant, moving a printing head along a guide shaft, and ejecting the pigment ink from the printing head, and also an inkjet printing method, wherein the platen is impregnated with a humecant, a base, and the like. |
| US07695093B2 |
Method of removing flooded ink from a printhead using a disposable sheet
A method of removing flooded ink from an ink ejection face of a printhead is provided. The method comprises transferring the ink onto a disposable sheet moving past the face, wherein the sheet does not contact the face. |
| US07695090B2 |
Ink jet printing apparatus, method for determining print medium, and method for determining ink ejection amount
An ink jet printing apparatus can prevent erroneous selection of the print mode, which may degrade the image quality, without imposing any special burden on the user. Specifically, a dot is formed on a print medium to sense the ability of the print medium to absorb printing ink. The ink jet printing apparatus has a reading device for reading the dot and a print mode selecting device for setting the optimum print mode from a plurality of print modes according to the shape of the dot. |
| US07695089B2 |
Ink short detection
The present invention provides a method to detect ink short in a print head and an apparatus that performs the method. The method provides the steps of obtaining a density profile and a current consumption profile of an image to be printed and using the profiles to detect a low-resistance ink short or a non-low resistance ink short in a print head. |
| US07695088B2 |
Ink jet printing apparatus and ink jet printing method
A scanning speed for a carriage and a number of multi-pass are set in accordance with print density information of dots obtained from image data. This makes it possible to preferably output an image free from the occurrence of an end deviation without reducing throughput to a required extent or more. |
| US07695083B2 |
Printing apparatus and method of determining amount of printing material
A printing apparatus to which a printing material container is detachably mounted, the printing material container having a piezoelectric element for detecting the amount of material stored in the container and a memory unit storing the natural vibration frequency of the piezoelectric element, the printing apparatus comprising means for acquiring the frequency information from the memory unit, means for generating a drive having a first signal waveform at a first frequency and a second signal waveform at a second frequency different from the first frequency, means for selectively supplying either the first or second signal waveform to the piezoelectric element so as to increase the amplitude of the vibrations of the piezoelectric element; means for detecting a response signal, means for measuring the vibration frequency contained in the response signal, and means for determining the amount of material stored in the printing material container based on the measured vibration frequency. |
| US07695082B2 |
PCMCIA printing device
A Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) printing device includes a support structure. A PCMCIA connector is located at one end of the support structure. A printhead assembly is located at the other end of the support structure and is electrically coupled to the PCMCIA connector. The printhead assembly includes a printhead configured to print ink and a feed arrangement arranged to feed print media operatively with respect to the printhead. A print media cartridge can be fastened in a releasable manner to the support structure in a location between the PCMCIA connector and the printhead assembly so that the feed arrangement can feed the print media from the print media cartridge during printing. |
| US07695080B2 |
Securing device for a drawer slide
A securing device for a drawer slide includes a base, a pressing element and a first elastic element. The pressing element is slidably connected to the base. The pressing member has a releasing block. The first elastic element is disposed in the pressing element. When the pressing element is pressed, the releasing block is partially inserted into the base. When the pressing force against the releasing block is released, the pressing element restores its original state. The base is provided with a fixing plate for mounting the base to a drawer. A holding element is provided in a drawer slide to facilitate engagement of the base. By pressing the pressing element, the engagement of the holding element is released. |
| US07695078B2 |
Carbide studs for stability and motive traction of footwear
The present invention provides a traction device for a terrain engaging element. The traction device defines a stud having a head portion and a shank portion extending from the head portion and adapted to be secured into the terrain engaging element. A plurality of spherical carbide pellets are bonded together on and to surfaces of the head. The carbide pellets are provided in multiple layers extending across the head surface. The carbide pellets are provided in a stacked relationship to each other so that during use the carbide pellets are capable of being individually dislodged to reveal a carbide pellet of an underlying layer. |
| US07695076B2 |
Vehicle brake control device
Based on whether a requisite braking torque is less than a drive torque of the driving wheel, braking force is generated for only driving wheels, or braking force is generated for driven wheels, in addition to that for the driving wheels. Thus, it is possible to maintain the creep speed to the target speed and achieve a suitable front and rear braking force distribution on downward slope roads where a gravity impellent is acting on the vehicle, as well as on flat roads and upward slope roads. The ability to achieve such a suitable front and rear braking force distribution ensures that the driven wheels will not easily lock up on a low μ road surface or the like. |
| US07695073B1 |
Bicycle rear hub that is especially available for acrobatics
A rear hub for a bicycle includes a shaft, a hub body mounted on the shaft and provided with two spoke mounting portions and a mounting ring, a driven member located beside the mounting ring, a brake disc mounted on the mounting ring, and a drive member engaged with the driven member. Thus, the drive member and the brake disc are located at the same side of the hub body, so that one side of the hub body is provided with the drive member and the brake disc, and the other side of the hub body is disposed at a vacant state to facilitate a rider using the other side of the hub body to have a greater inclined angle without being obstructed by the drive member and the brake disc so as to perform acrobatics easily and smoothly. |
| US07695072B2 |
Boom arrangement for a scaling device and scaling device
A boom arrangement (1) for a scaling device including a scaling boom for supporting a scaling hammer, wherein the scaling boom is arranged for connection to a carrier vehicle, is distinguished in that the scaling boom (4,5) is pivotally supported by a boom column unit (3), which is arranged for pivotal connection to the carrier vehicle, that the boom column unit (3)includes a boom column (7), and a column bar unit (8) extending at a distance from that element, that the boom column and the column bar unit are pivotally connected to a column link (9) for forming a four-link mechanism, and that the column link (9) supports a bearing for a boom lift cylinder (12). The invention also concerns a scaling device. |
| US07695067B2 |
Ergonomic adjustable chair
A chair mechanism for an ergonomically adjustable, reclinable chair includes a frame and profile bands mounted to the frame. The profile bands are flexible and are configured to define a forwardly projecting lumbar region, the degree of forward projection of the lumbar region being variable in response to the position and movement of the chair seat. A flexible back support surface is carried by and spans the region between the profile bands. The shape and contour of the back surface is controlled by the shape of the profile bands. The chair mechanism enables the user to shift easily between upright and reclining positions without requiring the use of heavy springs or complex linkages. |
| US07695063B2 |
Child car seat portable fan assembly
A portable fan assembly adapted for seatmant on a vehicular surface in a spaced apart relationship to a child car seat, comprising a front portion, a back portion, two side portions, a top portion, and a bottom portion. An interior void is positioned centrally within the assembly, extending from the front portion to the back portion. A fan unit having a housing that is positioned within the interior void. The housing includes a central hub and at least a pair of fan blades that are mounted to the hub. The hub is rotationally connected by an elongated shaft to a fan motor configured to be operative for rotating the fan blades for directing air through the interior void. The front portion, back portion, two side portions, the top portion, and the bottom portion are substantially padded for providing a cushioning effect that prevents injury to an child situated in close proximity to the assembly, and at least one attachment strap configured to securely position the assembly to a vehicular seat. |
| US07695061B2 |
Tablet arm assembly
A tablet assembly including a tablet movable between a generally vertical stored position and a generally horizontal in-use position, and a swivel joint operable between the tablet and a mount, the swivel joint comprising an elbow, a first plate, and a second plate, wherein the first plate is rotateably attached to a first surface of the elbow and the second plate is rotateably attached to a second surface of the elbow, and wherein the first plate is fixedly attached to the mount and the second plate is fixedly attached to the tablet. |
| US07695058B2 |
Seat apparatus
A seat apparatus includes a seat cushion on which an operator is seated, a seatback for supporting the operator seated on the seat cushion, a seat drive device changing a position of the seat cushion and the seatback between a seating position and a storage position by operating the seat cushion and the seatback, and a control unit for controlling the seat drive device, the control unit controlling the seat drive device in a way that an operation starting time of the seat cushion does not coincide with an operation starting time of the seatback and an operating time of the seat cushion overlaps temporally an operating time of the seatback when the seat cushion and the seatback are moved between the seating position and the storage position such that an interference of the seat cushion and the seatback is restricted. |
| US07695055B2 |
Cab structure of construction machine
The frame body is formed by a plurality of pipe-shaped members including a first column portion, a beam portion, the front end portion of which is connected to the upper end portion of the first column portion, and a middle column member that is disposed rearward from the first column portion. The upper guide portion is provided along a beam portion in a position ranging from a first position to a second position. Here, the first position is located frontward from the middle column member and rearward from the first column portion, and the second position is located rearward from the middle column member. |
| US07695054B2 |
Suspension device with Watt's linkage
A suspension device is provided for the spring-loaded suspension of a weight body (3) relative to a substructure (1) such as a vehicle body, a cab (3) of a truck relative to the vehicle chassis (1). The suspension device has a spring/absorber device (2) arranged between the weight body (3) and the substructure (1) for absorbing shocks and vibrations. The suspension device includes at least one Watt's linkage arrangement (6) connecting the weight body and the substructure for reducing the degrees of freedom of motion of the weight body (3). The suspension device requires little maintenance and has little clearance and is suitable for setting the degrees of freedom of motion of the weight body as well as for absorbing and preventing the undesired motions of the weight body along other directions in space. The suspension device thus makes possible an inexpensive and reliably operating suspension especially of truck cabs. |
| US07695053B1 |
Lethal threat protection system for a vehicle and method
A field configurable vehicle armoring system and associated method allow a user to retrofit and reconfigure a combination of armor components in response to a perceived threat change and using original equipment manufacture fasteners and holes. The system includes pillar armor attachable after an original equipment manufacture door and hinge are removed. Fasteners extend through the hinge of the armored door, the pillar armor and an original equipment manufacture pillar using holes other than the original equipment manufacture holes. Rocker panel and underbody armor is further provided, along with a ballistic resistant windscreen and rear wall armor. Where desired, system armor includes a composite plate comprising a strike face that is constructed from softer metallic material than an inner metallic sheet. |
| US07695047B2 |
Multi-mode load bed cover for automotive vehicle
A multi-mode load bed cover for an automotive vehicle includes first and second cover sectors which are deployable laterally from within a housing associated with a bodyside of a load bed. |
| US07695046B2 |
Visor assembly for a vehicle
A visor for shielding the interior of a vehicle from the light or glare from a light source includes a visor that can be rotated about an axis from a stowed position to a shielding position. The visor may also be translated along a track so that the placement of the visor along the length of a large window may be chosen with precision. |
| US07695044B2 |
Under-cover support structure
An under-cover support structure comprising: a dash panel provided in a front part of a vehicle cabin; a dash insulator attached to and extending along a cabin-side surface of the dash panel; an instrument panel mounted on the dash insulator in an inner side of the vehicle cabin; and an under cover member bridged between the cabin-side surface of the dash panel and a forward edge of a lower edge portion of the instrument panel, and covering a lower side of the instrument panel, the under cover member having a press-fit end portion on a side of the dash insulator, wherein the dash insulator is provided with a supporting portion which is elastically deformable by the press-fit end portion of the under cover member being pressed against the supporting portion. |
| US07695041B2 |
Grommet configured for supporting seal strip
A grommet is inserted into a notch in a channel and partially supports a seal strip attached to the channel. The grommet includes a main segment and first and second end segments. The main segment extends from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis and has a first side surface and a second side surface. The first end segment is attached to the main segment adjacent to the first end of the main segment. The second end segment is attached to the main segment adjacent to the second end of the main segment. The main segment, the first end segment, and the second end segment together define a passageway extending through the grommet parallel to the longitudinal axis. A cable harness including a grommet and a vehicle including a grommet are also provided. |
| US07695039B2 |
Garnish attachment structure of vehicle body
There is provided a garnish attachment structure of a vehicle body using one of a roof garnish provided along a side part of a roof of the vehicle body and a window garnish provided along a side part of a window glass as a first garnish, and using the other as a second garnish. The garnishes are attached to a vehicle body members provided in the vehicle body. The garnish attachment structure includes: positioning locking parts that lock an end of the first garnish from an up-and-down direction and an end of the second garnish from a longitudinal forward-and-backward direction to the vehicle body member; and engaging parts that are provided at an each end of the first garnish and the second garnish and are locked to the positioning locking parts. The engaging parts are locked to the positioning locking parts, and the ends of the first garnish and the second garnish overlap each other whereby the first garnish and the second garnish are attached to the vehicle body members. |
| US07695037B2 |
Packaged sheet media and method of using same
A package of sheet media includes a stack of individual sheets of media and a packaging wrap extending at least partially around the stack. An outer wrap at least partially covering the stack and the packaging wrap can optionally be used. A method of loading the package of sheet media on a printing system is also provided. |
| US07695036B2 |
Snow sweeping device
A sweeping device effectively sweeps snow and the like from variously constructed stairs. The device comprises a handle and wedge-shaped sweeping element or block. The sweeping element is preferably constructed from semi-rigid material and comprises a top side, a bottom side, a back side, a front side, and opposed lateral sides. The top and bottom sides are rectangular and parallel, while the lateral sides are quadrangular thereby defining opposed, anterior and posterior matter-sweeping surfaces. A lower end of the handle is threadably attached to the sweeping block or element for enabling a user to sweep matter such as lightly accumulated snow from stairs via the matter-sweeping surfaces. |
| US07695035B2 |
Pet waste collection tool with integrated leash
A pet waste collection tool includes a body portion, a retractable trigger, a scoop portion, a chain, a leash attachment member, and a leash. The body portion may include a first end, a second end, and a handle portion. The retractable trigger may be coupled on one end to the body portion. The scoop portion may be coupled to the body portion and may comprise a fixed member coupled to the second end and a pivotal member coupled to the fixed member. The chain may be coupled on one end to the trigger and on the other end to the pivotal member such that when the trigger is in a first position the scoop portion is in an open position and when the trigger is in a second position the scoop portion is in a closed position. The leash attachment member may be rotatably coupled to the first end. |
| US07695032B2 |
360 degree adjustable deadbolt assembly
An adjustable backset deadbolt assembly providing operational and structural improvements. The deadbolt assembly can provide adjustability between a first backset dimension and a second backset dimension for allowing installation in doors conforming to various industry standards. The deadbolt assembly can provide adjustability between backset dimensions by relative rotation between the inner bolt housing and the outer housing. The inner bolt housing may be provided with a depressible snap finger to allow insertion of a protrusion thereon into a slot in the outer housing. In some embodiments, the slot is provided substantially helically through an angle of 360 degrees to provide common orientation of parts in each backset dimension. The outer housing may be provided to integrally form a cam housing and a bolt housing. |
| US07695027B2 |
Fitting for tube and pipe
A fitting for a tube or pipe capable of functioning a high pressures having a first fitting component adapted to receive the conduit end; a conduit gripping device such as a ferrule or ferrules and a second fitting component that can be joined to the first fitting component to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled. In one aspect of the invention, the first fitting component is constructed from a material that is softer than the material used to construct the second fitting component. An additional aspect of the invention include a retaining portion on the second fitting component that constrains the tube gripping device against pressure. The retaining portion can also be configured to retain the tube gripping device to the second fitting component prior to installation and in a finger-tight condition. A further aspect of the invention includes a first fitting component in which an exterior portion of the component is work hardened radially outward from the tube gripping device. The fitting may optionally be provided with a structure to effect the pull-up by torque functionality. |
| US07695019B2 |
Textile belt strap having load recognition
A textile belt strap, especially for use in personnel safety devices in land vehicles, aircraft and watercraft. At least one seam is provided on the belt strap for representation of loading of the belt strap that occurs. The seam extends in a longitudinal direction of the belt strap over a portion thereof, and is comprised of an upper thread disposed on one side of the belt strap and a lower thread disposed on the other side of the belt strap. Respective transverse seams are fixedly connected with the belt strap for delimiting opposite ends of the seam. An interlocking of the upper thread and the louver thread is provided externally of the belt strap such that either the upper thread or the lower thread has a linear length or extension between the transverse seams that delimit the seam. |
| US07695014B2 |
Occupant restraint system
A tether release mechanism for a restraining element of a restraint protection system includes a base, a retention device and an actuator. The retention device is coupled to the base for movement between a locked position and a release position. The restraining element is secured relative to the base in the locked position and is movable relative to the base in the release position. The retention device includes a portion for releasably engaging the restraining element. The actuator is operatively associated with the retention device and is operative for at least initiating movement of the retention device from the locked position to the release position. |
| US07695011B2 |
Airbag arrangement for a motor vehicle
An airbag can include a covering that surrounds an interior space that can be filled with gas, a gas-conducting pipe which is stretched longitudinally along a direction of extent, and a contact region of the covering that surrounds the inflow opening and encloses the gas-conducting pipe in a sealing manner along a circumferential direction of the gas-conducting pipe that encircles the direction of extent. A protective layer of the covering can be arranged, at least in some sections in the interior space of the covering, with respect to the gas-conducting pipe so that damage to the covering during filling of the interior space of the covering with hot gas can be prevented by the protective layer. At least one fastening region of the protective layer, via which the protective layer can be connected to the covering, can be connected to the contact region of the covering. |
| US07695006B2 |
Passenger airbag device without housing
An airbag door is openably attached to an instrument panel. A cushion pad is attached inside the airbag door, and has a stepped separable pad. A cushion bracket is attached to the cushion pad. A cushion is mounted inside the cushion bracket. The cushion separates the separable pad and opens the airbag door upon inflation. A reinforcement member is attached to the cushion near a gas inflow hole in the cushion. An inflator assembly for inflating the cushion is connected to the cushion by a mounting bracket. |
| US07695005B2 |
Side airbag and method of folding
A method and apparatus for providing a side airbag device for use in a vehicle, comprising: an inflatable cushion for deployment from an unexpanded state to an expanded state. The inflatable cushion is positioned behind a headliner of the vehicle in an un-inflated state and the inflatable cushion is configured to traverse a side of the vehicle when it is inflated. The inflatable cushion also comprising a deploying edge that defines a portion of a periphery of the inflated cushion, wherein the inflatable cushion is folded in a manner that causes the deploying edge to deploy as a first leading edge as said inflatable cushion is inflated to an expanded state by an inflator wherein the deploying edge is the first portion of the inflatable cushion to expand around the headliner. |
| US07695003B2 |
Side protection device
The disclosed occupant protection device for a vehicle can include at least one airbag that protects a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision of the vehicle. The airbag can have an outflow opening through which the gas can exit the side airbag and/or has an overflow opening located inside the airbag. After the occupant protection device has been tripped, the side airbag can be inflated and be positioned laterally next to the vehicle occupant in such a manner that the outflow opening and/or the overflow opening is closed, is throttled, or remains open according to the body size of the vehicle occupant. |
| US07695001B2 |
Vehicle protection apparatus with cover having a rupturable portion with tear tabs
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (18) and a member (20) that defines a deployment opening (22) through which the inflatable occupant protection device (18) is inflatable. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) also includes a cover (30) having an attachment portion (34) and a deployment door portion (36). The attachment portion (34) is securable to the member (20) for positioning the deployment door portion (36) for closing the deployment opening (22). The cover (30) also includes a rupturable portion (134, 136, and 156) that ruptures for enabling inflation of the inflatable occupant protection device (18) through the deployment opening (22). At least a part of the rupturable portion (134, 136, and 156) is formed at a union of the attachment portion (34) and the deployment door portion (36). |
| US07695000B2 |
Bracket for securing side airbag for automotive vehicle
There is provided a bracket for securing a side airbag for an automotive vehicle. The bracket includes a bracket which connects a connection strap, connected to the side airbag, to a pillar of the vehicle, and wherein the bracket includes: an installation aperture to be secured to the pillar; and a fixing bracket aperture through which the connection strap connected to the side airbag passes, and wherein the fixing bracket aperture includes: a fixing bracket central aperture through which the connection strap passes; and extension apertures formed at both ends of the fixing bracket central aperture and each having a greater width than that of the fixing bracket central aperture. |
| US07694999B2 |
Airbag module
An airbag module with an airbag and a fastening system for fastening the airbag to the interior structure of a motor vehicle. The fastening system includes at least one connecting element comprising of at least one fastening section for fastening the airbag module and at least one locking section (25b) for locking the connection element into an aperture in the interior structure. To prevent assembly errors, the fastening system furthermore includes a retention element (30), which has an assembly position and a retention position and is arranged to move on the connecting element, wherein the connecting element can be locked to the interior structure only when the retention element is in its assembly position, and wherein the connecting element is fixed to the interior structure when the retention element is in its retention position. |
| US07694996B2 |
Foldable and height-adjustable stroller
A stroller is provided having a stroller frame supporting a stroller seat. The stroller frame includes a linkage that facilitates collapsing or folding of the stroller frame from an in-use configuration to a folded or collapsed configuration, and unfolding of the stroller frame from the folded or collapsed configuration to the in-use configuration. The linkage also facilitates adjustment of the stroller seat height between at least two vertically offset positions. |
| US07694995B2 |
Foldable stroller
A stroller includes a stroller frame movable between an in-use configuration and a folded configuration and a seat assembly mounted to the stroller frame. The stroller frame includes right and left front legs, right and left fold links, and right and left seat support frame members extending between the respective right and left front legs and the respective right and left fold links. The seat assembly includes a seat and a seat support mounted to the right and left seat support frame members such that, as the stroller frame moves from the in-use configuration to the folded configuration, the seat support translates relative to the right and left seat support frame members. The stroller frame also can include right and left push arms and right and left rear legs. The fold links can be configured to have three pivots, in which case each seat support frame member pivotally connects to the respective fold link at a first pivot, each push arm pivotally connects to the respective fold link at a second pivot, and each rear leg pivotally connects to the fold link at a third pivot. |
| US07694994B2 |
Strap for snowboard boots or bindings
A binding or boot strap is provided that allows a rider to easily, rapidly and/or effectively tighten and/or loosen the strap about his or her boot. The strap includes a boot-engaging strap portion that engages with an engagement strap coupleable to the boot, as may be the case with boots used for step-in bindings, or to the binding, as may be the case with strap-type bindings. An arrangement for facilitating tightening/loosening of the two strap pieces so that a rider can slip his or her foot into or out from the boot or fasten the boot to or loosen it from a snowboard binding is also provided. In one embodiment, this arrangement includes a tightening element, such as for example a cord, lace or strap, suitably coupled to one or both strap portions such that a rider can pull on the tightening element to move the strap pieces relative to each other and tighten the strap. The tightening arrangement may be configured with a mechanical advantage whereby the force applied to the tightening element results in a greater force applied to the strap. To take up any excess amount of tightening element after the strap has been tightened, a retraction device, such as a self-winding spool, may be utilized. To separate the strap from the boot or binding, a hook and catch arrangement may be employed. |
| US07694989B2 |
Lateral stabilizer for motorcycle
An air propulsion device for laterally stabilizing a motorcycle in an upright position when stopped. The device includes a substantially rectangular shaped plate having a top, bottom, first and second opposing sides. A pair of brackets are mounted to the first and second sides of the plate for attaching the device to the motorcycle. An air-flow generator unit is integrally attached to the top of the plate for generating and controlling pneumatic pressure within the air propulsion device, and has a first and second hose attached thereto. A skirting is integrally attached to the bottom of the plate for inflating and deflating. |
| US07694985B2 |
Reinforced motorcycle frame
A lightweight motorcycle frame is made with sufficient rigidity to minimize or avoid the occurrence of frame cracks, due to impacts on the frame caused by a harsh landing after a vehicle jump or the like. The motorcycle frame includes a head pipe, a pair of main frames extending rearwardly from the head pipe, and a down tube extending downwardly from a lower portion of the head pipe. The frame may include a forged reinforcing body for connecting the head pipe and the down tube, and the other frame components may be formed by casting. In this case, the other frame components include a portion of the head pipe, the main frames, the down tube, and the reinforcing frame, which may be integrally molded by aluminum casting. Where used, the reinforcing body may be secured to a front portion of an integrally cast frame body. |
| US07694980B2 |
Handle for collapsible stroller
A stroller handle assembly has a handle with a grip part. The handle is movable from an in-use position extending from the stroller frame to a collapsed position lying adjacent and parallel along the stroller frame. The assembly has a bracket for attaching the handle to the stroller frame. The bracket has one part configured to allow rotation of the handle sideways away from the in-use position to a partly collapsed position. The bracket has a different part configured to allow the handle to rotate to the completely collapsed position adjacent the stroller frame. |
| US07694978B2 |
Gasket assembly and method of manufacture thereof
A gasket assembly and method of manufacture thereof provides a plurality of discrete, interconnected capsule beads spaced from one another. A sealant material is disposed in the capsule beads, such that when the capsule beads are ruptured under an applied clamping force, the gasket material is released from the capsule beads. |
| US07694974B1 |
Question-and-answer game
A question-and-answer game in which teams of two players are divided into two sets of teammates, and one set of teammates is isolated while the other set of teammates is asked one or more questions about their isolated teammates or about themselves and are designed to elicit how well they know each other. The isolated teammates return, are asked the same questions, and their answers/guesses are compared to their teammates' guesses/answers. In a first round, the questions are asked and answered in open forums where discussion is permitted. In a second round, the questions are asked in a closed forum where discussion is limited or not permitted, and the responses of the isolated teammates are presented one at a time, and if not a match to their teammates' responses, the other teams have an opportunity to correctly match. |
| US07694972B2 |
Double button poker
A poker game utilizing two buttons which include a Dealer Button that is utilized as in conventional Texas Hold'Em rules, and a winner's button which is given to the winner of a hand and permits the winner to bet last in all rounds of betting in a subsequent hand until a new winner is determined. |
| US07694968B2 |
Playing card viewer
A card viewer having a main body having a cover with at least one transparent portion, a first reflective surface, and a second reflective surface. The image of the first side of the card is received by the second reflective surface, transferred from the second reflective surface to the first reflective surface, and observed on the first reflective surface from the location above a second side of the card through a single transparent portion of the at least one transparent portion. The viewer can include at least one clamping device to secure the viewer to an object or the viewer can be made integrally with the object. |
| US07694967B2 |
Dice cup
A dice cup for use in dice games involving concealment of the dice, including an open top end and an open bottom end, a closed opaque wall extending therebetween, and a longitudinal axis. A plurality of spaced-apart slats are disposed across the bottom end so as to define a plurality of viewing holes. The slats prevent dice from being ejected from the cup when said cup is shaken with said top end covered, and when the cup is inverted to cover dice on a flat surface, the slats provide an impediment to seeing the dice through the viewing holes unless viewed at a sufficiently small angle relative to said longitudinal axis. |
| US07694966B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet processing apparatus includes a first processing unit, a second processing unit, a roller, a guide member, and a conveying unit. The first processing unit applies first processing to a recording medium. The second processing unit applies second processing to the recording medium. The roller has a conveying path to convey the recording medium from the first processing unit to the second processing unit along the outer circumference. The guide member guides the recording medium to the conveying path to lead the recording medium to the second processing unit. The conveying unit applies a conveying force to a stack of recording media at an upstream of the guide member in a recording-medium conveying direction. |
| US07694962B2 |
Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus
When a comparative determination portion determines that passage of a sheet through a reference position is lagged based on a detecting signal from a passing timing detection unit, a sheet conveying speed of a skew feeding correction roller on the same side as that of a sensor which detects the lagged sheet in two sensors is increased to correct sheet skew feeding. When the comparative determination portion determines that passage of a sheet through a reference position is leaded, the sheet conveying speed of the skew feeding correction roller on the same side as that of a sensor which detects the leaded sheet in the two sensors is reduced to correct sheet skew feeding. |
| US07694958B2 |
Sheet feeding cassette and image forming apparatus
A sheet feeding cassette, including a main body of the sheet feeding cassette accommodating sheets having a trench; a fence movably attached to the main body configured to define a setting position of the sheets; a fixing portion included in the fence that includes a tooth portion engaging with the trench and turns to substantially perpendicular direction of the moving direction of the fence; a lever portion included in the fence that is possible to move corresponding to the moving direction of the fence and the lever portion configured to rotate the fixing portion by moving of the lever portion. |
| US07694956B2 |
Recording apparatus having skew removal
A recording apparatus has a paper feeder wherein single sheets of paper can be set, a paper delivery device for transporting paper fed from the paper feeder to a recorder, and a control unit for controlling operation of the paper feeder and the paper delivery device. The control unit has a skew removal execution mode of only the first sheet of paper where the paper tip is bitten into a paper delivery roller forming a part of the paper delivery device and then the paper delivery roller is reversely rotated for ejecting the paper tip for the first sheet of paper at the start of recording and then forward rotating the paper delivery roller for delivering the sheet of paper whose skew is removed to the recorder and delivering the second and later sheets of paper to a record area without executing the skew removal. |
| US07694954B2 |
Sheet pick-up device
A sheet pick-up device includes a sheet pick-up arm, a driving shaft and a collar. The sheet pick-up arm has a sleeve at the outside surface thereof. The driving shaft is penetrated through the sheet pick-up arm and the sleeve. The collar is sheathed around the driving shaft and includes at least one flexible vane in contact with the inner surface of the sleeve. The height of the flexible vane relative to the outer surface of the collar is greater than the radial distance between the outer surface of the collar and the inner surface of the sleeve. |
| US07694951B2 |
Sheet feeder including a plurality of paper cassettes
A sheet feeder includes a first sheet-feeding cassette capable of accommodating a stack of recording medium and a second sheet-feeding cassette capable of accommodating a stack of recording medium smaller than the recording medium accommodated in the first sheet-feeding cassette. The second sheet-feeding cassette is disposed on the first sheet-feeding cassette so as to be movable with respect to the first sheet-feeding cassette. The second sheet-feeding cassette includes a first accommodating section and a second accommodating section. The second accommodating section is displaceable relative to the first accommodating section between a closed position and an open position. The second accommodating section exposes an accommodating section of the first sheet-feeding cassette wider in the open position than in the closed position. |
| US07694949B2 |
Custodial lapped stream mechanism
A device is provided for transferring printed sheet material products including a gripper conveyor having a plurality of grippers for gripping a plurality of printed sheet material products, a sheet conveyor for receiving the plurality of products from the plurality of grippers in a lapped stream, and a plurality of fingers, each finger assigned to one of the plurality of grippers, each finger contacting a first side of one of the plurality of products when a second side of the plurality of products is in contact with the sheet conveyor. A method is also provided. |
| US07694947B2 |
Apparatus and method of on demand printing, binding, and trimming a perfect bound book
A printing and binding apparatus (1) is disclosed which can print on demand, bind, and trim a perfect bound book. The apparatus includes one or more text page printers (110, 200) and a color cover printer (114). The text page printers print the text pages of a book and form the text pages into a book block (BB). The color cover printer (114) prints a cover for the book. The book block and the cover are delivered to a binding station at which the spine (S) of the book block is adhesively bound to the cover. The bound book is then delivered to a trimming station (TS) at which excess margins (are trimmed from the book. A method of printing and binding a perfect bound book on demand is also disclosed. |
| US07694946B2 |
Suspension system having active compensation for vibration
A suspension system for a seat of a vehicle comprises a base, a linkage, and a seat attached to the base via the linkage. A pneumatic shock absorber provides a respective resistance level against movement of the seat with respect to the base based on a corresponding pressure level of air or gas within the pneumatic shock absorber. A set of cylindrical members are spaced apart beneath the seat. A tension member is arranged to engage the cylindrical members. The tension member is attached to the seat via a bracket. An electric motor is capable of driving one of the cylindrical members. A first sensor is arranged to detect first sensor data associated with an instantaneous position of the seat versus time. A controller generates a first control signal for the electric motor to change a height of the seat in opposition to a change in the instantaneous position of the seat and a second control signal to change the pressure level. |
| US07694945B2 |
Hydraulically damping elastomer bearing
A hydraulically damping elastomer bearing has at least one housing (1, 2), a connection element (3), an elastomer body (4), which couples the housing (1, 2) and the connection element (3) with one another in a vibration-damping manner. Two chambers (5, 6) filled with a fluid are provided as well as at least one flow channel (8), which connects the chambers (5, 6) to one another. A recess (9) in the housing (1, 2) is associated with the flow channel (8). A valve (10) is present in the recess (9) for opening and closing the flow channel (8). An actuator (11) is provided for actuating the valve (10) on the outside of the housing (1, 2). The valve (10) includes an elastic diaphragm (12), in which an insert (13) is embedded. |
| US07694944B2 |
Nozzle for atomising a liquid by means of a gas and method of atomising
A nozzle for atomizing a liquid using a gas. The nozzle includes a mixing chamber (1), one or more liquid inlets (6c) and at least one tangential gas inlet (5) to the mixing chamber. An outlet (4) is positioned at the downstream end of the mixing chamber (1). A center body (2) having a generally converging configuration, seen in the flow direction, is provided in the mixing chamber (1). The liquid inlet (6c) or inlets is/are positioned at or near the upstream end (3a) of the mixing chamber (1) and in the upstream direction with respect to the gas inlet (5) or inlets. |
| US07694940B2 |
Multi-directional lifting apparatus
There is disclosed a jack that provides lifting from multiple orientations or directions. The jack is able to provide the lifting from these multiple orientations as fluid is continuously transferred from a reservoir to a pumping chamber to a piston chamber, regardless of the orientation or direction of the jack. |
| US07694935B2 |
Automatically shut off water faucet
A water faucet includes a receptacle engaged into a housing and having a passage communicating with a water outlet of the housing, a valve stem slidably engaged through the passage of the receptacle and having a valve member for controlling the water to flow from the water inlet to the water outlet of the housing, and a piston attached to the valve stem and slidably engaged in a compartment of the receptacle, the valve stem includes one or more orifices and one or more apertures for controlling a fluid to flow between the compartment of the receptacle and a cavity of the valve stem, and a valve element may adjust the flowing of the fluid into and out of the cavity of the valve stem. |
| US07694934B2 |
Diaphragm valve for irrigation systems
A diaphragm valve is disclosed that is adapted to reduce debris in the flow paths, reduce the water hammer effect, reduce the energy lost during flow, and/or improve bleed operation. The diaphragm valve includes at least two seals that are configured to permit multi-stage sealing of an opening in a diaphragm valve seat. The initial sealing stage blocks some but not all fluid flow through the opening, and the final sealing stage blocks fluid flow through the opening. The use of two sealing stages can reduce the water hammer effect by increasing the time over which sealing occurs. |
| US07694932B1 |
Combination desk accessory and picture and calendar display easel
A combination desk accessory tray and picture and calendar display easel with a tray cover having a first tray cover position, a second display item loading and unloading position, and a third easel position. |
| US07694930B2 |
Cable operated seat mount locks for rotatable vehicle seats
Apparatus for operation of a vehicle seat swivel or rotation mechanism are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a cable assembly having a first end and a second end. The first end of the cable assembly is configured to be operatively coupled to a rotation mechanism of a vehicle seat. A release member is operatively coupled to the second end of the cable assembly so that the rotation mechanism is urged toward a locked condition in the absence of a force being applied to the release member by a person. |
| US07694929B2 |
Stand for display device
There is provided a stand for a display device. The stand includes a base unit supporting the display device. A main link unit is hinged between the display device and the base unit. A pair of auxiliary links is eccentrically connected to hinges of the main link unit at different positions. A torsion spring includes at least one end connected to the pair of auxiliary links for applying an elastic force to the pair of auxiliary links. The main link unit has a smaller thickness, and thus the size of the stand can be reduced. The stand allows for convenient and smooth operation of the display device. Further, since the spring has a simple structure, the stand can be manufactured through a simple process with less cost. Furthermore, the outer appearance of the stand can be simple. |
| US07694928B2 |
Sink type cup holder for motor vehicle
A cup holder includes: a support housing; an elevator housing, movable within the support housing; a cup bearing tray, movable within the elevator housing; and an elevator unit that moves the elevator housing and the cup bearing tray in opposite directions. The elevator unit includes: a main gear that is linked with the cup bearing tray and is pivotably installed on the support housing, a rack gear that is linked with the elevator housing, and a driven gear that is engaged between the main gear and the rack gear. |
| US07694927B2 |
Screen suspension connecting means
A suspension connection means that allows fast disconnection includes a connecting base and a connecting portion; the connection base is connected to a cantilever; and the connecting portion is connected to a back of a screen; two sliders on the connecting portion are placed in a slide; a locking plate from the connecting portion slides into a channel on the connecting base; and the screen connected to the connecting portion is removed from the cantilever by pushing a press portion to clear the locking plate out of the channel for removing the connecting portion. |
| US07694922B2 |
Supporting apparatus for display devices and display device having the same
Provided are a supporting apparatus for display devices and a display device having the same, which make it possible to simplify construction, compared to the conventional ones, to provide easier production and to reduce production costs, as well as to maintain uniform motion of a main body of the display device when adjusting a viewing angle of a display screen of the main body. The supporting apparatus for display devices includes a supporting bracket provided to a main body of the display device, a base supporting the main body, a stand coupled to the base at a lower portion thereof and to the supporting bracket at an upper portion thereof, and a joint rotatably connecting the upper portion of the stand and the supporting bracket. Here, the joint includes a curved plug that is provided at the upper portion of the stand and has a curved outer surface, a curved socket that is formed at the supporting bracket so as to be coupled with the curved plug, and an elastic member that is interposed and connected between the curved plug and the curved socket. |
| US07694921B1 |
Automotive dismantler's stands
Two- and four-columned stands for holding vehicles aloft during dismantling include A-frame style structures having no raised horizontal cross members. The stands have improved stability and safety for dismantlers and equipment operators in the work area and provide clear access to vehicle components. Preferred stands permit adjustment to the width of the stand at the top. Distance along the length of four-columned stands can be varied to accommodate vehicles of differing lengths, or height of the stand can be adjusted. Four-columned stands include a pair of two-columned stands, each of which is wider at its ground-level base than at the top, and two horizontal ground-level links that connect the two-columned stands at their bases. Preferably a top platform of each two-columned stand includes two horizontal sliding T-beam assemblies that contact portions of a mounted vehicle and also permit width adjustment. T-beam assemblies are mounted on top of diagonal column assemblies and the two resulting structures are firmly attached to opposite ends of a horizontal ground-level base plate. A height adjustment assembly, having a vertical adjustment tube and vertical extendable column, may be incorporated into diagonal column assemblies. |
| US07694913B2 |
Apparatus and method for reduced backlash steering tiller
A method is disclosed for steering a mobile platform, where the method may involve: providing a steering component graspable and rotatable by an operator of the mobile platform from a neutral position to first and second positions; coupling an input shaft to the steering component; coupling an input arm to the input shaft so that rotational movement of the input shaft causes rotational movement of the input arm, the input arm being in the neutral position when the steering component is in the neutral position; supporting an idler arm adjacent the input arm and such that portions of the idler arm and the input arm are in contact when the steering component is in the neutral position; and using a biasing system configured to act on the steering arm and the idler arm to maintain the steering component in the neutral position when no force is being applied by the operator to the steering component, to reduce a backlash generated by at least one of the input arm and the idler arm, but to enable clockwise and counterclockwise motion of the input arm in response to an input from the operator using the steering component. |
| US07694912B2 |
Winding apparatus
A novel winding device of special arrangement insusceptible to vibration of a drive motor. A winding roll (2) is supported on a winding arm (1) and combined with a drive motor. The drive motor has a body (3) and a rotary shaft (4) penetrating of the body to project from the opposite sides thereof. Furthermore, a pair of bearings (5) are provided on the winding arm and the rotary shaft is supported rotatably on the opposite sides of the body. A rotation-stop (6) is provided between the winding arm and the body and, in the rotational direction of the rotary shaft, the body is restricted by the rotation-stop and does not rotate. Consequently, a web material can be wound around the winding roll by rotating the winding roll through the drive motor. |
| US07694910B2 |
Wire/fiber ring and method for manufacturing the same
A wire/fiber ring having two layers applied in four clock positions. Each layer includes a first material strand having a first diameter and a second material strand having a second diameter different from the first diameter. A second or any subsequent layer is disposed such that there is unambiguous nesting between strands in adjacent layers. After the array is built-up, wire is over-wrapped around the array to hold it in place during subsequent consolidation steps, which take place after the built-up array is sealed in an air-tight container and evacuated. After heating and application of pressure a wire/fiber array having a void content of about 12% and a fiber content of between about 0% to 70% and preferably between about 30% and 45% can be achieved. |
| US07694907B2 |
Large arbor fly fishing reel, spool, drag and ventilation system
A large arbor anti-reverse fly fishing reel provides by its handle a convenient variable drug control up to a present drag force. The drag knob is preferably designed as a four-vane propeller knob being arranged within a handle depression extending inside the spool. By means of a bayonet coupling, which also serves as a variable drag control device, the handle can be securely attached to the reel thereby locking the spool. The spool can be provided with omega-like perforations for a maximum stability, lightness and ventilation, said ventilation being optionally enhanced by an air turbine formed by said perforation and a portion of the frame and/or a portion of the handle extending inside the spool. |
| US07694905B2 |
Mill for seasonings, in particular, for moist Guérande salt
A mill for grinding seasonings, particularly moist salts such as Guérande salt, includes a body and a cap covering the body. A drive shaft is received within the body and has a device for breaking up the seasoning. |
| US07694904B2 |
Auxiliary drive
An apparatus includes a shell connection mechanism configured to be actuated between a connected state in which a mechanism is connected to a shell and a disconnected state and an actuator configured to move the first mechanism while the first mechanism is in the connected state to move the shell. |
| US07694901B2 |
Densifying of a bulk particulate material
A method of densifying a bulk particulate material includes at least partially confining the bulk particulate material, and mechanically agitating the confined bulk particulate material with at least two elongate rotatable members (14), (15) of which at least one is submerged in the confined bulk particulate material. The rotatable members each have an axis of rotation and include a plurality of axially spaced agitating formations (40) which project outwardly away from their axes of rotation. The rotatable members are transversely spaced. |
| US07694892B2 |
Liquid droplet plug and spray system
The invention concerns a Liquid droplet plug & spray system for atomising a liquid substance and comprising a liquid droplet spray device including a housing in which a space is provided for receiving a liquid substance, a reservoir for containing said liquid substance, a fluidic interface for connecting said reservoir to said space in said housing thereby conveying liquid substance contained in said reservoir to said space by way of capillary action, a valve arranged between said reservoir and said fluidic channel for controlling access of said liquid substance from said reservoir to said fluid channel, an electromechanical actuation means for actuating the liquid substance in said space such that the liquid substance undergoes a vibration and is expelled as a liquid droplet spray, and electronic control means for controlling said electromechanical actuation means, wherein said liquid droplet spray system consists of two parts, a first, disposable part in which said reservoir and said valve are arranged, and a second, non-disposable part in which said liquid droplet spray device, said electromechanical actuation means, said electronic control means and said liquid channel are arranged such that said reservoir does not directly contact said liquid channel, said valve ensuring that said first, disposable part is liquid tight when not in use. |
| US07694889B2 |
Printed material having location identification function, two-dimensional coordinate identification apparatus, image-forming apparatus and the method thereof
A printed material having a location identification function includes multiple encode units provided on an area to be encoded. Each of the multiple encode units records first code information of coordinate values identifying a location on the printed material and second code information of an identification number identifying the printed material, and the first code information and the second code information are invisibly recorded on the printed material. |
| US07694887B2 |
Optically variable personalized indicia for identification documents
The invention relates to identification documents, and in particular to providing optically variable personalized data to identification documents. In one implementation, we provide an identification document comprising a document layer and a first indicium. The document layer comprises a material capable of being printed by a thermally transferable optically variable ink. The first indicium is printed on the document layer and comprises personalized data and printed to the document layer by a thermally transferred optically variable ink. The first indicium may be printed to the document layer by disposing a thermally transferable optically variable ink in a mass transfer panel of a printer ribbon adapted for use in a dye diffusion thermal transfer printer, and printing the first indicium as part of a mass transfer printing process. The thermally transferred optically variable ink can be selected and printed such that the first indicium has at least one of a luster, shine, sheen, pearlescent appearance, iridescent appearance, and mirror-like appearance. This technology enables the creation of a halftone “mirror image” over a color ghost image to achieve a layered and linked multiple personalization scheme of ID documents. |
| US07694885B1 |
Indicating a tag with visual data
Indicating a tag is disclosed. Indicating includes receiving an object that has been automatically detected from visual data, receiving a tag associated with the object, and indicating the tag with the visual data. |
| US07694884B2 |
Removable cartridge identification system
A method for electronically providing identification of a removable data cartridge is disclosed. In one step, an identifier is programmed into the removable data cartridge. A command is received to provide a machine-readable marking from the removable data cartridge. An identifier is read from within the removable data cartridge. The machine-readable marking is determined using the identifier. Responding to the command with a response, where the response provides the machine-readable marking. |
| US07694883B2 |
RFID label, method for producing the RFID label, device for producing the RFID label, sheet member (tag sheet) used for the RFID label, and cartridge attached to the device for producing the RFID label
A method for producing a RFID label comprises conveying a first label base material which is transparent from a first holding portion holding the first label base material, forming an image on a surface of the first label base material, conveying a second label base material including at least one of a RFID antenna conductor and an IC chip from a second holding portion holding the second label base material and joining the second label base material and the first label base material on which an image has been formed together, wherein, when an image is formed on the first label base material, the image is formed on a surface of the first label base material, the surface being joined to the second label base material. |
| US07694881B2 |
Supply-chain side assistance
An apparatus, device, method, computer program product, and system that identifies an item having a presence within a geographic locale in response to a signal indicative of the item, obtains a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a first source and obtaining a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a second source; and aggregates the first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance. |
| US07694876B2 |
Method and system for tracking user performance
A system and method for using RFID technology to track resource performance and task completion is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a fob and an RFID reader may engage in mutual authentication. Where the RFID reader and the fob successfully mutually authenticate, the fob may transmit to the RFID reader information identifying the resource's performance tracking account to which the fob is associated. The RFID reader may receive and forward the information to facilitate performance tracking. In one exemplary embodiment, the RFID reader may forward the information to a point of interaction terminal for transaction completion. In another exemplary embodiment, the fob completes tasks via a computer interface. In still another exemplary embodiment, the fob resource and/or a manager may access a resource engine, wherein the resource engine may be used to automatically grade, track, score, and assign resources based on resource skills and skill sets. |
| US07694874B2 |
Over-the-air device provisioning and activation
Simplified wireless device activation may be achieved using temporary and permanent numbers used to connect to a wireless service provider. In one implementation, an electronic book reader device includes a memory that contains a temporary number that may be used to connect to a wireless service provider. The temporary number may be replaced with a permanent number that is used to connect to the wireless service provider. This replacement may occur once the electronic book reader device connects with the wireless service provider for the first time. The permanent number may be used to connect to the wireless service provider after the initial connection with the wireless service provider has transpired. |
| US07694872B2 |
Cashbox and apparatus for emptying the cashbox
An apparatus for emptying a cashbox, fare-box or the like, wherein the apparatus includes a right-parallelepiped-shaped casing and a cashbox including at least one slidable wall, wherein the casing has a container for inserting the cashbox so that this is positioned with the slidable wall facing downwards on a slider located in the casing of the apparatus, wherein the slider includes: a handle, a connecting apparatus for connection with the wall of the cashbox, and a blocking apparatus which allows the slider to be withdrawn from the casing into a withdrawn end position and then pushed in into a fully inserted end position but prevents any pushing in of the slider from any withdrawn position which does not correspond to the end position. |
| US07694863B2 |
Hand-held drive-in tool
A hand-held drive-in tool for driving fastening elements (60) in a workpiece (U) includes a drive-in ram (13) for driving the fastening elements (60) in the workpiece (U), at least one drive spring member (31) for driving the drive-in ram (13), a preloading device (70) for the drive-in ram (13) and the drive spring member (31), a locking device (50) which retains the drive-in ram (13) and the drive spring member (31) in a preloaded position (33) when the locking device is located in its locking position (54), an actuation switch (19), for initiating the drive-in process for displacing the locking device (50), and into a release position (55) thereof, and at least one further switch for displacing the locking device (50) in the release position thereof (55) independent from actuation of the actuation switch (19). |
| US07694861B1 |
Towing device
A towing device. An illustrative embodiment of the towing device includes a hitch bar, a wheel cradle having a generally curved wheel cradle bottom carried by the hitch bar and a pair of spaced-apart wheel cradle sides extending from the wheel cradle bottom and at least one securing strap carried by the wheel cradle. |
| US07694860B2 |
Handgun locking device and holster
Handgun locking apparatus for securing a handgun in a holster includes a lever member including a body having a forward and rear end portion mounted to the holster and a spring element projecting forwardly and outwardly from the front end portion of the body for contacting an interior surface of a holster for biasing the body against a handgun. A locking flange on the forward end contacts a handgun to positively engage a portion of a handgun to inhibit withdrawal of a holstered handgun. An operating arm extends rearwardly from the rear end portion of the body for moving the body away to move the locking flange away from a handgun. A positioning member is affixed inside a holster for engaging a handgun inserted in a holster to position a portion of a handgun in contact with the locking flange. A tension device is mounted to the inside of the holster for positioning the gun properly with respect to the locking apparatus. |
| US07694858B2 |
Liquid filling method and device
A beverage filling method and an apparatus to perform the beverage filling method, wherein a liquid is delivered from a storage tank into a filler tank of a filler, and the liquid is filled into containers by the filler. The method is characterized in that the liquid in the filler tank is returned through return piping attached to the filler tank and refluxed to the storage tank through a reflux path. According to this method, an excess of liquid in the filler can be circulated throughout the entire line. |
| US07694857B1 |
Fluid dispense pump with drip prevention mechanism and method for controlling same
A material dispensing pump includes a drip prevention system and method so as to avoid undesired dripping of the dispensed fluid. In one example, the fluid path is sealed. Positive pressure is applied to the fluid during a dispensing operation to present the fluid to the auger-style pump at a desired rate. Between dispensing operations, or when dispensing is completed, the fluid is placed in suspension, for example by applying a negative pressure, thereby preventing the fluid from being inadvertently released at the dispense tip. In addition, following a dispensing operation, the pump dispensing controller can be programmed to reverse the rotation of the feed screw, in order to draw the material in a reverse direction and to further suspend the fluid. |
| US07694852B2 |
System for dispensing a liquid substance
A system for dispensing at least one liquid substance comprises a bag filled with a substance which is to be dispensed and a dispensing device which has a housing in which there is a space for accommodating the bag. The bag has a first connector element and the dispensing device has a second connector element, connectable to the first connector element allowing discharge of said substance from the bag. The dispensing device has retaining means for retaining the first connector element of the bag in a defined pre-connection position prior to interconnecting the first and second connector elements. The first and second connector elements are displaceable relative to each other between a connected position and a disconnected position. The dispensing device has actuator means associated with the first or second connector elements for displacing the first and second connector elements relative to each other between the connected and unconnected position. |
| US07694851B2 |
Device for tamper protecting and authenticating a liquid product distributor
A device for tamper protecting and authenticating a liquid product distributor including a container with a cylindrical neck with a seal engaged therein, further including an indicator element with a collar which is elastically inwardly collapsible and whose largest diameter is greater that the neck internal diameter and which is removably disposed on the lower part of the seal and is trapped in the container after a forced penetration through the neck. The indicator element includes a sleeve in which the lower part of the seal is radially clamped. |
| US07694848B2 |
Assembly for dispensing pre-moistened towelettes
A novel towelette dispensing assembly is presented comprising a housing and a frame wherein the housing is attached the frame, which in turn is releasably secured between the mounting brackets of a conventional toilet tissue roll holder. The frame includes parallel-spaced opposing support arms and mounting means. The mounting means is intended to be positioned on either side of a toilet tissue roll such that the expandable spindle provided as part of a conventional toilet tissue dispenser may engage or pass through said mounting means. The support arms of the frame assembly extend beyond the mounting means to bear against the wall or vertical surface to maintain the frame assembly in a substantially vertical position. One embodiment includes a novel tissue roll spindle. The towelette housing can take various shapes to accommodate a variety of conventional commercial towelette containers. The dispensing assembly is intended to be detachably coupled to a conventional toilet tissue holder in a manner that does not interfere with the dispensing of toilet tissue. By its coupling to the toilet tissue dispenser, the dispenser of this invention is conveniently located near the tissue roll and may be accessed without the user having to come in contact with the assembly. |
| US07694847B2 |
Snap ring supplying device and method
A snap-ring supplying device includes a magazine (10) containing C-shaped snap rings (S) piled together each of which has a gap, an extrusion member (25) that pushes out a snap ring occupying the lowest position in the magazine so that the gap (S1) of the snap ring is directed forwardly in an extruding direction, a conveying path (23) that conveys the snap ring pushed out by the extrusion member to an area in which the snap ring is contracted to reduce the diameter of the snap ring, a projection-strip guide wall (26) formed to stand upwardly in a substantially vertical direction with a width that is defined by forming a pair of concave parts (28) and that can enter the gap of the snap ring in a termination area of the conveying path, and an oscillating member (31) and urging members (32, 33) serving as a restricting mechanism (30) that restricts the gap of the snap ring so that the gap is directed in a direction from the magazine to the projection-strip guide wall. With this structure, the direction of the gap is restricted during conveyance, and hence the snap ring can be supplied to the ring-contracting area while reliably changing the attitude of the snap ring. |
| US07694843B2 |
Reinforced plastic foam cup, method of and apparatus for manufacturing same
A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties. |
| US07694841B2 |
Holding container, external container for kneading and transportation, and kneading device
In order to achieve a container which is convenient for carrying, delivery, transportation and storage of a viscous liquid, which can be disposed by being crushed to a small volume size when it has become empty, and which prevents twisting or rising up of the lower half of the container during a mixing of a viscous liquid, a container A holding liquid is used, wherein a ring-shaped rim frame 2 is provided on the upper end of a flexible tubular main body 1, a bottom plate 3 is fitted onto an opening at the lower end thereof, and at least one ring-shaped trunk section frame 4 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of said tubular main body 1. |
| US07694840B2 |
Storage vessel chamber for storing fuels such as hydrogen
A storage vessel for storing a fluid substance, said storage vessel including a plurality of abutting individually sealed storage chambers, each chamber capable of withstanding super atmospheric pressure, with adjacent chambers forming at least one fluid passageway therebetween, characterised in that at least one said chamber includes an external peripheral seal configured to be relatively weaker than the remainder of said vessel. |
| US07694839B2 |
Bottle crate
A nestable crate for bottles which includes a floor member and first and second pairs of opposed sidewalls integrally formed with the floor member. Each sidewall includes a side band member which is defined by a centrally disposed upper edge and lower edge. The lower edge is spaced above the floor member by a predetermined distance to define a sidewall nesting area therebelow. The upper and lower edges each contoured downwardly to form a corner band portion having a corner upper edge and corner lower edge, wherein each nesting area matingly receives a corresponding side band member of a crate nested subjacent thereto. |
| US07694838B2 |
Trash can liner with bag securing mechanism
A liner for use in a trash can has a body having a surrounding wall and a top edge that defines a mouth, and a trash bag securing mechanism provided on the body adjacent the top edge. A user can insert a trash bag into the liner, open the mouth of the trash bag and then secure a portion of the trash bag to the trash bag securing mechanism. |
| US07694837B2 |
Tamper evident container lid
A tamper evident container lid is provided that includes a lid body configured to cover the opening of a base container having a top rim. The lid body has a skirt extending therefrom. The skirt has an annular score line and an annular fold line extending therearound. An outer band of the skirt extends between the score line and the fold line, and an inner band is folded inwardly to be in opposing relation to the outer band and extends upwardly from the fold line to an upper free edge. When the container lid is sufficiently applied to the base container such that the free edge slides downwardly past a top rim of the container, achieving a proper closure, an attempt to remove the lid will cause a plurality of sections of the inner band to engage the top rim and impede removal of the lid from the base container. |
| US07694835B1 |
Drafted neck finish having angled thread face and closure package
The present invention comprises a neck extending upwardly from a container and having an upper rim defining a neck opening. The neck has a substantially vertical sidewall of a constant thickness and at least one container neck thread extending from the sidewall. The at least one neck thread has an outer thread face drafted from a radially inward upper position to a radially outward lower position. The device further comprises a closure having a top wall and a skirt depending from the top wall, wherein the skirt is tapered. The closure comprises a closure thread extending helically along an inner surface of the skirt. The container thread has increasing radial length moving downwardly along the container neck. |
| US07694834B2 |
Electro-mechanical coupler for use with model trains
A coupler for use with model trains. The coupler includes a body member; a knuckle pivotally mounted on the body member, where the knuckle is in either an open state or a closed state; a locking pin disposed on the body member, where the locking pin is operable for maintaining the knuckle in the closed state when the locking pin is in a first position, and for allowing the knuckle to transition to the open state when the locking pin is in a second position; and an actuator wire coupled to the body member and the locking pin. In operation, the actuator wire contracts in length when an electrical signal is supplied thereto such that the locking pin is transitioned to the second position when said electrical signal is supplied to the actuator wire. |
| US07694818B2 |
Package containing a window and a performance characteristic indicator
A package comprising a container and a plurality of tampons. The container includes a layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the layer forming an interior space. The container also includes a window that can be clear and can be circular in shape. The container contains in the interior space a plurality of tampons, each of the tampons having an absorbent capacity between about 6 grams and 15 grams and each of the tampons being individually wrapped in a wrapper. The exterior surface of the container has a signal color corresponding to an absorbent capacity, and at least one of the wrappers of the tampons has a substantially similar or same signal color, the substantially similar or same signal color on the wrapper being visible through the window. |
| US07694813B2 |
Package components for radiochemical sterilization
This invention deals with package components for radiochemical sterilization of medical or pharmaceutical products consisting of a hermetically sealed foil pack containing (1) a solid device, as in absorbable sutures and meshes, in a perforated holder or a liquid formulation in a sealed, flexible dispenser, as in absorbable cyanoacrylate-based tissue adhesive; (2) a microparticulate, unstabilized polyformaldehyde as a source of radiolytically generated formaldehyde encased in a sealed pouch comprising a porous, non-woven or woven fabric; and (3) a nitrogenous compound capable of reacting with residual formaldehyde, such as melamine or urea, that is encased in a sealed pouch comprising a porous, non-woven or woven fabric. |
| US07694812B2 |
External container for an implant carrier
The present invention refers to an external container (1) for an implant carrier (20), comprising a cylindrical body portion (10) and a lid (50) closing the cylindrical body portion (10), the lid (50) being provided with a truncated cone-like element (74) which protrudes into the cylindrical body portion (10) and has on its surface at least one annular means (73) for fixing an implant carrier (20) into place which is adapted such as to fix the implant carrier (20) releasably into place in a stable position in the center of the interior of the cylindrical body portion (10). |
| US07694810B1 |
Carrier tube assembly for packaging a medical device
A carrier tube assembly for packaging a medical catheter is disclosed. The carrier tube assembly includes an elongate tube, a medical catheter, and a plug. At least a distal portion of the elongate shaft of the medical catheter is positioned in the lumen of the elongate tube such that the proximal end of the elongate tube is hermetically sealed around a portion of the hub assembly of the medical catheter. The plug is inserted into the lumen of the elongate tube at the distal end of the elongate tube, hermetically sealing the distal end of the elongate tube. Thus, a hermetically sealed environment is established within the elongate tube. The plug includes a moisture and/or oxygen absorbing agent to absorb moisture and/or oxygen in the hermetically sealed environment. |
| US07694807B2 |
Diaper buddy
A diaper buddy including a container with a base plate. A first side wall is affixed to, and extends downwardly from, the base plate. The first side wall has a closed outline defining the plan of a first compartment for holding a plurality of baby wipes. A first lid is hingedly attached to the first side wall for closing the first compartment. A second side wall is affixed to, and extends upwardly from, the base plate. The second side wall has a closed outline defining the plan of a second compartment for holding a tube of ointment. A second lid is hingedly attached to the second side wall for closing the second compartment. A third side wall is affixed to, and extends upwardly from, the base plate. The third side wall is positioned adjacent to the second side wall, outside the second compartment. The third side wall has a closed outline defining the plan of a third compartment for holding a roll of plastic bags. A third lid is hingedly attached to the third side wall for closing the third compartment. An elastomeric band has opposed ends that are affixed to the base wall between the second compartment and the third compartment for securing a plurality of disposable diapers to the container. |
| US07694805B2 |
Guard assembly and related methods
This disclosure provides a guard assembly and its individual guards for protecting a conveyor system, such as the center conveyor frame. Related methods of installing or removing the individual guards and the guard assembly are also provided. |
| US07694804B2 |
Revolving device for a conveyor chain or a conveyor belt
There is described a revolving device for a conveyor chain or a conveyor belt, wherein at least one magnet exerts an attracting or a repelling force on the conveyor chain and/or the conveyor belt in order, in particular, to reduce wear and tear during high speeds and to cushion vibrations. The magnetic flux is thereby concentrated in such a way by a first flux guide piece that the magnetic flux acts vertically upon an effective surface of a component of the conveyor chain and/or the conveyor belt. In interaction with a second flux guide piece, the return of the magnetic reflux is achieved by of an additional component of the conveyor chain and/or conveyor belt. Thus the magnetic reflux does not occur by way of the first named component, and consequently an optimized exertion of force on the conveyor chain and/or conveyor belt results. |
| US07694801B2 |
Driving assembly for driving panels and plate elements to processing stations
A driving assembly for driving panels and plate elements in general to be processed comprises a central framework for supporting a driving chain continuously entrained on a driving pulley and an idle pulley, a plurality of panel driving shoes being coupled to the chain.The main feature of the invention is that the driving assembly further comprises, on a portion of an active arm of the driving chain, actuator elements for removing the drive shoes from a panel sliding plane, to allow a processing tool to perform a lot of desired machining operations on the panels. |
| US07694800B2 |
Method and device for handling profile parts
A device for handling profile parts, including a mechanism for linearly and/or axially positioning such parts perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the profiles, for conveying, for measuring, for controlling the cutting and/or for stacking such parts, with at least one supporting beam placed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the profiles wherein the beam is provided with a mechanism for picking up the parts, and wherein the device includes a mechanism for axially rotating the beam and a mechanism for linearly moving the beam in two or more directions perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. |
| US07694797B2 |
Printed note processing machine and system
A printed note deposit machine, comprises: a user recognition unit identifying a user with an authenticated person; an inlet unit serving as a receiving teller in which printed notes are deposited; a dispensing unit receiving printed notes deposited in the inlet unit to dispense them in sequence; an identifying unit classifying the dispensed printed notes into four categories of authenticated notes, counterfeit notes, unidentifiable notes, and rejected notes, and identified them with the four categories; a temporary money holder temporarily storing the authenticated, counterfeit, and unidentified notes but the rejected ones therein; a plurality of storage cells storing the printed notes after they are temporarily stored in the previous stage; and a rejection unit accumulating the printed notes identified with the rejected notes by the identifying unit to return them to the user. A printed note deposit system, comprises: a plurality of the printed note deposit machines; a database apparatus installed in a central office and receiving transaction data from the memory of each of the printed note deposit machines to accumulate the transaction data; and a trace unit matching the transaction data accumulated in the database apparatus with transaction data on the detected counterfeit or unidentified notes to track down a user of the unauthenticated notes. |
| US07694795B2 |
Device for actuating a parking lock
A device is provided for actuation of a parking lock of a vehicle transmission that is automatically operated in particular, whereby the parking lock can be brought into a locked position by means of a spring mechanism and can be brought out of the locked position and into an unlocked position by means of an actuator, and an electrically operated actuator is provided, acting upon a locking latch arranged in the unlocked position of the parking lock with a locking slide in an engaged position so that the engaged position can be released such that the spring mechanism brings the parking lock into the locked position. |
| US07694793B2 |
One-way clutch with dog-clutch and synchronizer
A clutch assembly is provided for use in a vehicle having an automatic transmission, the assembly including a clutch-apply piston and an integrated one-way clutch, dog clutch apply plate, and synchronizer clutch having a synchronizer plate and a rotating synchronizer cone. The clutch assembly is actuated by a clutch-apply piston configured to axially displace the dog clutch apply plate, thereby engaging the synchronizer plate with the rotating synchronizer cone to synchronize the respective speeds of the synchronizer plate and dog clutch apply plate during a gear shifting event. Upon speed synchronization, continued axial displacement of the clutch-apply piston completes engagement of the dog clutch apply plate to achieve a coast gear state. A return spring provides a return spring force for disengaging the clutch apply piston to permit selection of an alternate gear state during a subsequent gear shifting event. |
| US07694792B2 |
Twin clutch device
A twin clutch device wherein a second clutch is arranged coaxially and radially inside of a first clutch outer which forms an annular plate portion. One clutch inners of both clutches is arranged between a clutch member which constitutes a portion of the outer of the first and second clutches and an annular plate portion. Lifter pins have axes arranged parallel to a rotary axis of first and second clutches and axially movably penetrate both clutch inners to bring one ends thereof into contact with pressure plates. First and second drive control members are capable of applying control forces to disconnect the first and second clutches against spring forces of first and second clutch springs. A second clutch outer is rotated together with the first clutch outer and is arranged coaxially with the first clutch. A pair of clutch outers are connected in a relatively non-rotatable manner with each other. |
| US07694790B2 |
Motor vehicle equipped with an integrated brake and clutch control system
A motor vehicle brake and clutch actuator system includes a pressurized fluid source and a plurality of fluid actuated brakes. Each brake is adapted to individually decelerate a vehicle wheel. A fluid actuated clutch is adapted to drivingly interconnect members of a vehicle driveline. A plurality of valves selectively communicate the pressurized fluid source with one of the plurality of fluid actuated brakes and the fluid actuated clutch. |
| US07694788B2 |
Tool bag with integrated exterior foam pad
The present invention relates to a resilient foam pad that is integrated into the bottom exterior of a tool bag. More specifically, the invention relates to maximizing the inter-compatibility of a tool bag and a highly portable foam pad. The upper surface of the foam pad is adorned with a nylon loop fastener attracting carpet. Attached to the bottom side of the tool bag is a nylon hook fastener lining. The tool bag is designed to offer storage and detachment of the foam pad without having to open the tool bag compartment. Alternative embodiments of the foam pad would include a rubber sealed version for use in wet conditions. |
| US07694785B2 |
Controllable damping force hydraulic shock absorber
A controllable damping force hydraulic shock absorber including a pilot type damping valve having a back-pressure chamber for each of an extension stroke and a compression stroke. A piston connected to a piston rod is fitted into a sealed cylinder in which a hydraulic fluid is contained. During an extension stroke of the piston rod, the hydraulic fluid in an upper cylinder chamber flows to a lower cylinder chamber through an extension-side hydraulic fluid passage, an extension-side orifice hydraulic fluid passage, an extension-side back-pressure chamber, an axial hydraulic fluid passage, a radial hydraulic fluid passage, a compression-side back-pressure chamber, an extension-side check valve and a compression-side hydraulic fluid passage. During a compression stroke, the hydraulic fluid in the lower cylinder chamber flows to the upper cylinder chamber through the compression-side hydraulic fluid passage, the compression-side orifice passage, the compression-side back-pressure chamber, the radial hydraulic fluid passage, the axial hydraulic fluid passage, the extension-side back-pressure chamber, the compression-side check valve and the extension-side hydraulic passage. The hydraulic fluid passage for an extension stroke and the hydraulic fluid passage for a compression stroke have some elements in common, thus simplifying the structure of the controllable damping force hydraulic shock absorber. |
| US07694784B2 |
Adjusting apparatus for a pneumatically actuated disc brake
An adjusting apparatus for a pneumatically actuated disc brake, in particular for arrangement in a rotatable spindle, having an overload coupling and a unidirectional coupling, is distinguished by the fact that the unidirectional coupling has a rolling-body coupling and friction clutches which are arranged on both sides of the rolling-body coupling. |
| US07694770B2 |
Leisure vehicle
A leisure vehicle configured to be propelled by a friction between a drive wheel thereof and a ground surface with which the drive wheel is in contact, including a power unit configured to drive the drive wheel, a speed control device configured to control drive of the drive wheel, and a controller configured to control the speed control device to increase a rotational speed of the drive wheel while maintaining a state in which the drive wheel does not slip on the ground surface in a predetermined amount or more. |
| US07694768B2 |
Snowmobile drive assembly
A snowmobile rear suspension is shown comprised of a linear force element (LFE) positioned outside the envelope of the snowmobile endless track. The snowmobile frame includes a chassis mounted to a tunnel, where the chassis includes a central mounting bracket. The LFE is attached at one end to the bracket and at the other end to a bell crank. The bell crank is operatively connected to the slide rails. When the slide rails collapse in normal operation, the bell crank strokes the LFE, and the suspension is progressive throughout the range. The suspension includes front pivot links which are connected to the tunnel coaxially with a drive shaft. |
| US07694761B2 |
Hybrid drive chain and hybrid vehicle equipped with same
The invention concerns a hybrid drive chain of a vehicle (1) comprising a heat engine (2) connected to a mechanical assembly (4) including a gearbox (5) coupled with a differential (6) itself coupled with the driven wheels (7G, 7D) of the vehicle (1) by their respective axle shafts (8G, 8D), and at least one electrical machine (3) including a stator (10) and a rotor (11), cooperating with the heat engine (2) via the mechanical assembly to provide heat and/or hybrid traction to the driven wheels (7G, 7D). The invention is characterized in that the electrical machine (3) is arranged between the differential (6) and one of the driven wheels (7D), by surrounding the axle shaft (8D) connecting the driven wheel (7D) to the differential (6). |
| US07694756B2 |
Indenting member for a drill bit
A drill bit has a bit body intermediate a working face and a shank end adapted for connection to a downhole drill string. The working face has at least three fixed blades converging towards a center of the working face and diverging towards a gauge of the bit, at least one blade having a cone region adjacent the center of the working face. The cone region increases in height away from the center of the working face and towards a nose portion of the at least one blade. An opening is formed in the working face at the center of the bit along an axis of the drill bit's rotation, the opening leading into a chamber with at least one wall. An indenting member is disposed within and extends from the opening, is substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation, and is fixed to the wall of the chamber. |
| US07694754B2 |
Stabilized seal for rock bits
An earth boring bit has a bit body having a depending bearing pin. A cone has a cavity rotatably mounted on the bearing pin. A seal groove is formed in the cavity of the cone. An elastomeric seal ring is located within the groove and forms a seal between a base of the groove and the bearing pin. The seal ring has two side surfaces, each spaced from one of the side walls of the groove by a clearance. Elastomeric protuberances protrude from each of the side surfaces of the seal ring for non-sealing contact with one of the side walls of the groove. |
| US07694748B2 |
Rock breaking machine and lubricating method
A rock breaking machine and to a method of lubricating a tool of a rock breaking machine. The lubricating system comprises at least one lubricant channel (23) into which lubricant is fed by a lubricating device (24). Lubricant is supplied to the bearing members (19) of the tool (6, 13) of the rock breaking machine. The lubricating device comprises a lubricant container (25) and a transfer device (26). The transfer device (26) controls the feed of lubricant into the lubricant channel. The lubricant container (25) is integrated into the body (17, 18) of the rock breaking machine. |
| US07694746B2 |
Large bore packer and methods of setting same
Devices and methods for setting a packer inside a wellbore with little appreciable reduction of the useable area of the wellbore. The outer casing or liner of the wellbore contains one or more integrated casing coupler joints having an increased diameter chamber portion. A large bore packing element is carried within the increased diameter chamber portion. The packing element may be selectively actuated to form a seal against an interior tubular member. Because the packing element is located within the chamber portion of the casing coupler, the packer may be set while saving useable cross-sectional area within the casing. |
| US07694734B2 |
Method and apparatus for insulating a resonator downhole
A method and apparatus are provided for insulating electrical connections to a resonator from fluid downhole under extreme pressure and temperature conditions downhole. The method and apparatus provide a pliable insulator that maintains electrical isolation between a resonator electrical connection during exposure to high pressures downhole. The insulator is substantially chemically non reactive so that the insulator maintains electrical isolation between the resonator electrical connections during exposure to fluids downhole. The insulator has a thermal coefficient of expansion in a range so that the insulator maintains electrical isolation between the resonator electrical connections during exposure to high temperatures downhole. |
| US07694733B2 |
Centralizer
A centralizer having a body with an inner surface provided with a friction-reducing slider, typically located in an annular recess on the inner surface of the body of the slider, spaced from the ends of the body. The slider can be formed separately from a body of the centralizer and subsequently attached thereto on the inner surface so that it is adapted to bear between the outer surface of the tubing to be centralized and the inner surface of the centralizer. This reduces rotational torque transmitted between the centralizer and the tubing, and assists in maneuvering of the tubular string into the desired position in the well. |
| US07694732B2 |
Diverter tool
The present invention relates to a diverter tool used in a pipe string to lower a liner into a partially cased wellbore. The diverter tool has a diverter body that defines a longitudinal central flow passage and has diverter ports defined therethrough to communicate and redirect fluids received in the liner to an annulus between the diverter tool in casing previously set in the wellbore. The diverter tool has first and second closure members. The first closure member is movable between open and closed positions on the diverter body. The second closure member is detachably connected in the diverter body in its open position and is movable to its closed position to prevent flow through the diverter ports. |
| US07694730B2 |
Spear type blow out preventer
A blow out preventer for operating between a spear of a tubular gripping tool and a tubular gripped by the tool includes: an expandable seal carried on the spear and expandable to seal between the spear and the tubular's inner wall, the expandable seal being operable as a back up to a primary seal operable between the spear and the tubular's inner wall. A tubular gripping tool and a method may include the blow out preventer. |
| US07694725B2 |
Heat dissipation system
A heat dissipation system and a making method thereof are disclosed in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The heat dissipation system mainly includes a body, a cover, and a working fluid. The body includes an evaporation chamber having a first side entryway and a first side outlet, a condensation chamber having a second side entryway and a second side outlet, an elongated evaporation passage configured for intercommunicating the first side outlet with the second side entryway, and an elongated condensation passage configured for intercommunicating the second side outlet with the first side entryway. The cover is hermetically secured to the body. The working fluid is contained in the body. |
| US07694724B2 |
Engine cooling radiator
A radiator includes a core for cooling a fluid, and a tank connected to the core having a side surface with a depression extending between the front and rear surfaces adapted to receive a hose and a plurality of integral ribs formed on the tank external surfaces. The radiator further includes an elongated support member having a body portion removably connected to the core and extending along a side thereof, an end portion removably connected to the tank, and a flexible expansion portion permitting relative movement between the body and end portions to reduce stress during thermal expansion and contraction of the core. |
| US07694723B2 |
Water block
A water block is used to be adhered to a heat-generating element and includes a cavity. The cavity has a chamber therein. One side or both sides of the chamber is provided with an inlet pipeline and an outlet pipeline respectively, thereby communicating with the chamber. Further, the chamber is provided therein with a heat-exchanging means for performing a heat-exchanging action with a working fluid. Finally, the top face of the cavity is provided with a membrane. An activating element is adhered on the membrane for driving the membrane to swing up and down, thereby forcing the working fluid within the chamber to circulate in single direction. The activating element is used as a power source, and in addition, the water block can be made much thinner. |
| US07694712B2 |
Window shade with coil spring drive
A window shade arrangement for a motor vehicle is provided that contains a housing in which a winding shaft is rotatably supported. A strip shaped shade element is fixed on the winding shaft. The cover of the window shade housing is formed by a spring housing. A coil spring for tensioning the winding shaft in the wind up direction of the strip shaped shade is seated in the spring housing. The spring housing, the spring seated therein and a coupling shaft form a preassembled unit. |
| US07694711B2 |
Screen device
There is provided a screen device having a pair of slide guide frames and a slide bar expanding and storing the slide guide frames so that screens can be set up and stored by the movement of the slide bar, wherein a roller pipe having a coil spring mechanism for providing a resilient force integrated therein is arranged between the slide guide frames, pivotally supporting bodies are disposed at both ends of the roller pipe so as to be capable of sliding but not to be capable of rotating with respect to the slide guide frames, one end of two screens are fixed to the roller pipe, and the roller pipe rotates and slides in association with expansion of the slide guide frames or storage thereof into the slide bar in association with the movement of the slide bar to which the other end of one of the screens is fixed, whereby setting up of the screen by withdrawal of the same from the roller pipe and storage of the screen into the roller pipe by winding of the same on the roller pipe are enabled. |
| US07694707B2 |
Tire with integral foamed noise damper
The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having two spaced inextensible beads; a ground contacting tread portion; a pair of individual sidewalls extending radially inward from the axial outer edges of said tread portion to join the respective beads, the axial outer edges of the tread portion defining a tread width; a supporting carcass for the tread portion and sidewalls; and at least one foamed structure disposed radially inwardly of the carcass and exposed to the inner cavity of the tire, the foamed structure including a co-vulcanized foamed rubber composition having a density ranging from 0.1 to 1 g/cm3. |
| US07694706B2 |
Tire wheel assembly
Provided is a tire wheel assembly making it possible to effectively reduce cavity resonance noise without causing either negative influence on deformation of a tire or deterioration in rim assembling workability. A tire wheel assembly of the present invention includes a pneumatic tire, and a wheel provided with a rim fitted with the pneumatic tire, and forms a cavity portion between the pneumatic tire and the rim. The tire wheel assembly comprises at least one tube, which has one end thereof closed while having a length of 55% to 110% of a reference length L0 corresponding to one fourth of a cavity resonance wavelength, is provided so as to open to the cavity portion. |
| US07694704B2 |
Tree stump grinding teeth
Tree stump grinding teeth for use in tree stump grinding wheel assemblies and tree stump grinding wheel assemblies that include one or more such grinding teeth. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the grinding tooth includes a mounting base having a substantially flat surface from which a plurality of cleats project. The cleats are adapted to be received in corresponding bores formed in the wheel. A resilient impact pad is positioned between the mounting base of the grinding tooth and the wheel. The resilient impact pad protects the surface of the wheel from impact forces applied to the grinding tooth. |
| US07694703B2 |
Apparatus for dispensing particulate material and components therefor
A particular dispensing apparatus (10) for dispensing with particular refractory material into a gap between a furnace wall and a form includes a platform (12) removably engaging the upper end of an expendable metal form. A carriage (14) is pivotally coupled to the platform and is rotatable about a pivot point located generally at the center of the platform. A hopper (30) is coupled to the carriage. The hopper receives particulate refractory material via an inlet and dispenses the particulate refractory material through an outlet (36). A feeder (34) is coupled to the outlet of the hopper to move the particulate refractory material from the outlet to a dispenser (44). The dispenser is coupled to the carriage at a distal end of the feeder and is suspended above the lining gap to deliver particulate refractory material into the lining gap. An air extractor device (170) is coupled to the carriage for removing air from particulate refractory material in the lining gap and for re-compacting the particulate refractory material. |
| US07694697B2 |
Apparatus for forming a selvedge on a gripper weaving machine
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming an insertion-side fabric selvedge (35) on a gripper weaving machine, whereby: a) selectively one of several weft threads (3, 4, 43, 44) that are provided on bobbins (1, 2, 41, 42) is positioned in the running path (5) of a gripper (6), while the other weft threads (3, 4, 43, 44) are held outside of the running path, whereby: b) the weft thread positioned in the running path is grasped and inserted into a loom shed by the gripper (6), whereby: c) thereafter the inserted weft thread (3) is beat-up against a binding line (33) by means of a weaving reed (31), whereby: d) the inserted weft thread (3) is cut-off on the insertion side directly after the beat-up, and e) the bobbin-side weft thread end of a respective cut-off weft thread (3) is respectively grasped and held by a different suction chamber of a suction chamber block (10, 20). |
| US07694695B2 |
Controlled expansion hose
An expansion hose adapted for smoothing pressure fluctuations in a hydraulic system having an inner tube, a textile reinforcement, and an outer cover. The reinforcement includes a plurality of yarns, which in turn have a plurality of filaments of first fiber material type and a plurality of filaments of second fiber material type, with first fiber type having elongation at break higher than the second fiber type by at least about 4% elongation. The expansion hose may be part of an assembly including at least one fitting, coupling, bracket, hose clamp, or other hose. |
| US07694687B2 |
Direct application brush for horses and livestock that releases active ingredients
A horse and/or livestock brush releases a liquid gel solution directly onto the coat of an animal during brushing. Delivery of the liquid gel solution is activated by manually depressing the brushes cover. The liquid gel solution includes perfumes, fragrances and other active compositions including insect repellant, hair conditioners, dyes, moisturizers, or antibacterial compounds. The brush includes a flexible deformable membrane with a plurality of apertures that are, optionally, aligned with apertures in brush bristles for delivery of the liquid gel active composition, and is fitted within a first opening of an internal cavity in a brush base. A porous sponge saturated with the liquid gel active ingredient is inserted over the flexible deformable membrane. A cover is inserted through a second opening and rests upon the porous sponge. Brushing action deforms the flexible deformable membrane and squeezes the sponge, releasing the active ingredient during brushing or when the cover is depressed manually. |
| US07694684B2 |
Device for facilitating medical examination
A device (10) for facilitating a medical examination includes a movable body (12) having a storage compartment (24) therein and a door member (42, 44) movably mounted to the body (12) for at least partially covering the storage compartment (24). A supporting unit (72, 74) is mounted to the body (12) for supporting a foot of a patient during the performance of a medical examination. |
| US07694674B2 |
Oxygen generator with storage and conservation modes
An electronic controller (16) controls the operation of an electrochemical oxygen generating system (14) producing a desired gas. The product gas is fed to a storage unit (12) or a regulator (28) and pulsing valve (28) controlling the gas flow to a user. A two-stage system (180) combines a low pressure 100 and a high pressure (150) gas generating subsystems. The low pressure subsystem (100) uses IMAT's (106) to pump oxygen from ambient air to generate a low-pressure. The high pressure subsystem (150) uses IMAT's (160) to pump oxygen to high-pressure oxygen storage devices (194). |
| US07694669B2 |
Paintball loader feed mechanism
An improved paintball feed mechanism for a paintball loader is disclosed, including a drive shaft and a motor for actuating the drive shaft. At least on rigid projection is provided connected to the drive shaft by an elastic member. The elastic member is formed so that it will bend when the rigid projection encounters a jammed or stationary paintball in the paintball loader, thus preventing paintball breakage. |
| US07694666B2 |
System and method for tip-in knock compensation
A system for an engine of a vehicle traveling on the road, the system comprising a cylinder of the engine; an emission control device coupled in an exhaust downstream of the cylinder; a first injector configured to directly inject into the cylinder and coupled in a cylinder of the engine; a second injector configured to inject into a port of the cylinder and coupled to a port of the cylinder; and a controller for, in response to a driver pedal tip-in condition, increasing an amount of injection from the first injector. |
| US07694665B2 |
Liquid vapor separator
A liquid vapor separator for a vehicle's fuel system, said liquid vapor separator comprising a body having an inlet connectable with a venting system of a fuel tank and a vapor outlet connectable to a fuel vapor treating device, and a condensation space for condensation of fuel droplets, said space being in flow communication with said inlet and with said outlet, and said condensation space extending at or being in flow communication with a filler neck of the fuel system. |
| US07694662B2 |
Bypass-intake-flow control apparatus
The invention aims to prevent the dust passing through a gap provided for sliding movement of bypass valve from being attached to a screw mechanism, and thus to guarantee smooth motion of the screw mechanism. Provided is a bypass-intake-flow control apparatus including a throttle body in which a bypass and a valve hole that is open into the course of the bypass are formed. A bypass valve to open and close the bypass is slidably but not rotatably fitted into the valve hole. An actuator is attached to the throttle body with an output shaft arranged coaxially with the bypass valve. The screw mechanism links the output shaft and the bypass valve. A bottomed hollow portion is formed in the bypass valve with an opening facing the actuator. A dust cover that surrounds the screw mechanism in the hollow portion is attached to the throttle body. |
| US07694660B2 |
Air induction housing having a perforated wall and interfacing sound attenuation chamber
An air induction housing having a perforated wall which provides a first intake noise attenuation modality and further having a sound attenuation chamber interfaced with the perforated wall which provides a second intake noise attenuation modality. Multiply apertured tubes of the sound attenuation chamber provide a Helmholtz resonator, wherein the tubes are superposed the wall perforations so that, attendant to the noise attenuation, ample air entry into the air induction housing is provided. The size, number and arrangement of the perforations is selected such that ample airflow is provided and audibility of intake noise is minimized in conjunction with the corresponding tubes of the sound attenuation chamber. |
| US07694658B2 |
Two-stroke engine, especially for landcraft, watercraft, or aircraft models
Disclosed is a two-stroke engine, especially for landcraft, watercraft, or aircraft models, comprising a piston which can be moved up and down within a bush, defines a combination chamber at the top, and is connected to a crankshaft via a con-rod at the bottom, said crankshaft being rotatably mounted in a crank housing located below the bush. In order to reduce friction of the piston in the bush of such a two-stroke engine, the bottom end of the bush, which adjoins the crank housing is provided with means that increase the temperature-related radial expansion of the bush. |
| US07694656B2 |
Cylinder head for rotary valve internal combustion engine
A cylinder head (3) for an axial flow rotary valve (1). The head comprises a bore (2) having an axis and adapted to house an axial flow rotary valve (1), a window (8) in the bore through which at least one port (12, 13) in the valve periodically communicates with a combustion chamber (9) as the valve rotates, at least two axially extending slots (21) in the bore, adjacent opposite sides of the window, each of the slots being adapted to locate a floating elongate gas sealing element (20), and at least one spark plug hole (7) adjacent to the bore and adapted for mounting a spark plug associated with the valve. The head further comprises at least one elongate axially extending cooling passage (24, 25 26) disposed between the bore and the spark plug hole, adjacent to one of the slots, the passage having a substantially constant cross section and extending axially at least over the length of the slots. |
| US07694655B2 |
Engine
The purpose of the present invention is to improve cooling efficiency of a cylinder head of an air-cooled engine. With regard to the construction that a cooling fan is provided at one of ends of a crankshaft, and cooling air from the cooling fan is guided to a cylinder head 4 so as to cool the cylinder head 4, an intake manifold 8 is arranged above the cooling fan, a duct 51 is provided at the lateral center of the intake manifold 8 so as to suck air from an air cleaner, cooling air is sent from both sides of the duct 51 to an intake valve, an exhaust valve and an injection nozzle arranged in the cylinder head 4, and a shielding plate 55 is provided at one of lateral sides of the duct 51. |
| US07694645B2 |
Rotary atomization head painting device
An air source (11) is connected to an air motor (3) through an electropneumatic converter (12) which is connected to a rotational controller (13). Upon changing settings in a target rotational speed (N0) or paint discharge rate (Q0), in order to supply a necessary air pressure for rotationally driving the air motor (3) in a steady state with new setting conditions, the rotation controller (13) selects a steady value (is) from a rotational data selection processing table, and outputs to the electropneumatic converter (12) the newly selected steady value (is) as an input current value (i). By so doing, the rotational speed of the air motor (3) is quickly controlled toward the changed target rotational speed (N0). |
| US07694643B1 |
Sandwiched structure for optical discs
Sandwiched structures for an optical disc, especially for Blu-ray discs, are disclosed. According to one exemplary structure, a substrate is sandwiched by two cover layers on both sides of a disc As a result, similar characteristics in material on both sides of the disc help sustain the shape and flatness of the disc. To provide the cover layers in uniform thickness, techniques for creating or producing such a cover layer are described. In one embodiment, a certain amount of the material in liquid form is dispensed onto a dispensing structure. After the dispensing structure is engaged to hold a disc, the dispensing structure and the disc as a whole unit is rotated at a predefined speed. While the dispensed material on the dispensing structure is being dispersed evenly onto the surface of the disc as result of the centrifugal force, a heater is employed to retain or control the temperature of the dispensed material so that the flow of the dispensed material outwards can be effectively controlled to form a cover layer of uniform thickness on the disc. |
| US07694640B2 |
Guest positioning assembly
A guest lap bar locking assembly for releasably positioning a lap bar within a water ride at an entertainment park includes a lap bar locking assembly that is dimensioned and configured to provide continuously variable position locking of the lap bar. |
| US07694639B2 |
Retractable mooring line device
A retractable mooring line device comprising a reel for storing and paying off a mooring line, having side walls each comprising a series of notches for receiving a releasable latch. A latch simultaneously engages between notches in both side walls at a substantially right angle to provide a secure, positive locking engagement between the latch and the reel while permitting the latch to be released under the application of relatively little force. In the preferred embodiment the latch may be actuated by a user's hand or foot and is biased toward the reel by a spring which bears against the housing. The mechanism can be exposed for maintenance or repair simply by removal of the gunnel plate and reinstallation of the gunnel plate does not require special loading of the latch spring. |
| US07694636B2 |
Furnace
A furnace includes: a furnace housing; a perforated tray mounted in the furnace housing; and a stirring rod disposed rotatably on the perforated tray. The stirring rod has top and bottom ends, two opposite lateral ends, a middle portion, and opposite first and second portions, each of which extends from the middle portion to a respective one of the lateral ends. Each of the first and second portions has an inclined face that extends between the top and bottom ends of the stirring rod from the respective one of the lateral ends toward the middle portion of the stirring rod, that is inclined relative to the perforated tray, and that faces toward the perforated tray. |
| US07694632B2 |
Magnet arrangement for a magnetic levitation vehicle
A magnet arrangement (10) for a magnetic levitation vehicle (1) is described. The magnet arrangement comprises at least one magnetic pole (11) consisting of a core (14) and a winding (12) applied to the core, a control circuit connected to the winding (12) and a power supply unit for supplying at least the electrical energy required for the control circuit. According to the invention, the magnet arrangement (10) is designed as an autonomous modular unit integrating within itself the magnetic pole (11), the control circuit and the power supply unit (FIG. 5). |
| US07694626B2 |
Apparatus and method to impart smoke flavoring to barbequed meat
A fire-proof smoke canister is loaded with a fragrant burnable mixture, comprising wood chips, shavings, or sawdust, combined with one or more selected herb seasonings such as oregano, fennel, dill, sage, ginger, rosemary, thyme, or celery seed. The burnable mixture may itself be a combination of various woods, including vintage oak obtained from retired wine barrels. At least one aperture is provided in the wall of the canister, preferably in the removable cover portion. The loaded canister is placed on a charcoal, gas, or electric fired barbeque grill for heating. Once smoke exudes from the aperture, the meat is placed on the grill and a cover is lowered over the grill to confine the smoke. The aperture size is selected as to allow only slow, oxygen-starved combustion of the burnable mixture within the canister. The canister may be re-loaded repeatedly with new burnable mixture for successive barbeques. |
| US07694616B2 |
Spindle drive support
There is provided a machine for processing workpieces. In one embodiment, there is provided a workpiece processing machine including a processing tool movable along a tool drive axis to engage a workpiece with a force, a spindle coupled to the processing tool and having two helical spindle drive threads spaced apart along the tool drive axis, through which drive threads tool forces are transmitted, and one or more drive motors operable to move the spindle by applying force through the spindle drive threads to displace the spindle and the tool along the tool drive axis, wherein the processing tool is coupled to the spindle to transmit force from the tool to the spindle by a force transfer element coupled to the spindle so as to distribute the force between both of the spindle drive threads. |
| US07694613B2 |
Tool device for high-speed machine-working
The present invention relates to a tool device for high-speed crosscutting, comprising a striking unit, a tool housing, a damper unit, a movable crosscutting tool and a fixed crosscutting tool. The tool housing has at least two curved supporting surfaces for the moveable crosscutting tool. The supporting surfaces have the same radius. A recess is provided between the supporting surfaces. The recess is provided for a striking piston in the striking unit. Also provided is a crosscutting tool for high-speed machine-working. |
| US07694611B2 |
Turret-mounted workpiece ejector
A workpiece ejector and a method for ejecting workpieces from a turning machine such as a lathe. The turning machine has at least one spindle for receiving workpieces therethrough and at least one chuck associated with the spindle for holding a workpiece during machining operations. In one embodiment, the ejector includes a piston mounted at a location outside the spindle and proximate the chuck, the piston having a first end adapted to engage the workpiece and being movable between a first position where the first end is located outside the spindle and a second position where the first end and at least a portion of the piston are within the spindle. An actuator is operative to move the piston from the first position toward the second position. The actuator may include a mechanical spring. |
| US07694610B2 |
Photo-multiplier tube removal tool
A tool is provided including a ratchet assembly including a handle grip and a socket; and a clamping assembly including a clamp with a notch; wherein the ratchet assembly is configured to be affixed to the clamping assembly so that a rotatable force applied to the handle grip actuates the clamp. |
| US07694604B2 |
Shifting mechanism for an automated or automatic transmission
A shifting mechanism for an automated or automatic transmission includes a selection lever that can be shifted in a first shift gate between automatic selection stages. The selection lever can be shifted, via a first lateral gate, to a second shift gate in order to allow the manual selection of individual transmission gears, and via a second lateral gate, with which various modes, for example an automatic or a manual mode, can be activated using the selection lever. In addition to three stable positions for the selection stages, the selection lever has a fourth stable position, from which all driving modes can be set. |
| US07694600B2 |
Ball screw
Ball screw, having a spindle nut (2) which may be provided on a recirculating ball screw (1) and on the inner circumference of which turns (3) of ball grooves (4), helically wound around an axis, are provided in which balls (5) can roll, at least one return element (8), arranged on the outer circumference of the spindle nut (2) and provided with a return duct (9) for the balls (5), at its two ends connecting a start of a turn (3) to an end of a turn (3) in order to permit a continuous recirculation of the balls (5), the return element (8) between its two ends being supported on a support (15, 21), the return element (8) being resiliently supported by means of at least one spring element (14) on the support (15, 21). |
| US07694599B2 |
Gearing as well as a rotary encoder equipped with such gearing
A gear mechanism includes a rotating input element, a rotating output element, and at least one first force transmission device arranged along a spiral line on a face of the input element. A second force transmission device is arranged along an encircling line on a face of the output element. The interaction of these force transmission devices transmits a turning moment from the input element to the output element, whereby this turning moment effects a rotating motion in the output element so that the rotational speed is lower than the rotational speed of the input element. A rotary encoder may be equipped with a gear mechanism of the aforementioned type. |
| US07694594B2 |
Custom vehicular monitoring device
The present invention discloses a method and system for providing custom vehicular monitoring gauges for individuals. The custom vehicular monitoring gauges include a display face having an upper show surface and a lower surface. A sensor scale and a display area are located on the upper show surface of the display face. A predetermined graphic design is located on the display area. The predetermined graphic design comprises a plurality of gems set in a predefined pattern to form the predetermined graphic design. The sensor scale may also comprise a plurality of gems set in a predefined pattern to form the sensor scale. |
| US07694592B2 |
Electronic metering apparatus for metering liquids
An electronic metering apparatus for metering liquids with a drive, at least one displacer device with a displacer chamber and a displacer element arranged therein, which is connected to the drive, at least one holding device for a pipette point, which has a passage channel which is connected with the displacer chamber, a data memory with memory locations for different calibration data concerning different pipette points and/or different liquids and/or different usage conditions, an electric selection device for selecting calibration data, an electric control unit, which is connected to the electric selection device, the data memory, and to the electric drive motor of the drive and/or an electric display device, and which controls the movement of the displacer element by means of the electric motor and/or the display of the metering volume through the display device with recourse to the calibration data from the data memory, selected with the aid of the selection device, and an electric power supply. |
| US07694591B2 |
Method and apparatus for evaluating a dosing operation
During a method of evaluating a dosing operation, carried out by means of a dosing pump, for dosing a liquid medium in a vessel, filled at least partially with a gas, a pressure profile of the gas, present in the vessel, is detected at least periodically during the dosing operation. This pressure profile is compared with a desired value profile, prescribed for a control unit of the dosing pump, of the pump rate or pump output defining the dosing operation, and an evaluation result is issued in dependence on the comparison. In such case, the dosing operation is evaluated to be faulty or in need of correction when it is determined that the detected pressure profile over time with the prescribed pump rate or prescribed pump output lies outside a desired value range. A plurality of error conditions for the evaluation of the dosing operation are used, which consider the pressure development in a time window after a prescribed change in the defining pump rate or pump output. |
| US07694589B2 |
Low and empty product detection using load cell and load cell bracket
A system and method detect when a product container from which a product is dispensed is empty or nearly empty, and provides a notification of the product status. The system includes a load cell that deflects at a first rate of distance per unit load when a load less than a critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell, and a load cell bracket positioned such that the free end of the load cell contacts the load cell bracket when a load substantially equal to or greater than the critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell. The load cell bracket may prevent the load cell from further deflection, or it may permit deflection of the load cell at a second rate of distance per unit load when the load cell is in contact with the load cell bracket. The system may generate an out-of-product notification when the amount of product dispensed is substantially equal to zero, a low product notification when the amount of the product remaining is less than a threshold weight or a proof-of-delivery notification. |
| US07694585B2 |
Straight tube type Coriolis flowmeter for tertiary mode vibration with elastic connection member and pedestal
A straight tube type Coriolis flowmeter is equipped with a straight-tube-type flow tube, a drive device for driving by a tertiary mode vibration, a pair of detection unit for detecting a phase difference proportional to a Coriolis force, a pedestal having rigidity, and elastic connection members having elasticity. Assuming that an axial direction of the flow tube is a Z-axis, that a driving direction of the drive device is an X-axis, and that a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis and the X-axis is a Y-axis, the elastic connection members are of a structure exhibiting lower rigidity in the Z-axis direction than in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and exhibiting lower rigidity in a direction of rotation around the Y-axis than in a direction of rotation around the Z-axis and a direction of rotation around the X-axis. |
| US07694579B2 |
Sensor intended to be embedded in a layer of cement material of a pavement and security system including said sensor
A sensor adapted to be embedded in a layer of cement material of a pavement to detect pressure thrusts acting on said pavement. The sensor includes: a plate-like transducer; a base structure including a container fitted with a chamber such as to house said transducer and a layer of protective material defined between a surface in contact with said transducer and an opposite free surface; a pressure plate including a force transferring portion and a force receiving portion which projects compared to said force transferring portion, the force transferring portion including one end portion facing the force receiving portion and one opposite end portion. The force transferring portion is such as to distance the force receiving portion from the free surface so as to define between the force receiving portion and the free surface a region which can be filled at least in part with the cement material of the layer of cement material. |
| US07694577B2 |
Strain gauge
A strain gauge measures elongation and compression at a surface of a component. The strain gauge comprise a housing having a fixation configured to attach the strain gauge to the surface to be measured, a connector for contacting a measuring cable, at least two support surfaces at the housing for securely bearing on the surface to be measured. At least one of the support surfaces is provided with a transduction element and with a measuring element for measuring shearing forces. The measuring element is connected by an internally disposed cable to the connector and to a module that comprises that at least one support surface provided with the measuring element pre-assembled together with the transduction element. |
| US07694576B2 |
Electric motor and/or transmission
An electric motor and/or a transmission consisting of an input shaft, an output shaft, and a case provided with a centering flange and/or a fixing flange. At least one extension sensor is allocated to the case. |
| US07694574B2 |
Pirani vacuum gauge
A Pirani vacuum gauge in which a response to a rapid pressure rise is improved and restrictions on a mounting direction of a container on a chamber to be measured for pressure are eliminated is provided. The Pirani vacuum gauge includes a heat filament of metal wire and a support unit for supporting the heat filament in a container, wherein a gas pressure is measured based on an amount of heat conducted away from the heat filament by gas molecules colliding with the heat filament, characterized in that a body of the container is filled with metal material, but a first cylindrical bore and a second cylindrical bore extend through the body, the heat filament being inserted into the first cylindrical bore and the support unit being inserted into the second cylindrical bore. |
| US07694568B2 |
Method for the nondestructive material testing of highly pure polycrystalline silicon
Noncontaminating and nondestructive testing of a shaped polysilicon body for a material defect is accomplished by exposing the shaped polysilicon body to ultrasound waves, and the ultrasound waves are registered by an ultrasound receiver after they have passed through the shaped polysilicon body or reflected therein, so that material defects in the polysilicon are detected. |
| US07694567B2 |
Acoustic detection of hidden objects and material discontinuities
Sonic excitation is used to locate, without contact, an object or defect beneath a surface. Defects may include, for example, damage and flaws in load bearing concrete structures wrapped in plastic, fiberglass or composite sheathing, while buried objects amenable to detection include landmines or above-ground mines. |
| US07694566B2 |
Method of evaluating ultrasonic signals of a flaw in a workpiece
The invention relates to a method for representing echo signals that are obtained with the aid of an ultrasonic test apparatus used for non-destructively testing a test piece. Said ultrasonic test apparatus comprises a probe, especially an angled probe, a monitor with a display device for representing the received echo signals in an cross-sectional image such that at least one front face and a back wall of the test piece can be recognized. A flaw is detected from different arrangements of the angular probe, represented, and an error signal is determined. The test images are stored and then represented in a superimposed manner in an evaluation image such that the first and the second error signal can be recognized. |
| US07694564B2 |
Boiler tube inspection probe with centering mechanism and method of operating the same
A centering apparatus for internal nondestructive testing of a tube to be inspected includes an elongated shaft member coupled to an inspection probe; a plurality of fingers, pivotally attached at a first end thereof to a mounting surface affixed to the shaft member, the plurality of fingers circumferentially surrounding the shaft member; and an expansion mechanism, disposed between the plurality of fingers and the shaft member, the expansion mechanism configured to selectively and outwardly extend a second end of the plurality of fingers with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shaft member, so as to bring the second end of the plurality of fingers into contact with an inner surface of the tube to be inspected, thereby centering the inspection probe within the tube. |
| US07694560B1 |
Non-invasive bottom up continuous liquid level transmitter
Apparatus for measuring the level of liquid in a container has a substrate on which a plurality of piezoelectric elements are mounted that are to transmit ultrasonic energy upwardly through the bottom of a container placed on and supported by the substrate into the container and to receive ultrasonic energy reflected back from the liquid/air interface within the container from which the round trip time can be measured and the liquid level calculated. The plurality of piezoelectric elements are of predetermined shapes and mounted spaced apart on the substrate in an array to accommodate containers with different shape bottoms. |
| US07694557B2 |
Tire pressure monitoring sensor and mounting method
A tire pressure monitoring sensor includes resilient spring members to support and resist movement during rotation of the wheel. |
| US07694554B1 |
Engine misfire detection probe
A probe and method for sensing pressure variations in the exhaust stream of an engine for detecting cylinder misfires. The probe includes a Venturi tube placed in the exhaust stream. The Venturi tube has a sensing tube with an aperture, and the sensing tube is coupled to a pressure sensor for monitoring the pressure of the exhaust stream within the Venturi tube at the point of the aperture. The pressure sensor then generates a voltage signal based on the pressure, and this voltage signal is viewed on an oscilloscope or processed by a microprocessor to generate a waveform readable by a technician. The waveform will indicate the presence of a misfiring cylinder(s), and more specifically, which cylinder(s) is misfiring. |
| US07694541B2 |
Padlock having a preloaded locking member
A padlock comprises a lock body including at least one passage defined therein. A shackle is displaceable between open and secured positions. The shackle has at least one leg which is slideable within the at least one passage and which includes a notch. A locking member is accommodated within the lock body and is displaceable between unlocked and locked positions. The locking member is preloaded towards the locked position to engage the notch to inhibit movement of the shackle from the secured position into the open position. One of the at least one passage and the at least one leg defines at least one recess. The other one of the at least one passage and the at least one leg defines at least one projection that extends into the at least one recess. |
| US07694539B2 |
Suction apparatus for a fabric-treatment water-jet beam
A suction apparatus for a water beam that directs a liquid jet at a passing a fabric web workpiece has a suction chamber extending transversely adjacent the jet and having a perforated lower wall sloping downward away from an upper region close to the water beam and a lower region remote therefrom. Air is withdrawn from inside the chamber to aspirate spray from adjacent the jet through the perforated lower wall. |
| US07694537B2 |
Door for drum type washing machine and method of manufacturing door with decorative part
Disclosed herein are a door for drum type washing machines and a method of manufacturing such a door. A front member is attached to the front surface of a door frame. Consequently, the overall strength of the door frame is increased. Especially, a decorative part, which consists of alternating reflective/nonreflective or embossed/depressed patterns, is formed either at the door frame or at the front member. Consequently, the overall appearance of the door is improved, and glare is effectively prevented. |
| US07694536B2 |
Manufacturing apparatus of porous glass base material and glass base material for optical fiber
A manufacturing apparatus of a porous glass base material is provided. The manufacturing apparatus includes a burner repeatedly moving back and forthreciprocating in a direction along a longitudinal direction of an axis-rotating base member glass rod, where the burner ejects and deposits glass particles onto the base member glass rod, and an exhaust hood positioned above a porous glass soot formed by the deposition of the glass particles, where the exhaust hood repeatedly moves back and forth reciprocates in a same direction as the burner in synchronization with the burner. Here, the exhaust hood surrounds a portion of the porous glass soot corresponding to an angle θ of 100° or more with respect to an axial centera central axis of the porous glass soot. To be more specific, the angle θ may be preferably 180° or more. |
| US07694531B2 |
Method and apparatus for wafer-level micro-glass-blowing
A method for forming microspheres on a microscopic level comprises the steps of defining holes through a substrate, disposing a sheet of thermally formable material onto the substrate covering the holes, heating the sheet of thermally formable material until a predetermined degree of plasticity is achieved, applying fluidic pressure through the holes to the sheet of thermally formable material, while the sheet of glass is still plastic, and forming microspheres on the substrate in the sheet of thermally formable material by means of continued application of pressure for a predetermined time. The invention also includes a substrate having a plurality of holes defined therethrough, a layer of thermally formable material disposed onto the substrate covering the plurality of holes, and a plurality of microspheres thermally formed in the layer by means of applied pressure through the holes when it has been heated to a predetermined degree of plasticity. |
| US07694528B2 |
Heat exchanging apparatus
In a heat exchanging apparatus for a vapor compression refrigerant cycle, an internal heat exchanger is attached to an end of a radiator. The internal heat exchanger is arranged such that high-pressure refrigerant passages are closer to the radiator than low-pressure refrigerant passages. The heat exchanging apparatus can be mounted on a vehicle such that the radiator receives cooling air more than the internal heat exchanger. Because the internal heat exchanger performs heat exchange between high-pressure refrigerant and low-pressure refrigerant, performance of the internal heat exchanger is not degraded even if it is located at a part receiving less cooling air. Thus, the heat exchanging apparatus is easily mounted on a vehicle by integrating the internal heat exchanger with the radiator, without reducing a cooling capacity of the radiator. |
| US07694526B2 |
Shielding member and indoor unit of an air conditioner
A shielding member includes a shielding plate for covering a part of a heat exchanger, heat transfer tube engagement sections for engaging with heat transfer tubes of the heat exchanger, fin engagement portions for engaging with fins of the heat exchanger, a bypass preventing rib for preventing air from being directed to the part of the heat exchanger, and a mismounting preventing portion for preventing the shielding member from being mounted on a heat exchanger that does not require blocking of air flow. The heat exchanger in which the part covered with the shielding member has no heat exchanging function is manufactured with the same components as those of a heat exchanger on which the shielding member is not mounted and the whole of which has a heat exchanging function. |
| US07694522B2 |
Heat exchanging wall, gas turbine using the same, and flying body with gas turbine engine
A heat exchange wall include a base plate; a plurality of first protrusions distributedly provided on a surface of the base plate, and a plurality of second protrusions distributedly provided on the base plate surface. The height of the second protrusion in a normal direction of the base plate is desirably less than ½ of a height of the first protrusion in the normal direction. The height of the second protrusion in the normal direction is desirably between 1/20 and ¼ of the height of the first protrusion in the normal direction. More desirably, the height of the second protrusion in the normal direction is 1/10 of the height of the first protrusion in the normal direction. |
| US07694518B2 |
Internal combustion engine system having a power turbine with a broad efficiency range
An engine system incorporating an air breathing, reciprocating internal combustion engine having an inlet for air and an exhaust for products of combustion. A centripetal turbine receives products of the combustion and has a housing in which a turbine wheel is rotatable. The housing has first and second passages leading from the inlet to discrete, approximately 180°, portions of the circumference of the turbine wheel. The passages have fixed vanes adjacent the periphery of the turbine wheel and the angle of the vanes in one of the passages is different than those in the other so as to accommodate different power levels providing optimum approach angles between the gases passing the vanes and the blades of the turbine wheel. Flow through the passages is controlled by a flapper valve to direct it to one or the other or both passages depending upon the load factor for the engine. |
| US07694512B2 |
Exhaust gas purification apparatus for internal combustion engine
A NOx occlusion and reduction catalyst 7 is arranged in an exhaust path 2 of an engine 1 to purify NOx in the exhaust gas. An electronic control unit (ECU) 30 of the engine operates the engine in an operating mode in which the exhaust gas increases in temperature with the air-fuel ratio thereof kept rich each time a predetermined amount of SOx is occluded in the catalyst 7, and executes the SOx poisoning restoration process for releasing SOx from the catalyst 7. The ECU controls the engine air-fuel ratio in such a manner that the H2 concentration in the exhaust gas detected by the H2 sensor arranged in the exhaust path upstream of the catalyst 7 is in a predetermined range. As a result, an appropriate amount of hydrogen is supplied to the catalyst 7 during the SOx poisoning restoration process. Thus, an appropriate amount of hydrogen is supplied to the catalyst 7 during the SOx poisoning restoration process, so that the H2S generation is suppressed while at the same time executing the SOx poisoning restoration process efficiently. |
| US07694511B2 |
System for controlling depollution means regeneration
The inventive system for controlling the regeneration of depollution means (1) which is integrated into the exhaust line (2) of a motor vehicle engine (3) and is associated with a common rail fuel supply means for carrying out the depollution means regeneration strategies (6) by using the fuel post-injections into the engine cylinders, wherein said system also comprises, for each regeneration, means (7) for calculating a total time spent in different regeneration strategies and means (8) for comparing said total time with a maximum threshold value (9) in order to stop the regeneration when said threshold is exceeded. |
| US07694510B2 |
Motor control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle
A motor control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle with a diesel engine provides for a reduced compulsory regeneration time period so as to achieve enhancement of the fuel cost. The motor control apparatus includes a filter for collecting particulate matter in exhaust gas of the diesel engine, a compulsory regenerator for compulsorily regenerating the filter, and a battery charger for converting the output power of the diesel engine into electric power based on a charged state of the battery, and for charging the battery with the electric power. When the compulsory regeneration is executed, the supply of electric power to the battery by the engine is inhibited. |
| US07694508B2 |
Air-fuel ratio control system for internal combustion engine
Air-fuel ratio control system for an engine having a catalyst purifying exhaust gases, first oxygen sensor disposed upstream of the catalyst, and second oxygen sensor disposed downstream. Intake air flow rate is detected. An amount of oxygen flowing into the catalyst is calculated using oxygen concentration detected by the first sensor and the detected intake air flow rate. The air-fuel ratio is alternately controlled to lean and rich by comparison between the calculated oxygen amount and target values. A rich oxygen amount and a lean oxygen amount are calculated. A correction amount for correcting the first sensor output is calculated based on the rich oxygen amount, the lean oxygen amount, and an accumulated value of the detected intake air flow rate. The oxygen concentration corrected with the correction amount is used for calculating the inflowing oxygen amount, the rich operation oxygen amount, and the lean operation oxygen amount. |
| US07694500B2 |
Drive assembly and drive system for a combine head
A drive assembly for a combine head includes a hub and a bearing received over a portion of the hub. The bearing defines a rotational axis of the hub. A plane passes radially through the bearing relative to the axis. A sprocket is coupled to the hub and is coaxial with the bearing. The sprocket has a plurality of teeth located around a perimeter of the sprocket, the plurality of teeth being located so that the plane passes radially through the plurality of teeth. |
| US07694499B2 |
Equipment and process for continuously making stack packages of tiles or the like
Packaging equipment for continuously making packages of stacks of tiles on a working conveyor that feeds the stacks of tiles to be packaged. The equipment has a first element for feeding a plastic film on top of the working conveyor that projects laterally below the stacks of tiles and also has a second element for feeding two laminar elements parallel to each other on top of the plastic film which laterally project below the stacks of tiles. Guiding rods are provided for vertically lifting and upper winding of the projecting portions of the plastic film that is around the stacks of tiles as they advance on the conveyor. Longitudinal welding device and another welding device are provided for welding the plastic film around the stacks of tiles. |
| US07694496B2 |
Retention packaging having film with pleated portion
A retention packaging includes a support member having first and second sections each defining a support surface for receiving an object thereon for shipping, and a film disposed in covering relation to the support surfaces of the support member and retained to the support member at the first and second sections. The first and second sections are pivotably connected to one another along a fold line that transects the support member. The film includes opposite ends each enclosing a respective opposite end of the support member and defining overlapping areas of the film that are permanently joined together, and a pleated portion that is located between the opposite ends of the film and that includes at least one fold in the film. The film is removably secured to itself so as to removably secure the at least one fold of the pleated portion. |
| US07694494B2 |
Tree support and cover system
The present invention relates to a tree support and cover system. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a tree stand configured for efficient transportation of a tree. The tree stand includes two sets of wheels for use in translating the tree. A first set of wheels is disposed below the tree stand and allows for conventional translation with an erect tree. A second set of wheels is disposed on the side of the tree stand and allows for tipped translation. The tree stand may also include an optional electrical system with one or more electrical items including a timer, a Ground Fault Interrupter outlet, a remote controlled positioning system, etc. A second embodiment of the present invention relates to a collapsible tree cover that can be used to efficiently transport and store the tree. The collapsible tree cover can be concealed within a tree stand or used as a skirt when it is collapsed below the tree. The tree cover includes at least one adjustable expansion system with an elastically biased opening for use in reducing the diameter of the tree. The tree cover includes at least one storage opening which can be used to store items around the trunk of the tree when the tree cover is extended over the tree. The tree stand and tree cover embodiments can also be used in conjunction with one another to provide additional features. |
| US07694492B2 |
Gripping device, packaging machine and method for placing boxes in an outer packaging
The invention relates to a gripping device (2) for placing boxes (1), in particular egg boxes, in an outer packaging, wherein the gripping device comprises a amobile frame (3); grippers (4) placed on both sides of the frame in such a way that in use the grippers are situated on both sides of the box, whereby the grippers can be moved between a box supporting position and an unloading position, wherein each gripper is formed by a mainly pen-shaped body with a hook-shaped end (6), whereby at least the hook-shaped end (6) can be rotated around the longitudinal axis of the gripper, and wherein the grippers on the one side of the box are attached staggeringly in relation to the grippers on the other side of the box. |
| US07694491B2 |
Cotton harvester for producing modules which can be automatically identified and oriented
RFID tags pre-installed on bale wrap segments provide location information for a specific area of the bale wrap. RFID tag readers located on the cotton harvester provide signals for use by the module wrapping apparatus for initiating a cutting or separating operation, once a module has been wrapped, and for warning an operator of a situation where the wrapping function has not proceeded in an orderly fashion after a signal for starting the wrapping function has been received. A wrapped module carries the pre-installed RFID tags which are readable by RFID readers carried by module handlers in the field and/or at the gin input which identify the modules and establish a position to which the module may be automatically oriented so that an ideal module wrap cutting location is easily calculated. The RFID tag reading taken in the field or at the gin thus senses the number on the tag as well as the location of the tag, and the module identification is input to an electronic database. |
| US07694489B2 |
Suture winding device
A suture winding device is provided that includes a holder and a base having a needle holder for receiving a needle with a quantity of attached suture attached thereto. A plurality of rods are disposed on the base that may be arranged in one or more arrays. The plurality of rods contribute to the alignment of a retainer disposed on the base that includes first and second members that may be joined together using pressure and/or heat. Prior to joining the first and second members of the retainer, the base may be rotated to form loops of suture around the arrays of rods. |
| US07694481B2 |
Genesis foundation wall system
An engineered wall system for use above or below ground constituted of zinc-borate treated timber strand studs with sheets of structural fiberglass reinforced plastic and rigid foam insulation. The invention is particularly suitable as an alternative to other materials and methods commonly used to construct foundations for residential structures. This wall system exhibits great strength, durability, as well as improved resistance to mold, insects, water and fire. |
| US07694480B2 |
Panel-type subfloor for athletic floor
An athletic floor uses a panel-type subfloor to secure directly to a concrete base. The panel-type sections include upper and lower rigid layers which sandwich a resilient layer. The rigidity of the lower layer spans most uneven spots in the floor, while the resilient layer provides some degree of a compressibility and/or conformability, as needed, to provide a flat horizontal surface for supporting a layer of floorboards thereabove. The panel sections can be secured directly to the base, via anchors which secure the lower rigid layers to the base, the anchors residing in access openings formed along the perimeter of the upper rigid layer and in the resilient layer. This anchoring arrangement enables each anchor to hold at least two adjacently located panel sections, and it also eliminates precompression of the resilient layer. The subfloor panel sections are prefabricated, at the factory, and then shipped to the installation site. Overall, a subfloor of panel-type sections of this type provides a high degree of stability, resiliency, and uniformity in these parameters, with simpler and lower cost installation. |
| US07694478B2 |
Panel attachment system
A panel attachment system (10) comprising a plurality of covering panels (12), a plurality of retaining members (16) to hold the panels (12), and a plurality of mounting structures (18) to secure the retaining members (16) to a surface (20). The panels (12) are held to the retaining members (16) through the use of protruding locking members (32) formed on the panels (12) which interlock with a slot (48) formed on the retaining member (16). The panels (12) may be coupled to the retaining members (16) without the need for precise alignment, thereby expediting the installation of the surface (20). The retaining members (16) additionally contain a drainage channel (50) to carry water and other debris away from the surface (20). |
| US07694474B1 |
Method and apparatus for firestopping around a water closet drain pipe in a vertical floor opening
A firestopping device which is held between the flange of water closet flange assembly and the floor surrounding the opening containing the drain pipe which includes a securement section positioned therebetween for being held in place and an intumescent section extending radially inwardly therefrom to a position above the vertical drain pipe opening to facilitate intumescent expansion thereinto responsive to the exposure of heat. |
| US07694469B2 |
Muntin grid
A muntin grid (34) is provided having a plurality of muntin bars (36) joined at intersecting points to form a grid (34). The grid (34) further has a plurality of muntin bar ends (38) located near a periphery of the grid (34), each muntin bar end (38) having a depending tab (39). A muntin clip (40) is provided for receiving the tab (39) wherein the tab attaches the clip (40) to the muntin bar end (38). |
| US07694465B2 |
Deployable structural assemblies, systems for deploying such structural assemblies and related methods
A deployable structural assembly is provided along with associated deployment mechanisms and associated methods of forming and deploying the deployable structural assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the deployable structural assembly includes a first structural component and a second structural component. The two structural components have their respective longitudinal edges hingedly coupled to one another. In one embodiment, the hinged connections may include a plurality of discrete flex joints, each having a titanium or other high strength foldable component. In one embodiment of the invention, the structural components each include longitudinal members which, when the deployable structural assembly is collapsed and stored in a coiled rolled configuration, are laterally offset from one another such that they do not become radially stacked. Such a configuration enables storage to the structural assembly with reduced stress in the longitudinal members. |
| US07694462B2 |
Construction industry pods
A pod comprises a box-section steel frame (1) having horizontal structural members (4, 11). A floor is provided by welding a 6 mm steel plate (10) to the horizontal structural members (4, 11). The plate (10) has a checkered pattern of 2 mm ridges on its lower surface. A combination of inherent stiffness of the plate material, the ridges (50) and welding to both edge (4) and internal (11) structural members achieves sufficient stiffness of the floor to allow it to be tiled off-site during manufacture because the floor is thin, there is no need for the builder to provide a recess in the concrete on-site. |
| US07694457B2 |
Method and apparatus for preparation of genetically transformable plant tissue
A process of mechanical separation of embryos from seeds for genetic transplantation employs counter-rotating cylinders together with one or more culling, hydration, separation, and viability testing steps to provide high-throughput of viable, transplantable tissue. |
| US07694455B1 |
Apparatus and method of mosquito control
A mosquito control trap taking advantage of the normal stages of development for a mosquito. The trap including stagnant water trapped within a container by a weeping platform floating on top of the water. A series of holes in the weeping platform provide exposure of the water to form brood cups in which female mosquitoes lay eggs. In order to develop through the larva and pupa stage the developing insects must enter the larger reservoir of stagnant water, since there is insufficient room in the brood cups. However, the holes are too small to permit escape of the adult mosquito, thus preventing any of the eggs from developing. This device provides a means for controlling mosquitoes without the use of pesticides and is especially suitable for use in lesser developing countries. |
| US07694441B2 |
Device and method for dislodging and recovering dredging material of varying nature
Device for dislodging and recovering dredging material of varying nature, comprising a bearing housing (25), a drive shaft (11) mounted therein for rotatingly driving with a determined torque a cutter head (10, 10′) with a support ring (15, 15′), which cutter head is mountable on the drive shaft via a hub (9), and a suction pipe (13) which can be connected to a suction mouth (14, 14′) which is surrounded by a fixed cutter shield (21, 21′) which fills the space between the rotating support ring on the one side and the suction mouth and the bearing housing on the other, wherein a number of cutter heads with a different support ring diameter can be mounted on the drive shaft, wherein the support ring diameter is determined by the torque and the nature of the dredging material to be recovered. |
| US07694437B2 |
Suspended orthotic shoe and methods of making same
A shoe provides a suspended orthotic system that includes at least a contoured, three-dimensional chassis configured with a heel cup. The chassis provides the primary support and determines the shape and form of the shoe. The chassis receives a footbed, which includes a first material integrally formed with a second material, both materials operating to provide an orthotic benefit. A shoe sole includes a number of pods that are selectively arranged and coupled to the chassis to actively suspend the chassis and the footbed. The shoe can further include a dynamic arch support system that manually or automatically adjusts the arch region of the shoe. The shoe may be more comfortable, provide biomechanical advantages, be lighter, and be more stylish than traditional shoes. |
| US07694434B2 |
Laundry drier
A laundry drier is provided. The laundry drier includes a base, a drying drum, a front cover, a back cover, a top cover, and side covers. The base includes an air passage in the inside of the base, and at least one discharge port for discharging air that has flowed into the air passage. The drying drum is provided above the base and receives the laundry. The front cover is mounted in front of the drying drum, and the back cover is mounted in the rear side of the drying drum. The top cover is mounted above the drying drum, and the side covers are mounted in the lateral sides of the drying drum and have at least two discharge holes. |
| US07694431B2 |
Wheeled distance measuring device
A wheeled distance measuring device includes a wheel with a measuring unit connected to a side of the wheel and a pole unit is connected to the wheel, the pole unit includes a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section has two first holes and two second holes defined in two ends thereof. The first section is movably inserted into the second section which has two third holes and movably inserted into the third section which has two fourth holes. Two positioning units are respectively located between the first and second section, and between the second and third sections. The positioning units control the retractable movement of the sections so as to adjust the length of the pole unit. A handle is connected to the pole unit and controls the positioning units by an action rod. |
| US07694426B2 |
Method for eliminating sources of error in the system correction of a coordinate measuring machine
A method is disclosed for eliminating sources of error in the system correction of a coordinate measuring machine. Herein, a number j of reference structures 33 on a rigid reference object 30 are measured in a starting orientation k=0, and the starting coordinates and the reference coordinates of the reference structures 33 on the reference object 30 are determined in a number k≧3 of mutually different orientations. |
| US07694424B2 |
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for advertising on a first-down measurement device
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for advertising on a first-down measurement device in an American-style football game are disclosed. An apparatus may include an information display and a sleeve for engaging the information display with a portion of the first-down measurement device. A method may include fixing an advertisement to a material and engaging the material with a portion of a first-down measuring device. A system may include a sideline marker for marking a position of a playing field, a measuring device connected to the sideline marker, an information display, and a sleeve for engaging the information display with the sideline marker or the measuring device. First-down measurement devices containing the information display of the present invention may also be used in simulated American-style football games in which first-down measurements are displayed, such as video game(s). |
| US07694422B2 |
Utility knife
A knife which has a body with a blade head at one end and roller at the other end. The blade head also has a planar first guide cheek and planar second guide cheek. positioned at an angle, alpha relative to the blade which is received between the first and second guide cheeks. The knife also has a device for urging the blade between a retracted position and an extended position. The roller is made of a right wheel half and a left wheel half such that the roller made of two halves in intimate contact with each other. |
| US07694419B2 |
Battery-operated appliances
Battery operated appliances are provided. Some appliances include a housing defining a chamber having an interior wall, electronics within the chamber, a battery cover, and a closing system including (a) a first electrically conductive member secured to the battery cover, and (b) a second electrically conductive member secured to the interior wall of the housing and configured to engage the first electrically conductive member and thereby mechanically secure the battery cover to the housing while also establishing electrical contact between the first and second electrically conductive members. |
| US07694418B2 |
Hearing aid with a face plate that is automatically manufactured to fit the hearing aid shell
The present invention relates to manufacturing of a hearing aid housing comprising a face plate and a shell that is individually matched to the shape of the auditory canal of a user. Manufacture of the face plate includes at least one automatic processing step based on data from a CAD/CAM model of the hearing aid housing. For example, data relating to the circumference of the face plate may be provided to a numerically controlled machine that automatically cuts a separately manufactured face plate along the desired contour that matches the circumference of the corresponding shell. In another embodiment, the hearing aid housing is manufactured with an integrated face plate. |
| US07694413B2 |
Method of making a bottomless via
A method for forming a copper interconnect is described. An opening in a dielectric layer disposed on a substrate is formed. A barrier layer is formed on the opening. A seed layer is formed on the barrier layer. The seed layer includes a noble metal copper alloy, the copper having less than 50% of the atomic weight of the noble metal copper alloy. |
| US07694412B2 |
Moving a pair of mandrel cradles
A device for assembling a composite structure is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the device includes at least one carriage track, a linear rail carriage carried by the at least one carriage track, a yoke assembly carried by the linear rail carriage, a linear actuator assembly engaging the linear rail carriage and adapted to move the linear rail carriage along the at least one carriage track and a pair of mandrel cradles pivotally carried by the yoke assembly. Activation of the linear actuator assembly facilitates movement of the linear rail carriage along the at least one carriage track and pivoting of the pair of mandrel cradles with respect to the yoke assembly. |
| US07694411B2 |
Fixturing a head spindle assembly with an expanding collet
An apparatus and associated method is provided for precisely positioning a datum surface of a component. The apparatus has a housing defining a tooling datum surface. A collet is supported by the housing that is selectively operable between a retracted mode and an expanded mode. In the retracted mode a clearing disengagement is defined with the component. In the expanded mode a contacting engagement with the component is defined. The contacting engagement and a simultaneous longitudinal force transferred by the contacting engagement to the component pressingly engage the datum surfaces together. The apparatus further has a bias member exerting the longitudinal force and urging the collet to the retracted mode. |
| US07694410B2 |
Process for testing a head stack assembly
A new fixture which is capable of holding an HAS throughout all processes so that Quasi-Static Test can be done before swaging. Also, a process for testing the HAS by means of the fixture. An embodiment method may include loading head gimbal assemblies and an actuator using an automatic loading machine; in-line dressing of the head gimbal assemblies; ultrasonic bonding of the head gimbal assemblies; testing said head gimbal assemblies in-line while quasi-static; and if an head gimbal assemblies fails to pass the testing, rejecting and reworking in-line; in-line coating of the head gimbal assemblies; ultra-violet curing of the head gimbal assemblies; in-line swaging said head gimbal assemblies and actuator to form an head stack assemblies; and visual checking and unloading of said head stack assemblies. |
| US07694408B2 |
Method of manufacturing yoke of electric rotary machine
A method of manufacturing a yoke of an electric rotary machine is disclosed. The manufacturing method includes providing a cutout steel plate having one end formed with a plurality of concave portions and the other end formed with a plurality of protrusions, rolling the cutout steel plate into a cylindrical shape until a distal end of each protrusion faces the inlet of each concave portion, inserting the protrusions into the concave portions, respectively, in a circumferential direction, and conducting punch-caulking press on each protrusion at near-wall areas on both sides thereof in close proximity to indents of each concave portion to form localized expanding portions at the near-wall areas on both sides of each protrusion while causing the localized expanding portions to flow axially outward to be fitted into the indents of each concave portion, respectively. |
| US07694399B2 |
Sheet fastening apparatus and method
A sheet fastening apparatus and method are provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a die assembly for forming a joint between sheets of material is disclosed wherein the die assembly includes an anvil, at least one die blade disposed adjacent to and overlapping a punch-side of the anvil, a flexible retainer, and a shield that coaxially and radially surrounds a portion of the anvil and/or die blade. |
| US07694393B2 |
Apparatus at a carding machine having a cylinder and clothed and/or unclothed elements located opposite the cylinder
A carding machine has a number of rollers including a cylinder and having at least one clothed and/or unclothed machine element located opposite the cylinder at a spacing therefrom. The machine may have further elements influencing the carding nip. In order to make possible a carding nip between the cylinder and the clothed and/or unclothed counterpart element that remains constant or virtually constant when heat is generated, the parts influencing the carding nip are so construed that they have thermal expansion characteristics which are such that, when subjected to the heat acting on them in use, the carding nip remains substantially constant. |
| US07694392B2 |
Impact tools with slidable grip
Tools and methods of making tools that are swung toward a work-piece are more accurate and/or safer to use because of a moveable grip provided on the tool handle. The tool handle slides through the moveable grip, with minimal or no rotation or shifting relative to the grip. The movable grip eliminates the need for the forward hand of the user to loosen its grip during portions or all of the swing, eliminates the need for the hand itself to slide along the surface of the handle, and, importantly, greatly reduces or eliminates the chance that the tool and the impact head of the tool hand will rotate or shift relative to user's hand(s). The moveable grip and handle are preferably rigid and hard and mated in shape and size so that rotation and shifting is reduced or eliminated. The preferred embodiment includes one or more control members for retaining or latching the moveable grip in one or more desired locations on the handle, so that the moveable grip may be prevented from sliding along the handle until the user desires it to slide. |
| US07694391B2 |
Ergonomic handle providing horizontal and vertical gripping surfaces
An ergonomic handle offers users the choice of horizontally or vertically gripping an appliance attached thereto. The handle includes a first handle member shaped and dimensioned for gripping by an individual. The first handle member has a first longitudinal axis. The handle also includes a second handle member shaped and dimensioned for gripping by an individual. The second handle member has a second longitudinal axis. The first handle member and the second handle member are connected such that the second longitudinal axis of the second handle member is oriented approximately perpendicular relative to the first longitudinal axis of the first handle member. |
| US07694388B2 |
Adjustable hinge
A horizontally adjustable hinge (10) includes a frame leaf (11) and a door leaf (14). A capturing member (16) receives the head (19a) of an adjustment screw (19). An adjusting hole (14e) allows access for a tool to rotate the adjustment screw (19), and thereby horizontally adjust the hinge (10). |
| US07694385B2 |
Brush apparatus for a vacuum cleaner
A brush apparatus capable of controlling a drive of a brush member with a simplified structure and a vacuum cleaner having the same. The vacuum cleaner includes a rotatable brush member, a driving unit to drive the brush member, and a blocking unit disposed between the brush member and the driving unit to selectively block a driving force transmitted between the brush member and the driving unit. The driving unit includes a suction motor to generate a suction force, and a single continuous connecting belt connecting the suction motor and the blocking unit. |
| US07694384B2 |
Vacuum cleaner
Disclosed is a vacuum cleaner including a head having an inlet for sucking in air containing impurities from outside; a dust collector including: a dust collecting container having a handle on a side thereof, and sucking in polluted air and collecting impurities separated from the polluted air, and having an opened top surface for discharging air separated from the impurities; and a top lid including a fixing groove and a guiding member, and detachably provided at the dust collecting container for closing the opened top of the dust collecting container, wherein the guiding member is coupled to a predetermined part of the dust collecting container such that the fixing groove is positioned at a predetermined location when the top lid is assembled with the dust collecting container; a main body having a dust collector receiving recess in front part thereof, wherein the dust collector is detachably provided; and a fixing device provided at an upper front portion above the dust collector receiving recess, and having a protrusion caught by the fixing groove of the top lid, the fixing device fixing the dust collector on the main body, and releasing the dust collector when the dust collector is separated from the main body. |
| US07694383B2 |
Upright vacuum cleaner with removable power head
A vacuum cleaning apparatus includes a vacuum cleaner base and a handle configured to be attached to the base. A nozzle is configured for the base to draw air through the nozzle to clean the floor as the nozzle is moved along the floor by a user pushing the base by the handle. A power head assembly includes a power head having a brushroll and an electric motor that drives the brushroll. The assembly further includes a tube structure configured to connect the power head to the base for the base to draw air through the power head and the tube structure to clean the floor as the power head is moved along the floor by a user pushing the tube structure. |
| US07694378B2 |
Interdental brush
The present invention provides an interdental brush and a cap, said brush having a good handling property and a low manufacturing cost, said brush being stored with the cap on while adjusting the brush body at any angle. The handle member 3 supporting the brush body 2 includes a handle body 6, an arm 12 extending from one end of the handle body 6, a brush support 13 that holds a base of the brush body 2, a first hinge 14 that connects the tip of the arm 12 and one end of the brush support 13 in a freely rotating manner, an operating portion 15 provided slidably at the other end of the handle member 3, and a second hinge 16 that connects the tip of the operating portion 15 and the other end of the brush support 13 in a freely rotating manner. |
| US07694370B1 |
Massage table for woman
A massage table apparatus for woman includes a first hole for accommodating the face contour of a woman and a second hole for accommodating the breasts contour thereof when the woman is lying on the massage table on a face down position so as to bring a degree of comfort to the woman engaging in leisure activities including massage. |
| US07694369B2 |
Configurable bolster for operative and therapeutic procedures
A device for providing anatomical support during operative or therapeutic procedures comprising a configurable bolster formed from a block of resilient synthetic foam material and having a plurality of recessed regions formed in the top surface of the bolster and extending into selected portions of the bolster for accommodating particular anatomical structures. Precut slits are provided extending vertically upward from the bottom surface of the bolster to enable removal of material from the bolster to adapt it to particular circumstances of use. |
| US07694368B2 |
Positive lock for height adjustable ambulance cot
A positive lock for an ambulance cot and method thereof which requires lifting an upper frame of the ambulance cot, in order to permit a spring actuator to clear an interference fit of the positive lock, are provided. If the upper frame is not lifted, then the spring force used to pull on the positive lock is insufficient to overcome the interference fit. Clearing the interference fit permits the cot to be height adjusted. Optionally, a light indicator may be provided which illuminates if the cot has not been positively locked in a height adjusted position. |
| US07694365B2 |
Pillow for fixing of shoulders of patients in magnetic resonance acquisitions
A pillow, for supporting and fixing the shoulders of an examination subject in the respective housings of different shoulder coils in a magnetic resonance apparatus, snugly fills the inner area of the shoulder coil with at least three, and preferably four lobes with the lobes not laterally overlapping one another. |
| US07694362B2 |
Support for baby
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a support assembly for supporting a baby, the support assembly including: a support element on which a baby is supported in use; a chassis operatively connected to the support element, the chassis including adjusting means to provide adjustment to both the height and attitude of the support element relative to the chassis. |
| US07694361B1 |
Playpen having a reinforced strength
A playpen includes a top frame including four corner connectors, and four foldable articulations mounted between the corner connectors respectively. Each of the foldable articulations includes a mounting seat disposed between any two of the corner connectors, two main rods each having a first end pivotally connected with the mounting seat and a second end pivotally connected with the respective corner connector, and two auxiliary rods each having a first end pivotally connected with the mounting seat and a second end pivotally connected with the respective corner connector. Thus, each of the main rods, the respective auxiliary rods, the mounting seat of each of the foldable articulations and the respective corner connector form a substantially parallelogram or trapezium linkage to reinforce the structural strength of the top frame. |
| US07694351B2 |
Sports glove with a segmented joint protector
A sports glove comprising a dorsal side and at least one joint protector. The dorsal side provides a plurality of protection sections and the joint protectors positioned between the plurality of protection sections. The joint protector includes a base operatively attached to the dorsal side and a plurality of extended members attached to the base and projecting from the base. The joint protector substantially fills any apertures created in the sports glove by a user of the glove during participation in sports. The extended members of the joint protector deflect independently of the protection sections and can be biased toward the protection sections to substantially fill any apertures between the protection sections. |