| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07743728B2 |
Cluster tool architecture for processing a substrate
Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool). In one embodiment, the cluster tool is adapted to perform a track lithography process in which a photosensitive material is applied to a substrate, patterned in a stepper/scanner, and then removed in a developing process completed in the cluster tool. In one embodiment of the cluster tool, substrates are grouped together in groups of two or more for transfer or processing to improve system throughput, reduce the number of moves a robot has to make to transfer a batch of substrates between the processing chambers, and thus increase system reliability. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to increase the reliability of the substrate transfer process to reduce system down time. |
| US07743727B2 |
Stent coating apparatus and method
A coating system for coating a stent with a medication, the stent being mounted on a balloon on a catheter, the system having an applicator device including a fluid ejection nozzle, a reservoir and a pressure wave actuating arrangement. The nozzle has an opening configured for dispensing the medication on to the stent. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The nozzle and the reservoir are configured for generating a negative pressure for preventing leakage of the medication via the opening. The pressure wave actuating arrangement is configured for generating a pressure wave in the nozzle for causing fluid displacement in the nozzle, thereby ejecting a droplet of the medication from the opening. The negative pressure of the nozzle and the reservoir are configured in order that the remaining medication is drawn toward the opening to replace the medication dispensed with the droplet. |
| US07743726B2 |
Indication instrument
An indication instrument with improved illumination efficiency. The indication instrument has an indication panel (100), an indication plate (200) on which index parts (201) are disposed along the outer periphery of the indication panel (100), a pointer (11) for indicating the index parts (201), a drive source (7) for driving the pointer (11), and an indication plate light source (light source) (700) for illuminating the indication plate (200). The pointer (11) is routed around the rear of the indication panel (100) to reach the front of the indication plate (200). The indication instrument further comprises a frame (300) for joining to each other the indication panel (100), the indication plate (200), and the light source (700). An illumination chamber (R1) for guiding the light of the light source (700) to the indication plate (200) is formed in the frame (300). |
| US07743723B2 |
Davit assembly and a method for moving a boat
An onboard davit assembly for launching a boat from a ship is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the assembly includes two spaced apart davits, each davit including a substantially horizontal boom, a hoist cable extending downwards from a suspension frame on the boom and including at least one fixation device at its lower end to which the boat can be attached. In at least one embodiment, the assembly is arranged such that the booms are movable between an inward position wherein the suspension frames extend inboard and an outward position wherein the suspension frames extend outboard, wherein the booms extend from an onboard vertical pivot axis and can rotate in a horizontal plane around the pivot axis, and wherein the suspension frames are movable along the booms such that a distance between the suspension frames remains constant during rotation of the booms between the two positions when the boat is moved from a parking position to a launching position. |
| US07743722B2 |
Underwater vehicles
An underwater vehicle including a housing, an internal guidewire dispenser for storing and deploying a guidewire, and a splice cavity defining a storage space, for carrying and deploying a splice between the internal guidewire and an external guidewire and excess guidewire resulting from splicing the internal and external guidewires. |
| US07743721B2 |
Control of a waterjet propelled vessel
A method for controlling a watercraft includes acquiring a desired heading of the watercraft, acquiring an actual heading of the watercraft at time T0, calculating a heading error by comparing the desired heading with the actual heading and determining a rate of change of the heading error. A P gain, I gain and D gain for use in maintaining the heading of the watercraft is determined and used to calculate factors related to heading error, cumulative heading error and rate of change of heading error. These factors are summed to form a control value for deflecting a nozzle of the watercraft to maintain a heading of the watercraft. Further embodiments include methods for calculating and correcting a heading of the watercraft, as well as methods for controlling roll out and sideways motion of the watercraft. |
| US07743720B1 |
Multihull hydrofoil watercraft
A multihull hydrofoil watercraft incorporates a stabilization system wherein the buoyancy of the hulls is used as a sensing and control mechanism for the hydrofoils. The use of hull buoyancy to adjust the hydrofoil lift provides for automatic control of altitude, pitch and roll, and allows the craft to accommodate varying weather and sea conditions while providing a smooth ride for passengers. The stabilization technique eliminates the need for extraneous sensing mechanisms placed in or on the water surface which are subject to fouling, damage, or disruption by localized surface disturbances. |
| US07743716B1 |
Adjustable height counter top system
A motorized elevator unit for adjusting the height of counter tops has right and left elevator assemblies under control of a primary control switch. Each elevator assembly includes top and bottom frames which may be formed from T-slotted framing with the top frame sliding vertically along the bottom frame on rollers received in the bottom frame. A movable counter top is mounted on the top frames and a motor drive assembly raises and lowers the top frames in unison. The elevator unit may be housed in a standard base cabinet and may be integrated with other standard base cabinets having stationary counter tops. |
| US07743715B2 |
Air flow direction in a temperature controlled railroad freight car
An air flow conduit (98) and a related plenum (80) for distributing conditioned air from a refrigeration and heating unit (64) on an end (44) of a railroad freight car (20) into a cargo space (53) within the car (20). A deflector directs a flow of air upward into an inlet end of the plenum (80) and allows the flow to expand gradually within the plenum, smoothing the flow of air within the plenum so that it continues effectively at sufficient rates over the length of the car (20). |
| US07743706B1 |
Bullet cleaner for a gun barrel
A bullet for cleaning/scouring the interior surface of a gun barrel including a jacket section on a rear end and joined to a projectile section on the other end forming a chamber containing a cleaning liquid. An array of brushes is positioned on the outside surface of the forward wall of the projectile section. An explosive cake is positioned against the rear end of the jacket section. A piston disk is positioned against the cake. When the cake is detonated, the disk first expels fluid from the chamber and against the interior wall of the barrel. Then the disk forces the forward wall to spread out so that the brushes on the forward wall come into contact with the interior surface of the gun barrel. |
| US07743705B2 |
Propellant sealing system for stackable projectiles
A projectile for use in a barrel with stacked projectiles, particularly for a weapon which can be reloaded by a user in the field. The projectile includes a chamber containing a propellant charge, with an exit from the chamber for release of propulsion gases into the barrel. A seal blocks the exit and is opened by ignition of the propellant within the chamber but is resistant to gases produced by ignition of propellant in other projectiles in the barrel. The exit and seal are provided in a range of different forms. The exit may be an aperture in a wall of the chamber with the seal as a moveable barrier, such as a valve-like structure, for example. The seal may also include a rupturable or deformable barrier across the aperture. Alternatively the seal is a thin barrier around the charge such as a wax coating and the exit involves a disintegrable character of the barrier. The seal may also be an inherent property of the geometry of the chamber. |
| US07743700B2 |
Roller die press
A roller press includes a housing to which upper and lower rollers are coupled. A crank handle is coupled to at least one of the upper and lower rollers. Rotation of the crank handle causes rotation of the rollers. Two doors that provide die support surfaces are coupled to the housing and are moveable between a closed position and an open position. A suction member is coupled to the bottom of the housing. The suction member is actuated by movement of the doors. |
| US07743697B2 |
Steam cooker
A steam cooker includes a steam chamber for initially containing water to be converted to steam, and a holding chamber in fluid communication with the steam chamber for receiving the steam. The holding chamber has an opening proximate a first end for receiving an item to be heated by the steam, and is positioned at an angle of inclination so that condensation formed on an interior surface of the holding chamber drains away from the opening and towards a second end positioned lower than the opening. A burner can heat the steam chamber to convert the water into steam. The burner can be connected to a tank of combustible gas. The steam cooker can be constructed of aluminum. |
| US07743696B2 |
Root and water management system for potted plants
A pot (40) shown having a well formed by a side wall connecting a base wall aperture (43) and internal aperture (44). A mesh (42) is provided to retain liquid transferring material. The invention provides a liquid transfer means for transferring liquid between growth medium and a local environment external to the pot and adjacent the base wall, the liquid transfer means transferring liquid to in or from an internal zone in the chamber wherein the internal zone is spaced from the bottom wall. Alternative embodiments provide a solid liquid permeable plug (20) which may be inserted in a tight nesting fitting through a bottom wall aperture (21) or through a well (36). Alternatively, a wick arrangement (56) may be provided to insert through a well or a side wall aperture (65) and extending into the internal zones. The conduit may be formed as a slot (52). A cap (54) may be optionally be provided. The invention extends to a method of water control and a system for controlling a plurality of pots according to the disclosure. The pots may be located on a capillary mat (68) and in liquid communication therewith to transfer a liquid to and/or from the internal zone in the base of the pot. The pot base is preferably planar externally to provide an easy working surface. |
| US07743692B2 |
Shell case length limit alarm
A reloading machine is configured to check the length of shell cases of selected caliber against a length specification for the caliber. A shell case entering a workstation tool strikes a sleeve by end-to-end contact, raising the sleeve in direct proportion to any excess length of the shell case. A detector monitors how high the sleeve is raised and triggers a signal if the height indicates the shell case is too long. Length detection is derived from a powder measure assembly by monitoring the raised height of the powder body. Length detection is derived from a powder level check assembly by introducing an intermediate sleeve between the powder check die and check rod assembly. The intermediate sleeve is sized to engage a shell case of the selected caliber, at least when the shell case exceeds the specified length. The raised height of the intermediate sleeve allows determination of case length or identification of shell cases of excess length. |
| US07743690B2 |
Thumb utensil with cutting board
An apparatus facilitating a cutting operation includes a knife; and a hand-mountable cutting board utensil. The utensil includes: a cutting board for disposition between the thumb and an index finger of the hand, the cutting board having an exposed cutting surface for orienting toward the index finger and a second surface for orienting toward the thumb; and a retainer having two lateral sides and being configured to receive and releasably retain the thumb along a longitudinal length of the retainer. The cutting board includes portions that extend transversely to a direction defined by the longitudinal length respectively beyond the two lateral sides of the retainer, each portion having exposed, oppositely facing front and back surfaces. |
| US07743689B2 |
Turning center
The invention relates to a turning center which comprises a machine frame, a first workpiece spindle unit having a first workpiece spindle, a second workpiece spindle unit, which is disposed on the machine frame and having a second workpiece spindle, at least one tool carrier unit, which is disposed on the machine frame and on which at least one tool for machining a workpiece held in the workpiece spindle units is disposed, and a working space, in which workpieces held in the workpiece spindle units can be machined with the tool. The aim of the invention is to provide a turning center which is compact as possible while allowing extensive turning and/or milling applications, and also ensures highest possible machining accuracy. For this purpose, the machine frame having a machine bed formed by two spaced-apart columns, by the first workpiece spindle unit being disposed on a front side of a first of the columns, facing the working space, by the second workpiece spindle unit being disposed on a front side of a second of the columns, facing the working space, and by the at least one tool carrier unit being disposed on a transverse side of one of the columns, facing the respective other column. |
| US07743688B2 |
Handheld portable tubing cutter drivable by handheld power drill and having a minimized working profile
A handheld, portable tubing cutter driveable by a handheld power drill is provided. The tubing cutter includes a support cylinder having distal and, proximal ends. The proximal end of the support cylinder is adapted to engage the drill chuck of an ordinary handheld power drill. A cylindrical cutting head, known in the art, is removably connected to the distal end of the support cylinder. The longitudinal axis of the support cylinder is aligned with, and parallel to, the longitudinal axis of the tubing to be cut. Once the cutting head is placed on the tubing to be cut and the support cylinder is connected to the cutting head, the device is actuated and operates with a minimized working profile. |
| US07743683B2 |
Systems and methods of a power tool system with interchangeable functional attachments powered by a direct rotational drive
In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system of a power tool system may comprise mounting a functional module to a mounting plate of a power head, the power head configured to mount various functional modules, attaching the power head to a power base for powering the functional module, powering the functional module by directing power from the power base through a direct rotational drive of the power head, and controlling the multi-functional power tool system using a control disposed in the power base. |
| US07743679B2 |
Power transmission device and method of producing the same
A power transmission device that can have deformation in processing suppressed. A spiral gear as a rotation member includes a disk section extending radially outwards from a boss section. The disk section includes a through hole in slit form through laser processing. |
| US07743678B2 |
Selectable one-way rocker clutch
A selectable one-way rocker clutch assembly includes an inner race disposed radially within an outer race, first and second plurality of rockers, a selector ring and an apply plate. The inner race defines a plurality of pockets configured to operatively retain the first and second plurality of rockers. The first plurality of rockers is configured to resist rotation of the outer race relative to the inner race in a first direction. The second plurality of rockers is configured to resist rotation of the outer race relative to the inner race in a second direction. The selector ring is disposed radially between the inner race and outer race. The apply plate is configured to engage with the selector ring and, in so doing, rotate the selector ring to thereby selectively retract the first and/or second plurality of rockers and thus control the state of the rocker clutch assembly. |
| US07743673B2 |
Method for the angle-controlled turning of a part
A power wrench (10) for turning a screw is supplied by a hydraulic unit (25) that contains a positive displacement pump (26) and supplies a defined rate of flow. The pressure in a hydraulic pressure line (28) is measured by a pressure sensor (32) and provided to a control unit (31). The volume flow of the hydraulic unit (25) is determined in amount per unit of time. The piston stroke per unit of time can be determined due to the fact that the filling volume of the hydraulic cylinder is known. The piston acts upon a lever system that turns the moving part. The turning angle per unit of time can be determined due to the fact that the lever length is known. This makes it possible to dispense with an angle measuring device and to determine the turning angle merely by measuring pressure. |
| US07743669B2 |
Load detecting sensor and collision detecting sensor using the same
A load detecting sensor includes a first member, a second member, and an optical fiber. The first member has a groove having a bottom portion and a column portion which defines the groove. The second member covers the groove of the first member so that a surrounded space is formed. The optical fiber is arranged in the surrounded space. At least one of the first member and the second member is made of an elastic body. The surrounded space is deformable when load is applied to at least one of the first and the second members. When load is applied to at least one of the first and the second members, the deformation of the optical fiber is caused following the deformation of the surrounded space. Hereby, the load detecting sensor, which can decrease the manufacturing cost and increase the detecting sensitivity by the optical fiber, can be obtained. |
| US07743667B2 |
Capacitive device and method with an enhanced measurement error correction capability
A capacitive device and method with an enhanced measurement error correction capability is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor capacitor based on one or more pairs of parallel conductor surfaces, a housing to encompass the sensor capacitor, a digitizer module in the housing to generate a digital measurement based on a change in a capacitance of the sensor capacitor when a contact zone of the housing is deflected by a force applied on the contact zone. The apparatus also includes a compensation module of the digitizer module to apply another digital measurement of one or more distortion factors to the digital measurement to minimize an effect of the one or more distortion factors to the apparatus. In addition, the apparatus includes a communication module to communicate an analog signal and/or a digital signal through a wired channel and/or a wireless channel. |
| US07743664B2 |
Transistor-type pressure sensor and method for fabricating the same
A transistor-type pressure sensor is provided, having an upper and a lower substrates, a source/drain formed on the lower substrate and separated from each other, a channel layer formed between and on the source/drain, a dielectric layer and a gate. The gate is substantially formed between the source and the drain. The surface of the gate, being in contact with the dielectric layer, has a stepped surface profile, so that the channel length/width ratio can be changed due to the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor. |
| US07743663B2 |
Sensor Unit
The invention relates to a sensor unit for measuring a measurable variable, especially in an aggressive medium. Said sensor unit comprises a sensor which is disposed in a sensor casing and is provided with a sensor zone located on a base. In order to detect the measurable variable in the sensor zone, a measuring hole which allows the medium to advance directly to the sensor zone is provided in the sensor casing. A side of the sensor zone that faces away from the measuring hole is equipped with a measuring surface which encompasses measuring electronics. An electrical feeder is provided on the sensor in order to transmit a sensor signal generated by the measuring electronics. The sensor is sealingly arranged on a sealing surface located on the sensor casing in such a way that the measuring surface is isolated from the medium. A mechanism is provided by means of a which the sensor can be disconnected from thermally and/or mechanically induced changes in the sensor casing. There also is a probe comprising a sensor unit, as well as an internal combustion engine, a hydraulic or pneumatic tool, and an air conditioner encompassing a sensor unit. |
| US07743661B2 |
Fiber optic MEMS seismic sensor with mass supported by hinged beams
The present invention relates to an optic seismic MEMS sensor. More specifically, a proof mass is supported by a frame having supporting beams. The proof mass is positioned within the frame and has a hinged attachment to the beams. The proof mass has a sensor gap having a first reflector and a second reflector positioned at opposing ends of the sensor gap. An optical fiber injects light into the sensor gap and light is reflected to determine seismic movement of the proof mass with respect to the frame. Stops are provided for limiting the movement of the proof mass to minimize strain on the attachment of the beams and the proof mass. |
| US07743659B2 |
Structural health monitoring (SHM) transducer assembly and system
A transducer assembly may include a first layer of dielectric material and a pair of electrically conductive traces adjacent to the first dielectric layer. Each of the electrically conductive traces may include a first contact pad and a second contact pad. The first layer of dielectric material may include a pair of vias or openings formed therein to expose each of the first contact pads. A second layer of dielectric material may be attached to the first layer of dielectric material with the pair of electrically conductive traces disposed between the first and second layers of dielectric material. A transducer may be attached to the second layer of dielectric material and each second contact pad may be electrically connected to the transducer. |
| US07743641B2 |
Compact field-mountable gas chromatograph with a display screen
The present invention is directed to a gas chromatograph having a display screen. The gas chromatograph includes an explosion-proof housing and a transparent panel secured to the housing. The display screen is disposed in the housing and is visible through the transparent panel. A gas chromatograph (GC) assembly is disposed in the housing and includes a column for separating components of the gas and a detector for detecting the components of the gas. An electronics assembly is disposed in the housing and includes a microprocessor and memory. A graphical user interface (GUI) software application is stored in the memory and is executable by the microprocessor to display a plurality of windows on the display screen. The windows contain information about the operation of the gas chromatograph. |
| US07743639B2 |
Method, device, and test specimen for testing a part, and use of the method and device
A method and a device are for testing the detectability of at least one flaw in a component, or for evaluating ultrasonic signals of the flaw. The method provides for an electronic specification of the flaw to be generated, which includes a two-dimensional or three-dimensional point pattern. This specification predefines the number, position, shape, orientation, and dimensions of flaws to be deliberately generated. A test specimen is produced, where for each point of the point pattern, a microcrack is generated at the position of this point. An ultrasonic image of the test specimen is recorded and evaluated. The test specimen may be made out of a material transparent to visible light, e.g., crown glass, optical glass, borosilicate glass, or quartz glass. The microcracks may be produced, using internal laser engraving. |
| US07743638B2 |
Adjusting cylinders in rolling stands, including vertical edging stands
An adjusting cylinder for long, rapid lifting movements in rolling stands, including vertical edging stands, wherein each adjusting cylinder has at least one piston which acts through the bearing chocks of at least one work roll or of an interposed roll to adjust a work roll on both sides, wherein each adjusting cylinder has a piston that is equipped with two oppositely directed piston rods, and each piston is inserted in a recess in the cylinder base or cylinder cover, such that the base and cover have coaxially arranged bores through which the piston rods pass. The surface formed by the piston and the piston rod is smaller than the surface formed by the piston and the piston rod. |
| US07743636B2 |
Rotary draw tube bender
The invention is a rotary draw bending machine and process for bending materials such as tubes or pipes into precise bends. A spindle holds a bending die, and a radial arm holds a counter-die. The spindle and arm are simultaneously rotated in opposite directions by a dual hydraulic drive controlled by an electro-hydraulic control system with foot pedal controls. The bend angle is preset by a protractor-like dial and limit switch mechanism. The radial arm has a slide track to align the counter-die with the bending die. The ratchet mechanism has teeth to allow incremental advancement of the counter-die when aligning it with its bending die to accurately set the gap between the dies. The machine is used with a wide variety of dies to bend a wide variety of workpiece diameters. The ratchet mechanism preferably includes a fine tuning device to provide an infinite range of alignment positions. |
| US07743631B2 |
Method of forming an optical lens by drawing material with curved surface parts
An optical lens manufacturing method according to the present invention comprises: an optical lens base material preparation step of preparing an optical lens base material 40, which is formed of light transmitting material, has a columnar shape, and is provided with a first side face 44 and a second side face 46 that are mutually parallel, of which at least one of both first side face 44 and second side face 46 has a plurality of curved surface parts 43; a drawing step of drawing optical lens base material 40 in the columnar axis direction; and an optical lens preparation step of cutting optical lens base material 40, which has been drawn, at a desired length to thereby prepare optical lens 1. The plurality of curved surface parts 43 of optical lens base material 40, which has been drawn in the drawing step, function as optical action components that act on incident light or emitted light. |
| US07743623B2 |
Ice making and storing system
An ice making and storing system which may be mounted in a refrigeration appliance. The ice making and storing system includes an ice making mechanism, a removable ice storage receptacle positioned adjacent to the ice making mechanism, an insulated cover for the ice making mechanism with a portion engageable with the ice storage receptacle to provide a thermally tight seal between the cover and the ice storage receptacle. |
| US07743622B2 |
Ice dispensing and detecting apparatus
The present invention relates to an ice dispenser apparatus having an ice storage bin removably mounted to the refrigerator for receiving and storing ice pieces from an ice maker, a metering device for separating individual ice pieces, and a sensing device for detecting the presence of ice pieces. Actuation of a motor causes the metering device to separate individual ice pieces and the sensing device detects ice pieces before, after, or during dispensing. |
| US07743618B2 |
Auger type ice making machine
An auger type ice making machine is provided with a freezing cylinder into which water for making ice is supplied, an ice-scraping auger for scraping ice formed on the inner surface of the freezing cylinder, and an auger motor for driving the ice-scraping auger. A freezing apparatus has a compressor driven by a motor, circulating refrigerant discharged from the compressor through a condenser, a dryer, a constant pressure expansion valve, and an evaporator provided on the outer peripheral surface of the freezing cylinder. At the outlet of the evaporator there is provided a temperature sensor for sensing refrigerant temperature. A controller controls the rotational speed of the motor through an inverter circuit such that the sensed refrigerant temperature is equal to a specified refrigerant temperature, allowing the freezing apparatus to keep ice-making performance thereof. |
| US07743615B2 |
Buffered heat transfer fluid for secondary refrigeration systems comprising a formate salt
A formate salt based heat transfer fluid having a pH containing a phosphate for a secondary refrigeration loop is disclosed. The formate based heat transfer fluid generally is a more effective heat transfer medium than a glycol based fluid designed to operate in the same temperature range. The formate based fluid also has lower toxicity and environmental risks than the glycol fluid. |
| US07743614B2 |
Thermoelectric-based heating and cooling system
Disclosed is a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for a vehicle that operates in a heating mode, a cooling mode or a demisting mode. The system includes a first circuit having first pump for circulating a first medium therein, a second circuit having a second pump for circulating a second medium therein and a thermoelectric module having a first surface in thermal contact with the first medium and a second surface in thermal contact with the second medium. |
| US07743607B2 |
System for assisting regeneration of pollution management means in an engine exhaust line
The invention concerns a system for assisting regeneration of pollution management means (1) associated with oxidation catalyst forming means (2) implementing an oxygen storage capacity (OSC) function, and integrated in an exhaust line of a motor vehicle diesel engine (4), wherein the engine is associated with common ramp means (7) supplying fuel to the cylinders thereof. The invention is characterized in that it comprises means (8) for determining the frequency of the pollution management means regeneration and for comparing same to predetermined threshold values (10), to control the engine (4) in a first lean mixture regeneration operating mode (11) for frequencies less than the threshold values or in a second regeneration operating mode implementing engine operating sequences alternating rich mixture and lean mixture operating phases (12) for frequencies more than the threshold values. |
| US07743606B2 |
Exhaust catalyst system
A catalyst system that may regenerate while removing pollutants from an exhaust gas of an engine. The system may have a converter with multiple segments of chambers. At least one of the chambers may be regenerated while the remaining chambers are removing pollutants from the exhaust. The chambers may be rotated in turn for one-at-a-time regeneration. More than one chamber may be regenerated at a time to remove collected pollutants. The system may have plumbing and valves, and possibly mechanical movement of the chambers, within the system to effect the changing of a chamber for regeneration. The chambers connected to the exhaust may be in series or parallel. A particulate matter filter may be connected to the system, and it also may be regenerated to remove collected matter. |
| US07743605B2 |
Exhaust emission purifying apparatus for engine
An exhaust emission purifying apparatus for an engine in which it is determined that a reducing agent supply system is clogged, which is arranged on the downstream of a pump carrying out suction and pumping of a liquid reducing agent out of a reducing agent tank, when a reduction in a pressure of the liquid reducing agent remaining in the downstream of the pump and also in the upstream of a flow control valve by an amount equal to or more than a first predetermined pressure does not occur until a cumulative injection amount obtained by sequentially integrating an injection amount of the liquid reducing agent computed in real time based on engine operating conditions reaches a predetermined amount after the pump has been temporarily stopped. |
| US07743604B1 |
Apparatus for heating the dump body of a dump truck having a diesel particulate filter
A system for providing heat to the dump body of a dump truck is disclosed. The disclosed system is suitable for use with truck equipped with a diesel particulate filter. When enabled, the system controls the exit path of exhaust gas such that it is routed to the dump body during normal operating conditions. In one embodiment, when the diesel particulate filter enters a regeneration cycle, high heat is produced. The system then routes the exhaust gas as to bypass the dump body to avoid heat damage from the higher temperature exhaust gas. |
| US07743597B2 |
Marine safety device attachment with automatic release capability
A device for fastening emergency equipment to a vessel includes a hydrostatic release mechanism, a tether, and a float-free link. The tether is attached to the hydrostatic release mechanism and provides an attachment point for lashing the emergency equipment to the vessel. The tether may also be threaded through openings in the curved partially tubular body of the float-free link. A breakable bridge is integrally coupled to the body of the float-free link to form a closed loop. The breakable bridge is designed to be the break point when the emergency equipment needs to be freed from a vessel that has sunk below a predetermined depth. When the vessel sinks below the predetermined depth, the hydrostatic release mechanism severs the tether thus freeing the emergency equipment from one point of attachment to the vessel. The bridge is designed to break when the strain on the fastening line, e.g., the painter line, is between a predetermined minimum force and maximum force. |
| US07743591B2 |
Research plot harvester for continuous plot to plot grain evaluation
The invention relates generally to harvesters and, more particularly, to a combine for harvesting row crops, which has been modified, to collect and measure grain continuously from a plurality of strip test plots. |
| US07743578B2 |
Slotted metal stud with supplemental flanges
A metal building stud having at least one supplemental flange extending from at least one slot in the stud web yielding a stud with increased strength, both compressive (longitudinally) and in shear (transverse). The slotted web presents a reduced web area through which heat or sound may be conducted and slots in which insulation is received, both increasing resistance to heat and sound transfer. Slots and supplemental flanges may also be provided in the stud primary flanges. |
| US07743571B2 |
Injection moldable composite gable vent
A vent is formed from vent panels that can be formed by injection molding or vacuum forming. The vent panels include upper and lower edges. The upper edge includes a nailing flange and a channel. The channel is coplanar with the outer surface of a nailing flange. The lower edge is a linear flange adapted to fit within the channel of the next adjacent vent panel. The vent includes a lower trim member that has a flange and a channel coplanar with the upper surface of the flange and adapted to receive the bottom edge of a vent panel. The lower trim member is designed to attach to the upper edge of vinyl siding. J channels or T channels are used then to trim out the remaining portion of the vent. This allows one to form a custom vent by combining vent panels as desired. |
| US07743570B2 |
Method of fabricating muntin bars for simulated divided lite windows
A method for fabricating muntin grid pieces includes steps that attach an outer muntin grid element to an inner muntin grid element to form a two piece muntin grid piece. The outer muntin grid element surrounds at least three sides of the inner muntin grid element and may be held to the outer muntin grid element without connectors such as adhesive. The outer muntin grid element may be a slit tube that is spread open to be positioned over the inner muntin grid element. |
| US07743569B1 |
Support panel for thin brick
A support panel for thin brick, comprising a metal sheet, an array of groove retaining tabs having first tab edges, said first tab edges protruding from said sheet having at an upward angle of less than about 45 degrees, for a distance of less than about one quarter inch, and an array of mortar lock tabs having second tab edges, said second tab edges protruding from said sheet at a downward angle of greater than about 45 degrees, said array of mortar lock tabs being offset vertically from said array of groove retaining tabs, wherein, said array of groove retaining tabs are adapted to engage shallow dovetail grooves formed in the rear of thin bricks, and said mortar lock tabs are adapted, when embedded within a cured mortar matrix, to exert, in response to a tensile force away from said metal sheet, a force along a vertical axis, on the brick, in an opposite direction to a force applied to the brick along a vertical axis by said groove retaining tab, to thereby retain the brick against the panel. |
| US07743564B2 |
Decorative trim assemblies
An exterior trim assembly for use with a window or door surround in a building structure comprises at least one mantle for affixing above the window or door, and first and second pilaster assemblies for affixing on the sides of the window or door. The mantle comprises a mantle base and a corresponding mantle cover to affix to and cover the mantle base. Each pilaster assembly comprises a base and a cover element affixed to the base wherein each of the bases has a plurality of regularly repeating reinforced structural sections. At least two pilaster cover plates are provided, each pilaster cover plate is affixed to and covering one of the first and second pilaster bases. |
| US07743562B2 |
Light plastic foam construction element for making shower stalls, bathroom stalls and the like
A lightweight plastic foam construction element (1), for use in making shower stalls, bathroom partitions and the like, consists of a plastic foam core (4) with at least one external mortar layer (8) reinforced with fibers. The construction element has wall areas that are reinforced with at least one adhered wall component of more rigid material for the attachment of installation components that extend over the outer surface on an operational, working side of the construction element. The wall components (11) are inserted into a groove (10) cut into the working side, and the groove is sealed on the working side using a foam filler element (12). |
| US07743561B1 |
Eaves trough
An eaves trough for receiving water from a structure includes an elongated sheet that extends along a longitudinal axis and extends integrally from a first longitudinal edge to a second longitudinal edge. An upper portion of the sheet at least partially overlies the structure and extends from the first longitudinal edge to a longitudinal transition. A lower portion of the sheet extends from the longitudinal transition to the second longitudinal edge. The lower portion of the sheet extends generally downward from the upper portion of the sheet at the longitudinal transition and extends under at least part of the upper portion of the sheet, such that the lower portion of the sheet defines a trough below the upper portion of the sheet. Apertures are formed through the upper portion of the sheet such that the apertures overlie the trough. The water travels from the structure onto the upper portion of the sheet and through the apertures to the trough. |
| US07743560B2 |
Door sealing system
A door sealing system includes a frame and a pneumatic liner positioned along an inner perimeter of the frame. The liner includes a hollow interior for adjusting it between extended and retracted configurations. A pump is included for selectively inflating the liner and a valve which can be deactivated to deflate the liner. When inflated, the liner fills the gap between the door and the frame and when deflated, allows the door to be opened easily. A sensor is positioned with a cavity in the frame for detecting placement of a latch indicative of the door being opened or closed. A processor then appropriately actuates the pump or deactivates the valve. Accordingly, the seal is inflated when the door is closed and is deflated when the door is being opened. |
| US07743555B2 |
Window regulator
A window regulator, e.g., for a vehicle window, includes block and pulley arrangements each including a lift pulley mounted to a lift plate that slides along a rail. Operative movement of a crank assembly in a first sense tensions a cable to move the lift plate towards a first end of the rail and operative movement of the crank assembly in a second sense, opposite the first sense, tensions a cable to move the lift plate towards a second end of the rail. The regulator enables the reduction of the operating torque requirements without affecting the packaging of the crank assembly. |
| US07743551B2 |
Pest control apparatus and systems
Apparatus and systems to control pest populations are described herein. In one example, the apparatus may include an enclosure comprising two sides and a top having an opening is configured to receive a transparent panel. In another example, a pest trap system includes an enclosure which defines a pest traversal path, an adhesive on a portion of that path, and an aerial travel blocker to prevent a pest from traveling above the adhesive. |
| US07743547B2 |
Firearm mount with embedded sight
A laser sight is embedded in a mounting rail otherwise used for attaching accessories to small arms discharge devices such as pistols or rifles. The mounting rail has a transverse profile that extends along an axis of the mounting rail for engaging mating features of the accessories. The laser sight is located at least partly within the transverse profile of the mounting rail and has a sighting axis that extends substantially parallel to the axis of the mounting rail. |
| US07743545B1 |
Vertical foregrip leg extender
Devices, and methods of extending legs from vertical fore grip handles on firearms, such as rifles, to different height positions. The vertical fore grip can include expandable bipod legs. The legs can be individually extended to different lengths by moving telescoping rod members in leg housings from retracted positions to extended positions. A lever switch can allow for the legs to be locked into the different extended positions, and depressing the switch can allow for the legs to go back to the retracted positions. Anti-rotation pins and slots can prevent the telescoping members from rotating relative to the legs. |
| US07743543B2 |
Trigger mechanism and a firearm containing the same
A firearm having a small trigger pull force, small trigger pull distance, and a large sear engagement is provided. The firearm of the present invention provides a safe firearm having a light and crisp trigger pull. Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a firearm having a ratio of sear engagement to trigger pull distance that is greater than or equal to 1.0. |
| US07743542B1 |
Magazine entrance guide
An assembly for facilitating the insertion of a fresh magazine into a magazine receiver opening of a pistol having a handle frame member to which a pair of opposing hand grips are removably attachable. The magazine insertion guide is secured in position on the butt portion of the frame member by engagement of a plurality projecting securing members that are concealed by, and cooperatively engage interior elements of specially configured hand grips when the grips are attached to the frame member, the exterior surfaces of which mimic the original equipment grips. |
| US07743538B2 |
Extruded plastic u-channel sign post covers
Covers for U-channel or C-channel sign posts comprise an extruded hollow plastic form having a length, the form in cross-section including a generally flat front wall and opposing generally flat side walls. Each side wall converges toward the other at an angle from the front wall to a back section having a width less than the front wall, thereby forming a generally trapezoidal interior. Each side wall is bent toward the other to form overlapping portions that make up the back section. In the preferred embodiments, the front wall further includes a co-extruded reflective, fluorescent, phosphorescent or colored lengthwise strip of material to enhance visibility, and the back section further includes an engagement mechanism between the overlapping portions including one or more sets of engaging barbs. The back section may further include a rearward wall extending from one of the overlapping portions and folded over the overlapping portions forming a rearward wall to assist in maintaining the engagement of the barbs. |
| US07743536B2 |
Hinged plow and scraper blade
A materials moving blade (1) comprising a main blade (3) having a materials engaging surface extending bounded by a first end, a second end, a top edge (37) and a lower edge (39) defining a hinge axis, a plurality of trip blades (9) supported at the lower edge (39) of the main blade (3) and a universal mounting panel having a plurality of holes in the mounting panel for accommodating different mounting system geometries. |
| US07743535B2 |
Detachable lifting mechanism for a tracked snow vehicle method and apparatus
A lifting device adapted to be fitted to a tracked vehicle which is configured to operate in snow-covered terrain. The lifting device has an interface member which in one form allows for an interface portion of the mast region to fit to a plurality of commercially available tracked snow vehicles. Further, in one form, the lifting device interfaces with the existing hydraulics of conventional tracked snow vehicles. |
| US07743533B2 |
Garden shoe having breathing tubes
A waterproof garden shoe has a plurality of passageways located in the shoe upper. One or more tubes located on the upper are in fluid communication with these passageways. The tubes have an opening which allows ambient air to enter the tubes and pass into the shoes through the passageways to cool the user's feet. The openings in each tube are located below the passageways that communicate with that tube to prevent water entering the tube from entering the shoe through the passageway. |
| US07743523B2 |
Arrangement for determining thicknesses and thickness variations
The device claimed by the invention is characterized essentially in that during the transport of a flat object, in particular, a banknote, through guide elements the deflection of one or two second guide elements from a first guide element is detected via an electrically conductive element by one or more flat air core coils. In the process a magnetic alternating field is generated which is influenced by a change of position of the electrically conductive element. The alternating field causes eddy currents in the electrically conductive element. These eddy currents in turn influence the alternating field. When the flat coils are each a part of an LC oscillating circuit, for example, the resonance frequency and the attenuation of this oscillating circuit are influenced. At a constant excitation frequency the amplitude of the oscillations varies. |
| US07743520B1 |
Digital level detector apparatus convertible for remote sensing
A device and method for quickly and accurately leveling a surface in either the horizontal or vertical plane while not in proximity to the surface being leveled. The device comprises a rigid base designed to be places on any surface to be leveled, inclinometer circuitry used to determine the position of the rigid base relative to level or plumb, wireless circuitry used to transmit the results of the inclinometer to a remotely transportable unit containing a digital display used to read the results of the inclinometer reading. |
| US07743518B2 |
Programmable sight and method of use thereof
A programmable bow sight having an adjustable sight pin and a display means adapted to display a value indicating a distance associated with the position of the sight pin is disclosed, wherein adjustment of the sight pin to a position where a value indicating a desired distance is displayed allows a user to accurately aim for a shot at the desired distance using the sight pin for elevation. The sight is programmable to alter the respective sight pin position(s) associated with one or more distance(s) to account for specific performance characteristics of a user's bow and/or arrow. |
| US07743516B2 |
Trim installation tool
A trim installation tool, attachable to the jamb of a window or door, which aids in the installation of trim. The tool provides for the marking of a consistent reveal around a door or window when installing trim. The tool also provides a surface which may be used to provide support to the end of a tape measure when performing measurements. Additionally, the tool may provide support for the trim being installed around the door or window. |
| US07743514B2 |
Reciprocating power tool
It is an object of the invention to provide a useful technique for reducing vibration of a handgrip and improving the cutting efficiency while achieving weight reduction of a reciprocating power tool. According to the invention, a representative reciprocating power tool is provided to comprise a body, a tool bit, an actuating mechanism, a handgrip. The handgrip and the body can rotate with respect to each other via a pivot in a direction crossing the direction of reciprocating linear motion of the tool bit. An elastic element is disposed between the handgrip and the body and serves to absorb vibration transmitted from the body to the handgrip by elastically receiving the relative rotation of the handgrip and the body. According to the invention, vibration in the handgrip can be reduced and the cutting efficiency can be improved without complicating the construction. |
| US07743512B1 |
Plastic sheet cutter
A cutter operative to pierce and cut a sheet of material includes a handle and a body portion coupled to the handle. The body portion includes two puncture fingers having tips for piercing the sheet of material and two blades for cutting two parallel cuts in the sheet of material. in a method of installing a zipper on a sheet of material, left and right portions of a zipper are applied to a sheet of material. A swath portion of the sheet of material is cut having two parallel, spaced-apart cuts between the left and right portions of the zipper. In this manner, zipper installation is established in a manner that avoids formation of flap of material that would otherwise remain between the left and right flanges of the zipper. |
| US07743508B2 |
Rotary electric shaver
A rotary electric shaver including a cutter unit 16 for holding an outer cutter 14 in an outer cutter frame 18 mounted on the shaver main body 10 and for rotationally driving an inner cutter 40 installed inside the outer cutter 14 by a rotational drive shaft 26 while pressing the inner cutter 40 elastically toward the outer cutter 14; and the shaver further including a swivel case 48 which swivels freely and moves up and down freely with the outer cutter 14, a movable panel 92 for pushing this swivel case 48 upward with a return spring 70 in between, and a push-up mechanism 94 for changing the height level (position) of the movable panel 92, so that the push-up force on the outer cutter 14 from the inner cutter side is controllable by changing the height level (position) of the movable panel 92 by the push-up mechanism 94. |
| US07743503B2 |
Method for manufacturing inkjet head
A method for manufacturing an inkjet head includes providing a piezoelectric substrate having a porous structure, a diaphragm on the porous structure, and a piezoelectric substance layer on the diaphragm, and forming a cavity by etching out the porous structure from the piezoelectric substrate. |
| US07743501B2 |
Fluid bearing assisted assembly of an exhaust treatment device
Apparatus for inserting a substrate surrounded by a compressible mat into a compartment of a housing of an exhaust treatment device includes an insertion member having a bore shaped substantially identically to a shape of an opening to the housing compartment and a fluid bearing generator establishing a compressed fluid bearing at a surface of the bore. The fluid bearing is operative to reduce a coefficient of friction between the compressible mat and a surface of the bore when the substrate/mat combination is moved axially in the bore into the compartment opening. |
| US07743495B2 |
Method of manufacturing cord management device
A method of manufacturing a cord management device. The method includes: (a) providing a power strip; (b) physically and electrically coupling a power cord to the power strip; (c) providing a stationary portion, providing the stationary portion includes: (1) providing a first wall; (2) providing two or more slots in the first wall configured to contain a first portion of a single electrical cord; and (3) providing a second wall spaced part from the first wall, the first wall and second wall defining a first space there between; (d) providing a cover; (e) hingedly attaching the cover to the stationary portion, thereby defining a second space; (f) integrating the power strip into the second space; and (g) locating a portion of the power cord in the first space. |
| US07743492B2 |
Method for forming cast flexible substrate and resultant substrate and electronic device
A method for forming an electronic device provides a casting master having a casting surface, and deposits a substrate material onto the casting surface to form a flexible substrate sheet of predetermined thickness, wherein the flexible substrate sheet has a circuit-side surface that is formed against the casting surface. The flexible substrate sheet is released from the master and secured against a carrier, with the circuit-side surface facing outward. An electronic device is then formed on the circuit-side surface. |
| US07743483B2 |
Method of manufacturing a stator in a rotating electric machine
A method of manufacturing a stator in a rotating electric machine. In this method, each slot has a slot peripheral wall and a slot opening, covered with an insulation coating made of an electrical insulation material. The slot peripheral wall SW has a slot bottom wall, a pair of slot side walls opposing to each other and continuing to end portions of the slot bottom wall. The insulation coating is formed continuously from the slot bottom wall to the pair of slot side walls, and a pair of holding grooves opposing to each other is formed in the insulation coating at the vicinity of the slot opening. The groove walls of the pair of the holding grooves are formed in the insulation coating, and an electrical insulation member to close the slot opening is inserted in the pair of holding grooves and held between the pair of holding grooves. |
| US07743482B2 |
Fabricating method of a semiconductor device
A semiconductor device and fabricating method thereof are provided. A first substrate with an inductor cell and a through-electrode is connected to a second substrate having an RF device circuit unit. The first substrate can be stacked on the second substrate, and a connecting electrode can electrically connect the inductor cell to the RF device circuit unit. |
| US07743479B1 |
Method of tensioning a wall strap on a metal wall
A wall strap tensioner for tensioning a wall strap of a metal wall. The wall strap tensioner includes first and second links pivotally connected together. A fastener is secured to each of the first and second links for engaging and fastening to the wall strap. Disposed about the opposite end of the tensioner is a flexible cable adapted to be secured to a portion of the metal wall. A connector connects to the flexible cable and a handle is pivotally connected to the connector and movable between first and second positions. A connecting link extends between the first and second links and the handle, the connecting link including third and fourth links that are movable with respect to each other and which are movable between retracted and extended positions. A spring extends around the third and fourth links and biases the third and fourth links towards an extended position. |
| US07743478B2 |
Method for changing knives in a mower
A mowing device including a disc, the disc providing a mount for at least one knife, said knife being pivotably mounted to said disc by a pivot pin, said pivot pin defining a mounting axis, such that the knife can rotate about said pivot pin between a first extended position and any retracted position, said disc being constructed of a basic material thickness and comprising a mounting surface; said mowing device including a knife adapter comprising a cylindrical aperture and a projection; said pivot pin comprising a first cylindrical section of a first diameter to fit into said cylindrical aperture in said knife adapter, and a second cylindrical section, of a second diameter, with a groove defined by a groove width and a pin section thickness at the groove of a dimension less than said second diameter; said mowing device including a retainer constructed of a material thickness equal to or less than the width of said groove, with a key-hole shaped aperture defined by a first circular section with a first inside diameter larger than said second diameter of said pin and a slot shaped section with a width that is greater than said pin section thickness but less than said second diameter of said pivot pin; wherein said slot-shaped section of the retainer engages said groove of said pivot pin to retain said pivot pin while said projection of said knife adapter engages said retainer. |
| US07743474B2 |
Polymeric package closure and method
A zipper closure for a polymeric package includes a plurality of profile members on a first polymeric surface, where one and not more than one of these plurality of profile members is colored differently from the remaining profile members on the same polymeric surface. The differently colored profile members provide a visual reference for properly orienting the zipper closure to the polymeric packaging during manufacture. |
| US07743472B2 |
Boot band
A boot-band that (a) does not excessively clamp a boot, (b) can prevent leakage of grease from the boot and the boot-band, and (c) uniformly produces a tight contact force on the boot without deteriorating the contact force on the boot. This boot-band includes a metallic belt-shaped member (2), and its clamping force, which is generated in the direction that shortens the circumference of the metallic belt-shaped member (2), is exercised under a ring-shaped condition in such a way that one end of the metallic belt-shaped member overlaps the other end thereof, and in such a way that both ends are wound around the outer periphery of the boot. A smaller-cross-sectional area (5a) is formed in a part of the belt-shaped member (2); the smaller-cross-sectional area (5a) and the general part (8), whose cross-sectional area is not reduced, are elongated due to plastic deformation caused by the clamping force. |
| US07743471B2 |
Removable hat accessory
An attaching device for removably attaching various types of display objects to a hat. The attaching device has a fastener for engaging with the display object and a spring member for retaining the fastener therein and attaching to a button of the hat. The fastener is in the form of a plastic ring with a plurality of tabs projecting from a bottom rim thereof. The spring member has an upper spring portion, a lower spring portion and a joint spring portion connecting the upper and lower spring portions. The upper spring portion has an inner perimeter substantially the same as the maximum radial extent of the tabs, such that the plastic ring can be inserted therein. A plurality of protrusions is formed to extend inwardly from the inner perimeter of the upper spring portion. The protrusions are outline with a profile mating that of the tabs, such that the plastic ring can be secured interlocked with the spring member. The lower spring portion has an open end split into two parallel leaves, such that, by bending the joint spring to open the space between the upper and lower spring portions, the spring member can slide towards the button to receive the button within the space between the upper and lower spring portions. |
| US07743468B2 |
Hinge assembly
A hinge assembly is used in a notebook computer and has a combination bracket, a keyed shaft, a stationary bracket, a limiting assembly and a pressing assembly. The notebook computer has a monitor panel and a base. The monitor panel is mounted horizontally pivotally upon the base. The combination bracket is attached to the monitor panel. The keyed shaft is attached securely to the combination bracket. The stationary bracket is mounted rotatably around the keyed shaft and is mounted securely on the base. The limiting assembly is mounted rotatably on the stationary bracket, is connected to the keyed shaft and allows the keyed shaft to rotate 360°. The pressing assembly is mounted around the keyed shaft below the stationary bracket to provide friction. Consequently, the hinge assembly allows the monitor to rotate 360° relative the base. |
| US07743457B2 |
Wiper device, especially for a motor vehicle
A windshield wiper device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a carrier (12) for fixing to a first part (52), especially to the body of the motor vehicle. A locking element (40) having a predetermined breaking point (41) is also provided in order to enable the carrier (12) to be fixed to the first part (52) by a rotational connection. |
| US07743456B2 |
Microfiber cover for cleaning tool
A cleaning tool cover configured for removable application to a cleaning tool in order to provide a microfiber cleaning surface on the cleaning tool. The cleaning tool may include, for example, a sponge mop or a dust mop and the cleaning tool cover may be used wet or dry and may be attached to the cleaning tool using a variety of attachment structures. In one embodiment, the cleaning tool cover is configured as a bonnet having a recess and an elastic opening that may be enlarged temporarily to allow a mop head to be inserted into the recess and then allowed to retract to secure the cleaning tool cover to the mop. In another embodiment, the cleaning tool cover may include a plurality of flaps for attaching the tool cover to the cleaning tool. |
| US07743452B1 |
Adjustable bristle toothbrush apparatus
An adjustable bristle toothbrush apparatus which provides pneumatic bristle exposed length pressure adjustment. Bristles are provided in bristle bundles which are affixed to bristle bases. Each base moves within an individual cylinder via a slave piston. Adjustment of chamber pressure via the adjustment knob on the handle first end determines slave piston resistance to inward movement. |
| US07743449B2 |
System and method for a combined contact and non-contact wafer cleaning module
A system and a method for cleaning and rinsing a wafer includes at least three rollers that are capable of supporting a wafer by an edge of the wafer. At least one of the rollers is driven and thereby capable of rotating the wafer. At least one of the rollers is a movable roller mounted on an actuator. The system and method also includes a first movable scrubbing roller capable of being moved away from and alternatively to the first side of the wafer. A second movable scrubbing roller capable of being moved away from and alternatively to a second side of the wafer is also included. The second side of the wafer opposes the first side of the wafer. The system and method also includes at least one first side nozzle directed toward the first side of the wafer and at least one second side nozzle directed toward the second side of the wafer. |
| US07743448B2 |
Device and system with moving squeegee fields
A device with moving squeegees is disclosed. The squeegees can have any number of squeegee configurations. The squeegee or groups of the squeegees are configured to move independently or separately concerted fashion. The device is preferably and oral-care device and can include bristles and/or nodules that move or are stationary. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention the oral-care device includes rows of squeegees that move with a first motion and a center section with squeegees, bristles and/or nodules that move with a second motion in a direction and/or frequency that is different from the first motion. |
| US07743447B2 |
Toothbrush assembly having an environmentally safe polymer battery
The present invention discloses a powered or manual toothbrush having a polymer battery as a power source. The polymer battery contains no heavy metals, making it environmentally safe, and contains no alkaline, making it physically safe. The polymer battery is inexpensive and rechargeable, making it an economical power source for the toothbrush. The small size of the polymer battery saves space in the toothbrush housing, enabling the housing to be smaller and saving on materials of construction. The flexible nature of the polymer battery enables it to be shaped to fit into or around the periphery of the toothbrush housing design. |
| US07743444B2 |
Cable stayed suspension bridge making combined use of one-box and two-box girders
A cable-stayed suspension bridge having characteristics of a cable stayed bridge and those of a suspension bridge at the same and time and using one-box and two-box girders in combination is disclosed. The bridge grinder of the cable-stayed suspension bridge includes one-box girders that each extend to both sides through the respective one tower and a two-box girder set in a central portion of the center span between towers in the length direction of the bridge girder. The cable-stayed suspension bridge includes cable-stayed structures in which a respective one of the one-box girders is supported by the tower with plural cables and a suspension structure in which the two-box girder is supported by the plural towers with two main cables and plural hanger ropes. The two-box girder has a central ventilation opening in the central portion as viewed in a transverse direction thereof. The hanger ropes in the suspension structure extend from the main cables almost perpendicularly, and their lower end portions are connected to the end portions in the transverse direction of the central ventilation opening or in the vicinity thereof. |
| US07743442B2 |
System and method for enhancing the safety of a sleeping arrangement for a child on a bed
A system is provided for enhancing the safety of a sleeping arrangement for a child on a bed. The bed includes a mattress and a boxspring. The system includes a frame to enclose a perimeter of the mattress and the boxspring. The frame includes a plurality of sections, which are removably attached at respective junctures with hook and loop fasteners. An outer surface of the frame is formed from a plush material. The plurality of sections includes a pair of side sections which extend along a respective pair of opposing side surfaces of the mattress and the boxspring. The pair of side sections includes a respective vertical bumper configured to extend from a top portion of the side sections by a predetermined height, to prevent the child on the bed from passing outside the side surfaces of the mattress and falling from the mattress. |
| US07743436B1 |
Toilet fill valve with adjustable bowl fill flow
A toilet fill valve, toilet, and associated methods are provided with an adjustable bowl fill flow. In one embodiment, a toilet fill valve includes a water inlet and a first water outlet configured to supply water to a toilet tank. A bowl fill outlet port extends from a portion of a body of the toilet fill valve, the bowl fill outlet port being operatively coupled to the water inlet. The toilet fill valve includes a bowl fill valve having a bowl fill valve inlet port and a bowl fill valve outlet port, wherein the bowl fill valve inlet port is compatible with the bowl fill outlet port and the bowl fill valve inlet port being coupled to the bowl fill outlet port, the bowl fill valve radially extending from a portion of a body of the toilet fill valve. The bowl fill valve is configured to supply an adjustable flow of water out the bowl fill outlet port for filling a toilet bowl during a flush cycle of a toilet. |
| US07743433B1 |
Neck dam collar for use with chemical-biological protective masks and hoods
A neck dam collar is formed of a substantially vapor-proof material. Resiliently compressible portions of the collar either act as a cushion, a spacer, or both between a neck dam and the wearer's neck. In one embodiment, the collar is a discrete, cylindrical tube of flexible, elastic material. In another embodiment, a protective garment includes the neck dam collar. |
| US07743431B2 |
J-band apparatus
An apparatus for supporting the ankle-shin area of pant legs having a “W” shaped bar with a first loop and a second loop on each end and a strap having each end connected to each loop respectively. The strap has an adjustment buckle coupled to it for adjusting the tension on the strap. |
| US07743430B2 |
Conceal and carry vest
A gun concealment garment such as a vest including a vest side including an outer layer and an inner liner connected at an arm hole and a center seam, the outer layer and the inner liner forming a concealing pocket. A concealed holster pocket within the concealing pocket, the concealed holster pocket adapted to hold a gun. The concealed holster pocket supported from the center seam such that the weight of a gun carried in the concealed holster pocket is supported directly by the shoulder of a wearer reducing the tendency for the gun to map and increasing the comfort of a wearer. |