| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07794442B2 |
Disposable diaper
A disposable diaper (29, in particular used in the event of incontinence, comprises a hip band (10). The hip band (10) comprises a first hip band section (10a) and second hip band section (10b). A least the second hip band section (10b) comprises a first closure means (26) provided with a side (261) which is oriented away from the body during use thereof and a side (262) which is oriented towards the body during use thereof, and at least the first hip band section (10a) comprises a second closure means (88). The side of the first closure means (262) which is oriented towards the body is attached in a detachable manner to the second closure means (88) in order to form a closed hip opening, and comprises a diaper main section (4) comprising a front area, a back area and a crotch area which is arranged there between, said diaper main section also comprises an absorption area (6) for fluids. The main part of the diaper (4) can be attached in a detachable manner to a fourth closure means (99) on the side of the hip band (10) oriented away from the body by means of at least one third, mechanical closure area (34) by means of the longitudinal end of the front region thereof or the rear area, and the third mechanical closure means (34) can be attached in a detachable manner to the side of the first closure means (261) which is oriented away from the body. |
| US07794438B2 |
Wound treatment apparatus
A bandage has a first sheet overlying a wound and located adjacent to it and a top sheet overlying the first sheet. The first sheet has a plurality of discrete passageways overlying the wound and adapted to communicate negative pressure established by a negative pressure source to the wound. |
| US07794431B2 |
Apparatus and method for facilitating the replacement of an implanted catheter
A medical apparatus and method of use for implanting a percutaneous catheter in a patient's body which catheter can be easily positioned, repositioned, and replaced. The apparatus includes an elongate sleeve comprising a wall surrounding an interior elongate passageway. The passageway extends from a sleeve proximal end to a sleeve distal end. The sleeve is intended to be percutaneously implanted through an incision in the patient's skin so that the sleeve distal end resides subcutaneously. The sleeve outer peripheral surface carries a layer of porous material intended to be placed just under the patient's outer skin layer in contact with the dermis to promote tissue ingrowth for anchoring the sleeve and forming an infection resistant barrier. The sleeve passageway is dimensioned to snugly accommodate the outer surface of catheter while permitting the catheter to slide relative to the sleeve. A sealing device is mounted around the catheter adjacent to the sleeve proximal end to prevent deleterious material from migrating into the patient's body along the catheter outer surface. |
| US07794427B2 |
Operating an infusion pump system
Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device and a removable controller device. When the pump device and the removable controller device are removably attached to one another, the components may provide a portable infusion pump unit to dispense medicine to a user. In particular embodiments, the removable controller device includes a user interface to readily provide information, for example, about the operation of the pump. |
| US07794425B2 |
Gastro-esophageal reflux control system and pump
An enteral feeding unit or system that minimizes the occurrence of gastro-esophogeal-pharynegal reflux during feeding is described. The enteral feeding unit or device includes an automatable feeding pump with a feedback sensor for sensing a relative pressure in a patient's stomach and esophagus, and a regulator system for controlling or monitoring feeding rate to said patient as a function of said relative gastro-esophageal pressure. The system includes a stomach probe that has a fluid-tight closure of the esophagus. The stomach probe, according to the invention, is characterized by a tampon-bladder for watertight closure of the esophagus, in which the tampon-bladder forms from flexible and/or elastic material at least a closed inner cavity for the reception of a fluid medium, through a means (11) of establishing a prescribed pressure for the medium in the tampon-bladder (16) by an inner lumen forming the actual stomach probe, from which an outer hose-like lumen (18) extending to the tampon-bladder (16) is so arranged that between the outer lumen (18) and the inner lumen (17) a channel is formed connected to the inner cavity of the tampon-bladder (16) arranged on the outer lumen (18) by a number of openings (20), whereby the inner cavity of the tampon-bladder (16) is connected via the canal formed between the inner and outer lumina (17, 18) with the means of production of pressure in the tampon-bladder, that is, with a suitably graded reservoir or equalizing vessel (11) for the liquid medium situated above the tampon-bladder and outside the patient. |
| US07794424B2 |
Catheter with out-of-plane configurations
A transformable catheter includes a sheath having a length which is a substantial fraction of the entire length of the transformable catheter and a bore therethrough. A preformed inner catheter having a complex curve formed into the distal end thereof is disposed in the sheath bore. By axially moving the inner catheter with respect to the sheath, various tip shapes may be achieved. At least one wire runs from the proximal end of the sheath to the vicinity of the distal end of the sheath to selectively deflect the distal tip of the sheath as desired by the user to assist in reformation and transformation of the tip of the catheter. By suitable manipulation of the wire and of the inner catheter with respect to the sheath, the shape of the exposed portion of the distal end of the inner catheter may be transformed to any of a variety of shapes. |
| US07794420B2 |
Autotransfusion method and autotransfusion device with phase separation and concentration, comprising removable bags
A process for treating the hemorrhage fluids of a patient at the time of a surgical procedure with the aim of carrying out an autotransfusion, includes a stage for recovering the hemorrhage fluids with simultaneous introduction of agents such as anticoagulant and/or diluting agents, at least one stage for the mechanical separation/concentration of this hemodiluted hemorrhage fluid in order to concentrate its content in red blood cells and partially purify it, this phase being collected in a sterile manner so as to be fit for injecting back to the patient. Also described is the related device. |
| US07794419B2 |
Apparatus for controlling blood flow in an extracorporeal circuit
The apparatus for blood flow control in an extracorporeal circuit comprises: a user interface for setting a desired blood flow value (qbREAL) and a datum relating to the vascular access, a memory for recording a plurality of mathematical relations having mathematical expressions relating to the vascular access organ to be used, and a control unit. The control unit identifies the vascular access, selects, from among the plurality of mathematical relations present in the memory, a relation which corresponds to the vascular access identified, and calculates, as a mathematical function of the set value for the desired flow (qbREAL), a value at which to set the angular velocity of the pump associated to the extracorporeal circuit and/or a theoretical value of the arterial pressure upstream of the pump. |
| US07794413B2 |
Libraries and data structures of materials removed by debulking catheters
Material removed by a debulking catheter from a body lumen can be preserved. Materials can be collected from many different patients and/or from multiple procedures on individual patients. Data which describe the properties or qualities of the removed material and/or the patient and/or the patient's family or environment can be stored on computer readable media. The stored data can be used to draw correlations, to stratify groups of patients, to provide risk assessments, to provide diagnoses and/or prognoses. Further tests can be done on the stored materials at later times after the procedures have been completed. |
| US07794411B2 |
Methods and devices for automated biopsy and collection of soft tissue
Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others. |
| US07794408B2 |
Tissue collection device and methods
A biological tissue collection device is provided having a housing with a fluid-retaining inner chamber adapted to retain a bioimplantable, fluid permeable tissue scaffold. The scaffold is preferably retained in the housing in such a way that the scaffold separates the fluid-retaining inner chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The collection device further includes a driver mechanism coupled to the housing and effective to create a force within the housing to displace fluid disposed within the second chamber to the first chamber. As the fluid is displaced, any biological tissue deposited on the tissue scaffold is dispersed within the fluid. Removal of the force enables the fluid to return to the second chamber and thereby deposit the tissue onto the tissue scaffold. In an exemplary embodiment, the tissue is deposited evenly onto the tissue scaffold. |
| US07794407B2 |
Method of locating the tip of a central venous catheter
The invention includes a method of locating a tip of a central venous catheter (“CVC”) having a distal and proximal pair of electrodes disposed within the superior vena cava, right atrium, and/or right ventricle. The method includes obtaining a distal and proximal electrical signal from the distal and proximal pair and using those signals to generate a distal and proximal P wave, respectively. A deflection value is determined for each of the P waves. A ratio of the deflection values is then used to determine a location of the tip of the CVC. Optionally, the CVC may include a reference pair of electrodes disposed within the superior vena cava from which a reference deflection value may be obtained. A ratio of one of the other deflection values to the reference deflection value may be used to determine the location of the tip of the CVC. |
| US07794406B2 |
Detection of cardiac arrhythmias using a photoplethysmograph
A method for diagnosis includes receiving from a sensor coupled to a body of a patient a photoplethysmograph signal, which is indicative of blood flow in the body. The photoplethysmograph signal is processed so as to identify at least one irregularity in a heart rhythm of the patient. A record indicating a time of occurrence of the at least one irregularity is made and processed so as to diagnose a pathological cardiac condition of the patient. |
| US07794402B2 |
Echogenic needle catheter configured to produce an improved ultrasound image
An echogenic catheter, such as a needle catheter, formed at least in part of an intrinsically conductive organic polymer for providing a highly conductive surface in combination with an improved ability to ultrasonically image the catheter, and a method of performing a medical procedure using a catheter of the invention. |
| US07794401B2 |
Ultrasonic probe for intra-cavity diagnosis and manufacturing method thereof
A diagnostic ultrasonic probe for use in body cavities has at its tip an ultrasonic transducer array, which has a layered structure wherein a flexible circuit board, an electric circuit, a backing material, a piezoelectric element array, an acoustic impedance matching layer and an acoustic lens are formed atop another on a supporting member. The electric circuit includes at least one of amplifiers for amplifying echo signals from ultrasonic transducers, switches for switching over between sending the echo signals from the ultrasonic transducers and receiving drive signals for exciting the ultrasonic transducers, a multiplexer for selective-switching between the echo signals as well as between the drive signals, an A/D converter for converting the echo signals from an analog form to a digital form, and a D/A converter for converting the drive signals from a digital form to an analog form. |
| US07794400B2 |
Element mapping and transmitter for continuous wave ultrasound imaging
Element mapping and transmission of continuous waves are provided ultrasound imaging. For use with multiple dimensional or large arrays, the number of receive beamformer channels or associated cables connecting the transducer array to the receive beamformer may be limited. Subarrays of signals from different elements associated with similar phasing are combined without switching. The combined subarray signals are then received beamformed to generate a continuous wave image. Receive channels without clocking or beamforming prior to a steered continuous wave Doppler beamformer maximize dynamic range and reduce the power consumption. For further or different optimization of steering continuous waves, low voltage transmitters separate from high voltage transmitters are provided for a plurality of elements. |
| US07794399B2 |
System and method for three-dimensional airway reconstruction, assessment and analysis
This invention relates to a system and method for three-dimensional airway reconstruction, assessment and analysis. Specifically, the invention relates to a system and method for acquiring one- and two-dimensional data regarding a cavity, such as an esophagus or an airway, and manipulating that data to reconstruct a three-dimensional geometrical object representing that cavity. Suitable data collection methods include, but are not limited to, non-ionizing, non-invasive protocols including acoustic reflectometry, such as that performed by a DOS®- or Windows®-based pharyngometer or rhinometer. The resulting three-dimensional geometric object of the subject cavity can be used to diagnose cavity morphology/obstruction, aid in management and treatment of the obstruction, evaluate efficacy of management and treatment of the obstruction and also provide information for use in outcome analysis and forensic and medico-legal evaluation of diagnosis and treatment of cavity obstruction/stenosis. |
| US07794398B2 |
Real-time volumetric bi-plane ultrasound imaging and quantification
Quantified measures of a volumetric object in the body can be made ultrasonically by acquiring concurrent biplane images of two different image planes of the object. Corresponding borders of the volumetric object are traced using automatic border detection. The border tracings are used in their planar spatial relationship to compute a graphical model of the volumetric object. The volume of the graphical model may be computed by the rule of disks, and a graphical or numerical display of the changing volume with time displayed. A user interface comprises both real time biplane images, the real time graphical model, and the quantified measures. |
| US07794395B2 |
Apparatus for searching for and detecting defects in parts by endoscopy
Apparatus for searching for and detecting defects on parts that are substantially inaccessible, being located behind a wall, the apparatus comprising a first endoscope for illumination in visible light and for observation, the first endoscope and pipes for feeding and spraying penetration test substances being housed together in a rod which can be passed through an orifice in the wall in order to examine a part, the apparatus further comprising a second endoscope independent of the first endoscope and the rod for illuminating in ultraviolet light and for observing the portion of the part that has been treated by the penetration test substances. |
| US07794388B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating at least one section of a virtual 3D model of a body interior
A method for generating at least one section of a virtual 3D model of a body interior, in particular a hollow organ, uses data that are provided by at least one endoscope introduced into the body interior. The data comprise at least one position and orientation of the endoscope, the at least one position and orientation being assigned at least one distance between the endoscope and the at least one point on a surface of the body interior, and at least one endoscopic image of the surface of the body interior in the region of the at least one point on the surface of the body interior. From the said data relating to a number of different positions and orientations of the endoscope is/are generated the section or sections of the 3D model in superposition with the associated endoscopic image. An appropriate apparatus is also described. |
| US07794386B2 |
Methods for facilitating weight loss
The present invention provides methods for facilitating weight loss in a patient. In some embodiments, the methods comprise the steps of locally administering a botulinum toxin to a stomach tissue of an obese patient, and deploying a gastric band around the stomach of the patient. |
| US07794383B2 |
Centrifugal separator with isolated rotor part
A centrifugal separator includes a rotator part that separates a liquid sample and has a rotor and a drive part. The rotor receives a liquid sample therein and rotates to separate the liquid sample. The drive part drives the rotor to rotate. A controller part controls operations of the rotator part which is mounted in a rotator casing. A controller casing which is separate from the rotator casing mounts the controller part, and the controller part is connected via a drive wire to the drive part in the rotator part. The rotor casing is disposed at a clean room, the controller casing is disposed outside the clean room, and the drive wire passes through a wall of the clean room via an air-tight sealing mechanism. |
| US07794380B2 |
Pre-opened resealable bags
A series of pre-opened resealable bags formed as a continuous web and received on a roll suitable for implementation in an automatic bagging machine are presented. The web of bags consist of top and bottom films thermally bonded together along the edges thereof. Transverse resealable zipper strips are interposed between the top and bottom films, with mating portions thereof respectively bonded to an associated films. A top film is provided with a filling slit, adapted for receiving product or materials therethrough. Appropriate seals and perforations are provided transverse to the web to allow the bags to be separated from each other and to allow for operator access to the resealable zipper strip. In another embodiment, the zipper strips are substituted or supplemented with plastic reinforcing strips to accommodate a punched hold for hanging display of the bag. A process for manufacturing such bags from a pair of webs received inserted zipper strips is also presented. |
| US07794378B2 |
Exercise chair with side supporters
An exercise chair primarily directed to employing an exercise method, with foot bars, high bars, and a foldable configuration. The seat is supported by a plurality of support elements, at least some of which are hingeably connected with the seat, so that the chair can be folded into a compact shape for storage or transport. The independent foot bars may each be attached to a lever that is hingeably coupled with one or more of the support elements. The position of the foot bars may also be adjustable by extending out of the levers and locking into the desired position. One or more resistance elements may be removably attached to a location below the chair seat, and individually connected with the levers via an adjusting assembly that can either slide or be placed in pre-set mounting locations along the lever to provide variable resistance, or can be equipped with a turnbuckle to provide varying resistance. A platform that rests at or near the floor during use may be attached to the two front support elements, which provides stability as well as comfort when the user stands or kneels on the platform when using the chair. The high bars can be grasped by the user to perform a wide variety of exercises while standing on or moving from the seat, the foot bar, or the platform. |
| US07794376B2 |
Ab-exerciser bench
An abdominal muscle exercise machine that generally contains a diagonal member with an adjustable seat and a backrest and a pivot member that pivots with respect to the diagonal member. A chest push can be mechanically coupled to the pivot member through an adjustable force multiplier. An optional counterweight can be placed near one end of the pivot member to lighten the force, or an optional load weight can be placed near the other end of the pivot member to increase the force. The pivot member can be constructed to telescope or otherwise adjust for different body sizes. The machine provides a smooth exercise where the top and bottom portions of the body move together in a linked fashion. The machine of the present invention works without heavy external weights. |
| US07794375B1 |
Exercise apparatus for strengthening hamstring muscles and associated method
A hamstring exercise apparatus preferably includes a frame provided with a seat section, handle bars, rear axle, rear wheels and swiveling front wheels. The seat section is mounted at a front end of the frame such that the frame is provided with a first opening intermediately disposed between the rear axle and the seat section for receiving user feet therethrough while the user is seated on the seat section and facing the rear end of the frame. Such a frame is further provided with a second opening intermediately disposed between the handle bars. The second opening receives the user feet therethrough while the user is seated on the seat section and facing the front end of the frame. Such first and second openings are advantageously provided for providing room for feet or foot placement and leg movements as the hamstring exercise apparatus is propelled forward during use. |
| US07794372B1 |
Leg press exercise machine with self-aligning pivoting seat
A leg press machine has a floor engaging main frame, a user support pivot, a user support assembly pivotally mounted on the main frame via the user support pivot, and a pivotally mounted exercise arm assembly having a main exercise arm and a user engaging footplate. A connecting link, which may be a direct connection between the user support and exercise arm, translates movement of the exercise arm assembly to movement of the user support assembly so that pivotal movement in the exercise arm assembly results in a self-aligning, pivoting movement of the user support assembly. |
| US07794364B2 |
Shoe for deep-water-running exercise
An apparatus for use in exercising in water, preferably deep water running, includes a shoe that is configured to be worn by the user. The shoe includes a plurality of drag-generating elements attached to and extending from each side of said shoe for generating drag forces on the shoe during movement in water. The drag-generating elements generate more drag for movement of said shoe in a rearward direction than in a forward direction and are sized and positioned to simulate the forces on the user's foot arising from land-based running. |
| US07794362B2 |
Exercise device with adjustable stride
An exercise device providing a running and stepping foot action is configured to have an adjustable stride length which may be varied and reconfigured by a user while the device is in operation. The device effectively decouples the horizontal and vertical paths of travel of a user's foot. In this regard, the device includes a foot link which moves in a substantially horizontal path of travel under the control of a reciprocating link which engages a portion of the foot link. A control link engages another portion of the foot link and moves it in a substantially vertical direction under control of a crank assembly. |
| US07794360B2 |
Trampoline and the like with enclosure
A fence surrounds a trampoline and extends above the rebounding surface, reducing the risk of injury. Shock absorption is aided by a support system of independent poles, linked at their tops by a flexible strap or line which is attached directly to a protective cap at the top of each pole. Also disclosed are a method and apparatus for attaching a pad to a trampoline frame either with or without an enclosure. |
| US07794358B2 |
Torque converter with fixed stator and method of controlling rotation of a turbine and pump in a torque converter
A method of transitioning a torque converter from torque conversion mode to lock-up mode, and a torque converter. The method includes rotationally fixing stator blades to a non-rotatable stator shaft; partially engaging a torque converter clutch to transmit torque from a housing to a turbine at a first speed ratio between the turbine and the housing; disengaging a pump clutch at a second speed ratio between the turbine and the housing, the pump clutch arranged to transmit torque from the housing to the pump; and fully engaging the torque converter clutch at a third speed ratio between the housing and the turbine. The second ratio can be less than a ratio for a coupling point. The torque converter has torque converter and pump clutches, a non-rotatable stator, and a connection point between a turbine and hub, at least partially radially aligned with an inner ring for the stator. |
| US07794353B2 |
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 are clutches and a brake. |
| US07794351B2 |
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. |
| US07794349B2 |
Gear control device
An automatic transmission control device with a hydraulic control system controlled by an electric transmission control device. The system including several pressure control valves, actuated electrically by the transmission control device, and several switching valves and pressure regulation valves, actuated by hydraulic pilot pressure, which is adjustable with the pressure control valves. Each shift element is associated with one of the pressure control valve. An engagement prevention valve is actuated by one of a control pressure of the first shift element and a pressure signal equivalent to the control pressure of the first shift element to engage the reverse drive gear. A pressure supply line of the second shift element for obtaining the reversing gear is blocked when the engagement prevention valve is in its first switch position and open when the engagement prevention valve is in its second switch position. |
| US07794346B2 |
Torque transfer device
A torque transfer device for efficiently increasing the torque transferred from a drive unit to another device (e.g. transmission, sprocket, etc.). The torque transfer device generally includes a drive unit, a first rotating member rotatably attached to the drive unit, wherein the drive unit rotates the first rotating member, a receiving unit, a first rotating member rotatably attached to the receiving unit and a connecting arm attached to a first attachment point of the first rotating member and a second attachment point of the second rotating member. The first attachment point is offset from a first rotational axis of the first rotating member and the second attachment point is offset from a second rotational axis of the second rotating member. |
| US07794345B2 |
Dual backlash chain tensioner
A dual backlash tensioner includes a support having a recess therein. A plunger is slidable in the recess and includes a shoe extending outward from the recess. A first resilient member acts between the support and the plunger and urges the shoe outwardly. An oscillatable stop cam having first and second teeth spacedly disposed thereon is engagable with the plunger. The stop cam is pivotally mounted on the support. A second resilient member urges the first tooth toward engagement with the plunger. The plunger has a control portion opposing the stop cam that includes a toothed rack and an adjoining depression positioned toward the shoe. The stop cam teeth are adapted to engage the toothed rack. |
| US07794332B2 |
Visual and tactile confirmation golf grip and system
A visual and tactile confirmation golf grip and system is provided. The golf grip may include an alignment channel, an alignment projection, or combinations thereof extending along an anterior surface of the golf grip, a posterior surface of the golf grip, a side surface of the golf grip, or combinations thereof. The alignment channel and the alignment projection are designed and configured to provide a visual and tactile indication as to whether the golf grip is in the proper, or intended, orientation with respect to a golf club face. The system includes a golf grip and an alignment device. The alignment device is releasably secured to the golf grip and includes a feedback element. The feedback element provides an indication as to whether the golf grip is in a desired position with respect to the golf club face. |
| US07794328B2 |
Game system, game apparatus, and storage medium storing game program
A game system includes plural game apparatuses, and the respective game apparatuses are communicably connected to one another. For example, when a communication game is interrupted, a player closes his/her own game apparatus. In such a case, prior to setting of a sleep mode, the game apparatus notifies all other game apparatuses of the interruption of the communication game, and then the game apparatus saves parameters necessary to execute a game main processing program to interrupt the execution of the game main processing program. When the other game apparatuses receive the notification on the interruption of the communication game, the other game apparatuses save the parameters to interrupt the execution of the game main processing program. In resuming the communication game, the respective game apparatuses read the saved parameters to resume the execution of the game main processing program. |
| US07794323B2 |
Gaming apparatus with encryption and method
A gaming apparatus may comprise a display unit, a value input device, and a controller having a processor and a memory that stores first gaming data and encrypted gaming data that was generated by doubly encrypting gaming data utilizing an encryption key of a gaming data authoring organization and an encryption key of a gaming regulatory organization. The controller may be programmed to doubly decrypt the encrypted gaming data utilizing an encryption key of the gaming data authoring organization and an encryption key of the gaming regulatory organization to form decrypted gaming data, to check to determine if the first gaming data is authorized based on the decrypted gaming data and the first gaming data, and to cause, if the first gaming data is authorized, the display unit to generate a game display. |
| US07794322B2 |
System for awarding a bonus to a gaming device on a wide area network
A method for awarding a bonus to a player of an electronic gaming device at one of a plurality of casino properties is implemented with a slave server networked with gaming devices at each property. The slave servers are networked with a master server that accumulates a pool comprising a percentage of play on the gaming devices. The pool is initiated with a starting value, which defines the lower end of a range having a predetermined maximum number at the upper end. A number is randomly selected from within the range. As play progresses, the pool increases until it hits the random number. As a result, a slave server is randomly selected. The randomly selected slave server then awards the bonus to a randomly selected one of its associated gaming devices. |
| US07794315B2 |
Role play system
A video game system and method is described in which a player-controlled icon in a map scene represents a group or party of characters, and in response to the icon entering a location on the map scene, automatically dispersing the icon into multiple icons representing the various characters. Upon dispersing, the various characters may automatically move to different areas of the location based on individual character preferences. The player may choose to control one of the characters in the location and interact with one or more characters/objects in the location. The interaction may be recorded as it occurs, and the player may switch control to a different character and play the same interaction from a second character's point of view. Under the second character's point of view, the original interaction and/or its outcome may be changed. |
| US07794312B2 |
Enclosure cover and method for making an enclosure cover
A covering apparatus for an enclosure presenting a ventilating barrier curved with respect to a barrier axis includes a segmented panel member having a plurality of louvered areas. Respective adjacent louvered areas of the plurality of louvered areas are separated by a respective bend structure. Each respective bend structure has a first section departing in a first direction from a first bend axis and a second section departing in a second direction from a second bend axis. The first and second bend axes are generally parallel with the barrier axis. The first direction is generally away from the second bend axis. The second direction is generally away from the first bend axis. The bend structure further has a third section extending from the first and second bend axes to a third bend axis. The third bend axis is non-coplanar with the first and second bend axes. |
| US07794311B2 |
Method and apparatus for cleaning carcasses
Various carcass cleaning apparatuses and methods are described and illustrated, wherein carcasses can be cleaned by at least partially immersing carcasses within reservoirs moved by a conveyor. The reservoirs can be filled with cleaning fluid, receive carcasses to immerse the carcasses in the fluid, and can then be drained of such fluid, wherein the drained fluid can be collected, filtered, and supplied again to reservoirs for immersing and cleaning additional carcasses. |
| US07794309B2 |
Polishing tool
The invention relates to a polishing tool with improved handling characteristics, which produces better working results. Said tool comprises a solid polishing body (1), substantially consisting of felt, said body having numerous subdivisions (1). |
| US07794308B2 |
Hand-held power tool
The invention relates to a hand machine tool comprising a first housing shell (12, 150, 162), a second housing shell (16, 156, 168) different from the first housing shell (12, 150, 162) and being connected to the first housing shell (12, 150, 162) via a damping element (58, 60, 122, 132, 158, 170, 172), and a handle section (14, 152, 164) arranged on one of the housing shells (12, 150, 162). The invention is characterized in that the first housing shell (12, 150, 15 162) at least partially encloses the second housing shell (16, 156, 168). |
| US07794306B2 |
Surface finishing apparatus and related method
An apparatus and method for surface finishing a workpiece is disclosed as including a workpiece supporting mechanism supporting a workpiece having a target shaped periphery with a given width to be surface finished and a tool holder holding a surface finish tool in abutting contact with the target shaped periphery of the workpiece. A pressure applying mechanism is operative to apply a pressure force to the surface finish tool through the tool holder to cause the surface finish tool to be held in pressured contact with the target shaped periphery, with the pressure force exhibiting a given distribution pattern depending upon an axial direction of the workpiece. A drive mechanism rotates the workpiece to allow the surface finish tool to surface finish the target shaped periphery into a given geometrical profile, variably contoured along an axis of the workpiece depending on the given pressure distribution pattern. |
| US07794301B2 |
Toy vehicle trackset
A toy vehicle trackset utilizes a pair of closed track loops each having a lower end and a raised end. The raised ends of the loops are supported by a raised support having a spring-loaded dinosaur launcher within which a flying dinosaur is supported. A target is coupled to the launcher and positioned in alignment with a pair of launch ramps extending from each of the pathways through a center lap counter which is shaped to simulate a volcano. Within the lap counter, a diverter is supported to switch a moving toy vehicle from its normal loop path to the target directed ramp once the toy vehicle has completed a predetermined number of laps upon the loop by one player. A dual loop hand-operated toy vehicle booster is supported at the lower end return path of each of the loops. The child user is able to crank a hand crank to initiate a manual boost of a toy vehicle. Proper timing of the hand crank is essential to impart maximum boost to a toy vehicle and impart rapid vehicle movement. |
| US07794298B2 |
Electron-emitting device and method of producing thereof
An object of the invention is to prove a method of producing an electron-emitting device, in which metal content in an electron emission film can be relatively easily controlled and adhesiveness between electrodes and the like in contact with the electron emission film and the electron emission film is good. The method is a method of producing an electron-emitting device including a cathode electrode and a metal-containing electron emission film located above the cathode electrode. The method includes a first step (A) of preparing an electroconductive first layer for the cathode, a second layer for the electron emission film located above the first layer, and a third layer for a metal-containing electron beam focusing electrode in contact with the second layer and a second step (B) of diffusing the metal from the third layer into the second layer. |
| US07794292B2 |
Method and device for determining the geometrical data of a wire fitting
A method for contactless scanning of a wire fitting wherein the wire fitting is scanned by a first distance sensor and by a second distance sensor. The first distance sensor contactlessly scans the wire fitting, in this case a conductor crimp of a crimp contact, multiple times from below. The second distance sensor contactlessly scans the conductor crimp of the crimp contact from above. From the measurement values with the associated “x”, “y” coordinates, geometrical data of the wire fitting are determined. |
| US07794289B1 |
Circuit board connector assembly
A circuit board connector assembly includes two receptacle connectors each including a receptacle insulating housing and a plurality of receptacle terminals disposed in the receptacle insulating housing, and a plug connector disposed on the top of two adjacent receptacle connectors. Each of the receptacle terminals has a base board. Two opposite side edges of the base board extend towards a same direction to form a pair of clamping portions. The plug connector includes a plug insulating housing and a plurality of plug terminals integrated in the plug insulating housing. Each of the plug terminals has a connecting board molded in the plug insulating housing. Two opposite ends of the connecting board extend towards a same direction to form a pair of contact arms extending beyond a mating surface of the plug insulating housing to be electrically clamped by the corresponding two pairs of clamping portions of the two receptacle connectors. |
| US07794283B2 |
Socket, plug, and adaptor combination with waterproof arrangement
A socket, plug, and adaptor combination includes a housing having a forward sliding door; an inverted L-shaped circuit assembly in the housing having a conductor mounting section in the vertical part; a transformer being concealed in the horizontal part of the circuit assembly in a waterproof way and adapted to electrically connect to a power cord; two electrical connection assemblies each disposed in the conductor mounting section and having a prong; a conductive assembly comprising two separate fuses disposed in the conductor mounting section, each fuse being electrically interconnected between the prong and the transformer; a cover releasably secured onto the circuit assembly and having two sockets distal the prongs; and a covering plate disposed between the transformer and the cover. The combination is applicable to be used as a charger for outdoor LED type Christmas light strings. |
| US07794281B2 |
Card connector
A card connector is configured for receiving a generally rectangular card therein. The card has contact pads and generally parallel first and second sides with a cut-away portion formed in the first side in proximity to a front end of the card. The cut-away portion includes a short length extending from the front end generally parallel to the first side, and a tapered shoulder part extending from the short length to the first side. The connector includes an insulative housing with first and second spaced apart sidewalls that define a cavity therein for receiving the card in an insertion direction. A tapered surface is provided adjacent the first sidewall to guide an improperly inserted card at an angle to the insertion direction and a second sidewall recess is formed in the second sidewall to permit entrance of a corner part of such improperly inserted card. A plurality of electrically conductive terminals are mounted in the housing and configured to engage the contact pads of the card upon proper insertion of the card into the housing. A metal shell is also mounted on the housing. |
| US07794275B2 |
Coaxial cable connector with inner sleeve ring
A coaxial cable connector includes a connector body having a rearward cable receiving end, a locking sleeve movably coupled to the rearward cable receiving end of the connector body and a sleeve ring movably disposed within a rearward sleeve ring receiving end of the locking sleeve. The sleeve ring has a forward end for retaining a cable within the connector upon forward insertion of the sleeve ring within the locking sleeve. The connector further preferably includes an annular post disposed within the connector body, wherein the forward end of the sleeve ring urges the cable against the post upon forward insertion of the sleeve ring within the locking sleeve. |
| US07794274B2 |
RF connector with integrated shield
An RF connector assembly has a first connector housing with a first end constructed for connectably receiving a terminal end for a first coaxial cable and a second connector housing with a first end constructed for connectably receiving a complementary terminal end for a second coaxial cable. The terminal end and complementary terminal end are complementarily constructed for engagement to each other. The first and second connector housing are constructed at their respective second ends to connect to one another. The first connector housing receives a tubular shield mounted about and connected to the respective terminal end. The tubular shield has a set of resilient radially inwardly extending contact fingers for electrically connecting about the complementary terminal end when the second connector housing is connected to the first connector housing. |
| US07794273B2 |
Cable connector assembly with improved fastening device
A cable connector assembly (100) comprises an insulative housing (1), a plurality of contacts (2) received in the housing (1), a plurality of wires (3) electrically connecting to the contacts (2) and a fastening device (7). The housing (1) defines at least a through hole (107) in a lateral side thereof. The fastening device (7) comprises a bolt (71) matching with a nut (72) received in the through hole (107), the nut (72) has an engaging portion (723) split into at least two deformable pieces (7230), and the bolt (71) is slidably received in the nut (72) to urge the deformable pieces (7230) splaying when the bolt is pushed in; a stopper is arranged between the bolt and the nut to prevent the bolt from sliding out of the nut. |
| US07794271B2 |
Cable connector assembly with wire management member thereof
A cable connector assembly includes an insulator (1), a plurality of conductive terminals (2) held in the insulator, a plurality of wires (4), a spacer (3) and a metal shell (6, 7). Each wire comprises an inner conductor (41) conductively connecting with the terminals, and at least one of the wires is a coaxial cable (4a) which has a shielding braid layer (43) enclosing the corresponding inner conductor. The spacer is mounted on the insulator and used for supporting the wires. The spacer comprises an inner surface with thereof a plurality of slots (31) for receiving the responding wires and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, and a through-hole (32) is formed through the inner and outer surfaces. The metal shell is mounted on and covers the insulator. The spring finger (75) is formed integrate with the metal shell and extends inwards, and the spring finger passes through the through-hole to electrically connect with the shielding braid of the coaxial cable. |
| US07794269B2 |
Detecting device and connector module thereof
A detecting device is used to detect the connection of an electronic device. The detecting device includes a circuit board and a connector module. The circuit board includes a power terminal and a signal processing unit. The connector module includes a body and a detecting member. The body has a connecting port and a connecting sidewall. The detecting member is disposed on the connecting sidewall and electrically connected to the power terminal and the signal processing unit, and it has a potential. When a plug of the electronic device is connected to the connecting port, the plug contacts the detecting member to change the potential. The change of the potential is detected by the signal processing unit such that the connection between the electronic device and the connector module is confirmed. |
| US07794268B2 |
In-line push-in wire connector
A push-in wire connector has an enclosure that includes at least two wire entry ports that face in opposite directions. A terminal assembly is disposed within the enclosure and includes a busbar positioned between the wire ports. A spring member biases inserted conductors into engagement with the busbar. |
| US07794266B2 |
Device and method for reducing crosstalk
A device and method for reducing crosstalk between wires is provided. The method includes spatially separating first and second sets of wires. A device is disposed relative to the first and second sets of wires to maintain the spatial separation. The method also comprises coupling pins to the first and second sets of wires. Additionally, the method includes covering the device with a connector housing. |
| US07794263B1 |
Connector receptacle housings having reduced-wear finger contacts and reduced seam visibility
Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. |
| US07794261B2 |
Electrical connector assembly having a rotatable clip-fastening mechanism
An electrical connector assembly (100) comprising a substrate (6), an electrical connector mounted onto the upper surface (60) of the substrate (6) and comprising an insulative housing (8) with a plurality of contacts (9) and a load plate (1) pivotally mounted onto the substrate (6) adjacent to the insulative housing (8) and substantially covering the insulative housing (8), a reinforcing member (5) assembled to the lower surface of the substrate (6) and an interlocking cam (22) rotationally mounted on a free end of the load plate (1), and extending through the substrate (6) to interlock to the reinforcing member (5) at a first position in which the load plate (1) is pressed toward the insulative housing (8), and rotated to a second position in which the load plate (1) is free to move away from the insulative housing (8). The rotatable cam (22) includes a recess (222) that when interlocked with a projecting member (5211) extending into a hole (521) in a back plate (52) serves to fasten the load plate (1) in closed position. |
| US07794257B2 |
Hermaphroditic electrical contact
Electrical contact having a longitudinal axis along which a first central body and at least one first blade are produced, characterized in that this electrical contact is intended to be mated with a complementary electrical contact which itself has a second central body and at least one second blade, extending generally in the longitudinal direction of the second contact, so that when the contact and the complementary contact are mated the first blade is in electrical contact with the second central body and the second blade is in electrical contact with the first central body. |
| US07794256B1 |
Implantable connector with contact-containing feedthrough pins
An implantable connector electrically connects multi-conductor leads to an implantable medical device such as a neurostimulator. The connector is assembled directly into a hermetic feedthrough of the device and utilizes the feedthrough housing as a sustaining structure for connector pressurization. The feedthrough pins are adapted to directly connect, confine, protect, and precisely position respective resilient compressible contacts. The compressible contacts can be coil springs, metal-particle-filled elastomer buttons, and fuzz buttons, and can be used with rigid tips where a contact preload and/or an enhanced contact tip robustness is desired. In one method of connector assembly an iso-diametric lead proximal terminal is first inserted into a seal without significant interference, and the resulting lead-seal assembly is subsequently installed in a clamping cover. Connector pressurization means include space-efficient latching clips which support contact forces and the seal compression by engaging undercuts on the feedthrough housing side walls. |
| US07794255B2 |
Electrical connectors and methods of manufacturing and using same
An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. One region of the spiral is preferably fixed to an insulating housing, while another region of the spiral may be rotated for the tightening on the wire and then preferably latched to the housing so that/the spiral remains in the tightened condition. A terminal end may extend from the spiral, or connectors without a terminal end may be used to electrically connect wires to each other that extend from and to other equipment not located on the connector itself. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends of the connector. The connectors may be tightened quickly by hand, without tools, as one hand may grasp the housing or a housing portion, while the terminal end or another housing portion fixed to an end of the spiral (and consequently the spiral coils along with it) is twisted by the other hand. |
| US07794251B2 |
Electronic device having replaceable plug
An electronic device includes a main body, a plug and a fixing member. The main body includes a plug-receiving portion and a plurality of conductive portions. The plug-receiving portion is defined by a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bottom surface. The first sidewall is opposed to the second sidewall. The bottom surface is connected to the first sidewall and the second sidewall. An inclined angle between the bottom surface and at least one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall is smaller than 90 degrees. The plug includes a plurality of conductive terminals, a first slant corresponding to the first sidewall, and a second slant corresponding to the second sidewall. The fixing member is used for facilitating fixing the plug in the plug-receiving portion of the main body such that the conductive terminals of the plug are electrically connected to the conductive portions of the main body. |
| US07794249B2 |
Push-push card connector
A card connector (100) for connecting an electronic card (200) includes an insulative housing (1), a plurality of contacts (2) retained in the insulative housing (1), and an ejector (3). The insulative housing (1) defines a receiving space (10) for receiving the electronic card (200). The ejector (3) includes a slider (31) retained in the insulative housing (1), a spring (32) and a pole (33) mounted between the slider (31) and a rear end of the insulative housing (1). The slider (31) has an inner side wall (310), an inclined face (3100) angled with respect to the inner side wall (3100) to abut against the electronic card (200), and a protrusion (3102) projecting inwardly from the inner side wall (310) to resist the electronic card (200) sideward. Thereby the electronic card (200) can be inserted in or ejected from the card connector (100) smoothly. |
| US07794239B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal includes a casing having an upper casing and a lower casing which are disassembled from and assembled to each other with respect to a main board, a connection terminal portion sealed with the casing to prevent intrusion of water through a gap between the connection terminal portion and the casing and having a plurality of connection terminals having one side exposed to the outside of the casing, and a joint terminal portion electrically connected to the main board and having a plurality of joint terminals respectively and electrically connected to the connection terminals in an elastically pressed state when the upper casing and the lower casing are assembled to each other. |
| US07794236B2 |
Land grid array (LGA) socket for various package sizes
An LGA socket for receiving substrate packages of various sizes and a method of fabricating the socket. In an embodiment, the socket has a planar surface for seating a substrate package. Socket contacts are disposed on the planar surface in a layout common to the layout of interconnects formed on the bottom of substrate packages the socket is designed to receive. A plurality of socket locating features is formed on the socket body to prevent lateral displacement of a reference substrate package. A corresponding number of package locating features are formed on the substrate body of packages larger than the reference substrate package. Each of the socket locating features meshes with the corresponding package locating feature of the larger package. |
| US07794234B2 |
Electrical connector having a connect portion connecting two contact portions having projections and a drainage at least partially between the projections
The present invention provides a connector configured to electrically connect two connection objects. The connector comprises an elastic member having a surface and a conductive film placed on the surface of the elastic member. The conductive film comprises two contact portions to be brought into contact with the connection objects, respectively, and a connect portion connecting the contact portions. Each of the contact portions comprises projections and a drainage arranged, at least in part, between the projections. |
| US07794233B1 |
Flexible circuit member for electrically coupling connectors with one another
An electrical connector assembly couples a circuit board with at least one of a motherboard and a backplane board. The connector assembly includes a connector and a flexible circuit member. The connector has a mating interface and a mounting interface. The mating interface electrically couples the connector with the circuit board. The mounting interface secures the connector to the motherboard. The flexible circuit member electrically interconnects the mating and mounting interfaces with one another and with at least one of the motherboard and the backplane board. The flexible circuit member electrically interconnects the circuit board with the backplane board via a conductive pathway that bypasses the motherboard. |
| US07794232B2 |
Card connector and electronic device
A card connector where a connector main body is fixed inside an electronic device and a tray is disposed so as to slide relative to the connector main body in a longitudinal direction. The tray is movable between an advanced position at which the entirety of the tray has advanced into the connector main body and a pulled-out position at which a part of the tray has been pulled out from the connector main body. A tilt pawl is disposed on the tray, and a slide groove for guiding the tilt pawl in the longitudinal direction and a tilt groove for guiding the tilt pawl upward at the pulled-out position are formed in the connector main body. When in the pulled-out position, the tray is inclined so that a gap between a card mounting surface of the tray and an upper plate portion of the connector main body is increased. According to the resulting card connector, the electronic device is not required to have a large opening, an excessive load is not applied to the card when the card is inserted or withdrawn, a reduction is size can be achieved, and the profile can be made thinner. |
| US07794231B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector comprises a terminal block, a terminal received in the terminal block and an elastic connecting portion electrically connecting with the terminal. The terminal block defines a first receiving cavity, a second receiving cavity opposite to the first receiving cavity and a spaced portion spacing the first receiving cavity and the second receiving cavity. The spaced portion defines a receiving channel and a inserting slot communicating with the receiving channel. The elastic connecting portion is received in the second receiving cavity and electrically connects with the terminal. |
| US07794230B2 |
Mathematical circulatory system model
A system and method of modeling a circulatory system including a regulatory mechanism parameter. In one embodiment, a regulatory mechanism parameter in a lumped parameter model is represented as a logistic function. In another embodiment, the circulatory system model includes a compliant vessel, the model having a parameter representing a change in pressure due to contraction of smooth muscles of a wall of the vessel. |
| US07794228B2 |
Injection molding apparatus having an edge-gated runnerless nozzle
A nozzle body defines an upstream channel. A downstream bracing portion has a lateral bore. A nozzle tip extends laterally through the lateral bore of the bracing portion and has a sealing surface for engaging a gate component that defines a mold gate. The runnerless nozzle further includes a securing component inserted into the bracing portion to hold the nozzle tip against the bracing portion. The bracing portion or the securing component defines a lateral channel in communication with the upstream channel for delivering molding material to the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can be removed by removing the securing component. |
| US07794227B2 |
Injection mold having an air channel
A mold for injection molding includes a male mold portion, and a female mold portion mating with the male mold portion to define a parting face therebetween. The female mold includes a mold cavity defined at the parting face, an injection aperture communicated with the mold cavity, an air channel defined at the parting face and evenly spaced from and partially surrounding the mold cavity, a spacing portion formed between the mold cavity and the air channel, and a gap formed between the male mold portion and the spacing portion for transmitting air from the mold cavity to the air channel during injection of molten plastic. When injecting molten plastic, air in the mold cavity can be expelled in time under pressure of the molten plastic and through the air channel. Therefore, the surface quality of the molded product can be improved, by avoiding formation of air holes, fissure. |
| US07794225B2 |
Fine mold and method for regenerating fine mold
A fine mold comprises a regeneration target film forming a convex part of a formation surface, and a light shielding unit that is configured deeper than a bottom of the formation surface and that regenerates the regeneration target film. A manufacturing cost of a product having a three-dimensional structure can be reduced. |
| US07794221B2 |
Embedment device for fiber reinforced structural cementitious panel production
An embedment device for use in a cementitious panel production line such as a structural cementitious panel (SCP) production line wherein hydraulic cement slurry is transported on a moving web on a support frame, and chopped fibers are deposited upon the slurry. The device includes as one embodiment, a wire grid structure mounted on a reciprocating shaft driven by a piston which moves the grid down into the slurry and then up out of the slurry transverse of the travel of the slurry layer on the web. An alternative embodiment device includes a grid cell structure with thin walls extending upward from the grid surface in contact with the slurry that is moved up and down in a reciprocating motion transverse of the travel of the slurry layer on the web. The intermeshing relationship of the grid cell with the fiber and slurry enhances embedment of the fibers into the slurry and also prevents clogging of the device by fibers and prematurely set slurry particles. |
| US07794217B2 |
Variable capacity vane pump with dual control chambers
A variable capacity vane pump includes a pump casing having a pump chamber with an inlet and an outlet port. A pump control ring is moveable within the pump chamber to alter the capacity of the pump. A vane pump rotor is rotatably mounted within the pump control ring and includes a plurality of slidably mounted vanes engaging the inside surface of the pump control ring. First and second control chambers between the pump casing and the pump control ring are operable to receive pressurized fluid to urge the pump control ring to reduce the volumetric capacity of the pump. A return spring biases the pump ring toward a position of maximum volumetric capacity against the force of the first and second control chambers to establish an equilibrium pressure. The supply of pressurized fluid to the second control chamber may be varied to change the equilibrium pressure of the pump. |
| US07794216B2 |
High-pressure pump
A plunger is inserted into a slide hole of a cylinder body provided between a pressurizing chamber and a drive cam, so as to reciprocate within the slide hole. The drive cam and a coil spring move the plunger toward the drive cam so that fuel is sucked into the pressurizing chamber, and also move the plunger toward the pressurizing chamber so that the fuel in the pressurizing chamber is pressurized. A clearance between the plunger and a wall of the slide hole forms a flow passage of the fuel discharged from the pressurizing chamber. In the high-pressure fuel pump constructed as above, a fluid reservoir is provided in the flow passage. The capacity of the fluid reservoir increases as the plunger moves toward the drive cam, and decreases as the plunger moves toward the pressurizing chamber. |
| US07794215B2 |
High pressure slurry plunger pump with clean fluid valve arrangement
A high pressure slurry plunger pump is described which provides a clean fluid buffer around the suction and discharge valves of the pump and in some cases in the vicinity of the plunger seal mechanism in order to displace erosive slurry material and thus extend the life of the pump and improve pump efficiency. |
| US07794212B2 |
Multi-piston pump/compressor
A pump/compressor that utilizes a wedge at a fixed angle to operate the pump's pistons at a fixed stroke. Alternatively the wedge can be moved axially to increase or decrease the clearance volume. Variable fluid flow at any clearance volume is achieved by rotating the wedge with respect to the port plate thereby changing the timing of the pistons with respect to the fixed port plate which changes the timing of the intake and output cycles. This results in a portion of the intake charge being breathed back into the intake port and a portion of the output charge being breathed back from the outlet port. This causes the pistons to not take in a full charge from the inlet port and to not pump out a full charge into the outlet port. Thus, fluid flow is varied. The design results in a smaller pump as the wedge is supported by the pump housing rather than a mechanical linkage required of prior adjustable angle swashplate designs. |
| US07794211B2 |
Pump System with a vacuum source coupled to a separator
A self priming pump system that includes a motor coupled to a centrifugal pump for driving the centrifugal pump. A separator having a reservoir is provided for storing a limited amount of pumped fluid in advance of the centrifugal pump. A vacuum source provides a vacuum suction to the reservoir to draw pumped fluid into the reservoir to prime the pump. To increase the reliability of the vacuum pump system, a deflector and/or extension may be provided in the reservoir to help prevent pumped fluid from entering the vacuum pump input. Also, the configuration of a tank used to store liquid for the vacuum pump system may be configured to separate and collect sediments near a drain port, which then can be easily drained. For positive head pressures, one or more valves may be used to prevent pumped fluid from escaping the reservoir, if desired. |
| US07794209B2 |
Rotor blade for a wind turbine
A rotor blade of a wind power installation in which the rotor blade, in particular in the central region of the rotor, the so-called main board, has a lift-drag ratio which in the region of about ±2° from the optimum pitch angle has a lift-drag ratio value of more than 80%, preferably 90% and more of the maximum value of the lift-drag ratio. |
| US07794201B2 |
Gas turbine engines including lean stator vanes and methods of assembling the same
A stator vane that may be used in an engine assembly is provided. The stator vane includes an airfoil that has a first sidewall and a second sidewall, which connects to the first sidewall at a leading edge and at a trailing edge. The airfoil also includes a root portion and a tip portion. The first and second sidewalls both extend from the root portion to the tip portion. The airfoil root portion is formed with a negative lean, and the airfoil tip portion is formed with a positive lean. |
| US07794191B2 |
Methods and systems for providing large-scale books
In a method for producing large-scale pages of a book, one or a plurality of long sheets of paper or other flexible material is folded in an alternative forward and reverse direction along a single axis, yielding an accordion fold structure. Such pages are bound along a single edge to yield a book of enormous proportion. According to one exemplary embodiment, each page of the book is of approximately five feet by seven feet in dimension, yielding a compelling visual display that may contain life-sized portraits, brilliant landscapes, detailed maps, a panoply of disparate visual images, text, diagrams, or blank pages for creative uses. Methods of binding may include tabbing folds of the pages and then stitching through the tabs. |
| US07794188B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for pre-bunking cut timber and transporting wood residuals
The present invention discloses methods and apparatus for pre-bunking cut timber and transporting cut timber. A plurality of portable U-shaped bunks or cradles are first releasably attached to a portable skid, and logs are loaded onto the cradles. In an embodiment, the cradles are collapsible. This step may be performed before a transportation trailer is on site. The load of logs, with the portable cradles are then moved as a unit and attached to the trailer. The trailer is provided with attachment hardware adapted to releasably engage the portable bunks. In an embodiment of the invention the trailer attachment hardware is removably attachable to the trailer, permitting the trailer to be used for other purposes. The present system permits improvements in efficiency by permitting logs to be pre-bunked while the trailer is in use elsewhere. |
| US07794187B2 |
Vehicular wheelchair docking and capture apparatus
A transit vehicle docking system including a pair of press plates driven inwardly against the opposite side of a wheelchair docked in a docking space in a transit vehicle. |
| US07794185B2 |
Spade bit
The drill bit comprises a cutting blade formed at one end of a shank. The cutting blade has a pair of cutting shoulders that extend inwardly from the outer sides of the blade toward the bit axis. A tip having converging sides that create a point extends from the shoulders. The cutting edge of each shoulder is beveled with respect to the plane of the face of the blade. A flute is provided on the leading portion of each blade face adjacent the cutting edges. Each flute is a smooth curve that creates a substantially uninterrupted recess on each face of the blade that facilitates chip removal, increases the drill rate and lowers the power required to drill a hole. A non-stick coating may be applied to the blade to further facilitate chip removal. |
| US07794182B2 |
Milling insert and a milling tool, as well as a shim plate for such tools
An indexable milling insert includes opposite top and bottom sides between which a peripheral clearance surface extends, and two opposite cutting edges formed in the transition between the top side and the clearance surface. Each of the cutting edges includes a substantially straight portion connected with a straight section of the clearance surface, and further includes a curved portion connected with a convexly arched section of the clearance surface. A coupling including one or more male- and/or female-like engagement members is located along said clearance surface. Furthermore, the milling insert may be used with a shim plate for attachment to a milling tool. |
| US07794178B2 |
Patio pier
An extension for a dock including a platform having a one or more sleeves in which accessory members can be inserted and secured/locked. The platform is pivotally attached to a foundation member, which may be engaged to a pier or a dock, so that the platform from rotate from a operating position, parallel to the dock or pier's surface, to a stored position, perpendicular to the dock or pier's surface. |
| US07794177B2 |
Stab and hinge-over pipeline and terminal assembly
A subsea system for securing an end portion of a pipeline includes a subsea foundation. The foundation has a lower portion located below the sea floor and an upper portion extending above the sea floor. The subsea foundation has a receptacle formed in the upper portion. The system includes a base frame that lands on the subsea foundation. The base frame has a track formed therein. A stab is hingedly mounted to the base frame. The stab stabs into the receptacle to secure the base frame to the subsea foundation. A sliding mechanism is carried by the base frame and moves along the track. The sliding mechanism is connected to a segment of the pipeline extending along the sea floor. A terminal assembly for an end portion of a pipeline and a method for securing an end portion of a pipeline are also included herein. |
| US07794175B2 |
Delineating pole having an anchoring base and spring cartridge for snow based applications
An anchoring base for a delineating pole using the reconfiguration of protruding resilient mechanical members to facilitate insertion and resist the subsequent extraction force on the pole. The mechanical members extend outwards relative to the insertion rod longitudinal axis, and bend or configure upon insertion of the anchoring base, into a first position that facilitates insertion while impeding and resisting axial extraction forces, and upon subsequent rotation of the anchoring base, the mechanical members bend or reconfigure into a second position such that the extraction resistance force is significantly reduced. The anchoring base design may be used in conjunction with a spring cartridge having a plurality of interlocking members forming a rigid mechanical structure during rotation. |
| US07794174B2 |
Crash impact attenuator systems and methods
A reusable energy-absorbing crash attenuator comprises a base, a rail disposed on and extending along a length of the base, and a plurality of energy absorbing modules slidably disposed on the rail. Each of the energy absorbing modules comprises a first module portion and a second module portion which are attached together. Each of the module portions comprise plastic, preferably high density polyethylene (HDPE), and have a combination of concave and convex curvature. A plurality of fender panels are disposed in adjoining end-to-end fashion along each side of the length of the crash attenuator. The fender panels are arranged to slide together in telescoping fashion upon impact of the crash attenuator by a vehicle. |
| US07794170B2 |
Joint with application in electrochemical devices
A joint for use in electrochemical devices, such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), oxygen separators, and hydrogen separators, that will maintain a hermetic seal at operating temperatures of greater than 600° C., despite repeated thermal cycling excess of 600° C. in a hostile operating environment where one side of the joint is continuously exposed to an oxidizing atmosphere and the other side is continuously exposed to a wet reducing gas. The joint is formed of a metal part, a ceramic part, and a flexible gasket. The flexible gasket is metal, but is thinner and more flexible than the metal part. As the joint is heated and cooled, the flexible gasket is configured to flex in response to changes in the relative size of the metal part and the ceramic part brought about by differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the metal part and the ceramic part, such that substantially all of the tension created by the differences in the expansion and contraction of the ceramic and metal parts is absorbed and dissipated by flexing the flexible gasket. |
| US07794164B2 |
Layered gripping member for a writing instrument
A barrel for a writing implement includes a barrel body having a gripping part, and a grip member of layered structure formed by assembling an inner member of a soft material and an outer member, and is put on the gripping part of the barrel body. The inner member is covered with the outer member, and at least one of the outside surface of the inner member and the inside surface of the outer member is formed in an assembly facilitating shape for facilitating putting the outer member on the inner member. |
| US07794163B2 |
Writing implement holding device
A writing implement holding device includes at least one finger receptacle configured to receive a finger of a user and a fastening element attached to the at least one finger receptacle. The fastening element is configured to be removably secured to a writing implement, such as a pen or pencil or the like. The at least one finger receptacle includes side wall portions and an open insert end. The insert end is configured to enable a user to insert at least one finger into the at least one finger receptacle such that the side wall portions surround a segment of the inserted finger or fingers. The finger receptacle may be generally parallel to or generally along the writing implement, such that when the finger of a user is inserted into the finger receptacle, the finger may also be generally parallel to or generally along the writing implement. |
| US07794159B2 |
Sealed beam coupler for an isolated environment
A beam coupler assembly for a fiber laser is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing having a sidewall with an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first end and a second end. A first seal extending from the interior surface of the tubular housing and dividing the housing into a first section and a second section is also provided. The first section and second section are environmentally isolated from one another. However, the first seal is substantially optically neutral. An input collimator unit received within the first end of the sidewall of the housing and into the first section and is releasably coupled thereto. An output collimator unit received within the second end of the sidewall of the housing and into the second section and is also releasably coupled thereto. |
| US07794158B2 |
Fabrication method of optical interconnection component and optical interconnection component itself
An optical fiber holder 7 which directs an angulated groove 6 in which an optical fiber 4 is disposed to a substrate 2 and overlays the angulated groove 6 on the substrate 2 may be formed first. Next, a guide 8 which guides the optical fiber holder 7 to the position where the optical fiber 4 and the optical device 3 are to be optically coupled to each other is formed on the substrate 2. Next, a 45-degree mirror is formed by dicing the optical fiber holder 7 and the optical fiber 4 together in a state in which the optical fiber 4 is disposed in the angulated groove 6. Finally, the optical fiber holder 7 is overlaid on the substrate 2, and the optical fiber holder 7 is guided by the guide 8. |
| US07794155B1 |
Fiber optic connector system
A fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector housing, a connector base, and an optical fiber connector. The connector housing extends along a center axis from a mating end to a cable receiving end with a passage extending therebetween. The mating end is received in a mating connector that is mounted to a panel. The connector base is secured to the mating end of the connector housing and includes a channel extending therethrough. The channel receives an optical fiber. The optical fiber connector is coupled to the optical fiber and mates with the mating connector to optically couple the optical fiber with the mating connector. The optical fiber connector is slidably joined to the connector base to permit the optical fiber connector to axially move along the center axis relative to the connector housing when the connector housing mates with the mating connector. |
| US07794153B2 |
Adjusting and maintaining bearing preload in an axle assembly
An axle differential mechanism includes a carrier, a bearing supporting the carrier in rotation about an axis, a bearing adjuster including a adjuster sleeve held against rotation and axial displacement, and an adjuster nut formed with first teeth, and engaged by screw threads with the adjuster sleeve such that rotation of the adjuster nut about the axis causes the adjuster nut to contact the bearing and produce a preload force on the bearing between the adjuster nut and the carrier, and a locking device secured against displacement for engaging the adjuster nut, said engagement preventing rotation of the adjuster nut relative to the bearing and maintaining the preload on the bearing. |
| US07794152B2 |
Bearing for motor
A bearing is mounted in an axle tube of a motor and includes an axial hole for rotatably receiving a shaft of the motor. At least one guiding groove is defined in a peripheral wall defining the axial hole. The guiding groove extends axially from an end face toward but spaced from the other end face. The guiding groove includes a deposit space formed at a bottom thereof for receiving carbide and impurities to enhance the lubricating effect and to prolong the life of the motor. |
| US07794150B2 |
Linear module
A linear module has a rail with a longitudinal axis, a table part, and at least one linear guide device; the at least one linear guide device has a main part embodied so that it is integrally joined to the table part, two end caps, and at least one endless roller element circuit. The length of the table part measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis is greater than that of the linear guide device and at least one end cap is accommodated in a recess of the table part; the recess is open toward the underside of the table part and is delimited by the top surface of the table part, by at least one side wall of the table part, and by the main part of the linear guide device. |
| US07794132B2 |
Lighting system
An electric lighting system for concealed lighting and track lighting installations has lamp holders spaced along a custom power cable with two finely braided high current conductors. The cable and conductors have a flattened rectangular cross section and are exceptionally pliable to facilitate cornering in tight spaces. The cable exterior is slotted for reduced height of the installed lamp holders and optimum low profile of concealed lighting installations. The lamp holders are adaptable to different types of lamps and include an optional reflector. Snap-on mounting lugs permit installation of the cable and lamp holders directly to a mounting surface. Alternatively, a low profile track holds the cable and lamp holders. |
| US07794131B2 |
Light structure for attachment to input/output device
A new and useful illumination device, designed especially for input/output panels that are often operated in less than favorable ambient lighting conditions, is provided. The illumination device is designed to be integrally connected with an input/output panel and is selectively actuatable to a condition in which it directs light over a predetermined portion of the panel. When actuated, the illumination device is effective to direct light at the panel that illuminates the entire panel, or at least a predetermined portion of the panel that is sufficient to enable the user to fully operate the panel. The illumination device is particularly useful with portable input/output panels (i.e. input/output panels such as (a) remote controls, (b) PDA's, (c) laptop computers, (d) cell phones, etc. that are intended to be carried about by a user and operated in the ambient lighting conditions about the user). In addition, the illumination device is particularly configured as an “aftermarket” type of device, which can be selectively attached to an input/output panel, and configured to easily, effectively and conveniently direct light to illuminate a predetermined area of the input/output panel. Still further, the illumination device is designed to be compact, easy and efficient to attach to the panel and to operate, effective to illuminate the panel (or at least the part of the panel that needs to be illuminated in order for the panel to be conveniently operated, and is designed to be cost efficient to commercially exploit). |
| US07794129B2 |
Optical element apparatus for two-dimensional controllable localized partition backlight module
The optical element apparatus for two-dimensional controllable localized partition backlight module is disclosed. The optical element apparatus comprises of a plurality of optical units which include a plurality of point light sources, light guides and collimating sheets. The point light source is located at the center of the light guide. The light guide includes the incident surface, the bottom place connecting with the light incident surface, and the light output surface. There are micro structures on the bottom place of the light guide and the top surface of the collimating sheet. |
| US07794127B2 |
Light emitting diode having grooves to modulate light emission thereof
A light emitting diode (10) includes an LED chip (14) and an encapsulant (16) enclosing the LED chip. The LED chip has a light emitting surface (141), and the encapsulant has a light output surface (161) over the light emitting surface. The light output surface defines a plurality of annular, concentric grooves (163). Each groove is cooperatively enclosed by a first groove wall (165) and a second groove wall (166). The first groove wall is a portion of a circumferential side surface of a cone, and a conical tip of the cone is located on the light emitting surface of the LED chip. |
| US07794126B2 |
Vehicle lamp
A vehicle lamp includes a plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices, and a reflector for reflecting light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting devices toward a front side of the vehicle lamp. The reflector is partitioned into a plurality of light emitting areas that are radially formed around an optical axis extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle. Each of the semiconductor light emitting devices is disposed on an outer peripheral portion of one of the light emitting areas respectively. Each of the reflecting surfaces of the reflector is provided in one of the light emitting areas respectively. |
| US07794122B2 |
Lamp retaining system for traffic signals
Locking clips are provided for attaching a lamp assembly in a traffic signal housing. The clips use a fixed first portion and a movable second portion. The second portion locks to the first portion or to the housing itself and retains an edge of the lamp assembly, holding it in a window of the housing. Foldable/hinged interlocking clips are provided. Other alternatives include slidable clips that engage a fixed element on the housing (e.g. a fixed pin, or a trough in the housing wall), and rotatable clips that engage a fixed element on the housing (e.g. a fixed pin, or a trough in the housing wall). The clips may be part of a retaining system or a traffic signal. Optional lower holders may also be provided. The invention also includes a method for replacing a lamp assembly in a traffic signal housing with at least one locking clip. |
| US07794121B2 |
Two-dimensional luminaire
A surface luminaire with a luminous chamber in the form of a hollow fiberoptic conductor is provided. The luminous chamber comprising a peripheral frame, an emission opening and a base plate which is populated at least partially with light-emitting diodes and on which sloping faces are arranged. The sloping faces bridge the edge region of the base plate and a region of the peripheral frame which adjoins the base plate and form a cavity between the lower region of the peripheral frame, the edge region of the base plate and the sloping faces, in which cavity control electronics, which drive the light-emitting diodes, are arranged. |
| US07794120B2 |
Illumination assembly with diffusive reflector cup
One embodiment of a method for configuring consumption of service includes identifying a service to be consumed by a user, identifying a plurality of bearer technologies across which at least one electronic device can access the service, selecting one of the plurality of bearer technologies for use in configuring the at least one electronic device, and configuring the at least one electronic device for the service using one of a plurality of management frameworks according to the selected bearer technology. |
| US07794108B2 |
Multi-image presentation billboard
A billboard (10) includes a substrate (11), a lens array (12) and at least one light source (13). A plurality of pattern units are provided at a first side of the substrate. Each of the pattern units includes a plurality of pattern cells for being selectively combined to form at least one independent image. The lens array corresponding to the pattern units is arranged on one surface of the substrate at the first side thereof. The lens array includes a plurality of lenses arranged in rows and columns. The lens array is configured for displaying the at least one independent image. At least one light source is disposed facing to the other surface of the substrate configured for emitting light rays towards the substrate. |
| US07794107B2 |
Device for the optical display of n switching states
The invention relates to a device for the optical display of n switching states of a switching device or sensor, with a plurality of differently coloured lighting devices for the optical display of the information to be transmitted and each lighting device has at least one lighting element. The device is characterized in that, for receiving the lighting elements, a transparent casing part is provided that for avoiding optical cross-talk, particularly in the case of simultaneously active lighting elements, the transparent casing part is subdivided into segments by optical interfaces and in which the lighting elements are received, and that the transparent casing part with the segments and lighting devices is so constructed and positioned that the lighting devices are visible to a user from any azimuth angle within a polar angle range. |
| US07794104B2 |
Multi-functioned flashlight for vehicle rescue use
A multi-functioned flashlight for vehicle rescue use is comprised of a cylinder body with lighting components installed inside its cylinder head, whereof its cylinder head is externally installed with a protruded knocking cone piece and a dismountable cone cover. Its cylinder body is installed with a flash bulb and its flash circuit internally and a flash transparent piece externally. The tail part of the cylinder body is installed with a guard piece with a blade installed in-between with its cutting edge facing outwards. Thereof, it is characterized in that a micro-generator and its gear transmission set are installed inside the cylinder body; the output ends of the micro-generator are electrically connected with the charging circuit and its charging batteries; and the cylinder body is externally installed with a swing arm whose rotating head is through the mounting hole on the cylinder body to engage with the gear transmission set. |
| US07794102B2 |
LED dazzler
An apparatus produces a “dazzling” effect: disorientation and temporary and fully reversible blindness in subjects for the purpose of threat deterrence in both civilian law enforcement and military engagements without the use of lasers. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) capable of intense illumination is provided. Light emitted by each LED is pulsed and focused by reflective optics to produce a pulsed beam of sufficient intensity that the combined effect of the beams from the LEDs induces dazzling in subject viewers in the target range. Further included in or ancillary to the invention are a power source for powering the LEDs a signal source and controller for controlling their illumination and pulsing, and a shield suitable for protecting a user against projectiles. |
| US07794100B2 |
Planar light source apparatus, display apparatus and planar illumination method
There is provided a planar light source apparatus, including: a light source configured to emit light in a spot-like pattern or a bar-like pattern; a reflective plate configured to reflect the light from said light source; a light guide plate disposed on the opposite side to said reflective plate with respect to the light source; and a lens array sheet disposed between the light source and the light guide plate; the lens array sheet having a plurality of convex-shaped lenses disposed in a predetermined state on a face thereof adjacent the light guide plate. |
| US07794096B2 |
Illuminating lamp for a display device, an illuminating device for a display device, and a display device
An illuminating lamp for a display device is capable of minimizing a luminance difference between a high-voltage driving side and a low-voltage driving side. The illuminating lamp is arranged behind a display panel via optical sheets and driven in a high-voltage driving method. The illuminating lamp includes discharge lamps connected in series, wherein gas pressures of the discharge lamps at a high-voltage driving side are set to be higher than those of the discharge lamps at a low-voltage driving side. |
| US07794089B2 |
Liquid crystal projection system
A liquid crystal projection system includes a light source module, a light management module, an image signal module and a projection lens. The light source module provides an illumination light beam of first polarization state. The light management module includes a color separator for separating the illumination light beam into a first color light beam and a bichromatic light beam, first and second reflectors for respectively reflecting the first color light beam and the bichromatic light beam, a phase plate for converting the polarization of the bichromatic light beam, a first PBS for receiving the first color light beam, a second PBS for receiving the bichromatic light beam, and a dichroic prism for separating the bichromatic light beam into second and third color light beams. The image signal module includes three image modulation units for transforming the polarizations of the first, second and third color light beams and modulating them into image light beams carrying corresponding image signals. The projection lens projects the first, second and third color light beams carrying corresponding image signals from the second PBS to a screen. |
| US07794088B1 |
Camera support for cinematography equipment
The camera support for cinematography equipment has end blocks and side beams forming a perimeter frame with an open central area. The perimeter frame is adapted to mount to a secondary support. Track rails extending along the side beams slidingly mount a trolley plate on rollers received in track slots and a camera is mounted to the trolley plate for sliding movement along the perimeter frame. The camera may be mounted above the trolley plate or below the trolley plate where it is accommodated by the open central area. The trolley plate is mounted on rollers received in slots designed by the track rails, and a magnetic friction device provides controlled resistance to translation. |
| US07794086B1 |
Digital imaging ophthalmoscope
An opthalmoscope. Implementations include a handle coupled to a head where the head includes a front section coupled with a diopter wheel and the front section includes a view window. A back section fixedly attached to the front section includes a diopter number viewer, a trigger button, and a digital imaging section. The digital imaging section may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The trigger button may be adjacent to the handle and may be positioned opposite the front section between the handle and the LCD screen. The back section may include a rounded projection rotatably coupled with a central hole in the diopter wheel extending from a diopter surface substantially parallel with and in close proximity to the diopter wheel. The diopter number viewer may extend from the diopter surface away from the diopter wheel and may include an opening configured to expose a diopter number. |
| US07794085B2 |
Method and device for determining the eye's rotation center
The invention relates to a device for determining the center of rotation of an eye of a person relative to a frame of reference associated with the person or with said person's eyeglasses, making it possible to determine the visual axis of the person along at least two non-parallel directions by viewing a target, and to define an optimum point of intersection of said axes as the center of rotation of the eye, at least two relative positions of said target and of the person's head being measured. In the invention, said target is constituted by a light source and is disposed at one end of a tubular support, with the other end being for disposing facing the person's eye, the support carrying a first position sensor, a second position sensor being for placing on the person's head. |
| US07794084B2 |
Eye fundus camera
A single-plate image pickup element picks up an eye fundus image. A tricolor separation color filter includes R, G, and B filter elements arranged in a mosaic so as to correspond to the pixels of the image pickup element. Each virtual pixel value of color image data is calculated from light detection data of adjacent pixels. Thus, image data of a color still image is generated. The R filter elements transmit near-infrared light. Each virtual pixel value is calculated from light detection data of pixels corresponding to B or G filter elements that are adjacent to the R filters and have sensitivity to near-infrared light. Thus, image data of a near-infrared light monochrome moving image is generated. |
| US07794083B2 |
Fundus oculi observation device and fundus oculi image display device
A fundus oculi observation device comprises: a first image forming part configured to optically acquire data and form a 2-dimensional image of a surface of a fundus oculi of an eye based on the data; a second image forming part configured to optically acquire data and form a tomographic image of the fundus oculi based on the data; a display; a controller configured to cause the display to display the 2-dimensional image and the tomographic image side by side; and a designating part configured to designate a partial region of the displayed tomographic image, wherein the controller finds a position within the 2-dimensional image corresponding to the designated partial region, and displays designated-position information in a superimposed state on the position within the 2-dimensional image. |
| US07794081B2 |
Scanning laser ophthalmoscope
A scanning laser ophthalmoscope comprises: a laser source that emits a laser beam; an irradiation optical system that scans the laser beam over a fundus two-dimensionally; a photoreceptor optical system that receives reflection from the fundus by using a photoreceptor element; an image processor that obtains an image of the fundus based on an output signal from the photoreceptor element; a monitor; and a controller that causes the monitor to display the obtained fundus image, wherein the image processor comprises a subtractive processing circuit that performs time-subtractive processing on the output signal from the photoreceptor element in a state where the output signal is input as an analog signal, and forms the fundus image based on the signal subjected to the subtractive processing. |
| US07794077B2 |
Inkjet printer
An inkjet printer with a print head carriage is disposed above the printing bed for displacing a print head unit in a transverse feed direction, a print head unit with at least one print head being provided for every color to be printed and having at least one nozzle row oriented in the forward feed direction of the print medium. Another print head unit is provided for applying white ink, whereby the row length of the color print head unit and the row length of the other print head unit at least partially overlap with one another, and whereby of the nozzles of the nozzle row of the color print head unit, only those nozzles lying outside of the overlap region between the row length of the color print head unit and the row length of the other print head unit activated for applying white ink are activated. |
| US07794075B2 |
Ultraviolet ray irradiation device, recording apparatus using the ultraviolet ray irradiation device, and recording method
Ultraviolet ray irradiation devices are attached to a carriage having a print head that ejects ultraviolet curable ink, and include a plurality of ultraviolet light sources and that irradiate ultraviolet rays onto an ink coating ejected on a print sheet by a print head. An ultraviolet ray that is irradiated onto the print sheet in the vicinity of the print head has a wavelength longer than an ultraviolet ray that is irradiated onto the print sheet apart from the vicinity of the print head along the moving direction of the carriage. The ultraviolet ray irradiation devices are capable of sufficiently curing ultraviolet curable ink without the problem of only the surface of the ink being cured in a print process (for example, a monochrome print process) when the ink coating adhered to the recording medium is relatively thick. |
| US07794074B2 |
Curing
A method of curing radiation-curable fluid is described. In one example, the method includes emitting radiation from an array of light-emitting diodes towards ink to be cured. LEDs are cheap, light weight, highly efficient in their conversion of electrical power, and give effectively instant switching to full power. Another advantage is that the emission spectrum of an LED is sharply peaked around the nominal frequency. Thus LEDs give several advantages over conventional radiation sources such as mercury lamps. A low oxygen environment is preferably provided at the radiation source to accelerate the curing reaction. Also described are inks which are specially formulated to respond to the radiation emission spectrum of an LED. |
| US07794071B2 |
Ink supply for a printhead cartridge with a connector assembly
Provided is an ink supply bag for a printhead cartridge. The supply bag includes two profiled panels arranged generally coplanar and co-terminally attached to form an ink holding chamber, along with a folded leaf spring biasing said chamber into an expanded position. The supply bag further includes a connector assembly operatively arranging said chamber in fluid communication with ink supply channels of the printhead cartridge. |
| US07794069B2 |
Ink cartridges
An ink cartridge includes an ink chamber configured to store ink and a light blocking layer disposed within the ink chamber. The light blocking layer is fluid and is insoluble to the ink, which may be a water-based ink. A density of the light blocking layer is less than a density of ink stored in the ink chamber. The light blocking layer may comprise an oil or a plurality of particles. |
| US07794068B2 |
Method of regulating ink pressure
A method of regulating a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to an inkjet printhead is provided. The method comprises withdrawing a volume of ink from an ink chamber and simultaneously bubbling air bubbles into the chamber via a bubble outlet to balance the withdrawn volume of ink. Each air bubble is defined by an air cavity trapped inside a film or a body of ink. The bubble outlet is dimensioned to control a Laplace pressure of the air bubbles, thereby regulating a hydrostatic pressure of the ink. |
| US07794066B2 |
Printhead structure having fluid passages defined in silicon
A printhead structure is provided comprising a moulding, silicon wafer and a plurality of microelectromechanical ink ejection devices. The moulding at least defines a fluid reservoir and a first passage in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The silicon wafer at least defines a second passage spaced from the first passage and a third passage arranged to provide fluid communication between the first and second passages. The microelectromechanical ink ejection devices are in fluid communication with the second passage. |
| US07794064B2 |
Liquid-jet head and liquid-jet apparatus
A liquid-jet head includes a passage-forming substrate. A plurality of pressure generating chambers communicating with nozzles. Piezoelectric elements each include a lower electrode, a piezoelectric layer and an upper electrode. Leads for the upper and lower electrodes are drawn out. In the liquid-jet head, the lower electrode is a common electrode continuously provided in the region facing the pressure generating chambers. At least an end on one side of the lower electrode in a direction perpendicular to an arrangement direction of the pressure generating chambers is positioned in the region facing the pressure generating chambers. The lead electrode for the lower electrode is provided outside of a region corresponding to a space between the pressure generating chambers. The lead electrode for the lower electrode is connected through a common lead portion extended from the lower electrode. |
| US07794060B2 |
Inkjet printhead integrated circuit with rectifying valves
Provided is a unit cell arrangement for an inkjet printhead. The unit cell arrangement includes a substrate that defines an ink inlet and sidewalls supporting a roof portion on the wafer substrate to form an ink chamber. The roof portion defines at least one nozzle rim. The unit cell also includes a heater element suspended in the chamber between the sidewalls for thermal cavitation of ink in the chamber to facilitate ink ejection via the nozzle rim. Further included is a rectifying valve arranged in the ink inlet to provide decreased hydraulic resistance to ink flowing into the chamber than ink flowing out of the chamber in order to reduce fluidic cross talk between chambers of similar unit cells on the substrate and to improve ink refill times of the chambers. |
| US07794055B2 |
Thermal bend actuator comprising aluminium alloy
A thermal bend actuator, having a plurality of elongate cantilever beams, is provided. The actuator comprises: a first active beam for connection to drive circuitry, the first beam being defined by a tortuous beam element, the tortuous beam element having a plurality of contiguous beam members; and a second passive beam mechanically cooperating with the first beam. When a current is passed through the first beam, the first beam expands relative to the second beam, resulting in bending of the actuator. The plurality of contiguous beam members comprises a plurality of longer beam members extending along a longitudinal axis of the first beam, and at least one shorter beam member extending across a transverse axis of the first beam and interconnecting longer beam members. |
| US07794053B2 |
Inkjet printhead with high nozzle area density
Inkjet printheads with high nozzle areal density are disclosed. Various structures are shown where the areal density of nozzles is greater than 200 million per square meter. |
| US07794052B2 |
Printhead module of a printhead assembly
A printhead module for a printhead assembly of a pagewidth ink jet printer. The printhead module comprises: an upper micromolding locating a printhead integrated circuit, wherein the upper micromolding includes a first series of ink inlets in fluid communication with the printhead integrated circuit; a lower micromolding including a second series of ink inlets which are in fluid communication with the first series of ink inlets; and a mid-package film located between the upper and lower micromoldings, wherein the mid-package film includes a plurality of holes through which ink passes from the second series of ink inlets to the first series of ink inlets. |
| US07794051B2 |
Printhead assembly with printhead module having tiled integrated circuits
A printhead assembly for use as a page width printhead in a printing system includes a casing assembly for housing drive electronics. A printhead module is mounted in the casing. The printhead module includes a fluid channel member. Printhead tiles are carried by the fluid channel member, the printhead tiles having printhead integrated circuits incorporating printing nozzles. |
| US07794048B2 |
Printhead having displaced nozzle rows
An inkjet printhead that has a support member for mounting it into a printer body adjacent a media feed path. A plurality of printhead IC's are mounted contiguously adjacent each other along the support member. Each of the printhead IC's has an array of nozzles, the array of nozzles on each printhead IC being identical and arranged into a series of nozzle rows such that most nozzles in each nozzle row are co-linear with the corresponding nozzle row in an adjacent printhead IC. The array of nozzles on each printhead IC is elongate and has an end portion of the array with the nozzles displaced downstream from the remainder of the array with respect to the media feed path. |
| US07794045B2 |
Ink-jet recording apparatus
An ink-jet recording apparatus capable of high-quality recording without smudging recording media and the interior of the recording apparatus even when a frameless recording operation using reactive ink that coheres with each other when mixed together is performed. The ink-jet recording apparatus includes a recording head having a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array, and an ink absorbent facing the nozzle arrays. The first nozzle array discharges a first ink, and the second nozzle array discharges a second ink. The first and second ink is a reactive ink that coheres with each other when mixed together. During the frameless recording operation on a front edge of the recording medium, some of the first and second ink discharged from the respective nozzle arrays of the recording head adheres to the front edge, and some of the ink adheres to separate positions on the ink absorbent. |
| US07794038B2 |
Ink pressure regulator with regulator channel fluidically isolated from ink reservoir
There is provided an ink pressure regulator for regulating a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to an inkjet printhead. The regulator comprises: an ink chamber having an ink outlet for fluid communication with the printhead via an ink line; an air inlet; a regulator channel having a first end communicating with the air inlet and a second end communicating with a headspace of the chamber, the second end defining a bubble outlet; and a wetting system for maintaining at least some liquid in the regulator channel, thereby ensuring that air entering the headspace first passes through the liquid. The regulator channel is dimensioned to control a Laplace pressure of air bubbles drawn from the bubble outlet as result of supplying ink to the printhead, thereby regulating a hydrostatic pressure of the ink. |
| US07794036B2 |
Ensuring print quality for postage meter systems
Print quality is ensured in a postage meter system employing an ink system and having settable modes of printing operation by detecting the type of ink system employed in the postage meter system, setting a first mode of printing operation for the postage meter system when the detected ink system is of a first type and setting a second mode of printing operation for the postage meter system when the detected ink system is of a second type. The detected information may be communicated to a data center to obtain modes of operation for the postage meter system and other corrective actions may be implemented. The method and system are applicable to other consumable item systems employing various types of consumable items. |
| US07794034B2 |
Image formation apparatus
An image formation apparatus is disclosed, wherein a time interval between a first ink drop and a second ink drop is set at 1.5×Tc, a time interval between the second ink drop and a third ink drop is set at 1.5×Tc, and a time interval between the third ink drop and a fourth ink drop is set at 2×Tc, where Tc represents the specific vibration cycle of a pressurized ink chamber. |
| US07794033B2 |
Printing system for triggering the print head of a printer cartridge
A printing system triggers the print head of a conventional printer cartridge configured per se for water-based printing ink. The printer cartridge print head includes ink ejector elements arranged in a matrix and a heating element of an ink ejector element that is activated by use of an address signal functioning as a line signal and by use of a master signal functioning as a column signal. The master pulses of the master signal have a lesser signal amplitude than the address pulses of the address signal (AS1). The printing ink in the printer cartridge has a high proportion of alcohol. |
| US07794031B2 |
Slider assembly
A slider assembly includes a first slider (20) with a resiliently deformable positioning member (30) secured thereon, a second slider (40) slidably installed on the first slider, and a sliding member (50) slidably secured on the second slider and positioned between the first slider and the second slider. A protrusion (36) protrudes from the positioning member. The protrusion defines a receiving slot (362) therein. A restricting tab (46) protrudes from the second slider. A protrusion (52) protrudes from the sliding member. The sliding member defines a through slot (522) through the protrusion thereof for the restricting tab sliding therein. The sliding member is slidable to disengage the second slider from the first slider. |
| US07794030B2 |
Latch mechanism for slide rail assembly
A latch mechanism is provided for retaining a slide rail assembly, which includes first and second slide rails. The latch mechanism includes a latch module movably carried by the second slide rail, a stop member arranged on the first slide rail, a first release member and a second release member slidably attached to the second slide rail. The latch module includes a first stop surface and a second stop surface at opposite sides thereof. Two protrusions extend from the stop member at diagonally opposite corners thereof configured to respectively engage with the first and second stop surfaces of the latch module for retaining the second slide rail relative to the first slide rail. The first and second release members capable of selectively driving the latch module to slide the latch module to release the first or second stop surface from the corresponding protrusions of the stop member. |
| US07794028B2 |
Cupboard-style furniture item
A cupboard-shaped piece of furniture (1) includes side walls (2), on each of which a control mechanism (4) for the displacement of a door leaf (7) is arranged, whereby the control mechanisms (4) are connected by means of a synchronisation rod (10) for the synchronised movement thereof. The synchronisation road (10) includes a fixing device (12) on at least one end region for the detachable connection of the synchronisation rod (10) to a rotating piece (17) of the control mechanism (4), the fixing device (12) being embodied such that the synchronisation rod (10) may also be connected to the rotating piece (17) when the rotating piece (17) is already pre-assembled on a side wall (2) of the piece of furniture (1). |
| US07794026B2 |
Vehicle braking apparatus and related control method
A vehicle braking apparatus is capable of suppressing time lag at the time of activating an ABS, reliably detecting wheel slippage at a wheel even on a low μ road surface, and performing a brake operation to stop the vehicle without causing stroke variations in a brake actuating unit. A vehicle braking apparatus includes a hydraulic modulator for generating hydraulic pressure applied to a brake caliper which is connected to a master cylinder via a main brake path, and a pressure sensor for detecting hydraulic pressure applied to the brake caliper. When the ABS is activated, the hydraulic pressure applied to the brake caliper is reduced to a pressure reduction target value based on the detected pressure. A normally-open electromagnetic valve lies in the main brake path. The brake path pressure on each side of the valve is equalized by means of the hydraulic modulator before opening the electromagnetic valve. |
| US07794025B2 |
Braking systems
A braking system includes a brake actuator which is moveable by pressurised hydraulic fluid fed to the actuator along a transmission line, in a first direction, to move a brake applying member to apply a braking force to a member to be braked, a master valve including an operating piston which upon operation of a brake operating member, moves in an operating cylinder, to direct the hydraulic fluid under pressure to the transmission line to apply the brake, the system further including a charging valve, the charging valve being operable when activated, to deliver a predetermined volume of pressurised hydraulic fluid to the master valve to move the brake applying member in the first direction towards the member to be braked to reduce the clearance between them, and the operating piston, when the charging valve is deactivated, being moveable in the operating cylinder to allow hydraulic fluid to pass from the transmission line thus to permit the brake actuator to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction to increase the running clearance between the brake applying member and the member to be braked. |
| US07794021B2 |
Cushion spring retaining structure
The present invention can include a seat frame including a claw member, a spring member having a first end and a second end both connected to the frame, wherein the first end is retainable in the claw member, also the first end includes a first and second support member positioned on either side of the claw member, the first and second support member having a height that is equal to or greater than a height of the claw member. |
| US07794013B2 |
Cable wiring structure of the vehicle seat
A cable wiring structure of a vehicle seat is provided including a headrest attached to a seat-back, a skin member covering the seat-back, a cable extending in the seat-back, a wire member extending between sides of a frame, and a strip member attached to the wire member. When the cable is pulled and the headrest is moved to a seat front side, the cable is moved to extend through a guiding recess portion formed in a portion of the wire member and a portion of the skin member is pulled into the seat-back as the portion of the skin member is extended by the strip member over the guiding recess portion. |
| US07794012B2 |
Backrest for a vehicle seat
The present disclosure relates to a backrest for vehicle seat, with a head support (1) which is adjustable in terms of height with respect to the backrest, and with a sensor arranged in the head support (1) and intended for detecting the position of the head of a person sitting on the vehicle seat in relation to the head support (1) and for indicating an adjusted end position, in the head support (1) at least two sensors being arranged, designed as capacitive proximity sensors (5, 14), which indicate the position of the head support (1) with respect to the head (P) as a function of the detected capacitances which are to be found as a capacitance on the electrodes formed by the head (P) and one of the at least two proximity sensors (5, 14) each. |
| US07794006B2 |
Bumper beam
A bow-formed bumper beam for a vehicle has a hat profile with a central flange (11), two webs (12,13), and side flanges (14,15). The beam has fastening portions (20,21) at its sides where the side flanges form fastening areas (30-33) for fastening the beam to the vehicle with the central flange facing outwards. The profile height of the beam decreases continuously from the fastening portions towards the center so that the profile height is less than two third of the highest profile height at the fastening portions. The central flange is wider at its center than at its fastening portions and has a stiffener in the form of an elongate depression (16) that extends from the center of the beam towards the fastening portions. In the area between the fastening portions, the side flanges have bent edges (26,27) and in association with the beginning of the bent edges, the side flanges have transverse dents. |
| US07794004B2 |
Multi-compartment cargo system
A vehicle multi-compartment cargo system includes a first storage compartment defined by a cargo bin lining. The first storage compartment has an open upper side selectively closed by a first compartment lid. A second storage compartment is also defined by the cargo bin lining. The second storage compartment has an open upper side selectively closed by a second compartment lid. The first and second compartment lids form a cargo floor. A side compartment is defined by a side lining. The side compartment has an open side extending upward from the cargo floor and is selectively closed by a side compartment lid. |
| US07794002B2 |
Storage box structure in motorcycle and method of mounting storage box
A motorcycle includes a body frame having at least a pair of right and left or front and rear frame members with a storage box that is open upward between the pairing frame members. A riding seat covers the opening end of the storage box from above. The storage box includes a box main body arranged between the pair of frame members with a box constituent member that is detachably mounted below the box main body so as to form an electronic component storage chamber in cooperation with the box main body that composes a part of the wall portion of the storage box. The box constituent member is overlapped with at least a part of the frame members of a pair of frame members viewed in a plane with the box constituent member mounted to the box main body. The box constituent member bulges from the box main body. |
| US07793999B2 |
Handle
An interior trim component includes a handle having a cradle portion and an insert portion, the insert portion is nested within a cavity of the cradle portion, the first ends of the cradle and insert portions define a tucking portion and the second ends define a latching portion. |
| US07793997B2 |
Bumper beam mounting
A bumper beam (11) is fastened in two crash boxes (12). The top part and bottom part of each crash box form fastening tabs (34,35) against the top and bottom of the bumper beam (11) and each tab is fastened to the bumper beam with more than one bolt (36,37,57 58). A first hole (55) fits a first bolt (57) whereas the other hole/holes (56) permit for the bumper beam to turn a limited amount around said first bolt. Each tab is fastened to the bumper beam with more than one bolt and nut fastener (36,37,57,58). A first hole (55) fits a first bolt (57) whereas the other hole/holes (56) permit for the bumper beam to turn a limited amount around said first bolt. If a crash box is compressed in an off-set crash, the other crash box remains intact. |
| US07793996B2 |
Crash box and a method of fastening a bumper beam
A bumper beam is fastened to a bumper beam (11) of a vehicle (13) with intermediate crash boxes (12). Each crash box comprises a left member (20) and a right member (21) formed of sheet metal, which are jointed together and have top portions (24,25) overlapping each other and bottom portions (22,23) overlapping each other to form double-sheet tabs (34,35). These tabs extend out over the top and bottom surfaces of the bumper beam and are fastened to these surfaces. |
| US07793990B2 |
Fluid connection
A fluid connection comprised of a first fitting having a body with a first end and a second end. A passage extends through the body from the first end to the second end. A bracket is mounted to the second end of the body. The bracket defines a space adjacent the second end. A mounting element is provided for mounting the first end of the body to a fluid inlet line. A piston is movable within the passage. The piston has an outer surface, an inlet side facing the first end of the body and an outlet side facing the second end of the body. An aperture through the piston fluidly connects the inlet side of the piston to the outlet side of the piston. A second fitting, having a fluid opening therethrough, is dimensioned to be slidably received within the space adjacent the second end of the fitting. The piston is movable into engagement with the second fitting with the aperture in the piston communicating with the fluid opening in the second fitting. |
| US07793986B2 |
Structure for book cover
An improved structure for book cover includes a cover layer, a left positioning plate and a right positioning plate, wherein the left and the right positioning plates are disposed above the cover layer and the edges of the cover layer can be folded inwardly for being adhered or stitched at the edges of the left and the right positioning plates, and the left and the right positioning plates respectively have a protruded left binding portion and a protruded right binding portion which both have plural holes corresponding to each other for fixing loose leaf papers between the left and the right positioning plates directly by a spiral so as to form a book. Through the improved structure of book cover in the present invention, the manufacturing process can be simplified and the cost of labor and material can be saved. |
| US07793984B2 |
Seat belt retractor and seat belt apparatus
A seatbelt retractor integrated with an electronic control unit. A motor is disposed above both side walls of a frame and on the same side as a spool with respect to a back board. The motor is detachably fixed to at least one of the back board and the both side walls and of the frame. The ECU is detachably mounted to an upper stay extending upward from the back board of the frame and to be mounted to the vehicle body. In this manner, the motor and the ECU are integrated with a seatbelt retractor. Since the ECU is mounted to the upper stay, the weight of the ECU is dispersed not only to the main body of the seatbelt retractor but also to the upper stay. Thus, the vibration of the seatbelt retractor may be reduced. |
| US07793983B2 |
Seat belt retractor and seat belt apparatus
A seat belt retractor including an integral electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is detachably installed between lower edges of respective both side walls of a frame. Further, a motor is detachably fixed to a lower surface of a case of the ECU. Since the ECU is disposed between the frame and the motor, the ECU can be protected from an external force by means of the frame and the motor. |
| US07793979B2 |
Operator backrest and knee support pad for a materials handling vehicle
An operator backrest in combination with a materials handling vehicle is provided. The backrest may comprise a primary support pad and gripping structure located in at least one side portion of the primary support pad. The gripping structure may be substantially even with or extend above a surface of a portion of the primary support pad surrounding the gripping structure for engagement with an operator positioned on the materials handling vehicle. |
| US07793973B2 |
Side airbag apparatus
A side airbag apparatus for vehicle has an airbag and an inflator. An upper chamber, a lower chamber, and an intermediate chamber are defined by a seam in the airbag. When the airbag is deployed, the upper chamber corresponds to a shoulder of an occupant, the lower chamber corresponds to a lumbar region of the occupant, and the intermediate chamber corresponds to a thorax of the occupant. The seam guides gas from the inflator to the upper and lower chambers such that the upper and lower chambers are substantially simultaneously inflated, and the intermediate chamber is inflated after a delay. The thickness of the intermediate chamber is less than the thicknesses of the upper and lower chambers. As a result, the occupant of the vehicle is effectively protected. |
| US07793971B2 |
Strut shock absorber
In a strut type shock absorber (1), a lower cap (2) is welded onto an inner circumferential surface of an outer shell (3) at a step (16) formed in a retreated position from an axial tip of the outer shell (3). The axial tip of the outer shell (3) is welded onto the inner circumferential surface of a knuckle bracket (6) which holds the outer shell (3). Since welding of the lower cap (2) onto the outer shell (3) and welding of the knuckle bracket (6) onto the outer shell (3) are conducted at different positions, the lower cap (2) is welded onto the outer shell (3) without suffering from blowholes irrespective of the material forming the knuckle bracket (6), and as a result, a weld bead (17) having a high degree of air-tightness is formed. |
| US07793967B2 |
Configurable trailer hitch apparatus
The present invention is a configurable trailer hitch that provides an extended towing position for transferring a tractor force to a load, and a retracted storage position for safely stowing the hitch under a towing vehicle. The trailer hitch has a spring loaded retaining pin which engages a hitch receiver when the trailer hitch is placed in the towing position, and a storage latch adapted to hold the hitch receiver when the trailer hitch is placed in the storage position. |
| US07793965B2 |
Trailer steering system for a tractor/trailer combination
A tractor/trailer combination wherein a trailer is connected to a tractor through the connection of a kingpin with a fifth wheel is provided with a trailer steering system. Using given dimensions of the tractor/trailer combination and a measured articulation angle between the tractor and trailer during a turn, the wheels of the rear axles of the trailer are turned so that they turn approximately about the instant center established for the tractor. In this way, the trailer turns around approximately the same point as does the tractor, thus significantly eliminating off tracking. |
| US07793960B2 |
Bicycle wheel mounting assembly
A rear frame support structure mounts a bicycle wheel for rotation about an axis during bicycle motion, and has a pair of arms spaced axially apart of each other and axially offset from a same axial side of the wheel to enable axial movement of the wheel relative to the arms when the bicycle is not in motion. A drive mechanism is supported by both arms, for enabling the wheel to be driven during bicycle motion. The drive mechanism remains supported by both arms during the axial movement of the wheel. |
| US07793959B2 |
Customizable carbon frames for bicycle or other vehicles
A method of manufacturing a lightweight vehicle frame, and the end product frame, are disclosed. A first tube, which can be a cured hollow reinforced resin composite tube, is connected to a second part by a tab. The tab is tapered and is affixed to the first tube. The tab is bonded to the second part by an epoxy. The taper of the tab allows the angle at which the parts are connected to be controlled through a wide range. |
| US07793958B2 |
Adjustable-caster angle device for a motorcycle
Device includes plates which are connected by an axle that extends through a guiding piece and a ball joint element positioned at the ends of a column tube. Rotating elements are disposed in the plates and enable same to rotate around the axle which is blocked in rotation by the guiding piece. The guiding piece has a concave spherical surface coupled to the convex surface of the eccentric which is equipped with a bore that is off-centre in relation to the vertical axis of the spherical surfaces and a flat surface which is perpendicular to the axis of the bore. An eccentric pivots in the bore and on the surface via a cylinder and a surface. The eccentric is equipped with a bore that is off-centre in relation to the cylinder. The combined reverse rotation of the eccentrics enables the assembly to pivot around the axis. |
| US07793953B2 |
Steering knuckle boot
A boot for covering a steering knuckle of an amphibious vehicle comprising a flexible tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a molded groove for seating a first clamp, and wherein the second end comprises a straight cuff for clamping with a second clamp onto a flange of the steering mechanism of the amphibious vehicle. |
| US07793952B2 |
Knuckle with integrated ball joint and method of assembly
A ball joint integrated knuckle and an assembling method thereof is provided. The ball joint integrated knuckle includes: a knuckle integrating a housing formed with a first screw thread on its one side surface; and a ball joint having a thread seat formed with a second screw thread, wherein the ball joint is integrated into the knuckle by combining the first screw thread of the housing of the knuckle with the second screw thread of the thread seat of the ball joint. Thus, it is possible to easily attach/detach the ball joint with respect to the knuckle by combining/removing the ball joint using the first screw thread, formed in an inner circumferential surface of the housing integrally formed with the knuckle, and the second screw thread formed in an external circumferential surface of the thread seat. Also, according to the present invention, the ball joint is not manufactured as a finished product, but provided as kit. Thus, costs, which may incur when manufacturing the ball joint as the finished product, may be saved by assembling the ball joint to the housing integrally formed with the knuckle, and thereby manufacturing costs may be reduced. |
| US07793950B2 |
Inter-convertible single person type transporting aid
An inter-convertible single person type transporting aid (10) comprises a multi directionally propellable wheeled carrier frame (12) that is fitted with drive wheels (14) that are independently drivable via motors (16) and situated to enable aid central axis turning. The frame (12) is constituted from an upper frame part (20) displaceably mounted to a wheeled base frame (22) fitted at its outer corners with castors (24). The upper frame part (20) is biased in the direction of arrow (30) relative to the base frame (22). The aid (10) is re-arrangeable into a walk supporter or walker (38), a sitting transporter and a standing transporter by the removable fitting of a seat and a standing platform respectively. |
| US07793947B2 |
Goalie skate
A goalie skate having a skate boot comprising a thermoformed outer shell with a sole and an ankle portion for receiving the ankle of the foot, the ankle portion comprising medial and lateral sides for facing the medial and lateral malleoli respectively, the medial side comprising an upper edge that is a first distance away from the sole and the lateral side comprising an upper edge that is a second distance away from the sole, the first distance being greater than the second distance. By having a goalie skate boot that has the lateral upper edge located below the medial upper edge, the lateral outward flexion of the foot is eased when the goalie skate is in an angled position. The invention also relates to a goalie skate with a skate boot comprising an outer shell that is thermoformed such that it comprises an integrated toe portion, thereby eliminating the traditional toe cap. |
| US07793946B2 |
Vehicle suspension device
A suspension device (1) for suspending a wheel (2) with respect to the body (8) of a vehicle. The device allows a substantially vertical suspension movement and allows the wheel carrier (3) to move in terms of camber with respect to the body of the vehicle. The device comprises a slide (5) and a lower arm. The slide comprises an upper part (52) and a lower part (51) which can move one with respect to the other, the upper part being connected to the body and the lower part being connected to the wheel carrier. The device further comprises a rocker (4) articulated in the camber plane, on the one hand, to the lower arm and, on the other hand, via a link (7) to the wheel carrier, the rocker further being articulated in the camber plane to the lower part of the slide. |
| US07793942B2 |
Metal gasket
A metal gasket includes a first metal plate having a main full bead with bottom portions around a hole to be sealed, and a second metal plate laminated with the first metal plate on a depression side of the main full bead. The second metal plate has restricting members for restricting expansion of the bottom portions of the main full bead. Thus, when the gasket is compressed, lateral expansion of the main full bead is restricted to provide an appropriate surface pressure by the main full bead. |
| US07793936B2 |
Draw for battle
The present invention, referred to as DRAW FOR BATTLE, is a strategic dueling card game, combining an art instructional component as part of interactive card game play. Players must first draw the characters chosen from the PRIMARY DECK during game play before placing them onto the battlefield for combat through assigned numerical STRENGTH levels and SMARTS levels. The game includes a PRIMARY DECK, which itself includes ADD cards, DRAW cards, MORPH cards, and WILD cards, and the THINK DECK, which describes an intellectual way of defeating the brute through various THINK cards, and if it was successful or not. The BATTLE CARD TABLET is a set of preprinted oversized cards, with a grid pattern for guidance during drawing, in tablet form to create battle cards. The MASTER DECK is a series of oversized cards that provide the basic instructions for illustrating the characters and their back-story. |
| US07793935B2 |
Feeding paper apparatus and feeding paper method thereof
A feeding paper apparatus includes a rod having a fulcrum member thereon, and two pressing unit disposed on the opposite ends of the rod. Each pressing unit has a connecting device disposed on the rod, a buffering device movably and pivotally disposed on the connecting device, and a pressing wheel rotatably disposed on the buffering device. The pressing wheels provide the same component force on the corresponding feeding paper wheel so as to improve the quality of feeding paper. Furthermore, a method for using the feeding paper apparatus is disclosed. |
| US07793931B2 |
Paper sheet accumulating/feeding apparatus
A paper sheet accumulating/feeding apparatus to execute an accumulating processing, in which paper sheets conveyed by a conveyance unit are accumulated in an accumulating unit in a direction of accumulation, and a feeding processing, in which paper sheets accumulated in the accumulating unit are fed to the conveyance unit, comprising a rotating member including one or more pieces, which spread radially from an axis thereof, the rotating member being provided in the vicinity of a connection between the conveyance unit and the accumulating unit to enable the piece or pieces to slap and move a paper sheet in the accumulating unit in the direction of accumulation at the time of accumulating processing, and a guide member provided to guide the piece or pieces to enable the same to be stored toward the axis of the rotating member, whereby the paper sheet accumulating/feeding apparatus is able to readily set the piece or pieces long and endures an operation over a long term and frequent operations. |
| US07793928B2 |
Document feeder
A document feeder includes a reverse transporting mechanism that forms a substantially U-shaped document transporting pathway for carrying a document from a feeding tray located at a lower side to a discharging tray located at an upper side through a reading position, a pulling device, a separating transporting device and a openable pathway cover. The pulling device and the separating-transporting device are arranged at substantially the same horizontal level within the height that is occupied by the reverse transporting mechanism. The pathway cover is capable of opening and closing to cover on the pulling device, the separating-transporting device and the reverse transporting mechanism. |
| US07793927B2 |
Sheet-feeding apparatus
A sheet-feeding apparatus having simple structure and capable of single-face/double-face scanning/printing sheets at high sheet-feeding efficiency. The sheet-feeding apparatus includes a sheet-feeding path in which sheets can pass through a scanning module and/or a printing module. The sheet-feeding path includes a first passage, a second passage communicating with the first passage and a subsidiary passage formed between the first and second passages. The sheets are selectively fed into and delivered through the first passage, the second passage or the subsidiary passage to be single-face/double-face scanned/printed. |
| US07793922B2 |
Bound stopper, bound stopper assembly, and bound stopper mounting structure for vehicle body
A bound stopper provided with a drainage path for draining water that has passed through drainage holes formed in a bottom portion of a bracket. The drainage path is constituted by a recessed portion formed on at least one of a plurality of corresponding portions of a fixing metal fitting and the recessed portion opens outward in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the fitting. The corresponding portions are positioned so as to correspond to each of the plurality of the drainage holes, upon the fitting being in contact with the bracket. A locating projection is provided on an outer surface of the corresponding portion different from the corresponding portion having the recessed portion. Insertion of a locating projection into the drainage hole corresponding to the different corresponding portion allows the fitting to be circumferentially positioned such that the corresponding portions correspond to the drainage holes. |
| US07793920B2 |
Fencing
A fencing for preventing insects to enter an open air area comprising a substantially upright structure with a height suitable to prevent low flying insects to enter said open air area. The structure of the fencing is impregnated with an insecticide. |
| US07793919B2 |
Hand winch
Hand winch comprising a wind roll for receiving a flexible elongated member, an operation shaft engaged with the wind roll for transmitting forces therebetween, a friction brake including a gear member being in engagement with the wind roll and having a thrust position in which the gear member acts on a stationary member for generating braking forces directed oppositely to a sense of winding off the elongated member, characterized in that said gear member is movably mounted on the operation shaft such that, in case of winding off the elongated member, the gear member is displaced from a released position to said thrust position. |
| US07793918B2 |
Method and system for governing block speed
A task input is received at a well service rig. The maximum allowable speed is determined for the task. Current block speed inputs are received. The throttle position for the engine controlling the block is evaluated to determine if the block is to be sped up or slowed down. When the throttle position indicates the operator is attempting to speed up the block, the current block speed is compared to the maximum allowable speed and the engine is only allowed to speed up the block up to the maximum allowable speed, at which point the operators control of block speed is limited to reducing block speed. Each task can have multiple maximum allowable speeds, which can vary based on specified conditions. When the hookload is light or the remaining equipment in the well is small, the lock-up feature for the transmission can be disengaged in addition to the block speed governing feature. |
| US07793916B2 |
Electric-motor-operated valve closure system
A valve closure system (30) for operating a valve (32) of a fluid-holding cylinder (CYL) between an open and a closed position to allow and disallow communication of the interior of the cylinder through the valve. A coupler (118) engages and rotates a stem (40) of the valve. An electric motor (92) rotates the coupler. A square tube (102) on the motor housing surrounds the coupler. A bracket (50) mounts on the valve body. The parts (50, 102) have respective walls shaped to mutually telescopically engage when, with bracket (50) mounted on the valve, the motor housing has been properly circumferentially and axially aligned with the bracket and then advanced to move the coupler toward engagement with the valve stem. The parts (50, 102) may be pinned together by a hitch pin (54). |
| US07793911B2 |
Friction pads for use with a gripping and/or climbing device
The present invention is a novel device for climbing inside corners, outside corners, and a variety of surfaces. The technology presented herein relies on high friction materials, suction devices, adhesive materials, pneumatic devices, etc. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention are designed to clamp onto inside or outside corners such that the devices weight, and an optional load, can be supported. Further embodiments allow the device to climb up, down, and across corners. Moreover, embodiments that can scale flat, rough, or jagged surfaces are also disclosed. |
| US07793908B1 |
Air handler support system
Two similarly configured upper brackets are each formed of an inverted L-shaped fixed component above and an L-shaped adjustable component below. Each fixed component has a horizontal leg above and a vertical leg below. Each horizontal leg has laterally spaced vertical support holes. Each vertical leg has elevationally space adjustment holes. Each adjustable component has a horizontal leg below and a vertical leg above. Each vertical leg has laterally spaced horizontal support holes adjacent to the horizontal leg. Each vertical leg has elevationally spaced adjustment holes. Each leg is sized to allow the vertical leg of each adjustable component to slidably receive the vertical leg of an associated fixed component to align the holes in the legs selectively with adjustment elements extending through aligned holes. The horizontal leg of each adjustable component has an upper surface to provide an upper support surface for an air handler. |
| US07793907B2 |
Monitor suspension device and method of use
A monitor suspension system, the system in its various embodiments including a suspension arm having a first and second end; a component housing coupled to the first end of the suspension arm, and wherein the component housing is capable of being further coupled to one or more monitors. A lateral carriage assembly is also coupled to the second end of suspension arm. The lateral carriage assembly can include a first lateral track; a lateral trough coupled to the first lateral track; a second lateral track; and a lateral movement piece which is slidably coupled between the first lateral track and the second lateral track. A first and optional second backward/forward track are slidably engaged by the lateral carriage by means of a first and second front/back sliding assembly coupled to the lateral carriage assembly. A backward/forward trough is coupled to one of the backward/forward tracks. A first cable chain is coupled at a first end to the backward/forward trough and coupled at a second end to the lateral carriage assembly. A second cable chain is coupled at a first end to the lateral trough and coupled at a second end to the lateral movement piece. |
| US07793906B2 |
Clamping mechanism
The carrier base 3 is movably installed at the upper part of the FOUP opener main body 50b, and the clamping base 4 is movably installed at the upper part of the carrier base 3. The clamp lever 5a is rotatably supported by the rotating shaft 5c at the upper part of the clamping base 4, and the clamping pawl 5b is formed on the clamp lever 5a. The carrier base 3 and the FOUP 2 integrally move. The clamping pawl 5b, which is accommodated into the clamping recess 2h, presses the clamped portion 2c from above to below, by which the FOUP 2 is fixed to the mounting base 51. |
| US07793903B2 |
Articulating arm for flat panel display
The instant mount with articulating arm(s) for mounting an appliance on a vertical structure is both vertically and horizontally adjustable by having a vertical adjustment mechanism and a horizontal adjustment mechanism. Once mounted, the appliance can be displaced away from the vertical structure or retracted toward the vertical structure. Well separated brackets used to mount the instant invention provide for contact points well spaced apart to reduce stress exerted on the vertical structure by the weights of the instant device and appliance. |
| US07793902B2 |
Medical device clamp
A medical instrument device interconnection system decreases the vibrational effects on a hospital pole. The medical device is contained in a case and the case has a first clamping member, a first biasing apparatus, a second clamping member, a second biasing apparatus, and a pole receiving trench. Each clamping member has a preferred position, an attachment position and a maximum tension position. In the preferred position the respective biasing members position the respective clamping member's distal end as close to each other as possible which inhibits a conventional hospital pole from entering the pole receiving trench. To obtain the maximum tension position, the person positioning the medical instrument device on the hospital pole aligns the pole receiving trench with the hospital pole so the hospital pole contacts the clamping members' exterior surface in the preferred position. The person raises the device in relation to the pole which causes the clamping members to rotate and expose the pole receiving trench. Once the hospital pole enters the pole receiving trench the respective biasing apparatus on each clamping member has the respective clamping members revert toward the preferred position. The preferred position cannot be obtained because the hospital pole in the pole receiving trench inhibits the clamping members from reverting to that position. Instead the clamping members are in the attachment position after the medical instrument device is lowered a little in relation to the hospital pole to obtain the maximum force in the attachment position. Collectively the biasing apparatuses through the clamping members in the attachment position provide more force to the hospital pole than the weight of the medical instrument device. That way the medical instrument device remains attached to the hospital pole and due to the flexible biasing apparatuses the device's vibration is suppressed while attached to the hospital pole. |
| US07793901B2 |
Multifunctional mounting bracket for an electrical device
In the daily live electrical devices are used in connection with a plurality of applications like telephone systems, computer systems and so on. These electrical devices should be mounted to a support to keep order within such electrical or electronic systems and thus achieve systems comprising electrical devices with a reproducible output and which are reliable and easy to maintain. A multifunctional mounting bracket 1 for an electrical device 25 is proposed comprising means for mounting 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19 the electrical device 25 on a first support whereby a first mounting angle between the electrical device 25 and the first support is defined and for mounting the electrical device 25 on an alternative second support whereby a second mounting angle between the electrical device and the second support is defined, and whereby the second mounting angle is different from the first mounting angle. |
| US07793898B2 |
Display device having rotating apparatus for display panel
An exemplary display device includes a display panel and a rotating apparatus. The rotating apparatus includes a first spindle assembly, a conveyor connecting to the first spindle assembly, and a second spindle assembly. The first spindle assembly includes a first spindle configured to synchronously rotate with rotation of the display panel. The second spindle assembly includes a second spindle meshed with the first spindle, and is configured to be able to rotate and simultaneously rise or fall along the connecting assembly. |
| US07793892B1 |
Tube, wire and conduit holder
A holder or organizer has first and second strips releasably fastened together by coupling material such as by hook and loop material. The strips each have two ends, namely a bonding end and a free end. The two bonding ends are coupled together. The first strip has an adhesive on its outside. The second strip has a selvedge area adjacent an edge, which selvedge area lacks releasable coupling material. The selvedge area will not fasten to the first strip. A user can easily grip the selvedge area of the second strip and peel the second strip off of the first strip. A tongue extends in the direction of the bonding ends of the strips and works in conjunction with a non-tongue area of the upper strip to more securely hold an object in the holder. |
| US07793890B2 |
Control system for an aircraft
A control system for an aircraft includes a main unit and a separate auxiliary unit in communication with the main unit. The main unit includes an arm support allowing attachment to an arm of an operator. The main unit also includes a control stick supported by the structural element and movable in a plurality of directions. The main unit further includes sensors for sensing movement of the control stick. The auxiliary unit includes a transmitter for sending a transmitter signal encoding the movement of the control stick to the aircraft. |
| US07793889B2 |
Detachable line management device for traction kites
A device manages lines of a kite by being securable to a control bar of a kite and having a line attachment portion. The line attachment portion has a plurality of kite line retainers for detachably retaining lines of the kite. The device is secured to the control bar by an internally cylindrical sleeve having a longitudinal opening. Opposing portions of the sleeve adjacent the longitudinal opening are biased towards each other, and are elastically flexible to allow insertion of the control bar while frictionally retaining the control bar once inserted. The kite line retainers are formed as a slit or a slotted groove in a circumferential direction with respect to the sleeve and formed to frictionally and removably retain a line inserted therein. In one embodiment, a stem extends radially from the sleeve with the line attachment portion residing at the distal end of the stem and the line attachment portion being formed as a longitudinal member perpendicular to the stem. In an alternate embodiment, the kite line retainers for retaining the lines is formed on an outer surface of the sleeve. |
| US07793880B2 |
Multi-stage coil for transformer, and coil winding method and apparatus for manufacturing the same
At least two or more flat rectangular wires having been fed separately or simultaneously (two or more are superimposed) are integrated by being pinched in a width direction and a thickness direction by at least two or more pairs of rollers and are rolled and formed simultaneously in a forming part to be formed into two or more flat rectangular electric wires. The two formed electric wires are stacked in layers in a wind-up part while being wound into a disk shape to provide a multi-stage coil. Two or more systems up to the forming part of the winding apparatus may be disposed in a planar layout. Each system may supply one flat rectangular electric wire separately, and the supplied electric wires may be stacked in layers in the wind-up part while being superimposed. The coil may be molded entirely. |
| US07793879B2 |
Apparatus and method for reversing tapewind direction
According to one embodiment, the present technique provides a reel. The exemplary reel comprises a hub and a guide member coupled to the hub. The guide member may be configured to guide magnetic tape from a magnetic tape source to the reel. The guide member may cooperate with the hub to form a surface for receiving magnetic tape from the magnetic tape source. Additionally, the exemplary reel may include a securing mechanism for securing the guide member in the cooperating position with respect to the hub. |
| US07793878B2 |
Fishing reel
A fishing reel comprises a cylindrical handle shaft that rotatably retains a high-speed driving gear and a low-speed driving gear. Inside the handle shaft, a switching shaft is fitted slidably along the axial direction. The fishing reel includes a switching member inside the handle shaft that is selectively engageable with the high-speed driving gear for high-speed winding or the low-speed driving gear for low-speed winding in response to an axial movement of the switching shaft. The switching member having at its one end adjacent to the handle a projection extending inside the handle shaft. |
| US07793875B2 |
Apparatus for decomposting compressed tablets
The present invention relates to novel improvements to an apparatus for uniformly decomposing compressed tablets into a uniform size powder form. More particularly, the present invention is directed to improvements to the rotor cap of the apparatus allowing the rotor cap to be easily removed from the apparatus without the need for removal tools thereby allowing easy conversion from right hand operation to left hand operation and vice versa. Such improves also allow for disassembly and cleaning. Additional improvements including providing for a coding tab configured to represent predefined information such as ownership and previous use. |
| US07793870B2 |
Method and device for husking and degerminating cereals
The invention relates to a method and a device for husking and degerminating grains of maize. The aim of the invention is to provide an efficient and simple degermination of maize. To this end, during a wet degermination process, cleaned maize is wetted, and then husked and degerminated, and directly supplied to the comminution stage. |
| US07793867B2 |
Method for producing an injector body and corresponding injector body
A nozzle body has a first nozzle body element (1) and a second nozzle body element (3). The first nozzle body element (1) is provided with a first nozzle-needle recess (10) accommodating an nozzle-needle (15) and a first guide area (8) for the nozzle-needle (15). In a first process step, the first nozzle body element (1) is assembled with the second nozzle body element (3). Brazing solder having a working temperature in the range of the tempering temperature of the first nozzle body element (1) is supplied to an assembly area (5). The assembly area (5) is defined between the second nozzle body element (3) and the first nozzle body element (1). The assembled first nozzle body element (1) and second nozzle body element (3) is subjected to tempering during which the tempering temperature of the first nozzle body element (1) is reached. |
| US07793866B2 |
Perfume spray head with leakproof feature
The present invention provides a perfume spray head with leakproof feature comprising a spraying unit and an annular pad, wherein spraying unit has a holding groove with an aerator, a nozzle and a 1 flow passage, a protrudent docking stem with a locking dented ring as well as a curved anchoring trough and an air inlet, and annular pad has an anchoring hole with an anchoring pin, a docking pit, a perforated positioning hole with a positioning and locking pin, an air intake passage and a flow path connected with a liquid feeding channel, as well as a coupling bushing; Thereby, the spray head is switched into “ON status” or “OFF status” when the spraying unit is turned to the position where the flow passage in or out of alignment with the flow path so that effects in component simplification, assembly easiness and cost reduction are achieved. |
| US07793861B2 |
Piston actuated vapor-dispersing device
A vapor-dispersing device comprising a moveable piston with an evaporative member is described that operates by the repetitive movement of the piston to bring the evaporative member into repeated contact with the exposed end of a liquid transfer means to wick volatile liquid out from a reservoir onto the evaporative member and to expel vapors out through vents. |
| US07793860B2 |
Piston actuated vapor-dispersing device
A vapor-dispersing device comprising a moveable piston with a porous protuberance is described that operates by the repetitive movement of the piston to intermittently dip the porous member into a volatile liquid and to expel air out through vents. |
| US07793856B2 |
No-idle heating of a motor vehicle interior and engine pre-heat using engine coolant
When a truck engine (12) is not running, an auxiliary coolant heater (32) can heat engine coolant and pump it through an occupant compartment heater (16). A coolant flow control system (10), including a valve assembly (84), associates the auxiliary heater (32) with both the occupant compartment heater (16) and engine (12) for selectively distributing heated coolant. When engine (12) has been running and is shut off, auxiliary heater (32) can be turned on and valve assembly (84) operated for occupant compartment heating while keeping the engine (12) warm. When the engine is cold, the auxiliary heater can be turned on and the valve assembly can be operated for engine pre-heating prior to starting. |
| US07793850B1 |
System and method used for configuration of an inspection compliance tool with machine readable tags and their associations to inspected components
The present invention relates to configuration of inspection systems and compliance verification systems using a handheld device and a remote database. Disclosed here is a method for configuring a project having one or more installation of assets for use with an industrial inspection compliance system, including the steps of (a) defining an installation and storage area for the project; (b) assigning the assets uniquely into the one or more installation or storage area; (c) segmenting each asset into components; (d) assigning logical inspection points for the project, installations, and the assets; (e) defining inspection criteria for each logical inspection point; (f) assigning tag locations for a machine-readable tag having a unique serial number at or near each logical inspection point; (g) capturing a media sample of each logical inspection point; (h) capturing location coordinates for each logical inspection point; and (i) requiring the collection of data such as a unique machine-readable tag serial number, media sample, location coordinates, and an encrypted security signature to confirm that the inspection actions actually occurred. |
| US07793848B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device having a memory circuit which is nonvolatile and able to be written additionally, an antenna which can be easily manufactured, and to provide a manufacturing method thereof. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to prevent unauthorized rewriting of information of a wireless chip and forgery of a wireless chip itself and to ensure a security of a wireless chip. In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides an IC tag in which information thereof is identified by wireless communication signal and also information of a memory in an IC tag (a memory which can not be rewritten) is identified by an optical reading device. A memory in an IC tag according to the present invention has an identification surface with which information can be identified by an optical reading device. |
| US07793847B2 |
Coin-shaped recording medium, recording medium processing device
An IC coin includes an antenna coil for transmitting and receiving value information to and from a recording medium processing device, an RF-ID tag for recording the value information, an image display medium to or from which an image is written or deleted by applying voltage, an anode terminal exposed on an external surface of the IC coin to input voltage applied to the image display medium by connecting with an external terminal, and cathode terminals. In the IC coin having this structure, voltage for writing or deleting an image can be inputted from outside and an image can be written or deleted to or from the IC coin. |
| US07793845B2 |
Smartcard transaction system and method
A method for facilitating biometric security in a smartcard-reader transaction system is provided. The method includes determining if a transaction violates an established rule, such as a preset spending limit. The method also includes notifying a user to proffer a biometric sample in order to verify the identity of said user, and detecting a proffered biometric at a sensor to obtain a proffered biometric sample. The method additionally comprises verifying the proffered biometric sample and authorizing a transaction to continue upon verification of the proffered biometric sample. |
| US07793836B2 |
Medicine management methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus are shown for providing information on a pill. A patient specific delivery apparatus for medicine using information on a pill or pills is shown as well, and a database with patient specific information may be provided, resulting in an individualized pharmacopoeia for a patient. A dispenser and a method for dispensing pills are provided and may generate audible messages. The dispenser may be constructed with a protective barrier to maintain shelf-life and integrity of the pills. |
| US07793835B1 |
System and method for identity-based fraud detection for transactions using a plurality of historical identity records
A method for using transaction records to detect fraud, including receiving a plurality of identity records comprising identity related information; receiving a plurality of transaction records comprising transaction information from a plurality of client institutions; linking the plurality of identity records with each other based on the identity related information; linking the plurality of transaction records with the identity records, wherein a link between a transaction record and an identity record is created when a characteristic of the transaction information of the transaction record is similar to a characteristic of the identity related information of the identity record, the links forming a graphical pattern; and performing statistical analysis of the graphical pattern to detect fraud, wherein the statistical analysis comprises analyzing the graphical pattern to determine whether the graphical pattern is anomalous when considered in relation to a normal graphical pattern. |
| US07793831B2 |
Card activated automated banking machine
A banking system is controlled responsive to data bearing records. A card reader is operative to read data on user cards. An automated banking machine operates to cause the read information to be compared to authorized users. The machine operates to cause an authorized user to be credited for deposited items such as notes and checks. The automated banking machine includes a deposit accepting device. The deposit accepting device is operative to receive a stack of sheets and to separate each sheet from the stack through operation of a picker. Each sheet is aligned with the sheet path and analyzed by analysis devices including at least one magnetic read head, an imager and/or a validation device. Sheets determined not to have at least one property of a genuine sheet are returned to a user of the machine. Sheets determined to have at least one property of genuine sheets are processed and stored in the machine. |
| US07793828B2 |
Cash dispensing automated banking machine with leveling legs
A cash dispensing automated banking machine, such as an ATM, has leveling legs. The legs are also used to fasten the ATM to a shipping pallet. Each leg has a support foot and an opposite free end. The free end is inserted through an opening in an intermediate shipping plate. With the shipping plate situated between the foot and the ATM underside, the free end is screwed into an underside opening. The leg is rotated until the plate is raised to be secure against the underside. The plate is then set on the pallet and fastened thereto by lag screws. The pallet includes horizontally adjustable stabilizing feet at sides thereof. The pallet feet can be extended outward to decrease the ability of a supported ATM to tip over. When not needed, such as during pallet storage, the feet can be retracted inward to reduce pallet size. |
| US07793827B1 |
Enclosure for automated banking machine
Method for accessing and servicing banking machine components of an automated banking machine. The automated banking machine includes a processor case rotatably mounted on the machine housing. The processor case houses and supports various circuit cards and processor related components. A movable mounting tray supported on the chest housing, supports various banking machine components which may include a display, a card reader, a receipt printer, and input keys. When the automated banking machine is in an operable condition, the processor case and the mounting tray are housed in an interior area defined by a top housing. To access and service the banking machine components, the movable tray may be extended outwardly from a front opening in the top housing and the processor case may be rotated from an operational position to a service position. |
| US07793826B2 |
Controlling transactions
Before a transaction takes place between a plurality of agent-based devices (21-29), not all of which have previous experience of each other, a data file is created which identifies all the agents which are to take part in the transaction. The data file is circulated to all the agents, and each agent endorses the data file in respect of each other agent with a positive, negative, or conditional endorsement, based on stored data indicating whether that agent is capable of co-operation with the other agent. A negative endorsement is applied by an agent in respect of any agent with which it is not prepared to co-operate. Such a negative endorsement is fatal to the transaction. A positive endorsement is applied by an agent (21) in respect of any other agent (27) with which it is unconditionally prepared to co-operate. A conditional endorsement by a first agent (21) of a second agent (23) is applied where the first agent (21) has insufficient data to apply either a positive or negative endorsement, and expresses conditions which would allow the endorsement to be made positive—for example positive endorsement by some other specified agent (28). If these conditions are subsequently satisfied, the endorsement is amended to positive. When all agents (29) have endorsed the data file, if all the resulting endorsements are positive a successful validation is reported to the originating agent (20), allowing the transaction to proceed. |
| US07793824B2 |
System for enabling access to information
A system for enabling a user to access information, said system comprising: a printed substrate, said substrate comprising user information and coded data indicative of a region identity associated with the substrate and of a plurality of locations on the substrate; and a sensing device comprising: an optical sensor for sensing at least some of the coded data when the sensing device is operatively positioned or moved relative to the substrate; a mode selector for allowing the user to select a mode of operation; a processor for generating mode data using the selected mode and interaction data using the sensed coded data, said mode data being indicative of the selected mode, said interaction data being indicative of the region identity and at least one position of the sensing device relative to the substrate; and means for communicating the mode data and the interaction data to a computer system, wherein the mode data together with the interaction data determine a response in the computer system. |
| US07793823B2 |
System and method for supplementing a radio playlist with local content
A method of rendering digital media encoded content on a client electronic device is disclosed. The digital encoded media content comprises digital encoded local media content stored on the client electronic device and/or digital encoded radio media content provided via a network from a remote computing device to the client electronic device. The method includes: indicating a radio playlist that defines a rendering sequence for the digital encoded media content; and determining if a portion of the digital encoded media content to be rendered is stored as digital local media content in a memory of the client electronic device. The digital encoded radio media content not stored as digital encoded local media content on the client electronic device is received, on the client electronic device, from the remote computing device via the network. The digital encoded local media content stored in the memory of the client electronic device and the received digital encoded radio media content is rendered in the rendering sequence defined by the radio playlist. |
| US07793821B2 |
Carton with integrated tray
A carton capable of containing a plurality of food items is disclosed. The carton can be separated into two portions or trays, each of which can be converted into a tray for heating a food item in a microwave oven. One or both of the trays may be designed to elevate the food product from the turntable or floor of the microwave oven to enhance the efficiency of the heating process. One or both trays may include a microwave energy interactive to enhance browning and/or crisping of the food item. |
| US07793818B2 |
Semiconductor device, manufacturing method and apparatus for the same
A highly reliable semiconductor chip electrode structure allowing control of interface reaction of bonding sections even in the case of using two- or three-element solder used conventionally is disclosed. A solder alloy making layer for preventing dissolving and diffusion of tin into tin-based lead free solder is thinly formed on a UBM layer. The tin-based solder is supplied in solder paste or solder ball form. A combined solder alloy layer composed of a combination of intermetallic compounds, one of tin and the solder alloy making layer, and one of tin and the UBM layer, is formed by heating and melting. |
| US07793817B2 |
Electronic component placing apparatus and electronic component mounting method
To provide an electronic component placing apparatus and an electronic component mounting method that can prevent a cold joint from occurring when an electronic component likely to cause warp deformation is mounted by means of soldering. In the electronic component placing apparatus for placing the electronic component 16 with a plurality of solder bumps 16a formed on a lower surface on a board, a film 7a having a film thickness distribution for transferring a desired transfer amount of solder paste according to a state of warp deformation to each of the plurality of solder bumps is formed in a paste transfer unit 24, based on the component warp information indicating the state of warp deformation in a reflow process of the electronic component. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a cold joint from occurring when the electronic component likely to cause warp deformation is mounted by means of soldering by additionally supplying a just enough amount of solder to each solder bump 16a. |
| US07793814B2 |
Surgical stapling device
A surgical device is disclosed which includes a handle portion, a central body portion and a SULU. The SULU includes a proximal body portion, an intermediate pivot member and a tool assembly. The intermediate pivot member is pivotally secured to the proximal body portion about a first pivot axis and the tool assembly is pivotally secured to the intermediate pivot member about a second pivot axis which is orthogonal to the first pivot axis. The SULU includes a plurality of articulation links which are operably connected to the tool assembly by non-rigid links. The articulation links are adapted to releasably engage articulation links positioned in the central body portion. The body portion articulation links are connected to an articulation actuator which is supported for omni-directional movement to effect articulation of the tool assembly about the first and second axes. The handle portion includes a spindle and barrel assembly drive mechanism for advancing and retracting a drive member positioned in the tool assembly. In one embodiment, the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly. |
| US07793811B1 |
Fastener driving apparatus
A fastener driving apparatus includes a power source, a control circuit, a motor, a first cylinder, a first piston, a linear motion converter, a second cylinder, a second piston, an anvil, a valve arrangement and at least one sensor. During a compression stroke, the first piston is configured to compress gas in a first cylinder to a predetermined pressure. At the predetermined pressure, the valve arrangement assumes an open position for communicating the compressed gas to the second cylinder, thereby causing the second piston to move linearly and enabling the anvil to drive the fastener into the workpiece. During a return stroke, at a predetermined position of the first piston in the first cylinder, the valve arrangement assumes the open position for communicating a vacuum created in the first cylinder to the second cylinder and thereby causing the second piston and the anvil to retract to their initial positions. |
| US07793810B2 |
Apparatus and methodology for de-sheathing covered drinking straws
One possible embodiment of the invention could be a de-sheathing apparatus and a methodology of its use in de-sheathing a covered drinking straw. The de-sheathing apparatus could comprise of a body having a de-sheathing device, the de-sheathing device forming a de-sheathing orifice into which a covered drinking straw may be inserted, wherein the de-sheathing device applies sufficient force to the covered drinking straw to prevent passage of at least a portion of the covering back through the de-sheathing orifice when the drinking straw with the remainder of covering is removed from proximity with the de-sheathing apparatus. |
| US07793809B2 |
Backpack frame
A backpack frame has a front side and a back side and comprises generally parallel base and top sections that extend transversely across and are spaces one from the other along a center line of the frame. Side rails connect the base section to the top section. The side rails are arranged on opposite sides of the frame center line, and a stabilizing rib interconnects the side rails and extends transversely across the center line at an intermediate location between the base and top sections. The side rails converge inwardly from the base section towards the frame center line to the stabilizing rib, and diverge outwardly from the stabilizing rib and away from the center line to the top section. |
| US07793807B2 |
Metering valve and a fluid dispenser device including such a valve
A metering valve for dispensing fluid, the metering valve having a valve body (10), a metering chamber (20), and a valve member (30) that is slidable in the valve body (10) so as to dispense the fluid contained in the metering chamber (20). The wall (27) of the metering chamber (20) is curved, at least in part, in axial section. |
| US07793804B2 |
Reservoir pump
A reservoir pump in which liquid supplied from a container in which the pump is installed enters a pressure chamber with respect to which a piston reciprocates in suction and compression strokes. The chamber communicates with a reservoir, (the supply) so that liquid is supplied into the chamber in the suction stroke of the piston and transferred under pressure into the reservoir during the compression stroke. The chamber is open to supply and to the reservoir via one-way valves which open during the suction and compression strokes, respectively. A passage providing an orifice with a cross section much smaller than the cross section of the opening into the chamber, which communicates the chamber with the supply, is open via another one-way valve during the suction stroke. Air enters through the passageway. This air is compressed during the compression stroke. Sufficient compressed air is delivered together with the liquid into the reservoir so as to accumulate sufficient pressure to pressurize the fluid when released from the reservoir for spraying thereby counteracting any build up of remnant liquid in the pressure chamber, which would decrease the volume of air in the chamber on successive strokes and prevent complete discharge of the liquid from the chamber into the reservoir and from the reservoir to allow pressurized liquid to be sprayed. |
| US07793801B2 |
Positive pressure liquid transfer and removal system configured for operation by a hand and by a foot
A method of pumping liquid from a container to a destination comprises the steps of connecting a foot operable air pump in sealed air-delivery relation to the container; connecting a liquid delivery hose in sealed liquid receiving-relation to the container at the aperture such that the inlet end of the liquid delivery hose is submerged in liquid in the container, the liquid delivery hose having a hand operable valve for controlling the flow of the liquid through the liquid delivery hose; and operating the foot operable air pump by a foot, so as to pump air into the container, and operating the hand operable valve by a hand, so as to cause the liquid to flow from the container, through the liquid delivery hose, and to the destination. A related system, fitting, and adapter are also disclosed. |
| US07793799B2 |
Container for dispensing separate products
A container for dispensing separate products having a container body provided with a partition that forms at least two separate compartments; a closure body is connected to the container body, can hermetically engage each one of the compartments, and forms seats for accommodating dispensing valves that draw from the compartments. |
| US07793796B1 |
Hair accessories storage and dispensing device
A device for storing and dispensing hair accessories having a cylinder with a plurality of compartments formed by the cylinder and elongated, curved elements attached to the cylinder. The curved element extend beyond the bottom of the cylinder and sit on a base with a short vertical wall with a release slot in it. The cylinder contains a shaft with blades attached to it. The blades fit within the interstices of the compartments. When the shaft is rotated, the blades force the cylinder to rotate. When the shaft is rotated such that a compartment containing items aligns with the release slot in the wall of the base, an item will be dispensed through the release slot in the wall. The device may also have a carrying handle, lock ears for holding the lid and shaft together, and a screw for holding the shaft and base together. |
| US07793790B2 |
Dish washer
Provided is a dishwasher. The dishwasher includes a dish rack receiving articles and a bottle rack. The bottle rack includes a rack body detachably coupled to the dish rack and one or more bottle tines coupled to a top portion of the rack body, for receiving articles having a bottle or cup shape. |
| US07793785B2 |
Medication dispenser
A medication dispenser including a container having a bottom, first and second upstanding sidewalls and first and second upstanding end walls with the container or liners positioned therein defining a plurality of open topped medication compartments. A plurality of compartment covers overlie and close the compartments to maintain medication within the compartments. Each of the covers has an outwardly extending tab or extension which assists in the opening of the cover. The upper ends of the sidewalls of the container are provided with a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions which extend outwardly from the associated sidewall beyond the outer ends of the tabs on the covers to shield the tabs to prevent inadvertent opening of the covers. |
| US07793780B2 |
Basket-type containers for articles in particular bottles
A carrier device with article receiving compartments on either side of a partial central wall and handle portion. The handle being separate from the central wall and moveable relative thereto between a raised position and a lowered position. The handle can be retained in either the raised or lowered positions by hook formations and is connected to the carrier device by interconnecting webs extending from the side walls. |
| US07793779B2 |
Carton with reinforced handle
A carton for cooperating with a packaging material to contain a plurality of articles and a package formed thereby. The carton comprises a plurality of panels comprising a central panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. The side panels are positioned relative to the central panel to at least partially form a space for receiving the articles. A handle is in at least one of the side panels. The handle is adapted for grasping and carrying the carton. |
| US07793772B2 |
Intelligent accumulation conveyor track
A conveyor line segment (N+1; N; N−1) with a predetermined length for accumulating several conveyed goods thereon, includes a conveying means (12) for moving the conveyed goods (A, B, C) thereon along a conveying direction (28), which is oriented parallel to a longitudinal direction of the segment (N), along the segment (N), wherein the conveying means (12) can be driven for being moved at a speed (vN), which is substantially constant, a sensor (10) for detecting that a conveyed good (A, B, C) is driven onto the segment (N), and a controlling unit (20; 22) coupled to the sensor (10) in order to move and stop the conveying means dependent on the detection signal of the sensor (10), and adapted to determine a geometrical length along the conveying direction (28) of incoming conveyed goods (A, B, C), and to not move further the conveying means (28) dependent on the determined length(s), if the segment (N) cannot receive other conveyed goods (A, B, C) any longer. |
| US07793769B2 |
Automatic vending machine
The present invention provides a vending machine that converts a force applied from a manual operation means into an electric power, and operates by utilizing the electric power as a source of power. A drive force generation/transmission mechanism includes a generator (45) that generates the electric power by utilizing the force applied from the manual operation means (9) and motors (49-55) driven by the electric power generated by the generator (45). Article moving mechanisms (63-69) are constructed to operate by utilizing the output of the motors (49-55) as the operation source. |
| US07793768B2 |
Motor driven ball and ramp clutching system for a marine transmission
An electric motor applies torque to a ball and ramp actuator element generating thrust that is transferred through a bearing from the stationary actuator to the rotating clutch pack elements of a marine transmission. |
| US07793764B2 |
Wet brake system for a vehicle and a utility vehicle comprising the wet brake system
A wet brake system for a vehicle including a case; an internal operation lever disposed inside the case; a hydraulic cylinder which is integrally mounted to the case and is configured to actuate the internal operation lever; and a brake mechanism configured to be operated by the actuation of the internal operation lever by the hydraulic cylinder to apply a braking force to an axle of the vehicle. |
| US07793759B1 |
Ladder locking device and method
A ladder locking device is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the ladder locking device includes a frame having a plurality of intersecting frame segments pivotally connected to each other in a scissors jack configuration and a foldable blind carried by the frame. A method of preventing unauthorized use of a ladder is also disclosed. |
| US07793758B2 |
Triangular cross section exhaust muffler
The present invention is for a triangular cross section symmetrical engine exhaust muffler for an internal combustion engine. Its internal design provides baffles symmetrically disposed about a plane centrally located equidistant from the ends of a tube having a triangular cross section. The design has three baffles spaced to minimize backpressure but angled to enhance acoustic reflections within the chamber formed by the tube having a triangular cross section, baffles, and the affixed endplates including the inlet/exhaust ports. These acoustic reflections serve to modify the sound emanating from the exhaust manifold or manifolds of the internal combustion engine. The muffler chamber also serves to smooth out the pulsating gas flow emanating from the engine as a result of the combustion cycle. |
| US07793756B2 |
Replaceable microphone protective membrane for hearing devices
A device as hearing aid to be worn in the ear or in or at the auditory canal comprises at least a sound or acoustic exit opening with a protection element (10) to prevent the contamination of the device. The protection element (10) comprises a thin, at least almost flexible or elastic membrane (15) made out of a thermoplastic polymer. |
| US07793751B2 |
Vehicles including control assemblies having rotatable control knobs
An all terrain vehicle includes a frame and a control assembly that can be directly or indirectly attached to the frame. The control assembly includes a control knob which can be readily accessible to an operator during operation of the all terrain vehicle. The control knob has a rotational axis that can be substantially parallel to the rotational axis of a driven wheel of the all terrain vehicle. The control assembly can be connected with a cable to a transmission of the all terrain vehicle such that the control knob can be rotatable to disable a reverse inhibitor system of the transmission. The control assembly can further include a shaft having a first stop and a base having a second stop, such that the first and second stops can be configured to selectively contact each other during rotation of the control knob. |
| US07793750B2 |
Differential limiting control apparatus for four-wheel drive vehicle
Restraining torque TF of an electronic controlled front limited slip differential (5) arranged between right and left front wheels is controlled in accordance with controlling right-left wheel rotational speed difference ΔNF, which is the rotational speed difference between the right and left front wheels, while restraining torque TC of an electronic controlled coupling (8) arranged between the front and rear wheels is controlled in accordance with controlling front-rear wheel rotational speed difference ΔNC obtained by subtracting ½ of the rotational speed difference between the right and left wheels (|ΔNF|/2) from the rotational speed difference (ΔNCT−ΔNCD) between the front and rear wheels. |
| US07793749B2 |
Method for operating a drive train of a vehicle
A method for operating a drive train of a vehicle with a drive engine, a brake system, at least two vehicle cross-shafts of a first vehicle axle with at least two wheels. The cross-shafts being actively connected via a transverse distributor gear and being driven by the engine. The vehicle also possibly having a second vehicle axle with at least two wheels. Frictional shift elements of the first vehicle axle, between the wheels of the first vehicle axle and the transverse distributor gear, are provided for variable distribution, to the first vehicle axle, of the fraction of the drive torque from the engine in the transverse direction of the vehicle between the two wheels. A desired yaw torque is determined. The drive engine, brake system and shift elements are controlled such that the desired yaw torque is produced essentially without changing the positive forward drive of the vehicle. |
| US07793744B1 |
Cart apparatus
A cart apparatus includes a frame for receiving game. The frame includes a pair of side supports and a plurality of lateral supports that are attached to and extend between the side supports. A netting material is attached to the frame and extends between the side supports. An axle is rotatably coupled to the frame. The axle extends between the side supports and has a pair of opposite ends. A pair of wheels is attached to the axle. Each of the wheels is positioned adjacent to one of the opposite ends. A motor is mounted to the frame. A drive shaft is mechanically coupled to the motor and to the axle. The motor rotates the wheels when the drive shaft is engaged. |
| US07793743B2 |
Crawler robot
Disclosed is a crawler robot which, even of a small size, can climb over a high step and which can perform various aspects of operations. Rollers, are arranged at apexes of triangular frames, and elastic crawlers are wrapped around the rollers, with the two frames being connected by a central support shaft. Rotatably provided to the central support shaft is a one-joint link composed of a first link and a second link connected together by a rotation shaft. An end portion of the second link is rotatably connected with a front shaft of a subordinate crawler device equipped with crawlers wrapped around rollers. As a result, the crawler robot is composed of a triangular crawler device and the subordinate crawler device connected together by the one-joint link. The crawler robot can be operated by rotating and bending the link and by rotating the crawler devices in arbitrary directions. |
| US07793740B2 |
Ride control for motor graders
A ride control arrangement for a machine having a frame, a ripper, a hydraulic actuator operative to move the ripper includes at least one accumulator assembly, and a valve mechanism operatively disposed between the accumulator assembly and the hydraulic actuator to either block or allow fluid communication between the hydraulic actuator and the accumulator assembly. A ride control arrangement for a motor grader with an implement operated by a hydraulic actuator similarly includes at least one accumulator assembly selectively fluidly connected to the hydraulic actuator by way of a valve mechanism. |
| US07793738B2 |
Modified box scraper system and apparatus
A modified box scraper system that is fitted with a first, second and third plurality of attachment devices located on the rearward end and both sides of the box scraper allowing for the attachment of a variety of modified work implements, the modified work implements including box scraper extensions, a road repair fabric applicator, a trench compaction wheel, a slope board, a rear forklift system, a windrow scraper, a backfill blade and a serrated cutting blade. |
| US07793735B2 |
Method, apparatus and compositions for firefighting
A combination of a liquid fire extinguishing composition including potassium salts or aluminum salts of an organic acid, resulting in a viscous liquid, is finely divided by a nozzle into droplets which may be applied to a fire or fuel therefor or form a cloud of droplets which settle onto such fire and/or fuel which is particularly effective for fighting fires where fuel is at least initially contained such as oil and grease fires in cooling utensils being heated on stoves. Propellant is contained and not entrained in the dispensed fire fighting composition to avoid at least spreading of the fuel beyond the containment. |
| US07793734B2 |
Reinforced polymer horseshoe
A flexile shoe to protect a horse's hoof, made of a moldable composition, and reinforced throughout with pliant metal, and further reinforced with a hard wear insert at the toe of the shoe. A method of molding the shoe, and of bonding the shoe to the hoof with adhesive. |
| US07793731B2 |
Entry swivel apparatus and method
An apparatus for use with a wireline on a drilling rig. The apparatus includes a main body having first and second entry ports, and wherein the first entry port is configured to receive the wireline. A bearing nut is operatively attached to the main body. A mandrel is partially disposed within the bearing nut, and wherein the mandrel is capable of rotating. A sleeve, disposed within a receptacle bore, is also included. The sleeve may have an inner conical surface. A method of performing wireline work is also disclosed. |
| US07793726B2 |
Marine riser system
A marine riser system for transferring fluid between a well on the seafloor and a vessel floating on the surface of the sea. The riser system has a turret buoy capable of connecting to a floating vessel; two or more hybrid risers, each of the hybrid risers having a vertical riser, a riser buoy attached to the upper portion of the vertical riser and a flexible jumper connecting the riser buoy to the turret buoy, and wherein the hybrid risers are secured to the seafloor. A flowline may connect a lower portion of each of the vertical risers to a subsea manifold, which interconnects the flowline and a subsea well. The subsea manifold is capable of controlling the flow to or from a subsea well. The hybrid risers are positioned about the turret buoy so that the turret buoy is horizontally balanced while disconnected from a vessel. In another embodiment, the marine riser system is capable of directing a fluid from the floating vessel to a subsea export flowline. In another embodiment, the present invention discloses a method of producing hydrocarbons from a subsea well, utilizing the marine riser system. |
| US07793721B2 |
Apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member
An apparatus and method for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member. The apparatus includes a support member, an expansion device coupled to the support member and at least one of a cutting device coupled to the support member, an actuator coupled to the support member, a sealing assembly, or a packer assembly coupled to the support member. The apparatus may further include a gripping device for coupling the tubular member to the support member. The expansion device may be used for radially expanding and plastically deforming the tubular member which may be coupled to the support member. The cutting device may be used for cutting the tubular member. The actuator may be used for displacing the expansion device relative to the support member. The sealing assembly may be used for sealing an annulus defined between the support member and the tubular member. |
| US07793718B2 |
Communicating electrical energy with an electrical device in a well
A completion system for use in the well includes a liner for lining the well, where the liner has a first inductive coupler portion. An electric cable extends outside an inner passage of the liner. The completion system further includes a second inductive coupler portion and an electrical device inside the liner and electrically connected to the second inductive coupler portion. The first and second inductive coupler portions enable power to be provided from the electric cable outside the inner passage of the liner to the electrical device inside the liner. |
| US07793716B2 |
Apparatus and methods for limiting debris flow back into an underground base pipe of an injection well
In some embodiments, apparatus for assisting in reducing flowback of debris from an earthen formation into an underground fluid injection system includes a screen member disposed around and longitudinally moveable relative to a base pipe and shielded from direct contact with fluid as it is ejected from the base pipe. |
| US07793713B2 |
Apparatus and method for formation evaluation
A method for acquiring a sample of a virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid is disclosed. The method includes abutting a first packer against a wall of the wellbore, and extending at least a portion of a second packer beyond the first packer, wherein the second packer is at least partially disposed in the first packer. An inlet to a first flowline is at least partially defined by the first packer, and an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer. The method further includes drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the first flowline; and drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline. |
| US07793712B2 |
Downhole tool
A downhole tool, configured to be suspended in a borehole traversing an earth formation, includes a downhole data acquisition system placed in the tool body and electrically connected to an electric power generator at the formation surface. The downhole data acquisition system includes a sensor for detecting local conditions in the borehole, and a transducer for transducing the voltage of an input signal from high to low or low to high. The transducer having a gallium nitride or silicon carbide based discrete semiconductor device. |
| US07793710B2 |
Intercooler apparatus and method
Some embodiments of the disclosed heat exchanger have flat tubes, corrugated ribs, collection tubes, connection pieces, and a connection plate used (for example) for the attachment of the heat exchanger in a casing through which charge air flows, whereby the individual components of the heat exchanger can be manufactured from aluminum and can be soldered together. In some embodiments, at least four collecting tubes define coolant collection chambers, whereby coolant follows at least one outgoing route lying between first and the second collection tubes, and at least one return route proceeding in an opposite direction lying between third and fourth collecting tubes. The outgoing route can be provided in at least one flat tube-corrugated rib series, while the return route can be provided in at least another flat tube-corrugated rib series, arranged downstream of the first flat tube-corrugated rib series. |
| US07793709B2 |
Jet generating device and electronic apparatus
A jet generating device includes a vibrating member which vibrates gas, a driving unit which drives the vibrating member, and a housing which has a first opening and a first chamber connected to the first opening and containing the gas. The housing supports the vibrating member, and is such that, of sounds generated as a result of vibrating the vibrating member, the sound having a maximum noise level has a predetermined frequency. In addition, the housing discharges the gas as pulsating gas through the first opening as a result of driving the vibrating member. |
| US07793707B2 |
Fluid cooling device
A fluid cooling device embodied as a modular unit includes a drive motor (10) driving a ventilation wheel (12) and a fluid pump (14) that supplies a first type of fluid into a fluid system, and leads to a heat exchanger (22) from which the fluid is redirected into the fluid system in a tempered manner. A second fluid pump (32) is used to extract a second type of fluid from the reservoir (30) and to supply the second type of fluid to a second fluid system, from which the second type of liquid is redirected towards the reservoir (30) in a guiding manner via the first heat exchanger (22) and the second heat exchanger (24). The second fluid pump enables different tempering operations to be carried out for separate fluid systems, using only one fluid cooling device. |
| US07793705B2 |
Casting die with changeable male and female die cores
A press casting die able to change its female and male die cores, in which mainly a movable-side fixed plate of a die seat is provided behind a male-die recess with a plate receiving recess of a larger area, the plate receiving recess can be mounted therein with a changeable pressure bearing plate having thereon holes for insertion of pushing-out pins, the pressure bearing plate is abutted against by a pair of die-foot blocks in its rear to thereby have sufficient bearing capability to assure its durability for a high pressure in material injection. Therefore, when life of use of the die cavity is exhausted, only the female die core, the male die core and the pressure bearing plate are necessarily changed, thereby the cost of the die is largely reduced, and benefit of environmental conservation can be provided. |
| US07793704B2 |
Method of installing sand core for casting in mold and sand core for casting
An upper surface of a skirting base section 6h of a sand core 6 is provided with a projection 14 of a column shape. When a slide mold 3 is slidingly moved in a mold clamping direction, a sliding contact section 15 of a holding recessed section 13 of the slide mold 3 is brought into sliding contact with the projection 14 to hold the projection 14 while scraping away part of the sand of the projection 14. The upper surface of the skirting base section 6h adjacent to the projection 14 is also provided with a recess 16 for recovering the scraped sand, wherein the width of the recess 16 is larger than the diameter of the projection 14 in the longitudinal direction. The projection 14 can be formed in a prismatic or semispherical shape. |
| US07793702B2 |
Guide system for a roller blind of a sliding roof system
A guide system for a roller blind of a sliding roof system has a guide rail and a slider that is fixed on the roller blind. The slider is accommodated in the guide rail such that the slider is displaceable in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and carries the roller blind. A pretensioning device is arranged between the guide rail and the slider. The pretensioning device presses the slider outwards transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in order to tension the roller blind. |
| US07793700B2 |
Window blind safety device
A window blind safety device that fully conceals the lift cords and continuously maintains tension on the lift cords located between the slats of the blind. The present invention comprises a back plate for mounting adjacent to a window; a slide movably attached to the back plate and fastened to the lift cords; a front cover attached to the back plate for concealing the lift cords, wherein the front cover comprises a longitudinal slot and a plurality of retaining notches, wherein the front cover is adapted for receiving the lift cords; a handle engaging the slide for adjusting the height of the blinds; and a shank fastener attached to the upper portion of the back plate. |
| US07793695B2 |
Pneumatic radial tire for motorcycle
There is provided a pneumatic radial tire for a motorcycle whose turning stability is improved by achieving both grounding performance and lateral rigidity at high level. A mono-spiral belt (MSB) (3) includes steel cords whose tensile break strength is 5.9 Pa or more. A value Tc of a number of driven cords in the MSB (per 25 mm in width) at an equator of the tire and a value Ts at shoulder parts thereof meet requirements of 17≦Tc≦24 and 0.6≦Ts/Tc≦0.9. A disposed width BW of the MSB meets a requirement of 0.6≦BW/TW≦1.0. At least one textile-reinforcing layer having tensile break strength of 5.9 Pa or more is disposed at both ends of the MSB while overlapping with the MSB. An overlap of the MSB with the textile-reinforcing layer is 4 to 10 times of the diameter D of the steel cords in the MSB. |
| US07793692B2 |
Pneumatic tire tread having sipe that devolves into groove as tread wears
A pneumatic tire tread has tread elements formed by circumferential and/or lateral grooves. At least one tread element has a sipe that devolves from a constant width sipe having a three dimensional aspect in at least a portion of the radially outer portion of the sipe to a wider width groove at the base of the tread feature. |
| US07793690B2 |
Water dispenser for refrigerator freezers
A water dispenser mounted on a door of a refrigerator freezer that is provided with a spigot that is movable between inner and outer dispensing positions. The dispenser includes a dispenser housing having a dispensing cavity and the spigot is movably mounted in the top of the dispensing cavity. When the spigot is in the inner dispensing position water can be dispensed into a container positioned in the dispensing cavity. In the outer dispensing position the spigot can dispense water into a container positioned outside the dispensing cavity. The dispenser housing can be provided with a movable tray in the bottom of the dispensing cavity. The movable tray can be withdrawn to support a container under the spigot in the inner dispensing position and extended to support a container under the spigot in the outer dispensing position. |
| US07793688B1 |
Recreational vehicle winterizer fitting
Disclosed is a system to winterize a recreational vehicle having plumbing lines. A hose may be attached to an air compressor and a recreational vehicle winterizer fitting may be attached between the hose and a freshwater inlet connection port of the recreational vehicle. The winterizer fitting may include a nib, a landing, a first transition, a second transition, and a body having a male connector and a fifth chamber. A pressure gage, a butterfly valve, and an antifreeze additive system may be attached to the body of the winterizer fitting. |
| US07793682B2 |
Valve assembly
A valve assembly (10) able to be mounted with a liquid container, the valve assembly comprising: a housing (20) having a passageway (60) that extends through the housing; a breather float valve (80) mounted within the housing, the breather float valve movable between an open position to allow gas to pass through the passageway and a closed position that prevents liquid from passing through the passageway; a liquid inlet (30), forming part of the housing, the liquid inlet allowing fluid to pass into the housing; and an inlet float valve (41) mounted within the housing, the inlet float valve movable between an open position that permits the flow of liquid through the liquid inlet and a closed position that prevents the flow of fluid through the liquid inlet. |
| US07793680B2 |
Electromechanical regulator with primary and backup modes of operation for regulating passenger oxygen
The electromechanical regulator for passenger oxygen is a hybrid oxygen regulator that provides for electronic or mechanical regulation of oxygen flow. The electronic portion of the regulator consists of an inlet solenoid valve, an outlet solenoid valve, a cabin pressure transducer, a regulated output transducer and a PID based controller, and the solenoid valves are normally biased so that in the event of an electronic system failure or a power supply failure the system will automatically revert to mechanical operation. |
| US07793674B2 |
Portable sun and weather shelter
A portable sun and weather shelter is provided. The shelter comprises an umbrella foldable between open and closed positions. The umbrella has a center post, a canopy, and a frame to fold the canopy up and down. A pair of wings are attached to the perimeter edge of the canopy and can be extended outwardly beyond the canopy so as to increase the coverage area of the shelter so as to protect two or more people from the sun and rain. |
| US07793673B2 |
Star, constellation, and planet finder
This invention relates to a device for accurate view of the entire sky from the horizon regardless of the location on earth of the user. The device is an umbrella type design that a person stands underneath and views the night sky through the device. The device includes an umbrella portion and a removably attachable drape portion. The umbrella portion provides the structure of the device and the drape provides the mapped out night sky thereon which may be removably detachable and adjustable for an accurate depiction of the sky. |
| US07793671B2 |
Apparatus for and method of cleaning substrates
An apparatus for cleaning substrates includes a substrate support that is configured to support a plurality of substrates horizontally as spaced regularly one above the other, a rotating device for rotating the substrate support and a liquid supply system for dispensing cleaning liquid onto the substrates. The substrate support has a base plate and support rods extending upright on the base plate. The support rods include fixed rods and at least one movable rod. The movable rods is movable between an open position to provide a passage that allows the substrates to be placed between the support rods, and a closed position at which the substrates are held by and between the support rods. Once the substrates are supported in this way, the substrates are rotated. Then, the cleaning liquid, such as a chemical solution(s) followed by a rinsing liquid, is dispensed onto all of the substrates as the substrates are being rotated. |
| US07793668B2 |
Cleaning sheet, conveying member using the same, and substrate processing equipment cleaning method using them
A cleaning sheet for cleaning foreign matters away from the interior of the substrate processing equipment is provided. The cleaning sheet includes a cleaning layer having substantially no tackiness and having a tensile modulus of not lower than 0.98 N/mm2 as determined according to JIS K7127. Alternatively, the cleaning sheet includes a cleaning layer having a Vickers hardness of not lower than 10 MPa. |
| US07793666B2 |
Apparatus and method for treatment of infected nail
An infected nail of a digit of a patient is treated using apparatus including an enclosure capable of housing at least a distal end of at least one digit of a patient having an infected nail. The apparatus also includes a heater and a nail infection agent-containing member housed within the enclosure and positionable against an infected nail at the distal end of a digit housed within the enclosure. The heater is in heat-transfer relationship with the nail infection agent. In this way heated nail infection agent can be maintained against an infected nail by the nail infection agent-containing member. |
| US07793664B2 |
Apparatus and method for detection and segregation of faulty cigarettes
Apparatus and method for detection and segregation of faulty cigarettes in a production/packaging installation for cigarettes having an apparatus by means of which faulty cigarettes are segregated from the conveyed sequence of cigarettes, wherein the apparatus and method use a generator and evaluation circuits for radio-frequency electromagnetic fields and use a sensor past whose end surface the ends of the cigarettes are passed and which applies the radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to the end surface of the sensor, whose size corresponds approximately to the size of the end surface of the cigarettes, with the changes in the electromagnetic fields as a cigarette passes being evaluated. |
| US07793662B2 |
Earplug
An earplug (100) having an adjustable sound deadening rating is disclosed. The earplug (100) includes an ear piece (102) adapted to fit within a user's ear canal and a core (104). The core (104) has a predetermined sound deadening rating. The ear piece (102) includes a coupling assembly (106) for removably coupling the core (104) to the ear piece (102) such that the core (104) may be removed from the ear piece (102) and replaced with another core (108) having a different preselected sound deadening rating to adjust a sound deadening rating of the earplug. |
| US07793659B2 |
Bymixer apparatus and method for fast-response, adjustable measurement of mixed gas fractions in ventilation circuits
A bymixer device and method which provides fast-response, accurate measurements of mixed inspired and/or expired gas fractions in open or closed ventilation circuits and/or in circle circuits used in anesthesia and/or critical care. The bymixer device may include a main flow channel and a bypass flow channel. The bypass flow channel includes a flow-restrictor (e.g, an orifice) that partially blocks the flow of respiratory gas through the bypass flow channel, a mixing chamber positioned upstream of the flow restrictor and a sampling apparatus (e.g., a port for withdrawing samples of gas from said mixing chamber and/or sensor(s) positioned within the mixing chamber). |
| US07793658B2 |
Personal assistive breathing apparatus
The present invention relates to a personal use assistive breathing device wherein a can adaptor or bottle mounting member is secured to a bottle canister containing a pressurized gas. A mouth piece member retains an action knob positioned for actuating a stem valve on the bottle canister upon a rotation. During use the action knob is spaced away from the mouthpiece and air passages entrain ambient atmospheric air with the escaping pressurized gas. The action knob may be retained in the in-use position without continual pressure allowing hands-free use. During storage, the action knob is spaced in contact with the mouthpiece prohibiting unintended gas release and enabling ready handling without risk of gas-loss. |
| US07793649B2 |
Temperature control apparatus and method for a barbeque grill
A temperature control system for controlling the rate of flow of a flammable fluid at generally constant pressure is disclosed. The system may include a flow control apparatus that is free of a regulator mechanism, for affecting the flow of the fluid. The flow control apparatus may be operable between at least a first flow rate and a second flow rate, and may have at least one upstream opening and at least one downstream opening. The system may also include a first burner in fluid communication with the downstream opening of the flow control apparatus and a conduit in fluid communication at one end thereof with the upstream opening of the flow control apparatus, and configured at the other end thereof for connection to a fuel supply. A thermocouple may be located in the vicinity of the burner, for converting a sensed thermal state into an electrical signal. An electronic controller, in communication with the flow control apparatus, for activating the flow control apparatus to one of said first and second flow rates, and being in communication with the thermocouple for receiving the electrical signal from the thermocouple is also provided. An interface connected to the controller for manually inputting a desired temperature may be included, wherein the controller is operable to automatically cycle the flow control apparatus between the first and second flow rates until the temperature sensed by the thermocouple is similar to the desired temperature. |
| US07793648B2 |
Heating cooker
A heating cooker includes a top panel for placing a load thereon and touch operation parts for allowing the user to operate the heating of the heater to heat the load. The operation display parts of the touch operation parts each include display characters disposed under the top panel and a backlight which emits light through the top panel so as to display the display characters in lighting. When not displayed, the operation display parts including the display characters are entirely unlit and made inoperable. This provides a user-friendly heating cooker. |
| US07793632B2 |
Ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine
An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine is small in size and has high reliability capable of withstanding or enduring a vibration environment of a vehicle to which the ignition apparatus is installed. The ignition apparatus includes a spark plug that has its tip end portion presented in the interior of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine main body, a high voltage generation power supply that serves to apply a high voltage to the spark plug, a microwave oscillation device that has an amplifying element for generating a microwave, and a microwave antenna that is mounted on the spark plug, irradiates the micro wave generated from the microwave oscillation device to the interior of the cylinder, thereby forming a plasma generation region around discharge electrodes of the spark plug. The microwave oscillation device is made into a solid state. |
| US07793629B2 |
Valve timing control system
A valve enables and disables communication of a bypass passage, which extends from a fluid supply passage and bypasses at least one fluid control valve, to at least one of a retarding passage and an advancing passage connected to a valve timing mechanism. An ECU controls the valve to enable the communication of the bypass passage to the at least one of the retarding passage and the advancing passage when a temperature is equal to or less than a predetermined temperature. The ECU controls the valve to disable the communication of the bypass passage to the at least one of the retarding passage and the advancing passage when the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature. |
| US07793625B2 |
Variable valve actuating apparatus for internal combustion engine
A variable valve actuating apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an intake valve operating angle varying mechanism, and an intake valve timing varying mechanism. The intake valve timing varying mechanism includes a housing rotating in synchronization with a crankshaft, and a vane member coupled to a drive shaft for intake valve operation, and movably mounted in the housing. The vane member includes a vane defining first and second fluid pressure chambers on first and second opposite sides of the vane. A hydraulic circuit is arranged to rotate the vane member relative to the housing by supply and return of a brake fluid to and from the first and second fluid pressure chambers so as to change the intake valve maximum lift phase. Coil springs are arranged to bias the vane member relative to the housing in a direction to retard the intake valve maximum lift phase. |
| US07793624B2 |
Engine brake apparatus
Apparatus and methods for hydraulic valve actuation of engine valves are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a lost motion piston assembly that transfers motion between first and second rocker arms to selectively provide auxiliary engine valve actuation motions to the engine valves for engine operations such as engine braking and exhaust gas recirculation. The lost motion piston assembly may reduce or eliminate transient loads that may otherwise be transmitted to engine valve train elements during the times that lost motions systems are turned on and off for auxiliary valve actuations. |
| US07793622B2 |
Method of operating a gas engine
A gas engine has a first fuel feed system, a second fuel feed system and a third fuel feed system. The gas engine is operated by introducing combustion air into a combustion chamber of the engine. In a first mode of operation of the engine, gaseous fuel is added to the combustion air via the first fuel feed system and ignition fuel is injected into the mixture of gaseous fuel and combustion air via the second fuel feed system. In a second mode of operation of the engine, gaseous fuel is added to the combustion air via the first fuel feed system and ignition fuel is injected into the mixture of gaseous fuel and combustion air via the third fuel feed system. |
| US07793618B2 |
Dual-purpose packaging for a pet-related product, and related process
A dual-purpose packaging for a pet-related product includes a flexible, non-toxic and bite-resistant enclosure filled with a pet-related product. The enclosure includes a retractable valve for selectively dispensing the pet-related product from within the enclosure. The packaging may further include a set of squeak elements associated with a corresponding set of air-filled chambers coupled to the enclosure. Accordingly, the enclosure may be reutilized as a pet chew toy once the pet-related product is substantially dispensed from within the enclosure. |
| US07793617B2 |
Collapsible wildlife containment apparatus
A wildlife containment system, including a lid that may be attached to a selectively extensible support member, which in turn may be attached to a base member. The lid may be selectively removable from the extensible support member to allow for improved maintenance and use of the containment system. |
| US07793614B2 |
Method and an arrangement at a dairy farm
A cleaning method in a milking system (9) includes a plurality of teat cups (19), each of which is connected to a respective milk line. During milking of the teats of an animal, the plurality of teat cups (19) are attached to the teats of the animal, and vacuum is supplied to the respective milk lines in order to draw milk from the teats of the milking animal. The cleaning includes removing milk or other residues present at each of the plurality of teat cups by flushing (37) each of the plurality of teat cups with a cleaning fluid supplied via a supply line (36, 34c), evacuating cleaning fluid from each of the plurality of teat cups or from the supply line, and disinfecting at least one of the plurality of teat cups by exposing (60) the at least one of the plurality of teat cups to steam. |
| US07793613B2 |
Components of a milking machine, milking machine and milking device for milking animals
The invention relates to a component of a milking machine, particularly of a milking machine having at least one teat cup and a milking collecting piece, with a housing. The inventive component comprises at least one activating unit by means of which at least one activating signal is provided. |
| US07793610B2 |
Liquid processing apparatus
A liquid processing apparatus includes: a substrate holding member configured to rotate along with a substrate held thereon in a horizontal state; a rotary cup configured to surround the substrate held on the substrate holding member and to rotate along with the substrate; a rotation mechanism configured to integratedly rotate the rotary cup and the substrate holding member; a liquid supply mechanism configured to supply a process liquid onto the substrate; and an exhaust/drain section configured to perform gas-exhausting and liquid-draining of the rotary cup. The exhaust/drain section includes an annular drain cup configured to mainly collect and discharge a process liquid thrown off from the substrate, and an exhaust cup surrounding the drain cup and configured to mainly collect and discharge a gas component from inside and around the rotary cup. Liquid-draining from the drain cup and gas-exhausting from the exhaust cup are performed independently of each other. |
| US07793607B1 |
Air powered civil defense siren
A civil defense air powered siren includes an air powered tone generator, a compressed air tank, an air compressor, an air line with a control valve connecting between the compressed air tank and the tone generator. A pressure switch communicates with the compressor and the compressed air tank. The pressure switch activates the compressor to charge the compressed air tank when air pressure in the tank falls below a pre-selected limit. The control valve is remotely controlled preferably by a radio signal to cause the control valve to open the air line and supply the tone generator with air in order to cause a civil defense warning tone to be generated when it is appropriate to do so. |
| US07793606B2 |
Position controller for a towed array
A position controller capable of controlling the depth or lateral position of a towed array. The position controller comprises a tubular fuselage from which a pair of wings may be extended over a range of sweep angles between fully open and stowed positions. In fully or partly open positions, two wings present a positive angle of attack relative to the axis of the fuselage. In the stowed position, the wings are fully retracted into a wing receptacle within the fuselage for unfettered passage into and out of a submarine on the array deployment and retrieval handling system. |
| US07793604B2 |
Planing sailboard
High performance of a sailboard is achieved over a wider range of wind and water conditions by providing a hull having two or more planing surfaces which may differ in shape and/or aspect ratio. Drag due to suction at steps between planing surfaces is reduced by venting to the air. Cusp shaping of the respective planing surfaces can reduce and stabilize the angle of attack at the displacement/planing transition without causing fore-and-aft pitching effects known as porpoising. By confining water under the planing surfaces to reduce lateral outflow thereof through increased downward curvature of the bottom of the board, winglets, asymmetrical fins, fences and the like, the effective width and aspect ratio of the wetted area may be altered beyond that of the actual geometry of the planing surfaces to further increase lift and reduce drag while providing additional sources of lift at displacement, transitional and planing speeds. Steps and/or cambered shapes of the planing surface may be used to dramatically further reduce wetted area and further increase effective aspect ratio. |
| US07793603B2 |
Thread stand for sewing machine
Connection member integrally includes: a supporting section having a shape adapted to support a predetermined portion of a thread spool of a predetermined shape: a cylindrical portion for fixing a spool pin to the connection member by allowing one end portion of the pin to be inserted therein or thereon; and a fitting portion fittingly engageable with a mounting portion of a thread stand plate. Thus, the connection member and the spool pin are attached together to the thread stand plate with the connection member attached to the mounting portion of the thread stand plate via the fitting portion and the spool pin fitted at the one end portion to the cylindrical portion. The supporting section has a shape adapted to support predetermined portions of thread spools of at least two types having different configurations. |
| US07793600B2 |
Security door and frame construction
This security door construction is applicable to safes, factory doors and house doors. An offset hinge assembly allows the door to swing open and closed and also to slide in and out of a door slot in the door frame at the closing edge of the door. In the construction of a safe, hooks on the inside of the door enter slots in upstands inside the safe and engage and disengage through the sliding motion. One pair of hinges is fixed to the frame and the second pair of hinges is fixed to the door. The frame and door pairs are connected by a rod or tube which ensures that the hinge axis of the door pair remains parallel to the hinge axis of the frame pair. A handwheel is mounted on the door which turns a crank between stops and a link reacts against the rod causing the door to slide easily to LEFT or RIGHT. A spring overcomes resistance to initial movement. |
| US07793598B2 |
Plastic panel, particularly for use as production pallet
A plastic panel which may be used as a production pallet in the production of unitary concrete masonry products includes first and second joinable portions. The portions each comprise a support backing including an outer surface and an inner face, and a plurality of ribs extending outwardly away from said inner face. The ribs of a first grouping thereof are parallel with one another and extend across a first area of the face in a first direction, and the ribs of a second grouping thereof extend across a second area of the face in a second direction which is not parallel with said first direction. The panel portions are configured, disposed and arranged so as to join with one another in generally overlapping and mated relationship with the outer surfaces disposed in spaced apart opposing relationship, with the first groupings of ribs of the respective portions disposed in intermeshing and mating relationship with each other, and with the second groupings of ribs of the respective portions also disposed in intermeshing and mating relationship with each other whereby to present said plastic panel. |
| US07793597B2 |
Portable desk and computer support
A portable desk adapted for use in temporary work areas such as a seat in a vehicle includes a main body having a work surface member at a position spaced from a support surface, a first support member adapted to receive a laptop or portable computer mounted on the work surface member for access by the vehicle driver when the portable desk is mounted in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, and a second support member adapted to receive a computer peripheral device, such as a printer, also for access to by the vehicle driver. Preferably, the work surface member is at the top surface of the portable desk, and the first support member may be adjustably positioned between a first position adjacent a driver of the vehicle and a second position spaced away from the vehicle driver. |
| US07793596B2 |
Retractable step
A retractable step for a rail vehicle includes a treadable region having lateral guides, a front edge, a guide region, a first roller disposed on the rail vehicle, and a second roller disposed in a guide. The guide has a configuration that is one or more of oblique, curved or bent. Also included is a transition area between the treadable region and the guide region. The transition area is configured to have one or more of a bend and a curvature and has an upwardly convex shape. |
| US07793595B2 |
Railcar gate assembly operating shaft assembly
A railcar operating shaft assembly mounted on a gate assembly frame for moving a gate between closed and open positions. The operating shaft assembly includes an operating shaft and a capstan assembly provided at each end of the operating shaft. Each capstan assembly includes first and second axially aligned and conjoined but separate members. The first member is releasably coupled in non-rotatable relation relative to a free end of the operating shaft and is mountable on the gate assembly frame for rotation about a fixed axis. The second member of each capstan assembly is releasably conjoined in non-rotatable relation relative to the first member such that rotational movements imparted to the second member are transferred to the first member and to the operating shaft coupled thereto. The second member of each capstan assembly has a free end portion configured with a plurality of surfaces flanking the fixed axis of rotation of the first member and at least two of which are releasably engaged by a mechanized device used to forcibly impart rotation to the operating shaft assembly. |
| US07793585B2 |
Disposable brewing device
The invention relates to a disposable brewing device including at least one contact volume connectable with at least one target volume, the at least one contact volume and the at least one target volume being separated by at least one filter arrangement, the at least one contact volume and the at least one target volume defining at least one predefined flow path through filter arrangement. |
| US07793584B2 |
Check valve structure of hydraulic damper
There is provided a hydraulic damper including a receiving space formed between a rod guide of a cylinder and an insert metal, for temporarily retaining a working fluid leaked out from an oil chamber through a sliding gap of a rod. The hydraulic damper further includes a communicating path for communicating between a reservoir and the receiving space, and a check valve for allowing a flow of the working fluid only from the receiving space to the reservoir. Either one of a lip part of the check valve or a seat surface provided on the rod guide is formed with a sealing projected part protruding from a mutual contact surface. |
| US07793583B2 |
Mechanical tappet in particular for a fuel pump of an internal combustion engine
A mechanical tappet (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, 1001) is provided, in particular for actuating the lifting of a pump piston (39) of a fuel pump of an internal combustion engine, with a sleeve-shaped tappet housing (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702, 902, 1002) constructed as a shaped sheet-metal part and with a driving roller (6) supported so that it can rotate. Here, a bolt (4) supports the driving roller so that it is centered, and end sections (7) of the bolt projecting from the driving roller are supported in bolt eyes (8) of the tappet housing. |
| US07793582B2 |
Swash plate pivot bearing
A swash plate pivot bearing is provided having roller bearing segments (15) arranged between a hollow cylindrical bearing surface (12) for a swash plate (10) in a housing (3) and a cylindrical bearing surface (11) on the swash plate (10), held in curved cages (17) whereby elements are provided for controlling the cages which prevent the cage (17) accommodating the roller body (16) from slipping out from the optimum position thereof in the pivot bearing. The cage control elements are integrated into the roller bearing segments (15) so that at least one roller body (23, 23.1, 23.2) of cylindrical form has a positive engagement with the hollow cylindrical bearing surface (12) and the cylindrical bearing surface (11). It is thus possible to prevent the escape of roller bearing segments (15) from the bearing gap (22) due to the effects of vibration. |
| US07793581B2 |
Relating to impact-resistant structures and assemblies
A transparent assembly locatable in a building surface having a rebate is described. The assembly has a transparent panel and one or more high tensile strength flexible material reinforcement pieces extending laterally from the panel to provide non-rigid attachment of the assembly to a subframe and/or wall, wherein the attachment allows movement of the assembly within the rebate. By direct but non-rigid attachment of the transparent assembly, generally a window, to the subframe and/or wall, any weakness in the impact-resistance of the assembly because of weakness and/or damage to the frame is avoided. The non-rigid nature of the attachment allows it to absorb much of the blast loading. This allows a large load on the transparent assembly to be supported by the subframe and/or wall. The present invention also provides a number of ballistic-resistant and blast-resistant assemblies providing protection against much higher levels of protection from high velocity weapons and explosives. |
| US07793579B1 |
Armor tile
A ballistics armor system comprises plural tiles having overlapping edge portions. |
| US07793578B1 |
Percussion device for a medium or large calibre weapon
A percussion device for a medium or large caliber weapon incorporating a firing pin, spring means and a drive cam for the firing pin enabling its displacement in translation up to an “armed” position and the compression of the spring means, such device wherein it incorporates means to immobilize the firing in the “armed” position, these means being supported by the weapon breech and able to take up a position in which they immobilize the firing pin and another in which they release the firing pin. |
| US07793576B2 |
Braided reinforcement for aircraft fuselage frames and method of producing the same
A machine and method for applying braid by means of a braiding machine to a mandrel, where the mandrel has a shape that approximates a wheel but has an irregularly varying radius of curvature. The machine includes drive/positioning wheel assemblies that are used to continuously reposition a cross-section of the mandrel relative to the braiding machine such that a center point of cross-section of the mandrel is maintained to be coaxial with a braiding point of the braiding machine as the mandrel 18 is rotationally advanced by the drive/positioning wheel assemblies. Repositioning of the drive/positioning wheel assemblies is controlled by a computer numerical control (CNC) controller, based on information describing one or more radiuses of curvature for sections of the mandrel and a current position of the mandrel relative to the drive/positioning wheel assemblies. |
| US07793575B2 |
Cutter with laser generator that irradiates cutting position on workpiece to facilitate alignment of blade with cutting position
A cutter including a base, a holder, a cutter blade portion, and a laser generator. The holder is supported on the base portion in an upright posture. The cutter blade portion supports a moving blade. The cutter blade portion is supported on the holder movable between an upper position and a lower position. The cutter blade portion is moved into the lower position to cut a workpiece supported on the base using the moving blade. The laser generator is attached to the holder or the cutter blade portion in an orientation to direct at least a portion of the laser light onto a position on the workpiece that is directly beneath the cutter blade portion when the cutter blade portion is in the upper position. Alternatively, a holder has a shaft support portion, and a slide shaft is axially slidably supported by the shaft support portion. A front end of the slide shaft has a hinge holder which pivotally supports the cutting blade portion. A laser generator is fixed to a front side of the hinge holder. |
| US07793574B2 |
Machine tool
A lightweight, compact, machine tool for radially machining a surface is provided, where the machine tool includes a cutting head having a cutter movably coupled thereto, and the cutter is further coupled to a control member such that the control member can variably control radial movement of the cutter relative to the cutting head. |
| US07793573B2 |
Torque limiting driver and assembly
A torque-limiting driver. The driver comprises a handle having a housing, a drive assembly located the housing. The drive assembly comprises a drive, a drive clutch member supported by the drive shaft and secured to the housing, a camming clutch member supported by the drive shaft and interacting with and biased against the drive clutch member. The camming clutch member is coupled to the drive shaft. The housing has a first open end and a second open end. The drive assembly is locked or secured together at the first open end, and the drive assembly is connected to a tool at the second opening. |
| US07793572B2 |
Attachment for a power tool
An attachment for a power tool has a tool receptacle for receiving a tool bit, a locking unit which is detachably mountable on a housing of a power tool, an output shaft, which is connectable to a drive shaft of the power tool in a manner fixed against relative rotation, and a device for adjusting the torque. |
| US07793570B2 |
Tension locking tool
A hand tool having first and second plier units attached to one another where a jaw region is operatively configured to have a work piece to be placed therein and a handle region is configured to be used by the user of the tool to grasp the work piece. A tension member is provided to be positioned past a dead point axis so as to apply a clamping force upon the jaw member and the hand tool maintains a grip upon the work piece without continuous interaction with the user of the tool. |
| US07793568B2 |
Ratchet mechanism
A ratchet wrench assembly having a spring assembly positioned in the ratchet head. The ratchet wrench has a handle portion, a head portion with a yoke having yoke teeth, a ratchet mechanism drive body positioned in the head portion, and one or more pawls positioned in the drive body. The yoke is capable of reciprocating between movement with the pawls of the drive body operatively engaging the yoke teeth and movement with the pawls of the drive body disengaged from the yoke teeth. The spring assembly is positioned in the drive body and is capable of retaining the drive body in position when the yoke reciprocates from a first direction to a second direction. |
| US07793566B2 |
Pedal with hysteresis mechanism
A pedal system includes a housing, a pedal lever pivoted to the housing for rotation, and a hysteresis mechanism located above the pivot axis when mounted in a vehicle so that it is positioned in a protected position from environmental dirt and debris, and further is positioned in a more open region less subject to conflicting special requirements within the vehicle. The housing defines a closed end and an open end. The pedal lever is adapted to fit into the housing with the hysteresis mechanism already mounted on a free end of the pedal lever. A pivot pin extends through side walls of the housing and also through the pedal lever to retain the pedal lever in the housing, and is accessible for attachment of an electrical sensor for sensing angular position of the pedal. In one form, the hysteresis mechanism includes a pedal-mounted rub pad and a mating hysteresis-lever-mounted rub pad, at least one being a lubricant-impregnated material, both including angled mating surfaces for providing sliding hysteresis friction. |
| US07793565B2 |
Reach adjustment for a handlebar-mounted lever assembly
A reach-adjustable lever assembly that is mountable to a handlebar for actuating one of a gear-change and braking device. The lever assembly includes a lever with a finger grip pivotably connected to a housing and a reach adjust mechanism. The reach adjust mechanism includes a cam actuator and a cam. The cam actuator is rotatably supported by one of the housing and the lever. The cam is threadably connected to the cam actuator and is configured to engage the other of the housing and the lever. The cam is displaceable upon rotation of the cam actuator to pivot the lever to position the finger grip relative to the handlebar. |
| US07793562B2 |
Transmission and shift method
Transmissions in which the mechanical gear shift arrangements are replaced by electro-hydraulic operated shift mechanisms that have to be able to be neutralised positively to ensure a proper operation. An arrangement and method are provided to determine the position of the shift rail so a shift can be made only if the conditions are right. To prevent engagement of two shift members at the same time and consequent damage in case of electronic failure, mechanical safety features such as detents are included. |
| US07793560B2 |
Transmission and variable radially expanding spring clutch assembly
A transmission generally includes a shaft member having a continuous cylindrical surface portion longitudinally disposed next to a cylindrical outer surface portion interrupted by longitudinal grooves. A first gear assembly has a first clutch spring that holds a first set of rolling members between lobes that extend from a first output gear. A second gear assembly has a second clutch spring that holds a second set of rolling members between lobes that extend from a second output gear. The first gear assembly and the second gear assembly are configured to move longitudinally along the shaft member to a position where at least one of the first gear assembly and the second gear assembly is engaged for rotation with the shaft member when a value of torque at the shaft member is below a torque threshold value. |
| US07793559B2 |
Monitoring probes and methods of use
Certain disclosed embodiments provide sensing devices of the type useable to obtain measurements from a plurality of positions of a substrate, such as in a well, body of water, soil, snow pack, or ice pack. In a particular implementation, the sensing device includes a housing having a length. A plurality of digital sensors are disposed at a plurality of positions along the length of the housing. A communication bus is in communication with each of the plurality of sensors. A data collection or transmission device is in communication with the communication bus. Further implementations provide sensing devices having a housing formed from a plurality of modular sections. Sensors are disposed in at least one of the modular sections. Also disclosed are networks formed from a plurality of the disclosed devices. |
| US07793555B2 |
Apparatus and method for augmenting a coriolis meter
A correction system provides at least one of a compensated mass flow rate measurement and a compensated density measurement of a coriolis meter. The correction system includes a gas volume fraction (GVF) meter, which may include an array of strained-based or pressure sensors, to measure the speed of sound propagating through the fluid passing through the coriolis meter to calculate at least the GVF of the fluid and/or the reduced natural frequency. The calculated gas volume fraction and/or reduced frequency is provided to a processing unit for determining an improved mass flow rate and/or density for the coriolis meter. The improved density is determined using analytically derived or empirically derived density calibration models (or formulas derived therefore), which is a function of the measured natural frequency and at least one of the determined GVF, reduced frequency and speed of sound, or any combination thereof. |
| US07793551B2 |
Load sensor with shock relaxation material to protect semiconductor strain sensor
The invention provides a load sensor which is driven by a low electric power consumption, can measure at a high precision, and has a high reliability without being broken. The load sensor is structured such that a detection rod for detecting a strain is provided in an inner portion of a hole formed near a center of a pin via a shock relaxation material and a semiconductor strain sensor is provided in the detection rod, in a load sensor detecting a load applied to the pin from a strain generated in an inner portion of the pin. |
| US07793547B2 |
Self-supporting and self-aligning vibration excitator
A vibration excitator is described, comprising: a main body (2); a stinger (3) which is adapted to move relative to the main body (2), in a particular working direction; an actuator (5) coupled to the main body (2) and the stinger (3); wherein the stinger (3) has a first end (3a) that is coupled to the main body (2), and an opposite second end (3b) that is intended for attachment to an object (V) to be examined; wherein the stinger (3) has an elastic centre point (Me); wherein the main body (2) has a centre of gravity (G); and wherein L1=L3 applies, wherein L1 is the distance between the elastic centre point (Me) and the second stinger end (3b), measured along the said working direction; and wherein L3 is the distance between the centre of gravity (G) and the second stinger end (3b), measured along the said working direction. |
| US07793546B2 |
Ultrasonic flaw detection method and ultrasonic flaw detection device
An ultrasonic transmission medium is received in a medium container, and an opening of the container is sealed by a polymer membrane. An inspection object is received in an inspection object receiving container body that is separate from the medium container and whose opening is formed opposite the polymer membrane of the medium container. The opening of the inspection object receiving container body is covered by the polymer membrane of the medium container, and a measurement environment space formed by a frame body, the polymer membrane, and the inspection object is reduced in pressure to cause the polymer membrane to be in intimate contact with the inspection object. Then, flaw detection is performed by emitting and applying an ultrasonic wave from an ultrasonic probe to the inspection object via the ultrasonic transmission medium and the polymer membrane. |
| US07793542B2 |
Caddie-corner single proof mass XYZ MEMS transducer
A three-axis MEMS transducer featuring a caddie-corner proof mass comprises a planar main body portion of conductive material and a planar extra mass caddie-corner feature. The main body portion includes a width, length, and at least four side edges. An x-axis sense direction is defined from a first side edge to an opposite first side edge and a y-axis sense direction is defined from a second side edge to an opposite second side edge. The x-axis sense direction is perpendicular to the y-axis sense direction. The main body portion further includes at least two corners. The caddie-corner feature is positioned about at least one of the two corners of the main body portion. The caddie-corner feature and the main body portion comprise a single proof mass having a z-sense pivot axis disposed at an angle of ninety degrees to a diagonal extending from the caddie-corner feature to an opposite corner of the main body portion. The proof mass is configured to teeter-totter corner to corner about the z-sense pivot axis in response z-axis acceleration and/or z-axis deceleration. |
| US07793541B2 |
Planar resonator gyroscope central die attachment
Packaging techniques for planar resonator gyroscopes, such as disc resonator gyroscopes (DRGs) are disclosed. A gyroscope die may be attached to its package substrate on a central disc area that is inboard of its embedded electrodes. This configuration eliminates contact of the die with the package substrate beneath the embedded electrodes allowing the internal electrode support structure to expand or contract freely without stress as its temperature changes. The central attachment can also be used diminish the package temperature gradients on the periphery of the die, if the thermal conductivity of the central disc attachment material is higher than the package substrate. Temperature gradients across the resonator also lead to thermoelastic damping asymmetry and rate drift. In addition, the electrical connections to the die may be formed by vertical vias within the central disc attachment area or by thin wirebonds to peripheral I/O pads on the gyro chip. |
| US07793539B2 |
Electrostatic charge control for in-tank fuel module components
A grounding arrangement for an in-tank fuel system includes a fuel level sensor assembly of a fuel module comprising a conductive card body and a resister card supported on the conductive card body. The resister card includes a conductive trace in conductive contact with the conductive card body. The card body is conductively connected to a conductive fuel module component. The trace is adapted to be connected to the ground plane of a vehicle. Other traces on the resister card are in the electrical circuit of the fuel level sensor assembly. The fuel module further includes a conductive blade having a knife edge and in conductive contact with a conductive fuel module component. The knife edge cuts through the insulation of an insulated conductor to allow the knife edge to be in contact with the conductive element of the conductor. |
| US07793538B2 |
Apparatus for diagnosing abnormal operation of pressure difference detection apparatus of internal combustion engine exhaust system
A diagnostic apparatus monitors a pressure difference detection apparatus that detects the pressure difference across an engine exhaust gas cleansing device in an exhaust gas system, with the diagnostic apparatus recognizing a condition of impeded transfer of gas between the pressure difference detection apparatus and the exhaust gas system, based upon a manner of convergence of successive detected pressure difference values that are produced by the pressure difference detection apparatus following a change in the exhaust gas flow rate. |
| US07793537B2 |
Method of engine oil consumption
The disclosure is directed to a method to determine oil consumption in an internal combustion engine that does not require extended operation of the engine in the files and is adaptable to be useful at production facilities for testing of sample engines from the line without installation of the engine into a vehicle and operating the vehicle in order to determine oil consumption of the engine during operating conditions. |
| US07793536B2 |
Method to determine the composition of a fuel mixture
The invention concerns a method to determine the composition of a fuel mixture from a first and at least a second fuel for the operation of an internal combustion engine with at least one combustion chamber, wherein the first and the second fuel have different boiling points and/or different enthalpies of evaporation. Provision is thereby made for the composition of the fuel mixture to be ascertained from the pressure in the combustion chamber and/or a parameter associated with the pressure and/or the time history of the pressure and/or the time history of a parameter associated with the pressure during and/or after an injection of fuel during a compression phase of the fuel-air mixture. An advantage of the method according to the invention is that when initially starting the engine after filling the tank (fueling), the fuel mixture ratio, which resulted from the filling of the tank (fueling), can already hereby be determined. |
| US07793528B2 |
Key-operated mechanical lock
A lock operated by a corresponding key. The lock has a housing, and a keyway is formed in the housing along a keyway axis for receiving the corresponding key therein. A latch is moveable with respect to the housing between a first position, wherein the lock is secured, and a second position, wherein the lock is not secured. A permutation surface is formed on the latch, and a plurality of intermediaries are disposed within the housing. Each intermediary has a first portion engageable with the permutation surface of the latch and a second portion engageable with the corresponding key, wherein insertion of the corresponding key into the keyway selectively engages the intermediaries with the permutation surface in a predetermined sequence, thereby moving the latch from the first position to the second position. |
| US07793523B1 |
Circular knitting machine with bearing-stabilized cylinder
A retrofit to circular knitting machines that stabilizes the cylinder to reduce or eliminate wobbling or other undesired motion so that the machine can operate at a significantly higher speed. The cylinder is stabilized by a bearing system added to the knitting head of the machine. The bearing system includes a pair of tapered roller bearings, one of the bearings being disposed above the other one, and the directions of taper of the two bearings generally being opposite each other. An inner race of each bearing is affixed to the cylinder and an outer race of each bearing is affixed to a bearing housing that is secured to the stationary base plate of the knitting head. The tapered roller bearings help stabilize the cylinder so that its rotation axis remains essentially immovable and vertically oriented. |
| US07793520B2 |
Method and a machine for the production of hollow glassware articles
A bottom mold plate mechanism for glassware forming machines, for forming the bottom of a glassware article when it is embraced by a blow mold at a blow forming station. |
| US07793519B2 |
Retaining prong and setting
An improved prong for use in a retaining device such as a jewelry setting is disclosed. The prong includes a riser section, an engagement section and a lever section. The riser section may include one or more indents and a longitudinal groove to aid in engagement of an object such as a gemstone. The engagement section may include diverging tines configured to match the contour of a gemstone. The present invention also provides a jewelry setting which includes the prongs. |
| US07793518B1 |
Magnetic clothes gathering clasp
A clothes gathering clasp (10) is provided that is used for gathering and retaining a portion of a clothing garment. The clasp consists of an outside member (20) having a jewelry decorated external surface (22) and an internal surface (24) containing an imbedded a first magnet (26). A chain (40), or other flexible retainer, is attached onto the outside member on one end and to a jewelry decorated inside member (52) on the other. The inside member contains a second magnet (54) imbedded in its internal surface (52). The clasp functions by placing the outside member on an outer surface of a garment then gathering the material with the chain while placing the inside member opposite the outside member on an inner surface of the clothing garment. The portion of the garment gathered with the chain is then retained by the chain in conjunction with the opposed magnets that magnetically bind each other together through the garment material. |
| US07793513B2 |
Configurable PTAC controller with alternate temperature sensors
A refrigerant PTAC system, such as those commonly found in hotel rooms, can be selectively configured in a hardwire or wireless configuration with respect to its thermostat. The system is controlled in response to the better of two temperature sensors, which is determined based on the PTAC's configuration and the validity of the readings provided by the sensors. While the PTAC is controlled in response to a preferred temperature sensor, the alternate sensor may be monitored for diagnostics or other reasons. In the event that the preferred sensor fails to provide valid readings, the controller automatically switches to controlling the system in response to the alternate sensor. To minimize manufacturing costs and the variety of stocked parts, the PTAC's controller preferably includes two substantially identical transceivers. |
| US07793508B2 |
Modular refrigerated dryer apparatus and method
The modular arrangement of refrigerated dryers is achieved by combining refrigerated dryers in groups to produce a combined refrigerator dryer capacity. A common air inlet and/or common air outlet for the dryer is provided, along with a common controller. A cabinet to house the dryers may also be provided. |
| US07793503B2 |
Heat shield block for lining a combustion chamber wall, combustion chamber and gas turbine
The invention relates to a heat shield block, particularly for lining a combustion chamber wall, with a hot side that can be subjected to the action of hot medium and with a wall side situated opposite the hot side. A core area, which has a core material, extends inside the heat shield block from the hot side to the wall side. The core area is surrounded by an edge area with an edge material whose heat conductivity is lower than that of the core material. This targeted thermal insulation in the edge area provided in the form of a material bond between the core material and the edge material renders the heat shield block particularly unsusceptible to the formation and growth of cracks in the core area on the hot side. The invention also relates to a combustion chamber provided with heat shield blocks of the aforementioned type, and to a gas turbine provided with a combustion chamber comprising such a heat shield block. |
| US07793501B2 |
Apparatus for steam attemperation using fuel gas heater water discharge to reduce feedwater pump size
Attemperation systems and methods for cooling steam bypassed from a steam turbine during tripping of the steam turbine are provided in the disclosed embodiments. The systems may be configured to deliver water discharged from a fuel gas heater to a bypass attemperator, where the water discharged from the fuel gas heater may be used to cool the bypass steam. Before being used by the fuel gas heater, the water used to heat the fuel gas may be heated by an economizer. The water may be delivered to the economizer by an intermediate pressure stage of a boiler feedwater pump. In the disclosed embodiments, the intermediate pressure stage of the boiler feedwater pump may also be used to supply water to a re-heater attemperator, which may be used to further cool the steam after it has been delivered from the bypass attemperator to a re-heater. In addition, the intermediate pressure stage of the boiler feedwater pump may deliver water directly to the bypass attemperator as a supplemental water source. |
| US07793500B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine having motor-driven supercharger
The air flow inhaled into the internal combustion engine is calculated based on the operation state of the electric motor, the operational state of the bypass valve and the signal of the intake air flow sensor. Immediately after the bypass valve is opened when the electric motor is running, the air flow inhaled into the internal combustion engine may be calculated by acquiring the bypass air flow through the bypass passage and using the acquired bypass air flow to correct the intake air flow measured from the signal of the intake air flow sensor. Based on the calculated air flow inhaled into the internal combustion engine, control parameters which concern the output power of the internal combustion engine are adjusted. |
| US07793499B2 |
Bearing spacer and housing
An exemplary center housing rotating assembly includes a turbine wheel, a compressor wheel, a center housing with a through bore extending from a compressor end to a turbine end, a lubricant inlet and a lubricant outlet, a pair of bearings disposed at least partially in the through bore of the center housing, a bearing spacer and a shaft rotatably supported by the bearings and having a rotational axis coincident with a rotational axis of the turbine wheel and a rotational axis of the compressor wheel where the center housing includes bearing lubricant paths to direct lubricant from the lubricant inlet to the pair of bearings and a shaft lubricant path to direct lubricant from the lubricant inlet to the shaft in a manner dependent on rotational position of the bearing spacer in the through bore of the center housing. Various other exemplary devices, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US07793498B2 |
Integrated charge air cooler and exhaust gas recirculation mixer
A vehicle charge air cooler having an exhaust gas recirculation mixer integrated into the inlet, inlet manifold, outlet, or outlet manifold takes advantage of the incremental tooling opportunities associated with those components, as well as reducing the number of components and potential leak points in the exhaust gas recirculation system. |
| US07793494B2 |
Static mixer and exhaust gas treatment device
The invention relates to a static mixer for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The mixer has a wall structure that is arranged across the directional of flow in a pipe and has several layers of a corrugated sheeting material laying across one another in the direction of flow. The cells through which the flow can pass in the direction of flow are provided between the sheeting material of neighboring layers. The sheeting material has baffles for all or several of the cells. The baffles are arranged on the sheeting material so that they are arranged on their outgoing flow side in the case of said cells and extend in the direction of flow and across it. |
| US07793491B2 |
Exhaust emission purifying apparatus for engine
When concentration of reducing agent stored in reducing agent container deviates from predetermined range or when residual amount of reducing agent becomes equal to or smaller than predetermined amount, it is judged that liquid in reducing agent container is different aqueous solution or reducing agent is deficient (abnormal judgment). Upon restarting of engine operation, if abnormal judgment is made and vehicle's travel for a predetermined distance or more occurs after abnormal judgment, restarting of engine operation is inhibited. At this time, if elapsed time until restarting of engine operation is performed from stopping moment of engine operation is less than predetermined time, engine operation is judged to be unintentionally stopped, and restarting of engine operation is permitted enabling a prompt action in emergency. But, even when abnormal judgment is made, if vehicle travels a distance less than predetermined distance after abnormal judgment, restarting of engine operation is permitted enabling vehicle to travel to reducing agent replenishing point. |
| US07793488B2 |
Turbofan case and method of making
A casing for a gas turbine includes a construction providing improved structural efficiency. Improved load paths and means for transmitting loads in the engine case are disclosed. |
| US07793481B2 |
System for fabricating composite parts and aircraft composite part
The present application is directed to systems for controlling the direction of thermal expansion of a composite part during thermal processing. The systems may comprise at least one guiding mechanism capable of being attached to a surface of a tool for fabricating composites and at least one moveable composite insert capable of being attached to a composite part. The moveable composite insert has an opening for receiving the at least one guiding mechanism. The opening is capable of controlling movement of the at least one moveable composite insert in a desired direction during thermal expansion of the composite part, when the guiding mechanism is received by the opening. Methods for controlling the direction of thermal expansion of a composite part during thermal processing are also disclosed. |
| US07793479B2 |
Roof structure and method for making the same
Disclosed herein is a roof system including a roof deck, a previously existing roofing assembly upwardly adjacent to the roof deck, a foam material upwardly adjacent and in air sealing contact with the roofing assembly, a layer of reinforcing mesh embedded in the foam material, and a waterproof membrane upwardly adjacent of the foam material. |
| US07793478B2 |
Fiber reinforced polymer roof strengthening method
A method of strengthening a roof is disclosed. Preferably, the roof is first cleaned of at least some of any existing roofing materials to expose at least a portion of a roof deck, which is also preferably cleaned. A layer of high viscosity resin may then be rolled or brushed onto the roof deck. Once the roof has been adequately prepared, a plurality of strips of composite material may be provided and saturated with a low-viscosity saturating resin. Each such saturated strip is preferably long enough to fit along an entire first side of the roof, the first such strip hanging partially over the first side of the roof. Each end of the first strip also overhangs the roof. A second saturated strip is then placed generally parallel to and overlapping the first strip. The ends of this second strip likewise overhang two sides of the roof. Successive strips are saturated in the saturating resin and applied to the roof in a similar manner, until no further strips can be applied to the roof without completely covering the roof with strips. A last strip is then similarly applied to the roof, each end thereof overhanging the two opposing sides of the roof, and one long side of the strip overhanging the remaining uncovered side of the roof. Upon the saturating resin drying sufficiently to be somewhat rigid, each overhanging portion of each strip is anchored to at least one of the walls at the top portion thereof with an anchoring means. A method for using a spray-on cut fiber and resin material is also disclosed. |
| US07793474B2 |
Over-mount corner
A quoin formed of individual over-mount corner units constructed as simulated brick to match the adjoining wall panels forming the exterior cover of an exterior wall of a building is provided. The corner units are formed with a front portion configured as courses of brick separated by mortar joints joined to a rear plate that provides a support frame for the corner unit. Multiple standoffs are positioned on the rear plate opposite mortar joints formed on the front portion to provide a location for driving fasteners to mount the corner unit onto the building substructure. The overlapping nature of the corner units with respect to the wall panels allows the wall panels to be cut imprecisely at the exterior corner. The standoffs maintain a predetermined spacing between the building substructure and the rear plate to establish a channel for the drainage of moisture due to condensation or rain infiltration. |
| US07793472B2 |
Mounting assembly for adjustably mounting frame parts onto wall or into wall opening, enabling positional adjustment of frame part in multiple directions
Mounting assembly for adjustably mounting a frame part, such as for example a reveal part of a door frame or window frame or the like, onto a wall or onto a reveal wall of a wall opening. The mounting assembly comprises a holder element having attachment member on which the frame part can be attached and adjustment member for adjusting the orientation of the holder element with respect to the reveal wall, and a fixing element for fixing the holder element onto the reveal wall. The mounting assembly comprises a single fixing element which is provided for fixing the holder element on a single location to the reveal wall. The fixing element comprises a pivot which enables the holder element to pivot with respect to the reveal wall. |
| US07793471B2 |
Floating floor assembled from an array of interconnected subunits, each of which includes a stone, ceramic, or porcelain tile bonded to an injection molded polyolefin substrate
A floating floor assembled from an array of interconnected subunits, each of which includes a stone, ceramic or porcelain tile and a one-piece polymeric plastic substrate to which the stone, ceramic, or porcelain tile is bonded. Each substrate is injection molded from certain polyolefin polymers and incorporates the interlock structure and certain other features of the modular sports tiles of U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,286. The substrates of the present invention, however, differ in that each substrate incorporates a vertical stabilization system, the plastic support grid is formed by three sets of mutually intersecting walls, with each set being angularly offset from the other two by 120 degrees, and each substrate is sized to precisely fit a stone, ceramic or porcelain tile, which is accurately positioned by tile locator tabs on a pair of intersecting sides of the substrate. |
| US07793470B1 |
Deck planks
A deck plank that can be quickly assembled into a deck with a water resistant seal between adjacent deck planks to inhibit water penetration and an integral drain channel that can direct rainwater away from the deck to provide a protected region below the deck with the deck plank laterally securable to a support to each other to provide a seal therebetween that inhibits the passage of moisture therebetween as well as securement to the support. |
| US07793464B2 |
Multifunctional support for a motor vehicle door
A multifunctional support for use in a motor vehicle includes a retaining section for fastening the multifunctional support to an assembly support of a door of the motor vehicle. The multifunctional support further includes a longitudinal window guide linked with the retaining section for guiding a window pane, and fastening locations for fastening a door lock to the multifunctional support. The retaining section is linked with the window guide along a longitudinal subsection of the multifunctional support. The retaining section, in a terminal zone of the longitudinal subsection, is linked with the window guide in a substantially rigid manner and is linked with the window guide in another terminal zone of the longitudinal subsection in a flexible manner. |
| US07793463B1 |
Plantation style security shutters
A shutter assembly includes left and right shutter doors hingedly mounted between upper and lower horizontal frame members secured over an opening to be shuttered. Vertical stiles serve as the left and right frame members of each of the shutter doors. The vertical stile on the unhinged side of one of the shutter doors includes a vertical flange that engages and secures the vertical stile on the unhinged side of the other shutter door when both doors are closed and locked. The two vertical stiles framing each door retain left and right pivot strips to which a plurality of louvers are mounted for rotation. A louver tilt rod mechanism is attached to and hidden from view behind one of the vertical styles of each of the doors and operates to mechanically link the louvers for movement in concert. A wire rope is positioned longitudinally within each of the louvers to prevent a breach of the shutter assembly through attempted bending of the louvers. The wire rope acts also serves to deter sawing of the louvers by its tendency to rotate and also to bind a saw blade that contacts it. A dual shot pin latching mechanism is vertically positioned between a latch socket block and a latch actuator block mounted to the framework of the opening to be shuttered behind the upper and lower horizontal frame members, respectively, to secure the shutter doors in their closed position. |
| US07793462B1 |
Combination cemetery vase and flag holder adapter
A combination cemetery vase and flag holder adapter attaches to the mounting ring of an invertible type cemetery vase to hold the invertible vase in an upright or inverted position and has a laterally spaced smaller aperture for mounting a flagstaff and flag. The adapter has an elongate body with generally flat top and bottom surfaces, a larger aperture near a first end, and a smaller aperture near a second end. Depending lugs on the bottom surface surround the larger aperture and engage slots in the vase mounting ring secured to a gravestone surrounding an underground receptacle. Slots in the top surface and side wall of the larger aperture receive and detachably engage peripheral lugs on the base of the vase in an upright or inverted position. Slots in the top surface and side wall of the smaller aperture receive and detachably engage peripheral lugs of a collar at the bottom end of a flagstaff for supporting a flag a distance outwardly from the vase. |
| US07793461B2 |
Insect barrier with disposable adhesive media
A simple device for use with nectar type bird feeders that effectively prevents ant and other insect contamination. In several embodiments, the device uses a disposable media that is coated with a non-drying adhesive. In application the device is either placed interposed between the nectar feeder and the feeder support or is adapted to securely fit over the feeder support. The insects (primarily ants) are prevented from contaminating the feeder as they will not cross the non-drying adhesive barrier. The replaceable adhesive media inserts and/or peel away layers can be very conveniently replaced as they become contaminated or dust covered. Alternatively (for ultimate consumer convenience) the device may be made completely disposable with the non-drying adhesive applied directly to the device interior surface(s). |
| US07793458B2 |
Flyhook threader and tying apparatus
The invention is a fishhook threading device mounted on the rod of a fishing pole and utilizing opposing diverging funnel-shaped passages in the main body of the device. One passage is for mounting the eyelet of a fishhook therein while a line is threaded through the opposing passage to be guided into the eyelet of the fishhook. After the fish line is threaded through the eyelet, the end thereof can be grasped by the fingers of the fisherman to remove the hook and line from the threading device and allow any desired knot to be tied to permanently attach the fishhook to the fish line. |
| US07793455B1 |
Lubricating apparatus for a threaded rifle breech
A nozzle for lubricating an internally threaded rifle breech. The nozzle has a body containing a bore, with an inlet end adapted to receive a supply of lubricant. The body has an opposed end portion having a cylindrical wall and an enclosed free end. The cylindrical wall has a number of lubricant exit apertures. The body may be L-shaped, and the inlet may be threaded for connection to a lubricant container. The cylindrical wall of the end portion may have an external diameter less than an adjacent portion diameter, so that a shoulder is formed to limit insertion depth. A cap may be provided to cover the exit apertures so that the body may remain attached to the lubricant container. |
| US07793453B1 |
Rapidly-adjustable butt stock assembly
A rapidly-adjustable butt stock assembly comprised of a butt stock, a buffer, a slot cylinder, a key cylinder, and keys. The butt stock has a cylindrical recess with key grooves longitudinally therein for receiving the slot and key cylinders. The key cylinder is rigidly attached to the buffer. The slot cylinder has at least one longitudinal slot with a plurality of transverse slots extending therefrom. The key cylinder carries one or more keys, which keys extend through the key cylinder and the slot cylinder and into the key grooves of the butt stock. To adjust the length of the assembly, the user rotates the slot cylinder so that the keys rotate out of the transverse slots and into the longitudinal slot of the slot cylinder thus permitting the key cylinder to move axially with respect to the butt stock. |
| US07793450B2 |
Display panel and display system
A display panel (10) has a plurality of T-shaped slots (12) extending thereacross, for receiving hangers (35) for products. An insert (19) is provided for each slot (12), which insert is made of metal and has a suitable shape to permit the insert (19) to be rolled into the slot from the front face (11) of the panel (10), with only minimal deformation of the insert. A channel (24) is formed along the free edge (23) of an arcuate leg (21) of the insert (19), the channel (24) being directed outwardly whereby a corner region (33) between the outer face (11) of the panel (10) and one side of the slot (12) may locate in the channel (24), so as to secure the insert (19) in position, in the slot. |
| US07793449B2 |
Clip
A clip is described that includes a clipping part for clipping to an object, and a tab part arranged to extend from the clipping part. The tab part includes a first plastics material and a second rubber material. This allows the tab part to be marked with ink from a conventional pen. |
| US07793443B2 |
Soil fracturing tool
A soil fracturing tool includes an excavator bucket having a first side, a second side, and a bottom surface defining a soil receiving portion. The bottom surface has a leading edge toward a front of the excavator bucket. A first blade and a second blade extend downward from the bottom surface of the excavator bucket. The distance between the first blade and the second blade is substantially the same as the width of the excavator bucket. A cutting depth guide guides the depth of the first blade and the second blade. A digging depth guide guides the depth of the leading edge of the excavator bucket. |
| US07793442B2 |
Avoidance system for locating electric cables
An avoidance system for a mobile earthmoving machine is disclosed. The avoidance system includes a sensor system configured to periodically detect a position of a cable tethered from the machine within a worksite and generate a position data set in response thereto. A controller is associated with the sensor system and configured to determine a cable avoidance region based on the position data set. |
| US07793433B2 |
Individually formed footwear and a related method
Individually formed footwear such as shoes and insoles for correcting the feet position and alleviate related problems. The shoe or insole comprises at least one layer made of thermoplastic material, which material is advantageously chosen from a group of ABS, PVC, A-PET and PETG. A method for providing such footwear to a client at a retail store is likewise presented. |
| US07793426B2 |
Vented shoe assembly
A self-ventilating shoe assembly including an upper having an outer layer, a porous middle layer, and an inner layer; and a sole including an outsole; is provided with one or more passageways or chambers connecting between the outsole and the porous middle layer of the upper. One or more external vent openings are in fluid communication with the one or more passageways or chambers. Cooling ambient air is moved by convection and by a pumping action from the external vent openings through the passageways or chambers up through the porous middle layer of the upper, and optionally, the insole, providing cooling and reducing moisture in the cavity containing the wearer's foot. |
| US07793423B2 |
Piping alignment tool
A piping alignment tool suitable for locating where an extension of an existing pipe must pass through obstructions such as walls. The tool has a tubular shape with oppositely disposed ends. Each end is formed to have multiple coaxial sets of different-sized pipe threads that allow the tool to be threaded onto a pipe having one of the pipe thread sizes formed on the tool. The tool is also equipped to generate light beams from each end, so that the light beam can be emitted from an end of the tool opposite a pipe onto which the tool has been threaded. By threading the tool onto a pipe and emitting a light beam from the end of the tool opposite the pipe, the location of an obstruction beyond the existing pipe is illuminated by the emitted light beam. |
| US07793422B1 |
Archery bow site (lil bow peep)
This innovation is to provide a better aiming device for archers utilizing a single frame with all components of the aiming device attached to it. This invention gives faster sight acquisition, clearer view thru sights and eliminates bow twist. |
| US07793419B2 |
Cutting and forming tool assembly
A cutting and forming tool assembly is disclosed that cuts and forms many types of material while remaining easy to use. The tool assembly may include a cutting or forming and an underlying board. The cutting and forming tool has a drive assembly and a shaft assembly contained within a housing. The shaft assembly of the tool assembly reciprocates and at least partially rotates during each reciprocating motion. The housing may be of various shapes and configurations, such as for example egg-shaped, computer mouse-shaped, or pen-shaped. The drive shaft contains a tip that protrudes from an opening in a lower portion of the housing during at least a portion of a downward stroke of the shaft assembly. |
| US07793418B2 |
Mounting system and method for scraped surface heat exchanger blades
A blade for mounting to a scraped surface heat exchanger drive shaft by pivotal connection with a mounting pin has a blade body having a first side and a second side, and a scraper edge and a hinge edge. At least one mounting hole extends through the blade body generally proximate at the hinge edge. An L-shaped locking track protrudes into the first set of the blade, having an entry track extending from the hinge edge and an intermediate track extending from the entry track to the mounting hole. An L-shaped locking track also protruding into the second side of the blade, has an entry track extending from the hinge edge of the blade and an intermediate track extending from the entry track to and past the mounting hole. |
| US07793416B2 |
Methods for hardening pump casings
A method for manufacturing a hardened casing for a vane pump is disclosed. The method includes providing a vane pump casing; hardening the casing by (i) cleaning the casing with a high pressure fluid containing abrasive material, (ii) loading the casing in a furnace, (iii) purging the furnace with an inert gas followed by purging the furnace with ammonia, (iv) conducting a first heating of the casing in the furnace at a first temperature of about 1200° F. for a time period of about 4 hours, (v) conducting a second heating of the casing in the furnace at a second temperature of about 1000° F. for a time period of about 4 hours, and (vi) cooling the casing and purging the furnace with an inert gas before removing the casing. |
| US07793414B2 |
Methods for forming connection structures for microelectronic devices
Provided are connection structures for a microelectronic device and methods for forming the structure. A substrate is included having opposing surfaces and a plurality of holes extending through the surfaces. Also included is a plurality of electrically conductive posts. Each post extends from a base to a tip located within a corresponding hole of the substrate. An additional substrate may be provided such that the base of each post is located on a surface thereof. Additional electrically conductive posts may be provided having tips in corresponding holes of the additional substrate. Optionally, a dielectric material may be placed between the substrate and the posts. |
| US07793412B2 |
Component-embedded board fabrication method
A component-embedded board fabrication method includes detecting, before the board is covered with a first insulating layer, the actual position of a first electronic component formed on a surface of the board, calculating a displacement between the design position of the first electronic component on the surface of the board and holding the displacement as first displacement data, and correcting, based on the first displacement data, design data to be used for processing the board after the board is covered with the first insulating layer. |
| US07793408B2 |
Apparatus for transferring semiconductor chip
The apparatus for transferring the semiconductor chip includes: a holder member including a first vacuum hole connected to a vacuum line; a plate member including at least one second vacuum hole corresponding to the first vacuum hole and redistributed to edges of the plate member, the plate member combined with the holder member; and an absorption member including at least one third vacuum hole corresponding to the second vacuum hole and a groove connected to the third vacuum hole, the absorption member combined with the plate member and the holder member. |
| US07793406B2 |
Method for manufacturing a magnetic write head
A method for manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic write head having a trailing shield and with a tapered step. The method includes forming a write pole with a non-magnetic trailing gap and first and second non-magnetic side gap layers. A mask is formed having an opening over a portion of the write pole that is configured to define a non-magnetic bump. A non-magnetic bump material is deposited into the opening in a manner that defines a non-magnetic bump having a tapered front edge. A magnetic wrap around shield can then be formed over the non-magnetic bump, so that the bump forms a tapered stepped feature on the wrap-around magnetic shield. The bump location can be controlled by an electric lapping guide, which is defined to be aligned to the bump front edge. |
| US07793398B2 |
Method of removing aircraft mastic
A method of removing aircraft mastic includes contacting a cutting head with a body of aircraft mastic within a fuel tank of an aircraft, and vibrating the cutting head with a pneumatic vibrator to cut away the mastic without scratching the metal components to which the mastic is adhered. |
| US07793394B2 |
Method of producing piezoelectric actuator
A plurality of drive sections are defined by forming a plurality of slits in a plate-shaped member. Then, a plurality of piezoelectric layers are formed in the drive sections respectively by depositing particles of a piezoelectric material onto the plate-shaped member. Subsequently, after forming individual electrodes on the piezoelectric layers respectively, the drive sections are bent in a direction orthogonal to a plane direction of the plate-shaped member. Thus, there is provided a method of easily producing a piezoelectric actuator including the drive sections which are bent-shaped and on which the piezoelectric layers are formed respectively. |
| US07793390B2 |
Method of and apparatus for connecting floating covers
An apparatus for connecting pond covers, which includes a shaft having an exterior surface, a first end and a second end. An engagement profile is positioned on the exterior surface at a first end of the shaft. A cable guide is positioned in an intermediate position between the first end and the second end of the shaft, the cable guide being oriented transversely to the shaft. A cable is prevented from removal from the cable guide by the second end of the shaft. |
| US07793389B1 |
Adjustable handling apparatus
An adjustable handling apparatus comprising an object to handle and at least one detachable handle. The object comprises at least one attachment part. Each of the handles comprises one handle body or a plurality of connected handle bodies. Each handle body comprises a gripping part and at least one attachment part. Attachment parts comprise a predetermined number of engagement components. Each of handle engagement components is adapted to engage with each of predetermined object engagement components allowing the handle to be oriented about the object differently for maximum comfort. The density of the engagement components limits the number of positions the handle can be oriented about the object. Once the handle engagement components are engaged with the desired object engagement components, the handle is locked to the object automatically. The handle must be unlocked manually in order to be detached from the object. |
| US07793386B2 |
Non-retractable furniture glide
A furniture glide for installation in the leg of an article of furniture. The glide, which strongly resists removal after installation, includes a head portion having a center, a ground engaging side, and a furniture facing side, a stem disposed from the center of the furniture facing side of the head, and a plurality of truncated conical flutes, each having an angled side and a flat side and including at least one recess so as to create and define a plurality of anchor points that grip the interior side of an installation socket and effectively prohibit rotation and removal of the glide. In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the flute may be shaped eccentrically relative to the other flutes so as to accentuate its anchor points. A fin may be added to one or more of the flutes to provide auxiliary structure for resisting rotation. |
| US07793380B2 |
Exterior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle
An exterior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle has a mirror housing, a wiper motor, and a wiper arm which is driven by the wiper motor via a wiper mechanism and bears a wiper blade for cleaning a mirror surface. The wiper mechanism generates an essentially parallel reciprocating movement of the wiper blade. It is essential here to the invention that the wiper mechanism has a first L-shaped pivot arm and a second L-shaped pivot arm which are respectively mounted rotatably in a fixed position at their elbows and are mounted rotatably, at their limbs on the wiper side, on an inner parallel wiper arm. Furthermore, an outer parallel wiper arm which is connected to the inner parallel wiper arm and bears the wiper blade is arranged on the inner parallel wiper arm. The two pivot arms are driven by the wiper motor to which they are connected in terms of drive at their limbs on the drive side. |
| US07793377B2 |
Continuous adhesive roller
A device (20) for cleaning surfaces is provided utilizing a web (94) of a tackified sheet material movably secured between rollers (56, 58) on the device (20) that enable the web (94) to be moved over the surface in opposite directions. The device (20) includes a supply roller (56) and a take-up roller (58) secured to opposed ends of the web (94) of adhesive sheet material, with at least one roller (56, 58) including a biasing mechanism (82) disposed within the roller (56, 58). The web (94) can be engaged with the surface by passing over a number of idler rollers (98) positioned between the supply roller (56) and take-up roller (58). The biasing mechanism (82) is designed to bias the movement of the web (94) onto the take-up roller (58), such that the mechanism (82) can be selectively operated to advance the web (94) from the supply roller (56) to the take-up roller (58) to expose a clean section of the adhesive sheet material (94). A mechanism (41) is also connected between the rollers (56, 58) to enable the rollers (56, 58) to rotate in a synchronous manner, regardless of the amount of the web (94) that is positioned on the rollers (56, 58) to continually tension the web (94) a proper amount. |
| US07793369B2 |
Bed having a retractable side barrier movable to multiple predetermined positions
A bed is disclosed having a retractable side barrier that is retractable by moving in rotation and in translation, and that is controllable using one hand only, by means of a handle incorporated into the barrier. The barrier element is associated with a deformable-parallelogram mechanism including a deployment bar provided with a cam profile with which a latch co-operates that is actuated by a handle in order to release it from said cam profile, said latch co-operating with abutments of said cam profile to define at least one stable position for said deformable-parallelogram mechanism. |
| US07793366B2 |
Combined wall treatment and bed
A combined wall treatment and bed, that is, a unit which resembles a decorative wall treatment, such as a painting, when in the upright and stowed position, but which can be lowered to provide a comfortable bed. When the unit is in the upright and stowed position its appearance is that of a thin (4½″) wall treatment, the thickness of a large painting, and thus consumes practically no living space. A fixed component can be attached to any standard wall construction without modification; it supports the lower edge of a movable portion and defines an axis about which the movable portion pivots to provide a functional and comfortable bed. |
| US07793365B2 |
Water discharge device
Disclosed is a water discharge device (1) provided with a device body (2) and a connector (4) and adapted to be attached to a feedwater pipe (6). The water discharge device comprises fixing means (8) for fixing the device body to the connector at a given installation position. The connector has a feedwater-pipe-joining portion (4a) adapted to be joined to the feedwater pipe, and a connector-side engaging thread portion (4b), and the device body has a body-side engaging thread portion (14) positioned in such a manner as to be engaged with the connector-side engaging thread portion once during an operation of attaching the device body to the connector, and located beyond the connector-side engaging thread portion after the device body is fixed at the installation position. The water discharge device of the present invention can reliably prevent falling-off of the device body. |