最新美国发明专利第2010-10-19期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US07815295B2	Liquid discharge device A liquid discharge device includes a casing, a carriage, a discharge head, a sub tank, an energy supply device, and a controller. The casing has a space for housing a main tank. The carriage is capable of moving. The discharge head is arranged on the carriage. The sub tank is arranged on the carriage. The sub tank communicates with the discharge head. The sub tank is connected with the main tank when the carriage is located at a predetermined position. The sub tank is disconnected with the main tank when the carriage is located at positions other than the predetermined position. The energy supply device supplies energy to liquid within the main tank such that the liquid within the main tank is discharged. The controller controls the energy supply device such that the ink within the main tank is supplied to the sub tank when the carriage is located at the predetermined position. The controller controls the energy supply device such that the liquid within the main tank is discharged before the carriage arrives at the predetermined position.
US07815290B2	Inkjet printhead with paddle for ejecting ink from one of two nozzles An inkjet printhead includes a nozzle chamber structure defining a nozzle chamber. The nozzle chamber structure further defines a pair of ink ejection nozzles and an ink supply channel in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. A movable paddle is disposed within the nozzle chamber at a location between the ink ejection nozzles. An actuator is attached to the paddle and, upon actuation, can reciprocate the paddle toward and away from a first one of the ink ejection nozzles so that ink in the nozzle chamber can be ejected out through that first nozzle.
US07815285B2	Printhead having a plurality of print modes Printheads configured to operate in accordance with a plurality of print modes. For example, one of the plurality of print modes can be selected in accordance with a bit of address data received by the printhead. In an exemplary embodiment, the selection of print mode can be accomplished by switching one or more actuator (e.g., heater) circuit addresses on the printhead.
US07815283B2	Printer with a movable carriage A printer comprising a carriage, a guide rail and a print surface, the carriage being movable along the guide rail and carrying a printhead that faces the print surface and is movable in a direction normal to the plane of the print surface, wherein a stop or brake mechanism responsive to a movement of the printhead in said direction normal to the plane of the print surface is provided and adapted to stop the movement of the carriage.
US07815280B2	Liquid-discharge-failure detecting apparatus and inkjet recording apparatus A liquid-discharge-failure detecting apparatus detects a liquid discharge failure. A light-emitting element emits a beam onto a droplet of liquid discharged from a liquid-droplet-discharge surface with an optical axis of the beam making a right angle with a direction in which the droplet is discharged. A light-receiving element receives a scattered light generated by scattering of the beam by the droplet. A failure detecting unit detects the liquid discharge failure from data of the scattered light received by the light-receiving element. A distance changing unit changes a distance between the liquid-droplet-discharge surface and the optical axis of the beam based on, for example, a diameter of the droplet.
US07815279B2	Adjustment of print arrays in a printing device A method for adjusting a first and a second array relative to each other in a printing device has a carrying structure for mounting the first and second arrays. The first array has nozzles arranged in a first row substantially parallel to a first direction for forming first marks on a recording substrate. The second array has nozzles arranged in a second row substantially parallel to the first direction for forming second marks on the recording substrate. In an attainable relative position, the first and second arrays at least partially flank each other. The method includes forming a test pattern and detecting the locations of first and second test marks; determining a plurality of deviation factors for a plurality of attainable relative positions; and selecting an attainable relative position among the plurality of attainable relative positions that satisfies a selection criterion applied to the plurality of deviation factors.
US07815273B2	Fluid ejection device A fluid ejection device includes groups of firing cells, sharing a common fire signal and a common address selection mechanism, each firing cell having a drop generator for ejecting fluid and a dynamic memory addressable by the common address selection mechanism. Circuitry interfaces with the firing cells to allow the capture of data during two consecutive select cycles, then firing of all cells during a third cycle.
US07815269B2	Refrigerator A refrigerator includes a heat-insulating housing and at least one heat-insulating door fastened thereto. The door and the housing each have an outer cladding, an inner cladding, and a heat insulation layer produced therebetween by foaming and into which is introduced vacuum insulation panels on the door and/or on the housing. Vacuum insulation panels are disposed on the inner claddings of the doors and housings.
US07815268B2	Apparatus for tilting door for refrigerator Disclosed is an apparatus for tilting a door for a refrigerator. The apparatus includes: the door selectively opening and closing a storage chamber; a basket frame provided on a rear surface of the door and having a basket detachably installed on the basket frame; a tilting hinge connecting the door to the basket frame so that the door is tilted by a desired angle; and a tilting prevention pin having one end extending through a side of the tilting hinge and the other end supported by a side of the basket frame, for restricting and allowing the tilting of the door.
US07815267B1	Drawer slide closure apparatus An insert element for a drawer slide to assist in a drawer closure. A support member of generally rectangular form may be sized for positioning in a drawer slide element. A slide member may be slidably mounted on slide pins that may be attached at each end to a slide pin flange at a back end and an engagement end of the support member. A spring may be disposed on each of the slide pins intermediate the engagement end and the slide member. A shaft may be disposed at a first end in a roller slot formed longitudinally in a base of the support member and the roller slot may have a lock slot. A second end of the shaft may be disposed in a slide roller slot formed laterally in the slide member and a shaft retainer may be disposed between the support member and the slide member.
US07815261B2	Wheel cover assembly with stationary and rotating covers A dual decorative assembly for a vehicle wheel combines an outer member and an inner member that are rotatably mounted on a rotatable wheel hub. Bearings carried on the inner and outer members support the members on the hub whereby the inner member may rotate in a clock-wise or counter clock-wise direction while the outer member employs weights so that the outer member remains stationary by gravitational force to downwardly depend from the bearings. The inner member includes a flared edging over-hanging the peripheral edge of the outer member. The outer member includes a variety of cut-outs and edge scalloping for decorative purposes.
US07815258B2	Present invention relates to a vehicle seat support mechanism A vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back which are movably connected to one another by a vehicle seat support mechanism and which are also movably mounted to a support floor by said vehicle seat support mechanism, said vehicle seat being movable between a normal in-use position and a stowed position, said stowed position being located rearwards from said normal in-use position and said seat back, when said vehicle seat is in its stowed position, being located at a relatively lower height than when said vehicle seat is in said normal in-use position. When the vehicle seat is moved to its stowed position, a seat assembly can be converted from a 3-seater to a 2-seater condition for instance.
US07815253B2	Storage structure for a cover member of a sliding roof type vehicle and a vehicle provided with the same In a cover member storage structure that allows a user to manually move a folded cover member from a roof into a box in the vehicle interior, the cover member storage structure includes: a tray (30) on which a folded cover member (12) is placed; and a guide means (40) for guiding and supporting the tray (30) so that the tray (30) is moved from the first position (P1) at the rear side of the first rail (11b) to fold the cover member via a rotating position (P2) to the second position (P3) in the vehicle interior. The tray (30) is swung between the first (P1) and the second (P2) positions via a damper (37), and the guide means (40) includes: the second rails (41) along which the tray (30) is guided from the first position to the second position; and a biasing means (44) for biasing the tray (30) toward the roof position when the tray (30) is moved along the second rails (41).
US07815251B2	Under-body frame of vehicle An under-body frame of a vehicle may include a floor constituting a lower part of a vehicle, rear side frames installed at both side ends of a rear portion of the floor, mounting brackets which are installed in front of wheel arch portions of the rear side frames, respectively, and in and to which front ends of trailing arms of a rear suspension device are inserted and fixed, and/or a rear cross member installed to extend across the floor from a side of the floor to the opposite side of the floor and having both ends fixed to the mounting brackets which are installed at opposite sides, respectively. With the under-body frame, it is possible to increase fixation security of a trailing arm of a suspension device and enhance safety of inside parts of a vehicle when a rear impact occurs.
US07815249B2	Lightweight hybrid material truck hood The present invention provides a truck hood including a metal hood skin including at least an upper portion and a sidewall portion; and a frame supporting at least a portion of the metal hood skin including polymer and aluminum reinforcements. The polymer reinforcements include a front hood stiffener member positioned at a front end portion of the metal hood skin, a rear hood stiffener member positioned at a rear end portion of the metal hood skin and hood corner longitudinal members connecting the front hood stiffener member to the rear hood stiffener member. The aluminum reinforcements include front and rear frame extruded members positioned along the sidewalls of the metal hood skin and an arch extruded reinforcement positioned at the wheel arch. In one aspect of the invention, the truck hood further includes a pair of fenders formed of a metal skin that may be reinforced by a polymer fender mat.
US07815248B2	Rearward-side vehicle body structure A rearward-side body structure of a vehicle, particularly a passenger car, has two side members mutually connected by a cross member. On each vehicle side, one console is provided, which in each case covers a junction node in a flat and form-integrated manner from below, in which junction node the cross member is to be fastened to the respective side member. The console has a bearing plate, on which a subframe of the vehicle can be supported. The bearing plate has at least one passage opening through which the subframe can be screwed to the vehicle body structure.
US07815245B2	Front part structure of vehicle body A front part structure of a vehicle body is provided. A suspension frame disposed posterior to a front-side component in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. An apron side member extends in the longitudinal direction. An apron lower member extends in the longitudinal direction, connects the front-side component and the suspension frame and is disposed below the apron side member. A first shock absorbing portion is provided in a front end portion of the apron side member. A second shock absorbing portion is provided in a front end portion of the apron lower member such that the second shock absorbing portion is disposed below the first shock absorbing portion.
US07815241B2	Gooseneck hinge assembly for vehicles A gooseneck hinge assembly for a closure of a vehicle includes a body side strap adapted to be connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle and a closure side strap having a gooseneck shape adapted to be connected to a closure for closing an opening in the vehicle body. The gooseneck hinge assembly also includes a pivot pin pivotally connecting the closure side strap and the body side strap to allow rotational movement therebetween. The gooseneck hinge assembly further includes a wedge bumper interconnecting the body side strap and the closure side strap to allow the decklid to free rise to a fully open position and to dampen an impact of the closure side strap.
US07815240B2	Motor vehicle having a stowable roof A motor vehicle is provided having front and rear roof panels and which can be moved from in use to stowed positions to change the style of the motor vehicle from a two box style to a convertible or pick-up style. A stowage mechanism for the rear roof panel having two interlinked four bar linkages is disclosed which allows a small linear actuator to produce the range of displacement required to stow the rear roof panel.
US07815236B2	Vehicle seat and manufacturing method of vehicle seat Disclosed is a vehicle rear seat whose seat back is foldable forwardly, comprising a seat back frame, a seat cushion frame, and a unit connected to the seat back frame and the seat cushion frame. The unit connected to the seat cushion frame comprises a pair of bases to be fixed to the vehicle body, an arm to be secured to the seat back frame, a hinge to connect the arm pivotally to one of the pair of bases, and a connecting bracket for connecting the base and the hinge. This configuration accomplishes shortened design time for vehicle seats with numerous variations.
US07815233B2	Door closure assist assemblies Door closure assist assemblies that assist in providing a final closing motion generally includes an extender portion comprised of an active material adapted to linearly expand in response to an activation signal and a releasable fastener having one component in movable communication with the extender portion and a second component attached to the other selected one of the door and doorframe. During operation, the door closure assist assembly provides the final closing action.
US07815232B2	Door closure assist assemblies Door closure assist assemblies that assist in providing a final closing motion generally includes an extender portion comprised of an active material adapted to linearly expand in response to an activation signal and a releasable fastener having one component in movable communication with the extender portion and a second component attached to the other selected one of the door and doorframe. During operation, the door closure assist assembly provides the final closing action.
US07815227B2	Latching mechanism An exemplary latching mechanism (20) includes a base (22) having two resilient claps (224), a detachable portion (24) having two resilient clasps (244) for engaging with the hooking portions of the base, and an unlatching element (25). The unlatching element defines two engaging slots (258) and is disposed between the base and the detachable portion. The resilient clasps of the detachable portion engage with the hooking portions of the base when the detachable portion is pressed to be latched to the base. The resilient clasps engage in the engaging slots of the unlatching element when the detachable portion is pressed to be detached from the base. Then the detachable portion and the unlatching element together move away from the base. The engagement of the detachable portion and unlatching element makes the at least one resilient clasp deforms and thus disengages from the at least one hooking portion of the base.
US07815226B2	Fitting for metal pipe and tubing A tube fitting that uses only two components, namely a fitting body and a fitting nut. The nut and body are adapted to be threadably coupled together by relative rotation therebetween. The nut includes an integral tube gripping ring that cooperates with a camming surface on the body when the fitting is made-up. The camming surface preferably has a steep camming angle. The ring is radially compressed against the tube outer wall to form a seal and a tight tube grip. The ring also forms a line contact-type seal against the camming surface. The ring is designed to have a hinging action and to plastically deform during pull-up to embed into the tubing for excellent tube grip, and an axially adjacent swage or collet zone that isolates any stress riser resulting from the embedding action from vibration effects. The fitting components, and particularly the ring, may be case hardened. The fitting may include a self-gauging feature to indicate sufficient pull-up and to prevent excessive pull-up. Also provided is a single ferrule tube fitting that uses a steep camming surface and has a hardness ratio that is at least about 3.3 times the hardness of the stainless steel tube end on the Vickers scale.
US07815221B2	GTank-LC and Mini-GTank-LC The GTank-LC & Mini-GTank-LC ‘Gtank’ is a supplemental fuel storage/delivery system that connects to and becomes an integral part of the existing fuel storage/delivery system of the Suzuki Intruder 1500 LC, increasing its capacity by between 2.0 and 2.5 gallons all the while not disrupting the normal fuel flow or intended operation of the ‘motorcycle’. This invention allows the operator to select fuel from either the existing fuel storage tank/cell or the new fuel storage tank/cell from either ‘Gtank’ during normal operation of the ‘motorcycle’ without disruption or adversely affecting its use.
US07815220B2	Tilting and telescoping steering column assembly A steering column assembly for a vehicle comprising an intermediate assembly which is slideably disposed within a lower assembly so that the intermediate assembly may be moved between an extended and a retracted position. Further, the steering column assembly contains an upper assembly which is pivotally coupled to one end of the intermediate assembly so as to permit the upper assembly to move about a pivot point. The upper assembly further contains a locking assembly which is interconnected between the lower assembly, the intermediate assembly and the upper assembly so that the lower, intermediate and upper assemblies may be locked relative to each other in a selected position when the locking assembly is placed and retained in a first position and permitted to move when said locking assembly is placed and retained in a second position.
US07815218B2	Vehicle-occupant restraint system A vehicle-occupant restraint system 20 is provided in that gas of an inflator is introduced into a lap belt inflatable part from an end of the lap belt, and the installation of the end of the lap belt and the inflator to a vehicle side member is simplified. The vehicle-occupant restraint system 20 includes webbing 21 routed along the front of an occupant sitting on a seat 10, an inflatable lap bag 22 constituting the front end portion of a lap belt portion of the webbing 21, an inflator 23 for inflating the lap bag 22, an anchor 24 for attaching the front end of the lap bag 22 to the vehicle side member, and a retractor 25 for retracting the rear end of the webbing 21. The front end of the lap bag 22 is attached to a B pillar 30 serving as the vehicle side member via the anchor 24, so that the installation of the lap belt onto the vehicle side member is simplified, reducing cost.
US07815217B2	Interior structure of vehicle equipped with curtain airbag There is provided a slant face at an upper portion of a seatbelt anchor. The slant face is formed in such a manner that its lower portion is located inward. There is provided an uneven portion that is formed near an upper edge portion of the seatbelt anchor so as to overhang. Accordingly, the curtain airbag can be prevented from catching on the seatbelt anchor even if the curtain airbag inflates downward contacting the inner face of the center pillar during its inflation.
US07815216B2	Bracket for use in curtain airbag and curtain airbag apparatus A curtain airbag having an attaching piece at an edge portion is attached to a vehicle body through a bracket. The bracket includes a plate portion, and a plurality of airbag-attaching portions attached to the plate portion for attaching the attaching piece. The attaching piece of the curtain airbag is selectively attached to one of the plurality of airbag-attaching portions.
US07815215B1	Multipurpose work site utility carrier This disclosure describes a work site utility carrier that configures as a dolly or hand truck in its retracted mode and a work bench in its elevated mode. Pivoting arm pairs enable the carrier's lower and upper receptacles to be transitioned between modes. Two “wheelbarrow” handles are pivotally attached at the lower outer end of the upper receptacle. When oriented at right angles to the upper receptacle bottom, the handles lessen the effort needed to maneuver the carrier. In a “semi-inclined” position the carrier rests in part on the handle outer ends, with much of the mass of the upper receptacle already elevated. Full elevation is facilitated by moving the lower receptacle toward the handle outer ends which act as brakes to keep the carrier stationary during the elevation.
US07815210B1	Trailer hitch assembly The present trailer hitch assembly addresses the problem of lost tongue weight support and towing capacity when a person adds an extension to a trailer hitch for adding a slide-in camper to a truck or for moving a trailer back a little to increase the turning radius. Generally, when such an extension is utilized, the towing capacity of the vehicle to which the extension is attached is downgraded, due to the lengthening of the overall trailer hitch assembly and lack of structural support. Disclosed herein is a trailer hitch assembly that addresses this problem by providing extra structural support to boost this lack of structural support.
US07815209B2	Verticalizing chair with control means for controlling the angle of the foot rest in vertical position The invention concerns a standing wheelchair for handicapped and invalid people, that includes a chassis supporting an articulated structure which includes a seat support structure, a footrest support structure, a backrest support structure, and support and maneuvering resources of the articulated structure. The support and maneuvering resources are located between the articulated structure and the chassis and which are designed to move the articulated structure from a sitting position to a standing position set back in relation to the sitting position, and vice versa. According to the invention, the standing wheelchair includes resources for setting the angle (α) between the footrest and the seat in the standing position.
US07815199B2	Speed dependent control for dual air spring configuration An air suspension system is configured to maintain a desired vehicle comfort ride level as a function of vehicle speed. The air suspension system includes a plurality of air spring assemblies that each include a piston airbag and a primary airbag mounted around the piston airbag. A first set of the air spring assemblies is tuned to a first ride rate and a second set of the air spring assemblies is tuned to a second ride rate. Pressure is continuously varied within the first and second sets of air springs to maintain a first predetermined ride rate difference between the first ride rate and the second ride rate under a low vehicle speed condition and to maintain a second predetermined ride rate difference between the first ride rate and the second ride rate under a high vehicle speed condition.
US07815196B2	Magnetic seal assembly The technical field of the invention relates to magnetic sealing devices used for transfer of torque involving rotating parts. Industries that deal in chemicals and pharmaceutics have a requirement to mix materials such as gases and liquids. This is carried out by mixers and agitators and similar other equipment. All devices involve a shaft that comes out of the body of the equipment, that is to say it pierces the equipment. The location at which the shaft enters the equipment is a potential point of leakage. One of the technical problems that the present invention tackles is that of providing a secure sealing that will reduce leakage. The magnetic seal assembly disclosed in the present invention provides a magnetic sealing device that gives a safe, trouble-free, robust, and leak-proof contactless seal for agitator drives and similar equipment used for industrial scale applications. The device disclosed in the present invention is used for transferring torque in industrial scale agitators wherein large volumes of liquid can be treated without leakage.
US07815194B2	Mechanical seal and mechanical seal device A mechanical seal 4 includes a rotary sealing ring 8 which is fixed to a rotary shaft body 2 and a stationary sealing ring 9 which is movably held to a tubular case body 1 in an axial direction thereof, and seals a space between inner and outer peripheral areas 5 and 18 of a relative rotation portion by means of the relative rotation of opposite end faces 21 and 27 of both sealing rings 8 and 9. A drive pin 24a which is engaged with a recessed portion 23 formed in an outer periphery of the stationary sealing ring 9 is fixedly supported to the case body 1 at both sides of a place engaging with the recessed portion 23 so as to prevent the stationary sealing ring 9 from rotating relatively to the case body 1. The drive pin 24a is made of a metal or plastic material according to the conditions of use. The rotary prevention function of the stationary sealing ring 9 is stably achieved by the drive pin 24a, and the plastic material that enables to prevent a contamination may be used as the constituting material of the drive pin 24a.
US07815192B1	Military target system A target system having a base, a stationary member inclined from the base and having a cap, a rotating tube having a cap and positioned over the stationary tube, a bearing between the caps of the stationary member and the rotating tube to permit substantially free rotation of the rotating tube, and a plurality of target sides secured to the rotating tube, with impact of a fired round onto one of the target sides initiating movement of the rotating tube relative to the stationary member.
US07815189B1	Playing card game accessories kit This patent discloses a playing card game accessories kit. The kit may include a playing card handler, a gunfighter figurine, a card deck, an advanced card deck, a card cover, chips, and a game card rules book that may provide instructions on how to play continuous draw poker. The playing card handler may include a housing, a controls areas supported by the housing, a distribution area supported by the housing and positioned adjacent to the controls area, and electrical components such as a memory and processor. The controls area may include a two-screen monitor and control keys. The distribution area may include a distribution area divided into a deck tray and a card tray. Arranged rollers may pass cards between the deck tray and card tray. A bridge having a mode screen may divide the deck tray and a card tray.
US07815188B2	Gaming machine An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can provide more surprises and greater fun and increase interest in game playing while being distinct from other models by adding a wide variety of representation by moving devices to specific symbols presented on the reels.The present invention provide a gaming machine that can provide more surprises and greater fun and increase interest in game playing while being distinct from other models by adding a wide variety of visual representations by moving device to part of symbols presented on the reels.
US07815187B2	Roulette board and method for controlling the same A roulette board includes: a roulette wheel on which a plurality of symbols are arranged in a circumferential direction of the roulette wheel; a plurality of ball reception portions that are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the symbols, the ball reception portions being configured to receive a ball that rolls on the roulette wheel; a banked passage that is endlessly provided along an outer circumference of the roulette wheel, and allows the ball to roll in a circumferential orbit; and a ball discharging mechanism that is provided with a ball discharging member and discharges the ball received in one of the ball reception portions toward the banked passage by bringing the ball discharging member into contact with the ball.
US07815186B2	Cartridge A cartridge includes a base, a tray and a latching element. The base has a boss. The tray is slidably mounted on the base. The base has a cartridge spring corresponding to the tray. The cartridge spring provides the tray a resilient force. The latching element has an eccentric hole that receives the boss of the base. A spring connects the latching element to the base so that the latching element can secure the tray to the base or release the tray from the base. It enhances the retaining of the tray so that even when the cartridge is impacted by an external force, the tray can still be kept closed. The cartridge of the invention provides advantages such as being highly stable, having fewer components, is easy to assemble, and costs less than prior art models.
US07815185B2	Device for optimally selecting mailpieces A mailpiece selector device for separating mailpieces one-by-one from a stack of mailpieces and for transporting them downstream. The mailpiece selector device includes a first guide cooperating with a plurality of opposite selector rollers to select the mailpieces one-by-one and for transporting them downstream. The first guide is able to pivot about a pivot axis in opposition to first resilient return and the first guide has a reference plate designed to cooperate with a magnet that is secured to a framework of the device to prevent the first guide from pivoting in this way below a predetermined mailpiece thickness.
US07815180B2	Device for manufacturing thread-stitched book blocks which comprise folded printed sheets A device for manufacturing thread-stitched book blocks which comprise folded printed sheets has a conveying apparatus which transports the printed sheets astride a stitching saddle into a stitching position and to which the printed sheets are fed. A stitching apparatus is arranged at a lateral spacing from the stitching saddle which can be driven in an oscillating manner and can be supplied with printed sheets by the stitching saddle. The conveying apparatus is controlled in order to change the conveying speed and/or the stitching position of the printed sheets on the stitching saddle, in that the conveying apparatus is drive-connected to a controlled-rotation electric motor which is controlled by a computer-connected controller.
US07815179B2	Sheet finishing apparatus and control method A sheet finishing apparatus includes a punch unit to punch a sheet, and a saddle unit to bundle and to fold the sheets. A position and an inclination angle of a puncher are changed according to a skew amount of the sheet, the puncher is controlled to form punch holes in the sheet at positions symmetric with respect to a folding line, and punching is performed so that an interval between the folding line and the punch hole becomes small at the inside of a bundle of the sheets and becomes large at the front cover side.
US07815178B1	Clamping machine A device allowing essentially simultaneous clamping of at least two clamps, that may have different clamping strengths and/or clearance capacities.
US07815176B2	Lock mechanism for pin clamp assembly A pin clamp assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing, a locating pin, a body, and first and second locks. The locating pin extends from the housing. The body extends from the locating pin. At least a portion of the body is located interior of the housing. The body and locating pin are movable with respect to the housing. The first lock is located on the body and the second lock is configured to selectively couple with the first lock. Selective coupling of the locks prevent the body from moving.
US07815175B2	Increased and variable force and multi-speed clamps A method of operating a clamp that includes a first clamping jaw, a support element to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a trigger handle pivotably mounted to a clamp body. The method includes actuating the trigger handle causing the first clamping jaw to experience incremental motion and varying the incremental motion as a function of a load encountered by the support element by varying an effective lever arm of the trigger handle by moving a fulcrum point into contact or out of contact with the trigger handle based on the load.
US07815173B2	Cooler A cooler includes a body, a water tank installed in the body for storing cooling water, a pump fixed in the water tank, a water pipe connected to the pump and extending upward, a spray pipe connected to the water pipe, at least one gas cooling device located above the spray pipe, at least one fan fixed on top of the body, at least one wind hole formed in a side of the body, at least one cooling pipe uprightly installed in the body and having an upper portion passing through heat-dispersing chips of the gas cooling device and a lower portion passing through heat-dispersing chips of the water cooling device, and at least one water-heat exchanger below the spray pipe and having a heat-dispersing element. The cooler has two stages of cooling by air and water, having a high effect of swift cooling high temperature to low temperature.
US07815172B2	Wastewater treatment system and method of using same A wastewater treatment system, comprising a tank and an elongate draft tube. The tank comprises a bottom and at least one partition wall extending short of a tank curved turning wall to form at least a pair of channels for movement of a volume of a liquid. The elongate draft tube is at least partially submerged beneath the liquid and is rotated about its longitudinal axis for orbitally moving the liquid through the at least a pair of channels of the tank in a fixed direction. A process for treating wastewater is also provided.
US07815163B2	Design of a noise suppression wedge for a butterfly outflow valve A noise suppression wedge for a butterfly valve comprises a wedge-shaped structure having a plurality of fingers and a plurality of slots. The noise suppression wedge is positioned in contact with the butterfly plate and reduces noise by disrupting the flow through the valve.
US07815162B2	Valve arrangement The invention concerns a valve arrangement (1) with a housing (2), an inlet connection (3) and an outlet connection (4), which are connected with each other via a flow path, in which is located a dosing device (5), which has a valve seat (7) and a valve element (6) interacting with the valve seat (7), the valve element (6) being loaded in the direction of the valve seat (7) by a resetting device (8) and being acted upon on the side facing the valve seat (7) by a pressure in a first pressure chamber (9), said pressure corresponding to the pressure in the inlet connection (3), when the dosing device (5) is dosed, and on the side facing away from the valve seat (7) by the pressure in a second pressure chamber (11), which is connected with the outlet connection (4) via a channel arrangement (14), in which is located at least one auxiliary valve (15), and with the first pressure chamber (9) via a throttle (13). It is endeavoured to reliably ensure that the closing device (5) opens. For this purpose, it is provided that the channel arrangement (14) ends in a suction nozzle arrangement (18), which is located in the flow path.
US07815161B2	Compact valve A compact valve using a shape memory alloy comprises: a moving valve body that contacts an inner periphery of a guide pipe having an built-in orifice, is freely movable and has a sealing portion to seal the orifice; a biasing coil provided between the orifice and the moving valve body; and a wire formed of a shape memory alloy and held between a stationary electrode of the guide pipe and a moving electrode of the moving valve body. The orifice is sealed by moving the moving valve body due to transformation of the shape memory alloy by heating the wire. The moving valve body is enabled to be elastically deformable by providing a coil spring to reduce a stress, so that an overload to the moving valve body due to contraction of the wire is absorbed by elastic deformation of the moving valve body. Thereby, the overload to the shape memory alloy is reduced to prevent deterioration of repeatability of memorized shape, to increase durability and reliability of the valve.
US07815159B2	Vehicle seat sliding apparatus A vehicle seat sliding apparatus includes a first rail adapted to be fixed to any one of a vehicle floor and a seat; and a second rail adapted to be fixed to the other one of the vehicle floor and the seat. The second rail includes an in-rail functional portion formed at an end portion of the first rail in terms of the longitudinal direction so as to project into an internal space formed by the first rail to achieve a predetermined function; a recessed portion formed around the in-rail functional portion in association with the formation of the in-rail functional portion; and a protector adapted to be mounted on an end portion of the first rail in terms of the longitudinal direction and cover the end portion thereof. The protector is formed with a projection adapted to fit the recessed portion to couple the protector and the first rail.
US07815154B2	Supporting device for display unit A supporting device for a display unit for rotating a display screen to be oriented vertically. The supporting device includes a fixed member mounted on a base, an elevating member secured to the fixed member to be lifted or lowered, a pivot bracket rotatably coupled to an upper end of the elevating member while being secured to a rear surface of the display unit, an operating lever having an upper portion rotatably coupled to the upper end of the elevating member, a holder formed at the fixed member to allow the operating lever to be caught therein when being rotated rearward in a lifted state of the elevating member, a horizontally movable member secured to the upper end of the elevating member, and a cam portion formed at the pivot bracket.
US07815153B2	Leaf catcher A device for funneling leaves into a bag, preferably used in conjunction with a leaf blower. The device includes a plurality of panels that define a passageway and two forwardly extending arms that define an intake area adjacent an entrance to the passageway. A bag is removably affixed adjacent to the exit of the passageway for receiving leaves and other objects blown therethrough. A ramp in the passageway induces circulating airflow in the bag. Additionally, the arms induce a corkscrew airflow and facilitate improved performance in directing objects through the passageway. The plurality of panels that make up the leaf catcher are preferably collapsible into a substantially flat configuration for ease of transport and storage. Further, the construction of the leaf catcher enables easy set up and take down when manipulating the panels from a folded to a operational configuration and vice versa.
US07815151B2	Method and system for a track signaling system without insulated joints In a railroad track system that provides for communications through a track rail without insulated joints between a specific transmitter and a specific receiver when a plurality of transmitters and a plurality of receivers are communicating using the track rail, a method including emitting a unique signal from the specific transmitter during a specific time. The unique signal is transmitted through a railway rail, which is without an insulated joint between successive rails and is the medium through which the unique signal travels, wherein the unique signal is detectable but not readable by the plurality of receiver. The specific receiver is activated to read the unique signal during the specific time.
US07815148B2	Fuel system for an aircraft including a fuel tank inerting system A fuel system for an aircraft is disclosed. The fuel system comprises a fuel tank and a fuel reformer for receiving fuel from the fuel tank. The system includes a hydrogen fuel cell array for receiving hydrogen from the fuel reformer. The system further includes mechanism for providing an inerting gas from the fuel system to the fuel tank.
US07815142B2	Taping head lock Apparatus and systems provide for the securing of a tape roll on a cable wrapping machine. According to various embodiments, a taping head locking device for securing a tape roll to a taping head of the cable wrapping machine includes a locking device body with at least one aperture. The locking device body includes a surface implement on an inner surface for engaging a surface implement on an outer surface of the taping head. The aperture guides and secures a taping pad penetrating device through the locking device body and into an adjacent tape pad of the tape roll. The locking device body may include two segments pivotally connected at one end of each segment, with a locking mechanism at opposing ends of the segments, allowing for an open configuration to facilitate installation and a closed configuration to secure the taping head locking device on the taping head.
US07815141B2	Filament winding apparatus A filament winding apparatus that efficiently and orderly winds a fiber bundle with respect to a mandrel in a short period of time. A supporting board supports the mandrel, and a helical winding head supplies and guides the fiber bundle towards the mandrel. The helical winding head includes a group of guide tubes radially arranged on a circumferential surface of a guide ring, and a tube operation mechanism that reciprocates the guide tube along a tube axis center direction. The guide tube is moved closer to a circumferential surface of the dome part when the guide tube is facing a dome part of the mandrel such that the distance between the winding position of the fiber bundle and the guide tube at the dome part can be reduced, and the fiber bundle is orderly wound according to an appropriate winding trajectory.
US07815140B2	Recording tape cartridge A magnetic tape cartridge containing a tape reel to which a magnetic tape with a leader pin attached to a leading end is wound is equipped with a leader pin retaining structure for safe and secure retention of the leader pin immediately behind a tape egress/ingress opening. The leader pin retaining structure comprises a retainer member having resilient arms and a leader pin support for supporting the retainer member so as to place tail end portions of the resilient arms across end collars of the leader pin received in sockets provided adjacent to the tape egress/ingress opening, wherein the leader pin support resiliently urges and bends the resilient arms so as to retain the end collars of the leader pin by the tail end portions of the resilient arms, respectively.
US07815139B2	Fly reel A fly reel is disclosed, which comprises an improved drag apparatus which includes a drag knob which is rotatably engaged to an outer side of the center shaft; a drag spindle which is spaced apart from the drag knob and is rotatably inserted into an outer side of the center shaft; a braking member which is limits a rotation of the drag spindle on the center shaft depending on a movement that the drag knob moves in an axial direction of the center shaft; an one-way bearing which is inserted into an outer side of the drag spindle and in which one direction rotation of the same is permitted, and the other direction rotation of the same is not permitted; and a drag cover which is rotatably inserted into an outer side of the center shaft and rotates by a rotation operation of the spool and allows the one-way bearing to rotate when the spool rotates, wherein the center shaft includes a flange provided on an outer side of the same for limiting an axial direction movement of the drag spindle.
US07815137B1	Bait casting reel A fishing reel is provided having a pair of opposed sidewalls with a spool holding fishing line rotatably supported between the sidewalls. The spool is freely rotatable in a first direction to release fishing line from the bottom portion of the spool, and is mechanically rotatable in a second direction opposite to the first direction to retrieve the fishing line and to wind the line back onto the spool. A handle crank is provided for imparting rotation to the spool in the second direction by rotation of the crank in the same, second direction.
US07815134B2	System and method for controlling water flow in a food waste handling system A control system for minimizing overall water use in a food waste handling system while maximizing flow rate when needed by controlling a flow of water into the handling system based on or in response to a physical presence of an operator. The control system substantially automatically senses, detects, or otherwise determines the presence of the operator, wherein such presence is assumptively associated with use of the waste handling system (i.e., the deposition of waste thereinto), and, in response to said presence, automatically controls the flow of water accordingly and for a pre-established period of time following cessation of said presence in order to facilitate the on-going handling process.
US07815133B2	Method for controlling process parameters of a cone crusher A crushing and reducing device, especially cone crushers, used in the building and ore-dressing industries. A method includes providing a crusher with proximity sensors and a disc rigidly secured to the unbalanced-mass vibration generator of the crusher such that the plane thereof is always perpendicular to the rotation axis of the vibration generator. The method includes measuring a distance to the disc, calculating the three-dimensional position of the disc plane, calculating the amplitude of the circular vibrations of the internal cone according to the position, calculating the size of a crushing gap according to the calculated amplitude, comparing the size with the specified parameter of the gap and, if required based on comparison results, outputting a control command to hydraulic cylinders to modify the position of an adjustment ring. The adjustment ring position is controlled by a proximity sensor which is mounted on the flange of a body top part.
US07815123B2	Sterile medication identification delivery and application system This disclosure is directed towards a method and apparatus provided for improved sterile labeling on medications, solutions and medical supplies. The apparatus includes a sterile label, including associated corresponding medical product information. The sterile label is contained inside a sterile cavity housing which is formed from a first and second sheet of flexible plastic or other material. The flexible plastic material is bound together along its peripheral edges by an adhesive or heat sealing process. In this form, the flexible plastic or other material creates a package which may be peeled apart, enabling the label to be delivered or flipped to a sterile field while maintaining sterility. The label may contain on it many types of information corresponding to a medication. Furthermore, information can be added by a user. The disclosure makes the medication labeling system more accurate, safe and legible.
US07815118B2	Method, diaphragms and optical receiving devices for improving the depth of field in a linear optical code reader A method for improving the depth of field in the detection of a linear optical code includes simultaneously forming two or more overlapped equally focused but differently diaphragmed in phase images of an optical code onto a linear sensor. Diaphragms and optical receiving devices suitable to implement the method are described.
US07815117B2	Method and apparatus for counterfeiting protection The disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for protecting against counterfeit products and for methods and apparatus for providing counterfeiting protection for an object. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: (a) accessing an object including an identifying mark having a first portion and a second portion wherein said second portion includes an encrypted feature; (b) reading the first portion to thereby obtain a first set of information; (c) transmitting the first set of information to a remote location; (d) receiving from the remote location a second set of information; and (e) reading the second portion using the second set of information to thereby determine the authenticity of the object.
US07815115B2	Method of determining a fire guidance solution A method of determining a firing guidance solution when relative movement exists between a projectile-firing weapon and a target object that is to be hit, including the steps of adjusting the weapon in azimuth angle and elevation angle, by means of a movement differential equation solution method determining a projectile point of impact and flight times at prescribed azimuth and elevation angle values in view of the ammunition used and external influences, varying the azimuth and elevation angles, as input parameters of the movement differential equation solution method, until a firing guidance solution is found, taking into consideration the weapon and target object speeds, providing a function J (α, ε) that assumes a particular value J* when the azimuth and elevation angles represent a firing guidance solution, and selectively iteratively varying the azimuth and elevation angles using mathematical processes such that the particular value J* is found.
US07815112B2	Secure parcel delivery in the absence of the intended recipient Systems and methods are disclosed for securely delivering a parcel when the intended recipient is not present to take physical possession of the parcel. Parcel delivery companies assign a unique tracking number to each parcel. The tracking number is enabled as an access code which, when input by a delivery person, unlocks a secured area such that the parcel can be placed inside.
US07815107B2	Payment program for use in point-of-sale transactions In some embodiments, the present application relates to card-free programs provided by a merchant to a customer, whereby the customer has access to functions such as payment options and/or loyalty program benefits without needing to present a physical card at a point of sale. For example, a customer may make a card-free purchase of goods or services from a merchant, whereby the customer need not present a card such as a debit card, credit card, loyalty card, or other physical tender to make a purchase. Further, the customer need not provide biometric data or otherwise use an electronic device or identifier to make a purchase. Alternatively or additionally, the customer may access a loyalty program without needing to provide a physical card or data associated with a card.
US07815105B1	Cash dispensing automated banking machine deposit printing system and method An automated banking machine which dispenses cash and includes a mechanism for accepting deposited items. Deposited items may be provided to the machine in envelopes which are first passed to a user from an envelope storage area (132) in the machine through a transport (124) and which are presented to the user through an opening (244). A user may thereafter include deposit items in the dispensed envelope. The deposited items are passed through the opening (244) and are deposited in a deposit-holding container (128). The deposited items may be marked by an inkjet printer with indicia corresponding to the transaction or properties of the deposited item. The operation of the printer is caused by a controller (56) which controls the operation responsive to one or more environmental parameters.
US07815104B2	Automated banking machine A cash dispensing automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (12) including an opening (20). Users of the machine deliver individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine through the opening. Stacks of sheets may include sheets such as notes, checks or other documents. Stacks input to the machine may include mixtures of various types of sheets. The machine operates to receive notes, process checks and perform other operations. Notes received in the machine may be recycled and dispensed to other users. Checks processed by the machine may be imaged by an imaging device, cancelled and stored in the machine or alternatively returned to a user.
US07815103B2	Method of and system for prediction of the state of health of an apparatus A method is describe of predicting the probable future condition of one or more components within an apparatus comprising a plurality of sensors arranged to monitor the operation of components of the apparatus and a control means arranged to receive said information from said plurality of sensors. The method comprises receiving said sensor information; analyzing the information to ascertain sensor patterns from said sensor information; comparing said sensor patterns with detectors, which are predefined patterns, indicative of the future condition of said one or more components within the apparatus; and classifying said sensor patterns as being indicative of future failure of a component or not based upon a comparison of sensor patterns with said detectors.
US07815100B2	System and method of owner application control of electronic devices Systems and methods of owner application control of an electronic device are provided. Owner application control information is stored on the electronic device and/or one or more remote servers. Owner application control information is consulted to determine if one or more required applications are available for execution on the electronic device. If not, one or more required applications not available are downloaded and installed. This could be in a manner transparent to the user of the electronic device. If one or more required applications are not available on the electronic device, the device can be functionally disabled in whole, or in part, until one or more required applications are available.
US07815099B2	Reusable envelope structures and methods The present invention provides reusable envelope structures that also provide advertising, promotional or other correspondence functions as well as methods of use thereof. In preferred aspects, the present invention provides envelope structures in which a single envelope structure can provide multiple uses. A reusable envelope structure in accordance with the present invention comprises a reusable flap and a removable portion that may comprise a coupon or similar advertising, promotional or correspondence device. An envelope in accordance with the present invention is designed so that removal of the removable portion also functions to open the envelope a first time by the reusable flap. The envelope can be reused by closing the envelope a second time with the reusable flap.
US07815089B2	Fastener gun A fastener gun includes a housing having a plunger and a power spring for driving a fastener into a workpiece, and a trigger arm pivotally attached to the housing at a trigger pivot. One end of the trigger arm lifts the plunger to bias the power spring when the trigger arm pivots in a first direction toward the housing. A member contacting the trigger arm is provided that moves away from the trigger pivot as the handle moves toward the housing, so that force is applied at different locations on the trigger arm when the handle is squeezed, increasing the mechanical advantage of using the fastener gun.
US07815088B2	Hand-held drive-in tool A hand-held drive-in tool for driving fastening elements in a workpiece and including a guide (12), a drive-in ram (13) displaceable in the guide (12) for driving a fastening element in, a drive-in unit (30) for driving the drive-in ram (13) and including at least one first drive spring (31) and at least one second drive spring (32) having respectively, opposite first and a second expansion directions (37, 38), and a tensioning device for preloading the drive-in ram (13) and the first drive spring (31).
US07815086B2	Nailing machine A nailing machine is provided with a nailing machine body 1 in which a contact arm 16 is arranged so as to slide along a nose portion 10, and a plurality of contact noses 2(3) having different inside diameters. The contact noses 2(3) can be mounted to and dismounted from a lower end of the contact arm 16, and nails having different diameters can be used by exchanging the contact noses 2(3). The inside diameter of the nose portion 10 is so formed as to fit to a large nail 21 having the largest head diameter among the nails to be used. A diameter of a driver 5 is so formed as to fit to the contact nose 2(3) for a small nail 22 having the smallest head diameter. A conical pipe portion 25 which is upwardly enlarged in diameter for guiding a nail tip is formed in an upper part of the contact nose 2(3). An upper end of this conical pipe portion 25 is so formed as to have a larger diameter than that of the nose portion 10.
US07815084B2	Ready-to-ride bicycle carrier assembly A ready-to-ride bicycle carrier assembly. The ready-to-ride bicycle assembly includes a frame having a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion of the frame includes a wheel well configured to support a first wheel of the bicycle. A wheel holder is located at the rear portion of the frame and is configured to support a second wheel of the bicycle. An arm is pivotably connected to the frame, and a gripping member is selectively moveable along a length of the arm. The gripping member is configured to be selectively positioned to secure the bicycle on the carrier. In some embodiments, the wheel well includes terraced sidewalls adapted to secure tires having different widths. In some embodiments, an upper rim portion of the wheel well assembly is longitudinally asymmetrical. In some embodiments, the carrier includes a wheel brace configured to wrap around a portion of the first wheel that is above the wheel well. In some embodiments, the wheel holder is pivotably connected to the rear portion of the frame.
US07815078B2	Beverage dispensing tap A tap having a body, a horizontal inlet, and primary and secondary downwardly-extending spouts, the tap having primary and secondary flow paths. The primary flow path is adapted to dispense a bulk portion of beverage and includes a horizontally oriented primary valve having a primary valve stem and a primary valve seal. The secondary flow path is adapted to dispense a foamed portion of beverage and comprises a flow restriction for inducing turbulence in a beverage flowing through the secondary flow path to produce foam, the secondary flow path including a horizontally-oriented secondary valve with a secondary valve stem and a secondary valve seal. The primary and secondary valves operate independently and have valve stems sliding on spaced apart axes. The primary valve is operatively connected to a handle oriented perpendicular to the horizontal inlet, such that, rotation of the handle in a substantially vertical plane causes the primary valve to open or close and actuation of the secondary valve, for example, by pushing a button operatively connected to the secondary valve stem, causes the secondary valve to open or close.
US07815075B2	Personal squeeze bottle dispenser A personal squeeze bottle dispenser has a clamshell housing adapted to receive a squeeze bottle having a push/pull dispensing valve. A slide mechanism is received within the housing and has a collar at one end engaging the push/pull valve, and a spring at the other end to effect automatic return of the slide mechanism upon termination of a dispensing cycle. The spring biases the push/pull valve to the closed position. The clamshell housing is configured with an opening for a thumb pad of the slid mechanism to achieve opening of the push/pull valve and accommodating pressure upon the squeeze bottle. An opening on the backside of the housing, opposite the thumb pad, is also provided to allow the user's fingers to access the squeeze bottle for the application of dispensing force.
US07815073B1	Convenience container devices and methods thereof A convenience container device is disclosed. The device has a food container selectively coupled to a lid assembly. The lid assembly includes a spoon at an end of a handle pivotally coupled to a trigger handle. The food container comprises one or more chambers, and the chambers include solid foods and fluid foods. The chambers communicate with one another so that the solid foods and the fluid foods are mixed. Single-handed manipulation of the trigger handle by a user displaces the spoon having a mixture of the solid and fluid foods along a predefined path to conveniently deliver the food mixture to the user. A method of using the convenience container device is disclosed. Furthermore, a convenience consumer device kit comprises one or more convenience container devices or one or more components of one or more convenience consumer devices, or combinations thereof.
US07815068B2	Container for waste material This invention relates to a container (1) for waste material comprising wall portions (4, 6, 7) defining an internal void space and at least one opening (21) through which waste material may be inserted and/or withdrawn from said void space, wherein a roller shutter (22) is provided which is movable from an extended position in which the opening is closed by the roller shutter to a retracted position in which the opening is substantially unobstructed, the roller shutter being wound onto a barrel arrangement (26) as it is retracted, wherein in the retracted position that portion of the roller shutter wound onto the barrel arrangement is located within the internal void space of the container defined by the wall portions.
US07815066B2	Cabinet for gas utility meter A cabinet for gas utility meter comprises a cover and a backing. The backing positioned behind a meter and the backing being fixedly attached to a wall. The backing has a bar bracket, a support bracket, and a meter riser bracket. A latching means to secure the cover over the backing. The backing and the cover have reinforced moulded ribs. A shut-off gas valve opening allows for access to a gas valve. There are also gas vent openings such as a bottom vent opening.
US07815065B2	Telecommunications enclosure system Telecommunications enclosure system comprising a first enclosure and second enclosure with each halving a pair of vertical mounting flanges. Bach mounting flange comprises a row of identical round apertures with a slotted aperture disposed at the end of each row of round apertures so that a bolt or screw is used to mount first enclosure to a backboard or equipment rack enclosing pre-selected equipment. The first enclosure further comprising a plurality of U-shaped perforated knock-outs so that existing cabling can be routed outside said first enclosure. The telecommunications enclosure system is configured to mount on an equipment rack having a first side and second side wherein said first enclosure is mounted on said first side of said telecommunications rack and said second enclosure is mounted on said second side of said telecommunications equipment rack so that telecommunications equipment is completely enclosed on all sides thereby preventing unauthorized access.
US07815064B2	Plastic container having wavy vacuum panels A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish, a lower portion including a base, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a central longitudinal axis of the container, and at least two vacuum panels located in the sidewall and separated by a substantially longitudinal rib having a wavy longitudinal profile. Each vacuum panel comprises a first portion having a first cross-section in a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a second portion having a second cross-section in a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis, the second cross-section being arced to a greater extent than the first cross-section.
US07815060B2	Case flow system with adjustable lane dividers A case flow bed for the handling of merchandise. The case flow bed including (a) a loading end and, opposite thereto, an unloading end; (b) a roller bed positioned between the loading end and unloading end for supporting and permitting sliding movement of merchandise from the loading end to the unloading end; and (c) apertures associated with at least the loading end for removably receiving at least one lane divider in any of a plurality of laterally extending positions for delimiting lanes of travel for the sliding movement of the merchandise.
US07815059B2	Display rack and method for supporting containerized plants A rack for supporting a plurality of containerized plants has at least one brace supported by and extending between a pair of longitudinally extending rails. The brace is moveable relative to the rails for adjusting the longitudinal position of the brace along the rails such that the brace is positioned to engage at least one of the containers of the containerized plants. In use, one of the containerized plants may be placed in a receiving area defined in part by the brace. The brace may be moved along the rails until the brace engages the container. Then the brace is secured to the rails to resist movement of the brace away from the container along the rails. Some embodiments of the rack are relatively easy to assemble and disassemble. The rack may also be modular to facilitate expansion of the rack to support additional plants.
US07815058B2	Portable tool rack A tool rack includes a frame having two sidewalls and two slots are defined through the two sidewalls. A plurality of first recesses are defined in the frame and a rod having second recesses is connected between the two sidewalls. A restriction member is connected to the frame and two distal ends of the restriction member are movably engaged with the slots of the frame. The restriction member includes third recesses which are located in alignment with the first recesses so that the tools are engaged with the first, second and third recesses. A stop plate extends from a distal end of an inside of each third recess so as to prevent the tools from disengaging from these recesses. When shifting the restriction member, the stop plates are moved away from the first recesses so that the tools can be picked out from the tool rack.
US07815056B2	Support apparatus to maintain physical geometry of sheet glass and methods of using same Disclosed are devices and methods for supporting glass sheets during a thermal treatment process, such as heat treating, to maintain the physical geometry of the glass sheets. The device can comprise means for separating adjacent glass sheets to prevent them from touching. The separating means can comprise a separation comb having projections and channels configured for receiving the glass sheets, separating rods configured to be positioned between the glass sheets, or a combination of separation combs and separating rods.
US07815051B2	Container system A system comprising a container, a linking segment, and a container stand is provided. The container is configured to hold an object and includes an attachment device. The linking segment is configured for attachment to both the object and to the container. The container stand is configured to detachably receive the container using the attachment device.
US07815050B2	Flexible snack package with finger wiping feature A combination product/napkin package is provided. A package includes a product wrapper and a finger wiping patch. The product wrapper comprises a sheet of flexible film that is foldable around the product and has edges sealable around a periphery to enclose and seal the product therein. The finger wiping patch is a textured surface of foaming ink absorbent resin, tacky resin, or a textured material applied to the wrapper at a position outside the sealed product.
US07815044B2	Package for a saw blade or similar product A package is provided for a saw blade that includes a paperboard back secured to a transparent plastic front. The plastic front includes an edge border that is reinforced to support the weight of the saw blade and that may extend over the edge of the paperboard back for the periphery thereof. The plastic front includes a pocket for receiving the blade where the pocket is provided with projections for engaging the blade to keep the blade from moving once inside the package. A peg is also provided in the plastic cover that engages a portion of the saw blade to ensure that the saw blade is properly oriented in the package during the packaging process. A portion of the back is not adhered to the plastic front to provide an easy opening access between the plastic front and the paperboard back.
US07815043B2	Laterally flexible reinforced structure In improved reinforced conveyor belt structure is disclosed having a segmented reinforcing structure for enabling enhanced in-plane expansion of the belt under conditions of extreme in-plane experienced during operation. The belt comprises at least one elastomer layer and at least one reinforcing layer. The reinforcing layer may comprise a continuous strip disposed along the longitudinal center line of the conveyor belt. A series of laterally-extending reinforcing strips are disposed on either side of the center strip, radiating outward toward respective edges of the belt. These laterally-extending strips are spaced apart from one another to form a series of flexibility enhancing gaps therebetween, thus enabling the belt to elongate at its edges without undue restraint from the reinforcing layer. The laterally-extending strips may be oriented perpendicular to the center strip, or they may be oriented at oblique angles with respect to the center strip. The reinforcing layer may comprise one or more plies. Additional light-weight layers of reinforcing material may be provided between the reinforcing layer and the elastomer layer in order to enhance the structural integrity of the belt. In one embodiment, these light-weight reinforcing layers are continuous sheets of non-segmented reinforcing material which extend across substantially the entire width of the belt. Additional layers of elastomer material may be disposed between the reinforcing layer and the light-weight layers.
US07815042B2	Belt driving apparatus, fixing apparatus, and image forming apparatus A belt driving apparatus is constructed so that the edge portion of a belt will not run over a stopper or be damaged. A belt is entrained about a plurality of rollers. A drive source is coupled to at least one of the plurality of rollers. The drive source drives the at least one of the plurality of rollers in rotation. A restriction member is provided in the vicinity of at least one longitudinal end portion of at least one of the plurality of rollers. The restriction member prevents the belt from moving outwardly in a longitudinal direction of the at least one of the plurality of rollers and preventing the belt from moving outwardly in a radial direction of the at least one of the plurality of rollers.
US07815039B2	Belt skew correction device, belt transportation device, and recording device To provide a belt skew correction device capable of performing appropriate skew correction that is appropriate for each state at a time when the belt is in a state of a high skew speed or in a state of a low skew speed.
US07815038B2	Conveying device for vertically transporting piece goods A conveying device (1) for vertically transporting piece goods (3) with inner and outer conveying means (4, 5) and several platforms (11) that are coupled to the conveying means. The piece goods are fed to the platforms horizontally in a receiving region (14), the platforms lie horizontally while lifted in a lift region (12), and the platforms deliver the piece goods horizontally at a delivery region to a delivery conveyor (17). The conveying means are driven with a varying transport speed (F), such that the platforms pass through the deflecting region (6.2, 7.2) between the lift and discharge regions with a slower transport speed (Fn) while the platforms move with a faster transport speed (Fh) before and after they pass through the deflecting region. The varying transport speed (F) preferably has a period (P) which corresponds to the same mutual distance (T) between the platforms.
US07815037B2	Lifting/holding slats for a slat conveyor A conveyor comprises laterally spaced apart lifting/holding slats (12) and laterally spaced apart conveying slats (10) between the lifting/holding slats (12). The conveying slats (10) are advanced in a first direction for conveying a load and are retracted in a second direction for returning them to a start position. The lifting/holding slats (12) have lower portions (62) which reciprocate and upper portions (60) which move up and down. Cams (96, 98) operate in response to longitudinal movement of the lower slat members (62) to raise and lower the upper slat members (60). One end of the upper slat members (60) is connected to a fixed structure (18′) by a pivoting link (110) which pivots to permit up and down movement of the slat member (62) while preventing lengthwise movement of the slat member (62). The cams (96, 98) are adapted to lift the upper slat member (60) when the lower slat member (62) is slid lengthwise towards the fixed ends of the upper slat members (60), and to permit a downward movement of the upper slat members (60) in response to movement of the lower slat members (62) in the opposite direction.
US07815032B2	Pipe roller assembly Roller assemblies for transporting and laterally shifting pipe section, or joints, on oil and gas exploration and production laybarges, drilling/production vessels and platforms, and pipe spooling yards are disclosed. The roller assemblies comprise rollers that are capable of being tilted to facilitate lateral shifting of the pipe sections or joints. The roller assemblies comprise a frame, a tilting assembly, a roller frame pivotally connected to the tilting assembly and the frame, and a roller rotatably connected to the roller frame by an axle. The tilting assembly lifts one end of the roller frame to tilt the roller.
US07815024B1	Collapsible balikbayan box apparatus The collapsible balikbayan box apparatus is especially suited to surrounding and transporting a square cornered cardboard balikbayan box. The pliable ends, front, and back provide for collapse when the apparatus is not laden. The top is permanently affixed to the back and removably affixed to the two ends and the front. A unique hook latch provides for latch and release via stretching the pliable front and top. The rigid, removable bottom insert provides greater apparatus rigidity in use. Partially recessed wheels are fitted to the bottom. Straps encircle the bottom and extend up a majority of the sides, where the straps and handles are reinforced, so that the apparatus can be pulled or carried by the straps.
US07815020B2	Wheel brake caliper A crane wheel brake having a pair of brake shoes at opposite sides of a crane wheel. Each of the brake shoes has a brake pad, a brake pad guide roller, and a spring for biasing the brake pad guide roller to project beyond the brake pad towards the wheel. The brake pad guide roller is located in a central portion of the brake shoe. The wheel brake includes a pair of brake levers and a braking force generator. Each of the brake levers has a first end pivotally connected to a respective one of the brake shoes and a second end pivotally connected to a respective side of the braking force generator. Each brake lever is pivotally mounted by a fulcrum intermediate its first and second ends. The wheel presses against the brake pad guide roller on either one of the brake shoes and causes the wheel brake to pivot about the fulcrums to maintain a clearance between the brake pads and the wheel.
US07815014B2	Partly retractable construction platform A construction platform comprising a stationary support structure adapted to be fixedly secured to the floor of a building under construction and project from the edge of the building to a predetermined maximum extent, and a movable deck mounted on the stationary structure which may be extended as a cantilever therefrom or retracted into at least substantial registration therewith.
US07815009B1	Golf cart actuating system A golf cart actuating system includes a golf cart that includes a seat assembly vertically spaced from a foot rest wall. A support wall extends between the foot rest wall and the seat portion. A direction rod extends through the support wall. The direction rod is rotated to a first position to select forward movement and rotated to a second position to select rearward movement. A bracket is attached to the foot rest wall. A pivot member is pivotably coupled to the bracket. A crank is attached to the direction rod. A lifting post is attached to and extends between the crank and the pivot member. A control post is attached to and extends upwardly from the pivot member. Movement of the control post away from or toward the seat assembly alternates the direction rod from the first position to the second position.
US07815008B2	Frame construction and road vehicle provided with such a frame construction The invention relates firstly to a frame construction for a road vehicle, comprising a main frame of, for example, a motorcycle. This main frame is on the front edge provided with a fork head. A front frame is also provided, which is suspended from the fork head. In addition, the front frame is fastened to the main frame by means of further, separate front suspension means. Further, a rear frame can also be provided, which is provided with rear suspension means standardly present on the main frame. The rear frame can possess a drive train having a differential, the housing of which can be driven by means of a chain or pulley transmission.
US07815005B2	Motorcycle swingarm assembly A swingarm assembly (12) for use in motorcycles for supporting a motorcycle rear wheel (13) includes left and right arms (23L, 23R) and a connecting member (24) by which the left and right arms (23L, 23R) are connected together. At least the arms (23L, 23R) are products of magnesium alloy that are formed by an extrusion technique or a drawing technique.
US07815001B2	Power generation arrangement The invention relates to a power generating unit mounted to a source of rotational energy and arranged to supply hydraulic pressure and flow to at least one driven accessory. The power generating unit comprises a housing removably mounted on the source of rotational energy, an input shaft adapted to be connected to the source of rotational energy, said input shaft comprising a first end provided with means for engaging the input shaft to a power output interface on the source of rotational energy, a second end connected to a hydraulic pump and means for selectively engaging the input shaft to the hydraulic pump. The input shaft, the means for selectively engaging the input shaft, and the hydraulic pump are arranged as an integral power generating unit within said housing. The invention further relates to a vehicle provided with such a power generating unit.
US07814996B2	Spiral ribbed aluminum drillpipe A spiral ribbed aluminum drillpipe has an intermediate portion with a plurality of ribs spiraling along its length. These ribs have active faces that are exposed by recessed areas. The active faces define incut angles relative to the pipe's outer surface for actively engaging slime/sediment material along a borehole wall. Bearings rotatably disposed on the pipe have a greater diameter than the ribbed intermediate portion or any tool joints on the drillpipe so that the bearings engage the borehole wall. The pipe's body is preferably composed of a lightweight alloy, such as aluminum alloy, whereas the bearings are preferably composed of steel and have wear resistant coating or bands.
US07814995B2	Hydraulic jar and an overpressure relief mechanism therefor A hydraulic jar for a drilling assembly is disclosed. In some embodiments, the hydraulic jar includes a tubular housing, a mandrel disposed in the housing, an annulus between the mandrel and the housing, and a pressure relief mechanism disposed in the annulus. The pressure relief mechanism generally divides the annulus into first and second portions. The pressure relief mechanism includes first and second annular members in engagement with one another when the pressure in the second annulus portion is less than a predetermined value and a fluid flow path between the first and second annulus portions. The fluid flow path has a first size when the pressure in the second annulus portion is less than the predetermined value, and a second size that is larger than the first size when the pressure in the second annulus portion becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined value.
US07814993B2	Downhole power generator and method A generator (10) is provided for positioning downhole in a drill string (12) to generate power powering one or more downhole tools (16). The generator includes a progressive cavity housing (28) and a progressive cavity rotor (30) which rotates in response to fluid passing through the progressive cavity housing. A restriction (36) in the annulus downstream from the ports controls the fluid flow in the annulus and past the restriction, and thereby the fluid flow through the progressive cavity housing. The generator may provide either hydraulic or electrical power, or both, powering the one or more tools.
US07814991B2	Process and apparatus for subterranean drilling A method and apparatus for drilling a subterranean formation or material utilizing a drilling apparatus which includes a drill string having a leading end and a trailing end and having a bottom hole assembly connected with the leading end. The bottom hole assembly includes a drill bit and an externally threaded screw section. In operation, the drill bit is rotated, forming material cuttings and an opening in the subterranean formation, and the threaded screw section is rotated within the opening, forming a helical groove in the subterranean formation.
US07814989B2	System and method for performing a drilling operation in an oilfield The invention relates to a method for performing a drilling operation at a wellsite having a drilling rig configured to advance a drilling tool into a subsurface. The method steps include obtaining a well trajectory associated with a first volume, obtaining information related to a first subsurface entity associated with a second volume, using a three-dimensional relational comparison to determine that the first volume intersects the second volume to define a first intersection information, updating the well trajectory, based on the first intersection information, to obtain an updated well trajectory, and advancing the drilling tool into the subsurface based on the updated well trajectory.
US07814985B2	Grease actuated ball and socket joint A socket assembly including a housing having a bore; an insert member disposed in the bore, the insert member defining a socket; and a cap attached to the housing proximate an inlet of the bore and having an opening to receive a connecting member that extends into the socket.
US07814984B1	Tiller apparatus and method A tiller with a removable tine rotor is provided. The tiller comprises a cavity formed by a top deck and end plates. The end plates comprise rotating spindles rotatably attached to the end plates. A gearbox translates rotation from a tractor to one of the rotating spindles. A tine rotor extends between the spindles and rotates to till soil. The tine rotor is releasably connected to the spindles within the cavity, such that the tine rotor is removable from the tiller without disassembly of the end plates.
US07814981B2	Fracture valve and equalizer system and method Disclosed herein is an equalizer and fracture valve system. The system includes, a tubular, at least one fracture valve disposed at the tubular is openable and closeable to flow therethrough, and at least one equalizer disposed at the tubular is openable to flow therethrough.
US07814980B2	Micro-crosslinked gels and associated methods Methods of forming and utilizing micro-crosslinked gels are disclosed, including a method comprising: providing a micro-crosslinked gel that comprises micro-domains; and placing the micro-crosslinked gel into a subterranean formation via a well bore penetrating the formation at a desired pressure. In another aspect, the invention provides compositions that include a micro-crosslinked gel comprising a jigsaw configuration of micro-domains and particulates.
US07814978B2	Casing expansion and formation compression for permeability plane orientation Casing expansion and formation compression for permeability plane orientation. A method of forming at least one increased permeability plane in a subterranean formation includes the steps of: installing a casing section in a wellbore intersecting the formation; expanding the casing section in the wellbore; and then injecting a fluid into the formation, the injecting step being performed after the expanding step is completed. Another method includes the steps of: applying an increased compressive stress to the formation, the compressive stress being radially directed relative to a wellbore intersecting the formation; and then piercing the formation radially outward from the wellbore, thereby initiating the increased permeability plane. Yet another method includes the steps of: applying a reduced stress to the formation, the reduced stress being directed orthogonal to a wellbore intersecting the formation; and then piercing the formation with at least one penetration extending radially outward from the wellbore, thereby relieving the reduced stress at the penetration.
US07814973B2	Sand control screen assembly and method for use of same A sand control screen assembly (40) is operably positionable within a wellbore (48). The sand control screen assembly (40) includes a base pipe (42) having at least one opening (60) and an internal flow path (44). A swellable material layer (46) is disposed exteriorly of the base pipe (42). A fluid collection subassembly (50) is disposed exteriorly of the swellable material layer (46). The fluid collection subassembly (50) is in fluid communication with the internal flow path (44). A filter medium (62) is operably associated with the sand control screen assembly (40) and is disposed in a fluid path between the exterior of the sand control screen assembly (40) and the internal flow path (44). In response to contact with an activating fluid, radial expansion of the swellable material layer (46) causes at least a portion of the fluid collection subassembly (50) to contact the wellbore (48).
US07814968B2	Gravity drainage apparatus A hydrocarbon production apparatus comprises an injection well, perforated casing, hydrocarbon viscosity reducing fluid injection tubing, a first wellbore restrictor, and a production well. The injection well is bored above the production well within a hydrocarbon reservoir below a ground surface. The injection well comprises a heel end and a toe end. The perforated casing is positioned along a length of the injection well. The hydrocarbon viscosity reducing fluid injection tubing is disposed within the injection well and has a hydrocarbon viscosity reducing fluid injection end. The first wellbore restrictor is transversely disposed within the perforated casing to control hydrocarbon viscosity reducing fluid flow along the injection well, the first wellbore restrictor being spaced closer to the toe end of the injection well than the hydrocarbon viscosity reducing fluid injection end of the hydrocarbon viscosity reducing fluid injection tubing is to the toe end. The first wellbore restrictor is movable through the injection well under control from the ground surface. This apparatus allows the propagation of, for example, the steam chamber in a steam assisted gravity drainage operation to be precisely controllable and adjustable, in order to more efficiently produce hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon reservoir.
US07814962B2	Apparatus for horizontal continuous casting of magnesium alloys plate and manufacturing method thereof A horizontal continuous casting apparatus for continuously manufacturing a magnesium alloy plate and a method of manufacturing a magnesium alloy plate using the same. The horizontal continuous casting apparatus is structured such that the cross-sectional area of the plate is equal to or smaller than that of a melt inlet, and includes a cooling unit for indirectly cooling the melt using a cooling jacket provided to the outer wall of the mold and/or for directly cooling the melt through spraying of cooling water, and a drawing unit having a multi-step drawing cycle. Thereby, magnesium alloy plates having various sizes can be safely and continuously cast.
US07814960B2	Mold oscillating apparatus In a mold oscillating apparatus according to the present invention, a connecting plate for interconnecting a moving bearing housing rotated by eccentric rotation of an eccentric shaft and a mold table oscillated by rotation of the moving bearing housing is supported by the mold table from one end of an upper end part thereof to the other end, and supported by the moving bearing housing from one end of a lower end part thereof to the other end. By such a configuration, torsional deformation of the connecting plate is prevented and a stress generated in the connecting plate is eased.
US07814959B2	Method of making a cast metal product including a three-dimensional image, and a product made by said method A process of making a cast metal product and a product made utilizing this process. A pattern used for casting the metal panel is prepared utilizing computer-aided manufacturing software to which a digital representation of an image is inputted. The software then determines a tool path height for each digital element of the digital representation. A pattern blank is placed on a computer-controlled routing table which routs the blank utilizing the tool path determined by the software program to form a three-dimensional representation of the desired image on the pattern.
US07814958B2	Roll-up sunroof shade A roll-up sunroof shade is provided that includes two guide rails running along the sides of the shade sheet. The shade sheet is cut wider than corresponds to the clear distance between the guide rails. While being pulled out, the shade sheet is forced by an appropriate geometry at the inlet end of the guide rails to form a tube-like loop around a piping member that moves along with it. Due to the wrapping of the piping member, the shade sheet is held in place perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the guide rail.
US07814956B2	Pet door An apparatus comprising a first door panel; a second door panel coupled to the first door panel such that the first door panel and the second door panel form a hollow portion of a door panel assembly; and an insulating material placed within the hollow portion of the door panel assembly. An apparatus comprising a door panel assembly including a front side, a back side, a top side, a bottom side, a left side and a right side; a door frame surrounding the door panel assembly at the bottom side, the left side and the right side of the door panel, the door frame including a bottom portion, a left portion and a right portion; means for magnetically coupling the left side of the door panel assembly to the left portion of the door frame; means for magnetically coupling the right side of the door panel assembly to the right portion of the door frame; means for magnetically coupling the bottom side of the door panel assembly to the bottom portion of the door frame.
US07814950B2	Golf club grip protection device A removable golf club grip protection device protects golf club grips against weather and other outdoor golf course elements that can damage golf club grips during play. The golf club grip protection device comprises an elongated tubular body having a first end and a second end, where the first end is open and the second end is closed. The first end includes an opening configured to slidingly receive one or more golf club grips within an interior portion of the tubular body, where the one or more grips are covered from exposure to outside elements. The tubular body can comprise a flexible material having at least a water-resistant outer surface. The tubular body can also be configured as lengthwise collapsible.
US07814933B2	Apparatus and method for stabilizing concentration of aerosol Provided is an apparatus for stabilizing the concentration of a previously generated aerosol, which includes: an aerosol inlet channel; an aerosol pressure adjustment unit accelerating the aerosol; a buffer connected to the aerosol pressure adjustment unit via an aerosol transport channel and having a much larger sectional area than the aerosol inlet channel and the aerosol transport channel, wherein the aerosol accelerated by the aerosol pressure adjustment unit reaches the buffer via the aerosol transport channel and is mixed in the buffer; a feedback channel connecting between the buffer and the preceding channel to the buffer to feedback a portion of the aerosol present in the buffer to the preceding channel to the buffer; and an aerosol outlet channel releasing the aerosol uniformly mixed in the buffer. Provided is also a method for stabilizing the concentration of an aerosol according to the same principle as in the apparatus.
US07814926B2	Liquid aspirator A liquid aspirator, in particular for liquids containing solids such as sludge, has a receptacle into which liquid can be sucked in by an aspirator motor through a vacuum connector and from which the liquid can drain through a drainage. The receptacle has at least two separate receiving chambers and a control that controls that the receiving chambers are filled alternatingly with liquid while the receiving chambers that are not being filled are drained. The receiving chambers are sealable relative to the vacuum side of the aspirator motor by main valves that are preferably mechanically connected.
US07814924B2	Seismic safety valve and valve actuator A safety valve is positioned in supply plumbing that supplies a fluid medium such as natural gas to a point of use structure such as a home. A mechanical actuator is provided remote from the safety valve but mechanically connected to the safety valve. This allows the actuator to be positioned, for example, directly on the point of use structure, avoiding the need for separate bracing for the valve. The valve can be provided with a tee fitting or can be a separate gate valve. The mechanical actuator can be actuated by seismic disturbance, manually, or by activation by remote sensor or home security system.
US07814923B2	Control valve A configurable control valve for use with air brake systems is provided. This control valve includes: a first or top body portion, a second or bottom body portion, and a connector for attaching the first body portion to the second body portion. The first body portion may include an actuator or handle having either a linear translation a rotational translation, and the second body portion may include either horizontal or vertical port configurations. The connector cooperates with the first body portion and the second body portion to provide complete 360° lateral rotation of the body portions relative to one another.
US07814921B1	Mast supported shade canopy A shade structure having a suspended mast with a tubular body non-removably secured between at least two suspended mast support segments forming a suspended engagement. The shade structure has at least a first flange plate connecting a first mast transition segment to a first cantilever rafter and a second flange plate connecting a second mast transition segment to a second cantilever rafter. At least one column extension assembly simultaneously supports the cantilever rafters and connects each cantilever rafter to a column. A fabric canopy is disposed over and around the suspended mast and over the suspended mast support segments and cantilever rafters. Means to engage the fabric canopy is used with each cantilever rafter on a second cantilever rafter end and tensioning means secured to at least one of the cantilever rafter or the suspended mast is used for tensioning the fabric canopy.
US07814918B2	Apparatus for cleaning inkjet head and cleaning method thereof In a method of cleaning an ejection face by supplying a head liquid on a surface (ejection face) of an inkjet head provided with ink ejection outlets, and then by performing wiping operations thereon, an ink residue on the ejection face is efficiently and surely removed from the ejection face to achieve a sufficient cleaning thereon. For this purpose, a first wiping operation is first performed such that a wiper (9A) is relatively largely bent, and slidingly contacts the ejection face at an abdomen thereof to efficiently perform the application, stirring and mixing of the head liquid. Then, a second wiping operation is performed such that an edge portion of the top end of a wiper (9B) slidingly contacts the surface to efficiently scrape the mixture of the head liquid and the ink residue.
US07814917B2	Add-on hairbrush for pets, people and livestock that releases active ingredients An add-on hairbrush for people, pets and livestock comprises a brush base with an internal cavity that includes a connection means. A vessel that houses a composition, liquid or powder, containing active ingredients is attached to the brush base. The composition containing active ingredients is transferred to the internal cavity of the brush base for release directly onto the hair during brushing. Delivery of the liquid/powder is activated during brushing through automatic deformation of a flexible deformable membrane or through manual depression of a deformable brush cover. The flexible deformable membrane includes bristle elements and delivery apertures or spray elements that carry and align with central spray apertures of spray elements for delivery of the composition containing active ingredients onto the hair. The vessel can act as a handle, and is a separate tube or container, that is preferably squeezable for transfer of the composition to the brush base.
US07814915B2	Aesthetic treatment for wrinkle reduction and rejuvenation A dermatological treatment method includes directing laser energy having a wavelength of 2.79 μm onto skin. According to disclosed methods, the energy can function to ablate a first portion of epidermal tissue, coagulate an underlying second portion of epidermal tissue, and promote collagen formation in tissue of the underlying dermis. In an exemplary treatment apparatus, a laser using a YSGG gain medium is mounted in a handpiece. The handpiece may include a two-axis scanner to allow for uniform scanning of the energy over the tissue surface.
US07814914B2	Device for preventing leakage from the mouth The present invention relates to a device for avoiding leakage from the mouth when nasally supplying a respiratory gas on a pressure level lying above ambient pressure. The device comprises a base body made from an elastomeric material and comprises an inner edge portion and an outer ring edge portion, wherein the two ring edge portions are coupled with each other via a web portion, and wherein furthermore the base body, in combination with the two ring edge portions and the web portion, is configured in such a manner that in the application position of the base body the latter defines a lip receiving area for receiving the lips of the user.
US07814913B2	Condom A condom may include pouch having a wall and a frame. The pouch may have an open end and a closed end and the frame may be positioned proximate the open end. An anchoring device may be secured to the pouch proximate the closed end. Further, a harness or accessory attachment may be provided to assist in securing the condom to a user. At least one condom accessory, for stimulating at least one of the five senses, may also be positioned on or in at least one of the pouch, frame, anchor or harness using a variety of attachment methods.
US07814907B2	System for sensing the delivery of gases to a patient The present invention provides improvements in the feedback and control systems employed in the field of ventilation therapy. In particular, a system for delivering a supply of gases to a patient is described which incorporates a detachable cartridge or open tubular section (22) used to house a mechanism (11) which senses the humidity, temperature, flow and other attributes of the flowing gas. Information obtained from the sensor may be used to provide feedback to a controller (9) which controls the humidification mechanism in order to provide optimally humidified gases to a patient (1). It will be appreciated that the feedback and control system as described in the preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used in respiratory care generally or with a ventilator.
US07814906B2	Method and relevant apparatus for nasal ventilation, particularly for flow-synchronised neonatal assisted ventilation In a method for nasal ventilation and relevant apparatus, particularly for flow-synchronized neonatal assisted ventilation, wherein F(t) is a signal proportional to the ventilation flow, the following steps are performed: (a) inspiration, having a time length Ti, during which air is introduced at an inspiration pressure; (b) expiration, having a time length Te, during which the introduction of air is interrupted; (c) return to step (a); with a flow threshold Ftr, during the expiration step (b) the following steps are provided: (b1) a waiting step having a time length γ before activation of computation of the leakages; and (b2) a step of leakage computation, having a time length δ, so that γ+δ=Te, wherein if a normalized signal F′ (t), obtained by a processing by way of an algorithm of the surveyed signal F(t), exceeds the threshold Ftr, a spontaneous respiration activity is detected and the inspiration step (a) is reactivated.
US07814902B2	Semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer A conventional respiratory nebulizer has an emergency medication dose storage system delivering the stored medication dose directly to the nebulizing chamber with a single impulse of manual force to a simple mechanical delivery system, thereby making the nebulizer useable in two steps: (a) opening the medication capsule with a simple opening action; and (b) inhaling the nebulized medication. The nebulizer can be operated without disassembling the nebulizer housing so as to expose the nebulizing chamber and without manually opening the liquid medication container and, without spillage and without manual pouring of the liquid medication directly into the nebulizing chamber, and without reassembling the nebulizer housing before positioning the inhaler mouthpiece in the mouth so as to inhale the nebulized medication. The delivery system includes a slicing blade to sever the capsule and a looped paddle follower to move the severed portion out of the way of fluid flow.
US07814900B2	Can fixture A dispenser (1) comprises a can (2) and body (3). The can is an aluminum extrusion with a valve crimped into its mouth, the valve having an outlet spout (4). The crimped region (5) of the can surrounding the valve has a lesser diameter than the can has through the main part (6) of its length. The body has a mouthpiece (11) with a pivotal cover (12) drivingly connected to a cam (13). This bears on the underside of junction member (14), into a socket (15) of which the spout 4 fits. A breath actuated dose release mechanism (16) is provided. The body has a tubular section (7) for receiving the necked down region (5) of the can. A printed paper label (21) is wrapped around the joint between the body and the can to unite the can to the body in position such that when the cover is opened, a dose is dispensed by the cam (13) lifting the junction member and depressing the spout.
US07814898B2	High capacity snow melting apparatus and method A high capacity snow melting apparatus has a hopper with one or a plurality of dedicated heater/blower units coupled to a plurality of commingled heat radiant conduits for contact with snow, ice and water, and manifolds connected to the conduits for additional heat exchange and to direct heated air onto snow in the hopper. Terminal sections of the conduits are elevated to an upper region of the hopper and have downwardly directed exhaust ports for substantial and efficient preheating of new snow loads. Heat exchanger passages through the heated air conduits allow water to flow in the path of heated air in the conduits to substantially increase snow and ice melting efficiency of the conduits. A water bath in the bottom of the hopper is level controlled to cover the conduits and drain water from the hopper.
US07814896B2	Range design for surface temperature control A kitchen range that includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of opposed side panels. Each of the panels is connected to the front panel at a respective front corner. The range also includes a conduit configured to transport an airflow within the range. The opposed side panels can also include a front flange defining a channel. A channel wall is attached to each front flange. The channel wall is configured to enclose the sides of the channel to form a conduit. The conduit is configured to transport an airflow through the conduit.
US07814895B2	System and method for cutting granite or similar materials Improved methods including providing a frame saw system having multiple blades for cutting slabs of masonry materials. The improved methods allow for cutting masonry materials into slabs having surface small deviations. A process for cutting masonry blocks of granite, marble, rock, and the like, also includes positioning a support structure of a unifying material perpendicularly across the blade of the frame saw, wherein the support structure is adhered to at least one of the blades for keeping the blades in fixed relative positions, subjecting the block to a sawing operation using the frame saw, and at least substantially removing the support structure as the blades become submerged in the block.
US07814894B2	Anti dry-fire device for crossbows An anti dry-fire device for crossbows mounted on a viewfinder mount has a catch rotationally attached to a catch holder by way of an attachment pin. A catch biasing means to bias the catch. A lock-unlock means slidingly engaged on the top of the viewfinder mount. The lock-unlock means moving the catch from an operative mode into an inoperative mode.
US07814893B2	Exhaust gas recirculation system module with integral vacuum A system module is provided for recirculating exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine to an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. The module includes a body (12) including a passageway (41) between an exhaust gas inlet (32) and an exhaust gas outlet (34). An orifice (36) constricts the flow of exhaust gases proximate the exhaust gas outlet. A differential pressure sensor (38) is constructed and arranged to sense differential pressure across the orifice. A manifold absolute pressure sensor (42) is constructed and arranged to sense vacuum pressure associated with the exhaust gas outlet. A first hose (40) is coupled with the body and provides the differential pressure sensor with vacuum pressure on a first side of the orifice. A second hose (44) is coupled with the body and provides the manifold pressure sensor with vacuum pressure. The first and second hoses are integral with the system module.
US07814892B2	Electronically controlled electromechanical valve An electronically controlled electromechanical valve having at least three ports through which a fluid can flow and at least three different stable positions in which at least two ports are in fluid communication. The valve includes a stationary outer housing including at least three bores; a translating inner section that translates about an axis and includes adequate bores defining, with the bores of the housing, the at least three ports of the valve; and an electrical actuating system controlled by an electronic controller and configured to switch the valve from one position to another by translating the inner section along its axis. A fuel system vapor management unit includes such a valve.
US07814879B2	Monolithic block and valve train for a four-stroke engine A cylinder crankcase for a four-stroke engine is disclosed. The cylinder crankcase includes a cylinder head, cylinder block, and crankcase which are monolithic. A half-crank crankshaft bears in a crank arm, which is included in the crankcase. The cylinder crankcase includes a belt driven valve train and crank arm that includes a pocket containing a crank gear attached to the crankshaft for driving the belt.
US07814877B2	Intake manifold with reinforcing partitions An intake manifold is provided with partitions which divide the lower space formed under opening ends. An intake air is prevented from flowing into the lower space by the partitions. Since the intake air can be efficiently suctioned to each opening ends, pressure loss of the intake air can be reduced.
US07814876B2	Intake airflow control mechanism for engine An intake airflow control mechanism for an engine includes a first valve shaft on which valve elements of intake airflow control valves are fitted in such a manner that the valve elements pivot in accordance with the rotation of the first valve shaft; a second valve shaft on which valve elements of intake airflow control valves are fitted in such a manner that the valve elements pivot in accordance with the rotation of the second valve shaft; an actuator that rotates the first valve shaft, a link mechanism that transmits the rotation of the first valve shaft to the second valve shaft, a stopper that stops the rotation of the second valve shaft when the second valve shaft is in a prescribed rotational position, and a sensor that detects the amount by which the first valve shaft is rotated by the actuator.
US07814875B2	Stroke adjusting device for valves of a combustion engine A device for adjusting the valve lift (1) of the valves of a combustion engine comprising a lever (3) being driven by a camshaft (4), pushed against the cam-shaft (4) by a spring, which cooperates with at least one valve engagement means and is positioned by a positioning means (6).
US07814871B2	Self-priming portable device A portable powered device such as a tool, comprising a housing within which is defined a combustion chamber (8) for combustion of a mixture of fuel and a combustion-supporting gas, which mixture is compressed so as to be subjected to a pressure in excess of the ambient atmospheric pressure prior to combustion, combustion of the fuel/combination-supporting gas mixture providing the power by which the device performs its intended task, and wherein the combustion and/or a further combustive event provides the power to compress a successive fuel/combination-supporting gas mixture, such that a successive cycle of operation of the device may be performed without requiring manual compression of a fuel-combustion-supporting gas mixture by the user.
US07814870B2	Warming-up device of internal combustion engine A warming-up device of an internal combustion engine includes a latent heat storage material accommodated in the interior of the internal combustion engine and radiating heat based on a phase change, and a nucleation device within the heat storage material and operating to prompt the phase change of the heat storage material under a supercooled state. The nucleation device is operated based on an oscillation generated at a time of starting the engine. As a result, the warming-up device of the internal combustion engine dispenses with a machining operation for forming a through port passing through the interior and an outside of the heat storage material, a seal around the through port and an electric circuit, and the device is inexpensive and has a simple structure.
US07814869B2	Hot water supply system The present invention provides a hot water supply system using at least two water heaters having versatility to realize switching between a single hot water supply operation mode and a connected hot water supply operation mode of the water heaters and connected operation control after switching to the connected hot water supply operation mode with a simple configuration. Two water heaters D1, D2 each includes a dip switch operated when setting the connected hot water supply operation mode of the two water heaters. When each dip switch is in the ON state to set the connected hot water supply operation mode, hot water supply control by the connected operation is performed under the mutual communication via a communication cable L in the two water heaters D1, D2.
US07814867B2	Reaction chamber for a direct contact rotating steam generator The present invention is an apparatus and method for producing a steam and CO2 mixture, as a super heated dry steam mixture. The apparatus includes a rotatable vessel having a combustion section and a steam producing section. There may also be a dry solid removal, a steam production and solid scrubbing vertical vessel, and a heat exchanger. The vessel is partially filled with spherical bodies, and the sections are partially separated by a partition. A discharge section is located at an end of the steam producing section. A homogenizing section has at least one partition wall guiding flow of gases. The process for producing the steam mixture includes mixing a low quality fuel with an oxidation gas, combusting in a rotating drum filled with spherical bodies, and mixing low quality water with a controlled temperature to generate steam. All liquids convert to gas so that there is no liquid discharge.
US07814863B2	Methods and systems for supplying liquid feed to livestock Methods and systems for providing liquid feed to livestock deliver the liquid feed to a feeding station at a temperature below that of the mother's natural milk to encourage use of the liquid feed by the young as a supplement and not a replacement. A second reservoir expands the capacity of the system without increasing the size of the mixing reservoir. The second reservoir is equipped with selectively operable refrigeration and heating elements to facilitate cooling of the liquid feed or heating of a cleaning solution. A peroxide doser introduces small quantifies of peroxide to clean the liquid feed and prevent gorging. Orifices through which feed is discharged at feeding stations decrease in cross sectional area along the circulation line in the direction of flow to counteract variation in discharge flow rates caused by a pressure differential in the liquid feed along the line.
US07814859B2	Pointer with a contrasting edge for a gauge or similar, and a method of fabricating such a pointer According to an exemplary embodiment, a pointer includes an indicator portion including an arm of transparent material and a margin that projects laterally from the arm, the indicator portion also including a rear face that defines thereon a central zone corresponding to the arm and a peripheral zone corresponding to the margin. The rear face includes a first coating of a first color to cover the central zone only and a second coating of a second color to cover at least the peripheral zone.
US07814854B2	Removable device with foldable floats for transforming a monohull vessel into a multihull vessel and vessel comprising the device A device (1) for converting a monohull vessel (2) into a multihull vessel, includes a support structure (3) which is removably fixed to the vessel (2) and at least one lateral float (4) which is solidly articulated with the support structure (3) around at least one geometrical axis (BB′). The aforementioned float (4) can occupy (i) a first stable deployed position in which it is parallel to the vertical longitudinal geometric plane (PP′) containing the keel line of the vessel (2) and, at the lowest point of the keel line thereof, it is disposed beneath the geometric axis (BB′) and (ii) a second stable collapsed position which is separated at an angle from the first position. A vessel equipped with the device is also disclosed.
US07814848B2	System for distributing poultry litter below the soil surface Biodegradable solid soil amendment material such as poultry litter may be disposed of in soil using an apparatus which includes a soil cutter for cutting a trench and a dispenser for transporting the material and simultaneously grinding or shearing the material and distributing it to the trenches in the soil. The receptacle includes a plurality of troughs across its bottom surface, each having an outlet at one end thereof, and corresponding screw augers therein for distributing and transporting the material to the outlets. As the material is transported toward each of the outlets by the augers it is crushed or ground to a small size. This apparatus allows the material to be dispensed through the multiple outlets at a substantially steady, uniform rate.
US07814847B2	Seed boot for double-shoot disc opener A planting unit for depositing fertilizer and seed in a single pass, double shoot manner includes a rotating disc that cuts a furrow in a planting surface and a trailing seed boot, having a cutting edge, that cuts a vertically and horizontally offset trench in the furrow to form a seed bed in the planting surface. The disc has a mounting frame for mounting the disc to a linkage assembly that is, in turn, coupled to a toolbar mount. The seed boot is also attached to the mounting frame. This common attachment provides a relatively short and compact device without sacrificing fertilizer and seed stratification.
US07814840B2	Magnet arrangement for a magnetic levitation vehicle A magnet arrangement for a magnetic levitation vehicle is described. The magnet arrangement comprises a plurality of magnet poles (11) being combined to form groups (11a to 11f), wherein according to the invention each group contains one magnet pole (11a to 11f) or two magnet poles (11a to 11f). The windings (12a to 12f) of each group are controlled by a control circuit (18) individually assigned to it (FIG. 8).
US07814839B2	Inverted conveyor A conveyor is powered by a rotating, generally horizontal drive tube or shaft engaged by angularly disposed trolley wheels, in which trolleys support the conveyed products or materials above the drive tube and clear of any parts of the conveyor structure that would interfere with the desired path of travel. Each of the trolleys is provided with load wheels which ride on load rails above the drive tube and associated drive wheels, thereby providing a structure upon which a platform or other support may be mounted for bearing the transported products.
US07814836B2	Blank cartridge A blank cartridge (1) comprises a cartridge casing (2) with a first primer (18); a piston (9) with a head (10) and an arm (11); and an expansion chamber located between said primer (18) and the head of the piston (10), wherein, following detonation of the primer, the piston slidably displaces substantially within the casing (2) of said cartridge (1).
US07814835B2	Propulsion enhancement arrangement for rocket A rocket includes a front warhead, a rear propellant actuator, and a propulsion enhancement arrangement which comprises at least two propulsion impulse generators longitudinally cascadedly mounted between the warhead and the rear propellant actuator, wherein each propulsion impulse generator comprises a storage barrel for storing a predetermined amount of explosive materials to provide propelling impulse upon controlled explosion thereof, and a time-internal control arrangement comprising a time-interval control device mounted on a bottom of the front warhead, a time-interval trigger wire operatively connected with the time-interval control device, and at least two time-interval triggers mounted along the time-interval trigger wire and inside of each of the storage chambers respectively, wherein the time-interval triggers trigger the explosion of the explosive material stored in the storage chamber from the bottom propelling impulse generator to the top propelling impulse generator one by one at a predetermined time intervals, so as to further propels the front warhead to the predetermined position at a predetermined velocity and after each explosion.
US07814832B2	Method of preparing fabric for sewing, or for cutting and sewing A system and method of marking at least one guideline (76) on sheets of fabric (58) using a digital template (52A) composed of lines and marks that outline shapes required in a fabric item or quilt, with a personal computer (54) and a printer (56). The ink is deposited on the fabric in ultra-fine color lines that are visible to guide the cutting and stitching of fabric but are not visible when the fabric item is completed. It saves time, improves accuracy, and simplifies the preparation steps for home sewing, quilting, embroidery and other stitching.
US07814830B2	Printing system using shape-changing materials A printing plate suitable for retaining ink in an imagewise fashion on a main surface thereof defines an array of pixel-sized cavities. Each cavity has associated therewith a quantity of a light-induced shape-memory polymer. When a cavity is exposed with energy, such as from an imaging laser, the quantity of polymer changes shape and/or position, thereby allowing a relatively greater quantity of ink to be retained in the cavity. The printing plate is then inked, to from a transferable image. The apparatus as a whole enables a gravure-like printing plate to be repeatedly imaged using digital image data.
US07814823B2	Feedback link for swash plate-type variable displacement hydraulic rotary machine A feedback link which transmits a movement of a servo piston to a control sleeve of a regulator is constituted by a link lever formed of a rigid material and an expansion spring formed of a spring material. The expansion spring is formed by folding a narrow leaf spring substantially into U-shape, and provided with a pair of convexly curved plate portions extending forward from a bent portion as a base end and spread apart from each other in a forward direction. On the other hand, an indented groove which is provided on the servo piston is composed of a parallel groove portion and a tapered groove portion. The convexly curved plate portions are engaged in the parallel groove portion of the indented groove in a resilient deformed state to transmit a displacement of the servo piston from the expansion spring to the link lever.
US07814822B2	Device and method for controlled breaching of reinforced concrete A breaching apparatus includes an impactor element and a self-contained energy source. The self-contained energy source enables the impactor element to impact a first surface of a structure. The impactor element is configured to transmit a localized shock wave through the structure upon impact. The self-contained energy source is capable of accelerating the impactor element to a velocity sufficient to induce spalling at a second surface of the structure. Multiple breaching apparatuses can be supported by a frame to facilitate simultaneous or successive breaching of the structure. The breaching apparatus can be used in a method to breach a concrete structure.
US07814813B2	Hydrostatic-mechanical transmission A hydrostatic-mechanical transmission having a radial piston motor (1) with a crankshaft (2) which drives a spur gear (7). A transmission housing comprises three housing portions which define two separate spaces. The spur gear arrangement is located in one of the spaces while the radial piston motor is located in the other space.
US07814807B2	Engine starter having intermediate gear A starter is provided, which includes an intermediate gear connected to an intermediate shaft, and engaging with and driven by a pinion gear which is connected to an output shaft of a motor. The intermediate gear engages with a ring gear of an engine to crank up the engine when shifted together with the pinion gear in axial directions of these shafts via a retainer which is slidably supported by both of these shafts. A clutch supported by the shaft of the motor causes this shift by pushing the retainer in its axial direction. The clutch and the intermediate gear, each being defined by its outermost diameter, overlap with each other in the radial direction between these shafts. This overlap reduces stress acting on the retainer when the intermediate gear engages with the ring gear, thus reducing thickness of the retainer and the axial length of the starter.
US07814806B2	Apparatus and method for jogging transmission neutral switch A method and apparatus for cycling a neutral switch of an automated mechanical transmission includes software which, either independently or by operator command through a shift actuator having side-to-side motion capability and sensors, controls a select piston and cylinder assembly to provide shift rail motion along a transverse axis of the transmission which simulates operator commanded motion of a shift rail of a conventional (manual) transmission as the operator checks for neutral. Such activity may release a malfunctioning neutral switch thereby providing a proper neutral indication to associated transmission and engine components to, for example, permit starting of the engine.
US07814802B2	Method of producing a connection between a measuring tube and at least one flange A method is disclosed for producing a connection between a measuring tube and at least one flange, e.g., in the case of a Coriolis mass flowmeter. In order to ensure reliable connection of the components in this case, the measuring tube can be inserted at one end over a portion through a flange bore, such that it projects out of the bore on the other side, and that the projecting end be flared out over the sealing face of the flange.
US07814794B2	Micromachined sensors The present invention provides a micromachined sensor. The micromachined sensor includes a proof mass movable with respect to a substrate. The proof mass includes a first portion, a second portion separated from the first portion and a third portion connecting the first portion to the second portion. A frame is positioned on the substrate and encloses the proof mass. A plurality of springs connects the proof mass to the frame. A plurality of first and second electrodes extends from the frame. A plurality of third electrodes extends from the first portion of the proof mass and is interleaved with the first electrodes. A plurality of fourth electrodes extends from the second portion of the proof mass and is interleaved with the second electrodes. A first support beam extends from the frame to the area between the first and second portions of the proof mass. A plurality of seventh and eighth electrodes extends from the first support beam. A plurality of fifth electrodes extends from the first portion of the proof mass and is interleaved with the seventh electrodes. A plurality of sixth electrodes extends from the second portion of the proof mass and is interleaved with the eighth electrodes.
US07814793B2	Gyro sensor module and angular velocity detection method A mobile navigation system gyro module comprises: first and second gyro sensors outputting angular velocities ω1, ω2 around first and second axes intersecting at an acute angle θ12; a sign determination circuit determining a sign of ω1; a correction circuit correcting the first and second gyro sensor outputs; and a computation circuit computing ω′=√(ω1′2+SA2) and SA=(ω2′−ω1′ cos θ12)/sin θ12 using angular velocities ω1′, ω2′ from the correction circuit, and outputting angular velocity ω by multiplying ω′ by the sign of ω1, wherein the correction circuit includes: first and second offset adjustment circuits outputting ω1″ and ω2″ by respectively subtracting from ω1 and ω2, corrections B1 and B2 corresponding to the first and second gyro sensor outputs when the mobile unit stops; and the angular velocity ω is around an axis coplanar with and between the first and second axes.
US07814791B2	Sensor device The present invention is related to sensor arrangements and particularly to sensor arrangements for symmetric response in a x-, y- and z-coordinate system. The arrangement comprises four gyroscopes with one axis arranged into different directions of sensitivity.
US07814790B2	Gravity gradiometer The present invention provides a method of tuning properties of a gravity gradiometer for measuring components of the gravity gradient tensor. The gravity gradiometer comprises a pair of first and second transversely arranged sensor masses that are arranged for movement about an axis and relative to each other in response to a gravity gradient. The gravity gradiometer further comprises first and second capacitors for sensing and influencing the movement of the first and second sensor masses. The method comprising applying a bias voltage to at least one of the capacitors for generating an electrostatic force which acts on one of the sensor masses and thereby influences the movement of that sensor mass.
US07814787B2	Combined oil level or condition sensor and sight oil level gage The invention provides an oil level or condition sensor featuring a housing and a baffle or plate arrangement arranged in the housing, where the baffle or plate arrangement forms a capacitor when the housing is filled with oil, the baffle or plate arrangement being responsive to a signal, for providing an oil level or condition sensor signal containing information about the level or condition of the oil in the housing. The baffle or plate arrangement may include one or more plates or a single or multiple star shaped baffles. The one or more plates or multiple star shaped baffles are spaced apart to form the capacitor. The level or condition of the oil within the baffle or plate arrangement changes the inductance. The single or multiple star shaped baffles each have a small hole in the center which provides a visual indication of the oil level. The housing has a transparent window. The inductance change can be measured and used to send alarms or warnings.
US07814785B2	Thermal flow meter, thermal flow meter control method, and sensor element of thermal flow meter A thermal flow meter corrects flow rate detection errors produced by vaporization of liquid phase components included in a gas to be measured. The thermal flow meter includes a correction circuit 500 that applies respectively different predetermined voltages to heating resistors consisting of first heating resistor Rh1 and second heating resistor Rh2 of a sensor element disposed in the gas to be measured to set a first temperature state and a second temperature state, calculates a first flow rate value Q1 of the gas to be measured in the first temperature state and a second flow rate value Q2 of the gas to be measured in the second temperature state, and calculates a flow rate correction value ΔQ based on a ratio (Q1/Q2) between the first flow rate value and second flow rate value or a fourth-power value (Q1/Q2)4 of the ratio to correct a flow rate of the gas to be measured.
US07814783B2	Sodar sounding of the lower atmosphere A monstatic sodar system using long chirps and send-while-listening techniques employs transmitter-receiver pairs (Tw, Rw; Tv, Rv; Te, Re) that have coincident main lobes (Twm, Rwm; Tvm, Rvm; Tem, Rem). The system uses digital time domain matched filters and frequency modulated or digitally modulated (eg, BPSK) chirps. Digital frequency domain matched filtering may also be used. The matched filters generate sample streams indicative of the phase and amplitude of echo signals returned from the atmosphere after the transmission of a chirp into the atmosphere.
US07814774B2	Method and apparatus for evaluation of a device for measuring lung diffusion capacity A method of evaluating a measuring device for measuring, in normal operation, a diffusion capacity of a person's lungs by measuring a change of concentration of a gas species in a mixture, when the mixture is inhaled and subsequently exhaled by the person or imposed by an artificial ventilator, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving the mixture in a compartment; (b) circulating gas from the compartment back to the compartment through a circulation circuit; and (c) selectively reducing partial pressure of the gas species in the circulation circuit to a predetermined level. A device for implementing the evaluation method is also disclosed.
US07814771B2	Method for Cr-plating of mandrel bars, the mandrel bar, and process for producing seamless tubes using the method and the mandrel bar By using a plating bath containing chromic acid: 100 to 250 g/L, sulfate radical: 3.0 to 5.5 g/L, and a catalyst: 100 to 200% (a weight ratio to the chromic acid content) for conducting electroplating, a Cr-plating film which has an increased film crack density is formed on the surface of a mandrel bar base metal, whereby peeling-off of the Cr-plating film can be suppressed in mandrel mill rolling for extending the service life of the mandrel bar.
US07814770B2	Multi-functional laundry device and controlling method for the same A multi-functional laundry device and control method for same treats the laundry efficiently has a washing unit for washing the laundry and a drying unit integrated with the washing unit as one body for after-washing treatment including smoothing out wrinkles, and drying. A control unit provided at either of the washing unit and the drying unit for controlling the washing unit and the dry unit selectively provides steam to the washing and drying units.
US07814762B2	Integrated ice dispenser switch A refrigerator includes an ice dispenser, a discharge chute, and a cover for the discharge chute. A flat portion of the cover conforms to the discharge chute, the flat portion being flexible to a flexed position to actuate a switch and thereby operate the ice dispenser such that ice is discharged into the discharge chute.
US07814760B2	Cooling device A cooling device, in particular for a switchgear cabinet with a housing, in which a refrigeration cycle system is housed, wherein the refrigeration cycle system has vibration-generating elements, namely a compressor and at least one fan. The fan and the compressor are supported in the housing via vibration dampers. For preventing vibratory emissions a cooling device in accordance with this invention has the fan and/or the compressor separately supported by first vibration dampers on an intermediate bracket, or together on an intermediate bracket. The intermediate bracket is supported by second vibration dampers on a bracket, and the bracket is connected to the housing.
US07814759B2	Method for controlling system temperature A computer-implemented method for cooling a modular computer system having multiple cooling devices and multiple heat-generating modules is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining the number of cooling device installed in the system; determining the positions of the installed cooling devices; applying predefined cooling device placement rules and signaling an error condition if a cooling device is in an unacceptable location; determining locations of all installed heat-generating modules; and applying the predefined cooling device placement rules and signaling an error condition if an installed heat-generating module is in an unacceptable location.
US07814756B2	Air-conditioning system An air-conditioning system capable of reducing traffic of signals and effectively performing control and management operations without causing heavy traffic is obtained. In an air-conditioning system including one or more indoor units 200, one or more outdoor units 100, and a centralized control apparatus 300 and performing signal communication, a transmission relay 400 is provided between a first transmission line 500 to which the one or more outdoor units 100 and the centralized control apparatus 300 are connected and a second transmission line 510 to which one or more indoor units 200 constituting a group are connected, the transmission relay 400 relays a signal between the first transmission line 500 and the connected second transmission line 510. The transmission relay 400 further includes arithmetic processing means 430 for processing data included in the signal transmitted via the connected second transmission line 510, and data storage means 440 for storing data regarding the processing by the arithmetic processing means 430.
US07814755B2	Method and device for monitoring the temperature in a refrigerator A temperature monitoring process for a refrigerator interior and a device for such monitoring. A monitoring unit is formed by a temperature sensitive element and a thermal buffer liquid in a transparent container. The monitoring unit container is placed in the refrigerator in any location to be monitored. The temperature is visually detected by observing a temperature related variable characteristic of the temperature sensitive element, such as the color of one or more areas of the temperature sensitive element.
US07814749B2	Method and apparatus for controlling a hydraulic system of a work machine A method for controlling a hydraulic system includes receiving an operator command signal via an operator command input device; receiving a throttle position signal from a throttle; retrieving from a memory a first predetermined correlation between the operator command signal and a corresponding command flow rate; retrieving from the memory a second predetermined correlation between the throttle position signal and a corresponding available flow rate from a hydraulic pump; determining the command flow rate based on the first predetermined correlation and the operator command signal; determining the available flow rate based on the second predetermined correlation and the throttle position signal; and providing a control signal based on the available flow rate and the command flow rate.
US07814748B2	Exhaust bypass valve remote linkage An exhaust bypass valve assembly for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust bypass valve having valve structure coupled to a rotatable shaft such that rotation of the shaft moves the valve structure between opened and closed positions. An actuator is disposed remotely from the bypass valve for selectively causing rotation of the shaft associated with the valve structure in opposing directions. Linkage structure is connected between the actuator and the shaft to transfer motion of actuator to the shaft.
US07814741B2	Glass fiber for reinforcing rubber products and method for producing it A glass fiber for reinforcing rubber products, which is obtained by subjecting to plying at least two twisted yarns each obtained by subjecting to twisting a coated glass fiber strand having a coating layer formed by impregnation and solidification of a RFL treating agent, the coated glass fiber strand having the coating layer formed by impregnating the RFL treating agent to an individual glass fiber strand having from 200 to 2,000 bundled glass filaments, and solidifying the impregnated agent.
US07814735B2	Bolt for attaching a rotary mower blade A blade bolt for attaching a blade to a rotating member of a rotary mower has a head at a lower end, a cylindrical shoulder portion extending from the head, a shank extending from the shoulder portion, the shank having a cross-section that is rounded and non-cylindrical, and a threaded portion extending from the shank. The shoulder portion extends laterally beyond at least a portion of the shank such that the shoulder portion bears against the rotating member when the shank is inserted into a mounting aperture defined by the mounting member that has a shape corresponding to the cross-section of the shank. The rounded and non-cylindrical shank prevents rotation of the bolt, and distributes stress forces across a wider area compared to the prior art.
US07814731B2	Automated drug preparation apparatus including a bluetooth communications network An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device includes a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing the drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device. At least one of the stations includes a peripheral device for performing at least one operation and a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device and moves the drug delivery devices in a controlled manner from one station to another station. The system includes a master controller that tracks and controls the movement of the transporting device and operation of equipment at one or more stations. In addition, a system further includes a Bluetooth communications network between the peripheral device and the master controller such that that the peripheral device automatically communicates with the controller when the peripheral device is within a predetermined distance from the controller.
US07814729B2	Stiff panel having composite stiffeners with reduced shock sensitivity A stiff panel (1) comprises a skin (2) and at least one stiffener (3) of composite material on said skin. Free surface (311) of web (31) of stiffener (3) on the stiff panel according to the invention comprises a deformable core (33) and a covering (34) which covers core (33) and joins said core with structural part (35) of web (31). The width of core (33) is equal to or greater than the width of structural part (35) of web (31) of stiffener (3), depending on the shock energy against which panel (1) must be protected.
US07814728B2	Flooring material, methods for producing and laying same A flooring material comprises a core layer of resilient granular agglomerate and a membrane that envelops the aforesaid core layer. In a preferred way, the material is in the form of modules, such as strips or tiles and the membrane forms, on at least one side of the modules, a selvage, which can be applied in a relationship of overlapping with at least one adjacent module.
US07814727B2	Wall structure assembly A wall panel structure which is easily assembled and disassembled and is constructed from a plurality of frame assemblies, each frame assembly comprising a first frame component having a first wall and an adjacent second wall, the first wall having an externally accessible abutment surface; and a second frame component having an angled cross section defined by first and second arms, the first arm having an inwardly extending flange configured to engage said abutment surface of the first frame component, and the second arm configured to engage the second wall of the first frame component.
US07814723B2	Beam and truss structure for a canopy A structure comprises a ridge beam, a plurality of truss beams, and a plurality of legs. The ridge beam comprises a first end and a second end. Each end comprises at least one tab member that projects in a direction that is substantially parallel to a plane of the ridge beam. Each truss beam comprises first and second ends that each comprises a plurality of apertures and at least one tab member that projects in a direction that is substantially parallel to a plane of the truss beam. Tab members of two truss beams are respectively capable of engaging a corresponding aperture of the other truss beam to form a peak section. At least one aperture of each of the two truss beams is capable of being aligned receiving a corresponding tab member of the ridge beam. Each respective leg engages the second end of a corresponding truss beam.
US07814721B2	Double fret-shaped improved sheath for laying floors and/or linings with tiles, parquet, moquette, wall-paper, panel coatings and the like, as well as their quick pulling away in case of their replacement A fret-shaped sheath for laying floors and/or linings and their following quick pulling away in case of replacement, including a fixed sheath (1) and a removable sheath (2) able to fit each other by their frets, wherein removable sheath is provided with elements suitably disposed along the joint surfaces between the sheaths and able to form rooms close to the joint surfaces which are prevented from being filled with glue or mortar of cement in order to retain the capability of being deformed of the joint surfaces between the fixed sheath and the removable sheath.
US07814718B2	Head-of-wall fireblocks The invention disclosed herein is directed to a fire retardant head-of-wall assembly configured to seal a linear head-of-wall construction joint or gap when exposed to a heat source such as a building fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly comprises a header track having an elongated intumescent strip affixed lengthwise on at least one of the outer sidewall surfaces of the header track. When exposed to a heat source such as a building fire, the intumescent strip is able to expand so as to at least partially fill the head-of-wall construction joint or gap; and in so doing, retard or prevent the spread of smoke and fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly has been certified as complaint with respect to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.'s standards set forth in its Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems—UL 2079.
US07814710B2	Roof anchoring system The instant invention relates to an infinitely adjustable anchoring system for attaching structural members to a support member. The system comprises a continuous, elongated, removable retaining track secured to the outer surface of a support member and configured to receive at least one adjustable connector plate therein. The adjustable connector plates are capable of attaching to structural members having various dimensions and pitches relative to the track. The invention includes a reusable centering bracket assembly used to install a retaining track assembly along an upper portion of a support member.
US07814708B2	Portable riser apparatus having a lifting and locking assembly There is provided a portable riser having an operator actuated lifting assist assembly operatively coupled to a riser deck. In one aspect, there is a first pivot mechanism coupled to a first support leg and adapted to initiate upward movement of the portable riser from a collapsed position when a downward force is applied to the first support leg, and a second pivot mechanism coupled to a second support leg and adapted to continue the upward movement. The lifting assist assembly provides a lifting force that continues upward movement to an upright position where the portable riser in locked. There is included a riser unlocking means for unlocking the lifting assist assembly. The portable riser remains in the upright position until the riser unlocking means is operated and a collapsing force is applied to the portable riser sufficient to overcome the lifting force and enable collapsed of the portable riser.
US07814707B1	Crawl space access door assembly having frame with removable ribs in rib receiving grooves A crawl space access door assembly having a frame that can be installed while a foundation of a home or other structure and a door is under construction or retrofitted to an existing structure. The crawl space access door frame assembly is sized so as to accept a removable crawl space access door. Sidewall ribs are formed so as to extend from the outer sides of the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the frame and operate in mating relationship with a groove formed in the blocks used to create the frame of the structure to aid in securing the crawl space access door frame assembly to the structure.
US07814704B2	Method for controlling door and door control system for vehicle A method for controlling a power slide door having an operable window for a vehicle for preventing an entrapment between the power slide door and a vehicle body by limiting a slidable range of the power slide door by portion of a stopper, which the stopper functions in a condition where the window is opened more than or equal to a certain range, the method comprising steps of judging if the entrapment is generated within a predetermined range in which the power slide door can be stopped by portion of the stopper in a condition where the entrapment with a foreign object is generated during an opening operation of the power slide door, performing a reverse operation of the power slide door in a closing direction by a certain distance in a condition where the entrapment is generated within the predetermined range, and stopping the power slide door.
US07814702B2	Rodent trap having a pivoting platform A trap having a housing and an entrance, a trigger plate pivotally coupled to the housing, and when triggered by an animal, the trigger plate pivots towards the housing to thereby trap the animal against the housing. The trap may further include a biasing element to bias the trigger plate towards the housing. The trap may further include blunt fingers extending from the back wall. When the trap is triggered, an animal may be trapped between the trigger plate and the blunt fingers.
US07814701B1	Fish retention apparatus An apparatus configured for fish retention includes a first arm and a second arm integral with a channel lock hinge having a plurality of channels; a lattice top jaw integral to the channel lock hinge, the lattice top jaw and bottom jaw defining a curved surface extending through a middle portion of the lattice top and bottom jaw from the channel lock hinge to a forward end, each of the lattice top jaw and the lattice bottom jaw movable to form an adjustable cavity for receiving a fish; the lattice top jaw defining a first notch at the lattice top jaw forward end, and the lattice bottom jaw defining a second notch at the lattice bottom jaw forward end, the first notch and the second notch configured to enable retention of the fish without damaging one or more fins of the fish.
US07814699B2	Multiple sight gun sight assembly A system and method for providing multiple sights includes a number of sights that are attached to a sight assembly. The sight assembly is securable to a firearm and configured such that a shooter can selectively utilize one of the number of sights tailored for number of respective distances. Preferably, the sights are connected such that moving one sight out of a shooting line of sight brings another sight into the shooting line of sight. Such a sight assembly allows a shooter to quickly configure a firearm for accurate shooting at a variety of distances.
US07814697B2	Sling mounts for firearms A sling mount system having a mount with associated receiver for releasable connection with a swivel connector having a longitudinal axis that lies in the same plane as a longitudinal axis of a weapon and that angles downward away from the butt stock. The receptacle for the swivel connector is integrally formed in the mount to facilitate silent connection and disconnection of the swivel mount thereto.
US07814693B2	CD case framer 2 A wall or vertically mounted framing device for holding and displaying the full front cover of a single compact disc case comprising a housing which is a plane of suitable thickness having walls that cover the edges of said case and within said plane are leveling and fulcrum members allowing the said case to lie level in the display position and swivel out in the dismount position and spring assembly to assist in holding and dismounting said case, said housing having mounting means and around said device is a sash which is a means to serve as a decorative edging, and to secure the left edge of said case, and the spring assembly.
US07814692B2	Outrigger A signage system includes a support, a housing attached to the support, and a first sign. The support includes a substantially horizontal member having a first end and a second end; a bracket for mounting the support to an upright, the bracket being attached to the first end of the substantially horizontal member; and a shell extending from the second end of the substantially horizontal member. The housing is attached within the shell of the support and includes a first ring, a second ring connected to the first ring, a first plate, and a second plate positioned adjacent to the first plate. The first plate and the second plate are positioned between the first ring and the second ring. The first sign is releasably retained between the first ring and the first plate by frictional engagement of edges of the first sign with the first ring and the first plate. The signage system is adapted to be supported by the bracket in a cantilevered configuration.
US07814691B2	Use of left-handed metamaterials as a display, particularly on a hob, as well as display and display method Coatings with left-handed metamaterials (which are man-made materials comprising micro-structures having unusual electro-magnetic properties) are provided around an appliance, such as a hotplate or hob, incorporating induction heating coils that functions as an optical display. In one embodiment, operation of induction heating coils in the cook top alters the optical properties of the metamaterial. Thus, if the metamaterials were previously transparent, they can now become opaque. Doing so changes a display, which can be detected by an operator. This makes it possible to create an automatic operating display for an appliance, such as an induction based hob.
US07814688B2	Device for high-heeled shoes and method of constructing a high-heeled shoe A device for insertion in a high-heeled shoe has a first crescent shaped raised area in a region underlying the forward edge of a wearer's heel bone and a second raised area underlying the metatarsals of the wearer is described. Also described is a method for constructing a shoe using the device and the resulting shoe.
US07814687B2	Article of footwear including a reflective outsole An article of footwear including a reflective outsole is disclosed. The article of footwear has an outsole including a reflective device that covers one or several portions of the outsole. The reflective device is composed of a thin and flexible material that does interfere with the natural flexibility of the outsole. The reflective device may extend over a substantial majority of a lower surface of the outsole, including a portion of the outer periphery of the outsole.
US07814686B2	Lightweight and flexible article of footwear An article of footwear with an outer member including slots that increase flexibility is disclosed. The outer member also includes an inner plate including a set of protective strips. The inner plate is disposed along an inner surface of the outer member so that the protective strips are aligned with and cover the slots in the outer member.
US07814683B2	Health footwear having improved heel Disclosed is a midsole (22) for a healthy shoe, which is easily and simply manufactured and comprises a tunnel portion (28) or an airbag (128) formed therein so that impact caused by the landing of a heel of the healthy shoe on the ground in a landing step and a gravity center-transferring step is uniformly applied to the heel of the shoe due to the rolling of the heel on the ground and discontinuous impact is not transferred to various parts of the body of a user, such as an ankle joint and a leg, and a method for manufacturing the same, thereby allowing the user to smoothly land on the ground and walk stably.
US07814682B2	Footwear with separable upper and sole structure An article of footwear is disclosed that includes upper and a sole structure. The upper defines an interior void that is configured to receive the sole structure and a foot. A lower surface of the upper defines a plurality of apertures, and the sole structure includes a plurality of projections that extend through the apertures to form a ground-engaging surface. The projections are connected to a foot-supporting member that remains within the upper. A locking system is incorporated into the upper and sole structure to secure the sole structure to the upper.
US07814678B2	Hearing aid dryer An application for a hearing aid drying/disinfecting system includes a closable container with an internally mounted ultra-violet lamp for disinfecting the hearing aid. A heating element creates an internal temperature that is higher than ambient temperature and a fan circulates air through shielded vents from the outside of the container through the container and back out, thereby drying the hearing aid contained within the drying/disinfecting system.
US07814673B2	Animal vest sizing device and method A vest sizing device including a shell member having associated therewith a plurality of rule scales and rule index members that cooperate with one another to provide a plurality of girth dimensions for a four-legged animal by longitudinal position. The shell member when configured for use defines a plurality of openings including a neck opening, an abdominal or rear opening, at least one leg opening, and an access opening.
US07814671B2	Mobile bearing calculator and bearing correction method A mobile bearing calculator having a geomagnetic sensor for detecting earth-magnetism and a control unit for calculating a geographical bearing based on detection values of the geomagnetic sensor. The control unit monitors for an event such as a change of operation of electronic parts mounted on the mobile bearing calculator and corrects the geographical bearing in accordance with the occurrence of the event.
US07814669B2	Multi-spot adjustable reflex bow sight A bow sight that utilizes fiber optic wave guides as a basis for collecting ambient light and providing multiple sighting spots within the archer's field of view. The terminal ends of the fiber optic wave guides are positioned so as to have images thereof reflected on a moveable reflective plane (objective optic) within the bow sight. The multiple aiming spots thus reflected in the bow sight provide the archer with sighting spots for targets over a range of distances. Each of the individual fiber optic wave guides collects ambient light and terminates in a terminal block that may be varied in its position so as to individually adjust the reflected image of the aiming spot. Various mechanisms within the fiber optic terminal block for adjusting the position of the ambient light wave guide are also described. The bow sight provides the advantages of multispot ambient light fiber optic systems with the advantages of reflective (reflex) sighting systems.
US07814667B2	Device to assist in quantifying a product and its use The invention relates to a device to assist in quantifying a medicament for application on the skin, characterized in that it includes, on the one hand, a first element having a first window and at least one additional window and, on the other hand, a second element having a first graduation and at least one additional graduation, each graduation comprising successive values, the said first and second elements being superimposed and mounted so as to rotate with respect to each other about an axis of rotation so that, when the second element is rotated with respect to the first element, each additional window is arranged in front of one of the successive values of each additional graduation, as a function of the position of the first window relative to the successive values of the first graduation. The invention applies, in particular, to determining the quantity of a cream marketed under the brand name Silkis™.
US07814665B2	Actuation mechanism for a power tool An actuation mechanism for actuating a power tool that includes a cable assembly comprising at least one outer sheath (41) arranged coaxially around an inner cable (40), wherein the inner cable (40) slides relative to the outer sheath (41). The actuation mechanism also comprises an electrical contact (42) connected to the cable assembly and a plurality of switch members (51, 54) connected to the cable assembly. The coaxial cable assembly provides the advantage that a power tool with a two handed dual-switching mechanism can be actuated without the need for two independent electrical contacts wired in series, thereby reducing the amount of electrical wiring and components needed. Additionally, an electrical contact is provided with a connecting structure connected to the handle assembly and to the housing and adapted to enable actuation of the tool in a plurality of orientations of the handle assembly relative to the housing.
US07814661B2	Razor with replaceable shave product dispenser cartridge A safety razor having a blade cartridge attached to a neck and a replaceable dispenser cartridge adapted for removable attachment to the razor to thereby form a portion of the razor handle or, alternatively, the entire razor handle. The cartridge includes and interior chamber for containing a shaving conditioning compound (e.g., shave cream or shave gel) and a pressurized dispensing gas. A bottom end of the dispensing cartridge, defining a bottom end of the razor handle, is fitted with a valve to control release of the shaving conditioning compound from the cartridge. An actuator assembly controls operation of the valve to selectively dispense a desired amount of the shaving conditioning compound from the bottom end of the razor handle while the razor is held upright in the normal shaving position.
US07814657B2	Method of manufacturing flow channel substrate for liquid ejection head A method of manufacturing a flow channel substrate for a liquid ejection head, includes at least the steps of: forming, on a substrate, a sacrificial layer which is made of a dissolvable resin and has a liquid flow channel shape; forming a lyophobic film on the substrate and the sacrificial layer; applying, by heat treatment, a rounded shape to a corner section of the sacrificial layer on a side which is not in contact with the substrate; removing the lyophobic film after the heat treatment; forming a coating resin layer on the substrate and the sacrificial layer after the lyophobic film is removed; patterning the coating resin layer; and dissolving the sacrificial layer.
US07814647B2	Reinforced plastic foam cup, method of and apparatus for manufacturing same A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.
US07814637B2	Installation apparatus An installation apparatus for installing a wire harness over a fixed structural body and a movable structural body which is slidingly movable to the fixed structural body, the installation apparatus includes a case that receives the wire harness such that the wire harness extends in a sliding direction of sliding movement of the movable structural body, and is folded back into a generally U-shape; and a slider that holds a distal end-side portion of the wire harness extending from the folded-back portion toward a distal end of the wire harness, and is slidably supported on the case so as to move in the sliding direction of the movable structural body, and is operatively connected to the movable structural body so as to move in accordance with the sliding movement of the movable structural body. A slit is formed in a wall of the case, and extends in the sliding direction of the movable structural body. The slit is arranged so as to intersect the folded-back portion of the wire harness in view of above of the wall in which the slit is formed. The distal end-side portion of the wire harness is led out from the case through the slit.
US07814634B2	Electrical connector extraction and/or insertion tool A tool for extracting or inserting a connector into a connector receptacle includes a tool body having an elongated shape with a first end and a second end. The first end is adapted to engage and stabilize the connector.
US07814630B2	Apparatus and method for swaging needles A method and apparatus for making armed sutures has a pair of opposed die assemblies that may be driven by actuating surfaces of a swaging machine to hold and swage a needle on a suture. The dies grip and confine the needle in the area of the suture receptacle. A pair of opposed swaging elements with offset stakes insert through passageways in the dies and impinge on the captured needle making a plurality of indentations in the needle barrel and gripping the suture in the suture receptacle. The indentations are offset and aligned generally in alternating peak-to-valley relationship, causing the suture receptacle and the contained suture to assume a serpentine configuration. The stakes and the resulting indentations can be dimensioned to result in a converging suture receptacle, which exhibits increasing shear force being exerted on the suture with increasing depth into the suture receptacle. The apparatus and method permit reliable suture-needle attachment over a larger range of tolerances, such that a single die setup can be used on a plurality of needle and suture materials. The resulting product exhibits a serpentine suture/needle attachment interface with reliable attachment and smooth outer dimensions.
US07814629B2	Strut spring compression apparatus A spring-compression apparatus for facilitating maintenance of a strut assembly comprises a guide member, a carriage assembly, and a spring-channeling assembly. The guide member comprises a first member end and a second member end. The carriage assembly comprises a jack assembly and a slide assembly. The jack assembly is operable to otherwise displace the slide assembly along the guide member. The slide assembly comprises a locator assembly, which comprises a locator extension arm and a pivotable strut end interface. A strut spring is receivable in the spring channeling assembly as laterally engaged therewith. The strut end interface is engageable with a strut end for compressing the strut spring. The locator assembly further enables a user to remove a mounting nut from the interface-engaged end when the strut spring is compressed, thus enabling strut assembly disassembly.
US07814624B2	Self draining snap fastener sockets A self draining snap fastener socket allows water and other liquids to drain from inside of the self draining snap fastener socket. The self draining snap fastener socket has a snap action attachment/detachment portion defining a channel for a resilient snap member. The channel has an annular side wall extending generally along an axial direction of the self draining snap fastener socket, an upper flange extending from an upper portion of the annular side wall toward a socket center, and a lower flange extending from a lower portion of the annular side wall toward the socket center. A fluid passageway extends from the interior of the self draining snap fastener socket through the annular side wall to outside of the self draining snap fastener socket.
US07814617B2	Hinge A hinge (10) has a first arm (14) pivotally mounted to a first mounting element (11) and a second arm (15) pivotally mounted to a second mounting element (12). The first and second arms (14, 15) intersect and are pivotally joined by a pivot (13). A first link (24) is pivotally connected to the first mounting element (11) and pivotally coupled to the second arm (15). A second link 21 is pivotally connected to the second mounting element (12) and pivotally coupled to the first arm (14). At least one of said first and second links (21, 24) is adjustable such as to adjust the position of the arm, to which the link is connected, with respect to a pivotal coupling of the mounting element to the arm. The first arm (14) is formed in two parts (31 and 32) which are pivotally coupled together whereby the angular position of one part (31) relative to the other part (32) can be altered and retained in an adjusted angular position by adjusting screws (44).
US07814613B1	Rollers and disks for carpet cleaning The claimed carpet cleaning apparatus incorporates recesses in a rigid surface of a roller or in a rigid disk. As the roller or disk rotates or is moved across the soft surface to be cleaned, the roller or disk presses downward on the soft surface and compresses it. The soft surface decompresses to the original position when the soft surface is in contact with a surface of a recess and recompresses when the roller or disk presses downward again. The compression, decompression, and recompression, preferably in combination with a cleaning compound, provide the mechanical action necessary for removal of foreign material.
US07814610B2	Ice scraper A hand tool adapted to mechanically remove materials such as ice, frost, and/or snow from surfaces such as automobile window glass comprises a longitudinally-extending handle having a front end and a rear end, a scraper disposed adjacent the front end of the handle, a rear grip disposed adjacent the rear end of the handle, and a front grip disposed adjacent the front end of the handle. The rear grip is adapted to facilitate a user applying force to the scraper in a direction generally parallel to the length of the handle to move the scraper along a surface to be scraped, and the front grip is adapted to facilitate a user applying force to the scraper in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of the handle to urge the scraper against the surface to be scraped.
US07814608B1	Scraping system A scraping system for facilitating changing of a blade and cleaning after scraping a surface includes a base member. An upper extension is attached to the base member and extends upwardly at an angle with respect to the base member. A lower extension is attached to the base member and extends downwardly at an angle with respect to the base member. A lower arm is coupled to the lower extension. An upper arm is pivotally coupled to the upper extension of the base member. The upper arm is pivotal towards the lower arm to abut the lower arm. A blade is positioned on the lower arm. The upper arm is biased against the lower arm and the blade to press the blade between the upper and lower arms and inhibit sliding of the blade when the blade is scraped across a surface.
US07814597B2	Method and apparatus for determining cloth and fluid motion in a washing machine A method and apparatus for measuring and recording conditions inside a chamber containing cloth items and fluid is provided. The method involves placement of contact sensors inside a wash chamber that can detect contact with a target cloth. The method also involves placement of rotation sensors for determining the position of rotating components within the washer. The method also involves installation of friction sensors that can measure forces between cloth items and the surfaces of the wash chamber. The method also involves installation of a fluid flow sensing system to determine the direction of fluid flow in the washer. All or some of the aforementioned signals are communicated from instruments within the washer to an external computer and may be converted to spatial locations for the impeller, target cloth and basket. Video may be recorded and combined with the sensor data to develop a more complete picture of cloth motion.
US07814594B2	One-sided mattress A one-sided mattress construction includes a spring assembly with asymmetric spring coils. Only the bottom portion of each spring coil is attached, either to adjacent spring coils or to a bottom surface of the mattress. The top portion of each spring may have a narrowing taper that permits the top to move independent of other adjacent springs.
US07814593B2	Gradient bed A three dimensional matrix of air, other gas, or hydraulic fluid cells is proposed for the purpose of providing an ideal surface for load distribution. These cells will be arranged into layers stacked onto each other, with successive layers inflated to decreasing pressures. Neighboring cells can either communicate with each other freely, emulating an open cell construction, or be locked, emulating a closed cell construction, thus providing dynamic, as well as passive, control.
US07814583B2	Retractable rotating spa speaker system A spa speaker apparatus having a housing with a speaker mounted therein, wherein the speaker can be extended and retracted with respect to the housing and the speaker is also rotatable within the housing. A system for providing audio to a spa is also disclosed. The system comprises a spa having walls and at least one speaker unit mounted to a spa wall. Each of the speaker units is capable of receiving an audio signal, and generating sound towards the occupants of the spa. Each of the speaker units comprises a speaker that is individually retractable to be hidden behind the spa wall and extendible from the spa wall. Each of the speakers is also rotatable within the spa wall to direct the speaker sound.
US07814582B2	System and method for measuring and monitoring overflow or wetness conditions in a washroom A system for detecting an actual or impending overflow condition from a washroom fixture includes an overflow sensor configured with the fixture at a location to detect an abnormal rise in water level within the fixture before water overflows the fixture. A water sensor may also be disposed to detect an abnormal amount of water on the washroom floor. A data communications unit is in communication with the sensors. A washroom monitoring station is provided in wireless communication with the data communications unit and in communication with the sensors through the data communications unit. The washroom monitoring station is configured for indicating the presence of water when detected by the overflow or water sensors.
US07814578B2	Helmet with integrated head light A helmet is provided herein for protection of the head of a user. A shell, chin bar, breath deflector, and head light are provided. The chin bar is fixed between the right and left sides of the shell. A face shield system is pivotally secured to the shell to pivot up and away from the face of the user leaving only a chin bar running below the mouth of the user in front of the face of the user. The breath deflector moves with the face shield. The light is secured to a center portion of the chin bar and includes a switch integrated with the light.
US07814577B2	Spectrally balanced protective facemasks Protective face masks and shields are configured so that interior surfaces are associated with visual characteristics based on a use environment. A face shield for a catcher's helmet includes an interior surface having three horizontal zones that are assigned colors, gray levels, color coordinates, or other characteristics based on playing surface characteristics. Upper, middle, and lower interior portions can be associated with blue, green, and brown, respectively.
US07814572B2	Reusable cuff barrier Adjustable padding systems for garments, incorporating a pocket and a pad. The pocket is coupled to the garment and has a wide, proximal portion and a narrow, distal portion. The pad has corresponding wide and narrow portions. The narrow portion of the pad is longer than the length of the narrow portion of the pocket, but is adjustable in length. Accordingly, the location of the wide portion of the pad along the length of the garment can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the narrow portion of the pad.
US07814571B2	Lightweight thin flexible polymer coated glove and a method therefor A lightweight thin flexible latex glove article having a polymeric latex coating that penetrates the front portion of a knitted liner half way or more through the liner thickness and for at least a portion of the knitted liner, not penetrating the entire thickness. For example, the liner can be knitted using an 18-gauge needle with 70 to 221 denier nylon 66 multi-filament yarn. The polymer latex coating can be 0.75 to 1.25 times the thickness of the knitted liner. Over 30% reduction of glove thickness is achieved resulting in three times greater flexibility. The polymer latex coating may be foamed with 5 to 50 vol % air content. Open celled foamed latex coating may be coated with a dispersion of fluorochemical dispersion to prevent liquid permeation into the glove. The process can include steps to gel the latex emulsion at interstices of the yarn to prevent further penetration of the emulsion into the liner.
US07814569B2	Free-floating dual layer swimsuit A swimsuit comprising an inner compression layer attached to an outer layer in a free floating manner is provided. The inner compression layer shapes, contours and slims the wearer's body, whereas the outer layer provides an aesthetically pleasing design. The inner and outer layers are positioned substantially independent from each other on the wearer's body for their respective purposes. It is further contemplated that the outer layer provides an additional shaping, contouring and slimming function in addition to the inner compression layer.

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