| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08037975B2 |
Piston seal member and disc brake using the piston seal member
The piston seal member is formed of a crosslinked rubber composition, the rubber composition including 100 parts by weight of an ethylene-propylene rubber, 20 to 60 parts by weight of a first carbon black, 50 to 100 parts by weight of a second carbon black, and 5 to 20 parts by weight of carbon nanofiber having an average diameter of 0.5 to 500 nm, the total amount of the first carbon black and the second carbon black being 70 to 160 parts by weight. The first carbon black has an average particle diameter of 35 to 100 nm and a DBP absorption of 50 to 200 ml/100 g. The second carbon black has an average particle diameter that is greater than the average particle diameter of the first carbon black and ranges from 60 to 500 nm and a DBP absorption of 5 to 50 ml/100 g. |
| US08037974B2 |
Self-energizing disc brake with brake pad stabilization
A self-energizing disc brake includes a brake caliper or frame, the application device for applying at least one brake at least one brake pad unit, and at least one electromotive drive as an actuator for actuating the application device. The application device also has two or more brake plungers, wherein the two brake plungers are connected to one another by a connecting plate. At least one or more ramp arrangements is/are formed in the region adjacent to the brake plungers between the brake pad unit and the connecting plate. |
| US08037973B2 |
Fixing device for anti-slip cable lock
A fixing device for an anti-slip cable locker is disclosed. The fixing device provides a connection such that after the cable is engaged, and a single screw action, the cable can be locked after engagement, and therefore, article hooked to the locker will be securedly locked. The fixing device allows a quick installation, rapid engagement with the cable locker and provides anti-slip from the cable locker. |
| US08037969B2 |
Method and apparatus for a drive-thru product delivery verifier
A system for improving the efficiency of drive-through delivery systems is provided. The system can provide complete error tracking and feedback; however, partial or no error tracking and/or feedback can be provided if desired. Errors in order fulfillment can be reduced. Detailed information on product weight and delivery timing can be provided. By analyzing the weight distributions of each food item or any other suitable measurements, production quality and consistency may be monitored. By analyzing the delivery times for each food item type or any other suitable measurements, production efficiency and restaurant work flow may be measured. |
| US08037968B2 |
Automatic lubrication apparatus
An automatic lubrication apparatus is designed and intended to be mounted on a hydraulic tool and can be driven by a hydraulic-pressure medium, in particular on a hydraulic hammer, and includes a lubricant pump (12) incorporating a pump element. The pump element of the lubricant pump is cyclically impacted by a cam, and the cam is operatively connected to a hydromotor from which torque is transferred so as to produce synchronous rotation. |
| US08037965B1 |
Stethoscope expander assembly and methods of using same
A stethoscope expander assembly includes a first portion and a second portion. Each portion is provided with at least one arm, at least one leg, and at least one attachment member. The first portion of the stethoscope expander assembly includes a male member and a cover opposite the male member. The second portion of the stethoscope expander assembly includes a female member and a channel for receiving a tubing of a stethoscope. The first and second portions provide a slit for receiving a spring of the stethoscope. The first and second portions of the stethoscope expander assembly function to move the stethoscope expander assembly into an expanded position. |
| US08037964B2 |
Electric power steering apparatus
When stopping operation of an electric power steering apparatus, a motor relay is kept in an on-state even after a power supply relay is in an off-state. A drive control portion sets a target value of a d-axis current to a value other than zero and sets a target value of a q-axis current to zero, and performs a processing same as that at the time of rotating a motor. MOS-FETs contained in a motor driving circuit are controlled such that each of driving currents of the two phases or more is not zero and the brushless motor does not rotate even supplied with these driving currents. Electric charge accumulated in a capacitor is discharged via the MOS-FETs each in an on-state, a motor relay and the windings of the brushless motor. The electric charge accumulated in the capacitor may be discharged via the excitation coil of the motor relay. |
| US08037960B2 |
Structure for mounting electricity storage pack on vehicle
A structure for mounting a battery pack on a vehicle includes a mount for supporting the battery pack. The battery pack is fixed to an upper side of the mount by bolts. The battery pack is disposed on a rear side of a rear seat. The battery pack includes screw holes through which the bolts are inserted. The screw holes have closed shapes. The screw holes are long in a front-rear direction and formed so that the battery pack moves when an impact is applied on it. A fixed state of the battery pack by the bolts is canceled after movement of the battery pack. |
| US08037953B2 |
Powered wheelchair having a side-access battery compartment
A wheelchair includes a frame, a chair, a pair of drive wheels, a pair of rear wheels, and a pair of from wheels. Each front wheel is part of a front arm assembly that is rigidly coupled to a drive via a mounting plate. The mounting plate is connected to the wheelchair frame by a pivot. The drives are transversely mounted. The batteries are disposed rearward of the drives. The wheelchair seat can be moved forward to provide access to the batteries without fully removing the wheelchair from the frame. Or the wheelchair may provide side access to the batteries and the wheelchair may be fixed. |
| US08037952B2 |
Adjustable hand controls for small loader
A control system for a walk behind loader which includes a control plate that is mounted to a shaft about an upright axis, wherein pivoting the control plate about the upright axis provides a steering input to the loader. A control handle is pivotally mounted about a generally horizontal axis and movable to provide for a direction and speed control input coupling through a control link. The control handle is mounted onto a handle mounting section section, that in turn is pivotally mounted to a support about an axis that is substantially coincident with the an axis coupling the handle to the control link, so that the control handle can be moved as the handle mounting section pivots between a raised and lowered position without causing a change in the position of controls controlled by the handle. The loader is capable of being operated by an operator walking on the ground when the control handle is in the lowered position, and by an operator standing on a platform attached to the loader, when the control handle is in the raised position. |
| US08037946B2 |
Hammer assembly
A hammer assembly (1) for breaking, levering and raking material, the hammer assembly includes a hammer (1) and an articulated control linkage (3). The hammer includes: a movable mass capable movement along an impact axis (14), an elongated 5 tool (23) having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel or coaxial with the impact axis(4), a primary pivot (6) attachment point for attaching the hammer (1) to a distal end of an operating arm (2) attached to the carrier for pivotal movement of the hammer (1) about a primary axis (6) orthogonal to the impact axis (14). The control linkage (3) includes first (4) and second linkss (5) for effecting pivotal movement of the hammer (1) about the primary axis (6) in response to movement from a drive attached to the operating arm (2). |
| US08037945B2 |
Atomic force microscope with combined FTIR-Raman spectroscopy having a micro thermal analyzer
An atomic force microscope is provided that includes a micro thermal analyzer with a tip. The micro thermal analyzer is configured for obtaining topographical data from a sample. A raman spectrometer is included and is configured for use in obtaining chemical data from the sample. |
| US08037943B2 |
Fastening device for coupling of blades in agricultural cultivation machines
Fastening device for coupling of blades in agricultural cultivation machines, in particular, tilling machines such as rotary tillers, including an intermediate fastening element, formed by a solid body, which joins the blade to the rotary plate; the intermediate fastening element being equipped with a fastening arrangement for linking the fastening arrangement to the rotary plate; a guiding arrangement for insertion of the blade into the intermediate fastening element; and at least one through hole, extending transversely with respect to the direction of the guiding arrangement and intended for insertion of a retractable pin which, when the pin is inserted, acts as a retaining element for the blade with respect to the intermediate fastening element such that the arrangement enables the user/operator to manually replace and/or reset the tilling blade, avoiding any need for accessory tools commonly used for this purpose. |
| US08037941B2 |
Dual packer for a horizontal well
A dual packer for at least partially defining a production zone in a wellbore, the dual packer including a packer body having an up-hole side and a down-hole side. A first through bore and a second through bore each extend through the packer body from the up-hole side to the down-hole side. A first piping extends from the down-hole side of the first through bore and includes a perforated sub adjacent the down-hole side of the packer body. A second piping extends from the down-hole side of the second through bore and is communicably connected to the first piping down-hole of the first perforated sub. |
| US08037940B2 |
Method of completing a well using a retrievable inflow control device
A retrievable flow control device comprising a housing configured to sealably couple with a completion component. The housing may comprise a first port and a second port establishing a fluid pathway. The fluid pathway may regulate a fluid flow as the fluid flow passes through the fluid pathway. The housing may further comprise a coupling mechanism configured to releasably couple with a corresponding feature of the wellbore completion. The downhole flow control device may be configured to be retrievable independently of the completion component. The flow control device may comprise a check valve in the fluid pathway in order to substantially constrain the fluid flow to a single direction. In some cases, the flow control device may be configured to couple with a side pocket. In other cases, a concentric flow control device may be configured to couple with a screen base pipe, tubing, or stinger. |
| US08037938B2 |
Selective completion system for downhole control and data acquisition
A completion system including a packer disposed in a wellbore and a tubular string having a bore therethrough configured to land into the packer. The tubular string includes an alignment sub, a seal assembly disposed below the alignment sub and having at least two longitudinal bores disposed through the seal assembly and offset from the bore of the tubular string. The tubular string also includes a sleeve sub disposed below the seal assembly, wherein the sleeve sub allows fluid communication between a bore of the tubular string and an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore. The tubular string also includes at least two control lines operatively connected to the sleeve sub, wherein the at least two control lines are run through he at least two longitudinal bores of the seal assembly. |
| US08037936B2 |
Method of heating sub sea ESP pumping system
A system and method is provided for heating fluid to be pumped by an electrical submersible pumping system. Heat for heating the fluid may be inductively generated by adjusting the power delivered to the motor of the pumping system. In one example, the power adjustment includes supplying the voltage applied to the pump motor to a value less than voltage applied during normal operations. While lowering the voltage the electrical frequency may be varied as well as the electrical waveform. |
| US08037931B2 |
Hybrid water heating system
A hybrid heating apparatus heats potable water with waste heat from heat recovery units and insolation from solar collectors. A single circulation pump circulates fluid between at least one heat exchanger and each of the heat recovery units and preferably the solar collector. A single controller receives sensor readings from the heat recovery units and the solar collector units and receives a demand to heat the potable water. To satisfy the demand, the controller determines the extent to which the demand may be satisfied from heat available from the heat recovery units and the solar collector units and sends command signals both to the circulating pump to circulate the fluid and to appropriate ones of valves at connections to those heat recovery units and solar collector units to allow fluid to circulate to be heated to flow to the heat exchanger for effecting heat exchange to heat the potable water. |
| US08037925B2 |
Heat exchanger having integrated tank header and partition structure and partition inserting groove with leak detection
The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, and more particularly, to a heat exchanger in which a partition wall integrally formed with a header is fixedly inserted into a partition inserting groove of a tank and it is easy to check leakage of a heat exchange medium between the tank and the partition wall through a leakage checking hole formed in the partition inserting groove. |
| US08037918B2 |
Pick-up heads and systems for die bonding and related applications
Pick-up heads and systems are especially useful for picking up, transporting, and placing semiconductor dies at bond sites on packaging substrates. Alternatively, the heads and systems are useful for performing these tasks with any of various other planar objects. An exemplary head includes a shank and a body. The body includes a compliant end portion contactable by the shank, and the end portion includes a face. The shank is movable relative to the end portion such that, whenever the shank is retracted, the face has a substantially planar contour, and whenever the shank is extended, the shank contacts and urges the end portion to provide the face with a convex contour. The end portion desirably defines at least one vacuum orifice connected to an evacuation device (e.g., a vacuum pump) that evacuates the vacuum orifice sufficiently to cause the planar object to adhere to the face. |
| US08037914B2 |
Laminating apparatus
A laminating apparatus having a thickness-detecting function is provided. Before the laminating operation is done, the thickness of the article to be laminated is detected by a thickness detecting mechanism of the laminating apparatus. According to the detected thickness, the temperature or the rotating speed of the heating roller of the laminating apparatus is dynamically adjusted. |
| US08037911B2 |
Wheel including tread coupled to rim
Wheels and methods of making wheels are disclosed including an inner portion and a tread mechanically coupled to the inner portion. The tread may be mechanically coupled to the inner portion on an inside and an outside of the wheel. The inner portion may include a rim including a plurality of apertures. The inner portion may be high density polyethylene and the tread may be thermoplastic elastomer. |
| US08037909B2 |
Pneumatic radial tire with water-splash control rib
Pneumatic radial tires are described having belt layers deposited under a tread and a ring-shaped water-splash control rib (100) formed on the sidewall (20), wherein the upper profile Lb of the rib is positioned above a continuation line (Ca) which extends along an average profile of an outmost belt layer and which is divided in to upper and lower profile of the outmost belt layer, the rib comprising drainage grooves or drainage protuberances in the upper profile of the rib, the height h of the rib is 0.085-0.115 times the width TW of the tread (0.085TW≦h≦0.115TW). |
| US08037904B2 |
Anchor mount
An anchor mount formed of a stopper having a thrust flange joined to a first end of a stem portion with an axial bore extending there through and a centering portion inclined between an overhanging portion of the flange and the stem portion; a part-spherical coupler presented on the stopper thrust flange opposite from the stem portion; a substantially resiliently deformable plug having an axial bore extended there through; an elongated shaft extendable through the respective axial bores of the stopper and the plug and having a threaded portion thereof extendable from a second end of the plug; an end cap having with an axial bore there through and being structured with an anti-rotation mechanism operable for resisting rotation of the end cap relative to the plug; and a mechanism for reversibly moving the end cap along the elongated shaft relative to the stem portion of the stopper. |
| US08037899B2 |
Backflow preventer
A first check valve has a narrow flow path portion (68) formed between an arcuate portion (46) of the outer periphery (45) of a support member and a second enlarged-diameter portion (11) of a casing. The narrow flow path portion (first portion of an intermediate flow path) is in fluidic communication with a back-pressure chamber (50) defined in the support member at the rear of the top of a valving element through a communicating passage (67) including a gap (66) between the outer periphery of the valving element and the inner periphery of a large-diameter portion (38) and grooves (27) on the rear surface of the top of the valving element. Thus, a low static pressure of fluid flowing through the narrow flow path portion is introduced into the back-pressure chamber to move the valving element by a large differential pressure during the supply of fluid, thereby allowing the valve opening to become larger than in the conventional apparatus and enabling a reduction of pressure losses. An intermediate chamber has a pressure chamber (130) defined therein by using a rigid partition. A high-pressure chamber (131) of the pressure chamber is in communication with the upstream side of the first check valve, and a low-pressure chamber (132) thereof is in communication with the narrow flow path portion. Thus, a valving element (136) is acted upon by a force larger than the differential pressure between the upstream side and an internal flow path (106) of the intermediate chamber, thereby allowing a relief valve (135) to be surely kept closed. |
| US08037897B2 |
Valve apparatus
A valve apparatus that has a longitudinal axis therethrough comprises a valve seat member, a valve closure member, a fluid flow path, and a resilient valve insert member. The valve seat member comprises a hollow bore and a first frustoconical contact surface that has an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter. The valve closure member comprises a valve body and a second frustoconical contact surface that is adapted to seal against the first frustoconical contact surface in a strike face area. The valve closure member is movable along the longitudinal axis of the valve apparatus. The fluid flow path extends through the bore of the valve seat member and between the valve seat member and the valve closure member. This fluid flow path is closed when the second frustoconical contact surface is sealed against the first frustoconical contact surface. |
| US08037896B2 |
Pressure regulation in remote zones
A pressure control system remotely controls pressure within one or more remote zones, each respectively connected to an enclosure through a conduit, by controlling flow of a fluid into and out of each enclosure. The pressure of the fluid is measured within each enclosure. An estimated pressure within each zone is computed, as a function of the measured pressure in the enclosure and known characteristics of the conduit and the zone. For each zone, an inlet proportional valve and an outlet proportional valve of each enclosure is operated so as to control the input flow rate of the fluid into the respective enclosure and the output flow rate of the fluid out of the enclosure as a function of a pressure set point and the estimated pressure, thereby regulating pressure within the zone in accordance with the pressure set point. |
| US08037890B2 |
Substrate cleaning device and substrate cleaning method
A substrate cleaning device and a substrate cleaning method reduces liquid drops remaining on a substrate to prevent the irregular heating of the substrate by a heating process due to liquid drops or water marks remaining on the substrate. A cleaning liquid is poured through a cleaning liquid pouring nozzle onto the surface of a substrate such that a region onto which the cleaning liquid is poured moves from a central part toward the circumference of the substrate. A gas is jetted radially outward at a region on the surface of the substrate behind a region onto which the cleaning liquid is poured with respect to the rotating direction of the substrate. The gas forces a liquid film of the cleaning liquid flowing on the surface of the substrate to flow in a circumferential direction and a radially outward direction. |
| US08037889B2 |
Disposable cigarette ash bag package
A disposable cigarette ash bag package includes a set of disposable cigarette ash bags for receiving cigarette ash individually, and an outer bag or box for receiving the set of disposable cigarette ash bags. The disposable cigarette ash bags are smaller one relative another so that they are can be inserted one into another. |
| US08037883B2 |
Oral device
The present invention is an oral device comprised of two main components, a U-shaped lower bite plate and a U-shaped upper bite plate, which are molded to fit the front teeth of a wearer with a soft flexible contact surface. The oral device of the present invention comprises an upper bite plate and a lower bite plate each having a generally U-shaped appearance. The upper bite plate removably fits over the upper teeth of a person and the lower bite plate removably fits over the lower teeth of a person. Each bite plate includes a U-shaped buccal side and a U-shaped lingual side connected by a U-shaped top portion. The U-shaped top portion is further comprised of an exposed surface and an attaching surface where the exposed surface is the surface that contacts a penis, clitoris, or other body part while the attaching surface contacts the wearer's teeth. |
| US08037879B2 |
Heat distributing wave tray for a grill
A heat distributing tray for use in a barbecue grill includes a corrugated unitary body of heat conducting material having alternating solid and grated walls which define channels. More specifically, the body includes first and second side portions defined by both solid walls which extend at gradually decreasing angles with respect to a common horizontal plane and varying length grated walls interconnecting the solid walls. In use, the tray is placed over one or more heating elements in a barbecue housing, with radiant and convective heat from the heating element being optimally distributed throughout the entire interior portion of the barbecue grill due to the relative structure and configuration of the solid walls in relation to the grated walls. |
| US08037877B2 |
Barrel for prohibiting paintball from dropping therefrom
A barrel for prohibiting the paintball from dropping therefrom is provided by the present invention. The barrel includes a main body and an elastic ring. In which, a rear end of the main body is formed with a combining portion to combine with a paintball gun, and an extension is extended rearward from the combining portion. A bore penetrates through the main body, the combining portion and the extension. Around an outer periphery of the extension is disposed an annular groove, and at least one slot is formed in the annular groove, while the slot communicating the bore proximate to the extension. In addition, the elastic ring has a smaller perimeter than that of the annular groove. The elastic ring is disposed in the annular groove, and a part of the elastic ring sinks into the slot, overlapping a part of the bore. |
| US08037875B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for internal combustion engine
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a first fuel tank where a first fuel containing alcohol is stored; a second fuel tank where a second fuel is stored, wherein a concentration of alcohol in the second fuel is known; an alcohol concentration sensor disposed in a supply passage through which the first and second fuels flow; and a malfunction determination portion. The control apparatus switches a fuel flowing through the supply passage between the first fuel and the second fuel, and controls a fuel injection amount based on a concentration of the alcohol in the first fuel detected by the sensor. The malfunction determination portion determines that the sensor malfunctions, if a value detected by the sensor is outside a predetermined range corresponding to the concentration of the alcohol in the second fuel when the fuel flowing through the supply passage is switched to the second fuel. |
| US08037874B2 |
Fuel based cylinder knock control
Various systems and methods are described for controlling operation of engine cylinders, where each cylinder has a first and second injector for delivering fuel. One example method maintains air-fuel ratio in the exhaust by adjusting fuel injection of a common fuel injector type among the cylinders, where different cylinders operate with different combinations of injectors. |
| US08037873B2 |
Residual burnt gas scavenging method with double intake valve lift in a direct-injection supercharged internal-combusion engine, notably of diesel type
The present invention relates to a method of scavenging residual burnt gas of a direct-injection internal-combustion engine, notably of diesel type, comprising at least one cylinder (10) including a combustion chamber (12), at least one exhaust means (14) with an exhaust valve (18) controlled by exhaust control means (42), at least one intake means (24) with an intake valve (28) controlled by intake control means (40) and a processing unit (44) receiving the values relative to the intake pressure (Pa) and to the exhaust pressure (Pe) of the engine. The method consists, when the engine runs under low speed and high load conditions, in carrying out a sequence of opening/closing of exhaust valves (18) during the exhaust phase of the engine, during this exhaust valve opening/closing sequence, in carrying out at least one sequence of opening/closing of intake valves (28) so as to achieve scavenging of the residual burnt gas. |
| US08037870B2 |
Fuel economy improvement assist device and method of fuel economy improvement assist
A fuel economy improvement assist device (1) has: accelerator operation amount detection means (12); and display control means (15a) for displaying, on a display device (20), a target value corresponding to a target accelerator operation amount and a deviation value of the detected accelerator operation amount from the target accelerator operation amount (14a). The display control means (15a) calculates an accelerator depression speed based on the detected accelerator operation amount, and variably displays the deviation value in accordance with the calculated accelerator depression speed. |
| US08037865B2 |
Self-contained compression brake control module for compression-release brake system of internal combustion engine
A compression-release brake system for operating an exhaust valve of an engine during an engine braking operation. The compression-release brake system comprises a self-contained compression brake control module (CBCM) operatively coupled to the exhaust valve for controlling a lift and a phase angle thereof and a source of a pressurized hydraulic fluid. The CBCM includes a casing defining piston and actuator cavities, a slave piston mounted within the piston cavity, a check valve provided between a supply conduit and a slave piston chamber and a compression brake actuator disposed in the actuator cavity. The compression brake actuator includes an actuator element and a biasing spring. The actuator element selectively engages the check valve when deactivated so as to unlock the slave piston chamber, and disengages from the check valve when activated so as to lock the slave piston chamber. The actuator element is exposed to atmospheric pressure. |
| US08037862B1 |
Simplified multifunction component rotary engine
An internal combustion rotary engine has a chamber defined by a chamber wall and a rotor valve body in three locus-sealing contact with the chamber wall to define a series of three subchambers including a first subchamber for sequential compression, transfer, and combustion of a fuel mixture from a chamber fuel mixture intake and for exhausting combustion products through a chamber exhaust outlet. The rotor body defines a first bodily internal path for fuel mixture travel from the intake to the first subchamber for compression and combustion to combustion products, and a second bodily internal exhaust travel path between the combustion products in the first subchamber and the chamber exhaust outlet for exhausting of the combustion products. The chamber and rotor cooperate to transfer compressed fuel mixture past the rotor within the first subchamber. The rotor further defines a sealing and sliding valve structure with the chamber wall for controlling intake into and exhaust from the first subchamber. Two additional chamber carry out the same functions in time-delayed sequence. |
| US08037860B2 |
Cylinder liner and engine
A cylinder liner has an upper portion and a lower portion with respect to an axial direction of the cylinder liner. A high thermal conductive film is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the upper portion. A low thermal conductive film is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the lower portion. The cylinder liner reduces temperature difference of a cylinder along its axial direction. |
| US08037856B2 |
Rocker arm
A rocker arm includes a pair of side wall portions formed so as to face each other, an engaging portion connecting the pair of side wall portions and adapted to engage with a rocking support member arranged in an engine, and a sliding portion connecting the pair of side wall portions and being adapted to be in slidable contact with a stem front end portion of an engine valve. The engaging portion includes a board surface portion connecting the pair of side wall portions and a protruding portion protruding from the board surface portion toward the rocking support member. In the protruding portion, a spherical concave portion adapted to engage with a spherical protruding portion of the rocking support member is formed as a depression. |
| US08037848B2 |
Animal behavioral control apparatus
An animal behavioral control apparatus includes a cartridge, a housing, a head, and a horn. The cartridge contains pressurized gas. The housing surrounds at least a part of the cartridge. The head is connected to the housing and includes an actuator and a valve. The valve engages the cartridge when the actuator is actuated in order to release gas out of the cartridge. The horn is removably connected to the head. When the horn is not connected to the head, the animal behavioral control apparatus ejects a blast of gas when the actuator is actuated. And when the horn is connected to the head, the animal behavioral control apparatus emits a sound when the actuator is actuated. |
| US08037847B2 |
Closure system for a cage containing laboratory animals and methods thereof
A closure system for a cage containing laboratory animals, where in an upper edge of the base of the cage an U-shaped housing towards the outside of the edge hosts a gasket having a lip projecting out of the upper edge, and s bending in contact with a side rim of the top, the side rim overlapping the upper edge, and comprising at least two latches, connected on one side to the base, and having a bending line with a smaller thickness, and a projecting hook at the opposite side, to be restrained in a slot in the top, so that in operation the latch bends in the bending line and the projecting hook can be engaged to or disengaged from the slot. |
| US08037846B2 |
Method and system for tracking and managing animals and/or food products
Embodiments of a method and system are described for tracking and managing animals and/or food products. Identification data and location data for animals is entered into a computer system. A data service provider may collect this data and transmitted it to a data trustee. The data trustee may filter the data into official and non-official data, and send official data to an official database. When a public health issue arises, the government may use an identifier for a diseased animal or a location identifier to request a trace report from the data trustee. The data trustee may then use the official data to provide a report showing, for example, which animals have commingled with the diseased animal. Based on this report, other animals can be treated, quarantined, or slaughtered. The disclosed embodiments also may be used to facilitate commercial transactions by providing data that validates an animal's health and food quality. |
| US08037843B2 |
Resin application and infusion system
An application and infusion system for applying a resin to one or more fiber tows and for infusing the fiber tows with the resin, wherein each of the fiber tows is moving at a respective fiber speed. The application and infusion system includes a deposition and infusion system comprising one or more nozzles configured to deposit the resin on a respective one of the fiber tows. The system further includes a controller configured to control a flow rate of the resin through each of the nozzles relative to the fiber speed of the respective ones of the fiber tows. Other aspects of the application and infusion system are also provided. |
| US08037839B2 |
Device for handling a load hoisted between two locations offset both vertically and horizontally
A device for handling a load hoisted between two locations offset both vertically and horizontally is described. In particular the device is useful for transferring an outboard motor between an operating location on a dinghy and a storage location on a larger boat. The device makes use of existing lifting devices such as sail halyards and winches and provides both guidance and stabilization of the motor during the transfer. |
| US08037837B2 |
Floating dock and dock unit for making such
The present document describes a dock unit attachable to another dock unit with a fastener for forming a floating dock. The dock unit comprises a floating body having a mating surface and an attachment adapted to receive the fastener. Thereby attaching the floating body is able to be attached to the other dock unit. The dock unit further comprises a cover for covering the mating surface, the cover having a contact surface adapted to contact the fastener. In use, the contact surface is positioned proximate the attachment so that, when the attachment receives the fastener, the contact surface is contacted by the fastener, thereby limiting the movement of the cover with respect to the floating body. |
| US08037836B2 |
Automated boat washing system
A self-contained boat cleaning system that dispenses water, soap, wax and/or spot-free rinse chemicals. Cleaning fluids are distributed via conduits which can be concealed inside the rub rail, mounted near the rub rails or other surfaces of the boat, or alternatively can be installed inside the bulkheads of the vessel. Fluid apertures direct the spray of water and/or cleaning fluids to predetermined surfaces of the boat. A pump and associated reservoir system (containing built in reservoirs for cleaning fluids, chemicals, waxes, spot-free chemicals, etc) can be mounted anywhere inside the vessel. The water supply used by the system can be supplied either from shore water or from a fresh water holding tank on board and fed into the onboard water filtration system. An optional timer which can be used to start the process at predetermined times. In addition, the boat washing system can be activated via remote control. |
| US08037833B2 |
Stackable tray and inventory system with stackable trays
Disclosed herein is an inventory system with stackable trays that permits access to individual trays. The inventory system comprises an upright pole having a top and bottom, a support attached to the bottom of the pole, and at least two stackable trays, each tray having a fastening device to engage a back of the tray to the pole, wherein when a tray is moved away from the pole, the fastening device disengages the pole, and when a tray is pushed toward the pole, the fastening device can engage the pole. Also disclosed is a stackable tray. Also disclosed is method for removing a lower stacked tray from underneath a higher stacked tray. |
| US08037832B2 |
Meeting table
A meeting table (1), below its horizontal top (7) which forms a working area, has a container (10) housing a system (2) for remote conferences, in particular for telepresence or videoconference meetings; inside the perimeter of the top (7), at least one video screen (12) of the system (2) for remote conferences can move between a first, raised position, in which it rises up from the working area, and a second, lowered position, in which it is housed in a retracted fashion below the working area, in particular inside the container (10). |
| US08037828B1 |
Projectile-generating explosive access tool
An explosive device that can generate a projectile from the opposite side of a wall from the side where the explosive device is detonated. The projectile can be generated without breaching the wall of the structure or container. The device can optionally open an aperture in a solid wall of a structure or a container and form a high-kinetic-energy projectile from the portion of the wall removed to create the aperture. |
| US08037826B2 |
Mechanical self destruct for runaway escapements
An escapement fuze self-destruct mechanism for a projectile includes a drive weight that maintains a biasing member in a compressed state by centrifugal force when a projectile's RPM speed is above a preselected threshold. When the RPM speed falls below the preselected threshold, the biasing member exerts sufficient counter-rotational force to overcome the centrifugal force exerted by the drive weight. The biasing member expands to an uncompressed state and displaces the drive weight into position for mechanically implementing self-destruction of the projectile if a rotor is fully armed or for rendering the projectile “safe” if the rotor is in any position other then fully armed. |
| US08037823B2 |
Networked pyrotechnic actuator incorporating high-pressure bellows
A pyrotechnically powered actuator having a bellows that provides a force and stroke upon initiation is disclosed. The actuator includes a housing body with a first end and a second end. The bellows is coupled to the first end of the housing body. A cover is coupled to the second end of the housing body. An initiator is located within the housing body and includes a pyrotechnic material and a bridge element. The housing body, the bellows, and the cover define a hermetically sealed chamber. The bellows is compact, lightweight, and can withstand internal and external pressure at least as high as 3,000 psi. An exemplary embodiment includes a housing body that provides a compartment for adding supplemental pyrotechnic material. Further exemplary embodiments of the actuator include a chip initiator that requires less than 1 amp to function in less than 10 milliseconds. |
| US08037822B2 |
Warhead booster explosive lens
A cost-effective solution is proposed to improve explosive transfer between booster and warhead that is compatible with the existing base of general purpose warheads and flexible to work with new warhead configurations. A booster lens is placed in the fuze well that concentrates the pressure wave to penetrate the fuze well with a peak pressure that exceeds the detonation threshold and detonate the warhead explosive. The booster lens can be configured to control the direction of the concentrated lobe to penetrate the fuze well where the barriers are low. |
| US08037821B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing the transmission of mechanical waves
Methods and apparatus for reducing transmission of mechanical waves according to various aspects of the present invention comprise a set of isolators and a series of stops configured to isolate a piece of equipment in a projectile. The stops serve to limit the amount of stress loading placed on the isolators during transient events where loads associated with launch of the projectile or deployment of flight control surface might damage the isolators or cause the equipment to fail. |
| US08037814B1 |
Method of staggering belts in a round baler
An improved roll belt guide mechanism for directing movement of a plurality of side-by-side belts in a round baler wherein adjacent belts are staggered to create opening through which trash mass pass to prevent trash accumulation behind the belts. A pair of offsetting rolls is positioned between two guide rolls defining the normal belt path. The offsetting rolls are aligned on axes that are parallel to the normal guide roll axes and arranged so that one offsetting roll is positioned generally forward of the other. One or more belts are directed around the forward offset roll while the remainder of the belts is directed around the rearward offsetting roll. The alignment and separation of the offsetting rolls is configured to allow roll belts of equal lengths to be used regardless of routing around the offsetting rolls. Trash removal may be improved by the addition of an auger in the space between the offset belts to urge the trash laterally, generally along the length of the offsetting rolls. |
| US08037812B1 |
Bottom opening fryer basket
A fryer basket having at least one bottom wall or panel that is normally retained in a closed relationship relative to side walls of the basket but which is released to pivot to an open position upon operation of a latching mechanism that is operable adjacent to a handgrip of a handle connected to the basket. |
| US08037807B2 |
Controlled motion in a hydraulically actuated system
A machine configured to prevent unintentional motion in a linkage pivotally connected to a frame may include a first hydraulic actuator connected to the linkage and a second hydraulic actuator connected to the linkage. The machine may include a sensor and an electronic control module in communication with the sensor. The electronic control module may be configured to close a valve of the first hydraulic cylinder and/or cancel an actuation command to one of the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator in response to the electronic control module determining unintentional motion of the linkage has occurred based on the sensor. |
| US08037805B1 |
Pistol with off-axis slide
An apparatus having a frame, a slide assembly and a barrel is disclosed. The slide assembly may be slidably mounted to the frame along a sliding plane. The barrel may be disposed in the slide assembly. The barrel generally has a bore shaped to accept an ammunition round. The bore may define a bore axis intersecting the sliding plane such that when the ammunition round is fired the slide assembly recoils both backward and upward relative to the frame. |
| US08037804B1 |
Dynamic armor
Methods and apparatus for ballistic shielding and protective armor; and more particularly, representative and exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally relate to improved methods and systems for ballistic deflection and protection through dynamic armor and/or the like. |
| US08037801B2 |
Link separation device for an ammunition belt
A link separation device for an ammunition belt, said belt exiting a weapon after firing via an opening and in which an assembly of links (M1, M2) are mounted able to pivot angularly with respect to one another, each of said links incorporating two lateral stirrups and one median stirrup, said median stirrup of a first link (M1) of said links being able to pivot in grooves in said lateral stirrups of a second link (M2) of said links, a relative pivoting position of said first link (M1) with respect to said second link (M2) following said first link (M1) enabling said first link (M1) to be unhooked, said links additionally being positioned with respect to said device in a position such that the pivoting ensuring the unlocking and the unhooking of said first link (M1) can be made naturally by the action of gravity exerted on said first link (M1), wherein said device incorporates means to ensure said first link (M1) rocks over as well as means to guide and means to support said second link (M2) following as said first link (M1) is rocking over. |
| US08037799B2 |
Thermal management for electromagnetic coil systems
A system includes a housing and an electromagnetic coil within the housing. The electromagnetic coil is arranged in a coil stack. A thermal damper is positioned adjacent to the electromagnetic coil, and a thermal structural plate is positioned adjacent to the coil stack. The thermal damper manages temperature rise of the electromagnetic coil and the thermal structural plate provides cooling to the coil stack. In an embodiment, the system is used to launch projectiles. |
| US08037792B2 |
Mountings for riving knives of table saws
A device for mounting a cover of a cutting blade to a riving knife may have an engaging member for releasably engaging at least a part of the riving knife from both sides, in a direction of thickness of the riving knife. The engaging member is manually operable without any additional tools. A device for mounting a riving knife to a table saw may include a manually operable lock member and a biasing member. The biasing member is arranged and constructed to normally bias the lock member towards a lock position. The riving knife may be divided into a first knife portion and a second knife portion. A positioning device may position the first knife portion and the second knife portion substantially within a single plate. |
| US08037791B2 |
Tool clamping device and tool holder
A tool clamping device having a tool holder (2) holding a tool (7, 8) for insertion into a socket of a tool support (1), such as a turret disc is designed such that a receiving body (16) of the tool holder and the tool support (1) have bearing surfaces (16, 3) to be arranged to one another and devices (14, 15) for fastening the tool holder on the tool support. The receiving body or the tool support has at least one stopping means (28), which projects axially over its bearing surface and is disposed on one side of the receiving body or tool support. The tool support or the receiving body has at least one contact surface for the stopping means. There is provided elastic means (36, 44) by means of which the stopping means can be laterally held in place on the contact surface under prestress. |
| US08037780B2 |
Discrete-ratio gearbox for motor vehicle
The gearbox comprises a case, a rod mounted on the case, a pair of sliding shift forks mounted on the rod, and travel-limit elements arranged on the rod for defining travel-limit positions for the shift forks. The travel-limit elements comprise a pair of bushes which are separate from the rod and have each a first axially outer larger-diameter portion and a second axially inner smaller-diameter portion so as to define at least one axial abutment surface for the shift fork adjacent thereto. |
| US08037777B2 |
Structurally compliant microbearing devices and methods thereof
A microbearing device includes at least one inner bearing structure, at least one outer bearing structure, and one or more fasteners. Each of the one or more fasteners is connected between the inner bearing structure and the outer bearing structure and the inner bearing structure is substantially elastic. |
| US08037776B2 |
Gear brake device for a multi-speed manual transmission
The invention relates to a gear brake device for a multi-speed manual transmission (2), comprising a gear brake (16) that is arranged outside the transmission housing, that is led out of the transmission housing, and which has a power take-off shaft that is drive-connected or can be drive-connected with an input side gear shaft arrangement, said gear brake performing a synchronization function during up-shifting of the transmission in the known manner. According to the present invention, at least one PTO connection (20) with a drive connection to the power take-off shaft (12) is arranged downstream of the gear brake (16), so that the power take-off shaft (12) is also available for a PTO function. |
| US08037775B2 |
Passive hit locator system comprising carbon nanotube arrays
A system for locating impacts comprises at least one array of a plurality of carbon nanotubes, each carbon nanotube operable to emit electrical activity when compressed. The system also comprises at least one sensor coupled to the at least one array configured to detect emitted electrical activity from the plurality of carbon nanotubes. Furthermore, a computer is configured to determine the location of an impact on the at least one array in response to the detected emitted electrical activity from the plurality of carbon nanotubes. |
| US08037773B2 |
Method of considering the dynamic behavior of a movable member of a machine for performing a wheel fatigue test
A method of considering the dynamic behavior of a movable member of a machine for performing a wheel fatigue test, the wheel including a disc and a rim, the method including mounting the wheel by fixing the wheel rim relative to a fixed structure of the machine, and securing the disc relative to the movable member which is movable to transmit a cyclical bending moment to the wheel, exerting a cyclical force on the movable member to generate the bending moment, at a distant position from the wheel, and while exerting the cyclical force, determining an indication of bending moment in the movable member at a first position between the wheel and the distant position, determining an indication of bending moment in the movable member at a second position between the first position and the distant position, and using the indications of bending moment at both of the first and second positions to determine an actual bending moment applied to the wheel. |
| US08037766B2 |
Method for generation mechanical waves by generation of interfacial acoustic radiation force
The present invention relates to a method for generating mechanical waves within a viscoelastic medium (11) comprising a step of generating an acoustic radiation force (15) within the viscoelastic medium (11) by application of acoustic waves focused on an interface (13) delimiting two zones (11, 14) having distinct acoustic properties. |
| US08037763B2 |
Rail section weld inspection scanner
A rail section weld inspection device [1000] is described for inspecting a rail [10] for internal defects [19,21]. A central ultrasonic (US) probe [1330] transmits at least one US beam [B] through the rail [10] and receiving a reflected signal. At least one angled US probe [1310] transmits at least one US beam [A1-A5] through the rail [10] at an oblique angle at least partially covering the same region as the central probe [1330]. An encoder identifies the location of the US probes [1330] and [1310] along the rail [10] and pairs the locations of the probes with the signals received. The Calculation device [1500] receives the signals from the US probes and uses their different views to create an image of the flaws within the rail [10]. |
| US08037762B2 |
Whispering gallery mode ultrasonically coupled scanning probe microscopy
Scanning probe microscopes include a probe tip coupled to a tuning fork or other acoustic resonator so as to apply a shear force when contacted to a specimen surface based on an applied acoustic signal. A secondary ultrasonic transducer is in acoustic communication with the specimen and a resonant structure. Probe tip-specimen displacement can be detected based on whispering gallery mode ultrasonic waves in the resonant structure using the secondary transducer, and such displacements maintained using feedback control based on whispering gallery mode acoustic wave magnitude. |
| US08037759B2 |
Method and device for determining the relative position, velocity and/or acceleration of a body
In a method for determining the relative position, velocity, acceleration, and/or the rotation center of a body displaceable in a three dimensional space, at least twelve linear acceleration sensors are provided and in each case arranged on a position which is stationarily fixed with respect to the body. At least one acceleration measurement signal is captured by the linear acceleration sensors. A position, velocity, acceleration, and/or rotation center signal is generated for the body from the acceleration measurement signal and data describing the position and orientation of the linear acceleration sensors in the body-fixed coordinate system. |
| US08037758B2 |
Angular velocity detection apparatus
An angular velocity detection apparatus includes: a sensor unit having first and second detection axes serving as angular velocity detection axes, the first and second detection axes intersecting each other; a sensor output correction circuit for making at least one of an offset adjustment and a sensitivity adjustment to a detection output of an angular velocity around the first detection axis and a detection output of an angular velocity around the second detection axis; a sign determination circuit for obtaining a sign of a rotational direction of an angular velocity on any one of the first and second detection axes; and an amplitude calculation circuit for multiplying a square sum average of detection outputs of angular velocities around the first and second detection axes outputted by the sensor output correction circuit and a sign outputted by the sign determination circuit. |
| US08037757B2 |
Parametric amplification of a MEMS gyroscope by capacitance modulation
Parametric amplification of the output of a MEMS gyroscope is achieved by modulating the sense capacitance, or an auxiliary capacitance having an applied DC voltage. The capacitance modulation is produced by the driven motion of the gyroscope mechanism, so the pump signal of the parametric amplifier is not subject to phase errors in the electronics. The capacitance modulation affects the mechanical gain of the sensor (transfer function from input force to sensor mechanism displacement), as well as the electrical gain of the sensor (transfer function from sensor mechanism displacement to output electrical signal). The mechanical and electrical gains of the sensor become phase-dependent, so the Coriolis rate signal can be amplified while the unwanted quadrature-phase signal is attenuated. |
| US08037752B2 |
Apparatus for measuring the filling level of a liquid in a container
Apparatus for measuring the filling level of a liquid in a container comprising a transmitting device 1 which emits ultrasound transmission pulses, a receiving device 2 which receives the echo signals reflected at the surface of the liquid and an evaluation device 8 which evaluates the transit times of the ultrasound transmission pulses and echo signals, wherein arranged at a given spacing relative to the transmitting/receiving device 1, 2 is a reflector 3 which reflects the ultrasound transmission pulses in the direction of the surface of the liquid and also reflects the echo signals coming from the surface of the liquid in the direction of the receiving device 2. |
| US08037751B2 |
Flow rate measuring apparatus
The flow rate measuring apparatus includes a connector portion, a main body portion, a bypass passage, a flow rate sensing element having a flow rate detection portion, a control circuit, a pair of metal terminals having end portions connected to a connector, embedded portions molded integrally with a resin portion constituting the main body portion, and exposed portions exposed in the main passage, which are connected to each other in a cascade manner, and a fluid temperature sensing element having a temperature sensing portion. The fluid temperature sensing element is arranged at a position apart from an outer wall surface of a side face of the bypass passage, and the temperature sensing portion is arranged at the center between the pair of metal terminals that are exposed in the main passage by the same length or between extension lines thereof. |
| US08037750B2 |
Impending icing probe with thermal isolation pedestal
In an icing condition detection system, a circuit provides an output representing impending icing conditions as a function of power consumption of a single element detector. A thermal isolation pedestal includes a detector support end that supports the single element detector and an opposite strut mounting end. A thermal isolation controller controls a thermal isolation pedestal temperature to thermally isolate the single element detector from a strut mounting end. |
| US08037746B2 |
Adhesive creep fixture
The invention provides a test apparatus capable of testing an adhesive bond in multiple loading modes, such as in tension and in shear. The test apparatus includes a test frame, a force generator, and a force transfer arm. The test frame is configured so that the force generator may be attached to the test frame in a plurality of locations, where each location allows for a different loading mode to be tested. The test apparatus also may be used within an environmental chamber for testing the adhesive bond at extreme environmental conditions. |
| US08037744B2 |
Method for measuring deformation of tire tread
A method for measuring deformation of a tire tread is provided. The method uses a tire tread deformation producing system 10 including a flat, transparent base plate 24 having first and second opposite surfaces 24a and 24b. The method also uses a vision system 12 including a pair of CCD cameras 30-1 and 30-2, which are positioned on the side of the second surface of the base plate. A test tire 14 has a tire tread having tread grooves 16. A portion of the tire tread of the test tire is urged against the first surface of the base plate. The three-dimensional shape of a groove wall surface of a tread groove of the test tire is measured by imaging the tread groove across the base plate by the CCD cameras while the test tire is subject to deformation. |
| US08037741B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring reduction of greenhouse gas by idling stop
Provided are a method and an apparatus that make is possible to measure the amount of greenhouse gas reduced for the stop time of an engine stopped while a vehicle idles. A first amount of fuel consumed in an engine is measured before the engine of a vehicle idling stops. A second amount of fuel consumed for restarting the engine, which is stopped, by idling of the vehicle is measured. Exhaust reduction of greenhouse gas is calculated from idle stop of the vehicle to engine restart, on the basis of the first and second amount of fuel consumed and an engine stop-continued time from an ECU. |
| US08037730B2 |
Titanium stretch forming apparatus and method
A stretch-forming apparatus includes a main frame which carries a die enclosure between jaw assemblies. An insulated die is mounted in the enclosure. A method of forming a component includes placing a workpiece in the enclosure, heating the workpiece to a working temperature using electrical resistance heating, and then stretching the workpiece against the die. The method is particularly useful for titanium workpieces. |
| US08037720B2 |
Washing machine with laundry-detergent drawer having means to assist an opening or closing movement
A washing machine includes a laundry-detergent and fabric-softener drawer that can be pulled out of the machine. A movement assist device is provided that cooperates with the drawer so as to assist an opening and/or closing movement of the drawer. The movement assist device includes a scroll spring for causing a restoring force for an autonomous closing procedure of the drawer. |
| US08037719B2 |
Method for manufacturing basalt fiber
Basalt filament is manufactured in such a manner that the fiber diameter can be controlled and the filament is not severed during the winding step. A network former and a glass modifier are formed and maintained with respect to basalt rock ore, and the crystallization and binding of basalt fiber are inhibited, the heat-resistance property of basalt fiber is greatly improved from the conventional 750° C. to 850 or 900° C., and significant cost reduction is achieved over conventional products. The method includes the steps of: grinding basalt rock as a material; washing a resultant ground rock; melting the ground rock that has been washed; transforming a molten product into fiber; and drawing the fiber in an aligned manner, and winding it. The temperature of the molten product in the melting step is 1400 to 1650° C., and log η is 2.15 to 2.35 dPa·s and preferably 2.2 to 2.3 dPa·s, where η is the viscosity of the molten product. |
| US08037714B2 |
Adjustable air conditioning control system for a universal airplane ground support equipment cart
A ground support equipment air conditioning system detachably connects to a port on an airplane. An air conduit connects an air intake and filter to a coupling that is adapted to be connected to one end of an air duct or hose the other end of which is adapted to be connected to an airplane's port. A variable speed blower in the air conduit has its speed varied by a controller to regulate the pressure supplied to an airplane. This controller receives as inputs the pressure sensed by a pressure sensor connected to the air conduit adjacent the coupling to sense the pressure of air passing into the airplane and also a setpoint pressure which can be varied to match the requirements of different types or classes of airplane. First and second air conditioners each include a circular refrigerant conduit channeling refrigerant through a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The evaporators are positioned in the air conduit with the first air conditioner's evaporator preceding the blower and the second air conditioner's evaporator following the blower in the air conduit. A condenser cooling fan drives air through the two condensers and is controlled by a controller responsive to one or more pressures or temperatures measured in one of the air or refrigerant conduits or in the surrounding air. |
| US08037711B1 |
Portable dry ice holding container for use with a swimming pool and associated method
A portable dry ice holding container for cooling water contained in an existing swimming pool may include a buoyant cartridge with open first end and closed second end. A lid may be removably connected to the first end to form a cavity between the first and second ends. A unitary outer surface may extend between the ends, preferably having apertures formed therein for permitting water to ingress and egress the cavity. A handle may be penetrated through the outer surface, traversing the cavity with opposed ends remaining situated exterior. Dry ice may be removably seated inside the cavity and may interact with and lower the temperature of the water. A mechanism may agitate the water inside the cavity through linear reciprocation of the handle to increase a flow rate through the cavity. Such a mechanism may include a plurality of curvilinear blades rotatably coupled to the handle within the cavity. |
| US08037710B2 |
Compressor with vapor injection system
A heat pump system includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger, a scroll compressor in fluid communication with each of the first and second heat exchangers, and a flash tank in fluid communication with each of the first and second heat exchangers and the scroll compressor. A first capillary tube is disposed between the first heat exchanger and an inlet of the flash tank and a first valve is disposed between the first heat exchanger and the first capillary tube to control refrigerant to the first capillary tube. |
| US08037704B2 |
Distributed refrigeration system
A refrigeration system configured for use with a trailer including a container having a roof, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The refrigeration system includes a refrigeration unit configured to couple to the trailer and operable to condition the container. The refrigeration system also includes a duct in fluid communication between the refrigeration unit and an opening in the first sidewall. The duct is configured to direct an airflow in at least one of a first direction toward the refrigeration unit and a second direction away from the refrigeration unit. |
| US08037699B2 |
Heat exchanger and air conditioner using the same
When forming fins and heat transfer tubes by aluminum material, a pressure loss in the tube does not increase and a heat exchanger can be provided having heat transfer performance equal to or higher than a copper tube. The heat exchanger includes fins made of an aluminum material having a low deformation resistance and heat transfer tubes made of an aluminum material having a higher deformation resistance than the aluminum material forming the fins, and on whose internal surface the groove is provided to penetrate the fin to be fixed. It is also arranged that the tube axial direction (a) of the inner surface of the heat transfer tube and the direction (b) of the groove provided on the internal surface of the heat transfer tube are substantially parallel. In this case, the groove direction (b) forms an angle of 0 degrees to 2 degrees with respect to the tube axial direction (a) of the inner surface of the heat transfer tube. The depth of the groove of the heat transfer tube after tube expansion is 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm, and the top width of the ridge top portion is 0.08 mm to 0.18 mm. Further, the number of grooves of the heat transfer tube 20 is 40 to 60, and an apex angle α is 5 degrees to 20 degrees. |
| US08037694B2 |
Floating system for liquefying natural gas
A floating system for liquefying natural gas comprising a vessel provided with a plant for liquefying natural gas having an inlet for natural gas and an outlet for liquefied natural gas, a feed supply system for supplying natural gas to the inlet of the plant, one or more storage tanks for storing liquefied natural gas, and an off-loading system for transporting liquefied natural gas between the storage tank(s) and a tanker, which floating system further comprises a vaporization system having an inlet for liquefied gas and an outlet for vapor. |
| US08037693B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for cooling an object
A method for cooling an object includes coupling a cooling device to the object, wherein the cooling device includes at least one thermoacoustic engine and a plurality of gas diodes, generating acoustic power with the thermoacoustic engine, channeling acoustic oscillations of a fluid through the gas diodes, and transferring the heat produced by the object to the fluid to facilitate moving the heat away from the object. |
| US08037686B2 |
Uncoupled, thermal-compressor, gas-turbine engine
The invention is for a continuous-combustion, closed-cycle, gas turbine engine with a regenerator and a displacer. It has embodiments that remove heater and cooler interior volumes during gas compression, which enable it to scale well to very large sizes. Low combustion temperatures insure very low emissions. The displacer levitated by an integral gas bearing and small clearance seal and given oscillatory translational motion by electromagnetic forces operates without surface wear. The turbine blades, subjected only to warm gases, are durable and inexpensive. Thus, this engine has a very long, continuous, maintenance-free service life. This gas turbine engine also operates without back work allowing high efficiency for both low and rated output. Pressurized encapsulation permits use of low-cost ceramics for high temperature components. The invention includes a unique monolithic ceramic heater, a compact high-capacity regenerator and a constant-power gas turbine. |
| US08037680B2 |
Hydraulic control system for a swiveling construction machine
A hydraulic control system for a swiveling construction machine includes at least one hydraulic travel motor, a first hydraulic actuation device, a second hydraulic actuation device and a hydraulic diverter valve assembly. The at least one hydraulic travel motor is configured to move the swiveling construction machine in a first travel speed and a second travel speed based on a variable pilot pressure signal. The first hydraulic actuation device is configured to actuate a first function of an implement. The second hydraulic actuation device is configured to actuate a second function of an implement. The hydraulic diverter valve assembly is configured to divert hydraulic power between the first hydraulic actuation device and the second hydraulic actuation device while maintaining operation of the at least one hydraulic travel motor in one of the first and the second speeds. |
| US08037678B2 |
Energy storage and generation systems and methods using coupled cylinder assemblies
In various embodiments, pneumatic cylinder assemblies are coupled in series pneumatically, thereby reducing a range of force produced by or acting on the pneumatic cylinder assemblies during expansion or compression of a gas. |
| US08037675B2 |
Exhaust gas purification system for internal combustion engine and method for exhaust gas purification
A PM catalyst regeneration control for the purpose of “soot removal” is performed prior to a sulfur poisoning recovery control. In the PM catalyst regeneration control, PM deposits in a catalyst are burned. A target throttle opening degree for the sulfur poisoning recovery control is preset smaller than a target throttle opening for the PM catalyst regeneration control in order to reduce the intake air volume during deceleration. A catalyst bed temperature is thus prevented from dropping, and therefore maintained at a level appropriate to sulfur poisoning recovery. Controlling the intake air volume during deceleration in such a manner results in more efficient catalyst recovery from sulfur poisoning, so that the fuel economy is maintained during the sulfur poisoning recovery control. |
| US08037670B2 |
Bi-directional converter between pressure and rotational force
A bi-directional converter between pressure and rotational force includes engaging rotation members that continue to rotate while being adjacent to each other without collision; the rotation members and an outer wall form an enclosed space; rotation shafts of the rotation members are mutually engaged by gear wheels; the rotation members are synchronized and rotate in opposite directions; the rotation members are rotated by a volume change of the enclosed space by application of pressure from outside; and the volume of the enclosed space is changed by rotational force to generate a pressure difference. The bi-directional converter includes an open-close mechanism opening and closing supply exhaust paths inside the rotation member and disposed to the rotation shaft or the outer wall according to a rotation angle. |
| US08037667B2 |
Stalk roll for use in an agricultural harvesting machine
A stalk roll for a corn head row unit has a conical seat and a spherical seat for mounting the stalk roll on a stalk roll driveshaft of a row unit. Each row unit has a drive shaft with a corresponding conical portion and a threaded fastener with a corresponding spherical portion for capturing the stalk roll on the drive shaft between mating conical shaft and stalk roll portions toward one end and mating spherical shaft and fastener portions at the other stalk roll end. |
| US08037663B2 |
Retail boxes and method of manufacturing retail boxes
The present disclosure is directed to a retail box and a method of making a retail box. Retail boxes in accordance with the present disclosure are manufactured beginning with paper, which is rolled on a core. Two halves of the box, or “half-boxes,” are first produced, and then brought together to form a complete box. |
| US08037658B2 |
Structural members for forming various composite structures
Structural members widely adaptable for use to build various composite structures and assemblies having horizontal and vertical supports, such as columns, beams and rails, are shown and described. The composite structural members include a longitudinal channel having a web and first and second legs. Each leg includes a plane that extends from a side of the web and is inclined relative to the web, and a cylinder is located at an edge of the leg that is spaced from the web. Various fittings can be used to engage at least one of the cylinders of the channel to fix the channel in position relative to a second, third and/or fourth channel to form the column, beam or rail. Further, select brackets can be used to attach together columns, beams and rails of the assembly. |
| US08037656B2 |
Flooring boards with press down locking mechanism
A hardwood floor system with press down locking mechanism. Each floor board is equipped with both male and female locking mechanisms. The male locking mechanism of a floor board can be locked into the female locking mechanism of an adjacent floor board by simply exerting downward force on the floor board. The female locking mechanism is equipped with a spring slot that enables easy engagement of male and female locking mechanisms. The invention may be applied not only floor boards, but also to wall tiles and roof tiles. |
| US08037655B2 |
Floor structure including plate-shaped supporting portion
A floor structure includes a plurality of structural metal components that each have: a plate-shaped supporting portion that is laid either perpendicular or oblique to an installation surface; a plate-shaped top flange that extends from a top end portion of the supporting portion in parallel with the installation surface; a plate-shaped bottom flange that extends from a bottom end portion of the supporting portion in parallel with the installation surface and in the opposite direction from the top flange, wherein the structural metal components are laid on a flat surface in parallel with each other such that the top flange of one of the mutually adjacent structural metal components covers the bottom flange of the other of the mutually adjacent structural metal material. |
| US08037650B2 |
Muntin clip
A muntin clip supports a muntin grid inside an insulating glazing unit. The clip includes a positioning arm that allows the clip to be positioned with respect to the spacer. In one embodiment, the clip has a flat base adapted to be positioned on the inwardly facing surface of the spacer. The positioning arm extends from one side of the plate with the muntin-engaging body extending from the other side of the plate. The arm has an outer end that projects beyond the outer edge of the plate. A method for using the clip includes the step of using one of the glass sheets to engage and position the positioning arm of the muntin clip. Stops may be provided to limit the insertion of the clip into the spacer. |
| US08037648B2 |
Interlocking tile
A polymeric interlocking tile for an adhesive-free assemblage with adjacent tiles having substantially similar, but inverted, edge interlocks thereon. The interlocks on each edge of a tile include a row of first and second sets of male-female types of alternating interlocks. The first interlock set includes a male lug projection having sidewalls forming one sidewall of a channel of U-shaped cross-section. The channel forms a female interlock cavity for the first set. The second interlock set is contiguous to the first set and includes a male projecting rib having two parallel sidewalls, one sidewall faces the edge and forms an opposite sidewall of the channel and an opposite, inwardly facing sidewall forms an enclosure for a second female cavity of the next set. At the opposite ends of each interlock row, the U-shaped channel sidewalls are wider to facilitate an initial interlock meshing between contiguous tiles of the assemblage. |
| US08037645B2 |
Trellis and accent band
A trellis system is disclosed wherein the trellis comprises a front tube, a back tube, and two end tubes joined together, a plurality of roof panels, each panel having a perimeter, wherein the perimeter of the panel is coupled to at least a back tube surface and a front tube surface; a plurality of cross member assemblies wherein the cross member assemblies assist in creating tension between the front tube and the back tube, and a plurality of fasteners coupling the front tube to the end tubes, the back tube to the end tubes, and the roof panels to at least the front tube and the back tube, wherein the fasteners are not visible when the trellis system is installed. The trellis system also includes accent bands. A plurality of turnbuckles allows for easy leveling of the trellis. |
| US08037643B1 |
Roof ridge construction apparatus and method
An apparatus and method for roof ridge construction are provided. Ridge risers are used to securely retain an attachment block above sheathing portions at an elevation sufficient to permit air venting through the ridge. The ridge risers have legs with one or more weakened regions (such as scores) that permit easy folding so that the legs can be attached to the sheathing and/or rafter portions. A set of attachment holes may be positioned below each of the weakened regions. The legs are joined to a cradle in which the attachment block rests. The attachment block is retained within the cradle via a mechanism such as fasteners, retention cleats, and retention assemblies with tabs designed to be driven into the attachment block. Roof covering elements, such as shingles, shakes, tiles, slate units, metal units, and synthetic ridge covering elements, are attached to the roofing block. |
| US08037638B1 |
Modular Planter Assembly
A modular planter assembly for growing plants includes a container with a bottom wall and an outer wall attached to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall. An elongated primary stake is mounted to the outer wall and is engageable with a ground surface. The primary stake is hollow and vertically oriented. An elongated secondary stake is mounted to the outer wall and is engageable with the ground surface. The secondary stake is vertically oriented, and has a size configured to be received by the primary stake. |
| US08037635B1 |
Frog fishing lure system
A main body portion has top and bottom surfaces, a front, a rear and opposed sides. The main body portion has a central axis extending between the front and rear. A pair of similarly configured leg portions is integrally fabricated with the main body portion. Each leg portion has an interior section and a spiral exterior section. Each interior section is positioned to extend outwardly at an angle from the rear. Each exterior section has a top and a bottom surface. The spiral exterior section of each leg first extends downwardly and away from the central axis, then downwardly and toward the central axis, then upwardly and toward the central axis. The spiral exterior section of each leg terminates facing away from the central axis. |
| US08037631B2 |
Display panel mounting system and method
A display mounting kit, system, and method are disclosed utilizing first and second primary releasable attachment elements that are secured about the periphery of a display panel and in a substantially corresponding relationship on a mounting surface, respectively. At least one supplementary fastening element having two interlocking component pieces for selective engagement with each other provides secure mounting between the display panel and the mounting surface. The at least one supplementary fastening element can also be utilized as a stand-alone primary fastening element. |
| US08037626B2 |
Cloth treating apparatus
A cloth treating apparatus is disclosed. A cloth treating apparatus includes a cabinet comprising an accommodating space which accommodates laundry, a air supplying device which supplies hot air to the accommodating space, an opening unit which selectively opens and closes at least one hot air supply hole, the at least one hot air supply hole through which the hot air is drawn into the accommodating space and a control unit which controls the air supplying device and the opening unit. |
| US08037625B2 |
Snow plow having pivotal mounting apparatus
A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade having a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The mounting upright includes a limiting member that limits upward movement of the retention member when the plow blade is in a working orientation such that the retention member is secured on the mounting upright. The preferred snow plow may also include an attachment member located on the mounting apparatus, wherein the plow blade retention member may be removably secured within the attachment member when the plow blade is in a non-working orientation. |
| US08037618B2 |
Device for draining and drying solids, in particular plastics granulated under water
Device for dewatering and drying solids, especially plastics granulated under water, in form of a centrifuge dryer comprising a housing (1) having an inlet opening (2) for the solid material with adhering water and an outlet opening (3) for the dehydrated solid material, a screen cylinder (4) fixedly disposed inside the housing (1), a rotor (5) arranged inside the screen cylinder (4) and wings (6) attached to the rotor at a distance from one another, a water drain (7), and arrangements (8, 8′) for the introduction and removal of an air stream passing vertically through the device. It is distinguished on the one hand in that the inlet opening (2) is arranged tangential to the screen cylinder (4, 10). On the other hand it is distinguished in that the fixed screen cylinder (4) is comprised of at least three screen cylinders (10, 11, 12) arranged vertically one over another, each of the screen cylinders (10, 11, 12) is being comprised of at least two segment shells (10, 10′, 11, 11′, 12, 12′) where the lowermost screen cylinder (10) is comprised of a screen-like shell (10′) and a solid segment shell (10″). |
| US08037617B2 |
Contaminated soil remediation apparatus
A soil remediation apparatus for treating contaminated soil comprises an air deck unit and a remediation unit. The air deck unit comprises an enclosure with a contaminated soil inlet and a remediated soil outlet; at least one conveyor located inside the enclosure and operable to convey soil from the enclosure inlet to the enclosure outlet; and contaminated air extraction means having an inlet in fluid communication with the enclosure and an outlet, and operable to extract air from the air deck unit. |
| US08037614B2 |
Cutting machine
A technique is provided which is effective in preventing chips generated during cutting operation on a workpiece from being accumulated in a region ahead in a cutting direction. A representative cutting machine includes a motor, a blade, a body housing having a first region that houses the motor and a second region that covers the blade and projects forward of a front surface of the first region, a base, an angular plate, an outlet formed in the body housing, an opening and a blocking part. The blocking part prevents the air discharged from the outlet from flowing out laterally with respect to the moving direction of the base through a clearance between a front end of the second region and the one end of the angular plate and thereby helps the air discharged from the outlet flow into the opening. |
| US08037610B2 |
Powered groover with airflow fin
A powered vinyl groover includes a motor attached to a circular blade and a blade housing for covering the circular blade. The blade housing includes a duct to carry cuttings into a collection bag. Near an inlet hole of the duct is a fin, which may be a raised surface on any interior wall of the blade housing extending into the blade housing as close as possible to the blade. The fin causes airflow from the blade to be redirected towards the inlet hole of the duct so that more cuttings enter the duct and are carried by the duct through to an outlet hole to a collection bag mountable over the outlet hole of the duct. The fin may be integral with the blade housing or attached to it, and a fin may also be added to existing groovers. |
| US08037609B2 |
Razor having a wing shaped contouring shaving aid
Shaving razors and cartridges intended for mounting on such shaving razors wherein the cartridges include one or mounted solid shaving aid portions that are wing shaped and that exhibit an improved conformation to a shaving consumer's skin surface. |
| US08037601B2 |
Manufacturing method for rocker arm
The present invention provides a rocker arm manufacturing method capable of stably forming valve stem guide walls. In the method according to the present invention, an intermediate product 13 having both side walls 20 extended in a predetermined direction and arranged in parallel with each other and a one end side connection wall 30 connecting lower ends of both the side walls 20 at a longitudinal one end of the product is obtained. Next, a first pressing punch 70 is pressed against the outer surface portions of both the side walls 20 from the outside thereof to cause downward plastic flows of regions of the outer surface portions of both the side walls positioned below the cutout portions 31 to thereby form raising walls 32 in a downwardly protruded manner at both sides of the one end side connection wall 30. Thereafter, valve stem guide walls 35 are formed by pressing second pressing punches 80 against both the raising walls 32 of the one end side connection wall 30. |
| US08037600B2 |
Method of producing a land grid array interposer structure
A method of producing a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and mounting at least one interposer on a first surface of the carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. The method includes arranging a plurality of electrically conductive elements about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extending radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane. |
| US08037593B2 |
Method for manufacturing an ultra narrow gap magnetoresistive sensor
A method for manufacturing a magnetoresistive sensor that decreases the stack height of the sensor. The method includes forming a sensor structure having at its top, a Ru layer and a Ta layer over the Ru layer. An annealing process is performed to set the magnetization of the pinned layer of the sensor structure. After the annealing process has been completed and the Ta layer is no longer needed, an ion milling process is performed to remove the Ta layer. |
| US08037592B2 |
Cassette changing device
A cassette changing device for a microtome has a housing having a loading opening, a transfer opening and an unloading opening. The openings are arranged with respect to each other linearly in the housing. A slide is disposed in the housing linearly movably between a first position and a second position and has a first receiving compartment and a second receiving compartment. The first and second compartments are aligned with respect to each other so that, in the first position of the slide, the first compartment and the second compartment are respectively aligned with a first two of the openings and, in the second position of the slide, the first compartment and the second compartment are respectively aligned with a second two of the openings. |
| US08037590B2 |
Method of constructing an articulation joint for steerable medical device
A method of constructing an articulation joint includes forming a metallic tube with a number of rings formed therein. Springs may be secured to the inside surface or outside surface of the rings to allow the joint to bend in directions transverse to the axis of the springs. A fixture may be used to hold the springs at the correct position within the tube and the springs may be urged toward the rings or vice versa to obtain a good bond between the springs and the rings. |
| US08037589B2 |
System and method for installing a device
A technique is provided for installing a device in which a part of the device and the location of the part are automatically determined. An installer is notified of the part and its location for installation. Routines implementing some or all of the technique may be provided on a computer-readable medium. A method is also provided for locating a part to be installed using a project manager application. An installer retrieves the part from the location and installs the part. In one embodiment, the present techniques are implemented using an installation system including a processor-based system and a locator system. The processor-based system is configured to indicate a location of a part to be installed while the locator system is configured to provide the location to the processor-based system. |
| US08037584B2 |
Printed circuit board, method of manufacturing the same, and apparatus for perforating via holes
A printed circuit board, a method of manufacturing the printed circuit board, and an apparatus for perforating via holes are disclosed. By use of a method of manufacturing a printed circuit board that includes forming a first circuit pattern, which includes a reference mark and a via land, on one surface of an insulation substrate; stacking a metal layer on the insulation layer; opening a first window in the metal layer in correspondence with the reference mark; and forming a via which electrically connects the via land with the metal layer, by irradiating light towards the other surface of the insulation substrate and identifying the reference mark through the first window, the occurrence of short-circuiting is prevented in forming vias for electrical interconnection between circuit patterns in a printed circuit board, and as the defect rate caused by eccentricity between insulation layers may be reduced, aspects of the invention may contribute to reducing costs. |
| US08037582B2 |
Fastener
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fastener including: a fastener body including: a cylindrical portion having an insertion hole formed therethrough; and a locking portion protruding outward from the cylindrical portion; and an unlocking member inserted into the insertion hole, wherein the locking portion is inserted into an attachment hole of an attachment object from a front side thereof, and exposed from a rear side of the attachment hole, wherein the locking portion has an elastic claw locked to an edge of the attachment hole at the rear side, wherein the elastic claw is elastically reducible in diameter, wherein the unlocking member is movable in a position rearward of the elastic claw, and wherein the locking portion is reduced in diameter when the unlocking member is pushed. |
| US08037580B2 |
Tensioning apparatus for strap
A tensioning apparatus is adapted to tension a strap. The tensioning apparatus includes a frame and a shaft rotatably installed on the frame. The strap is inserted through the shaft and includes first and second portions extending in opposite directions. A handle is pivotally connected to the frame and is operable to rotate the shaft and wind the strap on the shaft thereafter. The tensioning apparatus also include a reeling device and the second portion of the strap is adapted to be received and wound onto the reeling device. |
| US08037576B2 |
Overhead doors and associated track and guide assemblies for use with same
Overhead door assemblies having both interlocking and releasable guide assemblies, and multi-piece guide track assemblies for use with same are disclosed herein. An overhead door track configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a first side portion formed from a first piece of material and a second side portion formed from a second piece of material. The first side portion has a first guide surface and a first retention surface. The second side portion has a second guide surface and a second retention surface. In one aspect of this embodiment, the first side portion is joined to the second side portion to define an open channel or gap region therebetween. The first and second guide surfaces extend from the gap region toward a first direction, and the first and second retention surfaces diverge from the gap region toward a second direction, opposite to the first direction. The first and second retention surfaces can be configured to movably retain a door guide member. |
| US08037575B2 |
Method for shape and timing equivalent dimension extraction
An integrated circuit (IC) design method includes providing an IC layout contour based on an IC design layout of an IC device and IC manufacturing data; generating an effective rectangle layout to represent the IC layout contour; and simulating the IC device using the effective rectangular layout. |
| US08037572B2 |
Vacuum with stowable handle
A vacuum having a container and a cover coupled to the container. The coupled cover and container define an interior space communicating with an inlet and an outlet. A fan is fluidly disposed between the inlet and the outlet and a motor is operable to rotationally drive the fan, wherein rotation of the fan creates a fluid flow from the inlet, through the interior space, and out the outlet. A frame supports the container and a handle coupled to the frame is moveable between a use position and a stowed position. |
| US08037571B2 |
Vacuum cleaner accessory tool having a removable brush
A vacuum cleaner accessory tool for use with a vacuum cleaner. The accessory tool includes a nozzle body defining a chamber. An agitator having a first end portion and a second end portion is rotatably supported within the chamber of the nozzle body, and the agitator is removably coupled to the nozzle body. A drive member is coupled to the agitator, and a release member is coupled to the nozzle body and slidable with respect to the nozzle body between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the release member engages the second end portion of the agitator to couple the agitator to the nozzle body within the chamber. In the disengaged position, the release member allows the agitator to be removed from the chamber of the nozzle body. |
| US08037570B2 |
Wet and/or dry vacuum with floor collector
A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a first debris-passing member coupled to the mounting bar, a second debris-passing member rotatably coupled to the first debris-passing member and a third debris-passing member removably coupled to the second debris-passing member. The first debris-passing member can define an opening. The floor collector assembly can be operable in a plurality of modes. In a first mode, the opening can be substantially perpendicular relative to a vacuumed surface. In a second mode, the second debris-passing member can be rotated relative to the first debris-passing member about a second axis such that the opening is at an acute angle relative to the vacuumed surface. |
| US08037569B2 |
Wiper arm assembly having a locking member
A wiper arm assembly and method of assembly thereof includes a mounting head and a wiper arm configured for relative rotation during assembly from a disassembled position to a shipping position, wherein the wiper arm and mounting head are locked against rotation toward the disassembled position once in the shipping position. The mounting head and wiper arm have locking surfaces configured for locked engagement with one another while in the shipping position. The locking surfaces are brought into engagement with one another by a force imparted by a spring while rotating the mounting head relative to the wiper arm from the disassembled position toward the shipping position. When in the shipping position, the locking surfaces confront each other and prevent the mounting head and the wiper arm from rotating back toward the disassembled position from the shipping position. |
| US08037566B2 |
Power toothbrush using acoustic wave action for cleansing of teeth
The toothbrush includes a handle portion and a brushhead assembly which comprises a head portion and a stem portion. The head portion includes a bellows-like acoustic action member for creating acoustic wave action as it moves in and out in response to an acoustic driving force. A drive system is located in the handle and includes an audio speaker-type assembly to create acoustic waves which are transmitted through a transmission line to the acoustic action member. The acoustic action member is driven toward and away from the teeth when the toothbrush is operatively positioned within the mouth. The action of the acoustic member is directly or indirectly coupled to the fluid in the mouth, producing a foam which couples shear forces between the acoustic action member and the teeth/gums to produce a desired cleaning/therapeutic effect. |
| US08037562B2 |
Tension relieving body support apparatus
A mattress including a core foam layer having a first indentation force deflection at twenty five percent compression, a first density and a first thickness. The top outer foam layer has a second indentation force deflection at twenty five percent compression, a second density and a second thickness. The first intermediate foam layer is intermediate and coextensive with the core layer and the top outer layer, and has a third indentation force deflection at twenty five percent compression, a third density and a third intermediate thickness. The first indentation force deflection is greater than the third indentation force deflection and the third indentation force deflection is greater than the second indentation force deflection. |
| US08037556B2 |
Shower cubicles
A shower cubicle panel comprises a main panel element (14) of composite construction with at least two layers of different material, and means for interconnecting the cubicle panel (10) to an adjacent panel (10) and a shower tray (80). A connector for adjacent shower cubicle panels comprises a first part (36), a second part (38). The first part (36) has a first elongate channel portion (22b) for receiving an edge of a first shower cubicle panel, and a male connector portion (42). The second part (38) has a second elongate channel portion (22b) for receiving an edge of a second shower cubicle panel, and a female connector portion (50) substantially complementarily shaped to receive the male connector portion (42). A sealing element (40) is interposable between the first and second parts (36, 38) for preventing their disengagement. |
| US08037548B2 |
Adjustable helmet
A helmet (20) comprising a mechanism (28) to increase or decrease the internal volume thereof through the displacement of one or more portions (32) of the protective material (24) lining the helmet shell (22). The adjustment mechanism (28) is mounted on or adjacent the shell (22) of the helmet (20), from which project one or more connectors (30) which are operationally connected to the movable portions (32) of the protective material (24). When the adjustment mechanism (28) is activated, for example clockwise or counterclockwise, the connectors (30) are displaced, which causes the movable portions (32) of the protective material (24) to either be displaced away from the shell (22) of the helmet (20) or towards the shell (22) of the helmet (20) and thus allowing for a fine tuning of the fit of the helmet (20) on a player's head. |
| US08037546B2 |
Athletic pants with integral knee support
An athletic pant that includes an area of compressive fabric disposed in a position on either pant leg that will surround the athlete's knee when the pants are worn. The area of compressive fabric in each pant leg also includes a pair of pockets positioned to lie on either side of the athlete's knee. The pockets completely enclose a support that aids in restricting lateral movement of the athlete's knee. The athletic pants may extend to the athlete's mid-calf region or to the ankle. The pants further include at least one cinch strap that is operable to reduce the diameter of the pant legs in the vicinity of the athlete's knee, thereby improving the fit of the pant for the athlete. |
| US08037545B2 |
Article and method including a temporary decoration
Articles and methods include temporary decorations. Embodiments include temporary decorations applied to promotional articles. Embodiments include a method comprising creating a promotional article including applying a dissolvable decoration to a base item to create the promotional article, the dissolvable decoration being applied in such a manner so as to be removable from the base item by dissolving the dissolvable decoration using a solvent without substantially altering the original physical condition of the base item. |