Document Document Title
US08096846B2 Auto-fastening removable fin system
The auto-fastening skeg system comprises a skeg receiver and a skeg. The skeg has a male component that cooperates with a cavity of the skeg receiver. The cavity has front and rear ends, a spring disposed at said front end and at least one dowel disposed between the front and rear ends. The male component includes a front tip and at least one locking wedge, said locking wedge corresponds in number to the number of dowels. When the male component is set in the cavity and the locking wedge is aligned with the dowel of the receiver, the spring pushes the front tip of the male component against the rear wall of the cavity of the receiver and the locking wedge against the dowel providing a locking mechanism that holds the skeg to the receiver.
US08096841B2 Connector
A connector has a housing (11) with terminal accommodating chambers (12) for receiving terminal fittings (25). A retainer mount opening (15) extends into one surface of the housing (10) and receives a retainer (30) for locking the terminal fittings (25) in the terminal accommodating chambers (12). Cutouts (16) extend from an opening edge of the retainer mount opening (15) into adjacent side surfaces of the housing (11) and form jig insertion openings (20) that can receive jigs (50) for detaching the retainer (30). The retainer (30) includes blocking walls (33) for blocking flow paths from the jig insertion openings (20) into terminal accommodating chambers (12), thereby preventing foreign substances from entering the terminal accommodating chambers (12) and causing a short circuit.
US08096839B2 Telecommunications connector panel with interport crosstalk isolation
A multi-port telecommunications connector panel has an electrically conductive housing that defines a plurality of ports, each with a plug receiving cavity aligned with a respective set of jack contacts. The housing surrounds the sets of jack contacts individually and collectively to separate and isolate adjacent ports. Electrically conductive isolation barriers, which are electrically connected to and may be integral with the housing, separate adjacent sets of insulation displacement contacts, which are arranged in an offset pattern.
US08096837B2 Replaceable connection for portable electronic devices
Systems and methods electrically connect a first electronic device or electrical component, having a external electrical connector, to a circuit board of a second electronic device. A low-cost, user-installable connection system isolates mechanical stresses imposed on the external electrical connector to within the user-installable connection system, thereby preventing the mechanical stresses from reaching the circuit board in the second electronic device. If the connection becomes faulty, only the low-cost, user-installable connection system must be replaced.
US08096833B2 Plug assembly
A plug assembly includes a shielded housing having an upper shell, a lower shell and a center plate held between the upper and lower shells. The upper shell has at least one upper plug chamber, and the lower shell has at least one lower plug chamber. The center plate is positioned between, and provides shielding between, the upper and lower plug chambers. A plurality of plugs are received in corresponding plug chambers. Each of the plurality of plugs have a plug insert with shield members defining plug quadrants, and each of the plurality of plugs have a plurality of terminals held by the plug insert. The plurality of terminals are arranged in pairs in each of the plug quadrants.
US08096829B2 Center conductor terminal having increased contact resistance
A terminal assembly is provided for terminating a center conductor of a coaxial cable. The terminal assembly includes a terminal body having a pin at one end and a cavity at the other end for accommodating a center conductor therein. A contact member is supported within the cavity. The contact member includes plural inwardly directed cantilevered beams extending from a contact base for deflectable engagement with the inserted center conductor. The terminal body includes an inwardly directed shoulder for engagement with the beams at a location between the base and the distal ends of the beams. The location defines a deflection fulcrum at a location distal from the base so as to provide increased contact engagement force between the distal ends of the beams and the center conductor.
US08096828B2 Electrical connector for terminating a coaxial cable
An electrical connector is provided for terminating a coaxial cable. The electrical connector includes an electrically conductive housing extending a length between a cable-receiving end portion configured to engage an insulating cover of the coaxial cable and a mating end portion configured to engage another electrical connector. The housing includes an outer electrical contact. An insulating member is held by the housing. An inner electrical contact is held by the insulating member. The inner electrical contact includes a slot configured to receive an inner electrical conductor of the coaxial cable.
US08096827B2 Distributor system and method for its production
The invention relates to a distributor system including a support device and a plurality of contact supports which are arranged in the support device, the support device having at least one holding device in which at least one of the contact supports is held by a holding section fitting into the holding device. The invention also relates to a method for the production of a distributor system including a support device and a plurality of contact supports which are arranged in the support device, including the following steps: provision of a support device having at least one holding device, provision of at least one contact support having a holding section fitting into the holding device, and insertion of the contact support into the holding device.
US08096824B2 Tube connector with a latching component to secure a receptacle to a plug
A connector for connecting a tube within a receptacle. A latching component fits within the receptacle, and receives a plug member to which the tube is connected. One end of receptacle is adapted, for instance, to be attached to a tube on a motor drive unit of a breast pump assembly, or formed integrally therewith. The opposite end of receptacle receives components of the connector therein. The plug member is inserted into the latching component and has means thereon that engage corresponding means on the latching component such that the plug member is releasably secured within the latching component in a rotatable manner.
US08096821B2 Electrical card connector
An electrical card connector (100) includes a receiving space (10) for receiving an electrical card, an insulative housing (1), a metal plate (3) installed on the insulative housing (1) and an ejecting mechanism (4) retained in the insulative housing (1). The ejecting mechanism (4) includes a movable slider (41), a coiled spring (42) urging the slider forwardly and a link rod (43) for controlling the slider to be positioned at a first position or a second position. The slider (41) includes a heart-shape groove (413) for guiding and limiting a movement of the slider (41). The metal plate (3) defines a pair of first and second retaining portions (31, 32) for limiting movement of the slider (41).
US08096819B1 Safety and obstructive device for an electrical outlet
A protective cover and electric outlet arrangement includes an outlet body, the outlet body having a socket unit with insertion holes for receiving an electric plug, a non-specific design protective cover coupled to the outlet body and bendable to frictionally engage and expand open an access way to the insertion holes of the protective cover to socket unit and upon withdrawal of the electrical plug return of the non-specific design protective cover to an obstructive position to obstructively close access to the insertion holes of the socket unit, and the non-specific design protective cover being a safety structure adapted to selectively obscure the socket with a decorative design incorporating the receiving apertures of the socket that mate with each of the prongs of the electrical plug.
US08096815B2 Reliable electrical connection electrical connector assembly
An electrical connector assembly has a printed circuit board having a row of first and second circuit traces and an electrical connector for mounting on the printed circuit board. The electrical connector includes an insulative housing having a longitudinal base and a pair of clip portions extending rearwardly from the base and a plurality of contacts respectively received in the insulative housing grouped into a set of first and second contacts. Each clip portion has a first partition, a second partition and a board-receiving groove therebetween. Each first contact has a first soldering point jointing on the first circuit trace and each second contact has a second soldering point jointing on the second circuit trace. At least one of the first contacts crossing over the second contact, and the first soldering point locates at the back of the second soldering point. When the printed circuit board is located in the entrance of the groove, the first soldering points are located between the first circuit traces and the second circuit traces so as to prevent the printed circuit board from abrading by the overlapped contacts.
US08096813B2 Method, kit, and an associated adaptor, usable with a hospital bed
A method of installing an adapter, a kit including an adapter, and an adapter are disclosed. The adapter includes a first connector, a second connector, and a component adapted for facilitating the second connector to electrical communicate with a portion of a plurality of pins or sockets of the first connector in a predetermined pinout. The first connector has a first plurality of pins or sockets. The second connector has a plug and a socket. Each of the plug and socket has a second plurality of pins or sockets. One of the plug and the socket of the second connector is adapted to mechanically communicate with a first portion of a third plurality of electrical conductors to facilitate electrical communication. The other of the plug and the socket of the second connector is adapted to electrically communicate with a first portion of the first plurality of pins or sockets of the first connector.
US08096812B2 Chip socket assembly and chip file assembly for semiconductor chips
The socket releasably couples a packaged integrated circuit to a circuit board. The socket includes a clamp, a latch, and an array interconnect. The clamp is configured to be pivotally coupled to a circuit board. The latch is configured to be coupled to the circuit board and configured to releasably hold the clamp in a predetermined position. The array interconnect configured to be coupled to the printed circuit board. In use the latch releasably holds the hinged clamp in the predetermined position to clamp both a packaged integrated circuit between the clamp and the array interconnect, and the array interconnect between the packaged integrated circuit and the circuit board.
US08096810B2 Fire extinguisher training apparatus
Methods and apparatus for use in fire extinguisher training are provided. These methods and apparatus are implemented electronically without the need for an open flame. The training apparatus includes a display having a plurality of light sources adapted to display a varying light pattern simulating a dynamic flame; a sensor adapted to detect a stimulus emitted by one of a fire extinguisher and a fire extinguisher simulator and output a signal corresponding to the detected stimulus; and one or more processors adapted to receive the output from the sensor and vary the light pattern simulating the dynamic flame on the display in response to the stimulus detected by the sensor. The methods and apparatus may be used to train firefighters in the proper use of a fire extinguisher, for example, training in the techniques typically required when suppressing class A, B, C, D, and K type fires.
US08096807B2 Dental instrumentation unit
An instrumentation delivery unit which supports hand-held dental instruments. In one example first and second housing members form a sealed chamber. When the members are separated, access is permitted to the interior of the chamber, e.g., for maintenance purposes. A first portal suitable for connection to a vacuum line provides a partial vacuum in the chamber, and second portals provide connection via second vacuum lines between the chamber and dental devices to operate the devices. The housing includes hand piece holders each of an initial diametric size for receiving hand pieces up to a maximum diametric dimension, with one of the hand piece holders formed along two adjoining ones of the housing members. The adjoining housing members secure inserts between one another to provide a second diametric size smaller than the initial diametric size to thereby selectably accommodate hand pieces having a smaller diametric dimensions.
US08096799B2 Swept leg spider for an extrusion apparatus
A spider for an extrusion apparatus located upstream from a die, through which a profile is extruded. The spider can have an outer housing with a central flow passage therethrough. An inner hub can be positioned within the central passage for supporting an inner portion of the die. At least one spider leg can be secured to the outer housing and the inner hub, and support the inner hub within the central passage. The at least one spider leg can recess radially rearwardly outwardly in the downstream direction such that molten polymer flowing through the central passage flows around the at least one spider leg, separating and rejoining together earlier in inner radial regions close to the inner hub than in outer radial regions close to the outer housing for reducing spider lines on inside surfaces of extruded profiles.
US08096798B2 Gas hydrate compression molding machine
A molding machine for production of gas hydrate pellets under a high pressure in gas hydrate forming conditions, which is inexpensive through minimizing of the use of expensive mechanical seal. The molding machine comprises two forming rolls each fitted to a rotary shaft whose both ends are supported by bearings; a drive unit for rotating the forming rolls; a screw transfer unit for supplying powder to the forming rolls; and a high-pressure vessel, wherein the bearings, the rotary shaft and the forming rolls are all disposed in the high-pressure vessel.
US08096795B2 Oil pump rotor
An oil pump rotor for use in an oil pump includes an inner rotor having (n: “n” is a natural number) external teeth, an outer rotor having (n+1) internal teeth meshing with the external teeth, and a casing forming a suction port for drawing a fluid and a discharge port for discharging the fluid, such that in association with meshing and co-rotation of the inner and outer rotors, the fluid is drawn/discharged to be conveyed according to volume changes of cells formed between teeth faces of the two rotors. For a tooth profile formed of a mathematical curve and having a tooth addendum circle A1 with a radius RA1 and a tooth root curve A2 with a radius RA2, a circle D1 has a radius RD1 which satisfies Formula (1) and a circle D2 has a radius RD2 which satisfies both Formula (2) and Formula (3), RA1>RD1>RA2  Formula (1) RA1>RD2>RA2  Formula (2) RD1≧RD2  Formula (3) a tooth profile of the external teeth of the inner rotor includes at least either one of a modification, in a radially outer direction, of the tooth profile, on the outer side of the circle D1 and a modification, in a radially inner direction, of the tooth profile, on the inner side of the circle D2.
US08096794B2 Compressor with oil separation and storage
A compressor comprises an oil separator for separating oil from a refrigerant compressed by a compression mechanism unit, and a high-pressure oil storage chamber for storing the oil separated by the oil separator. At least a portion of the oil separator is provided outside a housing. The high-pressure oil storage chamber has an outer wall that is thicker than the outer wall of the housing accommodating the compression mechanism unit, and an end wall of the housing is formed by this thicker outer wall.
US08096792B2 Scroll type fluid machine with a rotation preventing cylindrical member
The present invention provides a scroll type fluid machine realizing reduced attachment space in a casing and improvement in workability at the time of assembly and the like by using a plurality of ball coupling mechanisms. A plurality of ball coupling mechanisms are disposed between a casing and a rear side of an orbiting scroll. Each of the ball coupling mechanisms includes first and second thrust receivers (reception plates), a sphere, and a cylindrical ring. A thrust load to be applied to an end plate of the orbiting scroll is received between the first and second thrust receivers (reception plates) and the sphere. The cylindrical ring disposed between the first and second thrust receivers displays a so-called rotation preventing effect in such a manner that its outer peripheral surface makes a rolling contact with inner peripheral surfaces of cylindrical portions in association with an orbiting motion of the orbiting scroll.
US08096787B2 Straight-line piston fluid engine with wobble drive valve actuation
An axial piston fluid engine having single-acting cylinders incorporating swivel-joint attachment of the cylinders to rotary control valves wherein straight-line piston movement is established for the elimination of side forces on the pistons. The pistons and the control valves are operatively connected to a common wobble drive member and arranged in geometry of lever positions to coactively time the drive fluid into and out of the cylinders intermittently.
US08096782B2 Multistage sealed coolant pump
A multistage sealed pump is provided for use in an X-ray tube cooling system which is substantially more efficient than pumps of known construction and which provides substantially higher pumping pressure at lower motor current than conventionally. Cooling liquid can be transferred from stage to stage by interconnecting tubing external of the housing or within the housing, through a hollow motor shaft, or through the motor casing. In another embodiment, the multiple impellers can be directly mounted on a shaft extending from a single end of the motor.
US08096781B2 Hydraulic pump system with reduced cold start parasitic loss
A machine hydraulic pump system including at least one hydraulic pump driven to pressurize hydraulic fluid. A drain port is in fluid communication with an interior lubricating cavity of the pump. A selectively activatable flow control member is in flow-controlling relation to the drain port. The selectively activatable flow control member is adapted to move from a fluid containment condition to a fluid withdrawal condition prior to activation of the pump to at least partially evacuate lubricating liquid from the interior of the pump in response to the temperature of the lubricating liquid dropping below a predefined lower limit.
US08096777B2 Mixed flow turbine or radial turbine
A mixed flow turbine or radial turbine suppresses a rapid increase in load applied on a leading edge of a blade, and can reduce incidence loss. The mixed flow turbine or radial turbine includes a hub, and a plurality of blades provided on an outer circumference surface of the hub at substantially equal intervals. The camber line of the blade section is convex-curved to the rotational direction side as seen entirely from a leading edge side toward trailing edge side. On a leading edge section of the blade, there is provided an inflected section that is inflected so that a camber line in a sectional surface along the outer circumference surface is concave-curved to the rotational direction side.
US08096776B2 Turbine blade assembly
A turbine blade assembly, in particular of a gas turbine, is provided. The turbine blade assembly includes a turbine disc with rotor blades inserted into notches of the turbine disc and locking plates that are placed inside circular grooves with rims in the turbine disc and in the rotor blade. The edges of the locking plates that are oriented towards the center of the turbine disc are castellated by providing teeth and accordingly a part of the rim of the circular groove of the turbine disc is also castellated by providing gaps and whereby the gaps of the rim match the teeth of the locking plates. The locking plates have a spring-back force to provide both locking and sealing capabilities during engine operation.
US08096770B2 Trailing edge cooling for turbine blade airfoil
A gas turbine engine hollow turbine airfoil having chordwise spaced apart leading and trailing edges, and widthwise spaced apart pressure and suction sidewalls extending chordwise between the leading edge and the trailing edge. A trailing edge rib extends from the trailing edge toward the leading edge, and forms a solid member between the pressure and suction sidewalls. A cooling fluid channel extends in the spanwise direction through the airfoil adjacent to the trailing edge rib. A plurality of fluid chambers are formed in the trailing edge rib. Film cooling holes extend from the fluid chambers to the pressure and suction sidewalls, and trailing edge discharge holes extend from the fluid chambers to the trailing edge. A metering hole is associated with each of the fluid chambers to define a flow restriction connecting the cooling fluid channel to a respective fluid chamber.
US08096769B2 Damper
Dampers (56, 76, 96) are utilized with regard to mounting arrangements (50, 70, 90) in gas turbine engines (10) in order to facilitate cooling. It is known to provide slotted upper surface or cottage roof dampers to enhance cooling effect. However, cooling efficiency cannot be optimized and improving cooling effectiveness particularly between the parts of a mounting arrangement can be difficult without detrimental reductions in overall efficiency of a gas turbine engine (10) incorporating such a mounting. By provision of impingement jets (54, 75, 94) which extend through the damper (56, 76, 96) into slots (51, 71, 91) which define an upper surface of the damper (56, 76, 96) improvements in cooling efficiency can be achieved. The slots (51, 71 91) are typically closed to reduce requirements with respect to pressure differentials. However, open ended slots (51, 71, 91) with impingement jets (54, 74, 94) can also be provided. Typically, the slots (51, 71, 91) extend laterally across the dampers (56, 76, 96) but could also extend longitudinally with closed ends or one end open. By such an approach improved heat transfer is achieved without necessary increases in pressure gradients and flow rates.
US08096767B1 Turbine blade with serpentine cooling circuit formed within the tip shroud
A turbine rotor blade with a tip shroud that has a baffle seal with a knife edge to form a seal with a honeycomb seal of the shroud, where the tip shroud includes larger ribs that form separate compartment each with smaller ribs that form serpentine flow cooling circuits within the compartment to provide cooling for the tip shroud. Two hard faces each include an impingement cavity connected to one of the serpentine to provide impingement cooling to the backside wall of the hard face surface. The tip shroud periphery includes film cooling holes to discharge the spent cooling air from the serpentine circuits out from the tip periphery. A row of baffle seal cooling holes connect the serpentine circuit to the pressure side of the knife edge to provide cooling for the baffle seal.
US08096764B2 System for rotating a wind turbine blade
A system for driving a wind turbine blade (46) into a feathered position during an emergency stopping process of a wind turbine rotor. The system comprises a hydraulic actuator (3) functionally connected to the blade (46) for changing the pitch of the blade (46) during movement of the hydraulic actuator (3) and an emergency accumulator (8) connected to the hydraulic actuator (3) for driving the hydraulic actuator (3) with fluid from the emergency accumulator (8). The emergency accumulator (8) comprises a resilient member for accumulating the fluid in the emergency accumulator (8) under resilient pressure or a weight member (74) comprising a weight member upon the fluid in the emergency accumulator. The resilient member (14) or weight member (74) is configured for driving the fluid out of the emergency accumulator due to the expansion or retraction of the resilient member.
US08096763B2 Wind-operated power generator
A method for converting kinetic energy in horizontal currents of naturally occurring fluids above ground into mechanical energy. A circulating element is guided in a closed cycle and is arranged substantially in a plane parallel to the ground. The circulating element has two lengthwise adjustable traction ropes/chains fastened in two opposite positions. The ropes/chains have buoyancy elements at their free ends. The buoyancy elements have cross-sections for the current to impact. In an embodiment, a traction rope/chain fixed to a section of the circulating element facing the horizontal current is adjusted to be longer than the traction rope/chain fixed to a section of the circulating element facing away from horizontal current. The lengths of the two traction ropes/chains in the region of the points of return of the circulating element are reversed upon which the course of the circulating element relative to the horizontal current is reversed, when seen in the direction of circulation of the circulating element.
US08096762B2 Wind turbine with pitch control arranged to reduce life shortening loads on components thereof
A wind turbine is presented where the operation lifetime of the main bearing is extended by relieving the main bearing by reducing the mean bending moment on the bearing by means of individual pitch control of the blades of the rotor so as to create an aerodynamic mean tilt moment on the rotor by means of aerodynamic forces on the blades, the tilt moment at least partly counteracting the bending moment caused by the overhang load forces on the main bearing from the gravitational pull on the rotor mass.
US08096758B2 Circumferential shroud inserts for a gas turbine vane platform
Protective insert plates (54, 56) installed on a working gas face (42) of a turbine vane platform (26) provide replaceable portions of a turbine shroud for improved maintenance. The plates act as tiles, and may be formed of ceramic materials for thermal protection. Two cages (58, 60) in the vane platform slidably receive the two insert plates (54, 56) from opposite circumferential sides (36, 38) of the platform. The plates slide into the cages up to the pressure and suction sides (32, 34) of the vane airfoil (22). The plates may have proximal edges (62, 64) shaped to fit the respective pressure and suction sides of the vane airfoil. A retainer plate 66 may be attached to a flange (72) on the cooled face (48) of each platform, and may contact each insert plate with a locking device (74, 76) to prevent sliding of the plate in the cage.
US08096756B2 Apparatus and method for controlling a compressor
A compressor comprises a casing having an inner surface surrounding a rotor assembly, the rotor assembly having a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outwardly extending rotor blades, each blade having leading and trailing edges and a tip, the compressor further comprising at least one plasma actuator for suppressing rotating stall inception of the compressor, the at least one plasma actuator being mounted adjacent to the blade tips.
US08096754B2 Structure of exhaust turbocharger having waste gate valve
An exhaust turbocharger is enhanced in durability and reliability by making the valve body of the waste gate valve contact the seat face of the turbine housing at the opening of two exhaust gas bypass passages uniformly without being affected by the end face of the partition wall partitioning the two bypass passages, thereby preventing generation of vibration and vibration sound(chattering) of the valve body and the occurrence of gas leakage due to defective seating of the valve body against the seat face of the turbine housing. The waste gate valve for opening/closing the two exhaust gas bypass passages has a plate-like valve body to seat against and depart from a seat face at an outlet end side of the two bypass passages, wherein a depression is formed to a seat-side face of the valve body or to the end face of the partition wall so that the seat-side face of the valve body does not contact the end face of the partition wall at least in the central region of the end face of the partition wall when the valve body seats against the seat face at the outlet end side of the bypass passages.
US08096753B2 Tip turbine engine and operating method with reverse core airflow
A tip turbine engine (10) and a method of operating the engine provides increased efficiency while eliminating or educing the number of axial compressor (122) stages by moving the core airflow inlet (27) aft of the fan (24). As a result, the core airflow entering the core airflow inlet is the fan exhaust, which is already at an increased pressure. A portion of the fan exhaust is guided radially inward, then axially forward and then radially outward through compressor chambers (72) in the hollow fan blades (28) for further, centrifugal compression.
US08096748B2 Apparatus and method for double flow turbine first stage cooling
A method of cooling a double flow steam turbine includes supplying steam flow to each nozzle of the sections of the turbine; reversing a portion of each steam flow to provide a reverse steam flow from an aft side to a forward side of each section. Each reverse steam flow is directed to an annular space between a rotor and a tub. The method further includes removing the reverse steam flows through a pipe, the pipe having a first end at the annular space at a first pressure and a second end at a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure. A double flow steam turbine, includes a pair of nozzles, each nozzle being provided at a section of the turbine; a rotor supporting buckets of the sections; a tub supporting the pair of nozzles; and a pipe extending from an annular space between the tub and the rotor. The pipe has a first end at the annular space and second end. A pressure at the first end of the pipe is greater than a pressure at the second end.
US08096743B2 Press-in element for pressing into a non-pierced or pierced component and also method for the manufacture of the press-in element
A press-in element for pressing into a non-pierced or pre-pierced component, in particular a sheet metal part is described. The press-in element has a head part having a ring surface confronting the component and a neck part which projects away from the ring surface, i.e. from the component contact side. The head part further has a ring-like projection surrounding the neck part with a radial spacing and projecting away from the ring surface and the neck part has a radially outwardly projecting ring bead, which can be formed as a continuous ring bead or as a ring bead interrupted at points, with the apex of the ring bead having an axial spacing from the ring surface which is larger than the axial spacing of the apex of the ring-like projection from the ring surface, which lies radially within this projection and together with it and the ring bead forms a pocket which receives material of the component.
US08096742B2 Blind rivet
A blind rivet assembly is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a blind rivet has ends that are received within countersinks in one or more workpieces and a mandrel head is completely pulled through the rivet without being severed from a mandrel stem. A further aspect of the present invention includes a mandrel with one or more ribs located on an outwardly tapering shoulder.
US08096740B1 Retractable cargo strap
An apparatus designed to aid in the winding of cargo straps used on flatbed trailers of tractor-trailer rigs comprising a metal cylinder with an internal power/spiral spring is herein disclosed. A first end of the cylinder is closed with an outer spring case while a second end is slipped through a standard cargo strap winch bracket system commonly found on conventional flatbed tractor-trailers. A similar arrangement is used on all cargo straps systems on a truck. The user pulls out enough strap to anchor on an opposite side of the truck and over a carried load. The strap is then tightened and cinched down in a conventional manner. When unloaded, a lever is released, and the entire cargo strap is quickly retracted back onto the winch shaft. This not only represents huge timesavings for the truck driver, but also protects the stored cargo strap from damage.
US08096738B2 Auto-rack railroad car vehicle wheel chock
An improved vehicle wheel chock for a vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which secures a vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. The vehicle wheel chock is configured to be positioned on a grating adjacent to a tire of the vehicle. The improved vehicle wheel chock includes an improved face-plate.
US08096730B1 Apparatus for laying concrete metal pipes inverts and method for using the same
An apparatus and method for repairing failed metal pipe inverts includes an apparatus for distributing concrete that is positioned at one entrance of the metal pipe invert. The apparatus includes a frame having a forward end and a rearward end. A trough is connected to the forward end, and a support arm is connected to said rearward end. One end of a chute traverses the trough, while the other is supported by the support arm. A scraper is to the chute to spread concrete distributed from the trough into the pipe invert. The concrete is poured into the chute and distributed into the trough. The apparatus is pulled through the metal pipe invert to distribute concrete from an opening in the trough onto the metal pipe invert. The scraper engages the concrete to selectively spread the concrete on the metal pipe invert and repair the invert.
US08096728B2 Connector and rig mat employing same
A connector apparatus includes first and second spaced apart generally coplanar walls and a support between the first and second walls. The first wall includes a first guiding surface and a first stopping surface extending at a first angle to the first guiding surface. The second wall includes a second guiding surface opposite at least a portion of the first guiding surface and generally facing towards the first guiding surface, a second stopping surface extending from the second guiding surface and away from the first guiding surface, and a third stopping surface extending at a second angle to the second stopping surface. The support has a fourth stopping surface, and the fourth stopping surface is disposed at third and fourth angles to the first and third stopping surfaces respectively.
US08096727B2 Retractable post system
A temporary barricade in the form of a retractable post system. In one configuration, the post is lowered into the ground, such that the top of the post is flush with the ground surface, leaving an unobtrusive configuration that one can walk over, drive over, and so forth. In another configuration, however, the post can be pulled up from the ground, and with a moderate rotational twisting motion, locked into vertical position, thereby providing a strong barrier to traffic and other situations.
US08096722B2 Writing instrument with retractable tip
A writing instrument that includes a barrel, which includes a window in the side of the barrel, a movable writing tip, a moving member that is connected to the tip, and a side button designed to collaborate with the moving member. The moving member can be moved through the window between a first position, where the tip is retracted and the second position, where the tip is exposed.
US08096720B2 Printer with stacker
Disclosed are a printer and a stacker and methods. The printer prints selectively on one or both sides of a printable web and sheets or labels are cut from the web and stacked in the stacker. The printer has an unwind mechanism that accepts and holds web rolls of different widths in center-justified relationship with respect to a print head. The printer has a spindle for mounting an ink ribbon core with a detent for center-justifying the ink-ribbon with respect to the print head.
US08096718B2 Printer selectively having configurations for receipt printer and for ticket printer
A printer according to the present invention selectively comprises, a cutting configuration for a receipt printer for printing a receipt and a cutting configuration for a ticket printer for printing a ticket, as a cutting configuration for cutting a printed part of the paper roll. The cutting configuration for the receipt printer includes a fixed blade mounted to the upper frame and a movable cutter unit mounted on the lower frame to oppose the fixed blade through the paper roll to be driven by a driving source to cut the paper roll. The cutting configuration for the ticket printer includes a hand cutter mounted to at least one of the upper frame and the lower frame.
US08096717B2 Feed drive device for printer and printer
Provided herein is a feed drive device for a printer including: a feed roller that feeds a print medium in synchronization with drive of a print head; a motor constituting a driving source of the feed roller; a roller reduction gear train that transmits power from the motor to the feed roller; and a reverse rotation preventing mechanism that is incorporated in an input side of the roller reduction gear train and prevents reverse rotation of the feed roller; the reverse rotation preventing mechanism being operated by reverse rotational power of the feed roller reversely input to the roller reduction gear train to prevent reverse rotation of a first gear disposed in an input side of the roller reduction gear train.
US08096713B1 Managing project information with a hand-propelled device
A hand-propelled printer/scanner is disclosed for use in updating a project document, such as any diagram, schematic, floor plan, or other document. The project document is updated with revision drawings and/or notes printed by the hand-propelled printer/scanner directly on an existing project document. The hand-propelled printer/scanner is sized for single hand use and is moved about on the project document for printing the revisions and notes. A position module provides absolute position data so that the revisions and notes are printed at the correct locations on the existing document. Use of the hand-propelled printer/scanner allows project documents to be updated on the job site, as an example.
US08096712B2 Fiber optic splice
A splicing method and splicing kit are suitable for creating a multimode mechanical splice. The splice may be used, for example, in Aircraft Battle Damage Repair operations. The splice utilizes two cylindrical inner crimp sleeves and an outer crimping assembly. The inner crimp sleeves are placed over prepared fiber cable ends, and the fiber core is cleaved. The cable ends are then inserted into an outer cannula of the outer crimping assembly. The cannula guides the inner crimp sleeves, and the cleaved fiber ends enter a glass ferrule in the cannula. The glass ferrule has a triangular bore containing an index matching gel. A window in the cannula and a magnifying viewer are provided to visually confirm the splice quality. The fibers may be cleaved by forming a circumferential score on the fiber.
US08096707B2 Thermal sensor device
A thermal sensor is provided that includes a front-end component, an analog-to-digital converter and a digital backend. The front-end component including an array of current sources, a dynamic element matching (DEM) device, an analog chopper and two diodes to sense temperatures on the die. The front-end component to provide analog signals at two output nodes based on currents through the two diodes. The analog-to-digital converter to receive the analog signals from the front-end component and to provide an output signal. The digital backend to receive the output signal from the analog-to-digital converter and to provide a calculated temperature.
US08096694B2 Light guiding assembly
A light guiding assembly is provided. The light guiding assembly includes a first light guiding plate, a second light guiding plate, and a shielding plate. The second light guiding plate is located adjacent to the first light guiding plate. The shielding plate is positioned between the first light guiding plate and the second light guiding plate, to prevent light guided by the first light guiding plate and light guided by the second light guiding plate from mixing.
US08096693B2 Light guide plate and backlight unit
A light guide plate includes: a plate surrounded by two main surfaces and a plurality of end surfaces connecting the main surfaces, one of the end surfaces designated as an entrance surface, one of the main surfaces designated as a reflection surface; a first reflection element provided in a first region of the reflection surface separated from the entrance surface, and configured to reflect a light incident from the entrance surface in a first angle with respect to the reflection surface; and a second reflection element provided in a second region of the reflection surface between the entrance surface and the first region, and configured to reflect the light in a second angle different from the first angle with respect to the reflection surface.
US08096683B1 Reflective light tube assembly for LED lighting
A reflective LED light tube assembly includes a bulb portion, a plurality of LEDs disposed inside the bulb portion on two longitudinal parallel facing heat dissipating reflective PCBs, both longitudinal PCB edges are longitudinally connected to a longitudinal reflective top portion and a longitudinal clear bottom portion, a pair of internally reflective end caps disposed at opposite ends of the bulb portion, a power supply circuit is disposed within one or both of the end caps or on the back of both PCBs, and a pair of male bi-pin electrical connectors extending from both end caps for electrical communication with the fluorescent light fixture's two tombstone female electrical connectors. One or both of the tombstone electrical connectors are in direct communication with an AC or DC power supply or circuit, which may also include a dimming feature. The LEDs illuminate in response to the electrical AC or DC current received in the power supply circuit.
US08096678B2 System, method and apparatus for backlit display on appliances and equipment
A backlit display for sink and vent hood assemblies is disclosed. The assembly has a body with an interior and an exterior with a front and sides. A frame is mounted to the front of the body and defines a window. A support panel is installed in the frame and has a light. A mounting bezel is mounted to the frame in front of the window. The mounting bezel defines a pocket between the mounting bezel and the frame. The assembly also comprises a decorative panel that is mounted in the pocket between the mounting bezel and the frame in front of the window. The light backlights and illuminates the decorative panel in front of and away from the body through the window.
US08096672B2 Method of equalizing light levels between LED light fixtures
A method is provided for equalizing emitted light levels between light fixtures that use LEDs to produce light. The method includes gaining access to LED light fixtures from within a compartment in which the fixtures are mounted, and adjusting LED dimmers of the LED light fixtures to adjust the light emission levels of the LED light fixtures to generally match one another.
US08096663B2 Projection display device and stand used for the projection display device
A projection display device accommodates, in a main body cabinet, a projection lens section to which light modulated by a light modulating element is entered, and a mirror section that reflects light transmitted through the projection lens section and directs the light to a projection plane. When the main body cabinet is mounted on a mounting plane so that the light transmitted through the projection lens section may get away from the mounting plane, a holding member which holds the main body cabinet in a upright state with regard to the mounting plane is mounted on the main body cabinet.
US08096658B2 Fundus oculi observation device and program for controlling the same
A fundus oculi observation device 1 can form a near-infrared motion image and a color image (still image) of a fundus oculi Ef. The device 1 specifies an image region within the near-infrared motion image corresponding to a region of interest within the color image while the near-infrared motion image is being formed. The device 1 scans with a signal light LS based on the specified image region, thereby forming a tomographic image along the scanning line. According to the device 1, it is possible to determine a region of interest within a still image having a comparatively high image quality, specify the image region within the motion image corresponding to this region of interest, set a measurement site for the tomographic image.
US08096656B2 Multi-tint coloured ophtalmic lenses
The invention relates to an ophtalmic lens comprising, on its surface, a first central zone preferentially transmitting the long wavelengths of the visible spectrum, and a second peripheral zone preferentially transmitting the short wavelengths of the visible spectrum.
US08096652B1 Headband eyeglasses
Mask headband eyeglasses include a mask body and a pair of eyeglass lenses contained in the mask body. The mask body has a substantial headband shape. The mask body includes a front portion and a pair of support arms. Strip headband eyeglasses include a strip of material and a pair of eyeglass lenses. A top of the pair of eyeglass lenses are secured to the strip of material. Fabric covered headband eyeglasses include a fabric body and a pair of eyeglass lenses retained in the fabric body. Styled rod headband eyeglasses include a rod body and a pair of eyeglass lenses retained in the rod body. The rod body includes a bridge rod, a first lens retainer, a first support arm, a second lens retainer and a second support arm. The headband eyeglasses are worn as either a headband or as eyeglasses/sunglasses. Reversible headband eyeglasses may be worn upside down.
US08096651B2 Ink-jet recording method, ink, ink cartridge, recording apparatus, and recorded matter
An ink-jet recording method including: printing on a medium by ejecting thereon ink having a pH value of 8 or more and containing at least a particulate colorant, emulsion resin and surfactant, the medium prepared by providing at least a coat layer containing a pigment on at least one surface of a substrate containing cellulose pulp as a main component, wherein printing is performed at a deposited ink amount of 15 g/m2 or less, and wherein the medium has a pH value of 8 or more at a paper surface, and the amount of pure water transferring onto a surface of the medium having the coat layer after a contact time of 100 ms measured with a dynamic scanning absorptometer is 1 mL/m2 or less and the amount of pure water transferring onto the surface of the medium after a contact time of 400 ms is 35 mL/m2 or less.
US08096649B2 Image conditioning coating
A contact leveling surface for an ink jet imaging member comprising a low adhesion coating, wherein when the low adhesion coating is disposed on a contact leveling surface, jetted drops of ultra-violet gel ink exhibit a low sliding angle with the contact leveling surface, wherein the low sliding angle is less than about 1° to less than about 30°.
US08096639B2 Mounting arrangement with a support and pressure plate for a printhead assembly
The invention provides for a mounting arrangement for a printhead assembly having a plurality of modular printhead tiles each having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements for printing on a printing medium. Each tile has a flex PCB with which to provide the tile with electrical energy. The mounting arrangement includes a support defining retaining clips and channels operatively housing electrical busbars, as well as a pressure plate defining holes shaped and dimensioned to complementarily receive the retaining clips to engage the support which urges the flex PCBs against the busbars to provide electrical power to printhead tiles.
US08096638B2 Nozzle assembly for a printhead arrangement with gutter formations to prevent nozzle contamination
A printhead arrangement for a printer, the arrangement having a plurality of nozzle assemblies formed on a wafer substrate by means of micro-electromechanical (MEMS) techniques. Each assembly includes an ink chamber with at least one ink supply channel etched into the substrate, and a heater element suspended in the ink chamber. Each assembly also includes drive circuitry for driving said heater element, and a nozzle plate defining two ink ejection nozzles. The nozzle plate has gutter formations about each nozzle to collect ink run-off.
US08096637B2 Liquid droplet ejection apparatus, method of manufacturing electrooptical device, electrooptical device, and electronic apparatus
A method of drawing on a workpiece by ejecting functional liquid thereon while relatively scanning the workpiece and an ejection head is provided. The method comprises the steps of: a first scanning for drawing in a plurality of first areas along a scanning direction; and a second scanning for drawing in a second area between the plurality of first areas drawn in by the first scanning.
US08096632B2 Liquid ejecting apparatus and method for controlling liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head with a pressure chamber communicating with a nozzle opening and a pressure generator capable of causing a pressure fluctuation to liquid in the pressure chamber. The liquid ejecting head discharges liquid droplets by operating the pressure generator. The drive signal generator generates a drive signal including a drive pulse which includes a first expanding element that expands the pressure chamber, a first discharging element that contracts the pressure chamber expanded by the first expanding element in order to discharge a liquid droplet, a second expanding element that expands the pressure chamber, and a second contracting element that contracts the pressure chamber. The time from the beginning of the first discharging element to the end of the second contracting element is set to ½ to 1 of the natural vibration period of the liquid in the pressure chamber.
US08096627B2 Latch apparatus to an enclosure for an electronic device
A latch apparatus for a cover and a housing is mounted on at least one side in a front of the housing. The latch apparatus includes a bracket rotatably attached to at least one outer side in a front of the housing and a linkage coupled to the bracket. When the bracket is rotated in a first direction, the linkage applies a force on the cover relative to the housing for detachment of the cover from the housing.
US08096625B2 Project management desk
A project management desk having a transparent working surface supported by spaced apart legs and below which is disposed a sliding tray having a plurality of side by side document compartments, the contents of which are visible through the working surface.
US08096622B2 Method of controlling mine fires with polymeric gel
A method is disclosed for controlling a mine fire by delivering a water-absorbent polymeric composition to a rock structure involved in a fire and infusing the polymeric composition into the rock structure. The polymeric composition may also be used to create a seal across a mine entry for controlling underground mine fires.
US08096620B2 Injection mold seat riser for modular school bus seats
A modular seat frame for a school bus seat includes riser assemblies for supporting the seat fabricated from a moldable material reinforced locally by attachment and reinforcement members.
US08096617B2 Seat having tiltable seat cushion
A seat is disclosed herein. The seat includes a seat cushion frame assembly. The seat also includes a seat cushion mounted on the seat cushion frame assembly for pivoting movement about a cushion pivoting axis. The seat also includes a cushion lock operably disposed to selectively lock the seat cushion frame assembly and the seat cushion relative to one another and thereby prevent the pivoting movement. The cushion lock defines a plurality of locked positions such that the seat cushion is positionable in a plurality of different orientations relative to the seat cushion frame assembly.
US08096615B2 Chair
A chair has a supporting frame, a seat portion, a back portion, and a recline mechanism. The mechanism moves the seat portion upon a reclining action of the back portion. The mechanism has a rear deformable member and a front deformable member operatively connecting the seat portion and the supporting frame. The recline mechanism also has a lower deformable member operatively connecting a lower part of the back portion and the supporting frame, and a puller member above the lower deformable member. The recline mechanism is configured such that as the back portion is reclined, the lower deformable member deforms and the puller member applies a rearward pulling action which causes the seat portion to move and the front and rear deformable members to deform.
US08096607B2 Vehicle body with a curved metal plate floor
A system that attaches an edge-supported curved metal plate floor to a load carrying body of a vehicle, such as a truck or rail wagon, is disclosed. The attachment system includes a series of tensile members that are connected directly or indirectly at opposite ends to the plate floor and the body of the vehicle. The tensile members principally transfer forces from the floor plate to the body.
US08096604B2 Energy absorber for use as impact protection in a motor vehicle
An energy absorber for use as impact protection in a motor vehicle, in particular in the region of the doors, is provided. The energy absorber can be formed as a plastics material component and comprises a plurality of ribs which together form polygonal hollow chambers. In manufacturing the energy absorber, a tool parting line of the manufacturing tool is defined such that the parting line defines at least two regions of the energy absorber displaying differing energy absorption characteristics. Upon impact, the energy absorber follows a force/distance curve which first rises linearly and then continues constantly.
US08096603B2 Pneumatic door assist system with hydraulic lock
A lock (57) for a door assist system (12) for use on a vehicle door (10) and connected to a vehicle to lock the door into an open position. The door assist system includes a door handle (40) having a first operable position, a second operable position and a released position, a pneumatic actuator (28) having an actuator rod (32), where the actuator rod is extendable when the door handle is in the first operable position and the actuator rod is retractable when the door handle is in the second operable position. The door assist system also includes a slide block (34) displaceable by the actuator rod of the pneumatic actuator. The slide block (34) also includes a door link (54) connecting the slide block (34) to the vehicle frame. As the slide block is displaced away from the pneumatic actuator (28), the door link opens the door (10) with respect to the vehicle. The lock also includes a hydraulic locking actuator (58) with a hydraulic rod (66) extendable and retractable with the slide block (34). When the door handle (40) is in the released position, the hydraulic rod (66) is prevented from extension and retraction and locks the slide block (34) at the current location, preventing opening or closing of the door (10).
US08096601B2 Rear window in a rear roof section of an openable roof vehicle
A rear window for a flexible rear roof section of an openable roof vehicle. The rear window is comprised of a transparent plastic material such as a polycarbonate material, and a fastening section that connects the rear window to the flexible covering of the open roof vehicle. The fastening section forms a single piece with the rear window and is offset relative to the plane of the rear window.
US08096600B2 Pick-up style utility vehicle with expandable cargo bed
A pick-up style utility vehicle has a driver's seat, a seat next to the driver's seat, one or more passenger seats behind the driver's seat, and a cargo bed. Each of all the passenger seats and the seat next to the driver's seat is independently changeable between a first state in which the seat is seatable and a second state in which the seat is retracted so that an occupied space of the seat can be used as part of the cargo bed. Preferably, a screen shield partitioning the cargo bed and a riding space in front of the cargo bed is provided. The screen shield is divided into left and right screen shield members.
US08096595B2 Bumper beam
A bumper beam has a generally U shape with a central flange (12; 12′) and two webs (13, 14; 13′, 14′), which central flange in the longitudinal middle portion of the beam points outwards from a vehicle and has a longitudinal concavity (17; 17′), which deepens progressively towards the end portions of the beam in order to change to or connect to fastening plates (20, 21; 20′, 21′).
US08096593B2 Latch for sliding door or frame
A latch for a sliding frame may be provided with a mounting end for mounting the latch on a mounting surface over which a sliding frame would travel along a sliding path, and a resilient blocking element having an end portion and a body portion coupled to the mounting end, and a stop element positioned to engage the end portion of the resilient blocking element and adapted to prevent the sliding frame from opening when the frame is in a closed position. A user may disengage the latch by removing the resilient blocking element from the sliding path so that the sliding frame can be moved to an open position.
US08096590B2 Connecting structure for piping
A seal material and a washer are fitted on a piping main body of a first piping, a bead portion is inserted into a bead portion insertion hole and the seal material and the washer are inserted into a seal material insertion hole. In this state, a female screw is threaded onto a male screw until a piping side stopper and a nut side stopper are abutted, and the nut member is joined to a piping side tube portion. In a state where the piping side stopper and the nut side stopper are abutted, the seal material is compressed in an axial direction via the washer by the small diameter tube portion and the seal material pressure-contact surface. The seal material is elastically joined to an outer circumferential surface of the piping main body and an inner circumferential surface of the bead portion insertion hole in a radial direction.
US08096588B2 Hose coupling
A hose coupling utilizing a main hollow body and an expandable inner sleeve and an intermediate end of a hose which is securely held in place upon radially outward expansion of the sleeve.
US08096587B2 Vacuum brake booster housing and non-rotatable connecting element
A vacuum brake booster includes a housing and a bent connecting element for connecting the vacuum brake booster to a vacuum source, wherein the connecting element includes a first connecting piece which extends through an opening in the brake booster housing into a vacuum chamber of the vacuum brake booster, a second connecting piece for connecting the connecting element to the vacuum source, and a multi-part housing with a first housing part which carries the first connecting piece and a second housing part which carries the second connecting piece arranged at a first angle to the first connecting piece. To simplify automatic assembly, the position of the second housing part to the first housing part in relation to a second angle is rigidly fixed, and the shape of the opening in the brake booster housing and the cross-sectional shape of the first connecting piece are matched to each other in such a way that a rotation of the first connecting piece in the opening of the brake booster housing is at least substantially prevented.
US08096586B2 Double-pipe joint
In a double-pipe joint for connecting and coupling a double pipe (H) consisting of outer and inner pipes (h2, h1) made of a fluororesin tube, an inner joint portion (T1) for coupling the inner pipe is formed by: a sleeve (2) which is to be pressingly fitted into an inner-pipe end portion (h1t); an inner-pipe joint body (1) which is to be fitted onto the inner-pipe end portion; and an inner-pipe union nut (3A), and an outer joint portion (T2) for coupling the outer pipe is formed by: a sleeve (4) which is to be pressingly fitted into an outer-pipe end portion (h2t); an outer-pipe joint body (3B) which is to be fitted onto the outer-pipe end portion; and an outer-pipe union nut (5). The inner-pipe union nut (3A) and the outer-pipe joint body (3B) are formed integrally into a nut-equipped body (3).
US08096585B2 Tubular joint
This tubular joint includes a bell end (4) which is equipped with an internal groove (18) and in which is inserted a spigot end (6), a seal (8) and a locking element (12). The groove forms a groove wall (20). The spigot end (6) and the bell end (4) define a radial clearance (J). The locking element (12) includes a fixing tooth (36) and a contact face (28) for application against the wall (20) when the clearance (J) is within a first range of clearances. When the clearance is within a second range of clearances, the locking element (12) forms a rocking point (34) for rocking round the groove wall (20) and the fixing tooth (36) bites into the external surface (22) by a flying buttress effect of the locking element (12).
US08096584B2 Document authentication using template matching with fast masked normalized cross-correlation
Techniques are described for authenticating security documents having security images that incorporate multiple security features. The techniques may produce robust template matching results in situations of lighting unevenness, even with stronger occluding objects. The techniques may be particularly useful in validating a security document having a security image composed of one or more “virtual” retroreflective images formed over a background of a repeating retroreflective image. The virtual retroreflective images within the security image provide strong signals that may dominate analysis and validation of the background retroreflective image, thereby resulting incorrect authentication. The techniques provide a modified normalized cross-correlation analysis that masks out the strong signals contributed by the additional security features, such as the retroreflective virtual images, while still allowing for fast and efficient template matching to be performed with respect to the background image.
US08096583B2 Aluminum flatbed with unique front connection
A drop deck trailer frame includes a front section having a first upper surface, a rear section having a second upper surface lower than the first upper surface, and an improved connection between the front and rear sections which tends to reduce cracking which commonly occurs in drop deck trailer frames due to the stresses in the region of the connection. The connection preferably includes a semicircular weld. In addition, heat treated bent flanges are typically used to provide additional strength. Fasteners such as bolts are also typically used to connect various flanges.
US08096582B2 Carrier rack
A carrier rack for a vehicle is provided that includes a tubular frame member and a plurality of strapping members. The tubular frame member includes at least four corner portions and defines an outer perimeter of the carrier rack and also defines a carrier plane. Each of the strapping members is secured to a respective one of the corner portions, and is spaced apart from the carrier plane and positioned entirely interior of the outer perimeter of the carrier rack. The carrier plane is generally horizontally oriented, and each of the strapping members is below the carrier plane, when the carrier rack is attached to a vehicle and oriented to carry objects.
US08096579B2 Motor vehicle having an occupant protection system
A motor vehicle includes at least one first crash sensor for measuring a motion variable of the motor vehicle, arranged in a safety zone of the motor vehicle, and at least one second crash sensor for measuring a motion variable, arranged in a crash zone of the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including an ignition protection device controllable via an ignition signal and a control unit for ascertaining the ignition signal as a function of the measured motion variables or, in each instance, as a function of a time average of the measured motion variables over at least one first time interval.
US08096574B2 Air bag system for vehicle
An air bag system for a vehicle including a cover for housing an air bag in a folded state along a side of a roof of the vehicle is provided. The cover includes a pair of opposed walls approximately parallel to each other, a connection wall that connects the pair of the opposed walls, an opening that is defined by the pair of the opposed walls and opens downward, a bent section that is formed to be bent three-dimensionally upward and inward so as to go along a face shape of the vehicle body where the cover is installed, at least one load transmission part that is provided on the connection wall so as to transmit a load from a vehicle interior side to a vehicle exterior side, and a locking portion that is provided on the load transmission part on the vehicle exterior side.
US08096573B2 Gliding board with lateral running edges
The invention relates to a gliding board including a structural beam defining a longitudinal direction and having a gliding surface bordered on each side with a lateral running edge, each running edge having an edge body and an anchoring blade, the anchoring blades of the two running edges being oriented opposite one another. An inextensible connecting element locally connects the anchoring blades, at least along a portion at least of the length of the beam, and the connecting element is oriented in the extension of each of the blades.
US08096570B2 Locking cable actuator
A cable actuator comprises a housing, a handle, and a locking pin. The handle is pivotally connected to the housing and is moveable between a released position and a locked position. The handle has a slot that terminates in a locking detent. The locking pin has a first end configured to pass through the slot and a second end configured to engage the locking detent. The locking pin is biased toward engagement with the locking detent such that when the lever is pivoted to the locked position, the locking detent aligns with the locking pin permitting the second end to engage the locking detent.
US08096566B2 Load transporting tarpaulin
Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to the transportation of loads. A strong and flexible platform has a plurality of ball casters attached to its underside to carry a load by dragging the platform along the ground. The plurality of ball casters on the bottom allow it roll while the flexible platform allows it to match the contour of the ground surface. The platform is outfitted with a removable rigid frame, handles, and grommets. A wagon attachment can be attached on top of the platform to transport loose loads such as leaves and other yard waste, and a rigid tub can be inserted into the wagon attachment for denser loads such as soil and sand. The platform can be pulled by hand, animal or vehicle.
US08096562B2 Pressure sealing means for a cable transit
The claimed invention relates to a pressure sealing means (20) for a cable transit (10). The pressure sealing means (20) comprises two wedge shaped pressure applying elements (21) placed vertically opposite each other with their acute sides facing towards each other and two wedge-shaped tensioning elements (22) placed horizontally with their acute sides facing each other. The pressure sealing means (20) further comprises at least one tensioning member (23) arranged between the two tensioning elements (22). The tensioning member (23) is at least one screw (24) secured in axial direction by a securing means (25) in the pressure applying elements (21) and provided with a right hand thread on one side of the securing means (25) and a left hand thread on the opposite side of the securing means (25).
US08096555B1 Method of conducting a wagering game with continuous depletion
A wagering game, such as Ban-Nag or Blackjack, includes defining a finite set of cards. The player plays multiple sequential game hands by placing a wager, receiving cards from the finite set cumulatively excluding any cards previously dealt, playing the game hand to completion, collecting the cards from the player and dealer and excluding the dealt cards from further play, and displaying at least the excluded cards or any winning combinations precluded by the excluded cards. Optionally, a proposition wager may be offered in each player game hand having an eligible game hand sum in which the player is rewarded if the player game hand reaches a target value. The game hands continue in sequence until a restoration event, which may be manually triggered or automatic, that restores the excluded cards. Optionally, multiple game hands may be dealt simultaneously from a finite set continuously depleted of dealt cards.
US08096549B2 Image generating apparatus
In an image generating apparatus, a push-up member for pushing up a paper and bringing the same into contact with a paper feed roller includes a first push-up member, a second push-up member and a torsion coil spring, a second engaging portion of the second push-up member is rotatably engaged with a first engaging portion of the first push-up member, a second spring engaging portion of the second push-up member is engaged with a coil portion of the torsion coil spring, and a first spring engaging portion of the first push-up member is engaged with a first arm portion of the torsion coil spring.
US08096548B2 Kicker roller
A paper-sheet feeding device including a kicker roller configured to contact a forefront paper-sheet of a plurality of stacked paper-sheets and kick out the forefront paper-sheet; a feed roller to feed-out the paper-sheets to be kicked out by the kicker roller; and a press-fitting roller press-fit against the feed roller to provide a gate unit adapted to separate the paper-sheets to be fed by the feed roller, into one sheet. The kicker roller includes a base part and a high friction part formed in part of the outer circumference of the base part along the circumferential direction and configured to kick out the forefront paper-sheet. The feed roller includes a base part and a high friction part formed over the entire outer circumference of the base part and configured to contact the surface of the paper-sheet to be kicked out by the kicker roller to perform feed-out of the paper-sheet.
US08096545B2 Sheet-feeding scanning apparatus having mechanism for feeding business card
A sheet-feeding scanning apparatus having a business card feeding mechanism is provided. The sheet-feeding scanning apparatus includes a scanning module, an ordinary document input tray, an ordinary document pick-up roller assembly, a transfer channel, a plurality of transfer rollers, an ejecting tray, an ejecting roller assembly, a business card input tray, and a business card pick-up roller assembly. The business card input tray includes a business card support plate, a spring, a separation slice and a position-limiting glide slot. The business card pick-up roller assembly includes a business card pick-up roller, a business card separation roller and a shaft rod. The shaft rod is sheathed by the business card separation roller. The sheet-feeding scanning apparatus is adapted for scanning images of multiple ordinary documents or multiple business cards.
US08096538B2 Apparatus for cleaning and organizing fasteners used in dynamoelectric machine
An apparatus is provided for organizing and cleaning fasteners used in a dynamoelectric machine. The apparatus includes a frame having a first end wall and a second end wall opposed to the first end wall, and a plurality of shelves connected to and located between the first end wall and the second end wall. At least one of the shelves includes a plurality of concave regions, that are configured to retain at least one of the fasteners. A mounting region is provided for the attachment of a fastener clamp. The fasteners from the dynamoelectric machine can be stored on the plurality of shelves and displayed.
US08096532B2 Device and method for manufacturing carbonated spring and carbonic water, control method for gas density applied thereto and membrane module
Hot water is pumped by a suction pump and introduced into a carbon dioxide (CO2) gas dissolver through solution flow rate adjusting means and then poured into a bath. The CO2 is introduced into the CO2 gas dissolver through gas flow rate adjusting means, and the quantity of bubbles in an artificial carbonated spring in a take-out pipe is measured. The solution and gas flow rate adjusting means are controlled via a control device using a relationship expression between a preliminarily set quantity of bubbles and carbon dioxide concentration to obtain a desired concentration of carbon dioxide gas in the carbonated spring. Since the carbon dioxide gas flow control means is provided between the carbon dioxide gas dissolver and a carbon dioxide gas supply source, a high concentration carbonated spring can always be manufactured, even if the pressure of supplied carbon dioxide gas changes or membrane permeation changes.
US08096531B2 Method and apparatus for aeration of liquid medium in a pipe
An apparatus and method for mixing gas and liquid comprising a pipe having an enclosure positioned in-line with said pipe, wherein a sealed space is defined, at least one blower, said blower regulates the barometric pressure in said sealed space, wherein intermeshed rotating sets of discs operate on parallel shafts driven by variable speed drives, and strakes are radially mounted on the discs to carry liquid up into a mixing area and to carry air and liquid down into a mixing area resulting in a shear force that drives air into the oxygen depleted liquid. In the sealed space the barometric pressure is raised by a blower, in order to pop foam bubbles and allow for optimum mixing of air into the oxygen depleted liquid and to regulate the waterline within the sealed space, thereby preventing the escape of foam, noise and odorous gases into the local environment.
US08096529B2 Semitrailer landing gear
A semitrailer landing gear, particularly for supporting trailers, including a supporting element, which can be telescopically displaced in the height thereof and which has an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve, the outer sleeve having a fastening flange for placing on a vehicle. The aim of the invention is to develop semitrailer landing gears with a reduced weight as well as with favorable manufacturing costs. To this end, the invention provides that at least one lateral wall of the outer sleeve and/or of the inner sleeve is provided with an angled wall section extending in an axial direction.
US08096524B2 Seal retainer/line centering clips with multiple flange capability
A wafer-style valve assembly adapted to be coupled between opposing pipeline components having a common centerline secured together by a plurality of longitudinal fasteners includes a substantially cylindrical valve body, a seat retaining plate, and at least one clip. The valve body has a peripheral edge portion and an axial end surface. The seat retaining plate is disposed on the axial end surface. The at least one clip is also disposed on the axial end surface and extends radially outward of the peripheral edge portion. The clip has a radially inward portion and a radially outward portion. The radially inward portion secures the seat retaining plate to the to valve body. The radially outward portion has an edge defining a first recess and a second recess. The first and second recesses are each adapted to accommodate a longitudinal fastener to locate the valve assembly relative to the centerline of the pipeline.
US08096523B2 Non-contact torque sensing for valve actuators
Non-contact torque, thrust, strain, and other data sensing of a valve actuator or valve is disclosed. A sensor may include a surface acoustic wave device.
US08096519B2 Collapsible rolling support stand
A collapsible folding stand for use with a portable table saw or other object that is attached to the stand and is capable of being manipulated between open and closed positions. In the closed position, the stand is generally vertically oriented with the object attached to a top frame. To open the stand a locking mechanism is released which enables a folding mechanism supporting the top frame to unfold in a manner whereby the rear legs having wheels that separate from forward side struts which contact the ground, with the center of gravity of the object being positioned between the wheels and the front ground contact points so that the weight of the object tends to separate the same and bring the top frame into a generally horizontal position. To move the rolling stand to its closed position, the user needs only to lift the handle and the top frame will then move to its generally vertical closed position.
US08096518B1 Truss mounted support system
A hanger support system that provides for attachment and suspension of materials from an elongated support structure such as an angle iron truss. The system includes a hanger support having a main body with means for attaching items to the hanger support, and an elongated tongue projecting upward from the main body to form a hook for hanging the hanger support upon the support structure. The hanger support further includes gussets projecting upward from the main body to engage the tongue and various bores in the main body for accepting threaded rod, or the shanks of bolts, to attach items to be suspended from the support structure.
US08096514B1 Bowl holder system
A rigid support base has flat parallel top and bottom surfaces separated by a thickness. The support base has a front edge and a parallel rear edge. The support base has parallel first and second side edges. The support base has a plurality of holes including two holes adjacent to the front edge and two holes adjacent to the rear edge. A plurality of rigid rods are provided. Each rod has a lower end received and retained within an associated hole. Each rod is in a cylindrical configuration. Two elevational retainers are provided. Each elevational retainer has two holes slidably received on two rods. The elevational retainer is adapted to contact and hold a bowl on the support base.
US08096513B2 Aerodynamic flap of an aircraft having a device which influences the flap vortex
A high-lift flap of an aircraft is provided having a device for influencing the flap vortex as well as a device for influencing the flap vortex at the lateral edge of the aerodynamic high-lift flap, which can be achieved effectively and at low cost.
US08096509B2 Parachute inlet control system and method
A parachute inlet control system is configured to provide an improved inflation profile for solo and/or clustered parachutes. An inlet parachute is coupled to a main parachute via a plurality of lacing loops and/or reefing rings. The lacing loops may be passed through the reefing rings and/or may be routed around one or more of the main parachute suspension lines. The inlet parachute is located in the inlet area of the main parachute, and causes the inlet of the main parachute to rapidly form a desirable shape. The inlet parachute and lacing loops function as a reefing means, and prevent full inflation of the main parachute until a reefing cutter has functioned. In this manner, parachute failures, such as those due to leading and/or lagging parachutes in a parachute cluster, may be reduced or eliminated.
US08096504B2 Integrated aircraft structure in composite material
Integrated aircraft structure in composite material that comprises a skin and stringers (1), with the skin comprising a string part (5) and a basic skin (3), which structure further comprises U-shaped elements (15) each of which comprises in its turn two L-shaped sections (4a+5a and 4b+5b) together with the skin part (5), in such a way that these U-shaped elements (15) fulfill two structural functions in said structure at the same time, acting as frame feet and as skin, providing an integrated fuselage structure without rivets or joints. The invention also relates to a manufacturing process of an integrated aircraft structure in composite material.
US08096501B2 Aircraft nacelle which includes thrust reverser system and aircraft incorporating at least one such nacelle
Aircraft nacelle which includes a cowl with a longitudinal axis, an engine housed in the cowl, an annular channel surrounding the engine and designed to receive a secondary flow, wherein the cowl includes a fixed part and a moving part which slides along the longitudinal axis to define a radial opening between the moving and fixed parts, a thrust reverser system which includes internal flaps mounted so that they rotate and which are designed to block the annular channel, at least partially, in the deployed position, where the moving part of the cowl includes a radial housing to receive the internal flaps in the at-rest position and where a system of applying an elastic force on each flap towards deployment is provided. Thus control over the position of the internal flaps is obtained directly by sliding the moving part.
US08096500B2 Mobile surfaces for aircraft with sealed slots
A lifting or stabilising component (11) for an aircraft comprising in the area of its trailing edge a rotary control element (13) rotating around an axis (61) with at least one slot (21) between the tip (15) of the component (11) and the control element (13), the edges of which are configured such that the distance therebetween, that is, the dimension of the slot (21), is constant for different angles of deflection of the control element (13), being located between them a seal (23) that assure the aerodynamic continuity of the component (11) when the control element (13) is at rest. In a preferred embodiment, the component (11) is a horizontal tail stabilizer and the control element (13) is a rudder.
US08096495B2 Spindle for a roll of web material
A spindle includes two end portions, spaced apart from one another, with the two ends being of substantially equal diameters. The two ends are configured to interact with a support structure that is designed to hold a roll of web material. The spindle also includes a widened portion located between the two end portions. At a portion spaced from the widened portion, the spindle is configured to receive a removable member.
US08096492B2 Pulverizing and coarse powder classifying apparatus and fine powder classifying apparatus
A pulverizing and coarse powder classifying apparatus including: a mechanical pulverizer that pulverizes a powder raw material, a cyclone that collects pulverized powder, and a coarse powder classifier that separates coarse powder from the collected powder, wherein the coarse powder classifier is a cyclone classifier including a dispersion chamber equipped with a center core and used for dispersing the powder, and a classification chamber equipped with a separator core, and wherein the center core has at its center a fine powder discharge pipe.
US08096489B2 Spraying device apparatus
A spraying device includes a housing that has a spraying unit and a trigger assembly. The spraying unit is a removable insert within the housing. The spraying unit includes an air chamber that is coupled to a liquid tank. A front end portion of the air chamber has a nozzle. The air chamber receives a liquid tube that opens in the nozzle. The liquid tube receives a needle and the needle and the liquid tube are coaxial with each other. The trigger assembly controls the flow of liquid through the liquid tube by positioning a tapered front end of the needle. The trigger assembly includes a trigger that has a first position and a second position. In the first position, the opening of the liquid tube is closed by the needle. In a second position, the liquid tube is opened to discharge a liquid from an opening of the liquid tube.
US08096486B2 Air freshener
An air freshener of the invention includes a rotating box, a fixed base disposed on the rotating box, the rotating box rotating with respect to the fixed base, and a perfume box filled with a perfume, which can rotate with the rotating box. The rotating box has an annular shape in cross section and has an internal space for receiving and embedding the perfume box therein. Air holes are formed in the fixed base for exposing a portion of the perfume box when the rotating box is rotated with respect to the fixed base. The air freshener of the invention is applicable to be used inside a car or a room, and is capable of both refreshing the air and adjusting the release amount of the diffused perfume vapor.
US08096482B2 System and method for controlling a climate control system with remote start operation
In at least one embodiment, a system for controlling a vehicle climate control system in response to starting an engine with a remote start operation is provided. The system includes a first sensor for generating a cabin temperature signal indicative of a temperature within the vehicle. The system further includes a controller for controlling idle speed of the engine in response to the cabin temperature signal such that the controlled idle speed enables the climate control system to achieve a desired temperature.
US08096481B1 Ventilation system control
A method, system, apparatus, and device to provide an effective, automatic means to effect exhaust, supply, or balanced ventilation, or a combination thereof, by automatically activating a ventilation fan for the selected operation time per cycle interval based on prior fan operation due to automatic cycle operation and user demand. In a second embodiment the ventilation fan controller automatically activates said ventilation fan in conjunction with operation of a blower of a central air conditioning system. In a third embodiment, the ventilation fan controller also automatically operates the blower for the selected operation time per blower cycle interval, including operation due to thermostat and/or humidistat demand and operates the ventilation fan in conjunction with operation of the blower and/or for the minimal time selected per interval, including operation due to user demand. Optionally, a position of an outside air intake damper is controlled in conjunction with activation of the blower.
US08096476B2 Article sales data processing apparatus
An article sales data processing apparatus comprises a first reading unit configured to read an article identification code from a first medium attached to an article, a second reading unit configured to read the article identification code from a second medium attached to the article, a determination unit configured to determine whether the article identification code is the code read by the first reading unit or the code read by the second reading unit, and a control unit configured to separately display, on a display unit, article sales data obtained from the article identification code determined to have been read by the first reading unit and article sales data obtained from the article identification code determined to have been read by the second reading unit.
US08096475B2 Handheld data capture terminal operable in different data capture modes depending on terminal orientation
A data capture terminal for, and a method of, automatically capturing data from targets, employ a handheld housing orientable by a human operator in different orientations relative to the targets; a data capture system, preferably including a plurality of actuatable data capture modules, supported by the housing; an orientation sensor supported by the housing for detecting the orientations of the housing relative to the targets, and for generating respective orientation signals in response to the respective detected orientations of the housing; and a controller operatively connected to the orientation sensor, for independently actuating one of the data capture modules for capturing the data from one of the targets in one data capture mode of operation in response to generation of one of the orientation signals, and for actuating another of the data capture modules for capturing the data from another of the targets in another data capture mode of operation in response to generation of another of the orientation signals.
US08096474B2 Method for decoding data
Disclosed is a method for decoding data that is encoded on a medium in a two-dimensional arrangement of code symbol marks (12). According to said method, orientation symbol marks (7) are disposed in several rows and several columns such that a grid of row centerlines and column centerlines is adjusted to the read orientation symbol marks (7) by determining a step width for the rows and the columns while read code symbol marks (12) are assigned to one respective point of intersection of the adjusted grid, said point of intersection being linkable to a defined piece of data. The step width of the rows is different from the step width of the columns, and a relative orientation of the two-dimensional arrangement of code symbol marks (12) is determined from the ratio between the two step widths. A data range (10) that is used for code symbol marks (12) is determined from a reference symbol mark (8). The code symbol marks (12) and the orientation symbol marks (7) are distinguished based on a characteristic, distinct graphic design and are allocated, respectively.
US08096473B2 Optical reader for reading identification codes on optical discs
An optical reader comprises a housing, at least one light source inside the housing and an image sensor whose terminus is inside the housing. The housing has a longitudinal axis and a disc-receiving portion for receiving an optical disc so that the optical disc is coaxial with the longitudinal axis. The at least one light source is positioned on the longitudinal axis to illuminate the identification code on the optical disc and be reflected therefrom. The terminus of the image sensor is also positioned on the longitudinal axis, further from the disc-receiving portion than the at least one light source, and oriented to capture the identification code within its field of view. The image sensor and the at least one light source are cooperatively configured so that the terminus of the image sensor receives light reflected from the identification code and thereby readably detects the identification code.
US08096472B2 Image sensor assembly for optical reader
There is described an optical assembly. In one aspect, the optical assembly can be used in an optical reader. In another aspect, the optical assembly can include a support for supporting various components.
US08096469B2 Methods for receiving credit card applications at a fuel dispenser
Credit card applications typically involve the help of a third party to input the necessary data required by a credit card issuing agency. Using the present invention, a customer at a fuel dispenser can complete a credit card application and have it approved or denied in a quick and easy transaction, without the need of assistance from a third party. All required data at the fuel dispenser is entered through a user interface which includes card swipe inputs and numeric inputs through a numeric key pad. The customer does not make any alphabetical inputs on a typical keyboard because fuel dispensers do not have keyboards.
US08096466B2 Transaction recordal system
A system for recording a transaction relating to a security document, the security document having disposed thereon or therein coded data including a number of coded data portions. Each coded data portion is indicative of at least an identity of the security document. The system includes a computer system that receives indicating data from a sensing device, in response to sensing of the coded data. The computer system determines the identity of the security document and the transaction and uses this to update transaction data indicative of the identity of the security document and the transaction.
US08096465B2 Safe device for collecting coins and safe method for transferring and emptying coin boxes
The invention relates to a safe device for collecting coins. It comprises a support receiving a coin box comprising a hatch controlled by an internal mechanism. The coin box comprises includes a locking means making it possible to authorize its introduction and its extraction in the support. The locking means making it possible to authorize the internal mechanism to open the hatch. The internal mechanism acts on the hatch by opening it when the locking means authorizes it and the coin box is introduced into the support; and by holding it closed otherwise. The subject of the invention is also a safe method for emptying coin boxes. The invention is applied to the transfer of coins without contact.
US08096464B2 Solder-bearing articles and method of retaining a solder mass along a side edge thereof
A method and device for depositing a solder mass within a plated opening that is formed in a side edge of an electronic device includes the steps of carrying the solder mass in a carrier device and orienting the carrier device with respect to the side edge such that the solder mass is aligned with the plated opening. The method further includes reflowing the solder mass to cause the solder mass to be deposited and securely held within the plated opening and then removing the carrier device leaving the solder mass behind within the plated opening and along the side edge of the electronic device.
US08096463B2 Wiring method and device
To permanently apply lead terminals to corresponding electrodes of electronic or electro-optic components, the following steps are carried out: a. providing a frame including at least one tensioned wire, b. providing a holding jig including at least one seat in which a respective one of the components can be removably and temporarily retained, c. applying the components to the seats with the respective electrodes aligned along a respective longitudinal direction; in this way a row of aligned components is obtained, each component having a corresponding electrode aligned to the subsequent one in the row, d. applying the holding jig to the frame and orienting the same so that the longitudinal direction corresponds to the direction of the tensioned wire, the tensioned wire being thereby brought substantially in contact with (all) the electrode(s) aligned to each other on a corresponding row of components, e. electrically and mechanically bonding the tensioned wire to the corresponding electrodes; in this way all components are simultaneously bonded to the wire, and f. cutting the wire to separate the components from each other thereby forming a respective lead terminal for each electrode.
US08096460B2 Surgical stapling apparatus
A surgical device includes a loading unit having proximal and distal portions. The proximal portion of the loading unit is configured to be attached to an actuation apparatus. The surgical device further includes a flexible shaft interconnecting the proximal portion and the distal portion of the loading unit. Additionally, the surgical device has a tool assembly disposed in mechanical cooperation with the distal portion of the loading unit. The tool assembly is configured to articulate upon activation of the actuation apparatus.
US08096459B2 Surgical stapler with an end effector support
A surgical stapler is provided having a cartridge arm for holding staples, an anvil pivotally connected thereto to deform fired staples from the cartridge arm, and a support for substantially preventing anvil deflection during staple firing to help insure proper staple formation. Some supports allow pivoting between the anvil and cartridge arm when in a first position, but prevent or hinder the pivoting action when in a second position. Supports can also be adapted to contact the anvil at a distal position relative to the pivot point between the anvil and cartridge arm. Exemplary structures of supports embodied as one or more links or as a sleeve are described. Methods of use are also discussed.
US08096458B2 Pouch used to deliver medication when ruptured
An anvil assembly for a circular stapling device includes an anvil head configured to support an anvil plate thereon, a shaft extending from the anvil head and configured to selectively engage a rod member of the circular stapling device, an anvil plate operatively connected to the anvil head, wherein the anvil plate includes an inner diametral edge, and wherein the anvil plate defines a plurality of staple forming pockets therein at a location radially outward of the inner diametral edge, a recess formed in the anvil head, wherein the recess is defined by the inner diametral edge of the anvil plate and a rear surface of the anvil head, and a wound treatment material disposed substantially within the recess.
US08096457B1 Articulation mechanisms for surgical instrument
An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a flexible articulation insert separated into segments, where at least one segment is longitudinally slidable relative to at least one other segment, and where at least one passage is defined longitudinally through the insert; and at least one feeder belt extending through a corresponding passage in the insert, where staples are frangibly connected to the feeder belt.
US08096445B2 Electric soap dispenser
An electric soap dispenser that includes sensors for detecting the presence of an object. The dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. The dispenser can include various features for enhancing the performance thereof. For example, the dispenser can include an additional button for manual operation of the pump. Additionally, the dispenser can detect the voltage of a power supply and compensate for a drop in voltage of the power supply so as to produce more uniform dispensations of the liquid product.
US08096442B2 Soft-sided insulated container with thermal storage member
A portable, foldable, soft-sided insulated container has an a lid mounted carrier, or seat, for a substantially rigid container of a thermal storage medium, such as water. The container assembly may be free of any rigid tub, and may thus retain the ability to fold. The carrier is a substantially rigid plate or panel, or array, that mounts to an otherwise soft panel. The panel, or portion of a panel, to which the rigid carrier mounts is a panel that may tend to stay substantially flat (or curved) when the container assembly is folded. The mounting is such that the substantially rigid thermal storage medium container can slide in and out of the seat. When not in use the entire assembly can be folded into a collapsed position for storage.
US08096441B2 Sealing structure for high-pressure container
In a multilayer pressure container constructed by covering a thin wall container made of synthetic resin or the like with a resin-impregnated fiber-reinforced layer and subsequently curing the impregnating resin, the present invention provides a sealing structure for a high-pressure container which allows sealing measures to be phased in during assembly before curing. The sealing structure for a high-pressure container 1 includes a resin liner 2 adapted to contain gas or liquid; a fiber-reinforced plastic layer 3 adapted to reinforce an outside face of the resin liner 2; and a metal mouthpiece 4 used to pour and discharge the gas or liquid, protruding outside the fiber-reinforced plastic layer 3, wherein a filler neck 21 for the gas or liquid is formed on the resin liner 2, protruding outward from inside the high-pressure container, coupling structures 23 and 43 are formed on a protrusion of the filler neck 21 and the mouthpiece 4, and the mouthpiece 4 is coupled with the resin liner 2 by means of the coupling structures 23 and 43 so as to cover the filler neck 21.
US08096435B2 Transporting and vending package
A two-part (1, 2, 102, 118) transporting and vending package (52, 152) for containing and displaying articles (A). The articles are grouped and disposed upon the first part (1), which is augment by the second part (2) to give the package sufficient structural integrity to resist compressive forces being transmitted to the articles when the package is stacked with other such packages. The second part also restricts access to the articles. The package also comprises a releasable retaining means (24, 124) provided to maintain the first and second parts as a unit until access to the articles is required. The retaining means can be manipulated to deprive the package of its initial structural integrity and to provide improved access to the articles to facilitate vending.
US08096434B2 Container, in particular a bottle, made of thermoplastic material
A thermoplastic container, in particular a bottle, made by blow-molding or stretch blow-molding of a heated preform and including a bell-shaped convex base with its concavity facing outward and provided with reinforcing impressions projecting inward and radiating around a central recess, the impressions having a trapezoid shape with its smaller dimension located toward the center of the base; the impressions include respective arches which form convex trapezoid segments with concavity facing inward and extending from the seat to the central recess by being connected thereto immediately proximate the upper end of the central recess.
US08096427B2 Product management display system
An integrated “T” assembly combines into a single integrated assembly, a track portion along both sides of a divider. The T assembly may have a wide-base portion, which may include a spring-urged-pusher track, on one side of the divider and a narrow-base portion on the opposite side of the divider. An offset pusher may have an upper portion that is offset, via an angled offset portion, from a lower portion of the pusher. Additional supporting bases, any of which may include spring-urged-pusher tracks and/or a spring-urged pusher, may be used under a wide product. Left and right side finisher components may be paired with T assemblies near the sides of a merchandise-display shelf. The T assembly, base, and/or end finishers may be coupled to a front rail via a complimentary tongue and groove arrangement and/or a non-slidable engagement.
US08096426B2 Inclined universal tray for paper and the like
A tray assembly for supporting papers, folder, files, or smaller articles such as vouchers and ticket books includes a plurality of identical tray modules configured to be joined end to end or stacked upon one another. Each tray module includes a plurality of rectangular slots which are slanted with regards to a vertical plane which allows for easy recognition of a top sheet and simplified insertion and removal of sheets and other items to be supported within the slots of the trays. The rectangular slots of each tray module include a plurality of grooves which can receive separators for dividing the rectangular slots into multiple compartments. Additionally, each rectangular slot includes a stop flange, and wherein the stop flanges of the rectangular slots can be used to attach individual tray modules to a vertical surface such as a wall.
US08096425B2 System, apparatus and process for extraction of bitumen from oil sands
An extraction system and process for extracting bitumen from a slurry containing bitumen, solids and water. The system comprises a cyclone separation facility for separating the slurry into a solids component stream and a bitumen froth stream with the bitumen froth stream including water and fine solids. The bitumen froth stream is then delivered to a froth concentration facility for separating the bitumen froth stream into a final bitumen enriched froth stream, and a water and fine solids stream. The final bitumen enriched froth stream is suitable for further processing. The system of the present invention is preferably mobile so that the cyclone extraction facility and the froth concentration facility can move with the mine face at an oil sands mining site, however, it is also contemplated that the system can be retrofitted to existing fixed treatment facilities to improve the operational efficiency of such fixed facilities.
US08096423B2 Replaceable fuel filter element and fuel filter assembly
One embodiment is a unique replaceable filter element. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.
US08096420B2 Universal blister package
A universal blister package for the distribution of medical instruments includes a tray having a resilient film and a retainer having a resilient film. The tray and the retainer are shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement in a manner creating a storage space between the film of the tray and the film of the retainer for accommodating a medical instrument between the tray and the retainer.
US08096419B2 Compound
The present invention provides photosensitizing agents obtained by reducing a single double bond in the porphyrin macrocycle of a sulphonated meso-tetraphenylporphyrin, preferably a disulphonated meso-tetraphenylporphyrin such as TPPS2a. The resulting sulphonated meso-tetraphenyl chlorins include compounds of formula I: (wherein X is —SO3H; n, p, q and r are each independently 0 or 1; and the sum of n, p, q and r is an integer from 1 to 4, preferably at least 2, e.g. 2 or 4) isomers and isomer mixtures thereof. The compounds of the invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts find particular use as photosensitizing agents in the photochemical internalization of molecules and in photodynamic therapy.
US08096416B2 Flower support with stem protection
A flower support for long-stemmed flowers comprises an elongated support part as well as series of hook means in which the flower stems can be hooked, which series of hook means at both sides of the support part extend away from each other in an obliquely oriented fashion. The series of hook means are positioned obliquely with respect to each other. The oblique position of the series of hook means brings that a cavity is formed in which the stems of the hooked in flowers are well protected.
US08096410B2 Adjustable item transport
An adjustable item transport includes a deck for supporting items, a transport element for transporting the items along the deck on a transport path, a plurality of support elements rotatably supporting the transport element, and an adjustment member. Each support element may include a plurality of recesses configured to receive the transport element. Each recess corresponds to an operating position of the transport element. The adjustment member may include a handle portion, a first guide portion adjacent to a first edge of the transport element, and a second guide portion adjacent to a second edge of the transport element. Movement of the handle portion substantially perpendicular to the transport path engages one of the first guide portion and the second guide portion with a respective edge of the transport element to move the transport element between recesses in the support element to change the operating position of the transport element.
US08096407B1 Poly phase drive and drive controller system
A natural frequency conveyor includes a tray, base, drive system, spring assembly and drive controller for delivery of articles. The drive system includes pairs of identical first and second electromagnets having the respective pole pieces. Preferably the pole pieces of the respective second electromagnets are mounted to the tray, and the pole pieces of the others to the base, so that the second electromagnets so as to the tray are movable in the direction of action of the drive system when energized by a three-phase electricity to be efficient in operation of the conveyor. The spring assembly includes sets of flat springs, which are mounted to the respective tray and base to thereby force the tray to move back when the drive system is not energized. This results in an oscillating movement of the tray according to the natural frequency of the assembly.
US08096404B2 Apparatus and method for resorting piece goods assortments
An apparatus for resorting piece goods assortments comprises a supply device, which transports along a first predefined transport path a piece goods assortment containing a plurality of piece goods arranged in predefined geometric positions, and at least one redistribution unit arranged at least partially downstream of the supply device along the transport path of the piece goods assortment. The redistribution unit comprises at least one pick-up element for picking up an individual item of piece goods of the piece goods assortment or a group of piece goods of the piece goods assortment, and a discharge device which is arranged downstream of the redistribution unit along the transport path. The pick-up element of the redistribution unit is movable in at least two different directions. The pick-up element removes individual piece goods or groups of piece goods from the piece goods assortment and transfers said piece goods to the discharge device.
US08096403B2 Machine for orienting and aligning articles
The invention relates to a machine for orienting and aligning articles, of the type that comprises: orientation cavities which can move along a closed path and which are equipped with an upper inlet for loading articles and an open base through which the articles can pass, a plurality of aligning conduits which are disposed below the orientation cavities, means for temporarily supporting the articles in the orientation cavities and for dropping same into the conduits, and support and/or end stop elements in each of the orientation cavities. In addition, each of the cavities comprises several seats or housings at different positions for receiving a first support and/or end stop element of the aforementioned support and/or end stop elements and retaining means for retaining said first support and/or end stop element in any of the seats or housings.
US08096402B2 Sorter having a container shuttle system
A sorter system includes a first conveyor for transporting items to designated containers, a second conveyor for transporting containers containing the items, and a shuttle unit. The shuttle unit may include a base defining a loading area proximate to the first conveyor and a staging area proximate to the second conveyor and a tray disposed on the base for receiving containers on a first section and a second section. The tray may be movable between a first position in which the first section is in the loading area and a second position in which the first section is in the staging area. The shuttle unit may further include a transport device for selectively moving a container on the first section of the tray from the staging area onto the second conveyor.
US08096401B2 Mechanical pallet lift incorporated into an assembly line process
A mechanical pallet lift, such as incorporated into a conveyor driven process, having a base. A lower frame is displaceably supported upon the base and includes a first plurality of upwardly extending and spaced apart walls. An upper frame includes a second plurality of downwardly extending and spaced apart walls which nest in offsetting fashion with the first plurality of walls in an initial position. A rotary driven crank includes a first linkage elevating the upper frame so that the second walls are located above the first walls, a second linkage successively displacing the lower frame to cause the first walls to align with the second walls concurrent with the first linkage reverse lowering the upper frame to seat upon the lower frame. A limit stroke bracket surrounds the base includes column supports which, upon shifting in the elevated position, are engaged by horizontal exterior supports mounted to said upper frame upon reverse actuating of said crank at an intermediate elevated position.
US08096395B2 Pressure-regulated friction clutch
A pressure-regulated friction clutch is provided including a cylinder-piston unit, operated by a pressure medium, which permits a frictional connection of an output shaft with a driven plate fixed thereto and an input shaft with a driving plate fixed thereto, for the transmission of a torque from the input shaft with a permanently pressurized cylinder-piston unit.
US08096389B2 Cable connector for use in a brake actuating system
The present application discloses a cable connector for use in attaching an input cable to an actuator in a vehicle braking system.
US08096387B2 Fail-safe power control apparatus with controllable change-over switches
A fail-safe power control apparatus for supplying power between an energy source and the motor of a transport system. The power control apparatus includes a power supply circuit, which has at least one converter containing controllable change-over switches, and the power control apparatus has a controller for controlling the converter change-over switches, a data transfer bus, at least two controllers adapted to communicate with each other, and a control arrangement for controlling a first braking device, and possibly a control arrangement for controlling a second braking device.
US08096385B2 Belayer/descender safety device
The invention relates to a belayer/descender safety device (1), cooperating with a rope (2), comprising means (5) to hold said rope (2) and rotationally fixed to a chassis (6) on which enclosure means (10) for said rope (2) are mounted with pivoting and cooperating with said holding means (5). The enclosure means (10) and the chassis (6) comprise a housing (12) in opposition in the locking position which cooperates with a hook means, in particular, a spring hook, wherein said holding means (5) has the form of a pulley housing means for regulation of the speed of rotation thereof.
US08096383B2 Tapered vent for a hearing instrument
A vent having a reduced cross-section or taper permits the fabrication of very small hearing instruments while providing the necessary openings for the receiver tube and the vent in the tip of the instrument. The reduced cross-section provides sufficient clearance for the full cross-section of the receiver tube, without sacrificing the performance of the vent. The modified vent may be created in a CAD environment using Boolean modeling operations.
US08096381B2 Simplified motorcycle
A motorcycle including a propelling group or engine, a saddle support, a support for the rear wheel and a front directional group including a handlebar integral to a steering headstock functionally associated to a supporting organ of the vehicle front wheel. The front group is connected to a box-like body incorporating the function of filtering box, constrained to the engine and apt to support the latter by connecting it, therethrough, to the front directional group. The support for the rear wheel and the saddle support being constrained to the engine. The vehicle not equipped with additional members apt to constrain the engine to the front directional group.
US08096374B1 Control system and vehicle incorporating same
A vehicle including a linkage-based motion control system for varying a parameter (e.g., velocity) of the vehicle as a geometric relationship between a vehicle input (e.g., velocity control lever) and a vehicle output (e.g., drive train) is modified. In one embodiment, the control system provides a linkage that allows a fixed level of input applied to the control lever to produce a repeatable output to a variable drive unit even as the drive unit is moved relative to the control lever. In another embodiment, an adjustable stop for use with setting a terminal position of a control lever (e.g., a velocity control lever) is provided. Accordingly, the maximum potential speed of the vehicle may be adjusted (e.g., reduced) without altering the speed of the vehicle engine.
US08096371B1 Method and apparatus for disposal of cuttings
A method and apparatus for disposing of drill cuttings 500 from an oil and/or gas well drilling platform 510, comprising (a) transporting the drill cuttings 520 to a cuttings collection area 530 on the platform 510; (b) providing a barge 10, the barge 10 having at least one storage area 30, a cover 100 operably connected to the at least one storage area 30, and covering the at least one storage area 30; (c) placing the cover 100 in a first open state so that cuttings 500 can be placed in the at least one storage area 30; (d) transporting the drill cuttings 500 from the cuttings collection area 530 to the at least one storage area of the barge 10; (e) placing the cover 100 in a closed state so that the cuttings 520 in the storage area 30 of the barge 10 are contained; (f) transporting the barge 10 from the drilling platform 510 to a collection site 540; (g) placing the cover 100 in a second open state so that the cuttings 520 in the storage area 30 can be removed; and (h) removing the cuttings 520 from the storage area 30.
US08096369B2 Striking mechanism for a handheld electric power tool
The invention relates to a striking mechanism of a handheld electric power tool, in particular a percussion drill and/or percussion hammer, having a hammer cylinder, a piston mounted with a guide section inside the hammer cylinder in a longitudinally displaceable manner, and a piston outer guide on which a guide area of the piston is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner. A piston end located outside the hammer cylinder comprises an overlap for overlapping an end area of the hammer cylinder, and the guide area at least partially belongs to the overlap or is affixed there.
US08096360B2 Alkaline β-mannanase containing compositions useful for the hydrolysis of guar in high pH environments and methods related thereto
Methods and compositions of fracturing formations are provided. The fracturing fluid includes an enzyme breaker that decreases the viscosity of the fracturing fluid over time. The enzyme breaker can be used in environments having a pH value ranging from about 7 to about 12.
US08096358B2 Method of perforating for effective sand plug placement in horizontal wells
Stimulation operations can be conducted by isolating portions of a subterranean formation adjacent to a highly deviated well bore. The planned settled height of a sand plug in a well bore adjacent a first zone of the subterranean formation is determined. The first zone is then perforated using a hydrajetting tool which is oriented so as to form perforations below the planned settled height of the sand plug.
US08096355B2 Analysis of radar ranging data from a down hole radar ranging tool for determining width, height, and length of a subterranean fracture
Radar ranging data are collected from a down hole tool at various depths in a fractured well bore, and analyzed to provide a profile of the length of each wing of the fracture as a function of depth. The height of the fracture is determined from the vertical positions where the fracture is just observed or no longer observed as the tool is raised or lowered. For consecutive depths along the fracture (and for selected elevations from each depth for the case of a switchable antenna beam), reflection intensity as a function of range is measured. Simulated radar data are computed from a fracture model having the height of the fracture begin measured. The fracture model is varied and the resulting simulated data are correlated with the survey data until a match of minimal error is determined.
US08096352B2 Centralizer for tubular elements
A centralizer for tubular elements is provided which includes an inner part formed by a first material having high mechanical performance and chemical stability and an outer part arranged on said inner part, formed by a second material. The second material may be an autolubricating material. The second material may further possess a low coefficient of friction. The second material may additionally possess lower mechanical performance and chemical stability than the first material.A method of manufacturing the centralizer is also provided, including steps of injecting the first material on a tubular element to form the inner part on the tubular element and injecting the second material to form the outer part on the formed inner part.
US08096351B2 Water sensing adaptable in-flow control device and method of use
A device and system for controlling fluid flow into a wellbore tubular may include a flow path in a production control device and at least one in-flow control element along the flow path. A media in the in-flow control element adjusts a cross-sectional flow area of the flow path by interacting with water. The media may be an inorganic solid, a water swellable polymer, or ion exchange resin beads. A method for controlling a fluid flow into a wellbore tubular may include conveying the fluid via a flow path from the formation into a flow bore of the wellbore; and adjusting a cross-sectional flow area of at least a portion of the flow path using a media that interacts with water. The method may include calibrating the media to permit a predetermined amount of flow across the media after interacts with water.
US08096350B2 Dual point adjustable depth air sparging well system
An adjustable depth air sparging well system having a fixed depth or secondary air injection point and an adjustable depth or primary air injection point for injecting compressed air into saturated or groundwater regions of the soil's subsurface to remove volatile contaminants from the soil's subsurface. At least one flow-through air sparge packer which is slidably mounted within the well casing of the air sparging well system allows a user to adjust the depth at which the adjustable depth air injection point is set. The flow through air sparge packer is available in one, two and one half and five foot lengths.
US08096345B2 Method and apparatus for producing amorphous ribbon
A method and apparatus are provided for producing an amorphous ribbon by ejecting and rapidly solidifying molten alloy on a circumferential surface of a rapidly rotating cooling roll, wherein the cooling roll is polished online during amorphous ribbon production. When the circumferential surface of the cooling roll after peeling off the ribbon is polished using a polishing member, the circumferential surface of the cooling roll is polished continuously or intermittently across its lateral direction while differentiating the polishing mode in accordance with the surface properties.
US08096344B2 Sequential casting of metals having similar freezing ranges
A method and apparatus are disclosed for sequentially direct chill casting a composite ingot made of metals having similar freezing ranges. Poor adhesion between the layers and low reliability of casting are addressed by adjusting the position of secondary cooling (created by applying water streams to the emerging ingot) relative to the upper surfaces of the molten metal pools compared to the conventional positions of first application of the secondary cooling. This can be achieved by moving one or more walls of the mold (when the secondary cooling emanates from the bottom of such walls), or adjusting the height of the molten metal pools within the mold and moving cooled divider walls between the pools. The relative temperatures and conditions of the metals at positions where they meet at the metal interface may therefore be optimized.
US08096343B2 Method for precision casting of metallic components with thin passage ducts
In precision casting of metallic components with very thin passage ducts, in particular turbine blades, by the lost-wax process, the ceramic core pins provided for forming the passage ducts are covered and stabilized via a low-melting reinforcing coat prior to injection of the wax material required for forming the wax pattern for the production of the ceramic casting mold, with the low-melting reinforcing coat being melted out together with the wax material after the casting mold has been formed on. The ceramic core pins are therefore not damaged during the production of the wax pattern, enabling very thin passage ducts to be formed in the precision casting process.
US08096342B2 Door package
A door package includes a door frame, a door, a handle, and a pivot plate. The frame has a top portion that includes tracks in which door panels can slide. The door includes two or more equal size door panels. The handle protrudes in a direction essentially perpendicular to the door panels and is connected to a latch mechanism for positively engaging with a corresponding latch mechanism in the door frame when the door is in a closed position. The pivot plate is attached to the floor and allows the door panels to pivot from a retracted position to a broken open position essentially perpendicular to the plane of the door. At least two of the door panels separate from each other while the door is pivoting from the retracted position to the broken open position, to allow the handle to be accommodated between the two door panels.
US08096340B2 Child safety blind
A child safety blind having a head rail, a bottom rail, at least one ladder tape, a plurality of slats, a tilt wand and a pair of registry clips. At least one ladder tape extends horizontally between the head rail and the bottom rail, and the ladder tape comprising a plurality of steps. The slats extend horizontally between the head rail and the bottom rail, and each of the slats extends through one corresponding step of the ladder tape. The tilt wand is linked with ladder tape and operative to operative to drive the steps of the ladder tape to turn the slats with an angle. The pair of registry clips is operative to lift the bottom rail and the slats at two side portions thereof while holding the bottom rail and the slats therein.
US08096338B2 Method and apparatus for applying sheet material to a vehicle
An application for an apparatus that holds a sheet of material as it is applied to a surface of a vehicle. The apparatus includes support arms for holding the sheet of material in position against the surface of the vehicle while the sheet of material is applied to the surface. The apparatus is adjustable to compensate for various heights of vehicles, various application angles and application of the sheet to various surfaces of the vehicle including a top surface and a side surface.
US08096336B2 Method of manufacturing liquid crystal display apparatus and manufacturing device therefor
The apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display apparatus is equipped with the XYZθ-movement mechanism can move at least one of the first and second attraction stages in a vertical direction so as to adhere the first and second substrates to each other via the sealing agent, and then move the first and second attraction stages relatively to each other in a horizontal direction on the basis of an ordered movement amount, so as to align the first and second substrates with each other, and a control device that can move the first and second substrates relatively to each other by a predetermined amount more than the ordered movement amount while aligning the first and second substrates with each other by the XYZθ-movement mechanism, so as to set the first and second substrates at target positions.
US08096327B2 Aerosol can filling system
A system for filling pre-charged aerosol cans comprising a frame, a power actuator on the frame having an output member that extends forcibly downwardly through a stroke of fixed length and retracts upwardly, a combined reservoir and filling head supported in the frame generally below the output member, the filling head having a cylindrical dispensing bore and an outlet below the bore adapted to be coupled to the valve of the aerosol can, a dispensing piston with a lower face operable in the bore to create hydraulic pressure on liquid received in the bore from the reservoir, a set of cooperating elements for coupling a dispensing piston to the output member selectively at a plurality of predetermined fixed spacings from the output member, whereby the volume of fluid displaced from the dispensing chamber by the dispensing piston is regulated to fill cans of different capacity while the output member of the power actuator traverses its stroke of constant length.
US08096325B2 Fastener for removable securement of a conduit body cover
The conduit body assembly includes a metallic conduit body having an open upper end and a metallic cover removably positionable over the upper end. A metallic threaded fastener secures the cover to the body. The metallic fastener includes a threaded post and a nut removably attached to one end of the post. The nut and the post are formed of similar non-corrosive materials so as to resist corrosion therebetween. The nut is removable from the post in an environment where corrosion between the metallic fastener and the conduit body and cover prevents removal of the threaded fastener therefrom. Removal of the nut from the threaded post permits removal of the cover from the conduit body.
US08096324B2 Accumulator
To restrain abnormal deformation of a bellows due to a pressure difference between the inside and outside thereof, an outside gas type accumulator includes a pressure difference regulation mechanism (21) having a movable plate (22) supported by a coil spring (23) on the oil port (4) side of a bellows cap (8), the plate (22) moves together with the cap (8) in a state of being supported by the spring (23), during normal operation, the plate (22) moves together with the cap (8) to be brought into contact with a seal (13) at zero-down time, and the plate (22) keeps contact with the seal (13) and the cap (8) moves to a position where liquid pressure and gas pressure balances while compressing the spring (23) when the liquid and the charged gas expand thermally.
US08096317B2 Water powered hose reel
A water powered hose reel operated by household water pressure. The hose reel has a traversing hydraulic motor for use in retrieval of a flexible hose. The hose reel includes a spool carried by and enclosed within an enclosure, the spool having a hub with a pair of flanges at opposing ends configured for proper alignment of the hose during storage, take-up and pay-out of the hose. The enclosure is configured for receiving the spool so as to rotate within the enclosure. A hydraulic motor allows take-up of the hose by use of a reciprocating traversing motor driving a rack attached to the spool by a series of gears. Disengagement of the motor allows for manual pay-out of the hose.
US08096316B2 Valve systems for use with a fluid injector system
A valve system for use in a system including a first source of a first pressurized fluid and a second source of a second pressurized fluid includes a valve housing including a first inlet port adapted to be placed in fluid connection with the first source, a second inlet port adapted to be placed in fluid connection with the second source and an outlet port. The valve system further includes a backflow prevention system to prevent flow of the first pressurized fluid through the second inlet and to prevent flow of the second pressurized fluid through the first inlet port. The valve system is adapted to provide a fluid path between at least the first inlet port and the outlet port to enable fluid to be drawn from the outlet port to the first inlet port. Several of the valve systems of the present invention provide for flow from the first inlet port to the outlet port and concurrent flow from the second inlet port to the outlet port.
US08096314B2 Fluidic device, fluidic module, and method of handling a liquid
A fluidic device includes a fluidic module with a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber closed with the exception of a fluidic connection to the first fluid chamber. A drive is formed to impart the fluidic module with a first rotation at a rotational frequency below a rotational frequency threshold at which liquid is pneumatically held in the first fluid chamber and does not enter the second fluid chamber. The drive is further formed to impart the fluidic module with a second rotation at a second rotational frequency above the rotational frequency threshold at which a liquid column created in the first fluid chamber becomes unstable and the liquid enters the second fluid chamber.
US08096309B2 Compact dental flossing tool
An improved dental flossing tool having a handle portion to mount a spool of dental floss that is easily drawn from an elongated flexible tip covered by a soft resilient sleeve sealing the tip and to provide smooth flossing without any annoying clicking sounds against ones teeth and easily reaching the molar teeth in the back of ones mouth while massaging the gum line at the same time.
US08096303B2 Airway implants and methods and devices for insertion and retrieval
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and devices for the treatment of airway obstruction, such as obstructive sleep apnea, and devices and methods that facilitate insertion and retrieval of the same. In one embodiment, disclosed is a tissue tensioner that includes an elongate flexible tether having a first end and a second end, a bone anchor configured to be connected to a patient's mandible, a tissue ingrowth implant configured to be implanted in a patient's tongue and connected to the second end of the tether, and an adjustment mechanism configured to be held by the bone anchor adjacent the patient's mandible and configured to receive the first end of the tether and configured to adjust tension in the flexible tether between the patient's mandible and tongue. Various anchors, tethers, securement mechanisms, and adjustment mechanisms that can be used with glossal and palatal remodeling systems are also disclosed.
US08096302B2 Devices, systems, and methods to fixate tissue within the regions of the body, such as the pharyngeal conduit
Systems and methods incorporate implant structures, and/or implantation devices, and/or surgical implantation techniques, to make possible the treatment of physiologic conditions, such as sleep disordered breathing, with enhanced effectiveness.
US08096297B2 Apparatus and method for non-invasively measuring caridac output
Apparatus and methods for non-invasively determining cardiac output using partial re-breathing techniques are disclosed in which the apparatus is constructed with an instantaneously adjustable deadspace for accommodating differences in breathing capacities of various patients. The apparatus is constructed of inexpensive elements, including a single two-way valve which renders the apparatus very simple to use and inexpensive so that the unit may be readily disposable. The method of the invention provides a novel means of estimating cardiac output based on alveolar CO2 values rather than end-tidal CO2 values as previously practiced. A program for calculating cardiac output is also disclosed.
US08096296B2 Vacuum solar thermal panel with a vacuum tight glass-metal sealing
A vacuum solar thermal panel including a vacuum envelope defining a sealed volume and able to withstand atmospheric pressure when evacuated, at least one heat absorber being disposed inside the vacuum envelope, a pipe entering and exiting the envelope and being in contact with the heat absorber, the vacuum envelope including a first plate made of glass, a peripheral frame, a metallic peripheral belt being joined to the first plate by way of a vacuum tight bulk glass-metal seal, including glass material and obtained by fusion and subsequent solidification. The metallic peripheral belt includes at least one elastically deformable portion that prevents the bulk glass-metal seal from getting damaged and is no more vacuum tight when subject to the evacuation process of the envelope and the thermal treatments of the panel and the potential reciprocal displacements of the glass plate and the joined metallic peripheral belt.
US08096286B2 Method of controlling internal combustion engine
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine, in which a traveling with reduced cylinders is controlled according to the idle-speed after the engine starting, so as to restrain the discharge of white smokes at the time lag for temperature equilibration soon after a cold starting. The method comprises a coolant water temperature detecting means 10 for detecting the coolant water temperature in the internal combustion engine 1, a rotation speed detecting means 12 for detecting the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine 1 and a control means for controlling the operation of the internal combustion engine 1 in accordance with the coolant water temperature and the rotation speed. When the internal combustion engine is evaluated that it is at the cold starting and the rotation speed reaches the predetermined rotation speed after the engine starting, a traveling with reduces cylinders is performed, which reduces the number of cylinders injecting fuels for a certain period of time.
US08096285B2 Circuit arrangement and method for operating an injector arrangement
In a circuit arrangement (10a) for operating an injector arrangement (12a) for injecting fuel in an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, in order to obtain information easily as to the degree to which each valve is open when the injector arrangement is in operation, a measuring signal (S0) is superposed on a control voltage that is supplied to an actuator (Cpiezo, Rpiezo) and, based on an evaluation of the electrical properties of the actuator (Cpiezo, Rpiezo), a detection signal (S2) is produced that is representative of the position of the valve body (44a) relative to the valve seat (46a).
US08096282B2 Method for reducing misfire in an internal combustion engine
The present invention is a method for reducing misfire in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The method includes detecting a misfire event frequency that is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, determining a pulse-width signal for a fuel injector associated with the cylinder during the misfire event, increasing the pulse-width signal if the misfire event is frequency is below a second predetermined value, and reducing the increase in the pulse-width signal if the misfire event frequency is below the first predetermined value.
US08096275B2 Camshaft having a tuned mass damper
A camshaft assembly may include a first shaft adapted to be rotationally driven, a first lobe member fixed for rotation with the first shaft, and a torsional damper fixed to the first shaft. The torsional damper may include a mass structure fixed to the first shaft and an elastic member disposed between and coupling the mass structure and the first shaft. The elastic member may have a spring constant providing a first sideband natural frequency and a second sideband natural frequency for the camshaft assembly.
US08096271B2 System and method for determining a camshaft position in a variable valve timing engine
A control module and system includes a camshaft position module that determines a camshaft position change of a crankshaft. The control module also includes a cam phaser velocity module determines a cam phaser velocity based on the camshaft position change. A cam phaser velocity module determines a compensation factor based on the cam phaser velocity. A cam position compensation module generates a corrected cam position signal based on the compensation factor.
US08096270B2 Cylinder block and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is a cylinder block which includes a liner and a water jacket having a closed-deck structure in a simple configuration and which has a structure providing high rigidity and enabling easy formation at low cost. A cylinder block of the present invention includes a liner arranged on an inner circumference surface of a bored hole and a water jacket arranged on the outside of the liner in the radial direction. By a bending process of folding back an end portion of a cylinder-shaped member, a hollow portion capable of forming the water jacket is formed integrally in one end portion or both end portions of a liner portion forming the liner, and the cylinder-shaped member is enclosed with a cylinder block forming material by casting.
US08096267B2 Coated clumping litter
A clumping animal litter is disclosed which includes non-swelling particles and a swelling agent coated on the non-swelling particles. In one embodiment, the non-swelling particles are manufactured by agglomerating clay fines.
US08096266B2 Systems and methods for watering animals
Systems and methods for watering animals generally include a container having an inner recess. A pump directs water from the inner recess of the container through a fluid column, which may contain filter medium. One or more spouts are located at a terminal end of the fluid column and direct the water in one or more streams back to the inner recess of the container. The spouts may be associated with one of various spout plates that can be interchanged with one another and adjusted to orient the streams of water. Some embodiments employ a restrictor plate that may be variably positioned within the flow of water. Other embodiments provide a variable speed pump that incrementally adjusts the rate of flow.
US08096265B1 Wildlife feeder
A motorized wildlife feeder provides a reliable flow of powdery feeds, such as rice bran, from a hopper to the ground. The hopper is partially formed by a funnel with a unique, eight-sided shape. The unique shape of the funnel is believed to provide reliable flow of powdery feeds, whereas typical funnels with round sides tend to plug when such feeds are used. Vibrators attached to the hopper assist the flow of feed from the hopper into a trough, where an auger moves the feed to a downspout and onto the ground.
US08096264B2 Repulsion ring
A method and apparatus for coating articles with a coating material comprise forming a charged body of coating material, atomizing coating material from the charged body to form charged atomized coating material particles, and repelling the charged coating material particles from an apparatus which forms the charged body of coating material and atomizes the coating material from the charged body to form charged atomized coating material particles. Repelling the charged coating material particles from the apparatus includes providing a repelling electrode, providing a power supply to supply electrical charge of the same polarity as the charged atomized coating material particles, positioning the repelling electrode adjacent a region where the charged atomized coating material particles are formed, and providing on the repelling electrode a feature which increases an electric field gradient adjacent the feature to enhance the repulsive force between the feature and the charged atomized coating material particles.
US08096261B2 Method and system for applying particulate solids on a substrate
The invention relates to a substrate, a method for spraying particulate solids onto a substrate and an apparatus for spraying particulate solids onto a substrate covered with a wet and/or adhesive synthetic resin layer, comprising a feed line having means for generating a gas pressure at its first end and a free opening at its second end, a reservoir for particulate solids, and a nozzle for generating a pressure differential, wherein the reservoir and the nozzle are inserted in the line in such a way that particulate solids are taken out of the reservoir into the line and swirled, and transported to the open end of the line, from which the particulate solids are ejected and sprayed onto the wet and/or adhesive synthetic resin layer, by the pressure differential generated by the nozzle in operation.
US08096259B1 Gutters and plows for coating-material recirculation in food-coating apparatus
Apparatus for coating food products with breading material has an excess breading-material circulation/re-circulation system, which itself has a main, central product-intake conveyor scraping across an up-sloping bottom panel flanked by left and right elevators that course through up-sloping gutters astride the central conveyor's bottom panel. The central conveyor is relatively broad but shallow for only carrying a relatively light load that becomes a bottom bed of breading material for conveyance of food product thereon. In contrast, the elevators are relatively deep but thin in order to carry relatively-substantial streams of breading material, and disproportionate to their thin width, which are ultimately elevated to a topcoat-applicator and becomes a top-coating of breading material. One or more plows are arranged in the overhead space above the central conveyor to divert a main stream of excess breading material into one or more diverted streams aimed at the flanking elevators.
US08096255B2 Ship with stern equipped with a device for deflecting a flow of water
The device comprises a plurality of deflector members (1) having a submerged lower face (2), called first face, generally fitting into the extension of the hull bottom (FC) of the ship, toward the rear thereof, while forming an angle (α) in relation to a general plane (Δ) tangent to this bottom (FC), characterized by the fact that these deflector members (1) are articulated to the hull and are juxtaposed side by side, over all, or practically all, the width of the stern, control means (4) making it possible to cause it to pivot in one direction or the other in order to vary said angle (α), these means being housed in part in a protective case.
US08096254B1 Unmanned vehicle launch and recovery system
In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a system for launching and recovering one or more unmanned, underwater vehicles. The system includes a surface vessel having a generally low waterline for transporting, launching and recovering the unmanned vehicles. The system provides the ability to transport, launch and recover unmanned vehicles from either the port or starboard sides of the surface vessel, utilizing an A-frame hoist assembly which can be moved laterally in a controlled manner between the port and starboard sides of the surface vessel for lifting the unmanned vehicles, and which can be pivoted in a controlled manner to provide the launch and recovery operations.
US08096253B1 Cable fairing attachment
Systems and methods for automatically applying fairings to a cable as the cable is deployed from a winch are provided. Each fairing has two halves, with each half having a recess, or groove, to accommodate the cable. Like halves are connected together and the two halves are stored on separate spools. Counter-rotating wheels adjacent to and on opposite sides of the cable serve to feed the fairing halves from the spools to the cable as the cable is deployed. As the fairing halves approach the cable, magnets in the fairing halves are attract each other and bring the two halves together around the cable and firmly hold the two halves together. When the cable is retrieved, guides align the fairings such that a wedge can pry the two halves apart. The halves can be picked up by the wheels and fed back onto the spools.
US08096251B2 Multi-head sewing machine and method of controlling operation of multi-head sewing machine
A balancer is fixedly attached to a rotary input shaft of a crank mechanism that converts rotary drive of a needle bar drive source to up-and-down motion of a needle bar. The balancer is caused to rotate at substantially an opposite phase with respect to up-and-down motion of the needle bar with the rotary drive of the needle bar drive source. When the balancer is driven at substantially the opposite phase with respect to the up-and-down motion of the needle bar, inertia force in an up-and-down direction of the needle bar, generated due to the up-and-down motion of the needle bar is negated, whereby it is possible to reduce vibration generated in the up-and-down direction. Sewing heads paired with each other by being arbitrarily combined are controlled so as to be rotationally driven to cause rotational directions of the needle bar drive sources to become opposite directions to each other.
US08096250B2 Threading tensioning device of sewing machine
A thread tensioning device of a sewing machine for forming multiple types of stitches using a plurality of threads is provided. The thread tensioning device includes thread tensioners disposed to correspond to the threads, an adjusting mechanism coupled to the thread tensioners to select a stitch type and to simultaneously adjust the tensional force applied from each of the thread tensioners to the corresponding thread such that the tensional force is selected from reference tensional forces corresponding to the selected stitch type, fine adjustment mechanisms disposed to correspond to the thread tensioners and to be manually operable to finely adjust the tensional force applied from the corresponding thread tensioner to the corresponding thread, and a reset mechanism coupled to the fine adjustment mechanisms to resets at different timings and interlockingly with the adjusting mechanism an amount of the tensional force finely adjusted by each of the fine adjustment mechanisms.
US08096245B2 Surface coverings
The present invention is directed to a non-adhesive covering for a shelf. In one embodiment, it includes a substantially incompressible polymer-based material with an upper surface comprising an embossed pattern, lays flat upon a shelf surface, has a thickness of 4 gauge or above, and has a PHR in a range of 28 to 42. In another embodiment, it includes a substantially incompressible polymer-based material, lays flat upon a shelf surface, has a thickness of 2.8 gauge or above, and has a PHR in a range of 28 to 42.
US08096241B2 Method for cut-off register control
A method for controlling cut-off registration in a printing press having printed webs includes applying print control marks which are invisible to the human eye to the printed webs; passing the webs pass through cut-off register control actuators; assembling the webs into a bundle for cut-off; scanning the webs with sensors to determine the actual positions of the marks; comparing the actual positions with desired positions of the marks; and generating signals for the cut-off register control actuators based on the comparison.
US08096238B2 Satellite printing unit of a web-fed printing press
A satellite printing unit of a web-fed printing press with printing couples is disclosed. Each printing couple includes a plate cylinder and a transfer cylinder where the transfer cylinders of all the printing couples roll off a common impression cylinder. Each plate cylinder features a high lockup slot and a low lockup slot and each transfer cylinder has a lockup slot. The transfer cylinders of the printing couples are aligned relative to the plate cylinders of the printing couples such that, on a first group of printing couples, which includes at least one printing couple, the lockup slot of the respective transfer cylinder rolls over the high lockup slot of the respective plate cylinder and on a second group of printing couples, which includes at least one printing couple, the lockup slot of the respective transfer cylinder rolls over the low lockup slot of the respective plate cylinder.
US08096237B2 System for coating a printing material with a fluid
A system for coating a printing material with a fluid includes a printing press. The printing press includes a metering apparatus for metering the fluid, which is disposed within the printing press, an intermediate storage container for the intermediate storage of the fluid, which is disposed within the printing press, and a first delivery pump for delivering the fluid from the intermediate storage container to the metering apparatus, which first delivery pump is disposed within the printing press. The metering apparatus, the intermediate storage container and the first delivery pump together form a circuit. A supply storage container stores the fluid and a second delivery pump delivers the fluid from the supply storage container to the intermediate storage container.
US08096229B2 Method of detecting the absence of coffee beans in a coffee grinder of a coffee machine and coffee maker for performing the method
In order to detect a lack of coffee beans in a grinder unit of a coffee maker, a method is suggested in which the level and/or the spectrum of an oscillation generated by the grinder unit during its operation is measured. The level of the oscillation and/or the nature of the spectrum are used to decide whether or not coffee beans are present in the grinder unit. Preferably, the level of oscillation of the housing of the coffee grinder unit is monitored. If the level changes by more than a preset value and/or falls below a reference value, it is decided that coffee beans are lacking.
US08096227B2 Hydraulic system having regeneration modulation
A hydraulic system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have an actuator with a first chamber and a second chamber. The hydraulic system may also have a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, and an operator input device displaceable from a neutral position to generate a signal indicative of a desired movement of the actuator. The hydraulic system may further have a controller configured to open the first and third valves by amounts related to the signal to pass fluid, and open the second valve by an amount related to the signal to pass fluid when the signal indicates a desire for increased actuator velocity. The third valve may continue to open during opening of the second valve.
US08096226B1 Assault vehicle
An assault vehicle, comprising, in combination a vehicle body and a boom. The boom comprises a plurality of telescoping tubes being coupled to the vehicle body. The vehicle boom has a passageway there in. At the upwardmost end of the boom is located the fighting pod. The fighting pod has a boom elevator aperture there through to allow passage of a soldier from the vehicle, through the boom, and into the fighting pod. An elevator within the boom moves supplies and troops.
US08096223B1 Multi-layer composite armor and method
A multi-layer composite armor component that includes a plurality of layers of energy-dispersion objects including a first layer that includes a first plurality of energy-dispersion objects, wherein the first plurality of energy-dispersion objects in the first layer are held in place relative to one another in a closely-packed configuration; and a first layer of bonding material, wherein the first layer of bonding material has a first durometer value, and wherein the first plurality of energy-dispersion objects are held in place relative to one another via the first layer of bonding material. A method that includes providing a plurality of layers of energy-dispersion objects; arranging the first plurality of layers of energy-dispersion objects such that each of the first plurality of energy-dispersion objects are held in place relative to one another in a closely-packed configuration; and embedding the first plurality of energy-dispersion objects in a first layer of bonding material.
US08096215B2 Method for cutting freeform surfaces, cutting tool and use of the cutting tool
In a method for cutting freeform surfaces, a workpiece is cut by a cutting tool such that a desired freeform surface may be achieved, the cutting tool for cutting purposes being moved along at least one defined cutting path relative to the workpiece. A cutting tool is used, the tool head of which has a greater radius than a tool shank of the cutting tool.
US08096211B2 Digital power torque wrench of indirect transmission
The present invention relates to a digital power torque wrench of indirect transmission, which is composed of an eccentric driving module, a sensing module, a ratchet module and a control module. The eccentric driving module is used for transmitting power to the sensing module and the ratchet module for driving the ratchet module rotate accordingly and thus transferring the momentum of the rotating to fasten a workpiece, such as a bolt or nut. The sensing module is capable of detecting the deformation of the ratchet module as it is rotating against an increasing resistance during the fastening process, and converting the detected deformation into a signal to be received by the control module. The control module is capable of quantifying the signal for converting the same into a numerical signal representing a torque detected by the sensing module and then sending the numerical signal to a display device for displaying. With the aforesaid digital power torque wrench of indirect transmission, not only the detection can be achieved in a rapid manner without being troubled by wear-and-tear and noise, but also it is ease to maintain and can be manufactured with comparatively less cost.
US08096209B2 Speed ratio shift control device for vehicle, proximate the steering wheel
A vehicle control device including: a support; a steering member mounted mobile relative to the support; and at least one speed ratio shifting member including a base rigidly fixed to the support and having a single end, the at least one speed ratio shifting member including one part mounted mobile on the base and forming the end.
US08096208B2 Positioning apparatus for a bicycle shift control device
A positioning apparatus for a shift control device for a bicycle transmission comprises a movable member having a positioning element, a positioning member having a positioning element structured to engage the positioning element of the movable member, and a biasing member that biases the positioning member towards an engaged position wherein the positioning element of the positioning member engages the positioning element of the movable member. The positioning member moves toward and away from a plane of movement of the movable member. A releasing member is disposed between the movable member and the positioning member, wherein the releasing member moves between an initial position and an operating position. The releasing member allows the positioning member to be in the engaged position when the releasing member is in the initial position, and the positioning member moves to the disengaged position when the releasing member moves to the operating position.
US08096206B2 Control device
The invention relates to a control device, in particular for an aircraft, having a multiaxially tiltable joystick for the actuation of signal transducers, in particular for the pitch control and roll control of an aircraft, as well as having a cardan-like joint by means of which the joystick is tiltable about different pivot axes, said joint furthermore having at least one freewheel for a tilt movement of the joystick about one of the pivot axes. In accordance with the invention, the freewheel is formed by a lever mechanism or by an elastic component.
US08096204B2 Gear and electric power steering device
A gear includes a metal core and a synthetic resin tooth body. The metal core includes a cylindrical portion, and a disc portion that extends inwardly in a radial direction from one end of the cylindrical portion. The synthetic resin tooth body is coupled to the cylindrical portion of the metal core. A plurality of rotation prevention grooves is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion, and a plurality of rotation prevention grooves is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion.
US08096203B2 Chain type transmission assembly
A chain type transmission assembly doesn't have the problem that the chain interferes with the transmission assembly, the thickness of the links of the chain of the transmission assembly is precisely calculated by an equation, so that the chain can be prevented from interfering with the outer surface of the screw, thus substantially improving the efficiency and service life of the transmission assembly.
US08096202B2 Transmission and gear changing method
A transmission and a gear changing method capable of changing a reduction ratio while a load is supported without stopping rotation, and transmitting a rotation angle accurately and power efficiently.First and second gear element pairs (16, 17) are arranged between an input member (12) and an output member (14) via first and second clutches (40, 42), and a non-circular gear pair (18) is arranged via a non-circular gear element pair-use clutch (44). The non-circular gear pair (18) includes between the input member (12) and the output member (14) a first meshing section where it has a ratio equal to a first reduction ratio when the first gear element pair (16) is coupled, and a second meshing section where it has a ratio equal to a second reduction ratio when the second gear element pair (17) is coupled. When the gear element pairs (16, 17) to be coupled between the input member (12) and the output member (14) are switched, the non-circular gear element pair (18) is coupled between the input member (12) and the output member (14) transitionally.
US08096199B2 Sampler and method of sampling
A volatilizable substance can be sampled from a surface using a hand-held sampler employing a probe that comprises a supply tube in fluid communication with a pressurized gas supply and an outlet proximate to a target surface, a recovery tube having an inlet proximate to the target surface and being in fluid communication with a collector or analyzer and a skirt of varied depth. The probe is brought into contact with the surface, preferably in at least three points, gas flows out through the supply tube onto the surface, the volatilizable substance is volatilized, uptaken in to the gas and a fraction of the gas flows back through the recovery tube to the collector or analyzer, the remainder flowing under the skirt to prevent ingress of contaminants.
US08096190B2 Process for conducting adherence tests for a coating on a substrate
In order to conduct tests designed to determine the adherence properties of a coating on a substrate, a pull plate of a hardenable material is molded directly to the surface of a coating applied to a substrate. The pull plate geometry is determined by the mold cavity and is made of a material that adheres to the coating surface during the molding process. The pull plate therefore, is only used once, while the mold may be reused.
US08096188B2 Highly sensitive piezoresistive element
A mechanical-to-electrical sensing structure is provided with first and second movable blocks. A first hinge is coupled to the first and second movable blocks and configured to resist loads other than flexing of the first hinge. At least a first gage link is separated from the first hinge and aligned to provide that a moment tending to rotate one of the first or second blocks relative to the other about the first hinge applies a tensile or compressive force along a length of the first gage link. Electrochemistry is used to define the at least first gage.
US08096187B2 Pressure sensor element and pressure sensor
A pressure sensor element includes: a package, a first diaphragm provided on a first surface of the package, a second diaphragm provided on a second surface of the package, and a pressure sensing element disposed in the package, the pressure sensing element including: a first base formed at one end in a longitudinal direction of the pressure sensing element, a second base formed at the other end in the longitudinal direction, and a resonating portion formed between the first base and the second base. In the element, the first and second surfaces are opposed to each other. The pressure sensor element is disposed such that the longitudinal direction is orthogonal to a displacement direction of each of the first and second diaphragms. The first base is connected to the first diaphragm while the second base is connected to the second diaphragm.
US08096182B2 Capacitive sensor with stress relief that compensates for package stress
A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) capacitive sensor (52) includes a movable element (56) pivotable about a rotational axis (68) offset between ends (80, 84) thereof. A static conductive layer (58) is spaced away from the movable element (56) and includes electrode elements (62, 64). The movable element (56) includes a section (74) between the rotational axis (68) and one end (80) that exhibits a length (78). The movable element (56) further includes a section (76) between the rotational axis (68) and the other end (84) that exhibits a length (82) that is less than the length (78) of the section (74). The section (74) includes slots (88) extending through movable element (56) from the end (80) toward the rotational axis (68). The slots (88) provide stress relief in section (74) that compensates for package stress to improve sensor performance.
US08096180B2 Inertial sensor
Techniques capable of suppressing fixation between a movable electrode and a fixed electrode in an inertial sensor and preventing the inertial sensor from malfunctioning are provided. The movable electrode, the fixed electrode provided so as to face the movable electrode, a peripheral conductor facing both the movable electrode and the fixed electrode, and a demodulation circuit and a voltage adjustment circuit which adjust the electric potential of the peripheral conductor so that the electric potential of the peripheral conductor becomes the same as the electric potential of the movable electrode are provided, and a change in the capacitance between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode is detected.
US08096179B2 Sensor device with reduced parasitic-induced error
A device (110) includes a sensing element (26) having drive nodes (34, 36) and sense nodes (42, 44). Parasitic capacitance (22) is present between drive node (34) and sense node (42). Likewise, parasitic capacitance (24) is present between drive node (36) and sense node (44). When a drive signal (56) is applied between drive nodes (34, 36), a parasitic current (70) between drive and sense nodes (34, 42) and a parasitic current (72) between drive and sense nodes (36,44) is created due to the parasitic capacitances (22, 24). A capacitive network (112) is coupled between the drive node (36) and the sense node (42) to create a correction current (134) through capacitive network (112) that cancels parasitic current (70). Likewise, a capacitive network (114) is coupled between the drive node (34) and the sense node (44) to create a correction current (138) through capacitive network (112) that cancels parasitic current (72).
US08096178B2 Apparatus for capacitive ascertaining and/or monitoring of fill level
An apparatus for capacitive ascertaining and/or monitoring of the fill level of a medium in a container. The apparatus includes at least one probe unit, which is electrically insulated relative to the medium, and at least one electronics unit, which supplies the probe unit with at least one electrical, actuating signal, receives an electrical measurement signal from the probe unit, and evaluates the measurement signal as regards the fill level The actuating signal is an electrical alternating voltage signal. The electronics unit is embodied in such a manner that it supplies the probe unit with the actuating signal in a measuring phase, and supplies the probe unit with a test signal in a test phase, and that it receives a test measurement signal in the test phase from the probe unit, wherein the test signal is selected in such a manner that it has at least one section with an essentially constant voltage value.
US08096174B2 Vehicle load weight detecting apparatus
A vehicle includes an ABS, which controls braking force on wheels, and a tire condition monitoring apparatus, which detects the internal air pressure of tires. The dynamic rolling radius of the tires is computed based on signals from rotation sensor units of the ABS. The weight of a load carried by the vehicle is computed based on the dynamic rolling radius of the tires and the internal air pressure of the tires detected by the tire condition monitoring apparatus. When computing the load weight, a load weight determination map, which previously sets the relationship among the internal air pressure of the tires, the dynamic rolling radius of the tires, and the weight of the load carried by the vehicle, is used.
US08096173B2 Tire action force detecting device
An apparatus to accurately detect a force acting on a tire, based on a stress acting on a connection mechanism that connects a wheel and a wheel support member. A tire-acting-force detection apparatus is applied to a vehicle including a wheel unit composed of a wheel and a tire held at an outer circumferential portion of the wheel; a wheel support member which supports the wheel by a wheel support portion perpendicular to a rotation axis such that the wheel can rotate about the rotation axis; and a connection mechanism which connects a circular plate portion of the wheel and a wheel support portion of the wheel support member at a plurality of positions separated from one another about the rotation axis. The tire-acting-force detection apparatus includes a plurality of detection elements detecting stresses acting on each bolt, and an electronic circuit apparatus calculating a tire acting force, which acts at the ground contact point of the tire, based on the detected stresses.
US08096172B2 Wireless communication apparatuses, systems and methods
Methods of wirelessly communicating are disclosed. In one embodiment, a transmit angle along a circumference of a revolution is determined, a transmit time of the transmit angle based at least in part on a time required to complete a revolution is determined, and a signal is wirelessly transmitted at the transmit angle and the transmit time. Apparatuses and systems are also disclosed.
US08096170B2 Apparatus for measuring the cylinder internal pressure of internal combustion engines
The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the cylinder internal pressure of internal combustion engines and, in particular, of gas engines, said apparatus having a first valve (5) which opens into the cylinder interior space, a measurement chamber (6) which can be connected to the cylinder interior space (1a) and can be disconnected from the latter by means of the first valve (5), and a pressure sensor (8) which is arranged in the region of the measurement chamber (6) in order to measure the pressure in the cylinder interior space when the first valve (5) is open. Permanent operation without thermal overload is enabled in such a way that at least one second valve (13) is provided in the region of the measurement chamber (6), said second valve being able to be changed to a closed position at least when the first valve (5) is open in order to seal off the measurement chamber (6) towards the outside.
US08096168B2 Container for accommodating media, and method for the production and verification of the leakproofness of said container
The invention relates to a method for verifying the leakproofness of a container used for accommodating preferably liquid media as well as a plastic container that is composed of several segments (22a, 24). The invention further relates to a method for producing a container from several segments and a container comprising a closed barrier layer. The disclosed container is composed of at least two segments (22a, 24) which are joined together circumferentially at the edges of the faces thereof by means of one respective welded connection (16, 17) such that an enclosed space is formed. An inner pressure that is different from the ambient pressure is applied within the enclosed space while a change in pressure is monitored.
US08096167B2 Acoustic leak detector with noise cancellation
The present invention provides a leakage detector enabling accurate and stable detection for occurrence and a position of leakage in a buried fluid pipe line and also making it possible for even those not so skilled in the leakage detection work to use the detector. The leakage detector 1 according to the present invention comprises a vibration detector 2 having a pickup 6 incorporating a piezoelectric element; a main body 4 of the detector incorporating voltage amplifiers 31, 37 for voltage-amplifying an output signal and a plurality types of noise removing units 33, 34, 35 for removing noises from the output signal, and a headphone 5. The main body 4 of the detector has a display unit 15 for displaying data for detected vibration sounds on a predefined screen.
US08096165B2 Spectrophone assembly for identifying and detecting multiple species
A spectrophone assembly comprises a single detector chamber, a plurality of lasers, a gas inlet for supplying a gas sample to the single detector chamber, and at least one microphone. The detector chamber has an internal geometry arranged to be simultaneously acoustically resonant at a plurality of different resonant frequencies. Each laser operates at a different wavelength and is positioned to emit radiation into the single detector chamber, and is operable to emit radiation that is amplitude modulated at a frequency rate corresponding to a particular resonant frequency different from the resonant frequency of each other laser, simultaneously with each other laser. The microphone(s) are positioned in the single detector chamber so that each microphone is located at or near a maximum of a corresponding acoustic resonance defined by the internal geometry of the detector chamber.
US08096161B2 Method for rolling strips in a roll stand
The invention relates to a method for rolling strips in the roll stand of a rolling mill, wherein said roll stand consists of two axially displaceable working rollers which are provided with a CVC-grinding or a similar contour and whose curved profile is expressed in a third or higher-order polynom and, simultaneously with simple handling of working rollers with large possibilities of adjusting the profile and flatness, the aim of said invention is to homogenize the working rollers wear. For this purpose, the increased cyclic shifting of the working rollers is induced or forced by a cyclic variation of the setting values of the curve of the working cylinders from one strip to another in a predetermined part of the adjustment range thereof, wherein the combined the action of the two adjustment systems (the curve of the working cylinders and the shift thereof) enables the parabolic effects of said two adjustment systems to supplement each other with a high approximation, thereby ensuring the flatness and, in addition, optimally homogenizing the working roller wear.
US08096160B2 Method for reducing shearing and crop losses at rolling of assembled slabs
A method for increasing slab rolling yields and rolling mill efficiency by minimizing shearing and crop losses in the rolling of assembled slabs. An assembled structure for aluminium rolled products includes a core slab with a reduced cross-section in the thickness direction of the slab in at least one of the slab edges running parallel to the rolling direction. At least one second slab is assembled to the core slab. The edges of the slab may have a cut-out and/or a tapered shape. A method of reducing shearing and crop losses at the rolling of assembled slabs, by using a core slab with a reduced cross-section in the thickness direction of the slab in at least one of the slab edges running parallel to the rolling direction.
US08096154B1 Combination door lock operable in poor visual conditions, and related method
A door lock is openable by a key from outside and by a combination mechanism from the inside. The interior combination mechanism may alternatively be supplemented by a key mechanism. The combination is entered by positioning the hands of a simulated clock, an array of push buttons, an array of sliding rods, or a rotating dial. A method is also provided for changing the combination.
US08096152B2 Locking system for a storage container
A lock system for a tool box is disclosed wherein locking is achieved with a lock which is located in a recessed portion along the front wall of the tool box in order to prevent tampering. A latch rod is slidably disposed adjacent a front wall of the box. The lock and the latch rod are disposed such that the lock body blocks the longitudinal movement of a lock engager and maintains the latch rod in the latched position when the lid of the tool box is in the closed position and the lock is locked. When the lock is unlocked, the lock engager is allowed to move past the lock to move the latch rod to the unlatched position thereby allowing the lid of the tool box to be opened. The lock system may be used for a horizontal or a vertical tool box.
US08096151B2 Padlock with key retention or non-retention (and snap-lock) facility
The invention provides a padlock assembly (10) which can be convertible between a “snap lock” configuration and a configuration where a key is required to lock the padlock. Padlock assembly (10) includes a cam (62) with asymmetrical driver engaging means (64). Cam (62) can be inserted in the padlock assembly (10) in either of two positions to provide dual functionality. The invention also provides the cam (62), a driver (50) and a shackle (36) for a padlock assembly.
US08096146B1 Apparatus to create a jewelry setting for precious stones where the stones appear to float in the setting
stones of a jewelry piece including a diamond which is set through an invisible stone mounting so as to make the stone appear to be “floating” in the jewelry piece. The invention also includes the method of manufacturing the jewelry setting with a “floating” stone therein. The invisible stone mounting for the stone includes a collet which retains the stone, and means by which the collet is affixed to the interior sidewall of the jewelry piece. The method can include directly affixing the collect to the interior sidewall of the jewelry piece so that the setting is shielded by the stone or including a short metal connecting member by which the collect is affixed to the interior sidewall of the jewelry piece with the collet and short metal connecting member shielded by the stone. The affixation method can include welding.
US08096141B2 Superheat control by pressure ratio
A control method regulates an electronic expansion valve of a chiller to maintain the refrigerant leaving a DX evaporator at a desired or target superheat that is minimally above saturation. The expansion valve is controlled to convey a desired mass flow rate, wherein valve adjustments are based on the actual mass flow rate times a ratio of a desired saturation pressure to the suction pressure of the chiller. The suction temperature helps determine the desired saturation pressure. A temperature-related variable is asymmetrically filtered to provide the expansion valve with appropriate responsiveness depending on whether the chiller is operating in a superheated range, a saturation range, or in a desired range between the two.
US08096137B2 Systems and methods for guiding and supporting an evaporator structure
Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for guiding and supporting an evaporator structure with respect to a refrigeration unit. In one embodiment, a system can include a guide rail adapted to mount to a housing associated with a refrigeration unit, and a guide support adapted to mount to an evaporator structure, wherein the guide support can be aligned with the guide rail, and the guide support can maintain close proximity to the guide rail when the evaporator structure is moved adjacent to the refrigeration unit. In other embodiments, associated methods of use and installation for the system can be provided.
US08096135B2 Pure air blast fuel injector
An air blast fuel injector for a gas turbine engine includes an elongate feed arm having an inlet fitting for receiving fuel and for distributing the fuel to first and second fuel delivery conduits extending through the feed arm. A nozzle body is operatively connected to the feed arm. The nozzle body includes an on-axis inner air circuit and fuel circuitry radially outboard of the inner air circuit for delivering fuel to a fuel swirler outboard of the inner air circuit. The fuel circuitry includes a first fuel circuit configured and adapted to deliver fuel to the fuel swirler from the first fuel conduit of the feed arm and a second fuel circuit configured and adapted to deliver fuel to the fuel swirler from the second fuel conduit of the feed arm.
US08096134B2 Combustion chamber comprising chamber end wall heat shielding deflectors and gas turbine engine equipped therewith
An annular combustion chamber for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The combustion chamber includes an external wall, an internal wall, a chamber end wall connecting these two walls and provided with openings for the fuel injection systems, and heat shielding deflectors fixed to the chamber end wall. The deflectors include a flat wall portion with an opening centered on said openings for the fuel injection systems, two longitudinal edges, and two transverse edges. Along one of the longitudinal edges, the deflector includes a tongue forming a joint cover, creating a housing along the edge for the edge of the adjacent deflector so as to seal the join between the two adjacent edges of the two deflectors. The tongue is spaced away from the chamber end wall so as to create a space supplied with cooling air via orifices in the chamber end wall.
US08096131B2 Fuel inlet with crescent shaped passage for gas turbine engines
An inlet tube within a gas turbine engine which includes a primary fuel channel and a secondary fuel channel formed in a cylindrical tube body. The secondary channel has a substantially crescent shaped cross-sectional area which is complementary in shape to the primary fuel channel, such as to maximize the combined fuel flow area through the primary and secondary fuel channels relative to an outer diameter of the cylindrical tube body.
US08096126B2 Motor-driven supercharger
A motor-driven supercharger is provided with a turbine shaft (12) having a turbine impeller (11) in one end, a compressor impeller (14) rotationally driven by the turbine shaft, a housing surrounding the turbine impeller, the turbine shaft and the compressor impeller, a motor stator (24) fixed within the housing, and a motor rotor (22) rotationally driven by the motor stator. The motor rotor (22) is fixed to an inner diameter side of the compressor impeller (14) in accordance with a fitting.
US08096121B2 Micro-machine and a method of powering a micro-machine
A rotatable micro-machine is comprised of a solvent reservoir, a porous evaporation region and a channel connecting the solvent reservoir to the evaporation region. The evaporation region may be constructed of capillary paths that enable a capillary action which pulls solvent from the channel so as to enable a flow of solvent from the reservoir to the evaporation region through the channel. A rotatable member has portions in communication with the channel so as to be rotated by the flow. In one embodiment, the rotatable member may be a component of a micro-turbine generator. A system may be comprised of the rotatable micro-machine in combination with at least one electrical circuit. The porous region may be positioned to receive heat from the circuit. That may be accomplished in several ways; the evaporation region may be formed adjacent to the circuit, the evaporation region may be fabricated on the side of a die that is opposite of the side of the die carrying the circuit, or the reservoir, micro-turbine generator, evaporation region, and channel may be fabricated on one die and the circuit fabricated on another die. The two dies may then be connected to one another by a heat transferring adhesive with the evaporation region proximate to the circuit. Methods of operating a rotatable micro-machine are also disclosed. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used in construing the claims.
US08096112B2 Exhaust after-treatment system having a secondary tank
An exhaust after-treatment system having a main tank configured to retain and supply a reductant is disclosed. The exhaust after-treatment system includes a main heat source disposed in the main tank and configured to thaw the reductant. The exhaust after-treatment system also includes a secondary tank configured to retain a supply of reductant and a pump configured to pass reductant from the secondary tank to the main tank. The exhaust after-treatment system further includes a secondary heat source configured to thaw the reductant within the secondary tank.
US08096109B2 System of a fuel cell and an internal-combustion engine
A system including a fuel cell and an internal-combustion engine, particularly for a motor vehicle. Preferably, exhaust gas from the internal-combustion engine flows at least essentially around the fuel cell. Exhaust gas from the internal-combustion engine may also flow around an afterburner for the fuel cell exhaust gas and/or around a reformer for processing fuel. The fuel cell and/or afterburner and/or reformer may be arranged downstream of a purification system for the internal-combustion engine exhaust gases and may be essentially inside a pipe or the like carrying the latter. The fuel cell and the reformer may also be arranged upstream of an exhaust gas purification system. Part of the fuel cell exhaust gas flow may be fed to the internal-combustion engine for combustion, and exhaust gases from the fuel cell and/or the internal-combustion engine may transfer heat with the air for the fuel cell.
US08096108B2 Engine warm-up of a homogeneous charge compression ignition engine
A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an HCCI internal combustion engine effective for robust engine warm-up operation. The method includes selectively implementing ones of a plurality of operating modes in response to predetermined catalyst and engine temperature conditions.
US08096107B2 Vehicle energy management system
In-a vehicle energy management system engine belt or engine direct driven components are replaced with electrical motors. A main fan unit is replaced with smaller single function electrical components. The larger multipurpose heat exchangers such as the vehicle radiator are replaced with smaller single function heat exchangers associated with the smaller electric fans. The energy management system may involve a main vehicle engine crankshaft mounted generator. This generator creates high voltage DC electricity. In one embodiment, the converter is a closed loop converter that makes the conversion of DC to AC alternatively turning on and off at a varying frequency in order to produce a time averaged AC output.
US08096106B2 Drive mechanism
A drive mechanism comprising a first sprocket encircled by a tensioned chain and an orbit sprocket arranged to orbit the first sprocket in response to a resynchronisation signal. The orbit sprocket is arranged to displace the tensioned chain relative to the first sprocket. The first sprocket is rotatable and is coupled to an output drive sprocket by the tensioned chain such that the first and output drive sprockets are rotatable in synchronicity, whereby the orbit of the orbit sprocket alters the relative angular orientation of the first and output drive sprockets.
US08096105B2 Turbojet engine with attenuated jet noise
A plurality of hatches are distributed on the rear periphery of an engine cowl. The hatches are opened only when turbojet engine power is greater than cruising power. In an open position, the hatches draw hot air jets passing through an intermediate chamber before ejecting the jets through longitudinally-distributed communication components.
US08096104B2 Fluidic vectoring for exhaust nozzle
An exhaust nozzle assembly provides fluidic thrust vectoring of the primary stream to enhance aircraft maneuverability. The exhaust nozzle assembly includes a cooling air passage that supplies cooling air. A vector opening injects cooling airflow into the exhaust passage to the primary stream. A cover plate is movable to partially block the vector openings and adjust the location of injection of the cooling airflow into the exhaust passage.
US08096101B2 Draper header having flexible cutterbar with pivotable support arms
A harvesting header having a flexible cutterbar assembly utilizes draper belts behind the cutterbar assembly to gently consolidate the severed crop materials and deliver them to a point of discharge and delivery, such as to the feederhouse of a combine harvester. The cutterbar assembly is supported by pivotable support arms such that it is operable to flex along the length thereof in response to changes in terrain as the header is advanced. One embodiment has draper assemblies and a central conveyor fixed relative to the flexible cutterbar assembly, while another has the draper assemblies and central conveyer flexible with the cutterbar assembly.
US08096099B2 Capping torque head and method of cap application
A torque head assembly and method of capping effective to cap a variety of trigger spray cap bases or common caps to a spray bottle or container includes a drive roller mounted on a drive gear. The drive gear is in meshed gear communication with a plurality of train gears enclosed within a generally C-shaped driver housing wherein the a distal train gear engages a driven gear upon which a driven roller is mounted. An actuator allows the driver housing of torque head assembly to approach a variety of trigger spray cap bases or common caps within a plane generally horizontal thereto and at least partially co-planar therewith so as to capture the same between the dive roller and the driven roller and to thread mount the same onto the spray bottle or container.
US08096098B2 Method and system for handling containers
Method and system for handling a plurality of hot-filled and capped containers having temporary deformations or distortions caused by vacuums induced in the containers. For each container, temporary deformations are confined or directed to a particular portion of the container. Annular hoop rings can be provided to confine the temporary deformations to a smooth sidewall portion of the container between the annular hoop rings. Alternatively, one or more supplemental vacuum panels can be provided to confine or direct the temporary deformation thereto. The annular hoop rings and the one or more supplemental vacuum panels can provide for substantially stable touch points for the container. The containers are conveyed with temporary deformations such that substantially stable contact points of each container are in contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other containers. After the conveying, a moveable element in a bottom end of each container is activated substantially permanently to remove the vacuum in the container.
US08096097B2 Method for enclosing products in a package having a handle
An apparatus for encasing product in a tubular material with a handle is described. The apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a delivery conveyor, a ram located on a first side of the delivery conveyor, a product horn located at a side of the delivery conveyor opposite the ram, the product horn having a first end and a second end, the first end adjacent the delivery conveyor and the second end remote from the delivery conveyor, a sealer configured to form tubular seamed casing about the product horn, a printer in data communication with a scale, a clipper located at the second end of the product horn, and a plurality of tag handles feeding through the printer and to the clipper.
US08096093B1 Groutless wall tile systems
An easily-installed groutless wall tile plank backsplash system includes plural lower tile planks positioned edgewise spaced from each other in a horizontal direction of a wall in a lower plane. Plural upper tile planks have a decorative surface and edge finish, optionally three-dimensional, and are positioned edgewise spaced apart from each other in a second, upper plane. The lower and upper planks are configured such that facing inner edges of two nearest neighbor adjacent lower planks in the lower plane are covered by a single upper plank positioned over the inner edges of the adjacent lower planks in the upper plane. The planks are secured by an adhesive without mechanical fasteners, substantially reducing installation time. In order to custom fit a wall space, the spacing between adjacent upper planks and adjacent lower planks is variable. For emphasis, a lower tile plank can be a large decorative mural tile plank.
US08096092B2 Lightweight structural panel
What is described is a lightweight structural panel which comprises a planarly extended outer skin of given thickness and stiffening elements which are connected to this outer skin and are arranged at a given distance from one another. According to the invention, the outer skin is formed by component layers which are each extended in the planar direction of the lightweight structural panel and complement one another in the direction of thickness to form the thickness of the outer skin and are interconnected, the stiffening elements being formed in one piece with one of the component layers.
US08096091B2 Plank precision spacing device
The present invention is a plank precision spacing device comprised of a sheet component and a pluralty of clamp components with a flattened upper surface perpendicular to the sheet component, and a gripping component and protuberances which engage siding planks. The clamp component further includes a lip which is angled outward. The plank precision spacing device eliminates the need to measure and chalk a line for each siding plank, reducing installation time and labor costs.
US08096086B2 Cast-in lifting anchor
An edge-lift anchor for tilt-up lifting of a concrete component has, at a lower part of its head an element for anchoring the head against shear forces acting during the tilt-up phase of lifting. Such element comprises an aperture to receive concrete, an aperture to receive a reinforcing bar, or a shear plate welded to the lower edge of the head.
US08096084B2 Balcony structure
Systems are provided for use in balcony structures. The system includes a joist comprising an upper chord and a lower chord separated by a web. One end of the joist is supported by a supporting member and a cantilevered balcony extends generally perpendicularly from the supporting member. The cantilevered balcony comprises a cementitious balcony slab extending from a cementitious floor slab. The cementitious floor slab includes a backspan region extending from the top of the supporting member opposite the cementitious balcony slab. A portion of the joist in the backspan region comprises a decking supporting member coupled to the web between the upper chord and the lower chord. The joist in the backspan region supports decking using the decking supporting member; however, the joist beyond the backspan region supports decking above the upper chord. In this way, the cementitious floor slab in the backspan region is thicker than the cementitious floor slab beyond the backspan region.
US08096078B2 Live animal trap
A live animal trap including an enclosure having an open end; a door for covering the forward opening; a hinge for door motions between first and second positions, the door covering the opening in the first position and opening the enclosure in the second position, the door pivoting toward the first position upon enclosure righting and upon inversion counter-pivoting to the second position; a slide shaft; a slide sleeve facilitating slide shaft motions between third and fourth positions, the slide shaft holding the door open while in the third position, the slide shaft releasing the door while in the fourth position, the slide shaft sliding toward the third position upon down tilting the enclosure and sliding toward the fourth position upon up tilting the enclosure; and having an animal contact member attached to the slide shaft's rearward rear end.
US08096075B2 Muzzleloading rifle with breech plug having gas seal facility
A muzzleloading firearm has a barrel with a bore on a bore axis, and the barrel has a muzzle end and a breech end. A frame is connected to the barrel, and has a breech face. The frame moves between an open position in which the breech face is away from the breech end of the barrel, and a closed position in which the breech face abuts the breech end of the barrel. A breech plug is removably attached to the barrel. The breech plug including a seal element closely received by the bore. The seal element may be a set of piston rings that are received in a circumferential groove about a forward end of the plug, or may be a cup at the forward end, with a forward rim that flares under pressure to provide a gas seal.
US08096071B2 Topple-resistant base mechanism
Gust Busters solves the problem of signs being blown over in the wind or being knocked down by the pedestrians or bicycle or the like, by preventing the inward collapsing and outward expansion of the legs of the sign and thus maintaining its ideal position for optimum readability.
US08096069B2 Repeatably displaceable emanating element display
One aspect relates to generating a repeatably displaceable emanating element display that may display at least part of an at least one synchronously modifiable oriented image based at least in part on alterable vehicle-related information, wherein the repeatably displaceable emanating element display may be synchronously modified as perceivable by a viewer at least partially by synchronizing an at least one repeatably displaceable display emanating element based at least in part on an orientation of the repeatably displaceable emanating element display as synchronously modified as perceivable by the viewer.
US08096067B2 Media display system for ski-lift chair
An apparatus for displaying printed media includes a base member, clamps for securing the base member to a restraint bar of a ski-lift chair, and a top panel coupled with the base member such that the printed media is viewable from the ski-lift chair through the panel. A method of advertising at a ski area includes integrating advertising displays with ski-lift chairs of the ski area. Each of the advertising displays has one or more places to secure printed media. The method also includes inserting printed media within each of the advertising displays. Another method of advertising at a ski area includes integrating printed media within viewable regions of at least one media display system, and integrating the media display system with a ski-lift chair of the ski area.
US08096065B2 Buckle for fastening a sports boot
A fastening buckle adapted to bring a first side loser to a second side, including a cap fixed on the first side, a lever pivotally mounted about a first axis relative to the cap, a tie rod pivotally mounted on the lever about a second axis, the first axis being actuated, during tightening, by a translational movement with respect to the first side. An attachment rack is fixed on the second side; a latch is affixed to the tie rod, such that the latch, when closed, is engaged with one of the teeth of the rack. The cap includes two parallel side members in each of which an elongated opening is arranged. A slot is arranged in the lever between two legs; the first axis is defined by two rivets, each of the rivets fixing one of the legs to one of the side members by extending through the elongated opening so as to enable the translational movement of the lever with respect to the first side. A pinion equipped with a plurality of teeth is arranged at the end of each of the legs; the cap includes a support rack, and the teeth of the pinion are engaged with the teeth of the support rack so that the pivoting movement of the lever about the first axis generates a translational movement of the first axis with respect to the cap.
US08096054B2 Razor blade unit with film hinge
A razor blade unit with a blade housing, in which several blades with cutting edges lying parallel to a skin contact plane are arranged, a coupling section, which can be connected preferably in a detachable manner to a handle, and a connecting section. The connecting section includes at least one film hinge between the blade housing and the coupling section, which hinge defines a pivot axis extending parallel to the skin contact plane, and an elastic damping component, which surrounds one or more sides of the film hinge and is formed both on the blade housing and on the coupling section. The razor blade unit also has a foam edge, arranged in front of the cutting edges (with respect to the shaving direction) of the blades to pretension the skin during shaving. The pivot axis extending through the film hinge is positioned between the forward boundary (with respect to the shaving direction) of the foam edge and the cutting edge lying closest to the foam edge.
US08096053B2 Nail clipper
The present invention is a nail clipper. It has a slender body formed by an upper press lever and a lower press lever which are movably engaged, an upper cover and a lower cover which are respectively fitted onto the outer surfaces of the upper press lever and the lower press lever to form a slender etui, a lower blade which is movably pivotally engaged with one end of the upper press lever by means of a first pivotal axle, and an upper blade which is movably pivotally engaged with one end of the lower press lever by means of a second pivotal axle.
US08096044B2 Vehicle side glass setting apparatus
An apparatus for setting side glass in a convertible vehicle body, prior to assembly of a convertible top on the vehicle body, includes a fixture adapted to engage multiple convertible top locating points on the vehicle's header and rear deck-lid shelf. Sensors mounted on the fixture detect the position of the raised side glass relative to the locating points and provide relative position information to an assembly operator, for example, through use of LED arrays, whereby the assembly operator can quickly set the side glass to a target position with which to achieve a desired side glass engagement with the convertible top, upon subsequent assembly of the convertible top to the vehicle body.
US08096040B2 Method of assembling a handle to a selective one of a front face and a side edge of a refrigerator door
A method of assembling allows a refrigerator handle to be selectively mounted to a front face portion or a side edge of a refrigerator door. The handle includes first and second ends separated by an intermediate portion, wherein each of the handle ends includes a recessed section. Each of the recessed sections includes a mounting arrangement formed therein, which is adapted to receive either a bracket for mounting the handle to the side edge of the door or a clip for mounting the handle to the front face portion of the door. The method includes selectively attaching the handle to the front face of the door through the clip, or to the side edge with the mounting bracket.
US08096038B2 Robotic end effector and clamping method
An end effector for use on a robotic arm includes a clamping assembly for clamping a workpiece, and a tool such as a drill for performing an operation on the clamped workpiece. The clamping assembly is slidably mounted on the robotic arm and self adjusts its position relative to the workpiece before a clamping operation is performed. Linear actuators independently control the movements of the clamping members. The actuators are operated by a controller, based in part on position information produced by sensors that sense the position of the clamping members.
US08096034B2 Reversible attachment mechanisms process
Mechanically interlocking releasable fastener systems include a reinforced shape memory polymer for forming one of the interlocking components. The reinforced shape memory polymer includes a filler material in the form of a fiber and/or platelet. The filler can include an electrically conductive filler, a thermally conductive filler, a dielectric fillers, and mixtures thereof. Also disclosed herein are processes for using the releasable fastener systems.
US08096032B1 Toggling punch
A toggling punch for attaching a waveguide entry spinning to a waveguide entry panel wherein the cylindrical body portion of the waveguide entry spinning is deformed outwardly over the waveguide entry panel by means of a plurality of inclined movable pins which are moved to their crimping positions by means of a hydraulic cylinder operatively connected thereto.
US08096028B2 Casket enclosure and methods for making and using the same
In one embodiment, an enclosure comprises: a cover comprising a plastic material, a base comprising a plastic material, and a guide configured to engage the cover and the base. The guide comprises a main body, a retaining portion, and a receiving portion. The enclosure is configured to receive a casket with the base under the casket and the cover over the casket. In another embodiment, the enclosure comprises: a cover comprising a plastic material, a base comprising a plastic material, and a guide configured to engage the cover and the base. The guide comprises a main body, a retaining portion, and a receiving portion. The retaining portion further comprises an anchor configured to engage an inner surface of the base if removal of the guide from the base is attempted. The enclosure is configured to receive a casket with the base under the casket and the cover over the casket.
US08096027B2 Twin buckle assembly with dual release positions
A twin buckle assembly is provided with dual release positions. The buckle assembly can lockingly secure two buckle tongues. The buckle assembly includes a single, pivotal latch mechanism that can separately secure one or both of the buckle tongues. Pivotal movement of the latch occurs upon rotation of the buckle cover. Thus, one tongue is released at a first rotational position of the cover and both tongues are released at a second rotational position of the cover. The buckle assembly, thereby, allows the independent removal of lap and shoulder belts.
US08096022B2 Reclosable container and method of manufacture
The present invention includes a reclosable bag having first and second walls and an open top defined by first and second elongate flexible fastener strips adjacent the top of the walls. One of the fastener strip has a profile portion forming a groove and had a profile portion forming a rib. A portion of the rib is received and retained in the groove when the bag top is closed. Each of the fastener strips has a base connected to the respective walls and each of the fastener strips further has an upper edge adjacent the upper edge. The bag has a slider mounted on the strips and movable in one direction longitudinally to progressively separate the rib from the groove to open the bag, and the slider is movable in the opposite direction to progressively return the rib to a retained condition in the groove so as to close the bag. A separator, located in the slider, is attached to the top of the slider and extends downwardly therefrom and has a disproportion residing in the space between the top of the slider and the upper edges of the fastener strips when the rib is retained in the groove of the first profile. The separator has an arrow shaped tip having an angle of 60°±30° constructed and arranged to facilitate separation of the rib from the groove.
US08096021B2 Hinge apparatus and foldable electronic device
A hinge apparatus of the present invention comprises a first rotational shaft which rotates a first casing and a second casing relative to each other from a state where the first and second casings are folded down, and opens the first and second casings in a vertical direction, a second rotational shaft which rotates the first casing and the second casing relative to each other in a horizontal direction, a coupling member which couples the first rotational shaft and the second rotational shaft together, with an end portion of the first rotational shaft being overlapped with an end portion of the second rotational shaft, and an engagement member which allows either one rotational shaft of the first rotational shaft and the second rotational shaft to engage with the other rotational shaft, thereby restricting a rotation of the other rotational shaft when the one rotational shaft rotates.
US08096018B2 Handle pivot structure
A handle pivot structure includes carrier frame, a handle, and a pivot shaft mounted in an axle hole of the handle to pivotally secure the handle to a screw rod of the carrier frame, the pivot shaft having a mounting member threaded onto the screw rod of the carrier member and a rotating member peripherally affixed to the axle hole of the handle and rotatably coupled to the mounting member for allowing biasing of the handle relative to the carrier frame to move an engagement member thereof in an out of an opening on the carrier frame between a locking position and an unlocking position.
US08096016B2 Holder for holding a stick-shaped body so as to advance said body and combination of said holder and a stick-shaped body
There is provided a stick-shaped body advancing holder or a combination of a holder and an eraser adapted to advance a stick-shaped body and to ensure chucking of the body or the eraser without enlargement of the entire configuration. A stick-shaped body advancing holder has an outer barrel, an inner barrel, and urging members, the urging members each being of a sawtooth shape and having bent portions. The urging members are arranged in a gap between flat faces of the outer barrel and flat faces of the inner barrel. On a knocking operation, the bent portions are deformed, thereby generating an urging force.
US08096013B2 Wiper
The present invention relates to a wiper having a wiper arm (1) and a fastening element (3), the fastening element (3) being fastened on the wiper arm (1), and the fastening element (3) having a hub (4) which can be plugged onto a drive shaft (5). Precision alignment of the wiper relative to the drive shaft (5) is made possible in that the fastening element (3) is plugged into a cutout (2) in the wiper arm (1) in a form-fitting manner in one of at least two possible alignments. A wiper constructed in this way is, in addition, compact.
US08096011B2 Electric toothbrushes
An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has a handle, a head with a carriers and a longitudinal axis, and a neck disposed between the handle and the head. A motor is disposed within the handle. A shaft is operatively connected to the motor. The shaft is operatively connected to the carrier to move the carrier in a first motion. The carrier is capable of moving in a second motion when subjected to user forces.
US08096008B1 Disposable cushioning systems
A system for disposable, easily stored, single use, foldable backboard cushions for placement under a patient being transported by a medical backboard. The backboard cushions comprise an adhesive strip to removably adhere the cushion to a medical backboard during use. The cushions comprise living hinges to facilitate folding into a compact unit and unfolding for use. The system also provides a method whereby a choice of permeable or non-permeable cushions may be selected for use.
US08096006B2 Medical examination table
A medical examination table is provided. The medical examination table comprises a base providing a storage area, a patient support movable independent of the base between a lowered position and a raised position, and a lift mechanism coupled to the patient support for moving the patient support between the lowered position and the raised position. The patient support comprises a backrest and a seat. Movement of the patient support independent or separately from the base and without interfering with the storage areas within the base may allow for the efficient use of the examination table as a storage area.
US08096004B2 Patient lift and transfer device
A transfer device has a carriage supported on a base, movable between a home position and an extended position. A table assembly includes a lower table fixed to the carriage and an upper table coupled to the lower table, movable between a downward position in forcible contact with the lower table and an upward position having no contact with the lower table. The table assembly moves toward the extended position with the tables in forcible contact to place the table assembly underneath the object to be transferred while keeping the base stationary. The plates are separated to lift the object on the upper table while the lower table remains resting upon the support surface. The table assembly returns to the home position while supporting the object on the upper table and keeping the upper and lower tables separated. The device may operate in a bidirectional manner.
US08096003B2 Transporting device for patients
The invention relates to a transporting device for patients who are to be transported from a first site to a second site using low force. For this purpose is provided a firm board which can also be resilient, wherein this board is encompassed by an endless band. This endless band is adapted to the shape of the board and can slide around the board. The outer ends of the board are provided with caps which, on the one hand, lend the board high rigidity at the ends and, on the other hand, prevent body fluids from penetrating into the interspace between board and endless band.
US08096000B2 Configurable modular shower surround features
A molded shower surround provides a base portion that receives wall portions and a corner portion. The corner portion includes a multiple of features such that the shower surround may be particularly tailored to customers' desires.
US08095995B2 Adjustable helmet shell
A hockey helmet (20) comprising a front helmet portion (22) and a rear helmet portion (24) disposed to be moveable relative to each other so as to define an internal cavity of varying volume, a securing member (26) being mounted to a location on the front helmet portion (22) adjacent the temple thereof, the securing member (26) being slidable between a first or open position and a second or closed position, the rear helmet portion (24) having a restraint (28) configured and disposed to be complimentary to the securing member (26) such that when the securing member (26) cooperatively engages the restraint (28), the relative displacement of the front helmet portion (22) and the rear helmet portion (24) is inhibited. The restraint (28) comprises a number of positions in which the securing member (26) can be cooperatively engaged such that the volume of the helmet (20) may be modified.