| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08118691B1 |
Golf ball alignment tool
A golf ball alignment tool has a retaining strip having a retaining strip end. Retaining strip diagonal slots are arranged along a centerline of the retaining strip. The retaining strip has a left side edge and right side edge. A center slot formed as an opening oriented along a centerline of the retaining strip. A securing screw having securing screw thread engaging with the plurality of retaining strip diagonal slots. A golf ball is engaged within the retaining strip. The golf ball receives a right line mark on the right side edge. The golf ball receives a left line mark on the left side edge, wherein the golf ball receives a middle line mark along the center slot. The golf ball alignment tool has a tee head a tee tip and a tee shaft. |
| US08118689B2 |
Golf club
A golf club head includes a body defining an interior cavity. The body includes a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion, and a skirt positioned around a periphery between the sole and crown. The body has a forward portion and a rearward portion. The club head includes a face positioned at the forward portion of the body. The face defines a striking surface having an ideal impact location at a golf club head origin. Some embodiments of the club head form a club head for a fairway wood that has a high moment of inertia, a low center-of-gravity and a thin crown. |
| US08118686B1 |
Device for reducing effect of dominant hand on golf swing
A training device for use with a golf club, an elongated member enabling the device to be mounted on the grip of a golf club, the member having an inner cavity shaped to the matching surface of the grip surface. A positioner member is engaged with a post which is substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the elongated member, the height of the locking member being adjustable to accommodate the hand size of the golfer. A disc member is attached to the positioner member, the golfer's hand being positioned between the elongated member and the disc member. An adjustable wrap around lock is positioned at the end of the elongated member spaced from the post and is adjustable such that the training device can fit onto various sized grips and to be secured thereto. |
| US08118683B2 |
Joint shaft and roller displacement UNIT THEREFOR
A jointed shaft with two shaft sections which are connected together in a rotationally fixed manner via a central shaft which is constructed as a constant velocity fixed joint. A constant velocity fixed joint is also arranged on the end of each of the shaft sections which is oriented away from the central joint. At least one roller displacement unit, which enables both shaft sections to be displaced in an axial manner in relation to each other, is also provided. |
| US08118682B2 |
Universal joint and method for production thereof
A universal joint which retains a lubricant, is capable of suppressing the exudation of a lubricating component to a minimum amount and preventing the lubricant from scattering from an open portion when the lubricant is deformed by an external force, and a method for producing the universal joint. In the universal joint, a rotational torque is transmitted by engagement between a torque transmission member (6) and tracks (4, 5) provided on an outer member (2) and an inner member (3); the torque transmission member (6) rolls along the tracks (4, 5), thus moving in an axial direction; and a porous solid lubricant (10) is enclosed on a periphery of the torque transmission member (6). The porous solid lubricant (10) containing a lubricating component and a resin component is a solid made porous by foaming and hardening the resin component. |
| US08118676B2 |
Video game system using pre-encoded macro-blocks
A method and related system of generating a frame of video is disclosed. In the method, a request is received. The frame of video is generated using a plurality of pre-encoded macro-blocks. The frame of video is compatible with an MPEG compression standard. The plurality of pre-encoded macro-blocks are pre-encoded prior to the request. In some embodiments, the request initiates a video game. |
| US08118675B2 |
System and method for relaying race information
A system and method for relaying race information related to a plurality of races, such as horse or greyhound races, typically held at racetracks. The system includes a computer system that receives and stores current race information from the plurality of races. The system also includes a remote device coupled to the computer system. A user operating the remote device can view race information and place wagers on the races. The method begins by the computer system sending initial race information to the remote device. As current race information is received from the racetracks, the computer system compares current race information with the initial race information sent to the remote device. The computer system then sends updated race information to the remote device. This updated race information includes only race information that has changed since the initial race information was sent from the computer system to the remote device. |
| US08118670B2 |
Method and apparatus for using a light valve to reduce the visibility of an object within a gaming apparatus
A gaming apparatus is disclosed that includes a housing, a value input device, a transparent panel having an outer surface and an inner surface, and a plurality of mechanically rotatable slot reels disposed in the housing so that the mechanically rotatable reels are visible to a player through the transparent panel. The gaming apparatus also having a light valve that includes a suspended particle device disposed between the inner surface and the slot reels, and a controller coupled to the light valve to cause the light valve to become opaque to substantially block the view of the slot reels to the player. |
| US08118669B2 |
System and method for providing poker player tracking and bonus events
A gaming system having a gaming table and including a progressive jackpot funded by a portion of the house rake of a card game played at the gaming table. The gaming system includes a tracking system capable of identifying and tracking cards dealt and wagers placed in order to identify frequent players and provide complimentary items accordingly. The gaming system is also capable of notifying a player at a remote gaming device that a seat at the gaming table is open. |
| US08118667B2 |
Multiplayer gaming incentive
A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play in a multiplayer game which has a stated jackpot award. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to accept the invitation at a gambling location. According to one embodiment, a player may be required to maintain their qualified status through play of games at the gambling location. According to another embodiment, the multiplayer game is capable of accommodating an almost unlimited number of players. In one example, the multiplayer game is a bingo game with a large number of participants. |
| US08118666B2 |
Gaming system, gaming devices, and method for providing an enhanced multiple-player bonus redemption game
A gaming system and methods provide a plurality of gaming devices configured to operate a multiple-player bonus or secondary game. Each gaming device of the gaming system generates targets upon occurrences of target-generation events. Each gaming device also generates collectors upon occurrences of collector-generating events. The collectors may be used in conjunction with the aforementioned targets to obtain awards in a bonus sequence as described. Upon the occurrence of a redemption event at one of the plurality of gaming devices, the gaming device provides all players playing at one of the gaming devices in the gaming system the opportunity to redeem all accumulated collectors and targets in a bonus sequence. In the bonus sequence, the gaming system determines any awards associated with the redemption of accumulated collectors and targets and provides them to the players. |
| US08118663B2 |
Method and system for changing the appearance of gaming machines as part of optimizing the number of gaming machines presenting particular games
A method of optimizing a number of gaming machines comprises providing a first number of gaming machines having a first appearance and configured to present at least one first game. Game play is monitored at the gaming machines and if the game play reaches a threshold level, a number of the gaming machines are changed to have a second appearance and configured to present at least one second game. Preferably, the appearance of the gaming machines is modified by changing certain door/frame coverings and/or the number or arrangement of visible components, permitting the gaming machine itself to be reused. |
| US08118659B2 |
Instant online lottery ticket for a linear prize and a position specific prize
A process provides a first price category and a second price category in which an instant online lottery ticket can be purchased for an instant online lottery game. The first price category is distinct from the second price category. Further, the first price category corresponds to a first known portion of a linear prize and a first known portion of a position specific prize associated with the instant online lottery game. In addition, the second price category corresponds to a second known portion of a linear prize and a second known portion of the position specific prize, the second known portion of the linear prize being more than the first known portion of the linear prize. The second known portion of the position specific prize is more than the first known portion of the position specific prize. |
| US08118657B2 |
Method for a plurality of players to simultaneously wager on the same gaming device
The Present Invention teaches methods to allow multiple players to simultaneously wager on the same gaming device. In one embodiment, two or more players place simultaneous wagers upon the results of the same gaming device and each player collects the maximum award, if issued. In another embodiment, two or more players simultaneously wager on the results of the same gaming device and each player collects the biggest award issued. In another embodiment, two or more players simultaneously wager on the results of the same gaming device and each player collects any award or sub-set of awards issued. |
| US08118656B2 |
Game device
A roulette-shaped big monopoly unit 12 is disposed at the center of a casing 10, and a triangular pointer 14 for pointing a partition of the annular board 13 is disposed at the summit of the big monopoly unit 12. The players playing in the satellites 20 satisfy prescribed conditions to thereby to play in a big monopoly game using the big monopoly unit 12. In the big monopoly game, the players sequentially revolve the annular board 12. The game is advanced in accordance with contents of a partition pointed by the pointer 14 which is common among all the players when the revolving annular board 13 stops. The game can be played closely related among the satellites. |
| US08118654B1 |
Financial game with combined assets
The disclosure includes a method for a financial forecasting game wherein players can take positions on specific very high leverage option-type products. It includes related mathematical modeling methods which can be used to operate these option-type products under the form of a game. It includes, namely, methods to determine probability laws, validate and optimise models, calculate risks, measure individual performance, use steering variables such as tolerance margins and volatility-driven point values. It includes, as a specific application, detailed mathematical formulas to operate the game with three market indexes. |
| US08118648B2 |
Air infeed device for air-conditioning passenger areas in aircraft
An air infeed device for air-conditioning passenger areas in aircraft includes a central air infeed module for the centrally regulated cabin ventilation system and an individual air infeed module for the individually adjustable cabin ventilation system. The centrally regulated cabin ventilation system and the individually adjustable cabin ventilation system are mutually independent systems. The central air infeed module and the individual air infeed module are connected to form a subassembly that can be handled independently as a collective unit. |
| US08118643B2 |
Method of descaling metal wire rod and apparatus therefor
An apparatus for removing scales from metal wires including: a liquid container tank 12 through which the metal wires 10 pass, mixing nozzles 14 disposed to allow the metal wirings to pass through the liquid container tank for injecting a high-pressure liquid toward the metal wires 10; a high-pressure pump 16 for feeding the high-pressure liquid to the mixing nozzles 14; and cyclone separators 20 which are slurry feeders for feeding a slurry of the liquid with which an abrasive scavenging agent is mixed to the mixing nozzles 14. The mixing nozzles 14 inject the slurry of the abrasive scavenging agent together with the high-pressure liquid so that the abrasive scavenging agent bombards the scales on the surfaces of the metal wires 10 to remove the scales. Provision is further made for the cyclone separators 20 to recover the liquid with which the abrasive scavenging agent is mixed, and separate the liquid and the abrasive scavenging agent from each other, and a wheel-type filter 40 for further separating the abrasive scavenging agent. The cyclone separators 20 feed the abrasive scavenging agent in slurry form to the mixing nozzles 14, and separate the liquid components. |
| US08118640B2 |
Wafer transferring apparatus, polishing apparatus, and wafer receiving method
A wafer transferring apparatus includes a top ring for holding a wafer on a lower end surface thereof and a pusher mechanism for transferring the wafer to and from the top ring. The pusher mechanism has a wafer rest for placing the wafer thereon and is arranged to allow the wafer released from the lower end surface of the top ring to be seated on the wafer rest. The pusher mechanism also has a sensor mechanism for detecting when the wafer is properly seated on the wafer rest. The sensor mechanism is adapted to block sensor light emitted from a light-emitting device by the wafer seated on the wafer rest. |
| US08118639B1 |
Nipple concealment device and method
An apparatus for concealing a bodily protrusion such as a human nipple comprising a foam pad for placing against the protrusion and a rubber pad for placing against a garment interior like the inside of a brassiere cup wherein the foam pad and the rubber pad are attached together. |
| US08118638B2 |
Nursing bra
The present invention provides a nursing bra having first and second breast cup members attached to a chest strap assembly. The strap assembly includes a primary band assembly for securing said nursing bra to a user's upper chest and a separate secondary band assembly coupled to each first and second breast cup. The separate secondary band assembly is configured and operable to provide slidable movement of each of the first and second breast cups relative to the primary band assembly for uncovering a breast during a nursing application. |
| US08118636B2 |
Pet of the month exclusive limited time rewards
A unique code is used to register a virtual pet or other item using a code that is associated with the pet, and which, when entered, allows viewing and interacting with a virtual representation of the actual item on the website. If the code is entered during a specific time period, it allows obtaining at least one additional item, for example an exclusive item that cannot be obtained in any other way. The specific time period can be extended, e.g., using supplemental codes. The codes may specify fixed or variable time periods, and may be generic extension codes and extend other things other than this period. |
| US08118634B2 |
Method and apparatus for near-invisible tethers
One or more ready-to-use near-invisible fixed-length tethers are provided on a carrier such that each tether can be removed from and reattached to the carrier without tangling. Most typically, such attachment is facilitated by modifying the ends of the tethers with a low tack adhesive and by winding the tether around a spool portion. Especially preferred low-tack adhesives provide adhesion of the tether ends to a user, the carrier, and the toy. In particularly preferred aspects, the tether is attached such that one end is removable while the other end remains attached such that the tether can be unwound from the spool by inverting the carrier. |
| US08118632B2 |
Tanker loading assembly
Tanker loading assembly includes a first on-board hose arrangement with first coupling portion and a second submerged buoyant hose arrangement provided with second coupling portion for cooperation with the first coupling portion for obtaining a fluid-tight connection between the first and second hose arrangements. The first coupling portion is positioned in an internal vertical passage of the tanker, wherein a lifting device is provided for engaging the second coupling portion and lifting it towards the position for engaging the first coupling portion. |
| US08118622B2 |
Electrical connector decreasing inserting force
An electrical connector has a insulative housing defining a plurality of passageways and a plurality of contacts secured in the passageways. Each passageway has a mating slot and a pair of retaining slots located at two sides of the mating slot and communicated with the mating slot. Each contact defines a soldering tail and a pair of arm portions extending from the soldering tail and retained in the two retaining slots respectively, the pair of arm portions shift in and between the mating slot and the retaining slot in a first direction, a pair of contact portions integrally project oppositely from inner sides of the arm portions. Wherein the arm portions define shrink sections at a position thereof opposite to the contact portions so that the shrink sections space away from the retaining slots in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. It can reduce inserting force and ensure electrical connecting performance of the electrical connector. |
| US08118619B2 |
Power-enabled connector assembly and method of manufacturing
An advanced connector assembly enabled to receive and distribute power signals. In one embodiment, the connector comprises a multi-port modular jack, and incorporates a PSE controller board disposed in the rear portion of the connector assembly, e.g., outside the connector housing. The PSE controller board controls the power to a powered device and may be adapted to, for example, distinguish whether the device is a short circuit or a network interface card, guarantee the supply of power to selected ports, and prevent cables from transmitting abnormal power. Heat removal features are also optionally utilized to effectively dissipate heat produced by the electronic or signal conditioning components utilized on said multi-port modular jack. In some embodiments, the PSE controller board is also optionally made removable from the jack housing. |
| US08118612B2 |
End-processing method of coaxial cable and end-processing structure of coaxial cable
To provide an end-processing structure of a coaxial cable, in which a catching engagement less liable to invite damage is achieved, a high tensile strength can be obtained, and also the reliability can be enhanced. A folded braid portion 24 is formed by folding an annular projecting braid portion 23 from its proximal end portion 34 so as to superpose the folded annular projecting braid portion on one insulative sheath 31a. When the proximal end portion 34 of the annular projecting braid portion 23 is bent, a terminal catching portion 35 is formed at the folded braid portion 24. Even when a strong force is applied in a direction of withdrawing of a coaxial connector 22, the terminal catching portion 35 of the folded braid portion 24 and a pair of sheath press-clamping portions 40 are caught and engaged with each other, and also the terminal catching portion 35 and a step portion 41 of a press-clamping portion 37 are caught and engaged with each other, that is, the metallic portions are caught and engaged with each other. |
| US08118606B2 |
Conductor arrangement, system and method
The present invention relates to a connector arrangement (30) for connecting a connector device (40) to a conductor (15a-16e) in a carrying structure (12), which connection arrangement (30) comprises a neck portion (31) and a body (32) transversally extending from said neck portion, said body comprising at least one connection surface (33a-33e) for connection of said conductor and connection of the same to said connector device. Said body comprises a first and a second portion and that said first portion has a dimension different than the dimension of said second portion, and that each portion comprises a substantially U and/or V shaped recess (34a, 34b) in the longitudinal direction of said body. |
| US08118605B2 |
Bus bar assembly and vehicle room lamp having the same
A bus bar assembly 1 as a component of a vehicle room lamp 10 includes: a housing 2; and bus bars 3a, 3b, 3c, 3f insert-molded into housing 2. Each of bus bars 3a, 3b, 3c includes: a press-connecting portion 4 composed of a bottom wall 40, and a press-connecting blade 41 vertically extended from an edge of bottom wall 40, and electrically connected to an electric wire 8 by press-connecting; a wiring portion 5 extended from the edge of bottom wall 40 along a planar direction of bottom wall 40; and an impact-absorbing portion 6 disposed around the press-connecting portion 4 for absorbing an impact generated by press-connecting electric wire 8 with press-connecting blade 41. The impact-absorbing portion 6 is extended from an edge 5b of wiring portion 5 along the planer direction of the bottom wall 40, and embedded in housing 2. |
| US08118600B2 |
Inserting connector, connector unit, and backplane
An inserting connector includes a plurality of plug electrodes where plug connecting terminals are provided at first ends of the plug electrodes and plug terminals are provided at second ends of the plug electrodes, the plug connecting terminals being configured to be connected to a board, the plug terminals being configured to be connected to jack terminals; wherein the plug connecting terminals extend in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the board; the plug terminals extend in a movable direction where the plug terminals are attached to or detached from the jack terminals; the plug electrodes are bent at an angle α in longitudinal directions of the plug electrodes, the angle α being greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. |
| US08118599B2 |
Off-ice edge trainer and method
An off-ice edge trainer includes a platform having at least one substantially planar surface that is arranged at a first angle relative to horizontal and at a second angle relative to the horizontal. The first angle and the second angle are greater than 0°. The first angle is configured to cause a user standing on the at least one substantially planar surface of the ice-skating training system to shift their weight to a predetermined portion of a skate blade. |
| US08118593B2 |
Method and system for enhanced orthodontic treatment planning
A method and system are disclosed for quickly arriving at a pre-set-up for the orthodontic treatment of a patient based up on the user specified parameters; and thereafter enabling the user in interactively arriving at a final, desired treatment set-up for the patient. Several sub-operations are disclosed for arriving at the orthodontic pre-set-up. These sub-operations can be arranged in a specific sequence for realizing the orthodontic treatment pre-set-up for a patient. According to another aspect of the invention, a global reference system is disclosed that enables consistent treatment planning. The global reference system prevents unintended tooth displacements caused as side effects to the desired tooth displacements. |
| US08118589B2 |
Color enhancement system for fires
A flame color-enhancing apparatus includes a hollow outer tubular member having a predetermined copper content, a predetermined inside diameter and surface, and a first predetermined length; and an internal tubular member frictionally disposed within the outer tubular member to a predetermined ratio of contact of the interior surface of the outer member to exterior surface of the internal tubular member. The internal tubular member contains a predetermined content of chlorine-based polymer and has a second predetermined length and an outside diameter substantially equal to the predetermined inside diameter. |
| US08118587B2 |
Method for transferring preforms to a blow molding machine and mold carrier for at least one preform
A method for transferring a plurality of preforms to a blow molding machine having a plurality of mold carriers, wherein each mold carrier is arranged to carry at least one multi-part blow mold, the method including the steps of transferring the preforms along a transfer section to the blow molding machine, opening at least one of the mold carriers as it reaches the transfer section, transferring at least one preform located at the transfer section to a holding element assigned to the open mold carrier, positioning the preform in the at least one blow mold of the mold carrier, closing the mold carrier with the preform positioned therein, wherein part of the blow mold in the closed state of the mold carrier being formed by the holding element, and repeating the previous steps for each of the preforms supplied to the blow molding machine via the transfer section. |
| US08118579B2 |
Gear pump
A pump comprises a driving rotor and a driven rotor that are positioned in a housing such that, as the driving rotor and the driven rotor rotate, the teeth of the driving rotor and the teeth of the driven rotor mesh to form a positive displacement seal. The teeth of the driving rotor and the driven rotor are configured such that seals between the inlet side and the discharge side of the pump are formed between only the leading surfaces of the teeth of the driving rotor and the trailing surfaces of the teeth of the driven rotor. |
| US08118578B2 |
Rotary pump with sliding crescentoid rotor bodies
A rotary pump device includes a stator chamber with a cylindrical inner wall having intake and exhaust ports therein, and a two-part, expanding rotor eccentrically mounted for rotation within the chamber. The rotor comprises two crescentoid bodies with end surfaces in sliding, mating contact. A spring rod is placed between the inner rotor body surfaces to maintain rotor contact points in continuous wiping contact with the chamber wall. A full intake/exhaust cycle occurs every 180° of rotor travel. |
| US08118577B2 |
Scroll compressor having optimized cylinder oil circulation rate of lubricant
A scroll compressor (CP) in which the cylinder oil circulation rate of lubricant is optimized during the operation to improve the compression efficiency is provided. In the scroll compressor (CP) having a stepped shape, the cylinder oil circulation rate of lubricant taken into the scroll compressor (CP) and circulated together with refrigerant is set to fall within the range from 1% or more to 10% or less. |
| US08118572B2 |
Peristaltic pump tubing with stopper and cooperative roller assembly housing having no moving parts
A peristaltic pump system includes elastomeric pump tubing and a roller pump. The pump tubing has a pumping segment and an inlet segment. The inlet segment has an inlet segment outer diameter. The pumping segment has a pumping segment outer diameter less than the inlet segment outer diameter. The roller pump has a roller assembly and a roller assembly housing. The roller assembly is disposed within the roller assembly housing and engaged with the pumping segment within the roller assembly housing. The roller assembly housing has an inlet gap formed through the roller assembly housing. The inlet gap defines an inlet gap inner diameter smaller than the pumping segment outer diameter. The inlet gap is adapted to frictionally receive the inlet segment for aligning the pump tubing with a roller assembly and mitigate longitudinal movement of the pump tubing into the roller assembly housing. |
| US08118571B2 |
Actuator assembly
An actuator assembly for generating a fluid pressure and applying the fluid pressure to a first device. The actuator assembly comprises a first fluid chamber and a first piston disposed adjacent to the first fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber and a second piston slidably received in the second fluid chamber, a fluid passage connecting the first fluid chamber with the second fluid chamber, and an actuator motor for selectively reciprocating the first piston so that axial movement of the first piston generates a fluid pressure within the first fluid chamber. The first piston is disposed within the actuator motor. As the first chamber is fluidly communicating with the second fluid chamber, the linear motion of the first piston causes corresponding linear motion of the second piston for applying the fluid pressure to the first device. |
| US08118569B2 |
Hydraulic power device
A hydraulic power device is provided. The hydraulic power device includes: a first cylinder with a cylindrical chamber, a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, and a weight unit having a first piston. The first piston hermetically fits into the first cylinder and moves upwards and downwards within the first cylinder. When the first piston moves downwards within the first cylinder, the fluid in the cylindrical chamber flows out through the first fluid outlet under the pressure from the first piston, and thereby generates hydraulic power. When the first piston moves upwards within the first cylinder, the fluid flows into the cylindrical chamber through the first fluid inlet, to get prepared for subsequent hydraulic power output. The hydraulic power device in the present invention is designed to lift a weight unit with a small initial power and then generate hydraulic power utilizing the gravity of the weight unit. |
| US08118565B2 |
Blower and electric device with such blower mounted thereon
A supply current control circuit controls the voltage of a low-voltage direct-current power source so that the average current of an inverter circuit detected by a current detecting circuit becomes constant at a specified current value. Accordingly, characteristics that are little in the amount of change of air volume are obtained. |
| US08118564B2 |
Motor-driven compressor
A motor-driven compressor includes a compression mechanism for compressing a refrigerant gas, an electric motor, an inverter assembly and an inverter chamber. The electric motor drives the compression mechanism. The inverter assembly converts direct-current power into polyphase alternating-current power to supply to the electric motor and controls a rotational speed of the electric motor. A substrate having an electric circuit and an electronic component connected to the substrate are provided in the inverter assembly. The inverter chamber detachably accommodates the inverter assembly. A vibration damping member is arranged in the inverter assembly. |
| US08118562B2 |
Sacrificial blade tip
A propeller blade device used in environments where a propeller system is subjected to blade erosion and wear and may also be subjected to an axial force from water. The propeller blade includes a blade tip mounted on its outer end using a mounting device such as nuts and bolts to form a junction there between. The tip may easily be replaced when worn or damaged without removing the blade. The tip is designed to fracture upon impact with an axial force before transmitting the force radially inward to the propeller blade. |
| US08118557B2 |
Steam turbine rotating blade of 52 inch active length for steam turbine low pressure application
A bucket for use in the low-pressure section of a steam turbine engine is provided. The bucket has a vane length of at least about 52 inches. The bucket is comprised of a dovetail section disposed near an inner radial position of the bucket, a tip shroud disposed near an outer radial position of the bucket and a part span shroud disposed at an intermediate radial position. The intermediate radial position is disposed at a location between the inner and outer radial positions the intermediate radial positioning adapted to promote aerodynamic performance of the part span shroud. The bucket is comprised of a chromium steel. |
| US08118554B1 |
Turbine vane with endwall cooling
A turbine stator vane with an outer endwall and an inner endwall, and with an airfoil extending between the two endwalls. The inner endwall includes an endwall edge with a plurality of slots each separated to form compartment slots. A number of impingement cooling holes discharge cooling an from a cooling air supply cavity into the compartment slots to produce impingement cooling for the backside wall of the endwall edge surface. A number of film cooling holes are connected to the compartment slots and discharge the spent impingement cooling an as a layer of film cooling air onto the outer surface of the endwall edge to counter act a bow wave hot gas flow and to provide cooling for the endwall edge to keep a low metal temperature and improve LCF for the vane. |
| US08118547B1 |
Turbine inter-stage gap cooling arrangement
A turbine inter-stage gap cooling and sealing arrangement for a turbine in which the blade outer air seal that forms a seal with a stage of rotor blades includes a row of cooling air holes on the back side of the blade outer air seal to discharge cooling air toward a transition between a vane endwall and the vane airfoil such that hot gas flow is not ingested into the gap formed between the BOAS and the vane endwall. The cooling air holes in the BOAS are connected to the impingement cavity on the outer surface of the BOAS to use spent impingement cooling air for discharging toward the inter-stage gap. The BOAS also includes an aft extending ledge that extends toward the vane airfoil in which the cooling air holes are located above. |
| US08118545B2 |
Variable geometry turbocharger
A turbocharged engine includes an internal combustion engine and a variable geometry turbocharger. The turbocharger is adjustable to operate efficiently under various engine operating and environmental conditions. The turbocharger includes a turbine and compressor, with the compressor including a compressor housing, an impeller rotatably mounted in the housing, and an adjustable diffuser vane assembly. The diffuser vane assembly includes a plurality of pivotal diffuser vanes spaced about the impeller and a vane rotation drive that interconnects the vanes and permits simultaneous adjustment of the diffuser vanes to improve the efficiency and operating range of the turbocharger. The diffuser vane assembly also includes a vane locking drive operable to engage the pivotal vanes and prevent vane movement during turbocharger operation. |
| US08118544B2 |
Bearing and retention mechanisms
An exemplary locating mechanism includes a bearing outer race (422) that has a central axis (z-axis) and that has a turbine end, a compressor end and a slot (421), of an axial length, disposed between the turbine end and the compressor end; and a deformable clip (430) shaped as a semi-cylindrical wall having an axial length less than the axial length of the slot, where in a tension state, the clip (430) has an inner circumference to position the clip (430) with respect to the slot (421) and where in a compression state, the clip (430) has an inner circumference that locates the clip (430) in the slot (421). Various other exemplary technologies are also disclosed. |
| US08118542B2 |
Method of moving the rotating means of a wind turbine during transportation or stand still, method of controlling the moving of the rotating means, nacelle, auxiliary device, control and monitoring system and use hereof
Methods of moving a rotating device of a wind turbine during transportation or standstill are provided. The methods include securing at least one auxiliary device to a position and connecting the device to one or more shafts of the rotating device at transportation or standstill. The auxiliary device is able to store, generate and/or convert energy during transportation, transferring energy continuously from at least one auxiliary device to one or more shafts of the rotating device during transportation or standstill, and moving one or more shafts of the rotating device continuously or discontinuously from a position to another. Also provided is a nacelle for a wind turbine, an auxiliary device, a control system for controlling moving of a rotating device of a wind turbine nacelle during transportation of the nacelle and use thereof. |
| US08118541B2 |
Multi-functional air circulation system
A multi-functional air circulation system includes a bottom base, a flow-splitting base, a filter and a main engine. The bottom base has a lower flow-guiding surface, a net, and a space used to contain diverse improving agents. The flow-splitting base is fixed on the bottom base, including an inner flow-guiding surface to rush air flow generated by a blade member down to the bottom base. The filter is laid at an exit of the inner flow-guiding surface, composed of two filter bases forming a room between them for containing aromatic powder, etc. The main engine includes a motor having its shaft fixed with a blade member, and a control system. The motor is installed in a rear shell combined with a front shell. Air is sucked in through the rear shell to run through an ornamental shell and the flow-splitting base to enter a room. The main engine and the bottom base can also be assembled to work independently. |
| US08118540B2 |
Split ring for a rotary part of a turbomachine
A split ring for mounting with elastic prestress in an annular groove of a rotary part of a turbomachine and having, in the free state, a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the groove, is remarkable in that, in the free state and without stress, the end portions of the ring are circular arcs having a radius of curvature that is substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the annular groove. |
| US08118538B2 |
Offshore vertical-axis wind turbine and associated systems and methods
An offshore wind turbine has a vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) mounted on a platform. The VAWT has a vertical rotor and curved blades coupled to a gearbox and an electric generator. The VAWT can fixedly extend from the platform or may be capable of reclining on the platform either manually or automatically. The platform can be composed of modular elements coupled together. Offshore, the platform can be semi-submersible with the VAWT extending out of the water and with a counterbalance extending below the platform. Alternatively, the platform can float on the water's surface and can have several arms that extend outwardly from the VAWT to increase the platform's footprint. To anchor the turbine offshore, anchoring systems can anchor the platform to the seabed while allowing the floating wind turbine to adjust passively or actively to changes in sea level due to tidal variations or storm swells. |
| US08118536B2 |
Method and system for operating a wind turbine
A lubrication system for a wind turbine having a control system, the lubrication system including a sump configured to collect a lubrication fluid, and at least one heating unit configured to heat the lubrication fluid based on at least one forecasted condition. |
| US08118535B2 |
Pod swapping internal to tool run time
Methods, systems and apparatus for swapping pods within a semiconductor processing tool during a substrate processing cycle. A dirty pod carrying a substrate in need of processing is provided within the processing tool, and the substrate is transferred into a processing chamber thereof. At least one clean pod is also provided within the processing tool. Upon substrate processing completion, the processed substrate is transferred from the chamber directly into a clean pod within the processing tool. Wherein a plurality of substrates are processed within the chamber, a plurality of clean pods may be provided within the tool whereby the plurality of substrates are transferred into a single clean pod or split into subsets that are transferred into different clean pods within the processing tool. The clean pod(s) carrying the processed substrate(s) are then transferred to other tool(s) for continued semiconductor fabrication processing. |
| US08118529B2 |
Tolerance adjusting attachment
The present invention is a tolerance adjusting attachment which is part of a bracket member used for providing proper alignment between more than one externally visible component. The tolerance adjusting attachment has a support aperture formed as a portion of the bracket member, and an adjuster core at least partially extending through the support aperture, the adjuster core operably associated with at least one structural member for providing proper positioning of the bracket member in relation to the structural member. The present invention also includes an adjuster clip at least partially extending through and movable through a portion of the bracket member such that the position of the adjuster core is secured relative to the bracket member. |
| US08118527B2 |
Pull stem fastener with pull groove for swaging collars
A fastener for installation into a workpiece which may be installed by either a swaging operation or a torquing operation. The fastener includes an enlarged protruding head which is proximal to a substantially cylindrical smooth shank portion. A threaded shank portion positioned distal to the smooth shank portion includes a male thread which is sufficiently strong to have a swage collar swaged onto it. Distal to the threaded shank portion is a pin tail portion having a surface which is configured to engage a tool. Positioned between the threaded shank portion and the pin tail portion is a breakneck groove having a lower tensile strength than any other portion of the fastener. The tensile strength of the breakneck groove is controlled such that the fastener severs within the breakneck groove when a preset range of tension is applied to the pin tail portion by the tool. |
| US08118525B2 |
Cargo bar
The present disclosure provides a cargo bar having high load strength. The cargo bar generally comprises an outer sheath and an inner cylindrical telescoping portion. The telescoping portion has a ribbed section with ribs formed from the walls of the telescoping portion. Fastened to the outer sheath is a handle mechanism comprising a handle frame and a lever, the lever having teeth for gripping the ribs of the inner telescoping portion. The handle may be moved from an open position to a closed position, thereby extending the inner portion away from the outer portion through the interaction of the teeth with the ribs of the inner bar. Increased strength is provided by the ribs formed from the walls of the telescoping portion. |
| US08118522B2 |
Working apparatus
A working apparatus, provided with a base stage, work hold and rotation device for holding and rotating a work, working device movable toward and away from the work via slider mechanism and having a working tool, press structure for pressing the working tool toward the work via the working device, and trace device pressed toward the work together with the working tool by the press structure and in contact with the work and moving the working device as a whole in forward and rearward directions according to outer shape of the work. By pressing of the pressing structure, the working tool deburrs and chamfers under control of working volume by the trace device. The work hold and rotation device has work rotation axis angle adjustment mechanism, for adjusting angle of rotation axis of the work by holding the work. The working apparatus can precisely deburr and chamfer complicated shape of work such as worm gear. |
| US08118518B2 |
Slipform paving machine with adjustable length tractor frame
A paving machine that moves in a travel direction and spreads, levels and finishes concrete into a form having a generally upwardly exposed, finished concrete surface that terminates in lateral sides. The paving machine has a main frame with first and second bolsters arranged at opposite ends of the main frame. Each set of bolsters has two hydraulic jacking columns used to raise and lower the machine frame. Crawlers attached to the bottom of the jacking columns engage the ground and move the paving machine in the travel direction. A pair of support beams is attached to the inner surface of each bolster and supported in passageways of a center module of the tractor frame. To extend the maximum width of the paving machine without having to extensively disassemble it, the free ends of the support beams extend beyond outer sides of the bolsters when the distance between the inner sides of the bolsters is at its minimum. This paving machine width adjustment can be performed in the field by moving the bolsters and the support beams attached to them inwardly or outwardly with the crawlers of the paving machine. Also provided is a laterally extendable/retractable cross beam for movably supporting a dowel bar inserter kit on the paving machine. |
| US08118516B2 |
Energy absorbing system
An energy absorbing system having a stanchion, a linearly extendable energy absorber coupled to the stanchion, a net coupled to the energy absorber, wherein the net transfers force to the energy absorber, and a securing mechanism that maintains tension between the net and the energy absorber until acted upon by tensile forces of at least a minimum threshold force, wherein at least a portion of the system is retractable into the ground. |
| US08118507B2 |
Vibrating mascara applicator, system and kit
A mascara applicator with vibrating applicator head. The head is caused to vibrate in a controlled manner through electromechanical urging. The frequency, amplitude and geometry of the vibrating head are sufficient to significantly alter the rheological properties of thixotropic and anti-thixotropic mascara compositions, including an effect that persists after the vibration has stopped. The device allows the mascara to be manipulated for improved results, greater flexibility in formulation, benefits in manufacture, as well as other benefits. |
| US08118506B2 |
Idler roller assembly for printing apparatus
Disclosed is an idler roller assembly for a printing apparatus. The idler rolling assembly includes a shaft, at least one idler rolling element connected to the shaft, the at least one idler rolling element having an inner surface and an outer surface and being connected to the shaft at a substantially center portion of the idler rolling element, the at least one idler rolling element being cylindrically shaped and having an axis substantially parallel to an axis of the shaft, and at least one radial control movement element connected to the shaft, the at least one radial control movement element having a radius selected to leave a predetermined gap between an outer edge of the at least one radial control movement element and the inner surface of the idler rolling element. |
| US08118505B2 |
Label printer with a label peeling mechanism and a control method for the same
A label printing apparatus having a label peeling mechanism determines the appropriate time to run a process for setting the paper. Paper having a plurality of labels continuously affixed to a web liner is loaded inside the label printing apparatus when a main cover is open. A peeling mechanism cover is attached and openable from the main cover. When opened, the paper is routed through one path or another to exit the printer from one or another exit depending on whether or not the peeling mechanism is used. A control method for this printer has a step of waiting for a switch to be pressed by an operator after the operator puts the paper inside the label printer and closes the main cover, and a step of executing a paper setup process when the switch is pressed. |
| US08118504B2 |
Printer
A printer includes a chassis, an ink cartridge, and an adjusting unit. The ink cartridge carrier is mounted to the chassis. A projection extends from the ink cartridge carrier. The adjusting unit includes a rotating shaft, a cam fixed to the rotating shaft, and a gear fixed to the rotating shaft. The gear includes a number of teeth. The rotating shaft is rotatably mounted to the ink cartridge carrier. The projection is clipped between two adjacent teeth. The cam abuts against the chassis. |
| US08118502B2 |
Control method for light control apparatus, and light control apparatus
A method includes a drive step of causing a light control member from a first position to a second position and from the second position to the first position by a drive source, a detection step of detecting the position and state of the light control member, and a drive signal application step of applying a desired drive signal to the drive source in accordance with the position or state of the light control member detected in the detection step. |
| US08118498B2 |
Optical receptacle, optical module, and method of manufacturing an optical module
Provided are an optical receptacle capable of manufacturing an optical module thereby, while suppressing a manufacturing cost, preventing a quality degradation, and suppressing a quantity of returning light by reflection. In the optical receptacle, a recess for receiving a lens and a lens support and a through-hole penetrating from a bottom of the recess toward an exterior are formed, and the recess is formed so that an inner peripheral surface of the recess is fixed to a desired position with respect to an outer peripheral surface of the lens support, in a case where the lens and the lens support are received in the recess such that an optical axis of the lens and an optical axis of the optical fiber to be inserted into the through hole are deviated from each other. |
| US08118497B2 |
Connector utilized for different kinds of signal transmition
A connector (100) includes a metallic shell (5) having a mating frame part, said mating frame part including a number of sides together enclosing a hollow portion, and the hollow portion divided into two ports with different shapes; an insulative housing (1) having a base portion (11) and two juxtaposed tongue portions (12, 13) extending forwardly from the base portion, with a plurality of contacts (21, 22) mounted to the tongue portions, two lens members (4) received in lateral sides of one of the tongue portions; and the two tongue portions respectively received in the two ports. |
| US08118495B2 |
Method of assembling an optical connector and an optical connector
An optical connector comprises a connector housing having splice means configured to abut a stripped and cleaved end surface of a plain fiber of an optical fiber cable onto an end of a fiber stub predisposed in the splice means to form an optical connection. A cable fixing assembly includes a cable fixing member and a cable holder for fixing an outer covering of the optical fiber cable introduced into said connector housing. The cable fixing member includes an opposing piece for slidably engaging with a guide section formed on the wall of an end cap of the connector housing. A step section is formed on the sliding surface of the opposing piece for sliding contact with the sliding surface of the guide section. The cable fixing member moves together with the optical fiber cable so as to reduce a distance between the splice means and the cable holder. |
| US08118494B2 |
Remote grip optical fiber connector
An optical fiber connector comprises an outer housing configured to mate with a receptacle and a collar body disposed in the outer housing. The collar body receives and secures a ferrule in a first portion of the collar body. The ferrule includes a central bore that defines an axis. The ferrule further includes a fiber stub disposed in a portion of the central bore, the fiber stub comprising a first optical fiber having a first end proximate to an end face of the ferrule and a prepared second end terminating within the ferrule. The collar body further includes a second portion that includes a housing portion to house a gripping device that grips a second optical fiber. |
| US08118493B2 |
Tapered roller bearing
A tapered roller bearing includes an inner ring, an outer ring, a plurality of tapered rollers which are rollably disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and a retainer which retains the tapered rollers at predetermined circumferential intervals. In this tapered roller bearing, a roller coefficient γ=(the number of rollers×average roller diameter) exceeds 0.94, a number of indentations having a micro recess-like shape are randomly provided at least on a surface of the tapered roller, a surface roughness parameter Ryni of the surface having the indentations falls within a range of 0.4 μm≦Ryni≦1.0 μm, and an Sk value is −1.6 or less. |
| US08118492B2 |
Plain bearing and play-free plain bearing arrangement
A play-free plain bearing arrangement with a defined preset torque includes a plain bearing, wherein the plain bearing comprises a bearing housing and a bearing sleeve inserted into the bearing housing, wherein the bearing sleeve and the bearing housing are open axially. The play-free plain bearing arrangement also includes a shaft as a bearing mate of the bearing sleeve. The plain bearing arrangement is characterized in that the shaft having an oversize is inserted in the bearing sleeve in such a way that the bearing sleeve and the bearing housing expand. |
| US08118487B2 |
Auto-ranging thermistor-based temperature detection system
An apparatus for detecting temperature includes an adjustable current source operable for supplying a current, a thermistor coupled to said adjustable current source, and an auto-range hysteresis logic coupled to said thermistor and said adjustable current source operable for outputting a signal to control said adjustable current source by sensing a voltage across said thermistor. A method for detecting temperature is also disclosed. |
| US08118486B2 |
Very high speed temperature probe
A very high speed temperature probe is provided that can be used in medical applications and in environments that are corrosive or hostile. The probe has a thin wall housing made of a thermally conductive material, a thin film RTD temperature sensor which is mounted within the interior of the housing and is embedded within a temperature cured composite material. A thermally conductive material is used to fill the interior of the housing. The thin wall housing and absence of entrapped air bubbles or voids in the cured composite and thermally conductive materials cooperate to achieve a low thermal time constant and thus, high temperature measuring speed for the probe. |
| US08118484B2 |
Thermocouple temperature sensor with connection detection circuitry
An assembly includes a thermocouple, a cold junction sensor, and a circuit. The thermocouple has a process end and a cold junction end. The cold junction end has first and second cold junction terminals. The cold junction sensor is supported near the cold junction end and configured to measure temperature at the cold junction end. The circuit is electrically connected to the cold junction sensor and to the first and second cold junction terminals. The circuit is configured to produce a thermocouple signal as a function of voltage across the first and second cold junction terminals and to produce a cold junction sensor signal as a function of temperature of the cold junction end as measured by the cold junction sensor. The circuit is further configured to calculate a correlation between the thermocouple signal and the cold junction sensor signal. |
| US08118480B2 |
Driving and transmitting element for an escapement, roller table and escapement equipped with them, and timepiece including them
The driving and transmitting element (10, 50) is in the form of a ring (20) having an outer face (32) from which a stud (40) extends radially. Application to a roller table (60, 70) of a lever escapement (80) for a timepiece (90) including such a driving and transmitting element (10, 50) for rotating the anchor (84) and for transmitting an impulse from the anchor (84) to the roller table (60, 70). |
| US08118473B2 |
System for calculating and reporting slump in delivery vehicles
A system for calculating and reporting slump in a delivery vehicle having a mixing drum (14) and hydraulic drive (16) for rotating the mixing drum, including a rotational sensor (20) configured to sense a rotational speed of the mixing drum, a hydraulic sensor (22) coupled to the hydraulic drive and configured to sense a hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum, and a communications port (26) configured to communicate a slump calculation to a status system (28) commonly used in the concrete industry, wherein the sensing of the rotational speed of the mixing drum is used to qualify a calculation of current slump based on the hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum. |
| US08118472B2 |
Fixing structure for printed circuit board of backlight module
The present invention relates to a fixing structure for printed circuit board of backlight module. It includes a protective cover having at least one first supporting portion and the first supporting portion having a first protrusion; a printed circuit board having at least one pierce hole; and a back plate having at least one second supporting portion and the second supporting portion having a second protrusion, wherein the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion oppositely support the printed circuit board, the first protrusion and the second protrusion oppositely wedge in the pierce hole, and two copper areas respectively surround two ends of the pierce hole and electrically connect with the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion. The present invention economizes the cost of using screws and eliminates the static electricity from the printed circuit board of the backlight module. |
| US08118471B2 |
Connecting structure, cable and liquid crystal module
A connecting structure for connecting a cable and a light source includes a wound part and a pin-shaped terminal. The wound part is formed at a distal end of the cable by bending an exposed end of a lead wire of the cable in a spiral shape. A direction of a center axis of the wound part substantially coincides with a direction of the distal end of the cable. The pin-shaped terminal is disposed at an end of the light source and fixedly connected to inside of the wound part. A direction of the pin-shaped terminal substantially coincides with the direction of the distal end of the cable. |
| US08118470B2 |
Light guide plate and backlight module using the same
A light guide plate includes a plurality of micro dots. The micro dots are provided uniformly on one side of the light guide plate and are integrated with the light guide plate. Each dot is coated by a fluorescent layer, and the fluorescent layer emits light when excited by an ultraviolet light. |
| US08118466B2 |
Backlight assembly, display device having the same, display substrate for the same and method of manufacturing the same
A backlight assembly includes first and second backlight units independently operating based on driving modes, and a light blocking member interposed between the first and second backlight units. The first backlight assembly includes a first light source generating and supplying a first light to a main display part of a display panel in a main mode and turned-off in a sub mode. The second backlight assembly includes a second light source generating and supplying a second light having different color from the first light to a sub display part of the display panel in a main mode and a sub mode. |
| US08118457B2 |
Illuminating device
An illuminating device includes a light source and a light receiving surface, first and second light exit surfaces. When a point at the edge of the light emitting surface is P2 and an axis which passes through a center P1 of a light emitting surface and is perpendicular to the light emitting surface is an optical axis, the optical element has a hollow around the optical axis. The first light exit surface is such that x coordinate of a point most distant from the optical axis on the first light exit surface is at least 1.5 times x coordinate of P2, that in 80% or more of an area in which x coordinate of a point is at least the x coordinate of another point P3, an angle of incidence of light emitted at P1 is at least the critical angle and that in 80% or more of an area in which x coordinate of a point is equal to or smaller than x coordinate of another point P4, an angle of incidence of light emitted at P2 is smaller than the critical angle. |
| US08118456B2 |
Low-profile pathway illumination system
A luminaire to illuminate surfaces comprises a housing, a mounting fixture and a light source. The housing includes a base having a bottom surface positionable on a surface to be illuminated, an interior, and at least one window providing access between the interior and an exterior of the housing. The mounting fixture extends at least approximately perpendicularly downward with respect to the bottom surface of the base to secure the housing into a peripheral portion of the surface to be illuminated. The light source has a principal axis of emission that is directed outwardly through the window of the housing at a downwardly oriented angle with respect to the bottom surface of the base such that, when in use with the luminaire mounted to the surface to be illuminated, the principal axis of emission of the light source is directed at a portion of the surface to be illuminated. |
| US08118453B2 |
Luminaire and lamellae louver therefor
The luminaire has concave side reflectors defining the width W of a light emission window. V-shaped lamellae are present between the side reflectors in the light emission window. Each outer edges of the lamellae has a central portion which is concavely curved and straight end portions which each have a length of 0.15 to 0.25 W. The lamellae louver is suitable for use in the luminaire. |
| US08118446B2 |
Discharge tube supporting structure, supporting member, discharge tube, ferrule, lighting device, display device and television receiver
Discharge tubes, each of which includes a glass tube and a ferrule that has a substantially cylindrical shape and is fitted to each end portion of the glass tube, are supported by a plurality of pairs of relay connectors (or supporting members) provided on the front side of a chassis having substantially a plate-shaped configuration. When a discharge tube is supported by relay connectors, stoppers provided on the relay connectors lock the ferrules so that axial movement of the discharge tube relative to the relay connectors is restricted. |
| US08118443B2 |
Display apparatus and light source device used in the display apparatus
A light source device including light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a carrier is provided. Chromaticities of some LEDs fall in a first area of a chromaticity coordinate diagram, while chromaticities of the other LEDs fall in a second area of the chromaticity coordinate diagram. The second area and the first area are point symmetric to a white center of the chromaticity coordinate diagram. A chromaticity coordinate value farthest from the white center in the first area is (X1, Y1), and a chromaticity coordinate value farthest from the white center in the second area is (X2, Y2), wherein 0.06≧|X1−X2|≧0.03 and 0.06≧|Y1−Y2|≧0.03. The LEDs are disposed on the carrier, and a chromaticity difference of any two adjacent LEDs in the chromaticity coordinate diagram is (ΔX, ΔY), wherein |ΔX|≦0.01 and |ΔY|≦0.01. |
| US08118438B2 |
Method and apparatus for real-time projection onto an object of data obtained from 3-D measurement
Methods and apparatus for projecting a tangible image of data characterizing an object onto a surface of the object itself. Three-dimensional measurements of the object are obtained, the measurements are processed for projection, and a tangible image is projected onto the object, the image conveying information based on the three-dimensional measurements. The image may be projected concurrently with performance of measurements. In an exemplary dental context, information derived in part from three-dimensional measurements of a tooth or replica may be projected onto the actual tooth or replica. In interactive application, a work piece is be measured during the course of fabrication, and three-dimensional information, derived from contemporaneous non-contact measurement, is projected onto the work piece in order to direct the user with the formation of the work piece. |
| US08118432B2 |
Lens array element and projection type display device
A lens array element has a rectangular plate-like external shape, and includes plate surfaces that functions as light transmission surfaces; and a plurality of cellular lenses that are formed on at least one of the plate surfaces. Each of end faces 4 of the rectangular plate-like external shape forms an inclined surface that slants inward from a plate surface 6 on one side toward a plate surface 2 on the other side, and a reference surface 5 perpendicular to the plate surface is formed on a part of at least two adjoining end faces among the end faces. A front view shape of the reference surface region arranged side-by-side with the inclined surface of the end face is a trapezoid, an oblique side 7 of the trapezoid is disposed so as to extend from a plate surface on one side toward the plate surface 2 on the other side, and an upper side 9 of the trapezoid is disposed on a side of the other of the plate surfaces. Regarding the reference surface provided to the rectangular plate-like end face for optical alignment, the occurrence of inaccuracy due to the releasing properties at the time of molding the lends array element using a metal mold is suppressed. |
| US08118428B2 |
Opthalmic camera and opthalmic camera adaptor
An ophthalmic camera (10) comprising a camera (12) having a lens (18) aligned with a second lens (16) and at least one illumination means (14). The illumination means (14) is capable of movement relative to the camera lens (18) so that the beam of light emitted by the illumination means (14) is able to be focused by the second lens (16) through the pupil onto the fundus. In another embodiment, the ophthalmic camera comprises a camera (52), an illumination means (54) and a beamsplitter (58). The camera (52) and the beamsplitter (58) from an alignment axis X and the illumination means (54) together with the beam splitter (58) form an illumination axis Y perpendicular to the alignment axis X. The illumination means (54) is capable of movement relative to the illumination axis Y so that the beam of light reflected by the beamsplitter (58) towards the pupil (70) is substantially the same size as the pupil (70) to maximize the amount of light entering the pupil without impinging upon the iris to avoid contracting of the pupil (70). |
| US08118426B2 |
Corneal-sclera orthokeratology lens with asymetric blends
A corneal-scleral orthokeratology contact lens is formed of rigid gas permeable material with uniform arc lengths in the treatment area even when the corneal curvature varies and asymmetric blends or splines called minor zones, where the portion of the blend or spline is shorter toward the lens center and broader toward the lens edge, and relieve the treatment area of all centering responsibility, transferring it to the limbal-scleral region. The method of determining the total sagittal height of an eye at a given chord diameter to predetermine exact fitting parameters and predict unaided visual outcome trial lenses, with exact chord and sagittal height values used to match the sagittal height of an eye, the sagittal value may be obtained from some ocular topographers. A computer program can easily take the sagittal information and design an optimum lens. |
| US08118422B2 |
Printer with paper guide on the printhead and pagewidth platen rotated into position
An inkjet printer having an inkjet printhead having at least one printhead IC for ejecting ink, and a support structure for mounting the ink jet printhead in the printer and supporting the at least one printhead IC. The support structure has a paper guide adjacent the at least one printhead IC. The printer also has a print platen for facing the at least one printhead IC during printing to define a gap between the print platen and the at least one printhead IC, the print platen having a guide surface for directing the sheets of print media into the gap. A media feed path extends through the printer along which sheets of media substrate are fed, the media feed path being partially defined by the paper guide on the support structure and the guide surface of the print platen. During use, the sheets of print media path in sliding contact with the paper guide and spaced from the guide surface during printing. |
| US08118420B2 |
Contactless ink leveling method and apparatus
A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate. |
| US08118411B2 |
Inkjet head manufacturing method and inkjet head
A flow path regulating member 3 is formed on the rear surface of the head chip 1A, wherein the channels 12 and 13, and drive walls 11 made up of piezoelectric elements are arranged alternately, the apertures of the channels 12 and 13 are arranged on the front side and rear side, and drive electrodes 14 are formed in channels 12 and 13, by the step of providing a lamination film according to the process wherein a mask layer without having been etched at the time of dry etching of an organic film is patterned on the surface of the organic film so as to conform to the channel 13 for regulating an ink flow path and performing dry etching from the side of the mask layer and removing the organic film at other than the site coated with the mask layer. |
| US08118398B2 |
Disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus and mist adsorbing method of the disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus
A disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a disc mounting unit to which a disc recording medium is removably mounted, the disc mounting unit rotating the disc recording medium; a print head which discharges an ink drop towards a label surface of the disc recording medium that is rotationally driven by the disc mounting unit; and a mist attracting unit which, by applying a voltage, attracts mist of the ink drop discharged from the print head, the mist attracting unit provided near the disc recording medium mounted to the disc mounting unit. |
| US08118397B2 |
Printhead assembly with a wicking element
A printhead maintenance station includes a housing operatively positioned with respect to an ink ejection face to be maintained. The housing defines a pair of slots. A support arm has lugs at each end that are slidably received in respective slots. A support is mounted on the support arm. A pad is mounted on the support and is suitable for wiping ink. A motor is operatively mounted with respect to the housing. A pair of cams is rotatable by the motor and engaged with respective lugs such that the motor can slide the arms with respect to the housing, thereby moving the pad between a first operative position and a second, inoperative position. |
| US08118392B2 |
Movable web support and cap
A method and apparatus raise and lower a web support and move a cap over and above the web support. |
| US08118389B2 |
Image recording device and image recording method
An image recording device comprises: a recording head that has a plurality of recording elements; non-uniformity information acquiring unit that acquires non-uniformity information of each recording element by using a test pattern; non-uniformity correction coefficient calculating unit that calculates a non-uniformity correction coefficient value for each density as recording characteristics of the recording element; misfiring correction coefficient calculating unit that calculates a misfiring correction coefficient value for each density in a case where a nearby recording element is misfiring as the recording characteristics of the recording element; selecting unit that selects one of the recording characteristics for each recording element based on pixel density data of image data and the misfiring information detected by misfiring information detecting unit; and correction processing unit that corrects the pixel density data using the recording characteristics selected by the selecting unit. |
| US08118387B2 |
Printer including dot data generator with stochastically ramped print data
A printer including a plurality of printhead modules located across a print media transport path is disclosed. Each printhead module has an elongate printhead. Nozzles of respective printheads overlap with nozzles of printheads of neighboring printhead modules. The printer further includes a dot data generator for providing print data to nozzles such that print data is stochastically ramped from one neighboring printhead module to a next neighboring printhead module. |
| US08118386B2 |
Liquid body discharge device and method for discharging liquid body
A liquid body discharge device includes: a head; and a plurality of nozzles provided to the head. In the device, a liquid body is discharged from the plurality of nozzles to a liquid body discharged region of a substrate by moving one of the substrate and the head, and the nozzles are aligned in a first alignment direction and a second alignment direction. |
| US08118378B2 |
Rail assembly
A rail assembly includes an outer rail, a middle rail, an inner rail, and a retrieving unit. The outer rail has an outer rail space for accommodating the middle rail, the inner rail, and the retrieving unit. The middle rail slides in the outer rail space and has a middle rail space for accommodating the inner rail. The inner rail is accommodated in the middle rail and slides in the middle rail space. The retrieving unit is assembled on one end of the outer rail space. |
| US08118377B2 |
Computer enclosure
A computer enclosure includes a chassis, a cover detachably mounted to the chassis, and a rotary member pivotably attached to the cover. The chassis includes at least one assembly slot defined therein. A sliding member is slidably installed in the cover. At least one hook is formed on the sliding member and engaged in the assembly slot of the chassis. The rotary member is capable of being rotated to drive the sliding member to slide in the cover, thereby disengaging the hook from the assembly slot. |
| US08118373B2 |
Method and system to increase electric brake clamping force accuracy
The method and system for increasing accuracy of clamping force of electric aircraft carbon brakes, once braking has been commenced, provides a first pair of electric brake actuators with a range of low brake clamping force responsive to low brake clamping force commands, and a second pair of electric brake actuators with a range of high brake clamping force responsive to high brake clamping force commands. The first pair of electric brake actuators is actuated to apply a minimum residual braking force once wheel braking is commenced, and the second pair of electric brake actuators is actuated only when the commanded braking force is in the high range of brake clamping force. |
| US08118370B2 |
Milling head and method for machining pile heads
The milling head which serves for the machining of the head of a pile consisting of a pile core, a pile shaft and a metal reinforcement lying therebetween comprises a coupling device that can be connected to a drive shaft and a plurality of picks that are used to remove concrete. According to the invention a central milling cutter provided with a plurality of central picks and an annular milling cutter provided with a plurality of annular picks are fixedly coupled with each other and arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. The central picks are arranged within a central circular ring and the annular picks, separated by a middle circular ring, are arranged in an outer circular ring whereby the circular rings lie at least approximately perpendicular to and concentric with the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. It is possible with the method according to the invention and the milling head to remove the pile core and the pile shaft simultaneously without the reinforcement of the pile lying in the middle circle being damaged. |
| US08118369B2 |
Milling drum for a construction machine, construction machine as well as gearbox unit for a milling drum
In a milling drum (2) for a construction machine, in particular a road milling machine (1) or a recycler, with an interchangeable milling tube (4) arranged coaxially to the axis (20) of the milling drum, where the milling tube (4) is supported, by means of a support ring (8), on a support ring mount (12) of a rotating body coupled to a milling drum drive (16), it is provided that the support ring (8) and the support ring mount (12) of the rotating body display several complementary supporting surfaces (22, 24) arranged coaxially to the axis (20) of the milling drum, where the said supporting surfaces (22, 24) have different supporting circle diameters and are arranged behind one another axially with their diameters decreasing incrementally in the pulling direction. |
| US08118367B2 |
Multi-load floor smartfold hybrid
A seat support system for supporting a seat in a manner that ameliorates or eliminates load applied to a driving mechanism. The system may be configured to support a seat back when the seat back in pivoted upwardly and downwardly relative to a seat bottom. The support system may create a load-bearing link between a non-driven component on the seat back and an anchor. |
| US08118366B2 |
Chair (variants)
The device is embodied in four variants. The home chair comprises a three-dimensional frame with a seat pivotally connected thereto in such a way that it is tiltable forward and up-and-down, a seat arresting device, a smooth displacement compensator, a reset mechanism embodied in the form of an oil-gas damper and a backrest, the tilt angle with respect to the seat is less than 90° and the distance between the top edge and the seat is less than 250 mm. The school variant is provided with a smooth displacement compensator and a reset mechanism embodied in the form of a spring. The child variant is adjustable in the vertical and horizontal planes, thereby making it possible to select the optimal sitting parameters of a child during the growth thereof, and comprises a seat provided with a tilt angle adjusting unit, a smooth displacement compensator and a reset mechanism. |
| US08118361B2 |
Seat assembly for a vehicle
A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a seat bottom and a seatback. The seatback includes a seatback frame and is selectively rotatable relative to the seat bottom from an upright position to a forward position. A seatbelt assembly includes a retractor coupled to the seatback frame and a belt selectively extendable from and retractable to the retractor. A first end of the belt is disposed in the retractor. A guide is coupled to the seatback frame and defines an orifice with the belt slideably extending through the orifice. The retractor and the guide are fixed relative to the seatback frame and the second end of the belt is fixed to the seatback frame. The retractor, the guide, and both ends of the belt rotate from the upright position to the forward position in response to a force exerted on the seatback frame during rapid deceleration of the seat assembly. |
| US08118357B2 |
Frame structure of sunroof apparatus
A frame structure of a sunroof apparatus includes a pair of guide rails provided, respectively, on both sides in a width direction of an opening of a vehicle and guiding a movement of a sunroof panel; a frame including a drain extended across the direction and connecting ends of the rails; sliders sliding in the rails, respectively; a drive device installed at the frame and making the sliders slide; cables connecting the sliders and the device and routed so as to cross above the drain; guide pipes covering the cables; and guide pipe grooves depressingly provided at the frame and where the guide pipes are arranged, respectively, wherein protrusion portions protruding outside from outer peripheries of the pipes are provided, and wherein engagement portions where the protrusion portions are engaged are formed in the grooves. |
| US08118355B2 |
Vehicular side body structure
Outer side sill member includes an upper wall section slanting upward in a horizontal, outer-to-inner direction, and a lower wall section slanting downward in the horizontal, outer-to-inner direction. At least one of upper and lower wall sections of the outer side sill member has a channel-shaped bead extending along the side sill, so that the side sill has a polygonal closed sectional shape extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The bead has a bottom portion having a width greater than a vertical dimension in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the bottom portion. Each of bulkheads, partitioning the interior of the side sill, is fixedly joined to the outer side sill member with its recessed edge portion substantially fittingly engaging with the bottom portion of the depressed wall portion of the outer side sill member. |
| US08118351B2 |
Motor vehicle front-end panel comprising a structural frame and a bumper
Such a distribution of the ribs 52 makes it possible to determine the behavior of the bumper under impact. In particular, the behavior of the bumper 4 varies depending on the point of impact on said bumper 4 upon collision. The bumper 4 according to the invention makes it possible to satisfy pedestrian impact standards, which are becoming ever more stringent. In particular, in the case of a pedestrian impact, provision must be made for deceleration of the pedestrian's knee, irrespective of the point of impact of the knee. |
| US08118346B2 |
Support mount for an impact absorbing system intended to be mounted at the end of a motor vehicle side member
The supporting piece is intended to be mounted at the end of a motor vehicle side member, this side member including, in the continuation thereof, a plate for mounting a transverse impact beam. The supporting piece includes a bearing surface for an absorber positioned in front of this bearing surface, the bearing surface being arranged in such a way as to extend under the mounting plate and substantially parallel thereto when the supporting piece is mounted at the end of the side member. The supporting piece is shaped in such a way that it does not deform irreversibly when the vehicle suffers an insurance impact. |
| US08118343B2 |
Stowable roof configuration for a convertible
A stowable roof configuration for a convertible has a main link with at least two arms and is able to move about a main bearing and, a main roof element, which is connected to the main link by first joints. At least one additional roof element is disposed behind the main roof element in a closed position of the roof configuration and is connected to the main link by or in second joints. A connecting rod system is provided for connecting to the additional roof element. The connecting rod system and the additional roof element along with the main link form an at least five-member coupler mechanism, in which the second joints for the additional roof element lie between the main bearing and the first joints. |
| US08118342B2 |
Lock apparatus of seat for vehicle
A lock apparatus of a seat for a vehicle includes a striker, a first plate including a first plate groove portion, a second plate including a second plate groove portion, plural fixing portions provided at the first and second plates, a hook member being pivotable between a lock release position and a lock position and including a hook groove portion with and from which the striker is engageable and releasable, a pawl member engageable with and releasable from the hook member, a biasing member biasing the hook member and the pawl member, and plural connecting portions provided at the first and second plates for connecting the first and second plates. The connecting portions are located at an area defined between the fixing portions and one side portion of the first and second plates opposite to another side portion at which the first and second plate groove portions are formed. |
| US08118341B2 |
Rear floor structure in vehicle body rear part
A rear floor structure in a vehicle body rear part has a spare tire placing panel having an inclined surface inclined downward toward the vehicle front provided above a rear floor, and a spare tire tiltingly mounted on the spare tire placing panel. In the rear floor structure, in an intermediate portion in the front and rear direction of the spare tire placing panel, a convex part directed upward is provided so as to extend along the vehicle width direction; between the rear floor and the spare tire placing panel in the vertical direction, a space for disposing a jack, being a rigid member, is formed; and on the vehicle front side of the axis center of the jack on the rear floor, a projecting part extending in the vehicle width direction is provided. |
| US08118340B2 |
Remotely-operated rope-threading tool
A tool for threading a rope through a distant eye or around an object out of reach, such as for elevating tarps into trees, or placing fall protection lines, or securing a distant object. The tool has two curved arms that extend out from the body in unison and converge at a point where the end of the rope is passed from one arm to the other. The arms are then retracted back into the body, pulling the rope through the eye or around the object. The arms are extended by pulling one control line and retracted by pulling a second control line. The tool is typically mounted on the end of a pole, although other mountings are possible. The shape of the tool enables ropes to be threaded through a large number of eye configurations and around objects of varying sizes, even if there are obstructions adjacent the eye. |
| US08118335B2 |
Cover latch mechanism and portable electronic device using same
A cover latching mechanism (100) used in a portable electronic device is described including a latching base (20), a cover member (10), a latching member (40), and a releasing member (30). The cover member has a latching protrusion (14) arranged on it. The latching member is used to latch the cover member to the latching base and defines a latch space (464) and a release space (462). The cover member can be latched to the latching base by latching the latching protrusion into the latch space, and then be released from the latching base by the releasing member engaging into the release space. |
| US08118333B2 |
Lock device
The invention discloses a lock device. The lock device is used for detachably mounting a cover on a base. A recess is formed on the cover. A first hole is formed on the bottom of the recess, and a first retainer is extended out of the bottom of the recess. The lock device includes a first sliding member, a first elastomer, and a second sliding member. A column which is capable of passing through the first hole is formed on the first sliding member. A second retainer which is used for the first retainer to lock is formed on the second sliding member. When the first sliding member slides toward the base along a first axle, the column pushes the second retainer to make the second sliding member slide toward a second axle, so as to make the second retainer separate from the first retainer. |
| US08118332B2 |
Latch device
A latch device including a latch strike retention assembly adapted for press-fit insertion into a panel opening and retention within the panel opening upon melting of any plastic components. The latch strike retention assembly includes a generally “U” shaped spring member having spring legs operatively connected to bushings arranged in converging opposing relation to one another and adapted to engage and retain a strike member disposed in opposing relation to the strike retention assembly. The spring member is held within a bracket member of substantially “U” shaped cross section. The bracket member is disposed in transverse orientation to the spring member. |
| US08118329B2 |
Fender flares and vehicles with fender flares
Fender flares are disclosed for attachment to a vehicle having a mud flap and a wheel well that generally defines a volume. Vehicles that include fender flares are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a fender flare includes a body having a first surface and a second surface that together define a mud-flap channel that is adapted to receive the mud flap of a corresponding vehicle. In some embodiments, a fender flare includes a body that is configured to support more than one side of the mud flap of a corresponding vehicle. In some embodiments, a fender flare includes an inner portion extending from an outer portion, with the inner portion having a first surface adapted to support a front side of a mud flap, and with the outer portion having a second surface adapted to support a rear side of a mud flap. |
| US08118326B2 |
Toolless quick detach weight system
Coupling systems and methods enable adjustable utilization of counterweights and other components on vehicles, such as riding lawn mowers. A mounting bracket and pivoting locking plate are operable to releasably secure a component, such as a counterweight, to a vehicle without the use of tools. Responsive to insertion of the component into the mounting bracket, the locking plate pivots to secure the mounting bracket to the vehicle. |
| US08118319B2 |
Twisted structure for a skateboard
A twisted structure for a skateboard includes a first board member having a first groove defined therein and extending therearound. A second board member is connected with the first board member. The second board member has a second groove defined therein and extending therearound. An elastic band is stretchably received in the first groove and the second groove. The elastic band encloses the first board member and the second board member for connecting the first board member with the second board member. Accordingly, the first board member is pivotally twisted related to the second board member by the elastic band. |
| US08118318B1 |
Hand cart for fuel transport and refueling
A fixture is disclosed for holding a container therein and for allowing rotation of the container for dispensing a fluid therefrom. The fixture can be mounted to a hand cart for transport of the container and for tilting the container so that the liquid can be dispensed therefrom. The tray can be pivotally mounted such that when pivoted and released, the tray automatically returns to a rest position. |
| US08118316B2 |
Operational methods for a road-building machine
A method of operating a road-building machine involves a machine having a chassis with four ground engaging supports and four working cylinders connecting the ground engaging supports to the chassis. A height of the left front and right rear ground engaging supports is adjusted in a first direction. The height of the right front and left rear ground engaging supports is adjusted in a second direction opposite the first direction. |
| US08118314B2 |
Switchable stabilizer device
The invention relates to a switchable stabilizer device for the axle of a motor vehicle. Herein, the actuating device comprises a roll stabilizer and an actuatorically switchable coupling device (6) with two clutch devices (7, 8) and a locking sleeve (9).According to the present invention, the stabilizer device is characterized by a shifting device for shifting the locking sleeve (9) by means of mechanical power transmission. Herein, the shifting device has a servo-electric transmission drive element (4).The present invention provides a robust and compact switchable roll stabilizer, which can be produced cost-efficiently. At the same time, the present invention allows for the actuatoric support of the opening movement as well as the locking movement of the stabilizer coupling with very short shifting times.The switchable stabilizer according to the present invention is suitable for motor vehicles, for example, which are employed off-road as well as on the road. Due to the extremely short shifting times of the stabilizer coupling, the stabilizer device according to the present invention may be used furthermore for an active running gear to support the vehicle dynamics in real time. |
| US08118312B2 |
Quick change centering tool holder
A tool-holding system for centering a cutting tool to be utilized by a machine is disclosed herein. The tool-holding system includes a housing defining a tapered recess to be provided to the machine for receiving at least a portion of the tool, a first alignment portion provided to the housing, and an adaptor including a tapered shank that is to be received within the tapered recess defined by the housing. The adaptor includes an aperture formed in the adaptor for receiving a proximate end of the tool and a tool fastener for securing the proximate end of the tool within the aperture at a predetermined angular orientation therein. A second alignment portion is provided to the adaptor to cooperate with the first alignment portion to establish a predetermined angular orientation of the adaptor relative to the housing while the shank of the adaptor is at least partially inserted into the tapered recess. A fastener is also provided for securing the adaptor within the tapered recess of the housing. |
| US08118311B2 |
Clamping device
The invention relates to a clamping device with a base body (2) which comprises a central receptacle (5) for a component or tool to be clamped, in the base body (2) at least one groove (6) being formed which is open to a face side of the base body (2), and with at least one clamping wedge (9b) which can be pressed axially into the groove (6) from the open face side of the latter to radially deform an inner wall section (7) lying between the groove (6) and the receptacle, which is characterized in that the wall (10) which defines the groove (6) on the outside is designed to be elastic over at least an axial partial section such that it is elastically deformed to the outside when the at least one clamping wedge (9b) is pressed into the groove (6). |
| US08118310B2 |
Brush seals
A brush seal including a bristle pack mounted in a holder, and having a free end for sealing with a member, a front plate for lying on a high pressure side of the seal and extending part way along the length of the bristle pack to a free end being spaced from the bristle pack characterized in that the front plate is formed for or carries a formation for reducing the influence of swirling fluid on the high pressure side on the bristle pack. |
| US08118308B2 |
Board game
A board game and methods for playing the same are disclosed. The board game can include a playing surface having a plurality of playing spaces, and a plurality of playing pieces that comprise at least first and second player playing pieces, wherein each playing piece is assigned a numerical value, and wherein the numerical value corresponds to: a movement value, wherein the movement value corresponds to the number of playing spaces that each playing piece can move on the playing surface; and a challenge value, wherein the challenge value corresponds to a challenge between a first player playing piece and a second player playing piece, wherein the second player playing piece can be removed from the playing surface when the first player playing piece has an equal or greater challenge value then the second player playing piece and when the first player playing piece is moved into the second player playing piece's playing space. |
| US08118306B2 |
Therapy games
The present invention includes at least one magnet attractant dry erase type board, a game board that may be rolled up for easy storage, and a unique game piece containing a hollow substantially transparent body with a top end and bottom end. The game piece may comprise a cap that attaches to the top end of the game piece body and a magnet that attaches to the bottom end of the game piece body. An image paper can be rolled up and placed inside the game piece body. This image paper may change the appearance of the game piece depending on the printing on the image paper. |
| US08118304B1 |
Stopping device and multi-function peripheral using the same
A stopping device and a multi-function peripheral (MFP) using the same are provided. The stopping device disposed in a track having a recess includes a driving unit, a forcing unit, a first restricting point, a second restricting point, a rotating unit, and a stopping unit. The forcing unit has a pivoting portion pivoted with the driving unit and a forcing portion. The forcing portion is located between the first restricting point and the second restricting point aligned in a perpendicular direction. The rotating unit has a rotating axle, and a first end and a second end located at two opposite sides of the rotating axle. The forcing portion of the forcing unit contacts the first end. The stopping unit has a third end and a fourth end. The third end has an opening, through which the second end of the rotating unit passes. |
| US08118300B2 |
Sheet feed mechanism
A sheet feed mechanism includes a chassis for supporting a stack of sheets; a top sheet engaging member for engaging a top most sheet of the stack; a stack engaging structure, a first end of the stack engaging structure engaging the stack of sheets to bias a top most sheet of the stack of sheets against the top sheet engaging member, the stack engaging structure being supported from the chassis by a resilient member; a friction surface extending perpendicularly from a second end of the stack engaging structure opposite to the first end; a lock mechanism having a lock arm hingedly connected to the chassis, the lock mechanism including a biased contact foot for engaging the friction surface to retard a rectilinear movement of the stack engaging structure; and an actuator for engaging and disengaging the contact foot from the friction surface. |
| US08118298B2 |
Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus
A sheet feeding device includes a holding unit configured to hold a stack of sheets; a pickup roller, which feeds a sheet placed on top of the stack held in the holding unit when the pickup roller comes in contact with the sheet; a holder arm having a distal end to which the pickup roller is attached, wherein the holder arm has a swing center set at a position closer to the pickup roller side than the holding unit, and wherein the distal end of the holder arm extends from the swing center to the holding unit side; and a resiliently-deformable unit, which generates a swing moment to swing the holder arm to increases contact surface pressure between the sheet held in the holding unit and the pickup roller, wherein the swing moment increases as a contact angle between an extension direction of the holder arm and the sheet increases. |
| US08118297B2 |
Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus with side surface air mechanism
A sheet feeding unit includes a side warm-air mechanism that blows air toward a side surface of a sheet stack S from a warm-air outlet. The sheet feeding unit controls the lift mechanism so as to perform a sheet separating operation every time a predetermined number of sheets P are fed during a continuous sheet feeding operation. |
| US08118293B1 |
Multi-axis cylinder manipulator
An apparatus and method for both rotating a cylinder about its center axis and translating the cylinder linearly along the same axis. The invention is suitable for X-raying rockets and other cylindrical objects. Multi-axis movement is accomplished by two sets of rollers: rotational and translational. The translational roller set is held in a retracted and unengaged position while the cylinder rests on the rotational roller set. Movement about the axis of the rotational roller set is allowed. When the translational roller set is engaged with the cylinder, the cylinder is disengaged from the rotational roller set, and movement about the axis is not allowed, but linear movement is allowed. The action may be reversed and repeated. The rollers or the cylinder may be powered by motor or manual device. |
| US08118289B2 |
Impact-attenuation systems for articles of footwear and other foot-receiving devices
Impact-attenuation members, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving devices, include: (a) a first body member having a base region and three (or more) leg portions extending from the base region. A second body member, with similar leg portions, may be arranged facing the first member such that the free ends of the various leg portions lie adjacent one another. A retaining member may extend between and/or at least partially around the body members to at least partially hold them in place with respect to one another. Such impact-attenuation systems may be arranged in the heel (or other portions) of an article of footwear. |
| US08118282B2 |
Method and device for installing cable into cable guide tubing
Disclosed is an improved method and apparatus for installing a cable into cable guide tubing and the like. The method typically includes rotating a reel of cable guide tubing at least 360° while, using compressed gas, feeding a cable, such as a plurality of microducts, into the cable guide tubing. The related apparatus includes a cable injection unit and a rotation coupling unit to facilitate the installation of cable (e.g., microducts) into the rotating cable guide tubing. |
| US08118279B2 |
Illuminative jack
An illuminative jack is provided, having a plurality of lights recessed within a top plate to provide illumination directed to a lifting location. The jack includes transparent material positioned disposed below the contact surface of the top plate and disposed above the plurality of lights to protect the lights, while allowing light to emanate on the lifting location. |
| US08118278B2 |
Aseptic flow control valve with outside diameter valve closure
An aseptic diaphragm valve in which a valve seat (37) is formed by a groove including a concave surface of engagement that positioned along an outer diameter of an upper end of an inlet tube (32), and a resilient valve member portion (41) that is annular in extent with a convex surface that moves into the groove to contact the concave surface (37) around the outer diameter of the inlet tube (32) to close the valve. The valve member portion (41) has at least a coating of polytetrafluoroethylene (47) or equivalent material. |
| US08118273B2 |
Display and television set
In a display, a housing is formed rotatably in an anteroposterior direction with respect to a base member about a rotation center provided above a bottom of the housing, and a projecting portion and a recess portion are so formed as to substantially block up a horizontal clearance formed between the housing and the base member in an anteroposterior rotational range of the housing. |
| US08118262B2 |
Hybrid parachute
A hybrid parachute, method of deploying a parachute and method of landing a payload. The hybrid parachute utilizes a reefing system that provides for the initial deployment of a deceleration stage that is configured to withstand the stresses of high-speed and/or high altitude openings. The deceleration stage has operating characteristics similar to known high-speed parachutes. After sufficient deceleration has been achieved with the deceleration stage, reefings are released deploying one or more low-speed high drag stages of the device. The high drag stage(s) provide the landing characteristics of a low-speed parachute, including the possibility of controlled descent and landing. |
| US08118261B1 |
Drogue deploying/retrieval method
An in-flight refueling method may include deploying a fueling hose from a refueling aircraft. The fueling hose may have a drogue. The deployment of the fueling hose may include extending the drogue using a telescoping arm having a ring. The deployment of the fueling hose may also include passing the fueling hose through the ring to deploy the fueling hose. The in-flight refueling method may further include retrieving the fueling hose by drawing the drogue into a wire pitch mounted on the ring and collapsing the drogue in response to drawing the drogue into the wire pitch. |
| US08118260B2 |
Fitting for trimming a horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft
A fitting for trimming the horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft, made of composite material, the fitting including side walls of a torsion box as well as joining elements which join the fitting to the frames of the tail fuselage of the aircraft, the side walls being joined together by a central element which includes a first end part joined to the first side wall of the fitting, a second end part joined to the second side wall of the fitting and a central part which joins together the end parts, the fitting includes end elements which are joined to the side walls on their outer face, the fitting having, owing to its greater rigidity in response to side load and vertical load stresses which tend to close the side walls, its greater integration and the simplicity of the load path, an optimum structural behavior in response to the aircraft stresses. |
| US08118258B2 |
Separation element for attenuating the propagation of light in an aircraft
The invention relates to a separation element for separating a first space from a second space in an aircraft. The separation element can be affixed between a ceiling region of the cabin, a hatrack in the ceiling region of the cabin, and between a movable space separation device. Furthermore, as a result of attachment between the ceiling region, the hatrack and the movable space separation device, the separation element is connectable in a lightproof manner to the ceiling region, and in a lightproof manner to the hatrack. Furthermore, the separation element is designed in such a manner that it is connectable in a lightproof manner to the movable space separation device. |
| US08118255B1 |
Vehicle energy absorption
The present disclosure includes various apparatus, system, and method embodiments for vehicle energy absorption. One embodiment includes an inflatable structure for impact of a vehicle thereon and one or more cords coupled to one or more deflation vents on the inflatable structure, where at least one of the one or more cords is an activation mechanism to activate the deflation vent upon impact of the vehicle. |
| US08118249B2 |
Webbing winder
In a webbing winder, when a webbing belt is wound around a spool, a V gear is rotated in a winding direction together with a W pawl, a friction spring, and a contact member, thereby generating a frictional force between the contact member and a sensor holder. As a consequence, the friction spring and the contact member are located at a restriction position, so that the friction spring engages with an engaging surface of the W pawl. Therefore, even if the spool and the V gear are rapidly and slightly rotated in a withdrawal direction in reaction when the webbing belt is completely wound by the spool, the W pawl cannot mesh with a ratchet gear formed at the sensor holder due to the restriction of oscillation of the W pawl, thus preventing any end lock. |
| US08118247B2 |
Agitator ball mill
An agitator ball mill for finely grinding or dispersing material has a cylindrical or conical grinding chamber for accommodating grinding bodies and for accommodating the material which is to be ground or dispersed. It also has an inlet, which is arranged at one end of the grinding chamber, an agitator, which extends in the axial direction into the grinding chamber and has agitating means, and a product outlet for the ground or dispersed material, the product outlet being arranged at the other end of the grinding chamber. Arranged in a central region at the outlet end of the grinding chamber is a gas outlet through which gaseous components, but not grinding bodies, can be discharged out of the grinding chamber. |
| US08118245B2 |
Self-contained shredder assembly for reducing and sizing material
A shredder having a sizing chamber and a reducing chamber for sizing and reducing material. |
| US08118242B2 |
Wash arm retainer for warewasher
A wash arm retainer for a warewasher having at least one wash arm with a plurality of nozzles and being in fluid communication with an adapter for receiving a flow of fluid, includes a housing defining a through bore and having a first end and a second end, a cam surface formed in the housing and having a clamping position and a release position, and a cap rod slidably disposed in the through bore and provided with an actuator handle projecting from the rod and constructed and arranged for following the cam surface. |
| US08118241B2 |
Surface cleaner system
A surface cleaner system includes a base assembly having a housing movable along a surface, a pump supported by the housing and operable to pressurize a fluid, and a prime mover supported by the housing. The prime mover is coupled to the pump to drive the pump. The surface cleaner system also includes a spray assembly coupled to the housing. The spray assembly is operable to discharge fluid from the pump toward the surface. The surface cleaner system further includes a spray gun in fluid communication with the pump to receive pressurized fluid from the pump. The spray gun includes an outlet portion that is connectable to the base assembly to direct the pressurized fluid from the pump into the spray assembly. When the outlet portion is disconnected from the base assembly, the spray gun discharges the pressurized fluid from the pump toward the surface without directing the pressurized fluid into the spray assembly. |
| US08118236B2 |
Basement ventilator
A basement ventilator for use in a building to reduce basement humidity and increase basement air circulation, the basement ventilator includes a household inlet duct for receiving and ducting household air of the building; an interior exhaust vent in communication with the household inlet duct for venting the household air into the basement; a basement air inlet duct for receiving humid air from a lower region of the basement of the building; an exterior exhaust vent in communication with the basement air inlet duct and the outside of the building for venting the humid air from the basement of the building to the outside; and a fan device in communication with the household inlet duct, the interior exhaust vent, the basement air inlet duct and the exterior exhaust vent for drawing household air into the household inlet duct and exhausting the household air into the basement through the interior exhaust vent and for drawing air from the lower region of the basement into the basement air inlet duct and exhausting it to the outside of the building via the exterior exhaust vent. |
| US08118235B2 |
Coding pattern comprising reed-solomon codewords encoded by mixed multi-pulse position modulation
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of macrodots encoding Reed-Solomon codewords. Each codeword is comprised of Reed-Solomon data symbols and Reed-Solomon redundancy symbols. The coding pattern encodes the symbols using mixed multi-pulse position modulation, with a higher number of symbol values available for redundancy symbols than data symbols. |
| US08118232B2 |
Manufacturing method of prducts attached with RFID label in a mold
A manufacturing method of products attached with a RFID label in a mold includes a first step of forming a thin substratum by injecting molding, pushing molding, vacuum molding, blowing molding or sword molding in a first mold, a second step of making a substratum label composed of the substratum and an RFID label adhered with the substratum, and a third step of placing the substratum label in a second mold, in which a plastic product is to be formed and also to be attached with the substratum label inside the product during molding process. The RFID cannot be broken or damaged to always maintain its capacity to be identified, with the plastic product enhanced in its value. |
| US08118231B2 |
Security structure and article incorporating such a structure
A security structure intended to be incorporated or fastened, at least partially, in or on an article, for example a security document and/or a document of value, includes at least one first fluorescent zone capable of emitting by fluorescence, under a predefined illumination condition, visible light of a first color; and at least one second fluorescent zone capable of emitting by fluorescence, under the predefined illumination condition, visible light of a second color that differs from the first, the first and second fluorescent zones being observable from the respective opposed faces of the structure. |
| US08118228B2 |
Laser scanner output window
A laser scanner for reading symbology, such as barcodes. The laser scanner includes a housing, a laser source or generator disposed in the housing and operative to generate a laser beam, and an output window supported by housing and being positioned to receive the laser beam incident thereon. The window is operative to transmit the laser beam therethrough at a symbology target. In one embodiment, the window includes a vertical wedge angle between front and rear surfaces of the window that is oriented substantially in alignment with a vertical axis defined by the window. The vertical wedge angle is preferably oriented perpendicular to a horizontally-extending scanning line of the laser beam on the window. In one embodiment, the vertical wedge angle is substantially the same along the entire length or width of the window. |
| US08118220B2 |
Verifying cardholder identity using signature of the card
Methods, systems, and apparatus for verifying the identity of a cardholder are provided. A digital representation of a magnetic characteristic of a magnetic stripe of the card is stored on a portable electronic device of the cardholder. During a transaction, the digital signature is then transmitted so that it can be compared with a reference signature. The identity may be verified, and a response sent to a party requesting the verification, e.g., during a transaction between the requesting party and the verified party. |
| US08118219B2 |
System and method for processing expiration dates for prepaid cards
A prepaid card processing system is operable for processing customized expiration dates of prepaid cards. The prepaid card processing system includes a database for storing program expiration parameters associated with an issuer prepaid card program; a set of card accounts created under the issuer prepaid card program, wherein each card account has an expiration date for a prepaid card associated with the card account; and one or more customized expiration parameters for the set of card accounts. The prepaid card processing system is operable to determine the expiration date for the prepaid card associated with the card account based on the program expiration parameters and the customized expiration parameters for the set of card accounts. |
| US08118216B2 |
Method and system for discovering significant subsets in collection of documents
A method (and system) of discovering a significant subset in a collection of documents, includes identifying a set of documents from a plurality of documents based on a likelihood that documents in the set of documents carries an instance of information that is characteristic to the documents in the set of documents. |
| US08118212B2 |
Carton with dispenser
A package includes an article group formed of cylindrical articles disposed on their sides in a side-by-side parallel fashion, and a carton disposed around the group. The carton includes a top wall, opposed side walls, end walls and an article dispenser. The side walls are disposed alongside the ends of the articles while one end wall is disposed adjacent to the side wall of an endmost article. The dispenser is formed from the end and top walls and includes at least one retaining panel to hold all the articles in the carton until removed by the user. |
| US08118210B2 |
Methods and apparatus for applying metallic cladding to interior surfaces of pipe elbows
An apparatus for applying a helical cladding bead to the interior surface of a pipe elbow has a rotor mounted to an elbow carriage so as to be rotatable about a primary axis. The elbow carriage is longitudinally movable parallel to the rotor's rotational axis. A radially-movable elbow collar is mounted to the rotor, and has means for mounting a first end of a pipe elbow. The second end of the elbow passes through a stationary frame with centering means for keeping the elbow's curved centerline tangential to the primary axis. A weld arm, extending from a weld arm carriage into the second end of the elbow, is sinuously configured so that it will not interfere with the elbow. The weld arm is rotatable about the primary axis in coordination with the rotor. A weld head is mounted at the extending end of the weld arm so as to remain spatially fixed regardless of rotation of the weld arm. An integrated drive mechanism rotates the rotor, moves the elbow carriage longitudinally, moves the elbow cradle radially, and rotates the weld arm in synchronization with the rotor, all in a coordinated fashion such that the elbow's center of rotation orbits around the primary axis in a plane perpendicular thereto. The elbow moves through the stationary frame at an average rate equal to one weld bead width per rotation, thus resulting in the deposition of a continuous helical weld bead cladding the interior surfaces of the elbow. |
| US08118209B2 |
Ultrasonic welding apparatus and ultrasonic welding method
An ultrasonic welding apparatus 1 includes an anvil equipped with a terminal clamp 3 for disposing an electrical contact part 31 connected to an electronic device and a core wire weld part 32 which ranges to the electrical contact part 31 and stacks a core wire 21 constructed by bundling plural strands, and a chip 7 which is disposed in a position opposed to the anvil and mutually welds the core wire to the terminal clamp by applying ultrasonic vibration in a state of pinching the core wire 21 and the terminal clamp 3 between the anvil and the chip and pressurizing the core wire and the terminal clamp in a direction of approaching each other. The ultrasonic welding apparatus 1 includes a core wire protrusion prevention wall 5 which is disposed in a position close to a terminal of the core wire 21 and prevents the terminal of the core wire 21 from moving to a place overlapping with the electrical contact part 31. |
| US08118206B2 |
Sensing adjunct for surgical staplers
A device and method in accordance with the invention for generating a signal indicative of a property of a subject tissue in contact with the working surface of a surgical instrument. The invention describes a sensing adjunct to surgical staplers. The adjunct can take the form of an optionally coupled accessory to a surgical stapler, or a stand-alone substitutive component acting to serve as a replacement for a component of the surgical stapler such as an anvil, housing or cartridge. Embodiments include a sensing anvil serving to act in place of a non-sensing surgical stapler anvil to monitor tissue properties of an anastomosis for the purpose of avoiding anastomotic failure. |
| US08118205B2 |
Fastening device
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a fastening device such as, for example, a forward acting stapler, is provided that includes a manually operable latch in order to store the built up potential energy that results from depressing the handle of the fastening device. Upon actuation of the latch, the plunger within the fastening device is released, thereby converting the stored energy of an internal compression spring into kinetic energy and ejecting a fastener (such as, for example, staples, nails or other types of fasteners) from the staple chamber to fasten an object. |
| US08118204B2 |
Portable fastening tool
To provide a compact portable fastening tool which can be easily pushed at its handle portion onto a punched side, even in case a magazine is attached at an inclination with respect to the horizon, so that it can be easily used even in a narrow place. An electric fastening tool 1 comprises: a housing 2 having a handle portion 2B formed to extend from a trunk portion 2A; an ejection unit attached to the lower portion of the housing 2; a magazine 5 attached to the ejection unit; a motor housed in the housing 2; a battery pack 3 for driving the motor; a flywheel rotationally driven by the motor; a follower shaft selectively rotated by the kinetic energy of the flywheel; and a plunger adapted to be linearly moved in the housing 2 by the rotation of the follower shaft thereby to drive the nail fed into the ejection unit. The magazine 5 is so attached that it is inclined in a side view with respect to the trunk portion 2A of the housing 2 and that it is inclined in a bottom view with respect to the handle portion 2B of the housing 2. |
| US08118203B2 |
Hammer-drive powder-actuated tool
A hammer-drive powder-actuated tool includes a hollow tool body extending along a front-to-rear direction, and a firing device disposed within a rear end portion of the tool body. The firing device includes a pin holder having a through hole extending along the front-to-rear direction, and a firing pin movable forwardly and rearwardly relative to the pin holder. The pin has a firing end portion that is disposed at a front end thereof and that extends into the through hole in the pin holder, and a central axis aligned with that of a rimfire cartridge along the front-to-rear direction. A front end of the firing end portion of the firing pin has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the annular primer and smaller than the outer diameter of the annular primer. |
| US08118199B2 |
Disposable dispenser
A collapsible dispenser for dispensing various edible and non-edible materials in an industrial or home environment. More particularly, the invention pertains to a foldable and generally pyramoidal-shaped dispenser particularly suited to dispensing granular, powdered or viscous liquid materials and includes a dispenser body having a dispensing end and an interior compartment for receiving and storing various materials. The dispenser body includes a foldable base that may be manually manipulated between a collapsed position closing and sealing a dispensing mechanism and an expanded position opening and unsealing the dispensing mechanism for use. |
| US08118196B2 |
Cartridge pistol with a cartridge holder
A cartridge gun is provided. The cartridge gun comprises a cartridge holder, a plurality of resilient gripping elements, a displaceable piston rod for moving a piston in a cartridge, and an actuating device for displacing the piston rod. The cartridge holder comprises a cylindrical base for receiving the floor region of the cartridge in which the gripping elements project radially outwardly from the center of the cartridge holder in the direction towards the housing into an annular groove of the base up to the outside wall of the annular groove in the base and are held in the center of the base by means of a hub. Means are further arranged at the front end of the piston rod which are designated to press the ends of the resilient gripping elements in the direction towards the housing when the piston rod is fully retracted, allowing the removal of the cartridge from the cartridge gun. |
| US08118188B2 |
Fastening clip and package using the same
An fastening clip includes a main body defining a through hole, a flange radially extending from the main body, a first clipping member hinged on the main body, a second clipping member hinged on the main body and comprising a first latching portion, and a latching mechanism extending from the first clipping member and comprising a second latching portion and a release tab. The clip has first and second positions. In the first position, the first and second clipping members extend out of the through hole, and the second latching portion can engage with the first latching portion. In the second position, the first and second clipping members are received in the through hole. When the release tab is operated, the release tab can engage the second clipping member to make the second latching portion disengage from the first latching portion. |
| US08118187B2 |
Lid for a cup-shaped receptacle
The present invention is directed to a lid (5) with a central lid portion (6) and with a peripheral clamping groove (7) formed between an outer groove wall (8) and an inner groove wall (9) for being clamped onto a beaded rim (4) of a cup-shaped receptacle (1). A constriction (10) is provided on at least a peripheral section of the outer groove wall (8), the constriction (10) forming a projection (14) into the interior of the groove (7), this projection (14) comprising a projecting tip (15), an upper wall (16) and a lower wall (17), and the projecting tip (15) defining a horizontal plane (H). The invention is characterized in that an angle (α) between the horizontal plane (H) and a tangential plane (T16)to the end of the upper wall (16) adjacent the projecting tip (15) is smaller than an angle (θ) between the horizontal plane (H) and a tangential plane (T17) to the end of the lower wall (17) adjacent the projecting tip (15). |
| US08118185B2 |
Container closures including a retaining flange and a cutter
A closure for a container comprises a circular closure plate (2, 4), integral with the outer edge of which is a depending skirt (8), integrally connected to the lower end of which by means of a resilient annular integral hinge (10) is an annular flange (12), which extends generally upwardly and inwardly. The closure also includes a cutter assembly which includes a cutting blade (38) and is mounted to rotate about the center of the closure plate (2, 4). The integral hinge (10) has a hole formed in it through which the cutting blade (38) extends. Rotation of the cutter assembly about the center of the closure plate thus results in cutting of the integral hinge (10) and thus in release of the closure plate (2, 4) and the depending skirt (8) from the annular flange (12). |
| US08118181B2 |
Rack assembly
An assembly shelf includes a post that includes two main post sections and a connection section that connects the main post sections a plurality of through-holes being formed in the connection section along a longitudinal direction, a pair of connection members, each of the pair of connection members including a first engagement section that engages the post, and a second engagement section that engages a shelf board member, and a shelf board member that includes a third engagement section that is formed approximately at each corner and engages the second engagement section, the pair of connection members and the shelf board member being positioned within the range that corresponds to half of the post in the lateral direction. |
| US08118178B2 |
Ratcheting rack-mount kit reinforcement mechanism for storage rack
A storage rack for supporting a server chassis in a storage cabinet. The storage rack includes front and rear vertical support members and one or more rack mount kits for slidably supporting one or more computing devices (e.g., servers). Each rack mount kit may include a pair of rail assemblies, each rail assembly including outer, middle and inner rail assemblies. The outer rail assembly may include first and second outer rail members that are slidable relative to each other and one or more locking mechanisms that may be operable to selectively limit sliding or translation of the first and second outer rail members relative to each other. In one arrangement, a locking mechanism may include a ratchet assembly that may allow the first and second outer rail members to slide in a first direction when the locking mechanism is engaged and in the first direction and an opposite second direction when the locking mechanism is released. |
| US08118175B2 |
Venting device for a disc filter
A filter device having a vent device for inhibiting formation of a vacuum in the filter device. The filter device includes a drum for receiving the liquid wherein the drum includes a drum headspace. The filter device also includes filter sets for filtering the liquid. The drum is rotated to enable cleaning of filter media. The filter device also includes a frame having spaced apart supports for supporting each of the filter sets. A fluid passageway extends between the supports, wherein the fluid passageway provides fluid communication between the tank headspace and a filter set to vent a filter set. |
| US08118174B2 |
Device for delivering bulk material stored in a supply container
A device for delivering bulk material consisting of individual products has a supply container for storing the bulk material of individual products, the supply container having a product outlet. A perforated plate is arranged downstream of the product outlet of the supply container on a base stand. The perforated plate serves to receive the individual products from the product outlet and to move them further in a transport direction while removing broken products and dust. A bulk material leveler formed as a leveler strip rotatable around a pivot axis is arranged downstream of the product outlet above the perforated plate. |
| US08118172B2 |
Shale shakers with cartridge screen assemblies
A screening apparatus for separating components of a material by vibratory separation which, in certain aspects, includes a vibratable box connected via vibration isolators within a container, the box including screening apparatus thereon or the vibratory separator having replaceable screening cartridges within a container. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). |
| US08118169B2 |
Retainer and substrate storage container provided with same retainer
When the position of a substrate is shifted, the substrate is made to return to an original position by enabling the position of the substrate to be controlled using an elastic piece which protrudes inside from a vertical direction part of a frame. Further, a coupling piece is provided extending in a vertical direction and having both ends thereof coupled to a horizontal direction part of the frame, and a protruding part protruding inside a substrate container is provided on the coupling piece. Then, this protruding part is configured to have an inclined face which is inclined in a direction intersecting the substrate and enabled to come into contact with the periphery of the substrate, and thereby this inclined face guides the substrate to reduce the friction of the substrate and to control the position of the substrate. |
| US08118165B2 |
Latching blank, sleeve and package
A blank of foldable material to form a sleeve having a recess and a latching mechanism openable and closable by a user. The sleeve can contain articles such as packets of consumer products to form a package. |
| US08118164B2 |
Product display assembly having increased stability
A product display assembly having an x-axis, y-axis, z-axis, x-y-plane, x-z-plane, and y-z plane. The product display assembly also having a base, a plurality of product packages having a product space, and a support stem. The support stem also has one or more hingedly attached flaps wherein the one or more flaps are foldable to extend beyond the product space. |
| US08118157B1 |
Firework launching platform apparatus
A firework launching platform apparatus includes a panel that has a top side, a bottom side and a peripheral edge. The panel has a plurality of apertures therein extending into the top side and outwardly of the bottom side. The apertures receive a body of a firework to support the firework in an upright manner. The apertures include primary apertures and secondary apertures. Each of the primary apertures is positioned adjacent to the peripheral edge of the panel. A plurality of channels is positioned in the bottom side of the panel. The channels each extend through the peripheral edge and into one of the primary apertures. Each of the primary apertures is linked by at least one of the channels to the peripheral edge. |
| US08118155B2 |
Panel sorting method and panel sorting device
In sorting workpieces by using a panel sorting device, a lateral movement amount of a cross shuttle is approximately half of a width W of the workpiece, which is remarkably smaller than that in a conventional device. Therefore, the workpieces can be efficiently transferred to the panel chute in a short cycle time, thereby improving the productivity of a press line. Further, since the workpieces are transferred to two lateral places adjacent to each other on the panel chute and the laterally adjacent workpieces are not unnecessarily separated from each other, the size of the panel chute can be reduced. This, along with the small movement amount of the cross shuttle, enables the whole panel sorting device to be reduced in size and the installation space for the panel sorting device to be also reduced. |
| US08118150B2 |
Management system for game arcade
The present invention is to provide a management system for a game arcade which does not decrease authenticity of money information, and is manageable without changing setting even if the number of a game machine is increased.A transmitting side includes money identification units, a slave processing unit connected to each money identification unit, and a slave wireless communication unit connected to each slave processing unit. A receiving side includes a master processing unit, and a master wireless communication unit connected to the master processing unit and communicating with the slave wireless communication unit. The system establishes a communication channel between the master wireless communication unit and the slave wireless communication unit, and the slave processing unit transmits the money information and the check information to the slave wireless communication unit. The system checks the authenticity of the check information corresponding to the received money information, and stores in the master processing unit the money information corresponding to the check information detected as a current money. |
| US08118147B2 |
Cable dispensing system
The cable dispensing system includes multiple parallel coils of flexible non-insulated cables separated by multiple parallel insulating discs. The insulating discs have hubs to which the inner portions of the coils are fixedly coupled. The insulating discs and coils are disposed within a housing, which is rotatably coupled to the multiple parallel insulating discs and fixedly coupled to each outer portion of the multiple coils. The cables comprising the coils are routed from the inner portions through tunnels, which extend through the insulating discs in paths parallel to the axis of the parallel insulating discs. When cords attached to the housing are extended, the coils become wound, creating an electrical short between adjacent loops of the spiral coil. The shorter conductive path reduces the amount of energy that is lost as heat. |
| US08118143B2 |
Centrifugal emergency brake
An emergency braking assembly that stops the rotation of a shaft in the event that the speed of the shaft exceeds a predetermined speed. The braking assembly includes a flanged mounting ring that is mounted to a housing where the shaft extends through the ring, and a braking ring threadably mounted to the mounting ring. An insert is mounted to the shaft within the braking ring. The braking assembly insert includes a pair of symmetrical weights that tend to move outward upon rotation of the shaft. Pins mounted to the weights and the insert prevent the weights form moving outward until the speed of the shaft exceeds the predetermined speed. A locking mechanism that locks the pin to the insert releases causing the pins to extend outside of the insert and engage stops mounted to an inside surface of the braking ring, which stops the shaft from rotating. |
| US08118142B2 |
Brake device, as well as brake carrier and brake caliper, for such brake
The invention relates to a brake device for vehicles, in particular for utility vehicles, with a mounting device attachable to a stationary part of the vehicle, whereby the mounting device, when viewed along the brake axis, consists of two end sections and a first connection section in-between.According to the invention it is provided that the first connection section has an opening for at least partial acceptance of a radial lug of the stationary part. |
| US08118139B2 |
Thermoelectric temperature control with convective air flow for cooling elevator components
Components of an elevator system are cooled using natural convective airflow in conjunction with thermoelectric heating and cooling. Rising air within the hoistway is funneled into a cold air duct (20) and a warm air duct (22). As air flows vertically upward through the cool air duct (20) and the warm air duct (22), a thermoelectric module (14) cools air in the cool air duct (20) and heats air in the warm air duct (22). The cool air stream in the cool air duct (20) is circulated past the elevator component (12), and is drawn upward into a common exhaust duct (28) by the faster flowing warm air stream in the warm air duct (22). |
| US08118138B2 |
Method for installing an elevator
A method for installing an elevator may include stopping an elevator car or partially completed elevator car in the upper part of an elevator shaft; rigging first portions of hoisting ropes between the car and diverting pulleys in the upper part of the shaft so that the first portions pass via the diverting pulleys in the upper part of the shaft and first diverting pulleys on the car; moving the car to the lower part of the shaft, while supplying ropes from rope reels to the first portions between the car and the diverting pulleys in the upper part of the shaft; and rigging second portions of the hoisting ropes between the car and diverting pulleys in the lower part of the shaft so that the second portions pass via the diverting pulleys in the lower part of the shaft and second diverting pulleys on the car. |
| US08118136B2 |
Laminated perforated acoustical foam
Prepare an acoustical polymeric foam by providing at least two initial polymeric foams, perforating all the way through the initial polymeric foams and then laminating the perforated initial foams together such that a perforated surface of one foam adheres to a perforated surface of an adjoining perforated initial foam. |
| US08118135B2 |
Photovoltaic soundproof wall
The present invention relates to a photovoltaic soundproof wall having a plurality of soundproof members each formed by surrounding the edge portions of two transparent sheets with a main frame and a plurality of posts adapted to mount the plurality of soundproof members therebetween, the photovoltaic soundproof wall including: a subframe disposed inside the main frame; a motor disposed inside the subframe for rotating a drive shaft rotatably mounted inside the subframe; a power transmission unit adapted to transmit the rotary force of the motor; a plurality of slats spaced apart from each other vertically between the two transparent sheets in such a manner as to be moved collectively by the power transmitted from the power transmission unit; and a plurality of solar cells attached to the top surface of each of the plurality of slats. |
| US08118131B2 |
Air bag system
An air bag system M1 is installed in a vehicle having front side doors 13 which are installed adjacent to the rear of front pillars 1 and which each have an outside rearview mirror 27. An air bag 42 includes a pillar covering portion 47 which is disposed to cover a front surface 1a of the front pillar 1 when it completes its inflation and a fitting cell portion 50 which is installed below the pillar covering portion 47 and which is disposed so that when it completes its inflation, a rear end side portion thereof fits in a space defined between the outside rearview mirror 27 and a lateral side of the vehicle on an upper surface side of the outside rearview mirror. The fitting cell portion 50 is connected to a lower edge side of the pillar covering portion 47 over substantially the whole area in a front-rear direction thereof. |
| US08118128B2 |
Canister-holding structure for supporting a cylindrical canister in a vehicle
A canister holding structure for mounting an evaporative emissions canister, having a cylindrical body portion, to a vehicle body. A central axis of the cylindrical body portion extends in a direction other than perpendicular to a ground surface. The canister holding structure includes a holding member, including an annular portion which substantially surrounds the cylindrical body portion of the canister, and a fixing portion for attaching to the vehicle body. Positioning structure is provided for positioning the canister in relation to the holding member. The positioning structure is provided to both the annular portion and the canister. In one illustrative embodiment, the positioning structure includes at least one projection provided on a periphery of the cylindrical body portion of the canister, and multiple holes provided in the annular portion of the holding member, where each of the multiple holes is engageable with the projection. |
| US08118127B2 |
Saddle-riding type vehicle
A motorcycle includes a head pipe that supports a steering shaft which is arranged to rotate freely, a body frame connected to the head pipe, and an engine supported by the body frame in a suspended state. The body frame includes a main frame that extends obliquely downward to the rear from the head pipe and a pair of left and right subframes that extend obliquely downward to the rear from the main frame. The engine includes a crankcase and a cylinder that extends obliquely upward to the front from the crankcase. The cylinder is supported by a rear end of the main frame. The crankcase is supported by portions in two places separated to the front and the rear in the respective subframes. |
| US08118125B2 |
Vehicle body floor structure
Vehicle body floor structure has a floor tunnel provided on a laterally central portion of a vehicle body floor panel and extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle body, a desired stored component being stored in the floor tunnel. The stored component has a passageway formed therein to extend in a width direction of the vehicle body. The floor structure also has a cross member passed through the passageway of the stored component, the stored component is supported on the cross member via a resilient member, and the cross member is fixedly fastened at its opposite ends to the inner surfaces of opposed side walls of the floor tunnel. |
| US08118120B2 |
Power wheel chair
A power wheel chair is disclosed having an improved motion control comprising a frame having a seat for transporting an occupant. A right and a left caster wheel are located in proximity to a front frame end. A right and a left drive wheel are located in proximity to a rear frame end. A motor drives the right and left drive wheels through a differential gearbox. A right and a left handle are connected to frame for enabling an attendant to steer the power wheel chair. An electronic control has a control lever located in proximity to one of the right and left handles for enabling the attendant to control the speed and braking of the power wheel chair. |
| US08118119B2 |
Impregnated rotary bit
A drill bit includes a plurality of continuous segments impregnated with diamond that are each mounted to form a corresponding blade. The regions between the blades define a plurality of fluid passages on the bit face. The blades extend radially outwardly to the gage. The continuous segments may be either straight or spiral in design. Furthermore, the design of the segments supports varying one or more of: diamond content, width, back rake angle and/or relief angle along a length of the segment. |
| US08118117B2 |
Thrust bearing assembly
A thrust bearing assembly comprising a bearing runner and a bearing carrier, the carrier defining thrust pad sites annularly around the carrier, with a thrust pad disposed at a site and with the carrier limiting movement of the thrust pad in a direction generally radial to the longitudinal axis of the runner while allowing the thrust pad to move in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The pads can tilt under load to form a hydrodynamic wedge. A runner may have a wear resistant face. In one implementation, at each site, a deflection element (e.g., Belleville washer) is at least partially disposed within a cavity and a pad is disposed over the deflection element. The wear resistant face contacts the pad. Another embodiment rigidly connects pads disposed on opposite sides of a stationary bearing carrier. Another embodiment attaches pads to a bearing carrier using pad holder assemblies. |
| US08118116B2 |
Elongated percussive rock drilling element, a method for production thereof and a use thereof
An elongated percussive rock drilling element comprises at least one thread portion and a flush channel. At least the thread portion is made of a corrosion resistant steel having a structure with a martensite content greater than about 50 wt-% and less than about 100 wt-%, in which the steel comprises C+N greater than about 0.1 wt-% and less than or equal to about 0.8 wt-% and Cr greater than or equal to about 11 wt-% or Cr greater than or equal to about 5 wt-%, Mo less than or equal to about 5 wt-%, W less than or equal to about 5 wt-%, Cu less than or equal to about 2 wt-%, Mo+W+Cu greater than about 0.5 wt-% or Cr+3.3 (Mo+W)+16N greater than about 10 wt-%. The surface of said at least one thread portion of said corrosion resistant steel is ball blasted. |
| US08118113B2 |
Hydraulic control system for drilling systems
A hydraulic control system includes a first motor, a second motor, a pump operatively associated with the first motor, a first coupling valve operatively associated with the second motor, first parallel valves operatively associated with the second motor, and a first switching valve operatively associated with the first coupling valve and the first parallel valves. The first switching valve is configured to switch the first coupling valve between a first coupling state and a second coupling state opposite the first coupling state and to switch the first parallel valves between a first parallel state and a second parallel state opposite the first parallel state. While the first parallel valves are in the first parallel state a portion of the output of the first motor drives the second motor while the first parallel valves are in the second parallel state, the output of the pump drives the second motor. |
| US08118112B2 |
Rock breaking device, protection valve and a method of operating a rock breaking device
A hydraulic rock breaking device, a protection valve and a method of operating a hydraulic rock breaking device. The rock breaking device comprises a percussion device to which pressure fluid is fed along an inlet channel. The inlet channel is provided with a protection valve arranged to monitor the volume flow of pressure fluid flowing through it. If the flow is larger than what has been preset, the protection valve closes, at least partly, the connection through it, protecting thus the percussion device against too high an input power. The protection valve comprises a throttle which generates a pressure difference the magnitude of which is dependent on the fed volume flow. Information on the pressure difference is utilized in controlling the protection valve. |
| US08118111B2 |
Grader stabilizer
The present device is generally a stabilizer bracket for small to mid-sized skid steer vehicles used to grade earth using a dozer blade in conjunction with remote grade control equipment (such as laser automation or other automated leveling system). The device is most suited to skid steer vehicles capable of using a variety of interchangeable front end accessories in addition to a dozer blade. |
| US08118107B2 |
Horseshoe
The present invention provides an improved horseshoe, which comprises a hoof engagement surface that is provided with an unevenness and makes contact with the hoof in such a manner that the shoe will fit more closely to and immovably against the bottom of the hoof. The unevenness provides an anti-slip interference with fibrous material of the hoof to lessen relative movement between the horseshoe and the hoof, both during assembly thereto by a farrier and during galloping of the horse, desirably inhibiting shearing stresses being placed on the securement nails. The anti-slip interference is provided by an array of bumps or hemispherical shaped domes that project upwardly from the hoof-engaging surface to displace fibrous hoof material and complete an interlocking engagement therewith in an amount sufficient to inhibit relative movement but not create discomfort to the horse. |
| US08118092B2 |
Swelling delay cover for a packer
A swelling packer is covered with a material that is preferably in a tubular form and slipped over the swelling element to be shrink fit with applied heat. The material is formulated to break down at temperatures slightly below the expected downhole temperatures so that ideally the packer has about 48 hours of swelling delay which is normally a time period long enough to allow it to be properly located without it swelling so much as to cause it to be damaged by running in. Various polymers can be used to make an imperious covering for run in that on the way starts to break down. Ideally the material for the cover disappears about the time of sealing or shortly thereafter. |
| US08118090B2 |
Hybrid wellhead system and method of use
A hybrid wellhead system for a hydrocarbon well, having a wellhead supported by a conductor; an intermediate head spool secured to the wellhead by a hammer union; and a tubing head spool secured to the intermediate head spool by a hammer union. |
| US08118088B2 |
Shear activated safety valve system
A safety valve system includes a safety valve having an actuator and a line connected to the actuator. The safety valve is operable by opening the line in the well, with the line being free of any connection to a surface control system. Another safety valve system includes multiple safety valves. An actuator of each safety valve is connected to an actuator of another safety valve via a line. A biasing force in each of the actuators is operative to close the respective one of the safety valves in response to opening of the line. The biasing force is produced at least in part by hydrostatic pressure in a well. |
| US08118087B2 |
Vehicle air conditioning device
A vehicle air conditioning device having first and second fans for forcing air through a heat exchanger, and a fan controller for controlling an operation of the first and second fans. On receiving a signal indicating that the shutter is closed, the fan controller controls the first and second fans such that the first fan is turned into an operating state and the second fan is turned into a stopped state. |
| US08118085B2 |
Heat exchanger
According to the invention, a heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger may include a first tube sheet, a second tube sheet, a heat exchange tube, a header, and a coupling. The heat exchange tube may be disposed at least partially between the first tube sheet and the second tube sheet, and may also be made of a first material. The header may be made of a second material. The coupling may include a first end and a second end. The first end may be made of the first material, and the second end may be made of the second material. The first end may be operably coupled with the heat exchange tube, and the second end may be operably coupled with the header. |
| US08118076B1 |
Automated glued-down carpet remover
Apparatus, devices, systems and methods for removing automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting from spaces. The apparatus can include a motor powered winch having a hook end that can grip about a raised edge of the carpet. The winch can be anchored to a doorway by clamping ends of a telescopic bar to doorjamb members about the doorway opening. An operator can operate the winch by remote control and be spaced outside the room that the carpet is being removed from. Another version can include a U-shaped telescopic clamp arrangement so that the winch is also spaced outside the room from which the carpet is being removed. |
| US08118075B2 |
System and method for disassembling laminated substrates
An apparatus for separating a laminated substrate assembly comprises at least a substantially planar assembly, a cutting member housing assembly positioned on a first side of the substantially planar assembly, a cutting member receiving assembly positioned on a second side of the substantially planar assembly, substantially opposite from the first side of the planar assembly suitable for receiving an amount of the elongated cutting member. At least one of the cutting member housing assembly or the cutting member receiving assembly is configured to provide an amount of tension to the elongated cutting member as the elongated cutting member is released by the cutting member housing assembly or received by the cutting member receiving assembly, and the elongated cutting member is configured to remove an amount of adhesive from an adhesive layer of the laminated substrate assembly. |
| US08118074B2 |
Apparatus and method of material bonding using captive plungers
An apparatus and method of material bonding using captive plungers is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a base plate to have multiple holes in an array, multiple captive plungers each surrounded by a compressible spring to couple to the multiple holes in such a way which allows each of the multiple captive plungers to vertically move in a confine of each of the multiple holes corresponding to the each of the multiple captive plungers, and a fastening device to apply a force to bond two or more parts placed on top of each other with a bonding material in between the two or more parts through pressing the base plate to the two or more parts such that the force delivered through the multiple captive plungers to the two or more parts is concentrated to the array. |
| US08118072B2 |
Run flat tire system and device
An improved run flat tire and system for use with a two-piece or multi-piece wheel and tire to provide for continued operation of vehicles after tire deflation. Certain aspects of the invention include a plurality of arcuate sections releasably aligned and secured to each other for positioning around a wheel, wherein extended lip portions of each arcuate section extend laterally from the inner base portion of each arcuate section to limit lateral movement of the run flat device relative to the wheel. |
| US08118070B2 |
Disconnect valve for gravity fed paint hoppers
A disconnect apparatus for a gravity fed hopper for a paint spray pump includes a valve that automatically opens when the hopper outlet is attached to an inlet of the pump and closes when the hopper outlet is detached from the pump inlet. A structure for wiping the interior of the outlet may be provided to remove material from the outlet as the hopper is separated from the pump. |
| US08118063B2 |
Method and apparatus for lining a pipe
A new apparatus for repairing a damaged portion of a pipe includes a liner having a tubular sleeve of resin absorbent material that is capable of being stretched circumferentially and a plastic film laminated to an exterior surface of the sleeve. The plastic film contains resinous material in the liner until the liner is stretched circumferentially to thereby breech the integrity of the plastic film and expose the resinous material to a damaged section of pipe in need of repair. A method of lining a damaged section of pipe using the liner is also provided. |
| US08118058B2 |
Variable frequency and amplitude dither for electronically controlled valves
A method is disclosed that includes allowing both frequency and amplitude of a periodic waveform to be adjusted. The method also includes creating the periodic waveform having the frequency and the amplitude. The periodic waveform is coupled to at least one control signal. The at least one control signal is provided to an output suitable for coupling to an actuator of an electronically controlled device. An apparatus and computer program product are disclosed. |
| US08118046B2 |
Intelligent outdoor sun shading device
An intelligent outdoor sun shading device includes a shading system, an environmental sensor device and a functional controller. The shading system includes a supporting frame, a power source supported at the supporting frame, an awning frame suspendedly and movably supported by the supporting frame, and a sun shelter mounted to the awning frame to define a shading area under the sun shelter. The environmental sensor device is electrically linked to the power source and is installed to the shading system for detecting an environmental change of the shading system in responsive to the shading area thereof. The functional controller is electrically linked to the environmental sensor device and is operatively controlled the awning frame of the shading system, wherein when the functional controller receives a command signal from the environmental sensor device, the awning frame is automatically adjusted to regulate the shading area thereof in responsive to the environmental change of the shading system. |
| US08118044B2 |
Single workpiece processing chamber with tilting load/unload upper rim
A process chamber for processing semi-conductor wafers. The chamber includes at least one rotor within the process chamber. The rotor is adapted to receive and/or process semi-conductor wafers. The top of the process chamber also includes a tiltable rim. This rim tilts from a non-inclined position to an inclined position. The wafers may be loaded into and unloaded from the process chamber when the rim is in its inclined position. |
| US08118041B2 |
Plastic tooth cleaner
The Plastic Tooth Cleaner is a hand-held plastic device that allows a person to remove food particles from spaces between their teeth more conveniently than existing flossing techniques. It is a three inch long device, with a helical shaped body and a straight, uniformly tapered segment at each end. The device is easily held and maneuvered. The device is more pliable than a common toothpick, inexpensively produced, disposable, and is designed for use by the general public. |
| US08118039B2 |
Artificial nail sets and manufacturing methods thereof
Artificial nail sets are provided. In an embodiment, the artificial nail set includes an artificial nail and an auxiliary member surrounding the outer surface of the artificial nail. The artificial nail has a connecting part formed at one side thereof and the auxiliary member has a coupling portion formed at one side thereof. The auxiliary member is not adherent to the artificial nail. The connecting part of the artificial nail is coupled to the coupling portion of the auxiliary member. In an alternative embodiment, the artificial nail may be directly coupled to the auxiliary member. Due to this coupling, the auxiliary member surrounds the outer surface of the artificial nail. Further provided are methods for manufacturing the artificial nail sets. |
| US08118032B2 |
Rapid cryo-heating devices and their applications
This invention discloses cryo-heating devices and methods for cooling and heating objects in a very rapid timescale, from femtosecond to subsecond. The cryo-heating device comprising of an up-converting electromagnetic energy medium and an electromagnetic source that is further supported by another radiation source selected from the group of sonic, magnetic, electric, electroluminescent, up-converted luminescence, pressure and thermal. The medium in the cryo-heating phototreatment device is cooling or heating objects by up-conversion of electromagnetic energy and by conversion of electromagnetic energy, respectively. Both, cooling and heating of objects are achieved by electromagnetic radiation at different wavelengths, or at the same wavelength when objects are also absorbing electromagnetic radiation. The invention also proposes a further enhancement of cooling and heating of objects by the use of surface plasmon resonance conducting nanostructures embedded into the medium. The proposed devices and methods of very rapid cooling and heating can be applied in biomedical technologies and health care. The invention also includes applications of the disclosed herein method to up-conversion energy cooling of electronic components and photon detector devices. |
| US08118026B2 |
Filtering face-piece respirator support structure that has living hinges
A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that comprises a harness 14 and a mask body 12. The mask body 16 includes a filtering structure 18 and a support structure 16. The support structure 16 has first and second opposing side portions 22, 24 that each include a living hinge 44. The use of living hinges allows the mask body to respond dynamically to wearer jaw movement. |
| US08118022B2 |
Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with safety quick disconnect for permitting safe and ready access to a replacement breathing component
A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) comprising: a mouthpiece; a breathing component; and a safety quick disconnect comprising: a valve body; a valve spool comprising an L-shaped channel formed such that when the valve spool is appropriately rotated, the L-shaped channel (i) places an opening of the valve body in communication with a first port, or (ii) places the opening in communication with a second port; and a lock mechanism for (i) preventing the valve spool from rotating unless the breathing component is positioned in one of first and second mounts formed on the valve body adjacent the first and second ports, and a replacement breathing component is positioned in the other of the first and second mounts, and (ii) preventing the removal of a breathing component from a mount adjacent to a port which is in communication with the opening. |
| US08118021B2 |
Pouch pack controlling temperature
Disclosed is a temperature control pouch pack including: a first pack which is filled with a predetermined reaction fluid and a reaction material that react with each other to cause a certain reaction while isolating one of the reaction fluid and the reaction material from the other one; and a second pack which is disposed to exchange heat with the first pack and accommodates an article of which temperature is in need of control. |
| US08118020B2 |
Gas cooktop
Five burners are arranged in the form of an “x.” The units are covered by a grate including two side sections, each covering two burners, and a central section covering the center burner. The side sections have concave inner side edges that mate with a circular segment of the center grate. |
| US08118018B1 |
Horizontal concrete saw attachment
An attachment for an existing commercial concrete saw to convert the vertically cutting saw to a horizontally cutting saw. The saw's vertically oriented saw blade and associated horizontal shaft are first removed and the attachment is installed on the saw. The attachment has a gear box with pulley for receiving power from a pulley on the saw via a drive belt that extends around both pulleys. The gear box has a drive shaft extending vertically downward out of the gear box. Either a horizontal saw blade or cup brush can be removably attached to the drive shaft so that the saw can be used for making horizontal cuts in concrete or alternately the cup brush can be used to remove striping off the surface of a road. The gear box and the horizontal saw blade or cup brush are water cooled and lubricated. |
| US08118016B2 |
Paintball gun loading methods and apparatus
Methods, apparatus, systems, and kits for loading paintballs into a feed tube of a paintball gun are disclosed. A loader includes a chamber for holding paintballs, a feed mechanism having a rotational feeder within the chamber that feeds paintballs from the chamber along a feed channel when rotating to fill the feed tube, and a drive mechanism that drives the rotational feeder of the feed mechanism, ceases to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempts to rotate the stopped rotational feeder. Paintballs are loaded from a loader into a feed tube of a paintball gun by driving a rotational feeder within the loader, the rotational feeder configured within the loader to feed paintballs into the feed tube when rotating, ceasing to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempting to rotate the stopped rotational feeder. |
| US08118015B2 |
Bottom feed magazine of paintball gun
A bottom feed magazine of a paintball gun includes a housing for storing a plurality of paintballs. A circular tray is mounted to the housing. A hub is rotatable about a shaft within the circular tray at a center thereof. The circular tray and the hub together define an annular channel for receiving paintballs dropped therein from the housing. A plurality of arms is provided on the hub for driving the paintballs along the channel. A tube has an inlet end extending into the channel and an outlet end extending generally upwards to a top wall of the housing. When the central hub rotates, the paintballs in the channel are driven along the channel, into the inlet end and pushed up along the tube towards the outlet end. |
| US08118008B2 |
Engine and exhaust heating
A method for controlling a vehicle engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided. The method comprises: during engine idling, advancing spark timing of at least one cylinder to before a peak torque timing, and retarding spark timing from the advanced timing toward the peak torque timing in response to decreased engine speed to maintain idling speed. |
| US08118007B2 |
Air intake device for internal combustion engine
An L-shaped rotary valve has a pair of side plates and a valve plate. The rotary valve is rotatably supported in a housing at a shaft 5. The valve plate moves along downstream ends of side wall portions of an air duct. A gap is formed between a downstream end of an air-intake passage and the valve plate, when the rotary valve is moved to its valve closed position. The side plates of the rotary valve cover the gap in a lateral direction in parallel to an axial direction of the shaft, so that leakage of air flow in the lateral direction of the gap is suppressed. |
| US08118000B2 |
Multi-stroke internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine system and method of its operation are described. As one example, the method includes: repeatedly opening a first intake valve of a combustion chamber of the engine once every four piston strokes; transitioning operation of the combustion chamber from a four stroke cycle to a two stroke cycle by activating a second intake valve of the combustion chamber to repeatedly open once every four piston strokes during a different intake stroke than the first intake valve; and transitioning operation of the combustion chamber from the two stroke cycle to the four stroke cycle by deactivating the second intake valve in a closed position. In this way, the engine may be selectively operated in a two stroke cycle or a four stroke cycle by activating or deactivating or activating one of the intake valves while another of the intake valves continues to operate. |
| US08117996B2 |
Water heater
A water heater capable of suppressing an increase in the combustion air temperature exiting the heater and the generation of nitrogen oxide within an easy structure is provided. In the water heater, a burner is provided in a combustion chamber which is below a hot water storage chamber that is an all primary air burner which takes in the air required for gas combustion, whereby the air is mostly primary air. In addition, the burner is provided with a supporting plate in the combustion chamber at a height that allows part of the burner head to be protruded into a space covered by a lower mirror plate. |
| US08117994B1 |
Animal ramp apparatus and method of use
An animal ramp apparatus includes a panel that has a top side, a bottom side, a first end, a second end, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A base frame includes a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The first end of the panel is pivotally coupled to the base frame adjacent to the rear wall. The second end of the panel is selectively pivoted upwardly from the frame to define a deployed position. A support member is pivotally attached to the frame and supports the panel in the deployed position at a selected angle relative to the base frame. |
| US08117989B2 |
Milk tube dome with flow controller
A milker unit liner dome having an inner surface and flow diverters joined to the inner surface to redirect teat dip from an inlet to provide more uniform coverage of dip on a teat. The liner dome can also include more than one flow diverter for redirecting teat dip flow. |
| US08117987B2 |
Hot wire chemical vapor deposition (CVD) inline coating tool
Methods and apparatus for hot wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) are provided herein. In some embodiments, an inline HWCVD tool may include a linear conveyor for moving a substrate through the linear process tool; and a multiplicity of HWCVD sources, the multiplicity of HWCVD sources being positioned parallel to and spaced apart from the linear conveyor and configured to deposit material on the surface of the substrate as the substrate moves along the linear conveyor; wherein the substrate is coated by the multiplicity of HWCVD sources without breaking vacuum. In some embodiments, methods of coating substrates may include depositing a first material from an HWCVD source on a substrate moving through a first deposition chamber; moving the substrate from the first deposition chamber to a second deposition chamber; and depositing a second material from a second HWCVD source on the substrate moving through the second deposition chamber. |
| US08117986B2 |
Apparatus for an improved deposition shield in a plasma processing system
The present invention presents an improved deposition shield for surrounding a process space in a plasma processing system, wherein the design and fabrication of the deposition shield advantageously provides for a clean processing plasma in the process space with substantially minimal erosion of the deposition shield. |
| US08117972B2 |
Kit and shelving system to store work tools, equipment and supplies in a motor vehicle and plastic shelf for use therein
A kit and shelving system to store work tools, equipment and supplies in a motor vehicle and plastic shelves for use therein are provided. Each of the shelves includes a reinforced composite panel of the cellular core sandwich-type. Each of the panels has front, back and side edge portions. Each of the shelves includes a first shelf support having an outer facing surface and an inner channel dimensioned to receive and retain a first one of the edge portions of the panel. The first edge portion of the panel is bonded to the first shelf support within the inner channel. |
| US08117970B1 |
Overhead storage system
An overhead storage system includes support beams forming a frame to a deck around its perimeter and four corner vertical mounts for suspending the deck from a ceiling. The frame is preferably made of Z-shaped beams supported by vertical L-shaped corner supports to provide strong support for a deck. The Z-shaped beams provide strength and a horizontal surface on which a deck can be rested. A welded wire deck can be strengthened by bonding it to ribs. In some embodiments, center supports can preferably be positioned anywhere along the length of the support beams, and do not require holes in the beams for mounting. The beams are preferably connected to the vertical corner brackets without using threaded fasteners, thereby making the assembly easier for assembly by a homeowner. |
| US08117969B1 |
Hydrogen fuel cell hybrid locomotives
A hydrogen hybrid locomotive including a set of batteries for driving a plurality of electric traction motors for moving the locomotive along a set of railroad rails and a fuel cell power plant for charging the set of batteries and driving the electric traction motors. The fuel cell power plant includes at least one fuel cell power module for generating electrical current by reacting hydrogen fuel and oxygen from intake air, the amount of electrical current being proportional to an air mass flow of the intake air. An air system selectively provides an air mass flow to the fuel cell module to generate an amount of electrical current required for corresponding operating conditions of the locomotive. A cooling system cools the at least one fuel cell power module in response to the amount of current being generated. |
| US08117964B2 |
Process and apparatus for providing identity marks on security documents
An intaglio-printing press for printing security documents comprising a plate cylinder (4) with at least one engraved printing plate (6), an impression cylinder (3), a wiping device (10) and an inking system, (5, 7a-8d); it further comprises a laser marking device with laser marking heads (15) arranged facing said plate cylinder downstream from said wiping device and upstream from the contact zone between said plate cylinder and said impression cylinder. |
| US08117962B2 |
Equipment for preparing dampening solutions for offset printing
An installation for preparing dampening solutions for offset printing with a device (10, 62, 72) for preparing a dampening solution and a device (40, 60, 70 for feeding one or more basic liquid materials (42) for preparing the dampening solution into the device (10, 62, 72) for preparing the dampening solution, in which the feeding device (40, 60, 70) is provided for cooling the basic material or materials (42) or a mixture thereof, which is to be supplied. |
| US08117961B2 |
Apparatus for thawing frozen food items
An apparatus for thawing frozen food items includes an enclosure having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall extending between the top and bottom walls and defining a thawing chamber. One of the walls includes an access opening to the thawing chamber. A closure associated with the enclosure is movable between opened and closed positions wherein the thawing chamber is accessible through the access opening when in the opened position and the closure covers the access opening when in the closed position. A showerhead is adapted to discharge a shower of water onto frozen food items held by the receptacle. |
| US08117957B2 |
Breech device for a hand firearm
A breech device of a hand firearm comprises a firearm casing, a trigger mechanism, a carrier slidably arranged within the firearm casing, and a breech block engaging the carrier and having a firing pin. The breech device further includes a tensioning element slidably engaged with the carrier and coupled to at least one follower pin engaging the firing pin and slidably engaged with the breech block. The tensioning element includes a projecting part having a forward-directed nose adapted to engage a stop detent on the trigger mechanism. The breech device further includes a tensioning pin slidably engaged with the carrier and the breech block. |
| US08117956B2 |
Magazine for a hand gun
The present invention relates to a magazine for a hand firearm, which is detachably mountable to the weapon, incorporating a drum-like, approximately cylindrical housing (10) which accommodates a greater number of cartridges in an orientation parallel to the axis of the housing, further incorporating an approximately spiral-shaped divider device (9), which is located inside the housing and accommodates the cartridges, a driver plate (14), which is adapted for indexed rotation about its axis and is driven by the force of a spring, said driver plate causing the cartridges to advance to the next position on a spiral path after each shot, and a follower (18) disposed in said magazine, which causes the cartridges to advance on their spiral path, to exit said divider device and to enter into a magazine head (21). In accordance with the invention, there is provided that the entire follower moves behind the last cartridge stored in the magazine on the spiral feeding path through the divider device, that said follower is not connected solidly to the driver plate but radially displaceably instead, and that said follower glides radially outward in a guide of the driver plate while being forwarded. In this way, the follower is prevented from jamming and trouble-free operation is ensured. |
| US08117955B2 |
Weapon interface system and delivery platform employing the same
A weapon interface system, and methods of operating the same. The weapon interface system is coupled to an electrical interconnection system of a delivery platform and a weapon system coupled to a rack system. The weapon interface system includes a translation interface configured to provide an interface between the electrical interconnection system and an inductive power and data circuit. The weapon interface system also includes a weapon coupler, coupled to the translation interface, configured to provide an inductive coupling to the weapon system to provide mission information thereto. |
| US08117954B1 |
Firearm modification kit
A kit for modifying a firearm such as a Kalashnikov assault rifle, better known as the AK-47, so as to permit the bolt carrier to be pulled back easily with either the right hand or left hand of a user. The kit includes a receiver cover including an arch-shaped crown and a pair of retaining fins that are affixed to the bottom of the crown. Each of the retaining fins has an upper portion extending outwardly and downwardly from a respective one of the opposed sides of the crown. Each of the retaining fins also has a lower portion that extends downwardly from the bottom of one the upper portions. One of the retaining fins is provided with a slot that extends along the length of its upper portion. A guide track is affixed to the retaining fin having the slot. The guide track has a pair of retaining flanges disposed on opposite sides of the slot. A charging handle assembly is secured to the guide track and includes a slide that is slidably engaged with the retaining flanges and is adapted to move along the length of the guide track. An auxiliary charging handle is affixed to, and projects outwardly from, the slide. An engagement pin is affixed to, and projects inwardly from, the slide. The engagement pin extends through the slot so as to engage the bolt carrier of the firearm and move the bolt carrier when the charging handle is pulled rearwardly. |
| US08117952B2 |
Closed-loop cutting system
A closed-loop cutting system comprises a cutting device for cutting a piece of material at a given dimension; a positioning device for positioning the cutting means to cut the piece of material at the given dimension; a position controller for controlling the positioning device; a feedback means comprising a dimension sensor for measuring the actual dimension of the cut piece of material, the feedback means for measuring a difference between the actual dimension and the given dimension and sending signal back to either one of the positioning device and the position controller to effect an adjustment of the position of the cutting device by reducing the difference. |
| US08117948B2 |
Wrench
A wrench comprises a handle portion, a head portion releasably secured to the handle portion and a release device. The head portion has an inner surface that defines a fastener receiving aperture and a side entry to the fastener receiving aperture and is movable relative to the handle portion between a loading position in which the side entry is open and an operating position in which the side entry is closed. The head portion is operable to close around a fastener received in the fastener receiving aperture in response to a torque applied in a predetermined direction using the handle portion. The release device is arranged to at least assist in releasing the head portion from the handle portion to permit the head portion to be separated from the handle portion. |
| US08117942B2 |
Vehicle handle and vehicle
A vehicle handle with improved vibration proof function. A balance weight has an inner balance weight portion with a center-of-mass positioned in a handle pipe, and an outer balance weight portion. A floating damper interposed between an outer periphery of the inner balance weight portion and an inner surface of the handle pipe supports the balance weight in one location that includes the center-of-mass of the balance weight. |
| US08117941B2 |
Parking-brake-operation indicator and method of adjusting parking brake
A parking-brake-operation indicator includes a lever having a pressing portion for pressing a brake disc of a parking brake to press contact the brake disc, a cable operable to draw the lever, a brake-operation tool connected to the cable, a switch for detecting a position of the lever and an indicating means for indicating operation of the parking brake. |
| US08117939B2 |
Line guide device and industrial robot equipped with such a device
In order to enable a compensating movement of a supply line (38) in an industrial robot (32), a line guide device is provided that, in particular, has a telescopic fork design. A slideway element (4) is provided, which is fastened to a rear robot arm (30) and through which a slide rod (6) is displaceably guided. A first clip (24) is placed on the front end of the slide rod (6), and the supply line (38) is fastened in a clamped manner inside this clip. |
| US08117937B2 |
Automobile door-lock drive device
An electric motor 1 and a worm gear 11 were housed in a case, an output shaft 2 of the electric motor 1 and a fitting hole 11C of the worm gear 11 were fitted so as to be capable of freely transmitting torque and of freely moving relatively in a direction of an axis X, and a tip of the output shaft 2 and an inner end of the fitting hole 11C set a gap D of separation in the direction of the axis X. Furthermore, a support section 30 making contact with an end section of a shaft section 11A of the worm gear 11 at the side of the electric motor 1 thereof was provided inside the case, and a thrust force resulting from dynamic inertia of the wheel gear 11 upon stopping of the electric motor 1 and acting on the worm gear 11 was borne by the support section 30. |
| US08117935B2 |
Synchronizer actuating system with selectives
A synchronizer actuating system with selectives for use in dual clutch transmission is provided. The synchronizer actuating system includes an apply finger and a fork mounted on a shift rail. The fork grips a synchronizer sleeve that supports a synchronizer. The synchronizer is moveable to a neutral position. A three area piston assembly is operable to engage and actuate the apply finger. The three area piston assembly includes a hydraulic neutral position. A selective element is coupled to the synchronizer actuating system to calibrate the hydraulic neutral position of the three area piston assembly to the neutral position of the synchronizer sleeve. |
| US08117923B2 |
Bicycle bottom bracket force sensor
A bicycle bottom bracket force sensor includes an outer portion, an inner portion, at least one sensor mounting surface and a strain gauge. The inner portion is dimensioned to receive and support a crank axle bearing that rotatably supports a crank axle. The at least one sensor mounting surface extends between the outer portion and the inner portion has the strain gauge fixed thereto. The sensor mounting surface extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a rotation axis of the crank axle when the force sensor is coupled to the bicycle bottom bracket. |
| US08117919B2 |
Micro-electro-mechanical system device
The present invention discloses a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device, comprising: a substrate with at least one opening; and a membrane supported on the substrate, the membrane including at least two thin segments and a thick segment connected together, wherein the two thin segments are not at the same level, and the thick segment is formed by a plurality of layers including at least two metal layers and a via layer, such that the membrane has a curve cross section. |
| US08117914B2 |
Inertia force sensor and composite sensor for detecting inertia force
An inertia force sensor includes a detection element having an acceleration detection section (1). This detection element (1) has: two orthogonal arms obtained by connecting first arms (8) to second arms (10) so as to be orthogonal to each other, a support section (12) for supporting one ends of the two first arm (8), a fixation section (4) connected to the other ends of the two first arms (8), and weight sections (2) fixed to tip ends of the second arms (10). The first arm (8) has a thickness thinner than thicknesses of the second arm (10) and weight section (2) to thereby provide an increased detection sensitivity. |
| US08117912B2 |
Multiaxial acceleration sensor and angular velocity sensor
In a angular rate sensor, a weight and a base are connected directly through piezoelectric bimorph detectors and piezoelectric bimorph exciters each having a bent portion. When acceleration is applied to the weight, the weight is displaced so as to deform the piezoelectric bimorph detectors. Due to this deformation, charges generated in the piezoelectric bimorph detectors are detected so as to detect acceleration. If an angular rate is applied to the weight when the weight is vibrated by the piezoelectric bimorph exciters, Coriolis force is generated in the weight so as to deform the piezoelectric bimorph detectors. Due to this deformation, charges generated in the piezoelectric bimorph detectors are detected so as to detect the angular rate. |
| US08117910B2 |
Apparatus for capacitive determining and/or monitoring of fill level of a medium
An apparatus for capacitive determining and/or monitoring of fill level of a medium in a container. The apparatus includes: A probe unit; a control unit, which supplies the probe unit with a drive signal; and an evaluating unit, which receives a response signal from the probe unit and which determines from the response signal a statement concerning fill level. Stored in the evaluating unit are at least a first and a second formula or a first and a second evaluating algorithm; and, in case accretion lies below a predetermined limit value, the evaluating unit determines the statement concerning fill level via a first formula and, in case accretion lies above the predetermined limit value, the evaluating unit determines the statement concerning fill level via a second formula. |
| US08117908B2 |
Position measuring device for a fluidic cylinder
The present disclosure relates to a position measuring device for a fluidic cylinder, which includes a cylinder jacket and a piston rod longitudinally movable in the cylinder jacket, wherein the position measuring device includes an evaluation unit which determines the position of the piston rod with respect to the cylinder jacket with reference to the intrinsic capacitance of the capacitor formed by cylinder jacket, piston rod and a dielectric fluid acting as a dielectric. |
| US08117905B2 |
Test bench conditioning system for a working fluid, and a device for operating a test bench condition system of this type
A test bench conditioning system for a working fluid of a machine located on the test bench includes at least one pump (3) for circulating the working fluid, a heat exchanger (4) for cooling the working fluid coming from the discharge line (1) of the machine and a heating device (5) for the working fluid fed into the supply line (2) to the machine and a mixing valve (6). Furthermore, a bypass (8) that can be shut off between the discharge line (1) and the supply line (2) can be provided. Setting a temperature profile for the working fluid is possible via a control device. In order to render possible an optimum simulation of a real temperature profile of an operating fluid of a machine with the slightest deviations for the predetermined profile, a connecting line (10) with a control valve (11) leads to the discharge line (1) in front of the mixing valve (6), which opens into this discharge line (1) in front of the pump (3). |
| US08117904B2 |
System and method for evaluating an integrated coil on plug ignition system
In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for evaluating performance of an integrated coil on plug (CoP) assembly is provided. The apparatus comprises a controller. The controller is configured to transmit a control signal to activate the CoP assembly. The controller is further configured to receive an indirect signal including a low frequency (LF) component from the CoP assembly responsive to the control signal. The controller is further configured to compare the LF component to predetermined data to evaluate the performance of the CoP assembly. |
| US08117901B2 |
Determination of slurry concentration
A method for determining the concentration of a chromatographic medium in a liquid slurry comprises the steps of: providing a column (1) having a top end (3) and a bottom end (2) and adapted to retain a chromatographic medium therein; introducing a defined volume of the slurry (15) into the column (1); providing a liquid flow through the column (1) from the top end to the bottom end of the column to settle the chromatographic medium in the column; measuring the bed height of the consolidated chromatographic medium or a value related thereto; and determining from the measured bed height or value related thereto the concentration, or a value related to the concentration of the chromatographic medium in the slurry. A device for performing the method as well as the use of the method in packing of especially large scale columns are also disclosed. |
| US08117898B2 |
Method for sensing gas composition and pressure
A method for sensing gas composition and gas pressure, based on the thermal constants of a variable electrical resistor, is presented. The method for sensing gas composition and pressure includes monitoring a variable electrical resistor whose dynamic thermal response is determined by the thermal conductivity and thermal capacity of the surrounding gas of a given atmospheric environment. In the thermal domain, the sensor has a low-pass characteristic, whose phase delay is determined by the thermodynamic characteristics of the surrounding gas such as composition and pressure. The method can be used for sensing gas composition and can also be used for sensing gas pressure. |
| US08117895B2 |
Gas chromatography capillary devices and methods
A multicapillary bundle for use in a gas chromatograph. Each of the capillaries in the bundle is formed using a coating solution containing a stationary phase and a solvent. The capillaries are coated with the stationary phase by reducing pressure at a vacuum end of the capillary and creating a moving interface between the coating solution and a film of the stationary phase deposited on each of the capillaries. The reducing pressure at the vacuum end of the capillary and the temperature of the capillary are controlled to maintain motion of the moving interface away from the vacuum end of the capillary. Maintained movement of the interface prevents recoating of the stationary phase. A heating wire and capillaries are embedded in a thermally conductive polymer to create a highly responsive method of heating the multicapillary column. An electronic control device controls the feedback temperature of the multicapillary column using the heating wire. |
| US08117893B2 |
Hammer test bench
A test bench for testing a hammer and hammer tool comprising: a bench frame; a load cell assembly mounted on the bench frame for absorbing the impact delivered by the hammer; and a movable mounting deck for securing the hammer to the bench frame and for moving the hammer with the hammer tool into a test firing position against the load cell assembly and delivering an impact force against the load cell assembly. The load cell assembly comprises a pneumatic air bag assembly constructed to dissipate the impact force of the hammer. Other aspects include a load cell assembly for testing a hammer and hammer tool and a method for test firing a hammer tool. Hydraulic hammers generating forces between 200 ft-lb and 12,000 ft-lb can be adequately test fired. |
| US08117891B2 |
Method for calibration of measuring equipment and measuring equipment
A method for the calibration of measuring equipment, and measuring equipment. The measuring equipment comprises at least one first sensor, at least one second sensor and at least one reference piece. When the measuring equipment is calibrated, a moving web is supported against the reference piece and the reference piece with the moving web supported thereto is moved to different distances from the first sensor and the second sensor. Further, a distance between the first sensor and the moving web and a distance between the second sensor and the reference piece is measured at least for two different distances, and the first sensor and the second sensor are calibrated to be uniform in relation to the movement of the reference piece. |
| US08117889B2 |
Inspection system for pressure transmitting device of plant
A pressure transmitting device inspection system for a plant includes a gauge calibration terminal used for inspection of a pressure transmitting device of a plant, a determining unit which automatically downloads a gauge specification of the pressure transmitting device, monitors an applied pressure, automatically collects inspection data and automatically determines an inspection result, a remote server for gauge calibration which generates a result sheet based on the determination result, and a control unit for centrally controlling the gauge specification, the inspection result and an inspection history. |
| US08117888B2 |
Method and apparatus of improving accuracy of accelerometer
A method and apparatus for calibrating or adjusting an accelerometer, wherein the accelerometer is held stationary to obtain the signal outputs from the accelerometer, representing component vectors making up the composite vector of 1 g. Thus, gain or sensitivity, and the zero-g signal offset along for each axis of the accelerometer is determined and adjustable. |
| US08117886B2 |
Leak detector with a leak detector testing device
A leak detector comprising a base appliance provided with a gas detector, a vacuum pump, and a control device. A sniffer probe is connected to the base appliance. A test leak device containing the supply of test gas is arranged in a separate sub-housing. The sub-housing also contains a temperature sensor, a processor, and a data memory. The processor corrects the measured temperature according to a sample, and modulates the light of a light barrier. The processor is connected to the control device in the base appliance by a data cable. |
| US08117884B2 |
Method for producing internal and external toothings on thin-walled, cylindrical hollow parts
A method is disclosed for cold-form profiling cylindrical, thin-walled hollow parts (1), comprising profiles (4) which extend in an essentially parallel manner in relation to the longitudinal axis (A) of the hollow part (1). At least one profiling tool (5) engages in a strike-like hammering manner with the outside of the hollow part (1) in a radial manner in relation to the longitudinal axis (A) o the hollow part (1). The profiling tool (5) engages, respectively, in an essentially vertical and oscillating manner on the surface of the hollow part (1). Then, the profiling tool (5) is displaced in an axial manner in relation to the hollow part (1) at a constant radial adjusting depth until the desired profile length is obtained. |
| US08117880B2 |
Billet-rearranging device
This invention provides a billet-rearranging device which receives billets fed in a row and rearranges two billets in tandem. The billet-rearranging device “A” is disposed between a chute “S” with an outlet to feed billets “b” in a row to the device “A” and a charger “Cg” with a holder unit “B” with two holders “B1” and “B2” to hold two billets “b” in tandem and has a billet-rearranging mechanism to rearrange two billets “b” in tandem and feed them to the holder unit “B” of the charger “Cg.” The billet-rearranging mechanism comprising (i) an upper slide plate 1 positioned below the outlet of the chute “S”, (ii) a lower slide plate 2 positioned below the upper slide plate 1, and (iii) a fixed plate 3 positioned below the lower slide plate 2, above the holder unit “B” of the charger “Cg.” The upper slide plate 1 has the function of rearranging two billets “b” in tandem. The lower slide plate 2 has the function of feeding two billets “b” in tandem one by one to the fixed plate 3. The fixed plate 3 has the function of guiding two billets “b” in tandem simultaneously to the holder unit “B.” |
| US08117863B2 |
Refrigerator with intermediate temperature icemaking compartment
An icemaking compartment is provided in the refrigerator compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. An icemaker is within the icemaking compartment. A cold air duct supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaker. The cold air duct is formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator. A fan controls the flow of air through the cold air duct. A return air duct is provided to direct a portion of the air from the icemaker back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaker directs another portion of air into the refrigerator compartment. |
| US08117862B2 |
Device and method for recording air conditioning system information
HVAC apparatus is configured to include a control system with a controller which may be connected directly to a personality module for transferring information stored in the controller related to historic operating conditions of the apparatus to the module, or information may be transferred to the controller from the module to configure the controller for operation of the apparatus at selected operating conditions of temperature, pressure and blower motor speed, for example. The personality module includes a memory circuit and a connector for releasably connecting the module to the control system of the apparatus for transferring information between the module and the controller. |
| US08117861B2 |
Cooling arrangement for an electrical connector for a superconductor
A cooling arrangement for an electrical connector for a superconductor including at least one superconductor arranged in a container and the container is arranged in a vacuum chamber. A cryocooler is thermally connected to the container to cool the container and the contents of the container including the superconductor. The electrical connector extends through the vacuum chamber and the container to the at least one superconductor. The electrical connector has a thermally conducting and electrically insulating arrangement. The thermally conducting and electrically insulating arrangement comprises an electrically insulating member contacting the electrical connector. A thermally conducting member contacts the electrically insulating member and the thermally conducting member is thermally connected to the to cool the electrical connector. |
| US08117860B2 |
Refrigeration unit with integrated structural condenser coil support
A refrigeration unit for a shipping container exposed to end loads and rack loads. The refrigeration unit has a frame, a back panel, a plurality of structural support brackets secured to the back panel, a condenser cover secured to the plurality of structural support brackets so that the condenser cover, the plurality of structural support brackets, the frame, and the back panel form a structural member sufficient to support end loads and rack loads. The refrigeration unit also has a condenser coil having a first end and a second end, a first coil support member secured to one of the structural support brackets and secured around the first end, and a second coil support member secured to one of the structural support brackets and secured around the second end. The first and second coil support members maintain the condenser coil unstressed from the end loads and rack loads. |
| US08117857B2 |
Intelligent temperature control system for extending battery pack life
A method and apparatus for actively cooling the battery pack of an electric vehicle after the vehicle has been turned off, thereby limiting the adverse effects of temperature on battery life, are provided. Different battery pack cooling techniques are provided, thus allowing the cooling technique used in a particular instance to be selected not only based on the thermal needs of the battery pack, but also on the thermal capacity and energy requirements of the selected approach. |
| US08117856B2 |
Method and assembly for serving wine tableside
A system and method that configures a connecting relationship between two wine bottles (or one wine bottle with two wine compartments) such that wine in one bottle/compartment may be served chilled and wine in a second bottle/compartment may be served at a higher temperature than the chilled bottle, while both wines are presented tableside from a single holding vessel. |
| US08117852B2 |
LNG vapor handling configurations and methods
LNG from a carrier is unloaded to an LNG storage tank in configurations and methods in which expansion of compressed and condensed boil-off vapors from the LNG storage tank provide refrigeration to subcool the LNG that is being unloaded. Most advantageously, such configuration and methods reduce the amount of boil-off vapors and eliminate the need for a vapor return line and associated compressor. |
| US08117851B2 |
Liquified gas supply system and method thereof
A liquefied gas supply system and method can supply the liquefied gas in a plurality of liquefied gas containers uniformly to supply huge amount of gas constantly. A liquefied gas supply system comprises a plurality of liquefied gas containers 1, a detector 2 installed in each of the containers 1 to detect a volume of liquefied gas contained in each of the containers 1, a heating device 3 installed on each of the container 1 and a control device 7 to process information obtained by each of the detectors 2 and control each of the heating devices 3. The control device 7 controls each of the heating devices 3 based on a value obtained by overall processing of the information obtained by each of the detectors 2. |
| US08117848B2 |
Temperature calibration device having reconfigurable heating/cooling modules to provide wide temperature range
A temperature calibration device uses Peltier cells for heating and cooling. The Peltier cells are connected to a relay that connects the cells to each other in one configuration for heating and a different configuration for cooling. The Peltier cells also receive supply voltages having different magnitudes and polarities for heating and cooling. By changing the manner in which the Peltier cells are connected to each other and using different supply voltages for heating and cooling, the cells are able to operate closer to their specified maximum temperature differential without sacrificing the useful life of the cells. |
| US08117844B2 |
Method and apparatus for acquiring heat from multiple heat sources
The present invention relates to systems and methods for implementing a closed loop thermodynamic cycle utilizing a multi-component working fluid to acquire heat from two or more external heat source streams in an efficient manner utilizing countercurrent exchange. The liquid multi-component working stream is heated by a first external heat source stream at a first heat exchanger and is subsequently divided into a first substream and a second substream. The first substream is heated by the first working stream at a second external heat source stream at a second heat exchanger. The second substream is heated by the second working stream at a third heat exchanger. The first substream and the second substream are then recombined into a single working stream. The recombined working stream is heated by the second external heat source stream at a fourth heat exchanger. |
| US08117830B2 |
Exhaust purification device for engine
An agitating device for agitating the exhaust gas of an engine includes a base plate having a plurality of through holes that are defined by radially extending spoke portions and a ring-like rim portion and are arranged in a circular pattern in a circumferential direction of the base plate, and a plurality of fins expanding from the respective spokes on a slant with respect to the base plate. The base plate is fixed in the exhaust passage by the rim portion being jointed to the exhaust passage at welded portions. The welded portions are each disposed in an area between respective two adjacent spoke portions in the circumferential direction of the base plate, and an outer edge of the rim portion positioned on the outer side of the rim portion in extending directions of the spoke portions is located next to the exhaust passage with a gap provided therebetween. |
| US08117827B2 |
Apparatus for operating gas turbine engines
A gas turbine engine assembly includes at least one propelling gas turbine engine and an auxiliary engine used for generating power. The propelling gas turbine engine includes a fan assembly and a core engine downstream from said fan assembly. The core engine includes a compressor, a high pressure turbine, a low pressure turbine, and a booster turbine coupled together in serial-flow arrangement such that the booster turbine is rotatably coupled between the high and low pressure turbines. The auxiliary engine includes at least one turbine and an inlet. The inlet is upstream from the high pressure turbine and is in flow communication with the propelling gas turbine engine core engine, such that a portion of airflow entering the propelling engine is extracted for use by the auxiliary engine. |
| US08117822B2 |
Carbon-free gas turbine
The carbon-free gas turbine is a power-producing turbine driven by the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels with oxygen. The carbon-free gas turbine includes at least one combustor for combusting gaseous fuel with oxygen. The at least one combustor includes a housing containing at least one oxygen transport reactor. The oxygen transport reactor includes an outer wall and an inner cylindrical ion transport membrane. The membrane receives pressurized air and separates gaseous oxygen therefrom, transporting the oxygen into a central region thereof for combustion with the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, producing gaseous carbon dioxide and water vapor. A first turbine is driven by the gaseous carbon dioxide and water vapor produced by the at least one combustor and drives a first compressor. The first compressor provides the pressurized air supplied to the at least one combustor. A second turbine is driven by pressurized nitrogen gas resulting from the combustion. |
| US08117820B1 |
Jet engine intake deflector system
A jet engine intake deflector system for preventing foreign objects from entering the intake of a jet engine. The jet engine intake deflector system generally includes an air intake frame, a plurality of fins and a deflection member. The air intake frame is generally comprised of a plurality of laterally extending outer supports arranged at equidistance from each other in a substantially circular configuration around a center support. Each fin is generally comprised of a flat plate, wherein a front end of each fin is attached to the deflection member and a rear end of each fin is attached to the air intake frame. The free end of the air intake frame is generally welded directly onto a jet engine to protect its intake from foreign objects, such as birds. Upon striking a foreign object, the deflector member will direct the foreign object out and away from the jet engine intake. |
| US08117819B2 |
Vehicle chain repair device
A chain repairing tool, which includes a tool body and a PBR block, which is configured for pressing side plates of chain links, for breaking chain links and for riveting chain links as the PBR block is variously oriented within the tool body of the chain repairing tool. Also, a chain repairing tool, having a tool body, a body bolt, which is threadably received by the tool body, and a breaking pin where the body bolt includes a tapered passage, which guides the breaking pin. Also, the breaking pin includes a domed head. Also, a PBR block, which is configured for pressing side plates of chain links, for breaking chain links and for riveting chain links as said PBR block is variously oriented, in conjunction with a chain repairing tool. |
| US08117817B2 |
Helically-wound cable and method
A cable includes a first layer of wire helically wound to define a lumen having a lumen diameter. A second layer of wire is helically wound over the first layer. A first end segment of the second layer is configured with a plurality of strands that are fused together. A second end segment of the second layer is configured with a plurality of strands that are fused together. |
| US08117810B1 |
Cutter system for a header of a forage harvester
A cutting system for a forage harvester including a pair of planar counterrotating blades, each blade of the pair of blades configured to rotate about a substantially parallel axis. A portion of the pair of blades at least partially overlap each other, but are spaced from each other in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axes. A pair of planar counterrotating gripping members with each gripping member of the pair of gripping members configured to rotate about a corresponding rotational axis of one blade of the pair of blades. The pair of gripping members are aligned with each other in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axes. The pair of blades rotate at a different rotational speed than the pair of gripping members. |
| US08117809B2 |
System for emptying pharmaceutical containers
An automated system and method for emptying the contents of pharmaceutical containers. In an embodiment, a gripper unit receives and holds a pharmaceutical container. A cutter cuts the pharmaceutical container, and a rotating unit, operable with the gripper, rotates at least a portion of the gripper unit to empty the contents of the pharmaceutical container. |
| US08117806B2 |
Vertical bagging machine
A vertical bagging machine including a spindle for receiving and supporting a roll of stock material, the spindle defining a spindle axis, wherein the stock material is unwindable as a sheet, a folding plate defining a folding plate plane that is substantially parallel with the spindle axis, the folding plate including a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first and second edges are generally equal in length and connect at a central peak, a spreader chute including a first guide plate and a second guide plate, the second guide plate being generally parallel with and spaced apart from the first guide plate, wherein the first and second guide plates are substantially perpendicular to the folding plate plane, and first and second folding rollers defining a nip therebetween, the first and second folding rollers being generally parallel with the folding plate plane and disposed between the folding plate and the spreader chute, wherein the sheet is moveable over the central peak, through the nip, and over the first and second guide plates to define a loading space between the first and second guide plates. |
| US08117805B2 |
Method of manufacture for a squeezable flexible package
A method and apparatus for manufacturing a non-rectilinear flexible package comprising an in-line process including application and selective sealing of a semi-rigid strip to an inner wall of the package and further including a dual-stage die-cutting technique to remove and cut a non-linear shape into a formed web of film. The semi-rigid strip is sealed to one interior wall of the package but not the other to provide a reinforced opening to the package through which a material can be dispensed. Additionally, the dual stage die-cutting method comprises first cutting and removing a portion of the web material prior to filling the package and again cutting and removing a portion of the web material after filling, resulting in a package having a narrowed neck adjacent the closed reinforced opening at an upper portion of the package and a body of the package that is tapered towards the reinforced opening. |
| US08117804B2 |
Method of producing high burst zipper assemblies for large reclosable packages
The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a high burst slider zipper which allows for bottom filling of reclosable packages, such as large bags, and further provides increased resistance to damage from the dropping or shock loading of the filled package. This is achieved by providing a peel seal or other frangible or separable connection between the zipper profiles, and by sealing a portion of one of the flanges to itself by a hard seal above the peel seal. This causes the external forces on a bag from bottom filling or shock loading to be directed toward the hard seal and further directed so as to cause a shear force against the peel seal, thereby increasing the resistance of the package to external forces. |
| US08117803B2 |
Vessel filling system
Atmosphere in a sterilization box 18 is prevented from entering into a filler chamber 44 side, and also, atmosphere on the filler side is prevented from flowing on the sterilization box 18 side. An intermediate chamber 40 is disposed between the sterilization box 18 for performing sterilization by electron beam irradiation to a vessel 2 and the chamber 44 in which a filler 42 is disposed for filling the sterilized vessel 2 with inner content. A pressure in the intermediate chamber 40 is controlled, by a pressure control device, so as to be higher than a pressure in the sterilization box 18 and higher than a pressure in the chamber 44 provided with the filler 42. Since the pressure in the intermediate chamber 40 is highest, atmosphere in the upstream-side sterilization box 18 is prevented from flowing in the filler 42 side and atmosphere in the chamber 44 for the filler 42 is also prevented from flowing in the sterilization box 18 side. |
| US08117799B2 |
Method of erecting a tower
The disclosure relates to a method of erecting a tower comprising; —providing a foundation (1); —providing at least one top section (20) of a tower; —providing a first lifting mechanism (10) adapted to carry the top section (20); —providing at least one lower most tower section (25) onto the foundation (1); —lifting said at least one top section (20) of the tower by lifting the first lifting mechanism (10) relative said at least one lower most tower section (25); —adding at least one second lower most section (24) above said at least one lower most tower section (25); —lifting said at least one top section (20) of the tower by lifting the first lifting mechanism (10) relative said at least one second lower most tower section (25). Preferably a second lifting mechanism is carried by a nacelle which is rotatably arranged on the top section, thereby allowing the second lifting mechanism to be orientated in different orientations relative the top section. |
| US08117797B2 |
Basement sump system and method
A sump system for use in basement waterproofing systems. A sump liner may be generally rectangular in geometry, and may include two side elements with apertures to exchange groundwater while blocking debris. An adjustable inlet may be provided in another side element to fluidly connect other elements of a basement waterproofing system to the sump liner. The sump liner may further include a base configured to provide a built-in stand for a sump pump. The pump stand may contain a lip with notches to allow debris to fall and collect in a trough around a periphery of the base. The base may further provide an underside cavity for accommodating an obstruction in the floor of a sump hole. A removable lid may facilitate access to the sump liner interior, and may contain a break-away feature to accommodate discharge piping, as well as a groove to lodge a pump power cord. The sump liner may be strategically oriented within the sump hole to protect the basement foundation from erosion. |
| US08117793B2 |
Suspended ceiling grid assembly with separation joints
A seismic separation joint is provided for connecting end-to-end a first grid tee to a second grid tee. Each grid tee includes a central web, with a tongue or tab extending from the web. Preferably, an elongated slot extends from the web into the tongue/tab associated therewith, with the slots being aligned when the first grid tee is connected to the second grid tee. A fastener is received in a portion of the tongue/tab of at least one, and preferably both, of the grid tees distally of the slot in one grid tee and in the slot of the other grid tee. |
| US08117791B2 |
Abutment member
An abutment is provided for use as a start or end post of a plasterboard partition wall or as a join between two such walls which run in different directions. The abutment comprises an elongate plaster moulding designed to run between the ceiling and the floor and having an abutment surface for abutment against the end of the partition wall. In a preferred embodiment, the abutment includes a tapered edge at the abutment surface to provide a space at the join in which a skim of plaster can be applied to provide a seamless join between the partition wall and the abutment. |
| US08117790B2 |
Overmolded fenestration building product and method of manufacture
An overmolded building product having a frame and a thin shell base. The frame has a periphery and a first aperture. The frame further has an overmolding adapted to receive a pane, which has an interior side and exterior side in contact with the overmolding. The pane covers the first aperture and transmits light. The thin shell base has an exterior side opposed to a portion of an interior side forming a first cavity. The first cavity selectably receiving a filler. The thin shell has a first distal end of the exterior side which may be selectably positionable adjacent to and securable to a roof member. The roof member defines a second aperture leading to a room in a building. The interior side of the thin shell defines a second cavity adjacent to the pane. The frame is securable to the thin shell base. The frame and thin shell base are molded using a process selected from thermoforming, rotomolding, compression molding, or injection molding. |
| US08117788B1 |
Energy dissipating assembly for frame walls
Lateral motion devices are used in conjunction with relatively rigid shear assemblies to further dissipate shear forces on frame construction buildings. In one embodiment, the lateral motion device is interposed between the shear assembly and the upper portion of the wall to permit relative motion therebetween and to absorb and dissipate a portion of the energy associated with shear force through spring-like behavior and deformation. In one embodiment, the energy dissipation is achieved by a plurality of corrugation structures, where the top of the corrugation is attached to the upper portion of the wall and the bottom of the corrugation is attached to an interconnecting assembly that is securely attached to the foundation. Placing the energy dissipating device near the upper portion of the wall mounted on a comparatively rigid frame provides a relatively short moment arm with respect to the lateral forces imposed by the wall on the energy dissipating device to allow better control of the response to the shear force. |
| US08117782B2 |
Tactical illuminator
A tactical illuminator having an integrated illuminator system including a horizontally-oriented foregrip, a power source, a rotary switch, a toggle switch, a depressible switch, an attachment mechanism, navigation lights, an aiming laser, and a main illuminator. |
| US08117780B2 |
Gun sight
Various gun sights for firearms and related methods of use are provided. In one embodiment, the sight includes an apparatus adapted to be mounted at a rear end of a firearm and arranged to occlude one eye of a user of the firearm and to generate an illuminated dot that is disposed such that it is generally centered on the longitudinal axis of the barrel of the firearm. The gun sight produces a collimated beam of light that creates an image of an illuminated dot by either a refractive method or a reflective method. In use, a dominant eye of the user is occluded by the sight and the other eye of the user is focused on the target. The user then adjusts the position of the gun relative to the target such that the user perceives the illuminated dot of the sight to be positioned on the target. In one embodiment the sight includes a dry fire detector that generates some output to the user, such as an increase in brightness of the illuminated dot, at the instant the weapon would have fired if a round had been in the chamber. |
| US08117779B2 |
Catches and trigger apparatus for use with weapons
Catches and trigger apparatus for use with weapons are described. An example trigger apparatus for use with a firearm having a breech includes a latch moveable between a blocking position that blocks the breech and a non-blocking position that does not block the breech. The latch includes a sear arm, a spring assembly, and a securing element moveable between a first position and a second position. The spring assembly is to bias the securing element. In the first position, the securing element is positioned at a distance from the sear arm and a surface of a securing device in a securing position to enable the latch to be moved to the non-blocking position and the breech to retract relative to the weapon. In the second position, the securing element is positioned adjacent the sear arm via the breech and the surface of the securing device in the securing position to secure the latch in the blocking position. |
| US08117776B1 |
Methods of using a roll-up sign mounting bracket
A bracket for mounting an article, such as a roll-up fabric sign, on a mast, includes a body and a clamp on the body for securing the bracket at a desired location on the mast. A receptacle on the body is provided for receiving a portion of the article. The bracket body may be secured in first and second different orientations on the mast at the desired location, the first operational orientation being one in which the receptacle is positioned forwardly of a forward surface of the mast, for receiving the article portion, and the second non-operational orientation being one in which substantially no portions of the bracket body are positioned forwardly of the mast forward surface. |
| US08117774B2 |
Hanging file folder having fold-up label features
A hanging file folder having fold-up label features can be comprised of a sheet of flat, foldable material having two doubled over ends. A first hanger member can be disposed within one of the doubled over ends and configured to couple to a hanging file drawer rail. A second hanger member can be disposed within the other of the doubled over ends and configured to couple to the hanging file drawer rail. A plurality of tab members formed of the flat, foldable material can be attached to at least one of the doubled-over ends and have pairs of ears extending to the sides of the tab members. The tab members can be positioned to be extended beyond an edge of the doubled over end to which they are attached by folding the tab members and inserting the ears into pairs of slots formed in the doubled over ends. |
| US08117772B2 |
Ground engaging tool system
A ground engaging tool system comprises a ground engaging tool such as a tip, an adapter mounted to or part of a work tool, and a rotating lock member. The ground engaging tool is attached to the adapter, and a post portion of the adapter slides into a slot provided on the lock. The lock is rotated so that the entrance to the slot is blocked and the post cannot slide out of the slot. The lock in this position is in a locking position, and the retention of the post in the slot of the lock retains the ground engaging tool to the adapter. |
| US08117765B2 |
Apparatus and method of sealing of a pocket space between drying cylinders in a paper machine or a board machine
The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for sealing of a pocket space between drying cylinders (2, 3) in a paper machine or similar. In the method for sealing of the pocket space: a wire (5) is moved supported by the first and the second cylinder (2, 3, 4), a gap between the pocket space (15) and the space outside (24) it is sealed by a runnability component (6), which comprises at least a sealing surface (19, 22) and a blow nozzle (21) provided with a nozzle slot (26) of a size of 0.5-3.5 mm and elongated in the cross direction, the sealing surface (19, 22) is kept at a distance of 5-15 mm from the moving wire (5), air is blown with the blow nozzle (21) from a blow point (27) and along the sealing surface (22) towards a sealing point (16) and further via the sealing point (16) away (24) from the pocket space. The invention comprises also a runnability component (6) and a method for manufacturing the same. The parts of the runnability component are fastened together at least mainly without welding in the cross direction of the paper machine. |
| US08117760B1 |
Wall mounting and alignment device
A device for preparing to mount a wall fixture includes a main base having opposed first and second ends and a first auxiliary base having a substantially similar configuration. The first auxiliary base is coupled to the main base and movable between a closed configuration in which the first auxiliary base is positioned substantially atop the main base and an open configuration in which the first auxiliary base is linearly adjacent the main base. The main base and first auxiliary base each define a slot extending longitudinally between respective first and second ends. Each base includes a marking member situated in a respective base slot and slidably movable therealong. Each base includes a respective locking assembly for securing a respective marking member at a desired position along a respective slot. Each marking member includes a pointed distal end for making a starter hole when depressed against a wall surface. |
| US08117757B2 |
Cutter adapter for cutting machine
A cutter adapter includes a holder having a receiving portion for inserting a cutter therein; a sleeve sleeved onto the holder and having an annular bevel; a lock pin inserted into the holder and having an active end and a passive end, the passive end being squeezed by the annular bevel when the sleeve is moved, the active end being inserted into the cutter when the passive end is squeezed; and a biasing pin located in the receiving portion and pushed by a spring mounted in the receiving portion. In this way, when intending to mount the cutter to the cutter adapter, the user only needs to insert the cutter into the receiving portion to force the biasing pin to disengage from the lock pin, the lock pin being forced by the annular bevel to insert the active end into the receiving portion to hold the cutter. |
| US08117756B2 |
Bush cutter
A bush cutter for performing weed-cutting operations while suspended from the shoulders of an operator. The bush cutter is provided with an operating rod and an operating handle, which is provided midway along the operating rod in the longitudinal direction. The rearward rod-half of the operating rod between the operating handle and a motor has a curved part that curves laterally. |
| US08117755B2 |
Precision cutter
A precision cutter is disclosed. The cutter is curvilinear in shape, and has an elongated handle with a blade projecting from the top end thereof, and a cap adapted to fit over the blade, the cap being so configured that when in place covering the blade, it provides the appearance of a unitary piece to the cutter. The handle has a weight positioned in it eccentric to the central axis thereof, so that when rolled on a flat surface the handle consistently returns to the same position relative to the flat surface. |
| US08117753B2 |
Safety razors
A safety razor blade unit has two or more blades (19,20,21) with parallel cutting edges (24,25,26) mounted in a frame (10) between guard and cap surfaces so that the average inter-blade span is not greater than 1.25 mm, and the wash through index, a measure of the rinsability obtained by a method defined in the specification, is not less than 0.20. The combination of narrow inter-blade spans and good rinsability enables enhanced comfort levels during shaving to be achieved. |
| US08117747B2 |
Installing vehicle wiring harness
One or more connectors at one end of a wire bundle are passed through a polarized through-opening in a wall. The wire bundle is advanced to place a grommet having a substantially right angle curved bend, through and along which the wire bundle curves, immediately proximate the polarized through-opening on one side of the wall. One end of the grommet is inserted into and through the through-opening, and the grommet is advanced to pass its curved bend through the through-opening until the curved bend is disposed on the other side of the wall. Then a polarized groove in the grommet is seated in the polarized through-opening to locate a direction in which the portion of the wire bundle exiting the one end of the grommet extends from the grommet's curved bend. |
| US08117744B2 |
Process for forming an isolated electrically conductive contact through a metal package
A method of forming an isolated electrically conductive contact through a metallic substrate includes creating at least one via through the substrate, where the via includes a first opening in a top surface of the substrate, a second opening in an opposing bottom surface and at least one continuous sidewall extending therebetween. A dielectric sleeve is formed on the at least one sidewall of the via while preserving at least a portion of the through via. An electrically conductive filler is then placed into the via. In the examples disclosed, the filler may be a conductive ink or a conductive epoxy. |
| US08117740B2 |
Method and apparatus for manufacturing a probe card
In a method of manufacturing a probe card, a plurality of probe modules, including a sacrificial substrate and probes on the sacrificial substrate, is prepared. The probe modules are mutually aligned to form a probe module assembly having the aligned probe modules and a desired size. The probe module assembly is then attached to a probe substrate. Thus, the probe card having a large size may be manufactured. |
| US08117736B2 |
Method of lapping a magnetic head slider
A method of lapping a magnetic head slider includes a step of lapping a lapping surface of a row bar provided with a plurality of MR read head elements arranged along at least one line, a step of obtaining at least one output signal from at least one of the plurality of MR read head elements of the row bar during lapping, the at least one output signal corresponding to element resistance, a step of detecting at least one peak value of the obtained at least one output signal, and a step of controlling an amount of lapping of the row bar depending upon the detected at least one peak value. |
| US08117731B2 |
Method and device for installing door glass on vehicle door
A method of installing a door glass (15) on a vehicle door (16). The door glass is tilted relative to the front-rear direction of a vehicle to reduce the length in the front-rear direction of the door glass. The tilted door glass is lowered to position it between a pair of sashes (121, 122) provided at the front and rear of the vehicle door. The tilt of the door glass is corrected to a predetermined level to fit the door glass into the front and rear sashes and then the door glass is lowered. |
| US08117729B2 |
Methods of deploying a portable floating hot tub
A method for rapidly deploying a floating hot tub is disclosed. The method includes providing a collapsible frame, having a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration. The deployed frame defines an interior volume, at least one seat, and an upper periphery. An insulated liner sized is deployed and attached to the deployed collapsible frame. The insulted liner is filled with water. The water within the insulated liner is heated. |
| US08117723B2 |
Jig for assembling various types of front end modules to vehicles
The present invention discloses a jig for assembling various types of front end modules to various types of vehicles, comprising: (a) a body movably supported to the ceiling of an assembly line; (b) a car body-fixing part movably mounted to the body to fix various types of vehicles by variably adjusting its fixing position to the front car body of the vehicles; (c) a component-supporting part movably mounted to the body to support the front end module; and (d) a component-holding part mounted to the body and the component-supporting part to fix the front end module by variably change its holding position depending on the types of front end modules. |
| US08117718B2 |
Locking mechanism
The present invention discloses a locking mechanism having a locking member disposed with a fan-shape protrusion and a fan-shape notch, such that when the locking member is rotating, the jerk as a result of rotation can be reduced, and when the locking member is returned to its original position, a sufficient torsion can still be generated. Also, when the locking member is in the locking position, the fan-shape protrusions are positioned at the fan-shape notches. |
| US08117714B2 |
Vacuum cleaner with hair collection element
A vacuum cleaner comprises a hair collection assembly having a hair collection element adapted to collection hair from a surface. The hair collection assembly can be mounted to the cleaning head of the vacuum cleaner for movement between a use position in which the hair collection element is in contact with the surface and a second position in which the hair collection element in spaced from the surface. The hair collection element can further be configured to collect hair from the surface when the cleaning head is moved in a first direction and to not collect hair from the surface when the cleaning head is moved in a second direction. A method of removing hair from a surface is also described. |
| US08117712B2 |
Cleaning appliance
A handheld cleaning appliance includes a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet and separating apparatus for separating dirt and dust from an airflow in an airflow path leading from the air inlet to the air outlet. The appliance also includes a body housing a fan and motor for drawing air into the appliance via the dirty air inlet. The separator includes at least one cyclone. The separator and the body are releasably connected together around a chamber in the airflow path which is formed partly by the body and partly by the separator, the chamber housing a filter which is located upstream of the fan and motor and downstream of the cyclone. |
| US08117707B1 |
Pool cage beam brush
A brush device can be releasably attached to a distal end of a pool broom and has a plurality of strategically placed brushes which brushingly engage the surfaces of the beams of a pool cage to clean those surfaces. The brushes are mounted on a head that can be angularly adjusted so the brushes will engage the cage surfaces in a manner which is conducive to thorough cleaning of those surfaces. The brushes are releasably mounted so they can be removed for cleaning or replacement. |
| US08117703B2 |
Modular dual-purpose chemical dispensing system for laundry or warewash
A modular chemical delivery system is designed to be readily convertible from use with a warewashing system to use with a laundry system, or vice-versa, merely by the replacement of one chip in the controller of the system. The dispensing system is also readily expandable by adding additional satellite pumps in order to inject additional chemicals into a single washing unit, and/or to supply chemicals to additional washing units. Plug and play technology is used so that control intelligence can be distributed from the main system controller to satellite controllers, and so that additional satellite units may be readily added, identified, and properly integrated into the dispensing system. |
| US08117702B2 |
Demolition tool
The invention provides a demolition tool that can be used in many ways for the demolition of construction materials or other materials. The demolition tool includes a handle having a head at one end. The head has a longitudinal central plane that bisects the head, a strike contact face, and toothed, stepped grasping jaws that accommodate multiple sizes of lumber or other material. The head may also include a blunt blade edge below the strike contact face for striking and demolishing material. The demolition tool includes a bent end pry bar at a second end of the handle. The bent end pry bar being offset 90 degrees from the longitudinal central plane of the tool head enabling full range of motion without interfering with other tool functions. The demolition tool may comprise a single piece of material and may be softer than tools used to strike it, but harder than materials which it is used to strike. |
| US08117701B2 |
Control unit for patient support
This disclosure describes a control unit for a patient support, such as a mattress. One embodiment of the control unit includes a base portion and a display portion pivotably coupled to the base portion. The control unit may also include one or more communication ports for sending or receiving data from one or more remote devices over a network. The control unit may also include a memory port into which memory may be removably inserted. The control unit may also include a visual indicator configured to be activated by a triggering event, such as a patient exiting the mattress. The display unit may include a touchscreen user interface. The display unit may also be configured to display audiovisual material. |
| US08117695B2 |
Multi-position support apparatus featuring a movable foot support
A bed featuring a movable foot support. When the user wishes to stand up from lying down or sitting, the movable foot support moves toward the head of the bed. When the user is brought into a standing position, the movable foot support starts to come down so that the feet of the user are in close proximity to floor level. |
| US08117694B2 |
Table drive system
A table drive system comprising a first drive assembly configured for moving a support table in a first direction, a second drive assembly configured for moving the support table in a second direction, a third drive assembly configured for moving the support table in a third direction and a first drive motor coupled to the first drive assembly, the second drive assembly and the third drive assembly is provided. The first drive motor is configured to drive the first drive assembly, the second drive assembly and the third drive assembly. |
| US08117692B1 |
Sheet system for mattress protection
A sheet system having a primary sheet adapted to fit around a mattress and a secondary sheet for attaching atop the primary sheet. The primary sheet has a protective layer disposed between the top and bottom surfaces for providing moisture protection, and the secondary sheet has a protective layer disposed between the top and bottom surfaces for providing moisture protection. A plurality of attachment means connect the sheets together temporarily. |
| US08117691B2 |
Adjustable suspension sleep device and method of use
An adjustable suspension sleep device is provided to suspend and individual while sleeping. The adjustable suspension sleep device has a body support assembly having a first and second longitudinally extending sides spaced apart by first and second ends. A first adjustable tensioning assembly is in communication with the first side of the body support assembly and a second adjustable tensioning assembly is in communication with the second side of the body support assembly. Further, a first suspension support assembly is in communication with the first end of the body support assembly and a second suspension support assembly in communication with the second end of the body support assembly. The first and second adjustable tensioning assemblies each include a tension adjustment device. A method of use for the adjustable suspension sleep device is also disclosed. |
| US08117690B1 |
Mechanical baby stroller rocker
A mechanical baby rocker includes a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a plurality of straps, and a motor. The first cylinder is telescopically affixed with the second cylinder. The first cylinder is actuated by the motor. The motor is housed within the second cylinder. |
| US08117679B2 |
Molded articles and molding methods particularly for a protective helmet
Protective structures, such as helmets, may have a shell including an outer shell and a tunnel element integral to the outer shell. The tunnel element may have a first opening at an outer surface side of the shell and a second opening at an inner surface side of the shell so that air flow may occur between the openings and wherein the tunnel element is fused to the outer shell. An impact liner may be directly in-molded to shells suitable for use in motorcycle helmets and other helmets that must meet certain standards. The impact liner may include one or more venting channels that are coupled to a tunnel integral to the shell structure. |
| US08117678B2 |
Hard hat lanyard
In combination, a hard hat lanyard and a hard hat includes a lower strap having a first end and a second end, a lower strap fastening mechanism fastened to the lower strap second end where the fastening mechanism is adapted to fasten the lower strap second end to an article of clothing, an upper strap having a first end and a second end, an intermediate release mechanism fastened to the lower strap first end and the upper strap second end that is adapted to releasably secure the lower strap to the upper strap, and an upper strap fastening mechanism where the lower strap, the lower strap fastening mechanism, the upper strap, the intermediate release mechanism, and the upper strap fastening mechanism form the hard hat lanyard that attaches to the hard hat where the upper strap is fastened around a non-separating portion of the hard hat without modifying the hard hat. |
| US08117674B2 |
Method of forming garments having seamless edge bands
A method is provided for forming a garment, including providing a fabric layer having sonically weldable material, the fabric layer having an inner surface and at least one opening region, the opening region having a periphery and an outer free edge, placing an elastic edge band having sonically weldable material around the entire periphery of the opening region, the edge band having first and second free edges and an inner surface, securing the first free edge of the edge band to the outer free edge of the opening region with a subsonic or ultrasonic edge weld to form a finished seamless edge along the opening region, and activating an adhesive along more than half of the inner surface of the edge band to secure the edge band and second free edge to the inner surface of the fabric layer. |
| US08117673B2 |
Swimming goggles
Swimming goggles include two clamp frames, two frame bodies, two lenses respectively received in the receiving slots of the frame bodies, pressing devices for pressing the first arm and the second arm to close, and a head strap. Each clamp frame defines a passageway, and has an assembling portion on an inward side thereof. A first arm and a second arm respectively extend from the clamp frame and opposite to the assembling portion. A slit is defined between joint surfaces of the first arm and the second arm and is located adjacent a user's temple when being worn. A stem extends from an end of the first arm/the second arm. An engaging portion is formed at an end of the stem. The frame bodies are respectively assembled on the passageways of the clamp frames. A receiving slot is defined in an inner surface of each frame body. |
| US08117671B2 |
Necktie
According to one exemplary embodiment, a necktie includes a front tie material of elongated shape having first and second end portions including tips and first and second tipping pieces having a periphery complementary to the first and second end portions, respectively. The tipping pieces are peripherally stitched to the first and second end portions so as to form first and second pockets and the tie includes a lining in which end portions thereof extend into the first and second pockets. The first tipping piece and the first end portion of the front tie material are folded along first and second fold lines that are located adjacent the periphery of the lining and along third and fourth fold lines that are located spaced from and further from the lining than the first and second fold lines to cause the first tipping piece and first end portion to be folded over itself and form a pair of once-folded sections. The first tipping piece and the first end portion are folded along fifth and sixth fold lines to cause the once-folded sections to be folded over themselves to form a pair of twice-folded structures. The tie being is along the first and second fold lines to cause the third and fourth fold lines to be placed adjacent another. |
| US08117670B2 |
Variable volume container unit hoisting device for lowering and raising a telescopical expansion element
A container has a variable volume, wherein a basic container has a bottom panel and a roof panel. One or more hinged side panels are rotatable about a horizontal axis, and one or more expansion elements are telescopable out of the basic container and have a bottom panel, a side open toward a front the basic container and a front panel opposite the open side. Each expansion element is open toward the top and, in a telescoped state, the roof panel is formed by a raised side panel of the basic container. One or more hoisting devices is associated with each expansion element and with which the expansion element is lowerable. |
| US08117669B2 |
Bib-scarf system
A bib-scarf system which is simple to manufacture and creates an adjustable, nonplanar bib. The system incorporates a piece of fabric, a horizontal opening in the fabric, and a horizontal strap. The fabric is cut to a predetermined rectangular size. Then a horizontal opening is created in the center of the fabric. The fabric at the top of the newly created horizontal opening is folded over and pulled through the opening. A strap is then run through the horizontal opening and fold in the top half of the fabric. This process creates an adjustable nonplanar bib which can be attached to the wearer with the strap either worn around the neck or secured to a garment which receives the strap. |