| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08287677B2 |
Printable elastic composite
A composite that contains an elastic film laminated to a meltblown facing is provided. During lamination, apertures and discrete bond sites may be concurrently formed in the elastic film. The discrete bond sites may be located proximate (adjacent or near to) a perimeter defined by corresponding apertures formed by displacement of the film. The location of the bond sites adjacent to or near the apertures may enhance the durability of the meltblown facing by strengthening the area surrounding the apertures. Furthermore, the content of the elastic film and the temperature/pressure of lamination may be selected to that the film possesses a sufficient tack for adhering to the facing at regions other than those fused together by the bonding elements of the patterned roll. Such secondary bonding further stabilizes the meltblown facing and renders it suitable for printing. Further, the film is under tension in the machine direction during lamination. Subsequent to lamination, however, the film is retracted so that the facing retracts toward its original machine direction length, thereby gathering and forming pleats. It has been discovered that these pleats have a relatively small amplitude (height), as well as a substantially uniform frequency across the surface of the facing. Such a small height and increased regularity improves the ability to transfer an ink to “peaks” of the pleats, thereby improving print quality and uniformity. |
| US08287672B2 |
Strapping device
The invention relates to a portable strapping device to strap packaged goods using a strapping band, the device comprising a tightening mechanism for applying tension to a loop of a strapping band, a frictional welding element (5) to generate a friction weld connection of two overlapping strapping-loop segments, and a rechargeable energy-storing device (10) for storing energy, in particular mechanical, elastic or potential energy that may be released as drive energy applied to a frictional welding system (5) to produce a frictional weld connection. One objective of the invention is to attain applicability, in the absence of an electric storage battery, at the highest possible efficiency, to such an above described portable strapping device. This objective is attained in that the energy storage (10) may be loaded using a manually triggered drive component and in that, when energy stored in the storage is released, the energy storage carries out a displacement devoid of any reversal of motion. |
| US08287669B2 |
Copper alloy for electric and electronic equipments
A copper alloy for electric and electronic equipments, containing from 0.5 to 4.0 mass % of Ni, from 0.5 to 2.0 mass % of Co, and from 0.3 to 1.5 mass % of Si, with the balance of copper and inevitable impurities, wherein R{200} is 0.3 or more, in which the R{200} is a proportion of a diffraction intensity from a {200} plane of the following diffraction intensities and is represented by R{200}=I{200}/(I{111}+I{200}+I{220}+I{311}), I{111} is a diffraction intensity from a {111} plane, I{200} is a diffraction intensity from a {200} plane, I{220} is a diffraction intensity from a {220} plane, and I{311} is a diffraction intensity from a {311} plane, each at the material surface. |
| US08287665B2 |
Soft magnetic alloy, magnetic part using soft magnetic alloy, and method of manufacturing same
A soft magnetic alloy contains P, B, and Cu as essential components. As a preferred example, an Fe-based alloy contains Fe of 70 atomic % or more, B of 5 atomic % to 25 atomic %, Cu of 1.5 atomic % or less (excluding zero), and P of 10 atomic or less (excluding zero). |
| US08287663B2 |
Ferrous metal magnetite coating processes and reagents
A process for forming a magnetite coating on a ferrous metal surface and for chemical reagents used to implement the coating process. The process comprises the step of making the ferrous metal surface more reactive by contacting the surface with an activating reagent and then contacting the activated surface with an oxidizing reagent to form the coating at a relatively low temperature range. The surface is activated by contact with an acid solution to form a surface rich in reactive iron. The activated surface is then oxidized by contact with an aqueous reagent of alkali metal hydroxide, alkali metal nitrate, alkali metal nitrite, and mixtures thereof. |
| US08287659B2 |
Poly phosphate functionalized alkyl polyglucosides for enhanced food soil removal
A cleaning composition including a primarily C12 poly phosphate functionalized alkyl polyglucoside, a water conditioning agent, an acid source, a solvent, and water. In one embodiment, the cleaning composition is substantially free of alkyl phenol ethoxylates. The cleaning composition is capable of removing soils including up to 20% proteins. The cleaning compositions include a biorenewable, environmentally friendly alternative to nonyl phenol ethoxylates and exhibit superior cleaning of food soils. |
| US08287655B2 |
Method for cleaning dirt and debris from surfaces
A method of cleaning dirt and debris from surfaces using a cleaning device, such as a vacuum cleaner. The cleaning device has a handle unit which is attached to the body of the cleaning device adjacent a filter compartment. The handle unit has a handle portion that is spaced from the filter compartment to allow a user to place his or her hand through the space and grasp the handle portion and thereby carry the cleaning device using only the handle unit. The handle unit can also be detached from the body of the cleaning device, and then later re-attached, via lockable mating connecting elements. |
| US08287647B2 |
Apparatus and method for atomic layer deposition
The embodiments provide apparatus and methods of depositing conformal thin film on interconnect structures by providing processes and systems using an atomic layer deposition (ALD). More specifically, each of the ALD systems includes a proximity head that has a small reaction volume right above an active process region of the substrate surface. The proximity head dispenses small amount of reactants and purging gas to be distributed and pumped away from the small reaction volume between the proximity head and the substrate in relatively short periods, which increases the through-put. In an exemplary embodiment, a proximity head for dispensing reactants and purging gas to deposit a thin film by atomic layer deposition (ALD) is provided. The proximity head is configured to sequentially dispensing a reactant gas and a purging gas to deposit a thin ALD film under the proximity head. The proximity head covers an active process region of a substrate surface. The proximity head also includes at least one vacuum channel to pull excess reactant gas, purging gas, or deposition byproducts from a reaction volume between a surface of the proximity head facing the substrate and the substrate. The proximity head includes a plurality of sides, each side being configured to dispense either a reactant gas or a purging gas on the substrate surface underneath the proximity head. Each side has at least one vacuum channel. |
| US08287646B2 |
Gas treatment systems
An MOCVD reactor such as a rotating disc reactor (10) is equipped with a gas injector head having diffusers (129) disposed between adjacent gas inlets. The diffusers taper in the downstream direction. The injector head desirably has inlets (117) for a first gas such as a metal alkyl disposed in radial rows which terminate radially inward from the reactor wall to minimize deposition of the reactants on the reactor wall. The injector head desirably also has inlets (125) for a second gas such as ammonia arranged in a field between the rows of first gas inlets, and additionally has a center inlet (135) for the second gas coaxial with the axis of rotation. |
| US08287645B2 |
Production process for high purity polycrystal silicon and production apparatus for the same
In the production process of the present invention for high purity polycrystal silicon, using a vertical reactor having a silicon chloride gas-feeding nozzle and a reducing agent gas-feeding nozzle which are disposed at an upper part and a waste gas discharge pipe, a silicon chloride gas and a reducing agent gas are fed into the reactor to form polycrystal silicon at a tip part of the silicon chloride gas-feeding nozzle by the reaction of the silicon chloride gas with the reducing agent gas, and the polycrystal silicon is allowed to grow from the tip part of the silicon chloride gas-feeding nozzle toward a lower part thereof. |
| US08287643B2 |
Clad textured metal substrate for forming epitaxial thin film thereon and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention provides an oriented substrate for forming an epitaxial thin film thereon, which has a more excellent orientation than that of a conventional one and a high strength, and a method for manufacturing the same. The present invention provides a clad textured metal substrate for forming the epitaxial thin film thereon, which includes a metallic layer and a silver layer bonded to at least one face of the metallic layer, wherein the silver layer has a {100}<001> cube texture in which a deviating angle Δφ of crystal axes satisfies Δφ≦9 degree. The textured metal substrate can be manufactured by subjecting the silver sheet containing 30 to 200 ppm oxygen by concentration to the orienting treatment of hot-working and heat-treating, and bonding the metal sheet with the oriented silver sheet by using a surface activated bonding process. |
| US08287639B2 |
Methods and compositions for improving air entrainment in cementitious mixtures
A method for improving air entrainment comprising the steps of: providing a compound selected from an amphoteric, an alkyl polyglycoside, an ester, a triglyceride, a triglyceride derivative, a fatty alcohol, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol, an alkoxylated polyhydric fatty alcohol, and mixtures thereof; dispersing the compound on a finely particulate carrier to form a treated carrier; and adding the treated carrier to a cementitious mixture is provided. A composition for improving air entrainment, including a compound selected from an amphoteric, an alkyl polyglycoside, an ester, a triglyceride, a triglyceride derivative, a fatty alcohol, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol, an alkoxylated polyhydric fatty alcohol, and mixtures thereof, wherein the compound is dispersed on an organic particulate carrier and added to a cementitious mixture, is also provided. The composition may be incorporated into a concrete structure. |
| US08287637B2 |
Silica encapsulated organic nanopigments and method of making same
Core-shell nanoscale pigment particles include a core organic pigment composition including nanoscale particles of organic pigments, and a shell layer of surface-deposited silica, where the organic pigment particles are selected from azo-type pigment particles, azo laked pigment particles, quinacridone pigment particles, phthalocyanine pigment particles, and mixtures thereof. The core-shell nanoscale pigment particles can also include an organic primer layer covering the core and located between the core and the shell layer. The core-shell nanoscale pigment particles can be made by preparing a core composition including nanoparticles of organic pigments, and encapsulating the core with shell layer of surface-deposited silica and an optional organic primer layer located between the core and the shell layer. |
| US08287635B2 |
Asphalt mix workable at ambient temperatures with only biodegradable solvents and method of manufacturing the same
An asphalt mix comprising a pine extract, the asphalt mix having low viscosity at ambient temperatures, and workable at ambient temperatures. The asphalt mix comprises asphalt cement, biodiesel, pine extract and an anti-stripping agent. The asphalt mix is an environmentally safe and “green” product. It comprises recycled asphalt product. The asphalt mix eliminates petroleum solvents beyond trace amounts used to denature biodiesel. The asphalt mix is used for patching at ambient temperatures. Safety precautions for heat and toxicity are not necessary for use. The asphalt mix comprises only solvents that are biodegradable. The biodegradable solvents are pine extract and biodiesel.A method of manufacturing an asphalt mix comprising: heating aggregate; introducing RAP to the aggregate; dry mixing the RAP and aggregate; forming a coating of AC on all aggregate during the step of dry mixing by extending the length in time of the dry mixing step; separately blending AC, biodegradable solvents, and anti-stripping agent to produce a blend; and wet mixing the blend into the RAP and aggregate mix. The biodegradable solvents are capable of making the asphalt mix workable at ambient temperatures. The biodegradable solvents comprise pine extract and biodiesel. The length of the dry mixing is extended to at least about 35 seconds. The aggregate comprises coarse virgin aggregate and fine virgin aggregate. The RAP is about 40% of the final product. The asphalt mix is stockpiled. The asphalt mix is bagged. The method of manufacturing further comprises manipulating encrusted material on the outside of the stockpiled cold asphalt mix back into the stockpile. |
| US08287632B1 |
Solid ink compositions comprising amorphous esters of citric acid
A solid ink composition comprising an amorphous component, a crystalline material, and optionally, a colorant, which are suitable for ink jet printing, including printing on coated paper substrates. In embodiments, the amorphous component is synthesized from an esterification reaction of citric acid. |
| US08287629B2 |
Hydrogen gas storage device
An MH tank module 2 has a hollow outer shell portion 12 formed of metal. The outer shell portion 12 has a plurality of MH powder retaining chambers 22 defined by a plurality of fins 20. A plurality of MH tank modules 2 are bound together by a first tank holder 10 and a second tank holder 11. The tank holders 10, 11 are each configured by fastening and fixing first, second, third, and fourth holder components 28-31, which are separate from one another. The first to fourth holder components 28-31 each have a heat medium passage 28f-31f. The first to fourth holder components 28-31 each have recessed portions 33 each corresponding to the shape of a side portion of each MH tank module 2. The MH tank modules 2 are held individually by the corresponding recessed portions 33. |
| US08287625B2 |
Systems and methods for treating landfill gas using landfill leachate
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for treating landfill gas using landfill leachate. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes receiving landfill leachate from at least one of a plurality of sources, and pretreating the landfill leachate to adjust at least one chemical property of at least one component of the landfill leachate. The leachate contacts landfill gas, so that at least one component of the landfill gas chemically reacts with at least one component of the landfill leachate to form a spent landfill leachate and a treated landfill gas. The method also includes recycling a first portion of the spent landfill leachate, recirculating a second portion of the spent landfill leachate to at least one of the plurality of sources, and subjecting the treated landfill gas to flare. |
| US08287622B2 |
Method for making aluminum-based composite material
The present disclosure provides a method for making aluminum-based composite material. The method includes the following steps. First, a aluminum-based material in semi-solid state is provided. Second, at least one nanoscale reinforcement is added into the aluminum-based material in semi-solid state to obtain a mixture in semi-solid state. Third, the mixture in semi-solid state is heated to a mixture in liquid state. Fourth, the mixture in liquid state is ultrasonically processed. Fifth, the mixture in liquid state is cooled to obtain the aluminum-based composite material. |
| US08287620B2 |
Method for the melting of pig iron with the recirculation of blast furnace gas and with the addition of hydrocarbons
A method for the melting of pig iron in a blast furnace (1) operated with oxygen or in a melt-reduction plant, with a reduction region. Purified crude gas is discharged from the reduction region and is recirculated into the reduction region with the addition of hydrocarbons. The purified crude gas is mixed with hydrocarbons and is also blended with a reduction gas which has a temperature of above 1000° C. and which is generated by partial oxidation of hydrocarbons by means of oxygen gas having an oxygen content of above 90% by volume, in order to form a recirculation gas with a temperature of above 800° C. The recirculation gas is recirculated into the reduction region according to an auto-reforming process. |
| US08287616B2 |
Use of non-ionic surfactants in the production of metals
A composition for cyanide leaching which comprises at least one nonionic surfactant and a process for extracting metals using the abovementioned composition are described. |
| US08287615B2 |
High-strength composition iron powder and sintered part made therefrom
A high-strength composition iron powder is prepared by mixing an iron base powder with 0.5 to 3.0 mass % of an Fe—Mn powder having a particle diameter of 45 μm or less and a Mn content in the range of 60 to 90 mass %, 1.0 to 3.0 mass % of a Cu powder, 0.3 to 1.0 mass % of a graphite powder, and 0.4 to 1.2 mass % of a powder lubricant for die-forming while adjusting the ratio of the amount of Mn contained in the Fe—Mn powder to the amount of the Cu powder in the range of 0.1 to 1. The high-strength composition iron powder is press-formed and sintered at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of Cu to produce a high-strength sintered part having a tensile strength of 580 MPa or higher without using expensive alloying elements such as Ni and Mo. |
| US08287607B2 |
Method and composition for improving fuel combustion
A method of improving the combustion of a fuel by adding a catalyst or combustion enhancer at an extremely low concentration, preferably in the range of 1 part catalyst per 200 million parts fuel to 1 part catalyst per 6 trillion parts fuel. The catalyst or combustion enhancer may be selected from a wide range of soluble compounds. The method may comprise the steps of an initial mixing of the catalyst or enhancer with a suitable solvent and then subsequent dilution steps using solvents or fuel. Suitable solvents include water, MTBE, methylketone, methyisobutylketone, butanol, isopropyl alcohol and other hydrophilic/oleophilic compounds. |
| US08287606B2 |
Method of manufacturing a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery by subjecting sodium magnesium metal oxide to ion-exchange of sodium for lithium
A method of manufacturing a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery by subjecting a sodium-magnesium-containing oxide represented by the general formula NacMgbMO2±a, where 0.65≦c≦0.75, 0 |
| US08287603B2 |
Electronic device with protection from unauthorized utilization
An electronic device has software for protecting the electronic device from unauthorized utilization. When executed, the software causes the electronic device to execute an application component, wherein the application component is configured to automatically ascertain whether the electronic device has been reported stolen, based on information received from a server system. The electronic device also automatically determines whether the application component is operating correctly, and if so, automatically provides a basic input/output system (BIOS) component of the electronic device with information indicating that the application component is operating correctly. During a subsequent boot process for the electronic device, the software automatically prevents the electronic device from completing the boot process if the BIOS component does not find the information from the application component indicating that the application component was operating correctly. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08287599B2 |
Spinal implant and method of use
A spinal implant having a series of sections or units hinged together and a balloon connected to at least some of the sections, the balloon having a curved configuration. The implant has a first delivery configuration and a second curved placement configuration, wherein it has a more linear configuration in the first delivery configuration than in the second curved configuration. The implant assumes the first delivery configuration during delivery to the disc space and maintains the curved configuration after placement within the disc space. The curved configuration can result from filling or expanding the balloon. |
| US08287597B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing spine surgery
Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants. |
| US08287596B1 |
Intraoperative surgical barrier and related methods
A surgical barrier to be introduced during spinal fusion surgery in order to protect a specified area of the patient from adverse effects associated with surgical techniques. A method of using the surgical barrier including: establishing an operative corridor to a target surgical site; introducing a spinal fusion implant into the through said operative corridor, the fusion implant including fusion-enhancing material; introducing at least a portion of an intraoperative surgical barrier through the operative corridor to the surgical target site, the intraoperative surgical barrier including an expandable seal member; and expanding the expandable seal member to establish a barrier between the fusion implant and at least a portion of the surgical target site and the operative corridor. |
| US08287595B2 |
Hydrogel balloon prosthesis for nucleus pulposus
A prosthesis for replacing or supplementing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disk is an expandable container having flexible walls, the container being adapted to be inserted into a central cavity of an intervertebral disk through a narrow cannula, and the flexible walls are made from a biocompatible hydrogel. A preferred hydrogel is a cryogel formed from an aqueous solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). The prosthesis may be prepared by dip-coating a mandrel with an aqueous solution of a hydrogel-forming polymer or mixture of such polymers, gelling the coated solution by chilling, and subjecting the gelled coating to a series of repeated freeze-thaw treatments. In use, the prosthesis is inserted into a central cavity of an intervertebral disk and filled with biocompatible material, e.g., a biocompatible liquid, a biocompatible polymer, and a biocompatible hydrogel, particularly a thermogelling hydrogel. |
| US08287591B2 |
Transformable annuloplasty ring configured to receive a percutaneous prosthetic heart valve implantation
The invention is an annuloplasty ring, and associated methods therefore, configured to reshape a native heart valve annulus to correct heart valve function, and also configured to be reshaped into a generally circular form in order to receive and/or support a prosthetic heart valve. The annuloplasty ring may be configured to have a generally D-shaped configuration when initially implanted to correct native valve function, but to assume a generally circular form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon. |
| US08287589B2 |
Removal of tubular tissue supports
The invention provides a process by which tubular tissue supports (stents) can be removed from hollow organs of humans or of animals after heating to a temperature below the transition temperature Ttrans until softening occurs. |
| US08287584B2 |
Medical implant deployment tool
A medical implant deployment tool and deployment method are disclosed. One aspect of the invention provides an implant system including an implant adapted for endovascular delivery and deployment; and a deployment tool adapted to deploy the implant, with the deployment tool having an actuation controller; a plurality of actuation elements adapted to apply forces to one or more implant deployment mechanisms and each adapted to extend along an actuation element path within a patient's vasculature; and an actuation element compensation mechanism adapted to compensate for differences in length between the actuation element paths. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of deploying an implant including the steps of endovascularly delivering an implant and implant deployment mechanisms to an implant site and applying an actuation force to the implant deployment mechanisms through actuation elements extending through the patient's vasculature while compensating for differences in length between actuation element path lengths to deploy the implant. |
| US08287580B2 |
Method and a system for prolongation of the viability of a donor organ
For post-mortem prolongation of the viability of an organ (7, 8, 50, 51) in a donor body, a flow of a solution is introduced from outside the body between a pair of barriers (21, 22) and a return flow including previously introduced quantities of the solution is led to the outside of the body. During a flushing phase, the flow including blood flushed out of the organ (7, 8, 50, 51) is discharged to a drain. Subsequently during a recirculation phase, solution returned from the body is cooled and/or oxygenated and recirculated from outside the body back into the body between the barriers. A system for carrying out the method is also described. |
| US08287579B2 |
Method of using cryogenic compositions for cooling heated skin
The present invention is directed to using cryogenic compositions, which are non-toxic, non-flammable, and have desirable ozone depletion and global warming potential, for cooling heated skin during skin treatments with a skin treatment apparatus. |
| US08287578B2 |
Fluorescent handpiece
A handpiece can treat biological tissue using electromagnetic radiation, which can be substantially fluorescent light. The handpiece includes a source of electromagnetic radiation and a nonlinear waveguide. The nonlinear waveguide is adjacent the source, receives electromagnetic radiation from the source, and delivers the electromagnetic radiation to the biological tissue. The handpiece also includes a system for circulating a fluorescent substance through the nonlinear waveguide. The fluorescent substance is capable of modulating at least one property of the electromagnetic radiation. |
| US08287570B2 |
Spinous process anchoring systems and methods
Devices and methods for anchoring one or more elongate connecting members along the spinal column include a transverse linking member positionable through a spinous process in a generally orthogonal orientation to the sagittal plane. At least one coupling assembly is engageable about an end of the linking member extending from the spinous process. The elongate connecting member is engaged to the coupling assembly in a transverse orientation to the transverse linking member. |
| US08287569B1 |
Modular system and method for fixation of spinous processes
A modular system for fixation of a spinous process includes at least one pair of blocks shaped so as to engage a particular segment of the spinous process and arranged on opposing sides of the spinous process. Each block has a surface facing the portion of the spinous process to be engaged, the surface having an array of sharp spikes to penetrate the spinous process when so engaged. Two rods arranged parallel to the spinous process are provided to connect the at least one pair of blocks and therefore stabilize multiple segments of the spinous process. Each block includes an aperture within a central portion of the block and shaped so as to slidably receive one of the rods. Set screws are provided so as to securely position the block along the length of the rod. |
| US08287568B2 |
Device for the repair of arteries
A device is provided for piercing a graft and artery wall in order to retain the graft on the artery. The device has a central section with an abutment surface for contacting the inner wall of the graft and two elongate members with distal ends for contacting the outer wall of the artery when the device is pierced through the graft and artery. The elongate members are biased so as to urge the abutment surface into the graft and retain the graft on the artery. |
| US08287567B2 |
Device for securing a cranial limb to the cranial top and for simultaneously closing craniotomy holes, and process for using it
A device is described for securing a cranial limb to the cranial top and for simultaneously closing craniotomy holes, comprising: a cortical support riser; first closing means operatively connected to the cortical riser; second closing means adapted to be secured to the cortical riser; and at least one handle removably connected to the cortical riser and adapted to drive the device to take it from its rest position to its operating securing position. A process for using such device is further described. |
| US08287558B2 |
Inside out T-fastener system
A medical device for providing wall apposition of two bodily walls in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The medical device is used at a previously formed puncture site having perforations formed in the walls. By way of example, the two walls are described herein as the abdominal and gastric walls, although it will be recognized that any two bodily walls may be fastened together utilizing the medical device and the methods described herein. It will also be understood that the procedures described herein may be performed using image guidance such as fluoroscopy, although the device and method may readily be performed without such assistance. |
| US08287549B2 |
Instrument for handling a joint component of a joint prosthesis
An instrument for handling a joint component of a joint prosthesis, which joint component includes a joint surface, includes a grip portion, a suction element in the form of a suction cup with an air-vent opening, the suction cup being placeable in a sealing manner against the joint surface, and a pressure-relief valve associated with the air-vent opening of the suction cup. The pressure-relief valve is coupled to an actuating element which is arranged so as to be movable in the region of the grip surface of the grip portion and, when gripped with one hand, is actuatable with a finger or the thumb of that hand, so that on actuation of the actuating element the valve is lifted away from the air-vent opening. |
| US08287547B2 |
Adjustable drill guide
A drill guide for use with an orthopaedic drilling device includes a base and a sleeve movably coupled to the base. The base is configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared surface of a patient's bone and includes cylindrical body defining a passageway therethrough and a pin coupled to the body. The sleeve includes a slot and the pin of the base is received through the slot of the sleeve. |
| US08287545B2 |
Methods and apparatus for enhanced retention of prosthetic implants
A prosthetic implant utilizes lateral retaining structures as part of the interior surface of the implant to more effectively secure and retain the implant while reducing the overall size and mass of the implant. In one embodiment, the prosthetic implant is provided with one or more T-shaped members extending from the inner surface of the implant, with the cross-member of the T-shaped member forming the laterally retaining structure that mate with a correspondingly shaped channel formed in the bone and are inserted into that channel at one or more oversize locations along the channel. In another embodiment, the prosthetic implant is provided with one or more retentions apertures in a projection structure extending inwardly from the inner surface of the implant that are laterally secured with a force fitted cross pin inserted through the retention aperture. |
| US08287544B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing ACL reconstruction
A method and apparatus for drilling a bone for receipt of a first and second bundle includes drilling a first tunnel in the bone. A locating member extending along a first axis from the tool may be positioned into the first tunnel. A cutting guide may be moved relative to the locating member to define a lateral offset between the locating member and the cutting guide. The cutting guide may then be located at a desired offset. The second tunnel may then be formed in the bone with a cutting member associated with the cutting guide, the cutting member having a second axis in a defined orientation relative to the first axis. |
| US08287543B2 |
Fracture fixation system including buttress pin and post washer
A fracture fixation system, particularly for a fracture at the distal end of the radius, in which a buttress pin is secured to a stable bone fragment by a bone screw and washer, and distal ends of the buttress pin are bent out of the plane of the buttress pin to engage and support a distal bone fragment. The legs of the buttress pin are spaced apart more narrowly at a U-shaped bend of the buttress pin where the buttress pin can be engaged by a conventional washer and bone screw and more widely where the bent ends engage the distal bone fragment. The washer has tabs for counter bearing against the legs to prevent spinning of the washer when the bone screw is installed. The washer can also support a fixation element which can be engaged in the distal fragment to provide additional support therefor. |
| US08287536B2 |
Cutting assembly for surgical instruments
The present disclosure relates to an end effector assembly for use with a forceps. The end effector assembly includes a pair of jaw members and a cutting element. The pair of jaw members having at least one jaw member that is moveable relative to the other from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue. Each of the jaw members includes a cutting channel that is defined therein and extends therealong. The cutting element includes a fixed end and a movable end. The fixed end is disposed within the cutting channel of one of the jaw members and the moveable end is disposed within the cutting channel of the other of the jaw member. The cutting element defines a movable cutting loop disposed between the cutting channels and between the fixed end and the movable end. The cutting loop has an arcuate portion that is reciprocatable to cut tissue. |
| US08287530B2 |
Compact electrosurgery apparatus
The invention features compact apparatuses useful in electrosurgery. The compact apparatuses have a housing having a cavity, an electrosurgical system located within the cavity, the electrosurgical system having optionally a monopolar output system, optionally a bipolar output system, optionally an argon plasma coagulation output system, a processor located within the cavity, the processor operatively coupled to each output system of the electrosurgical system to control outputs generated by each output system, optionally a high frequency generator located within the cavity and operatively coupled to the processor; and a gas canister holder and control system located within the cavity of the housing for receiving a gas canister within the cavity of the housing. |
| US08287528B2 |
Vessel sealing system
A method for electrosurgically sealing a tissue includes steps of: (A) applying a first pulse of RF energy to the tissue; and (B) applying at least one subsequent RF energy pulse to the tissue and keeping constant or varying RF energy parameters of individual pulses of subsequent RF energy pulses in accordance with at least one characteristic of an electrical transient that occurs during the individual RF energy pulses. The method terminates the generation of the at least one subsequent RF pulse upon a determination that the electrical transient is absent. |
| US08287527B2 |
Microwave system calibration apparatus and method of use
An apparatus for calibrating a microwave energy delivery device including a body, the body defining a chamber portion. The chamber portion is configured to receive a portion of a microwave energy delivery device and the body is configured to absorb energy transmitted by the microwave energy delivery device at a predetermined absorption rate. |
| US08287522B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a haptic device
A method for controlling a surgical device is provided. The method includes manipulating the surgical device to perform a procedure on a patient; determining whether a relationship between an anatomy of the patient and a position, an orientation, a velocity, and/or an acceleration of a surgical tool of the surgical device corresponds to a desired relationship between the anatomy and the position, the orientation, the velocity, and/or the acceleration of the surgical tool; and imposing a constraint on the surgical device if the relationship does not correspond to the desired relationship and/or a detection device is unable to detect a position of the anatomy and/or the position of the surgical tool. |
| US08287514B2 |
Power management techniques for an infusion pump system
Some embodiments of an infusion pump system can employ a number of power management techniques to avoid using substantially excessive power during operation of the pump drive system. Thus, the infusion pump system can draw upon the energy supply in an efficient manner that extends the useful life on the power supply. Furthermore, the infusion pump system can be configured estimate an amount of power remaining to operate the pump system without the requirement of directly detecting the remaining charge on power supply device (e.g., without detecting the remaining charge on a battery). As such, the infusion pump system can readily inform a user of a particular estimated amount of time remaining for medicine dispensing operations. |
| US08287512B2 |
Method for producing a closure element for absorbent sanitary products, absorbent sanitary product, and respective manufacturing method
A method for producing a closure element (10) for disposable pant-like absorbent sanitary products (52) formed by two parts basically symmetrical with respect to a central transverse plane (26), wherein each of said parts is able to form a side panel (76) of an absorbent sanitary product (52). The method comprises the steps of:—folding two continuous strips (22, 24) according to a configuration that comprises at least two parallel branches (30, 40, 44, 46) joined to one another by at least one fold (42, 50, 48); and—fixing permanently respective end branches (30) of said folded strips (30, 40, 44, 46) to a plane base layer (28), with said folded strips (30, 40, 44, 46) basically symmetrical respect to a central plane (26) of said base layer. |
| US08287509B2 |
Hydrophilized compositions comprising normally hydrophobic thermoplastic polymers/anionic surfactants and articles shaped therefrom
Hydrophilized compositions including normally hydrophobic thermoplastic polymers, e.g., polypropylene, and hydrophilizing amounts of anionic surfactants, e.g., sodium alkylsulfonates, are shaped into such articles as molded objects having hydrophilic surfaces. |
| US08287506B2 |
Apparatus and methods for controlling tissue oxygenation for wound healing and promoting tissue viability
A non-invasive tissue oxygenation system for accelerating the healing of damaged tissue and to promote tissue viability is disclosed herein. The system is comprised of a lightweight portable electrochemical oxygen concentrator, a power management system, microprocessors, memory, a pressure sensing system, a temperature monitoring system, oxygen flow rate monitoring and control system, a display screen and key pad navigation controls as a means of providing continuous variably controlled low dosages of oxygen to a wound site and monitoring the healing process. A kink resistant oxygen delivery tubing, whereby the proximal end is removably connected to the device and the distal end with holes or a flexible, flat, oxygen-permeable tape is positioned on the wound bed as a means of applying oxygen to the wound site. The distal end of the tube is in communication with the electrochemical oxygen concentrator and wound monitoring system to communicate temperature and oxygen partial pressure information. A moisture absorbent dressing is positioned over the distal end of the tubing on the wound site and a reduced moisture vapor permeable dressing system is positioned whereby covering the moisture absorbent dressing, distal end of tubing and wound site creating a restricted airflow enclosure. The restricted airflow enclosure allows the out-of-the-way control and display unit to provide a controlled hyperoxia and hypoxia wound site for accelerated wound healing. |
| US08287505B2 |
Ophthalmic drop dispensing tip assembly
A dispensing tip apparatus for an eye drop dispenser to administer topical ophthalmic solutions is described. The apparatus integrates an ophthalmic solution-dispensing tip with an optical gauging assembly. The tip provides continuous visual feedback about it orientation and relationship to the eye. The dispensing tip when attached to any standard topical ophthalmic solution dispensing bottle or reservoir enables the user to view a target, visually align the dispenser tip, and administer an eye drop with precision. There is also a visual feedback by which the dispenser tip is prevented from gaining too close proximity and contacting the eye, thus preventing contamination of the medication and its dispenser. The visual feedback can also contain textual or graphic information that serves as a promotional advertisement. The is assembly can be attached to the neck of an eye drop bottle or attached to the tip of an eye drop bottle. |
| US08287502B2 |
Gastrostomy button accessory mounting platform
A accessory mounting system for use with gastrostomy buttons is herein described. The system consists of an accessory mounting platform and a cap that is able to be manually attached and detached from the accessory mounting platform. The accessory mounting platform can be integrally mounted to either the keeper strap or the head of the gastrostomy button, or it can be attached to the keeper strap of an existing gastrostomy button using a clip integrally attached to its underside. |
| US08287500B2 |
Administration instrument for medical use
An administration instrument for medical use that can perform injection of a drug solution with stability and with great reliability. For example, at administration, it is possible to prevent a force that presses the injection button from acting in a direction of inserting the needle that is inserted into the skin deeper, and enables the administration under a stable state where the needle does not wobble, thereby alleviating physical and mental pain of the administration patient. With a structure in which an injection button is pressed at an angle that is not parallel to the needle with respect to a direction in which the needle is inserted into the skin, it is possible to prevent the force of pressing the injection button from being transmitted in a direction of inserting the needle into the skin deeper than the initial insertion of the needle, thereby achieving an administration under a stable state. |
| US08287497B2 |
Access assembly with flexible housing
An access assembly includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal opening therethrough, a cannula extending distally from the housing and in fluid communication with the longitudinal opening and a seal member mounted within the longitudinal opening of the housing. The seal member is configured to receive an instrument therethrough in substantial sealed relation therewith. The housing is adapted to move in at least a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis whereby the seal member maintains the substantial sealed relation relative to the instrument as the instrument in manipulated. The housing may be flexible and capable of deflection relative to the longitudinal axis. The housing may comprise an elastomeric material in whole or in part. The seal member may be integrally formed with the housing. The housing may include at least one flexible ring portion and possibly a plurality of ring portions. |
| US08287496B2 |
Flow elements for use with flexible spinal needles, needle assemblies and methods therefor
A flow element for use with flexible needles and flexible needle assemblies to minimize flow occlusion within a flexible needle is provided. The flow element is particularly suited for uses with a flexible needle for minimizing incidence of post-dural puncture headache. The flow element includes a body having an internal flow path for conducting a fluid through a flexible needle, and an anti-restriction member. The anti-restriction member includes an elongated body, a proximal end coupled to the body within the internal flow path, and a distal end for disposing at least a portion of the elongated body within a flexible needle. A flexible spinal needle assembly for minimizing flow occlusion through an internal flow path of a flexible needle by unintended kinking that is potentially caused by ligament or muscle layer movements is also provided. |
| US08287493B2 |
Disposable injector comprising at least one draw hook and a sliding wedge-type gear for unlocking a locking element
A disposable injector with a housing (10) in which are arranged at least one mechanical spring energy store (50), at least one cylinder-piston unit that can be filled at least temporarily with an active substance, at least one piston actuation plunger (60) and at least one triggering unit (80). The spring energy store comprises at least one pre-loaded spring element. The spring-loaded piston actuation plunger has at least one traction rod (61) which can be moved transversely, at least in certain regions, and by means of a supporting portion supports the tensioned spring energy store on at least one resting surface (37) of the housing. An actuatable triggering slide device (82) unlocks the disposable injector and releases the supporting portion to allow it to move away from the resting surface. |
| US08287489B2 |
Device for readying a needle free injector for delivery
A needle-free injector device comprising a latch having a safe position which disables the triggering of the device, and a ready position which restrains movement of a dispensing member but enables triggering and a triggered position which permits movement of the dispensing member is disclosed. An additional safety mechanism blocks the triggering of the device until removed. A cap is provided to maintain the sterility and stability of the drug formulation and is configured such that the cap removal is required prior to placing the device in a ready to trigger state. |
| US08287488B2 |
Holographic occlusion detection system for infusion pumps
A holographic occlusion detection system has a white-light holographic label placed onto a sensing portion or surface of a pressure sensor connected to infusion tubing. The pressure sensor at the sensing portion can have a relatively thin wall section and may be wider and flatter than a normal cross section of the infusion tubing. The label is then illuminated by a polychromatic light source, and the light reflected off the holographic label is then received by a photodetector. Pressure changes within the tubing cause a change in orientation of the white-light holographic label, thereby resulting in a shift in the peak wavelength of the reflective light sensed by the photodetector. This shift in wavelength can then be calibrated to the swelling of the sensing portion so that pressure within the infusion line can be calculated. In another variation, monochromatic light is reflected off a holographic label, and pressure changes are detected by measuring the amplitude of the reflected light. |
| US08287479B2 |
Range of motion device
A method of assembling an orthosis configured to stretch tissue around a foot and a toe of a wearer is provided. The method includes providing a first member affixable to the foot and including a first extension member extending therefrom, providing a second member affixable to the toe and including a second extension member, wherein the second extension member comprises an arcuate shape extending therefrom, the second extension member is operatively connected to the first extension member so that relative movement between the first and second affixable members is determined by movement along the arcuate shape, and coupling the first member to the second member. |
| US08287477B1 |
Active ankle foot orthosis
An Active Ankle Foot Orthosis (AAFO) is provided where the impedance of an orthotic joint is modulated throughout the walking cycle to treat ankle foot gait pathology, such as drop foot gait. During controlled plantar flexion, a biomimetic torsional spring control is applied where orthotic joint stiffness is actively adjusted to minimize forefoot collisions with the ground. Throughout late stance, joint impedance is minimized so as not to impede powered plantar flexion movements, and during the swing phase, a torsional spring-damper (PD) control lifts the foot to provide toe clearance. To assess the clinical effects of variable-impedance control, kinetic and kinematic gait data were collected on two drop foot participants wearing the AAFO. It has been found that actively adjusting joint impedance reduces the occurrence of slap foot, allows greater powered plantar flexion, and provides for less kinematic difference during swing when compared to normals. |
| US08287474B1 |
Method and apparatus for noninvasively increasing whole body blood flow and noninvasive physical exercise of limbs from the outside and from within the limb to treat diseases throughout the body
A noninvasive treatment to increase the elasticities of arteries and veins in arms, legs, hands and feet, to reduce heart workload, to increase whole body blood flow, to supply an increased amount of oxygen and nutrients throughout the cardiovascular system and increase the rate of removal of cell waste products, to treat many medical conditions so that symptoms are eliminated or minimized due to improved performance of the body. The noninvasive treatment includes using a vacuum pressure and air pressure system to perform the above, and to passively exercise muscles of arms, legs, hands and feet in a chamber, and is suited for patients who are unable to engage in sufficient exercise on their own. |
| US08287473B2 |
Motion assist device
A device for assisting a user's motion in an appropriate rhythm by bringing a user's motion rhythm close to its target rhythm while harmonizing the motion rhythms of different parts of the user's body and a rhythm for assisting the user's motion is provided. The inventive walking assist device generates a first oscillator which attains mutual entrainment with a first motion oscillator in such a way as to reflect a natural angular velocity. A new natural angular velocity is set based on a phase difference between the first motion oscillator and the first oscillator. Further, a second oscillator which oscillates in a rhythm reflecting the natural angular velocity is generated based on a second motion oscillator. An assist oscillator is then generated based on the second oscillator, and a variable force responsive to the assist oscillator is applied to the user's body. |
| US08287465B2 |
Disposable automated tissue excision and collection device
An biopsy apparatus includes a pressure and vacuum generator including a first cylinder and a first piston movably disposed within the cylinder. The cylinder has a pressure generating region and a vacuum generating region. The biopsy apparatus also includes an outer cannula and an inner cannula having a lumen. The inner cannula is movably disposed within the outer cannula, and the vacuum generating region is in one-way fluid communication with the inner cannula lumen. |
| US08287463B2 |
Removable localizing wire
A localizing wire comprising an anchor portion that can change shape from a collapsed shape to an expanded shape and thereby anchor within a tissue mass. A localizing wire having an exterior portion that can lie flat against the tissue mass. A localizing wire that can be repositioned or withdrawn without the need for the reinsertion of an introducer. |
| US08287461B2 |
Vein identification technique
A technique for identifying a vein in a patient is disclosed. The technique involves the application of a thermochromic ink to a venous area on the skin of a patient (e.g., human or animal). The thermochromic ink comprises thermosensitive color-changing microcapsules that contain a proton-accepting chromogen and a desensitizer. The desensitizer possesses a melting point above which the chromogen is capable of becoming protonated, thereby resulting in a color change. Thereafter, the venous area is observed for the color change. |
| US08287460B2 |
Disordered breathing monitoring device and method of using same including a study status indicator
An apparatus and associated method for collecting data for a sleep study. The apparatus includes a sensor adapted to collect data relating to a parameter of a user of the apparatus over a period of time, and a controller operatively coupled to the sensor. The controller is adapted to: (a) receive configuration information specifying a predetermined amount of valid data that is required for a sleep study to be deemed valid, (b) receive the data relating to the parameter and determine an amount of the received data that is valid, and (c) cause a study status indicator to be output by the apparatus based on the amount of the received data that is determined to be valid and the predetermined amount specified in the configuration information. |
| US08287457B2 |
3D echocardiographic shape analysis
An ultrasound system and method are described for assessing cardiac performance which is particularly useful for diagnosing heart remodeling. A 3D data set of a surface of the heart is acquired and the principal curvatures determined at one or more points of the surface. A curvature metric is produced which is the difference of the two principal curvatures at each point. Metrics produced from the heart surface acquired at systole have been found to correlate strongly with ejection fraction. |
| US08287454B2 |
Analyte monitoring device and methods of use
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor. |
| US08287453B2 |
Analyte sensor
Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system. |
| US08287448B2 |
Endoscope comprising a flexible probe
An endoscope with a flexible, multilumen catheter probe, a grip provided at the proximal end of the probe, a control element attached to the distal end of the probe and movably guided in the axial direction on catheter probe, wherein the catheter probe is to be connected non-rotatingly to the grip by means of a releasable lock, the distal end of the optical lumen has a transparent seal, and optical system is displacably disposed inside optic lumen and can be removed from optic lumen. |
| US08287441B2 |
Apparatus and methods for remediating drill cuttings and other particulate materials
Apparatus for separating liquids, such as oils from solids, such as drill cuttings, comprises a decanter-type centrifuge. In example implementations the centrifuge has a bowl angle of four degrees or less and a low fluid depth of two inches or less. A material conveyor such as an auger is provided to carry material having a relatively high initial solids content, such as 50% or more into the centrifuge. The apparatus may comprise heaters to heat the material. In example implementations the decanter-type centrifuge processes solids from a main centrifuge and/or a shale shaker. |
| US08287437B1 |
Martial art training pad
A pad system for using in training for martial arts is disclosed, and includes a long chamber having a first flexible sheath that surrounds a first cushioning pad made with a relatively rigid and firm foam material to prevent penetration and deflection thereof. A short chamber includes a second flexible sheath that surrounds a second cushioning pad of a second firmness less than the firmness of the first cushioning pad. The short chamber is fixed with the long chamber, such that side edges of each chamber are substantially mutually aligned and such that top and bottom edges of the long chamber overhang top and bottom edges of the short chamber, respectively, thereby defining overlapping volumes having a pair of handles situated therein and fixed to either of the chambers. |
| US08287436B2 |
Training scripts
A training script device is described that conveniently allows a user to create a training script defining one or more steps of a workout routine, where each step may include an activity, a duration for performing that activity, and an intensity at which the activity is to be performed. Further, one or more steps of the training script can be self-starting in response to performance data detected by sensors of training script device executing the training script. This conveniently frees the athlete from having to continuously monitor the status of his or her workout activities. Still further, the training script device conveniently allows a user to transfer training scripts to other training script devices, so that athletes can share successful training scripts. |
| US08287435B2 |
Athleticism rating and performance measuring system
A universal athleticism rating system and related athletic performance measuring systems for accurately detecting and recording athletic performance are disclosed. The athleticism rating system evaluates individual athletes against a common, standardized, set of athletic performance tests. Each athlete performs the athletic tests and his or her scores in the individual tests are entered into a standardized calculation to produce a single athletic performance score. The related performance measuring system is preferably a timing system that ensures quick, easy, and accurate collection of athletic event timing related data without the need for the athlete to wear any special detection devices or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the performance measuring system integrates with the rating system to provide seamless athletic data collection and rating of athletes. |
| US08287434B2 |
Method and apparatus for facilitating strength training
Strength training exercise is facilitated by a video gaming system (VGS). VGS communicates information about the exercise resistance force with an exercise device. Strength training machine coupled with the VGS and acts as a game controller. The machine provides resistance by an electrical motor. Resistance can be adjusted using data send from the VGS. Further, the resistance can pulsate during an exercise motion, providing internal muscle massage. The video gaming system uses a non-contact method to monitor a physiological parameter of the user. For example, a video camera is used to detect heart rate. Pose tracking information is used to detect the level of user exhaustion. Those and other monitored parameters are used to adjust the regime for either current or future exercises. The regime is optimized to increase workout efficiency. An activity not directly related to exercise, for example game, is unlocked if exercise performance is on track. |
| US08287429B2 |
Shifting control apparatus for vehicular power transmitting system
A shifting control apparatus for a power transmitting system of a vehicle provided with a vehicle drive electric motor, and a step-variable automatic transmission constituting a part of a power transmitting path between said vehicle drive electric motor and drive wheels, the shifting control apparatus controls said vehicle drive electric motor to perform a regenerative operation in a coasting state of the vehicle, and controls said automatic transmission to perform a shift-down operation at a predetermined coasting shift-down vehicle speed in the coasting state, the shifting control apparatus is configured: to change said coasting shift-down vehicle speed according to a regenerative power of said vehicle drive electric motor; to control said vehicle drive electric motor in the coasting state of the vehicle, so as to perform the regenerative operation at a vehicle speed higher than a predetermined drive/driven switching vehicle speed value, and so as to generate a vehicle drive torque at a vehicle speed lower than said predetermined drive/driven switching vehicle speed value; and to lower said coasting shift-down vehicle speed value at which the shift-down operation of said automatic transmission to a lowest shift position thereof is performed, and said drive/driven switching vehicle speed value, with an increase of said regenerative power of said vehicle drive electric motor. |
| US08287426B2 |
Method for controlling voltage within a powertrain system
A method for controlling a powertrain system includes monitoring voltage of an energy storage device. The method further includes modifying a preferred voltage limit when the voltage of the energy storage device transgresses a trigger voltage limit, and determining the power constraint of a first power actuator based on the estimated output power of the energy storage device when the voltage of the energy storage device transgresses the preferred voltage limit. |
| US08287418B2 |
Differential gear assembly
A differential gear assembly is disclosed. In some embodiments, the differential gear assembly includes a first sun gear and a second sun gear coaxially aligned with each other; a first set of planetary gears in mating engagement with the first sun gear; and a second set of planetary gears in mating engagement with the second sun gear. The first and second sets of planetary gears can be in mating engagement with each other. In some embodiments, the differential gear assembly also includes a first set of friction members, each of which faces a respective one of axial ends of the first set of planetary gears; and a second set of friction members, each of which faces a respective one of axial ends of the second set of planetary gears. |
| US08287416B2 |
Eight-speed planetary layshaft transmission
A transmission includes an input member, an output member, an intermediate member, and a planetary gear set, all of which are coaxial. A first and a second layshaft are arranged to define a second axis of rotation and a third axis of rotation, respectively. At least three sets of intermeshing gears are provided, some of which are arranged to transfer torque from the input member to the layshafts, and another of which is arranged to transfer torque from the layshafts to the intermediate member via engagement of different respective ones of seven torque-transmitting mechanisms. The seven torque-transmitting mechanisms are engagable in different combinations to establish up to eight forward speed ratios and a reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member. |
| US08287412B2 |
Hybrid power train of vehicle
The present invention makes it possible to implement various stepped gear modes and a compound split type hybrid mode in a relatively simple structure using two planetary gear sets and two motor generators, reduce fuel consumption of a vehicle in a relatively large section, minimize fuel consumption at a high speed by implementing an overdrive stepped gear mode, and improve acceleration performance and gradient performance of the vehicle by implementing an underdrive stepped gear mode. |
| US08287404B2 |
Programmable ball throwing apparatus
The present invention includes programs, devices and methods for a programmable ball throwing machine that is able to eject balls to preset, programmed or manually-selected positions with programmable projection and travel characteristics. The present invention includes a computer implemented method for controlling the parameters of a ball flight and trajectory in three dimensions including one or more parameters to identify a flight and trajectory of a ball in three dimensions for one or more player positions and a processor to control one or more motors in response to the one or more parameters. |
| US08287400B2 |
Fairway wood-type golf clubs with high moment of inertia
Fairway wood-type golf clubs as described herein may include: (a) a club head with a volume of at least 300 cc; (b) a shaft member attached to the club head, wherein the golf club has a length between 37 and 43 inches; and (c) a grip or handle member attached to the shaft member. The club head may further include: (1) a ball striking face, wherein the ball striking face has a loft angle between 12 and 32 degrees; and (2) a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, with a sole portion that includes a ground-engaging surface. |
| US08287399B2 |
Golf club caddy
A holder for holding a limited number of golf clubs, less than a full standard set of clubs, in an organized way. The holder may comprise three manually assembled snap fit components including two end plates and a central shaft which spans and connects the two end plates. Each end plate may be identical to the other, having a plurality of recesses located about its periphery, for receiving the shafts of golf clubs in releasable snap fit fashion. The end plates and their recesses are arranged so that the golf clubs are held parallel to one another and to the central shaft of the holder. The central shaft may be contoured to include finger grips for example, thereby serving as a handle for grasping the holder both alone and also with golf clubs retained thereon. |
| US08287398B2 |
Electronically controlled golf swing analyzing/training mat system with ball striking-related feedback
A golf practice mat includes an impact sensor disposed in a vicinity bounding the location of where a golf ball would be placed for striking. The golf practice mat may also include, for example, a “crosshair” target imprint that is disposed on a golf club impact sensor portion of the practice surface and indicates the point/line of contact that the club face should hit the ground after the ball has been struck with the club head in a descending blow. A microcontroller receives and analyzes the output of the impact sensor and generates a display/output message that is coupled to a display that is, for example, embodied on the golf practice mat to provide user shot-related feedback. The display may indicate, for example, the user's golf club, the estimated distance the ball will travel depending upon the impact data analyzed, the club chosen by the user, input backswing data and/or a three-dimensional simulation of the resulting golf stroke. |
| US08287397B2 |
Instructional golf device and method for using said device
The present invention is an instructional golf device allowing a golfer to bring a golf club back correctly. The device is portable, can be used on level or rough terrain and on a variety of surfaces including grass, artificial ground, or even concrete or pavement. The golfer can hear the device make a sound when the golf club follows the correct path during the back swing. |
| US08287394B2 |
Seat assembly such as for an amusement ride
A seat assembly comprises a plurality of stabilizing members mounted to a base. A passenger support member is moveably mounted along the plurality of stabilizing members. A plurality of spaced apart inflatable actuators are drivingly connected to the passenger support member. |
| US08287392B2 |
Split spacer ring for removal of cutterbar drive PTO
A split spacer ring that is connectable to a cutterbar PTO drive shaft and works in conjunction with an anti-wrap shield to reduce the effects of crop debris accumulating on the drive shaft. Radial removal of the split spacer ring allows the anti-wrap shield to be axially displaced to enable sufficient telescoping movement of the drive shaft to disengage an end from a rotary cutterhead connection and thereby remove the drive shaft or other cutterbar components for repair or replacement. Improved axial clearance provided by the removed spacer ring also facilitates installation and removal of a crop conveying drum that may be installed on the drive shaft. |
| US08287391B2 |
Torsional vibration damper
A torsional vibration damper, comprising at least two components which can be rotated counter to the resistance of at least one helical spring or bow spring precurved toward the rotational axis for compression of the at least one bow spring during a relative rotation among the components. The at least one bow spring is provided with support in the circumferential direction across the outside diameter thereof on a sliding shell. In order to reduce friction, the outside diameter of the at least one bow spring has a distance from the inside diameter of the sliding shell. |
| US08287387B2 |
Insert having storage space for a convertible area of an electronic gaming machine
A convertible gaming machine includes a gaming cabinet, at least one display, and a convertible area. The gaming cabinet has a ledge portion with a top surface. The at least one display is mounted to the gaming cabinet and is configured to display a randomly selected outcome from a wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving a wager input from a player. The convertible area is located entirely below the at least one display and partially below the top surface of the ledge portion. The convertible area is convertible at least between a first configuration and a second configuration, the first configuration including a player tracking system, the second configuration including an insert having a storage portion configured to store one or more patron items. The insert replaces the player tracking system. |
| US08287385B2 |
Game device, game processing method, information recording medium, and program
In a game device (200), a storage unit (201) stores a position of a player character, a position of an enemy character, and candidate positions for new enemy character appearance. A measuring unit (202) measures an elapsed time from the start of the game. The calculating unit (203) calculates a reference distance for determining a position where the new enemy character is to be produced based on the elapsed time measured by the measuring unit (202). The reference distance monotonically increases with respect to the elapsed time measured by the measuring unit (202). When a new enemy character is to be produced in the game, an appearance setting unit (204) selects from among the candidates stored in the storage unit (201) the candidate having a distance to the player character that is closest to the reference distance, and sets the selected position as the appearance position of the new enemy character. |
| US08287384B2 |
Game-based incentives for location-based actions
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for providing game-based incentives to users of online games as a reward for performing actions at physical locations. |
| US08287375B2 |
Password entry system
The present invention relates to gaming apparatus (100) and methods (300) applicable to gaming apparatuses and systems. In particular a password entry method (300) and system (600) for authenticating a player's identity is disclosed in which a user's password can be defined using a set of elements (402) including a plurality of images (404) such as symbols or pictures. |
| US08287374B2 |
Reconfigurable control displays for games, toys, and other applications
Disclosed herein are new forms of computer inputs particularly using TV cameras, and providing affordable methods and apparatus for unique game play, such as rear projection devices for pinball and common board games using machine vision to determine the location of objects and/or features of objects. Particular embodiments employing fast and reliable acquisition and tracking of game related objects and their motion are disclosed, together with numerous applications. Also disclosed are related embodiments for instrumentation and control systems, such as those used in homes and cars. |
| US08287373B2 |
Control device for communicating visual information
Methods and systems for interfacing a control device with a computer program executing at a base computing device are presented. The method generates a visual cue at a spherical section of the control device and captures an image of the visual cue using an image capture device connected to the base computing device. Further, the method determines whether the visual cue is user feedback or input for the computer program, and processes the visual cue at the base computing device when the visual cue is an input. Additionally, a state of an object being processed is updated by the computer program in response to the input to drive interactivity with the computer program via the control device. |
| US08287372B2 |
Interactive toy and display system
An interactive toy system comprising a toy and a display configured to exhibit an electronic image associated with the toy. The system also includes a console configured to control the image exhibited by the display. Further, an adapter is configured to form a communication link between the toy and the console. |
| US08287370B2 |
Liquid crystal display unit, game device and display method for use in liquid crystal display unit
A display unit (1) of the present invention includes: a first liquid crystal display element (20) for displaying an image; a character object (62) disposed behind the first liquid crystal display element (20); a second liquid crystal display element (30) disposed between the first liquid crystal display element (20) and the character object (62), for shielding the character object (62); and a character object shielding section (64) which is a mechanical shielding device, disposed behind the second liquid crystal display element (30), for shielding the character object (62). |
| US08287366B2 |
Linked progressive jackpot system
A gaming machine 10 has a display 14 and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display 14. The game controller is arranged to play a game 16 in which at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display 14. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine 10 awards a prize to a player. When a trigger condition occurs in a base game of the game 16, a bonus game feature is awarded comprising a series of bonus games. If a particular special symbol outcome occurs during any of the bonus games, the particular special symbol outcome is collected towards a jackpot prize awarding event. |
| US08287365B2 |
Gaming system and method of gaming
A method of gaming comprises initiating a jackpot event responsive to receiving an event trigger; determining whether to award a prize to a player in the jackpot event, the probability of awarding the prize in the jackpot event being dependent on a value of a jackpot evaluation parameter accumulated over a plurality of games; and awarding the prize in response to making a positive determination. |
| US08287362B2 |
Game server, game machine, game control server, and game control method
The cumulative credit consumptions of game machines are controlled per player. When the cumulative credit consumption of a player reaches an upper limit, a return is executed to the player based on a predetermined return rate. In addition, the return rate can be changed to produce high game characteristics. Therefore, the player can perform a game without anxiety, while enjoying amusement of the game. At the result, the problem of missing customers can be eliminated. |
| US08287359B2 |
Gaming machine arranging two symbol columns in the same order
A display unit displays symbols in a plurality of columns, and in particular arranges the symbols in the same order in two or more of the columns. A game controller unit determines an arrangement of symbols at random on a condition that symbols are arranged in the same order and at the same positions in the two or more columns. A display controller unit causes the display unit to spin the two or more columns of symbols from the same position in synchronization with each other, and stop the two or more columns at the same position to display the arrangement of symbols determined by the game controller unit. |
| US08287358B2 |
Wagering games with variable reel sizes and gaming devices for playing the same
Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming device is presented that includes a wager input device, a display, and a wagering game. The wagering game includes a plurality of reels each having distinct symbol positions and bearing an array of symbols. Some of the symbols are grouped into corresponding symbol clumps. A window is associated with each of the reels. The display displays outcomes of the wagering game. Some of the outcomes are represented by a segment of each reel being displayed through a respective one of the windows. The probability that a particular one of the windows will be filled with one of the symbol clumps as part of an outcome decreases between at least two of the windows. |
| US08287356B2 |
Method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller
A method of gaming comprising: selecting a set of symbols for display to a player in a set of display positions corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of reels; determining a game round outcome based on the selected symbols; determining that a feature game round should occur; and determining a feature game round outcome by determining an optimal winning combination of symbols from a feature subset of the set of symbols comprising more symbols than the number of reels. |
| US08287355B2 |
Gaming system and a method of gaming
The present invention relates to a gaming system and a method of gaming that includes a wheel game.A displayed representation of the wheel game is a wheel having a number of segments. Each segment is associated with a particular game outcome and an indicator indicates the segment with the selected game outcome for a particular game. At least one of the segments is associated with a game outcome which requires a further play of the wheel game. Outcomes of the wheel game are adjusted before play of the further game, which is then played including the adjusted available game outcomes.In an embodiment, the game outcomes are adjusted by multiplication factor, which is determined by a further selector, in an embodiment represented as a die at the centre of the wheel. |
| US08287353B2 |
Lottery game method
In a gaming method, player symbol data indicative of a plurality of sets of player symbols associated with a player may be received. Each player symbol is selected from a plurality of possible symbols. An indication that the player submitted a wager associated with the plurality of sets of player symbols may be received. Winning symbol data indicative of a set of winning symbols from the plurality of possible symbols may be received. A value payout based on respective numbers of winning symbols in respective sets of player symbols may be determined, wherein for at least some value payouts the value payout is different than a sum of a plurality of individual value payouts, each individual payout based on the respective number of winning symbols in the corresponding set of player symbols. Player payout data indicative of the value payout may be transmitted. |
| US08287351B2 |
System and method for a terminal-based lottery game with subsequent interactive component
A lottery game system and methodology incorporates a terminal-based game component and a subsequent interactive-based game component. A player is provided access and is entitled to participation in the interactive-based game component as a function of a winning outcome in the terminal-based game component. The interactive-based game component may incorporate a wagering function. |
| US08287350B2 |
Game terminal device, game management system and game management method
A game management method is for executing a competition game among a plurality of client terminal devices. Players are identified before the start of the game. If an occurrence of an unusual end of the game is judged during the game, it is judged whether or not the unusual end is an unauthorized end of the game due to an unauthorized operation by the player and it is judged whether or not a penalty is to be given to the player having ended the game in an unauthorized manner. By judging with high accuracy whether or not the unusual end of the game was caused by the unauthorized operation by the player, unauthorized operations of players are suppressed and fairness is better maintained among honest players. |
| US08287343B2 |
Asynchronous interactive game play
This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for executing asynchronous game play by a plurality of players in one or more game instances. |
| US08287339B2 |
Game device, game device control method, and information storage medium
To provide a game device capable of preventing a player wishing to progress through a game from feeling frustrated, while ensuring that excitement of a game that progresses based on an actual date, an actual day of the week, and/or an actual time is not deteriorated. When a game starts, a setting unit (84) sets a game day of the week and/or a game time, based on the actual day of the week and/or time. An update unit (86) advances the game day of the week and/or time, based on an operation carried out by a player. A game control unit (88) controls progress of the game, based on the actual date and the game day of the week and/or time. |
| US08287338B2 |
Game apparatus for learning
Disclosed is a game apparatus for learning, in which a rotary plate located between a base plane of a base part and an upper plate of a housing main body is axially connected to a driving body installed in the base part such that the rotary plate is rotatable, a plurality of insertion grooves, into which learning assembly blocks are inserted, are respectively formed in the rotary plate and the upper plate in a circumferential shape, and driving sensing elements connected to the driving body are formed on the base plane. The upper plate is provided with a board unit including a push switch key matrix part, on which a plurality of push buttons is arranged in a matrix structure, and a monitoring matrix part, on which a plurality of LED dots is arranged in a matrix structure. |
| US08287335B2 |
Abrasive apparatus of a sander
An abrasive apparatus of a sander is provided. The abrasive apparatus is disposed above a worktable of the sander and includes a base and a lift unit. At least one abrasive wheel is provided in the base. The base has a top formed with at least one slot. The lift unit is disposed on the abrasive wheel to bring the abrasive wheel to move up so that an abrasive surface of the abrasive wheel passes through the slot of the base and protrudes from the base for the top of the base to sand the side of a workpiece. The cutting width of the sander can be extended to enhance the use of the sander, so the manufacturing process can be shortened to increase the production efficiency. |
| US08287334B2 |
Spindle with draw rod and current conductor
The invention relates to a spindle (1) for a machine tool, in particular a motor spindle, with a housing (2) for accommodating an electric motor (3) and a shaft (4) that can be driven by the latter, and with a tool holder (5) for a tool (6) that can be electrically connected, wherein a draw rod (7) is provided for actuating the tool holder (5) of the spindle (1) and wherein the draw rod (7) has a current conductor (8) for supplying current to a held tool (6). |
| US08287333B2 |
Single type substrate treating apparatus and method
Provided are a single type substrate treating apparatus and method. A polishing unit is disposed in a process chamber for polishing a substrate chemically and mechanically, and a cleaning unit is disposed in the same process chamber for cleaning the substrate. Therefore, according to the single substrate treating apparatus and method, a polishing process and a cleaning process can be performed on a substrate in the same process chamber by a single substrate treating method in which substrates are treated one by one. |
| US08287331B2 |
Method for manufacturing polishing pad, and method for polishing wafer
There is disclosed a method for manufacturing a polishing pad that is formed of a urethane foam pad and attached to a turn table to polish a wafer, the method comprising at least steps of: slicing a urethane foam cake to provide the urethane foam pad; and performing press processing with respect to the urethane foam pad with a pressure of 15000 g/cm2 or above, a polishing pad manufactured by this method, and a method for polishing a wafer by using this polishing pad. There can be provided a method for manufacturing a polishing pad that can stably obtain a wafer with high flatness, etc. |
| US08287329B2 |
Grinding machine and grinding method
A grinding machine includes: a workhead (22) that rotatably supports a solid cylindrical or hollow cylindrical workpiece (W); a grinding wheel (43) that moves relative to the workhead (22) in a direction that intersects with a rotation axis of the workhead (22) to grind an outer peripheral surface of the workpiece (W); a measuring apparatus (50) that measures a position of an outer peripheral surface of the workpiece (W) corresponding to a rotation angle of the workhead (22); an outer peripheral surface shape calculation unit (64) that calculates an outer peripheral surface shape of the workpiece (W) on the basis of the position of the outer peripheral surface of the workpiece (W) measured by the measuring apparatus (50) during grinding; and a grinding condition determination unit (65) that determines a condition of grinding, which is performed after measurement by the measuring apparatus (50), on the basis of the calculated outer peripheral surface shape of the workpiece (W). |
| US08287326B2 |
Remote controller for aircraft model
The present invention relates to a remote controller for an aircraft model, which includes a body, a mode selection switch, and a signal acquisition unit. The body is adapted to be held in a first direction and a second direction. The mode selection switch may be configured to issue a mode selection signal. The signal acquisition unit acquires the manipulation signals manipulated by the first joystick and the second joystick in the remote controller, and processes the manipulation signals according to the mode selection signal, so as to enable the remote controller to operate respectively in the first manipulation mode and the second manipulation mode. The remote controller of the present invention merely switches the electric signals for switching between the manipulation modes without modifying the mechanical structure, thereby simplifying the switching operations. |
| US08287325B2 |
Flexible display and manufacturing method of the same
A flexible display of the present invention is an active matrix flexible display in which a TFT is provided for each pixel. In the flexible display, an adhesive layer, a protective layer, a gate electrode for the TFT, which is buried in the protective layer, a gate insulating layer for the TFT, source and drain electrodes for the TFT, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode, an organic active layer for the TFT, an organic EL layer including a red (R) emitting layer, a green (G) emitting layer and a blue (B) emitting layer, which are formed on a plurality of the pixel electrodes, a metal electrode, and a sealing layer are formed on a plastic film. |
| US08287321B2 |
Electrical connection element with thin connectors and electrical connection using said connection element
Electrical connection element (1; 21; 31) of the type comprising: a male thin connector (2; 22; 32); a female thin connector (3; 23; 33) in which it is possible to identify a fork (4) having two shaped arms (5, 6) that define a slit (7) for the insertion of the male thin connector (2; 22; 32) in order to obtain the electrical contact. A bridge element (8) connects the shaped elements (5, 6) to each other. |
| US08287312B2 |
Electrical connector with shell and status switch
The invention relates to a female electrical connector having a contact volume for receiving a jack, a shell for securing the position of the connector relative to a substrate and a status switch, which is adapted to be operated by inserting the jack into the contact volume. In order to provide for a smaller connector, the present invention provides that the switch is at least partially integrated into the shell. |
| US08287307B2 |
Fastening device for detachable holding of an electrical distributor by latching
A fastening unit has a fastening device (1) and an electrical distributor (2) which is lockable to the fastening device by latching. The fastening device has a base plate (3) and with two latch mechanisms (4) which project vertically away from the base plate (3). Several openings (5, 5′) for holding screws (6) are formed in the base plate (3), with which the base plate (3) can be fastened to the wall or other support (7), and free ends of the latch mechanisms (4) each having an elastic catch arm (8) with a catch hook (9) and a rigid contact arm (10) opposite the catch arm (8). The fastening device enables the electrical distributor to be fastened quickly, easily, and reliably to a wall or other support, with the possibility of also quick and easy detaching of the distributor, as necessary, from the wall without removing the fastening device. |
| US08287305B2 |
Receptacle system having multiple wire quick connects
A “quick” receptacle system comprising a rough housing and duplex insert capable of being installed in minimal steps without multiple screws. Multiple top wire quick connects span a width of the rough housing attached to the rear, with each top wire quick connect further comprising a top stud hole defined therein open to the front and an interior means for conductively engaging wire conductors within the junction box. A conducting plate in contact with the interior means conductively connects each the top wire quick connects to a bottom-residing conductor point. Finally, a duplex insert having a duplex body is sized to be accommodated within the housing body of the rough housing multiple conducting studs projecting from a duplex rear of the duplex body, each conducting studs adapted to align and respectively seat within each the top stud hole of the rough housing. |
| US08287302B2 |
Cable end connectors
A cable end connector has a main body portion and male connector portions extending therefrom. The male connector portions are respectively receivable in recesses in an end portion of a cable connection component. The cable end connector is adapted to display status light signals emitted from between the recesses at the end portion of the cable connection component. |
| US08287300B2 |
Terminal box for solar cell module
A terminal box for a solar cell module includes a box body 2 defining an output terminal introducing hole 7 capable of introducing an output terminal of the solar cell module, and a terminal plate 5 for providing electrical connection between the output terminal introduced through the output terminal introducing hole and an input terminal 4 of an output cable 3. There is provided a pressing piece 12 as an extension from the terminal plate, the pressing piece 12 allowing the output terminal introduced through the output terminal introducing hole to be pressed against the plate face of the terminal plate. |
| US08287298B2 |
Detachment-preventing plug
A detachment-preventing plug for hooking a socket is provided. The detachment-preventing plug comprises a body unit, two conducting pins, a slider member and two resilient hooking members. The body unit has a compartment for receiving the slider member. Each of the resilient hooking members has a protruding portion and an exposing hooking end. Each of the protruding portions protrudes toward the slider member and is engaged with the slider member, and a hooking portion is formed on each of the exposing hooking ends. The two conducting pins have two slots respectively. When the two conducting pins are inserted into the socket, the two resilient hooking members are adapted to pass through the two slots and hook the socket by the two hooking portions, wherein a user could drive the slider to make the two resilient hooking members establish a releasing configuration or a hooking configuration. |
| US08287296B2 |
Socket connector having CPU retention arrangement
An electrical connector adapted for electrically connecting an electronic package includes a base and at least a cam. The base has a receiving space for receiving the electronic package and at least a flange located on side of the receiving space. The cam is positioned on the flange. Each cam has a shelf and defines a first position and a second position. The cam is able to rotate between its first position and its second position for urging the electronic package to move, and when the cam is located in the second position, the shelf blocks the electronic package from a vertical direction motion. |
| US08287294B2 |
Connector
Each of contact fittings is obtained by bending a die-cut member having a metal plate portion of substantially rectangular shape and a metal piece connecting to a long side of the metal plate portion. The metal piece is folded to be accommodated within a region directly above a surface of the metal plate portion opposite a surface in contact with a front-surface electrode or a back-surface electrode. Then, the metal piece is bent along the length of the metal plate portion to form a hook to be retained by a first housing or a second housing. Therefore, as compared to a structure in which hooks are orthogonal to the length of metal plate portions and bend outward from contact fittings, the arrangement width of the contact fittings arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the length of the contact fittings can be reduced. |
| US08287292B2 |
One touch pivoting expandable power and data center
An expandable power and data center (300) is adapted to be mounted within a slot (304) of a work surface (302). The power and data center (300) includes a stationary housing (306) and a carriage (328). The carriage (328) includes socket areas where power receptacles (338) and data ports (340) can be inserted. A top surface (330) of the carriage (328) and a top surface (350) of a frontal cover (348) form a pressure area (360). With the carriage in a closed position (328), a user can exert a downward pressure on the pressure area (360), causing the carriage (328) to move to an open position. A damper (368) restricts the speed at which the carriage (328) moves between the closed position and an open position. |
| US08287291B1 |
Circuit with flexible portion
A circuit includes a first plurality of contacts configured to be in electrical communication with a plurality of electronic devices. The circuit card further includes a flexible portion including a dielectric layer, a second plurality of contacts, and a plurality of electrical conduits extending across a region of the flexible portion and in electrical communication with one or more contacts of the first plurality of contacts and with the second plurality of contacts. The flexible portion further includes an electrically conductive layer extending across the region of the flexible portion. The electrically conductive layer is superposed with the plurality of electrical conduits with the dielectric layer therebetween. The electrically conductive layer does not overlay one or more portions of the dielectric layer in the region of the flexible portion. |
| US08287281B2 |
Memory training via visual journal
A system that can enhance cognitive ability by viewing sequences of images captured during an event is disclosed. For example, the innovation can employ captured event sequences to improve failing memories in patients with a diagnosed memory condition such as acquired brain injury or neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease. These event sequences can be captured in the point-of-view of a user (e.g., first person) as well as from a third person or other monitoring location (e.g., car). |
| US08287279B2 |
Tooth implant
The invention concerns a non rotation-symmetric but root-analogue or tooth socket-analogue dental implant of the same size and shape as the root of the extracted tooth with macro retentions protruding from the implant surface (107, 113, 116).Macro retentions (107, 113, 116) are strictly limited to surface areas of the implant in the interdental space next to spongy and thick bone and in case of the last molar, facing the bone at the end of the tooth row. The diameter of the dental implant in transverse direction next to the thin cortical bone buccal and lingual/palatinal is identical to the alveolar bone or preferably stands back to avoid any pressure induced resorption and fracture of the thin cortical bone layer, respectively, at any cost. |
| US08287277B2 |
Reshapable device for fixation at a dental site
A reshapable retention device for insertion at a dental site and contact with adjacent dental surfaces, for the controlled delivery to the dental site of at least one material having a predetermined intraoral activity. The retention device includes at least one matrix containing the material. The retention device is adapted for physically affixing at the dental site for at least a predetermined time period correlated to the delivery of a predetermined portion of the at least one matrix to the dental site in a controlled single, bi or multiphase pattern. The retention device includes a first configuration in which the overall dimensions of the retention device are larger than at least one dimension of the dental site. The first configuration is reshapable to a second configuration in which at least one dimension of the retention device is reduced to enable physically affixing the retention device at the dental site. In the second configuration the retention device includes a predetermined shape having contours for affixing at the dental surfaces. |
| US08287272B1 |
Injection molding apparatus having a nozzle retaining clip
A nozzle retaining clip for retaining a nozzle assembly with a material distributing manifold comprises an attachment portion for attaching the clip to the manifold and an engagement portion for engaging a nozzle assembly abutted to the manifold. Two clips located to engage opposite sides of a nozzle assembly abutted to the manifold member are effective to retain the nozzle assembly and to allow the manifold and nozzle assembly to move relative to one another while the clips and nozzle assembly remain engaged. A first alternative clip achieves only surface contact and a second alternative clip allows protrusion of a segment of a nozzle assembly periphery through the clip. Advantageously, the clip comprises at least one locating tap to restrain movement of the clip relative to a manifold. An apparatus for injection molding comprises a manifold and nozzle assembly construction comprising clips in accordance with the invention. |
| US08287266B2 |
Device for performing consolidation and method of use thereof
A preforming device and method of use thereof, the device including a rack, a pinion, belt, belt tensioning feature, and mechanism for supporting a variably appliable enhanced pressure, such as may be applied using a bladder or bladders having one or more valves, the device capable of engaging a mandrel to form at least one ply and a binder against the exterior of the mandrel. |
| US08287263B2 |
Machine for producing expanded-grain cakes
Disclosed herein is a machine for producing expanded-grain cakes. The machine includes a frame, a mold unit, a grain supply unit, a grain transfer unit, a mold pressure arm, a drive unit, an open cam, a control unit and a cover unit. A precise charge of cereal grain is metered at the grain supply unit and in synchronism with the mold open cycle, distributed evenly over the mold cavity. Then with the mold unit clamped closed, the charge is heated and, at the end of the baking cycle, a preform is produced with gases at high pressure entrained therewithin. Upon release from the mold, the preform expands to a grain cake of the desired size. The machine controls the thermal energy input, the cycle frequency, the size of the grain charge, and the ejection trajectory. Several interrupts are used to ensure conformance to the control parameters and to enhance operator safety. |
| US08287258B2 |
Positive displacement pump with impeller and method of manufacturing
A rotary positive displacement pump (1) that includes an impeller (3) that defines, within a pumping chamber (20), a plurality of successive chambers (21) with variable volume through which a fluid is mechanically conveyed from an inlet (7) to an outlet (8). The chambers (21) with variable volume are defined, at axially opposite ends, by a pair of rotational surfaces (40, 50) that close the pumping chamber (20) and are arranged to rotate about mutually inclined axes. Also described is a method of manufacturing the pump. |
| US08287249B2 |
Two-stage membrane pump with economical inlet port design
A two-stage membrane pump having a first pump head and a second pump head is provided. The pump heads are typically crank operated with a camshaft set up such that one pump head is in exhaust mode and the other in inlet mode, and vice-versa, during operation. The membrane and the inlet and outlet valves of the pump heads are designed to work together, along with each pump head working synchronously such that the inlet of the second pump head and exhaust of the first pump head are sealed by the actions of the two membranes. As a result an inlet valve in the second pump head is not needed. The costs of such a pump are thereby reduced while increasing the reliability of the two-stage pump. |
| US08287247B2 |
Combined pumping system comprising a getter pump and an ion pump
A combined pumping system comprising a getter pump and an ion pump is described. The getter pump and the ion pump are mounted in series on a same flange and are respectively arranged on opposite sides thereof so that both getter and ion pumps conductance are maximized towards gas flux sources in a vacuum chamber in order to improve the vacuum level of the system. |
| US08287246B2 |
Systems and methods for automatic forward phasing determination in a downhole pump system
Systems and methods for controlling an electrical drive such as is used with electric submersible pumps used in downhole oil production, wherein the drive automatically determines the proper phasing to drive the pump motor in a forward direction. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a drive signal having an initial phasing and driving the pump to establish a column of fluid in the borehole. The drive signal is then discontinued, allowing the column of fluid to fall through the pump and cause the pump to backspin and generate a signal having phasing corresponding to the reverse rotational direction. The forward phasing is then determined to be the opposite of the phasing corresponding to the reverse rotational direction. The pump can be restarted in the forward direction, or an operator can be notified of the proper phasing to produce forward rotation of the pump. |
| US08287244B2 |
Motor control apparatus for a ventilation system
A method of constant airflow control includes various controls to accomplish a substantially constant airflow rate over a significant change of the static pressure in a ventilation duct. One control is a constant I·RPM control, which is primarily used in a low static pressure range. Another control is a constant RPM control, which is primarily used in a high static pressure range. These controls requires neither a static pressure sensor nor an airflow rate sensor to accomplish substantially constant airflow rate while static pressure changes. Also, the method improves the accuracy of the control by correcting certain deviations that are caused by the motor's current-RPM characteristics. To compensate the deviation, the method adopts a test operation in a minimum static pressure condition. Also disclosed is an apparatus for conducting these control methods. |
| US08287238B2 |
Hub pitch gear repair method
A method for repairing a hub pitch gear assembly. The method includes providing a ring assembly for adjusting a pitch angle of a wind turbine blade having a plurality of gear teeth. A segment of the ring assembly is removed, the segment including at least a portion of at least one gear tooth, to form a repair cavity. A repair segment configured to mate the repair cavity is provided and the repair segment is directed into the repair cavity and fastened in position. A repaired pitch gear assembly and wind turbine are also provided. |
| US08287237B2 |
Step-over blade-pitch control system
A pitch control system for blades on a rotor of an aircraft has a gimballing rotor hub (31) and a plurality of step-over arms (61) connected to the hub and capable of pivoting relative to the hub about a pivot axis. Each of a plurality of pitch links (55) connects one of the step-over arms (61) to a flight control system for pivoting the connected step-over arm (61) about the pivot axis and relative to the hub in response to inputs from the control system. Each of a plurality of step-over links (69) connects one of the step-over arms (61) to one of the blades for rotating the associated blade about the pitch axis in response to pivoting of the associated step-over arm. |
| US08287236B2 |
Multistage centrifugal compressor
A multistage centrifugal compressor includes a rotary shaft, and multistage impellers attached to the rotary shaft. Each of the impellers includes a hub, a shroud and blades therebetween in a radial cascade arrangement. An annular suction passage for guiding the fluid flow from the inward radial direction to a blade inlet is disposed upstream of the centrifugal impeller. A diffuser is disposed downstream of the centrifugal impeller. A bend portion is disposed downstream of the diffuser, and a return channel with a guide blade portion is disposed downstream of the bend portion. The annular suction passage at a hub side includes an axial parallel portion. |
| US08287231B2 |
Pressure relief arrangement for a pump
A pressure relief arrangement for a pump, which includes a pump housing assembly with a pumping chamber therein, is provided in the pump housing assembly of the pump and includes a section mounted for movement between a normal operating position and a venting position, further includes a shearing element adapted to retain the section in the normal operating position, the section being mounted such that upon pressure within the pumping chamber increasing to a specified level, the pressure acts on the section and the shearing element will fail thereby permitting movement of the section from the normal operating to the venting position. |
| US08287228B2 |
System and methods for controlling the amplitude modulation of noise generated by wind turbines
In one aspect, a method for controlling the amplitude modulation of the noise generated by wind turbines is generally disclosed. The method may include determining a sound characteristic of a turbine sound wave generated by a wind turbine and generating an additive sound wave based on the sound characteristic such that a resultant sound wave is produced having a peak-to-peak amplitude that is smaller than a peak-to-peak amplitude of the turbine sound wave. |
| US08287227B2 |
Catalyst loading system
Particulate filling devices and methods are disclosed that use a loading system generally including a loading cart, a drive system, and a line assembly. The drive system generally includes a motor, a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a spool, a plurality of cable partitions, and a controller. Each line assembly generally includes cable sections, swivel connectors, one or more spring blocks and a weight. |
| US08287226B1 |
Front end loader attachment and locking mechanism
A hand-operable connection assembly is described for quickly connecting and disconnecting a vehicle from a boom assembly. The connection assembly includes a tower and a bracket, the tower is rotatably secured to both an actuator and a boom arm while the bracket is secured to a vehicle or construction device. The tower and bracket interconnect via pins that seat in pockets, and the tower is secured or locked to the bracket via a hand-operable locking clevis that rotates about one of the pins and wraps around the curved exterior of one of the pockets. The center point of the exterior curvature is offset from the center point of the clevis rotation such that rotation of the clevis tightens the clevis against the pocket. The pins may be located at the two hinges connecting the boom arm and actuator to the tower, or the pins may be separated from the hinges. The exterior of the pocket may include a grind sheet designed to scrape against and secure a grind bar of the locking clevis in a locked configuration. The clevis is structured such that if the pin moves around in the pocket while in use by the vehicle, the weight of the grind bar will cause the clevis to rotate to a more locked configuration. The connection assembly may also include a spring, lever, or torque bar to assist in unlocking the assembly if the clevis becomes over-tightened. |
| US08287224B2 |
Apparatus and method for inverting beverage glasses
The disclosure depicts an apparatus and method for transferring beverage glasses from a first a beverage glass containment rack to an empty second beverage glass containment rack. Each rack includes side walls and a plurality of chambers arrayed within the perimeter. Each chamber of the rack is adapted to contain a beverage glass. The apparatus has side walls bearing edges adapted to engage the perimeter of the glass rack when in a mounted position. It also has a center divider within an interior of the apparatus and orthogonal its side walls. A plurality of ducts is arrayed within the side walls, each respective duct passing through and coupled to the center divider such that each respective duct is positioned to fit within a respective chamber when in the mounted position. |
| US08287222B2 |
Transfer system
A transfer system includes: a first shelf disposed to block an original transfer path from a transfer position at which the transporting vehicle transfers the transported object to the port and can transfer the transported object with the transporting vehicle; a second shelf which puts the transported object; a displacing device can reciprocate the transported object with respect to the first shelf and the port in a first direction, toward and away from the processing apparatus, and which can reciprocate the transported object at first direction position, which is away in the first direction by the transported object from the first shelf and the port, in a second direction crossing the first direction; and a communicating device which receives a transfer request from the transporting vehicle, which can transmit a transfer permission to the transporting vehicle. |
| US08287216B2 |
Method for securing freight
A harness assembly for restraining freight having a relatively high center of gravity comprises first and second junction rings, and four tensile members. Two of the four members form a bifurcated harness when connected to the junction rings. The third and fourth tensile members each have a ring end and an anchor end. The ring ends are connected to the junction rings. The bifurcated harness, having a top-contacting member and a side-contacting member, respectively contacts a top end and a side portion of positioned freight. The anchor ends anchor the third and fourth tensile members to a support structure such as a railcar floor. The third and fourth tensile members thereby diagonally direct tension into the bifurcated harness relative to the support structure so as to force the top end of the freight toward the support structure and the side portion of the freight toward the anchor ends. |
| US08287211B2 |
Methods of laying elongate articles at sea
A method for pipelaying at sea from a vessel, wherein the length of each pipe string is less than the depth of the sea at the laying site, is described. The method includes attaching a string to a line on the vessel. The string is deployed and suspended by the vessel via the line substantially above the end of the pipeline to which it will be connected. The line is paid out until the lower end of the string is lowered to the end of the string to which it will be connected. With the string in a vertical configuration and the end of the pipeline substantially in its installed configuration, the end of the string is connected to the end of the pipeline. The vessel is moved in the lay direction and the line is paid out until the string is laid into its installed configuration. |
| US08287208B2 |
Wave attenuation systems
Wave attenuation systems are disclosed. For example, a wave-attenuating panel can define a plane, a center-of buoyancy and a center-of-mass spaced from the center-of-buoyancy such that the panel is stably buoyant in a liquid with the plane oriented vertically. Wave attenuators are also disclosed. Such a wave attenuator can comprise a first row of support members extending vertically relative to a seabed and a second row of support members spaced from the first row. A vertically oriented, movable panel can be positioned between the first row and the second row, such that the panel is configured to rise and fall in a substantially vertical plane. Such wave attenuators can also comprise a second, fixed panel that remains submerged. |
| US08287206B2 |
Decking system and anchoring device
The present invention is an anchoring device for joining three boards. It includes a substantially flat horizontal top element having a top view configuration which includes two sides and has a first predetermined width as measured wide to side at its maximum width between the two sides. There is at least one substantially vertical support member attached to the underside of the top element along an imaginary center line and extending downwardly from the top element for a predetermined length, which has two sides and a second predetermined width as measured at its maximum width. There is a substantially flat horizontal bottom element with two sides and has a third predetermined width at its maximum width. The first predetermined width is greater than the second predetermined width and the third predetermined width, and the third is greater than the second. |
| US08287201B2 |
Telescopic container for a pasty or liquid cosmetic product
The invention relates to a vial for a liquid or pasty cosmetic product, comprising: an elongate body (10), extending in a longitudinal direction, a vessel containing said product and which is translatably movable inside the body, an application element (30) comprising a rod (31) rigidly connected to a cap (40) and ending in an applicator (32) suitable for being loaded with the product when dunked into the vessel, said cap being insertable into/onto the body by pushing said application element into the vessel up to a rest configuration and extractable from said body so as to extract the rod and the applicator from the vessel and from the body, and complementary sealing means (35 and 80) designed for translatably coupling the rod and the vessel in a relative sealing configuration, characterized in that the top position of the vessel in the body is defined by complementary retaining elements designed so as to generate a resistance against the downward movement of the vessel in the body from said top position, the configuration of the cap being such that, when coupled to the vessel while the latter is in the bottom rest position, said cap offers a large enough surface to enable a user to apply the force required for extraction from the body. |
| US08287197B2 |
Interchangeable lens and camera system
An interchangeable lens which is removably mounted on a camera body including an image sensor includes a tilt unit configured to move a lens unit in a tilt direction with respect to the image sensor, a shift unit configured to move the lens unit in a shift direction with respect to the image sensor, a changing unit configured to change a relative angle between the shift unit and the tilt unit by relatively rotating the shift unit and the tilt unit, a detection unit configured to detect the relative angle, and a control unit configured to transmit to the camera body a detection result of the relative angle detected by the detection unit. |
| US08287194B2 |
Weighted mounting arrangement for, and method of, steadily supporting a motion-sensitive, image capture device
A weighted mounting arrangement stably supports a motion-sensitive, image capture device incorporated in a cellular telephone. The arrangement includes a handheld equipoising structure having a platform and a handle connected to the platform at a handle connection, a mount on the platform for holding the device during image capture, and a ballast weight mounted on the mount with the held device as an assembly. The assembly and the equipoising structure together have a combined center of gravity positioned in close adjacent proximity below the handle connection for balancing the arrangement during image capture. |
| US08287193B2 |
Image stabilizing apparatus and imaging apparatus including image stabilizing apparatus
An apparatus included in a lens barrel, includes a base member, a first lens unit which is movable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the first lens, a second lens unit, attached to the first lens unit, and movable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the second lens, and a plurality of rolling members sandwiched between the base member and the first lens unit, wherein a gap between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is adjustable, and wherein the gap between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is smaller and a gap between the first lens unit and the base member is larger in the photographable state as compared to the retracted state, and the rolling members do not contact the base member or the first lens unit in the retracted state. |
| US08287192B2 |
Optical network unit transceiver
In one example embodiment, a pluggable ONU transceiver module comprises a top shell, a bottom shell configured to mate with the top shell to form a cavity, and a PCB disposed within the cavity. A plurality of pins are coupled to the PCB and are configured to be inserted into a protruding socket of a host device through the bottom shell. The protruding socket is mounted on a PCB of the host device. The pluggable ONU transceiver module further comprises one or more guiding features integrated with the bottom shell and configured to ensure that the pins are inserted correctly into the protruding socket, and means for positioning the top shell at a predetermined height above the PCB of the host device to allow coupling of the top shell to a heatsink of the host device. |
| US08287191B2 |
Locking optical and/or electrical connectors and cable assemblies
A blocking member is sized and shaped to be installed beneath a trigger or triggers of a duplex connector. The blocking member prevents depression of the trigger(s) of the duplex connector and hence prevents depression of latches to release the plugs of the duplex connector from mated receptacles. The blocking member does not block actuation of the latches of the duplex connector. Through the use of a tool, the trigger(s) may be bypassed and the latches operated directly by the tool to release the plugs of the duplex connector when mated to receptacles. |
| US08287187B2 |
Adjustable dynamic X-ray filter
A system and method for determining the location of an x-ray source of an x-ray machine and adjusting grid lines in an anti-scatter grid are disclosed. An ideal beam path is obtained and is used to adjust grid lines in the anti-scatter grid. In one embodiment, the invention uses a source locator to locate the x-ray source, communicate this location to the said adjustable anti-scatter grid which could align the grid lines mechanically, by means of servos attached to the grid lines, to the ideal x-ray beam path. In other embodiment electrical currents are used to align grid lines with the beam source. By aligning the grid lines with the beam path, images with increased contrast and reduced noise can be produced. |
| US08287178B2 |
Method and apparatus for reservoir mixing
The invention provides a system and method for filling a reservoir through one or a plurality of inlet nozzles to encourage mixing. The inlet nozzles include a specifically designed size reduction between the main line or branch to which the inlet nozzle is attached and the nozzle pipe itself; a specifically designed nozzle pipe length which, combined with the pressure increase provided by the size reduction, will produce the most appropriate jet flow; and a specifically designed location and orientation of the inlet nozzle within the reservoir. These parameters produce a developed turbulent jet flow which, when the inlet nozzle is positioned at the appropriate elevation and oriented in the appropriate direction(s), will direct the developed turbulent jet flow with the appropriate momentum to reach the surface of the water with initial major mixing taking place in this area. A corresponding draining system and method is also disclosed. |
| US08287175B2 |
Bubble generation for aeration and other purposes
A method of producing small bubbles (90) of gas in a liquid comprises a source (16) of the gas under pressure, a conduit (64a) opening into a liquid and oscillating the gas passing along the conduit at a frequency between 1 and 100 Hz. The oscillation is effected by fluidic oscillator (10) comprising a diverter that divides the supply into respect outputs (A, B), each output being controlled by a control port, wherein the control ports are interconnected by a closed loop (22). There may be at least two of said conduits (62a, 64a), each output port being connected to one or the other of said conduits, in which one phase of the oscillating gas is employed to drive liquid across the conduit (64a) after formation of a bubble in the other phase of oscillation, whereby the bubble is detached by the force of said driven liquid. |
| US08287169B2 |
Backlight and displaying/imaging apparatus
The present invention provides a backlight capable of suppressing loss of light from an invisible light source and a displaying/imaging apparatus using the same. The backlight includes: a light guide plate having a light emitting face and a rear face opposed to the light emitting face; a visible light source disposed on a side face of the light guide plate; an invisible light source disposed on a side face of the light guide plate; a first reflection film disposed on the rear face side of the light guide plate, reflecting light from the visible light source, and transmitting light from the invisible light source; and a second reflection film disposed on the rear face side of the light guide plate and reflecting light from at least the invisible light source out of the visible light source and the invisible light source. |
| US08287168B2 |
Bulb-shaped lamp
One end of a cylindrical mount 10 is attached to an end of a cylindrical base 30 that is to be inserted into a socket of a lighting fixture. The end of the mount 10 is rotatable around a central axis of a base 30. A support 40 is attached to other end of the mount 10 so as to rotate integrally with the mount 10. An LED module 51 that includes a plurality of LED chips is attached to the support 40. An end face 43a, on which the LED module 51 is attached, is provided on the support 40. The end face 43a is formed so that the direction of light emitted by the LED chips provided on the LED module 51 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the axial direction of the base 30. |
| US08287165B2 |
Vehicle lighting device
A conventional vehicle lighting device entails difficulty in smoothly dimming a part at a downside of a cutoff line of a light distribution pattern. A shade-cum additional reflector includes a cutoff line forming portion which forms an opposite lane side cutoff line, an oblique cutoff line, and a cruising lane side cutoff line, of a light distribution pattern for passing, i.e., a horizontal portion, an inclined portion, and a corner portion, of a protrusion. Of an additional reflecting surface, in proximal to at least the horizontal portion of the protrusion, a spherical convex portion is provided as a diffusion portion for diffusing and reflecting a part of the cut off reflected light onto a side of a projecting lens. As a result, a lighting device of the present invention allows for smooth dimming of a part at a downside of at least the opposite lane side cutoff line, of a light distribution pattern for passing. |
| US08287158B2 |
Cover plate for lighting fixture and lighting fixture having the same
Disclosed is a cover plate for a lighting fixture and a lighting fixture having the same, which achieves superior light diffusivity and light uniformity as well as superior light transmission in comparison with the prior art, thereby improving a luminance characteristic. The cover plate is arranged at an exterior of an light source of the light fixture so as to exit lighting emitted from the light source outward. The cover plate is made of light transmissive resin material having 5-35% of bubbles for light scattering, which has a diameter within a range of 60 μm˜700 μm, and exits light emitted from the light source while diffusing the light to the whole area of the cover plate. |
| US08287155B2 |
Method of and device for attracting aquatic life forms using bubble and sound formation in an aquatic environment
A device for simulating and/or attracting aquatic life forms is disclosed. The device includes an electromagnetic module with a dry battery that is activated when exposed electrodes of the dry battery are placed in contact with a common electrolyte, such as sea water. The dry battery generates gas bubbles and sound in an aquatic environment, which attracts the aquatic life forms. In further embodiments of the invention, the device includes one or more removable jackets with holes or vents that facilities a controllable release of the gas bubbles generated by the dry battery. |
| US08287153B2 |
Flat modulus light source
A lighting apparatus comprises: an upper housing having a graduated stepped cylindrical profile, forming an upper portion of the lighting apparatus; a substantially annular heat sink having a round profile around its outer periphery and a hexagonal profile around its inner periphery, and being shaped so as to have an opening at the bottom of the heat sink; a plurality of LEDs located around the inner periphery of the heat sink, the LEDs being oriented so as to emit light in an upward direction at an angle; and a hexagonal reflector situated between the upper housing and the heat sink, the hexagonal reflector having a downwardly reflective lower surface. When the lighting apparatus is assembled and power is applied to the LEDs, light emitted from the LEDs is reflected off of the lower surface of the reflector so as to exit through the opening at the bottom of the heat sink. |
| US08287145B2 |
Lamp
A lamp 1 includes a semiconductor light-emitting element 12 as a light source, a circuit unit 40 that causes the semiconductor light-emitting element 12 to emit light, and an envelope 2 having an outer tube 30 and a base 60. The semiconductor light-emitting element 12 and the circuit unit 40 are housed in the envelope 2. The semiconductor light-emitting element 12 is disposed in a region at a side of an axially central section of the outer tube 30 facing the base 60 and oriented so that a main emission direction points away from the base 60. At least one component of the circuit unit 40 is disposed in a region at a side of the axially central section of the outer tube opposite the semiconductor light-emitting element 12. A light guide 50 that guides emission light of the semiconductor light-emitting element 12 along the axial direction is disposed between the at least one component of the circuit unit 40 and the semiconductor light-emitting element 12. The light guide 50 has a light-diffusing portion corresponding in position to the axially central section of the outer tube 30. |
| US08287144B2 |
LED bar
The present invention relates to LED bar modules where the LED groups are placed at a pixel board. The present invention further concerns a method for calibration of LEDs. It is the object of the invention to achieve a highly efficient LED bar for generating a bar of light. A further object of the invention is to store calibration data for each LED both electrically and mechanically close to the actual LED. Preferably, the main printed circuit is placed inside a heat conductive tube, where the pixel board is placed outside the heat conductive tube in a longitudinal recess, where the main printed circuit is placed inside an isolation cover. Hereby, it is achieved that the LEDs are placed on the outside of the tube in a way where heat generated from the LEDs is conducted downwards to the tube. Inside the tube, the rest of the power electronics and also the light controlling electronics are placed. |
| US08287142B2 |
Conversion kit for lighting assemblies
Apparatuses and methods for adapting unfinished lighting fixture rough-ins to receive a lighting module, such as an incandescent light bulb or a light-emitting diode (LED) lighting device, are disclosed. According to one aspect, a universal adapter is provided that can be inserted into an existing lighting fixture rough-in, secured in place, and electrically connected to the lighting fixture rough-in. In this way, the adapter stands in place of the finishing section typically used in current lighting fixture designs. As a result, the adapter can modify an unfinished lighting fixture so that it can be used with a variety of lighting elements beyond those designed to be used with the specific configuration of the lighting fixture rough-in. |
| US08287141B2 |
Adjustable, anti-glare automobile side mirror
An automobile side mirror includes a reflective portion having a front mirror that is incompletely silvered and a rear mirror angularly offset from the front mirror, the rear mirror being fixed relative to the front mirror. The mirror includes a bracket hingedly coupled to the reflective portion and a solenoid hingedly coupled to the reflective portion to selectively move the reflective portion from a first configuration to a second configuration. The mirror includes a return element to return the reflective portion from the second configuration to the first configuration. A light sensor is positioned to detect an amount of light directed toward the reflective portion. A processor is in communication with the light sensor and in communication with the solenoid, the processor including programming to actuate the solenoid upon detection of a predetermined amount of light directed at the light sensor. |
| US08287132B2 |
Projector
A projector includes: a first solid-state light source device which includes a first solid-state light source emitting main excitation light, and a fluorescent layer converting main excitation light to light including a first color light component and a second color light component different from the first color light component, and emitting converted light; a second solid-state light source device which includes a second solid-state light source emitting a third color light component different from the first color light component and the second color light component; a light modulation device modulating the first color light component, the second color light component, and the third color light component in accordance with image information; a projection optical system projecting the modulated light components from the light modulation device as a projection image; and a third solid-state light source device which includes a third solid-state light source emitting auxiliary excitation light, wherein the fluorescent layer is configured such that auxiliary excitation light is input thereto in a direction different from a direction in which main excitation light is input, and the fluorescent layer is configured to convert auxiliary excitation light to light including the first color light component and the second color light component, and to emit converted light. |
| US08287130B2 |
Projector and method for controlling projector
A projector, that projects an image on a projection surface in accordance with an image signal, includes: an optical system that includes a light source and projects projection light representing the image; an optical sensor that receives the light from the projection surface; and an adjuster that carries out a first adjustment process of adjusting the brightness of the projection light in accordance with the output from the optical sensor before the light source illuminates. |
| US08287129B2 |
Low thermal stress birefringence imaging system
An imaging system having reduced susceptibility to thermally induced stress birefringence, comprising; a relay lens, which images the object plane onto an intermediate image plane; a projection lens, which images the intermediate image plane onto the display surface. The lens elements that are immediately adjacent to a relay lens aperture stop and a projection lens aperture stop are fabricated using glasses having a negligible susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence, and the other lens elements are fabricated using glasses having at most a moderate susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence as characterized by the thermal stress birefringence metric. |
| US08287128B2 |
Laser projection source with polarization diversity element for speckle reduction
An imaging system (200), such as a scanned laser projection system, includes one or more laser sources (201) configured to produce one or more light beams (204), and a light modulator (203) configured to produce images (206) from the light beams (204). A polarization diversity element (221), which can be manufactured from a birefringent material or from a polymerized liquid crystal layer, is disposed within the imaging system (200). The polarization diversity element (221) is configured to alter the polarization of an incident beam to create a transmitted beam comprising diverse polarization patterns, thereby reducing speckle in projected images. |
| US08287126B2 |
System and method for visualizing objects
A method of visualizing objects using an optical system including an OCT system configured to obtain OCT data from voxels within a first volume having a first lateral extent includes obtaining position data indicative of a position of a predetermined portion of a movable instrument relative to the optical system and determining a first set of voxels from the voxels of the first volume based on the determined position such that at least 80% of the first set of voxels is located within a second volume having a second lateral extent with a size at least half the size of the first lateral extent. The method also includes obtaining OCT data of the first set of voxels, visualizing a representation of the OCT data of the first set of voxels, and repeating the steps of the method at a first repetition rate higher than 5 times per second. |
| US08287125B2 |
Pupilometer for pupil center drift and pupil size measurements at different viewing distances
The present invention generally provides improved devices, systems, and methods for measuring characteristics of at least one eye, and particularly for measuring the physiological changes in eyes under different viewing conditions. An exemplary embodiment provides a pupilometer which measures any changes in location of a pupil center with changes in viewing distances. As the eye often moves significantly during viewing, the pupil center location will often be measured relative to a convenient reference of the eye such as an outer iris boundary. Pupil size may also be recorded, and the measurements from both eyes of a patient may be taken simultaneously. Exemplary embodiments may be configured so as to allow the vergence angle between the eyes to vary with differing viewing distances, regardless of whether one or both eyes are being measured. |
| US08287123B2 |
Eyeglass frame without nose pad and eyeglass supporting method thereof
The present invention provides an eyeglass frame without nose pads that can adapt to difference in face size and can exert sufficient fixation force. A nose pad-less eyeglass frame 1 that is not provided with nose pads, wherein supporting members 3 for fixing an eyeglass frame to a face are attached on temples 2, and the supporting members 3 are movable in longitudinal directions of the temples 2 so that the positions of the supporting members 3 are adjustable. |
| US08287121B2 |
Inkjet recording medium and method of producing same
The present invention provides an inkjet recording medium having at least an ink-receiving layer, the ink-receiving layer containing at least fumed silica, a hydroxycarboxylic acid ester having the I/O value of 1.5 or more as determined in accordance with an organic conceptual diagram, and a polyvinyl alcohol, and an amount of the hydroxycarboxylic acid ester with respect to 1 kg of the fumed silica in the ink-receiving layer being from 0.1 moles to 2 moles. The present invention further provides an inkjet recording medium having at least a support and an ink-receiving layer provided on the support, the ink-receiving layer containing at least a chloride ion-containing zirconium salt, a water-soluble aluminum salt, a hydroxy acid derivative, inorganic fine particles, and a water-soluble resin. |
| US08287118B2 |
Digital ink jet printing method and apparatus
A method and apparatus a digital ink-jet printer are presented. A radiation-curable ink is continuously applies to successive locations on a substrate along a print line extending across the substrate. Concurrently with the continuous application of the radiation-curable ink along the print line, first curing radiation of a predetermined first intensity is continuously applied to the applied ink on the successive locations on the substrate along said print line, with a certain time delay, constant for all the locations on the substrate, between the applications of ink and to the first curing radiation. Second curing radiation of a predetermined second intensity is applied to the locations on the substrate a certain time period, constant for all the locations on the substrate, after the application of the first curing radiation to said locations. |
| US08287112B2 |
White inkjet ink improved for dispersion stability
An inkjet printing method includes in order the steps of: a) providing to an inkjet printer one or more colorless liquids and a white ink including a pigment with a refractive index greater than 1.60; b) mixing the white ink in a controlled amount with the one or more colorless liquids to form a white ink-mixture wherein the viscosity is reduced by at least 5 mPa·s by reference to the white ink when measuring the viscosity at 40° C. with a Brookfield DV-II+Pro at 12 rotations per minute; and c) printing the white ink-mixture with the inkjet printer onto an ink-receiver. Additionally, a color inkjet ink set includes the one or more colorless liquids and the white ink, and an inkjet printer for use in the inkjet printing method. |
| US08287107B2 |
Ink passages, platens for an inkjet recording device, and inkjet recording devices
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an ink passage comprises an ink passage comprising a first surface; and a second surface; wherein ink flows in an ink flow direction from the first surface to the second surface, and wherein a downstream edge of the first surface and an upstream edge of the second surface intersect each other. |
| US08287105B2 |
Nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead having an ink ejecting roof structure
Provided is a nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate defining an ink inlet channel therethrough, and side walls arranged on the substrate to define an ink chamber operatively supplied with ink via the channel. The arrangement also includes an anchor fast with the substrate proximate one side wall, and an ink ejecting roof structure pivotally mounted on the substrate and positioned as a roof over the side walls to enclose the chamber, the structure fast with the anchor via a thermal expansion actuator. |
| US08287103B2 |
Ink jet print head
An ink jet print head is provided which has a reduced size and still can prevent an overall temperature increase in a printing element board. To this end, among ink supply port arrays formed on both sides of each nozzle array, the heat resistance of the portion (beams) of the printing element board between the adjoining ink supply ports is lowered in those arrays that are close to the end portions of the common liquid chamber. |
| US08287101B2 |
Printhead stimulator/filter device printing method
A method for forming drops includes providing a jetting module that includes a nozzle plate, portions of the nozzle plate defining a nozzle; a thermal stimulation membrane including a plurality of pores and one or more heating elements; and an enclosure extending from the nozzle towards the thermal stimulation membrane, the enclosure defining a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle and the thermal stimulation membrane, the liquid chamber being in fluid communication with each of the nozzle and the plurality of pores; providing liquid under pressure sufficient to cause the liquid to divide into a plurality of portions as the liquid flows through the thermal stimulation membrane; each portion of the liquid flowing through a pore of the plurality of pores; jetting an individual stream of the liquid through the nozzle; and causing a liquid drop to break off from the individual stream of the liquid by applying a pulse of thermal energy to each portion of the liquid as each portion of the liquid flows through a respective one of the plurality of pores. |
| US08287100B2 |
Liquid discharge head and method for manufacturing the same
In order to hermetically seal more surely a gap between a back surface of a liquid discharge substrate and a front surface of a support member, and an electrode portion etc., without adversely affecting discharge performance, a liquid discharge head includes a first sealing resin coated on a portion between the liquid supply port and the pad on the support surface so as to surround a tip end portion at the liquid supply port of the support member and a second sealing resin for sealing a gap between the support member and the liquid discharge substrate, and a peripheral part of the liquid supply port. |
| US08287099B2 |
Printhead having annular shaped nozzle heaters
A printhead is provided having a plurality of fluid ejection nozzles. Each nozzle has a chamber on a printing surface having an ejection port, and an annular shaped heater for heating fluid in the chamber to cause ejection from the ejection port. |
| US08287098B2 |
Liquid ejection head, liquid supply apparatus, liquid ejection apparatus, and liquid supply method
A liquid ejection head, a liquid supply apparatus, a liquid ejection apparatus, and a liquid supply method can enable the channel resistance and pressure loss of liquid in the liquid ejection head to be reduced to increase the speed at which liquid is supplied to the nozzles. To achieve this, an ink supply chamber is placed so as to be laminated on a main ink supply chamber. A filter interposed between the main ink supply chamber and the ink supply chamber extends along a surface substantially parallel to a nozzle arrangement plane on which a plurality of nozzles are arranged. |
| US08287087B2 |
Ink discharging device and method of controlling the ink discharging device
An ink discharging device may comprise a head that is configured to print an image by discharging black ink and ink other than the black ink onto a print medium. The ink discharging device may further comprise a print controller that is configured to control the head such that the image is printed on the print medium on the basis of print data. The print controller may be configured to control the head such that flushing of the ink other than the black ink is performed at a black-color print area on the print medium onto which the head discharges the black ink on the basis of the print data. |
| US08287084B2 |
Recording apparatus
There is disclosed a recording apparatus including a recording head, a feeding mechanism, a detector, and a controller. The recording head has an ejection surface from which a droplet of a liquid is ejected. The feeding mechanism includes a plurality of rollers and an endless feeder belt wound around the rollers and having a feeding surface opposed to the ejection surface, and feeds a recording medium placed on the feeding surface a part of which serves as a liquid-droplet ejection area onto which a droplet of the liquid is ejected. The detector detects a trigger for initiating a manual cleansing of the liquid-droplet ejection area. The controller controls the feeding mechanism such that when the detector detects the trigger, the liquid-droplet ejection area is located at a cleansing position where the liquid-droplet ejection area is not opposed to the ejection surface of the recording head. |
| US08287083B2 |
Position detecting device, liquid ejecting apparatus and method of detecting smear of scale
A position detecting device for detecting a position of an object, includes a light emitting portion that emits light, a light receiving portion that receives the light from the light emitting portion, and a scale that is arranged between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, and includes a position detecting pattern and a smear detecting pattern. The position detecting pattern has a first light transmitting portion for transmitting the light from the light emitting portion and a first light interception portion for intercepting the light from the light emitting portion which are alternately arranged in a detection range of the object. The smear detecting pattern for detecting smear of the scale has a second light transmitting portion for transmitting the light from the light emitting portion and a second light interception portion for intercepting the light from the light emitting portion which are alternately arranged. |
| US08287082B2 |
Method of detecting discharging state of inkjet recording head
The discharging state of an inkjet recording head can be detected. The head includes a passage communicating with a discharge port for discharging ink, a discharging heater provided in the passage for generating energy to discharge ink from the discharge port, and a detecting unit provided in the passage for detecting a temperature of ink that changes in accordance with heat energy generated by the detecting unit and a flow of ink in the passage. The method includes supplying power to the heater, subsequently applying a first pulse current to the detecting unit, then applying a second pulse current with a smaller pulse width, and measuring and comparing an output signal from the detecting unit with a threshold to measure the ink temperature. |
| US08287078B2 |
Inkjet printing system having environmentally responsive thermal control mode
A method has been developed that reduces the electrical energy consumption of an inkjet printing system. The method regulates the energy consumption of the printing system with reference to a monitored temperature of at least one component in the inkjet printing system. |
| US08287072B2 |
Image data expansion by print mask
A method for using a processor to process image data received from an image data source in preparation for multipass printing, comprising multitoning the image data to produce a multitoned image, using the multitone level of a pixel in the multitoned image to select a plane of a print mask, using the location of the pixel in the multitoned image to select a cell of output pixels in the selected plane of the print mask, and copying the selected cell of output pixels to corresponding locations within a print buffer. |
| US08287067B2 |
Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus includes a recording head which has a plurality of recording elements, a drive unit, a selection-data generating mechanism which generates data for selecting a certain operation mode of the recording elements, a data transmitting mechanism which outputs a predetermined particular bit patterns at a tail end of the selection data, and a control-signal generating mechanism which generates a control signal for controlling the drive unit. The data transmitting mechanism inserts dummy data between the selection data. |
| US08287066B2 |
Ink jet printing method
This invention pertains to a drop-on-demand ink jet printing method, more particularly to a method of printing wherein a purge image is logically combined with a selected image so as to insure a desired amount of drop firing from every jet of an ink jet printhead for every page printed. The inventive method avoids image defects that could otherwise occur as a result of faulty drop firing from infrequently used nozzles. Purge image data that specifies the deposition of at least one ink dot on at least one predetermined pixel location on each of the plurality of image scanlines is constructed and stored in a purge image memory accessible by the printing apparatus. Imperceptible purge image patterns are constructed having blue noise spatial frequency characteristics and optical density levels equal to or less than 0.01 OD above print medium base OD. A plurality of purge image data sets are constructed and stored for retrieval to adapt to a variety of conditions. Acceptable purge image data sets are determined using a purge performance image as a test pattern which is optically scanned or analyzed by user observation. The present invention further include numerous printing apparatus configured to implement the disclosed methods of maintaining ink jet printheads. |
| US08287062B2 |
Shelf for an appliance
A spill proof shelf, a refrigerator using the same and a method for assembling a shelf are disclosed. The shelf has a frame, which has a peripheral frame portion for defining a central opening. The shelf further has a plate supported by the peripheral frame portion for providing a containment region in cooperation with the opening. The shelf further has a bracket mountable to the frame. The shelf further has a pivotable tab formed in the peripheral frame portion, which pivots to engage the plate upon mounting of the bracket to the frame. |
| US08287059B2 |
Rail device and server
A rail device and a server are provided. The server includes a rack, at least one chassis, and a rail device. The rail device is disposed on the chassis and the rack to move the chassis between a first position and a second position relative to the rack. The rail device includes a first rail, a second rail, a bracket, and a first latch. The first rail is installed on the rack, the second rail is installed in the chassis, the bracket is slidably coupled to the first rail and the second rail, and the first latch is disposed on the bracket. When the chassis moves away from the first position, the first latch locks the bracket and the chassis together, so that the chassis pushes the bracket forward. |
| US08287056B2 |
Lobed bushing for track assembly and track-type machine using same
A lobed bushing is provided for a track assembly of a track-type machine. The track assembly includes a first chain and a second chain coupled together with a track pin. A bushing, defining a longitudinal axis, includes a central bore oriented along the longitudinal axis and extending from a first end of the bushing to a second end of the bushing for receiving the track pin. The bushing includes a first lobe positioned at a first location about the longitudinal axis and a second lobe positioned at a second location about the longitudinal axis that is less than about 180° from the first location. The first end of the bushing has a substantially cylindrical shape. |
| US08287055B2 |
Brake control of a vehicle based on driver behavior
A system for controlling a brake force of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the system includes an electronic control unit including a controller, a plurality of sensors in electronic communication with the controller. Each of the sensors transmits sensor data to the controller. A user interface and a driver recognition system are in electronic communication with the controller, and a computer readable memory stores instructions executed by the controller. The instructions cause the controller to evaluate a driver identification data received from the driver recognition system, a driver preference data received from the user interface, and the sensor data received from the sensors. The instructions further cause the controller to classify and select a driver or a driving pattern class, execute a control algorithm to determine a driver dependent brake force based on at least one of the selected driver or driving pattern class, the driver preference data, and the driver identification data, and to regulate the brake force of the vehicle based on the driver dependent brake force. |
| US08287052B2 |
Wheel hub having improved stress distribution
A wheel hub includes a barrel, a flange extending radially away from the barrel and a connection member connecting the flange to the barrel. The barrel includes an outboard bearing bore and an inboard bearing bore. The flange at least partially overlaps the inboard bearing bore along a radial direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the barrel. The connection member includes an outboard side facing toward the outboard bearing bore and defining outboard ribs and outboard recesses alternately disposed around the circumference of the barrel. Each outboard recess is interposed between the flange and the barrel along the radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrel. |
| US08287050B2 |
Method of increasing reservoir permeability
In one configuration, the present invention is directed to a method and system for extracting hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-containing deposit. One or more underground excavations designed to at least partially cave in are used to increase the permeability of the deposit. |
| US08287049B2 |
Pretensioner and seat belt apparatus
A pretensioner and a seat belt apparatus are provided that can diffuse the heat of high-temperature gas and prevent the heat from concentrating locally on a wire.A pretensioner 10 has a housing 12 that allows a wire 11 to run therethrough and a cylinder 14. One end of the wire 11 is connected to a seat belt buckle 9, and the other end of the wire 11 is held by a piston 15. An apertured member 26, that covers at least the gas generator 23 side of a peripheral surface of the wire 11, is provided in the housing 12. A plurality of through-holes 29 are provided in a protecting portion 27 of the apertured member 26. |
| US08287040B2 |
Vehicular seat system and vehicular headrest
The invention relates to a vehicular seat system including a seat bottom and a seat back. The headrest is connected to the seat back. The headrest consists of a number of components. These components include: a non-foam frame element, a non-foam insert secured with respect to a portion of the frame element, and a resilient element in which at least a portion of the frame element and the entire insert are embedded. The resilient element consists essentially of a homogeneous foam material. The frame element comprises a pair of post elements for coupling to the vehicular seat back. The post elements are interconnected by a cross-piece element. The headrest is connected to the seat back such that the minimum distance between the outer surface of the headrest for contacting a head of an occupant and the insert is in the range of from about 10 mm to about 30 mm. The vehicular headrest useful in the present seat system is compliant with the FMVSS 202a backset retention requirement |
| US08287036B2 |
Front body structure of vehicle
A front body structure of a vehicle comprises a pair of front side frames, a bumper reinforcement, a bumper face, a leg-part sweeping-away member which is provided below the bumper reinforcement and extends in a vehicle width direction, a front end of which is positioned in front of the bumper reinforcement, and a support member which supports the leg-part sweeping-away member at the front side frame. The support member has a specified length in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and comprises beads which absorb an impact load inputted in the vehicle longitudinal direction through their deformation in the longitudinal direction. |
| US08287035B2 |
Frame structure for a motor vehicle
A frame structure is provided for the underbody of a self-supporting motor vehicle bodywork. The frame structure includes, but not included with an elongate tunnel and two sillboards parallel hereto. The sillboards are disposed on both sides of the tunnel. The frame structure also includes, but is not limited to a dashboard cowl with closing plate, which is connected directly to both sillboards and the tunnel, a wheel housing with a downwardly open main structural arc, the ends whereof are connected to the underbody, and on its side facing the underbody (e.g., the vehicle inner side) the main structural arc has a damper receptacle in its upper area, from which a supporting strut connected to the underbody projects downward. |
| US08287029B2 |
Retractable hardtop with rear pivot decklid and sections that separate and stack for storage
A retractable hardtop for a vehicle including a front panel and an intermediate panel disposed behind the front panel in an extended position. A back panel supports a back light and is disposed below and rearwardly adjacent to the intermediate panel in the extended position. A pair of sail panels are disposed below the intermediate panel and engage opposite lateral sides of the back panel in the extended position but are separated from the back panel in the retracted position. A linkage connects the front panel, intermediate panel, and back panel to the vehicle. The front panel is shifted by the linkage over the intermediate panel and the back panel is shifted below the intermediate panel as the retractable hardtop is moved from the extended position toward a retracted position. A method of retracting a retractable hardtop as described above is also disclosed. |
| US08287028B2 |
Roof structure for a cabriolet vehicle
A roof structure for a cabriolet vehicle has a top (10) with a top material and a substantially U-shaped corner bow (19) that extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction at a position substantially adjacent to a rear window. The corner bow (19) has lateral limbs (20) with free lower ends (21). Molded elements (23) are plugged onto the free lower ends (21) of the lateral limbs (20) of the corner bow (19) and can be plugged into recesses near the B pillars of a body structure of the cabriolet vehicle. The molded elements (23) are configured to guide the top material of the top (10) in sections in a closed state of the top (10). Sealing elements (27) are mounted on the molded elements (23) and interact with vertically running edges of side window panes. |
| US08287027B2 |
Support arm assembly for a folding top of a vehicle
A folding top apparatus for a vehicle includes a movable folding top and a support arm assembly. The folding top has front and rear roof parts and a corner bow. The support arm assembly includes a drive arm pivotably connected to the front roof part and pivotably connected to a main bearing, a coupling arm connected to the corner bow and pivotably connected to the drive arm, and a control arm pivotably connected to the main bearing and displaceably connected to the coupling arm whereby swivel motion of the corner bow is influenced by the coupling arm and the control arm. |
| US08287024B2 |
Seat locking device and stowable vehicle seat
Rattling of a stowable vehicle seat in a stowed state during driving is prevented, and a seat locking device and a stowable vehicle seat that reduces a returning operation load and improves returning operability is provided. The seat locking device includes a stowage locking member disposed on the rear face side of a seat back and lockable to and unlockable from the vehicle body floor side in stowage of a seat, a pulling-up grip disposed on the rear face side of a seat cushion and operated in a returning operation of the seat, a movable member moved in conjunction with the pulling-up grip in the returning operation, and a stowage unlocking wire that connects the stowage locking member and the movable member, and lock of the stowage locking member is unlocked through a stowage unlocking wire by movement of the movable member in the returning operation. |
| US08287023B2 |
Apparatus for the handicapped
An enhanced mobility device is disclosed. The device has an enclosure defining an interior and an exterior and having a floor defining an opening therein. At least one access opening allows passage between the exterior and interior. A plurality of clamps attach to the interior of the enclosure. The access opening is sized to allow passage of a personal mobility device from the exterior to the interior where the mobility device may be secured to the enclosure for transport by the plurality of clamps. |
| US08287021B2 |
Vehicle handle assemblies including anti-pinch features
A vehicle interior handle assembly includes a handle comprising a front wall and a back wall. The front wall and back wall define a downwardly open pocket sized to receive one or more of an operator's fingers for a pulling operation to move the handle between latch and unlatch positions. A panel is adjacent the handle. The panel has a portion located behind the pocket with the handle in the latch position and a portion below the pocket with the handle in the latch position. The panel has an outer surface facing the handle having a contour such that a distance from the outer surface of the panel to an end of the back wall of the handle is maintained at less than a maximum distance as the handle is moved from the latch position to the unlatch position the maximum distance selected to prevent placement of a finger between the outer surface and the end of the back wall of the handle. |
| US08287020B1 |
Roll container
A container for a roll of sheet metal material that includes a partially circular base and oppositely disposed end walls that are integrally formed with the base and that define with the base an open channel in which the roll of material is to be placed. An elongated slot is provided along the base and dimensioned so as to receive an end of the roll of sheet material for dispensing through the slot. An elastic cord is attached at opposite sides of the base and extend about the roll of material for holding the roll of material in the open channel. A set of clips are engageable with the base for accommodating smaller length rolls. |
| US08287018B2 |
Aerial grapple apparatus and method for handling loose material
A grapple, designed to grab, ferry, and dump loads of loose material such as mulch, comprising left and right frame members and finger assemblies with specially adapted curved fingers. Load arms connect the grapple to a supporting means, typically a helicopter, and also serve as anchors for finger cables and connecting arms cooperating with the finger assemblies to open and close the grapple. The method of grabbing prominently features using the shape of the fingers and the weight of the grapple and load to penetrate into and under the load. A latching mechanism cooperating with the connecting arms ensures stable ferrying until the remote operator, generally the helicopter pilot, activates an electrical control switch to release the latch and dump the load. |
| US08287011B2 |
Pedestrian-protective energy absorbing system
An energy absorbing structure 10 for protecting an impacted body, such as a pedestrian 12. The structure has an incident surface that meets the pedestrian and has at least some expanded metallic structure 18. A pair of wall support surfaces 20, 22 lie substantially in-plane with respect to a normal component of the impacting force. They extend from the incident surface in a direction opposite to the direction of the impact. The substantially in-plane surfaces also have at least some expanded metallic structure. A pair of basal surfaces 26, 28 support the in-plane surfaces, and also have at least some expanded metallic structure. |
| US08287010B2 |
Door locking system having a planar striker plate
A door locking system has a lock latch which is movable between a locked position projecting beyond a door lock cuff and a unlocked position retracted in the direction of the door lock cuff, and has a lock latch blocking device, movable between a blocking position and a release position, which fixes the lock latch in the locked position in the blocking position retracted toward the door lock, and releases the lock latch in the release position, which is extended in relation to the blocking position, in such a way that the lock latch is displaceable between the locked position and the unlocked position. The door locking system has a driver control mechanism. |
| US08287008B2 |
Liquid and gas tight threaded tubular connection
A liquid and gas tight threaded tubular connection includes a first axial abutment surface formed at the free end of an annular lip of a threaded male element and a second axial abutment surface formed at the end of a housing of a threaded female element. The first and second axial abutment surfaces have the same axial half-sections, the inclination of which varies progressively in the radial direction. |
| US08287005B2 |
Composite drill pipe and method for forming same
A lightweight and durable drill pipe string capable of short radius drilling formed using a composite pipe segment formed to include tapered wall thickness ends that are each defined by opposed frustoconical surfaces conformed for self-aligning receipt and intimate bonding contact within an annular space between corresponding surfaces of a coaxially nested set of metal end pieces and a set of nonconductive sleeves. The distal peripheries of the nested end pieces and sleeves are then welded to each other and the sandwiched and bonded portions are radially pinned. The composite segment may include imbedded conductive leads and the axial end portions of the end pieces are shaped to form a threaded joint with the next pipe assembly that includes contact rings in the opposed surfaces of the pipe joint for contact together. |
| US08287004B2 |
Reusable windowed envelope
A reusable mailing envelope includes a plurality of panels which, in combination, define a pocket for receipt of internal content material. One of the panels includes a window adapted to receive printed information to facilitate routing of the mailing envelope during the initial mail delivery. The reusable envelope also includes a means for preventing the readability of the printed information on the window during a subsequent mail delivery such that the routing instructions associated with the initial mail delivery are not interpreted and executed by the automated scanning equipment during the subsequent mail delivery. |
| US08287002B2 |
Plastic coated promotional card
A generally rectangular plastic coated promotional card for use as a mailer or handout has a paper core and a plastic coating on each side thereof. The promotional card also includes a removable credit card with four rounded corners. The promotional card itself may include four rounded corners and instructions for activating the card or obtaining a free gift. |
| US08286999B2 |
Occupant protection device
An occupant protection device includes a plurality of gas generators that actuate respective mechanisms, and a control portion that actuates the gas generators. If a condition for actuating at least one of the gas generators is fulfilled and a condition for actuating the other gas generators are unfulfilled, the other gas generators are controlled by the control portion at a timing that is uninfluential on an actuation state of one of the mechanism actuated by the one of the gas generators and that is different from a preset timing for actuating the other mechanisms actuated by the other gas generators. |
| US08286998B2 |
Generating electrical energy using a seatbelt
Seatbelt systems for generating electrical energy. The seatbelt systems may include a first and second engagement units and an electrical energy generation unit. The first engagement unit may be configured to rotate upon movement of a portion of a seatbelt in contact therewith. The second engagement unit may include at least one portion configured to rotatably engage the first engagement unit and to rotate relative to movement of the first engagement unit in an engaged position. The electrical energy generation unit may be operably coupled to the second engagement unit and configured to generate electrical energy upon rotation of the second engagement unit. Vehicles including the seatbelt systems and methods for fabricating the seatbelt systems are also disclosed. |
| US08286992B2 |
Airbag device for a motor vehicle
An airbag device is provided for a motor vehicle. The airbag device includes, but is not limited to a carrying part on the motor vehicle side and an airbag module of an inflatable, folded gas bag fastened to the carrying part and a gas generator for inflating the gas bag. The carrying part includes, but is not limited to a fastening section to which the airbag module is detachably mounted. The airbag module is fastened to the fastening section of the carrying part via a link guide. |
| US08286990B2 |
Stroller
There is provided a stroller which has armrests that are attachable and detachable to and from a stroller body, and which is capable of attaching a child seat to the stroller body without using particular attachments. The stroller includes: a pair of front legs; a pair of handles pivotably mounted to the pair of front legs; a pair of rear legs pivotably mounted to the pair of handles; and an X-shaped hinge, coupled to the pair of front legs and the pair of rear legs, for converting the pair of front legs and the pair of rear legs from an unfolded state to a folded state, wherein a pair of armrests is provided, each between each handle and the front leg corresponding to the handle, such that each armrest is attachable and detachable to and from the handle and the front leg. |
| US08286987B2 |
Animated novelty device
An animated novelty device for mounting on a ball of a trailer hitch on a vehicle, the device including an electric motor for imparting motion to selected elements of the device. The motor is electrically connected to the vehicle braking system whereby the device is set in motion by energizing the vehicle brakes. |
| US08286985B2 |
Double hinged tow hitch
An architecture is presented that provides a double hinged tow hitch. The tow hitch is attached to a tow vehicle and allows full traction to the ground and complete control of steering. The tow hitch comprises two hinges secured together by a pin positioned at an upper portion of the hinges and a pin positioned at a lower portion of the hinges. The pins secure the hinges together and allow the hinges to flex in two positions. Additionally, the tow hitch comprises springs positioned on either side of the hinges and rubber positioned between the hinges to act as a shock absorber. When pressure is applied to the tow hitch, the springs will collapse into either the upper or lower portions of the hinges, causing the hinges to flex in two positions and pressing against the rubber between the hinges, thus acting as a suspension system for the tow hitch. |
| US08286984B2 |
Articulated combine with unloading and rear bogey steering architecture
An articulated harvester is composed of a forward bogey having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, but being devoid of an on-board grain bin. A rearward bogey is attached by a joint to the forward bogey and has a powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward bogey grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The improvement includes the rearward bogey having a powered wheel assembly of a powered stiff axle wheel assembly pivotable for steering the articulated harvester when the joint has articulated by a defined number of degrees. The joint may be connected to the rearward bogey powered stiff axle wheel assembly by a beam that has a second joint disposed ahead of the stiff axle and actuatable to crab the articulated harvester for grain unloading. |
| US08286983B2 |
Trailer chassis
A trailer chassis is described which includes a gooseneck structure at the forward end thereof to which a two-point beam hitch assembly may be secured or a front axle tongue hitch assembly may be secured. The trailer may also function as a fifth wheel hitch. |
| US08286981B2 |
Bicycle propulsion assembly having telescoping elongate members engageable through circular motion
The present invention provides a propulsion assembly for a bicycle. The propulsion assembly includes a support member that at least extends from the bicycle frame to a distal end spaced-apart from the rear wheel. The assembly includes a first drive mechanism rotatably mounted on the frame and axially connected to the rear wheel for transmitting motion thereto. A second drive mechanism is rotatably mounted at the distal end of the support member and coupled with the first drive mechanism. Ratchet mechanisms axially extend from the second drive mechanism and connect to a pair of elongate members. The bicycle has pedal arms with pedals extending therefrom. The elongate members are pivotally, operatively connected to the pedals. The pedals with pedal arms are movable in a circular manner for transmitting rotational power to the elongate members for propelling the bicycle. |
| US08286979B2 |
Rear axle of motor vehicle
A rear axle, specifically a steerable rear axle, of a motor vehicle, has wheel carriers for holding in each case one rear wheel, with in each case one upper transverse link, one lower transverse link and one track rod interacting with each rear wheel, and with the track rods being positioned behind a center of the rear wheels or of the wheel carriers as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, wherein both track rods which are positioned in each case behind the center of the rear wheels or of the wheel carriers as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle are engaged on by a common steering actuator which is likewise positioned in each case behind the center of the rear wheels or of the wheel carriers as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. |
| US08286978B2 |
System to control the trim of motorcycles with three or four wheels
System to control the trim of motorcycles with three or four wheels, the motorcycle having two couples of front and rear wheels, or one front wheel and a couple of rear wheels, or a couple of front wheels and one rear wheel. The system to control the trim comprises, at one or both couples of wheels, a hydraulic system configured to link hydraulically at least one couple of wheels, comprising two hydraulic cylinders interconnected at one of the ends through a first pipe, in each of the cylinders a piston sliding by means of a connecting rod, each piston dividing a chamber of the respective cylinder in two parts, not communicating with each other, in a first part of each cylinder communicating with the first pipe being present a liquid able to flow therebetween through the first pipe, and a second closed part of each cylinder having a gas under pressure therein, the cylinders and connecting rods being bound to a chassis or to a hub by fastening, and wherein the system is configured to control the trim by an increase of leaning angle being resisted by an increase of the pressure of the gas present in the second closed part of one of the cylinders. |
| US08286975B2 |
Baby evacuation device
The invention provides an evacuation device for one operator, with a plurality of babies secured in pockets, having their heads secured in adjustable cushioned head rests which are attached to a patient support membrane, to descend a stairwell safely and quickly during an emergency. The invention is constructed of a tubular frame, covered with a fire-retardant, water impermeable and mold and fungus resistant material. The invention incorporates a set of casters for transport across a horizontal plane, such as crowded hallways and small hospital stairwell landings. The dual track system permits the operator to glide down the stairs in a safe, smooth and controlled fashion. The dual braking device on the track system assists the operator in a stairwell descent and permits the operator to release the chair and remove any debris that may be in the path of evacuation. |
| US08286971B2 |
Holding fixture
A holding fixture includes a first part, a securing member and a second part. The first part includes a first end face and a sleeve extending from the first end face, the sleeve defines a plurality of radial through holes each receiving a ball therein, and each ball has a diameter larger than the wall thickness of the sleeve therein. The securing member located around the sleeve includes a plurality of protrusions configured on an inner wall thereof, with every two neighboring protrusions defining a notch therebetween. The second part includes a body and a tail fixed on the body, with seating thereof in the sleeve enabled by an annular groove in the periphery thereof. The protrusions guide the balls into the annular groove to secure the second part on the first part. |
| US08286970B2 |
Device for affixing to cylindrical components of medical instruments
The invention relates to a device for affixing to cylindrical components of medical instruments, for instance an instrumental shaft, having at least one intake part that can be mounted on the cylindrical component and can be affixed to the cylindrical component, wherein a sleeve-shaped collet chuck that essentially coaxially surrounds the cylindrical component is positioned in the intake part and whose inner diameter can be displaced between a span that can slide along the cylindrical component and a span that is in form-locking contiguity on the cylindrical component. To allow for a stationary clamping on the one hand and ensure a non-harmful clamping of the cylindrical component on the other hand, it is proposed with the invention that the inner diameter of the collet chuck can be displaced by a slider that can slide essentially diagonally to the cylindrical component and is mounted so that it can slide in the housing of the intake part. |
| US08286967B2 |
Craps-based side wager for blackjack card game
A card game of Blackjack including a novel side wager. If a Player has made the side wager, two dice are rolled. If the sum of the two rolled dice is 2, 3 or 12, the side bet is automatically lost similar to the Come-Out roll in the game of craps. If the dice sum is 7 or 11, the side bet is automatically won. If the dice sum is anything other, a Point is established. As in traditional Blackjack, each Player is dealt two cards face up, and the Dealer is dealt two cards—one face up. A Player wins the side bet if one of their dealt cards has a face value equal to the Point, or if the sum of their dealt cards equals the Point. Several variations on the basic game method are described. According to one variation, the side wager is resolved uniformly for all Players that have made the optional side wager based on the Dealer's initial up card or on the Dealer's first two cards when both are revealed. The invention may be implemented as a live table game in conjunction with the card game Blackjack, or in electronic implementations were the cards, playing surface, and dice are simulated on a display screen through the action of a non-transitory computer readable medium coded with instructions and executed by a processor. |
| US08286961B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of controlling the same
When image formation processing is in progress using sheets stacked on a given stacking unit and sheets are supplied to another stacking unit, image formation processing continues using the sheets stacked on the other stacking unit. To accomplish this, at the timing when the closing of a feeding source is detected, a control unit (205) determines in step S1001 whether a printer (1000) is executing print processing. In step S1002, the control unit (205) displays a display screen (611) serving as a feeding source selection screen on an operation unit (204). In step S1005, the control unit (205) executes switching processing to the feeding source selected via the display screen (611). |
| US08286957B1 |
Test-cylinder carrying apparatus and associated method
A concrete test-cylinder carrying apparatus includes a handle, a base-plate, a plurality of anchor rods engaged with the handle and a plurality support rings horizontally aligned above the base plate. Concrete test cylinders are removably positioned through the support rings and rest on the base plate such that test cylinders are swiftly transported between remote locations. In an alternate embodiment, a first mechanism may be provided for uniformly reciprocating a male handle portion along a linear travel path to absorb operating forces exerted on the concrete test cylinders during transport procedures. A second mechanism may be provided for uniformly articulating the male handle portion along clockwise and counter clockwise arcuate paths to further absorb operating forces exerted on the concrete test cylinders during transport. |
| US08286956B2 |
Cutting board and stand
A device for preparing food includes a stand having a plurality of legs for supporting at least one cutting board and lifting it off a work surface. The cutting board has a hole in it. A pan fits in or underneath the hole to catch juices, scraps or finished cut items cut on the cutting board. |
| US08286955B2 |
Steady rest
The invention relates to a steady rest for clamping and/or for holding a workpiece (W) on a machine tool, comprising three holding members (3, 4, 5) mounted in a housing (2) and displaceable in a common plane, two of which are designed as two-armed levers pivotably supported in the housing (2), and the central holding member (5) is guided in a straight line. The two outer holding members (3, 4) are kinematically connected respectively to the central holding member (5) via an angle lever (10, 11) so that with an opening movement of the central holding member (5) the outer holding members (3, 4) are pivoted apart from one another. The angle levers (10, 11) are linked rotatably onto the central holding member (5), respectively the one leg of the angle levers (10, 11) being connected to the associated outer holding member (3, 4), and the other leg being connected to the housing (2) by means of gate/pin arrangements. |
| US08286954B2 |
Locking pliers with one or two slide bars each secured to a stationary jaw carrier
One embodiment of a locking pliers includes a first stationary jaw carrier comprising a first jaw at one end; a second stationary jaw carrier comprising a second jaw at one end; a bent first handle integrally formed with the first stationary jaw carrier; a bent second handle joined the first handle at a spring-actuated pivot joint and engaged with the other end of the second stationary jaw carrier; a self-adjusting locking unit disposed between the first and second handles and comprising a spring-actuated release lever; a locking assembly comprising a slide bar having one end fixedly secured to the other end of the second stationary jaw carrier and the other end inserting into a portion of the second handle between the pivot joint and the other end of the second stationary jaw carrier, and a spring-actuated release lever member lockingly put on the slide bar. |
| US08286953B2 |
Arrow fletching device with plate clamp
An arrow fletching device with plate clamp, as well as features and aspects thereof, provides an arrow builder the means to accurately and repeatedly position fletching against the shaft of an arrow, without a spring loaded butterfly clamp component, and securely hold the fletching thereto until a bond is attained between the fletching and arrow shaft via an adhesive. Exemplary embodiments of an arrow fletching device with a plate clamp are, generally, jig apparatuses operable to precisely position an arrow shaft relative to an arrow fletching. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of an arrow fletching device comprise a plate component, in lieu of a spring-loaded butterfly clamp, useful for receiving, positioning and retaining fletching against the shaft of an arrow. Advantageously, the use of a plate component with a specifically profiled slot operable to receive and position a fletching reduces the steps required to adhere a fletching to an arrow shaft as well as mitigates the probability of improper installation of the fletching. |
| US08286951B2 |
Well water aeration system
An air injection system for aerating well water with a stream of air and having, a water circulation conduit extending down into the well, an aeration chamber extending upwardly within the well from the circulation conduit, at least one air and water discharge opening adjacent an upper end of the aeration chamber, a support disposed to support the aeration chamber at a predetermined depth in the well, and, an air compressor and a hose connected to supply air to a lower region of the aeration chamber, thus causing upward flow of air and water in the aeration chamber thereby inducing upward flow of water through said water circulation conduit from the bottom of the well to the aeration chamber. |
| US08286950B2 |
Cable barrier system
A cable barrier system according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure includes a cable-release anchor; a line post having an internal cavity and a slot formed along a sidewall extending downward from a top end of the line post; a cable releasably held in tension by the cable-release anchor; and the cable releasably connected to the line post by a post-cable connector, the post-cable connector comprising an elongated portion having a loop, the elongated portion disposed substantially within the cavity and the loop extending through the slot exterior of the cavity, the cable slidingly disposed in the loop, wherein when an object impacts and deforms the line post toward ground level the cable is released from the deformed line post in a manner such that the cable tends to stay in tension and in contact with the impacting object. |
| US08286949B2 |
Steel rope safety system with compacted ropes
A steel rope safety system includes at least one steel rope having at least one strand, and the at least one rope or at least one strand is compacted. Further, a method is provided for making a steel rope safety system comprising the step of providing at least two wires, the step of stranding the wires thereby forming a strand for a rope and the step of compacting the strand. There is likewise provided the use of compacted steel ropes as impact reducing material. |
| US08286947B2 |
Pulley apparatus
A pulley apparatus (10), includes a dram (12) having a central axis mounted between two side plates (14, 16) for receiving a rope (120) passing around the drum. The dram (12) defines a cylindrical surface for receiving a rope or line. The pulley apparatus includes holes (14a, 16a) for hanging or supporting the pulley from a hook karabiner or the like. A rope guide means (30, 32) is defined on the underside of the pulley adjacent the dram and passing over the cylindrical surface of the dram for guiding the line to wrap around the central part of the dram and inhibiting overran of ropes. The guide means comprise two curved blades (30, 32) which extend from the side plates and bow out towards the center of the dram to define a convergent-divergent wasp-waisted passage for the line to pass through. A second single, freely rotatable sheave (40) is mounted to the apparatus between the lower ends of two plates (42, 44) whose upper ends are pivotally mounted to the side plates, and hangs below the guide means in use. |
| US08286945B2 |
Ratchet mechanism
A securing mechanism for securing cargo that may include a body, a ratchet, a lever and a release mechanism. The body may be capable of receiving a strap therethrough, wherein the strap may includes opposing ends. The ratchet may include a pair of opposing arms connected to the body and a spool rotatably connected to the arms. The spool may include a slot to receive the strap into a z-fold configuration. The lever may be rotatably attached to the arms and reciprocated between an open position and a closed position, wherein the lever may include at least one pawl to engage the ratchet wheels and may rotate the spool when the lever is reciprocated. The release mechanism may be capable of selectively disengaging the pawl from the ratchet wheel. The securing mechanism may be selectively positionable along the strap when the strap is bi-directionally gathered onto the spool. |
| US08286944B2 |
Vehicle lift
A motor vehicle lift includes two parallel runways, each provided with at least two elevating devices each having first and second uprights hinged to each other, to the floor (runway) and to the runway (floor) respectively; first and second arms hinged together, the second arm being further hinged to the second upright along a hinging axis equidistant from the axis on which the second upright is hinged to the runway (floor) and from the end of the second arm, which is slidable along a guide provided in the runway (floor), the first arm being also hinged to the first upright; and an actuator device securable selectively to two elements of the quadrilateral formed from the first/second uprights and the first/second arms, at least one of the parts of the quadrilateral being provided with elastic means to vary the dimension between the two hinged ends. |
| US08286939B2 |
Pulse width modulated fluidic valve
A pulse width modulated fluidic valve 3005 includes a cylinder (352) having an elongate bore, a length, and first (344) and second (346) ports which extend from outside the cylinder (352) into the bore. A rotatable spool (302) is carried in the bore and movable in a direction of the length of cylinder (352). The spool (302) has a variable blocking feature (306) which blocks passage of fluid' between the first (344) and second (346) ports as a function of angular position relative to the first (344) and second (346) ports and as a function of linear position along the length of the cylinder (352). |
| US08286937B2 |
Tubular valve device
The presented valve (1) is based on two axially adjustable sleeve-shaped valve seat rings (14, 36) that are associated with locking arrangements in the form of annular armature plates (22, 35) and associate holding coils (24, 36). The valve closure member (39) can be variably adjusted via a position adjustment drive. Said valve closure member has a double function. On the one hand, it acts to move the valve seat rings (14, 26) into locking position and, on the other hand, it acts to control the gas flow. |
| US08286933B2 |
Valve
A valve includes a valve body (1, 2), a tube (3) made of an elastomer extending through the inside of the valve body, and a roller (23) and a pressing surface (14) disposed facing each other across the tube (3). The roller (23) can be brought close to the pressing surface (14) to collapse the tube (3) between the roller (23) and pressing surface (14) and close the flow passage in the tube (3), and the roller (23) can be moved along the tube (3) to make a collapsed position where the tube (3) is collapsed by the roller (23) and the pressing surface (14) move along the flow passage axis of the tube (3) while maintaining the flow passage in the closed state. |
| US08286930B2 |
Angle-adjustable display with adjusting unit related to body of display in shape
The invention provides an angle-adjustable display with an adjusting unit related to a body of the display in shape. The angle-adjustable display comprises a display body, a connecting rod and an adjusting unit. The connecting rod, at each of its two ends, respectively connects to the display and the adjusting unit. As the adjusting unit rotates along a rotating axis of the connecting rod as a rotation shaft, the adjusting unit contacts a surface in a contact position. A distance between the rotating axis and the surface is variable by rotating the adjusting unit along the rotating axis, and would change in the rotation of the display body, and the inclination of the display can be adjusted by rotating the adjusting unit along the rotating axis to change the contact position in opposition to the surface. |
| US08286929B2 |
Clam shell two-pin wafer holder for metal plating
A clam shell wafer holder includes a base and a lid pivotally connected with the base by an integral hinge. The base includes a rotatable wafer support, and the lid includes a universal frame and a pin holder attachment spaced inwardly from the frame. Only two contact pins are formed in a wafer-facing surface of the pin holder attachment. The contact pins are manually aligned with and contact two points on a wafer when the lid is closed against the base. A method for holding a wafer for plating is provided using the disclosed holder apparatus. |
| US08286926B1 |
Collapsible leg assembly
A collapsible leg assembly configured to elevate an object above a floor surface includes at least one pair of leg members, each of the leg members including an inner tubular member telescopically received within an outer tubular member; an attachment member operatively connecting a first of the outer tubular members to a second of the outer tubular members, thereby establishing a pivotal axis about which the leg members are capable of rotating relative to one another; and at least one pair of latching devices, each of the latching devices being configured to selectively prevent the relative sliding movement of one of the inner tubular members relative to its respective outer tubular member. In one or more embodiments, the attachment member and the pivotal axis defined thereby are disposed at a fixed location along the length of each of the outer tubular members between the first and second ends thereof. |
| US08286923B2 |
Holding tool for elongated member
A holding tool for an elongated member includes a connecting member to be attached to an attachment member, a first holding part for holding the elongated member comparatively tightly, and a second holding part for holding the elongated member with a prescribed space therearound. A gap is formed between the first and second holding parts so that the elongated member can move from the first holding part to the second holding part. |
| US08286922B2 |
Carrier for data storage device
A carrier includes a main bracket. The main bracket includes a first mounting member and a second mounting member. The first mounting member includes a first sidewall and a first front wall. The second mounting member includes a second sidewall and a second front wall. The first front wall is telescopically extensible relative to the second front wall. A retaining width between the first sidewall and the second sidewall is adjustable in order to couple to various size data storage devices. |
| US08286920B2 |
Positioning system for aerial refueling
A positioning system for aerial refueling of an aircraft provided with a first element for connection with a second element arranged on a tanker plane. The first and second elements are adapted to feed fuel from the tanker plane to the aircraft. A receiver on the aircraft is arranged to receive signals from the second element. A control unit on the aircraft controls the aircraft depending on the signals to steer the aircraft to a position for connecting the first and second elements. |
| US08286916B2 |
Retractable aerodynamic device permitting the control of the wake trajectory of an aircraft trap
An aircraft provided with a wall having an exterior surface in contact with air flows external to the aircraft, an internal cavity in the aircraft, recessed relative to the exterior surface of the wall, at least one mobile trapdoor, which in closed position prolongs the exterior surface in such a way as to shut off the cavity from the exterior, and which in open position projects relative to the exterior surface in such a way as to open the cavity to the exterior, and provided with at least one mobile aerodynamic deflector, whose movement is slaved to that of the at least one trapdoor, the at least one aerodynamic deflector projecting relative to the exterior surface in a zone thereof situated outside the zone covered by the at least one trapdoor when the at least one trapdoor is open. |
| US08286913B2 |
Fixing rail for attaching loading devices to the loading deck of an aircraft
The invention relates to a fixing rail for attaching loading devices, particularly rollers, locking bars or power drive units to the loading deck of an aircraft. This fixing rail comprises a first and a second rail, each rail having a cheek with first attachment devices, to which the loading devices can be fixed, and first floor sections, to which the cheek is attached by a lower edge, each first floor section having second attachment devices, by means of which the floor section can be attached to the loading deck. In this arrangement, the cheeks separated from each other are mountable on the loading devices, so that they are connected to each other by means of the loading devices and the loading deck, following mounting and attaching to the loading deck. In this way, a considerable weight saving is achieved along with increased variability of use of the fixing rail. |
| US08286912B2 |
Wingtip and sponson interaction on an amphibious aircraft
A system for enhanced lateral stability of an amphibious aircraft includes a buoyancy system laterally displaced from opposite sides of the fuselage of the aircraft and wingtip system having a hydrodynamic planing surface associated with each wingtip. The hydrodynamic planing surface on each wingtip prevents the submersion of an associated buoyancy structure. By supplementing the lateral stability of the buoyancy structures using hydrodynamic planing surfaces, the combined lateral width of the fuselage and buoyancy structures can be reduced without detrimentally impacting operational performance. This reduced lateral width enables the amphibious aircraft to be configured for storage and transportation on a trailer or shipping container. |
| US08286911B2 |
Fitting for pivotally connecting aerodynamic control element to aircraft structure
A method of installing an aerodynamic control element on an aircraft structure. The method comprising: attaching a fitting to the aircraft structure, the fitting comprising a pair of hinge ribs extending away from the aircraft structure and a spacer extending between the pair of hinge ribs; maintaining a desired distance between the pair of hinge ribs with the spacer as the fitting is attached; and pivotally mounting the aerodynamic control element to each hinge rib via a respective hinge. |
| US08286910B2 |
Unmanned aircraft for telecommunicative or scientific purposes
Unmanned aircraft for telecommunicative or other scientific purposes, which is stationed at a determined height, in particular in the stratosphere. The aircraft includes a gas-filled balloon carrying a platform and equipment that maintains the platform in a position relative to the ground. The balloon carrying the platform is disposed in the interior of an external balloon of aerodynamical shape, particularly in the stratosphere. At least one low or high pressure insulation chamber filled with a medium is arranged between them and encircles the inner balloon. The medium used in the insulation chamber is a gas having a low thermal conductivity. The negative effects of the temperature differences are largely compensated so that the inner balloon can be produced from a lighter and cheaper material, thereby increasing durably its longevity. |
| US08286904B2 |
Method, mandrel and apparatus for winding up and removing coreless rolls of stretch film
One or a plurality of coreless rolls of a stretchable plastic film are wound up on a mandrel (10) having a tubular body; the mandrel (10) comprises at least a fore air chamber (14) and a rear air chamber (15) axially aligned, wherein the peripheral wall (11) of the mandrel (10) comprises a perforated zone (16, 17) in correspondence of each air chamber (14, 15). One or a plurality of coreless rolls (B1, B2) of stretchable plastic film are wound up on the mandrel (10) at said perforated zones (16, 17) and air chambers (14, 15); the roll or rolls (B1, B2) are removed by pushing said roll or rolls along the mandrel (10), by supplying pressurized air initially into all air chambers (14, 15) during a first removal step of the roll or the rolls (B1, B2) and selectively disconnecting each chamber (14, 15) from the pressurized air source, starting from the rear air chamber (15) to the fore air chamber (14) at overcoming of each air chamber (14, 15) by said roll or rolls (B1, B2). |
| US08286903B2 |
Seat belt retractor
A retractor includes a slide nut that is caused to slide toward a tread head while rotating by a mesh between a first male screw groove and a female screw groove when the tread head is locked and a spindle rotates in a direction for unreeling a webbing, and a slider that is caused to slide toward the slide nut by a mesh between the female screw groove and a second male screw groove. A torsional rigidity of a second shaft part of a torsion bar is larger than that of a first shaft part, and a play is eliminated before a gap such that the slide nut and the slider are integrated. |
| US08286901B2 |
Coal compositions for catalytic gasification
Particulate compositions are described comprising an intimate mixture of a coal and a gasification catalyst. The particulate compositions are gasified in the presence of steam to yield a plurality of gases including methane and at least one or more of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and other higher hydrocarbons. Processes are also provided for the preparation of the particulate compositions and converting the particulate composition into a plurality of gaseous products. |
| US08286899B2 |
Tissue dicing and particle separation device
A tissue dicing and separation device comprises a housing having an interior that receives tissue for dicing and separation. The device includes a blade assembly connected to a motor and solenoid. The solenoid reciprocates the blade assembly while the motor clocks the blade assembly during each reciprocation cycle. This reciprocating and clocking action of the blade assembly dices and/or minces the tissue. The housing is filled with a fluid and then the blade assembly is continuously rotated to create a vortex within the housing. The vortex causes the diced tissue particles to separate by particle size. Outlets at different positions along the housing permit withdrawal of a slurry of fluid and tissue particles with the tissue particles having a desired size range. The obtained slurry may be used in conjunction with a fistula plug treatment device and method. |
| US08286897B2 |
Electromagnetic fuel injector for gaseous fuels with anti-wear stop device
Electromagnetic fuel injector for gaseous fuels comprising: an injection nozzle controlled by an injection valve; a movable shutter to regulate the flow of fuel through the injection valve; an electromagnetic actuator, which is suitable to move the shutter between a closed position and an open position of the injection valve and comprises a fixed magnetic pole, a coil suitable to induce a magnetic flux in the magnetic pole, and a movable anchor suitable to be magnetically attracted by the magnetic pole; an absorption element, which is made of an amagnetic elastic material and is arranged between the magnetic pole and the anchor; and a protective element, which is made of a magnetic metal material having high surface hardness and is interposed between the absorption element and the anchor. |
| US08286896B2 |
Valve seat and shroud for gaseous fuel injector
A fuel injector is provided with a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a fuel passage for communicating fuel from the inlet to the outlet. A valve and valve seat assembly is provided for selectively preventing and permitting fuel to pass from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet. The valve seat is defined by a tubular body and a valve seat that traverses an inside wall surface of the tubular body. An upstream face of the valve seat is downstream of an upstream end of the tubular body and a downstream face of the valve seat is upstream of a downstream end of the tubular body. At least one passage is provided through the tubular body beginning downstream of the downstream face of the valve seat and upstream of the downstream end of the tubular body. A cover may be disposed at the downstream end of the tubular body. |
| US08286893B2 |
Fuel injector
A fuel injector (10) has a housing (12) with a central longitudinal axis (L) having a fluid inlet portion (18) being adapted to be coupled to a fuel rail at a first axial end area (20). The housing (12) has a recess (24) and enables a fluid flow through a fluid outlet portion (26) at a second axial end area (28) facing away from the first axial end area (20). The fluid inlet portion (18) communicates with the fluid outlet portion (26) via the recess (24). Furthermore, the fuel injector (10) has a safety component (30), which is arranged at the central longitudinal axis (L) within the recess (24) and adapted to reduce and arranged for reducing a velocity regarding the central longitudinal axis (L) at the fluid inlet portion (18) of the fluid flowing from the recess (24) through the fluid inlet portion (18). |
| US08286892B1 |
Water hose support apparatus
A hose holder assembly comprising a hose holder member being attached to an elongated hose holder support member. The hose holder member includes a tubular body having a passage therethrough for receiving a garden hose. The length of the body is sufficient to maintain the garden hose in a fixed position when subjected to forces resulting from a discharging flow of water. A body coupler section is provided for assembling the body to the support member. The coupler can be a male or female form factor. A utility hook can be included as a feature of the hose holder member for temporarily holding tools or other items. The body can be segmented into a fixed portion, which is attached to the support member and a removable portion, which removably engages with the fixed portion. A sizing sleeve can be offered to reduce a passage diameter for receiving hoses having smaller diameters. |
| US08286888B2 |
Radio-frequency identification tag
A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag includes: a plate-shaped sealing piece made of an elastic material. An inlet is enclosed within the sealing piece. The inlet includes an electronic component and an antenna connected to the electronic component. A pair of reinforcing pieces are located respectively on the front and back surfaces of the sealing piece so as to sandwich the electronic component. The reinforcing pieces are made of a first material harder than the elastic material. A joint piece configured to couple the reinforcing pieces to each other. The joint piece is made of a second material harder than the elastic material. |
| US08286887B2 |
RFID tag sensors and methods
Radio frequency identification (RFID) devices for use in RFID-based sensors and related methods are described herein. In one implementation, an RFID sensor system includes an RFID device having a near field only RFID tag and a conductive element which functions as a far field antenna. A coupling structure selectively locates the near field only RFID tag and the conductive element in at least a first position and a second position relative to each other; wherein in the first position, the RFID device only operates in a near field, and in the second position, the RFID device operates in both the near field and a far field. The system may also include an RFID reader and controller located within the far field to read the RFID device only when the coupling structure locates the components in the second position. |
| US08286886B2 |
LED package and RFID system including the same
The LED package comprising a substrate and a display device, stacked on the substrate, including a light emitting diode (LED), and so on. A light emitting diode (LED) package comprises a LED device configured to emit light, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device including an ESD circuit formed under the LED device, a printed circuit board (PCB), including a power supply line, formed under the ESD device, and a heat sink substrate, formed under the PCB, configured to release a heat delivered from the LED device through the ESD device and PCB. |
| US08286885B1 |
Handheld electronic book reader device having dual displays
A handheld electronic book device is configured with dual displays. The device includes a first display for presenting visible representations of textual or graphic content related to the electronic book. The device also includes a second display positioned alongside the first display. The second display includes a plurality of graphic elements that correspond to portions of the first display. Also, the second display is responsive to user input to one of the graphic elements to perform an action on the content that is shown in the portion of the first display that corresponds to the one element. |
| US08286877B2 |
System and method for data reading using raster scanning
The present disclosure provides systems of and methods for reading optical codes located on multiple sides of an item that is being moved through a read volume. In one method, optical symbols are read using a high speed raster laser beam and non-retrodirective collection optics including the steps of moving an item containing an optical code along an item direction past a window disposed in a surface of a scanner housing or platter; via a first scan mechanism, repeatedly scanning through the window at a first slant and/or tilt angle to the surface in a first direction and along a single line to acquire scanned data over two dimensions of one or more sides of the item; via a second scan mechanism, repeatedly scanning through the window at a second slant and/or tilt angle to the surface in a second direction and along a single line to acquire scanned data over two dimensions of one or more other sides of the item; and processing the scanned data acquired. The window may be formed in the shape of a slot, the slot being oriented generally transverse to the item direction A preferred construction is a completely solid state implementation using either a linear imager or an area (2-D) imager in the Scheimpflug condition to image a plane with a depth of field. |
| US08286870B2 |
System and method of voting via an interactive television system
A method includes receiving a first voting selection from a first user logged in at a set-top box device, the first voting selection associated with video content that is received at the set-top box device. The first voting selection is added to a tally of votes when a voting status of the set-top box device indicates no previous voting selection has been received from the first user. A second voting selection associated with the video content is received from a second user logged in at the set-top box device. The second voting selection is added to the tally of votes when no previous voting selection has been received from the second user. A third voting selection received from the first user is not added to the tally of votes when the voting status indicates that the first voting selection has been received from the first user. |
| US08286866B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for electronic identification card creation and transfer during real time communications
A method for creating an electronic identification card during a real time communications session including: presenting a user with an option to enter personal information; receiving a command from the user to send the electronic identification card including the personal information during the real time communications session; recording the personal information for the electronic identification card with a data entry method; and sending the electronic identification card to a device involved in the real time communications session. |
| US08286864B2 |
Light guiding device, reader/writer device for noncontact communication medium, and electronic apparatus
A light guiding device can be used for a reader/writer device (1) for a noncontact communication medium. The light guiding device includes a light guide plate (10) which includes: a transparent main body part (17) which can transmit light inputted from an LED (9); and a protruding part (18) which is provided so as to protrude from a part of an end surface of the transparent main body part (17). A diffusely reflecting part (19) is provided on a lower surface side of the transparent main body part (17), and a first light emitting part (7) is provided on an upper surface side of the transparent main body part (17). Reflecting parts (21) are provided on an upper surface side and a lower surface side of the protruding part (18), and a second light emitting part (8) is provided at a leading end of the protruding part (18). In the case where the first light emitting part (7) is covered by the noncontact communication medium, the second light emitting part (8) makes it possible to check a light emitting state. Accordingly, the light guiding device is provided, in which the light emitting state of the light emitting part can be easily checked. |
| US08286863B1 |
System and computer program product to issue a retail prepaid card including a user-designed external face using a chit and related computer implemented methods
Embodiments of systems, computer program product, and related computer implemented methods to issue a closed-loop retail prepaid card including a user-designed external face using a chit, the chit being defined by an identification mechanism representing a financial commitment to issue a closed-loop retail prepaid card in an amount associated with a value paid for the chit, are provided. Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a service that enables a consumer to purchase, at the storefront of a retail establishment, a chit card that the consumer can subsequently redeem through a graphical user interface of an Internet website for a closed-loop retail prepaid card with a user-designed external face. The user-designed closed-loop retail prepaid card, for example, can be subsequently printed and delivered to an intended recipient. Advantageously, such a service can be made available to any retail establishment that uses a point-of-sale system. |
| US08286861B2 |
Cash payment for remote transactions
Methods coordinate payment for a remote transaction with a first party. An identification of the first party is received at a host system. Acknowledgment of receipt of a cash payment from a second party is received. The cash payment is associated with the identification of the first party. A money transfer corresponding to the cash payment to the control of the first party is executed with a request for the first party to perform on previously agreed terms of the remote transaction. |
| US08286860B2 |
Negotiable instrument to presentation instrument value porting systems and methods
A method of porting value from a negotiable instrument to a presentation instrument includes acquiring information from the negotiable instrument, acquiring information from the presentation instrument, sending at least a portion of the information from the negotiable instrument to a check processor, receiving a message from the check processor that identifies whether the negotiable instrument has been associated with a Positive Pay File, and, based at least in part on the message from the check processor, determining an amount of value to credit to an account associated with the presentation instrument. |
| US08286856B2 |
Modular gaming transaction printer
A modular gaming transaction printer for grayscale printing which may interface with multiple host systems and multiple gaming machine protocols, download application code or code patches, receive printer maintenance instructions, arbitrate print jobs received from various communication interfaces, support worldwide languages, and utilize firmware version consolidation. The printer further includes security features and memory protection. The printer further includes segmented memory for content related to each communication interface, gaming machine, or host system, among others. Additionally, the printer supports Unicode, configuration to worldwide languages, configuration to multiple protocols, and configuration to prior firmware versions for backward compatibility, among others. The printer may include a plurality of paper trays to hold media of the same size, but different characteristics. |
| US08286854B2 |
Microsystem
A microsystem has a first cavity which is sealed off from the surroundings and a second cavity which is sealed off from the surroundings. The first cavity is bounded by a first bond joint and the second cavity is bounded by a second bond joint. Either the first bond joint or the second bond joint is a eutectic bond joint or a diffusion-soldered joint. |
| US08286853B2 |
Bonding apparatus and bonding method
A bonding apparatus includes a thermal treating unit and a bonding unit that are integrally bonded together. The thermal treating unit includes a first thermal treating plate for supporting and thermally processing a superimposed substrate. The bonding unit includes a second thermal treating plate for supporting and thermally processing the superimposed substrate processed in thermal treating unit, and a pressing mechanism for pressing the superimposed substrate against the second thermal treating plate. The first thermal treating plate includes a cooling mechanism for cooling the superimposed substrate placed on the first heating plate. Each unit can depressurize the internal atmosphere to a specified degree of vacuum. The thermal treating unit has a plurality of carrying mechanisms for conveying the wafers between the two units. |
| US08286851B2 |
Jig for round solder ball attachment
Disclosed herein is a jig for solder ball attachment capable of sensing whether missing balls occur by electrical sensing using an electrical sensor structure in which a conductive thin film is embedded in the jig and electrically sensing whether abnormal solder balls, for example, large ball/small ball/ball size are attached, without confirming whether abnormal solder balls, for example, large ball/small ball/ball size are attached by vision one by one, thereby shortening operating time and improving workability. |
| US08286849B2 |
Hub for positioning annular structure on a surgical device
An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections is provided. The apparatus includes an anastomosis device having a cartridge assembly; and an anvil assembly having a shaft extending therefrom and a connection feature on the shaft. The apparatus further including a hub having a connection portion selectively attachable to the connection feature of the shaft, the connection portion defining a lumen for receiving the shaft; and an annular structure operatively connected to the hub and extending radially outwardly therefrom, the hub being arranged for locating the annular structure between the adjacent intestinal sections when connected to the shaft. |
| US08286837B1 |
One turn actuated duration dual mechanism spray dispenser pump
A power assembly for dispensing product from a container includes a pump mechanism and an energy storage mechanism. The pump mechanism includes a rotatable actuating collar connected through an escapement mechanism with a drive screw with an externally threaded shaft engaged with internal threads in a piston. Rotation of the collar reciprocates the piston to store energy in the energy storage mechanism and to draw product into a pump chamber from which the product is dispensed. An actuator is connected with a stem valve to open it when the actuator is depressed, enabling the energy storage mechanism to push the piston back to its at-rest position to force product from the pump chamber and ready it for another dispensing cycle. Disengagement of the escapement mechanism when the actuator is depressed prevents rotation of the actuating collar. Different energy storage mechanisms can be interchangeably attached to the pump mechanism. |
| US08286835B2 |
Product dispenser connector
A product dispenser assembly including a product dispenser, a mounting member, and a connector. The connector includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a receiving member configured and arranged to operatively connect the product dispenser thereto. The second portion includes a connecting member configured and arranged to operatively connect the mounting member thereto. The first and second portions are rotatably operatively connected to position the receiving member and the connecting member in different positions relative to one another. |
| US08286833B2 |
Dispensing systems for dispensing a heated liquid
Systems for dispensing heated liquids, such as hot melt adhesives. The dispensing system may include a hot air manifold and a liquid manifold with a surface confronting surfaces of the air manifold to define an air plenum. A dispensing module is coupled in fluid communication with the liquid manifold and in fluid communication with an air outlet of the hot air manifold. The dispensing module is capable of dispensing the heated liquid and is capable of receiving and dispensing the process air to impinge upon the heated liquid. A heating element is operative for heating the process air flowing through said air plenum. |
| US08286832B2 |
Dispensing device for single use
The dispensing device for single use includes a multicomponent cartridge (1), a mixer (8) having a mixer housing (9), as well as closure means for closing the outlets (4, 5) of the multicomponent cartridge. These closure means are connected to the mixer housing and comprise a respective closure stopper (13, 14) for each outlet that is insertable in an outlet (4, 5) of the multicomponent cartridge and is deformable such that upon rotation of the mixer housing relative to the cartridge, the closure stoppers (13, 14) are removed from the outlets (4, 5) of the multicomponent cartridge. |
| US08286831B2 |
Dispenser having vacuum switch controlled pump with bleed valve
A dispenser 10 creates a use solution. The dispenser 10 includes a diluent inlet for receiving a source of diluent. A first aspirator 38 is in fluid communication with the diluent inlet. An operator valve 27 controls flow of the diluent. A second aspirator 46 has a diluent inlet, diluent outlet and a venturi port. A vacuum switch 63 is operatively connected to the first venturi port and the flow of the diluent through the aspirator 46 creates a vacuum that activates the vacuum switch. A control board 69 is activated by the vacuum switch and a dosing pump 76 is activated by the control device 69. The dosing pump dispenses a liquid product into the diluent stream, wherein a use solution is made. |
| US08286829B2 |
Security closure for cam and groove hose coupling
A security closure system for terminating the hose-connector connected to the outlet of a storage tank whose contents are to be periodically pumped out. A first male-outlet component is provided with an outer, circumferential annual groove for reception therein of camming elements of camming arms, and has a terminal projecting tongue provided with an opening or hole for receiving a locking device, such as a padlock. The male-component is further provided with an enlarged mounting flange for mounting the male-component to a wall of the storage tank or to a bulkhead adjacent the storage tank. The security closure system also comprises a second female part, which is a female closure cap that matingly receives therein the first male-component. The closure cap has a slot for passing therethrough the tongue of the first male-component, whereby a padlock or other lock may be used for locking the cap in place over the first male-component. The closure cap is also provided with a pair of parallel, upstanding partitions or walls sandwiching therebetween the projecting tongue of the first male-component protruding through the slot of the closure cap. These partitions project a sufficient height above, and extend a sufficient length along, the protruding tongue so as to prevent access thereto and to the locking device inserted through the opening of the tongue, whereby access thereto is denied and the tampering thereof via saws, and the like, is prevented. |
| US08286828B2 |
Transport/storage container with self-locking cover
A storage/transport container has a plurality of walls defining an upwardly open vessel having an upper rim and a generally flat cover panel hinged on one of the walls and having an inner edge. The rim has opposite to one of the walls structure forming another inner edge. The cover panel is pivotal into a closed position with the inner edges juxtaposed, retaining formations projecting generally perpendicularly from the inner edge of the cover panel and oppositely from the other inner edge that fit together in the closed position. Hooks are formed on the edges and positioned so as to be opened directly at each other in the closed position. The hooks normally are spaced apart but, on deformation of the cover panel, hook together and preventing separation of the edges. |
| US08286827B2 |
Sippy cup lid for a beverage can
A removable sippy cup lid configured to be placed securely onto an opened beverage can. The removable sippy cup lid includes a drinking spout shaped to correspond to the cavity opening in the beverage can lid. Furthermore, the sippy cup lid includes a groove about its edge sized to receive and snap over a circular outer rim of the beverage can lid to form a seal. The groove includes an arc shaped channel cross section that bends inward leaving an opening at a distal end, where the opening covers the beverage can rim. A width of the opening is less than a thickness of the beverage can rim in a resting position. The groove is made out of flexible material such that the width of the opening widens to the thickness of the beverage can rim as pressure is applied to the sippy cup lid to snap over the rim. |
| US08286826B2 |
Drinking containers
A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal. |
| US08286825B2 |
Hand-held paint tray
A hand-held paint tray including a body portion and a generally u-shaped handle. The handle includes first and second side portions and a connecting portion extending between the first and second side portions. The first and second side portions arc upwardly from the connecting portion and are connected to opposed side walls of the body. |
| US08286824B2 |
Heat insulated container
An insulating container includes a container main body and an exterior sleeve to be fit onto the container main body. The exterior sleeve includes a slit forming section including a group of slits formed on the exterior sleeve. An inside wall surface of the exterior sleeve is provided with a shrink-deformable film, an upper portion of the shrink-deformable film is bonded to an upper portion of the exterior sleeve beyond the slit forming section, whereas a middle section covering the slit forming section is free from bonding, a lower portion is bonded to a lower portion of the exterior sleeve beyond the slit forming section, and the shrink-deformable film is shrunk to have the slit forming section project outwardly from the exterior sleeve. |
| US08286821B2 |
Accessory lid for bottle
This invention relates generally to mechanics, and more specifically, to an accessory lid for a bottle. In one embodiment, the invention includes an accessory lid having a base configured to removably couple with a bottle; a cover configured to removably couple with the base; and an accessory compartment disposed therein. In another embodiment, the invention includes an accessory lid having a base configured to removably couple with a bottle; and an accessory compartment disposed therein, wherein the base is configured to removably couple with an existing bottle cover of the bottle. In a further embodiment, the invention includes a bottle having a base configured to removably couple with the bottle; a cover configured to removably couple with the base; and an accessory compartment disposed therein. |
| US08286820B2 |
Protective device
A protective device for a wall region to be protected, includes a collar which has recesses penetrating the collar and is disposed around the wall region to be protected in an intended configuration of the protective device. A protective cap includes a base and a casing, which extends from the base substantially perpendicularly up to a casing edge and has recesses penetrating the casing. The casing recesses extend from the casing edge in the direction of the base of the protective cap. Casing sections are formed between the recesses. In the intended configuration of the protective device, the casing is disposed between the collar and the wall region to be protected, and one of the casing sections is disposed between each collar recess and the wall region to be protected so that a free linear connection is prevented between the respective collar recess and the wall region to be protected. |
| US08286818B2 |
Portion container
A portion container which can be unsealed easily by an extremely simple operation, and the lid of which can be opened easily with no possibility of scattering of the contents. The container body is constituted of a nonflexible tubular upper structure which is resistant to press deformation, and a flexible bottomed tubular lower structure extending downward from the lower edge of the upper structure and being susceptible to press deformation, wherein a press board connected rotatably with the upper structure and equipped with a cutter is provided vertically in the container. A lid plate is cut by pressing the press board from the outside to rotate the cutter. |
| US08286817B2 |
Tamper resistant container with locking rim
A multi-section lid for a can containing edible material includes a lid base, a cover portion, and a tear strip. The lid base can attach the lid to the can. The lid base defines one or more openings that permit access to the edible material. The cover portion includes one or more doors to cover the openings. The tear strip portion is positioned between the lid base and the cover portion. The tear strip portion is connected to the lid base and the cover portion by a plurality of bridges. The mold for forming the lid includes cavities that define flow channels that permit the lid material to flow through bridge cavities to fill the cavities in the mold during formation of the lid such that the lid base, the cover portion, and the tear strip portion are the single integral component. |
| US08286816B2 |
Casing for outdoor communication apparatus and protective device for the same
A protective device is applicable to a casing provided with a first coupling portion and configured for use with an outdoor communication apparatus. The protective device includes a body and a shielding portion. The body is configured to shield the front of the casing and provided with a second coupling portion coupled to the first coupling portion. The shielding portion is laterally provided to the side of the body for shielding the casing sideways. Hence, the shielding portion of the protective device shields the casing from direct irradiation of sunlight, prevents the outdoor communication apparatus from being overheated, and protects the outdoor communication apparatus against rainwater and dirt. A casing configured for use with an outdoor communication apparatus and equipped with the protective device is further provided. |
| US08286808B1 |
Wall mounted vertical file folder rack
A vertical file folder rack adapted for mounting on a wall and holding various sizes and shapes of files, posters, drawings and like items. The vertical file folder rack includes a plurality of triangular-shaped wire frames mounted and equally spaced along a length of a rectangular shaped elongated wall base. The wall base is adapted for vertical attachment to a wall. A top portion of each wire frame is pivotally attached along the vertical length of the wall base. A center portion of the wire frame includes a pair of support arms, which extend downwardly and vertically. A lower portion of the wire frame includes a pair of outwardly extending file support arms with an upwardly extending arch-shaped file keeper disposed between the two support arms. A file is received on top of the support arms and held therein between the file keeper and the two support arms. |
| US08286804B2 |
Filter with bayonet coupling to cover
A liquid filter has a filter housing with a first thread and a drain passage. A filter element including a filter medium is arranged in the filter housing. A filter lid is provided with a second thread configured to engage the first thread for connecting the filter lid to the filter housing. The filter lid further has a filter bypass valve for bypassing the filter element when a pressure loss that is too high occurs when liquid passes through the filter medium of the filter element. First bayonet connectors are provided on the filter lid and second bayonet connectors are provided on the filter element for connecting the filter element to the filter lid by engaging the first bayonet connectors. A double-concentric seal is arranged on the filter element for closing off the drain passage. |
| US08286802B2 |
In-tank fuel delivery module having an accessible fuel filter
A fuel delivery module includes a fuel filter housing and a cover. The fuel filter housing defines a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of a fuel filter. A first end portion of the fuel filter housing includes a flange configured to be disposed outside of and coupled to a fuel tank. A second end portion of the fuel filter housing is configured to be disposed within the fuel tank and includes an inlet connector configured to fluidically couple the cavity to a fuel pump. The cover is configured to be removably coupled to the first end portion of the fuel filter housing. The cover defines a first lumen and a second lumen. The first lumen is configured to fluidically couple the cavity to a fuel outlet line. The second lumen is configured to fluidically couple the cavity to a regulator. |
| US08286797B2 |
Wafer container
Improvements in a semiconductor wafer container including improvements in side protection to the wafers, improved cover design to minimize rotation, a simplified top cover orientation mechanism and an improved bottom holding mechanism for automation. The side protection to the wafers is with multiple staggered inner and outer walls. The improved cover design improves alignment of the top and bottom housings and minimizes rotation of the housings in transit or motion. The housings have a recessed tab ramp feature with bi-directional locking that also increases the rigidity of the containment device when the two housings are assembled. The improved bottom holding mechanism for automation is an integrated feature that is molded into the bottom housing and not assembled in a secondary operation. The molded integration reduces tolerance errors that are present in assembling multiple pieces and joining multiple pieces. |
| US08286792B2 |
Router bit kit
A router bit kit includes a plurality of router bits, a plurality of router bit holders and a container. Each of the plurality of router bits has a cutting surface configured to produce a cut having a three dimensional kerf profile. Each of the plurality of bit holders corresponds to at least one of the plurality of f router bits. Each of the plurality of bit holders has a three dimensional kerf profile portion that matches the three dimensional kerf profile which the corresponding router bit is configured to produce. The container is configured to retain the plurality of router bits and the plurality of holders. |
| US08286784B2 |
Beltless conveyor system
A conveyor assembly includes a mounting assembly for moving a material to be conveyed. The mounting assembly is movable in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction. At least one resiliently deformable spring member is provided for storing energy therein responsive to a motion of the mounting assembly in the second direction. Energy stored in the spring member is usable to urge the mounting assembly and the associated material in the first direction. |
| US08286783B2 |
Pallet conveying apparatus and pallet conveyance method
Conveyance pitch is modified without modifying a pallet. A pallet conveying apparatus has: one, two or more pallets onto which a work can be loaded; a first and a second pallet rails on which the pallet can be movably loaded; first and second pallet feeding mechanisms that convey the pallet; and a pallet transfer mechanism that causes the pallet loaded on the first or second pallet rail to be transferred to the second or first pallet rail. The pallet transfer mechanism has a first movable portion that forms one part of the first pallet rail and that can be made continuous with the second pallet rail by being separated from another part; and a second movable portion that forms one part of the second pallet rail and that can be made continuous with the first pallet rail by being separated from another part. The first and second pallet feeding mechanisms have circulating endless first and second belts capable of engaging with the pallet that is loaded on each of the pallet rails. |
| US08286782B2 |
Information display system for passenger conveying device
An information display system for a conveying device, the information display system comprising a driving mechanism, a flexible display loop driven by the driving mechanism to travel in a closed loop, and an image forming module configured to provide media to at least a section of the flexible display loop. |
| US08286777B2 |
Adjustment fitting for use in a motor vehicle component
An adjustment fitting (10) for a motor vehicle component, particularly a vehicle seat, is proposed, the adjustment fitting having a first fitting part (1) and a second fitting part (2) that is rotatably adjustable about a rotary axis (30) relative to the first fitting part by means of a gear drive, the gear drive (3) comprising a first gearing (31) on the first fitting part (1) and the gear drive (3) comprising a second gearing (32) arranged eccentrically to the first gearing (31). Two wedge segments (33, 34) are provided for securing the eccentric arrangement of the first gearing (31) relative to the second gearing (32), the wedge segments being mounted radially outward in a sliding bushing (43) having bushing gear teeth (42). The adjustment fitting (10) has a braking element (40), the braking element (40) in a release position being arranged inside the radius of the sliding bushing (43), and the braking element (40) engaging the bushing gear teeth (42) in a locked position. |
| US08286775B2 |
Clutch release bearing in contact with a disk spring
A clutch release bearing (21) that is in contact with a disk spring is provided. The clutch release bearing (21) includes at least one curved contact surface (12, 28, 30, 33) that is located at a radial distance from the axis of rotation (4) of the clutch release bearing (21) and is used for contacting at least one end (39) of at least one spring tongue (40) of the disk spring. |
| US08286773B2 |
Frictional engagement apparatus
In a frictional engagement apparatus that includes a clutch drum, separator plates, a clutch hub, and friction plates, a plurality of concave portions that dip inward in the plate thickness direction and a plurality of convex portions that protrude outward in the plate thickness direction are formed on an edge of the separator plates and/or a an edge of the friction plates, with each convex portion being arranged between two adjacent concave portions. Ridge lines of the concave portions and the convex portions pass through positions away from a center point of the separator plates and/or the friction plates. |
| US08286772B2 |
Controllable coupling assembly and overrunning coupling and control assembly utilizing same
A controllable coupling assembly including a coupling member and an overrunning coupling and control assembly utilizing same are provided wherein a set of actuators are supported on a control member of the assembly for movement therewith to move or pivot respective struts received within pockets of the coupling member. Apparatus is responsive to a control pressure signal to exert a control force on the control member to cause the control member to move from its first position which corresponds to a first mode of the coupling assembly to its second position which corresponds to a second mode of the coupling assembly. The coupling assembly may be an overrunning clutch assembly. |
| US08286770B2 |
Drive device with override function
A drive device with override function for a moving device in motor vehicles includes a drive element, an output element with a rotationally symmetrical surface connected to the moving device, and a connecting device, which under a drive-side load transmits a drive torque to the output element and in the absence of the drive-side load releases the output element. The drive device further includes a carrier wrap spring, which is operatively connected to the drive element and can be brought into engagement with the rotationally symmetrical surface of the output element, together with a control element, which under a drive-side load braces the carrier wrap spring with the rotationally symmetrical surface of the output element and in the absence of the drive-side load releases the bracing of the carrier element with the rotationally symmetrical surface of the output element. |
| US08286760B2 |
Disc brake for a commercial vehicle
A disc brake, especially for a commercial vehicle, includes a caliper extending across a brake disc and a brake application device which can be used to force a brake pad against the brake disc by at least one actuating spindle that is guided in the caliper, in correspondence with an associated thrust piece. The disc brake is designed such that the thrust piece consists at least partially of a duroplastic material. A cap is interposed between faces of the actuating spindle and the thrust piece, oriented toward one another and forming contact surfaces. The walls of the cap enclose a projection of the thrust piece. |
| US08286759B2 |
Pneumatically actuatable disc brake and brake cylinder
A pneumatically actuatable disc brake has a caliper straddling a brake disc. One brake pad on an application side being actuatable by a rotary lever of a brake application device. A brake cylinder, which can be pressurized using air pressure, is attached to a flange of calliper. The brake cylinder engages into the rotary lever via a cylinder plunger and has a return spring for returning the cylinder plunger to an unstressed initial position. The return spring abuts against the base of a cover supported on the flange. The disc brake is configured such that a self-energizing device is provided having a self-energizing factor selected such that the brake automatically releases itself after braking. The flange forms an abutment for the return spring. |
| US08286757B2 |
Wheel chock system
A wheel restraint for restraining a vehicle at a loading dock includes various features such as, a wheel chock supported by a spring loaded articulated arm with a spring that can be selectively tightened or released, a sensor that detects whether the chock is solidly against a base plate or floor, a bi-directional pivotal joint between the articulated arm and the wheel chock to ensure that the chock can sit squarely on a mating base plate, a wheel chock that meshes with a hydraulically actuated base plate, pivotal or otherwise movable backstops that prevent a wheel chock from sliding out of position, and a base plate cleaning system. The wheel restraint also includes a first vertical resistance feature that is coupled to the base and a second vertical resistance feature that is coupled to the wheel chock to limit vertical movement between the wheel chock and the base when the first vertical resistance feature engages the second vertical resistance feature. |
| US08286746B2 |
Front storage compartment with water drainage channel for a vehicle, and vehicle incorporating same
A front storage compartment for a scooter-type vehicle includes a plate member mounted on a cover member covering a vehicle body of the vehicle. The plate member and the cover member jointly define an upwardly open storage unit therebetween. The cover member has a water drain hole formed therein for draining water from the storage unit. The water drain hole is located at a position below a floor panel which closes the bottom of the storage unit. The plate member has a lower extension for covering the water drain hole and the cover member, below the floor panel. A water channel for guiding water to the water drain hole is provided between the lower extension of the plate member and the cover member. Such front storage compartment structure reduces an amount of water seeping out to the surface of the cover member. |
| US08286732B2 |
Steering component, steering assembly and method of steering a drill bit in a borehole
This invention relates to a steering component, to a steering assembly, and to a method of steering a drill bit in a borehole. The steering component is adapted for connection to a drill string, the drill string carrying a drill bit and a motor for rotating the drill bit. The steering component comprises: a rotatable driveshaft adapted for connection between the drill bit and the motor; a drive mechanism; and an offsetting component; the drive mechanism providing a rotatable connection between the drill string and the offsetting component whereby the drill string can rotate relative to the offsetting component. The drive mechanism is adapted to drive the offsetting component to rotate in an opposed direction to the driveshaft, so as to counter the rotation of the offsetting component which is induced by friction within the componentry as the driveshaft rotates. The steering component and method are likely to have their greatest utility in steering a drill bit during drilling for oil and gas. |
| US08286731B2 |
Method and apparatus for constructing deep vertical boreholes and underground cut-off walls
A method and apparatus for constructing large vertical boreholes and underground cut-off walls is disclosed. A drill rig assembly with double rotary heads drives a small diameter drill string and a much larger diameter drill string which is concentric with the smaller drill string and has a donut shaped drill bit configuration at the lower end thereof. Preferably, a steerable mud motor/drill is provided on one end of the small drill string and is guided to make as vertical a borehole as possible. In a preferred embodiment, the small inner drill is advanced to the full depth using the steerable mud motor/drill to achieve a high degree of verticality and a slight smaller casing is installed and used as a verticality guide for the much larger diameter outer drill string. In a further embodiment, the inner drill string is advanced a predetermined distance, then the outer string is advanced using the inner string as a verticality guide, these steps being repeated in alternating fashion to the final depth. |
| US08286729B2 |
Real time misalignment correction of inclination and azimuth measurements
A method for determining wellbore trajectory includes determining survey parameters in the wellbore; measuring force parameter(s) in the wellbore; and correcting the survey parameters using the measured force parameter(s). The downhole measured force parameters may include forces associated with an operation of a steering device such as an internal reaction force, and/or a bending moment. In variants, the method may include measuring a wellbore temperature; measuring a wellbore parameter in addition to the temperature; and correcting a survey parameter using the measured parameter and the measured temperature. These methods may include correcting survey parameters using measured wellbore diameters. Also, a processor in the wellbore may be programmed to perform the correction while in the wellbore and/or control a steering device using measurements provided by a sensor for measuring internal reaction forces. |
| US08286725B2 |
Drive mechanism for power tool
A drive mechanism for a hammer drill comprises a hollow piston 558 having a cylindrical bearing that is adapted to receive a crank pin in order to cause the hollow piston 558 to reciprocate inside a spindle 548. A plurality of longitudinal ridges 559 are formed on the outer surface of the hollow piston 558 to reduce the surface area of contact between the hollow piston 558 and the spindle 548, and a plurality of grooves 561 are formed in the gaps between the ridges. The grooves 561 are adapted to retain lubricant 563 in order to reduce frictional contact between the hollow piston 558 and the spindle 548. |
| US08286724B2 |
Impact tool
An impact tool includes a vibration-proofing cushioning material connecting a tool body and a handle. The tool further includes a motor-driving manual operating member disposed on the handle, an operation mode switching member disposed on the tool body, and a movable member. When the switching member is switched to first mode in which the tool bit is continuously driven, the movable member moves the manual operating member from an off position and locks it in an on position. When the switching member is switched to second mode in which the tool bit is arbitrarily driven, the movable member releases the lock of the manual operating member. A vibration-proofing elastic member is disposed in the vibration transmitting path and prevents vibration caused in the tool body from being transmitted to the handle in the state in which the manual operating member is locked in the on position by the movable member. |
| US08286719B2 |
Compressed air foam system for fire retardance
An apparatus for protecting a structure from fire includes a foam generation system by mixing compressed air, water from a pump and a foaming agent from a metered supply together with a series of motor driven nozzles and a control device which is programable to provide a program of operation to control the motors of the nozzles so as to pre-determine a pattern by which a building is repeatedly covered by a layer of the foam. The control device can include plurality of different programs of operation of the nozzles with different times for different fire conditions. A remote control allows the apparatus to be activated from a safe remote location. An arrangement is provided to automatically start the foam generation system including an internal combustion engine. |
| US08286716B2 |
Low stress traction system
A technique enables anchoring of a tool in a wellbore. The technique provides traction against a well component without creating high stress concentrations that weaken the well component. An anchoring device comprises anchoring members that are selectively movable to an expanded configuration for anchoring the tool. The anchoring members have traction surfaces able to selectively engage a smooth anchoring surface of the well component at any desired location along the well component. Each traction surface is formed to facilitate traction while minimizing stress concentration. |
| US08286706B2 |
Pressure compensation for a perforating gun
A perforating system having a perforating gun with a pressurizable gun body. The gun body can be pressurized prior to deployment in a wellbore, or while in the wellbore. Pressurizing the gun body can include adding fluid into the gun body, such as a pressurized gas, a liquid, or combustion products. A seal diaphragm can be used to transfer wellbore pressure into the gun body. |
| US08286704B2 |
Coiled tubing conveyed combined inflow and outflow control devices
Methods and systems of hydrocarbon production where wellbore stimulation and production is achieved in a single wellbore run-in, and inflow control devices are installed in an existing wellbore completion. A coiled tubing string is conveyed into a substantially horizontal portion of a wellbore, where the coiled tubing string has a production tubular configured to execute both stimulation and recovery operations. The production tubular can include an inflow control device to be installed in an existing wellbore. |
| US08286693B2 |
Heat sink base plate with heat pipe
A heat sink assembly includes a base plate having a top surface provided with cooling fins, and a bottom surface with an open channel, the channel having remote regions and a central region with a rectangular cross-section. A heat pipe arrangement including at least two sections is nested in the channel, each section having at least one evaporator section and a condenser section, wherein the evaporator sections are juxtaposed side by side in the central region, and the condenser sections are in respective remote regions. The arrangement is preferably a single S-shaped heat pipe with a pair of hooked ends and a center section which form the evaporator sections, the evaporator sections each having a rectangular profile and an exposed surface which is flush with the bottom surface of the base plate, the condenser sections connecting the evaporator sections and being recessed below the bottom surface. |
| US08286688B2 |
Vehicle window protector
A vehicle cover is provided for covering a driver side window, central windshield, and passenger side window. The cover includes a central windshield panel, a right wing panel, and a left wing panel. The right wing panel forms a pocket with three closed sides, and an open bottom edge for covering a driver side window and frame of a vehicle. The left wing panel is a pocket formed by three closed sides and an open bottom edge so as to enclose a passenger side window and frame of the vehicle. The vehicle cover prevents ice build up on the covered windshield and side windows so as to eliminate the need to scrape ice from the windshield and side windows. The cover also blocks harmful environmental conditions that may damage both the interior and exterior of a vehicle during all times of the year. |
| US08286687B2 |
Device for closing and opening curtains
A device for closing and opening curtains, which are movable along a rod (1), said rod near its ends being provided with a means for limiting the movement of said curtains. The rod (1) is provided with channels (2) in which an endless toothed belt (3) is received which at the ends of said rod (1) is guided by toothed wheels (7,13) from which one can be driven. Said toothed belt (3) is provided with at least one carrier (4) which can be connected to a curtain and can extend it self downwards through a slot (5) in said rod (1). A connector element (11) is provided which is connected to the rod (1) and extends substantially in line with this and comprises a sideways extending housing (10), in which said drivable toothed wheel (7) is present. The driving of said toothed wheel (7) takes place by means of an electric motor (9), which can be operated by means of a hand switch either by means of a time switch either by means of a light sensor. |
| US08286686B2 |
Window treatment with cord guard
In a window treatment with a cover for covering a window or other architectural opening, a cord assembly includes an elongated housing arranged to be installed next to the cover. The housing includes a channel around most of its periphery receiving the cord. Operating elements are provided on the housing to move the cord with respect to the housing to operate the window treatment and its cover. |
| US08286681B2 |
Drywall tape applicator and method of using the same
The present invention relates to a fluid-activated drywall tape applicator. The applicator includes a roll of fluid-activated drywall tape, a container, a lid and at least two slits. In operation the roll of tape is affixed to the applicator and a lead end of the tape is fed through a first slit. Once in the first slit the tape enters the container where the container is filled with a fluid. The fluid saturates the tape and the tape leaves the container through the second slit. After leaving the container via the slit, the tape's adhesive properties are activated and a user may apply the tape to a working surface. |
| US08286677B2 |
Fuel dispensing nozzle hold open clip release assembly
A fuel dispensing nozzle includes a main body that receives fuel from a fuel source for dispensing the fuel into a fuel tank, an operating lever associated with the main body, a locking device, and a locking device release mechanism. The operating lever is adapted to be actuated by an operator to dispense fuel from the nozzle. The locking device is associated with the operating lever for maintaining the operating lever in a hold open position such that the nozzle continues to dispense fuel without continued actuation of the operating lever by the operator. The locking device release mechanism is associated with the locking device and is adapted to release the operating lever from the hold open position upon the nozzle being stowed in an associated fuel pump cradle. |
| US08286668B2 |
Weaving machines and three-dimensional woven fabrics
A three-dimensional distance woven fabric including two outer fabrics and a plurality of inter-yarns connected with the outer fabrics, wherein a gap distance between the outer fabrics is greater than 20 centimeters A method for weaving the aforesaid three-dimensional distance woven fabric is also provided. |
| US08286666B2 |
Mixing pipe for gas heater
A mixing pipe for a gas heater includes an intake port through which gas and air are flowed in; a discharge port through which the gas and the air flowed in through the intake port are mixed and discharged; and an acceleration part disposed between the intake port and the discharge port and having a diameter smaller than the a diameter of the intake port, wherein a distance between the intake port and the acceleration part is greater than 0.5 times of the diameter of the acceleration part and smaller than 1.5 times of the diameter of the acceleration part. |
| US08286662B2 |
Switching valve with slider
Disclosed herein is a switching valve for transmitting of fluids. In particular, disclosed herein is a switching valve for filling of gas tanks having a housing with an inlet area and an outlet portion. A check valve, a vent valve, and an inlet valve can be disposed within the housing. The vent valve and the inlet valve can be controlled by a slide that is coupled with a pivoting lever which is actuated by a control valve in a pressure controlled manner. |
| US08286660B2 |
Valve body with dual sense mechanism
A gas regulator includes an actuator, a regulator valve, and a secondary device. Downstream pressure feedback is provided to the actuator and the secondary device via a Pitot tube disposed within an outlet of the regulator valve. The Pitot tube has a first branch having an end connected to the actuator to place the actuator control cavity and diaphragm in fluid communication with downstream pressure within the outlet for maintaining the outlet pressure at an actuator setpoint pressure. The Pitot tube also has a second branch having an end connected to the secondary device to place the interior of the secondary device in fluid communication with downstream pressure within the outlet for responding to changes in the downstream pressure when the outlet pressure diverges from a predetermined normal operating pressure range. |
| US08286659B2 |
Compressor and/or expander device
Systems and methods for operating a hydraulically actuated device/system are described herein. For example, systems and methods for the compression and/or expansion of gas can include at least one pressure vessel defining an interior region for retaining at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas and an actuator coupled to and in fluid communication with the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a first mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved to compress and move gas out of the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a second mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved by an expanding gas entering the pressure vessel. The system can further include a heat transfer device configured to transfer heat to or from the at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas retained by the pressure vessel. |
| US08286657B2 |
IV catheter with in-line valve and methods related thereto
Featured is a vascular access device such as an IV catheter device including a housing, a tubular member and a seal member, and a securing mechanism. The housing includes a proximal and distal portion and a chamber that extends between the proximal and distal portions. The tubular member is coupled to the housing distal portion so it is fluidly coupled to the chamber. The seal member is disposed within the chamber and the securing mechanism secures the seal member distal end to the housing proximal portion so the seal member is sealingly and compressibly retained between a chamber proximal end and the securing mechanism. Such a seal member also is constituted so a portion of the seal member moves axially responsive to an axial force applied to the proximal end. |
| US08286655B2 |
Line stop adapter
A line stop adapter includes a body having a tapping flange mounting surface, adapted for mounting to a tapping sleeve flange, and an opposing valve mounting surface, adapted for mounting to a temporary valve. An interior wall forms a body aperture fluidly connecting the mounting surfaces. A portion of the interior wall is adapted to receive and selectively engage a completion plug, allowing the completion plug to fluidly seal the body aperture. Multiple engagement portions are arranged around the body aperture for securing the tapping flange mounting surface to the tapping sleeve. |
| US08286654B2 |
Gas turbine engine inlet with noise reduction features
A gas turbine engine comprising a fan section, a compressor, a combustor and a turbine, includes a nacelle having an inner nacelle surface defining an inlet duct designed to reduce an inlet duct area of the inlet duct to increase acoustic attenuation. The gas turbine engine also includes a spinner, disposed forward of the fan section, that includes features to increase acoustic attenuation. In one embodiment of the present invention, the nacelle includes a nacelle contoured surface protruding radially inward from the inner nacelle surface to reduce the inlet duct area. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the spinner includes a spinner contoured surface for reducing the inlet duct area. In other embodiments, the nacelle and/or the spinner include an inflatable bladder, a SMA actuator, a fluidic actuator, or a combination thereof, selectively activated to increase acoustic attenuation during certain conditions of an aircraft. |
| US08286645B2 |
Hair iron
Disclosed is a hair iron having a modified heating plate. A surface of the heating plate making contact with hair is inclined by a predetermined angle relative to a horizontal plane of a handle, and a far-infrared ray device is installed on the surface of the heating plate. The hair iron includes an upper body and a lower body coupled with the upper body by a hinge section. Each of the upper and lower bodies includes a handle formed at one end thereof with the hinge section, a supporter extending from the handle, and a heating plate attached to the supporter and provided with a far-infrared ray device that emits far-infrared rays. A horizontal plane of the heating plate is inclined relative to a horizontal plane of the handle by a predetermined angle. |
| US08286644B2 |
Cosmetic container
A cosmetic container for retaining and dispensing a cosmetic material is provided. The container includes a body including a first portion and a second portion that are pivotally coupled together, an applicator coupled to the second portion and a mirrored element pivotally coupled to the first portion. The mirrored element is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The mirrored element has a reflective surface that is positionable behind the applicator when the mirrored element is in the extended position and may define an outer periphery of the body when the mirrored element is in the retracted position. |
| US08286639B2 |
Method for non-surgical facial rejuvenation
A method for non-surgical rejuvenation of facial skin to correct both Type 1 aging changes in the epidermis layer of the skin causing visual changes in the skin and Type 2 aging changes in the dermis layer of the skin causing damage to supportive elements of the skin. The method includes the steps of exfoliation of the facial skin, stimulation of new dermal collagen deposition, removal of at least one of pigment and superficial blood vessels, relaxation of facial expression muscles, filling of soft tissue defects including at least one of deep facial lines and contour deformities, and tightening of the facial skin, and the steps of the method are applied according to a selected one of a plurality of age determined regimens. |
| US08286638B1 |
Foot stabilizing device
A foot stabilizing device which can be extended from between a box springs and a mattress of a user's bed to support the user's foot in an elevated position while trimming toenails or donning a sock or shoe, for example and without limitation includes a generally elongated device neck and a device platform carried by and oriented at an angle with respect to the device neck. |
| US08286636B2 |
Nasal assembly
A nasal assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having an integrally formed first connector portion. A nozzle assembly includes a gusset or base portion and a pair of nozzles. At least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into the frame and nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. A pair of second connector portions are removably and rotatably connected to respective first connector portions of the frame and are in communication with respective inlet conduits, e.g., directly or via angle connectors. A headgear assembly is removably connected to the pair of second connector portions and/or the angle connectors so as to maintain the frame and the nozzle assembly in a desired adjusted position on the patient's face. |
| US08286635B2 |
Headgear for mask assembly
A mask system for use between a patient and a structure to deliver a breathable gas to the patient includes a mask assembly including a frame, a cushion provided to the frame, and optionally an elbow provided to the frame. Headgear is removably attached to the mask assembly to maintain the mask assembly in a desired position on a patient's face. The headgear includes a back headgear section providing a top strap, a pair of side straps attached to the back headgear section, and an elastic strap attached between the back headgear section and the pair of side straps. |
| US08286634B2 |
Holding device for a respiratory mask
A holding device for a respiratory mask includes a headband adapted to extend in an application position from a forehead portion of a patient around a back head portion of the patient. A strengthening element is releasably coupled to the headband to add flexural strength to the headband. The strengthening element is adapted to extend from the forehead portion laterally to respective ear portions and to descend behind the respective ear portions towards the patient's neck. The strengthening element has bracket sections positioned below respective ear portions adjacent the back head portion. A support is coupled to respective bracket sections to support the bracket sections in the back head portion. |
| US08286633B2 |
Carbon dioxide absorber for a rebreathing system
A carbon dioxide absorber for a rebreathing system can be connected to a connection head of the rebreathing system in a simple manner. A centering device (43, 44, 45, 46), provided in the area of a guide plate (40) of the absorber (4), can be caused to mesh with centering pins pointing in the direction of the absorber from the connection head. |
| US08286631B2 |
Dry powder inhalation device for the simultaneous administration of more than one medicament
The present invention relates to a dry powder inhalation device which is suitable for the simultaneous administration of a combination of pharmaceutical ingredients, wherein each pharmaceutical ingredient is packed in a separate blister of the same single dose blister strip. The medicaments that form the combination come into contact just before their exit from the mouthpiece of the device. |
| US08286630B2 |
Apparatus for recycling moisture exhaled from worker within dry room to the worker
The apparatus is equipped with cover unit (1) fixed to a head portion of worker so as to cover at least the regions of nose and mouth of the worker, the cover unit capable of trapping the worker's breath. The cover unit has an exhaust opening and an air supply opening. Further, the apparatus is equipped with moisture recycle unit (2) fitted to the worker so as to simultaneously carry out the two processes consisting of the adsorption process of introducing moist air, effecting adsorption of the water contained in the air on an adsorbent and emitting dry air and the regeneration process of introducing dry air, effecting evaporation of the water adsorbed on the adsorbent into the dry air and emitting moist air. Still further, the apparatus is equipped with exhaust hose (3) connecting the exhaust opening of the cover unit to the moisture recycle unit and with air supply hose (4) connecting the moisture recycle unit to the air supply opening of the cover unit. The exhaust from the cover unit (1) is emitted via the moisture recycle unit into the dry room as dry air, and the dry air within the dry room is fed via the moisture recycle unit into the cover unit as moist air. |
| US08286629B2 |
Nebulizer and inhalation aid used therefor
A nebulizer includes a nebulizer body a relay pipe. The nebulizer body includes a connection portion that has an aerosol lead-out port to lead out aerosol, and the relay pipe includes a connection portion that has an aerosol introduction port to introduce the aerosol. The nebulizer body the relay pipe can take a first connection state in which the relay pipe detachably connected to the nebulizer body and a second connection state in which the relay pipe is connected to the nebulizer body so as to be not able to be detached from the nebulizer body. In the first connection state, the aerosol introduction port and the aerosol lead-out port are communicated with each other. In the second connection state, the aerosol lead-out port is blocked by a blocking portion provided in the relay pipe. Therefore, the nebulizer in which reuse of the nebulizer body or relay pipe is simply prohibited after the usage can be provided by the configuration. |
| US08286628B2 |
Drug ejection apparatus, estimation of ejection performance thereof, and method of drug ejection
A drug ejection apparatus comprises a drug ejection assembly having an ejection port and an element for generating energy for ejecting a drug through the ejection port, a drug container connected with the drug ejection assembly for holding the drug, a pressure sensor unit for sensing a pressure change in the inside of the drug container in correspondence with ejection of the drug through the drug ejection assembly, and a drive control unit for deciding driving conditions of the element for ejecting a prescribed amount of the drug by reference to an output level of the pressure sensor unit on driving the element under prescribed conditions. |
| US08286627B2 |
Solar collector
A glazed solar collector with a frame surrounding an absorber. The frame is provided with an inwardly and/or outwardly directed attachment ledge (1a) to which the glazing(4) is attached. A protective Stripping (9) covers the edges of the cover pane(4) and is provided with a ledge (9b) that rests on the attachment ledge (1a). The side- and end panels(1) of the frame include an inwardly projecting bottom ledge (1b) to which a backsheet(5) may be attached by means of welding or TOXing(22). The bottom ledge (Ib) also includes an outwardly projecting ledge that is provided with spaced through going bores along the length of the side- and end panels for i-eceiving fasteners (20) therein that allow the collector to be fastened to a roof structure (19) or the like. |
| US08286626B2 |
Kitchen extractor device
A kitchen extractor device includes a first body section, designed to be mounted in a fixed manner and a second body section, which can be displaced in a displacement direction in relation to the first body section. The kitchen extractor device comprehensively covers the cooking facilities but nevertheless can be easily cleaned. To achieve this, at least part of the second body section forms an external face of the body that is in transversal alignment with the displacement direction. |
| US08286621B2 |
Pneumatically powered projectile launching device
The pneumatically powered projectile launching device has a bolt located within a body. A front gas chamber in the body has an opening through which the bolt extends into the chamber. The bolt can move forward and backward thereby changing the volume of the front chamber. The bolt has a backward facing working surface. A gas valve in the body selectively releases compressed gas into the chamber. The released gas applies pressure on the backward facing working surface of the bolt to move the bolt forward, and then passes through a passage in the bolt to pneumatically force the projectile to leave the device. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08286620B2 |
Apparatus and method for adapting a pneumatic gun to fire from a fluid source
Embodiments of the present disclosure include an apparatus including a tank for pneumatic gun comprising a fluid outlet, including an adapter that includes a first end attached to the tank, a second end comprising a fitting, wherein the fitting is capable of receiving a fluid hose, wherein the fluid hose is connected to a source of compressed fluid. The apparatus allows the gun to be fired from the source of compressed fluid. Other embodiments include a method of connecting the apparatus to a pneumatic gun, attaching the fluid hose to the fitting, and firing the gun. |
| US08286618B2 |
Method and device for controlling an internal combustion engine
A device and a method for controlling an internal combustion engine are provided, in which the fuel quantity to be injected is controlled as a function of a Lambda signal. A setpoint value for the Lambda signal is specified on the basis of at least one maximally permitted exhaust-gas temperature value. |
| US08286617B2 |
Dual coil ignition
Applicant has disclosed an improved dual cycle ignition system for automobiles. In the preferred embodiment, the improved ignition system comprises at least two secondary ignition coils wired in a high voltage “OR” configuration using a single high voltage circuit through a distributor, or alternatively a single plug operated directly from diodes connected respectively to associated secondary coils. The ignition coils are set up to alternate sparks, so that even at 8000 engine RPM, each coil is firing as if operating at 4000 RPM, a speed where conventional highly optimized and inexpensive coils are very effective and can reach their full output. |
| US08286611B1 |
Electronic pressure regulator
The invention includes a very fast voice coil actuator, in the range of 2-5 millisecond full stroke response with high force, a circuit board located in the enclosure, a pressure sensor sensing pressure internal to the system which in the preferred embodiment is located in the actuator cap assembly but could be located in other locations, a diaphragm, a link plate, a mating ring, and a mechanical pressure regulator. An electronic pressure regulator receives pressure commands from the engine control module in a manner similar to receiving pulse width from an engine control module to an injector and calculates the required new pressure command. A novel feature of the present invention includes the Delta P control and the control of the regulator based on direct feedback of pressure. |
| US08286607B2 |
Wrist pin, connecting rod, piston and piston assembly therewith and methods of constructing and assembling the same
A piston assembly and method of assembly thereof, a wrist pin, a piston, a connecting rod, and methods of construction thereof is provided. The assembly includes a piston body having a pair laterally spaced pin bosses with a feature to prevent relative rotation of a first wrist pin member. The assembly has a connecting rod with a small end bore extending along a central axis and allowing relative rotation of the first wrist pin member and a feature with the small end bore to prevent relative rotation of a second wrist pin member. The first and second wrist pin members are moveable relative to one another, wherein the first and second members extend substantially parallel to the central axis through the small end bore. |
| US08286606B2 |
Piston for an internal combustion engine
A piston for an internal combustion engine is provided that comprises a piston head, onto which a piston hub and a piston skirt are formed, as well as reinforcing ribs, which extend between piston hub and piston skirt and which each comprise two portions that are curved in opposite directions. |
| US08286602B2 |
Phase variable device in car engine
A phase variable device for use with a car engine, capable of preventing the phase angle of the camshaft from varying relative to the first circular rotational body. The device includes: a first rotational body, an intermediate rotational bode integral with the camshaft of an engine, a second rotational body, all rotatably arranged on the same camshaft, the device adapted to control phase angle of the second rotational body, thereby varying the phase angle of the intermediate rotational body. The second rotational body is placed in substantial contact with the inside of the hollow cylindrical section of the intermediate rotational body. A circular eccentric cam, integral with the second rotational body and adapted to rotate about an eccentric center thereof, causes a cam guide plate to reciprocate in the direction perpendicular to the rotational axis. |
| US08286601B2 |
Variable valve timing apparatus
A variable valve timing apparatus includes a stopper piston which has an equalizing passage in an axial direction. Even if the engaging hole is filled with the oil, the equalizing passage enables the oil flows from an engaging hole to a holding hole when the stopper piston enters into the engaging hole. It is possible to form a vane as narrow as possible, and to enlarge a variable angular range. In addition, the stopper piston has both end faces which are substantially identical in surface area. Even if pulsation arises in oil pressure, pressures acting on both end faces of the stopper piston can be substantially cancelled and position of the stopper piston can be stabilized. |
| US08286598B2 |
Knock resistant split-cycle engine and method
An engine has a rotatable crankshaft. A compression piston is received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. An expansion piston is received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the expansion piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A crossover passage interconnects the compression and expansion cylinders. The crossover passage includes a crossover compression valve and a crossover expansion valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. A fuel injector is disposed in the pressure chamber of the crossover passage. Fuel injection from the fuel injector into the crossover passage is timed to occur entirely during the compression stroke of the compression piston. |
| US08286596B2 |
Two-cycle, opposed-piston internal combustion engine
In a two-cycle, opposed-piston internal combustion engine, opposed pistons disposed in a cylinder are coupled to a pair of side-mounted crankshafts by connecting rods that are subject to substantially tensile forces acting between the pistons and the crankshafts. This geometry reduces or eliminates side forces between the pistons and the bore of the cylinder. The cylinder and the pistons are independently cooled to reduce cylindrical deformation caused by thermal expansion during engine operation. |
| US08286592B2 |
Portable pet bathing device
Portable apparatus and systems for pet bathing. According to one embodiment, a fully contained portable pet washing system includes one or more collapsible fluid bladders, one or more fluid tubes, a variable flow control valve, a bladder holder pack and a detachable fabric-based wash glove. The fluid tubes interface with the collapsible fluid bladders. The variable flow control valve is operable to control the dispensing of wash or rinsing fluid from the collapsible fluid bladders. The bladder holder pack is configured to be fastened as an adjustable waist belt and configured to enclose some portion of the collapsible fluid bladders. The detachable fabric-based wash glove includes at least a portion of an attachment mechanism for engaging the fluid tubes and maintaining the positioning thereof to dispense the wash or rinsing fluid at a location near a palm or finger portion of the detachable fabric-based wash glove. |
| US08286591B2 |
Assemblies for allowing pet access through a panel
Assemblies that allow pet access through a panel and enclosures having multiple functions. More specifically the enclosures include pet doors that allow for selective entry, whereby one or more designated animals are allowed to enter into the enclosures while other non-designated animals can be easily excluded, without owner supervision. The enclosures herein are useful for multiple purposes, non-exclusively including the isolation of pets so they can eat, eliminate waste, whelp, queen, nurse their young, or sleep without being bothered by other non-designated pets. Preferred embodiments are directed to barriers positioned near the pet door to deter other non-designated pets from interfering with the designated pets entering into the enclosures. |
| US08286588B2 |
Automatic pet food dispensing device
An pet food dispensing device includes a dispenser, an outer case, a pet food container, a slant guide, a driving device, and dispensing spouts. The dispenser includes a shaft, a dispensing disc, a rectangular push-out plate, a semi-circular plate and a stirrer. The dispensing disc includes top and bottom layers, which are positioned adjacently. The top layer of the dispensing disc includes one or more bumps on the top surface. The rectangular foam push out plate turns counter-clockwise dispensing pet food from the upper portion of semi-circular plate towards slant guide. The stirrer of the pet food dispenser includes a first flap extended from the first edge of the bottom layer of the dispensing disc, and the first flap is bent downwardly below the horizontal plane. |
| US08286586B2 |
Milk liner
A milk liner assembly (1) comprises a milk liner (5) seal ably located in an outer shell (3) and defining with the outer shell (3) a pulsating vacuum chamber (23). The milk liner (5) comprises a sleeve (8) and a teat engaging flange (25) which together define a teat receiving cavity (11). A teat accommodating opening (26) through the teat engaging flange (25) accommodates a teat into the teat receiving cavity (11). A strengthening ring (28) integrally formed with the sleeve (8) is located on the sleeve (8) and extends around the sleeve (8) adjacent the teat engaging flange (25) for minimizing excessive radial inward contraction of the sleeve (8), and in turn excessive radial inward contraction of the teat engaging flange (25) onto the teat so that even if the teat engaging flange (25) were to engage the cricoid fold, milk flow through the cricoid fold would not be inhibited by the gripping pressure exerted the teat engaging flange (25) on the cricoid fold. The strengthening ring (28) extends axially from the sleeve (8), and terminates in a distal abutment surface (30) for abutting the udder of the animal for in turn spacing the teat engaging flange (25) from the udder and from the cricoid fold. |
| US08286585B2 |
Gripper device, robot arm, and milking robot
A griper device mountable on a robot arm of a milking robot provided for automatically attach teat cups to the teats of a milking animal, the gripper device comprises an electromagnet from gripping teat cups made of a magnetic material, the electromagnet including a coil feedable with a current a core of a magnetic material arranged at least partly within the coil; and a support structure for holding the electromagnet. The core comprises two end and portions in a single face of the electromagnet wherein the two end portions constitute different poles of the electromagnet and are shaped to be engagable with each of the teat cups in a close fit. |
| US08286584B2 |
Arrangement and method for improving throughput in a rotary milking system
A method for improving the throughput of milking animals in a rotary milking system including a rotary platform, which milking animals enter and leave in a sequential order in order to be milked provides that a plurality of milking animals to be milked by the rotary milking system are identified; a measure indicative of the expected time required for performing at least one action on the rotary platform with respect to each of the milking animals is retrieved; and the milking animals are allowed to enter the rotary platform of the rotary milking system in an order, which is based on the measures indicative of the expected times required for performing the at least one action on the rotary platform with respect to the milking animals. |
| US08286583B2 |
Method of controlling a milking implement, a software program for and an implement performing the method
A method of controlling a milking implement for automatically milking a dairy animal with an udder, such as a cow, which milking implement includes a camera and a teat cup. More particularly, the method includes attaching the teat cup to a teat of the udder, followed by producing by the camera an image of at least a part of the udder and of at least a part of the teat cup, making an analysis of the image of the udder with the teat cup, and performing at least one control action by the milking implement, based on the analysis. |
| US08286581B2 |
High frequency power source and its control method, and plasma processing apparatus
In a high-frequency power source, a malfunction is prevented by precisely removing harmonic components or a modulated wave component which develops while producing a plasma, and a proper high frequency power can be impressed on a plasma processing apparatus. The high-frequency power source includes a power monitor constituted of a directional coupler, a mixer, a 100 kHz low-pass filter, a low-frequency detector, and an oscillator. A 100 MHz high-frequency wave including modulated wave components and the like extracted by the directional coupler and 99.9 MHz high-frequency wave oscillated by the oscillator are added by the mixer. An output of the addition is converted by the low-frequency detector into 100 kHz, resulting in detection. |
| US08286580B2 |
Apparatus and method for treating substrate
The present invention provides a method that can maintain the temperature of a wafer at a process temperature before a coating process is performed by supplying a photoresist. According to the present invention, a thinner which helps a diffusion of the photoresist is supplied onto the wafer before the photoresist is supplied. The thinner is supplied in a temperature-controlled state such that the wafer has the process temperature by the thinner. |
| US08286579B2 |
Mask assembly for thin film vapor deposition of flat panel display
A mask assembly for thin film vapor deposition of a flat panel display is disclosed. In the mask assembly, a cleansing solution remaining in the gap between a unit mask and a frame after cleansing the mask assembly may be minimized. The mask assembly includes a frame and a plurality of unit masks. The frame includes a pair of first supporting portions and a pair of second supporting portions that surround an opening. The plurality of unit masks have at least one set of pattern openings, and the unit masks are fixed on the first supporting portion while having a tensile force applied thereto. The first supporting portion includes a first surface and a second surface. The unit masks are fixed on the first surface, and the second surface has a height difference to the first surface along a thickness direction of the unit masks from the first surface. |
| US08286572B1 |
Fishing rod holding system
A fishing rod holding system includes a plate having a bend therein to define a first section and a second section. The first section has a plurality of mounting apertures therein and is positionable between a tie cleat and a boat hull. A plurality of fasteners is extendable through the cleat and the apertures and into the boat hull to retain the first section on the boat hull so that the second section is positioned below the first section and extends outwardly from the boat hull into an interior area of the boat hull. The second section has a holder aperture extending therethrough. The holder aperture is configured to removably receive a rod holder. The second section has a plurality of attachment apertures extending therethrough. A plurality of securing members is extended through the rod holder and the attachment apertures to releasably secure the rod holder to the second section. |
| US08286566B2 |
Down pressure adjustment assembly for a disc opener of an agricultural implement
A down pressure adjustment assembly for a disc opener of an agricultural implement includes a rockshaft to which one or more disc opener units are mounted and an actuator that rotates the rockshaft. Rotation of the rockshaft causes the disc opener units to be raised or lowered. When the disc opener units are lowered into a field engagement position, further rotation of the rockshaft will cause compression of down pressure springs for each of the disc opener units. |
| US08286563B2 |
Pallet
A pallet comprises a plurality of side rails, each side rail including upper and lower runners; a multiplicity of boards, each board being adapted to extend between a runner of two of the rails; a spine member extending parallel to the rails, the spine member including upper and lower spine runners, each board including a spine engaging portion adapted for sliding engagement with a spine runner; and locking member adapted when locked to prevent sliding disengagement of the boards from the slide runner. |
| US08286562B2 |
Transportable load carrying platform
A transportable load carrying platform (10) comprising: a base frame (11); a pair of end walls (12) mounted one at each of two opposed ends of the base frame (11), said end walls being adjustable between operative positions in which the end walls (12) extend upwardly from the base frame (11) and inoperative positions in which the end walls (12) extend generally parallel to the base frame (11); a pivot mounting (18) on the base frame (11) defining a pivot axis (19) about which one of said end walls (12) is mounted for pivotal movement from the inoperative position and towards the operative position; cooperating abutment faces (23, 24) on the base frame (11) and said one end wall (12) which inter-engage, when the end wall takes up its operative position; and means for displacing the pivot axis (19) laterally whereby the movement of the end wall from its inoperative position to its operative position is a 2-part movement comprising initial pivotal movement about the pivot axis (19) followed by lateral displacement of the pivot axis (19) to bring cooperative abutment faces (23, 24) into engagement. |
| US08286560B2 |
Railway vehicle carriage facilitating access for passengers with reduced mobility
A carriage including a floor comprising at least one low platform and two high floor levels, the low platform having a floor height lower than that of the high floor levels and being arranged opposite a door, the low platform being movable in translation is provided. The low platform is connected to said high floor levels by ramps. |
| US08286554B2 |
Electrically initiated inertial igniters for thermal batteries and the like
A method for electrically initiating an inertial igniter for a munition. The method including: generating a voltage over a duration of an acceleration of the munition; powering a circuit from the generated voltage for determining when the acceleration experienced by the munition is an all-fire condition; electrically activating a reserve battery by the generated voltage when the circuit determines that the acceleration experienced by the munition is the all-fire condition; and electrically initiating pyrotechnic materials at a specified time into a flight of the munition using the reserve battery. |
| US08286549B2 |
Apparatus for processing spice-containing films in the production of sausage and cheese, and sausage and cheese products produced therewith
An apparatus for stuffing a pasty food that includes an applicator sleeve arranged between the inlet end and the outlet end of a stuffing tube. At least a portion of the applicator sleeve surrounds the stuffing tube about part or its complete circumference and the applicator sleeve supplies one or more strips coated and/or impregnated with transferable additives to the stuffing tube, with the strips being ultimately applied to the pasty food. The innovation further relates to a foodstuff in a tubular casing (e.g. sausage skin), in which at least one strip is arranged between the foodstuff and the surrounding casing, the strip being coated and/or impregnated with at least one transferable additive. |
| US08286536B2 |
Milling cutter manufacturing method
A method of manufacturing a milling cutter having a cutting head and a coaxial integral shank including grinding, in a first grinding operation, a plurality of helical flutes into the outer periphery of a cutter blank from a lead end using a peripheral area of a first grinding wheel generally of frusto-conical profile and rotatable about an axis generally transversely of the milling cutter axis, which peripheral area produces, simultaneously, the following three features: a leading face of a trailing tooth; a rear face on an adjacent preceding tooth; and a swarf removal gullet having divergent sides, grinding, in a second grinding operation, and using a peripheral edge of a second grinding wheel, a relief face, which extends rearwardly from a leading end of a tooth tip, resulting in a minimum tooth wedge angle of approximately 60°, and grinding, in a third grinding operation, a radius on the end of each flute. |
| US08286528B2 |
Robot arm
A robot arm has a drive gear that has a shaft, a gear frame being capable of turning about the shaft of the drive gear, a first follower gear being capable of turning, in synchronization with the drive gear, about a shaft fixed to the gear frame, in a direction opposite to the turning direction of the drive gear, a transmission control mechanism that is capable of locking the first follower gear to the drive gear, an arm that moves in synchronization with the first follower gear, and a collision detection unit that is capable of detecting a collision between the arm and an obstacle. The transmission control mechanism unlocks the follower gear from the drive gear in response to detection, by the collision detection unit, of a collision between the arm and the obstacle. The robot arm enables quick cushioning of the impact force of the collision. |
| US08286524B2 |
Motor assembly
A motor assembly includes a motor, a force transmission structure comprising a drive plate and a shaft, and a gear train connecting the motor to the drive plate for transmitting rotation of the motor to the drive plate. The drive plate has a mounting hole with at least three sections interconnected with one another at a common area, the shaft has a toothed portion with at least three teeth fittingly received in the sections of the mounting hole of the drive plate such that the shaft is rotated with the drive plate. |
| US08286519B2 |
Linear actuator
Linear actuator device, comprising a housing (2), an externally threaded screw (5), a piston (9) and an internally threaded extended nut (7), where the extended nut (7) comprises a plurality of longitudinal segments (40) having longitudinal edges (39) parallel to a center axis (18) of the internally threaded nut (7), where each segment (40) has an identical radius of curvature and an angle of curvature of less than 360°, so that the circumference of the internally threaded nut (7) is formed by at least two segments (40). One advantage of the invention is that linear actuators of different lengths can be manufactured in an easy and cost-effective manner. |
| US08286518B2 |
Drive device
A drive device for a lid of a motor vehicle includes a first fastening element connectable to a stationary component or to a movable component, and a housing tube located at the end of the drive device opposite the first fastening element and is free to move axially relative thereto. The housing tube includes, at the end opposite the first fastening element, a second fastening element connectable to the movable component or to the stationary component. A spindle drive including a threaded spindle and a spindle nut mounted on the threaded spindle is actuatable by a rotary device to move the first fastening element and the housing tube axially relative to each other. A stroke position of the first fastening element can be detected by a magnetic field sensor which senses longitudinal movements of a permanent magnet of the spindle along a sensitivity area of the stationary magnetic field sensor. |
| US08286517B2 |
Aerosol particle deposition on surfaces
A method and apparatus for generating a standardized surface contaminated by an aerosol deposited on its surface is described. Aerosols are propelled horizontally onto a vertical surface. The standardized contaminated surface is used to evaluate the effectiveness of cleaning and removing techniques. |
| US08286516B2 |
Device for measuring the movement of a subsea deformable pipeline
A method and a device for measuring the movement of a subsea pipeline. The measuring device has an accommodating mount anchored in the sea bed to accept the subsea pipeline. The subsea pipeline is liable to be made to move over a determined travel with respect to the accommodating support as the pipelines deforms. The movement has an amplitude that varies according to the deformation of the subsea pipeline. A plurality of frangible elements secured to one of either the deformable subsea pipeline and the accommodating mount. The frangible elements are intended to be broken in succession by the other of either the deformable subsea pipeline and the accommodating mount when the pipeline is caused to move. |
| US08286515B2 |
Method and a device for verifying mass inside a quilt
A method and a device for verifying mass inside a quilt is provided. A top of a box of a write-through device is placed with the quilt, which is unfolded and paved, and which is then put with a transparent platen. The quilt is next gently pressed and fixed by a semi-transparent board of the box, and the box rotates twice and stops at a vertical position. When the quilt is photographed under a write-through condition, one photo which is put in a transparent bag, and the other photo which is a locally exploded picture of the quilt, are attached on proper positions of the quilt. |
| US08286511B2 |
Assemblies for use in evaluating subsurface contamination, and related methods
A method is provided for determining the presence and/or concentration of at least one contaminant in a subsurface at a test site. The method generally includes inserting a sampling assembly into at least one tree at the test site, processing at least part of the sampling assembly to determine if a contaminant is present in the at least one tree, and then correlating the presence and/or concentration of the contaminant in the at least one tree to presence and/or concentration of the contaminant in the subsurface. The sampling assembly is operable to sorb at least one contaminant located within the at least one tree to at least part of the sampling assembly. The sampling assembly may include a solid phase microextraction (SPME) sampling assembly having a SPME sampling device and a support configured to help position the SPME sampling device within a tree for sampling operation. |
| US08286508B2 |
Systems and methods for measuring angular motion
A system for monitoring landing gear position. An example rotation position sensor includes a hub mount that locks within a shaft of a joint, a first sensor attached to the hub mount, and a second sensor attached to the rotatably attached part that does not rotate. The hub mount includes a nut that has a partially tapered surface and a threaded cavity. The nut is secured within the shaft. The hub mount also includes a mounting unit that has a partially tapered surface that is in opposition to the partially tapered surface of the nut. A fastener secures the hub mount to the nut. In one example, the first sensor includes a magnetometer and the second sensor includes magnet(s). In another example, the first sensor includes inductor sensor(s) and the second sensor includes device(s) that causes a change in an inductance value of the inductor sensor(s) as the joint rotates. |
| US08286505B2 |
Method and system for measuring flow at patient utilizing differential force sensor
A fluid delivery system and method for measuring flow at a patient utilizing a differential force sensor in order to precisely control the flow of fluid at very low flow rates. The system includes a fluid line through which a fluid is conveyed to the patient, and a flow controller that selectively varies a rate of flow of the fluid through the fluid line. The differential force sensor can be mounted very close to a point of entry of the fluid into the patient's body. An onboard communications device is controllably coupled to the flow controller and to the force sensor, responds to an output signal, and provides a feedback to the flow controller in a closed-loop process. The system can pump the fluid at a higher frequency until the flow rate is actually reached at the patient and then adjust to the flow rate needed to ensure patient health. |
| US08286502B2 |
Electromagnet flowmeter having a measuring tube with a varying cross section
An electromagnetic flowmeter for mass flow measurement of a flowing medium having a measuring tube, a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field at least partially passing through the measuring tube, having two electrodes for tapping into a measurement voltage induced in the flowing medium and having a housing incorporating the measuring tube, the magnetic field generator and the electrodes, wherein the measuring tube has a cross section that varies along its length and the cross section in the mid-section of the measuring tube is smaller than at its ends, preferably the cross section of the measuring tube being rectangular in its mid-section, optionally also square, and wherein the housing preferably has a circular cross section. At least one reinforcement, preferably two, is provided in the mid-section of the measuring tube joining the measuring tube and the housing. |
| US08286501B2 |
Method for measuring the flow properties of a poorly flowing material
Method and device for measuring the flow properties of a poorly flowing material. The material is placed in a measuring reservoir (2) equipped with a flow opening (6) of the desired size (2), an upwards and downwards motion is induced in the reservoir (2) with the aid of an operating device (4), to which the reservoir (2) is attached, and the flow properties of the material are determined. |
| US08286499B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing attachment joints
Apparatus tests the performance of joints between an attachment and a beam having a pair of caps connected by a corrugated web. The apparatus includes first and second grips contoured to the shape of a portion of the corrugated web for gripping the web. A force applicator coupled with the attachment and the grips applies force to the beam through the joint. |
| US08286498B1 |
Method and device for tensile testing of cable bundles
A standard tensile test device is improved to accurately measure the mechanical properties of stranded cables, ropes, and other composite structures wherein a witness is attached to the top and bottom mounting blocks holding the cable under test. The witness is comprised of two parts: a top and a bottom rod of similar diameter with the bottom rod having a smaller diameter stem on its upper end and the top rod having a hollow opening in its lower end into which the stem fits forming a witness joint. A small gap is present between the top rod and the larger diameter portion of the bottom rod. A standard extensometer is attached to the top and bottom rods of the witness spanning this small witness gap. When a force is applied to separate the mounting blocks, the gap in the witness expands the same length that the entire test specimen is stretched. |
| US08286495B2 |
Torque insensitive header assembly
There is disclosed a high pressure sensing header which is relatively insensitive to mounting torque. The header comprises an outer torque isolating shell which surround an inner “H” section header. The inner “H” section header has a thick diaphragm and is surrounded by the torque isolating shell which is secured to the “H” section header at a peripheral flange of the “H” section header. In this manner when the header is installed, the installation force is absorbed by the outer shell and there is no installation force or torque exhibited by the inner “H” section which will respond only to stress due to pressure. The torque isolating shell also contains a top surface which has a counterbore that accommodates a crush ring. When the unit is installed, the crush ring is crushed against an installation wall to enable the inner header to receive pressure without experiencing significant installation force. |
| US08286494B2 |
Monitoring of blade frequencies of a wind turbine
One or more bolt gauges each with a built-in load cell are positioned on a blade bolt or a bearing bolt between a pitch bearing and a tightening means and tensioned by the securing means at the inside or the outside of a hub of a wind turbine. The bolt gauge then outputs a signal descending both from the tension from the bolt/securing means connection and the tension from the blade when the blade is vibrated due to wind forces and the rotation of the blade when the hub of the wind turbine is rotating. |
| US08286490B2 |
Array systems and related methods for structural health monitoring
Systems and related methods for structural health monitoring are provided. In this regard, a representative array system includes: a component to be monitored; and an array system mounted to the component, the array system has multiple array components exhibiting spatial periodicity, the array components being operative to produce waves with frequency dependent directional characteristics, which propagate through the component, responsive to simultaneous activation of the array components. |
| US08286485B2 |
Gravimeter launch mechanism
A gravimeter that utilizes an electromagnetic launcher for enabling a free-fall of a test mass is disclosed. The electromagnetic launcher propels the test mass upward such that the test mass begins to free-fall once it has reached the apex of its flight. In addition, in some embodiments, the test mass comprises only non-ferromagnetic materials so that the free-fall of the test mass is unperturbed by magnetically induced influences. |
| US08286479B2 |
Motorless speed control pipeline apparatus and method
A pipeline apparatus has a body configured to fit inside a pipeline. A flow channel is formed within the body and includes an inlet, an outlet, and a bypass channel connecting the inlet and the outlet, the inlet being configured to receive a portion of a fluid flowing through the pipeline, and the outlet being configured such that the fluid flowing through the bypass channel flows out of the bypass channel through the outlet. A flow control valve is attached to the body and has a sleeve configured to move to vary a flow rate of the fluid flowing out of the outlet. A conduit is connected between the flow control valve and a back face of the body and configured to communicate a high pressure of the fluid to the flow control valve. |
| US08286478B2 |
Sensor bridge with thermally isolating apertures
A sensor having a sensor bridge supported above a substrate is disclosed. A number of thermally isolating apertures are provided in the sensor bridge to help increase the thermal isolation of the sensor bridge from the substrate. In one illustrative embodiment, a heater element, an upstream sensor element, and/or a downstream sensor element are provided on the sensor bridge. A plurality of apertures may extend through the sensor bridge to thermally isolate the heater element, the upstream and/or downstream sensor element from the substrate and/or from each other. In one illustrative embodiment, the plurality of apertures may be provided at spaced locations adjacent a first lateral side of the sensor bridge, adjacent the second lateral side of the sensor bridge, between the heater element and the upstream sensor element, and/or between the heater element and the downstream sensor element. In some cases, the plurality of apertures may be substantially round, oval, rectangular and/or any other suitable shape. |
| US08286469B2 |
Insert molded electrical contact
A sensor arrangement has a sensor element. A contact element is in electrical contact on the one hand with the sensor element and on the other with contact pins. The contact element is insert moulded with a plastic body. Affixing positions to which the contact element has been affixed, and on which the contact element is exposed respectively have one collar made of plastic material which runs around the exposed areas of the contact element. A sensor arrangement results for which the cost of manufacture is lower than that of the prior art, while the same security against unwanted electrostatic discharging or against the formation of an unwanted short circuit remains. |
| US08286468B2 |
Cylindrical internal surface processing apparatus
A cylindrical internal surface processing apparatus has an internal diameter measuring device and a controller. The internal diameter measuring device measures an internal diameter of an internal cylindrical bore formed in a base member to obtain a measurement result of the internal diameter of the internal cylindrical bore. The controller includes a surface roughening control section and a quality determining section. The surface roughening control section controls operation of a surface roughening equipment to form a rough surface section and an internal diameter measuring surface section on the internal cylindrical bore. The internal diameter measuring surface section is smoother than the rough surface section. The quality determining section determines if the rough surface section is acceptable to allow a subsequent thermally sprayed coating to be applied on the rough surface section based on the internal diameter measurement result at the internal diameter measuring surface section of the internal cylindrical bore. |
| US08286466B2 |
Method and apparatus for making a water cut determination using a sequestered liquid-continuous stream
An apparatus and method for determining the water cut value of a multiphase fluid flowing within a pipe is provided. The device includes a sequestering structure disposed within the pipe, a transmitting device, a receiving device, and a processing device. The sequestering structure at least partially defines a sensing passage within the pipe, which passage has a gap extending substantially normal to a direction of fluid flow within the pipe. The sensing passage is oriented to sequester an amount of a liquid component of the multi-phase fluid sufficient to form a continuous liquid body extending across the gap of the sensing passage. The transmitting device is operable to transmit a signal through the liquid across the gap of the sensing passage. The receiving device is operable to receive the signal after it has traversed the liquid within the sensing passage, and create sensor data. The processing device is in communication with at least the receiving device to receive and process the sensor data to determine the water cut value of the liquid. |
| US08286462B2 |
Method for diagnosing the reliability performance of a jump probe
In a change from a lean to a rich exhaust gas mixture, a characteristic behavior appears in a short time interval in the vicinity of the lambda jump of an upstream catalytic converter lambda probe in the signal characteristic which is measured by a downstream catalytic converter lambda probe. From the signals in small intervals, around the instant of changing, the reliability performance of the downstream lambda probe can be deduced without the actual probe jump in curves of the voltage characteristics having to be considered. |
| US08286460B2 |
Process and apparatus to make an edge or a collar featuring a complex structure on metal rough pieces
A process and apparatus to make an edge or a collar featuring a complex structure on extruded, deep-drawn and deep-drawn/wire-drawn metal rough pieces with which bottles for the beverage and food sector or for technical use are particularly obtained, suitable for the application of a closing cap and fit to use on a tapering machine. The process includes a starting operating stage to deform an upper end portion of a metal holder by turning it outwardly so as to obtain an edge or a collar with a basically circular section, one or more intermediate operating stages to deform the edge or collar by squeezing in the radial direction and stretching towards the bottom of the metal holder, a final operating deformation stage to obtain an edge or collar with a complex ovoidal profile for the application of at least two caps of different types. |
| US08286454B2 |
Reversible locking device for merchandise display hooks
A locking device for a merchandise display hook has an upper rod disposed along a longitudinal axis and a lower rod disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and the upper rod. The locking device includes a housing having a vertical slot adapted to receive the upper rod and the lower rod of the display hook. A bayonet is movable between a locked position in which a portion of the bayonet extends into the slot and restricts movement of at least one of the upper rod and the lower rod within the slot, and an unlocked position in which the bayonet does not extend into the slot and thereby permits movement of the upper rod and the lower rod within the slot. An elongate nose depending outwardly from the housing defines a channel that intersects the slot of the housing and receives the upper rod of the display hook with the upper rod and the lower rod disposed within the slot. |
| US08286452B2 |
Modular laundry system with segmented work surface
A modular laundry system comprises at least two horizontally arranged laundry appliances, and a worksurface formed by multiple interconnected pieces laterally connected to each other, wherein the worksurface is mountable to the laundry appliances to span a gap between the laundry appliances and form a continuation surface above the discontinuous upper surface collectively defined by the laundry appliances. |
| US08286450B2 |
Polarization controlling optical fiber preform and preform fabrication methods
Methods to fabricate an optical preform for draw into Polarization Maintaining (PM) or Polarizing (PZ) optical fiber are provided. The methods involve assembly of pre-shaped and pieced together bulk glass elements into preforms (“assembled preforms”) for simultaneous fusing and drawing into optical fiber. These preforms form a stress-induced birefringent optical core when drawn to fiber. |
| US08286447B2 |
Method for producing quartz glass crucible
A method of producing a quartz glass crucible by arc melting a quartz powder molded product loaded on the inner side of a mold while performing vacuum suction, includes initiating the melting of quartz powder from the rim edge of a quartz powder molded product, subsequently lowering the arc electrode or raising the mold to heat and melt the sections on the downside of the rim edge. The method is preferably carried out such that the inner surface of the crucible is sealed within a time corresponding to 10% of the total arc time starting from the initiation of arc melting, and the seal thickness is 3 mm or less. The quartz glass crucible thus produced is useful for the pulling up of silicon single crystals and has a uniform glass layer with fewer internal bubbles. |
| US08286442B2 |
Data center with low power usage effectiveness
A system for providing cooled air to electronic equipment includes a data center having electronic equipment in operation, a plurality of on-floor cooling units, and a cooling water source. The on-floor cooling units cool air warmed by the electronic equipment. The cooling water source is configured to supply cooling water that reduces a temperature of the on-floor cooling units. The power usage effectiveness (“PUE”) of the system is less than 1.3, wherein the PUE is defined by energy used to operate the data center divided by energy used to run the electronic equipment. |
| US08286441B2 |
System for collecting and delivering solar and geothermal heat energy with thermoelectric generator
The system for collecting and delivering heat energy with modular heating and cooling apparatus includes of at least one collecting body (20) of belt (94) or plate (95) construction with lateral tubing connection (31) installed within the exterior of the house (1) within the soil trench (3), where the lay-out of axes (98) of more than one soil trench (3) is radial and/or the lay-out of the axes (98) of the trenches (3) is parallel and/or trapezoidal, the system for collecting heat energy also includes the module of controlled ventilation of the house with a soil-air exchanger (19), a module for collecting of solar radiation by collectors (6, 63, 7, 60), where the system for collecting and delivering heat energy includes at least one heat transfer body (70) of a belt (94) or plate (95) construction with lateral tubing connection (69) installed within the interior of the house (1) on the surface of the walls, ceiling, floors and/or within the sub-surface construction, where the equipment (2) is located outside and the equipment (23) is located within the interior of the house (1) and where the heat energy of at least one condenser (100) and/or at least one evaporator (99) of modular heating and cooling apparatus is used for the production of electricity in the electric generator module on top of the heating and cooling functions. |
| US08286432B2 |
Electric power generating turbine engine fuel supply system
A turbine engine fuel supply system includes a priority flow line, a plurality of secondary fuel loads, a fluid-powered metering pump, a mechanically-driven fuel pump, and an electric machine. The fluid-powered metering pump, upon receiving fuel at its fuel inlet, rotates at a rotational speed, discharges the fuel from its fuel outlet at a flow rate dependent on the rotational speed, and supplies a first drive torque. The mechanically-driven fuel pump receives a second drive torque and, in response, draws fuel into its fuel inlet and discharges the fuel from its outlet to the fluid-powered metering pump fuel inlet to drive the fluid-powered metering fuel pump. The electric machine receives the first drive torque from the fluid-powered metering pump and generates electrical power. |
| US08286428B2 |
Inlet system for an engine
An apparatus for improving the performance of a radial compressor 36 forming part of an inlet system of an engine 10 is disclosed in which the configuration and positioning of a flow management device 137 used to generate pre-whirl is optimized so as to produce a pressure drop below a maximum acceptable level. An inlet duct ‘I’ connected to the radial compressor 36 has a tapered end portion so that a flow management device 137 of a larger diameter d2 can be accommodated than the diameter d1 of an inlet port ‘IP’ to the radial compressor 36. |
| US08286426B2 |
Digital hydraulic system
A control system for a work machine having a hydraulic energy source, a hydraulic accumulator, a digital hydraulic system having a digital hydraulic transformer, a hydraulic actuator and a movable element. The hydraulic accumulator being fluidically couplable with the hydraulic energy source. The digital hydraulic system including a digital hydraulic transformer fluidically couplable with the hydraulic accumulator. The hydraulic actuator being fluidically couplable with the digital hydraulic transformer. The movable element being movable by the hydraulic actuator. The control system including means to estimate at least one of potential energy and kinetic energy in the movable element; means to measure a fill level of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic accumulator; and means to vary the amount of hydraulic energy added to the hydraulic accumulator by the hydraulic energy source responsive to the potential energy, the kinetic energy and/or the fill level of the hydraulic accumulator. |
| US08286422B2 |
Apparatus for cooling overheated gas in engine room
An apparatus for cooling overheated gas generated from a diesel particulate filter which is connected between a diesel engine and an exhaust pipe of the diesel engine is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tail pipe for discharging outwardly the overheated gas discharged from the diesel particulate filter, a cooling fan, provided at one side of an engine room, for generating an air stream by sucking ambient air, and a diffuser enclosing an outer circumference of the tail pipe in such a way a space is formed between the diffuser and the tail pipe to prevent the diffuser from directly contacting the tail pipe. The engine room is provided with a through-hole penetrating one side of the engine room, and the tail pipe has one end connected to the diesel particulate filter, and the other end extended outwardly from the engine room through the through-hole. |
| US08286416B2 |
Valve system for a gas turbine engine
A valve system intermediate a secondary flow path and a primary flow path to selectively communicate secondary airflow into the primary gas flow path and control airflow injected from a higher pressure plenum into a lower pressure flowpath. |
| US08286407B2 |
Coated polyamide film for bagging products with extended shelf life
The present invention relates to a single-layer polymer film, intended to be used for packaging articles having an extended shelf life, said film being composed of a cast polyamide sheet, covered, on one of its faces, with a heat-sealable coating, comprising polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and/or polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), so that said film has an average permeability between 35 g/m2/24 hours and 110 g/m2/24 hours. It also relates to a process for producing said film. It additionally relates to a pouch obtained from said film, said pouch being particularly suitable for packaging articles having an extended shelf life, especially microorganism culture media in dishes. |
| US08286406B2 |
Induction sealing device for producing pourable food packages
An induction sealing device for producing packaged pourable food products from heat-seal sheet packaging material. The sealing device has a signal source, an inductor, and an impedance matching circuit connected between the signal source and the inductor. The impedance matching circuit has: two input terminals; a first and second line connected to the input terminals; a variable-capacitance stage having capacitive modules each made up of a capacitive element and a controlled switch; and a control stage to control the controlled switches. Each controlled switch includes: input terminals receiving a respective control signal from the control stage, with one input terminal of each controlled switch connected to the second line; a single two-way controlled switching element having a control terminal connected to the other input terminal of the controlled switch; a first current-conducting terminal connected to the first line, and a second current-conducting terminal connected to the second line. |
| US08286405B1 |
Fire and impact resistant window and building structures
The invention relates to fire and impact resistant windows and building structures which contain a window composed of a specific order of layers containing a novel fire resistant layer. The invention further pertains to coating compositions for use with structures containing the windows. |
| US08286403B2 |
Finishing set for a floor covering and holder, as well as finishing profile, for a finishing set, and method for manufacturing a finishing profile and a skirting board
Finishing set for a floor covering, whereby this finishing set at least consists of, on the one hand, a finishing profile and, on the other hand, a holder with at least an attachment portion for attaching said finishing profile at the holder, characterized in that the holder comprises an underlay portion, which at choice can or cannot be provided underneath the remaining portion of the holder, as well as a stop-forming positioning portion. |
| US08286402B2 |
System of interlocking building blocks
A system of interlocking building blocks includes one or more building blocks having a generally right triangular planform, a generally rectangular elevation form, and a periphery generally defined by respective generally rectangular side panels. Each building block has alternating male and female fastener elements arrayed generally around the periphery. The male fastener elements on opposed edges of the same generally rectangular side panel are offset generally diagonally from one another. Each male fastener element is aligned generally normally with a female fastener element on an opposed edge of the same generally rectangular side panel. The building blocks may be formed by folding single flat sheets, and may be made from cardboard, plastic, metal or other conventional materials. Each building block may be coated or filled with structurally reinforcing or insulative material. Two interlocked building blocks may be geometrically distinctive in a manner which optimizes the system for simplified and efficient construction of walled and roofed structures. |
| US08286401B2 |
Demountable paneling system
A demountable and remountable wall assembly for partitioning room space between an overhead and a floor, the major elements of which are reusable. The assembly provides one or two walls, at lease one of which has an outer fastener-free surface. Additionally, the fastener-free surface may be made substantially smooth and seamless. The walls are arranged in planar congruence, separated by internal spacers or studs, and vertically positioned between the overhead and floor of the room space to be partitioned. Removable tracks or spacers at the top and bottom of the wall assembly serves to interface the wall assembly with the floor and ceiling of the space. The walls are constructed of either finished or unfinished wall panels (e.g., fabric covered or sheet rock panels) which are incorporated into the assembly using a combination of removable fasteners and releasable adhesives. The finished or exposed area of a wall surface includes no fasteners. Any fasteners used to fix a wall panel in place is covered by a removable trim or other removable feature, which make the fasteners readily exposable and easy to remove. |
| US08286400B1 |
Self cooling panel
A self cooling panel having a longitudinally inner wall; a longitudinally outer wall having a first plurality of “J” plates, each plate among the first plurality of “J” plates having a stem section, an upper end, a lateral end, and an oppositely lateral end, and a vertically ported tail section; first screw and eye combinations interconnecting each plate among the first plurality of “J” plates so that the upper end of each plate's stem section is positioned at the distal end of the tail section of one of the other plates among the first plurality of “J” plates, or so that the distal end of each plate's tail section is positioned at the upper end of the stem section of one of the other plates among the first plurality of “J” plate; and second screw and eye combinations interconnecting the longitudinally inner and outer walls, the second screw and eye combinations positioning the upper end of the stem section of each plate among the first plurality of “J” plates longitudinally outwardly from the panel's longitudinally inner wall. |
| US08286391B2 |
Portable building
This invention reveals a type of portable building, which includes a box which forms the main body of the building, the box being cubic in shape, at least one movable top plate that forms the roof of the building, one side of such movable top plate connecting to and pivoting on one side of the top panel of the box, and such top plate rotating around the pivot downwards to lean against the side panel of the box, at least one movable bottom panel that is provided for the bottom panel of the building, one side of the movable bottom panel connecting to and pivoting on one side of the bottom panel, and such bottom panel rotating around the pivot downwards to lean against the side panel of the box, the pivots of the bottom panel and the top plate are located on the same side panel of the box, at least one side plate is provided for the side wall of the building, the side plate that supports between the edge of the bottom plate and the edge of the top plate being vertical and knock-down. The building becomes a standard shipping container when it has been folded which adapts to land and sea transport and so is readily transported. |
| US08286390B2 |
Removable downspout for a gutter system
A removable downspout system for use with conventional gutter systems includes a spout mated with a gutter of the gutter system, a box mated with a downspout for the gutter system, and components for removably mating the downspout fitted with the box to the gutter fitted with the spout. The spout and the box mate with one another, as nested structures, to prevent leakage at the junction between the spout and the box. A base is provided for attaching the downspout to the receiving structure, and a clip cooperates with the base for removably retaining the downspout to the base. As an alternative, a support structure is provided for mating the downspout with an underground system of pipe, and is fitted over the entrance to the underground system of pipe. A clamp is also provided for attaching the downspout to the receiving structure, in cooperation with a clip for removably retaining the downspout to the clamp. |
| US08286384B2 |
Ballistic range compensation for projectile weapon aiming based on ammunition classification
A method for aiming a projectile weapon may utilize an aiming device having a primary aiming mark adapted to be sighted-in at a first selected range and one or more secondary aiming marks spaced below the primary aiming mark, and includes identifying, from at least two different groups of projectiles, a projectile group corresponding to a selected projectile. An aiming adjustment for the projectile weapon is determined and effected based on the range to the target and the nominal ballistic characteristics of the identified projectile group corresponding to the selected projectile. Other methods of aiming include identifying one projectile group from two or more predetermined projectile groups based on a selected projectile. Each predetermined projectile group preferably includes two or more different projectiles, preferably of different calibers, and a projectile having ballistic characteristics that are approximately median for each such projectile group. |
| US08286377B2 |
Dynamic display signage system
The present invention relates to a dynamic display signage system comprising a supporting means, a substantially pliable display panel being secured in a substantially vertical manner on said supporting means, and a primary drive means to allow the upward and downward vertical displacement of said display panel along said supporting means, characterized in that said display panel being provided with a secondary drive means operatively connected at the lower portion thereof, said secondary drive means having an independent motion with respect to said primary drive means to allow a consequent independent motion of said display panel at a pre-selected tension in order to maintain the consistent viewable surface integrity of the said display panel as it is vertically displaced. |
| US08286376B2 |
Tray-tag
A tray-tag that can be mounted on a tray and display information about items on the tray is provided. A tray-tag of the present invention includes a face plate having front and back surfaces. The front surface of the face plate is adapted to have indicia thereon that display information about the items on the tray. The tray-tag also includes a mounting assembly capable of selectively and securely coupling the tray-tag to a tray. The mounting assembly includes an engagement flap and first and second support tabs. The engagement flap and the support tabs securely couple the tray-tag to the tray. The engagement flap extends over a rim of the tray, while the support tabs extend underneath the rim to couple the tray-tag to the tray. Additionally, the support tabs maintain the face plate in a generally vertical orientation. |
| US08286375B2 |
Drag head of a trailing suction hopper dredger and method for dredging using this drag head
A drag head of a trailing suction hopper dredger. The drag head comprises a rotatable visor connected to a suction pipe for discharging soil via the suction opening of the visor, wherein the visor is provided with a catching construction for undesirable objects. The catching construction closes the suction opening except for passage openings, wherein at least a number of passage openings have a variable passage area. A method for breaking up and/or dredging at least partially hard grounds under water using a trailing suction hopper dredger equipped with a drag head. |
| US08286374B2 |
Plow systems for non-highway vehicles
Non-highway vehicle plowing systems are described. The plowing system includes a mount assembly having a lower mount bracket, a plow mount bracket, an upper mount bracket, and an actuator bracket. The lower mount bracket is attached to the non-highway vehicle and the plow mount bracket is pivotably connected to the lower mounting bracket. The upper mount bracket is also secured to the non-highway vehicle and is constructed to engage the actuator bracket at a plurality of positions thereby allowing the plow mount assembly to be operable with a plurality of non-highway vehicles. The systems provide advantages in that the systems are not vehicle specific and are adaptable to different vehicle structures. |
| US08286371B2 |
Article of footwear with cleat members
An article of footwear including three cleat member sets is disclosed. A first cleat member set is tuned to provide maximum traction on soft natural grass. A second cleat member set is tuned to provide maximum traction on firm natural grass. A third cleat member set is tuned to provide maximum traction on artificial turf. The sizes, material properties and arrangement of each cleat member set is varied. |
| US08286370B2 |
Waterproof vapor-permeable shoe
A waterproof vapor-permeable shoe, including an upper part that delimits a foot insertion region; a sole, made mainly of plastic material, provided with at least one region which is diffusely perforated with through holes in the direction of a walking surface; a vapor-permeable or perforated flat element, rigidly coupled to the lower part of the sole on which the tread of the sole is formed or rigidly coupled, the flat element adapted to limit the formation of hollows in the foot insertion region at the projection of the holes of the diffusely perforated region; and a waterproof vapor-permeable membrane associated with the upper part and/or with the sole; the membrane being arranged above the flat element so as to be superimposed on the diffusely perforated region. |
| US08286368B2 |
Method and apparatus for rationalizing the allocation of heat energy generated from catalytic combustion process for enameling machine
A method and apparatus for rationalizing the allocation of the heat energy generated from catalytic combustion process for enameling machines wherein a circulating fan is installed above the oven body in a position close to its middle portion; above the front area of the oven body is an organic waste-gas inlet and above which is a primary catalytic chamber. A hot-air allocation chamber is located on the side of the said primary catalytic chamber. The said circulating fan connects the said primary catalytic chamber and the hot-air allocation chamber, delivering the circulating hot air resulting from catalytic combustion into the hot-air allocation chamber which is further connected to the front area, middle area and back area of the oven body via the front air flue, middle air flue and back air flue. With rationalized distribution of heat energy, this invention accelerates the baking speed, thereby improving productivity by 20%. By ensuring effective collection of the waste gas for secondary catalytic combustion and the repeatedly primary catalytic combustion of the circulating hot air, the emission is lowered to 50 mg/m3. Moreover, this invention utilizes the heat energy produced from catalytic combustion process for baking purpose, which helps save power consumption by 50%. |
| US08286367B2 |
System and method for continuous drying of wood pieces
A system for continuous (re-)drying of wood pieces. A conveyor arrangement receives and carries the wood pieces in file following a course. A moisture content of each wood piece travelling on the conveyor arrangement is measured during the course. The wood pieces whose measured moisture content are above a target content are diverted towards a drying equipment, in particular by high-frequency, whereas the other wood pieces continue their course on the conveyor arrangement. The drying equipment removes a moisture portion from the diverted wood pieces. The moisture contents of the processed wood pieces are again measured. The pieces whose moisture content dropped below the target content are routed towards the conveyor arrangement whereas the other pieces are routed in the drying equipment for a re-drying. |
| US08286365B2 |
Cooling apparatus and method for cooling objects from a coating device
A cooling apparatus for cooling objects from a painting device is disclosed. The cooling apparatus comprises a housing enclosing a cooling zone, a transport device for transporting workpieces through the cooling apparatus along a transport direction from an entry region through the cooling zone and through an exit region. A heat exchanger is configured for cooling air from the cooling zone and to redirect cooled air into the cooling zone. |
| US08286364B2 |
Liquid storage container and clothes dryer having the same
Disclosed are a liquid storage container and a clothes dryer having the same. The liquid storage container comprises: a reservoir installed at a clothes dryer, and configured to store liquid therein; a floating member floating on the liquid, and disposed on the reservoir with a rotation angle variable according to level change of the liquid inside the reservoir; and display means configured to display information corresponding to the rotation angle of the floating member. The rotation angle of the floating member may vary according to a remaining amount of the liquid. And, the remaining amount of the liquid may be informed to a user through the display means. Accordingly, the user may easily check the remaining amount of the liquid without checking the inside of the liquid storage container. |
| US08286361B2 |
Apparatus for checking diametral dimensions of a cylindrical part in orbital motion in a numerical control grinding machine
An apparatus for checking the diameter of crankpins (18) of a crankshaft (34) in the course of the machining in a grinding machine comprises a first arm (9) rotating with respect to a support (5) arranged on the grinding-wheel slide (1) of the grinding machine, a second arm (12) rotating with respect to the first, a reference device (20) carried by the second arm and a measuring device (16, 17, 40-45) associated with a reference device. A guide device (21), fixed to the reference device (20), enables the apparatus to engage a crankpin, in the course of the orbital motion of the crankpin, and limit the displacements of the first arm and those of the second arm when a control device (28-30) displaces the apparatus to a rest position. |
| US08286360B1 |
Tool assembly
A tool assembly that includes a tool, which has a frame and a pair of suction cups. Each suction cup has a cup housing and a cup structure. The cup housing is coupled to the frame. The cup structure is at least partly received in the cup housing. At least one of the cup structures is rotatable relative to the frame. A method for releasably securing a tool assembly to a wall is also provided. |
| US08286358B2 |
Portable cutting tool
The portable cutting tool includes a housing that rotatably supports a cutting blade, a base to be connected with the housing and having an opening through which the cutting blade is protrudable, and a protrusion amount changing mechanism. The protrusion amount changing mechanism has a link part extending from the base, and a fixing part which is provided at the housing, comes to a fixed state with respect to the link part when moved in one direction in a direction orthogonal to a rotational shaft of the cutting blade, and comes to a moving state to be movable with respect to the link part when moved in an other direction in the direction orthogonal to the rotational shaft, whereby a protrusion amount of the cutting blade from the second side of the opening is changed as the fixing part is moved with respect to the link part. |
| US08286356B1 |
Knife with folding guard
A guard for a folding knife which guard protects the fingers of the user when the blade is open. The guards may be lifted by the movement of the blade by a link, spring, lifting pin, gears, underside of the blade or hooked by thumb stud or back of blade or by a flipping motion due to the contour of the handles. The guards may be of various shapes and may be recessed in an out-of-the-way position when the blade is closed. The guards may extend at opposite sides of the blade and opposite sides of the handle. The guards are adaptable to a wide variety of folding knife styles. |
| US08286353B2 |
Method of manufacturing the outer retainer of a one way clutch that includes windows, by placing the outer retainer into a die and punching out slits in the outer retainer using a thin punch
A method of manufacturing an outer retainer for a one-way clutch having an outward flange at one side edge thereof involves punching out a part of an annular portion having the outward flange by sliding a punch toward an axis of the outer retainer substantially in an axially inner direction from a retainer outer periphery-sided curve portion of the outward flange to a retainer inner periphery-sided curve portion thereof in a way that uses a die and the punch. |
| US08286349B2 |
Component with a damping filler and method
A method of manufacturing an aerofoil for a gas turbine engine (10). The method comprises the steps of providing first and second panels (16, 18), providing a web (30) between the first and second panels, deforming the panels and the web by applying internal pressure between the panels so as to form a series of internal cavities partitioned by the web. The method further includes the step of either cutting the web (30) across its entire width or causing the web to fail across its entire width so as to define an aerofoil having first and second panels with at least one protrusion extending from the first panel partially across the space between the first and second panels. |
| US08286348B2 |
Method of manufacturing and refinishing integrally bladed rotors
A method of forming integrally bladed rotors for gas turbines is described. The method includes drilling in a workpiece material recesses defining flow passages and rotor blades, performing a coarse milling step to refine surfaces of the rotor blades, and filling the recesses between the rotor blades with a damping material, thus encasing the rotor blades in the damping material. The method further includes performing a finishing milling step to remove the damping material and the workpiece material on surfaces of the rotor blades, while maximizing a damping effect of the damping material on the rotor blades. To maximize the damping effect, the finishing milling tool moves along a path that preferentially mills one surface of a blade while the other surface is in contact with the damping material. |
| US08286347B2 |
Method for reducing vibration levels of a bladed wheel in a turbomachine
A method for reducing vibration levels in a turbomachine including at least a first and a second bladed wheel, due to aerodynamic perturbations that are produced by the second bladed wheel or an obstacle on the first bladed wheel is disclosed. The method includes: defining an initial configuration of the blades; calculating the synchronous forced response on the first bladed wheel as a function of the harmonic excitation force produced by the second bladed wheel expressed in the form of a linear function of the generalized aerodynamic force for the mode considered; determining a geometric tangential shift value θ for the stacked cross sections of one of the two wheels to reduce the corresponding term to the generalized aerodynamic force. The set of cross sections with the tangential shifts thus defines a new configuration of the blades of one of the two wheels. |
| US08286343B2 |
Method of manufacturing a wiring substrate
A method of manufacturing a wiring substrate includes forming a conducting layer on a first insulating layer including a first glass cloth; forming a photosensitive resist layer on the conducting layer; recognizing a first origin position on the first insulating layer; forming a mask on the resist layer by positioning the mask with respect to the first origin position, the mask being formed so as to position wiring patterns only on positions overlapping the first glass cloth in a planar view; and exposing the resist layer via the mask and forming the wiring patterns only on the positions overlapping the first glass cloth in the planar view. |
| US08286338B2 |
Process of manufacturing a medical use electrical lead
A process for manufacturing an electrical lead having one or more electrodes includes providing an elongate member having at least one polymeric region and further having at least one electrical conductor that extends along at least a part of a length of the elongate member and that is contained in a wall of the elongate member. A length of the at least one electrical conductor is accessed at the at least one polymeric region. An electrically conductive adhesive is applied to the length of the at least one electrical conductor that has been accessed. |
| US08286337B2 |
Mattress material removal device
A mattress material removal device for bedding mattresses comprising a fixed base member 15 in FIG. 4 with at least one side panel 4 and 5 in FIG. 1, at least one overhead portion 14 in FIG. 3 and at least one guide rail 2 in FIG. 1 adapted to secure and guide the mattress over the base member 15 as it moves through the removal device; at least one brush member 12 in FIG. 5 that makes contact with the top, bottom and side of the mattress; at least one suction member 6 in FIG. 5 positioned in close proximity to at least one brush member 12; at least one sprinkler device that is positioned in close proximity to the brush member 12; a conveyor mechanism 7 and 10 in FIG. 2 which is adapted to move the mattress so that it is in contact with the components of the removal device; a control device 16 in FIG. 5 that has at least one switch which is adapted to activate and de-activate one or more features of the mattress material removal device. |
| US08286334B2 |
Method of manufacturing pre-sliders for read write heads by annealing to saturation
Various embodiments of the present invention pertain to manufacturing pre-sliders by annealing to saturation. According to one embodiment, pre-sliders are lapped to prepare for air bearing surfaces for the pre-sliders. The pre-sliders are annealed to saturation to level off the amount of overcoat expansion for the pre-sliders. |
| US08286331B2 |
Method for manufacturing laminated core
A method for manufacturing a laminated core includes (1) blanking a rotor core sheet 15 and a stator core sheet 14 from a thin strip material 27 and (2) laminating the stator core sheet 14 inside a die. The stator core sheet 14 includes a ring-shaped yoke piece 18 and plural magnetic pole pieces 19 integrally connecting to a radially inside of the yoke piece 18. Each of the magnetic pole pieces 19 includes a magnetic pole shaft piece 20 and a magnetic pole tooth piece 21. The magnetic pole pieces 19 are formed by blanking preparatory slots 29; coining a part or a whole of the magnetic pole shaft pieces 20 to elongate the same in a radially inward direction; and thereafter, blanking the finishing slots 30 and shaping the magnetic pole tooth pieces 21. |
| US08286330B2 |
Method of producing a vibrating body for a vibration wave drive device
Provided is a method of producing a vibrating body for a vibration wave drive device using a vibrator in which an electromechanical energy conversion element is joined to a vibrating body having a plurality of protruding portions, the method including a first step and a second step. In the first step, an elastic material having a plurality of protruding portions is produced. In the second step, a pressure in a direction opposite to a protruding direction of the protruding portions of the elastic material is applied to press at least parts of the protruding portions to reduce slits between the protruding portions adjacent to each other. |
| US08286327B2 |
Method for manufacturing radio frequency device
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing an RF device. The method comprises the steps of (a) forming a metal sheet where interior structure of the RF device is formed; (b) attaching a plastic material housing to the formed metal sheet; and (c) performing silver plating on the RF device on which the plastic material housing is attached. |
| US08286326B2 |
Method of manufacturing core, method of manufacturing trim, and core manufactured by the same
A method of manufacturing an elongated core which is buried in an elongated trim. The method includes, forming slits to a metal plate, which extend in a second direction, at predetermined intervals in a first direction so as to form core pieces between the adjacent slits; and rolling a portion of the metal plate in which the slits are not formed in the second direction to form a rolled portion extending in the first direction, and expanding the slits in the first direction to form spaces, thereby preparing a primary core in which the core pieces and the spaces are alternately provided in the first direction. Additionally, the method includes, supplying the primary core to between a pair of deformed portion forming rollers engaged with each other such that reinforcing defaulted portions extending in the second direction are repetitively formed in the first direction. |
| US08286317B2 |
Clutching jig
A clutching jig adapted for separating a lens component from a lens socket. The clutching jig has a main body, two protecting blocks and two clutching arms. Each of the clutching arms has a fixing plate and a holding portion connected with the fixing plate. Two opposite sides of the holding portion extend perpendicularly to form a pair of opposite stabilizing wings. The clutching arms are mounted on the main body by the fixing plates thereof fixed on two opposite sides of the main body. The holding portions face to and space away from each other under the main body. The two protecting blocks are made from resilient material and respectively adhered on two inner sides of the holding portions. A receiving space is formed among the protecting blocks and the two pairs of the stabilizing wings. |
| US08286312B2 |
Buckle
A buckle has plug and socket members which are detachably coupled to each other. The plug member having a base part, a pair of lock arms which project from the base part to be elastically coupled to the socket member, a guide rod which projects from the base part between the pair of lock arms, and bridges which extend from the base part inside the pair of lock arms and are connected to distal ends or middle portions of inner surfaces of the lock arms. The socket member have a chamber which is defined by an upper plate, a lower plate and sidewalls connecting the upper and lower plates and is open at a distal end thereof to receive the pair of lock arms and the guide rod, and engagement parts which are formed outside the chamber to allow distal end portions of the lock arms to be engaged therewith. |
| US08286310B1 |
Pad stay
An elevator pad securing system that is suited for residential and commercial building use; respectfully including a plastic disk with a channeled groove, rivet hole and the hook portion of Velcro, an offset coupling attached to plastic disk with a rivet then a small length of ball chain with one end attached onto the offset coupling on the plastic disk with the opposite end of the ball chain attached to the offset coupling attached to the top edge of the elevator pad and a defined dimension of the loop portion of Velcro attached to the upper back portion of the elevator pad. |
| US08286304B2 |
Device to facilitate moving a curtain with loops
A device to facilitate moving a curtain with loops along a pole includes at least two sliding elements to be fixed to at least one loop, each element having a face for fixing to the loop which is at least partly covered with an adhesive, the elements being kept a predefined distance apart by detachable and/or flexible holding means, at least before they are put on the loop. |
| US08286299B2 |
Handheld canister vacuum cleaner
A handheld canister vacuum cleaner device includes a canister assembly with a canister having a hollow interior and a suction-producing subassembly mounted on the canister that sucks air from the hollow interior. An attachment-coupling component is provided on the canister that serves to hold a vacuuming attachment on the canister while coupling the vacuuming attachment in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the canister. The attachment-coupling component holds the vacuuming attachment pivotally so that a user can pivot the vacuuming attachment relative to the canister to multiple user-selected angles for operating convenience. Preferably, the attachment-coupling component includes a ball-and-socket arrangement that includes a ball-shaped portion of the attachment-coupling component held pivotally by a socket-shaped component on the canister so that the user can pivot the attachment-coupling component to and lock it in place at a desired one of multiple pivotal positions. |
| US08286289B2 |
Use of adsorbents for the purification of dry cleaning solvents
The present invention refers to the use of an adsorbent comprising particles comprising an amorphous phase and a crystalline phase for the purification of dry cleaning solvents. The present invention furthermore relates to a filter unit containing such an adsorbent. It also refers to a dry cleaner containing a filter according to the invention. Additionally, the present invention refers to a process for dry cleaning textiles, wherein an adsorbent according to the invention is used. |
| US08286288B2 |
Method of indicating operational information for a bulk dispensing system
A method of determining the number of doses and the types of a treating chemistry available in the bulk dispensing system, and providing an indication of the determination on a user interface. |
| US08286286B2 |
Prayer cushion for use during Islamic ritual prayers
A prayer cushion for use during Islamic ritual prayers to reduce pain and black marks on an individual's knees and ankles comprises a generally rectangular pad of hollow polyester fibers with a soft cotton layer on top of the hollow polyester fibers. The pad has a width of about 50 cm, a length of 25 to about 50 cm and an thickness of about 14 cm. The pad also defines two relatively short longitudinally extending floor engaging channels extending from a rear edge of the cushion and is adapted to receive a portion of an individual's foot therein. The channels also have a height of about 8 cm and width of about 12 cm and extend for a length that will accommodate a portion of an individual's foot. |
| US08286285B2 |
Orthopedic support pillow
The orthopedic support pillow is for use by a patient having a retained arm while the patient is lying in a generally prone position sideways on a resting surface. The orthopedic support pillow comprises two side surfaces, the two side surfaces opposing each other, and a bracing surface. The second side surface accommodates the retained arm of the patient and is at least as wide as the ailing forearm of the patient. The bracing surface is disposed between the two side surfaces, and has a generally concave shape. The abdominal section of the patient abuts against the bracing surface of the orthopedic support pillow when the patient is lying in the prone position sideways. The orthopedic support pillow provides stability and support to the retained arm in an elevated position while the patient is in the generally prone position on the resting surface. The orthopedic support pillow includes a strap or pocket positioned for retaining the hand of retained arm of the patient. The orthopedic support pillow is either made of a resilient foam material, or has an inflatable pillow body with an interior that is adapted to be filled with air inflate the pillow body, enabling firmness of the orthopedic support pillow to be adjusted for comfort by each patient. |
| US08286278B2 |
Spa apparatus
Methods are disclosed for making a base of a spa apparatus to resemble artificial rocks and wood. In one embodiment, the method is comprised of the following steps: making a mold in which its inner surface has the shape and surface texture of a rock or wood; placing a first structure on the inner surface of the mold, the first structure being operative to prevent warping of the base; spraying polymer on the mold; allowing the polymer to harden; and removing the hardened polymer from the mold, the hardened polymer having substantially the shape and surface texture of rock or wood. |
| US08286274B1 |
Restroom aid
A restroom aid is disclosed for providing comfortable support for disabled, handicapped, elderly, or ill persons who require assistance using the restroom facilities. The restroom aid creates a sturdy frame around the toilet with aids for sitting, standing, and supporting the user's arms and head. The restroom aid can assemble and disassemble quickly using a quick-release mechanism. Furthermore, the restroom aid is easily adjustable to fit users and restroom facilities of different sizes. |
| US08286273B1 |
Toilet foot flushing apparatus
The toilet foot flushing apparatus quickly converts a hand-flushed toilet to a foot-flushed toilet, without the need of tools. The included lever of the apparatus replaces the existing toilet lever, by hand. The pedal is about 1 foot in length, thereby providing sufficient leverage to the lever via the cable. The lever is attached to flush mechanism on the exterior of an existing toilet reservoir. The spring-loaded pedal returns to a position slightly above the base when released, thereby releasing lever pressure. The geared pedal to base action provides sturdy long-lived flush function. The apparatus does not require any form of floor invasion, as the base need not be mounted to the floor. The cable retainer provides length adjustment for the cable so that a plurality of toilet reservoirs and flush mechanisms can be successfully converted to foot flush. |
| US08286272B2 |
Toilet seat and toilet equipped therewith
In a toilet seat having suctioning of air from the toilet bowl, an advantageous air flow is achieved in the toilet seat by means of the arrangement of elongated suction ports on both sides of the longitudinal center line of the seat. |
| US08286265B2 |
Illuminated hat configured for throwing
A article of clothing suitable for providing protection from the elements and wearable on the head having means of securing and directing illuminants whereby providing its user safety in low light. The article of clothing is further configured to be airborne providing its user with entertainment such as a light show and exercise both day and night. |
| US08286264B2 |
Ambidextrous glove
An ambidextrous glove that includes a thumb region, an index finger region, a middle finger region, a ring finger region and little finger region all aligned along a common axis. The index finger region is rotated through ninety degrees relative to the orientations of all of the middle, ring and little finger regions to provide for easier insertion of a hand into the glove. A textured pattern is provided on the surfaces of the glove used to grip objects. The pattern is one of a raised fan shape and raised diamond shape. |
| US08286262B2 |
Garments
This application describes garments (2), for example swim suits or other sports or athletic garments, in which a plurality of panels (10-22 & 30-44) are laminated on the outer surface of a base layer (4) of stretchable elasticated fabric to offer (in the case of a swim suit) improved performance for competitive swimmers through a reduction in surface drag, a reduction in form drag and/or improved stability in the water. |
| US08291511B2 |
Apparatus and method for investigating biological systems and solid systems
Proposed is a procedure for carrying out a scanning probe microscopic or atomic force spectroscopic measurement within predetermined parameters, which said procedure encompasses the following steps: a determination of a value variance of at least one of the parameters, and control of an adjustment member in relation to said variance, so that the variance is at least partially compensated for. |
| US08291509B2 |
Searchable encryption for outsourcing data analytics
A method for performing data analytics on outsourced data may include generating, by a data owner, a binary tree representing data from the data owner, where each node of the binary tree is associated with an identity that represents a data element or an interval of data elements, computing, by the data owner, an identity token and encrypting the identity token for each of the identities in the binary tree, generating a range query token using an identity selected by a data analyst and a secret key input by the data owner and computing a decryption key for the selected identity, and analyzing the data, by the data analyst, by comparing the computed decryption key for the selected identity with each of the encrypted identities. |
| US08291506B2 |
Protecting configuration data in a network device
Configuration information for a network device may be associated with a protection state that may restrict the modification of portions of the configuration information that are set to the protected state. The network device may be configured using configuration information defined as a group of hierarchically arranged configuration statements. Permissions may be stored for the network device relating to users permitted to modify the configuration information. The permissions may include permission tags, or other information defining the protection state, associated with the configuration statements. Intended modifications to the configuration information may be processed based on whether the intended modifications affect configuration statements associated with one of the permission tags. |
| US08291504B2 |
Enforcing single stream per sign-on from a content delivery network (CDN) media server
A method for enforcing a media stream delivery restriction uses a stream control service (SCS). The SCS is implemented in a distributed network, such as a CDN, in which a given media stream is delivered to authorized end users from multiple delivery servers, but where an authorized end user is associated with a single log-in identifier that is not intended to be shared with other end users. According to the method, an enforcement server of the SCS identifies first and second copies of the given media stream associated with the single log-in identifier being delivered from multiple delivery servers. It then issues message to terminate delivery of the given media stream from at least one of the multiple delivery servers. |
| US08291503B2 |
Preloading modules for performance improvements
Described is a technology for preloading modules, such as modules that show clinical/medical data maintained at a service, so as to reduce a user's wait time to use a module. The modules for which a user is authenticated are preloaded according to a loading order that is based upon the user's historical usage data. If a user interacts to use a selected module that is not yet loaded, the selected module may be loaded immediately, independent of the order. A background thread preloads the modules according to the order. A normal thread loads the selected module, unless already being preloaded by the background thread; in either situation the loading thread's priority may be temporarily increased to expedite loading. The historical data may be in the form of weight values associated with the modules, with the weight values adjusted based upon module usage. |
| US08291502B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method, information recording medium, and computer program
An information processing apparatus includes a data processor configured to obtain first content stored in a first information recording medium and second content which is stored in a second information recording medium and which is usable together with the first content, and to perform content playback processing by using the first content and the second content. The data processor calculates a hash value of a certificate stored in the first information recording medium, and verifies the calculated hash value against a hash value stored in a content certificate corresponding to the first content, and on the condition that the calculated hash value and the hash value stored in the content certificate coincide with each other, the data processor performs the content playback processing by using the first content and the second content. |
| US08291501B2 |
Validation of protected intra-system interconnects for digital rights management in electrical computers and digital data processing systems
Embodiments for validating protected data paths for digital rights management of digital objects are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein may comprise processes or apparatus for transferring data from one or more peripherals to one or more computers or digital data processing systems for the latter to process, store, and/or further transfer and/or for transferring data from the computers or digital data processing systems to the peripherals. Some embodiments disclosed herein may comprise processes or apparatus for interconnecting or communicating between two or more components connected to an interconnection medium within a single computer or digital data processing system. |
| US08291500B1 |
Systems and methods for automated malware artifact retrieval and analysis
An automated malware analysis method is disclosed which can perform receiving a first universal resource locator identifying a first intermediate network node, accessing the first intermediate network node to retrieve a first malware artifact file, storing the malware artifact file in a data storage device, analyzing the malware artifact file to identify a second universal resource locator within the malware artifact file, and accessing a second intermediate network node to retrieve a second malware artifact file. |
| US08291495B1 |
Identifying applications for intrusion detection systems
An intrusion detection system (“IDS”) device is described that includes a flow analysis module to receive a first packet flow from a client and to receive a second packet flow from a server. The IDS includes a forwarding component to send the first packet flow to the server and the second packet flow to the client and a stateful inspection engine to apply one or more sets of patterns to the first packet flow to determine whether the first packet flow represents a network attack. The IDS also includes an application identification module to perform an initial identification of a type of software application and communication protocol associated with the first packet flow and to reevaluate the identification of the type of software application and protocol according to the second packet flow. The IDS may help eliminate false positive and false negative attack identifications. |
| US08291493B2 |
Windows registry modification verification
A method and system is provided by which unauthorized changes to the registry may be detected and that provides the capability to verify whether registry, or other system configuration data, changes that occur on a computer system are undesirable or related to possible malware attack before the changes become effective or are saved on the system. A method for verifying changes to system configuration data in a computer system includes generating an identifier representing an entry in the system configuration data, packaging the identifier, and sending the packaged identifier to a client for verification. The identifier may be generated by hashing the first portion of the entry and the second portion of the entry to generate the identifier, or by filtering the first portion of the entry and hashing the filtered first portion of the entry and the second portion of the entry to generate the identifier. |
| US08291491B2 |
Password system, method of generating a password, and method of checking a password
A password system includes a user interface, a password generating unit, and a password checking unit. The password generating unit generates a password including multiple frames, generates an integrity check code associated with the generated password, and scrambles the generated password and provides the scrambled password to the user interface. The password checking unit stores the integrity check code, frame number information and scramble information which are provided from the password generating unit, descrambles a scrambled password that is input from the user interface based on the stored scramble information, and authenticates the user interface by comparing an integrity check code generated from the descrambled password and the stored integrity check code. |
| US08291489B2 |
Method and apparatus for registering auto-configured network addresses based on connection authentication
A method and apparatus for registering auto-configured network addresses includes receiving first data at a networking device connected to a host at a physical connection. The first data is received from a first server and indicates authentication information associated with the host. A first message is received at the networking device from the host. The first message requests configuration information and includes a logical network address for the host determined at least in part by the host. A second message is generated based on the first message and the first data. The second message is sent to a second server that registers the host by associating the logical network address with the first data. |
| US08291486B2 |
Gateway device having socket library for monitoring, communication method of gateway device having socket library for monitoring, and communication program of gateway device having socket library for monitoring
Provided is a socket library for monitoring that allows the communication data of a process A to be easily shared by the other processes by way of a socket API. The gateway device uses a socket library for monitoring in which communication content of an application can be shared by a plurality of other applications, the gateway device including a shared memory space provided in the socket library for monitoring; a listen socket controlling section provided in the shared memory space, the listen socket controlling section being for storing a listen socket of an owner process; a process controlling section provided in the shared memory space, the process controlling section being for transmitting and receiving the owner process and the monitoring process; a connected socket controlling section provided in the shared memory space, the connected socket controlling section being for storing a connected socket; a session controlling section for storing a communication session; and a message controlling section for storing communication data that have been actually transmitted and received. |
| US08291485B2 |
Computers and microchips with a faraday cage, a side protected by an internal hardware firewall and an unprotected side connected to the internet for network operations, and with internal hardware compartments
A personal computer or microchip comprising at least one Faraday Cage, two or more microprocessors or processing units, one or more network communication components, and an internal hardware firewall. The internal hardware firewall is configured to separate a protected side of the computer or microchip from an unprotected side of the computer or microchip, the unprotected side being configured to connect to a network including the Internet. The protected hardware side of the computer or microchip includes at least one microprocessor or processing unit. The unprotected network side of the computer or microchip is located between the internal hardware firewall and the network and includes the unprotected microprocessors or processing units and network communications components. The unprotected microprocessors or processing units and network communications components are separate components and both are separate from the internal hardware firewall. The computer or microchip can include two, four, or more internal hardware compartments. |
| US08291484B2 |
System and method for video recording, management and access
A server-based hosted application used to transmit and manage multiple media across the Internet. Digital video recorders (DVRs) collect media (such as video with or without audio) and record it to a local disk. DVRs are located in sites or stores where they are attached to cameras, microphones and point-of-sale (POS), or other data collection devices. The DVR accesses the Internet through a typical “residential” broadband connection. A hybrid peer-to-peer network allows peers (a DVR and an Internet browser) to directly transmit and receive video and audio (and other information, such as POS data). A hosted infrastructure tracks the presence of DVRs. A server-based application exposes a presence database to users. Users find DVRs via an Internet interface. Viewers can then connect to the DVR and its corresponding media collection devices (such as cameras, microphones and POS devices) and control collection and use of media information directly. |
| US08291479B2 |
Method, hardware product, and computer program product for optimizing security in the context of credential transformation services
Security is optimized in the context of a credential transformation service (CTS) by utilizing a web services client runtime to gather information for determining whether or not a target web service is hosted in a security domain used by a client application and for determining whether or not the target web service uses an authentication mechanism substantially identical to that used by the client application. The gathered information is carried in an endpoint reference (EPR) of the target web service. In response to the client receiving the EPR, the client applies an optimization process to eliminate a possible unnecessary invocation of the CTS, wherein the target web service is an authoritative manageable resource having minimal or no responsibility for providing its identity, and having minimal or no responsibility for advertising any creation and destruction lifecycle related events. |
| US08291478B2 |
System and method for information handling system multi-level authentication for backup services
Access to backup information, such as at network attached storage compliant with NDMP, is managed by interfacing a backup authentication mechanism with a primary authentication system and responding to requests for backup information according to permissions defined by the primary authentication system. A data management application requests access to backup information with an NDMP MD5 hash and includes a domain name and password for an LDAP or AD authentication through a pluggable authentication module. Access to backup information is provided based upon the permissions associated with the domain of the primary authentication mechanism. |
| US08291476B2 |
Identifier authenticating system
There is provided an identifier authenticating system in which information requesting users can share all the predetermined information held in a plurality of information providing servers. In the identifier authentication system, when an identifier holding user 18 presents an identifier to an information requesting server 16, the information requesting server 16 asks a location management server 14 about a location of the information providing server 15, the location management server 14 returns confirmed IP address of the information providing server 15 to the information requesting server 16 based on the location information, and the information requesting server 16 utilizes the confirmed IP address to access the information providing server 15 corresponding to the confirmed IP address, and receives predetermined information corresponding to the presented identifier and a disclosure level from the accessed information providing server 15. |
| US08291472B2 |
Real-time adjustments to authentication conditions
Embodiments of the invention provide for adjusting authentication conditions in real-time. A graph-theoretic data structure is dynamically constructing, having nodes corresponding to received valid and invalid authentication credentials used in attempts to access a system. Based on the graph-theoretic data structure, embodiments compute a probability of an invalid credential being an authentication attempt by a particular type of user. If the probability is beyond a threshold probability, embodiments trigger a security event is to adjust an authentication condition of the system, e.g., to increase or decrease a maximum permissible number of failed login attempts within a certain period of time. |
| US08291466B2 |
Method and system for synchronized policy control in a web services environment
Policy controls for Web service resource objects in a hierarchical resource space are loosely coupled so that policy changes are applied and enforced across the objects. This technique ensures that different policies are not applied unintentionally to the same resource (for example, one at the Web services entry level, and the other at the resource level). By synchronizing the object in the manner described, neither the entity that deploys the application nor the security administrator need to be aware of the differences between the various types of requests that occur within a Web services environment. In a representative embodiment, resource objects are linked within a hierarchical resource space to provide synchronized policy control, where the policy is an audit policy, a quality-of-service (QoS) policy, a service level agreement (SLA) policy, a governance policy, a compliance policy, a patch management/vulnerability management policy, a user management policy, or a rights management policy. |
| US08291463B2 |
System and method of delivering video content
A system and method of delivering video content is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes storing video data packets of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel at an access switch/router system that communicates with an IPTV access network. The method also includes receiving data at the access switch/router system indicating a selection of the IPTV channel from a set-top box device via the IPTV access network. Further, the method includes sending copies of the stored video data packets of the IPTV channel to the set-top box device via the IPTV access network. |
| US08291459B2 |
Communication signaling engine
A verbal request for an action to be performed in connection with a user's set-top box may be received by a Program Content Manager (PCM) from a voice-enabled input/output device such as a VoIP-enabled device or a mobile communication device. Alternatively, the user may request an action via email, text message, and the like. The PCM receiving the action request may execute, or schedule the request for later execution, depending on whether the request is for a real-time or future action. The user may also request to send an alert or a program recording request to others. Recipients may be able to request further alerts or confirm a program recording invitation if certain criteria are met. |
| US08291455B2 |
Band converter and satellite television system thereof
A band converter consists of a band-pass filter, a band-stop filter, a first power distributor, a local oscillator, a mixer, a switch circuit, a high-pass filter, a second power distributor, and a low-pass filter. The band-pass filter and the band-stop filter respectively filter a down-converted input signal to generate a first filtered signal and a second filtered signal. The first power distributor is coupled to the band-stop filter. The mixer is coupled to the first power distributor and the local oscillator. The switch circuit is coupled to the first power distributor and the mixer. The high-pass filter is coupled to the switch circuit. The second power distributor is coupled to the band-pass filter and the high-pass filter. The low-pass filter is coupled to the second power distributor. |
| US08291442B2 |
Electromagnetic actuator of optical pickup head
An electromagnetic actuator is provided, including an object lens holder hanged by a set of wires forming suspended object. A focus coil set is fixed to object lens holder and placed surrounding focus and track shared magnet set. The focus coil located between object lens holder and focus and track shared magnet set is within magnetic field of focus and track shared magnet set. The focus coil located between tilt magnet set and magnetic field of focus and track shared magnet set is within the effective field of tilt magnet set and focus and track shared magnet set due to shielding effect of the yoke protruding plates. When a current runs through focus coil, a magnetic force in the focus direction is induced simultaneously within the range of tilt magnet set and focus and track shared magnet set so that object lens holder can focus. |
| US08291436B2 |
Synchronization of event handlers
A method for synchronizing the handling of events in a computer using the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) standard is presented, wherein an ACPI Notification Queue (ANQ) is provided to store events, such that such events can be handled in first-in-first-out order. |
| US08291432B2 |
Providing invocation context to IMS service provider applications
A computer implemented method invokes a business application in response to receipt of a request Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) message. The request SOAP message requests an operation that is defined in a Web Services Description Language (WSDL) service. To implement the operations defined in the WSDL service, the WSDL service is provided as input to a tool that generates a business application which corresponds to the supplied WSDL service. The SOAP BODY from the request SOAP message is converted into an unformatted data structure for inputting to the business application, while information from the SOAP HEADER is retained in order to generate a reply SOAP message that contains execution results. |