| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08293011B2 |
Method for growing group III nitride semiconductor crystal and growing device for group III nitride semiconductor crystal
A method for growing a Group III nitride semiconductor crystal is provided with the following steps: First, a chamber including a heat-shielding portion for shielding heat radiation from a material 13 therein is prepared. Then, material 13 is arranged on one side of heat-shielding portion in chamber. Then, by heating material to be sublimated, a material gas is deposited on the other side of heat-shielding portion in chamber so that a Group III nitride semiconductor crystal is grown. |
| US08293006B2 |
Cement/aggregate composition, concrete product and method for making a concrete product
A concrete product is produced by providing red dune sand having a particle size of 45 microns or less and mixing the red dune sand with hydraulic cement in a ratio of about 30% of the cement being replaced by the red dune sand. The cement and red dune sand are then mixed with fine and course aggregate, water and a superplasticizer and cast after pouring into a mold cavity. Then within 24 hours of casting, the cast article is steam cured for 12 hours under atmospheric pressure, demolded and placed in an auto clave at 100% humidity. The temperature in the auto clave is raised to 180° C. within one to two hours and maintained at that temperature for 4 to 5 hours. The temperature also increases the pressure to about 10 bars. The pressure is released to reach atmospheric pressure within 20-30 minutes and the temperature reduced gradually, so that the article can be removed. |
| US08293004B2 |
Fluorapatite-forming calcium phosphate cements
This study reports in vitro and in vivo properties of fluorapatite (FA)-forming calcium phosphate cements (CPCs). Experimental cements contained from (0 to 3.1) mass % of F, corresponding to presence of FA at levels of approximately (0 to 87) mass %. The crystallinity of the apatitic cement product increased greatly with the FA content. When implanted subcutaneously in rats, the in vivo resorption rate decreased significantly with increasing FA content. The cement with the highest FA content was not resorbed in soft tissue, making it biocompatible and bioinert CPC. These bioinert CPCs are candidates for use in useful applications where slow or no resorption of the implant is required to achieve the desired clinical outcome. |
| US08293000B2 |
Antireflective coating composition with stain resistance, antireflective coating film using the same, and its manufacturing method
An antireflective coating composition includes a hydrolytic condensate (C1) of alkoxy silane (C11) and fluoric alkoxy silane (C12); a particle-type metal fluoride (C2) with a refractive index of 1.40 or less; and a liquid dispersion-enhancing chelating agent (C3). A coating film to which the above composition is applied controls refractive index, surface energy, film strength and so on, so it ensures excellent antireflective characteristic, excellent scratch resistance, good erasure of liquid stains such as fingerprints, and particularly excellent dust removal, so it may be usefully applied to an outermost layer of a front surface of a display regardless of kind of a display substrate or presence of an additional coating layer. |
| US08292999B2 |
Exhaust pipe paint, method for producing exhaust pipe, and exhaust pipe
An exhaust pipe paint for application to an exhaust pipe base includes an inorganic glass particle, an inorganic particle, and at least one of an inorganic binder and a precursor of the inorganic binder. The inorganic binder partially softens at a softening temperature of the inorganic glass particle. |
| US08292994B2 |
Method for producing water-repellent treated aluminum pigment dispersion, water-repellent treated aluminum pigment, and aqeous ink composition containing the same
A method for producing water-repellent treated aluminum pigment dispersion includes (a) adding a polysilazane solution in which a polysilazane is dissolved in a second organic solvent to an aluminum pigment dispersion in which an aluminum pigment is dispersed in a first organic solvent for reacting a hydroxyl group present on the surface of the aluminum pigment with the polysilazane to form a covering film on the surface of the aluminum pigment. The amount of the polysilazane in the reaction system for forming the covering film is 0.4 parts by mass or less based on 1 part by mass of the aluminum pigment, and the total addition amount of the polysilazane is from 0.2 to 0.6 parts by mass based on 1 part by mass of the aluminum pigment. |
| US08292992B2 |
Flue gas desulfurization apparatus
A flue gas desulfurization apparatus includes an absorption tower that absorbs sulfur oxide in a flue gas, and drift suppression members that are arranged near a bend portion of a purified gas exhaust passage arranged at an outlet portion of the absorption tower, the drift suppression members serving to collect mist particles. |
| US08292990B2 |
Nebulizer waste pressure reducer for HPLC systems
A High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) system including a pressure reducer assembly for reducing pressurized streams to ambient pressure. The pressure reducer assembly includes first and second flow restrictors, each coupled to a common chamber that acts as a surge suppressor that mitigates pressure spikes in the discharge lines. The flow restrictors may comprise tubes having a high length-to-diameter ratio. The pressure losses through the flow restrictors, in combination with transition losses as the flow stream enters and exits the chamber, are sufficient to reduce a discharge stream from a specified inlet pressure to substantially ambient pressure, thus eliminating the need for pressurized waste containers. |
| US08292986B2 |
Preparation of silver spheres by the reduction of silver polyamine complexes
Dispersed uniform spherical silver particles were prepared in the absence of a protective colloid by rapidly mixing concentrated iso-ascorbic acid and silver-polyamine complex solutions. |
| US08292982B2 |
Process for producing a filter, in particular for a rotary separator
A filter, in particular for a rotary separator, is produced using an energy beam melting process, for example an electron beam, starting from powder made from the same material as a porous filtering portion to be formed, for example from a titanium alloy; on the basis of a three-dimensional model comprising a cell structure defining the porous filtering portion, subsequent layers of powder are applied and locally melted, so as to form successive sections of the porous filtering portion; at the end of the forming process, the residual powder is evacuated from the pores. |
| US08292980B2 |
Dust capture device and projection type image display apparatus
The present invention includes: a rolled filter stretched between first and second winding shafts and, unused part of the filter being wound around the second winding shaft; a brush provided between the first and the second winding shafts so as to come into contact with a surface of the filter; a feeding mechanism for driving the first and the second winding shafts to take up or rewind the filter; and a feeding control unit for controlling the feeding mechanism. When activating a renewing operation for feeding unused part of the filter from the second winding shaft, the feeding control unit controls the feeding mechanism such that once the filter is taken up by the first winding shaft by an take-up amount La, the filter is rewound by the second winding shaft by a rewind amount Lb, and La and Lb satisfy a relationship La≧Lb. Without increasing the amount of the filter or the size of the device itself, the present invention can deliver adequate performance even in a dusty environment by a small number of filter renewing operations. |
| US08292979B2 |
Vacuum cleaner with a removable screen
A surface cleaning apparatus can include a dirt inlet, a handle, and a cyclone bin having a longitudinal axis and a sidewall extending between an openable top and an openable bottom. The surface cleaning apparatus can also include a cyclone chamber located in the cyclone bin. The cyclone chamber can have an upper wall, a fluid inlet downstream from the dirt air inlet and a fluid outlet, and the fluid outlet can be removably mounted in the upper wall. The surface cleaning apparatus can also include a dirt collection located in the cyclone bin and a fluid flow motor. |
| US08292977B2 |
System for controlling circulatory amount of particles in circulating fluidized bed furnace
The invention has its object to arbitrarily adjust an amount of particles to be circulated without changing a flow rate of a gasification agent to thereby enhance gasification efficiency in a fluidized bed gasification furnace.The fluidized bed gasification furnace 107 comprises first and second chambers 113 and 114 in communication with each other in a fluidized bed 105. The hot particles 102 separated in the separator 104 and raw material M are introduced into the first chamber 113. The particles 102 introduced from the first chamber 113 through interior in the fluidized bed 105 to the second chamber 114 are supplied in an overflow manner to the fluidized bed combustion furnace 100. A first pressure controller 121 is provided to control the resultant gas induction means 116 such that the pressure in the first chamber 113 is kept to preset pressure 120; and a second pressure controller 124 is provided to control the exhaust gas induction means 118 such that difference between pressure in the first and second chambers 113 and 114 is equal to the preset differential pressure 123, so that the fluidized bed 105 in the first chamber 113 is controlled in height to control an amount of particles 102 to be circulated. |
| US08292975B2 |
Methods of refining hydrocarbon feedstocks
Processes of converting to feedstocks comprising hydrocarbons to compositions comprising light hydrocarbon products are described herein. Also described are processes and methods of producing and refining compositions comprising terpenes from biomass that can be suitable as a fuel product. |
| US08292971B2 |
Method of treating fabric conditioner for washable silk products
The present invention relates to a method of treating fabric conditioner for washable silk products, which can provide smoothness to silk products since fabric conditioners of different kinds are mixed and treated together and decrease whiteness or prevent yellowing. |
| US08292967B2 |
Method and apparatus for use of porous implants
A prosthesis includes an implant defining an attachment surface thereon. A porous insert is selectively coupled to the implant. The porous insert is adapted to be received at the attachment surface of the implant in a retained position. The porous insert is adapted to facilitate tissue ingrowth. In one embodiment the implant comprises a femoral component. The femoral component comprises an inner condylar portion having a first and second lateral sidewalls, an anterior wall and a posterior wall defining a box. The box defines the attachment surface. In other embodiments, the implant comprises a hip stem and an acetabular shell. |
| US08292965B2 |
Knee joint with a ramp
An artificial knee joint is described that includes a femoral component with a specially shaped bearing surface and a tibial component, whose surface interacts with the femoral surfaces. The interaction provides for the required motion and stability characteristics. The interaction between the femoral and tibial surfaces is such that as the knee is flexed to maximum, the femoral component moves posteriorly on the tibial surface, by an amount similar to that in the anatomic knee. The opposite motion, roll forward of the femur from a fully flexed to a more extended position, is accomplished by varying the outward radii of the lateral and medial femoral bearing surfaces, together with a ramp on the postero-lateral and postero-medial regions of the tibial surfaces. |
| US08292962B2 |
Spinal nucleus replacement implants
An intervertebral prosthesis implantable within a disc space and disposed between upper and lower vertebral endplates is provided. The prosthesis comprises a plurality of prosthesis components insertable into the disc space, wherein the components have at least one set of complementarily-shaped and sized surfaces, and wherein the at least one set of complementarily-shaped surfaces comprises a slot, and a rod that fits in the slot. A method of implanting an intervertebral prosthesis according to the present invention also is provided. |
| US08292961B2 |
Biologic vertebral reconstruction
A device and method for biologic vertebral reconstruction utilizes a biologically active jacket inserted into a cavity formed in a vertebra to be reconstructed. An artificial bone material is inserted into the biologically active jacket and allowed to set. The structure and method described herein provide for effective biologic vertebral reconstruction. The use of a biological material and artificial bone enables the host bone to replace the artificial bone over a period of time. Additionally, the structure of the biologically active jacket minimizes any impact into the spinal canal and the paravertebral spaces. Moreover, because of its biomechanical characteristics, which approximate the host bone, there is relative protection of the neighboring vertebral against fracture. Still further, the materials of the biologically active jacket may be impregnated with various substances to achieve various advantageous tasks. |
| US08292958B1 |
Spinal cage having deployable member
Embodiments are disclosed which provide a spinal cage with a wall extending in a longitudinal direction defining an interior space. There is also provided a spin-plate that may be assembled into the spinal cage. The spin-plate may comprise a blade and a disc on a common shaft, and may be rotatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position. In some embodiments, the spin-plate may be assembled into the spinal cage by a translational motion perpendicular to a rotational axis of the spin-plate. The spin-plate may be captured in the spinal cage for certain angular positions. In some embodiments, there may be a snap-in feature when the spin-plate is assembled into the spinal cage, and there may be a rotational feature such that increased torque is required to advance beyond certain points. |
| US08292956B2 |
Silicone elastomer composition for artificial integument
The present invention relates to a silicone elastomer composition for an artificial integument which satisfies the following formula: tan δ≧0.23−0.006X wherein tan δ represents the loss tangent of a cured product of the aforementioned composition; and X represents the Asker C hardness of a cured product of the aforementioned composition. With the composition of the present invention, an artificial integument which has not only a similar outer appearance, but also a similar flexible feeling on touch to the skin, can be obtained by a simple process. |
| US08292950B2 |
Stent with radiopaque marker
The invention concerns a method of providing a stent with a radiopaque marker comprising the steps of: i) providing in the stent a radiopaque marker carrier portion; ii) sleeving the carrier portion with radiopaque material, with an insulating surface between the carrier and the marker material, and iii) plastically deforming material within the sleeve of radiopaque material, to secure the sleeve on the carrier portion. The invention further concerns a stent with a radiopaque marker, the stent exhibiting a generally annular form with luminal and abluminal major surfaces, the marker also exhibiting opposed major luminal and abluminal surfaces characterized in that i) the marker envelops a carrier portion of the stent and is electrically insulated from it; ii) portions of the material of the marker which exhibit evidence of plastic deformation secure the marker on the carrier portion. |
| US08292941B2 |
Delivery system for deployment of a one-piece iliac-branch device
A delivery device for a bifurcated stent-graft includes a first catheter portion with a first tip and a second catheter portion with a second tip. The first and second tips each include a generally curved and tapered outer surface and complementary surfaces that face each other. The first and second tips together form a generally continuous substantially smooth shaped outer surface, for example a bullet-shaped combined tip. An outer sleeve is disposed around the first catheter portion and the second catheter portion such that at least a portion of the first tip and a portion of the second tip extend distally beyond a distal end of the outer sleeve. An inner sleeve maintains the stent-graft in a compressed configuration during delivery to the target site. The delivery device is tracked over two guidewires to the target location with the tips acting as a unit. The outer sleeve is retracted to release the first catheter portion from the second catheter portion, and the tips are tracked over a respective one of the guidewires into its respective branch vessel. The inner sleeve is retracted to deploy the stent-graft from its compressed configuration to its expanded configuration. |
| US08292939B2 |
System and method for delivering a medical device to a body location
A system for delivering a medical device to a body location. The system includes a sheath (6) having a distal end (10) configured to receive the medical device (18). An actuating mechanism (16) causes the sheath to slide proximally upon which it becomes slit at its proximal (8) end longitudinally by blades (41) to expose the medical device. |
| US08292935B2 |
Photonic device and method for treating cervical dysplasia
A method and device used for treating body cells affected by abnormal cell growth or by oncogenic viruses. In particular the invention relates to photonic device for treating gynecological problems comprising at least one light source incorporated into the irradiation head or into the hand piece or as a external unit connected by light guide. The light source used in the photonic device has a LED, Laser or lamps. This photonic device is used for treating a subject having unwanted cell proliferation, example dysplasia of the portio and/or cervix with Photodynamic therapy (PDT). The advantage of using LED device is, for its radiation safety, cost effectiveness and is easy to handle compared to laser system. A drug applicator is also described which is employed for homogenously application of photoactive drug in the affected area. |
| US08292932B2 |
Bone anchoring element
A bone anchoring element includes a shaft for anchoring in a bone, the shaft having a tubular body. The shaft comprises a plurality of barb elements, wherein each barb element is formed as continuous one-piece part with the tubular body. Each barb element is moveable between a first position adjacent to the tubular body and a second position further from the tubular body than the first position. The barb elements are arranged along at least one helical line around an axis of the shaft. |
| US08292926B2 |
Dynamic stabilization connecting member with elastic core and outer sleeve
A dynamic fixation medical implant having at least two bone anchors includes a longitudinal connecting member assembly having an elongate core and an outer sleeve. The core is of one-piece construction, elastic, and includes end portions for attachment to the bone anchors. The outer sleeve may include compression grooves. The sleeve surrounds the core and extends between the pair of bone anchors, the sleeve being compressible between the bone anchors. |
| US08292920B2 |
Sickle needle and method
A surgical needle which is particularly suited for use in limited space applications and a method for its use are disclosed. The surgical needle generally includes an arcuate portion having a first end and a second end. A pointed tip is disposed near the first end. There is a relatively short, straight shank near the second end of the arcuate portion which extends from the arcuate portion at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is defined by the intersection of the arcuate portion and the shank. This predetermined angle is within a range of about 23° to about 29°. In a particularly useful embodiment, the predetermined angle is approximately 26°. Further, an extrapolation of a longitudinal axis of the shank intersects the arcuate portion of the surgical needle. |
| US08292919B2 |
Skin seal with inflatable membrane
A skin seal or trocar stabilizer with an inflatable balloon in the shape of a dumbbell, where the balloon may be stored within a cannula for easy placement in an incision and inflated to deploy the balloon inside the body, and a portion of the balloon expands inside the cannula, whereby medical instruments may be passed through the skin seal into a laparoscopic workspace while the balloon is inflated, thereby allowing the use of normal short surgical instruments during laparoscopic procedures and during insufflation. |
| US08292912B2 |
Balloon catheter that resists curving
A balloon catheter is provided to minimize curving of the balloon when the balloon is expanded with an inflation media. The balloon catheter has an elastic inner shaft that stretches longitudinally as inflation pressure in the balloon is increased. The balloon catheter may also have an inner shaft with a portion that is corrugated to allow longitudinal stretching of the inner shaft. |
| US08292911B2 |
Intragastric device
Devices and methods for treating obesity are provided. More particularly, intragastric devices and methods of fabricating, deploying, inflating, monitoring, and retrieving the same are provided. |
| US08292909B1 |
Devices and methods for cutting tissue
Various medical devices and methods for cutting and/or evacuating tissue are provided. The devices and methods may utilize a reciprocating mechanism or motor powered by suction from a vacuum source. The medical devices and methods may be used on tissue in various regions of a patient's body and for treating various conditions, e.g., for performing a polypectomy or discectomy. |
| US08292907B2 |
Balloon assisted occlusion device
A vascular occlusion device for occluding a body cavity. The device includes an elongate member having an inflation lumen, an occlusion lumen, and a first portion extending distally from a proximal end and a second portion extending distally from the first portion to the distal end. An inflatable proximal balloon is disposed about the first portion and an inflatable distal balloon is disposed about the second portion. The inflation lumen is configured to inflate at least one of the balloons. The occlusion lumen is configured to introduce an occlusive material into the body cavity by way of an occlusion port located between the two balloons to occlude the body cavity. In some examples, the body cavity includes a patent foramen ovale. |
| US08292906B2 |
Flexible endoscopic stitching devices
An endoscopic stitching device is provided including a handle assembly supporting a manually operated suture needle loading assembly; a tool assembly operatively supported on and connected to the handle assembly; a suture needle operatively associated with the tool assembly, wherein the tool assembly includes a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another; and an actuation cable extending between the handle assembly and the tool assembly, wherein axial displacement of the actuation shaft results in opening and closing of the jaws and rotation of the actuation cable results in selective retention of the suture needle in the jaws. A proximal end of the actuation cable is connected to the suture needle loading assembly such that actuation of the suture needle loading assembly imparts rotation to the actuation cable to selectively engage the suture needle in one of the jaws. |
| US08292905B2 |
Flexible endoscopic stitching devices
An endoscopic stitching device is provided including an end effector configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of functions; and a single actuation cable operatively connected to the end effector, wherein the actuation cable is capable of effecting operation of at least the pair of functions. The actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of functions upon an axial translation thereof, and a second operation of the pair of functions upon a rotation thereof. |
| US08292900B2 |
Side branch wiring assist sheath and methods
A vessel bifurcation wire assist device and related methods of advancing guidewires into main and branch vessels of a vessel bifurcation. The wire assist device includes a first guidewire housing member defining a first guidewire lumen sized to advance over a first guidewire, and a second guidewire housing member defining a second guidewire lumen sized to advance over a second guidewire. The second guidewire housing member has a first directional arrangement and a second directional arrangement. The first directional arrangement provides a parallel arrangement of the second guidewire relative to the first guidewire housing member, and the second directional arrangement provides an angled arrangement of the second guidewire relative to the first guidewire housing member. |
| US08292897B2 |
Apparatus and method for reconstructing a ligament
A system for installation of a graft ligament support block is provided. The system includes an installation tool having a holder including a shaft having a handle at a proximal end and a distal end configured for selectively engaging the graft ligament support block. The installation tool further includes a drill guide including an outrigger having a bore formed on its distal end for selectively receiving a drill sleeve and a proximal end configured to selectively engage the holder. Also provided is a kit for use in reconstructing a ligament. The kit includes an installation tool including a holder and a drill guide, a drill sleeve, a guidewire, one or more drills, one or more graft ligament support blocks and one or more transverse fixation pins. |
| US08292895B2 |
Orthopedic and dental implant system and method
A system for removing osteal cement and prosthetic joint components in connection with a prosthetic joint revision includes a controller connected to and controlling operation of a transducer, such as a surgical saw or drill. A tool mounted on the transducer is adapted for engaging the prosthetic joint cement mantel and melting an engagement portion of same. The cement in the engagement portion is resolidified with the tool tip embedded therein. The tool thus bonds to the cement mantel, and is used for vibrating softening and breaking up same when operation of the transducer resumes. An osteal cement and prosthetic device removal method includes the steps of melting an engagement portion of the osteal cement mantel, bonding a transducer-mounted tool to the cement mantel by resolidifying the cement engagement portion and reactivating the transducer for vibrating, softening and breaking up the cement mantel whereby it can be removed from the patient. |
| US08292893B2 |
Surgical instrument for tensioning plate-shaped engaging elements with respect to each other
In a surgical instrument for tensioning two plate-shaped engaging elements with respect to each other at opposite sides of bone portions, a first engaging element carrying next to each other at a spacing from each other two pin-shaped or rod-shaped connecting members which pass through openings in the second engaging element, with a supporting surface for engagement on the side of the second engaging element that faces away from the first engaging element, and with a tensioning device engaging the connecting members for displacement of the connecting members and consequently of the first engaging element in the direction towards the second engaging element, to enable an individual adjustment of the engaging elements to the shape of the bone portions, it is proposed that the surgical instrument comprise next to each other two grip elements, each releasably connectable to a connecting member, and that the tensioning device engage the grip elements through a compensating element which, upon tensioning of the tensioning device, allows a differently sized displacement of the two grip elements and consequently of the two connecting members. |
| US08292890B2 |
Bone dilator
The present invention relates to a bone dilator designed for treating compression fracture of vertebral body, and fractures of cancellous bones at other sites. The bone dilator comprises a head portion, a neck portion, a connecting tube, a handle and a rotary hilt. The head portion embodies different shapes for use at different locations. When the rotary hilt is rotated clockwise and the pull rod is pulled backwards, the upper and the lower parts of the head portion keep parallel or at a predetermined angle during expanding. When the rotary hilt is rotated counterclockwise and the pull rod is pushed forwards, the head portion and the neck portion completely join together, the distal end of the pull rod and the bar stays are completely or partially retracted in grooves inside the head portion and the neck portion. |
| US08292884B2 |
Cardiac devices and methods for minimally invasive repair of ischemic mitral regurgitation
Novel apparatus and minimally invasive methods to treat atrioventricular valve regurgitation that is a result of tethering of chordae attaching atrioventricular valve leaflets to muscles of the heart, such as papillary muscles and muscles in the heart wall, thereby restricting the closure of the leaflets. Catheter embodiments for delivering and positioning chordal severing and elongating instruments are described. |
| US08292880B2 |
Targeted cooling of deployable microwave antenna
The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of tissue with microwave energy. The devices and methods disclosed herein utilize an antenna assembly which includes an elongate member, an outer conductor, an inner conductor, at least a portion of which is deployable, and a cooling system. The cooling system disclosed herein may significantly curtail any theoretical, or potential negative effects upon the target tissue experienced during the transmission of microwave energy to the antenna assembly due to ohmic heating. |
| US08292878B2 |
Operator-controlled scanning laser procedure designed for large-area epithelium removal
Systems and methods for removing an epithelial layer disposed over a stromal layer in a cornea irradiate a region of the epithelial layer with a pulsed beam of ablative radiation. The ablative radiation is scanned to vary the location of the beam within the region in accordance with a pulse sequence. The pulse sequence is arranged to enhance optical feedback based on a tissue fluorescence of the epithelial layer. The penetration of the epithelial layer is detected in response to the optical feedback. The use of scanning with the pulse sequence arranged to enhance optical feedback allows large areas of the epithelium to be ablated such that an operator can detect penetration of the epithelial layer. |
| US08292877B2 |
System and method for incising material
Systems and methods of incising a portion of a material include creating a sub-surface separation in a region of the material, and incising a periphery of the region with a pulsed laser beam to produce an edge of the portion. The edge includes a periodically varying shape to secure the portion to the material when the portion is reintegrated. The system includes a laser producing the pulsed laser beam, a scanner operable in response to a control signal, and a controller coupled to the scanner. The controller produces the control signal. In response to the control signal, the scanner creates a sub-surface separation in the region with the pulsed laser beam and incises the periphery of the region with the pulsed laser beam to produce the edge with the periodically varying shape. |
| US08292874B2 |
Catheter having improved bonding region
A catheter having a flexible outer tube and a lubricious inner tube bonded within the flexible outer tube. One catheter has a distal outer tube formed of a substantial portion of a first, flexible material, an inner tube having a lubricious inside wall surface formed of a second, lubricious material, and an outer tube wall surface compatible with heat bonding the inner tube outside wall surface to the outer tube wall surface. A preferred flexible material is polyether block amide (PEBA) and a preferred lubricious material is polyethylene. One catheter utilizing the invention includes a flexible distal outer tube having an orifice through the tube wall and an inner tube inserted through the orifice having a lubricious inner layer surrounded by a tie-layer, surrounded in turn by the same flexible material forming the outer tube. One catheter has a PEBA outer tube heat bonded to a tri-layer inner guide wire tube formed of a polyethylene inner layer, a PEBA outer layer, and a PLEXAR™ tie-layer disposed between the inner and outer layers. |
| US08292872B2 |
Distal wire stop having adjustable handle
A method and apparatus for releasably securing a wire guide to an elongate medical device for introduction into a work site with the bodily lumen of a patient. An elongate engagement member is configured to engage the wire guide while it is coupled to the elongate medical device and is configured so as to prevent relative movement between the wire guide and the elongate medical device. The elongate engagement member includes an adjustable handle assembly for adjusting the relative position of the distal end of the elongate engagement member relative to the elongate medical device. |
| US08292871B2 |
Regional cardiac tissue treatment
A method for treating an occlusion in a coronary artery of a patient includes percutaneously advancing an occlusion treatment tool (such as an angioplasty balloon or stent delivery device) through the vasculature of the patient and into a coronary artery to a site of the occlusion. Following the treatment of the occlusion, a therapeutic agent is admitted into the first coronary artery. The therapeutic agent is selected to treat microvasculature obstructions at a target cardiac tissue site distal to the site of the occlusion. |
| US08292870B2 |
Port fixation with filament actuating member
A method for performing a surgical procedure includes the steps of: accessing a surgical site with an access member, the access member having proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal axis, the access member having an elongated element operatively connected thereto; transitioning the access member from a first condition having a first dimension orthogonal to the longitudinal axis to a second condition having a second dimension orthogonal to the longitudinal axis greater than the first dimension by drawing the elongated element in a proximal direction; anchoring the access member within a tissue passage leading to the surgical site when in the second condition thereof; and introducing a surgical object through a longitudinal opening of the access member to perform a surgical task. |
| US08292869B2 |
Container for vial of radiopharmaceutical and set for its infusion in a patient or for its transfer elsewhere
A container for a vial of radiopharmaceutical, made of polymethyl methacrylate consists of a receptacle, with a cavity capable of containing the vial of radiopharmaceutical, and of a lid screwed onto the receptacle for closing the container, said lid presenting a central through-hole. A set, in combination with this container with the vial of radiopharmaceutical, consisting of a bottle of saline solution and two infusion catheters, enhances the radioprotection during the infusion of a radiopharmaceutical in an infusion operation. |
| US08292868B2 |
Process to make boxer shorts having a contracted crotch region
A pant has a garment shell. The garment shell includes a front region, a back region, a contracted crotch region, side seams connecting the front region to the back region, two leg openings, and hanging legs. At least a portion of each of the front region, the back region, the contracted crotch region and the hanging legs include portions of a single flat web. The hanging legs include no elasticization around a full periphery of the leg openings and are adapted to hang loosely about a wearer's thigh. |
| US08292867B2 |
Belted absorbent article
An absorbent article has a belt and an absorbent structure. The absorbent structure is fastened to the belt via an article fastener having a form such that the article fastening means does not fold or bend upwards under the forces present when the diaper is assembled. |
| US08292861B2 |
Overlabel wrapper for absorbent articles
An individually packaged absorbent article including an absorbent article and a package. The package can enclose the absorbent article and can have an outer surface and an inner surface. In certain embodiments, the package can include a package material that is a polymeric film. The package can have two opposing faces, and an opening area. The opening area can be provided substantially on a face of the package, and the package having an overlabel substantially covering the opening area. |
| US08292860B1 |
Medical drainage pouch
A medical, post surgery fluid drainage system, such as for use by a mastectomy patient, that allows the wearer/patient to discretely and safely secure and wear the system under clothing. The system includes a mesh fabric pouch having front and rear walls secured together along a bottom edge and along the sides with an open top edge. Inside the pouch are plural fluid receiving bulbs or receptacles. Connected to the bulbs are a like plurality of drain lines or tubes to allow drainage of fluid from plural chest incisions to the bulbs. Further, attachment mechanisms are included to removably secure the pouch to the body of the wearer/patient. |
| US08292859B2 |
Drainage device
A urine collection system includes a collection element configured for operable connection to a catheter for accumulating urine expelled from a subject and defining an opening for passage of the urine from the collection element and a drainage device extending from the collection element and positioned about the opening in the collection element. The drainage device includes a drain spout defining an outlet port disposed above the opening in the collection element. Urine collected in the collection element exits the opening within the collection element to be drained through the outlet port of the drain spout until the volume of urine reaches a predetermined level below the outlet port. Upon reaching the predetermined level, the urine remaining within the drainage device establishes a fluid trap substantially preventing contaminants from entering the collection element through the opening. |
| US08292858B2 |
Drain bag valve and shield
A drain bag outlet device includes inlet, valve and outlet portions. The inlet portion includes a connector and a cylindrical portion. The connector is adapted to connect to a fluid drain bag. A second end of the connector is adapted to connect to the cylindrical portion forming a generally longitudinal opening therethrough. The valve portion is attached to a second end of the cylindrical portion and includes a valve member for moving between positions to permit and obstruct fluid flow through the longitudinal opening. The outlet portion includes an outlet member having an angled portion and a shield connected to the valve portion. The shield completely surrounds and extends below the outlet member. The shield includes upper and lower portions. The diameter of the upper is less than the diameter of the lower portion. The outlet device eliminates the fluid that is spilled, splashed or sprayed on a healthcare worker. |
| US08292857B2 |
Medical waste fluid collection and disposal system
A medical waste fluid collection and disposal system includes a medical waste fluid collection cart including first and second fluid collection canisters. A valve assembly selectively communicates with the canisters and a valve drive system controls the valve assembly. A liquid level sensor is positioned within each of the canisters. A cart processor communicates with the liquid level sensors and the valve drive system. A cart drain line communicates with the valve assembly and a receptacle, a cart flushing line communicates with the valve assembly and the receptacle and a cart data line and a cart power line communicate with the cart processor and the cart receptacle. A station includes a drain pump that communicates with a drainage system and a station drain line, a flushing pump that communicates with a source of washing liquid and a station flushing line and a station processor in communication with the drain and flushing pumps. A station data line communicates with the station processor. A coupler communicates with the station drain line, flushing line and the station data line and a station power line. The station coupler removably engages the cart receptacle so operation of the cart and station components can be coordinated by the processors for drainage and flushing of the cart canisters. |
| US08292856B2 |
Implantable cerebral spinal fluid drainage system
Drainage system including a ventricular catheter, a drainage catheter, and a positive displacement pump that can function to actively drain CSF from the ventricles of the brain of a patient. Methods of using a drainage system in accordance with the invention are also disclosed, as well as kits. |
| US08292855B2 |
Access assembly with adjustable seal member
A surgical access assembly for receiving instruments of various diameters is disclosed. The access assembly includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal opening for passage of a surgical instrument. The access assembly may also include a mechanism disposed within the housing and having a passageway for reception and passage of the surgical instrument in substantial sealed relation therewith. The mechanism may be adapted for reciprocal longitudinal movement within the housing between a first position corresponding to a first dimension of the passageway and a second position corresponding to a second dimension of the passageway.The mechanism may include a single seal element or first and second seal elements. The seal elements may be adapted for lateral movement during longitudinal movement of the seal. The first and second seal elements may be in at least partial overlapping relation when in the first position of the seal. The access assembly may include a lock or latch for preventing movement of the seal elements. |
| US08292854B2 |
Access assembly with ribbed seal
A ribbed seal for use in endoscopic surgery is intended to be incorporated into a cannula assembly to limit the escape of insufflation gasses from a body cavity by forming a fluid-tight seal around an instrument inserted through the cannula assembly. The ribbed seal includes a relatively flat, disk shaped elastomeric overmold portion having a central aperture sized slightly smaller than the instrument such that the aperture must expand to accommodate the instrument. Molded together with the elastomeric overmold is an array of slender ribs disposed about the aperture. The ribs are designed to be relatively flexible under lateral loads. This allows the seal to bend easily as the surgical instrument is inserted through the aperture thereby maintaining a low insertion and glide force. On the other hand, the ribs are designed to be relatively rigid when loaded axially. This rigidity provides robust radial support for the instrument inserted through the center of the array of ribs. The seal performs a centering function for the instrument due to its combined elasticity and stiffness. Finally, the seal also allows for an instrument to be removed easily while maintaining the required atmospheric integrity. |
| US08292853B2 |
Self-sealing cannula having integrated seals
The present invention relates to a surgical access device comprising an elongate tubular member having a working channel and a proximal end and a distal end, a septum seal integrally formed at the distal end of the tubular member, and a zero seal disposed at the distal end of the tubular member and distal to the septum seal, the zero seal being sized and configured to seal when no instrument is in place within the working channel of the tubular member, and the zero seal being coupled to the septum seal The zero seal may be a duckbill seal having opposing lip portions separated by a slit portion. The opposing lip portions are coated with or attached to a soft or occlusive material. |
| US08292847B2 |
Systems and methods for vacuum-assisted regeneration of damaged tissue
A system and method for regenerating damaged or necrosed tissue. Negative or vacuum pressure is applied to a surface of the damaged tissue to stimulate the revascularization of the area and/or increased blood flow to the area, which encourages the regeneration of the damaged tissue. A negative pressure device is provided that is capable of providing a sequenced vacuum treatment regimen to damaged tissue. |
| US08292840B2 |
Medical gas humidification system
An apparatus and method for on-the-go humidifying an insufflation gas through water vapor transfer from a liquid to the insufflation gas through a barrier separating the gas from the liquid to enable the gas in a normally trauma inducing state to be brought to a conditioned state. If the gas is at an improper insufflation temperature the temperature of the gas can be brought to the proper insufflation temperature at the same time the gas is humidified through heat transfer through the barrier. |
| US08292839B2 |
Recirculation switch for blood cardioplegia
A switch comprises a rotating switch member which provides fluid communication in three modes; infusion, recirculation and priming The switch is located between the oxygenator and drug bag and the cardioplegia pump raceway. The switch has three channels molded into the rotating manifold which either direct blood and cardioplegia into the coronary arteries of the patient or into a recirculation line. When the switch is rotated into the recirculation line, a hose is in fluid connection through the switch and connects the recirculation line with the pump blood and drug inlet lines thereby allowing cooling of the cardioplegic mixture during the time between infusions. |
| US08292837B2 |
Combination exercise-massage device
The present application describes a combination exercise-massage unit consisting of a base platform with enclosed weight enclosure at one end and a pivoting bed assembly at the other. The bed assembly can easily be tipped having the effect of increasing the weight lifted, reducing the pressure of the rollers on the back or relieving tension by elevating the head. A continuous belt covers a plurality of massage rollers that have replaceable outer sleeves with a variety of different configurations and softness. There is a translating framework that has elevated head rest and two shoulder supports on either side. The person can hold the upright handles or the side support bars with the padded side members of the translating framework. The translating framework can be adjusted in length to accommodate the height of the person using the unit. |
| US08292831B2 |
Method of measuring fetal head orientation, position, and velocity and providing feedback to mother and doctor
A method is described to provide real-time fetal position, movement velocity, and head orientation feedback to professional medical staff and delivering mothers. Using this feedback, the mother can be apprised of how effective her pushing is moving the baby through the birth canal. Medical staff can use this feedback to assess fetal head orientation and determine location of the baby in the birth canal. The feedback device consists of metrology devices mounted on a fetal scalp electrode, a data acquisition method, software to interpret the metrology signals, and feedback hardware for doctors and the mother. |
| US08292828B2 |
Guide wire for a medical instrument
The invention relates to a guide wire for a medical instrument, which has a guide wire core (2) and a sheathing (3) that surrounds the guide wire core at least in sections. According to the invention, the sheathing (3), at least in a shaft section (5) joined to an end section (4), is provided with a rigidity greater than that of the guide wire core. The invention is for use, e.g. in medical instruments for magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) suitable applications. |
| US08292822B2 |
Biopsy localization method and device
A biopsy localization device made according to the invention includes a bioresorbable element, such as a cellulose. The bioresorbable element preferably carries a radiopaque marker. The bioresorbable element preferably swells to fill the biopsied open region. The bioresorbable element and radiopaque marker permit the biopsy site to be relocated by various techniques, including mammography and ultrasound. In addition, the bioresorbable element can be used as a therapeutic tool for treatment of the diseased lesion and for hemostasis. |
| US08292821B2 |
Wrist sphygmomanometer and cuff spring for the same
To improve measurement accuracy of blood pressure. A wrist sphygmomanometer comprises a cuff spring formed in a curved shape to fit the semicircle on the side of the pulsation part of the wrist, having a mount portion formed outside; a cuff band including the cuff spring as a core material, having an air bag inside, and wound around a wrist; and a sphygmomanometer main body mounted on the mount portion of the cuff spring, having a pressure pump for supplying air to the air bag, wherein the cuff spring has a protrusion protruding inward formed in a nearly central position in a peripheral direction. |
| US08292819B2 |
Sleep analysis system and method for analyzing sleep thereof
The invention provides a sleep analysis system and a method for analysis thereof. The sleep analysis system includes an analysis device and a sleep sensing apparatus. The sleep sensing apparatus includes an ECG signal collector, a multi-axial accelerometer, a wireless transmitting unit, and a control unit. The ECG signal collector is used for collecting an ECG signal associated with a subject. The multi-axial accelerometer is used for detecting a multi-axial accelerometer signal associated with the subject. The control unit controls the wireless transmitting unit to transmit the ECG signal and the multi-axial accelerometer signal to the analysis device for analyzing sleep of the subject. |
| US08292817B2 |
Ultrasonograph
An ultrasonograph contains a probe provided with a transmitting/receiving ultrasonic transducer at the center thereof, and the probe has a transmitting ultrasonic transducer and a receiving ultrasonic transducer which are symmetrically movable with respect to the transmitting/receiving ultrasonic transducer. Contacting the probe with the skin of a diagnosis area, a direction of the probe is adjusted to be perpendicular to the diagnosis object using echo signals of the transducer. Then the echo signals of the transmitting ultrasonic transducer and the transmitting/receiving ultrasonic transducer, and a distance between the ultrasonic transducers are processed to obtain a signal intensity. Results are displayed on a display to indicate the thickness, hardness of an articular cartilage, and a surface condition thereof visually so that it is possible to diagnose the articular cartilage without inserting a probe into the cavitas articulare. |
| US08292814B2 |
Techniques to evaluate mechanical properties of a biologic material
A system includes an acoustic radiation force source that is structured to generate an acoustic radiation force at one or more frequencies. A shear wave transmission device is embedded in a mass including a biologic material. The shear wave transmission device is responsive to the acoustic radiation force source to transmit shear waves through the biologic material. A Doppler ultrasonic device detects the shear waves and generates data representative of the shear waves. A processing device determines one or more mechanical properties of the biologic material from the data. |
| US08292807B2 |
Mobile medical workstation
A medical workstation is defined by a supporting structure having at least one medical diagnostic instrument disposed thereupon. A first display is further disposed on a first side of the supporting structure and a second display is disposed on a second side of the supporting structure in a manner substantially opposite from the first display. Each of the first and second displays are interconnected to the at least one medical diagnostic instrument to permit at least one of the displays in order to display diagnostic results and are tandemly or independently controllable. |
| US08292802B2 |
Method for transmitting torque and variably flexing a corrugated insertion device
A method for transmitting torque and variably flexing an insertion device for receiving an instrument includes the steps of providing a hollow body having a proximal end with an entrance for receiving an instrument, a distal end with a tip for protrusion of the instrument, an outer jacket and an inner sleeve, maintaining the hollow body in relatively flexible and relatively stiff conditions with wires disposed at least partly between the outer jacket and the inner sleeve and being free of at least one of the outer jacket and the inner sleeve, transmitting torque along the hollow body with a corrugated tube disposed between the outer jacket and the inner sleeve, and applying suction to create a vacuum between the outer jacket and the inner sleeve for placing the hollow body in the relatively stiff condition and relieving the vacuum for placing the hollow body in the relatively stiff condition, with a transitioning device for frictionally locking the wires and the corrugated tube in place. |
| US08292799B2 |
Biological artificial blood vessel and method of making
A prosthetic device for implantation into a human body is made by a method that includes the steps of providing a natural animal tissue that has a substrate, crosslinking and fixing the substrate, minimizing the antigens from the substrate, tanning the substrate to improve its mechanical properties, and coupling an anticoagulant to an inner surface of the substrate to form an anticoagulant surface layer. |
| US08292798B2 |
Incubator for babies before implantation
The invention relates to an incubator for babies. It is of special value for the treatment of premature infants as an intensive care unit at any time during life from creation to implantation. A cradle is sided with ports to enable fluidic ventilation. Advantageously the incubator includes an optical path for imaging the patient via a clear bottom and open top. The incubator is provided with easy access and various accessories required for an intensive care unit. |
| US08292797B2 |
Diversionary therapy apparatus and methods and interactive devices
A diversionary therapy apparatus (100) provides a tangible intuitive and immersive interaction device for a patient so as to distract the patient from a treatment. It includes a handheld tablet device (110) having motion sensors and a screen (112) for showing digital content relating to a three-dimensional environment. A controller determines movement of the tablet device (110) and displays content on the screen (112) based on this movement so that the patient can interact with the three-dimensional environment displayed on the screen through physical manipulation of the device (110). Various other interactive features are also disclosed, including interchangeable selector elements, e.g. figurines (114), that may be mounted on the device (110) to allow selection of content and action, a camera, biometric sensors, a touchscreen, a domed rear surface to allow the device to rock on a surface and a profiled screen wall (124). Handgrips (122) may be provided skew to the horizontal to encourage immediate rotation of the device (110). Various other applications of the device are discussed, as is motion sensing based on a camera imaging a pattern on a marker element, e.g. on a figurine (114). |
| US08292785B2 |
Control of torque direction transition in a powershift transmission
A method for controlling a torque direction transition in a dual clutch transmission includes decreasing a torque capacity of a transmission input clutch when clutch slip reaches a target slip during a power-off condition, producing a subsequent power-on condition, and increasing torque capacity of said clutch when clutch slip reaches a second target slip. |
| US08292780B2 |
Powertrain with input shaft and engine speed synchronization and method for shifting gears in a powertrain
A powertrain includes a prime mover, a transmission, an input shaft adapted to transmit torque between the prime mover and the transmission, an output shaft adapted to transmit torque between the transmission and a driveline, and a master clutch between the prime mover and the input shaft, the clutch being movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position in which the clutch is not and is adapted to transmit torque between the prime mover and the input shaft, respectively. An electric motor is arranged for torque transmission with at least one of the input shaft and the output shaft, and a controller is provided for controlling the electric motor to rotate the input shaft at a rotational speed within an operating range of the prime mover when the clutch is moved from the disengaged to the engaged position. |
| US08292777B2 |
Method of controlling a hybrid vehicle during regenerative deceleration
A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle during regenerative deceleration, the method including: determining deceleration of the vehicle; upon determining deceleration of the vehicle, operating a reversible electric machine as a generator to regenerate part of the kinetic energy of the vehicle; establishing a respective minimum speed of an internal combustion engine for each gear of a servocontrolled mechanical power train; determining and engaging the highest gear which, combined with the current state of motion of the vehicle, runs the internal combustion engine at higher than the respective minimum speed; keeping the gear engaged as long as the internal combustion engine runs at higher than the respective minimum speed; and downshifting by one gear when the internal combustion engine runs at lower than the respective minimum speed. |
| US08292775B2 |
Vehicle differential apparatus
A vehicle differential apparatus includes: a differential case; two side gears; and two pinions. An axial center of each pinion is provided with a first pinion shaft insertion hole. A pinion shaft is inserted in the first pinion shaft insertion holes. An inner peripheral surface of the first pinion shaft insertion hole of each pinion is provided with two sliding surfaces that are slidable on one of two pinion inner peripheral surface-supporting portions of the pinion shaft, and a non-contacting surface that is not able to contact the pinion inner peripheral surface-supporting portion. The sliding surfaces and the non-contacting surface of each first pinion shaft insertion hole are disposed at positions adjacent to each other in the axis direction of the first pinion shaft insertion hole. |
| US08292772B2 |
Continuously variable toroidal transmission
A transmission comprises a toroidal variator having first and second spaced-apart drive discs (12, 14) defining a toroidal cavity about a rotational axis (x-x), a transmission input (22) arranged to drive the first and second drive discs (12, 14) in opposite directions and supported on pivotal mountings between the drive discs (12, 14), one or more rollers (18, 20) arranged to contact the said drive discs (12, 14) and be driven thereby, wherein the transmission output (44) is driven by orbiting of the pivotal mountings around the rotational axis of the variator. |
| US08292770B2 |
Multi-core electric machines
An electric machine including a housing, a first rotor and stator carried within the housing and a rotatable shaft carried by the housing and extending from the housing. A first continuously variable transmission can be provided and includes a first rotatable element, a second rotatable element and a mechanism for controlling the ratio of the rotation of the second element to the rotation of the first element. The first element can be connected to the first rotor and the second element can be connected to the rotatable shaft. A second rotor and stator can be carried within the housing and a second continuously variable transmission provided. A hybrid engine having an internal combustion engine and utilizing the electric machine can be provided. |
| US08292764B2 |
Valve for a ball and method for manufacturing same
A valve for a ball includes a casing and a core. The core is arranged at least partially inside the casing. The core comprises a first sealing area with a plurality of sections which have alternating concave and convex curvatures. |
| US08292760B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling baseball bat swing
Systems and methods for controlling a baseball bat swing are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an upper arm portion, a lower arm portion pivotably connected to the upper arm portion, and at least one releaseable attachment device carried by the upper arm portion and positioned to releasably attach to the user's arm. The system can further include an adjustment element operatively coupled to the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion, with the adjustment being manipulatable to control an angle between the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion. The system can be employed to train the user to achieve a consistent baseball bat swing. |
| US08292759B2 |
Golf ball
A golf ball 2 includes a core 4, an envelope layer 6, a mid layer 8 and a cover 10. A thickness Tm of the mid layer 8 is equal to or less than 1.0 mm. A thickness Tc of the cover 10 is less than 0.6 mm. The sum of the thicknesses Tm and Tc is equal to or less than 1.5 mm. A hardness Hc of the cover 10 is less than 40. The hardness Hs, the hardness Hm, and the hardness Hc satisfy the following formula (1). Hs>Hc>Hm (1) The base material of the envelope layer 6 is ionomer resin. The base material of the mid layer 8 is polyurethane. The base material of the cover 10 is polyurethane. |
| US08292757B2 |
Golf club having removable sole weight
A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable weight member secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable weight member has a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the weight member to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable weight member. A weight member of the present invention may comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. |
| US08292754B2 |
Putter heads and putters including polymeric material as part of the ball striking face
Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an insert forming a ball striking face and engaged with the putter body. Portions of the insert may be formed of a metal material, while portions of the insert may be formed of a polymer material. The insert may include a base portion having grooves formed therein. This base may be joined with another material to form the insert. In some arrangements, the insert may be a two-sided, reversible construction and may have different performance characteristics associated with each side of the insert. Methods for making such putter devices are also described. |
| US08292751B2 |
Gravity bowling game apparatus
A new style of a bowling game where the ball can be maneuvered as it is rolling by force of gravity across the lane and toward the targets. The lane is divided into two parts that are connected to each other in a way that allows one part to be rotated and/or lifted while the other part that contains the targets can remain stationary. |
| US08292750B2 |
Motion apparatus for use with infant carrier
A motion apparatus for use in combination with a standard infant carrier, such as a car seat. The motion apparatus comprises a support structure and a frame for receiving the transportable base of an infant car seat, and a drive assembly, which, when activated causes motion of the infant carrier. Methods and devices of the invention are useful to soothe an infant. |
| US08292748B2 |
Damper with induced imbalance
A torsion damper including: a plurality of springs; a first plate with a central axis; and a second plate with a central axis. The plurality of springs displaces the first and second plates so that the central axis for the first plate is radially offset from the central axis for the second plate. In one embodiment, the radial offset between the central axis for the first plate and the central axis for the second plate is fixed. In another embodiment, the first plate comprises a central bore and the second plate comprises an extruded cylinder; and the fixed alignment is maintained by contact between the central bore and the extruded cylinder. |
| US08292745B2 |
Convertible rail for selecting player-tracking modes in an electronic game table
Convertible rails for selecting player-tracking modes in an electronic game table are described. In one implementation, a rail or trim surrounds the periphery of the tabletop of an electronic game table. The rail has recessed bay openings for mounting user-interface hardware, such as for player-tracking. Player-tracking hardware may include, for example, touch-screen displays for manual input of user information, and player-identification card readers. A proprietor may install interchangeable rail section covers to expose some, all, or none of the bays. Thus, in a non-tracking mode, the bays may be covered, while in a tracking mode, some degree of player-tracking hardware mounted in the bays may be exposed to the user. In other implementations, interchangeable covers hide bays or expose hardware mounted on the tabletop itself. When the bays are covered, the cover blends in with the appearance and the surface of the tabletop, but the cover may be removed or swapped out in order to add selected hardware for the game table user. |
| US08292744B2 |
Online building toy
The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for building online games. In one embodiment, the method may include providing a user interface that facilitates user selection of parts, and placing a set of parts selected by a user in a three-dimensional (3D) world. The method may also include joining parts within the set based on their proximity to each other in the 3D world to form one or more models for a game, and sending a model file for each of these models to a server via a network for use by various users. |
| US08292741B2 |
Apparatus, processes and articles for facilitating mobile gaming
In accordance with the teachings of the present embodiment, a system and method for wireless gaming with location-dependent gaming functions are provided. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus includes a gaming server; a wireless network at least partially covering a property, the wireless network comprising a plurality of signal detection devices; and a gaming communication device operable to transmit and receive gaming information to and from the gaming server via the wireless network. A location of the gaming communication device on the property is used to alter a game play function, such as a bet option, wager, graphic overlay, permission, or to provide location-dependent advertising or embedded advertising. Based upon the location of the gaming communication device on the property, a predetermined functionality of the gaming communication device may be enabled and/or controlled. |
| US08292727B2 |
Game apparatus and storage medium having stored thereon game program
Whether or not an angular velocity detected by an angular velocity sensor is used for a game process is determined, and a difficulty level of a game to be subjected to a game process is set so as to vary depending on whether the angular velocity is determined to be used or the angular velocity is determined not to be used. When the angular velocity is determined not to be used, a process of specifying a motion direction of an input device is performed by using acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor, whereas when the angular velocity is determined to be used, at least a part of the process of specifying the motion of the input device is performed by using the angular velocity detected by the angular velocity sensor. Accordingly, based on the specified motion direction, the game process is performed while the set difficulty level is applied. |
| US08292724B2 |
Methods of expanding symbols based upon relative location or said symbols to each other in a symbol matrix
The present invention expands a wildcard symbol into one or more symbol positions of the symbol matrix if two or more wildcard symbols appear in the symbol matrix in a predetermined configuration relative to one another. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two or more wildcard symbols appearing in adjacent positions of the same row of a symbol matrix expand into all symbol positions of the columns in which the adjacent wildcard symbols appear. |
| US08292723B2 |
Gaming system and method for providing team play
A gaming system where in one embodiment, as players play the primary games of the gaming devices, players are enabled to join one of a plurality of teams associated with a secondary team game. Each of the teams includes a plurality of players. The gaming system periodically monitors at least one factor or parameter of each player's gaming activity to determine a score for that player. In one embodiment, the scores for each of the players on each team are accumulated to determine that team's cumulative score. If a team's cumulative score reaches a winning value, the gaming system provides a prize to one or more of the players on that team. The gaming system enables players to switch from one team to another in attempt to be on a particular team when that team's cumulative score reaches a winning value. |
| US08292717B1 |
System and method for providing a game of chance over messaging services
A system and method are described for providing a game of chance over messaging services. In one embodiment a method is disclosed for receiving a message from a first user which includes an identifier of a second user. The second user is registered for the game of chance based on the identifier of the first user. A message may be sent to the second user to invite the second user to enter the identifier of another user into the game of chance. A winning identifier is identified from a set of identifiers, such as the identifiers entered into the game of chance. A message is sent the second user if the amount by which the identifier of the first user matches the winning identifier satisfies a winning threshold. The message may include an indication that the second user won a prize. |
| US08292713B2 |
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. |
| US08292712B2 |
Jukebox entertainment system having multiple choice games relating to music
Entertainment system based on multiple choice competition games, characterized in that it comprises at least one terminal including connection means to a dedicated remote server (1), the system also comprising means of playing an extract of a recording with a configurable duration on at least one terminal (2, 3) comprising means of reproducing the recording, means of interaction with a user and means (21, 31) of connection with a dedicated remote server (1), means of asking a terminal user a question and suggesting multiple choice answers, the question being related to information characteristic of the extract of the recording, and the recording being selected by means independent of the terminal user. |
| US08292707B2 |
Off-peak air intake vent
An off-peak intake vent includes spaced top and bottom walls defining a cavity therebetween and a pair of lateral side walls. The bottom wall has a generally planar bottom surface having at least one vent opening formed therethrough for communicating with an opening in a roof deck. The top wall has a curved portion that converges with the bottom wall at an uphill edge of the intake vent. The intake vent also includes air intake louvers defined between the top and bottom walls. |
| US08292706B2 |
Roof light system having a ventilation device with improved flexibility
The roof light system is composed by a roof unit (10), a light conduit (70) and a diffuser unit (80). A ventilation device has a ventilation tube (60) is separate and detached from the light conduit (70). The first end (60a) of the ventilation tube is connected with the roof unit (10) and the second end (60b) is positioned at a distance from the diffuser unit (80). The ventilation device may additionally have a branch tube (160). |
| US08292705B2 |
Electronic apparatus, fan unit, and subrack
The fan unit according to the present invention includes a plurality of radial fans; and a unit casing which accommodates the radial fans and includes a first member and a second member, each of which has exhaust ports allowing transmission of at least a part of output air from the radial fans. |
| US08292702B2 |
Automated fat trimming system
An automated system and method for trimming fat from an outer surface of a primal of meat includes a conveyor for advancing the meat, an imaging system for creating at least one image of the meat in order to create a fat profile, and a trimming assembly that removes fat from the outer surface of the meat based on the created fat profile. An orientation device is used to secure and guide the meat on the conveyor. In some embodiments, the orientation device is configured to align with a spinal groove in the meat. In some embodiments, the primal of meat is a short loin; in some embodiments, it is a sirloin. |
| US08292700B2 |
Angle grinder
An angle grinder is provided including a trigger assembly for selectively actuating the angle grinder. A particle separation assembly is provided for the removal of any dust, particle, or artifacts that may have entered into the housing of the angle grinder. A brush biasing system is also provided to ensure proper and efficient operation of the motor of the angle grinder. An overload monitoring system is included to monitor the loading on the motor. A clutch mechanism is also included to prevent overloading on the motor of the angle grinder. A gear wheel lock mechanism is also provided to prevent the wheel spindle from rotating during installation or removal of a grinding wheel on the wheel spindle. An anti-locking flange system is also included to prevent the over-tightening of the flanges and the grinder wheel during the operation of the angle grinder. A gear case labyrinth feature is also provided. |
| US08292699B2 |
Optical fiber polishing apparatus and method
A polishing apparatus is provided for polishing an optical fiber connector. The optical fiber connector includes a connector housing and a ferrule. The polishing apparatus includes a mount to receive and hold the optical connector and a base to support the mount. The base further includes a dispenser portion. The polishing apparatus further includes a polishing strip dispensable by the dispensing portion of the base. The polishing strip has a portion thereof extending through a passageway formed in the mount, where a first surface of the polishing strip is disposed proximate to an end face of the ferrule of the optical connector disposed in the mount. In an exemplary aspect, the polishing strip comprises one or more polishing media disposed on a backing material. |
| US08292696B2 |
Method of manufacturing microneedle
A method of manufacturing a microneedle including the steps of forming a plurality of first linear grooves on a substrate in parallel to one another along a first direction using grinding, and forming a plurality of second linear grooves on the substrate in parallel to one another in a second direction intersecting the first direction using grinding. |
| US08292693B2 |
Using optical metrology for wafer to wafer feed back process control
A method of controlling the polishing of a substrate includes polishing a substrate on a first platen using a first set of parameters, obtaining first and second sequences of measured spectra from first and second regions of the substrate with an in-situ optical monitoring system, generating first and second sequences of values from the first and second sequences of measured spectra, fitting first and second linear functions to the first and second sequences of values, determining a difference between the first linear function and the second linear function, adjusting at least one parameter of the first set of parameters based on the difference, and polishing the second substrate on the first platen using the adjusted parameter. |
| US08292689B2 |
Electronic playset
The present disclosure provides for electronic playsets and components thereof. An electronic playset of the present disclosure may include a see-through monitor having a transparent screen configured to display an animated image superimposed over one or more regions. The see-through monitor may be moveable by rotation or translation between one or more positions, the one or more positions being adjacent to the one or more regions. Some embodiments including a see-through monitor with a light source configured to illuminate the one or more regions. Another aspect of the present disclosure provides for a removable toy having an identifiable accessory that may be provided to an electronic playset. The playset may be configured to identify the toy and display an animated character based on the identity. |
| US08292688B2 |
System and method for toy adoption and marketing
A computer system provides a virtual world. The computer system includes a server subsystem serving virtual world data, via a communication network, and receives data and/or commands. A registration subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, verifies information from a toy, and registers the toy. The verifying includes determining the validity of the information. A virtual world providing subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, provides the virtual world data, which produces data that presents the virtual world. The virtual world data includes a virtual toy representing the toy and a reward provided to the user for registering the toy. |
| US08292685B2 |
Method for producing plasma display panel
A method for producing a plasma display panel having a base layer including metallic oxides and agglomerated particles dispersed on the base layer includes the following steps of: forming the base layer on the dielectric layer; spreading an organic solvent in which the agglomerated particles are dispersed on the base layer to form a coating layer thereon; drying the coating layer under a reduced pressure to form an organic solvent coating film on at least the base layer; disposing the rear plate and the front plate on which the coating film is formed so as to face each other; heating the front plate and the rear plate facing each other to evaporate the coating film, dispersing the agglomerated particles on the base layer, and removing components of the evaporated coating film from the discharge space; and sealing the rear plate and the front plate from which the coating film is evaporated to each other. |
| US08292684B2 |
Method of manufacturing flat panel display device
To minimize stress variations applied to mother glasses when a glass sealing material is melted via a laser to combine the mother glasses, a method of manufacturing a flat panel display device includes providing a plurality of emission units between a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the first substrates faces the second substrate and each emission unit forms a unit display device; providing a plurality of walls between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein each wall respectively surrounds one of the emission units; irradiating a laser beam onto the walls, wherein the laser beam is simultaneously irradiated to wall portions aligned in a row in a first direction; scanning the laser beam in a second direction, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction to irradiate other wall portions of the plurality of walls; and cutting the first and second substrates to obtain individual display devices. |
| US08292683B2 |
Wader floatation device
A buoyant wading aid has a generally U-shaped body. The body includes a front portion and rearwardly extending legs. A pair of handles are provided on the legs. A storage container may be tethered to the body of wading aid to be towed behind the body when in use. The storage container may be adjusted into a transport configuration between and supported by the legs. The handles may be rigidly attached to a frame that provides structural support for the body of the wading aid. |
| US08292678B2 |
Personal propulsion device with hands free control
An improved personal propulsion device that generally imparts thrust directly to the user. The device allows hands free control of thrust magnitude and direction so both hands can grasp and control bicycle handlebars and brakes, watercraft paddles, ski poles or other apparatuses. The device is adjustable vertically, on the users' back, higher to allow sitting in a canoe or wheelchair and lower for standing on skates, skis, kick scooters etc. In one embodiment, the device includes an air compressor that is operatively connected to a cam mechanism engaged with the propulsion mechanism to provide compressed air. In another embodiment, the device includes a gap control mechanism to reduce or increase the size of the air inlet gap between the lip of the propeller shroud and an air horn to decrease noise levels or increase propulsion. The air horn can be gradiently flexible and warpable to allow controlled movement thereof. |
| US08292677B2 |
Plug-in connector
In a plug-in connector (1), at least one part of the busbar element (10) is in each case arranged in the boundary area between an associated conductor entry opening (3) and an associated contact pin receiving opening (8) in such a manner that the part of the busbar element (10) is located between a contact pin (14) and an electric conductor (5) and electrically conductively rests against the contact pin (14) and the electric conductor (5). The busbar element (10) has a resilient contact area in the contact pin receiving opening (8) for electrically contacting the busbar element (10) by a spring force with a contact pin (14) which can be inserted into an associated contact pin receiving opening (8). |
| US08292676B2 |
System connector with adapter module
A system connector includes a first housing half, and a second housing half matching the first housing half. The two housing halves are snappable and lockable to each other via a locking device, and there is at least one contact module arranged in each of the housing halves. The contact module includes socket-like and/or pin-like electrical contact elements. An adapter module that is mountable on the contact module has a first connection side and a second connection side, each of which includes cylindrical adapter elements arranged in a row, in which socket contacts or pin contacts are arranged. The adapter module on its first connection side is connectable to one of the contact modules arranged within one of the housing halves. The socket contacts or pin contacts of the adapter element of the second connection side are suitable for electrical contacting of the contact modules of the matching housing halves. |
| US08292675B2 |
Electrical connector having improved blocking member
An electrical connector (100) for insertion of a first plug (800) along a mating direction. The electrical connector includes an insulative housing (1) and a contact module (3) assembled to the insulative housing. The insulative housing includes an opening (10), a receiving cavity (11) and a pair of blocking member (14) provided in the receiving cavity. The blocking member includes a guiding portion adjacent to the opening, and a resilient portion (141) projecting more inwardly to the receiving cavity along a transverse direction perpendicular to the mating direction than the guiding portion, to thereby form a shoulder portion (144) facing to the opening between the guiding portion and the resilient portion. The resilient portion is deformable sidewardly along the transverse direction. |
| US08292673B2 |
Electrical connector with terminals depressed from mating surfaces
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing and a plurality of terminals retained in the housing. The insulative housing includes a mating cavity and a tongue portion in the mating cavity. The tongue portion defines a mating surface confronting with the mating cavity and a plurality of grooves arranged along a first direction of the tongue portion and extending in a mating direction of the connector. The grooves are recessed from the mating face. The terminals are retained in the housing and comprise contacting portions extending in corresponding groove. The contacting portions define contacting faces parallel to the mating face and communicating with the mating cavity in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the mating direction. The grooves are disposed so deeply that the contacting faces of the terminals are recessed from the mating face. |
| US08292672B2 |
Flash memory device and assembly thereof with improved planar contact portions
A flash memory device includes a Chip-On-Board (COB) type circuit board and a number of first and second contacts electrically connected to the circuit board. Each first contact includes a stiff first contact portion formed on an upper surface of the circuit board. Each second contact includes a cantilevered planar second contact portion extending along the front-to-rear direction. When the flash memory device is inserted into a USB 3.0 receptacle connector, the first and the second contact portions jointly electrically connect with the USB 3.0 receptacle connector. The planar second contact portions provide larger contacting area for mating with the corresponding contacts of the USB 3.0 receptacle connector. |
| US08292671B2 |
Connector
The present invention relates to a connector, which includes a printed circuit tongue, and one surface of the printed circuit tongue is defined with a plurality of first printed areas and second printed areas which are joined to terminals. Elastic terminal pieces extend from the first printed areas and assembled on the printed circuit tongue, and third printed areas similarly extend from the second printed areas and defined on the printed circuit tongue. Moreover, fourth printed areas are defined on another surface of the printed circuit tongue, and fifth printed areas extend from the fourth printed areas and defined on the printed circuit tongue. Accordingly, the present invention enables achieving a connector that is tough and strong, the manufacturing process of which is simple and fast, and the wire layout is simple. |
| US08292669B2 |
Electrical connector having contact modules
An electrical connector (100) adapted for being mounted on a mother board (900) includes a housing and a number of contact modules (21, 22) each having a wafer (210, 220) and a number of terminals insert molded with the wafer. The terminals include an upper terminal (211, 221) having an upper contact portion (2111, 2211), and a lower contact terminal (212, 222) having a lower contact portion (2121, 2221). The upper contact portion and the lower contact portion are separated from each other along a vertical direction to define a slot (214, 224) therebetween. The upper terminal and the lower contact terminal are secured in the wafer at two positions remote from each other along a mating direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, with the upper contact portion and the lower contact portion approaching close to each other along the mating direction. |
| US08292668B2 |
Electrical connector
In an electrical connector, a housing includes opposite front and rear end walls, and an insertion slot that is formed between opposite upper and lower inner wall surfaces extending in a front-rear direction and that opens at the front end wall. A terminal has a movable arm and a stationary arm that are disposed respectively on two sides of the insertion slot. The movable arm has a front barb-like contact portion proximate to the front end wall. The stationary arm is tapered forwardly, and has a front end distal from the front end wall, and an inclined contact face that is inclined rearwardly and gradually toward the insertion slot from its front end. The electrical connector has a miniaturized construction and reduces an insertion force for inserting a printed circuit board. |
| US08292666B2 |
Socket connector with contact terminals arranged radially creating different pitches in different area
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing defining a plurality of passageways and a plurality of contacts disposed in the passageways by two arrangement manners. Each contact includes a mating portion located at an upper end and a soldering portion located at a bottom end. Wherein a first arrangement manner is that neighboring mating portions defined a distance in a same row is smaller than a distance defined by corresponding neighboring soldering portions, and neighboring mating portions defined a distance in a same column is equal to a distance defined by corresponding neighboring soldering portions. A second arrangement manner is that neighboring mating portions defined a distance in both a same row and a same column is smaller than a distance defined by corresponding neighboring soldering portions. |
| US08292663B2 |
Audio plug with cosmetic hard shell
Apparatus, systems and methods for assembling an audio plug with a cosmetic hard shell are provided. A plug may be coupled to a cable. An inner member may be molded about an end portion of the plug and an end portion of the cable. A strain relief member may be molded about a portion of the cable such that the strain relief member is adjacent to and substantially flush with the inner member. The seam between the inner member and the strain relief member may be covered by coupling a hard, smooth outer shell over a portion of the inner member and a portion of the strain relief member. Each of the inner member, the strain relief member, and the outer shell may be formed by injection molding, be of a cylindrical shape, and be formed from the same or different materials. |
| US08292661B2 |
Phone plug connector device
A phone plug connector device having a preassembled phone plug and connector, wherein the phone plug includes a conductive tip and a stem, wherein the connector connects the phone plug to a coaxial cable, wherein the coaxial cable comprises a center conductor surrounded by a first dielectric, the first dielectric being surrounded by a first conductive sheath, and the first conductive sheath surrounded by a protective outer jacket, wherein the connector connects the coaxial cable to the phone plug mechanically and electrically by compression. |
| US08292660B2 |
Consolidation point enclosure
A consolidation point enclosure for a telecommunications network, including a base member for supporting the consolidation point on a mounting surface; and first and second bracket parts coupled to opposite end sections of a generally planar connection section of the base member, wherein the bracket parts are adapted to couple opposite ends sections of a patch panel to the base member so that a common insertion direction of modular jacks of the patch panel is substantially parallel to the generally planar connection section of the base member. |
| US08292657B2 |
Portable electrical power box
The portable electrical power box includes a power extension cord connected to a 240-volt input plug. Via the input plug, the device plugs into a 240-volt outlet in a home or other location where split phase power is available. Two branch circuits comprise 120-volt receptacles disposed on the power box. The power extension cord has a neutral wire, a first split voltage wire, and a second split voltage wire. The neutral and first split voltage wire feed voltage to the first branch circuit of receptacles. The neutral and second split voltage wire feed voltage to the second branch circuit of receptacles. This arrangement minimizes overloading electrical panels in homes with extension cords in the home's 120-VAC outlets. The device has circuit breakers to prevent overloads. |
| US08292653B2 |
Plug, socket, and connector using the same
A connector includes a plug, a socket corresponding to the plug, and a protection assembly rotatably connected to one of the plug and the socket. The protection assembly is configured for encompassing the other one of the plug and the socket to firmly fixed the plug and the socket together when the plug is inserted into the socket. |
| US08292650B2 |
Lever-type connector
If connection postures of a first and a second housings (10, 40) are inclined from proper ones at a final stage of a connecting process of the first and second housings (10, 40,) pressing portions (73) of a lever (60) press pressable portions (29) of the first housing (10) to correct the connection postures of the first and second housings (10, 40). A mutual connection force of the first and second housings (10, 40) reaches a maximum value when an operable portion (61) of the lever (60) is located at a position near the rear surface of a cover (12) or overlapping the rear surface of the cover (12) before the pressing portions (73) press the pressable portions (29) in the connecting process of the first and second housings (10, 40). |
| US08292647B1 |
Socket connector
A socket connector includes a dielectric housing extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end. The dielectric housing has a slot that extends longitudinally. The slot is configured to receive a circuit card therein. Contacts are held by the dielectric housing and exposed at the slot. The contacts are configured to be electrically connected to the circuit card. The contacts are configured to be terminated to a circuit board. A latch is provided at the first end and is configured to secure the circuit card in the dielectric housing. The latch includes a power conductor. The power conductor is configured to be electrically connected to the circuit card. The power conductor is configured to be terminated to the circuit board to supply power between the circuit board and the circuit card. |
| US08292643B1 |
Card connector with a housing with a guiding slot engaging a protruding block of a sliding device
A card connector includes an insulating housing defining a receiving chamber, a sliding recess and a guiding slot opened in a bottom of the sliding recess and having a front spread towards the receiving chamber to define a guiding slope. An ejecting device includes a slider slidably disposed in the sliding recess, an elastic element clipped between the slider and the sliding recess and a connecting bar having one end fastened in the insulating housing and the other end slidably located in the slider. A front of the slider protrudes sideward to form a holding projection. A block is protruded on a bottom of the slider and received in the guiding slot for cooperating with the guiding slope to guide the movement of the slider so as to make the holding projection tightly buckled in a gap of a card for securing the card in the receiving chamber. |
| US08292640B1 |
USB connector
A USB connector includes a connector body and a shielding sheet rotatably connected to the connecting body. The connector body includes a connector holder and a plug connected to the connector holder. The plug defines an opening in an end away from the connector holder. The plug is configured for coupling the USB connector to a mating connector. The shielding sheet is rotated to expose the opening of the plug when the USB connector couples to the mating connector, and covers the opening of the plug when the USB connector is detached from the mating connector. |
| US08292639B2 |
Compliant pin control module and method for making the same
Control modules having connectors with compliant pin terminals for connection to a printed circuit board (PCB) are provided. The module housing can be made of a die cast metal to withstand harsh environments and have at least one open bay area for receiving a connector having compliant pin contacts for connecting the module to a PCB. A plurality of compliant pin terminal can have a push shoulders for providing an engagement surface for insertion of the terminals through passages in a connector housing, for positioning the connector relative to the die cast housing during the mounting the connector to the die cast housing, and to transfer the force away from the connector housing applied in connecting the PCB to the compliant pin tips. The connectors can be linear and exposed terminal surfaces can be sealed against the elements by a sealant. The passages of the connector housing can have at one end of the passages cross shaped portions to allow for a strengthened die tool which forms the small passages and chamfered sides at the opposite end of the passages for tight engagement with the terminals to prevent leak of sealant. The connectors can include a three-pronged compliant pin grounding terminal to increase the current flow. |
| US08292638B1 |
Two-in-one connector
A two-in-one connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of first and second terminals, and a shielding shell. The insulating housing has a first base body and a second base body. Each first terminal has a first soldering portion projecting under the first base body to be mounted on a printed circuit board, and a first contact portion projecting beyond a top of the first base body. Each second terminal has a second soldering portion projecting under the second base body to be mounted on the printed circuit board, and a second contact portion projecting beyond a front of the second base body. The shielding shell is mounted on the first base body to define an insertion space therebetween for receiving a SIM card therein to contact with the first contact portions. A battery can be mounted on the shielding shell to contact with the second contact portions. |
| US08292637B2 |
Electrical connector assembly WTH high-density configuration
An electrical connector assembly (100), comprises: a housing (1) having therein a receiving room (11) communicating with an exterior along a longitudinal direction, and the housing comprising a first shield part (15) and second shield part (16) assembled with each other; two paralleled printed circuit boards (2) received into the receiving room and positioned in the housing; a strain relief (5) disposed between the first shield part and the second shield part along a vertical direction; a metallic holder (8) enclosing and engaged with the first shield part, the second shield part and the strain relief; and a latch mechanism assembled to an exterior surface of the housing and having a portion shielded by the metallic holder. |
| US08292636B2 |
Pin header connector
A pin header connector includes a number of electrically conductive pins, two insulating plates, and a supporting body. The pins are arranged in two parallel rows. Each of the rows comprises at least three pins. Each of the insulating plates defines a number of through holes corresponding to the pins. Each of the pins extends through the corresponding through hole. The supporting body defines slots accommodating the respective pins. The supporting body is sandwiched between the insulating plates. |
| US08292634B2 |
Socket connector having a recess provided with a spring member on a side thereof
A socket connector includes a socket body having a recess adapted to receive therein a connection object such as a semiconductor module, contact members disposed at a bottom surface portion of the recess, and a spring member disposed on one side of the recess. The spring member has an engaging portion adapted to engage the connection object in a detaching direction for provisionally holding it in a first stage of an attaching operation of the connection object and a pressing portion adapted to press the connection object parallel to the bottom surface portion and inward of the recess for positioning the connection object at a predetermined position of the recess. |
| US08292630B1 |
Board mounted connector with protective shell
A board mounted connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) defines a top side and a bottom side; a plurality of terminals (2) combined with the insulative housing, each terminal having a contacting portion disposed above the top side of the insulative housing; and a protective cover (3) floatably associated with the insulative housing and enclosing the contacting portions of the terminals. |
| US08292628B2 |
Audio/video electronic appliance, in particular a car radio, having a removable front plate
The appliance comprises a casing, a removable front plate, an electrical connector, and mechanical means for assembling the front plate on the casing and for fastening it thereto. The mechanical means comprise, at a first end, means that form a separable hinge comprising at least one pair of respective magnetic elements such as permanent magnets disposed in the region of the connector and facing one another on the casing and the front plate, and the opposite end, means for locking the front plate to the casing. Mechanical coupling of the front plate on the casing at the location of the separable magnetic hinge results solely from the mutual attraction of the facing magnetic elements. |
| US08292623B2 |
Systems and methods for setting prosthetic posterior teeth in denture production
Systems and methods for setting posterior prosthetic teeth in production of upper and lower dentures feature tooth blocks each having inner and outer bodies having upper and lower rows of recesses therein corresponding maxillary and mandibular prosthetic teeth. The recesses of the inner and outer bodies conform to lingual and buccul surfaces of the prosthetic teeth respectively and are shaped and positioned to establish proper positioning of the prosthetic teeth relative to one another when clamped between the bodies. The two tooth blocks accommodate respective ones of left and right prosthetic poster teeth sets. Connection elements between the tooth blocks allow adjustment and subsequent locking of the relative positioning between the left and right teeth sets before setting on mandibular and maxillary casts in an articulator. The two tooth blocks eliminate the need to individually position posterior teeth on each side of the jaw. |
| US08292621B2 |
Dental healing abutment
A dental healing abutment assembly having a tubular holder and a plurality of removable nestable shells. Each nestable shell has a proximal end and a distal end open to permit the nesting of the shell with the holder or other nestable shells. The proximal end of each nestable shell is defined by a base plate. The tubular holder and the nestable shells each have a pass through hole for accommodating a mounting member. The healing abutment assembly is attached to a dental implant impacted in a patient's jawbone by way of the mounting member. |
| US08292616B2 |
Burner
A gas burner including a burner body having a lower housing, an inlet conduit and a combustion surface element attached to the lower housing. A diffuser/reflector positioned within the body encourages even distribution and mixing of a combustible gas/air mixture. The diffuser/reflector is preferably of a sheet metal construction and includes a plurality of stamped openings with each of these openings having an overhanging guide plate. The combustion surface element includes a plurality of integrally formed rigidizing ribs and is made from a high temperature steel alloy wire cloth. The inlet conduit is secured directly or indirectly to an access door/bulkhead that is used to close off an access opening formed in a water heater wall through which the burner is installed. In one construction, an air scoop shrouds the inlet conduit and at least partially defines a flow path of primary air, substantially isolated from the combustion chamber. |
| US08292613B2 |
Runner system for supplying molding compound
A runner system for a molding apparatus comprises a plurality of runner networks, each runner network further comprising a mold supply pot having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. A plurality of molding cavities are located on the first and second sides of the mold supply pot, and a plurality of runners are operative to channel molding compound from each mold supply pot to the plurality of molding cavities. At least one of the mold supply pots comprises a different number of runners located on the first side which are connected to the mold supply pot as compared to a number of runners located on the second side which are connected to the mold supply pot. |
| US08292607B2 |
Powder compression molding machine
The powder compression molding machine includes: a case having a frame; a fresh air intake provided to the case; a suction port for drawing in an atmosphere in the case; an internal pressure measure that measures internal pressure in the case; a suction force measure that measures a suction force for drawing in the atmosphere in the case from the suction port; and a suction force control device that controls the suction force for drawing in the atmosphere in the case from the suction port. The internal pressure in the case is controlled by controlling the suction force by the suction force controller based on the internal pressure in the case measured by the internal pressure measure and/or the suction force measured by the suction force measure. |
| US08292600B2 |
Control system for an air operated diaphragm pump
The present invention includes methods and apparatuses for operating and controlling AOD pumps (10, 10′, 10″, 100, 460, 580, 740) and other pumps. |
| US08292593B2 |
System for minimizing mechanical and acoustical fan noise coupling
A system and method of spread-spectrum fan control for an air-cooled system is provided for reducing the vibrational and acoustical noise associated with the air-cooled system. The method includes generating a first control signal that controls a blade-passing frequency of a first cooling fan and a second control signal that controls a blade-passing frequency of a second cooling fan, wherein the first and second control signals may be pulse width modulated (“PWM”) signals. One or more noise generators independently vary duty cycles for the first and second PWM signals within a range around respective first and second blade-passing frequency set points. As a result, the blade-passing frequencies for the first and second cooling fans are independently and randomly modulated within a range around the respective first and second blade-passing frequency set points. |
| US08292588B2 |
Impeller and centrifugal fan
An impeller in a centrifugal fan includes a support portion having a cylindrical outer circumferential surface coaxial or substantially coaxial with a center axis and a plurality of moving blades arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the support portion independently of one another and configured to draw an air along the center axis and expel the air radially outwards when rotated about the center axis together with the support portion. At least one of the moving blades includes a first blade portion connected to, and extending radially outwards from, the outer circumferential surface of the support portion, at least one second blade portion having a radial inner end portion radially spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface of the support portion and a connecting member arranged to interconnect the first blade portion and the second blade portion. |
| US08292585B2 |
Fan device having simultaneously foldable blades
A fan device having simultaneously foldable blades includes a rotatable driving unit. A plurality of supporting frames extend outwardly from the driving unit, each supporting frame has a pivot mounted on one end thereof. A plurality of shells are respectively mounted on the supporting frames, each shell has a center hole defined therein. A plurality of blades are respectively disposed on the shells. Each blade has an assembling portion disposed thereon. Each assembling portion has a through hole defined therein. A plurality of coupling rods respectively positioned between every two adjacent shells. When the driving unit rotates, the shells synchronously rotate and driving the coupling rods to be moved for simultaneously driving the blades to retractably fold/unfold. |
| US08292580B2 |
CMC vane assembly apparatus and method
A metal vane core or strut (64) is formed integrally with an outer backing plate (40). An inner backing plate (38) is formed separately. A spring (74) with holes (75) is installed in a peripheral spring chamber (76) on the strut. Inner and outer CMC shroud covers (46, 48) are formed, cured, then attached to facing surfaces of the inner and outer backing plates (38, 40). A CMC vane airfoil (22) is formed, cured, and slid over the strut (64). The spring (74) urges continuous contact between the strut (64) and airfoil (66), eliminating vibrations while allowing differential expansion. The inner end (88) of the strut is fastened to the inner backing plate (38). A cooling channel (68) in the strut is connected by holes (69) along the leading edge of the strut to peripheral cooling paths (70, 71) around the strut. Coolant flows through and around the strut, including through the spring holes. |
| US08292579B2 |
Method and system for deicing wind turbine rotor blades with induced torque
A method and associated system are provided for deicing turbine blades of a wind turbine, wherein rotational torque from a rotor hub on which the turbine blades are mounted is transmitted to a generator. The method and system include detecting conditions that are indicative of ice formation on a wind turbine blade. In response to detected icing conditions, generator torque is modulated so as to induce upstream vibrations in the turbine blades to shake loose ice that may have formed on the turbine blades. |
| US08292576B2 |
Compressor scrolls for auxiliary power units
A compressor scroll is provided for redirecting an airflow from a compressor. The compressor scroll includes a spiral-shaped body; a radial inlet formed in the body for receiving the airflow from the compressor as inlet airflow; and an outlet formed in the body such that inlet airflow flows through the body and exits the outlet as outlet airflow, with at least a portion of the outlet airflow crossing at least a portion of the inlet airflow. |
| US08292573B2 |
Flange cooled turbine nozzle
A turbine nozzle includes outer and inner bands bounding nozzle vanes. The outer band includes an aft flange. An impingement baffle bridges the outer band and aft flange at the root thereof to provide impingement cooling. |
| US08292571B2 |
Apparatus and method for clearance control of turbine blade tip
An inner shell for a rotating machine including at least one segment; and at least one complementary segment in operable communication with the at least one segment, the segments forming a support structure for a shroud ring; wherein the at least one segment and the at least one complementary segment are individually moved to change a set of dimensions defined by the at least one segment and the at least one complementary segment. A method for controlling a dimension of the shroud ring in a rotating machine is also disclosed. |
| US08292570B2 |
Low pressure turbine with counter-rotating drives for single spool
A low pressure turbine for a gas turbine engine includes inner and outer counter-rotating rotor sets, with both said rotor sets driving a common shaft. |
| US08292566B2 |
Car dumper dust control system
An apparatus for rotary dumping of rail cars, including a backside airflow diverter, a backside hood for removing contaminated air from the back side of the pit and at least two baffles on a rotational frame, the baffles each presenting a leading edge that contacts the backside airflow diverter during at least a portion of rotational motion. At least one air intake is positioned to pass through the upper surface of the backside diverter into the backside hood at a location where pressure in the backside hood is maintained at a substantially neutral or negative level even when pressure in the material receiving pit is increased by a down rush of air caused by the exit of the load from the railcar. |
| US08292565B1 |
A and R safety ramps
A lightweight ramp locking assembly for use with a vehicle having a hitch receiver, a bed with sides and a tailgate. The assembly is connectable with the hitch receiver and positionable in a vertical locking position and a diagonal loading position. The assembly is firmly secured with the vehicle to be incapable of rotating movement. |
| US08292560B2 |
Anchor device with double-sectioned head and method of using the same
A modified anchor device for attaching a structure to a thin-walled work piece allows a structure, such as a luggage or utility rack, to be attached to a work piece, such as an automobile roof, without threaded fasteners connecting the structure to the work piece. The anchor device has an double-sectioned head having an upper head member and a lower head member The upper head member extends above the surface of the work piece a sufficient distance such that the upper head member engages the top surface of the structure, thus retaining the bottom side of the structure in face-to-face contact with the top side of the work piece. |
| US08292557B2 |
Vehicle transporter
A vehicle transporter includes a frame with a load deck, a slidable undercarriage mounted on the frame and a subframe movably mounted on the frame between raised and lowered positions. Wheel wells are formed in the deck when the subframe is lowered relative to the frame. A pair of outrigger assemblies each includes a hydraulic piston-and-cylinder lift unit for raising and lowering the transporter whereby the undercarriage can be slid between fore and aft positions. |
| US08292553B2 |
Deburring tool and cutting insert
An insert for a deburring tool is used to machine openings of bores that are formed in metal work pieces. In an exemplary embodiment, the insert has an inward portion, a central portion connected to the inward portion, and an outward portion connected to the central portion. The central portion has a dovetail-shaped retaining feature that attaches the insert to the deburring tool. |
| US08292552B2 |
Pushing structure of a metal work drilling tool
A pushing structure of a metal work drilling tool includes a drill housing, a drill assembly, a push part and a feed trigger. The drill assembly is constituted by a drill bit, an extension rod and a power device. When drilling needs to be conducted, the feed trigger is pressed to drive the drill assembly forward that the drill bit gently contacts with the object for drilling; next, the drilling tool is activated and the feed trigger is pushed, then drilling force can be controlled effectively to improve a drilling efficiency and reduce a chance that the drill bit is broken due to percussion. |
| US08292551B2 |
System, method and apparatus for removing failed fasteners
A system for removing failed fasteners from structures removes the head of the fastener in a controlled manner with precise support and alignment for the cutting tool. A drill guide, drill bushings and the cutting tool mount virtually anywhere on an underlying structure using existing fasteners and receptacles formed in the structure. This design permits the drill guide to be rigidly attached to the structure so that the cutting tool can be positioned and supported directly over the failed fastener. After the drill guide is mounted, a drill bit is extended through the drill bushing to drill a pilot hole in the failed fastener. The cutting tool is used through the drill bushing to cut off the head of the failed fastener without contacting the surrounding structure. All operations required to remove the failed fastener are accomplished through the drill bushings contained in the mounted drill guide. |
| US08292550B2 |
Boring device
The invention concerns a perforating device comprising a cutting tool (10), means for rotating (11) the cutting tool (10) and means for translating (12, 14) the cutting tool (10), the ratio between the rotational speed and the translational speed being variable during rotation of the cutting tool (10). It comprises a gear train (16, 17; 18, 19) for synchronizing the rotating means (11) with the translating means (12, 14). The speed ratio between a driving pinion (16; 18) of the gear train, rotationally linked to the means (11) for rotating the cutting tool (10) and a transmission pinion (17; 19) of the translating means is reversed at least once during one rotation of the cutting tool (10). The invention is useful for fragmenting the resulting shavings. |
| US08292546B2 |
Liquid storage, loading and offloading system
A liquid storage, loading and offloading system includes a storage tank having a water ballast compartment for storing water and a liquid storage compartment for storing liquid. The water ballast compartment and the liquid storage compartment are coupled to each other to form a closed interconnected system with pressurized inert gas above water and liquid. The storage tank is configured symmetrically and the center of gravity and buoyancy of it move along a vertical Z axis. Besides, a pump module may also be included and have a pair of loading pumps and a pair of offloading pumps. The pair of loading pumps operates substantially at equal mass flow rate to displace water with liquid. The pair of offloading pumps also operates substantially at equal mass flow rate to displace liquid with water. Therefore an equal mass flow rate displacement system is formed to keep a constant draft. |
| US08292544B2 |
Device and method for lowering or raising the end of an underwater pipe from a laying vessel
A device and a method for lowering or raising the end of an undersea pipe between a vessel and the sea bottom by a carriage moving along an inclined J-lay tower and co-operating with chain-locking devices connecting the top end of the pipe to a storage area by passing over a deflector sheave secured to said carriage. A first chain-locking device is secured to the carriage and serves to lock the abandonment chain while lowering the carriage and the top end of the pipe at the end of the chain, a second locking device then being in an open position at the base of the tower. Thereafter, the abandonment chain is locked at the low portion of the tower with the help of the second chain-locking device, with the first chain-locking device being in the open position while the carriage is being raised. |
| US08292540B2 |
Manhole assembly and related method
A manhole assembly including a frame and at least a pair of cover plates that are receivable in and disengageable from the frame to permit selective closing and opening of an aperture, the periphery of which is defined by the frame. The cover plates substantially occupy the aperture when received in the frame. A first cover plate of a pair thereof is smaller than a second cover plate of the pair. The first cover plate is hingeable relative to the second cover plate, while the latter is received in the frame, from a closed position received in the frame to an open position in which a first part of the aperture is open. The second cover plate is removable from the frame, when the first cover plate is disengaged from the frame, to open a second part of the aperture. |
| US08292539B2 |
Agglomerated retroreflective beads for highway marking and methods for fabrication and use thereof
A retroreflective device securable to a highway by bonding thereto preferably with a viscous strip applied to the highway prior to solidifying cure of the strip includes a generally globular glass central member, a desirably pigmented adhesive layer over the central member and a plurality of peripheral globular glass members connected to the central member by the pigmented adhesive layer. A method for fabricating the retroreflective device is also disclosed. |
| US08292538B2 |
Vehicle barrier control device
A vehicle barrier control device for limiting vehicular access to an area. The vehicle barrier control device includes a barrier system having an active position and a passive position and a control system adapted to move the barrier system between the active position and the passive position. In the active position, the barrier system prevents vehicles from passing through. In the passive position, vehicles are permitted to pass through. The barrier system includes a buttress, movable barrier plate, traffic control arm and a traffic indicating light. The control system comprises a traffic arm motor, programmable logic controller, variable frequency drive, and actuator. The barrier system is temporarily bolted to a sub-frame set in concrete. An actuator motor mounted to an actuator reduces the need for typical hydraulic components. Using a variable speed and reversible actuator motor the present invention provides high-speed movements of the barrier plate for emergency conditions. |
| US08292531B2 |
Cosmetics unit with adjustable wiper
The cosmetics unit comprises a storage container for receiving a cosmetic substance therein, an applicator that can be immersed into the cosmetic substance, and an adjustable wiper part unit disposed on a container opening of the storage container, for wiping off cosmetic substance from the applicator. The wiper part unit comprises a deformable wiper, a neck part, and an adjustment sleeve accessible from the outside. The wiper is disposed between the container opening and the neck part. The adjustment sleeve encloses the container opening, the wiper and, partially, the neck part. The adjustment sleeve is rotatably mounted on the neck part as well as on the storage container, so that an axial distance between the container opening and the neck part, an axial dimension of the wiper, and a surface area of a wiper opening of the wiper can be altered by a rotational movement of the adjustment sleeve. |
| US08292528B2 |
Applicator for applying material such as mastic to a surface
An applicator for applying drywall mastic or other material to a flat drywall surface or to an outside drywall joint or other surface comprises a body member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a pair of opposed ends, a recess in the lower surface for connection to a source of the material to be applied to the surface and at least one pair of opposed arms pivotally mounted on one of the sides of the body member for movement between deployed and retracted positions depending on whether the material is being applied to an outside corner joint or a flat surface, respectively. In another embodiment, the applicator has a pair of relatively moveable blades located in operational relationship with respect to each other for controlling flow of the material from the recess to the surface to which it is being applied. |
| US08292526B2 |
Thermal printer
A thermal printer has a thermal head for performing printing on a continuously fed recording sheet. A platen roller is mounted to undergo rotation for feeding the recording sheet between the platen roller and the thermal head. A cutting member cuts the recording sheet after printing is performed thereon by the thermal head. A sheet presenter mechanism discharges the recording sheet cut by the cutting member to the exterior. The sheet presenter mechanism is mounted to undergo movement to vary a discharge direction of the recording sheet. |
| US08292522B2 |
Surveillance camera position calibration device
A method of placing a surveillance camera in a known reference orientation as a result of panning and tilting movements includes coupling the camera to a fixed structure such that the camera may perform the panning movements about a first axis and may perform the tilting movements about a plurality of second axes. Each of the second axes is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. An optical emitter is fixedly attached either to the fixed structure or to the camera. An optical receiver is fixedly attached to the other one of the fixed structure and the camera. The tilting and panning movements are performed with the camera until the emitter and receiver are in a predetermined position relative to each other as determined from a signal that is output by the receiver in response to receiving optical energy from the emitter. |
| US08292521B2 |
Camera carrying device with locking mechanism
A device for rotatably mounting a camera on a person comprises first and second connecting means. The first connecting means has a U-shaped slot which is defined by a pocket and a pair of opposed channels which extend from the pocket. The second connecting means has a plate and a truncated cylindrical body mounted on the plate. The plate is slidably received by the U-shaped slot and is rotatable within the U-shaped slot. The truncated cylindrical body is provided with a flat edge. A threaded member extends from one of said first connecting means or said second connecting means. The threaded member is for engaging a threaded female tripod receiver of the camera. The plate of the second connecting means can only be received or released from the U-shaped slot of first connecting means when the flat edge to the truncated cylindrical body of the second connecting means is aligned with one of said opposed channels of the first connecting means. |
| US08292515B2 |
Opticla fiber connector assembly with guiding means
An optical fiber connector assembly includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes two pairs of first convex lenses projecting from a front mating face thereof and a pair of cone-shaped positioning posts at sides of the pairs of convex lenses respectively. The second connector includes two pairs of second convex lenses projecting from a second front mating face thereof to couple with the first convex lenses and a pair of positioning holes to be inserted with the positioning posts of the first connector. Each of the positioning holes includes a retention section and a guiding section in front of the retention section, and the retention sections is same to the positioning posts while the guiding sections is larger than the position posts in dimension. |
| US08292514B2 |
Optical connecting member and method of fitting the same
To provide an optical connecting member capable of positioning and connecting a coated fiber by a simple connecting work with high precision, and a method of fitting the same.An optical connector 1 fitted onto an optical fiber 20 that has a coating 24 on an outer periphery of a glass fiber 21 has a ferrule 40 with a glass fiber insertion hole 42, a fixing portion 30 for fixing the optical fiber 20 that is inserted into the glass fiber insertion hole 42 and is abutted to the short optical fiber 41, an insertion port 42a which is a coating removing portion 10 for removing the coating 24 from an end portion of the optical fiber 20 by an insertion force applied the optical fiber 20 to an inner side of the optical connector 1, a deflection space 16 provided between the fixing portion 30 and the coating removing portion 10 to contain the optical fiber 20 in a deflected state therein, wherein a deflection preventing member 70 for preventing partially a deflection of the optical fiber 20 by shielding a part of an insertion direction of the optical fiber 20 in the deflection space 16 is detachably attached. |
| US08292512B2 |
Ball bearing and supporting construction
A ball bearing has an inner ring fitted on a rotational shaft and including an inner ring raceway on an outer circumferential surface thereof, an outer ring including an outer ring raceway on an inner circumferential surface thereof, a plurality of balls rotatably provided between the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway and a crown resin cage for retaining the balls at equal intervals in a circumferential direction. A bore diameter of the inner ring is 100 mm or more, and a radial clearance resulting in a state that the inner ring is assembled to the rotational shaft is 20 μn or more. |
| US08292511B2 |
Rolling-element bearing
A rolling-element bearing 1 comprising an inner race 3, an outer race 2 and an array of rolling elements 4 arranged within a bearing cage 5 situated between the two races 2, 3, the inner surface of the bearing cage 5 being piloted on the inner race 3 for limiting eccentric movement of the cage 5 within the bearing 1 and further having a reservoir 9 formed between a pair of circumferential weirs 6a, 7b on the cage 5, the outer surface of the inner race 3 comprising a raised land portion 3d for contacting oil 9a in the reservoir 9 thereby to control the relative speed of the cage 5 and the inner race 3, wherein the radial depth of each weir 6b, 7b is greater than the maximum radial clearance between the land portion 3d and the cage 5 for maintaining said controlling contact between the land portion 3d and the oil 9a during said eccentric movement of the cage 5. |
| US08292509B2 |
Bearing arrangement
A bearing arrangement for supporting a rotatable shaft relative to a support structure. The bearing arrangement has a first bearing having radially inner and outer races, the inner race being rotatable relative to the outer race in use, and a second bearing arranged such that the first bearing is mounted to the support structure via the second bearing. The second bearing may allow for deflection of the shaft supported by the bearing arrangement. |
| US08292507B2 |
Bearing device and rotary machine
The bearing device has a bearing housing which is supported by a bearing base mounted on a body of a rotary machine equipped with a rotating shaft and through which the rotating shaft penetrates at the center and a plurality of pads which are arranged inside the bearing housing so as to circumferentially surround the rotating shaft and rotatably support the rotating shaft. A contact surface between an outer circumference of the bearing housing and an inner circumference of the bearing base extends along the axial direction of the rotating shaft and forms a convex curved surface protruding outward, and the bearing housing is slidably supported by the bearing base via the contact surface of the convex curved surface. At least either the inner circumference of the bearing housing or the outer circumference of the pad forms a curved surface extending along the axial direction, and a distance between the inner circumference of the bearing housing and the outer circumference of the pad gradually increases from the center towards the ends along the axial direction. |
| US08292499B2 |
Engine coolant amount determining apparatus
An engine coolant amount determining apparatus includes an electric water pump that can be operated intermittently while an engine is running, and a coolant temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of coolant at a location higher than the water pump. The engine coolant amount determining apparatus also includes determining means for determining that the amount of coolant is equal to or less than a predetermined amount when the degree of change in the coolant temperature detected by the coolant temperature detecting means when the water pump is operated intermittently is large. |
| US08292497B2 |
Cloud point monitoring systems for determining a cloud point temperature of diesel fuel
Cloud point monitoring systems for determining a cloud point temperature value for diesel fuel are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a cloud point monitoring system receives diesel fuel in the tubular conduit and propagates light through the diesel fuel. The cloud point monitoring system further determines a cloud point temperature value indicative of a cloud point of the diesel fuel based on a light intensity level of the light that has propagated through cooled diesel fuel. |
| US08292496B1 |
Energetic material detector
In one general aspect, a sample area is energized. A thermal energy status of the sample area is monitored. The thermal energy status including at least one of a radiant energy and a temperature. A thermal signature of a region included in the sample area is determined based on the thermal energy status of the region. The thermal signature is analyzed to determine whether explosive particles are included in the region. |
| US08292488B2 |
Backlight unit
A backlight unit is provided that, for a case where on a mounting board on which a plurality of point light sources are mounted, an electronic component other than those point light sources is mounted, can reduce the occurrence of uneven luminance, with no increase in the size of the backlight unit. This backlight unit (10) is provided with a PWB (6) having at least an LED mounting region (6a) extending along a side surface (3a) of a light guide plate (3). The LED mounting region (6a) of the PWB (6) is, at an end portion thereof on one side, provided with an FPC mounting region (6b) and is, at an end portion thereof on the other side opposite to the one side, provided with a capacitor mounting region (6c) extending along a side surface (3b) perpendicular to the side surface (3a) of the light guide plate (3). |
| US08292486B2 |
Illumination apparatus
An illumination apparatus includes a light guide plate, a first light source module, and a second light source module. The light guide plate has a first incident surface and a second incident surface opposite to the first incident surface. The first and the second light source modules provide light beams into the first and the second incident surfaces, respectively. The first light source module includes at least one first white light emitting diode (LED) and at least one second white LED neighboring with each other. The first and the second white LEDs have different color temperatures. The second light source module includes at least one third white LED and at least one forth white LED neighboring with each other. The third and the forth white LEDs have different color temperatures. The third and the forth white LEDs are located corresponding to the second and the first white LEDs, respectively. |
| US08292476B2 |
Lampshade
A lampshade includes a top lampshade frame, a bottom lampshade frame, a lampshade covering covering the top lampshade frame and the bottom lampshade frame, hook materials (or loop materials) provided at the top lampshade frame and the bottom lampshade frame, and loop materials (or hook materials) provided at the lampshade covering and detachably fastened to the hook materials (or loop materials) to secure the lampshade covering to the top lampshade frame and the bottom lampshade frame. |
| US08292475B2 |
Method for enhancing the frictional grip of a clip-on lampshade
A method is disclosed for enhancing secureness of grip of a light-bulb-clip of a clip-on lampshade, by enhancing the frictional properties of the light-bulb-clip. Also disclosed are a clip-on lampshade, and a finial clip-on lampshade adapter, which both include a light-bulb-clip that is formed using the disclosed method. Frictional gripping capability is increased by optionally abrading, and applying and curing a liquid coating of polymer dipping compound to, portions of wire that are to function as gripping portions of a light-bulb-clip, thereby forming a cured, friction-enhancing layer that enables the light bulb clip to be more securely attached to either a traditional light bulb or to a compact fluorescent “CFL” bulb. The liquid coating can be applied by dipping, brushing, and/or spraying. Curing can be by heating and/or allowing to dry. The dipping compound is ideally made from heat-resistant elastomer and/or silicone. |
| US08292470B2 |
Focusing mechanism for LED spot lamp
A focusing mechanism for LED spot lamp includes a lamp seat and a lens barrel being extendably assembled to the lamp seat. The lamp seat has an LED chip mounted thereon. The lens barrel includes a barrel body having a bottom portion and an opposing top portion, and a lens mounted to the top portion. The bottom portion of the lens barrel is assembled to the lamp seat via an extension coupling structure, such that the lens is located above the LED chip to cover the same. With the extension coupling structure, the lens barrel can be adjusted in position to project from the top of the lamp seat by different distances, so that the focal length between the lens and the LED chip can be regulated to accordingly regulate the focusing and diffusing effects of light emitted from the LED chip. |
| US08292460B2 |
Hybrid light source system
A hybrid light source system is disclosed. The hybrid light source system adapted to be used in a projection apparatus comprises a dichroic component, a first light source, a second light source and a light processing component. The dichroic component defines a light path, with the first light source capable of generating a first light which is projected towards to the dichroic component along the light path and the second light source capable of generating a second light which is projected towards the dichroic component along the light path and opposite to the first light. The first light comprises a first sort of light beams and a second sort of light beams, in which the first sort of light beams and the second light are guided by the dichroic component to form a hybrid light and travel into the light processing component along the light path. |
| US08292458B2 |
Light emitting diode lamp comprising one LED consuming a first electrical power and one radiation-emitting semiconductor component consuming an electrical dissipation power
An LED lamp is specified, comprising at least one LED and at least one radiation-emitting semiconductor component, it being the case that when the LED lamp is operating, the at least one LED emits visible light and the at least one radiation-emitting semiconductor component emits electromagnetic radiation having a peak intensity outside the visible region of the spectrum. |
| US08292457B2 |
Lamp
The invention is a lamp consisting of a housing frame formed of four interconnected profile strips; a translucent pane made of glass or synthetic set into one housing side; a bottom plate set into the opposite side; as well as an illuminant, arranged in the housing, with the profile strips having on the exterior side of the housing border strips for attachment purposes and, on the interior side, backing strips to support and attach the pane or, respectively, the bottom plate, that are designed identically and arranged in mirror-symmetric fashion; with, moreover, the pane being connected to the profile strips of the housing frame by means of contact-pressure strips screwed together with the backing strips, and the attachment screws for the contact-pressure strips being screwed into threaded bore holes running vertically to the strip surface. |
| US08292456B2 |
Lighting fixture with adjustable light pattern and foldable house structure
A lighting fixture includes a reflector reflecting light from a fluorescent lamp to a desired direction, and one or more lamp connectors connecting the reflector to rotatably and detachably coupling with the fluorescent lamp, wherein the reflector is adapted to selectively rotate with respect to an axis of the fluorescent lamp for reflecting light from the fluorescent lamp so as to change a light pattern of the fluorescent lamp towards an opening of the foldable housing. The foldable housing includes two side frames and a retention frame extended between the two side frames to retain a distance therebetween, wherein the side frames are pivotally coupled with the retention frame to fold between an unfolded position to retain the fluorescent lamp in longitudinal position and a folded position to form a compact size for storage and transportation. |
| US08292452B2 |
Solar power alarm lamp
A solar power alarm lamp includes a support post, an alarm device connected to the support post and a lamp set connected to the alarm device. The support post includes an insertion leg insertable into the ground. The alarm device and the lamp set have respectively a first solar panel and a second solar panel. The alarm device includes a circuit board which contains a PIR sensor, a microwave sensor and a buzzer to send out an alarm. The solar power alarm lamp thus formed can be inserted anywhere outdoors through the insertion leg. The first and second solar panels can convert solar power into electric power required by the alarm device and lamp set. The invention is simple to install and also does not need external electric power. |
| US08292446B2 |
Illumination device for multineedle sewing machine and the multineedle sewing machine
An illumination device for a multineedle sewing machine includes an illuminating member which has a light source and located at a lateral side of a needle bar case and is disposed so as to open portions of needle bars and portions of needles, a light amount adjusting unit which adjusts an amount of light of the light source, and a control unit which controls the light amount adjusting unit with movement of the needle bar case by the needle bar case moving mechanism together with the illuminating member so that a predetermined illuminance is maintained at least in part of an illuminated area which is illuminated by the light source. The part of the illuminated area is located near the needle drop position. |
| US08292443B2 |
Mirror structure
To provide a mirror structure capable of reflecting incident light with good efficiency and is excellent in reliability. In a mirror structure which is used under an environment that the maximum irradiance of incident light is 5 kW/m2 or more and has an area of 0.2 m2 or more, the mirror structure is characterized in that the mirror comprises a mirror, a supporting member and a resin-made adhesive sheet to glue the mirror to the supporting member, and is structured such that a dielectric multilayer is formed at least on an incident light side surface of a plate-shaped substrate and the mirror has an average reflectance ratio 95% or more for incident light having a wavelength in a range of 400 to 1000 nm. |
| US08292438B2 |
Projection image display device and projection optical system for performing extended projection
A projection image display device includes a light source; an illumination optical system that uniformly irradiates a surface of an image modulating element (primary image surface) with a light beam emitted from the light source; and a projection optical system that performs with respect to a screen (a secondary image surface) extended projection on image information provided at the primary image surface and modulated by the image modulating element. The projection optical system includes a first optical system having a positive refractive power, and a second optical system having a concave reflecting surface. The first optical system has a common optical axis at which all optical components of the first optical system have rotationally symmetric surfaces, and a screen shift function that causes the secondary image surface to be moved by moving at least one of the optical components of the first optical system substantially perpendicularly to the optical axis. |
| US08292433B2 |
Method and apparatus for communication between humans and devices
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for improving communications between humans and devices. The invention provides a method of modulating operation of a device, comprising providing an attentive user interface for obtaining information about an attentive state of a user; and modulating operation of a device on the basis of the obtained information, wherein the operation that is modulated is initiated by the device. Preferably, the information about the user's attentive state is eye contact of the user with the device that is sensed by the attentive user interface. |
| US08292430B2 |
Tinted semi-finished lens having impact resistance and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is a method for manufacturing a tinted semi-finished lens that uses polycarbonate, has high light shielding effect, has impact resistance even after polishing, and can have a uniform tint. In particular, in order to provide a tinted semi-finished lens that has the same light shielding at the lens center and the lens edge when a wearer looks through the tinted lens, and furthermore, that seems to have the same light shielding when a third party looks at the wearer, a tinted layer having a uniform thickness and a transparent layer on the back side are integrally formed. Furthermore, in order to provide the impact resistance to either of the resins included in the layers, a low flow resin having a large molecular weight and a short flow length is used. In order to minimize lens distortion and to provide the impact resistance to the lens, the transparent layer employs a resin having the impact resistance, and the transparent layer is formed first and then the tinted layer is formed as an additional layer. Moreover, provided is a method for simultaneously manufacturing two sets of tinted lenses. In the method, two sets of molds are used, a first molded product is obtained in one of the two sets of the molds, and then is transferred to the other mold to form a second molded product, and simultaneously, another first molded product is molded in the first mold. |
| US08292425B2 |
Eyeglasses
A pair of eyeglasses includes a lens, a couple of right and left elastically deformable frames attached to respective side end portions of the lens, and a couple of right and left temples attached to the respective frames. A frame fitting portion is provided at each of the side end portions of the lens and a lens fitting hole is provided in a front portion of each of the frames. The frame fitting portion fits into the lens fitting hole so that the lens is detachably attached to each of the frames. The volume of the frames is reduced to lighten the weight of the eyeglasses as a whole. With the eyeglasses, a forward vision of a wearer is guaranteed when he leans forward, and easy lens exchange is achieved. |
| US08292422B2 |
Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus including: (a) a conveying device for conveying a recording medium on a supporting surface; (b) a nip roller movable to be brought into contact with the conveyed recording medium when the conveyed recording medium has a portion positioned in a contactable position; (c) a moving device for moving the nip roller, so as to place the nip roller selectively in a gripping state and a releasing state, such that the nip roller, while being placed in the gripping state, is held in contact with the conveyed recording medium so as to cooperate with the supporting surface to grip the conveyed recording medium therebetween when the conveyed recording medium has a portion positioned in the contactable position, and such that the nip roller, while being placed in the releasing state, is not in contact with the conveyed recording medium; and (d) a controlling device for controlling the moving device such that the nip roller is placed in one of the gripping state and the releasing state which is selected depending on a position of the conveyed recording medium. |
| US08292420B2 |
Locating device for an inkjet printer
The invention describes an inkjet printer (1) for printing different media (2), with a print head arrangement (3) comprising at least one print head (4) for printing the medium (2) and with a printing table (11) forming a support plane (12) for supporting the printing medium (2), and orifices (13) of a suction system (14) are provided in at least certain regions in the support plane (12) for retaining the printing medium (2) during the printing operation, as well as a forward feed mechanism (6) for the printing medium (2). In the region of the printing table (11), the printing medium (2) is provided with at least one pressing mechanism (16), at least in the region of a side edge oriented in the forward feed direction (7), with a pressing force which acts in the direction perpendicular to the support plane (12). |
| US08292413B2 |
Bidirectional ink pump
An ink delivery and recovery system includes a first reservoir for containing ink for delivery to a plurality of ink jets of an imaging device, a second reservoir spaced apart from the first reservoir for containing ink for delivery to the first reservoir, and a third reservoir for capturing ink emitted from the plurality of ink jets. A first conduit is connected to the first reservoir and configured to permit flow of ink in a single direction toward the first reservoir. A second conduit is connected to the third reservoir and configured to permit flow of ink in a single direction away from the third reservoir. A third conduit is connected between the second reservoir and the first conduit and second conduit, the third conduit being configured to permit bidirectional flow of ink from the second reservoir toward the first and second conduits and from the first and second conduits toward the second reservoir. A bidirectional pump is associated with the third conduit. |
| US08292410B2 |
Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and actuator device
A liquid ejecting head includes a flow passage substrate having a pressure generation chamber in communication with a nozzle opening. A piezoelectric element includes first and second electrode and a piezoelectric substance layer and is positioned over one surface of the flow passage substrate. The piezoelectric element is deformed to form a convex toward the pressure generation chamber when the piezoelectric element is driven. A protection film formed from an inorganic material covers the piezoelectric element and has an opening through which an upper surface of the second electrode is exposed. An end of the opening in the protection film viewed in a direction of the length of the pressure generation chamber is located closer to the center than is an area at which the center of curvature of a curve of the piezoelectric element that forms near a wall around the pressure generation chamber during deformation operation. |
| US08292406B2 |
Inkjet printer with releasable print cartridge
An inkjet printer includes a cradle; a print cartridge removably received in the cradle, the print cartridge housing a plurality of ink storage reservoirs and a pagewidth printhead; a rotor element provided on the print cartridge, the rotor element having a platen face, a capping face, and a blotter face; and a rotor element drive assembly provided on the cradle for rotating the rotor element to position one of the platen face, the capping face, and the blotter face adjacent to the pagewidth printhead. The print cartridge is provided with a pair of end plates attached to opposite ends of the print cartridge, each end plate defining a slot within which a spring is provided. The rotor element is mounted within the slots and biased towards the printhead by the springs. |
| US08292403B2 |
Droplet discharge device
A droplet discharge device includes an inkjet head including a nozzle plate having a nozzle, the inkjet head aligned so that a droplet of a function liquid discharged from the nozzle is placed on a surface of a target, a heater applying heat to the function liquid at the inkjet head, and an insulating member having an opening corresponding to the nozzle, the insulating member positioned between the target and the nozzle plate so as to prevent heat transmission from the inkjet head to the target. |
| US08292398B2 |
Method and system for printhead alignment to compensate for dimensional changes in a media web in an inkjet printer
A method enables a controller to align printheads in a printer. The method includes identifying a first cross-process position for each printhead in a plurality of printheads in a printer with reference to image data of a test pattern printed by the plurality of printheads on a media substrate, identifying a second cross-process position for each printhead in the plurality of printheads, calculating a printhead cross-process position error between the identified first cross-process position and the identified second cross-process position for each printhead, comparing a maximum printhead cross-process position error to a predetermined threshold, and operating a plurality of actuators with reference to the calculated printhead cross-process position errors to reposition the printheads in the plurality of printheads in response to the maximum printhead cross-process position error being equal to or less than the predetermined threshold. |
| US08292391B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus and liquid ejecting method
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a first nozzle row in which first nozzles ejecting a first liquid are arranged in a predetermined direction; a second nozzle row in which second nozzles ejecting a second liquid are arranged in the predetermined direction; a movement mechanism moving the first and second nozzle rows in a movement direction intersecting the predetermined direction relative to a medium; a transport mechanism transporting the medium in the predetermined direction relative to the first and second nozzle rows; and a control unit repeating an image forming operation of ejecting the liquids from the first and second nozzles while moving the first and second nozzle rows in the movement direction by the movement mechanism and a transport operation of transporting the medium in the predetermined direction relative to the first and second nozzle rows by the transport mechanism. |
| US08292389B2 |
Recording control system
In a recording control system, representative pixels are set as a part of the pixels in the detection region. The determining unit determines whether a pixel value of the selected at least one representative pixel falls within a first pixel value range. The recording head ejects ink based on pixel data in the first region while scanning in the first direction. The recording head ejects ink based on pixel data in the second region adjacent to the first region while scanning in the first direction when the pixel value of the selected at least one representative pixel falls within the first pixel value range. The recording head ejects ink based on pixel data in the second region while scanning in the second direction when the pixel value of at least one of the selected at least one representative pixel does not falls within the first pixel value range. |
| US08292383B2 |
Refrigerating device comprising two doors
A refrigerator includes a body, a first door and a second door, where one of their edges is fixed to the opposite side of the opening of the body, and a beam which is joined to one edge of the first door which is opposite the fixed edge of the door. The beam can be pivoted by a guiding projection which can be displaced in a guiding groove on the edge of the opening, between a position when the first door is closed, in which one edge of the second door, which is opposite the fixed edge of said door, is applied to the beam, and a position when the first door is open, wherein the beam can pass to the closed second door. The guiding projection can be displaced in relation to the first door in the direction of the pivotable axis thereof. |
| US08292381B2 |
Consumer appliance such as dishwasher with soft open door mechanism
A consumer appliance with a soft open door mechanism includes a cabinet having top and a bottom and defining an opening along a front side. A door has a top and a bottom and is attached by a hinge to the front side of the cabinet. The hinge is at a bottom of the door so that the door is movable between an upright position closing the opening and a substantially horizontal position opening the opening. A spring is mounted in the cabinet so as to oppose movement of the door toward the horizontal position. A damping device is mounted within the cabinet activatable by an opening movement of the door toward the horizontal position to slow the door motion. The damping device is not active until the door has moved a distance from the upright position toward the horizontal position. Again, various options and modifications are possible. |
| US08292380B2 |
Rack for cabinet
A rack includes a upper frame, a frame post, and a confluence member. The upper frame includes a first pillar and a second pillar connected to the first pillar. A first guiding groove is defined in the first pillar. A second guiding groove is defined in the second pillar. The first guiding groove and the second guiding groove extend substantially along the horizontal plane. The frame post is coupled with a connection portion of the first pillar and the second pillar. A third guiding groove is defined in the frame post. The third guiding groove extends uprightly. The confluence member is mounted between the frame post and the connection portion of the first pillar and the second pillar. A plurality of confluence grooves is defined in the confluence member. The plurality of confluence grooves links the first guiding groove and the second guiding groove to the third guiding groove. |
| US08292377B2 |
Computer
A computer includes a chassis and a stowage structure. The stowage structure includes a connecting member mounted to a side plate of the chassis, a cover plate rotatably mounted to the connecting member, and a first supporting plate rotatably mounted to the cover plate to accommodate a first peripheral device between the cover plate and the first supporting plate. |
| US08292375B2 |
Linking pin for the chain links of vehicle tracks
The invention relates to a linking pin between the chain links of a vehicle track and the connectors of these links, such pin incorporating at least one ring of a synthetic material coating, positioned between the pin and at least one link, the pin incorporating at least two supports on either side of the ring, characterized in that it comprises at least one axial bore enclosing a material incorporating a liquid phase and enabling the calories that may build up in the ring to be evacuated towards the connectors. |
| US08292371B2 |
Adaptive advance drive control for milling machine
An adaptive advance control system for a construction machine senses the reaction forces applied by the ground surface to a milling drum, and in response to the sensed changes in those reaction forces controls the rate of lowering the milling drum into the ground surface. Early and rapid detection of such changes in reaction forces allow the control system to aid in preventing lurch forward events of the construction machine. |
| US08292368B1 |
Battery-powered adjustable boat seat
An electrically-operated seating apparatus for use on a boat which assists a user in standing up or sitting down is intended for use by elderly and/or disabled users, particularly in low-riding boats such as bass-boats, ski-boats and the like. The apparatus comprises a chair assembly mounted to the boat deck and a drive assembly which raises the seat up and down and tilts seat portion forward with the aid of electrical drive motors. In such a manner, the user can be assisted when getting into or out of the chair. Each side of the seat portion is provided with a small armrest to help secure the individual as well as aid in the lifting and lowering process. The electric motors would be powered from the boat battery and controlled through a set of arm-mounted switches. |
| US08292366B2 |
Fold-and-dive seat
A fold-and-dive seat may include a first link bracket, one end of which is pivotally connected to a back frame and the other end of which is pivotally connected to a cushion frame, wherein the one end of the first link bracket is spaced from a folding pivot shaft of the back frame, a second link bracket, one end of which is pivotally connected to a leading end of the cushion frame, and the other end of which is selectively engaged to an upper guide, wherein the upper guide pivotally coupled to the back frame by the folding pivot shaft is slidably coupled to a lower guide fixed to a vehicle body and configured to move along the lower guide, and a locking device selectively holding the second link bracket by engaging the second link bracket to the upper guide so as not to rotate the second link bracket such that the leading end of the cushion frame is not moved downwards. |
| US08292357B2 |
Reinforced closed section assembly
A reinforced closed section assembly is provided wherein the assembly includes a closed section member defining a first hole on a first side and a second hole on a second side opposite the first side. The reinforced closed section assembly further includes a reinforcement member disposed within the first and second holes of the closed section member. |
| US08292356B2 |
Lower vehicle-body structure of vehicle
A reinforcing member is provided at a lower-outside corner of a side-sill reinforcement so as to extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction including a connection portion of the side sill to a center pillar for straining deformation of the corner. A deformation promoting portion which is provided at an upper portion of the side-sill reinforcement at a specified position which corresponds to the connection portion for prompting deformation of the upper portion of the side-sill reinforcement. Accordingly, a lower vehicle-body structure of a vehicle which can properly restrain the side sill and the center pillar from coming toward the vehicle inside at the vehicle side crash can be provided. |
| US08292355B2 |
Vehicle roof with retractable windshield
The vehicle roof with a retractable windshield provides a retractable windshield for vehicles, such as UTVs, golf carts and the like, which typically do not include a windshield. The vehicle roof with a retractable windshield includes a roof base adapted for mounting on the vehicle in place of the conventional single panel roof. A cover is also provided, with the cover being adapted for mounting on the roof base so that a storage compartment is defined therebetween. A rear edge of the cover is pivotally secured to a rear edge of the roof base by hinges or the like. A windshield having a support frame with opposed upper and lower edges is removably and slidably disposed within the storage compartment defined between the cover and the roof base. |
| US08292354B2 |
B-pillar for a vehicle
A B-pillar (12) for a vehicle is fastened between a roof member (13) and a sill member (15) of the vehicle. The pillar has a martensitic structure and the steel has an tensile strength of at least 1300 MPa. Close to the lower fastening portion (14) there is a soft portion (20) with a tensile strength of less than 800 MPa. This soft portion has a height of at least 30 mm, extend over less than ⅓ of the pillar height, and is so positioned that the lower fastening portion is martensitic. |
| US08292353B2 |
Construction for an automotive vehicle
A construction for an automotive vehicle having a generally vertically extending pillar positioned adjacent a door opening as well as a laterally extending cross member having one end aligned with the pillar adjacent its bottom. A gusset has one end secured to one end of the cross member and a second end secured to the pillar. A crush box is attached to the pillar and includes at least a portion aligned with the second end of the gusset to provide a controlled pillar deformation resulting in a constant force-deformation loading of the gusset during a side impact. |
| US08292349B1 |
Longitudinal-slide door controlling mechanism
A longitudinal-slide door controlling mechanism is provided to improve door controlling for large vehicles, such as buses. The door controlling mechanism is designed to longitudinal-slide to save space-occupied by the door and enhance safety. The mechanism includes a track, a slider group, a flexible transmission group, and a drive element. The flexible transmission group is used to drive the slider group to move along the track. And the track is attached to the bus body. Therefore the bus door is driven to longitudinal-slide along the bus body. The space-occupied caused by the conventional rotary door is saved. Also, the passerby struck by the door during opening would be eliminated. |
| US08292344B2 |
Mounting structure of grip with integrated handle
A mounting structure of a grip with integrated handle to a door panel includes the grip, a door trim to which the grip is mounted, a bracket, an overlapping portion and a handle fastening portion. The grip includes a grip portion and a handle portion that are integrally formed. The bracket is arranged so as to extend from an end of the grip portion to the handle portion. The overlapping portion includes a part of the grip, a part of the door trim and a part of the bracket held together so as to overlap with one another. The handle fastening portion is provided for fastening the handle portion to the door panel and with which the bracket is to be fixed to the door panel. |
| US08292342B2 |
Plate holder
A plate carrier is carried on a server's forearm. The carrier comprises a wireform having a horizontal support portion for carrying the plate carrier on the forearm, a vertical loop portion looping around a server's forearm, and a plate holder portion below the server's forearm. The horizontal support is carried between the elbow and the palm. The vertical loop portion centers the plate holder portion under the server's forearm and the plate holder portion positions the plate holders centered under the forearm longitudinally closer to the elbow than the palm. The plate holders comprise a stationary lower jaw and a pivoting upper jaw allowing adjustment to hold a variety of plates. |
| US08292341B1 |
Method and rig for dragging a fallen game animal
A fallen game animal can be dragged with a rig having a right and a left tether, both secured to the animal. The right and the left tether run alongside each other away from the fallen game animal in a direction of travel. Two or more persons, flanked by the right and the left tether, are positioned in a single file facing away from the fallen game animal. The persons use their right hands and their left hands to grip the handholds on the right tether and the left tether, respectively. Walking in single file in the direction of travel, the two persons pull the pair of tethers to drag the fallen animal. The rig can be extended to accommodate additional persons. |
| US08292335B1 |
Balloon-tying device
A balloon-tying device for assisting in tying a balloon is provided, the balloon having a filling end. The balloon-tying device comprises a base having a top surface and a bottom surface substantially opposite the top surface. A pair of spaced tying prongs is provided with each having a base end and a top end and the base ends of the tying prongs secured to the top surface of the base. A ridge extends from the top end of each of the tying prongs wherein the filling end of the balloon is wrappable around the tying prongs and fed between the tying prongs and wherein the ridges maintain the filling end of the balloon from inadvertently slipping from the tying prongs during the tying process. |
| US08292334B2 |
Flared cone fitting
An improved flared cone fitting of the type having a male portion and a female portion having a tube, an inverted conical annulus, a nut, and a joinder portion, may be disclosed. It is improved by the joinder portion including a back-side annular face, which may define a void. The joinder portion may also include an abutment intended to contact a shoulder of a fitting nut and properly direct forces exerted on the nut. |
| US08292333B2 |
Pipe joints
An inlet hole capable of inserting a pipe thereinto is formed in a pipe joint body along an axis. Retainer attaching holes for attaching with a retainer that prevents detachment of the pipe are formed in a side surface of the pipe joint body to extend therethrough. These retainer attaching holes are configured symmetrically with respect to an X axis passing through a center of the inlet hole as a symmetrical axis. Thus, a circumference of the inlet hole opens symmetrically, so that the heat shrinkage condition after molding is equalized in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, it is not necessary to process a molding pin for the inlet hole with imbalance of heat shrinkage amount in mind, so that the molding pin becomes easy to process. In addition, the retainer can selectively utilize the retainer attaching holes at two positions, so that selective use depending on installation environment can be achieved. |
| US08292330B2 |
Insertable tube system for a vacuum cleaner
An insertable tube system for a vacuum cleaner, with at least one first tube, a second tube and a coupling for detachable connection of the first tube to the second tube, the coupling having a guide element and a lever button, the guide element being located on the outside of the wall of the first tube, the lever button in the guide element being supported to be able to move around a pivot axis, the lever button being movable by the force of at least a first spring element into a catch position, and the lever button having a catch projection on the bottom, the wall of the first tube having an opening for the catch projection of the lever button, and a mechanical connection between the first tube and the second tube being producible by engagement of the catch projection with a catch recess of the second tube. |
| US08292328B2 |
Agricultural header transport assembly
An agricultural header assembly broadly includes a header and a header transport assembly. The header is disposed in a transport orientation when a rigid beam thereof is out of vertical alignment with the header center of gravity. The transport assembly includes first and second pairs of spaced apart wheels shiftably connected to the rigid beam for movement between a transport position and a field position. The first and second pairs of wheels define respective first and second midpoints therebetween when in the transport position. The first and second midpoints are each disposed in general vertical alignment with the header center of gravity when the header is in the transport orientation to substantially balance the header on the transport assembly. |
| US08292327B2 |
Device for the optional guiding of at least one self-steering wheel of a trolley
The invention relates to a device for the optional guiding of at least one self-steering wheel of a trolley. According to the invention, the wheel is of the type that is mounted on a support that pivots around a vertical axis. The device comprises: a push bar which forms a dual-articulated steering member that can be accessed by the user; means for rotating a first clutch part about the vertical axis in response to steering member movements; and means which can be used at will to couple and uncouple the first clutch part in relation to a second clutch part which is solidly connected to the aforementioned support of the wheel, in response to other steering member movements. In addition, a coin-operated locking device for preventing the movement of the trolley is built into a casing which houses a transmission element of the guiding device and which is fixed to the push bar of the trolley. |
| US08292326B2 |
Stabilizer for three wheel vehicle
A stabilizer is disclosed for a three-wheel vehicle having a frame extending between a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion of the frame supports a front steering wheel and with the rear portion of the frame supports plural driving wheels. The stabilizer comprises a right and a left stabilizing wheel mounted on a right and a left side of the frame. The right and left stabilizing wheels are positioned above the supporting surface when the three-wheel vehicle moves in a straight direction on a supporting surface. The right and left stabilizing wheels engage the supporting surface when the vehicle is turned in a right and a left direction respectively for stabilizing the three-wheel vehicle while maintaining steering ability. Preferably, the stabilizer includes a right and a left director for directing the right and left stabilizing wheels in a forward direction when the right and left stabilizing wheels are positioned above the supporting surface. The invention is also incorporated into an accessory stabilizer unit adapted for mounting onto existing three-wheel vehicles. |
| US08292325B2 |
Vehicle occupant restraint system comprising an inflatable gas bag
A vehicle occupant restraint system is provided. The vehicle occupant restraint system comprising a gas bag inflatable with gas, which includes at least one first fabric layer and one second fabric layer, which are connected with each other along their edge by means of a peripheral seam, and at least one outflow opening via which gas can flow out of the gas bag, wherein the outflow opening is formed by an interruption of the peripheral seam, wherein the peripheral seam is interrupted such that it comprises on both sides of the outflow opening a portion extending substantially vertical to the adjoining edge of the gas bag and ending at the edge of the gas bag, and at least one additional seam formed in the region of the outflow opening is provided, which at least partly closes the outflow opening, wherein the additional seam is designed such that it opens during the inflation process. |
| US08292322B2 |
Supplemental inflatable restraint system with hush panel housing
A supplemental inflatable restraint system is provided for use with a vehicle having an instrument panel at a forward end therein. A hush panel, which defines a cavity configured to nest the SIR therein, is attached to a lower portion of the instrument panel. The cavity has an opening facing in a generally downward direction. A cushion is operable to transition through the opening from a non-expanded state, in which the cushion is inside the cavity, to an expanded state, in which the cushion is outside the cavity. A fluid dispensing apparatus regulates transition of the cushion from the non-expanded to the expanded state. A closeout door is attached to the hush panel to cover the cushion, and transition from a closed to an open position. The hush panel acts as a structural reaction surface for the cushion, and is generally not visible to a vehicle occupant seated upright and adjacent thereto. |
| US08292318B2 |
Adaptable drawbar support assembly
The invention relates to a drawbar support assembly. There is a need for a drawbar support assembly which can adapt to different types of drawbars. An adaptable drawbar support assembly includes a generally U-shaped front support member for coupling to and supporting the front end of the drawbar. A front spacer member mounts in the front support member above or below the front end of the drawbar. A generally U-shaped rear support member couples to and supports the drawbar. A rear spacer member mounts in the rear support member below the drawbar. The rear spacer member is removable from the rear support member when the front spacer member is mounted above the front end of the drawbar. A ball coupler is attached to the rear end of the drawbar when the front spacer member is mounted above the front end of the drawbar. A clevis coupler is attached to the rear end of the drawbar when the front spacer member is mounted below the front end of the drawbar. |
| US08292317B1 |
Tow bar for tricycle or bicycle
A tow bar for tricycle or bicycle. The tow bar includes a handle attached at one end of a spine, an arm attached at an opposite end of the spine, and fingers attached to the arm. Each finger has a finger hook sized to engage a vehicle handlebar. In operation, the fingers are engaged with a vehicle, and the handle used to pull the vehicle by its handlebar. The position of the fingers along the arm and the angle of the fingers relative to the arm is adjustable, which allows the tow bar to be quickly and easily adapted to different handlebar designs. Padding may be centrally installed on the handlebar, and the fingers spaced so as to engage the handlebar on either side of the padding, thus keeping the tow bar centrally disposed on the handlebar. |
| US08292307B2 |
In-line roller skate, in particular racing skate
In-line roller skate (1), in particular racing skate, comprising a pair of side frame elements (5a, 5b), joined to each other by at least a transversal frame element (5c), between which a front wheel (7a), a rear wheel (7d) and at least two intermediate wheels (7b, 7c) are pivotally mounted, and a skate boot (3) provided with a sole (3a), said boot being fastened to said frame through a fastening portion (9), wherein said fastening portion (9) is located between said sole and said frame in a substantially central region (F) in the longitudinal direction between said front and rear wheels. |
| US08292306B1 |
Mount and bearing for shock absorber
Improved mount and bearing height adjustable air suspension shock absorber devices, apparatus, systems and methods, for use with sport utility vehicles(SUVs) such as Range Rovers®, and the like. Air lines run through an upper mount into an upper opening of an inflatable and deflatable airbag. The airlines have not external lines such as the nylon type tubing used in the prior art, and are not prone to failure which occurs more frequently with the external tubing air lines. Inflating and deflating the air springs/airbags (bladders) allows for the shock absorbers in the devices to be adjusted to different riding conditions over different types of terrains giving the rider a customized ride over different types of on road and off-road terrains. An internal air line machined into the head of the air suspension device provides a direct passageway for compressed air to pass into and out of the airbag without using external tubes. Sealing members such as O-rings provide airtight seals between the moving members of the head components of the air suspension devices. |
| US08292303B2 |
Manifold gasket having pushrod guide
A manifold gasket assembly includes a steel carrier fabricated with a plurality of air intake openings. Rubber material is molded to the carrier body to provide a seal about the openings when the gasket assembly is clamped between a cylinder head and intake manifold. Pushrod guides are provided on the carrier body and are fabricated of a material different than that of the carrier body, namely the same material as that used to form the elastomeric sealing beads. |
| US08292301B1 |
Multifunction ring
A multifunction ring comprises an elastomeric body which totally encloses at least one circumferential tubular cavity filled with at least one liquid medium. In various ring embodiments the liquid medium conducts heat, damps vibration, blocks extrusion and/or transmits hydraulic pressure. When one or more rings are used in a plunger packing, longitudinal compression of the ring(s) secondary to increased pumped fluid pressure occurs during a pressure stroke. Such compression, acting through the compliance of each ring, increases tubular cavity hydraulic pressure and causes radial ring expansion. Ring expansion is both inward toward a plunger and, simultaneously, outward toward its packing box. Inward expansion tends to seal the extrusion gap, while outward expansion increases coupling from plunger to packing box to increase vibration damping and/or heat scavenging. Periodic reduction of pumped fluid pressure tends to reverse radial ring expansion, thus reducing both frictional ring wear and heat generation. |
| US08292300B2 |
Portable folding sports goal
An upper bar and a lower bar are parallel with respect to each other and are separated by a distance. A slanted bar, vertical bar, and side bar form a triangular frame with one end of the slanted bar and one end of the vertical bar connected to one end of the upper bar. The opposing end of the vertical bar is releasably connected to one end of the side bar while the opposing end of the side bar is connected to the lower bar. Another slanted bar, vertical bar, and side bar are similarly connected at the other end of the upper and lower bars. The upper bar, lower bar, and two slanted bars include releasably connected tubular members. And both ends of the slanted bars are connected with rotatable joints. Netting may be woven onto the upper bar, the lower bar, the vertical bars, and the side bars. |
| US08292297B2 |
Sheet separation mechanism and image forming apparatus with first and second biasing members
A sheet separation mechanism includes a separation claw holder, a separation claw, a first coil spring and a second coil spring. The separation claw holder can be provided at a predetermined place in the image forming apparatus. The separation claw includes a separation claw base pivotally supported by the separation claw holder and a separation claw front-end pivotally supported by the separation claw base. The first coil spring is configured to apply a force to rotate the separation claw base toward an intermediate transfer belt. The second coil spring is configured to apply a force to rotate the separation claw front-end toward the intermediate transfer belt. |
| US08292296B2 |
Apparatus for varying the speed of printed products having an external eccentric assembly and method
An apparatus for varying the speed of printed products is provided. The apparatus includes a nip roll rotatable about a nip roll axis and an eccentric assembly external of the nip roll coupled to the nip roll coincident with the nip roll axis. The eccentric assembly is adapted to eccentrically move the nip roll. A method of varying the speed of a printed product in a printing press is also provided. |
| US08292288B2 |
Drive switching mechanism and feeding device
A drive switching mechanism includes a transmission gear and a planetary gear configured to transmit a drive from an input gear to an output gear. The drive switching mechanism further includes a swinging member configured to hold the planetary gear such that the planetary gear can swing around the input gear, a retaining unit configured to retain the swinging member in a swing enabled or disabled state, and a releasing unit configured to disengage the planetary gear from the output gear and cause them to be spaced apart. The output gear includes a toothless part that does not engage with a gear section engaging with the transmission gear. |
| US08292283B2 |
Post-processing apparatus and image formation system provided with the apparatus
To provide a post-processing apparatus for enabling a bunch of sheets and a single sheet to be folded in simplified structure, and further enabling the folded sheet and sheets that are not folded to be mixed and bound, the post-processing apparatus has a processing tray to collate and collect sheets to perform binding processing, and a folding processing path having a folding processing section, and a folded sheet carrying-out path for carrying out a folded sheet is provided on the downstream side of the folding processing path. Then, the folded sheet carrying-out path is comprised of a circulating path for guiding the folded sheet again to the folding processing section, a post-processing path for guiding the folded sheet to the processing tray to perform post-processing, and a sheet discharge path for guiding the folded sheet to a storage stacker. |
| US08292273B2 |
Fluid filled type vibration damping device
A fluid filled type vibration damping device having a pressure-receiving chamber and an equilibrium chamber disposed on either side of a partition member. A movable cover member juxtaposed against the partition member from the pressure receiving chamber side to cover a communicating hole of the partition member. An outside peripheral edge of the movable cover member is held in intimate contact against the partition member through urging force of an elastic retainer portion. Pressure of both chambers will acts on both faces of a movable rubber film, thereby constituting a pressure fluctuation absorbing mechanism. The outside peripheral edge of the movable cover member is separated from the partition member in opposition to the urging force by negative pressure in the pressure receiving chamber for providing a shunting mechanism for preventing excessive negative pressure in the pressure receiving chamber. |
| US08292266B2 |
Hammer with leverage No. II
A hand tool includes an elongated plunger assembly and a locking assembly. The locking assembly has a catch assembly with a release actuator. The release actuator is movable in a direction generally not aligned with the tool head plane of motion. The locking assembly catch member is structured to engage the plunger assembly body and maintain the plunger assembly body in a selected position. Further, the plunger assembly is disposed in a socket within the tool head and biased toward an extended position by a spring. The release actuator is, preferably, disposed on the neck of the hand tool just above the user's thumb. When the plunger assembly body is disposed within the tool head and a user desires to extend the plunger assembly, the user actuates the release actuator thereby removing the engagement of the catch member and allowing the socket spring to move the plunger assembly body to the extended position. |
| US08292261B2 |
Secured water and/or air dispenser for snowmaking system, equipped with an electric-actuator-driven valve
A water and/or air dispenser for snowmaking system includes water and/or air supplying ducts and is equipped with at least one valve (9) associated with an electric actuator (10), the actuator (10) being connected to an electric power source (12, 19) and associated with its own management unit (11) to ensure the operation of the valve (9) between the open and closed configurations thereof. The dispenser is associated with security elements able to cause the valve (9) to be positioned in a known security configuration, for example tightly closed, in case of voltage cut-off at the electric source (12, 19), the security elements being integrated and including a capacitor-type electric unit (16), connected to the electric power source and to the actuator (10), the capacitor unit being able to store, and then return, a quantity of energy necessary for complete actuation of the valve, to implement the security elements. |
| US08292255B2 |
Hybrid tooling for the curing of composite pieces
The invention relates to a hybrid tooling (1) for the curing of composite pieces, comprising a support structure (3) made of a metallic material with high thermal diffusivity, a base plate (31) with an identical surface geometry as that of the piece to be cured, made of INVAR 36 or NILO 36, an intermediate structure (21) between the support structure (3) and the base plate (31), with a cell configuration, with the sides of each cell sufficiently lightened so as to facilitate the flow of air under the base plate (31) during the curing cycle, made of INVAR 36 or NILO 36, and means of fixing the intermediate structure (21) to the support structure (3) which allow their free expansion. |
| US08292253B2 |
Device for supporting bathroom accessories and the like
A device for supporting bathroom accessories and the like, comprising a suction cup element including a suction part and a holding part adapted to hold a bathroom accessory and the like, and a mounting element including an engaging formation formed to engage and retain the suction part of the suction element and member adapted to attach to a wall. |
| US08292252B2 |
Support for a turbine
In a support for a turbine, which turbine has an outer casing which is split into an upper section (11) and a lower section (12) in a horizontal parting plane, in which upper section (11) and lower section (12) are screwed to each other on a horizontal flange (13; 13a, 13b) which lies in the parting plane, the support includes a multiplicity of essentially vertical supports (31) which by an upper end act on the outer casing (18) and by the lower end are supported on a foundation. With such a support, optimum points of application on the outer casing are achieved with the threaded flange connection without limitations by one or more of the supports (31) acting by the upper end on the horizontal flange (13; 13a, 13b) and being part of the horizontal threaded flange connection. |
| US08292245B2 |
Roof mounted air hose and electrical cord holder
A roof mounted air hose holder is provided which is adapted to be mounted on roofs having different pitches. The air hose holder may also be mounted on a flat roof. In a modified form of the invention, one of the air hose reels of the air hose holder may be replaced by an electrical cord reel. In another embodiment, both of the air hose reels may be replaced by electrical cord reels. |
| US08292238B2 |
Thrust bearing support assembly for a gas turbine engine
A thrust bearing support assembly includes a first substantially trapezoidally-shaped side, and a second substantially rectangularly-shaped side coupled to the first side. The thrust bearing support assembly also includes a third substantially trapezoidally-shaped side coupled to the second side, and a fourth substantially rectangularly-shaped side coupled to the first and third sides. |
| US08292237B1 |
Control expansion for conventionally powered model railroads
A method and an apparatus are provided to allow expanded control capability of digital locomotives on model railroad layouts, and to permit compatible speed and direction operation simultaneously for non-digital or conventional locomotives alongside. The improvements employ mixed-mode control encoding and decoding algorithms and methods that are expanded beyond other known structures for control mode changes used on model railroad layouts. The method and the apparatus also provide a capability for occupancy detection, transponding or data feedback detection and intelligent power management in the same apparatus. |
| US08292236B2 |
Flight surface seal
A seal for sealing a gap between a first (252) and a second (207) component of an aircraft flight surface which has a first seal body (222) having a first sealing portion (246) arranged to seal against the first component, wherein the first seal body is movably mounted to the second component so as to seal at least part of the gap during relative movement of the first and second components. A seal is also provided with components movable relative to each other. |
| US08292233B2 |
Solar protection device for space instrument
The present invention relates to a solar protection device for space instrument. This invention is particularly suited to electromagnetic measuring instruments pointing in a direction close to that of the sun. To ensure the continuous availability, the performance and the non-degradation of collecting instruments directed towards the sun, the invention proposes the use of solar baffling thermally and mechanically decoupled from the platform supporting the collecting instruments of the equipment. |
| US08292230B2 |
Device for detecting and eliminating the presence of a layer of ice or liquid
A device for detecting and eliminating a layer of ice formed on the surface of an aircraft structure or a liquid that has infiltrated inside of a structure and/or into the material of the structure. The device includes at least one pair of subnetworks of conductive elements, each subnetwork including at least one series of conductive elements, the aforementioned subnetworks being arranged in such a way that the interfitting between the conductive elements of the first subnetwork and the conductive elements of the second subnetwork forms a network of capacitive sensors, said the aforementioned conductive elements being embedded in an insulating material, each subnetwork of conductive elements being incorporated into a flexible substrate so that the entire assembly forms a flexible covering. |
| US08292229B2 |
Aircraft and method of retrieving a rescue cradle into the aircraft fuselage
An aircraft capable of hovering, and having a fuselage defining an access opening; driving means for operating a rescue cradle; and a first wall movable between a closed position engaging a first portion of the opening, and a first open position allowing access to the first portion of the opening. The aircraft has a member connected functionally to the first wall and in turn having at least one flat surface; and the member is movable with respect to the wall into a first position, in which the flat surface defines a supporting surface for the cradle when the first wall is in the first open position. |
| US08292228B2 |
Control system for dimmable windows
Electrically dimmable windows for aircraft are powered by energy harvesting devices on-board the aircraft. The harvested energy is stored and used to control the opacity of the windows based on individual window opacity settings selected either by passengers or a cabin attendant. Each window has an associated control circuit that controls the electrical power applied to the window based on the selected opacity setting. The control circuit includes a low energy usage processor that remains in a sleep mode until a change in the opacity setting is detected. Each control circuit may include a radio transceiver that receives control signals from a transmitter operated by the cabin attendant in order to simultaneously remotely control the opacity settings of multiple windows. |
| US08292227B2 |
Aircraft wings having continuously tailored structural strength
The structural strength of an aircraft wing is continuously tailored along its length to closely match continuously varying imposed wing loads. The wing includes upper and lower skins each formed from panels joined together. Each of the skin panels includes a stiffening web sandwiched between and joined to the inner and outer facesheets. The web has a repeating pattern and at least one dimension that continuously varies along the length of the panel. |
| US08292226B2 |
Weight-optimizing internally pressurized composite-body aircraft fuselages having near-elliptical cross sections
A method for minimizing the weight of an internally pressurized aircraft fuselage of a type that includes an elongated tubular shell having a near-elliptical cross-section with a radius R(φ)- and a curvature Curv(φ), where φ is a roll elevation angle of the shell, includes tailoring at least one structural attribute of the shell as a function of at least one of the elevation angle φ, R(φ) and Curv(φ) so as to reduce the weight of the fuselage relative to an identical fuselage shell in which the same at least one structural attribute has not been so tailored. |
| US08292225B2 |
Airplane with flat rear fuselage said queue-de-morue empennage
An airplane includes a fuselage having a shape elongated along a longitudinal axis X of the airplane and at least one wing fixed to the fuselage between the front end and the rear end of the fuselage. The fuselage includes a substantially cylindrical central part and a rear tapered part on which a vertical empennage is fixed. Between a section connecting the rear part with the central part of the fuselage and the rear end the maximum width of each section of the fuselage is constant or increasing rearwards up to a maximum width L of the fuselage, the height of each section of the fuselage is decreasing rearwards in the direction of the negative X, so that the rear end of the fuselage forms a trailing edge having a small thickness which is substantially horizontal in an airplane reference system and substantially rectilinear. |
| US08292224B1 |
Quick install aircraft track fitting device
An improved seating apparatus for an aircraft includes a seat assembly and a quick install track fitting assembly for securing the seat assembly to the aircraft. In a preferred embodiment, the quick install track fitting assembly is made up of a track fitting body for insertion into an aircraft seat track and a manual lever that is pivotably attached to the track fitting body. The manual lever has a lever release position and a lever lock position. A force bearing plunger is movably attached to the manual lever for transferring force to the aircraft seat track. The force bearing plunger has a track release position and a track lock position, wherein both positions correspond to the lever release and lever lock positions of the manual lever. A lock may also be provided for maintaining the plunger in the track lock position when the manual lever is in the lever lock position. The quick install aircraft track fitting may further include a spring loaded secondary plunger to help locate and provide a secondary lock for securing the seat assembly into a proper position within the aircraft seat track. Moreover, the quick install track fitting may further include an anti-rattle feature that urges the force bearing plunger against the top of the seat track. |
| US08292219B2 |
Aircraft landing gear unlock actuator
This disclosure relates to a landing gear system that includes a landing gear strut rotatable between stowed and deployed positions. A lock-stay is connected to the landing gear strut and is movable between locked and unlocked conditions. An unlock actuator is connected to the lock-stay and includes first and second members movable relative to one another. The first member is movable between first and second positions that correspond to the locked and unlocked conditions. A controller is in communication with the unlock actuator and is configured to command the unlock actuator between the first and second positions in response to an input. The second member is permitted to free-drive relative to the first member between the stowed and deployed positions with the lock-stay in the unlocked condition. |
| US08292216B1 |
Wing lift system
A method and apparatus may be present for moving a wing. A plurality of lifting assemblies may be attached to a first plurality of channels in a ring associated with the wing of an aircraft. A plurality of base assemblies may be attached to a plurality of fittings with a second plurality of channels associated with a fuselage of the aircraft. The plurality of lifting assemblies may be moved away from the plurality of base assemblies using a plurality of biasing systems such that the ring may move away from the fuselage. |
| US08292214B2 |
Vibration damping for wing-to-body aircraft fairing
A wing-to-body fairing for aircraft is formed from a sandwich structure having integrated vibration damping. |
| US08292212B2 |
Method, mandrel and device for the removal of coreless rolls of a stretch film
A method, a mandrel and a device for removing coreless rolls of a plastic film. The mandrel comprises a tubular body having a plurality of radial holes, conformed with a chamber for distributing pressurized air, in which a piston suitable for being magnetically coupled with an external drive member slides. When a roll must be removed, pressurized air is supplied to the fore end of the mandrel, and escapes from all the holes to expand the internal turns of the roll which can be taken off without friction. As the roll advances along the mandrel, the magnetically driven piston progressively reduces the volume of the air chamber preventing at the same time the air to escape from the holes that progressively come to lie on the rear side of the mandrel, with consequent saving of compressed air. |
| US08292209B2 |
Webbing retractor
An operating load of an overload releasing mechanism is made to be high by a simple method. In a webbing retractor, spring claws engage with recesses of a rotor, and a gear wheel and the rotor are connected. When relative rotational force is applied between the rotor and the gear wheel, the spring claws elastically deform and engagement thereof with the recesses is released. Due thereto, connection of the rotor and the gear wheel is released, and the overload releasing mechanism is operated. Here, urging members urge the spring claws toward a side of engaging with the recesses. Due thereto, the operating load of the overload releasing mechanism can be made to be high by a simple method of merely adding the urging members. |
| US08292205B2 |
Tablet crusher
A device for crushing one or more tablets and method for using the same are disclosed. The device preferably contains a lower body portion and upper body portion which assemble to define a cavity between the two portions. The cavity has a floor which may define an anvil. At least one opening is placed within the cavity to accept a tablet. A platen body may be adapted to travel along a substantially vertical axis between a closed and open position and may be guided along a rear vertical wall of the cavity. A pinion is preferably placed on an elongate member and operatively engages with a rack placed on the platen body such that movement of the elongate member is translated to the platen body. A crushing surface may be placed on the platen body and is preferably parallel to the anvil. The crushing surface and anvil may be placed at an oblique angle relative to the vertical axis of travel for the platen body. The platen body may contain a top surface which contacts a corresponding surface on the elongate member when the platen body is in the closed position so as to apply a hammering force to the tablet. |
| US08292199B2 |
Locking element for a dispenser
A locking element for a dispenser for discharging a medium, with an insert body, which has an outlet channel and an exit opening for the medium to be discharged, and a piston element which has a piston head co-operating with a piston seat and at least one elastic resilient leg, characterized in that a sealing element is arranged in the outlet channel, which forms the piston seat, and the piston element with the at least one resilient leg is arranged in an enlarging channel portion of the outlet channel, wherein the piston head is pre-tensioned against the piston seat and is pushed out of the piston seat by the exiting medium. |
| US08292190B2 |
Coding pattern comprising registration codeword having variants corresponding to possible registrations
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed thereon or therein. The coding pattern comprises a tiling of contiguous grid cells, each grid cell being demarcated by t target elements and having t-fold rotational symmetry, each grid cell containing nt registration symbols, each registration symbol being encoded by a set of macrodots; and a tiling of contiguous tags, each tag consisting of an array of c grid cells, each tag containing a plurality of data symbols. There are ct possible registrations between a physical layout of the coding pattern and a logical layout of the coding pattern and any contiguous tag-shaped array of c grid cells contains cnt registration symbols. The registration symbols, taken in a defined sequence relative to the physical layout of the tag-shaped array, form a registration codeword of length r. There are v distinct registration codewords, each corresponding to a distinct one of the ct possible registrations. |
| US08292178B2 |
Integrated smart label
Implementations of the present disclosure provide an integrated smart label, comprising a plurality of electronic components, each of the electronic components including a profile defining at least a portion of a machine-readable indicia, at least one of the electronic components storing first data, and the machine-readable indicia being a visual representation of second data. Implementations of the present disclosure also provide a method of producing an integrated smart label, and a system employing an integrated smart label. |
| US08292175B2 |
Tag device, reader device, and RFID system
Embodiments relate to a tag device, a reader device, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) system. The Q embodiment provides a tag device comprising: a reception module converting a received high frequency signal into a scale level, and Q converting the converted scale level into a digital signal to output the same; a transmission module modulating a transmission signal M to output the same; and a controller controlling the reception module and the transmission module. The tag device communicates with the reader device through wireless short distance communication. |
| US08292169B2 |
Cart device, system and method for determining the weight of each item carried
A cart moves items within a facility, each having an identification tag. The cart includes a carriage, a scale, a reader, and processors. The scale measures a cumulative weight of the items on the carriage. The reader reads the tags of the items. The processors determine a weight for each item by a change in the cumulative weight after its transfer to or from the carriage. The weight is stored in a database in association with each item. There is also disclosed a related system and method. Preferably, the cart is located, and its location is applied to each item carried thereby to track the items within the facility. |
| US08292168B2 |
System and method for authorizing purchases associated with a vehicle
Disclosed is a system for authorizing purchases associated with a vehicle for example at a service station, the system including an identification tag associated with the vehicle, a data storage device associated with the vehicle for storing vehicular data, at least one tag reader configured to read and transmit data from the identification tag and a station relay unit configured to receive the transmitted and to transmit an authorization signal. Disclosed is also a method of authorizing a purchase associated with a vehicle, for example at a service station, comprising associating with a first identifier and a second identifier with a vehicle, when requested to authorize a purchase associated with said vehicle, acquiring the first identifier and the second identifier, determining that the acquired first and second identifiers are correctly associated and if the first acquired identifier and said second acquired identifier are associated, authorizing the purchase. |
| US08292162B2 |
Envelope
An envelope according to the present invention includes an envelope body having a first end and defining an interior area selectively accessible adjacent the first end through which articles may be inserted. The envelope includes a flap extending from the first end that is selectively movable between first and second configurations in which the interior area is accessible or enclosed, respectively. Further, the envelope includes adhesive situated on the flap for interacting with the envelope body to maintain the flap at the second configuration. In addition, flavoring is disposed the flap, but at a position that is adjacent to and distinct from the adhesive. The envelope may include first and second indicia on the flap, with one indicia including only adhesive and with the other indicia including only flavoring. The indicia may present geometric shapes, or alphanumeric data such as an advertisement or other messages. |
| US08292161B2 |
Welding alignment and spacing article
A welding alignment and spacing article is provided for forming a welding gap between two structures to be welded together. The article includes a body having first and second surfaces that are spaced from each other at a selected spacing distance to define a region of selected body thickness. The body is formed from a non-metallic degradable body material in the region that can be wholly or partially degraded by exposure to a degrading agent to reduce the body thickness. The degradable body material is sufficiently incompressible to be useable as a spacer that maintains a specified welding gap distance between the two structures to be welded. |
| US08292159B2 |
Fabrication method of semiconductor integrated circuit device
Productivity is to be improved in assembling a semiconductor integrated circuit device. A matrix substrate is provided and semiconductor chips are disposed on a first heating stage, then the matrix substrate is disposed above the semiconductor chips on the first heating stage, subsequently the semiconductor chips and the matrix substrate are bonded to each other temporarily by thermocompression bonding while heating the chips directly by the first heating stage, thereafter the temporarily bonded matrix substrate is disposed on a second heating stage adjacent to the first heating stage, and then on the second heating stage the semiconductor chips are thermocompression-bonded to the matrix substrate while being heated directly by the second heating stage. |
| US08292155B2 |
Motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument with tactile position feedback
A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising an elongate channel, a clamping member pivotably connected to the channel, and a moveable cutting instrument for traversing the channel to cut an object clamped in the end effector by the clamping member when the clamping member is in a clamped position. The instrument may also comprise a main drive shaft assembly for actuating the cutting instrument in the end effector, a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, and a motor for actuating the gear drive train. The instrument may also includes a closure trigger and a firing trigger, separate from the closure trigger, for actuating the motor when the firing trigger is retracted. Also, the instrument may comprise a mechanical closure system connected to the closure trigger and to the clamping member for causing the clamping member to pivot to the clamped position when the closure trigger is retracted. |
| US08292151B2 |
Tool assembly for surgical stapling device
The present disclosure describes a surgical device with a body portion defining a longitudinal axis, a tool assembly including an anvil, a cartridge assembly housing a plurality of staples, a dynamic clamping member movable relative to the tool assembly to eject the staples, and an articulation and firing actuator extending at least partially through the body portion and the tool assembly. The tool assembly is pivotally attached to the body portion for movement from a position aligned with the longitudinal axis to a position oriented at an angle thereto. The articulation and firing actuator extends at least partially through the body portion and the tool assembly, is operably associated with the dynamic clamping member and the tool assembly, and is movable in relation thereto to selectively pivot the tool assembly relative to the body portion and move the dynamic clamping member relative to the tool assembly to eject the staples. |
| US08292150B2 |
Adapter for powered surgical devices
An adapter assembly for selectively interconnecting a surgical end effector including at least one axially translatable drive member and a powered actuator device including at least one rotatable drive shaft is provided. The adapter assembly includes an actuation shaft configured to convert rotation of a first drive shaft of the powered actuator device into an axial translation of a first drive member of the surgical end effector. The adapter assembly further includes an elongate tube configured to convert rotation of a second drive shaft of the powered actuator device into an axial translation of a second drive member of the surgical end effector. The actuation shaft is disposed within the elongate tube, and the actuation shaft and the elongate tube translate axially independent of each other. |
| US08292141B2 |
Method for separating a pane of brittle material from a moving ribbon of material
A pane is separated from a moving ribbon of brittle material by restraining the ribbon upstream of a score line prior to separating the pane. The ribbon is restrained by selectively contacting a first side and a second side of the ribbon in one of an opposite, overlapping or offset relation. The ribbon can be restrained prior to, substantially simultaneous with or subsequent to forming the score line. The restrained status of the ribbon is maintained during and immediately after separation of the pane from the ribbon, thereby reducing the introduction of a disturbance or bending moment into the upstream ribbon. |
| US08292140B2 |
Flat display panel cutting apparatus and cutting method using the same
A flat display panel cutting apparatus that includes a conveyor for feeding a loaded flat display panel to a cutting area and a spraying area; a cutting tool positioned in the cutting area, for forming primary cracks on the flat display panel, the primary cracks including two or more first cracks spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction and two or more second cracks spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction; and a spraying tool positioned in the spraying area, for growing secondary cracks by spraying high temperature steam onto the first cracks or second cracks of the primary cracks formed on the flat display panel. |
| US08292137B2 |
Wire cable reinforced carrying strap
An elongate carrying strap reinforced by longitudinally extending multi-strand wire cables (41) is engaged with a fitting (1) for forming a loop (64) at an end of the strap (2) so as to avoid inelastic deformation of the cable. A pair of multi-strand wire cables are received in parallel envelopes (43) disposed on opposite longitudinal edges of the strap, each envelope is tubular and formed in a flexible polymer strip (40) extruded over the cable. The fitting has a transverse bar portion (71) having a convex face abutting the inner side of the loop and a pair of transverse arm portions (9, 10) defining an opening therebetween, the opening receiving a neck (63) of the loop and having opposing strap-engaging surfaces abutting the outer side of the strap and cooperating to hold the inner side against the convex face (4) of the bar portion (71). |
| US08292133B2 |
Vented closure assembly for a container
A vented closure assembly for a container, the container including a raised outlet defining a dispensing opening, includes a closure body having a nestable and extendable spout formed with a generally cylindrical section, a frustoconical section, and a transition region, including an invertible fold, located between these two sections. The generally cylindrical section defines an outlet opening and a threaded closing cap is assembled to the generally cylindrical section for closing off the outlet opening. A retainer is used for connecting the closure body to the raised outlet wall and the spout includes a thicker wall portion for enabling the closure body to maintain a selected orientation. A plurality of venting ears are used to help provide the venting capability. |
| US08292130B2 |
Pump for distributing liquid product and dispenser comprising such a pump
A fluid dispenser pump (10) including a pump body (11) and a piston (20) that slides in leaktight manner in the pump body (11) between a rest position and an actuated position. The piston (20) is secured to an actuator rod (30) that extends axially out from the pump body (11). A ferrule (40) is mounted on the top edge (12) of the pump body (11), the ferrule (40) defining the rest position of the piston (20). The ferrule (40) co-operates in leaktight manner with the actuator rod (30) while the actuator rod (30) moves between the rest position and an intermediate position, and the ferrule (40) co-operates in non-leaktight manner with the actuator rod (30) while the actuator rod (30) moving between the intermediate position and the actuated position, so as to make it possible to vent the pump (10). |
| US08292129B2 |
Dispensing device
A dispensing device for liquid media having a housing, a medium reservoir, an outlet opening for dispensing the medium and an inlet opening for intake of air for the purpose of volume equalization in the medium reservoir, wherein a cap is provided that is fittable onto the housing and protects the outlet opening when in the fitted state. The cap closes the inlet opening in gas-tight manner from an environment on the one hand and from the outlet opening on the other hand. |
| US08292127B2 |
Self-cleaning foam-dispensing device
A foam dispensing device uses a single actuator to actuate two concentric pistons, one for an air chamber and one for a telescopically oriented liquid chamber. In all of the various embodiments the liquid chamber stops its actuation first and can continue to move along with the single actuator and the air chamber continues to dispense air. The air and liquids are dispensed into foaming chamber and then dispensed. The liquid chamber can continue to move because the liquid chamber is attached to the pump system by a deformable connector or some form. This arrangement allows for a foaming device that uses just one actuator that has the ability to dispense foam in the first phase and just air to clear out the nozzle effectively in the second phase. |
| US08292123B2 |
Apparatus and method for synchronized flow from volumetric tanks
Techniques for mixing liquids in a specific ratio at synchronized flows are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention a dispensing system comprises a plurality of tanks, each of the tanks includes an overflow outlet to limit a liquid therein to a certain measurement, and an array of volumetric outlets spaced apart and vertically arranged. The corresponding overflow outlet and the volumetric outlets of the tanks are located at the same height. The dispensing system further comprises a dispensing assembly including a manifold coupled to the volume outlets of the tanks via respective pipes, and further a flow-regulating device in at least one but not all of the pipes to control a flow of the liquid coming downwards from each of the tanks through one of the volumetric outlets thereof. |
| US08292122B2 |
Fluid containing and dispersing apparatus
A fluid containing and dispersing apparatus comprising, a primary fluid containing chamber and a secondary mass containing chamber, wherein said primary fluid containing chamber is primarily intended to contain fluids (such as water) and said secondary chamber is primarily intended to contain other matter used as gardening supplements (fertilizers and the like) for plants. The instant invention provides user a means to avoid direct contact with such supplements, which is advantageous as these supplements often comprise chemicals. In one embodiment the invention features a substantially flexible nozzle with removable fluid distribution heads, external chambers for carrying supplies and equipment. Another embodiment comprises an easy to use pump with a fluid measuring display and a time recording feature. Another embodiment features a solid matter containment chamber without said pump apparatus. In the pump embodiment a secondary fluid containment chamber that is contiguously and seamlessly attached to said primary fluid containment chamber. |
| US08292120B2 |
Hanging liquid dispenser
A hanging liquid dispenser is provided that includes a pump and valving for delivering the fluid material when the dispenser is operated by the user in a controlled fashion. The hanging dispenser includes a main body that serves as a fluid reservoir and has an eyelet which is suitable for use in hanging the dispenser from a suitable support. In addition to including the ability to hang, the dispenser preferably includes a pump for metered dosing of the fluid within the dispenser when operation of the pump delivers a controlled volume of the fluid as desired by the user. |
| US08292111B2 |
Tamper evident plastic dispensing container
Tamper-resistance is provided in spice container closures and containers through use of tamper-evident and/or tamper-resistant elements. A tamper evident closure includes a base, a cover, and a tamper strip, with the tamper strip being joined to the base and cover by a first hinge connecting the tamper strip to the base and a second hinge connecting the tamper strip to the cover. At least one dispensing port in the base is selectively coverable by a flap of the cover. The tamper strip is adapted to be manually torn away and fully released from the cover and base. The flap is hinged to the cover by a third hinge. In addition, or alternatively, a snap lock connection is formed between a container closure and the container. |
| US08292102B2 |
Container thread design
The present disclosure provides a container and a method of making a container. In one example, the container includes a body having an upper portion, a sidewall portion and a base portion. The upper portion includes a blown finish defining a longitudinal axis and an opening into the container. A tamper evident (TE) band is formed on the finish and defines a first diameter at an outermost surface. The TE band defines at least two disconnected radial protrusions. At least one thread is formed on the finish. The at least one thread defines a second diameter at an outermost surface. The first diameter is greater than the second diameter. The TE band defines a gap between each respective disconnected radial protrusion. Each thread defines a thread start portion and a thread run-out portion. A line parallel to the longitudinal axis extends through the thread run-out portion and the gap. |
| US08292101B1 |
Flip-top dispensing system with a child resistant latch mechanism
A child resistant dispensing system having a flip-top closure. The flip-top closure has a push button positioned in the skirt of the flip-top lid wherein an opposed squeeze disengages the child resistant latch mechanism. The child resistant latch mechanism includes a latch projecting from the flip-top lid and engaging a projection of the closure body. A latch guide assists in positioning the latch during engagement with the projection of the closure body. The push button may be positioned substantially flush with the outside surface of the flip-top lid and closure body. |
| US08292094B2 |
Storage rack system
A storage rack system for storing items along the inside of a door. An open grid rack is attached to the inside of the door and can be used to support various structures configured to hold items such as handguns. Alternatively, a grid, comprised of structures configured as holsters, enables the storage of a large number of handguns in a small area. The open grid rack and the holster grid may be utilized to support items other than guns. The rack assembles are configured to be attached to the inside of a door, such as, for example, a gun safe door, by brackets or by other suitable attachment assemblies. |
| US08292091B2 |
Process of forming multilayered structures
The present invention provides for a method of producing an integral multilayered porous membrane by simultaneously co-casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a porous membrane. The support can be a temporary support or form an integrated support for the membrane. The plurality of layers may be of the same polymer or different, same concentration or viscosity or different and may be subjected to the same processing conditions or different ones to form unique structures. |
| US08292089B2 |
Helical support structure for intake screens
A method and apparatus for supporting a screen. The apparatus comprising a cylindrical screen for submerging in a fluid, the screen having an inlet pipe for connecting to a piping system, filter members, a first end, a second and a support structure. The support structure is one or more helical members which traverse the screen. |
| US08292088B2 |
Water supply system with filtration and retrofit assembly
A water supply system in accordance with the invention includes pumping in which there is a mechanical co-dependency between the generations of liquid-draw pressure and filtration-drive pressure, but a hydraulic dependency of the application of the filtration-drive pressure upon release of water from the liquid-draw pressure. In one preferred embodiment, the system is enabled by a retrofit assembly in which a second, filtration-drive pump is mechanically connected to the pump handle of a water intake pump. The retrofit assembly may include multiple arms and hinge points for coupling the second pump to the pump handle, as well as a flow path from the output of the water intake pump to the input of the second pump and a flow path from the second pump to a filtration system. The flow path between the two pumps typically includes an unfiltered water outlet. |
| US08292086B2 |
Strainer apparatus
The invention relates to a strainer apparatus, such as a strainer basket, a strainer cylinder and the like, wherein slits or gaps are formed between strainer bars (6). The base of the strainer bars is received in receiving recesses (8) adapted to the dimensions of the base of the bars, in a support element (3). The support element can also be a reinforcing or strengthening element, and the strainer bars (6) are permanently fixed to the respective support element (3). At least one pocket (10, 11) that can be filled with a filler material is provided between each support element (3) and each associated strainer bar (6), at least on the edge region (7) of the respective receiving recess (8). In the strainer apparatus according to the invention, the pocket interrupts the contact surface between the outer contour of the strainer bar (6) and the inner contour of the associated receiving recess in the support element (3), such that a pre-determined intermediate space is intentionally formed in the form of a pocket (10; 11), at least on the edge region (7). The pocket is then filled with a homogeneous or composite filler material used as a fixing means, wherein the filler material may be composed of, for example, an adhesive. In this way, a permanent solid connection can be produced between strainer bar (6) and support element (3). |
| US08292085B2 |
Run-of-mine coal separator
A solids separation system and methods for use; the system having a barrel rotatably mounted in a substantially horizontal arrangement, a carriage on which the barrel is mounted and inclined so as to elevate the coal exit end of the barrel in relation to the rock exit end, a motor to rotate the barrel, a blower, a blower motor, a blade affixed to and helically wound along the interior surface of said barrel, and barriers between the turns of the blades to force the contents up into a stream of air supplied by a blower. |
| US08292083B2 |
Method and apparatus for separating particles, cells, molecules and particulates
A method and apparatus for continuously separating or concentrating particles that includes flowing two fluids in laminar flow through a magnetic field gradient which causes target particles to migrate to a waste fluid stream, and collecting each fluid stream after being flowed through the magnetic field gradient. |
| US08292082B2 |
Product display carton
A display carton includes a display box having an open top. The display box includes a bottom panel; a rear wall extending upwardly from the bottom panel; a pair of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom panel; and a pair of front walls, each front wall extending inwardly from a side wall and attached to a bottom front wall extending upwardly from the bottom panel. The pair of front walls and the bottom front wall form a substantially unobstructed center viewing area for a product displayed in the display carton. The display carton also includes a single removable insert. The insert includes a foldable sheet having at least one set of dividers extending inwardly from the side walls and upwardly from the bottom panel, thereby defining at least two product receiving compartments for supporting a product. |
| US08292080B2 |
Shipping carton with integral cushion support
A shipping carton with an integral cushion support. The carton includes a bottom, two side walls and two end walls extending vertically from the base, and a top. The top and bottom of the carton include two side flaps and two end flaps that are used to close the top and bottom in a conventional manner. The end flaps preferably include a integrally formed cushion support that includes an elongate body having a triangular cross-sectional shape defined by a vertical wall extending away from the end flap and an inclined wall extending from the end of the vertical wall towards the end flap. One or more locking tabs extend from the end of the inclined wall of the cushion support and engage one or more slots formed in the end flap. Alternatively, a locking member extends away from the end flap in the same direction as the vertical wall of the cushion support and includes a locking slot formed adjacent the end flap that is engaged by the one or more locking tabs to lock the cushion support in place. When the end flaps are turned in for closing the top of the carton, the vertical wall of the cushion support abuts or otherwise engages a support member block that is operably engaging at least a portion of the top of the packaged product. |
| US08292077B2 |
Shock absorbing substrate container
A substrate container is generally comprised of a cover, a base, a latching mechanism, and a substrate retention system. Substrate container has corners with flanges disposed at the corners. Each flange has a hole there through to enhance shock absorption capability by the container, and thus provide greater protection to the substrate. |
| US08292073B2 |
Fitting system cart for golf club heads and shafts
A fitting system cart is provided for golf club heads and shafts which have releasable connections between the golf club head and the shaft. The fitting system cart includes a base with a back panel, two side panels, and a top panel which all define an interior portion, a shaft container, and a set of golf club head cases. The fitting system cart may include two door panels connected to the base and movable between an open and closed position. The fitting system cart may include a set of cases for carrying golf club heads. The cases may have a bottom portion for holding golf club heads and a top portion connected to the bottom portion, wherein the top portion rotates between an open and a closed position. The shaft container may have a configuration wherein the shaft container is closed, and a configuration wherein the shaft container is open. |
| US08292071B2 |
Packaging structure for roll paper
The present invention provides a structure for storing coreless roll paper R having a hollow portion in the axis portion instead of a winding core, wherein the structure includes an outer case 2 for storing roll paper R; and a lower holding member 3 and an upper holding member 4 respectively having concave portions 31,41 each having an inside diameter that closely matches the outside diameter of the roll paper R, each of the lower holding member 3 and the upper holding member 4 having an external shape that fits the outer case 2, wherein the lower holding member 3 is disposed in the outer case 2 with the concave portion 31 facing upward, and the upper holding member 4 is disposed in the outer case 2 at the location above the lower holding member 3 with its concave portion 41 facing downward. |
| US08292070B2 |
System and method for green and rapid paper packaging
A package of sheet media and method of loading the package are presented in which a stack of sheet media is wrapped in a multi-layer strap, the multi-layer strap is operative to allow a user to load the package of sheet media into a media supply tray of an associated print engine, the multi-layer strap includes a third layer disposed between a first layer and a second layer, and the third layer is operative to allow the user to remove the multi-layer strap from the stack of sheet media while the stack of sheet media is positioned within the media supply tray. |
| US08292068B2 |
Medical device package
The present disclosure provides a package for a medical device containing a cavity for receiving the medical device, a first closure having a sealed portal therein and a second closure adjacent the first closure. |
| US08292067B2 |
Knotless endostitch package
Various embodiments of suture packages are disclosed to provide a surgical needle, having an associated length of suture material, to a surgical suturing instrument. The disclosed suture packages generally include a body portion having a needle supplying loading unit mounted thereon. Various methods of affixing the loading unit to the body portion are disclosed. The body portion defines a suture tray and a cover is provided to secure a suture within the suture tray. A securing ring is provided to secure the cover to the body portion. |
| US08292066B2 |
Embroidery thread organizing card with corresponding thread and embroidering information
An embroidery thread organizing card including a thread organizing structure having a front panel and a back panel, a barcode provided on a front side of the front panel near one corner thereof for material management, and instruction information provided on a rear side of the back panel showing things to be noted during embroidering, a plurality of information zones provided on the front side of the front panel, and a plurality of embroidery thread groups having a number and a location corresponding to that of the information zones and being clamped at an end to the thread organizing structure. Each of the information zones shows a thread color sample and information related to the use of the corresponding embroidery thread group. A user picking a thread for embroidery can at the same time obtain information related to the picked thread, so as to avoid using a wrong thread and to embroider efficiently. |
| US08292064B2 |
Conveyor drive roller
There is disclosed a conveyor drive roller of the type which may be used for example for supporting and driving a conveyor medium. The conveyor drive roller has a hollow drum which defines a cylindrically shaped rotatable supporting surface, and an internal surface. The hollow drum is rotatably connected to a first and a second support structure. An internal gear assembly is disposed inside of the hollow drum and operably connected to the internal surface of the hollow drum. The second support structure is adapted to permit a rotor of a motor located outside of the hollow drum to releasably couple to the internal gear assembly through the second support structure, so that when the rotor is coupled to the internal gear assembly, through the second support structure, rotation of the rotor is transmitted by the internal gear assembly to the hollow drum to cause rotation of the hollow drum about the first and second support structures. |
| US08292062B2 |
Method and device for conveying planar products
A method and a device for the conveyance of planar products (10, 10′, 20, 20′), in particular printed products, are provided wherein a product group (100) composed of at least two products (10, 10′, 20, 20′) is gripped by a gripper (42) in the area of a product edge (12, 12′, 22, 22′) and conveyed in a direction of conveyance (F2). At least one of the products (10, 10′, 20, 20′) is displaced relative to the other product or products (10, 10′, 20, 20′) in the product group (100) in a direction of displacement (A) defined by the gripped product edge (12, 12′, 22, 22′), such that in each case a projection (14, 24) is formed in the direction of displacement (A). Thus a first projection (14) is associated with at least one displaced product (10, 10′, 20, 20′) and a second projection (24) is associated with the remaining product or products (10, 10′, 20, 20′) of the product group (100). Thus, it is easy to increase the carrying capacity of a gripper conveyor and, when applicable, to easily separate the products that are gripped in groups. |
| US08292061B2 |
Package apparatus
A package apparatus includes a first conveyance unit and a second conveyance unit. The first conveyance unit is configured and arranged to convey a plurality of packaged objects in a first conveying direction. The second conveyance unit is provided below the first conveyance unit and configured and arranged to convey the packaged objects in a second conveying direction generally opposite from the first conveying direction. The second conveyance unit is configured and arrange to overlay each of the packaged objects received from the first conveyance unit on an adjacent one of the packaged objects such that the packaged objects are generally oriented in the second conveying direction to form a group of the packaged objects that is conveyed in the second conveying direction on the second conveyance unit. |
| US08292059B2 |
Escalator
An escalator includes a plurality of steps or panels, a chain for driving the steps or panels, at least one chain wheel around which the chain is deflected and wherein the chain, starting from the chain wheel, forms an upper strand and a lower strand. There is also provided a device for the polygonal compensation of the movement of the at least one chain wheel. The effective lever arm of the chain on the at least one chain wheel in the upper strand is substantially equal to the effective lever arm of the chain on the at least one chain wheel in the lower strand. |
| US08292057B2 |
Step band guard for a passenger conveyor
A step band guard for use of a passenger conveyor includes a first panel comprising a first piece of material. A second panel comprises a second piece of material that is distinct and separate from the first piece of material. A securing connection allows for selectively securing the panels together. The first panel can be strategically left in place for blocking access to at least a portion of a step band near a turnaround. The second panel can be selectively put in place when blocking access to the entire step band at the turnaround is desired. The first panel allows for some access to the step band and allows an individual to move the step band without having to have the entire step band guard in place. |
| US08292056B2 |
Roller assembly, roller unit, and conveyor apparatus
This invention provides a roller assembly including a rotary member including a driving shaft portion and a convey roller portion provided with the driving shaft portion, a driving wheel including a hole portion and attached to the driving shaft portion, the driving wheel being driven to rotate, a transmission receiving portion radially extending outward from the driving shaft portion and rotated together with the driving shaft portion, a friction transmission member clamped between the transmission receiving portion and a side surface of the driving wheel and frictionally transmitting a rotational force of the driving wheel to a rotary member, and a biasing portion applying a clamping force between the transmission receiving portion and the side surface of the driving wheel. |
| US08292055B2 |
Self-adjusting mechanisms for clutches
In transmissions having input clutches, a lever arm configured as a second class lever is pivoted at one end, applies force to a clutch bearing near its middle and is acted upon by a linear actuator at its opposite end. The present invention relates to mechanisms for adjusting the location of the pivot to compensate for clutch wear. The fixed pivot is replaced by a linear one way clutch mechanism. As the clutch facing wears and the clutch is activated, an extension of the actuating lever arm abuts a stationary stop beyond the one way clutch pivot which translates the pivot point provided by the one way clutch mechanism toward the clutch to reduce pre-travel and compensate for clutch facing wear. Hydraulic and spring biasing of the pivot point are also disclosed. |
| US08292051B2 |
Valve for disconnecting the front braking and/or the trailer braking, for a farm tractor or a similar vehicle
A valve intended to disconnect, in specific circumstances, the braking of the front wheels, and/or of a trailer whose braking system is connected through a trailer braking valve, for the braking system of a farm tractor or similar vehicle which includes two master cylinders, operated by two separate braking pedals, directly controlling the braking of the rear wheels, and controlling the braking of the front wheels and/or the braking device of the trailer through the disconnection valve. The disconnection valve includes a body, first and second inlet connections connected to the two master cylinders, and a delivery connection connected to a braking circuit of the front wheels and/or to the trailer brake valve. The valve body has a bore wherein is installed one movable piston subjected to the action of pressure applied to the first inlet connection. |
| US08292048B2 |
Energy absorbing device operating with a free-flowing medium
An energy absorbing device, in particular a device for single-use occupant protection in vehicles, has a container with a magneto-rheological medium which is forced on impact through a restriction with at least one outlet channel. The flow resistance of the outlet channel may be influenced by a device for generation of a magnetic field. |
| US08292044B2 |
Pneumatic constricting drum brake assembly
A pneumatic constricting drum brake with rotary seals attached to opposite axial sides of the hub central region for sealing the hub and brake drum. Both rotary seals are accessible for replacement in service by removal of the housing side plate and brake drum without removal of the hub. |
| US08292043B2 |
Disc brake device
A disc brake apparatus which can securely suppress clunking sounds not only at the time of forward braking of a vehicle but also at the time of back braking of the vehicle is provided. When a backing metal 6A of a brake pad 6 shifts toward a first torque receiving part 3C of a torque member 3 along with an operation for forward braking of the vehicle, a leading end part of a spring piece 9A engages one slope of an engaging projection 6E, so as to elastically press the backing metal 6A toward the first torque receiving part 3C, whereby the disc brake apparatus is held in a first contact state. When the backing metal 6A shifts toward a second torque receiving part 3D of the torque member 3 along with an operation for back braking of the vehicle, the leading end part of the spring piece 9A engages the other slope of the engaging projection 6E, so as to elastically press the backing metal 6A toward the second torque receiving part 3D, whereby the disc brake apparatus is held in a second contact state. As a result, the clunking sounds are suppressed not only at the time of forward braking of a vehicle but also at the time of back braking of the vehicle. |
| US08292042B2 |
Electric disk brake
Disclosed is an electric disc brake. The electric disc brake includes friction pads for pressing a disc, a carrier for supporting the friction pads, a caliper housing supported by the carrier such that the caliper housing moves back and forth to press the friction pads, and a pressing device for pressing the friction pads. The pressing device includes a pressing member moving back and forth in the caliper housing to press one of the friction pads, a screw shaft coupled to the pressing member, a worm wheel coupled to the screw shaft, a driving shaft crossing the screw shaft and having a worm gear engaged with the worm wheel, a motor for rotating the driving shaft in a forward direction or a reverse direction, and an auxiliary pressing device. |
| US08292040B2 |
Double screw elevator
A double screw elevator consists of two screws whose helical threads extend in opposite helical directions, and each of the screws is provided with a nut, so that a suspension unit and a carrying unit on the nuts can be driven to move close to or away from each other, thus achieving the function of lifting or lowering the elevator car. The double screw elevator is simply structured, easy to assemble, and the length of a single screw of the elevator is shortened, making it easier to manufacture the screw. Furthermore, the screw driving elevator reduces the occurrence of accident whiling improving the rate of utilization. |
| US08292038B2 |
Control device for operating two elevator cars in a single hoistway
The device for controlling movement of a plurality of elevator cars in a single hoistway includes a door monitor module (46) that facilitates controlling movement of elevator cars (22, 24). The door monitor module (46) is configured to determine when at least one door (30) along a hoistway (26) is open. The door monitor module (46) places a first relay (52) in a selected operative state if a first elevator car (22) is stopped at a landing corresponding to the at least one open door. The door monitor module (46) places a second relay (56) in a selected operative state if a second elevator car (24) is stopped at a landing corresponding to the at least one open door. The door monitor module (46) is also configured to place both relays (52, 56) into the selected operative state if neither of the elevator cars (22, 24) is stopped at a landing corresponding to an open door (30) along a hoistway (26). |
| US08292034B2 |
Air-oil separator
The present invention provides an air-oil separator comprising a first region having a mixture of air and oil, a second region wherein separation of at least some of the oil from the air-oil mixture occurs and at least one multi-directional injector plug located on a rotating component in flow communication with the first region and the second region, the multi-directional injector plug having a discharge head that is oriented such that at least a part of the air-oil mixture discharged therefrom has a component of velocity that is tangential to the direction of rotation of the rotating component. |
| US08292033B2 |
Tree stand
The tree stand includes a column permanently or semi-permanently secured to a tree or other support by one or more circumferential cables or bands and/or one or more threaded fasteners driven into the tree. The ends of the band are captured in a slot on the column, the threaded fastener, or optionally an unthreaded pin, capturing the ends of the band in the slot. Access to the pin is blocked by a lock that may only be removed by a person having the proper key, thus assuring that the column can be safely left in place. A platform and seat are removably attached to the column when use of the stand is desired. The user of the stand may install several columns in various locations and transport only a single platform and seat to one of the previously installed columns when the stand is to be used. |
| US08292031B2 |
Platform lift apparatus for attic storage space
A platform lift apparatus enables the safe movement of objects to and from an attic storage space. The platform lift apparatus includes a frame, a drive mechanism, and a platform. The frame includes internal and external mounting surfaces. The drive mechanism is substantially disposed within the frame and is coupled to the internal mounting surfaces. The drive mechanism includes a plurality of rotatable, parallel shafts with each shaft further including at least one lift drum having an associated lift tether at least partially wound thereon and having an end hanging therefrom. The platform is coupled to each lift tether end and is thereby suspended from the frame. The platform is selectively movable by operation of the drive mechanism within in a vertical dimension between raised and lowered positions. The drive mechanism further comprises an electric motor operatively coupled to the plurality of parallel shafts. |
| US08292030B2 |
Mobile eave hook system and method
An anchoring device, system and method. The anchoring device, system and method can include one or more rolling hook devices designed to couple or be secured to a projection such as those associated with rooftops. The rolling hook devices can include an arched member and any number of wheels to facilitate positioning. The rolling hook device may further be coupled to one or more tethers that allow it to serve as an anchor or work in conjunction with any number of other devices that function together as an anchoring system. |
| US08292029B2 |
Securing ring and corresponding manufacturing process
A securing ring, such as a belay loop, including a plurality of layers of ring-shaped surface sections, an outermost ring-shaped surface section being fixed to at least one of the layers below. The ring-shaped surface sections are formed from surface sections of a flat tubular element folded or rolled upon one another. A corresponding process for the manufacture of the securing ring involves the folding or rolling up of a flat tubular element. |
| US08292027B2 |
Composite laminate for a thermal and acoustic insulation blanket
This invention is directed to a composite laminate comprising in order (a) a flame retardant polymeric moisture barrier (b) an inorganic platelet layer and (c) a flame retardant thermoplastic film layer The invention is also directed to a thermal insulation and acoustic blanket comprising a core of fibrous material or foam surrounded by the above composite laminate wherein the thermoplastic film layer of the composite laminate contacts and encapsulates the core. |
| US08292026B2 |
Silencer
A silencer for an exhaust system of a combustion engine, more preferably of a motor vehicle, has two end face bottoms facing away from each other, a closed circumferential jacket, at least one silencer insert, at least one inlet pipe and at least one outlet pipe. At least one of the pipes extends through the jacket into the silencer interior and is fastened to the jacket. The manufacture can be simplified if the pipe extending through the jacket has a cone, if the silencer insert on an intermediate pipe has a mating cone which engages in the cone. |
| US08292021B2 |
Muffler assembly and pseudo muffler assembly for a motorcycle, and motorcycle incorporating the same
A motorcycle includes a muffler assembly including a muffler and a muffler cover arranged on one side of a rear wheel in a lateral direction. The motorcycle also includes a housing box resembling the muffler assembly and arranged substantially parallel to the muffler assembly on the other side of the rear wheel in the lateral direction. The housing box has a shape substantially similar to a shape of the muffler assembly, thereby forming a pseudo muffler assembly or replica muffler assembly. |
| US08292020B2 |
Automatic moving apparatus for pre-crash headrest
An automatic moving apparatus may include a collision prediction sensor, a control unit comparing a value measured by the collision prediction sensor, with a reference value stored in the control unit, and outputting a control signal when it may be determined that the value measured by the collision prediction sensor is higher than the reference value, and a headrest moving unit moving a headrest unit toward a passenger's head before the headrest unit comes into contact with the passenger's head, and including a stay rod connected to the headrest unit, both sides of the stay rod being placed in a vertical direction, tilting device tilting the stay rod forwards or backwards relative to a seatback in response to the control signal of the control unit, and vertical moving device moving the stay rod in a vertical direction in response to the control signal of the control unit. |
| US08292019B2 |
Shock absorbing structure for vehicle
A shock absorbing member is supported on a shock absorbing member support bracket fixed onto a floor tunnel sandwiched between left and right front seats. Therefore, it is possible to allow the front seats to interfere with the shock absorbing member so that the member can absorb collision energy at a time of a side collision of a vehicle. Because a lower portion of a front wall connected to an inverted-U-shaped inner face of the shock absorbing member is connected to an upper portion of a front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket, the front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket receives a load of the side collision in a shearing direction. Accordingly, it is possible to increase strength of the front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket against the side collision, prevent the shock absorbing member from falling down sideways, and enhance the shock absorbing effect. |
| US08292007B2 |
Wheeled platforms
A wheeled platform 100 is disclosed, which is characterized by high mobility and reliability, and which can be used in a wide range of applications including transport and robotic devices. The wheeled platform 100 has fore and aft body portions 130, 132, each body portion 130, 132 having first and second sides 106, 108. Overlapping wheels 112, 114, 116, 118 are rotatably attached to the first side 106 and overlapping wheels 120, 122, 124, 126 are rotatably attached to the second side 108. The fore body portion 130 can be connected to the aft body portion 132 via an articulation element 133. |
| US08292005B2 |
Device and method for measuring a property in a downhole apparatus
A method and device for measuring a property, such as torque, includes a plurality of sensors, and a measuring device. The sensors attach to a downhole apparatus at a distance from one another. The sensors provide signals indicating their positions. A logic circuit may calculate an angle between the sensors. The logic circuit then calculates the property based on the angle, the distance between the sensors, and other known physical properties of the downhole apparatus. |
| US08292004B2 |
Downhole marking apparatus and methods
Example downhole marking apparatus and methods to use the same are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a coring tool assembly for use in extracting a core sample from a subterranean formation adjacent a borehole; a sample container retainer operatively coupled to the coring tool assembly, wherein the sample container retainer is configured to hold a sample container configured to receive the core sample; and a scriber operatively coupled to the sample container retainer and configured to mark a surface of the sample container. |
| US08292000B2 |
Earth moving device for working vehicle
An earth moving device for a working vehicle, in which earth and sand flowing rearward over an earth moving blade does not enter through a gap between a bush and a piston rod into an angle cylinder tube. An angle cylinder is formed by including an angle cylinder rod and an angle cylinder tube. The angle cylinder rod is pivotably supported on a vertically movable frame, and the angle cylinder tube is pivotably supported on the earth moving blade. |
| US08291999B2 |
Control arrangement for motor grader blade
Mounting arrangement includes a drawbar assembly universally coupled to a longitudinally extending front frame portion of a machine proximal to a front wheel and a distance rearward from the wheel. An implement mounting bracket pivotably coupled to the assembly defines an articulation axis. First and second hydraulic actuators advance respective power links coupled to the mounting bracket to rotate the mounting bracket about the articulation axis. Respective idler links limit the movement of the actuators and power links. |
| US08291998B1 |
Furrow closing wheel assembly
A furrow closing wheel assembly includes a closed loop that has an inner surface, an outer surface, a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface. Each of the first and second lateral surfaces has a channel therein. Flanges positioned on a hub are extendable into the channels to couple the hub to the loop. A plurality of teeth extends upwardly from the outer surface. Each of the teeth has a front face, a rear face, a first side, a second side and an apex positioned distal to the loop. Each the front faces is faceted such that the front faces are absent of a substantial planar surface lying in a plane that is orientated parallel to an axis of rotation of the loop. The front face of each of the teeth is a leading face of the teeth extending into soil when the loop is positioned on the hub. |
| US08291997B2 |
Pivoting gauge wheel
Embodiments of the invention provide an innovative arrangement to control the height of ground engaging tools located on agricultural implements via gauge wheel assemblies, particularly for supporting and adjusting the height of winged extensions of the implement frame. The gauge wheel assemblies may provide an adjustment assembly in the form of a screw jack, which can be coupled to a support bracket that is attached to the implement frame and also coupled to a support tube that is coupled to a gauge wheel via pivot assembly and a bracket. The bracket and support tube may be coupled at discrete positions according to the height adjustment of the screw jack via pins and holes in the bracket and tube. When coupled, the pins and holes of the support bracket and tube may reduce the load of the winged extensions on the screw jack mechanism. |
| US08291995B1 |
Root whacker tool
The root wacker tool is a manually operated hand tool that includes a shaft of which mounted thereon is a hammer cap for imparting a force into a blade located about an opposite end of the shaft, which is useful in the cutting of roots or stumps located within compacted soil. The slide hammer has a mushroom shape to form a finger guard, and can be disengaged from the shaft to connect to a handle accessory to form a sledge hammer. The handle accessory can be connected to the shaft for use as a root whacker tool or attached to the blade to form an ax. An accessory saw can be stored within the shaft when not in use, and can be attached to the handle accessory for use as a saw. The shaft is aligned above the desired cutting surface via a slide hammer that slides vertically about the shaft, and a footplate, which secures the blade with respect to the shaft. |
| US08291993B2 |
Soil stabilizer with track apparatus
A soil stabilizer for treating ground surface includes a stabilizer frame, a rotor rotatably mounted thereon, the rotor being movable such that the rotor may engage various depths of earth, a rotatable axle, and a track apparatus mounted on the rotatable axle, the track apparatus supporting the stabilizer frame and providing for movement of the stabilizer frame and rotor across the ground surface. The track apparatus may include a continuous flexible track having an upper length and a ground-engaging lower length and including an inner surface, an axle wheel mountable to the rotatable axle for rotational movement therewith, the axle wheel engaging the inner surface of the flexible track along the upper length to drive the flexible track in response to rotation of the axle, and a track apparatus frame for mounting the axle wheel. |
| US08291990B1 |
Fire fighting system
A fire fighting system for fighting forest and brush fires under dry, hot and windy conditions which includes a jet engine for generating a high speed air stream, a water source for supplying water to a cooling system which lowers the water temperature to between forty and fifty degrees Fahrenheit, a nozzle for injecting cold water into the air steam and a filter which provides very fine particles of cold water within the stream. The stream of cold water is directed to a forest or brush fire dropping the temperature of the fire which eventually extinguishes the fire. |
| US08291988B2 |
Tubular actuator, system and method
A tubular actuating system includes, a tubular, a plurality of same plugs runnable within the tubular, a sleeve disposed at the tubular, and at least one slide that is movably disposed at the sleeve between at least a first position and a second position, the at least one slide is configured to be seatingly engagable with a first of the plurality of same plugs when in the first position and seatingly engagable with a second of the plurality of same plugs when in the second position. |
| US08291987B2 |
High capacity running tool and method of setting a packoff seal
A high capacity running tool sets and internally tests a casing hanger packoff during the same trip. The running tool has a stem and a body. The body is secured by threads to the stem of the running tool so that rotation of the stem relative to the body will cause the stem to move longitudinally. An engagement element connects the tool body to the casing hanger by engaging the inner surface of the casing hanger. Longitudinal movement of the stem relative to the body moves the engaging element between inner and outer positions and lines up ports in the stem and in the body for setting and testing functions. |
| US08291984B2 |
Control device for an inflatable tool for the treatment of a well or a pipeline
The invention relates to device for controlling an inflatable tool used to treat a well or pipeline. The device, which is inserted between the outlet of a fluid supply pipe and the tool, comprises: a chamber communicating with the exterior through a tube and with the tool via a pipeline; and a piston mounted in said chamber, which, under the force of a spring, normally occupies a first position in which it seals the outlet of the pipe, the aforementioned tube then communicating with the pipeline. The pipeline is provided with at least one spring-loaded check valve which allows the passage of the pressurized fluid from the chamber to the tool when the pressure upstream of the valve exceeds a predetermined threshold value, which prevents the passage of the fluid in the opposite direction. |
| US08291983B2 |
Intake for shrouded electric submersible pump assembly
An electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly comprises an integrated sub-assembly encased within a shroud. The integrated sub-assembly comprises a well fluid intake having a shroud hanger formed in an upper portion thereof, a seal section having a motor head formed in a lower portion thereof, and an electrical conduit extending between the shroud hanger and the motor head. The intake has a plurality of fluid entry slots positioned a select distance from the shroud hanger in order to minimize the space for the accumulation of gas within the shroud. The electrical conduit sealingly extends through the shroud hanger to a receptacle located on an upper portion thereof. Conductors are encased within the conduit and are connected between the receptacle and the motor head. The conduit prevents the conductors from being affected by reservoir fluid and pressures. |
| US08291981B2 |
Shear open valve
The present invention regards a device designed for injection of fluids in a well bore, typically an offshore well bore for petroleum production and gas injection/gas lift system for fluid injection. The device comprises a outer hollow housing with an internal body moveable within the outer housing which in a first closed position is closed with a metal to metal seal system between the outer housing and the internal body, which internal body is operated by pressure differential across the internal body. The internal movable body is connected to the outer hollow housing by means of a retainer key. The retainer key comprises a shear arrangement and is arranged to keep the valve in a fixed closed position, where fluid pressure is to overcome the pretension of the retainer key in order to open the device. When the device is shear opened, it can be kept in this open position as the retainer key is locked to the outer hollow housing. |
| US08291970B2 |
Consumable downhole tools
A downhole tool having a body or structural component comprises a material that is at least partially consumed when exposed to heat and a source of oxygen. The material may comprise a metal, such as magnesium, which is converted to magnesium oxide when exposed to heat and a source of oxygen. The downhole tool may further comprise a torch with a fuel load that produces the heat and source of oxygen when burned. The fuel load may comprise a flammable, non-explosive solid, such as thermite. |
| US08291967B2 |
Heat sink and cooler
A heat sink includes a plurality of fins. The fins are formed to serve as partition walls of flow paths of a coolant. The fins are formed such that the coolant flows along a surface thereof. A merge space is formed to allow the coolant in the flow paths separated by the fins to merge. The merge space is formed in the flow paths formed by the fins. |
| US08291963B1 |
Hybrid core assembly
A hybrid core assembly for a casting process includes a ceramic core portion and a refractory metal core portion that interfaces with a ceramic core trough of the ceramic core portion. The refractory metal core portion includes a finger having a bent portion that establishes a refractory metal core trough aligned with the ceramic core trough. |
| US08291955B2 |
Apparatus of manufacturing pipe-shaped insulator
Disclosed is an apparatus of manufacturing a pipe-shaped insulator, wherein a thin fiberglass mat is coated, at a surface thereof, with a binder (adhesive) and is press-wound on a forming roller, so as to manufacture a pipe-shaped insulator having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined diameter. The apparatus includes a mat feeding roller, a plurality of fiberglass mat transportation rollers, a coating roller to coat a binder over a surface of the fiberglass mat, a forming roller on which the fiberglass mat, coated with the binder, is wound in plural times to form a pipe-shaped insulator, a squeeze roller disposed parallel to the forming roller, a pressure regulator to press the fiberglass mat, an encoder to measure a transported length of the fiberglass mat, a cutting unit to diagonally cut the fiberglass mat, a control system, a sensor, and a plurality of drive motors and power transmission members. |
| US08291954B2 |
Application-film transfer tool
The application-film transfer tool includes a main body having a base member and a sliding securing member slidably attached to the base member, a refill attachable to and detachable from the main body and having a supply bobbin, a take-up bobbin, a transfer head, and a refill case, and a refill securing mechanism securing the refill to the main body, wherein the refill is secured to the main body by engaging the engagement protrusions of the refill and the engagement depressions of the base member, latching together the sliding securing member and the section near the front end of the refill, and engaging the section near the back end of the locking member and the hooks. |
| US08291950B2 |
Self-inflating tire assembly
A tire assembly includes a tire carcass body and an air tube body extending between an outward facing tire body surface and an inward tire body surface. The air tube body has an enclosed hollow enclosed outlet end at a first end and an enclosed hollow inlet end at an opposite second end. An air passageway extends through the air tube body from the inlet end to the outlet end. The outlet end is positioned to face exposed from the outward tire body surface and the inlet end is positioned to face exposed from the inward tire body surface. The air tube body is integrally formed of resilient flexible material composition and includes a hollow outer casing and one or more hollow air cables positioned within the casing for regulating the rate of air flow from the inlet end to the outlet end. The air tube body may follow a non-linear U-shaped path that surrounds a tire body bead core between the outward tire body surface and the inward tire body surface and be incorporated into the green tire build without disrupting the tire building and curing process or compromising the structural integrity or form of any of the green tire building components. |
| US08291948B1 |
Centering guide for automated bottling machinery
The centering guide for automated bottling machinery is secured to its filler unit by a central saddle. Two laterally opposed posts slide in holes through the saddle. A bridge extends across the upper ends of the posts. The bridge provides attachment for a cam roller traveling on a cam as the bottling unit and guide rotate with its filler unit. The lower ends of the posts are threaded into a base plate holding a single piece guide bell removably therein. The bell has a resilient seal removably installed therein. As the cam roller is reciprocated by the stationary cam during rotation of the bottling unit, the bridge, posts, and base are also actuated to raise and lower the guide bell over the bottle mouth in concert with the filling operation. Springs are installed between saddle and base plate to assure proper operation when the bell is lowered. |
| US08291947B2 |
Water bottle adaptor for an appliance
A system and method for supplying bottled water to an appliance is provided, where the water bottle is opened as it is positioned on the appliance. The appliance includes an operational portion and a bottle receiving portion. The operational portion can be any appliance which utilizes water in its operations, such as humidifiers, vaporizers, coffeemakers, tea makers, dental water jets, and the like. The bottle receiving portion includes a conduit defining a fluid path, where the conduit is in fluid communication with the operational portion. The conduit has a first end with a piercing member for piercing the bottle, and a second end in fluid communication with the operational portion. When a water bottle is positioned in the bottle receiving portion, the piercing member pierces the bottle, allowing the water to exit the bottle along the fluid path to the operational portion of the appliance. |
| US08291937B2 |
Accumulator membrane unit, method for production thereof and rock drilling machine including such an accumulator membrane unit
An accumulator membrane unit (2) for inclusion into an accumulator chamber (6) in an accumulator (1) for storing hydraulic energy under pressure. The accumulator membrane unit includes membrane elements (3) that are sealingly joined at their peripheries and limit an inside membrane volume (V) which varies in dependence of a pressure at an outside of the accumulator membrane unit. The invention also concerns an accumulator, a method and a rock drilling machine. |
| US08291935B1 |
Flexible gas mixing manifold
Each of plurality of gas sources flows to a different one of a plurality of separate source gas flow paths. Then, a source gas is distributed directly from each of plurality of separate source gas flow paths to a plurality of separate gas mixture flow paths, thereby distributing a plurality of source gases to each of different flow paths. A plurality of separate gas mixture streams is generated by flowing a plurality of source gases in each of a plurality of separate gas mixture flow paths. In some embodiments, each of a plurality of separate source gas flow paths comprises a gas distribution duct, and each of a plurality of gas mixture flow paths comprises a gas mixing conduit. In some embodiments, a gas distribution duct includes a plurality of gas distribution ports and a gas source port connectable to a gas source. In some embodiments, a gas mixing conduit comprises a plurality of gas inlet holes, a gas mixing region, and a gas outlet hole. Each of the gas inlet holes is connectable to a gas distribution duct and is operable to conduct a source gas into the gas mixing region. A plurality of gases is mixed in the mixing region to form a gas mixture. A gas manifold is operable to mix a plurality of source gases in a plurality of gas mixing conduits to generate a plurality of gas mixtures having different gas compositions and flow rates. |
| US08291934B2 |
Proportional valve assembly
A valve assembly includes a valve housing defining a service passage, a first bore in fluid communication with the service passage, a first passage, a second bore in communication with the service passage and a second passage. The first bore has an inlet portion, a first service portion in communication with the service passage, and a first load holding portion. The first passage is in communication with the first load holding portion and the service passage. The second bore has a return portion, a second service portion in fluid communication with the first service passage, and a second load holding portion. The second passage is in selective communication with the second load holding portion of the second bore and the return passage. A valve is disposed in the second passage. The valve allows fluid to flow only in a direction from the second load holding portion to the return passage. |
| US08291929B2 |
Dual float rollover valve
The invention concerns a dual float rollover valve for use in a vehicle fuel tank assembly. The rollover valve may include a housing having an upper portion with a top end defining a vapor passage and an opposed bottom end, and an outer wall extending between the top and bottom ends and defining a channel extending therethrough; and a lower portion having a first end engaging with the bottom end of the upper portion, an opposed second end including a vent hole therethrough, and an outer wall extending between the first end and the second end and defining a chamber therein. An inner seal may be mounted between the channel and the chamber and include a seal bore extending from the channel to the chamber, with an upper float mounted in the channel, and a lower float, mounted in the chamber, having a buoyancy relative to fuel such that it is adapted to float on the fuel and selectively seal against the seal bore. |
| US08291922B2 |
Dish washing machine
The present invention relates to a dish washing machine, and more particularly to a dish washing machine having a structure in which a bottom surface of the dish washing machine is not wet with water. The dish washing machine includes a washing chamber (150) for washing dishes, a fan (90) for discharging air from the washing chamber (150), a housing for a space to install the fan (90), an exhaust duct (92) for guiding the air from the housing (94) to an outside of the dish washing machine, and a passage for draining water to an outside of the housing (94) whenever the water is present in the housing (94). |
| US08291921B2 |
Removing bubbles from a fluid flowing down through a plenum
In an example embodiment, a top proximity head for depositing fluids on a semiconductor wafer includes a delivery bore which receives fluid. The top proximity head includes a plenum that is connected to the delivery bore by numerous input channels into which fluid flows from the delivery bore. Each input channel has an inverted V-shaped opening which urges the upward flow of any air bubbles. From the plenum, the fluid flows through output channels out of the top proximity head to form a meniscus. The fluid is suctioned from the meniscus back into the top proximity head through return channels that lead to a return bore. A passage connects the delivery bore with the return bore, allowing air bubbles to escape from the delivery bore into the return bore. The passage allows a negligible amount of fluid to flow directly between the two bores rather than through the plenum. |
| US08291919B2 |
Method of making a custom cigar
A tobacco product is formed by perforated cigar or shell, the shell comprising a sheet of material with an intermediate sheet, the sheet comprising tobacco leaves and/or homogenized tobacco paper. The cigar or shell is packaged for shipment to an end user or consumer. The cigar or shell remains in the rolled, shaped tube form inside the package. After the cigar or shell is removed from the package, a consumer can fill the cigar or shell with crushed tobacco leaves or other tobacco filler material of a favorite blend, thereby eliminating some steps in the making of a “roll-your-own” tobacco product. A liquid can be added to the cigar or shell to moisturize same. The liquid can include flavoring. |
| US08291918B2 |
Mechanically regulated vaporization pipe
A portable vaporization implement, comprising: a tubular section having a hollow interior, an air intake, and an output orifice; a smoking material chamber that is within said hollow interior and that is in fluid contact with said air intake and said output orifice, and is positioned generally in between said air intake and said output orifice, wherein desired components of a smokable substance may be vaporized; and a purely mechanical means for automatically regulating the amount of heat entering said smoking material chamber, whereby the temperature within said smoking material chamber stays within the vaporization range of said smokable substance, wherein said mechanical means allows unimpeded inhalation by the user. |
| US08291913B2 |
Adaptive control of optical pulses for laser medicine
Tissue is treated by irradiating it with a sequence of optical pulses that are directed in sequence to various sites on the tissue. During the irradiation sequence, one or more tissue properties are measured at a site(s) that has already been irradiated. These measurements are used to adjust the parameters of subsequent optical pulses in the sequence. |
| US08291906B2 |
Patient interface systems
A patient interface system for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a patient interface structure configured to sealingly engage the patient's nares; a pair of strips configured to be connected to opposite sides of the patient interface structure; and adhesive configured to secure the patient interface structure in sealing engagement with the patient's nares. The adhesive may be provided on the strips, and the strips are configured to be adhered to sides of the patient's nose by the adhesive. Another patient interface system includes a first component including adhesive on a first side and hook or loop fastener material on a second side, wherein the adhesive is configured to adhere the component to the face of the patient; and a patient interface structure configured to sealingly engage the patient's airways. The patient interface structure includes a second component including a corresponding loop or hook fastener material configured to engage the corresponding hook or loop fastener material of the first strip to secure the patient interface structure in sealing engagement with the patient's face. A patient interface system for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a patient interface structure including a pair of nasal prongs or pillows configured to sealingly engage the patient's nares; and at least one spring configured to bias the nasal prongs or pillows outwards into engagement with the nares of the patient. |
| US08291904B2 |
Gas delivery device and system
A gas delivery system including a gas delivery device, a control module and a gas delivery mechanism is described. An exemplary gas delivery device includes a valve assembly with a valve and circuit including a memory, a processor and a transceiver in communication with the memory. The memory may include gas data such as gas identification, gas expiration and gas concentration. The transceiver on the circuit of the valve assembly may send wireless optical line-of-sight signals to communicate the gas data to a control module. Exemplary gas delivery mechanisms include a ventilator and a breathing circuit. Methods of administering gas are also described. |
| US08291902B2 |
Enhanced semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer
A conventional respiratory nebulizer has an emergency medication dose storage system delivering the stored medication dose directly to the nebulizing chamber with a single impulse of force to a simple mechanical delivery system, thereby making the nebulizer useable in two steps: (a) opening the medication capsule with a simple opening action; and (b) inhaling the nebulized medication. The delivery system includes a plunger assembly having a pair of converging blades coming to a point for piercing a medication capsule held within a docking chamber adjacent to a nebulizing mixing chamber and a hollow needle connected to an air power source directing air through said needle, to force liquid medication from said pierced medication capsule into said nebulizing mixing chamber of said nebulizer. |
| US08291898B2 |
Dispensing apparatus
The present invention provides a dispensing apparatus for delivering metered doses of product from a pressurised dispensing container comprising: a housing comprising a body portion and a removable mouthpiece, the body portion containing a dose counting mechanism and a sleeve; the body portion comprising an aperture through which said pressurised dispensing container can pass to be received in the sleeve but through which the sleeve is unable to pass such that the sleeve is retained within the body portion; the sleeve being located in the body portion such that an upper end of said pressurised dispensing container when received in the sleeve is accessible to allow actuation of said pressurised dispensing container; the apparatus comprising means for retaining said pressurised dispensing container in the body portion. |
| US08291894B2 |
Loading pellets in pellet guns
Loading pellets into a pellet gun, whether it is of breech or break barrel design, is often a frustrating and difficult procedure, especially when done with the fingers. The pellets are small and hard to handle. Various embodiments of a dispenser for dispensing pellets to a breech design or a break barrel design pellet gun without touching them are described. The frustration and other difficulties usually encountered by pellet gun users are avoided by the dispensers delivering the pellets directly to pellet guns. |
| US08291892B2 |
Heat exchanger with cast housing and method of making the same
A heat exchanger suitable for cooling exhaust gases and a method of making same are disclosed. The heat exchanger includes an outer casting member having first and second ends and forming a housing and a plurality of channel members forming alternating first and second flow channels for the flow of an exhaust gas through the first flow channels and coolant through the second flow channels. The channel members form a core having first and second ends, this core being mounted in the casting member. A first flange is fixedly attached to a first end of the core so as to form a sealed joint. A second flange is fixedly attached to the second end of the core so as to form another sealed joint. The first and second flanges are each coupled by fasteners to their respective ends of the casting. |
| US08291891B2 |
EGR system with dedicated EGR cylinders
Improved exhaust gas recirculation system and methods that use one or more of the engine's cylinders as dedicated EGR cylinders. All of the exhaust from the dedicated EGR cylinders is recirculated back to the engine intake. Thus, the EGR rate is constant, but the EGR mass flow may be controlled by adjusting the air-fuel ratio of the dedicated EGR cylinders or by using various variable valve timing techniques. |
| US08291888B2 |
Speed dependent knock control
A system and method for controlling knock according to vehicle speed is disclosed. A knock control system has at least two settings, a first setting used for a first speed range and a second setting used for a second speed range. In another embodiment, knock may be controlled according to ambient noise measured directly within the motor vehicle. |
| US08291887B2 |
Throttle control device for saddle-ride type vehicle
A throttle control device for a saddle-ride type vehicle includes a throttle sensor is disposed in a case at a fixed position to detect an amount of a rotation operation of a throttle grip in accordance with a rotation of a throttle pipe. An operation of an actuator which drives a throttle valve to open and close is controlled by a control unit on the basis of a detected value of the throttle sensor. The throttle control device does not require a cancel switch to cancel an operation of an automatic cruise control device, which in turn reduces the number of parts, allowing size reduction of the case fixed on a bar handle. |
| US08291880B2 |
Internal combustion engine comprising several combustion chambers
In an internal combustion engine having several combustion chambers formed in in-line cylinders wherein an air/fuel mixture can be combusted and which include a common cylinder head, with discharge passages formed within the cylinder head and extending to a common confluence zone in communication with a discharge manifold, the common confluence zone is delimited on a first side (A) by at least one cylinder head wall and a separate shell element on a second side mounted to the outside of the cylinder head, the shell element being curved funnel-like for conducting the exhaust gas away from the engine. |
| US08291877B2 |
Valve drive device
In a valve drive arrangement for an internal combustion engine including a camshaft carrying axially movable cam elements provided with cams for operating gas exchange valves of the internal combustion engine and an actuation device having at least one shift element which is provided to shift cam element by means of a shifting gate between opposite axial positions, the valve drive arrangement has a change-over device for changing the axial shift direction of the shift element from one to the opposite axial position. |
| US08291876B2 |
Camshaft variable timing limiting devices, methods of assembly, and uses thereof
A variable timing limiting device for mounting to a camshaft variable timing mechanism includes a flange having a central opening and a travel limiter extending from the flange, wherein the camshaft variable timing mechanism has a hub and a sprocket having a recessed portion, the travel limiter being matably receivable in the recessed portion of the sprocket. In another aspect of the disclosure, a variable timing limiting device for a camshaft variable timing mechanism includes a free floating travel limiter inserted into a chamber portion of the camshaft variable timing mechanism. In another aspect of the disclosure, a camshaft variable timing mechanism for securing to a camshaft includes a hub, a vane lobe extending from the hub, a sprocket portion having a recess configured to receive an end of the vane lobe, the vane lobe being capable of travel within the recess, and a variable timing limiting device. |
| US08291875B2 |
Continuously variable valve lift device for vehicle
A continuously variable valve lift device for a vehicle is provided, which includes a drive shaft rotating in association with a crank shaft and having a drive cam formed on an outer periphery thereof, a locker arm shaft provided apart from the drive shaft and having one end that supports a rocker arm rotating and rocking in association with the drive cam, output cams rotatably installed on the drive shaft to interlock with the other end of the rocker arm, and a variable drive part straightly moving the rocker arm shaft in a vertical direction of the rocker arm shaft to vary a valve lift. When a valve is shifted from the high-lift state to the low-lift state, a pumping loss is reduced to improve the fuel consumption ratio. Also, since an advance function is provided, an exhaust-side CVVT can be deleted to greatly reduce the manufacturing cost. |
| US08291874B2 |
Apparatus for adjusting deviation of engine and continuously variable valve lift device including the same
An apparatus for adjusting deviation of an engine and a continuously variable valve lift device including the same are provided. The apparatus for adjusting deviation of an engine includes an adjustment member connecting a rocker arm to plural output cams, respectively, to adjust lengths between the rocker arm and the output cams, respectively, so that the lengths become equal to or different from each other. The continuously variable valve lift device includes an eccentric cam shaft with eccentric cams installed on its outer periphery, a rocker arm rotatably installed on the eccentric cams to interlock with plural output cams, and apparatus for adjusting deviation provided on the rocker arm to adjust lengths between the rocker arm and the output cams so that the lengths become equal to or different from each other. |
| US08291873B2 |
Valve arrangement for a combustion engine
This invention relates to a valve arrangement in an engine, comprising a valve with a valve plate and a stem like portion having an upper portion and lower portion, a valve control mechanism, the upper portion forms a hollow annular body extending coaxially with the extension of the stem like portion, the valve plate is connected to the lower portion to form a gap between the valve plate and the upper portion to allow for the gases to be transported past the valve plate into or out from the inside of the hollow annular body, the upper end of the annular body is open and the hollow annular body at its outer side is arranged with at least one first interacting device arranged to interact with at least one second interacting device of the valve control mechanism to facilitate movement and positioning. |
| US08291872B2 |
Highly efficient 6-stroke engine cycle with water injection
A six-stroke engine cycle having improved efficiency. Heat is recovered from the engine combustion gases by using a 6-stroke engine cycle in which combustion gases are partially vented proximate the bottom-dead-center position of the fourth stroke cycle, and water is injected proximate the top-dead-center position of the fourth stroke cycle. |
| US08291868B2 |
Brake furnace
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for heating liquid for use in a radiant heating system. More specifically it relates to transferring heat generated from friction caused by pressing brake pads against rotating wheels to a thermally conductive liquid being pumped through said rotating wheels and circulating the heated liquid through a radiator type space heating system. |
| US08291867B2 |
Pressure-applying garment for animals
A garment to reduce an animal's anxiety, fearfulness, overexcitement, or a combination thereof. The garment may include a central portion, flaps extending from opposite sides of the central portion, and, in some cases, a cinching member that extends from a central area of the central portion. The flaps may be fastened together around the chest and stomach of the animal, and the cinching member may be fastened to the central portion or one or more flaps to tighten the garment further, applying pressure to reduce anxiety, fearfulness, or over-excitement. Straps may be provided to secure the garment to the animal's neck. One material that may be used in making the garment is a fabric made of 55% cotton, 35% polyester, and 10% spandex. The animal may generally be any animal with four legs, for example, a dog or cat, or two arms and two legs, for example, a monkey. |
| US08291862B2 |
Top-fill hummingbird feeder with vertically operative base sealing mechanism
A top-fill hummingbird feeder has a liquid container with a a lower bottom opening which can be screw-threaded into a central collar of a feeding basin. An insert is received within the central collar and is configured to be vertically movable between a first position in which fluid is allowed to flow from the liquid container to the basin, and a second position in which fluid flow from the container to the basin is prevented. Movement of the insert between the two positions is effected by pushing the liquid container toward the basin (the closed position) and by pulling the liquid container away from the basin (the open position). Each movement of the insert has an associated “snap” or gives positive physical feedback which the user can feel that assures the user that the desired fluid flow or fluid sealed position has been achieved. |
| US08291855B2 |
Mobile robot printer for large image reproduction
A system for automatically reproducing an image on a large surface, such as the surface of an outdoor or indoor athletic field or athletic court. The system includes a computer, a microcontroller, a mobile robotic platform, a plurality of distance sensors, a plurality of boundary markers, and image reproduction machinery. The computer takes the image input by the user and translates for use by the microcontroller. The distance sensors use the boundary markers to provide positioning information to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is used to control motors and sensors on the mobile robotic platform and image reproduction machinery. The mobile robotic platform propels and steers the system along the surface. The image production machinery comprises a guide rail, a carriage, and a paint head assembly which reproduce the image onto a large surface. The movement of the image production machinery is decoupled from the movement of the mobile robotic platform. |
| US08291845B2 |
Offshore drilling vessel
A pipe handling system for handling the pipes from a cargo hull includes a gantry beam and a guide mast assembly having an essentially vertical guide mast. The guide mast assembly is moveably connected to the gantry beam, allowing movement of the guide mast assembly in a vertical direction between a lowered mast position and a lifted mast position relative to the gantry beam. A lifting part includes a device configured to engage a pipe. The lifting part is moveable by one or more hoists in a vertical direction between a lowered lifting part position for picking up the pipe and a lifted lifting part position. The lifted part engages on the guide mast assembly, such that the guide mast assembly causes vertical guidance of the lifting part when the guide mast assembly with the engaged lifting part is moved between the lowered mast position and the lifted mast position. |
| US08291843B2 |
Drilling apparatus and method
An apparatus for the cultivation of soil and the planting of seeds is described comprising a frame (8); a first row of deep loosening tines (4) carried by the frame and spaced apart across at least a major part of the width of the frame (8); and a second row of drill coulters (5) carried by the frame (8) and spaced apart across at least a major part of the width of the frame, —wherein a deep loosening tine (4) of the first row is aligned with at least one pair of drill counters (5) of the second row, in such a manner that each coulter (5) of the pair is laterally offset either side of the deep loosening tine (4). A method for the cultivation of soil and the planting of seeds using such an apparatus is also described. |
| US08291836B2 |
Paper pallet structure
A paper pallet structure, includes a plurality of first sheet bodies and a plurality of second sheet bodies, the first sheet body is bent to form two wing portions, a first connecting portion connected to the two wing portions, and a first supporting portion positioned between the two first wing portions and coming into abutting contact with the first connecting portion, and the second sheet body is bent to form two wing portions, a second connecting portion connected to the two wing portions, and a second supporting portion positioned between the two second wing portions and coming into abutting contact with the second connecting portion. The first wing portion and the second wing portion respectively have first engagement portions and second engagement portions, and the first engagement portions are engaged with the second engagement portions to position the first sheet body and the second sheet body perpendicular to each other. |
| US08291830B2 |
Folding table
An improved folding table is distinguished by the following features: a locking means is provided, by means of which the table top (5) can be locked in the work or use position thereof and in the storage position thereof, the locking means can be unlocked by means of a disengagement means (15), as well as the hand-actuatable disengagement means (15a), a further foot-actuatable or shoe-actuatable disengagement means (15b) is provided, and the at least one further foot-actuatable or shoe-actuatable disengagement means (15b) is provided on the underside of the table on the table half which is lower than the pivot axis of the table top (5) and/or is lower than the hand-actuatable disengagement means (15a) when the table top (5) is pivoted into the storage position. |
| US08291826B2 |
Deflagration to detonation transition device
A detonator assembly is provided. The detonator assembly comprises a deflagration to detonation transition body, a first thermally stable secondary explosive contained by the body, and a bulkhead coupled to the deflagration to detonation transition body. The bulkhead contains pressure within the body associated with firing the detonator assembly at least until a transition from a deflagration operation mode of the detonator assembly to a detonation operation mode of the detonator assembly has occurred. A second thermally stable secondary explosive may alternatively be included in the deflagration to detonation transition body, either separated from the first thermally stable secondary explosive or mixed with the first thermally stable secondary explosive. The detonator assembly comprises effectively no primary explosive. |
| US08291825B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for electro-mechanical safety and arming of a projectile
A safety and arming apparatus for use with a projectile includes a rotor pivotable between a safe position and an armed position. A biasing element holds a mass engaged with the rotor to restrain the rotor from rotation and is deformable to allow the mass to displace and disengage from the rotor in response to a setback force on the projectile. A second biasing element includes a displaceable end for engaging with the rotor to restrain the rotor from rotation and is deformable to disengage the displaceable end from the rotor in response to projectile spin. A piston actuator can rotate the rotor to the armed position if the mass is disengaged and the displaceable end is disengaged. A detonator on the rotor can be aligned with a detonation cord when the rotor is in the armed position and unaligned when the rotor is in the safe position. |
| US08291824B1 |
Monolithic exploding foil initiator
A monolithic exploding foil initiator (EFI) or slapper detonator and the method for making the monolithic EFI wherein the exploding bridge and the dielectric from which the flyer will be generated are integrated directly onto the header. In some embodiments, the barrel is directly integrated directly onto the header. |
| US08291823B2 |
Digital printing plate and system with electrostatically latched deformable membranes
A printing surface includes a substrate having latching electrodes on a first surface, a spacer layer on the first surface of the substrate, the spacer layer patterned to form wells such that the latching electrodes reside in the wells, a deformable membrane, the membrane having conductive regions, on the spacer layer to enclose the wells, each enclosed well and its associated region of the membrane forming a pixel membrane, and actuation circuitry to actuate the electrodes to cause selected ones of the pixel membranes to remain in a deflected state when the pixel membranes receive an impulse to return to an undeflected state. |
| US08291822B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes is described in which a cleaning member is positioned on one side of a belt and a backup member positioned on a second side of the belt. The backup member is configured to move between a contact position and a non-contact position. |
| US08291821B2 |
Infinitely variable cutoff printing press with constant speed plate cylinder and inker
A variable cutoff printing press is provided. The printing press includes a first plate cylinder rotating at a constant angular velocity and printing on a web during each revolution about a first plate cylinder axis and a first blanket cylinder rotating at varying angular velocities during each revolution about a first blanket cylinder axis. The first blanket cylinder comes in and out of contact with the first plate cylinder during operation. A method of variable cutoff printing is also provided. |
| US08291816B2 |
Drawer type cooking device
The invention provides a drawer type cooking device having an operation unit disposed on an upper portion of a drawer body so as to increase the height of the drawer body within a cooking device body as much as possible, capable of facilitating power supply and signal transmission between the control unit within the cooking device body and the operation unit when the drawer body is opened and closed. Slide mechanisms 4 disposed on left, right and bottom portions enabling the drawer body 2 to be moved into and out of the cooking device body 1 are composed of conductive materials, so as to provide a slidable state with constant conduction. By transmitting data via serial communication and supplying power to the operation unit from the cooking device body 1 to the drawer body 2, it becomes possible to dispose the operation unit on a door 2a being opened and closed. By forming the operation unit including a microcomputer for communication on the drawer body 2, it becomes possible to increase the ceiling height of the drawer body 2, increase the ceiling height and capacity of the heating chamber 3, and enlarge the height limitation of an object to be cooked. An illuminating light source 25 disposed on the door 2a of the drawer body 2 can also receive power supply via the arrangement described above to illuminate food loaded in the drawer body 2. |
| US08291812B2 |
Self tamping coffee holder
A self-tamping coffee holder tamps loose ground coffee obtaining richer flavor. The coffee holder includes a holder base and a holder cap. Coffee is loosely deposited in the coffee holder and the holder cap is attached to the holder base. An internal filter chamber holds the coffee and allows tamping of the coffee into a compacted state. The filter chamber may be formed by a fixed filter or by a removeable filter constructed of filter paper, nylon mesh, metal mesh, or any material capable of holding the coffee while allowing a flow of heated water through the coffee. The tamping may be by a spring or by a resilient solid material attached to the coffee holder and may push the coffee down inside the filter or push the filter and the coffee up against the holder lid. |
| US08291808B2 |
Titanium mosaic body armor assembly
An assembly useful for constructing concealable, flexible, lightweight protective body armor includes a flexible support layer to which is bonded a mosaic of rigid, adjacent tiles having a high bending performance, such as type 5 titanium alloy, which includes 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium by weight. The inner support layer can include woven para-aramid and/or STF-treated Kevlar™. The tiles can have interlocking and/or thickened edges. An additional backing layer can include para-aramid and/or carbon nanofiber embedded UHMWPE UD-laminate. An inner layer can have high moisture transport, anti-microbial properties, and low friction. An outer layer can be shaped with anatomical features to hide the armor. The assembly can be flame resistant. Assemblies with 2 mm thick tiles and total thickness less than 5 mm can provide V50 protection against 9 mm FMJ projectiles at more than 1000 feet/second, and can also protect against knife and spike assaults at 65 Joules force. |
| US08291807B1 |
Machine gun ammunition holder incorporating center of gravity downward ejection-deflector
Devices, apparatus, systems and methods of mounting ammunition holders for side loading machine guns and weapons that downwardly eject spent cartridges. The ammunition holders include adjustable hinges attached side plates that both moves the center of gravity of the left side supported ammunition holder to move in a right direction underneath the machine gun until the ammunition holder is balanced relative to the machine gun. The side plate further deflects the spent cartridges from being directly ejected downward from the machine gun and instead deflect the spent cartridges to one side of the machine gun away from both the machine gun and an operator of the gun. The ammunition containers can be ammunition belt boxes. The ammunition containers can be ammunition pouch bags. Frames can allow for bags to be inserted therein and be pre-shaped to form a deflection surface by a built on side wall which functions as a deflection plate to deflect spent cartridges and shells sideways away from the gun. |
| US08291801B2 |
Table saw with ratchet mechanism
A table saw in one embodiment includes a work-piece support surface, a swing arm assembly movable along a swing path between a first swing arm position whereat a portion of a shaping device supported by the swing arm assembly extends above the work-piece support surface and a second swing arm position whereat the portion of the shaping device does not extend above the work-piece support surface, a first ratchet member operatively connected to the swing arm assembly, and a second ratchet member movable between a first ratchet position whereat rotation of the first ratchet member in a first and a second direction is allowed, and a second ratchet position whereat the second ratchet member is engaged with the first ratchet member such that rotation in only the first direction is allowed. |
| US08291800B2 |
Combination power tool
A combination power tool with a machine base, an independently operable portable circular saw, and a connection device for fastening the portable circular saw to the machine base to form a miter saw. The portable circular saw has a power supply unit including a first power socket that is provided at the front side of the portable circular saw and selectively electrically connectable to the motor of the portable circular saw, a second power socket provided at the rear side of the portable circular saw and selectively electrically connectable to the motor of the portable circular saw, and a power cable for connecting an external power source to one of the first power socket and the second power socket. |
| US08291798B2 |
Method and device for producing small, thin sheets from an active-ingredient film
The invention relates to a method and a device for producing small, thin sheets from an active-ingredient film (2), in which the latter is produced by casting the film material onto a substrate material or by coating a substrate material, storing it with or without substrate material on a reel, pulling it off the reel and cutting it. It achieves the object of designing a method of this type in such a way that with this method small sheets can be produced as exactly as possible in predetermined sizes. To do this, the active-ingredient film (2) is pulled off automatically, is separated from a substrate material which, if present, and in tensioned form, is fed to a cutting station and is cut, in the feed direction, into long, narrow strips (7) of predeterminable width, and the long strips (7) are brought together in the feed direction and together are fed by a further feed device (10) to a transverse cutter (11), which cuts through the combined long strips (7) at predetermined intervals. |
| US08291796B2 |
Two-axis machine tool
A two axis machine tool suppresses vibrations between two processing machines and provides a self vibration suppressing effect resulting from increased rigidity and increased mass. The two axis machine tool includes first and second separate and independent machine beds and processing machines mounted respectively on the first and second machine beds, and the first and second machine beds are connected together through vibration suppressing units. Each of the vibration suppressing units includes a viscoelastic body sandwiched between first and second plate members secured respectively to the first and second machine beds. |
| US08291785B2 |
Ball screw
A ball screw includes a screw shaft, in which a thread groove is formed in an outer peripheral face thereof, that includes a small-diameter portion with a diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the screw shaft formed integrally at one end of the screw shaft; a nut, through which the screw shaft passes, having a thread groove formed in an inner peripheral face thereof; a plurality of balls disposed in a ball passage formed by the thread groove of the screw shaft and the thread groove of the nut; and a ring-shaped stopper, immovably fitted on the small-diameter portion, that prevents the nut from moving. |
| US08291783B2 |
Helical locking mechanism for doors
A powerless helical locking mechanism for a door includes a screw with a variable lead angle connected with a power source, and a self-adaptive nut connected to the door. The helical slot of the screw is divided into a working segment with the helical lead angle greater than the friction angle, a closing segment with the helical lead angle smaller than the friction angle, and a transition segment between the closing and working segments. The power source actuates the screw to rotate bidirectionally. |
| US08291781B2 |
System and methods for actuating reversibly expandable structures
An actuator is provided for reconfiguring a reversibly expandable structure, also referred to as a deployable structure. The deployable structure includes an enclosed mechanical linkage capable of transformation between expanded and collapsed configurations while maintaining its shape. An actuator coupled to the deployable structure provides a load, force, or torque for actuating a transformation. The actuated deployable structure transfers the actuation force to an external body substances, or element in contact with the deployable structure. The force can be directed inwardly or outwardly depending upon direction of the transformation (i.e., expanding or contracting). The force provided by the deployable structure can be used to perform work by its application over at least a portion of the distance traveled by a perimeter of the deployable structure during its transformation. In some embodiments, the actuatable deployable structure is lockable structure supporting a static load. |
| US08291778B2 |
Extractive sampling system for fluids
Disclosed is an extractive sampling system to secure representative fluid samples and transport to analyzers as a sample destination. The invention is directed to modification of sample acquisition components and the addition of elements to overcome sample obtainment issues that occur in a variety of fluids to be samples. |
| US08291776B1 |
Force sensor using changes in magnetic flux
A force sensor includes a magnetostrictive material and a magnetic field generator positioned in proximity thereto. A magnetic field is induced in and surrounding the magnetostrictive material such that lines of magnetic flux pass through the magnetostrictive material. A sensor positioned in the vicinity of the magnetostrictive material measures changes in one of flux angle and flux density when the magnetostrictive material experiences an applied force that is aligned with the lines of magnetic flux. |
| US08291775B2 |
Torque sensor and robot apparatus
Provided is a torque sensor including a first rotating body, a second rotating body, a strain body, and a detection element. The first rotating body is rotatable around an input shaft. The second rotating body is rotatable around an output shaft. The strain body includes a first engaging portion. The first engaging portion is separated from at least one of the rotating bodies in a first direction parallel to the input shaft, a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a third direction around the input shaft and is capable of engaging to the at least one of the rotating bodies in the third direction. The strain body transmits a rotational torque to the third direction between the first rotating body and the second rotating body. The detection element is provided to the strain body to measure a strain of the strain body due to the rotational torque. |
| US08291772B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing shear fasteners used in downhole tools
A tester for testing a shear fastener includes: a frame; a stationary chuck connected to the frame; a linear guide comprising a slider; a movable chuck connected to the slider; a movable insert fastened to the movable chuck and having a hole for receiving a first portion of the shear fastener; a stationary insert fastened to the stationary chuck and having a hole for receiving a second portion of the shear fastener; a linear actuator for engaging the movable chuck and fracturing the shear fastener; and a load cell for determining force exerted on the shear fastener by the linear actuator. |
| US08291771B2 |
Electronic apparatus with sensor
An electronic apparatus with a sensor has an exterior case, a sensor unit arranged inside the exterior case for detecting pressure, and a sensor holding frame arranged between the exterior case and the sensor unit for mounting the sensor unit on the exterior case. The sensor holding frame includes a sensor accommodating portion which accommodates the sensor unit and which has a pressure chamber into which the pressure is taken in front of a sensor body of the sensor unit, and a pressure introducing passage through which pressure is introduced into the pressure chamber from outside the exterior case. A center axis of the sensor accommodating portion and a center axis of the pressure introducing passage are displaced from each other. |
| US08291766B2 |
Method and device for ultrasound testing
In a method and device for ultrasonic testing of a workpiece, a multiplicity of ultrasonic testing pulses are launched into the workpiece from a test surface thereof. At least two ultrasonic testing pulses are launched into the workpiece to be tested at launching points that are spaced apart from one another by a test step width measured along the test surface. A single measured value (Ī) assigned to a local point located in the workpiece is calculated on the basis of the received signals assigned to the at least two ultrasonic testing pulses. |
| US08291765B2 |
Carrier modulating accelerometer
An accelerometer module for measuring acceleration in a stabilized platform system includes a power supply configured to accept an input AC reference signal and to generate a regulated DC signal and a reference signal in phase with the input AC reference signal; an accelerometer configured to receive the regulated DC signal from said power supply and to generate an output signal in response to an external force acting on the accelerometer module and an analog multiplier unit configured to receive the output signal from the accelerometer and the reference signal from the power supply, and to modulate the reference signal with the output signal so as to output a modulated accelerometer signal. A method for servicing a stabilized platform system comprising is also provided. |
| US08291763B1 |
Push-in-snap mounting bracket for gauge
A gauge mounting assembly for mounting a gauge to an instrument panel of a vehicle such as an automobile, boat, airplane or any other device utilizing said gauge and instrument panel. The gauge mounting assembly comprises: a gauge disposed within a gauge housing abutting a gauge housing flange; a gauge mounting bracket integrally attached to the gauge housing; said gauge mounting bracket comprising a circular base with a series of flexible fingers extending axially from said base; and, said fingers consisting of a ratcheting tip. When said gauge mounting assembly is positioned within a hole in said instrument panel the flexible fingers consist of an elastic dual-action cantilevered spring members. First, said fingers flex inwardly towards the axial surface of the gauge housing to permit passage through said hole. Second, said spring members bow outwardly from their original position exerting an outward force against said hole maintaining retention and alignment of the gauge housing. The ratcheting tips of the flexible fingers distal from said base become trapped on a opposite rear surface of said instrument panel, corresponding to the thickness, sandwiching the instrument panel between the gauge housing flange and corresponding ratcheting tips creating an exponential resistance in removal force created by the bowed shaped configuration of the spring members and automically centering the gauge device within the hole of the instrument panel without the need of a additional element. |
| US08291759B2 |
Fluid flow direction detection
In order to provide a robust, weather resistant, portable, low-noise, relatively inexpensive, wind direction detection device, disclosed herein is a method and device for detecting fluid flow direction based on sensing a temperature variation transmitted from a temperature variation source to one or more temperature sensors. One or more indicators are utilized to communicate the measured fluid flow direction to a user. An implementation of the fluid flow direction detection device utilizes a resistance heater as the temperature variation source, thermistors as the temperature sensors, and light emitting diodes (LEDs) corresponding to each thermistor as the indicators. The thermistors and LEDs are arranged in a circular fashion around the resistance heater to accurately detect the direction of a thermal plume generated by the resistance heater. |
| US08291756B2 |
Measuring tyre pressure
This invention provides a valve stem (21) for a tire. The valve stem (21) comprises at least one electrical circuit for measuring pressure within the tire. The circuit comprises a capacitive pressure sensor (5) and an inductive coil (6). The inductive coil (6) is coiled around the valve stem (21). |
| US08291755B2 |
Tire air-pressure detection device
A method and apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the invention includes a tire pressure detection device comprising an elongated casing having a first casing portion and a second casing portion, configured to house a pressure sensor and the battery therein. The elongated casing also includes a mounting hole for accommodating a connection member configured to connect the casing to a tire valve. The mounting hole is disposed, in one embodiment, and at approximately longitudinal center portion thereof. The first casing portion and the second casing portion are joined to each other by joint portions comprising a hook formed on one of the first casing portion and the second casing portion, and a hook hole formed in another of the first casing portion and the casing portion. The joint portions are located around the mounting hole and both longitudinal ends of the casing. The casing is configured such that a tire valve penetrates a rim of the tire wheel from an outside to an inside thereof. |
| US08291750B1 |
Resonant measurement system and method
A system for measuring damping and that includes an oscillator that produces an excitation signal for a resonator that can be placed in a damping medium. A sensor produces a sensor signal responsive to resonator motion. Also, a timing circuit ensures that excitation and sensing occur during mutually exclusive periods. An amplifier responds to the sensor signal, producing an amplified sensor signal. A phase detector is adapted to measure the phase relationship between the excitation signal and the amplified sensor signal and a controller is responsive to the phase detector to adjust the excitation frequency of the excitation signal, to create a phase lock loop. An integrator receives the amplified signal during periods that are mutually exclusive to and interleaved with the excitation. This integrator produces an integrated DC and low frequency component of the amplified signal, which is subtracted from the input amplifier input. |
| US08291743B1 |
Method and system for calibrating an electronic lapping guide for a beveled pole in a magnetic recording transducer
A method and system for calibrating an electronic lapping guide (ELG) for transducer(s) having an ABS and a magnetic structure are described. The magnetic structure has a desired thickness, a bevel, and a flare point a distance from the ABS. The method and system include providing at least three ELGs. A first ELG has first and second edges first and second distances from the ABS. A second ELG has third and fourth edges third and second distances from the ABS. A third ELG has fifth and sixth edges fourth and second distances from the ABS. The first, third, and fourth distances correspond to a stripe height and an offset. The first, third, and fourth distance and/or the second distance corresponds to an intersection between the bevel and the desired thickness. The method and system also include measuring resistances of the ELGs, and calibrating the ELG(s) utilizing the offset and resistances. |
| US08291733B2 |
Electric door lock
An electric door lock includes a transmission wheel driven by a motor and incorporating a spring with a driving end to drive a driven wheel. The transmission wheel and the driven wheel are rotatably sleeved around an inner drive tube connected to an inner handle. A spindle is inserted into the inner drive tube and has an operating end exposed from the inner handle. The driven wheel is connected integrally to the spindle for rotation. Preferably, a coupling piece extends through an arc-shaped slot in the inner drive tube and interconnects the driven wheel and the spindle. |
| US08291731B2 |
Washing machine generating and using the steam
A washing machine is disclosed. The washing machine has an improved structure adapted to generate steam in order to improve washing effect and enable sterilization of laundry using the steam. The washing machine comprises a tub to contain water, a heater installed in the tub, and a controller to control the heater to heat the water contained in the tub and to generate steam. |
| US08291729B2 |
Microalignment using laser-softened glass bumps
Disclosed is a method for fabricating glass bump standoff structures of precise height, the method comprising providing oversized glass bumps on a glass substrate, providing a heat source to heat the bumps, positioning a substrate to be aligned on the oversized bumps, and reducing the height of the oversized bumps by a combination of manipulations comprising (1) softening the bumps by heating the bumps and (2) applying pressure to the substrate to be aligned. |
| US08291728B2 |
Method for the joining of low expansion glass
The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for joining together pieces of low thermal expansion glass to form parts that can be used in the manufacturing of mirror blanks. The parts are then used as a basis for the fabrication, using the method described herein, of hexagon sub-assemblies that would then be joined for assembly into mirror blanks. |
| US08291727B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing ceramic microspheres for cementing applications
A method and apparatus for manufacturing ceramic microspheres from industrial slag. The microspheres have a particle size of about 38 microns to about 150 microns. The microspheres are used to create a cement slurry having a density of at least about 11 lbs/g. The resultant cement slurry may then be used to treat subterranean wells. |
| US08291721B2 |
Dual condenser fans with center partition
A transport refrigeration system having a structural framework supporting a refrigeration unit including a condenser heat exchanger supported in an upper region of the framework and an engine and an electric generator powered by the engine supported by the framework in an engine compartment in a lower region of the framework, includes a pair of vertically disposed condenser fan/motor assemblies disposed aft of the condenser heat exchanger in side-by-side relationship and above the engine compartment; and a flow partition extending vertically between the pair of condenser fan/motor assemblies. |
| US08291719B2 |
Thermal control system and method
A system for improving the thermal efficiency of a thermal control loop in which refrigerant after compression and condensation is applied to an evaporator employs a subsidiary counter-current heat exchange intercepting refrigerant flow to maintain the quality of the refrigerant by exchanging thermal energy between the input flow and the output flow from the evaporator. The same principle is effective, with particular advantage when small connections have to be made, in systems using mixed phase media and using the concept of direct energy transfer with saturated fluid. |
| US08291718B2 |
DSM defrost during high demand
A method includes providing a standard supply of electrical power to a defrost heater during a standard defrost cycle for a refrigeration system of an appliance, detecting a high energy demand period during the standard defrost cycle, and enabling a reduced consumption of electrical power by the defrost heater in a low power defrost cycle. |
| US08291717B2 |
Cryogenic vacuum break thermal coupler with cross-axial actuation
A system and method to connect a cryocooler (refrigerator) to a superconducting magnet or cooled object allows for replacement without the need to break the cryostat vacuum or the need to warm up the superconducting magnet or other cooled object. A pneumatic or other type of actuator establishes a thermo-mechanical coupling. The mechanical closing forces are directed perpendicular (cross-axially) to the cryocooler axis and are not applied to the thin wall cryocooler body or to the thin cryostat walls or to the cooled object or to its shield. It is also possible that some of the compressive force be transferred to the cryocooler body. In that case, the extensions are designed so that the forces transferred to the cryocooler thermal stages do not exceed allowable stresses in the cryocooler stage. Additionally the device provides the possibility of easy inspection and cleaning of the thermal contacting surfaces of the cryostat cold and intermediate stations from the bonded chips of compressible gasket after the cryocooler retraction. |
| US08291716B2 |
Hybrid propulsive engine including at least one independently rotatable turbine stator
A hybrid propulsive technique includes providing a flow of a working fluid through at least a portion of an at least one jet engine. The at least one jet engine includes an at least one turbine section, wherein the at least one turbine section includes at least one turbine stage. The at least one turbine stage includes an at least one turbine rotor and an at least one independently rotatable turbine stator. The hybrid propulsive technique further involves extracting energy at least partially in the form of electrical power from the working fluid, and converting at least a portion of the electrical power to torque. The hybrid propulsive technique further comprises rotating an at least one at least one independently rotatable turbine stator at least partially responsive to the converting the at least a portion of the electrical power to torque. |
| US08291712B2 |
Method for determining sensor locations
A method for determining sensor locations in a gas turbine engine is provided. The said method includes providing a turbine rear frame including a radially inner surface, a radially outer surface and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced struts extending between the inner and outer surfaces, wherein a strut sector is defined between each pair of circumferentially-adjacent struts, providing a plurality of fuel nozzles that are each aligned with a strut sector, selecting one of the plurality of fuel nozzles as a primary index nozzle and positioning each of a plurality of sensors relative to one of the plurality of nozzles using a corresponding positioning angle such that each of the plurality of sensors coincides with a gas flow temperature distribution profile between each pair of circumferentially-spaced nozzles. |
| US08291711B2 |
Flow sleeve impingement cooling baffles
A combustor assembly for a turbine engine includes a combustor liner, a flow sleeve and a baffle ring. The flow sleeve surrounds the combustor liner. An annulus is formed between the flow sleeve and the combustor liner. A plurality of row of cooling holes are formed in the flow sleeve. The baffle ring radially surrounds the combustor liner and is located in the annulus. |
| US08291708B2 |
Combustor and multi combustor including the combustor, and combusting method
A dual fuel nozzle of a gas turbine combustor with a variable jetting hole diameter is disclosed. The combustor includes a plurality of swirling wings disposed along an outer peripheral surface of a central shaft to have at least one main fuel jetting hole, an air duct positioned at the lower side of the swirling wings to supply air to the swirling wings, a pilot fuel injection hole and jetting hole formed to pass through a central portion of the central shaft to supply a pilot fuel, a switching plate disposed inside the swirling wings to vary the size of the main fuel jetting hole, a driving unit disposed to be connected to the switching plate to move a position of the switching plate, and a casing containing the swirling wings, the air duct, the switching plate and the driving unit. It is possible to enhance fuel flexibility in a multiple fuel system for applying two or more fuels to a gas turbine at the same time. |
| US08291707B2 |
Multi-stage check valve
A multi-stage check valve includes a valve housing defining an internal valve chamber. A main valve member within the valve chamber of the valve housing has an internal valve chamber. In the first position thereof the main valve member blocks fuel below a predetermined main pressure from flowing through a main fuel path. In the second position thereof the main valve member is displaced to allow fuel above the predetermined main pressure to flow through the main fuel path. The multi-stage check valve also includes a pilot valve member within the valve chamber of the main valve member. In the first position thereof, the pilot valve member blocks fuel below a predetermined pilot pressure from flowing through a pilot fuel path. In the second position thereof, the pilot valve member is displaced to allow fuel above the predetermined pilot pressure to flow through the pilot fuel path. |
| US08291699B2 |
Exhaust manifold of a turbo-supercharged reciprocating engine
Exhaust manifold of a turbo-supercharged reciprocating engine with any number of cylinders ranging from 2 to 6 and equipped with an EGR system which comprises: a) an outer casing (21) which includes flanges (23, 25) for effecting joining, respectively, to the cylinder head (13) of the engine and the turbine (15) and an opening towards an EGR outlet duct (27) and an inner wall (31) with low thermal inertia defining a regulating chamber (33) for the exhaust gases introduced into it, after passing through a particle filter (45), via a plurality of orifices (35) located in the inner wall (31); b) inner branches (41) for entry of the exhaust gases, situated opposite the exhaust pipes (17); c) an outlet duct (59) for conveying the exhaust gases to the turbine (15), designed as an extension of the inner wall (31). |
| US08291697B2 |
Internal combustion engine control device
An internal combustion engine control device includes a NOx adsorber catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage, an EGR passage, a reducing agent adding device, a torque fluctuation reducing device, and a fuel injection device. The EGR passage draws a portion of exhaust gas from the exhaust passage downstream of the NOx adsorber catalyst and recirculates the exhaust gas into the intake passage. The reducing agent adding device adds a reducing agent to exhaust gas upstream of the NOx adsorber catalyst to reduce substances adsorbed by the NOx adsorber catalyst. When or after the reducing agent adding device adds the reducing agent, the torque fluctuation reducing device advances the timing of the fuel injection device or carries out a pilot injection to reduce a fluctuation in engine torque. The reducing agent adding device adds less reducing agent while the torque fluctuation reducing device is operating. |
| US08291693B2 |
Method for setting a predetermined oxygen filling value of an oxygen storage reservoir of a catalytic converter
A method for setting a predetermined oxygen filling value of an oxygen storage reservoir of a catalytic converter for a motor vehicle, the oxygen filling value being set with consideration of a combustion air ratio which has been determined depending on the raw emission values which have been determined or which are to be determined for the exhaust gas components which are to be oxidized and reduced by the catalytic converter. |
| US08291689B2 |
Corrugated core cowl for a gas turbine engine
An example core nacelle for a gas turbine engine includes a core cowl positioned adjacent to an inner duct boundary of a fan bypass passage having an associated cross-sectional area. The core cowl includes at least one groove that is selectively exposed to change the cross-sectional area. |
| US08291684B2 |
Swather with automatic reel control
In a swather formed by a tractor and attached heeder for cutting standing crop to form a swath, reel speed and optionally draper speed are controlled relative to ground speed by a control system including a manually operable input and display available to the operator. The control system can be used in an automatic mode to set an index value for an actual difference in reel speed relative to ground speed and to vary reel speed accordingly. In this mode a manually operable control varies the index. The control system can be switched by the operator to manual in which case the same control varies the actual reel speed. Minimum reel speed can be set by the same control and when operative the automatic system does not allow reel speed to fall below the minimum set value despite the values of index and ground speed. A crop-lodged switch is also provided which when operated acts to move the header to a lowered position and the move the reel to a forward most and lowermost position in a single operation controlled by the single switch. |
| US08291674B2 |
Window-containing assemblies having a molded plastic frame
The present invention provides a window frame design that is adapted to receive at least two light-panels. The window frame comprises a stepped frame section that includes a lower step surface and an upper step surface. The lower step surface is adapted to receive a first light-panel so that a section of the first light-panel lies flush against the lower step surface. Similarly, the upper step surface is adapted to receive a second light-panel so that the second light-panel lies flush against the upper step surface. The window frame design of the invention can be either incorporated into a skylight frame that may be attached to a curb unit on a roof or it may be an integral part of a skylight frame-curb assembly that also contains a curb section. In another embodiment of the invention, a window frame design which directly incorporates one or more light-panels during molding is provided. |
| US08291670B2 |
Modular entrance floor system
A modular entrance floor system comprising a plurality of floor sections, the plurality of floor sections being disposed adjacent each other and defining a perimeter of an entrance floor area. Each floor section includes a base plate permanently coupled to a foundation, and a surface plate removably attached to the base plate. The surface plate has at least one drain feature. The plurality of floor sections are configured such that the surface plate of a first floor section is interchangeable with the surface plate of a second floor section, independent of the adjacent floor sections. |
| US08291663B2 |
Drywall sealing tape
A drywall sealing tape which includes a substrate layer and a mesh layer made of mesh filament. The mesh layer is an array of filaments formed together which, when adjacent the substrate, create an inter-filament cavity for receiving and retaining joint compound between the substrate and the drywall panel. In use, the drywall sealing tape of the present invention may be coated with joint compound and applied to a drywall panel. The inter-filament cavities retain a volume of joint compound corresponding to the approximate thickness of the mesh filament. The joint compound retained within the cavities serves to bond the drywall sealing tape of the present invention to the drywall panels, and provides a seamless, crack-resistant surface. |
| US08291662B2 |
Continuous pour concrete slip dowel
According to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a continuous pour concrete slip dowel is disclosed configured for use across a joint between adjacent concrete slabs. The continuous pour concrete slip dowel of the invention includes a slip sleeve configured to be positioned within a first concrete slab, and a main dowel rod having i) a first rod end portion configured to be received within the slip sleeve, ii) a second opposed rod end configured to be received within a second concrete slab which is adjacent the first slab and spaced from the first slab by a intervening joint, and iii) an intermediate coupling rod portion connecting the first rod end with the second rod end, wherein the coupling rod portion defines an offset therein whereby the coupling rod portion is configured to extend around the joint. |
| US08291647B2 |
Self-contained structure configurable as a shipping container and as a dwelling
A self-contained structure configurable as a shipping container and as a dwelling is provided. The self-contained structure configurable as a shipping container and as a dwelling includes a lower section including a platform and a floor, said lower section forming a first portion of a foundation of said dwelling; an upper section including a ceiling and connected to the lower section to define a cavity, said upper section forming a first portion of a roof of said dwelling; a plurality of wall components attached to said lower section and said upper section within said cavity to form subcavities within said cavity; a plurality of panels attachable to said lower section and said upper section to enclose said cavity when the structure is configured as the shipping container and attachable to said upper section to form a second portion of said roof of said dwelling extending from said first portion of said roof to define an approximate area of said dwelling when the structure is configured as the dwelling; and a plurality of extension walls storable within said subcavities when the structure is configured as the shipping container and configurable to enclose said approximate area of said dwelling when the structure is configured as the dwelling. |
| US08291646B2 |
Wind power installation pylon interior
A wind power installation comprising a pylon comprising a pylon, a generator supported by the pylon and rotor blades coupled to the generator. The wind power installation further includes a first door to allow entrance into and exit from the interior of the pylon, a first level disposed in the interior of the pylon and directly accessible via the first door, the first level having a lock space including living quarters or sanitary equipment disposed therein. In addition, the wind power installation includes a second door disposed between the lock space and other portions of the interior of the pylon, wherein the second door is moisture-tight, a second level, disposed in the interior of the pylon and accessible via the second door, and a power module including a transformer housed in a moisture-tight container and electrically coupled to the generator, wherein the power module is disposed in the other portions of the interior of the pylon. |
| US08291641B2 |
Method for hydroponically growing plants that are root-nurtured
A method for hydroponically growing plants that are typically root-nurtured includes supplying a fluid to a main body with a top through a fill plug, maintaining the fluid at a pre-determined level in the main body with a top, an entrance end and an exit end by a drain pipe, feeding at least one plant with the fluid, the at least one plant disposed on the main body in a saddle with a top that has a strainer that is in contact with the pre-determined fluid level and returning the fluid to a reservoir from the main body. A second method for hydroponically growing plants that are typically root-nurtured includes supplying a fluid to a main body with a top through a dripper is also provided. |
| US08291640B2 |
Aquaponic system for vegetable and fish production
The invention relates to an aquaponic facility with closed water circulation, including at least one aquaculture unit and at least one hydroponic unit, characterized in that the aquaculture unit has at least one water outlet which is functionally connected with the hydroponic unit by a one-way valve such that water from the aquaculture unit can be supplied to the hydroponic unit, and the hydroponic unit has at least one cold trap, wherein the at least one cold trap is functionally connected with the aquaculture unit in such a way that the water obtained from the at least one cold trap can be supplied to the aquaculture unit, as well as its use. |
| US08291635B2 |
Strike-setting assembly for use with an unmanned fishing rod
A strike-setting assembly for an unmanned fishing rod including a hook-setting device carried by a fishing pole holder is provided. The hook-setting device includes a tether and an efficient, reliable mechanical trigger assembly including multiple magnets that permit easy, sensitive, multiple adjustments in multiple increments. The fishing pole holder is suitable for retaining the hook-setting device and for holding the rod in a manner providing resistance to the upward tension on the back handle portion of the fishing rod applied by the hook-setting device engaged on the front of the fishing rod. |
| US08291628B2 |
Art display system and method
A system for displaying illuminated art which includes an electrical/framework kit and a flexible media imprinted with artwork which combine for display of the artwork as on a table lamp or hanging lamp. The media is constructed out of a flexible sheet of plastic or a fabric-plastic laminate which is preferably bowed into a cylindrical or oval shape. The framework for supporting the illuminated media includes a slot provided in a central ring to accommodate the electrical cord of an electrical assembly, whereby the lamp is pre-wired so that user assembles it without having to wire the electrical components and wires. A digital library is set up where museums or other institutions or businesses can upload images of selected artworks to be printed on the flexible sheets of the media. |
| US08291627B1 |
Frame with movable emblem
The present invention provides a frame for attaching a license plate or novelty plate to a vehicle, with the capability of attaching an emblem to the frame in a desired location chosen by the user from multiple possible points of attachment. Multiple receptacles may be formed in the frame, each suitable for receiving and tightly holding an protuberance extending from an emblem, so that the emblem may be attached to the frame wherever there is a receptacle. Alternatively, a separate clip may be placed behind the frame, with prongs extending forward around the frame to attach to an emblem in any position on the frame where the clip is located. The position of the emblem on the frame may be shifted up and down or side to side. The emblem may also be removed and repositioned in a new position selected by the user. |
| US08291624B2 |
Blade assembly for an excavating apparatus
An alternative blade assembly for an excavating apparatus comprising a front face, side walls, a centre forward edge portion, side forward edge portions on either side of the centre forward edge and end forward edges at each distal side of the side forward edges, wherein the end forward edges have bottom edges which are lower than the bottom edge of the centre forward edge. |
| US08291623B2 |
Front mounted tractor snow blower
An independently powered tractor snow blower that is capable of being front mounted to the tractor and has an independent power source. The snow blower is capable of being easily connected and removed to the front of the tractor, and provides compact, stable, and versatile operation when in use. |
| US08291619B2 |
Skateboard shoes
A shoe comprising a single molded sole having a lateral section, positioned at a front outer portion of the sole, the lateral section made of a first rubber material, a medial section, positioned at a front inner portion of the sole and positioned adjacent to the lateral section, the medial section made of a third rubber material, a heel section, positioned at a rear portion of the sole, the heel section made of the third rubber material, and an arch section, positioned between the lateral section or the medial section and the heel section, the arch section made of a second rubber material. |
| US08291618B2 |
Devices with internal flexibility sipes, including siped chambers for footwear
Devices with internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability of support. Siped devices can be used in any existing product that provides or utilizes cushioning and stability. These products include human and other footwear, both soles and uppers, as well as orthotics; athletic, occupational and medical equipment and apparel; padding or cushioning, such as for equipment or tool handles, as well as furniture; balls; tires; and any other structural or support elements in a mechanical, architectural, or any other product. |
| US08291617B2 |
Cushioned athletic cleated shoes
A reinforcing elastic polymer, such as a urethane/rubber material, is selectively spray-applied over upper, midsole or outsole components of articles of footwear. Such a material sprayed over the toe area of baseball shoes, for example, that is subjected to increased wear during use, serves to improve the durability of that area. A cleated midsole constructed of a lightweight foamed material such as EVA, has an elastic polymer outsole layer selectively spray-applied over the outer surface of the cleated midsole to form a combination midsole/outsole that provides improved durability and traction, as well as superior shock absorption characteristics. |
| US08291615B2 |
Inner sole structure for a sports shoe
An inner sole structure for a sports shoe includes an upper sheet, a lower sheet below the upper sheet, and a wavy corrugated sheet interposed between the upper and lower sheets. The wavy corrugated sheet has at least two downwardly convex protrusions that form voids between the wavy corrugated sheet and the lower sheet, and that are in sliding contact with an upper surface of the lower sheet. The downwardly convex protrusions of the wavy corrugated sheet slide longitudinally along the lower sheet member when they are subjected to compressive deformation. |
| US08291614B2 |
Removable rounded midsole structures and chambers with computer processor-controlled variable pressure
This invention relates generally to footwear such as a shoe, including an athletic shoe, with a shoe sole, including at least one removable midsole section formed by a midsole portion, wherein the removable midsole section is non-orthotic. The removable midsole section is inserted within the shoe upper, the sides of which hold it in position. The shoe sole includes a concavely rounded side or underneath portion, which may be formed in part by the removable midsole section. The removable midsole section may extend the length of the shoe sole or may form only a part of the shoe sole and can incorporate cushioning or structural compartments or components. The removable midsole section provides the capability to permit replacement of midsole material which has degraded or has worn out in order to maintain optimal characteristics of the shoe sole. The shoe sole can, in another embodiment, include at least one compartment containing a fluid, a flow regulator, a pressure sensor to monitor the compartment pressure, and a control system such as a computer processor capable of automatically adjusting the pressure in the compartment(s) in response to the impact of the shoe sole with the ground surface. |
| US08291613B2 |
Ready cleat
A cleated sandal for use in athletic activities comprising a flexible sole and plural attachment straps for mounting the sandal on a foot or footwear of a wearer. A plurality of cleats for contacting a ground surface extend from a bottom side of the flexible sole at its toe and heel ends. The plural attachment straps include two vertical and two horizontal attachment straps each having a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom and top surfaces of each of the attachment straps are covered with suction mesh hairs which cling to each other when overlaid; hence, allowing portions of each strap to connect to each other to form secure loops and to tighten the sandal on the foot or footwear of the wearer. The attachment straps also are additionally connected to the sole through respective aligned buckles. |
| US08291612B2 |
Heater element for the inner sole of a footwear
Disclosed is a breathable insole heater element (12, 40) for footwear. The heater element is formed by photochemically etching a porous metallized fabric, e.g. nickel-metallized polyester woven fabric. The heater element is embedded in or laminated in an insole for an article of footwear such as a shoe or boot. The insole may be cut to size as desired. The insole may include microencapsulated agents such as fragrances, perfumes, microbials or insect repellents. The microcapsules may be activated to release the agents due to the heat generated by the heater element in operation. |
| US08291611B2 |
Multiple stage even-drying wood kiln system and method
A wood kiln system and method that sequentially cures and dries layers of stacked wood during which each layer of wood is heated to 125 to 170 deg. F. as the kiln container is evacuated to approximately 13 inches of Hg for 8 to 12 hrs. After the wood has been cured, drying stage is commenced as the wood is continuously heated by evacuating the kiln container to 0.35 to 3 inches of Hg for 6 to 12 hrs. During the drying stage, a cold water bath is formed in the bottom of the kiln container. A condensation tank located between the vacuum pump and the kiln is used to continuously remove the water and water vapor from the kiln container. In one embodiment, the vacuum pump includes a primary vacuum pump serially connected to an auxiliary vacuum pump that allows the air to be continuously and gradually reduced in the kiln container. |
| US08291607B2 |
Goniometric positioning system
A system for positioning an object includes a base and a platform for detachably retaining the object. A first linear actuator is pivotably coupled to a first pivot axis of the platform and a first pivot axis of the base. A second and a third linear actuator are pivotably coupled to a second pivot axis of the base and the first pivot axis of the platform. A fourth linear actuator is pivotably coupled to the second pivot axis of the base and a second pivot axis of the platform. The first, second, third and fourth linear actuators being selectably adjustable in length to position the platform at a select position about a predetermined arc of travel. |
| US08291606B2 |
Guide tool and method for laying concrete block
A guide tool for use in laying concrete block to form a wall includes a body sized and configured to slidably attach removably to a door frame such as to secure one end of a mason's line at a desired elevation and with a selected offset relative to the door frame. As so secured by the guide tool, the mason's line provides a true positional reference for laying of concrete block both with respect to the intended line of the wall in plan view, and with respect to the desired horizontal line of courses of block which are to form the wall. |
| US08291605B2 |
Box level
A level including an elongate hollow frame with two sidewalls and a topwall extending therebetween. A central vial is within a topnotch formed by removal of a topwall section and adjacent sections of sidewalls including notch-defining bottom and side edges. An integral inner vertical wall extends between the top and bottom walls thereby reinforcing the frame along the frame length. The inventive level further preferably includes an external brace reinforcing a central frame portion weakened by forming the topnotch. The external brace includes first and second plate members each against one of the sidewalls about the notch-defining bottom and side edges and each substantially spanning a respective one of the sidewalls. A fastening member extending through the sidewalls and pulling the plate members toward each other to sandwich the sidewalls therebetween, thereby reinforcing a central frame portion weakened by forming the topnotch. |
| US08291604B2 |
Box level
A level including an elongate hollow frame with two sidewalls and a topwall extending therebetween. A central vial is within a topnotch formed by removal of a topwall section and adjacent sections of sidewalls including notch-defining bottom and side edges. The frame includes an inner horizontal wall extending between the sidewalls at the notch-defining bottom edges. The central vial is supported in accurate orientation without calibration against a cental-vial reference surface formed in the inner horizontal wall parallel to the top and bottom measuring surfaces and defining a notch-bottom. An integral inner vertical wall extends between the top and bottom walls thereby reinforcing the frame along the frame length. A plumb-vial structure has a viewing-end region and an opposite-end region. The viewing-end region includes an elongate ramp sloping along a level-longitudinal axis toward the plumb vial with an inclination permitting vial viewing from shallow angles. The inventive level further preferably includes an external brace reinforcing a central frame portion weakened by forming the topnotch. |
| US08291602B2 |
Composite utility knife blade, and method of making such a blade
A composite utility knife blade and method of making such a blade involves butt joining a tool steel wire to a front edge of an alloy steel backing strip. The wire is electron beam welded to the backing strip to form a composite strip defining a first metal portion formed by the alloy steel backing strip, a second metal portion formed by the tool steel wire, and a weld region joining the first and second metal portions. The composite strip is annealed and hardened such that the first metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 38 Rc to approximately 52 Rc, and the second metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 60 Rc to approximately 75 Rc. The hardened strip is then tempered, quenched, surface treated to form a sharpened cutting edge, scored, and separated into a plurality of blades. |
| US08291601B2 |
Reusable metal blade handle
The present invention relates to a reusable metal blade handle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a reusable metal blade scalpel handle with safety features provided therein which are also usable across a wide range of blades. In particular, the present invention has application for reusable metal surgical scalpels, providing the facility of a uniform handle type across a variety of blade types. |
| US08291598B2 |
Retractable blade scraper having a blade-storage drawer and a blade slide with upper and lower blade-clamping members
A retractable blade scraper includes a handle body having a handle rear end and a handle forward end including a forward-end opening. An internal blade-slide cavity extends rearwardly from the forward-end opening toward the handle rear end and is configured to selectively receive a blade through—the forward-end opening. A blade slide housed by the blade-slide cavity includes lower and upper blade slide members between which the blade is selectively retained. A blade-slide actuator is accessible through an actuator slot defined through a wall of the handle body between slot first and second ends. Reciprocation of the actuator between the slot first and second ends reciprocates the blade slide between a rearward blade-storage position in which the blade is housed in the blade-slide cavity and a forward blade-changing position in which the blade protrudes through the forward-end opening to facilitate blade changing. The actuator includes threadably cooperating members that facilitate the alternative clamping of a blade between and release of a blade from between the blade slide members when the blade slide is in the blade-changing position. A spare-blade storage drawer is housed within a blade-storage cavity and is accessible through a rear-end opening in the handle body. |
| US08291594B2 |
Attachment system and method for thermal protection system
An attachment system for mounting a tile of a thermal protection system to a substructure comprises a post assembly configured to interconnect the tile to the substructure. The post assembly is configured to allow relative sliding movement between the tile and the substructure along a plane which is generally parallel to the tile. The attachment system facilitates installation and removal of the tile from the substructure for inspection, maintenance and repair of the tile and/or the substructure. |
| US08291593B2 |
Method of manufacturing multicolored interior trim components
A process for preparing interior trim components of a motor vehicle from a support having at least two decorative layers, wherein in a first step the decorative layers are heated to a specific temperature range and are e ared b molding, in a second step the decorative layers are trimmed, and in a third step the decorative layers are positioned in mutual orientation and fixed by reduced pressure, and in a fourth step the decorative layers are transferred to a backing mold and molded with component support (1) on the surface opposite. |
| US08291592B2 |
Method of lengthening a container well of a railcar
A railroad freight car with a lengthened container well, including an extended and reinforced well car unit side sill, and a method for lengthening a container well of a railroad freight car intended for carrying an intermodal cargo container. A side sill extension member is welded into position, between a body bolster at each end of the container well unit and a nearest container support assembly, and a container-well bottom assembly is lengthened at each end of the container well. A longitudinally-extending doubler plate may be welded to the longitudinally central portion of the side sill, to ensure sufficient rail clearance at mid-length of the car. |
| US08291581B2 |
Method for production of substrate electrode for plasma processing
A plurality of reference holes are formed in the surface of a first substrate made of a first material, and a plurality of columnar members are each fitted in the reference holes in such a manner that at least a part of each of the columnar members projects from the surface of the first substrate. Subsequently, an electrode surface layer made of a second material is formed on the surface of the first substrate in such a manner that an end portion of each of the columnar members are exposed at the surface and then the columnar members are removed. Thus obtained is a substrate-like electrode including at least an electrode surface layer provided with through holes having a cross section matching a sectional shape of the projecting portion of the columnar members. |
| US08291579B2 |
Geared insertion apparatus for a PCA
A apparatus for mounting an interposer PCA into a chassis is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a bracket attached to the PCA. A geared handle is rotatably attached to one end of the bracket. The geared handle is configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position. Two geared segments are rotatably attached to the opposite end of the bracket and are meshed with the geared handle. A slot is formed in each geared segment and two slots are formed in the geared handle. The slots engage with insertion/ejection flanges on the chassis. The engaged slots force the PCA down into mating connectors in the chassis when the handle is rotated from the open position to the closed position. |
| US08291565B2 |
Method of refurbishing bipolar electrostatic chuck
A bipolar electrostatic chuck refurbishing process in accordance with an aspect of the present invention does not require physical separation of the two electrodes of the electrostatic chuck. One aspect of the present invention is drawn to method of treating a bipolar electrostatic chuck having a front surface and a back surface and comprising a first electrode disposed at the front surface, a second electrode at the front surface and an anodized layer disposed on the front surface, the first electrode and the second electrode. The method comprises measuring a first parameter of the electrostatic chuck, discarding the electrostatic chuck if the first measured parameter is not within a first predetermined range, cleaning the electrostatic chuck if the first measured parameter is within the first predetermined range, sealing gaps between the first electrode and the second electrode at the front surface with a sealant, without displacing the first electrode relative to the second electrode, eliminating the anodized layer, and disposing a new anodized layer onto the front surface, the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US08291562B2 |
Rake tine replacement tool
A tool for replacing rake tines, having inner and outer ends, of a rake wheel which includes a central disc-shaped support plate means and a peripheral rim spaced outwardly of the support plate means with the peripheral rim having a plurality of spaced-apart openings formed therein which receive the rake tines extending therethrough so that the outer ends of the rake tines are positioned outwardly of the peripheral rim, and means removably securing the inner ends of the rake tines to the support plate means. The tool comprises a plurality of spaced-apart body members adapted to be secured to tines not needing replacement and to replacement tines to maintain the replacement tines to be secured to the rake wheel. |
| US08291558B2 |
Piezoelectric/electrostriction element manufacturing method
A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element includes a step of subjecting the piezoelectric/electrostrictive film to a heat treatment and a polarization treatment after the film is allowed to stand until the value of an electric constant has converged after the heat treatment. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive element manufactured in this method has small stress remaining in the piezoelectric/electrostrictive film, and predetermined performance regarding, for example, a displacement amount, a displacement-generating force, and an electric power efficiency (consumed electric power) as a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element (piezoelectric/electrostrictive film) is never spoiled. |
| US08291557B2 |
Apparatus for rebuilding gas turbine engines
A method for repairing a turbine blade for a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes securing the blade into a clamping fixture, obtaining a zero reference from a gauging surface on the clamping fixture, coupling the clamping fixture to a grinding machine, and grinding the blade based on the zero reference. |
| US08291546B2 |
Recovery tank for an extractor cleaning machine
An extractor cleaning machine includes a base having a distribution nozzle and a suction nozzle, a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle, a recovery tank removably coupled to the base and having a recovery tank handle, an extractor handle pivotally coupled to the base, and a supply tank coupled to the extractor handle for pivotal movement with the extractor handle with respect to the base. At least a portion of the supply tank is positioned above and over the recovery tank in a direction normal to a surface to be cleaned when the extractor handle is in an upright storage position. The supply tank is in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle to supply cleaning fluid to the distribution nozzle. The extractor cleaning machine is liftable by the recovery tank handle when the extractor handle is in the upright storage position. |
| US08291545B2 |
Twin cyclone vacuum cleaner
An upright vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction airstream inlet and a suction airstream outlet. A dirt container is selectively mounted to the housing for receiving and retaining dirt and dust separated from the suction airstream and includes a first cyclonic air-flow chamber and a second cyclonic airflow chamber. The chambers are spaced apart and are each approximately vertically oriented and arranged in a parallel relationship. An air manifold is disposed at a top portion of the dirt container. The air manifold includes an inlet section through which dirty air passes and an outlet section. The inlet section directs a flow of dirty air into two separate inlet conduits leading to a respective one of the first and second airflow chambers. The outlet section collects a flow of cleaned air from both of the chambers and merges the flow of cleaned air into a single outlet conduit. |
| US08291543B2 |
Adapter apparatus for collecting debris and related method
An adapter apparatus to be installed on a pail to allow debris to be swept into the pail when the pail is resting on its side on a surface to be swept. A mounting section is included which is configured to be positioned over at least part of a lip of the pail and secured in place on the pail. A debris collector guide is attached to the mounting section, with the debris collector guide including a pair of sidewalls and a bottom section disposed intermediate the side walls, with the sidewalls and bottom section forming a debris collection region which permits debris to be swept into the debris section and into a pail on which the adapter apparatus is installed. |
| US08291542B2 |
Stitch bonded multi-surface foam cleaning pad
A foam core cleaning element of stitch-bonded construction having a multi-surface operative cleaning face. The cleaning element includes at least one fluid absorbing layer of absorptive polymeric foam. At least a first plurality of yarns extends in discontinuous patterned stitched relation through discrete selected zones of the fluid absorbing layer such that the first plurality of yarns forms a patterned array of first surface loop zones projecting outwardly away from a first side of the fluid absorbing layer in a defined patterned arrangement across the operative cleaning face of the cleaning element. A plurality of stitch-free zones of the polymeric foam define outwardly projecting convex curved surfaces at positions adjacent to the first surface loop zones across the operative cleaning face of the cleaning element. |
| US08291541B2 |
Brush for a scrubbing, sweeping and/or polishing machine and spraying device for the cleaning of several surfaces that are separated from each other by means of grooves and/or joints
The invention relates, on the one hand, to a brush (1) for a scrubbing, sweeping and/or polishing machine for mechanical cleaning of several surfaces that are separated from each other by means of grooves and/or joints, such as, inter alia, paving stones, tiles, Bangkirai and/or building bricks, wherein the scrubbing, sweeping and/or polishing machine is provided so as to move the brush in a plane that is substantially parallel to the said surfaces that are separated from each other, and a scrubbing, sweeping and/or polishing machine provided with one or more brushes (1), the brush (1) being provided with at least one set of polishing bristles (2) for cleaning or polishing the surfaces; at least one set of joint bristles (3) for cleaning the grooves and/or joints between the surfaces; and the polishing bristles (2) having a length that is shorter than the length of the joint bristles (3). Additionally, the invention relates to a spraying device (10) for spraying several surfaces that are separated from each other by means of grooves and/or joints, such as, inter alia, paving stones, tiles, Bangkirai and/or building bricks, wherein the spraying device (10) comprises two or more spray heads (11), each of which produces a water jet (12). |
| US08291540B2 |
Orbital brush for an orbital floor brush machine
An orbital blush for an orbital floor brush machine is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The orbital brush includes a brush frame adapted to fit to the orbital floor brush machine, a first ring of first bristle tufts of a first length and oriented at a first angle, and a second ring of second bristle tufts of a second length and oriented at a second angle. |
| US08291539B2 |
Toothbrush and process for producing the same
The invention relates to a toothbrush with a neck piece and a brush body, comprising a head piece connected thereto, conventional bristles and at least one soft elastic cleaning element. According to the invention, the conventional bristles are mounted on a support element made from hard plastic. The above is connected to the brush body by means of a recess on the head piece which matches the support element. The at least one cleaning element is arranged on the head piece and directly connected to the brush body. The invention further relates to a method for production of such a toothbrush. |
| US08291533B2 |
Patient treatment apparatus
A patient treatment device includes an upper cantilever member and a lower cantilever member pivotally coupled to a platform, a bracket pivotally coupled to the front portions of the cantilever members for forming a parallelogrammic device, an elevating transmission device for pivoting the cantilever members up and down relative to the platform, a patient supporting table including a front portion pivotally attached to the bracket, and a tilting transmission device for tilting the patient supporting table between the horizontal position and the tilted working position and for preventing the patient from falling down from the patient supporting table inadvertently. |
| US08291527B2 |
Drive apparatus for bidet toilet
Apparatus for driving a nozzle of a bidet toilet, has a base 1; a nozzle 2; a guide device 11, 12 formed on the base for guiding linear movement of the nozzle; a motion output device 7 having an output shaft 71; a driving wheel 3 attached to the output shaft and being rotatably driven with the output shaft; a pair of guide wheels 4,5 rotatably fixed relative to the base, and a non-toothed conveyer 6 wound around the driving wheel 3 and the guide wheels 4, 5 and fastened to the nozzle 2. Rotation of the driving wheel 3 causes linear movement of the nozzle 2. |
| US08291524B2 |
Clip for mounting a fluid delivery device
A clip for mounting a fluid delivery device adjacent a wall of an enclosure is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a base, a hook configured to support the base adjacent the wall, means for attaching a fluid delivery device to the base, and means for rotating the base. Additionally, a method for attaching a clip for mounting a fluid delivery device adjacent a toilet bowl is disclosed. The method includes securing a hook to a rim, engaging a tab of a base to an underside of the rim at an interface, and rotating the base in response to the interface to substantially engage the tab of the base with the underside of the rim. |
| US08291522B2 |
Hybrid waterless urinal
A hybrid waterless urinal includes a main body having an integrally formed elongated receptacle for receiving an effluent liquid, a drain unit having a reservoir, a primary P-trap and an integrated one way valve for storing and removing the effluent liquid from the urinal, a washout channel for providing fresh water under pressure to the drain unit and a secondary P-trap positioned inside the washout channel. |
| US08291521B2 |
Adjustable neck protective collar in particular for motorcycle riders
A collar for protecting the neck of a user, useful in particular for motorcycle riders, is envisaged, said collar comprising two half-collars which are pivotably hinged together at one end so as to be rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane and which can be connected together by means of a fastening and release lever, a plate which at the rear extends downwards from the bottom edge of the collar so as to be centred with respect to the spinal column of the user, and a protective shield which extends downwards at the front. The collar is provided with removable padding means where the collar rests on the user's shoulders. |
| US08291518B1 |
Retractable neckpiece for headwear
Apparatus for shading a user's neck. In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a laterally extending central portion configured to support a neckpiece to cover at least a portion of a neck of a user, and opposing leg portions which extend from the laterally extending central portion configured to engage a headwear to support said neckpiece adjacent said headwear. Each of the opposing leg portions is formed into a substantially G-shape that comprises a first flange configured to extend down between a first surface of an external panel of said headwear and an upturned interior hatband of said headwear; a second flange in overlapping relation to the first flange, the second flange configured to extend up against a second surface of said external panel; and a connecting central portion disposed between and in overlapping relation to both the first and second flanges. |
| US08291516B2 |
Glove
A glove has a body, a side mirror pad and a side mirror. The body has a palm segment having a palm back surface and a wrist segment connected to the palm segment. The side mirror pad is connected to the palm back surface of the palm segment of the body and has a mirror face, a securing end and a connecting end. The securing end is connected to the palm back surface of the palm segment of the body. The connecting end is selectively connected detachably to the securing end and the palm back surface of the palm segment. The side mirror is mounted on the mirror face of the side mirror pad. |
| US08291515B2 |
Shirt stay fasten point designed shirt and method of securing same
A garment such as a shirt, blouse, jersey, vest or jacket, having a plurality of fastening points for attachment of a shirt stay, shirt holder or other retaining harness therethrough. The fastening points ensure that the garment remains tucked in to promote a uniform, neat appearance. Also disclosed is a method of retaining a garment in proper orientation on a wearer by providing a plurality of fastening points in the garment, at least some of which are preferably in pairs, such that each fastening point within a pair can be aligned with the other of the pair, and the pair can cooperatively receive a fastening mechanism therethrough to anchor the garment in place. The fastening points are positioned so that when one or more shirt stays, holders, harnesses or the like are properly engaged in the fastening points, a desired appearance of the garment being worn is created and maintained. |
| US08291513B2 |
Counter balanced, hands free, self positioning, protective shield
One embodiment of a shield assembly that automatically positions itself into a user's field of view when the user tilts their head up to look skyward, protecting their face and eyes from hazards from above such as falling debris and dangerous UV rays and returns to a position out of the user's field of view when the user resumes looking forward. The same embodiment provides for a hands free method of lowering and raising the visor assembly in and out of the user's field of view by simply tilting their head. The same embodiment also provides for a one finger operation to lock the visor into a desired position. |
| US08296857B2 |
Scanning probe microscope with current controlled actuator
The piezo-electric actuator (1) to oscillate the probe of a scanning probe microscope is arranged in the feedback branch (3) of an analog amplifier (4). A current source (10) is provided for feeding a defined alternating current to the input of the amplifier (4). The amplifier (4) strives to adjust the voltage over the actuator (1) such that the current from the current source (10) flows through the actuator (1). As the current through the actuator (1) is proportional to its deflection, this design allows to run the actuator at constant amplitude without the need of complex feedback loops. |
| US08296853B2 |
Method and system for authenticating a user
Method of authenticating a user in a heterogeneous computer environment. The method may include defining a set of unique prefixes, each prefix identifying a type of user repository; defining a set of abstract repository names, each abstract repository name identifying an address of a user repository; and authenticating the user in the heterogeneous computer environment by assigning a sequence comprising a unique prefix, a reference to an abstract repository name and a unique identifier for the user within the user repository indicated by the reference to the abstract repository name. |
| US08296851B1 |
System and method for ensuring security of data stored on electronic computing devices
A system and method for using a host electronic computing device to prevent access to data in a preselected memory portion of an electronic computing device remote from the host electronic computing device. Each of the electronic computing devices is adapted for selective electronic communication with the other. The system and method comprises a first software program for the remote device, the first software program comprising a unique identifier, a current expiration time value, a comparator for comparing the current expiration time value against a time-based parameter of the remote device, and a security trigger. The system and method further comprises a second software program for the host device, where the second software program includes means for identifying the remote device, means for accessing an expiration time reset schedule, and means for resetting the current expiration time value. |
| US08296850B2 |
Detecting global anomalies
Systems and methods of detecting distributed attacks that pose a threat affecting more than one node in the network. The distributed attacks include events that appear normal or innocuous when viewed locally at any node. The systems and methods include reference global profiles and detection global profiles corresponding to activities or events of interest on the network. |
| US08296849B2 |
Method and apparatus for removing homogeneity from execution environment of computing system
A method of protecting data in a computer system against attack from viruses and worms comprising; modifying micro-code of a processor of system to be protected to remove homogeneity between processors from a manufacturer; modifying op-codes of an application to match modified micro-code of the processor prior to execution. |
| US08296848B1 |
Control flow redirection and analysis for detecting vulnerability exploitation
A security module detects attempted exploitations of vulnerabilities of applications executing on a computer. The security module hooks an application on the computer. The hook transfers control flow to the security module if execution reaches a hooked location. When a hook is followed, the security module saves the state of the computer and activates an analysis environment. A virtual machine within the analysis environment executes signatures that programmatically analyze the state of the computer to determine whether a vulnerability in the application is being exploited. If a signature detects an exploit, the security module blocks the exploit by skipping over the one or more instructions that constitute the exploit, terminating the application, or performing a different action. The security module reports the detected exploit attempt to the user of the client. The security module returns control flow back to the application if it does not detect an exploit. |
| US08296847B2 |
Method of managing utilization of network intrusion detection systems in a dynamic data center
A method of managing utilization of network intrusion detection systems in a dynamic data center is provided. A plurality of network intrusion detection systems are provided, each being networked so that utilization of each network intrusion detection system can be based on demand for the network intrusion detection systems in the dynamic data center. A monitoring policy and a plurality of monitoring points to be monitored on a network with any of the network intrusion detection systems are received. Further, the monitoring of the monitoring points is automatically arranged using the network intrusion detection systems and the monitoring policy. |
| US08296842B2 |
Detecting public network attacks using signatures and fast content analysis
Network worms or viruses are a growing threat to the security of public and private networks and the individual computers that make up those networks. A content sifting method if provided that automatically generates a precise signature for a worm or virus that can then be used to significantly reduce the propagation of the worm elsewhere in the network or eradicate the worm altogether. The content sifting method is complemented by a value sampling method that increases the throughput of network traffic that can be monitored. Together, the methods track the number of times invariant strings appear in packets and the network address dispersion of those packets including variant strings. When an invariant string reaches a particular threshold of appearances and address dispersion, the string is reported as a signature for suspected worm. |
| US08296838B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for protecting against IP prefix hijacking
A communication network is operated by identifying at least one potential hijack autonomous system (AS) that can be used to generate a corrupt routing path from a source AS to a destination AS. For each of the at least one potential hijack AS the following operations are performed: identifying at least one regional AS that is configured to adopt the corrupt routing path from the source AS to the destination AS and determining a reflector AS set such that, for each reflector AS in the set, a source AS to reflector AS routing path and a reflector AS to destination AS routing path do not comprise any of the at least one regional AS. A reflector AS is then identified that is common among the at least one reflector AS set responsive to performing the identifying and determining operations for each of the at least one potential hijack AS. |
| US08296836B2 |
Secure multi-user identity module key exchange
An apparatus in one example, where the apparatus comprises a communication device component that performs an authentication key agreement protocol by receiving a first random nonce (RAND) and an authentication token, wherein the communication device component is configured with a shared secret key. The communication device component generates a derivation key by applying a pseudo random function to the RAND and the shared secret key. The communication device component generates a first set of session keys based on a second random nonce (RANDC) and the derivation key where the first set of session keys are used in encrypting communications. |
| US08296834B2 |
Secure single-sign-on portal system
A computer-implemented portal system facilitates access to secure data and multiple secure-access internet sites. The system authenticates a user based on a single-sign-on identifier (ID) and password. The system stores user authentication information for the secure-access internet sites so that once the user is authenticated, the system can automatically authenticate the user to the sites, thus allowing the user to access multiple secure sites after a single manual authentication. |