| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08403994B2 |
Knee implant system
Knee prosthesis includes a femoral component adapted to fit on a distal end of the femur and a tibial insert component. The femoral component includes a measured anterior/posterior dimension defined by the posterior condyle surface and the interior surface of the anterior flange and a distal peg provided on a distal bone facing surface of each of the lateral and medial condylar structures, wherein the distal pegs are positioned at a midpoint of the measured anterior/posterior dimension. The implant system provides two distinct sizing segments and the tibial insert has a medial tibial aspect ratio of 0.74 and a lateral tibial aspect ratio of 0.65 to 0.68 for all sizes. |
| US08403993B2 |
Modular fixed and mobile bearing prosthesis system
A knee prosthetic system includes a femoral component, a fixed tibial bearing component, a mobile tibial bearing component and an integrated or common tibial base component. The same tibial base component can be used with either the fixed tibial bearing component or the mobile tibial bearing component. The fixed bearing component and tibial base component have mating anti-rotation features. One embodiment of the mobile bearing component does not engage the anti-rotation feature of the tibial base component. Another embodiment engages the anti-rotation feature to allow for limited rotation. |
| US08403990B2 |
Expandable spinal fusion cage and associated instrumentation
An expandable spinal implant comprising a cage body including at least two movable branches having first end portions that are interconnected to one another and second end portions that are movable relative to one another. The movable branches include a first shell portion having a first pair of longitudinal edges and defining a first hollow region therebetween, and a second shell portion having a second pair of longitudinal edges and defining a second hollow region therebetween, with the first and second hollow regions cooperating to define at least a portion of a hollow interior of the cage body. An expansion member co-acts with the first and second shell portions to transition the cage body to an expanded configuration as the expansion member is axially displaced along said first and second pairs of longitudinal edges. In one embodiment, at least one of the shell portions defines a plurality of retention elements positioned at select axial locations along a corresponding one of the longitudinal edges, with the expansion member engaged with one or more of the retention elements to retain the expansion member at a select axial position to maintain the implant in the expanded configuration. |
| US08403988B2 |
Minimally invasive intervertebral staple distraction devices
Multiple, small, staple-like supports are inserted through a small tube into the disc space then rotated into position on the edge of the vertebral bodies. The tooth-like geometry of the proximal and distal faces of these staples mates with the outer edge of the vertebral body, extending past the front of the endplate anteriorly. The staples have teeth that dig into the endplate on the inside of the rim as well. |
| US08403975B2 |
Arrangement for and method of cold therapy treatment
An arrangement for, and a method of, cooling a body site, especially for treating menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms, places one or more cold packs in a thermally insulated housing in which a cold source is present, and cools each cold pack by placement of the housing, either opened or closed, in a freezer or like apparatus. The cold packs retain their cold temperature prior to onset of a condition requiring cold therapy relief by the presence of the cold source and the thermally insulating properties of the housing. Each cold pack is removable from the housing after onset of the condition, is externally applied to a user experiencing the condition requiring cold therapy relief, and is re-usable. |
| US08403974B2 |
Medical warming system with nano-thickness heating element
A medical warming system includes a plurality of heating elements respectively adapted to be disposed closed to various parts of a plurality of patients' bodies, a first group of sensors disposed at the proximity of the heating elements and configured for measuring the temperatures of the heating elements, a second group of sensors adapted to be disposed at the various parts of the patients' bodies and configured for measuring the temperatures of the various parts of the patients' bodies, and a controller being in communication with the first group and the second group of sensors. The controller is configured for receiving temperature data from the sensors and controlling the temperature of each heating element accordingly. Each heating element includes a conductive layer made from a nano-thickness material. |
| US08403971B2 |
Polyaxial screw assembly
A polyaxial screw assembly includes a pedicle screw, a coupling, an insert, and a housing. The pedicle screw includes a shank having a helical thread formed thereon and a head at one end. The coupling is positioned on top the pedicle screw and releasably engages portions of the head. The coupling and pedicle screw are positioned within a distal portion of the housing. The pedicle screw is slid through an opening in the insert and the insert is thread into the distal portion of the housing to retain the coupling and the pedicle screw within the housing. The pedicle screw is rotatable and pivotable relative to the housing. Compressing the coupling within the housing locks the pedicle screw in a desired orientation. |
| US08403970B1 |
Cervical plate system and method
A cervical plate system (1) and method for use in the fixation of a spine comprising a fixation plate (2) having a aperture (3) extending from a bone fixation plate (2) top surface (5) to a bottom surface (12), dimensioned for admitting a bone fixation element (4) shank (15) therethrough and smaller than a bone fixation element (4) head (16) for retaining the head (16) within the aperture (3); and a locking plate (11) positioned adjacent to a surface of the fixation plate (2) and dimensioned for slidable movement along a lateral axis (13) of the fixation plate surface, from a first position wherein the locking plate (11) disengages at least a portion of the bone fixation element (4) to a second position wherein the locking plate (11) engages at least a portion of the bone fixation element (4). |
| US08403967B2 |
Volar fixation system and methods of using the same
A volar fixation system includes a plate intended to be positioned against the volar side of the radial bone. The plate includes holes for receiving fasteners along a fixed axis relative to the plate. The plate is positioned against the radius bone, and a portion of the plate is preliminarily fixed to the radius bone. The fracture is reduced, and a plurality of fasteners are each inserted through a respective plate hole so as to extend immediately below the subchondral bone of the radius bone and is fixed in axial relationship relative to the plate. Together the fasteners form a stabilizing construct that conforms to the concave curvature of the articular surface of the radius bone. |
| US08403966B2 |
Clavicle plate and screws
A bone plate and system is provided. The bone fixation plate conforms to the contour of an irregularly shaped bone and eliminates the need for pre-bending or intraoperative bending of the plate. The bone plate is applied to the bone in a generally flat condition and the process of installing and tightening the bone screws in the prescribed order serves to contour the plate to the underlying bone while providing sufficient strength to effect bone healing. The geometry of the plate allows the plate to follow the contour of an irregularly shaped bone, preventing prominence and patient palpability and streamlining the surgical procedure. |
| US08403965B2 |
Vertebra attachment method and system
A vertebral attachment method and system that minimizes or eliminates the risk of severing, compressing, impinging or otherwise injuring the vertebral artery vertebral vein, spinal nerve roots and/or spinal cord. The system includes at least one plate that may be anchored to a posterior region of a vertebra using at least one clamp and fastener. The system may be specifically designed to retain a portion of the posterior region of the vertebra. |
| US08403964B2 |
Methods and systems for increasing the bending stiffness and constraining the spreading of a spinal segment
A system for restricting spinal flexion includes superior and inferior tether structures joined by a pair of compliance members. Compliance members comprise tension members which apply a relatively low elastic tension on the tether structures. By placing the tether structures on or over adjacent spinous processes, flexion of a spinal segment can be controlled in order to reduce pain. |
| US08403962B2 |
Polyaxial bone screw assembly
A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an upper portion with a capture structure thereon, a retaining and articulating structure, a compression structure and a receiver for holding the capture structure, retaining and articulating structure, compression structure and a rod. The receiver includes arms that define a channel for receiving the rod. The arms have inner surfaces with a discontinuous flange form thereon for mating with a cooperating continuous flange form of a closure structure for capturing the rod within the receiver. The shank capture structure and the retaining and articulating structure are threadably attached and secured to one another with a buttress stop. In operation, the compression structure is disposed within the receiver between the shank upper portion and a rod but presses only upon the retaining and articulating structure. The retaining and articulating structure has an external substantially spherical surface that mates with an internal surface of the receiver, providing a ball joint, enabling the receiver to be disposed at numerous angles relative to the shank body. The shank upper portion includes a tool engagement formation for driving the shank body into bone. |
| US08403959B2 |
Implant for the treatment of lumbar spinal canal stenosis
Disclosed is an implant for treating lumbar spinal canal stenosis, comprising a spacer that is proved with an elongate interior space into which an insert part can be inserted. A first retaining element is fixed in the spacer in the inserted state. Said first retaining part can be folded apart by inserting the insert part while a second rear retaining element that is molded onto the insert part simultaneously comes to rest on the vertebral processes, thus making it possible to insert the implant unilaterally while reducing the risk of having to undergo possible postoperative interventions. |
| US08403955B2 |
Inflatable intravascular filter
Inflatable intravascular filters for filtering blood clots contained within a blood vessel are disclosed. An inflatable intravascular filter in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention can include an apical head and one or more inflatable filter legs operatively coupled to the apical head. Each of the inflatable filter legs can include a first end section, a second end section, and an interior cavity adapted to receive an inflation medium for inflating and/or deflating the intravascular filter. |
| US08403952B2 |
Floating gastrointestinal anchor
Apparatus for use in a gastrointestinal tract of a subject, the apparatus including a straightening rod (8), and a flexible tubular anchor (1) having a distal end (2) and an open proximal end (4), and sized to fit in the gastrointestinal tract. The anchor (1) comprises a material that has an elastic memory which biases the anchor (1) towards assuming a pre-selected bent configuration. The anchor (1) is shaped so as to define a central core (7) extending from the open proximal end (4) toward the distal end (2). The anchor (1) is configured to be straightened from the pre-selected bent configuration by insertion of the straightening rod (8) in the central core (7). The apparatus further includes a device (70) coupled to the anchor, selected from the list consisting of: a therapeutic device, and a transmitting device. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08403951B2 |
Phacoemulsification tip
A phacoemulsification tip having a crimped or swaged distal tip. Swaging of the distal end of a phacoemulsification tip produces more efficient cutting during torsional vibration of the tip by increasing the cutting surface area. |
| US08403946B2 |
Articulating clip applier cartridge
An end effector is provided and includes a distal housing portion and a proximal housing portion interconnected to one another by a knuckle portion, wherein the knuckle portion permits rotation of the distal housing portion relative thereto and articulation of the distal housing portion relative to the proximal housing portion; a jaw assembly supported in the distal end of the distal housing portion, the jaw assembly including a first jaw and a second jaw movable between a spaced apart and an approximated position; and a plurality of fasteners loaded within the distal housing portion, each of the plurality of fasteners defining a fastener axis extending in a direction substantially parallel to a pair of legs thereof, each of the plurality of fasteners being arranged within the base portion such that the fastener axis is disposed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the distal housing portion. |
| US08403945B2 |
Articulating endoscopic surgical clip applier
An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue is provided and includes a handle assembly and a shaft assembly. The handle assembly includes a drive assembly; and a trigger operatively connected to the drive assembly. The shaft assembly extends from the handle assembly and includes an articulating neck assembly; and an end effector assembly supported on a distal end of the articulating neck assembly and being configured to form a surgical clip in place on the body tissue. |
| US08403943B2 |
Insertion system for implanting a medical device and surgical methods
The present invention relates to an insertion system for medical devices and to surgical methods for the implantation of the same. In one embodiment, the implantation system includes a guide wire and an insertion tool. The insertion tool includes a longitudinal bore extending therethrough for receipt of the guide wire. A portion of the longitudinal bore of the insertion tool mates with the outer surface of the guide wire to rotationally lock the insertion tool and the guide wire. Additionally, the medical device to be inserted includes a longitudinal bore for receipt of the guide wire. Similarly, at least a portion of the longitudinal bore of the medical device may also mate with the outer surface of the guide wire to rotationally lock the medical device and the guide wire. The rotational locks allow for rotation of the insertion tool to result in corresponding rotation of the medical device via rotation of the guide wire. In another embodiment, the insertion system further includes a needle having an eyelet for receiving and positioning filaments attached to the medical device. |
| US08403942B2 |
Anvil delivery device accessory
A method for performing a surgical procedure is disclosed which uses an anvil delivery system including an anvil assembly, a flexible tube having a first end portion and a second end portion, and a fitting to deliver the anvil assembly to a desired site. The method includes the steps of cutting a second end portion of the flexible tube, attaching a fitting to the second end portion of the flexible tube which has been cut, inserting the insertion tip into tissue, advancing the insertion tip along with the flexible tube and anvil assembly to the desired site within a patient's body, and removing the flexible tube from the anvil assembly and from the desired site leaving the anvil assembly in a patient's body at the desired site. |
| US08403934B2 |
Alignment guides for use in computer assisted orthopedic surgery to prepare a bone element for an implant
In an embodiment, the methodology of the present invention is based on the use of an intraoperative navigation system and of a compact alignment guide for alignment of implant components. In an embodiment, an alignment guide of the present invention includes a first component fixable to a bone element; a second mobile component, and a third mobile component, wherein the second mobile component and two control mechanisms form a first link, wherein the two control mechanisms are working in parallel to perform adjustments in two degrees of freedom, wherein the third mobile component and three control mechanisms form a second link, wherein the three control mechanisms are working in parallel to perform adjustments in three additional degrees of freedom, and wherein the first link adjustments and the second link adjustments are performed in series to provide a total adjustment of five degrees of freedom relative to the first component. |
| US08403932B2 |
Integrated cutting guide and sagittal saw blade assembly
A surgical sagittal saw blade and a complementary cutting guide for use with the blade. The blade includes a bar shaped to be releasably secured in a static position to a complementary surgical sagittal saw. A blade head with teeth is mounted to the bar to pivot. One or more drive links connected to the saw extend to the blade head to pivot the blade head. The cutting guide and blade bar have complementary features for holding the blade bar to above a surface of the cutting guide. The features that hold the blade bar to the cutting guide allow the blade to move over the cutting guide surface while constrain the blade from moving out of the plane immediately above the cutting guide surface. |
| US08403928B2 |
Outrigger with locking mechanism
An outrigger for connecting to an external bone fixation clamp comprises an elongated member having a length, a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a threaded portion. The outrigger also comprises a connecting member operably associated with the elongated member, the connecting member having a tightening portion at a proximal end and a gripping portion at a distal end, the gripping portion having a greater diameter than the tightening portion. The outrigger also comprises a slide lock disposed about the threaded portion, the slide lock being longitudinally movable along the length of the threaded portion and having a non-smooth engagement surface configured to engage a non-smooth surface of the external bone fixation clamp in order to prevent rotation of the elongated member relative to the external bone fixation clamp. |
| US08403927B1 |
Vasectomy devices and methods
Devices and methods for cauterizing a tubular vessel are disclosed. A device for cauterizing a tubular vessel can include a hand piece, a tip portion provided at an operative end of the hand piece, one or more probes extending from the tip portion, one or more grasping arms extending beyond the tip portion and movable to grasp a target tissue positioned at or near the tip portion, and a power supply configured to supply energy to the one or more probes. |
| US08403919B2 |
Nomogram computation and application system and method for refractive laser surgery
A method for optimizing a prescription for laser-ablation corneal treatment includes receiving a measured correction prescription for a current patient. Next a database of treatment outcomes on a plurality of previously treated patients is accessed. The database contains a desired correction, and an actual correction. A difference between the desired correction and the actual correction represents an over- or undercorrection resulting from surgery. From the difference data is calculated a distribution of data points as a function of correction level. From the data-point distribution is calculated a statistically based offset applicable to the correction prescription for matching actual corrections with desired corrections. From the data-point distribution is calculated a confidence interval of the data using a predetermined confidence level. The statistically based offset is then adjusted based upon the confidence interval to provide an optimized prescription. The adjusted offset is then output for use in performing a refractive procedure. |
| US08403914B2 |
Medical device with an energy supply carrying a reservoir
According to one embodiment, a medical device may include an energy supply. The energy supply includes at least two battery stacks, a control unit and a reservoir. The at least two battery stacks include a backup energy source. The control unit may monitor and control the energy supply such that when the control unit detects a fault in the at least two battery stacks, the control unit disconnects a faulty battery stack. The reservoir may be carried by the energy supply. |
| US08403913B2 |
Variable diameter surgical drains and sheaths
Surgical drains and methods for using the same for draining a body cavity are provided. Aspects of the surgical drains of the invention include an elongated structure having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen configured to drain a substance from the body cavity. The distal end is configured to be placed in a body cavity and change in diameter when present in the body cavity from a first diameter to a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, where the change in diameter is mediated by a diameter-varying element. Aspects of the invention further include sheaths configured to be disposed around surgical drains, such as surgical drains of the invention, and methods of using the surgical drains and sheaths. The devices and methods of the invention find use in a variety of applications. |
| US08403909B2 |
Methods for capacitance volume correction in fluid delivery systems
Methods for capacitance volume correction in fluid-containing expandable bodies and associated fluid pathways are disclosed. The methods may be applied in fluid delivery systems used to supply fluids to patients during radiographic imaging procedures, including angiography. The methods control delivery of fluid to a downstream process, including providing a fluid-delivery expandable body and a pressurizing element in fluid communication with the downstream process, pressurizing the expandable body by moving the pressurizing element in the expandable body to reduce volume therein, determining an over-travel distance for the pressurizing element, and ceasing movement of the pressurizing element after allowing the pressurizing element to over-travel the over-travel distance to compensate for expansion of the expandable body under pressure. The expandable body may be a syringe and the pressurizing element may be a plunger disposed within the syringe. Movement of the pressurizing element may be controlled by an algorithm associated with a computer. |
| US08403907B2 |
Method for wirelessly monitoring implanted medical device
A method is provided for monitoring the status of a medical device implanted in a patient. The method includes the steps of implanting in a patient a medical device which comprises (i) a substrate in which two or more reservoirs are located, with each covered by a reservoir cap, (ii) a drug or sensor located in the reservoir, (iii) a power source and actuation electronics for disintegrating or permeabilizing the reservoir cap, and (iv) a telemetry system; and then using said telemetry system to wirelessly transmit to a remote controller data about the condition of the power source and/or data about which reservoirs have been or have yet to be activated to release the drug therefrom or to expose the sensor therein. |
| US08403903B2 |
Individual, expandable wrapper for a hygiene product
An article (20) has a longitudinal length (22), an article width (24) and an article thickness (26). The article (20) comprises a fresh personal care product (28) in a substantially unsoiled condition, and a pouch (30) having a pouch volume which operatively encloses the fresh product (28). The pouch (30) includes a front panel region (32), a back panel region (34) which is operatively connected to the front panel region (32), and at least one expansion section (48) which is operatively connected between the front panel region (32) and the back panel region (34). The expansion section (48) is operatively held in a substantially unexpanded, closed position when the fresh product (28) is enclosed in the pouch (30). The expansion section 48 is movable to an open position after a removal of the fresh product (28) from the pouch (30). The open position of the expansion section (48) is configured to provide an expanded disposal volume which can operatively contain a product (28) when the product (28) is in a used and soiled condition. |
| US08403901B2 |
Female catheter
A catheter includes a urinary tube having proximal and distal ends intercoupling a passage for receiving the discharge of urine from the urethera with the urinary tube distal end for coupling to a collection bag. A resilient and deformable flared flange member is formed integral with the proximal end of the urinary tube, has a centered port contiguous with the urinary tube passage, has a peripheral edge that at least in part defines an annular proximal facing contact surface and an opposed annular distal facing contact surface. The peripheral edge covers an area that is greater than the cross-sectional area of the urinary tube. A plurality of miniature suction cups is disposed on the annular proximal facing contact surface. An adhesive component may be applied over the proximal facing contact surface. |
| US08403899B2 |
Maggot debridement therapy dressings and methods
Maggot debridement therapy dressing embodiments and methods are discussed for the treatment of a variety of indications including wound care, including septic wound care and the like. |
| US08403898B2 |
Apparatus and method for deploying a surgical preparation
A device used for applying an antiseptic preparation to a surgical site of a patient prior to surgery outside of an operating theater. A loose-fitting bag is provided which encloses the surgical site by securing the open end(s) to the patient by closing means. A method and apparatus are also provided for releasing antiseptic into the interior of the bag. The method provides that the surgical site can be scrubbed within the bag so as to properly prepare the skin for surgery. A temperature indicator for the antiseptic preparation is also provided. |
| US08403897B2 |
Biodegradable back and body strap
A unitary biodegradable, absorbent flexible back and body strap for selectively applying a protective substance and a skin-protective agent to a user's body, the strap having an elongated thin parallelepiped midportion, a biconcave first gripping end, and an opposite biconcave second gripping end, each end having a tip narrower in width than the midportion. The midportion is impregnated with a protective substance, which may be a body lotion, sunscreen, insect repellant, or a combination of sunscreen and insect repellant. At least one protective agent layer may be disposed on a midportion top side, which contains a skin-protective agent. The user alternatingly pulls the first gripping end and the second end from side to side across the desired body portion to selectively apply the protective substance and the skin-protective agent discards the strap whereinafter the strap biodegrades. |
| US08403895B2 |
Injection of fibrin sealant including an anesthetic in spinal applications
A method of treating a disc that is leaking nucleus pulposus through at least one defect in the annulus fibrosus. The method includes injecting a fibrin sealant into the disc to reduce at least a portion of the at least one defect, wherein the fibrin sealant injected into the disc comprises an anesthetic, fibrinogen and an activating compound, wherein at least a portion of the fibrin forms after injection, with the proviso that a corticosteroid is absent from the fibrin sealant injected into the disc. |
| US08403893B2 |
Pre-filled cartridge plunger method
A method involving a syringe, a pre-filled cartridge, a needle, a guard, and a release mechanism is described. The method may involve inserting the cartridge into the syringe. In some versions, the method may involve releasing the guard to cover a portion of the needle. In some versions, the method may involve the release retaining the guard in a retracted position. In some versions, the release may be operable to be actuated to release the guard. In some versions, the guard may be extended and locked once extended to cover the needle. |
| US08403889B2 |
Access assembly
A surgical access assembly includes a base defining a central axis and having an opening for receipt of a surgical instrument and an elongated member extending from the base. The elongated member defines a passage for passage of at least a portion of the surgical instrument and is adapted to assume a substantial rolled configuration in a normal unstressed condition thereof. When in the rolled configuration, the elongated member is rolled transverse to the central axis. |
| US08403885B2 |
Catheter having transitioning shaft segments
A catheter having shaft segments which are joined together by a strong bond providing a low profile shaft section with a flexibility transition and/or a compositional transition. A balloon catheter embodying features of the invention has a distal tip member and a coupling band member surrounding a junction of an inner tubular member of the shaft, and has a gradual change in bending stiffness along a distal end section of the shaft which extends distally from a location within the balloon interior. Another catheter embodying features of the invention has shaft segments joined together by a diagonal seam. |
| US08403884B2 |
ACS therapy system
An ACS therapy system for continuously monitoring Intra-Abdominal Pressure (IAP) and preventing the onset of ACS. The automated ACS therapy system includes a urine withdrawal device, an IAP regulation circuit, an IAP monitor connected to the urine withdrawal device to supply an IAP value to the IAP regulation circuit, and an abdominal fluid removal device. The abdominal fluid removal device may be connected to an active suction device, which withdraws fluid from the abdominal cavity through the abdominal fluid removal device when activated by the IAP regulation circuit. Based on the IAP value, the IAP regulation circuit may send a control signal that controls the active suction device to turn on and drain fluid from the abdominal cavity. When the IAP value reaches certain levels, the IAP regulation circuit may cause the active suction device to be turned off. |
| US08403883B2 |
Medical injector with dose knob activation for automated reconstitution
A medical injector is provided herein having a body and a reservoir disposed in the body, the reservoir including at least first and second mixable components. At least one stopper is associated with the reservoir where distal advancement of the stopper over a predetermined distance causes mixing of the mixable components. A plunger is disposed in the body, along with a knob stem and a knob fixed to the knob stem so as to be rotatable therewith. A sleeve is telescopingly disposed over the knob stem, wherein the knob stem and the sleeve have cooperating elements formed thereon which selectively permit rotation of the knob stem to be transmitted to the sleeve so that the knob stem and the sleeve may rotate together. A spring is also provided for urging the sleeve distally. A releasable retainer releasably retains the sleeve against force of the spring. Rotation of the knob releases the sleeve and allows the spring to displace the sleeve distally. Distal movement of the sleeve causes distal movement of the plunger which causes distal movement of the stopper thus causing mixing of the mixable components. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a medical injector may be provided where autoreconstitution can be achieved by the turning of a knob. |
| US08403877B2 |
Systems and methods for treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes
The present invention provides systems and methods for treating and controlling obesity and/or type II diabetes. In one aspect of the invention, an internal bypass device includes gastric and duodenal anchors coupled to each other and positioned on either side of the pylorus and a hollow sleeve designed to extend from the pylorus through at least a proximal portion of a patient's small intestine. The gastric and duodenal anchors are movable between collapsed configurations for advancement through the esophagus and an expanded configuration for inhibiting movement of the anchors through the pyloric sphincter. Thus, the bypass device can be placed and removed endoscopically through the patient's esophagus in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and it is “self-anchoring” and does not require invasive tissue fixation within the patient's GI tract, thereby reducing collateral tissue damage and minimizing its impact on the digestive process. |
| US08403875B2 |
Bag hanger assembly for blood therapy apparatus
In a blood therapy apparatus having a load cell sensor and a coupler for securing a load, a bag thereon is characterized by a free hanging link hanging from the coupler, and a bag hanger comprising an elongated rod having a plurality of bag engaging hooks and upwardly extending hook secured at the weight center of the rod and freely hanging from the links. |
| US08403873B2 |
Compression bandage system
A compression bandaging system includes inner and outer bandages. The inner bandage is an inner skin facing, elongated, elastic bandage and includes an elongated, elastic substrate and an elongated foam layer affixed to a face of the substrate. The outer bandage is an outer, elongated, self-adhering elastic bandage having a compressive force when extended. In use, the outer bandage overlies the inner bandage. |
| US08403872B2 |
Weight-bearing lower extremity brace
The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to a device and/or system (e.g., redistributing weight away from a subject's foot), which may comprise (a) a platform, (b) at least one vertical support fixed to the platform and extending upwardly from the platform, and (c) at least one cuff (i) configured to surround and releasably grip at least a portion of a subject's leg other than the foot and (ii) mounted (e.g., adjustably) to the at least one vertical support at a vertical position along the at least one vertical support sufficient to suspend a subject's foot in a non-weight-bearing position above the platform during ambulation, wherein the platform, the at least one vertical support, and the at least one cuff together are configured to bear at least the subject's full weight. |
| US08403871B2 |
Tubeless compression device
A compression device for applying compression to a body part of a wearer has an inflatable bladder defined by first and second bladder layers and a bladder sealing line securing the first and second bladder layers to one another. A conduit is defined by spaced apart, generally opposing conduit sealing lines securing the first and second bladder layers to one another and portions of the first and second bladder layers between the conduit lines. The conduit is fluidly connected to the inflatable bladder for delivering pressurized air to the inflatable bladder. Tubing is not needed for connection to the compression device. |
| US08403870B2 |
Portable, self-contained compression device
A portable, self-contained compression device is wearable by a person for applying intermittent compression on a limb of the person. The compression device comprises a sleeve having a longitudinal axis and adapted for placement on the limb. The device includes an actuator assembly on the sleeve comprising a flexible shaft operably connected to the sleeve and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The shaft is flexible to allow for conformance of the shaft to the limb when the sleeve is on the limb. The actuator assembly also comprises an actuator for rotating the flexible shaft in a first direction to constrict the sleeve to apply compression on the limb and for rotating the flexible shaft or allowing the flexible shaft to rotate in a second direction to relax constriction of the sleeve to relieve compression on the limb. Springs or elastic sections may be used to impart sequential, gradient compression on the limb. |
| US08403864B2 |
Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
A tissue penetrating system has a housing member. A plurality of penetrating members are positioned in the housing member. A tissue stabilizing member is coupled to the housing. A penetrating member sensor is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. The penetrating member sensor is configured to provide information relative to a depth of penetration of a penetrating member through a skin surface. |
| US08403853B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
A technology for providing a small and inexpensive ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which does not need a high resolution A/D converter, and has high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range is disclosed. According to the technology, an ultrasonic transducer unit 1 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave is driven by a drive circuit 2 for generating a pulse signal. An echo signal received by the ultrasonic transducer unit is inputted to an analog low frequency band attenuator 3 which attenuates a low frequency band component. An output signal of the analog low frequency band attenuator is inputted to an A/D converter 4 which converts the signal to a digital signal. The converted and outputted digital signal is inputted to a digital correction filter 5 which intensifies the low frequency band component attenuated by the analog low frequency band attenuator and outputs a digital signal having a frequency distribution almost equal to that of the echo signal received by the ultrasonic transducer unit. |
| US08403852B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and control method thereof
A combined wave having a plurality of frequencies and phases is transmitted to each of a plurality of scan lines in at least three rates by alternately inverting a phase by 180°. An obtained echo signal is received for each rate. The echo signals are added by using arbitrary weighting coefficients so that 0 is obtained by using the polarity as the sign. Ultrasonic image data is generated by using a difference tone component contained in the added echo signal. |
| US08403851B2 |
Method of controlling a surgical system based on a load on the cutting tip of a handpiece
A surgical system that is able to sense the onset of an occlusion or other surgical event as well as the instant an occlusion breaks. To help avoid overheating of the tip, the system determines an approximate temperature of the eye using an irrigation flow rate and reduces the power to the handpiece automatically if an overheating situation is predicted. Alternatively or in addition, the system monitors the power drawn by the handpiece, which is indicative of the cutting load on the tip, and automatically adjusts the power to the tip to compensate for increased loads on the tip. |
| US08403849B2 |
Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes: transmission and reception signal lines that send transmission and reception signals of ultrasound to a plurality of ultrasound transducers; signal determining portions near the ultrasound transducers and determine a selection signal for selecting an ultrasound transducer to be driven or a readout signal for reading out the selection signal, the selection signal being sent out in synchronization with a transmission signal for forming the transmission and reception signal, and couple the ultrasound transducer to be driven with the transmission and reception signal line according to a result of the determination; and direct current blocking/clipping circuits that block a direct current bias component superimposed on the transmission and reception signal and sent via the transmission and reception signal line, and clip a waveform with large amplitude. The transmission and reception signal line sends the transmission and reception signal with the selection signal or the readout signal. |
| US08403847B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a health score for a patient
A system and method for providing an indicator of a patient's health. The system may include a data module receiving data relating to a patient's health, the data including subjective data, a conversion module generating an output from the data, the output representing the patient's health, and a display module displaying the output and a standard output for a user to compare with the output. A method of providing a customizable system for generating an indicator of a patient's health, the method including providing a system including a data module, a conversion module generating an output via a first algorithm, and a display module displaying the output and a standard output generated by a second algorithm, and customizing at least one of the first and second algorithms according to preferences of a user. |
| US08403846B1 |
Networked triage system and method
A networked triage system for prioritizing medical care administered to an injured user including a networked monitoring system and a plurality of user groups. Each group includes a portable network interface and a plurality of illuminated display systems. Each illuminated display system couples to an injured user and includes a plurality of light emitters. Each light emitter provides a predetermined wavelength of light than the other light emitters from the plurality of light emitters. Operatively, each respective predetermined wavelength provides information relating to a corresponding predetermined status of the user. Each illuminated display system includes an id tag processor that facilitates emission of identification signals for receipt by the portable network interface. Based on the identification signal, the portable network interface generates a network signal for receipt by the networked monitoring system. The network monitoring system can assess the degree of injury of several user groups in a triage situation. |
| US08403842B2 |
Transvaginal ultrasound probe speculum
A transvaginal ultrasound probe speculum is designed for use with a generally cylindrical elongated ultrasound probe. The speculum has an elongated blade having a proximal end and a distal end, and a connector, such as a collar. The speculum has a lever that cooperates with the collar and the elongated blade for pivoting the blade relative to the ultrasound probe so that the blade and the ultrasound probe serve as the blades of the speculum. |
| US08403841B2 |
Surgical access system and related methods
A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue refraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site. |
| US08403840B2 |
Medical instrument for creating an access for a minimally invasive intervention
A medical instrument serves for creating an access for a minimally invasive intervention and has a body having a longitudinal axis. The body is assembled of at least two parts, each of said parts having edges extending along a direction of said axis. Each of said parts having edges extending along a direction of said axis. Each part has a distal section merging into a proximal section standing outwardly from said longitudinal axis. In a first position, the distal end section of the parts are joined along said edges to form a distal body with the proximal section standing away. In a second position, the proximal sections of said parts are joined along said edges to form a hollow proximal body with said distal end section spreaded outwardly. The edges are provided with interacting features which are designed to block a lateral sliding of said joined parts transversely to said edges. |
| US08403838B2 |
Remote tissue retraction device
A medical device for managing tissue in an organ, such as the stomach, for retracting or positioning tissue and related organs to allow certain regions of the stomach to be acquired for a gastroplasty procedure. The medical device includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a tissue treatment device attached to the distal end of the elongated body. The tissue treatment device includes a first jaw opposite a second jaw, and each jaw is adapted to acquire tissue. A retractor is disposed along the tissue treatment device and adapted to be moveable from a delivery position to a retraction position to move or manage the tissue of the stomach. The medical device also includes a collapsible barrier disposed between the first and second jaws of the tissue treatment device to direct tissue into the first and second jaws separately. |
| US08403835B2 |
Endoscope system and drive control method thereof
A movement detection circuit analyzes image data from a DSP, and detects an amount of movement of an object relative to a solid-state image sensor. A CPU compares a movement detection value with a threshold value. When the movement detection value is the threshold value or less, a normal light source and a special light source are alternately turned on and off at intervals of charge accumulation time of the solid-state image sensor. Normal light moving images and special light moving images are simultaneously displayed on a screen. When the movement detection value exceeds the threshold value, write of the special light moving images is inhibited. A display control circuit displays on the screen one of the normal light moving images, a special light still image, and tiled windows for simultaneously showing the normal light moving images and special light still image. |
| US08403834B2 |
Automatic return syringe with ventilation paths for air and suction ports
The inside of a cylindrical body is divided into two parts, that is, a first and a second chamber, and in a piston body, a first ventilation hole and a first ventilation path of a pushing portion are formed so as to communicate with the first chamber and a second ventilation hole and a second ventilation path of the pushing portion are formed to communicate with the second chamber, and a spring for returning the piston body to its original position is provided. By pressing the pushing portion while closing the first ventilation port so as to advance the piston body, air is supplied through a syringe port on the first chamber, while by pressing the pushing portion while closing the second ventilation port, air is supplied through the syringe port on the second chamber, and by releasing the pushing operation, the piston body automatically returns to the original position. |
| US08403832B2 |
Drive mechanism for articulation of a surgical instrument
A surgical instrument includes a housing, an end effector and an elongated shaft extending therebetween. The shaft includes a distal portion movable between aligned and articulated configurations. First and second drive cables are coupled to the distal portion such that reciprocal longitudinal motion of the drive cables induces movement of the distal portion between the aligned and articulated configurations. An articulation drive mechanism is operable to induce reciprocal longitudinal motion of the drive cables. The drive mechanism includes an actuator and a pair pulleys operatively coupled to the actuator to rotate about an axle. The first and second drive cables are coupled to the pulleys such that the drive cables extend on opposite lateral sides of the axle. A biasing mechanism is configured to bias the first and second pulleys to at least one discrete orientation to maintain the distal portion of the elongated shaft in a discrete articulated position. |
| US08403831B2 |
Endoscope apparatus with movement driving mechanism for display
An endoscope apparatus includes a display portion coupled to an operation portion, configured to be moved relative to the operation portion and configured to display an observation image obtained by the endoscope apparatus, a bending operation portion provided at the operation portion and configured to be moved in a basic direction relative to the operation portion wherein the bending operation portion is configured to be moved in an additional direction different from the basic direction, and a movement driving mechanism configured to move the display portion relative to the operation portion according to movement of the bending operation portion in the additional direction relative to the operation portion. |
| US08403826B1 |
Video endoscope for diagnostic and therapeutic usage
A video endoscope for diagnostic and therapeutic usage including a rigid or flexible tube defining an axis and a compact video module arranged at a distal end of the tube along the axis, the video unit being configured to pivot off the axis for providing improved access of medical instruments through the distal end of the tube. |
| US08403825B2 |
Instrument with expandable member configured to prepare a penis for implantation of a penile prosthetic
A method of preparing an opening formed in a penis for reception of a penile prosthetic includes measuring a length of the opening formed in the penis with a shaft of an instrument; aspirating a fluid through an orifice formed in a distal end of the shaft; expanding, with the fluid, a balloon that is attached to the shaft; and dilating a diameter of the opening formed in the penis with the expanded balloon. |
| US08403822B2 |
Passive vent for brachytherapy balloon catheters
Embodiments of passive vent valve devices are disclosed. One of the novel aspects of the invention is its ability to transform from a packaging configuration to a use configuration. The packaging configuration allows sterilization gases to penetrate into the device through standard valve openings as well as through vented mesh openings. Passage of gas into the device, in turn, provides a means of sterilizing all surface areas in the device. Alternatively, when the valve is placed in a use configuration, the passage of gas through the vented mesh is inhibited providing a sealed environment that functions as a valve. The invention is useful in manufacturing sterile medical devices by allowing all surfaces to communicate with the sterilizing agent when the valve is in a packaging configuration or when it is in a use configuration. |
| US08403820B2 |
Paperboard cartons with laminated reinforcing ribbons and transitioned scores and method of making same
A method of making reinforced paperboard cartons comprises the steps of advancing a web of paperboard along a path and progressively laminating at least one ribbon of reinforcing material to the advancing web of paperboard. The ribbon of reinforcing material, which also may be paperboard, has a width less than the width of the web of paperboard and is applied with adhesive at a selected location across the width of the web. The web and its laminated ribbon are cut into sheets of a predetermined size and the sheets are die-cut and scored with fold lines to form carton blanks. The fold lines may transition from non-reinforced to reinforced portions of the blank and a special transition zone is contemplated to accommodate the transition. The carton blanks are subsequently formed into cartons for receiving articles, the laminated reinforcing material providing reinforcement in selected portions of the cartons. Multiple ribbons and multiple layers of ribbons may be laminated to the web in respective selected locations to provide reinforcement in more than one portion of the cartons. Reinforcing ribbons may be deformed or altered to exhibit, for instance, corrugations or perforations prior to being adhered to the base sheet. Reinforced cartons and carton blanks made by the method also are provided. |
| US08403816B2 |
Treadmill with automatic speed control and control module of the same
A treadmill includes a body having a belt for supporting an exerciser, an exerciser detecting portion installed in a predetermined area of the body to detect movement of the exerciser, a driving motor coupled to the body to drive the belt, a control portion for generating a first control signal for adjusting a rotation speed of the driving motor based on a signal received from the exerciser detecting portion, a motor driving portion for adjusting the rotation speed of the driving motor according to the first control signal received from the control portion, and an electrical braking portion for reducing the rotation speed of the driving motor. The treadmill quickly follows acceleration or deceleration of an exerciser; provides an experience as if the exerciser is exercising on the ground, thereby improve an exerciser's exercising experience; accepts various exercising patterns of an exerciser; resolves a problem in that a motor driving portion is tripped due to a load caused by quick deceleration; and preprocesses measured values of an exerciser's position to resolve a problem in that a speed of a belt cannot be controlled due to measurement errors contained in measured values. |
| US08403815B2 |
Stationary exercise apparatus
A stationary exercise device having variable footpaths is disclosed. The exercise device includes a frame, a pair of supporting members that have a first end to rotate about an axis and a second end to move along a reciprocating path, a pair of pedals joined to the supporting members, and a guider assembly for adjusting an incline angle of the reciprocating path. |
| US08403814B2 |
Sensing applications for exercise machines
Methods for profiling exercise sessions are described. An example method for profiling an exercise session includes receiving physical characteristics or workout parameters via an input interface, generating output signals proportional to a magnitude of vertical forces imparted to the exercise machine by a user during the exercise session, and processing the output signals via a control system to determine the magnitude of peak or trough values of the output signals to profile the exercise session. |
| US08403813B2 |
Engagement/disengagement of transmission with auxiliary gearbox
Embodiments which selectively engage a motor with auxiliary equipment and a final drive assembly of the motor vehicle are disclosed. A transmission of such a motor vehicle may include a transmission input shaft to receive power from the motor, a transmission output shaft, and clutches and associated gears that define power delivered by the transmission output shaft based upon power received by the transmission input shaft. An auxiliary gearbox may include a transmission input gear associated with the transmission output shaft, an equipment output gear to power the auxiliary equipment, and a drive output gear to power the final drive assembly. The motor vehicle may further include a transmission control module to engage the transmission input gear with the equipment output gear by transitioning among locking the transmission output shaft, disengaging the clutches to reduce torque on the transmission output shaft, and placing the transmission in an unlocked neutral state. |
| US08403811B2 |
Method and system for cabin heating
Methods and systems are provided for selectively increasing an amount of waste heat generated by an idling engine. An engine output is increased while a transmission output is locked to generate waste heat that may be used to heat the cabin of a stopped vehicle. |
| US08403807B2 |
Control device for vehicular power transmitting apparatus
In a vehicular power transmitting apparatus provided with an electrically-controlled differential portion in which controlling an operating state of an electric motor controls a differential state of a differential mechanism, a control device for starting up a drive force source in an appropriate mode depending on a vehicle condition can be provided. The control device includes drive-force source start control means for switching start modes of an engine depending on a vehicle condition to achieve an appropriate start mode for the engine depending on the vehicle condition, so that for instance a contracted drive range by a second electric motor can be avoided. |
| US08403806B2 |
Oil pump for an automatic transmission and control method thereto
A transmission oil pump for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. The speed of the oil pump can be shifted by a transmission (2), that is arranged between the drive motor of the motor vehicle and the transmission oil pump, to a fast-running mode or a slow-running mode so that the oil pump can be operated at two different speed levels. |
| US08403802B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least eleven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. |
| US08403801B2 |
Bicycle hub transmission and hub transmission shifting method
A bicycle hub transmission includes a hub axle, a driver, a hub shell, a power transmission mechanism and an auxiliary power transmission mechanism. The driver is rotatably supported by the hub axle. The hub shell is rotatably supported by the hub axle with the power transmission mechanism is operatively disposed therebetween to transmit rotational power from the driver to the hub shell through power transmission paths. The shift mechanism is operatively coupled to the power transmission mechanism to select one of the power transmission paths. The auxiliary power transmission mechanism is disposed between the driver and the hub shell to transmit rotational power from the driver to the hub shell through an auxiliary power transmission path during shifting such that a load path of the power transmission mechanism for the power transmission path being shift to is placed in a substantially unloaded state with the auxiliary power transmission path carrying the load. |
| US08403799B2 |
Axle assembly including differential lock and blocking member
A differential lock assembly includes a differential lock and a blocking assembly. The differential lock assembly is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The blocking assembly is associated with the differential lock and includes a blocking member and a shape memory member. The blocking member is movable between a blocking position and a non-blocking position. When the blocking member is in the blocking position, the differential lock is inhibited from moving to the locked position. The shape memory member is coupled with the blocking member and configured to receive an activation signal. The shape memory member is configured for actuation between a first length and a second length in response to the activation signal, wherein actuation of the shape memory member between the first length and the second length facilitates movement of the blocking member between the non-blocking and blocking positions. |
| US08403793B2 |
Hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission having a lubrication regulation valve
A hydraulic control system for a transmission includes a first source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a second source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a lubrication subsystem for communicating a pressurized hydraulic fluid through the transmission, and a fluid control device in communication with the first source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. A lubrication regulation valve is in communication with the first and second sources of pressurized hydraulic fluid, the fluid control device, and the lubrication subsystem. The lubrication regulation valve allows fluid communication from the first source of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the lubrication subsystem when in a first position, the valve allows fluid communication from the first and second source of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the lubrication subsystem when in a second position, and the valve allows fluid communication from the first source of pressurized hydraulic fluid through the flow restriction device to the lubrication subsystem when in a third position. |
| US08403789B2 |
Transmission
Described is a transmission, having a hollow cylindrical base body, which has an internal toothing and a rotational axis, with end sides in which are rotatably mounted a driven input element and an output element, wherein the output element comprises two rotary bodies which can be or are connected to one another in a non-rotatable fashion and which have a circular cross section transversely with respect to the rotational axis and between which are arranged at least one gearwheel and means for converting planetary movements of the gearwheel into rotational movements of the output element. In the transmission, the forces which hold the output element together and the bearing forces which act between the output element and the base body are independent of one another. |
| US08403787B2 |
Hydraulic control system of power train for hybrid vehicle
The present invention provides a hydraulic control system of a power train for a hybrid vehicle that allows the power train of a hybrid vehicle to implement all of two or more EV modes, two or more power split modes, and at least three or more fixed-stage modes, with a relatively simple configuration, and achieves satisfactory power performance of the power train and fuel efficiency and reduce the cost of the valve body, remove possibility of malfunction, and implements a limp home function when a controller is broken. |
| US08403785B2 |
Clutched damper for a belt tensioner
A tensioner is disclosed that achieves asymmetric damping in part by using a ramp-ramp assembly. The tensioner comprises a tensioner axle defining a pivot axis, an arm mounted on the tensioner axle so as to permit the arm to pivot about the pivot axis, a first tensioner component having first ramp features, a second tensioner component having second ramp features, and a ramp bushing having an upper ramp surface and a lower ramp surface. The first tensioner component is engaged to the arm for rotation therewith and the second tensioner component is coupled to the tensioner axle. The ramp bushing is disposed between the first tensioner component and the second tensioner component such that the upper ramp surface seats within the first ramp features and the lower ramp surface seats within the second ramp features. |
| US08403784B2 |
Tool for handling serpentine belt
A tool is provided for accessing and handling a belt, such as a serpentine belt, that revolves around pulleys and gears on or in proximity to an engine in a vehicle. For example, the serpentine belt may be accessed, gripped, guided around the pulleys and gears, removed from the pulleys and/or gears and installed on the pulleys and/or gears by utilizing the tool. Further, is not limited to handling of the serpentine belt being utilized in the vehicles, and can be utilized for handling various other belts also. |
| US08403780B2 |
Tensioner
A tensioner comprising a base comprising a first portion, an arm comprising a second portion, the arm pivotally connected to the base, a pulley journalled to the arm, a resilient member compressively disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the resilient member comprising a gap within which the first portion and the second portion are disposed, and the resilient member comprising a bore, the bore engaging the arm. |
| US08403777B1 |
Arrow insert with an undercut head
An arrow insert is inserted into an arrow shaft. The arrow insert includes an outer end with a head, which is located against a leading end of the arrow shaft. An interior diameter of the arrow insert is machined as to accept a threaded arrow tip. To assemble the arrow insert with the arrow, the neck of the arrow insert is coated with an adhesive and inserted into the arrow shaft. The head of the arrow insert has an angular undercut, which is substantially concave. The angular cut of the head is a mating surface for an angular cut on the leading end of the arrow shaft. The substantial concave surface of the arrow insert and the substantial convex surface of the arrow tube prevents the rearward movement of the arrow insert, and the mushrooming of the leading end of the arrow shaft. |
| US08403774B2 |
Golf clubs and golf club heads
Golf club heads which include an iron type golf club head body including a ball striking face, a rear surface opposite the ball striking face (e.g., including a perimeter weighting member) and an indicator which indicates the location of the center of gravity of the golf club head body. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making such golf club and golf club heads also are provided. |
| US08403771B1 |
Golf club head
A golf club providing improved golf ball launch conditions is disclosed herein. The golf club includes a face component and a sole comprising an elongated recess disposed proximate the face component. The elongated recess preferably is tube shaped, and preferably has an opening with a smaller width than an innermost surface of the elongated recess. |
| US08403766B2 |
Prosthetic appliance transfer kit and method
A kit and method is disclosed to facilitate the transferring of a prosthetic appliance to the skin of a wearer. The kit includes first and second transfer portions, which may be provided in combined form. The first transfer portion includes a prosthetic appliance and a release film. The second transfer portion includes a transfer substrate, an adhesive layer and a release coat therebetween. The second transfer portion may include a seal layer disposed between the adhesive layer and the release coat. The kit may include a package portion which may non-adhesively restrain the other components so as to protect and display the prosthetic while enabling the package portion to be opened without causing damage to the remainder of the kit. A method for producing the kit is disclosed and involves the use of a cavity mold and respective retainer plate to produce the requisite transfer portions. |
| US08403765B2 |
Clearance-free constant velocity universal joint
A constant velocity universal joint is disclosed that comprises an outer joint part, an inner joint part, torque transmitting balls, an annular ball cage, and a supporting mechanism. The outer joint part includes circumferentially distributed outer ball tracks. The inner joint part includes circumferentially distributed inner ball tracks. The torque transmitting balls are guided in pairs of tracks, wherein each track includes an outer ball track and an inner ball track. When the joint is in the aligned condition, the pairs of tracks, at least in a central joint plane, widen in coinciding axial directions. The annular ball cage is defined by a cage axis. The cage is positioned between the outer joint part and the inner joint part and comprises circumferentially distributed windows in which the torque transmitting balls are held with a clearance. The ball cage comprises an axial clearance relative to the outer joint part. The supporting resiliently supports the ball cage relative to the outer joint part and acts on the ball cage in the direction opposed to the direction in which the pairs of tracks widen. The supporting mechanism comprises a carrier element connected to the ball cage and a separate supporting member, wherein the supporting member is resiliently supported on the carrier element and rests against the outer joint part. |
| US08403761B2 |
Game program, game apparatus and game system configured to use replay data to create a highlight scene
A game apparatus stores a history in relation to a game operation as replay data in a memory, and displays a replay image on the basis of the stored replay data on a monitor. A CPU of the game apparatus creates highlight scene positional information indicating a at least temporal position of a highlight scene in the replay image on the basis of a highlight scene position designating operation, stores the created highlight scene positional information by bringing it into association with the replay data in the memory, and displays a time-line image representing a temporal position of the highlight scene in the replay image on the monitor on the basis of the highlight scene positional information when the replay image is displayed on the monitor. |
| US08403760B2 |
Advertising funded gaming system
A gaming where a hosts search for and select particular events they desire to manage; where players can wager on specific events with potentially no financial loss; and where vendors can engage in interactive advertising to increase sales. The host manages the game by setting up the odds and establishing other rules of play. Where hosts are also vendors, they may offer prizes in exchange for credits from the players. Players place their wagers on a particular outcome of the event. Both the host and the player may gain additional credits for clicking or viewing an advertisement displayed on the webpage. If the desire outcome occurs, the player's wager is accounted for by the host and the credits can be applied to the purchase of prizes offered by the host. Those who lose may receive communications from the vendor, with permission from the operator of the website, to offer its goods or services. |
| US08403759B2 |
Adventure sequence activities
A gaming system includes a communication network, a portable data storage device having information associated with a player stored therein and a plurality of gaming units communicatively coupled to the communication network. Each of the gaming units includes an interface for reading and for storing information within the portable data storage device. The gaming system also includes a network computer communicatively coupled to the communication network and the plurality of gaming units. The network computer is programmed to enable the player to play a group of the plurality of gaming units in a particular sequence based on the information associated with the player stored within the portable data storage device. |
| US08403756B2 |
Fantasy sports alert generator
A fantasy sports alert agent provides notifications of relevant news articles and occurrences in a fantasy sports game, such as fantasy team roster changes or player trades, and also suggests changes to a fantasy team roster to improve the team's chances of winning. The notifications are based on items of data received from an item generator, which is typically a server process that communicates with the agent via a network. The alert agent may suggest alternative fantasy team roster lineups and, if the user accepts a suggestion, the agent may change the lineup. Each notification includes a call to action feature, such as a web link, which a user can select to perform an action, such as accepting a trade or changing the team's roster. The notifications may be displayed on a user's computer screen by the alert agent, or by an RSS reader or electronic mail reader. |
| US08403754B2 |
Interactive game apparatus and game controller used in the same
An interactive game apparatus includes a game host and a game controller. The game host includes a game control module capable of running a game program and receiving at least one response signal outputted from the game control. The game controller includes a first motion sensor, a second motion sensor and a processor. The first motion sensor detects motion signals of the play, and the second motion sensor also detects motion signals. Furthermore, the processor includes a determination circuit determining the timing for activating either the first motion sensor or the second motion sensor. |
| US08403740B2 |
Gaming system and method which enables multiple players to simultaneously play multiple individual games or group games on a central display
The present disclosure provides a gaming system including a central controller, a central display which includes a plurality of display segments and a plurality player stations. The display segments are configured to each separately display one of a plurality of games, to co-act to display a plurality of games, or to co-act to display one game. Each player station is configured to enable a player to play one or more of the games displayed by the display segments. The gaming system enables a plurality of players to play a group game on the central display, a plurality of players to simultaneously play multiple group games on the central display, and a plurality of players to each simultaneously play multiple individual games on the central display. |
| US08403738B2 |
Gaming device and method for display control therein
A gaming device having a card game using a card set is provided with: an input device configured to receive an input by a player; a display device configured to display one or more cards selected from the card set in any of face-up and face-down states; a controller configured to control the display device to show a face of a target card selected from the cards in the face-down state in part to an extent determined by the input. |
| US08403735B2 |
Automotive air conditioner
An automotive air conditioner includes an air-conditioning case in which air passageways having a cold air path via an evaporator, a warm air path via a heater core, and a plurality of discharge path systems communicating with outlets, respectively, are formed. An air mix door distributes cold air and warm air by an opening degree to each of the discharge path systems via a junction region of the cold air and the warm air, and a rotary door having a cross wall is rotatably disposed in the junction region of the cold air and the warm air and blocks air flow from the junction region to the downstream side by the cross wall in an advanced position. The rotary door and the air mix door include an overlap layout which uses a door space inside the cross wall of the rotary door in the advanced position as an opening and closing operation space of the air mix door. |
| US08403733B2 |
Method of coupling a honing tool to a honing spindle, honing spindle, honing tool and honing device
The invention relates to a method of coupling a honing tool (2) to a honing spindle (1), a honing spindle suitable therefor, a honing tool suitable therefor and a honing device comprising a honing spindle and a honing tool. According to the invention, a method of coupling a honing tool to a honing spindle is proposed which has the following steps: inserting the honing tool into the honing spindle into a joining position in which a honing-tool centre axis (24) is oriented coaxially to the honing-spindle centre axis (23); locking the honing tool on the honing spindle in the joining position by actuating an adjusting device (5, 6) assigned to the honing spindle. Furthermore, a honing spindle, a honing tool and a honing device which are suitable for carrying out the method are provided. |
| US08403730B2 |
Stopper device for grinding stone cover of grinder
A grinder can include a stopper projection provided to a grinding stone cover and position a stopper abutting portion on a side of a gear housing in order to restrict a position adjustable range through abutment of the stopper projection to the stopper abutting portion in a position where the grinding stone cover has rotated in a rotational direction of the grinding stone by a set angle. |
| US08403726B2 |
System and method for restoring water supply pipes in buildings
A system and method for restoring water supply pipes in buildings is provided. Compressed air is blown through one end of a cold water supply pipe, such as a cold water riser, and elsewhere on the pipe the cold water supply pipe is connected to the hot water supply pipe by an air hose. Compressed air may alternatively be blown through one end of the hot water supply pipe. To clean the pipe, abrasive particles are introduced into the stream of compressed air upstream of the section of pipe to be cleaned. To line the pipe, an epoxy coating is introduced into the stream of compressed gas upstream of the section of pipe to be lined. |
| US08403723B1 |
Pattern making and construction kit
A construction kit of modular components including rigid and flexible foam bars with endcaps designed to be joined together by snap-fit connections to define three-dimensional, adult-sized playing fields which float in aquatic settings such as swimming pools. The connectivity of the modular components is characterized by manual assembly, a high resistance to separation during active play by teams of adults participating in vigorous athletic activities, and tool-assisted disassembly. |
| US08403722B2 |
Raised tray with moulded canal
The present invention is a horizontal base for stabilizing vertically extending walls comprising a tray surface elevated from said base, the tray surface defining at least one moulded canal of a pre-defined shape, the at least one moulded canal being defined to receive at least one of said vertically extending walls. The base is preferably used in arts and crafts endeavours and in particular, for improved efficiency in the construction of gingerbread-based structures such as gingerbread houses. |
| US08403720B2 |
Assembly method of a LED lamp
Simple, rapid and low-cost assembly methods of a LED lamp are provided. A standard lamp base having two electrodes and a cavity is soldered with a resistor to the first one of the electrodes, and then filled with a thermally conductive electric insulator in the cavity. A circuit board is attached onto the thermally conductive electric insulator and then soldered to the second electrode and the resistor. An LED device is soldered onto the circuit board such that the LED device and the resistor are serially connected between the electrodes. Preferably, the circuit board has a through hole through which a thermally conductive member is inserted into the thermally conductive electric insulator with its lower end, and the LED device is placed onto the upper end of the thermally conductive member. |
| US08403717B1 |
Exhaust system for a marine vessel
A marine propulsion system has an exhaust conduit conveying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. The exhaust conduit has a dry portion and a wet portion located downstream of the dry portion. Cooling fluid enters the exhaust conduit to cool exhaust gases flowing through the wet portion. A bypass conduit is connected to the exhaust conduit and conveys a portion of the cooling fluid away from the dry portion to thereby decrease reversion of cooling fluid into the dry portion. |
| US08403716B2 |
Twin-skeg ship
A twin-skeg ship that allows for an improvement in propulsion performance (propulsion efficiency). A twin-skeg ship has a pair of left and right skegs on the bottom of a stern has reaction fins, each comprising a plurality of fins extending radially from a bossing fixed to a stern frame provided at a rear end of the skeg, or from a fin boss provided on the bossing, in a range where a flow immediately in front of a propeller attached to the skeg with a propeller shaft therebetween has a component in the same direction as a rotational direction of the propeller. |
| US08403701B2 |
Electrical connector having improved grounding members
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (3), a contact module (4) assembled to the insulative housing and a shielding shell (5) attached to an outer side of the insulative housing. The contact module includes a terminal group and a pair of paddle boards (42) disposed at opposite sides of the terminal group and electrically connected with the terminal group. Each paddle board has a grounding pad (4211). The shell includes a wall (510) parallel with a front face. The wall has a pair of forwardly extending grounding beams (52) respectively contacting the pair of grounding pads of the pair of paddle boards for grounding. |
| US08403695B2 |
Plug connector having improved releasing mechanism and a connector assembly having the same
A connector assembly (100) includes a receptacle (2) having an inwardly extending latching tab (21), and a plug connector (1) insertable into the receptacle. The plug connector includes a housing (12) defining opposite first and second sides and a pair of grooves (123), and a releasing mechanism (11) including an outwardly tilting releasing tab (110) located at the first side, a lever (114) located at the second side, and a body portion (116) formed with a pair of inverted U-shaped resilient portions (115) received in the grooves. The releasing tab is movable rearwardly, by a rearward movement of the lever through a deformation of the resilient portions, to outwardly push the latching tab for permitting an extraction of the housing. |
| US08403693B2 |
Connector
A connector housing (10) is formed with a seal tower (18) projecting backward from the rear surface of the connector housing and adapted to accommodate seals (20). A peripheral wall (21) surrounds the seal tower (18) and projects back from the rear surface of the connector housing (10). A rearwardly open groove-shaped annular recess (22) is formed between the seal tower (18) and the peripheral wall (21) and has a bottom surface (23) that defines the rear surface of the connector housing. The bottom surface (23) of the recess (22) is continuous over the entire circumference, and the peripheral wall (21) is formed with water drains (24) that cause the inside of the recess and an outer peripheral side of the peripheral wall to communicate. |
| US08403692B2 |
Illumination device
An illumination device includes a light tube holder including two connectors for receiving either a light-emitting diode (LED) tube or a fluorescent tube. One of the connectors includes a rotary member rotatably received in a through hole defined in a retainer, and four conductive elastic pieces positioned in the retainer around the through hole. Two of the conductive pieces are electrically connected to an LED tube drive circuit board and the other two are connected to a fluorescent tube drive circuit board. The rotary member can be rotated to first and second positions, wherein at the first position, the LED tube can be activated, and at the second position the fluorescent tube can be activated. |
| US08403690B2 |
Water stop structure for wire harness and method of forming water stop section
A water stop structure is provided for a wire harness connected to an electronic control unit installed in an automotive vehicle or a motorcycle. Terminals mounted on ends of wires constituting the wire harness are inserted and locked for connection in a unit connecting connector to be mated with a connector of the electronic control unit, each wire connected to the unit connecting connector includes a water stop section at a position very close to the connector, and the water stop section is formed by filling a waterproofing agent into clearances between strands of a core exposed part formed by removing an insulation coating covering the core of each wire and coating the core exposed part with a waterproof member. |
| US08403687B2 |
Data storage device and printing apparatus including the same
A data storage device is provided. At least a storage section configured to store information therein and a connection terminal configured to transmit information are mounted on a substrate. A casing accommodates the substrate, the casing is formed with an opening to expose a connection portion of the connection terminal to the outside. A shield plate configured to shield the opening of the casing. A shield plate actuation mechanism is configured to detect a connection state between the connection terminal and a receiving terminal to which the connection terminal is connected and actuate the shield plate. The shield plate actuation mechanism actuates the shield plate to shield the opening when the shield plate actuation mechanism detects that the connection terminal is separated from the receiving terminal. |
| US08403684B2 |
Connector having a terminal with a tin plated contact pressed against a hot-dip tinned face of a board
A tin-plated surface 7 is formed by hot-dip coating a solder containing a lead-free tin as the main component on an electrode 6 of a board 4 with which a connector terminal 1 comes in contact. |
| US08403680B2 |
Magnetically enhanced electrical signal conduction apparatus and methods
Apparatus and methods for magnetically enhanced electrical signal conduction are disclosed. An embodiment electrical connector comprises a connector body, a first active signal contact mechanically attached to and at least partially disposed within the connector body, a ground contact mechanically attached to the connector body, an insulator mechanically separating and electrically isolating the first active signal contact and the ground contact, and a first permanent magnet electrically connected to the first active signal contact. An embodiment electrical cable comprises an elongated insulating sheath, a first active signal electrical conductor disposed within the sheath, a first connector body mechanically attached to a first end of the sheath, a first active signal contact mechanically attached to the first connector body, and electrically connected to the first active signal electrical conductor, and a first permanent magnet electrically connected to the first active signal electrical conductor. |
| US08403673B2 |
Motion platform system
The present invention relates to a motion platform system comprising of a base (1), a moving platform (2) displaceable by five actuators along and about the three axes in five degrees of freedom, said moving platform (2), connected to said base (1) by at least three links, wherein one of the said links is a column (3) capable of having at least one rotational freedom at the base of the column (3); the other two links include actuators controlling rotational degrees of freedom about the ‘X’ and ‘Y’ axes; another actuator controlling rotational degree of freedom about the ‘Z’ axis; other two actuators controlling translational degrees of freedom along the ‘X’ and ‘Y’ axes; said column (3) including a joint (12) at the top of the said column (3), said joint (12) capable of providing at least one rotational degree of freedom about any of the three axes. |
| US08403671B2 |
Detachment-prevented removable double-crown prosthetic appliance
A detachment-prevented removable double-crown prosthetic appliance includes an internal crown member, which has an outside surface to which two resilient retention clamping strips are mounted, each of the resilient retention clamping strips including a root section that is fixed to the outside surface of the internal crown member and a spring section extending from the root section, the spring sections of the resilient retention clamping strips being spaced by a gap that has a reduced neck portion forming a pass; and an external crown member, which is removably mounted to the internal crown member and has a lower inner portion forming a fitting chamber for removably fitting over the internal crown member, the fitting chamber having an inside surface that forms a retention block that is engageable with the resilient retention clamping strips so as to securely but removably couple the external crown member to the internal crown member. |
| US08403668B2 |
Dental retention systems
Dental retention systems which facilitate the adjustment or removal of an oral appliance, e.g., a crown or bridge, from a reconfigurable abutment assembly are described. The adjustable abutment assembly may be secured to an anchoring implant bored into the bones within the mouth. The abutment assembly has a projecting abutment portion with one or more shape memory alloy compression plates or elements extending along the projecting abutment portion. Each of the plates has a length with one or more straightened portions and with at least one curved or arcuate portion. Energy may be applied to the elements such that the arcuate portion self-flattens to allow for the oral appliance to be placed thereupon while removal of the energy allows the elements to reconfigure into its curved configuration thereby locking the oral appliance to the abutment. Removal of the oral appliance may be effected by reapplication of energy to the elements. |
| US08403667B2 |
Dental implant
Dental implants for fixed and removable prosthetic devices, and for other devices such as orthodontic devices, which have application to single tooth replacement, e.g., caps and crowns, and multiple tooth replacement using one or more implants, e.g., bridges, and multiple implants for full and partial prosthetic devices. The dental implants include a post or posts inserted into the jawbone and a base that is loaded, in the general area of the gum line, against the jawbone using the post or posts. The base may be loaded against the jawbone by a fastener system. |
| US08403661B2 |
Dual fuel heater
A heater having first and second oxygen depletion sensors and a main burner injector and configurable for the delivery of at least first and second types of fuels. |
| US08403658B2 |
Consumable assembly for use in extrusion-based layered deposition systems
A consumable assembly comprising a container portion configured to retain a supply of filament, a guide tube connected to the container portion, and a pump portion connected to the guide tube. |
| US08403657B2 |
Pipe coating
Apparatus (1) for enabling a coating to be applied to an internal surface of a pipe elbow or bend C comprises a flexible body (2) adapted for location to extend within the pipe elbow or bend, and a bendable core (3) extending through the body. Bending of the core causes the flexible body to be bent in a similar manner. A method for applying the coating to the internal surface of the pipe elbow or bend (C) comprises the steps of shaping the flexible body (2) and locating it to extend within the pipe elbow or bend, and introducing a coating material so as to flow around and into a space defined between the flexible body and the internal surface of the elbow or bend. |
| US08403652B2 |
Molecular pump and flange having shock absorbing member
A molecular pump has a cylindrical casing, a stator portion formed in the casing, a shaft disposed in the stator portion, a bearing pivotally supporting the shaft with respect to the stator portion, a rotor that is attached to the shaft and rotates integrally with the shaft, a motor for rotationally driving the shaft, a shock absorbing member, and a flange portion provided at an end portion of the casing. The flange portion has a bolt hole through which extends a bolt for fixing the casing and a fixed member to each other and an insertion hole which is provided adjacent to the bolt hole and in which the shock absorbing member is inserted so that at least one end side of the shock absorbing member extending along an axial direction of the bolt is spaced apart from the bolt. |
| US08403651B2 |
Fan and airflow guiding structure thereof
A fan includes an airflow guiding structure, an impeller and a guiding ring. The outer radius of the airflow guiding structure increases gradually from the top to the bottom of the airflow guiding structure. The airflow guiding structure includes a plurality of fins and a first space for accommodating a circuit device. The impeller is disposed on the airflow guiding structure and the impeller has a hub and several axial-flow blades disposed around the hub. The guiding ring is connected with the axial-flow blades. An inlet is formed on the top of the guiding ring, and an outlet is formed between the bottom of the guiding ring and the outer surface of the sidewall of the airflow guiding structure. When the impeller rotates, the airflow enters the fan from the inlet and flows along the outer surface of the sidewall of the airflow guiding structure, then the airflow exits the fan through the outlet. The direction of the airflow passing through the outlet is different from the direction of the airflow passing through the inlet. |
| US08403650B2 |
Fan
A fan assembly for creating an air current includes a bladeless fan assembly including a nozzle and a device for creating an air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle includes an interior passage and a mouth receiving the air flow from the interior passage. A Coanda surface located adjacent the mouth and over which the mouth is arranged to direct the air flow. The fan provides an arrangement producing an air current and a flow of cooling air created without requiring a bladed fan, that is, the air flow is created by a bladeless fan. |
| US08403643B2 |
Dual frequency hub mounted vibration suppressor system
A vibration suppressor system includes an annular electric motor system which independently controls rotation of at least two masses about the axis of rotation to reduce in-plane vibration of the rotating system. A method of reducing vibrations in a rotary-wing aircraft includes independently controlling a relative angular position of a multiple of independently rotatable masses to reduce vibrations of a main rotor system. |
| US08403641B2 |
Wind turbine blade tip brake apparatus and method
The invention relates to a wind turbine blade tip and actuator assembly and method for controlling the speed of a wind turbine rotor blade. The invention consists of a moveable and turnable blade tip, an actuator assembly for turning the blade tip, control rods, cables and springs for controlling the blade tip, a magnet assembly for holding the blade tip in position and a hydraulic damping cylinder for controlling the rate at which the blade tip deploys. |
| US08403640B2 |
Fan assembly
A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air inlet, an air outlet, an impeller and a motor for rotating the impeller to create an air flow passing from the air inlet to the air outlet. The air outlet includes an interior passage for receiving the air flow and a mouth for emitting the air flow. The air outlet defines an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth. The motor has a rotor which, in use, is capable of rotating at a speed of at least 5,000 rpm. |
| US08403638B2 |
Wind power generator
Provided is a wind power generator that reduces the amount of heat input into a nacelle from the outside of the nacelle due to the solar radiation, and that improves the heat dissipation performance from the inside of the nacelle to the outside air. In a wind power generator in which a driving mechanism and power generation mechanism that are connected with a rotor head, to which wind-turbine blades are attached, are accommodated and installed in a nacelle, an outer wall surface of the nacelle is provided with, on at least a part of the wall surface where no direct sunlight is radiated, a heat-dissipation-resistance reducing portion that uses a member having a higher thermal conductivity than that of a peripheral wall member. |
| US08403637B2 |
Thermal control system for turbines
A thermal control system for a turbine casing (2) mounted radially outwardly of and circumferentially surrounding blade tips of the turbine blades, the system comprising: one or more circumferential chamber walls (6), each disposed around the casing (2), each to form a circumferential flow chamber (7) radially outward of said surface of the turbine casing (2), each to form a circumferential gap (12) between the circumferential chamber wall (6) concerned and said surface of the turbine casing (2), and the one or more circumferential chamber walls (6) define at least one opening (9) on the radially inward side of the chamber (7) adjacent the surface of the turbine casing (2) such that a thermal fluid injected into the flow chamber (7) concerned may leak out through the circumferential gap (12) via the opening (9), and means to induce circumferential flow on the surface of the casing (2) bounded by the circumferential flow chamber (7) comprising one or more ducts (8) radially outwardly connected to the or each circumferential flow chamber (7), via which the thermal fluid can be injected into the flow chamber or chambers (7) concerned in a circumferential direction. |
| US08403636B2 |
Turbine stage in a turbomachine
A turbine stage in a turbomachine including ring sectors arranged about a turbine impeller, and an annular support supporting the ring sectors and attached to a turbine casing is disclosed. The annular support is able to be deformed elastically in the radial direction to cushion at least a portion of the deformations of the turbine casing in operation. |
| US08403632B2 |
Gas turbine engine component cooling scheme
A method of cooling a gas turbine engine component includes creating a cooling channel within a platform of the component, communicating cooling air into the cooling channel to cool the platform, and recycling the cooling airflow used to cool the platform by communicating the cooling airflow from the cooling channel into the airfoil to cool the airfoil. |
| US08403631B2 |
Gas turbine engine component cooling scheme
A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. The turbine section includes components having a platform and an airfoil extending from the platform. The platform includes an outer surface, a cover plate and a cooling channel extending between the outer surface and the cover plate. The cooling channel receives cooling airflow to cool the platform and the airfoil. |
| US08403628B2 |
Low-pressure steam turbine hood and inner casing supported on curb foundation
A support arrangement for an exhaust hood. The inner casing in the inventive arrangement is supported directly by the curb foundation. As a result, the effect of pressure changes in the exhaust hood are eliminated and the effect of temperature changes of the exhaust hood are reduced relative to the positioning of the inner casing and the rotor within it. Shaft bearings may be outside the exhaust hood located in a standard directly on the foundation. Rotor end packing may also be attached to the standard. The exhaust hood can be a much simpler design with less structural supports and less fabrication time. Easier maintenance is facilitated because the shaft bearings are not tucked under the exhaust hood and the end packing can be removed without removal of a large section of the exhaust hood. |
| US08403623B2 |
Wind energy power enhancer system
An enhanced multi-phased wind power generating system is disclosed that creates power from flow through an air inflow chamber and by second phase air flow that does not pass through the inflow chamber. In one embodiment, a turbine extends at least partially from the air inflow chamber whereby second phase air flow that may be directed, deflected or concentrated prevailing wind, may impinge the air blades to enhance the power generation of the system. In another embodiment, second phase air flow may be deflected by a configuration of air deflectors to create a low pressure over a flow tube to enhance power generation. Air deflectors and/or air scoops are described in any number of configurations to further increase and optimize power generation. In one embodiment an impingement chamber is attached to the inflow chamber and one or both chambers may comprise protective fencing material. |
| US08403620B2 |
Method for moving a wind turbine component, such as a wind turbine hub, from a transportation position to a wind turbine assembly position in or on the nacelle, the main shaft or turbine hub, a handling unit, a wind turbine hub and use hereof
The invention relates to a method for moving a wind turbine component, such as a wind turbine hub, from a transportation position to a wind turbine assembly position. The method comprises the steps of: attaching a handling unit to a structural part of the wind turbine component, operatively connecting the handling unit to a wire of a crane system, lifting the wind turbine component with the crane system to an assembly position of the wind turbine, the handling unit and the wind turbine component being suspended from a wire of the crane system, and rotating the wind turbine component with the handling unit during the lifting of the wind turbine component in order to orientate the wind turbine component for assembly. The invention also relates to a handling unit and a wind turbine hub and use hereof. |
| US08403611B2 |
Single piece nut assembly
Self-locking nuts help prevent the nut from backing off of a spindle or other type of threaded shaft. A single piece nut assembly is provided that is self-locking and comprises a nut subassembly and a washer subassembly. Nut and washer subassemblies are secured together, and do not require any special tools for installation or removal. The washer has an edge which is formed/rolled over a lip extending from the bottom edge of the nut when assembled to provide the unitized assembly. The nut and washer are held apart by a spring, such as a wave spring, until the washer contacts the face of the object to which the nut is being secured. At this point the spring is compressed to engage the nut with the washer, and engage holding elements located in the nut with a holding feature located on the washer and prevent movement between the washer and nut. |
| US08403610B2 |
Fastener
A fastener includes a sleeve and a rod received in the sleeve. The sleeve includes a top end including at least one outer flange extending radially outward therefrom and at least one inner flange extending radially inward therefrom and a lower end including at least one spring tab. At least one spring tab comprises an outer flange at its end that extends radially outward. the sleeve is inserted into the receiving holes of the top article and the bottom article until the outer flange of the top end rests on the top plate, the rod is then pressed to move to drive at least one spring tab to deflect outwardly until the outer flange of at least one spring tab is held in contact with the bottom plate. |
| US08403607B1 |
Cargo restraint system with enhanced reinforcement end filament content
A cargo restraint system with enhanced filament characteristics wherein the restraint system includes laminated load restraining strips with a layer of reinforcement material comprising a plurality of substantially parallel bundles of filaments and wherein the layer of reinforcement contains approximately two hundred and fifteen to two hundred and seventy nine ends of reinforcing material and each end of reinforcement material comprises approximately four hundred and eighty four filaments of reinforcement material and each filament comprises one or more monofilament strands having a total break strength of approximately twenty four grams. |
| US08403606B2 |
Adjustment device for the alignment of supporting parts on structures having inherent dimensional tolerances
An adjustment device aligns supporting parts that receive the guide rails of a freight loading system for structures having inherent dimensional tolerances, in particular for receiving structures in an aircraft fuselage. Each supporting part is designed as a bearing insert held with an adjustable movement in a bearing eye of a bearing block, and in that the bearing block has at least two tensioning elements that bear on the bearing insert. |
| US08403605B2 |
Plunge milling method
A plunge milling method includes: a) the area of material that is to be removed is enclosed by a plurality of milling paths, each milling path defining end positions of a milling head during the formation of plunge milling bores; b) to each milling path there is allocated a guide curve for the tool axis, each guide curve defining initial positions of the milling head during the formation of plunge milling bores; c) during the formation of plunge milling bores, the tool axis is oriented, as a function of a milling path and the respective guide curve, so that there is no danger of collision of the milling tool with a contour formed by plunge milling; d) for each milling path, bore axes for plunge milling bores are determined as a function of the respective guide curve, corresponding to a prespecified overlap of milling bores formed along the milling paths. |
| US08403595B2 |
Plurality of liquid jet nozzles and a blower mechanism that are directed into a milling chamber
In one aspect of the present invention a system is disclosed for removing loose aggregate from a paved surface. The system comprises a motorized vehicle that has a degradation drum connected to the underside of the vehicle. The degradation drum is enclosed by a milling chamber. The milling chamber is comprised of a plurality of plates, including a moldboard that is positioned rearward of the degradation drum. The moldboard has an end that is disposed opposite the underside. The end has a plurality of liquid jet nozzles and a blower mechanism that are directed into the milling chamber. |
| US08403587B2 |
Connection systems intended for equipping plates, especially glass plates, for the purpose of fastening them, and the plates thus equipped
A connecting system configured to secure at least one cavity including curved and retaining walls and positioned on a surface portion located on an edge of a substrate made of a fragile material of glass type and a support member. The connecting system includes a shoe including at least one appendage projecting from at least one of faces of the shoe, the appendage having a profile that complements the profile made on the surface portion situated on the edge of the substrate. |
| US08403586B2 |
Determinant assembly features for vehicle structures
A determinant assembly feature for a joint assembly and a method of assembly therefor. The joint assembly includes a structure and a web connected thereto. The structure includes a base, a pair of legs extending from the base to define a channel, and one or more location control receiving elements in either leg. The web includes a thickness control element and one or more location control elements correspondingly matched to the location control receiving elements. The method includes providing a structure comprising a base, a pair of legs extending from the base to define a channel and one or more location control receiving elements in either leg; providing a web comprising one or more location control elements and a thickness control element; and inserting the web into the structure, wherein the one or more location control elements is correspondingly matched to the one or more location control receiving elements. |
| US08403584B2 |
Dispensing opening plate for optically attractive antiperspirant formulations
A dispensing opening plate for applicators for cosmetic preparations. The plate comprises at least one dispensing opening that comprises one or more teeth or prongs which extend from an inner wall of the opening into a center of the opening. |
| US08403579B2 |
Water-based ink composition for ballpoint pens
A water-based ink composition for a ballpoint pen wherein the initial start of writing and writing over time is good, and no blur in handwriting occur and a stable writing performance can be sustained and good handwriting can be continuously formed. A water-based ink composition for a ballpoint pen dissolving or dispersing a coloring agent in an aqueous medium. The aqueous medium substantially contains no water-soluble organic solvent and is composed of water. The water-based ink composition includes a thickening inhibitor together with a shear thinning viscosity-imparting agent. As the thickening inhibitor, one or two or more are selected from a group of polyalkylene glycol, polypropylene glycol derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, cellulose-based polymer compounds, polymer compounds having a polyalkylene oxide group and/or surfactants having a polyoxyethylene group. |
| US08403576B2 |
Keyboard for hand held computing device
The keyboard assembly is suitable for use as a keyboard of a hand held computing device. The assembly has a base layer of a printed circuit board and includes a carrier layer having snap domes set out in an array aligned with keys of a keypad layer. An electroluminescent layer generates light in areas aligned with the keys to backlight the keys. An actuator layer having projections is aligned with the keys and snap domes. Pressing a key causes a snap dome to be deformed, closing a switch for the key and providing a snap action press and release feedback for the user. |
| US08403575B2 |
Image recording apparatus and method for determining a state of a cutting device
In an image recording apparatus, a record medium passage information generation unit detects a sheet passage state of a record medium after the continuous record media is cut. A control unit determines the state of a cutting device according to the passage time information between cut record media obtained from the sheet passage state of the cut record medium detected by the record medium passage information generation unit and predetermined time information. |
| US08403574B2 |
Camera body, accessory, camera system, and information rewriting method
A camera system including a camera body, an interchangeable lens, and an accessory mounted between the camera body and the interchangeable lens, wherein the accessory has a signal processing unit configured to process a signal input into the accessory and a storage unit configured to store information to be used when performing the signal processing, the camera system further including a pseudo interchangeable lens which can be mounted on the accessory instead of the interchangeable lens and which is configured to supply power from the camera body to the accessory when mounted on the camera body via the accessory, and a control unit configured to, while the camera body, the accessory, and the pseudo interchangeable lens are connected, when the accessory receives within a predetermined duration predetermined information, enable communication between the camera body and the accessory even after the predetermined duration has elapsed, and rewrite the information stored in the storage unit. |
| US08403566B2 |
Rolling bearing and rolling bearing apparatus
A rolling bearing includes rolling elements, an inner ring which includes a raceway surface on which the rolling elements roll on an outer circumference thereof, and an outer ring which includes a raceway surface on which the rolling elements roll and which receives a radial load and a load directed to one side of an axial direction from the rolling elements on an inner circumference thereof. A closure member for closing an inner circumferential side opening of the outer ring is formed integrally at an end portion of the outer ring which lies on the one side of the axial direction or the outer ring is fitted in a cylindrical portion of the closure member. |
| US08403564B2 |
Linear motion device comprising projection-free return passage
A linear motion device has a first assembly and a second assembly which is linearly movable relative to the first assembly. A first rolling surface which extends in a longitudinal direction is provided on the first assembly and is situated opposite a second rolling surface provided on the second assembly. A row of rolling elements is located between the first and second rolling surfaces. The first assembly includes a single-pieced, first body and a return assembly and a return passage being provided in the first body A curved deflection passage is located entirely within the deflection assembly and connects the first rolling surface to the return passage such that the rolling elements circulate endlessly A projection that engages in the return passage is provided on the deflection assembly. |
| US08403561B2 |
Packaging container
The present invention provides a packaging container that can be opened with a simple structure, the packaging container comprising a bag assembly (6) having first and second sealing sections (2, 3) formed at two opposite sides of four sides, and a third sealing section (4) where one side of the remaining two sides is a folding line, wherein the one remaining side is opened. The opened side is joined together in a state in which an object is placed inside the bag assembly, a fourth sealing section (5) is formed at an angle substantially orthogonal to the third sealing section (4), a pair of first and second triangles with the fourth sealing section (5) as the shared bottom side are formed, a pair of third and fourth triangles with the third sealing section (4) as the shared bottom side are formed, and the tetrahedral packaging container (6) is formed where the oblique lines of the triangles adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are connected to each other. The first and second sealing sections (2, 3) located on the vertical lines of the first and second triangles are used as an unsealing guide for tearing. |
| US08403559B2 |
Two-terminal semiconductor sensor device
Provided is a two-terminal semiconductor sensor device with which an external device having low circuit or element accuracy may be used. An output voltage (VOUT) of the two-terminal semiconductor sensor device based on temperature is not based on a constant current of a constant current source (70) of the external device and a current of an output transistor (60) of the two-terminal semiconductor sensor device, but on a resistance ratio of a voltage dividing circuit including a resistor (30) and a resistor (40), and a temperature voltage (Vbe) of the two-terminal semiconductor sensor device. Accordingly, accuracy of the constant current of the constant current source (70) of the external device that receives the output voltage (VOUT) does not need to be high. Therefore, the external device does not need to have a highly accurate circuit or element for receiving the output voltage (VOUT). |
| US08403558B2 |
TTI indicator with balanced photochemical processes
The invention relates to a time temperature indicator comprising a) at least one photo-chromic colorant introduced into and/or atop a matrix substrate and charged by exposure to UV light; b) at least a transparent colorless or a transparent colored light absorbing protecting layer adhered to the underlying layer a) which contains the photo-chromic colorant; characterized in that the light absorbing protecting layer comprises 1-50 wt % of an UV light absorber or an UV light absorber mixture and 0.1-10 wt % of an optical brightener wherein the weight ratio of the UV light absorber and optical brightener is 0.1-10. |
| US08403557B2 |
Micromixer using integrated three-dimensional porous structure
A micromixer is fabricated using a selective high intensity focused ultrasound foaming technique. The micromixer employs a 3D porous region for effective mixing. The 3D porous micromixer can achieve sufficient mixing results with a short mixing length for flows with a Reynolds number as low as 0.1. The fabrication process of the micromixer is rapid, low-cost, and biocompatible. The pore size of the micromixer can be controlled by adjusting the selective high intensity focused ultrasound foaming parameters. The micromixer has potential for use in lab-on-a-chip and micro-total-analysis devices. |
| US08403554B2 |
Screw for extruder, bearing segment used in the same and twin screw extruder provided with screw for extruder
In a screw for extruder, a bearing segment having a function of supporting a screw main body at an intermediate part when kneading is performed is provided at a position corresponding to a kneading portion or on the downstream side of the kneading portion. The bearing segment is provided with at least two flights having a sectional shape of a complete meshing type with one streak in the axial direction, the flights are arranged in the rotational direction with uniformly displacing a phase thereof respectively, and length of the flights in the axial direction is set to 0.2D (D: rotational outer diameter of the bearing segment) or more. According to the above configuration, bending of the screw main body is prevented and abrasion of the flights and a barrel is suppressed. |
| US08403553B2 |
Method for the production of an illumination device and illumination device
The luminous area of a lighting apparatus 10, 110, 210 with a rectangular luminous area is made up in modular fashion from individual rectangular luminous modules 1. The basic set comprises a first luminous module 11 of a first size, a second luminous module 21 of a second size, a third luminous module 31, whose length corresponds to the length of the first luminous module 11 and whose width corresponds to the width of the second luminous module 21, and a fourth luminous module 41, whose length corresponds to the width of the first luminous module 11 and whose width corresponds to the length of the second luminous module 21. By combining the luminous modules it is possible to produce backlighting for a multiplicity of display sizes. |
| US08403552B2 |
Multi-colored illuminator with a varying concentration of particles
An apparatus for providing a multicolored illuminator for displays is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first sheet comprising a plurality of columnar illuminators stacked side by side, and a plurality of colored light sources placed along an edge of the first sheet. The plurality of columnar illuminators diffuse light generated by the plurality of colored light sources. Each columnar illuminator has a light diffuser included within it at a concentration that is different at different locations. |
| US08403549B2 |
Optical device with lenticular arrays, edge-type backlight module and direct-type backlight module
An edge-type backlight module and a direct-type backlight module with a optical device are provided. The optical device comprises an array layer and a second refractive layer. The array layer has a first refractive index (n1) and contains pluralities of lenticular lens disposed on a base surface side by side. The lenticular lens contains a curving structure with a peak, a trough, a curvature radius (R), a width (P) and an altitude (H) between the peak and the trough. The trough is disposed on the base1 surface. The array layer has a first critical angle (θ1c) relative to the normal of the base surface and satisfies θ 1 c = sin - 1 ( 1 n 1 ) and H = R 1 + K [ 1 - 1 - ( 1 + K ) ( P 2 R ) 2 ] . The conical constant (K) of the lenticular lens ranges from −2.1 to −1.5. The second refractive layer is adjacent to the array layer and has a second refractive index (n2) and a second critical angle (θ2c) relative to the normal line of the second refractive layer. The first refractive index (n1) is greater than the second refractive index (n2) and θ 2 c = sin - 1 ( n 2 n 1 ) is satisfied. Wherein the lenticular lens, the first critical angle (θ1c) and the second critical angle (θ2c) satisfy the equation of sin - 1 ( 1 n 1 ) ≤ cot - 1 ( H P / 2 ) < sin - 1 ( n 2 n 1 ) . |
| US08403546B2 |
Illuminating device
An illuminating device includes a light source body and a lens array. The light source body includes a plurality of light sources. The lens array includes an opposed surface, a reverse surface, a plurality of lenses, a recess, and a projection. The plurality of lenses corresponds respectively to the plurality of light sources. The plurality of lenses includes a first lens and a second lens, which is located adjacent to the first lens. The recess is formed at an end portion of the first lens adjacent to the second lens. The projection is formed at an end portion of the second lens adjacent to the first lens. The projection is coupled with the recess, so that at least a part of a boundary line between the first lens and the second lens is formed in a concave-convex shape as a result of a combination of the recess and the projection. |
| US08403543B2 |
Lighting module and lighting apparatus comprising the same
A lighting module may be provided that includes a light emitting device module including at least one light emitting diode; and a heat sink radiating heat generated from the light emitting device module and including at least one partition wall formed on a base. |
| US08403541B1 |
LED lighting luminaire having replaceable operating components and improved heat dissipation features
A light emitting diode (LED) lighting luminaire designed to have detachable components for convenience and low cost in the luminaire maintenance including a heat dissipation means that includes detachable upper and lower sections, where the upper section has a top central recess of space positioned by horizontal heat dissipation fins and a driver that is surround by longitudinal fins for efficient dissipation of heat generated by an LED lighting source to thereby effectively cool the LED lighting source and driver. |
| US08403537B2 |
Lighting apparatus
A lighting apparatus has a reflector of a specially designed shape and a plurality of light sources such as LEDs disposed inside the reflector whereby a portion of light emitted by the light sources is received by the reflector surface and directed so as to provide a uniform and wide illumination pattern over the illuminated surface in indoors or outdoors applications such as roadway illumination. |
| US08403536B2 |
Light-emitting module and illuminating apparatus having an insulating base having a plurality of insulating layers
A light-emitting module includes a substrate, a wiring pattern, and a light-emitting device that generates heat. The substrate includes a metal base and an insulating base that is stacked on the metal base and has a mount surface on the opposite side of the metal base. The insulating base has a plurality of insulating layers stacked on one another. The wiring pattern is provided on the mount surface of the substrate. The light-emitting device is mounted on the mount surface of the substrate and is electrically connected to the wiring pattern. |
| US08403535B1 |
Lighting system
A lighting system for hanging outdoor holiday lights from the eaves of a building is provided. The lighting system comprises a plurality of spaced mounting clips securable to the eaves of the building. At least one base mount is positionable within the mounting clips with the at least one base mount having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end, and a second end. A plurality of spaced sockets are formed along the top surface of the at least one base mount with each spaced socket sized and shaped for receiving a holiday light. Electrical wiring is mounted along the bottom surface of the at least one base mount with the electrical wiring electrically connected to each of the sockets for illuminating the holiday light therein. A securing mechanism releasably securing adjacent base mounts together. A power connection is mounted between adjacent base mounts and electrically connecting adjacent base mounts together. Upon providing power to the electrical wiring, the lights in the base mounts illuminate. |
| US08403533B1 |
Adjustable LED module with stationary heat sink
A luminaire includes a stationary heat sink and an LED module adjustably coupled to the stationary heat sink. The LED module is inserted into a cavity formed within the stationary heat sink and includes a slot therein. The slot includes a first and second end. According to some exemplary embodiments, a fastening device is inserted through the slot and fixedly coupled to an interior sidewall of the stationary heat sink. The LED module is directionally adjustable by sliding the slot between the ends with respect to the fixedly coupled fastening device. The LED module includes a second heat sink which is rotatable with respect to the stationary heat sink and maintains continuous contact with the stationary heat sink along the LED module's full rotational range. According to some exemplary embodiments, the first end is positioned lower than the second end. According to some exemplary embodiments, the slot is arcuately-shaped. |
| US08403530B2 |
LED spotlight including elliptical and parabolic reflectors
One or more layers of LEDs shine light into an array of elliptical reflectors. Each elliptical reflector has an LED at one focal point and shares the second focal point with a larger parabolic reflector that collimates the light. A hole in the center of the parabolic reflector receives additional LEDs, with or without collimation optics. |
| US08403519B2 |
Conductive cable system for suspending a low voltage luminaire assembly
A low voltage cable for providing low voltage power to an electrically-powered assembly, such as a luminaire fixture, and for attaching the luminaire fixture to the cable and to structure using a cable gripping device in such a way that the assembly can be adjusted. is disclosed. The cable comprises a conductive strand composed of a first metallic material, and a plurality of strength strands wound around the conductive strand, where the plurality of strength strands is of a second metallic material. The first metallic material is substantially more conductive than the second metallic material, and the second metallic material has substantially greater tensile strength than the first metallic material. This allows the cable to conduct a low voltage feed across the conductive strand, and allows the strength strands cable to mostly support the tension load particularly of a hanging luminaire fixture as well as resisting lateral compressive forces from a cable gripping device. |
| US08403515B2 |
Adjustable light
In an adjustable light, a mounting base is formed with a pair of arcuate slots for receiving hooks protruding from a light module. For attachment of the light module to the base, the hooks enter open ends of the respective slots, and the light module is rotated to engage the hooks with the slots. A sheet of spring metal with two series of protrusions is sandwiched between a rear part of the base and a front part in which the slots are formed. The protrusions are exposed through the slots, and a space is provided behind the protrusions, allowing them to move resiliently when engaged by the hooks as the light module is rotated so that the light module can be retained in any selected one of a plurality of angular positions. |
| US08403513B2 |
Pool light adapter ring
A pool light adapter ring for retrofitting a pool light in a pool wall niche. The adapter ring has a pair of interlocking hooks to allow the ring to be compressed to a first, compressed state, inserted into a wall niche and then relaxed to a second, rigid state. The adapter ring has mounting brackets attached to the ring for receipt of a pool light or other device. The adapter ring also has a plurality of anchor screws for securing the adapter ring inside the niche. Further, some embodiments may include a grounding screw for attaching the grounding wire from the pool light. |
| US08403512B2 |
Illumination apparatus and display apparatus
[Object] To provide an illumination apparatus capable of reducing a view angle dependency of a chromaticity distribution in a light-emitting surface of a phosphor layer.[Solving Means] A light beam control device (11) that controls emitted light from light-emitting diodes (10) so that a view angle dependency of a chromaticity distribution in a light-emitting surface (22a) of a phosphor layer (22) is suppressed is interposed between the light-emitting diodes (10) and the phosphor layer (22). The light beam control device (11) causes the emitted light from the light-emitting diodes (10) to be bent in a vertical direction or an approximately-vertical direction with respect to the light-emitting surface (22a) of the phosphor layer (22) and thus causes the light to enter the phosphor layer (22). As a result, light that obliquely enters a surface of the phosphor layer (22) is lessened, and the view angle dependency of the chromaticity distribution in the light-emitting surface (22a) of the phosphor layer (22) is reduced. |
| US08403510B2 |
Low height display using multilayer printed circuit board with a laminated panel as housing
A multi-segment display is disclosed. Specifically, a low height LED-based display is disclosed that includes a number of segments. The segment construction may include a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layer, a first substrate, and a second substrate that are laminated or otherwise connected to one another. The first and second substrates may include windows which allow light generated by a light source mounted on the PCB to exit the display and one or more of the windows may be filled with an encapsulant. |
| US08403506B2 |
Projector probing method, control device, and storage medium
A method of probing a projector performed on a projector system including a plurality of projectors and a control device adapted to control at least one of the projectors, the method includes the steps of: wherein the projectors, storing information indicative of time when the projector is powered on; and transmitting the information indicative of the time to the control device; and wherein the control device, probing the projectors to obtain the information indicative of the time when the projector is powered on; identifying the projector with the latest time when the projector powered on among the plurality of projectors based on the information indicative of the time, and displaying the identification information of the projector identified. |
| US08403504B2 |
Projection type display apparatus
In a projection type display apparatus for enabling to display an image, by projecting an image on an image display element(s), enlargedly, upon a nearly horizontal surface, such as, a table, a reflection mirror for reflecting a light from a light source is so disposed that an optical axis of the light source is nearly perpendicular to an optical axis of a lens group having a plural number of lens elements, which are disposed symmetric with respect to the optical axis. |
| US08403494B2 |
Projection-type display apparatus with a projection optical system configured to reduce speckle
An image formed on a reflecting optical modulator is magnified by a projection optical system and projected on a backside of a transmission-type screen. The projection optical system is constituted so that a product of an F-number and a projection magnification of the projection optical system is less than 400. |
| US08403493B2 |
Projection apparatus and projection method for controlling emission of plural color light sources having different luminous efficiencies
A light source controller is configured to control timings of driving the first and second light sources and the light-source light generator, so that the light-source light of two or more colors generated by the light-source light generator and the light-source light emitted from the second light source are cyclically generated, by setting a light-emitting period of at least one light-source light color having a higher luminous efficiency out of the two or more colors generated by the light-source light generator, shorter than those of the other light-source light colors, and setting a drive power of the first light source during generation of the light-source light color whose light-emitting period is set short, greater than a drive power of the first light source during generation of the other light-source light colors. |
| US08403491B2 |
Optical combiner and image projector using the optical combiner
An optical combiner in which fewer parts are used comprises an optical component and a plastic body. The component comprises: a first filter reflecting first light having a first wavelength and being transparent to second light having a second wavelength and third light having a third wavelength; a second filter reflecting second light and being transparent to third light; and a base transparent to second light and third light. The first filter and the second filter are provided on opposed surfaces of the base. The plastic body has first, second, and third surfaces, and the first surface provides first, second, and third lenses. The component is provided in the plastic body such that light from the first lens is connected to a path to the second surface through the first filter and light from the second lens is connected to the path through the second filter. The third surface is a reflecting surface for connecting light from the third lens to the path. |
| US08403488B2 |
Stereoscopic projection system employing spatial multiplexing at an intermediate image plane
Projection systems and methods for providing stereoscopic images viewed through passive polarizing eyewear. The systems relate to projectors that create left and right eye images simultaneously and often as side-by-side images on the image modulator. The systems act to superimpose the spatially separated images on a projection screen with alternate polarization states. The embodiments are best suited to liquid crystal polarization based projection systems and use advanced polarization control. |
| US08403482B2 |
Fundus oculi observation device and program controlling the same
[Task] To provide a fundus oculi observation device capable of effectively performing dispersion compensation.[Means for Resolution] A fundus oculi observation device 1 functions as an optical image measurement device that splits a broadband light into a signal light LS and a reference light LR, superimposes the signal light LS propagated through a fundus oculi Ef and the reference light LR propagated through a reference mirror 174 to generate an interference light LC and forms an image of the fundus oculi Ef. The device 1 corrects the influence of dispersion of the reference light LR based on ocular information 212a, generates the interference light LC after the correction, detects this interference light LC, and forms an OCT image. |
| US08403471B2 |
Defoaming mechanism and liquid ejecting apparatus
There is provided a defoaming mechanism that is used for eliminating air bubbles from a liquid flowing through the inside of a liquid supply path included in a liquid ejecting apparatus. The defoaming mechanism includes a defoaming chamber that has a side wall extending in the vertical direction and is used for capturing the air bubbles contained in the liquid and a communication portion that allows the defoaming chamber and the liquid supply path to be communicated with each other in the side wall. |
| US08403467B2 |
Ink jet printer
An ink jet printer has an ink circulation unit including an image recording unit to discharge ink to perform image recording on a recording medium; a first tank disposed above the image recording unit in a gravitational force direction to supply the ink to the image recording unit through a first ink path; a second tank disposed below the image recording unit in the gravitational force direction to collect the ink that was not discharged from the image recording unit through the second ink path; a pump to send the ink from the second tank to the first tank through a third ink path, and at least a part of the first ink path connecting the first tank and the image recording unit is positioned below an ink liquid level in the second tank in the gravitational force direction. |
| US08403466B1 |
Wide format printer cartridge refilling method and apparatus
The present invention provides a semi-automated and automated system for refilling wide format printer ink cartridges. The system includes a computer with memory provided to store information relating to a plurality of ink cartridges, and a user interface in signal communication with the computer and a database comprising respective fill information for a plurality of ink cartridge model numbers. The system comprises a series of ink reservoirs, a fill pump in fluid communication with the ink reservoir and an extraction pump. The system utilizes workstation needles comprising a blunt tip and an ink discharge aperture located along a sidewall proximate a transition between the sidewall and the blunt tip. A control valve can be provided between the fill pump, the extraction pump, and the workstation needle. A second, vent needle can be inserted into a vent port for a dual port cartridge form factor. |
| US08403461B2 |
Aqueous inkjet ink
According to one embodiment, an aqueous inkjet ink includes a dispersion medium that contains water and a water-soluble polyhydric alcohol having a weight average molecular weight of 400 or more, and a pigment. The pigment accounts for less than 5 mass % of the total amount of the aqueous inkjet ink. The aqueous inkjet ink has viscosities (mPa·s) measured using a cone-plate type viscometer at 20 rpm and satisfying the following relationships: VA/VB≧1.5 VA≧10 mPa·s 3 mPa·s≦VB≦15 mPa·s, where VA is the viscosity at 30° C., and VB the viscosity at 45° C. |
| US08403460B2 |
Printhead module
A printhead including a body; an actuator attached to the body, and an enclosed space between the actuator and the body forms a chamber; an opening defined by the body for releasing pressure in the chamber; and a seal attached to the opening to seal the chamber while permitting pressure to be released. |
| US08403458B2 |
Latching assembly for a printhead
A latching assembly for mounting a printhead to a plate assembly of a printing machine includes a first elongated actuator and a second elongated actuator defining a bore to slidably receive the first actuator. A first spring is disposed between the heads of the first and second actuators, while a second spring is disposed between the second actuator and the printhead to exert a clamping force. A cam mechanism is defined between the plate assembly and the ends of the actuators that is configured to draw the head of the first actuator toward the plate assembly upon rotation of the first actuator and to independently draw the head of the second actuator toward the plate assembly upon rotation of said second actuator. Movement of said first actuator exerts an initial clamping force while movement of the second actuator produces a final clamping force on the printhead. |
| US08403456B2 |
Fluid droplet discharge device and a head cleaning control method for a fluid droplet discharge device
A fluid droplet discharge device executes a head cleaning process to quickly remove bubbles that have entered the fluid supply path when it is likely that bubbles have entered in a flushing process. If the ink cartridge cover 2b is opened during flushing and it is possible that bubbles have entered the ink supply path, ΔN1 is added to the count Na of the cleaning intensity setting counter N. If the count Na exceeds a threshold value Nmax in a head cleaning operation performed when a defective nozzle is detected, cleaning (CL4) with the highest cleaning intensity level is applied. Because ΔN1 is added to the count Na if the ink cartridge cover 2b is opened when flushing, the timing when this cleaning operation (CL4) is applied is accelerated. Bubbles that have entered the fluid supply path can therefore be removed sooner. |
| US08403454B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus
At a front-end side opposite to a head-fixing-member-attachment side, a protection member has an inclined plane sloped up from a head side toward the opposite outer side in a direction in which liquid ejecting heads are arranged in a row. The surface of the front end is located at a position that is not closer to a head-fixing member in comparison with the nozzle surface of each of the liquid ejecting heads attached to the head-fixing member or level therewith. A recess is formed at a part of the inclined plane. In a state in which one of the caps faces the protection member and, in addition, each of the remaining caps is in contact with the nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head, a part of the cap facing the protection member is in the recess, which ensures that the cap is not in contact with the protection member. |
| US08403452B2 |
Separation of drive pulses for fluid ejector
A method for causing fluid to be ejected from a fluid chamber of a jet in a printhead. An actuator is actuated with a first energy imparting pulse to push fluid away from the actuator and toward a nozzle. Following a lapse of a first interval, the actuator is actuated with second energy imparting pulse to push fluid away from the actuator and toward the nozzle. Following a lapse of a second interval as measured from the second energy imparting pulse, the actuator is actuated with a break-off pulse to cause fluid extending out of an orifice of the nozzle to break off from fluid within the nozzle, wherein the second lapse is longer than the first lapse and is an inverse of the meniscus-jet mass frequency. |
| US08403449B2 |
Image recording apparatus
A table made of a planar member has a suction groove for sucking and holding a recording medium on a surface thereof. A part of the sucking groove is perforated to form a suction hole. The suction hole is connected to a vacuum pump. The table includes three position determining pins that are in contact with two mutually orthogonal sides of a recording medium. The position determining pins are configured to ascend and descend by driving of an air cylinder between a descending position in which an upper end of the position determining pins is lower than a surface of the table and a position determining position in which the upper end of the position determining pins is higher than the surface of the recording medium mounted on the table. It is therefore made possible to provide an image recording apparatus capable of executing highly accurate image recording by preventing deformation of the recording medium. |
| US08403447B1 |
Fluid jetting with delays
Among other things, the disclosure features a system for use in fluid jetting. The system comprises a first print module comprising a first row of nozzles, a second print module comprising a second row of nozzles, and a controller to receive a first data packet from a remote device at a first moment and a second data packet from the remote device at a second moment after the first moment. Upon receipt of the first data packet, the controller is configured to cause at least some nozzles in the first row, at a third moment, to eject fluid droplets onto a line on a substrate. Upon receipt of the second data packet, the controller is configured to cause at least some nozzles in the second row, at a fourth moment separated from the third moment by a time delay, to eject fluid droplets onto the line on the substrate. |
| US08403446B2 |
Printing apparatus and control method thereof
A printing apparatus and control method thereof are provided that make it possible to recycle or replace an intermediate transfer member at optimal timing through early detection of changes in a surface characteristic of the intermediate transfer member, and make it possible to create high quality printed materials with good productivity. An application amount of reaction solution applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer member is detected, and notification is given of a comparison result when that detected application amount of reaction solution is compared with a specified threshold value. |
| US08403429B2 |
Balanced brake control system
A balanced brake control system is provided for use in aircraft. An embodiment of the invention is presented for an aircraft having struts with both inboard and outboard braked wheels on the struts. In the detailed embodiment, an equalizer circuit is interposed between right and left brake pedals on an input side thereof and right and left inboard and outboard brakes on an output side thereof. This equalizer circuit ensures a first equal application of brake pressure to the right inboard and outboard brakes and a second equal application of brake pressure to the left inboard and outboard brakes, dependent upon pilot control of brake pedals. The first and second equal applications of brake pressure may differ to accommodate differential braking. |
| US08403426B2 |
Automobile wheel
An automobile wheel includes: a wheel rim 2 including a circumferential positioning fitting groove 32 formed circumferentially around the center axis of the wheel rim 2 in the front surface of a circumferential bent portion 31 at which a front bead seat portion 13 and a front rim flange portion 11 are formed continuously with each other; and a wheel disc 3 including a circumferential insertion edge 36 formed circumferentially around the center axis of the wheel disc 3 on the back surface of an outer peripheral edge portion 24. The wheel rim 2 and the wheel disc 3 are welded to each other for integration with the circumferential insertion edge 36 fitted in the circumferential positioning fitting groove 32. The respective center axes of the wheel rim 2 and the wheel disc 3 are aligned with each other with high precision, achieving an advantageous effect that vibration that occurs while an automobile is running is suppressed to improve the operation stability and achieve high durability. |
| US08403425B2 |
Processing method for taper of needle-shaped bristle enhanced throughput
The present invention relates to a method of tapering a toothbrush bristle which increases production efficiency. The method includes the steps of cutting bundles of toothbrush bristles; and non-directionally immersing the entire cut bundles of toothbrush bristles into a chemical solution to taper both sides of the toothbrush bristles. According to the present invention, the production efficiency of a needle-shaped bristle is increased approximately three-fold, and the loss of raw materials is greatly decreased because several processes are not performed. |
| US08403422B2 |
Stool
A stool includes a polygonal fixing portion, a plurality of supporting portions, and a combining portion. The polygonal fixing portion includes a plurality of inserting slots, and each of the inserting slots is located between two adjacent sides. Each of the supporting portions includes a supporting sheet and two inserting flaps, and the inserting flaps extend from two sides of the supporting sheet and are inserted into the adjacent inserting slots to position the supporting portions at a side of the polygonal fixing portion. The combining portion includes a plurality of positioning slots. The positioning slots of the combining portion are fastened to the inserting flaps to combine the supporting portions to form a polygonal column. |
| US08403420B2 |
Reversible footrest
A reversible footrest includes an upper mounting device having attachment mechanisms mountable to either side of a wheelchair. An upper mounting device is connected to the lower mounting device which has a first support member that is capable of supporting a foot of a wheelchair user. A second mounting device having a support rod and supporting mechanism may be used to allow the reversible footrest to be raised or lowered. A second support member may also be used to support the lower leg of the wheelchair user. The attachment mechanisms and leg supporting components of the footrest are capable of being reversed to allow use on either side of the wheelchair. |
| US08403417B2 |
Armrest structure
An armrest structure includes a cover and a controlling member which has a pressing portion and a rack portion respectively formed on two sides thereof. A sliding plate has a sliding protrusion and multiple teeth which are engaged with the rack portion. A fixing plate has a sliding groove and the sliding protrusion is slidably engaged with the sliding groove. A fixing device has a sliding area and two first rails. The sliding plate is engaged with the first rails. The fixing device has a recessed area in which the fixing plate is located. The fixing device has multiple engaging teeth engaged with the rack portion, and two guide grooves. A base is connected with the cover and has two second rails which are engaged with the two guide grooves. A height adjustment device is connected to a slot of the fixing device and fixed to the fixing plate. |
| US08403414B2 |
Power seat drive device
A power seat drive device (100) comprises a sense electrode (10) provided in the back portion (102) of a power seat (101), and a controller (20) operative to control movement of the power seat (101) based on a sense signal from the sense electrode (10). The controller (20) decelerates the speed of movement and provides a warning sound when the proximity distance between the sense electrode (10) and a human body (108) becomes short so as to exceed a decision voltage (Vth1). In addition, the controller stops the movement of the power seat (101) when the proximity distance becomes much shorter so as to exceed a decision voltage (Vth2). |
| US08403413B2 |
Multi-mode portable booster seat
A booster seat may be conveniently carried over one's shoulder using a shoulder strap or worn as a backpack using a pair of parallel straps. The shoulder strap is convertible from a shoulder strap into a leash with a handle. A foam core and padded backpack-style shoulder straps, making it comfortable to carry and use. A three-point seatbelt includes a lap belt and pelvic strap, making it extremely safe to use. The seatbelt prevents a child from slipping off the booster seat. The booster seat also includes non-slip pads which prevent the booster seat from sliding off a chair, bench or booth. In an embodiment with thick non-slip pads, the pads maintain a space between the back panel and a backpack wearer's back, increasing breathability and comfort. |
| US08403409B2 |
Lift chair and recliner
A combination lift chair and reclining chair having additional seating and reclining positions is provided with two separate motors and linkages enabling the chair back to be independently placed in various positions and the seat separately movable with the footrest and elevated once the footrest has reached full deployment using the same motor. |
| US08403405B2 |
Vehicular hood structure
A hood lock reinforcement is configured as a result of a thick sheet and a thin sheet whose sheet thicknesses are mutually different being joined, and in this hood lock reinforcement, a bottom portion including a site to which a striker is fixed is configured by the thick sheet and is disposed on a bottom wall portion of a hood inner panel. Further, an extension portion disposed extending from a hood front-rear direction rear end of the bottom portion of the hood lock reinforcement toward a hood outer panel side has a site on the hood outer panel side whose sheet thickness is set thin as compared to the sheet thickness of the bottom portion of the hood lock reinforcement as a result of that site being configured by the thin sheet. |
| US08403403B2 |
Front vehicle-body structure of vehicle
A pair of sub frames is provided on the outside of a heat exchanger in a vehicle width direction, there is provided a stiffener which interconnects front ends of the sub frames and projects forward, and the stiffener is connected to lower portions of the sub frames. Accordingly, the sufficient attachment rigidity of the stiffener can be secured in the normal state, whereas in the vehicle collision state the stiffener can be easily separated off the sub frames without resisting improperly, so that the safety of pedestrian can be secured. |
| US08403399B2 |
Composite liftgate system
The present invention is a thermoplastic composite liftgate system with reinforcements in key areas to allow the system to meet performance requirements, while lowering the tooling investment, lowering the system mass, and improving the styling flexibility. The present invention includes an inner panel and at least one bracket or reinforcement member connected to the inner panel such that when a force is applied to the bracket, the force is distributed to the inner panel. |
| US08403398B2 |
Motor vehicle with a sliding door and an adjustable armrest
A motor vehicle is provided with a sliding door, which has an inner side facing the vehicle interior, on which a protruding armrest is disposed. The sliding door can be displaced from a closed position in which the entry opening is closed by the sliding door, within the scope of an opening process via an intermediate position in which the sliding door is outwardly offset with respect to an adjoining vehicle wall, into an open position in which the inner side of the sliding door is disposed opposite to the outer side of the vehicle wall. Within the scope of the opening process the protruding armrest can be moved automatically from a usage position into a non-usage position in which the protruding armrest is set back with respect to the usage position in the direction of the inner side of the sliding door. |
| US08403397B2 |
Adjustable tailgate support
An adjustable tailgate support contains a fixed inner tube, which is connected to a lower housing part and on which is arranged a spiral spring. The spiral spring on the one hand is supported at the lower end on a setting element held on the inner tube and, on the other hand, is held fixed at a remote, upper, free end in the upper housing part. An increase or reduction in the spring force of the spiral spring can be set by turning the setting element, which has a supporting ring, on an external thread of the fixed inner tube. |
| US08403390B2 |
Vehicle panel assembly and method of attaching the same
A sound-damped vehicle panel assembly, such as a dash panel, is attached to a structural member with one or more weld joints. The vehicle panel assembly may include a main panel member, a sound-damping patch, and a sound-damping adhesive layer arranged therebetween, where the patch covers at least a portion of an acoustically active region of the main panel member. The weld joints that attach the vehicle panel assembly to the structural member are preferably located at weld openings formed in the sound-damping patch and/or the sound-damping adhesive layer so that the weld joint can be formed without melting and vaporizing the adhesive during the welding operation, as such an operation would likely require additional ventilation equipment and could impact the quality of the weld joint. |
| US08403389B1 |
Device for recovery of physical objects
A device for recovery of physical objects includes a chain having two ends and a retriever attached to one of the ends. The retriever is configured to locate the object to be recovered and to grasp and retrieve that object once located. The retriever includes transducers that detect acoustic frequencies propagating in a fluid medium. Independent transponders, which can be deployed from the retriever; are provided for deployment in an area to be searched. Each transponder emits a predetermined acoustic frequency that is detectable by the transducers. The transducers signal movement of the recovery device for retrieval of the object. |
| US08403388B1 |
Hybrid nozzle for pick and place assembly of very small form factor components
A hybrid nozzle that includes the use of both vacuum and mechanical gripping of components in a hybrid arrangement. It can easily be scaled down to the smallest foreseeable size of common components. The hybrid nozzle is made from commonly available material using a precision micro-machining process. There are no linkages or moving pistons to complicate the assembly and introduce tolerance buildup and wear concerns. The objective of this invention is to increase both throughput and yield in pick and place assembly operations at automated factories. |
| US08403387B2 |
Gripping apparatus, robot system and gripping method
A gripping apparatus includes a palm and a plurality of fingers having joints to grip a tool with the palm and the plurality of fingers. A palm side contact surface is provided on the palm and brought into contact with a tool side contact surface of the tool, and holes are provided in the palm side contact surface into which projections provided on the tool side contact surface of the tool can be inserted. Engagement of the projections in the holes determines a position of the tool in a tangential direction of the palm side contact surface and a position of the tool in a rotational direction around a normal line of the palm side contact surface which is a rotary shaft center. |
| US08403383B2 |
Print unit latch
An apparatus and a method retain a print unit in a dock with a retainer that is at least partially below a top of a fluid supply of the print unit. |
| US08403382B2 |
Retractable door stopper
A retractable stopper, for example a door stopper, includes a tilting element that is rotatably supported about a rotation axis and that can be moved from a retracted position into a blocking position by the action of at least one trigger magnet, which is fastened to a moving object, and in the blocking position blocks the movement of the moving object. The tilting element includes a front lever, on which a preferably elastic buffer element is disposed. In the blocking position, the buffer element faces the moving object. A stopper magnet is disposed at the tilting element. As the trigger magnet approaches a vicinity region in front of the stopper, the tilting element can be rotated out of the retracted position into the blocking position due to the action of the trigger magnet on the stopper magnet before the trigger magnet is located above the tilting element. |
| US08403380B2 |
Cover closure for housing cover of laboratory devices and the like
A cover closure for housings of laboratory devices and the like, in particular for centrifuge housings, in which a cover hook is engaged by a closure hook and brought into a closing position, and the closing and opening movement of the closure hook essentially being caused by an eccentric in connection with a crank guide and a guide path. |
| US08403379B2 |
Door lock apparatus
A door lock apparatus, at both sides of a region interposing a second link lever therebetween, includes a sector lever shaft and an inside lever shaft that extend in parallel with a swinging shaft of the second link lever. The door lock apparatus also includes an inside handle lever swingably arranged about the inside lever shaft, and when an inside door handle arranged inside a vehicle is open-operated while the second link lever is disposed in a cancel position, moves the second link lever upwards by swinging about the center of the inside lever shaft, and when the inside door handle is open-operated while the second link lever is disposed in a non-cancel position, swings the sector lever in a locked position to an unlocked position about the center of the sector lever shaft, by swinging about the center of the inside lever shaft. |
| US08403378B2 |
Door latch device for a vehicle
A base plate is fixed to one of a door and a vehicle body of a vehicle. A latch is pivotally secured to the base plate and engages with a striker of the other of the door and the vehicle body, thereby connecting the door to the vehicle body. A ratchet is pivotally secured to the base plate and engages with the latch to allow the door to be held in a closed position. The base plate is fixed to the door or vehicle body with bolts. The striker which engages with the latch is positioned substantially on a straight line between center of the two bolts. |
| US08403374B2 |
Lock system
A lock system is provided which is made to facilitate connecting work of a slide pin with a cam member and reduce looseness in the connected state.A post-like portion 32 which projects in an axial direction and double side projecting portions 33, 33 which project from end portion of the post-like portion to both sides are provided at a connecting end portion 3c of a slide pin 3into a cam member 4 of the lock system, and provided at a connecting end portion 4a of the cam member 4 to the slide pin are an accommodation recess portion 40 made up of an axial recess portion 41 which receives the post-like portion and lateral recess portions 42 which are expanded from an intermediate position along the length of the axial recess portion so as to receive the double side projecting portions, and an elastic engagement piece 44 which is provided in an axial deeper portion in the accommodation recess portion so as to be brought into engagement with an end portion of the slide pin which lies in a direction in which the post-like portion projects while pressing the end portion in the axial direction. In addition, locking stepped portions adapted to be brought into engagement with the double side projecting portions may be provided on inner surfaces of lateral sides of both the lateral recess portions. |
| US08403369B2 |
Connector for connecting a tank truck to an underground oil depot
A connector for connecting a tank truck to an underground oil depot has a body, a handle, a transmission device and two locking arms. The body has a mounting tube and a connection tube respectively connected with an oil drain valve and an oil pipe. The handle is pivotally mounted on the body. The transmission device is pivotally connected to the handle and has a linking lever and two transmitting levers. The linking lever is pivotally connected to the handle, and the transmitting levers are pivotally and slidably connected to the linking lever. The locking arms are pivotally mounted on the mounting tube of the body, selectively extend into the mounting tube and are respectively connected securely to the transmitting levers. Each locking arm has a pushing protrusion mounted on the locking arm and is adapted to push against a joint on the oil drain valve. |
| US08403367B2 |
Authentication using near-field optical imaging
A discrete micro continuous tone image provided on a photosensitive media, a product containing the micro discrete continuous tone image, and a method of making same. The micro discrete continuous tone image can be formed using near field optics which results in forming images of about 20 microns in size. |
| US08403363B2 |
Pivotable roll bar
The present invention relates to a roll bar for a cab-less construction machine, in particular a vibration roller, which is implemented so it is adjustable in height between an operating position and a transport position. The roll bar includes a pivotable tube bow, which comprises two vertical pivot tubes; two stand tubes, which are fixedly connected to the frame of the construction machine; two connection elements, via which the pivot tubes are connected to the stand tubes, the connection elements each comprising a stop surface, against which the pivot tube can be moved to, in particular pressed, in the operating position; a lock for clamping the pivot tube against the connection element in the operating position; a welding surface, to which the stand tube is materially bonded; and a pivot joint having a pivot axis, around which the pivot tubes are pivotable. The connection elements each comprise two sheet-metal parts, which are symmetrical to one another, the stop surfaces and the welding surfaces being implemented as edge profiles of the sheet-metal parts, and the welding surfaces being oriented essentially horizontally. |
| US08403358B2 |
Internal airbag device
An internal airbag device may include an inflator, an airbag housing mounted in a roof in a region between a front seat and a rear seat, and an airbag received in the airbag housing to deploy downwards by gas supplied from the inflator, wherein the airbag includes a horizontal airbag section supported by the roof during the gas may be supplied therein in a deployment thereof, and a vertical airbag section fluid-connected to the horizontal airbag section and extending downwards from an end of the horizontal airbag section opposite the rear seat in a deployment thereof. |
| US08403357B2 |
Passenger air-bag door
The present disclosure provides a passenger air-bag door. The passenger air-bag door includes a chute frame located in an instrument panel, a door plate located in an opening of the chute frame, and a hinge part rotatably connecting the door plate to the chute frame and comprising a scrim. |
| US08403354B2 |
Emergency release device for winter sports equipment
The invention relates to an emergency release system for one or more pieces of winter sports equipment, such as skis, ski poles, snowboards, bindings and/or boots for skis or snowboards. It is equipped with a connection mechanism for detachably connecting at least two elements of one or more pieces of winter sports equipment, wherein the connection mechanism is supported substantially radially in or on one of the two elements, and a drive mechanism, which can be activated from outside and is suited for cancelling the radial support of the connection mechanism, accordingly causing the two elements to separate. The invention also relates to a release method and a manufacturing process for such an emergency release system. |
| US08403353B2 |
Boat trailer with rotatable support frame
The present invention relates to the field of boat trailers, and in particular, to boat trailers with rotatable support structures. The boat trailer includes a front end configured for hitching to a towing vehicle, a rear end, a wheel assembly disposed between the front and rear ends for rolling engagement with the ground and a support frame assembly carried on the wheel assembly. The support frame assembly has a lower base frame portion and an upper carousel frame portion superimposed on, and pivotally connected to, the base frame portion. The carousel frame portion is configured to support a boat thereon. Also provided is a support frame lifting assembly connected to the support frame assembly and the wheel assembly. The support frame lifting assembly is operable to raise at least a portion of the support frame assembly above the wheel assembly so as to permit rotation of the carousel frame portion relative to the base frame portion. Advantageously, this boat trailer may be used to reorient a boat carried on the support frame assembly for bow-first launching into water. |
| US08403352B2 |
Stand-up unit for stand-up wheelchairs and chairs, particularly therapy chairs
The stand-up unit (10) comprises a support (21), a stand-up frame (13), which is articulated on the support (21) and has a seat carrier (23) carrying a seat (17), and a backrest carrier (25) carrying a backrest (19). Furthermore, a first lever parallelogram (27) is provided in order to maintain the backrest (19) upright in any position. The backrest (19) can be displaced by the first lever parallelogram (27) by means of a rod (30), in order to ensure that no undesirable relative movement occurs between the backrest (19) and the back of the user when getting up or sitting down. A second lever parallelogram (29) controls the movement of the seat (17) when getting up and sitting down to ensure that no relative movement develops between the seat (17) and buttocks of the user. The stand-up unit may be provided with a base to serve as a chair, particularly a therapy chair. The stand-up unit, however, may also serve as a stand-up wheelchair, when connected to an undercarriage. Spring joint elements (59, 61) support the standing up. |
| US08403350B2 |
Seatstay suspension mount
A bicycle that including front and rear wheels and a frameset supported by the wheels. The frameset including a main frame with a seat tube having a width, a fork that couples the main frame to the front wheel, and a seatstay assembly. The seatstay assembly including first and second seatstays positioned on opposing sides of the rear wheel and on opposing sides of the seat tube. A front end of the first seatstay is spaced from a front end of the second seatstay by a distance greater that the width of the seat tube. The frameset also including a suspension mount that is detachably secured to the front end of the first seatstay and a suspension member that is pivotally coupled to the suspension mount. |
| US08403349B2 |
Hand/foot powered bicycle
A hand/foot powered bicycle includes a pedal power mechanism as a power source for driving the bicycle. A user can pedal a first pedal and a second pedal with both feet to drive a front sprocket. Via a first chain, the front sprocket drives and rotates the rear wheel. The hand/foot powered bicycle further includes a handlebar power mechanism having a handlebar structure as a power source for driving the bicycle. The hand/foot powered bicycle further includes a power transmission assembly for transmitting power to the front sprocket of the bicycle to drive and rotate the front sprocket. By means of continuously rotating the handlebar structure, the power transmission assembly is driven to transmit power to the front sprocket to drive and rotate the rear wheel via the first chain. A user can drive and make the hand/foot powered bicycle advance with hands and/or feet. |
| US08403348B1 |
Vehicle running board
A vehicle running board includes a treadle body having a bottom formed with an open slot. A guide plate is received in the open slot and positioned under positioning stop plates inside the open slot. Two sets of fixing members are respectively assembled at the lower side of the treadle body, and each fixing member is composed of a first clamping plate with two bolts, a second clamping plate bored with two insert holes, and two nuts, with the first and the second clamping plates clamping the guide plate. At least two connecting bases are respectively provided for assembling the treadle body at one side of a vehicle body, and each connecting base and each fixing member correspond with each other in setting position. Two protective covers are respectively mounted at two ends of the treadle body, and an anti-skid pad is stuck to the topside of the treadle body. |
| US08403342B1 |
Bicycle ski attachment assembly
A bicycle ski attachment assembly provides a ski vehicle that positions a rider similar to being on a conventional bicycle including similar rider height and movable pedals. The assembly includes an elongated front ski and an elongated rear ski. A front ski support has a front hub. A front axle assembly is coupled to the front hub and is configured for coupling to front forks of a bicycle. A rear ski support has a rear hub. A rear axle assembly is coupled to the rear hub and is configured for coupling to rear dropouts of the bicycle. A chain pulley is coupled to the rear axle assembly. The chain pulley is configured for receiving a chain from the bicycle under tension whereby the chain pulley provides resistance to pedaling pedals on the bicycle. |
| US08403341B2 |
Adapter for a motor-driven machine tool with a rotatably driveable tool
An adapter is provided for a motor-driven machine tool which includes a tool driven in an oscillating rotational pendulum motion. The machine tool includes a driveable tool shaft (1), the end face of which is designed as a locating flange (2) having at least one form-fit element (3) for receiving and fastening the tool (5). The adapter (9) includes, on an end face (16), form-fit counter elements (10) which are matched to the form-fit elements (3) of the tool shaft (1). A plurality of axially projecting mandrels (11) is distributed around the circumference on the opposite end face (13) of the adapter (9). |
| US08403338B2 |
Device usable as gripper head or chuck
A device for clamping a stem has a body forming a piston chamber and having an axially outwardly open hole adapted to receive the stem and a plurality of collet jaws in the hole shiftable axially by a piston between an outer releasing position with its axial outer ends radially spread and an inner holding position with the ends more closely radially juxtaposed. The stem is engageable axially in the hole between the jaws and lockable in the body in the inner holding position. A main spring urges the piston and jaws axially inward into the inner position. A cover element has an outer head and is axially shiftable relative to the piston between an extended position with the head engaged radially between the outer ends of the jaws and a retracted position with the head spaced axially inward from the outer ends of the jaws. |
| US08403337B1 |
Multifunction ring
A multifunction ring symmetrical about a longitudinal axis has an elastomeric body, first and second ends, and inner and outer surfaces. The elastomeric body totally encloses at least one pair of longitudinally-spaced circumferential tubular cavities, each pair of cavities being mutually connected via a fluid flow restrictor and substantially filled with at least one fluid medium. Each fluid flow restrictor is responsive to longitudinal compression of the elastomeric body, and the fluid medium facilitates heat conduction, vibration damping, extrusion blocking and/or fluid pressure transmission. Longitudinal compression of a multifunction ring on a pump pressure stroke increases tubular cavity fluid pressure and causes substantially symmetrical radial ring expansion. Radial ring expansion is both inward and outward, thus reducing fluid flow resistance in the fluid flow restrictor. Periodic reduction of pumped fluid pressure tends to reverse radial ring expansion, thus reducing both frictional ring wear and heat generation. |
| US08403335B2 |
Liquid-operated cylinder
A piston seal of a liquid-operated cylinder includes a main seal ring that slidably contacts the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder tube; an O-ring that imparts a force causing an outer circumference of the main seal ring to move closer to the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder tube by pressing onto an inner circumference of the main seal ring; and a sub-seal ring that is disposed parallel to the main seal ring at a position further toward the cushion pressure chamber and is pressed by the main seal ring, as pressure from the drive pressure chamber is applied to the main seal ring, to slidably contact the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder tube. |
| US08403334B2 |
Multi-rail piston ring
A piston ring assembly includes a ring or rail defining a seal surface configured to seal against a piston bore surface of an engine. The seal surface defines a radially outer periphery. The oil control rail assembly further includes two positioning rings. A first one of the positioning rings is disposed axially above the oil control rail and a second one of the positioning rings is disposed axially below the oil control rail. Each of the positioning rings defines an outermost periphery of the positioning ring that is disposed radially inward with respect to the seal surface of the oil control rail. The outermost peripheries of the positioning rings thus generally do not contact a bore surface that is contacted by the seal surface of the oil control rail. |
| US08403326B1 |
Game table
A game table comprises a playing surface, two ramps, and two target boards arranged along a longitudinal axis of the game table. The two ramps are disposed between the two target boards, and the playing surface is disposed between the two ramps. The playing surface is substantially flat, and each of the two ramps rises upward away from the playing surface. Each of the two target boards, in turn, defines a respective set of openings therein. Two sidewalls are disposed on opposing sides of the playing surface and rise up therefrom. |
| US08403325B2 |
Image forming apparatus including sheet stacking apparatus
An image forming apparatus for printing multiple copies of a document, the document having N (where N is an integer) pages, includes an image forming unit configured to print images on a plurality of sheets according to an input print job, a sheet stacking unit configured to stack sheets printed by the image forming unit, and a control unit configured to divide a print job which prints M (where M is an integer) copies of each of the N pages of the document into a plurality of print operations in a case where a group mode in which sheets are stacked into N groups, each group having M copies of a respective page of the document, is set in the print job, wherein each of the plurality of print operations is for printing less than M copies of each of the N pages of the document. |
| US08403323B2 |
Sheet stacking device and method of stacking sheets
A sheet stacking device and method of stacking sheets, wherein a first pressing member engages with an edge of a new sheet to be deposited on top of a previously deposited sheet on a sheet receiving plane and presses down the edge, while a second pressing member maintains a pressure onto an edge of the previously deposited sheet. The second pressing member engages with the edge of the new sheet and presses down the edge onto the previously deposited sheet on the receiving plane, while the first pressing member maintains a pressure onto the edge of the new sheet. Thus, the sheets may always be pressed down on the edge by at least one of the first and second pressing members. |
| US08403321B2 |
Paper-feeding apparatus for printing apparatus
A paper-feeding apparatus for a printing apparatus includes a paper input port, a first paper holding tray and a second paper holding tray. The paper input port curves the sheets of paper fed into it so as to increase the rigidity of the stack and the friction between each sheet. The additional rigidity of the stack allows the use of a lightweight paper tray in holding the stack. |
| US08403318B2 |
Apparatus for detecting amount of remaining sheets and image forming apparatus including the same
A mechanism for detecting an amount of remaining sheets, includes: a sheet feeding tray to be accommodated in an apparatus main body such that the sheet feeding tray can be inserted into and withdrawn from the apparatus main body, in which sheets can be loaded in an inside of the sheet feeding tray; a tilting plate that is tiltably provided in the sheet feeding tray so as to tilt in accordance with an amount of remaining sheets in the sheet feeding tray; a rotating member that rotates between a starting end position and a final end position of rotation of the rotating member in association with the tilting of the tilting plate; and a locking mechanism that locks the rotation of the rotating member. |
| US08403316B2 |
Method and apparatus for assembling a workpiece
There is disclosed an elevator for holding a workpiece, the elevator comprising a turntable and adapted to slide along a support chain to thereby vertically displace the elevator. There is further disclosed a method of assembling a workpiece, the method comprising the steps of stacking first and second workpiece sections on a turntable elevator; and sliding the elevator along a support chain to thereby vertically position the workpiece. |
| US08403315B2 |
Film transfer frame
A system for retaining a film on a single-piece frame includes a frame having a shape with a center open area larger than the film, the frame comprising a plurality of fingers on the frame extending into the open area, and a barb positioned on an end of each of the plurality of fingers, wherein the barbs retain the film. The system also includes an end effecter comprising a first and second plurality of vacuum line openings, wherein the end effecter holds onto the film with the first plurality of vacuum line openings and holds onto the frame with the second plurality of vacuum line openings, wherein the end effecter picks up the film with the first plurality of vacuum line openings and presses the film onto the frame, wherein pressing the film onto the frame will retain the film on the barbs. |
| US08403313B2 |
Work table having elevated support members
A work bench having elevated support members. The work bench may comprise a generally rectangular frame defined by two elongated members and two side members; a support base for supporting the generally rectangular frame in a generally horizontal plane; a plurality of cross members disposed in between the two side members, each of the plurality of cross members being generally parallel to the two side members and being coupled to the two elongated members; and a plurality of raised blocks located on top of each of the two side members and each of the plurality of cross members, wherein the plurality of raised blocks located on each of the two side members are distributed substantially evenly along each of the two side members, and the plurality of raised blocks located on each of the plurality of cross members are distributed substantially evenly along each of the plurality of cross members. |
| US08403310B2 |
Apparatus for holding a flat object
An apparatus is disclosed for holding a flat object. The apparatus includes a post, a supporting mechanism movably connected to the post, a clamping mechanism pivotally connected to the post, and a linking element for linking the supporting mechanism and the clamping mechanism together. Thus, the flat object is clamped by the clamping mechanism clamps when the flat object is supported on the supporting mechanism. |
| US08403303B2 |
Rackable fence system
In certain embodiments, a fence system includes a rail having a first surface having one or more apertures. The rail also includes second and third surfaces opposing one another, the first, second, and third surfaces of the rail forming a channel. The second surface and the third surface of the rail have first and second lips, respectively, the first and second lips extending into the channel. The fence system section also includes one or more pickets inserted through corresponding apertures of the first surface of the rail. Each picket has a first connection region located substantially in the channel formed by the first, second, and third surfaces of the rail such that the first connection region is substantially prevented from passing through the corresponding aperture in the first surface of the rail or between the opening defined by the first and second lips of the rail. |
| US08403296B2 |
Metal seat seal with flexible sealing edge
A gate valve seat has structure formed on it to provide a sealing edge or lip which flexes when loaded. The lip forms a dual seal against portions of the gate valve body when the seat is placed under load. |
| US08403294B2 |
Electrostatic actuation for management of flow in micro-total analysis systems (μ-TAS) and related method thereof
In an example, an apparatus, such as a microfluidic assembly, can include or can include using a channel including a valve seat, a valve film configured to adjust position with respect to the valve seat, and a first electrode configured to actuate the valve film electrostatically to adjust the position of the valve film to control a flow of a fluid in the channel laterally across the valve seat, the flow in a direction substantially parallel to the film. |
| US08403290B2 |
Wiper seal assembly
A hydraulically-operated annular blowout preventer, for controlling a wellbore and comprising a wiper seal assembly, is described. The wiper seal assembly comprises a discrete wiper seal, for preventing debris and/or contaminants from the wellbore from entering the hydraulic fluid chamber of the blowout preventer, a discrete pressure seal, positioned below and abutting the wiper seal in the same seal groove, for isolating the hydraulic chamber, and a retainer member for preventing both radial and axial movement of the wiper seal. |
| US08403278B1 |
Magnetic portable firearm or sporting instrument holding device
A magnetically mountable firearm or sporting instrument holding device of relatively small compass which is readily removable and portable, and can be utilized for providing a convenient place for hunters and sporting enthusiasts to rest their guns and sporting instruments upright on the outside of their car or other metal surface, and to protect that surface from scratches. The magnetic portable firearm or sporting instrument holding device generally includes a universal retaining member for supporting firearms and other sporting instruments having two opposite ends, the first end of which constitutes a recessed receiving end with inwardly tapered arms for guiding the instrument in place, and the second end comprising a common or multi-component magnetic mounting base. The mounting base may include a joining platform collar to orientate, mount, secure, and support the retaining member, and prevent twisting of the magnetic element of the mounting base. One or a plurality of such mounting bases, with or without platform collars, can be mounted to one or more retaining members. |
| US08403275B2 |
Medical support system
A support frame for supporting an intravenous bag and associated equipment, comprises a main pole adapted to be secured to a structure so as to be self-standing. A pivotable pole is adapted to support equipment associated with an intravenous bag. A pivot joint is provided between the main pole and the pivotable pole such that the pivotable pole rotates about the main pole. A rack is supported by the pivotable pole, the rack being adapted to support an intravenous bag. |
| US08403274B1 |
Adjustably positionable display and lighting arrangement
An electronic display and lighting arrangement for viewing by, and illumination for, a person in a resting position includes: an electronic display assembly including a first carriage movable along a translation axis, a first pivot arm coupled to the first carriage with the first pivot arm pivotable about a first pivot axis, and an electronic display coupled to the first pivot arm; and a lighting assembly including a second carriage movable in a direction parallel to the translation axis, and a light coupled to the second carriage and adjustably positionable by movement of the second carriage. The electronic display is adjustably positionable both along the translation axis by movement of the first carriage, and about the first pivot axis by movement of the first pivot arm about the first pivot axis. |
| US08403273B2 |
L-character stand
There is provided an L-character stand. The L-character stand is provided with columns supporting one electronic product; a base combined with the columns like an L-character; one fixture provided on the columns; and another fixture provided on the rear face of another electronic product, wherein the one fixture and the another one can be engaged with each other at a first position and at a second position, at assembly, another electronic product can be fixed to the column by engaging at the first position, and, at wiring between one electronic product and another one, the products can be fixed by engaging them at the second position in a state in which the rear face of the another electronic product is turned upward. |
| US08403270B2 |
Canted solar array and method for using same
A method and apparatus for deploying a fixed and canted solar array of a satellite. The solar array is rotated in a first plane and about a first axis from a stowed position to a first position, rotated about a second axis orthogonal to the first axis from the first position to a deployed position determined by a deployment orbit of the satellite, and locked in the deployed position to prevent further motion of the solar array relative to a satellite body for the operational life of the satellite. |
| US08403268B2 |
Pilot chute device
A pilot chute device is connected to a parachute canopy for deploying the parachute canopy out of a container adapted to be closed and opened and within which the parachute canopy is foldable. The pilot chute device includes an inflatable pilot chute adopted to assist the deployment of the parachute canopy, the inflatable pilot chute being foldable into the container, and a spring device adopted to push the inflatable pilot chute outside the container when the container is opened. The spring device is dispensed apart from the inflatable pilot chute, between the pilot chute and the parachute canopy. |
| US08403267B2 |
Ejection system and a method for ejecting a payload from a payload delivery vehicle
An ejection system for ejecting a payload from a payload delivery vehicle is provided. The ejection system includes an airbag ejection system configured to eject the payload from the payload delivery vehicle, a payload separation system configured to selectively couple the payload to the airbag ejection system, and a controller configured to inflate the airbag ejection system and further configured to signal the payload separation system to release the payload from the airbag ejection system. |
| US08403262B2 |
Overhead luggage compartment with a mounting for a control unit
An overhead luggage compartment is provided with a mounting for a control unit, having a first, top guide, which is fastened in the overhead luggage compartment. A second, bottom guide extends below and at least substantially parallel to the first guide. The first guide comprises a horizontal, first portion adjoined in an inward direction of the luggage compartment by a second portion, which extends obliquely upwards from the level of the first portion. The first portion of the first guide and the second guide are telescopically extensible in horizontal direction. The second guide is open in the direction of the first guide. A first suspension point is coupled rotatably to the outer end of the extensible portion of the first guide. A second suspension point is disposed inwards of the first suspension point and configured for displaceable engagement with the first portion and the second portion of the first guide. A third suspension point is disposed below the first suspension point and the second suspension point and configured for displaceable engagement with the second guide. |
| US08403259B2 |
Method of taxiing an aircraft
The invention provides a method of taxiing an aircraft having at least one nose undercarriage at the front of the aircraft and main undercarriages, each undercarriage having wheels, the method comprising the steps of: fitting at least one of the wheels carried by the nose undercarriage with a main taxiing motor member, and fitting at least one of the wheels carried by the main undercarriages with an auxiliary taxiing motor member; and in response to a taxiing order, powering the main taxiing motor member to cause the aircraft to taxi, and in particular if the driving force developed by the main taxiing motor member on the aircraft is insufficient, powering the auxiliary taxiing motor member, as required. |
| US08403257B2 |
Hydraulic ground propulsion system
A hydraulic ground propulsion system for an aircraft. The system comprises a wheel, axel, an aircraft power interface device, an electric motor, a hydraulic system, a drive assembly and a controller. The wheel is rotatably coupled to the wheel axel. The aircraft power interface device interfaces an aircraft power source. The electric motor is coupled to the aircraft power interface device and receives power from the aircraft power source through the aircraft power interface device. The hydraulic system is driven by the electric motor. The drive assembly mechanically couples the wheel axel to the hydraulic system. The drive assembly is mechanically driven by the hydraulic system. The drive assembly transfers energy from the hydraulic system to the wheel axel. The controller controls the electric motor and the hydraulic system based upon a pilot torque command. |
| US08403253B1 |
Active IR signature target simulation system and a method thereof
An active IR signature target simulation system which includes: a platform having a known temperature profile and a preplanned flight trajectory; a heat source carried onboard the platform, capable of producing heat following a controlled heating plan; and a control unit connected to the heat source and configured for initiating the heat source, thereby modifying the known temperature profile and generating a desired temperature profile required for sensing a simulated target IR signature during a simulation time window at a desired line of sight from the platform to an observing sensor, wherein the platform is an exo-atmospheric missile which includes an inner shell and a perforated outer shell, and wherein the heat source is a thermally active material disposed between at least a part of the inner shell and a part of the outer shell. |
| US08403252B2 |
Print media tensioning apparatus including gimbaled roller
An apparatus for maintaining uniform tension across a width of a web including a frame, a roller, a shaft about which the roller rotates, a first arm rigidly connected to a first end of the shaft, a second arm pivotally connected to a second end of the shaft, and a third arm rigidly connected to the second end of the shaft. The first arm is pivotally connected to the frame by a first joint. The second arm is pivotally connected to the shaft by a second joint and to the frame by a third joint. The third arm is coupled to the frame through a fourth joint. The first, third, and fourth joints are offset from the axis of the shaft by substantially the same distance. The first and third joints are offset in the same direction. The fourth joint is offset in the opposite direction. |
| US08403251B2 |
Tension control system for fiber bundles in filament winding apparatus
A filament winding apparatus detects that a fiber bundle is likely to break and prevents generation of defective products. The filament winding apparatus applies a prescribed winding tension to the fiber bundle unwound from a fiber bundle feeding package and winds the tension-applied fiber bundle around a mandrel. A tension applying portion applies the winding tension to the fiber bundle at a position that is immediately before a side of the mandrel between the fiber bundle package and the mandrel. A tension sensor detects the tension of the fiber bundle between the fiber bundle feeding package and the tension applying portion. A determination means determines a tension abnormality of the fiber bundle by comparing pre-set reference information with the tension measured value measured by the tension sensor. |
| US08403247B2 |
Slider case having cable retractor
The slider case provides housing for a portable appliance and integrates a cable retractor containing a coil spring, a rotary disc, a cable, and a winding disc. The rotary disc has a top circular indentation where the coil spring is accommodated in the indentation. A number of gear teeth are provided around the rotary disc and the winding disc. The winding disc has a central axle for the winding of the cable. The winding disc is positioned such that its teeth engage those of the rotary disc. A spiral track and a centrifugal track are provided on the rotary disc and the casing member, respectively. A positioning ball, together with the spiral track and the centrifugal track, provides a positioning function. The cable can be configured to be pulled in a single direction with a connector or multiple directors at a free end. |
| US08403245B2 |
Cushioning element for mill liner
A cushioning element suitable for use in a liner assembly for a grinding mill, the liner assembly including a mounting element having a recess therein, the cushioning element being located within the recess, and a wear element operatively connected to the cushioning element, the cushioning element including a cushion body of elastomeric material including a side section and opposed end sections, a plurality of cavities within the cushion body and extending from at least one of the end sections towards the other end section. |
| US08403243B2 |
V-blade grater
A food grater having an improved cutting surface with teeth that are configured to prevent or reduce the sideways pull against a food item as it travels along the cutting surface. In a preferred version, the blades are formed with a V-shape that improves the ability of the user to push a food item straight down the cutting surface. |
| US08403239B2 |
Liquid storage system, liquid container, and liquid lead-out control method
A liquid storage system includes a liquid container having a plurality of through holes of a nano-size from which volatile liquid contained in the liquid container is led outside by capillary action, and photocatalytic films provided on surfaces of the through holes, the photocatalytic films being hydrophilic during light irradiation, an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the photocatalytic films with light, and a control unit configured to control the irradiation unit in accordance with an amount of the volatile liquid to be led outside. |
| US08403235B2 |
Leveling rail joints with plane support for different profile sections
A leveling joint between connected ends of two rails of different profiles is provided with a connector/juncture bar members which is configured to fit with and engage corresponding surfaces formed on the rails when the rails are connected together. The leveling joint so formed is one with increased strength, with ease and accuracy of alignment during assembly. The leveling joint is formed of several structural members, yet functions as and affords the strength and stability of a solid, unitary assembly. |
| US08403233B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device and IC card mounting same
In an IC card, even when undershoot or overshoot which occurs upon an amplitude change by communication data is large, the change is accurately detected. A semiconductor device has antenna terminals, a power supply circuit for generating power supply voltage from an AC signal supplied to the antenna terminals, and a receiver circuit for demodulating an information signal superimposed on the AC signal. The receiver circuit includes a rectifier circuit, a filter circuit, a capacitor, an amplifier, a feedback path, a switch circuit, a binarizing circuit, and a control circuit. An output of the amplifier is transmitted to an inverting input terminal thereof, and the switch circuit is controlled by an output of the control circuit. In a predetermined period since level changes of an output of the binarizing circuit, the switch circuit is controlled to an off state by the output of the control circuit. |
| US08403232B2 |
Cookbook
Provided is a food information providing system. The food information providing system includes a first RF tag, a second RF tag, a terminal, and a server. At least information of food is recorded in the first RF tag. At least spec information of a cooking appliance is recorded in the second RF tag. An RF reader is mounted in the terminal such that at least spec information of the cooking appliance and the food information are input from the first RF tag and the second RF tag. The server transmits operating information of the cooking appliance to the terminal with reference to the food information and the spec information of the cooking appliance transmitted from the terminal. Therefore, a user can obtain the latest information of food in real-time and can cook more conveniently by diversification of the range of food information provided to a user. Also, when sufficient information cannot be provided due to space limitation of books, the range of use for a book can be diversified to provide more information, thereby improving satisfaction of a purchaser of the book. |
| US08403230B2 |
Card having embedded security element
The invention relates to a card (1), such as a credit card or ID card, which has several layers laminated with each other, wherein between a first card layer (21) and a second card layer (22) there is embedded a security element (2) which has a plastic or lacquer layer (4) with a relief structure (5). The relief structure has areas (5′, 5″) with different picture elements and produces a visible representation (6) and a hidden representation (7) which can be made visible with aids. The security element is adhesively bonded by adhesive layers (9, 10) to the two card layers (21, 22) between which it is embedded, the adhesives being chosen from the group which consists of physically drying adhesives and adhesives crosslinkable by heat, preferably water-based. Upon use of an adhesive crosslinkable by heat, the crosslinking temperature of the adhesive is lower than the softening temperature of the plastic or the lacquer layer (4) in which there is present the relief structure (5). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a card. |
| US08403228B2 |
Computer readable universal authorization card system and method for using same
A computer readable universal authorization card system including a card having a computer readable non-volatile memory portion for conducting communications over a global network and a magnetic stripe for interfacing with card readers is disclosed. Here, the magnetic stripe has a stripe length and a stripe width, the card has a card length and a card width, and, in one embodiment, the stripe length is shorter than the card length. |
| US08403227B2 |
Method and apparatus for pinless tag securing
A security device is removably affixable to an article. The security device includes a housing having a securing pad, a locking element and a strap. The locking element is disposed within the housing. The strap includes a first end having a latching region that is insertable into the housing and a second end having a securing region. The strap is slidingly movable between an open position and a locked position. The locking element engages with the latching region of the strap. An eccentrically mounted wheel may be mounted on one of the securing region of the strap and the securing pad. When in the locked position, the eccentrically mounted wheel secures the article between the securing pad and the securing region of the strap. |
| US08403226B2 |
Chip card holder
An exemplary chip card holder for holding a chip card includes a base member, a card receiving frame and a cover. The card receiving frame is mounted on the base member and defines an accommodating space for receiving the chip card therein. The accommodating space has an inserting opening for inserting the chip card into and removing the chip card out from the accommodating space. The cover includes a resisting block protruding therefrom. The cover is detachably latched to the base member in such a way that the resisting block is aligned with the inserting opening and located adjacent to an end of the chip card to hold the chip card within the accommodating space. |
| US08403219B2 |
Apparatus with smartcard circuitry powered by a mobile device
An electronic transaction card communicates with an add-on slot of an intelligent electronic device. The add-on slot may be a memory card slot. The intelligent electronic device may be a mobile phone or other device with or without network connectivity. The electronic transaction card may have magnetic field producing circuitry compatible with magnetic card readers, smartcard circuitry, other point-of-sale interfaces, or any combination thereof. |
| US08403213B1 |
Time analysis at a banking system controlled by data bearing records
A banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records utilizes a communication system in acquiring, communicating, and/or processing time analysis data related to the duration of financial transaction activity in a drive-through lane of a bank facility. Vehicle sensors sense arrival and departure of vehicles in the drive-through lane. The system can calculate and store time data corresponding to each vehicle. |
| US08403211B2 |
System, program product and methods for retail activation and reload associated with partial authorization transactions
Systems, program product, apparatus and method for transmitting and processing the sale of a transaction card product over an existing payment network using partial authorization messaging, are provided. An example of such a system can include a merchant POS apparatus equipped to support partial authorization messaging, a transaction card issuer server in communication therewith, and a transaction card product. The transaction card product can include a conventional transaction card securely wrapped within a tamper evident container that can carry its own magnetic strip. The container magnetic strip can store an assigned unique card identifier linked to, but different from, the card identifier normally associated with the card. The container card identifier stored in the container magnetic strip is compatible with the merchant POS card reader and is usable to activate the card without the merchant or consumer having access to the card, the card identifier, or the card magnetic strip. |
| US08403209B2 |
Dynamic hold decisioning using adjusted deposit amount
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for determining, communicating, and/or executing hold decisions for deposit items. For example, a method is provided that includes: (a) receiving information associated with a deposit item; (b) determining an actual deposit amount identified by the deposit item; (c) determining a payee account to receive the deposit item and a drawer account on which the deposit item is drawn; (d) determining a hold limit for the payee account; (e) determining an adjusted deposit amount for the deposit item based at least partially on: (i) the actual deposit amount identified by the deposit item, and (ii) one or more characteristics associated with the drawer account, and (f) determining a hold decision for the deposit item based at least partially on a comparison of the adjusted deposit amount to the hold limit. |
| US08403204B2 |
Method and apparatus for synchronization of proximate RFID readers in a gaming environment
The present invention provides a system and method for an improved player tracking in a gaming environment. Certain embodiments include a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers for detecting a response signal from an RFID tag, an RFID tag generating a response signal including identification data in response to an interrogation signal transmitted by one of the plurality of RFID readers, and a location manager controlling transmission by the plurality of RFID readers according to at least one collision-avoidance scheme. The collision-avoidance scheme may include one or more of the following schemes: localized RFID reader managers coordinating electrical operation of the plurality of RFID readers, an active RFID reader transmitting the interrogation signal and a plurality of passive RFID readers listening for the response signal, an RFID reader multiplexed through a plurality of antennas, TDMA, CDMA, and/or quasi-random synchronization for the RFID readers, for example. |
| US08403198B2 |
Apparatus for forming variable height surgical fasteners
A surgical device for applying a plurality of surgical staples is provided. The device includes a staple fastening assembly attached to a surgical instrument. The staple fastening assembly includes a pair of cooperating jaws, a jaw operating mechanism, and a gap sensor. A staple magazine having a plurality of staples and an anvil member having a plurality of staple pockets are attached to the jaws. The staple magazine includes a staple crimping cam and a staple dimpling cam that are operatively coupled to the surgical instrument. The jaw operating mechanism is operatively connected to a drive assembly in the surgical instrument for moving the jaws for automatically setting a tissue gap between the cooperating jaws. The gap sensor cooperates with the jaw operating mechanism for controlling staple formation. |
| US08403196B2 |
Dissection tip and introducer for surgical instrument
The present disclosure describes a surgical fastener applying apparatus that includes an elongate body portion having proximal and distal ends, an end effector including a first movably coupled to a second jaw that is positioned at the distal end of the elongate body portion, and an introducer member. The introducer member has proximal and distal portions, and is configured and dimensioned for releasable connection with the end effector. The introducer member is at least partially formed from a flexible material, and is configured and dimensioned to separate target tissue from collateral tissue prior to positioning of the target tissue between the first and second jaws of the end effector. |
| US08403193B2 |
Shoulder strap chest system for a pack
A shoulder strap chest system for a pack including at least one shoulder pad, includes: at least one slot on the shoulder pad, at least one hook hooked at the slot detachably, and at least one connection strap, at least one end of which is attached to the hook in a length-adjustable way, wherein the width of the hook matches that of the slot so that the hook is prevented from sliding when the hook is hooked at the slot. |
| US08403192B1 |
Vehicle-mounted real estate sign carrier assembly and associated method
A vehicle-mounted real estate sign carrier assembly includes a U-shaped rack having front, back and side walls, and an L-shaped support rail. The support rail may be adapted to directly connect to a vehicle trailer hitch and locked with a pin when in use. A flexible strap directly mated to a top end of the support rail wraps about each of the stakes such that the real estate signs remain vertically stacked while the display screens are seated within the rack in a stable manner. The carrier assembly may transport multiple real estate signs to various locations, safely and easily by providing a quick-assembly, sturdy, compact and stable construction. Constructed with a low center of gravity the assembly allows a user to travel over bumpy and winding roads without the risk of dislodging his real estate signs from his vehicle. |
| US08403191B2 |
Pickup ladder rack
A mounting rack for mounting a ladder to a pickup truck. The pickup truck has a pickup truck bed defining a passenger side wall, a driver side wall, a front end side, and a tailgate side. The mounting rack includes a first mounting structure configured to support a first end of the ladder and a second mounting structure moveable between a storage position and an operating position. The second mounting structure is configured to support a second end of the ladder when in the operating position and abut the first mounting structure when in the storage position. The mounting rack also includes a first docking assembly configured to affix the second mounting structure to the passenger side wall and the driver side wall on the tailgate side of the pick-up truck bed when the second mounting structure is in the operating position, and a second docking assembly. |
| US08403188B2 |
Dosing device for powder
A dosing device for powder has an inlet and an outlet for powder. A dosing disc rotatable from inlet to outlet has a dosing area of sintered material, which is provided with cavities for the volumetric dosing of the powder. A dosing body having open dosing cavities is provided which is movable from the inlet and outlet. By changing the speed of rotation of the dosing disc the quantity of powder to be discharged can be set in a wide range. |
| US08403185B2 |
Auto-vented automatic stop flow pouring spout
The pouring spout has an inlet tube detachably connectable to a liquid-storage container and an outlet tube slideably connected to the inlet tube. A liquid duct and an air duct are defined into the inlet tube and the outlet tube. A valve system is provided for opening the liquid duct and the air duct when the outlet tube is slideably moved relative to the inlet tube. The liquid duct and the air duct open separately into the liquid-storage container. When pouring, the liquid flows through the liquid duct and air separately enters into the liquid-storage container via the air duct. |
| US08403182B2 |
Air pump type operation device and a container using the same
The present invention relates to an air pump type corrugated pipe that holds highly viscose material such as toothpaste in a cylindrical container combined with the corrugated pipe and expels contents using air pressure according to compression of the corrugated pipe, and a container using the same. The container includes an air pump type operation device, a tube type body, and a piston. According to the present invention having such structure, highly viscose material is expelled easily and clearly without residue, thereby economic loss is reduced and convenience in use is provided, also the cost of the container is cheap due to its simple constitution. |
| US08403179B1 |
Automatic draw valve freezer with multiple flavor option
A conventional frozen carbonated beverage freezer is modified to eliminate the draw handle to facilitate better performance at the hands of an untrained customer in a serve yourself setting. A conventional FCB freezer, with or without a draw handle, is modified to enable dispensing different flavors of frozen carbonated beverages by a customer for a self-serve setting. |
| US08403176B2 |
Controlled drop dispensing container
The present invention relates to packaging materials for ophthalmic solutions. Difficulties with water loss in standard ophthalmic bottles are overcome in the controlled drop dispensing container of the present invention. This controlled drop dispensing container comprises a dispensing tip, a laminate tube 15, and a shoulder connecting the laminate tube 15 to the dispensing tip 7. The dispensing tip 7 comprises an inner orifice having a diameter sufficiently small to restrict flow of liquid contents of the tube to the desired level, an outer orifice 9 having a diameter sufficiently large to form a drop of the desired size from the liquid contents of the tube, where fluid communication exists between the inner orifice and the outer orifice 9. The laminate tube 15 comprises an outer polymeric layer 10, an optional first tie layer 11, a middle barrier layer 12, an optional second tie layer 13, an inner polymeric layer 14. Preferably, the controlled drop dispensing container 1 also comprises a cap 4 and a reusable seal 3 between the cap 4 and the dispensing tip 7. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cap 4 also comprises a tamper evident tear strip 5. |
| US08403175B2 |
Container with fluid-collecting lip and lid with peripheral flange for covering lip
A container includes a wall, a bottom, a top opening with a peripheral rim and a lid adapted to engage the top opening. The peripheral rim is provided with a fluid-collecting lip extending in an upward and radially outward direction. The lid is provided with a locking edge adapted to wipe the fluid-collecting lip during insertion of the lid into the top opening. The fluid-collecting lip is provided with an upper, thin edge at a radially retracted position relative to the outside surface of the wall of the container. A second part of a peripheral flange of the lid substantially covers the radially outwardly-facing surface of the fluid-collecting lip in the closed position of the lid on the container. |
| US08403173B2 |
Beverage container closure
A beverage container closure or lid that is adapted for closing an open end of a beverage container. The lid is selectively couplable to the beverage container and includes a selectively openable stopper that when closed, creates a fluid-tight seal between the beverage container and the environment. The stopper may be selectively opened by a user when the user presses a button disposed on a side of the beverage container closure. The stopper is subsequently automatically closed when the user releases the button. Thus, a user may open and close the beverage container closure using a single hand without the need to remove the beverage container closure from the beverage container. |
| US08403171B2 |
Enclosure with flange
An enclosure includes a bottom panel and a side panel extending from the bottom panel. The side panel is substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel. The side panel has an opening and a flange surrounding the opening. A cross section of the flange includes a first side portion, a bent portion extending from the first side portion, and a second side portion. An angle is defined by the second side portion and the side panel is larger than 90 degrees. The flange is configured to prevent the opening to be deformed. |
| US08403168B2 |
Cup assembly
A cup for reducing or eliminating spillage or shake-out. The cup has a cap and a spill and shake-out inhibiting element. The spill and shake-out inhibiting element is a dispensing tunnel, which provides for the formation of a pressure differential between the inside of the cup and the atmosphere when fluid begins to flow through the dispensing tunnel. The pressure differential, when it reaches a predetermined level, prevents further flow or movement of the fluid through the dispensing tunnel until additional suction is applied by the user. The diameter of the dispensing tunnel is small enough to effectively prevent air bubbles from flowing past the fluid in the dispensing tunnel. |
| US08403167B2 |
Dispenser lid with biasing pin and container including the same
A container including a bottom and a plurality of walls that form a storage cavity. A primary lid is disposed over the storage cavity. The primary lid includes a top surface that defines a dispenser portion through which items within the storage cavity may be dispensed. A dispenser lid is pivotally attached to the primary lid. The dispenser lid has a closed position in which the dispenser lid is pivoted downwards relative to the primary lid to cover the dispenser portion and an open position in which the dispenser lid is pivoted upwards relative to the primary lid to expose the dispenser portion. The dispenser lid includes a pivot end portion and an opposite free end portion, and a biasing pin extending from the pivot end portion. The biasing pin has a longitudinal end portion anchored to the primary lid so that the biasing pin urges the dispenser lid towards the open position. The biasing pin and a main dispenser lid portion are formed as a unitary structure. |
| US08403165B2 |
Security closure for cam and groove hose coupling
A security closure system for terminating the hose-connector connected to the outlet of a storage tank whose contents are to be periodically pumped out. A first male-outlet component is provided with an outer, circumferential annual groove for reception therein of camming elements of camming arms, and has a terminal projecting tongue provided with an opening or hole for receiving a locking device, such as a padlock. The male-component is further provided with an enlarged mounting flange for mounting the male-component to a wall of the storage tank or to a bulkhead adjacent the storage tank. The security closure system also comprises a second female part, which is a female closure cap that matingly receives therein the first male-component. The closure cap has a slot for passing therethrough the tongue of the first male-component, whereby a padlock or other lock may be used for locking the cap in place over the first male-component. The closure cap is also provided with a pair of parallel, upstanding partitions or walls sandwiching therebetween the projecting tongue of the first male-component protruding through the slot of the closure cap. These partitions project a sufficient height above, and extend a sufficient length along, the protruding tongue so as to prevent access thereto and to the locking device inserted through the opening of the tongue, whereby access thereto is denied and the tampering thereof via saws, and the like, is prevented. Additional pins or rods are provided for additional tamper-proof resistance to cutting. |
| US08403163B2 |
Protection and containment system for co-packaged containers
A protection and containment system for co-packaged containers is provided which includes a hollow primary container, a top protector complementally configure to fit atop the primary container, and at least one retainer coupled to the top protector for holding a secondary container. The primary container has a circumscribing upright sidewall and an opening configured for receiving material to be stored in the container. The top protector includes a side wall and at least a pair of spaced-apart opposed risers, most preferably provided as one of four corner modules, the risers extending upwardly from the primary container above the opening and presenting a gap between the risers which is sized and configured for receiving the secondary container. Several retainers can be provided, either to hold the secondary containers in different gaps, or provided in tandem to hold two secondary containers adjacent to one another in or proximate a single gap. |
| US08403161B2 |
Package
The invention relates to a package suitable for containing a perishable product, comprising a first shell element provided with an upright circumferential edge and a central portion for accommodating said perishable product, as well as a closure element provided with a circumferential edge which closure element is placed with its circumferential edge on the upright circumferential edge of said first shell element in an adhering and closing manner and wherein said closure element is provided at its circumferential edge with a protruding lip, which lip does not adhere to the circumferential edge of said first shell element, for the purpose of peeling off said closure element from said first element. Near said lip the two circumferential edges are provided with a closed channel being in communication with said central portion, and wherein at least one of said circumferential edges is provided with a fracture line extending substantially perpendicularly to said channel. |
| US08403159B2 |
Stopper device for stopping a container neck
A stopper device is disclosed. The stopper device includes a substantially tubular support defining a first axis, and a tab extending along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A cap is hinged to the support to pivot between a closed position and an open position. A tamper-proofing band is connected to the cap in its closed position via at least one breakable bridge situated along a third axis in a portion of the tamper-proofing band. The third axis is substantially perpendicular to the first and second axes when the cap is closed. The cap is pivoted from the closed position to the open position by squeezing along the third axis. During a first stage of the squeezing, the at least one breakable bridge is broken, and during a second stage of the squeezing after the first stage, the fastener tab disengages from the cap opening. |
| US08403158B2 |
Feeding bottle
A feeding bottle comprising a bottle, which has an opening and an external thread surrounding the opening, a teat, which has a nipple carrier with a fastening edge and, on the nipple carrier, a teat nipple with a drinking hole in a side surface, a ring nut, which has an internal thread for screwing onto the external thread and means for connecting with the fastening edge of the teat, in order to keep the teat from the bottle opening, and a covering cap, which can be placed on the teat and, whereas the covering cap in its placed position presses with the inside of its side wall against the side surface of the teat nipple having the drinking hole and form a seal and, with the inside of its bottom, presses against an opposite side surface of the teat nipple. |
| US08403151B2 |
Nanofiber-containing membrane, a composite membrane, a process for producing them and their use
A nanofiber-containing membrane has a specific surface area of 0.1 to 1000 m2/g, porosity of 10 to 99.5% and a pore size of 0.01 to 10 μm. This provides a nanofiber-containing membrane having properties of high specific surface area, high porosity, nanoscale pore size, high pore uniformity and so on. A process for producing a nanofiber-containing membrane comprising producing a membrane from a polymer solution by electrospinning technology under optimal operation conditions. |
| US08403138B2 |
Surgical clip cartridge and housing member for use therein
In order to improve the fixing of the surgical clips in the housing member in a surgical clip cartridge with a housing member and with a plurality of C-shaped surgical clips stored therein, having two limbs connected to one another by a web, the housing member comprising a plurality of compartments each to receive a surgical clip, with a support face adapted to the contour of the surgical clip in each compartment, against which support face a respective surgical clip abuts with its inner face, with holding members arranged on the housing member, which can be pivoted from a holding position into a release position and, in the holding position, fix the surgical clip in its compartment and, in the release position, are removed from the surgical clip, it is proposed that openings are provided in the limbs, in which the holding members engage in the holding position. |
| US08403135B2 |
Universal ear-bud holder
An apparatus and method for retaining an ear-bud, said apparatus having a base, first and second sidewalls at opposing ends of the base forming a receptacle, a flexible member stretched around the first and second sidewalls of the base, wherein the flexible member forms a band that stretches and contracts to enable the apparatus to retain ear-buds having various configurations. The sidewalls are preferably attached to a portion of the periphery of the base, which is preferably an elongated, flat platform. The flexible member forms a band that is stretched around the sidewalls, wherein a portion of the flexible band is not connected to the sidewalls and is capable of expanding and contracting so as to receive and retain an ear-bud placed within the receptacle. |
| US08403133B2 |
One-hand operable data disc case
A data disc case includes a base panel and an one-hand operable arrangement which includes an affixing panel affixing on the base panel and a foldable panel extended from the affixing panel to foldably overlap on the base panel, wherein the affixing panel and foldable panel are extended edge to edge to form a cover panel on the base panel and to define a compartment between the cover panel and the base panel for accommodating a data disc therewithin. The foldable panel at the cover panel is movably overlapping with the base panel to foldably flip the foldable panel of the cover panel between an open position in a one-hand operable manner for exposing the data disc within the compartment to be accessed and an enclosed position for enclosing the data disc within the data disc case. |
| US08403131B2 |
Reservoir cap
A reservoir cap to be positioned on a neck of a container at an aperture thereof, including a first element in which a chamber, closed by a pierceable wall, is provided to house a product introducible into the interior of the container, and a second element including a piercer for piercing the pierceable wall. The first and second element being axially movable relative to each other, such that the movement causes piercing of the pierceable wall, with consequent introduction of the product into the container. The first element includes a first connector for connection to the container, which cooperate with an external portion of the neck of the container, and second connector for connection to the second element. The second connector including a thread cooperating with at least one tooth engaged in it. |
| US08403129B2 |
Method and transfer assembly for transferring glass articles
An assembly for transferring glass articles, wherein a powered articulated arm is hinged to a fixed support to rotate about a fixed hinge axis, and moves a pusher between an engage position engaging the articles on a supporting surface, and a release position to release the articles onto a linear conveyor; the pusher, in the release position, projects from the articulated arm, in the travelling direction of the articles on the conveyor, beyond a plane containing the fixed hinge axis and perpendicular to the travelling direction of the articles on the conveyor, so that the centre of gravity of the group of articles transferred is located downstream, in the travelling direction of the articles on the conveyor, from the plane containing the fixed hinge axis. |
| US08403125B2 |
Hanging chute
A hanging chute with a rib cage is described. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a chute constructed from flexible wear material with a rib cage to reinforce the chute. In particular, several ribs are dispersed throughout the length of the flexible sheet for support. A flexible sheet has a reinforced edge with varying thicknesses to accommodate different weight loads and abrasive conditions. Furthermore, the chute has interlocking edges for ease of constructing long lengths from a series of shorter sections. These shorter sections are easier to transport to a processing plant or other site where the chute is to be installed. Preferably the chute is easily maintainable and can incorporate wear inserts for additional wear resistance. |
| US08403120B2 |
Double clutch comprising a torsional vibration damper
A double clutch transmission having a wet-running double clutch, a dual mass flywheel and a centrifugal force pendulum. The dual mass flywheel is arranged in a dry chamber between a drive and the double clutch and the centrifugal force pendulum is arranged in a wet chamber of the double clutch. |
| US08403117B2 |
Hydraulic control device of lockup clutch
When a vehicle stops in a driving range such as a D-range at low oil temperature such as the initial stage of starting the engine, air-mixed operating oil may be supplied from the second oil passage into the torque converter. In this case, at the release of the lockup clutch in which the second line oil pressure is supplied from the second oil passage to the lockup clutch, the third oil passage is shut off (blocked) to inhibit the discharge of the operating oil. Therefore, regardless of larger pipe passage resistance due to higher viscosity, the operating oil in the torque converter is certainly discharged from the first oil passage through the cooler oil passage to the oil cooler and bubbles in the torque converter is reduced in association of the discharge of the operating oil. |
| US08403113B2 |
Destination floor indication device of elevator
Provided is a destination floor indication device of an elevator which is excellent in the viewability of destination floor indications and can rapidly indicate destination floors. For this purpose, the destination floor indication device of an elevator includes an indication device provided in at least either a hall or a car of an elevator; an indication information storage device which stores the maximum number of indications of destination floors which are caused to be indicated simultaneously on one screen of the indication device, the maximum number of indications being larger than 1; and an indication controller which causes destination floors to be indicated simultaneously on the indication device when the number of destination floors caused to be indicated on the indication device is smaller than the maximum number of indications, and which divides destination floors into a number smaller than the maximum number of indications and causes the destination floors to be indicated on the indication device in a switching manner when the number of destination floors caused to be indicated on the indication device is larger than the maximum number of indications. |
| US08403110B2 |
Rolling bearing device and spindle
By incorporating a pump for sucking and discharging lubricating oil in a tank for storing the lubricating oil on an outside of a rolling bearing, for example, on a spacer for an outer ring in a housing for accommodating the rolling bearing and a nozzle in which an lubricating oil outlet communicating with a discharging port of the pump to supply the lubricating oil discharged from the pump to the rolling bearing is opened in an annular-shaped space between a fixed ring and a rolling ring in the rolling bearing, a cost is reduced by using a general-purpose rolling bearing, and at the same time, external devices and pipes for a lubrication are not required wholly or partially and problems of a noise made by compressed air are eliminated. |
| US08403105B2 |
Estimating a sound source location using particle filtering
A sound source location is estimated by particle filtering where a set of particles represents a probability density function for a state variable comprising the sound source location. The method includes determining the weight for a particle in response to a correlation between estimated acoustic transfer functions from the sound source to at least two sound recording positions. A weight update function may specifically be determined deterministically from the correlation and thus the correlation may be used as a pseudo-likelihood function for the measurement function of the particle filtering. The acoustic transfer functions may be determined from an audio beamforming towards the sound source. The audio weight may be combined with a video weight to generate a multi-modal particle filtering approach. |
| US08403102B2 |
Automatic engine speed adjustment
An apparatus and method move a speed control lever of an engine automatically in response to movement of a manual actuator to engage a driven member. |
| US08403100B2 |
Vehicle and vehicle exhaust pipe
A vehicle, such as a motorcycle, can include an exhaust pipe connected to a back or rear side of an engine of the vehicle. An intermediate portion of the exhaust pipe can extend along a side of the engine from a rear portion connected to the rear side of the engine. A front portion of the exhaust pipe can extend from the intermediate portion along a front of the engine, and an exhaust portion can extend from the intermediate portion along a side of the engine opposite to the intermediate portion side. |
| US08403099B2 |
Construction machine
A construction machine that permits an exhaust gas after-treatment device to be disposed while suppressing an increase of height. An upper surface of a hydraulic pump is positioned lower than an upper surface of an engine, a tank device having at least one of a working oil tank and a fuel tank is provided at a rear portion thereof with a small height portion which has an upper surface of a height almost equal to or smaller than the height of the upper surface of the hydraulic tank, and an exhaust gas after-treatment device is disposed at a position above both the small height portion and the hydraulic pump. |
| US08403097B2 |
Movement limiting anti-vibration assembly
An anti-vibration assembly is disclosed including a rigid bracket fixed to a vehicle powertrain, a vehicle body and an anti-vibration mount including: a first tubular mounting member, in which the bracket is received; a second mounting member fixed to vehicle body; an elastomer body connecting the first mounting member to the second mounting member; and a rigid strap including two legs and a top. The second mounting member is fitted in the two legs of the strap in the first direction upwards and is pressed by said two legs directly on the vehicle body in said first direction. The strap further includes a bridge portion joining the two legs under the bracket. |
| US08403083B2 |
Inverted pendulum type vehicle
In a vehicle (1) including a frame (2) incorporated with a drive unit (3) for enabling the frame to travel in a prescribed direction and a seat assembly (4) supported by the frame and including a pair of saddle members (63) defining a pair of seat surfaces (70A), respectively, configured to jointly support buttocks of a vehicle occupant, the saddle members are resiliently supported by the frame in such a manner that the seat surface of each saddle member is in an approximately horizontal orientation but is progressively tilted inward with a downward movement of the saddle member under a load of a vehicle occupant. Thus, one of the saddle members receiving a greater load than the other tilts downward toward the center of the vehicle, and this causes the vehicle occupant to be urged toward the saddle member receiving a smaller load so that the vehicle occupant is automatically urged toward the center of the vehicle, and hence the gravitational center of the vehicle occupant may be placed in the center of the vehicle at all times. |
| US08403081B2 |
Foot for humanoid robot
A foot for a humanoid robot includes a sole having an upright secured thereto, toes, a motorized connection, independent of the ankle, in rotation between the sole and the toes, wherein the toes are able to move on an angular travel about an axis of the connection, an actuator formed of a linear jack coupled to the upright and the toes, allowing the connection to be motorized, and means for controlling the actuator in a standalone manner. The foot is of particular utility in the production of humanoid robots coming as close as possible to the human morphology. |
| US08403080B2 |
Earth-boring tools and components thereof including material having hard phase in a metallic binder, and metallic binder compositions for use in forming such tools and components
Binder compositions for use in forming a bit body of an earth-boring bit includes at least one of cobalt, nickel, and iron, and at least one melting point-reducing constituent selected from at least one of a transition metal carbide up to 60 weight percent, a transition metal boride up to 60 weight percent, and a transition metal silicide up to 60 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder. Earth-boring bit bodies include a cemented tungsten carbide material comprising tungsten carbide and a metallic binder, wherein the tungsten carbide comprises greater than 75 volume percent of the cemented tungsten carbide material. |
| US08403078B2 |
Methods and apparatus for wellbore construction and completion
The present invention relates methods and apparatus for lining a wellbore. In one aspect, a drilling assembly having an earth removal member and a wellbore lining conduit is manipulated to advance into the earth. The drilling assembly includes a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Fluid is flowed through the first fluid flow path, and at least a portion of which may return through the second fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is provided with a third fluid flow path. After drilling has been completed, wellbore lining conduit may be cemented in the wellbore. |
| US08403075B2 |
Wobble drive of a hand-held power tool
The invention relates to a wobble drive of a hand-held machine tool, particularly a drilling or chipping hammer, having a drive shaft, a wobble bearing disposed on the drive shaft, and a wobble plate supported on the wobble bearing. At least two wobble fingers having wobble finger axes being provided on the wobble plate. The invention provides that the axes of the wobble fingers form an angle different from 180°. |
| US08403074B2 |
Output device for power tool having protection mechanism
An output device for a power tool includes an output unit, a stationary ratchet gear unit, a spring disposed between the output shaft unit and the stationary ratchet gear unit, a locking member having pawls, a case accommodating the aforementioned parts and a control device threadedly connected to the case. The output unit includes an output shaft with a first bearing and a movable ratchet gear which have movable ratchet teeth facing stationary ratchet teeth of a stationary ratchet gear. The stationary ratchet gear includes ribs and each rib has an inclined surface. When the pawls are not engaged with the ribs, the output shaft can outputs power in a form of rotation in both directions. When the pawls are engaged with the ribs, the output shaft outputs power in a form of rotation in a forward direction combined with vibration or rotation in a reverse direction without vibration. |
| US08403070B1 |
Automated exterior fire protective system
A cover system and method of automated deployment for protecting structures from fire dangers uses water pressure to force fire resistant rolls and folded arrangements of materials to deploy when a water valve is triggered by high heat. Water then is forced through sprinkler hoses on the interior of the deployed materials to maintain a wet condition on the interior surface of the deployed covers and also on the exterior of the building that is being protected. The water is collected in pockets of the deployed material which anchors it in place and pumps within the pockets return the water to a distribution manifold on the roof of the structure. |
| US08403069B2 |
Oil recovery employing alkylene carbonates
A method for enhanced oil recovery contacts a gas and an alkylene carbonate with a subterranean formation. The gas may be selected from any gas that is suitable for injection into a subterranean formation and has properties that allow for enhanced recovery of petroleum from a subterranean formation. The alkylene carbonate may be cyclic, straight chained, or combinations thereof. |
| US08403068B2 |
Indexing sleeve for single-trip, multi-stage fracing
A flow tool has a sensor that detects plugs (darts, balls, etc.) passing through the tool. An actuator moves an insert in the tool once a preset number of plugs have passed through the tool. Movement of this insert reveals a catch on a sleeve in the tool. Once the next plug is deployed, the catch engages the plug on the sleeve so that fluid pressure applied against the seated plug through the tubing string can move the sleeve. Once moved, the sleeve reveals ports in the tool communicating the tool's bore with the surrounding annulus so an adjacent wellbore interval can be stimulated. The actuator can use a sensor detecting passage of the plugs through the tool. A spring disposed in the tool can flex near the sensor when a plug passes through the tool, and a counter can count the number of plugs that have passed. |
| US08403063B2 |
Downhole ball mechanism with enhanced drift clearance
A downhole tool including a ball valve having a pivotal ball and providing full drift clearance through a fluid pathway of the valve over a portion of a pivotal range of the ball is described. An internal bore of the ball includes a first opening larger than a second opening, and the internal bore transitions between the first and second openings. The first opening overlays or encompasses an opening formed by a first bore portion over a range of pivot of the ball, and the second opening may be fully encompassed by an opening formed by a second bore portion over a pivotal range when the internal bore is not centrally aligned with the first or second bore portions. |
| US08403060B2 |
Wellhead tree pressure limiting device
A pressure relief device is used to relieve pressure in a void within a wellhead housing. In one embodiment, the pressure relief device includes a plunger having a stepped plug, wherein the plug can be fully open to allow flow from the void, restricted to allow a predetermined flow to relieve pressure, or closed to prevent flow from the void. In another embodiment, the pressure relief device includes a vacuum puller that creates negative pressure in a vessel. As fluid in the void expands, it is able to enter the space formerly occupied by the plunger. In yet another embodiment, a rupture disc is used to prevent fluid from flowing from the void, through a passage, to the wellbore. If pressure in the void exceeds a predetermined value, the rupture disc yields and allows the trapped fluid to flow to the wellbore. |
| US08403059B2 |
External jet pump for dual gradient drilling
An apparatus comprises a jet pump assembly affixed to a riser string and to a blowout preventer. The jet pump assembly comprises a conduit and a sealing assembly configured to accelerate a drilling fluid's return flow by a power fluid delivered by an umbilical connected to the conduit. |
| US08403058B2 |
Offshore unit and method of installing wellhead platform using the offshore unit
An offshore unit includes a hull and/or a deck frame, a mat attached to at least one connecting leg or a spud can attached to each of at least one connecting leg or lower hull attached to at least one connecting means. A wellhead deck is removably attached to the hull and/or deck frame and a sub-sea clamp in conjunction with a caisson or a sub-sea conductor frame is removably attached to the mat or to the at least one connecting leg, where a spud can is attached to each of the at least one connecting leg, or to the lower hull. The offshore unit is relocatable and is a platform or a rig capable of performing drilling, production, construction, accommodation, hook-up and commissioning or a combination of any of these functions thereof. The offshore unit is a self-elevating mobile platform or submersible platform or semi-submersible platform. |
| US08403048B2 |
Slickline run hydraulic motor driven tubing cutter
A tubing cutter is run in with a bottom hole assembly that includes a seal and support within the tubing to be cut. A ported sub allows pressurized fluid pumped from the surface to enter the bottom hole assembly above the sealed support location and to be directed to set an anchor and to a fluid driven motor such as a progressive cavity motor that is in turn connected to the tubing cutter at the rotor of the progressive cavity motor. The rotation of the cutter with its blades extended cuts the tubular as the fluid exiting the stator goes to the lower end of the tubing being cut and can return to the surface through an annulus around the tubing to be cut. Other configurations such as cutting casing or cutting casing through tubing are also envisioned. |
| US08403042B2 |
Method and apparatus for use with downhole tools having gas-filled cavities
Methods and apparatus for use with gas-filled downhole tools are disclosed herein. A disclosed example method includes opening an isolation valve of a downhole tool, wherein the isolation valve is in fluid communication with first and second ports of the downhole tool, and wherein the first and second ports are in fluid communication with respective first and second ends of an interior cavity of the downhole tool; coupling a source of inert gas to the first port and flowing the inert gas into the interior cavity of the downhole tool to expel air from the interior cavity through the second port; closing the second port when the air is expelled from the interior cavity; and closing the isolation valve to seal the inert gas in the interior cavity. |
| US08403035B2 |
Sealing and anchoring device for use in a well
A sealing and/or anchoring element for use in pipelines. The sealing and/or anchoring element includes at least one helical element disposed around a string section, with the helical element being configured so as to be able to expand radially towards an inner wall of the pipeline as the circumferential diameter thereof is increased. |
| US08403028B2 |
Water-soluble salt cores
The invention provides water-soluble salt cores which are produced by compacting a mixture of water-soluble salts and a binding agent, under pressure and subsequently subjecting them to heat-treatment. The binding agent is an inorganic phosphate or a mixture of inorganic phosphates having a proportion of between 0.5 and 10 wt. % of the mixture. |
| US08403025B2 |
Preparation of inorganic samples by fusion
In a process for the preparation of inorganic sample disks for analysis, the sample, in powdered form, is mixed with a powdered reagent flux which has been pre-melted. In an inert gas atmosphere, the mixture is placed in a graphite crucible and heated to a temperature slightly above 1000° C. After the flux dissolves the sample, a homogenous mix is produced. This mix is then poured into a graphite mold, the bottom of which contains a molten pool of an inert metal, such as gold, which acts as a smooth receiving surface. Upon cooling, the material in the mold solidifies, resulting in a glassy disk that can be analyzed. Cooling can be accelerated by making use of a cooling fluid that has a substantially higher thermal capacity than air. |
| US08403023B1 |
Self resetting cover system and method
A self resetting cover system includes two oppositely positioned guide rails with a chamber. A movable cover with a first end, a second end, a first edge and a second edge is provided where the first edge is connected with the chamber of one of the two oppositely positioned guide rails and the second edge is connected with the chamber of another of the two oppositely positioned guide rails. The first edge and the second edge include at least some portion that is enlarged and the enlarged portion of the first edge and the second edge is a deformable, resilient edge material. The enlarged area deforms upon impact to the movable cover such that the first edge and the second edge are not movable within the chamber and the enlarged area then resets to an original form after impact to the movable cover such that the first edge and the second edge are movable within the chamber. A cover roll is connected with the first end. |
| US08403022B2 |
Garage door opener guard
A security device and method for a garage door opening system mounted within the dwelling, for preventing an unauthorized access to the garage door opening system from outside of the garage and mechanically disconnecting the carriage assembly of the system from the remaining part of the system by pulling the release cord toward the garage door. |
| US08403020B2 |
Device for fine adjustment of roller blinds
A roller blind device includes a drive shaft and two neighboring roller blinds on the drive shaft that are adapted to be adjustable with respect to each other. At least one of the roller blinds may be uncoupled from the drive shaft without the use of tools. Once uncoupled, the roller blinds may be adjusted with respect to each other. The roller blind may then be coupled to the drive shaft, allowing for the two neighboring roller blinds to be lowered and raised. |
| US08403013B2 |
Pneumatic tire
An object is to provide a pneumatic tire which can exhibit a static elimination function in an ensured fashion and be fabricated easily. As a means therefor, there is provided a pneumatic tire in which a conductive layer 12a and a non-conductive layer 14a are wound alternately in a tire circumferential direction in a partially overlapping fashion at least in part of a tread portion, characterized in that the conductive layer 12a is provided wider than the non-conductive layer 14a. |
| US08403011B1 |
Interchangeable flap handbag
An interchangeable handbag system. The system includes a handbag body having an open top and an interchangeable flap. The interchangeable flap may be removeably attached to the handbag body to cover an opening of the handbag body. In other embodiments, the interchangeable flap may be removeably attached to itself to form a separate handbag. |
| US08403008B2 |
Metered dose applicator with light for activating product
Metered dose applicators that irradiate a portion of light sensitive product. When a dropper applicator is secured to a reservoir, a usable volume inside the dropper is reduced. As the dropper is removed from the reservoir, the usable volume in the dropper increases, creating a suction within the dropper that draws product into the dropper from the reservoir. When the dropper is off the reservoir, then a button that is accessible to a user is used to increase and decrease the size of the usable volume. The button also turns on a light that is effective to activate the product as it is being dispensed from the dropper. |
| US08402999B2 |
Liquid dispensing tap, in particular for liquids with higher density
A tap (1) is disclosed for delivering liquids, particularly for delivering high- and medium-density liquids from rigid vessels, comprising: a body (3); stem means (9); and elastic actuating means (11) of the stem 26 means (9); air inlet/outlet means (13, 25, 28) in the body (3) and inside the vessel; valve means (7) for passing air; and non-return valve means (26) placed between the air inlet and outlet means (13, 25, 28) and the vessel interior and adapted to be guided and driven by the pressure difference between outside the tap (1) and inside the vessel. |
| US08402997B2 |
Fluid flow control cock fitted with a lever having several stable positions
The disclosure relates to a valve with a pivoting lever. This lever pivots around a pivot point and can move between at least three stable positions. In the rest position, this lever is fixed and solidly connected to the body of the valve, and there is zero fluid flow in the internal fluid passage. In the intermediary released position, the axis of the lever is disposed at a positive, non-zero angle in relation to the axis of the lever in the rest position, the lever being now disconnected from the body, but the fluid flow remains zero. In the active position, the axis of the lever is disposed at a positive non-zero angle in relation to the axis of the lever in the intermediary released position, this lever being disconnected from the body, and with fluid now flowing thorough the internal fluid passage at a non-zero rate. |
| US08402994B2 |
Valve assembly
A valve assembly (10) able to be mounted with a liquid container, the valve assembly comprising: a housing (20) having a passageway (60) that extends through the housing; a breather float valve (80) mounted within the housing, the breather float valve movable between an open position to allow gas to pass through the passageway and a closed position that prevents liquid from passing through the passageway; a liquid inlet (30), forming part of the housing, the liquid inlet allowing fluid to pass into the housing; and an inlet float valve (41) mounted within the housing, the inlet float valve movable between an open position that permits the flow of liquid through the liquid inlet and a closed position that prevents the flow of fluid through the liquid inlet. |
| US08402986B1 |
Device for deflating and inflating an item
A device is provided for deflating or inflating an item using a vacuum source including a receiving member including an outer open-ended cup with a partial bottom, the bottom including a central aperture, and an outer frustoconical portion extending from the central aperture; an air-flow adjusting member including an inner open-ended substantially cylindrical portion, an inner frustoconical portion extending from the inner open-ended substantially cylindrical portion; a tip member; and means for removably coupling the tip member to the air-flow adjusting member. |
| US08402977B2 |
Tobacco smoke filter
A tobacco smoke filter which gives an acceptable vapor phase filtration and flavor delivery in the presence of a volatile flavorant (e.g. menthol), the filter containing activated carbon in which (1) pores of under 2 nm pore diameter (micropores) provide a pore volume of at most 0.3 cm3/g (NZ); and (2) (a) pores of 2 to 50 nm pore diameter (mesopores) provide a pore volume of at least 0.25 cm3/g (N2) and/or (b) pores of 7 to 50 nm diameter (larger mesopores) provide a pore volume of at least 0.12 cm3/g (Hg). |
| US08402969B2 |
Method for controlling a bi-level apparatus, and bi-level apparatus
This invention relates to a method for controlling a bi-level apparatus. The method includes repeatedly measuring an airflow, choosing an expiration threshold value and choosing an inspiration threshold value. Switching to an inspiration mode takes place if the airflow is greater than the expiration threshold value in a comparison with the expiration threshold value. A switching back to the expiration mode takes place if the airflow is smaller than the inspiration threshold value in a comparison with the inspiration threshold value. Moreover, the invention relates to a bi-level apparatus for performing the method. |
| US08402967B2 |
Gas blender with auxiliary mixed gas outlet
A gas blender with auxiliary mixed gas outlet for mixing a primary gas, generally air, and a secondary gas, generally oxygen, to obtain a mixed gas having several controlled characteristics. The gas blender may be incorporated into a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device. The gas blender controls the mixing to produce the mixed gas having a predetermined mixture setpoint, generally an oxygen percentage, and a predetermined control setpoint, generally a pressure setpoint or flow rate setpoint. The gas blender provides an auxiliary mixed gas source for use by an auxiliary piece of equipment such as a nebulizer or resuscitation bag. The gas blender includes a primary gas inlet passageway, a secondary gas inlet passageway, a gas mixing apparatus, a mixed gas distribution passageway with an auxiliary mixed gas outlet, a gas sensor, a delivery sensor, a mixed gas delivery control valve, a mixed gas controlled passageway, and a controller. |
| US08402966B2 |
Air purifying respirator having inhalation and exhalation ducts to reduce rate of pathogen transmission
A filter mask includes an oronasal cup, an inhalation directional cover, and an exhalation diverter body. The oronasal cup encloses a nose and mouth of a user. The oronasal cup is fluidly coupled with a filter. The inhalation directional cover is configured to be joined to the filter. The inhalation directional cover includes an elongated wing portion that is oriented in an inhalation direction that is angled with respect to the center axis of the filter. The exhalation diverter body is fluidly coupled with the oronasal cup. The exhalation diverter body defines an exhalation duct that directs exhaled air out of the oronasal cup along an exhalation direction. The inhalation direction and the exhalation direction are oriented away from a plane of interaction between the user and another person. |
| US08402965B1 |
Mass oxygen distribution system
A mass oxygen distribution system (“MODS”) for mass delivery and distribution for of breathing oxygen has a mobile unit that stores a large amount of on board LOX and controls distribution of oxygen from the enclosure at safe pressure to one or more patient end users. An on board oxygen converter source within the enclosure stores preferably up to 75-liters of LOX, ready to be volatilized to provide gaseous oxygen for many hours. The enclosure being supported by wheeled support members, allowing the enclosure to be moved to and through premises where mass distribution to said one or more end users is required and quickly put into use. LOX in the pressurized vessel is provided to one of a dual set of vaporizers converts the liquid oxygen to cold gaseous breathing oxygen. A dual coil heat exchanger warms the cold breathing oxygen to safe breathing temperature. A warning system monitors temperature and pressure of the breathing oxygen. Dual auxiliary oxygen sources can be connected to the mobile unit and continuous oxygen supply can be maintained for hours or days by switching between the auxiliary sources such as of the VGL type. The dual vaporizer sets allow continuous vaporizing. The oxygen is distributed by specialized hose assembly to multiple patient distribution kits even if patients are scattered in various locations. |
| US08402964B2 |
Neonatal colorimetric carbon dioxide detector
A neonatal colorimetric carbon dioxide detector has a colorimetric carbon dioxide detector membrane having a pH-sensitive chemical indicator that undergoes colorimetric change in the presence of carbon dioxide. The detector has a patient orifice in fluid communication with the baby's airway and a respiration equipment orifice connected to a breathing system. The patient orifice is connected to a breathing tube and when the breathing tube is inserted correctly into the trachea, as the baby exhales, carbon dioxide interacts with the colorimetric membrane which changes color based upon the concentration of carbon dioxide. The internal volume of the neonatal colorimetric carbon dioxide detector is reduced to properly function with low-birth-weight (neonatal) infants. |
| US08402963B2 |
Container with in situ food product mixing and heating
A container for housing and producing a liquid comestible product and in situ heating or cooling thereof is constructed for rotation of the lid to release a comestible powder into water. Rotation of the base causes a chemical reaction to be initiated for heating or cooling the comestible powder/water blend. |
| US08402962B2 |
Apparatus for supply mixed gas for gas burners of radiant heating type
Device for supplying mixed gas to gas burners of radiant heating type including a plurality of burner assemblies (310) in the housing (301) for combustion of the mixed gas therein, each with a burner chamber (312) for supplying mixed gas of fuel gas and air thereto, a glass plate (302) placed on top of the housing (301), a plurality of mixing tubes (321) respectively in communication with the burner chamber (312) for supplying the fuel gas and the air thereto, a plurality of gas nozzles (322) for respectively spraying the fuel gas into the mixing tubes (321), a plurality of air supply tubes (323) for respectively spraying the fuel gas into the mixing tubes (321), a plurality of air supply tubes (323) each spaced a distance away from the other end of one of the mixing tubes (321), for supplying air toward the one of the mixing tubes (321), and a fan unit (330) connected to an end of one of the air supply tubes (323) for supplying air thereto. |
| US08402960B2 |
Archery bow
In some embodiments, an archery bow comprises a riser, a first limb and a second limb. A drawstring extends between the first limb and the second limb, for example extending between rotatable members supported by the limbs. A first cable, such as a power cable, also extends between the first limb and the second limb. A cable guard is attached to the riser, which comprises a body portion and a cable engaging portion. The cable guard biases a portion of the first cable in a direction away from the riser. |
| US08402958B2 |
Toy dart magazine apparatus
The wheel also includes an opening in the third portion leading to a chamber in a hollow support of the wheel. A spring-biased knob is mounted on a shaft that also mounts the wheel. Both the knob and the wheel have axially align protrusions that may engage each other to allow the wheel to be rotationally adjusted to correct any jam or misalignment of the darts stored on the wheel. A flexible arm and a pusher structure are also included with the magazine apparatus and are connected to a constant force spring, where the flexible arm and a portion of the constant force spring are lodged in the chamber of the hollow support during a dart loading process of the wheel, and the constant force spring uncoils when the wheel is rotated during the loading process. The constant force spring biases the wheel to feed the darts from both the drum and the clip to a firing position at the end of the clip located in the launcher, but the constant force spring is insufficient to discharge the darts when the magazine is not connected to the launcher. |
| US08402957B1 |
Release device for archery
A release device for archery. The release device features a string holding component having a first end for temporarily engaging a string; and a trigger component disposed in front of the string holding component, the trigger is positioned so as to be parallel with a string when said string is engaged in the first end of the string holding component. Pressing of the trigger causes the first end of the string holding component to release a string. |
| US08402954B2 |
Ignition device for internal combustion engine
When an ECU applies to an igniter a plurality of pulse signals, the duty ratio of which is lower than a predetermined duty ratio, as a lock release signal, a latch circuit of a lock inhibition circuit stops applying a shut-off signal to a shut-off circuit thereby to release a lock condition of an IGBT. A drive main circuit thus restarts current supply to the IGBT. A condition detection circuit outputs to the ECU a condition signal corresponding to the current supplied while the IGBT is turned on. |
| US08402945B2 |
Injector and method for making the same
An injector includes a nozzle hole, a metal body including a high pressure passage inside the body, and a fuel pressure sensor attached to the body to detect fuel pressure. The sensor includes a metal flexure element resiliently deformed upon application of fuel pressure to the flexure element, and a sensor element that converts flexure in the flexure element into an electrical signal and outputs the signal as a pressure detection value. The body includes a sensor high pressure passage communicating with the flexure element, and a body side sealing surface on which the flexure element is pressed and closely-attached so that a clearance between the body and the flexure element is metal-to-metal sealed on the sealing surface. Carburizing treatment is performed on at least a part of the body that defines the sensor high pressure passage. The carburizing treatment is not performed on the sealing surface. |
| US08402943B2 |
Method for controlling spark for particulate filter regenerating
A system for filtering and oxidizing particulate matter produced by a gasoline direct injection engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, engine spark is controlled such that soot held by a particulate filter may be oxidized even during low engine loads. |
| US08402941B2 |
Intake system for internal combustion engine and control method of the same
An intake system is provided with an intake flow control valve (300) provided in an intake port (50) upstream of an intake valve (70). The intake flow control valve (300) may be switched between at least a first position (300A) and a second position (300B), in accordance with the operating state of an engine, by rotating a rotary shaft (360), which is supported by a rotary shaft support part (350). In the first position, the clearance between the valve element and the inner wall of the intake port is small. In the second position, the clearance between the valve element and the inner wall of the intake port is large. |
| US08402940B2 |
Engine having fuel injection induced combustion chamber mixing
An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a piston, and a direct injection fuel system. The engine structure may define a cylinder bore and the piston may be disposed within the cylinder bore for reciprocal displacement between a top dead center position and a bottom dead center position. The direct injection fuel system may include a fuel injector that provides a fuel spray to a combustion chamber defined by the piston and the cylinder bore. The fuel flow may extend generally tangential to a circumference of the combustion chamber and may define a centerline extending in a direction radially across the combustion chamber. |
| US08402938B2 |
Internal combustion engine having different stroke distances
An internal combustion engine comprises a rotating connector engaged rotatably in the rotatable receptacle. The rotating connector includes two rotational axles, two radial arms extending from the rotational axles, and an off-center middle axle connected to the two radial arms, and the two rotational axles share a common axis and are parallel to the off-center middle axle. The upper end is rotatably connected to the off-center middle axle of the rotating connector and the lower end is rotatably connected to the crankshaft. The internal combustion engine goes through an engine cycle comprising an intake phase, a compression phase, a expansion phase, and a exhaust phase. During the intake and compression phases the piston travels between a top dead center and a first bottom dead center. During the compression and exhaust phases the piston travels between a second bottom dead center to the top dead center. |
| US08402934B2 |
Electromagnetic camshaft adjustment device
An electromagnetic camshaft adjusting device has an armature unit, which can be moved relative to a yoke and core unit by energizing a stationary coil unit and which is designed to carry out an axial actuating movement and to exert a correspondingly axially directed actuating force on a rotating internal combustion engine camshaft by a slider unit interacting with the armature unit. The yoke and core unit is mounted such that it can rotate relative to the coil unit and provides a receptacle for the armature unit that is guided such that it can move axially in the yoke and core unit and has the slider unit firmly seated thereon. |
| US08402930B1 |
Method for cooling a four stroke marine engine with increased segregated heat removal from its exhaust manifold
A cooling system for a marine engine is provided with various cooling channels and passages which allow the rates of flow of its internal streams of water to be preselected so that heat can be advantageously removed at varying rates for different portions of the engine. In addition, the direction of flow of cooling water through the various passages assists in the removal of heat from different portions of the engine at different rates so that overheating can be avoided in certain areas, such as the exhaust manifold and cylinder head, while overcooling is avoided in other areas, such as the engine block. |
| US08402927B2 |
Water heater with enhanced thermal efficiency
A water heater with enhanced thermal efficiency includes a heat exchange tank, a water tank that houses the heat exchange tank and shields and isolates the heat exchange tank with a surrounding curtain of water flowing therethrough, a burner, and a blower. The burners is connected to a combustible gas outlet opening of the blower and extends from a central base of the heat exchange tank up into the heat exchange tank to form a combustion chamber within an internal cavity of the heat exchange tank. A plurality of radially arranged flame tubes extends downward from a top corner of the internal cavity and is enclosed by the water flowing inside the water tank. The flame tubes are extended to communicate an exhaust gas discharge tube set circumferentially of and separated from the base for discharging gas. Water inlet and outlet are respectively provided to the water tank. |
| US08402924B2 |
Animal training systems and methods for training animals not to pull excessively on leads
Systems and methods for training animals not to pull excessively on leads. Some systems include a tension detector, a first stimulator adapted to emit a first stimulus, a second stimulator adapted to emit a second stimulus that is different than the first stimulus, and a controller adapted to actuate the emission of the first stimulus in response to the tension in the lead exceeding a predetermined force and to actuate the emission of the second stimulus in response to the tension in the lead exceeding the predetermined force for a predetermined length of time. Some methods include detecting that a tension in the lead exceeds a predetermined force, automatically emitting the first stimulus, and if the tension in the lead exceeds the predetermined force for a predetermined length of time, automatically emitting the second stimulus. |
| US08402922B2 |
Livestock breeding system
A livestock breeding system including a breeding place enclosed by a fence for breeding livestock; layers of wood chips spread over and stacked up on the surface of the earth in the breeding place; and a feedstuff for breeding the livestock, and in this system, the feedstuff is prepared by mixing wood fine chips containing sawdust and/or wood fibers with large quantities of fermentation tubes. |
| US08402921B2 |
Dairy inflation
A dairy inflation includes a barrel portion connected to a milk tube portion for extracting milk from a teat of an animal. The barrel portion includes an axial passage defined by a wall, the wall having an exterior surface defining an outer periphery having a substantially circular shape. The wall further includes an interior surface defining an inner periphery having a substantially elliptical shape. The elliptical inner periphery includes a major axis and a minor axis, and the disposition of the elliptical inner periphery within the circular outer periphery creates reduced-thickness regions on opposing sides of the wall along the major axis. The reduced-thickness regions allow a controlled collapse of the barrel portion during milking operations. |
| US08402917B2 |
Mask frame assembly for thin film deposition and associated methods
A mask frame assembly for thin film deposition including a frame having an opening portion and a support portion, and a mask having a deposition area in a position corresponding to the opening portion, wherein the mask includes a first layer including the deposition area and a peripheral portion disposed outside the deposition area and a second layer including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, at least a part of the first surface of the second layer faces the first layer and contacts the peripheral portion, and the second surface is welded to the support portion of the frame. |
| US08402913B2 |
Drywall mud hopper for inside and outside corners
A drywall hopper assembly that contains a double blade that can apply drywall mud to both interior and exterior drywall corners with no blade change. A zigzag blade can contain two grooves, one for interior corners and one for exterior corners. With this blade arrangement, an operator can quickly move from one type of corner to another without using multiple tools, multiple blades or hand application methods to apply mud. The present invention can contain a pliable release port to present mud equally to an interior or an exterior corner. There can be such a port on both the top and bottom of the blade so that mud is smoothly applied as trim moves through the hopper or the hopper is moved along the trim. |
| US08402908B2 |
Dock system
There is provided a dock having a pair of primary frame members and a pair of secondary frame members. A plurality of cross members extends between the pair of primary frame members. The dock includes a plurality of cross member connectors for connecting the cross members to the primary frame members. Each cross member connector includes a frame contact portion and a cross member engagement portion extending from the frame contact portion. The frame contact portion is connected to a respective one of the plurality of primary frame members. The cross member engagement portion defines a channel sized and configured to receive the alignment plate of a respective one of the plurality of cross members. A roller assembly may also be included for stabilizing the dock relative to an adjacent piling. |
| US08402905B2 |
Kite ship
A kite ship contains a ship and a kite for pulling the ship, wherein the kite includes a kite main body, the upper and the lower ends of which are respectively connected with an upper and a lower end ropes, the other end of the upper end rope is fixed on a traction apparatus, the other end of the lower end rope is fixed on a connector, a traction apparatus pulling rope is fixed on the traction apparatus; the other end of the traction apparatus pulling rope is wound on a stranding cage connected with a motor through a speed reducer; a tension dynamometer is fixed on the connector; the tension dynamometer connects with a connector pulling rope; the other end of the connector pulling rope is wound on another stranding cage connected with the motor through the speed reducer; a buoyant balloon is arranged on the kite main body. |
| US08402902B2 |
Apparatus for the manufacture of mattress plates
An apparatus for the production of rectangular mattress plates from a length of material includes a base frame, a feed drive for feeding the length of material in a transport direction (A), two lateral sewing stations, each provided with a longitudinal sewing head for producing a lateral seam and with a longitudinal cutter, a transverse sewing station provided with a transverse sewing head and a transverse cutter that can be moved along a crossbeam, and a control device for controlling the feed drive, the transverse drive, the lateral sewing stations, and the transverse sewing station. The lateral sewing stations are each pivotable by a rotary drive about an axis extending perpendicularly with regard to the plane of a transport path of the material and moveable along crossbeams by a translatory drive. The translatory drive and the rotary drive are controllable by the control device in coordination with the feed drive. |
| US08402899B2 |
Magnetically levitated railway
The invention relates to a maglev railway comprising a support and drive system of the long stator-linear motor type, magnetic support poles that are situated in the vehicle being additionally provided with linear generator windings (10) that generate electric energy in the vehicle. The aim of the invention is to prevent unwanted, periodic vibrations (ripples) from being generated at low speeds. To achieve this, according to the invention, the teeth (5) and grooves (6) of the long stator (3) are arranged in high-speed sections (2a) parallel to the cores and the linear generator windings (10) of the support magnets provided in said cores and in low-speed sections (2b) obliquely to said cores (7) and linear generator windings. |
| US08402897B2 |
Projectiles with sealed propellant
Projectiles with sealed propellant are described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, a projectile includes a chamber having a propellant charger, an exit from the chamber for release of propellant gases into a barrel when the propellant is ignited to fire the projectile, and a seal to block the exit which is opened by ignition of the propellant within the chamber but is resistant to ignition of other propellant in the barrel, where the seal is carried from the barrel by the projectile after the ignition. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US08402892B1 |
Simultaneous nonelectric priming assembly and method
A priming assembly and a method are provided for coupling a plurality of detonators to at least one explosive through a plurality of transmission lines. The priming assembly may include a housing that receives the plurality of detonators and the plurality of transmission lines. In use, the plurality of transmission lines may communicate with the plurality of detonators within the housing to transmit explosive charges from the plurality of detonators to the at least one explosive. |
| US08402890B2 |
Self-inking hand stamp
A self-inking hand stamp comprising a frame made of metal and having two side walls which are interconnected by an upper cover wall, and further comprising an actuating bow made of metal which, when used, is downwardly movable relative to the frame against a spring force. The actuating bow has two legs which are displaceable along the side walls of the frame; said legs are coupled to a type unit that is displaceable and turnable within the frame; resting projections are provided in the upper region of the frame for an insertable ink pad holder, said resting projections protruding inwards from the inner side of the side walls of the frame; the resting projections are provided on carrying members provided on the outer sides of the side walls and extend through openings in the side walls. |
| US08402887B2 |
Clamp
A lever for binding items with a strap may not be attached to the item and function to tension a strap around the item. The strap may engage the lever by bending an end of the strap to secure the strap through a plurality of apertures in the lever, by friction, by pressure, by any combination of the foregoing, or other suitable manner. A lever may lock in a closed position using a locking device, such as an over-center mechanism, a retaining clip, or a strap engaging portion. |
| US08402886B2 |
Device for processing foodstuffs
A device for processing foodstuffs in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an upper part, a drive mechanism and a lower part with a working container, in which a working unit can be manually driven and made to rotate by means of the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a tractive cable drive and is operatively connected to the working unit by means of a releasable torque-coupled connection. The drive mechanism also includes a primary and secondary drive unit, which are operatively interconnected by means of a gear in such a way that a transmission ratio of between 1:1.5 and 1:4 and preferably between 1:1.8 and 1:1.9 is achieved. The primary and secondary drive units are axially parallel and dimensioned in such a way that at least one of the drive units intersects the rotational axis of the other respective drive unit. Despite the transmission ratio achieved, the dimensions of the drive mechanism can be kept small, allowing said mechanism to be housed without any problems in the upper part. The non-employment of two continuous axes, the eccentric arrangement of the drive wheel axis and the use of a drive wheel with inner gearing allow an axial wheel for indirectly driving the drive unit to be mounted on the central axis of the device in a preferred embodiment and the transmission to be achieved by the larger drive wheel, without causing the space required in the upper part next to the axial pin to increase by the diameter of the drive wheel. |
| US08402885B2 |
Methods and apparatus for vibration damping in a cooking device
A cooking device comprises a rotatable food basket disposed within the cooking device and a damping mechanism configured to reduce a vibration generated by the rotatable food basket rotating within the cooking device. An aspect of the cooking device includes a basket partition in the rotatable food basket, and the basket partition is configured to maintain a substantially equal distribution of a food within the rotatable food basket. The cooking device includes a motor in a hood for rotating the rotatable food basket, and it further includes a lifting plate and a lifting mechanism operable to move the rotatable food basket between a cooking section and a spinning section. The cooking device may also comprises a first basket portion and a second basket portion configured to be disposed within a first section and a second section of the rotatable food basket. The hood of the cooking device may also comprise a motor gear that includes a plurality of teeth configured to receive a motor key on a central shaft of the rotatable food basket. The motor key may be configured to automatically seat with the plurality of teeth in the motor gear via an electromagnetic coupling in response to an instruction from a microprocessor controller. |
| US08402884B2 |
Anti-burn/anti-jam electric toaster with electromagnetic latch
In a toaster, a toasting carriage is latched during toasting by an electromagnet actuated by a timer control circuit, and released when toasting time has elapsed. One of two rectifying circuits is always live and supplies a DC current to the timer control circuit and another, separate rectifying circuit supplies a DC current to energise the electromagnet when the toasting cycle is initiated. A first switching module switches a current flow through the heating element, while a second switching module isolates the always live rectifying circuit from the heating element. Switches of the first and second switching modules are disposed in an array and are closed by movement of the toasting carriage to the toasting position. More responsive and stable electromagnetic latching contributes to reducing risks associated with a fire that could occur during use of the toaster. |
| US08402880B2 |
Packing nut lock and access bore cover locking assembly
A retaining system for securing a closure at an installed position within a bore. The bore being in a portion of a housing and having screw threads along at least a portion thereof. The closure having an internally threaded hold extending therein. The closure in the installed position closes the bore. The retaining system comprising a retaining cover for obstructing removal of the closure from the bore. The retaining cover being receivable in the bore in a position generally adjacent the closure. The retaining cover having external threads interengageable with the screw threads of the bore such that the cover is rotatable relative to the housing in a tightening direction for movement of the cover into the bore toward the closure and rotatable in an opposite, loosening direction for movement of the cover out from the bore away from the closure. The cover having a central axis of rotation. |
| US08402878B2 |
Axle assembly
An axle assembly of a vehicle includes a side plate, a wheel end assembly, and a lower control arm. The side plate is part of a support structure of the vehicle, and the lower control arm extends between the side plate and the wheel end assembly. A spring member and a damper are each connected between the lower control arm and the side plate. The axle assembly further includes a shield fixed to the lower control arm, where the shield is designed to at least partially protect the vehicle from an explosive blast originating below the vehicle. |
| US08402875B2 |
Armor plated device
An armor plated assembly (20) and a protective wall system (120) containing a protective material. The armor plated assembly (20) comprises of a container (22) having opposing walls (26) for encompassing the protective material. The assembly (20) includes an armor device (24) having a first plate (48) and a second plate (50) with one of the opposing walls (26) sandwiched between the first plate (48) and the second plate (50) securing the armor device (24) to the container (22). The armor device (24) impedes the penetration of a projectile through the armor plated assembly (20). The protective wall system (120) includes at least two of the armor plated assemblies (20) with a mechanical connection (140) between the armor devices (126, 134) of the armor plated assemblies (20) for aligning and securing the assemblies (20) in a stacked orientation. A second embodiment of the protective wall system (220) includes at least two containers (222, 234) and a bib (232, 236) adhered to each of the containers (222, 234) such that the bibs (232, 236) overlap in a shingle-like engagement between the stacked containers (222, 234). |
| US08402874B2 |
Drive and quick stop for a weapon with preferably linear breech or ammunition feed
A drive for a breech/breech carrier renders it axially adjustable relative to a weapon barrel. The drive includes a motor, two engaging cams mounted on a chain arranged below the breech and guided around two sprocket wheels. A slide is mounted in a guide at the bottom of the breech/breech carrier so as to move at a right angle to the direction of fire, with a groove extending over its entire width. The respective engaging cam entrains the breech in forward motion relative to the direction of fire, or in reverse motion, once the shot is fired, and transports the breech forwards, is displaced from the groove, and moves backwards without the breech, thereby allowing breech rest periods in a forward position. During firing, the slide moves, whereas it remains stationary when no shot is fired so no further engaging cam can entrain the breech backwards. |
| US08402860B2 |
Structure, manipulator and structure control system
A structure is provided with a first member at a base end side, a third member at a leading end side, a second member arranged between the first and third members, and a coupling force generator for generating a first coupling force for pressing an end surface of the first member and that of the second member against each other and a second coupling force for pressing an end surface of the second member and that of the third member against each other. In this structure, the first and third members are relatively displaced upon the application of an external force larger than a coupling force generated between the end surface of the first member and that of the second member by the first coupling force, whereas the second and third members are relatively displaced upon the application of an external force larger than a coupling force generated between the end surface of the second member and that of the first member by the second coupling force. |
| US08402851B2 |
Friction-roller type transmission mechanism
Under control of rotation of a crankshaft 41, a friction roller 32 is pressed against a friction roller 31 in a radial direction, so as to achieve torque transmission between the rollers 31, 32. An inter-roller radial pressing reaction is canceled as an internal force in bearing supports 23, 25, with no input to a housing 11. The reaction causes a radial displacement of a bearing-fitting portion provided with inner and outer bearings 21, 42 in double layer arrangement, wherein the radial displacement is larger than that of a bearing-fitting portion provided with a bearing 18, 19, 22 in single arrangement, so as to cause unbalanced contact between rollers 31, 32. In order to prevent this, support stiffness of bearing support 23 against the inter-friction-roller radial pressing reaction is set higher than that of bearing support 25. |
| US08402849B2 |
Starter for vehicles
A starter for starting an engine in a vehicle is disclosed. The starter includes a motor and an output shaft that rotates by receiving torque from the motor. The starter also includes a pinion movable body that includes a pinion for transmitting the torque of the motor to a ring gear of the engine. The pinion movable body is provided on an outer circumference of the output shaft integrally with the pinion in a manner allowing movement along an axial direction thereof. The pinion is pushed towards the ring gear by a pinion-pushing means. A motor current-supply means turns ON and OFF energizing current flowing to the motor. A shock absorbing device is disposed on a torque transmitting path transmitting the torque of the motor to the pinion. |
| US08402847B2 |
Hydrophobic property demonstrator
A hydrophobic property demonstrator (100) comprises an inclinable sample support (10) and an upper tank (20) for producing droplets (GA, GB) that fall onto a sample (A, B) placed on the support. The droplets are produced regularly with a constant size by selecting a profile and diameter of a hole (23, 24) at the bottom of the tank, and by maintaining a constant water level (N) in said tank. Such a demonstrator is particularly suited for demonstrating the efficiency of the hydrophobic behavior of spectacle lenses. |
| US08402846B2 |
Sample trituration vessel, tool and method using the same
There is provided a sample trituration vessel that even when the sample is relatively hard, enables triturating of the sample easily and with high efficiency. The sample trituration vessel includes a tubular body having an opening at one end and having a bottom part at the other end thereof. The tubular body is furnished with a rugged portion there-inside so as to be able to meet another rugged port formed on a trituration rod. The sample trituration vessel itself can exert shearing effect on the sample. The tubular body is formed of flexible material, and upon application of external force from outside of the tubular body, the tubular body is deformed, thereby breaking down the sample held within the tubular body. |
| US08402841B2 |
Apparatus and method for sensing fluid flow in a pipe with variable wall thickness
A method and apparatus for sensing a fluid flow within a pipe is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing an ultrasonic sensor having a transmitter operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through the first pipe wall, the fluid flow disposed within the pipe, and the second pipe wall, and a receiver operable to receive the transmitted signal after the signal has passed through the pipe walls and fluid flow; b) disposing the transmitter adjacent the first wall and the receiver adjacent the second wall; c) disposing at least one acoustic member between at least one of the transmitter and the first wall, and the receiver and the second wall, which acoustic member has acoustic properties such that the combined respective member and pipe wall have half wave resonant frequencies that substantially match the half wave resonant frequencies of the opposite wall, or opposite wall and respective member; and d) sensing the fluid flow through the pipe walls and structure using the ultrasonic sensor. |
| US08402839B2 |
Jig for compression test in a heating furnace
Provided is a jig for a compression test in a heating furnace capable of variously changing boundary conditions such as a both-end hinge, a both-end fixing, or one-end hinge and one-end fixing through simple attachment and detachment of a holder. Therefore, it is possible to easily implement hinge and fixing conditions of a test sample installed in a heating furnace using one jig, remarkably reducing time and cost consumed to install the test sample. |
| US08402836B2 |
Pressure difference measuring cell
A pressure difference measuring cell for registering pressure difference between a first pressure and a second pressure, comprises: an elastic measuring arrangement having at least one measuring membrane, or diaphragm, that comprises silicon; a platform, which is pressure-tightly connected with the elastic measuring arrangement; a first hydraulic path for transferring a first pressure onto a first surface section of the elastic measuring arrangement; and a second hydraulic path for transferring a second pressure onto a second surface section of the elastic measuring arrangement. The first pressure opposes the second pressure, and the elastic deflection of the measuring arrangement is a measure for the difference between the first and the second pressure, wherein the pressure difference measuring cell has additionally at least one hydraulic throttle, characterized in that the at least one hydraulic throttle comprises porous silicon. |
| US08402830B2 |
Method for the non-destructive testing of a test object by way of ultrasound and apparatus therefor
A method for nondestructive testing of a test object by means of ultrasound, and a corresponding device, the method including radiating directed ultrasonic pulses into the test object 100 at an irradiation angle β, whereby the irradiation angle β is set electronically, recording of echo signals that result from the ultrasonic pulses radiated into the test object 100, determining an ERS value of an error 102 in the volume of the test object from echo signals, which can be associated with the error 102. |
| US08402829B2 |
Interactive ultrasound-based depth measurement for medical applications
A device for determining the internal structure of a bone along a path directed into the bone (or other tissue) is disclosed. The device comprises a nozzle fluidically connected to a liquid reservoir for providing a liquid jet directed at the bone in the direction of the path; an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic waves through the liquid jet and for detecting echoes of the ultrasonic waves caused by changes in the acoustical impedance in the bone characterizing changes in the structure of the bone along the path; and an analyzer for interpreting the echoes into meaningful information relating to the location of the structural changes along the path. |
| US08402828B2 |
Microscopic acoustic radiation detecting apparatus and method
A macromolecular docking event between a macromolecule of a first type (e.g. an antibody) and a macromolecule of a complementary type (e.g., an antigen) may be detected by dispersing macromolecules of the first type in a microscopic test region within an aqueous test volume and introducing at least one macromolecule of the complementary type into the microscopic test region. When the complementary macromolecule docks with one of the macromolecules of the first type, micro-acoustic radiation propagating through the microscopic test region is detected and the micro-acoustic wave emitted by the macromolecular docking is identified. Methods and apparatuses for detecting macromolecular docking events in such a manner are described. |
| US08402827B2 |
Sensor element and method for operating a sensor element
A sensor element, in particular a multichannel acceleration sensor having a substrate and a seismic mass, the sensor element having a detecting element for detecting a deflection of the seismic mass relative to the substrate, and the sensor element having an excitation element for exciting a deflection of the seismic mass perpendicular to the main extension plane. |
| US08402823B2 |
Low power metering using pulse counting
A metering system can include a pull up circuit to be selectively coupled between a voltage node and a metering line that communicates a signal indicative of status of a flow line through which a metered substance flows. An impedance of the pull up circuit is set to reduce power consumption based on a calibration, and the pull up circuit can be disabled between sampling of the signal to reduce power consumption. |
| US08402822B2 |
Process tanks in combination with a float magnetostrictive level detector
The invention is a process tank containing a direct level magnetostrictive measurement system disposed directly in the tank, where the level system preferably communicates to a remote location. One embodiment of the invention embodies an internal well guide chamber, which exactly replicates the actual vessel's internal conditions (pressure and temperature), and also prevents the float from being affected by turbulence from a two phase condition, such as might occur if boiling or flashing is present inside the vessel. The process tank should have a fluid temperature different by more than 50° C. from the ambient environment, or alternatively, be a flashing tank. |
| US08402820B2 |
Diagnosis concept for valve controlled coolant bypass paths
A system and method for determining whether a shut-off valve in a cabin heating by-pass line of a thermal sub-system associated with an engine has failed that uses the pump current for a pump that pumps the cooling fluid through the by-pass line. The method includes setting a predetermined constant speed of the pump and then providing a valve command that opens the by-pass valve. The method then determines if the pump current has increased or remained substantially the same when the by-pass valve is commanded open, and determines that the by-pass valve has not opened if the pump current remains substantially constant when the by-pass valve is commanded open. |
| US08402819B2 |
High frequency deflection measurement of IR absorption
An AFM based technique has been demonstrated for performing highly localized IR spectroscopy on a sample surface. Significant issues as to size, cost of implementation, and repeatability/robustness of results exist in commercializing the technique. The invention addresses many of these issues thereby producing a version of the analytical technique that can be made generally available to the scientific community. |
| US08402818B2 |
Method for assessing the seal of a servomotor housing
A method for assessing sealing of a housing of a servomotor. The method includes lowering the pressure inside the housing, from an initial pressure to a set pressure, by fluid suction through an opening in the housing, the opening being normally sealed by a plug. When the pressure inside the housing is equal to the set pressure, pressure variation inside the housing, for a predetermined time interval, is determined. The fluid suction prevents any fluid exchange with the housing in a direction opposite a fluid suction direction. The sealing of the housing of the servomotor is assessed based on the pressure variation determined. |
| US08402817B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring for leaks in a stage II fuel vapor recovery system
A system and method for detecting a leak in a Stage II vapor recovery system is disclosed. The system may monitor the Stage II vapor recovery system for the occurrence of quiet times and record pressure data during those quiet times. The system may make a determination of a leak based on the evaluation of the pressure data from a plurality of the quiet times. |
| US08402815B2 |
Air pollution sensor system
The invention relates to an air pollution sensor system (1) comprising an air inlet (11), an air outlet (12), a sensor unit (2), and an air displacement device (3). The air displacement device is arranged to establish an air flow (4) from the air inlet through the sensor unit to the air outlet. The sensor unit comprises, a filter (22) for removing airborne pollutants from the air flow. The sensor unit is arranged to generate an output signal (21) based on the amount of airborne pollutants removed from the air flow by the filter. The air displacement device is arranged to be controlled by the output signal, thereby improving the lifetime of the air pollution sensor system by minimizing the amount of pollutants that will be deposited inside the sensor unit when the air pollution sensor system is operated under predetermined conditions. |
| US08402812B2 |
Gas concentration detection apparatus
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas concentration detection apparatus that is capable of forming an accurate activity judgment when a gas concentration detection cell begins to detect gas concentration with high accuracy. When warm-up begins at time t0 in a NOx concentration detection apparatus that achieves NOx concentration detection with a NOx sensor cell after excess oxygen is discharged by an oxygen pump cell, a NOx sensor cell output begins to rise at time t1. Subsequently, at time t2, an oxygen pump cell output begins to rise. An inflection point appearing in the NOx sensor cell output is then located. At time t5 at which the inflection point appears, an activity judgment about the NOx sensor cell is formed. |
| US08402810B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing water hammer strength of glass bottle
The present invention provides a method for testing the water hammer strength of a glass bottle. The method includes the steps of providing a holding device on a fixing stage with a cushion material therebetween, holding the bottle filled with a content and fitted with a cap with the holding device at a position above the center of gravity thereof and suspending the bottle in the air, and dropping a weight directly or indirectly onto the cap to apply an impact to the bottle. The weight is repeatedly dropped while gradually increasing a drop energy thereof. The water hammer strength of the bottle is tested based on the drop energy of the weight at the time when the bottle is damaged. |
| US08402800B1 |
Key with releasable shackle
A key assembly with a releasable shackle allows a key to be attached and released from a closed loop or key chain. The key is similar to convention keys but does not have a closed shackle. A gap is formed in the shackle to define an opening. A gate that can be opened or closed releasable closes the gap. The gate is opened to add or remove the key from the loop. The gate is closed to lock the key on the loop. The gate can be formed in a number of manners including a wire gate, as flexible resilient gate, a hinged gate, or as a cuff. |
| US08402797B2 |
Tub having structurally strengthened rear wall and washing machine with the same therein
A tub having a structurally strengthened rear wall and a washing machine with the same therein are disclosed. A washing machine includes a bearing housing having a flange part and a tub injection-molded with the bearing housing inserted into a wall thereof, the wall having a recessing part and a projecting part formed on an inner or an outer surface thereof along a circumferential direction, and a circumferential rib or a radial rib formed on the recessing part. |
| US08402795B2 |
Method for manufacturing a tubular knitted article
Manufacturing a tubular knitted article on a flat knitting machine includes using at least two diametrically opposed needle beds, which has plain stitches and purl stitches in each stitch row, wherein purl stitches follow the plain stitches of a stitch row in a subsequent stitch row, and plain stitches follow the purl stitches of the stitch row in the subsequent stitch row. |
| US08402792B2 |
Internal vapour deposition process
A method for manufacturing a primary preform for optical fibers using an internal vapor deposition process, including the steps of: i) providing a hollow glass substrate tube having a supply side and a discharge side, ii) surrounding at least part of the hollow glass substrate tube by a furnace, iii) supplying doped or undoped glass-forming gases to the interior of the hollow glass substrate tube via the supply side thereof, iv) creating a reaction zone in which conditions such that deposition of glass will take place on the interior of the hollow glass tube are created, and v) moving the reaction zone back and forth along the length of the hollow glass substrate tube between a reversal point located near the supply side and a reversal point located near the discharge side of the hollow glass substrate tube, wherein, during at least part of step v), the gas flow comprises a first concentration of fluorine-containing compound when the reaction zone is moving in the direction of the discharge side. |
| US08402791B2 |
Microchannel plate and process for producing the same
A method of manufacturing microchannel plate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first step of fabricating a multifiber having a polygonal cross-section by bundling a plurality of fibers; a second step of fabricating a microchannel plate base material by use of a plurality of the multifibers; and a third step of fabricating a microchannel plate out of the microchannel plate base material. The plurality of fibers include: a first fiber whose predetermined-thickness outer circumferential part surrounding a center part including a core is formed of a predetermined-component glass material; and a second fiber whose both center part including a core and outer circumferential part surrounding the same are formed of the predetermined-component glass material. The second fiber is arranged at, at least, one corner of a polygonal cross-section of the multifiber. |
| US08402789B2 |
High temperature stable fiber grating sensor and method for producing same
A method of producing a thermally stable grating allows the grating to be placed in environments where temperatures reach 1000° C. These gratings may be concatenated so as to form a sensor array. The method requires a step of lowering the characteristic intensity threshold of a waveguide by at least 25%, followed by irradiating the waveguide with femtosecond pulses of light having a sufficient intensity and for a sufficient duration to write the grating so that at least 60% of the grating remains after exposures of at least 10 hours at a temperature of at least 1000° C. Pre-writing a Type I grating before writing a minimal damage Type II grating lowers the characteristic threshold of the waveguide so that a stable low damage type II grating can be written; alternatively providing a hydrogen or deuterium loaded waveguide before writing the grating lowers the characteristic threshold of the waveguide. |
| US08402786B2 |
Synthetic silica glass optical component and process for its production
A process for producing a synthetic silica glass optical component which contains at least 1×1017 molecules/cm3 and has an OH concentration of at most 200 ppm and substantially no reduction type defects, by treating a synthetic silica glass having a hydrogen molecule content of less than 1×1017 molecules/cm3 at a temperature of from 300 to 600° C. in a hydrogen gas-containing atmosphere at a pressure of from 2 to 30 atms. |
| US08402782B2 |
Ice-making device for refrigerator
An ice-making device designed to make and separate ice from an ice tray through a simple process is provided. The ice-making device includes an ice tray defining an ice-making space, a freezing core that is partly received in the ice-making space to make ice at an end thereof, a driving unit moving and rotating the freezing core, and a power transmission unit for transferring power from the driving unit to the freezing core. The power transmission unit including a cam unit rotatably connected to the driving unit and a moving member that moves in vertical and rotational direction by a driving force of a motor transferred by the cam unit. |
| US08402778B2 |
Method for enhancing mineral oil miscibility and oil return
The present invention relates to a method for increasing the solubility of oils in refrigerant compositions within a system using a refrigerant compressed with a mechanical device by adding polyolester directly to the refrigerant followed by charging a mixture of the polyolester and refrigerant into the system (air conditioner, refrigerator, etc.). The present invention also relates to a method of optimizing mineral oil return in a system using a refrigerant compressed with a mechanical device and a method of cleansing heat exchange tubes of a system using a refrigerant compressed with a mechanical device by adding polyolesters directly to a refrigerant composition followed by charging a mixture of the polyolester and refrigerant into the system. |
| US08402777B2 |
Intelligent defrosting control method for an air conditioner
An intelligent defrosting control for an air conditioner is disclosed, which comprises the following steps: setting a standard air pressure value; placing a high-pressure sensor on the exhaust pipe of the compressor of the air conditioner to measure the air pressure; When the air pressure measured by the high-pressure sensor is lower than the standard air pressure value, said air conditioner begins to come into the defrosting mode; otherwise, said air conditioner working in previous mode. |
| US08402776B2 |
Thermal management system with dual mode coolant loops
A dual mode, thermal management system for use in a vehicle is provided. At a minimum, the system includes a first coolant loop in thermal communication with a battery system, a second coolant loop in thermal communication with at least one drive train component (e.g., electric motor, power electronics, inverter), a dual mode valve system that provides means for selecting between a first mode where the two coolant loops operate in parallel and a second mode where the two coolant loops operate in series, and a coolant reservoir that is coupled to both coolant loops when the two coolant loops are operating in series and only coupled to the drive train coolant loop when the two coolant loops are operating in parallel. |
| US08402771B2 |
Gas turbine engine
A combustor (14) is placed next to a turbine (16), on the side opposite a compressor (12). A heat insulation device (20) for reducing the transmission of heat from the high-temperature side to the low-temperature side is provided between the combustor/turbine and the compressor. A connection shaft (18) has an axial hole (18a) open on the inlet side of the compressor and axially extending to near a turbine impeller, and also has a radial hole (18b) open near the turbine impeller to the outside of the connection shaft and radially extending to be in communication with the axial hole. |
| US08402769B2 |
Casing of a gas turbine engine having a radial spoke with a flow guiding element
A section of a gas turbine engine including a radial spoke is provided. The spoke includes an aerodynamic shape with a leading side and a trailing side and, extending from the leading side to the trailing side, a first side and a second side, opposite the first side. The spoke also includes at least one flow guiding element arranged on at least the first side. |
| US08402767B2 |
Enhanced starting of turbine engines under various ambient conditions using oxidizer
At least one solid mass of oxidizing-species-releasing material (ORM), selected as a solid oxidizer (SO), and/or as oxidizing-species-releasing burning substance (ORBS) is used as a device for enhancing the starting process of a turbine engine under various ambient conditions. The ORM is introduced into the combustion chamber of the turbine engine and the starting process of the turbine engine is initiated, by help of the igniter and in association with the ORM to enhance the starting process. In operation, an ORM selected as an SO releases gaseous oxygen when heated to decompose, while an ORM chosen as an ORBS discharges oxidizing species when ignited to burn. An ORM such as an SO or an ORBS may operate alone or in various combinations of both. The ORM is configured to release a predetermined mass flow rate of oxidizing species or of gaseous oxygen. |
| US08402765B2 |
Translating variable area fan nozzle providing an upstream bypass flow exit
A variable area fan nozzle assembly for a turbofan engine includes a nacelle having an aft edge and a translating nozzle segment having a forward edge and a first end. The nozzle segment is movably disposed behind the aft edge such that an upstream bypass flow exit is defined between the aft edge and the forward edge when the nozzle segment is in a deployed position. A deflector is disposed between the aft edge and the forward edge proximate to the first end. The deflector substantially prevents bypass flow from exiting the upstream bypass flow exit in a region that is proximate to the first end. |
| US08402760B2 |
Vibration-decoupling device for hydraulics
The invention concerns a vibration-decoupling device for a hydraulic circuit and in particular concerns a vibration-decoupling device for a hydraulic circuit used in an agricultural vehicle. The device has a fluid transfer element (3) able to be connected at one end (4) to a high pressure outlet of a hydraulic pump (1) and to transport fluid expelled from the pump. The another end (5) of the fluid transfer element (3) is moveably connected with a fixed element (11) such as a gear assembly housing so that the fluid can be passed to a hydraulic consumer. A support element (9) is moveably connected with the fixed element (11) and the fluid transfer element (3) and acts so that a force is exerted on the fluid transfer element (3) in one direction while the other end (5) of the fluid transfer element (3) and the fixed element (11) remain securely connected together. |
| US08402758B2 |
Exhaust diffuser
A flow diffuser for vehicles of the type having an engine and an exhaust pipe generally includes a body including a plurality of inner diffusion ports extending through the body, wherein the body may be attached to an exhaust pipe at or near the exit plane of the exhaust pipe, wherein the body is sized to have a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the exit plane of the exhaust pipe to create a plurality of outer diffusion ports around at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the body when coupled to the exhaust pipe, and one or more extension flaps extending from at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the body. |
| US08402754B2 |
Apparatus for purifying exhaust gas
An apparatus for purifying exhaust gas may include a CPF device primarily oxidizing hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide in the exhaust gas by using a first DOC, and trapping and regenerating particulate material (PM), a DOC device mounted downstream of the CPF device, secondarily oxidizing the HC and the CO in the primarily oxidized exhaust gas by using a second DOC, and oxidizing nitrogen monoxide into nitrogen dioxide by using the second DOC, a nozzle mounted downstream of the DOC device, and dosing a reducing agent to the exhaust gas secondarily oxidized by the DOC device, and a selective catalytic reduction device mounted downstream of the nozzle, and reducing nitrogen oxide in the exhaust gas into nitrogen gas) by using the NO2 generated in the DOC device and the reducing agent. |
| US08402751B2 |
Particulate filter regeneration in an engine
Systems and methods for controlling regeneration of a particulate filter downstream of an engine in a vehicle are provided herein. One exemplary method includes, during an engine shutdown, increasing a throttle opening and regenerating a particulate filter downstream of a three-way catalyst. The method also includes, during an engine start following an engine shutdown, setting one or more engine parameters based on whether the particulate filter was regenerated during a last engine shutdown before the engine start. |
| US08402749B2 |
Control method of spark-ignition engine and spark-ignition engine system
In a specified operating area including a low engine-speed and low engine-load area, an excess air ratio λ is set at a specified ratio which is two or greater and three or smaller and an ignition timing θig of a spark plug is set at a timing of MBT to provide the maximum torque as a normal combustion control (S4). In case a catalyst temperature Tc is lower than a predetermined first temperature T1 in this area, a control of retarding the ignition timing from the MBT timing and/or a control of decreasing the excess air ratio λ to a ration below the above-described ratio are executed (S6, S8, S9). Accordingly, the temperature of the catalyst can be prevented simply and effectively from decreasing excessively, maintaining combustion conditions to provide a properly high thermal efficiency. |
| US08402748B2 |
Diesel fuel alternative detection and correction systems and methods
A fuel control system for a vehicle comprises a fuel control module, a heat release determination module, and a detection module. The fuel control module supplies fuel to a cylinder of a diesel engine for combustion within the cylinder. The heat release determination module determines a heat release value based on a pressure within the cylinder during the combustion. The detection module selectively indicates that the fuel is a diesel fuel alternative when the heat release value is less than a predetermined heat release value. The predetermined heat release value is less than a second predetermined heat release value associated with diesel fuel. |
| US08402743B2 |
Actuating of a thrust reverser in a turbomachine
A turbomachine including at least one thrust reverser and a device for actuating the thrust reverser, which includes at least one hydraulic engine supplied with pressurized fluid by a fuel circuit of the turbomachine, is disclosed. |
| US08402738B2 |
Flow control redistribution to mitigate high cycle fatigue
A method operable to improve pressure recovery and/or distortion within engine inlet is disclosed. A first fluid flow is provided to primary jet vortex generator(s) operable to inject fluid at a first injection rate into a boundary layer of a primary fluid flow within the inlet. A secondary fluid flow is injected by secondary jet vortex generator(s) at a second injection rate into the boundary layer of the primary fluid flow. The fluid injected at the first injection rate and second injection rate is operable to induce secondary flow structures within the boundary layer. These secondary close structures are then operable to improve or manipulate the pressure recovery of the inlet. At specific engine conditions, this method may redistribute the ratio of the first injection rate and second injection rate in order to improve pressure recovery and/or distortion of the inlet when the particular engine conditions. |
| US08402737B2 |
Inlet system for an EGR system
An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a system that may recirculate a portion of the exhaust of at least one turbomachine where it may be mixed with the inlet air and re-enter the turbomachine without affecting reliability and availability of the unit. An embodiment of the present invention provides an inlet system for an exhaust gas recirculation system. This inlet system may take a variety of forms and may optimize the direction that the portion of the recirculated exhaust stream flows within the inlet system. |
| US08402736B2 |
Method and apparatus for suppressing aeroengine contrails
A method of operating an aircraft, and the aircraft itself, comprising a gas turbine engine that exhausts a plume of gases in use, the aircraft is characterized by comprising an electromagnetic radiation generator and a waveguide to direct electromagnetic radiation at the exhaust plume to avoid the formation of contrails. |
| US08402735B2 |
Cooling apparatus, gas turbine system using cooling apparatus, heat pump system using cooling system, cooling method, and method for operating cooling apparatus
The amount of water to be injected in an intercooler is controlled to cool the compressed gas to the saturation temperature. It is difficult to adjust the amount of the water to be injected, however, since the temperature of the compressed gas at an intercooler outlet is actually higher than the saturation temperature. An intercooling system is configured so as to cool a gas to the saturation temperature without controlling the amount of water injection and thereby maintain the reliability of the compressor while improving the cooling efficiency. The intercooling system is located between a plurality of compression stages of a gas compressor to cool the gas that has been in the compressor. A desired amount of liquid is sprinkled to cool the compressed gas while restraining inflow of the liquid into the compression stages. |
| US08402733B2 |
Multibundle yarn with reduced torsions
A yarn (100) comprising two or more bundles (110, 120, 130), each of said bundles comprising at least thirty metal fibres (140) is described. The bundles of the yarn are twisted with one another with a predetermined number of torsions per meter, said predetermined number of torsions permeter is smaller than 80 per meter and larger than 10 per meter. By doing so, an improved flexlife of the yarn can be obtained. |
| US08402731B2 |
Elevator rope
An elevator rope including a rope main body; and a covering resin layer that covers the periphery of the rope main body and comprises a molded product of a composition which composition is produced by mixing a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, a thermoplastic resin other than the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer and an isocyanate compound having two or more isocyanate groups per molecule; a rope main body impregnated with an impregnating solution comprising a hydroxy compound having two or more hydroxy groups per molecule and an isocyanate compound having two or more isocyanate groups per molecule and having a lower viscosity than a melt viscosity of the composition for forming the covering resin layer is used as the rope main body; the elevator rope has a stable friction coefficient that does not depend on temperature or sliding velocity. |
| US08402726B2 |
Packaging machine and suction control apparatus
A suction control apparatus is adapted to be used in a packaging machine for conveying and packaging a belt-shaped film while the film is being suctioned by a suction-type film conveyor. The suction control apparatus includes a proper vacuum-degree determination section and a vacuum-degree control unit. The proper vacuum-degree determination section is configured and arranged to determine a proper degree of vacuum of the suction-type film conveyor, which is less than a reference value set in advance. The vacuum-degree control unit is configured to set the degree of vacuum to a first value corresponding to the proper degree of vacuum determined by the proper vacuum-degree determination section. |
| US08402720B2 |
Machine for manufacturing pouches containing a tobacco mixture
In a machine (1) for manufacturing pouches (2) filled with portions (36) of a tobacco mixture, comprising a rotating drum (8) on which a continuous stream (5) of the mixture is formed and conveyed to a station (13) where the portions (36) are divided from the stream, and where the portions (36) are transferred by a pneumatic ejection and feed system (21) to a wrapping station (7), moisturizing substances are added to the mixture by a dispensing system (22) associated with the ejection and feed system (21). |
| US08402715B2 |
Building panel in particular for wall covering and method for the production thereof
A structural member (100), particularly for lightweight construction, is described, comprising a two-dimensional extent, and a plurality of adjacent arranged hollow shaped elements (11, 11A) extending across the two-dimensional extent of the structural member, wherein the hollow shaped elements (11, 11A) each have a continuous peripheral side wall (12) and the adjacent hollow shaped elements are connected to each other at their side walls, and wherein two structural spacing parts (15,16), which extend in parallel to the two-dimensional extent of the structural member and form arrangements of the hollow shaped elements (11, 11A), wherein each of the structural spacing parts (15, 16) has a base layer (13, 14) on which the hollow shaped elements (11, 11A) belonging to this structural spacing part (15, 16) are arranged at mutual intervals, and the structural spacing parts (15, 16) are arranged in opposite orientation so that the hollow shaped elements (11, 11A) of the first structural spacing part (15) protrude into the spaces between the hollow shaped elements (11, 11A) of the other structural spacing part (15). Furthermore, a method of manufacturing the structural member is described. |
| US08402714B2 |
System and method for refurbishing an existing curtain wall
The system includes a plurality of mullion retrofit adaptors, each having a rear side configured and disposed to fit over the front side of at least some mullion of the existing supporting framework. It also includes a plurality of new mullions, each having a rear side configured and disposed to fit over at least some of the retrofit adaptors. A method for refurbishing an existing curtain wall attached to a base structure is also presented. This proposed concept can significantly reduce the time and costs for refurbishing an existing curtain wall. |
| US08402705B2 |
Building façade structure with joined pultruded elements
A building element includes a glass panel defining an outer circumferential rim including at least two rectilinear segments, a first one of which defines a first length and a second one of which defines a second length. The glass panel is made of hardened glass and has a specific coefficient of thermal expansion. The building element further includes a first pultruded element having a length corresponding to the first length, and a second pultruded element having a length corresponding to the second length. The first and second pultruded elements are adhered in a high strength integral adhesion to the hardened glass panel along the first and second rectilinear segments, respectively, and the pultruded elements have a content of reinforcing fibers for providing a coefficient of thermal expansion of the pultruded elements substantially corresponding to the specific coefficient of thermal expansion. |
| US08402699B2 |
Sliding privacy door for partition systems
An office partition system including at least first and second panels and a sliding privacy door guidably supported against the first panel via an elongated horizontal guide. The elongated horizontal guide has a channel that receives the privacy door and a mounting structure for mounting the guide to a horizontal track of the first panel. The elongated horizontal guide has a width that is substantially equivalent to the width of the first panel. The privacy door includes wheels that may support the entire weight of the privacy door. The privacy door may move from a first, open position allowing access to an interior space of the office partition system via an opening to a second, closed position restricting access to the interior space via the opening. |
| US08402698B1 |
Multilevel building with sloped driveway
A housing structure for erecting on a ground surface includes a generally helical ramp having at least two lanes for accommodating vehicular traffic in opposing directions, a loop at the highest level of the ramp connecting the at least two lanes. The ramp includes a plurality of habitable units, each at one of a plurality of radial positions with respect to a center of the ramp. The habitable units that share any particular radial position but that are vertically offset are each generally vertically co-aligned in a common multi-level building. In one embodiment, at least one habitable unit includes more than one floor or story. Each habitable unit preferably comprises at least a private garage connected to the ramp with a driveway, and a private living space that may include a rear balcony connected to a front porch by a breezeway. |
| US08402697B1 |
Gutter cover with rear compound bend
A gutter protection system is disclosed. The system includes a gutter cover having, as viewed in cross-section when the gutter cover is installed, a front section configured for engagement with the rearward-projecting flange of the gutter, a center section covering the gutter, and a rear section configured for engagement with the hanger. The rear section has a novel compound bend configuration. |
| US08402691B2 |
Insect trap
The invention resides in an insect trap (10) comprising a housing (14) which has one or more access apertures (19) to permit entry of insects into a hollow interior (19B) of the housing (14) and a catchment tank (20) located below the one or more access apertures (19) for trapping of insects characterized in that there is provided an air diffuser (30) above one or more access apertures (19) and an air blower (37) or fan located adjacent to the air diffuser (30) for generating circulating air within the housing (14). Circulating air is then confined mainly to the housing interior (19B) and does not escape through the access apertures (19). |
| US08402686B1 |
Light emitting fishing teaser
A light emitting fishing teaser with a translucent lure head, an enable terminal, a charging terminal, a ground terminal, an energy source, a control circuit board, a light emitting circuit board, a convex lens formed by an outside surface of the translucent lure head, a leader secured to a fishing line and extending through the cylindrical lure cavity and connecting to a fishing lure, and a lure skirt. A plurality of light emitting fishing teasers disposed on a leader forming a daisy chain of light emitting fishing teasers. |
| US08402684B1 |
Bipod firearm support
A bipod for supporting the forward portion of a firearm includes a clamp portion, a pivot body and a pair of leg assemblies. The clamp portion is adapted for clamping to a firearm and is pivotably mounted to the pivot body for pivoting about a vertical axis and a longitudinal axis. The pivot body includes a pair of leg mounting surfaces. A pair of leg assemblies are pivotably mounted to the mounting surfaces of the pivot block so that each leg assembly may be pivoted about an axis that is generally normal to the mounting surface and such that each leg assembly can be adjustably positioned in one of at least two positions. |
| US08402683B2 |
Rifle accessory rail, communication, and power transfer system-battery pack
The present invention is related to weapons systems. In particular, the present invention is directed to accessory attachment systems for rifles and small arms weapons that enable attached accessory devices to draw power from a central power source and communicate with the user and/or other devices. |
| US08402681B2 |
Cloth piece treating apparatus
A cloth piece treating apparatus includes a spreading device for spreading a large area cloth piece, a press device, a folding device for folding the cloth piece into a predetermined small size and a cloth piece length measuring device having a cloth piece detector. The spread cloth piece is folded in the folding device on the basis of the length of the spread cloth piece. The cloth piece detector is disposed in the press device so that the horizontal length of a receiving conveyor of the folding device is minimized, whereby the total length of the cloth piece treating apparatus is shortened. |
| US08402680B2 |
Snow thrower impeller
A snow thrower impeller includes a layer of material comprising a blade support wall and blades extending from the blade support wall. |
| US08402678B1 |
Orthopedic shoe/boot for use with foot wounds and for post op ambulation
A shoe and boot, particularly for post-surgery, diabetic, or post-trauma use. It is intended to be worn by a patient who has a wound located on the forefoot and midfoot regions of the foot. An upper assembly and a lower assembly including a raised platform and a base platform. The raised platform has less longitudinal extent than the base platform. A gap is formed when a foot rests primarily upon the raised platform between the base platform and the bottom of the foot. A removable soft, cushioning insert may be placed into the gap. The inset can vary in height and density in order to provide optimum comfort throughout the various stages of the healing process. |
| US08402676B2 |
Fireproof footwear with protective function against toxic substances
The invention relates to fireproof and/or flame-resistant footwear (1), in particular boots for firefighters, with a protective function against harmful substances, such as toxic chemical substances, the footwear (1) having a multilayered structure (2), the structure (2) comprising an outer layer (3), facing away from the foot when the footwear is being worn, and an inner layer (4), in particular an inner lining, provided on the outer layer (3) and facing towards the foot when the footwear is being worn. An adsorption layer (5) with an adsorption material (6), in particular activated charcoal, adsorbing harmful substances, is additionally arranged between the outer layer (3) and the inner layer (4), and the outer layer (3) is additionally provided with a fireproof and/or flame-retardant coating or impregnation (12). |
| US08402674B2 |
Slippers for dancing, leisure, work, athletics and the like
The slipper has an upper composed of woven material having a warp which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slipper and a weft which extends normal to the weft. The weft has a larger degree of elasticity than that of the warp. The opening for a wearer's foot is defined by a margin which lacks any means for biasing the margin into contact with a wearer's ankle such that minimal pressure is exerted on the ankle by the margin. |
| US08402673B2 |
Method for drying a fibrous web
A method for drying a fibrous web, especially a paper, cardboard or tissue web, the moving web is treated with hot air from a hot air hood in the area of a upstream pre-defined drying zone, and is subsequent carried to the drying zone in a downstream drying cylinder, especially a Yankee-Cylinder, to which an additional hood is allocated and in whose area the fibrous web is dried further. The hot air for the hot air hood allocated to the upstream drying zone is recovered, at least partially, from the exhaust air of the hood allocated to the downstream drying cylinder. |
| US08402672B2 |
Method of controlling a spray dryer apparatus by regulating an inlet air flow rate, and a spray dryer apparatus
A method of controlling a spray dryer apparatus having a spray dryer chamber (1), an air inlet (2), an inlet air control system (11) including a fan (13) and an air heater (14), a feed inlet (3), and an exhaust air outlet (4), comprising determining a content (Y) of moisture of inlet air, determining an inlet air temperature set value (Tinlet) in dependence of the inlet air moisture content (Y), determining an inlet air temperature measured value of inlet air between the air heater (14) and the spray dryer chamber (1), and regulating the inlet air temperature in dependence of the inlet air temperature set value and the inlet air temperature measured value, and determining an outlet air temperature of the exhaust air and regulating an inlet air flow rate in dependence of the outlet air temperature. |
| US08402663B2 |
Two-piece hand tool
A tool such as a knife or other hand tool has only two pieces, a handle and a blade or other implement. The blade is movable from a fully retracted position to an extended position and the blade may be locked in both the retracted and extended positions. |
| US08402654B2 |
Method for cutting off nozzle plate and method for manufacturing nozzle plate
A nozzle plate cutting off method for cutting off the nozzle plate from a primary processing plate including a frame body, a nozzle plate which has multiple nozzle holes for ejecting droplets and is separately arranged inside the frame body, and a connection portion arranged at a clearance between the frame body and the nozzle plate to connect the frame body to the nozzle plate. In the nozzle plate cutting off method, a punching tool is used to punch out the nozzle plate at a connection region of the connection portion with the nozzle plate, there by cutting off the nozzle plate from the primary processing plate. |
| US08402653B2 |
Solar energy converter assembly incorporating display system and method of fabricating the same
According to one embodiment, a method of forming a solar energy converter assembly disclosed herein includes providing a solar energy converter configured to convert light incident on a light-receiving surface thereof into another form of energy and providing louver elements adjacent to the light-receiving surface such that light is transmittable between the louver elements to the light-receiving surface along a plurality of directions. Display surfaces of the louver elements are visible along a predetermined direction different from the plurality of directions and non-display surfaces of the louver elements reflect light to the light-receiving surface. |
| US08402649B2 |
Scroll member, method of manufacturing same, compression mechanism and scroll compressor
A method of manufacturing a scroll member includes a casting step and a cutting step. In the casting step an iron casting having a spiraling part is formed. In the cutting step, the iron casting obtained in the casting step is cut to obtain a final shape of the scroll member. Preferably the iron casting obtained in the casting step has a fixing part with the spiraling part extending from one side and a protruding part extending from an opposite side. A specified portion of the spiraling part, a central portion of the fixing part and/or the protruding part has a larger dimension before the cutting step is performed than after the cutting step is performed. |
| US08402648B2 |
Printed circuit board fabrication method
A printed circuit board includes a through hole constituted by a hole penetrating through the front and rear surfaces of the printed circuit board. A fabrication method of the printed circuit board, includes applying conductive material plating to the inner wall surface of the hole to form a through hole electrically connecting the front and rear surfaces of the printed circuit board, and removing the conductive material plated on the hole inner wall surface at least at a portion between the front and rear surfaces of the printed circuit board is carried out to thereby fabricate a printed circuit board having a through hole electrically isolates the front surface of the printed circuit board from the rear surface thereof. |
| US08402644B2 |
Method of manufacturing an electronic parts packaging structure
A method of manufacturing an electronic parts packaging structure including the steps of preparing a plurality of sheet-like units each of which is constructed by a first insulating layer, a wiring formed on one surface of the first insulating layer, electronic parts connected to the wiring, a second insulating layer formed on an one surface side of the first insulating layer to cover the electronic parts, and a connecting portion for connecting electrically the wiring, and stacking mutually the units to arrange directions of unit adjacent in a thickness direction alternately oppositely, and bonding the units such that electronic parts of respective units are electrically connected mutually via connecting portions. |
| US08402642B2 |
Pocket coil spring structure assembling apparatus
In a pocket coil spring structure assembling apparatus, a row-of-pocket-coil-springs auxiliary feed stock mechanism and a row-of-pocket-coil-springs delivery mechanism are connected together in series so as to form a row-of-pocket-coil-springs supply unit, a plurality of row-of-pocket-coil-springs supply units are disposed on an upstream side with respect to a sealing/cutting mechanism, a control apparatus is allowed to alternatively select a row-of-pocket-coil-springs supply unit to face the sealing/cutting mechanism from the plurality of row-of-pocket-coil-springs supply units, and a row-of-pocket-coil-springs supply unit alternatively selected is moved to face the sealing/cutting mechanism. |
| US08402637B2 |
Vehicle fixture with alignment target
A fixturing system (10) for use with a frame-straightening repair bench (30) that assists in properly positioning fixture bases and providing verification of repairs. The fixturing system includes fixture bases, support assemblies (14), locating members (16), designed to couple with specific control points, and securing mechanisms to secure the vehicle during repair. The alignment targets and verification system provide proof that the fixturing system and replacement parts are properly positioned. If a repair cannot be made by pulling, the damaged areas of the vehicle can be removed and the fixturing system can help position and hold replacement parts until the repair is made substantially permanent, and the alignment targets and verification system provide proof that the repair is accurately made. |
| US08402636B2 |
Method of manufacturing ground-burial type solid insulated transformer
A manufacturing method of ground-buried-type solid insulation transformer includes producing a coil form into which an inner window is formed; winding a low voltage coil and a high voltage coil on the coil form to produce a first coil part; winding glass fiber on the first coil part to produce a second coil part and assembling a first mold into the inner window and then pre-heating the second coil part; putting the second coil part into a second mold and injecting epoxy resin and hardener between the second coil part and the second mold, and automatically molding and curing thereof under predetermined speed, vacuum, pressure and temperature to produce a third coil part on outer circumference of which an epoxy layer is formed; separating the first mold from the inner window of the third coil part and then after-treating and curing the third coil part; cooling the after-treated and cured third coil part and sanding and washing the epoxy layer, and applying semi-conductive coating material to the sanded part to produce a fourth coil part; assembling a core to the fourth coil part to produce a fifth coil part and testing the fifth coil part; and connecting the fifth coil part to a conductive mesh and shielding thereof, and then sealing outer side of the fifth coil part and filling silicone or high molecular weight compound between the fifth coil part and a shell to manufacturing the transformer. |
| US08402627B2 |
Puller tool
A puller tool and method for pulling a component from another component are provided. The puller tool can include a cross bar, a pair of puller legs that are movable along the length of the cross bar and a forcing screw. The puller legs can be quickly positioned anywhere along the length of the cross bar through a quick release mechanism. The cross bar can include notches on its outer surface to ensure that the puller legs are equidistant from each other during use. |
| US08402624B2 |
Blank arrangement
The invention relates to a blank arrangement, with a blank (12) that is to be machined, in particular for the production of dental restoration parts. The blank is connected to a holder (16), which is fixedly connected to the blank (12), and to an adapter (22), which releasably bears the holder (16) and the blank (12), the adapter (22) having an effective surface by means of which the blank unit can be mounted in or on the work holding fixture of a machining device. |
| US08402621B2 |
System and method for forming barbs on a suture
A station for cutting a barb suture is provided. The barb cutting station includes a suture transport assembly for supporting a first suture, a first knife assembly for forming barbs on the first suture, and a first clamp and position assembly for approximating the at least first suture towards the at least first knife assembly. The barb cutting station may further include at least a first suture cutting mechanism configured for severing the at least first suture when a defect is detected. The station may also include at least a first visual inspection assembly configured for detecting defective barbs. |
| US08402614B2 |
Separable bottom end stop for slide fastener
A separable bottom end stop in which a box pin has a box pin body, a first notch portion for receiving the head end of a locking pawl of a reverse-opening slider, and a protrusion piece projecting toward a separable pin in the direction of the tape width from a separable pin facing surface opposed to the separable pin. A side wall surface of the first notch portion and that sectional surface of the protrusion piece which is provided to the front end side of the box pin are formed in one plane to constitute a locking plane with which the front end of the locking pawl makes contact to lock the reverse-opening slider. The box pin body and the protrusion piece have a slant surface declined from the position of the locking plane toward an element row. |
| US08402613B2 |
Slide fastener
A slide fastener is provided. A pair of coupling elements provided along adjacent edges of a pair of fastener tapes. A slider is configured to engage or separate the pair of coupling elements with or from each other. An end stop is secured to the pair of fastener tapes at an end portion of the pair of coupling elements. The pair of coupling elements are secured to each other at one region of the end portion of the pair of coupling elements. The one region extends between a rear end portion of a diamond of the slider and a base portion of the slider in a state where the base portion of the slider comes in contact with the end stop. |
| US08402611B2 |
Positioning hook structure for a hand puller
A positioning hook structure for a hand puller contains a base including a first and a second ends. A rotating member includes a first segment axially connected with the second end and a second segment having a handle. A central shaft set is axially coupled with the first segment and the second end. Two ratchets includes teeth arranged therearound and fixed onto one end of the central shaft set. The base includes a movable retaining member to abut against one of the teeth. The rotating member includes a movable pulling rod to abut against another tooth of the ratchet. A positioning hook includes third and fourth ends, with the third end including two sides including two insertions, and with the fourth end including a hooking portion extending outward. Thus, the positioning hook inserts in the holes of the base by using the insertions. |
| US08402605B2 |
Fastener for fixing a mat to a carpet
A fastener for fixing a mat to a carpet includes a female element having a cap and a female eyelet to sandwich a mat therebetween. A base element is engageable with the female element and includes a carpet holding arrangement for holding a carpet. The base element includes an enlarged head provided with an annular groove. The female eyelet includes at least two studs projecting inward, and deformable arms each of which extends between two adjacent studs transversely to a direction of pushing the head of the base element into the female eyelet. Each arm has a central portion disposed in the annular groove when the female element is engaged with the base element. |
| US08402589B2 |
Cleaning implement
Novel cleaning implements and novel components of cleaning implements are provided. Aspects relate to novel wringers having convex regions with a plurality of drain exits. In some embodiments, concave regions are also provided. The concave regions are substantially devoid of any drain exits. An upper portion of the wringer may be substantially cylindrical or conic-cylindrical and a lower portion may be neither cylindrical nor conic-cylindrical. The bottom perimeter of the bottom may define a square-like shape. Further aspects relate to novel connection assemblies. Certain assemblies may have a top portion with a vertical wall that is configured to position mop fibers along a vertical axis. |
| US08402583B1 |
Multipurpose health care professional tool assembly
A multipurpose health care professional tool assembly for providing in one convenient package the specific tools used on a daily basis by health care professionals includes a housing having a top face, a front slot and a rear slot. A calculator is positioned on the top face of the housing. A light is coupled to the housing. A pen is provided having a connection end and a writing end. The connection end is pivotally coupled to the housing in the rear slot such that the pen is extendable from the rear slot of the housing to facilitate writing using the pen. A hemostat tool is pivotally coupled to the housing and extendable from the front slot into a use position. |
| US08402582B2 |
Air mattress
An air mattress is provided. The air mattress may comprises: a top sheet and a bottom sheet, the top and bottom sheets being made of a flexible airtight material and being connected to form an airtight inflatable compartment; and at least one vertical connecting unit, being disposed within the compartment, wherein the vertical connecting units are attached to respective inner surfaces of the top and bottom sheets to form connecting areas. The air mattress may also comprise a side sheet and at least one horizontal connecting unit. |
| US08402576B2 |
Universal patient lifting frame
The invention relates to a patient lifting frame for use with an invalid hoist for lifting and supporting an invalid patient. Such a lifting frame can be used in conjunction with a wheeled or overhead mechanical or electrical hoist unit, to assist nursing staff, healthcare staff or carers in lifting and moving disabled patients. This lifting frame may also be used in many different areas to carry able bodied people in safety for operations such as air sea rescue service. |
| US08402571B1 |
Toilet seat handle
A handle mechanism for lifting a toilet seat and its cover. The handle mechanism is affixed to the toilet seat cover, and selectively engages the toilet seat to lift the cover and the seat individually or together. Because the handle mechanism is affixed to the front of the cover, when the toilet is being used, with the seat up or down, the handle mechanism is well away from the toilet, such that the handle mechanism remains clean and sanitary. |
| US08402567B2 |
Concealing undergarment
A concealing undergarment preserves a user's modesty while allowing the user to wear modern apparel such as low-slung or low-cut pants, jeans, and the like. In general, the concealing undergarment conceals parts of the user's body which may be revealed due to the style or cut of apparel the user is wearing. The concealing undergarment may have the appearance of skin when worn. This allows the user to wear more revealing styles, as intended. The concealing undergarment may conceal the user's midriff and back while preventing rear cleavage from being seen, especially where the user is wearing low-slung pants or jeans. An extension may be provided to present inspirational phrases, positive words, facts, and other information to a user. The extension may be tucked under the user's bra to be close to the user's heart, and be used to hold an upper portion of the concealing undergarment in position. |
| US08402562B1 |
Garment with a pocket system for an electronic device
A garment comprises a body portion formed from a first, body panel. The body portion has an exterior and an interior, a neck opening, a waist opening and two arm openings. The garment includes a pocket system having an interior pocket formed by a portion of the first, body panel and a second, middle panel attached to the interior of the first body panel. The interior pocket has an opening on the interior of the garment. The pocket system includes an exterior pocket formed by at least a portion of the second, middle panel and a third, innermost panel. The second and third panels have opposed edges attached to the first, body panel. The exterior pocket has an access opening on the exterior of the garment. An electronic connection from an electronic device can be made through an opening when the electronic device is placed inside the exterior pocket. |
| US08407810B2 |
KVM switch, information processing apparatus, and computer readable recording medium
A KVM switch is connectable to a plurality of information processing apparatus and a plurality of consoles used for operating the plurality of information processing apparatus. A storing portion stores first user-limiting information which defines access permission or access no-permission to each information processing apparatus for each user. An acquiring portion acquires second user-limiting information which defines access permission or access no-permission to each information processing apparatus for each user, from each information processing apparatus. A controlling portion controls access to each information processing apparatus for each user based on the first user-limiting information and the second user-limiting information. |
| US08407808B2 |
Security thread for protecting media content
Disclosed herein is a system and method for protecting copyrighted media content. The copyright and playback management information is embedded into at least one data field of the media content. The media content is then encoded for a serial copy management system (SCMS) that utilizes the copyright and playback management information to ensure the appropriate copyright protection of the media content based at least in part on the embedded copyright and playback management information. |
| US08407805B2 |
Method and system for classifying and redacting segments of electronic documents
A method for classifying and redacting electronic documents, for example an email message, is described. The classification and redaction of segments of the email message are based on rules. Using the rules, multiple versions of the email message, each corresponding to recipients with specific clearance levels are generated. A selective redacting of certain segments of the email message concurrently with sending previously redacted segments of the same email message is described. A corresponding system for classifying and redacting electronic documents is also provided. |
| US08407803B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for providing protected content to one or more devices by reacquiring the content from a service
An apparatus for providing protected content to a device(s) by reacquisition of the content from an entity of a service may include a processor and a memory storing executable computer program code that causes the apparatus to at least perform operations including determining one or more Digital Rights Management (DRM) formats that one or more devices support in response to receipt of an indication(s). The computer program code may cause the apparatus to arrange data identifying the devices based at least in part on the DRM formats that correspond to the devices. The computer program code may cause the apparatus to facilitate receipt of content in at least one DRM format that at least one of the devices supports in response to a determination that a first device was selected to provide the content to a device for rendering. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided. |
| US08407800B2 |
Method for software vulnerability flow analysis, generation of vulnerability-covering code, and multi-generation of functionally-equivalent code
A method for detecting, analyzing, and mitigating vulnerabilities in software is provided. The method includes determining whether one or more vulnerabilities are present in one or more target software components, determining whether any detected vulnerabilities are fixable, and fixing the detected vulnerabilities that are fixable in code or in associated models used to generate code. A vulnerability-covering code is generated when one or more of the detected vulnerabilities are not fixable. A determination is then made whether there are any remaining vulnerabilities in the vulnerability-covering code. A vulnerability-aware diverse code is generated when there are one or more remaining vulnerabilities to obfuscate the remaining vulnerabilities. |
| US08407791B2 |
Integrated cyber network security system and method
A computer system for providing security in a computer network includes: a global sensor device configured to determine potential threats to the computer network; a global threat manager device configured to determine identification information associated with the potential threats; and a local security device configured to detect the existence of the potential threats based on the identification information and to take remedial action in response to the potential threats. The system also provides for responding to network attacks in a sufficiently granular method that is optimized according to the current state of the network by maintaining a virtual model of the network; detecting a network attack; generating a plurality of alternative candidate remedial responses to the network attack; and determining a potential network impact of each candidate remedial response using the virtual model of the network. |
| US08407789B1 |
Method and system for dynamically optimizing multiple filter/stage security systems
A method and apparatus for dynamically and automatically optimizing multiple filter/stage security systems whereby a multiple filter/stage security system is provided that includes two or more filters or “stages” and is initially implemented such that the two or more filters/stages are used in an initial order, i.e., in a defined initial sequence. At least two of the two or more filters/stages are then monitored to determine the composite “cost” and/or effectiveness of each filter/stage. Data representing the results of the monitoring of the at least two of the two or more filters/stages is then analyzed to determine a cost/use profile for each filter/stage and the cost/use profile for each filter/stage is then analyzed to determine an optimal order of the at least two of the two or more filters/stages, i.e., an optimal filter/stage sequence, based on actual filter/stage use, actual composite filter/stage cost, and/or user and/or system defined priorities. The optimal filter/stage sequence is then implemented. |
| US08407785B2 |
Systems, methods, and media protecting a digital data processing device from attack
In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, systems, methods, and media for protecting a digital data processing device from attack are provided. For example, in some embodiments, a method for protecting a digital data processing device from attack is provided, that includes, within a virtual environment: receiving at least one attachment to an electronic mail; and executing the at least one attachment; and based on the execution of the at least one attachment, determining whether anomalous behavior occurs. |
| US08407781B2 |
Information providing support device and information providing support method
It is an object to provide an information providing support device which is capable of encouraging a person having an intention or an obligation to provide information to provide safe and good quality information. An information providing support device of the present invention includes: an information storage unit for memorizing at least information input by a user of the information providing support device; an information providing request receiving unit for receiving the information providing request without intermediation of a user operation; an internal information retrieval unit for retrieving relevant information from the information storage unit in response to the information providing request received by the information providing request receiving unit, the relevant information being information relevant to the information providing request; and an information providing request presenting unit for presenting a predetermined information manager with the information providing request for which the relevant information has been retrieved by the internal information retrieval unit and the relevant information in association with each other, the information manager being authorized to permit the provision of the information stored in the information storage unit. |
| US08407780B2 |
Method and system for messaging security
An e-mail firewall applies policies to e-mail messages transmitted between a first site and a plurality of second sites. The e-mail firewall includes a plurality of mail transfer relay modules for transferring e-mail messages between the first site and one of the second sites. Policy managers are used to enforce and administer selectable policies. The policies are used to determine security procedures for the transmission and reception of e-mail messages. The e-mail firewall employs signature verification processes to verify signatures in received encrypted e-mail messages. The e-mail firewall is further adapted to employ external servers for verifying signatures. External servers are also used to retrieve data that is employed to encrypt and decrypt e-mail messages received and transmitted by the e-mail firewall, respectively. |
| US08407776B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for provisioning a push notification session
A system and method for provisioning a push notification session via a communications network between an application on a client terminal and a server corresponding to the application. In one aspect, a push provisioning entity transmits a message to the client terminal, whereby to configure the client terminal into a state in which it is able to request a push notification session with the server. An application on the client terminal can then request establishment of a push notification session by transmitting a push notification session request message to the push provisioning entity. The push provisioning entity generates a token for use in validating the push notification session, associates the generated token with the application and transmits the token to the application, which uses it to establish the push notification session. |
| US08407774B2 |
Cloud authentication processing and verification
A method and system for the identification of a user is provided, the system having: an enrollment processor, whereby initial login attempts by the user are measured, and data identifying the user are collected for a specific device and location; the enrollment processor being configured to collect the identifying data and create a first login score, a iterative average login score, and a iterative standard deviation login score; an enrolled login processor, the enrolled login processor being configured to measure dwell time on keys and flight time between keys in a login sequence and to calculate weighted dwell time and weighted flight time from the dwell time and the flight time; a login score calculator, the calculator taking the weighted flight time and the weighted dwell time and generating an actual login score; a login confidence comparator, the login confidence comparator comprising a processor whereby a comparison score is generated as a function of the actual login score, the iterative average login score, and the iterative standard deviation login score. |
| US08407772B2 |
Method, device, and system for issuing license
A system for issuing a license includes a Content Issuer (CI) configured to receive a Cooperate-RORequest from a Rights Issuer (RI). The CI encapsulates, according to the information carried in the Cooperate-RORequest, content related information by using a key of a destination entity to obtain an encapsulation key, and generates a Message Authentication Code (MAC) on part of information of a license. The CI sends the generated MAC and obtained encapsulation key to the RI, so that the RI sends the license that includes the MAC and the encapsulation key to the destination entity. |
| US08407771B1 |
Method and system for providing persistence in a secure network access
A system and method for providing persistence in a secure network access by using a client certificate sent by a client device to maintain the identity of a target. A security handshake is performed with a client device to establish a secure session. A target is determined. A client certificate is associated with the target. During subsequent secure sessions, the client certificate is used to maintain persistent communications between the client and a target. A session ID can be used in combination with the client certificate, by identifying the target based on the session ID or the client certificate, depending on which one is available in a client message. |
| US08407769B2 |
Methods and apparatus for wireless device registration
Disclosed are a system and methods for associating a “generic” wireless device, i.e., a device that is not pre-programmed with subscription credentials corresponding to a particular operator, with a Home Operator designated by the device's owner. The disclosed system and methods further facilitate the automatic linking of a newly activated M2M device to an appropriate server for downloading the subscription credentials for the Home Operator. The disclosed system includes a registration server for maintaining electronic registration data for a plurality of wireless devices and for directing newly activated wireless devices to a server for downloading “permanent” subscription credentials, such as a downloadable USIM. The disclosed system further includes a subscription server for updating registration server entries to reflect an association between a first wireless device and its corresponding home network. In some embodiments, the subscription server may be further configured for downloading subscription credentials to subscribing wireless devices. |
| US08407766B1 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring sensitive data on a computer network
A method and apparatus for monitoring sensitive data on a computer network is described. In one embodiment, a method for protecting sensitive data from being leaked to a computer network comprises monitoring data related to a user that is presented on one or more web pages through a common interface, which enables a search for sensitive data on the one or more web pages of the one or more web sites and determining a disclosure of the sensitive data on a web page of one or more web pages. |
| US08407759B1 |
Device, method, and system for secure mobile data storage
A device, method, and system for secure mobile data storage includes a mobile data storage device having a short-range communication circuit, a long-range communication circuit, and a data storage for storing data. The mobile data storage device is used to store data used by a paired mobile communication device. The mobile data storage device and the mobile communication device communicate control signals over a wireless control link established using the short-range communication circuit and data over a wireless data link, different from the wireless control link, established using the long-range communication circuit. The mobile data storage device and/or mobile communication device may monitor a distance between the devices and perform a security function in response the devices being separated from each other. The mobile data storage device may backup data on a remote data server and/or repopulate data from the remote data server using the mobile communication device. |
| US08407756B2 |
Systems and methods for remote web query and image selection exchange to video screen
Systems and methods are disclosed which relate to browsing through search results on a handheld communications device, and displaying a desired search result on an external display device. The system includes a handheld communications device having a user interface to search for a plurality of media resources, an application server to deliver the media resources, and a set-top box to receive a request to display a desired media resource on a display device coupled to the set-top box, such as an IPTV. The user interface presents novel methods to send the desired search result to the IPTV via the application server. The user may “throw” the media resource to the set-top box using a hand gesture to invoke an accelerometer in the handheld communications device. |
| US08407755B2 |
Control of IPTV using second device
An IPTV may be controlled in part by a second user consumer electronic (CE) device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) or laptop computer. The IPTV obtains system credentials from a management server to access multiple content servers, and the second CE device can browse Internet content available to the IPTV by accessing a proxy server, which coordinates with the management server and content serves to obtain necessary credentials and information for the second CE device. |
| US08407752B2 |
Synchronizing broadcast content with corresponding network content
This disclosure describes methods and systems for synchronizing broadcast and network content, such as web content. It also describes related technology for facilitating linking from broadcast content to related information and e-commerce on a network. One method detailed in this disclosure synchronizes broadcast content with dynamic network content at a network address. This method embeds an identifier in a broadcast, extracts the identifier embedded in broadcast content, and uses the identifier to identify corresponding network content. The method then posts the corresponding network content on a network device located at the network address (e.g., a web page at the URL of the broadcaster). The network device (e.g., web server) is responsive to requests sent to the network address to provide the network content over a network. Using this method, the broadcast content is synchronized with the corresponding network content. This approach enables the content at the broadcaster's fixed web site URL to change dynamically with the broadcast. This approach is transparent to the user, who simply visits the same URL to get more information about current programming or purchase a product currently advertised in current programming. |
| US08407751B2 |
Methods, devices, and computer program products for providing instant messaging in conjunction with an audiovisual, video, or audio program
Methods, devices, and computer program products for providing instant messaging in conjunction with an audiovisual, video, or audio program are provided. The methods include providing an audiovisual, video, or audio program to a user. Viewer/listener input is received requesting activation of a program-based instant messaging function. A viewer/listener identifier corresponding to the viewer/listener is associated with a program identifier that uniquely identifies the audiovisual, video, or audio program being provided to the user to thereby generate a program viewer/listener record. The program viewer/listener record is transmitted to an electronic database. A list of other users who are viewing or listening to the program in addition to the viewer/listener is acquired from the electronic database. The list of other users is transmitted to the viewer/listener. |
| US08407747B1 |
Adaptive trick play streaming
Methods and devices for controlling trick-play video streaming. Upon receipt of a request to play video at a fast-play (e.g., fast-forward or fast-reverse) speed that is some multiple of a normal playback speed, one of multiple possible frame-rate versions of a trick-play track may be selected based on the requested fast-play speed and an available network bandwidth, and a server may stream the selected frame-rate version of the trick-play track to a client for playout. The various frame-rate versions may differ from each other in terms of a rate at which they skip I-frames of the video. |
| US08407746B2 |
Wireless digital video recorders—content sharing systems and methods
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for distributing media content between portable media devices with digital rights management protections. Offering several applications in the technical arts, embodiments of the present invention provide methods for managing distribution of media content between portable media devices. Further, embodiments of the present invention provide methods for easy and effective transmission of media content between portable media devices. |
| US08407745B2 |
Wireless entertainment system
An entertainment delivery system including a delivery station configured for receiving an order for entertainment content from a telephone, the telephone being configured to receive entertainment content over a wireless network, the telephone also having a display device adapted to display said entertainment content, an entertainment database coupled to the delivery station, wherein the delivery station is configured for retrieving the entertainment content from the entertainment database when the order is received, the entertainment content including video content for display, and a billing database coupled to the delivery station, wherein the delivery station is configured for sending a billing record corresponding to a user account associated with the telephone to the billing database when the order is received. |
| US08407743B2 |
Method for processing additional information related to an announced service or content in an NRT service and a broadcast receiver
A method of processing additional information related to an announced service or content in a Non-Real Time (NRT) service and the broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of providing a Non-Real Time (NRT) service in a broadcasting receiver includes receiving a service map table (SMT) and a first descriptor through a service signaling channel, identifying an image identifier and an image type of an image for an NRT service based upon the first descriptor, receiving the image via a flute session and displaying the image when corresponding service is played, wherein the image is logo or icon data for the NRT service. The method may further include connecting a service signaling channel, parsing the received SMT and the first descriptor, determining whether a service is the NRT service based upon the parsed SMT and storing the received image. |
| US08407742B2 |
System and method for reserving preference event of broadcasting program
There is provided a preference event reservation system of a broadcasting program including: a head end inserting event information into a broadcasting program sued broadcasting the broadcasting program containing the event information and an event information list; and a client terminal. The client terminal includes a controller displaying the event information list transferred from the head end, controlling a reservation for a preference event out of the event information list, and controlling execution of the reservation when event information that corresponds to the preference event is transferred from the head end; and a memory storing the reservation for the preference event. |
| US08407740B2 |
Signal processing apparatus, signal processing system including the same, and control method of the same
A signal processing apparatus is provided. The signal processing apparatus includes: a memory unit in which a plurality of channels and Internet addresses corresponding to the channels are stored; a network connecting unit which is connectable to the Internet; and a control unit which controls the network connecting unit to connect to an Internet address corresponding to a channel selected by a user and to receive content provided from the connected Internet address. |
| US08407738B2 |
Television tuning on start-up
A method includes requesting most-watched program information from a subscription television service and identifying the most-watched program for a current time slot. The method further includes receiving a channel identification for the most-watched program for the current time slot, automatically tuning to the most-watched program based on the channel identification, and displaying the most-watched program. The most-watched program may be tuned at the start of a set-top box initialization sequence to give perception of a fast start time. |
| US08407736B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing emergency communications
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller operable to monitor for emergency messages over a broadcast network and over the Internet, obtain an emergency message based on the monitoring where the emergency message comprises text data, audio data, schedule data and location data and where the text and audio data correspond to a plurality of languages, generate an alert message comprising the schedule data, the location data and at least a portion of the plurality of languages of the text and audio data, and multicast the alert message over an Internet Protocol Television network to a plurality of set top boxes, wherein each of the set top boxes presents a text alert that is synchronized with an audio alert based on the multicast alert message when the location data corresponds with a location of the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08407735B2 |
Methods and apparatus for identifying segments of content in a presentation stream using signature data
Described herein are methods and apparatus for the identification of locations in a presentation stream based on metadata associated with the presentation stream. Locations within a presentation stream are identified using signature data associated with the presentation stream. The identified locations within a presentation stream may be utilized to identify boundaries of segments within the presentation stream, such as logical chapters, scenes or other sections of the content. The identified segments of the presentation stream may then be selectably viewed by a user. |
| US08407732B2 |
Electronic equipment control system
An electronic equipment control system including a plurality of pieces of electric equipments connected with one another through a network. A piece of electric equipment among the plurality of pieces of electric equipments comprises: a setting and inputting unit to set and input broadcast content setting information regarding view of a broadcast content; a broadcast content setting information storage unit to store the content setting information; a transmission unit to transmit the content setting information set and input by the setting and inputting unit to another piece of electric equipment connected to the network; a reception unit to receive the content setting information transmitted from another piece of electric equipment connected to the network; and an update unit to update the content setting information stored in the content setting information storage unit based on the content setting information received by the reception unit. |
| US08407731B2 |
Motor with a chucking device having a turntable and a plurality of balls, and a disk drive apparatus including the motor
A chucking device includes a disk support unit on which a disk is placed, a resin-made turntable arranged to directly or indirectly support the disk support unit from below, a metal member including a circular plate portion closely secured to a lower surface of the turntable, and a plurality of balls rollably arranged below the disk support unit and above the circular plate portion about a center axis in a circumferential direction. The turntable includes an antiskid member, a bottom rolling surface arranged to support the balls from below through the antiskid member and a cylindrical side rolling surface positioned radially outwards of the balls. |
| US08407721B2 |
Communication interface selection on multi-homed devices
Configurable selection of communication interfaces on a multi-homed computing device. Application programs executing on the computing device define preferences, policies, and/or restrictions for use of the various communication interfaces. Responsive to a request from one of the application programs to communicate with a destination computing device, a list of the communication interfaces is created based on the preferences defined by the application program. The application program iteratively attempts to establish a connection to the destination computing device using each of the communication interfaces on the list. |
| US08407720B1 |
Inter-process communication management
Inter-process communication management allows a first data storage system management application to execute a second data storage system management application. For example, when a user directs a client device to execute a second application while executing a first application, the client device establishes an inter-process communication (IPC) channel between the two applications to allow for security and navigation commands to be passed from the first application to the second application. With such a configuration, the first application does not require the user to re-enter information, such as a target IP address, and encrypted password to execute the second application. In one arrangement, the IPC channel is configured to detect the termination of either the first or the second application. Once detected, the client device can safely terminate the IPC channel between the two applications and execute the remaining, non-terminated application as a standalone product. |
| US08407719B2 |
Program code comprising a number of program code package groups stored on storage units
A software platform is provided for a hospital for example, wherein software modules (program code packages) are assigned in groups to different levels. In at least one embodiment, the presence of software interfaces allows software modules of different levels to be stored and run on different computer units with a data processing facility and storage unit, thus allowing communication between different levels by way of a data line. In at least one embodiment, this allows tasks to be moved out of the hospital, thereby saving costs. |